Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19294, Aberhart Fetner, Continental S.C.
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Continental Fetner, Aberhart S.19294
S.C. carded
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Hon E. Whittle [illegible] May 21/50
S. Godwin July 23/52


South Carolina 32.591
?hart [Aberhart] Fetner
? in the state of S. Carolina as a Fifer in hte company commanded by Captain D. Hart of the regt commanded by Col Thompson in the S. Carolina line for [blank] Continental

Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 88 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of November 1847 and sent to Jas A Black. Jr Esq. Columbia, SC

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1847 $1462.00
Semi=anl. Allowance ending 4th March ‘48 44.00
=====
$1496.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by S. Cole Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 6 Page 67
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State of South Carolina
Richland District

On the eleventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six personally appeared before me Saml R Black one of the magistrates for the district and state aforesaid Aberhart Fetner a resident of the District of Richland state of South Carolina, aged eighty six on the 21st day of October next, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832 that he enlisted in the army of the United State in the year 1777 in August of the same under Capt Derrill Hart in Col William Thomson's regiment of foot as a musician and served in the same, the third regiment of the continental line-- That he continued in said regiment until the Battle of Briar Creek at which time he was taken prisoner and confined on board a prison ship at Savannah in the state of Georgia-- that he was afterward retaken by Col Lee and served under Capt Rudolph in Col Lee's regiment in which he served until the close of the war of the Revolution-- that before entering the last mentioned regiment he served under Capt. Felix Warley who also belonged to Col William Thomson's Regt of foot-- that he is aged and in needy circumstances-- He also answers to the following interrogations upon oath. 1st Int Where and in what year were you born Answer In Charleston on the
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21st day of October 1780.  2nd Qst.  Have you any Rec. of your age and if so where is it?  Answer.Yes I have it now in my possession.  3rd Qst.  Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Answer At Granby in Lexington District South Carolina, afterwards in Chester District and now in Richmond District adjoining Lexington District South Carolina.
4th Qst. How were you called into service were you draughted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom.
Answer I enlisted in August 1777 under Capt Derril Hart in Col. William Thomson's Regt.  afterwards under Capt Felix Warley in Col William Thomson's Regt. which was the third Continental Regt. in the Expedition to Florida.
5th Qst.  State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the Troops where you served, such as Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer.  Col. William Thomson and Col. Lee both of Contintental Regiments.
6th Qst. did you ever receive a discharge and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Answer I got a discharge from Col Lee but have since lost it.  
7th Qst.  Just state the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your own service as a soldier of the Revolution.  
Answer. I am acquainted with Rev. John L. Cook and John C. Bell of Columbia.  He also declares that he petitioned the Legislature of South Carolina in 1826 and was placed on the pension list of this state (see the accompanying copy by the Treasurer of the upper division) that those who
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were the his witnesses are dead or gone without his reach that he served in all five years and four months to wit from August 1777 to 25th Dec. 1782.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the same and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state only on that the state of South Carolina.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Aberhart Fetner
Saml R. Black
one of the magistrates for Richland District
S.C.
South Carolina
Richland District

We John P. Cook a clergyman residing in Columbia S.C. and John C. Bell residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Aberhart Fetner who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty six years old or of age that he reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and that he is a gentleman of unquestionable veracity and honor.
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid
John P. Cooke
John C Bell

South Carolina
Richland District
I James S Guignard clerk of the court of Common Pleas of General Sessions in & for the District aforesaid do certify that Samuel B. Black Esq who hath attested to the above affidavit is an acting magistrate in and for the District aforesaid that all ue faith & credit is & outght to be given to his acts as such & that his signature is genuine and also that John P. Cook & John C. Bell are credible persons the former being a clergyman & that their statement is entitled to credit.  In testimony whereas I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court of Columbia this twelfth day of September Anno Domini Eighteen hundred & fifty six
James S. Guignard
Clerk of Court
CCP & Sessions
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Prior to 4th March 1848
Date of death not stated
BSB
A Fetner
S C (?)
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SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY --W. Riley, Pr., Charleston.

The State of South Carolina.
Know all mean by these presents, that I Archibald Fetner child of Aberhart Fetner deceased who was a fifer in the war of Revolution and who drew a pension at the rate of eighty eight dollars per annum and who died on the tenth day of May 1848 do make, constitute, and appoint, S. Godwin Esquire 

my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name place my hand to prosecute my claim to any increase and arrears of pension that may be found due on account of the services of my said father deceased as aforesaid and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all paper and documents to [illegible] my claim on file with the departments at Washington or elsewhere and file any additional evidence or arguments he may think proper to insure the recovery of the same
 
with power also, and Attorney, or Attorneys under him for that purpose, to make and substitute, and to do all lawful acts for effecting the Premises, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or my Substitute or Substitutes, shall do therein, by virtue thereof.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, this twentyninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
Archibald Fetner seal 
Sealed and delivered in the presence of 
James A. Black
Mordecai Harrison

Be it known, that on the twentyninth day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty two and in the seventysixth year of the Independence of the United States of America, before me a magistrate, duly commission and sworn, came Archibald Fetner above names, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney, to be his act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed my Seal of Office, at Columbia in the state of South Carolina, the day and year last mentioned.
A Fetch
Magt
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State of South Carolina} ss
Richland District}
Be it known that on the
twentyninth day of April 1832 before the subscriber
an acting magistrate in and for said District
personally appeared Archibald Fetner and made
oath according to [illegible] that he is the child of
Aberhart Fetner deceased who was a fifer in the
war of the Revolution and a pensioner of
the United States at the rate of Eighty eight dollars
per annum that he has reason to believe that the
said pension ought to be increased and that he is
directly interested in the same and makes
this affridavit to be filed by this attorney
[illegible] additional evidence or arguments
her may deem necessary in the prosecution
of said claim

Sworn & subscribed the day & year last above
mentioned before me Archivald Fetner
A Fitch
Magt

State of South Carolina}
Richland District}
I James S. Guignard Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas & General Sessions is
and for the District aforesaid do certify that A Fitch Esquire
who hath attested the above afficavid is our acting magistrate in
and for the aforesaid District and that his signature is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the said Court at Columbia
this 29 day of April anno domini 1852

James S. Guignard
Clerk of Court
Com. please & Gen Sessions
Richland District

Paid to 4th March 18[?]8
Date of death not stated
BSB
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State of South Carolina
District of Richland
This hereby certifies that satisfactory evidence has this day been submitted to the undersigned judge of the court of ordinary in and for said District which is a court of record that Aberhart Fetner who was a pensioner of the United States died in said district on the tenth day of May A.D. 1848 leaving then surviving him the following children, Archibald Fetner, James S. Fetner, Mary Hartin, Alexander B. Fetner, and Elizabeth Hawkins.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office on this second day of July eighteen hundred and fifty six.
James S. Guignard
Judge of Court of Ordinary
Richland District
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Oct 5 46
20
Columbia (seal)
PAID
Col. James L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

A Fetner
S.C.
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State of South Carolina
Richland District
SS

Be the twenty ninth day of September A.D. 1846. Personally appeared before me one of the magistrates for the district of Richland in the state aforesaid Aberhart Fetner who upon his oath states that at the time he rendered service in the army of the United States and during the Revolutionary war he was known and called by the name of John Aberhart Fetner, but some time after said was and at the instance and request of his brother he dropt the name "John" and was from that time to the present called "Aberhart Fetner".
Sworn to before me this 29 Sept. A.D. 1846.
James R. Black
magistrate
Aberhart Fetner

The state of South Carolina
Richland District

I James S. Guignard clerk of the court of Common Pleas in and for the district aforesaid do hereby certify that Samuel R. Black Esq who hath attested the above affidavit is a magistrate in and for the district aforesaid that all faith and credit in and ought to be given to his [illegible] as such and that his signature is genuine-- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the courts of Columbia this thirtieth day of September anno Domini eighteen hundred and forty six.

James S. Guignard
Clerk of Court
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19294
INVALID.
File No. 19294
Aberhart Fetner
Fifer Rev. War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: Vol. 2 Page 134
(Arrangement of 1870.)
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(Copy)
To the Honorable, the speaker and members of the House of Representatives,

The petition of Aberhart Fetner respectfully showeth that your petitioner in the year 1777 enlisted as a musician in 3rd Reg. of state Troops commanded by Col. Thomson-- that he continued to serve in said Regiment until the battle of Briar Creek at which time he was taken prisoner and confined on board a prison ship at Savannah. Your petitioner was afterwards retaken and served under Capt. Rudolph in Col Lee's Regt until the close of the Revolutionary War. Your petitioner is now in the sixty seventh year of his age and in indigent circumstances and has become unable by manual labor to procure a subsistence. He therefore prays your Honorable body on account of his age and infirmities to be placed on the pension list.
(signed) Aberhhart Fetner

South Carolina
Richland District

Personally appeared before me, Aberhart Fetner who states upon oath that the contents of the above petition are true. This deponent further states that he served five year during the was and that for three months of which service only he has received compensation 

Sworn to before me November 28th 1826
(Signed) C. Bookter
(Signed) Aberhart Fetner

State of South Carolina 
Richland District
Personally appeared before
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me. Morgan Griffin and made oath that he knew Aberhart Fetner in the Revolutionary War-- that he served in the 3rd Reg. commanded by Col. Thomson as a musician and thinks he continued in said Regiment two or three years

Sworn to before me Nov. 29th 1826 (signed) C. Bookter
(signed) his mark X Morgan Griffin

South Carolina
Richland District
Personally appeared before me, William Taylor Senior and made oath the he knew Aberhart Fetner in the Revolutionary War and that he served in the Continental Service under Capt Derrill Hart in the third Regiment commanded by Col. Wm. Thomson in the capacity of a fifer.

Sworn to before me this 28th Nov. 1826
(signed) Benj. Rawls 
(signed) W. Taylor.

South Carolina
Richland District
Personally appeared before me, Gideon Griffin and made oath that Aberhart Fetner served as a musician in the Revolutionary War in the 3rd Regt. commanded by Col Thomson and believes said Fetner continued in said Regt. about three years.

Sworn to before me Nov. 29th 1826 
(signed) C. Bookter
(signed) his mark X Gideon Griffin
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I wish to see the papers in the case Aberhart Fetner act 32 (?)
SC
S Godwin
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May 10
G.
Anderson
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State of South Carolina
Richland District

Personally appeared before me Benjamin Hart who upon oath states that he is eighty one years of age and that he is well acquainted with Aberhart Fetner who has made application to be placed on the pension list of the United States and that he knew him well when he enlisted under the brother of this deponent Lieutenant Derrill Hart in the service of the United States in the 3rd Continental Redgiment in the South Carolina line commanded by Col William Thomson and that they said Aberhart Fetner is the identical man as above stated. This Deponent further states that he has heard his brother Lieut. Derrill Hart since say that the said Aberhart Fetner was a fifer under his command. 

Sworn to before me this 7th day of July 1847
A Fitch magistrate
Ben Hart

I certify that Benjamin Hart the deponent above is a person of goof character and to his statement are due full faith and credit
A Fitch magistrate
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Columbia S.C.
29 Apl 52
S. Godwin Esq
Dear Sir,
I now send you a 
power of Attorney from one of the
heirs of Aberhart Fetner and
enclosed you will also find
references to American Archive,
which will show that even the
privates of 3d S.C. Contl. Reg to be allowed $12 per
month. This is the experiment
case & use your best endeavors
to get the increase due a fifer
of 3d S.C. Contl. Regt. which said Regt
was allowed pay equal, I think, to
that of the Artillery. Let me
hear as soon as convenient
Yr friend
Jas Aug. Black

That 3d S.C. Contl Regt were required to keep horses & have
all the equipment of Cavalry & see page 578, 5 Vol 4th
Series, American Archives - 
see also following references to that Regiment in same
work viz 4th series Vol 2 p. 953 & 954- same series & vol p 40 & 49.
4th series 5th Vol p 579 - 4th series Vol 6th  p1715- 2 Vol. 4th series p1899- same
Series 6th vol p 1883-'4-'5 to 1192-1129-  There is a reference
showing the amount of pay per month allowed 3d Regt.
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(Ranging?) which I have got misplaced.  I am to much presed for time just now to look it up. Mr. Jones or Evan I think told me of having seen it.  Examine American Archives Proceeding of  S. C. Cont. Congress  about latter part of 1775 or 1776, probably later.  I think 1776 is the date of the Resolve.

Yours &c
Jas. A. Black
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Columbia S.C.
I certify that the annexed is a true copy of the petition of Aberhart Fetner-- filed in the office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives of the state of South Carolina. Together with the affidavits of Morgan Griffin, W. Taylor, and Gideon Griffin-- upon which the said Aberhart Fetner was allowed a pension from this state.
4th September 1846.

Derrill Hart
for Benjamin Hart
State House Keeper.
Treasury Office, Columbia

I certify that Aberhart Fetner has been drawing a pension regularly from the state Treasury in virtue of a resolution passed by the legislature in December 1826 placing him upon the pension roll.
Derrill Hart, Depty 
for Francis Burt
Treas. (?) Div.
4th September 1846
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32, 591
Aberhart Fetner
Fifer, Capt. D. Hart
Col. Thompson's regt.
South Carolina line
Act 7 June 1832
$88 per annum to 
commence 4 March 1832.
South Carolina Roll
Send out to James A. Black,
junior, Eq.
Columbia, S.C.
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Columbia S.C
6th July 1852
S. Godwin Esq.
Dear Sir,
I have just
obtained the 
Attorney's certificiate as to date of death and living children of A. Fetner which please find enclosed.
Very respectfully,
Yr. obt. Sert
Jas Aug Black
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Winnsboro, S. C.
Nov. 10 1847

Sir:

I take pleasure in certifying
that Maj. B. Hart
of Columbia, s. C. who makes
affidavit in behalf of the
pension claim of Mr. Aberhart
Fetner of Richland District
S. C. is as worthy of credit
as any man in the state
of South Carolina
Very respectfully
J H Woodward

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Commr Pens
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Treasury Department
Comptrollers Office
April 25th 1850.
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir
There is a small sum of money under the description of "certificate of registered debt" standing on the books of the register in the  name of Robert Kennedy of the 3rd South Carolina Regiment. The claim is a Revolutionary one, and the certificate was issued on the 5th day of December 1794. The debt is demanded by Eliza Colletto of Baltimore who represents herself to be a grand daughter of Robert Kennedy but the late Robert Kennedy of Baltimore is not identified as Robert Kennedy of the 3rd South Carolina Regiment. For the purpose of ascertaining whether he is the same person; I wish to correspond with persons who served during the revolution in that Regiment on who were in the service from that quarter and if any  such person or persons is or are on the pension list, I will thank you to name him, or them, at your early convenience.
Most Sincerely
Yours
Elisha Whittlesey
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Washington City,
May 7th 1852
Sir,
I herewith enclose you an application for an increase of pensions for the heir of Aberhart Fetner, and who only had $88 per annum as an infantry man when it most clearly appears he ought to have been allowed as an artillery man and fifer of the 3rd SC Regiment. The claim was allowed Nov. 1847. Act of Limitation don't effect this claim.
Very respectfully,
Saml Goodwin

James E Heath Esq
Comm of Pensions
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No (?) box 120
Oct 18 '47
Col James L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Aberthart Fetner
S.C.

Ja Black
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Columbia So. Ca. Oct 13th 1847.

Dear Sir, 

Please find inclosed an affidavit of Jasper Faust as to the identity of Aberhart Fetner regularly certified by the Magistrate and clerk. This together with the affidavit of Maj Benj Hart sent you some two months ago does certainly establish the identity required. You have now the affidavit of two persons to the same facts and I hope this will satisfy your mind fully on this point. I have incurred all the expense of the claim and as Fetner is so very poor would be glad to settle his claim soon, for I assure you I am tired of incurring the expenses. An early answer is particularly requested. 
Your Obt Servt
James A Black Jr
for A. Fetner
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Treasury Office
Columbia S.C. May 25th 1847
This is to certify that Aberhart Fetner of Richland District, South Carolina was placed on the pension roll of said state in December 1826, and continued to receive his annual pension until February 1846, after which time (viz) in September of the same year, he made application to the general government to be placed on the pension roll of the United States, in consequence of which, his annual allowance due him on the first of March last has been withheld until the request of that application is known. Francis Burt
Treasurer
for Derrill A Hart
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Columbia S.C. June 25th 1847.
Copy
Pension office
September 26th 1846
Sir
The papers which you sent to this office in the case of Aberhart Fetner have been examined and filed. The 3rd Section of the act of the 25th of April 1808 will not permit us to place his name on the pension rolls. That law makes no provision for state pensioners who were not at that time on the state pension rolls. Fetner it appears was not pensioned by South Carolina until 1826. He can (?)make the necessary proof to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7th 1832. His declaration made under that law is properly drawn up; but his statement does not correspond entirely with our rolls. We find a man on the rolls who was called Fetner with the name Aberhart prefixed; but he bore another name in addition to it. If the claimant was ever called by any other name he showed state the fact under oath and give the name, as he may perhaps be the same person whose service recorded on our books. If so there will be no difficulty in his producing the necessary proof of identity and establishing his claim.
I am respectfully your obt servt
J.L. Edwards
James A Black Jun. Esq
Columbia 
S. Carolina (over)
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Above you will please read a copy of your letter to me nine months ago on the subject of John Aberhart Fetner's claim under the act June 7th 1832 under which he applied. On 29th of Sept. 1846 I mailed to your address (postage paid but which was unnecessary in such cases) the affidavit of Aberhart Fetner the applicant which deposed that his name was from an infant till immediately after the war "John Aberhart Fetner" but after the war at the instance of his brother he dropt "John" and continued "Aberhart" only. So this affidavit no answer has ever been used and I have written time after time and cannot get a line from you. I do not want to give Mr. Fetner's claim into the hands of any attorney at Washington as in most cases they take one half and as I know that it can be carried through if the papers are punctually answered by you. He is now boarding (or rather on charity) at a gentleman's house who is no ways related to him. His little state pension has been stopped by the treasurer of So. Ca.  until his claim is decided at the pension office of the U.S. Nine months is long enough and as I have written and written. Mr. Hart also in my absence now beg you if you please & want to do great service to a
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deserving old soldier to give me an early answer and whatever is necessary in the claim so mention. The business of prosecuting claims in S.C. has been very seldom undertaken but in cases of this sort where need and merit are on the applicants side it is strange and a pity that gentlemen at Washington who can assist by directions would ever refuse to do so.
I sent you lately a certificate from treasury office that Fitner was discontinued as state pensioner in consequence of his applying for an U.S. pension. I do sincerely hope you will answer this soon and thereby in charity as well as official duty aid a poor old continentalist who has no home and dependent on friends only.
I am very respectfully your obt servt
James A. Black Jnr
atty for Jno Aberhart Fetner

Col J L Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Paid PAID 10
Col James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
August 2(?)
Aberhart Fetner 
S.C.
Columbia S.C. 
30
Jul
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Columbia So. Ca.
July 30th 1847
Col James L Edwards,
Sir, 
I recently forwarded to you address (officially) the affidavit of Maj Ben Hart as to the identity of the Aberhart Fetner with the one whose name appears on your rolls which affidavit I thought fully removed the difficulty alluded to n your last communication of 3rd July inst. Will you be so good as to inform me is any further proof be requisite and what as old Mr. Fetner is very needy at this time and on charity of his neighbors having no wife to take care of him and besides 10 months seem an ample time to establish his claim. The business of prosecuting such claims is not much followed in S.C. and never having any experience before in such cases (having only undertaken this by request as he was so needy) I may not have known properly how to expedite the matter.
Yours
James A Black Jun.
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Col. James L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
May 17 '47
Columbia
S.C.
May 17
Aberhart Fetner S.C.
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Columbia So. Ca. May 13th 1847
Col. James L Edwards,
Dear Sir, 
I wish to call your attention to the application of Aberhart Fetner for a pension under the Act June 7th 1832. I drew up his Declaration and it was regularly signed on oath by Mr. Fetner but as I have been absent from Columbia since 28th Jany last his final answer had never been received by me or any one else. Mr. D A Hart wrote to you in my absence on the subject but his letter have not been answered. In reply to the papers sent on in the case (the declaration having been signed on 11th Sept 1846) you make use of the following dates, Sept 26th, 1846 which is now before me "The papers which you sent to this office in the case of Aberhart Fetner have been examined and filed. The 3rd section of the Act of the 25th of April 1808 will not permit us to place his name on the pension rolls. That law makes no provision for state pensioner who were not at that time on the state pension rolls" Fetner it appears
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"was not pensioned by South Carolina until 1826. He can however make the necessary proofs to obtain the benefits of the Act of June 7th 1832. His declaration made under that law is properly drawn up; but his statement does not correspond entirely with our rolls. We find a man on the rolls who was called Fetner and with the name Aberhart prefixed, but he bore another name in addition to it. If the claimant was ever called by any other name he should state the fact under oath and give the name as he may perhaps be the same person whose service is recorded on our books. If so it will be no difficulty in his producing the necessary proof of identity and establishing his claim."
I immediately (on 29th Sept.) sent on his affidavit of the fact that he was called John Aberhart Fetner until after the Revolutionary War, and at the instance of his brother he dropped John and continued Aberhart only. This paper you never answered and I have written twice myself to you on the matter as six months time is sufficient time for any claim before your beauro to receive its disposal. As yet you have neither answered Mr Hart or myself.
Now I beg you to say what is waiting. Why the old man's claim can not be allowed or even answered as I assure you he is now in needy circumstances.
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His state pension, only $60 per annum has been stopped by the treasurer in consequence of his applying to the Pension office for a U.S. pension and he is now on charity. I do assure you upon the honor of a gentleman that I think Mr. Fetner is deserving an applicant as any in the United States and I refer you to any gentleman who lives in Columbia or the District (Richland) and acquainted with the old man as a confirmation of this truth. Besides his name is on your rolls-- he was a three year's man and will it not be a pity if he shall fail to procure the assistance which our generous government has allowed him for want of attention on the part of those to whom his application has been entrusted? Please answer this soon as convenient and let me know what is wrong or wanting in the claim. 
I refer you to Hon James A Black of S.C. my uncle as to myself.
In my occasional absence my uncle Saml R Black Esq will forward whatever is required as evidence to you.
I remain very respectfully 
your obt sevt
James A Black Jun
for Aberhart Fetner

Col J.L. Edwards
Washington City
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Col. J.L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
May 29 '47
Columbia  S.C.
26
May
(?) 
Aberhart Fetner S.C.
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     Columbia So:Ca: May 25 th 1847
Col. J.L. Edwards 
Comm. of Pensions,

  Please find enclosed a certificate from the Treasury office of S.C, as
to the case of Aberhart Fetner (formerly John
Aberhart Fetner but at the close of the R. war at the 
insistence of his brother "John" was dropped; see affidavit
of W. Fetner dated 29th Sept. 1846. I sent the declaration to you dated 11th Sept. 1846 received an answer 
that all was properly drawn up + his name on
your Rolls as a Continental Soldier but that he 
bore another name of which he should testify.
Agreeably to this suggestion he (Mr. Fetner) made affidavit on 29th Sept. 1846 that he had been called "John Aberhart Fetner" til after the close of the Revolutionary
war when at the insistence of his brother he discontinued "John" (of which he informed me before an answer was received from your Department) In January I wrote 
you + was absent from Columbia 3 1/2 months + wrote
again on 13th May 1847 and as yet can not get 
any answer from you.  Six months- nay eight
have passed and the claim not yet decided. This is unusual & I am sure it is to be regreted for the Old Man's pay has been stopped here and he is now living with a man not related to him and merely as Charity. Until a written statement is pro=
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duced from your Department of the rejection of the claim he can not draw here and must necessarily suffer. But what would be more desirable & what it seems you cannot well refuse, from the manner in which I have prosecuted the claim & your own admissions is the placing the name of John Aberhart Fetner on the limited states pension list. If the proofs have been sufficient why can he not be allowed his pension? I assume you I believe him to be an honest and as deserving an applicant as there is in the United States.
 
Therefore whatever you do intend to do in the case please let me know- so that if rejected he can go back on our states Treasury, but 
I can not see how his claim can fail!
An early answer is requested as the old man's 
want is such as to call for immediate relief see my other letter- also, those of Mr. D A Hart on the subject. Saml R Black, my uncle, will attend to the business in my absence, 
Referance Hon James A Black of South Carolina 

Very Respectfully 
Yours &c
James A Black, Jun.
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Post marks Above the lettering 
Columbia 5 MAR S.C. 
10
Mar 8 47 
Aberhart 

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commsr of Pensions 
Washington City,
D.C.
Page 42

                        
                      {Comptroller General's Office
                         Columbia S.C. 6th March 1847
J.L. Edwards Esq
Com: of Pensions 

Dear Sir,

I have been
requested to write to you and get a warrant
for the sum which you may have allowed 
to Aberhart Fetner,  of this State, and of 
Richland District._ whose "declaration" &
"certificate of services" - were some months 
ago sent on to Washington City by Mr. J.
Aug. Black, who then had charge of this 
office-   I say "the sum which you 
may have been allowed" for I understood from Mr. 
Black that his claim had been acknowledged.
As Mr. Fetner is in needy circumstances, 
your early attention will greatly oblige him.
Please direct to my care, or to care 
of Honerable Jos: A. Black, state senator from 
this (Richland) District.

Very Respectfully
Wm. C. Black,
Comptr Genl. S. C.
Per Derrill A. Hart 
pro:tem:Deputy
Page 43

[Illegible] 6 47
A Fetner
S.C. 32
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commsr of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 44

                                Columbia S.C. 2 April 1847.

Dear Sir, 

I have been requested 
by Mr. A. Fetner, who applied some time ago
for a pension from the U.S., to write to you 
again, and ask if anything has been allowed
him, and if there has been to ask that it may 
be sent on to him as soon as possible, as he 
stands in great need of it.  He has
no home of his own and has not the means of paying his board. _ He is too old and infirm to work for his living

I have promised to attend to this 
matter for the old man, and if there is 
anything coming to him, please direct
to my care in this place.

Respectfully,
D.A. Hart
Dept. Comptr.

J. L. Edwards
Commisr of Pensions
Page 45

Jan 19 47

Jan 19 47
Aberhart Fetner

Col. James L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 46

Columbia S.C. Jan: 15th 1847. 
Col James L Edwards,

Sir, 
Your letter of 26th Sept. 
last was duly rec'd, and in compliance to your
suggestion I forwarded the affidavit of Aberhart 
Fetner, that he had been called in his youth
John Aberhart Fetner which name he bore until 
after the war & at the instance of his brother 
he discontinued"John" and signed his name "Aberhart Fetner"_ This was on 29th Sept last since
which time I have heard no more from
you. As Mr. Fetner was in such indigent
circumstances I had hoped that his case 
would have been reported upon at an 
early date and you will confer a 
great favor on him to state what disposition 
has been made of his claim 
Perhaps the papers have been misplaced 
in the Pension Office
I beg leave to refer you to Hon James, A. 
Black member of Congress from this state
& who is my uncle, for further inquiry
I am very respectfully
James A. Black Junr
for Aberhart Fetner
Page 47

House of Repr
21st [Illegible] 1846

Sir
I have had the written letter from
my nephew some days on hand
intending to call in person. I have
been busey & could not, & now I 
will be absent one week. In the 
mean time allow me to call your 
attention to this matter and inform
me what is necessary to be
done to establish the claim of Fetner
which I am confident is just.

With respect
your Obt St
Jas A Black
of Cola
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr. Pensions
Page 48

Nov 9 '46

Mr. Aberhart Fetner
S.C.

Col. James L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 49

Columbia So:Ca:
Nov: 3rd 1846 
Sir,
In compliance with your suggestion 
in your reply of the 26th Sept, Last I obtained
the regular affidavit of John Aberhart 
Fetner & forwarded the same to you-
I have since thought it possible that 
his name, which he declared in his affidavit 
to have been at the close of
the war "John Aberhart Fetner," might
have been entered on the rolls in the war
Department in the original German
pronounced  "Gohon"
Please examine and let me
know what dispostion the Department will
make of his claim as he is quite in 
poverty & cannot well incur the expence 
of a further investigation & believes 
as I do, that having the Treasurer's 
Certificate of his being a state pensioner
no better testimony can be had at
this late period.
With great respect
Your Obt Servt
James A. Black Jr
Col. J.L Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 50

Hon. James A. Black
Washington City
D.C.
Page 51

Columbia 30th Sept 1846 

Col J L Edwards

Sir 
Be so kind as to receive 
here within the affidavit of Aberhart Fetner
as to his first name which he told me when 
his Declaration was made out had once been 
John Aberhart Fetner but having some 
relations who likewise bore the name of 
"John" he dropt that name and continued to sign his name as Aberhart Fetner-
This was his reason for not having signed it 
as he was Christened "John Aberhart Fetner"
which name he retained until after the war a few years, when, at the instance of 
his brother, he changed it to Aberhart Fetner.
I am in hopes his claim will meet with
a favorable consideration as he is very poor 
and needy by reason of his age. 
I remain very Respectfully 
Your Obt Servent
James A,, Black Jr
Atty for Aberhart Fetner

Col James L Edwards 
Commr of Pensions
Page 52

Sept 18 '46
37,391

Aberhart Fetner
S Carolina
in a State Pension

Col. James L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 53

Columbia S.C. Sept 14th 1846. 
Col. J. L. Edwards

Dear Sir 
Mr. Aberhart Fetner 
an old Revolutionary Soldier near this town
has applied to me to be transferred from
State Pension to that the of the United States.
He is very poor and needy- I have 
been at the trouble to procure copy of 
the original petition to the 
House of Representatives of this state in 18[indecipherable] 
to which is applied Mr. Hart's certificate 
as State House Repres also the certificate  
of the Treasurer of the Upper Division 
of S.C. showing that he does now draw
an annual pension from the treasury
The old gentleman retains his memory 
and declares he acted as fifer all the time  
All the witnesses are dead or removed  without 
his reach -Upon applicationn to the comptroller genls office I find no Indent to his credit
and Mr. Fetner declares he never had his service
recorded nor did he ever have an Indent
to his name, the offices under who, he se[missing rest of word]
not making it a rule to return the armount
of service regularly-
Direct to me at this place
James A.Black Junr.
Att'y for Aberhart Fetner*

Col J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 54

Paid Ch'q box 120
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
July 12 '47
Cert [?] to Aberhart Fetner
Page 55

Columbia S.C. July 7th 1847
Col J L Edwards, 
Dear Sir, 
I send you the affidavit of Maj Benj Hart as to the identity of Aberhart Fetner for the credibility, character, and integrity of Maj Hart I refer to any member of Congress from So. Ca. since the Revolutionary War till the present time.

Be pleased if any further proof be necessary  to let me hear from you soon
I am very respectfully your obt servt
James A. Black 
atty for Aberhart F
Page 56

State of South Carolina 
Richland District     } Personally appeared before
me Jasper Faust who being duly sworn
according to law makes upon oath the he following statement. That he is personally acquainted
with Aberhart Fetner of Richland District State 
of South Carolina who he understands has made application for a pension from the 
United States and that he knew him before
the war of the revolution Commenced and
has known him ever since. That he 
always knew that Aberhart Fetner aforesaid 
was = regarded and generally believed to be a 
soldier (fifer) in the Continental line- that 
this Aberhart Fetner is the same person  who 
was so regarded & believed to be a fifer of the
Continental line, in the Community where he then, and ever since has, lived- This defendant
further states that he himself is eighty seven years of age 
Sworn to before me 
this the 13th October A.D. 1847 
Jasper Faust 
A. Fitch Magistrate
Page 57

The State of South Carolina}
Richland District}

I James L. Guignard
Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas in and for the District aforesaid do hereby
certify that A. Fitch Esquire who hath attested the foregoing
affidavit is an acting magistrate in and for the District
aforesaid that all due faith and credit is and ought to
be given to his acts as such and that his signature
is genuine

In testimony7 whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
at Columbia this thirteenth day of October in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty seven and in the seventy second year of the
sovereignty and independence of the United States of 
America 

James S. Guignard
Clerk Court
Page 58

Columbia S.C. 2nd Dec. 1846

Dear uncle

Capt Bookter formerly a member of the Legislature from Richland District applied to uncle Jos A to prosecute the claim of Aberhart Fetner (formerly called Jno. Aberhart Fetner) an old revolutionary soldier aged 86 who lived in his neighborhood. Uncle Joe referred him to me and on the 11th September the old man made out his Declaration and Col Edwards in reply says it was properly drawn up under the Act 7th June 1832 but that the name Aberhart Fetner appeared on the Rolls in the office at Washington with another name prefixed. I then procured Mr. Fetner's affidavit that he bore the name of John Aberhart Fetner but at the end of the war at the instance of his brother he dropt John and continued the other. Col Edwards' letter was dated Sept. 26th. Since which time I have heard nothing more from him. You will therefore call on him if you please, and ask why the claim is delayed or if any further testimony be necessary and assure him that I am not a swindling agent aiming to
Page 59

take an agent's fee but that it was in order that the old man who is quite poor might get the assistance which the Congress of '32 just within his reach.
I signed my name as James A Black in those papers.
Please give me whatever assistance you can and I shall feel greatly obliged to your kindness
Your nephew in haste
J. Aug. Black
P.S. Declaration filed 11th Sept 1846. I since learn that 15 years pay-- that is back pay will be allowed which will make his claim worth at least $1300. The old man has to pay for his own washing and has nothing but an old blind pony and was 5 years and 4 months a fifer in the war having entered at 16 years of age-- How much he will rejoice should his claim be successfully prosecuted.
Page 60

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
David Johnson
GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, IN AND OVER THE STATE AFORESAID,

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME,
Know ye that A. Fitch whose signature appears to his certificate and the oath of Benj. Hart is a magistrate for Richland District duly authorized 
to administer an oath
THEREFORE, all due faith, credit and authority is and ought to be had and given to his proceedings and certifies as such.

David Johnson (seal)

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused to be affixed the seal of the State, in the Town of Columbia the Seventh day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty seven and in the seventy second year of the Independence of the United States of America
BY THE GOVERNOR.
B.K. Hanagan
SECRETARY OF STATE.