Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1553, for John Looney, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
NUMBER
S.C.  
Looney, John  
S:1553
CONTENTS carded
Page 2

South Carolina
John Looney Private
Captain Tutts   company of the U.S. Army
Ratio of disability, total
Date of discharge, 
Time of closing the testimony,
Inscribed on the Roll of S. Carolina at 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1st. January 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th of November 1842 and delivered to A. Ray Present
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1842  545.00
Semi=anl. all's ending 4 March '43.  48.00
$593.
Act of the 26th. August 1842
Record Book F Vol 8 p. 49

Increased to $8 per month by sp act of Aug. 26 '42. Original paper burnt, in lieu of which see paper
Reported to Agent, see letter 16 Nov.

[illegible] from letter of 14th April 1837 and [illegible] of letter of 17th June 1837 sent to A Ray Dec. 22 1842. Let to Hm. W Butler Dec 30 1842.

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838. H. from 4 Sept 1837. to 4 Sept 1841. Agt Notified 27 Feb 1843
Page 3

The State of South Carolina
Anderson District on this 5th day of March one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three John Loony --------- personally appeared in open court being the court of Sessions and Common Plea, now sitting for said District and being duly sworn declare, on oath as follows in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress [illegible] June 7th 1832 _. This Defenent (?)  was born in Bedford County Virginia in 1754. Was living in that part of South Carolina now known as Spartanburg when he first entered the service which was as a volunteer under Cape Nickol during the snow camps and when he served forty two days He was afterwords engaged under various militia offices for short terms of service but cannot now recollect very distinctly the terms or offices -- 
On the 24 December (he thinks in) 1777 he enlisted under Cape Benjamin Tutt in his Independent company for three years with whom he continued in active service until his Captain was called on for a detachment and furnish Twenty five men of whom the Defenent was one and under his Lieutenant Thomas Farrar marched to Savannah and in this siege there was wounded in the ankle which disabled him for service - asked for a discharge having been there attached to Col Laurley (?) Infantry but was informed he had his discharge without having it in writing _ was never after in service _his wound ulcerated _ suffered for forty four years when to save his life his Leg was cut off and he now goes on a wooden leg _ He has long since made proof of his service
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and has received for many years a pension of Twenty one dollars forty two cents from the General Government which was afterwards increased to thirty four dollars. His certificates are in the [illegible] of a friend but will be procured and [illegible] particularly referred _ of the Department can be satisfied of his service & give to him the benefit of the late act of Congress he will cheerfully relinquish every claim whatever to his pension from the United States or from his own State from which he has also been for some time in receipt of a Pension _ sworn to and subscribed the day and year [illegible] In Open Court 5th March 1833 Van A Lawhorn C.C. John Looney
Copy Certificate _ "War Department I certify that in conformity with the 3rd Section of an act of Congress of the 25th of April 1808 entitled "An Act concerning Invalid Pensioners" John Looney was place on the Pension List of the United States and Roll of the South Carolina agency at the rate of one dollar seventy eight and a half cents per month to commence on the first day of March one thousand and Eight hundred and eight. Given at the War office of the United States this24th day of June 1813 _
L. V. John Armstrong"
No number [illegible] _
Page 5

An answer upon the [illegible] JM Looney pension under the Act of June 7 [illegible] will be made in a few days [torn]

Oct 3

Honorable James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

Case of Jn Looney. Refer to the Comm.

Jn Looney  SC No. 23792
Page 7

The State of South Carolina
Anderson District _
John Loony of the State District aforesaid appeared personally before me and makes oath to the following statement by way of amending his declaration made in open court the 5th of March 1833 in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress June 7th _ 1832.
His first tour set forth in his declaration under Capt. Nickol, as a volunteer was in November 1775 for forty two days which terminated as he well recollects on Christmas Eve of that year _ In his original declaration he alludes to his having served various tours which could not be set forth with entire distinctness nor did he suppose it necessary on account of his succeeding enlistment for three years. But he is able to state that the very day he enlisted with Tutt on the 24th December 1777 was the last day of one of those tours under Captain Robert Lusk which had commenced in September previous (1777) and during which time they were stationed at Fort Rutledge on [illegible] River protecting the Frontier against incursions from the Cherokees _ 
On this 24th December 1777 he enlisted for three years as stated under Tutt with whom he continued until detached with his Lieutenant Farrar (who was lately alive and somewhere in Alabama ) and marched to Savannah at the siege of which in this 9th of October 1779 he
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was wounded and shortly after discharged being wholly unable to do duty _
His service therefore may be regarded as follows
First tour November 1775 until Christmas Eve 42 days of 1 month 12 
Second " September 1777 until 24th Dec. say 3 mo. Enlistment for 3 years though he served only from 24th Dec. 1777 till 9th Oct. 1779 say [illegible] 15
Thus making in all of actual service which he is able to enumerate specifically 2 years 1 mo. 27 days tough there were various intermediate tours of  of shorter periods as heretofore declared.
The declaration having been returned with the single requisition that the term of service
should be set forth anything further is deemed unnecessary _
Sworn to & subscribed
November 14th 1833 before Joseph N Whitmer Notary Public & L.W. Ex. Offs 
John Looney
The State of South Carolina
Anderson District. I Van A Lawhorn Clerk of the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas for Anderson District certify that Joseph N Whitmer is a Notary Public as above that the forgoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribes my name this foureenth day of November in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and thirty three _
Van A Lawhorn C.C.
Page 9

SURGEON'S AFFIDAVIT.
State of South Carolina
Anderson District - June 5th 1837 (Date.)

IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, That John Looney a soldier in the company of Capt B Tutt in Col Laurens' regiment of the United States of the Revolution is rendered incapable of performing the duty of a soldier, by an ounce (?) ball in his* ancle [sic] joint, the result of which was an ill conditioned and frequently foul ulcer, for thirty or forty years, when finally from frequent hemorrhage and the malignant character of the sore, amputation of the leg became indispensable to the preservation of his life. We had seen his leg, and witnessed his suffering from it, frequently previous to the operation. It was taken off just below the knee, on or about the 10th day of December 1824, and he is hereby not only incapaciated for military duty, but, in the opinion of the undersigned, is totally disabled from obtaining his subsistence from manual labor. 
F.W. Symmes, Surgeon.
Edm Webb Surgeon.

*Here give a particular description of the wound, injury, or disease, and specify in what manner it has affected the applicant so as to produce disability in the degree stated. N.B. --The blank in the last line but one is to be filled up with the proportioned "degree" of disability, for example: "three-fourths"--"one-half" -- one-third," &c. or, "totally," as the case may be. The magistrate who may administer the oath to the Surgeons, must certify that they are reputable in the profession, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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The State of South Carolina
Anderson District. --

This day Doctors F.W. Symmes and Edmond Webb whose names are subscribed to the within certificate made oath before me, a Justice of the Quorum for the District aforesaid, that the within certificate is true. and I do hereby certify that the said Doctor F.W. Symmes and Doctor Edmond Webb are highly - respectable in their profession of Physic and Surgery and that their said certificate is entitled to full credit -- Given under my hand and seal this  fifth day of June A.D. 1837 James Gilmer J.Qu. Seal

State of South Carolina I Elijah Webb.  Clerk of Anderson District the court of Anderson District and state aforesaid do hereby certify that James Gilmer as above, is an acting Justice of the Quorum and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine in testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 6th day of June in the year of our lord 1837
Elijah Webb
Clerk of the court of common Pleas for Anderson District
Page 11

The State of South Carolina Be it remembered that on the twenty with day of September Before me Joseph Grisham Notary Public & Ex Officio a Magistrate for the District of Pickens in the State aforesaid. Personally appeared John Looney a person to me well known a Pensioner of the United States who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. (and was wounded in the service) And made Oath, that he was wounded at the Seige of Savannah under General Lincoln. That he received one musket ball in his neck which was extracted and the wound cured the other musket ball passed through the ankle of his left leg. That the wound was incurable, and after suffering Forty four years two months & one day he had his leg cut off below the knee on the 10th day of December 1823 and that he is the same John Looney of Pendleton --- District to whom has been granted Pensions of  various amounts from about seventeen dollars per year to greater amounts as his disability increased that for several years his pay as a invalid has not been received except about four years pay which he understood was paid to him by One A. Ray Esq.- He now live in Pickens District S.C. - Sworn to 29th September to 1842 Before me Joseph Grisham John Looney Notary Public Exoff J.W.
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I certify that I have been for the last 25 Years acquainted with the within named John Looney who lived in that part of Old Pendleton District called Anderson till this year, he now resides in Pickens District and did appear before me to day & take the Oath of Identity as written. Given under my hand [illegible] Pickens District and 29 September 1843 Joseph Grisham Notary Public Ex off 
I William L. Keith Clerk of the Court of Sessions and Common Pleas for Pickens District in the State of South Carolina do hereby certify, That Joseph Grisham is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and Subscribed my name this Thirtieth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and forty two William L. Keith Clerk of the Court of Sessions and Com Pleas Pickens Dist
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To the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled, Your most respective petitioner begs leave to State, that early in the winter of 1777 during the war of the revolution, he entered the regular service of the United States for three years, in Captain B. Tutts company under command of Col. Laurence and Genl Lincoln, and that on the 9th Oct 1779. while engaged in action with the enemy at Savannah Georgia, was severely wounded in the ancle [sic] by a ball producing great pain and suffering with ulcerated sores on forty odd years. For the preservation of life it was deemed necessary in the year 1824, to amputate the leg the statement of this fact is more fully shown by the certificate from the Pension Office accompaning this memorial marked No 1- Your petitioners name was placed on the revolutionary Invalid pension roll in the year 1808 at the rate of $21.42 per annum, And under the general Law, "to increase the pensions of invalid in certain cases approved April 24, 1876" The invalid pension was increased at the rate of $34.12 per annum, and by reference to said act 1816 it will be perceived, that under the first section a private for total disability, or disability of the highest degree, 1 a pension of eight dollars per month  , was directed to be allowed, had your petitioner been apprized of the act 24th April 1816, and application had been made after the total disability occurred "Decr 10. 1824." See Surgeons certificate No 1 a full pension would have been allowed, But not having known of the act April 24, 1816 until the year 1837. when application was made through by attorney Alexander Ray of Washington for said act And to the application then made, the commissioner of Pension replies. No 2 "If he [John Looney] can show that the loss of his leg was the necessary
Page 15

John Looneys amended application

Admit a [illegible] $80

Van A Lawhorn. Clerk court Anderson District. So Ca 
C.H.
 [illegible]
Columbia
So Ca
Page 16

John Looney
S. Carolina
Invalid Pensioner
[illegible] M.M. Norton
Oct. 17. 1835 _ & to
P. at. same day _
Do. to Same &
P. [illegible] act P. at. Nov 3. 1835
Page 17

South Carolina 23:792 
John Looney of Anderson in the State of So Ca who was a [illegible] in the Comp commanded by Captain Tutt of the- - - commanded by - - - in the So Ca line for [illegible] see the paper of Thomas Holmes of Geo 
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of April and Van A Lawhorn C Anderson Ck. So Ca  Arrears to the 4th of March 1814 240 Semi-ant. allowance ending 40 $280 - {Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk, E Boo k Vol.  Page 53 Let. Agt June 16. '35 pays: Sus:  " "   Oct30 "  "  Res "  "  "  " Jn Whitner do to Alex. Ray April 14, 1837 do. to Same 29 June 1837, same & Hen S. Gordon Jan 17. 1842.
Page 18

To what time, and at what rate, was John Looney, an Invalid, of S. Carolina, last paid?
J.L Edwards
July 19. 1837

paid to the 4 Sep 1833 at the rate of $2.84 per month JH
Page 19

Pension Office, April 14. 1841
Sir, 
  Agreeably to your request I enclose herewith a copy of the surgeon affidavit in the case of John Looney; also an extract from my letter to you of the 14th of April 1837, so far as it relates to his case.
I am very respectfully, 
your obt. servt
J L Edwards

Alexander Ray, Esq.
Present.
Page 20

James L Edwards Esq.
[illegible] Department
Washington
Page 21

Bal 28 June 1837 to  your favor of the 17th [illegible] was duly recd in the case of John Looney's invalid claim; I [illegible] most sincerely the deep disappointment the results of your letter of the 14th April has brought about, I feel 1 mortified now under your adverse decision, of the 17 June and I have no doubt but you do too, But to mend the matter is now the question; I therefore most respectfully propose but two points, which I am sure you will not object to answer.
First, if the law had have been continued reviving the invalid pension act of the revolution, would not John Looney claim to a full pension been admitted under the Surgeons certificate from the year 1824. Second. As his, invalid pension was wrongfully discontinued when he took the act 1832, under the amended at 19 Feb 1833 or is just, that as an [illegible] he was made by the Dept. that he should thus be kept from his dues. And is it not right to restore him to his invalid pension, so discounted to pay him the [illegible] from the 3 Mar 1831. and will you not so admit it. as the rate discontined, or [illegible], most respectfully A. Ray 
J L Edward . Esq D.
Page 22

16 Nov 1842
Respg John Looney
Invalid S Carolina
Increase under act 26 August 1842 to $8 per month commencing 1 January 1837

Hand cert. to A. Ray Present 

James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Page 23

Washington
Nov. 16 1842.

Sir/
I now enclose you the old invalid pension certificate of John Looney of So. Carolina
Be pleased to have a new one issued at the rate of $96 per annum. Under the special act of the last congress for his benefit.
I am very respectfully [illegible]
Alex. Ray

J.L. Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Page 24

Petition of John Looney
a revolutionary invalid pensioner of South
Carolina, applying for an increase of his present pension, made [?] act April 24, 1816

Dec 30 - 1841
Ref to Com'r Inv - Pensions

February 9 1842
Bill reported W [?]

Report & bill to be printed and made the order for tomorrow

W. Butler 5.
Inv Pen
Page 25

War Department Pension Office June 17, 1837 

Sir On a full examination of the claim of John Looney, I find that he was pensioned on account of a wound received in 1779. The law which authorized this Department to increase in certain cases the Invalid Pensions of persons who were disabled during the Revolution, has expired. This Department cannot therefore afford the relief asked in this case I am respectfully Your Obt. Servant,
 J L Edward 

Alexr Ray Esqr Baltimore Maryland
Page 26

Baltimore 
10 June 1837.
Sir
 In conformity with the instructions contained in your letter of the 14th April, I herewith enclose you the surgeons certificate in the case of John Looney of South Carolina 

So far as I am able to see into this case aided by his letter to me, the printed pension documents of South Carolina, and the old invalid pension certificate now returned, it appears John Looneys name was placed upon the invalid roll under the act 25 April 1808 at the rate of $1.78 per month. It is further shown that with the act 24 April 1816, his pension was increased to $34 per year, after this day in the year 1824. it became indispensable to the preservation of his life to amputate his leg, since which it seems his stipend has not been augmented in proportion or adequate to the degree of total disability. probably because he may not have applied, the certificate states the leg was taken off in Decr 1824.  If my view and statement of the case be correct, would not his invalid pension be made to commence from Decr 1824 at the rate of $96 per year. and the pension as an invalid heretofore paid to him deducted from that amount.
Page 27

The case is submitted


with respectful consideration
Alex. Ray
for John Looney
of South Carolina

James L. Edwards Esq
War Department
Page 28

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington
Page 29

Baltimore
18 July 1837
Sir
In your letter of the 17 Same you
State to me, your deportment cannot approve
relief asked in the case of John Looney
or invalid pension, the relief asked for was a full pension $96. will you be pleased to ┃
---
say whether or not, you will restore his name to the invalid roll, at the rate discontined when
he took the benefit act 7 Jun 1832.
Your obt servant
Alex Ray

J L Edwards Commissioner of pensions
Page 30

Extract of a letter from the Pension Office
dated April 14. 1837, to Alexander Ray Esq
The case of John Looney has been
examined. In order to get his name restored
to the Invalid Roll, he must produce the
testimony of two respectable Surgeons as to
his present disability, and the cause of it
Enclosed is a form and the necessary instructions for their guidance. If he can show
that the loss of his leg was the necessary
consequence of the wound which he received
at the battle of Savannah, he will be entitled
to a full pension,
Page 32


Washington Jan. 17 1842
Dear Sir
I am instructed by the committee on invalid pensions to inquire of the commissioner of
Pension whether John Looney an invalid
Pensioner of South Carolina is also a revolutionary
pensioner or what other pension if any
the said Looney now draws

Your [illegible]
S. Gordon
.
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 33

Hon Samuel
Gordon
House of
Representatives
Washington
Page 34


Washington
January 18. 1842
Sir
I have the honor herewith to enclose
you a letter from the commissioner of Pension. In
the case of John Looney, and valid, and a revolutionary pension under act of June 1832, showing
that he was paid up to the 4 of Sept. last.
the letter will also show the department still recognise me as his attorney
I remain sir
with high regard
your obt servant
Alex. Ray

Hon Samuel Gordon
Page 35

Mar 29 1841
John Looney
S.C. Invalid
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of
Pensions
War Dept
Page 36


Washington
March 29, 1841.
Sir 
In the month of April 1837, I made
application to you, for an increase of the invalid
pension in the case of John Looney of South Carolina
under the law April 24, 1816, and upon the surgeons
certificate transmitted in my letter 16 June 1837
you will perceive by your letter 17th same
month, that on a full examination of the claim
of John Looney the law which authorized the dept
to increase in certain cases has expired.
I have respectfully to ask a copy of that
part of your letter, of the 14 April 1837 enclosed
relating to John Looney claim, and a copy of
the Surgeon certificate, which, I believe show the
time his leg amputated,
I design to apply to congress for relief, and
wish the claim fully set forth. (be pleased to return
me the enclosed
I am yours
most respectfully
Alex Ray
.
James L Edwards Esq
War Department
Page 38

Dec 29, 1842
John Looney
Invalid S.C.

James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Hon William Butler House of Representatives
Page 39


House of Representatives 
December 29th 1842
Sir will you be so good as to send me
the certificate of the increase of Pension
of John Looney of South Caroline, for which a case was
passed
at last session of Congress
Very Respectfully
William  Butler
James L Edwards
commissioner of Pensions
Page 40

Mr Ray will please say which letter he wants
copied in the case of John Loney
14 April 1837
17 June 
J. D. Wilson
Page 41


31. Oct 1842
resp John Looney
invalid Comm
Jerald
JamesL Edwards Esq.
Commission of
Pensions
Page 42


Washington Oct 29. 1842
Sir
An act was passed in the last Session of
Congress for the relief of John Looney, an invalid
pensioner on the South Carolina roll, And as the
constituted agent of Looney addressed a letter
to his friend Doct E. Webb. PostMaster Anderson Cty, S.C. and requested him to forward the old
invalid certificates at the rate of $34. per annum
that a new one might issue under this special
act of Congress and
also the proof of identity
of the individual, which is not enclosed, I
have before me a letter from Doct Webb. stating
the loss of Rooneys last pension certificate as an
invalid increased under act 1816, but not  holds the original one issued in the year 1808 at the rate of $24.42 per annum.

the board does not appear by his letter to understand that Looney is entitled to a revolutionary and
an invalid pension also, and he drew his pension
up to 4 March 1837. under your instructions he seems
to have been under the impression the invalid pension ceases
with this view of the case, I suppose the
invalid
certificate for $34 was surrendered. If not,
it has been lost or mislaid, should you say
Page 43

it will be necessary for him to swear to the
the fact. be pleased to inform me. But it would
be desirable if you could issue a new certificate
under the late law of congress-- directing
the payment of the amounts without deducting
the $34th if it should not have been paid since
the 4 March 1837
supposing it might be more
agreeable to you enclose the letter of Doctor Webb
I am most
respectfully
your ob serv
Alex Ray
J. L.
Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 45

Alex Ray
Baltimore
Mar 28
Commissoner
Page 48


Washington
Jany 14th 1842
Sir
May I ask to be informed, If it appears
by any evidence in your office, that John Looney
an invalid pension, also under the act 1832.
South Carolina roll, is dead,
The enquiry is made to be communicated
to the Hon Sam Gordon, one of the members of
the committee on Invalid pensions, house
of Representatives.
the object is to [Illegible] a bill
in his favor if living on account of his
pension as an invalid, by reference to the case
you will perceive that I acted as his agent in a
correspondence with you
in regard to his
claim as an invalid
I am most 
respectfully your on ser
Alex. Ray
Jas L. Edwards Esq.
Comm of Pensions
Page 49

Free
Edm Webb [illegible]
Anderson Cty S.C.

Alexander Ray Esq.
Washington City, D.C.
Page 50


Anderson Dist, S.C.
Oct 4th, 1842



A. Ray Esq.
Dear Sir
I now enclose you
John Looneys proven Identity as I recollected after
I wrote you last that we could not find the
certificate by which he drew the $34 per annum
as none succeeded with out it when
drew for him in 1837- I now have before me
Mr J. L. Edwards letter to you of the 19th July
1837 stating that John Looney invalid pensioner
of S.C. was paid up to 4th Sept. 1833 at the rate of
$2.84 per month, which stipend had never
been withheld from him and that it would
make application in due form at the agency in
Charleston it would be paid him-- we according
applied and got it-- I have his certificate which
he obtained as an invalid under the act of 1808 -
his first one which I send you it may be of
use to you perhaps. After this under [illegible]
he obtained the certificate which authorized him
to draw the $2.84/100 per month but he has lost it,
knows nothing about it more than that he drew the
$34- year. Minus something strange to me
in Looney can when we drew for him
Page 51

in 1837 I was under the impression that he was only
drawing is $34 though we should have obtained for
him $95, from the time his by was taken off had not
the Law which made the provision been out of
date as Mr. Edwards informed you and you found
it was so. I can not learn any thing of this law which
died of its own provision. It seems to be a fact
that at the time we drew for Looney in 1837 that. He was then drawing 80 per anum under the law
of 1832 as a common solder. He has a certificate
under this law, relinquishing all other claims
and has ever sine drawn the $80. when he
availed himself of this provision of 1832 I suppose
he did not apply for the $34 as stated by Mr Edwards
thought it would seem that he was entitled to it
perhaps as an invalid and also to the $80 as a
common solder, I am no lawyer, you will
understand it. If this be this can it would seem
that he is now entitled to $176 minus the $34
from the first of January 1837 If this 90 be given to him in place of the 34 as awarded and now be entitled to $80 as a common soldier over or he has drawn the 80 annually instead of the 34 it should  [illegible] he is entitled
now to the $90 from Jany 1837 - you will
return to me the old certificate or the old
Page 53

April 12
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington
Page 54

Baltimore
11 April 1837.
Sir
on the 24 ulto. you wrote me you did not
know that any of my "cases remained unanswered
& if I would specify the claims" you
would see that they are immediately acted on.
By return mail I did myself the honor to
State over again the cases, and hoped be thus
to have been found with a reply, since the 4th Jan
in the case of John Looney I have been taxed with
upon of one dollar postage, independent of
other cases before you, waiting action, I am
induced therefore respectfully to ask of
on the consideration of the case and your
decision thereon the I may communicate
the same to the parties
of
with respectful
consideration,
Your [illegible]
Alex. Ray
J. L. Edwards
Page 55

23792 Jan 5
John Looney
S.Carolina

L Edwards, Esq. Commissioner
of Pensions
War Department
Washington
Page 56


Baltimore
4 Jany 1837
Sir,
I have received a very lengthy letter
from John Looney, a soldier during the
war of the revolution, and a pensioner under the
act 1832, at the rate of $80 per year residing
at Anderson County of South Carolina
He is desirous to have his name restored to
the invalid pension roll, which seems to have
been discontinued upon his taking the act 1832
he states he was wounded at Savannah Georgia
on the 9 Oct. 1779, for many years his leg was a
running ulcer till it was amputated by
Doctor Cooper of Abbeville District South Carolina
I find by reference to the South Carolina invalid pension roll, that John Looney name
was placed or the invalid roll 1 March 1808
at the rate of $2.42 and under the act 26 Apr. 1816
increased to $34th per year
If he lost his leg
in consequence of the wound he recd in 1779.
would he not be entitled to a full pension, as an invalid provided said proof could be furnished, from the time his
leg was taken off under the act 1824 and restored
under the act 19 Feb. 1833.
Your
Servant
Alex. Ray
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 57


John Loney John Looney
Certificate of
Disability

John Looney Certificate
Page 58

I certify
that in conformity with the 3rd Section of an Act of Congress
of the 25th of April 1808, entitled "An Act concerning Invalid Pensioners,
John Looney was placed on the Pension List of the United States.
and Roll of the South Carolina Agency, at the rate of One dollar
Seventy eight and an half Cents per month, to commence on the

First day of March, One thousand Eight hundred and eighth.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this
24th day of June 1813
John Armstrong
Page 59

Pension Office
January 17, 1842.
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 14th
inst. I have to inform you that we have no evidence
in this Office of the death of John Looney
a pensioner of South Carolina. It appears from
the books of the Third Auditor's Office that payment
was last made to the Pensioner under the
Act of June 7, 1832, to the 4th of September 1841
I
am very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servant
J L Edwards
Alexander Ray Esq
Present
Page 60

Letter to Clerk H. of Rep. 31 Oct 1842
S Carolina
John Looney,
an Invalid
Pensioner of S.
Carolina
Original papers were
burnt. File these in
lieu thereof.
pensioned under the
3d Sec act 25 April 1808,
entitled "an act concerning
Invalid Pensioner.
certificate issued for $1 and 78 and a half cents per month
month, to commence 1 March 1808
certificate dated 24 June 1813.
See letter to A. Ray June 17. 1837
do to same June 29. 1837. do. to
same & P. Agt July 19. 1837
do to A. Ray april 14, 1841, do to
same & Hon. S. Gordon Jan 17. 1842
Page 61

I hereby certify, That the accompanying pages
numbered
from one to two, inclusive, are truly copied from the originals
in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions Department
of War.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Be it remembered, That James L. Edwards, who has signed
the foregoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to
his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
subscribed my name, and caused the seal
of the Department to be affixed, on
this thirteenth day of April
in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty-one
Jno John Bell
Secretary of War.
Page 62

SURGEON'S AFFIDAVIT.

State of South Carolina
Anderson District, June 5th, 1837. Date
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, That John Looney
a soldier
in the company of Capt. B. Trett
in Col Laurens' regiment of the United States of the Revolution, is rendered
incapable of performing the duty of a soldier, by reason of wounds or other injuries
inflicted while he was actually in the service aforesaid, and in the line of
his duty, viz: during an engagement with the British troops.
By satisfactory evidence and accurate examination, it appears that on the
ninth
day of October,
in the year 1779.
being engaged with the British troops
at or near a place called Savannah
in the district
or territory, of Georgia
he received a wound by an
ounce ball
in his ancle ankle joint, the result of which was an
ill conditioned and frequently foul ulcer for thirty or forty years.
when finally from frequent hemorrhages and the malignant 
character of the sore, amputation of the leg became indispensable
to the preservation of his life. We had seen his leg, and witnessed
his suffering from it frequently, previous to the operation. It was
taken off just below the knee, on or about the 10th day of
December 1824.
and he is hereby not only incapacitated for military duty, but, in the opinion of
the undersigned, is totally disabled from obtaining his subsistence from
manual labor.
F.W. Symmes, Surgeon
Edm. Webb. Surgeon
Here give a particular description of the wound, injury, or disease, and specify in what manner it has affected the
applicant so as to produce disability in the degree stated.
 N. B. The blank in the last line but one is to be filled up with the proportioned degree of disability, for example:
"three-fourths"--"one-half" "one-third," &c., or "totally," as the case may be.
The magistrate who may administer the oath to the surgeons, must certify that they are reputable in the profession,
and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
Mode of authenticating papers -- in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates
the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying
officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 63

2.
The State of South Carolina
Anderson district
This day Doctors F. W. Symmes and Edmond Webb
whose names are subscribed to the within certificate
made oath before me, a Justice of the Quorum for the
District aforesaid, that the within certificate is true; and
I do hereby certify that the said Doctor F. W. Symmes
and Doctor Edmond Webb are highly respectable in
their profession of Physic and Surgery and that their
said certificate is entitled to full credit
Given under my hand and seal this fifth
day of June, A.D. 1837
James Gilmer, J. Quv. (Seal)

State of South Carolina ⎬ 
Anderson District.
I, Elijah Webb Clerk of the Court for Anderson
district and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
James Gilmer as above, is an acting Justice of the
Quorum,
and that the foregoing signature, purporting
to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed
my name,
this 6th day of June, in the year of our
Lord 1837,
Elijah Webb
Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for Anderson District
(Seal)
Page 64

John Looney, South Carolina roll Act
7 June 1832, at $80 per Annum
Be pleased to say to what time
he was last paid
also on the South Carolina
Invalid roll. Be pleased to say
to what time and at what 
rate, he was last paid.
Pension office

Jan 17, 1842 ⎬
 act 7 June 1832 to 4 Sep 1841

Invalid 4 Sep 1837 at $2.84 per Month
J H
Page 65

27th CONGRESS,
2d Session.
Rep. No. 141.
JOHN LOONEY
To accompany bill H.R. No. 187.
FEBRUARY 9, 1842.
187
Ho. OF REPS.
Mr. GORDON, from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, submitted the following

REPORT:
The Committee on Invalid Pensions, to whom was referred the petition
of John Looney, report:
That early in the winter of 1777, during the war of the Revolution, he
entered the regular service of the United States, for three years, in Captain
B. Tutt's company, under command of Colonel Lawrence and General
Lincoln; and that on the 9th of October, 1779, while engaged in action
with the enemy, at Savannah, Georgia, was severely wounded in the ankle
by a ball, producing great pain and suffering, with ulcerated sores, for forty
years. For the preservation of life, it was deemed necessary, in the year
1824, to amputate the leg. The petitioner's name was placed on the revolutionary
pension roll, in the year 1808, at the rate of $21.42 per annum;
and, under the general law "to increase the pensions of invalids in certain
cases," approved April 24, 1816, the invalid pension was increased at the
rate of $34.12 per annum. Under the first section of the act of 1816, a
private, for total disability, or disability of the highest degree, was directed
to be allowed, after a total disability occurred, a full pension of $8 per
month. His leg was amputated on the 24th day of December, 1824, and
the disability became total from that day; but, being ignorant of the provision
in the act of 1816, allowing a full pension for the occurrence of a
total disability, as in his case, he did not apply at the War Department for
a full pension, under that provision of the act in question, until the year
1837, when he was told by the Commissioner of Pensions, if he could show
that the loss of his leg was the necessary consequence of the wound which
he received at the battle of Savannah, he would be entitled to a full pension
of eight dollars per month. He accordingly complied with the Commissioner's instructions, and presented the surgeon's certificate and evidence
of the fact, in conformity thereto, showing the time when the disability
occurred, (the 10th of December, 1824;) and, upon a re-examination of
the case, on the 17th of June, 1837, the Commissioner discovered "the law
which authorized him to increase the pension had expired," and declined
to increase the pension on that sole ground, every thing else being in the
petitioner's favor, and satisfactory to the Commissioner, and within the spirit
and letter, true intent and meaning of the then late law. Those who applied
under the provision of the act of 1816, before its expiration, and obtained
an increase of pension on account of total disability, in consequence
Page 66


Rep. No. 141.
of the wound or wounds for which they drew less than full pensions, drew,
or are to draw, as the law intended, full pensions during life. The sole question
then is, shall this revolutionary soldier and invalid pensioner lose the
right granted to him, in and by the act of 1816, to a full pension of $8 per
month, from and after the 10th December, 1824, when the leg was amputated
and the disability became total, simply because the old soldier was
ignorant of the provision made for him by the laws of his country--especially
when even the Commissioner of Pensions, a person appointed to
preside over the pension department for his astuteness and learning in the
pension laws, was himself ignorant as to the limitation of time in which
applications for an increase of Pension were to be made, under the act of
1816 ? The committee are of the opinion that the doctrine of forfeiture for
laches, through ignorance of the law, does not apply to the superannuated
old soldiers of the revolutionary war; and therefore report a bill in his
favor, directing his name to be placed on the revolutionary invalid pension
roll, at the rate of eight dollars per month, commencing on the first day of
January, 1837, and to continue during life, deducting therefrom the amount
of the payments made to him as an invalid pensioner, at the rate of $34.12
per annum, from the first day of January, 1837.
Page 67

3 -- 871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L.D. L.
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier John Looney
Service
S. C.
---
Additional Service Rev. War
No. claim, State records
190
No. claim, combination records
190.
REMARKS:
No claim, except
1553
Chief Division
Page 68

18090
File No.
18090
INVALID.
1890
John Looney
Priv Rev War

---
Act: June 7th 32 1832
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 228
Arrangement of 1870
Consolidated with
O. W. Inv. File 1553
Page 69

1909 Jan. 29. Hist. to Jos. N. Brown

Rev War
1553
INVALID.
---
File No. 1553
John Looney
Priv.  U.S. Army
-
Act Aug. 26. 1842.
Index:--Vol. [Illegilbe]
R. Page 226
Arrangement of 1870
Page 70

JOSEPH N. BROWN
ATTORNEY AT LAW
In Re
John Looney
a Rev Soldier 

Anderson, S. C. January 11, 1909.
To the Hon Comm of Pensions
Washington DC
Please hereby inform
me, of the application of John Looney a Revolutionary soldier in the South Caroline Service,
who lost a leg during this service.
We would be pleased to know in what
battle he lost the limb.
As a small boy, I knew him personally he
having a wooden leg an [illegible] view in person.
Your attention will much oblige me
and
his descendants
my Respectfully
Joseph N Brown
Page 71

WAR DEPARTMENT.
INVALID PENSION.
I certify, That in conformity with the Law of the United States
, of the 25th April 1808 --
John Looney,
late a Private - -
of the U. States Army,
---
-
was, on the
24th day of June 1813,
inscribed on the
Pension List, Roll of the South Carolina-
Agency, at the rate of one dollar seventy eight & a half cents
per month; and that his
name is now on the roll of the same - -
-
Agency, under the act of August 26, 1842, at Eight Dollars per month,
commencing on the first

day of January
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven
This certificate is issued in lieu of one dated on the 26th
day of November June 1813, cancelled
Examined and countersigned,
Given at the War Office of the United States
, this
16th
day of
of
Nov.
one thousand
eight hundred and forty two
Commissioner of Pensions
Secretary of War.
Page 73


Office Bank U States
Charleston 26th October 1835
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
In reply to yours of the 19th
instant, I have to state, that the complaint
of John Looney, an Invalid Pensioner is
altogether groundless. He has never been
refused payment, nor has he, for the last
two years, made any application for the
arrears of pension due him as an Invalid
As a pensioner under the act of 7th June
1832, he has applied, and been regularly
paid his stipend, under that act, through
his attorney. But, he has never presented
any claim, since the 3d of December 1833, for
the arrears due him as an Invalid pensioner
I am respectfully
Your obt Servt
{illegible}
Page 75

We John B. Chappell John B Chappele
a clergyman
residing in the said State & District & also
and Col Robert Anderson of the District of Pickens do
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
John Looney who has sworn to & subscribed the
preceding declaration is of the age he has
stated, that is to the best of our belief and knowledge
that he is in the neighborhood in which he resides
reputed & believed to have been a soldier of the
Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & Subscribed in open Court Day & year aforesaid
5th March 1833
an A Lawton C.
John B. Chappel
R. Anderson
Josiah J Evans Judge of the said Court do hereby
declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter
the substance of the interrogatories prescribed by the
war department having been declared as far it is
said as is in the power of the applicant, from his
[illegible] appearance reputed character, that he was a
soldier of the Revolution and served as Stated
John B. Chappell
who signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman who together with
Robert Anderson
are credible
and respectable men and entitled to implicit
belief
Josiah J Evans
[illegible] Judge
Ivan A Lawhon Lawson Clerk of the Court of Sessions & Common
Pleas for Anderson District do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application of
John Looney for a pension In testimony whereof I have
Set my hand & seal of office
this fifth day of March 1833
Van A Lawhong Lawson CC
Page 76

GIDEON PRINTER
Sir:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
January 12th 1843
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act
directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners
and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States
, and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending
the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, John Looney, Invalid
-
-
Pensioner on the Roll of the South Carolina
Agency, at the rate of
Two
Dollars
and
84
Cents per month under the law of the
has been paid at this Department, from the 4th
of Sept 1837
to the 4th Sept. 1841.
Respectfully, yours
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.