Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3,817, John Houston, S.C.
Page 1

SERVICE
S. C.

Houston, John
Mary

NUMBER
W. 3.817
Page 2

George 23.834

John Houston
of Coweta in the State of Ga:
who was a pr in the ____ commanded
by Captain ____ of the Rgt commanded
by Col Smith in the So Car
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of 134
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 80 Dollars ____ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of march, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Sept. 34
and Sent Jas Wood
Newman _ Ga:

Arrears to the 4th of March 3.............. 240-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept-..   40-
                                                          $280-
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nath Rice. _ Clerk,
Book E vol. 6 Page 92

by the Clerk,
Vol. Page 2

See letter to Hon. H. A. Haralson
Jan. 10. 1844.
Page 3

Repd
let to J Wood. Feb 9. 1846

Paid at Treasury under
act 6 April 1838, from 4th
March 1844 to 4 Sept. 1844.
Agent notified 25 Apl 1846

Date of death Nov [two words, illegible]

Georgia 5055

Mary Houston
widow of John Houston
SC
who was a Private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars ____
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
9th day of March 1844
and sent to Hon. H. A. Haralson
House of Reps.

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 1, Page 213.
Page 4

17.824
Ent

Jn Houston
Ga

[Illegible] See let
8 Oct 1833
to
Admit as a private
2 years $80-

James Wood
[Crossed out: R. W. East]
[Crossed out: clk.] Coweta Co
Newman Ga
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183_

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, showing the service of John Houston of Coweta Co Ga
Period when the service was rendered.
1776
1779
1780
1781 and
1782

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. in 1781 and 1782, 2 years and 3 days
Months.
3
4 [illegible]
3
9 10 8 4

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom h served.
Gen. Armstrong
Maj C. Lining
Maj. Levi Gillum
Col. J Parvis
Gen. Sumpter
Col. S Hammond
Gen Green

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Aged 73
Orangeburg.
South Carolina

Proof by which the declaration is supported. ____

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

The applicat Served 2 years nine months, &
3 days- as Sworn to
Saml D Echols JJC
Page 6

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Terror, or Dist.} ss.
County of
On this ____ day of ____ personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of ____ in the county of____ and State, Territory or District 
Of ____ aged (c) ____ years, 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
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ____ , with ____ and
served in the ____ (e) regiment of the ____ line, under the following named officers: ____
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of ____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.     A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of ____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
 day of ____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ____ and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ____ who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ____
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, ____ Clerk of the Court of ____ do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ____
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this ____ day of ____ & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
[Please see original for proper spacing and alignment]
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of
or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected
. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
Case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
soldier are receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it givyou
receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
7. State the names of 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 services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general and whether any doubts have a
have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
⌨ The declarant
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will fol-
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
Though of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when
he served.
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
suite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
2
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively
who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that, by reason
recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below,
days, I served as a
that of his service; but, according to the best of his
months, and-
For months and days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension."
---
terment in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held to the law
the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pension
phrase about three or four months,
them without specifying the tours, the names of the first merely state that they served two years
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown undr what
respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
particular place or place where his service will performed; that the
that corves, the duration of a term of promen; ┃
with an embodied corps called into service by competent aupursuit
.
that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubpapers
.
lic seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany he
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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow 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.
Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required
to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well
in the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the
cerned by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
shops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
The Depart count act in the case unless the applicant states
have by each tour of duty was
Page 8

State of Georgia
Coweta County ⎬ On this the 11th October Eighteen Hundred
and thirty five, personally before me John D Hinton
one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of said State & County
appeared John Houston, a resident of said State & County
aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to
Law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers, and served
as herein stated, that he entered the service in March 1776
for one month, as a substitute for his father who was drafted,
this company was commanded by Captain Flood, and was
Stationed in Charleston South Carolina. In June 1776 I again
entered the service as a substitute for one month, in the place
of Henry Coon, we sailed from Charleston the first of June
down to Hadrel's Point in company, with the Charleston
Grenadiers, Forresters, his company was commanded by Capt
John Sally, he was one of the guard, that was stationed
on the Lower bridge, between the point and Sullivan's
Island, the day of the Battle of Sullivan's Island, this
company was attached to no regiment, the whole of the
men at the point, was commanded by Gen. Armstrong -
In July he again entered the service as a substitute in the place
of Thomas Pindanas for one month, this company
was commanded by Capt Fullington, the Battalion was
commanded by Maj. Charles Linning, he march us from
where we was stationed on the point to Sullivans Island, and
remained there ten days and returned to Hadrel's Point
and served out the term of one month. In March 1779 he
entered the service, as a volunteer in Capt. Thomas Dugan's
Page 9

company. To range on the Indian frontier, he remained in
service until July In March 1780, he again entered the
service for 3 months - was drafted and added to Captain
Thomas Dugan. Company, his major name was Lewis
Gillum and the Col. name was John Purvis, he was stationed
A Cupboard Creek about 2 miles from Augusta Georgina
[Crossed out: In the fall] [Inserted, five words:] In the month of Septemberof the year 1780 - he entered the service as a volunteer
in Captain Thomas Dugan's Company, [crossed out: in September 178? and to leave from the (illegible)]
serving in said company [crossed out: in service] until Dec?? [crossed out and mostly illegible except "July"] 1781
[crossed out: of 1780 to the decsion of the Legislature at Jacksonborough]
[crossed out: in the Spring of 1782 or 3]. was ordered out upon an expedition
under Capt Levy Caisey, fell in with Gen Sumpter and was
placed in the march as his rear guard - Tarlton, coming upon
us attacked our rear guard, killed and took a good many
prisoners-- he was himself dangerously wounded and taking
prisoner, remained a prisoner until near Christmas, when
he was parolled, as soon as his wounds would admit
he [crossed out: entered] [inserted:] joined the [crossed out, illegible] [inserted:] army under Captain James Dugan and
was at the Seige of Ninety six. In the month of March
following, he again entered the service for 3 months as a
Substitute in the place of Alexander Dunlap - his capt
names was Henry Key, the Col. name was J. Smith, this
was a company of Horse, head Quarters at Orangeburg
and was marched to Ashapo. the whole detachment, when
united was commanded by Col. Leroy Hammond, our
detachment. Joined the main army under Gen. Greene
while he lay with his armay at Becon's Bridge on Asley River
when [crossed out: my] [inserted:] his term of service expired and he was discharged___
Page 10

In June 1782, he again entered the service [crossed out: as a volunteer] for
four months, this company was commanded by Lieutenant
James Starks, (having no capt) while in service in this company
he was in an engagement, with the Tories at John Richardson
plantation upon Bush River South Carolina ___ he served
with no continental or Regular troops, but when on Sullivans Island
and under Gen Greene, that he has no documentary evidence,
and [several words crossed out, iilegible] that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure
(except his Brother James Houston, whose affidavit is hereunto
annexed, also the affidavit of William Malone) who can testify
to his service _ He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency
of any State
John Houston Senr
Sworn to and Subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
Jno D. Hinton J.P.C.C.C

Answers to the Interrogatories from the
War Department
Answer to Interrogatory. 1st He was born in Ireland in the year
1760 as his parents informed him
Ans Int. the 2" 
He has none
Ans to Int, the 3
He was living in Orangeburg District
South Carolina, after the war about [crossed out: 3, several words, illegible] [inserted, the rest of the line]: 19 years in S.C.
and moved to Georgia, have lived in Jasper and am
now living in Coweta County Georgia____
Page 11

Ans. to Int. the 4th
He substituted, was drafted, and sometime
Volunteered, as is stated more fully in the declaration
Ans to Int the 5
Colonel Montre, at Sullivan Island and
Gen Greene, he served with no continental of
regular regiment, but on Sullivan, Island and
then that was with Gen Greene, and he does
not recollect the particular regiments he was
with
Ans to Int 6
He never did _
Ans to Int 7th
He refers to Henry Keller & James Wood
John Houston Senr
Sworn to and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
Jno D. Hinton J.P.C.C.C.

We Henry Keller and James Wood both residing in the
County of Coweta and State State Georgia, hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with John Houston, who has 
subscribed and sworn to [inserted:] the above declaration and Interrogatories
that we believe him to be 72 years of age, that he is reputed
and believed, in the neighboured where he resides, to have
been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in
that opinion
Henry Keller
James Wood
Sworn to and Subscribed,
the day and year aforesaid
Jno D. Hinton J.P.C.C.C.
Page 12

State of Georgia
Coweta County    ⎬Ss

On the Twenty fifth day of December
in the year of Our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & forty three
personally appeared before the Inferior Court of said County & State
at December Term of said Court Mary Houston a resident
of said County & State aged seventy five years, who being first
sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made
by act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act
granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows" - That
she is the Widdow of John Houston a private in the War
of the Revolution with Great Britain, whose Certificate as
Pensioner bears date at the War Department of the United
States 10th day of April One thousand eight hundred & thirty
four signed by Lew Cass Secretary of War (with seal annexed)
Examined & Countersigned by J. L. Edwards Commissioner of
Pensions, & entitles him the said John Houston Private &c
as aforesaid to Eighty Dollars per Annum during his natural
life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable
Semiannually, on the fourth of March & 4th of September
of every year & numbered in figures on the bank of said
Certificate (238341) with also the endorsement on said
Certificate of "Payments to be made at Savannah by the Cash
Planters Bk agent for paying Pensions in the agency of Ga
"Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E No 6 Page 92.
by N Rice Clk. "She further declares that she
was married to said John Houston Private &c as aforesaid in
the year seventeen hundred & Eighty Eight the day & month
not remembered but states it to have occurred in the summer
of that year and that there is not any record of the same to
her knowledge. & that her husband the said John Houston
private etc as aforesaid, died on the twenty fourth day
of May Eighteen hundred & thirty five - that she
Page 13

was not married to him prior to his leaving the
service, but the marriage took place previous to the
first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four
viz at the time above stated.
Mary Houston X her mark Houston
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day
above Written before us in Open Court
John Underwood J.I.C.
Levi Willcoxon J.I.C.
John H. Johnson J.I.C.

State of Georgia
Coweta County  ⎬  Personally appeared in open Court Samuel
Houston who being duly sworn saith that he is the reputed
Son of John Houston and Mary Houston. That he has
known them to live together as man and wife for the period
of forty years previous to the death of the said John Houston
that John Houston is the person who drew the pension 
[illegible] by certificate described in the annexed &
foregoing declaration of Mary Houston _ that the said
John Houston died on the twenty fourth day of May
the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred & thirty
five. - and that the said Mary Houston is the Widow
and relick of the said John Houston deceased
Sworn to and subscribed before us in
Open Court this Decr 25th 1843 aquel
Samuel Houston
John Underwood J.I.C.
John H Johnson J.I.C.
Levi Willcoxon, J.I.C.
Page 14

State of Georgia  
Coweta County.     ⎬ Personally appeared before us in open
Court the Reverend John G Fry who,
being duly sworn saith that he knew John Houston deceased in his
life time. That he is the person who is described as the pensioner
as printed in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain described
in Mary Houstons foregoing Declaration - That his the said
John Houston died in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty five
in the month of May as well as deponent can remember.
_ That the said John Houston and Mary Houston the
present applicant for pension in the forgoing Declaration
lived together as man & wife for a quit number of years
previous to the death of him the said John Houston. &
that deponent knows them to live as such for the span of
of twenty or thirty years.
John G Fry
Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court before us this 25th day of
December 1843
John Underwood J.I.C.
Levi Willcoxon J.I.C. 
John C. Johnson J.I.C.

State of Georgia
Coweta County  ⎬
I James J. Keely Clerk of
the Inferior Court for said County & State do hereby certify
that John Underwood Levi Willcoxson and
John H Johnson where
names appear as attesting witnesses to the declaration of
Mary Houston and the affidavit of Samuel Houston
and the Reverend John G. Fry [illegible] Justices of the Inferior
Court of said County & State and that the signatures of said
Justices and the said Samuel Houston & John G. Fry [two words, illegible]
& each of them genuine signatures; and that full faith and
credit ought to be had and given to their attestation
Page 15

as such and that the same is in due form and
also that said Inferior Court of Coweta is a 
Court of Record
Given under my hand & seal affix this the
twenty fifth day of December Eighteen hundred &
forty three
James J. Neely
Clk

State of Georgia
Coweta County  ⎬
We John Underwood
Levi Willcoxon and John H Johnson Justices of
the Inferior Court of said County and State do hereby
certify that James G Neeely whose name appears
to the above forgoing certificate is Clerk of the
Inferior Court for said County and State. that his allestate
as such is genuine and that full faith and credit
ought to be had and given to his attestation as such
and that the same is in due form
Given under our hand & seals the 26
day of December One thousandEight 
hundred & forty three
John Underwood J.I.C.
Levi Willcoxon J.I.C.
John H Johnson J.I.C.
Page 16

January 29, 1937

Mrs. J. H. Franklin
259 - 14th Street
Atlanta, Georgia

John Houston
W. 3817
BA-J/AWF

Dear Madam:

The data which follow concerning John Houston,
were obtained from papers in pension claim, W. 3817,
based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

John Houston was born in the year 1760 in
Ireland. The names of his parents were not [smudge, illegible]
nor was it stated when he arrived in this country.

While a resident of [smudge, illegible]rict, South
Carolina, he served as a private with the South
Carolina troops, as follows:

From March 1, 1776, one month, as substitute for
his father, in Captain Flood's company; from June 1,
1776, one month in Captain John Sally's company; from
July 3, 1776, one month in Captain Fullington's company,
under Major Charles Limming(?) He moved from
Orangeburg District early in 1779 to Ninety-Six 
District, and served as follows: from March 5, 1779,
four months in Captain Thomas Dugan's company to range
on the frontier; from March 1, 1780, three months in
Captain Thomas Dugan's company, Colonel John Purvis'
regiment; from in the fall of 1780 until December 15,
1781 under Captains Thomas and James Dugan and John
Virgin, Colonels Joseph Hays and Levi Caisey; from
March 1, 1782, three months in Captain Henry Keys'
company, under Colonel Jared Smith; from June 6, 1782,
four months under Lieutenant James Stark. During this
service he was in skirmishes on Broad River and at Cross
Page 17

Roads near Dunkins Creek, where he was wounded and
taken prisoner and paroled, was at the siege of
Ninety-Six, and an engagement at Bush River.

The soldier, John Houston, moved about nineteen
years after the close of the Revolution from
South Carolina to Jasper County, Georgia, and thence
to Coweta County, Georgia.

He was allowed pension on his application
executed October 11, 1832, then a resident of Coweta
County, Georgia. He died May 24, 1835.

John Houston married in the summer of 1788,
Mary. Her maiden name was not given, nor date and
place of birth.

The widow, Mary Houston, was allowed pension
on her application executed [smudge, illegible] at
which time she was seventy-five years old and living
Coweta County, Georgia.

Their son, Samuel Houston, was a resident of
Coweta County, Georgia in 1843.

There is no further reference to children.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 18

Beb 29. 1908.
Hist. to Mrs. W. A. Kennon
1914 Mch. 26 Hist to Mrs.
W. Latham
1918 Oct.  24 Manda W. Latham
Town or County in Ireland & [illegible]
Was born is not stated
1925 Apr. 18. Hist to W. W. Hildebrandt
See letter in Samuel Ho[illegible]
W. 7810 -
1926 - Oct 2- Hist to Mrs. E J.
1931 May 19   ..  Mrs. L. [illegible]
1932 - Feb. 8. Mrs. L. L. Do[illegible]
re rela to James state [illegible]
1937 - Jan 29 hist to [illegible] H.
Franklin - See her let[illegible]
Andrew Barry - R. 56[illegible]

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 3817
Mary Houston
Wid,
John Houston
Pvt. Rev. War

Act: Mch. 3 of 43
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 341

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

8179
Georgia

Mary Houston
widow of John Houston
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 24th May 1835
of Coweta Co. in the State of Georgia
who was a Private in the company
commanded by Captain ___ of the
regt. commanded by Col. Smith in
the S. Carolina line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of
March1844 and sent to Hon. H. A.
Haralson, House of Representations

Total Amount, $400-
(Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D Brown Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1, Page 319.

Repd
Page 20

Mar 7 44

Com

Georgia
Utd case
Mary Houston
Amt 38
Act 1843 No. 5426.
get husband papers

$80 per an

Issue 2 certificates
one under act 1838 &
the other under act 1843

NB: Place the name on the
Index under act 43 &
number the case __

Hn H. A. Haralson
HR

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington
D. C
Page 21

Washington D.C. 8th Jany 1844
Sir,
Enclosed I send you the application of Mary Houston
for pay as the widow of a revolutionary soldier. It
is accompanied by a letter from Messrs Haralson
& Stokes of LaGrange Georgia, who have prepared
her application for her [illegible] you be pleased to
enclose me the paper forms & instructions alluded
to in the letter. & State the amount to which she
is now entitled. With great respect I am
Your &c
Ha A Haralson

Hon James M Porter
Sec of War
War Department
D.C.

P.S. Please return the letter of Messrs Haralson & Stokes
and the Certificate of John Houston to a pension
herein enclosed, and State wh[illegible, smeared]
any is due on his certificate-
Page 22

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
April 14 1846

Sir:

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 third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending
the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the 
pension agents, Mary Houston
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Georgia
Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars
[crossed out: Cents] per annum, under the law of the 17 June
1832, has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of March 1844 to the 4th Sept. 1844.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 23

Washington 6th March 1844
Sir.
Enclosed I please you again the application of
Mary Houston for pension with the additional
certificate of the magistrate who administered
the each to Robert Boyd that he is a man
in whose testimony reliance may be placed
thus removing the only objection you had
to granting the pension asked. I respectfully
request as early are answer as the
business of the office will allow.
Yours &c
Hu A Haralson

Hon J L Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington
Page 24

Payments to be made
at Savannah
by the Cathn Planters Bk.
Agent for paying Pensionrtd
in the Agency of Ga.

Recorded in the Pension 
Office in Book C Vol. 6
Page 92 by N Rice
Clerk.
Page 25

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United 
States of the 7th June, 1832, John Houston
of the State of Georgia
who was a Private in the war of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and
[crossed out: cents] per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable 
semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September 
in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United 
States, this 10th day of
April one thousand eight
hundred and thirty=four.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and
Countersigned.}
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 26

War Department
Pension Office
Jany 21 1834
Sir:
The declaration of John Houston as amended
is returned as unsatisfactory.
In order to establish his claim to Services alleged
to have here performed from 1780 to 80 he must specify them
as the rules require, stating distinctly the duration and nature
of each tour of duty.
The militia men never prformed tours of [illegible]
months continuous and actual service and such claims
cannot be allowed.
I am Respectfully
Your. Obt. Servant
J.L. Edwards

Mr James Wood
Newnan
Ga.
Page 27

December the 16, 1825 Georgia Clark County

I hereby certify that in the month of
November 1780 I was a prisoner under
Col Tarleton on the day of the action at
Blackstone on Tyger River between General
Sumpter & Col Tarleton in the State of South
Carolina some time in the day Mr John
Huston was brought by some of Tarletons
dragoons (or horsemen), and delivered into
the same Guard that I was in very badly
wounded, he at that time was a volunteer
under the then Captain Levi Casey then in
defense of the American [illegible]
Certified the day & date above & subscribed
Before me
Wm Malone

Sworn to the day &
Date above written
John Shepherd
J. P
Page 28

Georgia
Meriwether County ⎬Ss  Before me Walter B. Pope a Justice
of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Robert
Boyd who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is upwards
of eighty two years of age and that he has known Mary Houston
as the wife of John Houston since the year seventeen hundred
and eighty eight that he lived but a short distance from them
at the time they were reputed to have been married which he
believes was in the year aforesaid and that he has no doubt
they were lawfully married.
Robert X his mark Boyd
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 22 day of December 1843.
Walter P. Pope J. P.

State of Georgia
Meriwether County ⎬ I John Robinson Clerk of the
Inferior Court of the County and
State aforesaid do hereby certify that Walter P Pope
whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit, is an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, and that
full faith and credit ought to be had and given to his attestation
as such that his signature is genuine and in due form
Given under my hand and seal of office
this 23d day of December in the year
Eighteen hundred and forty three

John Robinson Clk. I. C
Page 29

State of Georgia  
Meriwether County ⎬ I James Render one of the Justices 
of the Inferior Court of said County
and State do certify that John Robinson whose name
appears to the foregoing certificate is Clerk of the Inferior Court
for said County and that full faith and credit ought to be had and
given to his attestation as such, that his signature is genuine
and that the same is in due form-
Given under my hand and seal this 23d day
of December Eighteen hundred and forty three

James Render J. I. C.
Page 30

Georgia
Coweta County ⎬ Personally appeared before me Samuel
D Echols one of the Judges of the Inferior
Court of Coweta County John Houston
who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he did
serve as stated in his amended declaration, as is returned
unsatisfactory, twelve months, [inserted, two words:] constant Service (to wit from November 1780 to,
December 1881 - as follows. That he entered the service in
November 1780, in Capt Dugans [inserted:] company as a volunteer for no
settled period, but to serve as circumstances might require
that in ten days after, this deponent had joined his
company, he was in a battle with [inserted:] the British [crossed out: and tories]
under the command of Tarlton, that this deponent
was danerously wounded and taken prisoner, and
retained in close confinement for six weeks, and
was then liberated on parole [inserted, two words:] until exchanged and remained under
parole about six weeks more. Since having recovered from
his wounds, he broke his parole, by serving the army under
Gen Green, in the early part of the year 1881, in Capt Dugans
Company, and served three months under Gen Green
at the siege of 96. And [inserted:] immediately after the seige, this deponent
rendevoused at Cara's Mills, on Bush River, and [crossed out: from]
[crossed out: there] remained in this service or tour about one month, and
returned back to his regiment under the command of Col
Joseph Hays _ Col Hays received orders from Governor
Rutledge immediately after this deponent had joined his
Regiment, to remove all the women & children of the Tories
[crossed out: from] out of the limits of his command, over to the British
which service, we were about two months in performing
the balance of the year, for self preservation, we were
Page 31

compelled to remain in service, and under arms,
to keep from being butchered up by the tories, for
they killed every whig they could get hold off ~
my recollection, from extreme old age, does not now
serve me, as to the exact dates of my service to a
day, but they are set forth as well as my memory
serves me in my former declarations
John X his mark Houston
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 1 st March 1834
Saml D Echols .JI.C.C.C.

Georgia
Coweta County}  I Samuel Echols, do hereby certify that
Since John Houston signed his name to
his declaration in applying for his pension, and[inserted:] the  declaration
as amended, that he has become perfectly blind, [crossed out, illegible] to
all appearance, so that he cannot now sign his name,
which will account for his making his mark, instead of
signing his name as before this 1st March 1834
Saml D Echols J.I.C.

Georgia
Coweta County} I Richard W East Clerk of the Inferior
Court of Coweta County, do hereby certify that Samuel D.
Echols is one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Coweta County
and that all due [crossed out, illegible] faith and credit ought to be given
to his attestations as such. In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this 6 March
Richard W. East.
Page 32

feb 9 46

NEWN
FEB
3
GA

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of
Pension
Washington City
D.C

Mary Houston
[illegible] wk 43
Page 33

Newnan 4th Feby 1846

J L Edwards Esq

Dear Sir
The widow of John Houston deceased, a revolutionary soldier and pensioner of the U.S. Mary Houston who was herself a pensioner, and whose certificate was dated the 9th day of March 1844 - and signed Wm Wilkins Secretary of War, which certificate entitled her to draw a pension from the 4th March 1843 and terminating on the 4th March 1844 is still living and wishes to be placed again on the pension list, not having noticed the last act extending the pension acts and not being able to procure it have for the purpose of preparing again her declaration for a pension, will you be kind enough to forward to me, the necessary forms to prepare her declaration your early attention to this letter will confer a favor on our aged and destitute [underlined] old widow.
Very Respectfully
Yours
James Woods
Page 34

State of Georgia  
Coweta County  ⎬On this the 23rd day of August
One thousand Eight Hundred & thirty
three before me Samuel D. Echols
one of the _ Judges of the Inferior Court of said
State and County, appeared John Houston, a resident
not being able to attend in open court from infirmity and old age
of said State and County aged (73 Years) X who being
first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
That he entered the service in the army of the United States
the 1st day of March 1776 for one month as a substitute for
his father who was drafted, and served out his tour of one
month and was discharged, his Captain name was Flood, and
[inserted, two words:] his company was stationed in Charleston South Carolina. On the 1st of
June 1776 he again entered the service as a substitute
for one months in the place of Henry Coon and served
out his tour of duty and was discharged, this company was
commanded by Captain John Sally, this company was
stationed on the Lower Bridge between the point (Illegible])
and Sullivans Island, the day of the battle of Sullivan
Island this company was attached to a Regiment, but the
whole of the men at the point was under the command
of Gen Armstrong, On the 3d of July [inserted:] 1776 he again entered
the service as a substitute in the place of Thomas Pindarves
for one month this company was commanded by Capt
Fullington, the Battalion was commanded by Maj
Charles Lining, he marched us from where we stationed
on the point to Sullivans Island, where we remained ten days
thence to Hadsell point, where he served out his tour of the month
and was discharged ____
Page 35

On the 3 of March 1779 he entered the service as a
Volunteer in Capt Dugan's Company for six months, to range
on the Indian frontier, but remained in service only four
months and was discharged in July of the same year-
On the 1st of March 1780 he again entered the service for
three months, was drafted and added to Captain
Thomas Dugans Company, his Maj name was Levi
Gillum and the Col. John Parvis, the company was
stationed at Cupboard Creek two miles from Augusta
Georgia and he there served out his tour of duty of 3 months
and was discharged on the 3d of June of the year
On the 10th of September 1780, he entered the service as a
volunteer in Capt Thomas Dugans Company for Eighteen
months, served in said Company until the 15 December 1781
about 16 months and was discharged while in this service
or compain was ordered out upon an expedition under
Captain Levi Caisey, fell in with General Sumpter's
detachment, and was placed in the March as his rear guard
Tarlton coming upon us attacked our rear guard, killed
and took many prisoners, he this deponent, himself was
daughouly wounded and was taken prisoner, remained a
prisoner until near christmas, when he was parolled, as soon
as his wounds would admit, he joined the army under
Captain James Dugan and was at the siege of Ninety
six. On the 1st day of March 1782 he entered the service for
3 months as a substitute in the place of Alexander Dunlap
his capts name was Henry Key, the Col. Name was Smith,
this was a company of Horse, head Quarters at Orangeburg
South Carolina, and was marched to Ashaps, the whole
detachment, when united was commanded by Col Leroy
Hammond, our detachment joined the main army under
Page 36

Gen Green, while he lay with his army at Bacons
Bridge on Ashley River until his term of service of
3 months expired, and he was discharged- On the 6 of
June 1782, he again entered the service as a volunteer for
four months, this company was commanded by Lieut
James Strack, (having no cept) while in service in this
Company he was in an engagement with the tories
at John Richardson Plantation or bush River
South Carolina, he served out his tour and was discharged
That he served with us continental or regular troops, but
when on Sullivans Island and whilst under Gen Green _
That he has no documentary evidence and that he [crossed out, illegible]
Knows of no person living within his bounds, whose testimony
he can procure (except James Houston, whose affidavit
is hereunto annexed, also the affidavit of William Malone
who is now dead) who can testify to his service. He
hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or
annuity except the present, and declares that his name
is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State-
John Houston
Sworn to and Subscribed
before us this 23 day of Aug
1833

Saml D Echols J.I.C
Page 37

Answers to the Interrogatories from the war
department
Answer to interrogatory 1st He was born in Ireland in the
year 1760 as his parents informed him
Answer to Int. - 2nd He has none
Answer to Int. - 3rd He was living in Orangeburg district
in the State of South Carolina after
the war he continued to live in said
State about 19 years then moved to
Georgia have lived in the County
of Jasper in said State and at ┃
present resides in Coweta County, Georgia
Answer to Int. - 4th He substituted, was drafted and some
times volunteered, as is stated more fully
in the declaration
Answer to Int. - 5th Col Moultrie at Sullivans Island
and General Greene, he served with no
Continental or regular regiments but
on Sullivans Island, and those that was
with Genl Greene, and he does not
recollect particular regiments he was with
Answer to Int 6th He never did
Answer to Int - 7th He refers to Col John W Pentecost
Col James Wood
John Houston
Sworn and subscribed before us
this 23 day of August 1833

Saml D Echols 26 JIC
Page 38

Georgia
Coweta County} Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice
of the Inferior Court for the County and State aforesaid, John
Houston Senr who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by
reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear
portively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the
best of his recollection, he served at the following name place
& periods as mentioned below, and in the following grades: _
1st He was living in orange burg district in the State of South Carolina
when his father was drafted to serve a tour of one month for
the protection of Charleston _ he entered in the month of
March in the year 1776.  as a substitute for him and served out the
Town as mentioned in the declaration.
2 - In the month of June of the same year he again entered
the service as a substitute for Henry Coon to serve a tour of one
month. Rendevouz. at the City of Charleston. he was under the
command of Capt. John Sally - about the first of the month ┃
sailed from Charleston in Company with the Charleston Grenadiers
& forestors to Hadwells Point - The Charleston Grenadier were
commanded by Capt. _ _ McCall The Foresters by Capt  -
Lazicz - On the day of the Battle at Sullivan Island his
company was placed as a guard at the lower bridge between the Point
and the Island. _ The day of the Battle his company 
was not attached to any Regiment - The whole of the men at the
point was commanded by Genl _ Armstrong - at the
expiration of this tour which was about the first July he was
discharged & immediately entered the service again for the term of
one month as a substitute for Thomas Pindarves - He was
commanded by Capt. Fullington - his Battalion by Major Charles Lining. he
marched us from the Point to Sullivans Island and remain there
Ten days - Thence back to Hadrels Point at which place he
remained in actual service until his time of service
expired _, which was about the first of August when he was
discharged _ In the month of January in the year of 1779
he removed from Orangeburg to (96) ninety sixth district S.C.
Page 39

and settled in Col. James Williams Regiment - about
the first of March of the year 1779. He entered the service as a
Volunteer under Captain Thomas Dugan Rendouvouz. two
miles above the Tubling Shoals in Reedy River. Then on the Indian
line, at which station he remained in actual service till some
time of the month of July when he was discharged ~
In the month of February or March [inserted, four words:] of the year 1780 he was drafted and added to
Captain Thomas Dugans Company -Rendesvous at a place called
Chalk Hills in South Carolina (near Augusta Georgia) The battlion
was commanded by Major Lewis Gillum we remained
at this place two or three weeks when we were marched up
the Savannah River to Cupboard Creek near Augusta Georgia, where
we fell in with other Troops at which place we remained till
our term of service expired which was three months. _ At
Cupboard Creek the whole of the Troops were under the command
of Col John Purvis ._ In the fall of the year
1780 (the month not now recalled) he turned out as a
Volunteer under Captain Thos Dugan with a fixed [illegible] to
retake his Country or die _ He immediately thereafter joined
General Sumpter & the Troops under his command at Indian Creek
now in Newberry district _ we were marched to broad
River _ the whole under the command of Genl Sumpter and down
said River to Shira's Ferry, at which place we had small
skirmish with the british across the River _ from thence we were
marched back again to Dunkin's Creek _ Immediately on
our arrival at this place: we were informed of the approach
of Tarleton and his troops - by order of Genl Sumpter Capt
Levi Casey chose Twelve men of [inserted:] main the body of the army to[illegible]
[illegible] - of which Twelve he was one of the number thus
chosen - on our excursion that night we fell in with three
Tories & took them prisoners - The next morning whiilst
we were endeavoring to return to the main army
Page 40

we were observed & overtaken by Tarleton and his Legion at a place
then called Cross Roads between Dunkins Creek and Enoree River
In this skirmish he was dangerously wounded and taken
Prisoner - and carried to Blackstocks - at which place he
remained about a week then placed in the hands of ┃
Mayor McCarthy and his Battation - taken by them to Shira
Ferry on Broad River at which place he remained about
Ten days from thence removed to the Widow - Woodward
on Little River where Tarleton and his Legion lay at
which place he remained about two weeks when he was
Removed to Wynnsborough (Cornwallis's head quarters) At
this place he remained a few days when he was paroled
- he returned home to his fathers where he remained a
short time - till Genl Greene came on with his Army [illegible]
then broke his parole and found the Troops under Genl Greene was
attached to the Company Company commanded by his old Captain
Viz Thos. Dugan - and remained with him until the siege
of Ninety six was raised - at which time Captain Thos
Dugan Resigned his brother James Dugan took the command
of the Company They retreated with the main Army to
Hamiltons ford on Tiger River at which place his Capt.
and his company left the main army to scour the County
of Tories - remained under him till he was killed by
the Tories - after which this company was commanded by
Capt John Virgin & Lieutenant Jas. Stark _ The whole of the
Troops were under the command of Col Joseph Hays
Rendezvous at Carrs Mills Bush River, thence to
a place called Dutch Fork _ Then fell in with Capt.
Philoman Waters & his company of State Troops - Thence
march in company with him & his forces to Fooses ford
on Broad River _ Thence down to Ankrum big
house on the Congaree River.- There we remaind
till Greene's, Army [inserted:] marched from the High Hills of Santree
[inserted, two words:] near as when we furnish them with some beef cattle
Page 41

about this time our Col was informed that the Tories were numerous in
our part of the Country _ which caused him to return, after when
we were [illegible] employed two or three weeks in driving the Tories of
. _about which time the Battle of the Eutaw Springs
was fought, shortly thereafter Gov. Rutledge and his
proclamation for removing of the wives [inserted, two words:] & children of the Torie [inserted] in to the british
lines - in which occupation Col. Hays & his forces to which
he himself attached even egaged five [inserted:] or six weeks after
which the tories attacked Col. _Hays & his company &
being two strong for him -  overpowered & murdered him
togather with seventeen of his men in cold blood after he
had surrendered to them _ at the time of this engagement
he was sent of into his own settlement by order of
his Col. _ after the murder of Col _ Hays [crossed out: Capt]
[inserted:] Col Levi Caisey commanded the regiment-- Rendousvous at
the house of John Cunningham - when he was placed
under the command of Lieutenant. Arther McCracken together
with five other men to guard the Tories and [illegible]
them brake Hemp to send to Petersburg Virginia to purchase
[illegible] - at which time the legislature convened at
Jacksonborough S.C. when all the Volunteers were discharged
he thinks in the latter part of December 1781. In the
month of March of the year following he again entered the
service for three months [inserted five words:] in a company of horses as a substitute in the place of
Alxander Dunlap _ his Captains name was Henry Key
his Col. name was Jared Smith - [illegible] commanded the
regiment head quarters were at Orangeburg [crossed, illegible]
the whole under the command of Leroy Hammond
-Our detachment joined the main army under Genl
Greene which he lay with his main army
Page 42

Bacon's Bridge on Ashley River at which place he
remained a short time when his term of service
expired _ when he was discharged _  In June
1782- he again entered the service as a volunteer
for [crossed out: the] [inserted:] a tour of four months - this company was
commanded by Lieutenant Jas Stark - having
no captain while in service in this company. he
was in an engagement with the Tories at John
Richardson Plantation on Bush River S.C -
[Smeared, illegible] This company of Tories was commanded by Wm
Cunningham the noted Torey. _ and deponent
further deposeth & saith that the following contains the
periods he sword all of which he served as a private for
which now claims a Pension Viz
March 1776  1 Mo under Capt. Flood - substitute
March 1776 - 1 do - Sally - do -
July 1776- do- Fullington - do -
March 1779 - 4 do Volunteer under Capt Dugan
till July
__ 1780 - 3 do drafted - Dugan
[crossed out: 1781 to 1782]
Fall 1780 to
Dec. 1781    ⎬& was not less than 12 months in actual service
[Illegible] was not less than 12 months in actual service
& that actually received pay for the whole of
the time [crossed out: Served] and that during this time he
and such officers as set forth on the
aforegoing
March 1782   - 3 months as a substitutes under Capt. Henry Key
till 1st July   ⎬
June 1782
 til Octr     ⎬4 months Volunteer under Lieutenent Starks
John Houston
Sworn & stuscribed
before me this 15th day of Novr 1833⎬
Jno D Hinton Justice of
the inferior Court of Coweta County Georgia
Page 43

Georgia
Coweta County ⎬ [Written down the right margin:] John Houston
I John D. Hinton one of the Judge
of the Inferior Court of said state &
County do hereby certify that John Houston
whose name is attached to the foregoing [inserted:] is his own
proper signature - & that he is a resident of this
County and that he is at this time confined to his
house in consequence of old age & infirmities - &
that the foregoing was made out by me as his
house & that he was duly qualified to the same
- Given under my hand this 15th day
of November 1833
John D Hinton [illegible]
[illegible]
of the Inferior Court of Coweta
County Georgia

Georgia
Coweta County⎬I Richard W. East Clerk of the Inferior
Court of Coweta County Georgia do hereby 
Certify that the foregoing signature of John D
Hinton is his own proper signature that he is
one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of said
County & State & that full faith & credit should
be given to his attestation as such
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixd my seal office [date obscurred by seal]
of November 1833.
Richard W. East C. of C.
Page 44

State of Georgia
Meriwether County ⎬ I Walter R Pope an acting Justice of the Peace in
and for said County do hereby certify that Robert Boyd
who made oath before me on the twenty second day of December Eighteen hundred
and forty three stating therein that he had known Mary Houston as the wife of
John Houston since the year seventeen hundred and eighty eight, that he lived
but a short distance from them at the time they were repotted to have been married
which he believed was in the year last aforesaid, and that he had no doubt they
were lawfully married) sustains a reputable character in the neighbourhood
in which he resides, that he is a man of veracity and undoubted reliance
is and ought to be given to his testimony
Given under my hand this twenty seventh day of February
one thousand eight hundred and forty four
Walter R. Pope J.P.
Page 45

Newman 6th March 1834

J L Edwards Esq

Dear Sir

Enclosed you will again [smudged out: the] receive
the application of John Houston for a pension as
amended by affidavit, the old man has become
completely blind and from his rapidly declining
health, cannot be here long, he is poor and much in
need of the pension if he could obtain it, you will see
in his affidavit, how he explains for his 12 months
service, between 1780 & 81. He says, if the last explination
is not sufficient, that he cannot, he thinks, from the
loss of memory, give any other, and observed that
if the revolutionary soldiers, had taken as many
exceptions [[crossed out: do] against entering the service as has
been taken against their claims, that the liberties
of this country, would never have been achieved
not, Sir, censuring your conduct in the least
Respectfully
Yours
James Wood
Page 46

John Jouston
17824
Page 47

Georgia
Coweta County ⎬ I, John D Hinton one of the Judges
of the Inferior Court of said State & County
do hereby declare it to be my opinion, after [i9nserted:] the investigation
of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed
by the war Department, that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And I
John D Hinton, Judge as aforesaid as further certify, that
Henry Keller and James Wood who has signed the preceding
Certificate (no clergyman, being convenient, who was acquainted with
the applicant.) are both credible persons and that their
Statements are entitled to credit, this 11 Oct. 1832
Jn D. Hinton
Justice of the Inferior Court
Coweta County G.A.

I Richard W. Easte Clerk of the Superior Court of Coweta
County Georgia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said John D Hinton [inserted six words:] Richard B Worth & William Speaker in the
matter of the application of John Houston Snr for a pension
[crossed out: the application (illegible) being (many words, illegible)] and I Richard
W Easte do further certify that John D Houston [inserted six words:] Reduced to poor & [illegible] health [crossed out: was]
[crossed out: of the] Judges of the Inferior Court of Coweta County Georgia
and [inserted:] their [crossed out: his] signatures annexed are [inserted:] their [crossed out: his] genuine signatures, and that
all due faith and credit ought to be given to [corssed out: his] their
attestations as such,
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office this 11th October 1832
Richard W. East C.I.C
Page 48

We John W Pentecost and James Wood both residing
in the County of Coweta and State of Georgia, hereby
certify, that we are well acquainted with John Houston
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
and Interrogatories _ that we believe him to be 72 years
of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of
the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
John W Pentecost
James Wood
Sworn & subscribed before
[crossed out: us] me this 23rd August 1833
Saml D Echols J.I. C.C.C


State of Georgia
Coweta County  ⎬ I Samuel of Echols, one of the
Judges of the Inferior Court of [inserted:] saidState and County do
hereby declare it to be my opinion after the investigation
of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories
prescribed by the war department that the above
named applicant John Houston was a revolutionary
soldier and served as he states and is entitled to credit
on his oath, and [illegible] I Samuel D Echols ___
one of the Judge as aforesaid do further certify
that John W Pentecost & James Wood who has signed
the preceding certificate (no clergyman being convenient
who is acquainted with the applicant) are both
creditable persons and that their statements are
fully entitled to credit
Saml D Echols JIC
Page 49

Georgia
Coweta County⎬
I Richard W East Clerk of the Inferior
Court of said State & County do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
said Samuel D Echols one of the Judges of the Inferior Court
of Coweta County in the matter of the application of John Houston
for a pension and I Richard W East do further
certify that Samuel D Echols and John D Hinton
are Judges of the Inferior Court
of Coweta County Georgia and their signatures annexed
are their genuine signatures and that all due
faith and credit ought to be given to their attestations
as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal of Office this 26th August 1832
Richard W. East C.I.C.
Page 50

Georgia
Court County ⎬ Personally appeared before me John
Hinton one of the Judges of the Inferior
Court of said State & County, James Houston, who
after being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that the
declaration made this day, and answers to certain 
Interrogatories, from the war Department, made by John Houston
for the purpose of obtaining a pension from the United 
States, for his services performed during the revolutionary 
war, which is hereunto annexed, are substantially true
to the best of his knowledge and belief
James H his mark Houston
Sworn to before me
this 11th October 1832
Jno. D. Hinton J.I.C.C.C.

Georgia
Court County ⎬ I John D. Hinton Judge of the
Inferior Court in & for said State
County do hereby certify that James
Houston [inserted, two words:] who has deponded above as far as comes within
my knowledge is a credible person &
is entitled to full credit on his oath.
this 16th April 1833
Jno D Hinton J.I.C.C.C.
Page 51

Rev Sec
EB

1608 Fulton Ave.,
Davenport, Iowa,
Oct. 14, 1918.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send copy of the pension
paper of John Houston, Soldier of the Revolution,
Abbeville, S. C., wife Mary Wilson. He
was born 1760 in Ireland. I especially want to
know from what part of Ireland he came. If you
can help me in finding this I shall be most
grateful.
Have you on file the pension records of
Joshua Witt and Arra Witt [inserted, three words:] Sent W. 623, North Carolina?
I would appreciate your help so much.
Very respectfully,
(Mrs.) Maude W. Latham
Page 52

1754 St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
March 14, 1914

U. S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
Please send me a
copy of the record of pension
given to Mary Houston of Coweta
County Georgia, widow of
John Houston soldier in
the Revolution [inserted, in parenthesis:] (as of July 7, 1838).  John Houston
died May 24, 1835.
Thanking you in advance
for this kindness, I am
Respectfully yours
(Mrs.) Maude W Latham
Page 53

W 3817
W. 3817

Ear

Brunswick Georgia

February 21 1908

The Pension Bureau
Washington DC

U.S. PENSION OFFICE.
A 
FEB 24 1908

Gentlemen,
Will you kindly
make for me a copy
of the records
[bottom line, illegible]
Page 54

pensions 8179 and 5055
both having the day
March 9th 1844 and
Signed
William Wilkins
Secy of War These
pensions are in the family
of Mary Houston Widow
of John Houston who
was a private in
Page 55

the Revolution
I should be greatly
obliged to you
Very truly yours
Mrs William A. Kennon
1706 Gloucester St

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
A
FEB 24 1908
Page 56

MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

Jan. 17. 1931

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D. C.

RECEIVED
JAN 20 1932 [and] JAN 21 1932
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILES SUBDIVISION

Dear Sir:-
In regard  to pension which
began Mar. 4, 1836 & was for $80 a year
signed by Wm Wilkins for services of
John Houston.
Will you kindly look over
this [inserted:] ans? paper to see if John makes any
mention? of his brother James who
also served. We are unable locate
the record of James services. Family
papers state he enlisted at the age of
16, with his brother John, above referred
to. You have previously written me
no pension was issued to this James
Houston & it has been suggested that
Page 57

John in making application for
pension might have referred to brother
James who was also in service.
The father of John & James Houston was
John Houston Sr.  He furnished supplies 
for soldiers.  Where would I be
likely to find this record?
If there is any charge for looking
over John's pension record I see if
he states his brother James was in
Continental Army, please advise and I'll 
remit.
With grateful appreciation, I am,
Respectfully
(Mrs L L) Ruth Houston Dowling
636. 31st Ave.
Page 58

315 Webster Ave.,
Houston, Texas.
August 27, 1926.

Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War Records.
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:--
Will you kindly send me the family data you have on
record pertaining to my great, great grandmother, Mary Wilson
Houston, who as widow of John Houston, soldier of the Revolution,
Continental line, was granted a Pension in Coweta County, Georgia,
where she was a resident at the time of her husband's death.
and A COPY of the PENSION PAPERS.
Mary Wilson Houston, born 1768, married 1788, died 1849
widow of John Houston, born 1760, died 1835.
Thanking you in advance for the courtesy of a prompt
reply,
I am,
Yours truly,
Mrs. Eric Tarrant Davis.
Page 59

MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI
April 9. 1931.

Bureau of Pensions
Mr. E. W. Morgan, Act. Commissioner
Washington
D. C

Dear Sir:-
Please give me whatever
record (Rev.) you have of Edward
Matchett, Duplin County, North Car.
I am unable to furnish name
of wife etc. His son Edward
Matchett married Sarah Risher
Were John and Henry Matchett also
Rev. soldiers?
Sorry I cannot give more
data but there were so few Matchetts
I do not believe they will be hard
to find.
Thanking you for any information
you may pass on to me, I am
Gratefully
Mrs. L. L. Dowling
636- 31st Ave.
Page 60

636- 31st Ave.
Meridian, Miss.
May 8. 1931

Mr. E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
Washington, D. C. 

US PENSION OFFICE
O
MAY 11 1931

Dear Sir: _
Please give me record
you have of Revolutionary soldier,
Edward Matchet in Shippards Co.,
10th North Car. Regiment.
Revo. John Houston, 4th
Artillery, South Car. Regiment also
James Houston 2nd S. C. Regiment &
James Houston, Irmins Co. S. Car.
Regiment
Is there a record of Rev. soldier
Samuel Hughey, Rowan Co., N. Car?
Please accept my grateful
appreciation for help_
Respectfully-
Mrs. L. L. Dowling

Samuel Hughey may have
enlisted from South Car. or Va.
Page 61

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3 -- 525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ____, 19__

W. F. 31817
In reply to your request of ____, received ____
for a statement of the military history of John Houston
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. (for his father's name not state?)
Mar. 1, 1776
June 1, 1776
July 3, 1776
Mar. 6, 1779
Mar 1, 1780
Sept 10, 1780 to Dec 15, 1781
Mar 1, 1782
June 6, 1782

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
1 Mo
1 Mo
1 Mo
4 Mo
3 mos
4 mos

RANK.
Pvt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Flood
John Sally, Fullington
Thomas Dugan, Thomas Dugan
Thomas & James Dugan, John Virgin
Henry Key,  Lt. James Stark
James
COLONEL.


James Williams
John Purvis
Joseph Hays, Levi Caisey
Jared Smith

STATE. S. C.

Battles engaged in, Skirmishes on Broad River & Cross roads near Dunkins Creek where
wounded and captured, siege of Ninety Six, Engagement at Bush River S. C. 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Orangeburg Dist. S. C.
Date of application for pension, Oct 11 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Coweta Co. Ga
Age at date of application, b. in 1760 in Ireland d. May 2 1835
Remarks: Soldier married in the Summer of 1788 Mary ____
She was allowed pension on application executed Dec
25. 1843, while a resident of Coweta Co. Ga. aged 75 years.
Samuel lived in Coweta Co. Ga. in 1843

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 62

J. L. ?

Rev. War Section.

October 24, 1918.

Mrs. Maude W. Latham,
1608 Fulton Avenue,
Davenport, Iowa.

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the 14"" instant,
you are advised that in the Revolutionary War pension claim
of John Houston W. File No. 3,817 a record of which was furnished
you March 26, 1914, it is stated that soldier  "was born
in Ireland in the year 1760, as his parents informed him".
There is no other reference to place of birth and no name of
town or county given.
The Revolutionary War records fail to afford any information
in regard to Joshua Witt.
The record of Earis, Eris or Aires Witt in forwarded
herewith.

Very respectfully,
G W Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 63

January 28, 1937

Mrs. J. H. Franklin
259 - 14th Street
Atlanta, Georgia

BA-J/ALB

[Written longways in the right margin:]
Her former correspondence 
in Andrew Barry R. 569

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of January 20, in which you
furnish further information in regard to Andrew Berry, who you
state served as private, was from Mecklenburg County, North Carolina,
and received a pension there at the age of eighty-one; his
brother John Berry who was born in 1759, had wife named Frances,
lived in Tryon County, then Lincoln County, North Carolina, where
he died February 13, 1833; John Houston, the father of John and
James Houston, living in Newberry County, South Carolina, when
his two sons enlisted, James being little more than a boy. You
state that you desire the records of the two sons, James who
married Mary Hughey, lived at one time in Greene County, Georgia,
and died in 1837 in Morgan County, Georgia, and John who married
Mary Wilson, his widow receiving a pension while living in Coweta
County, Georgia, all soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

Because of the large number of requests for records of Revolutionary
War soldiers and the lack of clerical force available for
furnishing such information, it has been impossible to make a
series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of that
war, for one person.

With the further information furnished by you relative to Andrew
Berry, the record of a soldier of your description has been identified
under the name Andrew Barry. That record, and the one of a
John Houston whose wife, Mary, was pensioned in Coweta County, Georgia,
are furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 64

February 8, 1932

BA-J/AWF

Mrs. L. L. Dowling
636 - 31st Avenue
Meridian, Mississippi.

Dear Madam:

February 8, 1932

Reference is made to your letter of recent date,
in regard to whether John Houston in his application
for pension (W. 3817) made reference to his brother,
James Houston.

It appears in this claim that one James Houston
testified in Coweta County, Georgia, October 11, 1832.

There is no relationship to soldier stated, and
there is no mention of the service of James Houston in
the Revolutionary War.

It is suggested that as a possible means of
securing information in regard to the military record
of James Houston, you apply to The Adjutant General,
War Department, Washington, D. C.

This office has no record of service unless a
claim for pension or bounty land has been made on
account of the soldier's service.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 65

May 18, 1931

Mrs. L. L. Dowling
636 -- 31st Avenue
Meridian, Mississippi

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF: MB

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 3817, that John Houston
was born in 1760, in Ireland.

While residing in Orangeburg District, South Carolina,
he served as a private in the South Carolina troops, as follows:
from March 1, 1776, one month in Captain Flood's company as
substitute for his father, whose name is not stated; from
June 1, 1776, one month in Captain John Sally's company; from
July 3, 1776, one month in Captain Fullington's company; from
March 5, 1779, four months in Captain Thomas Dugan's company,
Colonel James Williams' regiment; from March 1, 1780, three
months in Captain Thomas Dugan's company, Colonel John
Purvis' regiment; from September 10, 1780, to December 15, 1781,
under Captains Thomas and James Duggan and John Virgin, Colonels
Joseph Hays and Levi Carsey; from March 1, 1782, three months
in Captain Henry Key's company, Colonel Jared Smith's regiment;
from June 6, 1782, four months under Lieutenant James Stark.
He was in skirmishes on Broad River and at Cross Roads, near
Dunkins Crock, where he was wounded and captured; was at the
siege of Ninety Six and an engagement at Bush River, South 
Carolina.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
October 11, 1832, while a resident of Coweta County, Georgia.

He died May 24, 1855.

Soldier married in the summer of 1788, Mary, whose maiden
name is not stated.
Page 66

The widow, Mary, was allowed pension on her application
executed December 25, 1843, while a resident of Coweta County, Georgia, aged seventy-five years.

A son, Samuel, lived in Coweta County, Georgia, in 1843.

The above noted is the history of the only soldier named
John Houston, of South Carolina, that is found in the
Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner

- 2 -
Page 67

Rev. and 1812 War Section.

April 18, 1925.

W. W. Hildebrand,
P. O. Box 1007,
Memphis, Tenn.

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 3817, it
appears that John Houston was born in 1760 in Ireland.

While residing in Orangeburg District, South 
Carolina, he served as a private in the South Carolina
Troops as follows-

From March 1, 1776, one month in [typo, crossed out, illegible] [inserted, two words:] Captain Flood's
[typo, crossed out, illegible] [inserted:] as Company as substitute for his father, whose name is
not stated.
From June 1, 1776, one month in Captain John
Sally's Company,
From July 3, 1778, one month in Captain Fullington's
Company.
From March 5, 1779, four months in Captain Thomas
Dugan's Company, Colonel James Williams' Regiment.
From March 1, 1780, three months in same [inserted to end of line:] Capt. Shawn Dugan's
company as above, Colonel John Purvis' Regiment.
From September 10, 1780 to December 15, 1781,
Page 68

under Captains Thomas and James Dugan and John Virgin,
Colonels Joseph Hays and Levi Caisey.
From March 1, 1782, three months in Captain Henty
Key's Company, Colonel Jared Smith's Regiment.
From June 8, 1732, four months under Lieutenant
James Stark.
He was in skirmishes on Broad River and at Cross
Roads, near Dunkins Creek, where he was wounded and
captured, was at the Siege of Ninety Six and an engagement
at Bush River, South Carolina.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
October 11, 1832, while a resident of Coweta County,
Georgia. [handwritten, inserted:] Pa. He died May 24, 1835.
Soldier married in the summer of 1788, Mary, whose
maiden name is not stated. [handwritten, inserted:] Pa. She was allowed pension on
her application executed December 25, 1843, while a
resident of Coweta County, Georgia aged seventy -five
years.
Son Samuel lived in Coweta County, Georgia in 1843.

Respectfully,
[handwritten, inserted, this line:] only John of SC

WILDER METCALF
Commissioner.