Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,960, for John Shellman, Maryland
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SERVICE:  Md.

Shellman, John
S.31.960
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Georgia 12.85

John Shellman

of Chatham in the State of Georgia who was a Lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain I.D. Carey  in the Maryland line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 400 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of June '3? and sent appli-cant Savannah Ga.

Arrears to the 4th of March '33 -- 800
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept '33 -- 200
$1000

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk, 
Book E. Vol. 6 Page 103
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[SEAL]

Georgia, Chatham County.  On this [blank] day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and Thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Honorable [unclear] Justices of the Inferior Court of Chatham County in the State aforesaid now sitting, Colonel John Shellman ad Resident of the City of Savannah in the County of Chatham, and State of Georgia aged seventy-seven years who having duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath made this following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832.

In the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, I belonged to a company of militia comprised of young men, natives of America, of good char-acter, and standings commanded by Captain Peter Mantz, Adam Grosh first Lieutenant, and Peter Adams second Lieutenant, natives and residents of Frederick Town Maryland, early in the spring that year, the State was called on by and under the authority of an Act passed by the Continental Congress, to furnish the quota of troops called, the [unclear] as required by said act.  A proposition was made by I believe Captain Mantz, that the whole company should voluntarily service, which was immediately acceded to with perhaps a few exceptions.  We accordingly prepared by each man furnishing himself with a uniform consisting of a hunting shirt, dyed yellow with Hickory bark, pantaloons of the same, a pair of Indian leggings ^of green cloth ^with a piece of bearskin over the crown of the hat: armed with a good Rifle, and Tomahawk, shot pouch & powder horn.  Thus arm'd [armed] and recoutred, we took up the line of march about the 1st of June for the City of Anapolis [Annapolis] where ^ we were assigned after
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after a few days march; after remaining a short time we were order'd [ordered] to Leonard's Town in, I believe, St. Mary's County.  This town is situated on a small river which empties itself into the Potomac.  Lord Dunmore who had been Governor of Virginia had been compelled to make his escape from Williamsbourgh [Williamsburg] and had taken refuge on board of a small fleet lying near the mouth of the small river mentioned at an Island in the Potomac, consisting of two 44 gun frigates, one called the Roebuck, the other the Defain(?), the other sloop of war and some Transports with a few British troops on board.  It was apprehended that these troops were intended to be landed for the purpose of committing some [unclear]  We remain'd [remained] several weeks, his Lordship made no attempt at what was apprehended, we were ordered back to Anapolis [Annapolis], where the ship called the Defence mounting twenty six guns, ordered by the State of Maryland, was then prepared to make an attack on the fleet of Lord Dunmore, in consequence of a report that the frigate Defair was aground and could not be gotten off and the Frigate Roebuck had proceeded up the Potomac to take in a supply of fresh water;  under these favorable circumstances it was [illegible] seemed the ship Defence would be able to capture the other sloop of war, and the Transports with the Troops onboard would of course fall into their hands.  This ship Defence was deficient in arm'd [armed] mariners; a member of Capt. Mantz' company volunteer'd [volunteered], myself one of the men to supply the deficiency; we accordingly went on board and were stantion'd [stationed] on the quarter deck.  I do not recollect the names of any of the officers onboard of excepting a Capt. Ware
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Capt Captain] Ware who appeared to be a very active man in discharging his duty and Comodore [Commodore] Nicholson who was the Commander in Chief onboard, we sail'd [sailed]down the Bay and arrived at the mouth of the Potomac soon after sunrise, and with a fair wind sailed up the river where we have in sight of the fleet lying at a small island the other sloop of war sailing along the shore on the Virginia side of the island, find a signal [unclear] and laid his course for the British fleet, and as we approached nearer we discovered the frigate Defais afloat and getting underway, and the Roebuck coming full sail down the river to give us a warm reception, which the Commodore very prudently declin'd [declined]and gave the order [unclear] ship; but unfortunately in preparing for action too much Rum had been furnish'd [furnished], of which some of the sailor drank to such excess as to render ^them unable to their duty; we the volunteers were call'd [called] on to assist in warping the ship to a proper situation to get her again underway; the wind being directly ahead, this was however accomplished, and soon after entered the fray and made sail for Anapolis [Annapolis] where we arrived the next morning, after remaining a short time we embarked onboard two sloops and sailed for the head of the Bay and landed at Bethany and French Town from thence we set out for Philadelphia where we joined the Regiment to which we were attached Commanded by Colo. Griffin who lived I believe between Benets Creek and the Seneca Creek, now called Montgomery County, from Philadelphia we march'd [marched] to New York where we remained about a week, when some of the vesels [vessels] of the British fleet sailed up the East River and immediately the evacuation of
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of New York commenced.  Our Brigade commanded by Gen. Beal of Maryland took up the line of march and arriv'd [arrived] at what was call'd [called] Harlem Heights, where we found the main army encamp'd [encamped] in the rear of same intrenchments [entrenchments], our Regiment encamp'd [encamped] in the rear of a large white house, in which Gen'l [General] Washington had established his headquarters.  The next day if I recollect rightly the whole army was formed in two lines with its right using the north river and the left on or near Harlem river; on a height opposite to that occupied by our army between the advance guard of the British, and the rear guard of the American Army; a detachment ^was drawn out of Colo. Griffin's Regiment, consisting of two Rifle Companies, the one commanded by Capt. Peter Mantz and the other by Capt. Leitch; we march'd [marched] across the valley conducted by Genl. Putname [Putnum], whose undisturb'd [undistrubed], and serene countenance I admired on this occasion, of approaching danger, but he was a veteran soldier, and we were young!!  As we were ascending the height where the battle was raging, four soldiers were bringing Colo. Knowlton out of the action, mortally wounded, apparently expiring; Maj. Leitch of the 3d Virginia Regiment was also mortally wounded and were both buried the next day with military honors.  In this engagement we succeeded in beating the British back near their main lines, when we were order'd [ordered] to cease firing and return to the main army, although in the history of the war this is call'd [called] skirmishing, both parties were reinforced from the main line until a considerable number on both sides were engaged, and it was stated on good authority at the time that it continued for hours. Gen'l [General] Washington in his general orders the enduring morning spoke highly of the troops engaged on this occasion and of
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of the advantages resulting from it, is the army which had been much dispirited by the disastrous defeat on Long Island, we remained in an encampment, which we had occupied previous to the engagement just mention'd [mentioned], and the British army encamp'd [encamped] on the height opposite to the one precapice  [precipice] by the American army, the exact distance of which I do not recollect, between the two armies, but this I recollect that the picket guards of the two armies were so near each other that when on that guard as centinals [centennials] could hear distinctly when the Army's centinals [centennials] challenged, whether it was the rounds, guard rounds or, the reliefs and frequently had two men as centinals [centennials] on the posts nearest the British line.  General Washington immediately after the action on Harlem Height, had every night about 2 o'clock three rounds afired by a field piece at Headquarters as an alarm, the whole army was immediately form'd [formed]and march'd [marched]to the entrenchments where they remain'd [remained] until about sunrise when he would pass along in the rear of the line.  Commencing on the right and continu'd [continued] to the extreme left, on these occasions we were generally faced to the right about, and saluted the Commander in Chief whose serene countenance was cheering to every American Soldier.  This practice of manning the lines every night was no doubt intended for the purpose of ensuring the troops to be ready, in case of alarm to form, and be pre-pared to resist the enemy in any attempt to surprise them in the night.  One circumstance I am induced to mention which occurred I believe on the day of the action on Harlem Heights, a captain, whose name I do not recollect was station'd [stationed] on the bastions with his company with orders to maintain the place as long as practicable with this force under his command; this is what was stated and when the one my [illegible] to attack him, he was the first man who retired, and left his subaltern[ subordinate] officers, and men to maintain the place; for this he was
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was tried by a Court Martial and found guilty of the charges exhibited against him; he was sentenced to be cashiered, to be drift'd [drifted] in petty coats, with a wooden sword by his side, a wooden gun on his shoulder, and mounted on a boat to be thus carried to where he resided, accompanied by a guard to see that the sentence was carried into complete affect; on the day appointed the whole army not on duty was drawn up in line, the miserable man accompanied by his guard, such his appearance on a Cart, drap'd [draped] and arm'd [armed]as I mentioned and pass'd [passed] from the right, in front of the whole line of the army, to [illegible] this spectacle of misery and shame and disgrace produc'd [produced] more intense feelings and distress than to have witnessed a half dozen deaths of culprits by being shot.  The History of the War gives no account of this affair neither did I ever hear any person mention the circumstances who was not present.  I am induc'd [induced] to believe that he was of some very respectable family in one of the eastern states, to save whose feelings the affairs has been by common consent placed in oblivion.  Two of the British ships of war attended by a small vessel call'd [called] a tender pass'd [passed]into the North River through the Chiveaux Depuis [Chevaux-de-frise], under a very heavy fire of the large ordinances of Forts Washington and Lee, with double headed shot; best one of which took affect, which struck the Jib boom of the Tender and [illegible] to the whole of the army was [illegible] up in line on this occasion and some large pieces of ^[illegible] ordnance mounted on high wheel'd [wheeled] carriges [carriages] which brought to bear on ^them and fired at them, but without effect.  Soon after this event the Enemy's fleet sailed up the East River with a large detachment of the British army onboard, and landed it at I believe a place Throgs point [Throg's neck], and Gen'l [General] Washington commenced moving the main army to the White Plains.  Gen'l [General] Beal with the Brigade of the flying Company(?), was detach'd [detached] as a Corps of
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of observations, he defiled off from the mainland to the right, and took possession of what was called in that neighborhood Tecokaha Heights, where we encamped, and in a few days the British army, on their way to the White Plains appeared in sight and immediately pitched their tents & formed this encampments; this force was [unclear] on to that under the comand [command] of Gen'l [General] Beal, that it became necessary for the safety of the troops he commanded to retire as soon practicable to accomplish which he had a great number of fires made on the right and rear of the encampment which gave it the appearance of reinforcement having arrived; when all was ready the Brigade Commanded the retreat, by the right, Capt. Mantz' company formed the rearguard, and as soon as it was abscond'd [absconded] that the Army was moving off, one of the centinals [Centinnals] of the Retreat Guard, a foreigner, diserted [deserted] [sic] from his post, went over to the British and inform'd [informed] the Commander of the British forces, of the movement, and the number of Troops under the Command of Gen'l[General] Beal.  The bugle immediately sounded and the whole British army was found uder [under] arms in line, this was discover'd [discovered] by the right of their fires in their encampment as soon as our Brigade had left the encampment and had marched some distance and followed after in the order of a rear guard, in consequence of the information receiv'd [received] by the British Gen'l [General]from the seserter [deserter], Gen'l [General] Beal was compell'd [compelled] to march his troops infrequented  [infrequently] so again had spare, in order to avoid being intercepted by the British army in pursuit, which increased the distance and harrass'd [harrassed] the troops to such a degree that we did not reach the White Plains until the third day, just before sunset, during the whole of this retreat we were without provisions of any discription [description].   We were conducted to a place where a number of bags of flour were placed one head open, of which was we supplied our am
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ourselves with as much as we could make case of, march'd into a piece of woodland where we encamp'd, made fires and baked bread in the hot embers, this bread tasted sweeter to me than any I had ever eaten, the next day we drew our rations of meat.  On this day or the next, I do not now recollect, the British army made its appearance on the height opposite the [unclear] of the line form'd on the plain in a semi circular mann-er, Gen'l Beals on or near the extreme left, under the Com-mand of Maj. General Putnam, by whom we were ordered to ground arms in front of our line, a number of trees had been cut down and the limbs severed from the trunks, we were directed to take up these limbs, and place them in such manner in our front as to [illegible] the purpose of [illegible] to protect us from a charge by a squadron of British Cavalry in our front, about 400 yards distant, this squadron appeared to be preparing to Charge us, they came on in full gallop to within about 100 yards, a small redoubt on our right gave them on shot, the column wheel'd to left about, in this sudden wheeling a dragoon on the right flank fell off, his horse returned to his place in the column, and the Dragoon road followed on, this was a pivot made for the purpose of diverting the attention of General Washington from the main object, where the attack was to be made; a column of German troops was maneuvering in front of the line form's by the American army, and finally march'd parallel with the line un-til it arrived opposite the hill occupi'd by the troops under the command of Maj. Gen'l Madergal, then suddenly wheel'd to the right and ascended the hill, the summit of which was occupied by Smallwood's regiment of Maryland, they suffered the enemy to approach within a small distance, when they offer'd a galling fire upon them
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and opened the intervills [sic] for some pieces of field artillery to be brought forward, which pieces opened a destruct-ive fire also on this column, kill'd and wounded a great number but not withstanding that the column kept steadily on [several words illegible] and fill'd up the intervals [illegible] by the very destructive fire of the field pieces, and advanced again.  At the commencement of this attack, General Putnam order'd us in his fiercest manner, "Come boys take up your arms, you're going to fight hard."  We instantly obeyed his order, having been form'd into 2 lines, we faced to the right and march'd in open order across the plain, under the fire of the British flank of field artillery at the distance of about 1400 yards, consisting it was stated of 30 pieces.  My atten-tion was particularly attracted by Gen'l Washington who with his staff was riding along the line on our left; through this heavy shower of cannonballs without stopping, when at the same time those or the most of them with him were continually dodging on their horses necks to avoid being hit by the many balls fired at them  in consequences of the open order we march'd in many balls pass'd between the [illegible].  Very few were kill'd or wounded, my file leader had the toes of one of his feet struck off by a cannonball.  This was the only one wounded of our Company.  When we arrived at the foot of the hill where the attack was made the troops on the summit broke and retreated in some disorder, excepting Smallwood's Regiment, which re-treated in good order; Colonel Smallwood issued a [illegible].  General Washington withdrew the line and
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and the army retired and encamp'd on a height in the rear of the ground they had occupied the day previous.  In the course of that night a very heavy fall of rain took place which continued more or less for several days after which a part of the army, including Gen'l Beal's brigade, receiv'd marching orders, and we pro-ceeded towards the north river which we cross'd as well as I recollect at Dobbs Ferry, under the command of General Putnam who was very active in expediting the crossing of the troops in boats. We continued our march down the river to Fort Lee, where we arriv'd about midnight; I was on the flank guard, we were compell'd to wade through all the water courses which [illegible] our land, some of them wet us [unclear] to the breast, and in this situation we pitch'd our tents and laid down in wet clothes, and slept soundly until the next morning's at'tachment was form'd out of the troops at Fort Lee, to pass accross the river to reinforce the army at Fort Washington.  This detachment was fired on by the British the moment they arrived at the shore on that side a little below the Fort and the whole taken prisoners, we witness'd a great part of the action in the attack, and capture of the troops at Forst Washington from the height on which Fort Lee was situated.  Gen'l Washington commenced the retreat through Jersey in consequence of a larger detachment of the British army advancing towards Fort Lee; here we left all our tests, which fell into the hands of the Brit-ish, the conequence of this was that we were exposed to the inclemency of the weather which continued and
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and cold during nearly the whole time of the retreat, which fostered much sickness among the troops.  Our time of service (which was six months) expired on the first day of December; the troops comprising the [unclear] were discharged, furnish'd with pro-visions and march'd to Philadelphia, and were quartered in the barracks, where a great number died of the prevailing camp fever.  The troops a few days after our arrival were drawn up in a hollow square in the Old Statehouse yard, where Samuel Chase Esq., then a member of Congress, address'd them in a very eloquent and patriotic speech, with a view to endure such as was able and [unclear] to return and again join the Army, but the fatal fever which [unclear] prevailed, and the great suffering and fatigue and privations we had undergone was such that few were able & willing to return to the service so distressing as those we had left behind us.  In a few days after aiding in depositing in Potters field many of my companions in arms, my elder brother, who is still living on a farm near Fredericktown arrived with an horse which enabled me to get home to my *father's house on the 24th December, and on the 25th I was severely attack'd by the camp fever, my life was despaired of for several days, at the end of the three weeks, the fever ceased, but left me in a very feeble state, the shock my constitution receiv'd I did not perfectly recover from for at least a year.  A law was passed by the Legislature of Maryland for the purpose of facilitating the recruiting services to complete the Regi-ments intended to form the Maryland line to serve [unclear] the war

* The only pay I received for this six months service was eight dollars Continental money when we joined the regiment at Philadelphia.
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* The provisions of this Law were that any two months would furnish an able bodied man to serve during the war, and deliver'd him to a recruiting officer, who after examining, and finding him to be such as he was authorised [sic] to enlist, would place him on his roll of inlistments [sic] and give those who furnished the recruit a Certificate of having receiv'd such recruit, they were exempt from all militia duty during the war.  Such a recruit was furnished by a Wm. Henry Bear and myself and second a certificate accordingly and were exempt from all militia duty.  I had determined after the expressment I made in the company from which John had just return'd, of a soldiers life never again to enter a Campe.  A law was pass'd down after this by the Legislature, forming a [illegible] of state troops, call'd in this law, Select Militia.  The Colonels of Regiments were authorised to nominate and recommend to the Governor such persons as he thought best qualified to command the companies intended to be rais'd, and the governor commission'd them accordingly by the officers and men provided them-selves with uniforms, at their own expense but were furnish'd with arms by the state, and [illegible] to go the firings, they were bound to muster once in every week, for the purpose of being disciplin'd and prepared for immediate and action service, whenever the state required it of them.  Colonel William Beaty who commanded the Regiment formed by two battalions one in the town of Frederick and the other in the neighbourhood adjoining the town.  Nominated and recommended me to the Governor Thomas Sim Lee, who sent me a commission of first Lieutenant

* I am induced to mention my having furnished a substitution during the war, to show that, after that period I was not subject to militia duty, at the time I accepted the appointment of 1st Lieutenant in the Select Militia company commanded by John D. Cary.
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Lieutenant of Cap't John D. Cary's company.  I accepted the appointment.  My commission was signed the 18th September 1780.  The uniform of the company was a white coat faced with blue cloth.  After drilling and exercising the men until they were qualified for duty in 1781 the company was order'd on duty to guard some prisoners who were then at Frederick Town, these were as well as I can recollect taken at the capture of Gen'l Bour'gogne's army, and I believe some of the Hessians captured at Trenton in 1776 and were mov'd from Lancaster in Pennsylvania.  We also had prisoners at Fredericktown taken I believe after action fought at the long bridge in Virginia consisting of Tories and some Scotch officers, and some common soldiers. [4 lines crossed out.  The following is the note in left margin -- *The 4 lines stricken out on this page, the subject of which is full stated in its proper place on page 17.] about this time our company form'd in front of a guard to conduct some of the prisoners to little York in Penn-sylvania, under the command of Maj'r Mountjoy Baily who appointed me his adjutant, but after I believe two days march, Maj'r Baily received orders to return with the prisoners, which was accordingly done.  Early in the spring of 1781, when Lord Cornwallis had invaded the state of Virginia, and the enemy not landing
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14
landing any forces on the shares of Maryland two 
volunteer Troops of Calvary, one of the City of Balti
more Commanded by a Capt. Moses, the other of
Fredericktown and County, Commanded by Capt.
John Ross Key, offered their services to join and aid
the army, in Virginia under the Command of Genl.
Lafayette; this offer was promptly accepted. My
service at that time, as first Lieutenant of Capt. John
D. Camp's Company could be dispensed with, I immediately
furnished myself with a good horse, uniform
arms and accoutrements completely and joined
Capt. Keys Troops. The two corps met at George
town Maryland, where they formed a Squadron &
placed under the Command of Capt Moses, the
Senior officer.  After remaining some short time &
parading in Squadron every day the patriotic Citizens
gave the Corps, [word and struck out] Genl. Ethert, and a Col Marbury
and some other officers from Georgia a barbaque and
a ball at night.  in a few days after we received mar
ching orders and the next day took up the line of
march thru Alexandria to Fredericksburg when
we were honored with a public dinner.  The next
day we continued our march, the next last to
join Genl. Lafayette.  When we arrived at his head
quarters, he received the squadron, complimented
us highly on our appearance, that we were well
mounted, arm'd and [illegible] and he would
[the remainder of the image has been lined through]
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endeavour to afford us an opportunity to disting-uish ourselves.  He accordingly placed us near the enemy, whose cavalry (call'd Tarlton's Legion) was in a point of numbers much to ours, we had to be on the allert [sic] during night to prevent being surprised by that active officer.  On the day of the battle at old Jamestown between Lord Cornwallis and General Anthony Wayne we were seven or eight miles distant from the place, we receiv'd orders in the afternoon of the day, to proceed immediately to the aid of Gen'l Wayne, we mounted instantly and set out in full gallop and arrived near the place of action, where we met Gen'l Wayne's Brigade, who had just left the battle ground.  The squadron pass'd on and form'd the vanguard.  The severity of our duty increas'd daily in consequence of the activity of Colo'l Tarlton's Legion, some nights we had to standby our horses with the bridle line in our hands and the horses had to eat their food with the bits in their mouths.  When Gen'l Lafayette discover'd that Lord Cornwallis was preparing to recross the James River, he detached some infantry and our squadron of cavalry under the command of Gen'l Mulenberg with the intention to surprise and capture the vanguard of the Brittish army.  When all was prepared we march'd all one day and the whole of the succeeding night, when just at the break of day, we arrived near the open ground on or near which Jamestown is situated, then some crossed
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cross'd I believe by the spies not returning as early as was expected, in consequence of this delay when we entered the [unclear] field prepared to charge the enemy, their rearguard ran into their boats and shoved off, left nothing but a few wounded soldiers in an old fram'd house; two of whom died whilst we were looking at them.  Capt. Keys Troop was immediately detach'd to Williamsburg without having eaten anything since the previous day, we arriv'd in this situation in a few hours after at the place of destin-ation dismounted at a widow lady's house, where some of the British officers had quartered, and had sat out but a few hours before we arriv'd.  We applied to the lady of this house to furnish us with dinner which she declin'd by saying that she had no provisions of any kind in her household, discovered a flock of geese, and cut the heads off of as many as we thought would be sufficient to satisfy our craving stomachs, and directed the cook to have them strip'd which was done accordingly, and we were furnished with what we then thought a sumptuous dinner.  We then set off in pursuit of the British  under the direction of a Col. Mathews who was notorious for using much profane language, but we were not successful in this pursuit.  In a few days we return'd and join'd the squadron.  After this we remained with the army until Lord Cornwallis took possession of Ports-mouth Virginia soon after which event we were discharged and return'd home, the precise time of which is not now in my power to recollect; having left all my documents and papers relating to my military trans-actions at my father's who died in 1816 and a vestige of them I [illegible] has been preserv'd, excepting my commission of
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of 1st Lieutenant.  I am under the impression that Capt. Keys Troop [unclear] about the 1st of June and return'd to-wards the last of September.  After my return I resum'd my command as 1st Lieutenant of the company of Select Militia commanded by Capt. John D. Cary.  *Soon after this many of the prisoners captur'd at Yorktown Virginia were [unclear] from Winchester Virginia to Fredericktown, and quartered at the Barrack, which increased the duty of the company which we continued to perform during the year of 178s and the ensuing year until the definitive Articles of the Treaty were sign'd and ratified, with this our Duty ceased.  On the 12th day of May 1784 I set out from Fredericktown my placed of nativity, in Company with Doctor(?) John Nelson of the same place and a Doctor(?) Sander whose father & family also resided at Fredericktown.  The old gentleman was the parson of the Episco-pal congregation of the town.  On the 12 day of June [unclear] we arriv'd at August Georgia in which state I have resided ever since, and twenty eight of which in the City of Savannah.

And so on reading over the above narration I discerned that I omitted to mention the number of Capt. Mantz's men wounded in the action on Harlem Heights, none were kill'd and only four wounded; one of this was

*Among these was the German Regiment Debose and a number of their officers, the highest of rank was a major whose name I believe was Shearor, and a number of British troops arriv'd about the same time.
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was a Mr. John Gomber who was standing near me at this time loading his rifle which he had just dis-charged, the ball struck him on the left wrist & pass'd horisonitally [sic] under the skin to the joint next the hand; the second was slightly wounded in the left breast by a musket ball partly open'd; the other on was wounded through the fleshy part of the thigh by grape-shot, the shot pass'd through both thighs of one of the next two; I cannot recollect now the names of the two mention'd soldiers, they were the sons of respectable families.  I have thus, in conformity to the instructions of the Secretary of War, for the sole purpose of testifying my presents [sic] on the occasions mention'd.

Savannah 25th February 1833
[Signture] John Shellman

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not in the pension role of the agency of any State.  I am personally known to James M. Wayne and Rich'd H. Wilde, Esquires

[Signature] John. Shellman

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court of this day and year aforesaid.

[Signature]
Jos. Cummins
JPCCC
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We Edward Neufville, a clergyman residing in the City of Savannah, and Anthony Porter residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Colonel John Shellman who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age - that he is re-puted and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Resolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

[Signature]
Edw'd Neufville
A. Porter

Sworn and Subscribed to in open Court this 25th day of February 1833.

Jos. Cumminss
JPCCC

And the said Court do hereby declare therein opinion after the investigation of the Matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed the War Department, that the above [unclear] applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that of appearances [unclear] Edward Neufville who had
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signed the presiding certificate as a clergyman resident in the City of Savannah and that Anthony Porter ------------ who has also signed the same, as residents in the City of Savannah, considered as Credi-ble persons, and that their statements are entitled as credible.

[Signatures]
Jos. Cummins JPCCC
Jno. Cummins JPCCC
Wm. Harrison JPCCC
[name illegible]
Elias [unclear] JPCCC

Georgia
Chatham County

I Robert W. Porter clerk of the [unclear] Court of the County of Chatham and in this state of residence, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the state court in the matter of the application of Colonel John Shellman for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunder set my hand and seal of said county this  [blank] day of February in the Year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Thirty-Three.

[Signature]
Robert > Porter
Clk CCC
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State of Connecticut
County of New Haven

Be it known that before me Jno. S. Beach Justice of Peace personally appeared Catherine Ann Shellman Willcox, aged forty years, who being duly cautioned and thus sworn in due form of law states that she is the Daughter of John Shellman who was a Revolutionary soldier or pensions of the State of Maryland, and that he died on the _____ day of May 1838.  And that her mother named Clarissa Montfort Shellman died at Savannah Ga on the _____ day of February 1845 and that they were married on the _____ day of ________ 1794 and that they were residents of the State of Georgia, and that they resided there more than forty years; and that she resides now in the state of Connecticut, CIty of New Haven.  And that furthermore she (being now the wife of Jacob Willcox) by the presents:  constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorises, with power of substitution, F.E. Hassler of Washington City D.C. as her true and lawful attorney, for in her name & stead of Examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to rec-eive from the United States Government officers her rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land, that may be due her as Daughter of John and Clarissa Shellman, who died leaving the same {unclear], as in right of law, custom or equity she is or may be entitled.  In Witness Whereof she has this 30th day of April 1852 hereunto signed her name and affixed her seal
. . . . . . . . . [Signature and Seal]
Catherin A Willcox

Witness Norris Willcox
Witness Jno S. Beach

Signed, sealed, acknowledged and sworn to before me, on this thirtieth day of April 1852

[Signature and Seal]
Jno. S. Beach
Justice of the Peace
for New Haven County.
Page 24

at the same time personally appeared before me Jno. S. Beach Justice of the Peace two credible and disinterested witnesses named Norris Willcox and Cyprian Willcox, residents of the aforesaid county and state, who having been by me cautioned and then duly sworn according to law, do depose and say each for himself that he has always heard it said and it is generally believed by the Community that John Shellman was a Revolutionary soldier and that Catharine Ann Shellman Willcox was by him always treated as is by the Witnesses believed to be the Daughter of the said Revolutionary soldiers.

Sworn to before me, the day and year at first above mentioned.
[Signature and seal]
Jno S. Beach
Justice of the Beach

[Signature and Seal]
Norris Willcox
Cyprian Willcox

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven

I hereby certify that John S. Beach Esq before where the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgments were made and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly Commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my and affixed the seal of New Haven County Court, this 30th day of April One thousand eight hundred and fifty two.

[Signature and Seal]
 Robert K. Osborne Clerk C
Page 25

May 1, 1939.

xxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/ady
John Shellman
S.31960

Mrs. George W. McIver
The Cordova
Washington, D. C.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative
to John Shellman who served in theRevolutinary
War.

The data contained herein were obtained
from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War
claim for pension, S.31960, based upon the mili
tary service of John Shellman in that war.

John Shellman was born in Fredericktown,
Maryland,date, and the names of his parents are
not shown. [handwritten note in left margin: Put his father's death
here next time]

While a resident of Fredericktown,Maryland,
John Shellman enlisted in June 1776, served six
months under Captain Peter Mantz and Colonel
Griffin in the Flying Camp, and was in the battles
of Harlem Heights and White Plains.  September 18,
1780 he was commissioned first lieutenant in
Captain John D. Carey's Company in the Frederick
town Maryland Battalion of Militia and served to
the spring of 1781.  From the spring of 1781 to
September 1781 he served as first lieutenant in
Captain John Ross Key's Troop of Maryland Calvary.
From September 1781 he served as first lieutenant
in Captain John D. Carey's Maryland Company until
the treaty of peace was ratified.

He moved from Fredericktown,Maryland to
Georgia, in 1784.

He was allowed pension on his application exe
cuted February 25, 1833, at which time he was a
resident of Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, and
aged seventy-seven years.

He married Clarissa Montfort, in 1794,day,month,
Page 26

place, and her age not shown.  He died May 12 [handwritten note above May 12 on 13], 1838,
place not stated.  She died in February 1845,day
not stated, in Savannah, Georgia.

John and Clarissa Shellman's daughter,
Catharine Ann Shellman Willcox, aged forty years
in 1852, was a resident of New Haven, Connecticut,
and the wife of Jacob Willcox.

John Shellman's father died in 1816, day, month,
place, name and his age not shown.

John Shellman's elder brother was living on a
farm near Fredericktown, in 1833, his name not given.

In 1852 Norris Willcox and Cyprian Willcox
were living in New Haven County, Connecticut, their
ages and relationship not stated. There are no
further family data.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 27

31960
Rev. INVALID

File No. 31, 960
John Shellman
Lieut Rev War

Act:  June 7th 32
Index:  Vol. 2, Page 366

1915 Feb. 6 Hist. to Miss Ruth Brazzil
1939 [unclear]  Hist. to Mrs. Geo. W. McIver [unclear initials]
Page 28

John Shellman
S.F. 31960 Rev War
Md.
Page 29

The State of Maryland to John Shellman Gent -- Greeting.

Be it known, that reposing especial trust and confidence in your fidelity, courage, good conduct, and attachment to the liberties and Independence of America, you are by these presents constituted and appointed First Lieutenant of Capt. John D. Carey's Company in the Frederick Town Battalion of a Militia in Fred. County.

You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the trust reposed in you, by disciplining all officers and soldiers under your command; and they are hereby strictly enjoined and required to obey you as their First Lieutenant.

And you are to observe and follow all such orders and directions as you shall from time to time receive, according to the laws and constitution of this state, and the rules and regulations, which, under the authority thereof, are or may be established.  This commission to be in force until lawfully revoked.

GIVEN at Annapolis this 18th day of Sept. Anno domini 1780.

[Signature]
Tho. S. Lee
Page 30

[unclear] by order of Mr. Edwards as stated by Declaration

To the Honorable  Mail
Richard H. Wilde
Representative in Congress of the state of Georgia
Washington City, D.C. 

[Circular mail stamp
[illegible]
27
FEB
[illegible]

FREE
Page 31

Savannah 26th Feb'y 1833

Dear Sir:

I received your very kind letter of the 2nd intact with the enclosures.  The Court being in session until yesterday has been the cause of [rest of the line unclear] on to you my declaration in conformity to the instruct-ions on the 2d & 3d pages of the printed paper sent by the the Chief Clerk of the Pension office, in any declaration I have stated that I was a 1st Lieut' of a Company of Select Militia.  I enclose my Commission which does not call the company select militia, if this should create any doubt with the Department of the service being such as I stated, you will confer [unclear] if you will look into the Digest of the Laws of Maryland you will then be able to see that we were call'd Select Militia, and the duty we were subject to perform.  This law no doubt has become obsolete and not contin-ued in the [unclear], if so, will you be so good as to write to some one of your acquaintance at Anapolis and obtain either a copy or an extract to show the provisions of it and if necessary show it to the Department.  But if nothing is said or any objection made, it will perhaps not be necessary even to show my Commission with respect
Page 32

respect to my service, I in every instance found my uniform Army and accoutrements constituted when I served in the cavalry.  I furnish'd my horse uniform, arms and accoutrements which amounted to a considerable expense.  I believe the rule was then, when a volunteer furnish'd the horse, he was [unclear] fifteen Dollars a month in addition to the pay for his own services.  I never receiv'd an [unclear] the whole war, expecting eight Dollars when I served in Cap't Mantz's Company belonging to the flying Camp in 1776.

You were good enough to say in your letter that by forwarding to you my application in conformity with the Dictations on the 2d & 3d pages it shall be monthly attended to.  I therefor trouble you to [unclear] my claim and obtain for me whatever the Department thinks I am entitled to.  I did my duty faithfully not from a consideration of the pay to be receiv'd but because I felt warm in the cause of my Country.  To Mr. Edwards Chief Clerk of the pension office, you'll please make my best compliments for his kind expression with respect to me.

I am Dear Sir with much esteem,
Yr Ob'd Servant
Jno Shellman
Page 33

Examination
Revolutionary Papers

John Shellman

Act 1832
Rolls Georgia

filed 4 May 1832
F.E. Hassler, Attorney
Page 34

March 3, 1939.
MRS. GEORGE WILCOM MCIVER
THE CORDOVA
WASHINGTON, D. C.

The Pension Bureau

Dear Sirs:

John Shellman, applied for a Revolutionary
War Pension on Feb.25, 1833 and it was approved. It is
Sur.File 31960. Can you tell me whether it makes men
tion of his children?

Very truly,
Helen H.McIver

[Circular mail and time stamp with numbers 1-12
Arrowing pointing upward
RECEIVED
MAR 6 1938
[illegible] DIV.
[illegible] 23]
Page 35

Wharton, Texas, January 30, 1915.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I am anxious to obtain the record of the services
of John Shelman, who served during the Revolutionary War,
and who, I think, enlisted in Maryland. I will very much
appreciate the favor if you will give me this data, and
whatever charges are made by you for making this investi
gation I will at once remit to cover.

Respectfully,
(Miss) Ruth Brazzil
Box 106
Page 36

[round stamp]
PENSION 
O
U FEB S.
2 1915
OFFICE
Page 37

[begin bold]REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.  3-525
-----DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
-----BUREAU OF PENSIONS.[end bold]
S.F. 31960  [begin bold] Washington D. C., ----, 19---[end bold]

In reply to your request of -----, received -----
for a statement of the military history of John Shellman
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen
sion on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
______________|
June 1776
Sept. 18, 1780 to
Spring 1781 to
Sept. 1781

LENGTH OF
SERVCE.
___________|
6 mos.
Spring 1780
Sept. 1781
and served until treaty of peace ratified

RANK.
_______|
Priv
1st Lient
1st Lient
1st Lient

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
______________________________________________|
CAPTAIN.
_________|
Peter Mantz
John D. Carey
John Ross Keys
John D. Carey

COLONEL.
_________|
Griffin in "Flying Camp of Md
Fredericktown Md [illegible] Militia
troop of Md. Cav.

STATE.
______

Battles engaged in, Harlem, White Plains

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fredericktown, Md.

Date of application for pension, Feby 25, 1933 this cl. was al.

Residence at date of application, Savannah, Chatham Co. Ga.

Age at date of application, 77 years [illegible[ Fredericktown, Md.

Remarks:  Soldier married in 1794 Clarissa Montfort, they were
residents of Ga. more than forty years.  He died May [illegible]1838 she
died at Savannah, GA Feby 1845.  In 1852 a daughter Catharine 
Anne, aged 40 years was the wife of Jacob Willcox and a resident
of New Haven Conn.  Soldier's father died in 1816 his name is not
[illegible]

Respectfully, 

6-2854   Commissioner.

Handwritten note at bottom of page: his being on the ship Defence was only an incident during his service in Mantzs co. not a service in itself so not mentioned.
AW.
Page 38

[handwritten on pre-printed card]

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Shelly, Abraham GRADE Private LINE Hazen's Regiment
WARRANT NUMBER 13725 ACREAGE 100  ISSUED May 15, 1800 to Ithamar Canfield -- Notation: "(See Act May 10, 1800. P. 170.Vol.5")

* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. 
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 39

[handwritten on pre-printed card]

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Shelly, Cyrus GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7811 ACREAGE 100  ISSUED November 9, 1791 to --not shown --

* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. 
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.