Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9194, for John Mills, South Carolina
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
S. C.
Mills, John
Mary
NUMBER
W. 9194
CONTENTS
Page 2

Reported
Let Hon D. Wallace
Mark 6/51
Let same August 18/51
South Carolina
Mary Mills decd
Widow of John Mills
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 19 March 1795
of Chester in the State of S.C
who was a Col. Dragoon in the
commanded by Captain of the
Regt commanded by Genl. Sumpter in
the revolution line for 18 mo,[illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston
at the rate of 504 Dollars 43
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836 & ending 29th Jany 1841
when she died
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of
March, 1848, and set to Hon. J. A.
Black 
Hos. of Reps
Total amount
Payable to Mary Pagon only
living child
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Total amount
Recorded by Tho. Lumpkin Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 30
Increased from $385.55 [Illegible]
payments under this
Page 3

12972
Mary Mills
decd
S. Co.
Act 7 July 38
 82.d.95
Widow died 2nd January 1841
Act 7th July 183
Page 4

State of South Carolina
Chester District 
On this 30th day of June, one thousand
Eight hundred & forty=six, 1846, personally appeared in open Court,
and before the Court of Equity now opened & held in Chesterville
for the District of Chester & State aforesaid, Alexander Pagan,
son in law of John Mills decd a resident of the District and
State aforesaid of lawful age, 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 July 7th 1838, Entitled an "act
granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
That this declarant the aforesaid Alexander Pagan
in the behalf of himself and the other heirs of the said John
Mills decd States, that the said John Mills was an officer
and soldier in the South Carolina & State Troops in the war
of the Revolution the heirs understand and as such he
served the United States against the Common Enemy- That
he the aforesaid John Mills lived in the days of the Revolution
in what is now called Chester District South Carolina
and entered the Army of the Revolution in the early part of
the war as a private Soldier from which he was soon
raised to the rank of Lieutenant, and from Lieut, to that
of a Captain in which Capacity he served "till the end of
the war, during which time he the said John Mills served
a tour of Enlistment and had the Command of a Company of
Cavalry in Genl Sumpter State Troops. He further declared
Page 5

that the said John Mills was married on the 21st day of
May, Seventeen hundred & Eighty two, (1782) to Mary Gill, in
Chester District South Carolina, and as husband and
wife they lived together "till the death of the said John Mills
which took place on the 19th March, Seventeen hundred and
ninety five (1795) and that his widow the aforesaid Mary
departed this life on the twenty ninth day of January, Eighteen 
hundred and forty one, 1841, not having intermarried
after the death of her said husband the aforesaid John
Mills deceased
He also declared that he has in support
of the date of the Marriage of the aforesaid parties their old
original Family Record, containing the date of their marriage
together with a Statement of the births of these Children
which Record is in the hand writing of the said John
Mills decd and is believed to be correct & true and the same
is hereunto appended
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first above
Written before the Court
David Johnson
Alexander Pagan
And the Court does hereby certify, that it was proven to
the satisfaction of the Court that John Mills above named
died at his late residence in Chester District, State of South
Carolina on the nineteenth day of March, Stun hundred
Page 6

and ninety five, having his wife Mary a widow, who
departed this life on the twenty ninth day of January, Eightteen 
hundred & forty one, having surviving Robert G. Mills
and Mary Pagan, wife of the declarant Alexander Pagan, who
were the only surviving children of the said Mary Mills
and that since the death of said Mary Mills, the aforesaid
Robert G. Mills has died having no widow, but three children
who are minors, and that George H. Neely, & James Pagan are
their Guardians-- It was also proven that the declarant
Alexander Pagan is a person to whose statements is due full
faith and credence
David Johnson
one of the Chancellors of
the said State
South Carolina 
Chester District
I James Hemphill Register and
Commissioner of the Court of Equity
for the District of Chester South-
Cardina, do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of said Court in the Matter of the
application of the heirs of Mary Mills
for a pension. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my
seal of office at Chester Court on this
third day of July A.D. 1846
James Hemphill
R.H. E.C.D.
Page 7

South Carolina
Chester District
on the 6th day of
January 1851 personally
appeared Mary Pagan a resident
of said District aged 61 years past being
first duly sworn according to law doth on
her oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the provision made by
the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836
entitled an act granting half pay and
pensions to certain widows.
That this Declarant the aforesaid Mary
Pagan the only surviving child of Captain
John and Mary Mills late of Chester
District S.C. Deceased declares that her
father Captain John Mills was a Lieutenant
and Captain of horse South Carolina Militia
Sumter's Brigade and a Captain of
of Cavalry state troops under an enlistment
for 10 months, which expired the spring
of 1782 and afterwards Captain of a company 
of rangers which he continued to command
until the close of the war and she has always
understood and still believes and as
such he served the United States against the
common enemy from the time he entered
the service in June or July 1780 until the
close of the war as above stated, and received
two negroes Prince and Bella for his services 
as Captain in the State troop (10 months)
Declarant further says that her father Captain
John Mills was married to her mother Mary
Gill in Chester District S.C. on the 21st day
of May 1782 the evidence of which as well as
the Death of the above named Captain John
and Mary Mills is admitted in this claim
Page 8

under act of 7th July 1838 under which act
she received a pension in right of her mother
at the rate of some 500 Dollars per annum
She now makes application under act of July
4th 1836 to recover the arrears due her Mother
under said act, which was not claimed in
former Declaration as the journal kept
by her father Capt John Mill in the revolution
was lost, in which all his services were set forth
for which she has since made diligent search and
enquiry without effect and is fully satisfied
that said diary shewed her father's Captain
John Mills Services as a Captain of his company 
called rangers after his said marriage
as well as the statements of her mother and
neighbors who served under her said father
who lived in her neighborhood, and well
recollects her mother telling her family many
circumstances which occurred after their said
marriage and when her husband Captain
John Mills was in service after their said
Marriage one of which was a prisoner taken
by Capt John Mills and his company of Rangers
by the name of Hawkins, whom they
were taking to jail and when passing near
his own house Capt Mills left the prisoner
with the Company while he called to visit his
wife, before going further and while at his
house one of his men shot the prisoner dead
he was buried on the spot. Which place has
often been shown to Declarant, now near her
own residence and that his command
in the State Troop as well as the rangers
was under the command of General Sumter
That she has no ["further" crossed out] record
Page 9

evidence now to offer in the claim and
does not know of any person now living by
whom her said fathers can be identified 
after his marriage which were
well known and duly appreciated by the
community
Mary Pagan
Sworn to and subscribed
before me Jas. A. Lewis (Magistrate)
And I the said Magistrate do hereby
certify that Mary Pagan who has sworn
to and subscribed the above declaration before
me, is a lady of high moral character
very inteligent and her statements entitled
to the highest credit
I further certify she is unable to attend
Court on account of bodily infirmity and
that she is the identical person she represents 
herself to be
Jas A. Lewis Magst [hand written seal]
Page 10

John Mills and Mary
Maryed the 21 of May 1782
Thos Sumter Mills Born the
8 of March 1783 at 2 afternoon
Robert Mills Born the 31
of Oct 1784 at 6[?] in the morning
Robert Mills departed
this life the 5 Oct 1785
Robert Gill Mills born
27 Jun [?] 1786 10 oClock 40
Minits Morning
Mary Mills Born 20 of
April 1789 at 3 Minit
After nine evening
John Mills Born 21 of
Der 1791 at 11 Clock
Morning
Alexd Peagon Mills Born
Nov 9 1794 at 11 morning
Page 11

John Mills departed
this Life March the
19 1795 ---
Alex Peagon Mills
departed this Life July
19 1797
John Mills Departed
this life this
thirty first day of
January 1826
Thomas T Mills Departed
this life in September 1832
Mary Mills Departed
this life January 2 1841 [?] [very faded]
Page 12

Rev. War Section.
October 13, 1921.
Madam: --
In response to your letter dated September 13,
1921, you are informed that from the papers in the Revolutionary
War pension claim W. 9194 is, it appears that John Mills, son
of John, a resident of Camden, (later called Chester) District,
South Carolina, during the Revolution, and he served in
1775, and until the late summer of 1776 under Captain Robert
Patton, after which he went out against the Indians under General
Williamson and also joined General Lincoln's Army as a
Teamster and so served until the surrender of Charleston.
He then served as Lieutenant and also Captain
in Colonel Edward Lacy's Regiment of South Carolina Militia
until April 5, 1781 when he became Captain of Lieutenant Colonel
Henry Hampton's Regiment of Light Dragoons in General Sumter's 
Brigade of South Carolina State Troops in which he served
10 months and then commanded a company of Rangers until the close
of the Revolution.
He married May 21, 1782 in Chester District, S.
C. Mary Gill. He died there March 18, 1795, and she died there
January 29, 1841. Their children were: -- Thomas Sumter born
Page 13

#2. W. File No. 9194.
March 8, 1783, died in September 1832; Robert born October 31,
1784, died October 5, 1785; Robert Gill born December 27, 1786,
died about January 1842; Mary born April 30, 1789; John born
December 21, 1791, died January 31, 1826; Alex peagon born
November 8, 1794, died July 19, 1797.
June 30, 1846, Alexander Pagan of Chester District, 
South Carolina, applied for the pension due his wife Mary,
as the only surviving child of said John Mills, and said pension
was allowed.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 14

Comptroller Genl's Office
Columbia So. Ca. Nov. 19th 1847.
I certify that the Records of this office show
the issue of but two Indents to the name of
John Mills for military services (viz) one
for Pound155:18: 1Book L Account & Indent 257 for
services as Lieutenant and Captain of Militia
the other Book F. Indent & account 353-for Pound 30:
1:.84 D. for services as Corporal in the second
South Carolina line. There is also an Indent
of Pound3:14:9 D to the name of John Mills Senr for
Sundries and also for 34 days service in 1778 under
Capt. Hugh Whitesides
William C. Black
Comp Gen
By Ben: Hart
Page 15

South Carolina
York District  
Appeared Jas Moore
a resident of said district
aged 86 years ["of age" crossed out] who being firs duly
sworn before me the subscribing magistrate 
sayeth that he was well acquainted with
John Mills late of Chester District
Decd before the war of the revolution that
they were raised within six Miles of each
other that he was ["the" crossed out] older than deponent seven
or eight years
Deponent says that the said John Mills
entered the service about the commencement of
hostility and was almost constantly in service
untill the close of war as a private Lieut
and Capt both in the Militia and state
Troops and was one of the most active in
[illegible] men in the patriot army
Deponet was never out in service
but one tour with the said John Mills
at which time the said John Mills was
Capt of a Company in the State troop Sumpters
Brigade and served with him three Months
at Orangeburg SC the winter and spring of seventeen 
hundred and eighty two and was present
when the State Troops were discharged the
April of 1782
he further says that he was ["not' crossed out] in the
Militia Capt Hugh Bratton Col Wm Broton
Redgement and well recollects that the state
Troops were raise the spring of seventeen
hundred and eighty one 1781 and continued
in service constantly untill discharged at
Orangeburg as above stated and knows that the
said John Mills was in service as a
Capt of the state from the time they were
Page 16

were in service to wit from the spring and
summer of 1781 untill the April 1782 that
he often saw the above named Capt John
Mills and his company before the deponent
was with them at Orangeburg and well
Recollects that Jas Wylie and John Miller
were Lieutenants in his company in the state
Troops and knew Jas Mclure Philip Walker
Richard Singleton and Wm Wylie and several
others that he cannot now call to mind
that were privates in the same company
and further says that he feels well satisfied
that the above named Capt John Mills
served ten or twelve months as a capt in
Sumters Brigade of State Troops and that he
has no knowledge that there is any persons
now living that served in uters Brigade
of State Toops sworn to and subscribed
the 19th day of June 1847
James Moore
Before me
A.S. Wallace
Magt
and I the said Magistrate do hereby certify
that Jas Moore who has sworn to and subscribed
the above affidavit before me is a respectable citizen
of this district and his statements entitled to full faith
edit Given under my hand & c
A.S. Wallace Magt
Spartenburg
York District
I James Kuykendall Clerk of the
Court of gen sessions & common pleas for York District
do hereby certify that A. S. Wallace is an acting
Magistrate for York District & that his signature
to the foregoing is genuine - given under my hand
& that of office at York Court House 15th Nov 1847
Ja. Kuykendal
CCCYD
Page 17

State of South Carolina SS
York District 
Personally appeared before me
Jno. P. Hood, one of the acting Magistrates in and
or the said District Robert Wilson, one of the surviving
soldiers of the Revolution, a resident of the State and
District aforesaid, and made oath in due form of
law, that he was in the days of the Revolution
well and intimately acquainted with John Mills 
an officer and soldier in the Army of the Revolution
that resided in Camden, but now Chester District
South Carolina. That he deponent was in the service
during the Revolution or different occasions with the
said John Mills that their first service together
was in the early part of the war at Seneca Fort,
The next service that deponent now recollects was
in the summer of 1780, after the fall of Charleston
they were together some two or three months under
General Sumter who had the command of the
Militia Forces, which had congregated together after
the fall of Charleston to oppose the enemy - That during
this service under Sumter in 1780, the said John Mills
belonged to, and served as a Commissioned Officer, Either
as Lieutenant or Capt in Col Edward Lacys Regiment
of Mounted Militia or horse, for the whole force was mounted
that said Lacy was Col Patrick McGuff Lieut. Col and Charles
Miles Major, which constituted said Regiment, and was
under the command of General Sumpter. That deponent
was with the said Army from the middle of July
Page 18

till December at which time he left Sumters army
and went on an Expedition to Newburn N.C. for Military
Stores, and did not return till March following about
the time of the raising of Sumters State Troops and that
deponent does not now recollect of being in service after
1780, with the said John Mills - That in the spring
of 1781. it was said that the said John Mills raised
a company of State Troops and joined Col Hamptons Regt
belonging to Sumters State Troops when he has always
understood, and believes, he served out a tour of Enlistment
as Capt of a Company of State Troops
This deponent also states on his oath, that the s. Col.
Edward Lacy Regt was not a Regiment of State Troops, but
belonged to the Militia, nor did said Col Lacy ever Command
a Regiment in the State Troops to deponents knowledge, that the
above service under General Sumter in the summer of 1780,
after the fall of Charleston, was a seperate and distinct
service from that of the State Troops, which did not commence
till the spring following in 1781
Sworn to and subscribed this 11th day of November
1847 before me
S. Hood Maget
Robt Wilson
I the sd. Magt do here by certify that I am
well and intimately acquainted with Robt.
Wilson the above affiant, and that he is in possession
of his natural faculties, of good character and of approved
integrity, and to his statements is due full faith and
credit. Given under my hand the day and date
above written
J. P. Hood Magst
Page 19

7.
South Carolina
York District 
I Ja Kuykendall Clerk of the Court
Common Pleas in General Sessions for the State and
District aforesaid do hereby certify that John P. Hood
before whom the foregoing affidavit was proven is
and was at the time of signing the same and acting
Magistrate for said District and that the foregoing
Signatures purporting to be his are Genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
Subscribed my name and affixed
my seal of Office at office in
Yorkville this 12th November 1847
J. Kuykendall
C. C. C pls
Page 20

argument in
the case of
Mary Mills
Widow of
Capt John Mills
Page 21

Unionville SC
April 14th 1837
Sir
Your letter of the [illegible] in the
case of Mary Mills widow of Capt
John Mills, & mother of Mary Ryan
was duly received, and have now the
honor to submit additional testimony in
support of the claim of Mary Pagan
to have the claim of Mary Mills
transfered from the act of July 7th 1838
to the act of July 4th 1836
I also beg leave to submit the
following argument in favor of this
claim.
I think the Commissioner of
pensions has misconceived the leading
facts in this case, as appears from
letter above refered to the [illegible]
Capt Mills entered the service of
his country as a Lieutenant in 1775, that
his Militia service closed before he
entered into the State troops in the
Page 22

spring of 1787, and that his services in the
Revolution closed at the time the State
troops were discharged, at the time the
service of Genl Sumter terminated, and
which is admitted to be before the Marriage
of Capt Mills in 1782-
Now the records in the Comptroller
Generals Office in South Carolina Show
that Capt John Mills rendered 246 days
service as Captain & Lieutenant, since
the reduction of Charleston. That
service or not commence until July
1780, as Sumter was not made a
Brig Genl until the 15th day of July of
that year. See the detailed statement
of Capt Robt Wilson in this application
for an increase of Revolutionary pension)
The 246 days, ["being" crossed out] (Volunteer service)
could not have terminated
before April 1781 at which time
Capt John Mills raised his state troop
which he continued to command for twelve
months, which appears by the evidence in
this case. This shows conclusively that
Capt John Mills served two or three
Page 23

months, after his marriage on the 21st
May, 1782, in the Rangers, as stated
by the declarant in her amended
declaration herewith shown, as well as
by the witnesses, who all or nearly
all testify that Capt John Mills did
render service after this marriage, &
which they say has never been doubted
The Commissioner also assumes, that the
services of Genl Sumter also closed, when
the state two were discharged. This is an
error. The Revolutionary Records in South Carolina
show, that Genl Sumter continued
to command militia until May 1783. This
fact is recorded in the history of the
War in South Carolina (See Ramsays
History of South Carolina - United States -
Lee's memoirs of the War others)
The Court relys on the testimony of
Mrs Kelsey the sister of Capt John Mills
in regard to his marriage, to shew that Mills
service took place before his marriage,
from the fact that Mrs Kelsey states that
she herself was married in 1780, & that she
visited her father often after her
Page 24

own Marriage, until the close of the
ever, which still continued the home of
her brother Capt John Mills. This
fact we do not deny. That is we
do not deny that Capt John Mills
made his fathers house the home of his
wife, for some time after his marriage.
What he could he do, when he had no
home himself but the center field, and
no property but the two are Prince
& Bella that he received for his services
in the State Troop, which were confiscated
property of Governor Bull-- Let this be
taken too in connexion unto the fact [illegible cross out]
that Capt Mills, a few
days after his marriage, again took the
field, at the head of the rangers, leaving
his young wife at the house of his father
the only place where she could hope for
any protection or support, while the boy
Prince worked the farm for bread for
the family including his father an aged
& infirm old man, for as Mt Rosebourgh
testifies Capt Mills "could not be
kept at home", while there was patriotic
duty for him to perform in the field.
Page 25

2
I beg also to call the attention of
the Commissioner to the fact, that at
the time Mrs Kelsey was examined, the
Marriage of Capt John Mills was not
in controversy at all. The Marriage was
then admitted by the department, under
the claim then presented. Mrs Kelsey
was called on to prove that Capt John
Mills Commanded a company in Genl
Sumters Brigade of State troops, which
fact was at that time (as I am informed)
denied by the Commissioner of Pensions, and
one admitted when the production of the most
conclusive testimony (see the evidence on file)
The question as to whether Capt John
Mills rendered service after his marriage
has not been answered by Mrs Kelsey, if
I recollect the testimony rightly. I think
the testimony established the fact that
Mary Mills, the wife of Capt John Mills
remained with the father of her husband
& while her husband was in the army
& until after their first child was
Page 26

born, after which they settled on the same
plantation, as stated by the
declarant and Witnesses, whose testimony
is herewith inclosed, and as certifyed
by Judge P. Wylie, who was born &
now resides in the same neighborhood with
Capt Mills, and has alway & been intimate
with the family.
The declarant now says in her
Amended declaration, that she did not
intend to prejudice her claim, or surrender
any part of it, but hoped she would find
her fathers journal, which shewed that
his service continued in the militia
company, called rangers, until 1783,
for which a reward of $200 was
offered without effect, and her attorney
Mr Bettis, removing to California, &
acting upon his theory of taking what
he could get easily, she is now compelled
to seek for that which is the due with
such assistance as she can procure.
In conclusion I have of
call your attention to the facts least
Page 27

it shall be overlooked, that the
service rendered by Capt John
Mills was cavalry service.
Of the justice of the claim
I see no reason to doubt, &
submit it to your judgment
upon it merits
I have the honor to br
your obt servt
D Wallace
Hon J E Heath
War Dept
Washington
Page 28

South Carolina 
Chester District
Personally appeared
before me Captain
Robert Gill and upon
being duly sworn according to law says
that he was raised in the neighborhood
of Mrs Mary Mills the wife of Captain
John Mills of Chester District deceased
who was his aunt and always understood
and believes that her husband Captain
John Mills was an officer in the army
of the revolution from the time he entered 
service until the close of the war
That he always understood the said Captain 
John Mills received two negroes
Prince and Bella for his services in the
war who both died recently and it
has always been his understanding that the
greater part of his services were performed
after his marriage to his said wife
which has never been doubted
Deponent is now 66 years old past
Robert Gilll
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 7th day of
January 1851
Jas A Lewis (Magistrate)
Saml Wherey aged 75 years past sworn
says that he was born and raised in
the immediate neighborhood of Capt John
Mills and was intimately acquainted with
the said Capt John Mills, his wife
and widow Mary Mills up till the time
Page 29

their death and always understood the
said Capt John Mills continued in
service until the close of the war That a
considerable portion of his service as a
["company" crossed out] Captain of Militia was rendered
after his marriage to his said widow
Mary Mills, Deponent well recollects
two NegroesPrince and Bella that the said
Capt John Mills got for service in the war
of the revolution Deponent is well acquainted 
with Mrs Mary Pagan from infancy
and is a lady of high respectability 
Samuel Wherry
Sworn to before me
and subscribed this
7th day of January 1851
Jas A Lewis (Magistrate)
Jas F Wherey sworn says that he was born
and raised in the neighborhood Mary
Mills the widow of Capt John Mills
of Chester District now deceased and was
intimately acquainted with the said Mary
Mills from his first recollection till the time
of her death Deponent was one of the
appraisors of the property of the said Mary
Mills after her death and will recollects
having seen at that time a journal said
by the family to be the journal kept by
the said Captain John Mills in the 
revolution in presence of the appraisers read
by Major R G Mills her son which to the
best of this deponents recollection which showed
the commencement and termination of each tour
of service of the said Captain John Mills in
the revolution which continued to the close of
Page 30

the war, That he is acquainted with Mrs Mary
Pagan and that she is a lady of the highest
respectability
J. F. Wherry,
Sworn to and subscribed
before me Jany 7th 1851
Jas A Lewis (Magst)
David Morrow aged 75 years sworn saith
that Captain John Mills husband of
Mary Mills late of Chester District deceased
commanded a company called rangers in
the war of the revolution after his command
of the state troop under the command of
General Sumter, in which he continued until
the close of the war Deponant's father was
in Mills's company of State troops and was
Killed in that service which occurrence
deponent well recollects, which service (Viz)
the State troop ["the" crossed out] expired the spring after
deponent's father was killed Deponent
distinctly recollects seeing Captain Mills
on patrol service at the house of his mother
Mary Morrow after his (Mills,) Marriage
and that he carried a rifle called a Yager
which name he distinctly recollects
Deponent's mother and Captain John Mills
were full cousins and very intimate and
that Captain Mills done all his mothers
business and drew the money for his Mother
which was due his father for his services in
the revolution and afterwards her annuity
from the State of South Carolina for many
years after his fathers death and is fully
satisfied that Captain John Mills was
married when he saw him in service
Page 31

South Carolina  
Chester District
I hereby certify
that Capt Robert Gill
Samuel Wherry, Jas. F. Wherry, David
Morrow & Mary Morrow, who have sworn
to and subscribed the foregoing depositions
before me are respectable citizens of Chester
District and their statements entitled to
to the highest evidence, and that they are
of the ages they respectively represent themselves to be
Witness my hand and seal this
8th day of January 1851
James A Lewes Magt [hand drawn seal]
South Carolina. 
Cheder District 
I John Rosborough Clerk of the Court of General Sessions
& Common Pleas for Chester District do certify that James
A Lewis is a lawfull acting Magistrate in & for said District and that the
foregoing signatures purporting to be here are genuine, also that I am
personally acquainted with the applicant Mary Pagan & the witnesses
who have testified in this case and that they are respectable
persons & are fully entitled to credit and I am satisfied
that he John Mills was married during the war & before his services
were all performed
Given under my hand and seal of the Court
at Chester Court House this Eighth day of
January in the year of our Lord one thousand
Eight hundred and fifty one and in
the seventy fifth year of the Sovereignty
and Independence of the United States of
America
J Rosborough
Clerk of the Court G.S. [illegible]
Page 32

as above stated and has always
understood and still believes that
Capt John Mills, service as Captain
of Rangers (thinks volunteers) was after
his marriage to his said wife Mary Gill
and as such he continued to serve alternately
till the close of the war 
David Morrow
Sworn to and subscribed
to before me this 7th day
of January 1851
Jas A Lewis (Magst)
Mary Morrow aged 76 past a resident of
Chester District sworn says that she well
recollects seeing Captain John Mills of
Chester District SC Deceased at the
house of her mother in said District
in the time of the revolution in command
of a company called rangers and
is fully satisfied it was after his marriage
to his said widow Mary Mills
and always understood from her mother
who was the full cousin of Captain John
Mills that he commanded the company
above stated after his said marriage
and as such was generally in service till
the close of the war
Mary Morrow her mark X
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 7th day of Jany
1857
Jas A Lewis (Magistrate)
Lieut David Morrow
Page 33

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 9194
Mary Mills
Wid
John Mills
Capt Rev War
-
Act: July 4th 1836
Index: - Vol. M, Page 49
[Arrangement of 1870.]
[sideways]
1921. Oct 10 hist to Mrs Steve S Kelton - Esq
Page 34

10.163
South Carolina
Mary Mills decd
Widow of John Mills
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 19 March 1795
of Chester in the State of S. C.
who was a Capt Dragoon in the
commanded by Captain  of theof the
Regt commanded by Genl Sumpter in
ther Revolution ["line" crossed out] for 18 Mos & Capt Dragoons
2 " 13 Lieut do
- " 20 " Infy
10 " - Capt
Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston
at the rate of 385 Dollars 55.
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836 & ending 29th Jany
1841, when she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of
Dec. 1847 and sent to Hon
James A Black
House of Reps
Total amount 
Increased from
$252.21. Deduct all former
Payments
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Lumpkin Clerk
Book D Vol. 1 Page 319
Reported
Payable to Mary
Pagan only child
surviving
letter to Hon J.A. Black
Jany 25/48.
Page 35

10. 163
Payable to
South Carolina
Mary Mills, decd
Widow of John Mills
who was a pensioner under the Act of 
and who died on the 19 March 1795 
of Chester in the State of S.C.
who was a Capt in the
commanded by Captain of the
Brig commanded by Genl Sumter in
the Rev. ["line" crossed out] for 8 mo. 6 day
as Cap. 3. 3 as Lieut
Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston
at the rate of 252 Dollars 21
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836, ending 24th Jany
1841. when she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of
Dec. 1846 and sent to Hon
J. A. Black, Ho. of Reps.
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. S. Wood Clerk
Book D. Vol. 1 [?] Page 309
Payable to 
Mary Pagan
only child
let to J. A. Bettis
Apl 16.47
Rep
set to same August 18 '47
to Ditto Oct 21 47
Page 36

5. 116
South Carolina
Mary Mills decd
widow of John Mills
of  in the State of SC
who was a Capt. In the Drgns and Infy commanded
by Captain  of the  commanded
by  in the
line for Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston
at the rate of 30 Dollars 43 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4 day of
March, 1831 [illegible] 29 Jany. 1841
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of
March 52 and Sent to
Hom D Wallace
H of R
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
Deducting payments under
Act 7 July 1838
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the}
Recorded by R McRae - Clerk
Book D Vol. 2 Page 385
Page 37

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
DC
[sideways]
Dec 28 47
[illegible]
Mary Mills decd
Page 38

Washington City DC
September 28th 1847.
Sir,
Inclosed I submit further evidence in
the claim of Mary Mills decd under act of
7 July 1838, which you will please to examine
and report the same to me at Chester Court House
South Carolina and oblige me
I am yours Respectfully
S. A. Bettis
J.L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
Page 39

House of Repr
18th Jany 1848-
Sir
At the request of the Heirs
Mary Will. I return to
you the Pension Certificate you
had [illegible] on the 20th of last
month in favour of said Mary
Mills together with the letter of
Mr Pettes to her grand Son Mr [?]
Pagan, with a request that you
will reconsider the same - The
extra Pension Claimed is for
Ten months service as a Captain
of Dragoons - and which the
Agent Pettes and the heirs contend
they have proved and are
entitled to & which it seems you
have only allowed in part
with great respect
your obt Srvt
James Black
Col J L Edward
Com of Pensions
Page 40

Chester District S.Ca
Jany the 6th 1848
Dr Sir,
In the claim of your mother (Mrs. Mary
Pagan) for an increase of Pension I have received 
through the agency of the Hon, Jas. A. Black a Pension
certificate giving an increase in her claim of $133.34 per
annum, which is but a little more than the one half
of the amount actually & honestly, due, I have thought
best therefore to enclose to you the said Certificate with
the instructions that you return the same to the Pension
office through the Hon, J. A. Black with the request that he
present the same to the office, and instruct that
Department, that their certainly exists an error, in the
estimate made of Capt. John Mills'es services.
What we will now contending for and have been ever
since this claim was first admitted, is the benefit of Ten 
Months service actually rendered by said Capt. John
Mills as a Capt. of Dragoons in Gen. Sumters State Troops,
commencing on the 5th April 1781, and continued ten months
as will appear from a transcrip of Capt. Mills'es Master
Roll, filed, with the other papers in the claim. This record
of Capt. Mills'es State Troops Service, is also sustained by the
testimony of individuals of high respectability and is a
seperate and distinct service from that which Capt Mills
rendered in Laceys Regt of Militia, and for which we have
already received a pension, and entitles claimant to an
Page 41

increase of her former pension of $250 per annum,
can it be preserved that in the adjudication of Capt.
Mills'es claims for services by a board of Audators at the
close of the Revolution, that his Militia & State Troop services
was by any means connected, being as they were two
seperate & distinct services in two different Corps
That for Capt. Mills'es Eight months & six days service
as Capt. of Dragoons, & three months & some 15 days as Lieut.
in Laceys Regiment of Militia, he received his pay in
Indents as other officers & soldiers did engaged in the same
service - But for Capt. Mill's ten months
service in the State Troops in 1781. he received as appears
rom his Muster Roll & the witnesses two Negroes -
In this last report of this claim, the department
have added to the services already admitted, and
paid, five months & ten days, being 5 days more than
the one half of the amount of service that Capt. Mills'es
Muster Roll says he done, and I will here remark, that
of Capt. Mills'es Muster Roll & the witnesses Evidence filed
in this claim, proves Five Months & 10 days service in the
State Troops, the same Evidence proves Ten Months that bring
the amount of service computed by the said Roll, for which
ten months service the said Capt. Mills recd in payment
the two Negroes, and I will further alledge that if the said
Evidence does not prove ten Months service, it does not
prove ten days upon the same principle, nor can any
other construction be put on said Roll than that it shows
a service of Ten Months- With regard to the Indent
Page 42

and account filed in this claim showing Capt Mills'es services
in the Militia I take the same grounds, that of that
account proves one days service, it proves 8 months 6 [?] days
as Capt: of Dragoons & 3 months & some 15 days as Lieut: -
In the Commissioners last action in this Claim
it appears that to the Eleven Months & some 20 odd days
service, in the Militia, he has added 5 months & 10 days
service in the State Troops, while at the same term it
appears that he has rejected 4 months & 20 days of the same
service, and upon what grounds that department could 
admit one half of a 10 Months Enlistment & reject the
other I am at a loss to imagine, and the question here
arises, why is it that the Department are so unwilling
to meet this claim on fair principles of justice and allow
claimant her just and lawful rights, without so
much unnecessary evasion. All that we claim in the
present case is due us, and in justice to ourselves we
are in the right in contending for the same
In the further prosecution of this claim it is advisable
to request of the Hon. J. A. Black to go to the Pension Office
and look into this claim himself and make an Effort to
have this claim reconsidered. As I am satisfied that if
the Commissioner can once understand this matter rightly
he will not hesitate to grant the increase, I also inclose [?] to
you a copy of Capt Mills'es State Troops Muster Roll
I have the honor to be
Yours very Respectfully
S. A. Bellis
Jas Pagan Esqr
Chester C House
SC
Page 43

Chester C. House So. Carolina
July the 20th 1847
Sir
In the claim of Mary Mills died of Chester
District widow of Capt. John Mills, I send you
further Evidence in support of the Ten months 
service of the said Capt. Mills in Sumter State Troops
which service was rejected on the adjustment of
of this claim on the 29 December last
This claim was reported to me on the
11 April, and I would refer your department to
my letter accompaning the evidence on which the
said report was written that letter sets fourth the
grounds on which we base our claim, or in other
words claim an increase of our present pension
You will please report this claim to me at
the above place and oblige
I am yours very respectfully
S. A. Bettis
J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC
Page 44

House of Repr
19th Decr 1846-
Sir
I enclose you Evidence in the
case of Mary Mills, widow of
Capt Jno Milsl late of So. Carolina
which case I think was suspended
under the act of 7th July 1838
Let me ask for this case
your immediate attention
Your Obt. Servt
James A Black
of So Ca
J L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pension
Page 45

House of Representatives
Feb. 15. 1848
Sir
I enclose you the highest evidence,
that Mary Pagan, who is the only
surviving child of Mary Mills, the
widow of Capt John Mills, is still
alive, and entitled to all her rights
as the surviving child of Mary Mills,
and which, I hope, completes all the
evidence necessary, in this case.
You will please enclose me the result
as soon as possible.
I know personally John A. Bradley, one 
of the witnesses, and John Roseborough,
Clerk of the Court, and know them to
be entitled to the fullest credit.
Your Obt Servt
Hon. James A Black
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 46

Chesterville So. Carolina
December 14th 1846,
Sir
Inclosed you will receive further
Evidence in the claim of Mary Mills deceased
of Chester District So. Carolina which you will
please to examine & report the same to the Hon
Jas A. Black of the House of Representatives, to where
can this claim is forwarded
In the inclosed certificate of the Comptroller
General of South Carolina there are evidences of Capt.
John Mills Service in General Sumpters State Troops
but no Indent except one small indt. for arrears of clothing
in said Troop. This deficiency is explained by the Resolution
passed in March 1784 granting Pound 80 Sterling [illegible] to
such of Sumpters Troops as were not paid off in Negroes
within three months subsequent to the passage of said Act.
I asked for a copy of said Resolution to [illegible]
the papers in this claim and inclosed is the
letter I rec. in reply by which I presume your department
is informed of the way & manner in which the
State Troops was paid. In the Comp. Generals Certificate
you have Evidence of the persons designated by Mr Bishop
being [illegible] in Capt. Mills Troop as stated
I am yours Respectfully
S. A. Bellis
Hn J. L. Edwards Esquir
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
Page 47

Payment to be made
at Charleston
by J. C. Cochran
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of
S. Carolina
Payable on the 4th March,
and 4th September in each
year
-
Recorded in the Pension
Office in Book D. Vol. 1.
Page by ---
D W. Wood Clerk.
Duplicate
Page 48

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838,
Mary Mills, decd late of S.C.
widow of John Mills
who was a Cap & Lieut in the Rev
and died on the 19 day of March 1795-
is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Two hundred & fifty two
dollars and twenty one cents per annum, commencing on the
4th March 1836, and terminating on the ["4th of March" crossed out] 29th January,
1841, ["unless the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned" crossed out]
when she died, payable to Mary
["date; in which the pension is not payable after the time such" crossed out]
Fagan, only child.
["marriage or death." crossed out]
Given at the War Office of the United
States, this 29th day of
Dec. one thousand
eight hundred and Forty Six.
Secretary of War.
{Examined and
Countersigned. }
Commissioner of Pensions.
Duplicate.
Page 49

House Reps us
Washington Jany 15 1837
Sir
I herewith inclose the declaration of
Mary Pagan, of Chester District SC Claiming
arrears of pension due her Mother Mary Mills
widow of Capt John Mills, under act of the
4 July 1836. Mrs Pagan has drawn
a pension under act of 7th July 1838 at the rate
of about $500 pr annum from the 4th March
1836 to Jany 1841 when Mrs Mills died.
Her reason for not claiming under 4 July 1836
are explained in her declaration. Capt Mills
was in service until the close of the War
His Marriage took place 21st May 1782.
The war did not close until the latter part of
the year 1783, at which time Capt John
Mills had the Command of a company of
rangers, (Volunteers I believe) which Company
he commanded from the time he ceased to command
the State troop of Cavalry in April 1782.
There is but one fact, to be established
in this case, and that is, Service after
Page 50

Marriage. Capt. Mills kept a day of his
service in the revolution, giving a history of all
his services, which was kept by his widow
until her death. Col Robt G Mills her son then
took possession of the document (after reading
it to the appraisers of his Mothers Estate) &
said he would keep it. But he dieing shortly
afterwards, the book was lost and has
not been recovered, although a reward of
$200 has been offered for its recovery. This
Book shows some five or six months service
as Captain after his marriage in 1782,
which is the reason this application has
been delayed. Capt John Mills entered
the service in July 1780 as a Lieutenant
in which capacity he served about three months
and was then promoted to the Rank of Captain
in the Militia & served three or four months in
Sumpters Brigade. He was then Comd Captain
in the State troops, which was raised the
spring ["or winter" crossed out] of 1781 for ten months enlistment which
expired in the month of April 1782. for
his services in the State troop he got
two negroes, Prince & Bella, confiscated
Page 51

property. He then commanded the Company
of Rangers as before stated, until the close
of the war, making in all 340 days
service as Captain in the Militia and
Ten Months Captain in the State troop
of Cavalry. It is impossible for him to
have served more than six or seven months
in the Militia before he raised said state
troop (Cavalry). The remainder of the 340
days in the Militia, must have been rendered
as the witnesses State, after his marriage,
which took place May 1782
At the time of making the former
allowance in this claim, the departinent was
at some loss to understand the difference
between the State troop & the militia Service
The State Troops were Regular Cavalry
and I request that the whole case
be revived with the view to a
full allowance in this case, according to
the Rank of the Officer, & the
Grade of service performed, which
has not heretofore been made
in this case. Any amount
Page 52

of traditionary evidence can be produced in
this case. But I suppose none is needed
as the proof is doubtless sufficient as
now before the Department.
I have to request that the
report in the case be made to me
as early as possible
I have the honor to be
Your obt servt
Wallace
Hon James E Heath
War Department
Page 53

Chester District So Car
April 3rd 1851
I certify that Mrs. Mary Pagan
is a resident of my neighborhood 
and is of the highest
respectability and the statements
made in her declaration
are intitled to entire confidence
I have been acquainted with
Mrs Pagan for twenty two years
since was also well acquainted
with her mother Mrs. Mary Mills
and are now residing on the
place on which Capt John Wills
lived and since died. The statements 
made by Mrs Pagan in
her declaration are substantially
the same I have heard often
from her mother since [?] the
general [illegible] of the neighborhood
The [illegible]
book or journal refered to in
her declaration
I have [illegible] but
feel quite certain was kept by
her father and contained for
information as to his own services and
those of many others in this section
of County and was frequently
used for references as to states
Page 54

services by applicants for pensions
previous to the death of Mrs
Mills and subsequently while it was
in the possesion of her son Major
R. G. Mills. At his death it was
probably lost amongst waste papers
or sales with some lot of books
since although every effort was made
to have it no discovery has ever
been made of it. I remember
weill that Mr Battis in making
out Mrs Pagans first application
came to my house and requested
me to make or search for it
(my house is the same one in which
R. G. Mills lined [illegible]) supposing
that it might have been overlooked 
in making the inventory of his effects
since that I made repeated searches
but without success I was well
acquainted with Col George Gill and
others who served with Captain John
Mills and have learned [?] often
from their statements [illegible]
of those made by Mrs. Pagan 
in her declaration and such is the
[illegible] with all who
served or was familiar with
Page 55

the history of the Revolutionary
war in this region of county
Capt Mills was [illegible as
one of the [illegible] amongst
the Whigs of Chester [illegible] I have
always believed was one of the first
to take up arms since the
[illegible] to [illegible] them [illegible]
TW Moore
I certify that I have been acquainted with Mrs Mary
pagan for many years; she is a Lady of sterling quality
high respectability and undoubted veracity. And I
may add that there are but few her equal in these
qualities
N.R. Eaves
April 9th 1851
I hereby certify that I have known Mrs Mary
Pagan for a number of years, that she is a lady
of intelligence and high standing in the community;
that her statements are worthy of unqualified confidence
and to be relied upon as embodying nothing but facts.
R. Y. Russel
Page 56

In the pension
claim of
Mary Mills
Chester SC
Page 57

Tthe within named Thomas W Moore is a
Member of the South Carlina Legislature at
this time, & is a gentleman of high character,
the within named J. R. Eares, is now &
has been for many years a member of the
Senate of South Carolina for Chester District,
and is the same gentlemen who as a
Member of the Palmetto Regiment for
himself so galantly in the Battles of
Mexico, as to receive distinguished
testimonials of approbation from Genl
Scott. R J Russell also named
within, is an eminent Presbyterian
Clergyman, distinguished alike for {illegible]
learning [?] piety, and ability
April 14 1837-
D Wallace
MC
[sideways]
In the pension
claim of
Mary Mills
Chester SC
Page 58

Morganton N. Carolina
Augt 3d 1846
Sir,
Inclosed I send to your department
ers in the claims of Mrs. Mary Johnston
the heirs of Mary Mills decd which you
will please to examine at as Early a day as
practable and forward to me the result to the
plan and oblige yours
I am yours Respectfully
S. A. Bettis
J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
DC
Page 59

2nd 
Report on Claim
of
Mary Mills
Page 60

Pension Office
August 20th, 1857.
Sir
I have examined the additional testimony and
read the argument which accompanied your
letter of the 16th, of April last, and have to state
that they have not lessened the force of the objections
which exist to the admission of the claim of Mary
Mills under the act of July 4th, 1836. In the first
place, the certificate of the Comptroller of D Carolina
does not show at what time the 246 days service
as Captain of Horse was rendered; But after 
careful examination, and with our knowledge of the
South Carolina service, it was decided that it was
rendered in Lacey's Regiment, as was urged by Mr
Bettis and stated by the witnesses; and, if rendered in
Lacey's Regiment was rendered prior to the service in
Sumpters Brigade. The certificate referred to 
embraces a transcript of Mills' account against the
State of South Carolina, and his items of service
are thus stated.
"To 20 days Lieut of foot at 35.5 per diem pound35:0:0
"To 73 days Lieut of Horse at 45.5 per died 164:5:0
To
Page 61

To 246 days Capt of Horse at Pound 3.10.5 per diem 861:0:0"
Now, it is very clear, that if any portion of the 246
days service had been rendered in any other Regiment
than that of Lacy, or as a Ranger, the fact would have
been so stated in the account, to have enabled the
accounting officer to have understood it; that is
the amount of service rendered prior to that under
Sumpter, and the service rendered subsequent thereto.
You are also mistaken in supposing that the period
under Sumpter was twelve months. It was for
ten months only, as shown by the certificate of the Comptroller.
Yet, if it had been for twelve months, it could
not help the case, for the service under him commenced
on the 5th of April 1781, and the parties were married
the 21st of May 1782; there was, therefore, no service
under that engagement of her marriage.
The parole testimony, omitting that of Mrs Kelsey,
is also against the claim, for it will not, I suppose, be
contended that John Roseburgh, Samuel Wherry, J. F.
Wherry, and David Morrow, who were six years old, Mary
Morrow, who was seven years old and Robert Gill who was
three years old in 1782, are competent witnesses to establish
Military service at that date. This fact of incompetency
was, probably, overlooked by you.
But
Page 62

But to show you how little reliance is to be
placed on such testimony, I will refer to the affidavit
of Robert Gill, three years old in 1782, who says it was
always "his understanding that the greater part of
Mills service was rendered after his marriage to
his said wife, had never been doubted." Now John
Mills was married on the 21st of May 1782.;The
service established as having been rendered prior
to that date was for 21 months, 9 days. If, therefore,
Gills statement is true, Mills must have been in
service about 11 months after the conclusion of the
treaty of peace. The other affidavits are equally vulnerable, 
and a careful consideration of them and the
testimony, has satisfied us that no service was rendered 
after May 21. 1782.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
JE Heath Commissioner of Pensions
Hon D. Wallace
Unionville,
S.C.
Page 63

Chester C. House S. Ca.
Decr the 1st 1847
Sir
In the claim of the heirs of Mary Mills decd
for an increase of Pension, I herewith transmit to
your Department further evidence in support of the
said laim, which I hope may be satisfactory and that
you will send me a certificate for the increase claimed
which is the benefit of Capt John Mills survices in
Hamptons Regiment of Genl Sumters State Troops in 1781.
In reply to your report of this claim on the
18th August last, I have to remark, that it appears
to me from said report that a misunderstanding
exists with regard to our real position in this claim, -
We claim in the first place that Captain John
Mills Commanded a Company in Col Laceys Regiment
of Militia prior to April 1781, and that in the spring
of 1781 he raised a company of State Troops and joined
Hamptons Regt of State Troops under General Sumter
and served out a tour of Enlistment of ten months in
said Troop for which he recd as a compensation two negroes
(Slaves) In your report you say of "If Mills Commanded
a Company in any other Regiment than that under Col
Hampton in 1781, record Evidence thereof should be found
in the Comptroller Generals Office". It is not pretended
by us that Mills did render any other service in 1781
than that under Col. Hampton in the State Troop's, Except
some three months service proven by John McDill who testifies
that in January 1781. he became acquainted with the
said Capt John Mills in Service, at which time he the said
John Mills had Command of a Company of Militia, which
Company he Continued to Command "till the spring following
at which time he the said Capt. Mills raised a Company
of Dragoons and joined the State Troops under Gen. Sumter
under whom he served out a tour of Enlistment as he has always
understood & [illegible]. With regard to the commencement and
duration of Capt. John Miller Services in Hamptons Regiment
Page 64

mentioned in your report you have now in all submitted
First, McDills testimony showing the Commencement of that
service in the spring of 1781. Secondly you have the testimony
of John Bishop showing the continuance of the same till Sept.
1781. and lastly the Evidence of Jas Moore who testifies that in
the spring of 1782 he lay then months at Orangeburg with
Capt John Mills at which time the said Mills Commanded a
Company of State Troops. That by the above witnesses it is
prover that Capt John Mill Entered the State Troop service in
the spring of 1781, and continued in service till the spring of
1782, and that the declarations of said witnesses is verified
by the Certificate of the Comptroller General submitted in
July last, in support of said Capt Mills Services
As regards Capt John Mills'es services in the
Militia, I now inclose you the affidavit of Robert Wilson
who testifies that he was in service with the said John
Mills in the summer and fall of 1780 after the fall of Charleston
That the said John Mills was a Commissioned officer in
a Regiment of Mounted Militia, Commanded by Cols.
Edward Lacey, Patrick McGuff, and Major Charles Miles,
that from some time in the Summer till Decr he was
with the said Regiment with John Mills & others-
This evidence is corroborated by McDill who testifies that
in January following he met with Capt Mills in service
John Bishop also verifies the above by his statements, which
in that Capt John Mills Commanded a Company in
Col. Laceys Regiment of Militia and was generally in the
service from the fall of Charleston till the end of the war
I also inclose the Comptrollers Certificate & having
that the name of John Mills does not appear but in two
instances in his Books, and that in but one instance for 
services in the South Carolina Militia which is Book L. Indent 257
which we have had the benefit of already
I am verry respectfully
Your obedient servant
S. A. Bellis
J.L. Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 65

State of North Carolina 
Chester District
Personally appeared before
me James B. Magill one of the
acting Magistrate in and for said District, John
Bishop a soldier of the revolution and made oath in due
form of Law. That he was in days of the Revolution well
acquainted with Captain John Mills decd of Chester Dist
So. Ca. whose heirs are now applying for a pension due
the deceased widow of the aforesaid Captain John Mills
This deponent further makes oath that he knew the
said Capt John Mills in Service, who had the command
of a Company of Light Horse in Sumpter's State Troops,
That he deponent had a brother James Bishop a private in
said Capt. Mills Company of the State troops and deponent
substituted himself in place of his brother (who was sick)
and was in the battle of the Eutaw Springs in Sept 1781
in which Battle Mills Commanded as captain: Soon after
said Battle Deponent left the service on the return of his
brother; having served as substitute for his brother some few
days. Deponent further maketh oath that Alexander Ove
Geo. Gill, James Bishop, Saml Brown, Alexr Brown
Philip Walker, and Richard Singleton all of whom were
Soldiers belonging to Capt John Mills Company of State
Troops, under General Sumpter. Deponent further
maketh Oath that from the Knowledge he had of the aforesd
Captain John Miles Services during the war of the revolution
he believes that the said Capt John Mills Served as Capt
Page 66

from some time in the Summer of 1780 until the end of the
war and that he was Generally in Service
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 23d day of
July 1846,
John L Bishop his Mark X
Jas. B. Magill Magst
I, Do hereby certify that John Bishop who has this day
Sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit before me
is a person of Intelligence and respectability and remark
intelligent of his age, and that due faith and Credit is
due to his Statements
Jas B. Magill mgst.
South Carolina
Chester District
David McDaniel a revolutionary
Pensioner of South Carolina personally appeared
before me Jas. B. Magill a magistrate in and for
said District and made oath in due form of
Law, That he was well acquainted with Capt
John Mills named in the foregoing affadavit of John
Bishop and the he knows of his own personal
knowledge that the said John Mills Served as a
Captain in Col. Lacy's Regiment of South Carolina
Militia during the war of the Revolution,
Sworn to and subscribed this 23d July 1846
before me Jas B Magill mgst
David Daniel his mark X
Page 67

South Carolina
Chester District 
Personally appeared before me
James B. Magill, one of the acting Magistrates in
and for said District John McDill, one of the
surviving soldiers of the Revolution, and made oath
in due form of Law. That Capt John Mills deceased of
Chester District South Carolina whoes heirs are now applying
for a pension due the decd widow of said Capt Mills
was to deponents own personal knowledge a Captain in
Col. Lacy's Regiment of the Militia of So Carolina. That he
deponent became acquainted with the aforesaid Capt
John Mills in the Army in January, 1781, at which
time he had the command of a Company of Militia
belonging to Col Lacy's Regt which deponent believes he
the sd. Capt. Mills remained in the service with till
some time in April following, at which time the sd.
Capt John Mills raised a company of Horseman and
joined General Sumpters State Troops in what was said
to be the ten months service, and that he has always
understood and believes that sd Capt. Mills served out
a tour of Enlistment in said Troop That deponent
will recollects of often seeing said Capt Mills at
their Camp in the Army at times when they fell in with
Gen Sumpters Troops after his said Enlistment, and at times
when it was said that Capt Mills Commanded a Company
of State Troops. This deponent further makes oath,
That
Page 68

the foresaid Capt. Mills was an active Whig during
our Revolutionary Struggles, and deponent believes rendered
a good deal of service of which deponent has no personal
knowledge
Sworn to and Subscribed this 24th day of July, 1846,
Before Me;
James B. Magill, mgst
John McDill
I certify that John McDill is a person whose credibility
is too well known in this Community to need any certificate
of Character Except by way of Form, he is a person of
will known veracity and intelligence with a memory
almost unequalled for a person of his age,
Jas. B. Magill Mgst
Page 69

Chester C. House S. Carolina
March 23d 1847,
Sir,
Inclosed you will receive further evidence
in the claim of Mary Mills decd widow of Capt. John
Mills, decd under the Act of the 7th July 1838. In this
claim in acknowledge the receipt of a pension Certificate
issued on the 29 December last, couring John Mills'es Service
as Capt. 246 days & Lieut: 93, days in Col. Lacy Regiment of
Militia; and we now ask the benefit of Capt. John Mills'es
services while under his Enlistment in the State Troops, and
submit the enclosed evidence in support of that service-
In your report of this claim on the 6th October
last you admit John Mills in service in Lacey Regt
and in the Ten Months Enlistment in 1781, and call on
us to show the length of service & grades, by an exhibit of
the Indents to his credit in the Comptrollers Office of this State,
That on examination of said Office we find his service in the
Militia, but no Indent to his credit for State Troops service, or
find [illegible] other evidence which shows most clearly
that John Mills did command a Company in the State
Troops as we have alledged in our declaration
In the present case it is not reasonable to suppose
that there would appear any Indents to the credit of Capt.
John Mills for his State Troops service, from the fact of his
having received his pay in Negroes as was promised all
the ten months Enlistments in Sumpters State Troops in 1781
Sir,
Page 70

which fact, in the present case, is verified by the affidavits
of Mr Pagan, & Judge Wylie two old gentlemen that have lived
all the lives in the immediate neighborhood of the Mills family
With regard to the service of Capt. John Mills in
the State Troops, independant of the Records, you have filed
the affidavits of John McDill who swears that he was
was intimately acquainted with said Capt John Mills in Camp
while he Mills commanded a Company of Militia, and that
in the spring of 1781, the said Capt John Mills Enlisted a Company
of men, and Joined Sumters State Troops when he served
out his ten months enlistment as he has always understood
and believes: You have also the affidavit of John Bishop
who swears positively that he fought at the battle of the
Eutaw Springs, as a substitute in his brothers place, and that
in said engagement he was under the command of said
Capt. John Mills who commanded a Company of State
Troops both of the above individuals was soldiers, and are
men of intelligence, and of unimpeachable veracity, and by
their testimony it is proves that Capt John Mills entered
the State Troops in the spring of 1781, and that he was in
the said service on the 8th of September following - my own
impression is that the State Troops was raised in March & April
1781, and that they was discharged in January following about
Orangeburg,-- Please examine this claim, excuse my lengthy
letter and report the same to me at the above place & oblige
I am yours very Respectfully
S. A. Bellis
Jas. L. Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions 
Washington DC
Page 71

No 7.788.
Mary Mills dcd
S.C.
Act 4 July 1836
Aa
18 Mo 6 Capt Deg [?] $455.
2 " 13 - to[illegible] 40.55 
20 " " July 8.88 
$504.43
from 4 Mch 1831 to
29 Jany 1841 when
she died.
For payments at
the same rate to under the
7 July 1838 to be
deducted
Payable to Mary
Pagan, the only
[illegible]
Hon D. Wallace
[illegible]
Page 72

Dear Sir
In the case of
Mary Mills, I beg to refer you
to the testimony of Bishop, a Witness
who testified in 1846, who swears
to the service of Capt Mills
of his own knowledge, after his
marriage, & until the close of
the War The testimony
last filed for an increase, has
a bearing the same way - Indeed
the whole file of Testimony
goes to establish service as Capt
of Rangers after Marriage, &
until the close of the War
I Confidently expect a
favorable report
Capt Triplett
with great respect
D Wallace
Page 73

Testimony of
John Roseborough Esq
& Capt Robt Gill
in the case of
Mary Mills
Page 74

House Reps as
Washington Dec 14 1837
Sir
Your Report of the 20 August last
in the case of Mary Mills, was duly
recd. I herewith present additional
evidence when the controverted point
Capt John Mills Services continues
to the close of the war, first in the Militia
then in the State troops for ten months
which owing to being the disbanded, was
twelve months before it expired. The
State troop was raised the spring of
1781  closed in April 1782. Mills was
married the 22d May 1782. He then
Commanded a company called Rangers,
(Volunteer Militia) which he continued
to command until the close of the war
in 1783, & he kept a diary of his services
which we have proved to be lost.
Tthe Records in South Carolina, shew
the service of Capt John Mills- and
this is shown by the evidence on file
Page 75

The evidence of Mary Johnson now
presented proves the fact beyond doubt
that Capt John Mills was in service
after his marriage in 1782, & that he
commanded a Company of rangers to the
close of the War. This witness
testifies exactly to the point. She
swears that she visited Mrs Mills
while her husband was in service
that the common remark was
that she was as good a soldier as
many of the Rangers under her
husbands command
Even admitting discrepancy
from defect of memory in some of the
testimony before presented, The testimony
of Mary Johnson now presented, is
conclusive, and we ask a
Certificate of Pension accordingly
have the honor to be
Your Obt Servt
D Wallace
---
Hon J E Heath
Page 76

Brief in the case of Mary Mills
County and State of South Carolina
act 4 July 1836 -
Claim, ["(original, or for increase.)" crossed out]
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Of marriage, drumentary
of service, documentary and
[illegible]
(If for increase.)
Has addition be admission? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Hon D. Wallace
H of Reps
Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Page 77

South Carolina
Chester District 
Personally appeared Mary
Pagan a resident of said district aged
 years, who being first duly sworn according 
to law, says That her Father and
Mother Capt John Mills and wife Mary
lived the year after their carriage with
his father ["Capt" crossed out] John Mills, and that the
spring or summer of 1783, they settled on the same
plantation, and he always understood
from her Mother and others, that her father
Capt John Mills was amongst the last that
left the service of his country and only
done so at the Conclusion of the war.
She further says that Prince Worked
the farm the year after their marriage,
one of the negroes that the said Capt John
Mills had got for his service in the State
troop, and that she was almost as much
afraid of prince, during the absence of her
husband in the army as she was of the
British and tories, as the boy was an
African and could not be understood
She further declares that she had no 
intention of surrendering my part of her claim
where she made her first declaration and was
assured by Mr Bettis That she could get five
years more, in the claim of her Mother, and
advised her to wait to see if the journal kept
by her said Father could be found, and that
a handsome reward was offered for the recovery
of said Book which has never been found, and
that the present application was defered for that -
Page 78

reason and was not aware that it would
prejudice her claim. That the above to the best
of this declarant recollection is a true statement 
in the relation to the matters above stated
as narrated to her by her Mother and the old
settlers who were the neighbours of her Father
as well as her own recollection of her Fathers
journal which shewed his service as Capt.
of a company called Rangers under the
command of Genl Sumpter and after his
service in the State Troop had expired untill
the spring of 1783. after which they left the House
of his Father and settled on the same plantation
as above stated near Fishing Creek Church
Chester District So. Car. where the said Capt John
Mill died and in sight of which her Mother Breathed
her last at the house of the declarant
Sworn to this 4th day of April
1851 before me John G. B. Gill Magt
Mary Pagan
South Carolina
Chester District 
I John G. B. Gile acting Magistrate in
and for state and district aforesaid Certify that
Mary Pagan who had sworn to and subscribed the
declaration before me is a Lady of a high
character very inteligent and her statements
are entitled to every confidence
Given under my hand the day and
year above written
John G. B. Gill Magistrate
Agnes Woodburn aged 66 years being sworn says
That she has known Mary Mills, widow of Capt
John Mills since her first recollection, and always
Page 79

understood and believes. That she was married
to her husband John Mills before the close of
the war, and that he continued to serve after
his marriage untill the close of the war as a
Captain. That she often narrated the circumstance
of Hawkins a prisoner taken by Capt. Mills whom
he left with the company near to his own House
whilst at the house one of his own men by
the name of Williamson shot the Prisoner
who was buried near the spot which has
after been pointed out to deponant, which
matter Mrs Mills always spoke of with regret
the Prisoner was regarded as a Tory by the
name of Hawkins
Sworn to this 4th day of April 1857
before me John G. B. Gill Magistrat
Agness Woodburn
I John G. B. Gill an acting Magistrate in and for
said State and district certify that Agness
Woodburn is a lady of inteligence and respectability
and to her statements full faith and it
are due
Given under my hand the day
and year above mentioned
John G. B. Gill Magistrate
Page 80

All the witnesses we have testified
is by the document inclusive appears
are my constituents. Many of them are
known to me personally, and share the
most satisfactory evidence that each
one of them is entitled to full faith
and credit
April 4th 1837
D Wallace
M C
Page 81

Mary Mills -
Page 82

South Carolina
Chester District 
Personally appeared
Mary Johnston a resident of Chester District
aged 87 years and pensioner of the
United States at the rate of $206.20
cents per annum who being first duly
sworn according to law doth on oath
make the following statements
That she was intimately and 
personally acquainted with Mary Gill
of Chester District S. C. then Camden County
who maried Capt John Mills a near
neighbor before the close of the revolutionary
war and lived with her father
in law the year after their marriage
Capt John Mills Commanded
a company called Rangers which he
continued to command untill the
close of the war. Deponent visited
the said Mary Mills after her said mariage
during the year she live in the
house with her father in law father
of the said Capt John Miles when her
husband was about in service and
well recollects the negroes Prince, & Bella
as well as the circumstance of the Tory
Hawkins being shot by one of Mills
Page 83

Company of Rangers when Capt Mills
was absent near Mills own or fathers
house but from old age and 
consequent laps of Memory she is unable
to give the service in detail but has
no hesitancy in saying Capt John
Mills was in service with his Rangers
until the close of the war and well
recollects that it was a common saying
in the neighborhood that Capt John
Mills ought to take his wife Mary out
with him in service for she was a good
a soldier as he was and better than
Many of his rangers as she was a woman
of uncommon daring and a warm friend
to the cause and that her husband John
Mills was a very ative officer and a great
terror to the enemies of liberty and
among the last that left the service
of his country Sworn to and subcribed this 11th
day of October 1851
before me
Mary Johnson her mark X
David Johnson Magistrate
Saml W Brown
I the said Magistrate do hereby certify that I
and well acquainted with the above named
witness Mary Johnson and know her to be
a lady of high character of sound mind and
memory and that her statements entitled to
confidence David Jamieson Magistrate
Page 84

South Carolina
Chester District
I John Rosborough Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas for said District, do hereby certify that David
Jameson Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit were made
was at the date thereof an acting Majistrate for said District
and that his signature thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
and affix my official seal at Chester CH
this 11 October AD 1837
Rosborough
Clerk Court Common Pleas & District
Page 85

Harterell Ga
Sept 12-21
Commissioner Pensions
Rev War Section
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: -
Will you please
give me all of the informatin
to be found in your
department concerning a
pension or land grant
made to John Gray of
South Carolina
Revolutionary
Page 86

Soldier in Capt Samuel
Martin's Company Sumter's
Brigade.
Also the
information concerning
Capt John Mills of
South Carolina Sumter's
Brigade Revolutionary
Forces
Thouking you
Very truly
Mrs. Steve Shelton
Harterell Ga
Page 87

S. A. Bettis Esqr
Chester Ct. House
So Carolina
Page 88

Charleston 8th July 1847
Dear Sir
I have received your
letter of 21 June last, requesting evidence
of the payment of two negroes to Capt. John
Mills of Sumpters State Troops under the 10
months enlistment in 1781
After a very careful and tedious search among
the Revolutionary papers in the State
offices, I have succeeded in finding among
Sundry documents relating to Sumters Brigade
An original Pay-Roll of Capt. J. Mills, which
I hope contains the evidence you desire ---
It is the only paper of any description, that
relates to the matter of enquiry. I herewith
furnish you on another page, with a true Copy
of the same, officially certified
Your Obt Sert
W Laval
S. A. Bettis Esqr
Chester C.H. So Ca
Page 89

Extract
Pay Roll of Capt. Mills' Troop in Lt Col. Henry
Hampton's Regt of Light Dragoons Commanded by Brigadier
Genl Sumter, 16th March 1782
Commencement of Service
1781 
5th April
Names
John Mills
Rank
Capt.
Time of service
10 Ms
Remarks
● ● ● ●
Pay & Bounty in Negroes.
Grown
2 
Small
●
Negroes
Received 
Grown 
2
Small
...
Balance due
Grown 
...
Small
...
* (Here follows a list of sundry officers & Privates pd. in Negroes)
Comptroller Office
Charleston 8th July 1847.
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct
Copy of the Pay Roll of Capt. John Mills Troop in
Lt. Col. Henry Hamptons Regt of Light Dragoons commanded
by Brigadier Genl. Sumter, dated 10th March 1782
Wm J. Laval 
for Comptroller Genl
Page 90

State of South Carolina
Chester District
Clerks Office of the Court of
General Sessions & Common Pleas
On this 4th day of February 1848, personally
appeared before me John Rosborough Clerk of the
Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas for Chester District
State aforesaid, and at the Office of the said Court, Hartwell
Sledge, a resident of the said District of lawful age
and made oath in due form of law, that he is well
acquainted with Mrs. Mary Pagan a resident of the
said District wife of Alexander Pagan and daughter
of the late Mary Mills decd. of the District aforesaid
and that the said Mary Pagan was living on Sunday
Jany 30th 1848. being the first day of the present work
to his own personal knowledge. That on the said Sunday
he saw the said Mary Pagan as preaching at Fishing
Creek Church in her neighborhood, and on that
conclusion she appeared to be in the enjoyment of her
usual health which he believes to be good and
that he has any reason to believe that she is still living
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above
written before me
H. Hodge
Rosborough
Clerk Court GS & Pleas
Thomas Sumpter Mills a resident of Chester District
State aforesaid, also appeared and made oath in due
form of law, that he is well and intimately acquainted with
Mrs. Mary Pagan of Chester District wife of Alexander
Pagan, and that the said Mary Pagan is the
only surviving Child of old Mrs Mary Mills decd of said
District, and that the aforesaid Mary Pagan was
living on Wednesday the 2d instant to deponents own
personal knowledge. That on said day he deponent
was at the residence of the said Mary Pagan when
and where he saw and conversed with her at which
time she appeared to be, and was as he
Page 91

understood in the enjoyment of common health
Sworn to and subscribed this 4th day of Febry. Fbry
1848, before me
Rosborough
Thos Mills
Clerk CC Pleas & GS
John A. Bradley a resident of the District &
State aforesaid also appeared and made oath in due
form of law that he is well and intimately acquainted with
Mrs. Mary Pagan, above named, wife of Alexander
Pagan of Chester District and that the said Mary Pagan
the only surviving Child of the late Mary Mills
decd. of said District & State, widow of Capt. John Mills
an officer of the Revolution
This deponent further states on his oath,
that the said Mary Pagan is the identical person
who has made application through her husband
the aforesaid Alexander Pagan for a pension due
her as the only surviving Child of the aforesaid Mary
Mills decd. widow of Capt. John Mills which pension
has been in part paid to the said Mary Pagan
This deponent also states on his oath, that the
said Mary Sagan resides but a few miles from the
Court House in the Town of Chesterville and that she is
well known to this Community and is now believed
to be living. That deponent has not seen her for the
last few days but such is the relationship existing
between Mrs. Mary Pagan and residents of this village
that her sickness or death would be immediately
reported and as no such intelligence has reached
the village it is reasonable to suppose that she is not
only living but in the enjoyment of good health
Sworn to and subscribed this 4th February 1848,
John A Bradley
Before me
Rosborough
Clerk CC Pleas & GS
Page 92

State of South Carolina
Chester District 
I John Rosborough Clerk
of the Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas
for the District & State aforesaid do hereby certify,
that I am personally acquainted with Hartwell
Sledge, Thomas Sumter Mills and Capt. John A. Bradley
who have this day sworn to and subscribed the forgoing
affidavits before me, and that they are persons
of intelligence and respectability and that to their
statements is due full faith and credit
I do further certify, that I have been will
acquainted with Capt John Mills & wife Mary Mills
and family ever since the days of the Revolution, and
that Mary Pagan named in the foregoing affidavits
is the only surviving Child of the aforesaid John
& Mary Mills, both decd. and that she is the identical
Mary Pagan to whom a Revolutionary Pension has
been granted, and that Mrs. Mary Pagan is well
known to this community, and not having learned
of her death with the Evidence before I am fully
satisfied [?] that she is living and well
In testimony of all which I have herein
to set my hand and affixed my seal
of office at office in Chesterville this
4th February A.D. 1848.
JRosborough
Clerk Court G sessions &
Common Pleas
[stamp affixed to document]
Page 93

South Carolina
York District
Before me personally
appeared James D. Crawford, a resident
Chester District S.C. aged 53 years past
duly sworn according to
law says that he was one of the appraisers
of the estate of Mary Mills widow of
Col John Mills who was a Capt in
the Revolution and well recollects that
a manuscript book purporting to be a journal
nkept by her husband the said
John Mills in the Revolution which
deponent well recolects shewed a 
continuation of service to the close of the
war in 1783, which was read by his son
Col Robert G. Mills to the appraisers
and others present and that Robert
G. Mills said he would keep the
said book and took possession of
the same and heard him speak of
the book afterward and the Robert
Mills died about twelve month after
his Mother, Mary Mills
Deponent further says that he
has often heard the said Mary Mills
speak of her privations after her said
Marriage and when her said husband
was out in service which he has always
understood continued to the close of
war which fact has never been doubted
by her neighbors. Deponent was intimately 
acquainted with the said
Mary Mills since he was a small boy
for the last twenty five years lived
Page 94

within one 1/2 miles of the said Mary
Mills, with whom he was very intimate
a connected by marage
Deponent well recollects prince
the African negro got by Capt John
Mills for his service in the State Troop
and has often heard the said Mary
Mills says that when her husband
was in service the year after her marage 
and when she lived with
her fatherinlaw, that she was almost
as much afraid of Prince as she was
of the Tories & British as the Boy prince
could not talk plain
Sworn to and subscribed this
third day of April AD 1851
A. J. Wallace Hon. D. Crawford
{Magistrate)
Jane Boyd aged 76 years say she
was born and raised within two miles
of Capt John Mills whose heirs
are now applicant for a pension
untill she was fourteen years old
and then moved to Pendleton SC
where the remained seven or eight
years then maried & returned and setled
again within three miles of the said
John and Mary Mills where the continued 
to reside untill the deth of
the said Mary Mills which took place
some ten years past, and always 
understood and believes that Capt John
Mill continued to seve his country
as a captain after his mariage to his wife
Page 95

Mary Gill untill the close of the
War and was a very distinguished
patriot of the Revolution
Deponent knew pence who lived
many years after the Deponents Father
anthony [?] a Presbyterian Clergyman
seved with Capt John Mills untill
the close of the war whenever the
necesity of the times required
Deponent further says that the
said Mary Mills wife of Capt
John Mills lived with the friends
untill the close of the war when
they setted on the prantation of
Capt John Mills Father near Fishing
Creek Church Chester District
S.C. - Sworn to and subscribed this
third day of April A D. 1851
Jane Boyd
Before me
A S. Wallace
Magistrate
Y D.
South Carolina
Chester District
I Peter Wylie Judge of
the Court of Ordinary for the District of
Chester and State of South Carolina
do hereby certify that Mary Pagan the deponant
Agness Woodburn James D.
Crawford & Jane Boyd are all Respectable
citizens of Chester District and their
evidence entitled to full confidence,
I further certify that Capt John
Mills as I have always understood
Page 96

and believe commanded a company
of Rangers after his command
in the State Troop, after his marriage
to Mary Gill and continued in
said service untill the close of the
war after which he settled near his
Father on the same plantation near
Fishing Creek Church, Chester District
So. Ca. where he resided untill his
death. Given under my hand
and seal of office this 4th
day of April 1857
Peter Wylie J C O C D
-
South Carolina I John Rosborough Clerk of the Court
Chester District of Common Pleas & General Sessions for Chester
District Certify that John G. B. Gill is Magestrate
above and that the foregoing signature
porting to be his is genuine.
testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed
my seal of office, and subscribed my name
this fourth day of April in the year of our
Lord one thousand Eight hundred & fifty one
J Rosborough
Clerk Court 6 pl & GS
[seal affixed to document]
Page 97

Payment to be made
at Charleston
by J. C. Cochran, esq
Agent for paying pensioners,
in the Agency of S. C.
Payable on ["the 4th March
and 4th September in each
yesr" crossed out] presentation
Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book D Vol. 1
Page 309 by Tho. Lumpkin,
Clerk.
Page 98

WAR DEPARTMENT
["Five years'" crossed out] Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838
Mary Mills of S.C.
widow of John Mills
who was a Capt of Dragoons S. C.
and died on the 19th day of March.
is entitled to receive ["five years" crossed out] a pension at the rate of $504.34
["dollars and cents" crossed out] per annum, commencing on the
4th March 1836 & ending 24th, Febry 1841, when she died
[" in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said
five years, the pension will cease on thre day of such marriage or death." crossed out]
Increased from $385.55 Deducted from payment -
Given at the War Office of the United
States, this Oct day of
March one thousand
eight hundred and forty Eight
payble. to the only child
surviving Mary Pagan
Increased from $385.53
{Examined and
Countersigned. }
Secretary of War.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 99

Chesterville S.C. March 24 1857
I have this day personally
examined John Roseborough Esq (Clerk of the
Court of Chester District SC) who is a
a citizen of great respectability, in reference
to the Revolutionary services of John Mills
late the husband of Mary Mills, whose
daughter Mary Pagan, now claims a pension
or increase of pension for the Revolution
service after father the said John Mills
John Roseborough Esq Says. "I was
born in the month of January 1775 in Chester
District where I now reside where I have
resided during my whole life. I was therefore
born a British subject. I have been
Clerk of the Court for Chester District
fifty one years. I know personally &
well Capt John Mills a soldier &
Officer of the Revolution, use only
surviving child Mary Pagan, is seeking
for an increase of pension due her Mother
Mary Mills, widow of John Mills above
Page 100

named. I was at the house of Capt John
Mills in 1794 about the time the Militia
of South Carolina was organized after the
adoption of the constitution in 1789. I
recollect seeing a fight between a party
of whigs & tories, near the close of the
Revolutionary war when I was a boy, in
which right one tory was killed. I knew
Capt John Mills from my earliest recollection
and have never doubted nor do I now doubt
that he served in the revolution to the end
of the war. This is the tradition of the
Country, that it is true I do not doubt,
& never have doubted it. Capt John Mills
was an active energetic man, and a
true whig. He could not have been
Kept at home. He was always in the
service I have no doubt after the first
entered into it. I knew personally all
the witnesses whose testified witness
case; they are my neighbors, and one of
them Capt Robt Gill, is now in my house
they are all highly respectable, and
their testimony is entitled to the
fullest credit. I know Mary
Page 101

Pagan, the daughter of John Mills. She
a lady of great respectability and
her testimony cannot be impeached, she
is entitled to full faith & credit. Capt
John Mills was elected Colonel of
Militia in 1794 soon after the
Militia of South Carlina was first
Organized. " -
After taking down the
above testimony in writing in presence
of the relator, I read it over to him &
he said it was true. John Roseboro
has heretofore testified as a witness
in this case. He is a gentleman of
great respectability.
D Wallace
MC
After the examination of the
above witness, I also examined
personally Robert Gill, who was present
who has heretofore testified as a
witness in the case- Capt Robt
Page 102

Gill says. "I do not doubt that
Capt John Mills served in the Revolution
until the close of the war in 1783. Capt
John Mills oldest child was born
before the close of the war. I am
a relation of the family & know this
to be so. The tradition of the
country is, & has ever been that
Capt Mills never left the service
until the peace of 1783, and I
have no doubt of this fact"
The witness declared in my
presence that the above facts are
True. His credibility is unquestionable
D Wallace
MC
Page 103

This is not intended
to be filed as evidence
but is intended to
show to the Hon. S.A.B.
the service for which
we are contending
S. A. Bettis
Page 104

(Copy)
Pay Roll of Capt Mills Troop in Lieut. Col. Henry
Hamptons Regt of Light Dragoons Commanded by Brigadier
General Sumter 16 March 1782.
Commencment
of Service
April 1781. 
 Names
John Mills
Rank 
 Capt: 
Term of service
10 months
Remarks
Pay & Bounty Negros
in Negroes, Rice
Grown Small 
2  ---
Negros Received
Grown Small
2  ---
Balance
dure
---
The above is a transcrip of Capt. John Mills Pay Roll, a Certified
copy of which has been filed in the claim of Mary Mills decd
and in the last adjustment of this claim for an mend
due for the above mentioned service the Department have
allowed us five months & ten days of the above State Troop
served, and it is for the balance of the ten months service
that we now contend for. That if the above transcripts does
not shew a period of ten months service, it does not
show anything at all
Page 105

State of Indiana
Monroe County
Personally appeared before me the
Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and
for the said County Margaret Kelsey
resident of the state and County afforesaid
but late resident of Chester district
of South Carolina aged 89 years and made oath in
due form of law to the following statements
related to the revolutionary services of Capt
John Mills decd of of the afforesaid district of
Chester South Carolina. To wit that Capt
John Mills decd of Chester South Carolina
who was her brother comenced his military
Services in the army of the revolution in the
1775 as a volunteer under afterwards col.
Robert Patten in an expedition against
a band of tories encamped somewhere on
broad river, it was usually designated the
Surrey Camp from which time till the close
of the war he was very little at home, except
when complied by sickness to be there;
-
Page 106

from the time of his entering service in
1775 he served as a volunteer till the latter
part of the summer of 1776 when he enlisted
and served some time against the Indians
I think under General Williamson after this
he himself with his waggon and team were
conscripted [?] and attached to General Lincolns
army as a baggage wagon where here remained
six or seven months, from this time all the fall of
Charlestown in 1780 he was in the service the
most part of the time; but the particular
time and places and the names of officers she
can not recall after the surrender of Charleston
he served as a volunteer under Col Lacy
in the army commanded by General Sumpter
and she thinks he served a part of this time as a
volunteer Captain and finally as a captain
under Sumpter of this State troops in the spring
of 1781 General Sumpter raised a brigad of soldiers
by enlistment; which were then as well as since
called Sumpters State troops, these troops enlisted
for the term of ten months under the promise
of receiving a negro slave as pay and County for
said ten months service in the said troop her
brother the said Capt John Mills in the spring
of 1781 raised by enlistment under the promise of
the affairs said pay and bounty a company of soldiers
and Joined Sumpters State troops
Page 107

In which service he commanded he commanded
his company and served faithfully his ten month
inlistment which ended in the spring of 1782
as a compensation for this ten month service in
said troop he received what was estimated a
negro and half they consisted of a man named
Prince and a small girl named bella. they were
of the estate of Lieutenant Governor Bull
confiscated by the state on account of his adherence
to the British government. The man Prince
her brother retained untill his death at which
time he became the property of her brothers
widdow the late Mary Mills decd, she afterward
sold him to a Mr McCullough who afterward
sold him to the late R. G. Mills her brothers
son, in whose posesion he was when She
left that country in the 7 1837 the Girl
bella was sold at Capt John Mills death
This deponent further makes oath that during the
revolution he lived in the same family
with her brother Capt John Mills which was
at the house of her father who then resided
in Camden district (afterward) and now
Chester District South Carolina; up to the
time of her own Mariage in March 1780 and
after that period she was frequently in the family
and through the whole of the Revolution was
well acquainted with her brothers participation
in the war
Page 108

but at this late day when more than 60 years
of the ills and labours of life have passed over here
since those days of thrilling interest and momentous
struggle she cannot pretend to give a positive
statement of particular dates and Manute incidents
but that the foregoing contains a brief
statement of the facts, as they now occur to her
with regard to the Revolutionary services of
her brother Capt John Mills decd and more
particularly with regard to his state troop
services and the compensation received for that
service above mentioned
Margret Kelsey her mark X
Subscribed and sworn to this day of
August 1847 before me
William Moberly
a Justice of the peace
State of Indiana
Monroe County set.
I Milton M Whitridge Clerk of the Circuit Court of
said County do hereby certify that William Moberley Esq is
an acting Justice of the peace as above, and that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his are genuine, and that full
faith and credit is due all his official acts as such
And I further certify that old Mrs Martha Kelsey the above
affiant is a person of good moral character, and of more than
ordinary inteligence, and to her statements are due
full faith and credit
In testimony whereof all which I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed the seal of
office at office in Bloomington, this 14th day of August.
A D 1847. Milton M Phetridge Clerk C C MC
Page 109

[top half too light to read]
South Carolina 
Chester District 
I, John Rosborough Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas for Chester District do
hereby certify that I G.B. Gill is an acting
Magistrate as above: and that the foregoing Signatures
purporting to be his are Genuine
Given under my hand & Seal of ["the District" crossed out]
Office at Chester Court House
this twenty eighth day of November
in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and Forty six,
J Rosborough
Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for Chester District
[seal attached to document]
Page 110

Comptroller Genl's Office
Columbia So. Ca. Nov. 16.th 1846.
Book L
Indent 257
Issued 9th October 1784 to Capt John Mills for
One Hundred and fifty five pounds 180: 0 1/4 D
Sterling for Sundries for militia use as per account
audited
Print Pound 155:18:01/4 D Amt. wit Pound 10. 18:3D --
Book L.
Account 257
Capt John Mills
His account of Sundries for militia
use amounting to Pound 155:18:01/4 D. (viz) 63 pounds of
Pork a 3 2/8 - Pound 1:0:6 Stlg. 2 bushells potatoes 3 ½ Pound 0:6:3stlg
Rations 5 men 8 days a 6d Pound 1:0:0-12 bushels Corn a 3/6 Pound 2:2:0
Stlg-- in all Pound 4:8:9 D stlg. "So Carolina D. to John Mills
To 20 days Lieut foot a 35 s. per diem-Pound35:0:0
To 73 days Lieut horse a 45 s. per diem 164:5:0
To 246 days Capt horse a Pound 3:10s per diem 861:0:0
Pound 1060:5:0
Pound 151:9:3½D/
I certify the above to be a true copy from the Records in
this office. I further certify that it appears that Mills had
the command of a Company of troop in Sumter's Brigade, State
Troops, & that Richard Singleton Phillip Walker and many
others were privates in said Mills' troop & James
Wylie was Lieutenant in the said troop
For Comptroller Genl
J. Aug. Black
Page 111

Comptroller Genls Office
Columbia So. Ca. Novr 17th 1846
Book X
Indent 2144.
Issued to Jno Mills Eight pounds 15 S6 Dr
Sterling arrears of clothing service in Sumter's
Brigade per certificate from the Commissioners 
for adjusting claims of said Brigade
Print Pound 18:1:6 -  Int. 12 S 3 D
Book X
Indent 21448
Issued to Jas Wyley Pound 10:1: 1D0 Stg arrears of
clothing service in Sumter's Brigade pr certificate
from the Commissioners for adjusting claims against
said Brigade
I certify the above to be a true copy from the Records
in this office
I further certify that the same Volume from
which the above was copied contain similar
Indents to the credit of Alexander and
Samuel Brown, James Bishop & Isaac Eoff
with many others-
For Comptroller Genl
J. Aug Black
Page 112

Issue a certificate in lieu
of this one for
18 mo. 6 Capt of Dragoons $455:00
2" 13 Lieut do $.40.55
- W " of Inf; 8.88 $504.43
from 4 March 1836, to 2d Jany
1841, the day of her death
payable to Mary Pagan only
living child deducting
former payment at the rate of
$385.53 pr ann, if any, or at the
rate of $252.21 as the case may be
Hon A. Black
House of Reps
Page 113

Payment to be made
at Charleston
by J C. Cochran Esq.,
Agent for paying pensioners, 
in the Agency of South Caro
Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book D Volume 1
Page 309 by
Tho Lumpkin, Clerk
Page 114

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Claim for Military Service.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States,
of the 7th July, 1838 Mary Mills deceased
late of S. Carolina, widow of John Mills, who was a
Captain of Dragoons a Lieut of Dragoons, a Lieut of
Infantry and a Captain of Infantry in the Revolution
and who died on the 19th March 1795 is inscribed 
on the Pension list at the increased rate of  Three hundred
and eighty five dollars and fifty five Cents,
per annum, commencing on the 4th day of March
1836, and terminating on the 29th day of January,
1841, when she died. This pension is increased
from $252.21 per Annum. The difference between
the amount already allowed and the present
sum is payable to her only surviving Child
Mary Pagan
Given at the War Office of the United States,
this 20th day of December
one thousand eight hundred and forty seven
W.L. Marcy
Secretary of War.
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Examined and
Countersigned. }
Page 115

Comptroller General's Office
Columbia S. C. 13 March 1847
I certify, It is evident from the Records
in this office that John Mills served as
Captain in the State Troops during (at least
some part of) the Revolutionary war: It is
true that it does not appear that he received
an Indent for services in such capacity. but
he may have taken out his pay in negroes
according to an Act of the Legislature providing
for the payment of State Troops.
The evidence of his service which this office
furnishes is as follows -
1st - There were a number of Indents issued for
service in "Mills Troop H. Hampton's Regt
Sumters Brigade State Troops" and it does
not appear that there was any other "Mills" in
Sumters Brigade except this "Captain Mills".
2nd - Appended to the account of Archd
Gill is a certificate of the loss of a horse
in service signed "John Mills Capt. State
Troops" - (which certificate was necessary in order
to get payment for the horse lost)
William C. Black
Compt Genl
per Derrill A Hart
Depy
Page 116

State of South Carolina
Chester District ss
I Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of
ordinary in & for the said District do hereby certify, that I have always
understood from the old Soldiers of Chester (now dead) that John Mills
deceased, of the District aforesaid husband of the late Mary Mills deceased
of Chester District, Commanded a Company in General Sumters State
Troops in the army of the Revolution, and that in part payment for his
services in the said Army, he receved two negro Slaves named Prince
Naney, confiscated property of Old Govenor Bull, which Negros I
well know and they were kept in the Mills family for many years after
the death of said John Mills
I further certify, that it is well known and believed, by all that have
a [illegible] knowledge of the Event of the Revolution in this part of the
State, that the aforesaid John Mills Served a Tour of Duty, as Captain, in
Sumter State Troops, & further that my Uncle James Wylie was a Lieutenant  
in said Mills troop
Given under my hand and seal of office
in Chesterville this 22 day of March 1847
Peter Wylie J C o C D
[seal attached to document]
Page 117

State of South Carolina
Chester District SS
I, John Rosborough
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the District
 & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that James
B. Magill Esquire before whom the subjoined
affidavits were proven is and was at the time of
the signing the same an acting Magistrate in
and for said District, and the signatures
purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my
Seal of Office, at Office in Chesterville
this 25th July, A.D. 1846
J Rosborough
Clerk CC pls CD