Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31922, for Thomas Ramsey, South Carolina
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(8-1776)
Service [illeligble Sla?]
Ramsey Thomas or Ramsay
Number S31922
Born in Penn.
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Georgia 29.885. [paper torn]
Thomas Ramsay of [Henry] in the State of Georgia who was a [pr] in the [illegible] cpm [paper torn] by Captain Irvine of the [illegible] com...nded by [Pvt Drayton} in the S. Car...a
line for 
/3 months

[double line break in paper]

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

[double line break on paper]

Certificate of Pension signed the 31st day of March and [illegible] McDonough Henry Co. Georgia

[double line break in paper]

Arrears to the 4th of Mar, 35  173.32
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept.  21.[illegible] $194.9 [paper torn]

Revolutionary Cla [illegible]
Recorded by NRice!
Book E   Vol. 6   Page 102
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Thomas Ramsey

Hon. T. F. Foster

(Con: Index)
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Georgia Henry County
On this the 18th day of November in the year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty two. personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Superior Court of Henry County now sitting Thomas Ramsay a resident of the Third district of the County of Henry and State of Georgia aged Eighty two years on the fourteenth day of July last who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress [illegible] seventh June 1832 in Court
That he was born on the 3d day of July 1750 (old style) now 14th 1750 in the County of York State of Pensylvania his age was recorded in his Fathers Bible from which he transcribed it into his own Bible now in his possession and before the Court. He volunteered in the Militia in the year 1775 in South Carolina (now Abbeville District but then Granville County one of four Counties the [illegible] number in the state, He was under the Command of Capt James McCall acted himself being aptd as Lieutentant (1st) James Baskins second Lieutentant Patrick Calhoun [illegible] to the Vice president he thinks. He volunteered in the month of February and the officers were commissioned in March following by Governor Rutledge his commission which was deposited in a Pockett Book ?aid by for 15 years is destroyed. He marched from near Ninety Six where the regiment under Col. Andrew Williamson remained about two weeks his Company was a part of sd regiment together with Capt. John Irvines Company A body of Tories under Col. Robert Cunningham afterwards Genl in the British service came to attack our forces at Ninety Six when we threw up a breastwork within which we remained two and a half days. Then a cessation of war was agreed upon for Twenty five days this took place in Nov. 1775 Col. Drayton Commanded the State troups came to our aid The forces were stationed there until New years day when they were dismissed for a time on the 1st July 1776. The [illegible]
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commenced hostilities throughout the state on the last of June Capt. McCall was taken prisoner & Lieut Calhoun was killed by the Indians. The Commander of the Company devolved on Deponent who was continually in service untill May 1780 or when Charleston was taken, when Deponent had to join the British, run away from the state or to lie out Deponent choose the latter alternative, and continued until Genl. Greene came in 1781 when Deponent left his hiding places and joined the army under Green as a private in Capt Robert Caruthers Company at ninety six which the american forces beseiged four or five weeks Deponent thinks when the British received reinforcements and evacuated Green marched to East of Sante? Deponent followed in a month, under Pickens and rejoined Green  there marched to Eutaw Springs was joined there by the state Troops under Marion & Sumpter where the famous General engagement took place. The day before the Battle took place two rifle companies were raised to protect Col Washingtons horse Col. Pickens gave Deponent command of one of them stationed on the right wing left of the enemy who his company remained in the Battle untill near dark and then retreated under a general order to the Encampment. Genl Pickens sent for Deponent at his fire he went to Pickens who accompanied him to Green he appointed him commander of sixty men to eye the movements of the enemy which service he performed by taking a stand near the enemie's encampment. where he remained until The american Army marched up and remained there burying dead of both armies and then went home and got home the last of September 1781 The battle he thinks was on the ninth Deponent was in the Battle of Kettle Creek.
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on 14th February 1780. Deponent with Charles Collins Dru?e Kade & George Barber were acting as spies to ascertain the number of Tories then under arms and marching to Savanna to join the British Deponent, stationed himself on the declivity of a Hill on one side and a Hill and George Barber on the declivity on the other side. The Tories were expected to pass on the [illegible] on the top of the Hill. They did pass & their number was computed at seven or eight hundred when Deponent thought they had all passed he fell back into the Trail behind them but about Forty of the Tories had fallen behind the main body and approached within 15 paces of deponent until then unobserved to each other Deponent to, save himself stepped aside & hollored out to them, Boys what are you doing here the rebels, Col Boyd left me behind to tell you the rebels are close behind They dashed off on their horses left deponent safe when Barber asked him how did you escape them to which he replied. hell was never made for him in two hours after The rebels (so called) overtook and beat them loosing 14 men & finding 47 of the Tories killed. Col. Boyd of the Tories wounded & died in the evening. To resume the declaration at the time of returning home before mentioned Deponent, as a private commenced the usual occupation of defending the frontier & continued until 15th March 1782 when Deponent marched as a militia man, to Bacons Bride [Bridge], 21 miles from Charleston remained until relieved by another quota of Militia, last of May 1782 the and of this Deponents service Deponent has omitted, one service in July 1776. Deponent, commanded a volunteer company in service with, 2200 men under Genl. Williamson embodied, for the purpose of invading to Cherokee Country. they Built Fort Rutledge. Williamson took six or seven Hundred men and destroyed
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a number of the towns nearest the Fort - sixty two men volunteered as a scouting party of which Deponent was one. Andrew Pickens & Col. Anderson Capts had the command they fell into an Indian ambuscade of five or six hundred Indians. The volunteers fought them, 37 minutes, so said. Genl Williamson who heard the firing [illegible] John Presly who is now present when a relief came up from the army nigh at hand when the Indians retreated having first been driven back some distance by the volunteers. This Deponent with Williamsons aforesaid army marched [illegible] through the Cherokee nation over the Cumberland mountain to the Tenessee Vally down the rivers of that Country to the lowest Cherokee Towns. during the march at the pass of the Cumberland mountain The army engaged, Generally, with the Indians - beat them. found about one hundred dead. many were no doubt carried off - loosing about forty men. They returned from this service last of Nov. 1776 and commenced guarding the Frontiers. In this service of 5 months John Presly of [illegible] who is now present was with Deponent - Micapah Brooks - now present was in the service with Deponent at Bacons Bridge in S. Carolina & also in one service in Georgia of which he will give a detailed statement Deponent, was born and raised partly in Pensylvania, was moved into S. Carolina at 14 years of age & settled in Abbeville District. lived there 39 years moved into Jackson County Georgia. Then to Jasper Cty Ga then to Montgomery County Alabama. Then to his present residence in Henry Georgia. Deponent recollected scarcely any in S. C. who knew him who are not now dead. in Jackson County Meyer Cochren & Doctor Singleton knows him, in Jasper Charles Caigle & Stokely Morgan. in Alabama he staid but two years. in Henry Col. Solomon Strickland & his son Ephraim a
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minister of the Gospel, Major, Tandy Whey. {Illegible} Port. knows David Johnston, John Anderson Thomas Smith P. Mothers in the 2nd District of Henry County. Deponent prays that a reference may be had to the declarations of{.} Micajah Brooks and John Presley is witnesses of a part of the serviced unded Deponent hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension the agency roll of any state.

Deponent first read as a Lieut. under a Commission {:} (Post) - Haste 5th March 1775 -comm next active service 1st Novr 1775{.} stand w/ {illegble} 1776, against ones-- recommend 1st July 1776 continent with a whale y {?} Bevasta until 1st January 1777 in active service - Then commenced monthly duties, until the British took Charlston date, not recolled which ended his service as Lieut{.} then on {illegible} return 1st May 1781 entered service as a private & continued until 1st June 1782 which on his service Sworn to & subscribed this 18th Day 1832. Thomas Ramsey

Georgia. Henry Inferior Court Dec. Term 1832
in open Court personally came John Presly who after being duly sworn, says he was with Thomas, Ramsey in the Cherokee expedition mentioned {strike-through} {.} then the confidant responds in Vol and Judgment he was after selected to perform the most duties particularly as a reconnoitering spy. This intimacy commenced seven or eight years and knows him to be a man of veracity{.} he was not Sworn to and subscribed to in open Court this 18th Feb 1832.
he's
John Presley
Georgia, Henry County We{,} he one as Thomas Presly{,} That Cutcheon, Justices of the peace in the Distrit of Henry County in which the above John Presly resides, hereby certify that we believe said Presly to be man of strict veracity & that his soldiership in
the revolution, has not never be called into
to new knowledge given thus-- 1st June
1833
E.W. M Cutchen J.P.
Thos Thax Aur J.P.
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We Ephriam Strickland clergyman residing in the County of Henry and Solomon Strickland residing within the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Ramsay  who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration , that we believe to be eighty  two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion & that we know  John Bentley  the foregoing witness . Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of December 1832 . Ephriam Strickland ( signed ) mg Solomon Strickland     And the Court do hereby declare their opinion  after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department  that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Ephriam Strickland  who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Henry  and that Solomon Strickland who has also signed the same is of a resident , and both credible persons and  are entitled to credit.  John T. Bentley ( signed ) J.I.C. ,Wm F. Cran ( signed ) J.I.C. ,Absalom Farrar ( signed ) J.I.C.    I Alexander G. Murray Clerk of the Inferior Court of Henry County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Ramsay for a pension . In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal there being no seal of office.  Alexander G. Murray ( signed / sealed ) C.I.C.
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[ Georgia Henry County ] Before me Thomas Thaxton & E.W.E. Mc Cutchen Justices of the peace in the District in which Thomas Ramsay , who has signed the foregoing declaration  who after being duly sworn saith that his memory is strong  and almost as perfect as in youth  & can swear he thinks  positively to the length of his service  - and  according to his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned & that he is a man of veracity  and below and in the following grades - I served as a Lieutenant for two years & nine months - viz. from Nov. 1st 1775 to August 1778 as a private I served from August 1778 until the first or second day of June 1782 . Three years and  ten months and for such service I claim a pension. The  weather being extremely cold & my health being infirm when I made oath to my declaration I did not because I could not sign my name but made my mark . Sworn to & subscribed this 1st Jun 1833. Thos. Ramsay ( signed ), E.W.E. Mc Cutchen ( signed ) JP ,Thos. Thaxton ( signed ) J.P. [ Georgia Henry County  ] I Alexander G. Murray Clerk of the Inferior Court  of Henry County do hereby certify that E.M.E. Mc Cutchen  & Thomas Thaxton who have signed the foregoing certificate  of John Presly's veracity  & the above affidavit as Justices of the peace in Henry County  are Justices - that full faith and credit ought to be hand to their acts as such  & that these signatures are in due form of law . Given under my hand and  private seal there being no seal of office  this 6th day of June 1833  Alexander G. Murray ( signed . sealed ) C.I.C.
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Though not acquainted personally with  Alexander G. Murray  yet from the most unquestionable testimony I am perfectly satisfied that his signature of his name to the  within certificate is genuine and that  said Murray  was at the time of signing  the same  Clerk of the Inferior Court of Henry County  State of Georgia 6 Dec 1833. Thomas F. Forster ( signed ) MC from Georgia   ( upside down notes ) ( Georgia Henry County ]  illegible
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31922 Recy INVALID. File No. 31,922 Thomas Ramsey Pri Rev War  Act : June 7th 32 Index: - Vol. 2 Page 333 [ Arrangement of 1870. ]
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Thomas Ramsey Geo Ad pri 13 mo $ 43.33 Andr. R Moore McDonough Henry Co Geo
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State So Carolina Dr. to Thomas Ramsay For Duty  ss Col. Anderson's return Lbs 96.10 / Lbs 13.15 8 1/2 No. 1 Book S   Mr. Thomas Ramsay his acct of duty as Private in the Militia done since the reduction of Charleston  amtg. to  Curry Lbs 96.10 / Stg 13.15.8 1/2 Thirteen pounds fifteen shillings & eight pence half penny  Stg  Ed'd W.R. Inc aly Rec'd for a satisfaction for the  within in and Indent No 1 ( or 8 )  - S.  Thos. Ramsay  [ Comptroller's  Office  Columbia S.C. 17 June 1834 ] I certify the above to be a true copy of  Thomas Ramsay's a/c on file in this office. William Laval  Compt. Genl for John T. Seibels
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[ Georgia Henry County ] Before me Thomas d. Johnston a Justice of the peace for said County personally came Thomas Ramsay a revolutionary soldier  who after being duly  sworn  saith - That he volunteered as stated in the declaration to which  this paper is attached that he volunteered once & but once for the service as a Lieutenant - that during his whole  two years  & nine months mentioned  he was in actual service two years & more  & during the balance of the time  was on orders at any moment - went home upon parole - that the intervals between  the actual services were so short as to prevent any profitable  income for himself  . The cabin which he has farmed when on parole  provided a little something & provisions &  so far exempted his country from expense he never drew a rag of clothing from the public  he did not volunteer for a (continuous service of two years & nine months - but intended it for the war. ) ( underscored )  and served that time as above mentioned. The deponent believes that serving in the short intervals  between his services  from home provided himself with clothing & carry  provisions on his back  with the service he was at no part off the time not out of  the service. The witness Micajah Brooks  mentioned in the declaration  &  who was expected to have  applied for a pension - has left the Country  so that his evidence cannot be obtained  this private service commenced after August 1778, as well as he recollects, he was drafted  1st that time . The militia  were  divided into classes - Deponent upon hearing the  affidavit of June 1st - June 1833
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read over to him  finds that he misunderstood it  perfect viz. that he understood  himself as stating  the time between the  dates mentioned as to his private service &  not the service continued for that time - he was continually subject to orders with out  resistance drafted being made and was in the intervals between the different monthly or longer to was often called out in services of a  few days - He was in actual service one month in service & one at home from the first of June 1789 until the British took Charleston which he thinks was in May 1780 - He was then directed as mentioned in his declaration to look to his  own safety until called on for the ten succeeding months  ( as near as he recollects ) he was in the swamps, woods,  or hiding places sometimes running Tories & sometimes run by them  during which time  he performed no labor for himself - Next Green returned  & he deponent join his army at Ninety Six 1st May 1781 continued in constant active service until the  last of September 1781 ( five months ) he was then per his returning home engaged  defending the Frontiers  until 15 March 1782. Five and a half months making as deponent considers 10 1/2 months continued service - he was then marched to Bacon's bridge and continued in service until the last of May  1782 - Five months & a half . the first five months and a half  months service was a part of  a six months tour for which he was called out and the last 2 1/2 mos was a part of a 3 months tour. Deponent knows of no person  ( now living  whose testimony he can  obtain ) by whom he can
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make any additional proof of his services . Sworn to and subscribed this 26th Jany 1834.  Thos. Ramsay ( signed ) Thos. D. Johnson ( signed ) JP  [ Georgia Henry County ] I Alexander G. Murray Clerk of the Superior Court  for said County  certify that Thomas  D Johnson whose name appears  above as Justice of the Peace is Justice of the Peace for said County at this time and that his signature is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my private seal there being no seal of office and subscribed my name this 8th day of February 1834.  Alexander G. Murray ( signed / sealed ) C.S.C.   ( bottom page notes 10 mo ,5, 5,1/2, 2 1/2 12, 13 mo pr)