Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9472, for William Shelly, South Carolina
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SC      Shelly, William      R9472
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Declaration of William Shelly in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832. On this the 13 day of October AD 1834 appeared in open Court of Common Pleas before the Judge thereof, at Marion Court Court House in Marion District, State of South Carolina, William Shelly, who sworn oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832. That he was born in Marion Dist So. Ca. on the [blank] day of [blank] AD [blank].  He has no record of his age nor ever had according to the best of his knowledge. but has been informed by the frendons of his  aquaintance that he is upwards of ninety years old. The deponent can neither read or write. That he entered the service of a drafted Militia Man under one Capt Luke Prior in the year 1776 with whom he served three months at Audrell's Point near Charelston So. Ca. - In the year 1777 he served three months under Capt James Ford in the militia, Stationed at Serves Bay. He had an engagement during this term - a British vessel ran aground near the place where they were stationed from which he was concerned in taking Some Barrels of rum &c. - In the latter part of the same year, about the month of Decr he enlisted in the regular Service under Capt William Withers (or Wethers) in Col Daniel Horry's troop of Horse. in which troop he served Eighteen months as a private. During this term he was in a battle at Stone- another at Savannah in Georgia - British   commanded Generals Provost and Mathis. It was
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in this Battle that Count Pulaski met his death wound.  Deponent held the Doctor's horse whilst he examined Pulaski's wounds - wound was caused by a grape shot.  Major Wise was also killed at Savannah.  Deponent recollects the names of Genl Moultrie, Major Mayum, Capt Giles -- can't recollect any others -- In the year 1780 when Charleston was taken Col Horry's troop of horse was taken prisoner in Charleston which terminated that tour of deponent's Service.  He was not taken prisoner himself being at that time out of Charleston, his horse having died & he, with at fifteen others remained out of the city.  When the city was taken, one Dr Linen, who belonged to the troop, came out to deponent & gave him a furlough.  Deponent was not called when afterwards to Serve further in the troop.  In the latter part of the year 1780 he served one month in the militia under one Capt James Jones at Watboo Creek under Genl Marion. - Here he had a Small Skirmish with the British in which two of the latter were killed.  In the month of Jany 1780. One month under Capt Benjamin Munnerlyn - one month under Capt James Davis -- one month under Capt Joseph Davis and one month under Capt David Davis -- each time under Genl Marion in the neighbourhood of Santtee River & wherever Genl Marion chose to conduct his men for the good of the Country.  In the year 1781, three months under the Same officers alternately in the Same kind of Service.  In the year 1783 he also Served Four months in the Same manner & this time completed his Service in the Revolutionary War making in the whole nineteen months Service as a private in the militia & Eighteen months as a private in the regular Service.
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That he has lost all his discharges & has no documentary evidence of his Service --; has lived in Marion District ever Since the Revolutionary War to the present time.  He further Swore that during the times for which the above service was performed, he was either in the field or garrison & that he was not engaged in any civil pursuit.  He hereby renounces all claim whatever to any Pension except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
his 
William + Shelly
mark
Sworn to before me in   }
open court Oct 18 1834 }
Edw B. Wheeler
J to P.

South Carolina }
Marion District }
We Edmund Herrin a clergyman residing in the District and State aforesaid and Edward B. Wheeler residing in the Same State and District do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Shelly who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, who we believe him to be ninety years of age or upwards; that he is generally reputed & Believed in the neighbourhood in which he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.  We also certify that he has always Supported a fair charater for veracity.
Edmund [unreadable word]
Edward B. Wheeler
Sworn before me in open court Oct 13 A D 1834
Edwd B Wheeler
C.CP
Wm. H. Grice JP
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South Carolina }
Marion District}
   And the said court hereby declares their opinion after investigation of the matter & after having put the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the said William Shelly was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he has stated.  Also, that it appeared to the Court that the Said Edmand Herring is a clergyman & that Edward B. Wheeler is a cetorin residing in the District & State aforesaid -- that they are credible persons & that their certificate as above made is entitled to credit
Octo 15 1834 Sworn before 
me    J S Richardson

South Carolina 
Marion District
   I Edward B. Wheeler, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the District aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of William Shelly for a Pension.
   Given under my hand & seal of office this the 13 day of Octobr 1834
I also certify that Wm A. Grice who has Subscribed this instrument as a magistrate is Such & that his certificate is entitled to credit.
Edward B. Wheeler
C.C.P.
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The State of South Carolina
Marion District

William Shelly, on the 13 day of October A D 1835, appeared in the Court of Common Pleas, holden at Marion Court House for the district aforesaid in open Court before his Honor A.P. Butler the presiding Judge thereof & on oath made the following Statement: That he was born in Marion District & has lived there from his birth to the present time.  That he does not know his own age; his father having left him no records of the Same & he (the deponent) not being able to read or write & his memory being much impaired by age & infirmity.  He considers himself above Eighty years but he cannot tell how much.  That he was living in Marion District when he was called into the Service which was in the year 1776 -- was drafted & Servede three mos under Capt Luke Prior in the militia -- Wm Davis was his Col -- he was Stationed near Hudrells point & was there at the time the attack was made on Fort Moultrie by the British fleet -- had no engagement during this time -- In July or August of the Succeeding year he Served three months under the Same officers at the same place.  In the Same year -- he served six months under the Same officers, Stationed at Sewee Bay.  Where at this place a British vessel ran aground near the Shore, from which were landed 6 or 7 Hogsheads of rum to lighten her.  When an Island opposite to the place where the Americans were Stationed.  The Americans Seeing this, pushed over to the Island in a boat & took away the Rum from the British.
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This was the only affair worthy of relation which the Deponent - recollects during this term of his Service.  In the year 1779 he was in the Battle at Stowe as a drafted militia man under the Same officers & served 3 mos.  In the Same year he enlisted, under Capt Weathers who belonged to Col Horry's troop of horse, for Eighteen month - when he enlisted he recd $200.  of the paper currency of that day of which he had to give $60 for1/2 quint of whiskey -- went from Mans Bluff on Pee - Dee River to Charleston where the troop were properly equipped -- was in the Battle at Savannah, Georgia. & charged up So near the enemies lines that their guns fired over them -- none compelled to retreat. -- In this Battle Genl Pulaski was mortally wounded & deponent held the Dr's horse who came to examine Pulaskis.  He recollects also of a Major Wise who was killed there & the circumstances of his Step son going with a flag to ask his body from the British who refused to give it up & said that they would bury him as a gentleman should be -- He believes that the command of the Americans was given to Count de Estaigue & that the loss of the Battle was owing more to the fault of the officers than the men.  The British forces he thinks were commanded by Moblin & Provost. -- Dr Linen was the Surgeon of the Eigh to which Deponent belonged. -- was Stationed during the winter not far from Beaufort & made excursions from that place, out in the country
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to Such place as they could hear that the British were plundering.  On one of these occasions took 10 of the British.  On another, took 30 negroes who were mounted on horses & took hung them all.  When Charleston was taken he with about 15 others was out of the city -- recd a furlough from Dr Liner & returned home.  In the year 1781 he served as a militia man 1 mo. under Capt Edwd Brown on Santee River -- 1 mo under Capt Frank Davis & 2 months under Capt Luke Priou.  In the year 1782 he served 4 months under the same officers alternately down on & near the Santee River in Genl Marion's cmds & under his direction.  Making in the whole a Service of three years and five months, during all of which time he was either in the field or in garrison -- & was not engaged in any civil pursuit -- He has lost all his discharges & states that he was drafted in every instance except the time he served in Col Horry's troop of horse.  He hereby releases all claim to any Pension except the present & he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. --
his
William X Shelly
mark
Sworn to & Signed before
me Octr 15 AD 1835 
Edwd B Wheeler
J. C.P.
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The State of South Carolina
Marion District

We Edmond Herrin, a Clergyman & Alexander L. Gregg -- a citizen residing in the District & State aforesaid do hereby certify that William Shelly who has subscribed below to the Foregoing Declaration has been well known to us for many years, that we believe him to be upwards of Eighty years of age, that he [the word "has" is lined out] is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood in which he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn before me this 13th day of Octr 1835
Edwd B Wheeler
C.C.P. W ex off.
Edmon Perron
Alex. Lewis Gregg
Tax Collector
Marion Dist

   And the said Court after having investigated the matter & having put the Interrogatories presented by the War Department, declares the opinion that the said Shelly was a Revolutionary Soldier & found as he has stated.  Also, that it appears to the Said Court that the above named Edmond Herring --- is a clergyman & that Alex L. Gregg is a citizen, both residing in the District & State aforesaid, & that they are gentlemen of veracity & that their Statement is entitled to credit.
Oct 13 1835.
A P. Butler
Presiding Judge

South Carolina -- 
Marion District
I, Edwd B Wheeler Clerk of the Court of Genl Sessions & Common Pleas for the District & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Wm Shelly for a Pension.  Given under my hand & seal of office this 13 day of Octr AD 1835

[Written sideways to the left of the above paragraph is the following:]
Edw. B Wheeler
C.C.P.
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REJECTED
9475.

Wm Shelly

[Remainder of page has some pre-printed headings, but no additional information.]
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Wm. Shelly
S. Carolina -- act 1832
Suspd.
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33.402 [this number may be 33.602]
Wm Shelly
S. Carolinae
act 7 June 1835
See letter to C. W. Dudley
Nov. 5. 1835 --

9+172  [this number may be 98172]
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10 3/4
C. W. Dudley Esquire,
Marlborough CH
So. Car.
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State of South Carolina
Treasury Office  Charleston,
I hereby certify that by a Resolution of the Legislature of this State passed in December 1829 William Shelly of Marion District was placed upon the pension List of this State and that he has been regularly paid from this Office his Pension of Sixty Dollars P Annum up to the 1st of March last.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office this 25th September 1835
Wm E. Haynes
Treasurer

I have examined the Index of the Indents but do not find Wm Shelly's name, this is no proof that he was not a Soldier of the Revolution, as he may have been paid up otherwise or never presented any amount for the balance due him for Service
W.E.H. --
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Wm Shelly
Declaration

Direct to CW Dudley at Marlborough Ct House
So. Ca --
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Marlborough Ct House
Octr 17 1835.

To the Honl Lewis Cass
   The Declaration of Wm Shelly is very imperfect, as I am aware, but in justice to the old gentleman, many allowances should be made.  He is altogether illiterate, & so old, that he is completely helpless.  Such a reason; it would seem that we should not exact that strickness in his detail of his Revolutionary Services as we might for another in a better situation.  He had to be carried into the Court House by two persons & after his Declaration was publicly had, he was carried out in the same manner.  I believe no one entertains the least doubt of the honesty of his intentions, & of the fact that his reveleunons are well founded.  He is extremely reverd & so are his relation & altogether considered, is really an object of pity -- I have taken the liberty of making these remarks, supposing that they will be sufficient to account for any apparent inconsistencies in his declaration & also that the Department may not be without some reason for believing that Mr Shelly's character is good & that his application for a Pension is promoted by necessity alone.  He has been a Pensioner of this State for some years & I believe no one has ever questioned his character as a Revolutionary soldier.
Respectfully your
Obdt Sert
C W Dudley.
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2.22 H.D.
4 Nov. 1835.
Pension Office
Wm Shelly
S. Caro.
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[Written upside down, as if on an envelope is the following:]
1/413
JSS
F/A
[inkstamp as follows:] FREE

[circular ink stamp similar to a postmark as follows:]
BENNETSVILLE
OCT
30
S.C.

[handwritten as follows:]
To the Honl Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City

[handwritten to the left of the above as follows:]
mail

[handwritten below the address, and written right-side up as follows:]

The applicants papers have been sent on before, but never reached the Department as per letter to me in reply to an inquiry respecting them.  C.W.D.
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[Ink stamped on the right near the corner as follows:]
FREE

[Circular ink stamp on the upper left appearing to be a post mark as follows:]
BENNETTSVILLE
OCT 20
S.C

[Handwritten centered on the envelop as follows:]
The Honl
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City

[handwritten perpendicularly on the left as follows:]
Pension

[handwritten oriented horizontally below the above as follows:]
Mail
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The Commission of Pensions will release direct an answer to me at Marlborough Court House.  South Carolin'ae
C.W. Dudley