Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 21,368, for Stephen Mc Elhenney, South Carolina
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S. C. 

McElhenney, Stephen

S 21,368

Born in Va
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South Carolina 29.[illegible] 
Stephen McElhenney - 
of Chester in the State of So Ca
who was a pr: in the comm [page torn]
by Captain  of the Reg commished
by C[illegible] Summers in the So Ca  In^a
[crossed out] live for 15 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate if 50 Dollars  ____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued for 26 day of Mar: 35  and [illegible] Wylie Chester, Co. So Cao

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 35  200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending  [illegible] 25
 $225.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Order to pay Apl. 24, 1837. Order to pay 4 April 1837 Order to pay 5 April 1839 Order to pay 4 April 1840

Recorded by N Rice Clerk,
Book 3 Vol. 6 Page 76
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State of South Carolina Chester District } so on the 17th day of July 1834 Personally appeared before me Peter Wylie Judge of the court of ordinary in and for said District Stephen McElhenney a resident State and District aforesaid aged Seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by this act of corresp paper June 4th 1832 that he enlisted in the Army of the Uniter States in the year 1776 on the first day of March with Captain George Wade and Served in the Second Regiment of the provincial Riflemen (Said regiment was ^afterword [crossed out]then called the Sixth or changed to the Sixth) under the following named officers Col Thomas Sumpter Major Henderson Capt Wade 1st Lieut Frederick Kimbell 2nd Lieut James Coil. Ensign Charles Burnett marched from the Waxhaws State of South Carolina (he Says he lived before [illegible] in cravan County South Carolina) on though Cambden South Carolina on to the Ten mile Spring in Ten miles of Charleston South Carolina Lay there a few days then marched into Charleston Barrack lay there about two months then marched to Sullivans Island [illegible] point Lay there about six weeks. then marched to the Cherokee Nation remained there about a month Genrl. Williamson was commander there from there to Ripleys fort on little river lay there about two weeks from thence to Luckaw Swamp lay there about three weeks from thence to Dorchester to Guard the Magazine lay there until about ten days of the Expiration of Enlistment for there go back to tuckaw Swamp where he was discharged having served the full time of fifteen months the term for which he was first enlisted - in the year 1778 Some time in the Summer Was drafted and went under Lieut. MCollum but forgot the name of the captain but was under Major Adare now Genl Adare of Kentucky Marched to Jacksons Barough South Carolina for ^there was into the fork of Edisto river where he was discharged having Served the term of three months in the year 1779 Sometime in the summer was
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South Carolina 
Chester District} Personally came Joseph Lewis before me Peter Wylie Judge of the court of ordinary of said District who after being duly sworn Saith below oath that he is now & has been acquainted with Stephen McElhenney the [illegible] ever Since the Infancy of the Said Joseph Lewis and always understood from common report that Said Stephen McElhenney was a Soldier of the Revolution & further saith Said McElhenney is man of Good moral character
Sworn to & signed this 8th day of August 1834 in open Court}   Joseph Lewis
Peter Wylie J&CCOCD
And the court do hereby declare its opinion that the [illegible] named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he States
Peter Wylie J&CCOCD
I Peter Wylie Clerk and Judge of the Court of ordinary of Chester District do hereby Certify that the foregone contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen McElhenney for  a pension & further will certify that I am personally acquainted with Stephen McElhenney and has been since my infancy and that he has always been reported a Soldier in the Revolution and that he and Joseph Lewis & Col George Gill all men of Good moral Character & credible [illegible] on their oath or otherwise
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of office this 9th day of August 1834
Peter Wylie J&CCOCD

[seal]
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again Drafted for the term of three months does not relist his company officers but recolects he was under the command of Col [illegible] marched from Craven county South Carolina to Black Swamp in said State [crossed out]from he remained there three months when discharged - in the year 1780 the enemy over-run the country that regular drafting was abandoned when all that dare oppose them may be said to be in constant Service until the British left the State in 1780 he was under the command of Genl Sumter in all this last term of Service, Col Lacey commanded Sometimes, he was under the command of Capt McLure and was with [crossed out] him at the Battle of Rocky-Mount Col Neal was Killed There. There was under the command of Seven officers at the Battle of Hanging-Rock where his captain  ^McLure was killed. [crossed out]there was with Genl Sumpter in what was called his Rounds Col Lacy and Capt Thomas Gill was his officers were at the Skirmish at Right Bluff Col Hawthorn was wounded there; then he was at the Battle of Kings-Mountain he thinks under Dixon Capt Col Lacey Col Williams Col Hill Campbell Col McLure Col Shelley  Col Williams was there; in this last tour he Says he Served at least three months He again entered the Service under Genl Sumpter and went with him what was called Sumpter Rounds Thomas Gill was then his captain he was in those rounds with Sumpter at the siege of Friday Fort on the Congaree River and at Thomsons Fort on Said River when Sumpter tried to Storm Said Fort there was at the Skirmish at a place called Rights Bluff and then returned home after dismissed at this last tour he Says he Served at least one month. He hereby relinguishes every claim whatever to a pension or an anuity Except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State only on that of the agency in the State of South Carolina.
Ans.. 1 Int. I was Born in Lunenburgh County in the State of Virginia in the year 1759 or 1760
2nd I have not record of my age
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Ans To Int 3rd I was living in Craven County now Chester District State of South Carolina has lived there ever Sense the Revolutionary  War where I now live
4th I was enlisted Drafted & volunteered
5th I have Set forth in my foregoing declaration the names of the officers Regiments & circumstances of my Service
6th I did Receive a discharge from Col Sumpter which is now lost so I cannot find it
7th I will mention the names of John Rosborough clerk of the Court. John M Kee, Thomas McLure James Mc[illegible] Joseph Lewis James Wright Dr John S Bratton James Boyd.
He further Saith that he has here tofore Sent a declaration in which there was as he understands a mistake which must have been in the person who Wrote & read to him his declaration as he knows he told them he was Sixteen years of age when first enlisted
Sworn to & signed this day Stephen McElhenney and year aforesaid
Peter Wylie JCOCD
State of South Carolina Chester District} Col. George Gill A Soldier of the Revoluntion and a United States pensioner came into open Court who upon being duly Sworn Saith upon oath that he has been acquainted with Stephen Mcelhenney the foregoing declarant from his Infancy and through the Revolutionary War and been in Service therein with Said declarant at the battle of Rock Mount, Seige of Fridays Fort Thompsons Fort and Rights Bluff and I fully believe his declaration is Just and true. Geo Gill
Sworn to T Signer this 17th day of July 1834
Peter Wylie JCOCD
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20.868
Stephen McElhenney
Chester Dist
S Caro^na

Secy the Cert. of [illegible]
S.C. filed on the [illegible] of

[illegible] Wylie, S.C.
[Lined through] Reported by letter
In [Lined through] April May 21
[illegible] 
Admit or/m
15 mo $50
on Sl.Roll. Col Sumter, Ret.
[Lined through]
Chestervillage SoCa
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
 The evedence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of you claim.
Whence
A STATEMENT, shewing the Service of Stephen McElhenney
[Column headings: Period when the service was rendered; Duration of the claimant's service,subdivided Years, Months Days; Rank of the claimant.; Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.; Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.; Battles in which the applicant engaged.; Country through which he marched.; Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.; Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
1 March 1776 1 3 - Private; Capt Wade; Col. Sumpter; ; From Chester to Cherolkee Barrack; 66 years Chester District S Caro^na; [illegible] 
Time of service not stated;-;-;-;-Private; Capt Walker;Col Lacy Col Simmons; -;-;-
Time of Service not stated;-;-;-;- Private; Capt Mills; Col Lacy; Kings Mountain; From Charleston to the Black Swamp
[handwritten] 1832    I am, respectfully, 
[handwritten] 66        Your obedient servant, 
[handwritten] 1766      J.L. EDWARDS,
[handwritten] 10             Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia,' and 'volunteers,' all persons enlisted, drafed, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c.  Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION, In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of ss. On this [——] day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of [——] and State, Territory or District of [——] aged [c] [——] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the. benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [——], with [——] and served in the [——] (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if lie served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he en[t]ered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [——] Sworn to and subscribed the dad rear aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I [—— —— ——] of the Court of [—— ——] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [—— —— ——] for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [——] day of [—— ——] &c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [—— —— ——] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [—— —— ——], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [——] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. [—— —— ——] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [—— —— ——] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [—— —— ——] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I [—— —— ——] Clerk of the Court of [—— —— ——] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [sic] of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [seal embossed onto document] of office, this [—] day of &c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail hispersonal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the
principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the
imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no
favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the
County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above
provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following [m] interrogatories to all applicants for a pension,
on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New
Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the
Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a
substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you
served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general
circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by
whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it
signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and
who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of
the Revolution.
The Court will see that [t]he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration,
and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the
Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of
whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant,
who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents,
and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and
that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify,
and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in
the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the
subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the
declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of
Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is
herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity,
attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of
Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the
proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such
person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature
annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died
before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and
before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as
they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the
deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the
title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
————————————
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing go by reason of
bodily infirmity ; in which ease the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should
fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier most give the name of the Colonel under whom he
served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must
state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in
language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is
entitled. ln a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely
how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following
words:
“Personalty appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who,
being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of
memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the
best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below. and in the following
grades: — For — year — months, and — days, I served as a — — . For — months and —
days, I served as a — ; and for such service I claim a pension.”
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant
served, and the particular rank he held, As the law directs the pension to be paid according to the
grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four
months, it too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who
apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia &c. without specifying the
tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a
declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the
applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where
the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by
competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which
the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be
distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member
of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should
accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the
papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which, contains the affidavit, or other papers
authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the
ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any
paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the
Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in
their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his
leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate
who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official
character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of
office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and
State Troops, The proof required by rule in this case applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War
Department, with the declaration.
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December 19, 1938. BA-J/CC Stephen McElhenney S.21368
Mrs. Hester Bryant Glore 352 Maple Avenue Danville, Kentucky.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request Revolutionary War records of Stephen, William, and Samuel McIlhenney, all of South Carolina and of Thomas Edward[handwritten-s]  who was born in 1743, had a son Joseph, of Kentucky who stated that he, Joseph, was born in Virginia.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information it has been impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that War.  The record of a Stephen McElhenney, (not borne as McIlhenney) of South Carolina is furnished here^in [crossed out - with] as found in pension claim S.21368 based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Stephen McElhenney was born in 1759 or 1760 in Lunenburg County, Virginia. Stephen McElhenney enlisted March 1,1776,^then a resident [crossed out -in] Craven County, South Carolina and served with the South Carolina troops as follows: Fifteen months in Captain George Wade's Company, Coloner Thomas Sumter's Regiment, [crossed out -Served] three months in the summer of 1778 under [crossed out. -Command of ]Lieutenant McCollum and Major Adair, [crossed out -Served] three months in the summer of 1779 under Captains McClure, Nixon and Thomas Gill, and Colonels Simmons and Lavey, and continued to serve at various times until the British left the State.  He was in the battles of Rocky Mount, Hanging Rock, King's Mountain, Wrights Bluff and was at the seizure of Friday's Fort.
He was allowed [crossed out -a]pension on ^his application executed Ocober 24, 1832, than a resident of Chester District, South Carolina.
On October 24, 1832 he gave as [crossed out-a] reference one Samuel McElhany, no relaionship stated, and there are no further discernible data relative to family.
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In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Stephen McElhenney, the name and address of person paid and possible the exact date of his death, you should apply to Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city and cite the following:
Stephen McElhenney, Certificate #29874 Issued March 26, 1855 Rate $50.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1841 Act of June 7, 1832 South Carolina Agency. Very truly yours A.D. Hiller Executive Assistant to the Admisistrator.
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[handwritten in upper left corner - Revolution] 21368 INVALID. File No. 21,368 Stephen McElhenney Pri Rev War Act: June 7 "32" Index: - Vol. 2, Page 23-7 [Arrangement of 1870.]
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Suspended [lined through -Rejected ] see let: to [illegible] Rosborough May 21. 1833- on Roll Col Sumpter's Regt enlisted 15 March 1776 - discharged 1 June 1777 BLB Let 1st July 1835 P Wylie
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Planters&Mechanics Banke Charleston 28 March 1838 I.L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington Sir I forward herewith for Authority to pay Voucher of Stephen McElhenney, John McDill and Samuel McElhenney. I am respectfully Your Ob Serv: A Spears Pension Agent
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[Envelope with partially visible Cancelation stamp ] ington JLEdwards Comm of Pensions Peter Wylie Esq Chester C.H. So Ca.
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War Department Pension Office Feby:17.1835 Sir: The claim of Stephen McIlhaney was rejected in May 1833 and a letter addressed to Mr. Roseborough upon the Subject. The claimant alleges to have been born 15 years before the Declaration of Independence, which would make him at the time of making his declaration 71 years old;  yet he states the the Same time that he is only 66 years old. and that he enlisted in the year 1776, and could have been only 10 years old at that time, if he had Stated his age right. there is much discrepancy upon this point and upon its being Satisfactorily explained may [illegible] the allowance of the claim.  He has not Stated the duration of his militia Service, altho he alleges to have been engaged in two tours as Such.  The papers will remain on file. - Yours Respectfully Your Ob.Servant J. L. Edwards Peter Wylie Esc. Chester C.H. So. Ca:
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Chester Courthose March 2nd 1835 Dr Sir I am and was aware that Stephen McElhenney had sent a dictation to the war deparment in the year 1833 and that [illegible] on file at that office but in the Summer or fall of 1834 Stephen McElhenney made out a new declaration before me & I mailed or gave it to the [illegible]  at Chester Court house that declaration States where the mistake with respect to age took place it was in the Clerk that wrote the declaration I have Sent to the Treasurer to Serve an certification  [illegible]  a Stphen McElhenney to [illegible]  Yours Peter Wylie I Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
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[Envelope image upside down except name. Following page is same envelope flipped]
Stephen McElhany S.C. [Written vertically on right side] S.C. Mar 16 [Cancelation stamp ] Ches C.H. S.C.
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[Illegible] Mar.16 1/m17 JL Edwards commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington City D C
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[Envelope] S.C. Febr 6 [Cancellation stamp] CHE [illegible] FE8. Free J L Edwards Esq Comr of Pensions Washington City
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Chester District So Car Jany 31st 1835
Sir
I received the within lines from you Stating that as Francis Wylie had received a pension from the  State that it would not be dificult to know his ServiService required by the law of Congress I thought that he had proved his Servises as others who received had done that I Sent on when he Sent on for the State pension he made his petition &
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[Stamp incircled] WASHINGTON [illegible]  20
J L Edwards Com of Pensions
Peter Wylie Esq^
Chester C.H.
So Car:
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[Folded paper]
1761 
39
32
__
71

1776 24 
         32
         56
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War Department
Pension Office
Jan: 16 - 1835

Sir:
As it appeared from the declaration of Francis Wylie that he has until recently been in the reception of a pension of our State of South Carolina, this Department will require that he produce proof of the Service now claimed, under the Act of CongreSs passed [illegible]  of 1832. in which it would Seem there can be no difficulty. The papers are placed in file. 
I am Respectully,
Your ob'Servant
J L Edwards
Peter Wylie Esq
Chester C.H.
So Car
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[Folded paper] Stephen [spelling unclear] McElhanny 20868
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State of South Carolina
Chester District } on this twenty fourth day of October. personally appeared in open Court before William McMasters, Judge of the Court of General Sessions of Common Pleas now sitting Steven McElhany a Resident of Chester District in the State afore said aged about 65 years. who being first duely sworn according to Law, do this on his Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 -
that he Entered the Service of the United States under the following Officers and served as [illegible] of the states. - I entered the Service on the fist of March 1776. under Enlistment in Capt George Wade's Company & Col Thomas Sumter regiment. In Chester District South Carolina. I marched from Chester to Charleston, Barracks from the Barracks to Hatterly [sp] Point, Thence back to Charleston. Thence to the Cherokee nation, where we had a [illegible] engagement with the Indians, between what was then called the middle Settlement of the Valley.  Thence I marched back to Ripley Fort. Thence to Tocaw Swamp near Nelsons Ferry. Thence to Dorchester, about 20 miles from Charleston. thence back to Tocaw Swamp, where I received a written Discharge from Col. Thos. Sumter. which is lost.  The term of my Service was 15 months I was next drafted under Captain Philip Walker and Col. Edward Lacy & marched from Chester to the Black Swamp, where I was placed under Col. Simmons. Thence I marched to Dorchester on our way to which we had a Skirmish with the Enemy. at Dorchester, I was discharged & returned home - I next volunteered un Capt. John [sp?]Smith. Col Lacy & Genl. Sumter, & marched to Head quarters on Clamp Branch near Charlotte North Carolina. I thence marched to the CowPens where we met the Division of the American Army, under Col. Cleveland & Col. Shelby  thence to Kings Mountain & fought in that famous Battle which took place then, with the British, under Ferguson, & the Americans under Williams. & thence to Col. Walker up the Broad River, guarding those who were wounded in the fight - and thence I returned Home after which I returned Home - I have no Documentary evidence of my Service, & know of but one man now living who can testify as to them. Samuel McElhany- I do hereby relenquish  every claim whatever to a Pension. or annuity Except the Present & declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of my State. Sworn in open Court Oct. 24, 1832
JRoseborough ecpss} Stephen McElheny
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To the Interrogatories propounded to me by the Court. I answer -
1st I was Born in Lunenberg Virginia about fifteen years before Independence was declared.
2nd I have no Record of my age, It is burned
3d In Chester District South Carolina
4th I was Elisted [sp enlisted], Drafted & Volunteered
5th To this I cannot answer Positively further than my declaration gives
6th I did [illegible] Sumter. Is is lost.
7th I Refer to the Revnd John B. Davis and William Shuyfellow to prove my Character & credibility & touching their belief o. my Serving as a Soldier of the Revolution, & to Saml. McElhaney. to prove my Services=
Sworn to in Open Court Stephen McElha[illegible] 
October 24 th 1832
J Rosborough cc[illegible] 
State of South Carolina
Chester District } W & JOhn B. Davis
State aforesaid and Wlliam Shuyfellow - residing in said District and State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Steven McElhany who has sub[illegible] & sworn to this Declaration above & believe in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & [illegible]  the day & year aforsaid in open Court
J Roseborough [Illegible] South Carolina Chester Dist.} I declare on oath that I served with Steven McElhany while he was under Draft. & as a Volunteer & that his Declaration of his service as a Draftee & Volunteer Soldier of the Revolution is correct.
Sworn to & [illegible] to in open court J Rosebourough cc [Illegible ] Samuel McElhenny mark
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above appearant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. & the Court further Cerfifies that it appears to them that John. B Davis  [blank space included] who has signed this preceding Certificate is a clergyman, Resident in the District of Chester & State of South Carolina and that William Shuyfellow - who has also signed the same is a Resident in the District & State aforesaid & is a credible person & that this Statement is entitled to credit.
Sworn under my hand 24 Oct. 1832 Wm. D. Martin Presiding Judge
I John Roseborough Clerk of the Court of Common. Pleas for Chester District do herby certify that the forgoing contains the original passages of the said Court in the matter of the application of [crossed or smudged] McElheney for a pension. In testamony which of I have [illegible]  my hand and Seal of Office this 24th day of October 1834

J Roseborough ccocps
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352 Maple Ave. - Danville, KY. the 6th. 1938--
Veterans Administration, Washington D.C. 

My dear Sirs, First I wish to thank you for your unfailing courtesy and patience- You have helped me so much in my undertaking of writing a short family history and you know I must have authentic data for that.- I wrote the South Carolina Commission as suggested and found the name of my ancestor Capt.John McIlenny listed there even though it was not in Washington and I found that there were three other McIlhennys listed besides the John and the James whose photostatic copy of service you sent me.-
The other soldiers by this same name of Mc.Ilhenny were, - Stephen, [pencil check mark are 0 above name], William [pencil check mark are 0 above name], and Samuel [pencil check mark are 0 above name].- Would it be too much to ask you if you would look to see it these men are listed in Washington? - That is, for Revolutionary service?
Two of them are first cousins of my ancestor James Mc.Ilhenny and thus brothers of Capt.John Mc.Ilhenny.- If I could find them or one of them it would help untangle some things I wish to know.--
Also -- I have found since I wrote you about my greatgrandfather Joseph Edwards that his father Thomas Edwards says in the 1850 Co. Ky. census that he, Joseph was born in Virginia, I take it that this Thomas Edwards lived in Va.- Would you be so kind as to look to see if this Thomas Edwards had Revolutionary service and if he applied for a pension etc.- Thanking you so much for your interest in this matter I am [handwriting] Sincerely Hester Bryant Glore [Mrs. W.S.]
[Round Seal] Received Nov 8 1938 Mail [illegible]   Vets. ADM Reader 15