Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12455, for Samuel Mc Elhany, South Carolina

Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
McElhany, Samuel
Elizabeth
NUMBER
W. 12455
Born in Va.
CONTENTS

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[first column]
Letter 20 April 1837. Pen Agt
Order to pay 4 April 1838
Order to pay 5 April 1839
Order to pay 4 April 1840
Order to pay 3 April 1841.
Order to pay 12 March 1842
Order to pay 17 March 1843
Order to pay 10 April 1844
Order to pay 3 " 1845
Order to pay 31 Mar 1846

[second column]
South Carolina 29,787
---
Samuel McElhany of Chester in the State of So Ca who was a pri. in the command of Captain of the rgt commanded by Col. Winns in the So. Ca. line for 10 1/2 months.
---
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 35 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of July 35 and sent to Peter Wylie Chester, So Ca
---
Arrears to the 4th of Sept '34 122.50
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 35 17.50
[total] $140.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk
Book E Vol. C. Page 76

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310.
South Carolina
---
Elizabeth McElhany widow of Samuel McElhany who was a Private in the S.C. Line S.C.
Husbd. died 26 July 1846.
---
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 35 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on 26 July 1846.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Decr. 1846 and sent to A. S. Wallace Yorkville S.C.
---
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
2 Page 167

Reptd

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Rachel McElhaney was born the 28th day of March 1793
---
James McElhanney was born the 1st day of March 1795
---
Elizabeth McElhaney was born the first day of July 1797
Elizabeth Hood was born May the 6th 1797
Eli McElhanney was born May the 5, 1805

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20,269
Samuel McElhany
Chester District
SC

J Rosborough
Chester C.H. So Ca.

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence 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 a 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 your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the service of Samuel McElhaney
Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. 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 was engaged.
1779 3 [mos] Private Capt. Walker Col. Winns
Time of ser. not stated " [private] Capt Walker Col. Lacy Col. Simmons
Time of service not stated " [private] Capt Mills Col. Lacy Kings Mountain
Country through which he marched. Marchd. to Charleston to Purgsburg [Purrysburg]
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 64 years Chester District S Caro.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary a clergyman & a living witness

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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2
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, drafted, 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 } ss.
County of
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 provision 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 he 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 entered 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 day and year 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
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 days 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 application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal 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 his personal 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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3
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 the 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 inquiry 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 so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case 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 must 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. In 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: "Personally 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 such 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 of four months, is 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 the seal of office.
(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.

Page 9

Elizabeth McIlhany
S.C. 397
Act 17 June 44
Admd.
10 1/2 mo
35 from 26 July 46 the day of her husbands death

A. S. Wallace
Yorkville S.C.

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Fall Term 1846
State of South Carolina
York District
On this the 9th day of November 1846 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions now being holden
for the District of York in the State aforesaid Elizabeth McElhany aged 74 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following statement or declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows also the benefit of acts of March the 3d 1843 of the 17th of June 1844. That she is the widow of Samuel McElhany who was a private in the army of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $35 per annum. She first declares that she was married to the said Samuel McElhany on the sixteenth day of April (April 16) in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two (1792) and that her husband the aforesaid Samuel McElhany died on the twenty sixth day of July (July 26) eighteen hundred and forty six (1846). She now offers as evidence of her marriage her family Register which is hereunto appended. She further says that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four (1794) To Wit at the time above stated
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above stated or written
Elizabeth McElhany her mark X
Ja Kuykendal Clk

Page 11

The Court doth hereby certify that it was shown in evidence to the satisfaction of the Court that Samuel McElhany died at his late residence in said District on the 26 day of July last and that his widow is the identical person she represents herself to be as Elizabeth McElhany; and it was also shown in evidence that her declarations are and should be entitled to full faith and credit.
D.L. Wardlow
Judge, presiding

I Jas Kuykendal Clerk of the Court for York District, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elizabeth McElhaney for for a pension
Given under my hand & seal of Office November 21st 1846
Jas Kuykendal
C. C. Cpls

Page 12

State of South Carolina
Chester District
On this 24th day of October personally appeared in open court before William D Martin Judge of the court of Genl. Sessions & Common Pleas now sitting Samuel McElhaney a resident of Chester District in the state aforesaid aged about 64 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein after stated.
I was drafted into service about the close of year 1777 according to my best knowledge in Captain Philip Walkers company & Col. John Winn's Regiment in Chester District South Carolina, and marched from thence to Charleston, thence to Purysburg [Purrysburg] near the mouth of the Savannah River where at the end of three months from the time of my draft, I was discharged & returned home. Whereas not long afterwards, I was again called by a second draft & marched under Captain Philip Walker & Col. Edward Lacy to the Black Swamp where I was placed under Col. Simmons. Thence to Dorchester on our way we had a skirmish with the enemy at Dorchester. I was discharged & again returned home. The enemy having taken to their ships & made their escape. I next volunteered under Capt. John Mills & Col. Lacy & Genl. Thos. Sumter, & marched to headquarters at Clam's Branch [Clem's Branch] in the vicinity of Charlotte North Carolina. Thence to the Cowpens where we met the division from beyond the mountains under Cleveland & Shelby &C. Thence to King's Mountain & fought in the famous battle which took place then with the British under Genl. Ferguson under the command of Col. Williams. Thence to Col. Walkers up the Broad

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River guarding & nursing those who were wounded in the fight. & Thence we returned home. After which I was frequently out in various scouting & patrol parties. I have no documentary evidence of my services & know of but one man now living who can testify as to my services - Steven McElhany.
To the interrogatories propounded to me by the court I answer.
1st. I was born in Lienensbury State of Virginia
2nd. I have no record of my age. I was burned up in my Fathers bible.
3rd. I was twice drafted & volunteered once.
4th. I was living in Chester District Carolina when called out & now live in York the adjoining District.
5. I remember Genl. Lincoln under his command at the Black Swamp.
6. I never received a written discharge.
7. I refer to Steven McElhany to testify as to my revolutionary services & to the Revnd. Robt. B. Walker & William Stringfellow who can testify as to my credibility & good character & also vouching their belief to my services as a Revolutionary Soldier.
I do hereby relinquish 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 any state, only that of the State of South Carolina.
Sworn to in open court October 24 1832
J Rosborough CCPls
Samuel McElhaney his mark X

Page 14

Saml. McElhany's Declaration
20869

[sideways]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 24th day of October 1832.
J Rosborough
CCPls

Page 15

South Carolina
Chester Dist
I hereby certify that I was in the service with Saml. McElhany who has subscribed & sworn to this declaration, a considerable portion of the time, & that his Declaration is correct. So much of it as relates to his services during the time I was with him.
Sworn to in open Court October 24th 1832
J Rosborough CCPls
Stephen McElhaney

State of South Carolina
Chester District
We Robert B. Walker a Clergyman residing in the District of York and William Stringfellow residing in said District & State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel McElhany who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 64 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighberhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
R B Walker
Wm Stringfellow
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court 24 Oct 1834 J Rosborough
CCPls

Page 16

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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Robt. B. Walker who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the District of Chester in the State of South Carolina and that Wm. Stringfellow who has also signed the same is a resident in the said District & State & is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Given under my hand this 24th October 1832
Wm. D. Martin
Presiding Judge

I John Rosborough Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in Chester District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel McElhaney for a pension
In Testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 24th day of October 1832
J Rosborough
CCPls

[sideways]
Saml. McElhaney's Declaration
20869

Page 17

Rev WIDOW, &c.
AW
---
File No. 12455
Elizabeth McElhany
Widow of
Samuel McElhany
Priv. S.C. Line
---
Act: June 17th / 44
Index:-Vol. M, Page 23
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 18

Samuel McIlhany
South Carolina
---
Suspended
Letter 25 Decr, 1834
J. Rosborough
Admit as private
10 1/2 mo. $35

3333
166
[total] 1499

Peter Wylie
Chester District
SC

Page 19

Saml. McElhaney S.C. $35- act 32 - last pd?
11 Decr. 46 GMC
Paid 4th March 1846
BDB.

Page 20

Saml. McElhaney S.C. $35- act 32 - last pd?
11 Decr. 46 GMC
Paid 4th March 1846
BDB.

Page 21

[illegible stamp DEC 25]

J L Edwards
Comr of Pensions

J Rosborough Esqr.
Chester C.H.
So Car.

Page 22

War Department
Pension Office
December 23, 1834

Sir:
I have received the papers of Samuel McIlhaney and have placed them on file in this Office.
In his original declaration the claimant only specified one tour of three months; altho he mentioned other services to which however he fixed no duration. In order to supply this deficiency the papers were returned.
In his amended declaration he alleges to have performed two tours of three months each, and one tour of nine months. This claim particularly for the last named tour, being of such unusual length, was considered at least of a doubtful character, and the claimant was referred to the Comptroller General for such evidence as the archives in his office might afford from which source it appears that in the year 1784 he received an Indent for 137 days Militia duty, amounting to L 19:11:5 and interest on the same of L 1:7:4.
As the claim of nine months service is alleged to have been performed in 1780 and 1781, it seems almost conclusive that this Indent was issued in payment for this service, and that instead of its having been nine months, it was in fact but about four and a half. Interest is generally computed in these cases from the time that the claim is audited and allowed and not necessarily from the time the service ended.

Page 23

Thus it would seem that the claim was not allowed until 1783, and was undoubtedly for the service alleged to have have been done in 1780 and '81.
The papers remain on file. Should the claimant so advise this Department, he can have a certificate for 10 1/2 months service.
I am respectfully
Your Ob. servant
J L Edwards

J. Rosborough Esq
Chester C.H.
So. Car.

Page 24

Charleston 6 April 1844
Sir
I herewith forward for authority to pay the Vouchers of Samuel McIlhany, a pensioner under act 7 June 1832.
I am Sir Respectfully
Your Ob servt
Jno. C. Cochran
Pen Agt

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 25

Charleston S.C. 13 March 1843
Sir
I herewith forward for authority to pay the Vouchers of Samuel McIlhany, a pensioner under act 7th June 1832.
I am Sir Respy
Your Ob servt
Jno. C. Cochran
Pension Agent

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 26

Pension Agency
Charleston So.Ca. 31 Decem '45
Sir
I herewith forward for authority to pay the Vouchers of Samuel McIlhany a pensioner under act 7 June 1832.
I am Sir respy
Your Ob servt
Jno. C. Cochran
Agent

J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 27

[illegible stamp]
20

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[sideways]
Dec. 30 '46
McIlhany

Page 28

Pension Agency
Charleston S.C. 27 March 1846
Sir
I herewith forward (for authority to pay) the Vouchers of Samuel McElhenny a pensioner under act 7 June 1832.
I am Sir Respy
Your Ob servt
Jno. C. Cochran
Agent

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Page 29

SOUTH WESTERN RAIL ROAD BANK,
Charleston S.C. 9th March 1842.
Sir
I herewith forward for Authority to pay, the vouchers of Samuel McIlhany.
I am sir
Respectfully
Your Ob servt.
Jno. C. Cochran
P.A.
 
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 30

Charleston 29 March 1844
Sir
I forward herewith for authority to pay vouchers of Samuel McElhenny & John Bishop.
I am very respectfully
Your Ob S
A Speary
pen agt

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Page 31

David Nealy
W. Page 623 - [illegible]

Page 32

War Department
Pension Office
Sept 25, 1834

Sir:
The age as well as the nature of the service set forth by Samuel McElhany render it necessary that he procure specific proof of his services. If he was in actual service under the authority of the State and was paid for his services, the Archives of the State at Columbia will probably furnish the best evidence. The papers and returned.
I am Respectfully
Your ob servant
J L Edwards

J. Rosborough Esq
Chester C.H.
So Ca

L. 286. 1925

Page 33

State of South Carolina
Chester District
Personally appeared before me Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary of said District in open Court Samuel McElhenney who being duly sworn saith upon oath that by reason of old age & consequent lot of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but to best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below. Viz the first tower [tour] in 1777 when in Capt Walker's company, Col Winns regiment served not less than three months. Second tour in he thinks in the year 1779 Drafted again when he marched under Capt Philip Walkers company Col. Edward Lacey's Regiment to Black Swamp where placed under Col. Simmons served not less than three months. Third tour volunteered under Capt John Mills Col. Laceys Regiment under Genl Sumpter marched to head quarters Crams Branch and at the time where he was at the Battle of Kings Mountain served not less than nine months this last tour was in the year 1780 &1781 The service was exclusive of a great chunk of scouting in for which service he claims a pension. This deponant further saith that the person who wrote his declaration must have made a mistake in saying he was but sixty four years of age as he was sixteen years of age when he entered service in the latter part of 1777 & is of opinion he told the writer who wrote his declaration to which would have made him then above seventy years of age
Samuel McElhaney his mark I
Sworn to & Signed this 3rd day of Sept 1834 in open court
Peter Wylie JCOCD

South Carolina
Chester District
Stephen McElhanney a soldier of the revolution came in to open court & made oath & saith he is well acquainted with Samual McElhanney above named & says that he this deponant was in the service with the declarant in his two last tours and had reason to believe the other first stand in said amendment

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is correct both with respect to his service and age as he this deponant is a brother of the declarant.
Stephen McElhany
Sworn to & signed in open court this 3rd Sept 1834 in open court before me
Peter Wylie JCOCD

South Carolina
Chester District
I Peter Wylie Judge & Clerk of the court of Ordinary do hereby certify that the within amendment by Samuel McElhanney was made in open court before me as well as the affidavit or deposition of Stephen McElhanney. I do further certify that they are men of credit and veracity and are both notorious in the neighbourhood as being soldiers of the Revolution. I being personally acquainted with them both from my infancy
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8 day of September 1834
Peter Wylie J&CCOCD

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[stamp] YORKVILLE S.C. NOV 27
20

Col James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[sideways]
De. 2, 1846
SC
Elizabeth McElhany

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Yorkville So Ca Nov 23rd 1846
Sir
I herewith transmit to you the declaration of Elizabeth McElhany widow of Saml McElhany filed for the purpose of applying for a pension - should she be entitled, be pleased to forward her certificate, directed to my care
Respectfully
A S Wallace

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Robr. Y. Hayne
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
Robert Y. Hayne
GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF IN AND OVER THE STATE AFORESAID.
To all to Whom these Presents shall Come.
Know Ye that William Laval whose seal and signature appear to the Instrument of writing hereunto annexed is the Comptroller General of the State aforesaid.
THEREFORE, all due Faith, Credit and Authority is and ought to be had and given to his proceedings and certificates as such.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and caused to be affixed the Seal of the State, in the Town of Columbia the Fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Thirty Four and in the Fifty ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
BY THE GOVERNOR.
J Hammond
Secretary of State.

Page 38

Comptroller Generals Office
Columbia So Ca Decr 2d 1834

On examining the Records of this office I find the following evidence, in proof of Samuel McElhenney, claim to a pension for Revolutionary services.
Viz

" Book L pg. 286
Issued the 16th October 1784 to Mr Samuel McElhenney for Nineteen Pounds, Eleven Shillings and five pence sterling for 137 days militia duty as pr account audited.
Principal L 19.11.5. No 12
Annual Interest L 1.7.4 "

I hereby certify that the foregoing certificate of an Indent to Mr Samuel McElhenney is a true and correct Transcript from Indent Book L. page 286 in this Office
Office of Comptroller General
Columbia South Carolina Decr. 2 1834
W Laval
Compr Genl