Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31877, for Reuben Nail, Georgia

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SERVICE
GA

Nail, Ruben

NUMBER
S. 31877

CONTENTS

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[Text to left]
Paid at the ? undo the act of the 6th of April 1838 from 4 March 1837 ti 4 April 1887. ? modified 8th October 1838.

Paid as above from 4 March 1838 to 4 Sept 1838 agent notified 18 July 1839

Paid as above from 4 March 1839 to 4 March 1840. Agent notified 26 March 1841.

Paid as above from 4 March 1840 to 4 March 1841. Agent notified 1 Decm 1841

Letter to ? 16 July 1844. Paid as above from 4 March 1841 to 4 March 1843. Agent notified 26 October 1844

30,960
Georgia
Reuben Nail
of Tatnell Co. in the State of Georgia
who was a private in the Corps commanded 
by Captain Pullam of regt commanded
by Col Clark in the Georgia [crossed out: line]  for one year

Inscribed on the roll of Georgia at the rate of 40 dollars - ? annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Jan? 1837 and sent to ? C. E. Haynes H R

Arears to the 4th of Sept 1836. 220.-
Semi-ani allowance ending 4 March 37  20-
$240.-

{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by William T Allison Clerk,
Bool E Vol. 6 Page 98

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State of Georgia
Tattnall County

On this 6th day of May, eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Inferior Court of said county when sitting for ordinary purposed Ruben Nait a resident of the County of Tattnall and State of Georgia who was born in the State of Virginia, Amherst County in the year 1761. Age seventy two grand the record of which he has in this family Bible at his residence in Tattersall County.) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath makes 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, and served as herein stated. He enlisted as a volunteer under Captain John Pullum in the Spring of 1770 in the County of Wilkes in the State of Georgia and was first stationed at Petersburg on the Savannah River for the space of two months at the expiration of which we marched [illegible]  Rivers about twenty five miles from Athens? and built the Garrison called Nailer? first, and was stationed under Captain Joseph Nail where he had frequent skirmishes with the Indians, and remained there under the orders of Col John Dooley until the capture of Charleston by the British. when ? were compelled to leave first Nail and fled to South Carolina and joined Colonel Elijah Clark at ninety six district of said state. and after a period of two months he joined General Morgan at Grindal Shoals on Pacolet River. He then marched to the ? ? ? had an engagement with Colonel Salton and defeated him and his army. He then was ordered by General Morgan to march as a guard over some prisoners to Island ? on the Catawber River in the state of South Carolina and were there ordered down to Baley's Ford on the same river and put under the command of Charles James La Mason at which place he engaged Lord Cornwallis for the space of two hours when he was defeated he fled.

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and attempted to join General Morgan but was prevented by the British and he succeeded in joining Colonel Clark and marched back to South Carolina where he had an engagement at Harpers Mill with Major Dunlap and succeeded in killing him and defeating his army. He then marched with the prisoners back to South Carolina to the County of Rutherford and staid [stayed] there four or five days and then marched back to Georgia and ? at Rightsborough in the County of Richmond (now Columbia County) and marched to Augusta and joined Colonel Elijah Clark again, where he had several skirmishes with the British, Indians and Locals? after Augusta was taken from the British he marched against the Chestattee Indians under Colonel Clark and had an engagement with them at the ? ? ? on the High Towers River where he defeated them after which he made a treaty with them and returned home ? received a verbal discharge by Colonel Clark. He has resided since the Revolution in the State of Georgia and in the county of Tattnall where he now resides since the year 1800 and the following person to with John Coward a clergyman and Allen Johnson living in ? ? ? know me and can testify as to my character for ? and their belief of my service as a solider of the Revolution. He is hereby relieved wishes every claim ? to a pension or ? except to present and declared that his ? not in the pension rolls of the agency of any state. 

Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.

Ruben Nail

H A Smith
A B Strickland
William Deloitet?

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Reuben Nail Tatnall County Georgia     
Suspended Hon R. L. Gamble                              H. of R. (underscored)   
Reuben Nail Ryals Georgia

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WAR DEPARTMENT                                    
Pension Office                                                  Augt 26 1835               Sir: The evidence in support of your claim , under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herein returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form . On comparing those papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objection exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These 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 finished letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. ------------------------------------------------------------------------A Statement showing the Service of Reuben Nail Tatnall County Georgia Period when the service was rendered Enlisted 1775 Duration of the claimant's service Years. Months. Days. not stated how. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Col Clark, Capt Pullum, Capt Nail, Col Doole (?) , Genl. Morgan Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service. 72 years  Wilkes County Georgia Proof by which the declaration is supported. Tradionary evidence, paper defective, Battle, Cowpens         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 Staff of 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 officer, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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 [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] 
A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and 
served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 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 [blank]
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 [blank] of the Court of [blank]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of 
the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this 
[blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) 
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has 
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank]
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.
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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

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alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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
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 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 person or persons 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
tory, 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 hree or 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 his seal of office.
The notes from to [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l]  If a witness car
[m]  The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[handwritten note at the bottom]
The applicant will specify his services as required above.

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May 31, 1940

BA-J/MCS
Reuben Nail, S. 31877

Mrs. Gordon A. Fountain
Adrian,  P. O. Box A
Georgia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of April 18, 1940, in which you 
request information relative to Soldier, Reuben Nail or Neel, John 
Kirkland, Thomas Brantley, James Morgan and James Humphrey who served
in the Revolutionary War and Reuben Nail or Neel who served in the war
of 1812.

Revolutionary and War of 1812 data furnished by this office are 
obtained from claims for pension made to the United States based on 
the military service of soldiers in this war.  A careful search of the 
records fails to show such claims on file on account of the service of 
any Thomas Brantley who served in the Revolution or on account of a 
Reuben Nail or Neel who served in the War of 1812 and lived in Georgia.

As means of identification of the records of particular soldiers
of the Revolution named John Kirkland, James Morgan and James Humphrey,
it is essential that you furnish as much as possible of the following
data pertaining to each:  approximate date of birth and death, place of 
residence at enlistment and after service and first name of wife or 
widow.

You are furnished herewith, the record of the only Reuben Nail or 
Neel that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Very truly your

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

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Reuben Nail
Georgia
---------
may allow 12 mo.
Suspended
Letter 2 December 1834
Hon. R L Gamble
" C E Haynes, Mar 3rd '36
" W Laval Cont Est  4 "
" C E Hague  31 "

[calculations]
6
1
1
-----
2.6 capt [?]

Page 11

1940, Oct 10 - Summary fur.
Miss Olga Krauch with 
one of Hilary Brinson
MLB

Page 12

31877
Revy  INVALID.
-----------------
File No. 31,877
Reuben Nail
Pri Rev War
-----------------
Act:  June 7th 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 294

[Arrangement of 1870.]


[notes on upper right margin]
1940 May 31, hist. to Mrs.
Gordon A. Fountain  MCS

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Adrian, Ga.
April 18, 1940

Brig. Gen. Frank T Hines
Veteran Administration Dept.,
Washington, D.C.,

Dear Sir:

Will you please send me the records of the following soldiers:

Rev. War.

1. Reubin Nail (Neel) granted 287 1/2 A, Franklin Co. Ga.

2. John Kirkland. (I do not know whether John, Sr., - wife, Dora Jane Irwin, or his son, John, Jr., whose wife was Celia Lott was the Rev. soldier.)

3. Thomas Brantley - 287 1/2 A, Washington Co., Ga.

4 James Morgan, 200 A Wilkes Co, Ga,.

5. James Humphrey

1. Reubin Neel, War of 1812, Lieut. from Montgomery Co., Ga, then to Emanuel Co., Ga. I believe he is the son of Reubin "Nail", who lived in Montgomery Co., 1787 and was an original. settler of Tatnall Co. when taken from Mont. Co. in 1809.

I want as full records as you have. Please let me know the cost of same.

Thanking you, I am yours truly,

Hattie H. Fountain
(Mrs. Gordon A. Fountain)

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Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 30th, 1841

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Reuben Nail as a Pensioner of the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Forty Dollars and - Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1839 to the 4th March 1840.

Respectfully yours,

Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

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Treasury Department, 
Second Comptroller's Office, 
July 2, 1839

Sir:  

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Reuben Nail as a Pensioner of the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Forty Dollars and - Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1838 to the 4th Sept. 1838.  

Respectfully yours,  

Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.

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Treasury Department,  
Second Comptroller's Office,  
October 4, 1838  

Sir:   

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Reuben Nail as a Pensioner of the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Forty Dollars and - Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 to the 4th Sept. 1837.   

Respectfully yours,   
Albion K. Parris 
Comptroller  

To the Commissioner of Pensions,  Present.

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Treasury Department,  
Second Comptroller's Office,  
Nov. 19th, 1841

Sir:   

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Reuben Nail as a Pensioner of the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Forty Dollars and - Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1840 to the 4th March 1841.   

Respectfully yours,   
Albion K. Parris 
Comptroller  

To the Commissioner of Pensions,  
Present.

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May 31, 1940

BA-J/MCS
Reuben Nail, S. 31877

Mrs. Gordon A. Fountain
Adrian, P. O. Box A
Georgia

Dear Madam:

The date which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension
claim, S.31877, based on the Revolutionary War service of Reuben Nail.

Reuben Nail was born in 1761 in Amherst County, Virginia.  The names 
of his parents are not shown.

Reuben Nail enlisted in Wilkes County, Georgia, in the spring of 1775
and served about five years as private with the Georgia troops under Captain
John Pullum and Joseph Nail (not shown whether he was related to Reuben Nail), 
Major James Jackson and Colonel Elijah Clarke; Reuben Nail aided in building
the garrison called Nail's Fort, was in the battle of Cowpens, in an engagement
at Batey's Ford on the Catawba River and one at Masser's (?) Mill where 
Major Dunlap was killed and his army defeated, and was in several engagements
at Augusta and in an engagement with the Cherokee Indians at Long Swamp Town
on the High Tower River.

After the close of the Revolution, Reuben Nail lived in Georgia and 
he lived in Tatnall County from 1800.

Reuben Nail was allowed pension on his application executed May 6, 
1833, at which time he was living in Tatnall County, Georgia.  

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to family other 
than the reference to Joseph Nail noted above.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Reuben 
Nail, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly

Page 19

the date of death of this soldier, it is suggested that you address 
The Comptroller General, Records Division, General Accounting Office, 
Washington, D.C., giving the following data:

Reuben Nail, Certificate 30960, issued January 17, 1837, rate
$40 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Georgia Agency.

No charge is made for furnishing this information.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

Page 20

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

July 19th, 1844.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act
directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners,
and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United
States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending
the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the 
pension agents, Reuben Nail
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Georgia
Agency, at the rate of Forty Dollars
per annum, under the law of the 7th June
1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 
4th of March 1841, to the 4th March 1843.

Respectfully yours,

Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

Page 21

I John H. Smith clerk of the Superior Court of the County of Tatnall and State of Georgia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Reuben Nail for a pension being an amendment to his declaration made as aforesaid and that Allen Johnson who has attested the above affidavit is a justice of the peace as above stated.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and ? seal there being no seal of office this 12th October 1834

John H. Smith Clk S C H

Page 22

James L. Edward, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.

[written sideways on left]
Reuben Nail
Georgia

[written sideways on right]
Hon. C. E. Haynes HR

Page 23

Reuben Nail

[this was photocopied upside down and edges cut off]

Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Page 24

The enclosed additional testimony in the case of Reuben nail is submitted to the favorable consideration of Mr. Edwards.

Respectfully

C E Haynes

January 17, 1837

Page 25

Add for 12 mos. $40
per ann.



Hon. C. E. Haynes
HR

Page 26

Georgia
Tatnall County

Before Wm Deloatch Edwards Moore and John A Mattox - presiding justices of the Inferior Court for the County of State aforesaid. We John Coward a clergyman, residing in said county, and State residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Nail who has heretofore sworn to and subscribed a declaration asking a pension under the act of Congress passed the 7th of June, 1832; that we believe him to be the age ?  82 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 and that he is a man of honest and reputable character. Sworn to and subscribed this sixth day of June 1836
Signature of John Coward Clergyman

Sworn to & subscribed this sixth day of June 1836.

William Deloatch [illegible}
Edward Moore [illegible}
John A Mattox [illegible}

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 John Coward, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident. in said county, and that         who has also signed the same is a resident in the county aforementioned and is a credible person, and

Page 27

that their statement is entitled to credit. I John H Smith clerk of the inferior court of the county and state aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of this supplemental application of Reuben Nail for a pension.

William Deloatch J & C
Edward Moore 
John A Mattox 

In testimony hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal. This sixth day of June - 1836. ? seal there being no seal of the court - 
Signature of Jno A Smith Clk [illegible]

City of Washington
District of Columbia

I Charles E Haynes one of the Representatives of the sate of Georgia in the Congress of the ? States hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge I belief [believe] John H Smith who has attested the foregoing is clerk of the inferior court of the county of Tatnall, State of Georgia this signature genuine.

Given under my hand this 10th day of January, 1837.

C E Haynes

Page 28

Free     R L Gamble

Mr Reuben Nail
Perrys Mills
Tatnall County 
Georgia

[postmark]
DEC 13
WASHINGTON CITY

Report to 
Hon. R L Gamble
Home office

Page 29

Washington D.C.   12th Dec. 1833

Dear Sir

On my arrival at this place I annexed my
certificate as a member of Congress to your declaration
and presented it to the Pension office department; but it has 
since been returned to me with the determination of the 
head of that department disallowing you pension on the 
ground that the services you rendered has not been particularly 
exemplified.  It is a difficult matter to comply with instructions.
You should state if you can the periods of the commencement
and termination of each Term of service.  there were 
no troops of the militia unless connected with the regular
service that were ordered out for a longer term that six months
at a time.  Get the declaration amended and I will 
render you all the services in my power

your friend
R. L. Gamble

Page 30

State of Georgia
Tatnall County

On this fourteenth day of 
October, Eighteen hundred and 
Thirty four, personally appeared
in open court before His Honor William H. Holt
Judge of the Superior Court of the middle district
of the State aforesaid Reuben Nail a resident
of the county and State aforesaid, who being duly 
sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the 
following amendment to his declaration made on 
the sixth day of May eighteen Hundred and thirty three 
in order to Attain the Benefit of the provision
made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
He here makes oath as to the length of service which
he performed at near as his memory serves him from 
the effects of old age.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned
a Justice of the Peace in and for the 43 district for 
the County of Tatnall and State of Georgia Reuben
Nail 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 period
mentioned below.  He entered the service of the United
States as a volunteer, under Captain John Pullum
in the spring of 1775 and was actively engaged from 
two months and then was stationed for the balance of 
the year at the place afterwards called Nails Fort
which deponent assisted in making.  deponant was 
stationed at Nails fort as a part of the garrison until
the surrender of Charleston.  he was then compelled 
to leave fort Nail and joined Colonel Elijah Clark
at ninety six and often being actively engaged for
the space of two months joined General Morgan

Page 31

and marched to the Cowpens and had an engagement
with Colonel Dalton and defeated him.  deponent was 
actively engaged during the summer of that camp
and from the month of June.  deponent was actively
employed for several months each campain and
was continually on the alert in defending the frontiers
and the balance of his service was in garrison.
adding the active services of deponent each campain
deponent according to his recollection served
Two years and the balance of the time in garrison
and for such service I claim a pension.
and deponent further states that he 
was employed in no civil pursuit during his 
service.

Reuben Nail [his mark]

Sworn to before me this
14th October 1834

A Johnson JP

We hereby certify that we have been well 
acquainted with Reuben Nail for the last
Thirty years and that he has always been 
recognized as a Revolutionary soldier and 
we believe that he served as a soldier in the 
Revolution as he has stated and there is no 
citizen more worthy of a pension for his services
than he is.  

Given under our hands
this 14th October 1834

A Johnson
John Grace

Page 32

State of Georgia
Tattnal County

On this fourteenth day of October Eighteen hundred
and thirty three personally appeared
before the Inferior Court of said County, Reuben
Nail a resident of the County and State aforesaid
who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his 
oath make the following amendment to his declaration 
made on the sixth day of May last in order to 
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of 
Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States as 
a volunteer in the militia in the spring of 1775
and continued in service untill the close of the war.  And
that he has no documentary evidence and that he 
knows of no person whose testimony he can procure 
who can testify to his services as a soldier of the 
Revolution for that William Kemp and William
Sulivan [Sullivan] the only two persons who lived in his neighborhood
and knew of your petitioners service has removed with
out the State of Georgia.  
He here makes oath as to the length of service which he 
performed as near as his memory serves him from the 
effects of old age.
Personally appeared before me Allen Johnson
a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Tattnal
and State of Georgia Reuben Nail 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 during 
the several campains which he was in service not less than
five years as a private and for each service I claim a pension.

Reuben Nail [his mark]

Sworn to before me this 14th of October 1833

A Johnson JP

Page 33

I Philip H. M. Tippins Clerk of the Court aforesaid
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of said court in the matter 
of the application of Reuben Nail for a pension
being an amendment to this declaration made as 
aforesaid.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and private seal this being no public
seal of office this 14th day of October 1833.

P.H.M. Tippins CIC


I Roger L Gamble member of Congress for the State of 
Georgia do certify that I am personally acquainted with
Phillip H. M. Tippins that I know him to be clerk of the Court 
of Ordinary of the County of Tattnall in the State of Georgia
in that he is also clerk of the Inferior  Court of the 
said County and that the above certificate is subscribed by him.

5th December 1833

R. L. Gamble

Page 34

Ryals Ga.
10th May 

Col. Lewis Cass Esqrs.
Secretary of Wars
Washington City


Mail

[written sideways]
Reuben Nail 
25614

Page 35

Georgia
Tattnall County

Mr. John Coward
a clergyman residing in the 
County aforesaid and Allen
Johnson residing in the same hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Reuben Nail who
has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be seventy two years of age;
that he is reputed and believe in the neighborhood
where he resides; to have been a soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur in that opinion.

John Coward
A Johnson

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 John Coward who has signed the preceding 
certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of 
Tattnall and that Allen Johnson who has also 
signed the same is a resident in the same County 
and is a credible person and that their statement
is entitled to credit.

H. A. Smith J.I.C.
A. B. Strickland J.I.C.
S. D. Surrency J.I.C.
Elhanan McCall J.I.C.

I Phillip H. M. Tippins, Clerk of the Court of Ordiary
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the 
original proceedings of said Court in the matter
of the application of Reuben Nail for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal there being o seal of office this 
Sixth day of May 1833 &c.

P.H.M. Tippins CCO



Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Page 36

I Roger L. Gamble member of Congress from the State of Georgia
do certify that Philip Hale Tippans who has subscribed the written 
 and foregoing certificate is Clerk of the Court of Ordinary of the 
County of Tatnall and State of Georgia.

Given under my hand this 
16th December 1833

R. L. Gamble


Ryals Ga
16th May


Col. Lewis Cass
Secretary of Wars
Washington City

Mail

Page 37

{Tet to left]
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

[Text Center]
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT CARD*

[Text to right]
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Nailer, William
GRADE Private
LINE Maryland

WARRANT NUMBER 11562
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED January 8, 1796
To Geo. Ponsonby, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.