Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21579, Peter Wilhelm, S.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
S. 6
Wilhelm Peter
S. 21579
CONTENTS

S. Carolina 12.663
Peter Wilhelm
of Newbury Dist. in the State of S. Carolina who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Fulmen of the regt. commanded by Col. Beard in the S. Carolina line for Six month and two days
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 20 - Dollars 22 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of May 33 - and sent. Dunlap & Sumner. Newbury C. H. - S. Carolina
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 - 40.44 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Sept - 10.11 50.55
{ Revolutionary Claim { Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Rush Newman C Book E - Vol. 6 - Page 83 -
order to pay - see letter 4 April 1836 to P. Agt.
Letter to S. E. Darn and 3 d Audt. 26 Decr 1844
Paid at the Treasury under the Act 6. April 1838 from 4 Sep 1835 to 4 Sep 1843 age Notified 30. Jany 1845

Newbury Dist Fall Term 1833
23743
Peter Wilhelm Application for pension
Dear Col. Sumner Dept. Atty.

State of South Carolina Newberry District
To wit: On the sixteenth day of Novem-
ber in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hun-
dred and thirty two, personally appeared before me,
Richard J. Gantt presiding Judge of the Court of General
Sessions and Common Pleas in and for the District and
State aforesaid, at Newberry Court House, now sitting, Peter
Wilhelm, a resident of the District and State aforesaid, aged
seventy eight years and one month, who being first duly sworn
according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declara-
tion in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed
the seventh day of June 1832: That he entered the service
of the United States in the Revolutionary war, under the
following named officers and served as hereinafter
stated. That he was first drafted for the term of one
month, the year and month he does not now remember, and
served in Captain John Fulmer's company under Col.
Beard in an expedition commanded by Genl. Andrew
Williamson against the Indians at Sugaloo, and Seneca
That during this expedition he marched through
the upper parts of South Carolina to what is now
the Cherokee Nation. That immediately after the
termination of this month, he served one other month
in the same Expedition under Ensign Cowley in the
same Company under the same superior officer,
as a substitute for one Jacob Epling; at the time
when he first entered the service he resided in that
part of So Carolina which is now called Newberry
District in the Dutch Fork That it was the practice to draft from
of one Company who after having returned the service
were succeeded by another portion of men from
the same Company. That some short time
after this expedition he moved to that part of
So. Carolina now called Abbeville District; where
he was drafted and went into the service in
Captain David Hunter's Company under the
command of Col. Leroy Hammond in whose
Regiment, Samuel Hammond was a major or
lieutenant colonel, that he was two months under
the command of Col Hammond, during the most
of this time he was in the state of Georgia, stationed
for some time at Niles, about three miles from where was a, at which he was also stationed Mills on Broad River in Georgia
and about a month at Augusta: After he retu-
ned from this service, he removed back again to that

part of So. Carolina now called Newberry District and in the Dutch Fork where he has continued to reside ever since the Revolution: He was then drafted in the month of August or September in the year 1781, for one month and went into the service for that time in Captain John G. House's Company under the Com- mand of Col. Beard, He was during this term in Green's Camp a short time after  before the Battle of the Eutaw Springs immediately after the expiration of this month, he was pressed together with a horse, into the service under the command of Captain Michael Lightner; and was employed in conveying the wounded from the Eutaw to a station beyond the High Hills of Santee - he continued during this term in this service for three weeks, when he was discharged and returned home. He states that he has no documentary evi- dence of other services he has performed: After his return home from Green's Camp, he was near the close of the war on a scouting party commanded by Captain Philemon Waters on the north side of Saluda River for the term of one week, in the upper part of now Newberry and the lower part of Laurens Dis- trict then called Ninety Six: and after this he was four or five days on a scouting party on the south side of Saluda River commanded also by Captain Philemon Waters. Making in all some short time over six months that he was in the service. He was born on the Thirteenth day of October in the year 1754 in Germany and came to this country with his parents when he was about nine years old. He has a record of his age on a transcript which being very old he has had it copied and has it now in his possession. He states as he before stated when he entered the service living in the Dutch Fork now called Newberry District where he entered the service where he has continued to live since the Revolution except the time he lived in Abbeville as before stated. He was drafted as before stated and for a part of the time as he has before stated was a substitute for Jacob Epling the Officers with whom and under whom he served he has here in before stated: He never received a regular discharge, but when the term for which he was drafted, had expired, the men

the men returned home under The Revd Their Officers. He states that he is acquainted with Philip Cromer and Michael Witt together with the Revd others who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution and also with Capt. Henry Mertz who can testify to his belief of the fact of his having been in Genl. Greene's Camp. He hereby declares that he does not receive any pension, nor ever has received any pension, and that his name is not enrolled on the pension books of the agency of any state, and he hereby relinquishes every claim to any pension or annuity whatever except the present
Peter his Wilhelm marks
I sworn to the day and year afore said J. S. HARRINGTON Clerk
We Philip Cromer a clergyman, residing in Newbury District and Michael Witt and Capt. Henry Mertz of the same District hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Peter Wilhelm who has sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is expected and believed in the neighbourhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. And the said Capt. Henry Mertz hereby certifies that from his own knowledge of certain facts he believes that all his statements are perfectly true and that he was in Greene's Camp, because he himself was in the Camp after him and from their having frequently talked of the matter since but that he was at the time very young. Philip Cromer by J. S. HARRINGTON Henry Mertz marks
I sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after in- vestigation of the matter, and after perusing the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolu- tionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further cer- tifies that it appears to them that Philip Cromer who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Newbury Dis- trict, and that Michael Witt and Capt. Henry Mertz who have also signed the same are residents of the same district, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Richard Gantt P. Judge

I Young J. Harrington Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Newbury District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of Peter Wilhelm for a pension. In tes- timony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office This the 16 th day of November One Thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Y. J. Harrington Clk N.D.

23743
Peter Wilhelm Newberry District South Carolina
Adm d as a private for 10 months and 2 days. $20.00
Dunlap & Sumner Newberry C.H. South Carolina

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjjoined 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. 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 printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Peter Wilhelm, Newbury District, S.C.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service 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. 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.   Years. Months. Days.     Drafted 1 private Capt Tuckerm Col. Brant Gm Williamson son Col Beard Gm Williamson son Tugaloo Seneca Cherokee nation 75 Newbury District S.C. tradition   substitute Jacob Kating 1 same officers   Drafted 2 Capt Hunter Col Gray Hammond Brood river   1789 21 Capt Tuckerm Capt Donald Capt Waters Col. Brant Entaw Laurens District   7   4 or 5 days same   11 12  
making in all over six months service.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 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 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

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 traditional 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 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 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 , 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 fix 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Charleston, March 25 1836
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
For I forward herewith Voucher of Peter Wilhelm returned to me from the Third Auditor's office, for authority to pay This was paid under the instructions of your letter of 12 June 1835 to De Pareud, which limited the time to three years but corrected by your favor of 12 Decr 1835. You will perceive by the date of the enclosed receipt that it was paid previous to the date of your last favor referred to.
I am Respectfully Your Obedt Servant J. S. Saurman Pension Agent

Revolution
21579 INVALID.
File No. 21,579
Peter Wilhelm
Pre Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 451
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
January 2, 1845.
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, Peter Wilhelm , a Pensioner on the Roll of the South Carolina Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and 22 Cents per annum, under the law of the 1 st June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1835, to the 4 th Sept. 1843.
Respectfully, yours,
William L. G. Darling
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.