Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,533, for Absalom Thompson, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
N. C.
Thompson, Absalom Thomson or
S. 21,533
CONTENTS

Letter to R. H. Simpson, 16 Nov 1846 Dead Letter to same of 3 Aug 46 Dec 1846
South Carolina 30.452
Absalom Thompson
Spartanburg Dist. in the State of S. Carolina who was a Pr. & Lieut. in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Lewis in the N. Carolina line for 19 months Pr. _____ 63 34 5 " St. _____ 66.66 dead $130.00
Inscribed on the Roll of S. Carolina at the rate of 130 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of March 1836 and sent to B. F. Perry Greenville, S. C.
Arrears to the 4th of March '36, 650.00 Femmes. allowance ending 4. Sep. '36, 65.00 $715.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6 Page 81

Abraham Thompson Declaration
Spartanburg District South Carolina
15254

State of South Carolina Spartanburg District
On this twenty fifth day of Sept r  his Honor John B O'Neal personally appeared in open Court before me John B O'Neal presiding Judge of the Court of Gen l Sessions & Common Pleas, now sitting Absalom Thompson a resident of Greenville District in the State aforesaid, aged seventy seven 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 7 th 1832.
That he was born in Chatham County in the State of North Carolina in the year 1755 on the 12 th day of April from the recollection of what he has been told by his parents. If there be any record of my age, it must have been taken by my Father to Kentucky, who removed into that State 1783. This deponent was living in the State of North Carolina (now Tennessee) near the mouth of Nolans Creek in Ninety Six in South Carolina by the said Moses Kirkland who turned Tory. This deponent then returned home where he remained until the Summer 1776 when he volunteered in the war against the Cherokee Indians and was stationed at the Long Island Fort until the main body of Army under the Command of Gen l Christie returned from the Nation being about three or four weeks - Soon after the return of the Army this deponent enlisted in the service of the State of North Carolina as one of the mounted infantry under Command of Col l Lewis for the term of six months during which time he ranged along the frontier set-

lements and was occasionally engaged in slight skirmishes with the Indians. This term of six months expired in the Fall of 1777, from which time until the Spring of 1779 this deponent was occasionally in the service of the State as a volunteer in defending the Forts on the Frontier. In the Spring of 1779 this deponent volunteered under the Command of Col. Evans Shelby, & served a term of about two months in an expedition down the Holston river against the Chieganawga Indians on Tennessee River - In 1780 some time in the month of July, this deponent volunteered in the service of the United States under the Command of Col. Isaac Shelby, & served under his Command in South Carolina until April 1781, and then under the Command of Col. Elijah Clarke & was engaged under him in the battle about twenty two miles from Cambridge in So Car, on March 1781, where the enemy under the Command of Maj. Dunlap completely was defeated - In April following Dunlap's defeat this deponent entered the service of the United States as an enlisted soldier for the term of ten months under the Command of Captain William Smith who was attached to Col. Thomas Regiment of Genl. Sumpter's Brigade. When he enlisted for this last term of service he received from the hands of Capt William Smith a Commission signed by Gov. Rutledge as Second Lieutenant & served as his second Lieutenant until taken sick in August following & left the Army in Sept following without a written discharge. This deponent within a few years past has lost or mislaid his Commission so that the same cannot be now found.
This deponent repaired to Fort Sumter immediately after he left Genl. Sumpter's Army, about Oct 1781 where he remained until the fort was surrendered

to the Tories & Indians under the command of James Jones, & thence made his escape - Immediately after this defeat this deponent volunteered in an expe- dition against the Indians & Tories, under the command of Col. Elyon & White, in which a number of the Indian towns on the waters of Tokeawwa & Eewee rivers were destroyed & 16 indi- ans made prisoners - In the Spring of the year following, being about the year 1782, this deponent volunteered in an expedition under Genl. Andrew Pickens & served in company with Capt. John Gowan Samuel Earls, & Maj. James Hamilton as an aide-de-camp, in which expedition he started from where Greenville Court House in S.C. has now stands Elope & Dugeto river into Georgia, thence to the Chata- hoeche river, thence to its head, thence down the Highwassee river, thence South to Coosee river & thence home. This applicant refers for the truth of the above statement, and sets his character as a man of veracity to the certificates of Capt. William Smith under whom he served a part of his time as his second Lieutenant & also to Lt. Col. O'Neal who also served with this deponent in the Revolutionary war.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension for annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State & that his service exceeds two years.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year afore said
Ad. Provost
Jno M. Wall Presiding Judge

State of South Carolina
Spartanburg District } I William Smith residing in Spartanburg District in the State aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Absalom Thomson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; and that I believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that I knew him well in the Revolutionary war, that he received from me a commission as a Lieut t signed by Governor Rut- ledge and served in the Company of which I was Captain as a Lieut t in Gen l Hampton's Brigade, under the command of Maj. Gen l Green. I also knew the said Absalom Thomson to be an active soldier at other & different periods of the war and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been an officer & soldier of the revolution & I concur in the opinion
W. Smith
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
J. M. McVean
Presiding Judge
State of South Carolina } I Jethro Osheals residing
Spartanburg District } in Spartanburg District in the State aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Absalom Thomson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; and that I believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that I knew him in the Revolutionary war & served with him in two expeditions against the Indians, the 1 st under the command of Col o White & Kelsoe & the 2 d under the command of Gen l Pickens & in almost the constant service of the United States during the war; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been an officer & soldier in the revolution & I concur in the opinion
his
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Jethro X Osheals Mark
J. M. McVean Presiding Judge

And the said Court hereby declare his  to their views after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrog- atories prescribed by the War Depart- ment that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to him that James Madison  the  late  President Major William Smith and other Asks who have rendered his Revolutionary services, are credible witnesses residing in Spartanburg District, and that their statements are entitled to credit
Geo. P. A. Clarke Presiding Judge
I Elisha Bamar clerk of the Court of Sessions and Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter in the matter of the application of Absalom Thompson for a Pension.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 18 th October 1832.
E. Bamar Clerk.

South Carolina.
Spartanburg Dist
3
J. Berryman Hays,
a clergyman resident in in said Dist do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Absalom Thompson who makes his within declaration, that I believe him to be seventy-five years old, and that he is what he has been to have been a soldier of the Revolu- tion - given under my hand this 30 th Sept 1833.
Berryman Hays

Revolution
21533
INVALID.
File No. 21,533
Abraham Thompson
Lieut Genl Mass
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 417
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Testimonials of the first form
REPRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, CANBERRA
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, CANBERRA
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, CANBERRA

No. 3736
Ch. X. Issued 19 Sept. '86 to Absalom
Thompson for £52. 7. 1 1/2 Sterling, duty in
Rockback, Regt. p of audited
No. 1114 - Principal £52. 7. 1 1/2 - Interest £3. 13. 3
State of S c Carolina
J. Absalom Thompson
For military duty in Rockback Regt. since the fall of Charleston & Andersons returning
amt to currency £366. 10. 0
Stg. £ 52. 7. 1 1/2
Rec d 19 Sept. 1786 full satisfaction for the writing in my Indent No. 3736. X p order*
* Vide 3333-X C. C. Schult
Comptrollers Office
Columbia 28 March 1835
I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the documents on file in this office in relation to the Revolutionary services of Absalom Thompson -
William Laval Compt Genl
per
John S. Gibbons
16 d 80 6 m 1337/- 66.65-

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF IN AND OVER THE STATE AFORESAID.
To all to Whom these Presents Shall Come.
KNOW YE, That William Laval is Comptroller general of the State of South Carolina duly elected and Commissioned as such under the broad seal of the State aforesaid to whom is committed the keeping of the Books and records of settlement of Military services rendered in this state during the war of the American Revolution, and that John T. Seabell who has signed the name of the said William Laval and whose signature is affixed to the proper hereunto annexed is the Deputy of the said W m Laval. 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 Twentieth
Geo. A. Duffie.
of March  thirty five in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five and in the fifty ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
BY THE GOVERNOR.
B. H. Saxon
SECRETARY OF STATE.

State of South Carolina { Personally appeared Charleston District } before me William Smith of the state and district aforesaid and duly made oath that he was doing duty in General Pickens Camp between the mouth of once an Tyger River near the road  the that Major Hare a commissioned Major in the same brigade and regiment that he said Smith was belonged to and had a commission commissioned signed by Gov. Butledge then Gov. of the State and two Lieutenants Commissaries signed by the same and of which Commission was handed to A.B. Thompson was raised a troop and in immediate order joined the brigade commanded by Humphreys he immediately moved down to the Congaree River a little below the the British Fort at Granby and parties of us were frequently over the river and had

Service with them in one of which Lieutenant Thompson was wounded in the hand gigotras he further states that he never commenced any war but that he handed Lieutenant Thompson a commission already granted Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27 th day of March 1835
James Hammett W. M. Smith
South Carolina } I do hereby Spartanburg District that W. M. Smith is a man of Unquestioned Character, and the utmost confidence should be placed in his affidavit; — Certified by me this 27 th of March 1835 — James Hammett

State of South Carolina Spartanburg District
I Elisha Ramey clerk of the Court of Spartanburg District, do hereby certify that James Hammer Esquire, is a Magistrate as he states, duly authorized by law to administer oaths. That I am acquainted with his hand writing & believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand of office and subscribed my name this 28 th day of March 1835.
E. Ramey Clerk

Free
J. L. Edwards Esquire War Department Washington City D. C.
Si S

Gunnville S.C.
January 20. 1850
Dear Sir
I enclose you the affidavit of Joel Callahan, stating the services of Abraham Thompson in the war of the Revolution. It is to be hoped that this certificate of Joel Callahan with the papers which you already have will be sufficient to pass the application of Mr. Thompson. From the general character of Abraham the report of all his acquaintances as to his services in the Revolution there is no one more entitled to compensation for his services. He is a man of unimpeachable honor & integrity, & none more respected by his neighbors & acquaintances.
You will please let me know the result of this application as soon as can remit
Yours &c
B. F. Perry

Absalom Thompson H. C. W.
Wash.
5 mo. Lead. 66.66 19 - m. 63.34
$130.00
B. B. Perry Esq. Greenville J. C.

War Department Pension Office Jan. 29. 1835
Sir:
If the statement of Abrahame Thompson be correct, and the Department has no reason to think otherwise of it, proof of his service, and of his having been commissioned may be obtained upon application to the Comptroller General at Columbia or to the Executive Office of the State of South Carolina, during the period subsequent to the year 1781.
Mr. William Smith states that he (Smith) was appointed and commissioned by Genl. Rutledge, and that Mr. Thompson received from him a Commission of Lieutenant.
The services in the Militia in North Carolina and a minor consideration to the applicant, yet, so far as his statement is in that behalf, compatible with the well established facts relative to that service, will be allowed.
Captain Smith has recently been required to produce evidence of his having been commissioned, which when furnished may cast some light upon Mr. Thompson's case. It is not known however to the Department, that Commissions were granted by Captains of Companies in the State troops. The papers remain on file. Mr. Thompson's letter is returned.
I have the honor to be Yours A. Smith J. L. Edwards
Hon. Wm. H. Clancy } House of Reps } }

South Carolina
Greenville District Personally came Joel Callahan before me the subscribing Justice in and for the District of Greenville and being duly sworn makes oath & saith that he is well acquainted with Absalom Thompson who has made application for a Pension under the act of Congress of 1832 - That he knows the said Thompson was an active soldier & officer during the course of the Revolution - That he served his country faithfully and most ardently in her struggle for Independence - That for a long period during several terms this deponent & said Thompson were in service together employed against the Indians in what is now called East Tennessee, but which was then within the territory of North Carolina.
1 st That the said Absalom Thompson on the first of July 1776 volunteered his services under Captain Jacob Wormack & served a tour of three months - was stationed at a fort on the Holston River in Tennessee. Henry Jones & this deponent were acting lieutenants in the company of Captain Wormack of which the said Thompson was a private. Whilst this company was stationed on the Holston they had frequent skirmishes with the Indians.
2 nd That the said Absalom Thompson after the expiration of the above tour of three months joined a company under the

command of Captain James Shelby, which was stationed at a place called Long Island, on the Holston River in Tennessee, then Washington County North Carolina, & served in said Company six weeks when he was discharged. During these six weeks the company were engaged in building a fort & making other defences against the incursions of the Indians on the White Settlements.
3 d In the latter part of 1776 or in the beginning of 1777 the said Thompson volunteered under Captain Thomas Price in a company of light horsemen in a Regiment under the Command of Colonel Sevier and was employed with said troops in ranging the country between the Holston & French Broad fighting the Indians & defending the settlements against the Cherokees. His service continued for six months during which time the said Thompson was constantly & actively employed as above.
4 th In March, this deponent thinks the first of March 1779, the said Thompson performed a tour of duty under Colonel Evan Shelby, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Robinson, & Captain George Russell, against the Chickamauga Indians. In this tour he served two months & was in frequent skirmishes & battles with the Indians.
5 th In June 1780 the said Thompson left the Holston & joined the troops under Col Shelby in North Carolina under

whom he served some time but this deponent does not know how long as he was not with the troops under Shelby - After this the said Thompson did very considerable duty in South Carolina under Colonels Thomas, Clark & Roebuck as this deponent has been informed & verily believes. He saw the said Thompson several times between the years 1780 & 1783 & understood he had performed several tours of duty under the above named officers. This deponent knows also that when he this deponent served a tour of duty under General Green in the lower part of South Carolina, that the said Thompson was under General Pickens in the upper part of the State acting as Lieutenant in a company commanded by Captain Smith & this deponent has seen the Commission of the said Thompson to the said command.
This deponent further states that he has always understood & of the fact has no doubt that the said Thompson did receive an indent from the State of South Carolina for his Revolutionary services & that the said services were certified to by Colonel Roebuck at the close of the war, as having been performed in the Regiment of which he then had command.
Sworn to & subscribed this January 19 th 1834.
In the presence of & before Isaac Callahan the subscribing Justice.
B. Dunham J. D. Dyer

South Carolina } I. B. Kern } the Greenville District } subscribing Justice before whom the within affidavit was made to hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joel Callahan who has sworn to & subscribed his name to the affidavit affidavit and that he is a credible & respectable witness and as such his deposition is entitled to full faith & credit - given under my hand January 19 th 1836 - B. Dunham P. D. Esq.
I James M. Daniel Clerk of the Court of Greenville District do hereby certify that B. Kern Kern is an acting magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office - This 19 th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty six J. M. Daniel
Clerk of Greenville Dist.

Salem Thomas
SC
March 30/1851
In class

Greenville South Carolina, March 30. 1835
Dear Sir,
In compliance with your directions through Mr. Clowney to me I have procured the certificate of the Comptroller General of this State, which I enclose in this, as also a certificate from Capt Smith which I have thought expedient to do away the impression that was made from Capt Smith's former statement viz: that he commissioned me himself. This was not Capt Smith's meaning, and as a multiplicity of statements were made on the same day, and taken down by Mr. Clowney it might have been an even sight in Mr. C. who should have written it that Smith handed me the commission which was previously signed by Governor Rutledge. The Indents, if I mistake not were of different value suited to the time and rank of those who served in the army of the Revolution in the state of South Carolina. I also, in compliance with Mr. Clowney's directions, read your letter to Mr. C. of the 29 th of January. If any deficiency remains in any thing relating to my case, I would be happy to be apprised of it in due time, that I may take all the necessary steps to establish my claims to the benefits of the law of Congress which gives pensions to those who did serve their country in the war of the Revolution. As I am in possession of that knowledge which, if communicated in a proper manner to those whose duty it is to guard our public treasury from the touch of fraudulent hands, I wish to be instructed in the best manner of making it known to those entrusted with the business of doing justice to all concerned.
in
I remain Dear Sir, your obedient Servant
Abraham Thompson.

april 13
Governor S. D. April 6 th
Free
S.C.
J. L. C. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City.
District Columbia.

Amended declaration of Absalom Thompson
Spartanburg S. Carolina.

State of South Carolina Spartanburg District
ss.
On this first day of October 1833. personally appeared, before the Sub- scribed a Magistrate of said District, Absalom Thompson, who being duly sworn on his oath declared, in addition to the foregoing declaration, that he served under Capt. Kirkland two months - in 2 1775. That served under Maj. Blecher 1 one month in 1776. - in the same year 6 he served six months under Captain Price, in Col. Series Regiment. In 1779. 2 he served two months , in Captain Rus- sell's company under Col. Shelby. From July 1780. to April 1781. he served eleven months under Col. Shelby and Clark, - all the foregoing services were rendered as a Private Soldier (making Twenty months ) In April 1781. he enlisted for ten months under Capt William Smith, Col. Thomas, in Sumpter's Brigade. - was appointed 2 nd Lieutenant, and served as 2 nd Lieut. five 5 months , until September, and left the Army because of sickness - of the derange- ment of the army, by which himself and many other officers were thrown out of command. - In the fall of 1781. and Spring of 1782. he served in two expedi- tions against the Indians under Kilgore and White, Col. - two months - He served in all Twenty seven months

Line, of which was as a Lieutenant, and during which, he was wounded in the hand, in taking a Fort at Manly- and I nearly two months as a prisoner.
Soon to be Subscribed before me 1 st Oct. 1833. Yours Primus J. D. Ex. Off.
As Witness
State of South Carolina Spartanburg District
I Elisha Bamer, clerk of the Court for Spartanburg District do hereby cer- tify that William Primus, before whom the above and foregoing affidavit is a magistrate in and for said District and that the foregoing signature pur- porting to be his is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office & subscribed my name this 1 st day of October 1833. E. Bamer
Clerk of the Court of Spartanburg Dist