Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 47905, for William Rawls, South Carolina

SERVICE
S. 6.
Rawls, William
NUMBER
S. 47905
CONTENTS

Let to 3rd Oct 2 1841 Letter to Persian Agent 18 June 1844.

Tallahassee
26.094
Florida
William Law, Jr. of Gadsden Co. in the State of Florida who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the 1st Regt commanded by Col Comptel in the South Carolina line for [blank]
2 Yrs 10 Mo 20 Days $ 80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Florida at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of Nov and pay to 1834 for R.R. Calhoun
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept " 40.00 280.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded, by J. P. Sprague Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 8 Page 138

Mr. Keen Grant
Affidavit

Middle Florida Gadsden County.
Personally came before me McKim Greene who being duly sworn saith he has been intimately acquainted with William Rawls of the county aforesaid & connection, ever since 1778. & he knew that the whole of that family were warm friends of their country through the American Revolutionary War & said Rawls & his two eldest brothers John & Hester were generally esteemed able & brave soldiers through all the Southern struggles. Per. from the fall of Savannah of Georgia till the evacuation of Savannah aforesaid & Charleston of so. Carolina. soon after said William moved into the state of Georgia & after many years moved to Middle Florida where he now resides Sworn to before me this 24 th of Oct 1832 McKim Greene John Littlefield

Warranty of Florida County of Gadsden. On this 9th day of December 1882 personally appeared in open court before Thomas Randal Judge of the Superior Court of the Charlotte District of Florida now sitting William Randal a resident of the County and Territory of Florida aged about 73 years who being 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 the 7th 1882
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated.
That he entered the service of the United States in the year 1876 or 1877 in the summer of one of those years but which year he does not distinctly recollect he entered the service under the command of Captain John Garrison  Garrison and was attached to the regiment of Colo Garrison and served under them three months. Genl Bragg was the Genl Garrison in command during those three months he was stationed on Beaufort Island South Carolina he was then relieved from service for a short time but was called out again in the the same year and under the same officers and performed another tour of duty of three months when he was stationed on the sea board near Beaufort Island at a place called Hatch neck then after the expiration of said last mentioned three months he was not called again into service until the latter part of the year 1878 or the first of the year 1879 shortly before the British forces took possession of Savannah he remained in service during that tour of duty one month and was under the command of the same

before specified that he was not called into service again until the latter part of 1879 and was stationed at Perryburg Petersburg in South Carolina under the command of the same Captains and Colonels as aforesaid and under the command of Genl Lincoln Sinkhorn the length of time he served during that time he does not distinctly recollect but it was until the arrival of the French Flotilla at Savannah then he was then relieved from service for a short time but was again called into service about four weeks afterwards and was marched down to Savannah and after arriving there two days after the attack was made on Savannah by the French and Americans he was marched from Savannah to Purvisburg under the command of Colo Lincoln Sanders and Captain Garrison and remained at Purvisburg about one month when he was relieved from further duty at that time he was called into service again in about two months under the same officers and acted on the Savannah river and continued to perform duty accordingly as said river until Charleston fell into the possession of the Rebels he then went into North Carolina and joined Genl Sumpter's army in the year 1880 he joined Captain Tennels company and remained in Genl Sumpter's army up to the time of his defeat on the Catawba river then after until he found Sumpter's defeat he was not again in service until he found Captain Tennels company before the battle of Kings Mountain and that he was in Captain Tennels company at the battle of Kings

mountain at which battle Colo Williams and Colo Shelly was and Colo Campbell were the principal officers that he was a not again in service until the siege of Augusta when he was under the command of Captains O'Leary and Colo Howard and that after the American took possession of Augusta he was not again in service. That when he first entered the service he resided in Beaufort District South Carolina that he first entered the service of the United States as a private and substitute for his brother John Rank that he performed the first tour of duty as a substitute and all the other tours as a drafted militiaman up to the fall of Charleston and from that time as a volunteer that he was at the battle on the Cantonment in which Genl Sumner was defeated and was in the battle of Kings Mountain that he marched through the country from Beaufort District South Carolina to Savannah in Georgia and from Savannah to Petersburg in said State and from that place to Kings Mountain that performed service with the continental regiments officers before named which does not recollect the names of the regiments that he knew Major Harvey and Genl Sinkhorn and Genl Sumner and that he has no documentary evidence by which he can substantiate his claim and that he knows of no person whose testimony

he can at this time procure to substantiate his claim that there are some persons who are impressed acquainted with his services and who were living at the time of the accounts but they reside in distant parts of the United States and he does not know that they can make the necessary proof
H. H. Ward
Sworn & subscribed in open Court R. C. Sistror Clk. G. S. C. By McHarris Q.C.
And the said William Rawls being further interrogated on the interrogatories presented by the War Dept and Mr. L. D. Davis, was & said being first duly sworn.
That he was born in North Carolina near the Virginia line, that he does not recollect the year in which he was born. That he once had a record of his age, but it was burnt or lost during the recent War. That he was living in Wayne District of South Carolina, when called into service, that shortly after the re- volutionary War, he removed into Georgia into what was then Effingham & is now Liberty County, where he lived until his removal into this County of Gadsden Territory of Florida in the year 1818 where he now lives.
That in his first military service he was a Subaltern, for his Father John Rawls a soldier in the militia.
That of the Regular Officers with whom he served he recollects at the latter period

Col. Merson & Genl. Lincoln - That I cannot recollect the names of any con- stituted or Militia Regiments - though he lived principally with the latter & has stated all he recollects of the general cir- cumstances of his service - That he never received a written discharge from the service -
That he refers to the Rev. Gossens Sweet Joseph M c Bride Esq. & Thomas M c Call as persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood & who can testify to his character for veracity & to their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
And at the same time personally appeared in open Court. Gossens Sweet a clergy- man and Joseph M c Bride Esq. Presiding justices of the Court, home of said Court who being duly sworn made & subscribed the following declaration
We Gossens Sweet a clergyman residing in Gadsden County, and Joseph M c Bride residing in the same County certify, that we are well acquainted with William Rawls who has sworn to & subscribed the above declaration and in our opinion he seventy years of age, that the said Wil- iam Rawls is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we con- cur in that opinion. Gossens Sweet Joseph M c Bride sworn & subscribed in Gadsden County, Ala. S.P. 1844 By Isaac R. Warren Clerk

And at the same time & place Personally appears Sherrod M c Call a resident of Gadsden County aforesaid, who being first duly sworn made & subscribed the following declaration.
I Sherrod M c Call do hereby solemnly depose & certify, that I first knew the applicant W m Rawls about 40 years ago soon after the British left Charleston, that both Deponent & appli- cant were then living on Savannah River in South Carolina. That Deponent is in his 80 th year, & that he believes from his first knowledge of applicant that he was four years older than Depon- ent, that at the above period of his ac- quaintance it was reported & believed in that neighborhood that applicant had served as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war. That he was so informed by a Col l Thompson who stated to Depo- nent that applicant had served under him. and further says not sworn in open Court R. C. Lester Clk. S. C. By J. R. Harris D. C.
Sherrod M c Call
Thomas Randall judge of the superior court of the U States for the Middle Dist of Florida, do hereby declare my opinion after the above investigation & putting the testimony on record presented by the War Department that the above applicant William Rawls was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And I do hereby further certify that it appears to me that Joseph Gadsden the forgoing certificate is a truly and resident in Gadsden County & that Joseph G l Brice & Sherrod M c Call who do

Before the in typ-cates above, are residents of the same County, are all credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit
Thomas Randall.
I Robert C. Lister Clerk of the Superior court of Middle Florida in and for the County of Gadsden do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceed- ings of the said court in the matter of the applica- tion of William Rawls for a pension
In Testimony Whereof I have by hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court this 9 th day of November A.D. 1832 57 th Year of American Independence.
Robert C. Lister Clk. By J. R. Harris C. Clk.

know all men by these presents that I William P. Leveac Governor of the Territory of Florida do hereby certify that Thomas Randall whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time of his executing the same the acting judge of the Superior Court of the Middle District of Florida in which the county of Gadsden is included
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Territory to be hereunto affixed November 9. 1832 of the Independence of the United States the fifty seventh Year
Wm. P. Leveac

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Rawls a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1776 or 1777 enlisted at various times about 2 years. Pvt. John Garvin Ebenezer Fla.   James Howard   McLey  
Battles engaged in, San Juan Hill & Kettle Mountain Residence of soldier at enlistment, Baker District Fla. Date of application for pension, Nov 9 1902 His d. was ab. Residence at date of application, Jackson Co. Fla. Age at date of application, 73 years. born in South Carolina Remarks: He was the son of John Rawls. It is not stated whether he was married.
Respectfully,
brother John Rawls
Commissioner.

1918 June 27 Hist. to Miss Maggie M. Rawls.
47.905 Rev. Invalid.
File No. William Rawls Ex. S. C. Troops Rev. War
Act 1832
Index: Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Territory of Florida Gadsden County
Personally came before the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County & Ter- ritory of aforesaid Elizabeth Slade who being duly sworn saith that she has been acquainted with William Rawls since seventeen hundred and seventy three or seventy four and that he was a soldier & faithful soldier to the American cause -revolution war and she further states that she is not able to attend court in con- sequence of old age and infirmity and further she saith not
Sworn to and subscribed Elizabeth Slade before me this 16 day of October 1833 Daniel M. Harrison L.P.

I Daniel M Hinson do give it as my opinion and belief that the defendant Elizabeth Slade is not able to attend Court in consequence of bodily in- firmity and old age. given under my hand This 16 day of October 1833
Daniel M Hinson J.P.
(Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.)

Secretary of Florida Gadsden County Supreme Court November Term 1833
Be it remembered, that on the same day on which the foregoing amended declaration was sworn & sub- scribed in this Court, the said declarant filed together with the other documents composing his application for a pension the above affidavit of Mr. John Grant taken before John Little and the accompanying affidavit of Elizabeth Wade taken before David M. Stevenson & it was ordered by the Court that they, the said affidavits, be considered as part-proof of his service in accordance with the Regulations of the War Department on the subject of pensions & be it further remembered that I Clerk of said Court do certify that the said John Little & David M. Stevenson are Justices of the Peace for said County.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Office this 6 th day of November A.D. 1833 & 58 th year of American Independence
Isaac R. Harris Clk. G.S.C.

I, Thomas Randal Judge of the Superior Court of the Middle District of the Territory of Florida do hereby certify, that Isaac R. McAnis whose name is subscribed to the annexed Certificate is Clerk of the Superior Court of Gadsden County, that his certificate is in due form of law, and that full faith & credit should be given to his official acts.
November 6 th 1833.
Thomas Randal
Judge
William P. Duval Governor of the Territory of Florida do hereby certify, that Thomas Randal whose name appears to the above Certificate is now & was at the time of signing the same, the acting Judge of the Superior Court of the Middle District of Florida in which the County of Gadsden includes.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & caused the seal of said Territory to be hereunto affixed. This
seal is in eighteen hundred and thirty three of the Independence of the United States the fifty eighth year.
Wm P. Duval
11/6/33

29. 7121
William Rawls — Florida
Return i f. —
adm
2 years by order of the Comms
Gen R. H. Hale Present

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
25 Feb. 1834
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 subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Rawls.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      The papers are not properly connected to two of the witnesses Not Certified to be Credible, See Notes i and j   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which 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 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in 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.

Testimony of Gadsden
Gadsden County
Supreme Court
November Term 1833
On this day (sixth day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty three), personally appeared in open Court the above mentioned William Rawls, who being first duly sworn according to law on his oath makes the following State in explanation & amendment of the above declaration - That he distinctly recollects having taken the "States" oath or oath of allegiance to the United States in 1776 in which year he entered the military service of the United States, as he believes & served not less than three months - that in 1777-78 he served about an equal length of time with the duration of his service in '76, & in nearly the same manner - being occasionally released from service but soon again called into service - That during nearly the whole of the year 1779 he continued on duty - And that during the years 1780, 81 & 82 he served regularly without interruption - That he was a private only - sometimes a volunteer - at other times a militiaman
That for the names of the Officers under whom he served he refers to the above more full & explicit declaration of his services - That on account of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot state with more precision & definiteness than is above set forth the length of time during which he served That for that service he now makes his claim for a pension & every claim whatever to a pension or annuity he hereby relinquishes and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State or if any, only on that of the State of South Carolina.
William Rawls
Sworn & subscribed to me Nov 6 th 1833
J. R. Harris Clerk S. C.

I hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Gasparo Trow and Joseph McBride of Grafton County, Maryland, witnesses who have deposed to the reputed services of John Randle as a Soldier of the Revolution, that they are both gentlemen men of high character and respectability and entitled to full credit and belief.
I certify that the proceedings in the case were had as they purport to have been in the Superior Court of Grafton County January of Maryland.
NK Galt

611 Bellerive, Dublin, Ga., June 19, 1918.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Rev Sec in
Dear Sir:
I am trying to establish W. A. R. lines for the enclosed names and have everything necessary but proofs of Revolutionary Service. I know that each of them rendered service in North Carolina during the Revolution, but lack official proof, which is necessary in order to get in the W. A. R.'s.
The names are as follows:

2 1. Benjamin Fordham. 2. William Rawls, or Willis Rawls. 3. William Cresswell (also spelled Chriswell and Caswell). 4. Eleazer Cummins (also spelled Cuming, Comins, Cunnings). 5. Joel Coney, or William Coney. (all lived in North Carolina)
Any information you can give, will be greatly appreciated.
Very truly, (Miss) Maggie Mae Rawls, 611 Bellevue, Hublin, Ga.