Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3663, for Mahlon Pierson, South Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
S. 6
Pierson, Mahlon or Pearson
S. 3663
Carded
CONTENTS

Ohio. 19.962
Mahlon Pearson
of Warren d in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Avery, - of the Regt. commanded by Col. Brannan in the South Carolina line for 1 year, 8 months, 10 days. $67.77/100
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. at the rate of 67. Dollars 77 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28. day of Sep 1833 and sent to Hon. Thomas Corwin, Lebanon, Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833. 169.43 Pemi-ant. allowance ending 4 Nov 34. 33.88 $203.31
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M c R. Palmer Clerk, book 8 Vol. 8 Page 20 .
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 4 April 1838 from 4 Sept 1836 to 4 Sept 1837. Agent notified 11. June 1838
Date of death not on att.

The State of Ohio Wayne County count of our most Pleas of The term of Sept 1832. B. on this 3 d Oct 1832 before the court of personally appeared an open court John  William Deacon and years who being first duly sworn state or his oath Make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of conveyance passed June 9 th 1832 That he was born in Bucks County Pennsylvania on the 7 th April 1761. That since the revolution he he resided in South Carolina till 29 years ago when he removed to Wayne County Ohio where he has lived ever since. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein after stated. That in Union County South Carolina in the summer of 1777. he volunteered under Capt d George Horry for three months to go to the the aid of Savannah in Georgia. That Col d Bremon commanded the regiment to which his company was attached at Savannah Georgia, where he found it under the said Capt d Horry. That about four weeks after he joined the army at Savannah, an attempt was made to storm the place under command of Genl d Lincoln. He remem- bers that the Lieut d G d & many a great officer was there cooperating with the American troops & that Lieut d Puls with his legion of horse was there & was killed in the assault of the place. The American troops were repulsed with considerable loss different ways in said engagement but no loss wounds of any sort - after this they remained at Savannah about 8 weeks & were then marched to Oconee Creek in Georgia where he was discharged verbally having served three months in the Spring of the next year & he thinks in the month of March, he was drafted in Union County South Carolina for three months under Capt d Horry & was attached to a regiment commanded by Col d Bremon, That

Chandler Army was levied in said company they were marched to a place what was called the Bull Pen a prison of logs in which a number of Tories were confined between Broad & Saluda rivers in South Carolina, they were marched under the off er of & remained on the duty of the Tories at the end of which time he was again discharged voluntarily - After the British had taken possession of Charleston & occupied almost the entire state of South Carolina, with their troops absent left the state & went north Carolina & hearing that Genl Sumpter was mustering troops in that state at a point on the Catawba, he went to him and volunteered without any definite engagement as to time, he remained with Sumpter about 8 weeks when he got a furlough to go home & get clothing being almost naked, on his way home he was taken by the Tories & carried to Ferguson Camp in South Carolina, where he was detained a prisoner about 6 weeks & was paroled with him to go home & not travel further than three miles from home, after he returned being abused by the Tories who were numerous in the neighbor- hood, he concluded he was not safe out of the army & again joined the American troops at a camp commanded by Col l Brennan near Union Court house in South Carolina, with this regiment he remained in active service during the remainder of the war - said regiment was sometimes com- manded by Brennan sometimes by Lieut Col l Fair & sometimes by Major Brien & Gally under the latter officer he went in said regiment after the indigen

afterward in force after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis 3 & before the close of the war, they overtook the indians at a place called the Big bend of Tennessee river where they had a sharp engagement & the remembers a British officer by the name of Henry Crittendon who commanded the indians, was killed by the American Cavalry com- manded by Col. Beekman, Genl. Pickens was the commander of this expedition. After the close of the war he was discharged honorably in South Carolina at a place called Point and place near the Saluda Mountain, that he has no documentary evidence of his service & he has no knowledge of no person who can prove any of the above service except John Laine whose testimony is accompanied herewith. That he hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn & subscribed in open court this 3 Oct 1832. J. H. Wilds clk
his Mahlom Pearson mark
The Sarah Pearson a claymore residing in Warren county Ohio & John Laine John Salterthwaite of the same place hereby certify that we are well assured with Mahlon Pearson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 72 years of age, that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & they concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed in open court 3 d Oct 1832 J. H. Wilds clk
John Salterthwaite
Sarah Pearson

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories required 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 Jacob Pearson who signed the within certificate is a clergyman residing in the Township of Wayne and county of Warren in the State of Ohio and that John Sitterthwaite who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
The State of Ohio
Warren County } S. I. Jonathan H. Wilds clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said county & State aforesaid do hereby certify the foregoing to be the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Mahlon Pearson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the court aforesaid at Lebanon this 8 th of Oct 1832
J. H. Wilds Clk

Mahlon Pearson petition for Pension

State of Louisiana, ) Be it knowneth that I, on this day personally appeared M c D u P u  on this day personally appeared M c D u P u  on this day personally appeared who being first sworn, before me, that the facts stated in his petition of the present case are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief. Given under my hand and seal of office this 10th day of January, 1877. My Commission Expires July 10, 1877.
John H. Cain mark
affirmed to and subscribed before me this 10th day of January, 1877. M c D u P u Notary Public

State of Indiana Wayne County I Sam Hannah Clerk of the Wayne Circuit Court hereby certify that the within named Mr. M. Dunham Esq. before whom the within deposition of John Cain has been sworn to subscribed is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Wayne duly elected commissioned and sworn into office according to law and fully authorized by the laws of the State of Indiana to take such depositions and that full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all such his official acts.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of Our said Court at Centreville this 31 st day of August A.D. 1832 Sam l Hannah C.M.D.

19.962 Mahlon Pierson Warren County Ohio
Return
Adm. 1. year 8 Months 8 10 days. 40. -- 21. 66 1. 12 $67 79
Hon Thomas Corwin Lebanon Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
13 th June ~ 1832. _____
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. 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, showing the Service of Mahlon Pierson. Warren Co Ohio
   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.     Vol Summer 1777. 3 private Capt Avery 72 years   March 1778 3 " Col Brannon   Capt Avery Union City   Col Brannon So. Carolina   1780. and continued until the close of the war. Gen Sumpter.  
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
3 28 3 3 51 3 42 1 12 1 48
The papers of Mahlon Pierson are again returned, it is scarcely probable that as a Militia soldier he was in constant service from 1780 until the 3 rd of Sept 1783. The period at which the Revolution closed. — he must be definite see note 2 13

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

July 18, 1932
BA-J/MLB
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
MAHLON PIERSON S. 3663
Mr. Edwin S. Reid The Mayflower Apartments 66 Summer Street Buffalo, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Mahlon Pierson, S. 3663, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 3663, based upon the military service of Mahlon Pierson or Pearson in the Revolutionary War.
He was born April 7, 1761, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
While residing on his father's plantation in Union County, South Carolina, he enlisted in the summer of 1777 and served at various times, until the end of the war, one year eight months and ten days, as a private under Captains George Avery, Young and Joseph Hughes, Major Benjamin Jolly, and Colonels Brannen, William Fair and Henderson in the South Carolina troops; he was taken prisoner while on furlough during this period of service, detained six weeks, then released on parole; he was at the siege of Savannah and was on an expedition under General Pickens against the Indians after the surrender of Cornwallis and was in a severe engagement with them on the Big Bend of the Tennessee River.
He resided in South Carolina until about 1803, then moved to Warren County, Ohio.
Mahlon Pierson or Pearson was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832, while a resident of Wayne

Township, Warren County, Ohio, in which county he had resided ever since he moved to Ohio.
During the Revolutionary War soldier's father was a resident of Union County, South Carolina, and the latter part of 1780 moved to Broad River in that county. His name is not given.
One Jacob Pearson was a clergyman of Wayne Township, Warren County, Ohio, in 1832, relationship to soldier not shown.
No reference is made in the claim to soldier's wife or children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

1913 Sept. 27 Hist. to Mrs. Lydia E. Martin V.L.M. 1916 May 9 Hist. to Estella Cololet V.L.M. 1916 Nov. 6 Hist. to Mrs. J.H. McBrum 1921 May 10 Hist. to Mrs. F.C. Davidson 1922 Dec. 7 Hist. to Mrs. Ethel H. Knox - all 1931 July 28. Hist. to Hamilton Wood for Rev. N.H. Martindale - MNF 1932, July 18, Hist. to Mr. Edwin S. Reid - MRB.
Clearing
3663. INVALID.
File No. 3663
Mahlon Pearson Print Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: —Vol. 24 , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

July 28, 1931
Hon. Will R. Wood House of Representatives
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section MSF:MLB
My dear Mr. Wood:
Reference is made to your letter of July 22, 1931, in behalf of Reverend E. H. Martindale, Oxford, Indiana, relative to securing photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3663, of Mahlon Pierson or Pearson.
You are advised that such copies are sometimes furnished. In this particular claim the papers are very frail and a part of them almost illegible and it is believed that such copies would not be entirely satisfactory.
Since Mr. Martindale desires the data at once, the following includes the principal items of interest found in the papers, however, if this does not suffice, the photos will be made upon further advice.
It appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3663, that Mahlon Pierson or Pearson was born April 7, 1761, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
While residing on his father's plantation in Union County, South Carolina, he enlisted in the summer of 1777 and served at various times, until the end of the war, one year eight months and ten days, as a private under Captains George Avery, Young and Joseph Hughes, Major Benjamin Jolly, and Colonels Brannen, William Fair and Henderson in the South Carolina troops; he was taken prisoner while on furlough during this period of service, detained six weeks, then released on parole; he was at the siege of Savannah and was on an expedition under General Pickens against the Indians after the surrender of Cornwallis and was in a severe engagement with them on the Big Bend of the Tennessee River.

He resided in South Carolina until about 1803, then moved to Warren County, Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832, while a resident of Wayne Township, Warren County, Ohio, in which county he had resided ever since he moved to Ohio.
During the Revolutionary War soldier's father was a resident of Union County, South Carolina; the latter part of 1780 moved to Broad River in said county. His name is not given.
One Jacob Pearson was a clergyman of Wayne Township, Warren County, Ohio, in 1832, no relationship to the soldier is shown.
No reference is made to wife or children of the soldier.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of the soldier, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing the following data:
Mahlon Pierson or Pearson, Certificate No. 19962, issued September 28, 1833, rate, $67.77 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
N.Y. 3663
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Nahlon Pierson 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.     June 1777 served at various times until end of the war Pvt. George Avery Brannan S.C.   Young Major Benj. Jolly   Joseph Hughes William Fair   Henderson   1 yr. 8 mos + 10 days He was taken prisoner while on furlough during the above & detained 6 weeks, then released on parole.  
Battles engaged in, Siege of Savannah
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Res. Marion Co. S.C.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 3 1832 His el. was al.
Residence at date of application, Warren Co. Ohio Wayne Twp.
Age at date of application, in Bucks Co. Pa. Apr. 7. 1761
error
Remarks: His father was living at Broad River, Union Co. S.C. in 1833 His name is not stated & there is no other data as to his family
Having the Rev. col's father was a rev. of Union Co. S.C.; the latter part of 1780 he moved to Broad River in said county.
Very respectfully
Commissioner.

66 Summer Street Buffalo N.Y. May 3 1932
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir -
Will you kindly send me a certified copy of the original Pension Certificate, & the dates of service if possible; of Mahlon Pierson (born in Bucks Co. Penn) "Bureau" enlisted June(?) 1777 April 7 1761 Served 1 year 8 months 10 days in the Rev. war; engaged in the siege of Savannah, Oct. 3 1832 applied for Pension which was allowed. Bureau of Pensions. Rev. war Record Sec. V. L. M. S L 3663 Verify by 160 534
Thanking you for your kind attention
Yours Very Truly Edwin S. Reid.
Can you tell me where he enlisted from, either Penn. or Indiana.

WILL R. WOOD, IND. CHAIRMAN
Rm House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Seventy-first Congress Washington, D. C.
July 22, 1931
Mr. E. W. Morgan, Director of Pensions, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Morgan:
I have a letter from Rev. Harry H. Martindale, Pastor of the Christian Church, Oxford, Indiana, stating that he would like to procure all the information that is contained in the application and other papers in the war claim of Mahlon Pearson (or Pierson) Claim S. 3663. Mr. Pearson was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1761, and lived in Union County, South Carolina during the Revolution. He then went to Warren County, Ohio after 1800, and then on to Fountain County, Indiana, after 1830, and is now buried in a cemetery near Attica, Indiana, and is one of the two Revolutionary soldiers buried in Founty County.
Mr. Martindale would like to have a photostatic copy of the records in this claim, and I wish you would let me know how much it will cost to have this done. Or if you will send this information directly to Mr. Martindale at Oxford, Indiana, I will appreciate it. He is anxious to have this information at once if possible, as he is preparing an articles to be published by September 1st.
I will appreciate all the information you can give in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Will R. Wood

Rev Sec
ARTHUR HOWELL KNOX ARCHITECT 7 W. MADISON ST. CHICAGO
November 9, 1922.
DEARBORN 5053
Commissioner of Pensions, Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington D. C.
S.F In re- U. L. N. 3663
Dear Sir:-
One of my ancestors Mahlon Pearson was a soldier in the war of the American Revolution, and received a pension for his services.
Will you kindly send me his war record as early as convenient. His pension number is U. L. N. S. F. 3663.
Very truly yours
(Mrs) Ethel H. Knox
2400 Park Place, Evanston, Ill.

Montesano Wash
April 10-1921-
Commissioner of Pensions - Washington D.C.
Dear Sir -
I am writing you to see if you would please give me the necessary information to enable me to join The Daughters of the American

Revolution My great grand- father Mahlon Pearson was a revolutionary soldier He drew a pension and his home was Attica-Indiana. He is buried at Attica- Indiana.
Hoping to hear from you in the near future And oblige-
Mrs Fred Davidson Monticello Wash Go Davidson Auto Co.

Mc Broom

On stamped Envelope via a Post Stamped Envelope with Mr. K
El Paso, Texas
Oct. 7 - 1916
Bureau of Pensions Dept. of Interior Washington D.C.
I have been directed to write to your Dept. for information as to the Revolutionary War record of my ancestor Nahlon

Pearson - as I wish same in order to become a D. A. R. member.
I do not understand that there is any fee required - but if there should be kindly advise and I will be glad to remit.
Thanking you in advance I am - Yours very truly. Mrs. J. H. Mc c Broom #215 Lawton Ave. El Paso Texas

Enclosed find addressed envelope for reply.

201 East State Street Princeton, Indiana May 4, 1916
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir: I enclose a communication to the War Department which was returned to me, with the suggestion that I write to you.
So I forward the same and shall very much appreciate any information you can give regarding Mahlon Pearsons certificate of service in the Revolution.
May I hear at once as I desire to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Very truly,
Leota Colvert. Leota Colvert.

JESSE MARTIN, President O. S. CLARK, Vice-Pres. W. B. SCHERMERHORN, Cashier
Rev. Sec. 20-2 The Central National Bank
Capital $50,000
Attica, Indiana
201 East State Street Princeton, Indiana April 29, 1916
TO THE HON. SEC'Y OF WAR, U. S. A.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me a certificate of the War Department that Mahlon Pearson was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, as evidenced by Pearson Certificate, recorded in the pension office in book E, Vol. 8, Page 20, Dated September 28th, 1825.
The above mentioned certificate is desired for the purpose of the undersigned in receiving membership in the Daughters of the Revolution.
Leota M. Colvert. 201 East State Street Princeton Indiana
P.S. Will you also send me any information regarding Mahlon Pearson's date and place of birth and death and the number of children. Leota Colvert
Received A.G.O., MAY 1 1916

Rev. War Sec. 1-
284

JESSE MARTIN, President O. S. CLARK, Vice-Pres. W. B. SCHERMERHORN, Cashier
The Central National Bank
Capital $50,000
Attica, Indiana
The Hon. Commissioners of Pensions Washington, U. C.
Dear Sir! — Please send me a certificate stating that Mahlon Pearson was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, as evidenced by Pension Certificate, recorded in the Pension office in book E, Vol 8. Page 20. Dated September 28 th - 1838.
The above mentioned certificate is desired for the purpose of the undersigned in receiving membership in the Daughters of the Revolution. I am Sept. 20 - 1913 Attica, Indiana - 403 - East Washington St. Yours Respectfully, Lydia E. Martin

Mahlon Purvis of Ohio

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Mahlon Pearson further proof or explanation.
which require
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Does II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? ad III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Not in all cases V. * Has he mentioned 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? Not with precision VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Has VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Has VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Has IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Has X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? This

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Treasury Department,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Issue 14, 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" Mahlon Pearson a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of sixty seven Dollars and seventy seven Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th Issue 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1836 to the 4 th of Sept. 1837
Respectfully, yours,
Abner E. Parrish Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

State of Indiana Wayne County
Be it known hereat that on this day (to wit) the 11 th day of May 1833, personally came before me Wm. H. Dunham an acting justice of the Peace in and for said county, John Cain of lawful age who after being first duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith that he has been acquainted with Mahlon Pearson of now a resident of Warren County State of Ohio and now an applicant to be placed on the pension list of the revolutionary soldiers of the United States of America since the summer of A.D. 1777 and further saith that the aforesaid Mahlon Pearson served various tours in the Revolutionary War between England & the United States and that from the year A.D. 1777 to the close of said war and that he served several tours of duty with (said Pearson) himself, and further this deponent saith not
his John X Cain mark
State of Indiana Wayne County
I Wm. H. Dunham justice of peace mentioned do hereby certify that foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me the date above mentioned in said affidavit and I do also hereby certify that John Cain is a man of veracity and general good moral character and entitled to credibility and I might further add with safety as much so as any man I have ever had an acquaintance with In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 11 th day of May A.D. 1833
Wm. H. Dunham

State of Indiana Wayne County } I Sam l Hannah Clerk of the Wayne Circuit Court do hereby certify that William M. Dunham Esq. before whom the within deposition of John Cain has been subscribed and sworn to, and who has certified the same, was at the time the same appears to have been subscribed & sworn to an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn into Office according to law, and further that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I herunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court this 11 th day of May A.D. 1833.
Sam l Hannah C.M.C.

The declaration of Warlord Patton, Supplementary to his original declaration made before the knights of the Knights of Common Pleas within and for the county of Warren and State of Ohio since and the third of October One thousand eight hundred and thirty two to attain the benefits of the act of July June 1832.
Be it remembered that on this day personally appeared Warlord Patton a resident of the county of Warren and State of Ohio, being first duly affirmed according to law, doth upon his solemn affirmation state the following declaration, amendatory to his declaration heretofore made as mentioned in the caption hereto. Said Warlord Patton that by reason of delay and the assignments of his time he cannot state with any more certainty than he has heretofore done and will hereinafter state in relation to the length of his services in the rebellion any way but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following general terms the time in his full or original declaration he states the time as a volunteer in the summer of 1861 in Union County and State of South Carolina and served under the flag and in the manner stated in said original declaration and for the period of three months until he received his discharge to serve that time of time that he served for more than the time of which he was engaged before he was discharged for the time from the time of  which it is impossible for him to fix the precise period of time he served the service, but he knows it was in the summer of that year and that he served in the capacity of a common soldier. In the following spring which would be in the year 1862 and he being then  at  the  time in the county of Union and State of Ohio, and in said county of Union and State of Ohio he was drafted into the service under the  act  of  March  1862 and was attached to a regiment  company  under  the  command  of Col. Prunow, and served for the period of three months in the manner particularly stated in his former declaration, during all of which last service he was a common soldier - from all age to of memory he cannot state with greater precision than as above the day or month of the year in which he was drafted, but he well remembers it was in the spring of the year - This deponent states that the third and last time

he engaged in the service, he made remarkable progress soon after the taking of Charleston by the British in the same year of the capture of that city, and by the he was informed that a decree happened transferred in the year 1780, he was as heretofore stated in North Carolina with Genl. Moultrie and remained with him about eight weeks and then obtained a furlough to go home on his way he was taken prisoner by the Tories and carried to Ferguson's Camp, where he was treated about the weeks, was then paroled the while freely for life to remain. At home among the Tories he was greatly rejoined. The American troops relocated in his part of the country remained in active service as a com- pany leader until the termination of the war when he was discharged honorably - a few years again stating that from his memory he cannot state with more particularity the property and relations to his family
Heahlon & Pison Nutt That the above declaration I do hereby certify that Heahlon Pison's offering to add subscriptions to the above declaration before me this 17 day of May 1833 as with my hand & seal H. Nutt J.P. Warren County N.H. Knowing that being first known by me an officer of the peace for the County of Warren County that Heahlon Pison who stated I do hereby certify that the above declaration and Heahlon Pison who subscribed attested the declaration with me in the caption of this declaration are one & the same person H. Nutt J.P.
State of Ohio At I do hereby certify that Phoebe Ross Sworn was in company with me at the time of the death of the above mentioned person and described the above description. Before me this day of May A.D. 1855. I know Ross is a man of veracity H. Allen

The State of Ohio } Warren County } I Jonathan H. Wilds clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within the county aforesaid do hereby certify that William Sellers Esq. whose sig- -natures are attached to the foregoing affidavits and certificates is an acting Justice of the peace within the the county aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn into office & that full faith & credit are due to all his official acts also that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of The Court aforesaid at Lebanon this 17 th May A. D. 1833 —
J. H. Wilds clk

The further declaration of Mahlon Pindon explanatory of his original and supplementary declarations heretofore by him made, the one before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas within and for the County of Warren and State of Ohio on the 3 rd day of October 1832, the other before William Sillars Esq r a justice of the peace within and for said County and State on the seventeenth of May 1833 for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. Be it remembered that on this 28 th day of September eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the acting justices of the peace within and for the County of Warren and State of Ohio, Mahlon Pindon a resident of said County, who being before me duly affirmed accor- ding to law, doth upon his solemn affirmation make the following statement amendatory to and explanatory of the declaratory hereto made by him at the time of in the manner particularly stated in the above cap- -tion - Said Mahlon Pindon saith that he is still a resident of Payne Township in the County aforesaid and is at this time in his seventy third year of age - that by reason of old age his memory has become very considerably impaired, that since making his former declaratory he has held conversations with persons well acquainted with the history of the Revolution and has himself made an exam- -ination of the history of his country from both of which sources he finds that he has been mistaken in the dates of his services, as stated in said declara- -tion, though correct in the main facts therein stated He now states that as far as his memory serves him, in the month of June in the year 1777 in Union County South Carolina he volunteered under Captain Horry Horry for three months, as he then understood, to go to Georgia, in which state then a British officer by the name of Col - Campbell had landed, it was said had landed, that said Captain Horry with his company joined the regiment commanded by Col Brannon at the old field on Payto Creek South Carolina where they were encamped until the end of which period he remained from which at the end of which period the entire regiment was dismissed in consequence of some commencement received from the Governor of said State but as he received no written discharge - Deponent states that in making his former declaratory he confound- ed the above mentioned service with that by him rendered at the siege of Savannah, and in that way mistaking the date of the siege of said Town - Deponent further states that due to the frailty of his memory that it is impossible for him to state with precision the month or

the day thereof when he again entered the Service, he believing however that in the latter part of July or first part of August 1779, he was , that he again volunteered under the aforesaid Captain Brony Moore , for the three months that said Captain Moore and his company joined the regiment, commanded by Col - Brannon, at Fairforest in Union County South Carolina, in which County said Company was raised - that said regiment from thence Marched, and crossed the Savannah River at Augusta, and from thence through the pine wood to or near the Savannah where we joined the Army - about four weeks after we joined the Army, an attempt was made to storm said Town, under the Command of General - Lincoln - he remembering that the Count De Stirling was cooperated at said Siege and was said to have been wounded that Count Belaski with his legion of horse was there and he was there killed - Our Army was repulsed with considerable loss - deponent was actually engaged in said Siege but received no wound After the American Army was repulsed it was Marched to Brim Creek in Georgia where we remained for four weeks and was then discharged Col Brannon's regiment was there then discharged but the deponent received no written discharge - He pos- itively states that he served actively the full period for which he volunteered, being three months, during which time he served as a Common Soldier - In the Spring of the next year and he thinks and believing in the month of March (but of this he cannot be positive) he was drafted in said County of Union South Carolina for three months under the aforesaid Captain Brony Moore , and was marched to the Bull Pen where he joined the regiment Command by Col Brannon Alexander Moore was lieutenant of said Company he remained at the Bull Pen, (a Prison in which a number of Tories were confined) for the period of three months, during which time we were employed in guarding said Prisoners - deponent here received a verbal discharge having served as a Common Soldier three months - After the British had taken possession of Charleston (which he is informed was in 1780) and occupied almost the entire State of South Carolina, deponent left said State and went to North Carolina hearing that Genl Sumpter was mustering troops

in that state at a point on the Catawba, he went to hide and volunteered, without any definite engagement as to time, he remained with Hampton at this place being engaged in scouting parties after the Tories. for about a fortnight at least eight weeks if not longer - Paul Hampton then gave orders to a furlough to go home and get clothing being almost naked, on my way home, and went to my father's plantation in Union County South Carolina definitely was taken prisoner by the Tories and taken to Ferguson's Camp at Holmes Ford on Pacolet River from there I was taken by said Ferguson to Gardner's Creek in North Carolina, from there Ferguson retreats to said Holmes Ford where he paroled definitely definitely who had been prisoners at least six weeks if not longer definitely then went home, and being attacked by the Tories who were numerous in the neighborhood of his his residence, he again joined the army at least in the summer of 1860 and he thinks in July but on what day he cannot say, to a camp near Union County North Carolina commanded by Col Brannon from there I was marched in a company commanded by Major Benjamin Gally to Fairforest, at the the old mill, where there was a station and where he remained under the command of said Gally for three months he being longer, from there I was allowed to go home to my father who had then removed to Broad River in Union County of where I remained one week then joined Col Brannon at his camp upon Broad River which was at where I remained a week when Col Brannon sent me at an express to Henderson's Creek upon the Savannah River above Augusta, from there I returned to Col Brannon's Camp where in a few days sent Capt Young with his company to which I was then attached upon a scouting expedition between the and the and upon the creek at which the Tories were committing depredations upon the whites and their property, in this service I was engaged like the or more, when we returned to Col Brannon Camp, and was dismissed and went home and there remained until the spring of year 1861 in the month of March there was a draft and Col Brannon's regiment was drafted into three divisions & numbered first, second & third

I was drafted into the fifth division - In the month of July Aug - fol- -lowing we were called into active service and under the command of Col William Fair of Col Brannon's Regiment and marched to Pickett's Creek or district and there joined Col Henderson's Regiment and were marched to near a half mile upon Little River where we encamped and and were were engaged in scouting parties after the enemy - In August we were discharged having served for the full period of three months - Defendant since has received another discharge - in this last service he was a common soldier - Again in the year 1863 in July defendant volunteered in the the County of Warren Wayne Co. Ky - As Capt. was left Hays - and joined Col Pickard at the and there near the Selma Mountains - Col Hammond Command- ed the dragoons - at this place they beat up for the to go in advance of the army, to see if any  the the Indians could be discovered - I volunteered for that purpose and was under the command of Major Riley  and continued in the service until May following when I was verbally discharged having served for the term of three months as a common soldier at this & additionally being engaged in scouting parties after the enemy but am unable to state particulars - Defendant further states that by reason of old age and the loss of memory top of memory he cannot state with more particularity when he had heretofore done the precise length of the different periods of his service - Defendant also states that he was not engaged in any civil pursuit during any part of the time he had above stated himself to have been engaged in the service and further in the note.
Nathan P. Pendleton
I do certify that Nathan Pendleton affirmed to and subscribed the above declaration before me this 6th of September 1883 at the my hand and seal. J. Williams J.P.
State of Ohio } I do certify that Richard Ross being sworn by me an acting justice of Warren County } the peace for the County of Warren that Nathan Pendleton who has and subscribed the above declaration of Nathan Pendleton to the  the the declarant mentioned in the foregoing is one and the same person.
Richard Ross
State of Ohio } I do certify that Richard Ross heretofore affirmed Warren County } subscribed the above affidavit in my presence and that said Ross is a man of veracity and is entitled to credit.
J. Williams J.P.
The State of Ohio } Warren County } I Jonathan H. Wilds clerk of the within for the county aforesaid

and subject to the above-mentioned conditions of not and the said ... to declaring mentioned in the last ... I do certify that Rhine ... and the ... Warren ... is my ... has ... and is ... Ross is a man of ... and is ...
The State of Ohio } Warren County } ss Jonathan H. Wild, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that William Sellers Esq. who appears to have signed the foregoing affidavit & certificate was at the time of the date thereof known to me an acting Justice of the peace within & for the county aforesaid duly com- missioned & sworn into office, that full faith & credit are due to all his official acts as such and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine — Testimony whereof I have here-
in testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & affixed the seal of the court aforesaid at Seba- = now this 6 th September 1855
16. Wilds elk
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