Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37114, Abraham Holly, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Holly, Abraham or Holley
S. 37114
CONTENTS

9910 Q Connecticut.
Abraham Holly 24
of Fairfield Co. in the state of Connec. t who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Chandler, of the Connec. t line, for the term of six years.
inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27. of April 1819. and sent to Joseph Wood, judge Stamford Fairfield Co. Connec. t
Arrears to 4th of March, 1819. . . 89.03. Semi-annual all'ce ending 4. Sept 2 48 " 11 mo 4 / 31 } 1819. $: 137.03.
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
General
Noted sent to the Hon Mr. Williams H. R. S. Nov 1820

Margaret Waterbury of Stamford widow of Nathaniel Waterbury Do th testify that I am well acquainted with Abraham Holly of said Stamford and the said Holly's family lived in the same house with me for two or three years in the Revolutionary war while the said Holly was in the Continent- al Army - I well remember that the said Holly had a son by the name of Isaac born on the 26 th day of December at our house at which time the said Holly came home from the Army on a furlow for several days while his wife was confined with the birth of his son Isaac after a few days said Holly returned to the army I remember the birth of said Holly's son because it was on my own birth day that is, the same day of the year and I well remember said Holly was home for several days on furlow at that time - I am fifty two years old this day if I remember correctly - I have no idea that said Holly ever deserted from the army for I have been well acquainted with him ever since his service in the army and never heard of that fact till since his papers were returned from Washington and he told me he was returned a deserter. And further the deponent saith not
I Gideon Weed of Stamford testify that I am well acquainted with Abraham Holly of said Stamford and have been ever since he was a child - said Holly as I always understood enlisted into the Continental army for during the war of the Revolution - said Holly's family lived in my house for two or three years while he was in the army - At the time his son Isaac was born the said Holly came home on furlow of thirty days as I understood - and might have staid a day or two over his furlow on account of his wife's sickness

but returned to the army shortly he was deserted from the army  the that Isaac heard that he deserted till since his papers were returned from Washington and he told me he was returned a deserter - I cannot tell the year that he was at home on furlow but well remember it was a very severe winter - I always understood said Holly was a good and faithful soldier - after he returned home from the army at the conclusion of the war he offered me his final settlement notes in pay for house rent but I did not take them as he was very poor - Afterwards he sold part of his said notes to Shadduck Bell I think for half a crown on the pound I do not believe said Holly ever deserted the army and further the Deponent saith not -
I Martha Holly wife of Abraham Holly of Stamford Testify that our son Isaac Holly now dead was born on the 20 th day of December 1780 at the dwelling house of Gideon Weed of said Stamford and further he Deponent saith not
I Samuel Hasty of Stamford, State of Connecticut Testify that I was well acquainted with Abraham Holly of said Stamford in the Army of the Revolutionary War we both belonged to the same Regiment I never heard of said Hollys deserting the Army until the information came from the war Department on his application for a pension and if he had deserted said Army I should undoubtedly have heard

of it or known it at the time. I am further more confident he never deserted the Army, from the circumstance that after the close of the war he gave me a power of Attorney to procure from the proper Department his Land warrant to which he was entitled by his enlistment and service. I obtained his warrant for one hundred acres of land and afterwards purchased the same of him. Some of his final-settlement notes I understood at the time were bought of him by Gaddeus Bell. I do not know that I ever saw them. From these facts I think it impossible that he should have been a deserter and further the Deponent saith not.
State of Connecticut ss Stamford. Personally before me Joseph Wood Public Notary duly commissioned and sworn residing in said Stamford came Abigail Waterbury and Gideon Wood on the 26 th day of December 1818. Martha Holly on the 7 th day of January 1819 and Samuel Hoyt on the 18 th day of January 1819 and respectively made oath to the truth of their respective affidavits herein before written. And I do certify that they are credible Witnesses.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office the 18 th day of January 1819 Joseph Wood Notary Public

Abram Holley
1810
Oct 10/19
Cong
State of Connecticut
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

District and State of Connecticut, ss. Fairfield County
BE IT REMEMBERED, That in the County Court, held in and for the County of Fairfield, in the District and State aforesaid, on this 27 th day of July 1820, the same being a Court of Record, and having a Seal, under the Authority of said State, personally came and appeared in open Court
Abraham Holley aged Seventy four years , resident in the Town of Darien in the County of Fairfield, in said State, and being first duly sworn according to Law, doth declare on his oath, that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: viz ) in the Spring of 1777 he enlisted into a Company commanded by Capt S. Brown in Col. Chandlers Regt of the Connecticut line for during the War Served out his time & at the close of the War was honorably discharged —
that the original Declaration made by him, for the purpose of obtaining a Pension, under the Act of Congress of the 18th of March, 1818, was dated the 1 st day of April 1818 that in pursuance thereof he was entered in the List of Pensioners, and received a Pension Certificate No. 9910 And I do further solemnly
Swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person, in trust, for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed. And I do further declare that my occupation is that of a labourer but from a total loss of sight have been unable to labor for many years and that I have a family residing with me of a wife aged Sixty six years
all which is subscribed by me the day and year aforesaid.
Abraham his Holley mark
Sworn to and declared in the Court aforesaid. Whereupon said Court is, on satisfactory proof exhibited in Court, of opinion that the total amount in value of the property contained in the aforesaid Schedule, is three Dollars and 3 Cents, and doth order these proceedings to be entered in the records of said Court.
Attest David Burr Clerk

At a County Court, held in and for the County of Fairfield, in the District and State of Connecticut, on the 27 th day of July 1820, the same being a Court of Record, and having a Seal, by virtue of the Laws of said State.
PERSONALLY APPEARED, in open Court, Abraham Holley — a resident in the Town of
Darien — in the County of Fairfield, in said State, and exhibited and subscribed the following Schedule, and made Oath that the same is a true and perfect Schedule of all his income and property, necessary cloathing and bedding excepted, viz.
4 chairs 1 Table 3 coarse Dishes 4 Plates 3 knives & 4 Forks three Spoons 4 cups & Saucers 1 Porridge Pot 1 Tea kettle 1 Spider 1 Frying pan 1 pt sad Irons 1 Meat Barrel & 1 old chest ————— $3 33
Abraham his / Holley mark

State of Connecticut, ss.
I DAVID BURR, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, in the said State, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Abraham Holley is thence Dollars \frac{3}{100} .
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Fairfield, this 27 day of July 1820.
David Burr
Clerk of the County Court for said County of Fairfield.
District and State of Connecticut, ss. Fairfield July 27. 1820
I ROBERT FAIRCHILD, Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, in said State, do certify that DAVID BURR, Esq. is the Clerk of said Court, duly appointed and sworn; and that the said Court is a Court of record, made so by the statute laws of said State; that it proceeds according to the course of the common law, has a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, with the power of fine and imprisonment, and keeps a record of its proceedings.
Robert Fairchild
Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield.

Declaration De: of Abm. Holly
Adm. C. — n —
Deed of Sale 4th Dec.
He hereunto is attested to a Person —
(see Muster Rolls.)

I Abraham Holly of Stamford in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut, declare on oath, that in the year 1777 I enlisted into the Revolutionary War in Captain Sylvanus Brown's Company of Col. Chandler's Regiment for during the war as a private soldier - which Regiment was of the Connecticut Line - I served till the end of the war under the said enlistment in the continental service and was then discharged by General Washington. - My discharge I kept for many years but finally wore it out or lost it so that it is not now in existence to my knowledge. I supposed after so long a time it would be of no use to me. - I am very poor, a cripple, unable to labor much and in need of the aid of my country for support. } }
I Benjamin Need Jr. of Stamford, in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut declare on oath that I was in the United States service in the Revolutionary War, where I was acquainted with the above named Abraham Holly where I frequently saw him in the Regiment mentioned by him above and in the continental service for two or three years. - His circumstances in life are such as that he needs the aid of his country for support. }
State of Connecticut ss Stamford Fairfield County April 1 st 1818 Personally before me Joseph Wood Judge of Probate of said State for Stamford District came Abraham Holly the above named applicant and made solemn oath to the truth of this Declaration as above

written also at the same time appeared Benjamin Weed above named and made solemn oath to the truth of his declaration as herein before written and thereupon the said Abraham Holly by virtue of a late Law of the United States entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war," made application for a pension from the United States J S Wood Judge of Probate
State of Connecticut ss. Stamford Probate Office I Joseph Wood Judge of Probate of said State for Stamford District certify that it appears to my satisfaction that Abraham Holly the above named applicant served in the Revolutionary war during the period by him in his said declaration stated against the common enemy on the Continental establishment and that he is in indi- cated circumstances. And in attestation of the premises I have hereunto affixed my name and the Seal of said Court the 1 st day of April 1818 J S Wood Judge of Probate

37114
INVALID.
Party
File No. 37114
Abraham Kolly
Dr. Her. L. S.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 231
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Jonas Weed of Stamford in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut Testify That I was well acquainted with Abraham Holly of said Stamford while in the Revolutionary army - we were in the same Company and Regiment commanded by Col Chandler said Holly was a good faithful Soldier in the service - If he is returned a deserter I think it must be an erroneous return For I never heard till a few days ago that he deserted from the army - If he had deserted I must have known it He was a near neighbor to me before he enlisted and has been ever since he left the army After the close of the war he obtained his bounty land which he sold and with the avails purchased a cow of my neighbor Shaddeus Bell also some pork - I have no knowledge or belief that said Holly ever deserted the army or the service of the United States Jonas Weed

State of Connecticut ss Stamford October 20 th 1818 Personally before me Joseph Wood Notary Public duly commissioned and sworn came Jonas Wood the within Deponent and made oath to the truth of the within Deposition and I do certify that he is a credible witness In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of my Office Notarial Joseph Wood Notary Public

House of Col. Calhoun Abraham Holly, Fairfield County, for Col. Charles H. H. H. Connecticut line, 1777 to end of the war. 1 st April, 1818.
Joseph Wood, judge Stamford, Fairfield County, Connect.

Stanford January 18 th 1819
Honble J C Calhoun
Sir,
The papers of Ab m Holly have been returned to me on which he is noted as having deserted 7 th Dec r 1780 - I have procured from Mr. Hubbell who was Inspector and paymaster of the 5 th Regiment two Muster Rolls and one payroll of Capt Dorrance Company to which Ab m Holly (alias Hawly) belonged, which I now enclose to you with other evidence - He is noted as having deserted 7 th Dec r 1780 It will be seen by the testimony and by comparing the inclosed Rolls with those in the War Department that he never did desert - The Muster Roll for January 1781 Mr. Hubbell could not find but Hawly is returned in the pay roll for that month and the whole of the year 1781 which is immediately succeeding the time in which he is said to have deserted - He is also on the two Muster Rolls in 1781 noted absent for sickness - It will be seen by the testimony that he was absent on furlough in the month of Dec r 1780 his wife being sick in child-bed - Immediately after that he joined the army and continued in it to the end of the week when he was paid for his services and rec d his land warrant - This would not have been done had he deserted - It is expected the inclosed Muster Rolls and

Pay Roll will be returned to me when examined at the War Department
I am Respectfully your
Assistant
Joseph Wood

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
h h
Holly Benjamin Holley
W. 8941
Priscilla
CONTENTS

11.757 South Carolina
Priscilla Holly decd. widow of Benjamin Holly
who died on the Benjamin Holly of SC in the State of who was a private in the by Captain of the commanded by in the Revolution time for 2 years -
Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston at the rate of 85 - Dollars 00 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. & end 4th March 1841 -
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of May 1855 - and sent to James A. Black Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending Present -
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838. Clerk. Recorded by Vol. 1 - Page 307 Book J -

G.
R.
AT THE Court at KENSINGTON,
December 3, 1696.
P R E S E N T
The King's Most Excellent Majesty in C O U N C I L.
U PON the humble Petition of Nicholas Brady, and Nahum Tate, this Day read at the Board, setting forth, that the Petitioners have, with their utmost Care and Industry, completed A New Version of the Psalms of David, in English Metre, fitted for public Use; and humbly praying his Majesty's Royal Allowance, that the said Version may be used in such Congre- gations as shall think fit to receive it:
His Majesty taking the same into his Royal Consideration, is pleased to order in Council That the said New Version of the Psalms, in English Metre, be, and the same is hereby Al- lowed and Permitted to be used in all such Churches, Chapels, and Congregations, as shall think fit to receive it.
W. Bridgeman.
Holly, Benj. S.C. W8941

Mary Wootton was Born October the 21 - 1773 And Departed this Life August the 16 - 1786
Elizabeth Dabney was Born November the 29 1782
Rachel Hobley January 23 1782
Jane Hollingsworth October the 16 1782
Abigail Wilson October 7 1784
Elizabeth April 20 1787
49 Martha Hollingsworth August 20 1791
Mary was born January 1792

THE NEW TESTAMENT
OF OUR
LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST,
TRANSLATED OUT OF THE ORIGINAL GREEK;
AND WITH THE
FORMER TRANSLATIONS
DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED,
By His MAJESTY'S Special Command.
Appointed to be Read in CHURCHES.
EDINBURGH:
Printed by MARK and CHARLES KERR, His MAJESTY'S Printers. MDCCXCV.

Benjamin H ollary he was born the year of our february Lord - 15 - 1752
Benjamin H ollary he was born the year of our Lord february 15 1752 Marriage January 10 1 1782

Declaration of Sarah Holley Daughter of Priscilla Holley Act 7 th July 1838.

State of South Carolina S.S.
District of Orangeburg November On this eleventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four Personally appeared, in open court before the undersigned Judge of the Court of Ordinary in and for said District & which is a Court of Record, Sarah Holley a resident of the District & State aforesaid, aged sixty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay &c pensions to certain widows" or of any prior or subsequent act or reso- lution of Congress applicable to her case: That she is the daughter of Priscilla Holley deceased who was the widow of Benjamin Holley who entered the service of the United States (as this deponent has been informed & believes) under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated: That at the commencement of the war her said father was living in what is now Orangeburg District in this State near the homestead of the late Colonel William Thomson who upon the organizing of the Continental Regiments of this State was ap- pointed Colonel of the "Third Regiment of Rangers" on the Cont- inental Establishment: That when a recruiting officer was recruiting for said Third Regiment her said father said Benjamin Holley enlisted and served in said Regiment the period of his enlist- ment or until the close of the war with the following named Comrades namely Allen Jeffer, Osborne Jeffer, Benjamin Jeffer, Dumy Harris, Morgan Griffin, Gideon Griffin, Arthur Jackson & Benjamin Carter, many of whom lived since the war not far from her said father: That under which of the Captains of said 3 d Regiment her said father served deponent from the loss of his old Army papers years ago, is unable to say but would suggest that her said father must have enlisted early in the war say in seventeen hundred & seventy six or seven under either Captain Richard Brown, Captain Robert Goodwyn, Captain Uriah Goodwyn, Captain David Hopkins or Lieutenant Derrill Hart all of whom lived in a section around & near her said father's home or he may have served under Capt. George Liddell who also belonged to said Regiment.
The word "November" between 2 d & 3 d line above, interlined before signing.

That as to the battle in which her said father was engaged in the country through which he marched this deponent is unable to say now but she distinctly remembers her father speaking of his service in that war and of his privations etc. That her said father died in this District about December 1819. years ago & that her said mother Priscilla Holley remained a widow until her death which took place in said District on the nineteenth  fifteenth day of January Eighteen hundred and fortytwo. That her said father was married to her said mother, who had had two children before her marriage with said Benjamin Holley, on the tenth day of January Eighteen hundred and eightytwo, in the section of country in which her said father lived prior to & since the war, & until his death. That the family record of her said father & mother showing the date of births of their children which they during their lives kept as such, is herunto attached, as also that which shows the date of their marriage. She further declares that she her said mother was married to her said father on the date above given, as shown by the record aforesaid, & previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & eighty four, or seventeen hundred & ninety four. Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before me.
The word "nineteenth" above interlined before signing.
And do hereby certify that the family Record above is herunto attached & that I believe this deponent worthy of credit in her foregoing statements. The word "record" above interlined before signing.
her Sarah * Holley mark.
G. D. Kirtt Judge of the Court of Ordinary Orangeburg District -

State of South Carolina 3 ss.
Orangeburg District 3 It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has this day been submitted to & before the undersigned Judge of Court of Ordinary in Horsaid District 3 which is a Copy of Record by the affidavits of (hereto attached) Paul Speigner and David Myers and Dr. S. L. Dancy all personally known to me and respectable & credible citizens of said District that Benjamin Holly who was in his lifetime reputed & believed to have been a soldier in the Revolution under Colonel William Thomson and that said Holly died about thirty six years ago leaving his widow Piscilla Holly who remained a widow till her death on 19 th day of January Eighteen hundred and forty two, leaving as her now living children Sally Holly Charlotte Hope, Jane Holly and
And I further certify that I am wholly disinterested in giving this Certificate -
The affidavits above referred to being hereto attached. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court at Orangeburg Court House in said District & State this 26 th day of February in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five.
G. H. Kirt
Judge of Court Ordinary Orangeburg District

Statesboro Georgia Ocmulgee District. Personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Magistrate in for said District, Paul Springer and David Myers who being duly sworn depose that they have been living in their present neighborhood for fifty years past and that from their first recollection of the neighborhood Benjamin Holly lived in the same and near where Colonel William R Thomson lived and that then & during said Holly's life he was reputed & believed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war under Colonel Thomson and that said Benjamin Holly died in said neighborhood some thirty six years ago leaving his wife Priscilla Holly who remained a widow and died in same neighbor- hood about the 17th January 1842 as well as these deponents recollect & believe and that her only now living Children are the present Sarah Holly, Charlotte Hope, Jane Holly and
Holly. These deponents further swear that they are wholly disinterested in giving this testimony. Sworn to and subscribed this twenty first day of February 1855 Before
me
J. D. Prickett Mgt
Paul Springer David Myers J. D. Prickett Mgt
And the said Magistrate do hereby certify that that I have long known the above deponents & that they are gentlemen whose statements are due full faith & Credit. Given under (over)

my hand the day & year aforesaid, and I further certify that I am disinterested in giving this certificate.
V. D. Bracket Myt
Certificate of the age of Elizabeth Garrison as a daughter of Benjamin & Priscilla (Folger) - his (Benjamin's) seventh child as a son of the last mentioned Regt. and of the names of their now living children.
In the claim of Priscilla Holly Oct 7th July 1835.
See affidavit of Priscilla Garrison & Rev. Stephen Matthews.

I know that the Orderly Book now in possession of Mr Black, has been in the Thompson family for many years, and that the entry in the same of the name of Ben Holly is in the handwriting of my great grand father Col W m Thompson of 3 d S. C. Regiment. 23 d May 1855. Charles H. Rhetts.

No 15.252
Priscilla Holly dec. d widow of Benjamin.
S. C.
Mar. S. M. Keith 27 Jany. 1855. " " " " 27 Feb 11
Adk 7 July 1838.

South Carolina Roll.
Priscilla Holly, do who was the mother of Benjamin, who was a private South Carolina Line.
See 2 year private $80 per Ann.
Act. July 7. 1838,
to March 4. 1836,
to March 4. 1841,
To Sally Holly Charlotte Hope Irene Holly, org children
To James A. Black Present.

By  WIDOW, &c.  em
File No. 8941
Priscilla Kelley
Widow
Benjamin Kelley
Print Rev. War.
Act: July 7 th  1838.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 343
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No Papers
Priscilla Holley
Ben m / S. b. original
Cole
Rev. J. P. North
Pension Office
Washington
D.C.
2 Mr. Keith 1 Mr. G.

Recient of Col. Wm. Ogden Killes, Clerk of the Roll, Pension office the Orderly's Book of Lieut. Wm. Thomson which had been used in the adjustment of Priscilla Holly's Claim for pension, said Book being the property of the Thomson family which I promised to return them.
May 26 th 1855.
J. Mney A Black

Benj. Holly enlisted 1 May 1778 - in man- -gin of Regt. "9"

South Carolina } Orangeburg District } I Paul Spigener of the District aforesaid, do certify that I have heard read the Application of Sarah Holley, for a pension on the account of the services of her Father Benjamin Holley in the War of the revolution. And that I have full confidence in the facts as detailed in said application. I further certify that, I have often heard persons known to have been engaged in the said War say, that Benjamin Holley was in service with them in the Continental Army — and remember distinctly that, they said, he Benjamin Holley fought on the American side at the battle of Savannah. Paul Spigener
Sworn to before me this 14 th day of November 1854 } G. D. Ditt } Ordinary O. H. }

[widow of Benjamin.
Brief in the case of Priscilla Holly, deceased, who was the Orangeburg District County and State of South Carolina.
act
July 7 th 1838.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
In this case, it is shown by the rolls of this Office, that Benjamin Holly enlisted in Col. W m Thompson's regiment of the South Carolina Line on the 1 st of May, 1778. He is identified as having been the husband of Priscilla Holly, by the testimony of old and respectable neighbors, and also by the production of the original muster-book of Col. Thompson, who enlisted him, and in whose neigh-
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
borhood he resided. He died in December, 1819. Priscilla Holly's marriage to him, on the 10 th of January, 1782, is established by the exhibition of the original Family Records, and her death, on the 19 th of June, 1842, and the number and names of her surviving children, in the mode required by the Regulations.
Name and residence of Agent
Jam. A. Black 9 Columbia S.C. New Point
Examining Clerk.
Ogle Kelly

22 nd Jan 1855
Sir -
I enclose you the letter of Mr Black, and the accompanying claim of Sarah Holley, for a pension for the Revolutionary services of her father - I know the parties, and cheerfully say they are highly credible. I have always heard the metaphrase facts recited affirmed, and without suspicion.
Very Respectfully Your obed Servt G. Smith
Hon. J. P. Waldo Washington

20 th March 1852 Barnesburg C.H. N.Y.
My Dear Sir -
I enclose you some additional proof in the case of Priscilla Holly for a pension on account of the Revolutionary services of her father; and a letter from her counsel which may throw some light upon the case - Mr Springer & Mr Byers are entirely credible -
Very Respectfully Yours & S r H. L.
X. McKittrick
Hon J. P. Wald Comm. Pensions Washington D.C.

Columbia S.C.
19 th Jany 1833.
Hon: L. C. Keith
Dear Sir,
At the request of Ann Holly, I send you her declaration in the act of Congress 7 th July 1838 for you to send into the Pension Office. This is important because you know & can certify as to the character & credibility of Mr. Speigner the only affidavit and as he does not directly identify Ben Holly as the soldier it is necessary to give even his secondary testimony as much weight as possible which I think from your long acquaintance with Mrs. Holly you can give. I will endeavor to obtain soon more direct evidence of identity. Holly's name will be found on Col. Roll in Pension Office. The Thompson family could say as much as Mr. Speigner. Please reply to me here.
I am,
Very respectfully
Yr. obed. Servt.
James Aug. Mack.

Priscilla Holt Holt

Pension Office March 27, 1853.
Sir
There with return the letter of Mr. Black and have the honor to inform you that the proof of the service of the husband of Priscilla Wolff decd. widow of Benjamin of So. Ca. is wholly unsatisfactory, and the case cannot be allowed until his service - grade and length - is proved by witnesses who know of its rendition. I am aware of the difficulty of procuring such testimony, but that is the misfortune of the parties interested - and Mr. Black knows too well the requirements of the office in such cases, and the propriety of the requisitions, to expect the admission of this case upon the testimony now on file or to be dissatisfied with my decision, even though he may have great confidence in the meritorious character of the claim.
I am, respectfully, Your W th . Servt.
J. P. Mulas Commissioner.
Hon. S. M. Keitt, Orangeburgh C. H. So. Carolina.