Abraham Blackwell
The State of South Carolina }
Chesterfield District }
On the ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me James Jowers on of the Justices of the Peace in and for the District and State aforesaid Abraham Blackwell, who being by me 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 on the 7th June 1832 – That he is about the age of eighty years; that he entered the military service in the State of South Carolina, was drafted and placed under the command of Colonel Benton; deponent then being about eighteen years old; that after marching under that command against the Tories on Drowning Creek, he was marched under the command of Captain Hardiman to Cheraw, So Ca and from then to Georgetown, So Ca under the command of Captain Elisha MaGee; from thence he was marched to Haddville Point under the command of Captain DuBose; from thence he went to Fort Johnson under the command of Captain Hardiman above named who here joined the forces. From Ft. Johnson he marched to Purysburgh and at a Bridge between Charleston and Purysburgh, he was in an engagement with the enemy; the name of the bridge he does not now recollect. From Purysburgh he returned to Charleston and again was placed under the command of Colonel Benton; from thence he was marched to Santee and transferred under the command of Colonel Hicks. That he was sent from thence with a detachment as an escort with the family and his property of General Sumter and was engaged in a skirmish with the Tories, at this latter period the British was in possession of Camden. This deponent further states that he is unable from recollection to state the dates of his particular services but is positive that he was in the actual service of the country more than two years. The deponent further swears that he is, and has been for many years unable from bodily infirmity to get out of his house or to attend and make this his declaration in open court. This deponent further states that he is unable to say whether any of his fellow soldiers are now alive and who can testify as to his services but if Graves of Anson County or Captain Jones of Lancaster District are now alive they can testify as to the services. The deponent states that he removed to
Chesterfield District about fifty years ago and has resided within the same since. Deponent hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State of the United States.
Sworn to and subscribed before me } his
the day and year above written } Abraham X Blackwell
mark {Seal}
We Thomas Berry a clergyman residing in Kershaw District and Gillam King residing in Chesterfield District hereby certify that we are well acquainted and have been for many years with Abraham Blackwell who hath subscribed the forgoing declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years old, that he is and has been always reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. We further state that we know he is unable from bodily infirmity to attend and make his declaration in open court.
Sworn to before me } Thomas Berry
this 17th day of February 1833 } Gillum King
James Jowers, J.P.
I James Jowers one of the justices for the District of Chesterfield in the State of South Carolina do hereby declare after the investigating the matter and after putting the Interrogations prescribed by the War Department that I am perfectly satisfied and am of the opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it is also well satisfied that Thomas Berry who hath signed the forgoing certificate is a clergyman resident as stated and that Gillum King who has also signed the same is resident as stated and that their statement is entitled to full faith and credit. I certify that I am well satisfied that the applicant is unable to appear in open court to make his Declaration.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
(there being no seal of office)
the ____ day of February 1833.
James Jowers {JP}
South Carolina }
Chesterfield District }
I John Craig, clerk of the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas in aforesaid district do certify unto all whom it may concern that James Jowers who signed the forgoing certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the district aforesaid and that all due faith and credit is and ought to be given his official Acts and Administrations as such.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court at Chesterfield Court House the Eleventh day of February 1833.
John Craig, CCD
South Carolina }
Chesterfield District }
Personally appeared before me the undersigned James Kelly, a Justice of the Peace for the District and State aforesaid Mr. Abraham Blackwell, who being duly sworn deposeth and sayeth 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 period mentioned below, and in the following ???, about the beginning of the revolutionary war he served a tour of at least six months under Captain Elisha Magee in the Militia of So Ca and had a skirmish with the Tories. His next tour was for one month in the militia and went against the Tories up on Drowning Creek in No Ca, does not recollect the names of any of his officers. His next term of service was ???? for one month under Captain DuBose of the militia. His next tour was performed at Hadrels Point near Charleston, still among the militia, does not remember the name of his officers. His next months services was rendered at Fort Johnson near Charleston, under Captain Hardimen. He next served three months and two weeks at Purysburg under Regular officers, were drive from there by British troops and had a skirmish with them at Bacon’s Bridge; his next tour was a month under Colonel Hix and Captain Elisha Magee on Santee River. His next tour was about one month under Captain Fair? escorting General Sumter and his family towards No Ca. Had a battle with the British on Lynches Creek and was defeated by them. He served the balance of the war under various officers all of whose names he has forgotten except Captain John Watts and Ensign Holmes. He participated in the Batter of Eutaw under General Green and was uniformly engaged in service during the whole Revolutionary War but can not recollect precisely the various dates and officers. He is confident however that in the aggregate he served considerable over two years.
Sworn to and subscribed } his
before me the 7th day } Abraham X Blackwell
November AD 1833 } mark
James G. Kelly {JP}
I went to Abram Blackwell’s house near the above affid’t myself. Superintended his execution and know James G. Kelly to be a Justice of the Peace duly authorized to administer an oath.
James Blair, MC
South Carolina }
Chesterfield District }
Personally appeared before me William Marshall and after being duly sworn according to Law sayeth that his is acquainted with James Blackwell and also knew Abraham Blackwell his Father and he always acknowledged the said James Blackwell to be his Legitimate son. Sworn to before me December the 14th 1850 }
Z Marshall Magst. } William Marshall
South Carolina }
Chesterfield District }
Personally appeared before Zachariah Marshall one of the Magistrates in and for said District being duly appointed and now acting Bently Outlaw ad being duly sworn sayeth that he is well acquainted with James Blackwell and knows that he is a lawful heir of Abraham Blackwell estate.
Sworn to before me } his
December the 17th 1850 } Bently X Outlaw
Z. Marshall Magst. } mark
State of South Carolina }
Chesterfield District }
Personally appeared before me Isaac Mosely and being duly sworn saith that Sarah Blackwell the wife of Abraham Blackwell died on in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, deponent also saith on oath that he knows the fact that Abraham Blackwell has been dead fifteen years.
Sworn to before me }
18 December 1850 } Isaac Moseley
J. C. Craig, clerk court }
Common Pleas }
James C. Pigg note, another note in the file states that Abraham Blackwell was born September 11, 1742.