Rowan Co. NC Pension documents: Daniel McCollum contributed by William W. McCollum http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/rowan/military/revwar/mccollum.txt ****************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ****************************************************************************** Revolutionary War Pension Documents of Daniel McCollum The U.S. Congress passed a pension law on June 7th 1832 under which Daniel made a claim in November of that year. He was already 72 years old and was illiterate, so he had a long and difficult time proving his eligibility. His file in the National Archives included a number of papers, which passed between Daniel and the Pension Office from 1832 to 1840, when his pension was finally approved. The first document was filed in November 1832 through an agent, Thomas Jefferson Rusk. Rusk had been a political protégé of the famous South Carolina politician John C. Calhoun. He was a very capable lawyer and judge. He prepared Daniel's application in accordance with the provisions of the law and sent them to the Commissioner of Pensions for a decision. Document 1: Filed November 6, 1832 Declaration in Order to Obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress Passed June 7, 1832 State of Georgia | SS: On this sixth day of November eighteen hundred and thirty Habersham County | two personally appeared in open court before the Court of Ordinary now sitting Daniel McCollum a resident of said county of Habersham and state aforesaid - aged seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated; that he entered the service of the United States in Rowan County in the state of North Carolina; the year he does not recollect, but thinks it was in seventy seven as a volunteer under Captain Caldwell, Major Rowan, Colonel Francis Lock for the term of three months. He served out that time and was discharged. He again entered the service as a volunteer under Captain Caldwell and continued in the service for about two years and six months. He was all the time in the regiment commanded by Col Lock. He marched through North Carolina and as far as Camden in South Carolina. After having served his time he was discharged, but does not recollect whether he got a written discharge or not. He was born in the eastern part of the state of New Jersey and according to the best information in 1760 - that since the Revolution he lived a while in North Carolina then removed to Pendleton District South Carolina. From there he removed to Habersham County Georgia where he has resided ever since. He has a record of his age in his possession; that he is known to many persons who could testify as to his veracity and about their belief of his Revolutionary service, to wit Rev Evan Pearson, Rev Peter Kuykendall, John Reid, John Stewart Esq and various other persons. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the roll of any agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Jonathan D. Chastain, C(lerk) C(ourt of) Or(dinary) Daniel McCollum Mr. Evan Pearson, a clergyman residing in the county of Habersham and John Reid residing in the same county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel McCollum who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-two 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 day and year aforesaid. Jonathan D. Chastain, CCOr Evan Pearson, Cl(er)g(y) John Reid 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 Evan Pearson who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said county and that John Reid who has also signed the same is a resident of said county, is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Elijah Stover, JCO Benjamin Cleveland, JCO Absolom Holcombe , JCO John Sterritt, JCO I, Jonathan D. Chastain, Clerk of the Court of Ordinary of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Daniel McCollum for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixth day of November 1832. Jonathan D. Chastain, CCOr The document was sent off to Washington City and, as far as Daniel knew, was not returned with a decision. In actuality, about five months later the Pension Office of the War Department returned his claim with a form letter explaining that there were problems with the paperwork that had to be straightened out before further action could be taken. The papers were sent to Thomas Rusk, Daniel's agent, but Rusk did not notify him, because in the interim he had left Georgia for Texas in pursuit of business partners who had swindled him. The letter that Daniel didn't see until years later follows: War Department Pension Office April 16, 1833 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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and 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. I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Accompanying the letter was a form with some information filled in and several blocks checked, indicating that Daniel did not provide a statement of witnesses who could attest to his service. The form re-stated the facts of Daniel's claim, which are outlined below: Period when service was rendered: 1777 (initial)/Volunteer (subsequent) Duration of the claimant's service: 3 months/about two years and 6 months Rank of the claimant: private/private Names and rank of the company officers under whom he served: Captain Caldwell, Major Rowan, Colonel Francis Lock/Captain Caldwell, Colonel Lock Names and rank of the general and field officers: none/none Battles in which the applicant was engaged: none/none Country through which he marched: no entry/Through North Carolina to Camden, South Carolina Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period: Rowan County, North Carolina; 70 years Evidence by which the declaration is supported: traditionary Daniel's claim was inactive for more than three years, until his new agent, Turner H, Trippe, sent an amended claim with a cover letter explaining the delay. Cover envelope to: J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions Clarksville 30th Sept 1837 Dear Sir, I herewith return you the declaration and accompanying letter from you of the 16th Apr 1833. The reason that Mr. McCollum has not sooner attended to your suggestions was that Thos J. Rusk to whom he had entrusted this business had not informed him when he left this county for Texas what disposition he had made of the papers. As soon as he could get them into his possession again Mr. McCollum hastened to prosecute his claim. You will find upon the declaration the affidavit of the applicant as required in notes d and e to your letter. You will also find the answers to the interrogatories proposed to the applicant by the court embodied in the declaration. Very respectfully yours Turner H. Trippe J.L. Edwards, Esq (NOTE: Turner Hunt Trippe was a Habersham County judge in the Western Judicial Circuit from 1828-1834) Georgia | Personally appeared before me Brazilla Addison a Justice of Habersham County | the Peace in aforesaid county Daniel McCollum who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he can not 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 three months I served as a private soldier in the months of January, February and March in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven under the officers named in my declaration above. I also served as a private soldier under the same officers from the month of April (1777) seventeen hundred and seventy seven for two years and six months and for such service I claim a pension. Subscribed to and sworn before me this 26th day of September 1837 B. Addison, JP Daniel McCollum Georgia | I Lewis Levy Clerk of the Inferior Court of said county do Habersham County | hereby certify that Brazilla Addison who attested the foregoing affidavit is an acting Justice of the Peace in said county, that the same attestation is in due form of Law and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his attestation as such. Given under my hand and private seal, there being no seal of office, this 29th day of September 1837. Lewis Levy, CIC Georgia | I Absolom Holcombe one of the Judges of the Inferior Court Habersham County | of the aforesaid county do hereby certify that Lewis Levy whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is the clerk of said court, that the same is in due form of law and that full faith and credit should be given to his attestation as such. Given under my hand this 29th day of September 1837. Absolom Holcombe JIC Two years passed with no additional correspondence in the pension file, but the Pension Office must have notified Daniel's agent of a problem. In late1839 additional paperwork was processed by the Habersham court and was apparently sent to the Pension Office. This time the documents were allegedly returned to Daniel's congressman, Richard W. Habersham. Habersham responded with the following polite letter asking for quick action: Washington City Jan'y 4th, 1840 George Wm. Crump, Esq Pension Office Sir, I have to thank you for your early and prompt reply to the application of Daniel McCollum for a pension as a revolutionary soldier. You state that the papers in the case are returned to me in order that they be laid before the court of the county for its examination and approval. I presume that in consequence of the extreme pressure of business in your department you omitted to return the papers referred to in your reply, as none have reached me. You will oblige me by sending them as I am desirous of losing no time in pursuing their amendment. I have the honor to be very respectfully your obt serv Rich W. Habersham These are the papers that should have been sent to Habersham by the Pension Office. Apparently they were sent quickly after the congressman's letter. Affidavit of Daniel McCollum Habersham County, Georgia Declaration In Order to Obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 State of Georgia County of Habersham On this 2nd day of October 1839 personally appeared before me William Kinsey a Justice of the Peace of said county Daniel McCollum a resident of said county of Habersham in the State of Georgia aged 79 yeares (sic)who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He first turned out a volunteer in Roan (sic) County North Carolina in the latter parte (sic) of the year 1776 and served under Major Roan (sic)in a company commanded by Captain David Caldwell and Lieutenant Richard McGuire and acted against the Torys in and about Roan (sic) County North Carolina three months and was discharged. And that he was drafted in the year 1777 (the day and month he cannot recollect by reason of ould (sic) age and the consequent lose (sic) of memory in Roan (sic) County for two months and entered the service under Col Francis Lock in a company commanded by Captain Jacob Nikols marched to Randolph County in said state of North Carolian served out two months and was again discharged. That he was again drafted in the year 1778 for three months and entered the service under Col Francis Lock in a company commanded by Captain David Caldwell and Lieutenant Richard McGuire in the said county of Roan (sic), marched to Camden in South Carolina and stayed out three months at that place and was discharged by Col Lock and that he served many other scouts in the years 1781, 1782 and 1783 but from old age and the consequent lose (sic) of memory he cannot state the precise time but to the best of his recollection he served in all not less than three months these last years and that the hole (sic)of his servises (sic) was as a privit (sic) and that he answers as follows to the interrogatories put by the Justice 1st he was born in East Jersey in the year 1760 2nd he has a record of his age at home 3rd he was living in N. Carolina Roan (sic) County when called into servis (sic) and soon after the war moved to South Carolina Pendleton District remained their until February 1826 and then moved to Georgia Habersham County where he now lives 4th he first vollinteered (sic) and the next tour he was drafted and that he was also drafted again and served a third tour and that he vollinteered (sic)in all the tours he went in the last three mentioned years in the above declaration 5th he was acquainted with on (sic) regular officers and dose (sic) not now recollect any regiment number 6th that he has received severl (sic) discharges one or more of them from Col Lock and from other officers but he has forgoten (sic) who and that he cannot tell what has gone with them. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. William Kinsey, JP Daniel McCollum We Charles Payne a clergyman residing in the county of Habersham and State of Georgia and Jesse Sanford residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel McCollum who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have bin (sic) a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion; sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. William Kinsey, JP Charles Payne L.P. Jesse Sanford And the Justice do (sic) hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Ware (sic) Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Justice further certifies that it appears to him that Charles Payne who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the State and county aforesaid and that Jesse Sanford is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. William Kinsey, JP Georgia Habersham County I Lewis Levy Clerk of the Court of Ordinary of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that William Kinsey whose name appears to the above and foregoing affidavits and certificates is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid and that due faith and credit should be given to all his acts and doings as such and that his signature to the said paper is genuine. Given under my hand and seal of Office in Clarksville, this fifteenth day of October 1839. Lewis Levy CCO Georgia Habersham County I Gabrel Sisk one of the Justices of the Courte (sic) of Ordinary for said county do hereby certify that Lewis Levy whose name appears to the above certificate is the Clerk of the said Courte (sic) of Ordinary and that the signiture (sic) is his genuine signiture (sic) and the seal affixed is the seal of office for said Courte. (sic) October 16th day 1839 G. Sisk JJC Congressman Habersham took his pen in hand once again on Daniel's behalf on February 17, 1840 when he sent the following letter and additional documents to the Pension Office: Washington City 17th Feb'y 1840 James L. Edwards, Esq Commissioner of Pensions Sir, I have the honor to enclose herewith the papers of Daniel McCollum, which were lately submitted to you and returned as defective. Such declarations have been made as were practicable under the peculiar circumstances in which Mr. McCollum is placed and I hope the certificates will now prove satisfactory. I am with great respect your obt srvt Rich W. Habersham Georgia Habersham County Personally appeared before me William Kinsey an acting justice of the peace in and for said county Daniel McCollum whose name appears in the foregoing declaration made the 2nd day of October 1839 and amends said declaration by stating on oath that he was not able from bodily infirmity to appear in court on the day above written; and that he is not able now to attend; and he further swears that he has no other means in his power of proving his Services in the Revolutionary War only by his own oath; and he saith from old age and the consequent loss of memory that he cannot precisely recollect the time; but that he did serve as a private in the war from the year 1776 to the year 1783 different tours amounting in all to not less than eleven months as stated in the foregoing declaration; and he further states on oath that he did make application shortly after the law was passed for the benefit of the act of June 7th 1832, but that the declaration was returned with some objections and was mislaid by the agent so that he could not obtain it which was the reason of the delay. Sworn to and subscribed this 30th day of January 1840 before me. William Kinsey, JP Daniel McCollum State of Georgia Habersham County I William Kinsey an acting justice of the peace for said county do hereby certify the Daniel McCollum that is set forth in the foregoing declaration of October 2nd 1839 is the same who signed the foregoing affidavit amenditory (sic) of said declaration and I further certify that from bodily inability he is yet unable to attend the court. Given under my hand this 30th day of January 1840. William Kinsey, JP State of Georgia We the court of ordinary for Habersham County having examined the declaration and amenditory (sic) affidavit of Daniel McCollum, and the certifficate (sic) of William Kinsey who is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county; do fully approve of them; and we the court do further certify that he is reputed and believed to have been a Revolutionary Soldier as he states and that we fully concur in that oppinion (sic) and believe the oppinion generall (sic) and no doubts have ever existed within our knowledge. Given under our hands this 4th day of February 1840. John Sterritt, JIC B. F. Patton JIC G. Sisk JIC Georgia Habersham County We the Court of Ordinary of this county do hereby order that the Clerk certify sign and seal the foregoing procedings given under our hand this 4 day of February 1840. John Sterritt, JIC B. F. Patton JIC G. Sisk JIC Georgia Habersham County I Lewis Levy Clerk of the Court of Ordinary of the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that William Kinzey whose name appears to the foregoing affidavits amendatory (sic) to the former declaration and also appears in the first declaration as an acting justice of the peace at this time and was at the time and date of the said affidavits and certificates and that due faith and credit should be given to all his acts and doings as such and that his signature to said papers is genuine and I do further certify that the above certificate or order was signed in my presence by the judges of the court of ordinary viz John Sterritt, B. F. Patton, G. Sisk Given under my hand and seal of office in Clarksville the 4th day of February 1840 (seal) Lewis Levy CCO In short order Daniel's pension certificate was issued. It reads as follows: GEORGIA 31710 Daniel McCollum of Habersham Co the State of Georgia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Caldwell of the Regt commanded by Col Locke in the N. Carolina line for 8 months. ======================================= Inscribed on the roll of Georgia at the rate of 26 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 ======================================= Certificate of pension issued the 20 day of Feby 1840 and sent to Hon R.W. Habersham H. Reps ======================================= Arrears to the 4th day of Sept 1839 $226.67 Semi-annual allowances ending 4 Mar '40 $ 13.33 ===== $240.00 ===== Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by D McCurdy Clerk Book E. Vol. 6. Page 98 Daniel collected his semi-annual pension for ten years. In March of 1850 the following paperwork was submitted for him to collect his payment. The paperwork is probably similar to what he filed previously, but those documents were not included in his file. Only the final pension payment is held at the National Archives. That folder contained these documents which were labeled: Final Pension Payment Daniel McCollum Revolutionary Soldier North Carolina Line Militia 1832 No. 20 Daniel McCollum 4 September 1849 - 4 March 1850 $13.33 Savannah Georgia 1st Quarter 1850 Paid 18 March 1850 State of Georgia Habersham County SS: Be it known that before me, Albert H. Henderson, a justice of the peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Daniel McCollum and made oath in due form of law; that he is the identical person named in the original certificate in his possession, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy: "War Department. Revolutionary claim. I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, Daniel McCollum of the State of Georgia, who was a private in the revolution, is entitled to receive twenty six dollars and sixty six cents per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi- annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States this twentieth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty. J.R. Poinsett Secretary of War Examined and Countersigned J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions That he resides in Habersham County State of Georgia and has resided there for the space of twenty five years past, and that previous thereto he resided in Pendleton District State of South Carolina. Sworn and subscribed this 8th day of March 1850 before me, Jesse Sanford. Albert H. Henderson, JP Daniel (his mark) McCollum Know all by these presents that I, Daniel McCollum of Habersham county and State of Georgia, a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint William Morel my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name to receive from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in Savannah State of Georgia, my pension from the 4th day of September 1849 to the 4th day of March 1850. Sealed and delivered in presants (sic) of Jesse Sanford. Albert H. Henderson, JP Daniel (his mark) McCollum (seal) State of Georgia Habersham County SS: I James E. Griggs, clerk of the Inferior Court, of the county and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that Albert H. Henderson is a justice of the peace duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths in and for the county aforesaid, that his commission was dated on the 22nd of January 1849 and will expire on the 6th of January 1853, and that his signature above written is genuine. Given under my hand and the seal of said county this 9th day of March 1850. James E. Griggs, Clerk I.C. The following note was attached to the receipt for the above pension payment: Clarksville March 8th 1850 Sir please attend to this and address me at this place and oblige. (signed) Jesse Sanford (to) Wm Morel, Esq Savannah Following is the receipt: State of Georgia Chatham County Be it Known that on the 18th day of March 1850, before me Agent for paying pensions in and for said county, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared William Morel the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that he has no interest whatever in the money he is authorized to receive, by virtue of the foregoing power of attorney, either by any pledge, mortgage, sale, assignment, or transfer, and that he does not know or believe that the same has been so disposed of to any person whatever. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me. James S. Morel, PA Wm Morel No._____ UNITED STATES PENSION AGENCY, GEORGIA Savannah, 18th March 1850. Received from James S. Morel agent for paying pensions thirteen 33/100 dollars being for six months pension due to Daniel McCollum from the fourth day of September 1849 to the fourth day of March 1850, for which I have signed. $13 33/100 Daniel McCollum per Wm Morel, aty This was the last document in the file. Daniel died before collecting the payment due September 4, 1850. He is buried in the Blue Creek Baptist Church Cemetery near Cleveland in White County, Georgia.