Chad S. Williams

Pension Packet of William Stripling War of 1812

1. Company Muster Roll of South Carolina Volunteers, Nash's
Regiment, William Stripling, Private in Captain John Wallace's
Company of Infantry, belonging to Lt. Col. Reuben Nash's
Regiment South Carolina Volunteer Militia.

Company Muster Roll For January 22 to February 9, 1814. Roll Dated Near Fort Hawkins, Febr. 9, 1814.
Commencement of Service: January 22, 1814. For what time engaged: 6 months and was Present

Company Muster Roll For February 9 to May 13, 1814. Roll Dated Near Fort Jackson, May 13, 1814.
Commencement of Service: January 22, 1814. For what time engaged: 6 months and was Present

Company Muster Roll For May 3 to July 13, 1814. Roll Dated Near Fort Hawkins, July 13, 1814.
Commencement of Service: January 22, 1814. For what time engaged: 6 months and was Present

2. Declaration For Pension of Widow of War of 1812 Cherokee
County, Georgia,

On this December 10, 1885 personally appeared before me Odran
W. Putnam, Ordinary of the Court of Ordinary the same being a
court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid,
Sarah Stripling, aged 86 years, a resident of Salacoa, Cherokee
County, Georgia, who, being duly sworn according to law,
declares that she is the widow of William Striplin that her
husband served 6 months in the military service of the United
States in the War of 1812; that he was the identical William
Stripling who Volunteered under the name of William Stripling
at Newberry District, South Carolina on latter part of 1814 or
first part of 1815 commanded by Capt. Thomas Hill in the War of
1812; that he also served as a private during his full term of
six months since he also served as cook for his Captain Thomas
Hill, a portion of the time. Can't give date or place of
discharge except it was in 1815.

I have often heard my husband William Stripling spear that he
was with his Company engaged in one skirmish with the Indians,
that she was married under the name of Sarah Findley to said
William Stripling on July 2, 1828, by Rev. Allen Robinson at
Pickens District, SC, there being no legal barrier to such
marriage; that her said husband died at Bartow County on
December 8, 1840 and that she has not remarried since his
death. She also appoints George E. Lemon of Washington D.C.,
her attorney; that there has never been any application made
(though) there was a land warrant given to William Striplin (no
g). That her Post Office Address is Salacoa, Cherokee County,
Georgia.

Signed: Sarah (Her X Mark) Stripling Witness: Samuel M. Heardin, MT Mahan

3. Widow's Brief

Sarah Stripling, widow of William Stripling Private in Captain John Wallace's South Carolina Militia.
Post Office: Salacoa, Cherokee County, Georgia Attorney: George E. Lemen, Washington DC
Application Filed: December 16, 1885 Fee: $25.00, agent to pay filed Jan 14, 1886
Alleged Service: Claimant alleges her husband enlisted at
Newberry District, SC in 1814/5 Record Evidence of Service:
3rd Auditor reports January 29, 1886 that there (are) no rolls
of Captain Thomas Hill's Company South Carolina Militia in War
of 1812. The name of William Stripling is found on the Company
rolls of Captain John Wallace's Company, Col. Reuben Nashes
Regiment of South Carolina Militia from January 22- July 26,
1814.

Parol Evidence of Service: Thomas Hill was a private in this
Company which appears to have been organized in or about
Columbia, South Carolina. Length of Service: 186 days.

Proof of Identity: Identifying witnesses, allegation as to
service and name of Captain Hill as comrade signature identical
with tracing furnished by 3rd Auditor Testimony of Moses
Findley .

Proof of loyalty: Samuel and Ceristh Franklin and William
McGuess testifies he served at the same time with William
Stripling.

Admitted: April 2, 1888, to a pension of $8.00 per month from
March 9, 1878 the date of the act and at $12.00 from March 19,
1886. Signed: William L. Cook, Pension Searcher Bounty Land
Claim: Rej 1855 233765 Claim Number 44040, Act of March 9,
1878


4. Article of Agreement by Sarah Stripling

Whereas I, Sarah Stripling, Widow of William Stripling, late in
Capt. Thomas Hill's company of the South Carolina Regiment of
the Militia in war of 1812, having made application for pension
under the laws of the U.S.A.: Now this agreement Witnesseth:
That for and in consideration of services done and to be done
in the premises, I hereby agree to allow my Attorney, George B.
Lemon, of Washington D.C. the fee of $25.00, which shall
include all amounts to be paid for any services in the
furtherance of said claim; and said fee shall not be demanded
by or payable to my said attorney; in whole or in part, except
in the case of the granting of my pension by the Commissioner
of Pension.

Signed: Sarah (Her X Mark) Stripling, Salacoa Post Office Witnesses: JD and Mary Neal
Cherokee County, Georgia
Be it known that on this, December 29, 1885, personally
appeared Sarah Stripling, the above Named, who, after having
had read over to her in the hearing and presence of the two
attesting witnesses the contents of the foregoing articles of
agreement, voluntarily signed and acknowledged the same to be
her free act and deed. JP Tarver, J.P.

5. Note in file
Department of the Interior, Pension Office Washington, DC February 24, 1886

Respectfully returned to the Honorable Third Auditor for a
tracing of the signature of the within named soldier William
Stripling.

6. Statement of Sarah Stripling, Widow of William Stripling
Mr. George E. Lemon Fairmount, Georgia March 5, 1886

Dear Sir:

Possible I may have acted hastily in my declaration in stating
that he drew a land warrant. I only know that he was in
possession of one when we were married and held it three or
five years whether he drew it or purchased it I can not say.
Personal description (of William is): 6 feet 3-4 inches, light
hair, curly hair, high forehead, blue eyes, and red complected.
By profession a Farmer. Place of birth Newberry District,
South Carolina I am not mistaken. I here enclose you the old
family record (from the old family bible). Sarah Stripling
Note: Please Return Family Record (They Never Did) I can
furnish evidence of members of old persons who has talked with
the soldier William Stripling about his war life. Yours truly
J.J. Findley

7. General Affidavit of William Stripling by Moses Findley on March 21, 1887
In the matter of claim for Sarah Stripling widow of William in
Capt. Thomas Hills Company South Carolina Militia. Personally
came before me R.W. Kay a Justice of the Peace in and for
aforesaid county and state, Moses Findley, age 83 years,
Residence Gordon County, Georgia, Post Office Fairmount.....
person of lawful age, who being duly sworn, declare in relation
to the aforesaid case as follow: that he lived in one mile of
William Stripling at the time of his death and that he had no
medical treatment as his death was very sudden falling from his
horse dead, while riding along the road suspected to be heart
disease. Affiant further states that he was at the burying of
William Stripling which was in the month of November (December)
1840. December 12. (Moses must have said November, but
remembered it was December 12). He further states that he has
no interest in this.

Signed: Moses Findley Stamped: Pension Office, September 23, 1887; Examined: October 3, 1887

8. General Affidavit of William Stripling by Catharine Findley on March 21, 1887

In the matter for Widows Pension War of 1812 Sarah Stripling
widow of William Stripling in Capt. Thomas Hills Company South
Carolina Militia.

Personally came before me R.W. Kay a Justice of the Peace in
and for aforesaid county and state, Catharine Findley, age 72
years, Residence Gordon County, Georgia, Post Office
Fairmount..... person of lawful age, who being duly sworn,
declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follow: that she
was present and saw the wife of William Stripling die and that
she knows of no other. Her son (either Rial or William F.) who
was present at time of death. That she was treated by Dr.
Moon. Also States that she was an eyewitness to the marriage
of William Stripling to Sarah Findley by Rev. Allen Robinson.
She also states that she had often heard the soldier speak of
being at Sisters Ferry and Fort Hull during his service in the
War of 12.

Signed: Catharine Findley Stamped: Pension Office, April 6, 1887
 

9. Statement of Sarah Stripling, Widow of William Stripling

Fairmount, Georgia April 12, 1886

My husband was 54 years old of age at time of death. His death
was entered in family record by Joseph Neal. I have often
heard my husband speak of Comrades, but don't recollect any
names except Captain Hill. My old papers were all destroyed
during the late war. I do not know that I shall be able to
furnish any other paper bearing his signature. Sarah Stripling

10. General Affidavit of William Stripling by Patsey Smith
Gordon County, Georgia: In the Matter of Claim for Widow
Sarah Stripling, widow of William Stripling Captain Thomas
Hill's Company SC Militia, Personally Came Before me R.W. Kay a
Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, Patsey
Smith, age 73, Residence of Pickens County, Georgia Post Office
Ludville; person of lawful age who being duly sworn declares in
Relation the Aforesaid case as follows: That she was present
when William Stripling and Sarah Findley was married. Affiant
(person who makes an affidavit) further states that she was a
near neighbor to William Stripling and Sarah Stripling a number
of years and often heard the Soldier speak of his war life.
Affiant further states that for truth and veracity the Soldier
William Stripling was good also states that she was at the
burying of the Soldier. She further declares that she has no
interest in said case and is not concerned in it.

Signed: Patsey Smith Stamped as Received: April 7, 1887

11. General Affidavit of William Stripling by Moses Findley
Gordon County, Georgia: In the Matter of Claim for Widow
Pension of the War of 1812, Sarah Stripling, widow of William
Stripling in Captain Thomas Hill's Company SC Militia,
Personally Came Before me R.W. Kay a Justice of the Peace in
and for said County and State, Moses Findley, age 82, Residence
of Gordon County, Georgia Post Office Fairmount; person of
lawful age who being duly sworn declares in Relation the
Aforesaid case as follows: That he got acquainted with
William Stripling in the date of 1826, lived near Neighbor to
him in Pickens District, South Carolina until the date of 1831,
in that date Stripling moved to Cass Now Bartow County,
Georgia. Affiant states that in the year 1835 he moved to the
same county and settled near the soldier and lived near him
until his death. The Affiant states that there was few white
families in the neighborhood being associated with the Indians.
The war subject was often discussed. Affiant further states
that he often heard the Soldier talk of his war life. He also
states that he was at the burying of William Stripling.

Signed: Moses Findley Stamped as Received: April 7, 1887

12. General Affidavit of William Stripling by Sarah Stripling
Gordon County, Georgia In the matter of claim for Widows
Pension for the War of 1812 Sarah Stripling, widow of William
Stripling in Captain Thomas Hills Company SC Militia,
Personally came before me R.W. Kay a Justice of the Peace in
and for aforesaid county and state, Sarah Stripling the
claimant age 86 years, Residence Cherokee County, Georgia, Post
Office Salacoa...... person of lawful age, who being duly
sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follow:
that her husband William Stripling had previously married Mary
Taylor as the Records Show.

Signed: Sarah (Her X Mark) Stripling Witness: A. Gravely

13. Letter to The Pension Department, With Affidavit by Sarah Findley Stripling
Fairmount, Gordon County, Georgia
May 18, 1887

In Pension Claim Sarah Stripling, widow of William Stripling,
War of 1812, Personally came before me RW Kay, Justice of the
Peace in and for said county and state. Sarah Stripling age
87, Post Office Address Salacoa, Cherokee County, Georgia. Who
being duly sworn declares as follows that she was never married
until she was married to William Stripling.

14. War of 1812 Widow's Pension, Act of March 9, 1878, Number
34,936, Sarah Stripling, widow of William Stripling, Private in
Capt. John Wallace's Company of the SC Militia.

Knoxville Agency, $12.00 per month Commencing March 19, 1886, Dated: April 10, 1888. Fee $25.00
August 6, 1901 Letter of R.H. Thompson, Salacoa, Georgia
registered a copy of evidence on which William was all referred
to Auditor for his action. K.M.

October 4, 1901 Auditor enclosing Letters from R.H. Thompson
one from ___ Executor B Parker return to re in harassment case
Thompson advised of action WS

August 5, 1902 R.H. Thompson advices that Reimbursement claims
are settled by the Auditor for Interior Department and credit.
HP

(After Sarah died, Thompson apparently wrote letter after
letter insisting that the heirs were collecting money they were
not entitled to. Julie Robert didn't find anything in the
letters but complaints - no information at all. The same was
with the Hightower letters. They knew Sarah and she had not
remarried.)

(updated 8/2003)