August 1, 1939

BA-J/ILL
William Ashley

Mrs. R. L. Dobyns

Route 2, Box 154

Clarksdale, Mississippi. W. 9708

Dear Madam:

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on

File in pension claim, W. 9708, based upon service of William

Ashley in the Revolutionary War.

William Ashley, while a resident of Maryland, enlisted

May 14, 1778, served as corporal in Captains Legon's and Brown's

companies, under Colonels Kowats and Baron DeBose in Count

Pulaski's corps and was discharged sometime in September in Beau-

fort, South Carolina.

He was allowed pension on his application executed

August 11, 1818, at which time he resided in Abbeville District,

South Carolina. He was living there in 1790. In 1830, the

soldier gave his age as seventy-three years, but did not state the

date or place of his birth, nor the names of his parents.

William Ashley died March 3, 1839.

The soldier married in January 1781, Agness, usually called

Ann; her maiden name and the date and place of her birth were not

given.

Agness Ashley, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on

her application executed September 4, 1845, She was then a resident

of Abbeville District, South Carolina, aged eighty-three years.

The soldier and his wife, Agness, had children: the only

name stated was that of Sophia, their third child, who was born March 3,

1785. In 1845, said Sophia resided in Abbeville District, South Carolina,

at which time she was the wife of Daniel Smith, to whom she was married

in 1808.

In 1818, Joshua Ashley, William Ashley's brother, stated

in Abbeville District, South Carolina, that he lived in Maryland

at the time William served in the Revolutionary War.

The following family data are shown:

"Daniel Smith was born July 2, 1789 and married Sophia Ashley

in 1808. Sophia Ashley was born in the year of our Lord 1785.

Elizabeth Smith was born November 4, 1805. Daniel Smith was born

July 2, 1789 and married in the year 1808". The children of Daniel

Smith and his wife, Sophia, are shown as follow:

Agnes Smith born January 30, 1809

Richard " " August 17, 1810

Rebecca " " August 17, 1810

Joshua " " January 7, 1812

John " " January 7, 1812

Maryan " " November 13, 1813, died July 1816.

Sharlotte " " February 22, 1816

Daniel " " January 6, 1824

- - - -

In 1877, one Mrs. Sarah Ashley resided in Abbeville District,

South Carolina, her Post Office, Antreville: her relationship to the

family was not stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and

address of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of Agness

Ashley, the pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General,

General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:

Agness Ashley, widow of William Ashley

Certificate # 7842

Issued July 10, 1846

Rate $72 per annum

Commenced March 4, 1843

Act of March 3, 1843

South Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours,

G. H. SWEET,

Acting Executive Assistant

To the Administrator.

Transcribed by: Dennis Smith

hdennissmith@earthlink.net