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Bud Mullins files Revolutionary War Pension Application, 1854

            Previously listed was the major portion of Bud’s RWPA written on June 7, 1854.  Here is the portion of the document left out as it pertains more to his present friendships:[1]

     “…and further that he refers to the following named persons immediately in his neighbour hood who has been acquainted with him for a great many years to wit George W. Harper Robert Harper Wily Davis Michael Austin all of Paulding County & State of Georgia & Wily J. Kiser of Cobb County & State of Georgia.

      “…Intr 6 he refers to George W. Harper Robert Harper Wily Davis & Michael Austin of Paulding County & Wily J. Kiser of Cobb County Georgia,

      “He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present, and discloses that his name is not on the pension Rolls of the agency of any State,

                                           his

                                    Bud  X  Mullins

                                        Mark

            Following this, George W. Harper, acting Justice of the Peace for Paulding County and Wily Davis, a citizen of the county made statements.  George Harper stated that he had “…been personally acquainted with Bud Mullins for the full Term of forty five years…” and Wily Davis had known Bud for twenty years.  Wily Davis further stated that Bud “…is a man of a good character and of fair standing.  I am unable to say any thing of his age, but he was a very old looking man the first time I even saw him.”  S. L. Strickland C.S.C. (Clerk of Superior Court) also signed this portion, as testator.  Following these statements the judge, George T. Parker certified the document, stated that “…there is no clergyman residing near the said applicant…” and signed it on June 7, 1854.  

            Bud had evidently tried to get his pension back on April 29, 1954, as further documents filed in his application reveal.  They have several statements worthy of comment.  In one document, signed by Bud he states that he is 95 years old, which ties in with later statements.  In addition, the document writes Bud’s company commander’s name was Captain Grigory, which is interesting.  The name Grigory may have been the way Bud remembered it being pronounced, more with an “i” than an “e”, rhyming with “brig”, rather than “Greg”. 

            The next page in the document folder is an affidavit by one William W. Carroll, a clergyman of Cobb County, where he certified that he had known Bud for 15 years.  His statement verifies that he believes that Bud is 95 years old, and that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  Following that, Wilson F. Blackstock, J.P. certified that William Carroll was a clergyman and following that statement Solomon L. Strickland certified that Wilson F. Blackstock signed the above certification.  It is not known why there is the clergyman confusion in the documents.  The location of the church, if there was one, where William W. Carroll ministered has not been researched. 

            On April 29, 1854, the entire document was sent to L. P. Waldo, Commissioner of Pensions.  A cover letter from Solomon L. Strickland, restating that Bud was “living in this community for a great many years, and his standing as an honorable man is undoubted, but like most of the old men he cannot recollect all particulars as to the times of going into service & dates & c & c”.  On September 18, 1854, Solomon Strickland again wrote to Mr. Waldo evidently responding to a letter received that questioned Bud’s service record:

Dallas Paulding County, Ga. Septr 18th 1854

L.P. Waldo  Comsr of Pensions & C.

Dear Sir

      According to your direction I wrote to the Comptroller General of the State of North Carolina for a Certificate Certifying that Col Butler Mabry & Gregory were officers of North Carolina in the Revolutionary War.  (This certificate was for the benefit of Bud Mullins who claims himself to be a Revolutionary Soldier) and to have served under Col Butler Maj Mabry & Captain Gregory if I mistake noted.  I also enclosed to the Comptroller Genl your note desiring such Certificate.  I have long since written a second letter to him requesting such Certificate and have not as yet received the Certificate or any answer to my letters from him you will have to do the best you can with the application of Bud Mullins.  Unless you feel disposed to drop a line to the Comptroller General of N.C. yourself if more Certificates Certifying to the honor and honesty of Bud Mullins would be of any advantage they can easily be procured and that too from any person or persons that have been acquainted with him for any length of time.  I am Sir with much Respect your honorable Servant

                                    L. L. Strickland

                                    Dallas, Paulding Co

                                    Georgia

 

            The only remaining document of any interest is a cover sheet showing the reference number 7485, the name Bud Mullins and the word “REJECTED” across the face.  There is no indication of the date of the rejection. 

[1] National Archives Microfilm Publications, Revolutionary War Pension Application File #R7485