A clear description of the Audited Accounts in the SCDAH, which is often not explained to novice researchers, includes the fact that there is only one file per name in these accounts. Therefore, if there were several soldiers or patriots with a common name, all materials for this name are filed together. A researcher must examine the documents to determine which items relate to which person having that name. A mere entry in the published books of SC Stub Entries to Indents does not prove service in the fight for independence unless one can prove that the correct ancestor can be identified.

Below are transcriptions (as best as possible) of all the audited accounts for STRAIN. An examination of the signatures confirms that David Strain (AA7451), James Strain (AA7452), John Strain (AA 7453), Samuel Strain (AA7454), Thomas Strain (7455), and William Strain (7456) are the same persons living in Abbeville, however, there are additional Strains’ information contained within the papers, showing multiple people having a common name. There are clearly men named James Strain and John Strain from the Waxhaws, and a James Strain from Beaufort District, in addition to the James Strain and John Strain from Abbeville. David Strane (7458) is certainly not the David Strain from Abbeville (7451). The Waxhaw Strain’s claims are invariably sworn to Robt. Montgomery, a Justice of the Peace (J. P.), who is heavily documented in Waxhaw District (Lancaster Co.) at that time.  Samuel Strain lived long enough to file and be granted a pension, so much of this is a moot issue on his service.

Samuel Strain’s signature appears many times on these documents, as he was apparently the one who went to Charleston to claim the money for the indents. John Strain and William Strain also seem to have made the trip. John Strain, of Abbeville, does not seem to have proof of service, although he is clearly claiming payment for his deceased brother, Thomas Strain, as administrator of his estate. It seems odd that he would so clearly sign and claim his brother’s bounty money, yet fail to do so for himself in a like manner at the same time, if he did indeed serve.

To illustrate the need to examine the duplicated names, I’ll use James Strain as an example. In reading the AA7452 documents, there are two main pieces of paper. One is the indented stub, a lengthy printed document with names, dates, amounts, and the No. and Book filled in by pen. This is Indent No. 279, Book N, issued 2 Apr 1785 for 35 Days hire of his Waggon and Driver in 1779. On the reverse side of this indented stub, one finds the signature of Samuel Strain claiming interest and payment, then relinquishing his right to the bounty payment to Peter Bremar. Samuel does this as the Administrator to James Strain, who had died by January, 1783.

The second main piece of paper, similar to those in other AA files, is a single page, originally folded, with an entry on the front side used for filing purposes, naming James Strain, and stating the indent is for his service before and since the reduction of Charleston, issued 3 June 1785. The reverse side of this piece of paper states the amount due him for service per Col. Anderson’s return. The front of this second sheet has written across it payment to Henery Coffey for Treasury Indent No. 57, Book S.

These are clearly two different indents, and two distinct men, issued at two separate times. This is easily proved by the fact that the file contains a signed order by James Strain to pay his bounty to Henry Coffey. It is written in Waxhaw, a known location for a separate group of Strains from that in Abbeville. By comparing the signature of this James Strain from Waxhaw with the James Strain on estates in Abbeville, it is obvious that there are two men. In addition, the James Strain in Abbeville died prior to 7 Jan 1783 when his brother Samuel Strain administered his estate. The Waxhaw order to pay Henry Coffey by James Strain is signed and dated Aug 1785, over two and a half years after the death of the Abbeville James Strain.

Due to David Strain for Duty pr Col Anderson’s Return L586:10/1

2 horses lost in Militia L179:-:-

Currcy L769.10/

Stlg 109:9:1/2

June 3rd 1785 Received full satisfaction for the above in an Indent No. 61 Lib S by virtue of an Order for David Strain L109:7:1

Saml Strain (signature)

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[A nearly illegible, totally black page, with a bracket around the following legible names Saml &? Andw Watts} No 42, then Jams (Saml?) Strain, and No 279 and 110-6. 110-6 is an inventory number, but No. 279 is part of the original document, I believe.]

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Full copy of the Indent No. 61 Book S [front]

[Verso]

Recd June the 7th 1785 Two Years Interest on the within Indent for David Strain. Saml Strain (signature).

I hereby assign over all my Rights & Title to the within Indent to Mr. Joseph Solomons, his heirs & assigns to his & their proper use and behoof having paid me a valuable Consideration for the same. Witness my hand this 20th Dec 1785

David Strain (signature)

Witness Lyyonsens??

Received 6th Jany 1786 from the Commissr of the Treasury the Sum of Two and five Shillings and eleven Pence in Part of the within Indent by Discount on the Purchase of Land. L5:5:11

Joseph his X Mark Solomon

Witness Jno Davis (signature)

Charleston 10 Jany 1786 I do Assign Over all my Right Title & Claim unto the Principal & Interest in the within Indent unto David Williman for the German Friendly Society Having Received full Value for the same. Joseph his IS mark Solomon

Witness

Wm Strain??

Recd 11 August 1787 Fourteen Pounds 17/5 for Int on this Indent to 1 April 1787

L7:11:8 for 1786

7:5:9 for 1787

Jacob Williman (signature)

Received 5 May 1788 full Satisfaction in an Indent No 33 __

Jacob Williman (signature)

Mr James Strain his Acct of _____ Beef for Continl use in 1782. Amotg to L25:7:8 = Twenty Five Pounds seven Shillings and eight Pence Sterlg. no date to the attache??

??? (initials of auditor?)

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State of South Carolina to James Strain Due for Six Steers. viz:

1782 May 30

To 4 Five year olds 350 wt. Each @ L1.5.8 pr. hund wt. L 7..19..4

To 2 Three year olds 250 wt. Each @ do. do. do. –do... L 6..8..4

total 24..7..8

Personally appeared before me William Deveaux one of the Justices for Beaufort District James Strain who being duly Sworn Maketh Oath that the Above Acct of Twenty four pounds Seven Shilling & 8d Sterling is justly due to him from the State of South Carolina. William Deveaux J. P. (signature)

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Recd 30 May 1782 of James Strain Six Steers Two three years old, & four Five year olds for the use of the Continental army.

Wm Ferguson (signature)

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Charleston, Auditor’s Office, October 12th 1784

Mr. James Strain has an account for 1900lb Beef supplied for Continental Use, amounting to Twenty four Pounds seven Shillings and eight pence Sterling, which has passed this Office. The attestation to it not dated.

L24.7.8 Sterling

J. McCall, Aud. Genl.

___when my audt comes to your office I wish those ___ ____ in the name of Mr. Hiram Joseph he having given a valuable consideration for the same & his ___ ___ full for all demands against the State of So Carolina. James Strain (signature)

Witness Em? Grahams? The Commir of the Treasury.

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Full copy of Indent No. 279 Bk. N [front]

[Verso]

Received June 7th 1785 Received Two Years Interest on the within Indent for James Strain. Saml Strain (signature) Adminastretor to James Strain.

Recd June 16th the Sum of Two Pounds Eleven Shillings and three pence of the Commissioners of the Treasury it being on discount of One Hundred and ten Acres in the name of John Martindale Below the Line. Peter Bremar (signature).

Recd June 16th 1785 the sum of Two Pounds Six Shillings and Eight Pence being on Discount of One Hundred Acres in the name of William Bowen Junr below the Line. Peter Bremar (signature).

Recd June 20th 1785 of the Commissioners of the Treasury the Sum of two pounds Six Shillings & Eight Pence being on Discount of One Hundred Acres of Land in the name of Richd Young below the Line. Peter Bremar (signature).

Recd June 30th 1785 of the Commissioners of the Treasury the sum of five Pounds Sixteen & Eight pence on Discount of 250 Acres in the name of Jacob Fralick below the Line. Peter Bremar (signature).

Recd July 1st 1785 of the Commissioners of the Treasury three Pounds one Shilling & Eleven pence on Discount of 133? Acres in the name of Saml Cooper below Line. Peter Bremar (signature).

Recd July 18th 1785 of the Comissrs of the Treasury Two pounds 6/8 on _____?? received for me?--- Peter Bremar (signature).

I Samuel Strain do assign over all my Right and Title to the within indent to Peter Bremar Witness my hand this 7th Day of June 1785 Saml Strain (signature) Admr to James Strain

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Mr James Strain, his acct of Militia Duty as Private before & since the reduction of Charlestown amtg to Currcy L285.-.-

Forty Pounds fourteen Shillings, & three pence fourth stlg.

Received 3d June 1785 the full amount of the within Amt in a Treasury Indent No 57 Book S by Virtue of an Order for James Strain – Henry Coffey

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Due to James Strain for Duty pr Col Anderson’s Return – L285.-.- Stlg L40:14:3/4

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Gentleman Waxshaw August 7th 1785 Please to Deliver unto Henry Coffey such Indent or Indents as apears due to me from the Steat of South Carolina as from the united Steates and ___ shall be your discharge the same from your Humble Servent. James Strain (signature).

to the Commisioners of the Publick Treasury of South Carolina taken and Acknowledged before me Robt. Montgomery J. P.

Mr. John Strain, 60 L S, his accst of Militia Duty as Private done since the reduction of Charlestown, and for Waggon Hire in 1780, & a Horse lost in 1781, on Militia Account, the whole amod to Currency L255.-.-/Stg L 36:8:6 3/4 = Thirty Six Pounds, Eight Shillings, and Sexpence three fourths Sterling.

Mr. W. R. Mc Ely??

Received 3r June 1785 The full amount of the within amount on a Treasury Indent No. 60 S by Virtue of an Order for John Strain – Henery Coffey.

N.B. H Coffey took this Acct for a John Strain in Marshall’s Regt., which upon the Mistake being found, is ___ and believed to be given to the right person.

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Due to Jno Strain for Duty pr Col. Anderson’s Return L 59:-:-

28 days Waggon Service ___ 1780

a Horse Lost in 1781 ___

L36:8:6 34

[This page is identical to pages for the Abbeville Strains, showing a common method of writing the page used to file the indent claims by Col. Robert Anderson.  Col. Anderson was in charge of collecting the claims for 96 District. Apparently the John Strain for whom Coffey took payment was in Marshall's Regt., showing two separate John Strains.  There is no indent for John Strain in the files sent to me by the SCDAH. Although the appearance of his name based on the return of Col. Anderson strongly supports it to be the correct person, it does not seem to be positive proof that John Strain of Abbeville served.  And even if it is the correct person, there is no signature of his in this file matching John Strain of Abbeville.]

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Waxhaws August ye 5th, 1785

To the Commissioners of the Treasurey I do hereby Impower Henry Coffey to Receive my Indented Certificate the Sum is fourteen pounds two Shillings & ten pence Sterlg. Given under my hand – John Strain (signature)

Certified by me Robt Montgomery J. P.

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[A totally illegible page (labelled 3FF) with a substantial amount of writing on it, and signed by John Strain, I believe.]

Recd of Miss Mary Strain one grown Cattle for the Use of the Public? in Gen. Sumpter’s ____ ____ ____??

John Strain (signature) [This appears to be the same signature as the one from Waxhaws above.]

18 July 1782

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L 458 – 7 - ?

Mr. Samuel Strain, his acct of Duty in the Militia as Private done before & since the reduction of Charlestown and for a Horse, etc. lost in Militia, the whole amotg to Stg L66:8:6 3/4 = Sixty Six Pounds, Eight Shillings, and Sixpence three fourths Sterling. Cert W. R. McAly?

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Due to Samuel Strain for Duty pr Col Anderson’s Return L 360 " "

a Horse and Saddle etc in ___ 105 " "

465

June 3rd 1785, Received full satisfaction for the above in an Indent

No. 59, Lib. S Saml Strain (signature)

L 66.8..6 3/4

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Full copy of Indent No. 59 Book S [Front]

[Verso]

Received June the 7th 1785 Two Years Interest on the within Indent

Saml Strain (signature)

I do assign my Whole Right and Title of the Within Indent of L66..8..6 3/4 Sterling to Gel Andrew Pickens at Going for Value Read as Witness my hand, this 29th Day of October 1785. Saml Strain (signature)

I do assign my Rights of the within Indent to ____ ____ - June 8th 1796

Andw Pickens (signature)

Recd Octor 3d 1787 2 years Interest on within Indent due 6 April 1787 –

Thos N Johnson (signature)

L4..12..11

Recd the above date the sum of Sixty Pounds in part of the within Principal by disct on Andw Pickens Bond for two year’s Ints thereon which will become due the 18th Inst. L63.0.0 Thos N Johnson (signature)

Recd 4 Nov 1789 Interest to 5 of year Last L2.0.0 John Loveday (signature)

Mr Thomas Strain his acct of Militia Duty as Private before and since the reduction of Charlestown.

Sixteen Pounds, thirteen Shillings & Eleven pence Stlg.

Cert W. R. McAly??

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Due to Thomas Strain for Duty pr Col Anderson’s return on L116:17:6/16:13:11 1/4

Rec Full Satisfaction for the above accompaning Indent No. 62 Book S

John Strain admr (signature)

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Full copy of the Indent No. 69 Bk S [front]

[Verso]

Received 9th Dec 1784 Two years Interest on the within Indent

John Strain (signature)

I hereby asign over any right and tittle of the within Indent as being admr for the within mentioned Thomas Strain Services to Joseph Solomons or admr for value received as witness my hand this 9th December 1785. John Strain (signature)

Witness

Tom Caine

E McAdams?

Received 4 January 1796 from the Commissioners of tht Treasure four Pounds 18/6 in payt of the within by discount in Purchase of 200 acres of Land

Philip ___? (signature) Joseph his X mark Solomon

Witness

Samuel ____?

Received 12 June 17?? from the Commisr of the Treasury the Sum of Eight Pounds 8/4 ___ by Discount in Purchase of Land. Philip Pitman (signature)

Recd 13th Jan 1796 Interest on the within ____, _____? Philip Pitman (signature)

Mr. Willm Strain his acct of Duty in the (ye?) Militia as Lieutt and Capt done before and since the reduction of Charlestown amot to ___ One Hundred and Thirty One Pounds Fifteen Shillings Stlg.

Recieved 3rd June, 1785. Full Satisfaction for the William, in an Indent No. 58 S. William Strain (signature).

Due to Capt. Wm Strain for Duty pr Col Anderson’s Regt.

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Full copy of the Indent No. 58 Bk. S [front]

[Verso]

Received 20th Decr 1785, Two Year’s Interest on the Within L9..4..5

William Strain (signature)

Recd 19th June 1786 One Year’s Interest on the Within, Disc’t Aprt Last?

L9.4.5 Tho Cochran (Signature)

Witness LaSynats (??)

William Strain (signature)

Recd 24 July 1787 from the Commr of th Treasury full Satisfaction for the within Indent, Principal & Interest. Tho Cochran (signature)

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For 60 days duty in the Militia 15 Oct to 19 December, 1781.

To be certified by John Galbraith under whom the service was done.

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1781 October the 15th to December the 19th inclusive

For two Months Service at the publick Store in the Waxhaws under John Galbraith Quartr Master

Ten Days of Which time he had a Horse in the Service at 20 per Day

Another Fifty at 10 per Day

Certified John Galbraith Capt.

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South Carolina

Camden District

Personally appeared David Straine and made oath that the within acounts of Duty done against the publick is just and true and that he has never received any amount? of pay or ___ction for the Same. Sworn this 30th Day July 1784 before me Robt Montgomery J. P.

Recd. 13 Dec 1787(?) an indent No. 304 Book L for L5 ? being the amount of the within account.

David Strane (including a first blurred signature). [Note: This signature is obviously not the same signature of David Strain that appears on numerous documents in Abbeville.]