Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3,140, James Armstrong Wilson, Penn.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE     Penn

Wilson, James Armstrong
Henderson, Margaret
(Former Widow) 

NUMBER     W. 3,140
B.L.Wt. 2304-300

CONTENTS
res of Carlisle Cumberland Co Pa
and there died in 1788
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Pennsylvania 3.407
Margaret Henderson Formerly widow of James A Wilson
who died on the year 1788 of Cumberland Co in the State of Penna who was a Capt Gehager in the commander by Captain of the Regt commanded by in the Penn line for 16 mos. and 12 days Captain 7 mos 26 days gajor
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 484 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificat of Pension issued the 18th day of August 1840 and sent to Henry Northup Present
Arrears to the 4th of March 1840 4361.94
Sem-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 242.33
$4604.27
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3 
Recorded by D Brown Clerk Book C Vol 1 Page 153
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See letters to H. Northup and J. Solnes, P Agt. Philas Sept 3. 1840 and H. Northup Nov. 26 1840 and to Sec War 34d Feb 1841 and to H. Northrup Feb 8 1841 and to C.B. Pen and to Engl July 20 1841 and to H. Northup 20 May 1843 to Jane Dec 4. 1842 15 March 1843 and 6 April 1843 see letter May 30 1843 to Sec. Loar Jo to H. Northup July 19 1843.
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Cumberland County -  In the State of Pennsylvania ss: On this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and thirty nine personally appeared before me subscriber President Judge of the Courts of Common Pleas in & for the Ninth Judicial District of Pa Composed of the Counties of Cumberland Perry and Lancaster - Margaret Henderson a resident in the said County of Cumberland aged eighty one years who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say as follows in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Acts of Congress granting half pay or pensions for certain widows [illegible] That she is the widow of Captain James Wilson who served in the capacity of Captain of the Sixth Regiment of the Pennsylvania line during the Revolutionary war. The said James Wilson was a Captain in the Army of the Revolution in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five in which year this deponent was duly and lawfully married to him - He was taken prisoner in Canada after he was married to this deponent [illegible] thence
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years a prisoner - after he had been a prisoner he returned to the county of Cumberland aforesaid and he died in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty seven. My youngest child (now Mrs. McDowell) was at this time about five months old. He got hurt a long some time before he died. He [illegible] five children.  She cannot from recollection state when he [illegible] the pensions nor many of events in the order in which they occurred.  I was married in my father's house in Carlisle in the [illegible] house on Main [illegible words] Captain Wilson. She has no record of his marriage nor of his death. This Deponent says that after said Captain Wilson returned from imprisonment or capture he was in command about the Barracks at Carlisle and he was so employed there for some time. He never [illegible] or gave up his said commission.  This deponent cannot state for the [illegible] of service or the officers with whom he served from age & fraility of memory. This Deponent says she was married in the month of March in the said year one thousand seven hundred seventy five. This Deponent was again married in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety four to Mathew Henderson.  He died
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in the year one thousand eight[?] hundred and thirty six the nineteenth ^day of^ July.  I certify that Mrs Henderson the deponent is too old and infirm to go into court. Her deposition is therefore now taken at her [illegible].
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 18 October 1839 Margaret Henderson
Samuel Hepburn
Cumberland County s.s.
I do certify that Samuel Hepburn whose name is attached to the above declaration is regularly constituted and appointed & acting as President Judge in & for the Ninth Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which said District includes the County of Cumberland aforesaid and that the above annexed signature is his true & proper signature. 
Witness my hand and the seal of my Office this 14th March 1840
Geo Sanderson Prothy
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P328
Margaret Henderson
formerly widow of James A. Wilson 
Pa
Act 4 July '36
M Henderson Declaration and obtain a pension 4946
pa
July 4 1836
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State of Pennsylvania  }
Cumberland County ss}
Personally appears before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Andrew McDowell well know to me and whom I hereby certify to be a witness of credibility and unimpeachable integrity who being duly Sworn according to law saith that he had now in his possession all the papers known to exist of the late Major James A Wilson late of Carlisle in said County deceased one of those daughters is the wife of said deponent - and with whom the widow of the said Major J A Wilson (now widow Henderson) is living - that from a careful and thorough examination of the said papers of Major Wilson there is no record or evidence of any kind of the marriage of the Major Wilson viz Margaret Henderson with her first husband James Armstrong Wilson - Amongst his papers and in Major Wilsons own hand writing as he believes is found a document entitled "Copy of Prisoners and Deserters Roll with their Accts." which is herewith annexed and accompanied his affidavit Deponent thinks there was a family Bible at one time but never came into his possession and is thought to have been stolen by a Coloured Boy belonging to the family some years ago. 
A. McDowell
Sworn and Subscribed Before me May 26th 1840 
William Irvine 

State of Pennsylvania  }
Cumberland County ss}
I George Sanderson, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County in the State of Pennsylvania, do certify that the above named William Irvine is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, to all whose acts in the that capacity due faith and credit is and of right ought to be given throughout the United States & elsewhere, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal and said Court at Carlisle the 26th day of May AD 1840 
Geo Sanderson Proth
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State of Maryland  }
Baltimore City        }
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace of the City of Baltimore was Elizabeth Denison of said City, a person to me well known and deserving of full faith & credit who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God did depose and declare that she has not in her possession any record of her own age nor any record of her mother's marriage neither does she know where any such record is to ^be^ found but she states deposes & declares that she is the eldest daughter of the late Major James A Wilson and Margaret his wife now Henderson, that she the said Elizabeth was seventy two years of age in March last, that she has seen a record of her birth and that [illegible] is in a small Bible which belonged to her father and which her mother had for many years but which she has been informed & believes was either lost or stolen and cannot be found and that she has frequently seen in said Bible the record of the mother's marriage with the said James A Wilson which was there said to have taken place in March of the year 1777. She further says that she is the eldest of five children of said marriage all of which were single births and three of which are now living and further she saith not. 
Elizabeth Denison
Witness Joseph Brown
Sworn before me this Eleventh day of June in the year 1840 J
oseph Brown J.P.
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State of Maryland Baltimore County
I hereby certify that Joseph Brown Gentleman before whom the within deposition was made and who appears to have subscribed his name thereto was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State aforesaid in and for the City of Baltimore duly Commissioned and Sworn
In Testimony whereof I hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of Baltimore County Court this Eleventh day of June 1840 Thomas Kell Clr
Baltimore County Court
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State of Pennsylvania    }
Cumberland County SS }
Rebecca McDowell being duly Sworn according to law makes the following declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836, granting pensions to the officers and Soldiers of the Revolution with the Act in the Amendment of the third of March 1837.  She says that her late Mother Margaret Henderson received a pension from the United States under said Acts in right of her first husband James Armstrong Wilson, the father of said deponent: but as she is lead to believe at a rate [underlined] per annum [/underlined] less than She was [underlined] by law entitled [/underlined] to and which the rolls of his regiment, and the journals of Congress of that period (to wit the Revolution) clearly show her to have been entitled, under the before named Acts, and resolutions of Congress with the record evidence on the rolls of his regiment to wit 6th afterwards 7th Penna. Regiment that her said Mother departed this life on or about the Sixteenth day of April 1841 and she now makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the allowance to her and the living children of her late Mother by Mary James Armstrong Wilson that proportion of pension which was justly due her from the 3rd of March 1831, to the day of her death deducting therefrom the amount of pension received by her.
Rebecca McDowell
Sworn and Subscribed before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County this 10th day of November 1846
T. C. Miller Judge
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State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County. 
I Thomas C Miller, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County do hereby certify that the foregoing deposition and declaration of Mrs Rebecca McDowell was taken by me; at her residence; and that I attended there for that purpose on account of her not being able to attend in open Court for the purpose of making the same by reason of bodily infirmity and indisposition Witness my hand and Seal the 10th day of November 1846
T C Miller Judge 
State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County
At a court held in and for said county in the 4th day of November 1846, on motion of Wm. Miller Esq, it was proven in open court to the satisfaction of said Court by the oath of William A Miller, Esq. and application of George Sponsler persons well know to the said Court to be witnesses of credibility who being duly Sworn according to law say that Margaret Henderson late Margaret Wilson, Widow of Captain or Major James Armstrong Wilson, late of said County deceased was in the receipt of a pension from the United States in sight of her said first husband, and that she departed this life on or about the sixteenth day of April AD 1841 and that Rebecca McDowell, Elizabett Denison, and Jane Wilson, was at her death her only
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Surviving children by James Armstrong Wilson, and all of whom are believed to be still living: the above of which is ordered to be certified. Sworn affirmed and Subscribed in open Court this 11th day of November 1846 W.M. Beetem Prothy
Wm Irvine George Sponsler
State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County
I William M Beetem Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County do hereby certify the foregoing order to be truly copied from the minutes of the said Court and further that names C Miller is one of the Judges of the Said Court duly commissioned according to laws and that the Signatures to the foregoing deposition of Rebecca McDowell, and to the certificate purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Carlisle this 11th day of November AD 1846 WM Beetem Prothy
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February 14, 1938
James Armstrong Wilson
W. 3140
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. W. Walter Scott
5036 Michigan Avenue
Kansas City, Missouri
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to James Wilson of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, who died there in 1788, and of John 
Riddle of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, both soldiers in the Revolutionary War.
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension found based upon the service of a John Riddle from  Cumberland County, Pennsylvania: the surname was searched under similar spellings. 
The record of James Armstrong Wilson which follows was obtained from papers on file in pension claim, @. 3140, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only James Wilson (Willson) of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The date and place of birth of James Armstrong Wilson were not given. He was the son of Thomas Wilson, name of his mother not stated. James Armstrong Wilson was commissioned January 8 or 9 1776, Captain of the Sixth Pennsylvania Battaliaon, by Colonel William Irvine, which was later the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Regiment: he went on the Canadian Expedition, and was taken prisoner in
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2
Canada, was paroled and returned to Cumberland County, Pennsylvani, "a prisoner of war on parole": he was appointed Major and was in command of the Barracks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, until June 2, 1776. James 
Armstrong Wilson married in the month of March 1777, Margaret Miller, daughter of Robert Miller of 
Carlisle, Pennsylvania: they were married in her father's home in Carlisle. The name of the mother of Margaret Miller was not given. James Armstrong Wilson died sometime in the month of March, 1788, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. His widow, Margaret Wilson married in 1794, Mathew Henderson, who died July 19, 1836. The widow, Margaret Henderson, was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband, James 
Armstrong Wilson, on her application executed October 15, 1839, at which time she was aged eighty one years, and living in the vicinity of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. She died in that county April 16, 1841.
James Armstrong Wilson, and his wife, Margaret , had five children. Their eldest child, Elizabeth, was born in the month of March 1778, and in 1840 was the wife of Edward Denison of Baltimore, Maryland. Their youngest child, Rebecca, was five months old, at the time of the death of her father and was the wife of Andrew McDowell in 1840, then living in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Their son, James Wilson, (his age not shown) was Lieutenant on board the "Easeax" with Commodore Porter, and was sent with prizes to the United 
States, was captured and died in captivity in the fall of 1812 on the Island of Jamaica; he died without issue. 
The widow, Margaret Henderson, at her death left three children, by her husband, James Armstrong Wilson,
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namely-Elizabeth Denison, Rebecca McDowell, and Jane Wilson who never married, her age was not shown. 
William M. Henderson, son of Margaret and her husband, Mathew Henderson, was living in 1840 in the vicinity of Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Reference was made in 1788 to a brother of James Armstron Wilson, his name was not given; and one Robert Miller, Jr. was in 1788 of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, his relationship to the widow was not designated. Mrs. Sarah Miller of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1839 aged seventy three years, stated that she was reared in the family of her uncle, Robert Miller of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, that she married her cousin, John Miller, brother of the widow, Margaret, and that her only child was fifty-one year of age in 1839, then the wife of George Ege (?).
In 1842, Alexander McDowell and Margaret Ann McDowell were living in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania county in 1848. It was not stated that these persons were related to the family. 
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Deporeteair
Ellen Elizabeth Duian 
No. 10
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State of Maryland }
Baltimore City        } SS
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said City was[?] Elizabeth Denison wife of Edward Denison of said City who being duly sworn according to Law says that she was sixty one years of age in March last. That she is the Daughter of James Armstrong Wilson and Margaret his wife of Carlisle Pennsylvania. That she always understood her said mother Margaret Wilson that she and her late father James Armstrong Wilson were married the March previous to her birth to wit sixty two years ago last March. That her late father James A Wilson as she has ever understood was an officer, a captain and Major and both in the Army of the  Revolution and was taken prisoner in Canada or some where to the north  during said Revolution and Commanded troops at Carlisle for a time - She says that her late father died of wounds received at some public gathering of the people at Carlisle fifty [illegible] years ago leaving four children Three of which are yet living. That her mother subsequently intermarried with Matthew Henderson who has [illegible] been dead about [blank line] years and that she now lives with her children Mrs McDowell and Wm M. Henderson in the vicinity of Carlisle. The Deponent says that she has seen a record[?] of his age but at this time she knows not where it is she to be found or in what book neither does she know where or in what book any record of their family is to be found (to wit) of her fathers the late Major James A Wilson family but she [illegible words] that such records existed and further she saith not 
Elizabeth Denison 

Subscribed in  Presence and Sworn to before me this Fifth day of October 1839 
A H Penington 
I Augustine H Penington a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore do hereby certify that Elizabeth Denison who signed the above certificate and made the affidavit thereto before me is a lady of credibility and that she was made fully acquainted with the whole of the foregoing affidavit before she was Sworn to the truth of and Signed the same. Witness my hand the 5th day of October 1839
A H Penington
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State of Maryland       }
Baltimore County Sct }    
I hereby Certify that Augustine H Penington Gentleman before whom the aforegoing affidavit was made and certificate given was at the time of so doing one of the Justices of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn. 
in Testimony Whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of Baltimonre County Court on this 5th day of October 1839 
Thos Kell Clk of
Balto. Coty Cot.
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania City of Pittsburgh
Before me the Subscriber an Alderman of the city of Pittsburgh with the powers of a Justice of the Peace for the county of Allegheny personally appeared Ann Armstrong, wife of George Armstrong, of the said City personally well known to me and whom I hereby certify to be a witness of unimpeachable character as to truth and veracity who being duly sworn according to law deposes as follows:
I was Sixty three years of age in March last. I am the daughter of Major Charles Lakens an officer of the Pennsylvania line of the army of the Revolution. My father died when I was about five or six years of age. My mother lived until long after my marriage. I well remember Major James A Wilson and his wife during my childhood and afterwards. I went to School at Carlisle, in the State with Elizabeth, the eldest child of Major Wilson, where I was about Seven or eight years old. Elizabeth Wilson now Mrs. Dennison of Baltimore is about my own age perhaps a few months younger. I renewed my acquaintance with her about five years ago. I was intimate in Major Wilson's family. My mother and Mrs. Wilson were  very intimate. Mrs. Wilson is the Daughter of Robert Miller of Carlisle. Major Wilson was killed and died of injuries  received some years after the revolution. He left a widow and several children. Mrs. Wilson afterwards married Mr.  Anderson. She is still living. I believe. The impression on my mind is that Major Wilson and his wife now Mrs. Henderson were married and living at the Carlisle Barrack at the time of my father commanded the Artillery then. What year a year my father so commanded I cannot say. This impression I think must have been onward from conversations with my mother. I have some old almanacs belonging to my father. One of them was given to Richard Biddle Esq Member of Congress from this District, for the purpose of enabling Mr. McCully to obtain a pension.  It contained a memorandum made by my father of Mrs.
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McCully: marriage. I think it possible that the same almanac may contain a memorandum of the time of Major Wilson; marriage that almanac in I presume at Washington  in the Pension Office. 
Ann Armstrong
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 25th day of August A.D. 1840 
J.K. Henderson  
Alderman 

Allegheny County         }
State of Pennsylvania  } SS
I H H Peterson Prothonotary of the Court of common Pleas in and for the County of Allegheny in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that J K Henderson Esq by and before whom the foregoing deposition was taken and who has thereunto in his proper handwriting subscribed his name was at the time of taking such depositions and sworn is an Alderman in said for the City of Pittsburgh with all the Powers of an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Said County duly elected commissioned and sworn to all whose acts as such due faith and credit one and of right ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Pittsburgh this 25 day of August AD 1840 
H H Peterson Pro
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Stamp: Carlisle Pena
Aug 20
Double 23
Mr. Henry Northup
Agent for Claims
Washington DC
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Carlisle Pennsylvania August 17 1840
Wm Henry Northup
Dear Sir
Yesterday I met Francis Gibson in town by accident he is a Justice of the Peace for Perry County Brother to Judge Gibson Supreme Judge of this State, and Brother of General George Gibson Commander J General of Sub. Washington, his father was a Colonel in the US Army and was killed at the Battle in which General St Clair was defeated I think, his opportunities of knowing the History of the actors in the times that tried mens souls were superior to most men now living, I mean after he became of an age to hear these things from the actors themselves of from those who    were " triers of the vicinage" he is a strong man, in possession of all his faculties, was in March last Elected by the people a Justice of the Peace for Tyrone Township and unanimously on requesting him he very willingly gave his deposition which I include and I am in hopes the department will consider it sufficient as it very strongly collaborates Mrs Denison's deposition-General George Gibson Command General Subss is exceedingly intimately and minutely acquainted with Robert Millers family and Major Wilson's family he was a youth simultaneously with Elizabeth first child of Major Wilson that Miss Calhoun's and who then formed a circle at Robert Millers and who were also my own relations and I do know that no Youth such as general Gibson was could have had the acquaintances of Miss Wilson without entertaining for her Sentimently of esteem and respect. I request you to shew him
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the deposition of his Brother herein enclosed and also Mrs Denisons deposition and say to him that he will confess a very particular favor on me if he can correlate the deposition of his Brother and Mrs Denison, perhaps the best way is to show him this letter, Have the goodness to send me a copy of Mrs Denisons deposition I wrote you on Monday last and send Mrs Sally Millers deposition and am old letter mentioning Mrs Wilson, If you get the record of Mrs Henderson's birth day I should think it should satisfy the department, as I myself remember that Mrs Henderson my mother in law many years ago more than ten years ago when her memory and all her faculties were good used to tell me that she was but little more that seventeen years old when she was married and Sally Miller wanted me to put into her deposition that she remember Mrs Wilson Sister & the girls making fun of Mrs Wilson preparing garden seed when she moved down to where I live and the reason assigned was the way she was brought up and her youthfulness being altogether unacquainted with the Science of Gardening. I propose going over this week into the neighborhood of where Mrs Henderson used to live, when the Bible containing the record that would settle the question at once was stolen I shall offer a large reward for it say 5$ or 10$ which if it is recovered You I hope will not object to it may be possible to recover it but very improbable. Very Respectfully I am dear sir your Obed Serv 
A McDowell
Mrs Hendersons memory gave way I think three or four years ago it is now not to be relied on. Yours 
A McDowell
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Depositions of John Smith and Abbey Sarah Miller No. 9
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State of Pennsylvania  }
Cumberland County     } SS
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace was Sarah Miller who being duly sworn according to law says that she is now Seventy three years of age that she was raised in her Uncle Robert Millers house in Carlisle from infancy and intermarried with her cousin John Miller The precise time she does not know know but says that [illegible words] the wife of George Ege is now fifty one years of age. She says that Some years previous to her marriage her cousin Margaret Miller was married to Captain James Wilson afterwards Major Wilson. She at this time does not recollect seeing  the marriage ceremony performed but the circumstances were all well remembered by her and if she were not present[?] at the so [illegible] She lived in the house at the time, she at this time knows not the time of the said marriage but says that her cousin Margaret Wilson had several children by such Marriage four if not five and the youngest of which is about six months. Other than her deponents Daughter Mrs Ege. She says that Major Wilson was killed or died of injuries received in some quarrel or [illegible] which took place in Carlisle probably fifty years ago. She says that James Wilson the Deceased was a Captain and was taken prisoner during the war of the Revolution in Canada or some where to the North - And she further saith that after the death of Major Wilson his widow intermarried with Mathew Henderson who is now dead and that she is [underlined] now living [/underlined] with her children Mrs McDowell andWm Henderson in the immediate vicinity of Carlisle and further saith not 
Sarah Miller 

Cumberland County
Sworn and Subscribed one of the Justice of the Peace in and for said county this 2d day of October AD 1839 before me
Isaac Todd
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State of Pennsylvania  }
Cumberland County     } SS
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County John Smith who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is now in the eighty first year of his that he has always resided in Carlisle except when absent in the service of his Country in the Army of the Revolution of which he was an officer. The days that James A Wilson of the vicinity of Carlisle was a Captain of Sixth Pa Regiment Commanded by Col William Irvine and marched with said regiment to the North and was captured in Canada or some where in its vicinity that the said Capt Wilson was after his Captivity  and returned a Major commanding some troops at Carlisle for a time. That he married Miss Miller a Daughter of Robert Miller of Carlisle The precise time of his marriage deponent does not know but it was 
restoriously [?] public that he married Miss Miller The said Major James A Wilson was afterwards killed and died of wounds received in a fracas at Carlisle presiding[?] some collection [?] of the people he left several children and a widow who afterwards intermarried with Mathew Henderson who is now dead and the widow is now living with him the [illegible] in the vicinity of Carlisle and further he saith not. 
John Smith

Cumberland County 
Sworn and Subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said county the 2nd day of October AD 1839 
Isaac Todd 

Cumberland County
I do certify that I am personally acquainted with John Smith and Sarah Irvin the two 
[illegible] witnesses to the foregoing deposition and that they are persons of the [illegible] respectability and character for integrity and truth. Witness [?] my hand at Carlisle this 2d day of October AD 1839 
Isaac Todd
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State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County
I George Sanderson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County do hereby certify that Isaac Todd is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Cumberland County and State aforesaid, to all whose acts as such in thatcapacity due faith and credit are and of right ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Carlisle this 2nd day of October A.D. 1839 George Sanderson Prothy
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1937 Oct 23 birth (unreadable Jane Fulton
1938 Feb 14 Hist (unreadable Scott
Widow
File No. 3140
Margaret Henderson
Widow 
James A Wilson
Capt and Maj Rev War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index:Vol A Page 323
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Papers in the care of Margaret Henderson proving the service of James A Wilson and her marriage to him.
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Copy of a Return in the Department of State, copied by H. Northup - and the decision of the Secretary of War in the case of Mrs. Henderson -
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24 letters from H. Northup in the case of Margaret Henderson, who was the widow of James A. Wilson
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Margaret Henderson family widow of James A Wilson Captain 14 mo. 12 days Major 7 mo 26 days $484.66 per annum.  Penn. Roll at 4 July 1836
Hand cart to W. Henry Northup Present
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Oct 6 1777
J.A. Wilson and Major p. 328 WC 3.J.O.C.
Mi Mip? 2 June "78
p. 232, Vol 4 J.O.C
Apr. Capt 8 Jan'76
Com. 9 Oct 9 Jan 1776 
Memory fro Friday 11 Dec 1840
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Vol 2 277 Oct 6.77 coal at Coul
over 17 years
284
300
382
474. June 2 dismissed
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Margaret Henderson Paid 4 July 1836
to what time last paid?
Pension office
Dec 5th 1842
Mr Harry
Paid to 4th March 1841
BL Boyan
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Memo to Mr Gordon
Recd. Dec 28th 1842
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Mr Gordon
Sir
Herewith is the claim of James A Wilson heir for 21 and Bounty land for their father 's services as a Captain in the 7th Pa Regiment and who became a Supermumerary  officer in consequence of being pensionary of war. You have a certificate from the State department although  unsigned it was unlikely in a letter to Wm Edward which was signed and dated to which you are referred if further evidence is wanted. Will you (unreadable) to me the kindness to take up this case as early as practicable and oblige (unreadable
Yours Respectfully
Henry Northup
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Dec 4th
Mr. Henderson
March April
Hy Northup Prothy
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Washington City 10 of March 1843
Sir yours of yesterday in reply to my application relative to the claim of Mrs Margaret Henderson as the widow of CaptJas A Wilson was duly received.  In this you object to the certificate I had referred to by reason that the same is without date. This sir is wholly immaterial as to the object part which it was intended. You sir will recollect that the Roll of the 7th PA Regiment Accompanying the papers of Mrs Henderson named [illegible] officer Capt James A Wilson being one of them in the following manner (Thus) "Prisoner of war left out in the new arrangements." And in the Column headed, "Date of Resignation" The 20th of March  1777 is placed appropriate[?] each of the [illegible] officers names. A fact as I counted that 20th of March 1777 is not the date of resignation nor not so intended but was intended simply as the day as which they were arranged out in the new arrangements. Had those officers assigned the Roll would have read "Resigned" and not as it does "Prisoner of war left out in the new Arrangement" This I contended was true meaning and intention of this [illegible] or Roll and that the widow of Capt. Wilson was by law entitled to Pensioner for the full term of two Years to wit as Major from 6th October 1777 to the 2nd of June 1778, and the balance of two years service as Capt being  a period of nearly two months longer you allowed alleging that Capt. Wilson resigned on the 20th of March 1777.  This now Certificate to which I referred you is wholly immaterial as to date It is now duly referred to as to  corroborate my former statements and the card and the Roll of the 7th Pa Regt to wit that Capt. J Wilson
Page 54

did not resign as alleged by you but was arranged out as a Prisoner of war hence his widow was entitled to a Pension for the full term of two years. Prisoners of War as I believe always admitted by you as in service until exchanged. I know that such was the rule of action by you in allowing the Pension due the children of the widow of Lt John Frazier of the Georgia Line. he being nearly the whole of the time for which Pensioner was allowed a Prisoner of war. This I know was your rule of action in this case and I expect it is the uniform rule in granting Pension where the parties were prisoners of war. The same as if in service. Thus sir this late certificate referred to by me was only [illegible words] said to establish the fact that James A Wilson did not resign as alleged by you but was arranged out as a supernumerary Prisoner of war and therefore entitled as though in actual service as to the American [?] of date it cannot affect the validity of the document and unequivocally settles the fact that Capt. James A Wilson was arranged out as a supernumerary  and specially recommended hence he did not resign on the 20th of March 1777. This certificate without date referred to by you as being thus defective is an extract taken from a voluminous document headed "arrangement of the Pennsylvania line" This document is voluminous and requires several days to copy it. An inspection[?] of that document will at once show from the internal evidence contained therein that the arrangements of the Pa Line referred to in that document actually took place between the 16th of Dece 1778 and the 13th of February 1779 I sir can only renew my pension request that you would cause an examination to be made of the parts here allowed and grant a pension for the [illegible words] equal to two years in all and oblige sir Yours Respectfully Henry Northup.
Page 55

Feb 20 1843
Mary Henderson
James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pension 
Present
H. Northrup
Page 56

Washington City 20th of February 1843
Sir
During the year 1840 the Claim of Margaret Henderson widow of Capt & Maj James A Wilson was was placed on the Pension list under the act of 4th July 1836 and commandment [?] of Congress of 3rd of March 1837.  At the time of Presenting this claim it was contended that Capt Wilson was in service as a Prisoner of war [illegible] and that the date of "20th of March 1777"  in the column of Remarks are the Rolls of the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment referred to the day in which these officers were arranged and in consequence of being Prisoners of war and not to the date of Resignation [?]. nothing could be more observed [?] than in making out the rolls of this regiment   than to note "Prisoners of war left out in the arrangements" with the date 20th of March 1777 in the column headed date of resignation  had they actually resigned. the column of remarks could have read "Resigned" and not as it did Prisoners of war left out in the Arrangements further there were some six or  eight of those officers thus noted now it cannot possibly be supposed that those officers all resigned on the same day but it is a natural conclusion that they were all left out on the same day in the new arrangements in consequences of being Prisoners of war.
But sir[?] to [illegible] all this I refer you to the Certificate from the State department now in your office being the Voucher on which bounty land was recently got this certif-
Page 57

icate Shows him a Supernumerary and prisoner of war and further [illegible] him worthy of [illegible words]  This in record evidence that he did not resign but that the date of 20th March 1777 and the Matter of the 7th Pa Regt Refers to the date when he was arranged out in Consequences of Being a Prisoner of War. The Children of Mrs Henderson now apply for the amount of Pension due for two full years service as Capt and Major from 6th October 1777 to 2nd of June 1778[?] being about $40 per year more than was allowed in Mrs Henderson's Pension certificate Also two of them ask to know the amount per annum heretofore allowed and the time paid to. Will you do me the kindness to inform me in relation to their inquiry and also please cause a reexamination of this claim to [illegible words]  pension when I must believe that you will find that by law and practice there is a further sum due of about $40 per year. 
I Remain Sir
Yours Respectfully
Henry Northup
Page 58

The Honarable
JM Proter
Secretary of War
Present
Page 61

Washington July 24 '43
Henry Northup
Argument in the case of Margaret Henderson, on the decision of the Department refusing admit or endorse the Washington papers in the State Department.
N. 31 24 July 1843
Pension Office
Page 62

Aug 22. 18200
A22 proof
Margaret Henderson
Lawrence L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Present
Page 63

Washington City 22nd of August 1840
Sir
I wrote you yesterday fully and  at large in relation to the claim of Mrs Henderson widow of the late Major James A Wilson - at that time I knew not that I should ever trouble you again on the subject. Having been for the last 24  years engaged in all kinds of business pertaining  [illegible words] as revolutionary war and meeting with such objections evasions [?] and [illegible] as never before experienced and had expected that my communication of yesterday was the last that I should ever trouble you with and contrary to expectation having this morning received another deposition of Francis Gibson the eldest brother of Gen George Gibson and also a letter of Andw McDowell the son in law of Mrs. Wilson.  I have enclosed the same to you for you to apply them as you think proper After having [illegible] Claims before the department for the last 24 years and so far as I have heard without even an implication of fraud it cannot be expected that after the treatment which I have in it within the [illegible] of this claim in which the published regulations for the information and guide of Claimants had been literally complied with and totally disregarded by the department promulgating the same for its rule of action that I should trouble myself further than to carry this case before the  representatives of the Nation - Genl Geo Gibson  the Brother of Francis is Commissary Gen of Subsistence and to be found I presume in his office also Mr Miller an Auditor and Mr Mahan his [illegible] Clerk are also Citizens of Carlisle or its immediate Vicinity and probably can throw some light on the Subject as they know age and credibility of the party if nothing else -  for me to see the persons and get
Page 64

certificates of them would be useless and wholly unnecessary as all and every document  heretofore obtained has been treated within contempt and as though the party testifying to the same was a prejudiced wretch [?] If the evidence of the parties referred to are [illegible] of any use they [illegible words] and their certificate can be obtained with the same  facility of any document by examinations from the record [?] - and to take them by myself was useless and wholly unnecessary as no deposition or certificate yet taken in support of this claim has had any more attention paid to it than a piece of blank paper 
Yours Respectfully 
Henry Northrup

P.S. I again  innumerate [?]  the evidence to wit Mrs Hendersons (as which no reliance has ever been produced his mind being greatly impaired) Captain Smith of the Revo Army Mrs Miller & Mrs Dennison and James Hutton and [blank space] Brown All accompanying the original application all tending to show that James A Wilson and Margaret Miller were Married to say the least in the Spring of 1777 -  Mrs Dennison and Mrs Miller having been taken a second time and filed for the purpose of showing [illegible] satisfactorily the time when this marriage must have taken place and also the further evidence of several showing that there was no record or documentary evidence but abundant of Oral testimony as well as Circumstantial evidence.

P.S. I have last called on Gen Gibson and he says that he is sixty six years of age and that Elizabeth Wilson now Mrs Dennison is three years younger than him and that he intimately knows the whole family and all their connections [illegible words] recollection and that if there is anything which he could speak to which he did not [illegible] it is the marriage of James A. Wilson to Margaret Miller while an officer in the army of the Revolution and that he is ready to testify to any affidavit that may be drawn setting forth these facts [illegible]
Page 65

July 14 1840
P360
Add Processed
Mrs Henderson
James L Edwards  Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 66

Washington City 24th of July 1840
Sir
Enclosed is a paper which it is not claimed [deemed?] of any consequence neither would any other document be claimed [deemed] of any consequence as you have already decided and so reported that he resigned on 20th of March 1877 (his Commission now in the possession of his family The act of Congress of 14th of May 1777 and the account heretofore sent and enclosed are to the contrary not withstanding) All showing the very reverse of a Resignation on 20th of March 1777 - The originals have not been sent  not being deemed necessary as the records in your office show him with his rank &c - and had those original family records. (which the regulation expressly declare unnecessary where the record furnish evidence) been furnished it would not have changed your opinion (as per your letters) or admitted[?] the term of his service beyond the 20th of March 1777 - All his accounts charges statements declaration Commission act of Congress &c to the contrary notwithstanding and you have adhered this period. The enclosed is not just sent with the hope and expectation that it will change the opinion - There also could be furnished a power  of attorney of record in the Clerks office at Carlisle of the year 1776 appointing Robert Miller (his father in law) his attorney to sell certain property and collect all debts &c &c - yet this claimant does not read (father in law) or say anything about wife [illegible] it could not be claimed [deemed?] of any consequences to furnish a Certificate copy of the original or to send the originals of those accounts as his commission which could add nothing in [illegible words] as you have fixed positively (the resolution of Congress and documentary evidence to the contrary notwithstanding that he resigned on the 20th of March 1777
Page 67

yet sir Although this would prove nothing it is strong [illegible] evidence of a connection as relationship at that time existing when it is However that this man was actually his father in law it is surely fair to presume that the relationship existed at that time. There was a Robert Miller a son of the Elder and Brother in law of Wilson but who was then a Clerk and who died a few years since in Baltimore and if now living would not be 75 years of age. On the subject of [illegible] documentary evidence of Marriage it is useless and unnecessary to say more every means has been used and every document searched to find the evidence and [illegible] can be found It only rests with the department and Secretary to say whether the claim of [illegible] shall be admitted without any record or documentary evidence or was [illegible] of a knowledge of the part of the marriage - and [illegible words]  for the want of Record or Documentary evidence with the positive [illegible] evidence of such Marriage &c &c. The document enclosed is not claimed to be of any service but as you have advised her "Withholding" of Papers which for the Promulgated regulations it was expressly stated were not required. This document is sent simply that you may know what this party has to say relative to this withholding of papers. 
I Remain Sir
Yours Respectfully
Henry Northrup
Page 68

James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pension
Present
P 333.
Page 69

Washington City 11th of July 1840
Sir
On the 25th ulto I wrote you in reply to yours of the preceding day containing new and further requisition relative to the claim of Mrs Henderson late widow of Major James A Wilson - and for the third time as having an appeal to the Secretary of War and that all the papers and correspondence pertaining to this case should be laid before him for his confirmation or reversal of your decision[?] in order that if adverse that the whole of the papers might be laid before Congress for the benefit of a special  act and this was asked at the earliest day in order that certain action might be had on this case before the adjournment which was now near at hand - Since that communication I have not heard one word from you on the subject although I have looked at the post office daily . Enclosed is a document received this day from Carlisle relative to this case tending to show that there is written record of Marriage Birth or Christianing [christening] of Children of Wilson and wife At any time and further that this was the church to which they belonged if any 
It is left with you to file[?] it or not or put what credit as weight upon it that you think proper 
I Remain Sir
Yours Respectfully 
Henry Northup
Page 70

Aug 20 1840
Add Proof
Margt Henderson
Act July 4 1836
James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Present
Page 72

Nov 30 1840
Con
add proof
Margt Henderson
J.L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Present
Esq
Page 90

Pension Office
July 14, 1840

Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith an additional paper presented by Mr. Henry Northup as evidence in support of the claim of Mrs. Margaret Henderson, formerly the widow of James A. Wilson decd. whose case was submitted for your decision on the 26th ulto.

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
J. L. Edwards

Hon. J. R. Poinsett,
Secretary fo War
Page 92

Pension Office
Septr 3rd 1840

Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Mr. McDowell.  The pension of Mrs Margaret Henderson cannot be increased.  The record shows that her husband, Captain, (afterwards Major), James A. Wilson, resigned on the 20th of March 1777; and I cannot admit any evidence which contradicts a record.  The pension of Mrs. Henderson is payable at Philadelphia, tomorrow.

I am, respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
J. L. Edwards

Mr. Henry Northup
Present
Page 93

[illegible] FEby 3d
P 53
Feby 4, 1841.
Pension Office
There is no evidence to satisfy me that Captn. Wilson served as Captain the army after 20." March 1777.
J. R. P.
Page 94

Pension Office,
February 3, 1841.

Sir,
In compliance with the request of Mr. Northup, I make the following report.
A pension has been allowed Mrs. Margaret Henderson, formerly widow of James A. Wilson, deceased, for the following described service.
James A. Wilson was appointed Captain on the 8th of January 1776, and according to the roll, he resigned, or left the Army, on the 20th of March 1777, making 14 months and 12 days as a Captain.
He also served as Major of an Independent Battalion from the 6th of October 1777 to the 2d of June 1778.  In relay to the last term of service, no additional claim is set up.  But Mr. Northup, as will be seen by his letter of the 16th November last, which I enclose herewith, insists on a further allow-
Page 95

-ance as Captain, alleging, that there is an error, in the Return of the Officers: that Captain ^Wilson^ did not resign on the 20th March 1777, and he claims for the Pensioner an allowance for alleged service as Captain up to October 1777.  There is no evidence that he served as Captain up to October, 1777.  The Return, a copy of which, is Mr. Northup's own handwriting, expressly declares that he was left out of the new arrangement of the Regiment, which was made when he was in captivity.  The point upon which your decision is asked, is this:  At what time did Wilson's service as Captain terminate, according to the Return.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards

Hon. J. R. Poinsett,
Secretary of War.
Page 99

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Present
Page 108

evidence examined and the case reported as early as practicable and oblige sir.
Yours Respectfully
Henry Northup
Page 115

James A. Wilson 
No. 2304
Page 116

Department of State,
December 21st, 1842

James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir,
Your letter of the 16th inst. has been received, and enclosed I send you an extact from the Washington Papers showing J. A. Wilson to have been a Supernumerary Captain in the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment.

I am, Sir,
Your Obedt. Servt.
Danl Webster
Page 117

Deposition
Mrs Miller - the same ladys affidavit accompanies the Original application
Page 121

Certificate
Gen. George Gibson
Page 122

I George Gibson, Commissary General of Subsistence of the Army of the United States, do hereby certify that I am now sixty six years of age.  That from my earliest recollection in life I was well and most intimately acquainted with Major James A. Wilson, of Carlisle, Pa. his wife and children and all their connexions [connections] and I know such of them, as living at the present day, and that their eldest daughter Elizabeth, now Mrs. Dennison, of Baltimore is three years younger than myself.  I think certainly not four - that I always knew or so understood that Major Wilson had been an Officer in the War of the Revolution, had been taken prisoner in Canada, and had also commanded the Barracks at Carlisle, and had married Margaret the daughter of Robert Miller of Carlisle while an Officer in the Army of the Revolution and I feel as well assured as I can, possibly be of anything which I did not see, that they were married while he was an Officer as aforesaid, or before he left the service.  I would further say that the said Major Wilson was afterwards killed in an affray at Carlisle whilst celebrating the adoption of the Federal Constitution and that his widow afterwards married with Mathew Henderson, who is now dead, his widow surviving him.
Geo. Gibson

Washington City, Augst. 20 [possibly 26] 1840
Page 126

Evidence of the service from the Dept. of State
Page 130

J. L. Edwards
14th of July 1840
No. 7
Page 131

Pension Office,
July 14, 1840.

Sir,
I have referred your letter of this date with the accompanying paper as evidence in the case of Mrs. Margaret Henderson to the Secretary of War.
I am, very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servant
J. L. Edwards

Henry Northup, Esq.
Present.
Page 140

Pension Office
July 11, 1840

Sir,
On the 26th ulto. I had the honor of submitting to you all the papers in the case of Mrs. Margaret Henderson, widow of James A. Wilson, in which case an appeal had been taken from the decision of this office by Mr. H. Northup.  I have deemed it my duty to enclose to you the affidavit of Thomas Trimbles, accompanied by a letter of Mr. H. Northup of this date, in relation to the subject, and I respectfully request that these papers may be placed with the other papers of Mrs. Henderson.

I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards 

Hon. J. R. Poinsett,
Secretary of War.
Page 141

J. L. Edwards
24th of June 1840
Page 142

Pension Office
June 24th 1840

Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 19th inst. in the case of Mrs. Margaret Henderson, formerly widow of James A. Wilson decd., I have to inform you that it is indispensably necessary to a favorable decision, that some record or documentary evidence should be produced by which the marriage may be established as having taken place before the termination of her husbands last term of service.

I am very respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
J. L. Edwards



Henry Northup Esq.
Washington City
Page 148

Pension Office
June 26th 1840

Sir:
At the request of Mr. Henry Northup I enclose herewith the papers (twenty one in number) in the case of Mrs. Margaret Henderson, formerly widow of James A. Wilson, who claims a pension under the act of the 4th of July 1836.  I am not satisfied with the evidence as to the date of the marriage, and have refused to allow a pension upon the proof exhibited.  From this decision Mr. Northup appeals.

I have the honor to be with great respect
Your Obt. Svt.
J. L. Edwards

Hon. J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War.
Page 186

State of Pennsylvania
County of Cumberland ss
I Thomas H. Criswell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County do certify that William Irvine Esquire is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified to all whose acts in that capacity due faith and credit are and of right ought to be Given throughout the United States and elsewhere - and that the within signatures purporting to be his are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and and the Seal of said Court at Carlisle this eighth day of December A. D. 1842.
Thos. H. Criswell Prothonotary

[seal]
Page 187

No. 11

M. Henderson
Depositions of 
Geo. Brown and
James Hutton
Page 191

Mr. Henry Northup
Washington
D C
Page 201

Andw McDowell
6th of July 1840