Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 41,917, for William Nelson, Pennsylvania
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
COntinental
Penn.
CONTENTS
Nelson, William
NUMBER
S. 41, 917
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1olonel Hartley of the P'8,663        
Pennsylvania
William Nelson
(aged 64)
of Mercer Cy in the state of Pa
who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Hartley of the Pa
line for the term of (1777 - 1781)
(on roll).
Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania
a the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence on
the 13 of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th of June 1822
and sent to A Brown, Esq
Concord, Pa.
rrears to the 4th of March 1822 $373.88
Semi anl all'ce ending 4 Sept 1822 $48
$421.80
46 mo 18/30 4/30
8
368.00
5.83
373.83

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March 1818}

& the Hon. Job Mann 18th Feb 1850
" John Sharp  18th Feb 1850
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William Nelson
Priv
Col. Hartley's Penn 
1777 3 years
13th April 1818

The certificate of the [illegible],, under the seal of court, proving that no official character of the [illegible] is wanting, not for [illegible].
14 May 1821

On roll

Hon R Moore
Beavertown, Penn
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I William Nelson, a citizen of the United States of America, and of the county of Mercer, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, formerly a soldier of the said United States in the war of the Revolution, being now by reason of my reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from my country for support, do hereby make application to have the benefits of the act of Congress, passed the 18th day of March 1818, extended to me.
William (his mark) Nelson

Mercer County in the
State of Pennsylvania
On the thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, personally came before me the subscriber, one of the associate judges of the several courts of Common Pleas and General Quarter Sessions of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, the above applicant, who being by me duly sworn as the law directs deposes and says that he
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Nelsons papers
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May 3, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Wm. Nelson, S. 41917
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. Charles B. Neilson
6819 Alexander Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the place of burial of the Revolutionary War soldier, William Nelson, S.41917, the name and place of burial of his wife, and the record of a William Neilson or Nelson who
was born in 1766, died August 23, 1823, and served in the American Army
after having deserted from the British Army.
The papers on file in the pension claim, S.41917 ( which record
was sent you on October 13, 1936 ) do not show the place of burial of William Nelson nor the name and place of burial of his wife.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of the pension of William Nelson, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
Records Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data:
William Nelson, Certificate 18663, issued June 19, 1822, rate $8 per
month, commenced April 13, 1818, Act of March 18, 1818, Pennsylvania Agency.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford information relative to any William Neilson or to a William Nelson who served
in the American Army after having deserted from the British Army and who
died August 23, 1823.
For information in regard to the British activities of William Neilson (Nelson) it is suggested that you address the Secretary, Public Record Office, Chancery Lane, W.C.2, London, England,

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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[Letterhead] MRS. CHARLES HUGH NEILSON
6319 ALEXANDER DRIVE, ST. LOUIS, MO.
Aug. 21, 1938.
Mr. A. D. Hiller,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Hiller,
In Re: BA-J/MCS
Wm. Nelson, S41917
In a letter to me, Oct. 13, 1936, you said: "And John, who testified in Beaver County, Pa. in 1849, was the only child whose name was mentioned." Will you kindly tell me just what that concerned? Wm. Nelson died Aug. 3, 1824-I can understand this incident occuring[occurring] 25 yrs. later. I shall appreciate an explanation. I am trying very hard to find William Neilson, a British soldier of the Revolutionary War, who deserted and went to the American Side.
Many thanks!
Sincerely yours,
Ebba A. Neilson
(Mrs. Charles Hugh Neilson)
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[Letterhead]
MRS. CHARLES HUGH NEILSON
6319 ALEXANDER DRIVE, ST. LOUIS, MO.
April 6, 1938.
A. D. Hiller,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Referring to a pensions correspondence of Oct 13, 1936- BA-J/MCS- Wm. Nelson, S.41917, will you kindly tell me where soldier is buried. Is his wife buried there also and if as[?], what was her name?
Thanking you, I am
Sincerely yours,
Ebba A. Neilson
[Mrs. Charles Hugh Neilson)
P.S. Where does one look to find burial grounds of Revolutionary soldiers in Pennsylvania?
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[Stamped] RECEIVED 1:30 APR 11 38 VET ADM [Illegible] 44
[Letterhead]
MRS. CHARLES HIGH NEILSON
6319 ALEXANDER DRIVE,
ST. LOUIS, MO.
April 7, 1938.
A. D. Hiller,
Veteran's Administration,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Hiller:
May I trouble you to tell me about a Revolutionary War soldier, William Nellson who was serving in York County, Penn. at the time of the 1790 Census.
Please tell me where he is buried and anything you may know about him?
thanking you, I am
Sincerely yours,
Ebba A. Neilson
(Mrs. Charles Hugh Neilson)
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[Letterhead]
MRS. CHARLES HIGH NEILSON
6319 ALEXANDER DRIVE,
ST. LOUIS, MO.
April 10, 1938.
A. D. Hiller,
Executive Assistant
+ the Administrator
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I wrote you recently concerning a Rev. War soldier, William Neilson [Neilson underlined] (Nelson). Since then, I have learned that he was a British soldier who deserted ([illegible] pursuantly[?] [illegible]) and went over to the American side. I don't know when.
He lived in Luzerne Co, Pa. with his family. His wife was Nancy. He was born 1756 and died Aug. 23, 1823.
Can you tell me anything about his service, where he is buried, etc. Is there a record of his British regiment and where he came from in England?
I am sorry to have troubled you
[End of letter page]
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[Letter with letterhead continued from previous page]
so much but will be grateful for any information you may send me.
Thanking you for the courtesy of a reply, I am
Sincerely yours,
Ebba A. Neilson
(Mrs. Charles Hugh Neilson)
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[Letterhead]
MRS. CHARLES HUGH NEILSON 6319 ALEXANDER DR. SAINT LOUIS MISSOURI
Sept 18, 1936.
Administrator
Veteran's Administration,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Have you any record of a General Neilson (perhaps Nelson) who fought in the Revolutionary War? I do not know anything about him. Perhaps, he came from Lancaster, Penn. or else somewhere there in Penn. or New York. Wilheim Neilson, born 1756-died Aug 23, 1823 may have been this soldier-if not, maybe his son.
Any information will be appreciated. 
Thanking you, I am
Sincerely yours,
Ebba A. Neilson
(Mrs. Charles Hugh Neilson)
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Hon Job. Mann
18th Feb. 1850
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[Written top right corner in pencil] 471
Pension Office
February 18th 1850
Sir
I have the honor to return herewith Mr. Merchants letter and in reply to the enquiry contained therein, in relation to the case of the widow of William Nelsen as to state that her children has no claim to a pension to their own right, but any [arrears crossed out] pension that may have been due her at her death is payable to them.
It appears from your correspondence letter thus Mrs Nelsen died in December 1834. The only law then in force under which a widow could receive a pension on account of her husbands service in the Revolutionary War was the act of 4 July 1831. To [illegible] her is how[?] the [illegible] of that act it must be made clearly to appear that the[?] war [illegible] William Nelsen prior to his last time of Service.
Hon Job Mann
House of Reps
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470[Written in pencil top right corner]
Pension Office
February 18th 1850
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 13th of Novem last respecting the Case of William Nelson, I have to state that the certificate of the Auditor Genl of Pennsylvania transmitted by you shows that he was paid up to the 1st Jany 1781[?], the [illegible] at which agreeably to his own declaration of his discharge from the Service. In his application for a pension under the act of 18 March 1818, Nelson states that he entered the Service in 1777 "and was discharged in the 1st Jany 1781". The Certificate of the Auditor now furnished shows that he was paid up to that time. He received therefore all thus[?] was [due?] him up to the time of his discharge. [Nelson acquired no right to bounty served from the Genl Giverny crossed out]. Those only who enlisted for and during the War, and was in Service at the Conclusion of Peace in 1783 [only crossed out], were entitled to [such crossed out] bounty [illegible]. Nelson enlisted for a limited term of 3 years which ended in 1781, he therefore acquired no right to such bounty.
It is proper to state herein that should it be made to appear that he did not receive all the pay that was due him, he could obtain it only when [illegible] to [illegible] we[?]
[End of letter page]
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[Letter continued from previous page]
all such claims have been [illegible] since by Statute of Limitation.
He knew of nothing new due [illegible] in Land or Mony[Money] to William Nelsen from the Genl Government.
John sharp Esq
Princeton[?]
[Illegible] Co
Pa
[Written sideways on left side of letter] Hon. John Sharp 18 Feb 1850
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Nov 13 '49
Princeton Lawrance[Lawrence] Co Penn
Hon J. L. Edward
Dear Sir
Enclosed you will pleas find a Certified Copy taken from pay Roll Book in Relation to the Services of Wm Nelson a Rev- Soldier-
As found deposited in the Audt, Gen- Office Penn_
The Said Solger[Soldier] whilst [crossed out, illegible] and his [illegible] since his [illegible] Represent that he never Received the full amount for his Revolutionary Services.
We believe that his wages from Jan 1, 1781 till July 1, 1784[?] was never Received.
Thia is what is asked for and not the pention[pension] as might be Supposed and if the [illegible] is obtained I believe the latter will not be required.
By [illegible] to your Books, your [illegible] can tell[?] if any amount has been Drawn
[End of letter page]
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August 26, 1938
BA-J/MCS
Wm. Nelson, S.41917
Mrs. Charles H. Neilson
6319 Alexander Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of August 21, 1938, requesting an explanation of statements on file in pension claim, William Nelson, S.41917, said statements having been made in 1849 by John Nelson, the son of the Revolutionary War pensioner, William Nelson, who died August 3, 1824.
In 1849, John Nelson stated he was the son and heir at law of William Nelson and applied for any unpaid wages that may have been due at the time of death of William Nelson for his service in the Revolutionary War. Upon examination of the military records it was found that the William Nelson cited above had been paid in full for his service in the Revolutionary War.
It is regretted that this office is unable to further aid you in identifying the record of a William Neilson, a British soldier of the Revolution, who deserted and fought on the American side.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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August 20, 1930
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MCS
Miss Lorena Montgomery
Box 158
Grove City, Pennsylvania,
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 41917, that William Nelson enlisted in 1776, served as a private in Captain David Wilson's Company in colonel David Kennedy's Pennsylvania Regiment and was in the battle of Trenton, length of service not stated.
He enlisted in Little York, Pennsylvania, in January, February or April, 1777, served as a private in Captain William Nicholson's Company in Colonels Thomas Hartley's and Adam Hubley, Regiments. He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Staten Island, and was discharged in January, 1780 or 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 13, 1818, at which time he was living in Mercer County [written under County in pencil illegible], Pennsylvania.
In 1822, he was living in Slippery rock, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and he stated that he was then aged about sixty-six years and referred to his wife and "six living children". the name of his wife was not stated and John, a resident of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in 1849, was the only child whose name was not mentioned.
William Nelson died August 3, 1824.
Because of the very large number of requests similar to yours, and the lack of clerical force available for the purpose, it has not been possible for the bureau to comply with requests for information in regard to lists of soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
[End of letter page]
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[Letter continued from previous page]
If you, or some on designated by you, will call at the bureau, you may examine and collect data from papers on file in the pension claims in which you are interested. This is the usual procedure in matter of extensive research.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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