Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9611, for William Simms, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Va.
Simms, William
or
Sims Judith
NUMBER
R. 9611
CONTENTS
Page 2

po

Wm. and Judith Simms
Len - original
Judith Simms,
wid of William
----
July 4. 1836
----

Cole

Please Refer To
Hon: A. G. Watkins
H: of Reps.

18 Feb / 26

[Illegible end of document and signature showing over folded right side.]
Page 3

Declaration of Susanah McAlister;
Daughter and only Heir at Law of her Father William Simms, of the Virginia Continental Line of the Revolution In order to obtain the Benefit of the Acts of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 + 1836.

State of Tennessee}
County of Washington} ss. On this fourth day of February in the year 1856, Personally appeared in open court Susanah McAlister, a resident of said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, taking effect the 4th of March 1836. - that her Father, the said William Simms enlisted in the Virginia Continental Line in the County of Hanover in the State of Virga for the term of three years which closed the war - that he was honorably discharged in 1782, that she does not know the names of his Captain or Field Officers, - that he was married in the County of Hanover in the year seventeen hundred and seventy three (1773), - that the said William Simms died in the county of Maury, State of Tennessee in the year 1815, - that his widow Judith died in the year 1843 - that she is their only child.
Susn Macalister

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the 4 day of February 1856.
Henry Hoss, Clerk.
Page 4

Know all men by these presents, that I, Susanah McAlister and daughter of William & Judith Simms, only at law, a resident of the county of Washington, in the State of Tennessee, do hereby select, ordain, constitute, and irrevocably appoint with power of substitution Hir: O. J[illegible] of [illegible- too faint]
my true and lawful agent and attorney, for me and in my name, place and stead;  to enter into, enter, prosecute, file and defend, before the proper department of government or other tribunal, any claim or suit in my behalf, or in which I may be legally interested by virtue of my claim for pension, in right of my mother Judith Simms under the act of Congress of 1836,.  and further empowering my said agent and attorney, or his substitute, to apply for & secure any money, bounty land, or bounties, pension claim or claims or other dues, of any kind whatsoever, that may be found to be due as aforesaid.  And further empowering my said agent and attorney, and authorising him to receipt therefor, and give full and free acquittance therefor in his name as my agent and attorney in fact, but also for my benefit and behalf hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever my said agent & attorney may lawfully do, or cause to be done, as in these premises specified;  and as though I were present personally & acting for myself, binding my heirs, legal representatives & assigned to comply with & fully carry out & complete any obligation, contract, or assessment, that is or may be made between me and my said agent or attorney, his legal representatives, heirs or assessors.  In witness whereof I do hereunto affix my hand & seal this fourth day of February 1856
Susanna McAlister [handwritten seal]
Signed, sealed & acknowledged in open court in presence of
Henry Hoss Clerk
Page 5

State of Tennessee
Washington County
I Henry Hoss Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Susan McCalister and affidavits of Ebenezer Barkley and Mathew Aiken were sworn to in open court on the 4th and 5th day of February Term of said County Court and the same so sworn to was ordered to be so certified by the Clerk of said Court and I further certify that said parties are all of reputable & good character & what they swore are entitled to full faith & credit.
Witness my hand and seal of office at office in Jonesborough this 5th day of February 1856
Henry Hoss
Clerk

[SEAL]
Page 6

State of Tennessee
Maury County 
On this 18th day of April 1857 before me Henry A. Miller an acting Justice of the peace for said county personally came Augustus Sims who is a resident of said county well known to me and whom I certify to be a credible witness and a disinterested one and who upon oath duly made states as follows.
That he Sims as aforesaid was personally acquainted with Judith Sims deceased relict of Wm. Sims decd  that he knew the said Judith many years as a resident in his immediate neighborhood in said county  that he was personally acquainted in her family which he frequently visited   that the said Judith Sims died in said county on the [illegible, crossed out date] tenth day of June One thousand eight hundred and forty one   that he always understood the family tradition to be and he so believed that the said Judith and her said husband William originally came from Hanover County Virginia   that her family name was Cross   that said William as is reputed and believed died in this county about forty years ago and was reputed and believ'd as the family tradition goes to show to have been a soldier in the revolution in Virginia in which belief I concur  I have no interest in this claim
Sworn and subscrib'd to before me at my office in Mt. Pleasant Maury County Tennessee Apl. 18. 1857
[sig] Henry A. Miller [handwritten seal]
J.P.

[sig] Augustus Sims
Page 7

State of Tennessee
Maury County
On this 2nd day of May 1857 before me Henry A. Miller an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county personally came
Philip W Winn and who is a resident of said county and well known to me and whom I certify to be a credible witness intelligent and disinterested who upon oath duly administer'd states as follows.   That he was personally acquainted with Judith Sims deceased relict of Wm. Sims decd.    that he knew the said Judith Sims many years as a resident in his immediate neighborhood in said county   that he was personally acquainted in her family which he frequently visited   that the said Judith Sims died in said county on the tenth day of June eighteen hundred and forty one    that he always understood the family tradition to be and he so believed that the said Judith and her said husband William originally came from Hanover County Virginia    that her family name was Cross   that said William as is reputed and believed died in this county about forty (40) years ago, in  reference to said William Sims being a soldier in the revolution in Virginia  he the said Winn does not now recollect of ever hearing of it, though he thinks in all probability that he was a soldier as aforesaid.  I have no interest in this claim.
Sworn and subscribed to before me at my office in Mount Pleasant County and state aforesaid this the 2nd day of May 1857
Philip W Winn

Henry A Miller [handwritten seal]
J.P.
Page 8

State of Tennessee
Maury County
On this 2d day of May 1857 before me Henry A. Miller an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county personally came John J. Dameron who is a resident of said county well known to me and whom I certify to be a credible intelligent and a disinterested witness and who upon his oath duly administer'd states as follows
That he was personally acquainted with Judith Sims deceased relict of William Sims deceased   that he knew the said Judith Sims many years as a resident in his immediate neighborhood in said County   that he was personally acquainted in her family which he frequently visited   that the said Judith Sims died in said county on the tenth day of June eighteen hundred and forty one   that he always understood the family tradition to be and he so believed that the said Judith and her said husband originally came from Hanover County Virginia,  that her family name was Cross  that said William as is reputed and believed died in this county about forty years ago.  Said Dameron does not recollect of hearing whether he was or was not a soldier of the revolution in Virginia   that he might have been one without his (Dameron's) knowledge or hearsay.  I have no interest in this claim.
Sworn and subscribed to this day May 2 1857 at my office in Mt. Pleasant Maury County Tennessee
J.J. Dameron

Henry A Miller [handwritten seal]
J.P.
Page 9

State of Tennessee} I John B. Padgett Clerk of  
Maury County} the County Court of Maury County which is a Court of record hereby certify that Henry A. Miller whose name appears officially signed to the foregoing certificate of acknowledgement and affidavits is now and was at the time he signed the same a justice of the peace in and for the County of Maury State of Tennessee, duly commissioned, and qualified by law to take such acknowledgements, that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine, and that full faith and credit are due his official acts.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Office in Columbia this 4th day of May 1857.
John B. Padgett Clerk.

State of Tennessee
Maury County} I William E. Erwin County Judge of the County Court of Maury County, which said court is a Court of record hereby certify that John B. Padgett is now and was at the time he signed the foregoing certificate, Clerk of the County Court of Maury County duly elected and qualified, and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine. and that full faith and credit are due all his official acts.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at office in Columbia this 4th day of May 1857.
Wm. E. Erwin
County Judge

State of Tennessee
Maury County} I John B. Padgett Clerk of the County Court of Maury County which is a Court of record, hereby certify that William E. Erwin is now and was at the time of signing the foregoing certificate County Judge of the County Court of Maury County duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at office in Columbia the 4 day of May 1857.
John B. Padgett Clerk
Page 10

Marr. Bond,
Wm Sims
to
Judith Cross.
9 Aug: 1773,
Page 11

Know all men by these presents that we William Sims & Joseph Cross are held & firmly bound to ~ our Sovereign Lord King George The Third his heirs & successors in the sum of Fifty Pounds Current Money of Virginia to the payment Whereof well & truly to be made to our said Lord The King We bind ourselves and heirs, Executors & Admins, jointly & severally firmly by these presents Sealed with ~ our seals & dated this 9th day of August 1773
The Condition of the Above Obligation is such that whereas there is a Marriage shortly intended to be had and Solemnized between the above bound William Sims Bachelor & Judith Cross Spinster.
Now if there Shall be no lawful Cause to obstruct the Said Marriage then the above Obligation to be void else to remain in full force & virtue
Sealed & Delivered} William Sims {Seal}
in presence of} Jos. Cross {Seal}
Ro Tompkins

Virginia
Hanover County, to wit
I William O. Winston, Clerk of the County Court of Hanover, in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the Marriage License bond of William Sims and Judith Cross now on file in my office
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, the 28th day of August 1856
Wm. O. Winston J,P,
Page 12

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
20484
January 13, 1985
Nathan Soarritt,
Enid,
Okla.
Sir;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 9611 [underlined], it appears that William Simms [underlined] or Sims lived during the Revolutionary War in Hanover County, Virginia, and married in said county, Miss Judith Cross, marriage license dated August 9, 1773.
He died in 1815 [crossed out/ illegible] in Maury County [handwritten], Tennessee and she died in same county June 10, 1841.
Susanah McAlister, their only surviving child in 1856 and a resident of Washington County, Tennessee, applied for pension, on account of the services of her father, and alleged that he served in the Virginia Continental Line, but the claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish satisfactory proof of service.

Respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.
Page 13

No. 8156
Judith Simms
Wid. of William
Tennessee           9611

Let Hon A.G. Walters
Feb 25/56
A.G. Graham  May 28, 1857

July 4, 1836
Page 14

Ad'l evidence,
Friens [?] of a Revolutionary Pension

Hon.:  Geo: C. Whiting - 
Comr: of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

[STAMP]
Boonesborough [illegible]
May 13


Judith Sims
William
Ten.  Act 1836
G
Cole
Page 15

[STAMP]
REJECTED

9611
Judith Simms


not found on printed list of 1852 - applied in 1857

1925 Jan-12-Hist to Nathan Scarritt AWY
Page 16

afft.
Susan McAlister

Correcting error in Declaration
Page 17

State of Tennessee
Washington County

On this 18th day of October 1856 personally came before me E.L. Mather a justice of the peace for said county, duly authorised to administer oaths Susan McAlister a resident citizen of said county & who is personally know to me & whom I certify is a women of varasity & intitled to full credit, and states on oath, that in a declaration or statement she made some time last winter respecting the time her mother Juda Simms died, her impression there was that she died in August 1842 in that she was mistaken.  From the best evidence lately received from the neighbourhood where she died, she died in July 1841
Susan MacAlister
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written    E.L. Mather J.P.

State of Tennessee
Washington County  
I Henry Hoss, Clerk of the County Court of said County certify that E.L. Mather Esq. whose genuine official signature appears to the foregoing has at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected, commissioned & qualified.
Given under my hand and official seal of office in Jonesborough on this 11th day of May 1857.
Henry Hoss   Clerk
Page 18

Harry O. Glasser
Attorney at Law
Enid Oklahoma

Nathan Scarritt

November 17, 1924.

Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:

I wish to know whether the following man fought for the American Colonies in the Revolutionary War:

WILLIAM SIMS.

If you find such a name on your records, kindly send me the name of his wife, and children, and also the place of his residence.

Very sincerely yours,
Nathan Scarritt

NS:V

[STAMP]
U.S. Pension Office
Nov 20 1924
Page 19

3-049

Ex. AWF    Div.  Rev & 1812

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions

Washington, D.C.,  Dec 5 1924

The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient  to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.

Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.

1" name of widow
Not Known

Name of soldier  William Sims.

address of soldier at 9a) enlistment & (b) after service
9a) Hanover Court House, Hanover, Va.
(b) Hickman County , Tenn.

State of enlisted Virginia

Date of birth   not known.

Date of death   Mt. Pleasant, Tenn.  1814.

If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.

Return attached letter with reply.
Hays Haymaker
Acting Commissioner

6-2464

[STAMP]
[illegible] Office
Page 20

Pension Office,
May 28, 1857

Sir,
Some additional evidence in support of the case of Judith Simms, dec'd of Tenn. has been received and filed with the papers under the Act of July 4, 1836.

The evidence is by no means satisfactory to show that the applicant's father was the soldier referred to in the certificate of the Auditor of Virginia.  But if it was, no certificate of Pension could issue for her here & it is a question as to the legality of that practise has arisen, and which must be settled before final action can be had upon such cases.

A.G. Graham, Esq.
Jonesboro Tenn
Page 21

Jonesboro Tenn
May 11th 1857.

Sir -
In Feby. 1856, an application was made to your office for the arrears of Pension due Judith Sims, widow of William Sims decd a soldier of the Revolution, from Va, by Susan McAlister, the only surviving child & heir at law of said parties.
Said Wm Sims served something near two years in the Va Service during the Revolution, a certificate of payment for which service from the proof of file in Virginia was duly filed in the papers, as the Declaration was rather informal, and no proof of marriage accompanied the papers, nor exact time of the death of Judith Sims, the claim was suspended for further proof
I herewith enclose you read evidence of the marriage of the parties. Also, proof of the exact day of the death of the widow. And as the declarant lived in this County at the time of Judith Sims death, the lapse of time had so confused the date that she made an error in the declaration, which she corrects in an aff't which is inclosed.
The papers I think show service - marriage - death of widow & heirship - and it remains to ascertain the amount due, and allow it. The parties are persons of the highest respectability; connected with persons in high judicial station in this state, and would not refer a doubtful, or fraudulent claim,
Hon Geo C Whiting} Yrs Truly
Commr. of Pensions,} A. G. Graham
W.C.D.C.}
Page 22

Pension Office
Feb 28, 1856.

Sir
I have examined and filed the claim asserted by Susan McCallister, only child of Judith Simms, dcd who was the widow of William, for arrears of pension due to her mother, under the Act of July 4, 1836, and I have the honor to state, that there is no evidence among the papers that the William Simms, who, according to the certificate of the Auditor of Virginia, recvd on the 18 of Feb. 1783, a certificate for L48.07 & d7, as a balance of his full pay for service in the Continental Line & had not, nor the husband of the said Judith has then any [illegible] evidence that he served any service whatever. The identity must be very satisfactory as collected before the
Page 23

[illegible] - and as there are no old comrades living the testimony of old and respectable persons who had personal knowledge of his service as a soldier of the Virginia Continental Line should be adduced[?].
The date of the marriage at the period alleged, 1773, should be established by a copy of the marriage bond filed in the office of the Clerk of Hanover County, Va. in which county it is stated the rites were celebrated.
The accompanying regulations [illegible] furnish[?] the parties with the necessary information to enable them to perfect the claim, if it is a solid one.
I have &c

Hon. A.G. Watkins
House of Reps


[right margin]
[illegible] Walters [?]
Feb. 25, 1856.
Page 24

This is to certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line as settled their accounts and received Certificates for the balance of their full pay, according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of the said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 18th day of Feby 1783 in the name of William Simms as Sol. Infy and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for L47.7.7 delivered to M:  Carrington but as the original settlement or copies thereof are not to be found in this Office, the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated.

Given under my hand, at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 18th day of December 1855
G.W. Chitter
Adr. P. Accts

No seal of office


Re'd fee $2"50
Page 25

State of Tennessee
Washington County

February Sessions of the County Court of said County. 1836
Then personally appeared in open court Mathew Aiken aged eighty one and a resident citizen of sd. county and state, and after being duly sworn deposes and states that he knew Williams Simms and Judith his wife in their lifetime as also Susanah McAlister, formerly Simms, - that the said Simms and wife are both dead and that the above named Susanah McAlister is their only surviving child, and is well known to me, being a resident citizen of Washington County Tennessee and residing in my immediate vicinity   that William Simms and wife lived together as man and wife, and were so reputed and held in common report, as well as Susanah McAlister to be the child of said William and Judith Simms, and so esteemed and reputed without to my knowledge being controverted, - that I am in no wise concerned in the prosecution of this claim, or interested therein.
Mattw Aiken
Sworn to subscribed in open court February 5th 1856
Henry Hoss Clerk.
Page 26

State of Tennessee
Washington County

February Sessions of the County Court of said county. 1856.
Then personally appeared in open court Ebenezer Barkley aged sixty four years, & a resident citizen of said county & state, and after being duly sworn deposes & states that he knew William Simms and Judith his wife, in their lifetime, as also Susanah McAlister, formerly Susannah Simms, that the said William Simms & Judith his wife, are both dead, and the above named Susanah McAlister is their only surviving child to his knowledge, and is well known to me, being a resident citizen of Washington County Tennessee, and residing in my immediate vicinity:  That the said William Simms & wife lived together as man and wife, & were so reputed & held in common report, as well as the said Susanah McAlister to be the child of the said William Simms & Judith Simms, and so esteemed & reputed without to my knowledge being controverted. - that I am in no wise concerned in the prosecution of this claim or interested therein.
Ebenezer Barkley
Sworn to & subscribed in open court February 4th 1856
Henry Hoss  Clerk