Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30762, David Watson, Va.
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SERVICE

Watson, David

NUMBER
S. 30762

CONTENTS
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19792

Kentucky

David Watson

Green Co in the State of Kent 
as was a [?] in the co commanded
Captain Dark of the [?] commanded
" in the Va
for 2 years

Recorded on the Roll of Kent- 
the rate of $80 Dollars - Centers per annum,
commences on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Aug
1835 and Wm L 
Wills Green County

Arrears to the 4th of March, 160.00
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00
$200-

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk.
Book E Vol / Page 33
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12006

David Watson
ali[?] Samuel Watson,
Kentucky

Fro 1777 pon[?]
2 years.
$80.

T
Wm J. Willis
Grecutburg
Ky
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BRIEF in the case of David Watson of Green Cy in the state of Kentucky
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity no
3.  How old is he? Seventy three
4.  State his service as directed in the form annexed. 

Period
Enlisted Sept or Oct In 1777 

Duration of SErvice
3 years

Rank as a 
private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
Gen Washington
Capt Wm Dark Lieut Joseph Harlan Eng R Trigger

Period
Enlisted in 1780 shortly after 1st discharge 

Duration of Service 3* years
Discharged after surrender of Cornwallis
*Time not served out

Rank as a 
private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
Capt Morgan

5. In what battles was he engaged? a battle near Savannah, Yorktown
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Berkley Cy Virginia
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary Evidence found on Roll 
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? right, except clergyman, certificate
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned J M Duncan
Examining Clerk
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State of Kentucky Green County Sct
On the 17th day of September 1832 personally appeared in the county court of Green county & state aforesaid being a court of record David Watson a resident citizen of Green county Kentucky aged seventy three years the first day of the prsent month who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of congress of the 7th day of June 1832 states he enlisted and served in the army of the United States in the American Revolution under the following named officers as herein stated towit He enlisted as a regular soldier for three years in the United States army in the county of Berkley state of Virginia at Shepherds town under Captain William Dark the Lieutenant named Joseph Harlan The ensign who commanded in the said company was of the name Raney Trigger the names of the Majors & colonel who commanded said redgment he has entirely forgotten the he oned knew them well at the time of his enlistment when he thinks according to the best of his recollection was in the month of September or October 1777 he had run away from his mother (his father being dead) and in order as he thought to prevent his mother from finding him and as he was then only about seventeen years of age taking him out of the service, he enlisted in the name of Samuel Watson tho his true name then and now is David Watson shortly after he enlisted he was marched to old Williamstown where he with the rest of Captain Darks company joined the army then stationed there under the
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command of Genl Washington he thinks they remained at Old Williamstown three or four weeks after this time the Virginia troops were ordered to march to Savannah in Georgia The troops then with whom he served and himself marched to Savannah after he had been some considerable time at Savannah then was a battle between the Americans and British forces in which he himself was engaged The fortifications at that place [illegible] were confiscated before he arrived there He remained stationed with other troops at Savannah until the expirations of his term of enlistment he was discharged at Savannah and after he had proarded some 25 or 30 miles on his return home he recollects to have heard of the hard fought and bloody engagement at that place between the British and american armies He obtained a written discharge in the same name that he enlisted in but it has now become lost or mislaid that he cannot produce it he well recollects that when he removed from Berkley county Virginia to Green County Tennessee he had his discharge which has been near thirty years since he lived in Green county Tennessee about nineteen years and when he left that county he left the discharge at the house of his mother who is now dead & he never has returned there since he presumes the discharge is lost He recollects to have seen Genl Washington at Old Williamstown in Virginia when there and he likewise remembers to have seen Marquis De LaFayette there also From Green county Tennessee he removed to Green county Kentucky where he has
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continued to reside since Shortly after his return home from his services above stated he again entered the service under Captain Morgan in this service he enlisted for three years or during the war and under the command of Captain Morgan he marched to the siege of York and served in that siege until after the sers under then he was discharged and returned home his term of three years was not out he enlisted in the cavalry of Berkley & state of Virginia the second time he [illegible] remembers to have seen Genl Washington at the time the British army surrendered to him & laid down their arms He has now no documentary evidence of his service nor does he know at this time of any living witness by whom he can prove any of it a few years past there were witnesses in Virginia & Tennessee living by whom he could have proven his service but he has since learnt that they are dead His recollection is not very good and tho he once well remembered the [illegible] and other field officers names he cannot now with any certainty speak of them the captains name he remembers from the circumstances of being illegible] acquainted with them He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or any annuity whatever from the Government except the present and declares his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state of the union sworn and subscribed this day & year aforesaid
David his X mark Watson  
Dandrige Tuchen
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At a county court continued and held for Green Co at the court house in Greensburgh in the state of Ky on the 17th day of September 1832
On the application of David Watson who filed his declaration and made oath to the same for the purpose of being placed on the Pension list roll under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832 Dandridge Tucker being present in court made oath to the sa fact of said Watson being a man of veracity and respectability and that he has been reputed as being a revolutionary soldier and served as stated in his said declaration and there upon it is ordered to be ce beleed as the opinion of the court that the said applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as stated in his said declaration all which is ordered to be certified to the secretary of war
I John Barret clerk of the Green county court do hereby certify that the foregoing centains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of David Watson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Greensburgh this 18th day of Sept 1832 John Banet 

David Watsons
Declaration alias
Samuel Watson
12.006

[right margin
David Watson]
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COPIED FROM M.E.E.

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
KEL

March 23, 1930

Mrs. Minnie F. Watson
Boone
North Carolina

Dear Madam:

I advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to a David Watson who was pensioned while raiding in the State of North Carolina, or to a David Watson who served with the Pennsylvania or Maryland Troops.

You are herewith furnished the history of David Watson, the only soldier of that name who served with the Virginia Troops:

From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.30762, it appears that David Watson was born September 1, 1759. He was the youngest child of his parents; their names are not given.

In September or October, 1777, he enlisted at Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Virginia. He had run away from home (his father was then dead), and in order to conceal his identity from his mother, he enlisted and served under the name of Samuel Watson. He served three years as a private in Captain William Darke's Virginia Company, marched to Georgia and was in the battle of Savannah.

Shortly after the above service, he again enlisted, served as a private in Captain William Morgan's Virginia Company, was in the siege of Yorktown and after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, he was discharged and returned home, having served not less than sixteen months.

He went from Berkeley County, Virginia to Greene County, Tennessee, where he lived for about nineteen years, then moved to Green County, Kentucky, where he still
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resided when he was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832.

It is not stated that soldier was ever married.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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M.E.E.

Rev. & 1812
Wars Section

August 27, 1929

Mrs. Scott Clay Hanna
678 North Fifty-eighth Street
Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 30762, it appears that David Watson was born September 1, 1759. He was the youngest child of his parents, their names are not given.

In September or October, 1777, he enlisted at Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Virginia. He had ran away from home, (his father was then dead) and in order to conceal his identity from his mother, he enlisted and served under the name of Samuel Watson. He served three years as a private in Captain William Darke's Virginia Company, marched to Georgia and was in the battle of Savannah.

Shortly after the above service he again enlisted, served as a private in Captain William Morgan's Virginia Company, was in the Siege of Yorktown and after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis he was discharged and returned home, having served not less than sixteen months.

He went from Berkeley County, Virginia to Greene County,
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Tennessee, where he lived for about nineteen years, then moved to Green County, Kentucky, where he still resided when he was allowed pension on his application executed September 17 1832.

It is not stated that the soldier was ever married.

The above noted is the only soldier named David Watson of Kentucky that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau, and it does not appear that he ever lived in Harrison County, Kentucky.

For information relative to land that might have been granted by the State of Virginia, you should consult the Librarian, Virginia State Library, Richmond, Virginia.

Very truly yours,



E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

Sal. referred to his sister but did not give her name. She was deceased in 1832
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1929 Aug 27 Hist to Mrs Scott Clay Harrna MEE
1930 Mar 28 Hist to Mrs Minnie F Watson
Seeter in case of SAmuel Rivers s 21948 EEL

307625
Revy INVALID

File No 30762
David Watson
Pri Rev War

Act June 7 32
Index: Vol 2, Page 437
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Frine Ky recorts & others
MRS CHARLES J SCHMELZER
503 TENTH STREET 
COLORADO, CALIFORNIA

1.  James Watson 3 yrs soldier Va line
warrant 3704 100 acres 1-20-1785.
died 1817 (Lived same time in Harrison Co Ky)
2. David Watson soldier Va line 75 yrs Dd in 1833 (lived part time Greene Co Ky)
3.  John Kennedy (Cauaday) served Va line warrant 200-3087. 5-22-1784.
4.  John Summers one of Fayette Co Ky
Pension Oct 30 1832 - 160 age 70. Va militia He was also from Fleming Co & he had a laud greout in Madison Co
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MRS SCOTT CLAY HANNA
678 NORTH FIFTY EIGHTH STREET
OMAHA NEBRASKA Aug 14.29.
US Dept of the Interior
B of Pensions
Washington DC
Mr Earl D Church 
My dear Mr Church
I find perral of the were for please Revolutionary service & pension I recently wrote you for lisled as pensioners so am writing you again enclosed find list 
I am not a genealogist these are our ancestors
Sincerely
Elaine W Hanna
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State of Kentucky Green county Ss
On this 26th day of April 1833 David Watson a resident & citizen of said county came before the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the said county and being by me duly sworn according to law, stated in addition and amendments to his former declaration to obtain a pension from the Government of the United States that in the service he performed under Captain Morgan and in his company at the siege of Little York he served from the time of his enlistment to the time of his discharge not less than six teen months from the loss of memory & old age he cannot swear positively to the exact time, but will state that he is positive it was as much as sixteen months and he thinks just about that time as nearly as he can remember in his former declaration he did not state the Christian name of the Captain it was William Morgan who commanded in the company, the Lieutenants & Ensigns names he has forgotten  that a man of the name of Osborn was a sergent in said company his Christian name, he thinks was John he recollects that he was discharged at Winchester in Virginia in the fall season of the year 1781 at which place there were a number of British prisoners at the Barracks at that time his discharge was given him by the Captain William Morgan he remembers that in the second tour (tout the tour under Morgan) he messed with Henry Isler, William Carney, & also Wm Morgan in as much as others he was acquainted with a man of the name of Mathew Duke in Morgans company who served at the same time with himself who is still alive and whom he has seen since forwarding his declaration, he (said Duke) has however now become insane and incapable of giving any testimony Robert Leatherdale, Benjamin Armstrong & Henry Farnsworth formerly lived in the state of Tennessee, but whether or not any of them are living now he does not know he expects however they are dead by them L
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could have proven his services, under Captain Dark at Savannah these gentlemen resided in Green County Tennessee some twenty years ago He also could have proven his services by Robert Tabb of Hardin county Kentucky and went to see him last fall, but he had died a short time before he was over there to see him In his former declaration he stated that in Darks company that Joseph Harlan was the Lieutenant in this he is satisfyed he was under a mistake the Lieutenants name was Blackburn and he thinks his Christian name was John Sworn and subscribed before me a justice of the peace for Green County Ky
Wm B Allen JP Gc David his X mark Watson

Green county Kentucky Ss
This is to certify that this day Leonard Helms of Green county Kentucky came before me a justice of the peace for said county and being by me first duly sworn according to law, states that he was never acquainted with David Watson who had sworn & subscribed to the above declaration, and that he now lives a near neighbour to him & has for many years, he has been acquainted with said Watson for about twenty eight years that afor many years past he maued say eighteen at least he has heard it spoken of by said Watson and the other neighbours that he was a regular soldier in the army of the United States in the American Revolution, and he never has heard it doubted but that he was a soldier and served in the revolution said Helms also stated that he had learnt from a sister of said Watsons about eighteen years ago that said David Watson was a regular soldier in the American revolution this woman was older than said David as she stated indeed he learnt from her that said David was the youngest child of her mother the said Helm also stated that said Watson is reputed to be an honest man, and a man of truth in his neighbourhood, he gives it as his belief that said Watson is seventy three years of age, and that he did serve in the revolution as he has stated sworn to & subscribed before me this 26th day of April 1833
Wm B Allen JP GC Leonard his X mark Helms
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Green county Kentucky Sct
I William B Allen a justice of the peace in and for Green county Kentucky do certify that Leonard Helms made affidavit is above taken is a man of veracity and his testimony credible as I am infirmed & believe not heiry personally acquainted with him given under my hand this 26th day of April 1833
Wm B Allen JP GC
State of Kentucky Green county Kentucky
I Thomas Eades a clergyman of said county and a resident citizen thereof do certify that I am well acquainted with David Watson of said county and live a neighbour to him, and have been acquainted with him for fifteen years or more and that I have often heard it said in the neighbourhood where he lives that he was a regular soldier in the army of the revolution in the United States & that I have never heard it doubted in the neighbourhood or else where but that he was a soldier in the revolution the neighbourhood report is such and I concur in the belief that he was a soldier and did serve in the American Revolution I also believe that he is seventy three years of age the David Watson I allude to is he who has signed or made his cross mark to a declaration above to obtain a pension I moreover state that his character for truth or honesty I have never heard impeached & have no doubt but he will on oath tell the truth of his times
given under my hand this 28th day of April 1833
Sworn & subscribed before me a justice of the peace for Green county Ky
MP Day JPGC

Thomas Eades
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State of Kentucky
Green County Sct} This day John Salley came before me a justice of the peace for said county and being by me first duly sworn deposed and stated that he was a neighbour to David Watson of Green county Ky and had been acquainted with him for many years that in his neighbourhood he has often heard it said that said David Watson was a regular soldier in the army of the United States during the American Revolution; he has often heard said Watson say he was a soldier in the regular army this he learnt from him long before the present law allowing pensions was enacted or before that he heard of its passage He concurs in the belief of said Watsons having been a soldier & serving as he has stated, he has not heard it doubted said Watson is a poor but he thinks an honest man and a man of truth; He believes him to be seventy three years of age and that he would not make a false statement on oath - sworn to & subscribed before me a justice of the peace this 28th day of April 1833 John Sally 
MP Day JP GC
State of Kentucky Green County St I Matthew Day a justice of the peace for said county do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Salley and Thomas Eades and that this statements are entitled to credit & belief and that said Eades is a clergyman of said county & that they were sworn to the statements above made by them before me given under my hand this 28 day of April 1833
MP Day JPGC
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David Watson
Ky
Wm T Willis Esqr
Greensburgh
Ken
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David Watson which require further proof of explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? - 

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  First tour definite second not 

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  Yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII.  Has the court given their opinion? Yes

XI.  Has the clerk given his certificate? Yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2
XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? one witness only 

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [crossed out no]

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes

XIV. + If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? No
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? -

XVI.  ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not which of them is not so answered? [crossed out 1st 2d]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:  "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For year months, and days, I served as a For months and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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David Watson 
Amended declaration for pension
with additional proof
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State of Kentucky Green County Sct
I John Barret clerk of the Green county court do certify that Wm B Allen & Matthew P Day whose names are subscribed to the foregoing affidavits and certificates supporting the claim of David Watson for a pension are now and was at the time of subscribing their names thereto justices of the peace in and for Green county duly commissioned and qualified as such and that their signatures thereto are genuine, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all their acts as In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix my seal of office this 12th day of June 1833
John Bamt
clerk of the Green
County court