Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6,822, for James Mc Williams, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
SC McWilliams, James  R6822
CONTENTS
Page 2

29743
Page 3

The State of Mississippi
Lowndes County
To wit
On this 14th day of May in the year of our Lord 1833 personally appeared in open Court before Isaac A. Nicholson one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi presiding Judge of the fifth Judicial Circuit
of said State, said Court being holden and now sitting in the Town of Columbus in the County of Lowndes, James McWilliams, of the County of
Lowndes and State of Mississippi aged eighty six or seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, does on his oath make the following
declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he the said James McWilliams, entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated with
1st under the command of Captain Francis Rose who was then under the command of Colonel -Williams, in the month of -- (in warm weather) in the year of our Lord 1779 to the best of his recollection, & left the service of the United  States & the command of the aforesaid officers about four months after he entered the service as aforesaid, that while under the command of said officers he was in several skirmishes or engagement, the places not 
recollected - He about the year 1780 entered the service of the United States under the command of William Royney as his Captain, he does not
now recollect the name of any field officer
Page 4

under whom he served while under the command of Captain Rayney except Col. Cunningham That after entering the service of the United States under Captain Rayney,
he was under the command of various officers whose names are not recollected, except Colonel Hamilton & General ONeal. That he continued in the service of the United States, until peace was concluded between the United States & Great Britain, or England-- That he resided in Lawrence County State of South Carolina, when he entered the service of the United States; that he entered and continued in the service of the United as a volunteer; that while in the service of the United States, he was in the battles of the Eutaw springs, at ninety six and the battle on the Savanah River, and various other  engagements at places not
now recollected - That while he was in the
service of the United States, he marched through States of South Carolina & North Carolina; that he served with various continental regiments but does not now recollect the names of the officers
That while he was in the service of the United state he was acquainted with Col. Ross (who had been promoted from a captain) Col. Hamilton, General Thompson, General Oneal & General Pickens & General Williamson who were regular officers
That he does not now know of any person
who is living that was aquainted with him
while in the service of the United States
Page 5

that he has had in possession various written documents such as discharges & furloughs which evidence the first of his having been in the service of the United States but all of which from the great lengths of time are now lost & destroyed That has not any documentary evidence & that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service in the United States army And I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
By the court
Interrogatory 1st Where & in what year were you born Answer 1st That I was born in York county in the state of Pennsylvania I think in the year 1746 or 7
Intr 2nd Have you any record of your age if so where is it? Ans 2nd That there was a record of my age in my fathers Bible but I do not know where it is
Intr 3rd Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live?
Ans 3rd I lived in the state of South Carolina when called into service I have lived in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee & in Mississippi & now live in the state of Mississippi
Page 6

4 Int 4th How were you called into service were you drafted, did you volunteer or where you a substitute? And if a substitute for whom? 
Ans I volunteered into the service I was never drafted & I was never a substitute except one time for three months which was for William Bratcher 
Int 5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such continental & militia regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service? Ans Col Hamilton Genl Thompson, Col Ross & Genl Williamson were some of the regular officers of the army I know Williamsons regiment & Ross regiment & many others but I cannot call the names of the officers
Int 6th Did you ever receive a final discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given & what has become of it? Ans 6th I never did receive a final discharge the reason was that Col Benjamin Killgore who should have given the discharge deserted
Int 7th state the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity good behaviour your service as a soldier of the revolution? Ans 7 I am known by Hough Rogers Bartlete Sims Silas McBee & many others in my present neighbourhood who also know my character for veracity & good behaviour I know of no person who can testify as to my service as a soldier of the revolution
Page 7

In testimony of which I have herunto set & subscribed my name the day & date aobve written
James McWilliams
his X mark
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 14th day of May AD 1833
Wm Dowsing clerk
We David Wright a clergyman residing in the town of in Lowndes county state of Mississippi and Wm Dowsing residing in the same do hereby certify that we are acquainted with James McWilliams who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eight six or seven years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
David Wright
Wm Dowsing
Sworn & subscribed in open court this 14th day of May AD 1833
Wm Dowsing clerk
The state of Mississippi
Lowndes County } I Isaac A Nicholson one of the judges of the supreme court of the state of Mississippi & presiding judge of the fifth judicial circuit which includes the circuit court of Lowndes county which is now in session do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after puting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant James McWilliams was a revolutionary soldier & served as
Page 8

he states And I the said Isaac R Nicholson further certifies that it appears to him that David Wright who has signed the following certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Columbus & sd state and that Wm Dowsing who has also signed the same is a resident of the county of Lowndes & state of Mississippi and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set and subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 14th day of May 1833
JR Nicholson seal
The state of Mississippi
Lowndes County } I William Dowsing clerk of the circuit court of Lowndes county state of Mississippi certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application James McWilliams for a pension
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand name and seal of office at office this 14th day of May 1833 Wm Dowsing Clerk
Attest
Page 9

Department of the Interior
Pension Office Official Business
FREE
The Honble SP Waldo
[postmarked 
BRANDON
illegible]
Washington City
District Columbia

May 20/53
Rel case
Heirs of 
Jas McWilliams decd
Revy
Terence McGowan
Brandon
Miss
Page 10

Brandon Mississippi
May 13th 1853
The Honble SP Waldo
Commissioner Pe
Sir
Permit me to state that the heirs at law of James McWilliams decd who served int he Revolutionary War in the state of Virginia and for whose service an application has been allowed and not yet obtained have recently applied to me to present their claims for payment to this end and in order to do so in manner and form as approved by the Department to which it pertains
I most respectfully request that such form and instruction may be forwarded to me per mail as will enable me to present this class of claims in such form as may be regarded as correct not wishing to urge the examination of any claim not properly presented and to facilitate such examination and the allowance thereof if found to be thereby proper is my sole object in requesting this favor hoping that prompt attention may be given to this Communication
Sir
I have the honor to remain
most respectfully yr obt servt
Terence Mc Gowan Atty
Page 11

29743
James McWilliams
James McWilliams
Miss
6822
suspended
Return

SC Tucker Esq
Columbus Miss

JL EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 12

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
4 March 1834
Sir
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus}). You will when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of James McWilliams

Period when the service was rendered 
1779
1780
Duration of the claimants service Years/months/days
4 Months 
Rank of the claimant 
Priv
"
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served 
Cap Ross
Col Williams
Cap Royney
" Cunningham
Age at present and place of above when he entered the service 
81 years
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 13

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, & c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who serviced on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.  The Regular Troops.
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.  Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4.  Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will in the first instance, make applications by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State, Territory, or District of
County of } ss.
On this     day of     personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of     in the county of     and State, Territory or District of     aged (c)      years who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)     , with     and served in the      (e) regiment of the     line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,                             A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I     of the Court of     do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of     for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this     day of      &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman. residing in the     and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with     , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be     years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certified, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the     and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the     and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,     Clerk of the Court of     do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of      for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this    day of     &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 14

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the service of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corrobating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.  
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1.  Where and in what year were you born?
2.  Have you any record your age, and if so, where is it?
3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.  {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?  {To an Officer.}  Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.  
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 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.  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."
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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.

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 papers 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.

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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 witness and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.
[i] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops,  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 15

REJECTED
6822
PO James McWilliam
Service
Enlisted 18
Discharged 18
Application filed 18
Alleges
Re-enlisted
Attorney
PO
Recognized Contra
Cert of Dis Searched for 18
Page 16

Suspended
See letter to 
Tilghman M Tucker
Columbus
6 March 1835
Terence McGowan June 22/54
1832
Page 17

James McWilliams
To Declaration
for a pension
Page 18

1
The state of Mississippi
Lowndes County } Circuit Court to wit
October Session 1834
On this 20th day of October in the year of our Lord 1834 personally appeared in open court before me Thomas S Sterling presiding judge of the fifth judicial circuit & district of the state of Mississippi aforesaid & now presiding in the circuit court of Lowndes county holden at the court house of Lowndes county aforesaid in the Town of Columbus James McWilliams a resident & citizen of the county of Lowndes & state of Mississippi aforesaid aged about eighty seven or eight years who first being duly sworn according to law does on this oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
That he the said James McWilliams entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein after stated to wit
First under the command of one Captain Francis Ross who was then under the command of Colonel Williams in the month of (in warm weather) in the year of our Lord 1779 to the best of his declarents recollection & left the service of the United States & the command of the aforesaid officers four months after he entered the service as aforesaid That while under the command of said officers he was in several skirmishes & engagements the places by name now not recollected He about the year of our Lord 1780 again entered the service of the United States under the command of one Captain William
Page 19

(2)
Raney he does not now recollect the name of any of the field officers under whom he this declarant served while under the command of said Captain William Raney except Colonel Cunningham Colonel Hamilton & General O Neal That he continued in the service of the United States after he enlisted the same under the command of said Captain Ramsey for one year and six months until peace was concluded between the United States & Great Britton That he resided in Lawrence County state of South Carolina when he first entered the service of the United States that he entered & continued in the service of the United States as a private & volunteer that which in the service of the United States he was in the battles of the Eutaw Springs, at Ninety Six, & at the battle on the Savannah River & in various engagements at places not now by name recollected that while in the service of the United States that he march through the states of South Carolina & North Carolina that he served with various continental regiments but does not now recollect the names of the officers that while he was in the service of the United States he was acquainted with Colonel Ross (who had ben promoted from a captain) Colonel Hamilton, Genl Thompson General O Neal, General Pickens & General Williamson who were regular officers That he does not know of any person who is living that was acquainted with him which in the service of the United States That he had in his possession various written documents such as discharges and
Page 20

(3)
furloughs which evidence the fact of his having been in the service of the United States but all of which from the great length of time are now lost & destroyed That he has not now any documentary evidence & has he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service in the United States army
And I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state
By the court
Interrogatory 1st
Where & in what year were you born?
Answer 1st
I was born in York County in the state of Pennsylvania I think in the year 1746 or 1747
Intr 2nd
Have you any record of your age? & if so where is it?
Ansr 2nd 
There was a record of my age in my fathers Bible but I do not know where it is
Intr 3rd
Where were you living when called into the service where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live?
Ansr 3rd
I lived in the state of South Carolina when I entered the service of the United States I have lived in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee & Mississippi since the revolutionary war & now live in the state of Mississippi Lowndes County
Page 21

(4)
Intr 4th
How were you called into the service? were you drafted? did you volunteer? or was you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
Ansr 4th
I volunteered with the service I was never drafted & was never a substitute except one time for three months which was for one William Bratcher
Intr 5th
State some of the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served? such continental & militia regiments as you can recollect? & the general circumstances of your services?
Ansr 5th
Colonel Hamilton General Thompson Colonel Ross General Williamson were some of the regular officers of the Army I know Williamsons regiment & Ross regiment & many others but I cannot call the names of the officers
Intr 6th
Did you ever receive a final discharge from the service? if so by whom was it given? & what has become of it?
Ansr 6th
I never did receive a final discharge the reason was that Col Benjamin Killgore who should have given the discharge [crossed out deserted]  left the army before he gave me a discharge
Intr 7th
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & good behaviour your services
Page 22

(5)
as a soldier of the revolution?
Ansr 7th
I am known by Hugh Rogers Barett Sims Silas McBee & William Dowsing & many others in my present neighbourhood who also know my character for veracity & good behaviour I know no person who can testify as to my services as a soldier of the revolution
In testimony of which I have hereunto set & subscribed my name the day & date above written
James McWilliams
his X mark
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 20th day of October 1834
William Dowsing clerk
by his deputy
Orce P Brown
We David Wright a clergyman residing in the town of Columbus in Lowndes County state of Mississippi & William Dowsing residing in the same town county & state do hereby certify that we are acquainted with James McWilliams who has sworn to & subscribed the above annexed and foregoing declaration that we believe him to be eighty seven or eight years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he now resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion D Wright
Wm Dowsing
sworn to & subscribed in open court this 20th day of October 1834
William Dowsing clerk by his deputy Ovill P Brown Personally appeared in open court James McWilliams who after being duly sworn according to law depos and says
Page 23

(6)
that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below & in the following grades to wit
1st For four months under the command of Captain Francis Ross I served as a private
2nd For three months I served as a private & substituted in the place of William Bratcher
3rd For at least one year & six months I served as a volunteer private and for such service I claim a pension
James McWilliams
his X mark

Sworn & subscribed in open court this 20th day of October 1834
William Dowsing clerk
by his Deputy
Ovill P Brown
The state of Mississippi
Lowndes County } I Thomas S Sterling Judge of the fifth judicial circuit & district of the state of Mississippi & now at the October term 1834 of the circuit court of Lowndes County aforesaid presiding now in session do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above & foregoing named applicant James McWilliams was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states And the said Thomas S Sterling further certify that it appears to me that David Wright who has signed the foregoing annexed preceeding certificate is a clergyman who resides in the Town of Columbus
Page 24

(7)
& in the county & state aforesaid & that William Dowsing who also has signed the same is a resident of Lowndes County state of Mississippi aforesaid & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set and subscribed my name & affixed my seal this 20th day of October 1834
Thomas S Sterling Seal

The State of Mississippi
Lowndes County I William Dowsing the clerk of the circuit court of Lowndes county state of Mississippi aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing pages from one to seven (both included) contain the original proceedings in the matter of the application of James McWilliams for a pension 
Attest
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set & subscribed my name & affixed the seal of office at office this twentyeth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four & the fifty ninth year of Americas Independence
William Dowsing Jr clerk
by his Deputy
Ovree P Brown
Page 25

FREE
James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia

[post marked
COLUMBUS
OCT 24
MI]

bus 24th Oct 1834
nds Eqr
Sir
I herewith forward
as tot he pension of 
together with an annexed
I hope is in accordance
ongress passed June 7th
placed on said
age
the
Page 26

Columbus 24th Oct 1834
James L Edwards Esqr
Sir
I herewith forward to you the papers as to the pension of James McWilliams together with an amended declaration which I hope is in accordance with the act of Congress passed June 7th 1834 & with the construction placed on said act by the War Department
I again on account of the age of the applicant respectfully solicit the immediate attention of the War Department in the claim of Mr McWilliams 
After a decision of the department will you have the kindness to notify me of the fate of the application
very respectfully
Your obt servt
Tilghurance M Tucker