Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,617, Samuel Williams, N. C.
Page 1

N.C.      Williams, Samuel.      R. 11,617
Page 2

[appears to be a folded document]
[left side]
37.38. [underline flourish]

[right side]
No 37.38

Samuel Williams ded [sic]
Ga

Act 7 June 1832
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832

State of Georgia
Bullock County

On this seventh day of September personally appeared in open Court. Before the Interior Court of Bullock County, now sitting a regular Term [written above crossed out verbiage]
Mrs. Mary Williams the widow of Samuel Williams Esquire, deceased, a soldier of the revolution, a resident of the County of Bullock, and she said. Mrs. Mary Williams, after being sworn before she said Court makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832:
That she was the wife of Smauel Williams, a soldier of the revolution , who resided in Dublin County in the state of North Carolina, during the war except when engaged in military service in South Carolina, and that subsequently to the war he migrated to the State of Georgia, and resided in Bullock County until the time of his death, which happened on the 4th July 1833, in the 74th year of his age, having been born in North Carolina, on the 3d. of July A.D. 1759. This declarent says that she was born in the State of North Carolina, on the 7th of October, 179, and is now in the 77th year of her age, and deposes that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, She cannot swear positively as to the
Page 4

precise length of her husband’s services, but according to the best of her recollection of the conversations of her husband on the Subject of his military adventures, Samuel WIlliams Served not less than five years, principally under General Green, Col. Rhodes, Armstrong, and Major Ivy, but under other officers whose names have escaped this applicant’s memory. Of so many names, she can only recall a few; and of the complicated details of battles, victories and defeats, of marches and counter marches, charges and routs, returns and departures, sickness, blood and desolation, this applicant only remembers to have been often told, that all of most of these dire calamities occurred in the State of South Carolina. Her husband frequently recounted these melancholy scenes to her; and she has individuals who were well acquainted with Samuel Williams in his life time. This declarent [sic] will undertake to relate the few [crossed out] facts and circumstances that still linger on her memory, in the fervent hope that otherwise and good men [crossed out] who have the sacred trust of searching out the records of the past, and of granting the claims of the widows of deceased revolutionary soldiers, may compare her imperfect account and unconnected facts, with the more perfect details of revolutionary history, as it exists in the national archives at Washington City, and she feels convinced that her brief statements will [crossed out] Stand the test of comparison and wear the semblance of truth. This applicant declares [crossd out] her belief that her husband applied for a pension in his life time and that the facts were proved by John Best, with whom he was for a time companion in arms; but that from some delay or mis
Page 5

management, or other cause, neither of them succeeded then in getting their pensions. She has heard that her husband enlisted in the army at a very early age (she thinks at the age of 16 years) and that he served throughout a greater part of the war. She recollects mention having been made of his great sickness and distress in [crossed out] [caret] a hospital in some town or city; She can swear positively to having seen large and distinct marks of wounds or bruises on each of her husband’s hips; she has heard that he deserted his father’s house when a boy to fight and suffer for his country; one night, having in company with some 30 men, (she believes a scouting party) taken shelter from the night in the second story of an old house on the road [?], the party were that night attacked by a company of British or Tories, and her husband narrowly escaped with his life, after [crossed out word] refusing to stop when called, and was shot at as he fled. Being in the Battle of Eutaw Springs, he narrowly escaped in a retreat. It appears from what this declarent has heard, that at the time of that battle Gen. Green rode a fine horse which being a present from his father or some other distinguished individual, he highly prized; and fearing the horse might be shot in the engagement, he called to Samuel Williams and said “here my little soldier [crossed out word]mount this horse and escape for your life” and then the General after having given some hasty directions as to his horse, plunged again into battle. She remembers to have heard that her husband was present when the gallant DeKalb fell; and also in some engagement where a sarjeant [sic] [sergeant] hovered over that [crossed out letter] individual, and cried aloud, Save the brave DeKalb. She has also heard her
Page 6

husband discourse of his having served with DeKalb, and of having been present at a conference between DeKalb and Marion previous to Gate’s defeat, at which S. Williams was present and narrowly escaped. He often mentioned the fact that one of the companies with whom he served was attended by a white washer woman, who on one occasion when the army reached a [two words crossed out] wide creek which they had to wade very deeply, after the whole company had ridiculed the woman and refused to help her over the water, Samuel Williams kindly offered to take her over on his shoulders which proposal the female replied that he was too young and little for such a service. He notwithstanding carried her over safely and she told him she would remember him for that, and pay him for it some day. It was this same washer woman who after ward by her care saved his life in the hospital before alluded to. This is nearly or quite all, this applicant remembers of the circumstances of her husband’s services in the war, except in reply to the interrogations propounded by the war Department. The applicant had at her house the record of her age, as well as that of her husband. She believes from report that her husband served both as a Regular and among the State Troops of North Carolina. If her husband ever received a discharge, this declarent knows not where it is. The applicant is known to [crossed out words] many persons in Bullock County who will testify to [scribbled out words] her character for varacity and their belief that her husband served as a soldier in the revolution. She has never entertained any doubt of this fact, nor has she heard of any other persons doubting this. In conclusion, it
Page 7

it may not be [crossed out word] improper to state, that it is generally known in the applicants neighborhood that her husband, Samuel Williams, a few years before he died, often became insane or foolish on the subject of the Revolutionary War. In these fits of mental derangement, he would imagine that he was [crossed out word] engaged in battle; he would order about the troops; charge upon the supposed enemy; call aloud on familiar names or persons who served with him and would shout, or bid defiance to the British and Tories. During these paroxysms, he went armed with [caret] the back of an old scythe] or scythe blade and [crossed out word] occasionally with [crossed out words] an old gun with sock [?]. During most of his life after the war, he wished and prayed to die on the 4th of July in the year of our Lord, 1832 after fighting as is believed by all who knew him, heroically for his country. The Declarent cannot add any [illegible] else in this declaration, but submits her claim to the decrees of providence and justice. 
Sworn to in open court, the day and year I’ve mentioned; also signed.

[written perpendicular] Judges will sign opposite below, and the clerk.

[signed] Mary X Williams her mark

Witness [signed] J. Cohen

[signed] James Lee J.C.B.C. [seal created by drawing] LS

[signed] Wm Williams J.C.B.C. [seal created by drawing] LS

[signed] David Beasley Clerk J.C.B.C. [seal created by drawing] LS
Page 8

[illegible whole paragraph crossed out with following note written in underneath] no clergyman in the county cognizant of the facts
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after a full and fair investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogetories prescribed by the War Department that Samuel Williams was a soldier of the Revolution served as had been stated. We further certify that full truth and credit are due to the assertions of Mrs. Mary Williams, she being in all respects a highly creditable person. [remainder of sentence crossed out and illegible]
Wm Williams [initals JJ then illegible]
J R Miller  [initials JJ then illegible]
James Lee clerk [initials JJ then illegible]
{illegible]
Page 9

Georgia
Bullock Co
[squiggly brackets]
Inferior Court September Term 1846.

Present their Honors W. Williams, J. R. Miller & Jas Lee, the said Court do hereby certify that Mrs Mary Williams is the widow of Samuel Williams who migrated from North Carolina to Georgia, [caret] where he [crossed out word] resided until his death on the 4th July 1830 [?]; the court do further certify that Robert Williams, Elizabeth Best, and Sarah Rawls, are the only surviving children of the Said Samuel Williams. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 7th day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty Six.

[signed] Wm Williams [curly seal drawn around initial caps] LS

[signed] J. K. Miller [curly seal drawn around initial caps] LS

[signed] James Lee [curly seal drawn around initial caps] LS

[signed] David Beasley clerk [curly seal drawn around initial caps] LS

Georgia
Bullock Co.
[curly brackets]
I, [caret] (David Beasley) clerk of the Superior and Inferior court of Bullock County hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in
Page 10

the matter of the application of Mrs. Mary Williams [scribbled out word] for her pension money, I do further certify that their Honors William Williams John K Mill & James Lee are regular and lawful judges of the Inferior Court of Bullock County; and further certify that Robert Williams, Elizabeth Best and Sarah Rawls are the only surviving children of Samuel Williams and that Mrs Mary Williams is the widow of the Said Samuel Williams
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and seal this Seventh day of September in the year of our Lord on thousand eight hundred and forty Six.
[signed] David Beasley Clerk [curly seal drawn around initial caps] LS
Page 11

Georgia
Bullock County
[tornado-shaped curly bracket drawn]
We, citizens of Bullock County, hereby certify our belief which we have imbibed from the sayings conversations and reports of others that Samuel WIlliams, the former husband of Mrs. Mary Williams was a Soldier of the Revolution; this opinion has been general among the people of Bullock County during our recollection, and we have always heard it talked that he had Served his country. It has long been our impression that he heaved well in the revolutionary war, and we believe that of any individuals can get pension money Mrs. Mary Williams will obtain hers, knowing that she [scribbled out words] deserved it.
Entertaining this firm belief, and fostering feelings of kindness and gratitude for all those persons connected with our revolutionary patriots we take great pleasure in subscribing our names to this certificate.

[there is a vertical line rule drawn to allow space for two columns of signatures]

June 1846
(Signed) Below

Solomon Grannen
Joshua F. Hodges
D B Brower
Samuel Alderman
General E Mikell
Evastus Waters
Jesse Hagan
Martin Griner

[right hand column]
(Signed) Below

James Young
Wm Beasley
James Hendrix
John Mikell
Laptha Hagans
Allen Waters
Daniel Rigdon
Page 12

(Signed Below)   (Signed Below)

Sam L Slater
Moses Wilson
Wm to Little
Alex R Brannen
Lewis Akins
Joseph Olliff
Jonathan Griner
Sheppard Williamsen
John R Hylton
Isaiah Beesley
Nathaniel Hodge
Saimel L. Moore
Thomas Waters Senr
John Waters
William Lester
Seaborn Hendrix
Page 13

Georgia Bullock County
I, David Beasley, clerk of the Superior and Inferior Court of Bullock County, hereby certify that the gentleman who have subscribed their names to the certificate on the opposite page of this sheet [illegible] of the belief that Sam Williams served in the Revolutionary war, are all of them citizens of Bullock County whose last money is worthy of fully faith and credit. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto and scribed my name, and affixed my seal, this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and forty six. 
David Beasley clerk
Page 14

State of Georgia 
Screen County
[squiggly brackets]
Personally appeared before the undersigned, a justice of the peace, Benjamin Taylor, a revolutionary soldier, who after being duly sworn deposes and says, that he was acquainted with Samuel Williams during the Revolutionary war, having often met the said Sam. Williams in the course of the war and saw him service as a private. Despondent knows that Williams served a long time, but does not recollect precisely the time.
Sworn to & subscribed this 25th August 1846 before me
[curly bracket drawn]
[signed] Benjamin  + Taylor his mark

[signed] Lewis Lewis J. P.

Georgia 
Screven Co
[curly bracket drawn] I Alexander Kemp, clerk of the Inferior Court of Screven County hereby certify that Lewis Lewis whose genuine sign are is [crossed out word] attached to the foregoing affidavit is a lawful against rate of said county. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal and subscribed my name this 25th August 1846.
[signed] Alexander Kemp [curly seal shape drawn around initial caps] LS
Page 15

[folded booklet-shaped document]

[left hand side]
37. 386.
[flourish underline]


[right hand side]

No 37.386
Samuel Williams ded [sic]

Ga

Act of June 1832
Page 16

No. 3.7.386
Samuel Williams died
Ga
[line rule drawn]

Est. To. C.W. Torrey [?], Nov. 24, ‘46.

11617

Act of June 1832
Page 17

Samel [sic] Williams
Widow of 

Act 7 June 1832
Ga Suspended 


[signed]

J H GG McCutchen
Present,
Page 18

State of Georgia
Bullock County
[squiggly brackets]

This the Twenty first day of April A.D. 1853 Before Me personally appeared Mary Williams age Eighty Two Who being duly Sworn according to Law declares that she is the widow of Samuel Williams Deceased Was Married to him on the [blank area] and that She hereby appoints J. H. G. McCutchin of Washington City D.C. her attorney to prosecute his claim to the pention [sic] [pension] due her Said Husband and to Examine his papers on File in the pension Office under act of June 7th 1853

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written [squiggly brackets]

[signed] Mary Williams X her mark

Wm. H. MacLean Justice Peace and I certify that I have no interest in the above mentioned claim and that I believe the Said Mary Williams to be the Widow of the Said Samuel Williams Deceased
[signed] W. H. MacLean

Georgia 
Bullock County
[squiggly brackets]
I David Beasley Clerk of the Inferior Court in the county and State aforesaid do hereby certify that W. H. MacLean before Whom the foregoing papers were executed was at the date of the Same a Justice of the peace in and for said county there unto Subscribed in his Signature
In testamony Whereof I have hereunto subscribed My name and affixed my official Seal this the 23 day April 1853

[a faded, unreadable circular seal with pointed edging appears on the lower left hand]

[signed] David Beasley C. J. C. B. C
Page 19

[appears to be a folded document]


[left hand side is blank]

[right hand side]

[pre-printed line of type is crossed out]

Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 3, 1873

[rubber stamped word]
REJECTED

11,617

[document pre-printed form with line rules]

P.O. ______________
Saml. Williams

Service: ___________
Enlisted: ________, 18    .
Discharged: ________, 18    .

Application filed: ________, 18    .

Alleges: __________________
__________________________

Re-enlisted: __________________
____________________________

Alleges: __________________
__________________________
P.O. __________________
__________________________

_______Recognized. _________Contract.

_______Cert. Of Dis.  Searched for _____, 18
Page 20

Halcyondale, (Georgia)
9th Sept. 1846.

[ink blot]
Hon. J. L. Edward’s:

Dear Sir,

Enclosed, I have the honor to transmit you the Declaration in the matter of the application of Mary Williams, for the Pension of her husband Samuel Williams, a soldier of the Revolution. I beg [?] to say that no certain information exclusive of the family record, can be obtained of the day and year of Mrs. Mary Williams’ marriage with Samuel Williams, though the marriage took place about the year 1802. If she is not entitled on this account (but I presume this makes no difference) the children will draw? There could be obtained, the certificate of the comptroller of public Accounts of N.C. Of certain of certain [sic] amount credits to Sam’l Williams but I hope, to avoid expense, this will not be required inasmuch as Samuel Williams applied with John Best about the year ‘32 under the Act of 1832. After the court had certified the day of Williams’ death (which was uncertain) to have been on 4th July 1830, on reflecting that Williams & Best had applied together under the act of 32, and that it was 18 months after the said application by Williams, before he died, his death was altered from 1830 to 1833. Please see when the [crossed out word] previous application was made and forward the certificate pursuant thereto, and place the day of his death 18 months after that application. I hope that you will
Page 21

give early attention to there [sic] application as most of the applicants [?] are old [crossed out word] and some of them extremely poor. Let your certificate be pursuant to S. Williams’ own proof in his life time, as we know nothing about it only from heresay, and the affidavit of Benj. Taylor, annexed to the enclosed Declaration, which affidavit & proves nothing but service [underlined]. You will have to determine the length of time by the Application of Sam. Williams made in his lifetime if to be found; and if not, according to your pleasure. Williams was a private and served over 2 years.
I have the honor to be with high counsel [?] and respect
Your Obt. Sevt.
Cutler W Young
Attorney for Mary Williams