Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3464, William Watkins, Penn.
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Penn

Watkins, William

S3464
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7563

West Tennessee

William Watkins

of Williamson County in the state of West Tenn who was a sergeant and private in the company commanded by Captain Ralson of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Ball in the Pennsylvania line for 12 months sergeant and 12 months private

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tenn at the rate of $100 Dollars and no cents per annum to comment on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of April 1833 and sent to A Harris, War Department

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833   $200.00
Semiannual allowance ending 4 Sept   $50

Total $250

Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Daniel Boyd, Clerk
Book E, Vol 7, Page 101
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State of Tennessee
Williamson County 

At a Circuit Court of law and equity, begun and held at the Court house in the Town of Franklin, County of Williamson and State aforesaid, on the first Monday being the sixth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, present the Honorable Thomas Stanton, one of the Circuit Judges of law and equity, in and for the State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to law

Be it remembered that on this day the 28th of August in the year aforesaid, personally appeared in said Court now sitting, William Watkins, a resident of the County and State aforesaid, aged seventy seven years. On the fourth day of September next, who being first duly sworn according to law, did on his oath make and submit the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

That he entered into the service of the United States, during the Revolutionary war with Great Britain for a three months tour, about the last of June or in the month of July in the year 1776; that he entered as a sergeant and served under the following named officers, John Ralston of Chester County, State of Pennsylvania was his captain.  The company commanded by said John Ralston, belonged to the battalion commanded by Major Peter Hartman, whose battalion belonged to the Regiment commanded by Col Thomas Bull.  that at the
when he entered the said service, he resided in the County of Chester, State of Pennsylvania. that he with the regiment commanded by said Thomas Bull, marched from said Chester County to the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania then across the Delaware River into the State of New Jersey, thence to Bergen where he
arrived on the evening of the same day, and which the battle of Long Island was fought, where he encamped. That whilst there encampled, the said Thomas Bull received a Lieutenant Colonel Commission, to raise or enlist a regiment to be called the Flying Camp for a nine month tour.  That he then and there enlisted or volunteered as a sergeant for a 9 months tour under the command of Captain Thomas Miller.  that thence, under the command of said Miller, who was commanded by Major Peter Hartman and Lieutenant Col Bull, he marched to Fort Lee opposite to Fort Washington on the Hudson river, where he remained until about the 12th or 14th of November 1776 when he with the said regiment was moved over to Fort Washington, where Colonal McGough commanded the troops, and Col Cawallader commanded the artillery.  where on the 16th after the battle, he along with the whole fort, was prisoners to Gen Howe.  Then he was  taken to New York and kept a prisoner, for some time being, in the mean time sorely affected by sickness, supposed to have been produced by poison. That in consequence of some arrangement made respecting prisoners, he was permitted to return home from New York. That some time in the spring of 1777, he enlisted or volunteered as a private for a tour of one year, under Capt Jacob Saddler of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, whose company had previously been commanded by Capt Joseph Barll of the City of Philadelphia. That said Saddler was a company of artificers, then engaged in erecting a hospital at the Yellow Springs in
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Chester County Pennsylvania, where he continued until the battle of Brandywine and after Genl Greene's retreating, had passed the Yellow Springs, he with his company, marched to Gen. Washington 's army at Valley Forge, where he remained until his term of service, of one year, had expired.  that he then again enlisted or volunteered, as a private, under the said Saddler, and continued in the service until the close or about the close of the war. That after General Howe had surrendered the City of Philadelphia, he with the said company was ordered to that place . that from Philadelphia, he went to Billingsport, or the Red Bank opposite to and for Mud Island across the Delaware River, to work another [illegible], where he remained until about the end of the war.  That he knew and was acquainted with
Genl Wayne, Col Caleb North, and Capt George North, all of Pennsylvania, and Capt Culberson of the said [illegible] in Chester County, State of Pennsylvania, in the year 1755; that he has seen his age recorded in a Bible belonging to the family: which Bible is now in the possession of his daughter Ann Brown who resides in Abion County in this State. That after the termination of the war, he resided for some time in the City of Philadelphia. That from thence he removed to Campbell County, Virginia, where he resided about ten years; then he removed to Davidson County in this State, where he resided about twenty years. that about fourteen years ago, he removed to this County, where he has since resided, and still resides. That he believes that he had a discharge but does not remember by what officer it was signed, and as he considered it of no value or importance, has
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took no care of it, and it is now lost or mislaid so that he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his said services. And he knows no person now living, whose testimony he can procure, that can testify to his services, except Benjamin Watkins, his younger brother. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of agent of any State. 
Wm. Watkins
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court 28th August 1832
 Preston Hay Clk. 
Benjamin Watkins resident of Williamson County and State of Tennessee aged Seventy three years next October being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following statement. That he is the brother of the said William Watkins, and that he was present at the muster ground or place of rendezvous of the soldiers of Chester County, State of Pennsylvania, whence they marched to the army of the United States during the Revolutionary war with Great Britain, that said William Watkins marched off with the troops, having, as deponent understood, enlisted or volunteered as a sergeant, for the space of three months in the service of the United States. Deponent remembers that on the said day of rendezvous said William Watkins was ordered to take a parade or file of men and go and take an old tory, who lived some miles off by the name of David Jinkens; and he did go, and deponent saw the men when they returned with the said David Jinkens, under guard. This was some time in June or July 1776. Deponent never saw said William again, until he returned home from New York where he had as deponent understood been a prisoner; that he returned some time in the winter following for deponent remembers, that snow was on the ground the day said William returned, that said William was much indisposed when he returned, and continued so until the spring following, that after said William recovered his health, he again enlisted or volunteered under Captain Sadler for the term of one year, as deponent then understood, and said William went to the Yellow springs where he and the company of artificers with whom he had enlisted continued nearly a year erecting a hospital Whilst said William continued the deponent was frequently there and saw him, and the said company of artificers, at work erecting said hospital. The first place deponent saw said William after he had seen him at the Yellow Springs, was with Genl Washington's army at Valley Forge. At this place, in said army, deponent saw said William repeatedly, doing the winter of 1778. That from this place deponent said William went as deponent understood to Philadelphia, where deponent saw him repeatedly at work with the other artificers. That deponent did not see him again, until he returned home about the close of the war. But the deponent subsequently heard of said William, and that he was at work, at the chevau artificers, near Mud Island, Deponent distinctly remembers of having seen the said William's discharge, after he returned home the last time about the close of the war. That said William showed said discharge to the family, and some of the neighbors; but deponent does not know whatever became of it. 
Ben J Watkins
Sworn to in open Court and subscribed the date above 
P. Hay clk
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a hospital whilst said William Continued the deponent was frequently there and said [indecipherable], and the said company of artificers at work erecting said hospital. The first place deponent saw said William after he had him at the Willow Springs, war with Genl Washington's army at Valley Forge. At this place, the said army, deponent said William repeatedly, during the winter of 1778. That from this place deponent said William went as deponent understood, to Philadelphia, where deponent saw him repeatedly at work with the other artificers. Said deponent did not see him again until he returned home about the close of the war. But deponent subsequently heard of said William, and that he was at work on the [indecipherable] near Mud Island Deponent distinctly remembers of having seen the said William's discharge after he returned home the last time about the close of the war. That said William showed said discharge to the family, and some of the neighbors, but deponent does not know what ever became of it. Sworn to in open Court and subscribed the date above P. Hay clk
We Garner M Connie and Andrew Craig, Clergymen, and Silas Stephens William Thomas James Turner and Elisha Davis laymen all residing in the County and State first above named hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Watkins, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy seven 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, and give full faith and credit to his said declarations.
Sworn to and subscribed the date above
P. Hay clk
Garner M. Connie
Andrew Craig
S. Stephens
William Thomas
James Turner
E. Davis
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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 revolution army soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Garner McConnie and Andrew Craig, who have signed the preceding certificate are clergymen resident in the county of Williamson and that Silas Stevens William Thomas James Turner and Elisha Davis who have also signed the same are resident in said County of Williamson and State of Tennessee and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Tho B. Stuart 
J. Preston Hay, Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Williamson, and State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Watkins for a pension.
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (there being no seal of office provided) this 28th day of August AD 1832 Preston Hay [Seal]
 Be it remembered, that at the February Term of the Court first above mentioned, in the year of our Lord Christ 1833; on this the 4th day of Febuary, The Honorable Thomas Stuart, Judge [indecipherable] first above mentioned, presiding, personally appeared again in open Court William Watkins, the Declarant, first above [indecipherable] being again, first duly sworn according to Law, doth make this further declaration, in addition to amendment of his above & foregoing declaration: that he cannot not now specify precisely & with indubitable certainty, the day of the month on which he entered the service of the United States, in his first three months tour; but he can state with certain precision, that it was not later, than the first day of July 1776. and he knows certainly and hereby states with most pose and precision, that he was engaged in the active and actual one constant service of the United States for & during the space & period of two whole years and nine months by virtue of his three several enlistments above mentioned, the first under Capt. Thomas Miller for nine months, the second under Capt Jacob Sadler for one year; & the third under the said Capt. Jacob Sadler for one year more-all of which three several enlistments or terms of enlistments, he knows & so states, he served out, and that these two years & nine months service is exclusive of his first three months tour, in the Mill
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day of July 1776: and he knows certainly & hereby states with most pose and precision, that he was engaged in the active and actual and constant service of the United States for & during the space & period of two whole years and nine months by virtue of his three several enlistments above mentioned, the first under Capt. Thomas Miller for nine months, the second under Capt Jacob Sadler for one year; & the third under the said Capt. Jacob Sadler for one year more-all of which three several enlistments or terms of enlistments, he knows & so states, he served out, one that these two years & nine months service is exclusive of his first three months tour, in the Militia is of Chester County, Pennsylvania, first above mention, one also exclusive of the time & service on the Chevoux defense, as above stated  That in the last tour of three months, & for one whole year of his enlistment he served as & in the capacity of & bore the rank of Sergeant, & that for the remainder of the time he served as a private only.
Wm. Watkins
 Sworn to and subscribed in open Court 
 7th February 1833. Preston Hay clk [indecipherable]
And the said Court do hereby declare the opinion after a further investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant, William Watkins was a revolutionary Soldier & served, as he has above stated. And the Court do hereby further certify that Benjamin Watkins, who has made the above statement, signed, Benj. Watkins, is a resident of said Williamson County State of Tennessee, and that he is a credible person, & that his statement is entitled to credit
Thos Stuart
State of Tennessee 
Williamson County. 
J. Preston Hay Clerk of the Circuit Court of Law and Equity for the County of
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Williamson and State of Tennessee do certify that the foregoing are the original further proceedings had in said Court at the February Term thereof, in the year 1833 in the matter of the the application of William Watkins for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed my private seal, there being no seal of office at office at offices in Franklin the 13th day of February A.D. 1833. 
Preston Hay [Seal] 
And the said Court do hereby further certify that there is us official seal belonging to this Court, and that Preston Hay is the Clerk of said Court appointed agreeably to law; and that the foregoing certificates were signed by him with his own proper hand and seal attached thereto. 
Thos Stuart [Seal] 
I do hereby certify that Preston Hay is the Clerk, and Thomas Stuart is the Judge of the circuit court for the County of Williamson in the State of Tennessee, and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be theirs, are genuine, this 27 day of April 1833 
G [indecipherable] Harris, a clerk 
in the Department of War
G [indecipherable] Harris
3rd [indecipherable] office
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William Watkins 
Reg           Tenn 
on Pena Rolls 
[indecipherable] 
And I grant 2 years. 
For 1   year  $40
Sept 1 year    60
                 -----
                  $100
 
4.5 10.14 P- 194 
Lt. C A Harris,
July 1833

C. A. Harris 3d auditing officer
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BRIEF in the case of William Watkins of Williamson, in the State of Tennessee (Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 77 years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
Years  Months Days. As a 
July in 1776 soon after the Battle of Long Island, he enlisted for 9 mo as Sarg. under John Ralston Cap, Peter Hartman, Maj, Col. Norman Ball, Cap. Mr. Miller
 Spring 1777 Vol? one year pr. Artificer under Jacob Sadler
he again enlisted, and continued to the close of the war, or near the close 
5. In what battles was he engaged? 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chester County Penn
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Benjamin Watkins testifies to his service- 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective period of enlisting and duration of service not defined 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
N H L Examining Clerk.
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Rev. and 1812 
Wars Section 
MCS/ee1

August 9, 1929

Mrs. J. H. Hoskins 
809 Monk Street 
Brunswick, Georgia 
Dear Madam:  
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3464, it appears that William Watkins was born in 1755 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. 
While a resident of that county, he enlisted and served with the Pennsylvania Troops as follows: 
From June or July, 1776, three months as sergeant in Captain John Ralston's Company in Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bull's Regiment. 
Soon after the battle of Long Island, he enlisted and served nine months as sergeant in Captain Thomas Miller's Company in Lieutenant Colonel Bull's Regiment, was taken prisoner at the battle of Fort Washington and held in New York until the following winter. From sometime in the spring of 1777, he served one year as private in Captain Jacob Sadler's Company of Artificers and was engaged in erecting a hospital at Yellow Springs in
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Chester County, Pennsylvania. 
He again enlisted, date not given, and served as private in Captain Jacob Sadler's Company until about the close of the Revolution. 
After the Revolution he lived in Philadelphia, from there he moved to Campbell County, Virginia, from there to Davidson County, Tennessee and from there to William son County, Tennessee. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Williamson County, Tennessee. 
In 1832 he stated that his daughter, Ann Brown, was living in Obion County, Tennessee. 
The name of the wife of William Watkins is not given in the papers of the pension claim. 
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to William Watkins, S.3436, or to any Edmund Collingsworth, and the War of 1812 records fail to show a claim for pension was ever made on account of the services of Edmund Collingsworth. 
Very truly yours, 
EARL D. CHURCH 
Commissioner.
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Rev. & 1812 War Section 


The American Historical Society, Inc.
80 East 11th St. New York 
Sirs: 
 I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3464, it appears that William Watkins was born in 1755 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 
While a resident of that county he enlisted and served with the Pennsylvania troops as follows: 
From June or July, 1776, three months as sergeant in Captain John Ralston's Company in Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bull's Regiment. 
Soon after the battle of Long Island he enlisted and served nine months as sergeant in Captain Thomas Miller's Company in Lieutenant Colonel Bull's Regiment, was taken prisoner at the battle of Fort Washington and held in New York until the following winter. From sometime in the spring of 1777 he served one year as private in Captain Jacob Sadler's Company of Artificers and was engaged in erecting a hospital at Yellow Springs in Chester County, Pennsylvania. 
He again enlisted, date not given, and served as private in Captain Jacob Sadler's Company until about the close of the Revolution .
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After the Revolution he lived in Philadelphia, from there he moved to Campbell County, Virginia, from there to Davidson County, Tennessee and from there to Williamson County, Tennessee. He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Williamson County, Tennessee. In 1832 he stated that his daughter, Ann Brown, was living in Obion County, Tennessee. The name of the wife of William Watkins is not given in the papers of the pension claim, Respectfully, WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner
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1929 Mar. 8 Hist to Amercan Historical Society NCS
1929, Aug. 9 hist to Mrs J. H. Hoskins, NCS
Rev War
3464. 
INVALID. 
File No. 3464  
William Watkins 
Sergt Rev War ┃ 
Act: June 7. 1832 ┃ 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 391 
(Arrangement of 1870.}
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THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC
Publishers

Editorial Department
WINFIELD SCOTT DOWNS
MANAGING EDITOR
80 EAST 11th STREET

O ' Fallon - Spok
HAH#35

NEW YORK, March 5, 1929

Dear Sir:

No having heard from our letter of February 19th in which we asked for Revolutionary War record of William Watkins, we are taking the liberty of writing to you again.

We find in the " Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary and military services, 1840 " the following:

"William Watkins -- Civil Dist #12 -- Davidson
County, Tennessee -- aged 85 years; living with
William E. Watkins, June 1, 1840."

Since our first letter to you, we have learned that William Watkins had a son born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prior to the Revolutionary War, which would indicate that he was probably living there when he enlisted for service. He later moved to Davidson
County, Tennessee.

If you have his record, we should like very much to have it, also the names of his parents if such information is given.

Appreciating a reply, we are,

Yours very truly,
The American Historical Society, Inc.
W W Ferris
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THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC
Publishers

Editorial Department
WINFIELD SCOTT DOWNS
MANAGING EDITOR
80 EAST 11th STREET

O ' Fallon - Spok
HAH#35

NEW YORK, February 19, 1929

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Dear Sir:

We shall appreciate very much your letting us know if you have the Revolutionary War record of William Watkins.

In the "Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary and military services, 1840" is found the following.

"William Watkins -- Civil Dist #12 -- Davidson County, Tennessee -- Ages 85 years; living with William E Watkins, June 1, 1840"

If you have his record, we should like very much to have it, also the names of his parents if such information is given.

We shall be glad to reimburse you for whatever charge your office makes for furnishing such information.

Thanking you for an early reply, we are

Yours Very Truly,

The American Historical Society Inc

M M Ferris
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MRS. J. H. HOSKINS
309 MONK STREET
BRUNSWICK, GA.

May 8, 1929.

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs,

Please advise me the cost of a copy of the pension claim, Revolutionary War, of William Watkins, listed as Claim S. 3436.

I should like all data relative to this claim, how long this pension was paid and when it
was stopped.

Also advise if possible if Edmund Collingsworth of Davidson County, Tennessee, received a pension for either Revolutionary War services or for services in the War of 1812. He is said to have served in the command of Capt. Geo. Gibson in the 1st
Virginia Regiment in the Revolution and to have fought in the Battle of New Orleans under Andrew Jackson.

If you have no data relative to this Edmund Collingsworth in your office can you advise in what Department I would find a Roster of the Soldiers of the War of 1812.

Yours truly,
Mrs J. H. Hopkins