Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,664, James Wilson, Ga.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Ga.
Wilson, James
NUMBER
R. 11664
---------------------------
CONTENTS
b. Apr. 11, 1761 in Rafert's Fort near Broad River, S.C.
res at enl. Richmond Co. Ga.
res in 1835 Sum
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32.911
James Wilson
Alabama
[illegible]
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The State of Alabama 
County Court for said County. February Term 1835.
Sumter County
On this 16th day of February 1835. Personally appeared in Open 
Court before the Honorable Peter Doty Judge of the County Court in and for the County 
of Sumter and State of Alabama aforesaid now in session James Wilson a resident of the 
County and State aforesaid aged about seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according 
to Law doth on his oath make the following annexed declaration in order to obtain the benefit 
of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
That the applicant entered the service of the United States under the following 
named officers and served as herein stated. He entered the service in the State of Georgia 
in 1776 under Green Berry Lee and belonged to a Regiment commanded by 
Colonel Few, was drafted in the breaking out of the war, afterwards served as a 
volunteer, served under Captain Ayers in Colonel Few Regiment a militia officer 
afterwards, served under General Elijah Clarke in Captain Ayers  company with whom 
he served under until he Ayers was killed in South Carolina at Clarks defeat. While in Ayers 
Company under Clarke was with General Sumter at Blackstock, on Tiger River where 
General Sumter was wounded, was with Clarke also upon the waters of Long Cane at 
McMastersons Mills when he engaged Dunlap and took them prisoner and killed or took 
most of his Dunlaps men; after the death of Captain Ayers the applicant served under 
Captain Dunn, Under General Clarke the applicant was in the engagement at Augusta 
in Georgia where we were defeated served under Captain Dunn until the end of 
the war was in the service as a private in the Militia about two years steady 
The applicant has no documentary Evidence in support of his claims. He knows of 
no person now living by whom he can establish his services, whose testimony he can procure
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to any pension or annuity except the present 
and declared his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State
Interrogatories propounded by the Court to the applicant and his answers hereto
Interry 1st: When and in what year were you born - Answer;  I was born in [Raford] 
Fort near Broad River South Carolina, the 11th April A.D. 1761.
Interry 2nd: Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it.
Answer: I have no record of my age, my father had it, but it is now lost.
Interry 3rd: Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolu
-tionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer: I was living in Richmond County in the State of Georgia: afterwards lived 
in Warren County Georgia, I moved there from there to Clark County State of Alabama 
from there to Marengo County State of Alabama, from there to Sumter County 
State of Alabama where I now live
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Interry 4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you Volunteer, or were
you a Substitute, and if a Substitute for whom?
Answr. I was drafted in the breaking out of the War, three or four times to go
short towers against the Indians: and whom the war became hot I volunteered
Interry 5th 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?
Answr. I served under Captain Ayers in Coll Fews Regiment, a militia officer
afterwards served under Genl Elijah Clarke in Captain Ayers Company, in whose
Company I served until Captn Ayers was killed in South Carolina at Clarks
defeat. I was with General Sumter in Ayers Company under Clarke at Blackstock
when General Sumter got wounded. I served in Captain Dunn's Company in the
engagement at Augusta Georgia
Interry 6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it
given, and what has become of it
Answer. I did not receive any discharge, because I served only in the Militia
as a private.
Inter 7th 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
Answer. James Savage and [name crossed out new name inserted] John Pearce of Sumter County Know me and
can testify to my Character as a man of veracity and I have stated the circum
stances of my Service as nearly as I can now recollect
Sworn to and assigned in open Court this
16th day of February 1835.
James [illegible] [illegible] Wilson
Daniel Womack Clerk of County
Court of Sumter County
the Hugh Hodges a Clergyman
residing in Sumter County in the State of Alabama and James Savage Low and
John Pearce Citizens of said County, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
James Wilson who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration and we
believe him to be about seventy four years of age, that he is reputed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolutionary War and that we concur
in that opinion
Hugh Hodges
James Savage
John Peace
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The State of Alabama
Sumter County
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after
the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interroga
tories prescribed by the war department that the above named Applicant was a Revolu
tionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the said Court further certifies that
it appears to them that Hugh Hodges
who has signed the preceding
Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said County of Sumter and that James
Savage Senr and John Pearce -- who has also signed the same are
residents of Sumter County and are creditable persons and that their statement is
entitled to Credit
Peter Doty
The State of Alabama
Sumter County
I Daniel Womack Clerk of the County Court of said County
of Sumter State of Alabama do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
James Wilson for a pension. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal of Office this 16th day of February in the year of our Lord 1835.
Daniel Womack Clerk of
the County Court of Sumter
County
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Amended Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.
The State of Alabama Ss.
Sumter County
On this 17th day of August 1835, personally appeared
before me Peter Doty Judge of the County Court of said County of
Sumter and State of Alabama James Wilson aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn, according to
Law, doth on his Oath make the following amended Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. That in July 1777. he was
drafted as a militia man, under Captain Benjamin Few (afterwards Colonel Few) was out on the
Ogeechy Georgia, to guard the frontiers against the Indians ten days. In September 1777 was
drafted the second time under Capt Few (a militia officer) to go to Powells fort on the Ogeechy 
Georgia, was out this tour to guard the frontier fifteen days. In 1778 in February was drafted the
third time in Capt Few's company to guard the frontiers; went under Lieutenant Smith in Fews
company to William's Cabbin on the Ogeechy, was out this tour fifteen days. In September 1780
Volunteered under Captn Abram Ayers in Col’l Fews regiment (a militia officer), as a private of
Militia. Served under Capt Ayers untill he was killed in December following. In the spring
following while in the service, I was taken with the smallpox. Left the army and got home the 11th
or 13th April. As soon as I was able to do duty in May or June 1781, I joined Captain John
Wilson’s company who was attached to Col’l Dunns Regiment with whom I served until the
middle of October 1782. In Captain Ayers Company I served under General Elijah Clarke
and was with them in Clarks defeat in South Carolina where Captn Ayers was killed.
While serving under Capt Ayers was at Blackstocks on Tiger River where General Sumter
got wounded, was with Genl Clark also when we engaged Dunlap upon the waters of 
long Cane at McMastersons Mills, when we took Dunlap Prisoner and killed and took most
of his men. After the death of Capt Ayers I served in Capt Dunns Company under 
General Clarke was in the engagement at Augusta Georgia in his Company, where we were
defeated. Served under Capt Dunn untill he was promoted and made Colonel from
which time untill the middle of October 1782 served under Capt John Wilson. In
September 1782, went under Captain Wilson against the Cherokee Indians, in the long
Swamp. Hightower River and Sillica and the pine log town was out on that excursion
five weeks untill the middle of October 1782. I have no documentary evidence in support
 of my claims and I know of no person by whom I can establish my services whose testimony
I can procure-- I hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to any pension or annuity
except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency
of any State.
James Wilson his mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid
Peter Doty
Judge Presiding
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Interrogatories propounded by the Court to the applicant, and his answers thereto
Interrogatory 1st. Where and in what year were you born. Answer, I was born in Rapetfort
near Broad River. South Carolina the 11th day of April 1761.
Interrogatory 2nd. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Answer. I have no record of my age. My father had it, but it is now lost
Interrogatory 3rd. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the
Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Answer. I was living in Richmond County in the State of Georgia, moved from thence to Warren County
in the State of Georgia, and from thence to Clark County in the State of Alabama, and from thence
to Marengo County in said State, from thence to Sumter County in said State, where a
Interrogatory 4th. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you Volunteer, or were you a substitute
and if a Substitute for whom
Answer. In July 1777. I was drafted and served ten days. In September 1777 was drafted again and
15 days. In 1778 in February was drafted again and served 15 day of September
1780. I volunteered as a private of Militia, served until the middle of October 1782.
Interrogatory 5th. 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 service? Answer. In September 1780 served as volunteer
in Capt Abraham Ayers County in Colonel Fews Regiment (a militia officer) Captn Ayers
got Killed at Clarks defeat in South Carolina. Was in Capt Ayers company under Genl Clarke
at Blackstock on Tiger River when General Sumter got wounded, was with Clark also
where we engaged Dunlop, in South Carolina upon the waters of Long Cane A McMasterson Mills
and took Dunlap and we made the most of his men prisoners, after the death of Capt
Ayers I served under Capt Dunn under Genl Clarke was in the eng againt in August
where we were defeated, served under Capt Dunn until he was promoted there
served under Capt John Wilson who was attached to Col Dunns Regiment
Interrogatory 6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given and
what has become of it. Answer, I received no discharge because I served only in
the Militia. I was in the service two years and sixty days as near as I can
remember
Interrogatory 7th. 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 voices as a
Soldier of the Revolution. Answer. James Savage and
have been acquainted with me for years and can testify what they
know of my character for veracity & in
his James Wilson
mark
Sworn to and assigned in open Court
this 17th day of August 1835
Peter Doty
Judge Pesiding [sic]
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a
Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states 
We Hugh Hodges a Clergyman residing in Sumter County in the State of Alabama
and James Savage and Jesse B Laudrum Citizens of said County do hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with James Wilson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
and we believe him to be about seventy four years of age, that he is reputed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolutionary war, and that we concur in that opinion
Hugh Hodges D D
James Savage
J. B. Laudrum
The State of Alabama
Sumter County
County Court for said County August Term 1835
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 said Court further certifies that it appears to them that
Hugh Hodges who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident
in the said County of Sumter, and that James Savage and Jesse B Laudrum who
has also signed the same are residents of Sumter County and State of Alabama, and are creditable
persons, and that their statement is entitled to Credit. 
Peter Doty
Judge presiding
I Daniel Womack Clerk of the County Court of Sumter County State of Alabama
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in
the matter of the application of James Wilson for a Pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of
Office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord One
thousand Eight hundred and thirty five -
Dan Womack Clerk
[hand stamped seal]
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11,664
P. O.
James Wilson
Service:
Enlisted:___,18
Discharged:___,18
Application filed:___,18
REJECTED [added by stamp]
Allegee [crossed out by hand]: The list of 1852 gives cause
of suspension as;
Re-enlisted [crossed out by hand]:
"Militia service from June
1780 to Oct 1782, could not have been
continuous, and he must specify
each tour, however short, date,
duration, officers stations and
grade."
Attorney: ___
P. O. ___
___Recognized.
___Contract.
___Cert. of Dis. 
Searched for ___,18
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Suspended
See letter 1 A/e
.35 to J. Savage.
do 11 Feb 35
1164
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Livingston Sumter Co.  Alabama March 10th 1835
James L. Edwards Esqr. Pension Agent
D r Sir
The enclosed is an application of an old
Revolutionary Soldier for a pension, if there is any thing wrong in the
application you will be pleased to hand it over to the proper persons for
correction. Please direct to me as above
I am Sir with great respect
yr obed Servt
James Savage
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James Savage
April 1, 1835
OC
Record Vol. 26. P. 473
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War Dept. Pen Office
April 1, 1835
Sir
The declaration of James Wilson
has been ex’d and filed with suspended cases.
He alleged to have served as a militia man in Georgia, but
 has not specified each term of service, as required
by the enclosed printed regulations.
He should make an amended statement in
which a full and particular account of each
tour of actual service should be set forth shewing
[“the period at which the service was performed” - crossed out]
the duration of each tour; [“of actual service” - crossed out]
the officers under whom he served; [‘in each tour” - crossed out]
the period of service, and the place or places
where said service was performed.

James Savage Esqr
Livingston
Sumpter Co
Alabama
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Jas Savage
Sept 11, 1835
OC
Record Vol 28. P128.
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War Dept. Pen Office
Sep 11. 1835

Sir
The amended declaration of
James Wilson is still unsatisfactory.
He claims for services as a militia man
 from June 1780 until October 1782. The
militia did not perform a continuous
service for that length of time and mere
readiness to serve when called upon does
not form a claim for military service. Each
particular expedition against the enemy between
the above mentioned periods should be stated
in detail, in which the circumstances
connected therewith should be given as they
occurred. The paper has been filed.
James Savage Esq
Livingston
Alabama
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Wilson, James 
GRADE Private
LINE Maryland

WARRANT NUMBER 11831
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED November 29, 1790
to Barney Wilson, admr.


*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subse-
quent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.