Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 11209, Thomas Watson, N.C.
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Service: N.C. 
Name: Watson, Thomas
Number: R.11209
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Georgia
Gwinnett County

Before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of said County personally appeared Thomas Watson of said County who has applied for a pension and whose name appears on the annexed declaration and after being duly sworn he deposeth and saith. That by way of explaining the facts repened to he makes the following statement To wit that he arrived at Charleston from North Carolina in the early part of April but how long he had been in the service before he arrived there he cannot properly say but is certain that his three months had expired when he returned home on Parol from the British Commanding and that he belonged to General Lincoln's Command. (the service rendered in North and South Carolina). That in 1781 he resolved to enter the service of his Country again although forfeited his life if he should be taken by the British as he was then bound to be neutral by his said Parol in order to divide them he took the place of the said Country and paped under his name to avoid detection should he have been taken prison again and this was on his part a voluntary service and intended alaw for personal security and moved the discharge from Colonel James Martin the name of said Gentry. This last service was all performed in the State of North Carolina and under the Command of General Rutherford that he served and his last three months and was
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discharged as stated that he has no word of his age. That he is well known to Hosea Lawp a clergyman and Elisha Winns Esq. who have already born testimony and John T. Martin Esq., William Rakerstrong Esq., Willis Rowland Esq., and many others of his neighbours who can testify to his character for veracity and of their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution. That during his two several tours he was engaged in no civil pursuit and for that service he claims a pension.

Sworn to and subscribed 
before me this 18 September 1833

Thomas Watson (his mark 'X')
John Mills 

Georgia
Gwinnett County 

I William Maltbie Clerk of the Inferior Court for said County hereby certify that John Mills whose name appear to the foregoing affidavit of Thomas Watson as a subscribing witness is and was at the time of subscribing the same an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and that full faith and credit ought to be had and given to his attestation.

Given under my hand and seal of office this 19th day of September 1833.

Wm. Maltbie
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Amended

Thomas Watson
Georgia
No. 21781

Rejected.
9 Oct 1833
To 
Wm. Maltbie CLK.
Gwinnett Co., GA
Lawrenceville
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War Department 
Pension Office
April 13, 1833

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 tabular form. On comparing these papers wit 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. These 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 thus request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A Statement, showing the Service of Thomas Watson. 

Period when the service was rendered: Mar. 1780 (drafted) - 1781.

Duration if the claimant's service: 3 months.

Rank of the claimant: Pvt.

Name and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served: Captain Fred Chabes Chambers, Captain David Humphris

Name and Rank of the General and Field Officers: Colonel Hugh Tinnon, Major Taylor, Colonel James Martin.

Battles in which the applicant was engaged: Siege of Charleston.

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period: 68 years, Wake County, North Carolina

Evidence by which the declaration is supported: Traditionary witness and partly documentary. 

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Regulations Under The Act of June 7, 1852. 

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 served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as person 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 roles 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, musicians, or privates, will in the first instance, make application 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, 1852. 
State, Territory, or District 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 first 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, 1852. 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 services, (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 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 applicants 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do herby 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 certifies, 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 of 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person.
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be 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 of 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 live now? 
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 ation ect proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular of 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, 1852; 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. 

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[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 duty 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 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 such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely stat 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 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 authentication 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
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.
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State of Georgia
Gwinnett County

Inferior Court December Term 1832 personally appeared in open Court it being a Court of Records now sitting Thomas Watson a resident of the Said County of Gwinnett and State aforesaid aged sixty eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth in his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June the 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated Court that he entered the service in Wake County and State of North Carolina whom he then resided as a drafted militia man under the Command of Colonel Hugh Tinnon, Major Taylor and Battalion Captain Theopholus Chambers Company,  Lieutenant M. Nawls for three months he entered the service in March 1780 and received a parol in May following where he entered home was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina during said term. Was in the Siege of Charleston where he was taken prisoner by the British received a parol from Sir Henry Clinton in May and returned home (which parol he has now in his possession) That afterwards in the year 1781 he entered the service as a substitute for Matthew Gentry who was a drafted militia man from the County of Surry and State of North Carolina when he then resided under the Command of Captain David Humphris being Humphris Lieutenant and Colonel James Martin's Regiment was in same skirmishes with the tories serve out his time and received a discharge which discharge he gave ti Mathew Gentry the man for whom he served as a substitute. That he has no documentary evidence except his parol, and that he knows of no other person except Frederick Thompson whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. That since the Revolutionary War  he has resided first in North
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Carolina, Surry County from thence he removed to the State of Georgia in the year 1789 Wilks County from thence he removed to Jackson County now Gwinnett in said State of Georgia. That he was born the 14th February 1764. He humbly relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his names is not on the pension role of the agency of any State. 

Sworn to and subscribed 
in Open Court 
This 10th Decr 1832

Wm. Maltbie 
Thomas Watson ('X"/his mark)

Georgia
Gwinnett County

I William Maltbie Clerk of The Inferior Court for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Watson for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10th day of December 1832.

Wm. Maltbie
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Copy

I do hereby acknowledge myself to be a Prisoner of War, upon my Parole, to his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, and that I am thereby engaged until I shall be exchanged, or otherwise released therefrom to remain at my plantation in the parish of [] in the County of Wake province of N. Carolina.

and that I shall not in the mean time do, or cause anything to be done, prejudicial to the success of His Majesty's Arms, or have Intercourse or hold Correspondence with his enemies; and that upon a Summons from his Excellency, or other Person having Authority thereto, that I will surrender myself to him or them at such Time and Place as I shall thereafter be required. Under my hand their 19th day of May 1780.

I do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the parole this day signed by Major Stuart, [] Hamilton
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11209

Thomas Watson

Rejected
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Georgia
Gwinnett County

I, Frederick Thompson of Walton County in Said State, do hereby certify, that Thomas Watson of Gwinnett County and State of Georgia: That he the Said Thomas Watson from the County of Surry, North Carolina on the 8th day of August 1781, did rendevous at Richmond the cite of Said County, marched from thence to Hoozer Town in Said County, thence to Salem in Said County, from thence to Fayetteville leaving of a little to the north from thence to Cape Fear River, crossed it went down to Elizabeth Town from thence recrossed the river, went on to ward raft Swamp and Drawning Creek on our way to ward Wilmington, and fifteen miles above Wilmington, and on the 8th day of November 1781 was discharged. He served under General Rutherford, Colonel James Martin, Major McGuire, Captain David Humphris, Benjamin Humphris, Lieutenant Ratliff Roon, Ensign David Ridings and John Stillen.

Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 18th day of September 1833.

John T. Martin
F. Thompson 

Georgia
Gwinnett County

I, John F. Martin an acting Justice of the Peace of Said County, do certify that Frederick Thompson of Walton County, who took and subscribed the above affidavit before me is a respectable citizen of Said County and is entitled to full credit on his oath. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of September 1833.

John T. Martin
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Georgia
Gwinnett County

I, William Maltbie Clerk of the Inferior Court for Said County hereby certify that John F. Martin whose name aforesaid as a subscribing witness to the foregoing affidavit of Frederick Thompson and also to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time of subscribing the same an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and that full faith and credit ought to be had and given to his attestation as 

Given under my hand and seal of office this 19th day of September 1833. 

Wm. Maltbie
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Thomas Watson
GA.
Rejected. 
[]to William Maltber
Lawrenceville, GA.
Act of June 1832
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Thomas Watson
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Georgia
Gwinnett County

We, Hosea Camp a clergyman residing in the State and County aforesaid and Elisha Winn a resident in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Watson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age that he is refuted and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to and subscribed the 10th December 1832

Wm. Rakerstraw 
Hosea Camp
Elisha Winn

Georgia
Gwinnett County

Inferior Court December Term 1832. And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion after the investigation of the matter and after with the interrogation prescribed by the war department that the above
named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appeared the said Court that Hosea Camp who having given the above certificate is a clergyman resident in the State and County aforesaid and the Elisha Winn who has also signed the same us a resident in the said State and County and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit.

Sworn under our hands and seals of office this 8th October 1832. 

Cliffird Woodroof
Reuben McClung
Jas. Wardlaw