Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 39119, Zachariah Wells, Va.
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SERVICE Va.
Wells, Zachariah
NUMBER S 39119
CONTENTS
RG-217 Pension payment filed inside. WDH 6-7-55
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19,529
East Tennessee
Zachariah Wells
of Sullivan Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Peyton of the regiment commanded by Colonel Lee in the Virginia line, for the term of
from 7 April 1778 to November 1779
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 19 of November 1825
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th of Decr 1825
and sent to the Hon J Blair
House of Representatives
portion of
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar: 1826 $28-23
$28-23
Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, May 1, 1820. & 1 March 1833
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State of Tennessee
Washington County
On this 5th day of September, 1825 Personally appeared before me one of the acting Justices of the peace for said County the subscriber Zachariah Wells. and who is also the declarant in the foregoing declaration, and made oath according to Law, that he gave in the within statement as near as he could recollect the time of his enlistment, but from the [illegible] of his memory he may have been mistaken, & gave an earlier period than was the fact, but he thinks he distinctly remembers that his enlistment was previous to the declaration of Independence he further states that he since the 18th of March 1818 has made no changes in his property, so as to give the same: And he so stated in the original declaration but the clerk who drew it, inserted the date of the subsequent Law, supposing that to be the time; and as before stated in his first schedule, he has had no other property since 18th March 1818, except what he therein scheduled except what little stock of hogs or young cattle he in the mean time may in the seven years have raised & Killed for support of which it is wholly impossible for him to give an amount, but which could not in the whole seven years have exceeded twenty dollars, but that his property is now & has for that length of time remained stationary, owing to his having been afflicted with a cancer & being unable to attend to business he had with one of his sons, & was supported
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by his charity, & felial affection, and again repeats that he served as stated in his declaration except indeed he may have been mistake with time of enlistment, which would not be surprising, when he reflects that from old age & bodily infirmity his intellect is almost wholly gone
Sworn to & subscribed before me the subscriber this day first before written
Zachariah Wells
Wm Colyer
Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee
Washington County
I hereby certify that William Colyer before whom the foregoing affidavit of Zachariah Wells was made was a magistrate Authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgements & in the county and state aforesaid at the date of the above Certificate, and that his name then Subscribed - appears to be his usual signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of my office the 19th day of November 1825.
Jas. Sevier Clerk
of Washington County Court

See Register 218
Zachariah Wells
Pension declaration
& supplemental oath
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Original claim 1
State of Tennessee
Sullivan County SS
On this 29th day of March 1825 Personally appeared in open Court, being a Circuit Court of Law & Equity for the County aforesaid the subscriber, hereto Zachariah Wells a citizen of the County, aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818, and the subsequent amendments, that he the said Zachariah Wells enlisted into the continental service, during the Revolutionary war, for the term of two years, on the 28th day of July in the year 1776 - in the County of Louden, state of Virginia, then in Captain Henry Lee's company, in the Regiment commanded by Col Theoderick Bland, of Light horse, in the line of the state of Virginia. that he continued to serve until said Henry Lee, was promoted to the command of Colonal of the Cavalry, & by withdrawing his company from Bland, & the accession of some other raised had the command of the corps in which the applicant afterward served out his time: being under the command of Capt Henry Payton, a Capn of Col Lees command, under which said Payton, (when a cornet) this applicant first inlisted. That he continued to serve in the said Corps, until five months elapsed after his term was out making two years & five months
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2
which he served in succession except the period of imprisonment that he intended to continue the war out under said Lee, to whom he had become attached, but, was sent home by him to recruit men & purchase horses, & after having so done to the extent of the money confided to him sent them on to Lee at Charleston in the state of Maryland - and circumstances then intervened which prevented him from returning to the service; from which cause he never obtained a discharge, from service. before he left it & afterwards he had no use for it as he was not entitled to land, & had received his pay &c.
That he was in the Battles of Germantown Brandywine, Banum Town, &c during the two first after which he was one of General Washingtons life guard - that he was taken prisoner by the British horse on the 12th day of December 1777. at a place called the Fox Chase fifteen miles above Philadelphia - and conveyed to Philadelphia, and there confined for five months each night & guarded, throughout the day with the other prisoners. when he was exchanged - and again returned to Lees command again, & served as before stated. That he has no other evidence in his power, except the above, And in pursuance to the act of the 1st of May 1820, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States of America, on the 18th of March 1818 and that I have not since that time disposed of
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3
my property or any part thereof with intent so diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the several acts of Congress, passed for the benefit of the revolutionary soldiers. and that I have not nor has any person for me, in trust, any property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in my schedule hereto annexed, & by me subscribed. towit
1 horse, old & small, - - $40.00
2 milet cows & calves - $10 each 20.00
1 hand saw, one flax Hackle, one frying pan $4"
1 falling axe, mattock, 3 old hoes, 5
1 plow, & some horse [illegible] 5
2 pots & one ove - $2 - each - 1 Basin 6"50
one cutting box - $30.50
2 old chests - - broken - 50 cts $1.00
$82.50
that he in early life followed the Blacksmithing business but has been unable for years to pursue it, & has supported himself by farming, that he has no family his wife being dead and his children all married & gone from him, the youngest four years ago, & he is now left desolate in his old age, and since the loss of his wife, & the fast decline of his strength, he has been compelled to live upon what little property he has - which reason he alleges for applying for a pension that he never would have applied but for his inability to labor, & the small pittance of his property being inadequate to his support - That he has parted from none of his property since the first day of May 1820 so as to set it forth, or he would do so, in any other way than by diminishing it as his support such as Killing stock to live on &c
Sworn to & declared in open Court March 29th 1825
Zachariah Wells
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State of Tennessee
Sullivan County March the 29th 1825
I William Anderson clerk of the Circuit Court of Sullivan County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath & schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court. I also certify that the Court was satisfied from the applicants proof that he served as stated, and that the total amount of the property exhibited in the foregoing schedule, is worth $82.50 cents IN testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my personal seal of the said Court there being no public seal in Blountville Tennessee - on this 29th day of March 1825
William Anderson, Clerk
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Zachariah Wells
Pension claim
Jno Blair Jonesboro
Tennessee
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AWF
Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
January 5, 1928

Elizabeth C. Crossan
5324 Wayne Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.
Madam
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 39119, it appears that Zachariah Wells enlisted in Loudoun County, Virginia, July 28, 1776 and served in Captain Henry Lee's Company, Colonel Theodoric Bland's regiment of Light Horse, and continued to serve until Captain Henry Lee was promoted to Colonel of Cavalry, when he served in Captain Henry Peyton's Company, Colonel Henry Lee's Regiment, he was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, at which time he was one of General Washington's Life Guard, was taken prisoner, December 12, 1777, at "Fox Chase", about fifteen miles above Philadelphia, and carried to Philadelphia, where he was held five months, when exchanged and he returned to Colonel Lee's Regiment, was in the battle of Bordentown, and served in all
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two years and five months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 29, 1825, while a resident of Sullivan County, Tennessee, aged eighty years.
In 1825, he stated that his wife was dead and that all of his children were married, no names are given. There are no future family data.
In order to make a proper search of the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau for soldiers named James and Richard Wells, some of the following is essential- approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and first names of widows.
Respectfully
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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70.
Zachariah Wells
Receipt
$48.
RH 217
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$48,00/100 AGENT'S OFFICE,
KNOXVILLE, EAST TENNESSEE, March 14th 1833.
RECEIVED of ROBERT KING, Pension Agent for East Tennessee,
Forty eight DOLLARS, being for Six Months and - Days PENSION due to Zachariah Wells from the 4th day of September 1832. to the 4th day of March 1833. for which I have signed duplicate receipts. 
Zachariah Wells by his attorney in facto
William Cummins
Witness,
Joseph L King
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War Department
Pension Office
April 13. 1825

Sir,
The claim of Zachariah Wells to a pension
has been examined, and I have to state that
before a decision can be had in his case, he must
account for every acticle of property that may have
been disposed of by him since the 18th March 1818,
in the manner prescribed by the regulations herewith
enclosed. I would particularly direct his
attention to the note marked [illegible] It may be proper
to observe, that it does not appear from the
muster rolls of Colonel Lee's Legion that he enlisted
as early as the year 1776 he had better,
therefore, amend his declaration, in this respect.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully
Your Obt: Servt
J.L. Edwards

Hon: John Blair
Jonesborough
Tennessee
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Kentucky
State of Tennessee, Whitley County.
BE IT KNOWN, THAT before me, Thos Foley
a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Zachariah
Wells and made oath in due form of law, that he is the identical 
Zachariah Wells named in an original certificate in his possession,
of which I certify the following is a true copy:

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim
Ceritfy, THAT in conformity with the Laws of the United States of the 18th of
March 1818, 1st May 1820, 31st March 1832
Zachariah Wells,
late a Private in the army of the Revolution is inscribed on the Pension
List Roll of the East Tennessee Agency, at the rate of Eight
Dollars per month, to commence on the Nineteenth day of November
one thousand eight hundred and twenty five.
Given at the War office of the United States, this 8th day of Decr.
one thousand eight hundred and twenty five
James Barbour
SECRETARY OF WAR.

Examined good
countersigned by
JL Edwards

That he is entitled to a Pension of Eight Dollars [page torn]
account of wounds and disabilities received, or of services rendered to the United States
during the Revolutionary War; that he served Captain Henry Patens
company of Cavalry in the Col Lee's regiment; that he now
resides in Whitley County and has resided there for the space of four years
years past; and that previous thereto, he resided in [illegible] County, Tennessee
Sworn and subscribed this fifth day of
March 1833 before me,
Zachariah Wells

Thomas Foley
Justice of the Peace
For Whitley County
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State of Kentucky Whitley County Sc.
I Joseph Duncan a Justice of the peace
in and for the County of Whitley & state
aforesaid do certify that Andw Craig whose
name is signed to the foregoing and
last Certificate on the other page is
clerk of the Circuit & County Courts
of the County aforesaid and that it is
in due form of Law & full faith and
credit is and ought to be given to all
his [illegible] as such
GIven under my hand and
seal this 9th day of March A.D.
1833
Joseph Duncan a Justice of J.P.
the peace for sd County
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Zachariah Wells
Papers

Knoxville, Tenn
[illegible] 1833
[illegible] 54
[illegible] 290

(Revolutionary)
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Know all men by these Presents, That, Zachariah
Wells of Whitley County and State of Kentucky, a
Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and
appoint William Cummins my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my
name, to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying pensions in East Tennessee,
my pension from the 4th day of Septr 1832 to the 4th
day of March 1833 Witness my hand and seal, this fifth day of
March 1833
Sealed and delivered
in presence of } Zachariah Wells {SEAL.]
[illegible]
Abr Wells

State of Kentucky, Whitley County.
BE IT KNOWN, THAT on the fifth day of March 1833 before
the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Zachariah
Wells above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney
to be his act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year
last above mentioned.
Thomas Foley a Justice
of the Peace for Whitley
County {SEAL.]

State of Kentucky, Whitley COunty.
BE IT KNOWN, THAT on the fifth day of March 1833
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared
William Cummins the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney,
and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any sale, transfer or mortgage
of the pension, or arrears of pension therein authorised to be received by him.
Sworn and subscribed the day and
year last above mentioned,
before me,} William Cummins
Thos Foley Justice of peaceFor Whitley County

State of Kentucky, Whitley County.
Andw Craig CLERK of the Court of Peas and Quarter Sessions
in and for the county and state aforesaid, DO CERTIFY, that Thomas Foley
Esq. whose name appears to the within power of attorney, is not, and was at the time of
signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, and that his signature
appears to be in his own proper hand writing.
Given under my hand and [illegible]
being no seal
yet procured this 9th day of March A.D. 1833
Seal  Andw Craig Clk
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1928 - Jan 5. [illegible] to Elizabeth C. Crossan.
1928 - May 4. Elizabeth C. Crossan advise if parties
name is given etc [illegible]
1928 - May 23. Mrs. E.T. Crossan advised as to her
to obtain date of last pay etc [illegible]

39119
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 39,119
Zachariah Wells
Pri Rev War
Act: 18th March 18th
Index: - Vol. 3. Page 551
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Aus.
Jan. 5, 1928

5324 WAYNE AVE.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Aug 3. 27.

U.S. Dept of Interior
Bureau of Pensions,
Dear Sir: -
In establishing records for the
Colonial Dames I am desirous of learning
the parentage of "Zachariah Wells" who
fought in the Revolution with the
77 Va Cavalry. Also the name of his
wife if given the the record.
Tradition says Zachariah was a son of
Richard also of James.
If you do not have this information
will you please send me a copy of his
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5324 WAYNE AVE
PHILADELPHIA, PA.

services and if possible tell me where I
might find such information.
Gratefully
Elizabeth C. Crossan
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5324 WAYNE AVENUE
PHILADELPHIA, PA

June 22. 27.

Dept of Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I wish to ascertain if a "Zachariah
Wells" who served in the Revolution from
Virginia received a Pension. If so, I
would appreciate a copy of your record.
Also if a James Wells (Gen) is listed
in the records or a Richard Wells.
Zachariah is a maternal thrice great Grand
father and I am trying to link this man in the Wells family back to Gen. James
Wells of Baltimore M.D.
Thanking you.
I am gratefully
Elizabeth C. Crossan
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ECC

April 27. 28

Winefield Scott,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
In your letter of January 5th
you requested the dates and
places of birth of the James and
Richard Wells for record to be searched
I find a James Wells son of
James & Ann of Baltimore born
1716 also a Richard 1722
James W Jr. married Elizabeth
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Any suggestions as to how
where or who to consult
in solving this problem will
be greatly appreciated. What does
the U.S. Gov. have on such information
and where or how may
find it. I have tried genealogies
and have volumes on Wells but
only in Loudoun Co. Va have I found
Zacharia mentioned, until the land
patents in Sullivan 1781. Record
of his service in Col. Lee's cavalry
etc. but no mention of family!
Most gratefully
Mrs. E.T. Crossan
5324 Wayne Ave., Phila., Pa.
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Richard Sr. married first Nancy
Brown Second wife unknown.
I don't know where these men
enlisted but there is a James
Wells listed in Fredricktown
also a Richard in 1776.
There was a Richard Wells Sr.
who is said to be buried in
Chillicothe O. in the early 1800's
perhaps a James in Floyd Co. Ky.
My problem is to find the
parentage of a Zacharia Wells.
Sen record #39119. And then
Colonial Service for his father
or grandfather.
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5324 WAYNE AVENUE
PHILADELPHIA, PA.

May 22. 28.

U.S. Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:-
May I make one more inquiry, trusting
to find my information, concerning Zachariah
Wells - Pension #39119. When did
Zachariah Wells die?
Also, where could I find a record
of the grants given Revolutionary Army
Soldiers. The grant was given in Lee Co.
Va. and Sullivan Co. Tenn. or N.C.?
Sincerely
Mrs. E.T. Crossan
Page 27

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.

May 4, 1928

Mrs. E.T. Crossan
5324 Wayne Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.

Madam:

I advise you that the Revolutionary War records
of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard
to James Wells, who was born 1716 or to Richard 
Wells, who was born 1722.
In the Revolutionary War pension claim of Zachariah 
Wells (S. 39119), the names of his parents are not given.
This Bureau has no record of services rendered
prior to the War of the Revolution, and has no general
genealogical data on file.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 28

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.

May 23, 1928

Mrs. E.T. Crossan
5324 Wayne Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.

Madam:

I advise you that in order to obtain the date
of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, 
and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary
War pensioner, Zachariah Wells S. 39119, you should
apply to the Records Division, General Accounting
Office, Washington, D.C. citing all of the following
data.
Zachariah Wells, Certificate No. 19529, issued
December 8, 1825, rate $8.00 per month, commenced November
19, 1825, Act of March 18, 1818, East Tennessee
Agency.
For information relative to land that may have
been granted by the state from which the soldier served,
you should consult the archives of that state at the
Capitol.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT