Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31529, Henry Atkison, Va.
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Service
Va. 
Atkinson, Henry 
Number
S 31.529

CONTENTS
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Georgia 29.482
Henry Atkinson Williamson in the State of [Geo] 
who was a Pr : in the command
of Captain Williamson of the Rgt commanded 
by Col. Harrison in the [A]a
line for 2 years. 
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia 
at the rate of 80 Dollars [?] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2[?] day of July 1835
and [
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Henry Atkinson

Georgia.  31.711

Hon. J.M. Wayne

Wm Y Hansell  [stricken through]

Milledgeville [underlined]
Geo.

Privt
24 mo
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United States of America

State of Georgia.
By His Excellency  Wilson Lumpkin, Governor and
Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of this State, and of the Militia thereof: 

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
Know Ye, that Samuel Beall, Daniel M. Hall, Henry Chambers, Merritt Ethridge and Lewellen M. Robison are justices of the Inferior Court of the county of Wilkinson in said State and were in commission as such on the fifth day of May  last and that Robert Callier is one of the Justices of the Inferior Court in and for the county of Wilkinson in said State, and was in Commission as such in the twenty eighth day of May last, and they and each and every of them legally authorized to administer oath at the times, before mentioned

[ sideways on right side]
Two doll and [???]  cats[?]
J Haynes N [signature]
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State of Georgia       )
Wilkinson County     )  S.S.

On this the fifth day of May personally appeared before the Justices of the Inferior Court of the County of Wilkinson and State aforesaid, sitting as a Court of Ordinary, and being a Court of record.  Henry Atkison a resident of the said County of Wilkinson and State of Georgia aged Seventy three 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 provisions made by the Act of Congrefs, pafsed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States voluntarily in the month of October 1776 in the Company of Capt. Jefse Williamson of Sufsex Court House State of Virginia as a private [line stricken through] in the Militia of Virginia, that he marched from thence to old Surry Court House and from thence to Portsmouth Virginia under the Command of Captain Williamson and at Portsmouth joined Colonel Charles Harrison's Regiment or Brigade (he believes there were more than a Regiment Stationed at Portsmouth at the time including continental or regulars and militia) but recollects no officer there higher in rank than Colo. Harrison; He remained stationed at Portsmouth and performed duty there for nine months as a private Soldier and returned from thence to his home in Sufsex County having faithfully served out his term, but received no written discharge.--That in the month of February 1778 or 1779 (he believed in the latter year) he entered the service of the United States again voluntarily under the command of Captain Thomas Newsome and marched to old Surry Court House the place of rendezvous, and from thence to a place known at that day, as Babbs old field, as a private in the Militia of Virginia [line stricken through], that at Babb's Old field the Company of Captain Newsome joined the army under the command of General Mulenburg (or Lunenburg) that after three or four months he returned home on leave of absence, and rejoined Vaptain Newsome's Company at Babb's Old field and remained and performed duty in the army under
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the command of General Mulenburg (or Lunenburg) Baron Steuben and General Weeden until the expiration of his term [line stricken through] a period of at least nine months, and received no written discharge.

That in the year 1780 he volunteered his service as a private Soldier in Captain John Powell's Company and marched to Smithfield and joined Colonel Lawson's Regiment at Smithfield were stationed a large army and believes that Colonel Lawson commanded, and that Captain Powell's company was attached to the Regiment of Colonel Harry or Henry Gee [or Lee--words stricken out], that he faithfully served out his tour of three months for which term he had volunteered, but received no written discharge as he now recollects.  That a few weeks after his return home, and in the same year he again Volunteered his services as a private in Captain Wilson's Company and marched to Cabin Point and joined the army under command of General Mulenburg (or Lunenburg) whilst in this tour he was a part of his time attached to Captain Larry House's Company in the fourth Regiment of Virginia volunteer's commanded by Colonel Gaskings and Major Devall or Duvall/and faithfully served out the term of six months for which time he had volunteered and was honorbly discharged, though he recollects no written discharge, and does not believe that he ever received a written discharge.

That in the month of February 1781 he again Volunteered his services as a private under the command of Captain Larry House and marched again to Cabin Point and was attached to the fourth regiment of Virginia Volunteers under command of Colonel Gaskings and Major Devall (or Duvall) from Cabin Point he marched to Petersburg Virginia and there joined the army under the command of Baron Steuben General Mulenburg (or Lunenburg) and General Weeden and was in an engagement at or near Petersburgh in the Spring of 1781 with the British and Tories, in which he received a wound in the head, the enemy took and destroyed a great quantity of tobacco, provisions and other property, to the best of his recollection.  He remained a few days only in the Vicinity of Petersburgh, and the wound in his head being slight he marched with the army to a point about (as near as he can now recollect) twenty miles above Richmond on James River, where the army to which he belonged joined General LaFayette and the whole army under General LaFayette then moved down to Richmond and encamped a few days as near as he now rembers) about four miles below the City of Richmond, from whence the whole army marched to Williamsburg and were there joined by the main army under the command of General Washington and thence he with the whole army marched to the investment of Little York or York Town, and remained there until the surrender of the British army under Cornwallis, after which the most of the militia were disbanded and permitted to return to their homes, and this deponent among the number, he was honorably discharged by Captain House, but remembers no written discharge and does not believe that he received any, if he did, it had been lost or destroyed, from the best of his recollection ir was the latter end of October or early in November 1781 when he was discharged from service having faithfully served from the early part of the previous February. -- The said Henry Atkison further declares that he had no record of his age, and never had one, but was born in the State of Virginia in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty on the sixteen day of Seeptember of that year as he had been informed and verily believes that he was living in the County of Sufsex State of Virginia when he was called into service and that he continued to reside in that State until the year 1800 when he removed to Hancock County in the State of Georgia, that he resided in Hancock County about five years and then removed to the adjoining County of Washington and there resided about four years, and from thence he removed to the adjoining County of Wilkinson in said State where he now resides and has continued to reside ever since.
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Samuel Beall, Sampson Dixon, Wyatt Meredith William Wright are Citizens of the County of Wilkinson and know the said Henry Atkison and as far as ever they knew he bore and still bears a good character for truth and veracity, and in so far as they believe any thing upon tradition, they believe him to have been a revolutionary Soldier.  The said Henry Atkison hereby relinquishes every claim or [illegible] except the present, and he declared that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.  The said Henry Atkison further declared that he does not know of any surviving witnefs or person by whom he can establish the fact of his services as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  that he had no discharge in writing and if he ever had any it has been lost or destroyed, and that from old age and infirmity and consequent lofs of memory, and being an illiterate man, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of time of his services, but according to the best of his recollection and belief, he served not lefs than the periods herein before stated and at or about the different times as stated, and in every instance as a private soldier, and that for these services he claims to be entitled to a Pension under the provisions of the Act of Congrefs of June the 7th 1832.
Henry "X" his mark Atkison

Sworn to and subscribed   )
in open Court this 5th day )
of May 1834                       )
Jeremiah Beall CC

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant, Henry Atkison, was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
Sam Beall J.J.C.
Daniel M. Hall J.J.C.
Henry Chambers J.J.C.
Merrit Etheredge J.J.C.
Le M Robison J.J.C.

I Jeremiah Beall Clerk of the Court of Ordinary of the County of Wilkinson and State of Georgia do hereby Certify that the foregoing, four pages, contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of Henry Atkinsons application for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (having no seal of Office) this fifth day of May A.D. 1834.
Jeremiah Beall C.C.O. 

The said Court having propounded to the said Henry Atkison the interrogatories as prescribed by the War Department, he on his oath in open Court makes answer thereunto as follows:

To the first, he says that from information and belief, he was born in Virginia on the 16th of September 1760.

To the second he says that he knows of no record of his age.  He believes there was a record of his age in a Major Book which belonged to his father, but what became of it he does not know.  [line above this stricken out]

To the third, he says, he lived in Sussex County State of Virginia, that he continued to reside there after the War until the year 1800.  that in the year 1800 he removed to the State of Georgia, and had resided in Georgia ever since as stated more particularly in the body of his declaration, and that he now lives in the County of Wilkinson State of Georgia.

To the fourth, he says that the first time he entered the service in 1776 he went as a Volunteer [line following this stricken out].  the second time as a Volunteer [line following this stricken out] and in each subsequent town he
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he volunteered his services to defend the rights and liberties of the American People.  that in two tours not ennumerated in his declaration he went as a substitute once for Peter Randal and once for Jack Atkison

To the fifth, he says that he has stated in his declaration the general circumstances of his services and the names of Field and Company officers under whom he served.  he repeats again the names of Generals Washington, LaFayette, Steuben, Weeden and Mulenburg (or Lunenburg) he cannot distinctly recollect which, Colonels Harrison Gaskings & Lawson, Major Devall (or Duvall) and Captains Williamson, Newsome, Powell, Wilson and House.

To the sixth, he says that he never received any written discharge as he knows of and does not believe that he ever did, but if he ever received any it has been lost or destroyed.

To the 7th He gives the names of Samuel Beall, Sampson Dixon Wyatt Meredith, William Wright as refered to in the body of his declaration.
Henry "X" his mark Atkison

Sworn to in open court   )
5 day of May 1836.         )
Jeremiah Beall C.C.O.

We Jefse Peacock a Clergyman residing in the County of Wilkinson in the Vicinity of the said Henry Atkison, and Wiley Holland residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Atkison who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Jeff Peacock
Wiley Holland

Sworn to and subscribed in open    )
court 5th May 1834                         )

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 stated.  And the Court further Certifies that it appear to them that 
Sam Beall J.J.C.
Daniel M. Hall J.J.C.
Henry Chambers J.J.C.
Merrit Etheredge J.J.C.
Le M Robison J.J.C.

I Jeremiah Beall Clerk of the Court of Ordinary in and for the County of Wilkinson and State of Georgia, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains al the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Atkison for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (there being no seal of office) this fifth day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty four.
Jeremiah Beall CCO
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State of Georgia} We Daniel M. Hall, Samuel
Wilkinson County} Samuel Beall, Lewellen M. Robinson, Merritt Ethridge and Henry Chambers Justices of the Inferior Court of the County aforesaid, presiding as a Court of Ordinary, do hereby Certify that Jeremiah Beall who has signed the foregoing certificates as Clerk of the Court of Ordinary of said County, is Clerk of said Court, and duly and legally authorized to act and Certify as such, and that there is no seal attached to Said Office in said County, and that said Court of Ordinary is a Court of record.
Sam Beall J.I.C
Daniel M. Hall J.I.C.
Henry Chambers JIC
Merrit Ethridge J.I.C.
Le,, M,, Robinson, J.I.C.

Georgia Upson} Personally came before
County} me Joseph Mosby who states on oath that he now be Eighty nine years of age December twenty fifth Inst, and that he was born in the State of Virginia in the County of Goochland, and resided in said County until he was large enough for a place his Father then moved to Warren County in the state of North Carolina, & that he now knew Henry Atkison of Sussex County of Virginia & Knows that he did serve as a Soldier in the revolutionary War, but under what Capt. Colo. or General does not recollect, he recollects the forming commanding officer (viz) Capt. Williams Capt. Newsom, Capt. Dowells, Capt. Hand, Majr. Duvall, Colo. Charles Harrison, Colo. Richson, Colo. Merriweather, Colo. Lawson, Genl. Mulinburg & Genl. Luninburg. deponent states that he was in the battle & fought near Petersburg Virginia & thinks that said Atkison was in said battle and he saw him a little before & immediately after said battle was Fought. & thinks the battle was Fought in the Month of October but has no recollection what year; and that said Henry Atkison now lives in Wilkinson County in this State, and in [illegible], that said Atkison is now applying for a pension for his services, deponant believes that said Atkison did service in the revolutionary War, at least twelve Months or more
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Sworn to before me the
8th day of May 1834 ~
Joseph Mosby x his mark
Robert Collier J.I.C.
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Henry Atkison's
Explanations.
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The following is submitted as an explanation to the declaration of Henry Atkison of Wilkinson County Georgia, made on the 5th day of May 1834, heretofore forwarded to the Pension Office of the United States and returned on the 29th August last for further explanation.
1st He says, that in October 1776, he knew that his age was then registered in a prayer book, which book he obtained and showed to an Officer, and being then over sixteen, his name was enrolled with the Militia of the County, he being desirous to enter the service - He then volunteered as stated in his declaration, under Captain Williamson - When his tour of three months under Capt. Williamson expired, he immediately volunteered with others of his Company, under Captain Cumming as he believed and served under him for a term of three months, and then again volunteered under Captain Wilson as well as he now recollects, and served three months longer, making altogether the term of nine months, as set forth in his declaration during this period he was permitted to return home several times for clothing &c. but was all that time actually engaged in Military service, and not in any civil employment or pursuit whatever.
2ndly. As regards his services in 1778 - 9. of nine months, he tenders this explanation. That at the close of the first three months tour under Capt. Newsome, he took the place of a man by the name of Joel Atkinson for three months in Capt. Sill Bell's Company, but from some cause unknown to him at this time, Capt. Newsome took the command of Capt. Bells Company, either voluntarily or substituted for him, so that Capt. Newsome commanded a Company for two tours of three months each tour - The third
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tour of three months was in the Company of Captain Henry Jarratt; and in the place of a man by the name of Bonner, and as substitute for him - these three tours together make the period of nine months, as specified in the declaration - and during which period he weas not engaged in any other manner than that of Military duty.
3dly In explanation of his services in the year 1780, He says that after the tour which he served in his own place for three months under Capt. Powell, he substituted for Peter Randall in the Company of Capt. Wilson and served three months, and the next tour in succession was in his own term under the Command of Capt. House, the Virginia Militia being at that time classed, as he then understood; these two latter tours together make the period of six months, during all of which period he was engaged in no civil employment or pursuit whatever; but strictly attending to the discharge of his Military duties as a Soldier. He believes, but does not know, that the several officers under whom he served, held their respective appointments from competent authority, the Several Corps in which he Served he always believed were regularly embodied as militia, as they uniformly performed their regular duties as such - He knows of no living Witnesses by whom he expects to prove his services, further than heretofore proven.
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The foregoing explanations have been obtained from Mr. Atkison on a careful conversation with him, and by propounding various questions to him on the subject of his services - He is under the impression that its not unfrequently happened, that when militia, and particularly volunteers, were called out for three months only, that they some times served for a longer period, in consequence of not being relieved by other Troops at the expiration of the three months, but continued in service until the proper relief arrived.
The foregoing explanations can be verified to by Mr. Atkison, if it should be deemed necessary.
I am acquainted with Mr. H. Atkison and know him to be very infirm in body and that his recollection is greatly impaired by time and bodily infirmity and that he is a man of strict Veracity.
Wm. Y. Hunsell
10th Novr. 1834
State of Georgia} Personally appeared before me
Wilkinson County} Thomas Spence - a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Henry Atkison who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he has heard the foregoing explanations carefully read to him, and that he believes the facts therein stated To be true - Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 10th day of February 1835.
Henry Atkison x his mark {Seal}
Thomas Spence JP {Seal}
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Georgia} Clerk Office Inferior Court
Wilkinson County
[scratched out: I Jeremiah Beall Clerk of the Inferior Court of the County aforesaid do Certify, that Thomas Spence whose name appears to the within affidavit is a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County of Wilkinson and authorised by law to administer Oaths, and that his Signature to said Affidavit is genuine and in due form. Given under my hand and private seal (having no Official Seal) This 11th day of February 1835.]
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To
Genl. John Coffee
House of Representatives
Washington City.
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Milledgeville 13th. February 1835.
Genl John Coffee.
Dear Sir.
Covered by your frank I received a few days since, the Explanations of Mr. Henry Atkison who is an Applicant for a Pension for Revolutionary Services, for the purpose of obtaining his attestation thereto - This I procured, but in consequence of the absence of Mr Beall the Clerk of the Court, I could not procure his Certificate - In the absence of that I have had a testimonial annexed from the Secretary of State's Office, showing that Thomas Spence is a Justice of the Peace for Wilkinson County.
I find Mr Atkison extremely poor and needy, and himself & old wife utterly unable to support themselves, by labor, I do hope that his Pension will be granted him, so as to make his for declining years to some extent more Comfortable - I have every Confidence in your kind intentions and exertions in his behalf - You Know his Son Littleton Atkison, over in affluent circumstances, but now reduced to poverty, so that he
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can no longer aid the old man in his declining years - I have no other interest myself than that dictated by friendship for his Son, and a charitable feeling for the old soldier.
Please lay the Explanations before the Pension Department.
Yours most respectfully
Wm. Y. Hansell
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31529
Revy INVALID.

File No. 21,529
Henry Atkison
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"
Index-Vol. 2, Page 13
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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image of seal with ribbons
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image of seal with ribbons
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Henry Atkinson
Ga

Admit as private
2 yr $80

Hon
Jno Coffee
Ho Rep
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War Department
Inferior Court
August 29 - 1824.

Sir:
I have examined the claim of Henry Atkinson and herewith return the Same; that Some further Explanation of his tours of Six and nine months, may be made to this Department. Three months only being the regular Militia tours in Virginia, an allegation for a longer period requires Explanation. He will state distinctly whether he was during the whole time thus claimed in Actual Service from home in a regular embodied Corps, called into Service by Competent Authority, and minutely detail all facts within his recollection respecting his Services. In all such cases as this we require the most direct testimony of credible witnesses; without which a Pension cannot be allowed.
I am Respectfully
Your Ob St,
J L. Edwards

William Y. Harsell Esq.
Milledgeville Ga:
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Hon J. Coffee
HR
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Ent.d
Wm. W: Carnes
Compr. Genl.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
STATE OF GEORGIA.
By His Excellency Wilson Lumpkin
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of this State, and of the Militia thereof;
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
Know Ye, That Thomas Spence whose attestation appears to the annexed Certificate, is and was at the signing of the Same a Justice of the Peace in the County of Wilkinson -

Wilson Lumpkin
Recd. Two dollars and fifty cents.
T. Haynes W.

THEREFORE, all due faith, credit and authority are, and ought to be had and given to his attestation as such.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Great Seal of this State to be put and affixed.
DONE at the State-House, in Milledgeville, this thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty five and of the Independence of the United States of America the fifty ninth
BY THE GOVERNOR:
W. A. Turville
Secretary of State.

Recd 25/100 dollar
R. A. Greene
S. E. D.
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Feb 4 
Geo.

Hon J. Coffee

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Pension Office
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House Representatives
Febry 20th - 1835.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
The enclosed papers have just been received. will you give them your early & kind attention?
respectfully yours
Matt Lent.
Jno Coffee.