Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4029, James Gillilan, Va.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
VA
Gilliam, James 

NUMBER
R.4029

CONTENTS
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James Gilliam
29.295
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State of Virginia
Greenbrier County 
on the 17th day of December 1833 personally
appeared before me George R Gillilan a Justice of the peace in and for said County and State aforesaid James Gillilan a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged 85 years who being first Duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benifit [sic] of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 That he was among the first settlers of Western Virginia that he came and to the county of Botatourt [Botetourt] now Greenbrier so early as the year 1769 and endure all the hardships of the commencement of the revolutionary war he had acquired such a knowledge of the 
County that he was compeled [sic] to remain at Renick Fort to aid in guarding the frontier settlements and in the year 1777, he was
chosen as Sergent [sic[ under Cpt. Hamilton but principally to call Indian Spys [sic] that during this season he was frequently
called out along the Greenbrier river to watch the Indian paths but that the inhabitants along Greenbrier Settlements was much followed that year but in the year 1778 so early at in May while he was stationed in Renick Fort he received intelligence that upwards of three hundred Indians was on their way to Greenbrier settlement and as Donleys [Donnally's] Fort on their South he was requested to rejoin to the defence [sic] there and that he immediately marched to the Fort but before he reached it the Indians had attacked it and with the timely aid of the arrival of Col Lewis and Capt Stewart from a fort where Lewisburg
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now stands with about 60 men the Indians was repulsed without doing much damage to the Fort he arrived at the Fort soon after and there had been three men killed Pritchet [Prichart] Ocheltree and Burnes before the action commenced and that only one was killed in the fort James Graham and he was killed by a ball passing
through the porthole and [illegible] and struck him sixteen or seventeen Indians lay die in the yard Col. Lewis with a party of men pursued them but he found they had parted and
dispersed in every direction he then with others went out in scouting parties to watch the path fearing they would back about
the frontier settlement and the repeated irruptions [sic] of the Indians and the frequent  murders and the great devastation commited [sic]  by them on the Greenbrier inhabitants during the Springs and summers of 1778.79.80.81 and 82 rendered it indispensibly necssery [necessary] that a continual watch should be kept out he witnessed a party of about twenty Indians Who ranged about the border settlement frequently dividing and lurking in small parties at one time
they were to be found on Mudy [sic] and Peters Creek killing the inhabitents [sic] at other times in the neighborhood of
the littlelands  whose fell to their prey at different periods Henry Baker McKheever Prior Smith Drimmers and famileys [sic] and in the summer 1782 he was elected Ensign in Capt Renicks Company in which capacity he acted three months in that year altho [although] owing to same cause his commution [commutation?] did not issue untill the
Spring after that early in the spring 1783 he and
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others was called to range along the frontier country to watch they paths oft traveled by the Indians and that when not spying he was stationed to guard Renick Fort in they capacity of Ensign he continued to spy and guard
they font [fought?] from they first of April until the first of Sept a period of five months he during all the revolutionary war witnessed they murder and bloodshed of the inhabitents [sic][sic]of Western Virginia and in all these suffering seems he was one of the actors He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 only on that of the agency in they State of Virginia
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
James Gillilan
And I George R Gillian a Justice of the peace do hereby declare my opinion that the above named applicant was an Indian Spy and served as he states
G. R. Gillen JP [Justice of the Peace]
we A Campbell a Clergyman residing in the County of Greenbrier and R B Wallace residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Gillilan who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 85 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been an
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an Indian spy of the Revolutionary and these we concur in their opinion
Archd [Archibald] Campbell
Robert B Wallace
I George R Gillilan a Justice of the peace do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting
the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was an Indian Spy and served as he states and he further certifys [sic] that it appears that Archd [Archibald] Campbell has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergymen and a resident and that R B Wallace who has also signed the same is a resident in the County and State aforesaid and is a credible person
and that their statement is entitled to credit
George R Gillan J P [Justice of the Peace]

Indian spy from 1777
untill until 1783
5 Month in each year
Total 2 years 11 months

I
ent from the spring
1777 untill the summer
32. Total 2 years 1 month
from the year Summer of
Total
Rank of claiment
sargent from the spring
of 1777 untill the summer
of 1782- Total 2 years 1 month

Ensign from the summer of 1782 until Sept 1783 - 9 month
3 months of which time he acted before
his commutation issued
Total sergent & Ensign 2 yrs 10 m[onths]

Interrogatories answered
1st Augustine [Augusta?] County Virginia in the year 1748
2nd I have my name recorded in a Bible
3rd I lived in Botetourt  Now Greenbrier County Va where I have lived ever since and do yet live
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4th I volunteered
5 Col Donley untill the summer of 1780 or so then Col Lewis
6  my commission was signed by Benj Harrison
and is here in my possession

State of Virginia
Greenbrier County
Sc
This 18th day of December 1833 personly [sic]
appeared before me George R Gillilan a Justice of the peace for sd [said] County John Patton age 86 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath State that he is and was well acquainted with James
Gilliland that he knew him [illegible] to the Revolutionary War -- and knew him dureing [sic] the Revolutionary War to be spying and guarding the Fort for many years and is yet
recognized as an old Indian soldier
Given under my hand this day and year above
written
George R. Gillilan JP [Justice of the Peace]

and I George H Gilliam do hereby certify that
 I am well acquainted with John Patton and believe him to be 86 years of age and that he is a creditable person and that his statement is entitled to credit and I do further certify that to my knowledge James Gilliland who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration is owing to age and infirmities not able to attend court
Given under my hand this day and year aforesaid
George R. Gillilan
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Virginia
Greenbrier County To wit
I John Mathews Clerk of the Court of Greenbrier County do hereby certify that George R. Gallilan is a Magistrate (as stated in the within declaration & affidavits) duly commissioned & qualified as Such and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office & Subscribed my name this 19th day of December 1833 in the 58th year of the Comwlk [Commonwealth]
John Mathews E CGC [Clerk Greenbrier County]


James Gillilan
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James Gillilan
Act 1832
Va
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State of Missouri
County of Lafayette
Be it Known that on this Thirteenth day of September A. D. 1853, before me, the
undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared George, R. Gillilan resident of near Renick Hill P. O. in said County, and made oath according to in that he is the Son and legal heir of James Gillilan who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of
the Pension Act of 4 that he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney, heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT, of
Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney,  to prosecute the claim of James Gillilan for
any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby  authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under for for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present.  Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
G. R. Gillilan

Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said
George R. Gillilan is directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Henry C. Wallace
Justice of the Peace

State of Missouri
County of Lafayette
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Lafayette County that George R Gillilan the party who has sworn to, and
acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the child of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify that Henry C. Wallace Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his I believe to be genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this thirteenth - day of September 1853
Edward Stratton Clerk

1. Claimant's name or names in full. 2. Post Office address. 3. "that he is the identical man," or "that she is the widow of the identical man" "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c. kc. 4. Leave this line blank. 5. "He is," "she is," "they are." 6.  Revolutionary soldier's full name. 7. Claimant's signature. S. 8. Claimant's name 9. Magistrate's signature,
10. "Identical,"  "widow of," or child of." -- 11. Magistrate's name --12. Clerk's signature,
N. B. -- Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be submitted for a singular number.
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March 26, 1936
James Gillilan-R.4029
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. D. J. Dumser
316 S. State Street
Elgin, Illinois

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of James Gillilan, born March 16, 1749 in Augusta County, Virginia, and died there February 14, 1844.
The data which follow were obtained from the
papers on file in pension claim, R. 4029, based upon the service of James Gillilan in the Revolutionary War.
James Gillilan was born in the year 1748 in
Augusta County, Virginia, or March 16, 1749 in said county; he made both statements. The names of his parents were not given.
He came in 1769 to Botetourt County, that part which was later Greenbrier County, Virginia.
He applied for pension December 17, 1833, then living in Greenbrier County, Virginia. He stated that he, with his family, was stationed at Renick's Fort, during the summers of 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781 and 1782, that a part of the time he was sergeant under Captains Hamilton and Renick, who were also stationed in the fort. He was commissioned April 15
1783, Ensign of the Greenbrier County, Virginia Militia.
The claim was not allowed as proof of six months' service in an embodied military corps was not furnished.
George R. Gillilan was Justice of the Peace in
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1833 for Greenbrier County, Virginia, and George R. Gillilan of Lafayette County, Missouri in 1853, stated that he was son and legal heir of the soldier, James Gillilan. The date of death of James Gillilan is not given, nor is the name of his wife shown. 
Very truly yours
G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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[handwritten] 1936-March 26 list to Mrs. D. J. Dumser [illegible]

[crossed out] Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873 [end crossed out type]

[handwritten] 4029. 
P.O. [handwritten] James Gillelan
Service:
[stamped] REJECTED
Enlisted: ____, 18
Discharged: ____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18

[crossed out]Alleges: 
[handwritten] The pr__ted list of 1832 gives cause of rejection
[crossed out] Re-enlisted: [handwritten] as; "A frontiers-man, not drafted, enlisted, officered or paid.

Attorney 
P.O.
___Recognized. ___Contra (word is cut off)
___ Cert. of Dis. 
Searched for _____, 18
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The Commonwealth of VIRGINIA
To [handwritten] James Gillelan Egn (Ensign) 
greetings. Know you that from the special trust and confidence Wich is reposed in your fidelity, courage, activity, and good conduct, our GOVERNOR, with the advice of the Council of State, and on the recommendation of the worshipful Court of the county of [handwritten] Greenbrier [end handwritten] doth appoint you the said [handwritten] James Gillelan Ensign [end handwritten] in the militia of the said county of [handwritten] Greenbrier. [end handwritten] IN testimony whereof, these our letters are made patent. WITNESS, [handwritten] Benjamin Harrison [end handwritten]  Esquire, our said Governor, at [handwritten] Richmond this 13th day of April 1783 [end handwritten] 
Registered in the WAR OFFICE, 
[signature] William Davies
[signature] Ben Harrison
[illegible stamp at bottom-center of page]
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James Gillelan
Virginia
-Rejected-
See Mr. Singleton's re_esh
Enclosed - 
Lih 16 [illegible]; 35 Co. Clerk
 4029
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D W Sleeth
S [illegible] Va.
Claims of 
Jn^o (John) Patton
Jn^o (John) McFerren
Ja^s (James) Gilliland &
David Williams [illegible]
[illegible] Indian spys
in [illegible] Va. 
submittd __ the special examination of the 
Commission of Pes.^p
[illegible] 3 1884
D. W Sleeth
S [illegible] Va.
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Lewisburg Va
14th February 1834
Sir
The declaration of Joseph McMillion is herewith returned without an alteration - the six weeks in his declaration and referred to in yours of the 29th [ ? ] you will perceive is only explaining where and how he was employed in his first three months tower
The two towers of three months each is all that he claims which claim you state to be correct
The declaration of David Williams in returned made out anew
The declaration of John Dalton and John Mcferren is also returned with an appendix attached - in which they have endeavored
to bring their claims within the rules of War Dept. if they have not I shall consider that it is for the want of knowledge on my part not being fully able to represent their case as they
merit I am fully persuaded if any of the old Indian soldiers or spies in the Government is entitled to a pension it is them they are all men of respectability and no doubt have served as they have stated in the most perilous kind of Warfare for [ ? ] and veracity on my part if a statement for an individual would give west to their claims for Information on that subject I would refer you to the Honorable John J Allen
a representative in Congress who has long been acquainted with me
Yours Respectfully-
David W Seth
J. L. Edwards Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington City
DC
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[faint illegible writing on left margin]

James Gillelan, - applic 
Greenbrier County - 
Not Enlisted - 
[faintly] Reject
Extend [illegible]
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James Gillelan. Applicant
I the undersigned James Gillelan, being called on by W.G. Singleton for a statement of my services in the war of the Revolution & age ___ the ___ to ___ - I shall be 86 years old the 16th of March next- was __ in ___ county Virginia and lived where I was __ during the war of the Revolution - the ^and which I was 

incomplete transcription
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[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]  but was not commissioned Jany 24. 1836

[illegible] [illegible] R. Woods

James Gillilan

A Copy W. [illegible]

Note - the Declaration in this can, was written by [illegible] Gillilan the letter, the son of the applicant - I thought it prudent therefore to ask him no questions tracking the manner & in which his declarations was [illegible]

W. [illegible signature]
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War Department
Pension Office
January 29. 1833-
Sir: 
The declaration of James Gillilan has been examined and is herewith returned.
The applicant must distinctly set forth the number of tours and their duration which he performed- the period when and the place where the service was performed; the officer under which he served in each tour, and by which authority he was called out 
@ his services under his commission of Ensign will be also distinctly Stated. 
Simply holding a Commission in the Militia, or having performed- from time to time irregular service will not entitle him to a pension - but he must shew that he was legally called out and bound to serve for a given period, and state the nature of the service. 
As nothing is said upon his commission to shew that he was to take rank [illegible] to its date - no allowance can be made for services under it previous to that time = 
I am Respectfully 
Your [illegible] Servant. - J L Edwards 
D. W. Sleeth Esq - 
Lewisburg
Va
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Lewisburg Va- 14th February 1834
Sir
The declaration of Capt. James Gillilan is herewith returned with an addition next in which you will see that he served
in Garrison with an embodied corps
That he served and ranked as he states will not be doubted by any who knows him his credibility for veracity is surpassed by but few he is frequently spoken of in the neighborhood where he resides as having been a very active and brave Indian Warrier
and am Respectfully
yours
David W Sleeth
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City
DC
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State of Virginia
Greenbrier County
On this 12th day of February 1834 personally appeared before me George R Gillilan a Justice of the peace in and for said County James Gillilan of said County aged 85 years and after being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath state-- in addition to the foregoing Declaration which this is an appendix
that he entered the service as an Indian spy in the County of Botetourt now Greenbrier in Western Virginia about the first of May 1777 under the command of Capt. Hamilton that the nature of his services their duration and by what authority he was called out was as followeth 
That owing to the depredations committed by the Indians on the Frontier inhabitants of Western Virginia during Revolutionary War government ordered or permitted a regular embodied Corps to be stationed in Garrison along the new settlements for their defense against the Indians that the Governer was also furnished with Ammunition from Government that he volunteered under Capt. Hamilton about the first of May 1777 to serve until the first of October which time was usual for the Indians to leave the country
That he received the appointment of Orderly Sargent when first entered the service. That he was stationed in Renick Jameson at the forks of Spring Creek a branch of Greenbrier River then in Botetourt County Now Greenbrier that he regularly entered the service as an Indian spy and served from the first of April until the first of October during the revolutionary war that is to say
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five months in each year 1777- 75- 79 - 80 - 81 82 & 83
the nature of his servises, and the perticular events is briefly detailed in the accompanying (former) declaration
the place where the officers under whom he served and his Grade is as followeth
that he rendered all his services in Renicks Garrison or in spying the countany
up and down the Greenbrier River
that he acted in the capacity of orderly Sargent from the commencement of his service untill about the first of June 1782 under the command of Capt Hamilton whose company was devided a part stationed in McClanahans Garrison on Colvesons Creek a distance of five or six miles from Renicks Garrison where him self and a ballance of the company was stationed that in this capacity he was engaged in keeping regular roles
occationally detailing certain men to go on spying parties &
that in the ^ spring or summer of 1782 there was a call for a certain
number of men to be drafted out of the several companies then
in Garrison along the Greenbrier and New Rivers to go a six months
tower against the Indians down the Big Kannahowa or to the State of Kentucky - when Capt Hamilton was promoted to Mager and
William Renick appointed Captain to succede him and himself
chosen Ensign under Capt Renicks in which capacity while
in Garrison that summer he took rank of which he has no
documentary evidence therefore do not now claim the rank
That he took rank as ensign soon as he went to Garrison in
the spring of 1783 which was the first of Mary and served in that
capasity until the first of October
that he served from the first of May until the first of October either in Garrison (or on spying parties) with embodied Corps five months in each year above named - during which time he followed no civil persuit 
that he can further support his declaration by
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the evidence of Joseph McClinlich and Henry Hederick both of this County who served with him
sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
James Gillilan

George R. Gillilan J.r.

State of Virginia
Greenbrier County
on this 12th day of February 1834 personaly appeared before me George R Gillilan Justice of the Peace in and for said County
Joseph McClintick after being duly sworn
according to Law

doth on his Oath state that he was well acquainted with Captain James Gillilan
who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing
declaration that he knew him anterior to the Revolutionary War and that he well recollect that he was stationed in Renick [illegible] every summer during the war.
What he recalled of him acting as seargent having the care of the Amunition & intrusted to him in the absence of the Captain - that he recollects of him at one time preparing the role
when a certain number was to be drafed to go against the Indians that he drew under him
that he has ever since the Revolutonary war lived a neighbour to him
That he was ever considered as a brave Indian Warrior and is yet frequently spoken of in the neighbourhood, as having been such
Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid
George R Gillen J.P.
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And I George R Gilliam a Justice of the peace do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph McClintis and believe him to be 82
years of age and that he is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit
George R Gillen J.P. [signature]
Virginia
Greenbrier County Insel
I John Mathews Clerk of the Court of Greenbrier
County do hereby certify that George R Gilliton is a Magistrate as above stated and that the signatures purporting to be his are Genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the Seal of my office and
Subscribed my name this 14th day
of February 1834 and in the 58
Year of the Commonwealth
John Mathews CSC
-
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[stamped with a round stamp received 3 mar 23 1938 mail sub-div. vet adm. reader 29]
[mail stamp mark elgin ill mar 20 1936]

[marking in a frame "This side of card is for address"]

Court of Pensions
Rev War. Division
Washington D.C.
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316 S. State St
Elgin Ill
March 20 - 36

Dear Sir:
I wrot to you three weeks ago regarding the pension of Rev War service of James Gillidon born 1749 a. 1844 - wife Lydia Armstrong - have you a record of this matter & [illegible] reply will oblige
yours truly

Mrs. D.J. Dumser
Page 29

3/6 
36 S. State St
Elgin Ill
March 4th 1936

Commissioner of Pensions
War Dept. Revolutionary Div.
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:

Will you kindly inform me if James Gillilan of Virginia was a pensioner of the revolutionary war or saw service therein? He was born March 16 1749 in Augusta Co. Va. and died there July 14. 1844. His first wife was Lidea Armstrong 2nd wife Mrs. Jane Edminton - any information regarding this matter will be appreciated
Yours truly
Mrs. D.J. Dumser

[stamped with a round stamp, arrow pointing at 3 received mar 6 1936 mail sub-div. vets. adm. reader 24]