Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,599, Robert Williams, D. Fayette Co, Ala. Oct 4,1845
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Williams, Robert
Margaret
d. Fayette Co. Ala. Oct. 4, 1845.
NUMBER
R. 11,599
CONTENTS
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Revolutionary Claim
Widow of Robert Williams
pensioner
Alabama or Mississippi
Filed 21 Apl 1833
F. E. Hassler
Washington

Mayo
1853
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The State of Mississippi
Chickasaw County
This 9 day of February 1852 personally appeared before me Joab Kee an acting justice of the Peace in & for sd. County, Margaret Williams, who made oath, that she is the widow of the identical Robert Williams a revolutionary pensioner, who resided at the time of his death in Fayette County, Alabama; that she was legally married to sd. Robert in the year 1805, and lived with him as his wife to the day of his death; that she is now 71 years of age, and has remained a widow since the death of her sd. husband.
Sworn too and subscribed before me
Margaret Williams her mark X
Joab Kee Justice of the peace

The State of Mississippi
Chickasaw County
I, A. E. S. Dumas Clerk of the Probate Court of sd. County do hereby certify that the above named Joab Kee, is and was at the time of making the annexed affidavits, an acting Justice of the Peace in & for sd. County & State
Given under at my hand & official seal, at office, this 10th day of March 1852.
A.E.S. Dumas clerk
By A.H. Foster D.C.
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The State of Mississippi
Chickasaw County
This 9 day of February 1852 personally appeared before me, Joab Kee, an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County, Jane Pate, who made oath, that Margaret Williams lived with Robert Williams the identical individual who drew a pension in his life time as a revolutionary soldier, from the government of the United States, for many years, as his wife, and that the sd. Robert acknowledged her as such, and it was so understood & believed by the community in which they lived, that she believes they were man and wife. Affiant farther states that the sd. Margaret has remained a widow since the death of her sd. husband Robert. And further states that sed Robert drew pension in Itiwamby [Itawamba] Cty at Fulton for three years. Sworn to and subscribed before me
Jane Pate her mark X
Joab Kee Justice of the peace
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NEW PENSION LAWS.
FORM OF WIDOW'S DECLARATION. No. 1
STATE OF Mississippi
COUNTY OF Chickasaw ss.
Margaret Williams of the County of Calhoun, State of Mississippi makes oath and says that she is the widow of Robert Williams deceased, who was a pensioner of the Revolutionary war and received his pension until about the year 1843 that the said Robert Williams died at Fayette County, Alabama on or about the 4th day of October A.D. 1845
She further states that she was married to the said Robert Williams in South Carolina about the 20th day of December & about the year eighteen hundred by one McFaden a Justice of the Peace and that her name before her said marriage was Margaret Simms and that there are fourteen children of the said Robert Williams now living, whose names are as follows: Jesse Horton, Leml., Thomas, Isaac, Miram, Jack Williams, Rhoda Murphy, William A, Joseph, Benjamen, Robert, Jane Pate, Peggy Jackson, Rebecca Cook, only surviving children of the said Robert Williams deceased, and that her husband received his pension for 3 years in Itawamba County, State of Mississippi, prior to his death, which was paid at Jackson Mississippi by the United States Pension agent.
Margaret Williams her mark X {SEAL.}

Subscribed, acknowledged, and sworn to and before me, this 19th day of August 1853 and I further certify I am not interested in this claim.
Jacob Ault Judge of Probate of County & State aforesaid
It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me the undersigned, Judge of the Probate Court Court, in and for the County and State aforesaid, by the affidavit of James Sims of the County of Morgan & State of Missouri whose personal identity has been proven by satisfactory evidence and who is entitled to credit, that Mrs. Margaret Williams is the Widow of the late Robert Williams who was a Sodier in the United States service, Revolutionary War and that the said Mrs. Margaret Williams is now, and was on the 3d February, 1853, the widow of Robert Williams to the best of his knowledge and belief. Said Witness James Sims was present and saw Robt Williams and Margaret Sims united in the holy bonds of marriage in Chester District, S.C.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 12th day of April 1854, J. L. Flaniken Parker Judge of Probate {seal}
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STATE OF Mississippi
COUNTY OF Chickasaw to wit:
I hereby certify, that the Hon. Jacob Ault and J L Flanekin before whom the annexed affidavits were made, and who have thereunto subscribed their names at the time of so doing, were Judges of the Probate Court of the State of Mississippi in and for the said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that their signatures are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Probate Court, this 13th day of April in the year 1854
W. C. Buchanan Clerk.

[sideways]
Claims of Margaret Williams
FOR A PENSION
ACT OF FEBRUARY 3, 1853.
War of Revolution
Baldwin & Thomson
Attys for applicate
Houston, Miss

NOTES.
1. Which must be made before a judge of a court of record in open court, unless applicant is from bodily health unable to appear; it then can be made before the judge, who will certify to the fact of the disability to appear.
2. Must here state, whether a revolutionary soldier, or officer, or pensioner, naming the State where the pension was paid; or if the husband served and died in the service during any war since 1790 - naming them thus: Wayne's, or Indian wars prior to 1800; War with Great Britain, 1812; Seminole War, 1817 and 1818; Black Hawk War, 1832; Florida War, 1835 to 1842; Cherokee and Creek Disturbances, 1836, &c.; Mexican War, 1846 to 1848; and giving the name of the Captain, Company, Regiment, and Colonel; and whether milia, volunteers, or regular army; and place of muster, discharge, or death.
3. Deceased person's name and residence. 4. The Place. 5. The date of death 6. Husband's name, or father's name.
7. Name of the minister, or justice of the peace; and if married in any State or county where any public records of marriages are kept, the marriage should be proved by a duly certified copy of the record, or by the testimony of credible witnesses who were present at the marriage; and where such testimony exists, and is not produced, satisfactory reasons must be stated, under oath, why it is not produced; and, in all cases where record evidence of the testimony of witnesses who were present at the marriage could be procured and is not, the claim will be rejected, unless other testimony of a very full and satisfactory character is produced. If it is shown by affidavit that no evidence or testimony of eye-witnesses can be procured, the claimant may then produce the best other evidence in her power, such as the testimony of witnesses, who were acquainted with her and her husband during his lifetime, knew them to live together as man and wife, and that they were reputed so to be, and that the fact of their having been married was never called in question by their acquaintances.
In no case, however, will the mere statement of the witnesses, that the claimant is the widow of the deceased, be taken as evidence of the marriage; but the witnesses must state the facts and circumstances from which they derive their knowledge or opinion that she is the widow of the deceased.
A certificate from the clergyman or magistrate who solemnized the marriage is not competent evidence, unless the genuineness of the certificate be proved, and the person who gave it be shown to have been authorized to solemnize marriages.
9. This blank is left, for the purpose of the applicant's stating whether any bounty land or pension has at any time been received by any one; if so, by whom, and when.
10. Naming the war.
All records or copy of records must be attached to the original declaration by a tape, the ends of which must pass under the seal of the court, in order to prevent the improper addition of any evidence after the papers have been duly executed and certified to by the judge and clerk. 
If the widow was re-married, all the facts of marriage and death of second husband must be proven. 
A probate court is the most convenient court in which to make these proofs. 
The law (2d February, 1853) grant pensions to the widows of revolutionary soldiers, without reference to date of marriage who served six months and over.
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August 14, 1930
R.11599
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
EEL: CW

Rev. W.S. Williams
Tate Georgia

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of August 4, 1930, which was addressed to the Secretary of the Interior. 
This bureau has no record of appointments of land commissioners in the Mississippi Territory in 1803.
Your letter has been transmitted to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, who is the custodian of such records.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau show that one Robert Williams married December 20, 1800 (about) or 1805, in Chester District, South Carolina, Margaret Simms or Sims.
He died October 4, 1845, in Fayette County, Alabama, He had formerly lived in Itawamba County, Mississippi.
On February 9, 1852, his widow, Margaret Williams, aged seventy-one years, applied for pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War. She made the application in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. Her claim was not allowed as she furnished no proof of service in the Revolution.
In 1853, she was a resident of Calhoun County, Mississippi. The name of one James Sims appears as of Morgan County, Missouri, in 1854, no relationship to said Margaret was stated.
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Children of Robert Williams;
Jesse Horton, Lemuel, Thomas, Isaac, Hiram, Jack, Rhoda Murphy, William A., Joseph Benjamin, Robert, Jane Pate, Peggy Jackson, Gibson, Rebecca Cook. Dates of their birth are not given.
However, there is nothing in the papers on file to determine that the above named soldier is identical with the Robert Williams who was appointed Land Commissioner, as stated by you.

Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

[side margin]
I did not say children of Robt & Margaret Williams because she does not state that they were her children
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Have made a thorough search and can find no Robert Williams, pensioner, answering to widow's description. A letter dated May 2, 1854 to Messrs. Baldwin & Thomson, Houston, Miss, also states that no person by the name of Robert Williams appears from the books of this office to have been a pensioner either in South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, or Missouri. The correspondence gives no facts as to service. A.C.M. Nov. 23, 1911
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[first column]
1930 - Aug 13 - Hist to Rev. W. R. Williams - EEL

[second column]
11,099
P.O.
Margaret Williams
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
REJECTED
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
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11,600
P.O.
Margt. Williams
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
REJECTED
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No 2418
Mrs Margaret Williams
widow of Robert
let Gray
11599
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[stamp] HOUSTON Miss. APR 17
[stamp] FREE

Commissioner Pensions
Washington D.C.

[sideways]
Miss
Margaret Williams
wid Robert
I find no papers of Robert William in Mo, Miss, Ala, and S.C.
Apl 26/54
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No 4,634
Margaret Williams
wid. of Robert.
11600
Act /53
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April 23 1853
Appl. of Margaret Williams widow of Robert.
Miss
---
Act 3d Feby 1853
not on Miss or Ala
not for the Agency at which he was paid and the act
Rev.

F. E. Hassler
Present

[sideways]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Pension Office, Official Business
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2
Pension Office
May 2d 1854
Gentlemen,
The claim of Mrs. Margaret Williams for a pension as the widow of a Robert has been received, examined & suspended.
No person by the name of Robert Williams, appears from the books of this office, to have been a pensioner either in So. Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi or Missouri. It will be necessary for the applicant to prove that her husband was a pensioner, under what act pensioned, upon what roll his name was inscribed & at what agency he was paid.
The Claimant must also prove her marriage 1st by record evidence if any such exists, if there
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be no such evidence that fact she should aver in an affidavit, when secondary evidence will be admitted. She must also prove, that she is the widow of the identical Robert Williams under whom she claims.
It is necessary that the affidavits of witnesses be properly verified & filed with her case, instead of the opinion of the Court based thereon. All Witnesses should be certified to be credible.
Tham lc:les

May 2/54

Messrs. Baldwin & Thomson
Houston, Miss:
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Houston Chickasaw County Miss
April 14th 1854
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
Inform us when action is had on the enclosed application for a pension by Mrs. Williams, and if the proof is not sufficient according to the strict letter of Law, advise us of that fact and we can multiply any amount to prove that she is the widow of the said Robt Williams P.
If a pension is granted Mrs. W. as we doubt not it will be with us the amount and where she will draw it. So that we may secure it for her very early as she is in great need thereof. 
Given Respectfully
Baldwin & Thomson
Houston Miss
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F E Hassler
Sept 10/53
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73
Pension Office
September 10/53
Sir
Before the claim of Mrs Margaret Williams who applies for a pension under the act of Feb 3rd 1853 on account of the military services of Robert Williams, can be determined: the agency at which the said William received his first payment as a pensioner, as well as the act under which he was pensioned must be given
Respectfully &c

F. E. Hassler Esqr
Present.