Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11809, William Wood, N.C. Va.
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N. C.
Va. 
Wood, William
R.11809
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State of Tennessee, Sumner County SS
     On this the seventh day of September 1846 personally appeared William Wood in open Court before the Court of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee now sitting; the said William Wood a resident of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee aged 83 years and six months who being first 
duly Sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 & other acts that the facts as his case may meet. That he was drafted into the Service of the United States of America in the month of August 1780, in the County of Amherst and State of Virginia; and the Company of Captain James Grissum 
alias Griscomb, under his said Captain he marched from his said County of Amherst and State of Virginia to the County of Union or Spartanburg South Carolina where he with the said Captain & Company joined the Army under the Command of General Morgan and was put in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Gains in the line of the State of Virginia – that he continued in the said 
Service in said Corps and was in the battle of the Cowpens fought on the 17th day of January 1781 by Morgan and Tarlton & continued in the same until the expiration of the six months for which he was drafted, when he immediately enlisted in the same Company and under the same Captain for and during the Continuance of the War. 
     Declarant the said William Wood further states that he continued to Serve in the said Corps and was in the battle of Guilford fought on the 15th day of March 1781, that he continued in the said Service as aforesaid, and marched through Carolina into Virginia to Yorktown and was in the Siege of York 
town and at the Surrender of Cornwallis to Washington on the 19th day of October 1781 – that he remained at Yorktown to Guard the Prisoners until discharged in the Spring of 1782; the exact date of which discharge and by whom Signed, he does not now recollect; having lost it by in the accidental burning of his house and furniture about 50 years since in the State of South Carolina, that he is 
altogether illiterate and never could read writing in Consequence of which he was the more liable to forget during the lapse of so long a time of the date of his said dis
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-charge, he thinks he was discharged in the month of April 1782 as he knows the Spring had come in and the weather was getting quite warm at the time of his discharge.  Declarant further states that he has not applied until now for a Pension, for the reason that he supposed he could not make out his case having lost his Certificate of discharge as 
before shown and having emigrated to Tennessee where he could find nor hear of anyone by whom he could prove the fact of his Service in the Revolutionary Army, -- that he emigrated to the County of Smith and State of Tennessee 40 years ago where he continued to live until the Spring of this year; he moved to this County of Sumner and State aforesaid, his present residence and in July last heard of one John Hill who had Served in the time in the Army of the Revolution and by whom he 
knew he could prove the fact of his Service, -- that he is personally known to many of the Most respectable Citizens of the County of Smith and who will if necessary testify to his Character, viz Colonel William Martin one of the old officers during the Creek and other Indian Wars, Major David Burford, David Hogg & Coleman Cornwell Esq., Colonel A. Overton of Carthage & Judge Abram Caruthers & others. 
     That his name is not found on the Pension list or roll in any State in these United States and has never been on any pension list whatever – that he hereby relinquishes all & every Claim to whatever to any pension or annuity except the present. 
Sworn to & subscribed in open Ct. September 7, 1846.
                        William X Wood
                           (X his mark)

Wm. S. Munday Clerk 
of Sumner County Court

We Flemming Thurmond & Thomas White residing in the county of Sumner and state of Tennessee and John Chambers Residing in the same county certify that we are well acquainted with William Wood who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration  that we believe him to be 83 years 8 months of age, that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resided and in his old neighborhood in Smith county to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
                   Thomas White
                   John Chambers
                   F. G. Thurmond 

Sworn to & subscribed in open court.
Sept. 7th 1846
Wm. S. Munday Clerk S. C. Court
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State of Tennessee
Sumner County
     John Hill aged 87 years was this day September 7th, 1846 called into open Court to wit the County Court of Sumner County now sitting and by the Chairman of said Court to wit Elijah Baldwin after having Sworn him the said Hill on the Evangelist of Almighty God, to speak the truth and whole truth touching his knowledge of the Service of William Wood the Same who has subscribed the foregoing declaration and application for a Pension, on his oath deposeth as follows, that he is 
personally and well acquainted with William Wood the same whose name is appended to the foregoing declaration, that he knew him in the Army and saw him at Guilford after the battle he was wounded in the shoulder – that they Continued together through the march though in the same Companies, that they were discharged at Yorktown, -- that he never saw 
him until July last they accidentally met at Lathum's horse [?] mill in Sumner County & this deponent is positive that he is the same man & this deponent on his own knowledge knows that the said William Wood Served in 
the Army of the Revolution as stated in his before mentioned declaration which I have had read. 
                    John X Hill
                    (X his mark)
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court 7th September 1846. 
                    Wm. S Munday Clerk
                    of Sumner County Court

The Court by its Chairman then in open Court propounded to said William Would who assigned the foregoing declaration for following Questions 
Question 1st: When and in what year were you born? 
Ans: In the County of Amherst & State of Virginia in the year 1762. 
Question 2nd Have you any record of you age and if so, where is it? 
Ans: I have none. 
Question 3rd Where were you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live? 
Ans: Soon after I was discharged I went to South Carolina where I resided a number of years, the number I do not now know, I then moved to Smith County, Tennessee where I lived until 1846, I moved to Sumner County & State of Tennessee where I now live. 
Question 4th How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if so for whom did you substitute? 
Ans: I was drafted for
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six months, at the end of which time, I enlisted for the balance of the war. 
Question 5th 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 service. 
Ans: I knew General Greene, Morgan, Colonel Clarke, Colonel Mumsford, Colonel William 
Gains, I marched after being drafted from my County of Amherst & joined the Army 
in the edge of South Carolina, was at the Cowpens, then marched up to Guilford was in the battle of Guilford & from thence through Carolina to Yorktown. 
Question 6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given; and what has become of it? 
Ans; I did & it was burned up in my house in South Carolina about 50 years ago. 
Question 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify to your character for veracity and good behavior and your services as a Soldier of the Revolution. 
Ans:  William Martin, David Burford, Jonathan Wiseman, Daniel Smith, the last two Preachers 
in the Baptist Church in which I am in regular standing, Also Risely Defreede, Fleming Thurmond & Thomas White.

     And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the full 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 Cort further certifies that it appears to them that Flemming Thurmond, Thomas White and John Chambers who signed their names in our presence are gentlemen of the highest respectability and creditability and that their statements are worthy of credit.
State of Tennessee
Sumner County
     I William S. Munday Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Wood for a Pension.
In Testimony whereof i hereunto set my name and seal of office this 7th day of Sept. 1846.
(seal)            Wm. S. Munday clerk
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State of Tennessee
Sumner County
     I Elijah Boddin Chairman of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify that William S. Munday is Clerk of the County Court of said County duly elected and qualified as such, and that his foregoing attestation is made in due form of Law.  Given under my hand and seal, this 9th day of September A.D. 1844.
                  Elijah Boddin  (seal)
                  Chairman of Sumner County Court
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(bleed through)

Sept. 9 1846
W. Wood
Jany 1832

James L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

Wood, Sm.
NC  R11809
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                      Gallatin Sept. 9 1846

James L. Edwards Esq.
     Dear Sir,
     Enclosed you will please find the application of William Wood an aged soldier of the Revolution for a Pension.  We have used the greatest care in our endeavors to prepare the papers in conformity to the Rules of the department, if there is a variance we have not been able to detect it.
     We do not know exactly what evidence the department will require in order to grant this application, we are told the department is Just and well it should be; of this fact we feel assured that no intelligent man can listen to the narration of this old Father without being thoroughly convinced on the merit of his claim.
     He is now very frail and laboring under paralysis;  in aggravation of which he is by recent calamities dependent for subsistence with Charity of the world, on which account we most earnestly solicit from you the most speedy action on his Case that your duty to the Country and the Circumstances of the case will allow.  We have not prepared the papers in as plan a  hand as we should have done had we not been compelled to write in haste under the urgency of the Court which sits but one day.  The whole was done in the presence of and under the immediate inspection and direction of the Court.  The above though not intended by any means to influence in your duty the matters of Law, we hope may have some consideration in matters of Case disention.
N.B Please address, Robb & Head
Attos
G. Clatin
(illegible)
                       Respectfully
                       Robb & Head
                       Attos
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37.401
William Wood
Ten
Suspended
Let to Hon. J.H. Savage  June 1/53
1853
(and see men of previous letters within)
11809

Act 7 June 1832
Page 10

Hon W. Barrow
Jany 25 49

(2 seals)
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No. 37401
William Wood
Ten.
Let Mess. Robb & Head Octo 6 1846
to Hon L.B. Chase Decd. 24th 46
Dec. 26 1846 Same
Let to James Key Nov. 24 '47
"  Same 12th Sept. 1849
T. Brown Jan 12 1851
Act 7th June 1832.
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37401
Wm. Wood
Ten.
Act 7 June 32

Act 7th June 1832
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State of Tennessee
Sumner County
On this the 15th day of January 1851 personally appeared Charles Cassidy aged 68 years who being duly sworn according to Law makes the following statement.
Viz I Charles Cassidy of Sumner county, Tennessee have been intimately acquainted with William Wood for a period of more than one year and have frequently heard him relate his services and sufferings during the War  of the Revolution during the whole term of that War.  I have, also, heard him state the battles he had been in at the south under I think General Green and other commanders - and that being entirely illiterate, and not knowing its value had lost his regulation discharges at the disbanding of the American army.  I believe him to be at the present time, January 1851 - over ninety years of age - extremely weak and decrepit and possess no means of support except as a public pauper.  I also believe his statements to be true and that he is a brave and an honest man whose narrative may be relied on by the government, and its public officers.  He has a scar on his left leg, which he says - and I have no doubt of the fact that he received at the battle of Guilford from a cannon ball wound:  the bone seems to have been shattered and much injured.
                            Charles Cassidy
In test
Jos. Smith J.P.

I certify that the above affidavit/except the caption down to the word Viz is in the hand writing of Charles Cassedy with whom I am personally acquainted and that he was duly qualified to the same.  I further state that said Cassidy is a man of truth and integrity and that his statement is entitled to full credit.  I further state that owing to bodily infirmity the said Cassidy is not able to attend said Court
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of Record This the 15th day of January 1851 given under my hand and seal.
     Jos. Smith
     Justice of the Peace for Sumner County
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State of Tennessee
Sumner County
This day personally appeared before me an acting justice of the Peace in and for said County and State Joseph Smith aged 64 years who first being sworn according to Law states that he has known Wm Wood some 5 or 6 years during that time he has heard him account his military services in the Revolutionary War repeatedly in all the conversations he stated that service a considerable time during the American Revolution as a soldier int he service of the United States he has always been consistent in his statements and has never contradicted at one time what he had said at another.  There is likewise the marks of a wound on one of his legs, which he says was made by a cannon ball.  I have examined the scar and have no doubt it was produced in the way he states by a cannon ball & esteem the said Wood as a man of the strictest veracity and have no doubt he was engaged in the Service of the United States in the American Revolution.
     This the 23rd day of July 1851.
                Joseph Smith

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that the said Joseph Smith is personally known to me and that he is as Respectability and entitled entire and full credit.
                   George A. Wyllie JP
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State of Tennessee
Sumner County
     I George A Wylie Chairman of the County Court for said County and State do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Joseph Smith and Charles Cassedy the foregoing affiants, that their respective signatures are genuine, and that they are men of truth and full credit.  I further certify, that John T. Bugg is clerk of the said court, that his annexed signature is genuine and in due form of law, and his official acts as such are entitled to full credit throughout the United States.

State of Tennessee
Sumner County
     I, John T. Bugg, Clerk of the County Court for said County and State, do hereby certify that George A. Wylie is Chairman of said Court and that his foregoing signature are genuine & in due form and that he and Joseph Smith are and were at the time of signing the foregoing affidavits and certificates Justices of the Peace in and for said county and State.  As witness I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, At office in the town of Gallatin.
(seal)  
     This 13th day of May 1852, N.B.  The above interlineations were made before this certificate was signed & sealed by me.
               John T. Bugg Clerk
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                          Raleigh NC
                          Compt Office

I William F. Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the name of William Wood appears of record in this office as having had the following special Certificates issued in his favor for Military Service (Viz) One for Eleven Pounds, Five Shillings (L11.5) See Book No 13 page 69 also another for Six Pounds, Six Shillings (L6.6) See Book No 4 Page 39 also another for Sixty One pounds Four Shillings (L61.4) See Book 6No 13 page 65.  Given under my hand and Seal this 10th day November 1847.
              Wm Collins Compt.

I am requested to forward this certificate to you my Mr. James Key of Galatin Tennessee.
              W.F.C.
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State of Tennessee, Sumner County: November Term 1847 
This day appeared in open Court William Woods [sic] a citizen of said County and State and makes oath according to Law to the following Supplemental Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Provisions of an act passed June 7th 1832.  He states that he first enlisted in the Revolutionary war either in Chatham or Guilford County North Carolina the name of his Captain was Grissum or 
Grizzard the name of his Colonel was William Gains.  He was in the Battles of the Cowpens, Guilford and Yorktown.  He thinks he served at least two years during the Revolution in Virginia and North Carolina he moved from North Carolina to Virginia and from Virginia to South Carolina and from the last state to Tennessee. 
                       Wm. X Woods
                         (X his mark)
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court.  November 1st, 1847
              Wm. S. Munday Clerk

I Elijah Boddin Chairman of the County court of Sumner certify that Wm. S. Monday is Clerk of said Court and that his official acts as such are entitled to full credit throughout the United States.
             Elijah Boddin Chair
               of the S.C. Court
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State of Tennessee
Sumner County
     I William S. Munday Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that Elijah Boddin is Chairman of the county Court of said County duly elected and qualified as such and that his within attestation is made in due form of Law.
(seal)
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Office at Office in the Town of Gallatin, this 1st day of November 1847.
            Wm S. Munday Clerk
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State of Tennessee, Sumner County 
     On this 17th day of January 1848 personally appeared before Joseph Smith a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid William Wood a Citizen of the State of Tennessee and County of Sumner aged between eighty-six and seven years 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 the Seventh 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year about 1779 or 80, in Chatham County North Carolina under Captain not recollected – and served in the Militia Regiment of the North Carolina line, under the following named officers General Green and Colonel Garnes.  This affiant further states that he enlisted in Chatham County North Carolina at the County Site under Captain not recollected having no acquaintance with him previous to his enlistment – also the Captain was promoted soon after he joined the Army and he served four three months tours or more in that State – he was living with one of his Uncles in North Carolina, his Father having died.  And only out of service two or three months before he returned to Amherst County 
Virginia, where he was born and raised.  On returning to Virginia he then enlisted in Amherst County under Captain Grisham and the following officers, Battles, and time of Service in former declaration I made which you now have in your possession --
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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 – or only on that of the Agency of the State of __  
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year above written. 
                           William X Wood
                             (X his mark)
              Joseph Smith
              Justice of the Peace for Sumner                                          
              County

State of Tennessee 
Sumner County
     I Joseph Smith a Justice of the Peace of this County Court of Sumner County where the declarant resides do hereby certify that the above named William Wood is from a disease of Pains and Weakness something like the Rheumatism and old age connected so he can't Ride or walk any distance from home, he appears to grow worse, with which I am credibly informed and believed he has been afflicted for the space of Twelve or Eighteen Months unable to attend the Court of which I am a Justice and I do not think from the present appearances that he will be able to allow this Court - above named at its next session - I have therefore in pursuance to the Act of Congress of the 1st of March 1823 attended at his place of abode & administered this foregoing oath.
         Joseph Smith
         Justice of the Peace for Sumner County
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State of Tennessee
Sumner County
     I William S. Munday Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that Joseph Smith is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such and that full faith and credit are and of right ought to be given his official acts and that the within signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
     In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office at office in the Town of Gallatin this 22nd day of January 1848.
              Wm. S. Munday Clerk
(seal)

State of Tennessee
Sumner County
     I Elijah Boddin Chairman of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that William S. Munday is Clerk of the County Court of said County duly elected and qualified as such, and that the foregoing attestation of his is in due form of Law, and by the proper office.  Given under my hand and seal, this 22nd day of January 1848.
          Elijah Boddin (seal)
          Chairman of Sumner County Court
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Wm Wood
Tennessee
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Gallatin Tenn, February 20, 1852

Sir
     In the case of William Wood's application for Revolutionary Pension the undersigned attorney for claimant, hereby authorizes you to allow Zeparian Ellis Esq of Washington to examine all papers and documents filed in the case;  and to permit said Ellis to file such addittion (sic)  proofs and arguments as he may see fit.  Also to receive such certificate or certificates for pension as may be issued by virtue of said claim and to do all other acts in the premises that I myself might do as attorney for the Claimant were I personally present.
                    Very Respectfully,
                    James Key

Hon. J.E. Heath
Comm. of Pensions
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(stamp)
GALLATIN TEN

Feb. 18 48
William Wood
Supplemental

FREE
J.E. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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37.401
Wm Wood
Ten
Addl Evidence
Page 27

                    Washington
                    Feb 3d 1853

Sir
     I enclose you some proof in the case of Wm. woods application for Pension which has been pending some years.  The proof was enclosed to me from Mr. Wm H Solmon of Gallatin Tennessee with a request to find out the present condition of Mr. Woods application and I request the department to communicate by letter to me the information.
            I am respectfully
            Your obt servant
                   John H Savage

JE Heath
Com of Pensions
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                 Hall of the House of Representatives
                       Dec 21

Mr. JL Edwards
     What is necessary in the case of John Sill & William Wood to entitle them to a pension?  Perhaps I may be able to assist therein, as I have been requested.
           Respectfully

           LB Chase
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11.809
P.O.
William Wood
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted:, 18
discharged:, 18
Application filed:, 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized
Contract
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for, 18