Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11688, William Wilson, S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S. C. 

Wilson, William
Mahalah

NUMBER 
R. 11688

CONTENTS
Page 2

Mahalah
Wilson
widow of 
Wm. Wilson
Declaration 
Act 7th June 1832.
Page 3

State of South Carolina
District of Richland SS.

On this sixth day of November
one thousand Eight hundred and fifty personally
appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court
of Ordinary, now sitting, Mahalah Wilson a resident 
of the District of Lexington in the State of South Carolina,
aged forty four years who being first duly sworn 
according to Law, doth on her oath make the 
following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832;  That she 
is the widow of William Wilson deceased who entered
the service of the United States under the following
named officers and served as herein stated; that 
said William Wilson deceased during the war of the 
Revolution lived in what is now called Fairfield
District in this State, and entered the service as private
in said war in the Company commanded by Captain 
William Simmons in the Regiment of Militia commanded
by Colonel Robert Goodwyn and was
in the expedition of forces who went to Florida
commonly known as the "Florida expedition" under 
General Andrew Williamson; That in the said
service above set forth he the said William Wilson remained 
for the period of two or three years,
as this Deponent has been informed & verily believes;
That among his comrades & from the same neighborhood were
the brother of said William Wilson, to wit, James Wilson decd, and 
Robert Duke who removed to Mississippi some years
ago; That Declarant recollects of her said husband's
saying he was at Ninety Six during the war; That
in the year 1831 said husband being poor & aged applied
to the Legislature of this State & upon proving
his said services was allowed a pension for the 
same which he continued to receive annually
Page 4

up till January of the year in which he died; 
that he the said William Wilson died in Fairfield 
District in this state on the thirteenth day 
of September A.D. 1837, which fact is recorded 
in the Family Bible of this Declarant; That 
this Declarant was married to the said William 
Wilson on the tenth day of November A.D. 1825, and 
that ever since his death on the thirteenth day of 
September one thousand Eight hundred & thirty seven
this declarant has remained a widow, all 
of which will more fully appear by the 
proofs hereafter to be submitted; She hereby
relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension 
or annuity except the present and declares
that her name, as also that of her said husbands is 
not on the pension Roll of the agency of any
State except only his as a pensioner of the State of South
Carolina as above set forth.  

Mahalah Wilson  X  her mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year 
aforesaid in open court before me
The words January "&" "his" interlined
before signing,

James S. Guignard
Judge of Court of Ordinary
Richland District


State of South Carolina
District of Richland

Personally appeared
before me William Shull and George Buff who 
being duly sworn according to law declare that 
they are citizens of Lexington District in this State
and that they are neighbors & acquaintances
of the deponent Mrs. Mahalah Wilson above and 
that she is a person to whose
Page 5

statements upon oath as above are due 
full faith and credit.

William Shull
George Buff

Sworn to and subscribed
before me this nineteenth day of April A.D. 1851.
The words "day of" above
interlined before signing
Given under my hand 
and Seal of Office at 
Columbia South Carolina
I said witnesses are creditable

James S Guignard
Judge of Court of Ordinary
Richland District

[seal]
Page 6

State of South Carolina
District of Richland

Personally appeared
before the undersigned an acting
Magistrate within & for said District
Lee W Stewart, who being duly sworn 
according to Law declares that he was 
living in Fairfield District in the year
Eighteen hundred and twenty five and 
married in April of that year & has 
ever since lived in the same neighborhood.
That not long after this Deponents
marriage by wifes uncle William Wilson 
married Mahalah Lee now Mahalah
Wilson his widow - That Deponent was 
not personally present at the marriage
but heard of it at the time, it taking 
place a few miles from where Deponent
lived & Deponent knowing both the parties
before & since their said marriage - That 
this Deponents oldest son is now nearly
twenty five years old & Deponent remembers distinctly
staying all night with said William & his 
wife Mahalah Wilson when said child 
was about one year old & that they were
then living together as husband & wife
& continued so to live until William
Wilson's death in the same neighborhood -
That Deponent was with said Wilson 
while in his last illness & attended his 
burial & that his death took place in 
Fairfield District in September Eighteen 
hundred and thirty seven (Sept. 1837) which 
fact he is enabled to remember from the 
date of the birth of one of his children 
which was on 4th March 1837 and
Page 7

which this Deponent so entered in 
his family Record.  This Deponent
further swears that William Wilson 
aforesaid was reputed & believed to 
have been a soldier of the Revolution 
and it was said that said Wilson 
drew a pension but deponent
did not learn whether it was 
from the State or the United States.
That from time of the marriage
of said parties & the time of his (Wilson's)
death they lived within same neighborhood
and that this Deponent is entirely
disinterested in any amount which 
said Mahalah Wilson may recover
as such widow on account of her said
husband's services - 

L. W. Stewart

Sworn to and 
subscribed before me this 2d March 1852

A Fitch
Magst


State of South Carolina
Richland District

Personally appeared before the 
undersigned an acting Magistrate within & for said
District, Theophilus Wilson who being duly sworn 
according to Law states that he is now Eighty
six years of age and is a pensioner of the State
of South Carolina on account of his revolutionary
services; That before during & ever since the 
War of the Revolution he has lived in the same
neighborhood in Fairfield District South Carolina;
 That Deponent's father John Wilson, Deponent's brothers James Wilson, Jesse Wilson,
& William Wilson were all in the American service;
Page 8

That deponent's brother William Wilson was a private in 
the company of Captain William Lang, and afterwards in 
the same capacity under Captain William Simmons who commanded
a company in Col. Robert Goodwyn's Regiment of Militia
and afterwards again in Captain James Craig's company; That this Deponent is certain that he himself
was out in the Militia service in the capacity of a waggoner
fully two years during the war, at different places
& times during his service and part of the time with
 his said brother William for certain that said brother
was in service longer than Deponent and to the best
of this Deponents recollection more than two 
years & likely near three years - That after
the war his said brother & himself lived in 
same neighborhood and after the death of said
brother's wife by first marriage he married
Mahalah Lee now his widow Mahalah
Wilson; That his brother drew a pension 
& died in Fairfield District about fourteen 
years ago; That Deponent was absent from 
home when said brother married said Mahalah
but heard of the event and that they as man & 
wife lived near this Deponents place of 
residence in said District until his death as
aforesaid - That this Deponent is entirely
disinterested in any amount which said Mahalah
Wilson may recover on account of her said
husband's services.

Theophilus Wilson  X  his mark

Sworn to and subscribed
this fifth day of March 1852
Before me

A Fitch
Magistrate
Page 9

State of South Carolina
Richland District

Personally appeared before the 
undersigned an acting Magistrate
in & for said District H D Everitt and John H. Rose
who being duly sworn according to Law say
that they are neighbors & well acquainted
with the deponents above Lee W Stewart and 
Theophilus Wilson and that they are both 
worthy of credit when testifying as above and 
that the Deponent Theophilus Wilson is in their
opinion of the age of Eighty years & upwards and is 
of sound mind and memory.  

H. D. Everitt
John H Rose

Sworn to and
subscribed this eleventh day of March 1852
Before me 

A Fitch
Magst



State of South Carolina
Richland District 

I James S. Guignard Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions
do certify unto all whom it may concern that A Fitch Esquire
who hath attested the above affidavit was at the date thereof
and is now an acting Magistrate in and for said District
and that his Signature is genuine   In Testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of 
the said Court at Columbia this 3d day of May
Anno Domini 1852

James S. Guignard
Clerk of [interference by seal] Court 
Common Pleas [interference by seal] General 
Sessions Ri [interference by seal] District

[seal]
Page 10

11.688
Wm Wilson
P.O.  [blank]
Service:  [blank]
REJECTED
Enlisted;  [blank date]
Discharged:  [blank date]
Application filed:  [blank date]
Alleges:  [blank]
Re-enlisted:  [blank]
Attorney:  [blank]
P.O.  [blank]
[blank]  Recognized.  [blank] Contract.
[blank] Cert. of Dis.   Searched for [blank date]
Page 11

Wm Wilson decd.
S.C.
Act 7 June 32
Let Jas. A Black July 22/57
Page 12

No 38.193
Wm. Wilson decd
S.C.
Act of 7th June 1832
11688
To Jas Black July 22 [edge torn]
same Aug 6 185[edge torn]
" Mar. 19 185[edge torn]
Hon W Boyce Ap 10 1854
Hon. Jas. A. Black 18 July 185[edge torn]
[Wesley?] A Black July 3 1855
Suspended
See claim of Wm. Wilson dec[edge torn]
Georgia Act June 7 '32 - No. [edge torn]
Page 13

Mr Cooper to be answered 
immediately
Mar 22/52
No Carolina
Christan Roth
[Georgia?]

[written sideways on the page]
Jas Cooper

James E. Heath Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington
Page 14

William Wilson 
S.C. - Sus 1832
William Wilson
Ga - Sus - 1832
2 cases


[written sideways on page]

Donalds S.C.
Sept 8

Free

Hon J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 15

No 38.193  May 5 - 1857
Decl. of Mrs. Mahalah
Wilson wid of Wm.
James A Black
Mr [illegible due to being overwritten]
Columbia 
S.C.
Original

[written sideways on page]

[post mark]
3
MAY
S.C.

FREE

Hon. James E. Heath
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 16

William Wilson
S.C. - Sus - 2832
B
Cole

[written sideways on page]
Donnaldsville S.C.

Free

Hon L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 17

Case of Mahala Wilson
wid. of Wm. Wilson decd
for arrears of pension
Oct 26/52
Cole

[written sideways on page]

[post mark]
COLUMBIA 2[?]
OCT
S. C. 

FREE

Hon. J. E. Heath
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 18

May 10/52
Addl evi. in case
of Mahalah
Wilson widow
of William

Jas. A. Black
Columbus
Ohio

B Kirby

[written sideways on page]

[post mark]
COLUMBIA
6
MAY
S.C.

FREE

Hon. J. E. Heath
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
S.C.
Page 19

Columbia S.C.
4th February 1853.

G H Jones Esq

Dear Sir, 

There is a poor widow
whose claim to a pension has been 
on file in the Pension Office some two
or three years & although the proofs
have as I suppose all been made
out no report has lately been recd. in 
her case.  The case is that of Mrs
Mahalah Wilson who as widow claims
arrears due her husband under act 
7 June 1832.  She lives in Lexington 
District.  As she is poor I hope
you will do me the favor to call at 
the office and see what is wanting in 
the claim & greatly oblige her

& very respectfully
yr. obt. sevt.
James A Black 
for Mrs. Wilson

P.S.  Her husband's name was Wm Wilson formerly
of Fairfield District in this State.
Page 20

Columbia S. C.
May 20. 1851.

Sir,

Enclosed please find the Declaration 
of Mrs. Mahalah Wilson widow of William
Wilson decd. under Act 7th June 1832,
to recover the arrears due him up
till his death on 13th Sept. 1837.  As the 
whole claim is based upon Record Evidence
which is also enclosed there can be but
little doubt that the merits of the same 
will clearly appear.  The Petition & proofs
submitted by Wm. Wilson to the Legislature of 
South Carolina in 1831 - the favorable report
of the Committee concurred in the Certificate
of the Treasury that he was placed on the 
Roll of Revolutionary Pensioners in 1831 and 
drew till 12th Jany 1837 are all conclusive
upon the chief points of the case.

I am, 
very respectfully
yr. obt. sevt.
James A Black
for Mrs. M. Wilson 


To Honbl. Jas. E. Heath
Commr. of Pensions  Washington City D.C.
Page 21

PENSION OFFICE,
May 11th 1852.

Sir:

Your communication of the 5th inst. relative to the case
of Mahalah Wilson, widow of William, 
enclosing additional evidence,
is received, and will be fully considered as soon as it can be reached
in its proper order.

Very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant, 
J. E. HEATH,
Commissioner of Pensions.


Jas A. Black Esq
Columbia 
S. Carolina.
Page 22

James A. Black Esqr
Columbia
S.C.
Page 23

Comptroller General's Office.
Columbia S.C.  21 Oct. 1852 -

Dear Sir

The name of William Wilson appears several times
on the Records of this Office, for service in the Militia, but
not in the Continental line.  The Records of the last
mentioned service are but few and scattering.  Below I 
give a brief outline of the facts stated by these references.
viz:  Book I No. 79 - 134 days Militia Duty 1782, order
in favour of Hugh Gregg, signed by William Wilson 
Jr. before Gavin Witherspoon J.P.
Book Q. No. 624 -  80 days in the Militia Duty 1782.
Capt. William Jenkins - no signature
Book M. 477 - a Lieutenant in Waters' Troop
Book W 119 - £27.2.101/4 Duty as a Private since 
the fall of Charleston p. Anderson's Return - signs the 
Receipt.
Book X 688 - £82. private since the fall of Charleston
p. Anderson's Return. Order signed by William Wilson
Newberry County, before Robert Rutherford J.P.
Book Y 514 - William Wilson of Pee Dee 6 months
private, Marion's Brigade pr. certificate of Col. John
Ervin, and 34 days Lieutenant by Robert Thomly
Major - Sworn to before Robt. Baxter J.P. Georgetown
The name of William Wilson appear for 10 months
service as private in Capt. Jas. Giles' Troops, Sumters Brigade

Very respectfully your obt. servt.
Tho. Johns, Depy. Comptr
Page 24

Columbia S.C.
5th May 1852.

Hon. J. E. Heath
Commr. of Pensions

Sir,

In the claim of Mahalah
Wilson widow of Wm. Wilson Act 7 June 1832
I now enclose the proof demanded
by your last Report in the claim 
which I hope will remove all objections
& pay the claim at an early day -

I am 
very respectfully
yr obt sevt.
James A Black
for Mahalah Wilson
Page 25

Pension Office
July 18th 1854

Sir,

I have carefully examined the 
claim of William Wilson, decd of South 
Carolina, but can arrive at no other
conclusion than that reported to Hon.
W. W. Boyce in my letter of the 10th of 
April last, which you left with me 
yesterday.

I am Respectfully
your obt. svt.
L P Waldo
Commissioner



James A. Black, Esqr.
Diamon Hill
S.C.
Page 26

Columbia S.C.
23 Oct 1852

Dear Sir,

In the claim of Mahalah Wilson for 
arrears of pension due her late husband
Wm Wilson decd. formerly of Fairfield
District S.C. I submit the 
enclosed letter from Comptroller's Office
showing that there is no evidence of 
any service of William Wilson in the Continental
Line & giving an outline of the service
in the militia performed by different persons 
of that name - As therefore the Continental 
Records belong to your office, I beg that you
will carefully examine them to see how 
they corroborate William Wilson's proofs
submitted to Legislature of this state when he was 
placed on South Carolina Pension Roll.  When you
examine again his allegations & that his services
are proved by two witnesses & lately by his own 
surviving brother who speaks positively to 
his brother William's service, I must think this 
claim will be at once admitted - at all 
events with the proofs now before you 
I submit it to your candid decision, knowing
that his service has been established clearly - I have no 
other proof to submit

very respectfully
yr obt. sevt.
James A Black



To Hon. J. E. Heath Comr. of Pensions
Page 27

Treasury Office
Columbia So. Ca.
May 1st. 1851.

This is to certify that it appears from
the Records of this office that William Wilson 
an annuitant of the Revolutionary War was 
placed on the Pension Roll of this State in the 
year 1831, and that the last payment of 
his pension was made on the twelfth day 
of January A.D. 1837.  Given under my hand 
& seal of this office, the day & year above stated.

R. C. Griffin
Treasurer Upp. Div.
c/s Thomas [Freau/Frean?]
Dep. Treas

[seal]
Page 28

Petition of 
James Wilson
& Wm Wilson's 
affidavit
to Leg. of S.C.
Page 29

(copy)

State of South Carolina
Fairfield District

To the Honorable the 
Senate of the State aforesaid  

The petition of 
the undersigned James Willson sheweth to your 
Honorable Body that he your petitioner volunteered
early in the Revolutionary War which was commenced
& carried on between Great Britain & American in 
the days of 1776; That he your petitioned volunteered as 
a militiaman in the Continental service
in Col. Robert Goodwyn's Regiment and as a 
member of Captain William Simmons Company 
during the time of said service your petitioner
also states that served for the regular time 
for which he volunteered in a faithful manner
& returned home after having receive his regular
discharge.  Your petitioner further states that he is 
now upwards of Eighty years of age and has never
received one cent as a compensation for the 
above rendered services in the cause of liberty
& freedom.  From the evidence of the above 
mentioned or stated facts your petitioner will 
refer your Honorable Body to the testimony or affidavits of 
William Wilson here with accompanying this petition, and 
your petitioner prays your Honorable Body to take 
his case into consideration & grant such pay or pension
to your petitioner for the above mentioned services
as may seem most unto you

(signed) James Wilson  X  his mark


State of South Carolina
Fairfield District

Personally appeared 
before me Mr William 
Willson of the State & District above mentioned
& made oath that he was duly acquainted 
with James Wilson in the year 1779 & for 
a long time before that time & that he this 
deponent knows of his own knowledge
Page 30

that the said James Wilson was volunteered as a militia
man in the Continental service in Colonel Robert
Goodwyn's Regiment and as a member of Captain 
William Simmon's Company at the time of said services -
this deponent further states that he the said James Wilson 
served for the regular time for which he was volunteered 
in a faithful manner which in said service
and retuned home after having received his regular discharge

(Signed)  William Wilson

Sworn to before me this July 26th 1831

David Montgomery J. Q.  

I do hereby certify that I have for many years been 
acquainted with William Wilson the within witness
& I believe his testimony should not be scrutinized in 
any way.  July 26th 1831

(signed) David Montgomery J.Q.


Office of Clerk of Senate
Columbia So. Ca.  15 May 1835

I do hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies of the 
petition of James Wilson & affidavit of William Wilson in 
James Wilson's application for a pension, leaving out the 
Report of the Committee

W. F. Arthur
State House Keeper
& L. Librarian

(no seal of office)
Page 31

William Wilson
copy of his
petition & proofs
to Leg. of S.C.



[written sideways on the right side]
Benjamin Hart
Librarian
Page 32

(copy)

"To the Honorable the Speaker of the House of Representatives
and member of the same

The Petition of William Wilson sheweth that he was a 
soldier in the service of the State of 
South Carolina in the Revolutionary War
and that he was in a company of 
Captn William Simmons of the Revolution 
also in Coln Robt. Goodwinns [Goodwyn] Regiment and 
at the time of the Florida Expedition commanded 
by Gen Williamson and that he was in the service
at different times for as much as two or three 
years.  Your petitioner furthermore sheweth that 
he knows from all accounts that he is about 
70 years of age and hath not a place for residence
neither ample [necasry?] for support Therefore
your petitioner calls your Honorable Body to 
a due consideration of your humble petitioners case

(Signed)  William Wilson"

South Carolina
Fairfield District

Personally appears
before me Wm Willson [Wilson] the within and undersigned
petitioner and as within stated and 
swears the within is correct to the best of 
his knowledge 

(signed)  William Wilson

Sworn to before me this 23d Novr.
1831
(Signed)  William K. Taylor J. P."

(then follows a schedule of his property 
deemed unnecessary to be copied)


South Carolina
Fairfield District

Personally appeared 
before me Mr. James Wilson of the 
State and District above and made oath
that he has been duly acquainted with
Page 33

with William Willson [Wilson] in the year 1779 and for a long 
time before that time and that he this deponent
knows of his own knowledge that the said 
William Willson was drafted as a militiaman
in the Continental Service in Coln. Robt. Goodwin's [Goodwyn] 
Regt. and as a member of Captn. William Simmons
company at the time of said draft.  this deponent
further states that the said William Willson 
served for the time for which he was drafted
in a faithfull manner and at all times discharged
his duty as a soldier while under said
draft and returned home after having received
his discharge

(Signed)  James Willson  X  his mark

Sworn to before me this 
4th October 1831

(Signed)  William K. Taylor J.P."

I do hereby certify that I have for many years past
been acquainted with James Willson the within
witness and believe his testimony should not be 
scrutinized in any way.

(Signed)  William K. Taylor J.P."


The State of Mississippi
Marion County

Personally appeared
before the undersigned Justice of the County Court
of Marion County Robert Duke of the said County
of Marion who being duly sworn deposeth and 
saith that he was personally acquainted with
William Wilson in the year 1779 and long anterior
to that time and has known him ever since  That he 
knows of his own knowledge that the said William
Wilson belong to and served awhile in the 
line of Continental Troops of South Carolina
but this deponent cannot say precisely how long
Page 34

the said William Wilson continued in that service
and further this Deponent saith not.  

(Signed)  Robt. Duke

Sworn to and 
subscribed before me this twentieth day of November 
AD 1824  

(Signed)  James Phillips
Presiding Justice
M. County

I certify that I have for many years been acquainted
with Robert Duke the witness who hath 
deposed to the above affidavit and that I 
believe him to be a man whose testimony should 
stand unimpeached and should be relied on 
November 20th 1824

(Signed)  James Phillips
Presiding Justice M.C.


The State of Mississippi
Marion County

I Gilbert Storall Clerk 
of the County and Probate Court
of Marion County do hereby certify that James Phillips
was the presiding Justice of Marion Court at the 
time the written affadavit and certificate was 
made and due faith and credit should be placed
in all his acts and deeds as such.  Given under
my hand and seal of office this 22d day 
of November 1824

(Signed)  Gilbert Storall Clk. C. & P.C.
[seal]


The Committee on Pensions to whom was referred
the petition of Wm. Wilson praying to be placed on the 
Pension List Recommend That the prayer of the 
petition be granted.  

(Signed)  Peter J Shand
Chairman"

In the House of Representatives
Decr. 10th 1831  

Resolved that the 
House do agree to the report ordered that it be
Page 35

"sent to the Senate for concurrence.  By order of 
the House

(Signed)  R Anderson C.H.R.

In Senate 14 Decr. 1831

Resd. that Senate do concur ordd. to be 
retd. to H. of Representatives

By order of Senate
Jacob Warley C.S."

Office of Clerk of House of Representatives
Columbia So. Ca.  April 1851.

I do hereby certify that the foregoing is 
a true copy as taken from the papers
on file in this office the remarks
in parentheses being mine - 

For Clerk of House
Benjamin Hart
Librarian.