Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,636, Robert Williamson, N.C.
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(3-1776) 
SERVICE N.C.
Williamson, Robert
NUMBER R. 11,636
CONTENTS
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Robt Williamson's application for a pension.
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State of Kentucky
Garrard County Ss: ~
On this 22nd day of February 1834, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Garrard in the State of Kentucky, and as such on of the Judges of the Garrard County Court, Robert Williamson, a resident of Garrard County in the State of Kentucky, aged 83 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 Act of Congress passed June 7th - 1832. 
He states that he enlisted in the Army of the Revolution in the year 1778, under Captain Alderson, and served under the following named officers. He states that he enlisted in Wilmington, North Carolina and was attached to the regiment commanded by Col Harris. The whole of the troops to which this applicant belonged, were commanded by General Nathaniel Greene. 
He states that his enlistment was in the month of April 1778, and that he enlisted during the war, and continued in the service until the close of the war in 1782. That he resided in Wilmington State of North Carolina when he entered the service. He states that he was in the Battle of Guilford, and also in the Battle at Eutaw Springs in the State of South Carolina. That he marched from North Carolina to the State of South Carolina, and was stationed a considerable time, on the South side of Ashley River in the State of South Carolina. He states that he knew Col Davidson of North Carolina. He knows of no witness living, by whom he can prove his services. He states however, that William [illegible] served in the same Regiment with him but is now dead.
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension [illegible] of the agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day of year aforesaid. 
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 22nd Feby 1834. 
L. Landram, J.P. 
Robert Williamson (X is his mark)
Interrogatories put to the above named applicant. 
1. Where and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born in England in the year 1750. 
2. Have you any record to your age and if so where is it?
Ans. I have none.
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
Ans. I was living in Wilmington in the State of North Carolina, when called into service. Since the Revolutionary War I have lived in Kentucky, and I now reside in Garrard County in said State.
4. How were you called into service?
Ans. I enlisted. 
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served. Such continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service?
Ans. I knew General Greene, Col Davidson and Col Hanes. I was in the battle at Guilford & at Eutaw Springs. 
6. Did you ever receive a discharge?
Ans. I did receive a discharge from
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Capt. Alderson, but it has been burnt. 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity.
Ans. I am known to Simeon H. Anderson and Robert P. Letcher. 
State of Kentucky
Garrard County Ss:
I Lewis Landram a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of and as such one of the Judges of the County Court of Garrand, do hereby certify. That Robert Williamson the above named applicant for a pension, this day, personally came before me and made oath to the signing ordination and [answered?] to the foregoing questions. 
Guide under my hand
This 22 Feby 1834 L. Landram J.P.
State of Kentucky
Garrard County Ss.
I James N. Letcher clerk of the County Court of Garrard do hereby certify that Lewis Landram, who has [illegible] the [pensioning?] certificate was then and now in an acting Justice of the person in & for the County of Garrard & as such one of the Judges of the Garrard County Court. In testimony whereas I have hereunto set my name, and seal of my office this 22 Feby 1834. 
James H. Letcher
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27. 195
Robert Williamson
Garrard Co. Kent.
Rejected ser
letter 10 months to 
S.H. Anderson. [Samuel?].
did not serve six months.
S.H. Anderson
Lancaster, Kent
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Robert Williamson 
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. Years. | Months. | Days. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported. 
1778 to 1782 | Pri | Capt Alderson Col Knox | 83 N.C. | None. 
There was no Colonel belonging to the N. Carolina Continental or state troops by the name of Knox. Capt Alderson belonged to the 5th N.C. Regt. which was commanded by Col Buncombe St Col. Davidson St Col. Irwin. 
I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J.L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms “Continental Line,” “State troops,” “militia,” and “volunteers,” all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of }
On this __ day of __ personally appeared (a) before __
A. B. a resident (b) of __ in the county of __ and State, Territory or District of __ aged (c) __ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) __ , with __ and served in the __ (e) regiment of the __ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [pointing hand icon] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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 (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of___
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I __ of the Court of __ 
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this __ day of __ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the __ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be __ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman,
resident in the __ 
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the __ 
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, __ Clerk of the Court of __ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of __ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set me hand and seal of office, this __ day of __ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if no, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. 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 services.
6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{ To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory. or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such
person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom be served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of this service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration, by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For __ year __ months, and __ days, I served as a __. For __ months and __ days, I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension.”
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. [underlining by hand begins] Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the
tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. [underlining by hand ends]
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant’s entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[pointing hand icon] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Lancaster Ky } Free
24 July } 
Revolutionary Pension claim
Hon Lewis Cass
Secretary of War. 
Washington
March 7 1834
Kentucky Returned
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Lancaster 22 Feby 1834.
Enclosed in the application for a pension, of Robert Williamson. As he [claiming?] to have been in service by enlistment, & supposed it unnecessary to append the traditionary evidence, usually [illegible] on in such cases. 
If [illegible] such evidence named avail any thing, he can furnish it when being notified. 
Please to examine it according to the men of the department and where are [illegible] to me.
[truly?]
S.H. Anderson
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Brunswick Ga
Commissioner of Pensioners Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
I have been cited to you as the one who could give me this war record of one James Roberts who served in Revolutionary war & received a grant of land. I suppose he enlisted from the Parish of St. George in Ga or South Carolina or he lived in that section after he left the army. Also of one Robert Williamson
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who served under Gen [Briggs?] part of the time anyway, he received eleven hundred acres of Land in Washington Co Ga. If you will kindly give me dates of enlistments service &c now I will esteem it quite a [farer?]
"James Roberts"
"Robert Williamson"
I am very sincerely 
Miss Kate Dillon
702 [Lemieux?] St. 
Brunswick Ga
March twenty fourth
Benjamin Williamson was in war too
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apt. 20, 1905 History to Miss Kate Dillon, Brunswick, Ga.
Acts of July, 1862, and March 3, 1873. (crossed out)
11,636
P.O. Robt. Williamson
Service:
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18.
Discharged: , 18.
Application filed: , 18.
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for , 18.