Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7797, Levin Watson, Ga.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
GA.
Watson, Levin
NUMBER
S. 7797
carded
CONTENTS
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Dead.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the [ ] April 1838 from 4 March 1837 to 13 April 1837 [ ] notified 3rd June 1841

12.732
North Carolina
Levin Watson 
of Anson in the State of North Carolina who was [ ] in the company commanded by Captain Stewart of the Regiment commanded by Col. Clark in the Georgia line for 20 mos. & 22 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 86 dollars 35 cents per annum to commence on the 4th Day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of May 33 and sent Rufus R. [illegible].

Arrears to the 4th March '33 - 172.70
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept - 43.17 1/2
$215.87 1/2
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by William Miller Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 59
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Declaration of Levin Watson
State of North Carolina
Anson County
April Session 1833, 
On this 11th day of April 1833, personally appeared before the worshipful Court of Pleas & Quarter Session Levin Watson aged 77 years a resident but a few years of South Carolina near the state line where he has resided but a few years, the reason why he makes application in this county is that he has resided there for the space of thirty years & the citizens thereof are better acquainted with him than the people of South Carolina where he resides has been but a short time and nearest to the agent in Fayetteville, 
He as a soldier of the Revolution after having been 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 1833, 
I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated, I volunteered in Wilkes County in the State of Georgia in the month of can’t recollect in the year 1777, under Capt. John Stewart Major Burwell Smith in the Horse Company Col. Elijah Clark’s regiment for six months. I was marched in pursuit of the Indians in the upper part of the state of South Carolina had a battle with them in which they were defeated Served eight months before Discharged by his officers he returned to Wilkes County after was employed (sp?) by George Walton commissary  (sp?) for the army as Waggoner hauling (sp?) Grain to Mill the last of January or first of February as well as he now recollects the year he does not recollect the wagon (sp?) was pressed and he also ?? by Col. Clark to go with the army to St. Augustine against the British he marched as well as recollected from Augusta the first of February for St. Augustine. He thinks there was three thousand men under Col. Clark the distance he does not know but supposes it three hundred miles or more. Through a wilderness country the army cleared a road as they went when the army arrived near the fort at St. Augustine they had a small skirmish with the British & defeated them as well as he recollects his Col. was wounded in the leg by ball. Col. Clark then returned to the State of Georgia the last of August as well as he now recollected & was discharged by his officers & returned to Wilkes County served seven months continued short time & was drafted & marched under Capt. J. Stewart May, [ ] [ ] Smith, Col. Clarks regiment from Wilkes County to near the Town of Savannah & was sent back by his officers to harry a company that had not joined the regiment at the time of The Siege of Savannah he did not meet the company but they he understood arrive in time & he did not & was not in the battle he served two months & ten days then discharged by his officers & returned to Wilkes County continue a short time then a volunteer & marched under Capt. J. Stewart
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Maj. Burwell Smith Col. Clarks regiment in the Horse Company and 
marched against the British forted at Augusta (sp?) had a small fight there 
they were strongly forted he passed through a part of the town & his horse 
was shot under him after passing the town a short distance met a large 
body of Cherokee Indians & had a severe battle with them & defeated 
them he supposes there was thirty killed on his side & near double that 
number of the Indians the day month or year he does not recollect 
he served two months & twenty days before discharged by his officers he then 
returned to Wilkes County he continued short time, then volunteered and 
marched under Capt. J. Stewart, Maj. B. Smith, Col. Clarks regiment for six 
months the year not recollected they were in camp in the woods near a 
branch when a British officer came with a flag to Col. Clark & made 
him & his men an offer of protection under the army of the King & stated 
to them their state was subdued & a part of the man he believes did so 
his Col. & officers crossed the branch & his Col. proclaimed aloud to his men 
all those that were willing to go & fight with him for their liberty to 
cross the branch & form a line there crossed three hundred & thirty and 
formed a line the British officer then informed his Col. if he & his men 
were not soon gone from the States he would cut him & his men off 
they were horse men his officers with their men the next day fled to the 
mountains crossed & went through the Cherokee Nation of Indians 
and went to the Tennessee river as he understood the name & went up 
that river & came to Pigeon River as understood by him crossed that river 
& to a river he believes called Watauga & up that river to the mountains 
the men lived on wild meat & horses on the cane when they came to 
the mountains they crossed at a place called the Iron Mountain he 
believes in N Carolina & passed along the south east of the mountains 
to South Carolina & down Santee River below the high hills of that 
river their watch gave notice there was a party of the British crossing 
the river to the other side & the [ ] after leaving the land they rushed 
to the bank & fired on them & he believes killed the most (sp?) of them his 
officers then turn for the head of Tyger (sp?) River a Col. Candler as he believes 
his name joined Col. Clark with sixty men mounted & at a place called 
Blackstocks had a battle with the British Dragoons & defeated them Col. 
Clark was shot through the arm with ball did not break the bone 
he was with Gen. Sumpter short time left him & went to the State of Georgia 
& some time after was discharged by his officers served seven months & 
twenty two (sp?) days his services was five years but short [ ] except as a
-bove stated he at that time received a discharge from Col. Clark
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He then returned to Johnson County N. Carolina to his fathers where 
he was raised. Col. Smith of the County proffered the company where he 
belonged if every fifteen men would hire one out of that number to serve. 
During the war the fourteen [sp?] shall be clear they did so hired his brother 
James Watson the war ended soon after & James Watson never called on. 
He states he never received any pay for his services or for his horse 
Though [sp?] promised to him except his services to St. Augustine he received 
his wages for that time he was of the Horse Company in all service. 
Except to St. Augustine his discharge he lost crossing the Cuttaba River 
when very high & has no papers to prove his services & knows of no person 
living that he can prove his services by, 
Question: 1. by Court where & in what year were you born 
Answer:        In Johnson County N. Carolina in the year 1756, 
Question: 2. have you any record of your age & if so where is it,
Answer:        yes in a family bible kept by my father of his childrens ages
Question: 3. where were you living when called into service & where have 
                     you lived since the Revolutionary War
Answer:        In Wilkes County State of Georgia when called into service
                     and returned to Johnson County N Carolina & continued there 
                     to the year 1797 then moved to Anson County in the same 
                     state & continued there to 1829 then moved cross the state 
                     line in South Carolina Chesterfield district where I now 
                     live. 
Question: 4. How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer 
                    or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom
 Answer:       first volunteer served 8 months served 
                    second pressed with George Waltons Wagon [sp?] served 7 months
                    third drafted served 2 months & ten days
                    fourth volunteer served 2 months & 20 days
                    fifth volunteer served 7 months & 22 days
Question 5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the 
                    troop where you served such continental & militia regiments as you 
                    can recollect, 
Answer:       Gen. How Gen. Sumpter Capt. Calaspe regular Col. Clark Col. 
                    Candler Maj. B. Smith Capt. Stewart militia officers,
Question:6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by 
                   whom was it given & what has become of it, 
Answer        Yes I received a discharge from Col. Clark but have lost it,
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Question: 7. State the name of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity and their [sp?] 
belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution,
Answer: John Griffin, Allen Carpenter,

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity except 
the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the 
agency of any state, 
sworn & subscribed the day & year above
Levin (his mark) Watson

We John Pearson clergyman residing in the neighborhood & John Griffin 
residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with 
Levin Watson the applicant who has subscribed & sworn to the above 
Declaration that we believe him to be of the age therein stated that he is 
reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a 
soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion, 
sworn & subscribed the day & year as above 
John Pearson
John Griffin

And the court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the 
matter & after putting the interrogator is prescribed by the war department 
that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution & served as 
stated & that they believe John Pearson who has subscribed to the above 
certificate to be a clergyman & resident in the county & that John Griffin 
who has also signed the same is a resident in the same county & 
is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit,  
[ ] Dunlap [ ]
[ ] 
[ ]

I William [ ] Clerk of the County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions do hereby 
certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of the said court in the matters of the applicant Levin Watson for pension, 
in testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 11th ay of April 1833, 
[ ] 

(Rufus R. Johnson agent for applicant)
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Service 
Ga.
Watson, Levin

Number S. 7797

Carded
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War Department,
Pension Office, 183

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. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A statement, showing the Service of Levin Watson - N. 6
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.
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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 of "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 serivce.
4. indian spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming 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 
County of
} ss.
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 7, 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. 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 no 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 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 my 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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3
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 state troops of Virginia.
1. where and in what year were you born?
2. have you any record of your age, and if so, 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 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 he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his 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 directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 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 my 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.
(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.
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Washington September 15, 1931. BA-J/ADY
Mrs. S. J. Parker, 1202 Grand Avenue, Jackson, Mississippi.
Dear Madam: You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.7797, that Levin Watson was born in Johnston County, North Carolina, in 1756, day and month not stated.  While a resident of Wilkes County, Georgia, he enlisted in 1777, served eight months in Captain John
Stewart's Company, Colonel Elijah Clarke's Georgia Regiment and was in a battle with the Indians. He afterwards served as wagoner hawling grain to mill and the first of February, year not stated, he served under Colonel Clarke and was in a skirmish with the British near the fort at St. Augustine; length of service seven
months. A little later and shortly before the battle of Savannah, he enlisted and served two months and ten days in Captain J. Stewart's Company, Colonel Clarke's Georgia Regiment. A short time later he enlisted and served two months and twenty days in Captain J. Stewart's
Company, Colonel Clarke's Georgia Regiment; was in the battle of Augusta and was also in a severe battle with the Cherokee Indians. A little later he enlisted, served seven months and twenty-two days in Captain J. Stewart's Company, Colonel Clarke's Georgia Regiment
and was in the battle of Black Stocks. He then returned to his father, name not stated,
in Johnston County, North Carolina, where he was raised, in 1797 he moved to Anson County, North Carolina, and in 1829
he moved to Chesterfield District, South Carolina.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
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April 11, 1833 while a resident of Chesterfield
District, South Carolina. He died April 13, 1837, place not stated. Soldier's widow was living in 1841, her name, age and residence not given. The date and place of marriage not stated. No reference is made to children.
The Revolutionary War records of this office
fail to afford any information in regard to Michael Watson.
Very truly yours, A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.
Bro. of soldier, James Watson. [handwritten]
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Jackson, Miss
1202 Grand Ave
Aug. 15, 1931
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C
[Stamped Received Aug 19 1931 Record Section Pension Files Sub-Division]
Gentlemen:- Please give me place of birth,
service and names of persons mentioned on application for pension, of Levin Watson listed in Georgia Certified Troops, page 394. Listed as a North Carolina pensioner on page 449 by Lamar Knight, also give me any data you may have of Michael Watson.
Thanking you for this information, I am, Yours truly, Mrs. S. J. Parker,
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7797
INVALID.
File No. 7797
Levin Watson
[illegible] Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol.  [illegible], Page 392
{Arrangement of 1870.}

{handwritten  perpendicular} 1931 Sept 15. Hist. to Mrs. S. J. Parker. A.D.Y.
Page 15

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
Second Comptroller's Office
May 26th, 1841

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Levin Watson, a Pensioner f the Roll of the North Carolina Agency, at the rate of Eighty Six Dollars and 35 cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at the Department, from the 4th of March 1837. to the 13thApril 1837.
Respectfully yours, Albion K. Parris
Comptroller