Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,663, James Wilson, N. C. S. C.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
S.C.
Wilson, James
NUMBER
R. 11,663
-----------------------
CONTENTS
b. July 12, 1758 in Pa.
res. at enl. Orange Co. N.C.
res. in 1832 Franklin Co. Ga.
Page 2

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
Act of Congress passed 7th June 1832

State of Georgia
County of Franklin  ss.

On this third day of September
in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty two, personally
appeared before the Inferior Court now sitting for Ordinary
purposes James Wilson a resident of Capt.
Watsons district, aged about Seventy three 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States
in the Militia of South Carolina about the month
of March 1780 in York County South Carolina
(where he happened to be o a visit) as a volunteer
under the Command of Capt. Mackenzie who was 
raising a company to go after the Tories then being 
embodied near Turkey creek to which place he 
was marched, but the Tories had been defeated 
before we arrived there & they returned back 
to York and was placed under the Command
of General Sumpter, and was sent out as a spy
under the command of Captain McCool and went down towards Savannah in Georgia to view a 
company of Tories who lay there under one Turnbull
when we arrived near Savannah we were informed
that the Tories were all dispersed, and we returned 
back to Sumpters army & were then marched to 
the Catawba river to guard the Fords & Ferries he 
was stationed under Capt. McCool at the old 
Nation Ford, from thence we were marched to 
the neighborhood of the Hanging Rock at one
Glascaskins after some British & Tories.  We there 
discovered after firing a few guns that they were 
too strong for us and we retreated back to the 
army at the Fords aforesaid, when he was 
ordered on a party to guard Col. Hills Iron works
Page 3

in York County and remained some time scouting
about there after the Tories, where I was discharged
and returned home to Orange County North Carolina
Served altogether in the Campaign aforesaid six 
or seven months.
Again volunteered at Orange County North
Carolina as a minute man in Capt. Wilsons
Horse Company in October or November 1780
and was marched through the County as scouting
parties & was a pilot to Major Reed horse 
company to Buffington's Iron Works & acted
as a pilot for several of the companies and 
detachments through that County till about 10th March 1781
when he had leave of absence to remove his mother
Served five or six month in this Tour and altogether
something more than one year as a private and 
was all the time a horseman finding his own
horse.
Does not know of any person now living by whom
he could prove his service excepting one William
Hall who he is informed lives some place in 
Alabama, but does not know his location.

1.  Was born in Pennsylvania about July 12th 1758 as he 
has been informed & was removed to North Carolina at
six years old.
2.  The record of his age has been burned many years since
3.  When he entered the service he lived in Orange County
North Carolina, but was on a visit to York County
South Carolina.  Since the war he lived in York
County N. Car. until about Twenty years since
when he removed tohis present residence where 
he has remained ever since
4.  Was a volunteer
5.  He recollects that he was under Col. Brannon and 
under Major Davie who was promoted to a Colonel
which he was under him, was also under Colonel
Bratton & Paisley.  Does not recollect any Regulars.
6.  Does not recollect that he ever received a written
discharge.  If he did, it is lost.
7.  Is known to Richard Bonds and to Nelson Osborne
a preacher of the Gospel who can testify to his character.
Page 4

for veracity and to their belief of his services as a 
soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension 
or annuity except the present, and declares that his name 
is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State
within his knowledge or belief.

James Wilson [his mark]

Sworn to & subscribed in open
Court the day and year first 
above written

Thos. King Clk

We Nelson Osborne a clergyman and Richard Bond
both residing in the County & State first aforesaid Hereby
Certify that we are well acquainted with James Wilson
who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration.
That we believe him to be about Seventy three years of 
age.  That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution 
and that we concur in that opinion.

Nelson Osborne
Richard Bond

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court
the day & year first above written

Thos. King, Clk

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
& served as he states.
And the Court further Certifies that it appears to 
them That Nelson Osborne who has signed the preceding 
Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County first
aforesaid and that Richard Bond who has also 
signed the same is a resident in said  County and is 
credible person & that their statement is entitled to 
credit.

Charles D Jenkins JIC
Thomas Turner JIC
William Turk JIC

Test  
Thos. King Clk
Page 5

I Thomas King Clerk of the Inferior Court do hereby
Certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings
in the matter of the application of James Wilson
for a Pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand & seal of office
this 11th day of Sept. 1832

Thos. King CIC



[further down the page and written sideways]
James Wilson
10.366
12 mos
Page 6

11,663
P. O.  [blank]
James Wilson
Service:  [blank]

REJECTED

Enlisted:  [blank]
Discharged:  [blank]

Application filed:  [blank]

Alleges:   The printed list of 1852 gives 
cause of suspension as:  "For further and better
description of service."
Re-enlisted:  [blank]

Attorney:  [blank]
P. O.  [blank]

[blank]  Recognized.   [blank]  Contract.
[blank]  Cert. of Dis.    Searched for  [blank]
Page 7

James Wilson
- Georgia -              (9)

Suspended

Sent 21 - May 1835 to 
Thomas King
Carnesville Ga..
same Jany 2 1836

11663
Page 8

(4)

State of Georgia
Franklin County

I Certify that I drew up the 
Declaration of James Wilson
for a Pension (herewith returned)
and that the error in his answer to the Third question by the 
Court was made by me and that I ought to have
written Orange County instead of York County North Caroline.   January 29. 1835

Jno. [John] R. Stanford
Page 9

Tho [Thomas] King
Law of 2 
WN [or H?]
Ol


Recd. Vol 40 pa. 381
Page 10

(8)

Department of War
Pension Office
Jany 2 1836

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 24th attd. I 
have to state, that so far as the muster roll of Capt.
Guest company show the services of Mr. Thompson Eppason (W 7115) &
Mr. John Stonecypher (S16539) they must be in letter as evidence before
the testimony of any witness having credible 
In a cause to be issued and forwarded to you
in open [?] day, a new certificate for $21.48 per annum
with the case of Mr. Eppason.
The pages of James Wilson are left on file
no reply having been recd. to the regulations made in
my letter to you of the 21st of May 1831 [5?].

[illegible] Respectfully

Thomas King Esq.
Carnsville [Carnesville] Ga
Page 11

Thomas King
21 May 1835
AC
Page 12

(7)

War Sect
P. O.

May 25, 1835

Sir

The new affidavit of John [?] Wilson transmitted with the
papers in support of the claim of his brother James Wilson contains none of 
the particular pointed out in my letter of the 
2nd Feb last as being required by the regulations.  He 
neither states when, where, under whom, a furnished [?]
term the claimant served, nor make the slightest [?] to his means of knowledge that he served at all.
Whether the claimant performed any service
such as will bring him within the act of 1832
will remain doubtful until a narrative is given
more consistent with the course of actual service performed
at the time stated.  "Scouting about after tories" which seems
to have been his principal business during the time he claims to 
have been in service is not provided for by law
when done by volunteers not serving in embodied camps called
out by proper authority.  The papers remain in file.

Thomas King Esq.
Carnesville Geo.
Page 13

James Wilson
10.366
----------

12 mos.
[illegible - never in ??]
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(3)
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
James Wilson which require 
further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the County where he resides?  yes
III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?  [blank]
IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period of periods of the war when he served?  [blank]
V.  *Has  he mentioned 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?  no
VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes
VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension that the one under the Act of 
June 7, 1832?  yes
VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes
IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes
X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?  yes
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XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?  yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?  [blank]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  yes
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?  [blank]
XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  [blank]
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?  yes
---------------------------

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V. 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] For [blank] months
and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 16

3

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 pension
merely state 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 objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he 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.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 17

State of Georgia
County of Franklin  ss.                         (2)

On this sixth day of May 1833
personally appeared before the Inferior Court for said
County now sitting for Ordinary purposes, James
Wilson who subscribed and swore to the original
Declaration to which this is annexed, and who being
sworn according to Law, on his oath makes the 
following addition and amendment to his 
said original Declaration viz.
that in the term stated under Capt. McKenzie in 1780 he is 
certain he served Six months as a private horseman
That in October or Nov. 1780 he entered Capt. Wilsons horse
Company & served another tour of Six months as stated 
in his original Declaration, as a private horseman.  He
does not well recollect dates but is certain he
served altogether Twelve months as a private
Horseman.  In the first term above he does not 
recollect who was his Colonel but was under Genl.
Sumpter, and in the last Tour he was under
Col. Paisley, and for such service he claims a pension 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.  

James Wilson

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the 
day and year first above written

Thos. [Thomas] King CCO

I Thomas King Clerk of the Court of Ordinary do hereby
Certify that the foregoing contains the additional original proceedings 
in the matter of the application of James Wilson for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and seal of office this 
7th day of May 1833

Thos. [Thomas] King CCO

[seal]
Page 18

(5)
State of South Carolina
Anderson District

Personally appeared John Wilson
before me James  Douthit one of the 
Justices of the quorum in and for the District aforesaid and
being sworn in due form of law and on his oath saith that he 
knew James Wilson in time of the revolutionary war, and that
he was a true friend to his country and served several tours in
the service as a militia man, but does not recollect how often he
was called out nor how long her served at any one time when
he was called out but that he saw him in the service under Capt.
Bell; Wilson, and Colonel Pacely [Paisley] as a horseman before the battle of Guilford 
and that he lived in Guilford County in North Carolina in the 
time of the revolutionary war.

John Wilson

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 28th day of April 1835.

James Douthit J.Q.

State of South Carolina
Anderson District

I James Douthit one of the Justices 
of the quorum in and for the District
aforesaid do hereby certify that John Wilson the above deponent
is a man of good moral character and that due faith and credit
is due to his signature.   Given under my hand and seal
this 28th day of April 1835.

James Douthit J.Q.   [seal]

The State of So. Carolina
Anderson District

I Fain [?] A Lawhan [?  possibly Lawhorn] Clerk
of the Court of Sessions
& common pleas for Anderson District do hereby
certify that James Douthit Esq. whose signature
& attestation appears to the foregoing is and was 
at the time of his attestation an acting Justice
of the quorum for Said District & that full 
faith & credit is due & ought of which to be 
given to all his official acts as such Magistrate.

In testimony of which I have hereto
Set My hand & Seal of office at 
office this 29th day of April in 
the year of our Lord one thousand
Eight Hundred & thirty four and 
fifty ninth year of American
Independence

Fair A. Lawhan [?] C.C.

[seal]
Page 19

(6)
Carnesville  6 May 1835.

J. L. Edwards Esqr.

Dear Sir

I herewith return  you
the papers in 
setion [?] to the application of James
Wilson for a Pension, and he requests me to 
State to you that at the time he made out his
original Declaration he had understood that
John Wilson of South Carolina had moved
some where to the western Country to what
part he could not learn and concluded
that it was not necessary to refer to him for 
proof.  But since then has found out that 
his information was incorrect.  He has taken 
said Wilsons affadavit again in the last 
affadavit he has Stated all the particulars that 
he knows (I hope it will be found satisfactory).
You have also the Certificate of Major Stanford
the Gentleman who drew up his original declaration
Stating that the error with regard to York
County was made by him instead of Wilson.
Major Stanford is a Gentleman of fair standing
and I assure you that you may rely upon 
his Statement being correct.  I know that he did
Page 20

draw up the original Declaration.  The certificate
herewith enclosed is in his own hand writing.
I hope Mr. Wilson may succeed he is poor, old 
and very feeble & much in want of the Common
comforts of life.

I am very respectfully
Your obt. [obedient] Sert [servant]

Thos. King
Page 21

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME  Wilson, James    GRADE  Private   LINE Pennsylvania

WRRANT NUMBER  10642    ACREAGE  100  ISSUED  September 7, 1790
to Joseph Ashton, assignee
-------
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.