Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,585, James Williams, N. C.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Williams, James
Number
R. 11,585
Born on St. Lawrence River- Parents emigrated to Ireland
CONTENTS
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11585
James Williams
Declaration
22.556
Haw River, [illegible]
North Carolina
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7, 1832
State of North Carolina
Orange County} S.S.
Court of pleas & quarter
[illegible] Nov [illegible] 1834}
On this the 28~ day of November 1834, personally appeared in open court before the court of pleas and quarter [illegible] for Orange aforesaid now sitting, James Williams, a resident citizen of the county aforesaid, now in the 74 year of his age, who being just duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration, in order to attain the [illegible] of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. This declarant states, that about the 1 September 1780 he enlisted in the service of the United States as drum major, in the John of Hillsboro in Orange aforesaid, for the term of eighteen months, the company in which he was marched was commanded by captain McGibbony. James McCoy, was lieutenant, and Reid cn. of our Regiment. While at Hillsboro we were camped on Courtney's [illegible] about a mile before town. There were two regiments of us while at Hillsboro, and were in one brigade under command of Col. Smallwood- Captain Singleton commanded the artillery. After receiving a partial supply of winter clothing, the declarant's company with certain militia companies, are under command of General Smallwood were ordered to Salisbury, in [illegible] Haw River at Moody's Ferry, thence by Randolph old Court House, there to the trading ford on the Yadkin, there is Salisbury. Thence to Charlotte and about a mile from Charlotte, attacked a small party of the enemy encamped there defeated and routed them; after [illegible] times in the neighbourhood of the [illegible] we were ordered by Col. Greene to Charlotte where his headquarters at that time were (this was perhaps about the 2nd or 3rd week in December) From Charlotte we marched under Smallwood into South Carolina, and in the neighbourhood of Lumberton took a [illegible] many tories and hung none, in the town of Lumberton, after remaining in Lumberton two or three weeks, we were marched to [illegible]
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Wilmington where we took shipping for the state of Maryland, we were stationed at Fredericktown on the Potomac till the following spring, thence were marched to Hagerstown on the Potomac - thence 15 Strasburg Shenandoah County in Virginia, and at  Strasburg the [illegible] of my eighteen months, when I was [illegible] discharged.
That he was born on the Saint Lawrence River - immediately after his parents had set out on a voyage to Ireland- and settled in the province of Munster, where they remained till this declarant was about 10 or 12 years of age; thence emigrated to the United State - and this declarant [illegible] at Col. Harts, within four miles of the town of Hillsboro- where he was living in 1780 when he enlisted as above stated. That he has no word of his age, but from the [illegible] he can [illegible] is now in his 74th year.
That he was living in Orange County aforesaid, and has been living there for about 62 years:-
That when he entered the united states service he enlisted.
That he [illegible] for his eighteen months. [illegible], but [illegible] he left in Strasburg in Virginia.
That he [illegible] his discharge from Cn. Reid:-
That he knew in its army, Col. Greene, Col. Morgan, Col. Smallwood, Cn. Aths Williams, Cn. Reid, Cn: Lytle, Cn. Tennin, Col. [illegible] - (militia officers)
That he is acquainted in his neighbourhood with cn. Joseph Allison, captain, John H. Wells, and James Smith, clergyman:-)
That he knows of no person living that can testify to his revolutionary services except that of John Dolley of Orange aforesaid, a pensioner:-
That there is a clergyman living [illegible] to him- whose [illegible] he has provided:-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity
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State of North Carolina
Orange County { S.S.
On this the 26th day of october 1834, personally appeared before the undersigned an acting justice each for the County of orange aforesaid, Col. Joseph Allison and Capt. John H. Wells, a resident citizen of orange aforesaid, who being duly qualified make oath that they are well acquainted with James Williams a resident citizen of orang aforesaid (now an applicant for a pension) that we have understood said Williams was a soldier in the war of the Revolution: is a man of truth and veracity and that he [illegible].
Sworn and subscribed the day and date [illegible] afore written before me, { J. Allison
John H. Wells
Saml. N Tate J.P James Byrd
And the said justice do hereafter certify that cn: Joseph Allison Captain John H. Wells, [illegible] duly [illegible] and [illegible] the above affidavit, are men of truth veracity.
24~ October. 1834.~ Saml. N. Tate JP
State of North Carolina
Orange County} S.S.
On this the 24th day of October 1832, personally appeared before the undersigned [illegible] for orange aforesaid John Dalley, now in the 81~ year of his age, a resident citizen of Orange and an united states pensioner: who being just duly qualified maketh oath, that, in the fall of 1780 while in the service at Black River remembers of seeing James Williams, now an applicant for pension there and at that time said Williams was a 'Drum Major' in the under Genl. Smallwood - and has always understood that said Williams served faithfully to the close of the war - or at least for eighteen months in which period he understood he had an
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had entitled. And that this applicant has of this has been acquainted with said Williams, and that he has always understood him to be a man of truth & veracity and a [illegible] soldier (for eighteen months) in the war of the Revolution.
Sworn & subscribed the day & month aforesaid:
[illegible] Saml. N Tate J.P.
John Dalley
And I the said justice do hereby certify that John Dalley who has today subscribed and sworn to this affidavit, is a [illegible] pensioner and a man of truth and veracity.
24~ October 1834. Saml. N Tate JP
State of North Carolina
I John Taylor clerk of Orange county court of pleas [illegible] do certify that Samuel N. Tate was who signed the above [illegible] was at that time a duly qualified justice of the peace.
[illegible] of office 25 Nov 1834
J. Taylor C.C.
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State of North Carolina
Orange County} S.S.
I James Smith, clergyman residing in Orange county do hereby certify that I am acquainted with James Williams of orange aforesaid, a resident of this neighbourhood, that he has the reputation of being a revolutionary soldier & a man of truth and veracity and that [illegible] in that [illegible] - James Smith
Sworn and subscribed on the 5 day of October 1834 before me
Thos Tinnin J.P. }
And I the said justice do duly certify that James Smith who has sworn to and subscribed the above affidavit is a clergyman of orange aforesaid is a man of truth & veracity.
Thos Tinnin J.P.
State of North Carolina
I John Taylor clerk of Orange county court of pleas & [illegible] do certify that T.T. whereof who signed the forgoing [illegible] was of that time a duly qualified justice of the peace
[illegible] seal of office
25th November 1834
J. Taylor C.C.
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Williamson
Allison
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[illegible] the [illegible], and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid-
J. Taylor C.L. James M Williams
And the said court do declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter [illegible] the interrogatory provided by the war department that the applicant James Williams was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states and the said court does further certify that Col. Joseph Allison and Capt John Wells whose names appear to the annexed affidavit are credible persons. Their statements are entitled to credit. -
I John Taylor clerk of the law court do hereby certify that the forgoing contain the original proceedings in the matter of the declaration of James Williams on his application for a pension.
[illegible] whereof [illegible]
my [illegible] seal of office 25th
November 1834
J. Taylor C.L.
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State of North Carolina {
Orange County } SS
We Thomas Reeves a clergyman residing in Orange county aforesaid and John Jeffrey residing in the same county certify that we are well acquainted with James Williams of orange aforesaid (who is now an applicant for pension) that we believe him to be about seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a drummer in the Continental service in the war of the Revolution & that he served eighteen months as drum major as he has set forth - and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 15' day of March 1836, before me
seal
Frederic Moize J.P } Thomas Reeves
John Jeffrey
And the said justice do hereby certify that Thomas Reeves, who has qualified and signed the above affidavit is a clergyman aforesaid, and that John Jeffrey who has signed the same is a man of truth & veracity.
Frederic Moize J.P
State of North Carolina.
I John Taylor, clerk of the court of pleas and quarter [illegible] for Orange County hereby certify that John Careathers and Frederick Moize, are magistrates as above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto authorized my seal of office and subscribed my name then this 15th March 1836
J. Taylor
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State of North Carolina
Orange County} S.S.
On this the 29~ day of February 1836 personally appeared before the undersigned as acting justice of the peace, in and for the county aforesaid John Dolley [illegible] and the 82nd year of his age a resident of the county of Orange aforesaid, as he being duly qualified maketh oath that during the war of the Revolution he was well acquainted with James Williams [illegible] a citizen of the county aforesaid and remembers that J. Williams was a drum major in the continental service, and has a  perfect recollection of Capy. McGibbony & Cl. Ried and [illegible] them [illegible] of Hillsboro, when Genl. [illegible] was encamped there after his defeat near Camden in aug. 1780. That Williams as drum major, succeeded one, 'Barker' Williams left Hillsboro' with the continental corps in the capacity of 'drum major'- and was [illegible] as wide as I remember life about the expiration of my tour in [illegible] the tour of Hillsboro- day the spring of the year after Cornwallis was made prisoner. my understanding has always been that Mr. Williams served in the United States as drum major eighteen months. I have been intimately acquainted with said James Williams [illegible] were [illegible]
Sworn & subscribed the day &
date [illegible] above [illegible] before me
J. Careathers J.P.} John Dalley
John Dalley
And I the lord justice do hereby certify that John Dalley is a man of truth & veracity-
February 29' day 1836. J. Careathers J.P
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State of North Carolina
Orange County} S.S.
On this the 25th day of May 1836, personally appeared before the undersigned as acting justice of the peace for Orange aforesaid, James Williams [illegible] who being just duly qualified maketh oath that in the war of the Revolution he served 18 months as drum major in the United States service as he has set forth is his original declaration - now on file in the War Department pension affairs, and that he cannot make any further proof that he knows of -
Sworn & subscribed the day + date aforesaid
John Blackwood JP} James N Williams
And the lord justice do hereby certify that James Williams who has sworn and subscribed the above affidavit is a man of truth & veracity.
John Blackwood JP
State of North Carolina
I John Taylor clerk of the court of pleas and quarter [illegible] for Orange county hereby certify that John Blackwood is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
[illegible] whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office & duly [illegible] my name this the 24~ day of May 1836.
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Supplementing evidence is the declaration of James Williams of Orange county for a Pension, made 21 day February 1833.
State of North Carolina
Orange county} S.S
On this the 24' day of February 1835, personally appeared before the undersigned as acting justice of the peace in and for Orange aforesaid, Brittain Bowers as United States pensioner a resident citizen of the aforesaid county who being just duly qualified maketh oath, that during the war of the Revolution, while in the town of Hillsboro, in the continental service in September 1780, [illegible] recollects at that time that James Williams of the county aforesaid enlisted in the service of the united states for eighteen months as drum major, in Smallwood's brigade - marked a little ahead of us - is Charlotte, there was [illegible] from [illegible], and [illegible] always understood, said Williams was marched under Reid, cn. [illegible] Lumberton, [illegible] Wilmington, [illegible] took shipping for Maryland- and was in the states of Maryland + Virginia the remainder of his eighteen months tour.
And this affidavit in conclusion says, he has [illegible] the [illegible] of 1780, been acquainted with said James Williams drum major, that he is a man of truth & veracity [illegible] as stated above. Sworn and subscribed the day + date [illegible] above written before me,
S. Strayhorn J.P.} Brittain Bowers
And I the said justice do hereby certify that, Brittain Bowers, who has this day sworn to and subscribed the above affidavit is a man of truth + veracity.
S. Strayhorn J.P
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State of North Carolina
Orange county}
I John Taylor, clerk of the court of pleas and quarter [illegible], for the county of Orange aforesaid, certify that Samuel Strayhorn Esq. is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed mu seal of office & subscribed my name, this 25~ day of February 1835.
J, Taylor C.C.
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James Williams.
Haw River
[illegible]
June 28
N6
James L. Edwards [illegible]
(War Department. Pen: office)
Washington city
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Haw River 20~ June 1836.
[illegible]:
I had overlooked when at our last court the additional proof of old W. Williams-
The old man's character is [illegible] - and he has the reputation of being a drummer as he states-
Mr. William Allen of this vicinity & Saml. Nelson [illegible] recollect of a Cn. Reid previous [illegible] and also McGibony. It can also be further proved if [illegible] William A was understood at the time enlisted as drum major and was [illegible] as he states-
[illegible]
[illegible]
James A Craig
James L Edwards [illegible]
Washington City}
If it be natural [illegible] of they come, that the [illegible] & court seal [illegible] had, [illegible], and [illegible]-
Excepting the above proof, W. Williams says he knows of no [illegible]
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Haw River NC.
4~ March 1835.
Sir:
When I was at our county court last week the testimony of Brittain Bowers an united [illegible] was obtained and forwarded at Mr. James Williams' request is you, as supplementary witness his declaration.
Bowers and he were both questioned to the [illegible] of Williams' in the summer & falll of 1780, and from there marched to [illegible] at [illegible]-
Bowers will recollect of Cn. Reid being in town and marching with them from Hillsboro - just before I left town] I was informed that William Cummings, quarter master in the southern army, says there were his [illegible] with this army, a cn. and a captain, that the cn. [illegible] of the Northern states, and was in Hillsboro - and that there was a captain also there by the name of McGibbony - I understand that all Mr. WIlliams designed getting his affidavit but owing to the unclemency of the weather was not able to attend to it - Please send the enclosed letter [illegible] Campbell of the Treasury Department. Let me hear from [illegible] early. Show the [illegible] question will be settled - [illegible] officially.
with much regard 
[illegible]
James A. Craig
Hm: B. Brown,
M. [illegible],
[illegible].}
You will remember that with his declaration, old Mr. [illegbile] forwarded the affidavit of John Dolley, an United States
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pensioner- who proved he saw [crossed out] and knew him in the service as drum major in fall, 1780.
[illegible] proves that Wm was drummer and marched out Hillsboro with the [illegible]- The old gentleman has after [illegible] found old Mr. Bowers who was a fellow soldier with him and his [illegible], what is [illegible] by the department - We the [illegible] of [illegible] who had personal knowledge of the [illegible] stated by the claimant-
[illegible] the [illegible] will be [oillegible] and this old [illegible] claim [illegible] him.
J.A.C
Col. Allison was one that certified [illegible] old Mr. [illegible] are well acquainted with him.
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State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's office
I William Hill secretary of state in and for the state aforesaid, do certify that it appears from the ministerials of the continental line of this state in the revolutionary war, that James Williams a private in Capt. Blount's company of the 10th Regiment enlisted on the 8th day of June 1779, for the term of 18 months, and that nothing more is said of him on said rolls [illegible] under my hand this 9th day of March 1835.
W. Hill
The James Williams named above is the only person of that name on the rolls except one who died in 1778 and a captain Ja. Williams. 
W. Hill
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James Williams
North Carolina
[illegible]
[illegible] 21- January 1835
Hon. Bedford Brown-
do William Hill in and 4, 1835
[illegible] Jas a. Craig [illegible] 19:1835
"same aug 12, 36
[illegible] William James
[illegible]
[illegible]
W Cummings [illegible]
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Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873
REJECTED
11.585
P.O. James Williams
Service:
Enlisted: ,
Discharged: ,
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.
Cert. of Dis. *Searched for
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-3-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME Williams, James GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 10560 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED October 21, 1791
To Jasper [illegible], assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior t 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.