Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6417, Edward Watkins, Va.
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Service Va. Watkins, Edward  Number W 6417
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8236 Virginia
Edward Watkins
of Powhattan Co in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Williamson of the Regs commanded by Col Willis in the Virginia line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 30 Dollars [crossed out]  per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of March 1833 - and sent to the Hon. W. S. Archer Elkhill Va
Arrears to the 4th of March ‘33	     $60
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep ‘33 $15
					                     $75
(right of page) 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Jno. Cromwell Clerk, 
Book E  Vol. 6  Page 30
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Virginia 594
Molly Watkins 
widow of Edward Watkins who died on the 7th day of April 1835 of Powhatan Co in the State of Virginia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Williamson of the regiment commanded by Col Willis in the Virginia [crossed out] militia 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 30 Dollar       Cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1835
Certificate of Pension issued the 11the day of March 1857 and sent Tho. Hord
[Illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible]
Semi-anl allowance ending [illegible]
				$75
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836 Section the [illegible]}
Recorded by H. H. Sylvester, Clerk, 
Book A  Vol. 1  Page 192
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(right of page)
N 6393,
Ed. Watkins [illegible].
Declaration for a Pension.
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State of Virginia and County of Powhatan to wit: 
On this 15th day of August in the year 1832, personally appeared in open court before Saml Jones, B. S. Morrison, Jno C Porter, C Selden the Court of Powhatan County aforesaid now [illegible] Edward Watkins a resident of the same County, aged 85 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make this following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress dated June 7th 1832. 
Edward Watkins of  the said County of Powhatan County declares that he is in the eight-sixth year of his age -that he was born and rained in the same County that he took the oath, common at that time, by which he renounced his allegiance to King George - this said year in which he took this oath he does not recollect, his recollections being [illegible] as to dates - that he was in almost constant service under Capt. Williamson for about two or three years previous to the battle at Guilford C. H. in N. Carolina.  That he went to the South in the early part of the year 1781 under the command of Capt. Williamson from the same County of Powhatan & [Illegible]  this [Illegible] at Peyton’s ferry - That he was shortly after this in the engagement at Guilford - in which battle he was taken prisoner - That he continued a prisoner for three days - Then from the [Illegible] of effecting his escape - & came on home - That he was called on to go to George Town shortly after getting home, but procured a substitute .  That he was in service for three years or more.  That he remembers that Col Beverly Randolph, Major Tucker  & Col Holcomb were officers engaged in the battle of Guilford.  That he has not the regiment discharge . That he was not a volunteer or substitute- but that he was drafted. 
He hereby relinquishes his every claim whatever to a to a pension or annuity excess of this pension & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid
Edward Watkins
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[crossed out]
Sam Dorsett a clergyman residing in the County of Powhatan & John Boss residing in the County of Chesterfield, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Edward Watkins, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & that we believe to be about 86 years of age.  That he is respected & believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion - 
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid
Saml Dorsett
John Boss
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after a full investigation of this matter, & after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department, that this aforesaid applicant was a revolutionary solider, & served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to these that Edward Watkins who has signed this preceding certificate is a clergyman, & resident in the County of Powhatan & that John Boss is a resident of Chesterfield County he is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit.  
Saml Jones
B. S. Morrison
Jno C. Porter
C Selden

I, William S. Dance, Clerk of the Court of Powhatan County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of this said Court in the matter of the application of Ed Watkins for a pension.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 15th day of Aug in the year 1832. -
Wm S. Dance C.
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(left of page)
1474
Declaration of Molly Watkins
widow of Edwd. Watkins - late a pensioner of  Powhatan Co. Va
Va
4 July ‘36
3 Sec.
[Illegible] Mr. Jones the [Illegible] of  [Illegible] action in this case 
originally - If not sufficient I will forward the Declaration to the Clerk of Powhatan for his certificate & seal. 
Hord
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State of Virginia
Powhatan County [Illegible] on this 27th day of Jany, 1837 personally appeared before me a justice in  a for said County Molly Watkins a resident of said County and State aforesaid, aged 84 years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, [Illegible], on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed the 4th July 1836. 
That she is the widow of Edward Watkins, late of Powhatan who was a soldier in the Virginia Militia Service during the War of the Revolution.  He became a pensioner of the Government [Illegible] the year 1832 and the certificate which he received from the Government is herewith returned .  By this certificate it [Illegible] that he was allowed only the sum of $30 annually - the [Illegible] notwithstanding her advanced age retains her recollections to a great extent and do for as she can, will state the serving of her late husband in the War of the Revolution - and this she is [Illegible] to as in conveyance of her knowledge of the fact that her said husbands’ recollection. at the time that his declaration was made was so much impaired that he was not able to state the full amount of his said [Illegible] . - In the early part of the revolution it was required that those who were [Illegible] to draft - should either go into service or furnish [illegible] - that her said husband and one Edmund Wooldrige hired a substitute to take his place for two years and during that time her late husband was not [Illegible]. - She states that some time in the spring of the year preceding the occurrence of the small [Illegible] in the northern
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army, that her husband was called out on an expedition to the sea board in Virginia and was out at that time several months, the precise number of which she cannot recollect.  When called on again he was marched towards the sea board and was in Williamsburg that precise length of time he was out on this tour she can’t remember.  He was out again for a considerable time, and was at the battle of Guildford Court House - and at the time of the Siege of York in [illegible]  he was called out, but the exact length of time she can’t recollect precisely.  She remembers the names of some of the officers that her husband spoke of - Cap. Hughes of Cumberland - B. G. Lawson & Col Randolph.  She further declares that she was married to the said Edward Watkins before the commencement of the said revolutionary war, in the County of Chesterfield in the state of Virginia by a clergyman by name of Archibald McRoberts, who died many years ago.  He was a clergyman of the Episcopal church.  That her said husband died on the 9th day of April 1835. and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will fully appear by references to the proof hereto appeared.
Molly Watkins
Sworn to and subscribed on this day & year above written -  
Saml Jones J.P.
And the said justice further certifies that on the account of the extreme age and bodily infirmity of declarant. If her my [illegible], if not impracticable, to attend the Court to make her declaration.  
Saml Jones J.P.
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State of Virginia
Powhatan County to wit - 
Personally came before me a justice of the peace for said County Spencer Watkins whose statement is worthy of full faith and credit and who being first duly sworn according to law saith that he is the son of Edward Watkins and Molly Watkins his wife - That he was the second second son of said Edward & Molly Watkins & that himself & older brother were born before the revolutionary war commenced.  That his said father and mother were married before that time - and he further saith that his said mother has remained the widow of said Edward Watkins since his death in the year 1835.
Spencer Watkins
Subscribed and sworn to before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid this 27th day of January 1837
Saml Jones J.P.
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(middle of page)
6393
Edward Watkins
aomd
Page 67
5.b 13.
Int 5.6.7
In [Illegible] Nov 9.
Wm S. Dance Esq
[Illegible] 
Va
Hon Wm S. Archer
Elkhill
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6393
Brief in the case of Edward Watkins of in the State of Virginia (Act 7th June 1832)
Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
If before a Judge, does it appear that the application is disabled by bodily infirmity?
How old is he? 86
State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 





Period | Duration of Service | Rank |Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
In 17 | Years, Month, Days| As a | Gen
draft period not exactly stated but some part of service was in 1781 |3 or more |private |Cap. Williamson 

In what battles was he engaged? Guildford in which he was taken prisoner
Where did he reside when he entered the service? Powhatan Cty Va
Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary 
Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so in what respect? The person who has signed the certificate with the clergyman is a resident in a different County from that in which the applicant clergyman resides. 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answer agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
T Waugh, Examining Clerk
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(right of page)
Ed. Watkins’s 
Declaration for a Pension
Claims for service of [Illegible] disallowed
aomd
9 mo. pre
30 JP
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State of Virginia, Powhatan County, Court
On this 20th day of February in the year 1833, personally appeared in open court before the county of the County of Powhatan aforesaid now sitting Edward Watkins, a resident of the said county, aged 85 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the forthcoming declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  
That he the said Edward Watkins is now in the 86th year of his age, that he was born and raised in the said County of Powhatan where he still resides, that on the 20th day of September 1777 he took the oath of allegiance and fidelity as directed by an act of the General Assembly entitled an act to oblige the free male inhabitants of this state above a certain age to give assurance of allegiance to the same, and for other purposes, as will appear by the certificate of Vincent Markham hereto attached.  That in the early part of the Revolutionary war, he and one Edward Wooldridge in [Illegible] of a law then in force furnished a substitute, a man named Watkins Edward to serve in the army for two years.  That after the expiration of these two years, he was drafted in the militia and marched from the country of Powhatan under the command of Capt. George Williamson of the same County, and proceeded to Williamsburg, crossing James River at the City of Richmond and passing down from there on the north side of the River: that he was drafted for the term of three months and did serve in this town that length of time. He does not recollect the precise time of his being called into the service or his discharge therefrom.  He remembers that Lawson commanded as General at Williamsburg and Willis, as Colonel.  After his return to Powhatan he was again called on and drafted and marched from the same County of Powhatan under the command of the said Captain George Williamson, to Cabin Point in Surry County in the State of Virginia.  On his way to Cabin Point he passed thro Petersburg.  that whilst he was at Cabin Point there was a slight skirmish between the British troops and some of the Americans, but he was, at the time, with the Guard.
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that he was drafted for three months and did service in this tour to Cabin Point that length of time.  The same Lawson commanded as General and Willis as Colonel, at Cabin Point.  That in the winter of 1780-1781 he was again called on and drafted in the said County of Powhatan for a tour of three months and marched from the same county under the command of the same Capt. George Williamson, and proceeded to the South, crossing the Roanoke River at [Illegible] Ferry .  That he was in the engagement at Guildford Courthouse on the 15th of March 1781 where he was taken prisoner by the British.  That he continued a prisoner three days and then found the means of making his escape and returned home.  Capt Williamson resigned after getting to Guildford and he (the said Watkins) was put under the command of Capt Hubbard where he remained a short time and was afterwards transferred and placed under the command of Capt Wm Hughes, Col Beverly Randolph commanded the Regiment and Major George Tucker, the battalion to which he was attached at Guildford. That in addition to the officers above named he remembers Gen Lawson and Col Holcombe were officers engaged in the battle at Guildford.  That at the time he was taken prisoner by the British, they took from him all his papers and to the best of his recollection his discharges from previous service   That he was engaged in the service at the time he marched to Guildford at least three months.  That shortly after his return home, he was again called on to march to York Town, in Virginia, but at that time, he furnished a substitute, one Daniel Langsdon who marched with the army and remained in the service until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. 
That he was engaged in the service including the periods of time for which he furnished substitutes at least three years.  That he was not a volunteer or substitute, but who each time that he was allied on drafted in the militia.  He has no documentary evidence of his service but he refers to the testimony of Seth Hatcher and Thomas Tucker hereto fore given and transmitted to the war department.  He cannot state with certainty the different dates at which he was called into service or the times of his discharge from service.
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity expert the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Edward Watkins
[Illegible ] Ed Baptist a clergyman residing in the County of Powhatan and Jos B. Davis residing in the the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Edward Watkins who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 85 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
Edw Baptist
JS B Davis
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department and as contained in the body of the foregoing declaration that the above named applicant was  Revolutionary soldier and served as he states: and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Edward Baptist who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Powhatan and that Joseph B Davis who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I Wm S. Dance clerk of the County Court of Powhatan do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Edward Watkins for a Penson  In testimony
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whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office.  this 20th day of February 1833. 
Wm. S. Dance C
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June 23, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Edward Watkins - W. 6417
BA-J/AWF

Mr. D. C. Wilson
2201 Hanover Avenue
Richmond, Virginia

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Edward Watkins of Powhatan County, Virginia.  
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in the pension claim, W. 6417, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Edward Watkins. 
He was born in Powhatan County, Virginia, no date given, nor are the names of his parents stated. 
While residing in Powhatan County, Virginia, Edward Watkins took the oath of allegiance, September 20, 1777, and served two tours of three months each as a private in Captain George Williamson’s company, Colonel Willis; Virginia regiment.  He enlisted in the winter of 1780 and 1781 and served three under Captains George Williamson, Hubbard  and William Hughes, a part of the time in Colonel Beverly Randolph’s Virginia regiment, was in the battle of Guilford Court House, where taken prisoner, made his escape in a few days and returned home; length of service three months.  
Edward Watkins was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1832, then aged about eighty-five years and living in Powhatan County, Virginia. 
Edward Watkins married prior to the war of the Revolution (date not given), in Chesterfield County,
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Virginia, Molly, whose maiden name is not shown. 
The soldier, Edward Watkins, died April 9, 1835.  His widow, Molly Watkins, was allowed pension on her application executed January 27, 1837, then eighty-four years of age and living in Powhatan County, Virginia. 
Their second son, Spencer Watkins, was a resident of Powhatan County, Virginia in 1837, and then stated that he and his older brother were born before the “Revolutionary War commenced’, name of older brother not stated. There are no further data in this claim relative to family 
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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May 3, 1932
BA-J/AWF
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Edward Watkins
W. 6417

Honorable James F. Byrnes
United States Senate
Washington, D. C. 

My dear Senator: 
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 6417, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Edward Watkins. 
He was born in Powhatan County, Virginia, date not given. 
He enlisted ,  no date given, took oath of alle - Sept 20 77 [handwritten], while residing in said Powhatan County, and served two tours of three months each as a private in Captain George Williamson’s company in Colonel Willis’ Virginia regiment.  He enlisted in the winter of 1780 and 1781 and served three months as private under Captains George Williamson, Hubbard and William Hughes, a part of the time in Colonel Beverly Randolph’s Virginia regiment, he was in the battle of Guilford Court House, where taken prisoner, and held three days, when he made his escape and returned home. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1832, then a resident of Powhatan County, Virginia, and was about eighty-five years of age. 
He died April 9, 1835. 
He married prior to the War of the Revolution (date not given), in Chesterfield County, Vir-
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ginia, Molly, whose maiden name is not stated. 
She was allowed pension on her application executed January 27, 1837, then a resident of Powhatan County, Virginia, and was eighty-four years of age. 
Their second son, Spencer, was a resident of Powhatan County, Virginia in 1837, and then stated that he and his older brother were born before the “Revolutionary War commenced”, name of older brother is not shown. 
There are no further family data. 
Very truly yours. 
A.D. Hiller 
Assistant to Administrator
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[Illegible] and 1812
War Section. 
February 12, 1925
Miss L. Cunningham, 
Violet Bank
Petersburg, Va.

Madam; 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 6417, it appears that Edward Watkins was born in Powhatan County, Virginia, date not stated. 
While residing in said county, he enlisted and served two tours of three months each, as a private in Captain George Williamson’s Company, Colonel Willis’ Virginia Regiment, no dates stated. 
In the winter of 1780 and 1781, he served three months as a private under Captains Hubbard, George Williamson, and William Hughes, a part of the time [handwritten] in Colonel Beverly Randolph’s Virginia Regiment, he was taken prisoner at the battle of Guilford and held three days, when he made his escape and returned home.
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He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1832, while a resident of Powhatan County, Virginia, aged about eighty-five years.  He died April 9, 1835.
Soldier married prior to the Revolution in Chesterfield County, Virginia (date not given), Molly, whose maiden name is not stated, she was allowed pension on her application executed January 27, 1837, while a resident of Powhatan County, Virginia, aged eighty-four years.  
Spencer their second son, was a resident of Powhatan County, Virginia in 1835. No other names of children stated.  
Owing to a lack of clerical force available for such a purpose, only two reports are furnished each inquirer.  
Respectfully, 
Acting Commissioner
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(left of page) [Illegible] Records Section 
N. 4.6.417
(middle of page) 3-525
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C. , _________, 19__
In reply to your request of ____________, received __________ for a statement of the military history of Edward Watkins a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
Length of Service 
Rank.
Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain




Colonel
State


3 mos
Pvt
George Williamson
Willis
Va.


3 mos


George Williamson
Willis


1780-1781
3 mos


George Williamson
Beverly Randolph








Hubbard
Wlm Hughes
[Illegible] 




was taken prisoner in battle of Guildford and kept 3 days then made his escape and returned home. was called on to go to Yorktown [  ] 
Battles engaged in, see above
Resident of soldier at enlistment, Powhatan County, Va
Date of application for pension, Aug 15, 1832  His cl. was al. 
Residence at date of application, Powhatan County, Va. 
Age at date of application, about in his 86th year, born in Powhatan County, Va. 
Remarks: died April 9, 1835.  He married prior to the Revolution by Archibald McRoberts [Illegible] in Chesterfield Co, Va. (date not given) Molly - 
She was allowed pensions see an app ex. January 27, 1837 while a resident of Powhatan Co. Va aged 84 years.  Spencer 2nd son was a resident of Powhatan Co. Va. in 1835 - no other names of children stated. 
[Illegible] his older brother  [Illegible] Revolution
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.
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(middle of page) 
To what time was Edward Watkins of Powhatan Co. Virginia paid under the Act of June 7 1832.
[Illegible] March 1837
[Illegible] 
Mar 13 1837
Page 26

(middle of page) 
Allow pn. give #30 per alla, cons
4 March 1835
Tho Hord Esq
[Illegible]
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(left of page)
1919 Jan’y 23 Hist. to  Hon. John W. Gaines
1925 - Feb 12 - Hist to Miss L Cunningham - See letter in John Watkins S. 31460 AUF
1932 - May 3 - histo. to Hon. James F Byrnes  AUF
1933 - June 23 - hist to Mrs. D. G. Wilson  AUF
1934 - May 3 - hist to Mrs. Allen J. Snoddy AUF 

(right of page)
Revy Widow, &c.
File no. 6417
Molly Watkins
Wid. 
Edward Watkins
Prt. Va. [Illegible] 
Act July 4th 36, [Illegible] 3d
Index:- Vol. M, Page 307
{Arrangement of 1870}
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(middle of page)
If I have the wrong Gov. Dept., will you please deliver this to the right one, and thank you.  I am so eager to hear I do not want a delay in writing again.
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(middle of page)
Tulsa, Oklahoma,
4143 S. Norfolk - 
April -16-1934.

(left of page)
Pension Bureau, 
Washington, D. C
Gentlemen: 
Will you please send me Rev. service of Edward Watkins, Sr., of Powhatan Co. Va.? A friend wrote me, he was on pension rolls - 1832-33 Va. Militia, and I would deeply appreciate any data about him or his family that is in your files. 
Do you have a record of service for Thomas Watkins of Powhatan Co.?
Also of Joel Watkins who I was informed was sworn in Va. Militia, in 1780- tho I have no proof of this. 
I am indebted to you for help from your office and again I thank you for this splendid service. 
Sincerely 
Mrs. Allen T. Snoody
I have data on Col Thomas Spencer (who married Lucy Watkins) from your office.  Now do you have any information on Thomas Spencer Sr. who was known as Col also? He married Eliza Julia Flournoy.  I will be so grateful to you for your aid!
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(left of page)Residence phone: Dial 53604
(right of page) Office Phone: Dial 21858
(middle of page) Dr. David G. Wilson 
707 Professional Building 
Richmond, Virginia
(right of page) June 15, 1933.
(Left of page) U.S. Pension Office, 
Washington, D.C. 
Revolutionary War Division.
Gentlemen: 
I will greatly appreciate any information which you can give me on the service of EDWARD WATKINS, of Powhatan County, Av.  His name is found in the report of the Secretary of War, 1835, Pen. 2. 187.
I thank you,
Sincerely yours, 
Jane P. J. Wilson
(Mrs. D. G. Wilson)
2201 Hanover Avenue
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(middle of page) United States Senate
Committee on Appropriations
April 27, 1932
(left of page)
Mr. E.W. Morgan, Director of Pensions, 
Veteran’s Administration 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: 
I will appreciate it if you can furnish me with the following information, or refer the same to the proper Department.  whether one Edward or Edmond Watkins, of Powhatan County, Virginia, ever drew a pension for Revolutionary services? He died April 9, 1835 in Powhatan County Virginia.  If a list of his children and his wife’s name are listed, would like this also. 
I would like also to have the same information with regard to John Montague, of Virginia.  He removed to Abbeville, South Carolina, before his death in 1831, September 20th. 
Very truly yours, 
James F. Byrnes
B/C
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John W. Gaines
Attorney at Law
Jany 16/19
Nashville, Tenn
Sir: 
Please send me a digest of the military and family history [Illegible] in the [Illegible] papers of Ed. Watkins of Va, a Revolutionary soldier. 
Yours truly, 
Jno W Gaines
Hon, The Commr of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
[stamp in black ink]
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May 3, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Edward Watkins - W. 6417
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Allen T. Snoddy
4143 South Norfolk
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Dear Madam: 
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in the pension claim, W. 6417, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Edward Watkins. He was born in Powhatan County, Virginia, no date given, nor are the names of his parents shown. While residing in Powhatan County, Virginia, Edward Watkins took the oath of allegiance, September 20, 1777, served two tours of three months each as private in Captain George Williamson’s company, Colonel Willis’ Virginia regiment. He enlisted in the winter of 1780 and 1781, served under captains George Williamson, Hubbard and Williams Hughes, a part of the time in Colonel Beverly Randolph’s Virginia regiment, was in the battle of Guildford Court House, where taken prisoner, made his escape in a few days and returned home; length of this service three months.  He was allowed pension on his application executed, August 15, 1832, then aged about eighty-five years and living in Powhatan County, Virginia, where he had always lived.  Edward Watkins married prior to the War of the Revolution (no date given) in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Molly, whose maiden name is not stated.  He died April 9, 1835.  His widow, Molly Watkins,
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was allowed pension on her application executed, January 27, 1837, then eighty-four years old and resident of Powhatan County, Virginia.  Spencer Watkins, the second son of Edward and Molly Watkins, was living in 1837 in Powhatan County, Virginia, and then stated that he and his elder brother were born before the “Revolutionary War commenced", name of older brother not given.  There are no further data in this claim relative to the family. 
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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May 3, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/ady
Mrs. Allen T. Snoddy
4143 South Norfolk
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter relative to Edward Watkins, Thomas Watkins, Joel Watkins, and Colonel Thomas Spencer, Sr. who served in the Revolutionary War.  Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension or bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war.  A careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Thomas Watkins as described by you or Joel Watkins, all spellings of the surname searched.  The Revolutionary War records of this office show only one Thomas Spencer who served as an officer in that war. His record was furnished you on October 10, 1933.  The record of Edward Watkins, W. 6417, is furnished herewith, on separate page, as found in the claim for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War. 
Very truly yours, 
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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(middle of page)
Payments to be made at Richmond Va by the Presd. U.S. Br. Bk Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Virginia
Recorded by Jno Cromwell
Clerk, in Book E Vol 6
Page 30
Page 37

War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Edward Watkins of the State of Virginia who as a Private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Thirty dollars  [crossed out] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and the 4th of September, in every year. 
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 21st day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty= three. 
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and Counte signed. J. L. Edwards