Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,447, John Williamson, New York
Page 1

New York  Williamson,John Hannah 
NUMBER. W. 18.447
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10359
New York
Hannah Wiliamson NY
Widow of John Williamson who was a pensioner under the Act of
 and who died on the in 1796 of Montgomery 
in the state of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain   of the Regh commanded by
the Revolution for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day November, 1847 and sent to Giles H. Yatez

Albany N
Total amount, $400.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Th. Lumpkin, Clerk
Bok D Vol 1 Page 533
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Si li C.J Mc Dowel Jany 13,  '48
Payable to Jacob J Williamson in admin for the sole use and benefits of the said Jacob  J. Williamson and John Williamson, Elizabeth Williamson, Margaret Wheeler, and  Polly Fenwick only surviving children.
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In the matters to of John Williamson
Afft of Henry Williamson
 Augt 23, '47
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State of New York
County of Fulton} ss

I , Henry Williamson of the town of Ephratah in said county being further duly sworn do depose and say that I am a son of John Williamson in behalf of whose widow and on account of whose services in the war of the revolution, an application for a pension that I am the same person who on a previous occasion made an affidavit in the matter of the aforesaid application- and I further testify and say that my father the said John Williamson on several occasions informed me or told me in the course of conversation, that there was bounty land due to him from the United States on account or by reason of his services aforesaid in said war in the Company of Captain Andrew Fink in the Continental Army & in the line of the State of New York. That during the lifetime of the said John Williamson he the said John Williamson never occupied or entered into possession of the land thus due him, according to the best of my knowledge information & belief. 
Subscribed and sworn before me this 23rd August 1847
Thomas R. Benedict Justice of the said county of Fulton}

his
Henry X Williamson
mark

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Henry Williamson and that he is in the estimation of Society a man of truth and veracity and that his above statement is entitled to credit
[signed] Thomas R. Benedict Justice
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State of New York
Fulton County Clerk's office ss}
I Stephen Wait  Clerk of said County of Fulton do hereby certify that Thomas R Benedict before whom the witness and foregoing affidavit of Henry Williamson purports to have been taken  [illegible] at the date and time of taking the service a Justice of the Peace in and for said County dwelling in said County duly and legally authorized to take the [illegible] and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe that his name discribed to the [illegible] of said affidavit and to the certificate following the same is his genuine Signature. In testimony whereof [illegible] my name and affixed the Seal of said County and of the Several Courts thereof this 28th day of August AD 1847.  [signed] S. Wait Clerk
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[left side of page]
No. 23- for 1847.
In the matter dec of Hannah Williamson decd late widow of 
John Williamson decd
Declaration of son , & certificate of such dec
No. 1.

G. F. Yates
Solicitor 


[right side of page]
No 13.356, May 20, 47
Hannah Williamson, Decd
widow of John
 NY
Act July 7, of 38,

married 1785
husband died [illegible]
widow decd 28 March 1847

[written vertically on the right side of page over the words above:]

Herein to set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day & year first above written
[signed] C S Brumley Clerk
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DECLARATION.

In order to obtain the benefit of the provision made By an act of Congress, passed 7th July 1838, entitled  “An act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows.”
State of New York
County of Montgomery}ss.
On this 11th day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty seven personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County in open court Jacob J Williamson -  a resident of the town of Charleston in the county of Montgomery, and said State of New York aged upwards of fifty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by an act of Congress passed July 7th, 1838, entitled “An act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows” and acts explanatory of and amending the same. 
That he is one of the children of Hannah Williamson, deceased, who was the widow of John Williamson, late of the town of Palatine in said County & state of New York- who served in the war of the revolution as hereinafter stated.That her husband,Tthe said John Williamson resided previous to the war of the revolution and afterwards in said town of Palatine & continued to reside therein till the day of his death. Previous to said war he was married to one Catherine Smith, who died before the close of said war, and he was about a year after said war, married as herein after stated to a daughter of Captain Henry Miller, named Hannah, the same person above named as the mother of this Declarant, and who informed him that she was about seven years of age when said war commenced. His said father John Williamson was reputed to have been a war's man during said war or to have served during the whole war aforesaid as an enlisted soldier in the New York Line Continental army. The annexed paper purporting to contain a record of Declarant's time of birth, was copied about the war 1825 or over twenty two years ago from a family record of Declarant's father & contains a true record thereof  - to wit - He was born on he 2d day of October one thousand seven hundred & ninety three. He is the youngest child of said Hannah & John Williamson.  His oldest brother is named John who is two years & an half older than Declarant. His sisters of whom three are living, named Elizabeth or Betsy, Margaret & Polly are all older than his brother John aforesaid, Margaret and Polly are all older than his brother John aforesaid, Margaret is the wife of one Daniel Wheeler, and said Polly of George Fenwick.
	And Declarant further saith, That she, said widow, was married to the said John Williamson on the eighth day of ["July" crossed out] ^February^ seventeen hundred and eighty-five by the Rev. Mr Pick in said town of Palatine and that the ["following" crossed out] persons ^who^ were present at their marriage, ["to wit" crossed out] Declarant does not remember ever to have heard stated.
	That previous to her said marriage she resided in the town of Palatine aforesaid and bore the maiden name of Hannah Miller as aforesaid.
	That her husband the said John Williamson died as aforesaid in the month ["day' crossed out] of June or July 1796. That since his death, she remained single and unmarried, & his widow, until the day of her death & that she died on the twenty-eighth day of March One thousand Eight hundred and forty-one.

Jacob Williamson
his
[handwritten] X
mark
 
Subscribed and sworn the day and year first aforesaid, before said Judges in open court as aforesaid.   
C.S. Brumley clerk of said court

Note that the words "forty-one“ in the above Declaration last line & “Hannah” eleventh line from top were written on razure- also “July” erased & “February” underlined in date of marriage. 
C.S. Brumley Clerk of said court

[the following is written vertically along the left margin of the page:]

Jacob J. Williamson was born in the town of Palatine Montgomery county (N.Y.) the 2nd day of October. 1793.
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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that John Williamson, the father of the within named declarant, was a revolutionary soldier, and served as stated in the within Declaration. 
Chester S Brumley Clerk of said court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application made in behalf of Hannah Williamson, widow of said John Williamson deceased. and that it satisfactorily appears to said Court, that said John Williamson died in the month of June or July in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six -  that said John WIlliamson was married to said Hannah his late widow, on the eight day of Feby, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five that she remained his widow & unmarried after his decease until the day of her death, that she said Hannah died on the twenty-eighth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-one - and that she left her surviving and still alive the said Declarant Jacob J. Williamson, John Williamson, Elizabeth Williamson, Margaret Wheeler & Polly Fenwick.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the day and year first above written
[signed] C. S. Brumley Clerk.

[On bottom half of page is the cover page of a document as follows:]

No 13.356,  May 20 '47

Hannah Williamson,
Decd
widow of John
N.Y.
Act July 7 of 38.

Married 1785
husband died 1796
widow decd 28 March 1847
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[image is of the cover of a book]

MEDITATIONS
AND
DISQVISITIONS
UPON
The Three laft [last] Pfalmes [Psalms] of
DAVID.

By Sr. RICHARD BAKER, Knight.

[image of a fancy diamond shaped scroll symbol]

LONDON,
Printed by John Dawson, for Frances Eglesfield, and are to bee fold [sold] at the Marigold, in Pauls Church-yard.  1639.
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[image is an inscription on the inside cover of the book from the previous page]

[illegible] Lord the imeditation upon Davids psalmes is not unlike the [illegible] about a diamond when it is [illegible] that can be by polishing yet there will be addition of lustere by a [illegible] but as for polishing my poore meditations pretend not to it [illegible]

Hannah Miller and
John Williamson was married in 
the year 1785 the 8 of feberay
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[image is a copy of a page from the previous book]
[I transcribed the words as they appear, with the old-fashioned way of writing "s" as "f"]

upon the 51.  Pfalme.  185

plant fweet flowers.  In saying, [italics] Turne away thy face from my finnes [sins], [end italics] he deprecates the evill; and pluckes up weedes:  and in the next following; [italics] Create in me a clean heart; [end italics] he obfecrates the good, and plants fweet flowers.  In faying, [italics] Caft me not off from thy prefence; [end italics] hee deprecates the evill, and plucks up weedes:  and in faying, [italics] Reftore to mee the joy of thy falvation; [end italics] hee obfecrates the good, and plants fweet flowers.  And by this he feemes, as it were; to befiege God round with his Petitions; and to hold him faft with both hands as Iacob did the Angel: that he may leave him no way to efcape, and bee fure not to let him go without a bleffing.
Another obfervation, may be this; that in all this Pfalme, David arrogateth nothing to himfelfe, but finne' and mifery; lying wholly at Gods mercy, for the remiffion of his finnes; and fo far from any ability to fatisfie for himfelfe; that he acknowledgeth in himfelfe an utter difability, but to fpeak a good word, or but to think a good thought; and indeedr wee may truely fay, that all the fpirits in the Arteries; all the bloud in the vaines of this Pfalme, are but blafts, and drops of the Antheamc in Chrifts Prayer: [italics] For thine is the Kingdome, the Power, and the Glory, for ever, and ever, [end italics] Amen.

FINIS.
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[The following is written on the back side of the book page transcribeed on the previous page.]

  John Williamson was born in the year 17[last 2 digits of the year are missing because the page corner is torn off]
John Williamson and Catherine Smith [illegible - looks like "wedding"] the 5 day of June in the year 176 [last digit looks like a "4" or "9"].
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Livingston County I Margaret Wheeler of the town of North Dansville, in said County of Livingston & state of New York, do depose and say I am sixty two years old and am the oldest daughter of John Williamson & Hannah his wife according to the best of my knowledge and belief  And have always from my childhood been acquainted with the family Book entitled Mediations and Disquisitions upon the ^three last ^ Psalms of David & the leaves hereunto annexed purporting to contain the record of John Williamson & Hannah his wife & of the age of the said John Williamson and am fully satisfied that the same is in no respect altered erased or changed That I saw the same leaves cut out of the said family Book to which they belonged when I first saw ["them" crossed out] it as aforesaid & I believe it to be genuine & to contain a true account of the Marriage of the said John Williamson & of said Hannah which took place according to said record on the eighth day of ["Jany" crossed out] February one thousand seven hundred & eighty five
Margaret Wheeler
X
Her mark

I Joseph Enos a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Livingston do hereby certify that on the 22 day of March 1847 personally appeared before me the aforesaid named Margaret Wheeler whose name appears to the foregoing Deposition & the said Margaret made Oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing  deposition by her signed by her mark are true and correct according to the best of her knowledge & belief that I am acquainted with said Margaret & that she is esteemed in the community in which she lives to be a Lady of
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of truth & veracity & that her statements are entitled to full credit  And further certify that the said leaves above specified & referred to were cut out of the said family Book in my presence as above testified 
Subscribed & sworn before me March 22nd 1847
[signed] Joseph Enos J.P.

State of New York
Livingston County clerks office}ss

I hereby Certify that Joseph Enos Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit appears to have been taken and subscribed was on the day the same heard date a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Elected and Sworn and authorized by law to take the Same and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his Signature Subscribed  to the said affidavit to be genuine 
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said County at Geneseo this 22nd day of March 1847.
[signed] Wm H Whiting, Clerk
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State of New York
Steuben County}Ss

I CrownedgeJ Kincade of the town of Avoca in said county aged thirty six years, do depose and say, that I am a son inlaw of Elizabeth Williamson a daughter of Hannah and John Williamson the said Hannah’s maiden name was “Miller” and the said John Williamson her late husband was reputed to have been during and for the war of the revolution an enlisted soldier therein.  The tradition of his family is clear and positive on this point, and also as to his service during said enlistment under Captain Andrew Finck usaly called after said war  Major Finck. Said John Williamson had a child by his first wife named Henry who resides in the town of Ephratah in the county of Fulton in in said state. By his second wife the said Hannah she had the following children who still survive, and as I have been informed and partly known from my own personal knowledge viz
1 & 2 John Williamson & Elizabeth, who reside in said town of Avoca. 
3rd Margaret wife of Daniel Wheeler of the town of Dansville, Livingston County in in said state.
4th Polly wife of George Fenwick, whose residence is unknown to me.
5th Jacob J Williamson, who resides in the town of Charleston in the County of Montgomery in said state.
	The record and traditionary account in said family is that said John Williamson and Hannah Miller aforesaid, were married in the town of Palatine in said County of Montgomery by the Rev Mr Peak at the
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time thereof minister of the Dutch Church in stone arabia in said town of Palatine on the eighth day of February in the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five  That said John Williamson died in the month of June or July one thousand seven Hundred and ninety six leaving his said Hannah his widow herin surviving that she remained his widow and unmarried till the day of her death & that she died on the twenty Eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Forty one in said town of Avoca in the County of Steuben in said state.
[signed] Crownedge J KingCade

I Herman S Rose a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Steuben Do hereby certify that on the twenty six day of March 1847 personally appeared before me the aforesaid Crownage J Kingcade whose name appears to the foregoing Deposition and the said Crownage J made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed by him are true and correct according to the best of his knowledge and belief that I am acquainted with said Crownage J & that he is esteemed in the community in which he lives to be a gentleman of truth and verasity & that his statements are entitled to full credit 
Sworn and & subscribed before me this 26th day of March 1847
[signed] Herman S Rose J.P.
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State of New York
Steuben County} SS

I John Williamson of the town of Avoca in Said County of Steuben Do Depose & say that I am over fifty four years of age & am the Eldest son of John Williamson & Hannah his wife according to my belief & best knowledge & have always from my childhood been acquainted with the family Book Entitled meditations & disquisitions on the three last Psalms of David containing a record of the marriage of John Williamson & Hannah his wife. The possession & care of said family Book was confered upon myself more than thirty years since since which time there has been no alteration erasures or changes made in said record. Since I have been acquainted with the [illegible] - The leaves attached to these affidavits containing a record of the aforesaid marriage are those taken from the said family Book aforesaid of which I have had the care &  that the record there made I verily believe to be true & genuine which record Says that John Williamson & Hannah his wife were married on the Eight of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty five And this deponent further Saith that he believes the said John Williamson had been dead over fifty years according to the best of his recollections
[signed] C. J. Wade [illegible]
John Williamson
X
his mark
I Herman S Rose a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Steuben do hereby certify that on the twenty six day of March 1847 personally appeared
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before me the aforesaid John Williamson whose name appears to the foregoing deposition & the said John Williamson made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed by his ^making his mark^ are true & correct according to the best of his knowledge & beliefs that I am acquainted with the said Williamson and that he is esteemed in the community in which he lives to be a gentleman of truth and verasity and that his statement are entitled to full credit
Subscribed & sworn before me this 26th day of March 1847
[signed] Herman S Rose J.P.

State of New York
Steuben County SS}  I Paul C Cook Clerk of the said County do certify that Herman S Rose before whom the preceding affidavits purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said county and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavits to be his proper handwriting and signatures.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 30th day of March 1847
[signed] P.C. Cook Clerk

[the following is written vertically along the left side of the page:]
Hannah wid [illegible] & John Williamson
2 affits of Margt Wheeler 
C.J. Kingcade & 
John Williamson
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In the matter [illegible] of Hannah Williamson decd late widow of John Williamson decd
affidavits of 
51. Henry Williamson, &
62. Adam J Gray

G. F. Yates
Solicitor
[illegible]
Page 21

State of New York
County of Fulton} ss:
I Henry Williamson of the town of Ephratah in said County aged seventy four years, being duly sworn depose and say that I am a son of John Williamson [name underlined] by his first wife Catharine Smith daughter of Henry Smith a revolutionary ["Captain" crossed out] soldier I was born in the town of Palatine then so called in the County of Montgomery formerly Tryon County N.Y.  I was brought up in the family of my uncle George Smith a brother of said Henry.  I well remember that my said father John Williamson came home but once during the war of the Revolution, according to the best of my recollection - at the close of the war I saw my said father who informed me that he had returned home from the army, having served for during the war & until the end thereof.  He had his uniform which he had worn during said war, and I saw him wear the same.  I well recollect hearing my father himself as well as others say that he was a "war's man" in said war of the revolution, and was an enlisted soldier in the Company of Captain Andrew Fink.  The names of other officers under whom he served I cannot recollect
I further depose and say that my said father by his said first wife had eight children besides myself, all of them except myself are now deceased.  My father's first wife died when I was about seven years of age - very shortly after said war my said father was married to Hannah Miller daughter of Captain Henry Miller - my father died about fifty - years ago leaving the said Hannah
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his widow him surviving, and since his decease the said Hannah has remained single & unmarried until she died, and I have been informed that she died about five or six years ago in the County of Steuben in said state.  By his second wife my father had five children, viz, John, Joseph, Polly, Betsy [illegible - looks like a "V"] Peggy or Margaret.
Henry Williamson
his 
[handwritten] X
mark
witness Thomas R. Benedict

On this 11th day of February 1847, personally appeared before me the undersigned Henry Williamson abovel named, who made oath, that the facts set forth in the Deposition above & within written & by him signed are true and correct - and I certify that I am well acquainted with said Henry Williamson the said Deponent that he is esteemed as a man of truth & veracity, & his statements are entitled to full credit and I further certify, that said Henry Williamson appears to be of the age he states in his said deposition, viz seventy four years, and that he cannot write his name.
[signed] Thomas R. Benedict Justice
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State of New York
County of Fulton} ss.
I, Adam J. Gray of the town of Ephratah, aged fifty-five years and upwards, being duly sworn do depose and say, that in the year 1815, or over thirty years ago, my brother George J. Gray then of the town of Palatine Montgomery County N.Y. instituted a suit for slander against one George Williams - I was in Johnstown where the Court in  which said suit was being tried, and there saw Major Andrew Fink [name underlined], reputed to have been an officer in the war of the revolution - said Andrew Fink remarked to me that my brother would be nonsuited, because he could testify & it would be made to appear that his (George Williams) name was not Williams ["Williams" underlined] but "Williamson" ["Williamson" underlined].  He knew this to be the fact because the grandfather of said George Williams was as the said Major Fink represented,  ["was" crossed out] a soldier ["soldier" underlined] in the company of him the said Fink in the war of the revolution, and was named John Williamson. [name underlined]  That I am acquainted with the family of said John Williamson, that his first wife according to report & reputation, was a sister of George Smith ["Smith" underlined] and his last wife & present widow's maiden name was "Hannah Miller" [name underlined] - I do not know that said Hannah is now living.  I have heard that she died a few years ago in the County of Steuben N.Y. before she went west she lived in the town of Palatine County of Montgomery N.Y. - one of her daughters married George Fenwick another named Margaret (or Peggy) married Daniel Wheeler, Betsy or Elizabeth never married, & resides, as I have been told in said County of Steuben.  I was acquainted also with the two
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sons of said John Williamson by said Hannah viz. John & Jacob.  The said Hannah the widow of said John Williamson was a daughter of Henry Miller [name underlined] reputed to have been a militia captain the war of the revolution.
[signed] Adam J Gray
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 11th day of Febry 1847
[signed] Thomas R. Benedict Justice

I certify that am personally acquainted with Adam J Gray the above deponent and that he is a man of truth and veracity, that he appears to be a man of the age he states and that I consider his statement as above sworn to entitled to full credit [signed] Thomas R. Benedict Justice

In the above matter}ss. I William Smith of said town of Ephratah aged eighty two years and upwards [entire sentence crossed out]
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STATE OF NEW YORK,
Fulton County Clerk's Office.}
I, STEPHEN WAIT, Clerk of the County of Fulton do hereby certify that Thomas R Benedict [name handwritten] whose name is subscribed to the certificates of the proof or acknowledgment of the ^ two^ ["two" handwritten] annexed [handwritten] affidavits of Williamson & Adam J Gray [end handwritten] and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgments a [handwritten] Justice of the peace [end handwritten] in and for the county aforesaid, dwelling in the said county, and duly authorized to take the same.  And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice ["Justice" handwritten] and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said county, the 12th day of February 1847.
Stephen Wait CLERK.
[signed] Robert Robertson Deputy Clerk the clerk being absent
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In the matter dc of Hannah [name underlined] widow of John Williamson
asserted by children - 
Act of 7. July 1838
New application

Letter to Commissioner of Pensions
May 17: 1847
Page 27

Albany, May 17th 1847

Sir,
I send herewith papers in support of the claim made in behalf of Hannah [name underlined] widow of John Williamson [name underlined], for a pension.
The marriage took place in 1785, & the widow died on 28th March 1841, so that the claim comes under the act of 7: July 1838, for 5 years pension from 4th Mar '36 to 4th March 1841. -
The children living in this part of the state, could not ^at first^ ascertain the exact date of the marriage.  But that question is settled by the record proof 8: Feby 1785.
I was applied to, to prepare the papers in this case several years ["several years" underlined] ago, but did not then find it convenient to attend to the business & besides could get no record proof of the alleged service.  Last January I found such proof.  The Rolls of Capt. Andrew Fink in your office, will, I presume, be found to bear the name of J:W: as a war's man.  If not, I can produce the proof required.
I present
1st The declaration taken in open Court by one of the children, with the Court's certificate annexed -
2d  Afft of Margaret Wheeler the oldest daughter of John & Hannah Williamson -
3d  Afft of C. J. Kincade, as to tradition of J.W.s having been a war's man under Fink.  He also identifies family.
4:  Afft of John Williamson the oldest son, as to record of birth of widow's husband, & record of marriage.
5:  Afft of Henry Williamson, a disinterested ["dis" underlined] witness being a son of J.W. by the first wife.  He swears to having seen his father during the war when he came home as a soldier ["soldier" underlined] on parole, & at the end of the war, when he wore his uniform and said he had returned from the army, having
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finished his service for during the war.  He also identifies the family of J: W:.
6th Afft of Adam J. Gray, who testified in reference to a declaration of Major Fink himself in 1815, that J: W: was a war's man under him [illegible]

I have tried to find a contemporary soldier whose testimony might be adduced for J.W.  But death has rendered such an effort fruitless.
If you have a descriptive Roll of Fink's Company, on which J.W.'s name appears, his age thereon stated, may serve to show his identity with the claimant's husband.  From the record attached to Margt Wheeler's affidavit.  it will be seen that J.W. was born in 1732.
Having done the best it is possible to do in this case, in the way of obtaining parole proof, I submit the claim for your decision, fully confident, that a pension will be awarded as claimed.
I am very respectfully
your obt. servt [abbreviations for "obedient servant"]
G.F. Yates

Names of Children living
1 Jacob J Williamson
2 John  "  [Williamson]
3 Elizabeth "  [Williamson]
4 Margaret Wheeler
5 Polly Fenwick

To
Cr. J.S. Cowans
Commis of Pensions
Page 29

In the matter re of
Hannah widow
of John Williamson
deceased.
Certificate of V. W. Smith Esq
Clerk of Onondaga Co: N.Y.
Sep: 9th 47
Page 30

State of New York
County of Onondaga
Clerk's Office  ss.
I, Vinus W. Smith Clerk of said county, do certify that I have examined the records of the County of Cayuga, which I am authorised & required to transcribe into the records of this County of Onondaga by an act of the Legislature passed April 21,1847, by the numerical Indices, and that I find no deed or other conveyance upon such records to whom the right or title of any person to Lot Number Nine in the township of Manlius, in the "Military Tract" now in our County of Onondaga.
And I further certify that I find among the "Filed Deeds" in said office, in Cayuga County, which I am also required to transcribe as above, [begin underline] a conveyance executed by John Williamson, dated October 6, 1783, assigning and transferring to Frederic Getman all [end underline] the right and tell ^to^ which he the said Williamson may be [begin underline] entitled as a soldier in the New York State Line. [end underline]
And I also certify that said deed is attached to a subsequent deed, dated Sept. 12, 1791, executed by [begin underline] John Williamson and Hannah his wife conveying Lot Number Nine, in the Township of Manlius, in the "Military Tract," to Frederic Getman, [end underline] and that in the acknowledgements of and of the subscribing witnesses taken before Wm. P. Beers a master in chancery, appended to both instruments the following statements, are made to it.
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Nathan Christy [name underlined] one of said subscribing witnesses examined under oath, ["under oath" underlined] stated that he was [begin underline] acquainted with the said John Williamson; [end underline] that on divers occasions, [begin underline] Williamson had related to him facts, connected with his said service as a soldier, [end underline] and that he Williamson was reputed among his neighbors and acquaintance, ^ of the [begin underline] town of Palatine, Montgomery Co. [end underline] which he then lived^ to [begin underline] have been a soldier in the New York State Line. [end underline]
And I further certify that the said deed last above maintained contains or claims making the  [illegible] purporting to have been made by the state in original [illegible] [illegible]  this state to the said Williamson.
And I further certify that said last maintained Deed bears the further acknowledgment of the execution thereof, in the usual form by the said Williamson, and [begin underline] Hannah his wife, [end underline] before Michael Myers, a Judge of Herkimer County.  
And I further certify that it appears from the "Filed Deeds," above referred to, in the offices of the Clerk of Cayuga County, that Frederic Getman [name underlined] sold and transferred said Lot Number Nine in the township of Manlius aforesaid, to Samuel Sacket conveyed and assigned in same to Cornelius J. Bogert by Deed dated July 25, 1795' in all cases subject to the usual reservations and conditions.
Page 32

And I further certify that I have examined the records of my office in the county of Onondaga, by the Numerical Indices as aforesaid, and that it appears from the said records, that Cornelius J. Bogert and [illegible] his wife, sold and conveyed all of the said Lot Number Nine except the [illegible] Hundred acres to [illegible] Formerly Deed dated May 2, 1828; said that there is no record in this office, [illegible] the title to the land so conveyed, prior to that date.
Dated Syracuse Sept. 9, 1847.
In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Onondaga, the day and year above written.
[signed] V. W. Smith, Clerk

[contains a dark circular seal shaped like a sun with many spiky points]
Page 33

Hannah Williamson
widow of
John Williamson
Letter of G. F. Yates,
in reply to letter of Commr. of Pensions of 1st June 1847.
Page 34

Albany, N.Y. July 12th 1847
Sir
I have received your letter of the 1st relto, in reference to the case of Hannah Williamson [name underlined] decd widow of John Williamson, for a pension under the act of 7th July 1838.
When this case was first brought to my notice, the children of Williamson wished me to institute proceedings for the recovery of their father's bounty land, ["bounty land" underlined] as a soldier under Fink ["Fink" underlined] re. On examining the "Ballotting Book" so called, I found that land had been ["had been" underlined] awarded; and having heretofore had the cases of Jonathan Ruff, Major John Graham (under Gansevoort) and of several other officers and soldiers of the revolution who had died protesting to their families, that they had never received or assigned their land, and yet whose names appear on said Ballotting Book as having had land awarded to them - and knowing several cases of this kind which had been carried to our highest judicial tribunals and decided against the applicants, although the assignments on which the awards were predicated, were shown to be forgeries, ["forgeries" underlined] I advised them not to subject themselves to any trouble or expense in relation to the land ["land" underlined] or its recovery.  But perceiving that they had a good title to a pension, ["pension" underlined]  I recommended to them to apply for it, ["it" underlined] and hence the origin of the present application for a pension.  They never knew nor heard of the Records in Albany, and I honestly believe that at this moment they know nothing of these records - and as for myself I never heard of the name of John Williamson and never dreamt of looking at any Records for proof
Page 35

of his services, until the children of Williamson made application to me as above stated.
The Record of the services of Williamson under Fink, are not ["not" underlined] to be found in the office of the Comptroller of this State, but in the office of the Secretary of State, in a Ms: Book termed "the Military Register", of which as the Deputy Secretary of State informs me you have a copy in your office.  My own knowledge of the existence of that record is comparatively recent.  It is susceptible of proof that what the members of the old soldier's family swear to ["swear to" is underlined] as to his service under Fink, is not ["not" is underlined] derived in the most remote manner from these records which they have [begin underline] never seen or been informed of. [end underline]
If these circumstances (in particular that of the heirs of John Williamson seeking to recover his bounty land) as bearing upon the identity ["identity" is underlined] of the John Williamson in whose behalf application is now made for a pension, and the John Williamson who was a war's man under Fink, is deemed of sufficient moment to require proof additional to my own observations I will try to furnish it.  In cases of this kind where direct testimony is out of the question, circumstantial proof is all that can by possibility be offered.  And I cannot but think that on a reexamination of this case, it will be found that the already adduced testimony traditionary & circumstantial (& that too of several disinterested ["disinterested" is underlined] witnesses) is sufficiently conclusive to warrant the granting of the small pension claimed.
I am aware that doubtless in many
Page 36

cases which have come before your Department for adjudication, the sort of proof you demand in this case is most reasonable, and if not adduced, the non-adduction would justly militate against the claims.  But that in this and similar cases, your Department will not or cannot with propriety insist upon such proof I ask the liberty to show by the presentation of the following facts ["facts" underlined] which I am inclined to believe you have never before been informed of.
Except in cases of "Class-right" soldiers & of those under Col: Willett & other officers "entitled to bounties of unappropriated lands" of this State, no assignments or other vouchers of this kind now extant, ["now extant" underlined] were not long since transferred from the office of the Surveyor General to that of the Comptroller, but they are not arranged or indexed & ^are^ in a most confined state as they have ever been.  [begin underline} All the other [end underline] vouchers relating to Bounty land granted by the general government as well as by this State, were forwarded to the seat of the general government where on making inquiry several years ago I was told that they had been destroyed by fire.
The Ballotting Book shows that the patent for 500 acres of land due "John Williamson of the 1st N.Y. Regt." was delivered to [begin underline} Frederick Gitman of Palatine [end underline] N.Y.  But by the Book of the Onondaga Commissioners (recently deposited in the office of the Secretary of State by a son of one of these Commissioners) it seems that the land due Williamson, was [begin underline] awarded to Corns J. Bogart, [end underline} 8, Feby 1802.  The
Page 37

Patent in the name of Williamson (patentee) passed the Secretary's Office 8th July 1790.  But when the assignment (true or false) of Williamson was made, cannot be ascertained.  In many cases where the date of the assignment has been ascertained, it was found to be previous to granting of the patent, which always ran in the name of the soldier.
This transferring of ^the^ land, previous to the formal issue of a patent, was legal ["legal" underlined] and not unusual; & your Department is mistaken in supposing that a married ["married" underlined] soldier could not alienate his right to Bounty land for revolutionary services without his wife being a party to the deed.  Whatever may have been the requirements of law then elsewhere, or whatever they may be now, the laws of this State (as I can show if necessary) required only an assignment signed by the soldier, and such assignment was adjudged good, even if given on the day of the enlistment - yet of course the assigner ran the risk of loosing his land, if the soldier by desertion or otherwise, forfeited his right to the land.  After the issuing of patents in 1790 et seq: in the name of the entitled soldier's, it was ascertained that in numerous instances, [begin underline] more than one [end underline] assignee set up a claim to the same ["same" underlined] bounty land.  Hence the State found it necessary to appoint and did appoint a Board of "Commissioners" to settle these differences with authority to award the land.  These Commissioners were appointed 5: March 1794, & were Retp on duty by succession; until 1803.  As the military tract then lay within the bounds of Onondaga County, (from which several new Counties have been subsequently set off)  these Commissioners went by the name of "the Onondaga Commissioners."  They were for a portion of the time, paid by the awardees of
Page 38

the land, (and not by the State).  But whether from this, or from whatever cause, it is said of them that they were not as particular ["particular" underlined] as they should have been, in making their awards.  Very many of the assignments on file in the Comptroller's office, are evidently forgeries.
I shall however write to the Clerk of Onondaga County (it is in the town of Manlius ["Manlius" underlined] in said county where the land of Williamson lies) for such information as his records may afford in reference to the date of the assignment if it appears, & for such other facts if any appear of record calculated to show the identity in question, and I will retain this letter until a reply shall have been received.
I am very respectfully
your mo: obt svt [abbreviations for "your most obedient servant"]
[signed] G.F. Yates.

July 26th 1847.  P.S.  I have just received a line from V.W. Smith Esq Clerk of Onondaga County, in which he states, that after diligent search, he can find no patent or assignment of patent on record in his office.  Although the land in question lies in Manlius Onondaga County, yet it may possibly be recorded in Cayuga County.  I shall continue the search, but with no hopes of proving the identity of Williamson in the manner required, and that for the reasons detailed in the foregoing letter.
[signed] G.F. Yates
Page 39

No 13356
Hannah Williamson dec
widow of John
NY
Act 7 July 1838
admd. 2 years pri
$80.00 per an
from 4 March 1836 to 4 March 18 [last 2 digits of year covered by an ink blot]
payable to Jacob J Williamson admd, for the sole use and benefit of said Jacob Williamson, John Williamson, Elizabeth Williamson Margaret Wheeler, and Polly Fenwick, only surviving children of Hannah Williamson decd

Giles F. Yates
Albany NY
Page 40

Pension Office
October 1847

Sir,
The declaration and proofs in the case of Phebe Bennett widow of Andrew Bennett.
Page 41

Albany N.Y., Oct. 21st 1847.

Sir.  I am in the receipt of your letter of the 18th inst: in reference to the claim of Hannah Williamson [name underlined] deceased.  In it you state that "before a certificate can issue to her children, the certificate of a Court of Record showing the day of her death and giving the names of all her children now living should be filed."
On that same sheet of paper containing  the declaration of the widow, [begin underline] will be found the Certificate of the Court of Record [end underline] before which in open Court the declarant a son of deceased made his declaration, setting forth under the seal of said Court in totidem verbis, that the [begin underline] widow died on the 28th day of March 1841, [end underline] leaving the following named children her surviving: viz, John Williamson, Jacob J. Williamson, Elizabeth Williamson, Margaret Wheeler & Polly Fenwick.
As it was not deemed necessary to furnish two ["two" underlined] certificates of a Court of Record giving time of widow's death & names of surviving children, probably the last or second certificate does not give the names of the children.  I think however that on close examination it will be found to
Page 42

contain their names.  I kept no copy and cannot therefore speak with absolute certainty.  But of the certificate of the Court of Record accompanying the declaration I can speak with certainty.  The Surrogate's ["Surrogate's" underlined] Certificate was sent for the purpose of showing who the administrator ["administrator" underlined] is; in whose name I requested & now again respectfully request that the Pension certificate may be made out.
I am well aware that the arrears due a deceased widow can be paid to an Administrator only, and enures to the personal benefit of the children, being in no case deemed assets for the payment of debts.
I am very respectfully
Your obt servt
[signed] G.F. Yates

Coc.
J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 43

[No 23. for '47.]

In the matter re
of
Hannah widow of
John Williamson
claim pending.
Letter of G.F. Yates
with proofs accompanying.
Sept. 15th '47
Page 44

Albany N.Y. Sept 15th - 1847.
Sir.
In the case of Hannah [name underlined] widow of John Williamson [name underlined] for a pension under the Act of 7th July 1838, "direct proof" as per your favor of the 18th [illegible - looks like vet]; was required "showing that Mrs Williamson's husband was the soldier to whom Bounty land was awarded for his services in the New York line under Captain Fink."  And in your previous letter under date of June 1st [illegible - looks like alto], you stated that "It must be shown by the records of the county in which the land granted to Williamson is situated, that it is still in the possession of his family, or that he has [begin underline] by deed, to which his wife must have been a party, alienated his right to the same."
The land in question, as will be seen by the N.Y. Ballotting Book is situated in Manlius Onondaga County.  Therefore wrote to the Clerk of that County V. W. Smith Esq stating your requisitions and requesting the requisite search to be made.  He replied that he could find nothing in relation to the matter, or the records of his county.  But subsequently he has examined the Records of Cayuga County, and as will be seen by his certificate enclosed, he found the record of [begin underline] Williamson's deed alienating his right to [end underline] the land to Frederick Gitman, [begin underline] to which his wife [end underline]
Page 45

[begin underline] Hannah was a party [end underline] - that said Williamson was at the time a resident of Palatine ["Palatine" underlined] Montgomery County & reported to have been a soldier in the New York line re.
As the evidence now adduced & contained in the certificate of said Clerk of Onondaga County, literally meets the requisition of your Department in this case, no other testimony to establish it, is deemed necessary.  Having however taken or procured a Deposition supplemental from Henry Williamson [name underlined] a son of the soldier, as to land being due to him & I forward it.
One of the children's residence is unknown at present, & the others live scattered about in different and distant parts of the country:  I therefore request the usual favor that the certificate of pension issue in the name of Jacob J. Williamson the Administrator of the Estate; the evidence of his appointment as such, is enclosed or sent herewith.
I am very respectfully
Your mo: obt servt [most obedient servant]
[signed] G. F. Yates.

To Col.
J. L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Page 46

Paid 10

To the Managers of the
Pension office at
Washington

[illegible]
Steuben Co. N.Y.
Dec 25th}

[the following is written vertically along the left side of the page or envelope]

Decem 31 47
[illegible]
[illegible] Ad. Williamson
Page 47

[illegible - looks like "Cahactore"] Dec 25th 1847

By the Bequest of the Lawful heirs of Hannah Williamson ^decd^ Who are now living.  I wish to assertain whither said Hannah Williamson has drawt a Pension wither one year past & if so how much & when Draw & by who
They fear there is some wrong about the matter - And you will very much oblige them by [illegible - possibly "answering"] the above & confer a favor on the [illegible - possibly "needy"]
Yours in F. L & T
C. J. McDowell
agent xc

to the
Managers of the Pension
Office at Washington

P.S.  please answer as soon a convenient
Page 48

In the matter re
of
Hannah Williamson

Certificate of Courts as to time of death & appt [appointment] of Admr [Administrator]

[signed] G. F. Yates
[illegible]
Page 49

State of New York
County of Montgomery
Surrogate's Court} ss -

Be it known, that at a Surrogate's Court held in & for said county, at the village of Amsterdam in said County before me the undersigned County Judge of said County, the most satisfactory evidence was adduced to prove that Hannah Williamson [name underlined] widow of the late John Williamson deceased, departed this life on the twenty eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty-one, and on inspecting the records of said Court it appears that letters of administration on the estate of said Hannah Williamson [name underlined] deceased have been in due form of land granted & committed unto Jacob J. Williamson a son of said deceased and that said letters remain in full force unrepealed and unreworked - All of which is hereby accordingly certified.
In testimony whereof the Seal of said Court is hereto affixed.  Witness Samuel Belding Jr County Judge as aforesaid, this 17th day of September 1847. - [signed] S. Belding Jr County Judge
Page 50

[handwritten] Res
WIDOW, &c.

File No. [begin handwritten]  18447
Hannah Williamson
Widow of 
John Williamson
Priv. Rev. War [end handwritten]

Act:  [handwritten] July 7th 1838

Index: - Vol. [handwritten] m, Page [handwritten] 344

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 51

No 13356

Hannah Williamson dec
NY
Let to G.F. Yates June 1 '47
[illegible]  to same Augt 18 '47
Sent to same Oct. 18. '47

Act 7 July 1838
Page 52

Payment to be made
at Albany
by T. W. Olcott, Esq
Agent for paying pensioners, in the Agency of Albany New York


Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book D  Volume 1  Page 533 by Thos. Lumpkin, Clerk.
Page 53

War Department 
Claim for Military Service
I certify that in uniformity with the law of the United States, of the 4th of July, 1838, Hannah Williamson deceased, who died in 1796, in the state of New York, widow of John Williamson who was a Private in the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension list at the rate of eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1836 and terminating on the 4th March, 1841. She having died before any law passed extending  her pension say on the 18th March, 1841. The amount is due and  payable to Jacob J. Williamson [end of transcription for now, need to complete]
Page 54

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*

Name: WILLIAMSON, JOHN
Grade: Private
Line: Pennsylvania
Warrant Number: 10555
Acreage: 100
Issued: October 27, 1792 to Frederick Mollineaux, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this for 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.