Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7,521, William Gill, Va.
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5,428
Virginia
Mary Gill, or Gills widow of William Gill or Gills. VA who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the rolls at the rate of 20 Dollars------------cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of May 1850 and sent to F.M. Lawson Richmond VA
Recorded on roll of pensioners under act February 2, 1848, page 152, vol. 3
HE. Robinson
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William Gills, Book My, 1815
Register
William Gills Sr. was born July 18th 1761 and deceased February the 4th 1816
Mary Wright was born September the 27th 1760
Thomas Wright Gills born January the 7th 1785
Sarah Perkins Gills was born April the 7th 1787
George W. Gills was born (illegible) 1789
William Gills Jnr was born October 10th 1792
Polly Gills was born December 25th 1794
Archibald Gills was born March the 4th 1797
James Gills was born February 12th 1800
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Register of Negroes
Jane Sampson was born July 4th 1807
Joseph (illegible) was born April 17th 1810
Lucy was born September 3rd 1811
Ned was born March 8th 1813
Ann Jane was born July 24th 1821
Virgina: Buckingham County to with:
I do hereby certify that the above is a true register of the family of my late husband William Gills
Mary Gills
Sworn to and subscribed before me a justice of the peace in the county aforesaid this 18th September, 1840
R.J. Gillespie
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Chap. 22 REVELATIONS.  631
(partial page from a book, probably a Bible)
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Chap. 22 REVELATIONS.  631
(partial page from a book, probably a Bible)
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I Rolfe Eldridge clerk of the county of Buckingham in the state of Virginia, certify that R.J. Gillespie before whom the aforesaid of Mary Gills was made, is and an acting justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine-In testimony thereof I have hereseento set my hand and affixed the seal if my office this 9th day of January eighteen hundred and fifty one
Rolfe Eldridge clerk of Buckingham County Court ------
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Affidavit of John Simmons for Mrs. Mary Gills
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The affidavit of John Simmons of the county of Prince Edward VA later in Buckingham county is 82 years, to establish the pension claim of Mary Gills the widow of William Gills decd. who states that in the year 1787 he and the said William Gills marched together to the eastern part of Virginia and were at the siege of Little York upon a tour of three months, Williamson Bird Capt. Charles Allen Maj.
John Simmons

Virginia Buckingham county 
The foregoing affidavit of John Simmons was sworn to and subscribed before me a justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid do form of law; I further certify that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to forced credit and confidence given under my hand this the 25th day of October 1842
Chr McKinney J.P.

Virginia I Rolfe Eldridge clerk of the county court of Buckingham in the state of Virginia certified that Charles McKinney before whom the foregoing affidavit of John Simmons was made is an acting justice of the piece in and for the said county duly commissioned and qualified according to law, that the foregoing signatures purporting to be the said McKinney is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereseento set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 11th March 1843
R. Eldridge CBL
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The affidavit of John Gills of Bedford County Virginia (latter is the corporation of Lynchburg Campbell County Va) age 81 years to establish the pension claim of Mrs. Mary Gill's widow of William Gill's decd. late of Buckingham County Virginia, who states that he and said William Gills entered the service early in the year of 1787. The affiant marched from Amelia County Virginia and his brother William Gills marched from Prince Edward County Virginia marched to the South and were in the battle of Guilford North Carolina and served a tour of three months Capt. Ambron whom commanded the company in which the said William Gills served. This affiant and his brother William Gills were discharged at the same time and place at Ramsey's Mill and returned home together
John Gills

Virginia Campbell County corporation of Lynchburg SS to writ. The foregoing affidavit of John gills was sworn to and subscribed before me a justice of the peace in and for the corporation and state aforesaid in due form of law. I further certify that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to free force and credit (illegible) under my hand this the 9th March 1843
Henry O. Schoolfield  J.P.
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State of Virginia
Corporation of Lynchburg to writ
I James Benagh Clerk of the Hastings Court of the Corporation of Lynchburg in the state of Virginia aforesaid do hereby certify that Henry O. Schoolfield who hath signed the preceding certificate as a Justice of the peace is now and was at the time of the signing the same acting justice of the peace of the corporation aforesaid duly elected and qualified to serve as such from the 1st Tuesday in April 1842 until the 1st Tuesday in April 1843 and that his signature is genuine.  In testimony where of I have hereonto signed my name as clerk and affixed the seal of the said Hastings court of the corporation aforesaid said this 8th day of March 1843 and in the 67th year of the Commonwealth.
J. Benagh Clk
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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838, entitled an “act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows~”
State of Virginia:  Buckingham County to writ:
well on this first day of September, 1840, personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid Mary Gill, a resident of said county and state, aged 80 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7th 1838, entitled “act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows ~”
That she is the widow of William Gill or Gills, (for the name is differently spelt) deceased, late of the said county and state, who was a private in the continental and militia service of Virginia, in the war of the revolution. She declares that she knows nothing personally in regard to the services of her late husband, having married him after the close of the revolutionary war all that she does know, is from his own statements during his lifetime, and from the statement of others. She always understood from him that in the year 1776, he enlisted under Capt. Brent, for the term of two years, in the Virginia continental line. That he was also drafted in the militia, and served at Guildford, Yorktown, and various other places. She cannot state with any degree of precision how long he was in actual service altogether but would suppose he served at the least two years, for which length of time she claims a pension. She refers to the public records and accompanying certificates for proof of his service. She further declares that she was married to the said William Gill, or Gills by old Parson McCrae of the old Episcopal Church, according to the rights and ceremonies of that church, on the 5th day of February 1784; that her husband the aforesaid William Gills died on the 4th day of February 1816: that she was not
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Married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four; to with at the time above named~
Mary Gill
sworn to and subscribe before me this first day of September, 1840~
R.J. Gillespie J.P.

State of Virginia : Buckingham County to writ:
I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Mary Gill the widow of said William Gill deceased, and do consider her from old age and bodily unfortunately unable to attend the county court of Buckingham, in order to make the foregoing Declaration~
I further certify that she is a credible person and her statement entitled to full confidence given under my word this 1st day of September 1840.
R.J. Gillespie J.P.

Virginia : Buckingham County to writ:
I do hereby certify that said William gill departed this life on the 4th day of February, 1816, living at the time of his death, his said widow Mary gill who is still alive, resident in said county and state and that she has not interceded, but continues the widow of said William Gill
Archibald Gill

Sworn to and subscribed before me I for their certify that said Archibald is a credible person and his statement entitled to full confidence given under my hand this first day of September, 1840 
RJ Gillespie J.P.
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Virginia Buckingham County &c,
I Rolfe Eldridge clerk of the county court of Buckingham in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that R.J. Gillespie before whom the foregoing declaration of Mary Gills was sworn to, and before whom the affiant of Archibald Gills was made, in support of the said declaration is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be said Gillespies are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereseento set my hand and affixed the seal of my office the second day of December in the year eighteen hundred and forty.
Rolf Eldridge clerk of Buckingham County Court
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(typed letter)
September 2, 1938
Mrs. Sam Maddox 
Central City
Colorado
BA-J/ILL
William Gill
W. 7521
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Abraham Clark, senior and junior, of Prince George's County, Maryland, and William gill of Virginia.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of an Abraham Clark (Clarke) of Prince George's County, Maryland, the record has been found of only one William Gill who served from Virginia in that war period the data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 7521, based upon his service in that war.
William Gill or Gills (the name shown both ways) was born July 18th, 17 61; The place of his birth and the name of his parents are not given.
While a resident of Charlotte and Prince Edward counties, Virginia, he enlisted and served as a private in the Virginia troops at different times, given as follow: from sometime in 1776, in Captain Brent’s company, Colonel Lawson's Virginia regiment, length two years; From early in 1781, three months in Captain Ambrose Nelson's company, during which he marched to North Carolina and was in the battle of Guildford; Afterwards, three months in Captain Williamson Birds company under Major Charles Allen, during which he was in the siege of Yorktown.
William Gill died February 4th, 1816, in Buckingham County, Virginia.
The soldier married February 5th, 1784, Mary Wright, who was born September 27th, 1760; The names of her parents are not shown. They
(handwritten on side of letter: Charlotte Co. & Pr. Edw. adjoin)
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were married by an episcopal Minister.
Mary Gill or Gills, the soldier’s widow, was allowed pension on her application executed September 1st, 1840, at which time she resided in Buckingham county, Virginia period she was living there in April 1850.
The names of the children of William Gill or Gills and his wife, Mary are recorded as follows:
Thomas Wright Gills born January 7th, 1785.
Sarah Perkins Gills born April 7th, 1787.
George W gGlls born March 27th, 1789.
William, Jr. Giles born October 10th, 1792.
Polly Gills born December 25th, 1794.
Archibald Gills born March 4th, 1797.
James Gills born February 12th, 1800.

In 1843, the soldier’s brother, John Gills, was a resident of Bedford County, Virginia, aged 87 years; He stated then that he served with his brother, William at the time of the battle of Guildford, and that they returned home together.
In 1850, Archibald Gills and William D. Ransom were present when the soldiers widow, Mary Gill (Gills), made affidavit in Buckingham county from the Virginia.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, This City, And Site The Following;
Mary Gill, or Gill, widow of William Gill or Gill’s, certificate # 5428 issued May 8, 1850 rate $20 per annum commenced March 4th, 1848 act of February 2nd, 1848 Virginia agency.
Very truly yours,
AD Hiller,
Executive Assistant To The Administrator.
2.
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Widow, &c
Revy
File No. 7521
Mary Gill or Gills Widow Wm Gill or Gills Pvt. Rev. War
Act: Feby, 2 1848
Index:-Vol. A, Page 272
{Arrangement of 1870.}
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1917 Apr. 19. Hist. to RL. Shields Au
1930, Jan 11, Hist to Mary Louise Gills, M.E.E.
(illegible year) Sept. 20 Hist. to Sam Maddux-LLC.
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Va. 7769
Letter to Wm T. B. Bedford Spt. 1.1841
Let J.H. Routon 17 Oct. ‘42
Suspended
Act 7 July 1838
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Virginia 7179
Mary Gill or Gills widow of William Gill or Gill's cross out and who died on the 4th February 1816 of Buckingham County in the state of Virginia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Brent of the Regt commanded by Colonel Lawson in the Virginia line for six months
Inscribed on the role of Richmond at the rate of 20 Dollars -  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of pension ifsued the 14th; Day of April 1843 and sent to Jno. H. Routon, New Store, Buckingham County Virginia
Arrears to the 4th of semiannual allowance ending $100 act July 7th, 1838. Recorded by Wm Stuart clerk; Book: A – Vol. 2 -  page 191
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1527
Virginia – Richd
Mary Gill or Gills widow of Wm Gill or Gills who was a private in the Virginia line for six months
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 20 Dollars - cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of pension issued the 25th day of August, 1843 and sent to JH Routan New Store Virginia
act of March 3rd, 1843. Recorded in Book A – Vol. 9 page 149
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William Gill d 1816
Mary Gill m 1784
1776.  W Brents
81. Bat Guilford
William Vaughn wib
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J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commo Pensions
Washington
Act of Feb 48
Sent to FM Lawson
Richmond VA
Mailed
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Richmond May 6th 1850
Sir,
enclosed you herein the declaration of Mary Gill or Gill’s, a pensioner under the act of the 14th June 1844, made to obtain the hereafter of the provision of the act of the 2nd February 1848. Be pleased to send me a Certificate Of Pension for her.
Very respectfully
F.M. Lawson
To JL. Edwards Esqr
Commr: Pensions Washington
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May 4. ‘43
Va
Mary Gills
To:  The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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(unknown word) 16 March 1843
Dr Sir
The pension claim of Mrs. Mary Gill's widow of the late William Gills of Buckingham County Virginia was first propecuted by Mr. JB Bedford Esqr which I understand is now upon your files service which time she has requested me to aid her in the propecution of said claim. I have taken the affidavits of (unknown word)  John Simmons and John gills who prove each three month tours. I do not know what is claimed in the declaration she authorizes me to say that she submits her case to your decision and hopes that you will allow her so much as the proof establishes to your satisfaction for it has been pending two or three years and the difficulty of obtaining proof deters her from any further effort. Though she is perfectly satisfied with the justice of the whole of the time for which she claims
I am very respectfully yr. obl. Servt
J.H. Routon
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State of Virginia
on this 26th day of April 1850 before me R.J. Gillespie a justice of the peace in and for the county of Buckingham in the said state, personally appeared Mary Gill or Gills a resident of the said county, aged about 89 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848, granting provisions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of William Gill or Gills, and was a private in the army of the United States, and that under the act of Congress of the 17th June 1844, she received a pension at the rate of 20 dollars per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow
Mary Gill her mark
Witness
Wm D Rawson
Archb Gills

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me 
Jay Gillespie J Peace
I certify that Mary gill or Gil gills the declarant above named, is personally known to me.
RJ Gillespie J Peace

state of Virginia, Buckingham county to wit:
J Rolfe Eldridge clerk of the county court of the county aforesaid do hereby certify that RL Gillespie is a justice of the peace in and for the said county duly commissioned and qualified, and that he is legally authorized to act on such and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine-
Given under my hand the seal of my office this 27th day of April 1850 R Eldridge BC
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1770 
Declaration Of Mary Gill Or Gills for a pension under act of March 3rd 1843
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Declaration
in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions for over year to certain widows, who have received pensions under the act of July 7th 1838.
State of Virginia Buckingham county, to wit. On this 22nd day of April 1843 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the county and state affair said Mary Gill or Gills a resident of Buckingham County Virginia aged 82 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision me by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd of March 1843, granting pensions to widows affirms who served during the Revolutionary War period that she is the widow of William Gill or Gills who was a private in the Virginia militia in regiment, that she received $20 per annum under the act of July 7th 1838. She further declares that she is still a widow
Mary Gills her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me a justice of the peace in and for the said county and state aforesaid, this day of April 1843 
J. P.
State of Virginia Buckingham County S S
I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the declarant Mary Gill or Gills, the widow of William Gill or Gills deceased given under my hand this 22nd day of April 1843
R. J. Gillespie
J. P.
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Virginia, Charlotte County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that William Gill or Gills late of Charlotte, was a soldier of the state line of Virginia on continental establishment in the war of the revolution, and attached to the fourth Virginia regiment, commanded by Col Lawson and General Stephenson. He enlisted in 1776, under Capt Brent, which served two years succeeding, or coming within my own personal knowledge being in the same company with him, and was honorably discharged from the service. I am in the 80th year of my age, and was a soldier of the continental line
William Vaughn

Virginia, Charlotte County to wit:
This day William Vaughan came before me a justice of the peace in the county aforesaid, and made oath that the foregoing certificate contained the truth, to the best of his knowledge and recollection. I further certify, that he is a credible person, and his statement entitled to full confidence given under my hand the 8th day of June 1837.
WM Dupree JP
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Virginia, Charlotte County to wit:
I William A Smith deputy clerk of the county court of the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that William Dupree is an acting justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have here on two set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 24th day of November 1840 William A Smith DC
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To The Pension Office Department 
Washington City DC
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New store 10th October 1842
Sir
I am requested by Mrs. Mary Gills widow of William Gills deceased to inquire what this portion has been made with his pension claim. The WJB Bedford undertook to propecute is for her about two years ago, and she has not heard from it since. The information will be thankfully received through me.
I am respectfully yr. obl. servt.
John H. Routon
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Corporation of Lynchburg to wit
Personally appeared before me an alderman for the corporation aforesaid John Gills and made oath that William Gills a private soldier in the revolutionary war.  Marched from Prince Edward county state of Virginia; I was well acquainted with him and know that he was in the Battle of Guilford Court house.  I beleave was commanded by Admiral Lawson I also know the fact William Gills marched to the siege of York town in Virginia, as my father sent me to take charge of a plantation during his absence given under my hand this 12 day of September 1840
Ammon Hancock (alderman for the corporation of Lynchburg)

Virginia – Corporation of Lynchburg to wit
I James Benagh clerk of the court of Hastings held in and for the Corporation aforesaid in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that Ammon Hancock who has signed the proceeding certificate as an alderman of the Corporation of Lynchburg is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting alderman and as such a justice of the peace at the said Corporation duly elected and qualified as such to serve from the first Tuesday in April 1840 until the first Tuesday in April 1841 that his preceeding signatures is genuine and that all due faith and credit is and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such in testimony whereof I hereinto sign my name as clerk and affix the seal of the said Hastings court this 15th day of February 1841 and in the 65th year of the Commonwealth
James Benagh clk
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Clemson College S. C.
April 11, 1917
Bureau Pension
Washington D.C.
Can you give me any information about the Revolutionary War services of William Gills of Buckingham County Virginia?  All the county records were burned during the Civil War and can learn nothing of his
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Revolutionary War record although I know he was a soldier.  He married Mary Wright of Bedford County Virginia.
Sincerely
Mrs. R.L. Shields
Clemson College S.C.
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Bureau Of Pensions
Washington D.C.
My Dear Sirs:
I was referred to your Bureau by the war department as I was seeking information regarding a revolutionary soldier, one William Gills from Buckingham, I think. He was said to have been Washington’s personal guard. I wrote to your department some time ago, but I failed to enclose stamped, addressed envelope, so I suppose that is the reason I never received a reply. Kindly let me have any information you can furnish in regard to the soldier William Gills. I enclosed stamped, addressed envelope for reply. Thank you!
Very truly
(Miss) Mary Louise Gills
Appomattox VA
Jan 3rd 1930
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Appomattox, VA.
Dec, 4. 1929

Bureau of pensions, 
Washington, D.C.
I shall appreciate any information you can give me regarding one William Gills, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War period in seeking this information I wrote to the War Dept, but was referred to your dept.
Yours truly,
(Miss) Mary Louise gills,
Appomattox, VA.
(handwritten on letter: only who served with Va Troop)
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Central City, Colo.
Aug. 3, 1938
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir.
Will you please send me the Rev. War records of Abraham Clarke, Sr. Abraham Clark Jr. of Prince Georges Co. Maryland. And of William Gill of Virginia. William Gill is listed in (unknown word) Va. Rev. soldier – as of Mecklenburg.
Sincerely your.
Mrs. Sam Maddux
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The above noted William Gill or Gills is the only soldier by that name who served with the Virginia troops, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Due to the very large number of requests similar to yours, and the lack of clerical force available for the purpose, the Bureau is unable to make immediate reply to each inquiry pertaining to soldiers of the revolution.
Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in order of receipt.
Very truly yours,
Earl D. Church
Commissioner.
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Revolutionary War record section. 3-525
department of interior, Bureau of pensions.
Washington, D. C.
W7521
in reply to your request of, received for a statement of the military history of William Gill or Gills 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. 1776 LENGTH OF SERVICE. 2  years RANK. Pvt. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM HE SERVED WAS RENDERED. Captain Brent and Colonel Lawson STATE. VA
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Early in 1781 LENGTH OF SERVICE. Three months Rank. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Ambrose Wilson
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 1781 LENGTH OF SERVICE. Three months RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain William Bird and Colonel Major Charles Allen

Battles engaged in, Guilford, siege of York
Residence of soldier at enlistment, check mark
Date of application for pension, Sept 1 18 40. How claim was allowed
Residents at date of application, Buckingham county
age at date of application, she was born Sept 27, 1760.
Remarks: Sol was born July 18th, 1761 and died Feb. 4, 1816. Rev war
Feb. 5, 1784 Mary Wright, children, Thomas Wright b. Jan. 7, 1785, Sarah Perkins b. Apr. 7, 1787, George W. b, Mar. 27, 1789, William b. Oct. 10, 1972, Polly b. Dec. 25, 1794, Archibald b. Mar. 4, 1797, James b. Feb. 12, 1800

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

j-285G