Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1009, George Watts, S C
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
CONTENTS

Watts, George
Mary B

NUMBER 
W. 1009
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19448
West Tennessee
George Watts of Jackson Co in the State of W. T. who was a Serg + pr in the Co commanded by Captain Simmons of the regt commanded by Col Williams in the S.C. line for 
21 Mos & 20 days pr
2   "[Mos. &]10  "[days]  Sergt

Inscribed on the Roll of W. T. at the rate of 83 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Sept 1833 and James T Quarles Gainsboro
-
Arrears to the 4th of Sept  209.70
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 41.94
251.64
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk
Book E  Vol. 7  Page [a tear obscures remainder of document]
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1704
Tennessee Nashville
Mary B. Watts.
widow of George Watts
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a pri + Sgt, S. C. Line, Increased from $42.22
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 83 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Mch 1849 and sent to Hon J. E. Brady M. C
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act Frebruary 2, 1848, Page 315 Vol. 3
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Salley Watts was born March the 1 - 1790
Martha T. Watts was born April 22 - 1792
James Watts was born January 31 - 1794
Mansfield Watts was born December 19 - 1795
Nancy W. Watts was born August 9 1797
Lucindia Watts was born April 28 - 1799
Susannah Watts was born November 9 - 1801
Ann T. Watts was born February 23 - 1804
Fanny Watts was born January 4 - 1806
Eliza Watts grandchild to GH Polley Watts was born December 21 - 1812
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State of Tennessee )
Jackson County )
 On this tenth day of October 1838 
personally appeared before
me Mr. Pleasant Hendley one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Mary B Watts a resident of the county and state aforesaid aged seventy one years who being who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entiteld an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows.  That she is the widow to George Watts who was a pensioner of the United States and drew his pension in Nashville State of Tennessee and was a resident of said county up to the day of his death.  She further declares that she was married to the said George Watts on the twenty first day of April in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty eight.  That her husband the aforesaid George Watts died on the fourth day of January 1835.  That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four to wit at the time above stated. 
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and further that she has no record or documentary evidence in support of her claim.

Sworn to & as above
Pleasant Hendley Justice of
the peace of Jackson County

Mary. B. Watts
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State of Tennessee )
Jackson County )

  I Pleasant Hendley
one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and 
for the county aforesaid hereby certify that I am 
well acquainted with Mary B. Watts who has
appeared before me and made the foregoing declaration
that she is a woman of faith and respectability and 
that full faith and credit are due and of right
ought to be given to her statements.

  I further certify that owing to old
age and bodily infirmity she cannot appear
in open court to make this declaration.
In Testamony whereof I have herein
to set my hand and affix my 
seal this tenth day of October
1838

Pleasant Hendley J.O.P.
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No. 23021 West
George Watts Jackson County
Tennessee

From 1779 private
& Sergt. 2 yrs

Pr. 1yr. 9mo. 20 = $72.22
Sergt 2 "[months] 10.   11.66
$83.88
 83.88
41.94
209.70

3/4

Jas. T. Quarles Gainsboro, Tennessee
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of George Watts Jackson County Tennessee
[Columnar form - Columns are - Period when the service was rendered; Duration of the claimant’s service in Years, Months, Days;  
Rank of the claimant; Names and Rank of the Company offices under whom he served; Names and Rank of the General and field officers; Battles in which the applicant was engaged; Country through which he marched; 
Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period;
Evidence by which the declaration is supported( the last will be presented in its entirety at the end of all the rows)] 
Row 1 - Drafted. Sept 1779; - years, 3 months, - days; private appointed 1. Sargt; Capt Jening; G Lincoln, Col Williams; Savannah; Marched to the Town of Augusta, Savannah; 70 years Ninety Six now Laurent District, South Carolina
Row 2 - Vol. May 1781; - years, 6 months, - days; - - ; Cap Simmons; Gl Greene; Ninety Six; Marched through the District of Ninety Six;; [blank]
Row 3 - Vol. Nov 1781; 1 year, - months, - days; - -; Cap Moore; [blank]; [blank]; [blank]; [blank]
Row 4 - Vol. Dec 1781; - year, 3 months, - days; - - ; Cap Maxwell; Gl Pickens; Chota [sic]; Marched to Beaoun Creek + to the Cherokee Nation; [blank]. 
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. - Traditionary evidince [sic]. Clergiman [sic] + c.  Witness certified credible. One living witness.  applicant unable to appear in court as appear by [illegible] certificate papers correctly attached + authenticated.
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
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                                                  REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been constructed to extent, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State Troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, etc., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefit of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual
military service.  Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in the Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicants reside. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

                                                                   DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
                                            State Territory, or District of
                                             County of
On this             day of                                personally appeared (a) before  
          A B. a resident (b) of                              in the county of                        and State, Territory, or District of           aged (c)            years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)           , with.        and served in the                (e) regiment of the line,                under the following named offices:

(Here set forth the names and ranks of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service ; (and if he server under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particlar period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                                           A. B.
        (And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                                                                                     of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                                                                       for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and seal of office (i) this 
                         day of                                          &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the name of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and the State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 

(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the                             and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Clerk of Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the orginal proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for pension.

 In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal
 of office, this day of &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the orginal discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath and will then procure, if possible , the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail hid personal knowledge of the service oh the applicant, and such circumstance connected therewith as may have a tendency to throw lightupon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all material facts, which can be used in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, it one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. 

All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
(To a Soldier.)  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
(To an Officer. ) Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, fromtheir acquaintance with him; that they believe he is of the age he represents,and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certity to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deened very important, in the absence of any direct proof except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general or whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.  

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of ofice, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genine signature.

No payments can be made upon account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto,and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and theopinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

                               --------------------------------------------------------------------

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so , he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldiers must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled.  

In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn depots and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positive as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades: ---For____year_____month____days, I served as a ______ for _______ months and ______ days, I served as a ________; and for such service I claim a Pension "It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant. served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  ome persons who apply for pensions mere state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  

It must begin every case, be clearly shown under what officer the applicant severed; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corp called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed n any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certified officer, should accompany the papers.                                                   
                                                                  
                                                                    Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certifing officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certiicate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.                                                  
                                                                     Proof of Service
(j) In case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must verify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The note
 from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is 
The note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k)This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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State of Tennessee )
County of Jackson ) ss

  On this sixth day of December A.D. 1832 personally appeared at the 
house of George Watts in the County of Jackson and State of 
Tennessee aforesaid before William Scanland a Justice of the Peace for said
county and one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for 
said county of Jackson being a court of record, the said George Watts
a resident of the County of Jackson and State of Tennessee aforesaid
aged seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit
of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

  That he entered the service of the United States in that
part of the District of Ninety six State of South Carolina, which 
is now Laurens district where he then resided, sometime in the 
month of September 1779, the day of the month not recollected, being 
drafted for three months, under command of Lieutenant Robert Finny 
and marched under his command to Savannah river at the town of 
Augusta in the State of Georgia, thence down said river to the
town of Savannah in said state where he was attached to Captain 
William Davis's company and to Colonel William's regiment of 
South Carolina militia and joined the army commanded by General 
Lincoln.  The British were in possession of Savannah at the time, and
on the ninth day of October 1779 the American troops commanded 
by General Lincoln and the French troops commanded by Count
D'Estaing attempted to storm the British works and after a severe
and obstinate contest in which a great many brave men fell, the combined
American and French army retreated.  Among the killed was
the gallant and generous Pole, Count Pulaski.  Count D'Estaing
was wounded.  Applicant was in the whole of the action and Captain
Davis whilst standing by his side was mortally wounded by a grape shot
and fell against him.  Colonel Laurens a regular officer who commanded
the infantry from Charleston, Col. Richard Parker a regular
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Officer from Virginia who commanded a regiment of eighteen months men
from that state, were in the action.  Colonel Thompsons regiment
from Charleston was also in the action.  Applicant then marched under 
command of said Colonel Williams to Augusta in said State of Georgia
and sometime in the month of December 1779 applicants term of service
having expired he was verbally discharged at said town of Augusta
by Colonel Williams but received no written discharge.  The day of 
the month on which applicant was discharged is not recollected 
but he served out his full term of three months.  At the time
applicant joined the army at Savannah which was ten days after he was
drafted, he was appointed first sergeant by Captain Davis upon the 
recommendation of his Colonel Williams and applicant served as first 
sergeant until he was discharged at Augusta as aforesaid which was three months
lacking ten days

Applicant again entered the service of the United States in that part
of the District of Ninety six State of South Carolina now called Laurens
district where he then resided, sometime in the month of May 1781 the day of 
the month not recollected, as a volunteer for six months under Captain
Simmons and joined the army commanded by General Green the same 
day about five miles from the town of Ninety six in the State of South 
Carolina, which town was then in possession of the British and 
beseiged by the American army commanded by General Green.
The seige of Ninety six was raised about the 18th or 20 of June 1781 as well
as applicant recollects, and applicant with the army under General
Green retreated from Ninety six, pursued by the British under Lord
Rawdon, along the road heading to Virginia, crossed Broad river at 
Island ford then changed course down Broad river on the East side
of said river to near Congaree sometimes called Granby.  At or near
Congaree applicants term of service having expired he was verbally 
discharged by Lieutenant Hutcheson (who belonged to the same company 
with himself) sometime in the month of November 1781 the day of 
the month not recollected.  Applicant served out his full term of six
months, no written discharge was given.  During the last mentioned term of 
service applicant was not attached to any regiment, but was mostly
engaged under Lieutenant Hutcheson who belonged to the same company
with himself, in foraging and scouting parties.  He acted as pilot
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to Hutcheson and they were engaged in foraging through the country
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company under said Captain continued guarding the frontiers for about 
four months when they were attacked by Cunningham and his party 
of tories near the house of said Michael Blain where Captain 
Moore and John Calhoun were killed and applicant and the rest 
of the company escaped by swimming Saluda River. Applicant 
continued under command of Lieutenant Reed during the ballance [balance] of 
his term of service, guarding the frontiers of South Carolina 
when about the twentieth day of November 1782 his term of 
service having expired he was verbally discharged by said Lieutenant
Reed no written discharge was given. Applicant served out his full 
term of twelve months during the last engagement. During this last 
term of service applicant was not attached to any regiment but Moore's volunteer 
company was still subject to Genl Pickens orders tho' not always with him.

Applicant again entered the service of the United States in what 
was then the District of Ninety six in state of South Carolina 
where he then resided about the first of December 1782, as a 
volunteer for three months under command of Captain Robert 
Maxwell and Lieutenant Finny. He marched under said officers 
to a creek called Beaver dam in State of Georgia where he joined the 
army of seven hundred men commanded by General Pickens, then 
marched with said army to the Cherokee nation, proceeded very 
privately about nine days and a little after midnight arrived
within about a mile and a half of a Cherokee town called
Chota and about sunrise next morning commenced an attack 
upon the town the action lasted about two hours when the troops commanded
by General Pickens were victors.  Forty warriors of the Cherokees 
were killed and about 240 women and children taken prisnors.
None of the Americans were killed or wounded.  The indians 
were taken entirely by surprise.  On the same day about one 
oclock P.M. applicant marched with the army under said
officers to another town about ten miles distant called Sautaw
attacked the town about day light next morning took a few
old squaw and some children prisoners.  Then marched to 
another Cherokee town called the Country village about 14 miles
distant from Sautaw but the indians had evacuated the town.  Then
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Applicant under said officers marched back to Chota where the prisoners 
were[crossed out] had been^ left under a guard, remained there two days, then marched with 
the prisoners to General Pickens's block house in that part of 
Ninety six district now called Abbeville District South Carolina 
where the prisoners were left about the last December of 
the same year, or first of January in the year following. The 
^troops then separated under their respective captains by order of the
General, and applicant under command of said Captain Maxwell 
marched by order of said General Pickens to Michael Blains
the place of rendesvous about a mile and a half from Swanzy's 
ferry on Saluda river where he remained under said Captain 
guarding the frontier of South Carolina against the 
Indians and Tories until about the tenth of March 1783 
when he applicant was discharged at said Michael Blains
by said Captain Maxwell verbally. no written discharge being 
given. Applicant served out his full term of three months 
during his last engagement. Applicant was not attached to 
any regiment during the last mentioned term of service. There 
was no regular officer with the army during said term 
General Pickens of South Carolina commanded the army in 
the Cherokee nation, both South Carolinians & Georgians 
The militia field officers whom applicant recollects to have 
been with the troops in the Cherokee nation where he served 
were Colonel Anderson and Major Tut of South Carolina 
General Clark and Mary Daly of Georgia.
 Brigadier General Williamson commanded the Militia Brigade 
to which applicant belonged during his first term of service at 
Savannah. Applicant does not recollect the names or numbers 
of the continental & malitia regiments who were with the troops 
where he served. Applicant was born in Hanover County, State of 
Virginia on the 11th day of January 1762, his age is recorded in the 
family bible of his father which is now in possession of his brother James 
Watts in Laurens District State of South Carolina, he has no copy
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taken from said Bible but recollects to have seen it recorded as 
above stated and is certain that his recollection in that particular 
is correct. Since the Revolutionary War said applicant has lived 
in Laurens District State of South Carolina and Jackson 
County State of Tennessee, where he now lives, in which 
last mentioned county he has resided more than twenty years 
He has no documentary evidence and he knows of no person, whose 
testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service, except William 
Carson who resides in Jackson County State of Tennessee on Hensly's 
creek who lived within a mile and a half of said applicant 
when he entered the service, but was not in the service with 
him. The names of some of the persons to whom applicant 
is known in his present neighbourhood, and who can testify 
as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services 
as a soldier of the Revolution, are William Scanland 
Jonas Griffith, John Swezea and Robert Richmond 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is 
not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
George Watts
Sworn to and subscribed the   
day and year aforesaid 
Wm Scanland JM
I the said William Scanland a Justice of the Peace and one 
of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said 
county of Jackson do hereby certify that the above named applicant 
George Watts appeared before me at the time and place above 
mentioned and that he subscribed  ^above declaration ^ in my presence 
and swore to the same before me in due form according to law 
and I also certify that I propounded to him the interrogatories 
prescribed by the War Department and after investigating the 
matter I declare my opinion that the above named applicant 
was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And 
I further certify that said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity 
attend the Court. Given under my hand and seal this 6 December 1832. 
Wm Scanland (Seal)
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State of Tennessee } SS.
County of Jackson } 
On this 11th day of February 1833 personally appeared 
at the house of Jonas Griffith in said county of Jackson 
and State of Tennessee, before me Jonas Griffith a Justice 
of the Peace for said County of Jackson, the said[crossed out] William 
Cason a resident of said county and State aged eighty four 
years who being first duly sworn according to law doth 
on his oath make the following statement as a witness.
I William Cason, aged eighty four years resided in
that part of the district of Ninety six ^State of South Carolina^ now Laurens
District and was a near neighbour to George Watts 
the applicant in the foregoing declaration then of said 
District and State during said period. I was not in 
the service of the United States with said applicant 
being advised by my Colonel, Williams, to hire a substitute 
inclined to toryism and remain at home myself to protect 
my family and the Whig interest, which I did, consequently 
cannot prove positively the service of applicant nor under 
what officers he served. I know of said applicant being 
from home a great deal during the war of the revolution 
and it was said by applicants family and the neighbours
generally that he was in the service of the United 
States. I heard at one time applicant was drafted 
and ^in the service of the United States and at other 
times that he had volunteered and entered the service 
of the United States. I think it was reported in[crossed out]
generally in our then neighbourhood that applicant was 
in the service of the United States during the attempt 
by the American army to storm Savannah and during
Page 18

8
siege of ninety six and heard of his being in frequent 
Skirmishing parties and of his being in the service of the 
United States against the Cherokee Indians but I did 
not at any time she applicant enter the service of the 
United States nor did I see him return home but 
it was generally reported in the neighbourhood where 
we then resided that said applicant was in the 
service of the United States and I think from what 
I know of applicant being absent from home and from 
the report of the neighbours generally that said 
applicant was in the service of the United States 
during the Revolutionary war in all two years 
or more but cannot state even from reputation the 
different engagement nor the length of his term of service. 
Applicant was a true whig both hated and dreaded 
by the Tories who were both numerous and troublesome 
in our then neighborhood, I believe applicant to be 
seventy years of age as stated in his declaration 
I now live in the neighborhood of applicant he is 
very infirm not being able to perform labour of 
any sort & he is in very indigent circumstances. 
And from my own knowledge of said applicant as 
well as from his general character in the neighhood 
where he now resides and has resided for twenty 
two years or more, I would give him full credit 
upon his oath, in a court of Justice 

William ^his X mark^ Cason

Sworn to and subscribed 
before me 11th February 1833 
Jonas Griffith JP
Page 19

9
State of Tennessee } SS.
County of Jackson }
I Jonas Griffith Justice of the Peace for Jackson 
county aforesaid hereby certify that William Cason witness for 
the foregoing applicant was duly sworn to the foregoing statement 
according to law before me at my house in said county of 
Jackson on the 11th day of February 1833. I further certify 
that said William Cason is very old and infirm that 
he resides, and sworn to said Statement on the opposite 
side of Cumberland river from the town where the court 
of said county are held and that he sd William 
Cason cannot without very great difficulty and 
inconvenience to himself on account of his age and infirmity 
attend court. Given under my hand and seal this 11th day 
of February 1833 
Jonas Griffin (Seal)

State of Tennessee }
County of Jackson } SS. 
On this twelvth day of February 1833 personally 
appeared in open Court before John M Carver John 
Graham and Tandy K Witcher Justices of the Court 
of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County of Jackson 
now sitting being a court of record Jonas Griffith 
clergyman and William Scanland both residents of Jackson 
county State of Tennessee and subscribed and was duly sworn 
according to law in open Court to the following certificate. 
We Jonas Griffith a clergyman residing in the County of 
Jackson and State of Tennessee and William Scanland 
residing in said County and State, hereby certify that we
Page 20

we are ^well acquainted with George Watts who has subscribed 
and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him 
to be seventy years of age; that he is reputed and 
believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have 
been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur 
in that opinion.  Jonas Griffith
Wm Scanland
Sworn to and subscribed 
the day and year aforesaid 
William Gailbreath Clerk 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after 
the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant, 
George Watts, was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as 
he states. And that William Cason, who has sworn to and 
signed the foregoing statement as a Witness for said applicant, is 
resident of the the County of Jackson and State of Tennessee 
and that he said William Cason is very old and infirm 
and that he cannot without great difficulty on account 
of bodily infirmity attend Court. And that said William 
Cason is a credible person and that his statement 
is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies 
that it appears to them that said applicant cannot 
from bodily infirmity attend Court. And the Court 
further certifies that it appears to them that Jonas 
Griffith who has signed the preceding certificate is 
a Clergyman resident in the County of Jackson and 
State of Tennessee and that William Scanland who 
has also signed the same is a resident in the said 
State of Tennessee and County of Jackson and is a 
credible person and that their statement is entitled 
to credit.  John McCarver
John Graham 
Tandy K Witcher
Page 21

I William Gailbreath Clerk of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions for the County of Jackson aforesaid, do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of
the said Court in the matter of the application of George
Watts for a pension. And I further certify that William
Scanland who certifies, that the applicant George Watts
subscribed the preceding declaration in his presence and
swore to the same is and was at the time the same
purports to have been done, a Justice of said Court of
Pleas and Quarter Sessions and a Justice of the Peace
for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that
the signature annexed to said certificate is the genuine
signature of said William Scanland Justice as aforesaid. And
I do further certify that Jonas Griffith before whom William Cason
witness for said applicant swore to the preceding affidavit is and
was at the time the same purports to have been done a Justice
of the Peace for said County of Jackson duly commissioned and
qualified and that his signature annexed to the certificate
stating that fact is the genuine signature of said Jonas
Griffith Justice of the Peace as aforesaid. And I certify that
said Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions is a Court of
record.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office, this 19th
day of February A.D. 1833
William Gailbreath Clerk
Page 22

12
State of Tennessee )
County of Jackson )ss
On this 24 day of July A.D. 1833 personally appeared at
the house of George Watts in the County of Jackson and State of
Tennessee aforesaid before me John Swezea a Justice of the
Peace for said county and one of the Justices of the Court of
Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County of Jackson being a
Court of Record the said George Watts a resident of the
County of Jackson and State of Tennessee aforesaid aged
seventy one years last January who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath make the following additional
declaration as an amendment to the foregoing declaration
subscribed and sworn to by him 6th December 1832, in
order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832.
1st  I said George Watts, was born in Hanover County
State of Virginia on the 11th day of January in the year
of our Lord 1762.
2nd   My age is recorded in the family Bible of my father, which
Bible the last I knew of it, was in possession of my
brother James Watts of Laurens District State of South 
Carolina, I have no copy taken from said Bible, but
I recollect to have seen it recorded as above stated.
3rd   When called into service at the different times mentioned
in my original declaration I was living in that part of
the District of Ninety six now Laurens District State of South 
Carolina. Since the Revolutionary war I have lived in
Laurens District, South Carolina and Jackson County State of
Tennessee and I now live in said County of Jackson.
4.   The first time I entered the service of the United States
which was in September 1779 I was drafted the second time.
I entered the service which was in May 1787 I volunteered.
The third time I entered the service which was in November 1781
I volunteered and the fourth time entered the service
Page 23

13
which was in December 1782, I volunteered. During the different times I
was in the service of the United States as stated in my original
declaration I served in the Militia & volunteer of South Carolina
but was not at any time in the Regular or Continental service.
5  The names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops
where I served, are Colonel Laurens, Colonel Parker, Colonel Thompson
Count De Estaing (French) Count Pulaski (Pole) and General Lincoln
at the seige of Savannah. General Green, Colonel Henderson
Colonel Lee, Colonel Kirkwood, & Col. Washington at the siege
of Ninety six. I do not recollect the names or numbers of
the Continental and Militia regiments who were with the
troops where I served. Col. Laurens commanded a regiment
of light infantry from Charleston, Col Parker commanded
a regiment of 18 months men from Virginia, Col Thompson
commanded a regiment from Charleston & Col. Williams
commanded a militia Regiment from 96 Dist.
and Count Pulaski Commanded a Regt of Cavalry, at
Seige of Savannah. Col Washington commanded a Regiment of
Cavalry, Col Kirkwood commanded a regiment of the Maryland
line at siege of 96 & Col Butler commanded the Artilery at
the same place. During my first tour in the service of the
United States I marched from 96 district to Savannah then in
possession of the British we attempted ^to storm the British works,
were unsuccessful. Count De Estaing was wounded Count Pulaski
was mortally wounded-- We retreated. I was then marched to
Augusta under Col Williams when I was verbally discharged having
served out my term of three months. During my second
tour I was marched to ^the town of^ Ninety six in South 
Carolina, in possession of British & besieged by the American
army commanded by Genl Green. We retreated to Congaree
where having served out my term of six months I was verbally
discharged, during this term I was mostly engaged under Lieut.
Hutchison in foraging & scouting. During my third tour Iwas
engaged in guarding the frontiers of South Carolina I
served out my term of 12 months & was verbally discharged
Page 24

14
During my fourth tour I marched under Genl Pickens
to the Cherokee nation. We took and burnt Chota killed
40 Indian warriors, took about 240 women & children prisoners
marched to two other Indian towns which were evacuated, marched
back ^to Chota then marched to Pickens Block house where
we left the prisoners. We then separated by order of
Genl Pickens under our respective captains & I marched
under Captain Maxwell to Michael Blains where we
remained guarding the frontier of South Carolina
against Indians & tories when having served out
my term of 3 months was verbally discharged.-
During all the time that I was in the service
of the United States as stated in my declaration
I served as a private except the first three months
when I was appointed first Sergeant and served as
such for 3 months lacking ten days. For a more
full detail of my services I refer you to my declaration.
6   I never received a written discharge from the
service but was verbally discharged at the expiration
of my several tours.
7   The names of some of the persons to whom I am
known in my present neighbourhood and who can
testify to my character for veracity and their belief
of my services as a soldier of the Revolution are John
Swezea, William Scanland, Robert Richmond and
Jonas Griffith.
During the whole time that I was in the service of the
United States as stated in my declaration made
December 1832, I was a mounted Militiaman & volunteer I
Page 25

15
& furnished my own horse and arms.

George Watts

Sworn to and subscribed before
me at the time & place above mentioned.
John Swezea

I John Swezea a Justice of the Peace and one of
the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
for said County of Jackson do hereby certify that the
above named applicant George Watts appeared before me
at the time and place above mentioned and that he subscribed
the above additional declaration in my presence and
swore to the same before me in due form according to
law and I also certify that I propounded to him
the interrogatories prescribed by the war department
the answers to which are contained in the foregoing
additional declaration. And I further certify that
said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend
the Court. Given under my hand and seal this 24th
day of July 1833.
John Swezea

I William Galbreath clerk of the Court of Pleas
and Quarter Sessions for the County of Jackson aforesaid
do hereby certify that John Siezed whose name is
signed to the foregoing certificate and probate is and
was at the time the same purports to have been sign
a Justice of said Court of Pleas and Quarter Session
and a Justice of the Peace for said County of Jackson
duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature 
annexed to said certificate and probate is the genuine signature of
said John Swezea and I certify that said court is a Court of record.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
seal of office this 25th day of July A.D. 1833
William Galbreath Clk
By Russel M. Kinnaird
Deputy

[physical seal & ribbon affixed]
Page 26

which was in December 1782 as well as I recollect, I [illegible]
Page 27

January 5, 1939.
BA-J/ILL
George Watts
W. 1009

Mrs. Bryan Hill
Route #5
Cookeville, Tennessee.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of George Watts, a pensioner of Jackson
County, Tennessee, in 1833.

The data which follow are found in the papers on file in
pension claim, W. 1009, based upon service in the Revolutionary War
of George Watts.

George Watts was born January 11, 1762, in Hanover County,
Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. At the time of the
Revolutionary War, he resided in Ninety-Six District (later Laurens
District), South Carolina.

George Watt enlisted in September 1779, served as private
and sergeant in Captain William Davis' company, Colonel Williams'
South Carolina regiment, was at the Siege of Savannah and in the battle
there October 9th, and was discharged at Augusta, having served three
months. He enlisted in May 1781, and served six months as private
in Captain Simmons South Carolina company, during which he was in the
siege of Ninety-six under command of Colonel Washington. He volunteered
about November 20, 1781, and served one year as private in Captain
Samuel Moore's South Carolina company, which company was commanded later
by Lieutenant Joseph Reed, during which he was in a severe engagement
with the Tory leader Cunningham and escaped by swimming the Saluda River.

[hand written note in margin]
McCready Vo. 2 Page 654-655

He enlisted in December 1782, and served three months as private in
Captain Robert Maxwell's company in General Pickens' campaign against the
Indians, during which he burned Indian towns, assisted in killing their
warriors and in taking their squaws and children prisoners.

The soldier resided in Laurens District, South Carolina, from
which place he moved to Jackson County, Tennessee.

George Watts was allowed pension on his application executed
Page 28

December 6, 1832, at which time he resided in Jackson County, Tennessee.
He had resided in that county for more than twenty years. He
died January 4, 1835.

George Watts married April 21, the year ^omit next [illegible]^ 1789, Mary B. Walker; they
were married at her father's house in Laurens District, South Carolina;
the names of her parents are not shown.

Mary B. Watts, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her
application executed October 10, 1838, at which time she was aged
seventy-one years. She resided then in Jackson County, Tennessee. She
was living there in 1849.

The names of the children of George Watts and his wife, Mary, are
shown as follows
Sally Watts  born March 1, 1790
Martha T. " " [Watts  born] April 22,1792
James " " [Watts  born] January 31, 1794
Mansfield " " [Watts  born] December 19,1795
Nancy W. " " [Watts  born]  August 9, 1797
Lucindia " " [Watts  born] April 28,1799
Susannah " " [Watts  born] November 9,1801
Ann T. " " [Watts  born] February 23, 1804
Fanney " " [Watts  born] January 4,1806

The following was recorded also-
Eliza Watts grandchild of G & Polly Watts born December 21, 1812.

In 1832, James Watts, a brother of George Watts, resided in Laurens
District, South Carolina.

In 1838, Sally N. Osborn, aged fifty-seven years, stated that she
was present at the marriage of her sister, Mary B., to George Watts. One
Martha Walker, a resident of said Jackson County, in 1838, gave her age
as about sixty-eight years; she lived as a neighbor to George Watts and
Mary B. as children, and was an attendant at their marriage; she did not
state any relationship to the family.
In 1849, Alexander McCawley and S. H. McCawley witnessed the signature
of Mary B. Watts, the soldier's widow, in Jackson County, Tennessee; no
2.
Page 29

relationship to the soldier's family was stated.

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 cite the following:

Mary B. Watts, widow of George Watts,
Certificate #1704
Issued March 16, 1849
Rate $83.88 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1848
Act of February 2, 1848
Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrat
Page 30

State of Tennessee Jackson County
On this 17th day of February 1840
before the Subscriber a Justice of the
Peace in and for said county personally
appeared Sally N Osborn a resident of
Jackson County and State aforesaid and
made oath in due form of law that since
the time of her making the affidavit in
favour of Mary B Watts she has studied
about the period of the Marriage of the
said Mary B Watts and George Watts
her husband and feels no hesitation in
amending her affidavit as she was called
on unexpectedly and having no time to reflect
was unwilling to state precisely and refused
at the time of taking her affidavit to
make any certain statements. She now states
that she was present at the marriage of
her sister and was at that time seven
years old and from October until April
the in her eighth and recollects well
that the marriage took place between
George Watts and her sister Mary B. on
on the 21st day of April seventeen
hundred and eighty nine. That the said
George Watts died on 4th day of January
1835 and that the said Mary B Watts
has not intermarried since the death of her
said husband but still continues the widow
of the said George Watts
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day and date above written
Pleasant Henley Justice of
the peace for Jackson County
Salley N Osborn
Page 31

State of Tennessee Jackson County
On this day personally appeared Mary
B Watts widow of George Watts and
made oath in due form of law that the
annexed record containing the births of
her children is the genuine record kept
in her family and the same is in the
proper hand writing of her husband George
Watts and was preserved by her since the
death of her husband but she had not
this record before her when she made her
former declaration the same being in
the possession of one of her children said
record was taken out of the family bible that is copied
before they left South Carolina about
the year 1809 and this is a genuine copy
she recollects that upon reflection her
first born was ten months and ten days
after the marriage which fixed the period
of marriage on the 21st day of April
seventeen hundred and eighty nine
That she has not intermarried since
the death of her husband the said
George Watts which took place on the
4th of January 1835 but still remaining
his widow she further declares that
she has no further record or documentary
evidence in support of her claim
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 17th day of February
1840
Pleasant Henley Justice
of the for Jackson County 
Mary B Watts
Page 32

State of Tennessee Jackson County
I Pleasant Hendley one of of the
acting Justices of the Peace in and for
the County aforesaid do hereby certify
that I am well acquainted with Sally
N Osborn and Mary B Watts who have
this day made the foregoing affidavits
before me that they are women of
respectability and truth and that full
faith and credit are due and of right
ought to be given to their statement
I further certify that the annexed
record containing the births of the
children of George Watts and Mary B
Watts is the genuine record kept in the
family and further certify that the same
is in the genuine hand writing of the
said George Watts I have seen him write
frequently in his life time having
went to school to him when I was a
boy thereby having every opportunity
of becoming acquainted with his hand
write
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal this 17th day of
February 1840
Pleasant Henley JP
Justice of the Peace
Page 33

State of Tennessee
Jackson County
I John S. Turner clerk
of the county court of said
Jackson County do hereby certify that Pleasant
Hendley whose name appears to the foregoing
affidavits and certificate is now and was at
the time the same purports to bear date one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the
County of Jackson aforesaid duly commissioned
and qualified according to law to act as such
and that full faith and credit are due all his
official acts, and that the foregoing signatures
purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said court at office
in Gainsborough the 18th
day of February 1840
J.S. Turner Clerk of
Jackson County Court
Page 34

Gainesboro Te. 25 July 1833.
Sir.
I herewith enclose the declaration of George Watts
amended by having the answers to the interrogatories written
as required by note as you will discover from a reexamination
of the declaration that note does not apply to him, he
having never been in the continental or regular service. If
any part of note applies to him I have not been able to discover it
whenever he was under command of a Colonel his name is mentioned,
the length of his service is stated, and the grades in which he served:
but his grade is more definitely stated in his amended declaration
Applicant is very infirm, and in indigent circumstances and very
impatient of delay
James T. Quarles
agent for applicant

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 35

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 36

1009
3-068
(Old No. 3-649.)
Bureau of Pensions
Geo Watts
Dec. 6. 1832-70
Jackson Co. Tenn.
Sept. 79 Ninety Six SC
Apr. Wm Davis
Col. Williams
Sgt - 3 M
[illegible] Savannah several
Indian fights
May 81 Apr Summons
Col.
6 M
Nov. 81 Capt Samuel Moore
1 [illegible]
Dec. 82 Capt. Robt Maxwell
3 M
Born Jany 11. 1762 Hanover Co. Va
Mar. Mary B. Walker
Apl 21, 1788
D. Jany 4, 1835
Page 37

Cookeville Tennessee
Nov. 18, 1938
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.
Will you please
send to me a copy of Revolutionary
War Record of George Watts
who was listed as a pensioner
in the 1832 list age 72. he drew
pension in Jackson County.
Thanking you, I am
very truly,
Mrs. Bryan Hill
Cookeville Tenn -
R 5.

[stamp]
RECEIVED
NOV 21 1938
MAIL SUB. DIV. 
[illegible]
Page 38

Clinton S.C. Apr 18, 1904
Commissioner E. F. Ware
Dear Lor
You will greatly
oblige serveral ladies
wishing to join the 
Society of D.A.R. by finding
on your pension roles
the [illegible]
Revolunary recods of
the following men
from S. C. 
Stephen Lee of Charleston S.C. 
and those of William Blakeley.
Page 39

John Richards and
George Watts of the Ninety
Six District S.C.
Blakely is thought
to have enlisted from S.C.
but may have gone from
Virginia. So also of the
Watts brothers. They were
known to have been at
the seige of Ninety
six fort So. Ca.
An early reply with
information and statement
of cost  will be 
greatly appreciated by

Mrs. John C. Davis
Chapter egent
Clinton S. C.
Page 40

JRL
Rev War
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1009
Mary B. Watts
Widow 
George Watts
Privt. Srgt. Rev. War
Act: Feb 2, 1848
Index:-Vol. M., Page 304
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 41

Apl. 27-1904-
Hist to
Mrs. Jno. C. Davis
Clinton SC

1939-Jan 5 Hist to Mrs. Bryan Hill
Page 42

Mar 21 '48
[postmark] [illegible] Mar 12
Tenn.

Free
J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
DC
Page 43

Carthage Tenessee
March 12 1845
Dear Sir
Mrs Mary B Watts Widow
of George Watts and of Jackson
County Tennessee requested me
to write you and to inquire the
reason that there is such a
difference in the amount of the Pension
that she now receives and the amount
received by her Husband Geo Watts
in his lifetime. she get $42.22 pr
annum only and her Husband
got or was allowed ^to $83.88 per annum.
The old lady thinks that she ought
to draw the same pension that
her Husband did. Please answer
this as it will give the old Lady
great satisfaction. I am
Respectfully yours
Wm E. Jones

J. L. Edward Esqr
Commr. of Pensions
Page 44

[postmark] CARTHAGE TENN  JUL 25

Aug 3 1846
Tenn

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 45

Carthage Tennessee
21st July 1840
Sir
Yours of the 7th Instant is before me
in which you require me to make application
to William E Hayne of Columbia South Carolina
Comptroller General to get what
information the records in his possession ^afford
relative to the Militia Services of George
Watts. Acordingly I have adressed a letter
to that Publick office upon the subject
and will inform you of the result as
soon as I receive an answer. While on
this subject I cannot but remark that the
enquiry is a new one as George Watts
as I have been told was in the
receipt of a Pension at the rate of $96.00
dollars a year before his death and I
fully expected his services was fully proved
in his own life time when he was first
placed on the Pension Roll. I would like
to know the nature of the application
as it might so happen in the event of
no information being received from South Carolina
that the same proof, could
be obtained by living witnesses in this
part of the country I am extremely sorry
that it so happens that great delay is
Page 46

experienced from the time of sending papers
and getting a report on them. But as
Congress has now adjourned or will adjourn
before you get this in all probability may
I not with some propriety urge you
to pass upon the several claims I have
transmitted for the last six or twelve
months. The cases of Mrs Mary League
Mary Porter Mrs Max Clark widow
of Sterling Mrs Glanton and-
Keene. I am sure can give but little
trouble to investigate. I must therefore
tresspass so far upon your time and patience 
as to remind you that these claimants
are pressing in their demands and cause
me no small trouble to appease them.
With hopes that the business will be
attended to I remain Dear Sir
Yours with the highest
Respect
A. Ferguson

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 47

Carthage Tennessee
21st August 1840
Dear Sir
Inclosed you will have the certificate
of William E Hayne Comptroller General
of South Carolina which I presume
are the evidences of the service of George
Watts required by your letter of 7th July
1840. Please give the claim as early
attention as posible for the old Lady is
expecting that her claim will be allowed
and paid this September: But should
her certificate be allowed after 4th
September, by the rule of payment
[illegible] on last year at your office
she will not be paid until next
March which will be unsatisfactory
to the old lady.
Respectfully
A Fergusson

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 48

Carthage Tennessee
19th February 1840
Sir
Inclosed you have the additional amendments and proof required in the case of
Mrs Mary B Watts Widow of George Watts
of Jackson County, agreeable to the instruction
contained in your letter of the 17th July
1839 last. The marriage seems to have been
consumated on the 21st April 1789 and the
family record is herewith inclosed in form.
It was not before Mrs Watts when she
made her first declaration and she was
fearful that she had made a mistake as
she is now convinced that the period of
her marriage is on the date above mentioned 
I think you will find the proof
complied with in every particular
and I am instructed by her to request
of you the examination and allowance
of her claim as soon as you
conveniently can.

Respectfully
A. Fergusson

James L. Edward
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 49

Payment to be made at
Nashville by
Joel M. Smith Esq.

Agent for paying Pensioners, in the
Agency of Nashville Tenn

Payable on the 4th September and 4th
March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the
Roll of Pensioners under act February
2d, 1848, Page 315 Vol. 3
Tho Lumpkin
Clerk.
Page 50

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2, 1848,
Mary B. Watts of Tennessee
widow of George Watts
who was a Private and Sergeant in the revolutionary war,
is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Forty two
dollars and twenty two cents per annum, commencing on the
4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again
marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such
marriage.

Given at the War Office of the United States
this first day of September
one thousand eight hundred and
forty eight
W. C. Marcy
Secretary of War.

[physical seal affixed]

Examined and Countersigned

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
By F. S. Evans
Page 51

Carthage Tennesee
August 14 1848
Sir
enclose you will find the declaration of Mrs Mary B Watts widow
of George Watts claiming to be placed on
the pension list again and also claiming
the difference between the $$83.87 that
her husband received and the $42.22 that 
she received and since the repeal of
the proviso in the act making appropriation
for Revolutionary & other pensions past 7th May
1846 is repeal by the act of June 26 1848
I can see no reason why she should not
be restored to the whole amount originally allowed
to her husband and by reference to the Certificate 
of the Comptroller of North Carolina which
as filed with her papers in your office. I hope
you will allow the claim and send us her
pension certificate as soon as posible I
am Very Respectfully your
obt srvt
Jones & Marley
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Page 52

Declaration of Mrs Mary B. Watts
for increase of Pension, under the Acts of Congress of 7th July
1838- 3 March, 1843- 17th June, 1844- 7th May, 1846 - 26th June 1848 & 2d February 1848 - and the benefits of the Joint Resolution of Congress
of 1st July, 1848.
State of Tennessee )
Jackson County )ss
On this 24th day of January, in the
year one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, personally appeared
before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of
Jackson, State of Tennessee, Mrs Mary B. Watts, a resident of the
County of Jackson, State of Tennessee, aged 80 years, who being first
duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following
declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of Congress and
Joint Resolution, above recited: I am the widow of George
Watts, who was a Private and Sergeant in the South Carolina line,in
the War of the Revolution, and who prior to his decease (which
occured on the 4th day of January 1835), drew a pension from the
United States under the Act of Congress of 7th June, 1832, at the
rate of Eighty three dollars and Eighty eight cents per annum. I
have drawn a pension under the Acts of 1838-- 1843-- 1844 and 1848, at the
rate of Forty two dollars and twenty two cents per ann. I further
declare that I am still a widow.
Mary Watts

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 24th day )
of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine )
In presence of Ben Scanland (Seal) )
Alexander McCawley Justice of the Peace )

S.M. McCawley
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me, and that
she is the same individual she represents herself to be in the foregoing
affidavit.

Ben Scanland (Seal)
Justice of the Peace
Page 53

Admd
Acts
38
4 & 44
'48
at $83.88 per annum
ded former pays
at $42.22 per an
Hon J E  Brady
MC
Page 54

State of Tennessee } I Sampson W Cassetty Clerk of 
Jackson County } Jackson County Court hereby 
certify that Ben Scanland whose name appeared 
officially to the within and foregoing certificate is and 
was at the doing of the same an acting Justice of the 
peace in and for the County and State above named 
and that his commission bears date on the 20th 
day of April 184[illegible] and will expire on the first monday 
of April 1854. and that the signature purporting 
to be his is ginuine [illegible]  In testimony whereof 
I have hereunto set my name and 
affixed my seal office at office 
this 25th day of January 1849 
S. W. Cassetty Clerk
Page 55

State of Tennessee }
Jackson County } On this day personally appeared 
Sally N Osborn as resident 
of said County aged fifty seven years before
me Pleasant Hendly one of the acting Justices of 
the Peace in and for said County and made oath 
in due form of law that she was about seven 
years old when her sister Mary B Watts was 
married to George Watt she recolects the company 
collected at her fathers in Lawrence 
County South Carolina there was a great 
many said all night. This affiant was much 
opposed to her sisters marying as a child naturally 
would be and affiant recolects of meeting her sister 
next morning as the came of out of an adjoining 
room and saying to her she was not married 
This affiant cannot distinctly say as to the time 
but from the age which is recorded in the bible 
and her best recolection they were married on 
the  day of  Seventeen hundred
and eighty 
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 
10th day of October 1838 
Sally N Osborn 
Pleasant Hendley Justice 
for Jackson County 
I Pleasant Hendley one of the acting Justices of 
the Peace for the County of Jackson hereby certify that 
I am well aquanted with Sally N Osborn who has 
made the foregoing affidavit before me that she 
is a woman of truth and respectability and that 
full faith and credit are due to her statements 
Given under my hand and seal this 10th October 1838 
Pleasant Hendley  J seal
Page 56

State of Tennessee }
Jackson County } On this day personally appeared 
Martha Walker a resident of 
Jackson County and State aforesaid before me 
Pleasant Hendley one of the acting Justice of the 
peace in and for said County and made oath in 
due form of law that she is now about sixty 
eight years of age and that she was well 
acquainted with George Watts and Mary B 
Walker they were children of the same neighbourhood 
and knew them both before and after 
their marriage she was present at the wedding 
and saw them married they were married
in Lawrence County South Carolina by 
a Justice of the Peace whose name was 
- Brown   This affiant has a personal 
knowledge of all the circumstances of their 
marriage this affiant was one of the waiters 
who waited on Mrs Watts when she was 
married therefore knows and hereby states that 
they were legally married on the 21st day of 
April seventeen hundred and eighty eight 
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 10th day 
of October 1838 
Pleasant Henley Justice of the   Martha her mark Walker 
Peace for Jackson County 
State of Tennessee }
Jackson County } I Pleasant Hendley one of the acting 
Justices of the Peace in and for said County hereby certify 
that I am well acquainted with Martha Walker whom who 
has this day appeared to make the foregoing affidavit That she is 
a woman of truth and veracity and that full faith 
and credit are due her statements  In testimony whereof 
I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of 
October 1838   Pleasant Hendley  JB seal
Page 57

State of Tennessee Jackson County
on this 12th day of August 1848 personally appeared
before the undersigned a Justice of the peace
and for said county Mrs Mary B. Watts
a resident of said County aged Eighty years
who being first duly sworn doth on her oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision of the act of Congress of passed
the second of February 1848 granting pension to
widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary
War that she is the widow of George Watts
who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary war
and who previous to his death drew a pension ^of $83.87 per annum^ that she
is the identical Mary B Potts who drew a
pension of forty two 22/100 Dollars per annum in right of her said husband under the act of the 17th of
June 1844. She further declares she is still a widow
Mary B Watts
Sworn to & Subscribed
before me the date above
Benjamin Scanland (J.P.)
Page 58

State of Tennessee Jackson County
I Benjam Scanland a Justice of the
peace in and for said County hereby certify
that Mary B Watts is personally known
to me that the within statement made
by her is intitled to full credit and belief.
I further certify that she is the identical
Mary B Watts  who drew a pension
under the act of the 17 June 1844 this
17th day of August 1848 witness my
hand and seal.
Benjamin Scanland (JP)

State of Tennessee )
Jackson County )  I Sampson W Cassetty
clerk of the County Court of Jackson
County hereby certify that Benjamin
Scanland whose name appears officially
to the above declaration and certificate
is and was an acting Justice of the
peace in and for said Jackson County
duly commissioned and qualifed
that the foregoing signature purporting
to be his is genuine In testimony where
of I hereunto set my hand
and affix my seal office
at office this 12th day of August
1848
Sampson W Cassetty Clerk
of Jackson County Court
Page 59

Comptroller General's Office
Columbia S.C. 15 March 1847.
I do certify that the Records of this
Office (Book O. No 150.) do show that in Indent
was "Issued the 1st April 1785 to Mr. George Watts
"for twenty three pounds Eighteen shillings and six pence
"Sterling, for a horse lost in 1777. And for 80 days militia 
"duly done in 1782 pr. account audited."
The account referred to seems to be lost.
Also
That an Indent (Book U. No 423)" was issued
the 7th July 1785 to George Watts for forty
pounds eight shillings and eleven pence for militia
duty per account audited.
The account in this instance can be found,
and is for
"Duty pr. Col Anderson return-Curr ￡283.2.6
Stlg ￡40.8.11"
and is accompanied by an order for the
delivery of the Indent "to Richd Watts."

William C. Black
Compt Genl.
per Derrill A Hart. Depty.
Page 60

Carthage Ten
April 4 1847
Dear Sir
April 1847
In your letter to me
of the 9th Dember last whilst I
was in your city you state that
in the case of Mrs Mary B Watts
widow of George Watts that you
had allowed her pay for eleven
months & ten days that her pension
therefore could not be [illegible]
I have written to South
Carolina and have received
a certificate from the
Comptroller which show
that George Watts was paid
for some two years and three
months services if I am not
mistaken in counting which
certificate I have send to
you I hope you will examine
her case again and if it is
[illegible] that she should have
an increase of pension inform
and I will tell her to [illegible]
her certificate to you to that she
Page 61

may get another for the ends
and if she should turn out that
She is intitled to an increase
can she not receive it back to
the time she first commenced
drawing a pension. Please
inform me as early as possible
I am aprised of those kind of
aplications are troublsome to
you but I hope you will
excuse the trouble in this
case as the old Lady seems
anxious to have what she
thinks she is entitled to. I
am very respectfully
Wm. E. Jones
J.L. Edwards, Esqr.
Washington
City
Page 62

V. 5039
Mary B. Watts of George Tennessee
Page 63

State of Tennessee
Jackson County
I John S Turner Clerk of the county court of said Jackson County do hereby certify that Pleasant Hendley whose name appears to the foregoing declaration of Mrs. Mary B Watts and the accompanying affidavits of Sally N Osborn and Martha Walker was at the time the same purports to bear date and now is one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such and that full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given to all his official acts and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at office in Gainsborough this 12th day of March 1839 and of the independance of the United States the sixty third
John S Turner Clerk
by his Deputy
Alexr. Montgomery
Page 64

Indent Book O
No 150-
Issued the first of April
1785 to Mr George Watts for Forty
pounds Eighteen Shillings and six
pence Sterling. for a horse in 1777. and
for Eighty days Militia duty done
in 1782 Pr account audited
￡40.18.6.
---
Comptroller General Office
Columbia S.C. August 1840

I do hereby certify that the above
Memorandom is a true copy taken from
the margin of Indent Book
O No 150. deposited in this office, and do
furthermore certify that the account to
which the said memorandon refers
is either lost or mislaid.
●
William Ed. Hayne
Com Genl
P. B. Hart
Page 65

Indent Book U }
No 423 }
No 1 Issued 7th July 1785 to
Mr George Watts for Forty pounds
Eight Shillings and eleven pence
Sterling for Militia duty pr acct
audited  ￡40.8.11
The State of So Carolina
To George Watts  Dr
To Militia duty pr Col. Anderson
No. return. Currency  ￡283.2.6
Sterling ￡40.8.11

Comptroller General Office
Columbia So Ca August 1840
I do hereby certify that the above
Memorandom Number 1. is a true copy
taken from the margin of Indent Book
No 423. deposited in this Office, and
that No 2 is a true copy of the account
referred to in said memorandom-
William E Hayne
Com Genl
P. B. Hart
Page 66

Carthage Tennessee
13th March 1839
Inclosed you will and the papers authentincating
the claim of Mary B Watts Widow
of George Watts a Pensioner and who resided
in Jackson County in this State. The
proof is such as I believe is required in
such cases. I am convinced that it is a
just and honest claim, and I am in
hopes when you examine it you will
allow it without any hesitation the
proof being positive
Respectfully
A. Fergusson
James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 67

House of Reps
Feb. 14th 1849
Sir,
I enclose you herewith the application
of Mrs Mary B. Watts, widow of George
Watts, for the benefit of the joint
Revolution of 1st July 1848, as also
are pension certificate issued under the
act 2d Feb last to which I
ask your early attention
Yours
J. E. Brady

Col. J L Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Page 68

Tennessee 5826
---
Mary B. Watts widow of George Watts, deceased, who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 4 January 1835, of Jackson Co in the State of Tennessee who was a Pri. & Sergt. in the Compy commanded by Captain Simmons of the regt commanded by Col. Williams in the S. Carolina line for 2m 20ds Sergeant 8 m 20 ds private
---
Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville at the rate of 42 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Septr. 1840, & sent to A. Fergusson, Esq. Carthage, Tenn.
and
---
Arrears to the 4th of Septr. 1840 $190.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '41   21.11
[total] $211.11

{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 209.
Page 69

[envelope]

Tenn
Act 48
5145

 [postmark stamp] CARTHAGE Te. Aug 14

10
Col. James L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City  D.C.
Page 70

5145
Tennessee Nashville
---
Mary B. Watts, widow of George who was a pri & Sgt in the Revolution
Increased from $42.22
---
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 83 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Mch 1849 and sent to Hon. J. E. Brady M.C
---
(Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.)
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2, Page 199.
Page 71

[left column]
Repd.
Instructions under the Act of 1844 sent to W. E. Jones, Carthage, Tenn. Aug 3, 1844
Let to Wm. E. Jones March 31, 1845. do. to Same Dec. 9. 1846 - same Apl. 30. '47


[right column]
5145
Tennessee, Nashville
---
Mary B. Watts widow of George Watts who was a Private & Sergeant in the Revolution
---
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 42 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of March 1844 and sent to A. Fergusson
Carthage, Tennessee
---
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 223
Page 72

5826.
Tennessee Nashville
---
Mary B. Watts, Widow of George who was a pensioner under the Act of 32 and who died on the 4 January 1835. of Jackson Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a pri & Sergt. in the Compy. commanded by Captain Simmons of the regt commanded by Col. Williams in the S. Carolina line for 2 mo 20 ds Sgt 8 mo 20 " [ds] pri
---
Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville at the rate of 83 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Inceased from $42.22
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Mch 1849 and sent to Hon J E Brady MC.
---
Total amount, $
(Act July 7, 1838.)
Recorded by Leo. Hukins Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 359
Page 73

Mary B. Watts
Tennessee
Suspended
let. 17 July 1839 to
A. Fergusson
do. 7 July 1840
do 3 Augt. 1840
Act 7 July 1838
Page 74

1704
Tennessee Nash.
---
Mary B. Watts widow of George Watts who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Pri & Sergeant
---
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 42 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the day of and sent to Jones & Marley, Carthage, Tenn
---
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 315 Vol. 3
Page 75

Carthage
Tennessee
July 15th 1844
D Sir
herewith enclose you the declarations
of Mrs Mary B. Watts and Molly Anderson
both of Jackson County Claming a pension
under the act of 17th June last which you
will report on and send me the certificates
as soon as conveinant
respectfully your
Wm E. Jones

J.L. Edwards Esq
Comr. of
Pensions
Washington City
Page 76

State of Tennessee )
Jackson County )

 On this 5th day of July
1844 personally
appeared before John H Tolbert one of the
acting Justices of the peace in and for
said County Mrs Mary B Watts a resident
of said County aged Seventy Six ^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 provisions made by the
act of Congress passed on the 17th day of
June 1844 Granting pensions to widows
of persons who served during the Revoltionary 
war That she is the widow
of George Watts who was a pensioner
of the United States at the rate of Eighty
three Dollars & 8 cents per annum and drew
his pension in Nashville Tennessee for
service rendered during the Revolutionary war.
This declarant further declares that
she was married to the said George
Watts on the 21 April 1789 as stated in
her first declaration that her husband 
the said George Watts died on the
4th January 1835 that after the death
of her husband she did apply for and
was allowed a pension under the act
of Congress of the 7th July 1838 at the rate
of forty two dollars & twenty two cents per annum 
and after the expiration of
the said five years for which she
drew the pension above mentioned under the
said act of 7th July 1838 she did apply
for and was allowed a pension for
one year under the act of Congress of
of the 3 March 1843 at the same rate.
This declarant further states that after 
the death of her husband the said
Page 77

George Watts she has not inter
married but sill remains the
widow of him the said George
Watts deceased.
Sworn to and subscribed
before me the
day and year last above
written
Mary B Watts

John H Tabbert
J.P. for J Cy.  (J.P)

State of Tennessee Jackson County
I John H Talbot an acting Justice
of the peace in and for said County
do herby certify that I am well
acquainted with Mrs Mary Watts widow
of George Watts who has this day
appeared and made oath to the above
declaration before me that she is
a woman of Truth and veracity
that full faith and credit and
due and of right ought ought
to be given to her statements and
I further certify that she is the
Identical Mary Watts who did 
apply for and was allowed a pension
under the act of Congress of
the 7th July 1838 at the rate of
forty two Dollars and 22 cents per
annum and after the expiration
of the said five years she did apply
for and was allowed a pension under 
the act of Congress of the 3d March
1843 at the same rates and further
I certify that from old age and
bodily infirmity she is not able to
attend at the Court house in order to
make this declaration, in open Court
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
the day of July 1844 John Tabbert
Page 78

9
State of Tennessee
Jackson County
I Sampson W Cassitty Clerk of the County Court for Jackson County do hearby certify that John H Tabbert is and was an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Jackson at the time that his signature purports to have him signed to the within and foregoing declaration and certificate and by the proper person and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hearunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office this 6th day of July AD 1844
S. W. Cassitty
Clk of Jackson County Court
[physical seal affixed]
Page 79

5039
Mary B. Watts
of George
Tennessee
admitted
for 2 mos 20, Segt   13.33
8 mos 20. Pr.     28.88
[total] $42.21
Cap Simons, Col. Williams
S.C.
died 4 Janes 1835
A. 7 July 1838

A. Fergusson
Carthage Tenn
Page 80

4360
red. Sep 23, 1842
Mary B. Watts
$42:22 per ann
A. Ferguson
Carthage
Tenn.
Page 81

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March 1843, granting Pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received Pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
STATE OF Tennessee
Jackson COUNTY. SS.
On this 19th day of April 1843 personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the State and county aforesaid, Mary B Watts a resident of Tennessee in the county of Jackson aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War: - That she is the widow of George Watts who was a Private in the Revolution who was a Pensioner of the United States. She further declares that she was also a Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of forty two 22/100 dollars per annum under act of 7th July 1838
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Mary B Watts
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me,
Pleasant Henley {seal} JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

State of Tennessee Jackson County: --- Set.
I, Pleasant Henley a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Mary B Watts the above declarant is personally known to me. Given under my hand this 19th day of April 1843
Pleasant Henley {seal} JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

STATE OF Tennessee
Jackson COUNTY.
I, Alexander Montgomery Clerk of the County Court of said Jackson county, hereby certify that Pleasant Hendley whose name appears signed to the foregoing affidavit and certificate is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified as such according to law, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, at office in the Town of Gainsborough this 19th day of April 1843
A Montgomery
CLERK OF the County Court of Jackson COUNTY.