Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 39113, James Waters, Va.
Page 1

(3-1776) 

SERVICE |NUMBER
Va. |Waters, James |S 39113
CONTENTS
Page 2

State of Tennessee Lawrence County Court
January  [illegible] 1827
On the 1st day of January
1827 Personally appeared in open Court James
Waters and made oath in due form of [illegible] that
on the 18th day March 1818 he had a claim by
virtue of two  [illegible] made in the office at Shelbyville
to 22 1/2 acres of land lying in Rutherford
County Tennessee for which he never procured
a title and sold it in a state of [illegible] in the
year 1822 to William Whitfield for a mare and colt
and two cows an calf, that the mare and colt died
with the yellow water that one of the cows died
 [illegible] that he killed the calf for Beef and has an
Cow yet, that he had at that time also a
mare which he owned before he rec'd his
land the mare died with the yellow water
2 he gave his colt which she had long after that [illegible]
to his daughter Elizabeth when
she married William Peevyhouse and that the a [illegible] is all the property
he had at said time except his household a
kitchen furniture all of which together with
home he then lived in came consumed by fire
in the year 1822. That he gave his daughter
the Colt in the year 1823 in the fall of 1825
all his other beasts died with the yellow water
as a cow slated which [illegible] together with the case
by burning has made this application neccessary
Page 3

for his [illegible] that he sold his land by
transferring the plat and certificate and does not[illegible]
whether the land has ever been granted or not and has
not been able to because the certificate of 
any [illegible]  officer about it owing to the [illegible]
a [illegible] of said office the surveyor who received the entire
having long since resigned and left the County and the
office being now closed in all probability the
warrants having been gifted and removed South and West
of the reservation. This affidavit is made [illegible]
[illegible] to his application in the circuit Court of
said County on the 27th day  February 1826 when
he hereby confirms that he is unable by infirmity
to travel by reason of infirmity in foot to Shelbyville
Nashville and other offices to procure his testimony and cannot
by reason of his Poverty his as yet any Reason to [illegible]
it for him, his son is not capable and he has no beast
besides he is informed as far as he has under named
that it will be almost improbable to procure a
Certificate from my office
James Waters
Page 4

State of Tennessee Lawrence County Court [illegible]
[illegible] 1827 personally appeared in open court on
this 1st of January 1827 John Sims and made each
in due form of law that he lived a neighbour
to James Waters in Rutherford County and knows
that he sold the tract of land described in the foregoing
affidavit of said Waters for the property therein [illegible]
[illegible] and that one of the Cows died and that his house
and all that he had in it except a pot and skillet
were consumed by fire about four years ago before
said Waters moved from Rutherford to Lawrence
County
John Sims

State of Tennessee Lawrence County Court [illegible] 1827
On the 1st day of January 1827 Perce Floyd personally
appeared in open court and made an  oath that James
Waters brought with him into Lawrence County four
horse beasts and he gave one to his daughter
Elizabeth about the year 1823 and in the fall
supposed to be the yellow Water

x his mark
 Perce Floyd
Sworn to and Subscribed
in open court this 1st [illegible]
M O Buchanan [illegible]
AW [illegible]
Page 5

State of Tennesee
Lawrence County circuit Court Feby Term 1826
On this the 27th Day of Feby 1826 personally
appeared in open Court being a court of
Record for Said County and circuit. James
Watters aged Seventy Eight years residing
in Lawrence County who being first duty
Sworn according to Said oath an his [illegible]
Declare that he Served in the revalutionary
War as follows that he enlisted for the Tenness
of [illegible] years in the Town of [illegible] York
in Pennsylvania in the Month of April
1778 that he enlisted as he [illegible] before the
board of War Thomas Quick being perhaps
the Enlisting Officer that he served in the
Campaign Commanded by Col Joseph Green
[illegible] in the Regiment Commanded by Col
Heath in the 7th Regiment of the State
of Virginia in the Continental establishment
that in new Jersey he was Transfered at Trentan
to the Company Commanded by Heath White
in the Regiment Commanded by Col Ball
of the 2nd Regiment of the Virginia
[illegible] that he continued to Serve until
his changed in Williamsburg in Said Last [illegible]
[illegible] Company and Regiment about four
months after the Experation of his Time
of Service Expired about July 1781 which
discharge he has lost that he was in the battle of
Monmounth and at the fall of Charlestown
Page 6

when he was taken Prisoner and Exchanged
at Jamestown in Virginia 15 months after he
was takened that he was after his discharge at the
takeing of Cornwalles at york as a substitute
under Col Lewis that this is his first aplication
for a pension that the reason he did not apply
sooner that is prior to the first of march
1823 is because he was told that he had to prove
his Services by two good [illegible] which he could
not do having no other testimony Except
his own oath that his family Consists of
himself by Occupation a Tanner but not
able to do much by reason of age and
a sore leag which frequently lays him up
for months together his wife Eliza aged 60
years very inferm his son James aged 18 years
healthy and able to support himself his
son Jacob in the 17th year able to support
himself his daughter Sally aged nine years
healthy that he has disposed of [illegible] his property
since 18th March in the year 1818
but to support his family and I do solemly
Page 7

sware that I was a resident Citizen of the
United States on the 18th day of March 1818
and that I have not since that times by
gift sale or in any [crossed out: way] manner disposed 
of my property or any part there of
with intention by so doing to diminish as to
bring miself within provisions of an act
of Congress entitled an act to provided for certain
Persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service
of the United States in the Revolutionary
War [illegible] on the 18th day of March 1818
and that I have not nor has any person
entrust for me any property or Securaties Contracts
or debts due me nor have I any incomes
other than what is Contained in the Schdule
here unto annexed and by me Subscribed
James Waters
Schedue
3 Cows and Calves two sows and 7 piggs
one pot one oven dish and 4 plates
I have nothing comeing to me and I
owe thirty eight Dollars
Jame Waters
Sworn in open Court this 27th Feby 1826
Josephus Irvine Clrk
Page 8

where upon on hearing evidence it is Considered by the
Court that the property in said Schedule is the value
of forty nine dollars and fifty Cents
State of Tennessee
Lawrence County May 17th 1826
I Josephus Irvine Clk of the Circuit Court
for this County as hereby certify that it
appears to the Satisfaction of the Court that
like Said James Watters did Serve in the
Revolutionary War as Stated in the [illegible]
[illegible] Declaration against the Comman
Enemy for the Servs of nine months under
arw engagement an the Continental establishment
I also certify that the foregoing
oath (or affirmation) [illegible] the Schedule thereto
[illegible] one Truly [illegible] the records
of Said Court and I do further certify
that it is the [illegible] of Said Court that
the Total amount in value of the property
Exhibite in the aforesaid Schedule is Totaling
nine Dollars and fifty cents In testimony where of
I have [illegible] My hand and affidafid
My [illegible] Seal this [illegible] no
Seal of office this [illegible] at office
the Said above. Josephus Irvine Clerk
 of the Circuit Court for
Said County by A.W. Bumpass
Private
Seal
Page 9

No 19.770
West Tennessee
James Waters
of Lawrence Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Quicks of the regiment commanded
by Colonel Heath in the Virginia
line, for the term of Three years
from April 1778 to July 1778
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the [illegible] day of January 1827
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th of May 1827
and sent to William Davis, [illegible]
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Arrears to 4th of Mar : 1827 - $17.03
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1827 $48
$55-03
Revolutionary Claim
Acts March, 18, 1818,
and May 1, 1820.
Page 10

August 7, 1939

BA-J/AWF
James Waters
S. 39113
 
Mrs. Clarence C. Woodcock
Estes Road, R. R. 5
Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which 
you request the Revolutionary War record of James
Waters, who was pensioned while living in Lawrence
County, Tennessee.
The data furnished herin were obtained 
from papers on file in claim for pension, S.39113,
based on military service of James Waters in 
the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth of James Waters
are not given, nor are the names of his parents
shown. 
James Waters enlisted in the Town of Little
York, Pennsylvania, sometime in April, 1778, served
as private in Captain Thomas Quirk's company, Colonels
Joseph Crockett's and Heth's Virginia regiments,
while in Trenton, New Jersey, he was transferred
to Captain White's company, and served in 
Colonel Ball's Virginia regiment; he was in the 
battle of Monmouth, and at the fall of Charleston,
where taken prisoner, held fifteen months, and
exchanged at Jamestown, Virginia, was discharged
sometime in July, 1781, in Williamsbur, Virginia;
after which he served at the surrender of Cornwallis,
under Colonel Lewis.
He was allowed pension on his application 
executed February 27, 1826
Page 11

seventy-seven years of age, and a resident of
Lawrence County, Tennessee, having lived formerly
in Rutherford County, state not named.

The soldier, James Waters, referred in 1826,
to his wife, Eliza, aged sixty years, and to the 
following children-
James aged eighteen years
Jacob ages sixteen years
Sally aged twelve years
Polly aged nine years.
He stated, also, that his daughter, Elizabeth
married about the year 1823, William Peevyhouse.

The papers on file in this claim contain no
further discernible data in regard to family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and address of person paid, and
possible the date of death of this pensioner, you
should apply to the Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, this city,
and furnish the following data-

James Waters
Certificate #19970
Issued May 14, 1827
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced January 1, 1827
Act of March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820
West Tennessee Agency.

Very truly yours

A.  D.  HILLER
Page 12

20,017
James Waters
Lawrence Co. Ten
Act 18 March 1818

Service admitted
BL Beale

William Davis, Sig
Lawrenceburg
Tennessee

[written perpendicular to above]
Lawrenceburg
April 

James Barbour Secretary
of War
Washington [illegible]

[written upside down]
Pension Office
May 12th 1827
Page 13

Lawrenceburg April 23rd 1827
Dear Sir,
please to examine the enclosed application
of the Waters and forward me an answer
I enclosed it to the [illegible] James [illegible]
Polk to be submitted by him to you
but by [illegible] accident it did not [illegible]
until after the [illegible] of Congress and was
returned to him in Columbia This I hope
will be a sufficient appology for the 
delay. [illegible] the testimony which the applicant
has in his [illegible] is forwarded.

Very Respectfully [illegible]
William Davis

James Barbour
Page 14

State of Tennessee

Lawrence County [illegible] Form 1827
JMH Buchanan Clerk of the Court of
[illegible] and [illegible] for said County
Do certify that the [illegible] affidavit was
Duly Sworn to in open Court In Testimony
whereof [illegible] my hand and
office my private there being 
Seal of office [illegible] at office the
Dated above 
MH Buchanan Clerk
of AW Bumpass
Private Seal
Page 15

39113
Invalid.
File No. 39113
James Waters
Pri Rev War
Act 18th March 18th
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 534, 
[Arrangement of 1870.]


[perpendicular to above, on opposite folded page]
1926 - Jan 7 - Hist to Mrs. J.J. Douglas [illegible]
1926 - Feb 17 - Mrs J.J. Douglas [illegible]
1938 - Feb 2 - [illegible] Mrs. Frank Bridwell [illegible]
1938 - Aug 12 - [illegible] Ruth Ril[illegible]
1938 - Aug 7 - [illegible] Mrs. Clarence C. Woodcock [illegible]
Page 16

Trenton, Tenn
Dec 14, 1923:

Pension Department
Washington, D.C.

Gentleman,
Could you furnish me a copy of my great-
grandfather Waters of Virginia and 
Tennessee? He served in the revolution
war. They aught to be a record of his
pension. He drew a pension. His youngest
daughter, Mary Waters, my grandma drew
his pension after his death and I forget my
greatgrandfather's given name. I do not
remember whether it was William James
Joseph or John. He married a Mrs Tranthum,
I do not know her first name. They aught
to be a copy in the Department there
at Washington, D.C. I am enclosing a 
stamped envelope for a copy or record 
of my greatgrandfather Waters, as I want
to get information about him. He lived to 
be I think 110 yrs. and went Blind in 
his aged days. So Please let me hear from
you just soon as possible. As I would
appreciate all information. I am
yours Respectfully,
Mrs. J.J. Douglas.
205 Colledge
Page 17

Trenton, Tenn.
Dec. 29, 1925.

Pension Department.
Washington, D.C

Dear Sirs,

Some weeks ago
I written to the pension department
at Washington, D.C. inquiring about my
great grandfather Waters Record in the
pension Department. As I was told I could get
it there as there would be a record of him as
he was a Revolutionary soldier, and drew a
pension. I have forgotten his given name
whether it was James, John, Joseph, Jake
or William, I do not know whether he received
a pension in Amelia Co. Virginia But I
knew he reared his family in Tennessee.
I am his youngest daughter's grand
daughter, my granmother's name was Mary,
and she being the youngest child drew his
pension at his death, my great grandfather
ran away from England when a lad of 12 yrs
and served in the Revolution war and after
drew a pension. He was married to Mrs. Trantham.
Will you please send me by return mail
the record of my great grandfather Waters as
h drew a pension and I knew there must
be a Record there of it. He lived to be 110 yrs old
but went blind several years before death, I am
sending this letter by registered mail, and also
enclosing a stamped envelope for prompt reply.
to receive the reply as early as possible.

I am an ancient friend.
Mrs. J. J. Douglas,
205 College St.
Trenton, Tenn.
Page 18

P.S. I think my greatgrandfather
Waters died in Tennissee. But I do not
know what address. But in
East Tennessee anndale Tennessee I 
think. But the Record will give all
information. Please Do answer this.

Mrs. J. J. Douglas
205 Colledge St.
Trenton, Tenn.
Page 19

Rev. and 1812
War Section

Trenton, Tenn.
Jan. 12, 1926

U. S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Mr. Winfield Scott.

Dear Commissioner

Your reply received to day.
I do thank you for the information
in regards to my great grandfather
James Waters. Yes those names you
mentioned of his children were correct.
Could you give me his full Record? of his
Birthplace his parents name etc? as
He should have had a full Record of
himself and parentage when he enlisted
in the Rev. War army in April
1778. I think if you will examine his
pension claim S. 39113 that you could
get the desired Record of his birth place
ancestry etc. Will you please do this
for me? It is very important and does
mean so much to me. Please do help
me all you can and give me all the
information.  Regarding his Birth place
and parents. I am his own great-grand 
daughter. I will certainly appreciate every thing
you can do in getting his full record. Please let me
hear from you at an early date. I thank
you, I am,

Respectfully,
Mrs. J.J. Douglas
205 Colledge St.
Trenton, Tenn
Page 20

Rev. and 1812
War Section

Trenton, Tenn
Feb. 19 1926.
[received stamp] OFFICE OF THE COMMISIONER
FEB 23  1926
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Mr. Winfield Scott 
Commissioner Pensions
Washington, D.C

Dear Sir.

sometime ago I
written you asking you to look up
the Revolutionary War pension claim
S. 39113. or Record of my great grandfather
James Waters. I want the full Record
which I think right to be on his claim.
What I want to know most is James
Waters' father and mother's names, and
the address is his Birthplace in
England. As this is very important.
and do means so much to me.
I am registering this letter to you.
Will you at least look the Record of the
Revolutionary War on his claim of
Pension No. which is S. 39113 and send
me what and all the information
it gives which ought to His Birthplace
and parents name? This does
man so much to me. Wont you please
do this? Send me full Record.  So
Hope to hear from you real soon
and get the full Record of my great
grandfather James Waters. I am,

Yours Respetfully
Mrs. J.J. Douglas,
205 Colledge St.
Trenton, Tenn

(letters crossed this already answered)
Page 21


Alice, Texas.
Jan. 19, 1938.

Veteran's Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen,
Please send me all available information in your files on the
record of James Waters, son of Francis Waters, the former having served in the
Revolutionary war enlisting in Giles County, Tenn., and drew a pension for
this service.

I have no further information on the name, and shall be very
grateful to you for anything additional which you may be able to send me.

Very truly yours,
Mrs. Frank Bridwell

In five days return to
Mrs. Frank Bridwell,
to Savage Courts,
Alice, Texas.


[received stamp] RECEIVED  JAN 24 1938
Page 22


August 12, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/REL

Ruth Ritchie
Box 1074, Charlottesville
Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War records of James Waters, of Virginia or North Carolina
, who lived in Lawrence County, Tennessee, in 1840 and
Michael Courtney, of Virginia, who lived in Knox County, Tennessee
in 1830.
The records of those soldiers are furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 23

August 12, 1938
BA-J/AWF
James Waters
S. 39113

Ruth Ritchie
Box 1074, Charlottesville
Virginia

Dear Madam:

The data furnished herein were obtained
from papers on file in claim for pension, S.39113,
based on the military service of James Waters in
the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of James Waters
were not given, nor were the names of his parents
stated.

James Waters enlisted in the Town of Little
York, Pennsylvania, sometime in April, 1778, served
as private in Captain Thomas Quirk's company, Colonels
Joseph Crockett's and Heth's Virginia regiments, 
while in Trenton, New Jersey he was transferred
to Captain White's company, and served in
Colonel Ball's Virginia regiment; he was in the
battle of Monmouth, and at the fall of Charleston,
where taken prisoner, held fifteen months and
exchanged at Jamestown, Virginia, and was discharged
sometime in July, 1781 at Williamsburg, Virginia;
after which he served at the surrender of Cornwallis
under Colonel Lewis.

He was allowed pension on his application
executed February 27, 1826, at which time he was
seventy-seven years of age, and living in Lawrence
Page 24

County, Tennessee, having lived formerly in
Rutherford County, state not named.

The soldier, James Waters, referred in 1826,
to his wife, Eliza, aged sixty years, and to the
following children-
James aged eighteen years
Jacob aged sixteen years
Sally aged twelve years
Polly aged nine years.

He stated, also, that his daughter, Elizabeth,
married about the year 1823, William Peevyhouse?

The papers on file in this claim contain no
further discernible data in regard to family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and address of person paid, and
possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you
should apply to The Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., 
and furnish the following data:

James Waters
Certificate #19770
Issued May 14, 1827
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced January 12, 1827
Acts of March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820
West Tennessee Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 25

February 2, 1938
James Waters
S. 39113
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. Frank Bridwell
c/o Savage Courts
Alice, Texas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you
request the Revolutionary War record of James Waters,
who was pensioned while living in Tennessee.

The data which follow were obtained from papers
on file in pension claim, S. 39113, based upon the
military service of James Waters in the Revolutionary War
. This is the record of the only James Waters, who
applied for pension while a resident of the State of
Tennessee, for service in Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of James Waters
were not stated, nor were the names of his parents
given.

James Waters enlisted in the Town of Little York,
Pennsylvania, sometime in April, 1778, served as a
private in Captain Thomas Quirk's company, Colonels
Joseph Crockett's and Heth's Virginia regiments, was
transferred in Trenton, New Jersey to Captain White's
company, and served in Colonel Ball's Virginia regiment; 
he was in the battle of Monmouth, and at the
fall of Charleston, was taken prisoner, held fifteen
months and exchanged at Jamestown, Virginia, and was
discharged sometime in July, 1781 at Williamsburg,
Virginia; after which he served at the surrender of
Cornwallis under Colonel Lewis.
He was allowed pension on his application exe-
Page 26


cuted February 27, 1826, at which time he was seventy-
seven years of age, and living in Lawrence County
Tennessee, having lived formerly in Rutherford County,
State not named.

The soldier, James Waters, referred in 1826, to
his wife, Eliza, aged sixty years, and to the following
children James aged eighteen years; Jacob aged sixteen
years; Sally aged twelve years; and Polly aged nine
years. He also stated that his daughter, Elizabeth,
married about the year 1823, William Peevyhouse (?),

The papers on file in this claim contain no further
family data.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of
pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly
the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply
to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the
following data-

James Waters
Certificate #19770
Issued  May 14, 1827
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced January 1, 1827
Acts of March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820
West Tennessee Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 27

[the following appears to have been crossed out.]

cuted February 27, 1826, at which time he was seventy -
eight years of age, and living in Lawrence County, 
Tennessee, having formerly lived in Rutherford County,
[crossed out] named.
Page 28

Rev and 1812
War Section.
January 7, 1926.

Mrs. J. J. Douglas
205 College St
Trenton, Tenn.
Madam:

I have to advise you from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 39113, it appears
that James Waters enlisted in Little York,
Pennsylvania, in April 1778 and was a private in
Colonel Heth's Virginia Regiment, he was transferred
ferred to Captain White's Company, Colonel Ball's
Virginia Regiment, he was in the battle of Monmouth, 
and at the fall of Charleston, was taken
prisoner, and held fifteen months, when was
exchanged; after which he was at the surrender
of Cornwallis under Colonel Lewis.

He was allowed pension on his application
executed February 27, 1836, while a resident of
Lawrence County, Tennessee, aged seventy-eight
Page 29

Rev. 1812

years.
In 1826, soldier referred to his wife, Eliza,
aged sixty years; son James, aged eighteen years;
son Jacob, aged sixteen years; daughter, Sally,
aged twelve years; and daughter Polly, aged nine
years.

A daughter Elizabeth is referred to as having
married William Peevyhouse. There is no further
data on file as to family.

The above noted James Waters is the only soldier
named Waters, found on the Revolutionary War
records of this Bureau, who was a pensioner from
Tennessee.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 30

Aug

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
February 17, 1926

Mrs. J. J. Douglas
203 College St
Trenton, Tenn

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim of James Waters
( S.39113), the names of his parents do not appear,
nor is the place of his birth on file.

Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 31

R. R.

MRS. CLARENCE C. W
Estes Road  R.R. 5
Nashville, Tennessee

June 4, 1939

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C

Dear Sirs, - Please send me a copy
of the application of James Waters
for a pension for Revolutionary service
He was placed on the pension roll
May 14, 1827 at the age of eighty-six
The pension was applied for in
Lawrence Co. Tennessee.

Thanking you. I am
Very truly
(Mrs C.C.) Elizabeth B. Woodcock
Page 32

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

July 12, 1938

The Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

I am informed that you may be able to
supply me some information concerning pensioners
of the Revolutionary War. I am interested in obtaining
facts about:

1. James Waters who lived in Lawrence
County, Tennessee in 1840. He may
have been in Virginia or North Carolina
during the war.

2. Michael Courtney who lived in Knox
County, Tennessee in 1830, having
formerly lived in Virginia.

Any facts about these men which you may
be able to send me will be valuable to me and
greatly appreciated.

Very truly yours,
Ruth Ritchie

Box 1074
Charlottesville, Virginia

[received stamp] REC'D JUL 14 1938  MAIL SUB DIV  VETS ADM READER #4