Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,994, James Watson, Penn.
Page 1

SERVICE                                               NUMBER

Penn.               Watson, James         S.23.994

Born in Ireland
Page 2

Pennsylvania

James Watson
of Huntingdon in the State of Pennsylvania
who was a [Dr.] in the Company commanded 
by Captain Henry- of the Regt commanded
by Col Carpenter- in the Pennsylvania Troops-
7 mo 12 days.  24.64

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 24. Dollars. 64 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of May 
1833 Pensioner, and sent to office Huntingdon, Pa

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833    49.28
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 12.32
                                                              ====
                                                               61.60

                                       Revolutionary Claim,
                                       Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by T. F. Sprague Clerk,
Book 8.     Vol. 5.     Page 64

     Dead
Letter to J. Steel 24 July 1838
to 3 [audition] 23 Feb. 1841

Paid at the Treasury under the Act
of the 6 April 1838
from 4 March 1835 to 6 May 1837
[illegible] notified 25 March 1841
Page 3

Huntingdon Penna 19th July 1838

Sir,
       I lately forwarded to the Pension Agent for paying U.S. Pensions
in Philadelphia a Power of attorney from Saml Hays & Mary his wife
she the said Mary being the only surviving child of James Watson. dec. late of this County and late a Pensioner of the United States to Robert Toland Merchant of Philadelphia authorizing him to draw the arrears of Pension coming to dec, at the time of his death with the requisate proof of heir. 
[Illegible] & time of dec. & death - which he presented at the proper office for payment -this morning the papers have been returned  to me by Mr Toland stating
Page 4

that the balance due to James Watson had been returned to Washington owing to its not having been demanded at Philadelphia in the limited time & that the amount would be paid at Washington on application. I would therefore respectfully request a form to be sent to me directing in what manner the application should be made - be so good as to give me the necessary directory as soon as convenient -
                    Yours Respectfully
                      James Steel

I. L. Edwards Esq
Comm. Pensions
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[Stamp]
HUNTINGDON PA
25 Sep

11.1 66
[Handwritten flourish under these numbers.]
Penna
October 1
[Appears in upper left hand corner]

[Illegible]
[Appears in upper center]

War Department                  
Pension Bureau                                              
           D. C.


We the undersigned Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of 
Huntingdon County in the State of Pennsylvania, Do Certify that 
the within named Samuel Henry who testifiez to the servicez of
James Watson the within named applicant for a Pension was
produced & sworn before us in open Court August Term 1832
and that the said Samuel Henry is a man of good character &
that his statement is entitled to credit & belief- [Handwritten flourish]
Judgez
Given under our handz
13th April 1833
[A faint check mark appears in the middle bottom of the page.]         
                       [illegible][illegible]
                             Jos. Adamz
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania
County of Huntingdon 
[A squiggle appears to the right of these words, such as a curly bracket, as is used in legal documents.] 
SS.                                         
on the 16th day of August 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and thirty-two personally appeared in open court
before the Honorable Thomas Burnside Esquire and
his associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of
said County of Huntingdon now sitting James Watson 
a resident of Barree township in the county of Huntingdon
and State of Pennsylvania, a foresaid, aged seventy eight years, 
who being first duly sworn according to law doth in his solemn oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act
of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following
named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the month of June one thousand seven hundred seventy-six 
he resided in Lancaster County in the State of Pennsylvania, and in the [illegible] month [illegible] July 1776 he marched from Matthew Henderson Tavern in the
road to Philadelphia in a company of volunteers under Captain Robert Byers, 
and marched to Philadelphia, where they drew their arms and ammunition,
and marched from there to Trenton, and from Trenton to Princeton, and from there to Brunswick, from there to Amboy and remained there sometime,
and then received orders to lie on their arms that night and be ready to march 
the next morning at 4 o'clock under Col Crawford, and accordingly marched through Woodbridge to Newark on the day of the battle of Long Island, and 
from there they marched to Burgan near New York, and remained there until their two months were expired when the flying [illegible] was made safe and they 
were discharged. That in the month of May 1777 he was
Page 7

drafted to serve two months in the Pennsylvania militia under captain 
William Brisby and Col Boyd, and that for a part of this time he obtained 
a furlough and accrued his full pay - and that in the month of December
[illegible] of the same year he was drafted again and served two months amongst the 
Pennsylvania Militia under captian William Brisby and Col Boyd - and near the end of the Revolution he was drafted again to serve two months in the Pennsylvania militia under Capt Samuel Henry and Col Carpenter and was
discharged before the two months were fully expired, and for this tour he received half pay - and the above named applicant James Watson doth
further depose and say that during or between thirty and forty years last past 
he has resided in Barree Township aforesaid -
     He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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 ----
   Sworn and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid----James Watson (signature)

Questions by the Court----

1. Where and in what year were you born? Ans
I was born in 1753 in the county Tyrone in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1773.-----

2. Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it? Ans
 I have no record of my age 

3. Where were you living when called into service, and where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? ---Ans--
I was living in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, --- in 1793 I removed to 
Mifflin county, where I remained for 15 years, and the  removed to Barree 
township in Huntingdon county where I have continued to live until this time--
Page 8

4. How were you called into service : were you drafted: did you volunteer, or
were you a substitute - and if you were a substitute. for whom? Ans
voluntarily enlisted for two months - enlisted again for two months - enlisted again for two months all in the year 1776- and again enlisted for two months under Capt Henry.-

5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops
when you were : [illegible] continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? Ans
My first Capt was Robt. Byers & Col. Jas. Crawford- 2 tours Capt Brisby & Col.
Boyd- 4th tour Capt. Henry and Col. Carpenter- I was attached to the 6th Regt 
commanded by Col Carpenter.

6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? - Ans- I never received any written discharge.-

7. State the names of persons to whom you know in your present neighborhood, and who can certify as to your character for [verauty] and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
answer- John Stewart and William Hurst Equine
the one to wit John Stewart a [commiprioner] of the county.
aforesaid and William Hurst a Justice if the Peace 
of the said county {signature) James Watson
Sworn & [Subsailed] to in open court the 16th day of August 1832 
[D.N.] Porter Proby (signature)

We John Stewart and William Hurst residing in Barres township Huntingdon
county Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Watson who has [illegible] and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age: and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he [illegible] to have
Page 9

been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court-
[illegible] [DN] Porter Proby (signature)

William Hirst 
& 
John Stewart (signatures)

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion 
after the investigation of the matter and after putting the
interrogatories persecuted 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 John Stewart who signed the preceding certificate 
is one of the [commipioners] of Huntingdon county of one said and
that William Hirst Equine a Justice of Peace in and 
for said county who has signed the same  and residents of 
said county of Huntingdon are credible persons and that 
their statement is entitled to credit
                         Judges signatures [illedible]
                                                          Joseph W[une]?
                                                          Jos. Adams

State of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County, David R. Porter. Prothonotary of the 
court of common Treas of the said county DO
certify that the above and foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court in the 
matter of the application of James Watson for
a pension . In testimony whereof I have here _
-unto set my hand and seal of the said Court at Hunting
-don the 16th day of August. A. D. 1832.  DN Porter Proby
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Huntingdon County
             Personally appeared in open
Court of Common Pleas of Huntingdon 
County now sitting & holding in and for
said county, Captain Samuel Henry who
being duly sworn according to law doth
depose and say that he is personally ac-
quainted with James Watson the within
named applicant for a pension under
the late act. of congress of the United 
States - that this deponent will recollects
of the said James Watson volunteering
in the militia at three different times
during the Revolutionary War, & as this
deponent believes at the times set forth
by the said James in the within declaration
or statement, but how long the
said James served at each time the 
deponent cannot now say that the 
said James Watson has always sustained
a good character as a man of truth & honesty.
And this deponent further saith that he is the 
same person named as Captain Henry in the within
statement or declaration, & that the said
James did perform the service under him as 
therein set forth.

Sworn [Subscribed]                        
in open court
16t.augt. 1832
[illegible] DN Porter Proby
Page 11

     1166
James Watson
Pennsylvania
14th March 1833
Obj. 14. 16 -

Return
[illegible]
[illegible]
11.1 66
?4.64
P. 294

Pension
Huntingdon
Pa
Page 12

BRIEF in the case of James Watson
Co of Huntingdon in the State of Pennsylvania
               (Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court

2. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 

3. How old is he? 78

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period                Duration.      Rank     Names of General and Field

June In 1776.    2 months.     Private        Capt. Byers Col Crawford
volunteered

1777 drafted
Served part of the time           Private       Capt. Boesby Col Boyd

[Number] 1777 drafted, 2 months, Private, Capt. Boesby Col Boyd

near the end of the war
drafted dism. before the time  
12 June?                          2 months, Private, Capt Henry, Col Carpenter

5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lancaster Pennsylvania

7. In this statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by
traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditionary one living witness

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are [not] attached agreeably to the regulations nor are the periods nor Length of service vastly stated

    Certify that the foregoing statement and answers agree with the evvidence in the case above mentioned. 

George Payson (signature).      Examining Clerk.
Page 13

                                                                                 May 27, 1931

[Handwritten initials/word on right side of page under the date.]
O[illegible]

Miss May E. Elgar
Route 6
Mount Pleasant, Iowa

[On the right side of the page, across from the addressee name & address.]
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB

Dear Madam:

         You are advised that it appears from the papers in the 
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 23994, that James Watson
was born in 1753 in County Tyrone, Ireland, and came to America
 in 1773.

     While residing in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, he
enlisted and served as a private with the Pennsylvania troops, 
as follows: - from June or July, 1776, two months in Captain
Robert Byers' company, Colonel James Crawford's regiment;
from May, 1777, two months in Captain William Brisby's company,
Colonel Boy's regiment; from December, 1777, two months in the 
same company and regiment; and near the close of the war, six
weeks in Captain Samuel Henry's company in Colonel Carpenter's 
regiment.

    In 1793 he moved to Miffin County where he lived five 
years and then moved to Barree Township, Huntingdon County,
Pennsylvania, where he was living when he was allowed pension
on the application executed August 16, 1832.

     He died May 6, 1837, leaving children.

     In 1838 it was stated that Mary, the wife of Samuel Hays,
was the only surviving child. Names of other children not given.

    The above noted is the only James Watson of Pennsylvania
that is found in the Revolutionary War records in this bureau.

                        Very truly yours

                                      E.W. MORGAN
                                      Acting Commissioner
Page 14

[sentence cut off]
for a statement of the military history of James Watson
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau. [handwritten] Sm. F. 23,994

Enlistment or appointment - June or July 1776 for 2 months, rank private,
served under Captain Robert Byers, &  Colnel James Crawford in the state of Pa.

May, 1777 for 2 months, Private, served under Captain William Brisby, &
Colonel Boyd, Pa.

Dec. 1777 for 2 months, Private, served under Captain William Brisby, &
Colonel Boyd, Pa.


near end of war. 6  wks, Private, Captain Samuel S. Henry, & Colonel Carpenter, Pa

Battles engaged in, [check mark]

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lancaster County, Pa.

Date of application for pension, August 16, 1832. His [cl.mas al.]

Residence at date of application, Barree Twp. Huntingdon Co. Pa.

Age at date of application, B. 1753 County Tyrone, Ireland.
   Remarks: He came to America in 1773.
In 1838, soldier's daughter Mary, wife of Samuel Hays,
was the only surviving child.
The above noted is the only James Watson of Pa. found on
the Revolutionary pension records.
Very respectfully,
Page 15

Old War... Div
I.N.[P]..... Ex'r

Department of The Interior 
Pension Office
Washington D.C. January 28, 1886

Sir,
In answer to your enquiry of the 19th inst for information
of James Watson a Revolutionary soldier who died in Beaver County,
Pennsylvania, you  are advised that there are three of the of name
who applied for pensions and either lived in, or Served with the troops
 of that State, but the data you have furnished is not hardly sufficient
to properly identify either with the one of your enquiry --
  Should you desire further information be pleased to state the object
of your enquiry, and what use will be made of the information
you desire, as well as your relationship to the soldier--
It is also requested that you Specify his occupation and if he was
afflicted with any disease, or received an injury which deprived him of
the proper use of an organ of of the body.
       Very respectfully
               John C. Black
                 [Commeshioner]

Mr J.D. Wiggins
Hillsboro'
Highland Co. Ohio
Page 16

Copy of J Watson's
papers  P.     

















Hon I Henderson
Page 17

                                                                  War Dep
                                                                        Pension Office
                                                                          Feb. 10. 1834

Sir

I Henderson requests to have a 
certified copy of James Watsons application
for Pension.  I. H. resides in Huntingdon County Pa

Copied sent to Hon I Henderson
H R. Feb. 15 1834
Page 18

TREASURY DEPARTMENT 
Second Comptroller's Office
February 25, 1841.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April 1838, entitled " An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," The child of James Watson,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at 
the rate of Twenty four Dollars and 64 Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1835.
to the 6th of May 1837.
         Respectfully yours,
                Albion K. Parris  
                  Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
                                                                Present
Page 19

Revolution
23 994
INVALID.

File No. 23,994
James Watson
In Rev War

Act: June 7th 32"
Index:- Vol. 2, Page 435

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Mch.19,'08. Hist.to Miss Sophia H. Schooler

Sept. 12,1911. Hist. to Guy Roush.

1931- May 27- Hist to May E. Elgar
Page 21

[Illegible] O.  Feb. 10th, 1886

Mr. Black, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: . You desired or wanted to know what James Watson I've referred to.  My object of having where James Watson enlisted and his age when he enlisted.  Also when he as pensioned and when it ceased and whether it continued up to the day he died or not, is to prove the age of James Watson in which his lineal descendants are heirs to an estate which is supposed to fell to him in Scotland from his father.  James Watson was born in Scotland.  I don't know where he lived when he enlisted, that is what county in Pennsyl, but he died in Beaver County.  I think he was about 30 yrs. old and upwards at the time of enlistment He was a scotchman by birth
Page 22

Please give the day of month, month
and year of his enlistment and how old he was
at that time of enlistment and where he was born. 
We know he was born in Glasgow Scotland and this is the way 
you will be able to distinguish among 
the James Watson take the one was born in Glasgow Scotland.
When he received a pension (I don't know his disability) the day, month
and year when it ceased.
I'am no relation to James Watson at all. But I am working as an attorney for his lineal descendants,
Let me know as soon as possible. Respect yours 
[An illegible signature to the left of Wiggins' signature has been crossed out]  J.D. Wiggins
Page 23

3--595
Record Division.
O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
March 13, 1908
Searched by S. D. Lamparter
Original No. ____________________
Certificate No. __________________
Claimant, _______________________
Soldier, James Watson
Service, Pa.
Rev. War
Remarks: No claim as above
except Invd # 23994


27498b4m2-07      Chief of Division.
Page 24

Chicago, Mch 8-'08

The Honorable Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you have the kindness to send me any records the Bureau containing of pension granted James Watson of Pennsylvania for service in the Revolutionary War?  We are not certain as to the company in which he served; but he lived at the time of the Revolution in Chester co, and moved in 1799, from there to Centre co.  His wife (1st wife, he may have married twice) was Mary Evans.  His children were thirteen in all; John, Thomas, William, Lot, Nancy, Margaret, Betsy, Hannah, Joseph, Robert, Charles, Samuel.  I trust that this data is sufficient to enable you to locate my particular James Watson.
Thanking you in advance for the favor of an early reply,
I am,
very truly yours, 
(Miss) Sophia H. Schooler
6533 Woodlawn ave
Chicago.
Page 25

The Guy Roush Medicine Company
Manufacturers of
Proprietary and Stock Medicines, also Pure Flavoring Extracts

Worm Powder and Stock Dip a Specialty
Le Mars. Iowa, Sept 5, 1911.

Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington. D.C.

Diar Sir:
I have been reffered to you by the Adjuctant Generalas one who may be able to give me information in regards to James Watson [S23.994 is faintly written above James Watson's name] from Pa. who fought in the Revolutionary War.  Please give me all indormation possible as in his heirs [A capital "T" appears between the words] as he left an estate in Scotland.
Thanking you in advance for the favor,
Guy Roush
Page 26

[Stamp] Record Division Sep 7, 1911
[Stamp] Ack. Sept 8, 1911
Pension Office, H US Sep 7, 1911
Page 27

[Stamp] Revolutionary & 1812 Wars, Section Burau Pensions
Apr 29, 1931

Mt Pleasant Iowa
April 25, 1931

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

From Iowa State Library I obtained the following.
George A Watson, a native of Jefferson County Ohio a life long resident is of Irish descent the son of George Watson, his father [check mark] James Watson a native of Ireland who came to this country in an early day and settled in Washington Co, Penn, where his home was until he died : George Watson was born in Washington Co, Pa. moved in 1816 to Jefferson Co, Ohio where he died:
I wrote you recently of my fathers mother geneology - My father John M. Elgar. the son of Wm Elgar and Nancy (Watson) Elgar. My father
Page 28

2

was born April 21 1838 jefferson Co. Ohio - Salem township.  Wm and Nancy were the parents of George - Emily - John - Mary - James -   Wm and Nancy were married Nov 2 1830.  where I do not know.  Nancy died Salem twp Jefferson Co Ohio near Richmond.
Now you will notice Nancy had a son James - also George - and this to me seems significant - I wrote the State Library of Penn - They have scant data there and said I should get all available information and have the records of Washington Co and church records also searched - They sent - Excerpt -
"James Watson never appears as having served in the War of the Rev in Captain Zadok Wright's Company
Page 29

3

Washington County Penn Militia.  A James Watson also served as a Ranger of the Frontiers of Westmoreland County."  

Thanking you for past Favors I shall be very grateful for the reply you may send.

Very Respectfully

May E Elgar
Mt Pleasant
P. 6     Iowa.
Page 30

F  23994

James Watson

1. 27 '86 

[Illegible]

This case with File 40 643 [and] rejected No 11.203 were on my desk with a rubber band round them but Feby 12 they disappear [page folded over rest of word] [and] have not been found 
March 31, 1886

I N [Illegible]

[Handwritten unknown symbol & a scribble]

MI
[Written sideways]
Rubin Mccoy
[Written upside down]
Page 31

23994
40643
[Crossed out] R. 11. 203
Page 32

[This note was written on a torn sheet of lined paper.]

March 31, 1886

In answer to your request for information of James Watson a Revy Soldier I have to state that no one of the above name has been found on record as an applicant for a pension who can be identified with the one of your inquiry.
Page 33

State of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County
[A handwritten squiggle appears to the right of these word, such as a curly bracket, that is on legal documents.]
SS.

Personally appeared before me the under-
Signed a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania, James Watson an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832.  who being duly Sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periodz mentioned below, and in the following gradez:  For Two monthz I served in the year 1776. as a private soldier in a volunteer company commanded by Captain Robert Byerz -  For two months in the year 1777: I was drafted as a private soldier in the Pennsylvania Militia under Capt William Brisby & Col. Boyd that he served part of that time & for the residue of the Term received a furlough - That in December in the same year he was drafted again & served two months as a private Soldier in the Pennsylvania Militia under Capt Brisby & Col Boyd - and near the end of the Revolution he was drafted again az a private soldier in the militia to serve two monthz under Capt Saml Henry & Col Carpenter, that on this tour he served at least six weeks & further Deponent saith not -
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 13th. April 1883 -

Jno Smart   

James Watson 

[A faint handwritten check mark appears below James Watson's signature, in the middle of the page.]

State of Pennsylvania, Huntingdon County, [Handwritten symbol, that resembles shorthand follows these words.]
 I David R Porter Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County Do Certify that Joh Smart [Illegible] before whom the above affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Said County duly commissioned and qualified and that to all Said official Acts full faith and credit are due: And that I am acquainted with the Said Justice and with his handwriting, and that I believe the name "Jno. Smart" thereto subscribed to be in the [Illegible] proper handwriting of the said Justice- In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of the Said County at Huntingdon the 13th day of April A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three  

D[Illegible] Porter Prohy 
[A handwritten flourish appears below Porter's signature.]

[A faint handwritten check mark appears in the middle of the bottom of the page.]
Page 34

State of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County 
SS
  
[A design appears on the page just below the above words & along the left side of the document.]

I David R. Porter Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Huntingdon aforesaid Do certify that the within containz the original & amendatory proceedings in the case of James Watson an applicant for a Pension -  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & caused the Seal of Said Court to be affixed at Huntingdon the Sixteenth day of April A.D. 1833.

D[Illegible] Porter Prohy
[A handwritten flourish appears below David R Porter's signature.]

[There is a faint handwritten check mark in the otherwise empty middle section of the document.]