Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1007, John Wason, Va.

Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Wasson, John
or Wasson,

Ellen

NUMBER
W.1007
B.L.Wt. 27661-160-55

CONTENTS

Page 2

94.818. act Mar 3/53
April 23/55
Ellen
Ellen Wasson widow
of John Wasson pri

Capt
Col

Revolutionary
Pensioner

Va. Feb 53-1673

W:160 acr May. 20/56
[illegible]

H. Risk
Fairfield Va
27661 iss May 24/56
Cir H. Risk Nov 29/55

Vol W 1. Page 16.

Page 3

94.818. act Mar 3/53
April 23/55
Ellen
Ellen Wasson widow
of John Wasson pri

Capt
Col

Revolutionary
Pensioner

Va. Feb 53-1673

W:160 acr May. 20/56
[illegible]

H. Risk
Fairfield Va

27661 iss May 24/56

Cir H. Risk Nov 29/55

Vol W 1. Page 16.

Page 4

Hon. pro: Letcher, Apl. 9/58
sold's wid died Dec. 21. 1857
AB
Reg 3d M 55-94818

1673
Virginia Richmond
Ellen Wasson
widow of John Wasson
or Wason
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private Va. Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d. February 1833 [4th day of March, 1848.: crossed out]
Certificate of Pension issued the
1st day of Sept./53 1853
and sent to
Harvey Risk
Fairfield Va
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
[July 30, 1815: crossed out] Page 131 Vol a
Feby 3/53
1832

Page 5

Ellen Wasson
Pension

1833
Harvey Risk Fisk[crossed out]
Fairfield
Harry Risk
Farifield Va

Page 6

State of Va.
County of Rockbridge S.S.
On this 18th day of May 1853, personally 
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and
for the County and State aforesaid, Ellen Wasson, a resident
of Rockbridge County, aged 75 years, who
being duly sworn according to law, doth upon her
oath, make the following declaration, that she may
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed
for the benefit of widows &c. of deceased revolutionary 
soldiers. That she is the widow of John Wasson
dec'd a revolutionary soldier, and who was a pensioner
under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 to which
papers she refers as evidence of his said service &
of his pension allowed under said act - that she is[crossed out]
was married to the said John Wasson dec'd in the
County of Rockbridge, Va  on or about the 2 day of
Feb: 1819. - That her name before her said marriage
was Ellen Till. That she was married by the Rev
Anden B. Davidson a minister.
That she has not received any pension except one half years pay since the death
of her said husband, which occured[sic] on the 22 day of
September 1832, and that she has ever since been and is still
a widow.
Ellen Wasson herXmark
Sworn to and subscribed before me, and I hereby
certify that the said Ellen Wasson, widow of Jno
Wasson, dec'd is unable from age and bodily infirmity
to appear in open Court, and further that I have
in interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Given under my hand this 18th day of May
1853. 
JM Strickler J.P.
1853.

Page 7

Virginia
Rockbridge County to wit:
I Charles Chapin Clerk of the County Court
of Rockbridge in the State of Virginia do hereby
certify that it appears on the records of my
office that John Wason and Eleanor Till were
married on the 23d day of February 1819 by the
Rev Andrew B. Davidson.
I further certify that Moses Strickler whose
genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate
is and was at the time of signing
the same an acting justice of the peace in and
for said County duly commissioned & qualified
according to law.
In testimony whereof I hereto
sign my name and annex
the seal of said Court at
Lexington this 21st day of May
1853 and in the 77th year of
the Commonwealth
C. Chapin

Page 8

State of Virginia
Rockbridge County September 3rd 1832
On this 3rd day of September in the year 1832
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of said County
now sitting, being a Court of Record, John Wason a resident of
said County & State, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth
his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he is a Native of Pennsylvania and is in his 92nd year.
That age and its infirmities have much impaired all his faculties 
of mind & body & disqualifies him for a full & connected
account of his Revolutionary services - he states, however, that in
the fall of 1777, as he thinks, he was drafted as a Militia man
in the County of Berkley and State of Virginia. That he marched
under the command of Capt. Evans, in a Regiment commanded
by a Col Campbell to different points in Virginia and
subsequently to Pennsylvania. That he was in the Battle at
Brandywine. That he remained in the Army of the United 
States for some considerable time after that Battle, and returned
to his residence in Virginia in the spring of 1779.
That is, in the spring, first after the fall when he was drafted,
This applicant further states that altho' the draft was but
for three months, yet that he remained for nearly, if not
quite 6 months
He also states that shortly after his return home in Berkley
County Virginia, he moved to Augusta County, and had been
there but a little while, when he marched under Capt. Tate to
the assistance of Genl Green that he was in the Battle of
Guildford, that Tates company was discharged generally
some short time after that Battle, in consequence as was supposed
of its having suffered excessively in bringing on the
Genl. engagement at that place, not more than 20 or 25 men
having survived, that after his company was discharged
he returned to his residence in Augusta, having been gone, in
all, from 6 weeks to two months.
This applicant states that his two tours of Revolutionary
service, amounted together to about 7 and a half or 8
months,

Page 9

He has never gotten a pension, and 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 to & subscribed the day & year above written
John Wason hisXmark

We James McDowell & Robert Templeton residing in
the County of Rockbridge & State of Virginia, & in the immediate
neighbourhood of John Wason, the within applicant for a Pension
do hereby certified, that we are well acquainted with him, that
we have been so for not less than 40 years, that we believe him
to be of the age (92) that he has stated, and that it is a matter believed 
in the neighbourhood in which he lives, that he has been a
Revolutionary Soldier. In this opinion & belief we entirely concur.
We further certify that entire confidence is to be placed in his
statements, his character for veracity being unquestioned & unquestionable, 
he is worn down with age and infirmity &
tho poor has forborne to make the present application until
urged by his friends. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year
above written--
Robert Templeton
James McDowell
Rockbridge County to wit
This day came before me in said County David
Steele of Augusta County aged 73 years, who being duly sworn, saith,
that he marched as a volunteer in Capt. Tates Company from Wayne
borough in the County of August in the month of February 1781. That
he knows John Wason, servered[sic] in said Company, that he saw him
often with the company & that he believes he Wason fought in the
Battle of Guilford Courthouse North Carolina (This affiant
himself was in that engagement, but in a different quarter from
where Tates Company was engaged. This affiant lives in the
neighbourhood of said Wason, & knows that he was a revolutionary
soldier & that the campaign soken[sic] of was he believes for
three months - he believes the said Wason to be a man of veracity
and respectability
David Steele

Page 10

John Wason heirs
Supplemental Declaration

Page 11

Rockbridge County
State of Virginia to wit
On this 4th day of June 1833 personally
appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the County
Court of Rockbridge, John McLane & David Wasson Heirs
of John Wason Decd of the County of Rockbridge, and
applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress
and died on the 20th day of September 1832, who
being first duly sworn deposeth and saith, that John
Wasson of the sd. County of Rockbridge, who made application
to the Department on the 3d day of September
1832, for a Pension under the late act of Congress for
a pension, departed this life on the 20th of September
1832. They further state that they only claim for the
sd. John Wasson, for the Term of seven and one half
months (viz seven months & fifteen days). And give the
following answers to the the[sic] questions marked as not
answered. Namely questions 2d & 3d.
2d question. Have you any record of your age &c.
They state that sd. John Wasson, to their knowledge
has left no record of his age except in the memory
of individuals and we believe him at
the time of his death to have been in his 92d
or 93d year of his age at his death.
3d. Where were you living when called into
service &c.
He the sd. John Wasson was living in Augusta,
Va., when called into service since the
Revolution he has lived in sd. Rockbridge County
and where he continued to reside untill
the time of his death.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
above written.
John McClain
David Wason

Page 12

State of Virginia
At a Court held for Rockbridge County the
4th day of June in the year 1833
This supplemental declaration made by
John McClain and David Wason heirs of John Wason deceased
who claimed a pension was produced in Court subscribed and
sworn to by said McClain and Wason and it was ordered to be
certified to the war department of the United State, and also
that said affiants are credible persons and that they are heirs of
the said John Wason decd.
In testimony whereof I Samuel McD Reid
Clerk of said court have hereto set my name
and seal of office the 3rd day of June 1833
in the 57th year of the Commonwealth
Sam McD.Reid Ckl

Page 13

State of Virginia
County of Rockbridge S.S.
On this 3d day of April A.D. 1855 before 
me a Notary Public within and for the County and
State aforesaid, personally appeared Ellen Wasson, aged
about 80 years, a resident of Rockbridge, State of Va. who, being
duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of
John Wasson, deceased, who was a private in the revolutionary
war being the identical person named in an original
certificate of pension now in [my:crossed out] her possession No 1673
"Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioner under
act February 3d 1853, Page 113. Vol A" and to which she refers
as proof of her said husbands service, marriage and
death. She declares that she is still a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining
the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the
act approved March 3d. 1855.
Ellen Wasson herXmark
We John Shewey and Delilah Shewey residents of Rockbridge
in the State of Va. upon our oaths declare that the
foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by
Ellen Wasson, in our presence; and that we believe, from
the appearance and statements of the applicant, that
she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
John Shewey
Delila Shewey
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to [me:crossed out]
and subscribed before me on the day and year above written,
and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons
that the claimant is the person she represents herself to
be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
H. Risk N.P.

Page 14

Virginia
Rockbridge County to wit
I Charles Chapin Clerk of
the County Court of Rockbridge, in the State of Virginia do
hereby certify that Harvey Risk whose genuine signature appears
to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time of
signing the same an acting Notary Public in and for said
County duly commissioned and qualified according to law.
In testimony whereof I hereto sign
my name and annex the seal of
said Court at Lexington this 17th day
of April 1855, and in the 79th year
of the Commonwealth
C. Chapin

941818

Page 15

No 22020
John Wason
Virga
decd.

Return &
Return &

Admit as private
6mo $20 per an
to Sept 20 1832
certificate to the
heirs $31.77

Samuel McD. Reid Clerk
Lexington
Rockbridge County Court
Va

Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
11. May 1833
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, shewing the Service of John Wason Rockbridge County Virginia

|Period when the service was rendered|Duration of the Claimant's service.|Rank of the claimant.|Names and Rank of the Company officers under who 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|
|Draft 1777|nearly 6 if not quite from 6 weeks to 2 months his two tours amounted to about 7 1/2 or 8 months|Pri| Capt Evans|Col Campbell |Brandywine |Virginia | aged 92 |Traditionary|
| | | |Capt Tate | Genl Green |Guilford|Penn| |
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 17

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, 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 and who 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, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits 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 this 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 applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District}
County of } ss.
On this [space] day of [space] personally appeared (a) before [space] 
A. B. a resident (b) of [space] in the county of [space]and State, Territory or District
of [space] aged (c) [space] 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) [space], with [space] and
served in the [space](e) regiment of the [space] line, under the following named officers:
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers of 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 [space]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[space] A. B.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I, [space] of the Court of [space] 
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [space] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
of office (i) this 
[space] day of [space] & c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names 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 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 [space]and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [space] who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [space]
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.
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.
[space] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [space]
and that C.D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the [space]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [space]C Clerk of the Court of [space] do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [space]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [space] day of [space] & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original 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 his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon 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 the material facts, which can be useful
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

Page 18

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, if 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
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their 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 certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed 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, and 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 a 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 office, 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 genuine signature.
No payments can be made on 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 the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[footnotes]
(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 or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier 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, 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 periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [space] year [space] months. and [space] days, I served as a [space], I served as a [space] for [space] months and [space] days 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 his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers and other particulars respecting the service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of the term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps 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 in 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 make his seal, and who 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 certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate 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 a 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 certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under the seal of office.
The notes from (a) and (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
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. } 23
Dyer Castor  Clerk

Page 19

June 23, 1939
BA-J/AHFB:MLB

Mr. W. A. Wasson
111 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York City

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letters in which you request to know
whether or not this office has record of all Revolutionary War
soldiers; if not, where could such item be checked, and in which
letters you request, also, a list of all those borne on the records
of this office with surname Wasson, in the effort to establish
relationship to the pioneer Wassons of North Carolina and Virginia.
This office does not have record of all Revolutionary War
soldiers, nor can any source of such complete record be given. The
Adjutant General, War Department, this city, is the custodian of such
Revolutionary War military records as have been preserved by the
United States Government and this office has only the pension and
bounty land records.
The demand for Revolutionary War data is so great that it has
been impossible with the limited trained clerical force available for
that particular work, to make for one person or organization, a
series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of that
war, or to prepare lists of pensioners for release,
The record of Joseph Wasson (S. 26491 ) who, you state, was your
great-great-grandfather, and the records of John Wason or Wasson
( W. 1007 ) and William Wosson (S. 18670) are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

Page 20

June 23, 1939

Mr. W. A. Wasson
111 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York City

John Wason, W. 1007
Joseph Wasson, S. 26491
William Wosson, S. 18670
BA-J/MLB

Dear Sir:

The Revolutionary War records of John Wason, Joseph Wasson and
William Wosson are furnished you, as follow:
JOHN WASON
W. 1007

The data which follow in regard to John Wason or Wasson were
obtained from the papers on file in the claims for pension and bounty
land under W. 1007, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Wason or Wasson was a native of the State of Pennsylvania.
The date and exact location of his birth and names of his parents were
not given.
While residing in Berkley County, then in Virginia, John Wason
enlisted in the fall of 1777, served as private in Captain Evans' company,
Colonel Campbell's Virginia regiment, stationed in Virginia and Pennsylvania, 
was in the battle of Brandywine, then returned to his home in
Berkley County, having served a tour of six months. Shortly after his
return home, he moved to Augusta County, Virginia, and while living
there, enlisted, date not shown, and served between six weeks and two
months as private in Captain Tate's Virginia company, was in the
battle of Guilford after which he returned to his home in Augusta
County, Virginia.
The soldier applied for pension September 3, 1832, while a resident
of Rockbridge County, Virginia, and aged ninety-one years. His claim
was allowed. He died in Rockbridge County, September 20 or 22, 1832
(both dates given).
John Wason or Wasson married Ellen or Eleanor Till, February 23,
1819, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, where their marriage was recorded
in the County Clerk's Office. The date and place of birth of Ellen
and names of her parents were not stated.

Page 21

Soldier's widow, Ellen Wasson, was allowed pension on her application
executed May 18, 1853, at which time she was aged seventy-five
years and a resident of Rockbridge County, Virginia.
Ellen Wasson, while still living in Rockbridge County, Virginia,
applied April 3, 1855, for bounty land which was due her on account
of the Revolutionary War service of her husband, John Wasson. She was
allowed one hundred sixty acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 27661,
under the Act of March 3, 1855. She died December 21, 1857.
It is not stated whether John and Ellen Wason or Wasson had
children, but in 1833, one David Wason and one John McLain made
affidavit in Rockbridge County, Virginia, that they were heirs of the
soldier, John Wason; their relationship to him was not designated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and name
and address of the person paid in the case of Ellen Wasson, you should
write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records
Division, this city, and cite the following data: Ellen Wasson, widow
of John, certificate 1673, issued September 1, 1853, rate $20 per annum,
commenced February 3, 1853, Act of February 3, 1853, Virginia (Richmond)
Agency.
If you desire information relative to the location of the land granted
soldier's widow, Ellen Wasson, you should apply to the Commissioner of
the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and furnish
that official the number of the warrant, the acreage and date of the
act under which issued.
JOSEPH WASSON
S. 26421

You are furnished her in the record of Joseph Wasson as found in
pension claim, S. 26491, based upon his service in the Revolutionary 
War.
The date and place of birth of Joseph Wasson and names of his
parents are not shown.
Joseph Wasson served as private in the Revolutionary War under
Major Davidson in the North Carolina troops, and while serving in
line of duty in the battle of Ramsour's Mill, June 20, 1780, he was
wounded; the date and place of enlistment and other details of service
were not given.
-2-

Page 22

On account of disability resulting from wounds received in
service, Joseph Wasson was pensioned from March 4, 1795, and his
name was placed on the pension roll of North Carolina. His name was
transferred from North Carolina in 1816 to the Indiana pension roll.
In 1818, the soldier was a resident of Wayne County, Indiana. He had
formerly been a resident of Iredell County, North Carolina. He died
July 23, 1822.
There are no family data, whatever, shown in the claim of
Joseph Wasson.
WILLIAM WOSSON
S. 18670
The data which follow in regard to William Wosson were obtained
from pension claim, S. 18670, based upon his service in the Revolutionary
War.
William Wasson was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to
Pennsylvania in 1773. The date of his birth and names of his parents
were not stated.
William Rosson volunteered, date not stated, in Bedford, Bedford
County, Pennsylvania, and served as private in Captain Davidson's
company, Colonel Smith's Pennsylvania regiment, marched to Trenton,
arriving there soon after the battle, thence to Princeton where he went
into winter quarters; was in an expedition to Raritan River where he was
in a skirmish with a British vessel, and was discharged in March after
serving a tour of six months. He afterwards moved to Amherst County,
Virginia, and while living there, enlisted about a year before the
surrender of Cornwallis, served two months as private in Captain
Edminston's company, Colonel William Campbell's Virginia regiment, and
was in the battle of King's Mountain, in North Carolina.
William Wesson was allowed pension on his application executed
September 26, 1832, at which time he was aged eighty years and a
resident of Greenfield, Gallia County, Ohio, to which place he had
moved about 1814. He was still living there in 1833.
It is not stated whether William Wesson was married.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name
and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of this
soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting
-3-

Page 23

-ing Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
William Wosson, certificate #13499, issued July 27, 1833, rate $26.66
per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
-4-

Page 24

John Wasson
22020

Page 25

Subscribed and sworn to before me
in said County of Rockbridge this
8th day of Sept 1832
John Ruff J.P.

Virginia
At Rockbridge County Court September 3rd 1832
The declaration of John Wasson
together with the affidavits of Robert Templeton & James McDowell senr
of which the foregoing are true copies were produced in Court
and severally sworn to and subscribed in open court and the Court
declared their opinion after investigating 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 certified that Robert Templeton and
James McDowell Senr who signed the proceeding certificate are
residents of this county, and are credible persons and that their
Statements are entitled to credit
I Samuel McD Reid Clerk of said County
Court do certify that John Ruff Genter before whom the preceding
affidavit of David Steele appears to have been made
is and was at the time of taking the same an acting Justice of
the peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified
and that his signature is genuine-
In testimony of which I have
hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed the seal of said County this
10th day of September 1832 and in
the 57th year of the Commonwealth
Sam McD Reid

Page 26

Brief in the case of Ellen Wasson of John
Rockbridge County and State of Virginia
act of Feb 3 1853
Claim,  ("original," or ["for increase.": crossed out])
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner act of 1832 at
$20
Pri
(If for increase.) Marriage proved public record
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Heath audr rep.
Identity or wills,

Examining Clerk
JL Gray

Name and residence of Agent
Henry Risk
Fairfield
Va

Page 27

[stamp]
Fairfield Va
Aug 23

[stamp}
FREE

Hon. L. P Waldo
Commr of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

John Wasson decd
Feby 3 1832

Page 28

State of Virginia
County of Rockbridge S.S.
We, John Shewey and David Shewey
do solemnly swear that John Wasson, a pensioner under 
the act of Congress passed in 1832. Va. agency, is decd
and that Mrs. Ellen Wasson, whose claim for pension 
under the act of Congress of Feb. 1853, has been
forwarded by Mr. H. Risk, as agent, is the widow
of said John Wasson, decd. and that she has remained in widowhood from his death, So help us
God.
John Shewey
David Shewey
Sworn to and subscribed before me a notary public and
I certify that the said John Shewey and David Shewey are
to me well known and are respectable and credible witnesses
Given under my hand this 22d day of August 1853.
Residence Fairfield, Rockbridge, Va.
Virginia
Rockbridge County to wit
I Charles Chapin Clerk of the County
Court of Rockbridge in the State of Virginia do hereby
certify that Harvey Risk whose genuine signature
appears to the foregoing certificate is and was at the
time of signing the same an acting Notary Public
in and for said County duly commissioned and
qualified according to law.
In testimony whereof I
hereto sign my name and annex
the seal of said Court at Lexington
this 22 day of August
1853 and in the 78th year of
the Commonwealth.
C. Chapin

Page 29

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Fairfield, Va. Aug. 23d 1853

Sir
With this I send you the Affidavit
of Messrs. Jno: & David Shewey of the death of John
Wasson, and that Ellen Wasson, is his widow.
which I hope will be satisfactory-
As to her marriage, by reference to her
declaration, you will find the record of
her marriage embodied in the Certificate of the
Clerk.
I hope that the claim will be adjusted speedily
as she is needy.
Respectfully
H. Risk
N.P.

Page 30

94818
Ellen Wasson
wid
John
Boynton
Va act Feby 53-1673


[stamp]
Fairfield Va

Hon. J. Minot
Commr of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 31

Fairfield, Va. Decr 6th 1855
Hon. J. Minot
Commr Pensions

Sir
Your letter giving
information of the suspension of Ellen
widow of John Wasson application for bounty
land under the act of Congress passed
March 3d, 1855 has been received, and
in reply permit me to say that we have
record evidence to produce. Her claim
is based upon the fact of obtaining a
certificate of Pension under the act
of February 1853, and that application
was based upon the fact that John Wasson
did apply for and receive a pension, in
or about 1829 or 30 - From the pay, Ellen
Wasson, is now receiving (twenty dollars, I presume
her husband received "Three dollars
and fifty cents per month" - It is conclusive
then, that she is entitled to land bounty
for her husband could not have been placed
on the Pension list without a service
of at least three months, this service
must have been proven or the Department
would not have granted a certificate and
consequently as she refered to that alone
as evidence, under the act of Feb 1853 and
succeeded, and now under the act of March
3, 1855, she refers to her certificate of Pension
as evidence of the service of her husband
it appears to me that her claim is
established beyond all question, and that

Page 32

the Department is bound by its own
descisions[sic] in her case to grant her the
benefit of the provisions of the act
of Congress passed the 3d of March
1855.
Very Respectfully
H. Risk

Page 33

Pension Office
Aug 16/53
Sir
Please report time
of last payment to or death
of within named pensioner
Respectfully &c
S. Cole
for Commr


F Burt Esqr
[illegible]
Present

John Wasson Act 32,
$20. p.an. Died 20th
Sept. 1832, Paid to
his death.
F Burt
Auditor

Page 34

May 27, 1853
No 1899
Appl .of Ellen
Wasson widow of
John
Virginia
16186

Act 3d Feby:1853
Rev
allowed $20 per an
[illegible] Feb. 3. 1853

Harry Risk
Fairfield
Va.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Pension Office, Official Business

Page 35

No 1899
Ellen Wasson widow
of John 
Let to Agt
Aug 15 /53
Gray

Page 36

27.661

[illegible]

Page 37

1935 Nov. 21 Hist. to L.D. Prewitt, JLL.
1939 June 23- Hist. to W.A. Wasson. MLB

Rev War
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1007
Ellen Wasson
Widow
John Wasson
Pri Rev. War
Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index:- Vol. M, Page 304
(Arrangement of 1870.)

Page 38

L. D. PREWITT
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Forest City, Iowa
November 8, 1935

Veterans' Administration
Revolutionary War Section
Washington D. C.

Gentlemen:

Will you please advise me if any family
or military data is to be found in your records for
claims on file for pension or bounty land based on
the service of:
STEPHEN COLLINS, born in Conn in 1754, enlisted
in 1775 as a private in Capt. Josiah Starr's
Company, Col Moseley's Conneticut[sic] regiment. He
moved to Campbell county, Kentucky, after or
during the last years of the Revolution and
died there in the year 1842. He was married and
had a son Stephen, Jr.
JOHN WASON (Wausson) of Rockbridge county,
Va., who died in that county after 1834 and who
was living in Augusta and Totetourt counties,
Va. prior to the outbreak of the Revolution. He
was mentioned in the report of the Sec'y of War
in 1835.
Thanking you,
Yours,
LD Prewett
L.D. Prewitt
LDP:1

[stamp]
Received
Nov 11 1935
Mail Sub-Div.
Vets. Adm Reader # 73

Page 39

NY City 2/24/39 #111 Bway 7th Floor

Comr Pensions
Washn DC

We the Wassons are trying to
establish relationships of several
pioneer Wassons of No. Carolina and Va
who were in the Rev War of '76.
If your record of pensions
are so arranged alphabetically and not
too much trouble, could you give a
list of the Wassons recieving[sic] pensions
from the Rev. War. No matter from
what state. I don't think there
would have 8 or 10 if that
Yours very truly
W.A. Wasson

My own great g.f. Joseph
of N.Car. claim S.26491
3/4- 1895 transfered[sic]
1816 to Indiana

[stamp]
Received
Feb 25 [illegible]
Mail Sub-Div.
Vets. Adm Reader # 31

Page 40

NY City 3/31/39

Veterans Administration
Washn. DC

Dear Sir-
Do your records
show all Rev. War
Veterans? If not what
would be the best way
to check up on such
an item. What I want
is to gather data of the
Wassons who served in the
1776 Rev. and build up a
little family history from
that, I know of 8 or ten
such Wassons but there
were others of course
(My own g.g. father Joseph)
Claim S 26491
Thanking you I am
yours truly
W. A Wasson
-1866 -