Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,593, Abel Williams, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Penn.
Williams, Abel
R 11,593
CONTENTS

34. 649 Abel Williams Ohio Pennsylvania

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of Ohio Tuscarawas County, ss. 3
On this 29th day of October, A.D. 1838, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Common Pleas in and for said county, Abel Williams , a resident of Warren township in said Tuscarawas county, and state of Ohio, aged Eighty years on the eighth day of December next, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his 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: He entered the service as a private, in the militia, being drafted; and at the time of his being drafted he resided in Montgomery township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; on the 3 d of August, 1777 and served until the 4th of October, 1777, tho' he was by his officers, discharged the day previous, being the 3 d of October A.D. 1777. This service of two months, the time for which he was drafted, declarant will recollect, from the circumstances of his being in the battle of Germantown, which took place the next day after he was discharged, his officer having requested him and others to stay with him one day after discharged, by doing which he was in the battle of Germantown. This battle took place early on the morning of the 4th

October, 1777, and in it declarant received a slight wound in his jaw from sparks of a stone fence which was shattered by a cannon ball. — During this time of being drafted declarant was also at the battle of Brandywine — but is unable from his recollections having greatly failed, to state the names from his recollection of any of his immediate officers during said a engagement of two months. — — After the expiration of the above term of service, declarant went home to the above named Montgomery township, where he stayed about two or three weeks, the precise time not now recollected, and again some time in November, — 1777 entered the service as a substitute for Jacob Johnston for an other term of two months which he served, and which was out some time in January, 1778, the precise date not recollected. — In this engagement he was in no battle, but marched while in the two engagements about thro' different parts of said Montgomery & also thro' Philadelphia Counties. He never received any written discharge in either of the above cases of not being drafted, & being a substitute.
Declarant states that he afterwards, on the first of June, 1780, again entered the service of the United States as a militiaman under Captain Hand, major McGowan & Colonel Butler. — At this time he entered for a term of seven months as a volunteer or substitute under the following circumstances: A draft was about to be made in the company to which he belonged, and to avoid being drafted, the men of said company raised a sum of money ($1000 in con-

tinental paper) and hired declarant for a term of seven months and also a man by the name of Humphrey Williams for a similar term of seven months; which term of seven months declarant served and was afterwards on the first of January 1781, discharged by a written discharge, but which discharge has long since been lost — These two men's service for seven months was as declarant understood, accepted, in lieu of the requisition made for a draft. — During this service declarant marched thro' different parts of the State of New Jersey, and remembers that during this service the treason of Arnold & execution of Andre the British spy took place. — In all the service aforesaid, was under Genl. Washington, whom he often saw, and under Genl. Sullivan during the four months service first described, and under General Wayne Wayne during the seven months service — at the time of entering the service for the seven months aforesaid, declarant resided, as he did at each other time of entering the service aforesaid, at his residence home in Montgomery township aforesaid, in Montgomery County, Penn a .
After this declarant was out as a substitute for his brother Benjamin Williams under Captain Smith, but how long he served he can not now recollect — & that he has no documentary evidence; and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim, 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 and sub- scribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Abel Williams
And then upon the following questions were propounded to the said Abel Williams by the said court, to which the said applicant made the answers severally annexed to said questions.
1. When, & in what year were you born?
A. - I was born in Montgomery township of county Penn. a & according to my father's account of the matter, on the Eighth day of December, A.D. 1758.
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it? A. I have a record of my age at home in this county: I took it off my father's bible & put it in my own.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolution any way, and where do you now live? A. When called into service I was living in Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. I lived there five or six years, then moved to Green county Penn. a and lived there till 32 years ago, when I moved to Warren township in this (Tuscarawas) county where I now reside.
4. How were you called into service: were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, & if a substitute, for whom? A. During the first two months' service above described I was drafted; during the second two months' service above described I served as a substitute for Jacob Johnston, and for the seven

months' tour above described, Involuntarily as a substitute for those who would otherwise have been drafted out of my company into the service. See the declaration as to this. In the last service was a substitute for Benjamin Williams. I am not recollected. 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 service.
A. I can not state more particularly than is mentioned above in my declaration. Generals Washington, Sullivan, Hays; Colonel Bull, Major McGowan and Captain Smith & Hand were officers in command while I served. I can recollect of being in the Battle of Germantown near Philadelphia city - that it took place in the morning early - that it was a misty morning, and that the British had rather the better of us. - I remember also of being at the Battle of Brandywine, tho' not in the heat of the engagement: there being a small hill between the troops I was with and the main army. In this battle we retreated.
In the time of the seven months service I was marching thro' different parts of New Jersey between Philadelphia & New York, and this occurred at the time that Arnold turned traitor.
In the other service as a substitute for Benjamin Williams, this service was performed while Benjamin was sick, but how long it lasted I can not now recollect.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, if so, what has become of it?

A. I received no other written discharge than the one for the seven months service; which was from Capt. Hamd in writing  that by which it was given do not now recollect - It has been was left at my Mother's in Montgomery County Pennsylvania, some fifty years ago, & she is since dead, and I have never since heard of it - have no doubt it is lost.
Q. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, & who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
A. Reuben Pritchard and Israel Sappan Associate Judges of this court, also John Dany, Samuel Sappan, John McCreary, Henry Dany, Peter Andrews, William Slecter & Robert Meeks -
There is no clergyman in my neighborhood who can join in certifying as to its being reputed and believed to have been a Soldier of the Revolution according to the form of War Department.
We John Dany, I. S. Sappin & Reuben Pritchard
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abel Williams who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty years of age by the eighth day of December next, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Dany I. S. Sappin Reuben Pritchard
Sworn & subscribed in open court James W. English Clerk of said court.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & 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 John Dary, J. S. Lappin and Reasin Pritchard are residents in the neighborhood of said Abel Williams the applicant for a pension, and that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit; and they moreover certify that it appears to said court that there is no clergyman in the neighborhood of said Williams, who could testify in accordance with the preceding certificate.
Geo. W. Belden Pres. Judge.
Reasin Pritchard
A. Williams
J. S. Lappin
I James W. English, Clerk of the court of Common Pleas in and for Tuscarawas county, in the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Abel Williams for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal officially of office, this 30th day of October A.D. 1838.
James W. English Clerk.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section EEL
December 31, 1929
Honorable John L. Cable House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Cable:
In response to your letter of December 27, 1929, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.11593, it appears that Abel Williams was born December 8, 1758, in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
He applied for pension October 29, 1838, while a resident of Warren Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and stated that when living in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted August 3, 1777, officers' names not given, was in the battle of Germantown, where slightly wounded in the face, and served until October 4, 1777. He again enlisted in November, 1777, and served two months, officers' names not given.
He enlisted June 1, 1780, and served seven months in Captain Hand's Company, Colonel Butler's Pennsylvania Regiment. Afterward he served as a substitute for his brother, Benjamin Williams, in Captain Smith's Pennsylvania Company, no specific dates of this service given.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.
Five or six years after the Revolution, he moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1806 when he moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
There is no reference to wife or children.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Jan. 5. 1839. add: declaration of Abel Williams
7 June 1832 Ohio

The additional Declaration of Abel Williams, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of 7th June 1832, the Original Declaration being on file in the Pension Office of the United States with suspended cases.
State of Ohio, Tuscarawas County, ss. } On this Seventh day of December A.D.: 1838, personally appeared be- fore the undersigned authority, the above named Abel Williams, whom I know to be the identical Abel Williams who some time about the 29th or 30th of October last made out his declaration for the pur- pose above named, before the Court of Common Pleas of Tuscarawas county in said State of Ohio, and on his solemn oath now saith that if by any means the idea is conveyed in his original Declaration that he served during the seven months' tour therein mentioned "as a soldier of the regular army" it was entirely for- eign from his intention to make any such state- ment. The truth is he never was enlisted at all, but considered said seven months' service either in the light of service as a volunteer or as a militia-man . The circumstances were these: A general draft was about to be made upon the company to which declarant belonged, which declarant then under- stood would take a number of men for two months each. In lieu of this , it was proposed by the officers, or persons in power that this com- pany should be released from the draft if it would

furnish two men who would serve seven months each. To this proposition the company agreed, and hired this Declarant and one Umphrey Williams to serve each a term of seven months. Said Declarant considered himself as a volunteer in the matter, tho' as a compensation for turning out he received in continental paper one thousand dollars, five hundred of which he afterwards gave for a silk handkerchief. Whether this course and manner of entering the service was regular or not he does not know, but is certain that he entered the service, served and quit the service as stated in his original declaration. And that he never considered himself as belonging to the regular army, but always claimed to be a volunteer. He again repeats his entire inability at this late period, to procure any other proof of his service than his own oath.
The reason why he did not make an earlier application for a pension is this:
Some years ago I called on an attorney and asked his opinion about my being able to get a pension. A conversation ensued, the particulars of which I do not recollect fully, but I well remember that he asked me what I was worth — to this I jocosely answered I was not worth much, " being so very old and frail " He then told me that if I had now property than what would in value amount to a sum which he named but where I do not now distinctly recollect, that I would not be entitled to a pension. — As I was at that time worth several times the amount he mentioned, I at once gave up all idea of a pension. Nor would I now claim it as a charity, but as a just debt for my services. — I had no idea that I was entitled to a pension, after receiving the above counsel; till William D. Ewing, whose

wife is my relative, paid me a visit in October last, and informed me that the present law made no distinction on account of the wealth or indigence of the applicant for a pension, and upon my stating my case to him, he advised me to make the application, & I have done so. Abel Williams
In testimony that the above oath was taken before me and subscribed by the said Abel Williams this 3 rd day of December A.D. 1838, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day last aforesaid.
J. S. Lappin Seal Associate Judge
The State of Ohio Tuscarawas County
I John English Esq. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Tuscarawas do hereby certify that J. S. Lappin before whom the above affidavit was made, was at the time thereof one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said Tuscarawas County, and as such duly authorized to take affidavits.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at New Philadelphia. This 12 th day of December A.D. 1838.
John English Esq. Clerk

Ohio
Jan. 5. 1839
4255
4 July 1836
W. M.
PAID J. P. Kennedy, Barnes of Williams, Washington City D. C.

New Lisbon, O. Dec. 31. 38.
Dear Sir:
I was much surprised on receiving your late favor, informing me that one of the enclosed papers &c. could not be found at the Pension  the office. On examining the files of the court, however it was found that the clerk had neglected to forward them, as it had been understood he would do. — Please excuse me for the trouble you may have had on account of our mistake.
When you shall have found leisure to examine the papers, please advise me of your decision.
I sent you a short time ago the additional declaration and explanation on oath of Abel Williams, in relation to which it will be much gratifying to have your favorable attention. The other papers are on your files. I remain, most respectfully, Your obt. S t . Wm D. Ewing.
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comr of Pensions.

Dear Mr. Rapp May 5/54

87 Pension Office. 5 th May 1854.
Sir,
The letter of Mr. Maser William, concerning the claim of his father Abel Williams, has been received.
Abel in his Declaration asserts he performed seven months service in the year 1777 in the Pennsylvania Militia. There is no record in this Office, corroborating his statements - but if his children apply to the Auditor General or Secretary of State at Harrisburg, Pa. they may obtain the desired information. They must then prove before this Office, when their father and mother intermarried, and died and who are their surviving children. I return Mr. Williams's letter.
Hon. W. R. Sapp.
House of Reps.

New Lisbon, O. Nov. 7. 1838 —
Dear Sir
Enclosed are the original papers in case of the app n of Mr. Williams for a pension. As he is quite feeble, and needs the aid due him for his services, your early action in the case will be very acceptable.
Please communicate to me, at this place, any intelligence relative to the affair; and, as is hoped will be the case, if there be no difficulty in the way of his at once receiving his certificate, you will please send it here, that I may instruct him how to draw his money.
I hope shortly that I will hear from you, I am, Sir, very respectfully your ob t st.
W. C. Cewing.
(Money for applicant.)
P.S. — Mr. Williams resides near a Postoffice called "New Cumberland," Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
Mem.
J. A. Edwards, Com te etc.

Hold. Scandur still wants to use them, Tues. or Wed. J.L.W.
Coming Wed a.m.

Nov 13 '38 06

War Dept. Pen Offic Nov 13. 1838
Sir,
The declaration of Abel Williams has been examined and filed with suspended cases. Besides two tours of two months each as a Militia man of Pennsylvania, he alleges to have served as a soldier of the regulars, in 1780 under Capt. Hand and Col. Butler. The records in this office afford no proof of said service. He should therefore exhibit such proof as is required in note j. in the enclosed printed sheet. He should also state under oath his reasons for not making an earlier application for a pension.
W. D. Ewing Esq. New Lisbon, Ohio

Abel Williams Ohio Connerstown
Suspended
See let 13 Nov 1838 M. T. Ewing
do. 18 April 1839*
Hon. W. R. Saph 5 th May 1834.
* See claim of James M c Laughlin R. 6777 for 1593 this letter
Act 7 June 1832

1929- Dec 31- Hist. to Hon John L. Cable ECH
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
11.593
P. O. Abel Williams
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

JOHN L. CABLE 4TH DISTRICT OHIO
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
27 December 1929
COUNTIES:
ALLEN AUGLAIZE DARKE MERCER MIAMI SHELBY
Honorable Earl D. Church, Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
In re: Williams, Abel.
Dear Mr. Church:
The above-named was born in Bucks County, Pa., and died in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He is said to have served in the Revolutionary War.
Could you please advise what records, if any, you have of his service?
Sincerely yours,
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "John L. Cable".
JLC:RM