Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6515, James Williams, Va

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Williams James Mary
W. 6515
CONTENTS

4572
Virginia
James Williams of Pennsylvania 6 th in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Bracken of the Reg t commanded by Lt. George Stubblefield in the Virginia line for Melville for nine months from 1781.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Jan y 1833 and per H. M. P. M. H. R.
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1837 45.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 March 1837 15.00 Sub 60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Henry H. Hough Clerk, Book 20 Vol. 7 Page 120

Report
4913.
3c Virginia Richard
Mary Williams widow of James Williams Va who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of Decr 1844 and sent to E. Vanderbaur Central Point Va
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 154

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
Virginia - Spotsylvania County Hastings Court of Fredericksburg town
On this 13 th day of October December 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Hastings Court of the Corporation of Fredericksburg (now sitting) James Williams a resident of the County of Spotsylvania, within a few miles of Fredericksburg, aged Seventy years and six  two months - 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 the 7 th 1832 -
That he was born in the town of Fredericksburg in the month of April One thousand seven hundred & Sixty two - That he resided in Fredericksburg when the revolutionary war commenced, and until he was Twenty six years of age - That he then removed a few miles from town in Spotsylvania County, where he has resided ever since & where he now resides - That in the beginning of the year 1781 - he was drafted into the Virginia Militia, then called out in the service of the United States - That he served a two months tour under a Captain Croucher & was marched to Cabin Point near Norfolk, Colonel George Stubbfield was Colonel in this tour & Major McWilliams was next in Command - from Cabin Point they were marched to Petersburg - they there gave up their arms - and being marched without arms to Richmond, they were there discharged - That he then returned to his home in Fredericksburg, where he remained about five weeks - he was then called out under Captain John White & marched from Fredericksburg to Williamsburg - this was at the time that Arnold lay in Portsmouth - from Williamsburg this detachment & forty others commanded by a Captain Kelly were ordered to Newport News, where they lay eighteen days - at the end of that time an express came for the detachment and they were ordered back to Williamsburg - from Williamsburg they were marched to Richmond - after being in Richmond two days - General Lafayette and General Wayne arrived with Twenty four hundred men - That he was marched from Richmond to Durcastle near Williamsburg under Colonel Thomas Matthews - and they there relieved by sent home - that he remained at home in Fredericksburg one week, when he was again called out under Captain John Legg - and marched to Winchester with thirteen Tories & prisoners - where they looted them & returned back to Fredericksburg - on their arrival there General Mercer, who was stationed there, employed them in rolling in Tobacco into the Warehouse, which had been

rolled out in a moment of alarm some time before - they were engaged in that business, when mae tories & prisoners having arrived in Fredericksburg - he was again ordered to conduct them to Staunton - from there they returned to Fredericksburg & were discharged - In this tour he was kept rather more than two months - and in the tour before under Captain White he was rather more than two months - He remained at home about a week, when he was again ordered out under Captain John Tankersley to go to the siege of York - they marched from Fredericksburg to Williamsburg & from Williamsburg to Spring Spring Camp in Spotsylvania where he remained about three weeks - from there they marched down to York - Genl. Stevens commanded - & Colonel Thomas Meneithes & Major Hardiman - he remained at York until after the surrender of Cornwallis - and was retained as one of the Guard to convey the prisoners to the upper Country - he marched to Thornton Mill at the Falls of the Rappahannock about a mile above Fredericksburg - where he was discharged - he was in this tour two months and a half - he was then drafted for ten days under Sergeant Benjamin Robinson to carry up prisoners to Spague Court house & the war was now over & this ended his military services - He was in the whole, upwards of nine months in active service - he never received any written discharge - In consequence of this he has no documentary evidence of his services - but Colonel Thomas Minor of Spotsylvania, who has been his neighbor for many years & who is now on the Pension Roll of Congress - knows of his services & has herewith testified to the same - And Mr. Wm Jackson of Fredericksburg also knows of his services and herewith testifies to the same - he has made his declaration in this Court because he is very weak & unable to travel far & this town is more convenient than Spotsylvania Court house - Besides one of his nephews Mr. Wm Jackson is unable, by reason of age & infirmities, to leave the Spotsylvania Court house - He has no written record of his age - He served as a private - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present - and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
James his Williams mark
Personally appeared in open Court, on the day & year aforesaid Thomas Minor of the County of Spotsylvania, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith - That he knows and has been

well acquainted with the before named James Williams before & since the Revolutionary War - that he has resided all his life within the limits of Spotsylvania County as stated in his declaration aforesaid - That he ever served at times of duty in the Virginia Militia, during the revolution - that in 1781 - he was in the Army at the siege of York Town - and continued in the army until the capture of the British Army under Cornwallis & came to Fredericksburg with the prisoners - This Deponent considers the said James Williams as a man of truth - and his statements are entitled to Credit
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
Thos. Minor
Personally appeared in open Court the day & year aforesaid William Jackson of the town of Fredericksburg - being first duly sworn deposes & saith that James Williams who has made a declaration as aforesaid, served with him in the Revolutionary war two times of duty as a drafted militia man - first under Captain John Levy & afterwards under Captain John Tankersly at the siege of York, and continued with him in service, until relieved of Cornwallis's Prisoners at Fredericksburg - he considers him a man of truth entitled to Credit - Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
Wm Jackson
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of of the matter - and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states - And the Court further Certifies that Colonel Thoms Minor who has signed the affidavit aforesaid, is a resident of Spotsylvania County and that William Jackson who has also signed an affidavit as aforesaid is a resident of the Corporation of Fredericksburg - That they are both respectable & intelligent men, and that their statements are entitled to the fullest Credit
Houstings Court of Fredericksburg December Term 1832
! John James Wilson Clerk of the Court of Hous- tings aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Williams for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have set my

hand and Seal of Office this 18 th day of 6 December 1832 -
Geo. Geo. Church

$30 per ann.
Hon. J. M. Patton H.R.

Mercy Bond James Williams

It is our all men by these presents that we James Williams & E. Dickinson are held and firmly bound unto Edm d Randolph Governor of this State and his successors the Sum of Fifty Pounds cur re money, to the payment whereof well and truly to be made we bind ourselves jointly and severally firmly by these presents Sealed with our Seals and dated this 27 th day of Dec r 1787-
The Condition of the above obligation is such that Whereas John White Jr Clerk of the County Courts of Spotsylvania hath this day issued a licence for the marriage of the above bound James Williams unto Mary Lee of the said County - Now if there be no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage then the above obliga- tion to be void else to remain in full force
Sealed and acknowledged In presence of
James Williams (Seal) Elisha Dickinson (Seal)
State of Virginia
Spotsylvania County to all I Stapleton Quitch- field Clerk of the County Courts of Spotsylvania in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing

is a true copy of James Wil- liams marriage bond filed in my office
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of my office to be hereunto affixed this 19 th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 53 and of our Independence the 67 th W. J. [unclear] Clerk Philadelphia County Pa

Declaration. In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of 7 th July 1838, entitled, "An act, Granting half pay, and Pensions to Certain Widows."
State of Virginia County of Spottsylvania S.S.
On this 26 th day of May 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County and State, Mary Williams a resident of said County, aged about sixty four years the 9 th day of March last past. Who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, entitled, "An act, Granting half pay, and Pensions to Certain Widows:" That she is the Widow of James Williams who was a private of Militia in the Army of the Revolution. That she does not know the particular service that her husband performed, nor does she know the length of time, that he was in service. Neither does she know all the names of the Officers under whom he served but that she will recollect of hearing him say that he served with one Col. Thomas Matthews and two other Officers by the names of Legg and McWilliams. That she does not know of any person now living who can prove his service. That her husband the said James Williams was drawing a pension at the time of his death of thirty dollars per annum and in order to obtain that Pension he procured the testimony of Col. Thomas Minor, and one William Jackson both of whom are dead, and upon that testimony, and such other evidence as may be upon record she relies for a Pension to be allowed her, as his Widow. She further declares that she is the Widow of the identical James Williams who was drawing the aforesaid Pension of thirty dollars per annum, and that she was married to him, the Thursday after Christmas, in the Year one thousand eight hundred and eighty seven, in the Town of Fredericksburg, in the State of Virginia, by one Parson Thornton. That the license was obtained from one John Chew, who was then the Clerk of the aforesaid County of Spottsylvania and that

om Elisha Dickerson was the security to the marriage bond. That she does not know of any person now living who saw them married but that Nancy Rame and Sucky Williams, who are living in Frederickburg. Know. that she was married but that they were not present at the marriage owing to the circumstance of their being strongly opposed to her union with said Williams. That there were only two persons present that she now recollects of. also they were John Hull and his wife, both of whom are dead. She further declares that she once had a record of her marriage but that it was destroyed by fire. She further declares that her husband the aforesaid Williams died on the 10th day of May 1839. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seven hundred and ninety four big at the time aforesaid. She further declares that she is unable from bodily infirmity from attending Court to make this declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. before
her Mary Williams mark
Gabriel Long, J.P.P.C.
State of Virg a
Spotsylvania County, to wit:
Be it known that on this 26 th day of May 1843. personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a justice of the peace for the said county & state, Mary Williams above named, and subscribed & made oath in due form of law to the foregoing declaration. - And I further certify that John Holladay and John Alsop, also personally appeared before me, in my county aforesaid, & after being duly sworn according to law, did states upon their oath, that they are well acquainted with the said Mary Williams, & know that she is the widow of James Williams dec d , & that the

said James Williams was the identical James Williams who was drawing a pension at the time of his death - And I certify that the said John Holladay and John Alsop are persons well known to me, and that they are reputable & creditable witnesses. - I further certify that the aforesaid Mary Williams, the declarant, is unable from bodily infirmity from attending court - Given under my hand and seal the day & date last above written -
Gabriel Long, J. P. Beas
Virginia:
In Spotsylvania County Court July 3 rd 1843 "The declaration of Mary Williams certified on the 26 th day of May 1843 by Gabriel Long a Justice of the peace for the said County being submitted to the Court doth approve his proceedings and acts in the case and hereby directs the Clerk to endorse this approval upon the papers."
I Stapleton Cautionfield Clerk of the County Court of Spotsylvania in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the above is a truly copy of an order entered of record at the July term of this Court 1843 -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 31 st day of July A. D. 1843
Stapleton Cautionfield

Virginia
Spotsylvania County to wit:
I Stapleton Crutchfield Clerk of the County Court of Spotsylvania County in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Gabriel Long, and W. C. P. Rothrock whose names appear to the annexed "Declaration" and "Affidavit" hereto annexed, are now and were at the time of signing the same Magistrates in the said County duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are due to all their acts as such & that their signatures are genuine -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said County this 6 th day of June A.D. 1843.
Stapleton Crutchfield Clerk Spots. Co. Court

The affidavits of Nancy, Rains and Sucky Williams, residents of the Town of Fredericksburg, in the State of Virginia, taken in the said Town on the 20 th day of April 1843 before M. C. Rithrock a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Spotsylvania. These affiants being each duly sworn according to law, doth on their oaths, State, that each, and both of them are over seventy Years of age and that they are the sisters of James Williams late of the said County of Spotsylvania, and know that he was drawing a Pension during his life time, and that he died sometime in the month of May, Eighteen hundred and thirty nine. These affiants further State, that their Brother the said James Williams left a widow, who is now living, and whose name is Mary, and that the said Mary was lawfully married to the said James, during the Christmas of Seventeen hundred and eighty seven, and further these affiants with
sworn to, and subscribed the day and date above written before me. M. C. Rithrock
Nancy X Rains Sucky Williams
And then also personally appeared before me in my County aforesaid, John S. Shuttle who being duly sworn according to law, did upon his oaths, testify, and declare that is well acquainted with the above named Nancy Rains, and Sucky Williams, and knows them

to be, both credible persons, and that this statement is entitled to full credit and belief, and I certify that the said John S. Shetter is well known to me and that he is entitled to full credit & belief. Given under my hand & Seal this 20 th day of April 1843
W. H. Northrop Esq.

Declaration
Mary Williams for placard in die act of 3 rd March. 1848
4758

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 3rd of March 1833 granting Pensions for one Year to certain widows who have received Pensions under the act of 7th July 1833
State of Virginia } County of Spotsylvania } ss.
On this 18th day of October 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid County and State, Mary Williams, a resident of said County and State aged seventy six Years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of that provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3rd March 1833, granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of James Williams, who was a private of Militia in the Army of the Revolution. That she does not know the Regiment, or Company in which her husband the said Williams served, but that he then was drawing a Pension at the time of his death, and that she, herself, has recently received a Pension Certificate through her agent R. Saunders Esq. for Twenty Dollars per annum under the act of 7th July 1833, which Pension Certificate is numbered 7695, and bears date, on the 28th day of September 1843 — She further declares, that she is still a widow —
Sworn to, and subscribed on her Mary Williams — the day and Year above written before me W. S. D. Roock S.S.P.
And I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Mary Williams, and know her to be the widow of James Williams, as above stated. Given under my hand the day & date above —
W. S. D. Roock S.S.P.

I Stapleton Crutchfield Clerk of the County Court of Spotsylvania, hereby certify that W m G. Rotherock is an able and magisterial in law for the aforesaid County of Spotsylvania, duly Commissioned, and qualified as such, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and Subscribed my Name this 10 th day of October in Thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Stapleton Crutchfield C.C.

The service in this case reduced in accordance with the duration of terms of militia service in Vir- ginia, the presumption in the absence of positive proof that it rendered the second service was like all others of a similar G. H. D. Mary Williams

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No.
6575
Mary Williams Wid:
James Williams Pvt. Rev. War
Act:
Stock 3 3/4 3
Index:—Vol.
16
Page
338
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Virginia 7695
Mary Williams. widow of James Williams,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 10 th May 1839 of Spottsylvania Co. in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the regt. commanded by Col. E. Ennis in the Va. line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of September 1843 and sent to R. Saunders, Jr. Central Court, Va.
Whole amount due . . . . . $ 100
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk. Book A. Vol. 2. Page 185.
Ref?
Letter to R. Saunders, Jr. 11 Oct. 1843

Spada Oct 6/43
12 1/2
Col. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Revenues
Washington City
Oct 11 1843
Central Post Office
R. Fleming Jr

Spring Hill, near Central Point, Caroline Co. Octo 6 th 1843 Col. James S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Sir
I received on Tuesday the Pension Certificate of Mary Williams, the widow of James Williams, deceased of the County of Spotsylvania, for Twenty Dollars per annum, under the act of 7 th July 1838. Permit me to call Your attention again to this claim and to enquire how it is, that Mary Williams is only allowed the sum of Twenty Dollars per annum, when her husband, James Williams received under the law of 1832, a pension of thirty Dollars per annum. Unless I have misunderstood the law, the act of 7 th July 1838 entitles all widows who were married prior to the first day of January 1794, the same amount of Pension that their husbands were entitled to, under the act of 7 th June 1832 Now, as James Williams received $30 per annum, under the act named act, is not his widow entitled to the same.
Very Respectfully W. M. [unclear] W. M. [unclear] J. [unclear]

4758
Oct 30 43
Central Station 2400 6th St 1843
Va Mar 3 rd 1843 Mary Williams
$20 per
R. Saunders Jr. Central Point Va
Henry Central Point Va
Thurs

Spring Hill, near Central Point, Oct. 26 th 1845. Dr. Col. Wm. Sprague Acting Comr. of Pensions Washington City. Sir
You will find enclosed, the Declaration of Mary Williams for a Pension under the act of 3 rd March 1843 - which when received, please forward Pension Certificate to me -
Very Respectfully
J. H. Mc. G. [unclear] P. [unclear]
P.S.
In Your letter of the 11 th Inst. in answer to my inquiry why it was, that Mary Williams was only allowed twenty dollars instead of thirty, the amount which her husband received You answer, that James Williams was allowed for two terms of service, one of which he estimated at six months, and in adjusting the claim of his widow that term was reduced to three months, which was the limit of the Militia law by law. This perhaps may be an error provided James Williams alleged having performed that particular term subsequent to the fact of divorce but if he alleged that the term was performed previous to that time, he I presume was correct and You should, in order to do the widow full justice, refer again to the papers on which her husband's Pension was allowed him.
Y.R.

Central Union V o 3 28 th July 1843
Free
9295- July 31 1843.
Mary Williams
July 1 1838.
Re
James Hon. James L. Edwards Gov. of Louisiana Washington City
2.6

1 Caroline Co. Va. Central Point, July 28th 1843 Wm. S. Edwards
Dr Sir
I herewith enclose the declaration of Mary Williams for a Pension under the act of June 26th 1835. that Her husband was a Prisoner under a former act, which parting with the testimony of her marriage will I hope be sufficient to authorize an allowance of Pension to the widow
Very Respectful Respondent J. S. Edwards

9295 Mary Williams Ya Act 7 th July '38
Admitted 6 months private $20 per an.
Σ
U. Saunders Central Point Ya