Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17180, William Watson, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Watson, William
NUMBER
S 17180
CONTENTS
carded

Ohio 19. 1867.
William Watson
Marble Co in the State of Ohio
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Lewis of the Regt commanded by Mesh in the Virginia St for 9. Months
Order to pay 15 Decr 1831.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of August 1833 and sent to Abigail Holder Carlson Marble Co. O.
Arrears to 4th of May 6 1833. $ 40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Sep. " 15.00
$ 55.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by H. S. Evans. Clerk.
k E Vol. 8. Page 218

e No 25531
William Watson Stark County Ohio
Adm 9. Months. —
Harris & Belden, Canton, Stark County Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. These 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, showing the Service of William Watson Carroll County Ohio
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol Fall 1780 - 3 - private Capt Riegel 73 years Loudoun County Virginia Two Witnesper, papers properly Authenticaled   Draft 1781 - 3 - " Capt Cleveland, Col Dabney, Major Levals   Draft 1781 - 3 - " Capt Lewis, Col West  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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, 1852.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ 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;) 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 _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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 _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &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 _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &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, (1) 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 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 traditional 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 enquiry 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.
[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 _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; 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 their 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 each 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 affix his seal, and if it 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 his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [e] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Cairo County Ohio ss
On this 18 day of April 1833
Personally appeared in camp Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Now sitting William Watson a resident of said Cairo County in the State of Ohio aged Seventy three 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 act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated That he entered service first under the command of Captain Francis Russell as a volunteer sometime in the fall of the year 1780 the day and month not exactly recollected but he remembers it was the fall prior to the year in which Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown - That he served three months under the command of said Captain Russell that he does not think they were attached to any particular Regiment - That he resided at the time of his several services Meadows in the County of Loudoun in the State of Virginia That during his first engagement he marched from his place of residence in said Loudoun County Virginia through Fredericksburgh thence to Richmond from thence through Petersburg from thence to a place called Cabin Point where I was when my first engagement ended and when I was discharged That during this engagement he was in no battle. The second time he was drafted and served three months under the command of Captain James Cleveland the Lieutenants name was Joel White and ensign John Turley That he marched from Loudoun County through Fredericksburgh and passed near Richmond thence to a place called Drinking Spring near Williamsburg where my three months expired and was discharged - He was commanded part of the time by Col Dabney and Major Qualls and some of the time he was commanded by General Green and part of the time by the Marquis De La Fayette

That this second term he served down town through the summer of 1781 but the particular time of the month or day of the month of either of his entering or quitting the service he cannot recollect but knows it was in the summer preceding the surrender of Cornwallis
The third term he entered the service he was drafted and served under the command of Captain Thomas Lewis, Daniel Lewis Lieuten- -ant and John D. Bell, the Regiment was commanded by Col George West. That during this last term of service of three months he marched from Loudon County, Frederickburg to near Gloucester which was then in possession of the British which remained until after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at York town when he marched back as a guard to the British prisoners through Virginia to Bolins Ferry on the Potomac where he was discharged. That he knew General Washington General De La Fayette General Green and General Anthony Wayne. That he never had any documentary evidence either of his service or his discharge. That he knows that John Cook and Samuel Beavers now of West Virginia County knew of his services in two of his terms or three months service whose affidavits are herewith sent and he believes that one Thomas Mener now of Jefferson County Ohio knows of all three of his terms of service as he lived in the immediate neighborhood in Loudon County when he entered the service each term whether he can get his testimony or not he cannot say. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the pension and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State whatever.

Wm Watson
25531

Question 1 st Where and in what year was you born - I was born in Loudon county Virginia on the 22 nd day of February 1768.
Have you any Record of your age and if so where is it - Answer I have a Record of my age at home transcribed from my father's family bible.
Question 3 rd Where were you living when called into the Service - When have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where have do you now live - I lived in Loudon County Virginia when called into the Service from there I removed into Fredrick County Virginia where I lived about seven years. That about seventeen years ago he removed from Virginia to Jefferson County Ohio where he resided about thirteen years from where in the fall of 1829 he removed into Stark County into that part that has since been Stark and forms a part of Carroll County - That he still lives in Carroll County but in that part Stark off from Harrison County.
Question 4 th How were you called into Service, were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom - Answer The first tour of three months I volunteered the two last tours of three months each I was drafted.
Question 5 th State the names of some 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.

Answer - The first tour I was with no regular Regiments - The second tour I was with General Green and some of the men under the command of General Mendenhall Dr. L. Fayette the particular Regim- -ents he does not recollect - The third tour he was most of the time on the Gloucester side of the River opposite York Town and Russell's General Washington (Major) Lela Fayette General Green and a number of others and the principal or second in command in that he was present or rather on the opposite side of the River near York Town when Lord Cornwallis surrendered and he marched as guard to the prisoners to Collins Ferry on the Potomac when I was discharged
Question 6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Answer - I never received any discharge what ever from any one
Question 7th 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
Answer John Shover
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid William H. Watson Mark R
Attest: S. B. Davis Clerk

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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. —
I, Daniel M c Cook, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Carroll County, Ohio, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Watson, for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office, this 1 st day of May, A.D. 1833. —
Daniel M c Cook Clerk p.t.
He is  now  living  in  the  state  of  Ohio

The State of Ohio
Muskingum County
On this 14 th day of November 1832 personally
appeared before me a justice of the Peace of said County Samuel Beavers who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose & say that he Deponent, in 1780 was a private Soldier in Capt Francis Russell's Company in Major Mahyweaver's  Col. Mahyweaver's Regiment of Virginia Militia. That at that time he was well acquainted with William Watson now a resident of Stark County Ohio & an applicant for a pension. That said Watson entered said company & was discharged at the same time with deponent. That they served together at that time three months. — Deponent further states that in the year 1781. he deponent was drafted for three months & mustered in Capt Thomas Lewis' company, It was put under the command of Col.  Major George West & was present at the siege of Cornwallis on the Gloucester side. That the said Watson was drafted at the same time with deponent served the term of three months with him & that they were both discharged together at Nolands Ferry on the Potomac (having both served in the same company.)
Sam d Beavers
Subscribed & sworn to before me the day & year aforesaid & I further certify from my own personal acquaintance with the said Beavers, that he is a man of good character for truth & veracity & that his deposition is entitled to full credit.
J. G. Hiltom
E. Beal Justice of the Peace

also at the same time & place before me personally appeared John Slack who being by me duly sworn according to law doth depose & say that he deponent was acquainted with the above mentioned William Watson in the Regiment of Virginia Militia commanded by Major Maryweather in the Autumn of the year 1780. Deponent & the said Watson were in the same Regiment but not in the same company - They served at that time together a full tour of three months - Deponent after the war was well acquainted with said Watson in Virginia & has known him since his residence in Ohio & believes that he has at all times sustained a good character for truth & veracity
John Slack
Subscribed & sworn to before me the 14th day of November 1832 - And from my acquaintance with the said John Slack I certify that he is a credible person given under my hand & seal the day & year aforesaid
J. G. Hilton
Seal Justice of the Peace
The State of Ohio Washington County ss I John Wilson As. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that James G. Hilton, Esq. is an acting justice of the peace as within named and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas at Zanesville this 14th day of November 1832.
James Wilson Clerk.

Watson's Papers. Application for Pension.

Ohio
June 10
May 18 th Canton - Ohio
18556
To the Honorable Lewis Cass,
Secretary of War.
Washington City,
Dist. Columbia
Sir,
this

Canton, Stark Co. O.
May 16th, 1833. —
To the Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War:
Sir: If a certificate should be allowed, in this case, we desire to request that you will forward the same to us; or, should further evidence be deemed necessary, advise us of the fact.
Your very obedt servt
Harvis H Belden, Atty for Appt.

Franklin Bank of Cincinnati 8 th Dec. 1837
Sir,
The enclosed voucher of William Watson, a pensioner under the act of 7 th June 1832, is for your examination, which, if found correct, you will please return to this Agency, with an order for payment.
I am Yours
Very respectfully John H. Groesbeck P.A. By R. W. Dawson
J. G. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

17. 180 INVALID.
File No. 17, 180
William Watson
Pa. Rec. 180
Act: June 7 th 92
Index:—Vol. / , Page 325-
[Arrangement of 1870.]