Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17188, Thomas Watson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Watson, Thomas
S. 17/188
CONTENTS
carded

due to pay August 7. 1826 Settle to 3 rd Auditor 5 June 1840 Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 4 th April 1838 from 4 th March 1837 to 4 th Sep 1839. As Notified 18 June 1840
29.015  Mipouri  Thomas Watson of the County of ... in the State of ... Mipouri who was a ... in the Company commanded by Captain ... of the ... commanded by ... in the ... time for  6 Mo 3 P 20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Mipouri the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum. commence on the 24th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Feb and sent to 1834, Wm J. Bell, W.R.
Arrears to the 24th of Sep 1833 51.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Feb '34 10.00 $ 61.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acq. June 7, 1832. }  recorded by D. S. ... Clerk. bk ... Vol. 8. Page 90

State of Missouri County of Chariton S.S.
On this, twentieth day of November, 1833. personally appeared before the Circuit Court of said County, Thomas Watson senior a resident of said County of Chariton, aged Seventy nine Years, who being first 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 Con- gress passed June 7 th 1832, That he entered the serv- ice of the United States, On the 1 st day of July in the year of 1777. in the County of Berkley in the State of Virginia was drafted into the Company commanded by Captain Michael Bedenger, under the command of Col. Wm. Darke of the 11 th Regim- ent Virginia Militia, from Berkley we marched on the Potomac River through Shepherdstown, to Fredericktown, in Maryland, thence to Lane Ridge, in Pennsylvania, thence to the Delaware River and thence to Brandywine, was in the battle fought at that place, and was wounded, in the shoulder, the Regiment to which I belonged was attached to Genl. Wayne's command, from thence we marched by Trenton, and here Genl. Wayne remained, from thence we marched to Alexandria still being under the aforesaid officer, we rem- ained some time at Alexandria the precise time not now remembered, from thence returned to Berkley County aforesaid about the first day of January following having served Six Mon- ths, and some days on this tour, for which tour I received a written discharge, which I have long since lost.

again in the month of January 1778 entered the service of the United States, in Shepherdstown in Va by enlistment in the continental army of the United States, I enlisted for the term of five years with eight other persons the names of some of us are I now recollect, to wit George Haynes Philip Sloan John Houle John Shepher. D. & George Mills, I enlisted under Capt Christian Orenduff under the command of the aforesaid William Darke, who had now a commission in the continental army of the U.S. from Shepherdstown we marched to Little York in Pennsylvania, and remained here about three months, and were then ordered to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh) where we arrived shortly after, and remained there and in the neighbourhood until my time expired, and was discharged having served five years. I received a written discharge which I left with my brother Joseph Watson not far from Fort Pitt, I was born on the 25 th day of December 1754. I have no record of my age, but dis- tinctly remember to have seen it recorded in the family Bible. I resided in the County of Berkly aforesaid about 15 years after Peace was made. He further states that he has no documentary evidence in his possession to prove his services aforesaid services or any part thereof, nor does he know of any person now living by whose testimony, he may establish his said services or any part thereof that he served the whole period aforesaid with an embodied force, and that he was actually employed in the field or stationed

in garrison during the whole time herein before set forth, under officers lawfully appointed to command, and that he was not employed in any civil pursuit-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and that he declares, that his name is not on the Pension Roll, of any agency in any state.
Sworn to & subscribed Thomas X Watson the day and year aforesaid. Edw B. Baluce clerk
The Court then proceeded to the said applicant the following interrogatories in pursuance of the directions of the War Department.
1 st Where and when were you born
Ans I was born in the County of Montgomery in the State of Maryland, on the 25 th day of December 1754.
2 nd Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it
Ans I have no record of my age, but remember to have seen it often as entered in the family Bible and well remember that the date as there given corresponded with my answer to the 1 st interrogatory
3 rd Where were you living when called into service Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans I lived in the County of Berkly in the State of Virginia when I entered the service

after the war I remained removed several times in the same state, and the last place I lived in that state was was in the county of Washington  county of Washington , and from thence I removed and from thence I removed to the county of Chautauqua in the state of Missou- ri
4th How were you called into service; were you drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substitute Answer, I was drafted for the first term of six months. I then enlisted and served five years as a private in the continental army
5th State the names of some of the continental officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments, as you can recollect.
Ans I was acquainted with Col D. Clark of Virginia Gen Wayne, & many others not now remembered.
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it.
Ans I received written discharges for each term of service, my discharge for the first engagement of six months, in the militia of Virginia which I have lost, my discharge for the five years service in the continental army I left with my brother Joseph Watson near Pittsburgh many years ago, I do not now remember by whom those discharges or either of them were signed
7th State the names of persons, to whom you are known, in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services

as a soldier of the revolution And, I am known to many persons in my neighbourhood, among others, Col Hiram Craig Wesbraham Lock, Daniel Ashby Representative in the General Assembly, Edward B. Cabell Esq clerk of Charlotte County, Frederick A. Bradford Esq Justice of the Peace Ralph Rambo and many others,
Thomas Watson Jr
We Felix Redding a clergyman residing in the said County of Charlotte and F. A. Bradford residing in the same County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Watson Senior Who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Felix W Redding
Edward B Cabell Clerk.
Frederick A. Bradford
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the above interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant, was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, And the Court further certi- fies that it appears to them, that James Redding who has signed the preceding certificate

is a clergyman, and that J A Bradford who has also signed the same is a resident in the said county and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
John F. Hyland Solicitor of Chautauqua Circuit Court Custome
J. Edward B. Cabell Clerk of the Circuit Court of Chautauqua County do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Thomas Watson sen- for a pension
In Testimony, whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this 20th day of November 1833.
Edward B. Cabell Clerk

29. 330
Thomas Watson sent Missouri
Return
Adm 6 Months
$20-
Hon John Bull Ho of Rep-

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
27 th January 1854.
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, shewing the Service of Thomas Watson Senr
   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.     1777 6 priv Cap. Bedenger Col. Darke 19 years Berkley Co   1778 5 priv Cap. Arenduff Col. Darke 20 Va Traditionary  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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, 1832.
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)                      , who has 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, (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 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 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.
[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 [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.
[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.

for a statement of the military history of Thomas Watson, Sen. a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. Sur. F. 17,188.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1, 1777. over 6 mos. Pri. Michael Bedenys Wm. Darke Va.   Jan. 1778. 5 yrs. " Christian Orenduff Wm. Darke "  
Wounded in shoulder at battle of
Battles engaged in, Braniff's Creek.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Berkeley Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 22, 1833.  Ch. ch.
Residence at date of application, Chariton Co., Mo.
Age at date of application, B. Dec. 25, 1754, Montgomery Co., Md.
Remarks:
This above noted as the only one

17.188 INVALID.
File No. 17.188
Edward ...
...
Act: ...
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 326
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Apr. 1 '08. Hist. to Mrs. A. G. Fullap.

SL SP W
aw
YOK
Record Division.
3-1865.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 16, 1908.
Mrs. A. G. Cullop, Box 325, Vincennes, Ind.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 11" and received the 13" inst., you are advised that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a Revolutionary War soldier, unless a claim has been filed on account of his service.
In order to identify a claim for Revolutionary War pension, the soldier's full name and some of the following data is essential: names of officers under whom he served, places of residence at enlistment and after discharge, approximate dates of birth and death, and given name of widow.
Very respectfully,
J. H. Klaverford Acting Commissioner.
Ex Thos. Watson was a private in 1st, Company, John Giel was his Capt. and was in Col. Nathaniel Gists Virginia Regiment. Give me the information that you have on file. Biving Brooks was born 1792 served in Geirgia Regiment, and his father served in a Mass. Regiment. His son N.B. Brooks served in the Mexican War, and his wife R.E. Brooks receives a pension from that service, after the Mexican war he served in Gould's Regiment on Confederate side.

CULLOP & SHAW, Attorneys at Law.
OFFICE OVER SECOND NATIONAL BANK.
Vincennes, Ind. March 15th, 1908.
Commissioner of Pension Washington. D.C.
Dear Sirs Will you kindly inform me what pension Geo. Vinson received in the War of the Revolution, also in what Regiment he served and in what capacity. Also John R. Clark Brother of Geo. Rodgers Clark. Please send at once, and greatly oblige,
Yours truly,
Mrs. W.A. Cullop,
Please send also information asked in a former letter of Thos. Watson, and greatly oblige,
Yours truly,

OLD AND N-PENSION Record Division. Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
March 26, 1908
Searched by L. D. Lamparter
Original No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant, _____
Soldier, Thomas Watson
Service, Va Rec. War
Remarks: No claim as above except Invt. # 17188

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 11 th 1840,
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Thomas Watson, Sen., a Pensioner on the Roll of the Missouri Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1837, to the 4 th Sept. 1839,
Respectfully yours,
Albin K. Parry, Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Auditors Office of Virginia
5 Feb. 1834.
Sir
I have received yours of the 30 th ult o , and have made a search for the name of Thomas Watson without success. He does not appear on either line of the army - nor has he drawn land bounty from the state.
Very respectfully
Your fellow Citizen
J. M c Neath
The Hon
John Bull

29. 330 Thomas Watson Sci application &c.
5 years in the continental service 6 Months in the Militia of Va.