Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6531, Willis Wilson, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
W. 6
Wilson Willis
W 6531
Wilson Elizabeth
Boon in N.C.
CONTENTS

7817 North Carolina
Willis Wilson
of Pitt County in the State of N o Carolina who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Hargett of the Reg t commanded by Maj. Allen in the N o C a militia time for 9 months from 1779.
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 37 Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of February 1833 and sent to A. Parker Esq. Pitt Co. N.C.
Arrears to 4th of March 1833. $ 75.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept r 1833. 18.75
$ 93.75
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book 2. Vol. 1 Page 57

8424 North-Carolina Elizabeth Wilson widow of William Wilson N.C. who was a Private in the Revolution Husband died 25 Sept. 1833
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 37 Dollars 30
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843 and ending 11th July, 1844, when she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Nov '48 and sent to
M. L. Smith Esq. Present
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book Vol. 2
Page 162

Report
Pay. all to
Jonas Wilson
John Wilson
Caty Wilson
Sally Wilson
Wither Wilson
Daniel Wilson
& Cannon Wilson
only children
surviving.
Let J. G. Berret Aug 5 th 1830

15857
Willis Wilson
Pitt County N.C.
from 1779 Canafy private 9 months. $37.50
A. Parker

BRIEF in the case of Willis Wilson County of Pitt in the State of North Carolina (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 80
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     enlisted In 1799 — 9 — private Gen. Coe Herrelage Major Allen  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Pitt County NC
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses, & tradition
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? in due form  no seal of office
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas W Forrest Examining Clerk.

State of North Carolina Pitt County ss.
On this the ninth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the State and County aforesaid now sitting (the same being a Court of record) Willis Wilson a resident of Pitt County, State of North Carolina aged Eighty 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 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated: viz: He was born near the town of Newbern in the County of Craven State of North Carolina some time about the year 1752 - and that he has no record of his age - That he left the County of Craven when about three years of age and resided in the County of Pitt State aforesaid at the time he enlisted and has continued to reside there ever since - That he enlisted in the State regiment of North Carolina under the command of Col. John Heritage; of which regiment John Allen was Major. & belonged to a Company of Cavalry commanded by Captain Benjamin Caswell, some time in the month of February in the year 1779 and that he continued to serve in the same Regiment for the space of nine months and until he was discharged at Kingston in the State of North Carolina some time in the month of November of the same year. That he never received any written discharge, but the soldiers were disbanded by virtue of an act of Assembly of North Carolina.

that he marched through the western part of North Carolina beyond Pede river, and was never engaged in any battle - that he did not serve with any Continental regiment or Company and that he knows none of the regular officers except Major John Allen who he understood had been an officer in the regular army - the said regiment was called out by the State and never marched beyond its limits - He further declares that he has no docu- mentary evidence of his services and knows of no person except Doc- tor Robert Williams of Pitt (who served in the same regiment) whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services - 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 or of the United States  any agency  the agency of the State of North Carolina -
Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid - Willis his Wilson mark
I Robert Williams of the County of Pitt & State of North Caro- lina, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Willis Wilson, whose declaration is hereto prefixed. That I served as Surgeon in the same regiment of the North Carolina line in which the said Wilson enlisted, commanded by Col. John Heritage, & know- that he served for about or near the space of nine months in the Company of Cavalry commanded by Capt. Benjamin Casmill. That the said Wilson belonged to the said Company in the month of February 1779 & that he was discharged with the rest of the Company at Hillsboro in North Carolina some time in the month of November 1779 - I then believed him to be eighty years of age -

I further Certify that the said Willis Wilson has ever since resided in the County of Pitt and that I believe him to be a man of verac- ity.
Sworn to in open court August 9 th 1832. Archd Parker Atty
Robt Williams
We the undersigned, & David Sutton residing in the County of Pitt State of North Carolina hereby Certify that we are well acquaint- ed with Willis Wilson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be eighty years of age: and that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to subscribed the day & year aforesaid Archd Parker Atty
J. W. Cherry D. Sutton
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 & served as he states - and the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Robert Williams, J. W. Cherry & David Sutton who have signed the preceding certificates are residents in the County of Pitt & are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to cred- it.
I archibald Parker Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for the County of Pitt State of North Carolina do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter

of the application of Willis Wilson for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my office this ninth day of August 1832 -
Archd Parkin Atty
Willis Wilson 15837

State of North Carolina Pitt County } Court of Pleas & Quarter } Sessions for Pitt County
On this 6 th day of May 1848 personally appeared in open Court, Benjamin F. Hazzleton Esq. who being duly sworn according to law saith that he was present at the house of the late Elizabeth Wilson, widow of Willis Wilson, a soldier of the Revolution, on the day of her death, which happened on the eleventh day of July 1844, that he saw her just before and after, and during her death, having sat up with her during that night last night of her existence, and she dying between day break and sunrise - that the said Elizabeth being a relation of deponent he had reason to remember the precise date -
And also Vinson Holloway in open Court, being sworn according to law deposes that he made the Coffin of the said Elizabeth Wilson at the instance of Samuel Wilson one of her sons, who delivered me the measure of the Coffin on the 11 th of July 1844 and the Coffin was made and delivered on the 12 th day of July, the deponent attending with the Coffin and assisting in the burial on that day - The precise date he only remembers by the charge being on his books in the following words to wit - July "12 th " July 1844 Samuel Wilson to V. Holloway Dr. For making the Coffin of Elizabeth Wilson dec d - $10.00 - which he has no doubt was the true date and which charge he made the day of delivery as above -
The Court certify that they believe the foregoing

forsoing testimony to be true - and the further satisfactory divine has been given before them to prove that certify that Jonas Wilson, John Wilson, Catharine Wilson, Sarah Wilson, Willis Wilson, Samuel Wilson and Cannon Wilson are the children of the said Elizabeth Wilson, and that they are the only children of deceased now alive - The Court direct the Clerk to certify these proceedings -
I William D. Mays, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for 1 st County hereby certify that the foregoing proceed- -ings were had in open Court as above stated -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this 6 th day of May 1848 -
William D. Mays Clerk

State of North Carolina, in Pitt County, on this the tenth day of February 1848 personally appeared before me Benja Hargett one of the Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid Elizabeth Cox Who being duly sworn, according to Law deposed and says as follows that she lived within the half mile of Willis Wilson When he brought his Wife Elizabeth Wilson home that she went over to see her and Courried with her her son Abram Cox under two years old to see the affair after Marriage and that is sure to be between Seventeen hundred and eighty Eight and Seventeen hundred and ninety One that the Marriage took place and that Elizabeth Wilson had a son born within twelve months after whose age is Now fifty Eight and going in fifty nine according to My Son Johns age which was born within twelve months since I form My knowledg from the present ages of My Own children and further this deponent sayeth not Sworn to and subscribed before Elizabeth the Cox Me the day and year first above written
Benjamin Hargett Justice
I Benjamin Hargett the aforesaid Magistrate do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the witness Elizabeth Cox and that her evidence is entitled to full credit and belief Benja Hargett Justice

State of North Carolina Pitt County
on this the 12 day of February A.D. 1848 came personally before me Benj o Hazelton one of the Justices of the peace in and for Pitt County aforesaid Cannon Smith Senior a resident of Pitt County and State afore said aged + last August sixty two years being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and says as follows to wit That he was Born and raised within four miles of Willis Wilson and Elizabeth his wife's house and have been acquainted with their children up to this time and that from a comparison of my own age with that of Willis Wilson and Elizabeth's children they must have been married before the first January seventeen hundred and ninety four I have been acquainted with Elizabeth and Willis Wilsons oldest children and youngest and feel My Self sure they must have been married before 1 st January 1794 by comparison with that of my own age
Cannon Smith was Born in the year 1785 interlined the words last Aug ust before signed also this deponent saith that the 2 nd 1785 was born and this depon- ent sayeth not to the day and date first above written
Benjamin Hazelton I Benjamin Hazelton the aforesaid Magistrate do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the witness Cannon Smith and that his evidence is entitled to full credit and belief Benjamin Hazelton I prove

Stub of Truth Certificate
Pitt County
I William D. Mays Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, hereby certify that Benjamin H. Houghton whose signature appears to the foregoing Certificate is an Acting Magistrate of our said County & that full faith & credit should be given to his acts as such. Given under my hand & seal of office at Greenville the 12 th day of February A.D. 1848.
William D. Mays Clerk

State of North Carolina Pitt County
On this the 9th. day of January 1844 personally appeared before the undersigned one of the acting Justices and a member of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for the said County & State Elizabeth Wilson a resident of the aforesaid County & State, aged 85 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 Congress passed July 7th. 1838. Entitled an act granting half-pay & Pensions to certain Widows.
That she is the Widow of the late Willis Wilson Pensioner Dec d . Who, was a private soldier in the cavalry in the war of the Revolution that lived in Pitt County N.C. and drew a Pension under the act of 1832 from the United States of $37.50. per annum on the account of his Revolutionary services. That the said Willis Wilson was placed on the Pension Roll some time in February 1833.
She further Declared that she was married to the said Willis Wilson in the Year of Seventeen hundred & Eighty-eight, - that her husband the aforesaid Willis Wilson died on the 25th. day of September Eighteen hundred & thirty-three - That she was not married to the aforesaid Willis Wilson prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794. Viz; at the time above stated 1788. - That she is now a

Widow and has not married since the death of her said husband but remains his widow as will more fully appear by reference to the certificate hereto annexed.
And she further Declares that she has caused the Clerks office in the County in which she was married to be diligently searched for the Sison Bond, but it cannot be found - that she has no family record sworn to & subscribed on this the 9th. day of January 1844. before.
Test. Benjamin F. Hozetton J.P. Elizabeth her Wilson, mark.
I the said Benjamin F. Hozetton Justice of the peace. Certify that Elizabeth Wilson who hath this day sworn to & subscribed the foregoing Declaration before me is a Creditable Woman, and her statements to be relied on.
I also certify that from old age she is not able to attend Court to make her said Declaration. And I further certify that she is the widow of the Identical Willis Wilson who was a Pensioner as stated by the Declaration that they lived together as husband & wife up to the time of said Willis Wilson's death that she is now a Widow and has not married since the death of her said husband.
Given under my hand on the day & date above written
Benjamin F. Hozetton J.P.

State of North Carolina Pitt County
On this the 9th day of January 1844, personally appeared before Benjamin F. Hargett one of the acting Justices and a member of the Court of Pleas & quarter sessions in and for the afore- said County & State, Lizza Cox aged 88 years & William Mills aged 67 years, residents of the said County & State, who, being first duly sworn according to Law doth on their oaths make the following Statements to wit, that they were well acquainted with Willis Wilson & his wife Elizabeth who is now applying for a Pension for the services of her decd. husband - that they were at the time of the said Willis Wilson & Elizabeth that to the best of their recollections they were married in the year of seventeen hundred and Eighty eight, that they did live together as husband & wife up to the time of the death of the aforesaid Willis Wilson. Sworn to & subscribed on the day and date above written before Test. Benja F Hargett J.P. } Lizza Cox. } per mark his William Mills } mark.
I the aforesaid Justice of the peace, certify that Lizza Cox & William Mills, are known to me and that their statements in relation to the mar- riage of the said Willis Wilson & Elizabeth are en- titled to full credit - Given under my hand on the day & date above written
Benjamin F Hargett J.P.

State of North Carolina { Court of Pleas & quarter Pitt County { Session February Term 1844.
I Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid (now sitting) certify that the foregoing proceedings were Read, examined, and approved by our said Court. Whereupon the Court ordered the Clerk to certify the same to the War Department.
I further certify that Benjamin H. Hazelton whose name appears to the foregoing certificates and as a witness to the Declaration and Deposition is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid County, and that full faith & credit are due his official acts.
And I further certify that I have made diligent search for the marriage bond of the said Willis Wilson, & am unable to find it. I also certify that to the best of my recollection I have never been able to find a bond in this Office to enable a Widow to get a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office at Greenville on this the 7 th day of February 1844.
Archibald Parker (R) 3
March 22. 1844 John H. Gandy
Elizabeth Wilson
7 pages

State of N o Carolina Pitt County
February Term 1848
On the 12 th day of February 1848 satisfactory evidence was given in open Court, (viz the testimony of Sam l . Wilson, Cannon Wilson and Benj a F. Hazelton, on oath) that Elizabeth Wilson, a person of the United States widow of Willis Wilson, died on the 11 th day of July 1844, leaving the following named children then alive, viz: Jonas Wilson, John Wilson, Cathy Wilson, Sally Wilson, Willis Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Harmon Wilson, and these are the only children of the said Elizabeth Wilson which were alive on the said 11 th July 1844 when she died as aforesaid all of which children were of lawful age -
Given to before me in open Court witness my hand & seal of the Court. attest
This 12 th day of February 1848.
William P. Mays Clk

Proj
WIDOW, &c.
am
File No. 6531
Eliz th Wilson
Wid.
Willis Wilson
Bk. Rev. War
Act: Mch. 3 rd 1843, June 1844
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 339
[Arrangement of 1870.]

10.496
North Carolina
Elizabeth Wilson wid o
Widow of Willis Wilson who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 25 th Sept r 1833 of Pitt Co. in the State of N.C. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by _____ in the Revolution line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of N.C. at the rate of 32 Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Nov. 1848, and sent to T.L. Smith, Esq.
Total amount,
$ Present
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by _____ Clerk Book D Vol. 1. Page 303
Reported
Payable to
Joan Wilson
John Wilson
Caty Wilson
Sally Wilson
Willis Wilson
Samuel Wilson
+ Cannon Wilson
only surviving
Children.

✓ 10.648
Elizabeth Wilson
N. 6
Sustained
Col. H. B. Pylontus Sept 1845 1844.
to E. F. Brown Aug 12. 45
Hon. H. S. Clark - -
June 23. 1846. -
to Same July 29. 46
to Same Dec 31. 46
to J. D. Smith March 14. 48
Act 7 July 38

10648
Elizabeth Wilson N.C.
Act 7 July 1838.
Let. to H. H. Sylvester Sept 18 '49 " " E. F. Bonner Aug 12. 45 " Hon. S Clark June 23 '46 " same July 29 '46 " same Dec 31 '46 " J. Smith March 14 '48

Willis Wilson, N.C. act 7 June 1832 $37 50 per annum
To what time was he last paid?
Pension Office
March. 8 1848
By G. A. II Paid to 4 th Mar. 1833.
B.L.B.

Comptroller's Office. Raleigh. N.C.
I William F. Collins, Comptroller of Public Accounts do hereby certify, that it appears of record in my Office, that the following Certificates were issued in favour of W. Wilson for military service, viz: one for sixteen pounds, sixteen shillings (£16. 16 s ) found Book N o 24, page 2; another for twenty three pounds twelve shillings (£23. 12 s ) found in the same Book, on the page 88. another for sixteen sixteen pounds, ten shillings (£19. 10 s ) found in Book A.M. N o 16, page 67: another for eighty four pounds, fourteen shillings (£84. 14 s ) found in Book N o 24, page 109: and another for fourteen pounds, (£14) found in Book N o 26, page 86. given under my hand and seal this 17 day March A.D. 1845
Wm F Collins Compt
In addition the name of Willis Wilson has been found with the following Certificates issued in his favour for Military service viz: one for eleven pounds, five shillings (£11. 5 s ), found in Appendix to Book N o 14, page 12: and another for four pounds, fourteen shillings and six pence (£4. 14 s 6 d ), found in same Book, page 16: given under my hand and seal this 24 day March 1845
Wm F Collins Compt

Sir
Washington May 31. st 1848.
I have the honor to submit additional testimony in the case of Mrs Elizabeth Wilson of North Carolina, dec d widow of William Wilson. This evidence covers the only point in the case that requires proof, agreeably to your letter of 14th March 1848 to me. May I ask your early attention to this?
Most respectfully Your obedt Servt J. L. Smith
J. L. Edwards Esq.
P.S. The evidence enclosed, is the depositions of B. F. Hagleton & Vernon Holloway as to the death of Eliz a Wilson and the names of the children.

Ruffins Mills, N. Carolina,
13 th Oct- 1848.
Sir,
M rs Elizabeth Wilson of Pitt County, N. C. made a declaration for pension some two years ago - M rs Wilson is now dead. -
Last Spring, further and more definite evidence as to the date of her marriage was required. also the number and age of her several children now living, was had, & duly authenticated by the Court of Pitt County, and forwarded to the Pension office, last Summer.
Be so good, Sir, as to let me hear if this evidence has been received, and if so, was it satisfactory?
I am, Sir,
Very Resp s
Yo: Ob. Serv t
James A. Craig,
H. Evans Esq.
Pension office, Washington City, D. C.

House of Reps.
Dec. 22 nd 1846
Sir
I have the honor to transmit to you additional testimony in the case of the application of Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson for a Pension. They relate to the time of the marriage of Mrs. Wilson.
Will you please to inform me how far they are satisfactory on that point and what other difficulty there may be in the way of your adjudging a Pension to the applicant.
I have the honor to be Yours very Respectfully Henry S. Clark
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Com. of Pensions.

Sir
Washington Feb. 24th 1848
I have the honor to enclose additional evidence in the case of Mrs Elizabeth Wilson of Pitt County North Carolina.
This testimony is upon the only point in the case that required strengthening. I hope that this will admit the case.
J. S. Edwards Esq. Attorn y of Pl ff .
With great respect J. L. Smith

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Wallis Wilson further proof or explanation.
which require
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no Clergyman
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no reason assigned
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? From 7. not answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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 in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡ QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

State of North Carolina Fifth County
On this the 28th day of May 1846. Came before me Frederick Haddock one of the acting Justices of the peace & a member of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in & for the said County. Elizabeth Cox a resident of the aforesaid County & State who after being duly sworn according to Law deponeth & saith (in addition to her affidavit which is on file in the Person office) that she does know that the marriage of Willis & Elizabeth Wilson did take place before 1794. from the circumstance of her son John & the oldest child of the said Willis & Elizabeth Dowd: John being eleven years of age - that the said John was born about three months before her said son John - that her said son John was born on the 8th. of January (1791.) seventeen hundred & ninety-one sworn to & subscribed on the above state before me
F. Haddock
J.P.
Elizabeth Cox mark

State of North Carolina Pitt County
I John bone a son of the aforesaid Elizabeth bone do hereby cer- tify on oath that I was born & raised within one mile of the said Willis & Elizabeth Wilson, & that I am the said Jonas Wilson son of the said Willis & Elizabeth were play boys to gether were about of a size & I always understood that he the said Jonas Wilson was about three months older than myself - and that I was born on the 8th day of January (1791) seventeen hundred & ninety-one according to my family record which I herewith send given under my hand on this the 28th day of May 1846.
Hickadock - V.P. } John bone his mark
I the said Justice of the peace certify that the foregoing deponents do not. Elizabeth bone & John bone are persons of truth & respec- tability. I also certify that from my long & intimate acquaintance with the said Willis & Elizabeth Wilson & their children I feel no hesitation in saying that they the

Willis & Elizabeth Wilson must have been married together prior to the year 1794 seventeen hundred & ninety-four given under my hand on the afore said date
Studdock T.P.
I also certify that the said John Cox was duly sworn to the foregoing certificate
Studdock T.P.
State of South Carolina } Pitt County }
I William D. Maye Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the aforesaid County, do hereby Certify that Frederick Studdock whose names appears to the foregoing Certificate is a Magistrate as above & that the signature purporting to be his are genuine. I further Certify that I have searched my office for the licensed Bonds of Willis Wilson but can find no bond of an older date than 1794. Given under my hand & seal of office at Greenville the 28 th day of May A.D. 1846.
William D. Maye Clerk

Gilford cost was Boi
December 25 1829
Joseph John cost was Born March 7
1832
Liz Finney cost was Born January
1834
John cost was Born January 8 1811 bin yer
James Cost Was Born January 2 - 1836

House of Reps July 20 th 1846
Sir
I herewith transmit to you, additional testimony in the case of E. Wilson of Pitt Co. N. C. explanatory of the alteration which is very manifest, in the Register of the birth of Mr. John Cox, one of the witnesses. The testimony would seem to me to be complete. Old Mrs. Cox swears that they must have married before 1794, and she comes to that conclusion because one of their children, was born in the same year (I speak from memory) with her son John. Her son John swears that he is fifty five years of age, which would carry the year of his birth back to 1791. You and I know the time of our birth, with sufficient certainty to swear to it, because it has been uniformly told to us for a series of years by our parents, and that too, at times and under circumstances which would forbid all idea of misrepresentation. In a conversation with you, some three or four days ago, you considered the testimony of old Mrs. Cox unsatisfactory, because when speaking of dates, because she could not read. Her inability to read, is a circumstance which would cause me to confide more readily in her recollection of dates. We who are in the habit of trusting to our papers, instead of our memory for dates, may well be distrusted when speaking, without our papers. But those whose dependance is entirely on their memory, keep their recollection accurate by a daily recurrence to the date. This is emphatically true in every thing relating to the time of the Birth of a woman's children. Of them in any one thing, that fixes itself more indelibly on the memory of mothers

than any thing else, it is the time and circumstances of the Birth of their children.
Last Friday, there came up for consideration, in the House a case which you had rejected for the very same reason, which you urge against this, to wit the inability of the witness to write and her consequent inability to remember dates; and when your objection was stated to the House, it excited a universal laugh and the claim was passed unanimously, and that too in a House, distinguished for its almost indiscriminate slaughter of private claims.
Besides inability to write does not furnish conclusive evidence of inability to read writing and how many very old persons are there who though they can write, yet from defect in eyesight or from extreme narrowness prefer to make their marks.
Beging pardon for trespassing so long, on your time I have the honor to be
Yours very Respectfully Henry S. Clark.

No 10648 43 9526
Elizabeth Wilson aw Mother of Willis DC
Act 7 July 1838
Adm. 9 mo pr of Cov. $ 37 50 per m
From 4 March 1836 to 4 March 1841. Payable to Jonas Wilson John Wilson, Katy Wilson, Sally Wilson, Willis Wilson Samuel Wilson, and Cannon Wilson. only surviving children of Eliz Wilson aw
Adm. Act 31 March 1843 17 June 44 $ 37 50 per m. from 4 March 1841 to 11 July 1841 the day of her death. Payable to Children above mentioned.
Thos L. Smith Present

House of Reps. June 17/46
Sir
I have the honor, herewith to transmit to your department additional testimony to be applied to the matter of the application for a Pension heretofore made in behalf of Elizabeth Wilson, widow of Willis Wilson, of Pitt County N.C. You will please communicate to me your decision, after you shall have given due consideration to all the evidence, now on file, in the case.
I have the honor to be
Yours very Respectfully Henry S. Clark
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions W. C.

State of North Carolina Pitt County.
I the undersigned Resident Citizen of the aforesaid County do hereby certify that I was acquainted with the late Willis Wilson and his Wife Elizabeth and with their children and by a comparison of the ages of Myself with the ages of the Eldest children of said Elizabeth Wilson I feel fully satisfied and so certify upon my Oath that said Willis Wilson and Elizabeth must have been Married before 1794 and to render my reason my Parents always informed me that I was born in April 1790 I also distinctly recollect a Storm that came in 1795 August I recollect a number of Trees that blew down in that Storm also of my wading about in the Water after the Storm was Over in August 1795 I also Distinctly recollect that Jonas Wilson son of Willis Wilson and Elizabeth his Wife was about my Sise and I think about my age from my earliest recollection I have known the all the Family to this date
I have always understood and believe that said Willis and Elizabeth Wilson were Lawfully Married and I never heard it contradicted Sworn to and subscribed on this the 6 th day of October James Smith 1846 Before me Benja F. Hazleton Justice

State of North Carolina Bitt County
I the undersigned resident citizen of the aforesaid County do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the Lateral Willis Wilson and his Wife Elizabeth and with their children I lived 27 years in the distance of between a quarter and a half mile of the Wilson family I was at the Dwelling house of Willis Wilson when he brought his Wife Elizabeth home after being married the day before there came home in company a good many people and among the many people there was an man by the Name of Thomas Hemby who said he was a waiter at the time of the Marriage and also on the Table at supper after the Marriage It was also said by the people that said Hemby was a waiter at the Wedding it seems to me that there was a other Man by the Name of William Williams who they said was a waiter also I was Born in the year 1780 the 10 th of January I was also ten years old at the time of Willis Wilson brought his Wife home I am sure that in ten or eleven months said Willis Wilson and his Wife Elizabeth had son Born which was named Jonas which was Born in October 1790 I now live in two miles of the said Wilsons Dwelling house and family and have done ever since I left My Fathers house which has been near thirty years By a Comparison of the age of Myself with the age of the Eldest child Jonas son of Willis and Elizabeth knowing I was about 24 years old at the time I feel fully satisfied and so certify upon My Oath that said Willis Wilson and Elizabeth must have been married before 1794 before 1794 I have always understood and believe that said Willis and Elizabeth were lawfully married Sworn to and subscribed on the 7 th day of October 1846 Aaron his Close mark before me Benja F. Hayetton J Peace

State of North Carolina
Pitt County
I The undersigned Abram Cox Resident citizen of Pitt County do hereby certify that I was acquainted with the late Willis Wilson and his Wife Elizabeth and with their children nine in number and by a comparison of my own age as I was informed I was born in the year of 1788 October 15 and as I have a family record of my age taken from my Fathers Old Bible which was the record of his familys ages and from the record also I believe I was Born in the year of 1788 I recollect of going in company with my mother to see Mrs Wilson when she had a child which was afterwards named Jonas, I thought it was a pretty little baby and I wanted it, I wanted to carry the the pretty little Black headed baby home with me but they seemed to pacify me by saying I could not take it, how could I carry it in a basket; and so forth as many Women do talk to a very small boy as I was then I think this circumstance of this child is the first of my recollection I think I am between two and three years older than Jonas Wilson son of Willis Wilson and Elizabeth his Wife as they were called I lived about a quarter of a mile I was often at Wilsons house in my visiting and believe they that is Willis Wilson and Elizabeth lived peaceable as Man and Wife and I never heard it contradicted but they were married — by a comparison of my age with the age of the eldest children of said Elizabeth Wilson I feel fully satisfied and do certify upon my oath that said Willis Wilson and Elizabeth must have been married before 1791 I have always understood and believe that that said Willis and Elizabeth Wilson were lawfully married sworn to and subscribed on this the 23 d of November 1846 Abram Cox before me Benjamin H. Hoxton I swear Mock

I the said Justice Benja F. Hozell do hereby certify that the foregoing deponents James James Smith Aaron Cox and Abraham Cox are personally known to me as persons of good standing and entitled to full credit and belief ————— Benja F. Hozell J.P.
State of North Carolina Pitt County } I William S. Hoyle certify that I have known the above entitled three witnesses whose depositions appear heretofore to this proper proceeding for several years; & that I believe all of them to be men of credibility, & upon whose oaths you may rely — William S. Hoyle
State of North Carolina Pitt County } I William S. Hoyle Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Benjamin F. Hozell whose signature appears to the foregoing depositions is an acting Magistrate of the said County & was at the time of taking said depositions. And that full faith & credence should be given to his acts as such. Given under my hand & seal of office at Green ville the 11 th day of December A.D. 1846 William S. Hoyle Clk 3

17 May 1845
Dear Sir as Soon as
I could I went in to the county of Green it being court there for the purpose of seeking this evidence: I went to see and to catekize Hilary Taylor but I found I was mistaken in his evidence he was invited to and went to the wedding of Willis Wilson and Elizabeth but when he got there the parties had gone across the line in to Pitt county to be married and he did not see them married his evidence is much the same as this Joseph Rosbery. Only he says he was married as they told him by Rev John Mays Esq I think Rosbery is mistaken in who married them this Edward Esq Mays lived each about 5 miles off but in Pitt where the wedding was no doubt here is North House & Taylor also went to Williamses expected the wedding there but when they got there the guests had gone to John Mays Esq to be married as this Wilson got his license in Pitt so says Wilsons children they have heard their Father says
I dont know which of all these person evidence will link the best for I think Elizabeths She was married to Wilson about 88 & at John Mays if I knew what was sent on I should know which would link best and Mr Pickard might recollect who she swore did marry her Feb 12 months ago She made affidavit of her marriage I doubt whether I can find any person that witnessed the marriage Many there were a great many persons but such as I saw it is dead or gone away to other states if you can discover any thing that I can do or mend write me I will attend Wilsons children says & I think I have heard Wilson says about 20 years ago he had his license in his house then but dont know any thing about license now J. S. Edwin Goram is living on Tantas creek in Beaufort city reduced in circumstances Churchill Goram died about 4 years ago in this county 6 children much wealth left Widow but now dead rich heirs B. F. Hargett Johnson Mills P.O. Pitt city

State of North Carolina Green County
On this the 14 th day of May 1845 personally appeared before me the undersigned one of the Justices of the courts of pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County Martha Jones a Resident of said County aged Seventy three years who being first duly Qualified according to Law Deposeth and sayeth she was at the wedding and witnessed fifty persons or more who was also at the wedding she dont recollect whither she did or not see and hear the matrimony read over by the Justice of the peace who married Willis Wilson and Elizabeth Williams his wife but she was sore in mind they were married for it certainly was not disputed in the company but what they were married and at said Elizabeths Fathers house where we all were as near as I can tell in the year of Seventeen hundred and eighty nine and this witness further saith that a most all of the people that was at the wedding of said Willis Wilson and Elizabeth are now dead or gone away and this witness further saith that she is just as sure they were married as she is that her own children was married and she has seven children married and this witness further saith that she often heard of Willis Wilson and Elizabeth his wife and they lived peaceably together as long as they lived and further this witness sayeth not sworn to and subscribed before the day and date above
Martha Jones
Before me W. A. Darden J.P. I the said Justice do hereby certify that this deponent is a Lady of truth and respectability.
W. A. Darden J.P.

State of North Carolina
I, James Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Greene and State aforesaid Do. Hereby Certify that William A. Darden whose name appears to the within affidavit is duly Commissioned and Qualified as an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Greene and State aforesaid and was at the time of his attesting said affidavit, and that due faith and Credit ought and should be given to his official acts as such - In Witness of which I have hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court at office the 16 th of May A.D. 1845 -
James W. Williams. Clerk

I wish to be remembered to my old Friend W m Bingham & John J. Freeland of your county I used to go to school to Mr Bingham & boarded at Mr Freeland's for which I should be fond of hearing from them and their families many others also of your county I have thought to go to your county for medicinal folds for health in that season and likely this coming fall I shall
Sun 24th Oct May 23 1845-3
James A. Craig Rutland Mills etc. Orange Co
25-
a a
W. W. Wilson

State of North Carolina Green County P. 3
On this the 15 th of May 1845 personally appeared, before the undersigned One of the Justices of the Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County, Joseph Raspberry, aged going in seventy three years who being first duly qualified, according to Law: deponeth and saith, My Father being dead My Mothers family, were all invited to the Wedding, of Willis Wilson and Elizabeth Williams which which wedding was to take place, at her Fathers house: and as and the Mothers family lived about Mile and a half of the house of the Wedding: I also & family went, I found her Father at home making preparations for the wedding Dinner: this Willis was a resident of Pitt County Obtained his license for Marriage: and for some reason unknown to me went across the line of the county to Big Cowards to get married as I was informed; and I saw the said Willis Wilson and Elizabeth his wife: when they came back to her Fathers house: and a company of twenty persons or more came back with them, and I believe the Esquire who they said married them, came in company also The company together with many of the Neighbors were all received all seemed to speak that the Lights of matrimony had been celebrated by the same Justice: The Father was uncommon friendly, with his new son in law and all the rest of the wedding guests and to the best of my knowledge it was between the dates of Seventeen hundred and seventy  eighty seven and seventeen hundred and eighty nine during these two years and I think in the Spring of the year or April or May I have often times since seen the said Willis Wilson and Elizabeth his wife they raised many children and peaceably lived, a long time since: and up to the time of his death, as far as I ever heard and further this deponent saith not. Sworn to and subscribed

The day and date above- or on the foregoing page before me W. A. Darden Jp
Joseph Pasby
I the said Justice do hereby certify that the deponent is a man of truth and respectability W. A. Darden Jp
State of North Carolina
I James Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Greene do hereby certify that Mr. W. A. Darden whose name appears to the above affidavit is duly Commissioned and qualified as an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County & State aforesaid and was at the time of his affixing his signature thereto, and that due faith and credit ought and should be given to his official acts as such - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at office the 16 th of May A.D. 1845
Attest. Jas Williams Clk

State of North Carolina } Pitt County }
On this 10 th day of July 1846, personally appeared before me Marshall Dickinson one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Pitt aforesaid, John Cox, of said County aged 55, who being duly sworn according to law, declares as follows - That in relation which to giving my deposition some weeks ago, I think in the month of May, before Frederick Haddock Esq. concerning the marriage of Willis Wilbrow with his wife Betsey, both now deceased, I was requested to let a leaf of my Bible be cut out which contained a statement of my birth and of my children's births, as I understood, the record of my birth was copied from a Bible of my father by Hardee Haddock, a neighbour, the record of the birth of my children were written by different persons, some of them by the same Mr. Haddock, and I suppose they were correct because they were often read over to me, but I cannot read so as to know their correctness in any other way - I always understood and believed that I was born on the 8 th day of January 1791, and that it was so stated in the foregoing record - but as to any erasure or cropping with the pen of any part of that record, or of any alteration of it, I know nothing, not being able to distinguish one part of the writing or figures from any other - If it was stated that I was born at any other time than the one which I have stated above, and then altered, I could not discover it for the above reason - I will state the names of some of my first children in the order that they ought to appear on that list viz Lewis, Sepre, Abram, William, and others

to make out eleven children in all - I was married I think in January when I was 26 years old, or it might be one year different from that, Lewis was born about eleven months after us and, and I think in the latter part of December following my marriage, and not long before the leaf was cut out, a Mr. Hawks, schoolmaster, was at my house, and was looking over the statement of births, and my last child James had not been put down, altho he was born many years before, and Mr. Hawks added his birth to the statement, which I suppose was correct, as he read it over to me at the time - And I think my oldest son Lewis is now twenty eight or twenty nine years old - The words "from another" on first page, and the word "might" on this page interlined before execution - this
John Cove mark
Subscribed & sworn to by John Cove the day first above written - before me
Marshall Dickinson J.P.

State of North Carolina } Pitt County }
I William D. Moyer, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Pitt aforesaid do hereby certify that Marshall Dickinson before whom the foregoing affidavit of John Cox was taken, is and was at the date thereof a justice of the Peace for said County, and that the signature to the same purporting to be his, is genuine -
In Testimony whereof I have given these premises under my hand & seal of Office this 14 th day of July A.D. 1846 -
William D. Moyer CLK
By Mich l O'Park d Clk