Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 31489, William Willard, Va.

SERVICE
Ua.
Willard, William
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S 31489
CONTENTS

Illinois 7988.
M rs Willard. of Morgan in the State of Illinois. who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Douglas of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Shepard in the Virginia line for 9 1/2 months.
30. 00 1. 67  $ 31. 67
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois. at the rate of 31. Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 d day of May 1833 and sent to Thomas. - Jacksonville. Ill.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 63. 34 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept r 33. 15. 83  $ 79. 17
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. P. Johnson Clerk, Book E. Vol. 8. Page 61
See 14 Dec 40 76- R. A. Youngt. U.S.
Date of death not on A.D.

7988
William Willard Morgan County Illinois.
Admitted for 9. Months & 15 days from 1778
William Thomas Jackson Will Morgan County Illinois

BRIEF in the case of  William Willard  County of Morgan  in the State of Illinois  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77.  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. As a Genl.     In 1798 July 8. Private Capt Rutland Col G. H. ...   3 waiting a few days " " Douglass - Col Rags.  
Vol Vol
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Louden Co Va  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
(Signature: G. H. Castor)
Examining Clerk.

Mr Willard Morsam City Ill
1802

State of Illinois Morgan County ss.
On this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before William Wood, James Green & William Gilliam Judges of the County Commissioners Court of said County not sitting William Willards a resident of said County aged seventy seven 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. He volunteered to serve a term of Militia duty of six months at Leesburg in Virginia in the month of July he does not recollect the year, he joined a company commanded by Capt James Paticious, the company marched from Leesburg to Winchester expecting there to join a Regiment commanded by Col Shepherd, but did not arrive in time, as soon as the men were furnished with arms, the company proceeded to Fort Pitt where and there joined Col Shepherds Regiment, there was stationed at Fort Pitt about One Hundred Regulars, but upon arrival does not remember the name of any Regular officers, Genl Martin he thinks was commander in chief of all the forces at that place, Col Shepherds Regiment was ordered to line and arrived there in September, Genl

furnished with... Pitt where and then joined Col Shepherds Regiment, then was stationed at Fort Pitt about one hundred Regulars, but deponent does not remember the number of any Regular officers, but Martin he thinks was commander in chief of all the forces at that place, Col Shepherds Regiment was ordered to Fort Wheeling and arrived there in September, but Martin did not go to Fort Wheeling, a part of Col Shepherds Regiment remained at Fort Wheeling and a part at Fort Shepherds, the Regiment remained at those places during the Winter, some time in the Winter Col Crawford came on to Wheeling and took command as being a senior officer the deponent continued in this service seven months, he received an discharge or certificate of service, he returned to Loudoun County Virginia his place of residence, about two years and six months after his return, - He again volunteered to serve a term of three months, he joined a company at Leesburg commanded by Capt Williams or Douglass, the company marched from Leesburg to the Red House and then joined the troops under the command of Genl Payton and Col Buford, the Army marched from the Red House to Richmond, and joined the French Army under Genl Lafayette at a Ferry called "Buffins Ferry" but deponent does not remember the name of the River, the Army remained in that

vicinity until the capture of Lord Cornwallis, and not long after that the Regiment under Col. Russell was discharged, the disponent belonged to that Regiment, the disponent served on this expedition the three months or within a few days of that time, and he received a discharge signed by Capt. Douglass and Col. Russell but that discharge he has long since lost, he has no written evidence of which to prove his service, he knows of no person now living except one by whom he can prove his service, one Hannah Dillon who resides in White County Tennessee, she lived at disponent's house while he was absent on the last expedition of three months, he was born in Loudoun County Virginia about the year 1755 according to the information which he has received from his parents, he has no record of his age, he removed from Loudoun County to Henry County Virginia several years after the war, he remained in Henry County about three or four years & then removed to Tennessee Overton County, remained there until the fall Spring of the year 1830 when he removed to Morgan County Illinois where he now resides, He further states that he is known to Samuel Duvant Theodore S. Barlow and James N. Headen and James Wilson all of whom can testify as to his character for honesty & integrity -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of the agency of any state or territory -
James Griffin Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid -
his mark William M. Willard
William Wood
William Gilham
James Green

named is not on the provisions of the agency of any state or territory -
James Green subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid -
his William X Willard Mark
William Wood
William Gilham
James Green
We James V. Headenbury a clergyman, Samuel Durant and Theodore S. Barton all of the county of Morgan and state of Illinois, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Willard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be twenty seven years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion - the said Samuel Durant & Theodore S. Barton further certify that they have been acquainted with the said Willard for more than twelve years, they were acquainted with him in Tennessee and he sustained the character of an honest man

and said Barlow says, that he has always understood that said Willard was a soldier of the Revolution
James Green
Ja. Heddenberg
Samuel Durant
Theodore G. Barlow
Sworn to and subscribed the date aforesaid.
William Wood
William Gilkham
James Green
And the said court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the said applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, And the court further certify that it appears to them that James V Heddenberg who has signed the above certificate is a clergymen residing in the county of Morgan and state of Illinois and is a credible person, and that Samuel Durant and Theodore G Barlow who have also signed the same are residents of said county and state and are credible persons, and that this statement is entitled to credit.
William Wood
William Gilkham
James Green
State of Illinois Morgan county. I Dennis Rockwell clerk of the county common pleas court of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing three pages contain the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Willard for a pension, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22 nd day of September 1832.
Dennis Rockwell Clerk

November 19, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. B. J. Walter Department Military Records and Graves Registration, American Legion Wabash Post No. 423 Mount Carmel, Illinois
WILLIAM WILLARD S. 31489 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Willard who was born in 1755 in Virginia, served under Captain James Ratekin and Colonel Shepherd, also under Captain William Douglas and Colonel William Russel and died in Illinois in 1846.
You are furnished herein the record of William Willard as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 31489, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Willard was born in 1755 in Loudoun County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Loudoun County, Virginia, William Willard volunteered in July, the year not given, served as private in Captain James Ratican's company, Colonel Shepherd's Virginia regiment, and was discharged after having served seven months. He then returned to his home in Loudoun County and about two and one half years later again volunteered, served three months as private in Captain William Douglass' company, Colonel Russell's Virginia regiment, and was discharged after the surrender of Cornwallis.
Several years after the Revolution the soldier moved from Loudoun County, to Henry County, Virginia, where he lived three or four years, thence to Overton County, Tennessee, remained there until the spring of 1830 when he moved to Morgan County, Illinois.
William Willard was allowed pension on his application executed September 22, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Morgan County, Illinois.

There are no family data shown in the claim.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of William Willard, you should write to the Comptroller General General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
William Willard Certificate No. 7938 Issued May 2, 1833 Rate, $31.67 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act June 7, 1832 Illinois Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Willard which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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? 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? XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so 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 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.
†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.

Hon R. M. Young
14. Dec. 1840
Gl
Record B page 367

Pen. Office,
Dec 14. 1840
Sir
I herewith return the letter of J. M. Campbell, Esq. in the case of William Willard, and have to state that he now receives the full amount of pension to which he is entitled. For some nine months and a half and for that time he has been allowed $31.67 per annum, the rates of pension provided by act of 7 June 1834 for the service alleged  for nine months and a half , An increase of pension cannot be allowed.
Hon. R. M. Young D. U. States.
J. C.

Dec 14. 1840
Inak Mr. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
R. Young Senate Dist.

Washington City Dec 12. 1840
Sir,
Will you please examine the enclosed letter from James M Campbell Esq of McDonough County, Illinois, who writes in behalf of William Willard a Pensioner of the United States, and inform me whether his pension can be increased under existing laws, or whether his application should be made to Congress -
Be so good as to return Mr. Campbell's letter with your answer -
Very Respectfully &c
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commission
of Pensions
Washington City
Richard M Young

31489 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,489
William Willard
Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 455
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Oct. 14, 1904, His to Mrs. Hester A. Hanback c/o Hon Julius "
Cristobal Cuba
 Sept. 8, 1905 History to Grace Hanback Ober, Lawrence, Kans thru Chas. Hanback Bureau of Pens.  1911 Apr. 14 to Geo. Evard Burford &  1911 Nov. 10. Tombstone data to Mrs. Helen Nye Rupp, letter in S. file 32388 David Lynn. C  1912 Feb. 16. Tombstone data to Mrs. A. F. Buffa Letters in S.F.  191504 James Wright. V.L.H.  1912, July 8. History to James P. Willard. Frv.  1913. June 19. Tombstone data to Mrs. Eva M. Stocker au  1918 Feb. 13. Hist. to James A. Phelps. &  1936 Nov. 19—Hist to B. J. Miller — M.R.B. 

AMERICAN LEGION, Wabash Post No. 423
MT. CARMEL, ILLINOIS
B. J. WALTER, DEPT. OF MILITARY RECORDS AND GRAVES REGISTRATION
October 12th, 1936.
The Veterans Administration, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Kindly furnish pension record and any other information available of a one William Williard who served under Captain James Ratekin and Colonel Abraham Shepherd also Captain William Douglas and Colonel William Russel during the War of the Revolution.
This soldier was born in the State of Virginia in 1755 and died in the State of Illinois in 1846.
Very truly yours,
B. J. Walter B. J. Walter, Dept. Military Records and Graves Registration, American Legion, Wabash Cpost #423.
BJW:rpf

JAMES ANDREW PHELPS GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH BUREAU 322 HANCOCK STREET
BROOKLYN, N. Y. February 7 th 1918.
Rev. Mr. Phelps 122
Dear Sir:-
I am informed that a pension certificate was issued May 2 1833, through the Springfield, Ill. Agency, to William Willard, who is said to have been born in Loudoun Co., Va. in 1755: and that it was numbered 7981, file 31489.
Presumably the original application can be found in your office; and may contain the service record, and other facts and names that will aid in tracing his ancestry; which is unknown to his descendant now residing at Denver, Colo.
Will you kindly advise me if a copy of the application can be obtained, and the charge therefor greatly obliging
Yours respectfully
James A. Phelps.
4-20-1935.

Maconb. Illinois June 13-1913.
Pension Bureau:-
The Macomb Chapter D.A.R. would like a military record of from you of Wm. Willard, Rev. S. Soldier who received a pension at the Springfield Agency. Date Sept. 22-1832. No. of certificate 7981. We wish to mark his grave and must know this is correct. Please answer at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely
Mrs Eva M Stocker.
Reg. Gen. D.A.R.
232 So. Randolph St.

So
Denver Colorado June 28 th 1912
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir; I desire to learn the military record of William Willard .
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, Enlisted I am informed in 1778 and again in 1781. I want to know what record there is of his services in the Records of the Revolutionary War. He was a pensioner of that war, and must have been a soldier in some Company, Regiment & C
Please find that record for me. He Enlisted from the State of Virginia, Leesburg or vicinity. Please give me all the information there is regarding him.
His Pension No. is 107988. File 31489.
If a pensioner he must have been a soldier and if a soldier then a record, and that is what I desire to get
With great respect yours
James P. Willard Masonic Temple Denver Colorado

Blue Island, Illinois, April 8, 1911.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Will you kindly give statement of the military history of WILLIAM WILLARD , a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
He enlisted from Loudon County, Virginia and after the War moved to Tennessee , thence to Illinois , where he died. I under- stand he drew a pension but I do not know his widow's name.
Can you give date and place of birth from your record? I thank you very kindly for the information.
Yours very truly,
George Evarde Busford

Blue Island, Illinois, April 8, 1911.
831489
APR 11 1911
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Will you kindly give statement of the military history of WILLIAM WILLARD, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He enlisted from Loudon County, Virginia and after the War moved to Tennessee, thence to Illinois, where he died. I under-

ev. War Section.
June 19, 1913.
Mrs. Eva M. Stocker, 232 South Randolph Street, McComb, Ills.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 13" and received the 16" instant, you are advised that William Willard, Sur. File No. 31,489. Rev. War. was born in 1755. in Loudoun County, Virginia, served seven month under Captain James Ratican and Colonel Shepherd, and three months under Captain William Douglass, Colonel Russell, in the Virginia troops. In 1832 he resided in Morgan County, Illinois.
Very respectfully,
L. Stewart Acting Commissioner.
Sur. File No. 31,489, William Willard, born in 1755, in Loudoun County, Virginia, served 7 months under Captain James Ratican and Colonel Shepherd, and 3 months under Captain William Douglass, Colonel Russell in the Virginia troops. In 1832 he resided in Morgan County, Ills.

Will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Wm Millard S. 31489
AW
R
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Vol. at Leesburg, Va. July — 7 m. James Ralston Shepherd Sta. at Ft. Wheeling. Va.   Enl. 2 1/2 yrs. after above, Dis after 3 " Wm Douglass marched to Rappahannock Russell  
Battles engaged in, none stated. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Loudoun Co Va Date of application for pension, Sept 22, 1882 This cl. was alld. Residence at date of application, Morgan Co. Ill. Age at date of application, born in 1755 in Loudoun Co., Va - Remarks: No dates of enlistment & discharge - No family data.  Date of death not shown  Ans for Int.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Hon Louis Caps Secretary at War Washington City

Jacksonville Morgan County Ill 9 th October 1832.
Hon Saml Capi Secretary of War.
Sir. You will find enclosed herewith applications of several  six persons for pensions viz
Launce Killbourn
Joseph Summers
Joseph Jackson
Aaron Davis, Regular Soldiers
William Willards Militia
Keugh McHenry —
If it is decided that they are entitled to pensions, I am instructed to say, that it will be more convenient for the applicants to receive their pensions at the Branch Bank of the United States in Saint Louis Missouri, the pension agent in this state resides two hundred miles from this county, - you will please communicate to the applicants through me as I have been employed

of them to attend to their cases.
Yours Respectfully
W. D. Thomas