Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,404, Jordan Williford, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Ua.
Williford, Jordan
S. 6,404
B.L.W. 26148-160-55
cardid
CONTENTS

Letter to David Wendell 2 Oct 1837. Order to pay 3 rd Oct 1837.
"West Tennessee 30. 791 Jordan Williford of Rutherford Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Loines of the reg t commanded by Col. Blount in the Virg a M a line for six months & five days,
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of August 1836 — and sent to Andrew J. Hooe, Newfreeborn, Tenn.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 $ 102.75 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. 10 27 $113.02
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by J. M. Allison Clerk, Book 8, 2 Vol. 7 Page 109

32.942 Rev Mar 3/53 Ahl 3/53
Indian Williford Rev
Capt Lewis Joiner Col Benj Blount
Rev March 1788 Rev 1788 Revolutionary War
June June 32-30791
Bagnton Ad 1600 Ad May 16/85 Bagnton
Rev Aug 15
D.D. Merrill Muskeego Tenn
Ch. D.D. Merrill Aug 15/85 Tenn
AD 32 no 30791
Vol 102, page 19.

State of Tennessee } On this 26 th day of March Rutherford County } A. D. One thousand Eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid Jordan Milliford, aged Ninety five Years, a resident of Rutherford County, in the State of Tennessee, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical person who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Lewis Joiner in the — regiment of Militia commanded by Benjamin Blount in the war of the Revolution, that he — — — — — at Smithfield on, or about the first day of March A. D. 1781 for the term of — — — — — and continued in actual service in said war for the term of six months, and was honorably discharged at Fredericksburg Virginia on the — — day of November A. D. 1781
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855. He also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
Jordan Milliford
We Y. G. Smith and James Northcott residents of Rutherford County, in the State of Tennessee, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Jordan Milliford in our

presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.
J. G. Smith James Northcott
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on this day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person, that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
J. W. Kerr Seal J.P. for Rutherford County
State of Tennessee Rutherford County } I John Woods Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that J. W. Kerr Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration & affidavit was made was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected commissioned and qualified as such, and that his signature thereto attached is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at office at Murfreesboro this 27th day of March 1855.
John Woods Clerk

33.796 Jordan Williford Turners
admitted 6 mo. 5 days $20. \frac{55}{100}

State of Tennessee } Ss. Rutherford County }
On this first day of August, 1836, personally appeared in open court, before the county court of said Rutherford County, now sitting, Jordan Williford , a resident of McKnights district No. 17, in the said County of Rutherford and State of Tennessee, aged seventy seven years the 30th of May, 1836 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 7th, 1832.
I, Jordan Williford, was born in Southampton County in the state of Virginia, on the 30th of May, 1759. as I learned from my parents & from the record of my birth in my father's bible. I now have a record of my age which I copied from my father's bible. At the time I entered the service of the United States in the Revolution, I lived in the said County of Southampton with my father, William Williford, with whom I had lived from the time of my birth, and with whom I continued to reside, when at home, until after peace was made.
1. I first entered the service of the United States in the month of May 1778, to the best of my recollection, in a militia company under Capt. Lewis Joiner, in the regiment commanded by Col Benjamin Blunt. My father lived some twenty five miles from Southampton Court house, afterwards called Jerusalem, & in about fifteen miles from Smithfield then the county seat of the Isle of Wight. I first entered the service of the United States, under a draft, to prevent the landing of the enemy at Smithfield. The rendezvous was at a bridge on the Blackwater river at a place called Broadwater, thence went to Smithfield where we met other forces. Col Wells & Col Parker were there from the county of Isle of Wight. I also remember Col Richardson who seemed to be chief in command. Benjamin Griffin & Bowen were Lieutenants in Capt Joiner's company. I believe that Butts was

Major in Col Blunts regiment, other field officers not recollected. I remained in service at Smithfield two weeks. During the time no fighting took place. I served on a guard at Mackey's mills about four or five miles from Smithfield. It was said another guard was stationed near the mouth of Peggin creek from whence the enemy's vessels were seen in Hampton roads. After the British ships, or Lenders as they were then called left, we were discharged. I received a written discharge from Capt Joiner, but have lost it. In this campaign I served at least two weeks.
2. I was again called into the service of the United States some time in the year 1780, I believe in the spring of the year, but can not state the date precisely. I again entered & served under Capt Joiner in the Regiment of Col Blunt. The rendezvous of the Regiment was again on the Blackwater river at the place called Broad water. The British at this time were understood to be in the possession of Norfolk & Portsmouth. I understood our object to be to protect our people from the British scouting parties. Col Blounts regiment moved in the direction to Norfolk. We met with Col Wells with the Isle of Wight regiment. We moved in different directions, we were through the county of Nansemond, we were also in Norfolk, & Isle of Wight counties. A detachment was frequently garrisoned at Meads mills, also at a little village called Jericho. I occasionally served in these detachments. In this tour of service I was engaged at least forty five days. We had no engagement with the enemy. We were discharged at Brockers old field in Isle of Wight County, about the first of July 1780, to the best of my recollection. I then also received a written discharge from service written by Maj. Boykin, which discharge I have since lost.
3. I again entered the service of the United States in March I believe, 1781, in the Southampton Militia regiment commanded by Col Blunt, under my old Captain Joiner. The rendezvous was again on the Blackwater at the same place as before mentioned. We met

the militia from the adjoining counties at Laurence's field to the best of my recollection. Gen Mullenburgh was there & was chief in command. Col Meriwether, who it was said had been an officer in the Continental line, joined us, & took command of our regiment. Blunt then went home, but I believe he returned before we were discharged. Maj De Cloman, a frenchman, was an officer in our regiment, & much esteemed as a gentleman & skilful soldier. Col Parker was along & had command of the regiment from the Isle of Wight. In this tour Maj De Cloman was put under arrest for insulting & assaulting Col. Parker. I remember to have seen De Cloman under arrest, & was informed that in a conversation about the French assisting us in the war, Col Parker had said he believed the French were deceitful, that they talked of help, but had never done us any good; whereupon De Cloman seized him by the collar in the scuffle , tore off a piece of Parker's coat. But De Cloman was again restored to command.
The army went from Laurence's through Suffolk and on towards Norfolk. We remained at Suffolk one or two days. The whole number under Mullenburgh was supposed to be twelve hundred. The forces crossed a branch of Norfolk river on a bridge of which took camp at a place called Shoulders hill a half mile from the bridge .
The British could not easily attack us here without crossing the bridge. About a mile before we got to the bridge we passed a British fort some half mile to our left, & three cannons were fired at us from the fort, but without effect. While stationed at Shoulders hill, the whiggs of the neighborhood, as it was understood, gave notice that a party of the British had left the fort & were out after Beef. A detachment was sent after them under Col Parker, who had a skirmish with the British party at a church not far from the fort. I did not go out with Col Parker, but was sent with others under a Capt Cummings to Parker's assistance.

Capt Cummings met Col Parker returning. Col Parker had one man killed; his name was Butchins, he was a true whig, that lived in the neighborhood & was serving as a pilot. Parker's detachment killed & wounded five or six of the enemy & had them brought in to camp in a cart. While encamped at Shoulder's hill we had many alarms but no more fighting. One evening just as the men were about getting supper, we received orders to march. We started about sunset & crossed North west river on a bridge at a place called North west landing about midnight. There was a breast work there called Gregory's fort where we encamped two or three days. From this place the infantry crossed the Dismal swamp, & the baggage with a small company of horsemen went round the swamp. I crossed with the infantry & went on through Suffolk to Laurence's field where, I think, we met with the baggage & horsemen, thence to Broad water on Blackwater, where we found men ready to take our places in the service. We were then discharged. I received a written discharge from Capt Joiner, which I have since lost. In this campaign I served at least nine weeks, & was discharged, as I believe in June 1781.
4. In the last of July or first of August 1781, I was again called into service under Capt John Simmons in Col Blount's regiment. The rendezvous was at Surry old court house in what was then called Sussex County. There met the militia from the adjoining counties. Col Judkin was there from Sussex, & Maj Boice from Surry county, who had been in the regular service. There was five or six hundred of us met at Surry old court house, thence we marched in two or three weeks, to Jamestown, remained there about two days, & thence to the New Magazine near Williamsburgh, staid there two or three weeks until the arrival of the northern troops.

under Gen Washington. I there saw Gen Washington on horseback. The regulars under Washington & our Militia followed on in a few days. We arrived at York town before the gun fired in the siege of that place. The particulars of the battle of York town are known from history, I was present & in service during the whole of that memorable battle. I remember only one out of Capt Simmons's company that was killed. After the capitulation of Lord Cornwallis & his army, Col Blunt's regiment went with the guard of the prisoners towards Winchester, but was relieved at Salisbury. We then marched back to Frederickburg & were discharged. I received a written discharge from Capt Vaughan who had taken the command of our company in the place of Simmons who had returned home after the capture of Lord Cornwallis. In this campaign I served at least nine weeks.
I stated that I had been drafted in the the first campaign herein mentioned. I was called into service in the same way in each campaign in which I served. The County of Southampton was at an early period in the Revolution put into claps or divisions. Every man drew a ticket from a hat or box, which ticket when drawn designated the claps or division to which he belonged. They were then called into service by divisions, & I suppose we were rather considered minute men than as drafted. I always served as a private, except that during the battle of York town I acted as sergeant.
I married my present wife Charity, formerly Charity Holloman in Southampton County, in February, 1783. I continued to reside in Southampton County until 1808 or 1809, then I moved to Guilford County, North Carolina, resided there two years, & then I

removed to Tennessee, Rutherford County in which County I have ever since resided. I refer to Joseph Trimble, Rob't Overall, Wm Overall, Abram Overall, Jesse Barton, Jacob Wright, Ezra Jones, Rob't Saunders, David M. Garratt, Garratt Cooke & Enoch H. Jones, as my neighbors & to whom I am known & who can testify as to my character for veracity, & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
I do not know of any person living by whom I can make direct proof of my services in the Revolutionary war.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, & I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any Agency in any state. Jordan Williford Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year first aforesaid.
Robt Morris Clerk of the County Court
And the said County court, present & holding the We David Clark, a clergyman, residing in the County of Rutherford in the state of Tennessee and David M. Garratt, residing in the same county, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jordan Williford, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year first as foresaid.
Robt Morris Clerk of the County Court
David Clark
D M Garratt

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 David Clark who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in said County of Rutherford, and that David M. Farratt, who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William Vinson Chairman of the County Court for said County of Rutherford.
I Robert S. Morris, Clerk of the County Court of Rutherford County in the state of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Jordan Williford for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at Murfreesborough, this second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty six.
Robt. S. Morris Clerk.

September 24, 1924.
Mrs. Charles E. Davidson, Greenville, ILL.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.6404, it appears that Jordan, son of William Williford (or Willeford) was born May 30, 1759, in Southampton County, Virginia.
While residing there he enlisted and served in the Virginia Troops as follows:
From May 1778 for 2 weeks as private in Captain Lewis Joiner's Company, Colonel Benjamin Blunt's (or Blount's) Regiment.
From the spring of 1780 for 45 days in Captain Lewis Joiner's Company, Colonel Benjamin Blunt's Regiment.
From March 1781 for 9 weeks as private in Captain Lewis Joiner's Company, Colonels Benjamin Blunt and Merriwether's Regiment.
From August 1781 for 9 weeks as private and Sergeant in Captains John Simmons and Vaughan's Company, Colonel Blunt's Regiment and was in the battle of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1836, while a resident of McKnight's District Number 17, Rutherford County, Tennessee. In 1855 he was still living in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Soldier married in February 1783 in Surry County, Charity Holloman. There is no further data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

1923, Feb. 3 hist. to Miss Carrie K. Williford 1923, Apl. 19 Letter to above as to battle of Yorktown - En. 1924, Sept 24 - Hist. to Mrs. Chas. E. Davidson. um.
Reoran
6404
INVALID.
File No. 6404
Jordan Williford Pvt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: Vol. a, Page 408
[Arrangement of 1870.]

462 North St., Elgin, Ill.
Jan. 15, 1923.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please send a transcript of the pension application of Jordan Williford who served in the Revolutionary War, either with Virginia or N. Carolina troops? He died in or near Murfreesboro, Tenn., aged about 97 years. He is "buried about 1\frac{1}{2} miles west of Hall's Hill [a postoffice] on bank of Stones River, in family grave yard, near G. H. Jones' house".
This is quoted from a clipping that was sent to my father between fifteen and twenty years

ago, by an uncle of his, D.J. Sanders, who has since died.
Jordan Williford had four sons: Jordan, Willis, Samuel, and Robert.
Samuel was the father of my grandfather, Claiborne Hollyman Williford, born Dec. 25, 1822 near Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Can you tell me whether the grave is marked?
Very truly yours, [Miss] Carrie Kimball Williford 462 North St., Elgin, Ill.

17.11.23 Peru.
462 North St., Elgin, Ill.
Feb. 10, 1923.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
I wish to thank you for the transcript of the pension record of Jordan Williford which you sent me this week in response to my request of Jan. 15-22. There is one item I do not understand. For his last term of enlistment the date is July or Aug. 1781 - period 9 weeks with Virginia troops, yet it says he was in battle of Yorktown. Can you explain? Can you cite vol. for the record? The sheet just gave Soldiers —
Also if his father, William Williford, served in Virginia troops, or N. Carolina, may I have a transcript of his record, please? Wm. died in Rutherford Co. Tenn. late in 1816 or in Jan. 1817.
Very truly,
Carrie K. Williford.

CHAS. E. DAVIDSON ATTORNEY AT LAW GREENVILLE, ILL.
Aug. 28, 1924.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Did Jordan Willeford, who served in Revolutionary War from Va. receive a pension? If so, will you kindly send me the record?
Thanking you, I am
Very Sincerely
Mrs. Chas. E. Davidson
Greenville, Illinois.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Jordan Williford a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 6404-
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1778 2 weeks Pvt Lewis Joiner Benj. Blunt Va.   Apr. 1780 45 days " Blunt   Mar. 1781 9 weeks " " and   July or Aug. 1781 9 wks Lgt. Inf. Jno Simmons Vaughan " Merrivale  
Battles engaged in, Yorktown Residence of soldier at enlistment, Southampton Co., Va. Date of application for pension, Aug. 1836 - al. Residence at date of application, McKnight Dist No 17, Rutherford Co., Tenn. Age at date of application, b. May 30 1759 in Southampton Co., Va. Remarks: Son of Wm - He was in Feb 1783 in Surry Co. Charity Holloman; she was living in 1855 in Rutherford Co. Tenn. No fur fam. data
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. War Section.
April 19, 1923.
Jordan Williford S. 6404
Carrie K. Williford, 468 North Street, Elgin, Ill.
Madam:-
In response to your letter dated February 10, 1923, I have to advise you that the military history of Jordan Williford, S. File No. 6404, Revolutionary War, was not obtained from any printed record, but from the pension claim of said soldier executed in August 1836. At that date soldier was 77 years of age and giving his testimony of events which took place 55 years previously. His statement of data of his last service is indefinite, naming "July or August, 1781"; it was doubtless the latter month and as he states he served "at least" 9 weeks, he could have served in the Siege of Yorktown, September 28 to October 19, 1781 (Heitman's Historical Record, War of Revolution) and been present at the surrender of Cornwallis, as he states that he served during "the whole of that memorable battle". Great care is exercised in preparing these records, not to give the battles that conflict with dates of enlistment and service, but this is so very close and the testimony of soldier so straightforward throughout, that allowing for his age and the great lapse of years when he testified as to events, it is deemed entirely consistent to give him credit for having served as stated in the Siege and battle of Yorktown. He states that he returned home after this battle, which was the case with many soldiers of the Rev. The records of this Bureau contain no pension claim
Cunn Wm Williford - Reskin

Union Bank of Tennessee Nashville 19 Sept. 1837
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
At the request of William H Hanna the attorney of Jordan Williford a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of the 7 th June 1832 to whom there is one years pension due up to the 1 st instant I herewith transmit you his pension Identity for your examination and perception of his being paid, the attorney W. Hanna requests that you will return this claim to W. David Wendel Post Master Mar- -fursborough Tennessee who will give him or the Pensioner W. Williford the necessary information with your instructions I am Respectfully Sir
Yr ob. Servt
John M Bap P.A. By J. Cantrell

Application for Pension.
Aug 13.
Tenn.
for 98
To the Hon. Secretary of War of the U. States Washington City. D. Columbia.

Murfreeboro' Ten. Aug 2 d , 1836
Sir,
inclosed you have the declaration & proof of Gordon Williford for the purpose of obtaining a pension. Please forward his certificate to me at this place. I have before communicated with you in behalf of applicants for pensions, and I suppose I then referred as I now refer, to the President of the United States, the two senators from this state, the Hon. Linn Bell, B. Peyton, V. Polk & A. P. Murry.
Yours &c.
Andrew J. Hoov

Te Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com r of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

✓ 26.148
5 Ker Ang

Rev L. P. Waldo Conw of Pensins Washington City D.C.
32742

Newfreston T. Mar. 27/55 Hon ble L.P. Waldo, Com r P.
Enclosed I send the declaration of Jordan Willeford, an old revolutionary pensioner, who has for many years, and is now receiving a small pension from the Government.
He is very old and infirm, consequently the blanks in the declaration are not entirely filled, but as his name will appear upon the books of your office, I deemed the omissions as rather immaterials. — But I really do not know whether he comes within the pale of the "act of 1855" — but still I told him that I would forward his declaration and learn what could be done in his case.
Your kind attention, and instructions if any are necessary, in this case will be thankfully received by
Your Obed t Serv t J. J. Munn