Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1936, John Wilson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Wilson John
S 1936
CONTENTS
carded

3522 West Tennessee
John Wilson
of Jackson in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the Comp y commandea by Captain McFadden of the Reg t commandea by Col: Shelby - in the Virginia line for 2 years from 1776 -
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Dec r 32 and sent to J. J. Charles, Gainesborough Tenn
Arrears to 14th of Sept - 1832 120 -
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar ch 33 40
$160 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk, Book 16 Vol. 9 Page 163 -

3804 John Wilson Tennessee.
Look on State Roll Va. for service for one year as a Sgt. 2 nd M c if not found must prove his service by one or more witnesses for that year found as a Private.
Papers to be returned for authentication, and part ular period of service as a Sgt. 2 nd M c
P-4
5. 10. 14. 16. -
In letter Oct 27. 1832. to Mr. Gailbreath Esq. Gainesboro Tennessee

BRIEF in the case of  John Wilson,  of Jackson County in the State of Tennessee,  (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In Open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  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.     In 1776 June 11 Sept. 1 — 3 — As a Private Gen. George Hutcheson  drafted Lieut. George Hutcheson Capt. Malin McFarren Lieut. John Ward   1779 Feb. 9 1 24 — for his father who was drafted served until Nov. 24 as 1st Sergt. Capt. Isaac Taylor Colo. John Montgomery Colo. Shelby Colo. George Rogers Clark Lt. Colo. John Montgomery & Mayers Bowman & J. McCarty   1781 April about the 1781 part of June — 2 — then serv. as 2d Master until Regt. was discharged, in place of Capt. Reed who left the service. Refers to muster Rolls for the time. Lieut. James Sturgis  drafted The name of Lieut. not as collected who was killed & Sergeant McCarty took command.   — 3 — to guard some prisoners at the Provost yard  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 4 Battles with the Indians.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Botetourt Co. Virginia.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by traditional evidence - He also refers to the rolls - by living witnesses, who only testify as to his having entered the service found on Roll as a private not as Sgt or 2d M st  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

State of Tennessee 3 August Term 1832. County of Jackson 3
On this 14 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before James Taylor, John Welch and Robert Lindsey Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county of Jackson now sitting, being a court of record, John Wilson a resident of said county of Jackson and State of Tennessee aged seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. The interrogatories required by the Rules of the War department, being first propounded by the court. said applicant says
That he entered the service of the United States in Botetourt County State of Virginia where he then resided under the command of Lieutenant George Hutcheson in the month of May or June 1776 being drafted to serve for the term of three months, and was marched under said Lieutenant to guard some Tories at Fincastle the Seat of Justice of Botetourt County in said State, but before his term of service expired his father was drafted for three months first September of the same year to guard the frontiers of Greenbrier county in said State, which being a more active service, he said claimant with his own consent by the wish of the officers was transferred from said Tory guard on the said first of September in said county of Botetourt to take his father's place under the command of Captain Martin McFerron, Lieutenant John Ward, Ensign Alcorn, he was marched under the command of said officers to Donnelly's fort on the frontiers of said county of Greenbrier, he claimant served out the time for which his father was drafted and fifteen days over  more received a discharge from said Captain McFerron which discharge is lost which time being added to the time he served in the Tory guard amounts to six months which said claimant served in the United States Service during the year 1776. And sometime in

February 1779 the day of the month not recollected, but suppose it will appear from the muster roll in the war department he in the Illinois regiment of the state troops of Virginia said claimant again entered the service of the United States, under the command Capt Isaac Taylor in said county of Botetourt by enlistment for one year time to commence from the time he should arrive at the mouth of Kaskaskia river, marched immediately after enlistment under command of said Capt Taylor from Botetourt county aforesaid twenty miles below the Big islands in Holstein river to Captain Amys station where Colonel John Montgomery took command. Lieutenant Thomas Wilson with his recruits was attached to Capt Taylors company at said station. Colonel Shelby with about five hundred militia joined the army at said station and took the command of both regulars and militia, to go a campaign against the lower Cherokee indians called Dragging canoes party, said claimant then marched by water down Tennessee river under command of said officers, and sometime in the month of April of the same year arrived at the lower Cherokee towns and continued there until about the first of may following during which time the indians having retreated the army but destroyed their towns, when militia under the command of Col. Shelby returned to Holstein, and said Colonel Montgomery resumed the command of this regiment under whom said claimant marched to the mouth of Kaskaskia river at which place he arrived on 23 rd of May 1779; When said claimant enlisted with said Capt Taylor, he was appointed by said Captain first sergeant of the company and served as such until November 1779 when the regiment went into Winter quarters, when the quarter master Capt John Reed left the service and said claimant was appointed Quarter Master in his place, and served as such until the Regiment was discharged. When the Regiment to which claimant belonged arrived at the mouth of Kaskaskia as aforesaid, Colonel George Rogers Clark took the command under whom said claimant continued until discharged, The field officers under whom claimant served were, George Rogers Clark, Col. Commandant, John Montgomery Lieutenant Colonel, & Majors Bowman and McCarthy. In the month of July of the same year said claimant under the command of same officers

except Major Kaskaskia  party went by water down the Mississippi river and up the Ohio and Wabash rivers to Vincennes, with an intention of going an expedition against Detroit, the expedition failed and the army went into winter quarters at Vincennes. Col. Clark and part of the regiment went to the falls of Ohio and Lieut. Col. Montgomery and another part of the regiment marched back to Kaskaskia to winter quarters, and Capt. Taylor's company in which claimant still remained, and Capt. Shelby's company, Capt. Purvis's company & Capt. Evans's company remained at Vincennes. Early in the Spring 1780 an express arrived from Col. Clark to the commanding officer at Vincennes and to Col. Montgomery at Kaskaskia commanding them to meet him at the mouth of Ohio river by the first of May, when said claimant with the regiment joined Colonel Clark . Claimant with the regiment under Col. Clark went by water down the Mississippi river to the mouth of the creek first that empties into the Mississippi below the mouth of Ohio river, where they built a garrison and when the fort and some blockhouses were nearly completed the army was attacked by some Indians and for several days and nights had a serious conflict . A number of the soldiers were taken sick and claimant amongst the number, some were severely attacked with the ague and fever and the term of service of regiment to which claimant belonged having expired application was made to Col. Clark for discharges, but he retained them in service until the new levies arrived, when to the best of the recollection of said claimant on the 16 th July 1780 he received his discharge from Colonel Montgomery which discharge is lost, reference is made for the time to the muster rolls in the War department. After said claimant was discharged he arrived at the falls of Ohio river where he remained for want of a safe conveyance until the month of April 1781 when and where he again entered the service of the United States under Lieutenants James Sturgis being drafted for three months to guard some sawyers below the falls of Ohio river at the Boat yard, and after having

4 for about two months been in the service, as aforesaid said claimant was discharged by said Lieutenant Sturgis. And before said claimant arrived home after his discharge, he again entered the service of the United States at the head of Bear grap creek about the last of June 1781, as a volunteer, under the command of a Lieutenant whose name is not now recollected, who was killed by the Indians during claimants service, to range during the day and stay at night in Squire Boons station on Brashears creek, waters of Salt river, in what is now state of Kentucky, Capt Squire Boon commanded at said station, s c claimant continued under command of said Lieutenant until he (Lieutenant) was killed, and then the first Sergeant Thomas M c Carty took the command under whose command he (said claimant) continued until he was discharged. Said claimant served out his time for three months and was discharged by said Sergt. M c Carty about the last September 1781, said discharge is lost. During the last service of said applicant as above mentioned he was in four battles with the Indians, in the first of which the lieutenant as aforesaid was killed. The first and last battle the party of rangers with whom said applicant served, were defeated - and the Indians were defeated in the other two, all of the battles except the last was fought near Boons station, the last was fought at Big Bull skin creek about 8 miles below Boons Station as the rangers were guarding some families from said Boons station to Lynns station on the head of Bear grap creek. The discharge which said applicant received from Lieutenant Sturgis is lost.
Said Applicant John Wilson was born 26 th day of February A.D. 1760 in Augusta County state of Virginia his age is recorded in the family Bible of his father which is in possession of John Van Zandt who lives in McMinn County, state of Tennessee, which statement his age is transcribed in his own bible now in applicants possession.
Since the revolutionary war he said applicant has lived in Green County, state of Tennessee, Robertson County in said state

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
N. 7. 1936
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Wilson 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 7 June 1776 6 mos. Pvt Lieut. George Hutcheson Martin McFerren ✓ Va.   Feby 1779 July 16. 1780 Sergt. and Quartermaster Isaac Taylor John Montgomery George Rogers Clark   Apr. 1781 2 mos. Lieut. James Burgess ✓   June 1781 8 mos. Sergt. M c Carthy ✓  
Battles engaged in, 4 battles with Indians near Boones Station, one at Big Bull Skin Creek, Boiling Springs, Va.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Boiling Springs, Va.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 14. 1832 His ch. was ab.
Residence at date of application, Jackson County, Tenn.
Age at date of application, b. Feby 26. 1760 in Augusta Co. Va.
Remarks: d. Apr. 23. 1837
It is not stated whether he had a wife or children
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1919 Jan 7 Hist. to A. R. Davis Letter in S. 35 to 9 Joseph Wilson
Rev. War.
1936
INVALID.
File No. 1936
John Wilson Pr. Va. Line
Act: June 7 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 406
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pension Office, 30 th August, 1853,
Sir, Be pleased to inform me to what time, the within named pensioner was paid, on the date of his death,
Very Respectfully, J. C. Calhoun
Acting Commissioner, John Wilson, act 1832.- $80. p. an. Died 23 rd April 1837. Paid to his death,
F. Burr Auditor
Francis Burr Esq.,
Auditor. Inadvisable

John Wilson
6
from 1776 print 2 years $80.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Wilson which require further proof or explanation.
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? No. Has not stated the precise time at which he was appointed Dr Master. Found on the State Roll only as a private. Must prove his service as Sergeant & Dr Master by one or more witnesses.
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? 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? Private seal, Having no seal of office.

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? yes
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no.
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? no -
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes.
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.
† 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ 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 be sent with the papers.

Secretary of War—
Washington city

Gainsborough Fe. 6 th , Dec r 1832.
Sir,
The declarations of James Cason, John Wilson & Ephraim Ellis are herewith enclosed, with the amendments required by the War Department. The court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions has provided seal since August Term 1832 & the clerk has affixed the same to his certificate, certifying the proceedings of both August & November Terms. It was not thought necessary to trouble our representation in Congress about the proceedings of August Term 1832. But if it should be required by your department our Representative J. H. Isacks or Senator F. Grundy can certify as to the official character of the clerk &c. I will write to Mr. Grundy upon the subject.
The old men whose declarations are enclosed are very impatient to have their cases finally decided upon. You will therefore confer a favour upon them by writing as soon as convenient.
If any thing else is necessary for them to do, they would be glad to know it at an early a period as possible.
As T. Quarles agent for applicants.

State of Tennessee 5 County of Jackson 3 p.
On this 15 th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court before William Gray, John Welch and John Lucea Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county of Jackson now sitting, being a court of record, John Wilson the applicant in the foregoing declaration mentioned, made at August Term 1832 of this Court, being still a resident of said County of Jackson and State of Tennessee who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following additional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he was in the service of the United States under the several engagements and for the periods mentioned in his original declaration, he served as Sergeant and Quarter master as therein stated but he cannot state the precise day of the month he was appointed Quarter Master having kept no memorandum and his discharge being lost but is positive that it was previous to the 15 November 1779 and that he continued to serve as such until he was discharged which he thinks was 16 July 1780 but owing to the length of time which has elapsed and the different scenes through which he has passed and the migratory character of the people of the United States he cannot prove his services as Sergeant or Quarter Master by any surviving witness within his knowledge. There was another John Wilson a private in Capt. Edward Worthington's company in the same Regiment in which applicant served and perhaps his name may have been mistaken by the department for applicant's. Applicant served in Captain Isaac Taylors company in the Illinois regiment of the Virginia State troops. But if upon a reexamination by the Department, applicant should be found on the State roll only as a private, he being unable to prove to the contrary, is willing to abide by the State roll and receive the pay of a private. Elizabeth Wilkerson who proves applicant's service under Lieutenant Hutchinson and Captain McFerron resided at the time he entered the service she proves and when he returned home in Botetourt County Virginia and that she is upwards of 89 years of age. He cannot prove his service by any other surviving witness within his knowledge nor can she prove any other service but what she has proved. And he states that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service under Lieutenant Sturgass but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than

8 two months during the tour under said Sturgis. Applicant hereby reaffirms the statements made in his original declaration and prays that this amendment may be taken as part of the same.
Sworn and subscribed
John Wilson
the day and year of said William Gailbreath Clerk of said Court.
And the said court in addition to the judgment of the court pronounced at August Term 1832 of said Court, do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter that Elizabeth Wilkerson whose affidavit is annexed to the original declaration of said John Wilson made at said August Term 1832, is a person of credibility, that she is about sixty nine years of age and was in such a situation as to have a personal knowledge of that part of Applicant's service which she proves and that she is a resident of in said county of Jackson and State of Tennessee. And the Court do further declare their opinion after investigation of the matter that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states in his amended declaration and it is ordered that the clerk certify the same under the seal of the Court, one having been provided at this term and received by the Court.
William Gray
John Welch
John Switzer
3804
I William Gailbreath clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county of Jackson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court at August Term 1832 and November Term 1832 in the matter of the application of John Wilson for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15 day of November 1832.
William Gailbreath Clerk

Davidson county in said state of Tennessee, and he now resides in Jackson county, state of Tennessee, in which last mentioned county said applicant has resided for thirty years. He said applicant has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service, except Elizabeth Wilkerson who can testify to the terms he served under Lieutenant Hutcheson and Capt. M c Ferron and whose statements will be annexed. The persons who live in said Applicant's neighborhood where he now resides and who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the revolution are Jonas Griffith and William Locke.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, mentioned in this declaration, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
John Wilson
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
William Gailbreath Clerk of said Court—
I, Elizabeth Wilkerson of Jackson county, state of Tennessee, being first duly sworn, declare on oath that I know of John Wilson the above applicant having entered the service of the United States in Botetourt county state of Virginia first under Lieutenant Hutcheson and afterwards under Captain M c Ferron, but in what year or how long he served I cannot state nor the particulars of his service.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Elizabeth his Wilkerson mark
William Gailbreath Clerk of said Court—
We Jonas Griffith, a clergyman, residing in the county of Jackson and state of Tennessee and William Locke residing in said county and state, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Wilson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above

declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Jonas Griffith
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William Locke
William Gailbreath Clerk of said Court-.
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jonas Griffith who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the County of Jackson and State of Tennessee, and that William Locke who has also signed the same, is a resident in the County of Jackson and State aforesaid and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit. and that said William Locke is a Justice of the Peace for said county, and has several times represented Jackson County in the State legislature of said State
James Taylor John Welch Robert Lindsey
I, William Gailbreath, clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County of Jackson, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Wilson for a pension And that said Court is a Court of record.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and private seal, there being no seal of office yet provided, this 14 th day of August A.D. 1832.
William Gailbreath Clerk-