Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,638, William Williamson, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Williamson, William
R. 11,638
Elizabeth
CONTENTS

State of New York } Genesee County } ss. On this 28 th day of April in the year 1818 Before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Genesee, personally appears William Williamson aged sixty one years Resident in Caledonia in said County who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath makes the follow- ing declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary war". — That he the said William Williamson enlisted in the Continental Service on or about the first of November in the year 1775, for one year, in Captain Watson Comp- any in the Second Battalion of the Pennsylvania Line commanded by Col. St Clair Sinclair, and Lieut. Col. Allen That he served in said Company (which was com- manded by Capt. Watson until some time in the Summer following at which time Captain Watson died at Three Rivers in Canada, and that the Company was afterwards commanded by Capt. Mood) until some time in November in the year 1776 when he was discharged at Ticonderoga, that he was in the Service several short campaigns, afterwards and was in a severe engagement at Three Rivers in

Canada, in an unsuccessful attempt to take the Town, and was also in the Battle fought on Lake Champlain in Commodore Waterbury's Fleet - That he is now in reduced circumstances and stands in need of assistance of his country for support. That he has now no other evidence of his said services now in his pension, and that he never received any pen- sion from the United States -
Sworn and declared this 28th day of April 1818 Before me Williamson
James W. Stevens
Judge as aforesaid
I certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said William Williamson did serve in the Revolutionary war against the Common Enemy as stated in the above declaration, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony had and taken before me to the Secretary for the war Department pursuant to the direction of the Act of Congress beformentioned. - -
James W. Stevens
Judge as aforesaid

This Deponent knows that said Williamson hath been in the habit of hiring all labour done for him even to the cutting of his Wood and other small work. That said Williamson made of supporting himself has been upon a piece of land which he holds under articles of Agreement but has not paid for. That his Stock is small and Deponent believes his debts equal to the amount of thereof but does not positively take upon himself to assert that fact. and upon the whole this Deponent doth merely believe that the said Williamson is not able to gain a support for himself by carrying on said Farm and Deponent is fully satisfied that he cannot pay for the said piece of land so as to retain the same and further this Deponent saith that he believes and hath no doubt that the said Williamson is unable to support himself or obtain his livelihood by bodily labour
Cybert Christie
On this twenty sixth day of August 1818 before me Samuel M. Hopkins One of the Judges of the

State of New York Genesee County ss
Gilbert Christie of the Town of Caledonia in said County being duly sworn saith that he is and for ten years last past and upwards hath been well acquainted with William Williamson who hath made application to the Government of the United States for a pension under the late Act of Congress for granting Relief to the Officers & Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army who may be in indigent circumstances or to that effect. — And this deponent further saith he believes the said Williamson to be of the age of Sixty two years or thereabouts and that he understands and believes that for about ten years last past the said Williamson hath been afflicted with a weakness of body which renders him in- capable of much bodily labour and this

To the Secretary of War for duplicate forward my pension certificate to Samuel Lake of Batavia Genesee County N.Y. Your Hb. Servt. - - - Wm Williamson
5/ Wm. Williamson, junr Col Sinclair's Regt Penn a line 1775 to 1776 - April 28 th 1818
wrote June 15. M aj Genl
Proof of service is required. The depon- tion of one credible witness must be re- ceived.
I moved
Please forward Certificate to me at Batavia N.Y.
Sam. Lake

State of New York } Genesee County } ss. I Simson Cummings Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that James W. Stevens before whom the foregoing Affidavit was made is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in S d County acting under the authority of this state, and that the foregoing is his signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and County Seal the 4. day of May 1878 S. Cummings

No 19823 William Williamson NY act 7 June 1832
13652 Elizabeth Williamson Declaration May 9. 48 - Original Widow of Mr. Williamson Claim for pension
Samuel Lake Buffalo N.York

State of New York } Livingston County ss } Elizabeth Williamson being duly sworn according to law, on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension due to her Husband for Revolutionary Services under the act of enquiry of June 7 th 1832.
That as she has been informed and believes William Williamson deceased, her Husband, served in the Revolutionary war more than a year, that he died in the town of Caledonia, on the seventh day of April 1836, having never obtained a pension. That the Deponent is his widow and has never been married since the death of her said Husband. The Deponent has been informed that pensions have been granted upon proof less than that furnished by her Hus- band, that she is poor and stands in need of assistance, that she is well satisfied her Husband served in the Revolutionary war, more than one year but if the proof forwarded herewith is not satis- factory to the Department, the Deponent will be thankful for a Six months pension, to the date of the death of her said Husband. that deponent is of the age of ninety one years - Sworn and subscribed to this 18 th day of December } Elizabeth Williamson 1847. Before me } mark
J. Pettibone County Judge of Liv. Co.
State of New York } Simon Fraser and Livingston County ss } Hugh Christie of the County of Livingston aforesaid being duly sworn depose and say each for himself says the said Simon that he is the age of forty three years, and the said Hugh that he is of the age of 53 years The said Deponents further say that they have been long acquainted with William Williamson, late of the town of Caledonia and

Elizabeth his wife, that they recollect the circumstances of the death of the said William Williamson, that he died in the said town on the seventh day of April 1836, according to their best recollection and belief. That they attended his funeral, that they have been acquainted with him for twenty or thirty years, that he was always considered and believed to have been a Revolutionary Soldier. That he sustained a fair moral Christian character and that his morality never was questioned.  Dated and Subscribed before me December 1847.  Simon Fraser Hugh Christie J. D. Lord County Judge
Livingston County ss. I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Elizabeth Williamson the widow of William Williamson late of the town of Caledonia in said County deceased, that she resides about ten miles from the place where the courts of said county are held, that she is as I am informed by her neighbors, between ninety and one hundred years of age. That she is unable to attend court on account of the infirmities of age, I also certify

that Hugh Christie and Simon Fraser the persons who have made one of the above affidavits are men of good character and entitled to full credit and belief.
Scott Lord Co. Judge
State of New York. Livingston County clerk's Office }
I William H Whiting clerk of said County do hereby certify that Scott Lord before whom the foregoing affidavits and certificate appears to have been taken and subscribed was on the day of the date thereof Judge of County Courts in and for this County duly Elected Sworn and authorized to take the same, and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature subscribed to the foregoing affidavits to be genuine.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at Kingston this 20th day of December 1847.
Wm H Whiting, clerk

10 19 823 William Williamson NY act 7 June 1832
13662 Elizabeth Williamson Declaration may 9. 48 - original Widow of Mr. Williamson Claim for pension
Samuel Lake Buffalo N.Y.

State of New-York Genesee County } ss.
I Dimeon Cummings Clerk of the County aforesaid do certify that Samuel H. Hopkins before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is and was at the date thereof a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County acting under the authority of this State and that the foregoing is his signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and boun- -ty seal at Batavia this 7 th day of September 1815
Dimeon Cummings By Sam l Lake Dep.
Mr. William Dey Papak Rev. Amos
Rev. Mr. Dey Rev. Mr. Hopkins Rev. Mr. Wood

Court of Common Pleas in and for Genesee County in the State of New York personally appeared Gilbert Christie to me personally known and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit which is by him subscribed with his name - and I further certify that in my opinion the foregoing affidavit of the said Gilbert Christie is and ought to be satisfactory evidence of the truth of the facts therein contained - also whereof  deponent .
S. Allen M. Hopkins.
Four words stricken out at the end of this certificate
S. Allen M. Hopkins

Additional Affidavit of James M. Clance

State of Ohio } Union county } ss James M c rea being duly sworn according to law on his oath he made an affidavit Says that many years since while he resided in Saratoga County New York relating to the services of William Williamson in the revolutionary war That he stated then all that he knew about the service as he now recollects which - was seeing him in the service with the late Stephen M c rea who was a Surgeon in the Revolutionary war That same years after the close of the said war he saw his said uncle Stephen M c rea in the city of New York and had a conversation with him relative to the said William Williamson being with him in the battle on Lake Champlain was a waiter to him and that the said Williamson had previously told this deponent that he was in the said Battle and held arms and legs of the wounded for my uncle to amputate during the said engagement which my uncle Admitted That the said William Williamson was not present at the said conversation as it was held in the city of New York in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety five at this deponents uncles That this deponent was well acquainted with the said Williamson at the time and afterwards and related to him the conversation which he had with his said uncle relative to him and his service in the said Battle. That this deponent saw the said Williamson at this depo- nents Fathers house near Fort Edward with his said uncle in the charac- ter of a waiter and drove his sleigh and horses when he first became Acquainted with him That this deponent at that this deponent time was about six years old to the best of this deponents recollection and belief but the circumstances are fresh to this deponents recollection and this deponent further saith that From all he knew and heard of the service of the said Williamson during the said revolutionary war That the said Williamson belonged to the service of the United States in the revolutionary war That the time above stated when this deponent first saw the said Williamson as above stated was in the Winter of one thousand seven hundred and seventy six And further saith not
James M c rea
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1 st day of April A D 1878 and further I hereby certify That I am personally acquainted with the above named James M c rea and believe his testimony is entitled to full credit A. G. Brooks. J. P.

The State of Ohio Union County ss.
I John Cassil, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Union and State of Ohio, do hereby Certify that A. G. Brooks whose name appears on the foregoing page, was at the time of signing the foregoing, and now is, an acting justice of the peace, in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified according to Law, and that his signature as signing is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto Subscribe my name and Affix the Seal of said Court at Maysville this 3 rd day of April AD 1848.
John Cassil Clerk

Mem o made on the examination of W Williamson's claim. The service performed must have been in St Clair's reg t as there was no Col o Sinclair. — The depositions forwarded prove nothing further than that at one time in the year '76 or '77 the dep t saw the claimant in the service. — The proof is not deum o . such as will admit of the applicants being placed on the Pension list. — The deposition of two credible & disinterested witnesses, certified by the Judge to be such proving the service of the applicant for nine m o at one term of service is required. —
Pension Office
May 1870
P.S.—
The for d depositions now returned, should be again ret d to the Office, as they will have some weight in favor of the applicant. — The deposition of one person (if full & ample) may be deum o sufficient.

Note on William Williamson Claim
The Declaration was returned for proof of Service. The affidavits were returned and the whole returned to me with this Memo - J. G. Lake

11,638
P. O. Mr. Williamson
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

State of New York Saratoga County
I James M c Guire one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the county of Saratoga and State aforesaid do certify that I am well acquainted with John Bree of the Town of Ballston in the county aforesaid who testified before me in behalf of William Williamson of Caledonia in the county of Genesee and State of New York and have been acquainted with him for many years and know him to be a man of truth and veracity and that full faith and credit is to be given to his declarations under Oath Given under My hand this Eighteenth day of December 1819
James M c Guire

State of New York Saratoga County ss
I Abram Moe one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in and for the said county do certify that I am well acquainted with James McBrea of Baucus in the county aforesaid Esquire and That he is a Man of truth and veracity and that full faith and credit can be given to his declarations under oath or otherwise and that the said James McBrea testified before me in the Month of August last in behalf of William Williamson of Caladonia in the county of Genesee in the State aforesaid on an application of his for a pension as a revolutionary soldier Given under my hand the 25 th day of November 1819
Abram Moe

State of New York Saratoga County ss: I hereby Certify that James W. Brea at the time of signing the within Certificate and Abraham Brea at the time of taking the affidavit hereto annexed were respectively Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Saratoga acting under the authority of this State duly Commissioned & sworn In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the County Seal the 28 th December, 1819 Thomas Palmer Clerk

James M'Graw Affidavit

State of New York } Saratoga County } ss
James M c Gregor of Ballston in the county of Saratoga and State aforesaid being sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with William Williamson of Galadonia in the County of Genesee and State aforesaid and has been for many years that the first time this deponent saw him he thinks must have been in December in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six from the best of his recollection and belief and at that time he was in the Army of the United States as a private in the service of this deponents uncle then a Surgeon in the Army aforesaid as this deponent then and has since understood from the said William and this deponents said uncle and this deponent also understood that the said William had continued in the said service for some time and that he was present at the naval engagement on Lake Champlain when Generals Waterbury and Arnold commanded on the part of the Americans as this deponent was also informed and believes to be true and assisted this deponents uncle in taking care of the wounded; but Altho this deponent is well satisfied of the service of the said William he cannot testify to his enlistment nor with whom as he was too young at that time to retain a recollection thereof now had he at any time known but thinks he never possessed any knowledge thereof
James M c Gregor
Sworn the 25 th day of August 1819 before me
Abraham W h ar, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga

John Bacc Affidavit

State of New York of } Saratoga County }
John Ball of the town of Ballston in the said County Esquire being duly sworn deposeth and saith that some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six or seventy seven he was at Tyconderoga in the month of March to the best of his recollection and belief as an officer in the revolutionary Army and that while there he was intimately acquainted with the late Doctor Stephen McCabe then a Surgeon in the said Army in the New York line and that at the same time to the best of this deponent's recollection and belief he saw William Williamson late of this county but now of Caledonia in the county of Genesee and State of New York as this deponent is informed and believes to be true and that the said William Williamson then was a servant to the said Doctor Stephen McCabe and this deponent understood that he was a soldier in the revolutionary Army and which he verily believes to be true as he was clad in the uniform of a soldier and that he was acquainted with him before the war but altho he is fully satisfied of his serving in the said Army yet he is not able to say in what company he enlisted or in what the  line line he served
Sworn the 6 th day of — } September 1859 before me } James McCabe one of the } Judges of the County of Saratoga } — —
John Ball

Canandaigua N.Y. Aug. 26. 1847
Sir
In the year 1832 or 1833, a declaration for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832, was made by William Williamson of Livingston Co. N.Y. and sent to Washington, but a pension was not, for some reason allowed granted to him - He alleged that he served one year from 1775 - in Capt Watson & Moore's Co. Col. St Clair's Regt. of the Penn. Line and went upon the expedition to Quebec - upon the expiration of the term for which he enlisted, he volunteered into the Naval Service on Lake Champlain and served nearly another year -
William Williamson died about the year 1838, leaving a widow who was is now living -
If it should be consistent with the regulations of your Department, and should  does not occasion too much trouble
I would be glad to be informed of the reasons why Williamson's pension was not allowed - They were probably communicated to him or his attorney, at the time, but the latter

which contained the information cannot be found, and the reasons which were given for not allowing the pensions cannot be ascertained here -
If you shall think proper to furnish the information please to let me have it, as early as your convenience shall permit -
I am respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
L. M. Drury -
J. L. Edwards Esq - Commr of Pensions - Washington D. C. }

York October 26 th 1847
I hereby certify that Mrs Elizabeth Williamson is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian congregation, of which I am pastor; and that she bears as far as known to me, an unexceptionable character as regards veracity and general moral and religious department.
Samuel Boorden
We, the Session of the Reformed Presbyterian congregation of York unite in the above certificate to the character of Mrs. E. Williamson
James Guthrie Daniel W. Millard David Morrow James Cullings
York Nov 20 th 1847.
The undersigned also elders of same congregation do hereby certify that Mr. William Williamson was a member of said congregation for many years previous to his death, and bore an unexceptionable character as regards veracity and integrity.
James Guthrie David Morrow James Cullings

May 9/48 Elizabeth Williamson Rev d pension claim
Will the Commissioners acknowledge the receipt of these papers, and in due time give the claim a personal examination - Samuel Lake Atty

May 2/48 Elizabeth Williamson Rev. pension Claims
Will the Commissioner acknowledge the receipt of these papers, and in due time give the Claims a personal examination — Samuel Lake Atty

Buffalo May 5, 1848
J S Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir — I enclose a claim for the pension due William Williamson at the time of his death for his aged Widow. Permit me to say that Mrs. Williamson is one of the most remarkable women now living. Altho her nerves are so much impaired by age she cannot write, she walks about to her neighbours, and converses with great fluency and displays a more perfect recollection & knowledge of historical facts from the Revolution to the present time, and the political events that have transpired, the change of parties, the leading features of the administrations of the different Presidents, the purchase of Louisiana by Mr. Jefferson, tariff, free trade, protection, internal improvement political economy &c. than a majority of our talented public men. No man can converse with her for half an hour, without astonishment and veneration —
The Declaration and old affidavits have been in my possession ever since they were returned from the Department — And altho I have been informed that he employed a number of Congress to get him a pension in 1833 I cannot learn that he ever made a new declaration — I well recollect that when he made his declaration he stated to me that after he went north he was delighted by Dr. M c Crea a Citizen of Saratoga Co. as his waiter, but that he was enrolled in his company had his gun and accoutrements and was mustered as usual —
His witnesses are men of the best character James M c Crea was a judge of the County when he made affidavit & Mr. Bule was a Lieut. in the Army when he saw Mr. Williamson in the Service. Learning that Judge M c Crea had related a conversation he had with Dr. M c Crea

I wrote to him in Ohio and recd his affidavit which is a circumstan Strongly corroborating the truth of the declaration, that he was in the Naval engagement on Lake Champlain, which you will recollect took place in October 1776 - There are so many circumstances going to prove the fact of the Service, the reputable character of the parties and witnesses I hope it will receive a favourable consideration -
Shou'd you be Satisfied that he was in the Service 6 or 9 Months and not Satisfied that he served a full year, a small pension would be a great relief to the old Lady) - Respectfully Yours Samuel Lake