Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 41300, William Watson, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Watson, William
S. 41300
{ B.L.Wt. 2300-300- capt. Issued Aug. 7, 1789 to Richard Platt. No papers.
CONTENTS

8410
Vermont. R.
William Watson, of of Poultney, in the state of Vermont, who was a Captain in the regiment commanded by Colonel Wesson, of the Massachussetts line, for the term of four years. 1779.
scribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 20 00 Dollars per month, to commence on the 6. of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th of March, 1819, and sent to Amos Thompson, Esq., Judge, Rutland, Vermont.
Arrears to 4th of March, 1819. $: 219.25
Semi-annual allowance ending 4. Sept: 120.
10 mo s 1819. } $: 339.25 \frac{25}{30} \& \frac{4}{31} }
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
William Watson, of Poultney, Vermont, who was a Captain in the regiment commanded by Colonel Wesson, of the Massachussetts line, for the term of four years. 1779.

Capt. William Watson
Wesson & Greston's Milit. Regt.
5 th July 1779 to 24 th June 1783.
6 th April 1810.
found on the roll of Col o . Wesson's reg t . as Captain.
Admitted.

Cap t William Watson Deposition I William Watson of Poultney in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont in the 70 th Year of My Age - Depose Testify & Declare
That in the Month of April AD 1775 I was One of those called Min- ute Men in the County of Hampshire then Province of Massachusetts, That a Regiment of Such Minute Men were Regularly Formed in the Towns of Northampton Hatfield & the adjacent Plantations near the Borders of Connecticut River, and Commanded by Genl. Seth Pomeroy - That I was Elected Sargent under Captain Israel Chapin of Hatfield & of Belonging to Said Reg t - that on the Morning of the 23 rd of Said April 1775 about Two of the Clock Three Alarm Signals were given - and that the Said Minute Company were Formed - equipped - & on their March before the Sun Rose and Arived Opp d Boston Distance 102 Miles on the Evening of the third Day Next after - farther State That I acted & Did the Duty of Quartermaster of Said Reg t until Sometime in May following. When too Such Regiments were Incorporated under the Command of Col o John Fellows, in which I was Commissioned a 2 d Lieutenant by Continental Congress having Served the Campaign I was Commissioned Lieut t in the years Service of 1776 with William Henry in a Mass s Reg t Col o Jonathan Ward, and had Charge of Said Company (the Captain being Chiefly Absent) at Boston - New York - Long Island & Jersey - On the Establishment of the Army 1777 for carrying the War was Appointed Lieut t in the 9 th Massachusetts Reg t Nahum Ward Col o Capt t James Wilson Col o and after the Reform of the Line, Commanded by Henry Jackson - Received a Warrant as Captain from the State of Mass s in the year 1778 but was Not Commissioned as Such by Congress until the year 1779 although all the Care Expense Responsibility of a Captain had Devolved on me for four years Previous, at the close of the year 1782 another Reform taking Place I was transferred to the 3 rd Mass s Regiment Col o Green - From Which I was Honourably Discharged Dismissed at Cambridge Return of Peace on the Twenty fourth Day of June 1783 Having Constantly Served Excepting 2 Short (forty days) Eight Years 100 Months & four Days - Farther State that I Led the Company with Good Report; thro' three Siege - Seven pitched Battles & above (being Light Infantry) fifty Skirmishes, was five Times Wounded - was Struck Down and Saved by the Explosion of Piece of Artillery at the Battle of Long Island - Had a Number of Bones (crushed by a Diff erent Fall when on Duty - That: Major Pitcairn (the Brave) being wounded He Commanded & Led on the Troops which Stormed the German Lines at

At Beams Heights Near Saratoga State of New York - Sept 6 th 1818
Brahman the Commanding Officer which Determined the fate of Burgoyne Further States that his Constitution is far Debilitated that Nothing but the Most Powerfull of support has inabled to be Comfortable or do any Labour for Several years - and that Unavoidable Misfortunes have Reduced Him to a State of Indigence - also that He Might have been Involved with Invites at the close of the Revolutionary War & continued Under Pay Until this time, had He Chosen it - - - That His Name is to be Found in Every Roll & Return of the above Specified Companys Regiments & almost all of which He are wrote Signed & certify d in this stand Working and Further Saith and Declares that He is In such Reduced Circumstances as to be in need of Suggest from the Country
Poultney April 6 th 1818. County & state as above written
William Watson
State of Vermont 2 On this 6 th day of April 1818 Rutland County, S before me the subscriber one of the judges of Rutland County court personally appeared Capt. William Watson in the seventieth year of his age resident in Poultney in the County aforesaid who being by me first duly sworn according to law did on his Oath make the foregoing declaration in order to obtain the provisions of the late act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war and that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance his Country for support, and that he has no other means now in his power of his said services. -
Sworn to & declared before me this 6 th day of April 1818.
Amos Thompson Judge of Rutland County court

I Amos Thompson Judge of Rutland County court as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said William Watson did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the secretary for the War Department, in pursuance of the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress
Amos Thompson
State of Vermont
I have affixed the seal of Rutland County court to these presents by order of the Hon. Amos Thompson one of the judges of said court.
B. Temple clerk
State of Vermont
I Amos Thompson Judge of Rutland County court do certify that it has been made to appear to my satisfaction that the said aforesaid William Watson is in named circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Amos Thompson

Capt. Wm Watson
L. for Mr Edward
Wilson
1900
1901
1902
1903
Hon. R. C. McLaughlin H. R.

STATE OF VERMONT, Rutland County, ss.
On this 28 th
day of June
1820
personally appeared before the County court for said county of Rutland in open court, (said court being a court of record, agreeably to the laws of this state, having the power of fine and imprisonment, &c.) William Watson aged 72 years, resident in Rutland in said county of Rutland who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war, as follows: 8 years 2 months & 14 days in 7 different Regts of Mass. honorably discharged from the 3 rd Mass. Regt. 24 th June 1783
that he made his original declaration on the 6 th day of April 1818 has received a Pension Certificate, No. 8410 And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an 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," passed on the 18 th day of March, 1818; — and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. Share, 1 Chest, 1 Candlestick, I have also a pecuniary annuity of one hundred dollars a year,
I am owing to uniformity totally unable to attend to any kind of business & unable to help myself.
William Watson
Sworn to and declared on the
28 th
day of
June
1820
R. Phipps CLERK.
STATE OF VERMONT, Rutland County, ss.
I, Robert Phipps clerk of the County court for the county of Rutland do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court: — And I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is one _____ dollar.
& the annuity pecuniary
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said court, at Rutland this 18 th
day of
July
1820
R. Phipps

41 300 INVALID.
Rev
File No. 41.800
William Patson
Capt Her. Ind
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 585
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No. 57
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN (Congress) ASSEMBLED
(Greeting.)
To William Watson Esquire —
The Reposing special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be a Captain in the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the fifth day of July 1777 — You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Captain by doing and performing all manner of things therein belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders as Captain. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of the United States or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress forementioned, or a Committee of the States.
Witness His Excellency John Hanson Esq. President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the Sixteenth day of September A.D. 1777 and in the Seventeenth Year of our Independence.
John Hanson
By Order of Congress C. Lincoln Secretary at War.

W m Watson
Pantun May 25, 1821
Recd.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 1. 1821
For Mr. C. Calkoun Washington

Boulton St. May 21 1821
Sir,
I address you at the particular request of Mr. Capt. William Wilson, a revolutionary officer, and applicant for a Pension under the act of the 21 st of March 1820. He has for a long time, waited for a decision on his case in relation to a pension, with the most anxious solicitude. But as yet has received no return. The case of this Revolutionary veteran seems to demand much consideration. Destitute by age and bodily infirmity; unable to labour with a shrunken property, he has for sometime, sustained a delicate and precarious subsistence upon the bounty of a few friends. This cannot however, be longer extended to him; and unless soon returned to a subsistence on the pension act, he will be compelled, with whatever reluctance, to subsist as like the general class of common paupers. From the grudging parsimony of the "Poor. Ancestors" he will be obliged to seek that relief, which his services merit, and his necessities demand, from the bounty of his country. This is a degradation which the high, unyielding spirit of this revolutionary veteran will ill brook. Proud of the character of a gentleman, and with high notions of personal independence nothing but the most extreme necessity will ever compel him to a step, which, he believes, would be the disgrace of both. It is his earnest solicitation that a decision may be had upon his case as soon as possible.
Your humble Servant Thomas Thompson.
Wm. H. Calhoun Secy of War

I Stephen W. Dana of Poultney in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont of lawful age depose & say that I am personally well acquainted with Capt William Watson of S d Poultney a revolutionary pensioner of the U.S. — That he is very poor and needy and in a state of great debility both bodily and mental — That besides the prospect of a pension from Government, he has no means whatever of support except an annual stipend of one hundred dollars which was left him in the will of a deceased brother in New- York, and which has seldom been been punctually paid, and as I am well informed has been wholly suspended for nearly two years — during which time said William Watson has been supported mostly by running in debt on the credit of his expected pension — That whenever it shall be ascertained that he is struck off the pension list he must immediate- ly become a town pauper — That in his present situation said annuity even if punctually paid would be wholly inadequate to his comfortable support — That said Wm Watson is now destitute of necessary clothing & bedding — and has not the means of procuring those articles nor such attendance and nursing as his age & weakness really requires
Stephen W. Dana

State of Vermont on the day of Rutland County December 28 1821
before me Elisha Ashley one of the Justices of the Peace in said County personally came Stephen M. Daines well known to me as a person of truth and veracity, and made solemn oath to that the within affidavit is true to the best of his knowledge & belief
Elisha Ashley Justice of Peace

I Harvey D Smith of Poultney in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont of Lawful age upon & say that I am personally well acquainted with Capt. William Watson, of said Poultney a revolutionary pensioner of the United States. That he is at the present time, and has been for nearly two years past in circumstances of absolute indigence, that from age & sickness he is reduced to extreme weakness and debility that exclusion of a pension from the U.S. his only means of support is an annuity of one hundred Dollars a year, which was willed to him by the late James Watson of New York which by the terms of the will is due to him in semi annual payments of fifty dollars; - That for many years past I have generally assisted him in collecting these payments as they became due. That this annuity has almost always been very tardily paid & sometimes not till after long delay - That for nearly two years past it has been out of my power to collect any thing part of said annuity tho' I have made frequent attempts. That said Mr Watson has not as I believe, any power to compel the payment of said annuity with- out resorting to a suit in Chancery, to carry on which, he is totally without the means. That said annuity, even if punctually paid, would in my opinion be insufficient for his comfortable support in the present state of his health.
Harvey D. Smith
State of Vermont Rutland County ss. On the 13 th day of December 1821 before me Elisha Ashley notary of the Justice of the Peace in said County personally appeared Harvey D. Smith who known to me as a man of the law and made solemn oath that the above affidavit is to the best of his knowledge true  Elisha Ashley J.P. Power

4/12/91
I know the facts stated in the foregoing affidavits to be true and that Elisha Ashley is a justice of the Peace for Rutland County Vermont and that signature is in his hand writing -
Abraham Rep ee from Vermont A. R. Sept 24 1879

We the Subscribers inhabitants of Poultney in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont do testify and say that we have long been well acquainted with Capt. William Watson of Poultney, - That said Capt. Watson has been in very slow circumstances for many years - That at times both before he received a pension from the United States and since its stoppage he has been reduced to extreme indigence. That at the time of his becoming a pensioner he was so much involved in debt that a great part of the pension money which he has hitherto received was necessary to satisfy his previous creditors - That from age and debility he is entirely incapable of labor - That he is frequently subject to fits of illness during which, owing to the nature of his complaints, the business of attending & nursing him is peculiar- ly disagreeable and expensive - That in consequence of a nervous difficulty in him had occasioned as he says in the revolutionary war the ordin- ary noise of a family is so distress- ingly painful that he is constantly obliged to have a room and fire by himself - That exclusive of a pension, his only pecuniary resource consists of an annuity of one hundred dollars per annum which he is supposed to be entitled to

by the will of his late brother James Watson of New York deceased, which annuity the rep- resentatives of said James Watson have hitherto paid the very tardily and often after great delay - That it is evident that on account of the poverty and insolvency of Capt Watson and his great distance from New York the said annuity will cease to be paid when- ever the want of a disposition or ability to pay it shall occur on the part of said rep- resentatives - That said annuity is consequent- ly contingent and precarious - That said annuity even if punctually paid will be always materially insufficient for his support - That he is now subsisting and has been for a considerable time past on the anticipated avails of the expected pension - That whenever it shall be ascertained that he is struck from the pension list, he must inevitably have recourse to public charity for his daily bread.
July 5. 1821
Harvey D Smith
J. W. Dana
Clark Hendrick
Elisha Ashley
Miles Rowley
Sworn & subscribed the day & year above before me Amos Thompson Jdg N.E.C.

This may certify that I have been well acquainted with Col. William Watson of Rutland County of Rutland State of Vermont for nearly 30 years and am knowing that the facts stated & sworn to in the foregoing, are subst- antially true
Amos Thompson Judge
I know the facts are stated in the foregoing affidavit are true R. M. Allary

The undersigned, Select men of Poultney - Rutland County Vermont, and overseers of the poor of said Town do testify & say that Capt. William Watson of said Poultney is & has been for many years in very low circumstances as to property, - that previous to his becoming a pensioner of the U States he was extremely poor and during a fit of sickness he was obliged to call on the overseers of the poor for support and was relieved out of the Town Treasury to the amount of fifty Dollars or more - That should he be struck off the pension list he must inevitably become a Town Charge Poultney 5 Feb. 1821 Solomon Giddings { Select Elijah D. Webber { Men
Stroom & schuiven the dag & gun alcan
Anna Thompson Taylor N. C. C.
The above named Officer in the State of full faith is due to the word. Plekhanov

(452)
Hon: R. R. Manning Dec. 24, 1831
J. L. Edwards Esq
Pension Office
Mr. Washington Pension Office

Send the enclosed affidavit signed & sworn to by person of my acquaintance of the first character
Yours respectfully
William

J. L. Edwards 994 Pension Affair

I have the enclosed off. I hope that the attention of your department will be immediately bestowed on the case of Capt. Watson—
Very Respectfully R. Mallory
J. L. Edwards Esq

From Hon. R. C. Mallon- ay, No. Rep. assumed January, 1821
and Jan 22, 1821.
Wm Watson Resp.

J. P. Edwards Esqr Senior Officer

Sir.
I wish you would kind the goodness to inform me the situation of Capt W m Watson's application for a pension. He lives in my neighborhood & I am well acquainted with his situation & should esteem it a favor to learn what objection exists, if any, to his restoration to the pension roll. —
With regard
Yours O b Serv t
R. M c Mallory
Jan. 19
J. D. Edwards