Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,635, John Williamson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Williamson, John
P 11,635
CONTENTS

State of Virginia } S.S. On this 16 th day of January Tyler County A.D. 1834 Personally appeared before me Moses Williamson a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Tyler John Williamson a resi- dent of said County of Tyler aged 74 years the 8 th day of March last past 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 of the 18 th June 1833 that he entered the service of the United States and served under the following named officers as herein stated That at Fort Shepherd on Big Wheeling Creek in the State of Virginia and on about the 10 th day of September in the year 1774 he volunteered under Capt Samuel Mason Subaltern officers names not recollecting for a term of one month Declarant states that he was marched from Fort Shepherd passing by Cabell's Camp now Washington Pa to Fort Pitt now Pittsburgh Pa and was engaged in watching the movements of a large body of Indians assembled at Fort Pitt as he understood for the purpose of making a treaty from Fort Pitt affiant was marched to Fort Wheeling Virginia his month for which he had volunteered

having Espied he was discharged by his Said Capt Samuel Mason After having Served one month a Pirate Soldier on or about the 1 st day of March 1777— Deceant Aguir volunteered his Service and was accepted by the Said Capt Samuel Mason as an Indian Spy for a tour of 9 Months has forgotten his Subaltern officer's name he now thinks an officer named Shepherd Commanded at Fort Shepherd this Summer of 77— He states that in obedience to the orders of his Said Capt Mason he assisted to defend Forts Shepherd and Wheeling and to Spy the adjacent Country and Keep a Sharp Look out for and hold in check the Savage Indians and as far as possible prevent them from committing murders and plundering the Frontier Inhabitants of Western Virginia & Pennsylvania and further that he Spied on McMahons Creek & Indian Wheeling Creek South of the Ohio River and on the waters adjacent to Forts Shepherd & Wheeling on the Virginia Shore of the Ohio River and he further states that during the above named tour he now thinks in September that a number of Indians headed as he afterwards learned by the infamous Simon Girty Approached Fort Wheeling and engaged with Capt Agal & Mason with 26 or 7 men all of whom except 2 or 3 were most inhumanly butchered the Savages afterwards Brought the fort and killed the Stock &c but not withstanding their Superior force the Little Garrison held out and bravely defended the fort until the

Savage's dispersed of Success abandoned the Siege — officiants was more or less every week marching and — oppressing the Country which was constantly under — alarm from the frequent invasions of the Savages — a man and his family named John Price was murdered the Summer of 77 — near fort Shepherd the country — Before named are the most important that affiant recalls of taking place during the above named 9 months tour in the Summer & autumn of the — year 1877 his tour of 9 months having expired for which he had volunteered he was discharged by his Service Capt Samuel Mason on or about — the day of December 1877 at fort Shepherd on Big Wheeling Creek in the State of Virginia after having — since upwards of 9 months from March 77 — till December 77 — a private soldier an Indian Spy in the service of the United States declarant remained about fort Shepherd & Wheeling till the Spring of 1878 about April of that year he again to volunteered his service as an Indian Spy as Private Soldier under his same Capt Samuel — Mason declarant is old and very infirm his memory extremely treacherous and not withstanding he served this 2 nd 9 months tour under Capt Mason he partially states that he cannot — recollect his Subaltern officers names indeed his memory in regard to his marches and spring excursions is very imperfect he —

Recollects his 2 nd 9 months tour under Capt Mason Commenced the same Spring that General McIntosh descended the Ohio River and Erected A fort at the mouth of Big Beares on the South West Shore of said River Ohio — Lieutenant Stiles that he Spied & watched the war paths of the Savages which led to the frontier Settlements of North Western Virginia & Pennsylvanias for the purpose of holding in check the Indians who were continually when free an opportunity permitted murdering all ages and Conditions of life not even sparing the Innocent babe at the Mothers breast but — Indiscriminately murdering and — Carrying away the frontier inhabitants into Captivity and further that many of the Captives were only saved from the merciless instruments of the tomahawk and scalping knife to suffer the more cruel death of being burned at the Stake during the period of the Revolutionary war and for a considerable time after peace was made with Great Britain Lieutenant Stiles

That in consideration of the suffering Condition of his Country and the imminent danger of the western frontier of Virginia — and Pennsylvania falling into the hands of merciless Savage Indians He was induced from a pure devotion to his Country, Came to Salentus and offer his aid in order to better Secure the frontier Contiguous to Forts Shepherd & Wheeling from Savage Violence and Murther — and declarants further states That during the Summer of 1778 He was kept at Forts Shepherd and Wheeling near along the Ohio River as Love avers said Ohio River as the mouth of Green Creek — and was Stationed as a Guard & Spy at Green Creek aforesaid as well he can recollect about one month during the Summer of 78 — and that he was frequently

marched in obedience to the order of his Said Capt Samuel Mason to divers places along the Ohio River and in the North Western Country in pursuit of hostile bands of Indian warriors who made frequent incursions into the Settlements he does not recollect of being in any Engagement with the Savages during his term of duty In the year 1778 his term of 9 months for which his Services were accepted Having expired declarant was Discharged he now thinks at Fort Wheeling in the State of Virginia Same time Early in December of the year 1778 he has for atten- Precisely an other day of Service month after having served 9 months an Indian Spy or Private Soldier in Capt Mason's Company in the Service of the United States Again in the year 1779 he now thinks in the Spring of that year he again volunteered his Services at Stephen's Fort under his

Same Capt Mason and marched to Grand Creek and Lured and months an Indian spy during this time the spies of which appear was and discovered 25 Indians the Savages were put to flight and a boy son of John I am retained from the Indians he was then discharged after one month's service by Capt Samuel Mason at Shepherd's fort aforesaid Declarant states that he served every year more or less from 1774 till 1783 but he cannot remember all his officers many he served three or four months in 1780 arrested in attacking 9 Indians the spies killed 8 of the Savages only one escaped he also served in 81-2-43- during the summer of those years Under Capt Mason & Capt Eleazer Williamson where Company was attached to Col David Cunningham he also spies and buffalo- a water of the Ohio River in 81 or 2- he is confident that putting all his services together that he served periods of three years in the war of the Revolution - term and declarant is certain that he has not over stated his service but he is certain that he has not detailed all his services having forgotten the names of officers and many of his marches believing as he did that they would never be important to him in the decline of his life Declarant has stated only such events and

and Services as he can but remember he is certain that he Service year more or less from 1776 till peace was made he is too old & infirm to attend Court he has no documentary Evidence of his Service he does not know any person living that he can prove his Service by he was last discharged by Capt E Williamson he thinks in the year 1783 on Buffalo Creek in the State of Virginia, hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present one he declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State he served with Major Spies chiefly Subscribed and sworn to the day & year aforesaid
John Williamson
To the Diverse Inquisitors prescribed by the four departments to the applicants he answers as follows: 1 st I was born in the year 1759 on the day of March at King's Creek Maryland & State of Maryland = I my father told me I was born as above stated I have no record of my age I was living when I entered the Service in Virginia I have lived ever since in Virginia I now reside in the County of Tyler 4 th all my tours I was a volunteer private soldier I served as such I knew when in Service Generals Hand & Mc- Intosh & Col John Gibson Shepherd & and Col David Williamson I served chiefly with Spies I do not recall the number of any Regiments whatever I have detailed the General Circumstances of my Service my discharges are all lost many years ago

Declaration of John Williamson
Report to the to the Missouri & Iowa Conveyal Va Hon. J. J. Allen
M o Williamson 39248 va
Declaration of John Williamson of Tyson City Va
Report to the Hon J. J. Allen of Va
J. J. Mitchell & Jones McCamp Agents

Y th I am known to John W Allen a Clergyman William Johnson and John Viriden who can testify as to my Character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution Sworn to and subscribed the Day and year aforesaid
John Williamson
We John W Allen clergyman, William Johnson and John Viriden residing in Tyler County and State of Virginia hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John Williamson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 74 years of age the 8 day of March last past 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
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John W Allen, Clergyman
William Johnson
John Viriden
and I the said Justice of the peace hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories proposed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier (and served as he states) and I the said Justice (further Certify) that it appears to me that John W Allen a clergyman and William Johnson & John Viriden who have signed the preceding certificate

are residents of Tyler County and state of Virginia and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit, and I the said Justice do further certify that the above named Applicant from bodily infirmity is unable to travel to the Court House of the County of Tyler 12 miles distance and I the said Justice do further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of myself in the matters of the application of John Williamson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 16 th day of January in the year of Christ
1834 —
M c Williamson
State of Virginia Tyler County ss
I David Hickman, clerk of the County Court of Tyler, certify that Moses Williamson before whom the foregoing declaration was made, now is & was at the time of taking & subscribing to the same an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Tyler aforesaid as stated by him, and that the foregoing signature, pur- porting to be his is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name this 25 th day of April 1834
David Hickman Clerk County Court

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 John Williamson 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.     1776 Served during the summer of various times until 1783 Subaltern Samuel Mason Ebenezer Williamson Wm Davidson Va.          
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Va.
Date of application for pension, Jan 16 1834
Residence at date of application, Wythe Co. Va.
Age at date of application, Mar 8 1709 at Ringold's Manor Md
Remarks:
This claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of military service as required by the Act of June 7, 1833 under which he applied for pension. No family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Nov. 17-1916
Johnson City, Tenn.
The Commissioner of Pensions. Pension Dept.:
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly let me know if your Dept. can furnish me a copy of the Application for Pension by Christian Madera of Monongalia Co (then) Va.
The same was granted Jan. 7-1819 for Rev. services.
Also the Application of

John Williamson of Tyler Co Va. Application renewed by H. H. Stuart Sec. of Interior in 1850. This refers to Rejected Pruned list of 52,
Will you let me know the cost, if any, of getting copies of the above applications & papers pertaining to same.
Mrs. E. R. Perkins Doss N.C.

J. Millam ya
11635-
No correspondence noted in this claim - or on Rejected List of pensioners.
But Printed list of 1852, reports the claim as suspended. Reason for suspension given "For further proof"

1916 Nov. 15: Mail to Hyde Co. Johnson: and 1916 Dec. 9: Mail to Mrs. E. M. Penfield: and.
11.635 P. O. John Williams.
Service: _____
Enlisted: REJECTED , 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: Printed list of 1852- shows this claim on suspended list of Va. p 251-
Re-enlisted: Reason for suspension- "For further proof".
no correspondence recorded.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Amuel CONLEY & JOHNSON ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA Per Sec 1-28
→ WILLIAM G. CONLEY CLYDE B. JOHNSON FRED BRUCE MORGAN
October 23, 1916.
United States Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I wish to obtain information of the record of military service by John Williamson who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, was paid off at Pittsburgh, afterward lived at Wheeling, West Virginia, is said to have been a spy under Captain Brady on the western border and who died in Tyler County, West Virginia about February, 1856.
I am informed that he had an application for pension pending before the United States Government and that it was referred to in the report of H. H. Stewart, Secretary of the Interior, in his report filed in 1850. — This is the rejected list of 1852.
I am very anxious to obtain this information and if your Department cannot furnish it will be thankful to have you direct me to whom to apply for the same.
Thanking you in advance for the help you may be able to give me in this line, I am,
Very truly yours,
CBJ/NL
Clyde B. Johnson

John Williamson
So } Power of Atty.
Chas. L. Puckett

Act of June 7. 1832
Suspended claim. of John Williamson Va.
Power of Attorney to examine claim. —
Chas. B. Tucker. Atty. Present.

I know all men by these presents: That I, John Williamson of the County of Pleasants and State of Virginia do hereby constitute and appoint Charles C. Lusk (of Washington City D.C.) my true and lawful agent and attorney to prosecute the  any Claims for for any amount of Revolutionary Pensions or increase of pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of 1833, or any other act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claims on file in the Department at Washington City, or else where to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claims. And to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purpose herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do, were I personally present. & confirming Hereby ratifying all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises. Witness my hand and Seal this 29 th day of May 1854.
In presence of } ss John Williamson (his mark) (Seal)
State of Virginia, Pleasants County, - ss.
On this 29 th day of May 1854, before me a justice of the Peace in and for the County & State above mentioned personally appeared John Williamson and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned. Homer Martin J.P.

State of Virginia } ss. Pleasants County }
On this 29 th day of May 1854, before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for the County & State aforesaid, personally appeared John Williamson a resident of said County, and made oath according to law, that he is the identical John Williamson who executed the foregoing Power of Attorney and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said Claim. Witness my hand and seal this 29 th day of May 1854. Attest: A. Martin } John Williamson sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. Abner Martin
State of Virginia } County of Pleasants }
I Rodney Hickman Clerk of the the County Court of Pleasants County, do hereby certify that Oliver Martin Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made and who has thereunto signed his name was at the time of so doing a justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned & sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal, this 29 th day of May 1854. R. Hickman