Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19587, William Watts, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Watts, William Ann
W. 19587
CONTENTS

Virginia 4676
Ann Walls widow of William Walls decd. who was a pensioner under the Act of ... and who died on the 14 January 1822 of Norfolk in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Bussey of the 2 regt commanded by ... in the Virginia line for 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 60 Dollars ... Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of Decr 1839, to ... and ... Murrough Esq. Norfolk, Virginia
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1839 $ 210.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '40 30.00
$240.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838 }
Recorded by D. M. Gandy Clerk. Book A. Vol. 2. Page 185.
Lt to J. Murrough Dec 10. 1839 " " Hn. F. Mallory Feb 19. 1841. " " J. Murrough Mar 10. 1841.
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. Aprie 1838 from 4 March to 4 Sep 1840. age Notified 17. June 1841.

State of Virginia
At a court held for the County of Norfolk the twenty first day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
William Watts a resident of the said County of Norfolk and a citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this day appeared in court and made the following declaration on oath, "that he was a private soldier in Capt Breffner's company in the second State regiment of the Continental line, that he served for eighteen months in the said company, and was honorably discharged from the service: And the Court being satisfied of the truth of that statement by the introduction of other testimony doth direct the same to be certified to the Secretary of War.
And at a court held for the said County of Norfolk the 15 th day of June in the year last aforesaid mentioned. William Watts personally appeared in court and made oath that from his reduced circumstances he is now actually in need of that assistance offered by the General Government to the soldiers of the Revolutionary Army, the Court doth also certify that in its opinion the said William Watts is in such reduced circumstances.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & caused the seal of my office to be hereunto affixed on this 20 th day of June 1818 and in the 43 rd year of the Commonwealth.
Wm Wilson C.M.C.
LS

Virginia sc.
At a court held for Norfolk County the 15 th day of March 1819.
William Watts who on the 21 st of April last before this Court, made a declaration of his services as a soldier, and who on the 15 th of June last made oath of his reduced circumstances so as to need a pension; this day again appeared in Court, and made oath that on the 1 st day of January 1777 he enlisted a private soldier under Capt. William Hoffler in the 1 st Virginia State regiment, where he served six months, when that Company being ordered to the North, he exchanged places with a man in the Company of Thomas Brepsie who belonged to the second Regiment Virginia; where he served one year & 3 months - that he was then turned over to the Continental service and joined Genl Washingtons army at Valley Forge, - That he then served in the Continental army under Col. W m Blount and Lieutenant Col o Dabney until 1 st day of January 1780, when Lieut Col o Dabneys detachment, to which he belonged, was discharged at Fredericktown Maryland.
And it appearing by the oath of W m Hoffler that the said William Watts did serve as a soldier as aforesaid for more than two years, the same is ordered to be certified to the secretary of war. -
In testimony and faith whereof I

SS.
have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of my office to be affixed this 22 d day of March in the year of our Lord 1819, and of our Independence the 43 d .
W m Wilson Clk of Norfolk County Court. —
Virginia Set
At a court held for Norfolk County the 20 th day of April 1819
William Watts who on the 21 st day of April 1818 made a declaration of his services as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and who on the 18 th day of June last, made oath of his reduced circumstances, so as to entitle him to the provisions made by the acts of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States in the revolutionary war;" This day again appeared in court and being sworn declared, that he the said William Watts enlisted for three years on the first day of Janu- ary 1777, in the County of Norfolk in the state of Virginia, in a company commanded by Captain William Hoffer of the Regiment commanded by Col o William Blount in the line of the State of Virginia in the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said

corps, or in the service of the United States until the first day of January 1780, when he was discharged from the service of the United States in Fredericktown, State of Maryland, which is ordered to be certified to the Secretary for the department of War. —
L.S.
In testimony whereof, I William Wilson Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of my office to be affixed, this 22 d day of April 1819 in the 43 d year of our Independence. — Wm. Wilson.
War Department Pension Office May 11 th 1819
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 6 th instant I have the mortification to state to you that the Clerk who examined the papers in the case of Major William Hoffer was so careless as to pass over many of the irregularities in the documents — and at that time having no rolls of the Virginia line of troops we had to rely entirely on the declaration of the applicant, and the

opinion of the Court or Judge before whom the declaration was made. - Since Major Hoffler's name was placed on the pension roll, however, the rolls from Virginia have been received, from which it appears that he served with the State troops and not in the continental army. His name will therefore be dropped from the roll of pensioners - the law of the 18 th March 1818, providing for Continental troops only.
William Watts papers are herewith returned having no reason to reverse my former decision,
I am very respectfully,
Your obt servt. J. L. Edwards
Hon: Thomas Newton Norfolk Va.
War Department Pension Office
June 24 th 1819
Sir,
Your letter of the 16 th Inst: enclosing the papers of Mr. William Watts was duly received.
I have myself carefully examined the rolls of the Virginia State troops and those of the Virginia Continental line in this office. On the former I find

the names of the applicant and the officers under whom he served. On the latter the names of neither are to be found. That the regiment in which Mr. W served, marched out of the State of Virginia and joined the Continental Army, I have no doubt. It must, of course, at one time have been in the service of the United States although not on the Continental establishment, and as the law must be construed literally, I have no reason to reverse the former decision. Mr. Watts' claim, is therefore again rejected and his papers herewith returned.
I am with great respect your ob. servt. J. L. Edwards
Hon Thomas Newton } Norfolk. }
State of Virginia } City of Richmond } to wit:
I George W. Munford Clerk of the House of Delegates & Keeper of the Rolls of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies of the evidence filed with the petition of W m Watts presented to the General Assembly of Virginia in 1819. Given under my hand this 2 d of May 1833 George W. Munford C.H.D. Keeper of the Rolls of V a

Virginia.
At a Court held for Norfolk County the 22 d day of November 1839.
The following Declaration of Ann Watts made before Samuel Watts one of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled An act granting half-pay to certain widows, was this day returned to Court, which Declaration and Affidavit, Certificate and power of Attorney, are in the following words of signum, to wit:
"State of Virginia.
"Norfolk County to wit.
"On this sixteenth day of November in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, personally appeared before me Samuel Watts one of the Justices of the Court of Norfolk County in the State of Virginia, Ann Watts a resident of the Town of Portsmouth in the County of Norfolk and State of Virginia, aged Seventy three, who being first duly sworn according to law doth in her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled 'An act granting half-pay to certain widows.' That she is the widow of William Watts, who was a private soldier in the American Army during the Revolutionary War, that he enlisted as she has understood in the County of Nansemond in the State of Virginia, and served in the Company commanded by Captain Buefie and that she understood he served a part of his time at the North, and was honorably discharged. She further declares that she was married to the said William Watts on the twentieth day of March in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty one, and that her husband the aforesaid William Watts died on the fourteenth day of January in the year One thousand eight hundred and twenty two and that she has remained a widow ever since that period. She also states that the aforesaid William Watts her husband applied to the
United

"United States Government for a pension in the year One thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and believe he received a pension, if he did, she never saw the pension certificate if one was granted. She also states that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim.
"Sworn to and subscribed in the                      Ann her Watts day and year above written before me                      mark Samuel Watts one of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County State of Virginia.
"Norfolk County to wit
"I Samuel Watts one of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Ann Watts, who has signed and sworn to the foregoing declaration is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend the Court of Norfolk County in the State aforesaid, to make her declaration in open court. and I do further certify that the said Ann Watts is a lady of respectability, and her oath is entitled to full credit. Given under my hand and seal this sixteenth day of November 1839.
"Samuel Watts (seal) One of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County.
"State of Virginia
"Norfolk County to wit.
"I Samuel Watts a Justice of the peace and one of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Ann Watts made oath before me, that the Family Bible, containing the family record of William Watts deceased, was in the possession of the said William Watts for many years before his death, and that at his death the same came into her (has ever since remained in her possession) and she verily believes the said Family Record to be genuine; that the said family record was written several years before the death

of the said William Watts by the Rev d John Polly a Methodist minister stationed at the time at Portsmouth Virginia who the said William Watts got to write the family record, and which was written by the instructions of the said William Watts. Given under my hand and seal this sixteenth day of November 1839.
Samuel Watts Seal One of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County.
Know all men by these presents that I Ann Watts of the Town of Portsmouth County of Norfolk and State of Virginia do hereby constitute and appoint James Murchough of the Town, County and State aforesaid my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to ask and receive from the Commissioner of Pensions of the United States, the pension certificate that may be granted me under any law of the Congress of the United States by virtue of my being the widow of William Watts deceased. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of November in the year 1839
Ann her X Watts Seal mark
State of Virginia. Norfolk County to wit.
I Samuel Watts one of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Ann Watts in my presence signed the foregoing power of Attorney and acknowledged the same to be her act and deed. Given under my hand and seal this sixteenth day of November 1839.
Samuel Watts Seal One of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County.
The Court doth hereby certify that in its opinion, the foregoing Declaration made as aforesaid also the affidavits and certificate and power of Attorney are regular and proper, and it approves of the proceedings of the said Samuel Watts one of the Justices of the

the County Court of Norfolk County.
The Court doth also certify that the said Samuel Watts before whom the said declaration was made is one of the Justices of the County Court of Norfolk County and the Court do further certify upon satisfactory evidence produced before it, that William Watts the husband of the said Ann Watts died in the month of January in the year One thousand eight hundred and twenty two.
I Arthur Emmerson Clerk of the County Court of Norfolk County in the State of Virginia as aforesaid hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of the said Court.
In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty third day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and of our Independence the sixty fourth.
Arthur Emmerson Clerk.
6370

Family Record
William Watts and Ann Pool were Married March 20 th 1781.
Joel Watts son of William and Ann Watts was born Feb 26 th 1782. Died March 11 th 1819
James Watts son of D o D o was born Aug t 25 th 1784. Died Jan y 11 th 1817
William Watts son of D o D o was born Sept r 16 th 1786.
Died Nov r 1790
Elizabeth Watts Daughter of D o D o was born Aug t 6 th 1788.
Died Oct r 1790.
Ann Watts Daughter of D o D o was born April 9 th 1790.
John Watts son of D o D o was born Sept r 3 rd 1792.
Mary Watts Daughter of D o D o was born April 23 rd 1795.
Died Sept r 19 th 1797.
William Watts son of D o D o was born May 14 th 1797
Died June 9 th 1798.
Dewey Watts son of D o D o was born Dec r 28 th 1798.
Died Aug t 4 th 1800.
Robert Tucker son of D o D o was born Dec r 22 nd 1800.
Died
Isaac Watts son of D o D o was born Nov r 6 th 1802.
Jesse Watts son of D o D o was born Oct r 27 th 1804.
Died 25 th July 1806

Sally Dalt: Daughter of Edm & Ann Dalt was born Dec: 5 th 1809
Sarah Watts Sarah Watts
Sarah
C
1809 Dalt

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 9 th 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," the children of Ann Watts, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Sixty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1838, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March to the 4 th Sept. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Lewis
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Ann Watts 4725 widow of William —
Set 4 July 1836
Let to J. Mundough — 13 Novr 1839 —

Washington
March 6. 1841
Received March 6. 1841 of J. L. Edwards esq r Comm r of Pensions the family Bible of Mrs Ann Watts of Paterson Va deposited by her attorney as part of the evidence in her application for a Pension.
J. Mallory
for Mrs Ann Watts.

Mar 10 1841.
Adm. Washington N
Ann Watts
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City Dist. of Columbia
FREE

Dear Sir
Portsmouth Va March 3 rd 1841
Mrs Ann Watts the widow of W m Watts deceased, a Commissioner of the United States, for five years died sometime in the month of Feby last. She has left two children I believe a son and a daughter. The daughter is married, her pension would have been due the 4 th March. Permit to inquire who is to receive the arrears of Pension; the administrator of Mrs Watts, or her two children. Give if you please the desired information and send me the necessary forms to be observed.
Yours Respectfully James M c Curdy

Dear Sir
Portsmouth V a Oct 10 th 1839.
The papers herewith included, were this morning put into my hands; they relate to the claim of the widow of W m Watts a applicant for a pension. which I had the honor of presenting some time ago
Yours Respectfully
James M c Donald

6370
Nov 25
va. July 7. 1838
Mrs. Watts mo: of William
Commission of Pensions
FREE
Washington City District of Columbia

Dear Sir
Portsmouth Va Nov. 23 rd 1839.
On last monday, I sent by Capt. Mitchell of the Steamer Columbia, the family Bible of W m Watts deceased, which contains the Register of the marriage of the said W m Watts, I hope it has been received.
I herewith transmit to the Department, a new Declaration of Ann Watts &c pursuant to the Regulations of the department, and the instructions of your letter.
The applicant is very infirm as will appear by the papers sent, and I would remark is very poor, and it would be a favour if the Department would act speedily upon her application, which I have no doubt will be done, unless other pressing business shall prevent
Yours Respectfully
James M c Dermott
N. B.
Your last letter was directed to Norfolk, which delayed my receiving your letter for some days Be pleased to direct to me at "Portsmouth Va" J.M.

4725
hpb24
va
4 July 1836
Miss Watts
mo: of William

[Large stylized initial letter, possibly 'L']
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City Dist. of Columbia
[Handwritten text, possibly 'Natt']
25

Virginia Act 4 July 1836 — 4725 Ann Watts widow of William declaration ret.
Columbia
6.75

Dear Sir
Portsmouth Va Sept 21 st 1839
I have the honor of submitting to the Commissioner of Pension, the Declaration of Ann Watts the widow of William Watts deceased with the affidavit of Elizabeth Porter, the certificate of court of an extract from the family Register of the marriage of William Watts with Ann his wife - Also a copy of the record of 1818 shewing that William Watts made his declaration in court, in order to obtain a pension &c
Yours Respectfully James Mendenhall

Dec 9
Ann Watts Vand. 38
Commissaire of Pensions
Washington City
Dist. of Columbia

Portsmouth Va December 7 th 1839
Dear Sir
The mail this morning, brought me the Pension Certificate of Ann Watts. I perceive by the 3 rd Sec. of the Act of July 7 th 1838, the Secretary of War is authorized to adopt such regulations and forms of evidence, in relation to applications and payments under this Act, as the President of the United States may prescribe.
I must request that you will transmit to me by mail, the forms which have been prescribed in relation to the payments under this act; so that the pensioner may meet with no difficulty in applying to the Agency at Richmond. For the Agent at Richmond is one of the most particular men, upon the subject, I have ever seen, it seems, that the forms prescribed, must be observed, verbatim et literatim . I should be pleased for you to send me the form by the return mail, as Mrs Watts will be enabled to send her papers to Richmond on Wednesday next, if the form can be obtained
N. B.
Be pleased to direct to me "Portsmouth Va" not to Norfolk
JM
Yours Respectfully
James Mundaugh
4676. Ann Watts - VA

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19587
Ann Watts Widow of William Watts First Rev War
Act: July 9 th 1835
Lex:—Vol. M , Page 312
[Arrangement of 1870.]

NW 23
family head Mrs Watts
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Dear Sir
Portsmouth Nov. 18 th 1839
I send you herewith the Bible containing the family Record of W m Watts deceased - I will inclose to you the new declaration by mail tomorrow - as the Steam boat for Washington leaves here but once a week I have taken the earliest opportunity of sending the family Record - You will find the same at the 4 th Chap. of the Wisdom of Solomon.
Yours Respectfully James Mendenhall

At a Court held for Norfolk County the 21 day of April 1818 William Watts a resident of Norfolk County in the State of Virginia this day made a declaration in oath in open Court that he was a private soldier in Capt Burtis Company in the 2 nd State regiment in the Continental line and that he served for eighteen months in the said Company and was honorably discharged from the service, the Court being satisfied from the evidence introduced that the facts stated in the declaration are correct
Copy True
Arthur Emmerson Jr Dy Clerk

Virginia
At a Court held for Norfolk County the 20 th day of September 1839
The Court doth certify that the following is an extract from the Register of the marriage of William Watts with Ann Pool and that it is a true copy from the family Register as exhibited to the Court with the exception of the date which is expressed in the family Register in fair legible figures as follows William Watts and Ann Pool were married March 20 th 1781. "William Watts and Ann Pool were married March twentieth in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty one" and the Court certifies that the above is a true extract from the family record with the exception above named.
I Arthur Emmerson Clerk of the said Court hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of the said Court. In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and of our Independence the sixty fourth.
Arthur Emmerson C lerk

Feb 15. 1841
family bible Ann Watts, 14676-38.
Ho. of Reps. H. M. Mallory H. R. 125 J. P. Kennedy Secy. Washington D.C.

Sir
H o of Rep, July 13 1841
M rs Ann Watt, of Portsmouth Virginia desires to procure her family Bible which was sent to your Office in support of her claim for a pen- sion - Please say if you will deliver to me further -
Henry Wilson Finaly
I Leonard Comm. of Pensions.
Washington D C

Mar 6. 1841
Recd for family Bible - Ann Watts.
J. J. Swan esq
Comm. of Pensions

Dear Sir
I would call on you for this Bible but am quite unable to well scan to morrow -
Yours
Truly

Bible containing The Family Record of W m Watts sent To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington City to prove the marriage of William Watts with Ann Watts
James M c Laugh
care of Capt Mitchell { of Steamer Columbia }

I certify that the annexed Family record of William Watts, whose widow Ann Watts, has been pensioned under the act of July 7. 1838, was cut out of the Family Bible by me on the 19 th . of February 1841, in order that the Bible might be returned to said widow, through the Hon. F. Mallory, of the House of Representatives of the U States.
John D Wilson Clerk in the Pension Office

Ann Watts 6370 wid of William 7a
Act July 7 1835 Married 1781 died 1892
Also 18 mo period the sum ann Vt State line
J. M. Murchough Esq Norfolk 7b