Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,621, Thomas Williams, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Vas.
Williams, Thomas
R. 11,621
Put
CONTENTS

State of Tennessee } Court of Pleas and quarter Giles County } Sessions November Term 1834
On this the 22 nd day of November 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions now sitting Thomas Williams a Citizen of the aforesaid County of Giles and State of Tennessee aged Seventy one years since the 1 st day of September last. Who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the Service of the United States and served as herein stated. - That is to say he entered the aforesaid Service as a private Militia man as Substitute for his Brother Peter Williams who had been drafted and who did not wish to go into the Service on account of his having a family. and this applicant having no such incumbrance he substituted and went in his place. Said applicant being under age to do Service for himself at that time not being Eighteen years old. He entered the Service abovestated under the command of Capt Timothy Rives. Colonel Lawson's Brigade Applicant at the aforesaid time of entering said Service lived in Prince George County State of Virginia and entered said Service in said last mentioned County and rendezvoused in said last mentioned County at Blount's ordinary and thence was marched to Smithfield. He was then marched down to a town called Suffolk to meet an Old Army and his Company at that place. The Army leader just alluded to was by the name of Gubridge. He had been at the

Town before our Troops to which applicant be- longed had reached there Applicant and his apotiat Troops were then marched to Smithfield where they were Stationed about six weeks. When they were discharged after having been in actual service on this town Seven weeks he received a discharge from this service from Colonel Lawson which discharge he has since lost. He next entered the said service a drafted Militia man. Under the command of Capt Spurlock Plains in May. James Cook's Battalion he entered this service in the said County of Prince George and Rindgeground at Bland's ordinary the same place mentioned in the account given above of the other service. From thence he was marched to Hoods Fort on James River in the said County of Prince George where they were again Stationed for the term of seven weeks and were then discharged. Where and when they were all discharged and he further states that he has also lost the discharge from this service. This term of Service having terminated at the end of seven weeks from the time they entered the same. Applicant next entered the said service as Sub- stitute for Samuel Lee as a private militia man under Capt Peter Williams Applicant's Brother and in Colonel Lawson Regiment. Were Rindgeground at the same place mentioned in the former service above set forth. and from thence they were marched to Berleys old field in Isle of Wight County the State of Virginia and from thence to Coopers Burnt Mills some fifteen or twenty miles from said old field at which last mentioned place their term of Service expired. Having been in Service on this expedition eight weeks in all and was again discharged by Colonel Lawson.

which is also lost or mislaid He next entered the said service in the month of January the same year that Cornwallis surrendered under Capt John Hart as a private drafted militia man and were rendezvoused at Petersburg. where they were attached to some Regular Troops he thinks in Colonel Gibsons Regiment - from thence he was marched to Cedar Point where they cannon- aded the British vessels at the mouth of Appo- maticks River and from thence they pursued the British down to Hoods fort where they had another Skirmish at the Grays Roads as it was called. from thence near Stone where appli- cant was again discharged having served six weeks during this tour He was again called out in the following Spring as a private drafted Militia man under Capt Richard Bland were again rendezvoused at Blands ordinary in the said County of Prince George - and marched from thence into Nansemond County and also into Isle of Wight County and stationed awhile at Walls Bridge and from thence pursued the British up to Petersburg and being routed by the British they were marched to Richmond and from thence to the coal pits and then were discharged after having served in this expedition the term of two months. Applicant was a great portion of this term of service under the command of General Lawson by whom he was discharged. he has also lost this discharge. He again entered the said service as a private drafted militia man under Capt Edward Ruffin and Ren- dezvoused at Maycocks on James River in the said County of Prince George where Applicant

remained during the whole of the Revolutionary war except when absent in service from thence he was marched into Henrico County where he was joined by General Lawson, Brigade, and from thence crossed over into Prince George from thence down James River to Green's Springs where they were stationed some time and then proceeded in with La Fayette's army which was landed at from thence through Williamsburg to Spring- field where they lay a while until they went down to close Lord Cornwallis in at York- town and remained there until the surrender and was in the engagements at Yorktown which terminated in the surrender of the British forces stationed there to the American General under in chief this term of service then expired having lasted nine weeks from which Applicant was then discharged by Capt. Edmund Ruffin which is also lost. When ended Applicant's service during the Revolu- tionary war he states that he has no docu- mentary evidence nor does he know of any witness by whom he can prove his services above stated. He hereby relinquishes all right and claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state J. H. V. 1801

32.511
Mr. Alachua Thomas Williams Jany 5. 1835 Tennessee Pension Office
Thomas Williams
Rejected, did not serve six months under by order of competent authorits. See letter #10 Jany 1835 to J. Serten.

Questions propounded by the Court
quest 1 st ) Where and in what year were you born
Answer) I was born in Prince George County State of Virginia on the 9 th of September 1763
quest 2 nd ) Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer) My age is recorded in the State of Virginia in the family Bible.
quest 3 rd ) Where were you living when called into the service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live?
Answer) When called into the service I lived in Prince George County Virginia, after the war I moved to Dunwoody County Virginia, from thence to Giles County State of Tennessee where I now reside.
quest 4 th ) How were called into the service
Answer) I was drafted every time but twice when I was received as a Substitute
quest 5 th ) State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served. Such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer) I have in my deposition stated these matters as fully as I am able to do.
quest 6 th ) Did you receive a discharge from service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer) I have stated that I received several discharges which are all lost or mislaid.

Just 17 th State the names of some of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer I am known to Daniel T. Woods, Daniel Puryear, James Carroll and many others that could testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution sworn to before me Nancy Wilkey in open Court November 22 d 1834 Gerran Lister clk
We Allen Hill a clergyman and Daniel Puryear residing in the said County of Giles do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Williams, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two years of age as stated by himself; that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he lives to know him a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion sworn to before Allen Hill me in open Court Daniel Puryear November 22 d 1834 Gerran Lister clk

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 certify that it appears to them that Allen Hill, who has signed the proceeding certificate is a Clergyman and Daniel Furgar who has also signed the same, are both residents in the said County of Giles, and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit
Alexander Black William Mayfield Thos. S. Webb
State of Tennessee Giles County
I Herman Luter Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions held for said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Williams for a Pardon
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of December 1834
Herman Luter Clerk

Attest of Tennessee Giles County I Alexander Black chair- man of the county court of pleas and quarter sessions of said County do hereby Certify, that Herman Lester whose name is subscribed to the above Certificate is and was Clerk of said Court at the time of ma- king the same, that the above signature thereunto purporting to be his, is genuine and that said Certificate is in due form of law and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such Clerk. Given under my hand and seal at Pulaski in said County, This 22 nd day of December 1832
Alexander Black
Chairman of the county court of Giles County Tennessee

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 Thomas Williams 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.     Realized that he served from an early period of the Rev. until late in 1781 at various times as Pvt Timothy Rives Lawson Va   Hartwell Rains "   Peter Williams (his brother) "   John Hart "   Richard Bland "   Edmund Ruffin "  
Battles engaged in, Cedar Point, Cross Roads, Yorktown & at surrender of Cornwallis
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Prince George Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 22, 1834
Residence at date of application, Giles Co. Tenn. there in 1841
Age at date of application, born Sept. 7, 1763 in Prince George Co. Va.
Remarks: This claim was rejected as he failed to furnish sufficient proof of six months military service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied for pension.
Official review. Respectfully, _____ Commissioner. Her claims 11 mos. 1 week in 1 st decl. } I could not straighten it out at all & office " " 15- " " 2 nd " " did not accept either,
Martha A. H. Rhea gives no relationship nor any reason why she should prosecute claim. so not used.

1919 Feb. 7. Hist. to Mrs. Chas. G. Lippold. aw. 1919 Apr. 29 Hist. to Mrs. A. F. Williams.
REJECTED
11 621
P. O. Thomas Williams
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleged: The printed list of 1852 gives cause of rejection as:
Re-enlisted: Not under military authority or organization
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

333 Jenifer St., Atlanta, Ga
Rec. Sec m
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: I find that my ancestor Thomas Williams , of Giles Co. Tenn. , was an revolutionary pensioner in 1840 — Will you kindly send me a copy of his pension applica- tion papers, and greatly oblige?
Yours Truly Mrs W. F. Williams
Apl 15- 1919.

Rev. Sec
line
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: Please send me, at your earliest convenience, the record of service of the Revolutionary pensioners, Thomas Williams of Giles Co. Tenn in 1840, and Thomas Jerry of Union Co. U.C. in 1833, and oblige
Yours Very Truly Mrs Chas G. Lippold, 130 East 11 th St. Atlanta, Ga
Jan 30 - 1919.
This Agency first knew of William the racist Nov. 12 1833 - There is a report that there is but one other on

State of Tennessee } Circuit Court. February Giles County } Term. sitting at Pulaski 1841
On this day personally appeared, the within  in open Court  Herbert Led better a resident of Giles County State of Tennessee, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following statements:-
1. That he is about the age of seventy three, and was born and raised in the County of Prince George State of Virginia, that he was well acquainted with Thomas Williams at a previous to the Revolutionary War, said Thomas Williams having and himself having been raised in the same neighborhood, and that the said Thomas Williams was a Volunteer in the Virginia State Troops, in the Light Infantry Regiment which was commanded by Col. Lawson, and in the Company commanded by Capt. John H. Holt  Limothy Reaves . Affiant states that he does not recollect the precise day, & year on which the said Thomas Williams volunteered, in said Troops but, tho' knows that it was in the October of year preceding the year in which Lord Cornwallis was captured, at York, by Genl. Washington Affiant is certain of the facts of the above stated as he was the boy selected by the women of

of the neighborhood, to carry clothes to the said Thomas Williams & his own brother. Said that he met the Troops commanded by Col. Lawson at Fort Mackay, & that the said Thomas Williams was then in the Army as above stated. He likewise states that he knows said Thomas to have been a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, - and to have served, for a considerable time in said war, but does not now know how long the said Thomas served, but thinks about a year in all, - if not longer.
Herbert Ledbetter
I, Charles C. Abernathy, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Giles County State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the above-named Herbert Ledbetter, being duly sworn according to Law, in open Court, made oath that the above statements are true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my private seal (there being no seal of office) at office. This the 23 d February 1841.
Charles C. Abernathy Clerk

We, Thomas W. Grubb, & George W. Tilling, and Joseph Hernabity residing in the County of Giles & State of Tennessee, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Williams who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age; That he is respected & believed to be , in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to & subscribed this day a year aforesaid. T. W. Grubb G. W. Tilling
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, & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Thomas W. Grubb, Joseph Hernabity & George W. Tilling are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit. It appeared to the satisfaction of the Court that there is no dis creditor in Thomas Williams' neighborhood, who is acquainted with his character, except Dr. Gilbert Taylor, who is now absent from the State.
Edmunds Dillahunty Judge

I, Charles C. Abernathy Clerk of the Circuit Court of Giles County State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Williams for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, & affixed my private seal, (There being no seal of office) This 23 d February 1840 -
Charles C. Abernathy Clerk

Hon. E. J. Shickley, June 14. '36
O. B. 7
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

War Dept.
Pension of June 3rd
(3)
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Nathaniel Martin was suspend- -ed & that of Thomas Williams rejected on the 10 Jany 1835 as you perceive by my letter of that date to Mr. Lester copies  a copy of which are  is herewith enclosed.
The answer to your enquiry in the above cases has not been returned earlier delayed in consequence of the sickness of the gentleman to whom  whom  it was  was referred and it was not discovered until this morning that he had not reached it at the time he was taken sick which occurred about the time you made the enquiry.
Hon. E. J. Shields H. Rep.

(6) State of Tennessee - Giles County
On this the 23 d day of February 1841, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Circuit Court of Tennessee now sitting at Pulaski, Thomas Williams a resident of the County & State of one said, aged about eighty years , who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following Declarations , in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of June 7 th 1832, passed by the Congress of the United States; — That he will be eighty years of age next September: that he first entered the Virginia Light Infantry , as a Volunteer early in the Revolutionary War , but that he does not now remember the year, and served about two months under the Command of Capt. Timothy Reeves in Colonel Lawson's Regiment ; that the company re-deployed at Bland's Ordinary (or Tavern ) Prince George's County Virginia, and marched to Smithfield , and then to Old Suffolk , at the time it was burnt by the enemy — : His next turn of duty took place about two months after he returned home from his first tour, when he was in Capt Hardwell Rains' Company and under the Command of Colonel Lawson , — the company met at Bland's Ordinary , and marched to Hood's Fort

on James River, and served two months  as a letter service . A few months afterwards he went out on a third tour of duty under the command of Capt. Thomas Peter Williams, his brother, rendezvoused at Bland's Ordway (Salem) and marched thence with the Col. Lawson's Regiment to Johnson's old fields in Fauquier County in the state of Virginia - and then to Coopers' Bark Mill in Isle of Wight County, and then to Stone's Mills, where he was discharged after a service of three months . About two months after his return home, he again volunteered for the folisito tour of duty under Capt Bland & rendezvoused at Bland's Ordway, - marched to Stone's Mill, remained some time, & then went to Coopers' Bark Mill, and at the expiration of three months , was discharged. This tour of duty was performed under Colonel Lawson also - His fifth tour of duty took place in the month of January succeeding his last tour, he then volunteered under Capt John Scott - ren- dezvoused at Petersburg, Virginia, and was under the command of Col. Lawson - Marched through Fauquier County, and Isle of Wight Counties, - was in the battle at Cedar (or Broadway ) point , and at Crops Road in Prince George County - pursued the British

into Mansmound, & Isle of Wight, & then followed them back to Peterborough, where we were defeated & retreated into Chesterfield County, & the other troops dispersed for a few days, but the above named Thomas Williams , on the reassembling of the troops which took place in about two weeks at Maycock in Prince George County on James River, was put into Captain Ruff Edmund Ruffin's Company, & afterwards remained with Col- davidson's Command, until the troops came from the North, - crossed the river at the Green Springs marched to Williamsburg, & then to the Siege at York, where he remained until the Capture of the British Army, and was then discharged after a service of five 5 months. Having served in all in the service of the United States as a volunteer Militia man in the Rev- olutionary war, fifteen months. -
He states that at the end of all the tours of duty above named (except one) he got discharged, but that the he has lost, or mislaid or destroyed them, and he further states that he has not in his possession, nor does he know where he can procure, documentary evidence of his services; and he also states that he knows of no one now living by whom he can prove his services, except Herbert Ledbetter, whose testimony is

forwarded to the Department. With this declaration, said Ledbetter, being younger than too young to remember, the extent of his services -
He also states that he once before had a declaration made out, before he knew that Dear Herbert Ledbetter was still alive, but of whom existence he has been but recently apprised and had it forwarded to the War Department, but, as he has never heard from that application he supposes, that the declaration now miscarried. He states that he has never drawn a pension, either from the United States or from Virginia. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity, except the present; and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid. Richard W. Dancy
And further the
We Thomas Grubbs and
Additional Declaration - I am Thomas Williams further state that he was born in Prince George County Virginia - lived in Virginia, & about fifteen years ago moved to the state of Tennessee - Where he has resided ever since & now resides. He has no record of his age, but is of the age described to the best of his recollection & belief. This the 23 d day of February 1841. J. H. B. Williams

Rejected, see (10) letter 10 Jan y 1835 to G. Lester. cannot find did not serve six months.
Hon. E. J. Shields, Jan 14:36 Dec r 15 H. A. L. to E. J. Shields.
11621

E. J. Shields
March 15 1841
06
Dear Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th inst.

Pen: Office.
March 15. 1841
(8)
Sir,
The papers in the case of William Thomas Williams have been examined and filed in this office. He made a declaration in 1834, which is on file in this office. His claim was rejected because it did not appear to the satisfaction of this Dept. that he had performed six months service of that character provided for by the act of 7 June 1832. In the declaration now exhibited, the duration of the terms of service set forth are in each instance about the double the time alleged to have been performed in the original declaration. The applicant should make an amended statement and the official character and signature of the clerk of the Court of Giles Co. Tenn should be certified by a member of Congress, as required in note i, in the enclosed printed sheet. If the claimant will prove that he performed as much as six months service against the common enemy in a regularly organized corps and by order of competent authority, a pension will be allowed for that time.
E. J. Shields Esq Pulaski, Tenn
O. C. [Handwritten signature]

Pulaski T. 26 th February 1840
By Hon. Mr. John Bell
Dear Sir. Under the impression that you will, under the new Administration be called to the Head of the War Department I take the liberty of enclosing an application for a pension by an old Revolutionary Soldier, to You, with a request that you have his name put on the Roll, & his application attended to at as early a day as may be practicable. Should I be mistaken in the supposition that You are to be invited to take charge of the War Department, I have to request you to be so good as to hand this application, to the proper persons, and to use what influence it may be in your power to give to advance the claim.
I am, Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Most Obedt Servt
E. J. Shields

Sold by John G. Clark 100 West 10th Street
Know all men by these presents: That I (9) Martha A. H. Rhea
do hereby constitute and appoint Chas C. Tucker of Washington City D.C. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the claim of Thomas Williams for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the act of 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 claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere to file additional evidence or arguments and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said claim and to appoint one or more Substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed and to do all things that I might or could do here I personally present hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises
Witness my hand and seal this 26 day of September 1854 In presence of } Martha A. H. Rhea John C. Harmon }
State of Tennessee Giles County
On this 26 day of September 1854 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared Martha A. Rhea and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned James Hanna B. for Giles County
State of Tennessee } Giles County }
On this 26 day of September 1854 before me the Undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and

for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Martha A. Brien a resident of said County and made oath according to the law that she is the identical Martha A. Brien who executed the foregoing power of attorney and that she 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
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and
year above written James Hanna Justice of the Peace for Giles County.
State of Tennessee } County of Giles }
I Edward D. Jones Clerk of the County Court of Giles do hereby certify that James Hanna Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgment were made and who hereunto 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 and 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 28 th day of September 1872
E. D. Jones Clerk