Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,393, William Willson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Willson William or Wilson
S. 6393
also served in 1774, Ind. War.
carded.
CONTENTS
A. Nat. 7, 1745 in Augusta Co. Va. & res there. always up to 1832
Da 3-12/49

Virginia 12.967 William Wilson 85
Augusta in the State of Virginia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain M c Clanahan of the Reg t commanded by Col. Lewis in the Virginia line for 10 months
★ William Wilson Record corrected
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of June '33 and sent R. M. Hudson Staunton Va
Arrears to the 14th of March '33 — 80 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. — 20
$100
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk Book E Vol. 6. Page 31

State of Virginia
And County of Augusta to wit
On this 25th day of Sept r 1933 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the court of Augusta County now sitting.
William Wilson (Major) a resident of the County & State aforesaid aged about 87 years, 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 passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer, and served as herein stated.
At the time he entered the service he was a resident of the County of Augusta, Virginia. In his first tour of duty he served as a volunteer, in a company commanded by Captain Alex r McClanahan, and in which William McCutchan was Lieutenant & Joseph Long ensign. That they assembled in Staunton (Va) he thinks about the latter end of August 1774 and marched from there to Point Pleasant on the Ohio River, having joined several companies commanded by Capt. John Morrison, Capt. Sam l Milton, Capt. George Mathews & Capt. John Lewis at the Great Levels (now in Greenbrier County.) That they had a severe engagement with the Indians at Point Pleasant, in which Col. Chas. Lewis, Capt. McClanahan & Capt. Morrison & Capt. Milton were killed. The whole number of killed & wounded amounted to about 160. After this battle they advanced about 80 miles beyond the River to the Indian Towns, from whence they returned to Point Pleasant without effecting any thing material. They remained here only 6 or 8 days waiting for a supply of provisions after which they set out on their return home. This company arrived at Staunton where they were disbanded about the middle of July after a tour he thinks of about 5 months. Amongst these

field officers he recollects the names of Andrew Lewis Commander in Chief and Col. Lewis (who was killed in the battle) Commandant - a station in which he served was his Colonel.
In his second Tour of duty he also served as a Volunteer in a Company commanded by Capt. John Lyle and in which Wm McCutchan was Lieut. & Joseph Long ensign. They rendezvoused at Lexington (Va) about the middle of July 1776. From thence they were marched to Holston River under the command of Col. Wm Christian, being sent to guard the frontier against the hostile incursions of the Indians. They returned home and were disbanded about the middle of December. Making his whole term of service in this Tour amount to about 5 months. He was in no engagement except some slight skirmishes with the Indians. He would mention that Joseph Bell a resident of Augusta County, served with him in this Tour, who is also an applicant for a pension & whose declaration he would here refer - (Also aff'd of William Woolley)
In his third Tour of duty he was drafted and held the office of Sergeant. That he was marched from the Widow Leases (Now Waynesborough) on the South River in Augusta County, the place of rendezvous, he thinks on the 11th of January 1781, was marched to Richmond from thence to Fredericksburg & from thence Portsmouth, where the enemy were then stationed, and where they joined the American main body of the troops the forces under the command of Baron Steuben. That he was in two slight skirmishes with the British at this place but in no engagement of any note. From Portsmouth they returned home, & were disbanded he thinks about the 17th of April. He was under the command of Sampson Matthews - Wm Bowyer was his Colonel & Alexander Robinson Major - his

Company officers were Capt. Thos. Rankin, Lieut. Alex d Scott & ensign W m Buchanan. His whole term of service in this Tour amounted to about 3 months & 6 or 8 days
In his fourth Tour he served as a volunteer & a private in a company of mounted Cavalry, of which Zachariah Johnson was captain, Chas. Rankin Lieut. & Rich d Madam ensign. That they assembled at the widow Leares (Waynesborough he thinks) about the first of June 1781. From thence they advanced to Richmond. The British were then leaving Richmond & retiring to Williamsburg, as they fell in with the American Army, who were pur- suing them at a short distance. The British remained but a short time at Williamsburg, and after leaving that place they were attacked by the American Army after a few of their troops had passed the river into the Island of Jamestown, when a severe engage- ment ensued, and a considerable number were killed on both sides. After this battle they returned home after , having been in the service about two months as well as he can recollect. In this Tour he experienced that his Colonels name was William Christian & that Genl. Wayne & Col Campbell were regular officers whom he knew.
His whole term of service was about 15 months. He never received any written discharge. He would further state that he was born on the 7th day of November 1745 in Augusta County Va. where he has resided ever since. And that his age is recorded in a family Bible now in his possession
He would suggest the names of Saml. Blackwood esq r John B. Christian esq r & Charles Hudson as persons to whom he is known & who can testify to his character & their belief of his services as a soldier. He hereby relinquishes every claim

Whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Wm Wilson
We Alex Williams & Wm Davis one of the court hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Major William Wilson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be 87 years of age. that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Alex Williams Wm Davis
And the said court do hereby certify 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 certify that it appears to them that Alex Williams & Wm Davis are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit
Wm Wilson 10921
State of Virginia
Augusta County
I, Jefferson Kinney clerk of the County of Augusta County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Wilson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal at C. this 3rd day of November 1832 in the 5th year of the commonwealth
Jefferson Kinney Clerk

Wm. H. ...
add this next time - My letter had been mailed when I received
February 9, 1927
Luella Wood Mackenzie Moulton, Iowa
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 6393 it appears that William  William was born November 7, 1745 in Augusta County, Virginia.
While a resident of Augusta County, Virginia he enlisted in Aug. 1774, served five months as private under Captain Alexander McClanahan and Colonel Charles Lewis and was in the battle of Point Pleasant.
He enlisted in July 1776 and served five months as private in Captain John Lyle's Company, Colonel William Christian's Virginia Regiment.
He enlisted January 11, 1781, served three months and six days as sergeant in Captain Thomas Rankin's Company, Colonel William Bowyer's Virginia Regiment, then enlisted June 1, 1781, served two months as private in Captain Zachariah Johnson's Company, Colonel William Christian's Virginia Regiment and was in the battle of Jamestown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed

September 25, 1832 while a resident of Augusta County, Virginia, where he had always lived.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Rev War
6393.
INVALID.
File No. 6393
William Wilson *
in Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: Vol. A , Page 408
[Arrangement of 1870.]
William Wilson Records corrected
Sept. 28, 1905. History to Mrs. Viola Price Franklin, San Jose, Calif. — MVR.
1922 Mar 20. History to Mrs Annie Wilson. Aud.
1922 July 7. Hist. to Miss Annie Wilson. (Duplicate - original Hist. of Mar. 20 - 1922 lost) MMT.
1927 Feb. 9. Hist. to Lucille Hood Mackenzie. MMT.

Augusta County to wit,
This day William Worley came personally before me Sam d Blackwood a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath that he remembers very well that William Wilson was in the Cherokee expedition in the year 1776 under capt d William McCutchan, and colonel William Christian
his William Worley mark
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 21 st day of Sept r 1832
Augusta County to wit
Sam d Blackwood
I hereby certify that William Worley who subscribed the above has always been considered a Man of Honor & Truth 92. 11. 1833 Sam d Blackwood

Augusta County to wit
This day James Hamilton came personally before me and stated that he believes that William Wilson was in the Battle at Hot Water where Col Thomas Huggart commanded and he thinks that he saw William Wilson after he was wounded but cannot now state very particularly the circumstances
James Hamilton
Sworn and subscribed before me this 21 st Sept r 1832
Sam l Blackwood
Augusta County to wit
I hereby certify James Hamilton who subs d the above is a Man undoubted Vindicator given under my hand this 28 th
Day of May 1833
Sam l Blackwood

William Wilson
Family as
    Private Aft  16  66  5  mo    " Cav.  8  33  12     Sergeant  15  00  3      $  40  00  10    

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Wilson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? let II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? let III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? let V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? NO VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? let VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? let VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? let IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? let X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? let

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? NO
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

The Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington City
D.6.
January 18, 1882

Stannton June 1 st 183.
Sir:
I return herewith the declaration of Maj r William Wilson an aged and respectable citizen, who has claimed a pension under the act of June 1831. I understood your objections to the admission his claim to be three. That he had not stated with sufficient certainty the length of time for which he served, and that the evidence proof of his service was in some respects objectionable. To obviate the first of these objections, he has made an affidavit in the form specified in the note, subjoined to your brief. He has also procured some additional testimony which he sends on together with that which he offered before - you will find on examination that he has proved the whole term of his service by witnesses who served with him, he has also obtained the certificate of some Justice of the Peace, as to the credibility of each witness. The reason why the this certificate was not made in every instance by the justice who took testimony, was that, the justice omitted it, and finding it inconvenient, & finding it inconvenient to send back the affidavit to the same justice, residing perhaps in a remote part of the county, was advised that the certificate of any justice would answer the same purpose. He has also had his papers authenticated as he supposes the regulations require - He believes that there can now be no objections to his claim - If however there are any he is ready to remove them -
Respectfully, your ob t Serv t Rob t M c Hudson

We Sam d Blackwood and John B. Christian Justices of the peace in the County of Augusta State of Virginia do hereby certify that we believe that Major William Wilson who is an applicant for a pension was in the Revolutionary War as He has already stated, and we further state that we are internally acquainted with him and have been since our infancy and we believe him to be a Man of strict Honesty and undoubted veracity, and we believe him to be fully the age he has stated viz. 87 years given under our hands and seals this 22 nd day of May 1833
Sam d Blackwood Seal d John B. Christian Seal d
Augusta County to wit
We Sam d Blackwood and John B. Christian Justices of the peace in the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that we personally acquainted with Joseph Bell and James Hamilton, who are both witnesses to prove the services of Major William Wilson during the Revolutionary War, and that they are Men of Honesty, and undoubted veracity given under our hands and seals this 22 nd day of May 1833
Sam d Blackwood Seal d John B. Christian Seal d
Augusta County to wit
William Wilson this day personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace for said County and  was being duly sworn deporeth & saith that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below that is to say. For five months I served as a private against the Indians at Fort Lewis. For five months as a private against the Indians in his Town to Holstein. For 2 months as a private against the British & for 3 months as a private Sergeant against the British. Making in all fifteen 26 days months service, 9 months & 6 days of which he was a Sergeant for which services he claims a pension given under my hand this 28 th day of May 1833
John C. Lowrey

J. Francis McFarland, a clergyman of Augusta County & State of Virginia, do certify that I have been well acquainted with Major William Wilson for ma- ny years; that I believe him to be 87 years of age as he states; and that he is reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war; and in that opinion I concur. I would farther state that Maj. Wilson's statement is entitled to entire credence.
May 24 th 1833
Francis McFarland
State of Virginia } ss Augusta County
This day the Rev. Francis McFarland came personally before me a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and was duly sworn to, and subscribed the above certificate in my presence given under my hand This 24 th day of May 1833 Sam d Blackwood,
Augusta County to wit:
This day Joseph Bell made oath before me the undersigned a justice of the peace for said County that Major William Wilson & this affiant himself served in the revolution in a Company under the command of Capt. John Lyle. That they rendezvoused at Lexington Va. in July 1776 & marched from thence to Holstein River un- der the command of Col. Russel to guard the frontier. When they arrived at Holstein they were placed under the command of Col. W m Christian. from thence they marched to the Indian Towns on the south side of the Tennessee River & continued there 3 or 4 weeks they then crossed the Tennessee River and returned home where they arrived in the the month of December. Major Wilson was with them during the whole campaign - he thinks he was out about 5 months
Given under my hand this 28 th day of May 1833 W m Davis

Augusta County to wit
This day William Beard made oath before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace for said county that Maj William Wilson & him self served in the revolution war against the Shawnee Indians under the command of Col Andrew Lewis and served three months or upwards I also served three months with Maj William Wilson at Portsmouth under the command of Col Samson Matthews
May 20th 1833
Sam Crawford
Augusta County to wit:
I, James A. McEne a Justice of the peace for said county do hereby certify that I am acquainted with William Beard who has deposed to the services of William Wilson as a soldier of the Revolution, & that he is a man of veracity, and that his statements on oath are entitled to credit, given under my hand this 20th day of May 1833
James A. McEne
State of Virginia to wit
I Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the County Court of Augusta in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Samuel Blackwood, John B Christian, John C Sowers, Wm Davis, Samuel Crawford & James A McEne whose names appear to the foregoing certificates now are and were at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of Office this 31 st day of May 1833 & in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth
Jefferson Kinney Clerk

August 28, 1905
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir, -
I write to in- quire how I may ascertain if my ancestor, a Mr. William Wilson who served in the Revo- lutionary War, is listed as receiving a pension after the close of the war? He was present at the siege of Yorktown and I think retired to a county in Virginia after the war had closed. He enlisted from Virginia. He received a pension.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
I am trying to prove that I am entitled to belong to the Daughters of the American Revolution. I have searched the genealogical records in the Newberry and other libraries, but some data is still lacking. On account of so many Virginia records having been burned during the Civil War it is difficult to find what I want. I need to know the exact date of his birth and death -
I think the William Wilson

3. 12967
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
whose pension commenced Mar. 4, 1831 (on the Augusta county, Virginia. pension roll) may be my ancestor. He was a private and a sergeant. my ancestor's  Her wife's name was Margaret.
Where may I find access to a pension roll that would likely give me the desired information?
Very truly yours,
(Mrs.) Viola Price Franklin.
Data taken from card

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
whose former commander was H. 1881 (on the Augusta colony, Virginia. former (1881) was to my interest. He was a graduate of the Naval Academy and was a captain in the navy. He was a friend of mine to a certain extent, but only lately found out that he was information.
Very truly yours, (Signed) Victor Vance Franklin Late Captain and Vice President

Wash. D. C. Feb. 16/1922,
Dear Sir:
I want to join the Daughters of American Revolution and would like to have the record of my ancestor, or what you can tell me of him; he had a pension. His name was — William Wilson New Pension P. 6393 Augusta County, Virginia; Private and Ser. Virginia Continental troops. Died Dec 13, 1832.
Respc.
Miss Annie Wilson,
Care of Joseph D. Krefer,
* 607 Louisiana Ave. N.W.
Room 4.
Washington, D. C.
Please follow the above address to Room 4.

Moulton Ia - Dec 6 - 26 Lt. Robert C. Davis, Dept. Gen Will you please send me copies of pension claims giving name of wife & children of these two - William Nelson's
(1) William Nelson - private & sergeant pensioned Mch - 4 th 1831 - age 80 yrs from Augusta Co - Va = Va Line
(2) William Nelson Sr. - private Va State Troops - pensioned Mch 4 th 1831 - age 72 =
Please send me all information of wife (her name) & children & dates etc -
I thank you in advance for this information
57 Received A. G. O. DEC 8 1926
Very Sincerely Luella Wood Mackenzie Moulton Iowa

1st Ind.
PD/MVM/ORD
War Department, A.G.O., December 13, 1926. - To the Commissioner of Pensions,
1. Transmitted as a matter which pertains to the Pension Bureau. 2. Luella Wood MacKenzie has been advised of this transmittal.
Robert C. Davis Major General, The Adjutant General. By SAR.

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 Wm. Willson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug 1774 5 mos Pvt. Albert McClanahan Ebenezer Lewis Va.   July 1776 5 " Pvt. John Dyle Wm Christian   Jan. 11 1781 3 mos 6 days Sgt. Thos Rankin Wm Bowyer   June 1 1781 2 " Pvt. Zachariah Johnson Wm Christian  
Battles engaged in: Point Pleasant, Jamestown Residence of soldier at enlistment, Augusta Co. Va Date of application for pension, Sept. 25, 1832. His ch. was at - Residence at date of application, Augusta Co. Va Age at date of application, to Augusta Co. Va. Nov. 7, 1741 -
Remarks: There is no data on file as to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.