Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1,998, for William Legon, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Legon, William or Ligon
S. 1998
CONTENTS
carded

7579 West Tennessee
William Ligon
of Smith in the State of William who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Quinn of the Regt commanded by Col in the War time for 9 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 230 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of April 1833 and sent to Smith Pickett Carthage
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 60.00
Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept 15.00
$75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 87
†

12.385

State of Tennessee
Smith County Court August A. D. 1832
This day being the 28 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before John Crumbus Solomon Deputy Clerk the court of said County William
Sigorn Garrison a resident of said County of Smith, aged Seventy-seven 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 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the united States under Captain Jesse Owen in Prince Edward County & State of Virginia for six months; that the troops assembled near Hillsboro, N th Carolina and marched from thence to South Carolina and was in the battle at Gates defeat ; that to the best of his recollection he was attached to Gen. Stephens Division or Brigade of Militia. He entered the service in June 1780 and was discharged the last of November or first of December following, but his discharge for this tour is either lost or mislaid so that it cannot be found; that he knows of no person now living by whom he can prove this tour of six months .
He further states that he served another tour of three months; that he entered the service when he lived in Prince Edward County Virginia in the month of June 1781 under Captain James Skillen; that the troops assembled at Williamsburg Virginia, and marched from thence in different directions in pursuit of the British; that he was discharged on the 22 nd day of September following (1781) as will appear from the discharge herewith annexed. That he acted as sergeant

in both tours and was discharged as such. He hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declared that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Given to in open court 28 Augt 1832. William Logon J. Pickett.
We Miles West a clergyman, residing in the county of Smith, and John Logon residing in the same county, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Logon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-seven years of age; that he is reputed and believ- -ed, 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 & year aforesaid. J. Pickett. Miles West John Logon
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 stated. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Miles West who has signed the prece- -ding Certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the county of Smith, and that John Logon who has also signed the same is a resident in the same county, and is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.
John Hamilton Chairman of Smith County Court

State of Tennessee      §      I Jonathan Pickett Cannon County.      § Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the ap- plication of William Ligon for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Wartrace, this 14th day of September 1839 and 63 d year of our Independence
J. P. Pickett

No 12385.
W m Ligon
Smith Co from 1780. private 9 months #30.
Caplven
Na
Jonathan Pickett Carthage Tennessee
Feb. 25. 1833

BRIEF in the case of William Ligon  of Smith County  in the State of Tennessee.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77 years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 17 80 — — 6 — — private Col. Soper Col. Gen. Stephen   — — 3 — — do Col. James Allin.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Gates defeat.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Prince Edward County Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence — Declarant speaks of a discharge for the last time, but is not with the papers.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
R. F. Pleasants Examining Clerk.

August 31, 1937.
Mrs. Alice Ligon Jeanblanc Lee Center Illinois.
CAW BA-J/ILL William Legon S. 1998
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Ligon, a pensioner of Smith County, Tennessee, in 1833.
The data given herein were found in pension claim, S. 1998, based upon service of William Legon, or Ligon, in that war.
William Legon, or Ligon, while a resident of Prince Edward County, Virginia, enlisted in June 1780, and served six months as sergeant in Captain Jesse Owen's Virginia company, during which he was in the battle of Gates Defeat. He enlisted in June 1781, served as sergeant in Captain James Allen's Virginia company, and was discharged September 22, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Smith County, Tennessee. The soldier was aged then seventy-seven years; the date and place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown. He made no reference to wife or children.
In 1832, one John Ligon was a resident of Smith County, Tennessee, and made affidavit in behalf of William Legon, or Ligon; no relationship between them was stated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possible, the date of death of this pensioner, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following- William Ligon. for
1832 77 1755

Certificate #7819. Issued April 20, 1833, rate $30 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Tennessee (West) Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. B. HILGER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

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 Ligon which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? yes IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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? yes
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? yes in part — He speaks of a discharge for one of his sons but it is not with the patent.
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? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
No. 1, 2, 4 are not 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 shewn 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.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
ms.
May 7, 1926
Mrs. Robert B. Ligon Ada Oklahoma
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1998, it appears that WILLIAM LEGON or LIGON, while a resident of Prince Edward County, Virginia, enlisted in June, 1780, and served six months as Sergeant in Captain Jesse Owen's Virginia Company and was in the first battle of Camden.
He enlisted in June, 1781, and served as Sergeant in Captain James Allen's Virginia Company and was discharged September 22, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was seventy-seven years of age and was living in Smith County, Tennessee.
There is no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

W.S.
October 23, 1926
Francis B. Culver 3204 Guilford Ave. Baltimore, Md.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1998, it appears that WILLIAM LEGON or LIGON, while a resident of Prince Edward County, Virginia, enlisted in June, 1780, and served six months as sergeant in Captain Jesse Owen's Virginia Company and was in the first battle of Camden.
He enlisted in June, 1781, and served as sergeant in Captain James Allen's Virginia Company and was discharged September 22, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was seventy-seven years of age and was living in Smith County, Tennessee.
There are no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

71128
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 William Legon or Ligon 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. L. 1998.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1780 6 mos. Sgt Jesse Diven. Va   June 1781 3 mos. James Allen.   Discharged Sept 22 1781                                     
Battles engaged in, at Battle of Brandywine Residence of soldier at enlistment, Prince Edward Co. Va. Date of application for pension, August 28, 1832. His claim was al. Residence at date of application, Smith Co. Tenn. Age at date of application, 77 years. Remarks: There is no family data on file
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

SECTION
3-2027
awj.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS WASHINGTON
October 19, 1926
Francis B. Culver
3204 Guilford Ave
Baltimore, Md.
Sir:
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any Alexander Steele (Steel).
11/3/26
In order to make a proper search of the records for a soldier named William Ligon (Legon), some of the following data is essential- approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service. *
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
* William Ligon, born about 1750 in Halifax Co., Va., where he probably enlisted: died 1835 in Tennessee.
Francis B. Culver
10/24/1926

Aug 18 1937
Veterans administration Washington D.C. Dear Sir
Will you Please send me The war record of William Ligon who was born in Virginia in 1736 died in Smith County Tenn 1838 he served as a Private in the Revolutionary war his oath of allegiance was dated and signed Aug 15- 1777 William Booker Secty he received a Pension in 1833 Pension Roll of Smith County Tenn. is Recorded in Washington office Book 3 Vol. 7 Page 87 by Daniel Boyd clerk William Lignons wife was Sarah Hewing he came from Virginia To Tenn in 1808 we would like to know this data for a book The History of The Ligon family now being compiled could you tell me the name of this William Lignons children he had a large family
Thanking you Yours Truly
mrs alicia Ligon Jeanblanc Lee Center Illinois

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
ORGANIZED APRIL 30, 1889
INCORPORATED BY ACT OF CONGRESS JUNE 9, 1906
PRESIDENT GENERAL WILBERT H. BARRETT ADRIAN, MICHIGAN
VICE-PRESIDENTS GENERAL
BURTON H. WIGGIN, LOWELL, MASS. FREDERIC DE G. HAHN, ELIZABETH, N. J. JOSIAH A. VAN ORSDEL, WASHINGTON, D. C. JOHN F. JONES, COLUMBIA, S. C. C. ROBERT CHURCHILL, NEW ORLEANS, LA. WINFORD L. MATTOON, COLUMBUS, OHIO HARRY G. COLSON, CHICAGO, ILL. CHARLES P. SCHOUTEN, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. SAM P. COCHRAN, DALLAS, TEXAS PERCY B. HUNTING, SEATTLE, WASH. HOWARD C. ROWLEY, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
SECRETARY GENERAL, FRANK B. STEELE 183 ST. JAMES PLACE, BUFFALO, N. Y.
OFFICE OF REGISTRAR GENERAL 3204 GUILFORD AVENUE BALTIMORE, MD.
REGISTRAR GENERAL FRANCIS B. CULVER, BALTIMORE, MD.
TREASURER GENERAL LOUIS A. BOWMAN, CHICAGO, ILL.
HISTORIAN GENERAL HENRY A. WILLIAMS, COLUMBUS, OHIO
CHAPLAIN GENERAL REV. FRANK A. SMITH, ELIZABETH, N. J.
CHANCELLOR GENERAL GEORGE C. H. KERNION, NEW ORLEANS, LA.
GENEALOGIST GENERAL W. MAC F. JONES, RICHMOND, VA.
9 Oct. 1926
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please supply the Revolutionary War record (with family data) of the following Virginia Soldiers: ans Oct. 19, '26 Alexander Steele Ans Oct 25 '26 William Ligon (a pensioner)
Yours Truly, Francis B. Culver

I understand that you sent the life history of persons to whom pensions have been granted. If so, please send such information concerning W. M. Ligon of Smith County or possibly Roofland Tennessee, who applied for a pension in 1835. He fought in the Revolutionary War, and enlisted from Virginia, I believe. Thanking you
Very truly Mr. Robert Bruce Ligon Ada, Oklahoma

Morton High School
M. E. LIGON, PRINCIPAL.
LEXINGTON, KY., Nov. 30, 1914.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear sir:
Can you give me from the records of your office any information concerning the enlistment of one William Ligon in the Army of the American Revolution? He was a native of Prince Edward, Va. If you can give me any information concerning the following facts I will appreciate it: (1) Date of enlistment, (2) Branch of service, company, regiment. etc, (3) Name of parents, (4) Date of discharge, (5) and any other information that may enable me to get a brief history of his life.
Yours truly,
Principal Lexington High School.

1914. Dec. 4: History to Mr.
M. E. Ligon.
M. B. H.
1926 Mar. 7. Hist. to Mrs. Robt. B. Ligon WCS
1926. Oct 23. Hist. to Francis B. Culver WCS
1937- Aug. 31. Hist. to Mrs. Alice L. Gault J.L.L.
Rev. Mar.
1998
INVALID.
File No.
1998
William Ligon William Ligon Port Caroline
Act:
June 11 1832
Index:—Vol.
A
, Page
231
[Arrangement of 1870.]