Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7981, for William Parsons, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Parsons, William
P.
CONTENTS
Taken from Wm. Parsons P. 7981

William Parsons Virginia
Rejected. —
Smythton's report
del 16 illac: 35 W Hoffman
See a letter from Jacob Daniels + reply Apr. 23, 1856 in cc. Wm Parsons P. 7981, which alludes to his Wm Parsons in the rejection of Catherine's claim. (William's wid)

Report in William Parsons case
Appears
Not Fitted
By Singleton Rep.

Lewis county
William Parsons age 71. yr. born 1793.
John Reger of Lewis county age 66 yrs. Knows William Parsons. Says he is one year younger than himself, has known him from a boy. He also states as a fact that Thomas Barney by whom Parsons from his services is entitled in claim to Parsons.
John Mutch age 71. has known Parsons for twenty years. Says that Parsons is too young by many years to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Samuel Bennett says that Parsons is about his age (60) has known him from a boy.
John Waggoner age 82. yr. has known Parsons from a boy. Says he is too young by several years to have been a soldier in the war of 1812.
Henry Fisher age 58. of Harrison says that Parsons and himself were boys together in the Fort. Long after the War.
Wm Parsons age 71. has known Parsons from a boy. Says he is too young for an old soldier.
Respectfully Reported
W. G. Langlet Special agent
July 1832.

Copy (by mmxv nov. 20-1934)
War Dept.
Pen. Office
Mar. 16, 1835
Sir:
The claims of the following named persons to pensions under the Act of June 7, 1832, the merits of which have been thoroughly examined by Mr. H. G. Singleton, a special agent appointed by this Dept. for that purpose, have, upon the receipt of his report, been rejected, to wit:
16 names then
"William Parsons"
Then 11 more
"all of Lewis County, Va. You will please inform them of this decision on these claims.
I am —
Frederick Holleman Esq. Weston Lewis Co., Va. ]"

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Parsons, William Catherine
R 7981
CONTENTS

State of Virginia County of Randolph
I James Parsons of said County and State aforesaid being first duly sworn make the following Statement: I will be Seventy Nine years old on the 15 th of October this present month October 1857. I had a brother William Parsons who from my Father's record was just 12 years older than myself that is he was born on the 15 th day of October 1760. and I was born on the 15 th day of October 1772. My Brother William Parsons died some 30 years since I have heard him say that he was in the war with Great Britain viz the Revoluti- onary war. I think under Captain Robert Cunningham and that he had service a tour under him probably against the Indians I do not know where it was but think it was back. he told me that when he started from home that trip that he was about 16 years old. I think that was called Dunmore's campaign. he was also in the service of the United States under Captain Adam Fisher went from the South Branch and was at the taking of Cornwallis I can recollect of his leaving home the lower road also the day that he returned home that the Intelligence had just reached of peace being made that there were a considerable gathering of people at my Father's house when he got home waiting for his arrival. he was in the last service as a Substitute for John Scott. I do further state that he was married to Catherine Stoker and that lived in this County a number of years and died leaving his said wife a widow and that she is still a widow

and has not been married since and that she is still living and that she is the same woman who was married to William Parsons.
Given under my hand this 7 th day of October 1857 James Parsons
Virginia Randolph County to wit personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid James Parsons and made oath and signed the foregoing deposition given under my hand this 7 th day of October 1857 James Parsons J.P.
State of Virginia County of Randolph } ss.
I. Mr Crawford Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that James Parsons is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the 27 th day of July 1848 to continue in office during good behavior and that his signature above written is genuine Given under my hand and seal of said County this 14 th day of October 1857.
J. Crawford Clerk

13149
Catharine Parsons
W
Act 7 July '38-

Virginia Randolph County to wit.
on this the thirteenth
day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty six, personally appeared before me the undersigned justice of the Peace in and for the county of Randolph, Catherine Parsons of Horseshoe settlement in the county of Randolph aged 84 years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "an act grant- ing half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of William Parsons who was a soldier of the revolution from the south Branch of the Potomac, Hardy County Virginia under Capt. Adam Fisher and was a private in the service: That he entered the service of the United States some time in the year 17 7 and was in the service when Cornwallis surrendered and contin- ued until peace was made, but was engaged from the commencement of the war until the final cessation of hostilities either as a soldier enlisted or as a member of a horse company, engaged in taking Tories. That this declarant is under the impression her Husband received a discharge from the service and the same has been lost since his death. That she has no documentary evi- dence to adduce in support of her claim as her Husband neglected to apply for a pension in his lifetime, when proof of his surviving comrades could have been brought before the department and this declarant would here refer the department to the accompanying testimony of James Parsons
as to her belief
of his services in the army of the Revolution as aforesaid who were long acquainted with him and regarded him as a revolutionary soldier and to James Parsons who was present when this declarant was married to

William Parsons:
She further declares that she was married to the said William Parsons on the 5 th day of April 1785: that her husband the aforesaid William Parsons died on the 10 th September 1829; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 at the time above stated: That there exist no record testimony of marriage:
Sworn to on the day and year aforesaid before me the undersigned justice of the Peace. Given under my hand.
Arnold Pennycuick J.P.
Also personally appeared James Parsons before me the undersigned justice of the Peace in and for the county of Randolph and made oath that he is the Brother of the above named William Parsons, spoken of in the preceding Declaration: That he recollects distinctly of his Brother enlisting in the service of the United States, recollects hearing him tell upon his return from the war, all about the surrender of Cornwallis, the hardships they endured and many incidents connected with his service in the revolutionary war which he knows from his own knowledge of his Brother's being engaged throughout the whole war, sometimes enlisted and at other times merely acting with a company of cavalry in taking spies, Tories &c and in protecting the defenceless at home. That he also recollects of being at his Brother William's wedding, who was married to Catharine Stoker on the 5 th of April 1785, who has continued his widow since his death on the 10 th of September 1829.

and the said Catherine Parsons who swore to the above Declaration is the widow of William Parsons deceased who is now a very old and frail old Lady. That her statements are entitled to full faith and credit - Given under my hand the 3 rd day of December 1846 Richard Bonifield Jr
I Arnonla Bonifield do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after put- ting the interrogatories prescribed by the War De- partment that the above named William Parsons was a revolutionary soldier and served as it is stated in the Declaration and preceding affi- davit and that Catherine Parsons is his widow - And I do further certify that James Parsons who has made oath to the preceding affidavit is a creditable person and that his statements are entitled to full credit and I also do further certify to the Department that the applicant Catherine Parsons for a pension is a very old Lady and unable to attend Court Given under my hand this the 3 rd day of December 1846 Richard Bonifield Jr

Virginia Randolph County to wit I John M. Crawford clerk of the court of Randolph County certify that Arnold is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and Subscribed my name this 5 th day of December in the year 1846
J. M. Crawford Clerk of the Court of Randolph County

No 14-484
Catharine Parsons wid of William Va
Act 7 July 1838,
Id Dec 29/57.
David Goff. Beverly Va

State of Virginia } Randolph County } ss
On this 11 th day of October 1851 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in & for the county & state aforesaid Catherine Parsons a resident of the county and state aforesaid aged 90 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 7 th 1838 intitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows and the act of the 3 rd of March 1843 granting pensions for one year and the act of June 17 th 1844 extending the act of March 3 rd 1843 for the term of four years to certain Widows. That she is the Widow of William Parsons who was a private in the War of the Revolution. That he served at two different periods the first time he went to the West in a company commanded by Capt Robert Cunningham - don't know who was the field officers but believe he was under Gen M c Intosh. how long he was in service don't know. That he went from the county of Hampshire & state of Virginia - don't know who there, he was drafted or volunteered - don't know what battles he was in, when he left home or returned
The second term of service he went in a company commanded by Capt Adam Fisher don't know the name of the field officers nor how long he was in service he went from the county of Hampshire aforesaid he went as a substitute for John Scott

was in the battle at York where Cornwallis was taken and I know where he went but recollects that he did not return until peace was made. She further declares that she was married to the said William Parsons on the 5 th day of April 1785 that her husband the aforesaid William Parsons died on the 10 th day of Septem- ber 1829 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794. By at the time above stated sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written that she has no documentary evidence in support of the claim.
Catherine Parsons (Seal) Martha
I Squire Bosworth a Justice of the peace aforesaid do certify that foregoing declaration was subscribed & sworn to before me and I further certify that I inspected the family records of the said William Parsons and find it there recorded that William Parsons was married to Catherine Storin on the 5 th day of April 1785. I further certify that the above named Catherine Parsons is prevented by bodily infir- mity from appearing before the Court and I further certify that James Parsons who gave his deposition on the 7 th day of October 1857 before Justice Parsons is a man of good character sworn in my hand & seal this day & year above written.
S. Bosworth. PP (Seal)

State of Virginia County of Randolph } ss
I J. Crawford Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Squire Bosworth is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the 3 rd day of November 1837 to continue in office during good behavior and that his signature to the foregoing writing is genuine given under my hand and seal of said County this 14 th day of October 1857 J. Crawford C. M. R. C.

November 20, 1934.
Mrs. Guy E. Cogdill 212 South Stevens Street Hobart, Oklahoma.
BA-J/ILL William Parsons R. 7981
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Parsons, who was born September 25, 1760 and died September 10, 1829.
The record of William Parsons is given herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 7981, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Parsons was born October 15, 1760; the place of his birth and names of his parents are not shown. He lived during the Revolutionary War at his father's house in Hardy, or Hampshire (adjoining) County, Virginia, "on the south branch of the Potomac".
He married April 5, 1785, in Hampshire County, Virginia, Catharine Stoker, or Stokes (not clearly written); the wedding ceremony was performed by Reverend Moses Hoge. The date and place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown.
William Parsons died September 10, 1829, in Randolph County, Virginia, where he had lived for many years with his wife.
On December 3, 1846, Catharine Parsons, the widow of William Parsons, was a resident of Randolph County, Virginia, aged eighty-four years. She applied then for pension on account of the service of her husband in the Revolutionary War. It was stated that he served from the commencement of the Revolutionary War until the cessation of hostilities, either as an enlisted soldier or engaged in a company of cavalrymen
OK Miss French wrote the service + cause of rejection.

engaged in taking Tories and spies and protecting the defenseless at home; that during his service one tour was in Captain Robert Cunningham's company under General McIntosh, another in Captain Adam Fisher's Virginia company in which he was at Yorktown and taking of Cornwallis; no dates of service, nor length of tours stated. It was further stated that he was in Dunmore's Campaign.
The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of service of six months in a regularly organized military corps was not furnished as required by the pension laws.
In 1851, Catharine Parsons was still living in Randolph County, Virginia. James Parsons, the soldier's brother, was a resident of Randolph County, Virginia, at that time; he stated that he was born October 15, 1772, that he was at home when his brother returned from the war, and that he was present at his marriage to said Catharine. One James W. Parsons was Justice of the Peace for Randolph County, Virginia, in 1851, no relationship to the family stated.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Nov. 20 - 1934 - visit to Mrs. Mary E. Coydell - S.A.R.
7981 P. O. Cath Parsons
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: REJECTED , 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Hobart, Oklahoma 212 South Stevens October 27, 1934
Veterans Administration Washington D.C. Dear Sirs:
Please send me a copy of the Revolutionary War Record of William Parsons who was born in Hardy county, Virginia, Sept. 25, 1760 and died Sept. 10, 1829. He enlisted
OK

Feb. 6, 1977.
William Parsons was the first son of Thomas and Mary Rennick Parsons and married Catherine Stoker.
I shall be glad to take care of any expense involved.
Very truly, Byrdie Ramsley Logdell (Mrs. Guy E.)

Bury October 4 th 1851
Jas E Heath Cous of Parsons
Dear Sir
I send
you the declaration of Mrs Catherine Parsons together with the testimony of James Parsons & also the certificate of the clerk of Hampshire of the marriage it will be seen that we have proven that Mr Parsons was was in the Buck- honey War at two different periods but the time is not fixed in either case we rely upon the pay roll if that is in the department I presume each pay roll will show the time of service in each case
Yours Respectfully
David Goff

COPY
November 7, 1934. ILL. Book of 1851 Correspondence.
Pension Office, December 29, 1851.
David Goff, Esq. Beverly, Randolph, Virginia.
Sir:
The declaration of Catharine Parsons under the Act of July 1838, has been examined and filed. The marriage is admitted but without evidence of as much as 6 months service performed by her husband, William Parsons, no allowance can be made. We have no rolls of the militia service of Virginia, as supposed by you, nor do we know of the existence of any at Richmond or elsewhere. She must prove his service by comrades who served with him or by others who have personal knowledge of the facts.

Virgin Hampshire County ss
I John B. White Clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears from the records in My office William Parsons and Catherine Stoller were united in the holy bands of Matrimony on the 5 th day of April 1785 by the Rev d Moses Hoge
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed My Name and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 24 th day of April 1851
John B. White Clerk
Seal 10 6 of 20 seal 37-674

91 Pension Office January 6 th , 1847
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the Application of Catherine Parsons, widow of William Parsons Claiming a pension under the act of 7 July 1838 has been examined and filed.
The service for which this claim is made is not set forth as required by the regulations nor is it sustained by any proof whatever. The records of this office afford no proof of William Parsons service in the Virginia Continental Line or State Troops.
Before any satisfactory adjustment of this claim can be made - it must be ascertained before a Court of Record, or appointed by such a Court, in conformity to the enclosed printed instructions. The length, service and grade of each term of service with the names of the Company and field Officers, should be clearly set forth, and established by record or documentary proof or by the testimony of two or more respectable witnesses who were in service with Mr Parsons, husband - and the date date of their marriage should be known

by a Certified Copy of the Marriage bond or license from the Clerk's office in the County where the ceremony was performed. or some other record or document  a family register or some such  of this kind  such evidence is to be attainable.
All the objections as regards the  authenticity of the papers and the  fact of specification and proof of service, pointed out in the case of Mr. Parsons, apply with equal force to the application of Samuel Pennifield. and he will be required to produce such  like proof of his service as is therein pointed out to justify the department in granting him a pension under the act of 7 June 1832.
Mr Dille letter is herewith returned.
July 6. 47
Hon W. G. Brown House of Reps
Register Parsons act 7 July 1838 Samuel Pennifield act 7 June etc

Bevery Randolph County, Va. 5. April 1856
I Minot commissioner of pensions Sir Some four years since I as the committee of Catherine Parsons an old lady who had applied for a pension at your office and I as her committee appointed Samuel M. Knight as the attorney to attend to it and to draw the pension if one could be obtained & not having heard from him for more than two years, I desire if you please to see on your books if a pension ever was drawn for her. She was the widow of Mr Parsons. The line that he served was in the Revolutionary War Your compliance to this will much oblige
Your humble servant Jacob Daniels

V no 13, 194
Catharine Parsons
Daughter of
Lot to Hon. D. G. Brown
January 6th '47.
Act 7 July 1838

No 14.484
Cath e Parsons.
widow of William
va
Act 7 th July 1838
To David Cobb. Dec r 29-57
Land Office, Office 23/16
This letter was written about the claim of Catherine Parsons P. 7981 the wid. of a Wm Parsons who died in 1829 & when the office answered & wrote this letter to him they made all reference to another William Parsons whose claim was

rejected on a Singleton report in 1835 & that report was found in this claim in 1934 & placed in a separate file under Wm marks
RL
He was residing in 1834

Pension Office, April 23. 1856.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 5 th inst., you are informed that in 1834, whilst William Parsons' application for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, was pending in this office, testimony was obtained from his old friends, and neighbors, which showed on the basis of the same pay certificates, that he was too young to have rendered service in the Rev- olutionary war, and his claim was, therefor, rejected. The fact that he was born in 1760, or, as was alleged, and that he was married, or, as was shown in 1835, was pretty certain that the application of this office was not even founded, unless he was married at a very early age indeed. There is, however, no evidence whatever in the testimony, that that William Parsons himself rendered any service

Whereby which, entered by the public law and acts of 1844 is established in the headquarters of the regiments, hereunto attached, & no particular time can serve for the further prosecution of the claim.
Yours sincerely April 29, 1856.
Isaac Daniels Esq Beryl, Randolph Co Va