Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1835, William Houston, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Houston, William
S 1835
CONTENTS
Carded
98 3/4

5942
Lonesboro' agency-
William Houston
of Green — in the State of Tennessee who was a for: in the Compy commanded by Captain Wall — of the Regt commanded by Stevens — in the Va. line for Yrs no: from 1781
Inscribed on the Roll of Lonesboro' agency at the rate of 25 — Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Feby 1833 — and sent Hon John Blair, House of Reps
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 37.50 Pemi=ant. allowance ending 4 Mar: 33 12.50
$50-
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice — Clerk Book D Vol. 9 Page 206 ,
See letter to Hon. J. Blair Jan. 20 1836. Pen ag c July 23 1836. to do Letter to 3 d Auditor 23 Jany 1839
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 th Sept 1838 to 4 March 1838. Ag c notified 30 Jany 1839
May 22, 1840. see let to 3 d Aud. Hon John Blair, same day
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 March 1838 to 4 Sept 1839. Ag c notified 19 June 1840
Letter to Mr. M c Sorley 5 April 1841.
Date of death not on ag c

8290
W m . J. Houston
from 1781, private 74 months, $25. -
return
Jonestown Gen
all entered
W. J. Blair
L. Parsons

8290
BRIEF in the case of William Houston County of Greene in the State of Tennessee (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? _____  3. How old is he? 70  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.     Drafted In 1781 two months or thereabouts private Capt. Wall —   Drafted at least 3 " Capt. A. M c Cary, Gen. Stevens —   Subs. 2 " Capt. or Lieut. Burned   he states that he served altogether not less than 7 1/2 months.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Yorktown  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Shinendoah Co. Va.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk.

Wm Houston 20 Declaration
• 8290

State of Tennessee Green County,
September Term 1832
On this 5 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Samuel Pavele Judge of the Circuit Court of Law & Equity for Green County now sitting William Houston a Resident of Green County Tennessee aged Seventy years or in his seventieth year 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 the 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, to wit, that he in the year 1861 he was drafted and placed under the command of Capt. Hall of Shenandoah County Virginia it being the same County in which this applicant resided at the time and where he was drafted and was enrolled in the upper part of the County called Massanutten and marched to Fredericksburg Virginia on the march his Capt. was taken sick with the flu and also the Lieutenant & Ensign with the greater part of the company were taken sick with the same complaint and many of them were left on the field March the Capt. Lieutenant & Ensign being sick Sargent Wolf took command of the remnant of the company to which he belonged which was fourteen in number the Sargent then was taken sick with the same disease at Fredericksburg where this applicant remained some short time and was discharged by the said Sargent Wolf and returned home to Shenandoah County Virginia after having served two months. He states that shortly after his return home he was again drafted for a two months term in the said County of Shenandoah and state of Virginia and enrolled either at Staunton or Massanutten under Capt. Abraham McCray the names of subordinate officers not recollected and was marched to a place called the Bottom Springs below Richmond from there to Williamsburg where he found his quarters and was placed under Brigadier General Stephen

V. May 7 th 1861. Col. from their first Brigade to which he belongs was marched two miles below Williamsburgh near old Gann Farm where he was stationed some weeks during which time General Washington arrived at that place with and marched his camp to York Town to the siege where the Declaration remained some days at at the siege of that place when he was discharged either by his Lieutenant or Capt n and returned home to Shenandoah County Va. after having been from home in traveling to and from the army and army his stay with the same army at least three months and a half he states that from the time he was enrolled until discharged was at least three months. Shortly after he returned home he substituted in the place of Henry Howard, a resident of Shenandoah City Va with the Declaration for a two months term to guard the prisoners taken at the siege of York and sent to the Boars near Winchester Virginia. He states that he was placed under some Capt n or Lieutenant whose name he thinks was Turner and he remained at said Boars guarding said prisoners until discharged by the said term as he believes, and returned home after having having served a term of two months. He states that he received written discharges for the three several terms above stated but does not recollect how or what means of them. He states that he served altogether in the Revolution not less than seven months and a half in the service of the united States. He states that he has no documentary evidence and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and there is not any minister in his neighborhood who can certify to his service. He hereby claims 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. He states that he is now a citizen of Grant County Indiana, where he has subscribed the army and year ago resided  E. Service etc      William Holleman

We Leonard Slatts and Thomas Jones residing in the County of Greene and State of Tennessee hereby certify We are well acquainted with William Houston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we can concur in that opinion
R. Service Clerk
Thomas Jones Leonard Slatts
And the court hereby declare their opinion of the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Department of War that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he has stated and the said court further certifies that
Thomas Jones and Leonard Slatts who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Greene County Tennessee and they are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit
D. Morrey Judge of the Circuit Court of the State of Tennessee
Valentine Lewis Clerk of the Circuit Court for Greene County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings in the matter of the Application of William Houston for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 17th day of Sept. 1832
R. Service Clerk By M. Payne Clerk

The within declarant William Henson is known to me to be a man of respecta- bility Washington City M c Lean Me Feb 13 th 1833.

April 2, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
William Houston-S.1835 BA-J/AWF
Miss Mary E. Day Winchester, P. O. Box 184 Kentucky
Dear Madam:
The Revolutionary War record of William Houston which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 1835, based upon his service in that war.
The date and place of birth of this soldier are not shown, nor are the names of his parents given.
William Houston, while residing in Shenandoah County, Virginia, enlisted in 1781, served two months in Captain Wall's company; again in 1781, served three and one half months in Captain Abraham McCoy's company and was in the siege of Yorktown, after which he served two months in Captain Tanner or Turner's company, guarding prisoners at Winchester Barracks.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, at which time he was living in Greene County, Tennessee, then in his seventieth year.
There are no data in this claim concerning the family of this soldier, William Houston.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1914 Jan 6 Hist. to Mrs. J. C. Littlepage. V. L. M.
1929 Feb. 11. Hist. to Mrs.
Q. B. update are 1935 - April 2 - list to Mary E. Day
Rev War
1835
INVALID.
File No. 1835
William Houston, Prs. Va. Line.
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index: Vol. a, Page 175
[Arrangement of 1870.]

to be made
of Lin:
Blair Esq.
Pensioners,
Honesboro'.
Lin.
Rice
Vol. 9

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 Houston 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? _____ 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?
Two Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
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
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? _____
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? _____
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? 1. 2. 7.
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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 24 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," William Houston, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Jonesborough, Tenn. Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept; 1836, to the 4 th March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
William B. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 13 th , 1848.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," William Houston, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Jonesborough Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1838, to the 1 st Sept. 1839,
Respectfully yours,
William E. Patridge
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

William Houston Green County $25.00 pr ann Pay at Jones by W. K. Agent for pay in the Agency
Len
Le
Recorded by Clerk, in B. page 206.
No 5942

I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, William Houston of the State of Tennessee, Jonesboro agency, who was a private in the Army of the
Revolution. —
is entitled to receive Twenty five dollars and seventy five cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this
20 day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Lee
Secretary of War.

July 21
M c Alister Jonesboro
FREE
J. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Jonesboro Tenn.
July 10 th 1836
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir:
Incluse you at the request of William Houston the suspended Voucher for the last payment made him which includes 27 th pay. This is sent you for the requisited order to justify the payment being made which order you will give the agent as early as practicable so that he may draw the Sops. Amount & not include the defective voucher.
Will you also state whether the agent is justified in making payment to a person producing the voucher in the form with the attorney's order. That is to say the attorney in a distant County makes the bill signs the receipt's afterwards the whole by another person with his order to pay to that person the amount thus received by him.
respectfully
John P. Blair

PAID
13 3/4
Hon John Bell Skey of War 3 Washington D.C.
English Dr. J. Muncaster 6 India Office Mr. Lewis

Inverness
L37
March 31 1841.
Prison Office
Mr Ewan
Wm Lloyd Esq Edinburgh
PAID
11 3/4

Grenville Tenn: March 19. 1841
Hon Jno Bell
For Encloses you will please find an Original Certificate of the War Department to an old Soldier near this place and the Pension agent at Jonesborough Object to paying Mr Houston, Pension on account of loss of the Heading or some other little deficiency. I will thank you as the agent of Mr Houston to issue him a new Certificate and authorize the agent at Jonesboro. to pay the same as he will not be obliged to pay unless presented within 30 days from the 4th Inst. which cannot be done in this case as it will take 10 or 15 days to receive a communication from Washington
Very Respectfully M c Intire W m L. Sowell

Evins, Tenn. Feb. 6, 1929
Mr. Winfield Scott, Commissioner
Dear Sir:
As you see from the enclosed correspondence it has been almost a year since I wrote you last - I just dropped this matter for awhile but am interested again and if the enclosed information will help, I will appreciate anything you (over)

Can find for me - William Houston married Lindy Kellar or a 1 Mills Think Lindy Kellar is right but am not sure - I want to ask you for another record - Have you a near record of Robards the  Putnam or Elias Rev  Putnam other than civil war? Robards Putnam married Susan Sanders - Robards Putnam and Elias were from Cleveland Co. N.C. Elias was the father of Robards -

2 L. Belure Elias Putnam could have been in The Revolutionary War - Would like to know if any Putnam was in The war of 1812 - Thanking you most sincerely for past favors and for
anything you may do for me now, I am
most cordially
Florence M. Updike
(Mrs. A.D.)

Ex. MMHF Div. Rev.&1812 Sec.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 14, 28.
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
Lindy Keller  last  maiden  maiden ? XXXXXX , First name of widow.
Name of soldier, William Houston
am not sure about wife's name
P.O. address of XXXXXX soldier at enlistment and after service.
Company His home was in Greene Co. Tenn- Regiment
State where enlisted Tennessee
Date of enlistment birth. do not know
Date of discharge death. " " "
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers. am not sure he served in this war. just want to know if he did -
Return attached letter with reply.
Winfield Scott WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

Winchester, Kentucky January 23, 1935
Mr. A. D. Hiller Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me the service in the Revolutionary War of the following men from Pennsylvania named Blackmore : - Nathaniel and Samuel, Washington County - William, Westmoreland County and a James in Washington County, also in Westmoreland County.
I shall certainly appreciate this information very much.
Yours sincerely,
Mary E. Day (Miss) Mary E. Day
Box #184

Pension Office,
Can you tell me anything about the war record of the names I inclose.
We know they were in the Revolutionary war but our immediate ancestors moved west and got out of touch with the family

history. Please be kind eno to address
Mrs. J. C. Littlepage
Cor. N. & 11 th N.W. Apartment 706
P.S.
Washington
D. C.
Our ancestors were from Virginia or North Carolina

Robert Houston
William Houston
Amasa Howell
Thomas Amis or Amas
From
Virginia or N. G.

Winchester, Kentucky March 15, 1935
Mr. A. D. Hiller Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me the service in the Revolutionary War of Calop Blackmore, who was in the Militia of Bucks County, Pa.; also, the service of the following soldiers in the State of Virginia, who were later pensioned in Tennessee:
✓ John Huston (Comm.), enlisted in Rockingham Co. ✓ William Huston, " " Spotsylvania Co. ✓ James Houston or Huston,
I shall certainly appreciate this information very much, also, anything you may have in your records about the families of these soldiers.
Yours very truly,
Mary E. Day (Miss) Mary E. Day
P.O. Box #184 4

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 Houston 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.     1781 shortly after 2 mos. Pvt. Wall ✓ Va   ✓ 3 1/2 mos. Abraham Hiboy ✓   ✓ 2 mos. Turner ✓   Quar was at Win Bn  
Battles engaged in, Siege of Yorktown Residence of soldier at enlistment, Shenandoah Co. Va. Date of application for pension, Sept 5, 1832. His cl. was al. Residence at date of application, Green Co. Tenn. Age at date of application, in his 70th year Remarks: No data as to family.
The only soldier of this name.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

April 2, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/AWF aw
William Houston 8, 1835
Miss Mary E. Day Winchester, P. O. Box 184 Kentucky
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Calop, James, Nathaniel, Samuel, and William Blackmore, all of Pennsylvania, and the Revolutionary War records of James and William Houston (Huston), both served with the Virginia troops and later lived in Tennessee.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford any information in regard to Calop, James, Nathaniel, Samuel, and William Blackmore or Blakemore.
The records of James Houston and William Houston are furnished you herewith, as found in pension claims based upon their service in the War of the Revolution.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Her letter re pension claim William Houston 8/1835

Re: and 1812 War's Section AWF/eel
February 11, 1920
Mrs. A.D. Updike 315 Love Street Erwin, Tennessee
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.1835, it appears that William Houston while residing in Shenandoah County, Virginia, enlisted and served as a private in the Virginia Troops as follows:
In 1781, two months in Captain Wall's Company; shortly afterward, three and one-half months in Captain Abraham McCoy's Company and was at the Siege of Yorktown, and two months in Captain Turner's Company, guarding the prisoners at Winchester Barracks.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, at which time he was living in Greene County, Tennessee, in his seventieth year.
There are no data as to family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

MRS. AUDRON D. UPDIKE 318 LOVE STREET ERWIN, TENNESSEE
Mar. 12, 1928
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: Do you have on file the Revolutionary war record of a William or (Billy) Houston of Greene County Tenn.?
Do you have a record of a pension being granted a William Houston of Tenn. or his wife, from the war of 1812 - I am most

Anxious to find a war record of this man either Rev. or 1812 and will appreciate anything you may do for me. I want to Thank you for replying to me so promptly in the past. I do appreciate it - Most cordially
Florence W. Lepske (Mrs. A.D.)