Mercer County PA Military Pension Records
William Wilson
1760-1837
Revolutionary War Pension File
Pennsylvania line
Transcribed by Sharon Smith
Pennsylvania
William Wilson of Mercer Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Johnston of the Regt. commanded by Col Craig in the PA line for 7 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 23 dollars 33 cents for annuity to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of June 1833 and apart to
Hon. J Banks, Mercer
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $46.66
Some amt. allowance only 4 Sept $11.66
Total: $58.32
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by W.L. Williams Clerk,
Book C, Vol 5, Page 64
Brief in the case of William Wilson Co of Mercer in the state of PA.
(Act 7th June 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court.
2. Where did he reside when he entered the service? York Co PA.
3. How old is he? 72.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed:
Period:
Duration of Service: 7 months
Rank: Private
Name of General & Field Officers under whom he served: Capt Johnston, Col Craig
5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? York Co PA.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? (blank)
I certify that the foregoing sttement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Payton, Examining Clerk
State of Pennsylvania, County of Mercer
On this ninth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before A. Brown & Wm Amberson Judges of the Court of common pleas, now sitting. William Wilson a resident of Coolspring township, Mercer County and State of Pennsylvania age 72 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 officers and served as herein stated. That the first of May 1780 there was a call for a number of men each militia company had to furnish two men, for a seven month tour and engaged with his Capt James Johnston, to go as one of the two he was to find, he with some others were sent to Carlisle from thence to Harrisburg, Lancaster and on to Philadelphia, there, he with others weere taken by a Captain of the Regular Army up to Trentown in the jersey, and from there to headquarters, there he was taken into Col Craig's Regiment and marched off that evening and marched the chief part of the night and halted on the Hudson River near oposite Fort Washington, saw the enemy across the river, this was about three weeks after the Battle at Bergon Point. We returned in about four days to headquarters Genl Washington, Genl LaFayette, Genl Wayne, Col Craig and other officers were at headquarters. There this applicant and nine others were taken to fill up Capt Craig's and a Rifle Company commanded by Capt Ephraim McCully, Lieut Pearce Button, he was in McCully's comp. We were engaged in leaving the country round and along the river intercepting supplies, going into the enemy we took arms and with a two horseteam and waggon with supplies for the British, and destroyed a good many boats, going onto the enemy. He says he was in the camp when Major Andre was tried and saw him executed, and at that time could hear British morning & evening cannon distinctibly. He continued moving in and with his company wherever they were ordered; & we at length came in the beginning of winter to a place called Battle Hill where we were discharged, near Christmas, the day not recollected exactly, but he served his seven months fully out and received a written discharge signed by Capt McCully.This discharge, he afterwards about 1784, he thinks, gave to Major John Weems to draw his pay for him, he afterwards sued Weems for the discharge and other papers which he had gave him, but could not recover them, nor has he ever got his pay. The reason he failed in getting his papers was that he was abroad when the trial came on and his attorney had moved to Chambersberg and in that way it was neglected. He says he has no documentary testimony nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the roll of the Agency of any State.
Quest. Where and in what year were you born?
He was born in York County Pennsylvania the 27th 1760. He says his father had a family record in his bible but the record was destroyed somehow unknown to him. That he lived in Marshneck settlement in York county when he entered the service.
He lived in Franklin county Penn 2 years after the war, went to York county about two years, and then moved to Pittsburg for about two years, then to Turtleneck, Alegheny county about ten years - then in 1797 moved to Mercer county Penn to the farm on which he now lives, and has lived ever since he was called into service as stated in his declaration. He states that Wm McMillen a Lieut in the Army, John Chambers, D.T. Porter, Robt Stewart and others can testify for him as to his character.
Sworn and subscribed in open court this 9th October 1832
State of Pennsylvania, County of Mercer
William Wilson
Wm S. Rankin, Clerk
On this fifteenth day of October 1832 Personally appeared in open court being a Court of records John Chambers, Esquire who being duly sworn did depose and say that he has been acquainted with this applicant Wm Wilson for twenty five years past, that his character as a man of truth and veracity is and always was good as far as he knows, and that he has often heard him relate his advantures in the Revoutionay War, many years ago, relating circumstances about some of this deponents relations who were in the service, that it was generally believed that said Wilson had served as stated, and never heard it doubted.
John Chambers the 15th October 1832
Wm S. Rankin, Clerk Mercer County
On the fifteenth day of October 1832 Personally appeared in open court David T. Porter, who being duly sworn did depose and say that he has been acquainted with William Wilson for a number of years and says he never knew anything against his character for truth and veracity.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court October 15th 1832
D.T. Porter
Wm Rankin, Clerk
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