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Facts and Events
John McWiliams was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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- American Revolutionary War Veteran
Revolutionary War Pension Information
Information from “Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records”, Vol. 3, compiled by Patrick G. Wardell, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret. :
- McWilliams, John - born 6/14/1760 in Somerset County, New Jersey; entered service 1776 in Sheperdstown, Berkeley County, Virginia; granted Pension 1832 in Augusta County, Virginia; died Fall 1852 leaving heirs mentioned but not named; query letter in file says soldier married Maggie Fisher; query letter in file 1914 from descendant Mrs. Jessis Berry (Mrs. Hubert) Webster, Greencastle, Indiana, says soldier born in Ireland & came to America quite young. FS9005, R1701.
Records in Augusta County, VA
From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:
- Vol. 2 - Revolutionary War Service Declaration: John McWilliams's Declaration, October 27th, 1832: Resides in the Long Glade District; aged 72 years on 14th June last; was born in Summerset County, New Jersey; first served in a company of light infantry under Capt. William Morgan, Lieuts. Edward and William Lucas, Ensign Michael Redinger; they marched from Shepherdstown, in Berkeley County, Virginia, through Philadelphia, to Juille Town, about five miles from Brunswick, in New Jersey; he had enlisted in this company in December, 1776, for four months, and served until the first of April, 1777, when he was discharged; he was in a small engagement March 1st, 1777, about one mile from Brunswick, at Piscataway, and in several little skirmishes afterwards; he remembers a company of Merlin militia commanded by Col. Stricker. In September, 1777, he became substitute for _____ West in a militia company commanded by Charles Morrow, Lieut. Adrian Winecoop, Ensign Thomas Swearingen; marched from Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, to White Marsh, Pennsylvania, where he remained three months; his Colonel was Philip Pendleton; arrived at White Marsh soon after the massacre of Paoli. In May, 1778, he became substitute in a militia company for Edward Tabb, of Berkeley County; marched from Martinsburg to Pittsburg; William Morgan, the Captain under whom he marched to New Jersey; was Major on this march; William Little was Captain; William Vestil was Lieutenant; thinks the Ensign was Snell. From Pittsburg the Company marched to Holladay's Cove, about twenty miles above Wheeling; Major Morgan went with them; was discharged the last of August, 1778; In September, 1778, he became substitute for William Williamson, of Berkeley County; Josiah Swearingen was Captain, John Morrow was Colonel; marched to the Ohio River, and crossed just below the mouth of Big Beaver, and lay at Fort McIntosh a time; marched to Tuscarora Plains, near the Indian Towns, where they built a Stockard Fort, and lay there until some days before Christmas, when they marched back to Fort McIntosh, where he was discharged a day or two before Christmas. In May, 1781, became substitute for Thomas Stuart, of Berkeley County, and marched through Fauquier County to Fredericksburg; there he found Capt. Stump raising a volunteer company of light infantry, which he joined and marched to Richmond, where they were joined by the Yankey Infantry called Captain Ogden's Company, and Major McPherson's Company of Horse; Tarlton's troops lay on the opposite side; marched up to Albemarle, followed by Tarlton; followed Tarlton back, and were discharged in New Kent County. On returning from the last tour he found his own Company of militia was ordered out on a tour, and followed after them; overtook them on this side Pamunkey River; marched to the Old Magazine near Williamsburg; thence to York, where he was discharged a few days before the surrender. Michael Bedinger was Captain, _____ Thornberry was Lieutenant, _____ Kamey was Ensign; declarant was a sergeant.
References
- United States. 1810 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M252).
1810 United States Federal Census
Name: John McWilliams
Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Augusta, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 6
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 7
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 9
[Ancestry.com]
- United States. 1820 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M33).
1820 United States Federal Census
Name: John Mcwilliams
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Waynesboro, Augusta, Virginia
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 3
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 3
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 2
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 10
[Ancestry.com]
- United States. 1830 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M19).
1830 United States Federal Census
Name: John McWilliams
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Northern District, Augusta, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 4
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 4
[Ancestry.com]
- United States. 1840 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M704).
1840 United States Federal Census
Name: John Mcwilliams
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Augusta, Virginia
Birth Year: abt 1758
Age: 82
Military Service: Veteran
[Ancestry.com]
- United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432).
1850 United States Federal Census
Name: John McWilliams
Age: 90
Birth Year: abt 1760
Birthplace: Maryland
Home in 1850: District 5, Barbour, Virginia
Gender: Male
Family Number: 1184
Household Members:
Name Age
Andrew Anderson 60 [son-in-law of John McWilliams]
Eliza Ann Anderson 42 [daughter of John McWilliams]
Mary Anderson 21
Martha Anderson 19
Lydia Anderson 16
John Anderson 14
Elizabeth Anderson 11
Maria Anderson 6
John McWilliams 90
[Ancestry.com]
- Jackson, Ron V. Virginia, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1607-1890.
Virginia, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1607-1890
Name: John McWilliams
State: VA
County: Augusta County
Township: Age 82 Allegany
Year: 1840
Page: 133
Database: VA 1840 Pensioners List
[Ancestry.com]
- Graves, William T. Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension Application of John McWilliams S9005
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Virginia } viz
County of Augusta }
On this 25 day of Sept 1832 th personally appeared in open court before us Wm Davis
Lewis Wayland Geo W Swoope & Gerard R Stuart the court of Augusta county now sitting John McWilliams a resident of the torey glade district in the county of Augusta & State of Virginia aged seventy two years on the 14th day of last June 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 was born in New Jersey Summerset [sic: Somerset] County but has no record of his age That he entered the service of the United States under the following Officers & served as herein stated. Captain William Morgan, Lieutenants Edward Lucas & William Lucas, Ensign Michael Bedinger were the officers of the company of Light Infantry in which he first served They marched from Sheppardstown in Berkley county Va [sic: Shepherdstown in Berkeley County, now WV], through Philadelphia to Quibbletown [in present New Market] about five miles from Brunswick in New Jersey. He enlisted with this volunteer company as a volunteer about the first of Dec’r 1776 for four months & served till the 1st of April 1777 when he was discharged. He obtained a written discharge, & under it received his pay, but took no further care of it & cannot now say what has become of it. He was in a small engagement, he thinks on the first day of March 1777 about a mile from Brunswick at a place called Pescataway [Piscataway NJ, 8 Mar 1777] & in several little skirmishes afterwards. He does not know with what or whether with any continental companies he served. the companies in his neighborhood were chiefly Merlin [sic: Maryland] militia commanded he thinks by a Col Stricker.
He knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to testify to his service, nor does he know the names of any of the regular officers stationed in his neighborhood. Some time in September 1777 he became a substitute for a man named West in a militia company whose Captain was Charles Morrow. Adrian Wincoop was Lieutenant. Thomas Swearingen Ensign. They marched from Sheppardstown Berkley county Virginia to Pennsylvania to a place called White Mash [sic: Whitemarsh] about sixteen or twenty miles from Philadelphia & was there or in the neighborhood during the whole time of his service which was not less than three months. he thinks it was more but of this is not certain Philip Pendleton was the Colonel under whom he served they arrived at White Mash soon after the massacre at Paoli [21 Sep 1777] he was engaged in no battle on this tour. There were no continental regiments or companies stationed with him tho Washingtons army was not far off. He obtained a written discharge on this occasion also & a certificate for his pay. The certificate he sold to John Casely a storekeeper in Sheppardstown, & does not know what became of his discharge. He knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to testify to his service. In May 1778 He again became a substitute in a militia company for Edward Tabb of Berkley county Virginia & marched from Martinsburg straight to Pittsburg. William Morgan the captain under whom he marched to N Jersey was the Major under whom he now served. William Little was the Captain. William Vestel the Lieutenant.
The ensigns name he has forgotten but thinks it was Suel [Sewell?] From Pittsburg his company in a few days was marched to Holladays Cove [sic: Hollidays Cove] about twenty miles above Wheeling Major Morgan went with them no other forces were there except the inhabitants during the tour. on this occasion he was out about three & a half months & was discharged the last of august 1778 This discharge he has also lost He knows no person whose testimony he could procure to testify to this service. In September 1778 immediately on his return home he again became a substitute in a militia company for William Williamson of Berkley county Va. Josiah Swearingen was the Captain. He does not recollect who was his Lieutenant or ensign. John Morrow was the Colonel under whom he served. We marched from Martinsburg to the Ohio River which we crossed just below the mouth of Big Beaver [at present Beaver PA] & lay at Fort McIntosh some time when we were marched to a place called Tuscarawa plains near the Indian town where we built a Stockade fort [Fort Laurens on Tuscarawas River in Ohio], & lay there till some few days befor Christmas when we marched back to Fort McIntosh & were discharged a day or two before Christmas. From the time we marched till we got home was three & an half months This discharge is also lost He knows no person whose testimony he could procure to testify to this service. In the two last mentioned tours he was in no battle. In May 1781 He again became a substitute for Thomas Stuart of Berkley county Va in a Militia company & marched from Martinsburg through Fauquire [sic: Fauquier County] to Fredricksburg [sic: Fredericksburg] Va. He does not recollect who were the officers of this company as he was in it a very few days. At Fredricksburg he found Capt. Stump raising a volunteer company of light infantry. He joined this company, & was marched under Captain Stump to Richmond Va. He does not recollect the names of the lieutenant & Ensign of the volunteer company. They remained at Richmond a few days where they were joined by the Yankey Infantry at[?] Capt Ogdons company & Major McPersons company of Horse Tarletons troops [Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s Legion, early June] laying on the opposite side of the town from us. They were then marched up into Albemarle followed by Tarletons men, & on the retreat of Tarleton they followed them back & were discharged in New Kent county he thinks – having served only two months & an half. On this occasion he knows no other field officer except McPherson & was engaged in no battle. He knows no one whose testimony he could procure to testify to this service. He has not his discharge from this service & knows not where it is. On his return home he found his turn had come to serve his regular tour of duty in the militia, & that his company had just marched. He immediately started after them & overtook them on this side the Pamunkey River, & marched to near Williamsburg at a place called the Old Magazine where we lay several days, & were marched to York where we lay till we received our discharge a few days before Cornwallas surrendered [sic: Cornwallis, 19 Oct 1781]. Michael Bedinger was our Captain.
Lieutenant [Thomas] Thornberry & Ensign Karney He was discharged but has not his discharge now nor does he know what has become of it. He was in service he thinks only three mont[hs] & was a sergeant in his company from the time he joined it by appoi[nt]ment of his captain He also served as orderly sergeant during the above mentioned tour from September to Christmas 1778
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 the agency of any state. Ever since the revolution he has resided in Berkley & Augusta counties state of Virginia
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above written [signed] John McWilliams
NOTES:
In response to a request from the Pension Office for a more precise statement of the
times of his services, McWilliams on 25 June 1842 made an additional declaration that adds nothing new.
On 14 Mar 1845 McWilliams requested that his pension be transferred from the agency
at Richmond to the one at Clarksburg, because he had moved to Barbour County in present WV “to better the Condition of his Little remang Famely.”
A letter dated Weston VA, 4 Jan 1855 states that McWilliams died in the fall of 1852 and that the heirs requested the Commissioner of Pensions to determine if any uncollected pension was due to them and whether the amount of the pension was correct.
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