REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION - JAMES McWILLIAMS Contributed by: Jerry McWilliams (mcwmshist@aol.com) ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** James McWilliams, Revolutionary Soldier From information compiled by Rosemary (McWilliams) Trigg The following data was obtained from papers on file in claim for pension W 3026, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. Declaration was made in Hardin County, Kentucky, where he had lived since 1801 by James McWilliams on May 20, 1833 who applied under the Act of June 7, 1832. It is stated that he was born in 1762, the son of Hugh McWilliams. The place and mother's name are not given. While residing in Orange County, North Carolina, James McWilliams enlisted in the fall of 1778, served 3 months as private in Captain McDonald's and Hodge's companies, Colonel Butler's North Carolina regiment and was engaged in guarding the barracks at Cross Creek, North Carolina. He moved to Henry County, Virginia and enlisted in the summer of 1781, served 3 months as private in Captain Thomas Doggard's and William Cowden's companies, Colonel Tuckers Virginia Regiment. The soldier James McWilliams married January 1, 1780 or 1781 in Henry County, Virginia to Martha Jamison. They lived about 4 years in Henry County, Virginia, then moved to North Carolina and settled on Durbins Creek, lived there about eleven months, and then returned to Henry County, Virginia. In 1794 moved to Madison County, Kentucky and in 1801 moved to Hardin County, Kentucky. He died August 26, 1843 at his residence on the waters of Mill Creek, in Hardin County, Kentucky. The widow, Martha McWilliams was allowed pension on her application executed October 11, 1843, at which time she was age 82. In 1846 she was living with her son James McWilliams and in 1848 she was living with her son-in-law Washington Smith who was then age 61. All in Hardin County, Kentucky. The soldier James McWilliams and his wife Martha had ten children, 3 of whom were born prior to 1786. In 1847 "some" were residing in Hardin County. The names of their children are shown as follows: Mary or Polly, Jane, Samuel, Hannah, Elizabeth or Betsy, James, Martha, Sarah or Sally, and two named Anna, one having died. Reference was made in 1843 to a son age 52 and a daughter 58. John McWilliams, a brother of the soldier James McWilliams, was born August 1780, and in 1846 was living in Meade County, Kentucky. Martha McWilliams, widow of James McWilliams, Certificate 3167 issued January 19, 1847, rate of $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848, Act of February 2, 1848 Kentucky Agency. Kentucky Pensioners, Vol 1. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The above article is part of the information compiled by Rosemary (McWilliams) Trigg of Colorado originally printed in the Fall 1993 Veteran's issue of Now & Then by the McWilliams Historical Project. Additional written biographical information may be found in the book Two Centuries in Elizabethtown and Hardin County, Kentucky submitted by Iris Jasperson of Wyoming. There appear to be a large number of descendants from this line.--JM