At a Court held for Buckingham county on Monday the 11th day of October 1819.
William Beckham of this county, and a citizen of the United States declared under oath, That in the year 1776 he enlisted as a soldier in the service of the united States for three years under James Dillard [pension application W7019] who was then a lieutenant in the service of the United States, that he belonged to the tenth Virginia Regiment on continental establishment commanded by Colo. [John] Green, that he was under the immediate command of Capt James Franklin, that he served three years, a part of which period he served with General [Anthony] Wayne, that he was at the battle of Brandy Wine [Brandywine PA, 11 Sep 1777], at the taking of Stoney point [Stony Point NY, 16 Jul 1779], and at the Seige of Fort Miflin [sic: Fort Mifflin on Mud Island PA, 10 Oct to 15 Nov 1777], and in several skirmishes, that he was honourably discharged, but his discharge is lost or mislaid, that he has no other evidence of it at this time. That he is in reduced circumstances and needs the aid of his country for support. James Phelps a credible person being sworn saith, that he is well acquainted with the sd. Beckham and knows that he is in reduced circumstances and is in need of support from his country.
Amherst County to wit:
On this 20th day of March 1821 personally appeared in open court William Beckham aged 63 a resident citizen of the county aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to Law upon his oath declares that in the year 1776 he enlisted as a soldier in the service of the united states for three years with James Dillard who was then a lieutenant that he belonged to the 10th Virginia regiment in the line of Virginia on continental establishment which said regiment was commanded by Colonel Green that he was under the immediate command of Captain James Franklin; That he served three years a part of which period he served with General Wayne, that he was at the battles of Brandywine at the taking of Stony point; and at the siege of Fort Mifflea and in Several Minor engagement; that he was discharged at Trenton and that his discharge is lost or mislaid and that he has now no other evidences of said service except the testimony of James Dillard and Thomas Jones [pension application W7905]; and in pursuance of the act of congress passed on the 1st of May 1820 the said Beckham upon his oath declares that he has been a resident citizen of the united states since the 18th April [sic: March] 1818 and that he has not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring himself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain person engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that he has not nor has any person in trust for him any property or securities contracts or debts due to him nor has he any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by him subscribed: and the said declarant on his oath further states that he is a farmer that his family consits of his wife Salley aged 58 years who is infirm and his daughter Susanne aged fourteen that he is unable to support himself by his avocation and that his said Wife and daughter are likewise unable to contribute in any great degree to their mutual support;
Schedule of William Beckham the above declarant
- 1 old cupboard
- 1 old writing desk
- 1 Bed & furniture William Beckham
- 2 pots one skillet 1 Dutch oven 1 flat Iron