John J. Weeks’ Survivor’s Pension Application Due to Service During the Seminole Wars

As we continue to examine the 68-page pension application file for John J. Weeks, it’s important to remember the main goal of this research: we have already established that the mother of John J. Weeks of Chokoloskee Island in 1876 was Margaret Bennet. Our next step is to connect the following three key identities: (1) John Weeks of Chokoloskee in 1876, (2) John Weeks of Hillsborough County in the 1840s and 1850s, and (3) John J. Weeks of Marco in 1898. If we can demonstrate that these are the same person, we can confidently conclude that John was the brother of Harriet C. Weeks Howard and, in turn, that Margaret Bennet Weeks is likely Harriet’s mother as well.

While proving this connection is the primary aim of this research, the examination of John J. Weeks’ pension application has been fascinating in its own right. The life and military service of John J. Weeks offers a glimpse into a period of intense conflict and transformation in Florida's history. As a participant in both the Second and Third Seminole Wars, Weeks' contributions to these campaigns were enough to secure him a pension in his later years. This post delves into his service record, the corroborating evidence from muster rolls, and the challenges in verifying his entire military journey.

Note: His full survivor’s pension can be viewed on my publicly available family tree on ancestry.com within the Gallery for the profile of John J Weeks 1821-1900.

Early Enlistments in the Second Seminole War

John J. Weeks’ military service during the Second Seminole War is documented, with participation alongside both his father, John Weeks Sr., and his brother, Madison Weeks. According to pension records and muster rolls, Weeks first enlisted on August 22, 1840, in Captain S.L. Sparkman’s Company of the Florida Mounted Militia. His service in this unit, alongside his father and brother, was documented in official records. The company was mustered into service at Lancaster, East Florida, and Weeks remained in service until November 29, 1840, when the company was discharged at the same location.

University of Florida Digital Collections; https://ufdc.ufl.edu/uf00047719/00009; Florida Militia Muster Rolls, Seminole Indian Wars; Volume 9; Published from original material by the Florida Department of Military Affairs; Images 112-113 of 131

Following his time in Captain Sparkman’s Company, Weeks, along with his father and brother, enlisted in Captain Arthur Roberts’ Company of the Second Regiment Brigade of Florida Mounted Militia, under the command of Colonel F.L. Dancy. Muster rolls show that Weeks enlisted on November 29, 1840, and served until March 5, 1841. This period of service, as noted in Weeks’ pension application, took place around the Alligator Settlement, which is now part of modern-day Lake City, Florida.

Florida. Office of the Adjutant General. Arthur Roberts' Company Muster Roll, Columbia County, 1840. November 29, 1840. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/345099>, accessed 6 August 2024.

While John J. Weeks recalled enlisting as early as 1838, his memory of exact dates, understandably, became less precise over time, as reflected in his pension application filed decades later in 1898. He even mentioned being discharged either at Alligator or at Barker’s Fort. These discrepancies likely stem from the passage of time and the multiple engagements Weeks participated in throughout the war.

Importantly, Weeks' service alongside his father, John Weeks Sr., and brother, Madison, is consistently confirmed in the military records. These muster rolls provide further evidence that the Weeks family was deeply involved in the defense of Florida during the tumultuous Seminole Wars. The family served as privates in both Sparkman’s and Roberts’ companies, playing a role in the military efforts to suppress Seminole resistance.

Confirmed Service in the Third Seminole War

John J. Weeks’ involvement in the Third Seminole War, which spanned from 1856 to 1858, is detailed in numerous muster rolls and personal affidavits. His pension application and military records confirm that he served in multiple companies throughout the war. His service was significant, though it was not officially credited in his pension, as his Second Seminole War service alone secured his pension.

Weeks’ participation in the Third Seminole War began on January 3, 1856, when he enlisted as a private in Captain William B. Hooker’s Independent Company of Mounted Florida Volunteers. His service in this company lasted until August 20, 1856, with the unit mustering out at Fort Meade. The muster rolls list his age as 35, which is consistent with other military records showing a birth year around 1821. During his time in Captain Hooker’s Company, Weeks participated in several significant actions, including what he referred to in his pension affidavit as the “big fight at Brookers Ford on Peace Creek”. This battle, which took place between June 14-16, 1856, saw heavy engagement with Seminole forces, and Weeks’ involvement places him at the heart of this conflict.

University of Florida Digital Collections; https://ufdc.ufl.edu/uf00047719/00005; Florida Militia Muster Rolls, Seminole Indian Wars; Volume 5; Published from original material by the Florida Department of Military Affairs; Pages 33-34; Images 26-28 of 84

The Battle of Peas Creek, which unfolded over multiple days from June 14-16, 1856, following the attack on Willoughby Tillis’ farm, was one of the most significant and brutal engagements of the Third Seminole War. John J. Weeks played a pivotal role in this battle as part of Captain William B. Hooker’s Independent Company of Florida Mounted Volunteers, a role he confirmed in his later pension application.

In his August 1898 affidavit, Weeks recalls, "I...was in the last big fight at Brookers Ford on Peace Creek," referring to the engagement following the raid on Tillis’ farm. This statement aligns with multiple primary sources, including muster rolls and battle reports, which confirm his participation alongside Captain Hooker’s company in this bloody confrontation.

The Tillis family had settled near Whidden Creek, approximately three and a half miles from Fort Meade, despite warnings about the danger of Seminole raids. On the morning of June 14, 1856, a Seminole raiding party struck the homestead. Lieutenant Carlton, stationed at Fort Meade, responded immediately with a small group of men, including Lott Whidden and William Parker from Hooker’s company. Tragically, the response team was ambushed. Lieutenant Carlton and Whidden were killed, along with William Parker, while several others were wounded.

Covington, James W. (1966) "An Episode in the Third Seminole War," Florida Historical Quarterly: Vol. 45: No. 1, Article 8. Available at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol45/iss1/8, :

Following the initial attack, reinforcements from Captain Leslie’s and Captain Sparkman’s companies pursued the Seminoles into the Creek Swamps. Hooker’s letter to Governor Broome, dated June 19, 1856, provides a vivid account of the militia’s determination to exact retribution for the attack on the Tillis family.

Letter from Captain William B Hooker to Governor Broome dated June 19, 1856, and printed in the Florida Peninsular on July 5, 1856:

On June 16, 1856, a group of 19 men, including three men from Captain Hooker’s company and one from Captain Sparkman’s company, engaged the Seminoles along Peace Creek. This group, under the command of Lieutenant Parker and Sergeants Boggess and Durrance, launched an ambush on the Seminole camp. Hooker’s letter describes how the men charged the Seminoles, engaging in a fierce battle at close range, shooting from 8 to 10 feet away. The militia managed to kill 16 to 17 Seminoles, a significant blow to the raiding party. The official report from Captain F. M. Durrance who commanded the Florida Mounted Volunteers is the best primary source for deatils on this engagement.

The Journal of the Proceedings of House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Florida at its Eighth Session. (Tallahassee, 1856) (https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00078710/00017)

Weeks, as one of the three men from Hooker’s company, was part of this close-quarters engagement, where the militia fought from concealed positions along the riverbank. The bravery of the men, including Weeks, was instrumental in the militia’s ability to defeat the Seminoles and regain control of the area. The muster rolls from Captain Hooker’s company, dated August 20, 1856, confirm Weeks' service during this critical period.

Even after the intense battle at Peas Creek, Hooker’s men, likely including Weeks, were not done. They pursued the fleeing Seminoles further into the Creek Swamps, trying to track down the survivors of the raiding party. Reinforced by men from Captain Leslie’s company, Hooker’s unit scouted the area for several more days, hoping to finally defeat the raiders.

Despite their exhaustion from the fight, the men’s determination was relentless. Hooker’s letter highlights the fortitude of his men, particularly those who continued the pursuit despite the difficult terrain. Though the final escape of the Seminoles prevented a complete victory, the militia’s efforts in this engagement effectively ended the Seminole threat in that region for the time being.

The Battle of Peas Creek remains one of the defining moments of the Third Seminole War, and John J. Weeks’ participation in this battle stands as a testament to his commitment and bravery. His role in the militia's ambush and subsequent pursuit of the Seminole raiders places him at the heart of one of the most important military actions of the war. The correlation between Weeks’ affidavit, the muster rolls, and the first-hand accounts provided by Captain Hooker and others leaves little doubt that Weeks was a key participant in this significant battle.

After mustering out of Captain Hooker’s Company, Weeks promptly enlisted in Captain Leroy G. Lesley’s Company on August 20, 1856, continuing his service at Fort Meade. This unit was part of the mounted Florida Volunteers, tasked with defending settlements from the continuing Seminole resistance. Weeks’ service in this company lasted until February 19, 1857, when the unit was mustered out at Fort Brooke, confirming his ongoing dedication to the militia’s efforts. Notably, many of the men who served alongside Weeks in Hooker’s Company also enlisted with Lesley, further cementing their shared military service and camaraderie.

University of Florida Digital Collections; https://ufdc.ufl.edu/uf00047719/00006; Florida Militia Muster Rolls, Seminole Indian Wars; Volume 6; Published from original material by the Florida Department of Military Affairs; Pages 78-79; Images 68-69 of 94

Weeks then transitioned to Captain Simeon L. Sparkman’s Independent Company of Florida Mounted Volunteers, enrolling on February 17, 1857, again at Fort Brooke. His service in Sparkman’s Company lasted until August 17, 1857, when the unit was officially mustered out. This period marked the end of his active involvement in the Third Seminole War, although his personal affidavits also claim service in Captain Pacetti’s Company, though no official records have been found to verify this.

One of my favorite items that I found while researching John J Weeks’ military service was a descriptive muster roll taken of the men in Sparkman’s company.

Throughout the Third Seminole War, Weeks served alongside several family members and acquaintances, including his cousin Samuel W. Weeks, his nephew Levy Weeks, and his brother-in-law Seth Howard. This close-knit group of men, who had longstanding ties to each other from both personal and military engagements, continued to support each other in the militia’s various companies.

Although the pension office only recognized Weeks’ service during the Second Seminole War, his documented participation in multiple companies throughout the Third Seminole War—particularly under Captains Hooker, Lesley, and Sparkman—underscores his considerable contributions to Florida’s defense during this turbulent period.

Pensions and Personal Life

Despite his extensive service claims, John J. Weeks' pension application was based solely on his service during the Second Seminole War. In May 1898, he filed for a pension, supported by witnesses including his brother, Madison Weeks, and his nephew, Thomas Weeks. Both family members confirmed his service, though inconsistencies emerged in the dates and details of his enlistments.

Weeks adopted the middle initial “J.” later in life to differentiate himself from his nephew, John Weeks, who also resided in Marco, Florida. His pension application also sheds light on his personal life, revealing his two marriages—first to Deborah Tanner, from whom he was divorced in 1855, and later to Elizabeth Raulerson in 1878. Together, John and Elizabeth had several children, whose names and birthdates were recorded in the pension documents.

Memory, Gaps, and Historical Verification

One of the challenges in studying Weeks’ service is the occasional discrepancies in his recollections. For example, in a statement made in 1899, Weeks mistakenly claimed that his father, John Weeks Sr., had died in 1853, though records show that John Sr. passed away in January 1844. Similarly, Weeks referred to military service as early as 1835, though no muster rolls for him during that time have been located.

Despite these memory gaps, the historical record largely supports John J. Weeks' service during both Seminole Wars. The muster rolls and Compiled Military Service Records (CMSR) confirm his participation in the major military campaigns of the time, and his pension application provides invaluable insight into his life and military contributions.

Conclusion

John J. Weeks’ military career serves as a testament to the complexity of service during both the Second and Third Seminole Wars. Official records confirm his participation in Captain Sparkman’s and Captain Roberts’ companies during the Second Seminole War (1839–1841). This verified service alone was sufficient to secure a pension in his later years. However, Weeks’ contributions during the Third Seminole War (1856–1857), though not officially credited in his pension application, are corroborated by muster rolls and personal affidavits.

From Captain Hooker’s company to Captain Sparkman’s, Weeks demonstrated his resilience and dedication to protecting the Florida frontier. His involvement in the engagement at Brookers Ford on Peas Creek positions him as an active participant in one of the most critical moments of the conflict. His service alongside family members and neighbors in multiple companies further highlights the shared sense of duty among these men during a challenging time in Florida’s history.

The historical record, enriched by family ties, service documentation, and personal testimony, paints a picture of a man whose life was deeply intertwined with the military efforts during the Seminole Wars. As we examine these records today, we gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by individuals like John J. Weeks, whose legacy lives on through the meticulous preservation of these details.

As promised, the review of John J Weeks’ Survivor’s Pension Application was absolutely fascinating in it’s own right, but let’s circle back to our main purpose of the exercise: without doubt, the John J Weeks of Marco, Lee County in 1898 is the same John Weeks of Hillsborough County in the 1840s and 1850s. This is analysis of his pension application is conclusive as it ties him to his father John Weeks, Sr and his brother, Madison Weeks. It confirms that he was born in Beaufort, South Carolina. And that he was married to Debra Tanner in Hillsborough County in 1855. In addition, when we combine his marriage to Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Raulerson in 1878 with their shared Baptismal experience on Chokoloskee Island in 1876, it can be confirmed that John Weeks of Chokoloskee Island in 1876 is the same John J Weeks of Marco in 1898 as well. Thus, John J Weeks of Marco, Lee County is the brother of Harriet C Weeks Howard, wife of Seth Howard, and they likely shared the same mother: Margaret Bennet Weeks.