Madison Weeks’ Bounty Land Application

The military service of Madison Weeks during the Second Seminole War is thoroughly documented through his approved bounty land application. Additional supporting records include muster rolls, his Compiled Military Service Records (CMSR), and the pension application of his brother, John J. Weeks, which offers corroborating evidence of Madison’s service. All these documents have been added to Madison Weeks’ profile on the publicly accessible tree titled “Sunni’s Family Tree” on Ancestry.com, managed by the user "sunnisearchangel."

By 1850, Madison Weeks remained in Alachua County, Florida, while his father and brothers had moved to Hillsborough County by the early 1840s. This raises an interesting question: What kept Madison in Alachua County? I wonder if his in-laws stayed in Alachua County and that’s what kept him and his young family there. This line of inquiry worth exploring further. Additionally, he had some of his uncles and cousins were residing in and around Alachua County, suggesting strong family ties in the area that might have influenced his decision to stay.

"United States Census, 1850", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFH8-TSN : Sat Mar 09 13:41:45 UTC 2024), Entry for Madison Weeks and Mary Weeks, 1850.

Madison reported his age as 28 in both his bounty land application and the 1850 census, suggesting a birth year around 1822. This would mean he was just 18 years old—the minimum age required for enlistment—when he joined the Florida militia. However, in later records, including subsequent census reports and his pension application, Madison consistently listed his age in a manner indicating a birth year closer to 1816-1817.

Analyzing the birth order of the children listed in his father’s Land Entry Case File provides further evidence. The children are listed as follows: William, Selia, Madison, Mary, Harriet, John, Thomas, and Vicey.

Land Entry Case File, John Weeks, Certificate No. 242; Land Entry Case Files; Pre-1908 General Land Entry Files, Record Group 49; National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

Based on other sources:

• William’s birth is estimated around 1815 (based on the 1850 census).

• Harriet’s birth date is confirmed as July 18, 1820, from her headstone.

• John’s birth year ranges from 1820-1821, according to multiple sources.

• Thomas is listed as "over the age of 18" in his Armed Occupation Act application, implying he was born before 1824.

Given this context, it is most plausible that Madison was born around 1816-1817.

Madison Weeks' service record begins with his enlistment on August 22, 1840, at Lancaster, East Florida Territory, where he served as a private in Captain S. L. Sparkman’s Company of the Florida Mounted Militia. He mustered out as a private on November 29, 1840, only to reenlist the same day in Captain Roberts’ Company, commanded by Col. Dancy, at Alligator Settlement in East Florida. Madison was discharged as a private on March 5, 1841, but immediately re-enlisted as a fourth corporal for a three-month term. However, the entire company was discharged early, on April 9, 1841, before completing the full term of service.

1st Image: Compiled service records of volunteer soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Florida during the Florida Indian Wars, 1835-1858 Sparkman's Company, Florida Mounted Militia Florida War https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99ZP-B96P-C?i=785 

Images 2-5: Compiled service records of volunteer soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Florida during the Florida Indian Wars, 1835-1858 Florida War, 2nd (Dancy's) Florida Mounted Militia, W-Z Florida War, 2nd Regiment, Florida Militia (Col. R. C. Parish), A-O (NARA Series M1086, Roll 24) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99ZP-B6P6?i=153&cat=36135

Throughout these service periods, Madison served alongside his father, John Weeks, Sr., and his brother, John Weeks, Jr., reinforcing the strong family ties within their military service.

John Weeks (Pvt., Capt Roberts, Capt Sparkman, et al), survivor’s pension application file No. 5339 Indian Wars; Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Indian War Service; Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, 1800–1960; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.; digital images, "Indian Wars Pension Files, 1892-1926.; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication T318, 12 rolls.

Madison Weeks was awarded two 80-acre Bounty Land Warrants due to his Military Service in the Second Seminole War. He sold both as soon as he was awarded them - i.e., he never owned or lived on the land himself.

Bureau of Land Management, “Search Documents by Type: Patents,” database with images, General Land Office Records (www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx : 24 October 2024), Madison Weeks (Florida), accession no. MW-0842-308

Bureau of Land Management, “Search Documents by Type: Patents,” database with images, General Land Office Records (www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx : 24 October 2024), Madison Weeks (Florida), accession no. MW-0696-230

Madison Weeks’ Bounty Land Application provides corroborating evidence that he is the son of John Weeks, Sr and that his brother was John J Weeks.