Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,855, for Abraham Moore, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE    Penn.
Moore, Abraham
NUMBER  S. 2,855
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Pittsbg  
Ohio  13.271
Abraham Moore of Jefferson in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Compy command by Captain Fox of the  Regt commanded by Col. Giddes   in the Pennsylvania line for 8 months & 28 days 
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 29 Dollars 76 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of June 1833 and Sent to J.P. Hoge Stubenville Ohio  
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833   $59.52  
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833  14.88 
$74.40
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by J. W. Clagett Clerk
Book E. Vol. Page 119
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State of Ohio, 
Jefferson County SS 
On this Seventeenth day of May AD 1833 personally appeared in open court, before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County now sitting within and for said county, Abraham Moore, a free man of colour, residing in the town of Steubenville, in said County of Jefferson aged ninety four years, last October, 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 entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated,  to wit, In the year 1781, as nearly as this declarant now recollects, he was living with one Augustine Moore, in Fayette County, in the State of Pennsylvania that the said Augustine Moore was drafted in the militia of said state, to go on an expedition to the west against the Indians that this declarant went out as the substitute of said Augustine Moore, in the company of Militia commanded by Captain George (or William) Fox, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Giddes, in the Brigade of General Broadhead - that he marched with said Company from the town of Uniontown, and crossed the Ohio river, at the Mingo Bottom (now in said Jefferson County) where there was then a Block House from thence he marched through the wilderness to Wakatomika, in said State of Ohio, where they arrived in the month of June, in said year 1781.   Here the American Troops attacked the Indians and defeated them - Several Indians were killed and several taken prisoners in this engagement and this declarant was wounded by a ball passing through his arm  - Capt. Fox was wounded in the breast - Shortly after this engagement, the Company returned to Uniontown - their return was in
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July of said year 1781 - Declarant was absent on this expedition two months - was discharged at Uniontown by Capt. Fox, but does not remember whether his discharge was in writing.    
In the fall of the same year (1781) the Indians again became trouble for on the frontier Settlements, and the said Augustine Moore was again drafted, in the Pennsylvania Militia, on an expedition against the Indians, and this deponent again entered the service, as a substitute for said Moore. He was under the command of Capt. Edward Stewart in this expedition, the aforesaid Col. Giddes still commanding the regiment. He was marched from Uniontown to what is now called Hollidays Cove, on the Ohio River, and crossing the said Ohio at that place, the troops proceeded through the Wilderness to the Muskingum river, when they met and engaged with a body of Indians, defeated them, and returned again to Uniontown.  Declarant was absent on this expedition six weeks. He returned to Uniontown about the last of October and was again discharged by his captain.  
The following spring (1782) the Indians committed some murders and depredations on Short Creek, Virginia, and another draft was made from the Pennsylvania Militia to go out against the Indians, and this declarant again entered the service as a substitute for the said Augustine Moore in the Company of Pennsylvania Militia commanded by Capt. Sharp - there was but this company called out, at this time - this declarant marched with said company from Uniontown, crossed the Ohio river, at the mouth of Short Creek, and proceeded on to Still Water (somewhere in what is now
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Harrison County area) where they met, and had an engagement with a body of Indians, who were defeated and routed - and the Company returned to Uniontown.  Declarant was absent on this expedition but two weeks.  
In the Spring of 1783, the said Augustine Moore was again drafted, and this declarant again went out, as his substitute. He served during tours in the Company of Pennsylvania Militia, under the command of Capt. John Giddes, in a regiment commanded by the said Col. Thomas Giddes; said company acted in the capacity of Scouts, and was stationed at a Block house, at that now called Beach Bottom, in Brook County Virginia - this declarant was out, and in service, on this expedition, five months, and then returned to Uniontown, where he was discharged from the service.  
During the several tours of his service the company and regiment in which he served, never were in company with any regular or continental troops, as the defence of the frontier was committed solely to the Militia, nor was this declarant acquainted with any of the officers of the regular army nor of the Militia, except the before mentioned Captain Fox, Stewart, Sharp and Giddes and Col. Giddes; He has no recollection of ever having received a written discharge from the service, but if he ever did his discharge or discharges are now lost, nor has he any documentary evidence of any kind to prove the foregoing facts, in relation to his service. He knows of no person now living by who in he can substantiate said facts. He was born, in the State of Maryland as he believes, in the month of October 1738, though he has no record of his age, nor does he know that there is any record thereof, now
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extant. After the close of the Revolutionary war he resided in Washington County, Pennsylvania till the year 1796, when he removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, his present place of residence, where he has lived ever since. He is known to Bezaleel Wells and Joseph Jenkins of Steubenville in said County of whom he refers, as person, who will prove his good character for truth and veracity, and who will state their belief, that he did serve in the revolutionary War, as above stated. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. 
Abraham Moore his mark
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me 
J R Wells Clk   
We Bezaleel Wells & Joseph Jenkins of the town of Steubenville in said County of Jefferson do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abraham Moore, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that he believe him to be ninety four years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
James Ross Wells Clk 
Bez Wells
Joseph Jenkins
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The State of Ohio 
Jefferson County Ss  
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Bezaleel Wells and Joseph Jenkins, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the town of Steubenville in said County of Jefferson, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit 
I James Ross Wells, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Moore for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Steubenville, this seventeenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three 
James Ross Wells Clerk
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Abraham Moore  25267
State of Ohio 
Jefferson County SS 
Personally appeared before me James Ross Wells Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Jefferson, Abraham Moore the within named applicant for a pension who being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says, 1 that he has no knowledge of any clergyman now living who is acquainted with him, and with the facts and circumstances of his services, as set forth, in his declaration herewith transmitted, and who can certify for him as to the matters required, according to the regulations of the War Department, and said deponent further says that this, and no other is the cause why he has not complied with said regulations, and not with any intention to evade or in any other manner escape them 
Abraham Moore his mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 20th of May AD 1833 
James Ross Wells Clk
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No. 25267
Abraham Moore Jefferson County Ohio
Adm 8 Months & 28 days
J. P. Hoge Steubenville Jefferson County Ohio
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WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Pension Office, 183 
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abraham Moore Jefferson County Ohio
Period when service was rendered.   Sub - 1781  Duration of the claimant's service.   2 months     Rank of claimant. private   Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  Cap Fox, Col Giddes   Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.   94 years, Fayett County Pennsylvania   Proof by which the declaration is supported.    Traditionary evidence certified credible, there is no clergyman who is acquainted to testify for applicant, the papers not properly attached. 
Period when service was rendered.  Sub – fall 1781   Duration of the claimant's service.  1 Month 14 days    Rank of claimant.  private   Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  Cap. Stewart, Colonel Giddes  
Period when service was rendered.  Sub. – Spring 1782   Duration of the claimant's service.   14 days  Rank of claimant. private   Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  Cap. Sharp
Period when service was rendered.  Sprg. 1783   Duration of the claimant's service.   5 months    Rank of claimant.  private   Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  Cap Giddes, Col Giddes
I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.            
The following regulations have been adopted:                  
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.              
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:  
1. The Regular Troops.  
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.    
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.             
4. Indian Spies.                 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.             
DECLARATION.                        
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.           
State, Territory, or District of 
County of } ss.
On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:    
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]            
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only that of Agency in the State of    
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]            
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I of the Court of hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of for a pension.               
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c.            
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.          
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.                 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]     
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.               
I, Clerk of the Court of contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & c.         
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.            
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.            
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.    
1. Where and in what year were you born?                
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?          
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?               
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?              
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.           
6. To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what Town officer has become of it?              
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.                 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.         
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject     
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.        
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed his genuine signature.          
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.        
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.    
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.     
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.    
[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.        
Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---yearmonths , anddays , I served as amonths and --- days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension."   
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.    
[f]  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g]  The opinion of the Court is always required.  
[h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.               
Mode of authenticating papers.              
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.         
Proof of Service.         
[j]  In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the wife nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies to continental troops only.     
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Rev. War
2855
INVALID.
File No. 2855
Abraham Moore
Privt  Rev War
Act: June 7. 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 261
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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STEUB O MAY 2
ohio May 25
June 4
O.
25267
Free
Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City
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Steubenville  May 21st 1833 
Sir
I have the honor to enclose you herewith the papers relative to the application of Abraham Moore, for a pension, under the act of June 7th 1832.   I should beg leave to represent that the applicant is a very frail old man rendered almost incapable of supporting himself, by his age and bodily infirmities, and would therefore request an action upon his claim, as soon as may be convenient to the department.   
Any communications upon the subject may may be forwarded to me at Steubenville 
Your Most Obt Sert 
J.P. Hoge
Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War