Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 24,002, William Whitcraft, Del. Penn.
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Del. Penn
Whitcraft, William
S24002
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6657
Pennsylvania
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William Whitcraft
of__ in the State of Penn
who was a Private in the Company commended by Captain Darby of the Reg commanded by Col. H[?] in the Delaware. Time for 8 mo Private ___ $26.66
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Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 26 Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, to comments on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of March 1833 and put to Hm. D. Potts of [?]
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Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 -- $53.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 [?] " --- 13.33
                                                        =========
                                                        $66.65
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
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Recorded by Varal Luce Clerk, 
Book D Vol. 6 Page 12
---
N. Strickland, Esq. April 7, '37
Pen. Agent. Phila " 7, 1837
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Wm. Whitcraft
19960
[check mark]
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Chester

On this tenth day for December AnnoDomini 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, now sitting William Whitcraft, a resident of the township of London Brittain in the County and State aforesaid aged from Eighty to Eightsix years who being first sworn according to [?] cloth on his Oath make the following Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832: [?] That he was born in London Brittain Township Chester Count about the year 1746, that he has no record of his age, but derives his knowledge from information received from his father, that his memory is much impaired and on that account he cannot certain by names dates and times so long past. But that on the first of July 1776 or some year between that and 1780 (Deponent thinks 1776) he enlisted for the term of one year with Captain Darby in Newark or New Castle in the State of Delaware, and marched from there via Wilmington to Philadelphia, and thence by water conveyance up the Delaware river to Trenton, thence to New York .... and crossed over to Long Island their company consisting of 65, and were there received and received our Arms and Equipments. During the review I've heard the Brittish were crossing to the Island, a Battle was fought, and all our number killed except our Captain and twenty five others. We were on the Island only about half a day, and then recrossed to the mainland and encamped a small distance above the City of New York. From thence we crossed into the Jersey, and fled with the rest of the forces before the Enemy and were kept constantly traversing the Jersey in various direction for sometime but how long this deponent cannot recollect. My father then procured a substitute for me who took my place and served out my
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time. He served second tour under Captain John Ramsay of Chester County as a drafted man. We marched from Chatham in said County to Philadelphia attached to the regiment Commanded by Col. John Hannum, crossed oer to Jersey and marched to Billingsport and aided to erect the fortification at that place. Col Bull appeard there to be the principal in command. We lay at Billingsport till our term of service expired. Served two months and were discharged from parade but had no written discharge. He served under Capt. Matthew Wilkin of Chester County as a drafted man, company met at Furys tavern in New London township, and marched from there to Wilmington and Philadelphia, thence by water up the river Trenton. We were attached to the regiment Commanded by Col. Wm. Montgomery and [?] Col Evan Evans were at the  Canonade of Trenton. He believes Gene Putnam there commanded. We marched from there to Prenceton and Morristown, and by that time their term of service had expired. He was discharged at Morristown having served two months. 
He afterwards served under Captain Samuel Evans of Chester County, was drafted. The company met at John Ross's tavern in London Grove, marched to Wilmington and Philadelphia, through Buck County to Shells [?] where we lay four weeks watching the Tories. We afterwards returned to Philadelphia where we were discharged, not having been attached to any regiment and having served two months.  He afterwards was drafted and served under Captain John McDowell. The Company met at New London Crossroads, marched to Philadelphia, thence up the Delaware river to Bristol and were attached to a Battalion commanded by Major John Ramsay marched through Bucks and Montgomery Counties Pennsylvania, were kept almost constantly in motion. [Script has been marked through] The [illegible] encamped at Whitemarsh, where we lay till one term of service, two months, expired. He was at the Battle of Germantown but in which of these towns of duty, he cannot recollect. All these different services were between the years 1776 and 1780, but the exact time of each or any of them, he does not more remember.
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He never received any written discharge. When he entered the service he resided in New London Township Chester County. He had since always lived in the same township, and the township of London Brittain where he now lives. He recollected Gene Putnam in Philadelphia and at Billingsport he recollects Gen. Washington, Gen. Gates and Gen. Potter, but does not recollect any others except those mentioned heretofore.
He is known to John Whitcraft, Thomas Strickland, William Johnson, and Robert Kennedy, either of whom can testify as to his character for veracity and as to their belief of his having been a soldier of the Revolution. He known of no one now living who can testify as to his service [added above line:] except his brother John Whitcraft. His companions in arms having all long since descended to the grave. He is not a member of any Church at present and is unable to procure any Clergyman to attend at the seat of Justice to vouch for him. He here by relinquishes every claim or amenity whatever except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of [illegible, signature of William Whitcraft written above line].
Signature block: 
Devon and [?] in Open Court
Decem 10th 1832
[Signature:] John W. Cuningham

Signature block:
William Whitcraft
Wm. Whitcraft signature
John H. Brady

Chester County

We John W Cuningham and John Whitcraft being severally sworn .... according to law say that they are well acquainted with William Whitcraft who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be from Eighty to Eight Six years of age, that his is a man veracity, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that we concur in that opinion the said John Whitcraft further said that [illegible] William did serve under Captain Ramsay, Wilkey, Evans, and McDowell, as a militia man. 

Sworn in Open Court 
December 10 1832
Before [illegible]
President of the Court

Signature of John Whitcraft 
Signature of John W. Cuningham

And the said Court do here by declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as stated. And the Court further
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certifies that it appears to them that John W. Cuningham and John Whitcraft who have signed the foregoing affidavit are residents of the County of Chester, that they are persons of respectable character and standing and that their statements are entitled [illegible] --
By the Court
John W. Cuningham [signature]

I, John W Cuningham, [illegible] of the Court of Common Pleases in and from the County of Chester in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Whitcraft for a pension.

In [illegible] on where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at West Chester in said County this tenth day of December anno domini 1832

John W. Cuningham
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19960

William Whitcraft

Hon
David Potts
H.R.
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Brief in the case of William Whitcraft of London Britain township, County of Chester, in the State of Pennsylvania
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? between 80 and 86
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

(Table)
Period.
Enlisted some year between in 1776 and 1789
drafted for a 2nd tour
drafted ------
drafted ------
drafted ------
till his term between 1776 & 1786 |

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days. 
not stated --
           -- 2--
           -- 2-- 
           -- 2--
           -- 2 -- 
Rank.
As a 
private 
"---
"---
"---
"---

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. 
Gen.
Captain Darby, Delaware [illegible]
Col. John Han[illegible] } Penn? [illegible]
Capt. John Ramsey } 
Col. Wm. Montgomery } ditto
Capt. Matthew Wilkin } 
Capt. Saml Evans
Capt. John McDowell 

5. In what battles was he engaged? 
Long Island, Germantown

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Enlisted at Newark or New Castle, Delaware, resided in New London Township, Chester County, Penn. 

7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
No

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

Char. G Wilcox [signature] Examining Clerk
26 Feb 1833
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Mrs. M. A. Crowl
Hubert
Minn.

Madam: 

I have to advise you that it appears from the paper is in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 24002, that WILLIAM WHITCRAFT was born about 1746 in London Brittain Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. 

He enlisted at Newark or New Castle, Delaware, in 1776 and served, length not stated, as a private in Captain Darby's Delaware Company; he was in the retreat from Long Island. He then enlisted and served at various times until 1780, amounting to eight months in all, as a private with the Pennsylvania troops under Captains John Ramsay, Matthew Wilkin or Wilkey, Samuel Evans and John McDowell, and Colonels John Hannum, William Montgomery; he was in the battle of Germantown. During his service he was a resident of London Brittain Township, Pennsylvania. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 10, 1832, at which time he was living in London Brittain Township, Pennsylvania. 

In 1832 he referred to his brother, John Whitcraft, but there is no claim for pension our bounty land on file on account of the services of a John or Jacob Whitcraft or Whitecraft. 

There are no further data on file on account of the relative to the family of William Whitcraft. 

Respectfully, 
E.W. Morgan
[text cut off and illegible]
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Pennsylvania
Hon. David Potts
19.960 M.C. [illegible]
[text strikethrough] Brief 26 Feb 93
[text strikethrough and illegible]
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Revolution 
24002
INVALID
File No. 24.002
William Whitcraft
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 '32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 448
(Arrangement of 1870) 

1926, Oct 8 [illegible]
to Mrs. M. A. Crowl
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Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War
Washington D.C.

Some time ago I [illegible] to find records of three soldiers in the Revolutionary War but received word that you had no records. Since then I found a record in the Penn. report in the Minnesota Historical Bldg. stating that one of
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receive an pension. He went from Chester Co.  Penn. 2 Battalion 8th Co. under Col Evan Evans.
The following is the record.
" William Whitcraft P.ST. Mar 1833.86 "
the latter (86) I took to be his age.
Would appreciate any information
you can give me.
The two brothers who were with him
were Jacob. in the same Co. and 
No clue for Batt. or City. [illegible]
John in the State Militia.
Am sorry to trouble you again but
wish very much to get their records.
Yours truly, M.A. Crowl
Oct 4/26.  Hubret Mime
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BRIEF objection to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the Claim of
William Whitcraft            which require
further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides,  is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
Yes

V.  *Has he mentioned 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?
yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June y, 1832?  yes

VII.  Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  and if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?  yes
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2
XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of her respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
Yes

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not
obtaing it?  yes

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at le
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes

XIV.  If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a 
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the
Certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVL.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Yes

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribe by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, 
if not which of them is not so answered? 51G-7B

QUERE V.  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 year months, and days, I served as a for months 
and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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8
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as 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 they served two years 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served ; the curation 
of each term of engagement ; the particular place or places where the service was performed, the 
applicant served with a 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records to the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses,  who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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David Poth 1402
Dec 14
paid $26.66 her [illegible]
19960  Briefed
Free
Hon Lewis Cass Esq
Secretary at War
Washington City
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Hon Sir
I have the honour to enclose the Declaration
of William Whitcraft a soldier of the Revolution
prepared under the directions of the Secretary at War
to enable him to receive the benefit of the act of last
June - He is very  poor and very needy. this I
know is a prominent feature in the history of 9/10 of his companions in arms who yet survive
Your attention as sum as may possibly be convenient is very respectfully craved + that the
result may be communicated to me
I am your obedient servant
John W Cuningham
Hon Lewis Cass Esq
West Chester Pa
December 11 1832