Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5294, William Hamilton, Penn.
Page 1

[notecard]
[upper left]
SERVICE
Penn
[center]
Hamilton, William
Magdalena
[upper right]
NUMBER
W.5294
Page 2

R G McCreary Jany 1856

5344
Pennsylvania Phil
Magdalena Hamilton a widow of William Hamilton
who died on the __
of Penn in the State of __
who was a private of the artillery commanded
by Captain __ of the __ commanded
by __ in the Revolution
line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 and ending December 17th, 1842.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Decr. 1855. and Sent to Hon. James Cooper Phil Pa:
Arrears to the 4th of __
Semi-annual allowance ending __
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4,18 Section the
Recorded by G. T. Getty. Clerk,
Book D Vol. 2. Page 368
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams
On this 25th day of November AD 1854 personally appeared in open court before the court of Adams County now sitting Jess Hamilton a resident of New Chester in the County and State aforesaid aged about fifty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, upon his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of the 4th of July 1836 or any other act passed by Congress which will apply to his case, that he is the youngest child of William Hamilton a Soldier of the Revolution that he has often heard his Said father William Hamilton Speak of his Services in the Revolutionary War, that he the Declarant has a Sword that his father used in Said War, that his said fathry had told him that he entered the army, and served as Lieutenant under Capt Robert McConaughy that he thinks he was out two Tours in that capacity but does not know the length of the Tours. That it was about the commencement of the war That he had heard his father speak of returning home from the war to see his family in the fall of 1776, and that his oldest child Margaret was then born, that he staid at home with his family some days and then returned to the service that has heard his said father speak of carrying Some money, from his mother in law, to his father in law Capt Bettinger who was at that time a prisoner in the hands of the enemy. That he had heard his father Speak of a Soldier being that down by his side in a Skirmish at Amboy, he has also hears him Speak of retreating from the enemy at the battle of Brandywine, that upon one occasion being
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upon a Scouting party his said father observed one of the enemy in the act of firing upon him, but he fired a Moment before the enemy, who fell, his ball passing close by his father heard. That his Said father afterwards enlisted in the Artillery at York Pensylvania, and Served under a Captain Cohen or Coven, in the artillery, commanded by General Knox, that he was a Matroder in the Company and that was in the regular Service, that he thinks he entered this Service about the Spring of 1779, that he cannot tell how long he was in Service, but thinks it was a considerable length of time, until the close of the war, or nearly so, That his Said father was married on the 14th of September 1775, that his mother maiden name was Magdalena Bettinger, daughter of the above named Capt Bettinger, that this Declarents oldest Sister Margaret was born September 21st 1776, that his Said father and mother had twelve children, four of which he thinks are  still living to wit, Margaret at Ginger Hill Washington Co Pa, and this Declarent, the ages of whom are recorded in Declarents fathers family Bible, now in possession of the above mentioned Jane Black That his father the Said William Hamilton died September 22 1822 aged about 82 years, thathis mother Magdalena Hamilton died December 28th 1842 aged 88 years, that he makes this declaration in behalf of himself and of his above named Brother and Sisters, also that his Said Mother never married after his fathers death, but remained a widow during her life, and that this declarent was not aware of any law being passed, providing for children of Revolutionary Soldiers until lately, or he would have made application Sooner, this Declarent further States that he recollects of hearing his father Speak of Capt William McPherson
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being a prisoner of war during the time he was out, he furtter states that his father resided in York, now Adams County Pa before and after the war until he died, his mother also resided in Said County & State all her life

Sworn & Subscribed before this 25th day of November AD 1854
[signed] WW Paxton Prothy

[signed] Jesse Hamilton

State of Pennsylvania
Adams Count Ss
[seal affixed]
I John Picking Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please of Adams County Penna do certify that William W Paxton, Esq before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn to & subscribed was at the time of the doing of the same Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Said County, duly elected, commissioned and qualified as such; and - that the Signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court, at Gettysburg this twenty seventh day of January A.D. 1855.
[signed] John Picking Prothy
I John Picking, Prothonotary
Page 6

CHAP. IV.
[page of text from a printed Bible]
The End of the Old Testament

Our marriage day September 1775
Margret Born on Sept 21 1776
John Born on Sept 3 1778
Florence & Jean Born on May 17
William Born on april 17
Joseph Born on Sept
Enoch Born on July 1785
James Born on 1788
Robert Born in 1791
George Born in October 9 1792
David Born in 1795
Joseph Born in Octor. 15 1797
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Daniel Hoslers Receipt
For $25
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Estate of Hamilton
To Dan’l Hosler
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William Hammelton Decd [illegible] To Daniel Hosler Sept To making a Coffin & Halling [hauling] him to Adams County $25.00
Received of James Black, one of the administrators of War Hamiltons Deced the above a/c in full St Thomas 10 January 1824 Daniel Hosler
Page 10

State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams SS
Be it known that on this twenty fourth day of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty five before the undersigned, a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid; came personally James Black Sen a resident of said county, aged about seventy four years (who I do hereby certify is a credible and respectable citizen,) who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that he was the administrator of the estate of William Hamilton deceased formerly of said county, who was a revolutionary soldier, that this deponent has often heard said William Hamilton speak of his services in said war, of having been at Amboy and different other places in said war - that the paper hereunto annexed and marked "A" is a leaf taken from a Bible in the possession of deponent, and which formerly belonged to said William Hamilton, that the written entries on the same are a record of the family of said William Hamilton, and are in the hand-writing of said William Hamilton deceased - that deponent is well acquaitned with the handwriting of fc deceased -has seen him write, and has no doubt of these entries having been made by him, that said Hamilton died in September 1823, see papre "B" This deponent further saith that Magdalena Hamilton widow of Said William Hamilton died at the House of this deponent on the 17th December 1842 in the 88th year of her age; as appears by the notice published in the "Adams Sentinel" December 26. 1842. a copy whereof is filed herewith
And further saith not 
[signed] Samuel Black

Sworn and subscribed the date first above written before
[signed] D A Buchler
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Adams County SS
James Black the pressing deponent further deposeth and on his oath as aforesaid before me saith that Magdalena Hamilton aforesaid resided with said deponent at the time of her death and that she never married after the death of the said William Hamilton but remained his widow until her death is aforesaid
Sworn & Subscribed before me this said 24th day of January AD 1855
[signed] James Black
[signed] DA Buchler J.P.

State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams SS
Before me a Justice of the peace in another said county, came personally Davis Heagy a resident of said county, aged about fifty two years, who being duly sworn according to law doth say that in the year Eighteen hundred and forty two he was camping on the cabinet making in the Borough of Gettysburg in said county, and that in the month of December of that year, he made a Coffin for Magdalena Hamilton, (widow of William Hamilton Decd as deponent was informed), that said Coffin is entered in deponent books on the 19th December 1842, being as deponent supposes the day of the funeral - and further saith no
Sworn & subscribed before me this 25th day of January 1855 by Davis Heagy who I certify is a respectable person entitled to full credit
[signed] DA Buchler J.P.
[signed] David Heagy
Page 12

State of Pennsylvania
Adams County SS
I John Picking, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County Penna Do certify that David A. Buehler, Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits were made, is, and was, at the time of the taking of the same, one of our Commonwealth Justices of the Peace, duly elected, Commissioned and qualified as such; and that the signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Gettysburg in said County, this twenty-seventh day of January A.D. 1855.
John Picking, Prothy.
Page 13

Magdalena Hamilton decd Widow of William
Penna
Admd. July 4 1836
2 yrs Artillery $100 per annum from 4 March 1831 to 17 Decr. 1842, when she died,
pay to Robert G McCreary Admn. for the benefit of Jesse Hamilton George Hamilton David Hamilton & Jane Black or any of them or any others of her children who may be alive,
Cert to Hon Jas. Cooper
Pottsville
Philadelphia Pa
Page 14

State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams
SS
On this 28th day of December 1854 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, Edward Warren aged about eighty two years who being well known to the Subscriber, as a man of veracity and truth and who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that he was well acquainted with William Hamilton, a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, that he and the said Hamilton lived within about three miles of each other, from Deponents earliest recollection until long after the Revolutionary War, that he has heard the said Hamilton speak of having entered the Service under a Captain Robert McConaughy of York County now Adams County - that he well recollects of the said William Hamilton coming home from the War to see his wife and family and returning to the war agin, that he cannot tell how long he served in the war nor the length of his tours, but knows that during the war he came home several times to see his family, and returned again to the war. That he is under the impression from what said Hamilton told him that in his last tour he enlisted at York Pa and served in the Artillery under a Captain Coben or Some such name, who was under the command of General Knox and that the said Hamilton and deponents fathers family were alwars on terms of the greatest sociability that this deponents father had been a soldier in Braddock was and that he and the Said Hamilton often talked over their exploits and of the scenes through which they had passed in their severaol campaigns. That he had often heard him speak of being in the battle of Brandywine and of the Americans having to retreat and of other service he performed in the neighborhood of Philadelphia That he thinks that the Said William Hamilton was in the Service until the end of the war. That this deponent
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being a youth at the time, took great pleasure in listening to his father and the said Hamilton telling their war stories to each other, That the said Hamilton had always continued to be sociable with this Deponent until his death which occurred in 1822 and that up till his death he still took great pleasure in relating circumstances and occurrences which had taken place during the war. That the Said William Hamilton was a Son in law of Captain Bettinger who was also in the Revolutionary War, That the Said Hamilton had a large family that this deponent understand that Margaret Jane, David, and Jesse are still living. That this Deponent has always lived at or near where he now lives in Adams County formerly York County That this deponent recollects of several from his neighborhood who went out at the same time said Hamilton did, and among them a Captain Ferguson who was killed in the war at the battle of Brandywine, that he has also heard the said Hamilton Speak of being in the battle of Germantown, and also, in the battles of Trenton, Monmouth and Princeton. That he has also heard the said Hamilton Speak of being with the Army into winter quarters at Valley Forge, and of the Sufferings he endured there, in common with the rest of the soldiers in Washingtons Army and further Deponent Saith no
[signed] Edward Warren
Sworn and subscribed before me in my presence-
D A Buchler JP
Witnesses
[signed] D A Buchler
[signed] Saml Weaver
Page 16

State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams S.S.
Before the subsciber a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid came personally Robert Hakely a resident of said County aged about sixty-five years, and who I certify is a respectable and credible person, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with William Hamilton deceased formerly of said County said to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was very intimate in the family; and remembers hearing various anecdotes and statements in the family relating to the service of Said Hamilton in said war; that said Hamilton was son in law to Captain Nicholas Bettinger, a revolutionary officer, who was some time a prisoner of war, as deponent understood, that said Hamiltons wife was named Magdalena Bettenger; that said Magdalena widow of said William Hajilton died about the year 1842 at the house of James Black in said County - that this deponent is acquainted with Jesse Hamilton who lives in Tinetown in said County, that he is the preset son of said William and Magdalena Hamilton; that the other surviving children of both parties are George Hamilton David Hamilton and Jane Black so far as this deponent knows, that said George and David have resided in the western part of the state and deponent has not heard any thing of their having died - the deponent further states that his father and uncle were both in service in the revolutionary war and he remembers hearing his father speak of himself and some others coming home at the end of their service as that his uncle John Shakely having gone into the regular army and Continued in service (he thinks) during the whole war or at least a considerable time - 
and further saith not
[signed] Robert Shakeley
Sworn and subscribed before me this February 17, 1855.
[signed] DA Buchler
Page 17

State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams SS
Before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said county came personally Jacob Oyler a resident of said County ages about sixty-five years who I certify to be a credible and respectable person who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with William Hamilton deceased formerly of said County and who was always understood to be a revolutionary soldier and resided in the same neighborhood with Susan and has often heard said Hamilton and this deponents father (whose name was Jacob Oyler, speak of their services in said war; that deponents father was also a soldier and served in said war - that from their conversation deponent has always understood that said Hamilton and deponent further had been out in service at the same time has heard them speak of the battle of Brandywine, Amboy, Valley Forge and at place in connection with their said service, that deponent does not know whether they served in militia or as regulars nor how long nor how often but has no doubt from their statements of their having served together - that deponent is well acquainted with Jess Hamilton of said County and that he is the youngest son of said WIlliam Hamilton Dec.
And further saith not
[signed] Jacob Oyler
Sworn & Subscribed before me
this February 19 1855
[signed] J B Danner
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State of Pennsylvania
Adams County SS
I John Picking Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, certify that David A Buehler and Joel B Danner Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits were made and subscribed to are and were at the time of the doing of the same, two of our Commonwealth Justices of the Peace duly elected commissioned and qualified as such, and that the signatures puporting to be theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Gettysburg, in said County, this first day of March A.D. 1855.
[signed] John Picking, Pro
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[stamped] Sold by John C. Clark & Son, 69 Dock Street, Philadelphia

[table]
Number|Names|Rank|Regiment|Company
58.5.1.|James Brown|Matross|Artillery|Capt. T. Covens
67.10.0.|Nicholas Dignam|"|"|"
71.4.6.|William Prickley|"|"|"
75.3.4.|William Hamilton|"|"|"
44.8.4.Thomas Hammon|"|"|"
69.4.7.|John Ackerly|"|"|"
47.6.0.|Joseph Matthews|"|"|"

Secretary's Office
Pennsylvania SS
I do hereby Certify that the above is a true and correct Extract from the original paper of the same remains on file in this office

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and caused the Seal of the Secretary's Office to be affixed at Harrisburg this Fifth day of Novemeber in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and fifty five and of the Commonwealth the highest
[signed] John M. Sullivan
Inf. Depy Secy of the Commonwealth
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[stamped] Sold by John C Clark & Son 69 Dock Street, Philadelphia

Office of the Secretary of the Court
Harrisburg Nov. 5 1835

Hon James Cooper

Dear Sir
The figure in the foregoing certified extraft shows a military papers in file in this office, are ending by
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Nov 25, 1854 - Jesse Hamilton declared that he was the youngest child of William Hamilton, a
Revolutionary solder, that he had often heard his father speak of his services; that he (deponent) now has a sword used by his said father in the Revolutionary war; that his father told him that he entered the army + served as Lieutenant under Cap Robert McConaughy,
he thinks he was out two tours in that capacity, does not know the length of the tours, that this service was about the commencement of the war, that he had heard his father speak of returning home to see his family in the fall of '76 he had a child then born, that he has heard his father speak of carrying money from his mother in law to his father in law, Cap Bettinger, who was then a prisoner & he spoke of retreating from the battle of Brandywine, his father afterwards enlisted in the artillery at York, Pa under Cap Cohen or Coven.  thinks he entered this service in the spring of 1779,
do not know how long he served, thinks to near the
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the close of the war, that his said father was married to Magdalene Bettinger on the 14 Sep 1775.  
that his father died Sept 22 1822, that his mother Died Dec 27 1842, & remained a widow to her death.
-
Feby 15 1855
Robert Shakely testifies to the reputation of service on the part of William Hamilton
-
Jny 20 1855
Certificate of Secy of State of Pa showing that on the 2d of April 1779 Wm Hamilton of Cumberland Co  & other enlisted in Cap.
Isaac Covens Co of Artillery, no period of service given
-
Jany 24 1855
Jas Black Admr swear to reputation of service  & genuineness of family Record, which shows
the marriage to have taken place in 1775
---
Edward Warren recollects of Hamilton coming home several times during the war to see his
family, has often heard him speak of his services, has heard his father & Hamilton speaking together of their services in the war of the Revolution, Has heard Hamilton say he was in the battles of Trenton, Monmouth & Princeton, & that he was with
Page 23

the Army when at Winter Quarters at .Valley Forge
Page 24

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH,
Harrisburg, Pa. Nov. 15 1855
Hon James Cooper
Dear Sir,
I have this day forwarded you the Military certificate you requested.  No petition from Capt Conus' Company to the President of
the Council of the State of Penna can be found amongst the records in this office. I have caused careful search to be made therefore.
Very truly yrs
John M. Sullivan
Dep Sec Com
Page 25

Rev WIDOW, &c.
---
File No. 5294
Magdalena Hamilton
Wid
Wm. Hamilton ┃
Prvt. Rev. line
---
Act: July 4/36
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 304

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

Nov. 1/93. Mil. Hist. to Col. Chill
Hazzard. ┃ Monongahela City, Pa.┃
---
May 597 | Copy of Bible Leaf to |
Mr Bayly. Chief Clerk 
Fr. B
---
Mar 25┃' 99
copy of Bible Leof to
Mr Bayly, C.C.
Page 27

W. 5294
William Hamilton
[Illegible & Struck Thru]
---
Col. Chill Hazzard
Monongahela City Pa.
---
Please seed through my Clerk in
Special St. Div..
W.W. Bayly
Page 28

Gettysburg Dec 11th 1855.
Dr Sir
Herewith you will receive the certificate
to show that R. G. McCreary Esq of Gettysburg has been appointed Administrator of Magdalena Hamilton widow of Wm Hamilton Dec.
I will be glad that you would at once send to Mr McCreary the certificate of allowance, and their oblige
Yours
Respectfully & very truly
James Cooper
J. Minot Esq
Com of Pensions
Page 29

State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams SS
At a Court of Common Pleaseheld at Gettysbyrg in and for ted
Page 30

Adams County
On this twentieth day of April 1855 personally appeared before the [illegible] a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally came Isaac Warren, aged 80 years, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with William Hammilton, a soldier of the revolutionary war, and Magdelena his wife, and with Jesse Hammilton, his youngest son. There was a large family of children. He knew them all. He recollects very well when the above named William Hammilton returned home from the war. Thinks that he was out several tours, that his last service was in the Artillery under Captain Coran, who was commanded by General Knox as this [deponant] had understood by above William Hammilton.  That said Hammilton entered the Artillery service at Carlisle, Cumberland County, as he had always understood by said Hammilton. That he and Hamilton always was very friendly and often talked about the war, that Hammilton and this [depoment] lived in York now Adams County and continued to live in said county until Hammilton died which is about thirty years ago, that Magdelena Hammilton, the mother of Jesse Hammilton, Jane Black and others, and wife of the above William Hammilton lived until forty two or thereabouts, don't know how long he was out but thinks he served to the end of the war and farther this [deponent] sayth not.
[Illegible signature]
Sworn and subscribed before me, a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid who is well acquainted with [Deponent] and believes to be a man of [illegible] waranty.
John Burkholder
Page 31

State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams } Ss
I John Picking Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County aforesaid do hereby certify that John Burkholder before whom the within deposition was taken is and was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace duly commissioned
and qualified and that his signature thereunto subscribed is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Gettysburg this 29th day of May AD 1855
John Picking, Prv
Page 32

A Return of Captain Isaac Coren's Company of Artillery Commanded by the Honorable Brigadier General of Ordinance Henry Knox with the State, County and Town where Enlisted, April 2d 1779.-

Station, Number, name, enlisted at
Captain, 1, Isaac Coren, State of Pennsylvania
15, William Buckley, State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County, 
16, Patrick Dickson, State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County
17, Fred Cockeler, State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County, Carlisle
Matrossers, 18, James Turner, State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County, Carlisle
19, Nicholas Dignam, State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County
20, WIlliam Hamilton, State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County, Carlisle
21, William Cummins, State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County, Carlisle
Wm. E. Godfrey
Capt Lieut.
War Office 13th July 1779
The foregoing is an exact Copy of a Return
of Cap Coren's Company, filed in this office
P. Scull
Secy
War office 13th July 1779. I do Certify that the within Return of Cap Is. Coren's Company has been registered in this office Agreeably to a Resolution of Congress of the 15th of March last, and the State of Pennsylvania is credited in its general quota for the number of men specified therein
P. Scull
Secy.
Page 33

[untitled column], Names, Rank, Regimt., Company.
38.4.2, John Mitchell, Matross, Artillery, Capt. I. Coren's
71.4.6, William Buckley, Matross, Artillery, Capt. I. Coren's
58.5.1, James Brown, Matross, Artillery, Capt. I. Coren's
67.10.0, Nicholas Dignam, Matross, Artillery, Capt. I. Coren's
75.3.4, William Hamilton, Matross, Artillery, Capt. I. Coren's
44.8.4, Thomas Hammon, Matross, Artillery, Capt. I. Coren's
51.3.8, Jer'a McWilliams, Matross, Artillery, Capt. I. Coren's
[no numbers],John Ackerly, Matross, Artillery, Capt. I. Coren's

Secretary's Office
Harrisburg Jan. 20. 1855.
[seal]
Pennsylvannia SS:
I do Certify that the foregoing
and annexed are true extracts from
the Original papers now on file in this
office
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of Secretary's office the day and year
above written.
John M. Sullivan Dep. Scy of the Comth.
Page 34

Philadelphia Nov 17/55
My Dear Sir:
I have by the mail which carries this note
forwarded all necessary additonal proof in the case of the heir of Margaret Hamilton to the Commissioner of Pensions.
May I ask you the favor to have the case taken
up and disposed of as early as the rules of the office will permit?
By doing so you will confer a favor upon me which I will be glad to reciprocate if an opportunity should ever offer.
Very truly and respetfully yours
James Cooper
W Cole
Page 35

Brief in the case of Magdalena Hamilton decd widow of William
County and State of Pennsylvania
act July 4 1836
Claim, ("original",
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Record evidence of service with which her husband has been identified by witnesses who know that he served as alleged.
Family record of the date of Marrige in 1775
cohabitation, general reputation of Marriage
her identity as the soldiers widow, his and her
death and the evidence of heirship &c proved
by credible witnesses as require by our Regulations
Cohen
Name and residence of Agent
Hon Jas Cooper
Philadelphia
Pa
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk
Page 36

STATE OF PENNSYVANIA.
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth,
Harrisburg, February 24 1855 
[picture/image]
To Hamilton Longwell
Dear Sir
Agreeably to your request I have made a careful examination in this Department, for the Muster Roll of Captain Robert McConoughy under whom it is alleged Wm Hamilton Served during the Revolution, and cannot find any thing of the kind on file or on Record in
this office.
I would here observe that the Muster Rolls
in file, are much defaced and torn, and quite deficient at many particulars.
Very Respectfully yours,
your
A.M. Clark
Clerk 
State Dpt.
Page 37

Gettysburg Pa Jan. 2. 1856
Sir
As administrator of the estate of Magdalene
Hamilton widow of William Hamilton
decd I have received a Revolutionary
pension certificate which is expressed to be  "for the benefit of her now surviving children"
I understand that this excludes grand children, and that children of a deceased child of Magdalena & William Hamilton, are not entitled to any portion of this pension money. Am I right in this supposition?
please inform
Yours respectfully
R.G. McCreary
J Minot Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 38

Form of act 1836
Magdelena Hamilton
Wm Pa. Sus 1836
-
Please being this case
to me, when it reenters
[illegible 2 words]
J. M.V.
Report 15
A Ray Esq
Prent
Page 39

Seniors Office,
February 7th, 1855
Sir:
I have received the papers transmitted by you in support of a claim for pensions in virtue of alleged services in the Revolutionary War of William Hamilton of Pennsylvania. The father of the real claimants in this case is not satisfactorily identified as the same person mentioned in the certificate of the Secretary of State of Pennsylvania as having received certain payments for Revolutionary services. On the contrary, the first declaration states that the declarant's father was a lieutenant. The certificate states he was a private. The subsequent declaration appears to have been founded upon the Secretary's certificate, as it bears a later date.
It is also proper to state that there could not possibly be any arrears due in the father's right, he having died before the passage of the Act of June 7th, 1832. The declaration should therefore have been made by the admin-
Page 40

-istrator upon the widow's estate, and before a Court of Record. A like Court should have given a certificate (founded upon the testimony of witnesses whose names and residences should have been given) showing the number and names of the surviving children of the widow of the alleged soldier. The amount of the administrator's bond should also have been certified.
The claim for these arrears has been suspended, and the papers filed under the Act of July 4th, 1836.
I am respectfully,
Your Obt. Svt.
D. Waldo
Commissioner
Col. H. Langwell,
Gettysburg,
Penn.
Page 41

State of Pennsylvania
Adams County SS
[seal]
I William F Walter, Register for the
Probate of Wills and granting letters
of Administration in and for the
County of Adams, do hereby certify
that Robert G McCreary Esqr of the
Borough of Gettysburg and County
aforesaid, having given good and
sufficient security in the sum of
Two Thousand Dollars, has been
duly and legally appointed-
Administrator of all and singular the goods & chattels,
rights & credits, which were of Magdalena Hamilton
late of the said County, deceased,
In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal
of the said Office at Gettysburg this 11th day of
December A D 1855
WF Walter Register
Page 42

Philadelphia, Nov. 17, 1855
To J. Minot Esquire
Com. of Pensions:
Dear Sir:
The application of the heirs of Margaret Hamilton, deceased, late of Adams County, Penna. having been suspended by your
predecessor on the 7th of June last, in order to
ascertain what is the signifance of the figures
75.3.4 set opposite the name of William Hamilton on the military records of Penna, and also whether a certain petition, addressed to the President of the Council of State was on file, and if so was the import and bearing
of the same on the application in question.
I have obtained from the Secretary
of the Commonwealth of Penna a certificate showing that the name of William Hamilton is borne on the rolls of Captain Covin's Company of Artillery as a "Mottrosser", and that his pay was L75. 3s 4d - the Secretary stating in a letter annexed to the certificate that the figures set opposite the names of the men stand for so many pounds, Shillings and pence.
It will also be seen from another letter, also
herewith enclosed that no petition such as is above refered to was ever addressed to the President
Page 43

of the Council so far as appears from any
thing on record in the office of the Secretary
of the Commonwealth in which all revolutionary Military records are preserved.
You will thus see that the case is now complete as for as the proof is concerned, the papers and letters herewith transmitted being full on the points refered to by Mr Waldo in his letter of the 7th of June already refered to.

The proof of Mr Hamilton's service is made out with absolute certainly by the record herewith enclosed as well as by the proof of the witnesses whose testimony is on file. The
duration of the term of service is sufficiently
proved by the amount of pay (£75.3s.4p.) to
have exceeded two years, which is all that is necessary.

That he is the identical Wm. Hamilton who served under Cap Covins is proved by
Jesse Warren and Edward Warren, both of whom are known to me as men of truth and veracity as well as by other witnesses. Of this, however Mr Waldo was satisfied, as he was in regard to every thing else, provided the matters above refered to were sufficiently explained which they now are by the certificates and letters herewith Enclosed,May I ask you to direct this matter
Page 44

to be taken off and disposed of immediately? If
you will do so you will confer upon me a favor
which I will always feel myself happy to
acknowledge.
Very respectfully and
truly yours.
James Cooper
Page 45

Washington
June 4. 1855
Hon L. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions
Sir
I duly received your letter of the 9th March
last in the case of Magdalena Hamilton decd widow of William of Pa under act 1836.
It is claimed I beleive that no husband's first service was performed under Capt Robert McConoughty; on application to the Secy
of State at Harrisburg Pa it appears by a letter herewith enclosed, that the rolls of his company cannot be found.  And as the applicant cannot with any certain fix the lenght of soldier service, the term must be reckoned by the amount of the pay he received according to the Auditor Genl Certificate on file.
The affidavit of Isaac Warren is filed in support of the identity both of the soldier and widow; and also a certificate from the Court of Adams County.
I remain very respectfully your obds
Alex Ray
Page 46

Pension Office
June 7, 1855
Sir
Agreeably to your request I have reexamined
the case of Magdalena Hamilton decd widow of William of Pa.
It appears that a William Hamilton
did enlist in Cap Isaac Coven's Company
of Artillery on the 2d of April 1779. It
does not appear what was the period of his
enlistment. Opposite his name are the figures
75, 3, 4, does this mean L75, 3, 4? of so
was it specie or currency? It appears that
Cap Cohen's Company in June or July 1779 petitioned the President of the Council of Pa for clothing, possibly that petition may be on file in the office of the Secretary of the State. If so search should be made for the name of William Hamilton.  I find mention of this petition of p. 469 of the 8th Volume of Pa. Archives in a letter of Lewis Nicola to Prest. Reed
I am, respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
LP Waldo
Commissioner,
A. Ray Esq
Present
Page 47

Harrisburg 
April 19th 1855

Commissioner of Pensions
     Dear Sir
                Will you have the goodness to inform me whether an application is before your Department for Pension on Back pay to the Heirs of Magdalena widow of Wm. Hamilton of Adams County_
     Does the benefit of the acts of congress extend in her case to her grandchildren or is it confined to her own issue  _
       very Respectfully
       
       Moses McClean
       ————“————
Page 48

[Printed:] Auditor General’s Office
Harrisburg, Pa [Filled in] June 11th.. 1835

A. Ray, Esq.
     Dear Sir,
           Yours of the 9th inst . was rc∂. this morning_  In reply I have to state, in reference to a certain William Hamilton, that the evidence referred to, is not in this department_  I called at the office of secretary of the Commtt. and was shown a document containing a great number of names, and amongst the rest that of Captain I. Covens, belonging to a Regiment of Artillery and William Hamilton, a Matross in his Company_ an abstract copy of which I have understood Col. Longwell procured__ I have no hesitation in saying that the 75.3.4 means £75.3.4_
     There are two books in this office which contain the names and pay of Soldiers in the war of the revolution, and it is rarely to be found that the £, signifying pounds, precedes the amt._
     I am very respectfully &c
          Wm ?Q. Wallace
                Chief Clerk.
NB. A pound Penna. Currency
   was    $2  66 2/3
                     ———-
                       100
       ______________
[Read as “2 dollars and sixty-six and two-thirds hundredths”, or “sixty-six and two-thirds cents”]
Page 49

[An index card, preprinted, with individual information handwritten]

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans’ Administration Archives

NAME                             Hamilton, William

GRADE                           Private

LINE                                Virginia

WARRANT NUMBER   12231

ACREAGE                      100

ISSUED                          August 8, 17961789
      to John Verell, assignee

__________

* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of “Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800” which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.