Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,496, for William Oard, Maryland
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(3-1776)
SERVICE | | NUMBER
Md. | Oard, William | S. 16.496
Va. | | |
carded
CONTENTS
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Left Side Page

13902
Indiana
William Oard
of Parke Co in the state of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Bond of the Reg't commanded by Col. Jordon in the Maryland and Va lines for six months from 1776

Inscribed on the roll of Indiana at the rate of 20 dollars blank cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of July 1833 and sent to J A Wright, Rockville, Ind.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sep 1833 $10.00
$50.00

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm. S Allison Clerk
Book 6 Vol 7 page 123

Right Side Page

Dead
Letter to Hon J A Wright Oct 15, 1844
[illegible]of 3rd Auditor 4 Dec 1844
Paid at the Treasury under the act 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1831 to 15 Sept 1833
Agt notified 25 Jany 1845
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Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
Dec 7th 1844

Sir

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain pensioners and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States" and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842 extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Adm: of William Oard dec'd a pensioner on the roll of the Indiana Agency at the rate of Twenty dollars per annum under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department from the 4 of March 1831 to the 15th Sept 1833.

Respectfully yours

Albion K Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
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STAMP - Illegible OCT

Free

Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Mr. Evans

Oct 14, '44
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Rockville, Ind
Oct 7th 1844

James L Edwards Esq

Sir

Will you please send me a duplicate copy of the Pension Certificate issued to William Oard of North County Indiana the certificate was issued in 1833 or 1834, as the old man died shorty afterwards and nothing was ever [illegible] his Adm earned paid the original certificate as [illegible] the copy for this I may bring on with me the necessary papers to attain what was coming from the 4th March 1831 until his death.

Yours respectfully

Joseph A Wright
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State of Indiana
Park County

On this the 11th day of May in the year 1833 personally appeared in open court  held by John R Norton presiding judge and Robert Mitchell Associate Judge of the circuit court of said county the same court being a court of record, and being in session William Oard, a resident of Adams township, said county of York, aged 74 years and eight months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of congress passed June 7th 1832 - that he entered the services of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, to wit, that sometime in the month of February in the year 1776 as this applicant now recollects at Leonardtown, County of St Mary's and the state of Maryland he was enrolled under Captain Jarret Bond his Lieutenants name was John Blackstone and his Ensign's name was William Chisletine as a militiaman for the purpose of preventing the British shipping from landing which were laying opposite to said Leonardstown and immediately after he enrolled and went to the place in right of said town where he remained for ten weeks for the purpose aforesaid then we marched to the mouth of Clement Bay where we supposed the shipping would try to land as they have not landed at Leonardstown. We placed ourselves between what was called Chizletines Island and [illegible] Island and staged
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there about two weeks. Our Colonel's name was Jeremiah Jourdon who then gave orders for our return. He was clerk of the court of St. Mary's County. We then returned to the said town having served in this tour three months but the days of the month when he commenced [illegible] closed this town not recollected owing to the failure of the memory of this applicant. He further states that in June 1776 he was drafted as a militiaman under William Walters captain for the term of six months, his previous services and hardships rendered him unfit by occasional indisposition for this tour of service and he hired John Turner as a substitute to serve said tour who was accepted by the officers and performed the service. He understood they were to go on a southern expedition. The Colone's name was said Jourdon. He further states that at the expiration of said six months service he removed to the county of Prince William in the State of Virginia and that sometime in the year 1780 at the said county of Prince William he volunteered his services as a militia man in the service of the United States his two month tour under Captain John Sanford by who's the company was commanded in the expedition George Tyler was Lieutenant, George Higgins Ensign, that Blackburn and Tipps were Colonels of said county; that the said company including this applicant set out within a few days after he volunteered his services as aforesaid in said and that said Tipps accompanied them a part of the way - from said county they marched to Frederick town thence to Charlestown, Red Stone settlement and Bucker Settlement. He served in this tour two months. He afterward frequently during the revolutionary war served tours in the war of a
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few days in length on occasions and the necessaries of the times required accounting in these short tours of at least one month. He says he has no documentary evidence of his said services as he did not receive a written discharge, and that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure to testify to his services. He makes the following statement tot he questions propounded to him by the court to wit: That he was born on the 22nd day of September 1754 in the county of Charles state of Maryland but has no record of his age; he was living in the county of St Mary's in the state of Maryland when he was first called into the service; thence he removed to Virginia where he was living at the close of the war; thence he removed to Ohio; thence to the state of Indiana/ He cannot state the names of the any other officers or any other circumstances of the Revolution other than those he has stated - of his services and many other circumstances connected therewith are nearly of and from his mind; that the names of the persons to whom he is known in his neighborhood are John Brenton and William Lewis and Benjamin Lambert a clergyman who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. He hereby relinquishes any claims whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state that he knows of.

William Oard
His X Mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

John G Davis - Clerk

We John Brenton, William Lewis and Benjamin Lambert a clergyman residing in the neighborhood of said applicant and in Adams Township and said county of Park hereby certify that we are well
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acquainted with the said William Oard and who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be of the age of 74 years; that he is reputed and believes in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion; and we further state in relation to said applicant that he has in a great [illegible] lost his hearing his sight and his memory. We know him well, see and [illegible] him frequently and we have no doubt of his revolutionary services.

Benjamin Lambert
John Brenton
William Lewis

And the said court do 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 certify that it appears to them that the said John Brenton and William Lewis and Benjamin Lambert (the latter of whom is the nearest clergyman in said applicants county) who have signed the preceding certificates reside in the neighborhood of the said William Oard and in said township of Adams and that they are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to full credit.

John R Porter
Robert Mitchell

I John G Davis Clerk of the said York Circuit court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of said William Oard for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal of office tis 11 day of May 1833.

John G Davis - Clerk

SEAL
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No 25504
William Oard Park County Indiana

from 1776 Private
6 months
$20

Jos A Wright Rockville Park County Indiana
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War Department
Pension Office

Sir

The evidence is 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 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 show what is necessary to be done. These 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 showing the service of William Oard Park County Indiana

Period when the service was rendered:
1. Served Feb 1776
2. Drafted Jun 1776
3. Vol 1780
4. Served

Duration of the claimant's service:
1. 3 months
2. blank
3. 2 months
4. 1 month

Rank of the Claimant:
1. Private
2. Private
3. Private
4. Private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served:

1. Capt. Bond, Col Jourdan
2. Capt. Walters
3. Capt. Langford Col Blackburn
4. blank

Age at present an place of abode when he entered the service:
74 years St. Mary's County, Maryland

Proof by which the declaration is supported;
Traditionary evidence - paper authenticated

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 instance, 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 personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain 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) , with and 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 on that of the 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 do hereby certify (h) 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 (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 and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 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 it 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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-3-

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 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 the 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. If 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 is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is 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 the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period 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 bis 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 mouths and days, I served as a 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, 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 that 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 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 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 witnesses, 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 [j] 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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June 30, 1936

BA-J/EEL
William Oard - S.16496

Mrs. Joseph R. Bloomer
Rockville
Indiana

Dear Madam;

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the revolutionary War records of William Oard and John Vanzant, pensioners of Parke County, Indiana.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war. The record of William Oard is furnished you herein, as found in the papers on file in pension claims, S.16496 based upon the military service of that soldier in the revolutionary war.

William Oard was born September 22, 1754 in Charles County, Maryland. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Sait Mary's County, Maryland, William Oard enlisted in February 1776 and served three months as a private in Captain Garret Bond's company, Colonel Jeremiah Jourdan's Maryland Regiment. Sometime after this service, he removed to Prince William County Virginia enlisted there sometime in 1780 and served two months in Captain John Sanford's Company, Colonels Blackburn and Tipp's Virginia Regiment. He afterward served on short tours of a few days each, at least one month in all, in the Virginia Troops, dates and names of officers not given.

After the revolution, he moved to Ohio, thence to Indiana, of which state in Adams Township, Parke County, he was a resident when he was allowed pension on his application executed May 11, 1833.

He died September 15, 1833, in said Parke County.

There are no data as to wife or children.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Left Side Page

16496
INVALID

File No 16496
William Oard
Pri Rev War

Act June 7, '32
Index Vol 1 Page 282

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Right Side Page

1922 Sept 7 - Hist to Miss Anna Clawson
1936 June 30 - Hist to Mrs. Joseph R Bloomer
Page 16

Covington, Ind. July 15, 1922

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,-

I am desirous of obtaining the military service record as shown by your files, of two soldiers of the revolutionary war. From one of these, I am directly descended. The other I am asking about in behalf of a friend of mine.

One of these soldiers is Michael Stout. My information is to the effect that he was in the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania militia. he died in Fountain County, Indiana.

The other soldier is William Oard. I know nothing concerning him other than that he is shown in the Pension List of the U.S. Senate of 1836, as being a pensioner residing in Parke County, Indiana and that he is understood to be buried in Brazil, Clay County, Ind.

I trust you may be able to provide me with the military service record of each of these patriots.

Thanking you in advance for the anticipated favor, I beg to remain

Very truly yours,

Miss Anna Clawson
Covington Ind.
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RECEIVED STAMP - Mar 9, 1936

Rockville, Indiana
March 6, 1936

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Sirs:

I would like the revolutionary service record of the following veterans-pensioners of Parke County, Indiana; William Oard pensioned 1831 and John Vanzant pensioned 1831.

Thank you.

Yours truly

Mrs. Joseph R. Bloomer
Rockville, Indiana
Page 18

Records Division
Revolutionary War Records Section

3-525

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

S.16496

In reply to your request of blank received blank for a statement of the military history of Wm Oard a soldier of the revolutionary war, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment:
1. Feb 76
2. 1780
3. Volunteer

Length of Service
1. 3 Months
2. 2 months
3. 1 month

Rank
Private

Officers under whom service was rendered:
1. Capt. Garret Bond and Colonel Jerimiah Jourdon
2. Capt. John Sanford and Col. Blackburn & Tipps
3. Officers not stated

State:
1. MD
2. VA
3. VA

Battles engaged in - blank

Residence of soldier at enlistment - St. Mary's Co, MD & Prince Wm, VA

Date of application for pension - May 11, 1833. His claim was allowed

Residence at date of application - Adams Twp Parke Co, Ind

Age at date of application - B Sept 22, 1754, Charles Co, MD

Remarks - he died Sept 15, 1833
No family data

Respectfully

Commissioner.