Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3026, Leaven Dorsey, Md.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
Mid
SERVICE
CONTENTS
Dorsey, Leaven
NUMBER
R. 3026
Page 2

Commonwealth of Kentucky
At a Circuit Court held for the Jefferson circuit in the Commonwealth aforesaid, at the Court
House in the City of Louisville (which is a superior Court of Law and Equity) on the
day of May Anno Domini One thousand Eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared in
open Court, before the Honorable John M Hewett sole Judge of the said Court, now sitting
Leaven Doney a resident of the County of Jefferson in said Commonwealth and circuit aforesaid
aged Seventy Eight years, on the twenty fifth Inst. who being duly sworn, according to Law, or
his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June the 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following
named officers, and service as herein stated
That he enlisted as a regular soldier in the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland
in the spring of the year 1777 for three years, or during the war, in the Company, then commanded
by Captain Nathan Williams. That he remained with his company in the City of Bal
timore, until the fall of the year 1777. That there was also another company of Regulars,
received at the same time in Baltimore aforesaid commanded by Captain Jonathan Selman
That the company, to which the said Dorsey belonged, together with Capt Selmon Company
manded in the fall of the year 1777. to Bush Town in the State of Maryland near Have Grass
brother way to Philadelphia, at which Rush Town both companies remained during the winter
1777. 8. That in the summer of 1778 the said Ten Companies, murdered together from Bush
town the Wilmington Philadelphia and the State of New Jersey on to the North River, and were
stationed thereon about two miles below West Point when Capt Williams Company was attached
to the sixth Maryland Regiment commanded by Col Benjamin Ford. That Capt Selmons
Company was attached to some other Regiment. That the Regiment to which the said Doney
belonged, was stationed in Garrison for the defence of West Point - That said Dorsey was near
West Point at the time of the Capture and execution of May Andre and remained in that
Station, until about July 1781, when he obtained a furlough from Gen. Otho H Williams, the ┃
object of which was to enable said Dorsey to visit his mother, in Maryland, who, he was informed
was dangerously ill at that time. The said Williams being acquainted with the said Doney
mother. That the said Dorsey under said furlough, went to Maryland, and found his mother very
sick, and remained with her, until after the surrender of Cornwallis at York Town in Virginia
that the said Donney started to join the Army, and when he reached Baltimore was then informed
of the Surenan of Conwallis and was not wanted in the County, and if he should be wanted,
he would be required by publication not to join it
and that he never received notice afterwards to join said army. That said Doney was not in
any battle whilst he was in service as aforesaid. That the said Dorsey Knew Genl Smallwood
and was well acquainted with Col. John E Howard of Maryland and also with Mordican
Gist, but does not recollect whether he was a Major Colonel or General. That he knows that the
said Otho H Williams and John E. Howard are dead, that he does not know whether
said Ger is dead a not he having at the close of the war or shortly after gone to South Carolina
and married there as he is informed and believes. That the said Daney has no
papers or documentary evidence which will show his services aforesaid, and that he does not
know of any person or persons, whose testimony he can procure to testify to his services aforesaid
the said Dorsey 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 the agency of any
State. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Laber Forney
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One Daniel C
Bank a Clergyman residing in the City of Louisville
in the State of Kentucky, and Laven Lawrence residing in Jefferson County in said
State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Leaven Dorsey who has subscribed
and sworn to the foregoing declaration. That we believe him to be about seventy eight years
of age. That is reputed and believed in the neighborhood when he resides to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that once in that opinion said Lawrence also certifies that he
is in his sixtieth year of age. That he was born and raised in the State of Maryland
that for forty five years past he has known the said Leaven Doney. That said Lawrence
lived in Maryland until he was twenty one years of age, and within twelve miles of the
said Dorsey, and that the said Dorsey was reputed there to be a soldier of the Revolution, and
that the said Lawrence does not know any person now living who can prove the aforesaid
services of said Dorsey Sworn and Subscribed the
I
S
by
And the said Court doth hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and
after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Seaven
Dorey was a Revolutionary soldier of the regular Army, and served as he states; and the Court
further certifies that it appears to them that Daniel C Barks
preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the City of Louisville and have
Lawrena who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Jefferson and State of
Kentucky and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit. All of
which is ordered to be certified to the war department of the United States
State of Kentucky
Jefferson Circuit Court May 10th 1833
Edmund P. Pope Clerk of the Jefferson Circent
Court in the
of Kentucky do Certify that the foregoning contains the
ginal proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of
17
have hereto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court at the Courthouse
in the City of Same
1833 and in the 41st
this 20th day of May
year of the Commonwealth
Aldred
℗
Pope C
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26.705
Seaven Dorsey
Kentucky
Rejected deserted,
letter
E. P. Pope
please to give act
let of term in the ┃
Carl
Edmund P. Pope
Clk
of Jefferson Co
Camille
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
Period when the
Enlisted
1777
man service.
Statement, showing the service of Leaver Dorsey
3
Rank of
claimant:
Names and rank of the Field of-
Cap. William
Col. Ford
---
---
---
Age at present,
and place of abode
┃ when he entered
the service.
78
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary
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.
S. 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, 
mucicians ??? 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, Terry, or is
On this
day of
County of
of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
aged (c)
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
with and
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 servunder???
more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
of Culley and art in which are
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.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court
A. B.
do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revoluof???
the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
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 days 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
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
Page 7

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?
and there were you living when called into services where have you lived since the Revolutionary
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.
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?
once. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
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
inquiry 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.
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant for
conforming to the rule.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fall to do so, he must malign a sufficient reason for not
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention
the period or periods of the war when he served.
claims
very continental officer or sol
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 end avit??? in the following worder???
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 and
for such service I claim allos???.
months, and to determine with precision the period for when each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pousion??? 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
I too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are actionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, the without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other primates that
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the appetite for forty
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent aspursuit???
.
thority???; that he was either in the hold or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
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 so abpapers???
.
sea of ice, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying office he accompany
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
tains??? the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must
us under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certifests???
Proof of Service.
⌨ 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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well
in the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the
and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
not to continental troops only.
traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department
Page 8

J.
wrote June 15, 1893
R. 3026
In answer to your request relative to seven Dorsey Mary Holder
from Dorchester who was killed by a foraging party in an inlet
on the Chesapeake bay you are advised that a Leaver Dorsey applied
May 1833 at a man of the Court held at Laurt Jefferson Co Ky, he
declared that he was born May 25, 1755 in not stated that he enlisted he
Company
Ballomon in the Spring of 1777 for 3 years under Nathan Williams where the
remained until the fall of 1777, then marched to Burk town near Have de-
Grace Couther way to Phile) where they received the winter until the Summer
1778 he marked to the North river near Westpoint & was attacked
to Maryland regiment Col. Benjamin Fork & was stature on germon" at
that place he was near West point when Major Andre was Captired in
Sept of & exacted (Octor 1780) In July 1780 he obtained a furlough
visit his sick mother when he attempted to rejoin the army, he was informed
January
in Bateman that Lord Cornerally had Surrendered at fortune which
and 19, 1781 & was not dated
1
his enlistment for 3 years expired in the spring of 1780 he did not claim
to have enlisted or State under what circum
A certificate is on file from the Register of the Land office at Annapolis Mc
which states that "Lair Doney enlisted as a private in the 5th Regt on the 3d
day of Augt 1779 & on the 17 day of October 1779 - decented
without the applicant could satisfactorily reconcile the inconsistence of
Page 9

Conclennandance the
his stationed with & he was at the Levin Dorsey on record at Annapolis
it would prevent the fordable consideration of his not of the Senter??? him The further production of his claim
appears to have been abandoned - No widow applate??? Children is entitled
Mr. John R Dorsey
730 Roland
Baltimore
M
In consistency
Page 10

Land Office Annapolis Sept 27th 1833,
I hereby certify, that it appears by the Muster rolls remain
ing in this Office, that Levin Dorsey, used as a private
in the 6th Maryland Regiment, on the 30th day of August
1779, and on the 17th day of October 1779, deserted. And
further Certify, that his name does not appear upon any
of the revolutionary pay roll, to have received pay for ever
lationary??? services,
George G. Brewer
Regd and off W.S.
Page 11

PIDENT.
GEN'L BRADLEY TYLER JOHNSON
Co
BALTIMORE.
MCI-PALMONT,
FRANCIS HENRY STOCKETT,
ANNAPOLE.
SECRETARY
JOHN RICHARDSON DORSEY,
BALTMORE.
MARYLAND SOCIETY
ARCHIBALD BARKLIE COULTER,
BALTMORE.
BEATRAR AND STORIAN
GEO. NORBURY MACKENZIE,
BALTMORE.
OFFICE OF
THE SECRETARY.
SATE May 27
1893
missioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Sir,
Levin Dorsey of Dorchester County, Md.
of
was killed in a skirmish with the British
near Vienna, Md. during the Revolutionary War
a landing party from the enemy's ships
were foraging in an inlet from the Chesapeake,
when they were attacked by the citizens as
minute men and the above named Dorsey
was one of the killed
did his widow ever apply for or
receive a pension
children
or any of his minor
If your records disclose
any information it will be of great interest
to
18
Your truly John R. Dorsey
JOHN R. DORSEY,
730 Roland Ave.
BALTIMORE
Page 12

3026
Seaven Dorsey
P.O.
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.
Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
18
15 
John R Dorsey - be copy of letter
within
Prior
Page 13

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Dorsey, Matthew
WARRANT G. 41
NUMBER TO
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
GRADE Private
AGE
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Pennsylvania
ISSUED July 20, 1791
to not shown-
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.