Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2476, Joshua Critchfield, Md. Va.
Page 1

(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE 
Md. 
Va. 
Born in N. J.
CONTENTS 

Critchfield, Joshua 

NUMBER 
S2476 
Carded
Page 2

Ohio 13.323 
Joshua Critchfield 
Fairfield Co. in the State of Ohio 
who was a artificer and Private in the Co. commanded 
[by] Captain Clinton of the Regt commanded [by] Colo. Rollins in the 
[line] Virginia for 1 year & 11 mos.
5 mo Private. 16.67
18. do [months] Artificer: 108. 00 
[Total] 124.67

Va and Md Line. Record corrected July 19 ‘04 A

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio, 
[at] the rate of 124 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, [to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June 1833 and sent to Hon. Wm H. Irwin, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 249.34. 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833.  62.33
[total] $311.67 

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 ⎬ Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk,
Book E Vol. 8 Page four
Page 3

Joshua Crithfield [Critchfield]

W W Irwin Ohio
Page 4

State of Ohio Fairfield County ⎬ ss
On this __th day of November A.D. 1832 
personally appeared in open court before the 
Honorable Frederick Grunke[?] and his associates 
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & 
for said County now sitting, Joshua Critchfield 
a resident of Clark Township in the said County
of Fairfield and State of Ohio, aged about seventy 
nine 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 act of Congress passed June 7th AD 1832.

That he was born in the County of Sussex 
in the State of N. Jersey about the 27th day 
of May in the year A.D. 1753 

That in April A.D. 1774 he entered in the 
Company, as a private soldier, at Wheeling in 
the State of Virginia, which Company was commanded by Capt Wm McMachan, Lieu. James McMachan 
and Ensign Morgan Jones. That said 
company was attached to a Redgment [Regiment] under 
Major Crawford and the whole commanded by Dinsmore then Governor of Virginia. That 
he was engaged for and served during one year 
assisted in raising the Fort at Wheeling, left Wheeling 
in October and went down the River to the mouth 
of Knehawa[?] river under the immediate command 
of Dinsmore. marched up the Hocking River 
to the Falls crossed over Pickaway Plains and 
assisted in taking two Indian Towns, one on 
each side the [secta?]  River, Crawfield then commanding, 
returned to Wheeling where he was 
dismissed from the service.

That in June A.D. 1776. Col Moses Rolins engaged him to recruit furnished him with 
money and promised him an Ensigns commission. 
That he enlisted a number of men 
but hearing of the defeat of the American forces in 
of Jersey, the intended expedition was abandoned 
and he never recd the promised Commission
Page 5

That in May A.D. 1777 he volunteered and 
entered the service of the United States, in the forces 
of the State of Maryland, at Cumberland now 
in Alleghany County state of Maryland. The company 
in which he served was commanded by Capt Charles Clinton and 
Lieutenant Dickinson Simpkins. That in this company he served during three months acting in concert with the volunteer forces of Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] and 
drawing Provisions and rendevousing alternately 
at Cumberland and Bedford Penn. On entering 
the service at this time he took the oath of alegien? [allegiance]

That in June AD 1778, he entered the service 
of the United States, in the forces of the State of Virginia 
in the 13th Regment commanded by Col 
Moses Rolins. That being a Blacksmith he was induced to join the line of Artificers at the 
instance and solicitation of Charles Clinton who 
acted as Quarter Master, (or perhaps Deputy Quarter Master, as William Wilson was called Quarter Master and appeared to be higher in command than Clinton) That in the capacity of artificer he 
he [sic] continued in the army as aforesaid during 
Eighteen months, shoeing horses [and?] regularly 
recd from the Quarter Master the wages or pay 
of a soldier. That he chiefly was engaged at Cumberland, but on several acasions [occasions] went 
to distant places with the army, having a pack Horse furnished him by the Quarter Master. That 
he was discharged and returned home Sometime in December AD 1779. 

That having removed to Hampshire 
County Virginia, he was the drafted and 
entered the forces of the State of Virginia with 
a view of [repairing?] to York Town and assist at the siege of said city. That the company 
was commanded by Capt McGuire. That he 
was instantly marched toward Yorktown 
but met the Prisoners (the surrender having 
before taken place) That he returned with 
his company continued to guard the Prisoners during his term of two months when 
he was discharged and returned home 

That he knows of no person now living 
by whom he can prove his services as of [now?]
Page 6

nor has he any documentary evidence of 
the same, not having recd any written discharges.

He herby 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 
Attest H Boyle ck
Joshua Critchfield 

We John Rodgers a Clergyman residing in the 
Township of Clear Creek in the said County of Fairfield 
and Elijah Hedges residing in the same Township hereby 
certify that we are well acquanted [acquainted] with 
Joshua Critchfield who has subscribed and sworn 
to the above declaration, that we believe 
him to be of the age he therein states himself to be, 
that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood 
where he resides to have been a soldier of 
the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Attest Hugh Boyle clk
John Rogers 
Elijah Hedges his + mark 

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 sol[dier] and served as he states. And the Court further 
certifies that it appears to them that John Rodgers 
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman 
resident in the Township of Clear Creek aforesaid and that 
Elijah Hedges is likewise a resident of the same township he 
also having having [sic] signed the same, and is a credible person, 
and that their statement is entitled to credit 

I Hugh Boyle Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Fairfied, 
do hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of the 
said Court in the matter of the application 
of Joshua Critchfield for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and seal this ___ day
of November AD 1832 
Hugh Boyle Clk
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Joshua Critchfield 
Ohio 
No 13323 
Adm 1 year and 
11 months. 
1 year & 6 months thereof 
as Artificer. 
of Fairfield Co

Hon. Wm W. Irwin 
Lancaster 
Ohio
Page 8

War Department
Pension Office

22nd June 1830

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 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 Joshua Critchfield, Fairfield, Co.

Period when the service was rendered:
1. 1777
2. 1778
3. 1781

Duration of the claimant's services in Years, Months and Days:
1. 3 mo.
2. 6 mo.
3. 2 mo.

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

Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served:
1. Capt. Clinton
2. Capt. Rollins
3. Capt. McGuire

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:
79 years Wheeling Va

Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Traditionary and Living Witnesses

I am respectfully
Your obedient Servant

J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
 
Service in 1774 cannot be admitted
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-2-
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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In reply to your request of blank received blank for a statement of the military history of Joshua Critchfield a soldier of the revolutionary war you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

S. File 2476

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
Continental MD
1. May 1777
2. June 1778
3. Check mark

Length of Service
1. 3 mos.
2. 18 mos.
3. 2 mos.

Rank
blank

Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain
1. Charles Clinton
2. Charles Clinton Dpty Q.M. and Wm Wilson Q.M.
3. McGuire - guarded prisoners captured at Yorktown

Colonel
1. blank
2. Moses Rawlings
3. blank

State
1. MD
2. MD
3. VA

Battles engaged in - check mark
Residence of soldier in 1778 - Hampshire Co VA
Date of application for pension - Nov 1832
Residence at date of application - Clear Creek Twp, Fairfield Co., Ohio
 Age at Date of Application - Born Sussex Co NJ May 27, 1753
Remarks - allowed - no data as to family
Page 12

1908 Mar. 16, Hist to Mrs. Clara E. 
Brasee Tout. [cent symbol]

Rev War
2476
INVALID.  
File No. 2476 
Joshua Critchfield 
Privt Rev War 
Act: June 7 1832
Index:--Vol. A, Page 80, 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

The State of Ohio 
Fairfield County } S.S. 
Personally came before 
the Subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in 
and for said County, James Anderson a citizen 
of said County, who being duly sworn according  
to Law, deposeth and saith. That he is now in 
the sixth sixth year of his age, that he is will be 
quainted with his hand britchfield, whose 
application for a Pension is herewith enclosed, and 
has been acquainted with him from earliest 
that the Father of said Cutchfield was 
this deponents Father resident within one and a 
half miles of each other in Hampshire County 
in the State of Virginia.That he, this deponent, recollects that some time in the summer of 1778 
(before Harvest) Charles Clinton, who was a Quarter Master in the Virginia for as come to his Fathers House, when he was intimate and on some conversation taking place about said ithfield, the said Clinton to deponent Father that he the said brithfied) was then in the service of the Army, under him at Cumberland serving as an artificer in the Blacksmith my business - deponent also states and deponth that it was well understood in the mighborhood that time that said britchfield was then so engaged and served as aforesaid Deponant further recollects that said butchfield in to his fathers house, some time in and told this Deponent Father that he had just been discharged from the service of the army at sum berland, where he has been serving as an artifice in the line of Blacksmithing, and from the conver
Page 14

Lancaster May 21 1833 
Sir,
The enclosed application for a pension 
of Mr Critchfield was returned me 
throught [through] Hon. W.W. Irvin, stating that proof 
of the services as an artificer would be required. I now enclose you such proof 
as I think must be satisfactory. The witnesses 
are well known him and are both men 
of good standing and high respectability 

As you said nothing about the 
other services stated in the Declaration I 
took it for granted that they would be allowed 
without further proof in any amendment 
of the Declaration - to wit one year under 
Capt. McMachan in 1774, 3 months under 
Capt Clinton in 1777, and two months under McGuire, making with the time served 
as an artficer 2 years & 11 months 

Please address any Communication to me

Resp [?] Wm Medice 
Secy at War
Washington DC
Page 15

The State of Ohio 
Fairfield County } S.S. 
Personally came before 
the Subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in 
and for said County, James Anderson a citizen 
of said County, who being duly sworn according 
to Law, deposeth and saith. That he is now in 
the sixty sixth year of his age, that he is well 
acquainted with Joshua Critchfield, whose application for a Pension is herewith enclosed, and 
has been acquainted with him from earliest boyhood. That the Father of said Critchfield and this deponents Father resided within one and a half miles of each other in Hampshire County 
in the State of Virginia. That he, this deponent 
recollects that some time in the summer of 1778 
(before Harvest) Charles Clinton, who was a 
Quarter Master in the Virginia forces came to his Father’s House, where he was intimate, and on some conversation taking place about said Critchfield, the said Clinton told deponents 
Father that he (the said Critchfield) was then in the service of the Army, under him at Cumberland, 
serving as an artificer in the Blacksmithing business. Deponent also states and deposeth that it was well understood in the neighbourhood at that time that said Critchfield was then 
so engaged and served as aforesaid. Deponant further recollects that said Critchfield came 
to his Fathers house, some time in December AD 1?79 and 
told this Deponents Father that he had just been discharged from the service of the army at 
Cumberland, where he has been serving as an Artificer 
in the line of Blacksmithing, and from the conver
Page 16

sation which then took place between said Critchfield and this deponent’s Father, this deponent is 
well and fully satisfied that the said Critchfield did serve as an artificer in the army at 
Cumberland as stated in his the said Critchfields 
declaration, and that he must have served near eighteen months 

This deponant, has had read to him the 
Declaration of said Critchfield, dated in Novm
1832 since its return from the war department, 
and believes, the several statements therein 
made 
and set forth respecting his, the said Critchfields 
services to be correct and true from his 
knowledge of the circumstances therein detailed and 
from the universally credited reports of the neighbourhood, at the place and during the time the 
transactions and services took place and further he saith not 
James Anderson
Subscribed and sworn 
this 20th day of May 1833 
Geo. Sanderson, Justice Peace 

I George Sanderson a Justice of the Peace 
for Fairfield County aforesaid do hereby 
certify that I am well acquainted with James Anderson, who swore to and subscribed the above 
and foregoing written statement, and believe him 
to be a man of veracity and integrity and 
that his depositions are worthy of full credit & 
belief. I further certify that I am acquainted 
with Joshua Critchfield the Pension 
Applicant named in the forgoing deposition 
and that he also is a man of truth & 
veracity, whose statement under Oath is entitled to credit. 
May 20th, 1833 
Geo. Sanderson, Just. Peace
Page 17

The State of Ohio 
Fairfield County  } SS
Personally came before me the 
subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and  
for said County, Joseph Nichols, who being by 
me duly sworn according to law deposeth and 
saith, That he is in the seventy third year of his 
age that he was raised in the State of Maryland 
about four miles from the Town of Cumberland, that 
he has been intimately acquainted with Joshua Critchfield whose application for a Pension is herewith 
enclosed, from earliest youth up to this time, 
having been raised in the same immediate neighbourhood 
That he knows from personal knowledge 
that the said Critchfield was engaged 
and served as an Artificer, (Blacksmithing) in 
the American army during the greater part of the  
years 1778 and 1779. That he saw said Critchfield at work in the Blacksmith shop of the  
said Army at Cumberland repeatedly and frequently 
also saw him at work in Shoing [shoeing] Horses for the 
said Army at a place then called Old Town about 
fifteen miles from Cumberland. That he was 
well acquainted with William Wilson and 
Charles Clinton and always understood from them that 
said Critchfield was in the pay and service of the army then under the command of Quarter Master and Deputy Quarter Master, having 
frequently 
conversed with them respecting said Critchfield and other acquaintances of his, this deponents.
 
This Deponent cannot recollect precisely how 
long said Critchfield so served, but believes it was not less than eighteen months, it being near that length of time from he first saw him in the service 
until he last saw and knew him to be there, nor 
can he now fix the exact time further than that it 
was in the two years aforesaid 

Deponent has heard read the Declaration of
Page 18

of said Critchfield (returned from the War Department)  

believe the statements therein made reporting his other 
services, to be correct and true. Deponent knows him 
to have been in the army and service of his country at all 
of the several times therein stated. Deponent knows him 
to have been out serving against the Indians under 
Capt McMachan, but does not know how long. He 
knows from personal knowledge that he (the said 
Critchfield) served in 1777 in the Company of Capt 
Clinton and also in the Company of Capt McGuire 
with all of which officers this deponent was intimately 
and well acquainted. And although deponent 
cannot fix time or dates precisely he believes the Statements 
in the Declaration of said Critchfield to be true and 
substantially correct as set forth. Deponant is a 
resident of said County of Fairfield at this time and is 
still acquainted with said Critchfield and further 
he saith not 
Joseph
Subscribed & sworn this 21st day of May 1833 
Geo. Sanderson Just Peace

I the Justice of the Peace aforesaid, do hereby 
Certify that I am acquainted with Joseph 
Nichols who has subscribed and 
sworn to the foregoing written statement, and that 
he is an old Gentleman of good standing in society 
of reputable character, and one whose statement 
under oath is entitled to full credit and belief May 21. 1833 
Geo. Sanderson, Just Peace 
[Handwritten] Seal

The State of Ohio 
Fairfield County { S.S. 
I M. Z. Kreider Clerk of the 
Court of Common Plea in and 
for said County, do hereby certify that 
George Sanderson Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits 
were taken, was at the time of taking the same a legally commissioned and acting Justice of the 
Peace, and duly authorized to administer oaths, 
residing in and commissioned for the said County 
of Fairfield, and that all his official acts are entitled 
to credit as such and likewis that the above signature purporting to be his, is genuine 
M. Z. Kreider C.C.P.F.C.
Page 19

Pension Dept.
Washington, D.C. 
Gentlemen - 
Will you kindly furnish 
me with the Revolutionary 
War record of the following 
Gentlemen who were pensioners 
of the United States in 1840. 
Joshua Critchfield, Hocking 
Twp. Fairfield Co., Ohio. 
Chas. Bolen, Bloom Twp.
Page 20

Fairfield Co., Ohio 
There names have been handed 
me by State officials, but 
as yet I have been unable 
to prove their war records. 
Thanking you in advance 
and trusting that you will give 
this matter your prompt 
consideration. I am 
Most Respectfully Yours 
Mrs. Clara E. Brazee-Towt 
Registrar, Eliz. Sherman Reese 
Chapter, D.A. R 
Lancaster, Ohio 
March 8-1908. 
139 West 5th Ave. Lock box 242