Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31123, Christopher Heavener, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

Heavener, Christopher
or Heavner

NUMBER
S. 31123

CONTENTS
Page 2

[Left side of document:]
Kentucky 25,543
______________________________________
Christopher Heavener
Warren County in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Spoon of the regt. commanded
by Col McGaw in the Penna Mil ["line" crossed out]
for 6 months for 1776
______________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 20 Dollars ---  Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.
________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Jany
1834 - and deld [delivered] to Geo. 
Work Present
_______________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33  --- $50 ----
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mch 34  10  ---
________
$60 ---
{ Revolutionary Claim,
{ Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Wm S Allison  Clerk
Book   E  Vol.   7   Page 21

[written on the right side of this folded document:]
See letter 9 Apl 1834
to G. Work.
See letter 28 Dec 35
Hon L. Cass.
let: 17 March 1838 Hon:
J. R. Underwood,
Let. to   ["Henry Grider" crossed out]
["Feb, 3. '45" crossed out]
Page 3

State of Kentucky Warren County Sct
on this 29th day of August 1832 personally 
appeared before the Circuit Court for said county
now in session
Christopher Heavener resident in said county
aged 81 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 1776 or about
that time as well as he now recollects
for five years. He served in the company
first commanded by Capt. John Spoon 
in the Regiment commanded by Col.
McGaw it being the 5th Regiment 
of Pennsylvania troops on the 
Continental line, he resided in Bucks
county Penn when he enlisted. After 
he enlisted he marched first to Philadelphia
he went in a vessel to Staten Island and Long Island, thence to Baracks, thence to New York and stayed there till Fort Washington on New York Island twelve miles above the city was taken
at which place he was taken prisoner by
by the British, who kept him for 8 weeks
and then gave him a parol at New York
and guarded him to where Genl Washington
then was at Trenton
Page 4

at the Battle at Fort Washington Capt. Spoon made his escape & disgraced himself After he reached Washington as afsd [aforesaid] he & the other prisoners were ordered to Philadelphia by Genl. Whoshington [sic]- after staying a short time at the Barracks in Philadelphia, he was put to driving a waggon & continued to do so till the end of the War. for the army - he never obtained any discharge, his Capt having abandoned the service, he could obtain none[. He was in the Battles of Fort Washington Long Island, & Staton [sic] Island, having marched to these different places - Col Batien was the Commander of the 6th Penn". Regiment, who served in the same army to which he belonged - He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension^ or annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll  of any agency in any State, Sworn to & Subscribed the day first written --
    Christopher Heavner
his X mark

We Jesse Moon A Clergyman residing in this County of Edmondson adjoining this County of Warren & John Penner residing in this County of Warren, hereby certify that
Page 5

We are well acquainted with Christopher
Heavener, who has subscribed & sworn to
the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be 81 years of age, that he is reported I believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion - Sworn & subscribed
the day above written
-
Jesse Moon
John Penner
And this Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
War Department that the above named
applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served
as he states. And the Court further certifys [sic]
that it appears to it that Jesse Moon, who
has signed the preceding certificate is a
Clergyman resident in the County of Edmondson & that John Penner who has also signed the same is a resident of Warren County & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
A.W. Graham
Judge of Warren Circuit Ct
Page 6

State of Kentucky
Warren County Sct
I, Jonathan Hobson, Clerk of the Circuit Court for said County of Warren, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Christopher Heavener for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8th day of September 1832.
Jonathan Hobson
State of Kentucky Warren Circuit Sct
On this 29th day of May 1833 personally appearing in open open Court before the Judge of the said Court now sitting Christopher Heavener, who being first
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following amendment to his declaration. 
Question By the Court - where and in what year were you born
Answer by Applicant - I was born in the year 1749 in the County of Berks Pennsylvania
Qus Have you any record of age and if so
where is it 
[in large bold, writing] 13.342
Ans I never had any, but have every reson [sic reason] to believe that my age is set out correctly my parents died when I was a small infant as I am informed and consequently I have never seen any record of my age
[written vertically on edge of paper] Heavener
John Watt Johnathan Hack Philip Hack
Jacob Miller Christian Penner Anthony Miller
David Miller John Miller Thomas Spink
and Col Sterrett are the person who would
testify to my character for veracity and their belief as to my services in the revolution. Christopher Heavener  his X mark
I, Jonathan Hobson, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Warren County, do certify that the foregoing contains the amendment to the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matters of the application of Christopher Heavener for a pension. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17 June 1833. 
Jonathan Hobson
[faded]
See what was required this case
Page 7

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Christopher Heavener T.F. 31123
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1776
LENGTH OF
SERVICE [blank]
RANK. 
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. 
John Spohn
COLONEL.
Magan
STATE.
5th Pa.
[arrow drawn from 1776 to note below]
Taken prisoner at Fort Washington Rel after 7 or 8 weeks paroled and drove a wagon till end of war
Drew additional letters Nov. 9-1933/---ILL/mmHF
Battles engaged in, 1 Long Island [written above] Aug 1776 3 Staten Island [written above] Aug. 1777 2 Fort Washington [above]
Nov 1776
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bucks Co. Pa.
Date of application for pension, Aug 29 1832
Residence at date of application, Warren Co. Ky
Age at date of application, 81 born in Berks Co. Penn. in 1749
Remarks:
Page 8

Heavener, Christopher
Penn
13
-
Payments to be made
at Lexington
by the Pre 1st U.S. Branch Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of
Kentucky
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol. 7
Page 21 by Wm. Allison Clerk
[printed in lower left corner of page] Heavener, Christopher Penn. s31123
Heavener
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Christopher Heavener of Kentucky who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty -- dollars and --- cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this
28th day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty= four
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and
Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 10

31123
Revy INVALID
file no. 31123
Christopher Heavener
Pvt Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol 2, Page 180
[Arrangement of 1870]

1908 Aug 4 Hist. to Ida 
Ludlow V.L.U.
Letter in S. F.  4399
Page 11

3-595.
RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Searched by L. D. L.
Original No. ___
Certificate No. ___
Claimant, ___
Soldier, Christopher Heavener
Service, Pa. 
Rev. War
Remarks No claim, except 
Invd. #31123
Chief of Division.
27498b4m2-07
Page 12

[In at?]

Hon. J. R. Underwood,
HR
Page 13

Christopher Heavner a pensioner says for his services he ought to have more than $20 per annum - the amount I think which he says he now receives. & by Mr Edwards attention to the declaration Heavner enlisted for five years was made a prisoner in 1776 was paroled returned to the American camp put to driving a waggon & in that capacity acted till the end of the war. There seems to be much intrinsic probability in this statement & it is fortified by his character for veracity. Had he remained in captivity until the peace surely he would have been entitled to the highest pension allowed to those of his grade. How does his parol make the difference? Surely it cannot. He was liable at any time when exchanged to be called into service as a soldier & placed in the ranks of the Army to do military duty. He was not discharged the service & in that view should be regarded as continuing in it. His fate (the fortune of war) in being made a captive ought not to operate prejudicially. It is submitted whether his pension ought not to be enlarged & a reexamination of the case respectfully requested Mr Edwards

J. R. Underwood
16 March 1838
Page 14

Secretary of War
28 Decr 1835

Record Vol 28. P 238
Page 15

War Department
Pension Office
December 28, 1835

Sir,
I herewith enclose the Honble Mr Underwoods letter, memorandum, and report from the Bounty Land Office, and have the honor to report in relation to the case of Christopher Heavenor, that he has been allowed a pension at the rate of $20 per annum. He alleges in his declaration that he enlisted in 1776, and was taken prisoner at Fort Washington and after being a prisoner seven or eight weeks was paroled after which he was put to driving a wagon. Being on parole he could not serve in a military capacity against the enemy, and consequently is not entitled to a higher rate of pension than he now receives. 

In order to obtain a pension, James Carter should make a declaration and exhibit such evidence as is prescribed in the enclosed printed sheet. The service alleged was as a militia man in Virginia, and as a spy in the West. We have no rolls shewing his service.
I have the honor to be very respectfully your obt servt
J. L. Edwards

Hon. L Cass
Secretary of War

(over)
Page 16

In answer to the Honble Mr Underwoods last inquiry, I have to state that the enclosed printed sheets contain all the necessary instructions for the guidance of Administrators or Executor the widows or other heirs of deceased pensioners in obtaining the balance of pension due them.

Hon Lewis Cass
Sec of War

[left margin]
Record Vol. 28. P 238

[right margin]
Secretary of war
28 Decr 1835
Page 17

War Dept Pen Office
March 17 1838

Sir
Agreeably to your request a re-examination of the claim of Christopher Heavner has been made. He alleges that he enlisted for five years in 1776, and that he was taken a prisoner at Fort Washington and after remaining a prisoner for seven or eight weeks he was paroled. some time after which he was put to driving a wagon for the Army and continued to do so until the end of the war.  Being liberated on parole he was bound not to take up arms against the enemy until regularly exchanged. He never was exchanged, but he was employed as a wagoner. That service could not have been otherwise than under a civil contract, for which he would not be entitled to the benefit of the act of 7 June 1832. He was allowed a pension for six months service including the
Page 18

Hon. J. R. Underwood
March 17, 1838
Rev

[left lower margin]
of war.
Page 19

time he was in actual confinement. There being no evidence that he was bound to military service while a prisoner of war and on parole, no allowance can be made for the time he was thus considered a prisoner of war.

Hon J. R. Underwood
H.R.

[right side margin]
Hon. J. R. Underwood
March 17, 1838
Rev
Page 20

Hon H. Grider
Feb 3, '45
Page 21

Pension Office
February 3rd 1843

Sir
I have the honor to return herewith Mr. Underwoods letter and also the declaration of Mrs Mary Heavnor, in order that she may correct the same or make a new one agreeably to the enclosed instructions.
She must set forth the Act under which she claims, and establish the date of her marriage by record or documentary evidence public or private if such be available, of which the department must have some proof before the testimony of individuals can be received. If claimant is unable to attend court the proceedings before the single Justice should be submitted to, and approved by a court of record which proceedings must be certified by the clerk of said court under his seal of office.
No objection will be made to the service allowed her husband.

Hon H Grider
House of Reps
Page 22

Pearce & Ragland for depo. 
Christopher Heavener
13.342
from 1776 for 6 months 
$20

Can only allow for six months

Work
Page 23

State of Kentucky Warren County Sct
George Pearce this day personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County afsd. & made oath that he was a soldier of the Revolution on Continental Establishment & that he now draws a pension & that he served a great portion of his time to the North during the same time set out in the declaration of Christopher Heavener for a pension & from having closely questioned sd. Heavner upon many incidents of the service & finding him to be well acquainted with most or all of them he feels well opined & does verily believe that sd. Heavner served as he has stated in his declaration dated in the clerks last certificate 17 June 1833 - And I do certify that sd. Pearce is worthy of credit when on oath. Given under my hand this 24th day of Septr. 1833
W. P. Payne (JP)
Page 24

State of Kentucky Warren County Sct
John Ragland this day personally appeared
before me a justice of the peace for the County
afsd. & made oath that he was a soldier of the 
Revolution on continental establishment & 
that he now draws a pension therefore
that he served to the North, & from 
conversation with Christopher Heavner who
is applying for a pension he does
verily believe sd Heavener served in 
sd Northern service and particulary that
he was at Valley Forge at the same
time with this affiant.
Given under my hand this 24th day
of Septr. 1833- I certify that sd Ragland
is worthy of credit when on oath-
W.P. Payne (JP)

State of Kentucky
Warren County sct 
I Jonathan Hobson clerk of the County
court of said county do certify that William C Payne is an acting magistrate in and for said county and that full faith and credit is and ought to be placed in all his official acts as such and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 24 day of September 1833
Jona. Hobson
By C B Donaldson DC