Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 553, for William Lindsay, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

Lindsay, William
Clarissa

NUMBER
W.553
B.L.Wt.28649-160-55_

CONTENTS
[blank]
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19317
Indiana
William Lindsay
of Knox Co in the State of Ina. who was a pr in the co commanded by Captain Vernon of the regt commanded by Co Pierce in the Penna. line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Ina. at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Augt. 1833 and John Ewing Vincennes

Arrears to the 4th of March  160.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  40.00
$200.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Danl. Boys Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 119
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William Lindsay
Knox Co
Indiana
from 1776 private
2 yr  $80
Return 

John Ewing
Vincennes
Knox Co
Indiana
Page 10

year of our Lord 1824.

Extract of record of death.

William Lindsay rein departed this life October 8th 1836 aged seventy six years five months and twenty three days.

We the undersigned do hereby certify that the above and foregoing extracts purporting to be copies of the record of the marriage of William Lindsay and Clarissa Lindsay and of the record of the death of the said William Lindsay are truly and correctly copied from the family record of the said William Lindsay and Clarissa Lindsay his widow.

Given under our hands this 15th day of May 1855.
B. Prier (signature)
Martha Duchane (signature)


State of Indiana 
Knox County

On this 15th day of May A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Benjamin Prior aged fifty six years a resident of Lawrence County, Illinois and Martha Duchane aged 63 years a resident of Knox County Indiana who being duly sworn according to law say that the above and foregoing extracts purporting to be copies of the records of the marriage of William Lindsay and Clarissa Lindsay and of the record of the death of the said William Lindsay are truly and correctly copied from the family record of the said William Lindsay and Clarissa Lindsay his under [illegible} they are well acquainted with the said William Lindsay sein & Clarissa Lindsay his wife during the lifetime of the said William from the time of their said Marriage to the death of the said William that they know of their own knowledge that the said William & Clarissa were married on or about the 26th day of April 1824.  That the said William Lindsay sein died on or about the 8th day of October 1836 leaving the said Clarissa Lindsay his widow {illegible} him who is now living and is still a widow.

B. Prier
Martha Duchane


In testimony that the above and foregoing affiant was sworn and
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and subscribed to before me a Justice of the Peace as aforesaid I hereunto subscribed my name and quality at Vincennes the day and year first above written and I certify that I know the affiant to be credible person not interested in the written declaration and that I receive no interest in said claim.
Milton L. Edson - JP


State of Indiana
Knox County

I William Denney Clerk of the Circuit Court of Knox County Indiana do hereby certify that Milton L. Edson Esq before whom the above and foregoing affidavits appear to have been made is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified that full faith and credit is due all his official acts as such and that his signature thereto is genuine.

In testimony whereof , I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court at Vincennes, this 15th day of May, A.D. 1855.
Wm Denney  Clerk
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State of Indiana
Knox County

On this 11th day of April 1853 personally appeared Clarissa Lindsay before the Court of Common Pleas for the County and State aforesaid, a resident thereof aged about sixty years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress papered on the 3rd day of February 1853 granting pension to widows of persons who served  during the Revolutionary War.  That she is the widow of William Lindsay who was a private in the Militia of Pennsylvania, but she does not know under what officers he served nor the term of his service and that he was a pensioner of the United States in Knox County Indiana at the time of his death and received as she is informed eighty dollars per year pension and she was married to the said William Lindsay on the 20th day of April 1824 and that her husband died on the 8th day of October 1836 according to the best of her recollection and that she was not married to him prior to the 2nd day of January 1800 but at the time above stated and she further declares that she is now a widow.
Clarissa Lindsay Widow, her mark 
William Denney (signature) Witness


In testimony whereof I William Denney Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Vincennes, the day and year first above written.
Wm. Denney, Clerk
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, papered June 7th, 1832.

State of Indiana
County of Knox

On this third day of September 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable A. Kinney, President Judge of the circuit court of said county, now sitting. William Lindsay, an old resident of Vincennes, in said county, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration: that he was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty. That in the year 1776, he volunteered in the militia of said county of Chester, under Capt. Nathanial Vernon, in a Regiment commanded by Col. George Pierce, and marched to Amboy.  That during his stay at Amboy he enlisted in what was termed the Flying Camp, in a company under Capt. M. Price, and Lieutenants Lindsey, and Cloud, which was attached to a Regiment commanded by Colonel Montgomery, Lieut. Col. Bull and Major Bartholomew.  That after New York was taken by the British, he marched with the company to Fort Lee, on the North River opposite Fort Washington, where the men built huts for winter quarters.  That about a week before the attack on Fort Washington the said Flying Camp crossed the North river to Fort Washington, except one of each mess left at Fort Lee to take care of the baggage and huts.  That he was detailed from his mess for said duty and was left at Fort Lee when his Father and three uncles, all in said Regiment, one of his said uncles being Lieut. of the company to which he belonged, crossed over to...
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Fort Washington, and were all taken prisoner, his father and two of his uncles, soon after died of cold and hunger in New York, one of his uncles escaped death and returned home.  That the aforesaid company of Captain Price being almost all taken prisoner, he was transferred to a company under Capt. M. Lure and being soon forced by the British to abandon Fort Lee, he was marched towards Philadelphia and he suffered very much by hunger and cold, having no provisions for three days, and being barefooted on severe frost.  That he crossed the Delaware at Trenton, where the troops remained about two weeks, and then recrossed until he was able to proceed home without pay or discharge, the company officers having been all taken prisoners at Fort Washington.  That in 1777 he went out as a substitute for Robert Miller in the Militia of Chester County, under Capt. Copland, for three months, was marched to the Red Bank or Billings Fort three miles below Mud Island on the Jersey shore, commanded by Col. Sharp Deleny.  That in  same year 1777, he volunteered in a company of mounted militia, under Captain Thomas Levis, ordered out for spies, and the company has been scarcely equipped, when the British landed at the head of Elk in Maryland and caused orders to the spies to repair to Wilmington to guard provisions and forage waggons from the Delaware out of reach of the British, until after the battle of Brandywine, when the British took Philadelphia, he was one of said company engaged in guarding said waggons, and was afterwards detailed to watch
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the roads and fields for the purpose of ascertaining every motion of the enemy, from the Delaware to the Valley Forge.  That in April 1778 he went to Wilmington, then occupied by the Maryland troops commanded by Genl. Smallwood where he enlisted under Col. Francis Waid, Deputy Quarter Master Genl. and was ordered to drive a provision waggon in a brigade of waggons, under the care of James Kinkade, ordered to convey provisions from the head of Elk to the Valley Forge where the army was then encamped.  That the waggons happened to be at camp loaded when the British left Philadelphia and were ordered to move on with the army and the loads remained untouched until after the Battle of Monmouth when the army encamped on the White Plains.  That he was afterwards kept in the Quartermasters service driving loads of provisions from Morristown, N. Jersey, to the White Plains until all retired into winter quarters at Middlebrook.  That in April 1779, his term of service being ended he again enlisted with Col. Clement Biddle Foragemaster Genl. of the Army, for one year.  That the army soon afterwards moved towards the North river and he followed with the waggons until all arrived at a place then called Murder Creek about nine miles above West Point Fort where he remained until the ensuing spring after an absence from home of about two years, he received an honorable discharge from Colonel Biddle, and a certificate setting forth the pay due him, and that he lost both the discharge and the certificate, and never in any way, received the pay for about two years service.  That he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who...
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can testify to his service, and is now destitute of the documentary evidence he at one time possessed.  That after the Revolutionary War was ended, he removed from Chester County, Pennsylvania to Clarksburg, Harrison County Virginia, in which place he resided five or six years and then removed to Jefferson County Kentucky where and in the adjoining county of Shelby said State, he resided until the year 1805, when he removed to Vincennes, Indiana Territory, and has continued to reside here up to the present time.  That he hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declared that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.  That he is the identical William Lindsay in whose behalf with others, the Legislature of the State of Indiana memorialized Congress for a pension in the year 1831.

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
William Lindsay (signature)
A. Kinney P.J.  (signature)


Mr. Henry M. Shaw, a clergyman of the Episcopal Church, residing in Vincennes, Indiana, and Gen W. Johnson residing in said town and state hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Lindsay who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
W. Johnson (signature)
Henry M. Shaw (signature)
A. Kinney P.J. (signature)
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August 24, 1933

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/EEL
William Lindsay-W.553

Mr. B.J. Walter
Wabash Post, No. 423
American Legion
Mount Carmel, Illinois

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to William Lindsay, a soldier of the Revolutionary War and a pensioner of Knox County, Indiana.

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.553, based upon the military service of William Lindsay in that war.

(hand-written in right margin) found original Wm Lindsay in Pa Archives (hand-written in right margin)

William Lindsay was born in 1760, in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

He enlisted in said Chester County, in 1776, in Captain Nathaniel Vernon's Company, Colonel George pierce's Pennsylvania Regiment under Lieutenant Lindsey and Captain William Price, Colonel Montgomery's Pennsylvania Regiment of the Flying Camp; marched to Fort Lee, where he assisted in building huts for winter quarters and when the "Flying Camp" crossed the river to Fort Washington, he remained at Fort Lee to guard the huts and baggage: he stated that his father and three uncles were in the same regiment with him and that one uncle was lieutenant of the company to which he belonged, but gave no names; when Fort Washington was taken, his father and uncles were captured and his father and two of his uncles died in New York but one of his uncles escaped and returned home: nearly all of his company having been taken prisoners, he was placed in Captain McLure's Pennsylvania Company, marched towards Philadelphia, crossed the Delaware at Trenton; in about two weeks recrossed and captured some Hesians and in a few days was taken sick, carried to Philadelphia and as soon as he was able returned home: length of service in the Flying Camp, six months: he enlisted sometime in 1777, exact date not shown, served three months in Captain Copeland's Pennsylvania Company, "marched to Red Bank or Billing Fort,

(hand-written in right margin) Identified all of these officers)
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three miles below Mud Island on the Jersey shore, commanded by Colonel Sharp Delany: length of this service three months: he again enlisted in 1977, served three months in Captain Thomas Levis' Pennsylvania Company and was stationed at Wilmington, Delaware, guarding provisions and forage wagons until after the battle of Brandywine; he enlisted in April 1778, and served one year as a wagoner under James Kenkade, rank not given and Colonel Francis Wade, Deputy Quartermaster General: he enlisted in April, 1779 and served one year under Colonel Clermont Biddle, Forage Master General of the Army.

After the Revolution, he moved to Clarksburg, Harrison County, Virginia (now West Virginia), where he lived for five or six years: then moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky, in which county, and in Shelby County, that state, he resided until 1805, when he moved to Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, while residing in Vincennes, Indiana, where he died October 8, 1836, aged seventy-six years, five months and twenty-three days.

The soldier married April 26, 1824, in Vincennes, Indiana, Clarrissa Prier.

Soldier's widow, Clarrissa (pensioned Clarissa) was allowed pension on her application execnted[sp.] April 11, 1853, while residing in Knox County, Indiana, and aged sixty years: in 1881, she was still residing in same county and it was then stated that she was aged ninety years.

There is no reference to children in the papers in the pension claim.

In 1853, one Benjamin Prier was aged fifty-four and resided in Know County, Indiana and in 1855, in Lawrence County, Indiana: no relationship to the widow was shown.

There are no further family data.

Very truly yours


A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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State of Indiana
Knox County

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Knox, William Lindsay, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively to the length of some of his tours of duty, and actual service as a volunteer militia man during the Revolutionary War, but to the best of his recollection he served not less than one month under Captain Vernon, and three months under Captain Levis, as related in the original declaration hereunto attached.  That he enlisted and faithfully served six months in what was called the Flying Camp, he perfectly recollects; and he is certain that he enlisted for and faithfully served as a wagoner under Colonel Francis Waid one year, and under Colonel C. Biddle one year if not longer, and that it is in reference to these services under Colonel Waid and Biddle that he intended to apply the term "about two years" as mentioned in said original declaration, as he verily believes the length of his various services during that war was more than three years when altogether computed. 
Wm Lindsay (signature)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of June 1833.
Jno Collins JP  (signature)
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20g6

Mercase 
Brief in the Case of Clarissa Lindsay, Widow of William

Private Rev War   Vincennes
Knox County and State of Indiana
Indianapolis
Act Ft Lee Feb 3 1853
__________________________________________________
Claim for New Pension Certificate
Proof Exhibited,

Pensioner at $80.00 Annual.  Certificate returned.
Claims [illegible} provided by Act 13th he July 27 1868

Personal identity and continued widow Lord shows

Admitted March 29 1869 to a pension at $96 per annum to commence July 27, 1868 deducting pay lines

W.E. Trask (signature)
Examining Clerk

Name and residence of Agent
J.C. Denney
Vincennes Indiana
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WIDOW'S PENSION.
_________________________________

I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853,
Clarissa Lindsay
widow of William Lindsay 
who was a private in the Revolutionary war,
is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty ___ dollars per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the Department of the Interior, this twenty second day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
R McClelland (signature)
Secretary of the Interior

Examined and Countersigned,
L.P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 39

Free
Pension Papers
Seal - Vincennes Jun 12

War Department
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 40

J.L. Edwards Esq.

Sir
You received enclosed the papers of Mr. Lindsay.  In his first application three months services under Captain Copeland are distinctly mentioned.  He now designates one month under Captain Vernon,, three months under Captain Levis, six months under Captain Price, and McClure attached to the Flying Camp, and one year under Col. Waid, and one year or more under Col. Biddle and the clerk certifies to the original papers returned.
[illegible} yours
Jno King
Page 42

Also personally appeared Rosa Shasere, residing at No. [illegible] in [illegible} street, in Jud. and Rose Ann Richardville residing at No. Vincennes street, in Jud, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Clarissa Lindsay, the claimant sign her name (make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
J.P. Wees, Rosa Shasere
Rosa Shasere [ if affiants sign by mark two persons who can write sign here.]

Rose Ann Richardville her mark [signatures of affiants]


Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of March A.D. 1881 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words [lined out] erased, and the words [lined out] added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.
Mason Niblack (signature)
Notary Public (official character)
(See official certificate)


NOTES:
All the blanks in this form should be carefully filled and the requirements of the notes strictly observed.  

Declarations of claimants for original pension must be made before a Court of Record, or before some officer thereof having custody of its seal; said officer being fully authorized and empowered to administer and certify any oath or affirmation relating to any pension or application therefor. 

The claimant's identity must be proven by two witnesses, certified by the judicial officer to be respectable and credible, who are present and witness the signature of the declarant, and certify to his or her identity under oath or affirmation.

Declarations and other papers should be legible and as clear in statement as possible.

Where any evidence is already on file in any Department of the Government, a definite description of and specific reference to it will render it available in any subsequent claim.

The post-office address (naming street and number in all large cities) of the applicant, attorney, and witnesses, should be embodied in or accompany every application, and all evidence in each claim; and each change of residence of said parties while communicating with the Pension Office or the pension agents should be stated.

All facts, testimony of which is required to establish a claim, must be proven by the affidavits of two or more credible witnesses, unless other evidence is specified.

Testimony, in support of allegations made in a declaration, may be taken before any officer whose authority and signature are duly certified, and who shall disclaim any interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of the claim.

To facilitate the adjudication of claims all the requisite evidence that is available should be forwarded with the application.
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DECLARATION FOR ARREARS OF PENSIONS
Under Section 6 and 10, Act of July 27, 1868.

State of Indiana
County of Knox } SS.

On this 22 day of January, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine, personally appeared before me, A.P. Woodall, Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, Clarissa Lindsay aged ____ years, a resident of Vincennes, in the County of Knox, in the State of Indiana, who being duly sworn, according to law, declares she is the identical Clarissa Lindsay to whom was granted pension certificate No 2096, payable at the agency at Madison Indiana and dated September 22, 1853; that under the limitations of the act of Feb 3rd 1853, she was granted a pension from the date of the Pension Certificate at the rate of Six 75/100 per month believing herself entitled to the same, under the 13 of Section of the Act of July 27, 1868, she makes this declaration in order to secure the arrears accrued thereunder...
she hereby appoints J.C. Denney of Vincennes, State of Indiana attorney in fact, with power of substitution, to prosecute said Claim for Arrears of Pension to final settlement, and she request that all communications and papers relating thereto be sent to her said Attorney.  Her Post Office address is Vincennes County of Knox, and State of Indiana.
Clarissa Lindsay X her mark

Signature of Witnesses {W R McCord,  
E. Mersershelter

Also personally appeared William R McCord, a resident of Knox County, State of Indiana, and E. Mersershelter. a resident of Knox County, State of Indiana, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Clarissa Lindsay make her mark to the foregoing declaration and power of attorney, and they further swear that they have every reason t believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the
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INCIDENTAL MATTER.
Page 53

Rev  2B
March 3 1920
Vincennes Ind.
Seal 

Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir.
I am seeking information in regard to an old pension of my ancestor, so as to prove my eligibility as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  This said pension was granted to the widow of " William Lindsay" who served in the Revolutionary War.  Her name was "Clarissa Lindsay" and she received this pension up to the time of her death which occurred in 1883, Feb 19.  He was born in 1760 died in 1836
Page 54

The said William Lindsay's discharge papers are in the hands of a member of my family, but I am unable to secure same so ask you to look up same for me and if there is any other record that gives his company or service I would be most thankful.  And if there are any charges I will remit.
I will be anxious to get as quick a return as possible.

Thanking you in advance.
Miss Mary Brouillette
228 So 7th St
Vincennes Indiana
Page 55

W. 553
Effingham Ill.
Sept. 20 - 1908

Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir -

Will you please send me the service of William Lindsay - a Revolutionary soldier. He was born in Virginia April 15, 1760. He died October 8 - 1836 and is buried at Vincennes Ind.  His widow Clarissa Prior Lindsay drew a pension up to the time of her death. She was married to William Lindsay April - 26-1824.
Page 56

I want this information to help me in joining the Daughters of American Revolution in Ann Crooker St Clair Chapter.

Will you kindly attend to this at once as I'd like to get my papers in by 25th of the present month.

Yours truly,
Mamie M. Haugh
621 South Maple St.
Effingham Ill.
Page 57

Wentzville Mo.
Nov 20 /08

Pension Department
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you please examine your records and give me the names of the Lindsay soldiers who fought or gave service, during the war of 1812 and their record.?  Can you give me any information regarding the war service of William and Henry Lindsay of Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary war?  I will greatly appreciate any knowledge you will send.
Thanking you.  I am cordially,
Mrs. J.C. Brown,
Wentzville, Mo.
Page 58

A.F. BROWN, PRESIDENT
J.C. BROWN, CASHIER
CITIZENS BANK OF WENTZVILLE

CAPITAL PAID IN ____, RESOURCES AMPLE, YOUR BUSINESS SOLICITED

Wentzville, Mo.  Dec 5th, 1908
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
I write again for information concerning Henry Lindsay.  He married Elizabeth Culbertson of Pa.  He and his brother-in-law Col. Robert Patterson both fought in the battle of Tippecanoe, Ind.  This Henry Lindsay lived at different times in Penn., Ind., Ohio, Va., Kentucky.  I do not know where he died.  The record of William Lindsay, whose wife was Ellen Thompson of Ireland is the one I am interested in and want.  I do especially desire the record of Henry Lindsay and will be very grateful if you furnish me a copy.

Most respectfully,
Mrs. Lucy Lindsay Brown,
Wentzville, Mo,

Seal - Pension Office
Page 59

AMERICAN LEGION, Wabash Post No. 423
Mt. Carmel, Illinois

Seal 
August 16, 1933

B.J. Walter
Dept. of Military Records
and Graves Registration

Veterans Administration
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
Please furnish pension record of William Lindsay, who served during the War of the Revolution, from the State of Pennsylvania, and who received Pension while residing in Knox County, Indiana.

Very truly yours,
B.J. Walter,
Dept. of Military Records
and Graves Registration,
American Legion,
Wabash Post #423

BJW-MBD
Page 60

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
March 28, 1924.
Mrs. Elizabeth Weitzel,
903 N. 10th St.,
Vincennes, Ind.
Madam;

I have to advise you that there is no provision
of law, that would entitle the descendants of soldiers of the Revolutionary War to pension.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 61

Record Division
December 14, 1908

Mrs. J.G. Brown,
Wentzville,
Saint Charles County, Mo.

Madam:

In reply to your letter dated the 5th and received the 9th instant, you are advised that William Lindsay, Wid. File No. 558, a statement of whose service was sent you on November 30, 1908, is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War pension records.

Said records fail to afford any information in regard to Henry Lindsay described in your letter and you were so advised on the 1st instant.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner