Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22895, for William Mc Gaw, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

McGaw, William

NUMBER
S. 22895

CONTENTS
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(left side)
No. 18516
Pennsylvania
William McGaw
of Venango Co. in the State of Penna. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Collons of the Regt. commanded by Col. Watson in the Penna. Troops for 6 months & 16 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 21 Dollars 76 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Sept. 1833 and sent to John Galbreath Franklin Pa.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833  54.40
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March 1834  10.88
$65.28

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E. Vol. 5 Page 39

(right side)
order to pay. See letters Nov. 9, 1836 to P. Agt. & R. Peters - 
order to pay 22 Sept. 1837. Letter to Paxan, Rethey & Co
22 Sep. 1837.
Let Hon. L. Cass July 11/55

Date of death not on AB
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23525
William McGaw,
Venango county
Pennsylvania.

10 May 33
Obj 5

Admd
6 mos 16 days

John Galbreath,
Franklin Penn.
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania, Sixth Judicial District Venango County SS
On this eighth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before John Irwin and Thomas McKee Cyrius, Judges of Court of Common Pleas of said county now sitting William McGaw, a resident of French creek township, Venango County, state of Pennsylvania aged seventy five 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated -- On the fourth day of July 1777 I was drafted in the militia and then lived in Paxton township, then Lancaster County (now Dauphin) Pennsylvania and joined the company then commanded by Captain James Collier, for a two months term, attached to Colonel Watsons Regiment General Potters Brigade. The name of our Major was Steven Foster. That of my Lieutenant was George Cochran. We remained a few days in Middletown, then Lancaster, now Dauphin county before we got blankets. We then marched to Lancaster and remained there two or three days thence to Old Chester where we joined the regular army under command of Genl. Washington and there we remained until about the fifteenth or twentieth of August, when we marched to Wilmington where we received our arms, thence we marched to Newport where we remained until the time for which we were drafted had expired. The British army said to be 13,000 had landed at Iron Hill and had marched to Christeen five miles from
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Newfort and crossed the Bridge at that place. Our officers urged and encouraged us to remain after our time expired, until it was ascertained what the British army was about to do. We volunteered to do so. On Sunday the seventh of September we stood under arms all day awaiting the movements of the British army and Monday morning following we were marched out under the orders of General Washington about three quarters of a mile where we were received by General Washington. Under the direction of General Washington we stole a march to Wilmington during the day of Tuesday, and on that night marched up the Brandywine creek to Chadford. On Wednesday we crossed the creek to east side of the creek. On the same day the British army under command of General Howes marched up also to Chadford and encamped on the opposite side of the creek from us. Early on the next morning some firing took place between the two armies and some slight cannonadiry until about two oclock when the battle began which continued until about sundown, when the British army gained the ground and the American Army retreated to Old Chester. The militia were not in the heat of this engagement, but were placed below the regular army, with a means as we supposed of resisting the enemy if they should attempt to cross below. We reached Old Chester about 7 oclock on the evening of the 12th of September and in the morning marched to Derby and on the next morning marched into Philadelphia, and in the afternoon marched back again over the Schuylkill and encamped on the high ground.
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in the next morning marched into (torn paper) and in the afternoon marched back again over the Schuylkill and encamped on the high ground. 

On the next morning, Sunday the 14th, I was discharged on account of (illegible) and was sent in a wagon to Downingtown and I walked home in about two weeks after.  My discharge was in writing signed by Captain Collier but I did not preserve it believing it would be of no importance to me.

In the spring of 1778, I think in the month of April, I was again drafted in the militia at Paxton Township, then Lancaster County, now Dauphin under command of Captain John Gischrist.  We marched to Middletown and thence to Lancaster.  We marched down twelve miles below Lancaster to a place called the "Hat" where we were stopped and received orders to return and were discharged.  I had a written discharge given by Captain Gischrist but I did not preserve it.  I was out this time a little more than a month. 

In the spring of 1779, I was again drafted at the same place as in the two former years under Captain William Cowden.  We marched to Middletown again, thence to Elizabethtown where we remained some days and could not get any arms and we were discharged having been out about two weeks.  There was no discharge in writing but verbally.  

In that same season I was again drafted to go to Wyoming(?) to quell the Tories there under Captain John Gischrist again.  We marched to (illegible) about seven miles above where Harrisburg now stands where information was received that the Tories of Wyoming were quelled and we got orders to return home.  There was no discharge in writing.  We were out but eight days.  In the year 1779 or 1780, I cannot now precisely say which, I moved to what's now
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Washington County, Pennsylvania, when I was there about two weeks I was drafted in the militia at the town of Washington, or rather at Wilson's Tower(?) where the town of Washington now stands, under Captain James Miller attached to Colonel James Marshall's regiment, for the purpose of guarding the frontier against the Indians.  After some short time we marched to Butler's (?) Fort near the Ohio River below Pittsburgh.  We remained at this fort about a month.  He was principally employed in going out on scouting parties and guarding the frontier from the inroads of the savages.   We were discharged and returned home.  I had no written discharge at this time. 

In the year 1781 or 1782, I cannot positively say which, I think in the spring of the year, I was drafted again in the militia at Washington, Pennsylvania under Captain Thomas Hamilton for the purpose of guarding the forts in the frontier settlement.   We marched west to King's(?) Fort where Steubenville now stands under Col. David Williamson.  We remained at (illegible) fort a few days and a report was raised that Indians had been near some distance down the Ohio River.  We marched six or eight miles down the river and remained there some time when the alarm subsided and we were discharged having been out about one month.  There was no written discharge.

During that same season I was several times called out on an Indian alarm and returned again but never more than a week at a time.  I cannot state precisely the whole time I was in the militia during the several periods, but it was not less than seven months in all.  The applicant states that he has no documentary evidence
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than a week at a time.  I cannot state precisely the whole time I was in the militia during the several periods but it was not less that seven months in all.  

The applicant states that he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service; and he 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.

The applicant further states that he was born i the town of Ballynahinch(?) in the County Down in Ireland on the 22nd day of April 1758.  There is no record of his age that he knows of; that he immigrated to America in 1774, landed at Brunswick and came on to Paxton in what is now Dauphin County, at that time Lancaster, and moved to Washington County in 1779 or 1780 as above stated; moved to Franklin County , Pennsylvania about the year 1784 where he remained until in the year 1791 when he went to Ireland and returned to America in 1792, when moved to (illegible) County, Pennsylvania which was then a part of Northumberland County where he remained until April 1825. when he removed to (illegible) County, Pennsylvania where he now resides.  
Signed:  William Mc Gaw

Sworn and subscribed in open court the 8th day of July A.D. 1833
Signed:  A. Plumer, 
Prothonotary of the court of common pleas
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who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he has been well acquainted with William McGaw who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration for the last forty years, that he believes him to be about seventy-five years of age as he represents.  That he was first acquainted with him in Chester County (then part of Northampton) about the year 1792 and has lived in his immediate neighborhood ever since.  That said William McGaw has always maintained the reputation of a man of truth and veracity and unimpeachable honesty and has always been reputed and believed in the neighborhood when he resided in Chester County and where he now resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and this deponent fully concurs in that opinion.
Signed:  Frances Grnod

Sworn and subscribed in open court the 8th day of January A.D. 1833
Signed:  A. Plumer, Prothy. 

Venango County
On the eighth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three personally appeared in open court of common pleas of Venango County, now sitting Alexander M. Calmont Esquire of (illegible) township, Venango County, Pennsylvania who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Wiliam McGaw, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration
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are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
                                          //s//
                                   John Irwin
                                   Thos. McKee
                                    Judges of the
                                    Court of Common
                                    Pleas.

State of Pennsylvania
Venango County} ss.

     Arnold Plumer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains (a copy) of the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William McGaw for a pension.
    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Common Pleas Office this eighth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.

                                         //s//
                                     A. Plumer
                                     Clerk of the 
                                      Common Pleas.
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Venango County
 On this twenty ninth day of May in the year thirty of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas for the County of Venango, aforesaid in the Sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania,  William McGaw an applicant for a pension as a soldier of the Revolutionary war under on the the act of the 7th June 1832 by application on the eighth day of January A.D. 1833. who duly sworn according to Law, deposeth and with, 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 two months and twenty four days I served as a private soldier in Captain James Colliers" company which is the first service mentioned in my former application - For one month I served as a private in Captain John Gilchrist's company which is the second service  mentioned in my foregoing & former declaration. For fourteen days I served as a private under Captain William Cowden which is the third service mentioned in my former declaration. For eight days I served as a private under Captain John Gilchrist again which is the fourth period of service mentioned
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in my former declaration - For one month I served as a private in Captain James Millers Company which is the fifth period of service mentioned in my former declaration - For one month I served as a private under Captain Thomas Hamilton, which is the sixth period of service mentioned in my former declaration. For fourteen days I served as a private or under orders  without any regular organization which is the last period of service mentioned in my former declaration; and for such services I claim a pension. The deponent states that the reason why he did not provide the evidence of a Clergyman in his former application was, that there was no settled clergy man in his neighborhood with whom he could have sufficient acquaintance, and believed that the testimony of other respectable persons who had long known him would be more satisfactory  to the Department, than those of any class with whom he had not a length of acquaintance.
 sworn and subscribed in 
open Court this 29th day of 
May A.D. 1883. - 
William McGaw [signature]

A  Plumer 
Prothy
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W St Joseph County Indiana 
June 23 1855  
Dear Sir I send you enclosed my fathers certifficate by request of any people saying to us to send to you and you will tenements for as the Attorney seems to 1 wish a smart fee for these service and I do not feel able to pay them and as I am infor and that you will attend to soldiers claims have sit down to address a line to you hoping that you will do something in our behalf 1 three is three of in one Brother and one sister my father indeed I think in 46 and my mother in 43 my father never received any land to which a number of she say we are justly entitled to and his back pay you will pleson do what 1 ye can for us and I will pay what ever your demand is you will confer a particular favor on the by Examining our case and directing letter to me to South Bend Postoffice St Joseph County Indiana as soon as the nature of the case will admit of Verry Respectfully your prience and well wisher truly Alexander M. Gunn I Lewis Cass
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April 28, 1934

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/EEL
William McGaw-S.22895

Nancy C. Morrow
109 Hill Street
Oil City, Pennsylvania

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of seven Revolutionary War pensioners.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War and War of 1812 data and the limited clerical force available for furnishing  such information, it has not been possible to make a series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of those wars for one person or organization. The record of William McGaw cited by you is given herein as found in pension claim, S.22895, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

William McGaw was born April 22, 1758, at Ballynahinch, County Down, Ireland. He emigrated to America in 1774, and settled in Paxton Township, Lancaster (that part which was later Dauphin) County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents are not shown in the papers in pension claim.

While residing in said Paxton Township, Pennsylvania, William McGaw enlisted and served as a private with the Pennsylvania Troops, as follows: from July 4, 1777, two months and twenty-four days in Captain James Collier's Company, Colonel Watson's Regiment and was in the battle of Brandywine: from April, 1778, one month in Captain John Gilchrist's Company: from the spring of 1779, two weeks in Captain William Cowden's Company: in the same season, date not given, eight days in Captain John Gilchrist's Company,: in 1779 or 1780, he moved to what was later Washington County, Pennsylvania, enlisted there and served one month in Captain James Miller's Company, Colonel James Marshall's Regiment, and guarded the frontiers against the Indians: in the spring of 1781 or 1782, one month in Captain Thomas Hamilton's Company, Colonel David Williamson's Regiment: he stated that he was also out several times on alarms on short tours, at least fourteen days in all.
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In 1784, William McGaw moved to Franklin County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1791, in which year he paid a visit to Ireland, returning in 1792; then moved to Center (that part which was then in Northumberland) County, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1825; then moved to Venango County, Pennsylvania.

He was allowed pension on his application executed January 8, 1833, while residing on French Creek, Venango County, Pennsylvania.

The soldier's wife died in 1843, and he died in 1846: exact dates of death are not shown and there are no data concerning soldier's wife.

In 1855, three children were living, two sons and a daughter: only name given is Alexander McGaw, who was then a resident of Saint Joseph County, Indiana.

There are no further family data.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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Revolution
22895
INVALID
File No. 22,895
William McGraw
Priv. Rev. War

Act: June 7th, '32
Index:-vol. 2, Page 238
{Arrangement of 1870.}

1834 - Apr. 28 Hist to Nancy C. Morrow       EEL
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(An addressed postcard)

(Postal Stamp)
Oil City
  Feb 6
  5 AM
     PA.

Commissioner of Pensions
Department O
Washington, D.C.


(Date stamp)
Received 
Feb 9 1934
Mail Sub-Div
Vets. Admin
Reader #2
Page 21

Gentlemen:                    Feb. 5, 1934

   Kindly send me copies of the pension records of the following Revolutionary soldiers:

George Kearner, private in Henderson's 22d Infantry, pensioned in Veuaugo Co., Feb. 24, 1821.

Joseph Wallace, private Foulk's Company, 22d Inf., pensioned May 27, 1822 in Venango County, Pa. Acts M.E.

Thomas Maze, private Rev. A. unknown; pensioner in Venango Co., Pa. died March 27, 1830.

Wm. McGraw, Pvt, P.M. - pensioned in Veuaugo Co., Pa. Sept 9, 1832; 77.

Wm. Reynolds, pvt., P.J. July 11, 1833; 84

Matt. Jack, pvt., P.C. June 2, 1833; 80
All of Venango, Co., Pa.

Also Thomas Foster, pvt., P.L. pension, 109 Hill St. Baltimore Co., Md. Nov. 9, 1819; age 77.

                                   Sincerely,
                            Nancy C. Morrow
                            109 Hill St.
                             Oil City, Pa.
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William McGraw paid to 4 March 1846.
Robt J Atkinson
Auditor
July 9, 1855     

Pension Office July 7, 1855

The third auditor will please certify the Date to which within named pensioner was paid.
Very respectfully
Your Ob't. Servant
S. Cole
Chief Clerk
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Detroit June 29th, 1833

Sir,
    I enclose a letter from Mr. McCraw and a certificate he had transmitted, and I will thank you to cause the necessary investigations to be made, to ascertain whether anything is due to the heirs of his father, for his revolutionary services and to communicate to me the results. Be good enough to have the certificate returned.

                      I am Sir respectfully,
                      Your obt. Servt.

L. P. Meade esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
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master in the Revolutionary War, and endured great hardships and difficulties at that time, or not. If anything could be obtained, I believe she is needy and respectable. Any communication on that subject will be thankfully received.

                                       Yours Ob.
                                           //s//
                                         A. Browne
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Philad. Aug. 1, 1836

Sir,
   In conformity with the late regulation of the (illegible), I transmit to you two pension (illegible) by ?? this day from the Hon. John Gilbrath (??) which are intended to renew the pensions of: 

William McGaw from 4 Sep. 1835 to 4 Sep. 1836
Phinias Bates from 4 September 1835 to 4 Sept. 1836.

It is intended to (??) (??) pension to the (??) Bank, and (??) special directions to pay the same as suggested. 

                                I am Sir,
                                   Your Ob. St.
                                          //s//
                                   Rich. Peters

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.