Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7668, Robert Hamilton, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
Service                                Number
Penn    Hamilton, Robert    W. 7668
Anna                                   B.L.Wt 83513-160-55.
Page 2

6.455
Pennsylvania Phila
Anna Hamilton
Widow of Robert Hamilton
Pennsylvania
Who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars no
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March,1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
9th day of April 1859
and sent to James J. Hamilton,
Present
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 143 Vol H
Pine Creek Clinton Co
Page 3

Date of death not
M AB
Page 4

290,673 Act. March ? /55
Mar 27  /58
Anna Hamilton wid of 
Robert Hamilton pm
Capt Hamilton or Chatham
Col Hartley Pa Mil
Revolutionary War
Special ? ? Commissioner
See his remarks - on decl"
Original
W:160 Ac Aug: 26/58.
illegible
Special B.
Hon A White
Lock Haven, Pa:
Hon Rips
Page 5

I got
S.A. Hon A. White. June 8,
Eld

Vol H1. page 82,
Page 6

Seal affixed to top right of document
State of 
Pennsylvania SS
On this twenty fifth(lined through replaced with) Seventh day of October
eighteen hundred and fifty eight, person
ally appeared before me, the subscriber
one of the judges of the several courts
of Clinton county, Anna Hamilton,
a resident of Pine Creek township, in the
county of Clinton - aged ninety 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 pro
vision made by the act of Congress, passed
July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting 
half pay and pensions to certain widows."
and also in order to obtain the benefit of any
other Act of Congress granting pensions, which
she may lawfully claim: That she is the
widow of Robert Hamilton, who was a 
private in the militia of the revolutionary
war - that he was drafted at the town of
Northumberland, Northumberland county Pa. some
time in the summer of 1778 probably in Ju
ly or aug.  And remained in the service, much
of the time, until sept 1781 when his father
was killed by the Indians, a few miles from
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2
Northumberland, and occasionally thereafter
until the close of the war, when he re
turned to the home from which he was
driven in 1778, where I now reside.
He was enrolled at Northumberland in the company of his
father, captain alexander Hamilton, under
the orders of Colonels Hunter and Hart
ly, or under the order of colonel
Hunter countersigned by Colonel
Harlly, and served at Northumber
land, (it being a frontier post,) and
in the surrounding country.  The service
consisted in building forts, going out
on scouting parties, keeping sentry
etc - that her husband, the said Rob
ert Hamilton went up the North Branch in
Sullivans campaign against the Indians, The
baggage etc. was taken by boats.  She well
remembers an anecdote often told by her
husband.  It was his lot to be put in
a boat, heavy and unimaganable, which
was hewed out of two trees, and spliced
together.  With great labor and fatigue the
hands of this boat kept up with the party
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3
for a few days, when near the head of
of some rapid, their boat swung and went(crossed out)
went against a rock, and broke in two,
to the great joy of the party that pushed her
The hands, and the loading that was saved,
were then divided amongst the other boats.
That her husband's residence, until a 
short time previous to his enrollment in
Northumberland, was with his father on the
farm, a part of which she now resides upon,
in Clinton County Penn - That she never
heard her husband say that he was engaged in any
battle.  That she has no documentary evidence
except an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature
approved Feb 8th 1825 granting her husband
Robert Hamilton two hundred dollars, com
pensation in full for revolutionary services,
and his own deposition and the deposition
of Richard and Thomas Martin, which may
be or should be on file at Harrisburg,
if not lost, - upon which said compensa
tion was granted.  That she was at Northumber
land in 1778 and "Saw the men mustered up"
"and counted" " and their names called out"
That she left that in the fall with her fathers family for Middletown.
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4
That her knowledge of these things is
founded on what she heard at the
time, and what she has since heard from her husband and others who
were familiar with those times and
facts. That she was herself at Northum
berland during the fall of 1778
Page 10

5
She further declares that she was mar
ried to the said Robert Hamilton on
the thirteenth day of June in the year
seventeen hundred and ninety one, (1791)
at the residence of her father in what
is now Pine Creek township clinton Co.,
by the Reverend John Brison of Warri
or (illegible; that she has lived in the above
named place ever since; that her husband;
the aforesaid Robert Hamilton died on
ninth day of June, eighteen hundred and
forty five; that she has not been mar-
ried since; that she was not married to him
prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage
took place previous to the first of January, sev-
enteen hundred and ninety-four, etc., at the
time above stated.  She further swears that
she is now a widow, and that she has
never before made any application for
a pension.
Anna Hamilton
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year
above written, before me
 Nathl Hanna
Associate Judge
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6
State of Pennsylvania
County of Clinton ss
Personally appeared
before me the subscriber one of the
judges of the several Courts of Clinton
County, on this twenty seventh day of Oc-
tober 1858 - Thomas Martin, who be-
ing duly sworn according to law, doth
say, That the above declaration was ac-
knowledged and signed in his presence, that
he is now seventy years of age, that he has
been acquainted with the applicant since
he was a boy - the applicant Anna Hamilton
and also her husband Robert Hamilton -
They were always refuted man and wife.
That his father Richard Martin was a
lieutenant in the revolutionary service at
Northumberland, if not in the same compa-
ny, in the same regiment with the aforsaid
Robert Hamilton, that he has heard his
father speak of the said Robert Hamilton
 as a companion in that service, and was
a witness for him when the said Rob
ert Hamilton applied to the legislature
of this state for compensation for revo-
Page 12

7
lutionary services.  That his father also
aplied (applied) and received he thinks four hun-
dred dollars - That he has lived for about
forty years within two miles of the said An-
na Hamilton, and knows she has not been
married since the death of husband Rob-
ert Hamilton, and is a widow Thos Martin
Sworn and subscribed before me,
on the day and year above written
Nathl Hanna, Asociate (Associate) Judge
We John Cook and Mary Cook
residents of Pine Creek Township Clinton
County and State of Pennsylvania upon
our oaths declare, that the foregoing declaration of
Anna Hamilton was signed and acknowl
eged (acknowledged) by Anna Hamilton in our presence
and that we believe and know from a
long acquaintance of from forty to six-
ty years (that this is the identical person CROSSED OUT) with the applicant, that she is the identi-
cal person that she represents herself to be, that
she has not been married since the
death of her husband Robert Ham
Page 13

8
ilton, and that she is still a widow
That she was always reputed to be the
wife of Robert Hamilton, and we believe
her to have been his wife.  That her hus-
band the said Robert Hamilton died
about thirteen years ago
John Cook
Mary Cook
Sworn and subscribed before me this
twenty seventh day of Oct 1858
Nathal Hanna
Asociate (associate) Judge

The foregoing declaration and affidavits were
sworn to and subscribed before me on the day
and year above written; and I certify that
I know the affiants to be credible persons;
That the claimant is the person she represents
herself to be; that she is still a widow, and from
age and bodily infirmely unable to attend court
and that I have no interest in the claim. That
I have known the said Robert Hamilton
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9
Since I was a boy / I am now seventy
four years of age / I knew him to be a
worthy citizen, and a man of excellent char-
acter.
Nathl Hanna
Asociate (Associate) Jude

State of Pennsylvania
Clinton County SS
I Robert Irwine Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas for said County and State do hereby certify
that the Hon. Nathan Hanna before whom the above
attestation and affidavit was made and who has
there unto subscribed his name was at the time of so
doing and still is an associate judge of the Court of
Common Pleas for the county of Clinton, and State
aforesaid duly Commissioned and Qualified to all
whose acts as such full faith and credit owed ought
to be given as well in Courts of Judicature as (unknown)
In Testimony whereof I have here unto
set my hand & applied the seal of said
Court this 28th day of October 1858
Robert Irwin Prothy
Page 15

FAMILY RECORD
MARRIAGES 
Robert Hamilton
&
Anna Jackson
were married
June 13 1791
And had issue                     
Alexander
Eley
Elzabeth
Anna Hannah
Anna Hannah
John
Mary
Robert
Priscilla
James Jackson
William

MARRIAGES
Alexander Hamilton
&
Ann Maria Morison
were married April 18
Rev Ina H Grier
Eley Hamilton
were married Jan 11th 1821
James I. Hamilton
Sarah Coats, married
Abraham Lawshe
&
Anna H Hamilton
were married July 1, 1825
John Hamilton
&
Hannah Smith
were married Oct 28th 182
Robert Hamilton
&
Annah Worley
were married July 1830
William Hamilton
Julia (illegible) Magiffin were
Married Sept 11th 1837
Page 16

FAMILY RECORD
BIRTHS
Robert Hamilton
born Sept. 12, 1763
Anne Jackson, his wife
born January 25, 1768
(illegble)
Alexander born 1792
March 10th
Eley born October
6 1793
Elizabeth born
July 15, 1795
Anna Hamilton
born Aug 11,1797
Anna Hannah
born Aug 5, 1798
John Born
October 14, 1800

BIRTHS
Mary born
Nov 25, 1802
Robert born
January 31, 1805
Priscilla born
May 21, 1807
James Jackson
born June 16, 1809
William born
 Aug 1, 1811
Robert H Grier
born May 15, 1832
Page 17

FAMILY RECORD
BIRTHS
Eley  Grier died
 Sept 13, 1836
Anna Hanna
Died August 31, 1797
Robert Hamilton
Died suddenly of ap-
oplexy, June 9th 1845
aged 81 years and 
nine months wanting
three days
Page 18

FAMILY RECORD
DEATHS
Anna Hanna died
Aug 31 1797
Eley Grier Died
Sept 13, 1836
Robert Hamilton died June
9th 1845 in his 82 year
Alexander Hamilton died
January 28, 1851
in his 59 year
Sarah Hamilton died June
20, 1852 in her 44 year
Anna Hamilton 
died Nov, 13th 1857
aged 53 years

DEATHS
Robert Hamilton Jr
son of Alexander Hamilton
died, Thursday morning
January 5, 1843 of
(illegible)remittent &
conjestive (congestive) fever
aged 12 years 2 M 4 days
Page 19

State of Pennsa
Clinton County SS
I Robert Irwin Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for said County & State
or hereby Certify that the Hon. Nathan Hanna
before whom the within affidavit was made
and who has there unto Subscribed his name was at
the time of so doing and still is an
Associate Judge
of the Several Courts of said County of Clinton
and State aforesaid duly Commissioned and
Qualified to all whose acts as such full faith
and Credit are and ought to be given as well
in Courts of (illegible) as else were.
In Testimony where of I have here
unto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of Said Court this 28th day
of October AD 1858
Robert Irwin Prothy
Page 20

State of Pennsylvania
Clinton County SS
Personally appeared before me Nathaniel
Hanna one of the judges of the
several courts of Clinton, Priscil-
la Hamilton, who after being sworn 
according to law, doth say that she is
the daughter of Robert Hamilton, that
the foregoing or accompanying record is,
as it purports to be, the family record
of Robert Hamilton.  The greater part
of it is in the hand writing of brother
Alexander, copied from an original
which is not now in existence - some
of it is in her my own hand-writing.  I
She still live with her my mother Anna
Hamilton.  The record has always been in possess-
ion of the homestead family, which
is now made up of mother, two sis-
ters and myself.
Sworn to and subscribed Priscilla Hamilton
before me this 28 day of
Oct. 1858
Nathl Hanna
Asociate (Associate) Judge
Page 21

(Folded document with seal attached on right side with 191.071 written under)

(Left side)
290.673
(????) he or she apply  for 
law on pension & omit
content only
(??)

Robert Covenhoun
send with him in same
Rep  Te

Special Claim
31 March 1858

Ser Com Kn(ink spot) Mr Eisula
(???)

Addns. A. White
Hon. 
wd. John
Page 22

State of Penna
County of Clinton SS
On this 27 day of May A.D. one
thousand eight hundred and fifty 
eight, personally appeared before
me, a justice of the peace within
and for the county and state afore-
said Anna Hamilton, aged
ninety years, a resident of Clin-
ton county in the state of Pennsylva-
nia, who being duly sworn according
to law, declares that she is the wid-
ow of Robert Hamilton deceased,
who was a private in the company of
commanded by captain Alexander Ham-
ilton (or it may be was transferred to
the command of captain Chatham) and
regiment commanded by colonil
Hartly, in the war of the revolution.
That her said husband was drafted
at Northumberland, PA in the summer
(perhaps June or July) of 1778, and con-
tined in the service, which was a front
tier service, during the war, and was
honourably dis charged.
She further states that she was mar-
ried to the said Robert Hamilton
in what is now Clinton Co Pa, on the
13th day of June AD 1791 by Reverend John
Bryson, that her said husband died
at his residence in Pine creek township
Clinton county PA on the 9 of June
Page 23

A.D.1845, and that she is now a
widow
She makes this declaration for the pur-
pose of obtaining the County land to
which she may be entitled under the
"act approved march 3, 1855." and she
further declares that neither she nor her
husband has received or applied for
County land under this or any act of
congress - except that some two or
three years since she employed Mr.
Parker to make out an application for
her, which application and papers were
left in Mr. Parker's hands to send to
Washington, and which application she
believes were never forwarded to the
department.
Note, said applicant further states that her
maiden name was Anna Jackson, and
that her fathers family, and the said Rob-
ert Hamilton, and his fathers family--
went together the time of "The big run--
away".  That the said Robert Hamilton
and his fathers family stoped (stopped) at North-
umberland, and that both families re-
turned to their present place, of my ressidence (residence)after the
war - except that father of Robert
Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton) who was
killed by the indians a few miles from
Northumberland.  Said applicant says she
staid (stayed) in Northumberland from before harvest
until fall of 1778 but much of her
testimony is founded on what she heard
at the time and since from her hus-
Page 24

band and others who were conversant
with those times of the truth of which
She has not the smallest doubt.
Anna Hamilton
We John Cook and Mary Cook residents of Pine
Creek Township County of Clinton State of Pennsylvania upon
our Oaths of Affirmation do declare that the foregoing
declaration was signed and acknowledged by Anna
Hamilton in our presence; and that we know from personal
knowledge of from thirty to sixty years, and 
Statements
of the Applicant that She is the identical person she
represents herself to be and is still a widow.
May 27th AD 1858
John Cook
Mary Cook
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn
to and subscribed before me on the day and Year above
Written as I certify that I know the affiants to be
credible persons; that the claimant is the person she
represents herself to be, and is still a widow; and
that I have no interest in this claim.
S. M .Quiggle J.P.
Page 25

State of Pennsylvania
Clinton County SS
I Robert Irwine Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of
Clinton in Said State, do hereby Certify that
S. M. Quiggle Esq. before whom the within affi
davits was made and who has there unto sub
scribed his name was at the time of so doing &
Still is a duly Commissioned and acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County, and duly
authorized by the laws of this State to adminis
ter such Oaths, and to all whose acts as such
full faith & credit are tought (thought) to be given.
In Testimony where of I have
here unto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said Court
this 27th day of May 1858
Robert Irwine Prothy
Page 26

December 5, 1938
Mr. Bryan Hamilton, Supt. (crossed out)
Randolph County Schools, Supt (hand written)
Elkins, West Virginia
BA-J/AWF
Robert Hamilton
W. 7668
Robert Hamilton
W. 5293

Dear Sir:
The data which follow concerning Robert Hamilton,
were obtained from papers on file in claims for pension
and bounty land based upon his military service in
the Revolutionary War. W. 7668 (handwritten)

Robert Hamilton was born September 12, 1760 or
1763, place not stated.  He was the son of Alexander
Hamilton, who was killed by the Indians in the year
1781 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; Alexander
Hamilton's widow (her name not given) married sometime
in 1782 "a Mr. Price or Trice", she died in the
month of January 1820.  The said Alexander Hamilton's
younger brother, whose name is not shown, died in
the year 1784.

Robert Hamilton, while residing with his father
on a farm in Northumberland County (which was later
Clinton County), Pennsylvania, was stationed under
his father, Captain Alexander Hamilton, at "Horns
Fort" a short distance below the Great Island, until
sometime in July, 1778, when they were driven by the
Indians, which was known as the "Big Runaway" down
the West Branch f the Susqhehanna, and reached the
town of Northumberland a few days after the Wyoming
Massacre, where Robert Hamilton under his father,
Captain Alexander Hamilton, served as a private under
Colonels Cookson Long, Hartley, and Hunter, and
assisted in building three forts, and did much scout
Page 27

2-
duty and guard duty, until his father was killed
by the Indians sometime in the year, 1781, and he,
Robert Hamilton, continued to serve at various
time in the Pennsylvania militia, until the close
of the war, during his service he was in General
Sullivan's Campaign against the Indians.

Robert Hamilton married June 13, 1791 in
Clinton County, Pennsylvania, Anna Jackson; they
were married at the residence of her father.  The
said Anna Jackson was born January 25, 1768 in
Orange County, New York; the names of her parents
are not given.  She stated that her father settled
in Northumberland County, Pennsylania, in 1773.

Robert Hamilton died at his residence in Pine
Creek Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, June
9, 1845.

His widow, Anna Hamilton, was allowed one (one)
hundred sixty acres of bounty land on her application
executed May 27, 1858.  She was allowed pension on
her application executed October 27, 1858, then a
resident of Pine Creek Township, Pennsylvania, where
she had lived for sixty-seven years, and at that time
three daughters were living with her; names of two
daughters not designated, onee (one) daughter named Priscilla.

the following data relative to the children of 
Robert Hamilton, and wife, Anna, are show in the
claim:

Alexander  born March 10, 1792
Eley born October 6, 1793
Elizabeth born July 15, 1795
Anna Hannah born August 11, 1797, died August 31, 1797
Anna Hannah born August 5, 1798
John born October 14, 1800
Mary born November 25, 1802
Robert born January 31, 1805
Priscilla born May 21, 1807
Page 28

3-
Data concerning children of Robert Hamilton, and
wife, Anna, continued- 

James Jackson born June 16, 1809
William born August 1, 1811.

Alexander Hamilton married, in April, 1831, Ann Maria
Morison; Alexander Hamilton died January 28, 1851;
Reverend Jno. H. Grier married, in January , 1831,
Eley Hamilton;
James J. Hamilton married (date not given) Sarah
Coats; 
Abraham Lanshe (?) married July 1, 1825, Anna H. Hamilton;
John Hamilton married October 28, 1828, Hannah Smith;
Robert Hamilton married, in July, 1830, Annah Worley;
William Hamilton married September 11, 1837, Julia
Ann Magiffin (?)

Robert H. Grier was born May 15, 1833;
Eley Grier dies September 13, 1836;
Sarah Hamilton died June 20, 1852, in the forty-fourth
year of her age;
Anna Hamilton (Jr,) died November 13, 1857, aged
fifty-three years;
Robert Hamilton, Jr., son of Alexander Hamilton, died
January 5, 1843, aged twelve years, two months, and
four days.

John Hamilton, the son of the soldier, Robert
Hamilton, and wife, Anna, was living in 1858 in Pine
Creek Township, Pennsylvania.

It was stated in 1858, that the youngest son of
Robert Hamilton, and wife, Anna, had been for twenty
years a Missionary "among our Western Indians", and
their son, James Jackson Hamilton, was a Presbyterian
Minister, in 1859.

John and Alexander Hamilton, brothers of the
soldier, Robert Hamilton, served with him during 
the Revolution, the brother, Alexander, died about the
Page 29

4-
close of the Revolution.

Reference was made to James Jackson, brother of
the widow, Anna Hamilton, living during the Revolution;
she, also, had a married sister living during the war,
name of sister not given.

Reverend John H. Grier gave his postoffice in
1858, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

The papers on file in these claims contain no
further discernible data in regard to family.

If you desire information in regard to the
location of the land referred to herein, you should
apply to The Commissioner of the General Land Office,
Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data:

Warrant #83513 - 160 acres - Act of 1855.

In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and address of person paid, and
possibly the date of death of this widow, you should
apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting
Office, Records Division, Washington D. C., and
furnish the following date-

Anna Hamilton, widow of Robert Hamilton
Certificate #6455
Issued April 9, 1859
Rate $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1848
Act of February 2, 1848
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Agency.

Robert Hamilton - W. 5292
The data which follow relative to this Robert
Hamilton were obtained from paper on file in claim
Page 30

5-
for pension, W. 5293, based upon his military service
in the Revolutionary War.

Robert Hamilton was born May 16, 1760, place
not stated, nor are the names of his parents given.

While residing in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,
Robert Hamilton served in 1776, about six months in
the Flying Camp, no further details of this service
given.  He enlisted at Trenton, New Jersey, late in
December, 1776, served as private and corporal in
Captains Matthew Henderson's, Grant's, and John
Seeley's companies, part of the time in Colonel Richard
Butler's Ninth Pennsylvania regiment; he was in the
battle of Brandywine, where wounded, nature of wound
not stated, in the battles of Germantown, Monmouth,
Stony Point, surrender of Cornwallis, and many skir-
mishes, and continued to serve until the close of the
war, was discharged at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Robert Hamilton had moved to Ohio, in 1812.  He
was allowed pension on his application executed May
14, 1818, at which time he was living in Warren
County, Ohio.  He was living in 1820 in Lebanan,
Warren County, Ohio, and in 1828, was a resident of
Turtle Creek Township, Ohio.

Robert Hamilton married April 30, 1781, "Susianiah";
her maiden name is not given, and there are no further
details in regard to her.  He married February 23, 1792
in either Greene or Washington County, Pennsylvania,
Ann Hays.  She was born February 8, 1768, place not
stated, nor are the name of her parents shown.

Robert Hamilton died February 24, 1841.

His widow, Ann Hamilton, was allowed pension on
her application executed March 29, 1841, at which time
she was living in Union Township, Warren County, Ohio.

Robert Hamilton and his wife, Ann, reared a family
Page 31

6-
of children, only name designated, was William H.
Hamilton, who was forty-seven years of age in 1841,
and a resident of Warren County, Ohio.

One William Hamilton in 1904 referred to this
soldier, Robert Hamilton, as his grandfather.

The papers on file in this claim contain no
further discernible data in regard to family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment 
of pension, name and address of person paid, and
possibly the date of death of this widow, you should
apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting
Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C. , and
furnish the following data

Ann Hamilton, widow of Robert Hamilton
Certificate #4753
Issued January 30, 1844
Rate $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1843
Act of March 3, 1843
Ohio, Cincinnati Agency.

Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 32

290.673 Act March 3, 1855
May 27, 1858

Anna Hamilton, widow of
Robert Hamilton - private.

Capt. Hamilton or Chatham.
Col Hartley.
Pa. Mil.
Revolutionary War.
Original brief enclosed.

Hon. A. White,
Lock Haven, 
Pa.
Page 33

December 5, 1938

BA-J/AWF
Robert Hamilton
W. 7668
Robert Hamilton
W. 5293

Mr. Bryan Hamilton, Supt. (crossed out)
Randolph County Schools. Supt. (hand written)
Elkins, West Virginia

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to Robert
Hamilton, soldier of the Revolution, who married
a Miss Brooks of Pennsylvania, son William Ham-
ilton.

You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary
War records of two soldiers named Robert Hamilton,
both of whom served from Pennsylvania.

It is hoped that these records will be of
interest to you.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 34

RANDOLPH COUNTY SCHOOLS
BRYAN HAMILTON, SUPERINTENDENT
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA
Received date stamp of Oct 8 1938
(Handwritten on side)  
None of N.Y.
or Va (W. Va)
(unless it is somewhere
(illegible) in papers) and these
are the only (illegible)

October 25, 1938
Pension Bureau
Revolutionary War Section
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen: -
We are trying to trace to Revolutionary
War Records a Robert Hamilton, from some meager
records and recollections we have of him.  It
seems that he landed in New York City before the
Revolution when that city was just a little village
and joined the Revolutionary War.  After he got
out of the army he married a Miss Brooks in Penn-
sylvania and to this union was born eight boys and
two girls.  Aaron, James, Benjamin, David, William,
John, Robert, Sarah and Rose.  It also seems that 
he died in 1843.

I am sending you some material copied from
old letters for possible information.

"That with two brothers he landed in New
York.  He joined the army and never again saw
his brothers.  After the war he married a girl, a
Miss Brooks in Pennsylvania.  Later they moved to
Virginia.  He lived in the vicinity of Burning
Springs, but had lived in Preston County many years."

The father of William Hamilton was Robert
Hamilton and his wife a Miss Brooks whom he
married in Pennsylvania after the Revolutionary War."

"I received your very welcome letter which
was a great surprise to me, but I recollect you
very well.  I can answer a few of your questions, but
two or three I cannot.  Grandfather and two brothers
landed in New York City before the Revolution when
that city was just a little village and Grandfather
joined the Revolutionary War, left his brother there
Page 35

RANDOLPH COUNTY SCHOOLS
BRYAN HAMILTON, SUPERINTENDENT
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA
-2-

and never heard from them.  After he got out of the
army he married a miss Brooks in Pennsylvania, to
that union was born 8 boys and 2 girls.  Just how
they fit in I can't say:  Aaron, James, Benjamin,
David, William, John, Robert, Sarah and Rose.
Grandfather lived several years in Preston County.
I don't think Grandfather's parents ever came to
America.  I never heard of that.  Your grandfather
died in 1843.  I was 4 years old.  I recollect
that as well as if it were yesterday.  I am 90 since
September 4, (1929(."

This information in quotations was taken from
notes and letters mostly from James H. Hamilton, a
grandson of Robert Hamilton.  this grandson seemed to
be 90 years old when he wrote these notes in 1929.

We shall certainly appreciate it very much if you
will help us find more information about him and his
family.
With kindest regards and best wishes I am

Cordially yours,

Bryan Hamilton
Superintendent of Schools

BH:JC
Page 36

1938 Dec 5 (illegible) to Bryan
Hamilton (illegible)  M
Revolutionary War
WIDOW, &c.
File No.  7668
Anna Hamilton
Widow
Robert Hamilton
 Pvt. Rev. War (blanked out)
Act: Feby, 2, 1848
Index:--Vol A Page 305
(Arrangement of 1870)
Page 37

Nov. 19-1902
Gertrude Hamilton
Easton PA
Page 38

9715
Pennsylvania
Anna Hamilton
widow of Robert,
who was a private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 9th day of April 1859
and sent to

Jas J Hamilton
Present
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and
June 17, 1844]

Recorded in Book 26

Vol. H Page 125
Page 39

11.880

Pennsylvania
Anna Hamilton,
widow of Robert
who died on the
of      in the State of
who was a private in the      commanded
by Captain      of the          commanded
by             In the Revolution
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Phila
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of
April 1859 and sent to
Jas J. Hamilton
Present
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-Annual allowance ending

Revolutionary Claim
Act July 7, 1838

Recorded by G. J. Getty Clerk
Book H Vol. 1 page 106
Page 40

125 Pine Creek February 20th 1806
The Commonwealth Assault and battery
SS on William Williams Esq
Sebastion Shade james (Defendant crossed out)
Sebastion Shade james
(illegible) bound ins $50.0 
John White as surety 50.0
upon condition that it the Sebastion
Shade shall personly (personally) apear (appear) at the
next court of general quarter sessions
of the peace to be held at William (illegible)in and
for the County of Lycoming then and there to
answer such matters and things as may be objected
against him on behalf of the Commonwealth for
assaulting and beating a certain Wm Williams
and (illegible) to and shall in the mean
time keep the peace and be of good behavior towards the
sd (said) Wm Williams and not depart the sd (said) Court
without licence license) the above recompence to be void
otherwise the sd (said) several sums of money to be
levied of your goods and chattels Land, and
tenements.  Respectly (respectively) to the use of the common set
are you content.
Willaim Williams prosecuted and bound in evidance $30 -
Wm (William) Black bound in $30  is to give evidence
on (illegible) the Common Wealth on behalf of the
Commonwealth against a certain Sebastion Shade james
for assault and battery on the sd (said) Williams
to appear at Williams (crossed out) the next court of (illegible) to
be held at Willams pond
of Band Construction fees $1.39 
justices fees ---- 0.62
beside the of recompence
taken and acknowledged the Day above writen (written)
Robert Hamilton
Page 41

February 14th 1806
James Bealy for the use of
J. Alexander Watson

George M Quigley junior}
amicable suit                  12
Debt by Excepted order
of two Dollars $2-0
Judgement consest
by the Department for the 
above Debt--interest  -3

March 29nd Exetention I used to John Quigley
Const. Cost------------0-30
August 2nd receive of george Quigley two
Dollars and fifty cents
August 26th paid the debt in full to
Richard Martin on an order dated August the 22nd 1806--------------$2-0

February the 14th 1806
James McFadden admin.
to the Estate of Mary Gamble
Deceased
James Gamble} 
amicable suit
Debt by balance
of note Date (ink splotch) th Day
of November 1804 of
Seven pounds thirteen Shillings and three pence-------------------$20-13
Judgement Contest by the
Defendant for the above Debt.
September the 8th 1806 the (next three lines crossed off and unreadable)
June the 27th the plaintiff
acknowledges he has Received 
the above Debt in full---------$25.81
and interest
Page 42

Sold By
John C. Clark & Son
68 Deck Street
Philadelphia

To the Honorable the Senate and House
of Representatives of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in Generally assembly met

The Petition of the Subscriber an inhabi
tant of Lycoming County Respectfully represents
That he and his brother John Hamilton, with
a number of others under the command of their
Father the late Captain Alexander Hamilton
were stationed at what was called Homes Fort
a short distance below the Great Island, which
post they continued to occupy and defend from
a short time after the commencement of the
Indian War, until the abandonment of the said
Fort in July 1778, a period of extreme danger
and alarm, when busy and wakeful intelligence
brought almost daily information of Indian
depredation or Masacre (Massacre) somewhere; That
they then moved down the N. Branch of the
Susquehanna, in company with many others
with the intention of seeking a place of greater
safety in some of the more interor (interior) Settlements
of the Country. That they arrived at the
Town of Northumberland a few days after
the Masacre (Massacre) at Wyoming, where they were
met by about eighteen men, who with the
most pressing entreaties urged them to halt
at that place and make a stand for its
defence (defense) until other relief could be obtained.
That they with others accordingly did so.
That a short time thereafter written orders
were isued(issued) by Colonels Hunter and Hartley
designating
Page 43

designating Captain Chatham to the Command
of the Citizens of the Town, and their Father
the said Captain Hamilton to the Command of
those who had been driven down the Susque-
hanna with him, directing them to enroll and
organize their respective Companies, promising at
the same time they should be allowed the same
pay and rations then allowed to regular Soldiers
That your petitioner and his (Father crossed out) brother
John Hamilton, were under their Father, duly
Enrolled.  That they were employed and
continued to Labor themselves and with their
Team on the Fortifications, which consisted
of one large Fort and two smaller ones, until
they were completed.  That they did duty as
a Guard, and in Scouting parties whenever
alarm was given, danger menaced, or the safety
of the inhabitants required it, until September
1781 when their Father was killed by the
Indians, and occasionally afterwards, until the
close of the War, for which Services neither
they (the Petitioner and his Brother John Ham
ilton) nor their Father, nor a younger brother
who was enrolled at the same time, but is
since dead, ever received the smallest compen-
sation.  Your petitioners therefore both for
himself and for his brother John Hamilton
prays your honorable bodies to grant them
such compensation as you have heretofore
granted to others, for similar services, or
as you may deem equitable and just, and
as in duty bound he will ever pray to

Robert Hamilton
Page 44

Sold by
John C. Clark & Son
68 Dock Street
Philadelphia

Lycomng County SS
Personally appeared
before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the
Peace in and for said County, Richard Martin
and Thomas Martin, who being duly sworn ac-
cording to Law, doth depose and Say, That
they were well acquainted with Captain Alex-
ander Hamilton of Northumberland County, 
and State of Pennsylvania, that he with a num-
ber of others, were driven by the Savages from
near the Great Island, on the West Branch 
of the Susquehanna, a short time after the
Massacre of Wyoming.  That he together with
a number of others, made a halt (halt) of North-
umberland Town, and that about September
in the A. D. 1778, written orders were issued
By Colonel Hunter Commander of the Militia
of Northumberland County, and Colonel
Hartley of the Regular Army to Captain
Alexander Hamilton and Captain John
Chatham, directing them to enroll the Citi-
zens of the Town, together with those driven
as aforesaid, ordering them to Fortify the
Town, and make a stand and defend it,
and they were promised in those orders, that
they should be paid for their Services, and
that John and Robert Hamilton, persuant
to those orders were Enrolled and laboured
on the Fortifications until One Large Fort
and Two Small ones were finished, and
Guarded the Town, and Scouted in times
of danger and alarm, and continued
Page 45

on the Frontier to the end of the War, that
we the deponents applied to the Legislature
with those orders for compensation, with the
paper of Enrollment, and the last time
the said orders and paper of Enrollment
were seen by the deponents, was in the
Legislature Hall at Lancaster

Sworn and Richd (Richard) Martin
Subscribed before
me this Eighth Tho; (Thomas) Martin
day of January
in the year of our
Lord A.D. 1824.

Solomon Bastress
J.P. (handwritten seal)

I hereby certify that the forgoing is
a true and correct copy of papers presented
to the Legislature of Pennsylvania in the
year 1824, and which are now in file
in the House of Representative of Pennsyl-
vania.

I Quigley
Chief chm H of Reps
Page 46

13 Lycoming
Petitions
Robt. (Robert) & Jno (John) Hamilton
O.S. Relief

H. R. Jan. 24, 1824
claim-
Page 47

4
Sold by
John C. Clark and Sons
68 Dock Street
Philadelphia

No. 43-63- A.  (English pound sign) 4. 10. 0 Specie
I do hereby Certify that the State of Pennsyl-
vania is indebted to Robert Hamilton of
Northumberland County Militia in the sum of
Four pounds Ten Shillings specie with lawful
Interest from the First day of July one thousand
seven hundred and Eighty-three, the same being
due upon an account Settled in this Office
pursuant to An Act of Assembly passed the
First day of April 1784.
John Nicholson
Comptroller Generals
Office, 18 May 1785 

Auditor Generals Office
Harrisburg November 6th 1858

I do hereby Certify that the above
is a true and correct copy of the
original Certificate as the same
remains on file in this office.
In witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and caused to be affixed the Seal of the said
office the day and year above written
Wm (William) Q. Wallace, for
Jacob Fry Jr 
And./ (illegible)
Page 48

3-
Sold by 
John C. Clark & Son 
68 Dock Street 
Philadelphia

B. u.                                                            £  S  d 
119 146.62 Hendershott, Michl  John Boyd 1. 12. 0
147  4714 Heem Wm             John Boyd    10. 8
          19  Herold Geo.             ditto.              6. 8 


173 6023 Hunter Jas             ditto.         9. 12.6
177 4814  Hamilton Robert   ditto.         7. 10. 0
178 4474  House Saml.            ditto.      10. 2. 6
 
187 4312 Harnitt Saml.            ditto.      3. 15. 0
188  4336   Hessler Wm.         ditto.    9. 10. 0
189  4363  Hamilton Robert.   ditto.   4. 10. 0
123 6452 Hammond George Walter Clark  102. 3. 4

Auditor Generals Office
Harrisburg, November 6th 1838
Pennsylvania
I do hereby Certify that the above 
is a true and correct extract ("from a book" crossed off) as the same remain's of Record in this 
office in "Alphabet to 3 Ledgers, A. B. C." containing the accounts of funded debt Certificating, page, Number of Certificate, in whose name, the 
"agent and amount"-and that Certificate No. 4814 issued to 
Robert Hamilton for £7.10.0. cannot be found among the files of this office.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my Hand, and caused the Seal of the said office 
to be affixed the day and year above written.
Wm Q. Wallace for 
Jacob Fry Jr
Aud. Genl.
Page 49

[Illegible square stamp upper left corner]
"Return of the Fourth Battalion of 
Northumber-
land County Militia. Commanded by Colonel Cookson Long-1st May 1778
Captain Thomas Wilsons Company
Captains 1
Lieutenants 2
Ensigns 1
Sergeants 4
Drums Rank & file 40
Total 48
Captain Simon Cools Company
Captains 1
Lieutenants 2
Ensigns 1
Sergeants 2
Drums Rank & file 36
Total 42
Captain Joseph Newmans Company
Captains 1
Lieutenants 2
Ensigns 1
Sergeants 4
Drums Rank & file 35
Total 43
Captain Thomas Kemplens Company
Captains 1
Lieutenants 2
Ensigns 1
Sergeants 4
Drums Rank & file 38
Total 46
Captain William Hessburns Co
Captains 1
Lieutenants 2
Ensigns 1
Sergeants 4
Drums Rank & file 37
Total 45
Captain Alexander Hamiltons Co.
Captains 1
Lieutenants 2
Ensigns 1
Sergeants 4
Drums Rank & file 33
Total 41
Totals 265
I do Certify the above Returns to be just and true as
 I had them giveth me by the different Captains here 
mentioned- this Battalion never exceeded Six Companies 
and is now less than it was last fall by Sixty men 
on account of them leaving the Frontiers for
fear of the Indians
Saml. Hunter
Lieut. "
Page 50

Secretarys Office

Pennsylvania SS

I dohereby Certify that 
the within is a true and 
correct Copy of a Return after 
Fourth Battalion of North-
umberland County Militia 
as the same remaining on
 file in this office. 
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto 
set my Hand and caused the Seal of the Secretarys Office to be hereto affixed at Harrisburg this Sixteenth day of November 
in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight
Wm. M Wiester
Secretary of the Commity
Page 51

Sept 29 1858
Pine Creek Near Jersey Shore
Dear Sir-
My mother Anna Ham-
ilton, widow of Robert Hamilton, has
received a land warrant through Hon- (Honorable)
A. White.  She was told by Mr. White
that though she had received the warrant
the proof was not sufficient upon which
to grant her a pension.  I take the liberty
of stating to you the facts and such evi-
dence of fathers service as I have in hope (illegible) and will
receive it as a kindness if you will inform
me in what it is defective.
My father left this place in (company with others crossed out)
(on the W. Branch of the Susquehana (Susquehanna) 60 miles
above Northumberland) in company with all 
the inhabitance in 1778.  This was called the
"Big runaway".  At Northumberland they
were not (illegible) the inhabitance of the place
and entreated to stop and make a stand
against the enemy.  My father and many others
did so, while others went on.  Soon after
orders were issued by Colonel Hunter and
Hartley (colonel Hartley of the regular army,
appointed by Congress) for their enrolment, (enrollment) with
a promise of the same pay and rations as the reg
Page 52

-ular army - Under these orders my father
Robert Hamilton, was enrolled with two of
his brothers, under their father as captain.  Their
first service was building forts, scouting
parties and so forth.  The orders and en-rollment 
were at our time lost, but af-
terwards were found.  At present it is
questionable whether they can be found.
For very strong circumstansual (circumstantial) proof at least,
(if not conclusive) of his services, or of services
of so very limited period -- see but of as-sembly approved the eighth day of Feb 
1825, on page 25, granting him two hun-
dred dollars compensation in full for revolution-
ary services.  That this is the same Robert
Hamilton I think I can prove by living wit-nesses. His application for the two hundred
dollars, and his own deposition, and the deposition
of Thomas and Richard Martin, should
be in the office at Harrisburg, -Is there a
possibility of finding them?  That my mother
Anna Hamilton, to whom the warrant was
granted, is the widow of this same Robert Ham-
ilton is easy of proof.
I have letters and manuscripts of fathers that
would afford the most conclusion moral or
historical certainty of the account I have given
but that perhaps would not be the legal Certi-
Page 53

(illegible) you would need or require
I enclose a letter from brother James, it can
do no harm,-  The bundle of papers he speaks
of having first sent, I think never reached me.

This perhaps is a longer letter than business
men like to read, but I hope you will give
if your attention, and answer.
very respectfully
John Hamilton
Page 54

Harrisburg Nov 15 1858
Dear Sir,
I would not trouble
you with so long a letter were it 
not that the rejection of what I
conceived to be the principle testimony of my
fathers revolutionary services - threw
a dampness over me, that unfitted me
for making the full explanation I de-
sired. I fear too that the suspicion
excited in the mind of the gentleman
to whom you referred (referred) my mothers applica-
tion (Mr. Geddes, I believe) by evidence previ-ously in the department - turned his
attention for a considerable part of the time
he bestowed on my mothers claim, to points
and evidence which I could at once have
satisfied him, and I think did satisfy
him, did not refer to my father;, and
which I had no intention of claim-
ing. Mr. Geddes too referred to a
statement in my fathers petition to the
Legislature for compensation for revolu-
Page 55

tionary services, as evidence against
him.  That statement I looked upon as
a matter of history or introduction, and
that he claimed compensation only for
services after his enrollment at Northumber
land, under the orders of colonels Hunter
and Hartley, in the summer or fall of
1778.  And you will observe that in both
applications of mother, for land warrant
and pension, it is was for services render-
ed by my father after his enrollment at
Northumberland in '78.
The word drafted in mother's application may convey to your
mind a falsehood, which was not intend-
ed.  What I meant and what mother meant
is explained afterwards in a more particular
account where the word enrolled is used.
That he was not drafted in any sense of
the word during his whole service on the
frontier and about Northumberland in scout-
ing parties, which I believe must have a-
mounted to more than three of four times 
six months service - I am by no means
certain. Regular drafting was made at
Page 56

Pine Creek before the "Big runaway"in 1778
I know from my mothers account of the draft-ing of her oldest brother James Jackson
who hired a substitute.  My father I do
not claim was drafted in that sense.
If I understood Mr. Geddes he puts a
much lower estimate on the kind of service
performed by my father than it realy (really) deserves.
My father stood sentry.  This account I have
from his own lips.  He used at one time
to be placed in an old log house or cabin, he
thought the inside was not safe, and after
the office was gone he would take his stand
outside.  It strikes me that the loose ser-vice
contemplated by Mr. Geddes would not
agree with this fact.  Nor would it agree
with the testimony of the Messrs. martins, nor
with the statements of Colonel Hunter in his letters
to council - when he says "I have had the 
1 2 3 and part of the fourth classes of this
county Militia doing duty these two months past"
Dec 13 1779 page 117 - and "We have at this
time all the militia we can muster upon duty,
and constantly parties out" April 17, 1780
Page 57

4
How shall I believe that my father and
those associated with him, and enrolled with
him at Northumberland under the orders of colonels Hunter and Hartley, were on in-
cluded.
I do not think it strange that Mr. Geddes
should overlook - notwithstanding his famili-
arity with these things - some things that 
I look upon as of importance.  For when
I was introduced to him I have no doubt he
was impressed with a very unfavorable o- 
pinion of my mothers application.
I did not know on what evidence the land
warrant was granted until I came to Harrisburg,
nor really do I know yet - When I called for
the warrant Mr White was from home, and his
lady could only tell me that before Mr White
could get the warrant, he had to give his own
certificate.
It is objected by your department, that the
scouting service performed by my father and
others, though under the orders of State and
colonial colonels - was not regular militia
service, because those orders were not back-
Page 58

5
ed by law.  But did not the state after-wards
by granting compensation to my father
the Messrs.  Martins and others - make those 
orders
legal, and recognize those services as state
Militia services.
In this probably they differ from those
performed under Gen. Marion
That my father did not apply for a pension in
his lifetime should not be argued as an objection
The idea of a pension was then associated with
something not honorable.  And even with
My mother it was for some time a question of
propriety, but finally decided that if it was
the will of government to grant it, there was
no harm in receiving it.
Since I commenced this letter, Mr Chand
ler
has found evidence of the captancy (captaincy)
of Alexander Hamilton my grandfather
He found also a similar paper with Captain
Chathams name on it.  He thinks there
is no way of determining the date of the
service for which those certificates were
issued, the certificates in your possession.
Page 59

6
I have tryed (tried) to present the facts and
truth of this case fairly before your mind
it is for you to apply the law.  It seems
to me I can do no more than I have done
I think I have now made out a strong case
Indeed I have more proof than I expected to
get.  You will reflect that proof at
this late date is hard to get.  The muster
roll and orders were lost at the time
of my fathers application to the Legislature.
Verry (Very) respectfully
John Hamilton

You will excuse my simplicity for send-
ing you a copy of first draught of an
old letter my fathers own hand writing
J. Hamilton
Page 60

Act Penna Legislature
20th Feb 1819 granting
compensation to Richard
and Thomas Martin for rev-
olutionary services
Widow McCoy do.
March 29 1822

Robert Hamilton
Compensation do- 
Feb 8 1825 Page 25

John Hamilton
Jersey Shore
Lycoming Co- 
Pa
Page 61

Pine Creed May 27 1858
Mr. A. White
Dear sir,
Mother has 
made out a new application
for County land under the law
of '59 which we forward to you
Your offer to attend to it is receiv-
ed with thanks.  I hardly know
how to account for Mr Parker's neg-
lect to send the former application
that was made out.  It was put
in his possession to forward
That must have been three years ago
next fall.  The reason he gave for the
delay was, that for many applications
well ahead of it, that it would take
a long time to reach it, mother's.
If you have time to present this before
you return home, Mother will take
it as a great favor done her.  She de-
signs the warrant, if she gets it, for
Alexander's children, who are poor and
fatherless.  I see no good reason why
she may not get it, or is the evidence
of his being drafted not sufficient!
Is there no publick (public) record of the fact
Could he be employed under Colonel
Hartly, and not be in the United states
Service.  He worked at the forts on
Page 62

or redouts, stood sentry, and
and went (crossed out) was sent with scout-ing parties. All this, for a time at
least, under the orders of Colo- (Colonel) Hart-
ley.  I have heard him speak also of
Colo- (Colonel) Hunter, whether he had the com-
mand at Northumberland after the
arrival of my father, I cannot say
I am troubling you with too long
a letter, yours with esteem
John Hamilton

Pine Creek May the 27th: 1858
Mrs Sarah White
Dear madam except (accept) of my grateful thanks for your kind atention (attention)
and trouble in having the ofice (office) examined and sending us directions I will
Cheerfully pay you the expenses with thankfulness for these things.
your friend and well wishes  Anna Hamilton

My kindest regards and many thanks to Mr. White
and lady, for the seeds you sent me, they are
growing nicely.  Yours truly
Priscilla Hamilton

Mother thinks she is entitled to a warrant
for she and an old coloured (colored) woman are
the only persons now living in the country
who remembers the meeting of the 4 of July
76 at Pine Creek, she remembers it well.

Along the left hand side
290673
Anna Hamilton
and
Robert

Across the letter
Boynton
No Admin incl
Hon S white
Ho Refe
Page 63

Jersey Shore Nov 29 '58

Hon. George C. Whiting
Dear sir, I still
cannot help attaching importance
to that kind of revolutionary ser-
vice for which my father, Robert
Hamilton received compensation as
late as 1825.  It was a service la-
borious, self sacrificing necessary and im- portant.  It was not an uninterrupted
service, but it was a frontier service
that lasted through a number of years.  The
impression I received of it from reading
my fathers petition to the legislature
was feeble and tame, compared with
that I received from reading the corres-pondence of Hunter, Hartley Maclay President
Reed, and others of that date of the revolu-
tion.  It may strike you as highly im-
probable that so much would be done 
without pay, as my father states.  But
the regular troops were poorly paid,
the regular militia still worse.  And then
it must be remembered a spirit of
liberty and patriotism persuaded the
people, and it was this sustained the rev-olution, and not mearly (merely) the devotion
Page 64

and perseverance of a few leading men and
officers.  The hardships and privations endu-red by the soldiers throughout the revolution,
and the frequent meetings and resolves of
the people about the time of, and previous
to the declaration of independence - is proof
That my father or at least my grandfather
Alexander Hamilton was no stranger to this
feeling is proven by a well established pice (piece)
of history.  His name is preserved as one
among others of his neighbors who held
a meeting on the banks of Pine creek
on the fourth of July 1776 and passed
resolutions declaring themselves and the
country free and independent of Great Brit
ain. The remarkable coincidence of this 
with the national declaration made it
remembered.  I have often heard my
father say that in those exciting times he
had a great desire to kill an indian.
Such a desire was far from being in harmo-
ny with his naturally amiable disposition
maybe I ought to say; graciously amia-
ble, for he was an exemplary chris-
tian.  Though his father was killed
I never heard him utter the least senti-
ment of revenge.
Pennsylvania acknowledged her inability
Page 65

to pay her troops, and after the war, made
provision for the payment of the ranging
companies or seven mouths men, in certif-icates bearing interest, and transferable.  And
at a later period she granted gratuities to
some, and compensation to others, as in the
care of the Messrs Martins, my father, and
others.
I hope you will remember that the two
hundred dollars granted to my father, was
compensation for revolutionary services.
The Messrs Martins, Painter and Hoffman
who received also two hundred dollars
were citizens of Northumberland town, and
were in some measure defending their
own homes.  My grand fathers family were
driven from theirs, which was 60 miles a-
bove Northd.(Northumberland).  Their house, sheep, hogs
300 busels (bushels) of his corn in the crib, twenty
acres of corn in the ground, oats and spring
wheat in the ground were destroyed (one
of my fathers letters)  This was all left
after defending it as long as prudence and the
love of home dare venture.
Compensation was only asked for servi-
ces in defence (defense) of the frontiers, under the
orders of competent colonels who acted
under general instructions, and it was
given to but one of the family, when at least
Page 66

three of the family rendered equal service.
And for the service of one only has a pen-
sion been applied for
If you are obliged to apply the law in its
strictest letter to this part of my fathers ser-
vice would it not seem hard to put the
strictest construction on the two certificates
of pay of some 7 and 4 pounds.
Can it be acertained (ascertained) whether those certificates
were for a balance, or given for the whole
amount?
Very respectfully 
John Hamilton

What I mean by regular militia is
six months militia, the two months
militia may also have been regular mi-
litia.  These things are new to me.
J. Hamilton

Commissioner
of
Pensions
Page 67

Jersey Shore
Dec 7 1858
Dear Sir,
I received your letter
of Nov 27 a few days ago.  You state
that the theory of the office is "That
the legal service of Robert Hamilton
was confined to that certified by the
authorities of Pennsylvania, which is not
sufficient to authorize the allowance of the
pension claim".  Sufficient in amount I
understand.
Perhaps I have been laboring under a
misapprehension, supposing your department
possesed (possessed) in some degree the powers of a
court of equity.  But if only ministerial,
and can admit of no evidence but that
which is absolute of service "under legal
organization - then I have been at much
useless expense for commonwealth seals and
copying.  Of course I cannot blame any one
but myself.
The return showing Captain Alex. Ham-
ilton to have been a militia captain in May
1778.  I thought would be evidence that he
was a similar captain in Aug or Sept. when
orders were isued (issued) to him by Hunter and Hart-
ley at Northumberland - and not merely a
Page 68

3 Note
"Four fifths of the inhabitants fled with such
effects as they could cary (carry) from this country (crossed out)
country" Letter of colo (colonel) Hartley Aug 1
1778.  My father says in one of his let-
ters - "That many that were driven from
the West Branch, and were enrolled and
worked at the forts, went off down the
river in the fall after the citizens of the
town began to return and demand their hous-
es -- and that he remembered but
five families of those who were driven from the
West Branch - that remained on the frontier
of North (Northumberland) during the war, and the heads
of three of those were killed by the indians
J H -
Page 69

foreman set over some workmen at building forts and
who are sometimes called captain, as was mod-
estly suggested by your department.
I do not suppose the orders of colonels Hunter
and Hartley would be legally binding upon
him, until he voluntarily accepted them, as
they would have been had he been legal-
ly called or drafted into actual service 
One no more familiar with these things than
I am, would with difficulty see the difference
between the merit of this voluntary service under the
directions of proper colonels, at that pressing and
distracted period - and the merit of regular  le-
gal service.
Do not understand me that I suppose my
father was not legally drafted during the whole
time he was on the frontiers of Northumberland
I have been unable to find the Militia law of that
date, but I think two months tours, was
legal militia service.
I have written to Harrisburg to have another
search made.
Very respectfully
John Hamilton

My mother thinks you have not given the tes-timony of the Messer Martins its due weight
Nor the testimony of the legislature of Pa.
Page 70

Act. of Assembly approved the eighth day of February
1825, on page 25.
Page 71

Brief in the case of Anna Hamilton, widow of Robert Hamilton-
County and State of Pennsylvania.
act July 7, 1838.
Claim ("original" or "for increase.")(for increase crossed out)
Proof exhibited, (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls! If either, state the substance.
Claimants' husband performed more than two
years' service on the frontier of Pennsylvania during
the revolutionary war, as private. This is known
by documentary and satisfactory parol evidence.
He earned in 1825, $200 for (crossed out) as pay for said services.
Marriage, in 1791, shown by original
entries in family record, are satisfactorily
(If for Increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
authenticated.   Present widowhood proved
by parol
Admitted by order of Commissioner

James I. Hamilton (illegible)
Present
Name and residence of Agent
R. Geddes
Examining Clerk.
Page 72

[document appears to be left and right sides of ledger with strip of additional paper laid over left side perpendicular to ledger page.]

[left page of ledger]
ecie.
is in:
 tho
of
Nine
[ ]eciation
ust 1t
sed at
1780
st, A.
er A.
,,
-------1780.
silent Do Acknowl=
n and Captain
e, the Several sums
July 1t 1784, bear=
81, Signed by
{ ] Balance

[right page of ledger]
Auditor Genls Office
Pennsylvania JS
I do hereby testify that 
the accompanying Copies
are true and correct, as
the same remain' of 
Record in' this office viz.
Extract No.1. in Book
Containing Miscellaneous
Certificates Extract
No. 2 in Book entitled
"Pay Roll B." page 30.
and Extract No. 3. Copy of 
an original paper, all of
which are of Record in
the Office of the Auditor
General at Hamsburg
Pennsylvania.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto
set my Hand and caused the Seal of
the said Office to be affixed at Hamsburg
this Tenth day of August in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight (1858) and
of the Commonwealth the Eighty. third

[slip of paper laid over left page of ledger]
Reading May 16th 1781.  Then Received of James
Stevenson Esq. Commissioner, Twenty-nine pounds which
with Two pounds fifteen Shillings Received at Trenton
makes one third of the within Certificate
Robt. Hamilton Corpl. [could be Capt]
==============================
Page 73

[Image appears to be cut-off left page and right page of ledger]

[left side of page]
o, the Several Sums
July 1t 1784, bear=
81, Signed by
ng for the Balance
Pay &c. to January
-------------
Signers.
-------------
Henry Crone
James Mathers
Robt. Hamilton
Philip Hersh
,,
================
he Certificate dated
and twenty-one
Robert Hamilton
alienated not
,,
ty
od
Robt. Hamilton,

[right side of page]
set my hand and caused the Seal of
the said Office to be affixed at Hamsburg
this Tenth day of August in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight (1858) and
of the Commonwealth the Eight-third
Jacob Fry. Jr.
Audt Genl
Page 74

[Image appears to be the left page of a bi-fold ledger]
No. 1
"
No. 200. Certificate for £95.18.9. S
We do Certify that the State of Pennsylvania
debted to Robert Hamilton, Corporal of
Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment, in the Sum
Ninety-five Pounds, Eighteen Shillings and
Pence Specie, being the amount of the Dep
of his Pay, from January 1st 1777, to Aug
1780. pursuant to An Act of Assembly pay
Philadelphia the 18th day of December
Reading
April 6th 1781.
Henry Chn
Henry Hall
======================
No. 2.,,
Ninth.....Regiment.....
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subs
edge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bow
Ercurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Lin
opposite our names respectively in Certificates dated
ing Interest at Six per cent from January the 1st 17
John Pierce Commissioner and described as below, be
of a Settlement between the United States and us Sev
Page 75

We and each of us whose names are hereunto subse 
edge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bow
Ercurius Beatty, agents for the late Pennsylvania Lin 
opposite our names respectively in Certificates dated 
ing Interest at Six per cent from January the 1st 17 
John Pierce Commissioner and described as below, be 
of a Settlement between the United States and us for 
1st 1781.

Date of Issues August 17, 1784
No. of Certificates  68.218
Letters L
Names Henry Crone
Dollars 50
Cents ..
Date of Issues August 16, 
No. of Certificates 68.220
Letters N
Names William Maud
Dollars 50
Cents ..
Date of Issues March 27th 1787
No. of Certificates 68.221
Letters P
Names Robt, Hamilton
Dollars 36
Cents 60
Date of Issues April 22d 1785
No. of Certificates 68.222
Letters R
Names John Hersh
Dollars 36
Cents ..
No. 3
"I Robert Hamilton do Swear that t
July 1st 1784, Numbered Sixty-eight thousand two hundred
for Thirty Six dollars and Sixty 
ninetieths payable to 
(Penna Luce) and signed by John Pierce has not been 
transferred, but is really and bona fide my prope
Sworn on the Holy Evangelists
March 28th 1787. before 
J. B. Smith P2. B. le.
So help me G
Page 76

Auditor General's Office,
Harrisburg; Pa., Augt (August) 20th 1858
Hon: Allison White
Sir,
The signature of Robt. (Robert) Ham-
ilton, attached to the accompanying paper, said to be
taken from a Docket kept by the said Robert du-
ing his life time, has been carefully compared by
us with the original signatures found in "Pay
Roll B"; pertaining to the War of the Revolution,
and on the back of Certificate in Miscellaneous Book
relating to the same War.  Certified Copies of
which are herewith forwarded, and we are
satisfied that the signatures have all been
written by the same person.
Jacob Fry 
Asst. (Assistant) Genl (General)
Wm (William) Q Wallace
Chief Clerk
Page 77

2
To William Clark, Esqr
Treasurer of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Refr. (Reference)
I understand that an Act has passed
the present Session of the Legislature of this State,
granting me two hundred dollars for Services rendered
during the revolutionary War.  Be so good Sir, as to
send the same by Robert MClure Esqr and this shall
be your receipt.
Robert Hamilton
March 10, 1825
Treasury Office, April 12, 1825 - Received of William
Clark Jr. Two hundred dollars, granted to the afore
named Robert Hamilton, per Act of the 8th of February
1825.
Robt. (Robert) MClure
#200
[Endorsed]
Jersey Shore Pa
Paid 12 1/2
March 12
Robert M Clure Esqr.
Member of the Legislature
Harrisburg, Pa
Auditor Generals Office
Harrisburg. November 5, 1858
I hereby certify the above to be a true
copy of paper, on file in this dept. (department)
and its endorsement.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand
and cause to be affixed the seal of office the day and year above written
Wm Q Wallace, for J. Fry Jr
Aud. Genl.

Along the side of the document
No. 972
Robert Hamilton
# 200.
Page 78

Pine Creed Clinton ct (county) November 13 1858
Dear son John
I received yours of the
Eight last night believing you would leave there
before (before crossed out) I could have time to get the Power of
Attorney wording to your directions, if you secure
it, or Mr Cook will go as soon as he is well enough.
Your questions about John Boyd I presume was Johnny
Boyd of Northumberland he was always called Johnny (the crossed out)
by the Northumberlands and his aquaintances (acquaintances) it distinguished
him from (John Boyd who lived where Harrisburg now is)
your Father was with him in labour and defending the
the Town him and his brother were looked upon as
great soldiers till his brother was taken prisoner and
barbarously murdered by the indians having his finger
and toe nails pulled out before they put fire to him they
new him.  I was aquainted (acquainted) with that John Boyd he was
a popular and useful (useful) (man crossed out) Citizen travelled much
him and Colonel Bull was at my fathers (illegible) a full week
before he married Col_Bulls Daughter, your father
and he often met as old friends I dont remember that
to he ever did anything for him or was ever (illegible)
ever desired to do it. this is done in hast excuse it
Anna Hamilton
Page 79

your family are all well and all
the rest I am going to the Store
to mail this and get John Lawshe
go security for her if he is at home
D.H
you know my site (sight) is bad and the day dark
A.H.
Page 80

Pine Creek December 19 1858
Mr. John Robb
Sir
I have read your of the 27 (illegible)
I prsume (presume) you are a Lawer (Lawyer) speak all on one
side and that not in my favour, (favor) by what
ingenuity have you discovered that my husband, was
not in the war service six months, is your (lined out)
does your Calculations of the small (small) sum found due
him produce Clearer evidence in your minds that he
was not in the service six months then all that can
be given that he was three years which is the true state
of the case.  I well remember what was Called Sullivan
Campain (Campaign) up the North Branch it was spoken of by all
in general as an expensive labour (labor) and unprofitable trip
allmost (almost) ridiculous. there were many boats built at 
illegible Called Continental boats my father worked
at them they got their rashing and pay they were
loaded with provision and other things for the Sulivan
Army. I heard my husband say his father and his
buddies were bulding (building) the same at Nothumber. (Northumberland). they went up (up with crossed out) the boats and the Army I knew not that their father
did. they were much blamed for taking away so many
men from Northumberland a frontier so exposed
to the enemy that they dare not go out but in company
with a guard
Page 81

they went up destroyed some wigwams and
and some corn and came down again, with 
what Military honors they had earned. That was
quite a different Company from the Northumberland
Militia.  no doubt they were paid off, and if some balance remains
due and was acknoleged (acknowledged) as his righht. (right.) Could a City Lower
in a new factor such a case to show how long a time a (illegible)
malisha (militia) men had served and that he had received all
he was entitled to but them four dolars (dollars) and make it
evidence to deprive him of whith (with) the laws of his country made
for the suffer in the war.  I was carelys (careless) about trying for a
prepetion, (petition), but often told I was entitled to one might easy
get something if I aplyd (applied) I never did, till now John Hamilton
has been doing something, I believe he finds it troublesome
and Costly.  you see I am not caleble (capable) of writing except
to my children that can look over all my blunders
and I thought it due to the Pention (Pension) offier (officer) to have some
knowlage (knowledge) of the penson (pension) they are working for or against
please excuse me and hand this to Mr. Robb, if he ever
Comes this way in my time I would thank him to
call. he may easely (easily) find me.  I have been living on the same
spot of ground, the same house sixty seven years 67
Anna Hamilton
Page 82

Nov 17 1858
Jersey Shore
Dear sir
My mother sent to me
a letter directed to your care in
Washington city, containing a power
of attorney and a statement as I had
requested it of her, of what she knew
about John Boyd.  It seems
there was one John Boyd of Northum-
berland a well known and trustworthy
man, with whom my father was accuainted (acquainted)
but she does not remember of any trans-
action of business between them
You are at liberty to open the letter
and return me the power of attorney
Evidence of pay to Capt. (Captain) Alex. Ham-ilton might have been found at Harrisburg
but the book was sent out to be (illegible)
What I sent I thought sufficient on that
front
You must not conclude that this is
my application, and not really my moth-
ers.  She is an active woman of her
age, 91 next January.  She converses
Page 83

cheerfully, knits, reads, and writes
letters - many to her youngest son
who has feen a a missionary for
twenty years among our western
Indians.  She thinks too that we
are besetting you about as hard as
the poor widow beset the unjust
judge.  Your advice not to give this
business into the hands of an agent, is re-
membered with greatfulness (gratefulness) -
Very respectfully
John Hamilton
Jersey Shore
Lycoming County
Pa
Page 84

Jersey Shore Lycoming Co. Pa Nov 12th 1858
To his Excelency, (Excellency) James Buchannan, (Buchanan)President
of these United States
Honored Dear Sir!
A friend
and neighbor of mine has recently addressed a
line to me from Harrisburg, requesting a letter,
from the undersigned, of introduction to your
Excelency (Excellency) - Mr. John Hamilton, his Mother, as
The Widow of Robt. (Robert) Hamilton Esq Deceased, is
making application for the benefits of some
of the acts passed in favour (favor) of those who
were engaged in our Revolutionary Struggles,
I have been intimately acquainted with
Mr Robt. (Robert) Hamilton and his Widow, and indeed
I may say his family since AD 1813 - and I
have often heard Him speaking of the services
he performed in the vicinity of Northumberland
& Sunbury - particularly, in preparing places
of defence, the Indians killed his Father in that
neighbourhood (neighborhood) - and I have often heard them
speak of their marriage by the Rev John Brison
who was located some 40 miles distant.  She
would not agree to be married by a justice
of the Peace - They raised a numerous family, two
Sons are ministers of The Gospel, in our connection, one
of them has been, for many years, a missionary
among the Indians - Mrs Hamilton is one
of the most intelligent in our community, The
old Lady and three of her Daughters live together,
and by their own industry, obtain, the principal
part, of their living - As there are some who
have attempted to impose upon the Government
by fradulent (fraudulent) applications, Mr J Hamilton as He
Page 85

is not acquainted with the transaction of
business of this kind and as the Old Lady is
some what late in making application, Mr
J Hamilton is apprehensive, that a full hearing
may not be granted to Him.  Hence, the
cause of my troubling you with this communica-
tion.
Your Exelency (Excellency) and your humble
servant, since the days of our entering upon
the active duties of life have passed through
a great variety of scenes, many of them well
calculated to impress our minds with the
goodness of our Maker and kind Preserver -
many of our old associates have left us & entered
upon the realities of eternity, and according to the course
of nature, we too, must expect that our earthly labours (labors)
will soon terminate, may They, thro the grace and
goodness of our God be such; as will secure
to us the plaudit of well done, good and faithful
servants enter Thou into the joys of thy Lord
is the prayer of your old class mate
John H Grier

The Rev. (Reverend) John H Grier has been long and intimately known to
Me from our boyish days.  He is a venerable and respectable
man and would not for any human consideration state what
he knew (to be so - crossed out) or believed to be untrue.  His letter is
referred to the Commissioner of Pensions by
James Buchanan
26 Nov. 58
Page 86

Pine Creek
Hon. George C Whiting         Dec. 16 1858
Gentelmen (Gentlemen) I presume it become an old woman of my weak capacity and low standing to make some apology for atempt (attempt) to address offercers (officers) pleased in power over us to exercise power in Justice Equity and mercy. you know the Cause of my advising you, let 
that excuse. Our Government brothers to be Just and liberal especially to the
Sufferers in the time of the Revolutionary war (I consider I am one of them_
runing (running) to warn others, hiding in thickets for fear of the tomahawk and knife of the savages, melting
pewter, making bullets, learning to shoot, was good at a mark, hearing continually of murder being
done round us of our nation and friends) and has made laws for the survivors and laborers of that trying time, but has garded (guarded) them round so firmly to prevent found, that some 
who know their Cause to be Just cannot find evidence at this lenth (length) of time to
prove to the satisfaction of all minds that it is so.  Caution is good, and to guard against imposition is right, but much may be over done. if an oficer (officer) could believe a-Cause 
was just right, but the poor man could not bring evidence to prove it, might 
not the officer, think, better let the poor man suffer a little wrong, he is of little Conquesence (Consequence),
it will soon drop into oblievion (oblivion), then for me to do what the law does not 
fully authorise (authorize) me to do.
I am old now, but was onst (once) young, came into this World in the Reign of George III in Orang. County, State of new York in January 1768 learned to read young, took delight in reading
History but I (illegible) well aquanted (acquainted) with the goverments (governments), their change and ruling families of Urope (Europe), and the settlement of America.  I had a mother abel (able) to instruct
Page 87

I remember my father came to what was then called Northumberland County
in Pensylvania[sic] in seventy three, settled on the West Brance[sic], lived some time in
peace with the Indians, numerious[sic] among as I remember well the
day independance[sic] was declared on the plains of Pine Creek, seeing such
numbers flocking there, and indipendence[sic] being all the talk I had a knolege[sic] of
what was doing. I remember the first Company raised here for the war under
Capt Par some were listed some drafted one went a volunteer, his brother
was drafted, he went with him, saw him shot by the English by his side.
he returned and was shot by the Indians oposite[sic] the mouth of Pine Creek by the Indian with two others his name was James McMeckial the others were Robert
Fleming an influention[sic] man, be had been in the assembly, and Robert Donalson.
there were seven in Company, the others made their escape through showres[sic] of bullets, over the river.  my brother James Jackson, Alexander Donnelson, Henry Ellis, John Hamilton I remember the day Captain Par started with his company, & they met at my fathers, took their dinners, likely by way of farewell, if memory I could tell my
part in preparing it. now if you will condecend[sic] to read my scri[sic]bels I will
inform you from my own knoledge[sic] what I know to be true of the begining[sic]
of the Indian war on the west brance[sic]. we had lived in peace and harmony
with the indians for some time, they began to grow scared. some of them
had told their fur trader friends, if the English got Philadelphia, to move away,
there would be war hear[sic]. the indians being all gone the people began to be
alarmed, and Col Cookcey Long went up above the Settlements to serch[sic] or
spy out some signs to know what they were doing. he discovered a
Company dressed and painted in war style, walking along the back in inside.
The men were in a hollow behind the band, they wanted fire, each one picik[sic]
Page 88

their man, then fight the remainder.  the Col woud[sic] not [sic] alow said the first blood shuld[sic] not be shed by them. they turned back
gave warning, sent the people down the river. I had a sister living in
Young Womans town, and another up with her at the time, her husband was down at my fathers.  Col Long came to their house, told her what they had seen, and what they had done.  and she must have a fire and prepare a dinner for a Company of hungry men that would meet there.  then she must go off down to what was Called old town, where Lock Havan now stands.
She did s. Respecting the two woman and Child in a lannas,
started them off, hiding them give all the warning they could.  he stayed to feel his men. She got down in the dusk of the evening, we ware[sic] all on ^ the bank, new[sic] her voice when she came to shore, heard her tale with amazement.  next day went up to the apointed[sic] place, the people were all down but one family, a man of the name of Joans would^not believe there was danger, he stayed,
him and his man were killed by the Indians, his wife made her escape, came in.
they were the first killd[sic] by the indians on this brance[sic].  a short time after a Rbt James Culberson and his son went a short distance to their farm, they were both kill'd.  the Indians did not atact[sic] the fort,  or burn or distroy[sic] property, but were watching round.
the people got large timber split it made what they called a stockade fort for place for caution large enuff[sic] for tents for their families, and the men to exercise within.  they ware[sic] all enrold[sic] and the roll called over every morning each man ensuring to his name.
I will give a brifling[sic] incident, my father had rode out with some Company, returning alone through a clear place where there ^ was  bushes on each side, he heard a mans voice callin' out sharp, knowing the Indians could not make a good shot at a running
 object, he thought it was for him to stop. he put his horse ^ to spur till he got to the fort.  the [ ] and called. there was not
a man mising[sic] from the fort.  they knew it was an Indian
Page 89

the inhabitant of the west branch were formed into conferences, had their ofisers elected to my knowledge, likely commissioned be first in classes and who should they act, or the company
but in case and be obliged to go when called upon, their cases were first and
son to the seventh my brother was inserted in to be an officer he wold rest said be
would honest confess he was a cowart, had not the courage to shoot at man to
kill him, he was drafted to go to the war, he to go in his place, the men came bad
the safe, was killed by the Indians with two other where persey shore now
yet he had courage to stand and work a flat over the river, in a shower late
when it was do order, while one of their braves lay in the follow to save him.
the first settlers of the west branch and people by these
themselves this enlighten generation, or there enlightened times they
then believe the people of that sound mind just upright moral
friend to all I words say they came mail to keeping the
about as yourself, then any people I ever and
in Landerster County herefrom the second party of this place
with such a friendly feather some would persuade all we were under
Culberson
under no goverment we send her the seal of
his acting Magistrates Squire Fleming where he now is
that support me and my other the
one above intred lands and to hold a good congration a sitted
son
in Sibers, on this copal Clergan preached in
read the regular day of
will one day of voting
was much talked of before the election in
the
they are at that time for the land and
were competition for the
which was
the
by the
as he was allowed
his turbance with indians, they appeared to have and
find in right
Monton, and as
act Justice
to go into this business but since I an in
will I do what I
from you if you had desendant
have no agent Washington but the
Honable Alison White and lay
age using and income
Anna Hamilton
Page 90

Pine Creek Dec 31 '58

Dear Sir,

I addressed a letter to the secretary of the Commonwealth, stating that you were at a loss to determine the character of the certificates issued to my father.  I requested him to examine, and give what information he could, advising you at Washington or myself.  I have waited some time for an answer.  It may be that he has addressed you.

Penna. in settling the depreciation amounts of her soldiers paid our third down, and the ballance (sic) in certificates.  The law of '84 authorized the controller to settle the accounts of citizens, including the several ranging companies raised for the defense of the frontiers, and stationed in Westmoreland, Northumberland & other counties.  As if this law was defective in not citing the resolution of Congress, a similar law was passed the following year
Page 91

citing the recommendation of congress

Three Robert Hamiltons were described to me by the Secretaries' office, all belonging to Penn.  Of course I had no trouble to decide that the Robert Hamilton of the North Militia was my father,  But since examining the history of those times, and what took place about Northumberland, it has been a question with me whether there really were more than two Robert Hamiltons - whether Robert Hamilton of the 11th reg. and the Robert Hamilton of Northumberland Co. militia, were not the same person.  The following are the facts that have made the suggestion in my mind.

In the summer of 1778 Colonel Hartley was ordered to Northumberland with part of the 11th Penn. Regiment,  Upon his arrival he took the command of the militia.  He resigned his command the following year, and Colonel Hubly [?] was appointed to the command of that reg.
Page 92

and was stationed at Sunbury, North Co.  The principle forts of the county were garrisoned by the 11th regiment, In the summer of 1779 that regiment was ordered to join Gen - Sullivan in his campaign up the North Branch.  Three or four independent companies attached to the regiment (the 11) under Colo. Hubly.  The best of the militia, "almost every young man is engaged in the boat service" in Sullivans campaign.  "These boatman were regularly enlisted and officered"  My father was engaged in that service, for which I have no doubt he was paid, or partially paid.

Now might not these boatman have been returned and paid as belonging to the 11th regiment.  Mr. Chandler feels pretty confident that one of the certificates was copied and sent to Washington, and filed by Hon. A White, was issued to Robert Hamilton of the 11 regiment
Page 93

If such a certificate is filed among the papers relating to my mother's claim for pension or land warrant, you will oblige me by sending me a copy.  I am curious to have this investigated.  I may be mistaken.

One question I wish to ask in reference to the service under the order of Colonels Hubly and Hartley - Had not the executive authority of the State the right to call out the militia in a body, in cases of emergency, such as it [struckout] was the case in the frontiers of Northumberland. Pres. Reed [Beed?] writes to Col. Hunter "Urge the young men to go out on scouting parties". 
 But I will not press this question.

I presume you will have a smile at mothers address to Mr Robb

In service very respectfully

                         John Hamilton {signature]

Would not the enlistment roll of the 11 reg. furnish the proof I wish
Page 94

Dear Sir
Pine Creek Jan 27'59
I received your letter of the 18 inst enclosing a 
copy of one you had written to mother some time ago, for which I thank you. A few days after my mother received your letter, she forwarded her petition to Congress to Mr. White. I see by a copy of the Globe he sent me that he has
presented it.
Some time ago he expressed a fear it would not be got through Congress this session. It is desirable it should..
When the committee shall be ready to examine the case, I have no apprehension
but that you will present
Page 95

the evidence in your possession in the best light possible.

I am satisfied with your decision and am sure we have no reason to complain of your wont of patience or attention throughout the whole proceeding - but I am sensible you have given our claim its full investigation.  It will be a satisfaction to remember the interest you have shown in our case, and the courtesy with which you have conducted the whole matter.

I said it would be desirable to have mothers claim acted upon this session.  Her age, and the way in which she was failed [or foiled?] by Mr. Parker about her land warrant, would be considerations.

Very respectfully

Hon. Geo. C Whiting} [signature]    

John Hamilton [signature]
Page 96

Pine Creek
March 31, 1859

Dear Sir,

Since I came home I am led from various considerations to ask of you the favor of a reconsideration of my mothers claim.  I am led to do this, not withstanding I did at one time express myself to be satisfied with the correctness of your decision.  I may not have anything to offer which you will consider additional evidence, but there are some considerations that I have not before thought of presenting.

You have already made so extensive an examination of the case, and are now so well able to judge of its merits, and of the truthfulness of every claim upon your office that may be urged in behalf of my mother, that you will doubtless make a final decision which will be just and satisfactory, both to my mother and the government.

But the additional considerations that I may present, to induce a favorable decision upon mothers claim, are not the principle motives that lead me to ask you to reopen this case now.  These could be presented
Page 97

2
to congress when it again meets. The chief reason that leads me to make the request is this. My mother feels very sensibly the increasing infirmities of age. She thinks it very probable that before an other session of congress, she may be where the King of Kings will reward his soldiers more liberally than any earthly government can reward theirs. She is solicitous to have this claim settled, that she may do good with the proceeds before she goes to her rest. An other reason -- there are so may claims of a similar kind (over five hundred, according to Mr. White's statement) already before congress that she apprehends a difficulty in having her claim reached. 
You have shown toward us so much kindness and patience, and, so evidently, a disposition to do us justice, that I look to you with confidence for the reconsideration requested.
Page 98

You admit that my father performed much necessary and meritorious revolutionary service, while you have always maintained that is was not of that legal character which has been held by your office as pensionable, under existing laws.  My fathers own account of his enrollment at Northumberland , and the promise of the same pay and rations as the regular army , is proof that it was not the usual, legally authorized mode of raising troops.  But I insist that, that mode had the sanction of the executive authority of the State at the time and the positive sanction of the State legislature, at least in 1825when my father received compensation for these services.  Different legislatures both before and after this date gave a number of these temporary troops a like compensation of two hundred dollars for the same kind of services.  That service which followed the enrollment under the orders of Colonels Hunter and Hartley differed essentially from what is appropriately called "neighborhood service".

This is one point I wish to establish.
Page 99

Upon this point I have somewhat to offer which I have not before thought of presenting to your office, and also some things that may not - and some things that could not - have been before the mind of the commissioner that rejected Mr. Martin's claim.

Here let me remark that the more I have examined into this subject, the more have I admired, not merely the truth of my fathers statements, which I expected to find true as a matter or course, but the exactness of his statements, and the correctness of his views, and their agreement with what I have learned from correspondence of the leading men of that date.

From the breaking out of the Indian War, until what was called the Great Burnaway, my father and his brother John with others, were stationed at what was called Horn's Fort under their father Alexander Hamilton, who was, as you have evidence, a commissioned Militia Captain.  Horns Fort was the nearest to the residence, and property of my grand father.  The neigh-
Page 100

{neigh] bors assembled there for mutual defense and protection.  These neighbors and my father and grand father defended their homes and property until the Burnaway when they were obliged to leave them to the destroying hand of the Indian, because government did not protect them in these homes and because they were not able to protect themselves longer.

This, then, is pointedly and literally neighborhood service, for which my father dis-(sic) distinctly in a letter connected with his application to the State legislature - he claims nothing.  The state did however about that time (1825) grant gratuities to some of her citizens, of 40 dollars, for this same kind of service, but not to my father for he never asked it; it was compensation he asked, and that too for services performed under the direction of Colonels Hunter and Hartley, after he was en (sic) rolled by their orders at Nurthumberland and promised pay.

After being thus enrolled and employed under the direction of colonels who stood high in the public confidence, and who were acting under general and discretion
Page 101

any power granted by the executive council -- the character of this service was essentially changed.

See letter of Prep. ??? to Colo Weitzel, Archives 1779 Page 299 -- 
"We therefore direct and authorize you to give such orders to the sub lieutenants that in each case of small parties of savages disturbing the frontiers, suitable parties of militia may be drawn out to oppose them, without waiting for particular orders from, without waiting for particular orders from council or yourself. The emergency must direct the measures both in its manner and extent!!
P. Reese to Colo Hunter.
"Encourage the young men to go out on scouting parties"
See also Prep. Reed's letter to the justices of Northumberland County, also to Colo. Hunter on the same subject, namely on the pay of the temporary troops. Archives 1799
Page 545 547
Page 102

7
[Left side column]
THE BIG RUNAWAY.
APRIL 1st, 1859.
MR. EDITOR. -- Dear Sir: -- I visited, a
few days ago, an old lady who, with her
three single daughters, lives a few miles
from Jersey Shore, Pa., in a mansion whose 
steep roof and small windows shows it to be
of no modern pattern, but which is sur-
rounded by a yard the greenest and neatest
of anything of the kind I have met with in
a long journey. She is now in the 92nd
year of her age, and was one of the vast
multitude who thronged the way to the in-
terior of the settlement along the waters of
the Susquehanna in the summer of 1778.
     I was interested in the history of that
period, and introduced the subject. She
narrated many personal incidents, among
others that of an aged female carrying the
"baby" of her daughter, who had a bealed
breast remarkably swelled. In passing a
spring the daughter was unable to lie down
to drink as others had to do, but her mother
laid down the child, and dipped up in
her hands and gave her. The narrator's
own mother had four cows to drive and,
having no other food, lived two days by
milking in her hand and drinking, at the same
time carrying gold in her pockets the
weight of which had beat her legs until
they were black and blue. The children
had taken passage in a canoe with a relation.
Such were some of the incidents that fas-
tened themselves on the memory of a child
eleven years of age.
     A friend who was with me asked what
number she supposed were on their way
down the river. She said she "might as
well attempt to guess at the number of the
tiers where a few virtuous inhabitants and
drops falling from a cloud. Coming from
the hills and valleys -- the lanes and roads
were filled, and at night the barns and fields.
Few stout men seemed to be among the
crowd. It was made up mostly of old men,
women, and children."
     Her opportunities for seeing the vast
multitude were good, for some time previ-
ous to the general runaway, her mother,
with the smaller members of the family had
been moved down the river for safety to a
place near Northumberland and, upon the
alarm, had the start, and went as far as
Pfodtz's Valley, where they stopped to wait
er arrived at Northumberland, not finding
his family there, he went on to seek them.
reached your ears, if not you may figure
He brought them back to Northumberland,
at which place they remained till Fall. In
the fall when many of the citizens of the
town began to return and claim their vaca-
ted houses they removed down the river to
Middletown, eight miles below Harrisburg,
until the close of the war. The news of the
massacre of Wyoming hastened the flight
of the people of the West Branch. A run-
ner was sent up at great hazard to give in-
formation to the people who were already
gathered into small forts.
     It may be both interesting and profitable
to the present generation to know some-
thing of the trials of their forefathers: and
I do not suppose they can be more graphic-
ally set before the mind than by the few
extracts I shall make from letters of that

[Right side column]
however short, against the enemy. I
left him with very few. I cannot speak
with certainty as to numbers, but I am
confident when I left him he had not one
hundred men on whome he could depend.
Wyoming is totally abandoned, scarce a
single family remained between that
and Sunbury, when I came away.--
The Panic and spirit of flight has reached
even to this place.
____________
Col. Thomas Heartly to Council.
SUNBURY, August 1st 1778.
     "GENTLEMEN: -- I came here a few
days since with a detachment of my Regi-
ment and some militia.    *    *    *
Upon my arrival I have taken the com-
mand.    *    *    *    *    *    *
I shall dispose of the Regulars and Mili-
tia to the best advantage.     *    *    *
Four fifths of the inhabitants fled with such
effects as they could carry from this Coun-
ty, (Northumberland.)  Many of the men
are returning.    *    *    *    *    *
The Wyoming settlement is almost totally
destroyed. The most of the surviving in-
habitants have fled to Connecticut, or are
now removing as Paupers to that State."
 ---------
Col. Sam. Hunter to Council.
             SUNBURY, July 12 th 1778.
     "GENTLEMEN: -- The calamities so long
dreaded, and of which you have been more
than once informed must fall upon this
county if not assisted by Continental troops
or the Militia of the neighboring counties,
now appear all the horrors attendant on an
Indian war; at this date the town of Sun-
bury and Northumberland are the fron-
tiers where a few virtuous inhabitants and
fugitives seem determined to stand, though
doubtfull whether to-morrows sun will rise
on them freemen, captives or in eternity.
Yet relying on that Being who never for-
sakes the virtuous, and the timely assis-
tance of the government, which they have
with zeal and vigor endeavored to support,
they say they will remain as long as they
can without incurring the centure of su-
cide. The carnage at Wyoming, and the
devastations and murders upon the West
Branch of the Susquehanna, on the Bald
country to within a few miles of these
towns, (the recital of which must be shock-
ing,) I suppose must before now have
reached your ears, if not you may figure
yourselves men, women, and children,
butched and scalped, many of them after
begging quarters, and some scalped alive, of
which we have miserable instances among
us. People driven in crowds from their
fames and habitations, many of whom have
not money enough to purchase one days
provision for their family, which must and
has already obliged many of them to Plun-
der and lay waste to the farms as they pass
along.
 ----------
Lieut, Bartrem Galbrath to council,
          LANCASTER July 17th 1778.
    "GENTLEMEN: -- On Sunday morning
last the bank of the Susquehanna, from
Middletown up to the blue mountain, was
entirely clad with the inhabitants of Nor-
thumberland county, who had moved off
as well as many in the river in boats,
Page 103

[Left column]
the Fall when many of the citizens of the
town began to return and claim their vaca-ted houses they removed down the river to
Middletown, eight miles below Harrisburg,
at which place (Middletown) they remained
until the close of the war. The news of the
massacre of Wyoming hastened the flight
of the people of the West Branch. A run-ner was sent up at great hazard to give in-formation to the people who were already
gathered into small forts.
    It may be both interesting and profitable to the present generation to know some-thing of the trials of their forefathers: and 
I do not suppose they can be more graphic-ally set before the mind than by the few extracts I shall make from letters of that 
date preserved in the Pennsylvania archives and which were published a few years ago.
     You will see by these extracts that while 
a large majority of the people of the West Branch pressed on to the interior of the settlement, some of the fugitives stopped at
Northumberland, not with a view of family
or personal safety, but for its defense, and
they were influenced by the same motives
of patriotism that were common to the ma-jority of the people of the times.
     _____
REVOUTIONARY EXTRACTS.
     The following extracts are copied from
letters addressed to the Council of Penn-sylvania.
Wm. Maclay to Council.
          PAXTON, July 12th 1778.
     GENTLEMEN: -- I write this letter with
reluctance, as I am certain it will give 
pain to any man of sensibility, to be in-formed of the distressed situation of our frontiers. I left Sunbury, and almost 
all my property, on Wednesday last, I 
will not trouble you with a recital of the inconveniences I suffered, while I bro't 
my family by water to this place.   I 
never in my life saw such scenes of dis-tress. The river and roads leading down 
it were covered with men women and children flying for their lives, many with
out any property at all, and none who 
had not left the greatest part behind.--
In short Northumberland County is 
broken up, Col. Hunter only remained 
using his utmost endeavors to rally some 
of the inhabitants, and to make a stand

[Right side column]
which we have miserable instances among
us. People driven in crowds from their
fames and habitations, many of whom have
not money enough to purchase one days
provision for their family, which must and
has already obliged many of them to Plun-der and lay waste to the farms as they pass
along."
Lieut, Bartrem Galbreth to council,
          LANCASTER July 17th 1778.
     "GENTLEMEN: -- On Sunday morning
last the bank of the Susquehanna, from
Middletown up to the blue mountain, was
entirely clad with the inhabitants of Nor-thumberland county, who had moved off
as well as many in the river in boats,
canoes, and rafts & s.     *    *    *    *
This I have from Capt. Scott, a man of ve-racity, who was up at Garvers mill for his sister, the wife of Col. Hunter, and spoke with a Lieutenant of a company that was stationed at Wyoming and was in action; 
he also seen six of the wounded men that were brought down."     *     *     *
          _____
Abram Scott, and others, to Col. Grubb.
          GRUBER'S MILLS, July 12, 1778.
     "SIR. -- The inhabitants of Northumber-land county have all fled but a few men, that make a stand with Col. Hunter, at Sunbury. The Wyoming men turned out 
of their fort and gave the Indians battle. There were about 400 men in the action and but about 60 got off."     *     *     *
The suffering on the frontiers for the two
following years was hardly less distressing.
President Reed writes to Gen. Washington
-------"That we have been by far the great-est sufferers on the frontiers, we presume cannot be doubted. If Virginia and the 
other States have suffered by the ravages of the Indian in any proportion to this State, the particulars have never reached us."     * 
*    *    *
         ______
Col. Hunter to Council.
            December 13th, 1778.
     "GENTLEMEN: -- I have had the first,  second, third and part of the fourth classes of this County Militia doing duty this two months past.     *    *     *   He also 
writes April 17th, 1780 ------ "We have at this time all the Militia we can muster upon duty and constantly parties are out; yet
all this will not deter those barbarians
from committing murder."
Page 104

The foregoing extracts, together with the grant of compensation at a later period by the legislature, go to show in some degree how far, and in what way the State authorities authorized and recognized [and recognized struck out]  this special service.  But the action of Congress in the case of Richard Martin precludes the necessity of refering (sic) to what State has done, because by granting because by granting a full pension to Mr. Martin Congress has put this service upon an equality with the legally organized service.

  The position your office occupies now, and in relation to mothers claim, is not that which it occupied in 1836 [or 1826] in relation to Mr. Martins claim.  Congress has put an estimate on Mr. Martins services, and similar services, and also interpreted its own laws or previous pension laws in their application to them.  Besides Mothers case has the advantage of Mr. Martins in two very important points.  First, Mr. Martin while defending a common frontier, was defending his own home and property,  My father was defending a common frontier after his own home was destroyed .  Second - In mother's case, there are two certificates, covering four months
Page 105

9
legal service
Hear my father on the first
point, when applying to the legislature
He says -- "If ever there was a case "
Where the faith (scratched out text)
might to be pledged to any of the officers of procurement the present is one, the Massacre of the inhabitants of Wyoming, the general flight of all the inhabitants of both branches of the Susquehanna, except a few men in the town of Northumberland who waited for us as their last hope. We did not disappoint them, made a stand with their helped (scratched out text) to defend them during the war, and I think whan every principle of honesty justice and equaty were entitled to compensation the gratitude of the citizens of Northumberland say so too, because we gave the mean under providence of saving their property from the fate which before had befallen and ...
Page 106

10
I left with you our family record, in which my father is represented as having been born in Sept. 1763, which would make him 15 years old at the time of the great runaway, at which time he was enrolled at Northumberland. Now it may appear singular in me to attempt to invalidate the family record which I have my-self left with you. Yet I am most fully persuaded that my father is some years older than that record would make him. It becomes me then to give you the reasons for this conviction. They are principally from the recollections of my mother, and are these.
1st My grandfather, Capt Alex Hamilton, kept no family record & the record from which the time of my father's birth was copied into our (record was) family record, was made by his eldest brother, John Hamilton, after my grandfather's death.
2nd My grand mother had no confidence in the family record made by her eldest son, and often laughed at his remarkable memory, by which he pretended to a knowledge of things, of which she said she had no recollection.  She did
Page 107

11
claim to know her childrens ages. For the want of (a more corre ) another, and a more correct family record, that made by John Hamilton was adopted. 
3rd The record does not agree with my mothers recollections, nor with my fathers statements.
4th According to my mother's recollections, my father would always affirm that when a child, he was held up by his nurse to see  a very large and remarkable comet. If he is correct in this, this must have been the comet of 1758 and would fix my fathers birth, probably in 1757.
5th My mother, and my elder sister recollect of hearing my father say there was a family dispute concerning their ages, making a difference of two or three years. 
6 My Grandfather, Capt Hamilton died in Sept. 1781, and his widow married a Mr Trice in 1782. My mother recollects that when Mrs Price writes her mother having her first child to her second husband at her breast, my mother's mother removed her for marrying a second time, when she had such a family of children. She replied, "do you think that a widow of thirty
Page 108

12
eight, would remain without a husband
7th
My grand mother often said the
was married at 15 years of age, and according to her account, she was 77 years old when she died in Jan. 1820.
8th my mother's recollections of my
father's appearance in 1777, before the year
of the runaway, are, that my father was a very short, but heavy set, and pretty fully developed young man or boy, of about the age of from 18 to 20 year. and that his elder brother John was a verry tall, tender young man, fully
six feet. her recollections of a younger brother, Alexander, are, that he was a large boy, taller than my father
9  The appearance of this younger brother, Alexander Hamilton, where they returned to their old homes at this place in 1783,
was that of a handsome young man
of about the age of 21 or 22, or as expressed a second time, after hearing
the above read, "Of a full grow young man, handsome in person and face"
10 my mother recollects of hearing
grandmother say that she was 16 years older
than her eldest son John
Download
Page 109

13
Now I might leave you to draw
your own conclusions from the above.
It is pretty evident that there appears
to be a slight discrepancy in some things,
and yet a something bordering on a
general harmony.
   If father saw the comet of 1758,
when a child, he must have been
born as early as 1757; and if he was 20
years old in 1777, this would make his
birth in 1757 also.
     But if Grandmother was 77 years
of age when she died in Jan 1820
her first marriage could not have been
earlier than 1757 and if she was cor
rect in her account, her eldest son,
being 16 years younger than herself ^he could not have been born before 1758. This would make the probable period of Fathers birth 1760. And if a younger brother, Alexander, also enrolled in the Militia at Northumberland, was 21, or 22 in 1783, it would fix his birth in 1761 or 1762, and this again would make the probable time of fathers birth in 1760, 
 And if, according to the family dispute about the record, father was three years older than that record would make him, it would also make the year 1760 the year of his birth
Page 110

14
We have given you all the data from
which we can juge[sic] of fathers age - con-
sious truth is not afraid of giving those
facts which appear to make the apparent
in conquity.  I am fully persuaded
that father is several years older than the
record I left with you would make him
    At the period of my father's service
the militia were enrolled from the ages
of 16 to 50.   See Colonial Records of 1776

    Now sir, as reasons why you should
put the most liberal construction on all
the proofs and evidence furnished in this
case, I will mention, and but barely mention the following.
          The age of 
my mother.  The number of cases now
before the committee on pensions. The
distance in time, of the revolutionary war
affecting both the number and proof
of claimants.     The probability of a
greater amount of legal service, than we have
been able to prove.     The undoubted truth
of all the evidence upon which the claim
is founded.     These things, and
Page 111

15
the strong case, I believe I have made
out.   And the favor ^with which just rev-
olutionary claims have always been
honoured.   And I will add,
the remark you made when you ad-
vised me not to put my case into
the hands of an agent __ namely, that
you were not put there to defeat
claims, but to consider and decide on
them with care and impartiality-- give
me a confident expectation that my moth-
ers claim will yet be allowed by
your office.
    My father too is the only one of for who
who received anything of the State, and
the only one on whose account of whose
services application has been made to your
office for a pension.    Grand father was kill-
in the war.  His younger brother died in the
winter of 1784 and when my father applied
for compensation to the state his brother John
was not a citizen of this State
I am very respectfully you friend
John Hamilton

Hon. George C. Whiting
Pension Office
Page 112

No 15. 498.
Anna 
Widow of Robert.
Pennsylvania
Admitted Act. Feb 7, 1838
at rate of $80 per annum
Commencing March 4. 1836
(excepting two years)
Husband was a private
of Infantry 2 years
Pay widow
Certificate to
James J. Hamilton
Present
Page 113

Hon. George C. Whiting
Pincreek
April 2 1859
Dear Sir
I ask leave to introduce to you my
brother
James J. Hamilton, who is
the bearer of a request of your
office for a reconsideration of my
mother's claim to a pension
I request, and hope you will give
him a patient hearing in behalf of
my mother's claim. We have been
at pains to make out a full and
clear statement of the case
He is a Presbyterian Minister
Yours with esteem
John Hamilton
Page 114

Tipton 1858 Sept 20
Dear Brother John
In looking over old letters, I find one from
you that I have not answered, that is my sin.
Some years ago, I sent a bundle of papers, manuscripts of Fathers relating to his
 revolutionary services I sent a copy of all in my hands at that time, Father, you know, wrote and rewrote and these were all tied up together. I sent all the balance to you when you wrote for them, in June. All well, my love to all
your affectionate brother
Jos. J. Hamilton
Page 115

Anna Wid of Rob. Hamilton of Pa.
Act July 7. 1838.
In this case the only question is as to the nation of the service whether it was military or
what is termed neighborhood land and as to this point then is [doubt?] Admitting that it was of the latter description it was hazardous and meritorious-
But it has subsequently and probably partially previously paid for as service in the Revolutionary War.
Congress, in the case of Rich Martin whose
services were of the same charactor, [character] rendered at the same time & place, partly on the
testimony of claimants husband adjudged it to be mili
Page 116

itary service. and I think
we should to regard the 
service of Robt Hamilton-
Let the claim be ad-
mitted & Mr. Cabfeah
deliver to Mr Jos. J. Ham
ilton Present.
GCW
8 Apl 1859
Page 117

Fifth Office
August 26"1858
I hereby certify that on Anna Hamilton
the within applicant for bounty land & Robert
Hamilton her husband live & cohabited together as husband & wife for a long term of years & were generally reputed man & wife. I knew the parties personally, & I also certify that Robert Hamilton the husband of the said
Claimant Anna Hamilton, received an
Annuity of $200, from the State of Pennsylvania by an act of the Legislature of that State in the year 1825 & that said Robert Hamilton, is dead. I also certify that the within leaf of Robert Hamiltons jacket I cut from the jacket in the possession of the said Anna, his widow.
Allison White
Page 118

Pension Office
June 8th 1858.
Sir.
The claim of Mrs. Anna Hamilton
for bounty land of the widow of Robert, has
been manned & suspended
There is no record of her husbands service in this Office.
It is possible evidence of service can be found
in the Office of the Auditor General of Pennsylvania.
If the applicant is able to establish a Service of
fourteen days then proof of marriage and
husbands death should be filed, Otherwise it
will be unnecessary.
I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant,
Commissioner
Hon. Allison White,
Ho: Rep:
Page 119

No 15.498
Anna Hamilton widow of Robert Pessnia
[illegible] John Hamilton, Oct 11, 1858
See Bounty Land papers - 83.573 - 160 acres
Same Nov. 27, 1858
Same Dec 6, 1858
Same Jan 18, 1859
Anna Hamilton, Dec 28, 1858
[illegible] July 7, 1838
Page 120

Pine Creek February 15, 1843
Dear Sir,
    I have delayed writing to you untill now writing
a few lines from you, nor should I have troubled
at this time ware[sic] I not conscious that the claim upon
which I am about to address you is a just one --
I am happy that you have some aquaintance with me
and ^had the Messrs Martin whose depositions accompany
said petition, as well as with the late Judge Hephorn
whose certificate is on the back of it - You will perceive
by the act of the 13th of April 1782 that the Comptroller
General was authorized and empowered to liquidate and
settle according to law and equity all claims against the
Commonwealth for Services performed money advanced
or articles furnished by order of the Legislative or
executive power for the use of the same-  Surely
we come within the meaning and equity of this law
although I doubt whether the Comptroller General
could legally have settled our accounts, without a
Special act of the Legislature for that purposes we
being called into service when an urgent and necessitous
occasion, without any immediate authority from, or
order by, "the legislative or executive power" but by 
Cols Hunter and Hartly of their own accord who pledged themselves that we should be paid_ of the 
Propriety of this distinction however it is for you to judge
    You will also perceive by the journal of the senate of 1819
20 page 160 that the comitee [sic] claims appear to urge it as a plea against us, that claims against the state, might and ought to have been exhibited to the Comptroller General.
We ware[sic] poor, at that time and ware[sic] made v a by
the war and having moved to this then back country
we had it not in our power, and of consiquence[sic] not
know of the provisions made for us, had it been in
our power legally to have availed ourselves of it.
The orders and paper of enrolment were mislaid but
after a considerable length of time and great search
ware[sic] found tied up in a bundle of old papers belong
ing to Captain Chatham when they were found we
applied to the Legislative but our then representative
not geting[sic] through going through with the business of our claims
Page 121

that session left the orders and papers of enrolment in a drawer in the Legislative Hall, and they have never
been found, [or heard of?]  heard since, to my knowledge, although diligent search has been made for them
My father with his team and my self and two of my Brothers John and Alexander ware all employed in building the forts as well as such other Military duty required of us, and which ware made for the defence of the frontier
untill my father was killed by the savages
the rest of us to the end of the war, about which time my Brother Alexander died.
We have proffered no claims on account of the dead though in justice and equity their heirs are legally entitled thereto but which
we have thought proper not to proffer apprehensive that by increasing the number of
applicants we wold [would] add to the difficulties of a liquidation of our
own claims, 
We are the last, perhaps of those of us who belonged to our company who can with equal
Justices, apply to government for compensation-The Legislature indirectly acknowleged the Justices of our claim by
passing the law granting compensation
to Messers Martin Painter and Hoffman as our services were of the same kind and performed at the same time, though in some respects under different circumstances,
they were employed in defending their own homes, we in in other than our own. The stand we concluded to make was done through favor and not from compulsion
as it was optional with us whether to stay or go/other and our stand was certainly the means under Devine Providence of preventing the encroachments and depredation of the savages upon the more interior settlements
of the Country. Had we not staid the town of Northumberland must have been abandoned by those who were there,
we have been unfortunate hitherto
respecting our claims yet I cannot bring myself
to believe that the Legislation, though guardians of
the Publick purse will draw the string thereof
so tight that they cannot do
equal justices to each citizen
of the Commonwealth
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therefore should you think favorably of our claim I wish you to bring it once more before the Legislature
I wish you likewise to consult Col Mckean our
Senator he is favorable to our claim and I know that he will go hand in hand with you as far as may be right,
I have enclosed my own
deposition if it will obeviate any of the difficulty
that may arise make what use of it you think proper