Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33065, for Joseph Mc Donield, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE   Penn.
McDonield, Joseph
NUMBER  S. 33065
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22077
Indiana
Joseph McDonield
of Ripley Co in the State of Indiana who was a private in the com’y commanded by Captain Moore of the regt commanded by Col Ashman in the Penn line for 7 months 18 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana the rate of 25 Dollars 33 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of October 1833 and S. S. Harding Versailles 
Arrears to the 4th of Sept  63.32 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March  12.66 
$75.98
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk, 
Book E  Vol. 7 Page 120
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26.723
Joseph McDonield
23.37
1.66
.33
25.73
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Declaration of Joseph McDonield for a Pension. 
State of Indiana 
Ripley County}ss  
On this 12th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Personally appear in open court before the Hon Henry B. Hukill Probate Judge of the Ripley County Probate Court holden at [unreadable] in and for the County of Ripley and State of Indiana now in session Joseph McDonield a resident of the said County of Ripley aged 73 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named offensive as herein stated. He entered the service as a volunteer in the month of May 1779, and served for the full term of three months under Col. Ashman, Captain Saml Moore Ensign Joseph Sparks, and 1st Sergeant George Walker, the Majors name and also the Lieutenant he has forgotten.  He served this first tour on the frontier of Pennsylvania against the Indians and came out of the service in the month of August same year after serving for three months. He then immediately in the same month of August that he left the service after completing his first term of service entered the service a second time as a substitute for one Jared Ivins and served for three months more under Col Ashman, Captain Thomas Norton, Ensign George Peck and David Daniels Sergeant. He left the service in the month of November same year that he entered, after serving faithfully for three months which added to the first tour of three months make the term Six months. He then immediately entered the service a third time and served as a Substitute for one Daniel Means under the same Colonel Ashman, Captain George Euston or Guston, Lieut Norton, and Ensign George Peck, and 1st Sergent McIntire, this third tour he served for 18 days and the when he was discharged, which was the last of December the first of January 1780, which added to the other towns of three month each makes the term of six months and Eighteen days - He then immediately to wit the first of January 1780 was drafted for three months more but he served only one month of his time in consequence of his being permitted to go home on furlow, and whilst at home was told that the company to which he was attached was dismissed, which in truth was the case, and he was called upon no more.  This fraction of his fourth tour to wit one month he served under Col. Ashman, Captain Euston, Lieut Thomas Norton & Ensign Edwin Rose, and left the service the first of February 1780, which this fourth term added to the other tours of service makes ten months and Eighteen days which he claims a pension. He has not stated the name of his Major and some company officers in consequence of his
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memory being so frail and the distance of time, which has intervened since that time and the present. At the time he entered the service at all of the several times he resided in the town of Bedford, Bedford County, Pensylvania, He entered the service the first time, as a volunteer, the 2d & 3. as a substitute,  the 2d tour a substitute for one Jared Ivins, and the 3d for Daniel Means, the fourth tour he was drafted. During his first tour he marched from Clear Ridge in Bedford County Penn to Captain Moores’ Station in what was called Snake Spring Valley from thence through Morristown Cove to Col Jacks Station, which was situated about 25 miles above the Standing Stone on the Juniata River, from then he returned back to Clear Ridge in Bedford County.  During his second time Marched from Brush Creek settlement on Clear Ridge to Col. John Pipers station on yellow creek, where he continued to serve untill he was duly discharged, during his 3d tour he marched from Col John Peppers station to Col. James Martins at the crossing of the Juniata where he was discharged and was immediately halted and continued to serve there untill he was permitted to return home on furlough as he has stated above. He does not now recollect the names of any regular officers except Lieut Johnson. He does not remember the name of any other militia company or continental Regiments than that in which he said. He has no written or documentary evidence and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.  He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Joseph McDonield his mark 
Mr. Meshach Hyatt, a Clergyman residing in the County and State of Indiana, and Ephraim Wilson the same County and State do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph McDanield who has subscribed  and sworn the the above declaration, that we believe him Seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion 
Meshach Hyatt 
Ephraim E Wilson
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State of Indiana 
Ripley County 
On the 12th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Thirty Three personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Henry B. Hukill probate justice of the Ripley County Probate Court now in session Joseph McDanield who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequence of loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served the periods mentioned above and in the following grades for seven months & eighteen days I served as  a private in the army of the Revolution in the service of the United state & for such service I claim a pension.  
Sworn to and Subscribed in Open Court the day and year aforesaid
Joseph McDanield his Mark 
I David P. Shook of the Ripley County Probate Court do hereby certify that the above affidavit of Joseph McDonield was sworn to and subscribed in open Court the 12 day of August 1833. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid 
David P. Shook Clk
 26.723. Joseph McDonield
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[unreadable] Triplett
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Know all men by these presents. That  [unreadable] 1841 [unreadable]
 - 14 in the Army of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint GEORGE H. MONSARRAT, true and lawful Attorney, for and in name to prosecute against the Government of the United States, before any Department thereof, any and all claim or claims have to arrears of pay or Pension money, under any Act or Acts, Resolution or Resolutions, of the Congress of the United States, and especially the Acts 4th July 1836, 7th July 1838, 3rd March 1843, 17th June 1844, 2nd February 1848, and 29th July 1848 -- as well as the mine ancient Acts of 18th March 1818, 15th May 1828, and 7th June 1832. Said Attorney moreover authorised in name to demand at any Department of the said Government, a reconsideration of any decision hitherto or hereafter to be given touching interests, and to obtain from any Department of the archives thereof, any and all information or evidence of whatever character relating to or in anywise bearing upon the claim or claims we hereby seek the investigation of Said Attorney moreover authorised to do any and all things necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes, and to receive the Certificates of Pension or other character of drafts or evidences of the amounts due and to appoint one or more Sub-Attorneys, and to confer upon him or them all the powers therein conferred upon hereby ratifying and confirming all that said Attorney may do by virtue of these presents. WITNESS hand and seal this day of 185
[unreadable]
State of County sec
BE IT KNOWN, that on the Subscriber, a day of County 185 before the in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared subscribers to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledging the signing, sealing and delivering the same to be own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein set forth. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I do hereunto subscribe my name, J. P.
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26.723 
Joseph McDonield 
Ripley County Indiana 
From 1779 private
7 months &  18 days 
$25  33/100  
12.66
5
63.32
S. S. Harding 
Versailles Indiana
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
Sir. 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Joseph McDonield
Period when the service was rendered     1779  Duration of Claimant’s Service  3 Months   Rank of claimant.  Pr   Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.   Col Ashman  Cap Moore    Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.  73    Proof by which the declaration is supported.  Traditionary
Period when the service was rendered   1779   Duration of Claimant’s Service  3 Months   Rank of claimant.  Pr.  Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.  Col. Ashman  Cap Moore  
Period when the service was rendered   1779   Duration of Claimant’s Service  18 days   Rank of claimant.  Pr.   Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.  Col. Ashman  Cap Moore  Period when the service was rendered    1780  Duration of Claimant’s Service   1 month   Rank of claimant.  Pr.  Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.   Col. Ashman  Cap Moore  
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.            
The following regulations have been adopted:                  
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.              
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:  
1. The Regular Troops.  
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.    
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.             
4. Indian Spies.                 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.             
DECLARATION.                        
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.           
State, Territory, or District of 
County of } ss.
On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:    
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]            
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only that of Agency in the State of    
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]            
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I of the Court of hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of for a pension.               
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c.            
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.          
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.                 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]     
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.               
I, Clerk of the Court of contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & c.         
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.            
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person  will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.            
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.    
1. Where and in what year were you born?                
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?          
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?               
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?              
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.           
6. To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what Town officer has become of it?              
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.                 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.         
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject     
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.        
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed his genuine signature.          
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.        
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.    
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.     
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.    
[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.        
Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---yearmonths , anddays , I served as amonths and --- days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension."   
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.    
[f]  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g]  The opinion of the Court is always required.  
[h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.               
Mode of authenticating papers.              
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.         
Proof of Service.         
[j]  In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the wife nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies to continental troops only.     
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
MMHF
August 12, 1925    
Mrs. Elgan C. Robertson
Marianna Ark.
Madam; 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 33065 it appears that Joseph McDonield was born in 1760 in Frederick County, Maryland. 
While a resident of Bedford, Bedford County, Pennsylvania he enlisted in May 1779 and served three months as a private in Captain Samuel Moore's Company, Colonel Ashman's Pennsylvania Regiment. 
He enlisted in August 1779 and served three months as private in Captain Thomas Norton's Company, Colonel Ashman's Pennsylvania Regiment, and immediately after enlisted and served eighteen days in Captain George Enslow's Company in the same regiment. 
He enlisted January 1, 1780 and served one month as private in Captain Enslow's Company, Colonel Ashman's Pennsylvania Regiment. 
After the Revolution he returned to Maryland and married
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there.  In 1796 he moved to Kentucky and after thirteen years wen to  Ripley County, Indiana, where he was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1833.  He died June 15, 1841 in said Ripley County.  His wife, whose name is not given, died prior to that date.
In 1851, Mary Grimes stated that she was the heir of said soldier, relationship not stated. 
The above noted is the only soldier by that name (all spellings of the name searched), of Kentucky, found on the Revolutionary records of this Bureau, and none by that name of Virginia.  
Respectfully
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner.
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33065 
Revy INVALID 
File No.   33,065   
Joseph McDonield   
Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7” ’32  
Index:- Vol. 2 Page 268 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1925. Aug 12. Hist. to Mrs. Elgan C. Robertson MMHF
1926 - Oct. 25 Mrs.Elgan C. Robertson advised none of Va MMHF
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ELGAN C. ROBERTSON   COMMANDER   MARIANNA 
JAMES KEITH FINANCE OFFICER
CLAUDE A BROWN ADJUTANT LITTLE ROCK
HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS
THE AMERICAN LEGION 
WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING 
ARK
OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDER 
Marianna Ark June 23 ‘25.
Pension Bureau, War Dept.
Washington, D.C 
Have you a record of a Revolutionary pensioner Joseph Mc Donald of Mackville Ky, or of Va. If you have such a record, please send me a copy 
Very sincerely 
Mrs. Elgan C. Robertson
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Rev & 1818 War Section
MMHF
October 25, 1925
Mrs. Elgan C. Robertson
Marianna, Ark.
Madam:
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any Joseph McDonald as described by you.  
Jos. Sr. b. 1722 d. 1809 in Green Hill Montgomery Co. Va. mar. Elizabeth Ogle in 1754
You were furnished the August 12, 1925 the history of Joseph McDonald, S. 33065, and on that date advised that such was the history of the only soldier by that name (all spellings searched) of Kentucky, found on said records, and none by that name of Virginia. 
Respectfully, 
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner.
 Jos. Jr. b. 1758 – d. 1839 enl. in Va & after ser. lived Green Hill or Blacksburg 
Mar. Nancy