Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 8406, for James Power, Maryland
Page 1

Md.

Power James

R8406
Page 2

May 20 '99
Miss AC Truby
Painesville O
(see I 5945, Benj Parsons)
[line]
June 9- 1902
Mrs A.M. Leohner
New Castle Pa
[flourish line]
1934 Feb 8, Hist to Mrs. DW Moore - MLB
1935. June 15, Hist. to Mrs. WF Phillips - MLB

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. [line crossed out]
8406
P. O.
James Power
Service:
Enlisted: ,18 .
Discharged: ,18 .
[stamped over Discharged blank] REJECTED
The Printed List of 1852 Rejected
& suspended Claims shows
cause of suspension:
Application filed: ,18.
"Sspended for proof of service
He is referred to the Land Office
record at Annapolis - Sixteen
Alleges:  
years delay in making his
application does not improve his
chances of proof."
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.
Contract.
[bottom line cut off]
Page 3

Pittsburgh. March 25 /57
Enclosed.
Please find some depositions
taken in the case of the Application
of James Power of Indiana Township
Allegheny Co. Pa. for a Pension, in 
the point of neighborhood reputation of having been
a soldier of the revolution. In a letter of
July 21. 1848 from your office to Har.[unclear] C. Darragh
Atty pe Mr. Power. You say that "inasmuch as he has
failed to present his claim untill this late day,
and not giving any reasons why he has so long
delayed it, raises strong grounds of doubt against
its validity." In answer to this objection please
examine the testimony enclosed of J B. Power who
Swears the discharge was supposed to be lost, untill he accidentally found, when the application my immediately made. A
brother of Mr. Power served in the same war, and drew a
pension untill his death.- You also speak of requiring
record evidence of the length of time of service from
Annapolis Md.- I was informed that the records
Page 4

at that place have been destroyed
by fire. Is that the fact? [sentence underlined] I have examined
this case with great care and I am fully
persuaded that the claim is honest and
rightfully made, and I hope you will
consider it that light. Please inform
me whether the enclosed evidence is
of any service, and if so, whether the [crossed out "the"]
it is true in regard to the destruction of
the Records at Annapolis, and if so, whether
the claim must fail without that
record evidence.
Truly yours
Thos. Howard
Pittsburgh, Pa [line underlined]
Com. [unclear] Pensions
Washington City D.C. 
[envelope]
Department of Interior
Com. [unclear] Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 5

Pittsburg, March 14 1856,

Sir
A Son of James
Power of Indiana Township Allegheny
County Pa, called on this day for advice in
regard to a claim said James for a pension.
He informs me that his father served in the War of the revolution, and that some time in 1849 he
made out his papers and forwarded them
to the Commissioner of pensions.  Mr Power
has since died. He died in Sept. 1851.  The
information I desire is first, can his heirs make
good the claim and draw the back pay? and if so,
what is necessary to be done in order to complete
the matter so that the claim can be allowed. Mr.
P. Was 94 years old at his death.
Yours
Thos Howard
Atty of Heirs

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 6

A. B. Could you oblige me by forwarding me a pamphlet containing the laws relating to pensions.  
T. J.
Page 7

James Powers
R8406

June 15, 1935
XXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL

Mrs. W. F. Phillips
Oil City, N. S.
Pennsylvania

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information
in regard to James Powers, whose father, William Powers, moved to
Woodstock, Connecticut, and later to northern Maryland; said
James served in the Revolutionary War after which he moved to 
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; you request, also, the record of George
Powers, son of the above named William Powers; said George, a 
resident of Venango County, Pennsylvania.

A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been
made and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land 
having been made to the United States based upon the military service
in that war of a George Powers, or similar spelling.

The record of a James Power, who enlisted in Maryland, and
later lived in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been found and
is furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 8

February 8, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
JAMES POWER
R. 8406
BA - J/MLB

Mrs. D. W. Moore
220 Choctaw
Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War records of James Bowman and James Power, both
of Pennsylvania.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained
from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States
based upon military service of soldiers in that war.

A careful search of the records fails to show a claim for
pension or bounty land on file on account of the Revolutionary War
service of a soldier named James Bowman,

The record of one James Power was found which follows, as shown
in the papers on file in pension claim, R.8406, based upon his
service in the Revolutionary War.

James Power was born in Prince William County, Virginia; the
date of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not stated.

James Power applied for pension May 16, 1848, at which time
he was aged between ninety-two and ninety-three years, and a
resident of Indiana Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,
where he had resided fifty years.

He stated that while living at Old Town, at the forks of
the Potomac River in Maryland, he enlisted about June 7, 1776,
served as private in Captain Andrew Hynes' company, Colonel
Shryock's Maryland regiment, stationed at Fort Lee, and that he
was present at the surrender of Fort Washington on York Island;
he was discharged December 7, 1776.
Page 9

The soldier's claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish
proof of six months' service according to the requirement of the
pension law.

James Power died September 4, 1851, on his farm in Indiana
Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

The name of soldier's wife and date of his marriage were not
given in the claim.

The names of the following children of the soldier, James
Power, are shown:

Samuel Power, who in 1852 was a resident of Derry Township,
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

Roliter Power, a son, who in 1853 was living in Fairview, with
post office at Houston, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; in
1857 he gave his age as fifty-nine years, then a resident of
Indiana Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where he was born
and reared; in 1862 he gave his address as Jefferson Furnace,
Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

James B. Power, who in 1857 was fifty years of age and residing in
Indiana Township, Pennsylvania.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

-2-
Page 10

(stamp)
Received 
Jun 6 1935
(illegible) Sub-Div
Reader 19
Vets Adm

Oil City, Pa.
June 5, 1935.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Sirs
Can you give me any information
regarding either James Powers, or George Powers
brothers, both son of William and Mary Powers
(or Power.)

Wm Powers, the father, moved to Woodstock,
Conn., and later, to northern Maryland.

James Powers located in Allegheny County
Pa., the first white settler in O'Hara township.
After serving in the Revolutionary war he returned
to that location. Did he enlist from Alleghery
County?  Did he apply for a pension, and when?

George Powers (or Power) was the first
permanent white settler of Venango County, Pa.
He first came to Ft. Franklin as Commissary
with American soldiers in 1787. Later, he was with
the soldiers at Ft. Washington, and Vincennes,
Ind.  Can I verify this record?
Very sincerely

Mrs. W. F. Phillips,
Oil City, N. S.
Penna
Page 11

(stamp)
(mostly illegible)

PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY
BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA
January 25, 1934

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.

Veterans Administration,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
Will you please furnish what information you
have on record with regard to history of a soldier of the
Revolutionary War by the name of James Bowman. The 
information we have is as follows:

James Bowman was born in the year 1755, and
Died December 2, 1826. He was married December 14, 1775,
near Lockhaven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, and no doubt
served from that county or an adjacent county. He was married
to Kathryn McCormick.

We will appreciate any information you may be
able to give us with regard to the above named party.

Very truly yours,
Mrs. D. W. Moore
Mrs. D. W. Moore

220 Choctaw,
Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Page 12

(stamp)
Received
Jan 31 1934
Mail Sub-div
(illegible)

PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY
BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA
January 25, 1934

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.

Veterans' Administration,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
Will you please furnish what information you
have on record with regard to history of a soldier of the
Revolutionary War by the name of James Power. The information 
we have is as follows:

James Power, born September 4, 1753, died
September 4, 1851, was married to Mary Rowletter. According
to records, he was first found living on Herrs Island
at the mouth of Pine Creek, Alleghany County, Pennsylvania.
He returned to Powers Hill after the war, and was the first
white settler in O ' Hara Township, Alleghany County. He
died at Montrose, Pennsylvania and was buried at Stockton
Church.

We will appreciate any information you may be
able to give us with regard to above named party.

Very truly yours,
Mrs. D. W. Moore
( Mrs. ) D. W. Moore

Please address reply to
220 Choctaw,
Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Page 13

C
Old War and Navy Division.
3 -- 523.

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU PENSIONS.

Washington, D.C. Mch. 27 1902

Madam:
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to
furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or of the war of 1812 unless he
or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land; and that under the rules such
a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical
or genealogical purposes.

The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a
proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant
concerning more than two soldiers.

In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are
requested to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
(James Power or Powers)

Very respectfully,
H. Clay Evans
Commisioner

Mrs. A.M. Leohner
Oak Ave
New Castle, Pa.

Full name of soldier, James Power M Powers
Where did he enter service? Maryland
(Town, county, and State.)
Under what officers did he serve? ______
(town, county, and state)
Place of residence after service, Allegany County Pennsylvania
(town, county, and state)
Approximate date of death, 1851
Given name of widow. Polly
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? Yes
Additional information. _____
Signature Mrs. L.M. Leohner
(Mrs. or Miss to be prefixed if a lady signs)
Oake Avenue
Post-office address, including and
number, town, county, and State
New Castle, Pa.

(stamp)
Pension Office
USA
May 23, 1902

1455B3m5 - 1900
Page 14

304

Pension office,
July 21, 1848,

Sir,
The papers in support of the claim of
James Power, have been examined
and filed. In as much as he has failed
to present his claim until this late day,
and not giving any reasons why he has
to long delayed it, raises strong grounds
sf doubt against its validity. The paper
annexed to his declaration, called a
discharge signed by Capt Hynes, in Decr
1776, does not state how long he served
which is indispensable, because he
claims only six months service, which is
the shortest, for which a pension can be
allowed. He will therefore be required
to shew by the Records in the
land office in Annapolis Maryland
that he served as much as 6 months in the
war of the revolution, under Captain
Hynes. This may be found in
Page 15

at any rate, if such service was
performed, and the officer named belonged
to it, the fact can be established
by the record before stated.

Hon C. Darragh
Pittsburg
Pa

as A, June 1832

Hon C.D. Darragher
July 21, 48,
Page 16

G. M. Coffin
Page 17

Pension Office
Aug 21 1856

1832

Sir
Various papers under cover of your letter
of the 19th inst have been received showing that
no evidence of the service of James Powers
of Penna existed in the State Department &
I apprehend it is not necessary to state
that this is not the character of proof upon
which claims are allowed

J. N. Coffin Esq
Present
Page 18

Washington Augt 19th 1856.

Sir:
In the Revolutionary pension case
James Power of Pennsylvania, under the Act
June 7, 1832, I herewith transmit the
following papers viz

Letter of James Murray Esq. Register
of the Land Office of Maryland

Two Letters of John A Thomas Esq.
Assistant Secretary of State of U States.

Letter of R. Power Esq.

I can find no other evidence
having made every possible search. As these
papers are evidence that we have made every
possible search for evidence.  As 

1st these
papers are evidence that we have made every 
possible search for evidence, and the Pension 
Office Muster Roles being defective is the cause of our 
not finding it -- and as 

2nd: The Honble Darragh
of the House of Representatives, in his letter of
18th May 1848 transmitting the Declaration
Officially certifies "the applicant is known 
"to me as an old citizen of worth and
integrity",  and which is evidence that
he would not swear to a falsehood-- and he
Solemnly Swear "that he continued in the service
"in Captain Hynes Company for six months
"and received from said Capt Hynes his
Page 19

"discharge hereto annexed" _____ I therefore
respectfully solicit, that for the exceeding minute duration of service of only six months that a
pension may allowed.

Mr. R Power states in the enclosed
letter, "the reason" (for the delay) "was that
my father, "thought that the Certificate of his discharge
"was lost and was only found among his old
"papers a very short time before the memorial (declaration)
"of his claim was made out."

I am
Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Isaac N. Coffin

Honble J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 20

Thomas Howard, Pittsburgh Penns.
April 8.
Page 21

Pension Office
April 8, 1856

Sir
In answer to your inquiries respecting 
the claim of James Power, decd, of Panna, for
pension under the act of June 7th, 1832.  I have
to refer you to the enclosed copy of a letter to
Hon C. Darrah, dated July 21st, 1848, the only
letter written from this office in relation to the
claim.

Thos Howard Esq
Pittsburg
Pa
Page 22

Department of State, 
Washington, May 13, 1856

Isaac W. Coffin

Sir,

You were informed by letter dated 
31st Decr. last, that the revolutionary records on 
file in this Dept. furnished no evidence of the 
service of Jas. Power.  On the 2d day of Jany 1856, 
you wrote again requesting that another examination 
of the records might be made.  This letter was not 
answered for the reason that it contained no in
formation or suggestion in relation the service of 
Power, in any way calculated to render a second 
examination of the records, of more avail than the first.

I have therefore to say, in reply to your letter of 
the 21st of April, that no evidence of the service 
of Jas Power is to be found here.

I am respectfully 
Your Obdt Servant

J A. Thomas
Assist. Secty.
Page 23

Ansd. Janry 2, 1856. Also wrote him April 21st to reply,
even if no evidence of service, &c could lay letter before Govt.

Dept of State
Washington, Decr. 31, 1855

Sir 

In reply to your two letters, both dated the 
22d instant, I have to inform you that no evidence 
can be found of the service of Stephen Burgess in Col
Willets Regt in the New York Line.  One Return, only, of 
that Regt is on file in this Dept, and that one is a 
"General Return" giving the number of privates but not 
their names.

It would be in vain to look for evidence of the 
service of James Power, until you inform this Dept 
in what State Line and in which of the regiments of 
that Line, the service was rendered. You state that 
Power claims to have served under Col Schryock, but 
no such name can be on the Index to the 
Revolutionary Records

I am respectfully 
Your Obdt. Servant

J. A. Thomas
Assistant Secry

Isaac N. Coffin
Washington
Page 24

Land Office of Maryland
Decr 27th 1855.

Isaac N. Coffin, Esq
Dr Sir
Your letter of 22d decr was
recd, and I regret to say that after careful
search are evidence of the Rev. Service
of James Power, is found (Illegible) 
Records remaining in this Office

very respy
Yr & & & 
J. Murray
C L D
Page 25

Pension Office
April 16, 1857

Sir
The claim of James Power (illegible)
of Penna can only be allowed upon
the testimony of witnesses who were 
with him on service and who can
show how long he served

The Revolutionary record at Annapolis, 
have not been (illegible) by fire,
but have been examined and
the name of James Power can
not be found.

Thomas Howard
Pittsburg
Penna
Page 26

(circular stamp)
PENSION OFFICE FEB 29 1880
Page 27

Washington DC
Ho. Reps. Feby 28,1860

Hon Geor. C Whiting

Dear Sir

Allow me, respectfully, to subject 
to your consideration the enclosed letter of 
R Power Esq. respecting the application of James Power 
of Penna. pending before you for a Pension.  It 
seems that Mr. Power is [illegible] with a belief 
the proof before the Department is sufficient to 
justify the granting of his application.

I do not accept his proposition as to com
sensation for any attention I may give 
this case.  You will please return the 
enclosed letter with your reply.

Very truly 
Yours 

W Stewart
Page 28

Hon W. Stewart
March 2
Page 29

Pension Office, March 2, 1860.

Sir,

In reply to the inquiries contained in the 
enclosed letter of Mr. R Power, I have the 
honor to state that the claim of James 
Power was originally disallowed by this office for 
the reasons assigned in a letter to Hon C. Darragh 
of July 21, 1848, [struck out: Since then] a copy of 
which is enclosed.  Since then, however 
(in 1857) the Department [struck out: has] decided 
that the children of revolutionary soldiers 
cannot establish and recover such 
claims at all.  They die with the 
soldier and his widow.  The present 
claim is, therefore rejected.

[word struck out] Very respy

Hon. W. Stewart 
House of Reps
Page 30

S. F. Glenn
Jany 8
Page 31

Pension Office
January 8th 1862

Sir
In the case of Thomas Power of Penn, act
7th June 1832. if both the soldier & his widow
are dead, the claim itself cannot be successfully
asserted; for under the rule which governs
the practice of this office, children are not
entitled to the pension which might be due
to their father or mother, if alive.
Children can receive out the unpaid arrears
of a pension established in the life time
of
the parent entitled by law to receive it.

S. F. Glam,
Present.
Page 32

Houston Pa Augst 8
Paid 3

Isaac N. Coffin Esqr
Pension Agent
Washington City
D.C.

Authority 
from
R. Power
son of James Power
Pennsylvania
as Suspended case
Under Act June 7, 1832
Page 33

& examine papers "sent his Discharge, find the power
James Powers
Ex Doc No 37 of Senate 32d (illegible)
Act 1932 ^ Suspended for proof of service.  He is 
"referred to the Land Office Records at Annapolis _____ sixteen years
"of delay in making his application does not improve his chances of proof"
Allegany Co Penn
Fairfield ^ Aug. 8th 1853

Dear Sir
At the request of some of the persons
interested in the matter of the Pension Claim
of James Power decd and a desire on my own
part to know how the matter is progressing
and what the prospects are. You will confer
a favour on us by dropping me a line.  

Brother Says the commissioners 
in their letter to him asked the
question Why the application was not made
sooner and that he neglected to answer the 
interrogatory.
The reason was that my Father though
the certificate of his discharge was lost and was
only found amongst his old papers a very short
time before the Memorial of his claim was
made out. And he also neglected to ascertain the
date of the rolls of Capt Hinds examined by the
Commissioners so that the date of said Rolls might
be compared with the date of the discharge -
and if the dates did not agree it might
Page 34

be some evidence to the Commissioners that the
Rolls of that date were last or destroyed
or it might lead to a more thorough examination
and investigation at the office where
the Rolls are kept.
yours respectfully
R Power

To J. N. Coffin Esq

Address
Fairview Houston P. O.
Allegheny Co.
Penna
Page 35

Pittsburgh 18th May 1848

J. L. Edwards to
Comm of Pensions

Sir I herewith enclose to you
an application for a pension, under 
the laws relating to pensions to
soldiers of the Revolution.

The applicant is known to
me as an old citizen of worth
and integrity.

Very Resp
C Darragh