Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,296, John Henderson, Del.
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(B-1776) 

SERVICE 
Del.
Henderson, John 
NUMBER
S. 22,296

CONTENTS
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See letters to Theodore Willsesy and Pens.” Agent- Philadelphia 14 May 34.
Dea S. see letter written to L P.
Apt x J. Lex Nov. 20, 1836-
Pennsylvania 25.703
John Henderson
of Lycoming Co in the State of Penn.
who was a musician in the Co — commanded
by Captain Moody of the Rgt. commanded
by Cd Patterson in the Delaware
line for 6 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn.
at the rate of 22 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Dec 1833 and sent to G. W. Kathy Williams frat Penn.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833.  55-
Semi-ant. allowance ending L, lea 34.  11- 
$66-
{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Mur Palmer Clerk,
Book E. Vol. five. Page 24.
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27710
John Henderson
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State of Pennsylvania 
County of Lycoming} 
On this third day of December Anno Domini 1832, personally in open court, before the President and associate judges of the court of Common Pleas of Lycoming county, now sitting, John Henderson, a resident of Shrewsbury township in the county of Lycoming and state of Pennsylvania, aged 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his solemn oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June the seventh 1832.           
That he entered the United States service and served under the following named officers. At the time he was first drafted, he was living in Apaqurerany hundred, New Castle County, State of Delaware; he was enlisted in July of 1776 at the age of twenty two, as a musician in the flying Camp under Capt. William Moody, and General Samuel Patterson. I rode my own horse and I and another musician went recruiting with Captain Moody about a month and raised a company and immediately marched with it to Christiana Bridge where we waited a few days until we were joined by our regiment commanded by Maj Neel thence we marched to Philadelphia where we remained a few days; here the Regiment drew their guns and blankets, Thence we marched to Amboy in the State of New Jersey. While at Amboy we had a small skirmish, in which I beheld the unhappy fate of many dead, wounded and dying, while the bullets flew about our ears like hands full of gravel stones, though I escaped without receiving a wound. We remained at Amboy, until the regiment was obliged to retreat before the British Army to Brunswick. The next day our time of enlistment being out, we started home. On the way home, being out of money, and in distress for want of provision, they staid at Philadelphia a few days until they were joined by the Captain, who being scarce of money gave unto the applicants hands, money merely sufficient to distribute to each man two shillings and sixpence, which by the Captain's orders he did and kept two shillings and six pence himself which was all the compensation he ever received
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While at Amboy, we took about thirty English and Hessian prisoners and brought them before General Washington I believe on Christmas day, who were released by the General. After six months, the time of enlistment the applicant marched home with his captain, the said Moody. Both before and after this term of six months he was often employed in the Service of his country, tho not regularly enlisted. He once was called out to oppose the landing of the Roebuck, which the Capt. thought to do by small arms, but the Commander of the Roebuck taking compassion on the ignorance of the Capt, and the defence-less condition of the soldiers as the applicant afterwards learned it, desisted from his attempts and wheeled off after firing a round or two over their heads to convince them of his power and the foolishness of their resistance. The applicant has no documentary evidence and he knows of but one person viz: Mary Miers, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his Service, and is here shown to court. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state, or on that of the Agency of the State of Pennsylvania.        
Sworn and Subscribed in open court, the day and year aforesaid.                   
John Henderson
For J. Wood Prothy
J LeMessina, Dep. }
We Robert Taylor, Jacob Courson residing in Shrewsbury township Lycoming Co. hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Henderson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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 in open court the day and year aforesaid.     Robert Taylor    
Jacob Courson      
For J.  Wood Prothy         
J. LeMessina  
And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion
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after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, described 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 Nathan Fellows whose deposition accompanies this declaration is a clergyman, resident in Loyalsock township Ly. County and that Robert Taylor & Jacob Corson who have signed the above certificate are residents in Shrewsbury township and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit. 
Answers to the interrogatories, }
(omitted in their proper place.) }
Seth Chapman
John Cummings
A. Davidson
1st.  I was born in Ogletown, New Castle county state of Delaware in the year 1754-
2nd.  I have no record of my age.
3rd.  I was living when called into service in Apaquiniming hundred [Appoquinimink Hundred], county and state aforesaid, and resided in that and Pencader hundred till the year 1801, July when I removed to the Warm Springs Huntingdon County, after staying there six weeks, I left it [for] and went to Sinking Creek, Potter township, Centre Co. and remained there till late in the spring following when I removed to Lycoming County, where I have resided ever since.
4th.  I was drafted, was never a substitute.
5th.  In answer to this question, I can state nothing material, in addition to that already stated.
6th.   I never received a written discharge, after the expiration of my term we marched home with our Capts and were disbanded.
7th.   I am personally known to Robert Taylor & Jacob Corson, who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief in my services as a soldier of the revolution. 
I, Joseph Wood, Clerk of the court of Common.
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Pleas of Lycoming county, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Henderson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto let my hand and Seal of the Pat. office this third day of December A.D. 1832.
For J. Wood Trothing
J. Lemessina
Dep P.
27 John
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Revolution
22296
INVALID.
File No. 22,296
John Henderson
Musician Rev War
Act: June 7” 32”
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 178
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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John Henderson
25.703
Penn propet
Proof of Service
Cadet 6 months
Musician
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
Nor. H 1833 [handwritten]
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. These 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A STATEMENT, shewing the Service of John Henderson 

Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported. | 
Years. | Months. | Days. 

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
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 instance, 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 } 32. 
County of

On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory, or District of aged (c) 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 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) , with and 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 on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed in 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 do hereby certify (h) 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 (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 and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 days 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 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, there 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 has become of it?
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the 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.  If 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 inquiry 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 proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is 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 June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court or Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood expecting such services, the title of the
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J L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Oct 22
 Jno Henderson parole

Mail
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Mailed October 20 1836

J L Edwards Esq

Dear

The enclosed pension was transmitted for the purpose of receiving the money for the use of the parties [illegible] was however refused by the Bank in consequence of some informality which you will observe noted in lead pencil by the Clerk. My object in [illegible] you is to solicit on behalf of the parties for whose benefit it is your kind interference so that they will be enable [enabled] to obtain the money. The expenses of sending it back to them & getting new papers would be considerable which I should like to avoid. Have the goodness & return them to me as early as convenient.

Yours Respectfully 
Jacob Lea
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[illegible] 14 May, 36.
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Mailed 11th of May 1836
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Dear Sir
I have made application to the Girard Bank for the Balance of pension due John Henderson a  Revolutionary pensioner of Act of 7 June 1832. I herewith transmit the voucher presented for your Information. I am informed by the Agent that the pension not having been claimed for two years it is necessary in all such cases to have an Order from you for that purpose. Will you be good enough to examine the enclosed voucher & if found to your satisfaction, please give the Agent the necessary Order to pay & return the voucher to me at Philadelphia.
Permit me to state that as this is the only business to cause me any delay in Phil. after  today, I should feel obliged if you will give this your early attention.

Yrs &c
Theodore Willy
Please return this with your orders to Mssrs S L J Hervey & Market Stuart for his.
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J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Dec. 27, 1835
Mr. Evans

Postmark 
Dec 20
Wm PORT PA
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Wm Port Lycoming County, Dec 24
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
I forwarded the forepart of this month, the application of John Henderson, for a pension which had been returned by me for a correction. You do confer a favor by Sending the Certificate as soon as possible the applicant's is a very old man and at present is in a very frail state of health. he is likewise very poor and the money would. at present be of material benefit to him. I feel more interested for him as he is a very respectable and worthy old man and should like to  see his situation alleviated and there is no doubt of his having been in the Service in the Revolutionary War as he represents in his declaration. 
Your attention to the above will much oblige both him and us
Yrs. Respy
Geo Lathy

25.703
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WMSPO Nov 6

Nov
addl. proof.
Jno Hendersen
Pa

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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J. L. Edwards, 
Commission of Pension, 
Washington City, D.C
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Wm Port Lycoming County Sept 5th 1833 J.L. Edward’s Esqr      
Dear Sir-   Two or three days ago I forwarded the declaration of John Henderson a revolutionary soldier at the same time mentioning that the certificate of Nathan Fellows a clergyman, which had been given in Bradford County, had been mislaid, since that I have received it and forward it immediately.            
There is one requisite, not complied with in this certificate and the certificate of Mary Miers already in your possession which is the certificate of the magistrate as to their credibility. That defect in that of Mary Miers can be readily remedied by returning the papers - as the magistrate lived in this County, if it is decreed absolutely necessary - but it will be difficult to is lined out, with respect to the other as he lives in Bedford County and communication between this and the place of the magistrate’s residence being not very direct or frequent but I hope this will be deemed sufficient as existing circumstances and the presumption of credibility springing from the title and profession ought to amount to positive proof.         
Yours Truly             
Geo Lathy
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Lycoming County ss              
Personally appeared before me the subscriber for one of the justices of the peace in and for said County, Mary Miers who affirmeth that she well remembers her Brother John Henderson being in Service in the War of the Revolution, and that his Captions Name was Moody      affirmed and subscribed before me this 29th day of October 1832.              
Mary Miers William Chamberlin                
I, William Chamberlin, the aforesaid Justice of the Peace, in and for Lycoming County, do hereby certify that the above named declarant, is an honest and credible witness and that her statement is entitled to credit.              
Witness my hand this 30 day of December A.D. 1833             
William Chamberlin
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State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County

I, Joseph Moody, Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas in and for the county aforesaid, hereby certify that William Chamberlain Esq is a magistrate as aforesaid, and that the written Signature purporting to be his is genuine.
[illegible] whereof I have hereby set my name and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 2nd day of November A.D.1833
Joseph Moody
J. LeMessina
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Bradford County ss
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in the county of Bradford and state of Pennsylvania The Rev Nathan Fellows a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church who upon his solemn oath says that he is personally acquainted with John Henderson of the Shrewsbury Township Lycoming county that said John Henderson is an organ man, of good moral habits and that he is reported and believer in the neighborhood to have been a revolutionary soldier,, and further saith not
Sworn and subscribed
Before me this 22 nd
Day of Nov. 1832
Dyer Ormsly }
G.V.

Nathan Fellows
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Bradford County, 
I, James P. Bull, Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Bradford County do certify that Dyer Ormsby whose name is subscribed to the within certificate is and was at the date thereof recognized in the said Court as a duly qualified Justice of the Pease, and that I am acquainted with his signature and believe the witness to be genuine. Witnesseth my hand and official seal this 23d day of October A.D. 1839  J.P. Bull