Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9659, for John Sleigh, Pennsylvania
Page 1

SERVICE  Penn.
Sleigh, John
NUMBER R9659
Page 2

[All Handwritten] 

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the seventh of June 1832.

State of Georgia to -
Saint Mary's. Camden County

On this thirteenth day of June - one thousand Eight and thirty three.  Personally appeared.  Before me the subscriber in open court [illegible] and judge of the city court - John Sleigh a resident of the city of St. Mary's and county aforesaid, aged seventy Five years.  Who being 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, [illegible] June 7th 1832.

That he the said John Sleigh shipwright was drafted for the Term of two months (the day and month not recollected) in the year 1776. in the city of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania and served in the company commanded by Captain William Bowers - and regiment of the Pennsylvania line, under the following officers: [illegible]

Colonel McKean as Commanding officer of his Regiment - his immediate Captains Captain William Bowers.  Capt Silas [illegible] - and Capt (name not now recollected.)

He was [illegible] a part of his service (with his company.) under the command of Col. [illegible]:
Page 3

[All Handwritten]

That he continued in the said corps and in the service of the United States at the time of his first draft for Five months. the [illegible] of his service - That he was subsequently drafted, - and served out two several drafts. and was regularly discharged at Philadelphia.

The declarant further states that he has lost, or mislaid, his discharges. so that the same can not now be found.  And not owing to his long absence from Pennsylvania the place of his birth (where[illegible] of Thirty four years it is out of his power to furnish the testimony of a witness who can detail his personal knowledge of the services rendered by him those whom he was most intimately acquainted at that period. having old age and [illegible] to parts unknown.

He further says He was in no battles was with his company at Dumfries in Virginia at the fall of Philadelphia in 1777. having left the state through his company march through Maryland [illegible].

He further declares, that he, with several other shipwrights were detailed at Philadelphia (on his first draft, and) sent to Trenton to assist in repairing flat bottom boats and [illegible] which had been ordered and were building [illegible] for the transportation of Troops and baggage as he then understood.

He further declares himself to be in reduced circumstances and in need of his country now for support.  That he has no other [illegible]  now in his power of his said services.  And hereby relinquishes, every claim, whatever, to a  pension, or an annuity. except the present and
Page 4

[All Handwritten]

he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.  
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid

Archd. Clark    John Sleigh
[illegible] + Judge City Court

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  Archd. Clark [illegible] + Judge City Court

I Alfred Doolittle, Clerk of the [illegible] and council court of the city of Saint Mary's Georgia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Sleigh for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand + seal of the city this thirteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.

Alfred Doolittle  Clerk
[illegible]
Page 5

are well acquainted with John Sleigh, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration That we believe him to be seventy Five years of age; That, he is reputation and behavior in this place where he has resided [illegible] of Thirty Four years, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year [illegible]

Archd Clark [illegible] + city court St. Mary's
Horace S. Pratt
Clergyman Pres. Church [illegible]
John Pottle

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after trusting the Interrogatories, present ed 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 Horace S. Pratt who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the city of Saint Mary's and that John Pottle who has also signed the same is a resident also.  and is [illegible]able person and that their statement is Entitled to credit.

I Alfred Doolittle, Clerk of the [illegible] + council court of the city of S. Mary's do hereby certify that the foregoing confirms the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Sleigh for a pension In Testimony Whereof I have set my hand + seal of the city this thirteenth day of June 1833.

Alfred Doolittle Clerk of [illegible] + council court [illegible]
Page 6

[All Handwritten]

The court proceeded to pr[illegible] the interrogatories set forth in the instructions forwarded by the Department of War and the following answers were given to each [illegible[.

To the 1st He answers that he was born in the year 1758 from the best information 

2d Has no record of his age.

3d Was living in Southwark Philadelphia since the Revolution.  has resided in Philadelphia in Dumfries Virginia and in St. Mary Georgia, where he now resides.

4th was drafted and served on his own account.

5th Col McKean, Col. Will. Capt. Bowers. Capt. Inglis, and others, but names not now recollected.  The company to which he belonged rendezvoused at Trenton - where, it was said is assist Genl. Washington's army, in a [illegible] attache, on [illegible]

6th He received his discharges from the captains under whom he served - They have since been lost, or mislaid, and cannot now be found.

7th John Chevalier, Michael Rudolph - Lewis Bachlott, Edmund Richardson  Genl. John Floyd  Ray Sands.  Francis Rudolph  Amos Latham and others.  

Pensioner John Sleigh

Archd. Clark
[illegible] + Judge City Court
Page 7

[All Handwritten]

John Sleigh
Georgia
No. 21783

Sus [illegible] Aug 8

Rejected

e.k.m

7659
18 Sept 1833

Archibald Clark
St. Mary's County Ga.
Page 8

[Printed}
WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office.

[Handwritten]
April 13th 1813

[Printed]
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 show what is necessary to be done.  These points to which you 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.

[Printed]
A Statement, showing the Service of [handwritten] John Sleigh

[Printed]
Period when the service was rendered.
[Handwritten]
1776 drafted   "   "

[Printed] 
Duration of the claimant's service.  Years.  Months.  Days.
[Handwritten under Months]
2
performed duty in three several drafts

[Printed]
Rank of the claimant.
[Handwritten]
Pri

[Printed]
Names and Rankk of the Company officers under whom he served.
[Handwritten]
Capt. [illegible] Bowers

[Printed]
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
[Handwritten]
Col. McKean

[Printed]
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.

[Printed]
Country through which he marched.

[Printed]
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
[Handwritten]
75 years
Philadelphia Pa.

[Printed]
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
[Handwritten]
Traditionary

[Printed]
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 9

[All Printed]

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
County of } ss.
On this     day of      personally appeared (a) before    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 yar (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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he as 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 [illegible]

He hereby relinquishes every claim [illegible] 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 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, 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 (1) 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
Page 10

[Printed]

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts state I 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 where 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 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.  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 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 [illegible] is required to be [illegible] Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the [illegible] 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 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 of 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 of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period 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.

[bracketed in handwriting]
[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 ___ year ___months, and ___days, I served as a ___.  For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___; and fur 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, as 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 years 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 mush certify to the credibility of the witnesses, 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 [illegible] 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.

[Bracketed in handwriting]
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.

[l]  If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.

[Bracketed in handwriting]
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 11

[All Handwritten] 
John Sleigh
Ga:
Rejected. See let 18.
Sept 1833 to
Archibald Clark 
St. Mary's Ga
Let of June 1832
Page 12

[Printed but crossed out in handwriting]
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.

[illegible] writing

[Printed]
P.O.

[Handwritten]
John Sleigh

[Printed]
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18  .
Discharged: _____, 18  .
[illegible]cation filed: _____, 18  .
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.
Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18  .

[Stamped]
REJECTED
Page 13

[Handwritten]
To/J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[Stamped]
ST MARYS GEO AUG 24
Page 14

[All Handwritten]
Saint Mary's 24th Aug. 1832

Sir
Agreeably to the request contained in your letter of the 8th instant you have herewith the original declaration of John Sleigh.  [illegible] the receipt of yours this document was considered as having been supp[illegible]ed by the one recently forwarded.

Be pleased to make known, the result of the old man's case (being really in [illegible]) as early as your convenience will permit

Remaining respectfully 
Your obd sert

Archd Clark.

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Pensioner office
Washington City
Page 15

[All Handwritten]
St. Mary's 19 June 1832.

Sir, 
I have the honor to forward the enclosed papers, in the case of John Sleigh, who applies for pension as a soldier of the Revolution - to aid the old man I prepared the declaration as near the instructions as the facts + circumstances within his power permitted and hope they are of [illegible] from he may be found worthy of being enrolled.

Please communicate through me when the department, shall have [illegible] upon his case.

I have the honor to remain
Respectfully
[illegible]
Archd. Clark

To J.L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions 
P.S. I would be much obliged of having a form [crossed out] blank form as a future guide please enclose one.
Page 16

[Handwritten]

John Sleigh
21783
Page 17

[Handwritten]

District of Georgia  ss
Saint Mary's.

On this twenty Eight day of December
(1832) one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two Before me the subscriber, Intendant, and Judge of the City Court Saint Mary's personally appeared John Sleigh, aged Seventy five years, resident of said City, in the said District, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the [illegible] of Congress entitled "an act supplementary to the act for the
relief of certain officers, and soldiers of the revolution

That he the said John Sleigh (ship wright) was
drafted for the term of two months on the
day of month not recollected, in the year
1776 in Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania in the Company commanded by Captain William Bowers of the Regiment of Colonel McKean in the line of Pensylvania on the Continental Establishment. That he continued to serve in said corps
or in the service of the United States at that time for the period of two months, being the time of his draft. That
Page 18

[All Handwritten]

That he was subsequently drafted, and performed duty in three separate drafts and was regularly discharged. That the names of his several commanding officers (as far as his memory serves, was Capt Silas Ingles Col Will -and

That he was in no battles - was with
his company at Dumfries in Virginia at the [illegible] of Philadelphia in 1777.

He further declares that on his first draft in 1776, he was with several others (ship wrights) detailed, and sent to Trenton, assist in repairing flat bottom, boats that had been ordered and were built at the Expense of the United States, for the transportation of Troops and Baggage as he then understood.

He further, declares that he is in reduced circumstance and in need of the assistance of his country for support and that he has no other evidence now in his pow of his said service.

Sworn to and declared
before me the day & year aforesd

John Sleigh

Archd. Clark
[illegible] + Judge City Court St. Mary's
Page 19

[All Handwritten]

I Archibald Clark,  Intendant and Judge of
the City Court (Saint Mary's Georgia) as aforesaid -

Do certify that it appears, to my satisfaction
that the said John Sleigh did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common Enemy for the period as stated by him as a drafted militia man of the Line of Pensylvania and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary of the War Department pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his country for support..

In Testimony whereof I have set my official name , + caused the Corporate seal to be affixed the day + year aforesaid.

Archd. Clark
[illegible] + Judge City Court
Page 20

[Handwritten]

I Alfred Doolittle Clerk of the I[illegible]
and Council Court do certify that Archibald
Clark Esquire, who hath subscribed the foregoing document is intent and of Saint Mary's + Judge of the City Court which is a Court of Record and that all due faith, and credit, is and [illegible] to be given to his acts as such, and I have in obedience to his authority affixed above his signature the Corporate seal the day and year aforesaid.- Alfred Doolittle Clerk

John Sleigh
21783