Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,593, John Hair, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

Hair, John

NUMBER
S. 2,593

carded
----------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
B. 1756 Lancaster Col. res. Washington Co. Penn. 1832.
Page 2

[left-hand side of page]

4069 
Pittsburgh ^ Penn ^ Agency
-------------------------------
John Hair
of _______in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Hair of the Reg commanded by Col. Thompson in the Pennsylvania line for 
Sergeant 8 mo.________$40.00
Private 14 days _______$   1.53
$ 41.53
-----------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency at the rate of 41. Dollars 53 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. 
------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of January 1833 and sent to Hon T. M. S. McKennan House Reps
----------------------------------
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  $62.29
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4th Mar 1833 $20.76
$83.05 [double underlined]

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.       }

Recorded by Vinal Luce Clerk,
Book D Vol. 2 Page 196

[right-hand side of page]

Messers 
Clarke & Quartrell same 
15 May 1850
22 May 1850

[Date of death not on AB - handwritten]

[handwritten in left-hand margin:  Date of death not on A.B.]
Page 3

John Hair
18940
Page 4

Washington County }
Pennsylvania            } Sct
 
On this first day of October A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington, now sitting, Doctor John Hair, a resident of West Finley Township in the County of Washington, and State of Pennsylvania, aged Seventy six years, six months and fourteen days, who being first duly worn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, viz:

I was born in the lower end of Lancaster County in the State of Pennsylvania, on the twentieth day of March A.D. 1756--the record of my birth is in my fathers family bible, of which I have a copy in my own bible--The original is not now within my reach, nor do I know where it is.  When I was a small boy my father removed into West Nantmill township, Chester County, which is in the neighbourhood [sic] of our former residence, where we continued to reside till July or August A.D. 1776 when I entered into the service of my country.  In the fall of the year 1775 I had been drafted first sergeant in a company of militia commanded by my father, Captain James Hair, in Colonel James Moore's regt of Chester County militia, and at the time before [illegible] of, to wit, July  or August 1776, our whole company was drafted into the service of the United states, and I went out and provided the tour of duty as first sergeant as aforesaid. Our whole regiment, under Col. Moore was drafted and marched first to Philadelphia, from there through Trenton, Riverton, and Brunswick to Amboy where we were stationed between two and three months--There was then a draft made out of our regiment to make up their quota to the Flying Camp--I was drafted as a Sergeant under Captain Johnston in the regiment commanded by Colonel Thompson--We were drafted I believe for six months in the Flying Camp, but did
Page 5

not serve out that time, for to the best of my recollection, when Gen. Washington was on his retreat and crossed the Delaware, he discharged us, and we returned home after an absence of five months -- After we were drafted into the  Flying Camp, we were marched to fort Lee where we remained till Gen. Washington was compelled to retreat, when we were discharged -- the whole of this tour, including the service in the militia and the flying camps, was about five months -- I never rec'd any written discharge --

I remained at home in Chester County till December 1777 when I was again drafted as a sergeant and served a tour of duty of three months in a company commanded by David Denny, Captain, Francis Gardner, Lieutenant, Ensigns name not recollected -- I think our Colonels name was Cuthbertson, and we joined General Potter's brigade at Radnor Meeting House on the great road leading from Philadelphia to Lancaster, about fifteen miles from Philadelphia.  From that place Gen. Potter sent a detachment to join Gen. Lacy in Bucks County, Penna. of which our company commanded a post.  We lay at Smithfield in Bucks County, and had our Pickets Guard at Frankfort about five miles above Philadelphia, till the expiration of our term of service.  

I did serve another short tour of duty, which I had almost forgot to mention -- It was at the time of the Massacre of the Paoli.  I joined a volunteer company under Captain John  Grimes, who was my lieutenant the first expedition, Francis Gardner was our Lieutenant but I do not recollect the name of the Ensign -- we volunteered for three months and were in service only two weeks when we joined Gen. Wayne at the Paoli, and participated in the bloody affair of the Paoli which took place the same night -- In the morning after coming out of the woods to which we had fled, our captain marched us home & it ended this expedition.

After my return home to Chester County from my last campaign, I resided at my old home, two or
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Three years, when I removed to Berkley County, Virginia where I resided near seventeen years, and from there came to Washington County in October A.D. 1795, where I have resided ever since -- I have practiced as a physician for many years -- I have acted as a justice of the peace also for many years in Washington County, and have been a Colonel in the militia for a number of years -- I am now however by unavoidable misfortunes reduced to poverty.  The only office of the regular army that I can now recollect, other than such as I have already named, was Col. Samuel John Atlee who formerly commanded the Pennsylvania state regiment and afterwards, his regiment was turned over to the Continental troops.  I can refer to Col. James Mitchell, James Baren Wm Radnor, the Rev. John W. Miller D.D. the Rev. Leonard Ralston D.D. the Hon. Boyd Mercer and the Hon. John Hamilton as persons who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution -- I was an elder in Doctor W. Miller's church for six years.  I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.  

/s/ John Hair

Sworn to  and  subscribed }   
the day and year aforesaid}
/s/ Thomas Officer, Pro
Oct. 1, 1832

We James Mitchell residing in Peters township, Washington County, and Benjamin Williams residing in Nottingham township, in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Doctor John Hair who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy six years, six months and fourteen days old; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood [sic] where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; & that we concur in that opinion.  

/s/ James Mitchell
/s/ Benjamin Williams
Sworn & subscribed, the } 
day & year aforesaid       }  
/s/ T. Officer Pro.
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Washington County Sct.

James Mitchell appeared in open Court, and being sworn saith that he was personally  present in Col. James Moore's regt. & Capt. James Hairs company, of Chester County Militia when John Hair was elected Sergeant in the year 1775.  And in the year 1776 I saw the said John Hair in the Flying Camp having a  tour of duty of six months ; And in the year 1777 I saw said John Hair having a tour of duty in Capt. David Denny's company of Chester County Militia, in Gen, Potter's brigade when the British were in Philadelphia, and afterwards saw the same John Hair serving under Gen. Lacy in Bucks County, where he had been detached by Gen. Potter -- they had their camp at Smithfield & left their Picket at Frankfort, five miles above Philadelphia -- this last tour of duty was for three months -- And that he acted as 1st Sergeant in both tours -- And further saith not.  

/s/ James Mitchell
Sworn & subscribed 
in open Court
Oct 1, 1832,
/s/ Thos. Officer  Pro

Washington County SS  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 
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 James Mitchell J.P. of Peters township and Benjamin Williams residing in Nottingham township are credible persons, and  that their statement is entitled to credit.  

I, Thomas Officer, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter 
[letter is cut off here]
[evidence of a seal]
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Oct 1, 1832,
Thos. Officer Pro

Washington County SS  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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 James Mitchell, Esq. of Peters township, and Benjamin Williams residing in Nottingham township, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  

I, Thomas Officer, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said  Court in the matter of the application of John Hair for a pension.  

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 1st day of October 1832.
/s/ Thomas Officer Pro. [SEAL]
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No. 18940
~
John Hair

Susp. Dec. 7, 1832
Obj. 5.1b
Int 6

Hon'ble T. M. S. McRennan
Ho. of Reps

Adm'd
8 mo. Sergeant   $40.00
14 mo. private           1.53
                               $41.53

E
 P 137.
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Brief in the case of John Hair of Washington Co. in the state of Pennsylvania 
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Open Court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he?  76 years
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. In 1776 July or Aug. 
1777 Dec.
Another time

Duration of Service. 2 Months  
5 Months
3 Months
14 Days.

Rank.  As a Sergeant
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Gen. Capt. Hair, Col. Moore, Militia
Capt. Johnson, Col. Thompson Militia
Capt, Denney, Lt. Gardner, Col. Cuthbertson, Gen'l Potter
Capt. Grimes, Lt. Gardner, Volunteer

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Paoli
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Chester Co. Pa.
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Living witness
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Improperly attached
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
/s/ D. Brown
Examining Clerk.
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Sir:
19
In reply to your request of Oct. 19, received Oct. 25
for a statement of the military history of
John Hair
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information
as contained in his (or his widow's crossed out) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. File 2593

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
July or Aug. 1776
Dec. 1777
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
5 mos
RANK.
Sergeant
2 weeks Private
3 mos. Sergeant
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
his father
┃ James Hair
Johnston
John Grimes
David Denny
COLONEL.
James Moore
Thompson
[checkmark]
Cuthbertson
STATE.
Penn.
Flying Camp

Battles engaged in, *Paoli.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, West Nantmill Twp. Chester Co. Penn.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 8 1832 His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, West Finley Twp, Washington Co. Penn.
Age at date of application, born Mch 17, 1756 lower end Lancaster Co. Penn.
Remarks:  in 1832 he stated that after the war he resided in his ^ old home 2 or 3 years; next in ^ Berkeley Co. Va. 17 years and moved from there in 1795 to Washington
Co. Penn. where he had been Justice of the Peace many years as well as a practicing physician & Colonel of Militia. The date of his death is not shown.
His son James was of Claysville, Penn. in 1850. There is no further family data
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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June 3, 1940

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

JOHN HAIR
S. 2593
BA-J/MLB 
[initialed]

Mrs. Vera Hare Miller
8346 Kirkwood
Detroit, Michigan

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Heir or Hare who served from Pennsylvania (probably Lancaster County).

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S 2593, of John Hair, based upon service of the only soldier of that name under any spelling of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

John Hair, son of James Hair, was born March 17, 1756, in the lower end of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  When a small boy, he moved with his father into West Nantmill Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In the fall of 1775, John Hair was elected 1" sergeant in a company of Chester County militia commanded by his father, Captain James Hair, in Colonel James Moore's Pennsylvania regiment.  He served a tour of five months from July or August, 1776, as a sergeant in a flying camp under Captain Johnston and Colonel Thompson.  In 1777, he volunteered and served a short tour of two weeks as a private under Captain John Grimes and was in the battle of Paoli, after which he remained at home until December, 1777, when he again served a tour of three months as 1" sergeant in Captain David Denny's company, Colonel Cuthbertson's Pennsylvania regiment.

In 1832, he stated that, after the Revolution, he resided at his old home in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for two or three years, then in Berkeley County, Virginia, for nearly seventeen years, and in October, 1795, moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where for many years he was a practising [sic] physician, justice of the peace, Colonel of militia, also an elder in Reverend John W. Miller' church for six years.
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John Hair was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832, while a resident of West Finley Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.

In 1850, soldier's son, James Hair, was living on Claysville, Pennsylvania.  There was no reference to soldier's wife and no further reference to children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of the person to whom paid, and possibly the date of death of John Hair, you should write to Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

John Hair
Certificate #4069
Issued January 10, 1835
Rate $41.55 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Agency

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 14

April 23, 1932

BA-J/MLB
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
JOHN HAIR
S 2593

Mrs. Gene H. McGahey
10 Lenox Court
Asheville, North Carolina

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of recent date, relative to John Hair, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 2593, of John Hair, based upon his military service in the Revolution.

John Hair, son of James Hair, was born March 17, 1756, in the lower end of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  When a small boy he moved with his father into West Nantmill Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In the fall of 1775, John Hair was elected 1" sergeant in a company of Chester County militia commanded by his father, Captain James Hair in Colonel James Moore's Pennsylvania regiment.  He served a tour of five months from July or August, 1995, as a sergeant in a flying camp under Captain Johnston and Colonel Thompson.  In 1777, he volunteered and served a short tour of two weeks as a private under Captain John Grimes and was in the battle of Paoli, after which he remained at home until December, 1777, when he again served a tour of three months as1" sergeant in Captain David Denny's company, Colonel Cuthbertson's Pennsylvania regiment.

In 1832, he stated that after the Revolution he resided at his old home in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for two or three years, then in Berkeley County, Virginia, for nearly seventeen years, and in October, 1795, moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where for many years he was a practising [sic] physician, justice of the peace, Colonel of militia, also an elder in Reverend John W. Miller's church for six years.
Page 15

John Hair was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832, while a resident of West Finley Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.

In 1850, soldier's son, James Hair, was living in Claysville, Pennsylvania.  There was no reference to soldier's wife and no further reference to children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of the person to whom paid, and possibly the date of soldier's death, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following data:--John Hair, Certificate #4069, issued January10, 1835, rate $41.55 per annum, commenced March 4,1831, Act June 7, 1832, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Agency.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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[clock date stamp at upper left-hand corner]
APR 20 1940
MAIL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 28
VETS ADM

[handwriting in upper right-hand corner]
only 1 of
Lancaster Co., Pa.

8346 Kirkwood Ave
Detroit, Michigan
April 18, 1940

Veterans Bureau of Administration
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-

Could you please send me information dealing with one - John Herr, Haar etc or John Hare who fought in the Revolutionary War.  Could you give me the battle he fought in and if he lost his life, when & where?  Also any other important dates.

 I am a descendant of the person in question and I am trying to complete the early family tree.
Page 17

He was enlisted from Pennsylvania and probably from Lancaster County.

If you can't give me desired information, could you tell me where I could find it!

and oblige
Mrs. Vera Hare Miller
8346 Kirkwood
Detroit, Mich.
Page 18

Rev [handwritten and circled]

10 Lenox Court,
Asheville, N. C.,
March 11, 1932

Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

The Director of the State Library of Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, has written to me that John Hair, sergeant in Pennsylvania Militia in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and a second John Hair, of Pennsylvania Militia in Washington County, Ohio, were pensioned for service in the War of the American Revolution.  She advised that I write you for further information regarding these two men.

Can you give me information as to the birth records and death records of these men?

I am attempting to trace the records in an effort to get all the information possible to enable me to join the Daughters of the American Revolution.  My information is very meagre.  It appears that one John Hair (Hare) served in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and one John Hair (Hare) served in Chester County.

If you are unable to give me information regarding the birth records, can you  give me information as to what department I should write for this information?

Respectfully yours,
/s/ Mrs. Gene Hare McGahey

[clock time stamp]
RECEIVED [arrow pointing to 10:00]
MAR 12 1932
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION
Page 19

[left-hand side of page]

1919 Nov. 3. History to Clarence E.
Heald, letter in S.4325 John Hair
Perm. c [cent]

1932 Apr. 22 Hist to Mrs. Gene
Hare McGahey - MLB

1940 May 28 Hist to Mrs. Vera
Hare Miller - MLB

[right-hand siide of page]

Rev War

2593
INVALID.
---------------------

File No. 2593
John Hair
Sergt. Rev. War
---------------------
Act:  June 7 1832
Index:--Vol. A., Page 157.

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Amendment of John Hair's declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress, passed June 7th 1832.
-------------------------------------------------
Washington County
Pennsylvania  Sct.

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington aforesaid, John Hair Esquire, 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 five months I served as first sergeant.  For three months I again served as a first sergeant.  For fourteen days I served as a private; and for such service I claim a pension.  The reason why I did not obtain the evidence of a clergyman was that Doctor W. Miller, my old pastor, was too aged and frail to be brought to court; and W. Thomas Hayr, to whose congregation I now belong, was not at home.

I have no documentary evidence, nor do I know of any person whose testimony I can procure, who can testify to my service, except Col. James Mitchell, whose affidavit accompanies my original declaration.  I never received a written discharge; nor did I even receive any commission.
/s/ John Hair
Sworn & subscribed
before me 31 December 1833
/s/ John Marshel

I do  certify that John Marshel, Esqr whose signature is above is an acting justice of the peace in & for the County of Washington -
/s/ Th. M. T. McKennan
Jany 4th 1833 -
Page 21

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir -

We are requested by James Hair, Esq. of Claysville, Pa. to inquire whether his father, Dr. James Hair, late a pensioner of the U. States, was not  entitled to a higher rate of pension that he received; and also whether the fractions which accrued after the last semi annual payment has been received.

Your obt servt
Clarke & Quantrill
15 Feb. 1850
Washington
Page 22

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions

Sir--

Your report of the 16th ish in the case of John Hair has been received.

The office hand you have made a mistake.  Our inquiry was in relation to Dr. John Hair and refer you to our communication and hope you will give us an early answer.

Your obt servt
Clark & Quantrill
18 May, 1850
Washington