Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,585, for John Stewart, Maryland
Page 1


service  Md. Penn.
John Stewart
Number  S.14585
carded
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See Cir. Tra.--Sept 8. '35
To Kentucky fr 4 Sept. 1834
--Sept. 24 1835--
Date of death not on AB.

77.54
+Ohio  Kentucky
John Stewart
of Clemont Co in the sState of Ohio.
who was a Pte & Sergt. in the Compy commanded by Captain Baker of the Regt. commanded 
by Col." Stull in the Maryland
line for nine months.
Sergt 3 mos. $15.00
Private 6 ds. 20.00
$35.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio.
at the rate of 35. Dollars 00. Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28, day of Mar.
a833. and sent to J. D. Morris  Batavia. Clermont Co. Ohio

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833. 70.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Feb to 1833  17.50
$87.50

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer  Clerk
Book E. Vol. 8 (or 81)  Page 24.
Pa. * and Md.
Records completed Febr. 1, 1907 Ss
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18603
7.754
John Stewart
Ohio
Adm for 9 months from
1777.
3 month abrf $15
6. da (illegible word) 20
$35

J. D. Morris  Clk
Balance  
Clermont Co  Ohio

Stewart, John 
Md. S 14585
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Brief in the case of John Stewart who had no settled place to reside County of Clermont in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 77
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period :  tracked in 1776 , Duration: 3 Months   Rank As a Sergeant
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served: Washington (other words too faded to be legible) Capt. Baker, Col. Stull, Johnson Brigade

Period:   1779
Duration: 4 Months
Rank: Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served: Col. Stephenson, Capt Willin, ( other names too faded to read)

Period: (Too faded to read)
Duration of Service: 2 Months
Rank: Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served: Capt. Ford (other name too faded to read)

5. In what battles was he engaged? (Too faded to read)
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hagerstown Md
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached. (other words too faded to read)


(signature of clerk too faded to read)
Examining Clerk
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State of Ohio, Clermont County Ss.
Personally appeared in this Court & before the Honl George P Lourence Prect. Judge and Robert Hainer Thom. Emery and Jerack Whitaker Esqr Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Clermont County now sitting John Stewart who has no settled place of residence but (illegible word) stay at William Boyds his nephew residing in Williams (illegible word) township and expects in future to reside with him. aged 77 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He was born in Lancaster County in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1755 on the first day of February. As appears from a record of his age which he has seen in his father's family bible and believes to be correct--but deponent has no record of his age--he entered the service of the United States about the 26th day of December 1776 as a drafted malitia man under the command of Captain Evan Baker. George Carothers was Lieutenant, and John Stull from Fauks town was 1st or head Colonel (illegible words) he belonged to Brigadier Gels. Johnson's Brigade--The Lieutenant of  Captain Bakers Company was named Philip Slaver--deponent joined the said Company at Hagerstown Md. to which place he had moved about one year before he was drafted. Marched from Hagerstown.  Col Stulls regiment marched deponent with others to Philadelphia and passed muster there and staid there about a week until they got fixed to go on to New Jersey from Philadelphia. Col. Stull's regiment (illegible word) to Delaware at Carroll's ferry and passed through (illegible words) and went on to with five miles of Morris Town nigh. Gel. Starlings at which place the commercial store was--and where they drew their provisions. Gel. Washington had his head quarters at this time at Morris Town.Staid there until their tour was out when Gel. Starling (damaged paper) the battaltion or regiment he does not remember which
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He was discharged about the middle of March. had no written discharges. Deponent was first seargeant in Captain Evan Bakers company during this tour. From the time they left home to the time they returned was three months.
Deponent went back to his fathers in Lancaster County and enlisted with Col Stephenson in York County Pennsylvania in October in the year 1779 after the battle wins about one month--he was enlisted to serve in the malitia that winter winter for four months. He had one hundred dollars Congress money for bounty. Captain Williams was his Captain at first and afterwards Captain Rippey. commanded him. He served under Rankin to finish two months and Col.  Wm Ross the other two months. Gel. Potter was his Gel. at first and he resigned and went home and Gel Lacy took to command. Major Lilley was Major under Col. Ross, battlion. He joined Captain Williams about fifteen miles from Philadelphia and a scouting party 
 every day went down from the camp to within two miles of Philadelphia to where the Hessians were cutting wood guarded by about five hundred British but of these scouting parties consisting of  about one hundred and ninety men under the command of Col Rankin had a skirmish with the British which began about two miles from Philadelphia--the next day the Americans under the command of Col Rankins had a skirmish at the Gulf Mills. Deponent was in the battle. They took forty eight prisoners and deponent was one of a guard that consisted of forty eight men was commanded by Captain Williams and conducted them to Redding jail. They had constantly chosen to move their camp along the lines. He was discharged from this service in the Spring after he had enlisted as aforesaid about the 10th of March. Had a written discharge--from  this service but lost his pocket book about forty years ago in Kentucky and his discharge in with it.
A year or two after this. After the British had left Philadelphia & went to the Southward and Burgoynes prisoners were at Arblemarle in Virginia The British prisoners were sent from Va. to within three miles of Little York town and about twelve miles from
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deponent fathers house--deponent under Captain Ford and Major Bayle served two months as a guard to the prisoners. They kept the single men in a stockade under guard and the married men after they had been there awhile were premitted to remain outside the stockade--a great sickness got among the prisoners and the married were then premitted to build huts on the hill outside of the stockade He entered on this service on the last week of July and Served until sometime  in September when his two months' service was out. Rec'd a written discharge from his service--he got 5 (pounds) 5 s  Two months hard money for each month of this service. He knows of no person  whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. He came from Pennsylvania to near Lexington Ky and from there to the State of Ohio--where he has come to stay. He lived for pretty nigh forty years and then at William Boyds nigh Williamsburgh. He has been two years back and forward between this county of Clermont and his friends in Ky. Andrew Smith can testify to his character for veracity and this belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution. 
He hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to in open Court
Nov 8th 1832
J.D. Morris  Clerk       (signed) John Stewart
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This Andrew Smith residing in the township of Williamsburgh in the County of Clermont and State of Ohio and John Boyd residing Sterling township Brown County Ohio hereby  certify that we are well acquainted with John Stewart res  who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations, we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed among his acquaintances in the neighborhood of Williamsburgh to have been a soldier of the revolution and that (large ink blot) in that opinion. Sworn to in open Court (blot) Andrew Smith
Jan 9th 1832 J D Morris  Clerk   John Boyd
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John Stewart
S. 14585
BA-J/MLB

Mr. N. E. Whedon
Dunedin
Florida

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you furnish further information relative to John Stewart, Revolutionary War soldier, whose record you desire. You state that he was born, probably, in Philadelphia, enlisted from Washington County, that state, served as sergeant in the Pennsylvania artillery, settled in Clermont County, Ohio, had a daughter, Jane, born in 1780, who married Nathaniel Woods and died in 1862 in Brown County, Ohio, which is adjacent to Clermont County.
You are furnished herein the record of the only John Stewart of Pennsylvania who served as sergeant, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The data therein were obtained from the papers in pension claim, S. 14585, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 
John Stewart was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1755. The names of his parents were not stated.
While a resident of Hagerstown, Maryland, to which place he had moved one year before, John Stewart enlisted December 26, 1776, served three months as 1" sergeant in Captain Evan Baker's company, Colonel John Stull's Maryland regiment, after which he returned to his father's home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and while living there, enlisted and served under Captains Williams and Rippey and Colonels Stephenson, Rankin and William Ross in the Pennsylvania militia, a tour of four months during which he was in a skirmish about two miles from Philadelphia, also in the battle of Gulph's Mill, then assisted in guarding forty-eight prisoners which had been taken, to Reading Jail, after which he was discharged. He afterwards went to the southward where he served two months in Captain Ford's company under Major Bayley near Yorktown guarding British prisoners.
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The soldier moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, near Lexington; from there moved to Clermont County, Ohio, near the Township of Williamsburg, and while living there was allowed pension on his application executed November 8, 1832. In 1835, he was living in Fayette County, Kentucky, where he had been living two years.
It is not stated whether John Stewart was ever married.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of John Stewart, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

John Stewart
Certificate 7754
Issued March 28, 1833
Rate, $35 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Kentucky Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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State of Ohio County. Court of Common Pleas of the Township November 1832.

Clermont County to wit:
On the 8th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court John Stewart an applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 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 said court further certify that is appears to them that Andrew Smith who has signed the preceding certificate is a credible person, resident in Williamsburgs Township Clermont County Ohio and that John Boyd who has also signed the same is a credible person resident in Sterling Township. Brown County Ohio, and that their statement is entitled to credit and to court further certify that said Township of Sterling is next adjoining the township Williamsburgh in Clermont County.
I Jonathan D. Morris Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Clermont County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matters of the application of John Stewart for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affiix the seal of the said Court at Batavia, this 12th day of November 1832.

JD. Morris  Clerk
Clermont Com. Pleas
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He has never been transferred to this Agency
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State of Kentucky, Fayette County,} SS.
Be it known, that before me Daniel Bradford, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared John Stewart named in an original certificate in his possession, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy:

War Department.--Revolutionary Claim.
I certify, That in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th of June, 1832, John Stewart of the State of Kentucky, who was a private and Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, is entitled to receive Thirty-Five Dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.
(script monogram)  {Given at the War Office of the United States, this 28th day of March, 1833

Examined & (illegible)      secretary of war
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

that he now resides in Fayette County KY and has resided there for the space of nearly two years past; and that previous thereto he resided in Ohio.

Sworn and subscribed, this fourth day of June 1835 before me, Danl. Bradford J. P.  John Stewart  X  his mark

NOTE.--The above deposition must be signed by the deponent.

Commonwealth of Kentucky, Fayette County Court I, James C. Rodes Clerk of the County Court of Fayette County, certify that Daniel Bradford, who has signed his name to the above as a Justice of the peace, is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Fayette.
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aforesaid duly Commissioned and Qualified according to Law; That his signature is genuine,-- In Testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal of office--this Thirty-first day of August eighteen hundred and thirty five and of the Commonwealth the 44th Year
J. C. Rodes Clerk of Fayette County Court.
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State of Kentucky
County of Fayette} I, Daniel Bradford a Magistrate in the County above named, do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence,* viz the oath of Isaac McIsaac a citizen of Fayette County of respectability and veracity that John Stewart who on the 4th June 1835 appeared before me to take oath of identity, is the identical person named in the Pension Certificate, which he has exhibited before me numbered 7754 and bearing date at the War Office the 28th day of March 1833; and signed by Lew Cass Secretary of War.
Given under my hand at Lexington, this 29th day of August 1835
Danl Bradford, J. P.
The words "on the 4th June 1835", interlined before signed
I, James C. Rodes Clerk of the Court of Fayette County, certify, that Danl Bradford is a Magistrate as above; and the the signature purporting to be his, is genuine. 
I testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this 29 day of August in the year 1835
J. C. Rodes  Clerk of the Court of Fayette County.

* Here state what the evidence is; whether personal knowledge, or the affidavit of respectable persons, giving their names.
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John Stewart
Ohio
to Ky
Page 17

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER
State of Kentucky, 
County of Fayette   ss.
On this fourth day of June, 1835, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Fayette, personally appeared John Stewart who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Ford, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Ross in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Ohio from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of Kentucky where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasasons for removing from Ohio to Kentucky: His infirmities are such, that he is unable to labour, and his pension would not support him in Ohio, consequently he removed to Kentucky, where he had a friend and by their assistance & his pension he is able to live.  
Sworn and subscribed to me before me, the day and year aforesaid.} John Stewart X his mark
Dan Bradford, J.P. 

The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
Note. The words "District or Territory" erased, and the word "him", interlined before signing.
Danl Bradford,  J.P.
Page 18

Commonwealth of Kentucky Fayette County Court
I James C. Rodes, Clerk of the County Court of Fayette County, certify that Daniel Bradford whose name is signed to the within certificates is a magistrate in the County above named duly Commissioned and Qualified as such. That the signature thereto connected purporting to be his is genuine--and said Bradford was a Justice on the fourth of June last.

In Testimony whereof, I have herteunto Set my hand and name and affixed the Seal of my office, this thirty first day of August eighteen hundred and thirty five and of the Commonwealth the 44 Year

Att J. C. Rodes  Clerk of Fayette County Court
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Free
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

John Stewart J H Groesbeck
Sept. 17th, '35

M Brown Sept (illegible numbers)

(circular stamp)
CINCINNATI
SEP 7
Page 20

Franklin Bank of Cincinnati
17th Sept. 1835
Sir
The last payment made to John Stewart a pr & Corpl. (as appears from the pension Roll) & pensioner under the act of 7th June 1832 at the rate of $35--per annum, was up to the 4th day of Sept 1834 at this Agency. No further payment will be mad him.
Your's very respectfully
John H. Groesbeck pen Agt
By R. W. Lawrence

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Stewart which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  yes
V. *Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension he is entitled?  yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  yes

XIV. (cross) If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service,  has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XVI. (double cross) Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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 for such service I claim a pension.
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3

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 by 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 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 shewn 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 not employed in any civil pursuit.

(cross)QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be  certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

(double cross)QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
(hand) In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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14585
(check mark)
Rev War
 INVALID.

File No. 14,585
John Stewart
Pri & Sergt. Rev. War

Act: June 7" 1832

[Arrangement of 1870.]

1940, Mar. 11--Hist to N. E. Whedon
McCB
Page 25

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
February 2, 1940
In reply refer to : BA-J/MLB

Mr. N.E. Whedon
Dunedin Florida

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information relative to John Stewart in whom you are interested, should it be on file, please furnish as much as possible of the following data in regard to him when another search of the records will be made and a report furnished approximate date and place of birth, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of wife or widow.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller (signature)
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Dunedin, Fla., Feb. 7, 1940
Re Sergeant John Stewart of the 4th Penn. Artillery Regt. Continental Troops. I can give little information. He was probably born in Phila & probably enlisted in Washington Co. Penn. His name is given in a list of Rev. Soldiers in Clermont Co., Ohio, where he went about 1800. Name of wife not known. He had a daughter Jane, born 1780 died 1862 in Brown Co., Ohio (which is adjacent to Clermont County) who married Nathaniel Woods.
If you can give me what you have of the different Sergeant John Stewarts, there will doubtless be something to show which is the right one.
I am most anxious to get his personal & family account to incorporate in a history of the family which I am compiling.
Thank you very much indeed.
N. E. Whedon
Page 26

Dunedin, Florida
Oct. 2, 1939
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
For use in compiling a family history, will you please give me all the personal & family history from the pension application of Sergeant John Stewart who was enrolled in the Pennsylvania Artillery from Washington Co., Pa. in the Rev. War, Sept. 3, 1778? About 1800 he went to Clermont Co., Ohio [Penn. Archives 5th Series,; Vol. 3, P. 1025]
Thanking you, I am
Very truly, N. Whedon
P.S. Would you mind telling me whether soldiers in the War of 1812 were granted pensions?
It is difficult to find the company & regiment in which such soldiers served. Is there any special place to get them other than the Adjutant General's office?
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Free

War Department
Pension Office
Washington City D.C.

Sept. 8
Mr. Burdine

(circular stamp) 
LEXINGTON KY. 
SEP 2
Page 28

Lexington Kentucky (illegible words)


Dear Sir
I enclose such papers as appear to me necessary for a change of the name of John Stewart to the pension roll at the office of the United States Bank at this place.
If they are sufficient please make the order
Respectfully
Charlton Hunt