Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,283, Richard Cooley, Md.
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[ printed form]
(8-1776)
SERVICE   
Md.  Cooley, Richard    NUMBER R 2,283
[Cooley] Rachel

CONTENTS
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[check mark crossed] X   34,769
Richard
Pennsyl

Declaration of Richard Cooley a Revolutionary soldier --
Rd. Cooley
Act 1832 
Penna.

J. H. Deford   Union Town pa  Dec 17.
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Pennsylvania Fayette County [illegible]
I Thomas Sloan  Clerk of the county of Fayette County do hereby certify that Samuel Nixon before whom the foregoing declaration and certificates were taken, is an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County, duly commissioned and sworn and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine -. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Union Town the 17th day of December A.D. 1838
Thomas Sloan
Prothy & Clerk
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State of Pennsylvania }
County of Fayette } [illegible]
On this 6th day of December A.D. 1838. personally appeared before me, Samuel Nixon on of the judges of the court of common pleas of Fayette County and state of Pennsylvania Richard Cooly a resident of Georgetownship County of Fayette and state of Pennsylvania aged Eighty two years, wo 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 was drafted in the militia of the state of Maryland in the year 1777. in the company of John Jolley who was our Captain the regiment he cannot recollect, but was of the Maryland line under the following named officers - the only officer whose name he can now recollect is the said John Jolley his captain that when he entered the service he was drafted for six months in the militia in Herferd [Harford] County state of Maryland and was marched from Havre de grace to the Head of Elk to prevent the British from landing which however they did, and built tents on iron hill - he further states that he was in no battles - at the expiration of six weeks of the time, he was discharged from that place, until a call should be made upon him again and he was held  in rediness during the remainder of the six months. - He further states that he finally quit the service in the same year some time in which he was drafted, at the end of the six months - in answer to the interrogatories- he states that he was born in Herferd [Harford] County Maryland in the year 1756 - He has a record of his age at home in his prayer book -. He was living as before stated when he entered
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the service in Herferd [Harford} County Maryland, and lived there after the revolution till he moved to this (Fayette) county and state of Pennsylvania about 43 years ago - where he now resides and has resided ever since - He was drafted into the service, -The only officer whose name he recollects is Captain John Jolley - He had no written discharge - He further states that there is no clergyman residing in his neighbourhood but names James Jones & Isaiah Jones, who reside therein who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution - He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension of an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state -
Richard Cooley 
sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
Samuel Nixon, Judge

And I the said Samuel Nixon do also declare my opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states -
Samuel Nixon, Judge

We James Jones and Isaiah Jones - residing in Georgetownship Fayette County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Colley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Jomes Jones
Isaiah Jones
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid-
Samuel Nixon  Judge
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And the said Samuel Nixon Judge does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interogatories prescribed by the war department.  That the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  And he further certifies that it appears to him that James Jones and Isaiah Jones who have signed the preceding certifficate are resident in the nighbourhood of the said Richard Cooley and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit - I also certify that the interliniation of "County" was made before the said declaration was sworn to before me - Given under my hand this 5th day of December A.D. 1838 -
Samuel Nixon } Judge 

I also certify that the said Richard Cooly from bodily infirmity is not able to attend the court.
Samuel Nixon } Judge

Also appeared before me Samuel Cooley brother of Richard Cooley who deposeth and saith that he is now seventy years of age past. and that he has a perfect recollection, though a boy at the time, of his said brother Richard Cooley being in the service of the United States in the revolutionary war - He was drafted from Herferd [Harford] County state of Maryland, near Bellair, for a term of six months. to the best of his recollection at this time, under a captain John Jolley. - He further states that he went out in 1777, or near as he now remembers - He recollects of his returning home from the service which was some time in the summer.
Samuel Cooley
Sworn and subscribed the 6th day of December A.D. 1838 before -
Samuel Nixon } Judge

I also certify that the above deponent is a credible witness and his statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Nixon } Judge
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State of Pennsylvania }
Fayette County ss }
On the Fifth day of December A.D. 1853-
Personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County_ Rachel Cooley a Resident of George Township in said County aged Eighty six years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her Oath make the Following declaration in Order to obtain the Amount of Pension due her Husband Richard Cooley a Revolutionary Soldier and also the Amount of Pension due her [illegible] the Death of her said Husband Richard Cooley under the Acts of Congress in such Case Made and Provided. _ .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Four Deponent Saith that her Husband the said Richard Cooley was draughted in Harford County state of Maryland in the Revolutionary Ware in the Company Commanded by Captain John Jolly which said Company she supposes was in the Maryland Line in the United States Service.  that her said Husband served in said War for one term of six months and one term of three Months. and that he marched during one of those terms of service to the head of Elk River in the state of Maryland. That her said Husband was a Private. i said services and was honorably discharged from both terms of service aforesaid.  She further saith that the above facts were Communicated to her by her said Husband during his Lifetime.  That he said Husband did not Receive a Pension during his lifetime for said service, nor deponent, since his death.  Not having applied.  That her said Husband was always Reputed and believed to be a Revolutionary Soldier _ in the neighborhood in which he lived and that she knows _ him to have testified as a Witness_ for one Robert Hanna a comrade of his in the Revolutionary service who applied from this County of Fayette for a Pension in Right of his Revolutionary Service and Received a Pension therefore.  and which said Robert _ Hanna. has been dead for some years_ and which said Testimony of her said Husband she supposes is on file in the Pension Department at Washington City: and which will throw some light on the aforesaid Revolutionary Services of her said Husband.  that she knows of no person or persons now living_ Comrades of her said Husband_ in his said service by whom she can prove the aforesaid services of her said Husband from personal knowledge.  Her said Husband Died on the thirtieth day of November A.D. 11840. aged Eighty four years_ in Fayette County state of Pennsylvania
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Deponent Further Declares that she was married to the said Richard Cooley in Harford County state of Mayland in the year A.D. One thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Eight by Parson or Rev Davis and that they did live Together as man and wife from the date of said Marriage up to the time of her said Husbands death raising a large Family as husband and wife.  That since the death of her said Husband she has Continued unmarried and is still the widow of the said Richad Colley.  that her name before he said Marriage was Rachel Lewis.  that she Resides about ten miles from Union Town the County Seat of Fayette aforesaid and that from old age and infirmity of Body, she is unable to appear in open Court to testify to the facts Contained in this Declaration. 
Attest   Rachel her mark Cooley
John Gruver
Manurva Cooley

Sworn To and subscribed before me John Brownfield-- the day and year above written and I further Certify that I have no interest in the Result of the above application and am not concerned in its Prosecution, and that I am acquainted with Rachel Cooley who makes the foregoing declaration and hereby certify that she is unable from old age and bodily infirmity to appear in Court to testify to the facts set forth therein.  And that I was Personally acquainted in his lifetime with the said Richard Coley, husband of Rachel Cooley aforesaid, residing in the same neighborhood with him, and that he was Reputed and believed to be a Revolutionary Soldier. and that I know the said Richard Cooley and Rachel Cooley to have lived together for many years as man and wife previous to the death of the said Richard Cooley.  Raising a family of children as such.  Said Rachel Cooley is a Person of Credibility.
John Brownfield 
Associate Judge [hand dwon seal]
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Copy
- Richard Cooley and Pachel was mared November 6th 1788--
Mary Cooley Born October 13'  1789.
Mahala Cooley  Born February 16' 1791.
John Cooley  Born July 2. 1792
Samuel Cooley Born February 20  1744.
Rebechah.   Born May 21. 1796
Luis Colley Born September 6 1799
Barchaba.  Born September 26. 1801
Rachel   Born. November 20' 1802.
Richard Cooley  Nov 20'  1805.
Elizabeth  Jany 31. 18008.
Minerva June 5. 1810

State of Pennsylvania }
Fayette County ss }
On this [very light word] second Day of [very light word] February [overwritten by] December A.D. 185[last digit illegible] before one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County.  Personally appeared Mrs Rachel Cooley widow of Richard Cooley a Revolutionary Soldier: and who made the foregoing declaration before me _ and who being duly sworn according to Law. Doth depose and say that the foregoing Record is a True and correct Copy of the original Family Bible Record of the Marriage of said Richard Cooley and the said Rachel his wife and of the births of their children: that the said Family Record was in the Possession of the said Richard Cooley and said Rachel Cooley his wife up to the Time of his Death. and has been in the Possession of the said Rachel and her Family ever since.  
Attest [first signature illegible]  Manurva Cooley
Rachel her x mark Cooley

Sworn to and subscribed before me. this Second Day of February [overwrites December] A.D. 185[last digit illegible]
And I hereby certify that I am not interested in the Result of this case and am not concerned in the Prosecution. And I further Certify that I have Examined the Family Bible Record Presented by Mrs. Rachel Cooley.  Purporting to be the Original Record of the Marriage of Richard Cooley and Rachel his wife and of the Births of their children of the same. and that I believe the said Record from the indications of age of said record and of the Bible in which it is contained to be the Original Family bible Record _ _ _
John Brownfield   Asst Judge

State of Pennsylvania }
Fayette County ss }
On this Second day of February [overwrites December] A. D. 185[last digit illegible] before one one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Personally app
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eared William T. Ellis and John Gruver & persons of Credibility who being duly sworn do depose and say that Richard Colley husband of the said Rachel Cooley who made the Foregoing Declaration Died on the thirtieth Day of November A.D. 1840. and that they were Present at his the said Richard Cooleys funeral. and that the said Rachel Cooley has not married since the Death of her said Husband Richard Cooley. but has remained unmarried and still is his widow. And that they well knew the said Richard Coley before his Death living in the same Neighborhood with him, that they believe him to have been a Man of Honesty Probity and Truth, that he always said he was  a Revolutionary Soldier - and he was always Reputed to be an old Revolutionary Soldier in the Neighborhood in which he lived _ Deponents further say they are Disinterested //
W T Ellis
John Gruver
Sworn and subscribed this Second Day of February [overwrites December] A.D. 1854
before me.
John Brownsfield
asst Judge

State of Pennsylvania }
Fayette County ss. }
On this 11th Day of February A.D. 1854. before me one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County Pa. Personally appeared. John Gruver and Minurva Colley . Residents of George Township. in the County and State aforesaid [inserted] and Persons of credibility [end insert] who attested the Signature of Rachel Cooley to the Foregoing Declaration before me_ Who being duly sworn do Depose and Say. That they well know the said Rachel Cooley who made the Foregoing Declaration and that she is the Identical Widow of said Richard Cooley who was Reputed to be a Revolutionary Soldier as set forth in said Declaration. and that they well know her to be the Identical Person who is - the widow of said Richard Cooley.
Further Deponents Say not
Johan Gruver
Munurva Cooley
Sworn and Subscribed Before me the Day and year above written
John Brownfield
Assoc Judge
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Affidavit & original record of the age of Richard Cooley
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[after adjusting image to show more detail]
Richard Colley 
Born November 6  1756
Richard  Cooley [illegible]
Book Baugt
Apr 31 1795
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[illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
of the 
PSALMS
of 
DAVID
FITTED TO THE 
TUNES USED IN CHURCHES
By N. BRADY, D.D.  Chaplain in
[illegible] and N. TATE, Esq
Poet-Laureat, to His Majesty

LONDON
Printed by Mary Harrison
For the COMPANY OF [ILLEGIBLE]
[illegible words] Sold at Stationers [illegible]
[illegible words] and by [illegible words]
MDCCLXXXIII

Pennsylvania }
Fayette County }  [illegible]
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[words illegible] and by [words illegible]
MDCCLXXXIII

Pennsylvania }
Fayette County } [illegible]

Personally appeared before me Daniel Thomas a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Richard Cooley who deposeth and saith that the [illegible] leave taken from his prayer book of the church of England contains the original record of his age taken from his fathers bible, which is gone long since, dated "6th November 1756"- that he entered it down in his prayer book at the time he bought it which was '31st April 1795. according to the date entered on said leaf - that the above or aattached leafs has been in his possession since its purchase by him - which said leave is dated 1783. "London printed by Mary Harrison" - 
Richard Cooley 
Sworn & subscribed before me this 12 day of December A.D. 1838
David Thomas Y.P.

Pennsylvania Fayette County [illegible]
I Thomas Sloan Clerk of the Court of Fayette County certify that David Thomas is a magistrate as above, and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at union Town the 17th day of December A.D. 1838.
Thomas Sloan Clerk
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Richard Cooley
Pennsylvania
Rejected
let 13 June 1839
[illegible]. N. Saford,
letter to Hon A. [illegible]
28th April 1846, 
2283
did not perform six months national service 
E. Briner Feb 23. 1854
Act of June 1832
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[downloaded and adjusted for readability]
Free [in upper right corner]
[illegible round postmark]
[address]
Hon. L. P. Walds
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

[written at right angle to above]
Richard Cooley
[illegible]
WCol
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[crossed out begin]
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873
[crossed out end]

2283
.0. 
Richard Cooley
ervice:
nlisted:_____, 18
scharged:___, 18
plicationfiled: Rejected, 18
leges:
-enlisted:
ttorney:
.0.
Recognized.  __ Contract
Cert. of Dis.   Searched for___, 18
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Union Town  Fayette Co. Pa.
Feb. 16, 1854.
Hon. L. P. Waldo.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dr Sir.
Enclosed herein I send you the Application of Mrs Rachel Cooley. widow of Richard Cooley- a Revolutionary Soldier. She. claims (should a Pension be Granted to her). in Right of her said Husband_ under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832. a Pension from 4. March 1831. to the Day of his Death. viz Nov 30. 1840. and one in her own Right During her life - under Act of July 29 1848 - from 4 March 1848.  I Trust you will find the Evidence Sufficient to grant her Application.  Mrs Cooley is quite poor- but a very worthy old Lady.
I Remain Yours. Respectfully
Everard. Bierer.
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Pennsylvania }
Fayette County } [illegible]
[attached seal]
I Richard Huskins Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County. do certify that the Hon. John Broomfield before whom the annexed affidavits purports to have been made was at the dates thereof and now is one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified and that the signatures thereto purposing to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I hereto Set my hand and Seal of said court at Uniontown this 16th day of February AD 1854.
Rich. Huskins
Prothy