Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16272, for Michael Thorn, Virginia
Page 1

[typed form completed in handwriting]

(3-1776)
Service    Va.
Thorn, Michael 
Number
S16272

Carded
Page 2

Date of death not all AB
1815
Indiana 
Michael Thoun: of Knox in the State of Indiana
Page 3

[handwritten]
from 1781. Private
six month.
 $20.

Mr. Edwards will please send the certificate or answer to E. J. Coals
Page 4

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Indiana
County of Knox ⎬ S.S.
---
On this 12th day of September 1832. personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Amory Kinney, President Judge of the Circuit Court of said County now sitting, Mich. Thorn, him, and old and respectable resident of said County and State and about sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to
law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration: That he was born on the South Branch of the Potomac, near Romney Virginia, in the year 1764 according to a record made by his father in the family Bible; that he removed to near Pittsburgh with his father and the family at an early age -- he believes
the same year Lord Demmon held a treaty with the Indians at Pittsburg; That he entered the service  of the United States after the commencement of the revolutionary war, and served as herein related. That in the year 1779 or 1780, he entered a Militia company
raised on Turtle Creek, under Capt Ellison, as a
substitute for Joshua Clerk, for a three months tour of duty to guard the frontier: That he performed said tour, and he thinks Col Gibson was then in Command at Pittsburg. That at the expiration of his time he received a written discharge, which is now lost; That he performed several short tours of duty after
the [above?] mentioned, and scanned the frontiers to protect Settlements, and drive off Indians, which he cannot now particularize, until at a later period he helped to build
Fort McIntosh at the mouth of Big Beaver: that
during a part of his said service Col. Gibson Commanded at Pittsburg, when Genl McIntosh took the command, and after this event he was drafted for
Page 5

a three months tour and ordered to join the garrison at fort McIntosh;, at which place he remained for near three months, having been detached from Capt Fords Company
for this duty, with some other militia men; that he received a written discharge from Captain Ford at the expiration of his time, which is now lost: That he afterwards volunteered where he lived twelve miles from Pittsburg on Turtle Creek, for many short expedition until
the close of the war; and he knows he rendered at least, Six months active service during its continuance. He has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person who can testify to his services but Philip Call: He removed to N.W. Territory in 1784 to Knox County, Indiana, and has resided in said County up to the present time. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
in open Court
A. Kinney

Miche. Thorn
X
His mark

I Philip Catt, residing in
Knox County Indiana, do hereby certify,
that I am well acquainted with Miche
Thorn who has signed and sworn to the
foregoing declaration, since the year
1770; that he believes said Mich. to be
sixty eight years old; that he knows the said Thorn rendered services during the war of
the revolution; and he believes all the
statements of particular services sworn
to by said Michl in his declaration. 

Sworn to in open court the day & year aforesaid in Open court
[signed] A. Kinney

Philp Catt
X His Mark
Page 6

[handwritten]
We Fredk Mahl and G. N. Johnston residing in Said County of Knox hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Michl Thorn who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
[signed] Fredk Mahl
G. N. Johnston
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in Open Court
[signed] A. Kinney

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and Served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that F. Mah. And G. N. Johnston who have Signed the preceeding certificate are credible residents of Know County aforesaid, and that this statement is entitled to credit.
[signed] A. Kinney

State of Indiana
Knox County SS

I Daniel C. Johnson Clerk of the Court of Knox County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Michl Thorn for a Pension. 
In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and affixed the Seal of my office the 12 day of September A.D. 1832.
[signed] D. C. Johnson Clerk
Page 7

[typed document]
July 7, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXX.

Miss Estelle Maison
315 American Bank Building
Vincennes, Indiana

RA-J/EL
Michael Thorn-S.16272

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Michael Thorn, of Pennsylvania, who was pensioned while residing in Knox County, Indiana.

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1672, based upon the military service of  Michael Thorn in that war.

Michael Thorn was born in 1764, on the South Branch of the Potomac River near Romney, Virginia (now West Virginia), and when
quite young moved with his father and the family to a place on Turtle Creek about twelve miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

While residing at the above named place, Michael Thorn enlisted in 1779 or 1780, and served three months in a company raised in
on Turtle Creek, commanded by Captain Ellison and acted as a guard for the frontier. Colonel Gibson then commanded at Pittsburgh: shortly after the expiration of this town, he performed several of tours of duty as a guard to the settlements; dates and names of
officers not given: he enlisted for three months under Captain Ford and Colonel McIntosh, and assisted in building Fort McIntosh at the mouth of Big Beaver; dates of this service not given afterward he volunteered and served on many short expeditions until the close of the war dates and names of officers not shown.

[handwritten in right margin]
Could not identify any of these officers except Elison McIntosh


In 1784, he moved to the Northwest Territory and settled in Knox County, Indiana, where he was living when he was allowed pension
on his application executed September 12, 1832.
There is no reference to wife or children and there is no record of any person applying for pension as the widow of Michael Thorn
Page 8

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Michael Thorn (S.16372), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records
Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Michael Thorn, Certificate No. 1815, issued November 12, 1832, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832,
Indiana Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
in the Administrator.
Page 9

[printed form completed in handwriting]
[left page]
P 16272
INVALID.

File No. 16272
Michael
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7” 32
Index: - Vo. 1, Page 374
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right page]
[handwritten]
1919 Oct. 10 History to E. A. Steece
1929 – Apr. 17 – John F. Mail adv. Cost of photos. MDN
1929 May 7 Photos to John F. Mail & Fin. Div. ntfd. A. W. Y.
1936 July 7 Hist to Miss Estelle Maison EEL
Page 10

[printed and typed form]
[round stamp top left corner]
Received Apr 17 1936 [stamp blurred] Reader 14 Vets Adm.

[letterhead]

SCOTT EMISON
INVESTMENTS
SIS AMERICAN BANK BLDG.
VINCENNES, IND. April, 15, 1918
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs;
Will you please give me the following data of
on Michael Thorn, Sr. Private in Penn. Militia, pensioned in 1831, age 85. He was living in Knox County, Indiana in 1831.

When was he born? Where was he born?
When did he die? Where did he die? What was the name of his wife? How many children did he have and what were their names? Did his wife apply for a pension, and if so, did she name the children?
Yours early reply will be much appreciated.
Yours very truly,

[signed]
(Miss) Estelle Emison.
Page 11

[typed]
[letterhead]
Emmet A. Steece
M. AM. SOC. C. E.
Civil Engineer

[handwritten in upper margin]
Rev. Sec  ED

Room No. 102, Somerset House, Washington, D. C.
September 24, 1919.

To the Honorable Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I am interested in the matter of the record of Michael Thorn who was a private in the Pennsylvania State Militia during the
Revolutionary War and pensioned under the act of 1832, at which time he was a resident of Knox County Indiana.
Any information that you will be pleased to give me concerning the above named person will be gratefully received.

Respectfully,
[signed] E.A. Steece
[round stamp lower left corner]
U.S. Pension Office
D
Sep 25 1919
Page 12

[typed]
IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
MMHF

3 - 1865
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON

April 17, 1929.
[handwritten above stamp] Draft 3384 - $1.70
[square stamp]
"FINANCE DIVISION
BOOKKEEPER'S DESK
Apr 25 1929
Bureau of Pensions"

[letter begins]
John F. Mail,
202 Colorado Nat. Bank Bldg.,
Denver, Colorado.

Sir:
I advise you that photostatic copies of original
papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claims of Philip Catt (s. 16072 ) and Michael Thorn (S. 16272 ), Indiana pensioners, will be furnished you, upon request,
under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 1901, at the rate of fifteen cents a page with twenty-five cents extra for each claim for certification if that is desired.
The number of pages to be copied in each claim is four.

The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.

Respectfully,

[signed] E. W. Morgan
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.

[handwritten] Enc 1.70. Send them along. John F. Mail
202 Cal. Nat. Bank Bldg, 
Denver, Colo.

8 pages = 1.20
2 certs = .50
---------
$1.70 Enc.

[round stamp]
U.S. Pension Office
D
Apr 25 1929
Page 13

[printed form completed by typewriter]

[header] SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 31805

[handwritten in left margin] Rev T1812

Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
__________________________________
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications,
Room G 137

April 26, 1929.

Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE,
EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 4 pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of Michael Thorn, S. 16272, Virginia Troops.
No. of copies 1 of each 
Shall form be kept standing? [blank] days
For further information see Mrs. M. M. H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541

Approved: A D Wilderson [signed]
Chief Clerk of Bureau.

Margaret M. H. Finch
Chief of Branch
NOTE: No order made ""SPECIAL"" unless statement showing necessity is written
below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering

Check Work Desired
______________________
Duplicate
Multigraph  single or double space? Facsimile signature? 
Mimeograph one side or both sides? Facsimile signature?
Folding  once or twice?

Assembling
Stapling Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? Dated?

Addressograph from lists
Envelopes, size
Proof list
Labels (submit sample)
Fill in letters
Cards, size
Pay rolls
Corrections
Tabulation sheets

Photostat X Size Actual Official Use? [blank] Repay? Yes  $.60
Blue Print Size [blank] Official use? [blank] Repay [blank]

Remarks [blank]

(OVER)
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[typed]
Note: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank form without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.

(date) [blank] 192 __.
Indicate by an X in proper square action to be taken.
__ Make new addressograph plate
__ Change present addressograph plate
__ Destroy present addressograph plate

As follows:

Now read
1 blank
2 [blank]
3 [blank] 
4 [blank]
5 [blank]

Should read
1 [blank]
2 [blank]
3 [blank]
4 [blank]
5 [blank]

For Use of Duplicating and Addressing Section
Addressograph
The above change was made [blank] 192__.
Operator [blank]

Multigraph
Operator [blank] Date [blank] Type set by [blank] Date [blank]
Remarks: [blank]

Mimeograph
Operator [blank] Date [blank] Cut by [blank]
Remarks [blank]
Page 15

[letterhead]
JOHN F. MAIL
Attorney and Counselor at Law
102 Colorado Nat'l Bank Bldg.
DENVER, COLORADO

[typed letter]
April 1, 1929.

Joh
02

U. S. Pension Department,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

SUBJECT: Michael Thorn
-
This man was a Revolutionary soldier, being a member of the Pennsylvania militia. He was granted a pension about 1831 while living in Knox County, Indiana.
Will you be good enough to tell me the cost of copies of the papers in connection with this pension, and especially his affidavit.
Yours very truly,
John F. Mail [signed]
Page 16

[typed]

April 17, 1929.

John F. Mail,
2 Colorado Nat. Bank Bldg.,
Denver, Colorado.
Sir:

I advise you that photostatic copies of original
papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claims of Philip Catt (s. 16072 ) and Michael Thorn (S. 16272 ), Indiana pensioners, will be furnished you, upon request,
under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 1901, at the rate of fifteen cents a page with twenty-five cents extra for each claim for certification if that is desired.
The number of pages to be copied in each claim is four.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 17

[printed form completed in handwriting]

In reply to your request of _______________ [left blank], received  _______________ [left blank] for 
a statement of the military history of Michael Thomas soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's)  [struck through] application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
[handwritten] S. File 16.272
[following is a table with "/" to indicated column breaks]
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment/ Length of Service./ Rank./ Officers under Whom Service was Rendered. / Captain./Colonel./ State.
Row 1 
Blank/[check mark]/blank/assisted in building Ft. McIntosh
Row 2
1779 or 1780/3 mos/blank/ [captain] Ellison/ Colonel [check mark]/Va.

Row 3 
[check mark]/3 mos./drafted from Capt. Ford's 
 Co. and stationed at Ft. McIntosh.

Row 4
Also performed many short tours of service on the frontier

Battles engaged in, [check mark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Turtle Creek 12 miles from Pittsburg
Date of application for pension, Sept. 12 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Knox Co., Indiana from 1784
Age at date of application, born in 1764, on south branch of the Potomac river near Romney, Va.
Remarks: removed in 1774 to near Pittsburg, with his father and the family - no names stated.
Respectfully,
 [not signed]
Commissioner

6-285c
[handwritten]
Dunmore's Treaty Nov. 5, 1774
Ft. McIntosh built 1778