Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8545, Stephen Gapen, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE                                               NUMBER
Penn.           Gapen, Stephen             S8545



CONTENTS                              Carded
Page 2

Letter to C. A Black, 14 Nov 1887
Same                        16. Jany 1838.
Same,      B F Black March 1838
Letter to Pension agent Thos P Ray, 9 Oct 1838 
-----
Letter to 3 Auditor 11 Dec 1838
Paid at the Treasury under the
of 6 April 1838, from 4 Sept 1836 to 4 March 1838
Notified 18 Dec 1838
=====
Paid as a book from 11th Sept 1838 to 26 Dec 1838 the day of his death. Agent notified 24 Jan 1840
-----
2493
Virginia
Stephen Gapin
of Monona in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Miner of the regiment commanded by ----- in the Penna
line for 22 months from 1777
-----
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia the rate of 73 - Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
-----
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Nov. '38 and sent to Thos P. Ray, Morgantown, Va
-----
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832                   $109.99
Semi=ant. allowance ending March '38 $36.67
                                                               $146.6
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Nathan Rice -
Book D Vol. --
Page 3

Depotions of
George Garrison and
Jonathan Morris
Page 4


Speaker                                                      318
Retg. and Doc Stephen Gapen a soldier of the Rev'y war paying for for relief

Rd May 29th 1832

claims 
[illegible]   
[illegible] County Ss.  
Before me a Justice
Page 5

Greene County SS
George Garrison, of the County aforesaid being duly affirmed, deposes & says that Stephen Gapen & this deponent volunteered for three months & served together & afterwards were Scouting together & following the Indians
George Garrison
Affirmed & subscribed before me this day 7th May AD 1832
C.P Jarriser
be
May
be the 14th
AD 1882
---
Greene County SS
I, Jonathan Morris, of the County aforesaid, being duly sworn, deposes and says that Stephen Gates and this deponent, started  and went to Fort Lawrence on the Tuscaraway River and guarded provisions to the men in that fort who were starving. This was in the month of March. The Spring after Gen. McIntosh's
Campaign, when this deponent cannot now recollect, and they returned together to fort McIntosh. Gen Mackentuck Commanded & Col. Broadhead.
Jonathan K. Morris
Sworn and subscribed before me the 9th day
of May AD. 1832
David Taylor
[Seal]

I omitted in my Petition the Campaign went to Fort Lawrence and near the Tuscaraway River in the State of Ohio, General McIntosh and Col Broadhead commanded us.
Stephen Gapen
Page 6

the command of Lieutenant Mills - that after
he retired from Pittsburg he volunteered
as a spy in for six months and this deponent believes that he served said time with said Gapen & was out sometimes in company with this deponent as scouts after the Indians. This deponent has been well acquainted with said Gapen ever since, and from this deponent's knowledge of the circumstance and of said paper, he considers him a subject of legislative County - Said Gapen is now a cripple and very poor.

Greene County SS
I, John Minor Esqr, being duly sworn, 
Deposeth and sayeth that the above statement is Just and true to the best of his knowledge
and belief,
Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 14th Day of May 1832
Abia Minor     John Minor

Greene County S 
Then Came John Gapen of the County aforesaid, being duly affirmed, deposeth and saith that his brother Stephen Gapen was
lifted for six month under Capt. John Minor and Marched in 1777 and was a spy for six month and served his time out; and he turned out and went to Fort Lawrence on the Tuskarana River in the State of Ohio and at another time a spy for three months, and was three weeks hetching and foraging and got no pay and was spying and scouting from the year 1777 till the 1792 when there was a call for him.
John Gapen
Affirmed and subscribed before me this 19 day of
Page 7

Pennsylvania
Green County SS
I, William T Hays, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid hereby certify that Davis Taylor, Aaron Stone
James Carson and Abra Minor Esquires, before whom the foregoing and annexed depositions appear to have been, taken are and were at the time of taking and subscribing the same acting
Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and sworn as such
In testimony whereof I have hereto let my
hand and seal of office the 18th July 1832
W.H. Hays
Page 8

To the Honorable Secretary of War
The Petition of Stephen Gapen respectfully
represents that in the year 1777, he enlisted
as a soldier in the Penna line in the Company commanded by Captain John Miner for six months - that Cap.t Pegman had also enlisted part of a company - Minors & Pigman's companies consisted of about thirty men each - and as the Companies were not full, Capt. Miner remained to enlist more men and sent his men to Pittsburg with Capt. Pigman and his company under the command of Lieutenant Mills - that this deponent was one of the number that marched with Capt. Pigman's company to Pittsburg. When the two companies arrived at Pittsburg, they were placed under the command of Genl Hand -
Lieutenant Mills procured the discharge of the soldiers, received our pay and paid us off-- In addition to this six-month enlistment your petitioner in the year 1781 volunteered as a spy upon the Indians and served six months in Wash County, Pa. in company with seven other, s and served out the time for which the dept issued a certificate. Certificates at that time sold only for fifty cent in the pound. This deponent eventually got nothing for his certificate - Your petitioner afterwards (he thinks in 1782) went out as a spy for three months in Wash County, Pa. found his own provisions and ammunition and for
this service he got no pay whatever from
1777 till 1792. Your petitioner ended
on the frontiers in the Wash (now Greene)
County responded to the attacks of the Indiasn
Page 9

and during this period your petitioner rendered about two years service in scouting parties besides the services above enumerated - Your petitioner is now a cripple compelled to walk upon crutches - 71 years of age on the 29th of the present month.  He has 7 children under his charge & 2 grand children.  Your petitioner will be compelled until asserted in some way to give up all ideas of making a comfortable living. 
Your petitioner therefore prays that a way may be granted to him as a soldier of the revolution & c.
Stephan Gapen

Greene County so Stephan Gapen being duly 
Affirms deposes & say that the stmts stated in  the above petition are true to the best of his knowledge & belief.  
Stephan Gapen
Affirms sworn and subjecated before me the 11th May 1832
James Leah

Greene County  John Minor Esquire of the County of aforesaid being duly sworn deposes and says that in the year 1777 he inherited part of a company in then Washington now Greene County PA. consisting of about thirty men as stated in the forgoing petition and that among this deportment others attested the above names Stephen Gapen who marched as above stated to Pittsburg under
Page 10

State of Virginia
County of Monongalia
On this 27th day of August, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before the County court of
Monongalia aforesaid, Stephen Gapen, a resident of said county, aged seventy one 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 year 1777, at Minors Fort on Big Whitely Creek now in Green county Pennsylvania with Capt. John Minor, for the term of six months that Capt. Minor, Capt. Pigman, and two other captains were commissioned as he understood at the request of Genl. Hand, commander of the army at Fort Pitt, to raise four companies in this part of Virginia and Pennsylvania, that he supposes these companies were called Pennsylvania
troops, that he believes that it was in the early part of summer that he marched to Fort Pitt under the command of Capt. Pigman, and encamped on Grants hill, where we remained a few weeks, and then went into the barracks that
he believes that it was in September, that an express arrived at Fort Pitt that Capt. Foreman of the South-branch of the Potomac, his son and nineteen others were killed by the Indians about eight miles below Wheeling on the
Ohio river. That upon receiving this intelligence, he with about two hundred of the troops volunteered to go and bury Foreman and his men, and we accordingly descended the Ohio in two boats under the command of Major
Chew and buried the dead-- we then returned to Wheeling, where he remained being sick with the measels about a month. From thence he returned to Fort Pitt, where he remained untill the end of his term and was discharged--

That during the year 1778 and 1779, he frequently turned out as a spy and scout in pursuit of the Indians, and was employed in this service during the said years
at least six months-

That he believes that it was in March 1779, he turned out as a volunteer under the command of Capt. Philips, to guard provisions out to Fort Lawrence, to the men that were suffering there, and returned in about one month

That in the spring of 1781 he turned out as a volunteer for six months, at the request of the County Lieutenant James Marshall of Washington county Pennsylvania for the purpose of guarding the frontiers and acting as spies back of the settlements - that he continued in this service six months and two days, and returned home, the said Marshall making out our pay
Page 11

roll for which service he received a certificate, which he believes he gave to his father
That he thinks it was in 1782 he again went out as a volunteer for three months, as a spy, in Washington county Pennsylvania, and served out his time for which he received no pay and furnished his own provisions-
That he is confident if he could recollect dates and circumstances more particulary, that he was in the service, between two and threes years
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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, except, that he receives a pension of forty dollars a year from the State of Pennsylvania, granted by an act of the Legislature.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Stephen Gapen

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I Thomas P. Ray, clerk of the County court of Monongahela, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Stephen Gapen for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28th day of August, in the year 1832 and 57th year of the Commonwealth.
Tho P. Ray
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Greene boro Greene County 
Feby 6th 1838
Dear Sir,
Mr. Stephan Gapen a Pensioner whose name is on the roll of pensioners payable at Wheeling VA formerly resided in Monougalin Cy. Va. but has lately come into this county with his family and now resides here.  It appears necessary that in order that he may receive his pension, he must comply with certain regulations of the Department, in order to have his name removed from the Wheeling to the Penna agency, but the old man has lately received a paralitic stroke and is truly paralyzed - that he is unable to write and of late appears entirely insensible under those circumstances.  I have taken the liberty of troubling you on the subject. W. G. is my neighbour, and he is very poor.  Their family needs very much this little pittance, as it is their only means of support and feeling a warm side for those poor old soldiers is my only apology for interfering in this matter.  I write for information, what can be done in this case that the family can receive this pension from time to time as it becomes due.  He is unable to sign the necessary oath or declaration in order to remove his name to the Pa Agency.  I don't even understand the nature of the business - being entirely unsensible.  Please if in your own, suggest some course that the family may be served, in this case.
Your very respectful ,
Benjamin F. Black
J. L Edwards, Esqr.
Page 13

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 9th, [illegible]

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"  The widow of Stephen Gapen, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Wheeling, Va Agency, 
 at the rate of Seventy Three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at the this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838, to the 26th Dec. 1838, the day of his death.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 14

7285
Stephen Gapen
from 1777 private
22 months,
$43.33/100
78 & 79 Spy 12 mo
'81 as S
no off. names given with
2 petitions, and has not 
say by which authoritz he 
returned out.
Page 15

7285
Stephen Gapen 
BRIEF in the case of 
County of Monongalia in the State of Virginia
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he?  71
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period  in 1777 enlisted  ---years 6 months --- days  Rank  private Gen. Capt. John Minor
1778 & 1779 spy 6 months Rank: spy
1779  March vol. about 1 month Rank - private
Lt. James Marshall
1781 Vol. 6 months 2 days Private
1782 Vol 3 month Spy or Private
5.  In what battles was he engaged?  None mentioned
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Greene County Penn.
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  witnesses
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  The depositions of the witnesses are not attached to the seal of the certifying Officer as required

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
T Waugh Examining Clerk
Page 16

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section       MMMF
                                                        Ours

July 29, 1924

Miss Margaretta Gapen
Jefferson, Penn.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 8545 (underlined) it appears that Stephen Gapen (underlined) was born May 29, 1761.
While living in Washington County (later Greene County), Pennsylvania he enlisted in 1777 in Captain John Minor's Pennsylvania Company and served six months as a private at Fort Pitt under the Command of General Hand.
He again enlisted and during the years of 1778 and 1779 served six months as Indian Spy.
He volunteered in March 1779 and served one month under Captain Philips and Colonel Brodhead, Pennsylvania Troops.
He enlisted in the spring of 1781 and served six months and two days as Indian Spy under Lieutenant James Marshall, and in 1782 he enlisted and served three months.
Page 17

as Indian Spy.
From 1777 until 1792 his home was on the frontier in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and in addition to the above named tours he rendered about two years services in scouting parties whenever called upon.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 27, 1832 while residing in Monongalia County, Virginia, in which he referred to seven children and two grandchildren,  names not stated.
He died December 26, 1838 leaving a widow whose name is not given. 
His brother John Gapen was living in Greene County, Pennsylvania in 1832.  (this was added because this inquiry had photos of papers)
Respectfully,
Page 18

     At a court held for Monongalia County on Monday the 24 Sept 1838.

    It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that Stephen Gapen was a resident of this County, a Soldier of the Revolution has become a lunatic.  It is ordered that the custody of the person of the said Gapen is committed to Joseph F. Harrison Esq. who upon giving hand and security in the penalty of three hundred dollars, shall have a right to control and govern the person said Gapen, take possession of his estate, receive and pay out the same, from time to time, sue and be sued in relation thereto in the manner prescribed by law.  Thereupon the said Joseph F. Harrison entered into hand with Jesse Mercer his security in these words "Know all men by these presents that we Joseph F. Harrison and Jesse Mercer of Monongalia County and State of Virginia, are held and firmly bound unto Thomas S. Haymand, Anthony Smith, Thomas Meredith (Next page)
Page 19

and John H. Boulley, Justices now sitting in the Court in the sum of three hundred dollars, for the payment whereof we bind ourselves and each of our heirs jointly and severally, as witness our hands and seal the 25th September 1838. 

    Whereas at a Court held in and for the County of Monogalia i=on Monday the 24th September in the year 1838 it appears to the satisfaction of the Court Stephen Gapen was a resident of this county, a Soldier of the revolution, has become a lunatic, it now orders that the custody of the person of the said Gapen be committed to Jospeh F. Harrison Esq. who should have a right to control and govern the person of the said Gapen and take possession of his estate, to receive and pay the same, from time to time, sue and be sued in relation thereto in the manner prescribed by law.

    (llegible) the condition of the above obligation is such, that if the above bound Jospeh F. Harrison, shall make and truly discharge his duties as the committee of Stephen (Gapen) (next page)
Page 20

Gapen, a lunatic in the manner prescribed by law, then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue.

I, F Harrison, Seal
Jesse Mercer, Seal

State of Virginia 

I Thomas P. Ray Clerk of the County Court of [illegible], do certify that the foregoing is truly copied from the records of said Court
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of Said Court at Morgantown the 4th October A.D. 1838
Thos. P Ray

A copy from the original
F. S. Eraus
Clerk in the Pension Office
10th Oct. 1838
Page 21

Morgantown 4th October 1838
Com J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions

At the request of M. Harrison. I enclose you the copy of the proceedings of the court of this county, committing to him the person and property of Stephen Gapen, a pensioner for your instructions in what manner the pension is to be drawn and whether a new certificate must issue
Gapen  removed to Greene Co Penn a few years since, and had his name transferred to the Penn Agency.  Mr Harrison as Gapen is now a resident of their county wishes the pension paid at the Wheeling Agency
The widow of Eliha Horton who was married previous to the close of the Revolution can only obtain proof of a portion of her husbands services and is desirous of knowing whether the files of the Department furnish any evidence she believes he was in the service under a Capt. Soward or Sowers and marched from Susses Co. New Jersey

Respectfully Yours
H L P Gray
Page 22

Greensboro Greene County, PA
Nov 10, 1837

Sir:-

The enclosed paper of Stephen Gapen has just been placed in my hands to forward to your dept. for your confirmation.

He is a very old man, and not having his papers properly arranged at the expiration of the previous 6 mo. and him, failed to get this money.  hence the cause of the present application to you.

Although I have never until the present attended to Mr. Gapen's business, I am fully satisfied of all being correct.
Please order the money to be paid 
and enclose to me, if all is proper
Yours very respectfully C & Black
J L Edwards, Esq.
Page 23

Greensboro Gr, Cty  PA 
January 9, 1838
Sir:
I again enclose the paper of Stephen Gapen a pensioner of the U.S. for your confirmation.
The forma was in regular because making the pension payable in a district that the pensioner did not reside in.  This
I hope will prove correct, as it is made required.  If you should require any information, I can refer you to our Member in Congress, the Hon. Andrew Buchanan, who is personally acquainted with the Pensioner.

The name of the Attorney is omitted as it will be sent to a friend at Pittsburg for collection if correct.
Yours very respectfully,
G. L. Edwards G & Black
Com. of Pensions
Page 24

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 14th, 1838

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, "  Stephen Gapen, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Wheeling, Vew Agency, at the rate of Seventy three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, under the law of the 7th Jun, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1836, to the 4th March, 1838.
Albion K. Parries

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 25

Old War Div.
JWS Ex'r.
No.

Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Co.  Reg't
---
Washington, D.C. July 24, 1890
Return this letter with your reply.

Sir,

In answer to your request relative to Stephen Gapen a Revolutionary soldier, you are requested to state his residence during and after said war-

Very respectfully
Green B Ramm
Commissioner

Clarke Gapen M.D.
Board of Health
Omaha
Nebraska

Residence of Stephen Gapen-
Green County, Penna

Near Fort Martin & Greensboro - Green Co. Pa
Also Mapletown - Green Co. Pa

These several places an given as some of the
names may not date so far back
as his residence
Page 26

Miss Margaretta Gapen
Jefferson
Greene Co. Pa

Wants History of Stephen Gapen-
Penn Troops - 8 8545

July 3-'24
Page 27

M 233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division

July 3 1924.

Chief Rev Sect Division,

Sir:
I have this day received from Margaretta Gapen cash No. for $30/100, requesting copy 
post office address as per letter herewith.

1924 July 23
Copies mailed & Finance Div noted
REV WAR SECTION

Respectfully,
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
H. C. L.
Page 28

Miss Margaretta Gapen, Jefferson, Greene County, Pennsylvania, wants photostat copies of two pages, not certified, from Revolutionary War pension claim, Stephen Gapen, S. 8545, Pennsylvania Troops.

Received payment 30 cents,

Antonia W. Ford.
Rev. and 1812 War Section.

FINANCE DIVISION 
JUL 3 1924
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 29

Request for Photostating
(To be prepared in duplicate)

M6

Ex/ CW

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK

Job No. 1135    Date July 19, 24

Subject Stephen Gapen, Rev. S8545
1 copies of 1 pieces consisting of 2 pages to be forwarded when completed to the REV WAR SECTION Division

Remarks:

Approved:

RB Wilson
Chief Div. REV WAR SECTION   Chief Clerk.
Page 30

Nebraska
Carter Gale (?)
Ray April 26 1890
Stephen Gapen ?
(found) the probable one but unto July 24 for data

Old Army & Navy
APR 30 1890
DIVISION

US Pension Office
Apr 29 1890
Page 31

BOARD OF HEALTH

R. C. CUSHING, Pres.
CL CHAFFEE.
JAS DONNELLY
GEO. L. DENNIS
W.S. SEAVEY

Omaha, Neb. Apr (26) 1890

Comm. Pensions

Wash. D. C.

Dear Sir

Will you kindly inform me what the record of your dept show relative to Stephen Gapen Revolutionary soldier. He was on pension rolls as such

Clarke Gapen
15 Banker Block
Omaha
Nebraska
Page 32

Rev War
8545
INVALID.

File No. 8545
Stephen Gapen
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
lndex: --Vol. Act, Page 137

[Arrangement of 1870.}

1924 July 20  Copies made to Margaretta Gapen 
1924 July 29  HIck (?) to Miss Margaretta Gapen
Page 33

Greene County ss John Knotts of the County aforesaid being duly Sworn - depose and says that Stephen Gapen and this deponent volunteered for six months as a spy in now Greene County and served the full time together in the year 1781 and said Gapen lived a number
of years on the frontiers and was often scouting after the indians.

Sworn & Subscribed before me
By the 19 day of May 1832

John Knotts

Jas Garrison
Page 34

On the frontiers and scouting and Garding the frontier and found his own provision and was General in Ridiness To major in a few minutes notice from the year 1777 unto The year 1792

John Knotts
Deposition