Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7921, Levin Willin, Md. Sea Service
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Md.
Sea Service

Willin, Levin

NUMBER
S. 7921

carded

Contents
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[Two page bound book}

[Left hand page]]

Maryland. 22. 63[ remainder of number torn]

-
Levin Willin
of Princess Ann in the State of Md. who was a Private ^Seaman in the Co. commanded
by Captain Walley of  [illegible word] commanded by [blank space] in the Md. and Sea Service Protector US Navy
line for one year.
3 mos.         Seaman -  12.-
9 do   Private Soldier    30.
                                    $ 42.

---
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland
at the rate of 42 Dollars 00. Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Nov
1833 and sent to Jas Polk Esq ^ The Register of Wills etc. Princess Ann CH Md.

Arrears to the 4th of September 1833 - 105
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 -    21
                                                              $126.


⎨ Revolutionary Claim,  Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Wm G. Palmer, Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 8. Page 22

[Right hand page] 

Jno. J. Daniel, @ Pen.

Agent May 24, 1837
Page 3

[right hand pagr of bound book]

Levin  Willin

Md

(e l)
Page 4


WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
19 June 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in
 
the margin with a brace, (thus: ⎬ ) You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

"Statement, shewing the service of Levin Willin Somerset County}
"Period when service was rendered"
     During 79 & 80
      Enlisted June '82 on board Protector

"Duration of the claimant's service."
"Rank of the claimant"
        9 mos. private on guard
        3 mos. seaman on the Protector

"Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served."

      Capt. Walley

"Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service"
       75 
       Maryland

"Proof by which the declaration is supported"
      Traditionary: personal declaration on oath - Testimony of John Jones of Benjn.

Record in the Land office for the western shore of Maryland at Annapolis, in relation to the service on board of the barge "Protector"

I am, respectfully;
   Your obedient servant,
            J. L. EDWARDS,
                   Commissioner of Pensions.

Repld. to Mr Robb
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers,
mucicians [sic] or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
                 DECLARATION,
    In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of                      Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory or District of }  ss.
County of                              }

On this         day of     personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of             in the county of
            and State, Territory or District of
aged (c)        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 (d)           with and      served in the
(e) regiment of the               line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than
one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                           A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                            of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains  the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
                           for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this   day of      & c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                 subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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.

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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   A. B.   who has signed the preceding certificate is  a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                 and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,              Clerk of the Court of                   do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this    day of        & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. [a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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 bis 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 mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension." {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 be 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 that 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 shown 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 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 papers 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. Proof of Service. [j] 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 claimant's 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. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

W.L.W.
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Declaration of Levin Willin of Somerset County, Maryland an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7th, 1832
Page 8

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832

State of Maryland Somerset County

On this twenty-first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three personally appeared before the Orphan's Court of Somerset County, MD Levin Willin a resident of Somerset County & state of Maryland aged seventy-five 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 the 7th 1832. That he served on guard at various times & places in the militia of Somerset County in the state of Maryland during the years of 1779, '80 and '81. That he enlisted in the Naval service of the state of Maryland sometime in June 1782 on board of the Barge "Protector" commanded by Captain Zedekiah Walley being one of the barges filled out by the state of Maryland to oppose the British barges then infesting the Chesapeake Bay. That he was engaged in a battle with the British Barges in Cager's straits, Chesapeake Bay in September 1782; that the Barge "Protector" to which he belonged was blown up in the engagement and all the crew except about fifteen persons were killed; that he was taken prisoner by the British and detained several days; that being badly burnt in the explosion of the barge he was released by the British on parole that he resided in Somerset County Maryland when he entered the service of
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That he was engaged in a battle with the British barges in Cager's Straits, Chesapeake Bay in September 1782; that the barge "Protector" to which he belonged was blown up in the engagement and all the crew except about fifteen persons were killed; that he was taken prisoner by the British and detained several days; that being very badly burnt, in the explosion of the barge, he was released by the British on parole, that he resided in Somerset County, Maryland when he entered the service of his county in the Revolutionary War and has resided there ever since. 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.

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court

Levin Willin
His X Mark

Test: James Polk Reg 

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion
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that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.-
I James Polk Register of Wills for Somerset County, State of Maryland do hereby certify, that foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Levin Willin for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty first day of May in the year of our of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred thirty three
                        [signed} James Polk Register of
                        Wills for Somerset County

We James Denson, a Clergyman, residing in the neighborhood of Levin Willin in Somerset County, Md. and John Jones of Benjamin
residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with said Levin William, who has subscribed and sworn
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We James Denson, a Clergyman, residing in the neighborhood of Levin Willin in Somerset County, Md. and John Jones of Benjamin,
residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with said Levin Willin, who has subscribed and sworn that we believe him yo be seventy five 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

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court

[signed] Test James Polk Registrar
             Jas Denson
             John Jones of Benjamin 
Interrogatories propounded by the Orphan's Court, of Somerset County Maryland, to Levin Willis, an applicant for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia & naval service of Maryland, during the Revolutionary War.

1.   Q. Where and in what year were you born
      A.  I was born in Dorchester County, Maryland, in the year of 1758.
2.    Q. Have you any Record of your age, & if                           so where is it
       A. I have none
3.    Q.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now
live?
       Ans. In Somerset County, Maryland.
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4.  Q, How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute, for whom?

Ans. I volunteered.

5.  Q. State the names of some of the officers, who were with the troops where you served; such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.

Ans. Zedekiah Walley was the captain of the Barge to which I belonged, and Joseph Handy was seen Lieutenant. The general circumstances of my service are embodied in
my declaration above sworn to subscribed

6.  Q. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so, by whom was it given, and what has become it?

A. I was taken prisoner in an engagement with the British in Cages [now Kedges} Strait Chesapeake Bay and
after being detained some days, was released on parole.

7. State the name of the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to
your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

Answer. James Denson, Jesse Hughes, John Jones of Benjamin, (with whom I served on guard at different times before I enlisted on board the Barge Protector) George
Collier, George D. Walter, Levin Walter and many others.
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you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

Answer - James Denson, Jesse Hughes, John Jones of Benjamin (with whom I served on guard at different times before I enlisted on board the Bare Protector) George Collier, George D Walter, Levin Walter and many others.

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 Denson, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the neighborhood of Levin Willin above names and that
Page 14


John Jones of Benjamin, who has also signed the same is a resident of the same neighborhood aforesaid, and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.

I James Polk Register of wills for Somerset County, State of Maryland do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Levin Willin for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this twenty first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.

[signed] James Polk Register of wills
for Somerset County
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On this seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the peace for Somerset County & State of Maryland, Levin
Willin, of the County & State aforesaid, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less
then the period mentioned below, and in the following grades: for nine months he served as soldier in the militia of Somerset County
Maryland, in the Revolutionary war; that for three months he served as a marine or seaman, on board of the Barge Protector, in the Chesapeake Bay during the Revolutionary war; that he was called into service by competent authority, served in an
embodied corps, and that for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit; and for the services aforesaid, he claims a pension.
           Sworn before
                  James  Denson
[There follows 6 lines of script that are lined through]
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on the seventh day of October eighteen hundred and thirty-three personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for Somerset County, Maryland John Jones of Benjamin of the county & state aforesaid who deposeth & saith that he certifies of his own knowledge that Levin Willin the applicant for a pension within named did serve as a soldier or guard in the militia of Somerset County during the Revolutionary war and although he does not recollect the length of the service of said Willin, he, the said Jones, believes that the said Willin served as he the said Willin states in his declaration submitted to the War Department which said declaration has been rad to the said Jones.

Sworn before Jas Denson

Maryland Somerset County

I George Handy Clerk of Somerset County Court do hereby certify that James Denson Esq who has taken and certified the above affidavits is a Justice of the Peace for Somerset County, Maryland and that the signature thereto annexed is his genuine signature.

In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand & affix the seal of said County Court this 9th day of October Anno Domini 1833.

Geo Handy - Clk Somerset County Court

Levin Willin
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7921
INVALID

File No 7921
Levin Willin
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 1832
Index Vol [illegible] Page 409

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

Revy INVALID
See File 7921

File No 20898
Levi Willin
Private & Seaman
Md Regt

Act: June 7, 1832

Index Vol blank Page blank

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

Baltimore, May 23 1837

Dear Sir

I enclose you the pension papers of Mr. Levin Willin - you will be so kind as to obtain an order on them for payment of the money - they told me at the Union Bank of Maryland that this matter would have to be pursued on acct. of he (Mr. Willin) not drawing before and regularly - you will please get this order and return them immediately.

Yours J C

Jno J Dashiell
Page 20

Levin Jones, Esq
Georgetown, 
D.C.
Page 21

22687
Levin Willin

Adm 1 yr 3 months
thereof as Seaman

84
21
----
105

Jas Polk, Esq
Register of Wills
Princess Anne CH
Somerset Co, 
MD
Page 22

Land Office, Annapolis, November 8th, 1833

I hereby certify that it appears by a return roll of the remaining in this office of the Officers and men belonging to the Barge Protector commanded by Captain Zedekiah Walley that the name of Levin Willin appears upon said roll to have entered as a private on the 29th of June 1782 and I also further certify that it appears by a payroll of the officers and men belonging to said Barge that the said Levin Willin received L. 9. pay up to the 21st of December 1782 and that in the margin of Remarks opposite his name on said roll is the following entry "wounded in the Protector and on parole"

George G Brewer
Reg Land Office W.S. MD