Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File O. W. Inv. R. File 15839, for John Lease, [Blank]
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE 
Not Rev. War [underlined] 
Lease, John 
NUMBER 
O. W. Inv. R. File 15839 
U.S. Army 1794-1797
CONTENTS
File in Rev. War files
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John Leese's 
application
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State of Virginia, Hampshire County to wit 
On this 25 day of November 1833 in the year of our Lord 
one thousand eight hundred and thirty three 
personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of 
the County Court of Hampshire, sitting as a court 
of Record, for said County and State aforesaid, 
John Lease a resident of the aforesaid County & 
State aged sixty three 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 7t. 1832. That he 
enlisted in the Army of the United States in 
the Year 1794 with, A _ Thompson, does 
not recollect his commission and served in 
the first United States Regiment under the following 
named officers: that he was born in the 
County of Frederick near the town of Frederick in the 
State of Maryland. does not recollect the year, 
but finds from his discharge that he was 27 
years old on the 8th day of October 1797. 
that he has no record of his age; he was living [insert - unclear on placement] when he was called up 
in the County of Frederick in the State of Virginia; 
that he lived two years in Pennsylvania since the 
Revolutionary war & the ballance of his time in 
Hampshire County Virginia where he now resides; 
that he was enlisted in the light[illegible] army_ 
that he enlisted for 3 years with a _ Thompson 
at Winchester and marched under he believes 
Ensign _ Peyton to Fort Cumberland, from 
thence to Cincinatti, from thence to Fort 
Greensville; here he remained one year from 
thence to Destroit; here he remained nearly one 
year, from thence he was sent with a packet 
of letters in company with a William 
McCleman [unclear] to Pittsburgh; here he remained 
from the 1st. of March to the middle of May, 
from thence to Cincinnatti; from thence to
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to Fort Hamilton from thence to Fort 
Gransville from thence to Fort Wayne; 
where he remained until he received a written 
discharge from John F Hamtramch lieutenant 
Colonle Commandant of the First United 
States Regiment & commandant of Fort _ 
Wayne_ which said discharge is herewith 
annexed. During his marches he was several 
^time fired upon by the Indians but cannot 
say that he was in my battle or active 
Engagement._ Shambourgh was the first 
Captain under whom he served. Capt John 
Armstrong the second, & Capt_ But the 
last John Claybourne Was adjutant 
to the Regiment. During his enlistment he 
was not employed in my civil pursuit. 
The following and the names of some 
persons in his present neighbourhood (Riey [illegible]) 
William Armstrong, George Lease, Daniel 
Hallenback, Okey Johnstone, who can 
testify as to his character for veracity & 
their belief of his services as a soldier [crossed out] 
That 2 years & 8 months he was 2nd. Sergeant. as a 
non commissioned officer _ _ _ _ 
So 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 agincy 
or any State / if it be it is on the agincy of 
the State of Virginia. 

[signature] John his X mark Lease 
Sworn to and subscribed} 
this day [illegible] }
above written, before} 
the Judges of the County} 
Court of Hampshire} 
[faded too difficult to see]
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And the said Court do[es] hereby declare this [illegible] 
after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the [illegible] prescribed by the
War Department, that the above named
applicant John Lease was a 
soldier and served as he states

I John B. White Clerk of the Court of the
County of Hampshire do hereby certify that the aforegoing contains the original proceedings of the 
said Court in the matter of the application
of John Lease for a pension
In testimony thereof, I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office this 29 day
of November 1833
---
John B. White
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15839. 
Mil Est. 
John Lease 
Hampshire Co
Va.. 
[stamp] REJECTED 
1794
[crossed out text]
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[postmark] 
FREDERICK Md
NOV 10 
F. Thomas
Md.
FREE 
Mr. Thomas Lease 
Near Cumberland 
Alleghany County 
Maryland
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DEPARTMENT OF WAR, 
PENSION OFFICE, June 27, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted by the Secretary of War for carrying into effect the Act 
of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, entitled "An Act supplementary to an "Act for the relief of the surviving 
officers and soldiers of the Revolution." 
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. 
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, musicians 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 [italicized] } 
County of [italicized] } ss.  
On this [blank space] day of [blank space] personally appeared the [blank space] of the [blank space] 
[blank space] A. B. a resident of [blank space] in the county of [blank space] and State, Territory or District 
of [blank space] aged [blank space] 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 [blank space] , with [blank space] and 
served in the [blank space] regiment of the  [blank space] line, under the following named officers:  [blank space] 
[italicized paragraph and square brackets in orginal] [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.] 
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, or (if any) only on that of 
the Agency in the State of [blank space] 
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, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary 
soldier, and served as he states. 
I [blank space] of the Court of [blank space] 
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the 
application of [blank space] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 
[blank space] day of [blank space] & c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be 
found, they will receive detailed instructions, respecting the nature and form of the testimony, they must 
produce, to secure their being placed on the Pension roll. As the presumption will, in such cases, be 
against the applicants in consequence of the omission of their names in the muster rolls, they will be required  
to furnish, as near as may be, the same evidence as has heretofore been required, by the Regulations 
and practice adopted for carrying into effect the act of Congress, of March 18, 1818, and the acts supplementary 
thereto ; with such relaxations as have been from time to time sanctioned by the Department, on 
account of the rapid decrease of the survivors of the Revolutionary army, and the consequent difficulty of 
procuring direct positive testimony in every case. 
Wherever an officer or non-commissioned officer is now in the receipt of a pension, he should make 
application, if entitled to the benefits of this act, by letter merely, setting forth his rank, and the regiment, 
corps or vessel, in which he served, and his present place of residence. His pension certificate must accompany 
his letter. 
In those cases where the applicants have once been on the pension roll, under the act of March 18, 
1818, and have been dropped therefrom on account of property, or for any other reason, or where application 
has been made under the act of May 15th, 1828, and the evidence of service is in the Departments, or 
having made application and proof of service, and having been rejected, instead of the above declaration 
they will make a statement, setting forth, under oath, their having been previously on the pension roll, and 
their having been struck from the same, shewing their rank, the regiment, corps or vessel in which they 
served, their present place of residence, and their place of residence when the first application was made, 
or of their application under the act of 15th of May, 1828. 
In a case where a claimant may make personal application at this Department, and can produce satisfactory 
proof of service, and of his identity also, at the seat of government, he may make his declaration 
before a justice of the peace. 
2. The case of the State troops, volunteers and militia is different. There are in the Department no 
rolls of the State troops, except those of Virginia ; and no rolls of the militia, except those of New 
Hampshire. 
Applicants, who served in the State troops of Virginia, and applicants, who served in the militia of 
New Hampshire, will be required to produce the same proof, as is prescribed for those, who served upon 
the Continental Establishment. But, with respect to the other State troops and militia, there is no record 
to advert to, and no presumption to be rebutted. The nature of the case, therefore, demands a different 
rule of proceeding.
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2
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia 
except as is above provided, will make and subscribe the following declaration; 
DECLARATION. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. 
State, Territory or District of [blank space] } 
County of [blank space] } ss. 
On this [blank space] day of [blank space] personally appeared in open Court, before 
the Court of [blank space] now sitting, A. B. a resident of [blank space] in the County of [blank space] and 
State, Territory or District of [blank space] aged [blank space] 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 7, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as 
herein stated. 
[square brackets in original] [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; the day (if possible) and the 
month and year when the claimant entered the service, and the time when he left the same; (and if under 
more than one engagement, he must specify the particular periods, and the rank and names of his officers;) 
the town, and County or State, in which he resided, when he entered the service; whether he was drafted, 
was a volunteer or a substitute; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; the country through which he 
marched; the continental regiments or companies with which he served; and the names of some of the 
Regular Officers whom he knew, together with such farther particulars as may be useful in the investigation 
of his claim; and also, if the facts be so, that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows 
of no person, whose testimony he can procure., who can testify to his service.] 
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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency 
of the State of [blank space] 
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
C. D. 
And then will be annexed the following certificate: 
We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank space] and C.D. residing in (the same) 
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank space] , who has 
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank space] 
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 day 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. 
[blank space] who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident of the [blank space] 
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank space]  
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank space] Clerk of the Court of [blank space] do hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank space] 
for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
of office, this [blank space] day of [blank space] &c. 
The form of the proceedings and of the certificates will be so varied, as to meet the case, when the declaration 
is made out of Court, before a Judge, as hereafter provided for. 
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, 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 
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 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 service.
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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. In 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. To require from the 
applicants positive proof of service from a temporary survivor would, after the lapse of so many years, be 
to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law. And as no presumption is raised against the Militia by 
the existence of Rolls in the Department, there is no good reason why this requisition should be extended to 
them. On the other hand, to receive the declaration of the parties, as a sufficient ground for placing them 
upon the Pension Roll, without corroborating circumstances, would be to open the Treasury to great frauds. 
A just medium seems to present the best rule for carrying into effect the objects of Congress. 
If the two persons, whose certificates is required, cannot be produced in Court, without too much 
inconvenience and expense to the applicant, then the statement of the facts and opinions above mentioned, 
will be made under oath before some Judge or Justice of the Peace, and the certificate of the Court to the 
situation and credibility to of the persons making the statement will be given. 
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. 
3. Persons serving in the marine forces. 
4. Indian Spies. 
Each of these two latter classes of cases will produce proof, as nearly as may be, conformably to the preceding 
regulations, and authenticated in a similar manner, with such variations as the different nature of the 
service may require. 
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.
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Mr. Daniel Hollenback 
Hampshire County 
Virginia
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DrSir
You will take the declaration of Mr. Lease, to 
the Court at Romney_ The Court will put to 
him the 7th. interrogatory mentioned by the War 
Department all of which are answered in his 
declaration_ he then will answer to them 
upon oath_ The Court will then certify to 
the same & the Clerk of the Court will 
also certify to the proceedings & affix his 
seal of office. I wish him to attach 
to the declaration the discharge of Mr. 
Lease. The papers, that is, the declaration 
& discharge must be sent to me as soon 
as possible, as I shall go below in 
10 days or a fortnight_ Yrs Respectfully 
[signature] Wm. Matthews 
[flourish] 
Cumberland 
Nov. 20th 1833 [underlined] 

This is to draw a pension from the general 
government_ If Mr. Lease be entitled to 
a pension from the State of Virginia - you 
can advise with some frind in 
Romney how to proceed. 
[signature] Wm Matthews 
[flourish]
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Mr Thomas Lease
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Frederick [smudged] Nov 11_ 1832 
Sir. 
I have received a letter from a Mr_ 
Jacob Lantz, concerning your fathers right to 
receive a pension from the U.S., in 
which he requests me to let me know
whether your father ought to apply to the
Government of Virginia or to that of the
United States.
Under the pension laws of the U.S. your
father is entitled to a pension from the
General Government. To enable him to 
make application in proper form I send 
you herewith a copy of the rules and 
regulations of the War Department relating 
to pensioners. If after examing these
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regulations you are uncertain as to the 
mode of proceeding you would do well 
if you will on Mr. Matthews or some 
other intelligent member of the Bar at 
Cumberland who will give you advice 
to be relied on 
Respectfully 
Yours &c 
Francis Thomas 
[flourish]
Page 16

Dear Sir 
Romney Nov 29. 1833 
Enclosed is the application of John Leese 
for a pension. I informed him that I did not 
beli[eve] [smudged] law extended to his case altho : Mr. Matthews [smudged] his friend in Cumberla[nd] [torn] thought otherwise. 
You will please inform Mr. Matthews [torn] or myself 
of the determination in his case 
Yours [torn illegible] respectfully 
John B. White
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[this is the letter from the previous scan underneath the envelope from this scan - many words are cut off] 
Romney Nov 29 1833 
losed is the applicaton of John Leese 
sion. I informed him that I did not 
to his case altho : Mr 
ght otherwise. 
or my 
pectf 
hn B. W 

[note on envelope] 
Dec 4 
A_a. [unclear] Case 
JNo Lease 
Served from 
1794 to 1797 
rejected. See letter to J.B. 
White March [creased] 25. 14

[envelope addressing] 
Romney Nov 30 Free 
The Secretary of War 
Washington City 
DC_ 
Pension Office
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By John F Hamtramck Esquire Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the First United States Regiment and
of
and Commandant of Fort Wayne
John Lase in the first United States Regiment, having faithfully served Three Years, for which he was
engaged, his time of enlistment having expired, he is hereby discharged from the service of the United States_
And to prevent any ill use that night be made of this discharge, by its falling into the hands of any
other person not entitled to it, here follows a description of the above said John Lease
he is aged twenty seven years five feet eleven & three fourths Inches high Dark Complexion
Black hair blue eyes 
born in the State of Maryland bade a Cordwance [unclear - allowance?] 

Given under my hand and seal at Fort Wayne this 8th Day of October 1797
[signature] N Hamtramck [initials unclear] 
[flourish] 
To all whom it may concern}
Civil & Military}
Registred
U Peyton Curstd [illegible] of the Regt. P.T.
Page 19

I John Lease do hereby acknowledge to have 
received all my pay, arrears of pay, Clothing 
of all sorts, and all the demands upto the day 
of my discharge_ Fort Wayne Octr 8th 1797_ 

Charles Hyde Lieut }  John X Lease 
qp master in Regt. }    [flourish] 
[flourish]