Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11421, John White, Penn. Privateer
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
PENN
PRIVATEER

WHITE, JOHN

NUMBER
R.11421
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State of Pennsylvania City and County of Philadelphia   SS

On this the Sixteenth day of May 1856, before the Sub-Alderman + exofficio a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Mary Shiner a resident of said City aged sixty nine years who being duly sworn doth in her oath  make the following declaration in order to obtain the arrears of pension due to her father at his death under the act of June 7, 1832.  That she is a daughter of John White born in New York in June 1759, and who died in Philadelphia aforesaid on the Seventh day of July Eighteen Hundred and thirty Eight.  That shortly after the Declaration of Independence  he joined a Regiment of Pennsylvania militia under command of the late Gen. McKean which was stationed about three months at Amboy N.J.  In January 1777 he was Surgeons Mate of the General Hospital at the at the  Bettering House and served in that capacity until the British threatened the City and was afterwards detached successfully to the Hospitals at Burlington, N. J. , Princeton, New Brunswick, Valley Forge, Yellow Springs and Lightfoots [illegible] and upon the evacuation of this  City was again stationed at the Bettering House.  

In August 1779, he accepted the office of Surgeon on board a privateer commanded by Capt. Gardner, made two cruises in her, one of them in company with the elder Decatur, during which among other prizes they cut off a British Transport,  loaded with Hessians, and sent her into Egg Harbor.  He was then appointed Surgeon of the Rising Sun, a ship of 20. guns and was captured by the British on the first of January 1780, carried to Charleston, S.C. and confined in the Prison Ship for four months, many of  the prisoners died, and he with others was sent to New York and confined on board the Jersey Prison
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ship where he remained seven months, and was returned through the influence of Thomas Bradford [illegible], and David Sproat, the British Emmisary of Prisoners.  Declarant makes the above declaration from the statements of her Father in his life time, and refers to a Hand Bill or Poster published by him when a candidate for the office of Sheriff of the City + County of Philadelphia, dated August 4, 1829 (which accompanied the declarant) for a more particular statement of his service -- That  John White left no widow but the following children surviving.  They are the only children of the said John White viz 1 Mary Shinn, 2. Catherine Field, and she authorises J. D. Woodward of Plattsburg N.Y. as her attorney in the premises.
Mary Shinn [signature]

Sworn and subscribed to before me on the day and year first above mentioned and I have no interest in the claim to which the foregoing declaration relates , and am not concerned in its prosecution. --

Armon Davis
Alderman + Ex officieo
Justice Peace,



May 16, 1886

I am personally acquainted with Armon Davis, Esquire, and know him to be an Alderman in and for the City of Philadelphia at the present time and furthermore that the above signature is in his own handwriting, with which I am familiar --
Jacob Broom
Rep. 4th Congl. Dist. Penna.
Washington May 19"1856

[Written sideways at bottom]
Children of John White, Pa.
+ Acct [illegible]  71832
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[First five lines faded/illegible]

and lawful Agent, and I do hereby authorize and empower him to receive my Shares or Dividend of the [illegible] taken on her [illegible] Capt. Jeremiah Simmons being Commander [illegible] his receipt shall be your sufficient Voucher and Security--

I do likewise authorize and require him (if necessary) to sue for and recover the sums and remit me a part by the first opportunity--- In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand this day 

Abraham S. Hadden [Signature]

Witness Present --
Enoch Hillwith
Charles Anderson
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Philad. SS

On the twenty7th day of Nov. of 81  Before me the subscribed, one of the Justices (illegible) came Enoch Stillwell one of the subscribing witnesses to the within writing and being duly sworn, deposes & says that he was present and saw Abraham S. Haddon sign the same with his own hand and that this Deponent also signed the same as a witness & that his name thereto is of his own proper handwriting.

Sworn [illegible]
William Rush

Enoch Stillwell (seal)

Enrolled in the Rolls of (illegible) of the state of Penna. In letter attoy. (2 words illegible) paid 206.
    Witness my hand and seal of office.  27 November 1881.                   //s//
                                       John Morris
                                              (Illegible) 

Letter of Attorney
Abrm. S. Haddon to
John White
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To:  
Marcus Young [illegible]
Foreman on board the
Troops Ship  New York


White, John
Penna. R 11421
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Lancaster June 7th 1781

Dear Brother,

   By the (2 - 3 words Illegible) I inform you that we have received your letter where in you mention that you want a little money.  The (illegible) is (illegible) you know that Mr. Griffith has wrote to a friend of his The Reverand Jeremiah Leaming in Beckham Street to let you have four guineas which as soon as you have received to let us know and we shall pay them to Mr. Griffith here.  Father & mother and Mr. Graess & Graess' Family are well & remember their love to you.  No more at present but remain your brother.
                                    //s//
                           Mathias Young
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No. 5

Lieut. John White

Cape May
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New York, May 30th.1782

My Dear Johnny,


You are now  I expect [agreeably] settled in a place that will answer your business and enjoying the pleasures which flow from the beauties of the spring season, you may observe that I have not forgot that my friend White is still in being by my frequent writing, am in hopes that any letters may all come safe to hand, I embrace every convenient opportunity and think you may perhaps receive some of them, the (illegible) chance offers by Doct. Miller who has promised me to forward this to you which I hope you may receive. My Dear friend I have nothing very material to communicate at this time, I can acquaint you that myself & family are all well have moved from my old habitation to the house were Mr. Ervin lived a few doors below in the same street, where I should think it a pleasure to have your company, respecting prison ships, they are all full and very sickly; and I expect will be more so as the warm weather increases, I need not inform you the distresses of the poor fellows.  Experience has taught you (next page)
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their uncomfortable situation, I sincerely wish that some method could be found for their relief, I still continue my visits but not as frequent as when I had the happiness to find you on board.  Capt. Clark is still in the Dunbire his wife lives onboard with him she seems a person of considerable humanity, Christie is in her old station he has repeatedly inquired after you, Mr. & Mrs. Hochinhull are well with their best respect & wishes for your welfare, I expect when you write you will give one a particular account of your situation it will be pleasing to hear from you, My Brother & Sisters. Mr. Sidell (sends) their love to you. My friend I bid you adieu and may you be preserved in the paths of virtue which will not fail to yield peace & satisfaction.

        I am with every sentiment of 
        Respect (Johnny) Your very affectionate friend.
                                   //s//
                              Ezekial Robins 

 
Doctor John White
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No.

John White Decd.
Penna.
J.D. Goodman, June 23, 1856

11421

Jan. 7, 1832
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11,421

P.O. John White

Service: 
Enlisted: Pa. _________,18__.
Discharged: _________, 18__.
REJECTED
Alleges: _________, 18__.
Reenlisted: ______, 18__.
Attorney:
P.O. 
_____Recognized. _________Contents
_____Cert. of Dis.  Search for _______.18__.
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No: 1

Certificate resp.
Oath of Alligence
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Philadelphia
I do hereby certify, that John White formerly a mate in the Genl. Milatary (military) Hospital of the state.  Hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the affirmation of allegiance and fidelity, as directed by the ACT of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the fifth day of December, A.D. 1778. Witness my hand and seal, the 11th day of October A.D. 1786

                                    //s//
                         (illegible signature)
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On board the prison ship Jersey
July 17th 1781

Received from the Rev'd. Jeremiah Leming by the hands of Doctor John White four Guineas, as witness my hand.

                                      //s//
                              Marion Young Jun.
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Washington, D.C.
May 20, 1856.

Sir,

    I enclose the declaration of the children of John White who was a Surgeons mate in the army of the Revolution.  There is an accident omission of the date of his death which is understood to have taken place on the 7th day of July 1838. -- Proof on this (illegible) and of the names and number of his children will be furnished should the services and imprisonment be admitted. --
    An examination of your records may corroborate the evidence addressed.
                                 Respectfully yours,
                                            //s//
                                J. D. Woodword

Hon. Jas. Minot
                 Comm. of Pens.