Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R, James Cunningham, Penn. Penn. Sea Service
Page 1

SERVICE  Penn.
Cunningham, James
NUMBER  R---
CONTENTS (Fayette Co. Penn.)
Page 2


Union town
Augt 15th 1846
S B. Mr Esq
De Sir
Since my return I have made
it my business to ascertain the fact that James
Conegam or Cunningham who has applied though you
for a pension is in full life. I have therefore
Signed & herewith returned to you the enclosed
Certificate I have known the old man for between
forty & fifty years ago I wished him to apply for
a pension many years ago but he declined saying
he did not stand in need of it. He has Since
been robbed of all his money & nearly killed by the robbers. he is now very old & needy & wishes to have his pension
Yours respectfully
A Stewart
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania ( LS )
County of Fayette
On this twenty first day
of September A D 1846 appeared before me
James Cunningham of the 
above State and county aged about 100 years
who made the following Statement under oath
to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by act
of Congress passed 7 of June AD 1832 that he sent in a declaration, in 1832, of his service 
to the Pension office; that said declaration was taken before Judge Porter, that (as well as he recollected) 
in that declaration he
Stated that he entered the Pennsylvania Service in
the war of the Revolution and marched from Lancaster County to New York that he served as Quarter 
Master also as Major under General Washington
that he was personally acquainted with Washington
that he was in a battle at New York when the British
Commanded by General Howe were in number
that he enlisted under Captain--in the
Regt commanded by Col-- for -- years
that he was afterwards promoted to a quarter
Master and afterwards was promoted again to
the grade of Major That he served in all
two years; That he received a commission
that he delivered the same into the hands of a Mr Lutner
Several years since for the purpose of aiding in  getting 
for me a pension that he has never seen it since. The 
further particulars he cannot State by reason of age an of infirmities
Sworn subscribed
Before me John P Williams  ? P
James  Cunnignham
his mark
X
Present
Andrew Stewart
James Wilson
Page 4

this letter may serve you as an additional voucher
should you obtain the certificate I will render you
any further service you may wish in procuring the necessary
powers to draw the money or any further proof & necessary
in securing the pension
A Stewart
15 augt '46
Page 5

Union town
Oct 17 1846
Dear Sir
The enclosed was Executed some time
Since but during the erections of our political
Campaign was overlooked & forgotten  I
now send it to you. & hope it will
enable you to Succeed in getting the
old Man Cunningham his pension
yours truly
A Stewart
B True Esq
Washington city
Page 6

De Crump
will have the politeness
to allow me to see the papers on file
in the Jas. Cunningham case
a favor that has twice before been asked┃
and once for me by ? Mr Sterwart
I will call, Saturday next.
Dec 24 /46
Very respectfully
S. B. True
Dr Crump, Exam
Present
Page 7

Mar 24 46
Rec of
Jas Cunningham
per A Stewart
Mle
J S Edwards Esq
Com pensions
War Dept
Page 8

Ho of Reps
Mar 231846  
Dr Sir
Will you be so good as to
let me know what has
been done in the case of James
Cunningham or Cuningham
referred to in the entered
letter from Mr James Wilson
please return the letter
Yours truly,
A Stewart
J S Edwards Esq
Com pens
War Dept
Page 9


Washington DC Aug 1st 1846
not being able to visit the Department
to satisfy A in regard to the personal
identity of James Cunegam or James
Cunningham mentioned by in the papers
in Mr Trues possession as the James
Cunningham who applied for a pension
many years since I will state for the
satisfaction of the Department that I have
known said James Cummingham from
my boyhood up Known him personally
and have seen him within a year
or so and that there never was any
other revolutionary soldier in Fayette
County Penn That there is no truth 
in the report that James Cummingham
of Fayette Co. Pa. died 12 or 13 years
Since; that Mr James Wilson who has
addressed several letters on the subject
to Mr True is a highly respectable 
citizen and entitled to full confi
dence and so of Mr Elisha Lang
head witness to the signing of the Power
Attorney which signature appears to be
genuine. And now I request for
Mr True privilege of seeing
Page 10

any paper that may be on file in
any Department touching the claim
of sailor James Cunningham
for the purpose of getting any aid they
may afford in the further prosecu
tion of his claims
A Stewart
Ml
Page 11

James Cunningham, decd
Penna
act June 7, 1832.
See letter 1843 to Sec.
War
Sent to Hon. Andrew Stewart
April 8 '46
Page 12

(3 - 1776 )
SERVICE                       NUMBER
Penn.   Cunningham, James   R--
Penn. Sea Services
CONTENTS
Westmoreland Co.)
Penn.
Page 13

Power of Attorney
Robert Cunningham
to
Jos Stokely Examiner
his father papers filed
for a Revolutionary
Pension in 1820
I had intended to
have went to the City
which is now out of
my power will the
Commissioner be so good
as to have an Examination
and let me know by letter
which will confer a favor
Jun 12th 1853
Joseph Stokely
West Newton
Penna
Page 14

State of Penna I personally appeared before mr a
Westmoreland County Justice of the Court in and for
the County and State aforesaid Robert Cunningham him who
being Sworn according to Lowe Loyeth that he is one of the
Children of James Cunningham decd who made applica
tion to the General Goverment for a Pension for services
in the Revolutionary war thinks under the act of 1818
but never was allowed a Pension he then neglected any
further attention to it. Myself and other of the Children
believes that he was entitled to by these presents author
rise and empower Joseph Stokely our Attorney for us
and in our Names to nomene(?) the papers on file and
thereby to assertain what was wanting to perfect the
Claim and further to do all and Every thing or things
whatsoever as fully as I myself might or Could do ware
I personally present hereby Notifying and Confering
whatsoever my said Attorney may lawfully in and about
the Same  Given under my hand this 9th day May 1857
Sealed and Delivered
Robt Cunningham
in presins ofus
Wm H Bell
A Lown esq
Page 15

Westmoreland County, I personally offered before
Penna
I mr a Judge of the Court
Robert Cunningham who acknowledged the  within
power of attorney to be his act and Deed and
desired the same should be Respected as such
And I do certify that he is one of the Children
of the said James
Cuningham and
as he has declared and that he is interested in said 
Claim
James Bell
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA,
WESTMORE LAND COUNTY, SS
I  Jos Gross-PROTHONOTARY
of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas of the County of Westmoreland, in the Com-
monwealth of Pennsylvania, Do hereby certify that
---
James Bell  before whom the foregoing
Power of Attorney was acknowledged
and whose name in his own proper handwriting, is to the foregoing certificate
appended, was then and now is an acting Associate Judge
in and for said County of Westmoreland, duly elected and commissioned, and
to all whose official acts and deed full faith and credit are of right due
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the SEAL of said
Court, at Greensburg the 13th day of May
in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Jos Gross Prothonotary
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Ofice,
20 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, showing the service of James Cunningham
Period when the service was rendered
Dec 1776 
Duration of the claimant's service 
2 months 
Rank of the claimant 
Vol. 
Name and rank of the field officers under whom he served
Capt James Ross
Col Thos Porter
Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
16 years
Lancaster
County Pa
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Peter Fell
John Bennett
Period when the service was rendered
Dec 1781 
Duration of the claimant's service 
2 months 
Rank of the claimant 
Millitia man 
Name and rank of the field officers under whom he served
Capt Reams
Deccliration
Col Hubley
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Peter Fell
John Bennett
Period when the service was rendered
Dec 17782
Duration of the claimant's service 
3 months 
Rank of the claimant 
Seaman
Name and rank of the field officers under whom he served
Capt Hugh Sisle
1st L??t John Connor
2d L??t Saml Maney
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Peter Fell
John Bennett
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Some evidence must be furnished of the Flora being a public ship, before the
service in that vessel can be allowed the applicant. Please have refferance
to the Records of the Navy department.
P H
Page 17

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1852,
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the State 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, 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 claim
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will in???
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
considered a Court of Record.
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 }
County of } 88.
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 per- 
sons 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 revolu
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I   of the Court of
do the 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  who has
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 ser-
vices 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
Page 18

A note of service done in the time of the
Revolutionary War by me; first in December and
January, in the year 1776 and 1777, two months as a
volunteer in Colonel Thomas Porter's battalion, in
James Ross Company, in Colrain Township, Lancaster
County. We marched to Philadephia the nineteenth
day of December 1776. From thence we went to a
place called Bordentown, in the State of New Jersey,
our next March was to Trenton. I was there in
the evening of the cannonading, and in the night
marched to Princeton, and was in the battle there
that morning, and after that marched to Morristown ┃
where we continued until we were discharged.

In the year 1777 the militia was put
into classes. I drew the seventh class and was
not called into service until the year, I think, of
1781 when it was said that some of the British
prisoners was brought to Lancaster, Lancaster County
State of Pennsylvania. I then being in said County
was called upon in my class to assist in guarding
them for two months, beginning in June, and
ending in August
In 1782, in the beginning of March I
went to Philadelphia and went aboard of an
eighteen gun ship and was aboard of her for three
months. She was called the Flora, commanded
by Captain Hugh Lisle, John Connor, first mate,
Samuel Moody, second mate
In the year 1783 I left Lancaster County
Page 19

and came to Fayette County and in 1787 I came
into Westmoreland where my place of residence
has been ever since. In the year 1794, I think ┃
in August, there was a call for the militia to ┃
go against the Indians, and it came to my class,
and in the circumstance of my family concerns
it was not convenient for me to go. I hired a
---
William Shepta to go for me, and I was to give
him six pounds and the State pay. He did the
duty until he was discharged, and I paid it.
(Signed) James Cunningham
Page 20

Rev. War Section,
June 26, 1913.
Miss Edith Beryl Robe,
Box 191, Huntington,
Madam: --
West Virginia.
Madam:-
In response to your letter dated the 21" and received
the 23" instant, you are advised that among the papers on file
in this Bureau is the statement of one James Cunningham who
volunteered in December 1776 in Captain James Ross' company,
Colonel Thomas Porter's regiment, in Colerain Township, Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania, marched to Philadelphia, Borden-
town, was at Trenton on the evening of the carronading and in
the battle of Princeton the next day; served two months.
In June 1781, he was called out to guard Britian pris-
oners in Lancaster County: two months.
At Philadelphia, in March 1782, he went on board the
Flora" an eighteen-gun ship, commanded by Captain Hugh Lisle,
and served three months.
In 1783 he moved from Lancaster County to Fayette County
and in 1787 to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
In 1853, Robert Cunningham of Westmoreland County, Penn.
claimed to be one of the children of the said James Cunningham
deceased (date of death not shown), but did not give any further
family data.
Page 21

James Cunningham-2

As no formal claim or requisite proof were filed on ac-
count of the above services, no pension was ever allowed.
There is no other James Cunningham of Captain Ross Company
Colonel Porter's regiment found on the Revolutionary War records
of this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 22

See Cooper Navel  Huley p. 117.
March 1782. Chap 11
Page 23

Aug 15,1853
Power of atty in
case of the heirs 
of James Cun-
ningham, died
Penna
No paper filed
under 1818
Am(?) sincere (?)-
7th Sept. 1853
Joseph Stokely
West Newton
Pa
Page 24

Pension Office 567
27th Sept 1853
Sir
The Power of Attorney to you
in the case of James Cunningham
decd of Pennsylvania, has been
received
Search has been made,
but no papers in relation to the
above application, can be found
in this office.

Joseph Stokely Esqr
West Newton
Pa
Page 25

Huntington, West Virginia.
June 21, 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: -
I have from the Adjutant General at Washington, a brief rec-
ord of " one James Cunningham, corporal, and one James Cunningham, Senior,
rank not stated, served as members of Captain James Ross's Company of
Militia, of the 3rd Battalion of Lancaster County  (Pennsylvania), command-
ed by Colonel Thomas Porter. They are shown to have entered service
December 12, 1776. No further record of them has been found. ", and
advising me to write to you for possible further information on the subject.
I enclose stamped and addressed envelope, and would be glad to hear
from you with what information you can give, and if any charge is con-
nected kindly advise.
Yours very truly,
(Miss) Edith Beryl Rober
Page 26

Huntington, West Virginia,
Box 191.
September 10, 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: -
I have from the War Department, Washington, D. C., the
following information:
The records of this office show that one James Cunningham, corporal, and one James Cunningham, Senior, rank not stated,
served as members of Captain James Ross's Company of Militia, of
the 3d Battalion of Lancaster County, commanded by Colonel Thom-
as Porter. They are shown to have entered service December 12,
1776. No further record of them has been found."

The Department refers me to you for further information
concerning these men. I would ask if you have any further information
which might tend to show that they were really father and son, as would
appear from the word " Senior" to be the case. In Pennsylvania Ibid,
page 570, there appear the names of James Cunningham Sr. and Jr., rank
not stated, nor company, etc.
In 1737 there emigrated to Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
(now Lancaster, I believe), John Cunningham, with his family, among
whom was his son James and his family, and in this family was James II.
who was born in 1727. James I afterward went to Bedford County, but
it is thought not until after the War.
Very truly,
(Miss) E. B. Robe
Page 27

RECORD DIVISION.
3 -- 525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,_____, 19___

In reply to your request of___received___
for a statement of the military history of James Cunningham
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau. POA Pa Sea
R. Since 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Dec. 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
2 mos.
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
James Ross
COLONEL.
Thomas Porter
STATE.
Pa.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
June 1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
2 mos.
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
(guarding pris.)
COLONEL.
STATE.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Mch. 1782
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 mos.
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
 Hugh Lisle
COLONEL.
Ship "Flora"
STATE.

Battles engaged in, Trenton & Princeton
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Colrain Twp. Lancaster Co. Pa.
Date of application for  pension (Power of Atty.), 1853 Robert Cunningham
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of application,
Remarks: Removed from Lancaster Co. to Fayette Co. Pa. 1783, to
Westmoreland Co. 1787.

Very respectfully,
6 -- 2856   Commissioner.
Page 28

Rev. War Section.
September 22, 1913.
Miss E. B. Robe,
Box 191,
Huntington, W. Va.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 10" and received
the 11"" instant, you are advised that you were furnished on
June 26, 1913, the history of the only James Cunningham of
Captain Ross' company, Colonel Porter's regiment, Pennsylvania
Militia, Revolutionary War, who is found on the records of
this Bureau.
The name of the father of the above noted Jane
Cunning-
ham is not known to this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.