Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6806, for William Mc Donald, New Jersey
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(8-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
Continental (New Jersey) | McDonald, William / Martha | W.6806

CONTENTS
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5580
Maryland

Martha McDonald, widow of William who served in the Revolutionary War as a Dragoon. Lee's Legion.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 100 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued 5th day of Dec. 1855, and sent to Pension Agent, Baltimore, Maryland.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page [illegible], Vol. 116

Date of death not on. A.B.
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Martha McDonald, widow of William McDonald, Dragoon, Lee's Legion.

Revolutionary War pensioned under Act of May 1828.

Claim for pension under Act of Feb. 1853.

Geo. H Hickman, Attorney, Baltimore, Md.
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His widow 18 Aug./'45
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State of Maryland
Orphan's Court for Baltimore City//

On this Twenty sixth day of November 1855, before the Orphan's Court for Baltimore City, personally appeared Mrs. Martha McDonald, aged 64 years, a resident of Baltimore City, who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provisions of the Act of Congress of February 3, 1853. 

That she is the widow of William McDonald, who was a dragoon of Lee's Legion of Virginia State Troops in the Revolutionary War. That her said husband was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of May 15th 1828 at the rate of $100 per annum, which was paid to him at the Maryland Agency.

She further states that she was married to the said William McDonald in Baltimore City on 29th day of November 1823 by the Rev'd John Glenoy, a Minister of the Gospel, and that her name before her said marriage was Martha Webb and that her said husband died in Baltimore on the 18th day of August 1845 and that she has remained a widow ever since.
s/ Martha McDonald

At same time and place personally appeared Robert Taylor and Henry Pendexter, who are credible witnesses, and made oath in due form of law. That they are each well acquainted with Mrs. Martha McDonald in the above application for a pension and have known her for 20 years last past. That they were acquainted with (William)...
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...[duplicate] William McDonald, her late husband, having known him for 20 years previous to his death. That they the said William and Martha McDonald lived together as man and wife and were reputed to be and recognized as such. That the said William McDonald died in Baltimore on the 18th day of August 1845 and that the said Martha McDonald has remained a widow ever since and is now a widow. They further declare that the said William Donald is the identical person mentioned as a pensioner of the U.S. in the affidavit of the said Martha McDonald.
s/ Robert Taylor
s/ Henry Pendexter

In testimony whereof, I, Charles G. Griffith Justice of said Orphan's Court, have hereunto set my Hand on the day and year above written.
s/ Chas. G. Griffith, Justice of Orphan's Court

Maryland//

I hereby certify that Charles G. Griffith, Esquire, who has subscribed the aforegoing certificate, was at the time of so doing one of the Judges of the Orphan's Court for Baltimore City in the State of Maryland, duly elected, commissioned and qualified according to law.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of the said Orphan's Court for Baltimore City this Twenty seventh day of November in the year our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty five.
Test: s/ N. Hickman, Register of Wills for Baltimore City
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State of Maryland
Baltimore City Sct.//

I hereby certify to all whom it doth or may concern, that on the Twenty seventh day of November Eighteen Hundred and Twenty three, a license issued from the Office of the Clerk of Baltimore County Court directed to the Reverend John Gundy to celebrate the Rites of Marriage between a certain William McDonald and Martha Webb of Baltimore County according to law. There appearing to him no lawful cause or just impediment by reason of any consanguinity or affinity to hinder the same as by the records of said Court appear, which records are now in my keeping.

In testimony whereof I hereto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of the Superior Court of Baltimore City this 27th day of November A.D. 1855.
s/ Edw'd Dowling, Clerk of the Superior Court of Baltimore City
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Revolutionary Claim
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore Sct.//

For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act entitled, "An act the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th day of May 1828, I, William McDonald of the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution as a private under Captain Henry Lee (who at that time commanded the 5th Troop of Dragoons in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bland of the Virginia Line) for during the war at or near Middle Brook in the State of New Jersey sometime in the winter of 1776/7. In the spring 1778, order'd to the Head of Elk; there came under command of Captain Joseph Egleston in the 3d Troop of what was then called and ever after known by the proper name of, "Lees Legion," in which legion and company I continued to serve until the termination of the war, when I was honorably discharged at the Head of Elk, on or about the 23rd August 1783, by Captain Michael Rudolph of the Legionary Infantry.

As regards the "certificates" for the [duplicate: for the] reward of Eighty dollars to which I was entitled under a Resolve of Congress passed the 15th May 1778, I will barely state the facts as I did not receive the certificate myself but have since recovered the money; Col. Lee having appointed Captain James Head, now living in New Jersey, agent for the legion, east and north of Maryland. Tt appears the certificates, as also the money, was received by him. While General Knox was Secretary of War, I received from him by a Mr. Wright, a clerk in the office, a certificate of the final settlement, on which I brought suit against Cap. Head in Baltimore County Court and in the latter part of the year 1792, obtained my money through the Sheriff of Baltimore County...
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...And I further declare that I was not, on the 15th day of May 1823 (or at any other period) on the Pension List of the United States. Witness my Hand and Seal at Baltimore this Twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty eight.
s/ Wm. McDonald

Witness:
s/ Thos. Bailey

Before me, Thomas Bailey, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland, personally appeared this day Col. Thomas Sheppard and Solomon Betts, Esquire, of Balt(imore) City, who did severally make oath that William McDonald, by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in manner therein stated. And I, the said Justice, do further certify that I have certain knowledge of the fact. Witness my Hand this Twenty fifth day of July in the year Eighteen Hundred and Twenty eight.
s/ Thos. Bailey, J.P.C.B.
s/ T. Sheppard 
s/ Solomon Betts

Subscribed and sworn to before me this Twenty fifth day of July 1820.
s/ Thos. Bailey, Justice of the Peace in & for the City of Baltimore
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State of Maryland
Baltimore County Sct.//

I hereby certify that Thomas Bailey, gentleman before whom the within depositions were made and who hath thereto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of Baltimore County Court this fourth day of September Eighteen Hundred & Twenty eight.
s/ Wm. Gibson, Clk.
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Balt(imore) Dec. 8, 1855

J. Minot, Esq.
Comm(issioner) of Pensions

Sir,

I have pension forms of 6 Nov. I have no doubt that the age of Mrs. Martha McDonald is correctly given. Gen'l McDonald wan an old man when he married his first & second wife, the lady referred to. There was much compensation...
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...at the period of his marriage with regard to it, on account of his age. She was then a devisee (his second person) in his pension. Gen'l McDonald was one of more wealthier of citizens & his widow must be very wealthy. The son of Gen'l McDonald is the first named and has recently died, leaving his stepmother, the applicant, a large sum, which with his former propositions, makes her very wealthy. I am very much concerned of her accepting a pension. Had her stepson since lived, he would not have  permitted it.

Very respectfully yours,
s/ John P. Sitting
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April 20, 1934

BA-J/EEL
McDonald W.6806

Alice Coffman
Sullivan, Indiana

Dear Madam:

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of William McDonald are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.

William McDonald enlisted in the 1st New Jersey Regiment commanded by Colonel Winds' and served during the Canadian campaign in 1776; no further details of this service given. He enlisted in the winter of 1776 and 1777 near Middle Brook, New Jersey, served as a private in Captain Henry Lee's Company, Colonel Bland's Regiment of Dragoons and in Captain Joseph Egleston's Company, Colonel Lee's Legion and was discharged August 23, 1783, by Captain Michael Rudolph of the Legion.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 25, 1828, while a resident of Baltimore, Maryland.

He died in Baltimore on August 18, 1845.

The soldier married November 29, 1823, in Baltimore, Maryland, Martha Webb, of Baltimore. She was his second wife. There are no particulars in regard to his first wife.

Soldier's widow, Martha, was allowed pension on her application executed November 26, 1855, at which time she was aged sixty-four years and resided in Baltimore, Maryland.

A son of William McDonald's first wife is referred to. He was deceased in December, 1855; his name is not shown, nor do the names of any other children appear. There are no further family data.

Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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Martha McDonald, widow of William.
Maryland

Adm(itted) Feb. 1833, $100 a year from the passage of the act.

Cert(ificate sent) to Geo. H. Hickman, Esq., Baltimore, Md.
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Brief in the case of Martha McDonald, widow of William.
County and State of Maryland.
Act 3 Feb. 1853

Claim, ("original" [crossed out: or "for increase"])
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was pensioned under the Act 1828 at $100 a year.
Record evidence of marriage.
Cohabitation, general reputation of marriage.
[crossed out: (If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?]
Her identity as the pensioner's widow.
His death and her present widow here proved by two witnesses certified to be credible.

s/ Thornton Triplett, Examining Clerk

Name and resident of Agent:
s/ Geo. H Hickman, Esq.
Baltimore, Md.
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Baltimore, Sep. 23rd 1828.

Sir,

I herewith transmit back the form which you did me the honor to forward under date of 13th inst. and filled up, I trust, in a proper manner, which no doubt will be satisfactory.

It may be proper to observe (although I have declared in Document B that I received final certificates for the reward of Eighty dollars) that they were drawn by Capt. Jas. Head, retained by him and of whom [illegible] recovered the amt. in Balt. County Court Nov. 1792.

I am, Sir, resp(ectfully) your most obed(ient) serv(ant), 
s/ Wm. McDonald

Hon. R. Rush, Sec(retary of the) Trea(sury)
Washington
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Baltimore, Sep. 10th 1828.

Sir

I have the honor to enclose herewith form of a declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act entitled, "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th May 1828.

I had served prior to the time mentioned in this declaration in the First Jersey Regt. under Col. Wise during the Campaign in Canada of 1776.

My residence is in this city. Any communication will reach me through the Post Office.

Most respectfully y(ou)r hum(ble) serv(ant),
s/ Wm. McDonald

To the Hon. Richard Rush, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington.
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{B.}

Form of a Declaration to be made by the Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Privates.

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution,” approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I, William McDonald, of the City of Baltimore in the County of Baltimore in the State of Maryland, do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a Private in Captain Joseph Egleston's Company in the 3rd Troop of Lee's Legion Regiment, of the Virginia Line. And, I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.

And I further declare, that I was not on the fifteenth day of May, 1828, on the Pension List of the United States, neither have I ever been inscribed on any pension list whatever.

Witness my hand, this Nineteenth day of September in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty eight.
s/ Wm. McDonald

Before me, Thomas Bailey, a Justice of the Peace in the county of Baltimore in the State of Maryland, personally appeared, this day, Cols. Thomas Sheppard and Solomon Bells, Esquire, of the said county, who did severally make oath that William McDonald, by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.

Witness my hand, this Nineteenth day of September in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty eight.
s/ Thos. Bailey, J.P.C.B.

I, William Gibson, Clerk of the Court of Baltimore in the State of Maryland do hereby certify, that Thomas Bailey, before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, a a Justice of the Peace and duly empowered to administer oaths.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the (blank) said Court, this 20 day of September 1828.
s/ Wm. Gibson, Clk. Balt. Co. Court

 - Sergeant, Corporal, Musician, or Private, as the case may be.
 - The claimant, though not on the pension list on the 15th May, 1828, may have been on the list on or since the 3d of March, 1826, and afterwards stricken off; if so, he will add, and that I have received of the United States, as a pensioner, since the 3d of March, 1826, the sum of (blank) dollars, paid to me by the Agent for paying pensions in the State of (blank).
 - Here insert a Justice of the Peace, or other Magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths.
 - Justice of the Peace, or otherwise, as the case may be.
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[crossed out: State of Maryland
Baltimore County Sct.//

I hereby certify to all whom it doth or may concern, that Thomas Bailey, gentleman before whom the within acknowledgement was taken and who...]
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No. of original payment 703.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Sep. 13, 1828.

William McDonald of Baltimore in the County of (blank) in the State of (blank) has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled, "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain (blank) company, in [crossed out: the (blank) regiment of the] Lee's Legion line; and that he received the amount of a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.

By order of the Secretary,
s/ F.A. Dickins

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
18th September 1828

It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to William McDonald in [crossed out: the] Lee's Legion. It further appears that William McDonald is not now on the pension list of [crossed out: the] any agency, and has not been so since the 3rd March 1826 [crossed out: at the rate of] (blank) [crossed out: dollars per month].
s/ Peter Hagner, Aud(itor)
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Sullivan, Indiana, February 3, 1934

Director of Pensions
Veterans' Administration
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir: -

I am seeking to establish ancestry lines and beg aid of you, if you will be so kind.

Was a pension ever granted Josiah Graves for Revolutionary services? or Joseph Graves? From what State were they? And in what Company or Division or Militia did they serve?

Was a pension ever granted Hugh Rodman of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania service? If so, how long was it given?

Was a pension ever granted a William McDonald who served in the Pennsylvania Line? Or the William McDonald who served in Col. Henry Lees' Legion?

Was a pension ever granted a George McDonald of Muskingum Co., Ohio for his father's Revolutionary service? His father was Greenbury McDonald.

Was a pension ever granted a John Graves?

Or a Joseph Wright who rec'd grant of land from Pres. of U.S. in 1835, but he paid for said land, so tho't maybe he got pension.

In what year were pensions first granted for Revolutionary War services?

Were they granted some widows after husbands had died? Or some children left dependent because [crossed out: of death] of Father's death?

Very Sincerely
s/ Alice Coffman
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April 20, 1934

BA-J/MMHF/eel

Alice Coffman
Sullivan, Indiana

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John, Joseph and Josiah Graves, Hugh Rodman, William McDonald of the Pennsylvania Line, William McDonald, of Colonel Lee's Legion, Greenbury McDonald and Joseph Wright, also, information in regard to Revolutionary War pensions.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers of that war.

There are no claims for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of William McDonald, who served in the Pennsylvania line, or of Hugh Rodman and Greenbury McDonald. No records could be identified of any particular John, Joseph or Josiah Graves or Joseph Wright. It will be necessary to have as much as possible of the following data in regard to each of the three Graves and Joseph Wright: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.

The record of one William McDonald has been found who served in Lee's Legion. His record is given herewith as found in pension claim, W.6806, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Pensions were first granted in 1818 for Revolutionary War service. Soldiers' widows were granted pensions in their own right, and in some instances children of soldiers of the Revolutionary War were granted arrears of pension due on account of service of their fathers.

Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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WIDOW, &c.
Rev(olutionary War)
File No. 6806
Martha McDonald, widow (of) William McDonald.
Dragoon
Act: July 3rd 1853
Index: -; Vol. M; Page 19.

{Arrangement of 1870.}

1934  Apr. 20 - Hist(ory sent) to Alice Coffman. [illegible]
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FREE

J. Minot, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Martha McDonald, widow of William.
Act '53
5580
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Wm. McDonald
Maryland
Ref. file no. #6689
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No 6,135
Martha McDonald, widow of William.
Md.

3 Feb. 1853
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OFFICIAL BUSINESS.

FREE

COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Martha McDonald, widow of William.

Act 15 May 1828. No. 703.

Triplett
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Pen(sion) Off(ice) Dec 1, 1855

Sir,

Please inform me when Wm. McDonald of Md. Act 1828 was last pa(id) at $100.

Very respectfully,
s/ S. Cole, Clerk Pen(sion) Off(ice)

R.J. Atkinson, Esq.
Banister

Triplett

3d Auditor's Office
Dec. 4th 1853.

Died 18 August 1845 & paid in full to that day.
s/ [illegible]