Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16121, John Forsyth, Penn.
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE
Penn.
Forsyth, John
NUMBER
S.16121
carded
Born in Ireland
Contents
Page 2

19840
Ohio
John Forsyth
of [illegible] in the state of Ohio who was a private in the com. commanded by Captain McCrosky of the reg. commanded by Col. [illegible] in the Pa. line for 81/2 mths.

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 98 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Sep. 1833 and Richard Stillwellk Zanesville
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 92.82
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 14.16
86.98

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk
Book E Vol. 8 Page 8

Dead
Letter to R. Fulton $3 auditor 11 Jany. 1839
Paid at the Treasury under the acts of the 6th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1837 to the 11 Aug 1838 the day of his death-Agt hatifield 30 Jany 1839
Page 3

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
The State of Ohio ⎬ 
Muskingum County 

On this 24th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court before the
Court of Common Pleas of said County
now sitting; John Forsyth a resident of Rich Hill Township, Muskingum County, aged eighty one years on or about the
12th day of February last 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 7th 1832-
That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers, and served as hereinto stated,-
That some time in the summer 1776, as near
as he can recollect (the precise day time  he cannot remember)
at Chanaford Township York County in the State of Pennsylvania he volunteered for a term of two months
as a private in a company commanded by Captain William McCaskey, the first Liieut. of which was William Young and the
second was Joseph Morrison. The Company belonged to
a regiment a Battalion of militia commanded by Col. 
Francis Hotton, the Lieut Col was Kennedy, he does not recollect that there was any major attached to the
Battalion,  of the regiment marched from York to
Philadelphia where they remained about three weeks they then embarked in [illegible], and even taken to further in the State of New Jersey, when they landed, and
marched through Princeton Brunswick to 
[illegible].  It was during the march they heard the firing at the battle of Long Island, and which firing did not [illegible] an until they arrived at [illegible] when they joined a body of militia
commanded as he understood Colonel McAllister.
he served out his term of two months, and them
volunteered to join a corps called the flying Camp, which
was made up of volunteers. [illegible] there of his company [illegible] the officers joined the flying Camp, this volunteering was for four months, the flying Camp was
under the command of Col McAllister, after the
Flying Camp was  [illegible] marched to Newbury
Page 4

and  [illegible] were crossed to Staten Island, and were recrossed during the same night, and as he believes on the second night then after crossed again to Staten Island, marched a few miles and in the morning the  advanced guard of the Americans fell in with a body of the British  [illegible]. as he understood of about 300, a firing took place & on the arrival of the main body of the Americans, the British   [illegible], however 21 of the British & about 19 of the Americans killed.  We returned on the same day & recrossed to the bay & then marched to Fort Lee.  I was immediately ordered an extraordinary duty in the 22 others to guard two bridges of Hackinsack, where we remained severally days, and on the night I returned to Fort Lee, volunteers were called for to go to Fort Washington.  I volunteered to go to Fort Washington with others on  [illegible] a Tuesday or Wednesday, the fort was attacked on Satuday & surrounded the  [illegible]. When at Fort Washington I was under the command of Col. McGaw (Magow) of South Carolina. The  [illegible]for the surrender of the fort was taken and  [illegible] Col. Ball after the surrender I was taken by the British to Harlem & kept until Wednesday when we were marched to the Bowling Green & 1100 of the prisoners taken to the North Church &kept there three weeks and then put on board a ship called the  [illegible]utton in the East River when we were kept 8 weeks & three day & in which time all of the 1100 except 100 died, at the end of this time I was taken over to Staten Island & dismissed, it was at least five from the time I found the flying camp until I was taken at Fort Washington making the time for the term I first marched until I was dismissed about 27 weeks.
The following questions  [illegible] by the court put to him
Where & in what year were you born?
I was born in the county of Derry in Ireland on the
Page 5

12th of February 1751.
Have you any record of your  [illegible]?
It is recorded in a Bible given to me by my father.
Where were you living when called into service?
In Lancaster County Pennsylvania.
Where have you lived since the revolutionary war?
About ten years in York County & about 36 years in Bedford County Pennsylvania & about 4 years  [illegible] past in Muskingum County Ohio.
State the names of some persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for veraaCity & their belief of your service as a soldier of the revolution.
The Reverend Daniel McLean & Samuel Thompson.
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension of the agency of any state..

Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Forsyth
Sworn to & subscribed this 24th November 1832.
Jno. Willson Jr. Clerk

Mr. Daniel McClean Pastor of the Associate Church of which the above named John Forsyth is a member & Samuel Thompson citizens of Muskingum County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said John Forsyth who has subscribed the above declaration , that we believe him to be Eighty one years of age, that he is purported & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Daniel McLane
Saml. Thompson
Sworn to & subscribed in open court, 24th November 1832.
Jno. Wilson, Jr. Clerk

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.
Page 6

as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Daniel
McLane who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County
of Muskingum, and that Samuel Thompson, who has also signed the same is a resident
in the County of Muskingum and is credible person and that their statement
is entitled to credit.
I John Willson Jr Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of
Muskingum, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application of John Forsyth for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office at Janesville this 27th day of November A.D. 1832
Jno Willson Jr Clerk
Page 7

John Forsyth
20092
Page 8

Supplemental declaration of John Forsyth in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832-
The State of Ohio
Muskingum County
Personally appeared before
me, the undersigned a Justice
of the Peace within and for
the said Muskingum County John Forsyth
who being duly sworn desponeth and saith,
that by reason of old age, and the consequent
loss of memory, he cannot swear positive by
as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he
served not less than the periods mentioned
below, and in the following grades, for two
months I served as a private in the militia in the
Company of Captain Caskey, when I entered
the flying Camp was made a corporal,
served as such until I was taken prisoner
at Fort Washington, three and a half months,
and [illegible] weeks and there  [illegible] a prisoner in New York making in the whole eight months and a half and for which service I claim a pension. In the first declaration I stated the time at about twenty seven weeks, but subsequent recollection and conversation with John Richey who served during the same period has satisfied me that the time hereinto stated is correct.  And I further state that I did make any discharge of the  time, my terms expired in the militia & [illegible] the flying camp, and on account of the circumstances when I was released at New York
did not receive a discharge, and his appointment as corporal in the flying camp was verbal only , he received no [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible].
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 23rd day of [illegible] 1833.
John Forsyth
Saml. Thompson Justice of the peace.
Page 10

Supplemental declaration of John Forsyth in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832-
The State of Ohio
Muskingum County
Personally appeared before
me, the undersigned a Justice
of the Peace within and for
the said Muskingum County John Forsyth
who being duly sworn desponeth and saith,
that by reason of old age, and the consequent
loss of memory, he cannot swear positive by
as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he
served not less than the periods mentioned
below, and in the following grades, for two
months I served as a private in the militia in the
Company of Captain Caskey, when I entered
the flying Camp was made a corporal,
served as such until I was taken prisoner
at Fort Washington, three and a half months,
and [illegible] weeks and there  [illegible] a prisoner in New York making in the whole eight months and a half and for which service I claim a pension. In the first declaration I stated the time at about twenty seven weeks, but subsequent recollection and conversation with John Richey who served during the same period has satisfied me that the time hereinto stated is correct.  And I further state that I did make any discharge of the  time, my terms expired in the militia & [illegible] the flying camp, and on account of the circumstances when I was released at New York
did not receive a discharge, and his appointment as corporal in the flying camp was verbal only , he received no [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible].
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 23rd day of [illegible] 1833.
John Forsyth
Saml. Thompson Justice of the peace.
Page 11

20092
John forsyth
Ohio
Return 5.13.17
from 1776 private
8[illegible]
$28.33/100
28.33
28.33
1416
70.82

Richrd Stillwell
Zanesville
Zanesville Muskingum Co. Ohio
Page 12

BRIEF in the case of John Forsyth
County of Muskingum in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 81
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Val In 1776
Duration of Service.
2 Months
Rank.
As a
Private
Names of General and all officers
under whom he served.
Gen
Capt. McCosky, Col. Hatton

Period.
Duration of Service.
about 6 months 21 days
Rank.
As a
Private
Names of General and all officers
under whom he served.
Gen
Col. McAlister, flying comp. Col. Magaw

5. In what battles was he engaged? Fort Washington,
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lancaster Co. Pa.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Cah. W. Forrest
Examining Clerk
Page 13

September 22, 1933
John Forsyth, S. 16121
BA-J/MCS
Mrs. D. J. McKie
3845
San Diego
California

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the record of John
Forsyth, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on
file in the pension claim, S. 16121, based upon the military
service of John Forsyth,
He was born February 12, 1751, in County Derry, Ireland,
The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, he
volunteered in Chanaford Township, York County, Pennsylvania,
in the summer of 1776 and served two months as private in Captain
William McCaskey's Company in Colonel Francis Holton's
Pennsylvania Regiment. He then volunteered as corporal in Captain
William McCaskey's Company in Colonel McAllister's Pennsylvania
Regiment of Flying Camp; he was in a skirmish on Staten
Island and he was captured at the surrender of Fort Washington,
after which he was imprisoned at Harlem, then in the North Church
and later on the prison ship Ditton in the East River until he
was discharged on parole, having served about six and one half months in all.
After the Revolution he lived about ten years in York
County, Pennsylvania, and about thirty-six years in Bedford
County, Pennsylvania, and then he moved to Muskingum County,
Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November
24, 1832, at which time he was living in Richhill Township.
Muskingum County, Ohio.
Page 14

John Forsyth died August 11, 1838, and was survived by
a widow, her name not given. She did not file claim for
pension in her right as the widow of this soldier.
In order to obtain the name of the widow of John
Forsyth, to whom the arrears of his pension were paid, it is
suggested that you address the Comptroller General, Records
Division, General Accounting Office, this city, citing the
following data: John Forsyth, certificate 19840, issued September
20, 1833, rate $23.33 per annum, commenced March 4,
1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 15


TREASURE DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office
January 26th 1839
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States, the Widow of John Forsyth,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at
the rate of Twenty eight Dollars and thirty three cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837 to the 11th August, 1838, the day of his death.


Respectfully yours
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present
-
Page 16

Free
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 

Ohio Aug 31
[illegible]
Page 17

Zanesville [illegible] 27th 1837
Sir,
I return the application of John Forsyth for a pension with additional evidence you will please state the usual by letter directed to this place, with to [illegible] Forsyth or to me.
Very Respectfully
Richd Stillwell
Page 18

P

16121
INVALID
File No. 16.121
John Forsyth
Pri Rev Waar
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol 1 Page 441
[Arrangement of 1870]

1912 June 11 Hist. to Hon. Weldon B. Heyburn c
1921 July 5 Hist. to Hon. A. T. Smith CW
1921 July 12 Letter of Hon. A.T. Amith sent to pension section Interior Dept. Div. aw
1933 Sept 22 Hist. to Mrs. D.J. [illegible] Kie
WCA
Page 19

Rev. War Section
S.16,121
[illegible]
ET-915

July 12, 1931.

Chief of Pension Section,
Interior Department Division,
General Accounting Office.

Sir:
Herewith is enclosed letter from Hon, Addison T. Smith,
House of Representatives, requesting the name of widow of the
Revolutionary War pensioner, John Forsyth, who was paid the
arrears of his pension. He was pensioned under certificate
No. 19, 240, which issued September 30, 1833, rate $28.33.
commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency.
Very respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.

Mr Smith's letter was
addressed to and War Dept
referred here by mistake.
recd in Pen. B. July 11 -
& sent to Int. Dept div., July 12
After telephone conversation with Mr
chase Chief of Pension Section, who said that
he was already working up matter with
Hon A. T. Smith and who had called him up in regard to it & he told me to send 
letter at once as above
Page 20

ACCOUNTING OFFICE
Department Division
WASHINGTON

July 9, 1921

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
There is enclosed herewith letter of the
2d instant from Honorable Addison T. Smith, M.C., House
of Representatives, Washington, D.C., requesting to be advised of the name of the widow of John Forsythe, a
soldier in the Revolutionary War, to whom was paid his
accrued pension in 1838 or 1839, Certificate No. 19840,
and also information relative to the names of the soldier's children.
The letter above referred to is forwarded
herewith for consideration and such action as may be deemed proper and Congressman Smith has been advised of
this reference.

Respectfully,
J. R. McCarl
Comptroller General.
By E.J.

Stamp
PENSION OFFICE
N
JUL 11 1921
US


R906
Page 21

Rev. War Section.
July 5, 1931
Hon. Addison T. Smith,
House of Representatives.

My dear Mr. Smith:
In response to your letter of the second
instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers
in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Survivor File No. 16, 121,
it appears that John Forsyth was allowed pension on his application
executed November 24, 1832, at which time he was a resident
of Richhill Township, Muskingum County, Ohio.
He stated that he was born February 18, 1751, in county Derry, Ireland, and was living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,
when he volunteered in Chanaford Township, York County, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1776, as a private in Captain William
McCaskey's Company, Colonel Francis Hotton's Regiment, for two
months, and then volunteered and served as a Corporal, in the same
company, under Colonel McAllister, in the Flying Camp, he
was in a skirmish on Staten Island, and he was captured at the
surrender of Fort Washington, after which he was imprisoned at
Harlem, in the North Church, and on the prison ship Ditton in
the East River, until discharged on parole, making eight months
and one half service, in all
Page 22

Soldier died August 11, 1838, and for the name of his widow,
to whom the arrears of his pension was allowed, you should apply
to the Auditor for the Interior Department, citing all of the
following data: John Forsyth, Certificate No. 19, 840, issued
September 20, 1833, rate $23.33 per annum, commenced March 4,
1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours,
H. M. Vandervort
Acting Commissioner.
Page 23

SIXTY SEVENTH CONGRESS
ADDISON T. SMITH, IDAHO, CHAIRMAN.
THOMAS B. SCHALL MINN.
OLGER B. BUNTNESS, N. DAK.
JOHN KISSEL, N. Y.
FRANK C. MILLSFAUGH, MO.
CRARLES L. KNIGHT, OHIO.
MANUEL HERRICK, OKLA.
WILLIAM DUPSHAW, GA.
JOHN C. HOX, TEX.
WILL G. LOWREY, MISS.
HAMPTON P. FULMER, S. C.
GERTRUDE I. MELCHER, CLERK.

Committer on Alcoholic Liquor Trafft
House of Representatives U.S.
Washington, D. C.

MR. SMITH'S COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR TRAFFIC
PUBLIC LANDS
IRRIGATION OF ARID LANDS
REFORM IN THE CIVIL SERVICE

July 2nd
1921
Rev/mk

Stamp
July 5 1921 Office

Honorable Washington Gardner,
commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Commissioner:
Will you kindly advise me what your
records disclose with reference to the military
service and pensionable status of John Forsythe
who served in the Revolutionary War, surviving file
Number 1621, who appears to have drawn a pension
under certificate No. 19840.
Very Truly yours,
Addison Smith

Stamp
RECORD
JUL 5 1921
DIVISION

ATS-M

Rec'd. [illegible] Rev. War Section
July 5, 1921
au
Page 24

June 11, 1912.

Honorable Weldon B. Heyburn,
United States Senate,
My dear Senator: --
In response to your letter dated the tenth in
stant and received this day, I have the honor to advise you that the
only John Forsyth found on the Revolutionary War records of
this Bureau, was allowed pension Sur. File No. 16121, on his application
executed November 24, 1832, at which time he was a resident
of Richhill Township, Muskingum County, Ohio.
He stated that he was born February 12, 1751, in
County Derry, Ireland, and was a resident of Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania, when he volunteered in Chanaford Township, York
County, Pa., in the summer of 1776, as private in Captain William
McCaskey's company, Colonel Francis Hotton's regiment, for two
months, and then volunteered as Corporal, same company, under
Colonel McAllister in the Flying Camp; he was in a skirmish on
Staten Island, and was captured at the surrender of Fort Washington
after which he was imprisoned at Harlem; in the North Church
and on the prison ship Ditton in the East River until discharged
on parole, making eight and one-half months in all.
Soldier died August 11, 1838; and for the named
Page 25

of his widow to whom the arrears of his pension were allowed, application should be made to the Auditor for the interior Department, giving him the following data; "John Fforsyth, Certificate 19840, issued September 20, 1833, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the Ohio Agency."
Very Respectfully,
J.L. Davenport
Commissioner
Page 26

James O'Gorman, New York
Addition T.Smith, Idaho Clerk

Committee on Manufactures
Washington, D.C.
June 10, 1912

Public Buildings and Grrounds
Public Lands

Hon. J. L. Davenport,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir:
Will you please advise me if the records of
your Bureau disclose the service rendered by John Forsyth in
the Revolutionary War?
Yours Truly,
W.B. Heyburn

JTS.S
Page 27

3845 3rd. St.
San Diego, Calif.
Sept. 5, 1933

Auditor of The Interior Dept
Department of the Interi
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir:

Will you kindly furnish me with the following
information.
I would like to have all data in regards to
Revolutionary War Pension Number 16, 121, of John Forsyth, so as to ascertain the name of his widows, her birthdate, death data, and any other information
in connection with the data you have on record.
I have completed my application papers to the
Daughter of the American Revolution with the exception of this necessary information, and I will appreciate whatever information you find possible to give me.
Very Respectfully,
Mrs D.G. Marion Lawrence McKie
Page 28

The State of Ohio
Muskingum County}
Before me Samuel Thompson
one of the Justices of the Peace
within and for the said Muskingum County, personally appeared Isaac Van Horne
a resident of Muskingum County, who being by me duly sworn says that hereinto a Lieutenant commanding a company in Col. MaGaw's regiment of the Pennsylvania [illegible], and present as the Captain Fort Washington in November 1776, that he has [illegible] with John Forsyth who has applied for a pension for his revolutionary service, and although he has no personal knowledge of the service of the said Forsyth from the particular, [illegible], and [illegible] to
statement by him of the instances, since [illegible], and attending [illegible] of, went and
after they were taken prisoners, this 
[illegible] is perfectly satisfied all of the said
Forsyth was present at the time and
taken prisoner & of the said Justice further certify that the said [illegible] [illegible] is a 
further certify that the said said [illegible] is a credible witness.
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 23rd  August 183[illegible]
[illegible]
Saml Thompson
Justice of the Peace
Page 29

The State of Ohio ⎬ 
Muskingum County
I John Willson Jr Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in & for said County do hereby certify that
Samuel Thompson Esq is an acting Justice of the Peace as within named
and that the foregoing three signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court at Janesville this 23d
day of August A.D. 1833
Jno. Willson W. Clerk