Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9021, for Alexander Mac Coy, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn
MacCoy, Alexander
NUMBER
S. 9021
Carded
CONTENTS
alive in Brown Co. Ohio in 1834.
Page 2

[left side]
Died August 12, 1837 (AB)
Ohio

[right side]
Ohio 26348
Alexander McCoy
of Brown Co. in the State of Ohio
who was a Pt in the Company commanded
by Captain Swearigan of the Regt commanded
by Col Scott in the Penna
line for
6 Mo Pr $20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 20 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of May
1832 and sent to T. H Linch Georgetown
Arrears to the 4th of Mch 3x  60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. 10.00
$70.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by I F Sprague Clerk,
Book C Vol. 8 Page 23
Died August 12, 1837
Page 3

The State of Ohio Brown County
Supreme Court April term 1834 ss
On this 25th day of April in year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four
personally appeared in open Court before the
honorable the Judges of the Supreme Court of
the State of Ohio now sitting in and for the County
of Brown and State of Ohio Alexander McCoy [MacCoy] aged
seventy years a resident of said County of Brown
and State of Ohio 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 in the month of
April 1782 he was drafted to serve in Captain
Swerrengen's company of Militia in Washington
County and State of Pennsylvania to fight against the
indians on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia
this company belonged to a battalion under Major
Scott he was marched to Johnson Mills and
Cannon station on the head waters of the Ohio
river he was also marched to Brugets station where
he mounted guard. In the month of May he
was attached to a volunteer company under the
command of Captain Builderback of Collonel
McClelan's Regiment, he was then marched to Mingo
Bottom on the Ohio river from Mingo bottom he was
marched under Col Cranford to Sandusky he
was in the battle with the indians at Sandusky
when Col Crawford was defeated. Colonel Williamson
also commanded at the battle. After the
battle he was marched back to Mingo bottom and
in July he was discharged and returned home
having served three months
On the 1st of September 1782 he was again called
out to fight the indians on the frontier of the
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania he served three months
under Captain Shannon Col. Gibson and Gen. Irvin
scouting and fighting the indians. he mounted guard
at Cannons Mill, McDonnels Fort and at Robson
Run. The whole term of deponents service exclusive of
several scouting expeditions was six months and
for this time alone he asks a pension. he has no
written record of his age, but states that he was born
in Scotland in the year 1764. he came to America
in the year 1772 he lived in Washington County
Pensylvania untill he came to Brown County Ohio
where he now resides and has resided for twenty
years last past. he never received a written discharge.
he lived in Washington County Pennsylvania when called
into service as a volunteer. he knew General Irvin
Col Gibson Major Scott Captains Builderback Swerrengen
and Shannon. Col Gibson was a regular
officer. he knew Cols Crawford and Williamson
he knows of know [crossed out] no witness living by whom he
can prove all his services but he can prove the first
three months of his service by Jacob Middleswart who
was ensign in Captain builderback's company he
is well known to George T. Reynolds Wm Shepherd and
Wm Middleton & others residents of the County of Brown by
whom he can prove his good character for truth
and veracity and his reputation as a soldier of
the revolution. there is no clergyman in his neighborhood to testify for him he never received a pension
and hereby relinquishes his 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
Alex MacCoy
Sworn and Subscibed
in open Court the
day and year aforesaid
G W King Clerk
Page 5

I Jacob Middleswart of the County of Brown
and State of Ohio do hereby certify that I
knew Alexander McCoy [MacCoy] in [illegible, the service?] 1782. that he served
in Captain Builderback's company during Crawfords
campain. I know that he was out three
months fighting the indians. I fought with
said Alexander McCoy [MacCoy] in Builderback's company
at the battle of Sandusky when Crawford
was defeated. I have known said McCoy [MacCoy] ever
since the war of the Revolution he sustains a
good character for truth and veracity and
is reputed and belived in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of the
revolution and I believe that he served as he states
in his declaration which he has before
sworn to and subscribed
Jacob Middleswart
Sworn and subscribed in
open Court this 25th day of
April 1834
G W King Clerk

We George T. Reynolds Wm Shepherd & Wm Middleton
residing in the County of Brown and
State of Ohio do hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Alexander McCoy [MacCoy] who has subscribed
and sworn to the foregoing declaration that
we believe him to be seventy 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
in open Court this 25th
George T. Reynolds
William Shepherd
Wm Middleton
Sworn and subscribed
in open court this 25th
day of April 1834
G W King Clerk
Page 6

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 before named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier and served as he states. And the Court further
certifies that it appears to them that Jacob Middleswart
who has signed the first of the preceeding
certificates resides in the County of Brown and is a credible
person and that his statement is entitled to
credit and also that George T Reynolds William Shepherd and
William Middleton who have signed the second preceeding certificates
are residents of said County of Brown, are credible persons
and that their statements are entitled to credit

I G. W. King Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of
Ohio sitting in and for the County of Brown do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Alexander McCoy [MacCoy] for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of my office
this 25th day of April 1834
G. W. King Clerk
30. 837.
Page 7

30.837
Alexander McCoy [MacCoy]
Ohio
Adm 6 Months
Thomas H Linch
Georgetown
Brown County
Ohio
Page 8

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
7 May 1834
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 compling [complying] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Alexander McCoy [MacCoy]
[table column headings: Period when the service was rendered., Duration of the claimant's service. - Years., Duration of the claimant's service. - Months., Duration of the claimant's service. - Days., Rank of the claimant., Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served., Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service., Proof by which the declaration is supported.]
1782 | [blank] | 3 | [blank] | Pri | Capt. Swearengen | 70 years | [blank]
[blank] | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | Maj. Scott | Washington | Traditionary
[blank] | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | County | and a living Witness
[blank] | [blank] | 3 | [blank] | [blank] | Col Gibson | Penna | [blank]
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 9

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
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. 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, and 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 claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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 } ss.
County of
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank]
and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 persons
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 [blank]
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 revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank}
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank]
day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank]
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 [blank]
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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 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, (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 10

3
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 (m) 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 services.
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?
6. 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.
If 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
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
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.
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.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and
other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority
; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses
, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 11

Free
Geo. Town O.
April 29th
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

[vertical notes]
Ohio
addl. evidence
May 6 1834.
Page 12

Georgetown Brown County Ohio
April 26th 1834
Sir
I send enclosed the applications
of Alexander McCoy [MacCoy] and Jacob Middleswart
for pensions under the law of June 7th 1832
you will plase [please] forward the result of these
applications to me at this place so soon
as they may be acted upon
Edwards Esquire
Yours respectfully
Thomas H. [illegible, Quick?]
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 13

STATE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
PIERSON WORRALL BANNING
VICE-PRESIDENT
DR. WESLEY WILBUR BECKETT
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT
HENRY ORSON WHEELER
THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT
WALTER KIMPLE FULLER
SECRETARY
ELMER ALLAN HANGER
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
JOSEPH BRANDON BRUNER
TREASURER
JOHN FRANKLIN HORTON
ASSISTANT TREASURER
CHARLES JOHN GRIFFIN
REGISTRAR
JOHN EMERSON MARBLE
EDWARD ALONZO TALBOT
LEWIS AUGUSTUS WINSTON
DR. GUY VAN BUSKIRK
NATHAN WILSON STOWELL
FRANK HERVEY PETTINGELL
SETH MARSHALL
JOHN BARNES MILLER
HENRY MAURIS ROBINSON

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ORRA EUGENE MONNETTE
EUGENE WADDLEE BRITT
PIERSON WORRALL BANNING
ARTHUR JAY WATERS
WILLIAM RICHARDSON STAATS
THE HISTORICAL REFERENCE
LIBRARY OF THE SOCIETY.
"REPOSITORY OF THE SOUTHWEST"
HAS THE LARGEST COLLECTION
OF
HISTORY, GENEOLOGY,
BIOGRAPHY,
VITAL RECORDS, ETC.,
BELONGING TO
THE PATRIOTIC SOCIETY IN THE
UNITED STATES
LIBRARIAN
WILIS MILNOR DIXON
TELEPHONE 19103

Sons of the Revolution
in the State of California
STATE HEADQUARTERS
424 SOUTH BROADWAY
LOS ANGELES
April 9, 1923
Secretary of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I am writing you at the request of Mr. Robert M. Ferrell
in regard to the pension records of Alexander McCoy [MacCoy] who was
placed on the pension roll May 9, 1834, under the act of 1832,
then residing in Brown County, Ohio. Age 70 years. He is reported
to have been a private in the Pennsylvania Militia.
I desire information as to his military record showing date
of enlistment and command in which he was enlisted, etc.,
Yours respectfully,
W. M. Dixon
RESEARCH GENEALOGIST S of R.
WMD sL

[postmark]
U S. PENSION OFFICE.
G
APR
16
1923
Page 14

Rev Sec
Hillsboro. O. Oct. 19,1916.
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me a
copy of the pension certificate of
Alexander McCoy {MacCoy], revolutionary
soldier.
Alexander McCoy {MacCoy], private in the Pennsylvania
Militia, placed on pension
roll May 9, 1834. Residence at
that time Brown County, Ohio.
Yours very truly,
Mrs. P. B. Zink
232 Vine St.

REV. WAR SECTION
OCT 24 1916
PENSION BUREAU
Page 15

[left page]
1914. Mch. 25. To J. M. Gen. U.S.A.
for tombstone FW
1916. Nov. 11. Hist. to Mrs. P. B. Zink AW
1923. May 14. Hist to W. M. Dixon
MM HF.

[right page]
Rev War
9021
INVALID>
File No. 9021
Alexander McCoy [MacCoy]
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. 1st, Page 246
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3 - 525
Our DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19[blank]
S9021
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank]
for a statement of the military history of Alexander McCoy [MacCoy]
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.

[table column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT., LENGTH OF SERVICE., RANK., OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. - CAPTAIN., OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. - COLONEL., STATE.]
Apr. 1782 | 3 mos | Pvt | Swearengen | Major Scott | Pa.
[blank] | [blank] | [blank] | Builderback | and Shepard | blank]
[blank] | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | Crawford | blank]
[blank] | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | Williams | blank]
Sept. 1782 | 3 mos. | [blank] | Shannon | Gibson | [blank]

Battles engaged in, Sandusky
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Washington Co Pa.
Date of application for pension, Apr 25 1834. [illegible] was al.
Residence at date of application, Brown Co Ohio
Age at date of application, born in September in 1764
Remarks: [illegible] to [illegible] in 1772. No dates as to family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
d - 285C