Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 47,832, for James Mc Dowell, Pennsylvania
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn
McDowell, James
NUMBER
S.47.832.
CONTENTS
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22.696.
Pennsylvania

James McDowell 
of Mifflin Co in the State of Penn’a
who was a Private in the Co commanded
 by Captain Allison of the Regt commanded
 by Col Foster in the Penn’a
 line for 16 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Penn.
at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Dec
of 1833 and sent to Honble  C. Henderson H of R

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833. 133.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34
26.67
$160.00
Died Feb 25, 1840

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by [blot] Palmer Clerk
Book [blot] Page 40

Hon J.H. Kuhins
July 14/52
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Declaration of James McDowell to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 with accompanying testimony
23545
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State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County ss
I David R. Reynolds Prothonnotary of the Court of Common
Pleas of said County of Mifflin do hereby certify that David Reynolds Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings
in the case of the application of James McDowell for a pension purport to have been had is one of the associate Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas of the County of Mifflin aforesaid and that the signatures thereto of the said
David Reynolds purporting to be his are genuine.
And I do further hereby certify that David Milliken Esqu
before whom the foregoing depositions of John Beatty & Fredrick Baum purport to have been taken is an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County of Mifflin and that the
signature thereto purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of February Anno Domini 1833
D R Reynolds Prothy

State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County ss
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said County of Mifflin James McDowell the foregoing applicant for a pension who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively, as to
the precise time 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 As a volunteer private from December 1776 to March 1777, three months under Captain Robert Allison mentioned in his declaration. He states that
it was in December 1776 instead of June 1776 as taken down in his declaration that he volunteered under Capt Robert Allen. He served as a substitute for Robert Miskelty, a drafted private in the Militia in 1777 for two months, under Captain Alexander McCoy. That in 1778 he served as a drafted militia man under Capt George Bell for two months. That in 1780 he served for two months as a drafted militia man under Captain William Wilson. That in 1781 he served as a private as stated in
declaration, under Captain John Boyd & Lieutenant Richard Johnston seven months and for such service he claims a pension. James McDowell
Sworn & subscribed before me the 21st day of November 1837
James McCord J.P.
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State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County  ss
I Daniel Milliken a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Mifflin do certify John Beatty who made the affidavit hereto attached before me on the 2d day of August 1832 is a highly respectable man and that his statement is entitled to full credit. Also that Fredrick Baum who made the affidavit hereto
attached before me the 31st day of January 1833 (since dead) was a respectable man and his statement entitled to full credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of November AD 1833
David Milliken J.P.

State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County ss
I David R Reynolds Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas of Mifflin County aforesaid do
certify that David Milliken who has signed the
forgoing certificate bearing [even] date herewith is
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County
of Mifflin and was such Justice of the Peace at the
time of the taking of the depositions of John Beatty and
Fredrick Baum hereto attached and that the signatures to the said certificate and the signatures to the said depositions purporting to be his are genuine - and also that James McCord before whom the foregoing deposition [of] James McDowell was taken on the 21st Instant is and was at the time of the taking thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in for said County of Mifflin and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Lewistown in said County of Mifflin this 22 day of November AD 1833
David R. Reynolds Proth
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A Wilson
Lewistown Pa.
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Declaration of James McDowell in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County ss

On the fifth day of January Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me one of the associate Judges of the court of Common Pleas
of said County James McDowell a resident of Decatur township in the County of Mifflin and State of Pennsylvania aged Seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following of 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 herein stated. About the first of January 1776 he entered as a volunteer under Captain Robert Allison of Little Britten Lancaster County Pennsylvania Colonel Porter commanded the regiment. Marched to Philadelphia and laid their [sic] about ten days then crossed into the Jersey to Bordertown, from thence to the battle of Trenton, was engaged in that battle from thence to Princeston, arrived there shortly after the battle, having been thrown out, with many others in the march, owing to a mistake of a man of the name Penrose, who was the guide of our branch of the army in the march the night previous to the battle, mistaking the part of the army under the immediate direction of General Washington, who at the Cross Roads being ahead, was taken for the British army. From thence to Morristown at which place he with others were discharged & returned to the place from where he started. About August 1777 he was residing in Armagh township, then Cumberland, now Mifflin County Pennsylvania, and went as a substitute for Robert Miskelty of the same place under the command of Alexander McCoy, Captain. Marched first to Carlisle and thence to Lancaster and to Marcas hook all in Pennsylvania. At this place the company fell in with the regular army, and marched to
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Wilmington and was there employed for some time in  throwning up works. Thence the army marched to the [battle] ground of the battle of Brandywine and was in that battle, which battle was commanded in part by General Potter, who resided near here when at home. Marched  afterwards to a place he thinks called Bristol, not far from Philadelphia, thence to the [Southeast] of Philadelphia, from thence to what was called the White [fort, horse or house]. From this position the company with others were detached to meet and annoy the Brittish in their march from Brandywine to Philadelphia. [Illegible] had a scrimage with the Brittish cavalry where a heavy rain came in and the Americans grew weary & returned to the main Army near Philadelphia. Was in the army under
Genl Wayne at the [Pickes], but he with many others had
taken shelter in a barn and escaped the massacre. From
thence they marched by Potts Grove to Germantown, from
thence he was sent as a guard with the wounded to
Reading, from thence he went to Lancaster Pennsylvania
and was there discharged and released home. That
in the year 1778 in May of that year, he marched as
drafted Militia man under Captain George Bell for a two months tour to Bald Eagle and was stationed there to guard
against the encroachments of the Indians. From thence they marched back to Potters Fort in Penns Valley now Curtis County Pennsylvania. The Indians have obtained their [peace] at Bald Eagle, was there discharged having served the time of two months. In the month of April 1780 he marched as a
drafted militia man for a two months tour to Watson’s fort [illegible] of Penns valley under the command of William Wilson and continued there during that time. And from there
Discharged. That about the fourth of June 1781 he marched
to Bedford Pennsylvania for a seven months tour under 
the command of Captain Boyd where a scri(mage)
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(scri)mage was had with the Indians, in which there
about one hundred & sixty men killed & taken prisoner, among
which was Captain Boyd. & Richard Johnston succeeded to the command of the company from where the annexed discharge was obtained, dated third January 1782. He does not know of any person now living that can prove the last three mentioned tours. The accompanying affidavit will shew as
respects the others.

Question 1st Where and in what year were you born-
Answer - Born in the County of Derry in the north of Ireland
in the year 1755

2d Have you any record of your age: and if so where is it
Answer -  I had a record of my age but it is lost-- but the
[one is according to that] & the information of my parents.

3d Where were you living when called into service. Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live.
Answer - when first called into the service I lived in Little Exeter Township Lancaster County. I removed to Armagh Township then Cumberland now Mifflin County when next called & in that township & Dist. ever since.

4th How were you called into service; were you drafted did
you volunteer or were you substituted; and if a substitute
for whom?
Answer - This question is fully answered in the foregoing declaration.

5th 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 service.
Answer - This question is fully answered in the foregoing declaration.

6th Did you ever receive a discharge from from the service
and if so by whom was it given and what has become
of it?
Answer - He rec’d discharges, at the termination of each
[tour,] but they have been all last but the one
above mentioned-- they were rec’d from each of the above
named officers.

7th State the names of persons to whom you are
known in your present neighbourhood and who
can testify as to your character for veracity and
their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer - John Oliver & Samuel [Carver]
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present from the United States and declares, that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 
James McDowell
Sworn & Subscribed the fifth day of January AD 1833
David Reynolds

We John Oliver Sen’r one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Mifflin County & State of Pennsylvania  residing in Wayne township in said County of Mifflin and Samuel [Carver] of Derry Township in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James McDowell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
John Oliver
Samuel [Carver]
Sworn & Subscribed the day aforesaid by Jnr Oliver Esq
and affirmed & Subscribed by Samuel [Carver]
David Reynolds

And I the said David Reynolds, one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Mifflin County aforesaid in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby declare my 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 I do further certify that it appears to me that John Oliver Senr who has signed the preceding certificate is one of the
Associate Judges of said County of Mifflin resident in Wayne township in said County and that Samuel Carver who also signed the same is a resident in the township of Derry and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I do further certify that James McDowell the foregoing applicant from bodily infirmity cannot attend court. and also that the discharge hereto attached with the name David Reynolds indorsed is the referred to by the applicant in his declaration and produced by him on his examination to me - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 5th day of January AD 1833
David Reynolds

The above named applicant had made a former declaration before me in August 1832 but I having omitted to put all the interrogatories to him required by the War Department it was thought advisable to take it over again, which will account for the deposition John Beatty hereto attached being [dated] in August last, having been taken and annexed to said former declaration and it being inconvenient to send to him to have it retaken, I have thought it would be sufficient have the deposition attached to this, his present declaration.  Feby 5th  1833 David Reynolds
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22.696
23545
James McDowell
Mifflin County
Pennsylvania
Adm 1. yr & 4. months
 
53.33 [x] 2 ½
106.60 [+] 26.67 [=]
133.38

Hon Jos Henderson
Ho of Rep

[crossed out A Wilson Lewistown Pennsylvania]
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
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.
A Statement, showing the service of James McDowell, Mifflin County Pennsylvania.

Period when the service was rendered.
Volunteer 1776
Substituted for Robert Miskelty 1777
Drafted 1778
Do. 1780
1781

Duration of the claimant's service
3 months
3 months
2 months
2 months
7 months

Rank of the claimant.
Private

Names and Rank of the Company officers under
whom he served.
Capt Allison
Capt McCoy
Capt Boyd
Capt Wilson
Captain Johnston

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col Foster
Gen Peters, Gen Wayne
[blank]
[blank]
[blank]

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
[blank]
Trenton, Princeton
Brandywine, Paola
Skirmishes

Country through which he marched.

Philadelphia, Bordentown 
Trenton, Riverton, Carlisle
Marcas hook, Wilmington, Brandywine, Paola

[Walton's] fort 
[Pettis] fort
Bald Eagle
Bedford


Place of abode when he entered the service, and age
at the present period.
77
Lancaster Co. Penn.
Mifflin Co. Penn

Evidence by which the declaration is supported
Tradition
Witness proves the service of applicant the
last tour and guard service before.

Discharge for the last tour from Capt. Johnson


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, musicians 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, Terror, or District of
County of } ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of 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 provion 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. [picture of finger pointing right] 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. [blank] 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 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 day 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 interrogation 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. [blank] 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, [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 applicacation of 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person [page ends]
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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, musicians 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, Terror, or District of
County of } ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of 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 provion 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. [picture of finger pointing right] 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. [blank] 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 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 day 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 interrogation 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. [blank] 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, [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 applicacation of 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person [page ends]
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3
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 Solder. - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
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.
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.
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.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 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---year----months, and -- For -- months and – 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 want 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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
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.
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 to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
Page 16

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
MEE/H181
February 7, 1832
Mr. Raymond M. Bell
544 Sims Hall
Syracuse
New York.
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 47832, it appears that James McDowell was born in
1755 in the County of Derry, Ireland.
While residing in Little Britain, Lancaster County.  Pennsylvania, he volunteered in December 1776, served as a private in
Captain Robert Allison's Company, Colonel Porter's Pennsylvania Regiment, was in the battle of Trenton and was discharged in March
1777.
While residing in Armagh Township, Cumberland County, later Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in August 1777, served as a private in Captain Alexander McCoy's Pennsylvania company and was in the battle of Brandywine and a skirmish near Philadelphia.
He enlisted in May 1778, served two months in Captain George Bell's Company and marched against the Indians; he enlisted in April 1780, served two months as a private under Captain
William Wilson; he enlisted about June 4, 1781, served as a private in Captain Boyd's Company, under Lieutenant Richardson Johnston's Pennsylvania Troops, was in a number of skirmishes with the Indians and was discharged January 3, 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 5, 1833, while a resident of Decatur Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.
The soldier died February 25, 1840.
There are no data relative to his family.
Page 17

Due to the very large number of requests similar to yours, and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, only two histories are furnished each person.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 18

[left margin]
1923 May 11 hist to Mr V S Frederick ew
1930 Feb 7 Hist to R.M. Bell mee 

[right margin]
File 47.832

(3-730)
INVALID. ( Series Old War)
Cert. No. 22696
Name, James McDowell
Rank, Pri; Service, Col. Foster,
Pa. Line, Revolution

Agency. Original Roll: Pa.
Transf'd.
Issued

Issue Class.
Entered Fee, $

Issued
Mailed.
Rate and
Deduction
Disability:
Page 19

David Reynolds
Page 20

This is to certify that James McDowell
[has] served his [power] as a Seven Month
Man, and is Honorably Discharged.
Given under my hand this 3 day
of January 1782
Rich’d Johnson
Page 21

State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County ss
Before me David Milliken one of the Justices of the
 Peace in and for the County of Mifflin in the State
 of Pennsylvania, personally came John Beatty a resident
of the Township of Armagh in the aforesaid County of
Mifflin, who being duly sworn saith that he enlisted
into the service of in the Revolutionary war some time in the summer of the year 1781 in the said township of Armagh, then in Cumberland now Mifflin County under Lieutenant Richard Johnston in Captain John Boyd’s company for
term of seven months. Deponent does not recollect
whether this company belonged to the Pennsylvania line
 or continental troops. That he joined the company or party at Browns Mill in said township of Armagh and that he distinctly recollects that James McDowell the foregoing
applicant for a pension was a soldier in said
company, and he and myself were messmates.
Lieut. Johnston being lame we were started by
and marched under Sergeant William
Ward to Bedford Pennsylvania for the purpose
of guarding the frontiers from the Indians, my
fellow soldiers in this squad were the above
James McDowell, my brother in law
David Milliken, John Thompson, William Sankey,
John Brown, Michael Brown, William McNemar,
Baltus D. Wit., Sam Kurtz, John Hassin, and
Others. Before we arrived at Bedford our Captain
John Boyd was taken prisoner by the Indians.
Soon after we got to Bedford we were joined by our
said Lieut Johnston, he was the only commissioned
Page 22

commissioned officer there. David Beats was first Sergeant
and next to Lieut. Johnston in command, there
was a company or squad of militia, or scouts at
Bedford for a that time during our stay there.
Deponent further saith, that he was personally
acquainted with the said James McDowell before
they entered the said service. That we have both
resided in the same county ever since the close
of the Revolutionary war. That he is well acquainted
 with said James McDowell and that he believes him
 to be a man of good moral character.
John Beatty
Sworn & Subscribed the 2d day of August 1832. Before
David Milliken
Justice of the Peace

State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County ss
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the
have in and to said County Fredrick Baum of Lewistown
 Mifflin County & State of Pennsylvania and being sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is 71 years of age and and that he has known James McDowell since the revolutionary war having lived near him ever since. That the said James McDowell marched and served with deponent as a drafted militia man under Captain William Wilson to Watson’s Fort in Penns Valley in 1780 as stated by the said James McDowell in his foregoing deposition. That this deponent marched in said Company as a substitute for Christopher Martin.
Frederick Baum
Sworn & subscribed the 31st day Jan 1833
David Milliken J. P.
Page 23

[circle stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S
APRIL 3 1923

Mercersburg, Pa.
Mch 31

Pension Dept

Will you be
kind enough to see if you have
any data on James McDowell
Sub Lieutenant of Militia
for Peters Twp. Cumberland Co
Pa - Rev. War - 1777 - 1780-
He was from this vicinity and
I find him in Penna Arch.
in connection with Capt.
Samuel Patton.
He is said to have been at
Valley Forge & Brandywine.
Thanking you in advance.
I am sincerely
(Mrs) V. S. Fendrick
Page 24

544 Sims Hall,
Syracuse University,
Syracuse, N.Y.
25 December 1929

Dear Sirs,
I should like very much to have information
regarding the Revolutionary record of the
following men:

Barr, David  Centre Co., Pa. pr. P.M.
pension granted July 8-1834 (age 82)

Kelly, Wm Centre Co., Pa. pr. P.M.
pension granted Dec. 19. 1833 (age 78)

McDowell, James Mifflin Co. Pa. pr. P.M.
pension granted Dec. 6, 1833 (age 78)

I am particularly interested in any references
to the name Bell. What record do you have of
 these three pensioners? I should appreciate 
very much a prompt reply.

Yours truly,
Raymond M. Bell

only 2 hist to each person

[oval stamp]
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS SECTION
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
DEC [27] 1929
Page 25

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.
 S47832
In reply to your request of -, for the history of James McDowell, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the sol. claim for pension.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
Dec 1776 to Mar 1777
May 1777
May 1778
Apr 1780
June 4 1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[4 mos.]
2 Mos.
2 Mos.
2 Mos.
7 Mos.

RANK,
Pvt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN
Robt Allison
Alexander McCoy
Gen Bell
Wm Wilson
Jno Boyd
Lt Rich’d Johnston
COLONEL.
Porter
[check mark]
[check mark]
[check mark]
[check mark]

STATE.
Pa

Battles engaged in, Trenton, Brandywine
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Little Briton Twp, Lancaster Co. Pa. and Armagh Twp Cumberland now Mifflin Co Pa.
Date of application for pension, Jan 5 1833 al
Residence at date of application, Decatur Twp Mifflin Pa,
Age at date of application, b.1755 County of Derry, Ireland
Remarks: no fam. data
Respectfully,
Commissioner.