Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,531, for John Mc Keen, New Hampshire
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service New Hampshire
McKeen, John
Number S. 15,531
carded
Contents
Page 2

1224
New Hampshire
John McKeen
Sullivan in the State of NH who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Fry of the Regt commanded by Col. [illegible] in the N Hampshire militia for 11 mo from 1779
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 31 dollars 11 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Feby. 1833 and sent Hon H Hollard N.H.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 54.99
Semi=ant. allowance ending 4 March 1833 18.33
$73.32
[Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Henry H Sylvester Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 Page 171
Duplicate certificate issued 19 May 1842 and sent to Hon E. Burke House of Representatives
Date of death Not on A.B.
Page 3

John McKeen
20734
On Roll of service enlisted 20 July 1779 for 1 year discharged 20 June 1780
Private 11 months
Hon. H Hubbard HR
Return to Fred. A [illegible]
[illegible]
Page 4

7 Aug't 1832

DECLARATION.

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

State of New-Hampshire,  )
County of Sullivan.            )  ss.

On this seventh day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting, John McKeen a resident of Acworth in the County of Sullivan and State of N.H. aged 72 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 Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated,

On about the tenth of June 1779 at Amherst in Newhampshire where he then resided, he inlisted with the Army of the revolution in the New Hampshire line, for one year.  he was ordered to march to Fishkill on North River where he joined the army and did duty untill he was taken sick & was sent to the Hospital at a place he thinks was called (Hackensack) where he remained untill he was able to go about, some time after When he could to do duty, he again joined his company.  we were stationed at Danbury through the Winter, in the Spring of 1780 he with the company & Regiment to which belonged were ordered to West Point where they were stationed untill the tenth of June when his time was out & he was discharged.  He went home, his officers were Ensign Robert Wilkins, Lieut. McGaffney & Capt. Isaac Fry, Col. Scammells Regiment, he with some members of receiving a written discharge which he carried home with him and placed in his fathers desk, where it remained for many years & when his father moved to the eastward (Province of Maine) he supposes his discharge was carried away in the desk he has never since seen it.

This declarant gives the following answers to the questions proposed by the court--
He was born in the year 1760 April 24 at Londonderry in New Hampshire.  Has no other record of his age than this one made by his father in the family bible which is in my pofsefsion  He lived in Amherst as above stated, after his return he lived one year with his father in Dunstable in Mafsachusetts, then moved to Winham in New Hampshire, where he lived three years.  in 1784 he moved to Acworth where he now lives, he inlisted where he went into service aforesaid.  He remembers the following officers Maj'r Scott, Col. Reed, Col Cilley, Gen'l Arnold & there might have been more but I do not recollect them.  his discharge he had as aforesaid--He is acquainted with Deacon Samuel Finley & W. Stephen Thornton, both of Acworth who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief
[page cut off here]
Page 5

He lived in Amherst as above stated, after his return he lived one year with his father in Dunstable in Mafsachusetts, then moved to Winham in New Hampshire, where he lived three years. in 1784 he moved to Acworth where he now lives, he inlisted where he went into service aforesaid. He remembers the following officers Maj'r Scott, Col. Reed, Col Cilley, Gen'l Arnold & there might have been more but I do not recollect them. his discharge he had as aforesaid--He is acquainted with Deacon Samuel Finley & W. Stephen Thornton, both of Acworth who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his Services in the revolutionary war as a Soldier--He has no documentary evidence of his service neither does he know of any living evidence to prove the service--his brother Samuel McKeen whose affidavit is hereto attached--

He hereby relinquishes 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,
John McKeen

Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
Frederick A. Sumner, Judge of Probate

We Samuel Finley residing in Acworth and Stephen Thornton residing in Acworth hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John McKeen, who has subscribed and sworn to the above obligation; that we believe him to be 72 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 & a man of Truth & veracity.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Sam'l Finlay
Stephen Thornton

Frederick A. Sumner   Judge of Probate

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 certifies, that it appears to them that Samuel Finlay who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Deacon & resident in the town of Acworth and that Stephen Thornton who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Acworth and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  There is no Clergyman in Acworth.
Frederick A. Sumner  Judge of Probate

I, Aaron Nettleton Jr Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John McKeen for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 7th day of September 1832
Aaron Nettleton Jr  Register of Probate
Page 6

Sam'l. McKeen's
Dep'o
on
Application
of
John McKeen
Page 7

I Samuel McKeen of Merrimac in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, in the seventy fifth year of my age testify and say, that in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine I lived in my father's family in Amherst in said county, that I then had a brother by the name of John, tow years younger than myself, who then also lived in my father's family, but has since removed to and now lives in the town of Achroorth in the county of Sullivan, in said state. I further depose that in the month of June in the year above mentioned, my said Brother John enlisted into the Continental service in the Revolutionary war, to serve for the term of one year, and in the same month, having made the necessary arrangements, he set out, with other recruits, to join the Army at Fish Kills, New York, as I then understood. I per thee depose, that we had letters from him, while in the Army and otherwise heard from him several times, during said term, by people of the neighborhood, who had come from the Army, and I further depose that some time i June in the year seventeen hundred & eighty the said John returned home, having served out his time & received his discharge, which he brought home with him and which I distinctly recollect to have seen & read at that time. Samuel McKeen
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough Js Sept 5th 1832 Then the above named Samuel McKeen personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed is true. Before Danl. Abbot Jus. Peace
I certify that the above named deponent is a credible witness. Danl. Abbot Jus. Peace
Page 8

Saml. McKeen's Dep. on Application of John McKeen
I Andrew Wallace Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the state of New Hampshire certify that Daniel Abbot within named is a Justice of the Peace for said county of Hillsborough and duly empowered to administer oaths, and that the within signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this fifth day of September in the year of our Lord, 1832
A. Wallace Clerk
Page 9

July 17, 1935
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mr. Walter E. McKeen JOHN McKEEN
1026 Bluemont Avenue S. 15531
Manhattan, Kansas BA-J/MLB

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of John McKean, of Amherst, New Hampshire,
served from New Hampshire, was the son of Samuel McKeen and Janet
Graham, married first Mary Greeg, second Martha Dunn, had son named
John by second marriage and received a pension.

You are furnished below the record of the only soldier named
John McKeen, under any spelling, found in the Revolutionary War
records of this office. The data therein were obtained from the
papers on file in pension claim, S. 15531, based upon his service in
the Revolution.

John McKeen was born April 24, 1760, in Londonderry, New Hampshire; 
the names of his parents are not given.

While residing in Amherst, New Hampshire, with his father, John
McKeen enlisted about June 10, 1779, served as private in Captain
Isaac Frye's company, Colonel Scammell's New Hampshire regiment, and
was discharged June 10, 1780.

After the soldier returned from war, he lived one year with his
father in Dunstable, Massachusetts, then moved to Windham, New Hampshire, where he remained three years, and in 1784, moved to Acworth,
Sullivan County, New Hampshire.

John McKeen was allowed pension on his application executed
September 7, 1832, while residing in Acworth, New Hampshire.

No reference was made in the claim to wife or children.

In 1832, John McKeen's brother, Samuel McKeen, aged seventy-four 
years, was residing in Merrimack, Hillsborough County, New
Hampshire.
Page 10

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite
the following data:
John McKeon
Certificate #6224
Issued February 25, 1833
Rate, $36.66 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
New Hampshire Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 11

[left side of page]
P   15531

INVALID.

File No.  15,531

John McKeen
Pri  Rev  War

Act:  June 7"  32

Index:---Vol. 1, Page 248
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page, written vertically]

1929--May 16--Hist to Mrs Alvan White awf.
1935 July 17.  Hist to Walter E. McKeen--MLB
1939 Apr. 21--Hist to Albert W. Cherry--MLB
Page 12

[top of page, written vertically]
P 15531

INVALID.

File No. 15,531

John McKeen
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32

Index:---Vol. 1, Page 248
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[bottom of page]

1929--May 16--Hist to Mrs Alvan White awf.
1935 July 17. Hist to Walter E. McKeen--MLB
1939 Apr. 21--Hist to Albert W. Cherry--MLB
Page 13

Original certificate destroyed by fire. See proof on file with the paper of Nathan Carr, NH Act 1832, No. 3084
Page 14

Stamped on document: US Nov. 26 1928
Silver City N.M
Nov 20 1928
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
DearSir
Will you please send me a copy of the pension application John McKeen born in [illegible]
in Londonderry N.H. lived in Amherst N.H. during the Revolution removed later to Acworth where he was living in 1840. I am trying to locate the father of Hugh McKeen who was born in Acworth in 1789 and married to
Ann Howe any information you can
give me would be very much appreciated, Respectfully Ms Alvan White Regent D.A.R Silver City, NM
Page 15

[upper right corner of page]
803 N. Ave B
Washington
Iowa

Rev. & 1812 

[stamp] 
RECEIVED
MAR 2 1939
MAIL SUB. DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER   15

Washington Iowa
Feb. 28, 1939

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:-

I wonder if you can tell me any thing in regard to the military record or if a pensioner of the following:  I know nothing more about these men than that they were in military service of the U.S. in the early wars of the country and what I shall under each one's name.

1  Capt. John [checkmark] McKeen [underlined] born about 1727 married Janet Taylor; Their children were:  James, John, Joseph, Robert, Samuel, Sarah and Janet.

2  Capt John [checkmark] Clark [underlined] born about 1765; married Mary Taylor, their children were:  Elvira and Clara

3  Col. William Adams [underlined] born about 1760/65. married Jane Taylor; their children were Mary and James.

4 Capt John Holmes [underlined]; born about 1780 [underlined]; married Mary Adams.

5 Capt James Paul [underlined], born about 1760; married Elizabeth Taylor.  These people, the most of them, were from Londonderry, N.H. Rockingham Co.

Yours very truly.
Albert W. Cherry.
Page 16

[stamp in upper right corner]
RECEIVED
JUN 26 1935
MAIL [illegible]
21

Manhattan, Kansas
June 22, 1935

Veterans Administration
Revolutionary and Wars of 1812 Section
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen;

I am trying to verify the service of [checkmark "only Mc" written by it] John McKeen [underlined] in the Continental Army with service from New Hampshire.  I was in Topeka this week and found the following information in the references given after each item.

First [underlined]
Amherst ye 26:  1779

We the subscribers haveing inlisted as Continental Soldiers for one year Have Received Of the Select men of amherst Sixty Pounds Each man as a State Bounty Say by us.

Joseph Wilson........Joseph Rollings
Joseph Perkins.......Abraham Littlehall hisXmark
Roger Blasdel.........Samuel McKeen
For his Son John McKeen

Second [underlined]
State of New Hampshire to the Selectmen of Amherst Dr.

1779 July   Paid 10 Soldiers inlisted in obe of the New Hampr. Regiments in the Continental Army for one year muster'd by Colo Moses Nichols.

Joseph Perkins......Joseph Wilson...Calvin Honey
Charles Davenport...Samuel Clark....Joseph Rawlins
John McKeen.....Archelaus Town....Roger Blasdel
Abraham Littlehall...@L60 each p Rect    L600

Errors Excepted in behalf of the Selectmen
of Amherst
p    Stephen Peabody

In comtee of Claims)  This Acc. is right
Exter April 22, 1780 )  exd p Josiah Gilman Junr

These two documents are recorded in the
State Papers of New Hampshire Vol XV1, Page 557

Third [underlined]
Page 17

Page 2

There appears the following notation converning his service.

John McKeen enlisted  June 20, 1779   for one year   for Amherst Town

This is recorded on pages 632 and 636  In Volume XV of the State papers of New Hampshire.

On pages 82 and 83 of McKean Geneology, by Cornelius McKean Published in Des Moines Iowa, 1902 by The Kenyon Printing and Mfg Co. the following information is given.

John McKeen was the son of Dea, Samuel McKeen and Janet Graham.

John McKeen married first Mary Greeg,
     Second  married Martha Dunn,

John McKeen, before coming to Acworth, served in the Revolutionary army.  At the time of his death he was a revolutionary pensioner. [last 2 words underlined]

He had a son John McKeen by his second marriage, which is my grandfather.  I would like whatever information you can give me in regard to this matter.  We do not have the date of his birth or death, or marriage date.  If you can verify the service record and give dates I would appreciate it greatly.  I have tried to give all the information that I can at this time.  If you need additional information I will do my best to supply the same.

Thanking you on advance for your courtesy and favors,

I remain,
Respectfully Yours,
Walter E. McKeen
Walter E. McKeen

1026 Bluemont Ave.,
Manhattan, Kansas.
Page 18

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
MEE/eel

May 16, 1929

Mrs. Alvan White
Silver City
New Mexico

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.15531, it appears that John McKeen was born, April 24, 1760, at Londonderry, New Hampshire.

While residing at Amherst, New Hampshire, he enlisted, June 10, 1779, and served one year in Captain Isaac Frye's Company, Colonel Scammell's New Hampshire Regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832, at which time he was living at Acworth, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.

It is not stated that soldier was married.

Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 19

April 21, 1939

BA-J/AWF  OWM
John Clark-W.14497
John McKeen-S.15531 [underlined with arrow pointing to it]

Mr. Albert W. Cherry
803 N. Avenue B
Washington, Iowa

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Captain John McKeen, Captain John Clark, Colonel William Adams, Captain John Holmes, Captain James Paul, all of Londonderry, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request which requires so much time and research.

You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary War record of John Clark of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, and the Revolutionary War record of John McKeen of Londonderry, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

It is hoped that these records will aid you in your research.

Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 20

April 21, 1939

xxxxxxxxxxxx

JOHN McKEEN
S. 15531
BA-J/MLB

Mr. Albert W. Cherry
803 North Avenue B
Washington, Iowa

Dear Sir:

    You are furnished herein the record of the only John McKeen, under any spelling, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.  The data therein were obtained from the paper on file in pension claim, S. 15531, based upon his service in the Revolution.

    John McKeen was born April 24, 1760, in Londonderry, New Hampshire; the names of his parents were not given.

    While residing in Amherst, New Hampshire, with his father, John McKeen enlisted about June 10, 1779, served as private in Captain Isaac Frye's company, Colonel Scammell's New Hampshire regiment, and was discharged June 10, 1780.

    After the soldier returned from the war, he lived one year with his father in Dunstable, Massachusetts, then moved to Windham, New Hampshire, where he remained three years, and in 1784 moved to Acworth, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.

    No reference was made to wife or children in this claim.

    In 1832, John McKeen's brother, Samuel McKeen, aged seventy-four years, was residing in Merrimack, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.

    In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of the soldier, John McKeen, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data; John McKeen, certificate #6224, issued February 25, 1833, rate $36.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, New Hampshire Agency.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator