Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B.L.Wt. 2107-100, for Robert Mc Kinley, Pennsylvania
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn
McKinley, Robert or McKinney,
NUMBER
B.L.Wt.2107-100
CONTENTS
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James McKinley
Power atty
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I certify that I was well acquainted with Robert McKinley who died in this County in January last - and I know that he was the same
Robert McKinley who recd full pay for
life under the act of Congress of May 15th 1828 & that he was the father of James
McKinley of this County
I was always reputed & believed to be a soldier of the North Carolina line in the Revolutionary War.
Simon Carlisle
State of Tennessee
County of Jackson
May 10th 1834}
This day Simon Carlisle came before me & made oath to the truth of the above deposition & I certify that he is a man of truth & veracity. 
Given under my hand as a Justice of the peace in aforesaid County the day & year aforesaid
H L McDaniel J.P
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State of Tennessee 
County of Jackson 
I James McKinley heir at law of Robt McKinley do upon my oath declare and testify, that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the said Robert McKinley did enlist in year 1780 or 82 for the term of during the war 
and served in the Regiment, No. unknown 
under the command of Colonel Lawrence, & Majors Hamilton of Penn & Eggleston of Maryland, and, Reading Blunt of N. C. of the N. Carolina line, and that he continued in the service until the war ended   
I further declare that I have never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to said Robert McKinley on the part of the United States; nor do I believe that he ever received it, or transferred his claim to it in any manner whatsoever: Therefore Know all men by these presents, That James McKinley aforesaid do hereby constitute and appoint VESPASIAN ELLIS, of Accomack County, Virginia, to be my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorised and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him for the special purposes above expressed.  Witness my hand and seal this day of May 10th 1834 
ATTEST Simon Carlisle 
James McKinley 
PERSONALLY APPEARED THE ABOVE NAMED James McKinley  subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the Power of Attorney thereto subscribed to be his act and deed. Witness my hand and seal this 10th day of May 1834 
H. L. McDaniel JP [SEAL] 
IN TESTIMONY that the above written H. L. McDaniel was a head Magistrate authorised to administer Oaths and take acknowledgments, &c. in the State of Tennessee at the above date and that his name subscribed to the foregoing certificate &c. appear to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name and quality as the Clk of the Court of pleas & Quarter Sessions for Jackson County, Tennessee office in Gainsboro this 12 day of May 1834 
William Gailbreath  Clerk
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State of Tennessee 
Jackson County } ss 
I James W. Smith presiding Magistrate of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County & State aforesaid hereby certify that William Gailbreath whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is now & was on the day of the date thereof the acting Clerk of said Court duly appointed, that the same is in due form of law, & that due faith & credit is given his official acts as such- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of May 1834. 
J. W. Smith
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Robert McKinley the soldier referred to in the within Declaration died in Jany 1834, and was in the receipt of pay at the Treasury Dept under the act of 15th May 1828. His proofs of inlistment & service filed in the Treasy Dept have been examined and found to be full & satisfactory. He states that the Discharges granted to the men of the compy to which he belonged, were prepared in and sent from Charleston S. Car’a and the one which he received was improperly filled up with the name of Robt McKinney - which name he thinks may have been on some of the Rolls, as he was often called “McKinney” – 
His inlistment and service is corroborated by the testimony of Capt. Wm Lytle of the N. Carolina line –
Wm Gordon
Bounty Land Officer
April 2d 1835
James McKinley 
Power Atty
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Robert McKinley
N.2107.
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R. McKinley
Deposition
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Robert McKinley
N.2107.
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State of Tennessee
Smith County -}
The deposition of Alfred Vannerson, aged thirty three years, who being duly sworn, says that he is one of the executors to the will of Robert McKinley Decd. and that he was well acquainted, with Robert McKinley of Jackson County, who died in January last, and that he knows the said McKinley was receiving full pay under the act of May 16th 1828, when he died and that the said Robert McKinley left only three children, and heirs; To wit, James, Matthew, and Josiah.
Sworn to and subscribed before me an acting Justice of the Peace for said County this 6th day of November 1834 -
John G. Park
Alfred Vannerson
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State of Tennessee
Smith County }  I Jonathan Pickett clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County do hereby testify that John G Park before whom the foregoing affidavit was made now is and was at the time said affidavit was made, now is one of the active Justices duly of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and  qualified according to Law.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Carthage this 6th day of November 1834. and 59th year of our Independence 
J. Pickett Clk
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January 25, 1933
BA-J/MHF:MLB
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
ROBERT McKINLEY
B. L. Wt. 2107-100
Honorable Joseph W. Byrns
House of Representatives
My dear Mr Byrns:
Reference is made to your letter of January 20, with which you enclosed one, returned herewith, from Mr. E. L. Ferrell, of 3501 Rolland Road, Nashville, Tennessee, in which he requests record of Robert McKinley, of Jackson County, Tennessee, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who received a pension under the Act of May 15, 1828.
The Revolutionary War records of this office show that Robert McKinley enlisted in 1782 for the duration of the war and served to its close. The place of enlistment is not shown. It is
stated that he served under "Colonel Lawrence, and Majors Hamilton of Penn. and Eggleston of Maryland, and, Reading Blunt of N. C."
He was allowed pension under the Act of May 15, 1828, at which time he was a resident of Jackson County, Tennessee. His pension certificate number was 802, annual allowance $80, certificate issued August 3, 1829.
He died January 19, 1834, in Jackson County, Tennessee. His age, birthplace and names of parents are not shown.
His wife, Sally, was living in 1830; her maiden name and date of marriage not stated.
Robert McKinley was survived by three children, namely, James, Matthew and Josiah
On May 10, 1834, James McKinley, a resident of Jackson County, Tennessee, made application for bounty land due on account
of the service of his father, Robert McKinley, in the Revolutionary War.
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Warrant No. 2107, for one hundred acres of bounty land was issued April 11, 1835, in behalf of James and Josiah McKinley, sons of the soldier, Robert McKinley.
For information in regard to the location of the bounty land, Mr. Farrell should apply to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, this city, and at the same time cite the number of the warrant, acreage and date of issuance. As pension claims under the Act of May 15, 1828, were adjudicated in the Treasury Department, it is suggested that further information in regard
to the soldier might be obtained by applying to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city. The certificate number, date of issuance and the date of the Act of Congress
should be furnished that official. This office has no further data in regard to the service of the family of the soldier.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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Accomack Co Apl 20 1835 
Recd of the Hon. Secty of War Military Warrant No 2107 for 100 acres issued to James & Josiah McKinley children & sole survivors of Robert McKinley sold’r N. C. line forwarded by mail dated 11th Apl. 1835 
Ves Ellis atty
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Certified Copy 4
Robert McKinley’s Will 
examine papers at the Treas’y Dept under the act of 15th May 28 
Recd Decr 18. 1834
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In the name of God, amen.  I, Robert McKinley of Jackson County and State of Tennessee, being in sound mind and memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and knowing that it is appointed once from all men to die; and being (illegible) to hereby make my last will and testament in manner and from following.  

That is to say: 
1st - I desire that after my death I shall be decently buried and all my just debts be paid out of the proceeds of any part of my (illegible) property.

2nd - After the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give to my loving wife Sally McKinley all the house, plantation lands and stock of every description whereon I now live and have; 

and my Negro woman, Priss, and all her children, during her natural life and should she have (illegible) stock of any kind that she may need.  She shall be at liberty to give it to either of my three sons herein (illegible) named by valuation so as to make them equal in all such property so given away. And that Priss shall be set free and that she (Priss) may live with either of my children that she may make choice of.

3rd - My wish and will is that at the death of my wife that my son Matthew McKinley shall have the tract of land and plantation where I now live and no other part of my property.  As he has already received a liberal part of my property from me.

4th - My wish and will is that my six Negro children of Priss viz: Ned, Dick, China, Hannah, Davis and Milly be divided between my two sons James and Josiah in the manner to wit; I declare that my son James shall have the first choice and my son Josiah have the next and the balance equally divided to even them.

5th - My wish and will is that should my Negro woman Priss have any more children that my son Matthew may have the first and if there should be any more
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I wish it on them to be equally divided between my sons; and my will is that should Priss have any children after she is free or upon my death, they shall also be slaves and equally divided among my sons before mentioned as I do not wish for some of her children to be free and the balance slaves. 

6th - My will and bequest of my beloved children is that their Negros here above mentioned shall be kept if possible in my family among my own children and never sold to strangers or anybody else.

7th - My wish and will is that all my household and kitchen furniture and farming (illegible) shall remain and belong to my wife during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between my sons by sale or otherwise as my executors herein above mentioned may think proper.  

8th - And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my true and faithful friends, Simon Carlisle and Alfred Vanenson, executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other former wills and testaments by me heretofore made; and my will and wish is that neither of these my executors shall be bound to give security; and that they do perform the duties herein required of them as soon as possible and without any delay when by loving wife shall depart this life.  

In (illegible) whereof I have set my hand and affixed by seal
Signed:  Robert McKinley

Signed (illegible) published and declared to be the last will and testament of the above named Robert McKinley in the presents of us who, at his request and in his presence, I have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the same this fifth day of June one thousand and eight hundred and thirty. 
Signed:  Simon Carlisle, Al Vanenson
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State of Tennessee 
Jackson County }  February Sessions 1834 
Then was the within last will and testament of Robert McKinley deceased exhibited in Court for probate, And Simon Carlisle and Alfred Vannerson subscribing witnesses to said last Will and Testament being sworn to testify touching the making signing and publishing said Will, deposed and said that the said Robert McKinley, signed said will in their presence, and at the time he signed it, he was of sound mind and disposing memory. And on motion, it is ordered that said will be certified and recorded 
Teste
William Gailbreath Clerk of Jackson County Court
 State of Tennessee 
William Galbreath Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Jackson County do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last Will & Testament Robert McKinley deceased late of said County, and also a true copy of the probate of said will, in said County Court taken from the Original will in my office, and from the record of said Court In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Gainesboro this 19th day of August 1834 
William Gailbreath Clerk
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JOSEPH W. BYRNS, TENN.
CHAIRMAN
MRS. MARGARET M. ROBERTSON
SECRETARY
MAJORITY MEMBERS
JOSEPH W. BYRNS, TENN. CHAIRMAN
JAMES F. BUCHANAN, TEX.
EDWARD T. TAYLOR, COLO.
WILLIAM E. OLIVER, ALA.
ANTHONY J. GRIFFIN, N.Y.
JOHN N. SANDLIN, LA.
WILLIAM A. AYRES, KANS.
NOSS A. COLLINS, MISS.
WM. W. HASTINGS, ORLA.
WILLIAM C. WRIGHT, GA.
CLARENCE CANNON, MO.
CLIFTON A. WOODRUM, VA.
WILLIAM W. ARNOLD, ILL.
JOHN S. HOYLAN, N.Y.
TILMAN E. PARKS, ARK.
CHAS. L. ABERNETHY, N. C.
LEWIS W. DOUGLAS, ARIZ
LOUIS LUDLOW, IND
WM. J. GRANFIELD, MASS
THOMAS L. BLANTON, TEX.
MICHAEL J. HART, MICH.

House of Representatives
Committee on Appropriations
Seventy-second Congress
Washington, D. C.

HOME ADDRESS
NASHVILLE, TENN.
MINORITY MEMBERS
WILLIAM R. WOOD, IND.
EDWARD H. WASON, N. H.
GEORGE HOLDEN TINRHAM, MASS.
BURTON L. FRENCH, IDAHO
MILTON W. SHREVE, PA.
FRANK MURPHY, OHIO
JOHN W. SUMMERS, WASH.
HENRY E. BARBOUR, CALIF.
GUY U. HARDY, COLO.
JOHN TABER, N.Y.
MAURICE H. THATCHER, KY.
FRANK CLAGUE, MINN.
ROBERT G. SIMMONS, NEBR.
WILLIAM P. HOLADAY, ILL.
MARCELLUS C. SHEILD

Hon. E. W. Morgan,
The Director of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Morgan:
I am enclosing herewith letter which I received from Mr. E. L. Ferrell, Nashville, Tennessee, which is self-explanatory, and also copy of letter from the Adjutant General. Will you please
advise me what information is contained in your files concerning this soldier.
January 20, 1933

Very truly yours,
Joseph W. Byrns

2 evel
Received 11
Jan. 21 1933
Congressional 
Mail Sub DIV

Received 10 
Jan 21 1933
Mail Sub. Div. 
Vets Adm. 
Pensions 2
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-3-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME McKinley, William
GRADE Private
LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11555
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED December 14, 1794 to John Knight, assignee of Benj. Smith, Adm.
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.