Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 2,156-300, Alexander Trueman, Md. Indian War. 1792
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
Md.          Trueman, Alexander or Truman

NUMBER
B.L.Wt. 2.156-300

Indian War, 1792
CONTENTS
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            DEPARTMENT OF WAR.

Regulations for the heirs of Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army, who
were slain by the enemy, or who have died since the war, and have not received
land from the United States.

By an act of Congress of the 16th September, 1776, it is provided that the Officers and Soldiers who engaged for, and continued to serve during the war, or until discharged by Congress, and the heirs of such Officers and Soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy, shall receive land in proportion to their rank.

N. B. Those who engaged for three years, or for any other period than during the war, or who died of sickness, fatigue, or casualty, are not entitled to land from the United States.
The following declaration (and enclosed blank form of heirship) must be filled up and signed by the proper authorities:

State of Missouri 
County of Lafayette ⎬
                                
I, Alexr. M. Trueman heir at law of Alexander Trueman dec'd do, upon oath, testify and declare, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that said Alexander Trueman did
enter the service in 1776, for the term of the war and served as a Captain in the Regiment No. [blank] under the command of John E Howard of the Maryland line; and that he continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war.

I further declare that I have never received a warrant for the bounty land promised to Capt. Alexander Trueman 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 I, Alexr. M. Trueman aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Wm. H. Ashley of St. Louis 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 authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.
                                     [signed] A. M. Trueman
Attest,
James Hull [signed]

---
Personally appeared the abovenamed Alexander M Trueman subscriber
to the foregoing declaration, and made oath to the same, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined to be his free act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
Attest,
James Aull [signed]

James H. Graham [signed] Justice of the Peace
State of Missouri
County of Lafayette

In testimony that the above written James H. Graham was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c., in the State and County aforesaid
at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at Lexington in said County this thirty-first day of March 1836.

Henderson Young [signed] Clerk of Lafayette
County Court
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Alexander Truman
[Alexander Trueman]
No. 2156

[?]
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District of Columbia, To wit 
At a Circuit Court of the District of 
Columbia begun and held in and for the 
County of Washington, at the City of Washington, 
on the fourth Monday of March in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty 
six, and continued to this day, to wit, the first day 
of July in the same year, satisfactory evidence 
was adduced in Court to prove that 
William B Rogers, Peter Rogers, Philip Rogers, Mary B. Rogers John Rogers, 
Margaret A. Rogers, now McFerran the wife of James C. McFerran, and Henry M. Rogers 
are the children and heirs at law in fee to Polly 
alias Mary Rogers deceased, a daughter of the late 
Major Alexander Trueman, deceased who was killed by the Indians.

District of Columbia } to wit: 
Washington County }
I William Brent Clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, for the County of Washington 
hereby certify that the above evidence is taken from the 
records and minutes in my office 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
affixed my official seal this 1st day of 
July 1836 
W. Brent Clk [?]
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The within I know are the only surviving children of Mary alias Polly Rogers Decd. 
J R. Underwood 
July 5th 1836
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left at this office by 
Alex. M Trueman 
Pleasant Grove P.O. 
La Fayette Coy
Missouri 

Augt 4th 1834 
Claim for Land in 
right of Capt Alexdr Truman
[Alexander Trueman] 
of the Maryd line
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State of Maryland 
Prince Georges County sct
On this thirty first day of 
July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and thirty four personally appear before me the subscriber 
Thomas H. Somervell and Fielder Watson and make oath 
on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that 
Alexander M. Trueman now also present is the son of 
Major Alexander Trueman an officer in the United States 
service during the revolutionary war sent out by 
Congress to treat with the Indians and murdered
by them sometime about the year seventeen hundred 
and ninety two given under the hand and seal of  
me one of the justices of the peace in and for said County 
H. Compton [handwritten] seal
State of Maryland 
Prince Georges County Sct 
I hereby certify that Henry Compton 
Gentleman before whom the aforegoing affidavit 
appears to have been made was at the time 
of the making thereof and still is a Justice 
of the peace in and for the State and County 
aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified 
In testimony whereof I have hereto 
set my hand and affixed the public 
Seal of Prince Georges County Court 
this second day of August Anno 
Domini Eighteen hundred & thirty four 
Aquila Beall,  Ck of P. [G?] County Court
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Rev. &1812 Wars Section.
MVHF
Alexander Trueman
Mt.2156-300
January 28, 1930

Alexander H. Bell, 
3400 Garfield Street, N. W., 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: 
In response to your letter of January 22, 1930, relative to pension under Special Pension Act approved February 27, 1793, granted the heirs of Colonel John Harding and Major Alexander Trueman, I advise you that this bureau has no record of these transactions.
It is suggested that information relative thereto might be obtained from the Comptroller General, U. S. A. Fifth & G Streets, N. W., this city. 
Warrant No. 2156 for three hundred acres of bounty land was issued July 16, 1836 on account of the services of Alexander Truman or Truman, as Captain in the Maryland Line, War of the Revolution. 
For information relative to the location of this land, it is suggested that you apply to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, this city. 
Very truly yours, 
EARL D. CHURCH, 
Commissioner.
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SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE. PHONE Branch 476
Rev. & 1812
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 3890  
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CHIEF, WASHINGTON 
CHIEF Division of Publications 
Room G 139. 
Please furnish work specified below. January 11,1930. 
Bureau ordering Pension Deliver to Room No. 5033 
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.) 
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 9 pages from Revolutionary War bounty land claim, Wt. 2156 - 300, of Alex. Trueman, Md. Troops. 
No. of copies 1 of each 
Shall form be kept standing? --------days 
For further information see Mrs. M. M. H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541 Approved: A D Wildusson
 Margaret M H Finch Chief of Division
NOTE: No order made ""SPECIAL"" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering -----
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph
Mimeograph
Folding
Assembling
Stapling
single  or double space? _____Facsimile Signature ? _____
one side or both sides?____Facsimile signature? _____
Once?  Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? ___
Dated?_____
Addressograph from lists 
Envelopes, size.   Cards, size 
Proof list                Pay rolls
Labels (submit sample). Corrections 
Fill in letters.          Tabulation sheets

Photostat x Size actual Official use? ___ Repay? Yes. $1.35
Blue Print   Size  Official use>____ Repay?____.  $____
Remarks
Photos mailed Jan. 20, 1930 & Fin. Div. ntfd.
(OVER)
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NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal
reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.

                                   .......................................192
                                              ( Date )

INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.

[square] Make new addressograph plate
[square] Change present addressograph plate
[square]  Destroy present addressograph plate

]   On list........................

as follows: 
Now reads  1 ................................
                   2 ................................
                   3 ...............................
                   4 .................................
                   5 .................................

Should read 1 ...............................
                     2 ...............................
                     3 ................................
                     4.................................
                     5 ................................
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION

                        ARESSOGRAPH
The above change was made .........................  192      
                Operator .............................................

                        MULTIGRAPH
Operator.................... Date...........Type set by ...........
Date ........................ Remarks ......................................

                             MIMEOGRAPH
Operator........................ Date ................ Cut by ........
Remarks ....................................................................
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January 11, 1930. 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, 
D. C. 
Dear Sir:
Please furnish me photostatic copies of nine pages from Revolutionary War bounty land claim, Wt. 2156 - 300 of Alexander Trueman, Maryland Troops, uncertified. 
Very truly yours, 
Alex. H. Brie
Investment Building Washington 
[stamp] Cash - $1.35 FINANCE DIVISION JAN 01 1930. BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Received payment $1.35
January 11, 1930
Antonia W. Ford 
Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
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[illegible] 
Peter Hayne Esq 
Auditor
 Washington 
Wt. Truman}

Rose all aunt. to Aug. 1834
Hon. Joseph Think
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Rose Mount 
4th Aug. 1834 
Dear Sir,
M. Trueman who does me the favour this Reson to hand you this is the son of Maj. Alex Truman  of the Revolutionary army who had the rank of Capt. at St. Clairs defeat & was in the same following murdered by the Indians, whilst bearing a flag of truce to the Indian chiefs___
W. Trueman wishes to know whether his father received his half pay or commutation [illegible] for his revolutionary services or also whether he as the sole surviving heir of his Father is entitled to any thing under the various persons
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laws- 
W.T. does not wish to be detained long in Washington [illegible] be gratified if you can find it convenient to afford him what information your office may furnish this morning that he may proceed on his way to Missouri when he 
[illegible] 
with great respect [illegible]
Jos. Kent 
Pitie Hyne Esq
Auditor
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[Hand written letter]

Senate Chamber
7th June 1836

Dear Sir,

Enclosed from Judge Underwoods statement
in response to Mr. Truman matter, of which I have no doubt -

The evidence you expecting 
Mr. Roger's, children Judge Underwood has
promised to him [word crossed through] as soon as he returns home --

Would it be possible for you to divide the warrant, if authorized to do so by
the President an [sic] the [illegible] of others of the Department -

A. M. Truman is in a state of starvation -

yours very respectively
Jos: Kent

W. Gordon Esq.
Bounty Land Office
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Dear Sir
Senate Chamber
23d April 1836

Dear Sir

Enclosed [illegible] and you the paper you gave me for a Cap W. Truman [illegible] him & appointing Gen Ashby his attorney
you will please put this paper with some others
have relating to W. Truman & I will inform Genl. Ashby where it is -

I shall endeavor to prove the birth information I am expecting his brother Thomas whom I have no doubt is dead -

Did I understand you to say the land warrant could not be opened till an appropriation shall
be made - 

If this is the case I had better lay his claim before the senate -

Yours respectfully
Jos: Kent
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I knew Mary Rogers wife of Byrd Rogers of Barren County Kentucky, & the reputed Daughter of 
Major Alexander Trueman [Alexander Truman] who was killed 
by the Indians, from the time I was a small 
boy. I lived about a mile from her & I am a relation 
of her husband. I also know her brother Thomas Truman a son of said Major Alexander Truman by reputation. He came to Kentucky on a visit 
to his sister was received & recognized by her as her brother. He was a dissipated man & in all respects a singular character. I have not seen 
or heard from him for a number of years, ten at least. It is said & believed by his nephews & nieces in Kentucky 
the children of his said sister that he is dead. 
He was never married so far as I know or believe 
Given under my hand this 17 June 1836 
J. R. Underwood
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Senate Chamber 
17th June 1836. 
Alxander M. Trueman [Alexander M. Truman] the Broth[er]
of Thos. [Thomas] made to me a statement 
similar to the within & Thos. T. Somervell 
of Md. a relation of the Trumans wrote me he had no no doubt from all he had heard that Thomas Truman had been dead several years. Jos: Kent
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#3400 Garfield St. N. W.
Washington, D. C. Jan. 22, 1930.

My dear Mrs. Finch:

The photostatic copies of the records re Maj. Alexander Trueman reached me at my office, Investment Building, this morning, were taken
home by me and I have just finished their examination. Am very much pleased with the information they contain and indulge the hope, that they will be of much aid in my researches. I regret however, that they
do not show whether or not a warrant for land was issued, to whom and
for what land, if it was issued.

The Special Pension Act to which I referred when I met you reads
as follows: --
"Whereas Colonel John Harding and Major Alexander Trueman, while employed in carrying messages of peace to the hostile Indians, were killed by the said Indians:

Be it enacted, -- That $450.00, per annum for seven years, be allowed to the widow and orphan children of the said Colonel John
Harding, and the sum of $300.00 per annum, for the same term of seven years, to the orphan children of the said Major Alexander Trueman, to commence on the first day of July 1792, and to be paid half - yearly at
the treasury, to the said widow, and to the guardians of the said orphan children, or to their legal attorneys.
Approved February 27, 1793.

The killing of these two officers, according to an account which I have seen, occurred in Ohio.

I am wondering if the records of your division contain any interesting data regarding the Trueman children in connection with the
above pension or if the record is not there, where, if you know, would I be able to find it?

Quite an interesting story might be well written and based upon the killing of Maj. Trueman and a somewhat similar happening, in which Indians were killed, more than a hundred years before and which another
Maj. Trueman played a part. In brief, the story is, that about 1676, the people of Maryland and Virginia were having much trouble because of a number of wanton murders by the Piscataway Indians. The militias
of the province and colony joined forces. Maj. Thos. Trueman, who left no descendants, but was related to Henry Trueman, ancestor of Maj.
Alexander, was selected to lead the Maryland troops, while the choice of Virginia, was Col. John Washington, the emigrant ancestor and great grandfather of our first president. The redskins were met, as I recall, at Piscataway, which is only a short distance from our city, A
confession was obtained, that seven of their young braves had been the guilty parties. Thereupon Col. Washington, who probably thought and it may be said, that a dead Indian was the best, proposed that the
seven offenders be knocked in the heads. Maj. Truman opposed such summary proceedings, but the Virginians prevailed and the savages were quickly dispatched to their happy hunting ground. As a result of this, Maj. Trueman was broke, as I believe the military expression is, was heavily fined and barred from holding public office and for many years
after, the Maryalnders [sic] had trouble in plenty with the savages and their
allies. Question -- was the killing of Maj. Alexander Trueman retribution
?
A second thought might arise when the Act is read. Was Col. John
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Harding the ancestor of our president of the same surname?

This however, is all beside the issue, which is what do your records show regarding said pension act? If nothing, to what bureau
should I apply for information?

Thank you in advance for your patient consideration and early reply
.
Very truly yours,
        Alexander M. Bell [signed]
                     Alexander M. Bell.