Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,533, Matthew Wiley, Penn.
Page 1

Service       Number
Penn, Wiley, Matthew R.11.533

Contents
Page 2

I Hereby Certify that my brother Matthew
Wiley, 81 years of age, went from London Grove 
township Chester County Pensylvania in the flying
Camp in the year 1776 at privet Soldier for a term 
of six months under William Mongomery
John Wiley

I also certify that the said Matthew Wiley
went out 1777 a first Lieutenant under
Capt John Ramsey for a two month term
and that I hauled the said Ramsey Company
Baggage as far as ould Chester. John Wiley

State of Maryland, Harford County
On the seventeenth day of Sept 1832
before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace
for said County personally appears John
Wiley of Chester County State of Pennsylvania 
who maketh oath on the holy Evangley of Almighty
God that the above certificates are true as they are
stated to the best of his recollection.

Sworn before
J. Wilson
Page 3

Maryland Harford County Court
I hereby certify that John Wilson Gentleman before whom the within and aforegoing affidavit was made and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing one of the State of Maryland's Justices of the peace in and for Harford County aforesaid and commisioned and sworn and to all whose acts as such full faith and credit is and ought to be given as well as in
Courts of Justice as thereout.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of Harford County Court this 16th day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty two
Henry Dorsey Clk
Harfd Coty Court
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State of Maryland
Harord County District
On this 16th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before us Thomas A Hays, Samuel Bradford and John W Stump the Justices of the Orphans Court of Harford County now sitting, Matthew Wiley of Harford County Maryland aged Eighty one 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 the 7th June 1832 That in the year 1776 sometime in the summer of that year he joined the company of Captain John McDowell as a volunteer, and found his own Rifle, horn and tomahawk, and was attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Montgomery in Chester County in the State of Pennsylvania, and thus entered the service of the United States in what was then called the Flying Camp to serve for the space of six months, and that having served within a few days of three months he was seised with the Camp Fever and languished in that disease for nine weeks, during ['part of' is crossed out] which time he was honorably discharged and was removed to his fathers house, That while in the service before mentioned he was marched to Philadelphia, to Amboy and to a point on the Raritan River, and stationed occasionally at those several places, and others he does
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that now recollect frequently within vew of the
enemy, and on one occasion, at a place called
Noways farm on the Raritan exchanged some
shots with them but was otherwise not in any
actual engagement. That he volunteered and
served as before mentioned as a private soldier
and was acquainted with the Colonel before
mentioned and Leutenant Col Evans, Major
David Mackey besides his Captain before
mentioned and the Leuntenant of the Company whose
name he does not now remember. He further makes
Oath and declares that about the tenth day of
July 1777 he received and accepted the Commission
from the State of Pennsylvania, which he now exhibits, bearing that date as first Lieutenant of a company of drafted militia
commanded by Captain John Ramsey of Chester
County belonging to the second Battalion of the County
of Chester, which battalion was commanded by
Colonel Hannam who resided near Old Chester, and that
he about the time before mentioned entered as the first
Lieutenant aforesaid into the service of the United States.
And marched first to Old Chester with his company
then to a place called Billins port on the Jersey
shore of the Delaware River, where his Company and
himself was some time employed in throwing up entreachments and other works, that from thence he went with an invalid to Mud Fort, and that he continued to
serve the full term of two months being the time for
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which the company was drafted to serve in
which he commanded, and was then honourably
discharged. That during this term of service he
knew Col Hannams, Captain Ramsay and Leutenant
Col Evans, and the officers generally of the
Regiment most of whose names have escaped
his memory. He further declares upon oath
as aforesaid, That in the year 1778 or 79, he being
enrolled as a private in the Company of Captain
Jo McLeard or Land, regiment commanded by
Col Smith of York County militia to which place
he had removed. He was drafted for a service of
months as a private to march up the Susquehanna
River to a place called "the "standing stone”
against the Indians who had become troublesome.
And he being then engaged in active business, he
hired and paid a substitute who served in his stead
the time before mentioned, as he verily believes.
He further declares upon Oath as aforesaid that
he has no written paper or evidence of his
services other than the commission to him as first
Lieutenant as aforesaid which he now exhibits. And
that he knows of no living testimoney except John
Wiley whose affidavit he above exhibits, but whose  attendance in Court he cannot obtain by reason of
his lunatic evidence in London grove township
Chester County and his advanced age, which affidavit
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he obtained last month while on an occasional
visit to Harford County as above, one James
Wiley of York County in Pennsylvania, who
being a very old and infirm man, and whose
memory is so much impaired that he could not
obtain his attendance in Court so as to make
his testimony available.
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 the
State of Maryland, or any other State.
Matthew Wiley
Sworn to and subscribed before us on the day
and year aforesaid
Thomas A. Hays
Sam’l Bradford
Jno W Stump

We Reubin H Davis, a clergyman residing
 in Harford County and Israel D Maulsby,
Colonel of the 40th Regiment of M M [militia men]
residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Matthew Wiley who has subscribed
sworn to the above declaration
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that he is a man of good character
for integrity and one on whose declaration
full reliance may be placed, having be
for man[y] years an elder in a respectable
religious society in his neighbourhood.
We further certify that we believe him to
be Eighty one years of age: and 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
I D Maulsby
R.H. Davis
30th October 1832

Sworn and described the day and year aforesaid before
John Kean
a Justice of the peace for Harford County

And the said Court do 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
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[right margin-vertical]
21618
Matthew Wiley
Application & evidence for 
a pension under 
late act of Congress


and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies
that it appears to them
that the Reverend Rubin
Davis who has signed
the preceeding certificate
is a C[l]ergyman resident
in Harford County and that
I D. Maulsby who has also
signed the same is a resident
of the said County and is a
credible person, and that their
statement is entitled to credit. 
Thomas A Hays
Sam’l Bradford
Jno. W. Stump

I Thomas L Bond Register of Wills of Harford
and Ex officio Clerk of the Orphans Court of said
County Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Matthew Wiley for
a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of Office this 30th day
of October 1832. Thos L Bond Rtr H Cy
Page 10

Matthew Wiley
Md
No. 21618-
Rejected
Suspended see
letter 8 July 1833

Claimant
one of the Clk of the [illegible]
Betan M C
11533

25500
12750

9 - 9
23 - 5
47 - 11

79 -25 [subtotal]

89/3
29 ⅔
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office, 183 [blank]
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, shewing the service of Mathew Wiley

Period when the service was rendered.
1776 vol
July 1777
[drafted is crossed out]

Duration of the claimant's service.
3 months
2 months
[blank]

Rank of the claimant.
Pri
1st Lt
[Pri is crossed out]

Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Capt Jno McDowell
Capt J Ramsay
[Capt Jno is crossed out]

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col. Wm Montgomery
Col Hannams
[Col Smith is crossed out]

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
[blank]

Country through which he marched.
From Chester to Phila

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age
at the present period.
81 years
Chester Co. Pa. 

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary
Documentary
Witness

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, Territory, or of
On this day of County of of A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before in the county of
and State, Territory or District aged years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) served in the (e) regiment of the
With 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
entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
And the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of  for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same) 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 days and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
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, Clerk of the Court of  do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this day of & 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
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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.
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25th Congress, Rep. No. 122.  Ho. of Reps,
3d Session.
MATTHEW WILEY.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 989]
JANUARY 9, 1839.
Mr, Morgan, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which was referred the memorial of Matthew Wiley, report:

     That the petitioner volunteered, some time in the summer of 1776, for a term of six months, in Captain McDowel's company, which constituted a part of Colonel William MOntgomery's regiment of Chester county (Pennsylvania) militia. He served about three months, when he was seized with a fever, which rendered him unfit for duty for some nine weeks, when he recovered his health; and in July 1777, he accepted a commission as first lieutenant , and entered the service of the United States as such, and served a tour of two months. The services performed under these two engagements are set forth in detail in his declaration, and proofsion. The War Department refused to allow for the time of his sickness, which reduced his term of actual service to less than six months; and his application was of course rejected. 
     The Committee, however, are of opinion that the sickness which he suffered was the only cause of his delinquency, and in equity should be allowed as so much service.
    The petitioner appeared to be a  man of undoubted integrity, and utterly incapable of attempting a fraud on the Government.
    The committee recommend that the bill for a six months' pension, which they herewith report, shall pass.
Thomas Allen, print.
Page 15

In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
of the said Commonwealth,
To Mathew Wiley Esquire
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct
and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be
first Lieutenant of a company of foot in the second
Battalion of Militia, in the County of Chester
You are therefore carefully and
diligently to discharge the Duty of first Lieutenant by doing and performing all
Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers
and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as First Lieutenant
And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to
Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your
superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts
of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the
Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.
GIVEN under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this tenth Day of July in the Year of our
Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and seventy seven
Thomas Wharton, an Pres’

N. 2.
ATTEST.
T. Matlacky Secy
Page 16

To
The Honorable, the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled
The memorial of Matthew Wiley, a private
volunteer and subsequently an officer of the revolutionary
army, respectfully sheweth, That your petitioner
volunteered for six months and served in the Flying camp
under the command of Captain John McDowl of Pennsylvania, as will appear by the accompanying papers;
that after nearly three months service he was attacked
with the camp fever and compelled by severe sickness
to ask permission to return to his home, which was granted.
That he was confined for nine weeks before he was able to
leave his room or attend to business which if added to the
time he remained in camp, as he respectfully conceives
on every principle of justice and equity should be done,
would entitle him to credit for five months service as a volunteer in the Flying camp. In addition to which your memorialist begs leave to refer to his commission as first Lieutenant in the militia of Pennsylvania and to the accompanying
Page 17

papers to show that he served in that capacity for two months, making altogether seven months service; being one month more than is required by law to entitle him to a revolutionary pension; but as the law is construed your memorialist is deprived of the nine weeks service during his confinement to his room by the camp fever, which deducted brings his term of service within the six months, which is required to entitle him to the benefits of the law. Your memorialist confidently believes that he is fully and equitably entitled to the benefits of a revolutionary soldier who served his country faithfully, and that if the law was construed according to the spirit rather than the letter, it would embrace his case; but as it is not he respectfully, earnestly, and confidently solicits relief.
Matthew Wiley
Washington
Sept 20th 1837
Page 18

Mr Edwards will please let
Genl Towson have the papers filed by
me to establish my claim to a pension
for the purpose of preparing a petition
to Congress. 
And oblige his ob’t ser’t
Matthew Wiley
Washington
Sept 20 1837

To
J L Edwards Esq
Com’r of Pensions
Page 19

Mathew Wiley
Petition of Matthew
Wiley a soldier of
the revolutionary
army asking a
Pension

Dec. 13 1837
Ref’d to the Committee
on Rev’y Pensions
Mar. 7. 1838. Bill N. 618

The petitioner is an 
elder in the church & 
certified to be a very
 respectable & good witness.
He proves his services
 by one witness.


A. Bill for 6 months
Jan. 2. 1839
Ref’d to Comm’ee on Rev Pensions
Jany 9, 1839 Bill 989

Mr. Worthington 27
Rev. Pens

Matthew Wiley
Jan 4, 1840
Ref’d to Com’ee on Rev Pensions
Mar 5 1840
Bill - 167

Mr Worthington
Page 20

Maryland
Matthew Wiley
Rejected
Act 7 June 1832
see letter to claimant 8 July, 1833.
Paper sent to Gen. N. Towson, Sept 20 1937
Belair Md
Page 21

Con’ess Ent
11.533
P. O. 
Matthew Wiley
Service: Pri & Lt Col Montgomery
Pen’a troops

Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized. Contract
Cert. of Dis. Searched for