Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2479, William Craige, Md. And Boat Service
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SERVICE Md.
Boat Service 
Craige, William or Craig  
Number
S2479
carded
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Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6th April 1838 from 4th March to 4 (illegible) 1838.  Agent notified 3 July 1839
Paid is above from 4 March 1844 to 4th Sept 1844 Agent notified 15 April 1845

13059 
Ohio, Pittsburgh
William Craig
Belmont, in the State of Ohio who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Marcell of the Regt commanded by Col. McGaw in the Maryland line for (?) months.
William Craige, Records ok
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of May 
and sent to Peter Tollman St. Clairsville Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th March 1833     $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 $10.00
$50.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm R Palmer, Clerk, Book E Vol. 8 Page 108.
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Wm. Craig
24202
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State of Ohio Belmont County 
On the eight day of March AD 1833 personally appeared before me George Sharp one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, William Craig a resident of said county aged seventy seven years the fifteenth of last June 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 was born in Hartford County Maryland the 15th of June 1755.  That he left said County when young (five or six years old)  and went to Cecil County Md. Where he was raised till twenty one years of age. When he volunteered in a company commanded by Capt James Maxwell- Major Hartshorn went along with the company which was raised in Cecil County wholly.  This applicant was the youngest in the company save one by the name of Alex. Scott.  He entered this company about the middle of August 1779 for the term of four months and rendezvous at the Rising Sun in Said County.  There he Marched to Philadelphia then to Trenton, then to Brunswick, then to Amboy then to the North River where he staid till Fort Washington was taken.  His company was not in the Fort but in Jersey on the opposite side of the river along with the mass of the American forces when they last was taken
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He was under the command of Col McGaw at this place.  The next day but one after the fort was taken he commenced retreat this (illegible) the British had commended crossing the river our army making no resistance to this passage of the river.  The British had so much shipping to protect their operations.  The most of the American guns were drawn by the men from the border of the river 40 and 50 attached to one price for want of horses.  The morning the retreat was commended the men drew one biscuit each, only this company drew no rations for 4 days afterwards- about dark on the first day they crossed the draw bridge on Hackensack River.  Then his company was ordered up the river to destroy two more bridges 8 or 210 miles up.  Here the company remained three days unacquainted with the course of events set long finding out their situation and that the main army had gone towards Elizabethtown.  The resumed their retreat in the evening and marched all night and reached Elizabethtown after one night and a days march where the rear guard of the American forces where it rained these three or four days almost constantly.  At Elizabethtown he drew some stinking beef and got it over the first when the drum beat to arms and obliged them to leave it kettle and all.  The next drew rations at Princeton but took a good meal between at a private house.  From Princeton he marched on to Trenton, then his term of service being out all the company were discharged and went home except young Scott who was afterwards killed in the contest at Trenton.  He was discharged sometime along in December, about the middle the Dec. 
In the month of Sept, in the year 1777 he entered the militia as a substitute for one John Partridge of Baltimore for two months.  His Capt. was Jacob Garrison.  The Capt of another company that marched with him was one Cox.  They marched from Baltimore and joined the army under General Smallwood somewhere near Chestnut hill on Perkeyomen Creek, and was in the battle of Germantown where Captain Cox was killed Oct 4 1777.  Then may time was out.  A few days or not a great while after the battle I was discharged.  He never got a written discharge, at any time.  They did not think in those days of such niceties, from the pressure of more important business. 
About a year after the discharge he volunteered
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on board the sloop liberty at Elk.  Captain Hanse commander of Employed by the United States in transporting munitions men to the army where he remained two months.  This repel was owned by Henry Hollingsworth a company and may perhaps not ascertain to the regular service. 
1. Where and in what year where you born?
Answ. In Harford County Maryland 15 June 1755
2. Have you any record of your age if so where is  it? 
Answ. He has none here.  There is probably one at Annapolis : he has heard his father say
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roll of the agency of any state
William Craige

Sworn and subscribed the 8th day of March 1833 before me
George Sharp

I do moreover certify that said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court in person, unless he is carried thither[?]
George Sharp

We John Scatterday and James Caldwell residing in the county of Belmont Ohio hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Wm Craig who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be between seventy five and eighty years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion
Jno. Scatterday
John Patterson

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court -- March 8th 1838
Peter Tallman CK[?]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter by Geo. Sharp Esq. one of their number and the putting of the interrogations by him prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states & the Court do further certify that it appears to them that John Scatterday and James Caldwell who have subscribed the preceding certificate are residents of said Belmont County and the credible person, and that their statement is entitled to count[?]

J. H. Halloch
George Sharp
John Davenport
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Belmont County

Peter Tallman Clerk of the said Court of [illegible]
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Jno. Scatterday
John Patterson

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court -- March 8th 1838
Peter Tallman CK[?]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter by Geo. Sharp Esq. one of their number and the putting of the interrogations by him prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states & the Court do further certify that it appears to them that John Scatterday and James Caldwell who have subscribed the preceding certificate are residents of said Belmont County and the credible person, and that their statement is entitled to count[?]

J. H. Halloch
George Sharp
John Davenport
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Belmont County

I Peter Tallman Clerk of the said Court of Common Please for said County of Belmont Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Craig for a Pension

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 16th day of March AD 1833.

Peter Tallman CK[?]

(Direct to St Clairsville Ohio to care of B.H. Ganin[?].)

Ohio Belmont County [illegible] Edwin Booth being sworn saith that he was to board at the rising sun tavern in Md. Cecil County. That he remembers of Capt. Maxwell collecting a company at that tavern while he boarded there, and marching off to the service with the same; but where he don't know. A short time after Capt. Maxwell [illegible]
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(Direct to St Clairsville Ohio to care of B.H. Ganin[?].)

Ohio Belmont County [illegible] Edwin Booth being sworn saith that he was to board at the rising sun tavern in Md. Cecil County. That he remembers of Capt. Maxwell collecting a company at that tavern while he boarded there, and marching off to the service with the same; but where he don't know. A short time after Capt. Maxwell marched deponent went himself into the regular service, where he remained 5 yrs. He never had any acquaintance with Wm. Craig in Cecil County He lived fifteen miles apart from said Craig until he left the county -- Deponent knew also Major Hartshorn -- he taught the militia in that quarter all they knew he believes This major went away with Capt. Maxwell The company was attached to what was called the shirt men or flying camp[?]. Deponent from conversing with said Craig here present at the taking of this deposition in reference to the character of the different members of said Maxwell Company, and particularly as to the fight at fist-cuff between Wm. McCline & another on the day the company stated from P. tavern, and the desertion of one of the company afterwards by the name of John Borland which circumstances deponent distinctly remembers -- he has no doubt but that sd. Craig marched with said company under Capt. Maxwell --

E. Booth

Sworn and subscribed before me the 8th March 1833 in open court --
Peter Tallman CK[?]
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24. 202 13.059.
William Craig
Belmont C. Ohio

Adm[?] for 6 months from 1776

K20[?]

Peter Tallman
St Clairsville [illegible]
Belmont [illegible]
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

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 perceived that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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 William Craig

[table]
Period when the service was rendered.
[illegible] '75 and 1776
Sept 1777
Feb +

Duration of the claimant's service
Months.
4
2
2

Rank of the claimant.
Private
"
apericle[?]

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Capt Maxwell
Col McGaw
Capt Garrison --
Viful[?]

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
77 years
Cecil Co Maryland

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary

x John Partridge

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 District of County of [blank] ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory, or District of [blank] 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 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) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:

[bracket] 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. [pointing hand] 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. [/bracket]

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.

[bracket] And then will follow the certificate of the Court. [/bracket]

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 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 [blank] 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.

[bracket] And then will follow the certificate of the Court. [/bracket]

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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] 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 application of [blank] 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 part 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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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 ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribed 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 Soldier. 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 enquiry 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 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.

[a] 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.

[b] 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. [handwritten in margin: Infirmity]

[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.

[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.

[e] 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 [blank] year [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; 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 [italics] about three or four months [/italics] 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 what 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 evil pursuit.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.

[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.

[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.

[i] 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.

[j] 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.

[pointing hand] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia Men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.

[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.

[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.

[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
January 7th, 1846.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, William Craig, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Wheeling, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollar per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1844, to the 4th Sept. 1844.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
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2479
Rev Man[?] INVALID.

File No. 2479
William Craig
Pvt Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:--Vol. A., Page 80.

[bracket] Arrangement of 1870. [/bracket]

William Craige. Records corrected Jan'y 1904[?]
Page 16

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 17th, 1839.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," William Craig, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Wheeling, Va, Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and [blank] Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1838, to the 4th Sept., 1838.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Craigee, William
GRADE Private
LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 3838
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Nov. 24, 1791 to Isaac Bronson, assignee

*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.