Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30542, for Michael Leonard, Virginia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE                       NUMBER
Va.  Leonard, Michael   S. 30542
__________________________
CONTENTS
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Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 Sep 1837 to 16 July 1838 the day of his death. [Agent] notified  19 August 1840
30,359
Kentucky
_________________
Michael Leonard
of Grant Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the Company commanded 
by Captain Riddle of the regt commanded
by Col ------------------ in the Virg Mil
[crossed out line] for two years from June 1780. 
_________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky 
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of 
January 1836 and sent to Hon
R.M. Johnson, N.R.
_________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1835    $360.--
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 1836  40.
_______________________
$400 --
_______________________________
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm S Allison  Clerk,
Book E. 2  Vol. 7  Page 31
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 6th, 1840.
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," The childn of Michael Leonard, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky Agency, at the rate of Eighty - Dollars [crossed out and Cents] per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837, to the 16th July 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
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[illegible] 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 June7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer, and served as herein after stated
That he was born sometime in the Spring of the year 176 (time not recollected) in the county of Rowan and what is now the state of North Carolina and there resided until [illegible]

[Overwritten] 33,488
Michael [illegible]
Kentucky
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State of Kentucky}
County of Grant} Sch
On this 12th day of October 1835, personally appeared in open court, before the justices of the county court of Grant now  sitting Michael Leonard a resident of Grant county and State of Kentucky aged about 73 years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit  of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officer and served as herein after Stated
That he was born sometime in the Spring of the year 176  (time not recollected) in the county of Rowan and what is now the State of North Carolina and there resided until the fall of 1779 that he then removed to what was then the district of Kentucky now the State of Kentucky at a place called Riddles Station near the junction of Hinston and [Stone] creeks forming the South fork of the Licking River that some time about the first of June 1780 there was great alarm about the Indians and British it being reported that a force consisting of British and Indians was  expected to appear and attack the Stations that although this declarant was not then of an age which required of him Military duty he volunteered.
[overwritten top of page illegible, L.B. Jay 25, 1834]
[overwritten mid page 33, 488
Michael Leonard
Kentucky
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and was received under the command of Captain  Riddle who commanded at a Station called Riddles Station and entered upon the [duties] of a private Soldier and so remained doing the duties of a private Soldier under the orders of said Capt Riddle until after the middle of said month of June 1780 say about the 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, or 24th day of daid June the day not now recollected when the force before expected consisting of two or three hundred english and six or seven hundred Indians under the command of Capt. or Colonel Bird of the British army made its appearance and we were prepared for resistance but after the force of the army was asertained [sic] and their means of attack Captain Riddle surrendered and the enemy entered the station, plundered and destroyed every thing which could no be conveniently removed and sent in charge of a portion of Indians all the prisoners both men, women and children to Detroit the prisoners were divided into parcels of from two or three to about twelve according as they were able to offer resistance and put under charge of as many Indians as was thought necessary to secure them  this declarand was divided out with seven others say  two men two boys two women and two children and under the charge of eight Indians and  while on our way to Detroit and some where in what is now the State of
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Ohio while at breakfast one of the Indians became angry with this declarant and struck him on the top of his head with a  tom-hawk and came near killing him he however survived and traveled on until we arrived at an Indian town of the Shawneys where we all were compelled to run the gauntlette we then proceeded to Detroit where we were divided out among the citizenz to work and was wached [sic] so that taking into consideration the amence wilderness to be traversed the Indians and many other dangers we could not leave: Some however was sent to Quebeck or some other place. After we had been divided out among the Indians at Riddles Station as before said we then understood that the British and a part of the Indianz were to proceed to other stationz in the neighbourhood which turned out to be the case for a short time after the provisions of Riddles Station had been brought in to Detroit the British and Indians that had been left at Riddles Station came to Detroit with all of the force of Martins Station This declarant remained a prisoner of war until the news of peace reached the constitution authority at Detroit when we all were told that we were at liberty to go where we pleased which happened as this declarant now believes in the latter part of the year
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1783 so that this declarant was in actual service of the United States while in the station and a prisoner of war from about the begining of June 1780 until about the fall of the year 1783 being the time he was liberated So that he has served the United States as a private soldier not less than three years and for such service he claims a pension  He was  not while in the service with any other troops than those mentioned and therefore saw nor knew of any others  This declarant received no discharge and has no documentary testimony of his service and knows of no person whose evidence he can now procure who is acquainted with his service except John Zinn and Elizabeth Franks both of Grant county Ky. There is several others but they live at too great a distance for this declarant to travel and see as to procure their evidence 
This declarant has no record of his age and only states his age from the fact that he was told that he was 14 years old at the taking of Riddles Station.
This declarant was living in what is now Bourbon county Ky when he was called in to service and when he returned from his captivity which was in the year 1784 he settled again [crossed out in] Bourbon county Ky. and remained there until 1788 when he removed to Lexington Ky and remained there until the year 1797 when he removed to Scott county Ky and remained there until about 1803 when he removed to [illegible]
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1786 when he removed to Lexington Ky. and remained there until the year 1797 when he removed to Scott county Ky. and remained there until about 1803 when he removed to [illegible] what is now Nicholas county Ky. when he removed to Harrison county Ky. and remained there until 1808 when he again removed to Scott county Ky. and remained until 1809 when he removed to what is now Grant county Ky. where he has remained ever since say about twenty six years  This declarant never received a discharge from the service for there was no officer to give it to him he having remained a prisoner until the close of the Revolutionary war and returned home wihtout the conduct of an officer  This declarant states that although there is in his neighbourhood clergyment yet he could not procure anyone of them to attend at this court (though had they have attended they would state all that I could have asked of them to state) he therefore refers to the certificate of Travis J. Daniel and Charles Secrest to whom I am known who will state their opinion in relation to my varacity and their belief of my services as a soldier and a private of the Revolution
This declarant declares that his name is not on the pension Role or the agency of any state or Teritory [sic] and hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present 
Sworn to and subscribed}
as aforesaid}
Michael X Leonard
his mark
We Trevis Daniel and Charles Secrest both resident in the county of Grant and state of Kentucky hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Michael Leonard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed and belived in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the
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Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and Subscribed}
the day and year aforesaid}
Trevis T Daniel
Charles X Secrest
his mark
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 Trevis Daniel and Charles Secrest who has signed the preceeding certificate is residents in the county of Grant and State of Kentucky and that they are both credible persons and that their Statements is entitled to credit.
State of Kentucky, Grant County, Sct.
I, H.B. Smith Clerk of the Court of Grant County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Michael Leonard for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 28th day of October, 1835.
H.B. Smith, Clk.
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To the Honourable the Senate and house of Representatives of the United States in congress assembled
Your petitioner Michael Leonard will respectfully respresnt that he in the year 1780 about the last of the month of May or first of June in said year volunteered as a private soldier under the commande of Captain Riddle who then commanded at Riddles Station in what is now Bourbon county Kentucky  that about the 20th say a few days before or after in said year 1780. Colonel Bird of the British army and at that time commanding a force consisting of British and Indians set down before Riddles Station and summoned said station to surrender which Captain Riddle finally done and the whole force as well as the women and children was taken to Detroit and there detained as prisoners of war until the close of the revolution say about three years and your petitioner Sharing said fate  that for the above mentioned services your petitioner believes he is entitled to the benefit of the act of the 7th June 1832 that your petitioner so believeing did in the year 1835 make a declaration of his services in the county court for Grant county Kentucky (the county in which you petitioner resides) in some form of law and according to the directions issued from the war department
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and subsequently thereunto the depositions of John Zinn and Elizabeth Franks was taken and the facts setforth in said declaration compleatly proved the said declaration and depositions was forwarded to the pension office through the Hon. Rh. M. Johnson and contrary to the expectation of your petitioner the said application hath been rejected and your petitioner will say that he cannot imagine any cause of said rejection unless the recent frauds on the treasury hath created and undue prejudice agains applications for pensions
Now your petitioner believing that he is justly entitled to the benefit of the aforesaid act Prays your honorable body to cause the aforesaid declaration and depositions to be brought before you (they are now on file in the pensions office) and when before you and examined your petitioner prays that there may pass a law placeing your petitioner on the pension role under the act of the 7th June 1832 and your petitioner will ever pray [illegible]
Michael Leonard
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30542
Revy INVALID.
_____________
File No. 30,542
Michael Leonard
Pri Rev War
____________
Act: June 7th 32"
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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[left side ] Nov 23
Michl. Leonard
[right side] Hon R M Johnson [illegible]
[center]
Great tings Ky
Pension Case Nov 15 
Rh M: Johnson
Col J.L. Edwards
City of Washington
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Please act upon this & keep it till I come to [City]
Rh. M. Johnson
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Hon. Rh. M Johnson
Washington City
D.C.
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[Helmonth] Ky. Jun. 12th 1836
Dear friend
Under your frank
I have lately received a letter addressed to you from J.L. Edwards Esq commissioner of Pensions by which I am informed that the claim of Michael Leonard hath been rejected  Mr. Edwards after giving a summery of the facts setforth in the declaration of the said Leonard says that  The claimant with others resorted to the fort for protection and would of course afford such aid as was in his power in the decence of the plact it being common on such occations [sic] for the women and children to render assistance  The claimant having been taken a prisoner under such circumstances does not constitute a claim to the benefits of the act of 7th June 1832." What could have induced the commissioner of pensions to have come to the above conclusion I am at a loss to know  The declaration is substance states that the claimant volunteered his services under Capt Riddle that he now received and that he entered upon the duties
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of a private soldier a bout the begining of the month of June 1780 and so continued performing said duties under the command of said Capt. until he was taken a prisoner of war and carried to Detroit and there kept until the close of the war a period of about 3 years all of which he proves by the depositions of old Mrs Elizabeth Franks and old Mr John Zinn both of whom was with the claimant and Mr Zinn now draws a pension of $80.00 per annum for the same kind of services and performed at the same time and under the same officer The statement that "the claimant with others resorted to the fort for protection" must be found [de hones] the record no such statement is to be found in the declaration on the contrary it will be found that the claimant repaired to the fort or station to protect and defend the fort or station all of which is proved by the aforesaid depositions. I am but partially acquainted with Mr Leonard and have
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not conversed with him but twice on the subject of his services which conversations was hurried but I have conversed with Mrs Franks and Mr Zinn freely both of whom I am well acquainted with and from their known veracity and the free and fair account which they give of the services of said Leonard I am fully convinced that there has not been allowed a pension claim since the passage of the act 7th June 1832 more meritorious than that of Michael Leonard
I have therefore to ask the favour of you to request the pension commission to carefully rexamine the papers in said care when I am induced to believe he will allow the claim  If however he does not allow the claim then present the accompaning petition to congress and cause the papers in said case now in the pension office to be laid before that body or its committee
your strict attention this this care as well as former and future favours will at all times be acknowledged by you friend
W.H.S. Drake
Hon. Rh. M. Johnson}
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[left side] Jan 25
Immediate attention
Ky
[right side]
Hon. R. M. Johnson H.R.
[Center]
Col. J.S. Edward
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Dear Col
If Mr Drake is correct [too] not see why a pension should not be given. If such claims must go before congress I can not much re apply for a Pension office. If he is mistaken, or you cannot grant the Claim please enclose all the papers to me this shall be my receipt that [Jury] place it before congress as he wishes
[Jolly regard]
Rh. M. Johnson
I have [crafted] a certificate for Capt. Hollady
RM J
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[left side]
Nov 23
[crossed out 5.0]
Secretary of War
Care of Pension agency
Washington City 
Mail}
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Frankfort June 14th 1836
Sir
I have recd the enclosed letter from Mr Hansen of Pendleton and at his request transmit it to your dept. 
I am well acquainted with Mr H. and apart from political prejudices I think him incapable of misrepresentations. 
I have had too reach reason to fear that the Deed Mr. Drake was guilty of overreaching pensions where claims be prosecuted - I think it very probable that the Jealousy of Winn, who I Know to be [illegible] or the injustice of Drake has been instrumental in causing Gibson's Pension to be surrendered. If upon reference to his papers, his claim shall appear to be well established, I would recommend the enclosed letter as an off set to any statement that may have been made by either Drake or Winn & that he be reinstated.
I am Respectfully your obt sevt
L Sanders
Hon: Sect at War
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Know all men by these presents that I Elizabeth Franks do hereby certify that in the year 1780 the English and Indians took Riddles Station and that I was amonth those that was taken to Detroit and that Michael Leonard was also of the number and that he was detained at Detroit by the enemy from the aforesaid year of 1780 say about the middle of June in said year until the fall of the year 1783 when the news of peace reached the authorities at Detroit and we were all then informed that we could depart at our pleasure the said Michael Leonard does now and has for some years resided in this (Grant) county. Given under my hand this 29th day of October 1835.
Elizabeth X Franks
her marke
The State of Kentucky
Grant County Sct
I Asa Vallandigham am of the Commonwealths Justices of the peace in and for said County do certify that the above affidavit of Elizabeth Franks was this day subscribed and sworn to before me  given under my hand this 29th day of Oct 1835
Asa Vallandigham JPC
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State of Kentucky, Grant County, Sct.
I H.B. Smith, Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid, do certify that Asa Vallandigham, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate, is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
In witness whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed my seall of office, this 30th day of October, 1835.
H.B. Smith Clk.
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Know all men by these presents that I John Zinn having been informed that Michael Leonard hath applied for a pension and having heard read his declaration which was made before the county court of Grant county on the 12th day of October 1835  I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Michael Leonard and that I believe him to be 73 years of age that he was as he states in his said declaration in service in the Station called Riddles Station in the year 1780 when said Station was taken by about the 22nd day of June in said year. that he said Leonard together with this affiant and all others then in said station was taken prisoners of war and conducted [illegible] as he hath stated and there detained as such until the fall of the year 1783  that the said Leonard now resides in Grant county and has done so for some years as has this affiant
Given under my honor this 30th day of October 1835
John Zinn
The State of Kentucky
Grant County Sct
I Asa Vallandigham of the Commonwwealth Justices of the peace in and for said county do certify that the affidavit of John Zinn was this day subscribed and sworn to before me and that the witnys is a credible person - given under my hand this 30th day of Oct 1835 
Asa Vallandigham JPSC
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State of Kentucky Grant County, Sct.
I H.B. Smith, Clerk of the County Court for Grant County, do certify, that Asa Vallandigham, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate, is a magistrate as above; and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In witness whereof, i have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this 30th day of October, 1835.
H.B. Smith, Clk.
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Falmouth Ky}
10' June }
Paid 20 ct
Lewis Sanders Esq
US Attorney [crossed out office]
Frankfort -
Ky.
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Falmouth, Pendleton County Ky. June 7th 1836
Lewis Sanders Esq;
D Sir:
From information, you have directed, to sundry of your acquaintances, in different sections, at least to one, in this County, letters of Inquiry relative to Pensioners; you also hold the office of U States Attorney; and, therefore, I have concluded, that by special instruction, it not officially, you have some kind of superintendences or supervising powers, over the pension concern of the General Government. If I am mistaken in this conclusion, that mistake is the result of your official station, and the above information, and this I trust will be a sufficient apology for the intonation of the subject matters of this communication - and long letter - 
I am concerned as Attny at law, in two cases, for pentioners, arising out of their pensions, in endeavouring through the means of our Courts of Justice to protect them, against, as I conceive, the grossest frauds, of those concerned in procuring their pensions, that [cupilidy] itself can conceive - The struggle in the one case, cander compels me to say, I firmly believe, oppressively and unjustly cost, the one pensioner, the loss and forfeiture of his pension, and thus proved the meanse of heaping the injustice of his government, upon the fraudulent wrong, from which he was seeking, legally to protect himself by an appeal, through me professionally to the tribunals of his Country. And least the other pensioner, for whom I am now, through the same tribunals, strugling, also might unfortunately be delt with in the same way; and share the same fates and also in verification of my statements so far as the alleged fraud is concerned, bear with me while I give you as concise history of the circumstances of both cases, as from proof and my own knowledge of facts, I know them to exist, and then come to your own conclusions as to my statements - I do this, because from any knowledge of your character and feelings as a man, I do know, you utterly unwilling and incapable, to become instrumental, officially or otherwise, knowingly to do wrong to any many, and, if possible, much
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more unwilling and incapable, where, that class, who unfortunately, are generally both poor and ignorant, is concerned, [crossed out that] made the least claim to the gratitude and bounty of the country - And I am unwilling, to believe, - and will not believe, until I must - that when injustice is done to any of this class, by " the powers that be" that,  that injustice is theirs - I believe it to belong to others who have shared an influence, probably  unavoidably misplaced, and therefore is inflicted, by hands which have been made the unwilling and unconscious instruments of the wrong of others; and there others probably themselves deceived by the misguidance of their own prejudice, revenge [illegible] performs - Of the first case I speak with regret, because it involves the name and the acts, of Wm. H. N. Drake, who lately, in this County, lost his life; by casualty; and who had while living, his virtues, and I award him, many of the most amiable kind; but he had also his faults - and - his - necessities;  And the latter case, unfortunately often a better crucible, to develope, the alloy of poor frail humanity, than all the trials and temptations of prosperity - It was simple this - towit - Alexander Gibson, citizen of Bracken near the Pendelton line, a poor, but known to be, as noble, as any other, among: "the noblest work of God." was respected among his neighbours to be a revolutionary soldier; and they together with himself, believe him entitled to a pension under the act of '32. The facts came first to the ears of a certain Minor Wisen and then to those of Drake who, both, had been instrumental in getting a number of pensions for pensioners in this and the adjoining County  The latter more active, than the former, immediately repaired to Gibson's humble dwelling in Bracken - heared the tale of his battles "o'r again", in his cabin, by his very humble fireside. and after so doing, at once concluded him intitled to the bounties of his government, and I have no doubt he actually was & now is and thereupon sat down, made out his declaration accordingly, and being himself a commissioned justice of Pendleton, got the old man; who was ill and indisposed to hopple through the woods a short distance, over upon the Pendleton side of the line, there as justice performed the usual official acts requisite to proceedings of the king, as far as one justice couble perform - 
Hearing previously come to an understanding with the old man, that if a pension was procured, Drake was to have for his services in procuring it $50- The fact that Drake had this secured the contingent fleece, gave umbruge to Zinn who conceived himself entitled thereto, and for motives but known to him, immediately wrote on, to the War Department, probably in disparagement of Drake's acts and the pensions's claim of course - The effect of this communication was a suspension of the application and a
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war of crimination as justification, between them, through the pension Department, or friends near thereto - and which to the injury of Gibson lasted some time - However ultimately Drake triumphed and Gibson's Certificate for a pension was transmitted to Drake to our Post Office - The next step was, to get Gibson's pention, from the agency at Lexington And to do this Gibson enpowered Drake here in this place before Stephen Mullins Esq - After the power and certificates were completed on clearing the progress of that business - Gibson or his friend (the pension certificate having been all this time, excepting incidently in the possesion of Drake) enquired of Drake how much would be drawn - To which inquiry Draked picked up the Act of Congress, put his finger on the approval and read "approved 7th June 1832 - and then had the act passed in '32 and you can only draw from the passage of the act - Before starting he remarked; now upon my return I'll pay you $110 and that will satisfy you, won't it? - The reply was in the affirmative - Drake repaired to Lexington drew $240 - and upon his return paid $110 over and delivered up the certificate, and formally took as receipt for the $110 expressing in the same, certification, without mentioning in it or otherwise the amount drawn by him; ralled upon some one by, to bear testimony to the declarations of satisfaction & gratitude too, which the old gentleman made - And Gibson and son "parted from D contented & satisfied for their homes - And so remained until some time thereafter the certificate was specially and particularly examined probably to ascertain when the next drawal arrived, when it was as Gibson avers for the first time discovered that the former drawal had been from '31 instead of '32 and that there was a balance of  $80 yet behind after deducting the $50 which Drake was by contract to have - Drake was applied to, under the supposition that the error would be corrected, upon which application he admitted the $240 drawn and the detention of the $80 in addition to the $50 - but claimed the additional $80 - relying upon the receipt and satisfaction expressed upon the payment of the $110 - To settle the matter Gibson instituted a suit against D for the $80, and he being at the time a candidate, the circumstances were of a nature, the very [illegible] of the warm seasons, immediately before [crossed out before] the August elections, were [illy] adapted to resist, or permit unaggitated the matters to await the calm decision of a court of justice, and therefore unfortunately mingled themselves with the political strifes of the season[s] and thus excited feelings and prejudices  in [even] small County, illy calculated to insure justice, to either party, in a jury room; and the effects of all of which was, several hung juries, upon subsequent trials between them - However ultimately Gibson succeeded, after extranious influences had a little worn off, and obtained a judgement against Drake for his $80 - The judge granted a new trial by setting the verdict aside, upon the ground that one of the Jury had during the strife, expressed an opinion; and the frequent [prison] unsuccessful trials induced the necessity of a change of venue, to Harrison by consent, and while the cause was there pending, Gibson's name, no doubt
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through the interference of, not Drake's political or personal enimies, (with a view of taking from him the means necessary to obtain,  that which I know, and, every intelligent & unbiased man who heard the testimonty, together with a jury of Drake's potential friends, excepting not exceding three, unhesitatingly pronounced, to have been clearly proven, to have been jis just right - and which I firmly believe so to have been) was stricken from the pension roll, and shortly thereafter D. died as before stated; and by his death owing to the entire insolvency of his estate, the suit was permitted at the last term of Harrison Court, to pass from the docket by abatement - And thus Gibson has lost his $80 - and pension with it - as meritor & needy as on the day Drake received from the Post Office his Pension certificate - 
As to the means which influenced or opperated in striking  Gibson's name from the Pension roll, they are only my own conclusion from the coincedents of cercumstances, and my not knowing of any cause, aftter a pensioner has received his pension Certificate and been permitted, as Gibson was, successfully for probably better than a year, regularly to draw his pension, that could opperate to withhold it from him abruptly, without notice, unless the powers that be have unwarily, without knowing it themselves, yielded to influences by others such as I have supposed, and thus have been the innocent means of inflicting punishment upon him, to whom, reward was due - For the elements of strife, and passion, which, I have supposed to have effected his pension, his humbleness, ignorance and feelings forbid him forbid him to participate in, neither could he have control them - 
The other case is that of Michael Leonard of Grant County whom you probably know - Of the character of the man I know very little, though have no doubt from his own tale and the information of Mr. James Collins, the only oneof his neighbours with whom I have conversed, that he has seen service, and therefore is justly entitled - The History of obtained his pension is this - towit - Travise Daniel (son of old Charles of Grant) entered into a contract or arrangement with Leonard to prepare his papers and for his trouble, T.D. was to have, all the first drawal of the pension excepting one years pension - T.D. attempted the preparation, but failed in the application - He then turns over the contract between him & Leonard to Drake - Drake being more experienced in the business finally succeeded in getting an $80 annuity for Leonard - And as Drake represented, for his services he was to have, the one half of T.Ds contract, and T.D. the other half - However this T.D. now controverts and alleges Drake was only to have $80 - How this matter between Drake and Travise Daniel is, I know not - However the pension Certificate was gotten and Leonard empowered Drake
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as the agent to repair to Lexington to draw it, and also before Drake started gave to T. Daniel his order upon Drake, in writing, directing Drake upon his return to pay over the whole of the money to T.D. excepting $80 - which he Drake was to retain & pay over to him Leonard -  Drake repaired to Lexington and up, to last March drew the snug sum of $400 - Thus leaving the moderate compensation to the two of $320 - & himself $80 - Upon Drake's return he passed through Falmouth, exhibited his [N. Bk] papers, stated whose it was and what portion of the golden fleece he was to have & what T.D. [illegible] and also here declared the object of his trip to Grant, & left here late at night with the money, and on Monday morning his body was found [crossed out dead] in the woods between this & Grant and in his pocket [crossed out the] $320 N. Bk. paper and Leonard's certificate [crossed out for] his pension - The Coroner of the County who held and inquest over his body and found the Bk paper, at the succeeding County Court reported and delivered over to the same, the certificate Bk paper & $320 & other triffles found upon his body - Leonard appeared in Court offerd proof; that [crossed out that] the certificate and Bank paper were his property & not Drakes & therefore they had no jurisdiction over it - and at the same time professing to be willing to leave whatever Drake by contract with T.D. was entitled to with the Court, But the Court refused to hear testimony or give up the Bk paper (his certificate however they surrendered to him) but ordered it, into the custody together with  his other effects, or Reuben McCarty their Clerk until the further order of the Court - After the Court adjourned, Leonard instituted his action in Delinue (the notes having before delivery been Listed, Numbered & lettered) against McCarty, the Court's depositor of his property, and also on Bile [crossed out in Chancer] of Discovery in Chancery (McCarty having been in Lexington with Drake when the money was drawn) and thust the matter remained until the time elapsed enabling [crossed out for] a creditor to administed upon the estate - At which period Enos Daniel of this County appeared in Court and obtained letters of administration upon Drakes estate. And as admn with Trevis Daniels order upon Drake in his Attnys hands & upon reading of said order, moved the Court to enter
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up an order directing their Clerk to hand over to him, as admn the whole of the $320 Bk paper, which motion the Court granted and entered up - But the Clerk, McCarty finding himself getting into too hot a place of cross firings of suits - moved the Court to recind the order which they accordingly did and so Leonards pension at this time is hung aloft with himself - E.D. and T.D. scrambling after it - He for his pitance of $80 - and TD. and E Daniel not only for the balance $210 - but the whole $320 including the $80 - $80 being missing - as appears by the motion made by the admn with TDs order & the order itself - E. Daniel as I understand, putting up a claim of hundreds against the estate of Drake for boarding & - As a sperament of the spirit and feelings that exist amid these transaction, I will only mention, that the admn has since become such, generously offered the liberal compromise to the old pensioner of taking $60 - out of his $400 and surrendering his pretentions to $340 all of which had not Hell [discussed] $ sent abroad to Vampyres to feed upon the gratitude, this government laudiable intended for the poor and meritorious servento f past purer days, he is as much entitled to as the $80 which he only claims, and I guess but do not know, had this compromise, of giving $340 of his own money to get $60 of his own, been accomplished, the proceeds, would have found a division in the pockets of the first contractor and the representative of the second or worse Leonard been left to defend his little farm & home against the effects of the written order T.D received upon Drake for all excepting one years draw the above pocketing the whole leaving the order to legal operation - And I fear - I much fear that because Leonard has absolutely declined and refused to have any thing further to do with either T.D. or E.D. and is contending and reposes his reliance else where, to get his hard earned pittance, and in vengeance of this his ungenerous and selfish effort, and attenpt (I do not say it will be done but I fear) will be made to serve him as poor ole Gibson was served, to have by some means or other his name stricken from the pension roll - and of this he has by way of consolation already been I am informed, admonished - And this if attempted will be by imposition upon those who have the power; and to prevent the imposition and you from becoming an innocent instrument I have written this letter; and ask you to transmit it enclosed to the war department at Washington: if for nothing more than, should the attempt be made, it may per possibility have the effect of a precaution[ary] and
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Falmouth Ky
10 June
[illegible] 20 Ct.
Lewis Sanders Esq
US Attorney Frankfort
Ky.

Procure, to Leonard, at least a notice and a hearing before condemnation and punishment.
Respectfully yours 
S. Jno Houser
Please inform me of your deposition of this letter  so soon as its closing request is either conformed to or declined.