Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6614, Michael Downs, Md.
Page 1

Service - Md.
Downs, Michael
McCaw, Margaret
Former Widow
Number R6614
Page 2

Declaration
In order to obtain to benefit of the 3rd Section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836 and of the First Section of the act 3rd of March 1837
State of Kentucky
County of Gallatin

On this Eleventh day of September before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Galatin the state of Kentucky Margaret McCaw a Resident of the County of Galatin and state of Kentucky - Aged Seventy Five years and is unable by Reason of bodily infirmity to appear in ort who being [illegible[duly sworn preceding to law doth under her oath make the following declaration [illegible]  is obtain the benefit of the fore [illegible] made by the act of Congress
[too light - illegible]

To Michael Downs who was a Regular soldier
[illegible] mouths after their marriage took place on the Maryland Continental Line and she does not recollect what Battles he was in and he was sat home over on a Furlow and Remained about two weeks, she well recollects
the dificulties she encountered and of his being in the service after their marriage took place during the was of the Revolution, and of his being honourably discharged which discharge with all of his papers was consumed by Fire about 21 years ago when their house and all they had in it was consumed by Fire

She is unable by Reason of her great age and Loss of Memory to state under what officers he served but do well know he was in the services suring the war of the Revolution and she refers to the Records for evidence of the Fact. She Further Declars she was married to the said Michael Downs in the County of Montgomery and State of Maryland January 
seventeen Hundred and Eighty one and caused diligent search
Page 3

and Enquirin ro be made For Record evidence evidence of her mariage and has not been able to obtain any and prays that the evidence that can be produced may be Received in her case.
She Further states she was married to the said Michael Downs by the Rev. Mr Threlkeld and she is informed and believes that the Record of the said county of Montgomery and State of Maryland has no Records of Marriages of an Old a date as hers and her Bible with her Family Record was consumed by Fire when their house was Burnt, and she prays that the best evidence that can be produced may be received in her case, and she Refers to the Records for evidence of her Husbands Services. The Aforesaid Michael Downs and that he departed this life some time in March seventeen Hundred and Eighty Nine, and that she was afterwards married to John McCaw who died on the  last day of July 1805 and that she was a widow on the 4th July 1836, and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by Reference to the proof hereto summarised.

Given under my hand this 11th day of Sept. 1838
                her
Margaret P. McCaw 
               mark

County of Gallatin  }
State of Kentucky  }
On this 11th day of September 1838 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Margaret McCaw an aged and Respectable lady of Gallatin County State of Kentucky and by Reason of her Great age and her Bodily infirmity she is unable to appear in Court and is well known to me to be a woman of Truth Piety and Respectability and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the Foregoing Declaration before me I do further Certify that from my Long Personal acquaintance with her that I do most Fully Concur in the belief of the truth of the Foregoing Declaration made by her the day and
Page 4

date above written
Given under my hand this 11th day of Sept 1838
John Castleman J.P.G.C.

We the undersigned neighbors of Margaret McCaw
have examined the Declaration made
by her from our personal acquaintance
with her we believe It contains the truth in
Furtherance state that from our personal
acquaintance with her she is a Lady of Respectability
and piety and that she is a widow and has
Remained so since the year 1836 and that
John McCaw died at about the time as 
stated in her Declaration
Mathew Dormon
W.C. Brown
Pleasant Carolton

On this day personally appeared before me
the undersigned a justice of the peace in
and for the county of Galatan [Gallatin] Kentucky
Mathew Dormon W.C. Brown and Pleasant
Carolton known to me to be a person of Respectability
and Truth and subscribed and made
oath to the truth of the Foregoing affidavit
before me
Given from under my hand this 11th day of Sept 1838
John Castleman J.P.G.C.
Page 5

Gallatin County SS I, John T. Robinson Clk proterm for the County
Court for the County aforesaid do certify that John Casselman
Esq.
before whom (illegible)  was at the time of signing the within
Certificates and is yet an acting Justice of the peace in and for
the County of Gallatin and that due faith and credit is and
ought to be given to all his official acts as such
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
Subscribed my name and affixed my seal of
Office at (illegible) 12th Sept AD. 1838.
Jno T Robinson
GCC

V3826
Margaret McCaw
Kentucky
formerly widow of Michael Downs

3826
Margaret McCaw
formerly widow of
Michael Downs
KY

Act 4 July 36P
March '37
Page 6

Amended Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3d Section of the
Act at the 4th of July 1836 and the first section of the
Act 3d of March 1837

County of Gallatin
State of Kentucky

On this Day personally appeared
before me the undersign a Justice of the Peace in
and for the County aforesaid Margret McCow
a Resident of the county of Gallatin State of Kentucky
who being very old weak and infirm
both in body mind and memory and being
Duly Sworn according to Law She doth
make the following declaration In order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress Passed July 4 1836
and the act explanatory to the said Act passed
March the 3d 1837 She sates [states] that she was the
widow of Michael Downs and that he was a
Regular Soldier on the Maryland During the war
of the Revolution and that she was married to 
him during his services and afterwards to John
McCaw and was a widow on the 4th of July 1836
and has remained a widow ever since as
Set fourth in her former Declaration and she
Has after heard Her Husband the Said Michael
Downs speak of the officers he was under and
various transaction which took place during
his services and well know that he was in the
services after their marriage took place as
has been stated by her but in consequence of her great
age and loss of mind and memory at this great [illegible]
of time she is unable to state the officers under
whom he served on any Particulars more than she has stated in
her former declaration and she refers to the
Page 7

Records for evidence of his services her Husband the
aforesaid Michiel Downs having been dead so long that
it makes it much more difficult to specify his
services or prove her marriage than if he had
died recently She has been informed that persons who
was well acquainted with him as entirely forgoten [forgotten]
him it being almost fifty years since he
departed this life She well knows she was married
to the said Michiel Downs and that he was a Soldier
of the Revloution after her marriage to him
and she prays that the best evidence that can be
produced may be received in her case and a 
Pension granted to her a poor widow of a Soldier
of the revolution given from under my hand this
7th Day of November 1858
Margaret x ^her mark^ McCaw

County of Gallatin
State of Kentucky
On this day personally appeared
before me the undersign a Justice of the Peace in and for
the County aforesaid Margret McCaw a resident of the
County of Gallatin State of Kentucky and by reason of her great
age and bodily infirmity she is unable to appear in 
Court and is well known to me to be a woman of the 
Strickest purity and truth and respectability and is
very weak in body mind and memory in consequence
of her great age and subscribed and made oath to the
Truth of the foregoing declaration before me I do further
certify taht from my personal acquaintance
with her and her family I do most fully concur in the
belief of the truth of the Declaration He served
or interlined before signing Given from under my
hand this 7th day of November 1838
John Castleman J.P.G.C.
Page 8

We the undersign neighbours of Margret McCaw
State that we have been long acquainted with her
and well know her to be a woman of respectability 
truth and piety and that she was a widow on
the Fourth Day of July Eighteen Hundred and thirty
six and has remained a widower ever since that
Period and that we have Examined the Declaration
made by her and do most fully concur in the
belief of the truth of it and recomend [recommend]
her to the Department as a suitable person to
obtain the benefit of the Law of Congress granting
Pensions to widows of the Revolution given from
under our hands this 7th Day of November 1838
Polly Downs
Mathew Dormon
Lantia A Dormon

County of Gallatin
State of Kentucky
On this day Personally appeared before me the undersigned
a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Gallatin and
state aforesaid Polly Downs Mather Dormon Lantia A
Dormon aged and respectable persons and well known
to me to me persons of truth and subscribed and made oath
to the truth of the foregoing affidavit before me this 7th
day of Nov 1838
John Castlman J.P.G.C.

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Gallatin County Sct" I John T. Robinson clk notino Gallatin
County Court Do Certify John Castleman was at the time of
signing the above certificate and still is an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for Gallatin County and that due faith is and ought
to be given to all his official acts as such and that the signature
purporting to be his is in his own proper handwriting
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal of office this 7th day of Novr 1837.
Jn T Robinson JP Notary
Page 9

REJECTED
6614
P.O.______
Margaret McCaw
Service:  Former Widow
Michael Downs
ENLISTED _______, 18
DISCHARGED: ______, 18
APPLICATION FILED ______, 18
ALLEGES ______
RE-ENLISTED ______
ATTORNEY _____
P.O. _____
_____RECOGNIZED  _____CONTRACT
_____CERT OF DIS. SEARACHED FOR _____, 18
Page 10

V
Margaret McCaw
Kentucky
6614
Suspended

See let 18 Oct 38
L. C. Suggett
let. 5 Feb 1839 Hon
R. M. Johnson
Let 12 March 1839
S.C. Suggett
se Let to Hon J. Tallaferro
Apr 11, 1840
let 23 Nov 40 St C Clarke

Act 4 July 186
Page 11

Margaret McCaw
July 10 - 1840
Report versus-- No 664

Feby 10. 1840
Com Revy Pensions

Mr W.O. Butler
Page 12

U. Congress
Act. Pension

Congress of the United States
In the House of Representatives
February 10. 1840

On motion of Mr. W.O. Butler
Resolved. That the Committee
on Revolutionary Pensions, be instructed
to enquire into the propriety of granting
a pension to Mrs Margaret McCaw,
Widow of Michael Downes, a private,
whose declaration, and papers are now
on file in the office of the Commissioner
of Pensions
Attest
H. A. Garland
Clerk
Page 13

Col R M Johnson
Washington City          [????]
                [DC]
Page 14

Georgetown Scott Co Ky Set 30th 1840
Dear Sir
In the case of Mrs Mary Harrison
widow of Joseph Harrison Aditional [additional]evidence
has been forward to the Department
form the Land Office of Virginia showing
that he was allowed land for the war
this you know to be a just claim

In the case of Mrs Lydia Rogers I refer
you to the papers in her case

In the case of Soloman Jarve you will
see from evidence in his case that he 
ought to have a pension he is a poor old
man in has made you a Power of
Attorney with many others

You no doubt was well acquainted with 
old Nathaniel Lander whose widow
Sally Lander has applied for a Pension
I refer you to the widower also
in the case of Mrs Jenett McClair the 
widow of Thomas McClair

In the cases of Mrs Margrett McCaw widow of
Michael Down and Martha Conly widow of Arthur
Conly Aditional [additional] evidence has been produ[page cut off here]
for a decision

In the case of Mrs Crestler I refer you
to the papers the inclosed papers refer
to various other Claims your HC
Lewis C Suggett
over
Page 15

Mrs Jain Johnson formly [formerly] widow of of
Samuel Cooper of the Coconty
the father of Capt Cooper you can
see the widow produced in her case
you was well acquainted with him
Page 16

[envelope]
[round black stamp inscribed as follows: GEORGETOWN DEC 12]

Free
Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

[vertically on left side of the page, follows]
Dec 18
Ken.
addl decln.
Margt. McCow
4 July No. 3,826
out
Page 17

Georgetown Scott Co Ny Dec 10th 1838

Dear Sir
The Enclosed is forward in support
of Mrs Margret McCows Claim for the Benefit of
the 4 of July 1836 with Explantory Act of 1837
It is hoped that the most Liberal Construction
of the Rules of the Department will be given
in her case your with great Respect
Lewis C Suggett

Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC
Page 18

Mr James Remington & Allexander Lewis of
Harrison County Kentucky State that we resided
in the County of Montgomery State of Maryland
during the war of the Revolution and was
well acquainted with Michael Downs
and we know that he was a Regular Soldier
in the Maryland Continental line during
the war of the Revolution and that he was
married to Margaret Lewis in Seventeen Hundred
and Eighty one and was in the Service  after
their marriage took place as a Soldier on the 
Maryland Line during the war of the Revolution
and that the Said Michael Downs dDeparted
this Life Some short time after the Close of the
war and she was afterwards married to one
John McCow who has been dead for more
than twenty years and she has Remained a 
Widow ever since his Death and now resides in
Gallaton [Gallatin] County Kentucky and we know the
above account to be true of our own Personal Knowledge
and that Margaret McCow formerly Margaret
Downs is a woman of Respectability and Truth
Given from under our hands this 24 of December
1838. James REmington
Alexr Lewis

State of Kentucky
Harrison County } Sct
On this day personally appeared before the
undersigned a Justice of the peace in & for the
County afsd. James Remmington & Alexander
Lewis aged and respectable men and well 
known to me to be persons of truth and
subscribed their names and made oath
to the truth contained in the above affidavit
Given under my hand
this 24th day of December 1838
David Woodruff J.P.
Page 19

State of Kentucky
Harrison County } Ss
Thomas B Woodyard Clerk Protempore [pro tempore]of the
County aforesaid do certify that David Woodruff
is an acting Justice of the Peace for the County
of Harrison and that his signature is genuine
and that full faith and credit is and of
right ought to be given to all of his official
acts as such

In Testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my
seal of office this 24th
day of Decr 1838 -
and the 47th year of
the Commonwealth
Th B Woodyard Clk [illegible]
Page 20

[envelope]
[round black stamp; top left, inscribed: [illegible]RETOWN DEC [illegible]]

Free
Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC

[vertically on left side of this page, follows]
Jan. 5 1839
Ky
Addl proof
Margaret McCow
formr. widow of
Michael Downs.
Page 21

Georgetown Scott Co Ky Dec 28. 1838

Dear Sir
The enclosed is in support of the
Claim of Mrs Marget McCow for the
Benefit of the Act of July 4 1836
with the Explanatory act of 1838
which I confidentialy [confidently] hope will
be entirely satisfactory
Yours very Respy
Lewis C Suggett

Hon Jamres L Edward
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City
D.C.
Page 22

McCaw
Page 23

War Department
Pension Office
October 18, 1838

Sir,
The declaration in the case of Mrs.
Margaret McCaw formerly the widow of Michael
Downs decd. has been examined and filed with suspended
cases. Before a final decision can be had
in her case she should state the service performed,
and prove her marriage as required in the enclosed
printed sheet. In the absence of record
or documentary proof of the period of marriage
it is indispensably necessary that it
should be proved by witnesses from personal
knowledge.
I am, Very respectfully Yr. Mo. Obt. St.
J L Edwards

L.C. Suggett Esq
Georgetown 
Kentucky
Page 24

Land Office, Annapolis, 15th Octr.  1838.

Sir,
Your letter of the 3rd Inst, with the declaration of Mrs. Margaret McCaw, enclosed, was received. I have examined very carefully the Muster and Pay rolls of the Maryland Continental troops, and they afford no evidence of the service of Michael Downs, his name does not appear upon the Rolls - He may possibly have served in Some Militia Corps, but the rolls of the Militia troops are very imperfect, and I cannot ascertain without being informed of the names of the officers under whom he served.

Very respectfully,
Yr. Obt. Servt.
G. G. Brewer

J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
Page 25

Margaret Mc Caw
Ky
Act 4 July 36
3 March 37 ~

Free
[round black stamp inscribed: GEORGETOWN KY SEP 15]
Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City
D. C.

[vertically on left side of the page, follows]
3826
Ken
4 July 1836. Lft 24
Page 26

Georgetown Scott Co Ky Sept 16th 1838

Dear Sir
I enclose you the Declaration of
Mrs Marget McCaw Widow of the lat Michael
Down for the Benefit of the act of Congress
of July 4. 1836 with the Explanation act
of 1837 She thinks she can produce Evidence
of her marriage and that the Records
will show his service
Yours very Resply
Lewis C Suggett

Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City
D. C

NB
Please to Direct your Communications
to the Great Crossings Scott
County Kentucky 
L C S