Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16730, Josiah Collins, Md.
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE 
Md.
CONTENTS 

Collins, Josiah 
NUMBER 
S. 16730 
carded
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19368
Indiana 
Josiah Collins 
Decature Co in the State of Ind 
who was a pr in the Co comman[ded]
by Captain Ratcliff of the Regt commanded 
by Col Croford in the Md 
line for 8 Mos 

Inscribed on the Roll of Ina
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Augt 1833 and Sent to 
N F Robinson Shelbyville 

Arrears to the 4th of March  53.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 13.33 
[total]  $66.65 

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Danl Boyd  Clerk 
Book E vol. 7 Page 107

Date of death not on A.B.
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State of Indiana 
Decatur County  }Sct 
On this twenty fourth day of October A.D. 1832 personally 
appeared in open Court before the Honourable 
the Judges of the Decatur Circuit Court in and for 
the County of Decatur aforesaid Josiah Collins a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged 
seventy five 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 pension act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 
That he the said Josiah Collins was born in 
Worcester County in the State of Maryland in the year 
1757 on the 19th day of April. That as near as he can 
recollect he volunteered as a private soldier under 
Capt John Ratliff in the Autumn of the year 1777 for 
the purpose of guarding a magazine at Salisbury from 
the depredations of the Tories. That in this engagement he served 
thirteen days. He does not remember the name of the Regiment 
to which he was attached: but remembers that General Hoope[?] 
was present where he served as the highest officer. He does 
not remember any other field officers, nor any officers of the 
Regular Army, nor dose [does] he believe there was any portion 
of the Regular Army in said place. At this time he lived in 
Worcester County Md. the place of his birth. In the 
next year, still residing at the same place, he volunteered 
under the same captain for 5 or 6 days, to defend the neighbourhood 
of Annamessia, where the English army had landed[?] 
to plunder. When they arrived at the place the enemy had 
fled, but several Tories were taken prisoner by his company
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in the year 1779 he removed to Washington County in the 
State of Pennsylvania. In the year 1781 as nearly as he remembers 
and in Harvest time of said year, living at the place last 
named, he volunteered under Capt Joshua Right, for the 
purpose of guarding the people of Turner’s fort in cutting 
and putting away their crops. At this time he was engaged 
ten days & shortly afterward three days in pursuit 
of a party of Indians which had murdered a family in his 
neighbourhood named Walker. They killed three of the Indians Their captain in the last brief expedition was John Walls. 
He does not remember the names of any officers either of the Regular 
army or of the Militia, except Major Hood who met their 
company at Turner’s fort & who himself killed one of the three 
Indians. About the middle of May in the year 1782 as 
he thinks and the spring ensuing the capture of Cornwallis 
he again volunteered under Capt James Munn, for the 
purpose of expelling the Wyandote Indians from the frontier 
The only field officers who were engaged in this expedition 
whose names he remembers were Colonel Crawford & Colonel 
Williamson. On the fourth or fifth day of June in the same y[ear] 
1782 & during the same engagement they came in contact with the Indians on Sandusky 
Plains in the State of Ohio, where a battle was fought and the 
Whites defeated. On the evening of the day ensuing the battle 
he was taken prisoner by four Indians, being a portion of a party 
of Eight. He learned that the princip[al] leader of the Indians 
in the contest just mentioned wa[s a W]hite man called 
Simon Gerty. The party, which had [capt]ured him, retained 
him three days & then delivered him up to the English traders 
and rangers at Lower Sandusky. He was taken by these as a 
prisoner, through Canada, to New York, where he did not 
arrive till the fourth day of December following. On the Eighth 
day of the same months he was discharged at Dobb's Ferry on 
North river, from which place he immediately returned home 
to Washington County Penna, where he arrived on the 23d 
day of January 1783, after an absence of more than eight 
months, of which time he was prisoner more than six months 
the whole period of his several services amounting to about 
nine months and an half. He has no documentary evidence 
of his services, having never received any written discharge, nor
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does he know of any person now living who can testify as to 
his services. But would refer to Robert Ross, John Motton, & Thomas Paley 
as persons to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood, 
who can testify as to his character for veracity 
and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution 
He has not in his possession any record of his age, having 
left it with his daughter in the State of Kentucky. He lived in 
Washington County Pennsylvania till the year 1794 when 
he removed to Bourbon County in the State of Kentucky. [?]
resided there till the spring of 1822 he removed to Decatur 
County in the State of Indiana, where he now lives.
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 any state or territory 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Josiah Collins 

We John Molton & John Thomson do hereby certify 
that we are well acquainted with Josiah Collins who has 
subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe 
him to be seventy five years of age; 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. 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid John Thomson 
John Moulton 

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 [revo]lutionary soldier & served as he 
states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them 
that it is impossible for the said Josiah Collins to bring into 
Court a clergyman of his vicinity as the only one who knows him is 
absent from the county. That the above named John Molton & 
John Thomson who have signed the foregoing certificate are residents of Decatur County and are credible persons and that
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their statement is worthy of credit 
M.C. Eggleston [?] Judge
James Elder [?] D. C
John Brion PG D C

I Henry H. Talbot Clerk of the Decatur Circuit Court do 
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings 
of the said Court in the matter of the application of 
Josiah Collins for a pension. That the above named Miles C. Eggleston, 
John Bryson, & James Elder are judges of the above 
named court, and that the above signatures are their genuine 
signatures, and that the aforesaid court is a Court of record 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal of my said office the day & year aforesaid 
Henry H. Talbott, ck

Josiah Collins 
17251 
I do hereby appoint H. F. Robison of Shelbyville Ind. 
my attorney to transact all business with the War Department 
respecting the above application for a pension, and 
for me to receive the same by mail if it be allowed 
Josiah Collins [handwritten] seal

[Miscellaneous calculation]
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Josiah Collins Pension
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The amended declaration of Josiah Collins to obtain the 
benefit of the provisions made by the pension act of congress 
passed June 7th 1832.

State of Indiana Decatur County Sct 
On this 24th day of April 1833 personally appeared 
in open court before the honourable the Judges of the Decatur Circuit Court in & for said County Josiah Collins the 
applicant in the original declaration, hereto prefixed & 
to which the present is an amendment, who being first 
duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he served in the 
revolutionary war as follows to wit 1st— at the time 
first mentioned in the original declaration to wit in the 
autumn of the year 1777 he served as a private soldier 
thirteen days. 2nd. At the time secondly mentioned in said 
[Or]iginal declaration, to wit in the next year (1778) he 
[se]rved five days as a private soldier. 3 At the time thirdly 
mentioned in said original declaration - to wit in harvest time 
in the year 1781 he served ten days as a private soldier, and 
sometime afterwards, he thinks the same fall, he served as stated 
in said declaration three days as a private soldier. 4 At the 
time fourthly mentioned in said declaration to wit from about 
the middle May 1782 to wit the 20th of May 1782. The spring ensuing the capture of Cornwallis 
he served as sergeant of militia Eight months and 
three days of which time he was prisoner from the 6th of June 
to the 28th of December, a period of six months and twenty two 
days-- the balance of the eight months & three days-- to wit, 
one month and eleven days he was engaged in actual service 
and in going out & returning home. He had engaged for one 
month, but on account of the peculiar circumstances attending 
the engagement believes himself entitled to an allowance for eight 
months and three days. He returned home on the 23rd day 
of January 1783. The whole period of his service amounts as a 
private to thirty one days and as a Sergeant to eight 
months and three days making in the whole nine months 
and four days. He was a volunteer in each engagement. 
and at each time served in the Militia.
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he served during these engagements at the times & places & under the officers 
mentioned in the original declaration, & in corps called out by the proper 
authority, & during said service was not engaged in any civil pursuit.
He perceives that in the originally declaration a slight 
error was unintentionally made, as to the time when he arrived 
in New York & was discharged from imprisonment. The former is stated to be on the fourth & the latter on the eighth of December whereas, this should be, the twenty fourth & the twenty eighth. for the above services he claims a pension. 
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
Josia Collins 

Mr James Freeman a Clergyman, residing in Greensburg 
Decatur County Indiana, and John Thomson residing in 
the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted 
with Josiah Collins who has subscribed and sworn to the 
above amended declaration, & also the original declaration 
that we believe him to have been seventy five years of age 
in October last when he made said declaration, that he 
is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides 
to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur 
in that opinion. 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. James Freeman 
John Thomson 

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 as stated on the original declaration that the 
above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & 
served as he states. And the Court further certifies that 
it appears to them that James Freeman who has signed 
the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in 
the town of Greensburg Decatur County Indiana and that John 
Thomson who has signed the same is a resident of the 
same place in the neighbourhood of said Collins, & is a credible 
person & that their statement is worthy of credit. 
M.C. Eggleston Pres. Judge 
John Brison As J
James Elder A. J.
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I Henry H. Talbott Clerk of the Decatur Circuit Court 
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the amended 
proceedings & and the sheet hereto attached & certified 
the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter 
of the application of Josiah Collins for a pension. That the 
above named Miles C. Egleston, John Byson
and 
James Elder are judges of said Court and that 
the above signatures are their genuine signatures, 
and that the aforesaid Court is a Court of record  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal of my said office the day & year aforesaid 
Henry H. Talbott Ck.

J.L. Edwards 
Dr. Sir. I received the return of Josiah Collins’ papers as I was 
on the eve of staring [starting] to attend court in this place, & have accordingly 
been [unable?] to make the required amendments promptly 
That you may not be under the receipt of examining the 
whole case. I return with the declaration you [?].
You will perceive from it that but two objections to the 
admission of the claim existed both of which have been 
removed. You will please to direct your reply to me 
at Shelbyville, Shelby County, Indiana 
H. F. Robison 
Atty for applicant
Greensburg (Ia) April 24th 1833
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17251 
Josiah Collins 
Decatur Co 
Indiana 
from 1777 private 
8 month.
5
$26.66/100 

No allowance can be made 
for time travelling from place 
of discharge which occupied a 
period of from 8 Dec to 23 Jany 
follows neither can an 
allowance be made for 
[?] of a Sagt. [Seargent] no mention having 
been made of his services in 
that capacity in his first declaration 

N. F. Robison 
Shelbyville 
Shelby Co 
Indiana
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Brief in the case of Josiah Collins of Decatur County in the state of Indiana
(Act 7th June 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? COURT
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed:
Period
1. Volunteer in 1777
2. " in 1778
3. " in 1781
4. " in 1781
5. " in 1782
Duration of Service
1. 13 days
2. 5 or 6 days
3. 10 days
4. 3 days
5. more than 8 months
Rank
1 thru 5 - as Private
Names of General and Field Officers under Whom he served:
1. Capt. Ratcliff
2. Capt. Ratcliff
3. Capt. Wright
4. Capt. Walls
5. Capt. Munn Col Crawford

The whole service about 9-1/2 months more than 6 mos. of which a prisoner.

5. In what battles was he engaged? - BLANK
6. Where did he reside when he entered the Service? Worchester County, Maryland
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence or by the rolls? TRADITIONARY
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? CORRECT
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

J E Bradford
Examining Clerk
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June 11, 1935.
Miss Emma A. Dowell 
Greensburg, Indiana. 

Illegible /ILL
Josiah Collins
S. 16730

Dear Madam: 

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Josiah Collins and Randolph Lee, the latter, you state, received military land grant in Kentucky on account of said service. 

There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file which has been made to the United States based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Randolph Lee. The land to which you refer may have been granted by the state from which he served. The record of Josiah Collins is given as shown in pension claim, S. 16720, based upon his service in that war. 

Josiah Collins was born April 19, 1757, in Worcester County, Maryland; the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Worcester County, Maryland, he volunteered in the autumn of 1777 and served thirteen days under Captain John Ratliff, guarding a magazine at Salisbury; sometime in 1778, he enlisted and served five days as private in the same company, in the neighborhood of Annapolis. In 1779, he moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted there in “harvest time” 1781, and served ten days in Captain Joshua Right's company, and three days under Captain John Walls against a party of Indians who had murdered a family there. He enlisted about May 20, 1782, served as sergeant in Captain James Horn's company, in the expedition against the Wyandotte Indians under Colonels Crawford and Williamson, was in the battle of Sandusky, the day following, was taken prisoner by the Indians and was held three days, when he was delivered to English traders, carried to Canada, thence to New York and was discharged December 8, 1782, at Dobb's Ferry
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Josiah Collins resided in Washington County, Pennsylvania, until 1794, then moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky, and remained until the spring of 1822, at which time he moved to Decatur County, Indiana. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 24, 1832, at which time he resided in Decatur County, Indiana. 

At the time the soldier made application for pension, he referred to his daughter in Kentucky, but he did not state her name. The name of his wife is not given, nor the date and place of their marriage. 

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER, 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

[page number] 2
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Greensburg, Indiana 5-27-1935

Dear Sirs,
  Will you kindly inform me about the services of Josiah Collins, 1757 - 1841, (wife Eleanor Hopkins) who served in state troops, Maryland, in Revolution, who is said to have received pensions in 1831, while living here in Decatur Co., where both he & his wife are buried.
  Also service of Randolph Lee of Va. 1757-1822, (wife Jane Carson), who served in Va. 3 years * received military land grant for same in Ky. where he died in Flemming Co. 1822. Did he have pension?  There were 9 children, William, Isabella, Alex,
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Adam, Agnes, Jane, Elizabeth, Theophilus, Nancy. 
  Thanking you in advance for information concerning these two Revolutionary soldiers, I am, 
Yours truly,
(Miss) Emma A. Donnell
(Past Vise-Regnet Indiana D.A.R.)
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WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
9 April 1833 
SIR:
I return herewith the papers in support of the claims of the person whose name is hereto annexed. 

These papers are in several respects defective. This case is accompanied by a brief. The objections are contained in the negative answers, in red ink, given to the questions. 

Particular attention should be paid to the accompanying regulations and to the explanatory notes subjoined to the brief. 

The extraordinary press of business in this office, arising from the great number of claims under the act of June 7, 1832, has hitherto prevented us from attending to the applications sent by you. The investigation of the cases presented under this law has been difficult and laborious, and notwithstanding the greatest exertions have been made by this Department, an earlier attention to your business has been found impracticable. 

The brief has been prepared to meet all cases, and thus to save the excessive labor which would otherwise be imposed upon the office, and which would consume so much time as to render the delay two fold greater than it now is in the investigation of claims and writing letters. Each case is considered correct in all respects except in relation to those questions to which a negative answer is affixed. No other alteration or addition will be required. 
I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J L Edwards 

N. F. Robison Esq 
Shelbyville 
Shelby Co
Inda.
Jsaiah [Josiah] Collins
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Brief objections to the admission of pension claim of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Josiah Collins of Decatur County, Indiana which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? - YES

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? - YES

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? - BLANK

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? - YES

V. Has he mentioned 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? - NO

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? - YES

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? - YES

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? - YES

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? - YES

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? – YES
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? - NO

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reasons assigned for not obtaining it? - YES

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? - YES

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

BLANK

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? - BLANK

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? - YES

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them s not so answered? - ALL ANSWERED

Explanatory Notes

Quere V. 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, etc. 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."
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1935 June 11. Hist. Miss Emma Donnell [?]

16730
INVALID.
No. 16 .730 
Josiah Collins 
Pri Rev War 
 Act: June 7th 32 
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 439 
[Arrangement of 1870.]