Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 2956, for William Mc Neely, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn.
CONTENTS
McNeely, William
or
Maneely
Jane
NUMBER
W 2956
Page 2

4649
Pennsylvania
Pitts

Jane McNeely
widow of Wm McNeely
who was a priv.
in the Penna Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
28 Dollars 96
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
twenty fourth day of Jany 1844
and sent to
Thomas McKeevor
West Middletown
Pa

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 136
Page 3

4955
Pitts burgh Agency

William McNeely


of - in the State of Pennsylvania
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Gardner of the Rej commanded
by Col in the Pennsylvania
line for Private 8 mo & 21 days - $28.96

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency
at the rate of 28 Dollars 96 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of January
1833 and put to Hon J. M. T. Mc Kinnim. House Reps

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 -
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 1833 - 
 $43.44
14.48
$57.92
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Vinal Luce Clerk,
Book D Vol. 2 Page 200
Page 4

William McNeely senr. came to
America in August in the year
of our Lord 1773

27
36
63
13
76
Page 5

Marriages

William McNeely and Jane Moore
was married July 18th in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and ninety one.

37
36
73
Page 6

Wm. Mc.Neely
Admitted
Private
8 mo. 21 [illegible]
$28.96
Hon'ble T.M.T. McKennan
Ho. Reps.
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of William McNeely
of Washington Co. in the State of Pennsylvania
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Com. Pleas

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 71 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. | Rank. As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.]
In 1777 Sept. 5 | " 2 " | Private | Capt. Gardner, Pa. Mil
" Dec. | " 2 " | " | " Grimes " " 
[blank] "2 " | " | ""
1778 Sept | " 2 21 | " | " " Major Bratow
At other times a few days at a time
[end table]

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chester Co. Pa.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary, No clergyman

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Brown
Examining Clerk.
Page 8

Declaration of William McNeely in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832

Pennsylvania
Washington County ss

On this 23d day of
January AD 1833 personally appeared in open Court before
the Honble the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now
setting, William McNeely a resident of Hopewell
Township in the County and State aforesaid aged
about seventy one years, who being first duly sworn 
according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following
declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

I entered the service
of the United States under the following named
officers and served as herein stated

I was born in Ireland in
the Kingdom of Great Britain, the exact time I never
did ascertain, but it must have been in the year 1761, for
my father informed me when I arrived in America in
1774 that I was then thirteen years old. This was in
August of that year my mother long afterwards told
me that I was born on the 24th of June but she could
not reccollect the year Taking these two accounts 
together I must have been seventy one years of age on
the 24th of June 1832 - I have no record of my age
and never had nor do I believe my father ever kept ┃
any family record whatever

When I was called into the
service I lived in Chester County Pennsylvania on
little Brandywine Creek forty five miles from
Philadelphia During the first three years after the
termination of the revolutionary war I lived in Chester
County at the same place I resided when I was
Page 9

called into the service, after which I removed west of
the Allegheny mountains to Fayette County Pa
where I resided, in the neighbourhood of Brownsville
for one year, I then crossed the Monongahela into
Washington County Pa and lived in Strabane Township
for four years. I then removed to Hopewell
Township where I now reside and have resided ever
since;  being 42 years next April

I served four several
campaigns during the revolution - my first term which
was for two months I was drafted as a private
- my second which was also for two month I was
drafted and a private - my third term I was a
substitute and was out two months also -  my fourth
tour of duty I was a substitute and was out
in the service two months and three weeks

The first term of my service commenced about the
fifth of September 1777, which was five or six
days before the battle of "Brandywine". The cap.
under whom I marched on this occasion
was named John Gardner - the first Lieut Nathaniel
Irwin - the second Lieut Alexander Irwin - I am
now unable to recollect the names of the Major &
Colonel of the Regiment, and John Allen is the only
Captain of the Regiment I can now recollect in 
addition to the Capt of my own company during this
tour we marched from Chester County directly to a
place called the "Iron Hill" near the head of Elk which
place I believe is in the State of Maryland at Iron
Hill we had a skirmish with a superior force of
British regulars and were compelled to retreat with
considerable loss In this affair I was slightly wounded
in the calf of my right leg by a musket ball
From Iron Hill we retreated to, and rendevouzed
at, New Ark in the State of Deleware, about
Page 10

eight miles from the scene of action on the
next morning after our discomfiture at the Iron Hill
our forces were pretty generally collected at New
Ark, from which place we marched directly to
Christana (or Christeen) Bridge in the rear of Washington
where we encamped for the night. on the next
morning we again took up our line of march
for the Brandywine, Washington having got the
main army across that creek, having now accomplished
the object he had in view, it was
no longer necessary to keep the troops to whom
I was attached, for a rear guard to obstruct
the progress of the enemie's forces he therefore 
ordered us to cross the Brandywine and join
the main army. We crossed the Brandywine I think
it was on the 10th of September and the next day
the British forces having come up with the
Army under Washington the battle of 
Brandywine was fought. I was not actually engaged
in this battle; after my wound in the leg. I was 
considered unfit for the duties of the line, and was
attached to the baggage guard. In this battle
Genl La Fayette was wounded - Genl Washington at
night ordered fires to be lighted up to decieve
Cornwallis and his army and commenced his
retreat towards the "Gulph Mills" on the Schuylkill
where he took up his winter quarters, the English
having taken possession of Philadelphia

The Company to which I was attached laid at the "Gulph Mills"
until its term of service expired ^ I think think this was the first week of Nov. 2 when it was
discharged and we returned home to Chester
County. There is one fact which it may not
be [illegible] here to mention, while we were 
encamped at the mills Mrs Washington paid
a visit to the General and remained in
camp several days if not weeks-
Page 11

The company had not been at home more than
two or three weeks I think until we were drafted
for a second term of two months and 
ordered back to the "Gulph Mills," where we arived
about the first of December 1777 During this tour the
Company was commanded by Capt John
Grimes our former capt having been elected
Major; our Lieuts were the same as in my first
tour The company remained about two weeks
at the "Mills," and was then ordered to march
to the Hospital at the yellow Springs 6 or 7 miles from
Downingstown where it was stationed
for the remainder of the two months for which
it was called out, at the end of which ^about the first of Feb 1778 I
was discharged, another Company having
arived to take its place

The third time I entered
the service for two months as a substitute for 
Samuel Aston who had been drafted in the Chester
County Militia During this tour my company
officers were the same, that commanded
while out on the second tour Viz Capt John
Grimes 1st Lieut Nathaniel Irwin & Lieut 
Alexander Irwin. The company was marched
directly to the yellow Springs where we 
arrived about the first of June 1878 - at this place
we laid for one or two weeks to take care
of and guard the Hospital. From the Yellow
springs we were marched to the bank of
the Schuylkill where the company was divided
into small squads to protect the
farmers and others from being abused and
plundered by the tories and British. Captain
John Allen's company was also on the
Schuylkill at this time engaged in the same
service the company remained an
Page 12

the Schuylkill, sometimes encamped, sometimes
marching, and some times chasing, catching, and
punishing the tories and at other times skirmishing
with small parties of the English soldiers who came
out on plundering excurtions, until its term of
service expired, when it was discharged and
we returned to our homes ^In the first week in August Just at the and of wheat harvest During this service the
Companies were under the commands of their respective
captains, we had no field officers with us
The fourth time I entered the service was as a
substitute for William McLaughlin
who had been drafted for three months, but
became sick when he had been in the service
but one week, and sent for me to take his place.
On the solicitation of his wife who was my sister
I repaired to Downingstown and took his gun
Knapsack & blanket and he returned home
I served out the remainder of his time which
was two months and three weeks when I became
the substitute of McLaughlin it was about the
first of September 1778 - The company was
commanded by Capt William Henry - I am
unable now to recollect the names of the other
Company officers - The company was marched
down to the Schuylkill and was engaged
in the same description of service as the
Company I was attached to in my last
tour at this time there were two or three other
companies in conjunction with the one
to which I was attached stationed along
the Schuylkill, the whole under the 
command of Major John Beaton, and forming
a line of posts from near Philadelphia up
the river for ten or twelve miles. This was
necessary to protect the crops which had just
been gathered in from pillage and destruc
Page 13

tion by the enemies of the country we
remained on the Schuylkill until the
term for which we had been drafted
expired which was about the last week in
November When the companies in this service
were all discharged and we returned
to our homes. For all these services amounting
to eight months and three weeks I claim
a pension. I have after served at other times
and on other occasion for a few days at
once but on the whole amounting to so short a
time I do not deem it of much consequence
I never in my life on any occasion
received a written discharge, nor was one
offered to me at the termination of any
of my tours of duty - at each and every of
the times I entered the service of my Country
I lived on little Brandywine Creek in Chester
County about forty five miles from Philadelphia

I have no documentary evidence whatever
to assist me in substantiating my claim to a
pension

I know of no person whose testimony I can
procure to prove my services I know not if there
be any person living who served with me or
who has a personal knowledge of my services
I know of no clergyman who has a knowledge
by tradition or reputation of my services and
who could be qualified to and subscribe
the certificate required by the war 
department The old clergymen with whom I
was acquainted and who had the best 
opportunities to be informed on this subject are
either all dead or have removed to places
I know not whether There are many persons
Page 14

to whom I am known in my present neighbourhood
and who can testify to my character for veracity
and their belief of my services as a soldier of
the Revolution. The names of some of them
are hereunto annexed viz William Lindsay
John Dodds Galbreath Stewart Robert
J. Allison, Robert McComb David Craig
Thomas McCall &c. &c.

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present, and
declare that my name is not on the pension
roll of the agency of any state,
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the
day and year aforesaid
Thomas Officer, Pro,
William McNeely

We John Dodds & William Lindsay G. Stewart residing
in the Township of Hopewell and County of 
Washington a hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with William McNeely, who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration; that we
believe him to be seventy one 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 in open Court the
day and year aforesaid
Thomas Officer, Pro,
W Lindsay
John Dodds
G Stewart


little Brandywine Creek forty five miles from Philadelphia
During the first three ye after the termination
of the revolutionary war I lived in Chester
County at the same place I resided when I was
Page 15

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after
the investigation, of the matter and after putting the
intorogatories 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
John Dodds & William Lindsay G Stewart who have signed
the preceeding certificate are residents of the Township
of Hopewell and County of Washington, and are
credible persons, and that their statement is entitled
to credit

I Thomas Officer Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for the County of Washington
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of William
McNeely for a pension

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office
this 23d day of Jany A.D. 1883
Thomas Officer, Prothy

[illegible] The old clergymen with whom
was acquainted and who had the best 
opportunities to be informed on this subject are
either all dead or have removed to places
I know not whither there are many persons
Page 16

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of
the 7th July 1838 entitled "an Act granting half pay and pensions
to certain widows"

State of Pennsylvania
Washington County ss

on this seventh day of September
eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared
before the undersigned one of the associate Judges of
the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Washington
aforesaid Mrs. Jane McNeely a resident of Hopewell
township, Washington County Pennsylvania aged
sixty seven years, who being first sworn according to law
doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in
order to obtain the benefit of the pension of an act of
Congress, passed July 7th 1838 entitled "an act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the
widow of William McNeely late of Hopewell Township
Washington County Pennsylvania, deceased, who was a
private soldier in the Army of the Revolution.

She further declares that she was married to the
said William McNeely on the eighteenth day of July in
the year seventeen hundred and ninety one, that her husband
the aforesaid William McNeely died on the second
day of June in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven
that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the
service; but the marriage took place previous to the first
day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz:
at the time above mentioned.

She further states that the old family bible contains
a record of the marriage with the the aforesaid William
McNeely of which the following is a copy "William
"McNeely and Jane Moore was married July 18th in the
"year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one"
that she and the said William McNeely deceased were married
in the town of Washington by [illegible] Baird Esq. a
Page 17

Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington
and, as she believes, duly authorized to solemnize marriages,
that, as she believes, there is no other record of her marriage
then the one contained in the old family bible, and of which
entry a copy is given above - that her deceased husband
the aforesaid William McNeely was a pensioner under the
act of Congress of the 7th June 1832, the certificate of
which pension is now in her possession, bearing date the
thirty first day of January eighteen hundred and thirty
three, and is recorded in the war Department at Washington
city in Book D. Vol. 2 and page 200.
sworn to and subscribed
on the day above mentioned
John McKeever
her mark [hand drawn X] Jane Maneely

At the same time personally came before me David Moore
who after being sworn according to law, doth depose and
say, that he was well acquainted with Jane McNeely, who
has made the preceding declaration, and with William
Mc Neely deceased; that he has known them for a period
of forty years or upwards, having resided in their immediate
neighbourhood during that length of time; that
as far back as his recollection will enable him to speak
with confidence, they have lived together as husband and
wife, and have been reputed and considered as such. that the
aforesaid William MCNeely died some time during the
summer of 1837, he thinks in the former part of the summer
and that Jane McNeely the aforesaid applicant has
continued unmarried and still remains his
Widow
Sworn to and subscribed n the day above mentioned before
Thos McKeever
David Moore
Page 18

At the same time personally came before me James McNeely,
who after being duly sworn according to law doth depose
and say that he is the son of Jane McNeely who has made
the preceding declaration, and her deceased husband the late
William McNeely - that the old family bible, which has been
in the possession, as long as he can recollect, of the family
contains the following record of the marriage of his father
and mother "William Mc Neely and Jane Moore was
"married July 18th in the year of our Lord one thousand
"seven hundred and ninety one" - that his father the aforesaid
William McNeely died on the second day of June in
the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, and that his
mother the aforesaid Jane McNeely has continued unmarried
and still remains his widow.
James McNeely
Sworn to and subscribed
on the day above mentioned before
Thos McKeevir

Washington County ss
I Thomas McKeever one of the Associate
judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the
County of Washington aforesaid do hereby ^certify that the foregoing
declaration and depositions were made and taken before
me at the residence of Mrs. Jane McNeely, in Hopewell
township Washington County Pennsylvania, on the
seventh day of September A.D. 1838. I do further certify
that the said Jane McNeely is not able [illegible] bodily infirmity
to attend the Court, and that she and the persons whose
depositions have been taken are persons of credibility, and
I do further certify that I have been acquainted with
William Mc Neely and Jane McNeely the aforesaid applicant
during a period of thirty years or more, they having
lived in the immediate neighbourhood of my residence;
that during that time, they have lived together, and have
been reported and considered as man and wife, that the
said William McNeely died some time in the month of
June in the year 1837; and that the aforesaid Jane
Page 19

McNeely has continued unmarried and still remains his
widow. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal the day and year above written.
Thos McKeever L S

Washington County ss
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
I John Urie Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas in and for said County do
hereby certify that Thomas McKeever before
whom the foregoing declaration and depositions
were made and taken is an Associate
Judge of said Court duly commissioned and that to
his official acts full faith and credit are and ought to
be given; and that the signatures annexed thereto are
genuine and in his proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Washington
this 8th day of September A.D. 1838
John Urie Proth.y

State of Pennsylvania
Washington County ss
I William [illegible] Cornwell [illegible]
do [illegible] in and for said County
Do hereby certify that Doctor
[illegible]at the time of
the marriage referred to in the
foregoing declaration an associate
Justice of the Court of Common pleas of said
County and as such authorised to solemnize
marriages
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the Said of said Office at Washington
[illegible] 11th day of September AD 1838.
Wm H. Cornwell
Page 20

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2956
Jane McNeely
Widow
William McNeely
Pri. Rev. War
Act: March 3, 1843
Index:- Vol. M., Page 18.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 21

1.271
Pittsburg Penna.
Jane McNeely
widow of William McNeely decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 2d. June 1837
of Washington co. in the State of Pa.
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Gardner of the [blank] commanded
by - in the Penna.
line for 8 mo's & 21 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburg
at the rate of 28 Dollars 96 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 2d.
June 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st. day of Decr.
1838 and sent Hon. T.
M. T. McKennan WashingtonDC.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $72.40
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar "39,  14.48
$86.88
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2d. Page 158
Page 22

V 1511
Let. to Hon. Th. M. I. McKennan, Sept. 21, 1838.
Page 23

V 1511,
Jane McNeely
widow of William
Pa
Act 7. July 38
3 years
Hon. T. M. S. McKennan
Washington
Pa
Page 24

Admittd
Pa. 28.96
im. at
Hon T. M. T.
McKennan
Washington City
Page 25

State of Pennsylvania
Washington County ss.
Personally appeared before the undersigned a
associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and
for the County of Washington, on this second day of November
in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight. James
McNeely, who after being duly sworn according to law doth
depose and say, that the leaf appended to this sheet of
paper is taken from the old family bible now in his
possession, and contains the record of the marriage of his
father and mother, William McNeely and Jane Moore
the entry now exhibited is in the handwriting of William
Sevart by whom it was transcribed from original record
in the same book about twenty years ago, worn out by
long use and handling, the record appended is an exact
copy from the aforesaid original, and was made on another 
leaf in the same book for the reason above stated. and has
always been relied upon by the family as an accurate 
memorial of the time of the marriage above reffered to.
Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year first
above mentioned before
Thos McKeever
James Mcneely

State of Pennsylvania
Washington County s.s. 
I Thomas McKeever an associate
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County
aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing deposition was
taken at the residence of James McNeely in Hopewell
township, Washington County aforesaid, & that the said 
deponent is a person of credibility. And I do further certify
that the leaf hereto appended, purporting to con-
Page 26

tain a record of the marriage of William McNeely
and Jane Moore, was taken from a bible. represented
to me as the old family bible in my presence
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal in this second day of November
A.D. 1838.
Thos McKeever

State of Pennsylvania
Washington County s.s.

I John Urie Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for
the County aforesaid do hereby certify
that Thomas McKeever Esq. before
whom the foregoing deposition appears
to have been taken is an
associate Judge of said Court
and that the signature annexed to the above
certificate is genuine and in his proper handwriting
by testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said
Court at Washington this 3rd day of November 1838
John Urie Prothy
Page 27

Washn Pa Free
Nov. 3

Nov 6.
Pa
add: proof
Mary Anderson 1510
Jane McNeely 1511 
7July

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Dis. Col.
Page 28

Washington Pa
November 3rd. 1838

Sir

Enclosed you will find the family record
required in the cases of Mrs. Anderson and
McNeely - authenticated by the oaths of the
persons in whose possession they have been
kept. Please communicate your decision
directly to me.

Repectfully
W. McKennan

Jas. L. Edwards Esq
Page 29

State of Pennsylvania
Washington County
SS

On the 14th day of
December 1843 personally appeared before the
subscribing witness a Justice of the peace
in and for the aforesaid County Jane
McNeely a resident of Hopewell Township
Washington County Pennsylvania aged
seventy three years who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on her oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefits of the provision made
by the act of Congress, passed on the
3d March 1843 granting pensions to
widows of persons who served during the
revolutionary war. That she is
the widow of William McNeely decd
who was a private in the army of the
Revolution and died on the 2d day of
June 1837. and received under the act of
July 7th 1838 a pension at the rate
Twenty Eight dollars and Ninty six cents
per Annum
she further declareth that she is still
a widow
Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written
her mark [hand drawn x] Jane McNeely
Test
Eliza
M Neely
Jane
M Neely
Johnson J. P.
Page 30

State of Pennsylva
Washington County 
SS

I certify that the
within named applicant is well known
to me as the widow of William McNeely
decd late of Hopewell Township Washington
County Pennsylvania
December 14th 1843
[illegible signature J. D. [seal]

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Washington County ss

I  E L Blaine Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that
John Boyd before whom the foregoing affidavit was
made was at the time and now is a Justice of the Peace
in and for said County, duly commissioned and
qualified, that the signature attached to the same is
his and genuine, and that full faith and credit are
and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
the said Court, at Washington this
twentieth day of December A Domini
1843.
E L Blaine
Prothonotary

Fees 25 cts paid
Page 31

5113
Decem 29 1843
Pa
Jane McNeely
3 March 1843
R
$28.96 per an
Thos. McKeever
West Middletown
Penna.

West Middletown Pa
Dec 26th

Pension office
Washington City
D C

free
Page 32

West Middletown Washington Co Pa
Dec 26. 1843

Gentleman

Enclosed is the
application of Mrs Jane McNeely
for the benefit of the late pension
Law if there is any thing incorrect
please let me know
Resply
Thos McKeever