Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2169, James Devinney, Penn.
Page 1

SERVICE
Penn.
NUMBER
S. 2169
Devinney, James or Deviny

carded

This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
HJ 8-5-57
Received from GAO
Page 2

4324
Pennsylvania
James Devinney
of the State of Pennsylvania
who was a Private in the Company commanded 
by Captain Gibson of the Reg commanded
by Gen Potter in the Penna
line job Private 8 mo $26.66

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

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of January
1833 and put to Hon. R McCoy
Home R[illegible]
arrears to 4th Sept 1833 $39.99
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 1833 13.33
$53.32

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Vinal Luce Clerk,
Book D Vol. 6 Page 53

Paid [illegible] at the treasury under the
Act of 6th April 1838 from 4th
March to the 22nd August 1840
Agent notified May 19th 1842

Wm. S. Dodds Apl 9/60
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania
Juniata County } ss.
On this fifteenth day of December in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court
before the Honorable Calvin Blythe esquire President, and his associate judges of the court
of common pleas now sitting at Mifflintown, in and for the county of Juniata aforesaid,
James Devinney a resident of Fermanagh Township in the county of Juniata, and
state of Pennsylvania, aged eighty two years, who being first sworn according
to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of
the Act of Congress passed the seventh day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty 
two.
That he was born in the county of Antrim in the Kingdon of Ireland
in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty. That
his place of residence or home has been since the fourth day of July one thousand
seven hundred and seventy six in Fermanagh township Juniata county
[formerly Cumberland county] except about five or six years that he lived
in East Pennsborough township Cumberland county, that he has no
record of his age but that his mother told him when he left Ireland
in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy three, that he was
then twenty three years of age. That he moved four different times
from Fermanagh township during the Revolutionary War in the service
of the United States, each time living for a time of two months
which terms of service he faithfully performed, as follows viz:
1st. In the latter part of the month of December one thousand seven hundred
and seventy six, day not recollected, he volunteered in a company of militia,
raised in his neighborhood, for a tour of two months, of which
company James Gibson was captain, Arthur Cunningham first Lieutenant
and Thomas Bull ensign. That the company was marched to
Philadelphia, and arrived there shortly after the Hessians under the command
of colonel Rhal were captured at Trenton. That his company was then
marched to Princeton, and fought under the command of General Putnam,
where he remained until his two months were expired. He was in no
battles during this time. He got a regular discharge from his captain
James Gibson but that it is since lost.
2nd. Sometime about the last of August one thousand seven hundred and
seventy seven, day not recollected, he went as a substitute for a certain
Matthew Ferguson who was drafted for two months in a company raised
in Fermanagh township, and vicinity, under the command of Captain John
Williams, that he marched in this company to Marcus Hook, where he
entered a company belonging to a battalion of light infantry, for the remainder
of his term of service, captain George Crawford, and first Lieutenant
Jacob Haring were the company officers, and the battalion was under the
command of General Potter of the Pennsylvania militia. That he was marched
to Wilmington in Delaware, and from thence by the lead of Elk to Brandywine,
where he was present at that battle.  He was also present at the meeting
of the American and British armies near the Warren tavern, on the Lancaster road,
when they were prevented from engaging by a violent storm of rain, and also at
the affair of the White Horse tavern. From thence the American army crossed the
Schuylkill river and Perkiomen creek, having to ford these streams in a dark
night. He continued with the army during these difficulties, until sometime after
the battle of Germantown, when his engagement expired. He got a regular
discharge from his captain George Crawford, but that it is since lost.
Page 4

3rd That in the winter of seventeen hundred and seventy seven, and seventy eight,
(exact time not recollected) he went as a substitute for a certain James Dickey
on a tour of two months, said Dickey being drafted in the militia, company
officer, captain John Elliott, and first Lieutenant Niel McCoy, that he marched
from Fermanagh township to the neighborhood of Philadelphia where he
continued under the command of General Potter until his time was out.
He was in no engagement during this time, but at one time the army
to which he belonged was driven by the British across the Schuylkill
at the Swedes Ford. He was regularly discharged by his captain John
Elliott, but that is since lost.
4th That in the month of April one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight
(day not recollected) he was drafted from Fermanagh township for a tour
of two months and marched to Doylestown in Bucks county, under captain 
James McConnell, first Lieutenant David Nelson, and ensign Samuel
Arbuckle. From Doylestown he was marched to the crooked billet, where the
Americans under the command of General Lacy were defeated, in the month
of May seventeen hundred and seventy eight. He was not out of Pennsylvania
during this tour, and was in no other engagement except that at the
crooked billet. He was regularly discharged by his captain James Mc
Connell, but it is since lost.
He also states the he has no documentary evidence of his service, and
that he knows no one now in his neighborhood who is acquainted
with his revolutionary service except Thomas Birchfield who is so old and
infirm that he is not able to come to court, and whose deposition is herewith
offered.
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.
He refers to Hough McAlister, William McAlister, John McAlister Sr
John Elliott David Davidson, Robert Wilson, Conrad Ort, William Sharron,
Samuel Sharron, Samuel Vanormer, William McMeen, Louis
Evans, Robert Thompson, William Thompson, Samuel Thompson, David
Shellenberger Jr as persons in his neighborhood who can testify to his character
for veracity.
Sworn and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
before W W Kirk Prothy} James Deviney
Page 5

Juniata county ss.
Mr William McAlister, Hough McAlister
and John Elliott residing in Juniata county aforesaid, hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with James Devinney who has
subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe
him to be eighty two years of age; and that he is respected and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
before WW Kirk Prothy} William McAlister
Hugh McAlister
John Elliott

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after inves-
tigation of the matter and after quitting the interogatories prescribed
by the War Department, that the above named James Devinney was
a Revolutionary soldier, and served as stated. And the court further
certifies that it appears to them that William McAlister, Hough 
McAlister and John Elliott who have signed the [illegible]
certificate are residents of Juniata county aforesaid, and are
credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and
also that no clergyman resides convenient to the said James Devinney
who is well enough acquainted with him to make the certificate 
required by the Department of War
Calvin Blythe
Daniel Christy
Benjamin Kepner

Juniata county ss.
I William W. Kirk, Prothonotary of the court of
Common Pleas for the county of Juniata, do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said court in the matter of the
application of James Devinney for a pension. And
that the honorable Calvin Blythe is the President 
Judge of the court of Common Pleas for the county
of Juniata, and that the signature annexed to the
foregoing certificate of the court, is his genuine
signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court,
this fifth day of December in the year of our
lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
W. W. Kirk Prothy
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania
Juniata County} ss.
I, Lewis Burchfield Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas of said county, do hereby certify that
Evidence has been advanced, satisfactory to said court 
in proof that James Devinney was a Pensioner of the 
United States under Act of 7th June 1832; that he died
in Juniata County on the 22nd day of August A.D. 1840
one thousand eight hundred and forty; that he left
no widow surviving him, and only four children
whose names are James, John, and Margaret Devinney
and Sarah Vanorme intermarried with Joseph Vanorme 
now deceased; (John Devinney being a resident in Ohio) 
and further that they, the said children, prefer claiming
the balance of Pension, without the interaction of
an Administrator or Executor.
I further certify that Hugh McAlister before
whom the foregoing proceedings were had, is a Justice
of the Peace of an aforesaid county, duly commissioned
and qualified; and that the foregoing signatures
purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
affixed my seal of office, and
subscribed my name, this 4th
day of May A.D. 1842
L. Burchfield Prothonotary
Page 7

Know all men by these present, that we,
James Devinney, Margaret Devinney, and Sarah
Vanorme, (intermarried with the late Joseph Vanorme),
children of James Devinney, deceased, late a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute
and appoint Hugh Wilson our true and
lawful attorney, for us, and in our name, to receive
from the treasurer of the United States, our portion of
the balance of pension due us in right of our deceased 
father from the fourth day of March 1840 to the
22nd day of August 1840, the day of his death.
Witness our hand, and seal, this first
day of Jany. A.D. 1842
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in presence of  {James Devinney (Seal)
Jesse Jacobs    {Margaret Devinney (Seal)
James Dunn      {Sarah Vanorme (Seal)
State of Pennsylvania
Juniata County } ss.
Be it known, that on the first day of
January 1842, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace
in and for said county, personally appeared, James Devinney, 
Margaret Devinney, and Sarah Vanorme, above named
and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be their
act and deed. By testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand the day and year above written.
Hugh T. McAlister J. Peace
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Juniata County} ss.
Be it known, that on the fifth 
day of May A.D. 1842 before the subscribed
a Justice of the Peace in and for said county,
personally appeared, Hugh Wilson the attorney
named in the foregoing Power of Attorney, and made
oath that the same was not given him by
reason of any sale, transfer, or mortgage of the
pension, or arrears of pension therein authorized
to be received by him.
Sworn and subscribed, the 
day and year last above                Hugh Wilson
mentioned, before me.
Hugh T. McAlister Jus Peace
Page 9

Ent
No. 14,696.

By

James Devinney
(3 of 4 children of)
From, Phila rolls
Act 7 June, 1832
$9.42
Act 1838
10 May 1842

Reg No 675 dated 11 May 1842
Sent to Treasury 12 May 1842

Final Payment [illegible]
Received from [illegible]
Page 10

The U States
To 3 of the 4 children of
James Devinney
From Phila. roll
Act 7 June 1832
For of his pension from 4 March
to 22 August. 1840, the day of his
death, 172 days at $26.66
per annum, per voucher
filed herewith $9.42

Treasury Dept,
3rd [illegible] Offices
10 May 1842
Stated by Joshbyrme

Second Comptrollers Office
Examined by J L Cathcart
10th May. 1842

$3.14 or 1/3 due to
John Devinney
Page 11

James Devinney
Adm.
8 mo's
26.66
Hon. R. McCoy
Ho Reps
Page 12

BRIEF in the case of James Devinney
of Juniata 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? 82 years
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period  |  Duration of Service.  |  Rank.  |  Names of General; and Field Officers under whom he served.
             |  Years,  Months,  Days.  | As a  |  Gen.
In 1776 Dec  |  0  2        0              |  Private  |  Capt. Gibson, Pa. Mil
    1777 Aug.  | 0  2 sub  0           |  "       |  " Williams, Genl. Potter "
       "  Winter  |  0  2  "  0              |  "      |  " Elliott        "           "     "
    1778 April  |                                 |  "     |  "  McConnell

5. In what battles was he engaged?  Brandywine
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Juniata Co. Pa.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by rolls?  Traditionary. No clergyman near
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
        Papers improperly attached

     
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Brown
Examining Clerk.
Page 13

March 17, 1937

James Devinney
S. 2169
BA-J/AWF

Honorable William L. Nelson
225 House Office Building
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Nelson:

The Revolutionary War record of James Devinney
or Deviny which follows was obtained from papers on
file in pension claim, S. 2169, based upon his service
on that war.

James Devinney or Deviny was born in the year 
1750 in County Antrim, in the "Kingdom of Ireland".
The names of his parents were not given. He left
Ireland about the year 1773.

While a resident of Fermanagh Township, Juniata
County, Pennsylvania, he served in the Pennsylvania 
militia as follows:
From the latter part of December, 1776, two
months in Captain James Gibson's company; from the
latter part of August, 1777, two months in in Captains
James Williams' and George Crawford's companies, and
was in the battles of Brandywine and White Horse
Tavern; in the winter of 1777 and 1778, two months in
Captain John Elliot's company; in the spring of 1778, 
two months in Captain James McConnell's company, and
was in the battle of Crooked Billet.

He was allowed pension on his application
executed December 5, 1832, at which time he was living 
in Fermanagh Township, where he stated he had lived
since July 4, 1776 "except about five or six years that
Page 14

he lived in East Pennsborough Township, Cumberland
County".

The soldier, James Devinney (Deviny), died
August 22, 1840, leaving children; their names were
not stated, nor was the name of his wife mentioned.

In order to obtain the name and address of
the person to whom the last payment of
pension was sent, you should apply to The Comptroller General,
General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C.,
and cite the following-

James Devinney
Certificate # 4324
Issued January 19, 1833
Rate $26.66 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1833
Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 15

Payments to be made
at Philadelphia Penna.
by the Penna Bank U.S.
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
Penna.

Recorded by Vinal Luce
Clerk, in Book D Vol. 6
page 53
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United
States, of the 7th June, 1832, James Devinney
of the State of Pennsylvania
who was a Private in the Army of the
Revolution
is entitled to receive Twenty six dollars and
Sixty six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the
4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States
this 19th day of January
one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Lewis Cass,
Secretary of War

Examined and
Countersigned.}
J L Edwards
Page 17

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
Washington
March 17, 1937.
BA-J/ILL
James Devinney
S. 2169
Honorable William L. Nelson
225 House Office Building
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Nelson:

Reference is made to your letters in which you
request the Revolutionary War records of four pensioners, - Abraham
Grindstaff, aged forty-five years in 1840, James Devinney, 
Zacheus Cord, aged sixty-four years in 1840, and Garrett Cord
who resided in Mississippi in 1818 and in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1847.

There is no claim for pension on file based
upon service in the Revolutionary War of Garrett Cord (Card,
Curd, etc.); Zacheus Cord would have been too young to have 
rendered service in the Revolutionary War, and Abraham Grindstaff
was born subsequent to that war, according to dates cited by
you.

The record of James Devinney is furnished you
herewith.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 18

January 17, 1935

James Devinney-S.2169
Aaron Devinny-S.C.10498
George Devinney-W.O.5862
BA-J/AWF
Mr. George H. Devinney
212 Maple Avenue
Hamburg, New York

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you
request the records of all soldiers with surname
DeVinney, Dewinney and similar spellings, who served
in the Colonial Wars, Revolutionary War and War of
1812, and cite only William who served in the War of
the Revolution.

This office has no record of service rendered in
the Colonies prior to the Revolutionary War.

Revolutionary War and War of 1812 data furnished
by this office are obtained from claims for pension and
bounty land, which have been made to the United States
based upon military service of soldiers in those wars.

There is no claim for pension or bounty land on
file, based upon service of a William Devinney, or
other spelling, in the Revolutionary War. Those records
show only one claim, for a soldier with that surname,
which is that of James, and the War of 1812 records
show those of Aaron and George.

Their records are given herewith as found in
claims for pension and bounty land, based upon their
military service.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Letter in James Devinney
Rev War S.2169
Page 19

January 17, 1935

James Devinney-S.2169
BA-J/AWF
Mr. George H. Devinney
212 Maple Avenue
Hamburg, New York

Dear Sir:

The Revolutionary War record of James Devinney
or Deviny which follows was obtained from the papers
on file in pension claim, S. 2169, based upon his
military service in that war.

James Devinney (Deviny) was born in the year
1750 in County Antrim, in the "Kingdom of Ireland",
names of parents not given. He left Ireland about
the year 1773.


While residing in Fermanagh Township, Juniata
County, Pennsylvania, he served in the Pennsylvania
militia as follows:
From the latter part of December, 1776, two months
in Captain James Gibson's company; from the latter part 
of August, 1777, two months in Captains John Williams'
and George Crawford's companies, and was in the battles
Brandywine and White Horse Tavern; in the winter of
1777 and 1778, two months in Captain John Elliott's company;
from in April, 1778, two months in Captain James
McConnell's company and was in the battle of Crooked
Billet.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
December 5, 1832, then a resident of Fermanagh
Township, Pennsylvania, where he stated he had lived
since July 4, 1776 "except about five or six years that
he lived in East Pennsborough Township, Cumberland
County".

He died August 22, 1840, leaving children, whose
Page 20

names are not given, nor is the name of his wife
mentioned.

In order to obtain the name and address of the
person to whom the last payment of pension was sent,
you should address The Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C.,
citing the following:

James Devinney
Certificate #4324
Issued January 19, 1833
Rate $26.66 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 21

August 7, 1929

Mr. P.R. Seitz
R.R. 3
Ottawa, Ohio

Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary
War pension claim, S. 2169, it appears that James Devinney
was born in 1750, County Antrim, Ireland.
While residing in Fermanagh Township, Juniata County,
Pennsylvania, he enlisted and served with the Pennsylvania Troops as follows:
From in December, 1776 two months in Captain James 
Gibson's Company; from in August 1777, two months in Captains
John Williams' and George Crawford's Companies, and
was in the battles of Brandywine and White Horse Tavern; 
in the winter of 1777 and 1778, two months in Captain John
Elliott's Company; from in April, 1778 two months in Captain
James McConnell's Company and was in an engagement
at Crooked Billet.
He was allowed pension one his application executed
December 5, 1832, at which time he resided in Fermanagh
Page 22

Township, Juniata County, Pennsylvania.

He died August 22, 1840, leaving children whose names are not given nor is the name of his wife mentioned.
The above history of the only James Devinney found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Very truly yours,

Earl D. Church
Commissioner
Page 23

WILLIAM L. NELSON
SECOND MISSOURI DISTRICT
WASHINGTON ADDRESS: 
215 HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
HOME ADDRESS:
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
MEMBER: COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
March 15, 1937
Mr. A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.
Dear Friend:
Kindly send me the pension record of Abraham Grindstaff, who fought in the war of the Revolution. His age is given as 45, and residence in Boone County, Missouri, in the pension census of 1840. Also please send us the Revolutionary War pension record of James Deviney, age 104, and his home in Jaunita County, Pennsylvania, as recorded in the Pension Census of 1840.
Thanking you, I am
Sincerely yours,
W. L. Nelson
another letter in Mis. Files
Page 24

212 Maple Ave.,
Hamburg, N.Y.
Dec. 28, 1934.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: -

By Bible records and family traditions, my great, great grandfather, William DeVinney, had some part in the Revolutionary War. I have found some reference to a William Dewinney in a local library as being one of a group of residents in New Jersey who pledged their services to their country on call. I do not know whether he and my great, great grandfather were one and the same man or not.

I would like the names and records of any and all men by the name DeVinney (sometimes spelled in other ways) that have participated in the Colonial Wars, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

The DeVinneys must have come over at a very early date as I have found references to the name in a New Jersey marriage liscense book dating back as far as 1735.

Hoping you will be able to find something for me, I remain,

Very truly yours,

George H. DeVinney
Page 25

Ottawa Ohio
5-2-1929
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs: 
Do you have any record of a Revolutionary Soldier one James Devinney who came from France with Lafayette and after the war live in Pennsylvania.
If you have any record in your office him please tell me the date of his death and his last P. O. Address
Resp P. R. Seitz. 
Rt 3
3 Ottawa Ohio
Page 26

Rev War
2169
Invalid
File No. 2169
James Devinney
Privt, Rev. War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: Vol. A, Page 92
Arrangement of 1870

1929- August 7 [illegible] to Mr. P. R. Seitz Esq.
1935- June 17 George H. DeVinney
1937- March 17 Hon. Wm. L. Nelson Esq.
Page 27

Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
May 11th, 1842
Sir:
Under the date 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."
Three of four children of James Devinney, deceased, late
a pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia, Pa.
Agency, at the rate of Twenty six Dollars and 66 Cents per annum,
under the law of the 7th June 1832,
has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of March, to the 22nd August 1840.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 28

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41 
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*
NAME Devins, John GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8233 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 27, 1790 to Jeptha Arrison, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commisioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.