Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,445, John Coulter, Md.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE 
Md.

Coulter, John
or Colter

NUMBER
S. 2445
B.L.Wt. 274-100

CONTENTS
Page 2

[Two panels]
{Left panel]

Ohio 13,003

John Coulter
of Licking in the State of Ohio 
who was a Private in the Company commanded 
by Caption Lyon of the Regt. commanded 
by Col. Smallwood in the Maryland 
line for 13 months
$43.33/100
[illegible] County

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio 
at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of May
and sent to A H.
Coffee, Newark, Licking Co. Ohio

Arrears to the 4th of Nov 1843 86.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Septr. 21.66
1843 
$108.32
======

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Wm R. Palmer Clerk 
Book E Vol. 8, Page 4

[Right panel]

Date of death not on AB
Page 3

John Coulter 
Declaration 
Maryland line 
Enlisted for Jassey Ware
20170
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress 
of the 7th of June 1832.

The State of Ohio Licking County Sct.

On this 29th day of October 
A.D. 1832 personally appeared in Open Court of Common Pleas 
now sitting within and for the County of Licking & State of Ohio 
aforesaid John Coulter a resident of Union Township in 
said County aged about seventy years as well as he can 
recollect (has no record of his age) was born in Charlestown Cecil 
County in the State of Maryland, 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 
That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the 
year 1780 or 1781 in the 5th Regiment in the State of Maryland 
at the house where he was raised, for the term of during 
the war, under the following named officers General 
Smallwood Captain John Lynn & Lieut. David Lynn 
that he remained in the service from the time 
he enlisted until some time after Cornwallis was 
taken when he received a discharge but cannot 
recollect by whom it was signed that it was [struck out: about]
[words struck out] a month over one year from the time 
he enlisted until he was discharged from the 
service.  Deponent states that he was not in 
any battles during the time he was in the service 
that he was stationed as a guard part of 
the time at Annapolis [struck out: and] part of the time 
at Fredericktown part of the time at West 
River and part of the time barging off 
the Tangier Islands and about guarding off the
Refugees & Tories.

He hereby relinquishes every claim 
whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares 
that his name is not on the roll of any agency in 
any State.
A.H. Coffee Clk John his X mark Coulter
Page 5

We Alexander Holmes and James Holmes & Benjm. Green 
residing in the County of Licking do hereby certify that we are 
well acquainted with John Coulter who has signed the 
foregoing Declaration that we believe him to be about 
seventy years of age-that he is reputed and believed 
in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier 
of the revolution and we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed in | Alexdr. Holmes 
Open Court this 29. Dec | James Holmes 
1832 | Benjamin 
A.H.Coffee Ck Green

And the Court do hereby declare their 
opinion that the above named applicant 
was a revolutionary soldier and served 
as he states.  That the above persons  
are all known to the Court-residing 
in said County and are persons of credit 
and entitled to belief.
[Blurred seal of Court] I Amos H. Coffee Clerk of the 
Court aforesaid, do certify 
that the foregoing are the 
proceedings of said Court 
in the matter of the 
application of John Coulter for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and seal of said Court this 5th 
December AD 1832
A.H. Coffee Clk
Page 6

No. 10
John Colter } Power
to } of
Michael Nourse } Atty.

Regd. by M. Noma Esq
23d Nov. 1805

[illegible initials]

[illegible] No. 274
Page 7

Know all men by these presents that I 
John Colter of Jefferson County State of Ohio have 
nominated constituted and appointed and by these 
presents do nominate constitute & appoint Michael 
Nourse, of the City Washington, my true and lawfull [lawful] 
attorney for me and in my name to receive from the 
Secretary at war the Unites Stattes [States] military land war 
rant to which I am intitled [entitled] for my services in the 
late war with Great Britton [Britain] as a soldier in Lieuten 
ant David Linns company in the fifth Maryland 
Regiment and upon the receipt of said warrant the pro
per receipt to give in my name I also direct and request 
that the patent may issue in the name of John Baving
ton hereby ratifying what ever my said attorney may 
lawfully do in the premisses [premises]

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and seal the 7th day of August 1805, in 
Presence of 
Benjm. Hough | John his X mark Coulter [Blurred seal]
Thomas Elliot

State of Ohio }
Jefferson County } Sct.  Personally appeared before us two of 
the Justices of the peace in said County, the 
above named John Coulter, who acknowledged 
the above Instrument of writing to be his volunt
ary act and deed for the purposes therein contained 
[word Seals encircled] and requested that the same might be recorded as 
such.  Given under our hands and seals this 
seventh day of August Amno Domini one thousand 
eight hundred and five  
Benjm. Hough 
Thos. Elliot
Page 8

The State of Ohio } 
Jefferson County Ss. }

I John Ward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the 
County of Jefferson do certify that the within signed 
Benjamin Hough and Thomas Elliot before whom the foregoing Instrument 
[Blurred seal of County] of writing appears to have been acknowledged were 
at the time thereof two of the Justices of the peace 
within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified to all whose 
official acts as such full faith and credit is due as well in Courts of 
Justice as thereout.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and affixed the seal of said County at Steubenville the eighth 
day of August Amno Domini one thousand eight hundred and 
five.  John Ward Clk
Page 9

20170

John Coulter 
Ohio 

[illegible] to G G [illegible]
Adm for 1 year & 1 mo
from 1780

Amos H. Coffee Clk 
Newark 
Licking Co
Oh.
Page 10

[Image contains incomplete form]

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  None

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Cecil Co. Md

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?  no clergyman

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above 
mentioned.

Chs W. Forrest
Examining Clerk.
Page 11

[Image contains incomplete form]

sion on file in this Bureau.  John Coulter S.F. 2445
=====================================================
DATES OF | OFFICERS UNDER WHO SERVICE WAS RENDERED. |
ENLISTMENT OR | LENGTH OF | ____________________________ |
APPOINTMENT | SERVICE. | RANK. | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
______________________________________________________________
1780 or 1781 | 1 year | Pvt. | John Lynn | [Blank] | 5th Md.

[Written across bottom of form]
Written before bounty land claim was cons.

Battles engaged in, ✓

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Maryland 

Date of application for pension, Oct. 29 1832  His cl. was al.

Residence at date of application, Union Twp. Licking Co. Ohio

Age at date of application, 70, born at Charlestown Cecil Co. Md.

Remarks:  We did not state service as given by report from Annapolis 
no regt mentioned as soldier does not allege his precise length of time
Page 12

THESE are to CERTIFY that the bearer hereof 
John Colter a soldier 
in the Maryland Line [struck out: regiment,] having faithfully 
served the United States ten months 
and being inlisted [enlisted] for the war, is 
hereby discharged from the American army.

Given at the war office the 7th of September 1783

By order of the Secretary at war, B Lincoln
[illegible] 
[Circular stamp]
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

Registered in the books of the regiment, 
Wm. Pendergast Act. adjutant.
Page 13

War Office, 7th of Septr. 1783.

THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the 
bearer as a discharge, until the ratification of the defini
tive treaty of peace; previous to which time, and until procla
nation thereof shall be made, he is to be considered as being 
on furlough.

B. LINCOLN

Coulter, John 
(MD.) 2-445

John Coulter 
B.L.Wt. 274-100
Md
Page 14

185 Buckhingham Street 
Newark Ohio 1 10-08

Dear Sir:

Please send me 
what you can of these 
two soldiers who served 
in the War of the American 
Revolution from Virginia 
George Horne-Loudon Co. Va.
and John Colter or Coulter 
Ohio Co-Va.  Both were living 
in 1840 in Licking Co. Ohio.

Thanking you in advance 
I remain

Truly Yours

Mrs. Matha Grier

[Circular mail receipt stamp]
PENSION 
A
U. JAN S.
13
1908 
OFFICE.
Page 15

[Two panels]
[Left panel]

1908 Jany 17 Hist to Martha Grier
KLM

[Right panel]

Revy War
2445
✓INVALID.

File No. 2445
John Coulter
Privt Rev War

Act:  June 7" 1832

Index:--Vol. A, Page 72

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
Page 16

LAND OFFICE, 
Annapolis, April 6th 1833

I Certify, that it appears by a Pay Roll remaining in the Office, that John 
Colter a private received of John Hamilton, 
Agent of the Maryland Line, [words struck out: $ arrears of pay from the 1st August, 1780; 
to the 1st of January, 1782--also] $25.30 cts pay from the 1st January, 1782, to the 
1st January, 1783--also $43.30 cts from the 1st January, 1783, to the 15th of No
member, 1783.

Gratuity, $80.00 cts.  Total received, $148.60 cts.

George G. Brewer 
Register Land Office, W. S. Md.
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pensions Claims, of which those  
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Jno Coulter which require 
further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

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

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?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the was when he served? 

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?

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

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

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?

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?
Page 18

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 revolu
tionary service?  No

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason for not obtain
ing it?  No

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?

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?

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?

XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, 
if not, which of them is not so answered?  7

_________

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, &c. 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 recol
lection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____
year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months 
and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 19

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, 
and the particular rank he held, as the law  directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the 
pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is to in
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions 
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the 
officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objection
able.  It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration 
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the 
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either 
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not em
ployed in any civil pursuit.  
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must 
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of 
the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the 
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths 
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magis
trate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not 
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the cer
tificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon; the ends of which must pass 
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly 
attached to the certificate.
👉In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of 
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the 
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 20

Land Office, Annapolis, April 6th 1833

I Certify that it appears by a roll or list remaining 
in this office, endorsed "List of Men recruited for the 
Maryland Line 1782" That the name of John Coulter 
appears upon said list to have enlisted on the 15th of Octo
ber 1782 for during the war.
George G. Brewer
Regtr. Ld. Off. W. S. Md.