Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16646, John Blue, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn
Blue, John

NUMBER
S.16646
Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Indiana 7421
John Blue
of _________ in the State of Ind
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Scott of the Rgt commanded
by Gen Washington in the Penn
line for 10 mo & 6 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana
at the rate of 35 Dollars 10 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of April
1833 and sent to Tho's
Brown La Fayette

Arrears to the 4th of March 70.20
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 17.55
=====
$87.75
=====
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk
Book
Vol. E Vol. 7 Page 105

Death not shown on A. B.
Page 3

John Blue
17241
Page 4

State of Indiana County of Tippecanoe } ss
On this Twelfth day of October in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty Two. Personally appeared in Open Court before John R Porter President of the first Judicial Court of Indiana and James Wyle and John Provolt associate Judges of the Tippecanoe County Circuit of Indiana And James Wylie and John Provolt Associate Judges of the Tippecanoe County circuit Court now in Session John Blue a resident of the State of the State of Indiana in the County of Tippecanoe aged Eighty Two 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 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated, that he entered the service of the United States under Captain Scott that he resided in the County of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania that he was Drafted and was mustered into service at Elizabeth Town in said Lancaster County On the 2nd day of Augt in the year AD 1777 that he marched from Elizabeth Town in said Lancaster County On the 2nd day of Augt in the year AD 1777 that he marched from Elizabeth Town to Chester Town on the Delaware RIver in the State of Pennsylvania that he was there attached to Genl Potters Brigade or Regiment that he marched from thence to Brandywine Creek and was engaged in what is commonly called the battle of Brandywine on the 11th day of Sept in the year 1777 & that on the retreat from said battle he rec'd a wound in the head from a Sword wielded by one of the Hessian Cavalry and that in consequence thereof he was taken Prisoner by the British or Hessians and conveyed to Wilmington in the State of Delaware and remained at said place something like six weeks, was after words placed on board of a Prison ship and conveyed to Philadelphia and was there imprisoned in what was then termed the [?] jail and remained
Page 5

in said Prison until the 14th day of June 1778 and was then exchanged and forthwith proceeded to Valley Forge where as well as he recollects he was discharged on the 16th day of June in said year by order of Genl Washington and that he never rec'd any pay for any of said service from any source whatever, that he recollects the names of Sam'l Boyd and Frederick K Katy who were members of the same Company to which he was attached. And that he knows of no person living by whom he can prove said service. And that he has no Documentary evidence in his possession. 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and
year aforesaid
[signed] Saml Hoover Clk
[right] his
[right] John   X   Blue [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark

We the undersigned residing in the County of Tippecanoe Indiana do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Blue who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be 82 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 [signed] Martin Miller

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signed] Saml Hoover Clk

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 revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them
Page 6

that Martin Miller, and John Chambers, who have signed the preceeding certificate are residents of Tippicanoe County and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signed] John R Porter
[signed] James Wylie
[signed]John Provolt

I Samuel Hoover Clerk of the Tippecanoe Circuit Court do hereby Certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Blue for a pension
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at office this twelfth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. 1832
[signed] Saml Hoover Clk

[illegible Court Seal attached lower left]
Page 7

No. 17241
John Blue
County Tippecanoe
Indiana
from 1777 private
10 mo 16 day
$35. 10/100

[lined thru]
Saml Hoover
Clk
[/lined thru]

Thomas B. Brown Esq.
La Fayette
Indiana
Page 8

[printed form hand fillled out]

BRIEF in the case of John Blue of County Tippicanoe in the State of Indiana 1832.

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 82
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. and

Period. In 2nd Augt 1777 -  11 Sept 1777 drafted

Duration of Service. Months, Days.
Battle of Brandywine wounded & taken a prisoner afterwards continued a prisoner 14 Jany
1778 then exchanged [?] --10 mo. 16 days 

Rank. private 

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. Potters Brigade
Capt Scott
Genl Washington

5. In what battles was he engaged? Brandywine & wounded by a Hessian & taken prisoner by the British or Hessians

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Pensylvania Lancaster Co

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? authenticated

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signed] John N Ashton
Examining Clerk.
Page 9

[typed letter]

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
MEE/eel

March 20, 1929

Mrs. Ralph C. Fifer
403 Maple Avenue
Warsaw, Indiana

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16646, it appears that John Blue, while residing in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, enlisted, August 2, 1777, served as a private in Captain Scott's Pennsylvania Company, was in the battle of Brandywine, where he received a sword wound in the head, was taken prisoner and detained in Wilmington, Delaware, about six weeks, then carried to Philadelphia, was exchanged, June 14, 1778, and was discharged, June 16, 1778.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 12, 1832, while a resident of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, aged eighty-two years.
There are no data concerning his family.

Respectfully,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 10

16646
INVALID.
---
file No. 16,646
John Blue
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 432
[ Arrangement of 1870 .]

1917, June 15. History to Mrs. A. R. Parker FW.

1919 May 29 Hist to Ursula Brigden.

1920 Aug. 10 Hist to AnnaVan Duyn Landon-Ew. 

1925 Dec. 19. Copies mailed to Elmer F. Blu. AW.
 
1929 May 20. Hist to Mrs, Ralph C. Fifer,  M E. E.

1937- Aug. 19. Hist. to Mrs. George B.  Thompson I.L.L.
for
Page 11

[printed form filled in by hand]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Blue 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?

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 lined thru]

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
Page 12

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? Citizens only

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

XII. 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?

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? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 5

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 recollection 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 13

[printed form]

3

Iit 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 too indefinit, 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 objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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 employed 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 claimants 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 magistrate 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 certificate 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 of the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 14

A. G. 201
Blue, John
(7-29-37) ORD 1st Ind. rw

War Department, A. G. O., August 2, 1937. - To the Veterans' Administration, Washington, D.C. Attention: Miss Nevitt.

1. Transmitted as a matter pertaining to the Veterans' Administration.

2. The writer has been informed of this reference by letter.

E. T. CONLEY
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
by O. A. Mitchem

[date received stamp on the lower left]
Outer circle numbered 1 to 12, arrow pointing at 3:15
RECEIVED
AUG 4 1937
MAIL SUB-DIV.
[illegible] 34
Page 15

Adjutant General:
Pension Dept.
Dear Sir: Will you please send me a copy of the Pension Papers of John Blue -- Pennsyvania Militia. He was on the Federal pension rolls in 1835 as a resident of Tippecanoe County, State of Indiana --

Thanking you
I remain Yours Truly
[signed] Mrs Geo B. Thompson
1301 Morton St.
Lafayette
Indiana

TO Received A. G. O. JUL 29 1937

[received stamp]
[outer edge has 1 to 12 with arrow pointing to 9:45]
RECEIVED
JUL 30 1937
Old Records
Division.
[/received stamp]

RN [upper right corner]
OK [next to John Blue]
Page 16

Warsaw, Ind
Dec. 5, 1928

Dear Sir
I am trying very hard to locate the "War Record" of a certain John Blue of the Revolutionary war. He was from Virginia.
Will you kindly look thru your records & see if you can locate same.
Very truly
Mrs. Ralph C. Fifer
403 Maple ave
Warsaw, Ind.
Page 17

[two printed forms, filled in by hand] 

3 - 2233 113
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Dec. 8, 1925.
Chief Rev Set [Division lined thru].
I have this day received from Elmer F. Blue, cash No ______ 
for $70/100 in payment of
[,requesting lined thru]

photostat copy

[postoffice address lined thru] as per memo [letter lined thru] herewith.

Dec. 19.25
Copies mailed & Finance Div swif ?]

O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
H. C. L.

ok & ctf [in right margin next to Photostat copy]

[right side printed form on edge]

Request for Photostating
(To be prepared in duplicate.) Ex. am [?]
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK

Job No. 2786 Date Dec. 12  .25
Subject John Blue Rev S16646
(No.) 1 copies of (No.) 1 pieces consisting of(No.)  3 pages to be 
forwarded when completed to the Rev. & HV Wars Sect [Division lined thru]

Remarks:
Approved:
[signed] AE Wilson
Chief [Division lined thru]Sect. Chief Clerk
Page 18

[typed letter with some hand writing]

Dec. 7, 1925.


Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:

Please furnish certified copies of three pages from the Revolutionary War pension claim of John Blue, S. 16646

Received payment
70 cents
Chief Rev. & 1812 Section

[handwritten]
Elmer F. Blue
700 Wolvin Building
Duluth Min.
[/end hand written]

Elmer F. Blu.
700 Wolvin Building
Duluth

[rubber stamp lower left corner]
FINANCE DIVISION
DEC 8 1925
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[/RUBBER STAMP]
Page 19

R?r Sec s [top right corner, hand written]

Odd Fellows Building,
Kokomo, Indiana,
July 15, 1920.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Poe

Will you please send to me a record of the services of my great-grand father John Blue in the American Revolution.
He was living in Tippecanoe County, Indiana in 1835 and was a Pensioner at that time.
Very respectfully,
[signed] Anna Van Duyn Landon

[rubber date stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
D
U. S.
JUL 17 1920
[/rubber stamp]
1920
OFFIC
Page 20

Rvy sec s [top right corner]

Dept. of Interior
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir:
Will you please send record of my ancestor John Blue, who was taken prisoner Sept. 1777, and was said at that time, to be living in S. Carolina, and oblige,
Yours truly
May 3, 1919 Ursula Brigden
245 Brigden Road
Pasadena
California.

[rubber stamp top center]
DEP'T. OF THE INTERIOR
[illegible]
MAY 12 1919
ID RUN. PENSIONS
[illegible] OFF. MAILS & FILES
[/rubber stamp]
Page 21

Rev Sec - H
402 N. Meridian St
Indianapolis - Ind -
I should like very much to know if you have any information on John Blue Rev. Soldier, who is buried in Montgomery or Carroll Co. Ind - Late Tippecanoe Co - I have an ancestor in one John Blue, that

[rubber stamped]
DEP'T. OF THE INTERIOR
[illegible]
JUN 7 1917
ID RUN. PENSIONS
[illegible] OFF. MAILS & FILES
[/rubber stamp]
Page 22

I am trying very hard to locate, as the name is not common, I think you might be able to advise me at no great inconvenience -
Thanking you in advance and awaiting your favor
I remain
Very truly
Thea B Parker 
(Mrs A.R.)

6-4-1917
Page 23

[printed form, blanks filled in]

In reply to your request of _________, received ______________ for  a statement of the military history of John Blue a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [lined thru] (or his widow's) [/lined thru] application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. F. 16646.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR  APPOINTMENT. Aug. 1777

LENGTH OF SERVICE. He received a sword wound of head in battle of Brandywine, and was taken prisoner, conveyed to WIlmington, De., and later taken to Philadelphia and imprisoned until June 14, 1778, when he was exchanged, and was discharged June 16, 1778.

RANK.  Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED Captain Scott

STATE. Pa.

Battles engaged in, Brandywine [s in battles lined thru]

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lancaster Co. Pa.

Date of application for pension, Oct. 12, 1832. His cl. [claim] was allowed

Residence at date of application, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana

Age at date of application, 82 years

Remarks: There is no data relative to family

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

5 --2856
Page 24

[page 1 of 2 page typed letter]

August 19, 1937.

BA-J/ILL [handwritten initials] O?
John Blue
S. 16646

Mrs. George B. Thompson
1301 Morton Street
Lafayette, Indiana.
Dear Madam:


Reference is made to your letter addressed to the Adjutant General, which had been forwarded to this office for reply regarding John Blue, of Pennsylvania, who received a pension while a resident of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1835.

The data which follow are found in pension claim, S. 16646, based upon service of John Blue, cited by you, in the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of John Blue and the names of his parents are not shown.

John Blue, while a resident of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, enlisted August 2, 1777, served as a private in Captain Scott's Pennsylvania company, marched to Brandywine, was in the battle there and received a sword wound in the head on the retreat from that battle, was taken prisoner and detained in Wilmington, Delaware, for about six weeks, afterwards was carried on a prison ship to Philadelphia where he was imprisoned, was exchanged June 14, 1778, and was discharged June 16, 1778, at Valley Forge.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 12, 1832, at which time he resided in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. The soldier was aged then eighty-two years. He made no reference to wife or children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you
Page 25

[page 2 of 2 page typed letter]

should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:

John Blue
Certificate #7421
Issued April 9, 1833
Rate $35.10 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831.
Act of June 7, 1832.
Indiana Agency.

Very truly yours,

GEORGE H. SWEET,
Acting Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.