Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1485, John Burns, Penn.
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SERVICE   Penn.
Burns, John
Elizabeth
NUMBER   R. 1485
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Declaration was made before, declarant knew proof of service could be obtained from Pa. tho she alledged Service in that state, the reason claim was not set up at an earlier day is, She did not know untill recently, she was entitled & says her Husband did not know he was entitled, Else Claim would have been made.  
Elizabeth Burns 
Deponants - Swear on the assertion of John Burns, only of themselves, they know nothing of his service they knew Burns, Well, his Boast was that he fought through the R. W. and went from Pensylvania, he Was from Ireland - old enough, to be the Father of his widow - they had 15 children, Married in 1816, in Ash Co NC - The reason his death, is so well remembered,  he was thrown from on horse and killed, on the day alledged in Smythe County
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State of Virginia 
County of Washington} SS 
On this day personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, James Wilson, and 
Who in due in and Solemn form of law, doth, on their oaths declare that they were well acquainted with John Burns dec’d & his Widow Elizabeth Burns, who is now applying for pension & Bounty land that she & John Burns were reported as husband wife, living together as husband & wife, and [unreadable] children, and acknowledging them, their lawfully begotten Issue & each other as husband & wife, and that she is now Widow of John Burns of the Revolution, 
Jas Wilson [seal]  
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of Septr 1856. and I certify affiants are more of truth and can be relied on. Given under my hand, the date above written 
John C. Campbell J. P.
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State of Virginia 
Washington County} SS 
I Jacob Lynch Clerk of the court of the said county of Washington, do hereby certify that John C Campbell whose genuine signature appears to the within affidavit of James Wilson now is and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace in and for said County, duly elected commissioned and qualified 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this 22d day of October 1856 
Jacob Synch Clk
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Declaration was made before, declarant knew proof of service could be obtained from Pa. tho she alledged Service in that state, the reason claim was not set up at an earlier day is, She did not know untill recently, she was entitled & says her Husband did not know he was entitled, Else Claim would have been made. 
Elizabeth Burns Deponants - Swear on the assertion of John Burns, only of themselves, they know nothing of his service they knew Burns, Well, his Boast was that he fought through the R. W. and went from Pensylvania, he Was from Ireland - old enough, to be the Father of his widow - they had 15 children, Married in 1816, in Ash Co NC - The reason his death, is so well remembered, he was thrown from on horse and killed, on the day alledged in Smyth County
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No
Declaration of Elizabeth Burns
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State of Virginia 
County of Washington} On on this day personally appeared in open Court, Elizabeth Burns who in due and solemn form of law, doth, on her oath, declare, that she is widow of John Burns a soldier of the revolution, that he entered the service as a regular soldier in the State of Pensylvania, that he died in the County of Smyth on the 28th day of Oct 1838, that she and John Burns, married at Ash Court House N.C. in the year 1816, That the said John Burns never received pension, she prays pension in right of her said Husband from the 4th March 1831, to the date of his death in 1838, and she Claims pension, in right of said Burns under Act of 2d July 1853 & Bounty land under act of 3 March 1855. She knows not the officers he served under    
Elizabeth Burns her mark [seal] 
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 11th day of Septr 1856 
Virginia. At a Circuit Court continued and held for Washington County at the Court house, on the 11th day of September 1856. 
This day personally appeared in Open Court, Elizabeth Burns, and made oath in due form of law, that she is the widow of John Burns a soldier of the revolution that he enlisted in the Regular service in the State of Pennsylvania, that the said Burns afterwards removed, first to the State of North Carolina and then to the County of Smyth in the State of Virginia, where he died
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on the 28th day of October 1838, and that the said John Burns never received a pension.   
In testimony whereof I, Peter J Branch, Clerk of the said Circuit Court for the County of Washington in the State of Virginia, hereto set my hand and annex the seal of the said Court this 4th day of October 1856. 
Peter J. Branch, Clerk of Washington Circuit Court,
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1485
OWN
REJECTED
Elizabeth Burns
widow of John
Pa.
Correct Book
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No. 6556
John Burns Deceased
Virginia
1485
Act June 7 1832
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Abingdon Oct. 1856  
Commr of Pensions, 
Dear Sir,
I Enclose two declaration of Elizabeth Burns, Widow of John of the Revolution.   One for Bounty Land, under act of 3d March 1855. the other for pension under Acts of the 7 June 1832. & 3d Feby 1853. - I also enclose proof of widowhood and that she is the widow of John Burns, of the revolution who served in Pensylvania, also proof his service in said State 
I am Dear Sir Very Respectfully Your Obt St. 
J. W. Stevens
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119 
Fifth Regiment 1780 
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen, and Captain Escurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several sums opposite to our names respectively, in Certificate, dated July 1, 1784. bearing Interest at six per cent from January the first 1781, signed by John Pierce, Commissioner and described as below, being for the Balance of a settlement between the United States and us for pay and subsistance to January the first 1781. 
Book of Service  Aug 28th 1784   No. of Certificate  70,058   Letter Lx  Names  John Craven  447   Sums  33.30    Signature  George May
Book of Service  Aug. 2d 1784  No. of Certificate 80   Letter Ax   Names  John Burns   Sums  31.37    Signature John Burns X
Auditor Generals Office Harrisburg Sept. 30. 1856 
I certify the above to be a true abstract copy taken from Pay Roll B. Page 119 remaining in this Department,  
Witness my hand and seal of office the day of year aforesaid, E. Banks Aud Genl
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131 
Fifth Regiment 1781   
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen, and Captain Escurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several sums opposite to our names respectively, in Certificate, dated July 1, 1784. bearing Interest at six per cent from January the first 1781, signed by John Pierce, Commissioner and described as below, being for the Balance of a settlement between the United States and us for pay &c to January the first 1782. 
Book of Service Mar. 24th 1784 No. of Certificate 70,310 Letter Lx Names Nathaniel Smith 728  Sums 272.68  Signature Jno Wilkins 
Book of Service Aug. 2d 1784 No. of Certificate 26 Letter Hx Names John Burns Sums 83.54 Signature John Burns X 
Auditor Generals Office 
Harrisburg Sept. 30. 1856 
I certify the above to be a true abstract copy taken from Pay Roll B. Page 131 remaining in this Department, 
Witness my hand and seal of office the day of year aforesaid, 
E. Banks Aud Genl
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144 
Fifth Regiment 1782   
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen, and Captain Escurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several sums opposite to our names respectively, in Certificate, dated July 1, 1784. bearing Interest at six per cent from January the first 1781, signed by John Pierce, Commissioner and described as below, being for the Balance of a settlement between the United States and us for pay &c to January the first 1783. 
Book of Service Aug. 27th 1784 No. of Certificate 70,621 Letter Ix Names James Matthews  401  Sums 88.00  Signature James Bennett 
Book of Service Aug. 2 1784 No. of Certificate 25 Letter Cx Names John Burns Sums 88.00 Signature John Burns X 
Auditor Generals Office 
Harrisburg Sept. 30. 1856 
I certify the above to be a true abstract copy taken from Pay Roll B. Page 144 remaining in this Department, 
Witness my hand and seal of office the day of year aforesaid, 
E. Banks Aud Genl
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15 
Tenth Regiment 1780   
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen, and Captain Escurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several sums opposite to our names respectively, in Certificate, dated July 1, 1784. bearing Interest at six per cent from January the first 1781, signed by John Pierce, Commissioner and described as below, being for the Balance of a settlement between the United States and us for pay &c to January the first 1781. 
Book of Service Aug. 27th 1784 No. of Certificate 67.852 Letter Nx Names Richard Humpton 161  Sums 160.00  Signature  Richd Humpton 
Book of Service Aug. 20, 1784 No. of Certificate 70  Letter Hx Names John Burns Sums 265.50 Signature  James Ewing 
Auditor Generals Office 
Harrisburg Sept. 30. 1856 
I certify the above to be a true abstract copy taken from Pay Roll B. Page 15 remaining in this Department, 
Witness my hand and seal of office the day of year aforesaid, 
E. Banks Aud Genl
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73 
Sixth Regiment 1781   
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen, and Captain Escurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several sums opposite to our names respectively, in Certificate, dated July 1, 1784. bearing Interest at six per cent from January the first 1781, signed by John Pierce, Commissioner and described as below, being for the Balance of a settlement between the United States and us for pay &c to January the first 1782. 
Book of Service Aug. 12th 1784 No. of Certificate 68.971  Letter Cx Names  James Rue 86 Sums 86.64  Signature  Michl Rue X Adm’r 
Book of Service Aug. 20, 1784 No. of Certificate 68.994  Letter Ex Names John Burns 265  Sums 110.00 Signature  James Ewing 
Auditor Generals Office 
Harrisburg Sept. 30. 1856 
I certify the above to be a true abstract copy taken from Pay Roll B. Page 73 remaining in this Department, 
Witness my hand and seal of office the day of year aforesaid, 
E. Banks Aud Genl
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J. W. Stevens
Nov 3 / 56
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Virginia Act ‘32
Pension Office, November 3, 1856. 
Sir
I have examined the papers transmitted in support of a claim for pension in the case of John Burns, deceased, and filed them under act of June 7, 1832.
Proof is required identifying the said Burns with the service certified by Auditor General of Pennsylvania. It appears that there was more than one man of this name in the Pennsylvania line during the Revolutionary war.  No viable proof of marriage has been filed in support of the widow’s claim
Very respy. 
J W Stevens Esqr Abingdon Virginia
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Pension Office Feb. 26, 1858, 
Sir
In answer to the enclosed letter of Chas. J Shannon Esqr which accompanied your letter of the 19" Inst; I have the honor to state that the claim of Elizabeth Brown for a pension in right of the revolutionary services of John Burns, has been suspended for want of proof which will certify her husband as the soldier who performed the service certified to by the Auditor General of Pennsylvania & additional evidence of marriage.  It appears from the evidence filed in the case that there was more than one John Burns, who served in the Pennsylvania Continental line in the Revolutionary war.  If the evidence in the case was satisfactory that the husband of the applicant was in service, he should be at a loss
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J. W. Stevens
Nov 3 / 56
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as to its duration & whether either of the John Burns who are certified to have been in service by the Auditor General of Pennsylvania, was her husband.  
Proof which will identify the claimant’s husband with the alleged service should be filed & additional evidence of marriage is requisite to Establish the same 
Hon. Geo. W. Hopkins 
Ho. Reps. 
Hon Geo W. Hopkins
Feby 26
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Pension Office
Nov 21, 1856
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 10th inst, you are informed that the course suggested by you would it in no defense strengthen the claim of [unreadable] by Mary Burns, widow of John Burns, if it should appear that the parties of that name who have been pensioned did not [unreadable] the same embraced by the aspects of the attorney General of Pennsylvania , it would not follow that it was widow of claimant’s husband, but there is evidently more than one of the name John Burns, a
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very common name, embraced by said affects; and unless your client’s husband can & the most conclusive evidence be identified as having been one of them, no [unreadable] benefit can be sent per the further prosecution of the claim.  
J. W. Stevens 
Nov 21st 
J. W. Stevens Esqr
Abingdon Va
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Washington City Feb. 19th 1858 
Hon George C. Whiting
Comr of Pensions
Sir
I enclose herewith two letters upon a subject in your charge, and I request that you will give me any information you may be able to furnish. I do not know Mrs Burns but Mr Shannon is a gentleman of high respectability, and has no interest in the matter except to oblige the old woman concerned, of come you will understand that I decline the proposition to become the agent of Mrs. B. except so for as it may be duty as her immediate representation to entered the subject for your examination, and that without the slightest expectation of any compensation from or any one concerned. 
If he suspicions as to the conduct of her agent be will founded, I should like to know it. The letter of the agent, which is indeed you will please return to me that I may [unreadable]  it to Mr Shannon 
I am Sir very respectfully yours 
G. W.  Hopkins
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Know all Men by These Presents, That I Elizabeth Burns Widow of John Burns dec’d and  resident of the County of Smyth in the State of Virginia do hereby select, ordain, constitute, and irrevocably appoint with power of substitution, J. W. Stevens -  of Abingdon on my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, for me and in my name, place and stead, to examine into, enter, prosecute, file and defend, before the proper Department of Government, or other tribunal, any claim, or suit, in my behalf, or in which I may be legally interested, by virtue of   my claim, for pension, and Bounty Land in right of my deceased Husband, John Burns a soldier of the Revolution from the State of Pensylvania 
Further empowering my said Agent and Attorney, or his substitute, to apply for and receive any Money, Bounty Land or Bounties, Pension Claim or claims, or other dues, of any kind whatsoever, that may be found to be due me as aforesaid, 
And further empowering my said Agent and Attorney, and authorizing him to receipt therefor, and give full and free acquittance thereof in his name, as my Agent and Attorney in fact, but all for my benefit and behoof. Hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever my said Agent and Attorney may lawfully do, or cause to be done, as in these premises specified and as though I were present personally and acting for myself Binding the heirs, legal representatives and assigns to comply with, and fully carry out and complete any obligation, contract, or agreement, that is or may be made between me and my said Agent or Attorney, his legal representatives, heirs or assigns. In witness whereof I do hereunto affix my hand and seal this 11th day of Sept 1856. 
Elizabeth Burns her mark (SEAL) 
WITNESS, (SEAL ) 
Signed, Sealed and and acknowledged in presence of 
G. W. Hopkins 
Virginia. At a Circuit Court continued and held for Washington County, at the Courthouse, on the 11th day of September 1856.   
The foregoing power of Attorney from Elizabeth Burns of Smyth County and State of Virginia, to John W. Stevens of Abingdon was acknowledge in open court, in due form of law, by the said Elizabeth Burns to be her free act and deed, which is or ordained to be certified In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Circuit Court this 4th day of October 1856 
Peter J Branch Clerk of 
Washington Circuit Court in the State of Virginia
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State of Virginia 
County of Washington 
On this the day of Sept One Thousand Eight hundred and Fifty six before me, George W Hopkins, Judge of 17th Judicial Circuit in and for said County and State, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Elizabeth Burns the identical person whose name I attached to the annexed Power of Attorney, and being duly questioned, acknowledged the same to be her free act and deed as specified. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my name, the day and year last above mentioned. 
State of County of 
I clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit, is, and was, at the time of signing the same, a in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such, are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record having general jurisdiction. Given under my hand and seal of my Office at day of 185 
Elizabeth Burns
Power of Atty
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Abingdon Nov 11th 1857 
Comr T. G. Person 
My Dear Sir 
In investigating Revolutionary service with Comptroller of Pensylvania, I find that John Burns, was a soldier in said War, which Corresponds with what Mr John Buchanon informed me some years ago.  Mrs. Burns can be placed on pension Roll of 1853, & obtain a pension for life, I enclose a power of Atto for her to sign, before a magistrate, to show my Authority to Investigate the Rolls in the department at Washington, after she signs & the magistrate attests as J.P. it must be authenticated, by the Clerk of my the County Court & sent back to Me, tell her. the John Burns, Who Got Land in Illinois, was not her Husband, but another John Burns, as I find two of the same name, Will you please find & explain to Mrs. Burns, 
Yours truly J W. Stevens
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Abingdon Nov. 10th 1856
Comr Pensions 
Sir 
Your favour is to hand In relation to the Claim for pension, of Elizabeth  Widow of John Burns, there was another John Burns, of Pensylvania, who was a pensioner, but this John, also served in said State, by looking to the proof filed in the name of John Burns, who was a pensioner and the proof now adduced of the service of our John, probably we can know, whether they are not different Men, this John Burns, was an Irishman he remained in Pa untill the war of 1812 and again enlisted, served out his time, and in 1816, came to this County, and got married, his Neighbors, highly respectable men, has often conversed with him about his service in the revolution they only know he served, from himself, and relations of different Battles, his widow, who is young enough to have been his daughter, only knows what he has Informed her of his service, but of his having served, no one who knew him doubts, 
If necessary, under the circumstances, I will obtain Certificate of Marriage, and enclose it.  The Widow, cannot shown by any one living, that he is the Identical John Burns, the Comptroller has certified to - lapse of time, has buried all such proof
 I am Sir Very respectfully Your Obt Svt 
J. W. Stevens