Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4126, Francis Goodwin, Penn. Va.
Page 1

Penn. Goodwin, Francis R. 4,126
Va.
Born in Ireland
Page 2

Report to Warsley
Esq. Weston Lewis
County Va
Page 3

State of Virginia
Harrison County
On this 24th day of October 1833 personally appeared before me one Jonathan Fitz Randolph a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Harrison in the said state of Virginia Francis Goodwin a resident of Harrison County in the state of Virginia age seventy 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 provisions of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the year 1777 in March of that year he was drafted in Fayette County in Penn sylvanied under Captain Connell to serve six months in the PA Ma. He was marched to a place on the Yohagary river about 16 milesfrom where Union Town Stands he was stationed on said river at a garrison which had been erected there under Col. Evans. there he acted as a guard to the garrison and magazine from March 1777 till in October 1777 He was discharged by Captain Connell having served more than six months as a private soldier in the PA. Ma. Again in April 1778 he volunteered in what is now Monongalia county in Virginia to serve six months in Captain John Crans company of Indian spies and militia He was attached to a segment commanded by Colonel Zachariah Morgan stationed at Pricketts Fort and ordered to guard it and spie westwardly in what is now Tyler Brook & Ohio Counties in Va. He did so spie and guard the Fort alternately from April 1778 till in Nov 1778 Having served more than his tour was discharged by his Captain having served more than
Page 4

State of Virginia
Harrison County} SS.
On this 24th day of October 1833 personally appeared before me Jonathan Fitz Randolph a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Harrison in the said State of Virginia Francis Goodwin a resident of Harrison county in the state of Virginia aged seventy 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 provisions of the act of congress of the 7th of June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the year 1777 in March of that year he was drafted in Fayette County in Pennsylvania under Captain Connell to serve six months in the Pa. Ma. He was marched to a place on the Yohagany River about 16 miles from where Union Town Stands he was stationed on said river at a garrison which had been erected there under Col. Evans. There he acted as a guard to the Garrison and Magazine from March 1777 till in October 1777 He was discharged by Captain Connell having served more than six months as a private soldier in the Pa. Ma. Again in April 17778 he volunteered in what is now Monongalia County in Virginia to serve six months in Captain John Evans company of Indian spies and militia He was attached to a regiment commanded by Colonel Zachariah Morgan stationed at Pricketts Fort and ordered to guard it and spied westwardly in what is now Tyler Brook & this counties in Va. He did so spie (spy) and guard the Fort alternately from April 1778 till in Novr. 1778 Having served more than his tour was discharged by his Captain having served more than
Page 5

six months this tour as a private soldier and Indian spie. Again in the spring of 1779. He volunteered as a militia man and Indian spie under Captain Levi Morgan and under the same Col Zachariah Morgan to serve six months in May 1779 he was again stationed at Pricketts Fort in what is now Monongolia County in Virginia Here he was again named to spie westward from this fort in (now) Tyler Brook & Ohio Counties in Va from May 1779 till in November 1779 when he was discharged by Captain Levi Morgan having served this tour full six months as a private militia man and Indian spie. Again in March 1780 He volunteered in a company of Virginia militia under Captain Cooke Col Martin was stationed at Martins Station on the Monongolia River in what is now Harrison County Virginia and ordered by Col Martin to spie from Martins Station over to Pricketts Fort and up to Herberts Blockhouse on Ten Miles and to spie on the west side of the Monongolia River and give information to each of those places of any discoveries made in the several incursions which they made which was weekly in his service he continued from March 1780 till in December 1780 full nine months. The Indians which had been lurking and done some mischief on Binjamon Creek were discovered to have recrossed the Ohio towards their towns. He was discharged by Captain Cooke
Page 6

Again in the spring of 1781 He again volunteered in the Virginia milita for the defense of the western waters as it was then added under Captain John McCally Col Duvall He was stationed at Nutters fort on the Westfork river in what now Harrison County in Virginia and ordered to spie from thence to Lowthers fort then to West Fort Then to Bee Okhannon Fort and back and so far west as the little Kewaha river and on its tributaries Hughs river & performing the trip for Nutters fort to the others and back by the above routes every four weeks. This he continued to perform from April 1781 till October of that year more than six months the period for which he engaged He was discharged in October 1781 Having served more than six months this year as an Indian spie a private in Captn McCallys company Then again in the spring of 1782 He was drafted to spend six months on the western waters under Captain Christopher Carpenter. He was stationed at Richardson's fort on the Westfork river in what is now Harrison County Virginia under Col. William Lowther and ordered to spie in its adjacent county in what are now Lewis Wood Jackson and Tyler counties in Virginia  done so until in November 1782 was dis
Page 7

charged having served from May 1782 till in Nov of that year more than six months. This was his Revolutionary War has served after ? the Indians as a pie until the year 1794 as as a spie but none in 1783. He does not remember that he saw any general officers except some that passed to the west. He saw of then genls. Hand and McIntosh. He knew no regular troops his service was in the militia and as one Indian spie for more than three years from 1777 till 1783. He has no documentary evidence he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services as a soldier of the revolution. He hereby relinquishes any claims 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
Subscribed and sworn to this day
and year aforesaid.
Francis his mark Goodwin

the said Justice propounded to the applicant the seven several interrogatories prescribed by the
war apartment to which he answered as follows
viz
1st .That he was born in the town of Derry in the County of Londonderry in the province of Ulster in that part of great Brittain called Ireland in 1761.
2nd. that he has no record of his age
3 That he was living in Fayette County Pensylvania that
Page 8

3rd. That after the war he continued to reside in Harrison County 18 miles from the courthouse where he now lives in Va.
4th. That he was first drafted 2nd volunteered 3rd volunteered 4th. volunteered 5th. volunteered 6th. He was drafted.
5th He knew and remembers Cols Evans, Zachariah Morgan, Martin, Duvall and Lowther. The general circumstances of his service are set forth above as nearly as the lapse of half a century enable him to do.
6th. He recd. written discharges from each of his captains they are all lost and since he considered then of no further service to him only affording some pas of that he had done his part in the war.
7th. He is known in his neighborhood to John Goodwin (in no wise akin to him) and Uriah Ashcraft both old men they can both testify to his character for veracity and their the neighborhood belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution. There are no clergymen residing near him
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
Francis his mark Goodwin

We Uriah Ashcraft and John Goodwin resident citizens of Harrison County in the state of Virginia hereby certify that weare well acquainted with Francis Goodwin ho has subscribed and sworn to the above a declaration that we believe him to be 72 years of age. That he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we in that opinion. Subscribed and sworn to this day and year aforesaid. Uriah Ashcraft 
 John his mark Goodwin
Page 9

6
Land I the said Jonathan Fitz Randolph a Justice of the peace in and for the said society of Harrison in the said state of Virginia as hereby dictate my 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 I the said Justice of the peace as aforesaid as further certify that it appears to me that Uriah Ashcraft and John Goodwin who have signed and before me sworn to the preceding certificate are resident citizens of Harrison County in the said State of Virginia that they are credible men and that their statement is entitled to credit and I the said Justice further certify that the applicant lives eighteen miles from Harrison county courthouse that he is to (too) old and infirm to travel there without great inconvenience. And I do further certify that it appears to me that there are no clergymen residing near him. 
Given under my hand at my County of Harrison aforesaid in the state of Virginia this 24th day of October 1833.
Jonathan Fitzrandolph JP
Page 10

(I. David crossed out)
State of Virginia}
Harrison County } Ss.
I David Davisson Clerk of the County Court of Harrison County, do certify that Jonathan Fitz Randolph is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine.
In Testestimony (Testimony) whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my said office this 9h day of November 1833.
Teste   D Davisson Clk
Page 11

28454
Francis Goodwin
Virginia
Envelope enclosed
See afft. of Col. Evans
I. Wamsley
Weston
Lewis County
Virginia
Page 12

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
22d. November 1833-
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with an brace, (thus:  { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling (complying) with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Francis Goodwin
(table with columnar headings

Period when the service was rendered.
March 1777
April 1778_
1779.
March 1780
1781
1782

Duration of the claimant's service. 
Years
Months 
6.
6.
6.
9.
6
6
Days

Rank of the claimant
7orir(?)
"

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap. Connel
Col. Evans
Cap. Jno Evans
"Levi Morgan
Col. G. Morgan
Cap. Cooke
Col. Margate
Cap. W. Cally
Col. Duvald
Cap. Carpenter

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
72 years 
Fayette
County
Penn?

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary-
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 13

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered wand who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of classes are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claim- ing the benefit of this law its officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. 
County of 
On this ______ day of ______ personally appeared (a) before ___________ A.B. a resident (b) of ____________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District of ________ aged (c) _______ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year (d) _______, with ________ and served in the _________ (e) regiment of the _________ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service: (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ________
 Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. _____________: A.B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
 And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I __________ of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ________ day of ________ &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the _______ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed 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 days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, __________ Clerk of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of __________ &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge of commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration , (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 14

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or if detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribed and be sworn to, one of the declarations also provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement to the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. -If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
 ______________________ 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declaration must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continual officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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." 
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 reconciling to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months, is to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 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 employed in any civil pursuit. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 
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 papers 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 not to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] 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 magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[pointing finger icon] The notes from [a] t [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 15

Report in the case of Francis Goodwin, applicant 
Lewis county.
Not Entitled
Rejected Singleton, Report_
Page 16

Frances Goodwin of Harrison Cty charged to Lewis applicant

Called on Mr. Goodwin July 15 1834.  he stated that all the service he had done during the R. War was in scouting and camping against the Indians, in defence of himself and his neighbours, without authority and without officers, other than [illegible]it was a sort of neighborhood warfare.  always held themselves ready to repel invasion from the Indians can't pretend to say [illegible] he was in this kind of service  would not be certain about it no very long.  Sometime in October last was in Clarksburg during the session after county court.  There met Jonathan Wamsley who told him he was entitled to a Pension - and took him into a town with his declaration, and as he thinks swore him to it himself, be that as it may.  he never done any further or other swearing than what was [illegible]  was not taken or required to go to court then in session.  and this is all he knows about the matter
a true copy
W. G. Singleton
Nov. 11. 1834.
Page 17

(Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. crossed out)
4126.
OW
4126 (62 overwritten)
P.O.
Francis Goodwin
Service:
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18  .
Discharged:    , 18  .
Application filed:   , 18  .
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
  Recognized.   Contracts.
   Cert. of Dis.   Searched for    , 18  .
Page 18

Francis Goodwin
Virginia
Rejected-
Singleton's Report
Lih 16 March 35 W. Hoffman
4126 (62 overwritten)