Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,820, John Alexander, Penn.
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SERVICE   Penn.
Alexander, John
NUMBER  S. 30.820
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7435   
Kentucky
John Alexander Senr.  
of Clark Co in the State of Kentucky who as a private in the Company commanded by Captain Scott of the Regt commanded by Col Hays in the Penn line for 7 mo.   
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of April 1833 and sent to Samuel M Taylor Winchester Kentucky 
Arrears to the of 4th of March   46.66
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 11.66
$ 38.32  
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by  Daniel Boyd Clerk, 
Book E  Vol.  7   Page 1    
Order to pay 27 Sept 1837. 
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1837 to 4 Sept 1837. Agt notified 28 June 38 
let to Hon G A Caldwell   5 / 50
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15581
John Alexander
Adm’d [admitted] $23.33 per annum
Hon M. Taylor
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State of Kentucky 
Clark County } Sct 
On this third day of October 1832 personally appeared before me Richard French sole and presiding Judge of the Clark Count Court for the County aforesaid. (the said Court being by the act of the Legislation establishing the same expressly made a Court of Record) John Alexander a resident of said County and State, aged Seventy Six years on the 8th day of August last, 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 entered the service of the United States in the revolutionary war, under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated – to wit - He lived in the County of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania and there in the month of June in the year 1775 (but the day of the month not recollected) he volunteered as a militiaman in the continental line and served in the company of Volunteers commanded by Capt Abram Scott and Col William Hays was his Colonel, but he does not remember the name of the Regiment to which he belonged He was thence marched to Philadelphia and
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across the Delaware River at Trenton, from thence to princeton in New Jersey remained a day or two at the latter place, from thence to Brunswick, from thence to Newark, from thence to Elizabethtown, from thence to Bargan (alias Bergan) where we remained about three weeks and built a fortification, the name of which he has forgotten - from thence to Poler’s (Paulus) Hook, to meet the enemy but did not meet them as was expected and from thence returning home by the way of Staten Island on the Amboy River where we had a small engagement with the British in which we were defeated, and from thence by the way of Philadelphia returned home having been in actual service on this tour abo eight weeks. He received a discharge from said Capt Scott but has lost it, not believing it would ever to him any good.- 
The next tour was for three months, he then served as a volunteer in the west under Capt Caldwell (his Christian name not remembered) and his Genl's name and Potter (alias Porter) but his given name not rememered, he was marched to the back parts of Pennsylvania, where another fort was erected called Fort Wallis, and whilst on our march to this point fell in with some
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regulars commanded by said General and at the agreed Fort we remained during the said three months during this your we had many Skirmishes with the British and Indians, and lost some men on both sides. but no general engagement - none of the Regular officers remembered by name except Captain Walker said General and no other militia men except Capt Caldwells company to which he belonged - at the end of this tour which was 1776 he was discharged by his Capt. but has also lost this discharge.- 
In the year 1777 he again entered the service as a volunteer in the Militia under Capt Thos Robertson in Lancaster County Pennsylvania - his General was the same above stated and was marched to the Valley Forge and remained at that place untill the Battle of Brandywine and he fought through the whole of that Battle, and the following night marched all night, to Chestertown, and remained there in the service untill we were discharged by his said last named Capt but he has lost his discharge also - this last term of service having been for about eight weeks. He was born Ireland came to America in 1773. lived in 
John Alexander states that he is the son of John Alexander whose pension claim is about to be certified to the war
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State of Kentucky   
for about eight weeks. He was born Ireland came to America in 1773 lived in
John Alexander Junr states that he is the - Son of John Alexander whose pension claim is about to be certified to the War Office that he is thirty one years of age, and has always understood and believes that his Father served in the Revolutionary war as stated in his declaration taken before which Richard French, which he has heard read and has no doubt his Father so served has never heard his services doubted by any body - and says his Father is not able to come to Court owing to bodily infirmity, arising from the Rheumation - He also states that he is a minister of the gospel and resides with his said Father in Clark County Ky 
John Alexander 
Sworn to before me the Judge of the Clark Circut Court by the Reverand John Alexander Junior the 5th day of October 1832 
Richard French
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Clarke County & State of Kentucky 
I, Thacher V. Bush a Clergyman residing in the County of Clarke and State of Kentucky hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Alexander Senior who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and I concur in that opinion 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Thacher V. Bush 
And I the said Richard French do hereby declare 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 further certify that it appears to me that Thacher V. Bush and John Alexander Junior who have signed the preceding certificate are both Clergyman resident in the County of Clarke and are creditable persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit - also that Chilton who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County of Clark, and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit – 
Given under my hand as Judge of the said Clerk Circuit Court as agreed on this 6th day of October 1832 
Richard French
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Lancaster County Pennsylvania from that time untill he came to Clark County in the year 1758 where he has lived ever since and still resides – He has no record of his age. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state 
John Alexander
Sworn and subscribed the day and fourth John Alexander Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid – 
Richard French
I, as the Judge of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the above named John Alexander is unable to attend Court owing to bodily infirmity - and that therefore I waited upon said Alexander in the Country where I took his aforesaid declaration. Given under my hand this 3rd day of October 1832 
Richard French 
State of Ky Clark County Sct 
Chilton on this day made oath before me that he is well acquainted with John Alexander Senr who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and believes him to be
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State of Kentucky 
Clarke Circuit } Sct 
I, Samuel M. Taylor Clerk of the Clark Circuit Court, do hereby certify, that Richard French Esq. who has signed the within Certificates, is sole Judge of the said Court.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 10 day of October 1832 
Sam M. Taylor
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1558
John Alexander Sen.
Clark County
Kentucky
from 1775 private
7 months
$ 23.33
Scott
Hays
Adm'd [admitted]
7 mo
Penn
Sam M. Taylor
Winchester Kent.
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BRIEF in the case of John Alexander Sen of Clark County in the State of Kentucky 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge   
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes   
3. How old is he? 76 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.   Volunteer in 1775  Duration of Service.  2 months   Rank.  As a Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt. Abram Scott  Col. Wm. Hays
Period.   Volunteer  1776  Duration of Service. 3 months  Rank.    Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt. Caldwell
Period.  Volunteer 1777   Duration of Service.  2 months   Rank.    Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt. Thomas Robertson
5. In what battles was he engaged? Staten Island, Brandywine 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lancaster, Pennsylvania 
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? Not connected  as required by the regulations 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
F. S. Bradford 
Examining Clerk
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Treasury Department 
Second Comptroller's Office, 
June 27 1838 
Sir
Under the act 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, John Alexander a Pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky Agency, at the rate of twenty three Dollars and thirty three cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 to the 4th of September 1837 
Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris 
Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.
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30820 
Revy INVALID 
File No.  30.820 
John Alexander 
Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7" 32" 
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 6 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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John Alexander Senr $23.33 Ky 7 June 1832 
To what time last paid to 
Pension Office 2nd Sept 1837   Up to 4 Sep 1834  
JH
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Pension Office 
February 5th 1850. 
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 23d ultimo: in the case of John Alexander of Clark County, Kentucky, on the rolls of the pensioners at 23 33/100 per annum. I have to state that he has been allowed the full rate of pension to which he is intitled for his services which was seven months, 
I have the honor to be Very respectfully, Your Obd Servant, 
J L Edwards
Hon G A Caldwell, 
H. of Rep’s
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NV Evans
Sept 25
LEXINGTON KY SEP 19
J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Northern Bank of Ky 
Lexington Sept 19 1837 
J.L. Edward Esq 
Commis’r of Pensions
Sir   I enclose for your inspection the papers of John Alexander Senr who has not drawn since 4 September 1834 owing as the Attorney states to his being unable to attend to it personally and the difficulty getting another to draw for him 
Very respectfully 
Wm Ernst 
Pen’r clk
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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 Alexander Sen. Clark Co. Kentucky 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? yes 
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
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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? Two clergymen 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
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? 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? Not connected as required 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2
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 persons mentioned below, and in the following grades; For months , and days , I served as a -- For days, I served as months and for such service I claim a pension
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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 too indefinite , 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 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 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 office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.