Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,906, for Barney Karren, Virginia
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(3-1776)
Service VA.
Karren, Barney or Kerry
Number S,15,906
carded
Contents
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23.574
Virginia
Barney Karren of Randolph in the State of VA who was a pri in the company commanded by Captain Nevill of the commanded by in the Va line for 2 years
Inscribed in the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Feb 34 and [illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 200
Semi-ant. allowance ending [illegible] 40
$240
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded A Rice Clerk Book E Vol. [illegible] Page 21
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Barney Karren No. 29.650
[illegible] private
2yr $80
Hon J.J. Allen
[illegible]
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State of Virginia
Randolph County

Personly [personally] appeared before me the subscribers an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Randolph and State of Virginia on the 
4th day of November 1833 Barney Karren a Resident of the County of Randolph and State of Virginia aged 82 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 in this service of the United States under the Following named officers and served as herein after stated 

That in the year 1776 the day and month is not recollected by affiant, but he distinctly recollects that he In listed [enlisted] under Captain John Nevell [John Neville] a Captain in the Virginia line. 

Our first march was to Fort Pitt (now Pitt Burg) [Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania] at this place we were Stationed as well as I recolect [recollect] about one year, at the time of this expedition the Indians were in posesion [possession] of this Post, untill [until] Our army arrived in the vicinity of the Fort When they evacuated the fort and in a few days We marched in & took Posesion [possession]

We made many Excursions in Quest of Indians and to procur [procure] provisions; on one ocation [occasion] I was with others sent from the fort by Watters [water] up to (Brownsville) [Brownsville, Pennsylvania] then called Midtown Fort, for the purpose of Procuring a Load of Flower [flour] which we were fortunate Enough to get and Brought It Safe to the fort in a Bral [barrel] 

at the time of my enlistment which took place in Winchester [Virginia] Andrew Waggoner [Waggener] was our first Lieutenant and continued so during this Term which expired whilst we remained at Fort Pitt [Pennsylvania]
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at the Expiration of my first Tour, We were still at Fort Pitt [near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania].  I was verbally discharged and my Captains Told us that the British had landed at New York and that & I would again Enlist We should march to the East in order to oppose the British army at this time.

I am not Positive Whether Andrew Waggonner [Waggener] was the Captain or whether John Nevell [Neville] still commanded. this I know that Capt Nevell [Neville] was promoted to Major but at what time I do not distinctly recollect

From  fort Pitt [Pittsburgh, PA] we marched Back to Winchester [Winchester Park, Philadelphia, PA]. from Winchester we marched to Lancaster in Pennsylvania. from thence to Philadelphia from thence we marched to Trenton in the State of New Jersey from thence to Morris Town [Morristown, New Jersey] at this place our company joind [joined] the Army and I believe that General George Washington was there with the army.

I am strongly impressed with the belief that I saw him there I often saw him after wards [afterwards] in the Cours [course] of my Service, I have forgotten how long we lay at Morristown [NJ]. 

from thence we marched to Philadelphia [PA] 
here we stayed but a shorttime as we were often out upon Excursions out to German Town [Germantown, PA] and in various Directions Through the Country and was in the Battle of German Town [Battle of Germantown, PA] 
on  this day Generals [Charles] Scott & Stevenson [Adam Stephen]

commanded, (I am not positive whether the latter General was called Stephenson or Stevens).

after this action the Marquis Delafaett [Marquis de Lafayette] [illegible] the last named General in the Command
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If this affiant  recollects right this Glory of the Day was lost to the American Army by the Improper Conduct of Major General Stevenson 
[Adam Stephen], who this affiant believes was afterward Broke for his untimely retreat at the time of this Battle [Battle of Germantown, PA]

I well recollect that Our Troops were in high Spirits and Calculated fully upon the Captain of the British Army at this Place having marched all the night before for the Purpose of Surprising them. 

as well as affiant recollects the army was marched to the Valey forge [Valley Forge, Pennsylvania] This he well recollects that they were stationed at the Valey forge [Valley Forge, PA] 

During the Winter succeeding the Battle of Germantown [Pennsylvania], Some short time after the Battle of Germantown, we received 
information that there was a boddy [body] of Hessians not far from us but the name of the Place at which they were stationed I do not recollect.

this I well recollect that  the night before we marched the place that we expected to find them We had to Wade through the Schugekill river [Schuylkill River at Valley forge, PA] which was to [too] deep & Rappid [rapid] that we were compelled to hold to Each other to prevent our being washed down, the weather being very cool and we were not permitted to build fires to dry and warm our selves, 

We suffered very much from cold & wet but we did not obtain our object as the Tories gave the Hessians notice of our Approach and they fled be fore our arrival. 

in the Spring of the year after we wintered at the Valley forge [Valley Forge, PA] I was discharged having served out my second Tern of Enlistment of Twelve months Each, from this Place I Returned home to Hampshire County in th state of Virginia
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I then concluded to leave the army having served my Country two years and having also lost two Brothers who fell nobly fighting for America. My brother John and Edward both fell but in what Battles I do not know as they both served in the Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] line 

My brother Peter Karren had also served his Adopted Country in the Virginia line one year. I say adopted for my Father moved to this country from Ireland to America, bringing with him five sons, four of who, was actively engaged in the Revolution in behalf of the American caus [cause]

I continued to reside in Hampshire County [West Virginia, formerly Virginia] until we heard the news that Cornwallace [General Charles Lord Cornwallis] was at York town [Yorktown, Virginia], at this time We received information that General [George] Washington had sent an invitation to his old soldiers and comrades in arms to repair to him and he would soon Put an end to the Conflict.

Many of us repaired to Romney [Romney, West Virginia] to take in to consideration way best to be done. at this Time the late Col. Edward McCarty
asked this affiant if he would Volunteer to go and aid Our old Commander 
This affiant Replyed [replied] to him that if he said McCarty would go that he said affiant would go also, then was soon a company of volunteers Raised and commanded by James Staply as well as affiant Recollects

We marched by the nearest & Best Routs [Routes] from Romney in Hampshire County [West Virginia] to the Town of York [Yorktown, Va] when we joined the main army commanded by General [George] Washington.
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this affiant Remained with the Army at Yorktown untill [until] the Surrender of Cornwallace and was one of the guard who marched with The Prisoners to Winchester in Frederick County Virginia this affiant was detained some time to guard the said Prisoners untill [until] a Relief was Raised when he was discharged and came home the Length of this service this affiant does not Recollect. This affiant will now state the names of some of his comrades in arms. Whilst discharging his duty in his first & second enlistment; Andrew Lilburn was our orderly Sargent at Fort Pitt, Michael Brady & John Rien served with me in my first tower [tour] in my second Tower [tour] the same persons again enlisted with me and also James & John Hagarty at one time the date of which is not Recollected this affiant was engaged in guarding the Tories confined in the jail of Hampshire County Va this service this affiant beleaves [believes] was under the orders of General Morgan the time Imployed [employed} is not Recollected, but it was untill [until] the persons confined coud [could] give security for their good behaveour [behavior]. This affiant was attached to the 12 Virginia Regiment commanded by Col. James Wood and believes that when Captain John Nevill was promoted he was our Major; All those things Transpired many years ago it is possible he may be mistaken in some Particulars, but the many privations, such as hunger, cold and often the want of necessary clothing has made such impression on his mind that nothing but death can efface from his recollection, the time he served in his first two Enlistments which was two full years
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Subscribed and sworn to this day and year [illegible] above written, He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pention [pension] or annuity
except this present and [illegible] his name is not on the pension [illegible] [illegible] this agency of any [illegible]    Barney Karren
   I was born in Ireland in the County of Monahan in the year 1753
I have no record of my age
I was living in the town of Winchester, as soon as my two first Tours ended I came to the County of Hampshire to reside where I resided some years from them I remove to the county of Randolfs.  When I have resided ever since now about Eleven years.
I enlisted twice but never received any Bounty but one Bole of Teddy.  I also volunteered [illegible] and served as guard to the Tories once but do not recollect how
I was called to this service
Col. James Wood commanded the 12 Regiment and Major John Nevell commanded in in the same Regiment
Andrew Waggonner was first our Lieutenant and af=ter ward our Captain
Stephen Ashby belonged to the same Regiment and was a captain
I have often seen General Morgan during my service & several times in particular at the  Valley Forge
I also saw him in Winchester, when I understood he wants to take Quebeck [Quebec?]
I saw General Washington a short time before the battle of Germantown but have no recollection of seeing him that day. I saw him often during the winter and stayed at the Valley forge.  Some time after the surrender of Cornwallis I saw that the General in Hampshire County
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We John R Goff and Henry Farnster presidents of the County of Randolph and State of Virginia to hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Barney Karren who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be 82 years of age that he is reputed and believedin the Neighbourhood where he resides to have been a sol=dier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion
Sworn & Subscribed to this 4 day of November 1833
John R Goff
[illegible]
I the said Justic State that this Certificate was omitted in its proper place and has been inserted on this paper before I signed the Original Declaration given under my hand & seal this 4 Day November 1833

John Moore J.P.                                Seal
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I did receive a Discharge; I believe It was signed by Col. Scott but am not certain, in those days I was fond of a Dram and in a frollick I lost it
W. John R Goff and W. Henry Farnster are two of my neighbours to whom I can refer for my verasity and their belief of my being a soldier of the Revolution and also to an affidavit of John Chenoweth.  Taken before Godfrey hills an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Randolph.  I also refur [refer] to Joseph Vanmiter. [(illegible)] of the County of Hardy
Subscribed & Sworn to this day & year first written

Barney Karren

and I the said Justice of the peace do hereby Declare my opinion after the investigation of the whole matters am after putting this Interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and I the said Justice further certify that it appears to me that John R. Goff and Henry Farnster who has signed this preceding Certifficate [certificate] are creditable persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and I the said Justice further certify that there is no Clergeman [clergyman] Residing in the neighbourhood of the above named applicant and that he from Bodily infirmity is unable to travel to the Court house of Said Justice further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceding of my self in the matter of the application of Barney Karren for a pention [pension]
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In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this day & year aforesaid John Moore
Virginia Randolph County S.C.
I Archibald Earle Clerk of the County Court afore said do hereby certify that John Moore before whom the above affidavit was made was at the time to tell is an acting Justice of the Peace in for said County duly Commissioned & qualified and I believe the above signature of John Moore to be Genuine. I further certify that Godfrey Hille before whome the within affidavit was taken was in the year 1827 a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified and I believe the signature thereto is genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said County Court this 30th day of December 1833 A Earle Clk RC
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15.906 INVALID. File No. 15.906  Barney Karren alias “Kerry” Pri Rev War Act: June 7" 32 Index: — Vol. 1, Page 200 [Arrangement of 1870.]
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Barney Karren Pen Randolph cty [illegible]  Entitled
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Barney Karren. Alias Kerns. arrears $80 - on the 4th November 1834 Karrin gave the following Statement of his age and Service as a Soldier in the war of the Revo’y War. is a native of Ireland came to the UStates as a child dont know his age.- but thinks he cant be less than ninety years old.- he resided in Hampshire county at the Commencement, that he thinks it was in the year 1776. (he is not possitive about the year) he Enlisted in Winchester, Va. under Capt. John Nevil, for one year, and marched to Pittsburg passing the Braddock road, then was wit the Va. Company.- Served out the term at Pittsburg at the expiration of which he reEnlisted for one other year under the same Captain. who marched his company back to Winchester thence to Lancaster & thence to Philadelphia - from there to Ironton & Morristown at the latter place Joined Washingtons army which went to Pennsylvania. marched all night got to German town Near before day.- where the Battle was fought. from this army Went to Vally forge & remained there all Winter.- he belonged to the 12th Regt.- his year expired after which he returned to Winchester Virg:- & returned under Capt J Tuply. marched to York then was there at the Battle. returned to Winchester with the Prissoners. Entrenched at the garrison near Winchester all Winter - friend his Services by Joseph Vanmeeter & John Chenoweth - James Camp & Bro who wrote his Declaration. Robbed him of all his money took all but $100
Note this man can tell all the names of his respecativ officers - his account was accurately narrated - he is clearly Entitled - whether this Statement agrees with his Declaration or not. he was wounded at the Battle of German town - his wound was exhibited. 
A Copy
W G Singleton
Nov 26, 1834
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Bryan Kerry papers to apply for a pension recd 10 Oct 1827 Hon. W. Armstrong H.R. depd Feb. 11. 1828
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No 1 Randolph County Virginia to wit 
This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for said County John Chenoweth and made oath and Deposeth as follows by say that he was personally acquainted with Barney Kerry formerly of Hampshire County in Virginia but now a resident of the County of Randolph and of aforesaid Deponant says his first acquaintance with him was in the Virginia Lines and thinks that the said Barney Kerry belonged to the 12th Virginia Rgt and Captain [illegible] Company as he the Deponent belonged to the 8th Virginia Rgt, and that they where both soldiers in the Revolutionary War and the deponant says that he has no Recollection of the field office that commanded the 12 Rgt at that time, as the laps [elapse] of time has obliterated [illegible] from his mind
Godfrey Hille [illegible] R.C. Virginia
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State of Virginia - Hardy County 
Personly Appeared before me the subscriber one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County of Hardy and State of Virginia. Col. Joseph Vanmeter and after being duly sworn doth upon his oath say that in the year 1777 he was personly acquainted with Barney Karren then a soldier in the army of the United States and as this affiant believes in the Company commanded by Captain Vap. in the 12 Regiment of the Virginia Line It is Posible that the said Barney Karren was not in Captain Vap’s Company but affiant is certain that he the said Barney Karren belonged to the said Twelfth Regiment commanded by Col. James Wood. affiant believes that the said Barney Karren served as he states in his declaration in which he refers to him during his acquaintance with Barney Karren he maintained a respectable Character I the said Justice as here by state that I have been acquainted with Col. Joseph Vanmeter for many years and beswear his statement entitled to Credit given under my hand & seal this 11th day of November 1833
Mortimer D Williams J.P. 
Virginia Hardy County Court I James Carr Gamble Clerk of the Court of the Court afore said do hereby certify that Mortimer D. Williams, before whom the above affidavit was made, was at the time and still is an acting Justice of the peace for said County, and that to all his acts as such due faith [illegible] is & ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as thereout and I do further certify that I believe the above signature of Mortimer D. Williams to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 11th day of November 1833 and in the 58th year of American Independence Jas Carr Gamble
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at the request of Col Camp I will state I was well acquainted with old Mr Chenoweth of Randolph County Virginia, John Chenoweth He had been in the early period of his life high Sheriff of Randolph and a magistrate of the county. He always as far as I understood maintained the character of a respectable man and a man of truth and veracity. His circumstances were independent and he left a large and respectable family who still reside in Randolph. I further certify that I have regularly attended the courts of he an [illegible] I am well acquainted with Godfrey Hille have frequently seen him write. the signature & body of the affidavit are in his hand writing. He was for some time an acting justice of the peace for Randolph, but I do not remember the time he served or when he resigned. He will revisin hear & is a come of the Cty court for taking depositions J. J Allen of Va
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[address lines] James L. Edwards Esqr
Pension Office PC
[added lines] Feb 22 here at [illegible]
Hon. Jos. Johnson HR
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House of Rep. 21st Feb 39 
HP.. Edwards will please give the information desired by the writers of the enclosed letter relative to the necessary [illegible] to draw the ballance of pension due to the heirs of the within named Pensioner 
[illegible] J. Johnson
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Form VAM-51 12 - 5 - 41 Division of Veterans’ Administration Archives BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Karsh, George GRADE Private LINE Hazen[ ] Regiment
WARRANT NUMBER 13293 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 9, 179? (torn) to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.