Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6645, for William Mc Cool, Pennsylvania
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[index card]
[upper left]
SERVICE
Penn.
[upper middle]
McCool, William
[upper right]
SERVICE
R.6645
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[folded paper/booklet - on left side of fold]
[top]
William Mc Cool
21 Feby 1833
Obj 4.5.1/1

[center]
P261

Hon. I McCarty H R

[lower] 6645

E
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Brief in the case of William McCool
County of Marion in the state of Indiana
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court of Judge?  Open Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disability by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is he?  73

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period/Duration of Service/Rank/Names of General and Filed Officers under whom he served.

Enlisted in 1775/between 2 & 3 Month/Private/Col. Bull & Capt. Abr. Marshall {Pa. Troops}

Volunteered in 1775/between 3 & 4 months/private/Col. Hill & Capt. Joseph Thornton {Pa troops}

5.  In what battles was he engaged?

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Chester Co. Penna. Washington Coy, Penna.

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 Properly attached.

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

//s//
Chas. S. Wilcox Examining Clerk.
16th Feb. 1833
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Pension Application of William McCool
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State of Indiana Marion County [illegible]

On this 16th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judge of the probate court for the county and state aforesaid William McCool a resident of the State of Indiana, and County of [Name Marion is crossed out] Jonston [Johnston?] aged about seventy three years - being born about or in the year 1750, in Ireland, Derry county - 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 7th June 1832 - That he was a resident of the State of pennsylvania in the year 1775. That he inlisted [enlisted] (as he believes in that year) in Chester County pennsylvania and he believes about two years before the British took possession of Philadelphia in the army of the united states [illegible] and during the war. under and with Captain Abraham Marshal, who was then commanded or attached to the command of Colonel or General --- Bull as he was informed - That he does not recollect the names of any other officer. That he continued in said service between two and three months as [illegible] inlisted [enlisted]
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That he then hired a substitute, and gave him fifty dollars to take his place during the war
That the said substitute entered the service in this applicants place, was marched on the campaign and [illegible] the service for which he inlisted [enlisted] as he has been informed and believes - your petitioner would further state [word state was repeated] that about [blank space] years after his inlistment [enlistment] and service a aforsaid [aforesaid] he moved with his family to washington county in the state of pensylalvainia [Pennsylvania] west of mountins [mountains]. before the state of Ohio was settled [illegible] to Wheeling on the Ohio River. That he settled about one mile from [illegible] or Brownsville - where he lived about [blank space] years
He would further state that the Indians were then troublesome on the frontiers about Wheeling and along the Ohio River. That to [illegible] the frontiers and repell [repel] the [illegible] Indians it became necessary to raise volunteers or draft men for that purpose, that a call was made accordingly, and this applicant was the first man that volunteered in the regiment to which he then belonged, for and during the time of six months - That he [the words was marched were crossed out] volunteered with or under our Joseph Thornton as his Captain, and the [illegible] was
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Commanded one Colonel - Hill - 
That he did not stay the whole of the service of 6 months on the expidition [expedition] against the Indians as the Indians hastelily [hastily] ceased and the camp was discharged or disbanded before the end of [words The end of the were crossed out] said term.  That the army was marched to the frontier near the Ohio River and [illegible] there during the whole of the time that there [their] services were required, which he  believes was [believe was written again] [illegible] and four months - That they suffered considerably while on that campaine [campaign] being in a wilderness country where provisions were scarce and hard to be obtained - He would further state that when they were disbanded they got no discharge as they had not served the six months for which they were called out, and as there was some probability they would again be called for to make up the term of six months.  He states that the services actually rendered by him has been more than six months - and that he paid out of his own estate forty dollars to procure a soldier for the defence [defense] of his country.  That he has never received one cent for either of the tours of duty so performed by him nor the forty dollars so advanced by him
He says he will be seventy three years old in June next, and that [illegible] no property but is entirely destitute
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and defendant on charity for support.  He says that during the time he was in actual service while in the united army no battle was fought or [crossed out illegible word] any other important event took place. That he was informed the companey [company] to which he belonged afterwards suffered much in the state of new Jersey - and he was also informed that Captain Marshals command was transferred to his first Lieutenant for same cause whose name he does not now recolect [recollect] - altho [although] he belonged to the company when this applicant inlisted [enlisted . He also states that no important event took place while he was in the service gauarding [guarding] the frontier in the back parts of pensylvania [Pennsylvania] and Virginia as they were stationed as a gauard [guard] to the frontier Inhabitants.  He further states that he's an aliterate [illiterate] man that he has no documents by which to be enabled to recollect time  - and cannot state on his oath the year in which service was tendered in the Indian Campaign as above stated, but was born as aforesaid as appears by his bible at home in the state - 
He further states that he never has applied for or received any compensation from the united states for any services, nor is his name on any pension roll, and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present - and he believes that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in the united
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states or in any state, and that this applicant had no documentary evidence, and [word 'that' crossed out] he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service. - 
[symbol which resembles an underlined letter P with 2 vertical lines]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

William X - his mark McCool

[illegible] S M Ray Clerk 

[symbol which resembles an underlined letter P with 2 vertical lines]

It is certified that the list of interrogatories required to be put to this applicant by the instructions of the Secretary of War, were all put, and substantially answered as in the said declaration is mentioned; and the court or Judge of this Court, [word 'required' is crossed out] on interrogatory illicited  [elicited] the following answer, [illegible]; that he this applicant is acquainted with Edward McGuire and [illegible] of his present  neighbourhood [neighborhood] who can certify as to his character for veracity and as to their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution
Edward McGuire [signature]

Indiana. To wit.
Marion Probate Court
In session November [blank space] A.D. 1832 It is ordered to be certified by the said Court. and  the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of this matter, and the interogatores being put as prescribed by the War Department, that this above named applicant, William McCool was a revolutionary soldier, and services as he states.  Another Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Edward McGuire who has signed the above certificate is a resident of Marion County and is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
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I Samuel M. Ray, Clerk of the Court of Probate of Marion County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William McCool for a pension.
In testimony to hereof I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of office, this January 16th, A.D. 1833.  
Samuel M. Ray - Clerk [signature]
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January 7, 1906

Hon. Jesse Overstreet,
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Overstreet:

In reply to your letter dated the 5th and received the 6th instant, I have the honor to advise you that in the claim of William McCool, Rej. File No. 6645
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1909 [illegible] 7 Hist. to Hon. Jesse Overstreet. V. [illegible]

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 9, 1873, [entire sentence crossed out]


0645.

P.O.  Wm McCool
Service:  __________

Enlisted:  ____________, 18  .
Discharged: _________, 18  .

{Word REJECTED was stamped diagonally on the above two lines]

Application filed: ___________18  .

Alleges: _______________
________________
Re-enlisted: ________________
________________

Attorney: ________________
P.O. ______________________
____________________________

____________Recognized.    __________Contract.

______Cert. of Dis.   Searched for ______, 18  .
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Wm McCool
Indiana,

Rejected, service excepting about two months performed after the Revolutionary war.  See letter 20 August 1833 to James McRay, Indianapolis

[6645 - crossed out]
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3-871.

RECORD DIVISION.  Congressional

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Briefed by L. D. L. 
Claim No __________
Certificate No. ____________
Claimant _____________
Soldier  Wm McCool
Service _____________
Additional Service  Rev. War

No___  claim, State records_____, 190___
No claim, combination records ______, 190___

REMARKS:

No claim, except 
Rej. # 6645
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State of Indiana Marion County [illegible]

I John [illegible] do state on oath, at the request of William McCool, an applicant for a pension, that I have been aquainted [acquainted] with said William McCool upwards of twenty years so far as I can now recollect the grater [greater] part of the time in the county of Mercer and state of Kentucky - that he was allways [always] reputed as an old soldier of the revolution; or frequently spoken of as such since my  acquaintance with him - that while in the state of Kentucky and during my acquaintance with him, I have frequently heard him make statements as to his services, the money he paid, and his claim against the united states, subsantially as set forth in his declaration - and believe he is as old as he has stated himself to be - I would also state that I supose [suppose] the said Wm McCool removed from Kentucky to Jonston [Johnson?]  County Indiana about two years ago; and that I know of no [illegible crossed out words] clergyman name living in this state whose acquaintance
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with him would enable them to certify as the act of Congress requires at this time.  That the reverence John D. Moreland late pastor of the presbaterian [Presbyterian] Church at Indianapolis who died some months since; was aquainted[ acquainted] with the old man twenty years or more; and I believe would have given him the necessary certificate if living. That I concur in the opinion; that the statements made in the declaration are trut as I believe he would not make a false statement on oath or in any other way knowingly - That he is poor and entirely destitute of property, and dependant on the [word friends crossed out] charity of his friends for suport [support].
I would further state that I was not in court nor in the county of Marion at the time the declaration and application to the Marion probate court was made by the said William McCool.
I concur in the above opinions since my acquaintance with Wm McCool
John [illegible]
Edward McGuire
State of Indiana
Marion County {illegible]

I Caleb Scudder a Justice of the peace in and for the state and county aforsaid [aforesaid] do hereby certify that the hereby certify that the above affidavit was sworn to before me at Indianapolis this 16th day of January 1833, [illegible crossed out words and name]
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and I further certify, that John [illegible], who has signed the above certificate, and Edward McGuire who has also signed the same and who have both sworn thereto before me, as above, are residents in the County of Marion, Indiana; and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit

Given under my hand & seal as [illegible]
Caleb Scudder
Justice of the peace 

[word seal is written between two heavy horizontal lines]

Indiana To wit:
Marion County}
I Samuel M. Ray Clerk of the Marion Circuit Court hereby certify that Caleb Scudder, Esquire, before whom the preceeding affidavits were made, then was and still is a justice of the peace within and for said County, duly elected commissioned & qualified: and that the signature above [illegible] is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix my seal of office, at Indianapolis, on this January 19, A.D. 1833,

Samuel M. Ray
Clerk
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Please return this



Hon. J. McCarty
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B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William McCool   which require further proof or explanation.

1.  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?   No

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 amout [amount] of pension he is entitled?      No. see quere 5

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 services?     [the word yes appears to be written very faintly]

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?    Yes

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.  [cross symbol] 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. [double cross symbol] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?    No. see quere 16

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


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 serviced as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3


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 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.

[cross symbol] 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.

[double cross symbol] QUERE XVI.  'Mode of authenticating papers'.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers in 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.
[symbol of hand with finger pointing to the right] 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.
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State of Indiana Marian County [illegible]

personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Marion and state of Indiana aforsaid [aforesaid], William McCool, 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 recolection [recollection]  his service not less than the period below and in the following grades [illegible word in parentheses] for the time of [word 'service' crossed out] two months and twenty days as stated in his declaration herewith sent in the County of Chister [Chester] in the state pensylvania [Pennsylvania] under Captain Abraham Marshall in the year [words 'That I served' crossed out] 1775
That he served four months and fifteen days as a volunteer under the command of Captain Joseph Thornton who as he was informed was under and attached to the command of Colonel Hill in the western part of pensylvania [Pennsylvania] near Wheeling, embodied in a regular field service.  That he at that time entered the service for six months but [word 'was' was crossed out] the Corps was disbanded before the six months ixpired [expired].  That he has no  recolection [recollection] nor does know whether the voluntary
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in which he served was organized under the laws or directions of the united states or the state of pensylvania [Pennsylvania].  That he held no office during either of the periods of service aforsaid [aforesaid] and also states that he was not imployed [employed] in any civil pursuits during said periods, no can he from the loss of memory and having no documentary evidence in his possession and being an illiterate man state positively what year he tendered the last named service but believes it was about twelve years after the year 1775 or in the year 1887 [may have meant 1787] but of the date he is not certain.

Sworn & subscribed to before me this 29th day of March 1833
Caleb Scudder
Justice of the Peace [illegible]

William   his mark   McCool [signature]

I James M. Ray clerk of the Court of Marion County do hereby certify that Caleb Scudder is a Magistrate as above and that the ongoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.  In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this twenty ninth day of March in the year eighteen hundred and thirty three.

James M. Ray
Clerk of the Court of Marion County

[square paper with black tag or ribbon attached underneath on left lower right corner of page]
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Sixtieth Congress

Jesse Overstreet, Ind., Chairman.
John J. Gardner, N.J.
Nehemaih D. Sperry, Conn.
Howard M. Snapp, Ill.
Nerman P. Goebel, Ohio.
Haylor Steenerson, Minn.
William Staford, Wis.
Archibald B. Darragh, Mich.
Victor Murdock, Kans.
John W. Dwight, N.Y.
George F. Huff, Pa.
Warren A. Haggott, Colo.
John A. Moon, Tenn.
David E. Finley, S.C.
James T. LLoyd, Md.
John H. Small, N.C.
Wilson S. Hill, Miss.
Thomas M. Bell, Ga.
Marcus A. Smith, Ariz.
Edwin L. Williams, Clerk

Committe on
The Post-Office and Post-Post-Roads,
House of Representatives,
Washington. 

January 5th, 1909,

Honorable V. Warner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

My Dear Colonel:--

    Will you please advise me whether of not William McCool was a pensioner as a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and if so what pension de drew, and when it ceased?  I would also like to know the regiment in which he served during that war.

Very respectfully,
//s//
Jesse Overstreet