Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 46,548, for Michael Sowers, Maryland
Page 1

State of Service: Md.
Name: Sowers, Michael
Number: S 46548
BL Wt 1461-100
Page 2

Sept 1898 Miss Jane Ewing Brownsville Penn
Dec. 15, 1903 {?}
James F. Ewing Portland Oregon
1908, Sept 26. History to Mrs. W. G. Blood, Keokuk, Iowa F.W.
1927 Mar 2nd hist to D.R. Davis MCS
1934 Aug. JW Sower's furnish MCS
1937 August 18. hist to Mr. Chester H. Kerr MCS
46,548 No. 178
Name: Michael Sowers
Rank: Private
Capt: Truman
Reg't: Maryland Revy war
Penn Agency
Act May 15 1828
Page 3

No. 1461 Michael Sowers, Priv. Maryd
To Hon And: Stuwart Pa.
The warrant in my care was granted upon the certificate from the Treasury Department that the applicant was entitled to claim money under  "the act for the relief of surviving officers & Soldiers of the Army of the revolution" {?} of 1827&28-and the opinion of the Secretary of War that such certificate might to be received as evidence of applicant's title to land.
Page 4

Revolutionary Claims
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
Treasury Department 6 January 1829
Sir: You claim, under the above mentioned act, having been examined, you are found to be entitled to the payoff a Private of Infantry in the Continental Line. The amount which may be due, accordingly, will be remitted to you by the Treasurer of the United States.
I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Richard Rach
Michael Sowers Brownsville, Pa.
{Handwritten on side} ? Maryland Line.
Page 5

Michael Sowers to Aaron Ogden with power of substitution to Jno Rerourse
lodged 25 June 1828
Page 6

Revolutionary Claims [B]
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Privates.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I, Michael Sowers of Brownsville, in the county of Fayetteville in the State of Pennsylvania, do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in it's service until it's termination; at which period, I was a *private soldier in Captain Truman's Company, in the {sixteenth ?} Regiment of the Maryland line. And, I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.
And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, on the Pension List of the United States. + and at no other time. Witness my hand, this sixteenth day of June in the year 1828 Michael Sowers
Before me, + {?} a justice of the peace in the county of Fayetteville in the State of Pennsylvania personally appeared, this day Col Basil Prothy and Inhale Millan Eyer of Brownsville of the said county, who did severally make oath that Michell Laury Esper by whom the foregoing declaration was, subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated. Witness my hand, this 18th day of June in the year 1828 Nathel  Isla JP
I, James Todd {?} of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Faye in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify, that Nathaniel Isler, Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, justice of the peace and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this 19th day of June A.D. 1828 James Todd Prothy
*Sergeant, Corporal, Musician, or Private, as the case may be.
+The claimant, though not on the pension list on the 15th May, 1828, may have been on the list on or since the 3rd of March, 1826, and afterwards stricken off: if so, he will add, and that I have received of the United States, as a pensioner, since the 3rd of March, 1826, the sum of ___ dollars, paid to me by the Agent for paying pensions in the State of ___
Here insert a Justice of the Peace, or other Magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths.
Justice of the Peace, or otherwise, as the case may be.
Page 7

August 22, 1934
BA-J/MCS Michael Sowers
S. 46548

Mr. J. W. Sowers
1288-1310 Niagara Street
Buffalo, New York

Dear Sirs:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim S. 46548, based upon the military service of Michael Sowers.
He enlisted at Hagerstown, Maryland, March 6, 1780, and served as private in Captain Smith's, Williams', Dobson's and Truman's companies in Colonels Otho Williams' and Howard's Maryland regiments; he was taken prisoner at the battle of Sumter's defeat (Fishing Creek) and after being held for eight or nine months he made his escape and rejoined the army at Ninety-Six and was discharged in the spring or summer of 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 18, 1828, at which time he was a resident of Brownsville, Fayetteville County, Pennsylvania.
It is stated that he was a German but his age and place of birth are not given and there are no data on file relative to his family. 
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller Assistant to Administrator
(handwritten) on note 1|2|29
Page 8

Revolutionary Claims.
_________
[ C. ]
Form of a Power of Attorney

Know all me by these presents that I, Michael Sowers
of Brownsville in the county of Fayette 
in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby constitute and appoint 
Cal Aaron Ogden my true and lawful 
attorney, with a power of substitution, for me, and in my name, to receive from the United 
States the amount of pay now due to me, under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of 
certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828, 
as a Soldier in the [illegible] regiment of the Maryland 
line of the army of the Revolution.
Witness my hand and seal, this 18 day of June in the year 1828.
Sealed and delivered }
in the presence of }  Michael Sowers [(illegible) S.]
Basil Brashear
Israel Miller
_______

Before me, Nathl Isler a Justice of the Peace in the county of 
Fayette in the State of Pennsylvania personally 
appeared, this day, Michell Sauers Esq whose name is subscrib
ed to the foregoing power of attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, 
and also declared that the same was not given by reason of any transfer, or of any at
tachment, levy, or seizure, by any legal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized 
to be received, but that the said pay is intended to enure wholly to his personal benefit.
Witness my hand, this 18th day of June in the year 1828
Nathl Isler
_______

I, James Todd Prothonotary [struck out: Clerk of the Court] of the [struck out: county] Court of 
Common Pleas of Fayette County in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that 
Nathaniel Isler Esqr. before whom the foregoing power of attorney 
was acknowledged, is a Justice of the Peace.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the 
[Blurred seal of Court] said Court, this 19th day of June in the year 
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty eight
James Todd
________

[ D. ]
Form of Affidavit to be taken by Attorneys.

Before me, Michael Nourse, Notary Public [struck out: a Justice of the Peace] in the county of 
Washington in the District of Columbia 
personally appeared this day, Jno. R Nourse, substitute of Aaron Ogden the attorney 
named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that the same was not 
given to him by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy or seizure, by any le
gal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay 
is intended to enure wholly to the personal benefit of the person by whom the said power 
was executed.
Witness my hand, & notarial seal, this 25th day of June in the year 
1828.  [Blurred notarial seal]  Michl Nourse
Noty Pub.
________
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of the County of 
[blank] do hereby certify, that 
[blank] before whom the foregoing affidavits were 
sworn, was, at the time, a Justice of the Peace, and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the 
[L. S.]  said Court, this [blank] day of [blank]
Page 9

191
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
No. [illegible] payments 836
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
18 July 1828.

Michael Sowers of Brownsville in the County of
Fayette in the State of Pennsylvania has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving
officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of may, 1828. He states that he
enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and
continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain
Truman's company, in the 2d regiment of the Marylane line;
and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of
the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he ws not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of
March, 1826, nothing.

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by
the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary,
A. Dickins.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
July22 1828

Michael Sowers of the [illegible]
Line is not found to have
recd or been entitlled to the
gratuity of Eighty Dollars
Peter Haynes Aud
Page 10

191 190
Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and
Soldiers of the Army in the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
23 July 1828 
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Michael Sowers
under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a
request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether it appears, by any
records in the War department, that the claimant has received, or is entitled to receive,
the bounty in land granted by Congress for service in the Continental line of the Army
of the Revolution.
The Hon. Secretary of War.
War Department!
Bounty land office
The records of this office do not show that Mi-
chael Sowers as a soldier of the Maryland line
was married? or is entitled to a Warrant
for bounty land of the United States-
Robert Taylor [signature]
Page 11

[illegible] pd
Nov 12
Andrew Steward Esqr
Near union Town
pay the County

[upside down at the bottom of the page follows]
Recd 8 Dec 1828
Page 12

Brownsville 12 November 1828

[illegible]
Some time in the month of June last past I forward to
to Col Aron Ogden my certificate with the deposition
of Col Basil Brashear and Michael Miller as to my
Indintity [Identity]as required by law also a favor of attorney
to receive in my Name and for me such pay as I might
be entitled to at the same time requesting of him
Should other proof be whanting [wanting] of my serves [services] in the army
that I could with some trouble and experience find
a man in the western country that knew men
the army and know that I served to the end of the
Revolutionary War altho he was not present at my enlistment
Col Ogden hath not thought proper to honor 
me with an answer or any information on the
Subject I can truely say it trusts my feeling, to
think that old Soldiers should be treated with such
gross neglect I know that many of them are worthless
and not to be believed that is not an evidence that
all are such what evidence the records of the Revolution
may Shew of my enlistment or my serves I can not
Say. I will give you a true and honest statement
of facts early in the Spring in the year 1780
a Recurting [Recruiting] party came to Hagerstown Maryland
Commanded by Captain Smith I was then a young [illegible] bound
apprentis [apprentice]boy being tired of Serving a tyrant
I was determined to protest accordingly and Monmouth
of March 1780 I did enlist I left my masters house
one evening when I the recruiting party one of 
the private men give me a Small sum of money
as part of the boundry [boundary]no contract was entered into
as to the time of Servis [Service] next day the man that I was
bound to called on Captn Smith and claimed me
as his apprentis [apprentice]the Master firmly agreed if the Captain
Page 13

Would give him the amount of the boundry he would quit
Claim Captn Smith came to me informed me that
he could not take me with him without the master would
quit claim at the same time informed me that if
I would give him the masters the amount of the bounty he would
give up his claim I redily [readily] agreed to that proposition
no contract between me and the officer as to the lenth [length] of term
I was not Sworn in until we arrived in Frederick town
Maryland to the best of my recolection [recollection] the oath I took
was in these words that I would obey my Superiors
and faithfully discharge the duties of a Solder [Soldier]
on the Continental Servis [Service] of the united States of america
and until I was Legally discharged from Frederick town
we marched to Anapolis [Annapolis] Maryland there we took water
Landed at Pittsburg vergining joined the Army there
Commanded by General Gates, there the new recruits were
detailed myself with some others detailed to the
Sixt [Sixth] Rigement [Regiment]of the Maryland line Commanded
by Col Othey Williams I was joined to a company
commanded by the Name of Captn Williams afterwords
[illegible] by Capn Dobson who was killed at the Battel [Battle]
of the Eutaw Springs afterward by Captn Truman
by this statement you will see that inlisted [enlisted] in March 1780
was not discharged until late in the Spring 1783
I was not only in the Servis until the termination
of the Revolutionary war but was retained in the servis [service]
upward of three years as to certificates those ware
companies appointed to settle with the troops I think
it was in the year 1782 that the came to the South
Settled with the troops and give them certificates
I received a certificate and sold it for a small
trifel [trifle] in Store goods the person who I sold to told me he must
have the discharge with the Transfer on the certificate
Page 14

In order to mark his claim legal I give him the discharge
with the certificate I think it was a conditional discharge
another in the Nature of a furlow [furlough] I can prove my
Servis [Service] to the end of the war now living in the western
country he knows that I joined the Army at Pettersburg Petersburg]
Virginia and that I served until the end of the Revolutionary
War but he can tell nothing about my inlistment [enlistment]
he knows my being taking Prisnor [Prisoner] at Sumpters
defeat and me making my escape form the British
Seven or eight months after having been taking
and joining the American Army at Ninty Six
then commanded by N Genr Green you six must be
[illegible] of the deficientry at the laps [lapse] of nearly half
a country to furnish such proof as would give full
and certain satisfaction if you sir or other gentlemen
can have any confidence in my or in my statement and me
to receive nothing you will with me think it a hard case
in the first to give my bounty to my master to get
in the servis [service] of my country secondly the tails and [illegible]
of upwards of three years in the servis [service] of my country
within that time 7 or 8 months a prisoner of war
upwards one half of that time in close confinement
in a British prison ship almost without any compensation
I know there is not much credit to be given to old Solders [Soldiers]
Statements as many are worthless and trifling but there
is no general [illegible] without [illegible] you sir have known
me for many years I should be glad to know if anything hath
ben don [been done] for me or in my case or wether any thing can be don [done]
plies [please] to inform the Honorable Secretary W Rush
that I revoke the power of attorney given to Col Aron Ogden
in as much as he hath not thought proper to give me information
I know the Revokation [Revocation] is not such as required by law
but as the Secretary hath a controll [control] it may perhaps answer
Page 15

be so good sir as soon as you can ascertain wether anything
hath ben don [been done] or can be don [done] to give me information
any experience you may be at or trouble I shall gladly pay
with esteem sir yours    Michael Sowers
Andrew Steward esq.


[vertically on the page, below]

[illegible] pa
Nov 12
Andrew Steward Esqr
Near union Town
Fayette County
Page 16

Brownsville 19 December 1828

Honored Sir
With thankfulness I have received your communication of the 19 Novbr
Informing me that nothing can be found among the records in the offices
and war department I am truly astonished that nothing can be found
to suport [support] my claim or to show that i was in the servic [service] I expected
that the indevitent states would have made a return to the war
department at Washington City if ever a return was made to the
State government of Maryland of the [illegible] that made inlisted [enlisted]
in the year 1780 my name must be on record perhaps my name
might be Spelled. Sour as the german uneversedy called me
Michael Sour and I also know that the orderly Sargant [Sergeant]
frequently at Roll call called me Michael Sour
So that by misspelling my name my name might
be recorded Michael Sour the question before whom I was
Sworn in was a german you have the goodness to prepar [prepare]
to furnish me with a list of the Surviving officers of the Maryland
Line wether any can be found at this day that have a knoledge [knowledge]
of me is doutful [doubtful] as the privat [private]soldier is [illegible] known
out of the limits of his company or his Rigement [Regiment] the officers
that I have reason to believe that had a personal knowledge of
my have left the shores of NorKetuty Col Othay Williams Col Howard 
Magor Hartman of the Sixth Rigement [Regiment] are no more
Capt Williams Capt Dobson Captin [Captain] Truman are the
Captains under whose command I was are gon you know
that there is no intanery between the officers and private Soldiers
the Soldier knows many officers that dont know him
There are a great number of officers [illegible] what I have mentioned
that i know as far as I can learn the are gon [gone] to those long home
you also reffered me to the archives of the State I am truly at a loss
to know where to apply in what officer or department the
May be found how we should the evidence now furnished not
be satisfactory I have requested the Honourable Andrew Steward
Member of Congress for [illegible] and green county to obtain
information he hath anticipated my wishes before I made
the request I have forwarded the deposition of Mr George Montle
a fellow [illegible] and Soldier that Survived in the same Rigement [Regement]
and Company I know that [illegible] evidence will
not [illegible] otherwise I could frunish Several depositions
Page 17

of old pepal [people] that lived in Hagerstown at the time of my enlistment
that knew that I did enlist and were serving there at the time
of my return from the Army I know it would be nothing
more than coraborating [corroborating] Testimony Still should it be thought
of any your [illegible] and will furnish it I hope my Honor
and servis [service] will be found at Anapolis [Annapolis]I do not claim it
as an act of carrity [charity] but as an act justice from my country
to me I have never before under former laws claimed a pension
believing the did not  imbrase [embrace] my case as to situation of life
but the present law imbrase [embrace] all that came under that law
if I have not furnished such proof as constituted by law
I hope I have furnished sufficient to show that I am not
an Imposter that itself will be some satisfaction to me
the power of attorney given to Col Aron Ogdden I do hereby and
here with revoke at the same time any truth or evidence
that he may have benefit I am willing to make recompence [recompense]
With solum I am respectfully yours A C Michael Sowers

Honorable
Richard Rush
Page 18

Washington County Penna. Ss.
Personally appeared before me John
Wilson Esq one of the commonwealth Justices
of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid,
George Montle, and being duly
qualified according to law, deposeth and
saith, that he was well acquainted with
Michael Sowers, before and during the
revolutionary war - That he cannot state
precisely the time of his enlistment, but
recollects distinctly his joining the Army
at Petersburgh in Virginia. He was
there under the command of Capt Smith
who belonged to Col. Othe Williams regiment
of the Maryland Line - That this deponent
cannot state from his won knowledge
the nature of Sower's enlistment; but
always heard him say that he was enlisted 
"for and during the war" - and always
when the men were mustered he was claimed, 
and aranged [arranged] by his officers, as one of the
Page 19

"during the war men". That he was discharged
together with this deponent, in the summer
of 1783, at the end of the war, at Annapolis
Maryland - That said Sowers was taken
prisoner by the British at Sumpters defeat
and remained a prisoner some time.
He then escaped from the British and
joined the American Army at "Ninety Six"
This deponent further states that said Sowers
was transferred from the company recruited
by Capt. Smith to Capt. Dobson's company
to which this deponent belonged - That
when Capt. Dobson was killed, they were
both under the command of Capt. Truman.
That when Col. Williams was promoted, Col.
Howard took the command.
And further this deponent saith not.

George X ^his mark^ Montle

Sworn and subscribed
before me this 4th day of
Oct 1828
John Wilson
Page 20

In reply to [rest of this line is cut off]
for a statement of the military history of Michael Sowers
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his application for pension
on file in this Bureau. S. F. 4.6,548.

[table below column headers as follows: | DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGHT OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | [sub-headers here: | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. |] | STATE. |

| Mch 6 1780. | [blank] | Pri. | Swill Williams Dobson Truman | Otho Williams, Howard | 6" ys. Md. |
| was taken prisoner at Sumpter's defeat, detained
as such for 8 or 9 mos., when he escaped, rejoined the
army at "Ninety Six" and served until the end of the war. |

Battles engaged in, See above.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl. at Hagerstown, Md.
Date of application for pension, June 18, 1828. His cl was al.
Residence at date of application, Brownsville, Fayette Co., Pa
Age at date of application, not stated.
Remarks: Soldier was a German.
For date of Soldiers death and name of person to whom last
payment of pension was made, apply to the Auditor for the
Interior Dept. &c. &c.
Page 21

August 18,1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Michael Sowers
S.46548
BA-J / MCS

Mr. Chester H. Kerr
131 S. Scott Street
Sheridan, Wyoming
Dear Sir:
       The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the
pension claim, S.46548, based upon the military service of Michael
Sowers.
He enlisted at Hagerstown, Maryland, March 6, 1780, and served
as a private in Captains Smith's, Williams', Dobson's and Truman's
companies in Colonels Otho Williams' and Howard's Maryland regiments;
he was taken prisoner at the battle of Sumter's defeat (Fishing Creek)
and after being held for eight or nine months he made his escape and 
rejoined the army at Ninety-Six and was discharged in the spring or
summer of 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 18, 1828,
at which time he was a resident of Brownsville, Fayette County, Penn-
sylvania.
It is stated that he was a German but his age and place of birth
are not given and there are no data on file relative to his family.
Very truly yours
George H. Sweet
Acting Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 22

House of Reps
Dec 8. 1828

Dr SirI send herewith a
letter recd from Mchl Sowers Esq
who served to the end of the Ref: War &c
claims the benefit of the act of the
last session.
He States that he sent
his papers to Col Ogden who it is
presumed has placed them on file

I am personally & intimately
acquainted with Mr Sowers he is
a german of defective Education
as will be seen by his letter, but
a man, nevertheless, of high respectability
& the most undoubted veracity -
I know of no man in whom statements
I would place more implicit  confidence
or for where honesty & truth I
would sooner vouch
Will you be so good as to have
his claim Examined & let me know the
result - He has revoked the power of atty
given to Mr. Obden -
Very respectfully
Yr no obt servt
Andrew Stewart

Hon Rich ? Rush Secy Treasy
Page 23

Dr. Sir
Mr Sowers informs me
that he has sent to Mr Rush a 
deposition in relation
to his claim as a
rev: soldier. he also
wishes search made
for his name on the 
Rolls as "Sour" as he
was so called. - Being a
German he don't know
how his name was
spelt. he has no
English Education when
Enlisted.
Yr truly
A. Stewart
Ho. of Reps.
Dec. 23. 1828

A.Dickens Esq
Trsy Dept
Page 24

Council Chambers
Annapolis Dec 22nd 1828

I certify that it appears by a pay roll
of the Maryland Line of the Revolutionary
Army that one hundred and Sixty dollars
was paid to Michael Sour, a private,
for arrears of pay from the 1st day of August
1780 to the 1st day of January 1783.
Tho. Culbreth Clerk
of the Executive Council

Council Chambers
Annapolis Dec 22 1828

Sir
Your letter of the 11 Instant to the late
Auditor was handed to me this morning and
above you have a certificate which affords all the
evidence of the services of the Soldier therein named,
that is to be found, upon the very imperfect
Records of the Revolutionary Services of the troops
Page 25

of this State which have been preserved amongst
its archives
Very respectfully
your [illegible]
Tho Culbreth
Page 26

Council Chambers
Annapolis Jany 2nd 1829

Dr. Sir

On the receipt of yours of the [illegible]
[illegible], I was so much engaged with other business
of an urgent character that I could not sooner
attend to your request. I have now further
examined the Records and find that Michael
Sours enlisted on the 6th of March 1780, for
during the War, and that in a column for
remarks, it is written opposite to his name with
red ink "16th of August 1780 prisoner".
I also enclose you a certificate shewing his
right to a Land bounty granted by the State.
Very respectfully
Your obt Servt.
Tho. Culbreth Clerk
of the Executive Council

Hon'ble Andrew Stewart
House of Representatives
Page 27

Know now all men by these presents that whereas I Michael Sowers
of Fayette County Pa by my letter of attorney couring
date June 1828 did make constitute and appoint 
Co Aron Ogddon my lawfull attorney for receiving from the
united States such sums of money whatsoever that may be
found due to me by the Said united States now know ye that
I Michael Sowers fordivers good cause and consideration my
hereunto moving have revoked countermanded annulled
and made void and by these presents do revoke countermanded
and make void the said [illegible] of attorney and all
power and authority there by given or intended to be given
to the said Co Aron Ogdden as [illegible] my hand
this 1st day of January1829 Michael Sawers

Israel Miller
Basil Brashear
Page 28

District of Columbia,
WASHINGTON COUNTY, SCT.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I, Aaron
Ogden the Attorney mentioned in the annexed power
from Michael Sower do hereby constitute and
appoint John R Nourse my true and lawful Attorney
and substitute, to effect all the purposed for which the power from the
said Michael Sower was granted.
Witness my and and seal this twenty first day
of June 1828
Aaron Ogden L N
WITNESS:
James Ord

BE IT KNOWN, That on this 21st day of June
1828, personally appeared before me, MICHAEL NOURSE, Notary Public,
the above named Aaron Ogden, and acknowledged
the foregoing power of substitution to be his act and deed.
Michl Nourse
Nory. Pub.
Page 29

Pension Agent
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir-
Will you be
so kind as to send me the
Pension Record of Michael
Sowers, a Maryland soldier
of the Revolution.  His later address was Brownsville, 
Pennsylvania and he
received a pension here for 
a number of years. You will
find his name on the 

[a large handwritten S appears in the upper right hand corner of the page]
Page 30

list of 1840. He was my
great great grandfather and
I am anxious to join
the "Daughters of the Revolution" 
through descent
from him - By aiding me
in this matter, you will
greatly oblige.
Yours sincerely
(Mill) Jany Ewing
Brownsville
Pennsylvania
August the thirteenth
1848.
Page 31

46548
Keokuk, Iowa
Sept. 14th 1908 -
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir -
May I
trouble you to officially state
that Michael Somers, who died
in Brownsville, Fayette Co -
Pennia, Oct. 16, 1853, was on the
Pension List of Revolutionary
Soldiers - I need your statement
in order to establish my claim
from said Michael Sowers, to be
a Daughter of the American Revolution -
Thanking you in
Page 32

indurance for this favor -
Sincerely Yours
Jane Ewing Bluod
(Mrs. W. G. Bluod)
214 Fulton St.
Keokuk
Iowa -
Page 33

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
WASHIGTON COUNTY, ss.
I WILLIAM SAMPLE, Prothonotary, of the Court of
Common Pleas, for said county, do HEREBY CERTIFY, that
John Wilson Esquire, before whom the
foregoing deposition was taken
was at the time, and now is, a justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned,
and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official
acts.
IN TESTIMONY whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of the said Court, at Washington, the 4rd day of December in
the year of our LORD, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight.
Wm. Sample, PROTHONOTARY.
Page 34

ALL STATEMENTS OR AGREEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS LETTER SUBJECT TO CAUSES BEYOND OUR CONTROL AND ALL CONTRACTS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE SIGNATURE OF AN
EXECUTIVE OFFICER. UNACCEPTED QUOTATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE GOODS UNLESS OTHERWISE CONTRACTED F/O.B. BUFFALO CLERICAL ERRORS SUBJECT TO CORRECTION

[round emblem with a triangle super imposed on top; triangle is black, so illegible; wording inside circle and outside of the triangle is as follows: TRADE MARK RECD.]

[round black date stamp upper right side of the page, inscribed as follows: [numbers and tick marks around the outer edge of the circle 1-12] RECEIVED JUL23 1934 FULL SUB - DIV.
U.S.V.G. READER 1]

SOWERS MANUFACTURING CO.
OPERATING H.W. DOPP CO.
ENGINEERS AND FOUNDERS
1288-1310 NIAGRA STREET
BUFFALO, N.Y., U.S.A.

DOPP EQUIPMENT
FOR HEATING-COOLING -MIXING

CABLE ADDRESS
"DOPPCO BUFFALO"

July 20, 1934.

Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

One of the historical points in this
part of the country is Old Fort Niagara, which is located in the
Niagara district below Niagara Falls on Lake Ontario.

Quite a number of years ago there was
an effort started to not only save the Fort from the further ravages
of time, but to restore it in co-operation with the war Department.
Ultimately the "Old Fort Niagara Association" was formed,
and I became a life member inasmuch as the records showed the
Sowers family entered into its history.

In the Old Fort among the relics which
have been preserved is the plan of the fortification on which the
following appears - "Plan of the fortification of Niagara showing
the new Stockade to be begun in 1767. Likewise the new Stockade
Fort for forty men agreeable to an order received July 30, 1768."
(Signed) Captain Thomas Sowers, Virginia.

The United States and Canada are planning
a celebration on quite a large scale to take place the late summer
or early Fall, and I have been asked to participate in it. So far
I have declined as I am not keen on publicity, but do feel it is
my duty to assist them in checking back the Captain Sowers relationship.

I have endeavored to get information on
Captain Sowers through relatives in Virginia, but the only information
I have been able to get is that it had been reported that
Captain Thomas Sowers, 1767, engaged in the war between the French
and the English. Further, that the book of the Sowers family history
was destroyed in the fire which burned Grandfather Sowers'
house to the ground during the Civil War. This house was located 
near Berryville in Clarke County, Virginia.

Any information you can give me re'
Captain Thomas Sowers and the early Sowers family history will be
very much appreciated.

Very truly yours,
D.W. Sowers.

D.W. SOWERS
Page 35

CHESTER H. KERR
131 S. SCOTT STREET
SHERIDAN, WYOMING

Aug. 5, 1937.

[round black date stamp upper right side of the page, inscribed as follows: [numbers and tick marks around the outer edge of the circle 1-12] RECEIVED
AUG 9 1937, MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS ADM. READER #15]

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

EXECUTIVE REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSIONS:

Please give me the data if any on the following names:
JOHN KERR, born Pa. July 17, 176-, livedn in WESTMORELAND CO PA.
to Franklin Co. O. before 1800, Knox Co. O. 1803, d. Andrew Co. MO. 1848
or soon after. Also THOMAS KERR, d. Westmoreland CO. Pa. 1806-7
wife Martha d. prior to 1815.

McGEE, WILLIAM, THOMAS ^only 7h 20^ OR  SAFETY of Burlington Co. N.J. William
McGee d. 1781, perhaps pension to widow.

MICHEL SOWERS, ^only^ LANE CO d. 1807
MICHEL SOWERS Jr. Lane Co. d. 1821. (there was a Michael Sowers,
Fredrick CO. md. perhaps one of the above is the Michael S. of Fredreick
Md. "Miechel Sowers, 3rd. Co. 3rd. Class, Capt. Martin Bowman, Malitia
^10 Batt.-^Lane CO. Pa. 1777.- If neither Michael has pension data
please give me pension data on Philap Sowers, Lane CO. Pa. June 1782, 7th Class.-
Capt. Conrad Karrer, -
Christepher Sower, Capt. Wm Croford, 1st CO. 5th Batt. 6-15-1780, also
"22"     "     "     "  - 1st Class 5-11-1781
Frederick Sowers 7th Class 4th Batt. Capt. Pat Hays 1783.
Christepher 1st.Co. 1st Class, Malitia July, 5, 1782
Michael Sowers (Sour) 5th Class 1st, 1st Co. Malitia July 5, 1782
(May have been bros) All of the above from Lane Co. Pa.
Christian Sowers - Lane Co. - Capt. William Crawford. - 1786. -
Jacob Sinn, Frederick Co. Md. will probated Jan. 1809.
Thanking you for the trouble, and any information your office
can give I am,
Yours very truly, 
Chester Kerr
Page 36

LETTERHEAD

Washington Gas Coal Company
1306 Keystone Building
Bell Telephone, Court 1580
Pittsburgh, Pa

February 2, 1927

Commissioner
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:

Will you kindly advise if it is possible for you to furnish me with a certificate showing the granting of a pension to Michael Sowers for services during the Revolutionary war. We believe this record is maintained in your Record Division FS Sur. F.46548. If it is possible for you to do so, a certificate would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance for the courtesy of a reply, I am

Yours very truly,

D.R. Davis

RDR:E

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: Feb 2, 1927
Page 37

James F. Ewing
616 Spring Street
Portland, Oregon

November 29, 1903

O, W & N

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I should like a certificate to the effect that Michael Sowers drew a pension from the Revolutionary War to the time of his death. He was a private in a Maryland regiment and took part i the battle of Cowpens. You perhaps will understand what I want when I tell you that I want to use the certificate in connection with an application for membership in the society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

A prompt reply will oblige,

Yours very truly,

James F Ewing

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: Dec 7, 1903
Page 38

OLD WAR & NAVY STAMP
Dec 9, 1903
Page 39

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

March 25, 1927

D.R. Davis
1803 Keystone Bldg.
Pittsburgh, PA

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.46548, it appears that Michael Sowers enlisted at Hagerstown, Maryland, March 6, 1780, and served as a private in Captains Williams', Dobson's and Tuman's Companies in Colonels Otho Williams' and Howard's Maryland Regiments; he was taken prisoner at the battle of Fishing Creek and after being held for eight or nine months he made his escape and rejoined the army at Ninety-Six and served until the close of the Revolution.

He was allowed pension on his application executed June 18, 1828, at which time he was a resident of Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

It is stated that he was a German, but his age and place of birth are not given and there are no data on file relative to his family.

Respectfully, 

Winfield Scott
Commissioner
Page 40

August 17, 1937

BA-J/AWF

Mr. Charles H. Kerr
131 S. Scott Street
Sheridan, Wyoming

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary war records of John and Thomas Kerr of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, William Thomas, and Safety McGee of New Jersey, Michel (Michael) Sowers of Frederick County, Maryland also Philip Christopher, Christian and Frederick Sowers of Pennsylvania, and Jacob Sinn of Frederick County, Maryland.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request.

You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary War records of Thomas McGee of New Hersey and Michael Sowers of Maryland.

Very truly yours

George H Sweet
Acting Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 41

August 22, 1934

BA-J/MMHF/MCS

Mr. J W Sowers
1288-1310 Niagara Street
Buffalo
New York

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to  your letter in which you request the record of Captain Thomas Sowers of Virginia who rendered military service in 1767 and any information in regard to the early records of the Sowers famiily.

This office has no record of services rendered in the Colonies prior to the Revolutionary War.

The Revolutionary War records have been searched and no record found of a Thomas Sowers or other spelling of that surname.

In the search of those records there have been found, however, claims for pension based upon service in the revolutionary War of Frederick and Michael Sowers. These records are furnished you herewith as found in the claims for pension, and it is hoped they will aid you in your collection of data for the celebration you referred to.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to the Administrator
Page 42

The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name: Sowers, William
Grade: Private
Line: Connecticut

Warrant Number: 6494
Acreage: 100
Issued: Apr 18, 1789
(Or Aug)?
To William Baldwin, assignee