Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23791, for Joseph Mc Donald, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
PENN

McDonald, Joseph

NUMBEER
S..23791
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25.895
Pittsburgh Agency

Joaeph McDonald of Amboy County in the State of  Pennsylvania who was a Pri in the company commanded by Capt. McNie of the Regt commanded by Col  {blank] in the Penna Militia
$20.00.

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency at the rate of 20 Dollars  00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.  

Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of Jany 1834 and sent to [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833               $50.00
Semi-anl, allowance ending 4 March '34 $10.00
$60..00
[Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.)

Recorded by J. F. Sprague, Clerk

Book C -  Vol  5  -   Page  84

Hon. R. G. Harrison




Joseph
Page 3

28.313

Joseph McDonald

Penn

Adm 6 Months

Hon Daniel G. Harrison
House of Rep

W M. Watson
Kitttaning
Armstrong Co. Pa.
Page 4





WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
16 Nov 1800

Sir: 

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form,.  On comparing these papers with the following rules and the  [illegible] notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done,.   These points to which  your attention is more particularly directed, you will find  marked in the margin with a brace (this } ) you will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.  

STATEMENT , Showing the Service of Joseph McDonald
Duration
Period when the Service was Rendered - 1776   or 7
Duration or the Claimant's Service
Months - 6
Rank of the Claimant -  Priv.
 Names and rank of the Field Officers under Whom he Served
Capt. McKee
Age at Present, and Place of abode 
when he entered the service  -  73 years 
Westmoreland Co., Pa 
Proof by which the declaration is supported - 
Traditionary and a living witness -- Witness not certified to be credible 
See Note 

I am respectfully, 
your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions
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2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:  
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line", "State troops" , "militia", and "volunteers" all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and in Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular  places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.  
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
   1.  The Regular Troops.
   2.  The State Trops, Militia, and Volunteers.
   3.  Persons employed in the Naval Service.
   4.  Indian Spies.  

As rolls of the regular troops in the 
Revolutionary War existed in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, or privates will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.  

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of }
    County of                         }   SS.

 On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]       A.B. a Resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years who being first duly sworn, according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank] , with [blank]  and served in the [blank]
 (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following names officers:  

{Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers, the time hel eft the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and state in which he resided .    [pointing hand symbol] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, etc.)

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank].  

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

  And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  

I [blank] of the Court of [blank]  do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.  

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c. [blank].

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.  

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  
 
{And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named application was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that [blank]
 who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank]and that C. D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible persone, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  

I, [blank] Clerk of the Court, of [blank] do hereby certify that the following contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.  
 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.  

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.  

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (f) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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 3 [Page Number]

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. { To a Soldier } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom what it given , and what has become of it?
{To an Officer} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may m ake the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served' otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his decision 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 his of old age, and the consequeat 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 __________; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, to all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the person 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 that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the [illegible], the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or order papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached
thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department , he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and time 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.
[?] The notes from [a] to [?] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia Men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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28313

Joseph McDonald
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania]
Armstrong County     }   SS

On this eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before the Judges Of the Court of the Common Pleas in and for the County of Armstrong, Joseph McDonald a resident Franklin Township,  Armstrong County and State aforesaid, being 73 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the  pension made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1 832, that he volunteered in the service of the United States in March 1776 or 1777 at Pine Run in Westmoreland County state aforesaid for six months under Captain David McKee; first lieutenant James Wile.  Our company consisted of about thirty seven and was stationed on the Allegheny River five or six miles below where Freeport now stands, & guard(ed) the frontier, we were in two divisions    one division ranged five miles up the river and the ranged five miles down the river.  During the service we was attacked by the Indians at or near the mouth of Puckety river.  Two of the men in our range William Rankins and James William was killed by the Indians, one on my right and the other on my left when shot.  We had to retreat and, we however continued our range until the expiration of the six months, when we were disqualified but (illegible) receive any regular discharges.  I was out frequently after this on scouting parties but cannot state any definite times. Our last blessing these six months was that when we were out (we found) an old house which we repaired and soon as possible after our arriving at the Allegheny River; and where we were out every evening.  I cannot recollect of any other circumstances or the names of any officers other than those stated in the above declaration.  Nor do I know any person living who served me.  I hereby relinquish any claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
                                            his
                                  Joseph X McDonald    
                                            mark
Sworn and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid.
              
                 //s//
             (??) Ruhrer
Page 9

Interrogatories

1st. When & where were you born?
Ans.  In Bedford County, Pennsylvania around 73 years ago.

2nd.  Do you have a record of your age?
Ans.  I do not know of any record of my age.  My father being killed when i was an infant.

3rd.  Where were you living when you enlisted in the service? Where have you lived since the end of the Revolutionary War?
Ans.  I was living on the waters of Beaver River in Westmoreland County. I lived in Westmoreland County until the year 1799 and have resided in Armstrong County ever since.

4th. How did you enter the service?
Ans.  I volunteered and not was drafted or a substitute for any person.

5th.  State the names of officers for whom you served.
Ans.  I cannot state the names of any officers under whom I served other than those before mentioned in my declaration not anything in circumstances more particularly than that before stated. 

 6th.  Did you receive a discharge?
Ans.  I never received a discharge of any description. 

7th.  State the names of persons who can testify to your service.
Ans.  John Craig, David Bean, Lawrence Williams and James Jackson.
                                             his
                                Joseph   X   McDonald
                                            mark

Armstrong County ss.

    I James Jackson of Armstrong County & state of Pennsylvania and Samuel Williams of Westmoreland County & state aforesaid, certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph McDonald the above applicant for a pension and I know that he was in the year 1777 or 1778 in the service of the United States on the Alleghany River before Freeport but cannot say how long he was in the service and I further know that William Rankin and James Williams were killed by the Indians at this time. That Joseph McDonald was out on service, and I further Certify that the said applicant is of great character and that he is a man of truth and veracity.
                                         //s//
                                Samuel Williams

Sworn & subscribed before
me this 17 Sept 1833.
                    //s//
             Fredk. Rohrer, Pro.
Page 10

We James Summerville of Franklin Township Armstrong County and John Dickey a Clergyman residing in the Township of (illegible) and county aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph McDonald who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration & that we believe him to be 73 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolutionary War and that we concur in that opinion.                                      //s//
                                  John Dickey
                             James Summerville

Sworn and subscribed this
7th day of Sept 1833.

                 //s//
             Freck. Rohrer, Pro.  

    The said court do hereby certify and declare this opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and the court further certify that John Dickey who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident of Armstrong County and that James Summerville who signed the above certificate also resides in the county aforesaid and is a credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit.
    I Frederick Rohrer clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong county do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joseph McDonald for a pension.
    In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of September AD 1833.
                                       //s//
                             Fredrk Rohrer, Pro.

Armstrong County

     There court upon inquiring, certify that Samuel Williams who signed the certificate in favor of Joseph McDonald an applicant for a pension is a man of good moral character and a credible witness.  In testimony whereof I have  hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of December AD 1833.
                                               //s//
                                       Fredk. Rohrer Pro.
Page 11

23791
Revolutionary
INVALID

File No. 23,791
Joseph McDonald
Prt Rev War

Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 258

{Arrangement of 1879.}


1926 Dec 11.  Mrs. Wieland info how to get last payment.                                 au
Page 12

West Duluth, Minn.
Oct. 14, 1926

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Sirs,

   I am asking for some information for D.A.R. one Joseph MacDonald born 1763 was private in Pennsylvania Militia and received a pension for his services during the War of the Revolution.  I am asking for date of his death, to whom he was married and the date of his marriage.  Our records show that one son Jacob MacDonald married Sarah Foreman, marriage and death of these two. Had Joseph MacDonald other children

                             Respectfully,
                              Mrs. L.F. Wieland,
                              631 N. 57 Ave.
                              West Duluth, Minn

death not on a book
Page 13

Dec. 11, 1926.

Mrs. T. F. Wieland,
831 N. 57 Ave.
West Duluth, Minn.

Madam:

   I have to advise you that there is no data on file as to family on the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.23791, of Joseph McDonald of Penn. Troops, nor is the date of his death on record.

   For the date of last payment on pension, name of person paid and date of his death, you should apply to the Records Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. citing all of the following data:  Joseph McDonald, Ctf. No. 25895, issued Jan. 23, 1834, rate $20.00 per annum, commended March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Pittsburgh Agency.

                           Respectfully,

                           Winfield Scott,
                            Commissioner.
Page 14

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME [handwritten] McDonald, Malcolm

GRADE [handwritten] Private

LINE [handwritten] Pennsylvania

WARRANT NUMBER [handwritten] 9939

ACREAGE 100

ISSUED [handwritten] October 4, 1792
To Alexander Power, assignee of Henry Apker, Adm.

_____
*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.