Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38,306, for John Pierce, Maryland
Page 1

SERVICE                       [Illegible]
MD Pierce, John.        S.38.306 
VA
Page 2

6. 840 Virginia 
R 
John Pierce 
of Jefferson Co. in the State of Virginia 
who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Capt. Morgan the (Rifle C. 1775) 
for the term of one year. Va 
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia 
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 26 of December 1819 
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 of May 1820 
and sent to Hon. M Swearingen,  
H Reps WJ
Arrears to 4th of March 1820 -            18.06 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1820-  40.00
2 Mos [illegible]                                     $66.06 
 Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818  Jefferson County
  Stricken off under Act 1 May 1820: Notification sent 18 July 1820 to Hon [Illegible] Swearingen, Sheperdstown, VA
[Illegible] W.J. Hamilton [Illegible]
Page 3

16. 840.
Virginia R.

John Pierce
of Jefferson Co. in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the regiment commanded
Capt. Mordzes of the (Rifle Co 1775)
line, for the term of one year - VA.

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 25 of December 1819

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th of May 1820
and sent to Hon Mr Swearinger
H. Reps W.D.
-
Arrears to 4th of March 20 - 18.06
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1820-48.00
2 Mos 8/31    $66.06

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
Jefferson City 

Stricken off under Act 1 May 1820 Notification sent 18 July
1820 to Hon Thos Van Swearinger, Shepardstown Va.
Let to Honl W.T. Hamilton June 27/30
Page 4

John Pierce-
Pri:
Capt. Morgan’s 
Rifle Compy 
June 1775 1 year
2nd Decr 1819- 
Service proved 
See resolution of 
Congress of 17th June 1775 
for having Comps- 
Artillery commanded by 
Captain [?] & not attached 
to any particular Reg 
Admitted
Page 5

District and State of Virginia Frederick County Sct 
On this 28th day of December in the year 1819 before me the subscriber sole and pending Judge of 
the Superior Court of Law for the said County of Frederick 
in the District and State aforesaid personally appears John 
Pierce aged sixty five years resident in the County of Jefferson in 
District and State aforesaid and being by me first 
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make 
the following declaration in order to obtain the provision 
made by the late act of Congress entitled ‘an act to provide 
for certain persons engaged in the land and naval 
service of the United States during the revolutionary 
War’ That he the said John Pierce enlisted in the
Service of the United States in the 
latter end of the month of June in the year 1775 at 
Winchester in the aforesaid County of Frederick in the State 
aforesaid in a company of riflemen commanded by Captain 
Daniel Morgan (afterwards Genl Morgan) for one year, 
which company together with one raised in the County 
of Berkeley in the same state, commanded by Captain Hugh Stevenson was raised by virtue of a resolution 
of Congress passed in the spring 
or early in the summer of the same year. That immediately afterwards he marched with the said 
company and joined the grand Army then lying 
before Boston. That the said two companies were 
stationed at Roxbury and commanded by Captain H Stephenson (he being the oldest officer) but
were never attached to, or made a part of any Regiment 
That sometime afterwards the said Company, so commanded 
by the said Captain Morgan was, with two companies of
Riflemen from the Pennsylvania regiment, detached to Quebec 
under the command of Col., afterwords, Genl Arnold 
That the applicant marched with the said detachment 
was at the Storming of Quebec and entered the 
lower town with his said Captain and was (after the fall of Montgomery) made a prisoner with him. That he 
remained in the Service of the United States in Captivity
more than three months longer 
than the year for which he enlisted, after which he was exchanged 
and discharged That he hath now no other evidence of his said services in his power except the affidavits of Maj A Heiskell
Frederick Shultz and Peter Lauck hereto annexed. That he 
was not in any battle of importance except the Storming of
Page 6

of Quebec as aforesaid and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of his country's aid for a support 
He further states that some considerable time ago 
he made a similar declaration to the present, before me, 
the subscriber Judge &c as aforesaid, except that it was not so 
circumstantial, which was forwarded to the Department 
of War and returned to him because (as near as he recollects)
neither his regiment, nor his Colonels name were 
designated (things impossible in his situation, to be done)
that not being able at that time to take a journey to Winche[ster]
where the said Judge resides, the declaration was put away 
untill he could do so, as the Judge should come in the course 
his circuit into the said County of Jefferson. That in the meantime it, the said declaration, 
has by accident been destroyed so that he can neither 
return it herewith nor fix the date thereof, unless some 
memorandum of it may remain in the office of 
the Department of War 
Sworn to before me the day and year aforesaid 
Robt White

Frederick County Virginia Sct 
Memorandum 
That on this 28th day of December 
1819 Frederick Shultz and Peter Lauch two respectable disinterested and independant Citizens of Winchester in the county aforesaid 
Personally appeared before me Robert White Judge &c 
as aforesaid, and being by me first duly sworn according 
to law did respectively depose that they the
said deponants, together with the aforesaid John Pierce
did about the last of June of the first of July 1775 inlist in the 
service of the United States in the aforesaid Company 
commanded by the aforesaid Capt D Morgan to serve for 
one year. That they the said John Pierce and the said Deponants
did march from Winchester to Boston in the said 
Company, and from thence to Quebec, and were there taken 
Prisoners together as fully set forth in the said aforesaid 
declaration, which and after the time for 
which they were enlisted they were exchanged and discharge 
Sworn to before me the day and year above written 
Robt White 
I Robert White Judge &c as aforesaid do certify that it appears 
to my satisfaction that the said John Pierce did serve in this 
revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration 
against the common enemy for more than the term of time
Page 7

nine months on the continental establishment 
and  that it also appears to my satisfaction from the testimony of Col Joseph Swearingen and Capt Abraham Shephard hereto
annexed, two Credible and distrusted witnesses that 
he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the aid of 
his country for a support. And I now have met the proceedings 
and testimony had and taken before me to the 
Ineratory of the Department of War pursuant to the directions 
above mentioned act of Congress In testimony of all which I have hereto subscribed my name above the seal of the said Superior Court of Frederick 
County this 10th day of Febuary 1820 
Robt. White
Page 8


Virginia Frederick County to wit
I Robert B White Clerk of the
Superior Court of Law holden for the said County
of Frederick do hereby certify, that the aforenamed
Robert White is sole and presiding Judge of the
said Superior Court, and that his name subscribed
to the foregoing declaration and certificates, in
his own hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name and
annexed the seal of the said
Court this 8th day of February 1820.
R.B. White

John Pierece
Priv
Capt Morgan's 
Rifle Comp Z
1775 1 year
2nd Dec 1819
Service proven
See resolution of
Congress of 17th June 1775
for raising 6 to comp
artillery commanded by
Captain H & not attached
to any particular Reg
Admitted
Page 9

John Pierce 
Oath & Schedule 
Court Hustings for the Corporation 
of Shepherds Town Va 
July Court 1820 
Sealed & certified 
[?] Brown Clk
not entitled 
$400 
No. 16,840 

[?] 4 May 18 20
Page 10

Corporation of Shepherds Town Va. Sct
On the 3rd day of July 1820 personally appeared in 
open court for the borough aforesaid, being a court of record,
made so by an act of the Legislature of the State aforesaid,
at its last Session, John Pierce aged sixty six years, resident 
of the corporation aforesaid, who being first duly 
sworn according to law, doth on his oath declaire that 
he served in the Revolutionary war as follows viz.
that he entered as a private in a company of riflemen 
commanded by Capt (afterward, Genl) Daniel Morgan & 
marched from Winchester about the 14th July 1775 to Boston, 
from thence in the same company which was part of 
Arnolds regiment, he marched through the Wilderness 
to Quebec and was made prisoner after Montgomery 
fell at that place; in the September or October in the 
following year he was paroled and continued on parole 
until he was exchanged, after which he recd the appointment 
of Wagon Master in the Maryland line & Continued 
in that service some time, how long does not 
exactly recollect and from age & other infirmity is unable 
to get a living for himself & family by manual labour, has a wife and daughter living with him, the 
age of the former sixty years & that of the latter thirty two 
years and is at present engaged in the precarious busness 
of teaching a school, and has obtained a pension 
certificate No 16.840. And I do solemnly swear that I 
was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 
March 1818 and that I have not since that time, by 
gift, sale or in any other manner disposed of my property 
or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it 
as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of congress 
entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged 
in the land and naval service of the United States 
in the revolutionary war passed on the 18th March 1818; and 
that I have not nor has any person in trust for me 
any property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me;
Page 11

nor have I any income other than what is contained in 
the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed 
Schedule 
1 old log house in new Street shepherds Town. 1 do in 
Rockey Street in which my school is taught, for which 
I paid fifty dollars but am now perfectly certain that the 
person of whom I purchased it, is unable to make 
me a title or pay me the purchase money)
Sundry accounts amount not known but am perfectly 
certain that the debts which I owe amount to more than those acts 
1 Bureau 1 writing desk 6 school benches & desks 6 split bottomed chairs 3 Windsor do, 2 old bedsteads 
2 tables 6 books, 2 Iron Pots, 1 Skellett, 1 Tea Kettle 
1 Corner Cupboard with cups saucers & plates. 3 Washing 
tubs, 1 Wooden bucket, 1 Tin do, 10 knives & 2 forks, 
6 old flour barrels, 2 Wheels, 1 Cow, 2 small 
brass Kettles, 1 Coffeepot, 1 Coffee Mill, 6 pewter spoons, 
6 small ditto 2 Candle sticks, 1 axe, 1 bread basket 1 Candle stand, 2 stoves pieces bacon 
J Pierce
Sworn to and declared in open court the 3d day of July 1820 
Jas Brown C.C. H. S. T.
I James Brown Clerk of the court of Hustings of the corporation 
of the Sheperds Virginia do hereby certify that 
the foregoing oath and the schedule hereto annexed 
are truly copied from the records of the said Court, 
and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the 
said court that the total amount in value of
Page 12

the property exhibited in said schedule is four hundred and nine dollars & thirty one cents. 

In testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and affixed 
the seal of the said Court 
On this third day of July one 
thousand eight hundred and 
twenty 
Jas Brown C. C. H. T. T.
Page 13

Honl. Wm. T. Hamilton
June 27/50
Page 14

688

Pension Office 
June 27 1850 
Sir,
In answer to the enclosed letter, 
I have the honor to inform you that 
John Pierce, formerly of Jefferson Co. Virginia, was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March 
1818 at the rate of $8 per month. The pension was paid to the 4 March 1820, when he was stricken from the roll under the Act 
of May 1, 1820. Consequently no arrears of pension are due his heirs.
John Pierce mentioned in my letter 
of the 14 March last, was a pensioner under 
the act of 7 June 1832, and resided in Spotsylvania Co. Va.


Wm J. Hamilton
H of R
Peters
Page 15

June 14, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX cour

William Cunningham S.8264
John Pierce-S38306
BA-J/ASf

Mrs. C. A. Gottwald
Arlington Bldg., Room 208
Washington, D. C.

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for data in
regard to the Revolutionary War records of several
soldiers, who served from the Valley of Virginia.

You were advised by telephone yesterday, that
you would be furnished the records of two soldiers.

The records of William Cunningham and John
Pierce, which follow, were obtained from the papers
on file in their respective claims for pension, based
upon service in that war.

William Cunningham S.8264
He was born July 23, 1764 in Shenandoah County,
Virginia, and was the son of John Cunningham, the
name of his mother is not shown.

While residing in Shenandoah County, Virginia,
William Cunningham served as a private with the Virginia
troops, as follows-

From in May, 1780, two months as a substitute for
his father, in Captain John Richardson's company; in
the spring of 1781, two months as substitute for his
father, in Captain Charles Riggin or Biggin's company,
a part of the time under Colonel John Netherton; from
in August, 1781, two months in Captain Martin Aul's (?)
company, Colonel Darke's regiment, and was at the surrender
of Cornwallis; and one month as substitute for
his uncle Thomas Cunningham and was a guard at the
barracks in Winchester, Virginia.
Page 16

2 -
Virginia soldier, William Cunningham, in 1794 moved to
Harrison County, Virginia.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 18, 1832, then a resident of Wood County,
Virginia. In 1855 he was living in Ritchie County, Virginia.

Walter Cunningham, in 1832 aged eighty-three years,
stated that he resided during the Revolution in Shenandoah
County, Virginia, a near neighbor to the soldier,
William Cunningham, and that he also served in that war.

There is no reference to wife and children.
--------------------------
John Pierce-S.38306
The date and place of his birth John Pierce are not
stated, nor are the names of his parents given.

John Pierce enlisted at Winchester, Frederick County,
Virginia, July 14, 1775 and served as a private in Captain
Daniel Morgan's Rifle company with the Virginia troops,
marched to Boston, where they joined a detachment under
Colonel Arnold, was at the storming of Quebec, there taken
prisoner, and held until paroled the following September
or October and returned to Virginia in the fall of 1776,
afterwards exchanged. He later was appointed wagon master
in the Maryland troops, no further details of this service
given. He stated that he then serv

John Pierce was allowed pension on his application
executed December 28, 1819, then aged sixty-five years and
living in Jefferson County, Virginia.

In 1820 he referred to his family, who were residing with
him as his wife aged sixty years and a daughter aged thirty
two years, he did not state their names. There is no further
reference to family.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 17

38306
Revy INVALID 
File No. 38.306 
John Pierce 
Priv. Rev War
Act: 18 March 18 
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 489 
[Arrangement of 1870]

1933 June 14 Hist to Mrs C A Gottwald. See her request in William Cunningham S.8264  cwy
Page 18

Dear Sir
[illegible] in a letter from [illegible] of my [illegible] requesting information.
[illegible] my application, [illegible], [illegible] in this [illegible] you gave me information [illegible] which my [illegible] consider [illegible]. Be pleased to [illegible] this matter and communicate the results to me.
Yours Sincerely [illegible]
William T Hamilton
H of R.
June 25 1850
Page 19

State of Virginia 
Jefferson County Sct
I Richard Baylor presiding magistrate 
in the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Robert Gates Hite
hath been duly elected and qualified clerk of the Court of 
the said County and that the forgoing attestation is in due form 
Given under my hand & seal this 2nd day of - Febry 1820
Richard Baylor Seal
Page 20

We the undersigned, have lately been informed that 
John Pierce of Jefferson County Va. Intends applying for 
a pension for services rendered in the war of our Independence 
we therefore Certify that we have been acquainted with the 
Sd John Pierce for many years, & we have no knowledge 
of any active, or productive propperty that he possesses & 
we are well supported in a belief that he can expect little aid
from his family & we also believe, that he marched from Winchester
in Virginia, in the month of July or August 1775 in an 
authorized company of Riflemen commanded by Captain, 
afterwards Genl, Morgan to Join the army then Blockading 
Boston, & we know that Cap Morgans Company was ordered . 
from Boston with Col Arnolds Detachment, who was to unite 
with that under the Command of General Montgomery, in an
Enterprize against Quebec & we believe that John Pierce did 
perform the arduous march, & was made prisoner in the 
attack made by the americans on that Fortress. given under our hands at Shepherdstown
Virginia the 12th Jany 1820 
Joseph Swearingen late Captain in the Virga Continental Line 
Abraham Shepherd late Captn in the Virginia Continental Line
Page 21

Common wealth of Virginia 
Jefferson County Sct 
On this 27 day of January in 
the year 1820 personally came before me 
John Briscoe a Justice of the peace for the 
County aforesaid Joseph Swearingen and 
Abraham Shepherd late Captains in the 
Continental Line, and made oaths 
according to law that the facts by them 
certified on the other side of this paper 
they verily believe to be true. Given under my hand & seal the day & year first above written. 
Jno Briscoe sea

State of Virginia 
Jefferson County [?]
I, Robert Gates Hite Clerk of the 
County Court of Jefferson aforesaid do hereby certify that John Briscoe
Gentleman, before whom the foregoing affidavit hath been made and who 
hath subscribed his name to the certificate thereof was at the time of doing 
the same and Still is, one of the Commonwealth’s Justices of the peace 
in and for the County aforesaid legally commissioned and sworn and that Due 
faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his acts as such whether in 
Court of equity or thereout 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the public seal 
of my office this 29th day of January 
1820 and in the 44th Year of the Commonwealth 
R G Hite

[obscured] Certificate on the [?] side
[?] paper
Page 22

Commonwealth of Virginia 
Jefferson County Sct 
On this 27 day of January in 
the year 1820 personally came before me 
John Briscoe a Justice of the peace for the 
County aforesaid Joseph Swearingen and 
Abraham Shepherd late Captains in the Continental Line, and made oaths 
according to law that the facts by them 
certified on the other side of this paper 
they verily believe to be true. Given 
under my hand & seal the day & year first 
above written.
Jno Briscoe seal

State of Virginia 
Jefferson County [?]
I, Robert Gates Hite Clerk of the 
County Court Jefferson aforesaid do hereby certify that John Briscoe Gentleman, before whom the foregoing affidavit hath been made and who 
hath subscribed his name to the certificate thereof was at the time of doing 
the same and Still is, one of the Commonwealth’s Justices of the peace 
in and for the County aforesaid legally commissioned and sworn and that due 
faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his acts as such whether in Court of equity or thereout 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the public seal 
of my office this 29th day of January 
1820 and in the 44th year of the Commonwealth 
R G Hite

See Justices Certificate on the [?]side
of this paper
Page 23

Major Heiskells
Aff
Page 24

Virginia 
Hampshire County sct 
Major Adam Heiskell this day personally 
appeared before the Subscribed a Justice of the peace 
in & for said County and made oath that he is 
acquainted with John Pierce of the county of 
Jefferson who he is informed is about to apply for a 
pension under the act of the Congress of the United States 
passed 18th March 1818. That said Pierce was attached 
to the same company with the said Heiskell; to wit, 
the Company commanded by Captain afterwards, 
General Daniel Morgan that they marched together 
in the summer of 1775 from Winchester in Virginia 
to Boston and from thence with said Morgan to 
Quebeck that they were then taken prisoner together 
and returned to Virginia in the fall of the year 1776, 
That said Margan at that time commanded a 
riffle company attached to regiment commanded by Colonel Arnold of that part 
of the Army commanded by Genl Montgomery 
on the continental establishment. Given under 
my hand this 24 day of November 1819 
Henry Cookus

Virginia Hampshire County Sct
I John B. White Clerk of the Court of said County do 
hereby certify that Henry Cookus whose name is 
subscribed to the above affadavit is now and was 
at the time of subscribing the Same one of the 
Commonwealths Justices of the peace in and
Page 25

for said County duly Commissioned & sworn & that full faith & credit are due to all 
his acts as such. In Testimony whereof I 
have hereunto subscribed 
my name and affixed 
the seal of the said 
County this 24th day of 
November 1819 
John B. White 


Major Heiskell
Aff