Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5262, Samuel Barr, Penn.
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Service      Penn.              
Barr, Samuel                   
Number   S.5262

Contents                                                Carded
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Pittsburgh Penn.  30.446            
Samuel Barr 
[unreadable] Co, in the state of Penn. who was a Private the company commanded by Captain Clark of the Regt. Commanded by  Col. Elder in the Penn. Mil [Militia] for 6 months 
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of Feb. 1836 and sent to Hon. H. Denny, H Reps. - Arrears to the 4th of Sept '35 90.00 
Semi- anl. allowance ending 4 Mar.'36 10.00               
$100.00       
{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7 1832.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E.2, Vol 5 Page 117
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Declaration of Samuel Barr. In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832               
State of Pennsylvania          
Washington County } ss        On this 4th day of November AD 1835 personally appeared before the Hon. Thomas Baird, President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, Samuel Barr a resident of the borough of Washington County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania, aged Eighty one years past, in February last. 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 the 7th June 1832             
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated on the 9th of October 1777. I was drafted and served a tour of two months in Captain James Clarkes Company of Colonel Robert Elders regiment of Militia of Lancaster County Pennsylvania, we were marched to Lancaster where we remained a few days, until we were supplied with arms when we were marched to the rising sun Tavern about five miles from Philadelphia, and went to Germantown, where we met with other troops under the command of General Potter, from the rising sun we were marched to White Marsh where the main army under General Washington lay encamped. During this tour was frequently out on scouting parties, and on the 5th Dec’r 1777 I was with the company to which I belonged under the command of General Irvine, engaged in skirmish with the enemy in which Skirmish Gen Irvine got wounded and taken prisoner a few days after this skirmish my term of two months expired when I was with the company discharged, I got no written discharge.   
In December 1778 I was drafted and served a tour of two months under the command of Captain McClure of which company Andrew Berryhill was Ensign, we were marched to Lancaster and there stationed during this tour in guarding the Hessian Prisoners taken by General Washington at Trenton, and when our two months expired I was with the company discharged, I got no written discharge. In the month of April 1779, I moved from
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Lancaster County to Westmoreland County Pennsylvania, and in the spring of the year 1780 the Indians having made an exception into the county committing depredations taking a man prisoner at Millerstown I volunteered and served a tour in that occasion in pursuit of the enemy, the name of the Officer under whom I served this tour, I cannot now recollect,  it was not however an Officer of my own company I belonged to - Captain Hugh Mitchels company of Col Jeremiah Stokleys regiment of Militia of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania,  the tour lasted for ten days. In the month of July 1780 I was drafted and served a tour of one month under our Lieutenant Charles Mitchel, the Indians having attacked Garrot Pinder Grasses station in Westmoreland County Penn’a – we were marched to the station and there we remained during our term of one month serving as scouts and spies on the frontier until our time expired when were discharged.  I got no written discharge.  In the month of March 1782, I was drafted and served a tour of one month under the command of Captain Nathaniel Points of said Regiment. the Indians having made an exception into Pisckety Creek Settlement killing several people accordingly we were marched to the frontier of Pisckety Creek Settlement and there stationed and acting as scouts and spies until our time expired when we were discharged, I got the written discharge.   Upon many other occasions of alarm volunteered and turned out performing tours of duty, but from old age bodily infirmity and consequent loss of memory I cannot now give a detailed account of them.       
I was born in Ireland on the 24 January 1754 old Style, and I emigrated to the United States in 1772 and settled in Paxton township Lancaster County Pennsylvania, the record of my age I have now in my possession copied from my Fathers family bible many years ago. I was living in Paxton township Lancaster County Penn’a  in 1777, when I entered the service of the United States, and I continued to reside there until the spring of 1779, when I moved to Westmoreland County Penn’a where I resided until the erection of Allegheny which I think took in 1789, in running the lines I fall within the bounds of Allegheny County where I resided until 1832, when I moved into Washington Co where I have resided ever since and where I now reside - To the fifth interrogatory I have made as full an answer as my recollection will
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now allow.    Of the 6th also answered.  I have no documentary evidence to prove my service and can procure none, I never received a written discharge in any case where I quit the service.         
I know of no person living who has a personal knowledge of my services except William Willson whose affidavit is hereunto attached.   I know of no clergyman who I can procure to certify for me according to the form prescribed by the War Department. I know the names of no other officer under whom I served but those I have mentioned, nor did I get acquainted with any other, that I now recollect of.   I refer to William G. Stone John Morrow to prove my character and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. Having served as I have stated in all six months and ten days as a drafted Militia Man and volunteer and for such service I claim a pension. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State        
Samuel Barr        
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me 4th Nov 1835 
Th Baird
We William Stone, John Morrow residing in the County of Washington, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Barr who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration. That we believe him to be Eighty one years of age past; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion that he is moreover a man of good character whose statement is entitled to credit.      
William G Stone                
John Morrow
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I do hereby certify that from bodily infirmity in consequence of injury received from a fall from a carriage in 1832 the above named Samuel Barr an applicant for a pension cannot attend the Court and I do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant Samuel Barr was a soldier of the Revolution and that he served as he states. And I do further certify that William G. Stone John Morrow who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit.     Given under my hand this 4th day of November 1835     
Th Baird 
President Judge of the 14th  Judicial district of Penn’a.               
33.409
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania     
Washington County ss.     I Thomas Officer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, do hereby certify that Thomas H. Baird Esq. whose signature is attached to the foregoing certificate was at the time of the date of the said Cert. the president Judge of the fourteenth Judicial district of Pennsylvania, 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 9th day of Nov. A.D. 1835.              
Thomas Officer Pro    \
Cert 25 cts pd.
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Sam'l Barr
file with other 
[unreadable]
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State of Pennsylvania       
Washington County} Ss     Before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Samuel Barr a resident of the borough of Washington County of Washington, and State of Pennsylvania and an applicant for a pension from the United States who being duly sworn doth depose and make the following amended declaration, in addition to his former one, now on file in the War Office, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.     That in the month of April 1779 moved from Lancaster County to Huntington township Westmoreland County Pennsylvania, when I was immediately enrolled in Captain Hugh Mitchels Company of Colonel Jeremiah Stokelys Regiment of Militia of Westmoreland County Penn’a and in the spring of think it is April 1780, the enemy consisting of a marauding party of Indians attacked a frontier settlement of the county committing much depredation and taking a man prisoner from a small place called Millerstown, then decamping taking with them considerable plunder. In consequence I volunteered upon that occasion together with a number of the Militia of my neighborhood and we pursued the enemy for several days and altho we did not come up with them our pursuit was so rapid that we recovered part of the plunder, which the above and in their hasty flight, this tour acted for ten days or more the name of the Officer under whom I served the this tour I cannot now recollect it was not, however, an officer of my own company.  In the month of July same year 1780, a regular draft was made from the company and regiment to which I belonged and I was among the drafted men, at which time I served a tour of one Month under our Lieutenant Charles Mitchel we were marched to and stationed at a fort on the frontier, called “Pindergrasses Station
 from this fort some of the troops were daily put out as scouts and spies on the frontier until our term of one month had expired when we were discharged before we left the fort however other drafted Militia arrived at the fort and took our place. Prior to our being marched to and arrival at Pendergrasses Station, in July 1780, the enemy had made an attack upon the fort, in which they had been defeated with the loss of some, at least one killed and probably others wounded, It was
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expected that the enemy would return with a much greater force and make another attack upon this station, in consequence we were marched to reinforce and maintain this post. During the Revolutionary or no section of the United States set westward of the Alleghany Mountains suffered more than the parties bordering on Westmoreland County or rather its frontier settlements, especially, during the spring & summer seasons, by descending the Alleghany river rapidly in canoes which they the Indian could, and did so keep the people of the County in a continual state in depredations and murder; frequently occurring, by hostile bands, even hovering on the frontier border, accordingly to most such a state of warfare as this, it was customary act spring & summer, at least, to draft a portion of the Militia from the County and station them at different places on the frontier, where they would remain as scouts & spies. In the month of March 1782, I was drafted and served a tour of one Month under Captain Nathaniel Points, we were marched to and stationed on the frontier of Pisckety Creek settlement, in said County, where a camp was formed and where we joined other troops of said regiment, all under the command of Captain Thomas Carrol Father of Governor Carroll of Tennessee. Prior to our being drafted and marched to this encampment, the enemy having eluded all the precautions adopted by the Military for the security of the County passed the frontier had attacked the settlement on Pisckety Crock, murdering several people, women &  children, accordingly upon the arrival of the troops at the encampment a detachment was immediately sent after and upon the trail of the enemy who had carried off much plunder & the detachment returned however, after several days absence from Camp without coming up with the enemy. during our term of service portion of our troops were daily sent out from Camp, as scouts and spies, and when our term of one month expired we were discharged. Besides the regular tours of service which I have thus performed I did on many occasions of alarm volunteer, and performed several tours of service against the common enemy, the hostile Indians, during the War of the Revolution, but from old age and bodily infirmity and consequent loss of memory, I am now unable to give a detailed account of them, I am now grown old and in a deplorable and helpless condition
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an unfortunate cripple in consequence of a fall from a carriage in 1832, and withal in reduced and very necessitous circumstances.  Having, therefore, as I have before stated in my former declaration served four months as a drafted Militia man from Lancaster County and two months as drafted Militia man from Westmoreland County Pennsylvania besides ten days as a volunteer and for such Service claim a pension from the United States                 
Samuel Barr
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of November 1835}  
John Wilson                  
State of Pennsylvania               
Washington County} ss   I Thomas Officer  Prothonotary of Washington County do hereby certify that John Wilson before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time and still is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and acting as such and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his Judicial acts as such and that his signature appears to be his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 27th day of November AD 1835              
Thomas Officer Pro
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section 
MMTS
OWN
May 19, 1924    
O. P. Thomas             
Consulting Engineer                   
Johnstown, Penna.              
Sir:                    
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 5262 it appears that Samuel Barr was born February 24, 1754 ( Old Style) in Ireland, came to America in 1772 and settled in Paxton Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.                
While a resident of said township he enlisted October 8, 1777 and served as a private two months in Captain James Clarke's Company, Colonel Robert Elder's Regiment , Pennsylvania Troops and was in a severe skirmish.                       
He enlisted in December 1778 and served two months in Captain McClure's Company, Colonel Robert Elder's Pennsylvania Regiment.                      
In April 1779 he moved to Huntington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and was immediately enrolled in Captain Hugh Mitchell's Company, Colonel Jeremiah Stokeley's Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia. In April 1780
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he served ten days in a tour against the Indians.       
In July 1780 he served one month as scout and Indian Spy under Lieutenant Charles Mitchell of the said regiment, and in March 1782 he served one month as scout and Indian Spy under Captain Nathaniel Points of said regiment, and was out on many other tours on alarms against the Indians, no officers stated.                        
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 4, 1835 while a resident of Washington, Washington County, Pennsylvania. There is no data on file as to his family.            
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension , name of person paid and possibly the date of death, you should apply to the Pension Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E Street, N. W. Washington , D. C. citing all of the following data: "Samuel Barr, Certificate 30446, issued February 27, 1836, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Pennsylvania Agency". 
Respectfully,
Commissioner   
Date of death not on AB. [Agency Book]
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Rev War
5262
INVALID
File No. 5262
Samuel Barr
Pri  Rev War
Act:  June 7th 32
Index:- Vol. N6 Page 19
[Arrangement of 1870]
1924 - May 19 - Hist to O. P. Thomas MMH
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Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
554
Samuel Barr
See Adm't [Admitted] Soldier File 
No 5262
O.K.
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Samuel Barr
Pittsburgh, Penn.
Roll
Act June 7. 1832.
$20 per ann.   
Hon. H. Denny H. R. [House of Representatives]
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State of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County}  Ss   Before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said county.   
Personally appeared William Wilson a resident of Jefferson Township in Allegheny county Pennsylvania who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say.  That he is and has been for Sixty one years and upwards, well acquainted with Samuel Barr of the borough of Washington, county of Washington and State of Pennsylvania, and an applicant for a pension from the United States, this deponent prior to and during the Revolutionary war lived in Paxton township in Lancaster County Pennsylvania and a near neighbour to within half a mile of,  the residence of the said Samuel Barr and I know that the said Samuel Barr prior to his removal from Lancaster County to Westmoreland Penna in the year 1779 did perform two tours of Militia duty in the service of the United States, each of two months duration, his first tour commenced in October 1777 in Captain James Clarkes Company of Colonel Robert Elders regiment. The company and regiment were marched to and stationed at White Marsh most of the time, where the main army under Gen. Washington was encamped. In December 1778 he served another tour or it. rather commenced in the month of December, under Captain McClure of said regiment, the company were marched to Lancaster and there stationed in guarding the Hessians prisoners taken by General Washington at Trenton I belonged to the same company with the said Samuel Barr and served with him on both these tours of duty. After the removal of the said Samuel Barr
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to Westmoreland County in 1779 understand that he did perform two or three tours of service against the Indians in the years 1780. 1782 of this service however I have no personal knowledge myself, I heard of it only from report, but from my knowledge of the said Samuel Barr I have no doubt but what he did render the service for which he now claims a pension sure I am that he would make no claim or statement that was not just and true                   
William Wilson
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2 day of November 1835}             
Wm H. Wightman                    
I hereby certify that William Wilson who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing deposition is a resident of Jefferson Township in Allegheny County Pennsylvania  and that he is a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 2 day of November 1835    
W. H. Wightman
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Pennsylvania    
Allegheny County ss     
Harvey H Peterson Prothonotary of the County Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegheny Do hereby certify that William H Wightman Esq by whom the foregoing certificate was given, and who has thereunto in his own proper hand writing subscribed his name, was at that time and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and from to all whose acts as such full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere      
Given under my hand and seal of said Court this Seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty five      
H. H. Peterson Pro     
City of Pittsburgh 7th Nov 1835    
The Undersigned certify that they are well acquainted with Samuel Barr, an applicant for a pension, and know him to be a man of unexceptionable character & of the most strict integrity & are confident that he would not state any thing which he did not know to be strictly true.                     
J. H. McClelland      
Robert Burnsides     
G. Adams
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Washington Penn’a, Nov’r 27th 1835     
Sir
I enclose you an amended declaration of Samuel Barr in relation to his services, as a drafted Militia man from Westmoreland County Pennsylvania, of the truth of his statement not the shadow of a doubt upon the mind of any man who is acquainted with him. My own opinion is, and it is the opinion of every person with whom I have conversed on the subject, that all such applications, as detailed by the applicant, during the Revolutionary War, whether undertaken and carried on by volunteer or regular drafted Militia are embraced by the act of June 7, 1832.   
Be that as it may however the claim of the present applicant rests upon sure ground, at least six months service, as a regular drafted Militia man and which I hope the Department will now to consider and grant him a pension accordingly      
I am  Very Respectfully your obt Sevt             
David Acheson     
J L Edwards Esq’r             
Commissioner of Pensions         
Washington City
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33,407  OWN
Samuel Barr
Pennsyl
554
Rejected, See Letter 
to D. Acheson   
Nov 20, 1835   
Act 7th June 1832
Pennsylvania
Washintgon Pa.
Free
J. L. Edwards, Esq'r
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
2366
5262
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Washington, Penn, November 9th 1835 
Sir
Herewith transmit you the application of Samuel Barr for a pension. The papers were sent to Pittsburgh in order to obtain the necessary certificate from the Prothy of Allegheny County, and a certificate from Dr Black, in relation to his character,  the Dr. being absent from house the name of three gentlemen connected with and at the hand of his Church have signed a certificate in favor of the applicant             
I am very Respectfully your obt Ser  
David Acheson 
J. L.  Edwards Esquire         
Commissioner of Pensions          
Washington City
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SAMUEL BARR         
Penna. Archives             
6 series Volume 2 - page 342          
Payroll of Ensign Charles Mitchells, party of Westmoreland County Penna, Militia July, 1782.    
Samuel Barr, private 24 days in service
5th series volume 2 page 429               
Continental line Depreciation Pay           
Westmoreland Co. Militia             
Samuel Barr, Private      
The above from list of soldiers who received depreciation pay as per cancelled certificates on file in Division of public records at Harrisburg.   
Samuel Barr was married twice, all children were to first wife whose maiden name I have been unable to find.   His second wife was Fannie Gamble, of which union there was no issue.   Of the children of Samuel, I have a record of three sons viz. John, Robert born 1796, died 1871; and James born 1788, died 1878, married Mary Lang.     
James Barr above served in war of 1812 and to his union with Mary Lang, I have a record of 10 children, the third of which John Lang Barr born Feb. 10, 1824, married June Lang. This union resulted in 4 children who reached maturity. The youngest daughter Elizabeth Ann Barr, born May 11, 1858, married Archibald Thomas. This union resulted in 4 children of which the oldest son Olin Perry Thomas, Born Oct. 27, 1882, submits this as his record                 
The Father Samuel was a pen man so I looked only for Pa ser    for son James as he gave no residence each at any time - Neg. written "no record of James Barr of Pa – b. 1788- d. 1878” 
U.S. PENSION BUREAU
L APR 16 1924
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O. P. THOMAS        
CONSULTING ENGINEER          
JOHNSTOWN, PA. 
PRACTICE BEFORE PA. STATE COMMISSIONERS
HEALTH
WATER SUPPLY 
PUBLIC SERVICE
GENERAL, CIVIL ENGINEERING
VALUATION
DESIGN 
CONSTRUCTION
April 15 1924
Department of the Interior           
Bureau of Pensions,           
Washington, D.C.                 
Gentlemen: 
I enclose herewith sketch relating to Samuel Barr and his son James Barr.  Samuel Barr was a Revolutionary soldier and James Barr was a soldier in the war of 1812.   
 Will you kindly send me whatever data may be on file in reference to these two men.                
I am especially interested in learning the birth of Samuel Barr together with the date of his marriage and the name of his first wife, also the date of death.  
Kindly advise me as to just what your files reveal in regard to this.  Thanking you in advance I remain
Yours very truly,
O. P. Thomas
Engineer
OPT:MS
U.S. PENSION OFFICE 
L
APR 16 1924