Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B.L.Wt. 1822-300, for John Mc Cowan, Pennsylvania
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(S-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Penn McCowan, John B.L.Wt. 1822
CONTENTS
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Philadelphia March 22nd 1832
Sir:
your letter of the 19th [illegible] was duly received.
with the Land Warrant No 1822 Granted to Martha Smith
daughter. Susannah Ashmore, William McCowen, John
McCowen and Charly McCowen, Grand children, and
the only heirs at law of John McCowen who was a
Captain in the Pennsylvania Line for 300 Acres.
the Receipt whereof I acknowledge.
I am Sir Respectfully yours
[illegible] W [illegible]
William Gordon Esq
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KNOW ALL MEN,
By these presents, that We the subscribers of the City of
Philadelphia and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Have constituted, made, and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute made and appoint Peter W Sprout
our my [crossed out] Lawful Attorney for [illegible] and in our names and stead and to our uses and benefit
Having reference to certain proofs by Affidavits of the following
persons taken before James S. Spencer Esq, Jacob Sailor and Margaret Steward, also the Affidavit of Martha Smith & Wm McCowan
accompanying the power of attorney.
to ask, demand, sue for, levy, recover, and receive, all such sums of Money, Debts, Rents, Goods, dues, accounts, and demands
whatsoever, which are, or shall be due, owing, payable, and belonging to us or detained from us in any manner
particularly to procure for as the Original Right of
Military Bounty Land due to Captain John McCowan
deceased, as an Officer for the term of During the War
in the Pennsylvania Line on the Continental Establishment
During the Revolution, agreeably to certain Revelations of
Congress for granting Military Bounty Lands & from the
proper offices of the government of the United States.
giving and granting unto our said Attorney by these Presents, our full and entire power and authority, in and
about the premises, to have, use, and take all lawful ways and means in our names for the recovery thereof: and upon the
receipt of any such debts, dues, or sums of money aforesaid, acquittances, or other sufficient discharges, for us
and in
our names to make, seal, and deliver, and generally all and every other act and acts, thing and things, device and devices,
in the law, whatsoever, needful and necessary to be done in and about the premises, for us and in our names to do,
execute and perform, as fully, largely, and amply, to all intents and purposes, as we might or could do, if we were
personally present, or as if the matter required more special authority than is herein given; and Attorneys, one or more, under
him
for the purpose aforesaid, to make and constitute, and again at pleasure to revoke:-- ratifying, allowing,
and holding for firm and effectual, all and whatsoever our said Attorney of his substitute shall lawfully do in
and about the premises, by virtue hereof.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our
hands and seals the Twenty ninth
day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered
the presence of
Jas S, Spencer
Thos. Simpson
[illegible]
Smith
Sarah X ["her' written above 'X" and "mark" written below] M Cowan for herself seal
and John and Charly her two [illegible] Children
Susannah Ashmore
Wm McCowen
["Seal" written in squiggly-lined circles three times]
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,
County OF PHILADELPHIA. } SS.
This Twenty ninth day of February A.D. 1832 before me, Jas Spencer Esqr - 
one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County personally appeared the above
named Martha Smith, Sarah McCowan for herself and two [illegible] children
John McCowan & Charles M Cowan, Susannah Ashmore & William M Cowan
and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be their act and deed, and desired the same might be recorded as such
according to Law.
WITNESS my hand and seal, this day and year aforesaid.
Jas S, Spencer
COUNTY OF PHHILADELPHIA, SS.
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia,
Do Certify that James S. Spencer Esquire, before whom the above acknowledgment was made, and who has thereunto
subscribed his name, was, at the time for so doing, and still is, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County
aforesaid, duly Commissioned and qualified, and to whose acts, as such, full faith and credit are and ought
to be given. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court, at
Philadelphia, this third day of March A.D. One Thousand eight hundred and
thirty two
R Palmer
Noty
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John McCowen
No. 1822.
rd. Mar 7. 1832
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Philadelphia Ss.
Jacob Sailor of Philadelphia, aged seventy ^nine years being duly sworn
doth on his solemn oath depose and say, that he was well acquainted with
Captain John McCowan, an officer on the Continental Establishment
in the Pennsylvania Line in the Revolution.
And was also well acquainted with John McCowan
deceased, the son of said Captain John McCowen, and that said
John left a widow, and several children, now living: the said
Deponent further declares that Captain John McCowan
died many years ago: and that he the deponent has been
a laborer on a farm with John McCowen the son of Captain
John McCowan, and frequently conversed with him about
his Father and the affairs of the Revolution: and the
Deponent further declares that he is now a pensioner of the
United states, and became acquainted with Captain McCowan
whilst an officer in the Revolution: and further this deponent
saith not. Sworn and subscribed this 27th day of February 1832
Sworn & subscribed by &
before me one of the Justices of the
peace in and for the County of Phila
day & date as above
Jas S, Spencer 
Jacob X ["his" written above the "X" and "mark" below] Sailor
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Philadelphia. Ss.
William McCowan of Philadelphia: Being duly sworn, doth on his
solemn oath depose and say, that he is the son of John McCowan
deceased, and that his father died about the year 1820 and also
that he is the grandson of Captain John McCowan, an Officer
in the Revolution, as he verity believes from the information
transmitted to him from his ancesters, and ancient persons
now living: and that his grandfather, Captain John McCowan
died many years since, and left but two children, To Wit
Martha Smith, the Aunt of the Deponent, now a widow and
residing in Philadelphia and John McCowan, deceased, the
father of the Deponent: Leaving a widow: Sarah McCowan,
now a widow; and the following children of the said John
and Sarah McCowan: Susannah Ashmore (married) aged
24 years: William McCowan, the Deponent aged 22 years:
John McCowan aged 20 years: and Charles McEwan aged
18 years and that said Martha Smith, Sarah McCowan, Susannah
William, John and Charles, are all the Heirs of Captain John McCowan:
Sworn and subscribed this 29th day of February 1832.
Before me one of the survey of the [illegible]
[illegible] and for the County of Philadelphia | Wm McCowen  
Jas S Spencer ["Seal" written in squiggly-lined circle]
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania County of Philadelphia Ss.
Margaret Steward of Philadelphia, Widow: Being duly sworn,
doth on her solemn oath depose and declare, that Martha Smith
now a widow, and residing near her in the City of Philadelphia
was taken by the said Deponent to bring up whilst a child
about the year 1797 soon after the death of the mother of
said Martha, who had survived her husband a few years.
And that said Martha Smith, now her near neighbour
was the reputed Daughter of Captain John McCowan
an Officer in the Pennsylvania Line, who died during the
infancy of said Martha McCowan, now Martha Smith.
Leaving also one other child, John McCowan, now deceased
and that these two children, were all the children, left by
said Captain John McCowan; and that the said Deponent
was intimately acquainted with John McCowan, deceased
in consequence of having his sister Martha, at her house
for many years, during her minority: and has a general
knowledge of the Family of said John McCowan.
and that Sarah McCowan is the widow of John McCowan.
and now resides in Philadelphia: and that the following named
persons are the children of John and Sarah McCowan.
Susannah Ashmore (married) aged 24 years: William
McCowan, aged 22 years: John McCowan aged 20
years: and Charles McCowan, aged 18 years: all
living in Philadelphia: and that these persons embrace
all the Heirs of Captain John McCowan.
Sworn and subscribed this 25th day of February 1832
Before me the Subscriber one of the
Justices of the Peace in & for the County of
Philada Jas Spencer  ["Seal" written within a squiggly-lined circle]
Margaret X Steward ["her" written above the "X" and "mark" written below it]
Martha Smith of Philadelphia: widow: Being duly sworn, doth depose & say
that she the Deponent and John McCowan her brother, now deceased
were the only children left by Captain John McCowen, and both her 
parents died during her infancy: and that she the deponent and
her brother Johns widow and children are all the heirs of Captain
John McCowan. Sworn and subscribed this 27th day of February 1832
Before me the Subscriber. One of the
Justices of the peace in and for
Martha Smith
the County of Philada. as witness my
hand & seal the day & date as above
Jas J Spencer ["Seal" written within a squiggly-lined circle]
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Philada County ss - I do certify that Jacob Sailor
the deponent to the first deposition hereunto annexd
is personally known to me, and that he has the
character of being a man of veracity, and in my
opinion is entitled to full credit. Philada County
27th day of February 1832
Jas S. Spencer
Justice of the Peace County Phil
Philada County ss
I do certify that Mr Robert Rice
of the City of Philada. known or as a man of respectably
personally appeared before me. and was by me examined
as to the Character of Mrs Margaret Steward one of the
Deponents hereunto annexed, from which examination
I am fully satisfied that she is a woman of veracity
and that full faith and confidence should be given to
her annexed deposition. Philada Coy March 1. 1832
Jas S Spencer. J.P -
County of Philada - 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ss
County of Philadelphia
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia
Do Certify that James S. Spencer Esq, before whom
the Affidavits of Jacob Sailor and Margaret Steward
inserted on this sheet were taken, and who had here
Certified to the Credibility of said Sailor & Steward,
and also before whom the Declaration and
Affidavits of Heirship of Martha Smith and William
McCowan were taken on this [illegible], was at
the time and still is a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County of Philadelphia
duly Commissioned and qualified, and to whose
acts as such full faith are and ought to be given
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affixed
the Seal of the said Court of Philadelphia the 3rd
day of March 1832.
R Palmer
Atty
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January [illegible], 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
[illegible]/[illegible]
John McCowan - B.L.Wt.#1822-300
John McCowan - W. 17188
Mrs. [illegible] McCowan
521 [illegible] Jefferson
Mason, Michigan
Dear Madam
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information
in regard to Brigadier-Major John McCowen or McCowan,
Revolutionary War soldier, who might be Captain McCowan.
Your are furnished herein the records of a Captain John McCowan,
also that of a captain John Gowan, both of the Pennsylvania
Line, War of the Revolution. It is hoped that these records
will be of assistance to you in your research.
John McCowan
B.L.Wt.#1822-300
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file
in claim for bounty land based upon the military service in the
Revolutionary War of John McCowan.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
John McCowan are not shown.
John McCowan served as a captain in the Pennsylvania Line,
War of the Revolution; his service did not conclude until the
close of the war: no further particulars of his services are shown.
His wife, her name and the date of their marriage not given,
died about 1797 and the soldier had died a for years previous to
her death.
His widow left two children, a daughter, Martha, and a son,
John: dates of birth of children are not stated. Martha married
------ Smith and in 1822 was a widow, residing 
in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.  
John married Sarah ------, date not give and died
about 1820, leaving his widow and four children, as follows:
Susannah, married------ Ashmore; William; John; and Charles, in 1832,
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aged respectively twenty-four, twenty-two, twenty and eighteen
years, and all residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
February 19, 1832, the above named heirs made application
for the bounty land which was due on account of the service of
Captain John [illegible] Revolutionary War. They were granted
three hundred acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 1822, issued
March 19, 1833.
In order to obtain information in regard to the location
of the land cited above, you should address The Commissioner
of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city,
and furnish that official the number of the warrant, the acreage
and the date of issuance of said warrant.
. . . . . .
John Mc[illegible]
W.17123
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file
in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.17123, based upon the military
service in that war of John McGowan.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
John McGowan are not shown.
John McGowan served as captain in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment,
from which he was transferred to Colonel Nicola's Invalid
Regiment and served to the close of the war. He was pensioned
for disability, the nature of which was not stated.
He died at Philadelphia in the fall of 1793 from Yellow fever.
It also appears that Warrant Number 1453 for three hundred
acres of bounty land was issued April 7, 1796, on account of the
above service. Said warrant was issued to John Nicholson, assignee.
The soldier married in October, 1780, in Mendham, New Jersey,
Mary Martin. Mary was born in Ireland, date not shown and came to
this country in August, 1773, with her mother, names of Mary's
parents not shown.
-2-
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Mary, widow of Captain John McGowan, was allowed pension
on her application executed February 12, 1840 at which time
she was aged eighty or eighty-one years and was living on
Charlton Street, New York City, with her daughter, Martha
[illegible].
John and Mary Mc Gowan had three children: Marth, born
November 7, 1782, married ------[illegible]; John, born May 5,
1784, baptised in Philadelphia as Roger and was deceased in
1840; the name of the third child is not shown.
Three half brothers of the widow were referred to: Captain
Alexander Church, Captain Thomas Church and Philip Church.
Their places of residence are not shown.
In order to obtain information in regard to the location
of the land cited above, you should address The Commissioner
of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city,
and furnish that official the number of the warrant, the acreage, 
the date of issuance of said warrant, name of soldier and name
of assignee.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and
the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of
death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Mary McGowan, widow
of John McGowan (W.17123), you should address The Comptroller
General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city,
and cite the following data:
Mary McGowan, widow of John McGowan
Certificate No. 339
Issued July 16, 1840
Rate. $480.00 per annum
[illegible] March 4, 1831
[illegible] July 4, 1836
New York Agency
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
-3-
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Abingdon, 111. July 20, 1933
Veteran's Administration
Washington, D.C.
Old Records Division-Bureau Pensions
Gentlemen: -- Will you please give me such information as your
records afford pertaining to the following:
Private John McCown-- FOURTH PA. BAT. (COL. ANTHONY WAYNE)
Page 151-5th Series, Pa. Archives. VOL. [illegible]
C John  CAPT. JOHN MCCOWN-CONTINENTAL LINE 6th Pa. -(Arrangements of
officers of the 6th Pa. Regt. (Henry Bricker Lieut. Col.)
Page 116- vol. 3, 5th Series Pa. Archives.
Information desired, date and place of birth, names of wife
and children, or near relatives, military service. Date and
place of death.
This information desired for family history and proving eligibility
in the D.A.R. for descendent of John McCown.
Respectfully,
(Miss) Anna M. Maginnis.
Anna M Maginnis.
603 N. Jefferson St.
Abingdon, Illinois.
3 days.
[circular stamp in black ink upside down on lower left with the number 1-12 around the circumference reading "RECEIVED JUL 25 1933 MAIL SUB-DIV. READER 16 VETS. ADM."]
[partial circular stamp in black ink in lower right reading "ABINGDON JUL"]
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[circular stamp in black ink reading "RECEIVED JAN 14 1938 [illegible] 27"]
Hutman shows the John McGowan W 17123 - Brevet Major 1783 -
Mason, Jan. 12, 1938
United States, Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Miss Luke sent 2 both Pa
ask Mrs F.
Dear Sirs;-
Have you any information as to Brigadier-Major John McGowen or McCowan who is said to have served during the War of the Revolution?
He might even be the Captain McCowan that some authorities say was a
member of the same colony. Have been unable to learn first name of the
latter and naturally wonder if this might not be the same man. Do not
know any other things about these men or one man. We rather think it is
one and the same person. Thanking
you in advance for your courtesy, I am,
Very truly,
Mrs Pearle McCowan,
521 So Jefferson,
Mason, Mich.
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Juln 29, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Miss Anna M. Maginis
603 N. Jefferson Street
Abingdon, Illinois
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John McCown, private of the 4th Pennsylvania
Battalion and Captain John McCown, of the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment.
A search of the records has been made in your behalf and no claim
for pension found based upon the service of the first named John McCown. The record of a Captain John McCowan and that of a Captain
John McGowan, both of the Pennsylvania Line, have been found. Their records are furnished you herewith as found in the papers on file in
the claims made to the United States based upon their service in the
Revolution.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.
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July 29, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEL
John McCowan-B.L.Wt.1822-300
John McGowan-W.17123
Miss Anna M. Maginnis
603 N. Jefferson Street
Abingdon, Illinois
Dear Madam:
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
John McCowan are not shown in the papers in the application for bounty land.
John McCowan served as a captain in the Pennsylvania Line, War
of the Revolution; his service did not conclude until the close of
the war: no further particulars are shown.
His wife, her name and the date of their marriage not given,
died about 1797 and the soldier had died a few years previous.
His widow left two children, a daughter, Martha, and a son, John:
the dates of their birth are not stated. Martha married ----- Smith
and in 1832, was a widow and residing in the city of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. John married Sarah -----, date not given, and died
about 1820, leaving his widow and four children, as follows: Susannah,
married ---- Ashmore; William; John; and Charles, in 1832, aged respectively twenty-four, 
twenty-two, twenty and eighteen years, 
and all residing in Philadelphia.
The above named heirs of Captain John McCowan were allowed
bounty land in full satisfaction for his services in the War of the
Revolution on their application executed February 29, 1832.
In order to obtain the location of the land, you should apply
to The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department,
this city, citing the following data: Wt.#1822-300 - acres, issued March
19, 1832.
* * * * * *
Page 15

John McGowan
W. 17123
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
John McGowan are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
He served as captain in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment, from
which he was transferred to Colonel Nicola's Invalid Regiment and
served to the close of the war. He was pensioned for disability,
the nature of which was not stated.
He died at Philadelphia in the fall of 1793 of yellow fever.
It also appears that Warrant Number 1453 for three hundred acres
of bounty land was issued April 7, 1796, on account of the above
service. Said warrant was issued to John Nicholson, assignee.
The soldier married in October, 1780, in Mendham, New Jersey,
Mary Martin. Mary was born in Ireland, date not shown and came to
this country in August, 1775, with her mother, whose name is not given.
Soldier's widow, Mary, was allowed pension on her application
executed February 12, 1840, at which time she was aged eighty or eighty-one
years and was living in Charlton Street, New York City, with her
daughter, Martha Conenhoven.
John and Mary McGowan had three children: Martha, born November
7, 1782, married - Conehoven: John, born May 5, 1784, baptized
in Philadelphia as Roger and was deceased in 1840; the name of the
third child is not shown.
Three half brothers of the widow were referred to: Captain
Alexander Church, Captain Thomas Church and Philip Church.
There are not further family data.
* * * * * *
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.