Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 8659, for James Reed, Pennsylvania
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(3-1776)
SERVICE | NUMBER
Penn. | Reed, James | R8659
CONTENTS
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Address, Wm B. Conway
Evensburg. Cambria
County PA
James Reed
a soldier of the Revolution
Aged 88 years.
10 months service
34.201
James Reed
Pennsylvania
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
State of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County SS
On this 9th day of September
1837 personally appeared James Reed a resident of the
^Township of Walker in the County of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania aged eighty
eight years before me Joseph Adams one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas of said County who being
by me the said Judge first duly sworn according to
law doth on his oath make the following Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832

That he entered the service of
the United States under the following named officers
and served in the Revolutionary war for the terms as
herein mentioned - That he entered the service aforesaid
in the year 1776 as a volunteer in the month of June
that he joined a company of the Chester County militia
in the above state near a tavern on the old Lancaster road
the sign of the Waggon and sometimes was called the
Warrentavern in the County of Chester Pa. - This company
of militia was under the command of Capt Elton 
of the Chester County militia. That this applicant was
marched from the Warrentavern aforesaid to the city of
Philadelphia and from the said city he was marched
on to Trenton in New Jersey State and at Trenton he was
attached to a corps of soldiers called the Flying Camp
under the command of General Mercer, from Trenton
he was marched on to Brunswick N.J. and for some
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time was stationed there. That he joined the said company
on the 20th day of June & this was on thursday morning
1776 and he served as a volunteer until the twentieth
of August following inclusive comprising a full term
of two months. That while he was out in the service of
the United States in the above tour he was stationed at
various places on the Delaware River and different parts
of New Jersey. Some part of his tour was served at Trenton 
N.J. Brunswick N.J. also about Bergen N.J. and at Amboy
and Elizabeth town N.J. - but he is now so very old, feeble
and infirm that he cannot state how long he was at
each of the aforesaid stations but that he was at various
intervals stationed at and about these places in the
State of New Jersey during his said tour of two months
He cannot now remember his field officers - except that
he was a part of the time under "Col. Shreeve" who
was a Col. in the N. Jersey militia. That he remembers
that "Genl. Biddle " was the Quarter Master. That
at the expiration of his tour of two months he was
verbally discharged - That the company in which he
served belonged to a Brigade of the Chester County
militia Pa. under the command of "Col. Hockley"

And this applicant says he was again in the service
as a drafted militiaman for a tour of two months
in the Chester County militia in Pennsylvania
that he was joined to a company of militia under the
command of Capt. "George McKinly "of the Chester
County militia said company with which this applicant
served belonged to a Brigade of the Chester County
militia under "Col. Hockley" That he joined the
said company on monday the 9th day of June
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in the year of our Lord 1777 and served until the
2 fifth day of August ensuing 1777 comprising a
a term of "two months" of militia duty in the Brigade
aforesaid. That he was marched to and stationed at Chester
on the Delaware for a short time. That he was afterwards
marched up to "Corells ferry". From Corells ferry he
was ordered on to a creek called "Minnisink" and
stationed there with some part of the Jersey Militia
and some Pennsylvania volunteers. That while this
applicant was serving there he was commanded by
one "Major Shaver" - and one "Col. Hankerson" had
command of the troops also about that quarter. This
was in the County of Sussex N. Jersey. That during this
period the enemy were constantly making encroachments
and committing depredations. That at the expiration
of this two months service he was verbally discharged.
and went off home to Chester. He says that one Major
Sprogle mustered the Brigade of Militia to which he
this applicant belonged-

And this applicant further declares he was again in the
service as a volunteer. That he went and joined
a militia company under command of Capt
"James McKibbin" of Col Elton's" Regiment of the
Chester County militia. That the said militia was
sometimes commanded by "Col. Hockly". That
he joined the said company in the County of
Chester Pa - on the 20 or 22d day of December
Anno Domini 1777 and served for a tour of two
2 months. namely from the said 22d of December
1777 to the 22nd day of February following 1778 comprising
a full term of two months. That this tour was served
at "Downingtown" as one of the guard to protect the
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flow and public stores deposited there. That at
the expiration of this said tour he was verbally
dismissed -

And this applicant says in was again out in
the service as a volunteer in the Campaign of
1778. That he entered the service as a volunteer
under Capt "George McKinly" who commanded
the company with which he served before belonging
to "Col. Hockley's" Brigade. That he joined the
said company at Chester Pa - and was sent up with other militia to "Corell's ferry" - That he
joined this said company on the 2d day of June
1778 for "two months". That he was marched up
to said ferry about the time the British were leaving
Phila - and was with General "George Washington" s
army in the pursuit of the enemy. That General
"Cadwallader" at this period commanded the
body to which this applicant was attached in the
rear of the American Army. That after the battle 
2 of "Monmouth". this applicant continued with
his company to the end of his tour and was
then permitted to go home - That he served from the 2dJune 1778
to the 2d of Augt. 1778 comprising a term of two months as above

And the applicant further says he entered the
service again as a volunteer in the month of June
1780 on the 5th day of June 1780 under Capt Mc 
2 "Kinly" in a company of the Chester Co. militia Pa.
and by his command he marched over to "Flat Brook"
in N. Jersey where he was encamped with other militia
preparing for an engagement with the British Genl -
That he served in this tour from 5th of June 1780 to the 5th of August 1780. making two months service
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that he was afterwards sent on to and encamped at a
place called "Hackinsack". this applicant says he
was on the alert during all this tour. That he was marched
to "Amboy" and he was sent to "springfield" and
2 was there stationed with a body of militia. That
one Col. Martin" took the command of the volunteers
& Penna. militia at "Flatt brook" and "Springfield"
that this town was served in opposing the progress
of General Knypharisen "who commanded the British
troops - that at the ^expiration of this two months
service - he was dismissed verbally -

That this applicant says he served also in the following
year 1781 & 1782 as a teamster under the order of Col. Elton
of Chester Co Penna - who commanded the brigades
of the public waggons. That in these two last mentioned
years he served for "eleven months.". but as he is informed
no compensation can be obtained from the department of
War for this last service as a teamster for "eleven months
he claims for the other tours above specified as a vol. 
and drafted militiaman. He says he served the
said periods above specified as a private soldier
and he says that the whole of his five tours makes
a period of ten months as a volunteer and a drafted 
soldier a militia man in the revolutionary war -
And this applicant further says that no living
witness can in had or procured
by whom he can prove the above services.
and further he says that he was not while in the said
service engaged in any civil pursuit but was
altogether devoted to the service as above mentioned.
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Interrogatories
1 where and in what year were you born
Ans. I was born in Nottingham England in the year 1749
2 Have you any record of your age and if so where 
is it.
Ans. - I have no record of my age. I have often seen
the record of my age in my fathers bible I was
twenty seven years old when Independence was declared
in the fall of that year (1776) and therefore I know I
am Eighty Eight years of age -
3d where were you living when called into the service
where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
and where do you now live -
Ans - When I entered the service I lived in Chester
County Pa. since the Revolutionary war
I lived in Chester Co. Pa. - and in Huntingdon
Ces. Pa -  where I have resided for thirty six years
4th How were you called into the service, were
you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a
substitute and if a substitute for whom -
An I entered the service as a volunteer and served
as a volunteer and also ^as a drafted militiamen
and served in the capacity of a private soldier
as above stated comprising a full term of ten
months in the Revolutionary war as before
mentioned -
5 state the names of some of the officers who served
with you
Ans. "Col. Hockley" Col. Elton" Capt George McKinley"
"Col. Shreeve" Capt Elton" Capt. George McKinley"
"Col. Hankerson" Major Sprogle" Capt. James McKibbin"
General Cadwallader" General Mercer"
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who commanded the flying camp" General Dickerson
also commanded at Springfield" -
5th Did You ever receive a discharge from
the service and if so by whom was it given and what
has become of it -
Ans. I never did receive a written discharge but was at
each period of my service verbally discharged from
the service-
7th Did You ever receive a commission and if so by
whom was it signed and what has become of it
Ans - I never received a commission but I served the
whole period of ten months" as a private soldier
in the service of the United States during the war
of the Revolution as above specified
8th State the names of persons in Your present neighborhood 
who can testify to Your character for truth
and veracity and their belief of Your services as a soldier of the Revolution -
Ans. Jacob Groove - John Hoover, Peter Bachtel, Abram
Bowers, George Brumbaugh, James
Antrican, -
Christian Chantz, David Good, Isaac Vandevonder,
Jacob McGahan, James Campbell Jr. & William Hats
Sworn to and subscribed this 9 day of September
1837.
Before
Jos. Adams
James X Reed
["his" written above the "X" and "mark" written below
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Relinquishment
I James Reed the applicant for a pension do hereby
certify that I relinquish every claim whatever to a
pension or annuity except the presents and I declare
that my name is not on the pension roll of
any agency in any state.
Sworn and subscribed
this 9th day of Sept. 1837.
Before
Jos. Adams
James X Reed
["his" written above the "x" and "mark" written below]
We Jacob McGahan, James Campbell Junr and William Stats
residing in the County of Huntingdon in the State of
Pennsylvania do hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with James Reed who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration. That we
believe him to be eighty eight 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 to and subscribed
this 9th day of September
1837
Jacob McGahan
James Campbell Junr
William Stats
Isaac Vanawander LP
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I do hereby certify that Jacob McGahan, James Campbell
Junr. and Wm Stats -
who have subscribed and sworn to the above certificate
are persons of credit and that their
statement is entitled to credit -
this 9th day of Sept. 1837 -
Isaac Vandevander JP

And I the said Judge do hereby certify that
after the investigation of the matter and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
War Department that I declare that it is my
opinion that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier and served as
he states and I the said Judge do further
certify that Jacob McGahan, James Campbell Jr and
William Stats.

who have subscribed the preceding certificate
are credible persons and that their statements
are entitled to credit - and I further
certify that the said applicant by reason
of great age, bodily infirmities and debility
cannot be profer this application or attend
an open Court of Record. In testimony -
whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal this ninth day of September
1837 -
Jos Adams
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State of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County
} SS.
I Robert Campbell Prothonotary of the 
Court of Common Pleas of the said County
Do hereby Certify that Joseph Adams Esquire
who subscribed the foregoing declaration and Proceedings
was at the date thereof and now is an associate
Judge of the said County and that Isaac Vandevander
Esquire who has subscribed the same is an
acting Justice of the Peace within and for the
said County and that the signatures and seals thereto affixed
are their genuine signatures and seals.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my name and seal of Office at Huntingdon
Penna - in the year of our Lord 1837 - on the 12th day of
Sept. 1837
Robert Campbell Proth
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James Reed
Pennsylvania
Suspended
See letter 7th
Oct 1837 W. B. Consevay
- do. 27th
Nov - 37
8659
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Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 8, 1873. [crossed out]
REJECTED
8659.
P. O.
James Reed
Service:
Enlisted: , 18 .
Discharged: , 18 .
Application filed: , 18 .
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for , 18 .
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Mat
Wal
Nov 27
[stamp in black ink reading "EBENSBURGH NOV 21 Pa."]
18 3/4 [crossed out]
To / Hon. J. L. Edwards,
{Commissioner of Pensions,}
Washington City. -
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Ebensburg Cambria County Pa
Nov. 21. 1837
To Hon J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions -
Dr Sir- Your obliging
communication of Oct 7. 1837, in relation [crossed out]
in relation to the application of James
Reed of Huntingdon County, for a
pension, was duly rec'd, and could
not be answered before the present
time, in consequence of the distance
between my own residence and that
of the said applicant, and my inability
to see him owing to engagements
which engrossed all my attention.
I made known the objections,
or rather the suggestions of the Department,
with whose arduous duties you
are entrusted, to the person by whom
the application was committed to me,
for presentation. You say, in the letter
referred to, that "the two last terms, or
tours, of two months each, are not set
forth to the satisfaction of the depart" ["ment." written above "depart"]
This objection cannot be removed
by stronger evidence than that which
is contained in the application; as the
recollection of the applicant is correctly
set forth in ^the deposition already transmitted.
Two month each term, was the time
Sworn to and remembered by the old man.
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Whether, upon the deposition in your
office, you are not authorised, in the
excercise of a legal discretion, to grant
a pension for all the time claimed
by the applicant, is a question in
which I do not feel at liberty to
interfere, nor can I travel to the
lower end of Huntingdon County,
to sift the frail memory of a
revolutionary worthy for further
evidence, in support of his claims.
Perhaps, upon reconsideration, you may
not require his application to be
amended, in this particular,
because it presents a temptation to
an infirm mind to extend an
intercited research into the regions
of uncertainty. -
You also state, that "the claimant
^should give a satisfactory reason, under oath
for not making an earlier application
for a pension." In reply to this
objection, the reasons stated to me
the delay were there: - 1 The the
insulated residence of the applicant
in a remote part of Huntingdon County.
2. The uncertainly heretofore attending
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similar applications 3 That the failures
which had attended others, had
disheartened him. - & his infirmities,
poverty, age and want of Coming.
These reasons and, perhaps, others,
can be stated under oath, if required 
by the Department;
although the old man may
be dead, before I can spare
the time to go and procure
his ^supplementary deposition. -
After a reconsideration of
the matter set forth in that
application, of the Commissioner
of Pensions will consent to
reconsider it, I will thank
him to communicate, what
is to be expected from the
Department, - whether all,
and if not all, how much,
and transmit the necessary vouchers
for obtaining it. -
With the most respectful
consideration, I remain, Dr Sir, Your
very humble and obedient
Servant - 
Wm B Conway.
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Jan 22
[stamp IN BLACK INK reading "EBENSBURGH JAN 19 PA"]
Jm
Hon J. L. Edwards,
{Com. of Pens}
Washington D.C. -
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Ebensburg Pa Jan. 15-'38
To / 
Hon J. L. Edwards -
Com. of Pensions.
Dr Sir - For reasons
which need not be given,
unless an explanation be required,
I would respectfully
beg leave to inform the
Department over which
you preside, that I would
not be considered as having
any ^further connection whatever, with
the petition, or application, of
James Reed, of Huntingdon
County in this state, which
application was forwarded by
me to the Commissioner of
Pensions, some time last
summer; and this announcement
is made without
intending to affect, in any
manner whatever, the validity
of the claims of that applicant.
With respectful consideration,
I remain
your very
obt Sevt
Wm.. B. Conway
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Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington City -
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Ebensburg Cambria County Pa -
September 26.th 1837-
To /
Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions. -
Dr Sir. -  I have been
requested to forward to the Department
of the public service, entrusted to
your management, the accompanying
Application of James Reed of the
adjoining County of Huntingdon,
who prays for the benefit of the provisions
of the Pension Law of June
1832. I believe the application is
regular, and in accordance with the
requisitions of the Law, - and you will
please communicate ^to me the order which
you ^may make, in relation thereto. -
If convenient, I shall be
greatly obliged to you for a copy
of the pension Laws, now in force
as there are other applications, in
contemplation, in this and some of the
adjoining counties. -
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If any knowledge of myself
should be considered important,
in reference to this, or future applications,
I refer you to the Hon.
James Buchanan of the U States
Senate, from whom you will
recieve the information which
may be required. -
With grant consideration
I remain
your very obedient
and humble servant,
Wm B. Conway,
Editor of "The Mountaineer -"