Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8591, for James Rankin, Delaware
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[printed and handwritten]

8-1776
SERVICE
Del.
Rankin, James
NUMBER
R. 8591
CONTENTS
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[handwritten]

Washington County Pennsylvania
in the Matter of of [duplicate] James Rankin applicant for
a pension under the act of June 7th 1832 who is unable
to attend Court from age and infirmity, and with one of the
Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Washington
County Pennsylvania now in Session to attend and take his
Testimony, or if impracticable for them to appoint some
Justice of the peace in the County to draw his declaration
and statement of services that he may receive the benefit
of the said Law. April 30th 1835
Attest
E Boice
James his X mark Rankin
It is impossible for us to attend to the above matter
the court being in session. We would therefore recommend E Boice Esqr
as a suitable person to take the testimony-- We have confidence in the
capacity & case
Th Baird
Boyd Mercer

State of Pennsylvania
Washington County ss
seal [hand circled]
on the Second day of May 1835
personly [sic] appeared Before me a Justice of the peace in and for
said County James Rankin a resident of ^[insert] Smith Township in the
County and State afforesaid [sic] aged Eighty six years who being
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 the 7th of June 1832 Saith that he
entered the service of the United States under the following
named officers and served as herein stated, Walter Carson was
our Captain Thomas Ranken first lieutenant General
Washington Commander and Chief, Major-General Putman and
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General Mifflin our Colonal [sic] was Haslet our Major Thomas
Duff. These were the said officers, and that he resided in
deleware [sic] delewar [sic] State Newcastle County when he entered
a volunteer in the month of September 1775. he volunteered
and was out a touer [sic] of three months on the Banks of
delaware [sic] river to keep the british from landing where we had
several small engagements with the british, when the three months
was up we returned home again in the month of June 1776
our Company volunteered for six months to go to the Chesepeak [sic]
bay to keep the British from landing their fleets after
being their [there] a considerable time he marched to Philadelphia
to Join the regiment commanded by Colonel Haslet
from thence we marched to Trenton and was in the Battle 
from thence to princton [sic] and was in the last of the Battle and
Colonel Haslet and General Mercer was killed, and after the
Battle he fell sick and was removed to Mount Holly hospital
from thence returned home and got home in the month
of March 1777. again in the month of May 1777 our Company
volunteered for a six month Tower [tour] to guard the Cast
and had severel [sic] skirmeges [sic] with the Torys along the Bank
of the Deleware [sic] river and returned in the month of October
1777 and was in many other Battles during said Towers [tours]
was in the Battle at Frenchtown, Fran hill, duck Court
H. he further states that he no documentary Evidence, and that
he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who
can Testify to his service-
1 where and in what year were you born answer in the year 1749
2 have you any record of your age and if so where is it answer I had but lost it}
3rd where were you living when called into service. where have
you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now
live answer in Deleware, [sic] when called into service since
Lived in Smith Township Washington County pa. 4th have were ^[insert] called into service answer I volunteered, 7th State the names of persons to
whom you are known in your present neighbourhood who
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[handwritten]

can testify as to your character for veracity, and their
belief of your services as a soldier or volunteer of the
revolution answer John Duncan and James Kerr
he further states he relinquishes every ^[insert] claim whatever to
a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his
name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any
State. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Me. further states he never got a discharge
E Boice
James his X mark Rankin

In the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Pennsylvania
We James Kerr of Hanover township, and John Duncan of Smith
township do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted ^[insert] with James Rankin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty six years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion, and we do further certify that the said affiant from age and infirmity is entirely unable to attest in open Court.
Sworn & Subscribed in Open Court May 5, 1835
Open Court May 5, 1835.
Thomas Officer Pro.
James Kerr
John Duncan

And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories
presented by the War Department, that the above name applicant
was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that James Kerr John Duncan who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents of the township of Hanover& Smith, in said County, and that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and the said Court further certifies that it appears satisfactorily, that the said Jas Rankin is entirely unable to attend in open Court
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[handwritten]

I Thomas Officer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in
and for the County of Washington, do hereby certify, that the
forgoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, and before Esq
Boice in the matter of the application of James Rankin for a
Pension. And I do further certify that the signatures Th Baird
and Boyd Mercer are the signatures of the President Judge and
one of the [?] judges of said Court, and that E Boice who
has signed the said declaration and before whom it was taken is a
Justice of the Peace in and for said county
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand &
seal of said Office this 7th day of May 1835
Thomas Officer Pro

[appears vertically]
33.000.-
James Rankin
Pennsyla.
Declaration of Jas Rankin
Rev Soldier

James Kerr and John Duncan who have given their 
depositions within are gentleman of unquestioned reputation
in whose evidence the fullest reliance may be placed.
Th. M.S. McKennan
Washington Apr 8 1835
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[handwritten]

Washington County ss
seal [hand circled] Before the justice of the peace in & for said County} the additional - declaration made by James Rankin from the
Objections made by Mr Edwards are as follows
First that his declaration was not taken before a
Judge of the Court in answer to that is
That he is not able to ride Either on Horse or
otherwise, from age and bodily infirmity and
has not been more than three miles from home
for ten years & for 2 years past not able to attend
preaching and able to attend Court. and further
made my desire known to the honourable Court
for some of them to take my Testimony as I
not able to attend before them to give it, to
which he refused, second objection is that he
does not remember all the officers at each
Term of service and places in detail when the
services was performed. [illegible lined out] other than that
Walter Carson was their Captain all the time of his
service and likewise Major Thos Duff (as it were
to day the head in one office and on tomorrow
promoted to another with the exception of Carson
who was our Captain all the time, to the third
objection respecting the mere readiness for service
is that he was actualy [sic] in the service for three
years but cannot particularise [sic] ['the' lined out] the terms
of service performed. Nor the places in detail, further
then are made in the above declartion [sic] fourth object
that he never Recd any pay for his services but six
dollars for crossing the State Line from Delaware to
Pennsylvania when he thinks he received but not certain
and supposes the reason he never got a discharge he
was drawed home sick and likewise received no
pay for his services, and would never made aplication [sic]
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[handwritten]

for a pension had he been able to earn his
Living by his labour but for the last three years
has been a heavy charge to himself and likewise
to his son who now ^[insert] he resides with and as it respects
the delay in making the claim in answer to that
says he would never make a claim as he was not
able to go to Court to have his declaration given and
oath taken, but understood their [there] could a pension
got in the foregoing Manner and as some had received
pensions in the same way which induced him to
apply. but further states he would never applyed [sic] for
a pension only that Necessity required him.
and Received his complaint in the army when he
was in the revolutionary war some times had no
provision for three days, and often had to lay
on the ground wet & cold and often almost
frose [sic], and now confined to my room and unable
to raise from bed without assistance. and further saith not.
Sworn & Subscribed the 29th day of June 1835
Before Me
E. Boice
James his X mark Rankin
E. Boice Esqr is the same justice before whom the
former declaration was made.
Th. M. T. Kennan
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[handwritten]

Revolutionary
power of Attorney
the heir of
James Rankin
Penna Suspended 1832
Pensa suspd 1832
Sept 1832
Filed Oct 26 1833
F. E. Hassler
Washington
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[printed and handwritten]

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.
STATE OF Ohio}
COUNTY OF Belmont}
Be it known that before me
Andrew W. Anderson a Justice of the peace personally appeared
John Rankin aged 60 years, who being duly cautioned and
then sworn in due form of law, states that he is the son
of James Rankin who was a Revolutionary (received no pention [sic]) in the State of Delaware and that he died on the first day of June 1836 and that his mother, named Mary Rankin died ['on the' lined out] ['day of' lined out]
1807, ['and that they were' lined out]
['married on the day of' lined out] ['in the year' lined out]
and that they were residents of Washington County
in the State of Pennsylvania ['and that they' lined out] ^[insert] and that she resided there till death ['years' lined out] and that the said 
John Rankin resides in Belmont County Ohio and that furthermore he
BY THESE PRESENTS, constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of his name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive form the U. S. Government and State officers his rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land,
that may be due him as the son of James Rankin who died leaving the same
undrawn, as in right of law that the heirs may be entitled to

In witness whereof he has on this twelfth day of March 1853
hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal. SEAL [ink stamp]
Witness: Jos Pasterfield
Witness: [?] Anderson
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that
John Rankin has always by the community been known as the son of James
Rankin
Dated this tenth day of March 1853
Andrew H. Anderson J.P.

State of Ohio}
County of Belmont} to wit:

stint F. E. HASSLER, of Washington City, D. C., as his true and lawful Attorney for 

I hereby certify, That Andrew W. Anderson Esq.,
before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned
and sworn, and that his signative [sic] above written is genuine, as I believe
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, this 14th day of March
one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
John J. Heaton Clerk.

*If a widow applies, state the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband."
+State under what act pensioned, or when pension commenced, if a pensioner -- and amount of pension.
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[typewritten]

August 11, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
James Rankin - R.8591

Mrs. Nannie G. Parks
Marion Carnegie Library
Marion, Illinois

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information
in regard to James Rankin, who served in the Delaware Troops,
war of the Revolution.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in
Revolutionary War pension claim, R.8591, based upon the military
service in that war of James Rankin, the only soldier of that name
who served with the Delaware Troops, that is found on the Revolutionary
War records of this office.
James Rankin was born in 1749; the place of his birth and the
names of his parents are not shown in the papers in the pension
claim.
The soldier married, date and place not given, Mary ---. She
died in 1807. There is no record of another wife, named Hannah, nor
is it shown that he ever lived in North Carolina.
On May 2, 1835, James Rankin, then a resident of Smith Township,
Washington County, Pennsylvania, applied for the pension that might
be due him on account of his services in the Revolutionary War and
stated that while residing in Newcastle County, Delaware, he enlisted
in September, 1778, served three months in Captain Walter
Carson's Delaware Company of which company Thomas Rankin was 1" lieutenant (no relationship shown), and in Colonel Haslet's Delaware Regiment and was in several small engagements; that he enlisted in June, 1776, for six months, marched first to the Chesapeake Bay to prevent the
British from landing from their fleets, thence to Philadelphia and
joined Colonel Haslet's Delaware Regiment; that he was in the battles
of Trenton and Princeton, where Colonel Haslet was killed, after
which he was taken sick, placed in a hospital and did not reach his
home until March, 1777; that he again enlisted in May, 1777, guarded
the coast and was in several skirmishes and that he was also in the
battles of Frenchtown, Iron Hill and Duck Creek: he stated that all
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[typewritten]

of his services were rendered in Captain Walter Carson's Delaware
Company and as a volunteer.
The claim of James Rankin was not allowed as he failed to furnish
proof of service as required by the pension laws.
He died June 1, 1836, in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
In 1853, John Rankin, then aged sixty years and a resident of
Belmont County, Ohio, stated that he was a son of James and Mary
Rankin. No other names of children are designated.
In 1854, one William Rankin resided in Delaware County, Ohio:
no relationship to the family was shown and there are no further
family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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[printed and handwritten]

1914 Aug. 18
Hist to Edward
D. Stearne V. L. M
1934- Aug 11 -
Hist to Mrs
Nannie G. Parks
EEL
8,591
James Rankin
REJECTED [ink stamp]

Printed list of 1852
gives cause of
suspension "Claim
adverse with the
Known facts of history"
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[handwritten]

Pa -
suspended

See letter
17 July 1835
to Hon T. M. T.
McKennon not found VLM
F. E. Hassler Nov 17 1853
8591
1832
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[handwritten]

F. E. Hassler
Nov 17/33
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[handwritten]

236
Pension Office
Nov 17 1853
Sir
In reply to the following enquiry in relation to the case of J
James Rankin of Pa. ['Viz' lined out] "whether the following objection,
Viz "claim adverse with the known facts of history" being
obviated, the case has any other important objection to
its admission? I have to remark that you do not attempt
to obviate said objection, but that if you were to 
succeed in doing so, it would still be necessary to show
that he did under service. He has failed to show a single
days service,
F. E. Hassler Esq
Present
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[handwritten]

Nov. 12, 1853
Letter
Requesting reexamination
of the Claim
of
James Rankin
Cole
F. E. Hassler
Washington
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[handwritten]

Washington City D C
Nov 11 1853
Honorable L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Respectfully ask a reexamination of the 
suspended Revolutionary Pension claim of James Rankin
Pensylvania [sic] in order to ascertain whether the
following objection is "claim adverse with the
known facts of history", being obviated, the case
as any other important objection to its allowance,
I believe Mr Rankins statement that Col
Haslet of Delaware, Genl Mercer of Pa
were killed at Princeton in January
1777 is correct, also that Capt.
Walter Carson was in service as I
find a person of that name pensioned
under act 1832 Pensylvania [sic] Rolls
Yours respectfully
F E Hassler
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[handwritten]

July 14
Allison
14th July 1835.
Nashin, Pa.
July 11}
Th. M. T. McKennon
Jnl
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commnr. of Pensions
Washington D C
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[handwritten]

Dr Sir
Enclosed you have the amended declaration of
Mr Rankin, an applicant for a pension as will perceive
that all the objections have been obviated except the one
that the declaration has not been made before a
Judge of a Court of Record - The old man resides 
perhaps twenty miles from the County town. He cannot
be brought here and it is impossible for him
to prevail upon one of the Judges to visit him
they all reside as much as twenty five or
thirty miles from his residence. Justice Boyne,
you will observe, was recommended by the Court
as a suitable person to take the testimony and
I hope under the particular circumstance of
the case these you may feel justified in 
relaying the rule of the Department which in
general is a good one-
Yours very rsps
Th. M. T. McKennon
J.L. Edwards Esq
Washington Pa. July 11 1835
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[handwritten]

Revolutionary Pension Claim [underlined]
[illegible] of James Rankin decd.
of Penna.
Act 7. June 1832
Power of Attorney
to [illegible] claim
Charles C. Tucker
Attorney
Present
13. May 1854. -
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[handwritten]

Know all men by these presents: That I William Rankin of the
County of Delaware state of Ohio, do hereby respectfully constitute
and appoint Charles C. Tucker of Washington City D. C. 
my true and lawful agent and attorney to prosecute the claim
of James Rankin late of Smith Township Washington County
Pennsylvania to any amount of revolutionary service in the
case of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act
of February 3rd 1843, or any other Act or resolution of Congress
and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers
and documents as relative to said claim on file in the Departments
at Washington City, or elsewhere, to get additional evidence or documents
and to receive the Certificate which may be issued of said claim and
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purpose herein
aforesaid; and to do all things that I might or could do were I
personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my
said Attorney may lawfully do in the presence
Witness my hand and seal the fourth day of May in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four
In presence of
John Cunningham
J H Holmes
William Rankin seal [hand boxed]

State of Ohio}
Delaware County} ss
On this fourth day of May 1854 before me a Justice
of the peace in and for the County, and state above mentioned
personally appeared William Rankin and acknowledged the fore
forgoing power of Attorney to be the act and deed for the purpose 
therein mentioned
John Cunningham J. P.
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[handwritten]

State of Ohio}
Delaware County} ss
On this fourth day of May 1854 before me a Justice
of the Peace in and for the County and state aforesaid personally
appeared William Rankin a resident of said county and made 
oath according to law that he is the identical William Rankin who
executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly
interested in said claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such
additional evidence or arguments of my said attorney may be in
presenting said claim;
Sworn to and subscribed before
me the day and year above written
John Cunningham
Justice of the Peace
William Rankin

State of Ohio}
Delaware County} ss
Dudley W. Rhodes Clerk of the Court in and for said County, do hereby certify that John Cunningham Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement was made, and who has thereunto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of
the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and
sworn, and that all his official acts as such, are [?] to full faith and credit
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed
my name and affixed my official seal the
6th. day of May 1854.
D W. Rhodes, Clerk
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[printed and typewritten]

OFFICE OF
AUDITOR FOR STATE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS
IN REPLYING QUOTE INITIALS
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
August 13, 1914.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I am enclosing copy of a letter from the
Adjutant General, War Department, which explains
itself.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would
furnish me any information in your possession
relating to the matter which the Adjutant General
advised me to refer to you.
Very respectfully,
Enclosure, returned.
Rankin Del. troops
E. D. Hearne
Auditor.
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[typewritten]

Marion Illinois,
July 26, 1934.

Department of Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Revolutionary War Section,
Washington, D. C.
[ink stamp] RECEIVED JUL 30 1934 MAIL SUB-DIV. READER 14 VETS. ADM.

Gentleman:
One James Rankin was in the Revolutionary War
in Capt. Walter Carson's Whig Co, I think from
Delaware. The wife was named Hannah and they perhaps
many year later lived in North Carolina. Is there
in your files any record of a pension received by
either James or his wife Hannah? I shall send the
required fee if necessary.
Truly yours,
(Mrs.) Nannie G Parks

Mrs. Nannie G. Parks,
Marion Carnegie Library
Marion Illinois.
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[printed and handwritten]

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 - 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19
R. 8591
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank]
for a statement of the military history of James Rankin
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Sept. 1775
Jany 1776
May 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 mos
Oct 1777
RANK.
[blank]
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Walter Carson
COLONEL.
Haslet
[illegible]
guarding the coast
STATE.
Del
Battles engaged in, Trenton, Princeton, Frenchtown, Iron Hill, Duck Creek
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [?] Del
Date of application for pension, May 2, 1835
Residence at date of application, Smith Tnsp Washington Co, Ohio
Age at date of application, born in 1749 died June 1836
Remarks: Soldiers wife Mary died in 1819 his son John was 60 years old
and a resident of Delaware Co, Ohio
The claim rejected on the ground that soldier failed to furnish
any proof of his alleged service
Respectfully,
Commissioner.