Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23442, for Joseph Sweeny, Pennsylvania
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Penn

Sweeny, Joseph

S.23442
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Pennsylvania   1834

Joseph Sweeny 
at  Lycoming County in the state of Pennsylvania who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Sart of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Lithy in the Pennsylvania Troops for 10 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 33 dollars 33 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of march 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of August 1833 and sent to Geo W Lathy, Williamsport Lycoming County Pa

Arrears to the 4th of march 1833   66.66
Semiannual allowance ended 4 Sept 1833  16.66

Total  $83.32

REvolutionary Claim Act  June 7, 1832

Recorded by D Brown, Book E, Vol 5, Page 53

****
Paid at the Treasury the Act of the [ ] from 4 March to 4 Sept 18xx.

Agt notified 8th Sept 1840 

Paid as above from 4 Sept 1839 to 4 Sept 1840.  Agt notified 23 Sept 1841

Paid as above from March 4 to Sept 4, 1841.  Agt notified July 8th 1842
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Lycoming

On this eleventh day of September AD 1832, personally appeared in Open Court before the President and associate Judges of the  Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, now sitting, Joseph Sweeney, a resident of [Harrisburg] township, in the County of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, aged seventy-six years, who first 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 June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He was born in Southampton township, 
Bucks County, State of Pennsylvania. He was first drafted as a militia man, in October, 1775, and served under Captain Joseph Hart, Colonel Lathy and General Irwin.  he marched under the above officers from Newtown in Bucks County, to Chestnut Hill.  Stayed there four days and marched from thence to Chester County; engaged a party of the British there and were defeated and retreated to Valley Forge, and stayed there five or six weeks. He then got a written discharge from Capt Hart and returned home, after an absence of better than two months, to Southampton, Bucks County. He stayedd at home till August 1776 when he was drafted again and marched under Captain Jephaniah Lot, one M Masters and General Potte. He went from near Newtown, to Barnhill Church, Montgomery  County, where the army stayedd fivebor six weeks and then marched back to Valley Forge where they stayed about a week and then marched to Edge Hill, where they had an engagement with the British and were defeated, and were forced
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to retreat to Valley Forge, where they sayed till disccharges, which was better than two months after going out.  He then returned home and stayed till the fall of 1777, when he marched again, under Captail Hollowell, Col Muckleweath and General Lathy and went over into New Jersey, and was there during the Battle of Brandywine, but he was not engaged in it, nor any skirmish or battle, but after two months was discharged and returned home. He was twicedrafted after this during the years of 1778 and 1779 under Captains Hollowell and Ctizen, and eneral Lacy and other officers he does not recollect.  was discharged each time and returned to Southampton County, Bucks County, where
he resided about seven years, till 1786, where he removed to Northumberland County and has resided in Northumberland  and Lycoming counties  ever since.  His discharges and other documentary evidence has all been lost or destroyed and he knows of but one person, John Terry, who can testify to his service, and his affidavit is produced in
court, and subjoined to this declaration.

In Southampton, Bucks County, Penna, birth the 22d of November 1755.

I have a record of my age in the family Bi ble at home.

When called into service I was living in Southampton Bucks County, and since the Revolutionary war, I have resided 6 years in Bucks County and
the rest of the time till the present in Northumberland and Lycoming

I was drafted, was never a substitute.

With respect to the fourth question I can answer no more fully than in the above declaration, I do not recollect what the regiments were called.

I have received several discharges, which were lost from the several captains as mentioned in the declaration, as near as I can recollect.
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I am personally known to George Smith and Martin Conrad who reside in my neighborhood and can bear testimony to my character for veracity, and their belief in my services.

The said Applicant hereby renounces every 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, or of the agency of the State of Pennsylvania

Joseph Sweeny

Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid in open Court

J Wood, Prothy

We ,George Smith, farmer, residing in Muncy creek township, Lycoming County , Penna and Martin Conrad, said township, County and State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Sweeny, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration.  That we believe him to be seventy six years of age; 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.

George Smith, Farmer
Martin Conrad

Sworn and Subscribed the  day and year aforesaid in open court
Martin London

J Wood Proty

I, John Terry, residing in Moreland Township Lycoming County Pa. hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Sweeny, the applicant named in the above declaration; that I resided during the revolutionary war, in Southampton township Bucks County Penn, within half a mile of said applicant, and I know that he twice marched from our township as a drafted militia man, and stayed each time about 2 months. I further know that the said Joseph Sweeny, and his two brothers in law were, at the time, the British possessed Philadelphia, taking pris(oners)
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prisoners from Sweeny 's house, and taken to Philadelphia.

John Terry

Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court

J Wood Prothy

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that George Smith, Martin Conrad and John Terry, residents of Lycoming County Penna, are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to
Credit

Seth Chapman
John Cummings

I, Joseph Wood, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, do certify hereby that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Sweeny for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office the Prothonotary's office this eleventh day of September Anno Domini 1832.

J Wood, Prothy
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Second Comptroller's Office
September 8, 1841

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States", Joseph Sweeny, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency at the rate of 33 dollars and 33 cents per annum, under the law of the 7the June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of September 1839 to the 4th September, 1840.

Respectfully yours,

[ ] Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Second Comptroller's Office
September 5, 1840

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States", Joseph Sweeny, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency at the rate of 33 dollars and 33 cents per annum, under the law of the 7the June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of March to the 4th September, 1839.

Respectfully yours,

[ ] Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Second Comptroller's Office
June 28, 1842

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States", Joseph Sweeny, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency at the rate of 33 dollars and 33 cents per annum, under the law of the 7the June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of September 1839 to the 4th September, 1841.

Respectfully yours,

[ ] Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions
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23.442
Joseph Sweeny
_____
Sept 11, 1832 - 76
Lycoming County PA
___
Oct 75  Bucks County PA
Caps Jos Hart
Col Lacey
Private 2 months
___
Aug 76 
Capt Latt
Col McMasters
Private 2 months
____
Apr 77
Cap Hollowell 
at Mickleworth
Private 2 months
____
Edge Hill
78 
Private 2 months
____
79
Private 2 months
____
Born Nov 22, 1755
Bucks County PA
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January 19, 1903

Dear Sir

I wish to inquire if the name of Sweeney, or Captain Sweeney, can be found on the roll of the soldiers of the War of the Revolution.  I can not remember his first name.  He left his family in county Donagan Ireland and came over to join the American army and probably enlisted in the state of Pennsylvania, as he made his home there after the War was ended.  If you can give me any record of such a person you will oblige

Mrs Martha A Washburn
Rensselar, Jasper Co, Indiana
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23442

INVALID

File No  23442
Joseph Sweeny
Private, Revolutionary War

Act:  June 7, 1832

Index:  Vol 2, Page 459

*** 
Feb 3, 1903
Mrs Martha Washburn
Renneslar Ind
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Williamsport, Lycoming Co, PA
July 26, 1833

J L Edwards Esq

Dear Sir:

I forwarded on two or three months ago the application of Joseph Sweeny for a pension with an amended declaration appended.  You would much oblige the applicatn you could make it come current by examining it and let him know if it is sufficient.  I feel delicate about pursuing the matter and I know you have a tedious undertaking on hand but the applicants are generaelly very needy and cannot conceive the reason of the delay.

Please direct for further particulars or the certificate to the place above named and oblige

Geo W Lathy
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J L Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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BRIEF objection to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Sweeny which require further proof or explanation

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?   yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  yes

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled?  no

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?   yes
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No Clergyman;  yes as to others

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  no

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?  yes

If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  yes

Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___year ___months, and ___days, I served as a ___ For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___  and for such service I claim a pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, etc. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.

In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
---
This proof is to be returned with the declaration, when corrected
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J L Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
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Mr J L Edwards

Dear Sir

Enclosed you will find the declaration of Joseph Sweeny, accompanited by a supplementary declaration, in answer to the enclosed interrogatories returned by the Department.  We should be such pleased if the present should be sufficient as the applicant is an old man and I think he is entitled to  credit and deserving of the remuneration granted by Congress to soldiers.

Yours truly,
Geo W Lathy
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Lycoming

On this 29th day of April Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty third personally appeared in open court, before the president and associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions now sitting, Joseph Sweeney, a resident of field township in the County of 
Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, aged Seventy Seven years who first  being duly sworn according by law, doth on his oath make the following declaration (supplementary to a declaration made in this court on the eleventh day of September, A.D. 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832),  in answer to objections raised on the original Declaration contained in a brief returned with said declaration to Declarant viz:

That he served as a drafted Militia man, in a private station, in all ten months, being drafted each time for two months, and drafted five times

He can obtain no certificate of a clergyman as to his character, age and belief in his service as a revolutionary solider, there being no one residing within twenty miles of his residence and none in the neighborhook with whom he is acquainted and there is no preaching near the applicant

Joseph Sweeny

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court-

J Wood Prothy