Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 8247, for Francis Lesnitt, Pennsylvania
Page 1

SERVICE 
Penn.

Lesnitt, Francis
Rachel

Number W8247
Page 2

papers of husband & widow 3 sets sent to Dept. of Interior Apl 28 1849


22.661.
Pittsburgh. Penn.a
Francis Lesnitt
of Allegheny Co in the State of Penn.a who was a Private in the C.o commanded by Captain Hale. of the Reg.t commanded by Col. Linn. in the Penn.a line for 7 mos. & 12 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania, at the rate of 24 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Wilson W. Candles. Pittsburgh. Pa.

61.65  Arrears to the 4th of September. 1833.  
12.33  Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34.  
$73.98

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7. 1832.}

Recorded by [illegible] Palmer - Clerk,  Book E Vol. 5  Page 83.
Page 3

Reported 
May 2 / 49

4763
Pennsylvania  Pittsburgh
Rachel Lesnitt
widow of Francis Lesnitt Penn
who served in the Revolutionary War as a Private.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 24 Dollars 00 Cents  per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of May 1849 and sent to Hon. R. L. Rose, Allen Hill New York

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 241 Vol. 2,
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania
County of Allegheny   SS

On this 24t September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid, now sitting Francis Lesnitt a resident of Forsythe Township in the County aforesaid, age 72 years in November 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 act of Congress passed 7 June 1832 -

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as he states. I was
under General Clarke in Kentucky, Col
Linnz Regiment & Capt Hale Commanded
the company to which I was attached.
Cannot recollect the day or year I entered
the service nor when I left it. I lived 
in Allegheny County in the State of Pennsylvania
when I entered the service of the United
States as a volunteer. I was on business
to Kentucky, at Rogers Nation on Salt
River. I was in the [illegible] with the Indians
at New Chilicothe & at Pickewa town
when we took it at burnt it-- we marched
from Rogers station to the mouth of Kentucky
& thence to Pickewa Town. I have no paper
or writing shewing my discharge, but the
testimony of Isaac Vance, not as to this
service but as to a subsequent one
I was afterwards drafted in Allegheny
County & went to Brawn town under Col
Page 5

Stevenson and Capt Swearingen. I was there 
one month. Cannot recollect the day or year
I entered this service nor when I left it.
I resided in Allegheny County in state aforesaid
when I was drafted for this service. I was
in no engagement or battle during this service.
I marched from Pittsburgh to Brantown. I
have no documentary evidence of these facts
nor do I no[w] know of any person living
who can testify to this service.
I was also in two months service under Lieut Colonel
Marshall of Washington County in the State
Aforesaid. I marched in Capt Hoglin’s company
to Hollidays Cove. I was drafted in this service, we frequently had skirmishes & killed a few indians but had no regular
Battle. There is no person that I know living
who can testify as to this service-
I was again drafted under the same Colonel Marshall
to go said March to Burgett station in
Washington County. Was one month in this service.
I afterwards volunteered in company
with my brother under Capt Bilderback &
Col Marshall & Marched from Allegheny
County to Ringo Bottom, where we were
put under the command of Col. Crawford
from whence we marched to Sandusky, 
where we were in an engagement with
Indians from about 6 o’clock in the
afternoon until night, commonly called
Crawford’s defeat, immediately after which
I left this service-
I was afterwards drafted under Col Marshall to go to
Wheeling, one month’s service. I was in the service of the United States during the revolution war as above stated
Page 6

at different times more than seven months.
I have no documentary evidence of these facts
& no person living to testify except Isaac Vance whose testimony I have taken & Craig Ritchy who is now unable
to make his deposition by reason of sickness & 
bodily infirmity-
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 the agency of any state-
Sworn & subscribed in open Court
Frances Lesnitt

The following interrogatories were then propounded
by the Court to the said Francis Lesnett.

1 Where, and in what year were you born -
Answer - In Pittsburgh in the year seventeen hundred
fifty nine, 13 of November.

2 Have you any record of your age, & if so where is it
Answer - I have it at home, being the leaves of part of a Book in which my father recorded the births of his children.
Page 7

at different times more than seven months.
I have no documentary evidence of these facts
& no person living to testify except Isaac Vance whose testimony I have taken & Craig Ritchy who is now unable
to make his deposition by reason of sickness & 
bodily infirmity-
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 the agency of any state-
Sworn & subscribed in open Court
Frances Lesnitt

The following interrogatories were then propounded
by the Court to the said Francis Lesnett.

1 Where, and in what year were you born -
Answer - In Pittsburgh in the year seventeen hundred
fifty nine, 13 of November.

2 Have you any record of your age, & if so where is it
Answer - I have it at home, being the leaves of part of a Book in which my father recorded the births of the children.
Page 8

3 Where were you living when called
into service, where have you lived
since the revolutionary war, and where
do you now live?
Answer - In Fayette Township, County of Allegheny,
and state of Pennsylvania

4 How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
Answer - By order of the State government I 
was sometimes drafted & sometimes a volunteer.

5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental or militia regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service.
Answer - Capt Richey, Capt Ranking & Capt Dean at Crawford’s defeat., Capt Linn at Pickewa town. The other general circumstances I have related in my Declaration.

6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer - I received no written discharge. Col Marshall 
discharged us verbally
Page 9

and the certificates were taken to Philadelphia.
In the Kentucky service I received no
discharge.

7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood,  and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer - The Rev William Jeffery and John McDowell know
me in my present neighbourhood & I believe will testify as
to my veracity -
Frances Lesnitt

The said Court having examined the above named
applicant are of opinion that the answers above stated
are true

We William Jefferry a Clergyman residing in
the Township of Fayette in the County of Allegheny
& state of Pennsylvania and John M Dowell
residing in the same hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Francis Lisnett who has
 sworn to the above declaration & subscribed the 
same, that we believe him to be 73 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.
William Jeffery
John McDowell

Sworn & subscribed in
Page 10

open court this 29" day of November A D 1852
Wm McCandless Pro.

And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after investigation 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 Wm Jeffery who has signed
the preceding certificate is a Clergyman
resident in the Township of Fayette in the
County aforesaid and that John McDowell
who has also signed the same is a resident
in the same Township & County, and is a credible
person, and that their statement is entitled to
credit.
By the Court 
Wm McCandless Pro.

State of Pennsylvania County of Allegheny ss
I William McCandless Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court the matter of the application of Francis
Lesnitt for a pension - In testimony whereof,
I have hereunto set my hand and the
seal of the said Court this 29" December 1852.
Wm McCandless Pro.
Page 11

13.781
Rachel Lesnitt
wid of Francis
Pa
Act 7 July 1838
Page 12

State of Pennsylvania County of Alleghany ss
On this 31st day of January 1849 personally appeared before the subscriber William Kerr a Judge in & for said County
Rachael Lisnett resident of South Fayette Township
in said County, aged ninety two years who being
first duly sworn doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act
of Congress passed 7th July 1838 and the acts
subsequent thereto -
This declarant states that she is the widow of Francis Lesnett deceased who was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and who drew a pension from the United States at the rate of
twenty four dollars & sixty six cents per annum, 
and who died on the twenty (25) fifth day of
June in the year eighteen hundred and thirty
seven (1837) in the said township of South Fayette
in said County & State . This declarant further states that her maiden name was Rachael Kitten. that she was married to the said Francis Lesnett in the year seventeen hundred
& eighty nine (1789) or in the year seventeen hundred
& ninety (1790) in which of said years she 
is not now able to tell. That the marriage took
place at the house of a Mr Wolf near the town of Washington in the State of Pennsylvania and that the ceremony was performed by a Presbyterian Clergyman named John McMillan who is not now living. That there were several persons present at the ceremony of her marriage, all of whom except one are now deceased, that the only surviving witness of her marriage is a sister or of her said husband by the name of Christiana
Neil. This declarant further states that she has no family record of her said marriage
Page 13

or birth of children, nor is she aware of the
existence of any record, public or private of her
aforesaid marrige. This declarant further
states that from the time of her aforesaid marriage
with the said Francis Lisnett to the time of
his death she lived with him in lawful wedlock as his
 wife, and that since his death she has
not again intermarried but remains his widow-
Racheal Lisnett her mark {seal}
Sworn & subscribed to the day & year first
above written Before me
Wm Kerr
Attest A R Porter

State of Pennsylvania
County of Alleghany ss - I hereby certify that the above
named Rachael Lisnett is unable by reason of old age
and bodily infirmity to appear & make her declaration
in open Court and I further certify that satisfactory
evidence was adduced before me that Francis Lisnett
the husband of the above named Rachael, died on the
twenty fifth (25th) day of June in the year eighteen
hundred & thirty seven (1837) and that the said Rachael 
still remains his widow-
Wm Kerr
Page 14

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Allegheny County ss
I, Hiram Hultz Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas of and for said County
and Commonwealth, do by these presents certify
that William Kerr Esquire, before whom the
foregoing affidavit was taken, and who has in
his own proper handwriting subscribed the
certificate of the same, was on the day of the
date thereof and now is one of the associate Judges of said Court, duly commissioned and acting.
Witness my hand, and the seal of said Court at Pittsburg, in said County the first day of February A.D. 1819
Hiram Hultz Prothonotary
Page 15

State of Pennsylvania Washington County ss
Be it known that on the 29 day of December A.D. 1848 Before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly authorised by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
Christiana Neil resident in said County aged seventy seven years the 13th day of March last, and made oath in due form of law, that she was present at the Marriage of her brother Francis Lisnett & Rachel Killen, & Witnessed the performance of the marriage ceremony, by the Rev. John Miller
Presbyterian minister resident in the said County of Washington; that she has a distinct recollection of the ceremony having taken place at the house of a Mr. Wolf about five miles from the town of Washington, on the Road leading from the said Town of Washington to the Town of Wheeling in the State of Virginia; That the following named persons were present at the wedding Viz. Richard Coulter, Polly Coulter, James McMillan, William Rowley & Sophia Lesnett, all of whom are now deceased; That the said Marriage
took place either in the month of December or January, & several years previous to the time of her own marriage; That she has a distinct knowledge that her own marriage took place on the ninth day of May A.D. One thousand seven hundred & ninety three: That her recollection of the period when her
own marriage took place is strengthened, by refering to an old family Record of her Marriage, now in her possession, said Record having been made by her husband John Neil deceased, shortly after their Marriage, & being Recorded in an old family Bible, & held sacred by her husband, while he lived as their proper family Record; & since his decease, has been  preserved, as such by her & that said Record also contains the time of the births of their children as Recorded by her husband in his own hand Writing.
 And deponent further States immediately after the marriage, the said Francis & Rachel, they the said Francis & Rachel, lived on a farm in the vicinity of Wheeling for one year, & then removed to another farm in the same vicinity, on which they resided for the space of one year or more; after which they
removed to the State of Pennsylvania, & resided for the space of one year more on a rented farm about twelve miles North east of the Town of Washington, & that they then settled on the farm which he the said Francis had purchased in the same
neighborhood, & deponent thinks they resided on this farm one year before she was married with the said John Neil.
Deponent further saith that she was present at the marriage of Sophia
Page 16

Lesnett with William Rowly aforesaid, which took place within a few days of the time of the marriage of the said Francis & Rachel. That they the said Sophia & William Rowly had their first child about a year after their marriage, & that they had three children born before deponent’s marriage took place. And deponent further saith, that she is unable to state a
time, when the marriage of the said Francis & Rachel took place more near than is set forth, by her in the foregoing Statement & further deponent saith not.
Christiana C Neil her mark

Sworn to & Subscribed before me the day & year above
Written
James Pollock
Justice of the peace

The undersigned certifies that Christian Neil the above named
Deponent is of good moral character, & unimpeachable as to truth & Veracity.
Given under my hand Dec. 27th 1848.
James Pollock J. Peace

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Washington County ss
I James Brown Prothonotary of the Court of
Common pleas in and for said County do hereby
Certify that James Pollock Esq before whom
the above & foregoing affidavit was had
was at the time and now is a Justice of the peace in
and for said County duly commissioned & qualified, 
that the signature attached to the same purporting to be his
I believe is genuine and that full faith and credit
are and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Washington
this 8th day of January in the year of our Lord one
thousand Eight hundred and forty nine
J Brown Prothonotary
Page 17

8532,
Pennsylv’a Pittsburg
Rachel Lesnitt
widow of Francis
who was a private
in the Pensylv’a Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
Of 24 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 2 day of May 1849
and sent to Hon R. L. Rose
Allen Hill
N. Y.

(Acts of March 3, 1843 & June
17, 1844.)

Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 111
Page 18

Pennsylv’a Pittsburg
Rachel Lesnitt
Widow of Francis
who was a pensioner under the Act of 32
and who died on the 25th June 1837
of Allegany Co in the State of Penn’a
who was a pri in the Co’y
commanded by Captain Hale of the 
Regt -- commanded by Col Linn, in the Penn’a 
line for [blank]

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburg
at the rate of 24 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence on the
25 June 1837

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of
May 1849 and Hon. R. L. Rose
Allen Hill N. Y. 
Total amount, $[blank]
 
(Act July 7, 1838.)
Recorded by Leo Jenkins Clerk

Book D Vol 1  Page 225
Page 19

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8247

Rachel Lesnitt
Wid
Francis Lesnitt
Pri Rev War 
Act: Feby3 1853
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 427
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

$24.66 per an
Commencing 25
June 1837

Acts 38, 43 & 44
& Feb. 48

Hon. R. L. Rose
Allen’s Hill
N York
Page 21


22.661
Please return this
Francis Lesnitt
Pa

Adm 7 private
 72 days

Wilson Mc Candless
Pittsburgh Pa
Page 22

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Francis Lesnitt which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
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? No

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 amount of pension he is entitled? No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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?
Page 23

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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it?
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 servor
witnesses as to his service?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
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?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 recolelection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; Foryear
--
months, anddays
, I served as a-
For --
months
and days, I served as aand
for such service I claim a pension.
Page 24

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, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.
ERE 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.
Page 25

Department of the Interior
April 26th 1849.
Sir,
I will thank you to send me the papers in the case of Rachel Lesnitt widow of Francis, an applicant for a pension under the Act of July 7th 1838.
I am, very respectfully
Your Obe Servant,
D. C. Goddard
Acting Secy of the Interior
James L Edward Esq
Coms of Pensions
Page 26

No 13781
Rachel Lesnitt
Pa

Hon R L. Rose
March 47, 49 let to
Act’g Sec Interior Apl 28 1849.
See Sec’y decision in
file - adm’d 
by him
1 May 1848

Act 7 July 1838
Page 27

Department of the Interior.
OFFICIAL BUSINESS.
-
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 28

Pension Papers
of
Francis Lesnitt -
Page 29

Washington County ss
Before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and
for said county personally came Isaac Vance who
on solemn oath did depose and say he knew
Frances Lisnett who served along with this deponent
from the 26 May 1782 to the 11 June following as volunteers
under Col. Crawford in his campaign against the
Indians in the Northwest. The period above stated
includes only the time from which the troops
left their rendezvous at the Mingo bottoms to
the time of their return-- They were several days, 
he is not certain for how many, collecting at and
mustering at the Mingo bottoms, before they marched
as above stated - It is certain that the said
Francis Lisnett was in that campaign, he was
noticed and remarked as an active smart
man and good soldier.
The troops in that campaign found their own
provision and in consideration thereof they were
allowed for two months services according to the
best of this deponent’s recollection.
In or about the year 1779 this deponent along with
the said Frances Lisnett & several others served he
thinks about six days, as volunteers on Montrose
[illegible] in what is now Allegheny county against the
Indians who had made an incursion into the
settlement and took prisoners and carried away
two daughters of [blank] Walter.
And further saith not.
Isaac Vance
Sworn and subscribed before me 22 September 1832
John Marthel

I certify that the above named Isaac Vance is a man in
character for truth & veracity, that strict reliance may be
placed and that he is now very old and infirm
John Marthel
Page 30

Washington County 
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

I Thomas Officer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that John Marshel Esq. before whom the foregoing deposition was made was at the time and now is Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned, and that full faith and credit is and ought
to be given to his official acts.
 In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said Court at Washington the 22d day of September 1832.
Thomas Officer Prothy-
Page 31

Supplementary Declaration of Francis
Lisnett to obtain pension by virtue
of Act of Congress passed 7 June
1873 -
Before me a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County of Allegheny
in the State of Pennsylvania on
the seventh day of November - in the year
of our Lord One thousand Eight
hundred and thirty three, personally
appeared Francis Lesnitt who being
duly sworn according to law doth
depose and say 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 knowledge and recollection
he served not less than the periods
mentioned below, and in the following
grades: For four months and three
weeks I served as private in volunteers; for
two months and three weeks I served
as a drafted private in the militia and
for such services I claim a pension. And
the said Francis Lesnitt doth depose to
the following further particulars relative to
his service more minute than is set
forth in his declaration and as far as
he can now recollect. I was drafted
in the spring of the year 1776 to go to
Pittsburgh against the English and Indians
under command of Col. Cannon - was
two weeks in this service when we
were discharged by Col Cannon. I served
this term in the field at Pittsburgh then Fort
Page 32

Pitt in an embodied corps, called into service 
by the State of Pennsylvania, and during the
said two weeks I was not employed in
any civil pursuit. In June 1778 I went to the s
tate of Kentucky on business. When there I 
volunteered my services under Gen’l Clark,
 Col Linns Regiment and
Captain Hall’s Company, was in this
service one month and two weeks. It
was performed from Roger station to the
month of the Kentucky River and thence
to Pickawa Town which we took and
burnt And it was performed in the
field in embodied corps called into
service by authority of the State of
Kentucky and during this service I was not
engaged in any civil pursuit. In the year
1781 I was drafted as a malitia man
and served one month in the field under
General McIntosh, Col Stevenson Regiment &
Capt Swearinger’s Company in Allegheny
and Brown Counties, Pennsylvania. Was
called into service by authority of the state
of Pennsylvania, and during said one month
service was not engaged in any civil pursuit.
I volunteered in March 1782
under Col Marshall for six months to
guard the frontier against the depredations
of the Indians. Was in Capt Hogling’s 
Company and served two months and
on which when we were discharged by
Col Marshall for want of provisions,
this service was performed in Allegheny
CountyPennsylvania, in the field, embodied
 Corps, called into service by authority
of the State of Pennsylvania and during said 
service I was not
Page 33

engaged in any civil pursuit. The next
service I remember was under Col Crawford.
I volunteered in May 1782 and was in
Crawford’s defeat under Lieut Col Williamson
and Captain Bilderback, served one
month in the field, part of the time in
Allegheny County Pennsylvania and the
other part in Virginia and Sandusky Ohio in embodied Corps
called into service by State of Virginia.
And during said one month’s service was
not engaged in any civil pursuit.
Shortly after I returned from Crawford’s defeat, 
I think in July of the same year, I 
was drafted as a malitia man under
Col Marshall. Marched from Pittsburg
to Wheeling Virginia as a report was in
circulation that the Indians were coming
to take us. Do not now recollect any
other officers during this service than
Col Marshall, served one month and
one week in embodied corps called
into service by authority of the state of
Virginia. Served in the field and
during this service was not engaged in
and civil pursuit, and during all my
aforesaid terms of service I was a private
in the Army - Washington County now in
Pennsylvania, was in 1781 + 2 alternately under
Virginia and Pennsylvania. And the said
Francis Lisnett doth further swear that any
deficiency in this supplementary declaration is 
owing to old age and consequent loss of
memory and that from bodily infirmity he
is unable to appear in Court
Francis Lisnett
Sworn and Subscribed before me this seventh day
of November Anno Domini 1833.

John Gilfillan
Page 34

One thousand, Eight hundred and thirty
the words "and Sandusky Ohio” being first 
interlined, and I the said
Justice of the Peace do further certify
that the said Francis Lisnett is
unable by reason of bodily infirmity
and old age to appear in Court. 
I further certify that the word Virginia in the third line 
of the foregoing deposition was erased and the word Pennsylvania was inserted before signing. 
John Gilfillan Justice of the Peace

State of Pennsylvania Allegheny County ss
I Harvey H Peterson Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny
County in the state aforesaid Do certify that John
Gilfillan Esquire before whom the aforesaid
 Supplementary declaration was made was at
the time of signing such and now is an
acting Justice of the Race in and for
said County duly commissioned & sworn,
and that his signature is in his own
proper hand writing. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand & seal of the said Court
of Pittsburgh this 15th day of November A D 1833-
Harvey H. Peterson Pro
Page 35

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME L'Esperance, Joseph
GRADE Fifer
LINE Hazen's Regiment
WARRANT NUMBER 1336
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED February 4, 1790 to - not shown -
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.