Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9635, for Thomas Skinner, Delaware
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service
Del.

Skinner, Thomas

Number
R.9635

Contents
Page 2

State of Indiana &
Franklin County
On this ninth day of November A.D. 1841 before the Probate Court of Franklin County
Indiana now sitting, personally appeared in open Court, Thomas Skinner Snr. a resident of said County of Franklin, Apr (82) eighty two years in May 1842 who being first duly sworn ac-cording to law doth on his oath make the fol-lowing declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. (1832) 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, towit:
That he was living in Kent County in the State of Dela-ware in the spring of the year 1777 and then and then volunteered in a militia company in that County, commanded by Captain Edward Dyer, and John Flinn was first Lieutenant, and served in that company under these officers two years; he immediately afterwards, in the Spring of 1779 volunteered and joined a com-pany of minute men, under the command of Captain John Gray, for one year. Thomas White was first Lieutenant; Thomas Davis was second Lieutenant, and Richard White was ensign, and he served in this company under these officers, for one year, against the British and tories. During this service last named, he was first marched to Lewes town in Sussex County, in the State of Delaware with his said company, to attack the British and tories. Before they got to Lewestown they were joined by several companies of regular sol=diers, the names of whose officers he does not now recollect. About the time the American troops got within a half a mile of the British encamp=ments, the British and tories found they would
Page 3

by overpowered, and retreated to their shipping. One company soon after returned to Kent County; soon after we were marched to the Delaware Bay to [illegible] the British and keep them from plundering, but did not come in contact with them. During this service he was several times marched to the Bay for the
purpose, and also several other times to Lewes town aforesaid. When he had ser-ed out his year as a minute man he immediately after in the Spring of 1780 again volunteered in his old militia Company, under Captain Dyer, and served in this company untill after peace was declared in November 1783. Soon after he had joined Captain Dyers Company this second time, he was marched with the com=pany to attack and take a fort on the Maryland line, called Cheney's fort; Cheney Clow was Captain of the fort. We attacked the fort but did not take it attacked it after=wards, but did not succeed in capturing
Clow's. Clow was afterwards taken by
some other Americans and hung at Dover. We took several of Clow's men. I was standing as sentinel one morning, very early - descried Clows men, pursued and took several of them. We hung some of them up for a while but did not kill any of them, but sent there to Head Quarters as prisoners. He never was in any [illegible]-las battle.
Answers to the interrogatories propounded.
1. I was born in Kent County State of Delaware,
in May 1759
2. My father had a record of my birth in Delaware. I have none in this County.
3. Was living in Kent County as aforesaid
when called into the service.
Page 4

where I lived until 1805, when I removed to
Dearborn County Indiana, and lived there five years; and then moved to Franklin County aforesaid, where I have eversince resided, and where I still reside.
4. I always volunteered.
5. I do not recollect the names of any other
Officers than these above named.
6. I think I never received a discharge. I ser-ved as a volunteer and private in the revolutionary War, in the service of the United States as above stated, at least six years but he has no documentary evidence of his service -- and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. He hereby relin=quishes every claim to a pension, whatever, or annuity except the present and de=clares that his name is not on the pen=sion roll of the agency of any State
whatever. And that all his service as aforesaid was as a private soldier.
Thomas Skinner Sen.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Robert John Clk P.C. F.C.
We James Connell and Elijah Barwick both
Clergyman residing in the County of Franklin and State of Indiana, and Elijah Barwick aft of the and in the neighborhood of Thomas Skinner Senr. above named and Thomas Sims and John Roberts in the same neighborhood hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Skinner Senr. who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty one years of age past - that he is a man of unimpeachable and irreproachable character and seventy- that we have no hesita
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tion in declaring that all his statements and entitled to evidence and we believe firmly all the statements which he has made in the forgoing declaration & that he was a Revolutionary Soldier as therein stated.
[written vertically], squiggly line in front] 202
James Conwell
Thomas Sims
Elijah Barwick
John Roberts
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Robert John Clk. P.C. F.C.
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interogatories presented by the War Depart-ment, that the above named applicant was a Revo lutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that James Conwell and Elijah Barwick who have signed
the preceding certificate are both Clergyman resi dent in said County of Franklin and Elijah Bar wick in the neighborhood of said applicant. That Thomas Sims and John Roberts
-- who have signed the preceding certificate
are resident of said County and neighborhood, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled end it.
Henry Berry P. J. F. C.

I Robert John Clerk of the Probate Court
all Franklin County Indiana, do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Skinner for a Pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 9th day of No-vember A.D. 1841.
Robert John Clk

[the following all written vertically] 35277
Thomas Skinner Sen.
Indiana
Page 6

February 13, 1936


Thomas Skinner-R.9635
BA-J/AWF

The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for informa-tion relative to Thomas Skinner, soldier of the War of the Revolution in the Delaware troops, and died in Indiana.

The data pertaining to Thomas Skinner fur-nished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 9635, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Skinner was born in May, 1759 or 1760 in Kent County, Delaware, names of his parents not stated. He lived in Kent County until in 1805 when he moved to Dearborn County, Indiana, where he lived five years and moved to Franklin County, Indiana, where he continued to live in 1841.

He applied for pension, November 9, 1841, and alleged that he volunteered and served as a private with the Delaware troops as follows: from the spring of 1777, two years in Captain Edward Dyer's militia company; from the spring of 1778, one year in Captain John Gray's company of minutemen; from the spring of 1780 until in November, 1783 in
Captain Edward Dyer's company of militia.

The claim was not allowed as proof of service
as required by the pension law was not furnished.

The application for headstone for Thomas Skinner
Page 7

and a description of Thomas Skinner sent in by the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution, are both returned herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 8

Thomas Skinner [illegible]
Indiana:


Rejected
Did not cut [illegible] as it also pertains [illegible]

See let: 19 Nov '41 to
Watson & Holland
Copies of paper Smith Hon J.H. Craver R. Feb 22 1842
did not perform in
months actual service
9633
Act 7 June 1832
Page 9

Jan 26. 1842
Tho. Skinner
Jno. Alley
Inda.
Copy Am Jan 27 '42
J. L. Edwards Esq.
[illegible] Pensions D.C.
Hon. J.H. Cravens
HR
Page 10

Request for Rev. War record 
of Thomas Skinner

Kent Co. Dela & died
in Franklin Co. Ind.
History sent application for [illegible]
alone & written description of soldier
sent in by Ind. D.E.
R. [illegible] returned
[illegible]
Set 13-36
Page 11

WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON
2-6-1936
Memorandum for
The Surgeon General,
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department,
Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Treasury Department.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building,
General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W.
1.  The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government
headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon. In order that
the proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your
would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such
corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name and
complete designation of the organizations.

2.  In addition, please advise State from which decedent came.

[stamp-] RECEIVED
Feb 7 1933
Mail Sub. Div.
Vets. Adm. Reader 24

[signature illegible]
Page 12

[stricken] Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 3, 1873.

Rejected

9635
P. O. Thomas Skinner
Service:
Enlisted: , 18 .
Discharged: , 18 .
Application filed: , 18.
List 718d-2 gives fol. reason for rejection "Not six month's actual service."
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.  Contract.
Cert. of Dis. 
Searched for , 18 .
Page 13

1933 May 8. List to Miss Ruth S. Peterson
see letter in [illegible]
Jas. Clare S. 9264 M.C.S.
-
1933 Oct. 13 Mrs. Z. R. Peterson informed
of reason for rejection of pension
1934 Apr 13 - Mrs. Z. R. Peterson adv. M.C.S
cast of [illegible]
1935 Nov. 29. Photos mailed to
Mrs. Z. R. Peterson & acct Div. ntfd. A.C.Y
1936 Feb 13 - [illegible] Memorial Branch any
Page 14

[stamp] Detroit, Mich Sep 27 10-PM 1933

Veterans Administration,
A. D. Hiller,
Washington, D. C.

Revolutionary War
Pension Records.
Page 15

1527 Virginia Park. Detroit, Michigan 9/27/33
Ref.: BA-J/MCS
Pension claim R.9635 (Rev. War)
In your letter of May 8th, you stated this claim, which was applied for 11/9/1841, was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law. Will you please tell me what "proof" was required & whether there is anything to indicate if the papers were returned to him for this proof, giving me the date, etc. - or just what disposition was made of the claim at the time? May ancestor died in 1843 & I just wondered if perhaps he had not had time to get the necessary "proof" as he was residing in Indiana.  I have not been able to find record of this service elsewhere, so I am depending upon this pension record.  Since it was never allowed, is it considered authentic?  This refers to Thomas Skinner of Delaware.  
You also sent me the Pension Record (S.9264) of James Adair, of S.C.  Have you any other James Adair of S.C. in your files?  I know my ancestor was a pensioner, but I'm not sure S.9264 refers to my James Adair.  My ancestor died in 1831 in Franklin Co. Indiana.
Any help you can give me will be appreciated.  (Mrs. Z.R.) Ruth S. Peterson
Page 16

376

Pension Office,
Feb 22 1842
Sir
I enclose herewith, in compliance with
for request, certified copies of the papers in
support of the claims for pensions of John
Alley and Thomas Skinner.

Hon. J.H. Cravens
HR
Page 17

Hon. J. H. Cravens
Feb 22 1842
Page 18

Hon J H Cravens
Jan 27. 1842
Page 19

417

Pension Office
Jan 27. 1842.
Sir,
I herewith return Mr. Holland's letter and have the honor to state that certified copies of the papers of Thomas Skinner Sen., and John Alley will be pre-pared as early as practicable and enclosed to you. Their claims having been rejected at this office, it would be inconsistent with our rules to send the original papers
Hon. J.H. Cravens
HR.
Page 20

Quit [written diagonally at the top of the page]
206
 Pen Office, Nov. 19, 1841

Sir,
The declaration of John Alley Senr. has been examined. He alleges that during the revolutionary war, he was selected as a person of experience to act as an Indian spy on the frontiers of Virginia, and having equipped himself for the purpose was engaged from March until September a period of seven months in taking the movements of the Indians, the year in which he was engaged not
remembered. He also alleges to have been called out at a subsequent period for three
months to act as a scout &c. Those who served as Indian Spies and who are entitled to
pension therefor were enlisted by state authority. and were regularly organized and equipped by the State. The applicants engagement as a spy was of that character for which no provision is made by the pension laws, and the other alleged term of service having been less than six months, his claim has consequently been rejected and the papers filed in this office.
Page 21

It may be proper to state that the reason
for rejecting the claim having been sufficient
of themselves, it is deemed unnecessary to make any objection to the claim on account of the period of the applicant service which is
believed to have been after the termination
of the revolutionary war.

The declaration of Thomas
Skinner Senr. has also been examined and
filed. He alleges to have volunteered as a militia man of Delaware, in 1777, in Captain Edward Dyers Company and served in his company two years and immediately thereafter in the spring of 1779 volunteered to serve as a minute man under Captain John Gray for one year during which he was marched several times to Lewistown and to the Delaware bay. After the expiration of the year he again found Captain Dyers Company, and while under him was marched in pursuit of a party of tories. The act of 7th June 1832 does not provide for any one who did not
perform six months actual service in a regularly organized corps, called into service
by competent authority. The actual service
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performed by the applicant was of that
character provided for by the Pension laws
was less than six months. The claim has therefore been rejected.

[the following written sideways on the left side of the page]
Novr. 19 1841
Messers Watson & Holland
Brookville Indiana

[the following written diagonally above the signatures]
O.C
A. 35.276
S 35.277 [pointed bracket joins the two lines starting A and S and connects to the following] act '37 ents. 

[written horizontally at the bottom of the page]
Messrs. Watson & Holland,
Brookville
Ind.
Page 23

November 29, 1936.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MMHF/ady
Thomas Skinner
R.9635

Mrs. Z. R. Peterson
1527 Virginia Park
Detroit, Michigan

Dear Madam:

As requested by you, photostatic copies of six
pages from Revolutionary War claim for pension, R.9635, based upon service of Thomas Skinner, are enclosed herewith.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 24

BA-J/ady

Rev & 1812
No. 289

November 25,1935
Navy 970

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
XXXXXXXXXXX

Rev. War claim for pension of Thomas
Skinner, File No. R.9635.

Actual [#] of each page.

NOT TO BE CERTIFIED
 
Xxx $1.50 ….. 6 pages

Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2
in. at top of each page and return
papers in folder with corresponding
name and number.
The word ""Omit"" written in pencil
on those pages which are not to be
copied.

Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section

[above text is typed. Following text is handwritten vertically on right side of page.]
List is (Mrs. L. R) Ruth Peterson
Soldier’s appl. dated
Nov. 9 - 1841 (2 sheets) of 4 pages
Letters of rejection dated Nov. 19, 1841  2 p.
This let. report also to John Alley,
Which 1st page + reverse
Ride down to “The dec’l. of Thomas” etc.
Was omitted. The photo pages for this
Party began  “The declaration of Thomas”
Page 25

1527 Virginia Park,
Detroit, Michigan.
November 2, 1935.

Mr. A.D. Hiller, [10565, handwritten and underlined]
Assistant to Administrator,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Reference: BA-J/MMHF/ady
Thomas Skinner
R.9635

Dear Sir:
In your letter dated April 13, 1934, you stated there were six pages to the above application for pension, and that you could furnish me photostatic copies of same at 25[cents symbol] per page.

I am therefore enclosing Postoffice Moneyorder #176578 for $1.50, and would like to have one complete copy of this application.

Very truly yours,
Ruth Peterson (Mrs. Z.R.)
Page 26

April 13, 1934.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MMHF/ady
Thomas Skinner
R. 9635

Mrs. Z. R. Peterson
1527 Virginia Park
Detroit, Michigan

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request complete copies, in duplicate of papers on file in Revolu-tionary War pension claim, R.9635, based upon service of Thomas Skinner in the Revolutionary War.

Photostatic copies of such papers are furnished at the rate of twenty-five cents a page. The number of pages to be copied in this claim is six, but twelve in duplicate, the
cost of which will be $3.00.

Please make remittance by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 27

1527 Virginia Park,
Detroit, Michigan.
January 30, 1934.

Mr. A.D. Hiller,
Assistant to Administrator,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Reference: Thomas Skinner R.9635
Ba-J/MCS

Dear Sir:
May I come to you again for help in establishing the Revolutionary War service of my ancestor, Thomas Skinner?

I have mad inquiry of the State Archivist at Dover, Delaware, also of the Old Records Division in the War Department, your city, as well as all Delaware records in our own Burton Genealogical Collection in our Detroit Public Library, which includes the Delaware Archives, and have not been able to find any record of Thomas Skinner among the listed Delaware soldiers. He served during almost the entire war period in the Militia as a minuteman, under Captains Edward Dyer and John Gray, according to his pension application - R.9635 - on file in your department. Can you tell me what was the official status of this Militia during the war? I have read that there was just one official Regiment raised in Delaware. Would not the members of the Militia Minutemen be considered as soldiers, especially when they were called out on numerous occasions?

Your letter of October 13, 1933, states that the Act of June 7, 1832 provided only for those who rendered at least six months of actual service in a regularly organized military corps, called into service by competent authority, and that the claim was not allowed because it was considered by the actual service performed of the character provided for by the pension law was less than six months.

I want to use this for a D.A.R line. They will accept service as provided by certificate from the Pension Bureau, stating they "will be very glad to examine papers on his record and trust they may be readily verified". That's what I'm trying to find - some record by which they may verify his alleged service.

Will you please send me a complete copy (in duplicate if possible) of his pension application, together with a statement as to why it was not allowed, per your letter of October 13th, quoted above, also a statement showing that his service, such as it was, was considered official, even though the pension was not granted? The Registrar General's Office of the D.A.R., in your city, advised even though his pension application was rejected, they could accept it for a D.A.R. line. This I am most anxious to do, and please be assured that anything you can do to help me will be very greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance for your efforts in this matter,
I am very truly yours, Ruth Skinner Peterson
(Mrs. Z.R)
Page 28

October 13, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
James Adare, S.9264
Thomas Skinner  R.9635
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. Z. R. Peterson
1527 Virginia Park
Detroit
Michigan

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the record of James Adair or Adare other than the one that was furnished you on May 8, 1933, and for information relative to Thomas Skinner, R. 9635.

The James Adare, S. 9264, whose record was sent you May 8, 1933, is the only soldier by that name that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Thomas Skinner stated that he was a minute-man in the militia for about six years and during that time he was several times marched to Lewes and to the Delaware Bay and that twice he attacked Cheney's Fort on the Maryland line.

The Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied, provided only for those who rendered at least six months' actual service in a regularly organized military corps, called into service by competent authority.

Thomas Skinner's claim was not allowed as this office considered that the actual service performed by him of the character provided for by the pension law was less than six months.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 29

#29
May 8, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
James Adare, S.9264
Thomas Skinner,R.9635
BA-J/MCS


Miss Ruth S. Peterson
446 W. Goldengate Avenue
Detroit
Michigan

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the records of
Revolutionary War soldiers named James Adare and Thomas Skinner.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file
in the pension claim, S. 9264, based upon the military service
of James Adare. He signed as Adare but was pensioned as Adair.

James Adare was born May 8, 1752, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The names of his parents were not given.

While a resident of York District, South Carolina, he
enlisted in 1776 and served three weeks in Captain Frank Ross’
Company in Colonel Thomas Neel's South Carolina Regiment. He
enlisted again in 1776 and served three months in Captain John
McCool's Company in Colonel David Hopkins' South Carolina Regiment
. He enlisted in 1777 and served about two months in Captain
John McCool's Company in Colonel David Hopkins' South Carolina
Regiment; he was in an expedition against the Indians on the
western frontier and at Horse Shoe on War Woman's Creek where
he was wounded in his left shoulder by a ball.
During the Revolution he moved to Craven County (which
was later Chester District,) South Carolina.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October
24, 1832, at which time he was living in Chester District, South Carolina,
 and was referred to as James Adare, Senior.
his death not on Agency Book.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
Page 30

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file
in the pension claim, R. 9635, based upon the military service
of Thomas Skinner.

He was born in May, 1759, in Kent County, Delaware, and
lived there until 1805 when he moved to Dearborn County, Indiana,
where he lived five years when he moved to Franklin County,
Indiana, and was living there in 1841.

He applied for pension November 9, 1841, and alleged that
he volunteered and served with the Delaware troops as follows:
from the spring of 1777, two years as private in Captain Edward
Dyer's militia company; from the spring of 1779, one year as
private in Captain John Gray's company of minutemen; from the
spring of 1780 until November, 1783, as private in Captain
Edward Dyer's company of militia.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof
of the alleged service in accordance with the requirement of
the pension law.

In 1841 he was referred to as Thomas Skinner, Senior.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the
soldier's family.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 31

The Secretary of War
Washington City
D.C.
Page 32

 Brookville Nov. 9. 41

Dear Sir,
Enclosed you have the application of Thomas Skinner for a pension under the act of 1832. We trust they will be found sufficient.

Almost two months ago we enclosed you a similar application on behalf of Mr.
John Alley. What has become with it

Yours respectfully
Watson Holland
Page 33

19,  Nov 1841
Brookville, Indiana


Nov.9, 1841
Watson & Holland
Application for pension for
Thomas Skinner
W 252. Rec. Nov 17, 1841
Pension Office
Allison