Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 8660, for John Reed, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

Reed, John

NUMBER
R 8660
--------------------------------
CONTENTS
Page 2

[ribbon seal on left-hand side of page]

[right-hand side of page]
31.955
John Reeds 
Pension Papers
--------------------------
Act of 7th June 1832
------------------------
One year and six months service.
-------------------------------
aged 88 years
-------------------------------
Address J.G. Bedford 
Esqr  Wooster
Wayne County
Ohio

[faded handwriting at bottom left]

5 widows
of John Reeds
Suspended files
8660
8661
862
863
864
[initials]
Page 3

Declaration
--------------------

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

State of Ohio, Wayne County Ss:  On this 12" day of September 1834 Personally appeared in Open Court before the Hon. Ebenezer Lane & Reuben Wood Esquires judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio now sitting (within and for Wayne County) John Reed a resident of Plain Township in the county of Wayne in the State of Ohio aged Eighty Eight years 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 June 7th 1832 

That he Entered the service of the United States under the following named officers for the Periods herein mentioned and set forth. That he Entered the service of the United States in the year 1776 as a Drafted Militiaman in the month of June of said year and served under Capt "Mc Laughlin" in the County of Cumberland in the state of Pennsylvania. That he was drafted out to serve in the militia of the County of Cumberland in the state of Pennsylvania. That he was in the service during the months of June, July, and August, in the year 1776. That he was drafted =
Page 4

Declaration
-------------------

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

State of Ohio Wayne County Ss} 
 On this 12th day of September 1834 personally appeared in Open Court before the Hon. Ebenezer Lane and Reuben Wood esquire, judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio - now sitting, (within and for Wayne county), John Reed a resident of Plain Township in the County of Wayne in the state of Ohio aged Eighty - Eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

that he entered this service of the United States under the following named officers for the Periods herein mentioned and set forth. That he Entered the service of the United States in the year 1776 as a Drafted Militiaman in the month of June of said year and served under Capt. "McLaughlin" in the County of Cumberland in the state of Pennsylvania. That he was drafted out to serve in the militia of the County of Cumberland in the State of Pennsylvania - that he was in the service during the months of June, July, and August, in the Year of 1776. That he was drafted -
Page 6

"Major Smith" and the Colonel's name was "David" and one "Kloninger" was paymaster of the troops. That this applicant served a portion of said tour of four months, at the Garrison or "Blockade Fort' erected at old Lancaster, Pa, where a body of militia were generally stationed. That this service of four months was during the months of September October, November of 1776 as a private soldier under the officers above named. That this applicant was marched from "old Lancaster" to Philadelphia, and to the "Jersies" as they were sometimes called in order to protect the Baggage Waggons [sic] destined for General Washington's Army.  It was reported that a large body of the British and Hessians, were encamped at "Trenton" and at "Princeton" in the state of New Jersey and a number of wagons were sent on towards the Delaware River over which this applicant and the corps in which he served were placed as sentinels to watch
Page 8

of them had "long smoke pipes" curiously wrought, that the sight of so many prisoners of war was a very thrilling one and made an indelible impression on the minds of the Americans.  That the applicant at the expiration of said four months duty was discharged verbally by his commanding officer Capt "David Liesk"  And this applicant was again in the service as a volunteer under "Capt "McLaughlin" of the Cumberland Co militia Pa in Col. Patton's Regiment under the aforesaid officers during the month of January 1777. That this applicant was marched to a station near Brunswick in the state of New Jersey and was in the battle fought at "Brunswick that he was for a few days attached to Genl "Conway's Division" and fought under said General Conway that "Baron Steuben" this applicant thinks mustered the American Army.
Page 9

That this applicant during said Battle fought in and about New Brunswick was an Eye Witness to an American officer that conveyed on a swift horse certain intelligence at very short intervals during the action to Genl. Washington and received from the General a reply and directions to be carried back by said officer to this American officer who commanded the men that were in the engagement. That he had a full and clear view of General Washington and his staff officers who passed in review before him a little before the Commencement of the action. That this applicant shortly after the British began to retreat he was ordered to take charge of a waggon [sic] that contained the baggage of some of the wounded and dying American soldiers That whilst this applicant was on this duty the "Cannonding"
Page 12

the cannon balls and other ammunition that the col. who commanded the Brigade was "Col. Blair" that the names of the men who were in the mess with this applicant in the company in which they served were one man by the name of Robert McBride, and one by the name of William Ewing, brothers in law of this applicant and one by the name of "Lusk" and one by the name of "Billy S'wansey" and one by the name of "John Brown" and one other by the name of "Michael Miller", all of the above mess mates served with this applicant during said tour under Commander "Capt Lusk" that a number of wounded American troops were carried in the waggons [sic] belonging to said Brigade that the men
Page 13

were obliged to march night and day for some days being much hurried by the officers. That this tour of six months was served as a private soldier during the whole period of said six months.  And this applicant says he was again in the service as a volunteer for a tour four months and served in this year 1778. That this four months duty was served under Capt. Lusk. That this applicant was marched from Lancaster County Pa, into the State of New Jersey to a place called "Middlebrook" where a body of American troops were stationed that the troops in that quarter
Page 14

suffered greatly for want of provisions that the tories had burned and destroyed all of the provisions that they could find both as subsistence for man and horse. That during the Campaign of 1778 in the "Jersies" a number of tories were caught and detected in treasonable practices by carrying intelligence from the American army to the British and of supplying them with food and provisions. That some of the tories were hung up on trees without "judge or jury" a number of Quakers and low dutch tories were caught and punished for befriending the enemy. That these tories did more damage to the army than the British did or could do. That this tour of duty was served in the spring and summer of 1778 during the months of June, July
Page 16

the above services or any part thereof and that he was not at any time engaged in any civil pursuits whatever but was wholly devoted to the Army and the service of his country as above mentioned and specified.
"Interrogatories"
----------------------
1st When and where were you born?
Ans. I was born in [Ireland] Cumberland County in the state of Pennsylvania in the year 1746
2. Have you any record of your age ?
Ans I have no record of my age. I know my age from a record kept in my fathers' family Bible but that record is now lost or destroyed and out of my power to produce but from that record which is lost I know my age to be 83 years as above stated
Page 17

Where were you living when you entered the service and where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Ans. When I entered the service I lived in Cumberland County Penna and since the Revolutionary War I lived in the County of Washington Pa and in the County of Beaver in the state of Penna and I now live in Wayne County in the state of Ohio where I have resided for five years past.
4th How were you called into the service were you drafted. Did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute, for whom?
Ans. I entered the service as a drafted militia man and also as a volunteer as I have above stated and I served for a period of eighteen months as a private solder as I have above mentioned
Page 18

5th State whether you ever received a written discharge from Officers
Ans. I never received any written discharge from the service
6th Did you ever receive a commission
Ans. I never received any commission but served one year and six months as a private soldier as above set forth-
7th State the names of the officers who served with you during the time you served
Ans. I served under "Capt. Lusk", "Major Smith" , "Col. Davis", "Capt McLaughlin", "General Conway" and "Col Patten"
8th State the names of some persons in your present neighborhood who can testify to your character for truth and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolutionary War
Page 20

Mr Joseph S. Wylee a clergyman residing in the county of Wayne in the state of Ohio and Jos McCombs, J. G. Bedford citizens of said county of Wayne in the state of Ohio Do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Reed who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty eight years of age. That he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier and that we concur in that opinio--

Sworn to and subscribed before   }
me this 10th day of                        }
September 1834                            }
E. Ingmand [SEAL]
Justice of the Peace

Joseph S Wylee [signature]
Joseph McCombs [signature]
J G Bedford [signature]

And the said Court do hereby certify that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that it is their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solder and served as he states and the said Court do further certify that it appears to them that Joseph S. Wylee who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman of Wayne county in the
Page 22

November 4, 1937
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
JOHN REED [initialed]
R. 8660
BA-J/MLB

Mr. John G. Aten, Jr.
Point Pleasant
West Virginia

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of John Reed who served in the Revolutionary War from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension or bounty land found, identical with your description of the John Reed whose record you desire; however, one record only, has been found of a soldier of that name from Cumberland County Pennsylvania, which is furnished you herein, without charge, as it may prove of  interest to you in your research.  The data which follow were obtained from pension claim, R. 8660, based upon service of John Reed in the Revolutionary War.

John Reed was born in 1746 in Ireland or in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, or in January 1751, in County Antrim, Ireland (both dates are places of birth given by the soldier).  The names of his parents were not stated, nor was it shown when he came to this country.

While residing in Green township, with post office at Beaver, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, John Reed with age stated as eighty two years, applied for pension September 3, 1833 and alleged that while living in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in June, 1776, marched from Carlisle and served three months as private in Captain  Alexander McLaughlin's Pennsylvania company as a guard over wagons loaded with provisions for the army; that he enlisted again September 1, 1775 and served four months as a private in Captain David Lusk's company, Colonel Davis; Pennsylvania regiment; that he served the month of January, 1777 as a private in Captain McLaughlin's company,  Colonel Patton's Pennsylvania regiment; that he enlisted in June, 1777, and that he served six months as private in Captain Lusk's company, Colonel Blair's Pennsylvania regiment.  He stated that two of his brothers-in-law Robert McBride and William Ewing, served on this tour with him, but did not state
Page 23

the names of their wives; that he volunteered in June, 1778 and served four months as a private in Captain Lusk's Pennsylvania company.  He stated that during his service he was in the battle of Brunswick, New Jersey, and that after the battle he had charge of a wagon loaded with baggage and wounded and dying American soldiers, and that he was in an engagement, also, at Short Hills.

John Reed's claim for pension was not allowed as he did not furnish proof of six months' service in accordance with the requirements of the pension law.

After the Revolution, the soldier lived in Washington and Beaver Counties, Pennsylvania, then in Plain Township, Wayne County, Ohio, which was his place of residence in September, 1834.

No reference was made in soldier's claim to wife or children, and the date of his death is not on file.

Very truly yours,

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

3-871
Record Division 
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions

Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No. ____________
Certificate No. ________________
Wife Margaret Blythe
Claimant _________________________
Soldier: John Reed
Service:  Capt.  Pa.
Additional Service: Rev. War
of Cumberland Co., Pa.
No _____ claim, State records _____, 190__
No Claim, combination records _____, 190__

REMARKS:
No claim except [illegible]  #25391 {Born 1754 Northampton Co., Pa.  Res. 1832. Rank private & Lieutenant, died in 1835-}
Rej. #8660
Page 25

[writing on page is very faded]

In reply to your request of ------, received -------for a statement of the military history of John Reed 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.

[first column]
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
March 76
Sept 1, 76
Janry 77
June 77
June 78

[second column]
Length of Service
3 months
4 months
1 month
6 months
4 months

[third column]
Rank.
Pri.
"
"
"
"
[fourth & fifth columns]
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain
Alexander McLaughlin
David Jacobs
McLaughlin
Tusk
Luck
Colonel
[checkmark - McLaughlin]
Davis
Patterson
Blair
Major Smith

Battles engaged in, Brunswick-
Residence of Soldier at enlistment, Cumberland Co. Pa - Plain Twp.
Wayne Co. Ohio in 1834
Date of application for pension, Sept 3, 1833.
Residence at date of application, Green Twp. Beaver Co. Pa.
Age at date of application, Born in Janry 1751, in Aberdine, Ireland
Remarks:  This claim was not allowed for the reason that it was never completed.
Page 26

[left-hand side of page]

1909 Feby. 19. Hist to Mrs. M. L. Mench &c
1937 Nov. 4. Hist to Jno G. Aten, Jr. - MLB

[right-hand side of page]

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.

REJECTED

8660
P. O. John Reed
Service:
Printed Last of 1852 Rejected &
suspended claims show following
cause of rejection
Enlisted: -------------, 18  .
"He did not serve 6 months  in person."
Discharged: --------------, 18  .
Application filed: ------------, 18  .
Alleges: ------------------
-----------------------------
Re-enlisted: -------------------
[remarks too faded to read]
Attorney: ----------------
P. O. --------------------
--------Recognized.   ----------Contract.
--------Cert. of Dis.  Searched for-----, 18
Page 27

Ohio
[Penna crossed out]
John Reed
Rejected
Nov 11th 1833 [crossed out]
See Letter to clt--[may also be crossed out]

Act  of June
1832
--------------
8660
Page 28

[Letterhead]

JOHN G. ATEN, Clerk
GEORGE W. RIFFLE, Deputy
NELLIE M. ATEN, Deputy
EMMA H. BURNSIDE, Stenographer

COUNTY COURT OF MASON COUNTY

THE COURT
F. E. WINDON, President
Point Pleasant, W. Va.
J. E. HUNTER
Ashton, W. Va.
DORSEL E. WEDGE
Cottageville, W. Va.

WEST VIRGINIA
*
POINT PLEASANT, WEST VIRGINIA

REGULAR MEETINGS - Each Monday Except Holidays
*
LEVY TERM - Second and Fourth Tuesdays in August

[stamp]
RECEIVED
NOV 5 1837
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM
[illegible] 35
[stamped is circled by numbers 1-14]

November 3rd, 1937.

Mr. W. C. Black,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
IN REPLY REFER TO:  BA--G [underlined]

Sometime ago I wrote to your department in regard to some information regarding, one John Reed, Revolutionary Soldier.

I am wondering if you have your investigation  completed in this case.

I shall appreciate any effort you may put forth to furnish me this information.

Awaiting your pleasure, I am,

Yours very truly,
John G. Aten, Jr. [signature]
John G. Aten, Jr.
[note in handwriting:  It had been sent]
Page 30

M. L. MENCH, M. D.
JERSEY SHORE PA.

[Rev written in pencil at left]
[initials at right]

Feb 3rd 1909.

Have you any record of John Reed of Cumberland Co Penna serving in the Revolutionary War?  He was captain of the Paxton Boys and his wife was Margaret Blythe [blank space] & of John or "Jack" Glover of Winchester Virginia serving in the same struggle he is said to have been at Yorktown and his wife was Sophia Duncan Any information on this subject would be gratefully received by
Mrs. M. L. Mench

[two stamps]
PENSION OFFICE
FEB
5 1909
U S
PENSION OFFICE
A
FEB 
4
1909
Page 31

[PAGE APPEARS TO BE BLANK or too faded to read]
Page 32

Rec "22" apl 1834

[two stamps]
[first stamp too faded to read in its entirety]
21 April [rest is illegible]

[second stamp]
CITY OF WASHINGTON
NOV
13

J. L. Edwards
Mr. John Reed
Beaver Co.
Pa.
Page 34

and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Ans.  The Rev. George Scott and Joseph McFerran Esqr.
Sworn in open court
3 Sept. 1833
James Logan [signature]

John Reed [signature]

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the mater 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 Rev. George Scott who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Beaver County & that Joseph McFerran, Esqr who has also signed a certificate is also a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit--

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and the the [sic] seal 
of said Court the day & year aforesaid.
James Logan Pro [signature]
[seal]
Page 35

Answers to Interrogatories
Int 1. Where and in what year were you born
Ans. I was born in Ireland County Antrim January 1751
Int 2. Have you any record of your age
Ans. I have none
Int. 3 Where were you living when called into service. Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live
Ans. I was living in Cumberland County Pa when called into service. I have resided in State of Pa since Revolutionary war. I now live in Green Township Beaver County Penna
Int 4. How were you called into service. Were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute
Ans. I was drafted
Int 5.  State the name of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served. Such Continental area militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
Ans. General Conway Colonel Hartty 
Capt William Swansey
Int 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Ans. I received a discharge but cannot now recollect by whom given. It was lost by the burning of my house
Int 7  State the name of persons to whom you are know in your present neighbourhood [sic]
Page 36

[this page is a repeat of page 34]

And who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Ans.  The Reverend George Scott and Joseph McFerran Esqr.

John Reed [signature]
Sworn in open court
3 Sept. 1833
James Logan Pro [signature]

And the 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 Revd. George Scott who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Beaver County & that Joseph McFerran Esqr who has also signed a certificate is also a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit--

In testimony  whereof I have herekunto
set my hand and the the [sic] of said Coiurt the day & year aforesaid.
James Logan Pro [signature]
[seal]
Page 37

27711
Declaration of John Reed [underlined] in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June of 1832

State of Pennsylvania }
Beaver County SS       }

On this [day left blank] day of September 1833 Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of this Court of Common Pleas now sitting John Reed a resident of Green Township, Beaver County & State of Pennsylvania aged eighty two years 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 June of 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, Captain Alexander Laughlin in or about 20 1776 by draft but hired a substitute who served the tour two months
In November following I was drafted again Captain Laughlins company, and was detailed with the waggon [sic] services by Major Smith and Captain Postlewait.  I put the five months service at this time driving my team for the use of the army.  When drafted I was a resident of Cumberland County Pennsylvania and performed the provincial part of the service in the State of Jersey.  I concluded my service in hauling a load of cannon balls from Philadelphia to Downingtown Pa. care of Colonel Gibbons and was there discharged in the spring of 1777.  Cannot now recollect by whom-my  discharge being lost.  I hereby relinquish all claims whatever to a pension