Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,673, for James Karr, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE   Penn.
Karr, James
NUMBER   S.2673
carded
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4648 
Pittsburgh Agency 
James Karr 
of   in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hays of the Regt commanded by – in the Penna line for  10 months and 3 days Private   $33.65   
Inscribed on the roll of Pittsburg Agency at the rate of 33 dollars 65 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of January 1833 
and Sent to Hon. T. M. S. McKennan. House Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832  $50.47 
Semi-anal allowance ending 4 Mar 1833   16.82 
$67.29 
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}    
Recorded by Vinal Luce, Clerk 
Book D Vol. 21 Page 176 
Letter to C. M. Reed   2 Decr ‘37
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No. 18938
James Karr
Susp 6 Dec '32
Obj. 11,12,13,1b
Hon. T. M. S. McKennan
House of Reps
10 mo. 3 days
$33.65
P 135.
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Brief in the case of James Karr of Washington Co. in the State of Pennsylvania 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 78 years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.  In 1776, July 1  Duration of Service.   6 Months 15 Days   Rank.   As a Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt Hays, Lt. Clark, Volunteer 
Period.  1777 July 8    Duration of Service.   10 days  Rank.  Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt. W. Ker  Volunteer
Period.  Next day after the preceding tour   Duration of Service. 3 Months  8 Days  Rank.  Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt Robeson, Lt. Scott Volunteer
5. In what battles was he engaged? Long Island, Westchester , Kingsbridge, Brandywine, Germantown 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lancaster Co. Pa  
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?   traditionary evidence,   No Clergyman    
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? – Not properly attached.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
D. Brown 
Examining Clerk.
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James Karr
18938
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I was always a volunteer in the several expeditions in which I was engaged. I cannot recollect the names of any of the other officers besides those already mentioned, except Col Lawrie of the Militia of Lancaster County, and Col Watson, also from Lancaster County - These Gentlemen commanded Regiments & were themselves under commanded of Genl James Erving of York County Penn. This was in the year 1777, but when I was out in 1776 there was a Gen. Robardan who commanded a part of the Penna Militia, but from what county came I do not know I never received any written discharge - To establish my character as a man of truth, and the general belief that I was a soldier of the revolution I would refer to the following gentlemen, viz. John Urie, Jesse McKibbin, Matthew Linn Esq,, James Karr Esq - I have been a member of Mr Millers congregation ever since I have been in the County except four years that I belonged to the Pidgeon cout congregation-- I should have been glad to have availed myself of the testimony Mr W. Millis, but the old gentleman has become so frail that he is unable to come to court, and I am constrained to call upon another, who however has known me long and well-    
The applicant hereby relinquishes 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. 
James Karr
Sworn in open Court Oct. 12.1832. 
Thomas Officer Pa 
We John Urie and Matthew Linn residing in North Straban township Washington County, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Kerr of the same township, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy eight years and five months old; 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 
Sworn & subscribed in open Court & Oct 12 1832 
John Urie 
Mathew Linn
Thomas Officer Pro
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories presented by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - And the Court further certify that it appears to them that John Urie Esq and Matthew Linn Esq. both resident in North Strabane township, Washington County, aforesaid, are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit 
I, Thomas Officer, Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Washington aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Karr for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my my Lord and seal of office this 12th day of October A.D. 1832. Thomas Officer, Prothy – 
Amendment to the aforegoing declaration 
Washington County 
Pennsylvania Sct }  Personally before me one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the peace in and for the County of Washington aforesaid, came James Karr, the above applicant for a pension, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can secure, who can testify to his service. And further this deponent with not. Sworn and subscribed before me this 8th day of January A.D. 1832. 
James Karr
John Wilson 
Washington County ss. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
I Thomas Officer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that John Wilson Esq. before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time and now is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given, Given under my hand and seal of office at Washington Jany 8. 1833.   
Thomas Officer Prothonotary
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832 – 
Washington County
 Pennsylvania Sct}  
On this twelfth day of October, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Washington in the State of Pennsylvania, James Karr a resident of North Straban township, in the same County, aged seventy eight years and five months, 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, and served as herein States. 1. That upon a call or request of the Committee of safety of Pennsylvania for each rotation of Militia to furnish a company of Volunteers, he, the said applicant who was then residing in Dongall township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, entered the service as a volunteer, on the 1st day of July A.D. 1776 - The battalion rendesvoused at Elizabeth town in the township and County aforesaid, on that day, and a company of volunteers was formed, and proceeded immediately elect their officers, which resulted in the choice of William Hays as Captain Robert Clarke as first Lieutenant, and William Patterson Second Lieutenant The company then marched to the town (now city) of Lancaster, where it lay for the space of two weeks awaiting the arrival of other companies, but none coming within that time, it was marched to Philadelphia where it lay eight days, and was joined by two companies from other Regiment or Battalion one commanded by Captain Craig and the other by Captain Clauts. The three companies then marched through Trenton in New Jersey to Amboy where they lay about ten days, and were there joined by three companies more-- The six companies then
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were formed into a Batalion, and elected Captain Wm Hays, Major, upon which Lieutenant Clarke was chosen Captain in his own, William Patterson was chosen first Lieutenant and Patrick Hays was chosen second Lieutenant - The Batalion then marched from Amboy to New York, and the day following crossed into Long Island, where they were placed on Picket guard and had almost daily skirmishes for seven eight days till the day of the battle of Long Island that he was engaged in that battle from the beginning to the end thereof, and underwent the most severe and arduous duty-- having in the Canon of the day, between the part where they were stationed in the mooring and the Flatbush road, encountered and fought five or six different detachments of the enemy.  After the battle the of Long Island the battalion, which had been there under the command of Col Hart or Ham, who was commander of a Regiment of Pennsylvania Light forty or Riflemen, were joined by two other Regiments of the Pennsylvania line, and the whole marched under the command of Col Hart to West Chester.  At West Chester there was another very severe engagement, in which he was also engaged; and the next morning met the enemy again at the head of the north & prevented them from crossing the stream upon a temporary bridge which they had erected - Upon this last occasion the enemy did not return and fire. He was also engaged in the action of Kings bridge which took place perhaps about ten days after that at West Chester. After the battle of Kings bridge the station which had been united with some drafted men & formed a regiment under Col Cunningham & Lt. Col Hays (our former Major) was marched back to a place called Pittskilns for the purpose of obtaining some rest &c. They did not remain at Pittskilns more than four days, when Col Hart arrived with the balance of his command & marched us to Fort Lee and from thence to Hackensack, with the intention of going to Brunswick, from where we were to be sent to Philadelphia
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to be discharged as our tour of service which was five months had nearly expired. At Hackensack Gen Putnam overtook us and ordered us back to the same of action as affairs were in a very trying and perilous situation, but Col Hart refused & in consequence a quarrel ensued between the two officers which ran so high that they drew their swords upon one another – They parted however without fighting and Genl Putnam went back to Join Gen. Washington; but after he was gone Col Hart addressed the men and purposed to them to volunteer and go back, stating that he had no right to order them, but if they would or he would lead them as he had done before. Upon this appear to us by our commanded the greater part of the men did volunteer to go back, and this applicant did go back and served one month and one half beyond his first term of service, making six months and one half for this tour of duty. From Hackensack we marched back to Fort Lee where we again with the enemy who were advancing upon Fort Lee, but retired upon receiving our fire and went to Fort Washington which they had taken previously - We then marched on in the rear of the American army and the next day met the enemy about six miles above Fort Lee & had a pretty severe action - We then marched on having repeated skirmishes with the enemy till we come to Brunswick, where we made a stand till our army had crossed the river, when we followed, and the pursuit crossed.  We were then marched to Philadelphia and from there to Lancaster where we were discharged - This applicant was discharged at Lancaster Mary the 15th day of January 1777 
2. The applicant volunteered a second time on the 18th of July 1777 at the town Andersons ferry in Lancaster County, under Captain James McKee, for the purpose of escorting a body of prisoners to Fredrick town in Maryland, these prisoners were escorted thus for by the Philadelphia Militia, and we took them the balance of the way to Fredricks town - We were employed in this service about two
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days. 
3. His third tour of duty commenced the next day after his return from Frederick. He went to Lancaster & joined a company of volunteers under the command of Captain Thomas Robeson, 1st Lt James Scott, 2nd Lt. Matthew Hays he marched to Philadelphia where we were joined by five more companies & proceeded to Wilmington & were there attached to Gen. Waynes brigade. We then made to report, from whence I was sent in a detachment up Christeen creek to suppress the Tories - when our return we marched to Brandywine & the next day was spent in the battle of Brandywine - After the battle and division was marched to Paoli, where we expected to have or engagement at the rain prevented it, our company however had a short skirmish with the Hessians after the body of our troops were come. That some might the affair of the Paoli took place; we were about two miles off, near French Creek - After this we attempted to cross the Schuylkill but it was high & we had considerable difficulty, but after marching & countermanding to avoid being caught on the river by the enemy, we succeeded in crossing & then marched to Perhioming creek, where we encamped by till about four days before the battle of Germantown, when Gen. Wayne marched us to Germantown where we were engaged in the battle. We then went back to Perkioming where we encamped again and remained about a month and marched back Lancaster where we were discharged. This tour of duty was three months and eight days. I cannot recollect the precise day of the commencement or end of this tour of duty but it commenced in July and ended in October 1777 -  My different tours of service amount in all to a little more than ten months. – 
I was born in Donegal township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on the 22d day of April A.D. 1754 - I have a copy of the record in my fathers family bible in my own bible which I here produce in court. The original is in the possession of one of my nieces down the river Ohio,   I continued to reside in Lancaster County till about thirty years ago when I came to Washington County where I have remained ever since
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June 21, 1932 
BA-J/MCS 
James Karr 
S.2673
Mrs. M. F. Manville   
118 W. 16th Street 
Ada, Oklahoma 
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request data relative to James Karr, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. 
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 2673, based upon the Revolutionary War service of James Karr. 
He was born April 22, 1754 in Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 
While living there he enlisted and served as private with the Pennsylvania troops, as follows: From July 1, 1778 until January 15, 1777 in Captain William Hays' and Captain Robert Clarke's companies under Colonels Cunningham and Hand, and was in the battle of Long Island and engagements at West Chester, Kings Bridge and Fort Lee, from July 8, 1777 about ten days under Captain James McKee and was engaged in escorting prisoners to Frederick, Maryland; from sometime in July, 1777, three months and eight days in Captain Thomas Robison's company. He was in the battle of Brandywine, in a skirmish with the Hessians near Paoli, and in the battle of Germantown. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 12, 1832, then a resident of North Strabane Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he had moved about thirty years prior to that time. 
There are no data relative wife and children. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section 
MCS/HMM 
October 14, 1929.
Mr. William M. Pettit 
904 American Savings Building 
Dayton Ohio
Dear Sir: 
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 2673, it appears that James Karr was born April 22, 1754 in Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.     
While living there he enlisted and served as a private with the Pennsylvania Troops as follows:    
From July 1, 1776 until January 15, 1777 in Captains William Hays' and Robert Clarke's Companies under Colonels Cunningham and Hand, and was in the battle of Long Island and engagements at West Chester, Kings Bridge and Fort Lee; from July 8, 1777 about ten days under Captain James McKee and was engaged in escorting prisoners to Frederick, Maryland; from some time in July 1777 three months and eight days in Captain Thomas Robison's Company. He was in the battle of Brandywine and was in a skirmish with the Hessians near Paoli, and was in the battle of Germantown.    
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 12, 1832, at which time he was living in North Strabane Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he had moved about thirty
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years prior to that time.
There are no data relative to wife and children.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
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GAR, 5911 
WILLIAM M. PETTIT 
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW 
204 AMERICAN SAVINGS BLDG. 
DAYTON, OHIO 
NOTARY PUBLIC 
August 7, 1929. 
Department of the Interior, 
Division of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Mr. Commissioner: 
I would like to inquire as to a Revolutionary War Pensioner, service from Washington Co. Penna, referred to in Penna. Archives as follows:
James Karr, pr. P. L. Washington Co. Jan. 25, 1831. Age 79. 
I am looking for a James Carr, who was a resident of Western Penna, after the Revolution, and who probably lived at Waterford, now Erie Co. Alexander McElroy md. his daughter, Mary, who had a brother, James Carr, Jr. 
It is probable that spelling name with a "K" does not mean much, Alex. McElroy was naturalized at Meadville, Pa. in 1802, while my grandmother, his daughter, was born 1803. He came to America in 1795. In his will in 1830 after coming to Ohio in 1815 he devises two tracts of land in Erie Co. which he owned jointly with James Carr, junior, Records in Erie Co. burned about 1821 - 22 with court house, 
Yours truly,
Wm M Pettit
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
AUG 9 1929
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Cole Esq
Washington D. C.
May 15th 1837
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True
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Rev War  2673
INVALID. 
File No. 2673 
James Karr 
Privt Rev War 
Act: June 7. 1832 
Index: -- Vol. A Page 200
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1929 Oct 14 hist to Wm. M. Pettit 
1932 - June 21. Hist to Mrs. F. Manville - See her letter in  James Draper W.3786 EWF
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WASHINGTON
NOV 28
Dec
Mr. Evans
FREE
Hon J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Washington P Nov 28. 1837 
J.L. Edwards Esq
Dr Sir: 
Mr James Karr of this County a Revolutionary pensioner has lost or mislaid his certificate which cannot be found The old man is very feeble in body & mind & is unable to travel & for want of this paper cannot claim his pension due September last.   
Will you have the goodness to inform in the the necessary to get another as this is his only means of support & he is a most excellent worthy man.   
The old man has no recollection of what he did with his certificate In July last he had the power of Atty drawn on when he got his pension to March 
With great respect 
I am Sir 
Your Svt
C M Reed
The amt was 33$ & some cents - Please inform me the precise amt of his yearly pension