Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,505, for Edward Pendergast, Pennsylvania
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(3 -- 1776)
SERVICE
Penn.
Pendergast, Edward
NUMBER
S. 16,505
carded
CONTENTS
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13862
Indiana
Edward Pendergast of Ripley County in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Pontlewill of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Pennsylvania line for 1 year.
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 40 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of June 1833 and sent to S S Harding, Versailles.
Arrears to the 4th of March $80
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept $20
$100
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Danl. Boyd, Clerk
Book E Vol. 9 Page 124
See letter May 27, 1843 to Gen. Geo. Gibson
Date of death [illegible]
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4721.
Edward Pendergast
Ripley 60, Indiana
from 1779 private 1 year
$40
11, 12, 13, 14
Int: all-
Capt. Postlewill, Pa.
(Page 76.)
See letter Nov 20 1832
S. S. Harding
Versailles
Indiana
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4721
Brief in the case of Edward Pendergast of Ripley County in the State of Indiana.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3. How old is he? 67 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period | Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Enlisted In 1779 | 1 year | Private | Major Wilson, Capt. Saml. Postlewit, Lieutenant Holmes, Pennsylvania Line
5. In what battles was he engaged? [blank]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? [blank]
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [blank]
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.
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State of Indiana
Ripley County, SS.
On this 23d day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before the Judges of the Ripley Circuit, Edward Pendergast, a resident of the County of Ripley and State of Indiana and 67 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1779 with one Thomas Brown, a recruiting sergeant, and served in the 1st Regiment not now remembered of the Pennsylvania Line under the following named officers, to wit, Major Wilson, Captain Samuel Postlewit and Lieutenant Holmes, that he served but one term of enlistment for one year. He resided at the time he enlisted in the Town of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. That he was stationed at the barracks near Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn. That after his term of enlistment expired, he got a discharge from Capt. Postlewit. That the same has long since been mislaid or discarded. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Edward Pendergast
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above-named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
M. C. Eggleston, President Judge [seal]
A. H. Reed, Associate Judge [seal]
R.W. Todd, Associate Judge [seal]
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I, Daniel P. Shook, Clerk of the Ripley Circuit Court, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Edward Pendergast for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 23d day of August A.D. 1832.
David P. Shook, Clerk
Ripley County Probate Court
February Term 1833, SS.
That he has no written or documentary evidence, and that he knows of but  two persons (see affidavits accompanying this declaration and which are made part of this amendment) living that can testify to his services as a Revolutionary soldier.
Subscribed and sworn to this 11 day of February 1833
Edward Pendergast
We, Meshach Hyatt, a Clergyman residing in the County of Ripley and state of Indiana and R Harding, residing in the same County and State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Edward Pendergast who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be aged sixty seven years; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood  where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Meshach Hyatt
R Harding
And the said Probate Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories (which will be found below) prescribed by the war Department, that the above-named Edward Pendergast (who has made his amendment to his former declaration) was a Revolutionary soldier and
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served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Meshach Hyatt, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the County of Ripley and State of Indiana, and that R. Harding, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same County and State and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. B. Hukice, P. Judge [seal]
Answers to the Questions prescribed by the War Department, made by the said Declarant in open Court.
Answer to question 1st: I was born in Winchester, Virginia, in the year 1765. 
Answer to question 2: I have no record of my age, only speak from what I have heard my Parents say in their lifetime.
Answer to Question 3rd: I was living in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania since the Revolution. I have resided in Baltimore, Maryland, and then again I resided for some time in Pennsylvania, from thence I removed to the State of Kentucky where I resided for near twenty years when I removed to the County of Ripley in the State of Indiana, where I now reside.
Answer to 4th question: I was enlisted in the service.
Answer to 5th question: I can remember Major Wilson, and Capt. Postlewit who commanded the company in which I served. I can also remember Sergeant Huston. The general circumstances of my service are stated within.
Answer to question 6: I had a written discharge from Captain Postlewit. What has become of the discharge? I do not know but suppose it has been lost long since. 
Answer to Question 7th: As for the character which I have for truth and veracity, inquire of David P. Shook, Col. Hunter, Col. Thos. Smith, Martin S. Gray, Esquire, Col. Joseph Robinson and all who know me.
This applicant refers the department particularly to the Hon. Robert McCoy as to the character of the person whose affidavits are herewith sent. (Mr. McCoy from Pennsylvania in [illegible] is the person refers to.
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I, David P. Shook, Clerk of the Ripley Probate Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the amendment to the original proceedings of Edward Pendergast for a pension, which amendment was made in open Court before the Honorable Henry B. Hukill, Probate Judge of said Court in the County of Ripley and State of Indiana, that the 7 interrogatories prescribed by the War Department are answered by the said Declarant in open Court. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this [blank] day of February A.D. 1833.
David P. Shook, Clerk
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July 2, 1934
Edward Pendergast - S.16505
BA-J/AWF
The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Edward Pendergast, who died in the year 1843 in Ripley County, Indiana. With your request was enclosed the application (original) for Headstone for Edward Pendergast, which is returned herewith. There was no correspondence attached.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 16505, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Edward Pendergast.
He was born in the year, 1765 in Winchester, Virginia; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Edward Pendergast enlisted in 1779, served one year in Captain Samuel Postlethwaite's company, under Major Wilson, with the Pennsylvania troops, was stationed at the Barracks near Carlisle.
After the Revolution Edward Pendergast moved to Baltimore, Maryland, returned to Pennsylvania and lived a short while, when he moved to Kentucky and from there, moved to Ripley County, Indiana. He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, then living in Ripley County, Indiana.
Edward Pendergast
Edward Pendergrass, as his signature appears in the claim, nephew of the soldier, Edward Pendergast (as he signed), gave as his postoffice address, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, December 31, 1832, and then stated that Law-
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rence, brother of the soldier, Edward Pendergast, had been dead about fourteen years, and on that same date, Sidney, widow of Lawrence Pendergast, testified in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, as did Robert Quigley, nephew of the soldier.
The soldier's family is referred to, but name of wife and children are not stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Edward Pendergast which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes and has a device
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No. See amendment.
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Not on Roll
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? [blank]
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? No, see amendment.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ______ year _______ months, and ______ days, I served as a __________ for _______ months and _______ days, I served as a ________; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
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 objectionable. 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 prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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To what time was Edward Pendergast of Indiana, act 1832, last paid?
J. L. Edwards
Paid to 4th March 1843
B.B.
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Versailles
Feb 12th
Mail
The Honorable, The Secretary of War
Washington City
District of Columbia
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2 New Case to numbered and indexed
when taken up-
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Versailles, Indiana
Feby 11th 1833
Dear Sir,
You will perceive that the papers herein enclosed had once (two exceptions) been under the inspection of the War Department and were sent back in consequence of defects, etc. I have endeavored as near as possible to be guided by the instructions which the department was pleased to furnish me so kindly. And I flatter myself that they will [illegible] without further delay. You will please direct your communications as [illegible] at Versailles, Ripley County, Ind.
Yours &c
S. H. Harding
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Request for War of the Revolution record for Edward Pendergast - Pa. Served and died in 1843 in Ripley County, Indiana. Furnished July 2, 1834 application for headstone [illegible]
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WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON
JUN 20 1934
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 office 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 JUN 22 1934]
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16505
INVALID.
File No. 16.505
Edward Pendergast
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: Vol. 1 Page 294
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1934 - July 2 - History to [illegible]
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25
Mr. Ed. Pendergrass or Mr. Harding, Esq.
Versailles, Indiana
[Stamp: Carlisle, Penna. Jan 1]
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Carlisle, Dec 31, 1832
Mr. Edward Pendergrass
I Received your Letter sent by Mr. Harding and hasten to give you the best information and testimony I know in the case. The two Gentleman to whom the Letter is addressed is both dead. Your Brother Lawrence Pendergrass has been dead for fourteen years past. Our family generally are well.
Remain your loving Nephew
Edward Pendergrass
State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County, SS.
Before me the Subscriber, one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County, personally appeared Sidney Pendergrass, widow of Lawrence Pendergrass, and Mary [illegible] of lawful age, who being first duly sworn according to law, depose and say that they were acquainted with one Edward Pendergrass who as these deponents believe and understand is an applicant for a pension under the law of 1832. Prior to and during the Revolutionary war, that said Edward Pendergrass entered the service of the United States sometime in the year 1779 in a company of men attached to the Pennsylvania line and served under Major Wilson and Capt. Samuel Postelwait at the Carlisle Barracks in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. That said Edward Pendergrass left the service sometime in the year 1780. That said Edward Pendergrass was regularly discharged from the [illegible] and further deponents says not.
Sidney Pendergrass [her mark]
Mary Quigley [her mark]
Sworn and subscribed this 31st day of December AD 1832 before me.
Isaac Todd
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And further the said Justice hereby certifies that the said Sidney Pendergrass and Mary Quigley are persons of truth and veracity and entitled to credit.
Isaac Todd [seal]
Cumberland County
State of Pennsylvania, SS.
I, John Harper, Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of Cumberland
County in the State aforesaid do certify that Isaac Todd is a Justice of the peace as aforesaid and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Carlisle in the County aforesaid this thirty first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
For John Harper, Prothonotary
John Mains
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Dear Sir,
I [illegible] a few remarks in reference to your case the signatures of Sidney Pendergrass and Mary Quigley are procured and sent on to you in regular form and with all possible dispatch. Both the persons named above are well known by our representative in Congress from this District (namely Hon. Robert McCoy) who is acquainted with both families personally. You will do well, therefore, to refer your congressman to the said Robert McCoy as I am fully persuaded he will use his influence in your case in Congress. I should be happy if you would please to inform us occasionally of your health and that of your family. Our young people are fond of hearing occasionally from their friends. Please to write to us as soon as possible and particularly after you set this business settled. I remain your nephew,
Robert Quigley