Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2180, for John Shields, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE
Penn
Shields, John.
Elizabeth.
W. 2180
B.L.Wt. 28513-160-55
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159876 
Act Mar 31 / 53 June 5th 
Elizabeth Shields, widow of 
John Shields (Soldier) Capt. Col. Pri   
M 28513 iss. May 28/56  
 Ent Dis 
Revolutionary Pension 
Penn :e;u 53 = 2331
AW:  160 ac May 26/56
Boynton
M
Wm. Hunt
Present
Wm Hunt Apl 7/56 
Vol S 1. page 80
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Pennsylvania 25.981. 
John Shields 
Of Indiana Ct. in the State of Penna
who was a Pr in the Compy commanded by Captain Clark of the Regt commanded by  in the Penna line for Militia  1 Yr 6  Mo Pr $60.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Penna at the rate of 60 Dollars – Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Feby 1834 and sent to Thos White, Indiana Pa.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 150.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar ‘34   30.00 
$180.00    
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk,
Book C  Vol  5 Page 54
See letter 12 Augt 34 to W. F. Johnston ditto 1 Sept 1834 ditto 22 Sep 34
Dead.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 Sept to 26 Oct 1840.  Agt Notified 10 Nov 1841.
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2331 
Pennsylvania 
Elizabeth Shields 
widow of John Shields who served in the Revolutionary war as a private. Penn Line 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate Dollars 60 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853. 
Certificate of Pension issued day of October 1853 and sent to Wm Hunt Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under February 3, 1853, Page 110 Vol A
Jany 25 – [unreadable] Penna Agt
Regr 6 m 66 - 169876
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application of John Shields for a Pension. 
Adm 1. yr and 6. Months 
Thomas White Indiana Pa
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State of Pennsylvania 
Indiana County } Sct  
On this twenty third day of September AD 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Indiana County now sitting John Shields a resident of Washington Township in the County of Indiana and State of Pennsylvania aged about seventy four years and upwards who being first duly sworn according and doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated   
That in the year 1776 he resided with his fathers family in Tobine [Toboyne] Township in what was then Cumberland County Pennsylvania That in the first week of the month of July in said year he volunteered in a company of volunteers commanded by Captain Thomas Clark the first Lieutenant was Samuel Ross Second Lieutenant James Fisher Ensign Joseph Sharp, the said Company rendezvoued at Carlisle Cumberland County & Deponent marched in the said Company through Lancaster to Philadelphia where the company was detained a few days and there put on board a shallop & sailed up the Delaware to Trenton New Jersey where they desembarked and marched through Princeton & Brunswick & Amboy where the company stay one night & then marched to little town called Bargaintown near Paulus Hook about two miles above New York on the opposite line of the river. And the Company was then attached to a regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers the names of the field officers of which Deponent cannot recollect as they were from a different section of the State - that the battle of Long Island took place on the day that Captain Clark's company arrived at Bargaintown & that evening Deponent with some others ascended into a Church Steeple and from there could see the fires left by the American Army & the fires of the British beyond - & the next morning the Troops then at Bargaintown were marched down to Paulus Hook & there joined a body of New England volunteers and while the deponent saw the Roebuck & another British vessel of war with two tender ascend the North River and in the way up they battered down the
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ferry house (a long brick building) at Paulus Hook while marching from Bargaintown to Paulus Hook deponent understood that they were on the way to join General Washington but when they reached the Hook he understood that the American army had evacuated [unreadable] while the detachment lay at Paulus Hook the United States were beating amongst them for volunteers for the flying camp. And Deponent was deterred from joining them by hearing that the force was being back in the camp - towards the latter end of September Captain Clarks company with which deponent continued marched through Newark Brunswick & Princeton & Trenton  where they embarked in another shallop & went down the River to Philadelphia where they lay sometime waiting for their pay & then returned to Carlisle where the company was dismissed deponent having been out in the tour three months and five days  - deponent did not ask nor received a written discharge that in the month of October 1777 deponent went as substitute for his father in a company of Militia commanded by Captain William Blaine, James Blaine was Lieutenant Joseph Sharp Ensign (a cousin of Ensign Sharp mentioned above), the company rendezvous at Carlisle Cumberland County & marched through Lancaster & part of Chester County until they got need the Gulf [Gulph] Mills on the Schuylkill where the company joined Genl Potters Brigade and was attached to a battalion commanded by Major Brooks of Carlisle Deponent cannot be certain who was Colonel of the Regiment but thinks it was Colonel William Chambers who resided near Carlisle.  That Shortly after the regiment crossed to the east side of the Schuylkill on a floating bridge in sight of the Gulf Mills & encamped beside the river and next day marched to a place called by the Soldiers Featherbed hill to meet the enemy – and en route the Scouts had several Skirmishes with the foraging parties of the enemy upon learning that the enemy had situated their regiment was marched & the Schuylkill above the Gulf Mills & crossed in a bridge of waggons made by placing one waggon before another & laying rails across there was at this time a considerable body of troops with the regiment & they encamped near the river & the next day deponent was detailed on a scouting party commanded by Major Brooks to watch the foraging parties of the enemy and while out on scout they came within sight of a detachment of the enemy who were across a creek but not within reach of small arms & the detachment had a field piece which they discharged several times at the Scout
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and once when the shot was new Major Brook commanded the Scout to throw themselves on their bellies which they did & the shot struck a long Red oak tree poised above them on the hill & broke off one of the large branches. The Scout afterwards fell in with a foraging party of Hessians about fifty in number & engaged them killed several & look nine of them prisoners when the Scout was pursued by a detachment of the enemy which was out guarding the wood cutter & the Scout was obliged to retreat through the woods but succeeded in reaching the camp with the prisoners the skirmish of the gulf mills had taken place a few days previous to this & Deponent was engaged in said Skirmish while the troops were encamped near the [unreadable] deponent was marched with a detachment to the Brandywine Mills being away the flour which was there lodged & succeeded in taking away about twenty waggon lodes in pressed waggons which was done in the night & the detachment returned the next day & the British got the remainder of the flour as deponent was informed. Deponent continued to be engaged on scouting parties until discharged which took place in the latter end of December 1777.  Deponent having been out Two months & ten days on this tour as they were detained longer than the draft called in consequence of their waiting for the his draft to arrive - Deponent did not ask for nor receive a written discharge – 
That in the latter end of the month of April 1778 Deponent went as a substitute for a man named James Miller in a company of Militia commanded by Captain William Blaine. the Lieutenant he thinks was Robert Fowler & the Ensign he cannot recollect- The company under housed at Carlisle & marched to the American army near the White Marsh where they were attached to a regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Lyons of [unreadable] & the Ballation was commanded by Major Sanderson & the regiment was attached to Genl Potters brigade Deponent continued with the army and was detailed upon various scouting partie along the lines but had no Skirmish with the enemy & this shortly before or shortly after his tour was out he heard that the British had evacuated Philadelphia - when the time was out Deponent returned with the company to Carlisle & was then discharged but did receive any written discharge having served in the two months – 
That in the month of August 1779 upon hearing of the taking of Frichings fort a company of volunteers was raised in Cumberland County Penna commanded by Captain William Blaine, James Blaine was Lieutenant
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and one of the Sharp Ensign -  Deponent volunteered in this Company & they marched to the Warrior Spring above the Muncy hill in the west branch of the Susquehanna in pursuit of the British and Indians, where they met a company of volunteers which had been (as they said)  two days march beyond the heads of the Alleghany & they informed Blains company that the British & Indians were out of reach of pursuit & that they had to return as their provisions ran out-- Capt Blaine Company then returned as far as Northumberland & lay there sometime lest the Indians should return when the alarm having subsided the company returned to Millers ferry Juniata & was then dismissed when deponent returned home having been engaged five weeks in the making in the whole eight months & twenty days that he was engaged in the service during the revolutionary war.
That he has no documentary evidence to prove his service & that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to prove his services further than is contained in to affidavit of Samuel Sloan and Joshua McCracken hereto attached. that he refers to William Lucas Joshua Martin Esqr persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood & who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution but that he cannot procure the certificate of a clergyman as the Clergyman within whose county he resides has lately came to in the neighborhood & has had no opportunity of acquire a knowledge of his revolutionary services.   
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not in the pension roll of the agency of any State 
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year above written in open court}
John Shields his mark
R. B. McCabe
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Interrogatory first-- Where and in what year were you born? 
In amswer to the first interrogatory-- Deponent states. That he was born in Chester County Penn on the 11th day of August 1759 
Interrogatory 2 Have you any record of your age & if so where is it 
In answer to the second Interrogatory - Deponent states that he has no record of his age. that it was in his fathers bible which was given by his father to Deponent brother who died in the State of Ohio, where deponent suppose the bible remains 
Interrogatory 3d - Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live? 
In answer to the 3d Interrogatory, Deponent states that  when called into service deponent resided in Toboine [Toboyne] Township the Cumberland County Penn. That in the year 1780, he removed to the south side of Connaughtion in the County of Westmoreland and in 1789 he removed into that part of Westmoreland County which is now Indiana County where he has continued to reside ever since 
Interrogatory 4th How were you called into service when you drafted did you volunteer or were you a Substitute & if so for whom?  For the answer to this Interrogating Deponent refers to his preceding declaration for the manor of his entering the service in the several tours therein detailed
Interrogatory 5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such continental and militia regiment as you can recall & the general circumstances of your service. 
In answer to the 5th Interrogatory deponent states from the lapse of time & the failure of his memory he cannot recollect the names of other officer & regiments with whom he served other than those stated in his preceding declaration & refers to the same for the general circumstances of his service so far as he can recollect the same – 
Interrogatory 6th Did you receive a discharge from the service?  
In answer to the 6th Interogatory Deponent States that he never asked for no written discharge for the service nor did he ever receive a written discharge
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Interrogatory 7th State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your service as a soldier of the revolution 
In answer to the 7th Interrogatory deponent states that he refers to William Lucas Esq & Joshua Marline Esqr persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood of who can testify as to his character for truth & veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution – 
John Shields his mark
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court  this 23d day of September AD 1833 
R.B. McCabe Prot 
We William Lucas Esq. Joshua Marline Esq. hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Shields who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy four years of age 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 
Wm Lucas
Joshua Marline
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
R. B. McCabe Prot 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 William Lucas & John Marline Esquires are credible persons & that their statement is entitled credit 
John Taylor 
Samuel Moorhead Jr.
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I Richard B McCabe Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Shields for a pension. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and seal of office this twenty third day of September AD 1833. 
Rich B McCabe  Prot.
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READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. 
This declaration, No. 1, must be signed with the full name, and sworn to before a Justice of the Peace, or other officer authorized to administer oaths in the presence of two witnesses, see affidavit No. 2. Strike out "sold." "located," " or herewith surrendered," according to the fact; if the number of the warrant cannot be remembered, never there, be sure to give the number of sores, the name of the Captain, and the war in which the service was rendered. Insert after the word "company," New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or other States -- volunteer or militia, as the fact may be. No warrant can be sold or purchased until issued, when the claimant assigns on
the back. 
I purchase warrants at the highest prices, when issued, and properly assigned. 
Respectfully WILLIAM HUNT. 
FORM FOR BOUNTY LAND UNDER ACT OF 1855. 
No.1
STATE OF Pennsylvania 
County of Armstrong } SS.
On this forth day of May A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace, within and for the county and State aforesaid Mrs Elizabeth Shields aged Seventy five years, resident of Armstrong County in the State of Pennsylvania who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the identical widow of John Shields and that she he who received, under act of Feb’y 1853 a Revolutionary Penson of 60 per annum for her said  husband services in the war of the Revolution  the William Hunt of Washington DC is her Attorney in prosecuting the above pension, in that she has not married again since the death of the said John Shields, but is still his widow  
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land, granted by the act passed March third 1855, and she hereby declares that she has not applied for, or received, and she believes she is not entitled to Bounty Land except as above stated, and he hereby appoints WILLIAM HUNT, Attorney at Law, of Washington City, D. C., to prosecute his claim, and received his warrant when issued. 
Signature of Claimant  Elizabeth Shields her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day and year above written, and I certify that I have no interest in the above claim, and am not concerned in its prosecution. Also that I know this claimant is the identical person she represents herself to be 
 David Grant J.P.  * If a widow applies, add “that she is now the widow of John Shields and has never married since his death."
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Elizabeth Shields
Widow of John 
Bounty Land Claim
Act March 3 1855 
(Revolutionary)
159816
Mar 7 
William hunt
Washington D. C. 
No. 2
STATE of Pennsylvania 
COUNTY of Armstrong 
Personally came John Carson and Sarah Sackett residents of Armstrong County persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, say, that they were present and saw Mrs Elizabeth Shields sign her name to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and who has received a pension for the services of her husband in the war of Revolution and they, deponents, do reside in the county of Armstrong State of Pennsylvania  They also swear that they are disinterested witnesses.  * also that they know the claimant is still the widow of John Shield, who was a Revolutionary soldier of Pension, and that she has not married again since his death 
Signature of Witnesses. John Carson 
Sarah H Sackett  
Sworn to and subscribed before me this forth day of May 1853. – 
David Gaunt J.P. 
(After the Justice of the Peace has signed the above, it must be sent to the County Court, or any other Court of Record having a seal, the Clerk of which will fill up and sign the following under seal of the Court. Then return the paper to me.) 
STATE OF Pennsylvania 
COUNTY OF Armstrong SS 
I P. Owens Prothonotary of the County Court, in and for the county and State above mentioned, do hereby certify, that David Gaunt, Esq whose genuine signature appears above, is, and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction . I also certify that I have no interest in the result of the case, and am not concerned in its prosecution. 
GIVEN under my hand and Seal of Office, at Kittanning this seventh day of May A. D. 1855 
S. Owens 
If a widow applies, the witnesses will add, “that she has never married since the death of the said but is now his widow."
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Elizabeth Shields 
widow of John 
Revolutionary Pensioner Penna Roll  
Widow claims under Act Feb 3 1853 
She drew the acreage due to her husband at his death see accompanying letter of Third Auditor Attorney William Hunt Washington City D C
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DECLARATION 
In order to obtain the benefits of the 2d section of the act of February 3 1853 
State of Pennsylvania 
COUNTY of Armstrong } SS 
On this Fifteenth day of June 1853, personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the State of Pennsylvania , Elizabeth Shields a resident of Madison township in the County of Armstrong and State aforesaid , aged 73 years, who first being sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed February 3 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary War; that she is the widow of John Shields who was Revolutionary Pensioner under Act of 1832, Pennsylvania Roll, at $60 per year 
After his death his pension certificate was returned to Washington and she claimed and received the amount due to him at the time his death & on that occasion proof of her Marriage and his death was furnished, and is in the office of the Third Auditor (See accompanying letter) 
She further declare that she was married in the said John Shields on the 8th day of eighteen hundred and eighteen and that the marriage ceremony was performed by William Hamilton Jr Justice of the Peace, of Centre Township in the County of Indiana  State of Penna that her name before marriage was Elizabeth Carson that her said husband died at Washington Township in the County of Indiana in the State of Pennsylvania on the 26th October 1840, that she was not married to him prior to the year eighteen hundred but at the time above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow. She also declares that she has and does hereby appoint WILLIAM HUNT of Washington City, D. C., as her true and lawful attorney, to apply for and to receive her pension certificate, should it be granted. 
(Widows signature here Elizabeth Shields her mark 
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written, before the said Court, and the Court hereby certifies that it is satisfied that Elizabeth is the widow of John Shields deceased. Also that the following is a true Copy of the Marriage Record in the Family Bible "John Shields & Elizabeth Carson were married Oct 8 1818" 
(Signature of Judge.) J. M. Burrell R. J.
 I J.E. Meredith Prothonotary, of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Armstrong aforesaid hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Shields for a pension. I also certify that I am not concerned in this matter, or interested in the result thereof. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 14th day of June 1853 
J.E. Meredith Proth
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State of Pennsylvania 
Armstrong County ss: 
On this Thirteenth day of June AD. 1853 personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas of said County Hon Robert Woodward associate Judge of said county, James Sackett who being duly sworn according to law doth depose & say that he is well acquainted with the within named Elizabeth Shields, and that she is the widow of the within named pensioner John Shields dec’d Sworn & Subscribed in Court this 14th day of June 1853}
Robert Woodward
J. E. Meredith [Proth]
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for a statement of the military history of John Shields a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and his widow's) application for pension on file in this bureau   Widow File 2180 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  July 1776    LENGTH OF SERVICE.  3 mos 5 days     RANK.  Pri.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain Thomas Clark   STATE. Pa 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  Oct. 1777    LENGTH OF SERVICE.  2 mos 10 days      RANK. Pri  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.    Captain Wm. Blaine  Colonel Wm. Chambers    STATE.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  Apr 1778     LENGTH OF SERVICE. 2 mos.      RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain Wm. Blaine  Colonel Saml Lyons   STATE.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.   Aug 1779      LENGTH OF SERVICE.  5 weeks      RANK.  Pri   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Wm. Blaine     STATE.
Battles engaged in, Some skirmishes 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Toborne, Twp. Cumberland Co., Pa. 
Date of application for pension, Sept. 23, 1833. His cl was al [his claim was allowed]  
Residence at date of application, Washington Twp Indiana Co. Pa  
Age at date of application, B. Aug 18, 1759 in Chester Co. Pa. Died Oct 26 1840 Washington Twp Indiana Co. Pa.  
Remarks: He mar [married] at Centre Twp Indiana Co. Pa, Oct. 8, 1818 Elizabeth Carson. She was allowed pension on an app ex [executed] June 14, 1853 while 77 yrs old and a res [resident]  of Madison Twp, Armstrong Co., Pa.
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Revy   WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 2180 
Elizabeth Shields 
Widow John Shields 
Pri Rev War 
Act: Feb. 3, 1853 
Index: -- Vol. M. Page 204 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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May 14 96
[unreadable]
Rev Harvey M Shields
Chicago Ills
LWB
Mch. 25 '08 Hist to W. S. Shields
Letter with wid. F. 1110, John Ward
1924 Aug 12. Hist to Leslie R. Hines
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No. 2939  July 20, 1853 
Appl of Elizabeth Shields, widow of John Shields Armstrong Co. Penna 
25981 
Act 3rd Feb 1853 
$60 per an 
Com Feb. 3. 1853 
Rev. 
Wm Hunt Washington D. C 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
Pension Office, Official Business
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
Second Comptroller's Office, 
October 26th 1841. 
Sir.
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of John Shields dec’d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of Sixty Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of September to the 26th October 1840. 
Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
 To the Commissioner of Pensions Present.
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U.S. Pension Agency, 
Pittsburgh, Jan 7. 23, 1854. 
L. P. Waldo, Esqr 
Commissioner of Pensions- 
Sir An application, with voucher in regular order, has been presented to me, for the payment of a pension of Elizabeth Shields; and as no order has been received to place her name on the roll of this Agency if it is intended that she should be paid here, be pleased to notify me accordingly: 
I have the honor the your obt. St.
Jno Grayson
Pension Agent
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Brief in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Shields widow of John  
Armstrong County and State of Pennsylvania act 3 Feb 1853 
Claim, (original,) 
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act 7" June 1832 
Record evidence of Marriage, 
(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so what?
Wm Hunt Esqr 
Name and residence of Agent.
J. C. Boynton
Examining Clerk
Page 25

Brief in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Shields, widow of John Armstrong County and State of Pennsylvania, Act 3rd Feb. 1853
Claim, (original,)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditonary, or supported by the rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the Act of 7” June 1832
Recom evidence of Marriage.
If for increase. Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? Wm Hunt Esqr
Present
Name and residence of Agent
J. C. Boynton
Examining Clerk
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Letter from
Peter Hagner
Third Auditor
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Treasury Department 
Third Auditors Office 
27th Oct 1841 
Sir
The Treasurer of the Unites States will remit to you eight 71/100 dollars as  attorney for the Widow of John Shields pensioner on the Phila roll per Act 7 June, 1832, being his pension from 4 Sept to 26 Oct 1840, the day of his death, for which when received be pleased to forward your receipt in this Office 
I am sir Your Obt. Svt 
Peter Hagner Aud
William Houston Esq. 
City Hotel Philadelphia
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State of Pennsylvania 
Indiana County Sct }
On the twenty third day of September AD 1833 Before the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County now sitting personally came Joshua McCracken of Blacklick Township Indiana County who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted with John Shields who has signed the foregoing declaration having known him from his boyhood - That from the year 1775 to the year 1785 Deponent resided within about three miles of the said John Shields in Tyboyne Township [unreadable] Cumberland County Penna that in the beginning of the Revolutionary war he recollects the said John Shields going as a volunteer in a company of Volunteers commanded by Captain Thomas Clark & was away until the company returned. That he recollects of the said John Shields being away two tours of Militia duty under Captain William Blaine of Tyboyne  Township and in one of which tours he went as Substitute for James Miller That he went away with the rest of the company & returned at the same times that they returned. That deponent recollects of said John Sink volunteering under Captain Blaine against the Indians after the taking of Freelings he that he returned at the same to the rest returned. That Deponent has no further knowlege of the service of the said John Sheilds he having been out with him in the service but deponent always understood & believed that he had served the several tours - that deponent cannot recollect the precise dates nor year as he did not charge his memory with it not being interested then & the lapse of time since has been too great  & further saith not
Sworn & Subscribed
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And the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County do certify that Joshua McCracken who has made & subscribed the foregoing Affidavit is a credible person & that his Statement is entitled to credit- 
Witness our hands this 24 Dec. 1833 
John Taylor 
Samuel Moorhead JP
I Richard B. McCabe Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County Do hereby certify that the above named John Taylor and Samuel Moorhead who has signed the foregoing certificate are Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the 24th December A D 1833
R. B. McCabe Prot
Page 30

Indiana Pa.}
Dec 31 
Mail
Penna 
Feb 9 6. 1.  1832
Free
J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
War Department
Washington City D.C.
3.5
2.10
2.
8.20
15.35
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Indiana Dec 28, 1833
J. L. Edwards
Dr. Sir
I enclose the application of John Shields for a Pension & shall be gratified by a reply as early as the duties of the office will admit 
Respectfully 
Your Obed Svt
Thomas White
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State of Pennsylvania 
Armstrong County Sct}  
Personally appeared before me William Coulter Esq Justice of the Peace in & for said County at the house of Samuel Sloan  aged about seventy eight or nine years who being duly sworn deposeth saith that in the year 1776 he volunteered into company of volunteers commanded by Captain Andrew Galbraith while in the said Company was at Bargaintown in the State of New Jersey about two miles from Paulus Hook opposite New York while there the said John Shields now of Washington Township Indiana County at that time volunteered in the service & that deponent asked John Shields to enlist in the flying Camp but John Shields declined as he said the fever  was raging among them that he afterwards saw the said John Shields in Cumberland County Penn & continued his acquaintance That Deponent moved to the part of the Country shortly after the said John Shields & has known him ever since 
Saml Sloan 
Sworn & Subscribed before me this thirtieth day of July AD 1833 
Wm Coulter 
 I William Coulter a Justice of the Peace in & for Armstrong County before whom the foregoing deposition was taken to hereby certify that the said Samuel Sloan who made the foregoing Deposition is so infirm & crippled from a [unreadable] in  his leg that he is unable to leave any distance from his own house 
Wm Coulter
I William Coulter a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Armstrong before whom the foregoing affidavit of Samuel Sloan was taken, do certify that the said Samuel Sloan in his life time & up to the time of his declaration was a credible person, & that his statement is entitled to credit, and that the said Samuel Sloan has departed this life since the taking of the foregoing affidavit 
Wm Coulter
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State of Pennsylvania 
Armstrong County, Sct}   
 I, Frederick Rohrer, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Armstrong in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify, that William Coulter, Esq before whom the annexed or within deposition was taken is an acting Justice of the Peace in said County, duly commissioned and qualified to act as such and to where its full faith and confidence should be given.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Kittanning, this 13th day of November, AD 1833 
Fredk, Rohrer, Prot
Page 34

Con  nom
1849 Park Ave
Chicago Ill
 May 5" 1896 
Honorable Commissioner Pensions Washington D C
U.S. PENSION OFFICE H MAY 7 1896
Dear Sir,- 
I desire to know entire military record of one John Shields, my great great grandfather - This is the entry concerning his pension in the
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Revolutionary Pension Rolls, page 160: John Shields: Private, Allowed annually, $60.00 Received $180.00, Service Penna Militia; placed on Roll Feb. 15, 1834. Commencement of Pension Mar. 4, 1831; age 75. 
I shall deeply appreciate any kindness you may render me in this matter 
Yours truly 
(Rev) Harvey Milton Shields 
Pastor Moreland Presb. Ch. Chicago, Ill.
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U.S.P.B. 
OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
MAY 9 1896
U.S. PENSION OFFICE H MAY 7 1896
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28513
[unreadable]
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8-049
Ex MCS Div Rev. D. 1812 War Section 
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. WASHINGTON, D. C. July 18, 1824 
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained. Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau. 
First name of widow 
Name of soldier,   John Shields 
soldier at enlistment & after service
Enlisted Cumberland County. (now Perry) Pa.
After Service Indiana County, Pa. 
Company John Alexander's Company 
Regiment 7th Pennsylvania Regt. 
State where enlisted Pa. 
Date of birth  Aug. 8th, 1759. 
Date of death Oct. 26th 1840 
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers. 
Also served: Capt. Christian Staddle's Co. 2nd Pa. Regt. 
Return attached letter with reply. 
Washington Gardner 
Commissioner. 
6-210
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LESLIE R. HIMES 
ATTORNEY AT LAW 
The Andrews Theatre Building 
June 12th, 1924. 
Department of Interior, 
Pension Bureau, 
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sirs: 
Could you furnish me with any information concerning the service record of John Shields, a Private in the Revolutionary War from the state of Pennsylvania, promoted to the Grade of Corporal? 
This information is desired in order for a descendant to apply for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.
Thanking you for the above, I am  Very truly yours, 
L. R. Himes 
Pres, of the New Bethlehem Chapter of the S. of A. R. 
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
S JUNE 14 1924