Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3279, for Hugh Means, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE
Penn.
Means, Hugh
Rosanna
NUMBER
W. 3279
B.L. Wt. 2032-150
CONTENTS
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2827
Pennsylvania, Phila.
Rosanna Means, widow of Hugh Means who was an ensign in the Pennsylvania line for 15 months.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 150 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Nov. 1843 and sent to Saml Holstein, Muca, Penn.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 1, Page 134
Letter to Hon Samuel Hays Feb 16, 1844
Letter to Hon. J. Buchanan, Jan. 17, 1845
M.C. sent Dec 22, 1853
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Hugh Means
No. 2032
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Copy
Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 20 Feb. 1829
SIR:
Your claim, under the abovementioned act, having been examined, you are found to be entitled to the pay of an Ensign of Infantry in the Continental Line. The amount which may be due, accordingly, will be remitted to you by the Treasurer of the United States.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) Richard Rush
Hugh Means, Esq.
A true copy.
Mr. Means belonged to the Pennsylvania line.
F. A. Dickins, Clerk [illegible] Department
7th Feb, 1836.
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State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
On this 17 day of Sept 1838, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Rosanna Means, a resident of Neshannock township in said County, aged Seventy eight years on 19th of March last, who being first duly 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 July 4 1836. That she is the widow of Hugh Means, late of said county, deceased, who was a pensioner under the act of Congress of 15th May 1828. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Hugh Means in the month of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three, and that her husband, the aforesaid Hugh Means, died on the twelfth day of Feb 1835 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
Rosanna Means [her mark]
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before
John Fisher
I, John Fisher, Justice of the Peace above named, hereby certify that the above-named Rosanna Means is totally blind and unable to attend court to make her affidavit and further that I have known the said Rosanna for a number of years and have always considered her a woman of the [illegible] veracity.
Given under my hand and seal this 17th day of Sept 1838.
John Fisher [seal]
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State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
I, H. Bingham, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that John Fisher, Esq., before whom the within oath of Rosanna Means was taken was at the time of the taking thereof and still is an acting justice of the Peace in the said County, to all whose official acts full faith and credit are due.
Witness my hand and seal of said Court this 26th Dec 1838.
Hugh Bingham, Clerk
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Edward Means was born January the 17th 1784
Thomas Means was born the 23 [illegible] 1786
[illegible] Means Born October 28th 1788
[illegible] Means Born January 6th 1791
Daniel Means born May 1, 1793
George Means was born the 27th of Sept. 1795.
State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
This 4th day of Feb 1839, personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas of said county, George Means, son of Hugh Means, deceased, and Rosanna Means, who after being duly sworn according to law in open court doth depose and say that the above entries of the different ages of the children of said Hugh and Rosanna he verily believes were entered on the above leaf at the time said children were born inasmuch as long as he can recollect anything he has a recollection of seeing the above entries, and that said leaf was this day cut out of the oldest bible that was in possession of his father's family, and further this deponent always understood from his said parents that the above entries set forth the correct ages of his brothers and sisters.
George Means
Sworn and subscribed in open Court Feb 4, 1839
Hugh Bingham, Prothonotary
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State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
I, Hugh Bingham, Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that George Means within named, was duly sworn as within mentioned in open court and further that the said Means has resided for many years in said County and that he never heard anything alleged against the character of said Geo. Means as to truth and veracity, or in any other respect.
Given under my hand and seal of said Court this 4th day of Feb 1839.
Hugh Bingham, Prothonotary
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State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
This 28th Dec 1838, personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas of said county, Henry Means, who after being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is the son of Hugh Means, late of said County, deceased, and Rosanne, his wife, the said Hugh having served as an ensign in the war of the revolution and as such, received a pension under act of congress passed the 15th May 1828. And that from an entry made in the old family bible and the frequent declaration of his said parents, he was born on 28th Oct 1788, and that he has two brothers older than himself, one of them viz Edward Means by the entry in the same bible was born on January 17th, 1784. That he has a perfect recollection that said entries of age were made when he first saw the bible viz when he was very young and has no doubt but the same were made at the time they purport to have been made.
Henry Means
Sworn and subscribed in Open Court Dec 28, 1838
Hugh Bingham, Prothonotary
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State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
I, Hugh Bingham, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County do hereby certify that the within deposition was taken in open Court before the judges of said Court and further that the within named deponent, Henry Means, has been a resident of said County for many years and that during that time I never hear anything said against his character for honesty, truth or veracity.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court Dec 28th, 1838
Hugh Bingham, Prothonotary
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State of Penna.
Mercer County, SS.
This 25th Dec 1838 personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas of said County, Edward Means, who being duly sworn according to law in open Court, doth depose and say that he is the son of Hugh Means, deceased, late of said county, and Rosanna Means, the said Hugh being late a pensioner under the act of Congress passed 15th May in 1828, and that he was born in the year 1784, as he has always understand from the mouths of his said parents and the record kept by them and further this deponent states that his said mother has not been married since
the death of his said father.
Edward Means
Sworn and subscribed in open Court Dec 25th, 1838
Hugh Bingham
State of Penna
Macon County, SS.
I, Hugh Bingham, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County hereby certify that the above deposition was made by the said Edward Means during the sitting of said Court, and further that I have known the said deponent for many years, the said deponent having resided during my acquaintance with him in said County and that I never have heard anything said against the character of said deponent or to truth and veracity or in any other respect.
Given under my hand and seal of said Court this 25th Dec 1838.
Hugh Bingham, Clerk
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Washington City, December 31st, 1838
I do certify that I have been long acquainted with Henry Woods who made the within deposition before Joseph McCreery, Esqr., that he has always sustained a good character for truth and veracity.
Thos Henry
4170
Rosanna Means of Hugh
Pennsylvania
No 900
Sent 18 May 1828
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For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution" approved on the 15th May 1828. I, Hugh Means of the township of Lackawanna in the County of Mercer, in the State of Pennsylvania, do declare that I was an officer in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, and served as such to the end of the war, at which period I was an Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain Boyd, who was under General Irwin, but to which Regiment he was attached he does not now recollect, of the Pennsylvania Line. And I also declare that I afterwards received certificates (commonly called
commutation certificates) for a sum equal to the amount of five years full pay, which sum was offered by the resolve of Congress, of the 22nd of March 1788, instead of the half pay for life, to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 21st of October 1780.
Witness my hand this 26th day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty-eight.
Hugh Means
Before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Mercer in the State of Pennsylvania, personally appeared, this day, Hugh Means above named, who on his oath doth depose and say that the facts stated in the above declaration are true. And also, at the same time appeared before me Henry Woods and Thos S. Cunningham of the County of Mercer in said State, who did severally make oath that Hugh Means by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been an officer in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Hugh Means
Henry Woods
T. Cunningham
Sworn and subscribed before me 26th June 1828
Thomas Templeton
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Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
I, William S. Rankin, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County in the State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that Thomas Templeton, before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 25th day of June eighteen hundred and twenty-eight.
Wm. S. Rankin, Prothonotary
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Received 19 January 1829.
Bedford County, ss.
Before me, the subscriber, one of our Justices of the peace in and for said County, personally appeared Valentin Zaller, aged sixty-eight years, who being sworn in due form of law, doth depose and say that he was acquainted with Hugh Means and knows the said Hugh Means was an officer in the war of the Revolution in the Pennsylvania line, that he served to the end of the war and was honorably discharged and further saith not. 
Valentin Zaller
Sworn and subscribed before me the 1st day of January 1829.
Charles Ashcom
Bedford County, ss.
Before me, the subscriber, one of our Justices of the peace in and for said County, personally appeared Solomon Sparks, aged sixty-eight years, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he was acquainted with Hugh Means and knows that the said Hugh Means was an officer in the Regular
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service in the war of the Revolution. Deponent saith said Means was an Ensign. Deponent saith he was enlisted by Ensign Hugh Means and served under him to the end of the war and further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed to the 1st day of January 1829.
Solomon Sparks
Sworn and subscribed to the 1st day of January 1829, before me,
Charles Ashcom
State of Pennsylvania
Bedford County, SS.
I, Job Mann, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Bedford, do certify that Charles Ashcom, Esq. before whom the foregoing depositions appear to have been taken, and whose name appears thereto subscribed was at the time thereof and now is, a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified by legal authority and acting as such.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Bedford the 16th day of January A.D. 1829.
Job Mann, Prothonotary
Means, Hugh
W 3279
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Mercer County January 20th, 1829
To the honorable the Secretary of the treasury
Sir,
I received the printed letter of the 17th November last which you were pleased to have forwarded to me. As further evidence than that before furnished by me is required to have sent on to your department an authenticated copy of the deed by which I hold the land received from the state for revolutionary services. Captain Brady, and officer in General Irvin's division was sent to Bedford with General Irvine's orders commanding Lieutenant Johnson's company (Captain [illegible] being then prisoner) to Pittsburgh. And previous to our departure, agreeably to General Irvine's orders, we were countermanded orders from the Secretary of War and commanded to remain in the same place. The officers of the Pennsylvania line with whom I have been acquainted are dead. I know not of one remaining. I have written to a magistrate in Bedford to take the deposition of two persons acquainted with the circumstances of my service and directed him to forward their affidavit to your department.
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There are soldiers yet living who served in the same company and by whom if necessary, I can prove that General Irvine sent such orders to us as a part of that division over which he had the command. But as we were prevented from proceeding to Pittsburgh by the orders of the Secretary of War, we consequently joined no regiment, and it is impossible for me to say to what Colonel's command our company might have been assigned. I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your most obedient Servant,
Hugh Means
Means, Hugh
W3279
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Laws of Penna.
Bivins [illegible] Vol. II, p290
Act of 24 March 1785 Chap. MC XXVIII
An act for directing the mode of distributing the donation lands promised to the troops by this Commonwealth.
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[Seal]
Tho. Mifflin
In the Name and by the authority of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Thomas Mifflin
Governor of said Commonwealth
To all to whom these presents shall come - Greeting
Know ye that in consideration of the Services rendered by Hugh Means, Ensign in the army of the United States - There is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said Hugh Means - A Certain tract or parcel of Land laying in the County of Allegheny on the west side of Allegheny River in the third District of Donation Land, bounded and described as follows, viz, Beginning at a White Oak tree the numbered Corner and running East by District Number four three Hundred and Twenty perches to a Maple tree, thence South by Lot Number twenty five, one Hundred and Sixty perches to an ash tree, thence west by Lot Number twenty seven, Three Hundred and twenty perches to a Hickory tree, thence North by lot number forty three, One Hundred and Sixty perches to the place of Beginning, Containing three Hundred acres of Land and the usual allowance of six percent for roads [illegible] numbered amongst other Lots in the said District XXVI.
To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with the appurtenances unto the said Hugh Means, heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him, the said Hugh Means, his heirs and assigns forever free and clear of all Restrictions and Reservations as to mines, Royalties, quit rents or otherwise, excepting and reserving only the fifth part of all gold and silver ore for the use of this Commonwealth, to be delivered at the pit's month, clear of all charges.
In Testimony whereof I have set my and caused the great seal of the State to be affixed to these presents at Philadelphia this Sixth day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-four and of the Commonwealth the Eighteenth.
By the Governor
A.J. Dollar
Secretary
Mercer County Pennsylvania, SS.
I, Wm. S. Rankin, Recorder of said County, certify the above to be an exact exemplified copy from the original Patent. Witness my hand and seal of office at Mercer, this 22d day of December 1828.
Wm. S. Rankin, Recorder
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Revolutionary WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3279
Rosanna Means, Widow
Hugh Means, Ensign Pa. Line
Act: March 3d 1843
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 41
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Letter to S. Holstein Sept 21, 1840
Sent to Hon. T. Henry Jan. 25, 1843
Letter to Saml. Holstiein, Mar 11, 1843
Letter to same June 15, 1843
5709
Pennsylvania
Rosanna Means, widow of Hugh Means who was a pensioner under the Act of 15th May 1828 and who died on the 12th February 1835, Mercer Co. in the State of Pennsylvania, who was an Ensign in the company commanded by Captain Boyd of the regiment commanded by Col. Irvin in the Pennsylvania line for 15 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 150 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of September 1840 and sent to Samuel Holstein, Mercer, Penna.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1840 $675.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 1841 $75.00
$750.00
{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by Wm W. Edwards, Clerk
Book A Vol. 2 Page 158
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289
scribed; and also their duty respecting the press, and delivery of the bills to the treasurer.
SECT. LIV. Prescribed the manner in which the bills were to be signed and numbered.
SECT. IV. The trustees were appointed by this section; and also the signers of the bills; and their allowance, respectively, fixed; and the manner in which the expenses were to be paid, prescribed. (An additional number of signers was appointed, by an act passed tenth of September, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five.)
BY SECT LVI. Fifty thousand pounds were appropriated for opening a Loan Office; and the residue for the payment of interest on the state debt. (The Loan Office was established by an act passed fourth of April one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, post.)
SECT. LVII. The bills were made receivable as gold or silver, in payments to the state, &c.
SECT. LVIII. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall presume to counterfeit any of the bills of credit, herein directed to be prepared, perfected and issued by printing, or procuring to be printed, any such bills, of the likeness and similitude of any of the said genuine bills of credit, and if any person or persons shall forge, or procure to be forged, the name or names of any of the signers of such genuine bills of credit, to any such counterfeit bill or bills, whether such counterfeiting or forging be done within this state, or elsewhere, or shall utter any such bill or bills, knowing the same to be so counterfeited as aforesaid, every such person so offending, and being thereof legally convicted, by confession, standing mute, or by verdict of a jury in the Supreme Court, or court of Oyer and Terminer, shall suffer death, without benefit of clergy. And if any person or persons shall counterfeit any of the said bills of credit, by altering the denomination thereof, with design to increase the value of same, or shall utter any of the said bills, knowing them to be so counterfeited or altered as aforesaid, and shall be legally convicted thereof as aforesaid, every such person, so convicted, shall be sentenced to the pillory; and moreover, every such offender shall forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds, to be levied on his or her lands and tenements, goods and chattels, one half thereof to the use of the commonwealth, and the other half to the use of the person or persons, who shall make discovery of such offence, and prosecute such offender to conviction.*
SECT LIX. By this section, £20,000 of the bills, were directed to be annually cancelled. (And an act passed twenty-seventh of November, 1787, provides for cancelling all the bills of credit which should be received into the Loan Office, on account of mortgages.
SECT. LX. Established the compensation of the treasurer under this act.
Passed 16th March, 1785. -- Recorded in Law Book No. II, page 434. (1)
(1) By the third section of an act passed 4th of April, 1805, (chap. 2611, section 3,) it is enacted as follows; Whereas sufficient time hath been allowed, and adequate provision heretofore made, for the redemption of the bills of credit of this commonwealth, issued under the authority of the acts
Vol II.
20
[In the right column:]
1785.
Counterfeiting the bills, or forging the names of the signers, or uttering the bills knowing them to be counterfeited or forged, punishable with death.
Altering the denominations of the bills, or uttering them, knowing them so to be altered, how punishable.
[*Furnishment altered by chap. 1766.]
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290
of 1781 and 1785. Therefore; be it enacted, &c that such of the said bills of credit as are now outstanding, as shall not be paid into the state treasury under the laws heretofore enacted, on or before the second Tuesday of January next, (1806) shall not thenceforth be received by the state treasurer, but shall forever be irredeemable; any law or laws now in force to the contrary notwithstanding."
CHAPTER MCXXVIII.
An ACT for directing the mode of distributing the donation lands, promised to the troops by this commonwealth.
SECT. I. WHEREAS the General Assembly, by a resolution, passed the seventh of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, did resolve upon certain allowances of land to be given by this state to the officers and privates of the Pennsylvania line, as therein particularly specified: And whereas, by an act of Assembly passed the twelfth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, a certain tract of country, therein described, was located and set apart, exclusively, for the purpose of fulfilling the aforesaid grant: Therefore, in order that the persons to whom the said allowances were made may have the same distributed to them respectively, and legal titles granted, vesting in them the right thereto:
SECT. II. Be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the Representatives of the Freemen of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, That the Surveyor-General shall forthwith appoint deputies, such as shall be approved of by the Supreme Executive Council, for the purpose of surveying and laying off in lots the said tract of country; which deputies shall severally, give bond to the state, with sufficient security, in the sum of eight hundred pounds, conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of their office, and shall follow such directions and instructions, as they may, from time to time, receive from the Executive Council and Surveyor - General.
SECT. III. And whereas difficulties may arise in determining the cases to which the said grant of lands, by the aforesaid resolution, shall extend, and whether the same doth also include the grant of
lands promised to the army by Congress.
SECT. IV. Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania regiments, or of independent corps, acknowledged by this state as of the quota of Pennsylvania in the federal army, and officers, being citizens of this state at the time of their entering into the service, not attached to the line of any state, who have served therein until the end of the late war with Great-Britain; and all officers, as aforesaid, who have been deranged by the regulations and arrangements of the army, according to the act of Congress, passed October, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, or at any subsequent period of the war, together with the widows and children, or either thereof, of such officers and privates aforesaid, as were slain in battle, or died in the service, shall be, and they are hereby entitled to lands, according to the pay and rank they held last before they left the said service, in the proportions laid down in the resolution aforesaid.
[In the left column:]
1785
Deputy-Surveyors to be appointed, to lay off the donation tract of land into districts.
Who shall be entitled to donation lands.

291
SECT. V. And whereas the General Assembly, by their resolutions of the twenty-first of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, did declare, that the honourable the Baron Steuben, late Inspector-General of the American army, should be entitled to receive from this state a grant of lands, equal to a Major-General of the Pennsylvania line, and that Lieutenant-Colonel Tilghman should be entitled to a grant of lands, equal to a Lieutenant-Colonel of the same line. And whereas, by resolutions of Assembly of the twenty-first of February one thousand seven hundred and eighty, and the twenty-third of December, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, and by an act of Assembly passed the twenty-second day of December, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, the troops therein directed to be raised were promised like proportions of land with the Pennsylvania line:
SECT. VI. Be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said Major-General Baron Steuben, Lieutenant-Colonel Tilghman, and the aforesaid officers and soldiers of the troops, raised by virtue and in pursuance of the aforesaid resolutions of the twenty-first of February and twenty-third of December, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, and the aforesaid act of the twenty-first day of December, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, shall also be, and they are hereby, entitled to lands, according to the pay and rank they respectively held last before they left the service in the proportions aforesaid.
SECT. VII. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the grant of lands by this state shall not include the donation of lands promised by Congress as aforesaid, nor shall it be construed so as to affect or invalidate the claim of the said troops thereto.
SECT. VIII. Provided nevertheless, That no person shall be entitled to any lands, agreeable to this act, by virtue of any promotion or rank obtained by brevet or other commission, unless he hath actually been allowed pay agreeable thereto by the United States.
SECT. IX. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Comptroller-General of this state shall, and he is hereby directed forthwith to form complete lists of the persons entitled to receive lands, agreeably to this act, annexing thereto their rank, and the quantity to which they are respectively entitled, and shall lay the same before the Supreme Executive Council, who shall thereupon give orders to the Surveyor-General, that he may instruct his deputies what number of lots to survey, and in what quantities to lay them off.
SECT. X. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the lots shall be of four descriptions, one to contain five hundred acres each, another three hundred acres each, another two hundred and fifty acres each, and another two hundred acres each, with the usual allowances; that a quantity equal to what may be necessary for the Major-Generals, Brigadier-Generals, Colonels, Captains, and two thirds of the Lieutenant-Colonels, shall be laid off into lots of five hundred acres; a quantity equal to what may be necessary for the regimental Surgeons and Mates, also for the Chaplains, Majors and Ensigns, into lots of three hundred acres each; a quantity equal to what may be necessary for one third of the Lieutenant-Colonels, and for the Sergeants, Sergeant-Majors, and
[In the right column:]
1785.
Other persons, on particular circumstances, to be entitled.
The grant of the state not to affect any grant promised by Congress.
Lands not to be given by rank upon brevet only.
The Comptroller to furnish the Executive with a complete list of persons entitled to donation lands.
The lots of land to be divided into four descriptions, containing different quantities.
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292
Quarter-Master-Sergeants, into lots of two hundred and fifty acres; and a quantity equal to what may be necessary for the Lieutenants, Corporals, Drummers, Fifers, Drum-Majors, Fife-Majors and Privates into lots of two hundred acres each; and that the Surveyor-General, and every of his deputies, respectively, shall, before they proceed to the execution of the duties prescribed by this act, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, that, in laying off the lots as aforesaid, he will not choose out the best land, either as to quality or situation, to favor any one of the foregoing four classes of lots, to the prejudice or injury of the others, nor of this state; and in running the boundary lines of the lots, the Surveyors, respectively, shall cause the same to be well defined, by marking the trees on the lines at small distances, and particularly the angles and corners, and on the northwestern corner tree of each lot shall be marked, in Roman figures, the number of the lot, and if the said corner should be a post, then the said number to be marked on a tree in said lot, most contiguous thereto, and shall transmit copies of their field notes, with the draughts and returns, into the Surveyor-General's office.
SECT. XI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Surveyor-General shall give such instructions to his several deputies, concerning the numbering of the classes of lots, respectively, as that they may succeed each the other in numerical order, and that each of the said classes shall commence with the number one, and proceed on numerically, and that no two of the same class of lots shall bear the same number.
SECT. XIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That when a sufficient number of lots shall be surveyed, and returned to the Surveyor-General, he shall cause a draft to be laid down of the whole, noting on each the number thereof, which shall be kept by the Supreme Executive Council, until after all the applications, agreeable to this act, shall have been satisfied, and afterwards shall be safely deposited in the office of the Master of the Rolls, as a public record, to serve, to all intents and purposes, in lieu of recording the patents, any law, custom or usage, to the contrary notwithstanding.
SECT. XIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Supreme Executive Council shall cause numbers, correspondent to each of the four classes, to be made on pieces of square white paper, as nearly of an equal size as may be, and the said numbers separately and carefully, in their presence, to roll and bind up well with silken thread, as uniformly as possible, and deposit the same in four wheels, like unto lottery wheels, to be by them provided at the expense of the state for that purpose, which wheels shall be well turned round, before any applicant shall be permitted to draw therefrom, and the same shall be frequently afterwards repeated; that the said wheels shall be kept in safe custody, under the direction of a committee of three of the members of the Supreme Executive Council, to be chosen by the Board from time to time, and sealed, except when drawn from; that the said committee shall judge and determine on the right of every applicant to receive grants of land under this act, allowing an appeal to the Supreme Executive Council, in all cases of doubt and difficulty, whose decision thereon shall be
[In the left column:]
1785.
Qualification of the Surveyor and his deputies, respecting an impartial survey, as to the quality of the lands and the boundaries.
Deputies to number the classes of lots numerically.
When the lots are laid off, a draft shall be made of the whole; and when all applications are satisfied, be deposited in the Rolls office.
The mode of distributing the same by lottery; according to the rank of the party.
293
final and conclusive, and having approved thereof shall admit each applicant, by himself or order, (except in cases where alienation is prohibited before the distribution of the lands,) if a Major-General, to draw four tickets from the wheel containing the numbers on the five hundred acre lots; if a Brigadier-General, three tickets from said wheel; if a Colonel, two tickets from said wheel; if a Lieutenant-Colonel, one from said wheel, and one from the wheel containing the numbers on the two hundred and fifty acre lots; if a Surgeon, Chaplain or Major, two tickets from the wheel containing the numbers on the three hundred acre lots; if a Captain, one ticket from the wheel containing the numbers on the five hundred acre lots; if a Lieutenant, two tickets from the wheel containing the numbers on the two hundred acre lots; if an Ensign, or Regimental Surgeon's mate, one ticket from the wheel containing the numbers on the three hundred acre lots; if a Sergeant, Sergeant-Major, or Quarter-Master-Sergeant, one ticket from the wheel containing the numbers on the two hundred and fifty acre lots; and if a Drum-Major, Fife-Major, Drummer, Fifer, Corporal, or private centinel, one ticket from the wheel containing the numbers on the two hundred acre lots.
SECT. XIV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said committee shall make report, from time to time, to the Supreme Executive Council, of the numbers drawn for or by each applicant, and the President or Vice-President in Council shall who shall then, forthwith, cause to be filled up and sealed with the state seal, and signed and delivered, patents for the lots respectively, corresponding to the number so drawn, which patents shall be provided and printed at the expense of the state, in sufficient quantities, upon parchment, in manner and form following, viz.
THE Supreme Executive Council of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
KNOW ye, that in consideration of the services rendered by [blank] in the late army of the United States, (or in the service of this state, as the case may be,) there is granted, by the said commonwealth, unto the said [blank] a certain tract or parcel of land, lying in the county of [blank] (describing the particular bounds of the land, and the number it bears,) with its appurtenances, unto the said [blank] his heirs and assigns, forever, (here insert the usual tenure and reservation.) In witness whereof his Excellency [blank] Esq. President, (or, if absent, the Honourable [blank] Esq. Vice-President) of the Supreme Executive Council, hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the state seal to be affixed, the [blank] day of [blank] in the year of our Lord [blank] and [blank] of the commonwealth.
Attest, [blank] Secretary.
And the Supreme Executive Council shall insert in the general draught, and within each lot, the name and rank of the person for whom it was drawn.
SECT. XV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the following fees shall be allowed for surveying, draughting and returning, as herein before directed, and no other, that is to
[In the right column:]
1785
The committee to report the numbers drawn to the executive, who shall thereupon issue patents.
Form of the patents.
Names to be inserted in the lots.
Fees allowed for surveying.
Page 26

294
say; for every lot of five hundred acres, three pounds; every lot of three hundred acres, two pounds; every lot of two hundred and fifty acres, and every lot of two hundred acres, one pound ten shillings; which allowance shall include all expenses of chain-bearers, markers, and other charges, to be paid by each applicant, in proportion to his lands, previous to his being admitted to draw. And whereas the term of two years, limited in the law passed March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, appears to be too short for making all the applications, a considerable part thereof having since elapsed:
[SECT. XVI. Therefore, be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said term shall be extended, to continue until the expiration of one year after the Surveyor-General shall have returned to Council the draught of the lots laid down, as herein before directed, of which return public notice shall be immediately given by Council, in the newspapers, and the drawing and patenting shall then forthwith commence.]
SECT. XVII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That, immediately after the termination of the period allowed for making applications, as aforesaid, the Supreme Executive Council shall cause the remaining lots, and the residue of the lands appropriated as aforesaid, which may not be applied for, to be laid off, advertised and sold, within a reasonable time, under their direction, for the benefit of the state; and that all certificates shall be receivable in payment of the purchase money thereof, which are now receivable at the Land Office for the purchase money of lands sold by this commonwealth, agreeable to law.]
SECT. XVIII. And whereas the lines of the western and northern boundaries of this state are not yet run, and the lands appropriated for the army, and herein directed to be surveyed, extend thereto: Therefore, in order to avoid interferences, by surveying lands without the lines of this state,
SECT. XIX. Be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Supreme Executive Council shall direct, in such manner as may be best, that the lands remote from the said boundaries shall be first surveyed, until the said lines shall be run, for the completion of which measures are already taken by the state.
SECT. XX. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That an agent, duly qualified, shall be appointed by the Supreme Executive Council, who shall proceed immediately, and explore the country to be laid off, agreeable to the directions of this act, noting the quality of the land in the several parts thereof, the hills, mountains, waters, creeks, marshes, uplands, bottom land, &c. and such other occurrences as may deserve notice, with their situation and distance, but particularly the parts of the land which he may deem unfit for cultivation.
SECT. XXI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said agent shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, before the Supreme Executive Council, well and truly to execute the business hereby entrusted to him, without partiality or favour, either to the state or any individual, and for his services and ex-
[In the left column:]
1785
The period for making applications extended.
After the period allowed for applying is expired the residue of the lands shall be sold, for the use of the state.
Lands remote from the western and northern boundaries to be first surveyed.
An agent to be appointed, to explore the country to be laid off. His duty.
His qualification and pay.
295
penses herein, he shall be allowed at the rate of one pound and ten shillings for every day he shall be so employed.
SECT. XXII. Provided always, That the length of time charged by him shall not exceed four months; and the Supreme Executive Council shall draw for such part of his pay, to enable him to proceed on the business, as may to them seem proper.
SECT. XXIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the remarks, notes and description of the country, made by the said agent, as before directed, shall be published as soon as possible, under the direction of the Supreme Executive Council.
SECT. XXIV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Surveyor-General shall appoint such a sufficient number of deputies, in manner aforesaid, as to have the whole tract of country surveyed and returned to him on or before the first of February, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six: And if any deputy, so as aforesaid appointed, who shall accept thereof, shall not have returned the surveys assigned him within that period, his bond shall be put in suit immediately after, to be recovered by the Attorney-General, for the use of the commonwealth: And the agent to be appointed, as directed by this act, shall also report to the Surveyor-General, from time to time, if any of the deputies neglect, or unnecessarily delay, the performance of their duty.
Passed 24th March, 1785. -- Recorded in Law Book, No. 11. p. 464 (m)
(m) See chap. 996, ante. p. 62, the donation district described, sect. 5, and the time for making application fixed by sect. 7. But this has been since extended by various acts, (vide infra.)
⨎ 8. Officers and soldiers not to sell their shares of land until actually surveyed: and every such sale to be null and void, to all intents and purposes.
Donation lands shall be and remain exempted from taxation, for and during the life of the officer and soldier receiving them, unless the same shall be aliened or transferred to any other person. Vol. 1, p. 489, and ante chap. 1126, p. 287.
By a supplement to this act, passed 30th of Sept'r, 1791, (chap. 1581) after reciting, that since the boundary line between this state, and the state of New-York had been run, it appeared that a number of surveys had fallen within the state of New-York, &c.-- The Surveyor-General was directed to ascertain and report to the governor, as soon as might be, what number of patents had been granted for lands of the description aforesaid, had fallen in the state of New-York, together with the number of acres contained in each patent, and the names of the persons who obtained the same; and the governor was requested to cause the same to be printed, and notice to be given to all persons concerned to apply before the 1st of December (then) next, on which day the Surveyor-General was directed to ascertain by lot, in such manner as should be prescribed by the governor, the order of priority, according to which the persons who should apply should proceed to choose other lands, instead of those they had thus lost.
⨎ 2. Applicants to choose other lots of like quantity, out of any of the tracts in the donation districts already surveyed, and not otherwise disposed of.
⨎ 3. New patents to issue without fees; provided no individual should be entitled to receive such patent, until he had previously returned the patent formerly granted to him for lands that had fallen in the state of New-York, that the same might be cancelled, and had also given a quit claim to the commonwealth for any compensation he might be entitled to, on account of his loss.
And by an act passed 10th of April, 1792, (chap. 1633,) all persons who were entitled to the benefit of the above supplement, were allowed to apply for the same before the 1st day of July (then) next.
⨎ 2. The Surveyor-General's report respecting the patentees in the tenth district, was directed to be reprinted, &c.
And further, by an act passed 5th of April, 1793, (chap. 1660,) the officers of the Land Office were directed forthwith to proceed and ascertain, by
[In the right column:]
1785
Not to be employed longer than four months, and may be paid in advance.
His remarks to be published.
The whole tract of country to be surveyed by the 1st Feb'y, 1786.
Delinquent surveyors to be sued.
The agent to report to the Surveyor-General.
Page 27

296
lot, a sufficient number of lots, corresponding in the number of acres to the several lots of donation lands which had been drawn by a number of persons, late officers and soldiers, &c. which were found to lie within the state of New-York, &c. and the several persons whose donation lots had fallen into the said state, who had applied and drawn for their priority of choice, agreeably to the manner prescribed by the governor, were entitled to choose a lot or lots containing a like quantity of acres with the lot or lots they had lost, out of any of the lots drawn as aforesaid; and all persons who were entitled to the benefits of the supplement of 30th of Sept'r, 1791, who had not applied before the 1st of July, 1792, and drawn for their priority of choice, were severally entitled to make choice of a lot or lots containing a like number of acres with the lot or lots they may have lost, as they shall apply for the same, and upon such choice being made, patents to issue in the usual form without fees; provided the former patents be returned, and quit claim as aforesaid.
And by an act passed 23d of Feb'y, 1801, (chap. 2183.) The Comptroller-General was directed to furnish to the secretary of the Land Office, a list of the names of those persons, whose lots fell into the state of New-York, who had received no equivalent; and also a list of the number of lots reserved in lieu thereof, agreeably to the act of 30th of Sept'r, 1791, to which were to be added, eight lots to be taken from the undrawn lots in any district such applicant should choose, not already appropriated, from which lots the said persons should choose other lots instead of those they had lost, and to have priority in the order they applied; provided such application was made within three years after passing this act: And if any fraud should be suspected by the secretary of the Land Office, or if any difference should arise between applicants, the Board of Property were to investigate and decide as in other cases. And it was made the duty of the secretary of the Land Office, to call on any attorney applying, to declare on oath or affirmation, that he had no interest in the claim, otherwise than to serve the applicant.
By a supplement to the several acts for distributing donation lands, passed 6th of April, 1792, (chap. 1626.) The land officers were directed, on the 2d day of July (then) next, to draw lots for every person entitled to donation lands, who had not received the same, agreeably to the list submitted by the Comptroller General to the Executive Council, in the same manner as if the persons entitled were present, and under the same regulations that were prescribed by the act in the text; save only so far as the same relates to duties to be performed by certain members of the Supreme Executive Council.
⨎ 2. Patent to issue to applicants within two years from passing this act
⨎ 3. Any lands unapplied for within the term of two years to be disposed of agreeably to the regulations of the act for the sale of vacant lands within this commonwealth.
The same provision is contained in the second section of the act of 5th of April, 1793, before cited.
And by the 2d section of the act of 23d of Feb'y, 1801, before cited. The Comptroller-General was directed to furnish the secretary of the Land Office with a list of the names of all those persons, who had theretofore drawn lots, under the former laws directing the manner of distributing the donation land, and who had not received patents for the same, together with the number of the survey and district which had been drawn opposite to their names; and it was made the duty of the secretary of the Land Office, on application, to cause patents to issue for the lots respectively corresponding to the numbers so drawn; which patents were to be provided and printed upon parchment, at the expense of the state; and upon any apprehension of fraud, or if any difference should arise between the parties applying, the Board of Property was directed to decide as in other cases.
⨎ 3. The Board of Property was directed to proceed on all applications made, or to be made, by persons intended to be embraced within the provisions of this act, in the same manner as is directed by the 13th section of the act in the text; and when the lots shall have been so drawn as aforesaid, the secretary of the Land Office, on application made within the time, and in the manner prescribed by the first section of this act, was directed to grant patents to such persons, under the inspection of the Board of Property, in the same
manner as the Executive Council was directed by the above recited act, and without any charge of office fees. Provided that nothing in this act contained, shall be construed so as to defeat or impair any right to donation lands, acquired by persons entitled to the same, who had not yet received an equivalent, and who had applied within the time, and in the manner pre-
Page 28

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
I, A. A. Douglass, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, holden at the Borough of Mercer in and for said County, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Ensign Hugh Means was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of two hundred and forty dollars per annum, was a resident of the County of Mercer in the State of Pennsylvania and died in said County of Mercer on the twelfth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and thirty five; that he left a widow whose name is Rosanna Means and who is now living and unmarried.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Mercer this 28th day of March in the year of our Lord 1840.
A. A. Douglass, Prothonotary
Page 29

State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
I, James McFarlane, Justice of the Peace in said County before whom the within deposition was taken, do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Rosanna Means, within named deponent, and have known her for many years and that she is the identical person described in the within declaration as the widow of Ensign Hugh Means, deceased.
As Witness my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of June 1843.
James McFarlane [seal]
State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
I, A.A. Douglass, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that James McFarlane, Esq., before whom the within affidavit of Rosanna Means was made was at the time of taking her deposition and still is an acting justice of the peace duly commissioned in and for said County to all whose official acts as such full faith and credit are due.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Mercer this 15th day of May 1843.
A.A. Douglass, Prothonotary
1224
Page 30

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, ss.
On this ninth day of May 1843, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Rosanna Means, a resident of Neshamork township in the County of Mercer and State of Pennsylvania, aged eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Hugh Means who was an Ensign in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary war and that he received a pension under the act of July 7 1838, as the widow of the said Hugh Means at the rate of one hundred and fifty dollars per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Rosanna Means [her mark]
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
James McFarlane, J.P.
Andrew Buchanan
Page 31

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
This 27th of May 1840, personally appeared before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, Adam Wimer of said County, who after being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he is seventy seven years old, and that he was well acquainted with the late Hugh Means, deceased, of Mercer County aforesaid, who was in the Revolutionary War in the army of the United States. And that this deponent was in Bedford, Pennsylvania, in the year 1782 or 1783 and saw said Means acting as ensign in the company of Capt. Boyd's Rangers of the United States army. And that this deponent knew of said Means whilst holding his commission as Ensign aforesaid being engaged in the recruiting service and having enlisted two young men who informed this deponent thereof. This deponent further state that he continued to hold frequent conversations with said Means from the time aforesaid up to his death and that he frequently heard speak of being out as ensign in said company of Rangers and that said Means was also respected as a man of truth and the fullest confidence was placed in his statements as to services rendered during the revolutionary war. This deponent was out in service with said Means in the year 1781 in a scouting party against the Indians when said Means was wounded; and it as soon after our return about the year 1782 that said Means received said Commission as Ensign as this deponent understood in consideration of said wounds.
Adam Wimer
Sworn and subscribed in open Court May 27th, 1840
A. A. Douglass, Prothonotary
Page 32

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
This 27th May 1840, personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County aforesaid, Andrew Buchanan, who has resided in the said County for upwards of fourteen years and after being sworn in open court deposes and says that he has been well acquainted with the within named deponent, Adam Wimer, and has always esteemed him as a man of the strictest integrity and veracity.
Andrew Buchanan
Sworn and subscribed before me in open Court, May 27th, 1840.
A.A. Douglass, Prothonotary
Page 33

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
I, A.A. Douglass, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that the annexed depositions were all made before the judge of said Court in open Court on the 27th day of May 1840.
And that the character of all said deponents are good so far as they have come to his knowledge.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Mercer, May 27th, 1840.
A.A. Douglass, Prothonotary
Page 34

State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
This 27th day of May 1840, personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, Edward Means of said County, who after being duly sworn according to law in open court, doth depose and say that he is fifty six years old and that as long as his recollection serves him, say in the last forty years or more, up to the death of Ensign Hugh Means, late of said County, deceased, he was in constant intercourse with him, and during that period heard said Ensign Means very frequently speak of having served as an Ensign during the Revolutionary war in the Army of the United States. And further this deponent frequently heard said Means speak of his commission but never saw it. Further, this deponent states that he is now living in a tract of land granted by said State to said Means for services rendered during said war in said army as Ensign.
Edward Means
Sworn and subscribed in open Court, May 27th, 1840.
A.A. Douglass, Prothonotary
Page 35

State of Pennsylvania
County of Mercer, SS.
On this Fifteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty, personally appeared before the subscriber, associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Mercer, Rosanna Means, a resident of the township of Neshannock in said County of Mercer, aged Eighty years, who being first duly 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 July 7th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Hugh Means who was an ensign in the Revolutionary war and for services rendered in said war, received a pension from the United States at the rate of two hundred and forty dollars per annum. She further states that she was married to the said Hugh Means on the twentieth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three, and that her husband, the aforesaid Hugh, died on the twelfth day of February, eighteen hundred and thirty five, and that her marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, and that she is still a widow and unmarried.
Rosanna Means [her mark]
Sworn and subscribed before me this 15th day of April 1840.
John Mitcheltree [seal]
Wm. Woods
Witnesses
Page 36

State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
I, John Mitcheltree, associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County in said State, before whom the within deposition was taken, do hereby certify that the within named Rosanna Means, at the time of making the within deposition, was from bodily infirmity, totally unable to appear before the court of Common Pleas of said County for purposes of making the within deposition and that she is blind and very feeble.
As witness my hand and seal this 15th day of April 1840.
John Mitcheltree [seal]
Page 37

Know all men by these presents that Hugh Means of Mercer County and State of Pennsylvania do hereby constitute and appoint Henry Northup of Louisville in the State of Kentucky my true and Lawful attorney with powers of substitution for me and in my name to ask, demand and receive from the Secretary of war of the United States a Warrant for the Bounty land due me for my services as an Ensign of the Pennsylvania line of the army of the [illegible] and to deposit the said warrant when obtained with the Commissioner of the general land office at Washington City and to ask, demand secure and receipt for the certificates of land [illegible] due thereon under the act of Congress of the 30th of May 1830 or of any subsequent act passed or to be passed, and my said attorney is hereby authorized and empowered to do and perform all manner of things touching the same which I might do were I personally present. Witness my hand and seal this 24th of April 1834.
Hugh Means [his mark]
Witness
John Galloway
George Means
State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Hugh Means, signer and sealer to the foregoing power of attorney and acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the purposes therein named. Who being duly sworn saith that he is now eighty-three years of age, that he was an Ensign in Capt. John Boyd's Company of Rangers of the Pennsylvania line of the army of the Revolution and faithfully served as such to the close of the said war. That he is now drawing full pay for life under act of Congress of 15th of May 1828. That he has never at any time received a warrant for the Bounty land due him from the United States, neither has he ever assigned or transferred his right to the same. Sworn, subscribed and acknowledged before me this 24th of April 1834.
John Galloway, J. P.
State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
I, John Galloway, a Justice of the peace in and for said County, do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Hugh Means and that he is now drawing full pay as an ensign in the Revolutionary war (during life, according to act of Congress of the 15th May 1828, as appears by his pay certificate now before me having date August 3rd 1829 Numbered (445).
John Galloway, J. P.
Page 38

Know all men by these Presents that I, Henry Northup, by virtue of the substitution vested by Hugh Means (the person executing the within) in me, do hereby substitute James H Canster, Esq., of Washington City, to do and perform all things pertaining to the subject and items of the within power of attorney which I could in person do were I personally present. Witness my hand and seal this 20th of April 1834.
Henry Northup [seal]
Witnesses
Bevan Pearson
John Willson
State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Henry Northup, signer and sealer to the foregoing Power of Substitution and acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the purposes therein named. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal April 26, 1834.
Bevan Pearson [seal]
State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
I, John Keck, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County, do certify that John Galloway, Esq., before whom the acknowledgement of the within Power of attorney was taken and that Bevan Pearson, Esq., before whom the acknowledgement of the above substitution was taken, are respectively Justices of the Peace in and for Mercer County aforesaid and were such at the time of taking said acknowledgements. That they are duly commissioned and acting as such. That they are legally authorized to take such acknowledgments and that faith and credit is due to all their legal acts as such, and that in my opinion their signatures are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court at Mercer the 26th day of April AD 1834.
John Keck, Prothonotary
Page 39

Know all men by these presents that I, Rosanna Means of Neshamuk township, Mercer County, said State of Pennsylvania, widow of Hugh Means, late of said County, deceased, who was an ensign in the army of the United States during the war of the revolution and as such, received a pension under the act of Congress passed May 15th 1828.
I, the said Rosanna Means, being entitled to receive a pension under the provisions of the 3rd section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836, do hereby constitute and appoint Sam Holstein of said County my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name, place and stead to receive from the agent of the United States for paying pensions to pensioners residing in Western Pennsylvania, so much of my pension as is or  shall be due me by virtue of the 3rd section of act of Congress of 4th July 1836, from the passing of said act up to this date (viz Sep 17 1838)
Rosanna Means [her mark]
As witness my hand and seal
Sealed and delivered in presence of "is or" interlined before signing.
John Fisher
State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County, SS.
Be it Known that on the 17th day of Sept 1838, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Rosanna Means, above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year last above mentioned.
John Fisher [seal]
Page 40

State of Pennsylvania
County of Beaver, SS.
Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Henry Woods, who after being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was present when Rosanna Means, widow of Ensign Hugh Means of the Revolutionary army, late of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, deceased, was married to said Hugh Means and that they were married before the close of the Revolutionary war, but does not recollect in what month or year they were married in. That he lived near them or some years after their marriage and knew them intimately and can further state that they were married for more than nine months before their first child was born.
Henry Woods
Sworn and subscribed before me at Hullston, August 13, 1836.
Joseph McCreary
Probate, 11/2
State of Pennsylvania
County of Beaver, SS.
I, John A Scroggs, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that Joseph McCreary, before whom the above deposition was taken, was at the time of the taking thereof, and [illegible] is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned as such, to all whose official acts full faith and credit are due.
Given under my hand and seal of said Court at Beaver this 13th day of August A.D. 1838.
John A. Scroggs, Prothonotary
Page 41

I, Joseph McCreary, before whom the within deposition was taken, do hereby certify that David Woods, the deponent within named, so for as my knowledge extends, is a man of respectability and veracity and that said David has resided in the County of Beaver, Pennsylvania, for many years and this deponent has never heard the slightest whisper against the character
of said David.
Joseph McCreary
Page 42

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
July 30. 1828
Hugh Means, of Lackawanock, in the County of Mercer, in the State of Pennsylvania, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end of the war, at which period he was an Ensign in the [blank] regiment of the Pennsylvania line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3rd of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order the Secretary,
A. Dickins
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
4th August 1828
The Revolutionary records in this office furnish no evidence whatever of Ensign Hugh Means' services.
Peter Hagner, Auditor
Page 43

Mercer, May 27, 1840
J. L Edwards, Esq.
Herewith I send additional evidence in the Case of Mrs. Means. Also, the patent granted for services rendered. You will please return the patent to me immediately having noticed its contents, as it was with difficulty that I could obtain the loan of it long enough to forward it to you and have it related. Your immediate action in this matter will give peace of mind to the applicant who is just on the verge of eternity.
Your, etc.
Sam Holstein
Page 44

Act 1828
Settled at Treasury
Consolidated with [illegible] Widow
File #3279
Page 45

514
No. of original payment 900
Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
3rd September 1828
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Hugh Means, under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether it appears, by any records in the War Department, that the claimant has received, or is entitled to receive, the bounty in land granted by Congress for service in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution; and, if so, whether he became entitled to the same by service to the termination of the war, or in what other manner.
Richard Rush
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
not returned to Pennsylvania
War Department
Bounty Land Office
9th Sept 1828.
Ensign Hugh Means of the Pennsylvania Line is not returned, as being entitled to land from the United States, nor has a warrant issued for him.
C. Stephens
Page 46

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
August 8, 1840
Page 47

Mercer, August 4th 1840
Jas. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
I wish you would please to return to me the Patent issued to H. Means for land in Pennsylvania and which I forwarded with Mr. Means' papers. I had difficulty in obtaining a loan of the Patent and the time has expired when it was to have been returned by me.
You will also confer a favor by stating what action has been had in Mr. Means' case, and also that of Mr. Penines.
Yours, etc.
Sam Holstein
Mrs. Means is in a low state of health and if fretting herself about the delay in her case. She is anxious to have something to dispose of among her children at her death. Can you not let the old woman die in peace.
Over
Page 48

I have been requested to inquire what has been in the case of the application of the widow or heirs of Lieutenant Timothy Hutton, late of Schoene County, New York.
Page 49

August 25, 1840
[Stamp: Mercer, PA Aug 23]
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Page 50

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
In order that there may be no delay in obtaining a copy of the law as from [illegible], I herewith hand the law as cut out of my copy of Pennsylvania Laws. You will [illegible] that there was a list of all the soldiers made out and of course full evidence to the satisfaction of the Comptroller General before granting land. Please inform me as to Mrs. Penines' case.
Yours, etc.
Sam Holstein
Case of Mrs. Rosanna Means, widow of Ensign Hugh Means, Act July 7, 1838
Page 51

3 Dec 12
Wt 302
Dec 12, 1839
Pension Office
Page 52

Mercer, Dec 6, 1839
Hon. J. R. Poinsett
Dear sir,
Sometime since I forwarded to your department, for your special notice, papers relating to the claim of Mrs. Means, widow of Ensign Means of the Revolutionary war. You will confer a favor on the widow by informing me what has been done
in the premises and [illegible].
Your, etc.
Sam Holstein
Page 53

W. R. Wash. City, 1st May 1839
Hon. J L Edwards
Dear sir,
Please let me know by the bearer of this note how the matter stands in the case of widow Means, widow of Ensign Hugh Means, deceased, of Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
Also, the case of widow Carrenger of same County. I will probably leave tomorrow evening and about to know in these cases before that time.
Yours Respectfully,
Thos Henry
Page 54

H. R. Washington City, 3d July 1840
Dear sir,
The enclosed letter from Mr. Holstein, a lawyer of Mercer, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, will explain to you what he concedes to be an act of injustice about to be done to the widow of Ensign Means.
Will you have the goodness to decision this case as soon as convenient and let me know the result of the examination.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Thos Henry
Hon J.L. Edwards
Page 55

Mercer, Feb 28 1840
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
I this morning received a letter addressed by you to Hon. Thos Henry in relation to the claim of Mrs. Rosanna Means, and as the old lady is daily fretting herself about her claim, it is desirable that the same be speedily adjusted even if [illegible] to take under the act of 7th July 1838. I copy from the above letter as follows: "Mr. N was informed that the claimant could obtain a pension under act 7th of July 1838, which provides for those who were married previous to 1st Jan 1794 upon producing some proof of the duration of the service."
Now am I to understand the words above underscored as setting forth the condition on which a pension will be granted to Mrs. M. or was it inserted by you as part and parcel of the act of July 7th, 1838. It can be applied both ways. I presume you did not intend to convey the idea that proof of the service of Mrs. M.'s late husband should be made, when you have the evidence in your department in which his pension was granted.
I expect to go to Baltimore to attend the convention for nomination of Van Buren, when I shall go to Washington and visit to have all the necessary papers with me to draw Mrs. Means' pension.
Will you therefore please write immediately and inform me whether the declaration to be made by Mrs. Means need set forth the services rendered by her late husband as
Page 56

required in form of declaration on page 104 of Form No. 118 being transcript of pension law in force on January 10th, 1838 -- because it will be impossible for Mrs. M. to swear as to the service rendered by her husband. She can swear that he was in the army. And will a copy of Power of Attorney, page 97 of the above document answer in her case - will you also please to mention where the pension is to be drawn as that must be set forth in the power of attorney. Also state whether it will do for Mrs. M. to make her statement before a Justice of the Peace (who in one state keeps records of their proceedings and are within the definition set forth in [illegible] opinion as to what constitutes a court of record) answer - as Mrs. Means is totally blind and so very feeble as to be unable to leave her home. Hon. Thos Henry is personally acquainted with her and knows her to be the widow of late Ensign H. Means and that she is entitled to a pension. I want to have all that must be done so plainly described so that he that [illegible] may read otherwise and shall despair from my own knowledge of ever being able to prepare papers to satisfy the demands of your department. Please inform me whether the record of the births of Mrs. Penine's children is satisfactory.
Yours, etc.
Sam Holstein
Page 57

Mercer, July 8th, 1839
J L Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
In your letter of May 7th 1836, now before me, you state that if Mrs. Means was married in March 1783, she would be entitled to the benefit of the act of 4th July 1836, her husband having obtained a pension under the act of 15 May 1828, which he could not have done had it not have proved that he served to the end of the war. In a letter of April 12, 1839, from your department, it is stated that although Mr. Means obtained the benefit of act of 15th May 1828, it is no proof that he was in the service when married viz in March 1783. There is an inevitable difference in these two statements. Is there no possibility of Mrs. Means, from the proof before you, obtaining the benefit of the act of 4th July 1836, and if she cannot, how can she obtain the benefit of act of July 7th 1838, which requires her to declare on oath that she was married after the expiration of the last period of his service and before 1794, which oath would be contrary to fact. If she could obtain the benefit of the act of July 7, 1838, without saying anything about the expiration of the last service, but in merely stating that she was married before 1794, I would advise her to take under that act in preference to his having the matter delayed longer. If you do not feel clear in granting a pension under either act from the facts before you, will you be so good as to inform me whether there is any appeal from your decision to the secretary of war. I feel confident from the testimony before you and from the aid my friend, Hon. Jas Buchanan, and others of the Pennsylvania delegation would give to this matter, that a special act of congress could be passed for the relief of Mrs. Means, but this would be attended with delay, and as Mrs. Means is totally blind and quite infirm and aged, she requires immediate relief. Her connections (viz lad. Rep of Pittsburgh) are among the most respectable in the land and it is nothing but her situation that forces her to seek the aid congress intended she should receive. I wish you to write to me immediately on the receipt of this and as
Page 58

one that must have the case of this poor blind widow at heart, please advise me what you think it best to do for her. I intend going to Philadelphia in three weeks and would extend my journey to Washington if I thought my presence there would aid Mrs. Means. Or if I could obtain for her a pension under act of July 7th, 1838. If you write that a declaration made as stated by me will answer, I will prepare it and take it on with me and I also herewith send a Power of Attorney. Please state whether it would enable me to draw the money in her if you should write formally. If the form of the Power is not correct, please print out the [illegible]. Your immediate attention to this is desired as the court will be in session on the 22 instant in time after an answer is received to prepare the papers that may be needed.
Yours with respect,
Sam Holstein
P.S., I forwarded testimony of case of Mrs. Job. and Mrs. Perine - what action has been had in these cases?
July 15
Mercer, Pa.
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Page 59

Senate Chamber 16 January 1845
My dear Sir,
The enclosed letter is long; but is written in such a style and spirit that I desire to give it a satisfactory answer. Will you be kind enough to furnish me the necessary information and return the letter?
Yours very respectfully,
James Buchanan
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Page 60

6956
Rosanna Means
of Hugh
Pennsylvania
Admitted for 15 months as per letter to Hon. T. Henry, 13 March 1840
6956
Page 61

State of Penna
Mercer County, SS.
I, A. A. Douglass, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, do hereby certify that John Mitcheltree, before whom the annexed deposition or declaration of Rosanna Means was on the day of the date thereof, and still is, an associate Judge of said Court to all whose official acts full faith and credit are due, and that the signature thereto annexed is the genuine signature of the said John Mitcheltree.
Witness my hand and the Seal of the said Court at Mercer. May 27, 1840.
A. A. Douglass, Prothonotary
Page 62

Washington H R. 24th April 1840
To the Hon. J.L. Edwards
Dear Sir
Samuel Holstein, Esq., of Mercer, Mercer County, Penna., has requested I should inquire if the case of the application of the widow of Hugh Means, who was an ensign in the revolutionary war, has been acted upon.
Mr. Holstein is now in Philadelphia and will be here in a few days, and cannot detain, wishes if the decision is favorable, to have the certificate when he comes.
Please inform me as soon as convenient. He speaks of me received from Mercer County on that subject. I have received no such papers very recently. They probably may have been forwarded to you.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Thos. Henry
Page 63

H R Washington City 25 April 1840
Hon. J L Edwards
Dear sir,
I received the enclosed by last evenings' mail. It is the document referred to in my note of yesterday.
I believe there are other papers in your office on file [illegible] this case of widow Means. This Holstein is a lawyer, and ought to know how papers should be authenticated, without some of the other papers shown by certificate that Mitcheltree is a Judge, this paper in that particular is defective.
I know Mitcheltree and know him to be a Judge, but do not know that to be his signature.
Respectfully yours,
Thos. Henry
Page 64

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Mrs. Means
Ann Perine
5 Sept 40
[Stamp: Mercer, PA Sept 16]
Page 65

Mercer Sep. 14th, 1840
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Dear Sir
I, this morning, received pension certificate for Mrs. Means and Mrs. Penine. In the case of Mrs. Means, it would be a matter of great moment to her to have the time of payment changed to that she may receive all due on 4th Sept last. Mrs. Means would be perfectly willing that the order should direct the amount due then to be paid in paper money. She does not want the specie. The reason why Mrs. M. wishes her money immediately is this, viz, in all human probability she will not live until the 4th of March next and she not only want some money for her own immediate use, but wishes to dispose of the balance by her will, and the fear that she cannot dispose of it now either by will or pledge it in security for money that might be loaned her. It is a matter of the greatest consequence to her to be able to dispose of it by will, for the is now living with her daughter, her faithful nurse who was left penniless by her father; and she wishes not only to compensate her for past services; but to bequeath all to her. Please also state why Mrs. Means does not receive the amount annually paid her husband. What has been done in Mr. Job's case.
Yours, etc.
Sam Holstein
You might make an order in paper money in Mrs. Penine's case.
Page 66

Mercer, Pa.
Feb 4
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Feb 11, 1839
additional proof
Rosanna Means
Page 67

Mercer - Feb 4th, 1834
Mr. J. L. Edwards
Dear sir,
With due deference to the motion which prompted you to place the consideration of Mrs. Mean's claim among the suspended cases - permit me to express my regret that such has been the case on if there is a single applicant, that for physical frailties should stand highest in the list for immediate action, it does seem to me that Mrs. Means is that person - totally blind in addition to all her other afflictions, she really needs immediate relief. And can there be any doubt in your mind as to her being entitled to the benefit of the act of 4 July 1836. If not her, the very case that - that humane congress had in their mind's eye when it was passed. And has not her claim been proved clearly in the best manner that the nature of her case will admit of. Mr. Woods, who was present at her marriage. The Hon. Thos. Henry will inform you is as respectable as any man now breathing. And the other testimony is equally entitled to credit. I do hope then that you will be good enough to act on this matter at once. By so doing you will not only be carrying out the praiseworthy object of the act, but also, be personally instrumental in causing the heart of this blind widow to leap with joy.
Yours with respect,
Sam Holstein
Page 68

Hugh Means, Ensign in the Pa line
did he receive land?
Benjamin Lodge, Lieut., Pa Line
Bounty Land?
Land bounty was granted to Benj. Lodge, a Lieutenant of the Pennsylvania Line on the 18th June 1792.
The land bounty was granted to Hugh Means, an Ensign of the same line on the 12th May 1834, upon the certificate of the Secretary of the Treasury showing that his claims for pay under the act of 15th May 1828, had been allowed at that Department.
Page 69

H. R. Washington Dec. 31, 1838
Hon. J L Edwards
Dear Sir,
I enclose you documents in favor of widow Means of Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
With relation to the merits of this case, I do not know anything, than having taken same depositions for Mr. Means. Then he was placed on the pension list.
With great respect,
your obedient servant,
Thos Henry
Page 70

Mercer, Pa.
Mar. 15
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Mar 23
Pa.
Additional proof
Mrs. Means
Page 71

Mercer March 15th 1839
J L Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
A day or two since I read a note of yours addressed to Hon. Thos Henry in which you mention that the family record kept by Ensign H. Means had not reached your department. The record, after having been duly proved in open court was remitted to you on the first Monday of last February. I wish you would please inform me by return of mail whether it was overlooked by you, or whether it has miscarried. I cut the leaf out of the bible myself and had it proved and mailed the same day.
You also mentioned that the affidavit of Mrs. Means was not made before "a judge of a court of record" according to the opinion of the attorney general, a justice's Court is a court of record. Mrs. Means is unable, as the justice certified, to attend court. 
I herewith send a deposition taken in December last. I did not consider necessary to send it before as I supposed the family record was sufficient. If you think that Mrs. Means' affidavit will not answer, please to state and I will endeavor to have her brought into court.
Yours with respect,
Sam Holstein
The Attorney General defines "a court of record" to be a court where the proceedings are kept in writing, which the law requires of a justice's Court.
Page 72

Hugh Means was allowed a pension under act 15 May 1828 Sec No 900.
His widow, Rosanna Means has been allowed a pension for 15 per annum.
Pa. roll act 1838
Page 73

Hugh Means Pa. Line not on record at State Department.
July 17.
Page 74

6956
Rosanna Means of Hugh
Pennsylvania
Suspended
See letter 25 April 1840 Hon T. Henry
Letter 13 August 1840 S. Holstein
Act 7 July 1838
Page 75

Rosanna Means
Pennsylvania
Suspended
See letter 2 January 1839 Hon. T. Henry
Letter 2 March 1839 to T. News
Letter 12 April 1839 S. Holstein
Same 17 July 1839
Same 16 Dec 1839
Letter 19 February 1840 Hon. T. Henry
Letter 18 March 1840 S. Holstein
Letter 25 April 1840 Hon. T. Henry
Act 4 July 1836
Page 76

R. Means
$150 per annum
Samuel Holstein
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Page 77

To J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear sir,
Herewith you will receive the declaration of Mrs. Means, certified as required. Mrs. Job's certificate has the same defect. I, however, can vouch both for her identity and existence as she was in my office but a few days ago, and I am sure the Hon. Jos. M. Porter, to whom I am personally and well known, will tell you my word armed be as good as the justice's certificate. [illegible] if you have adopted a rule both for "fish and flesh" we must bear with the additional trouble of proving the justice's certificate. If required, please send it at once.
Your, etc.
Sam Holstein
Mercer, July 8th 1843
Page 78

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
[Stamp: Mercer, PA May 15]
Pa.
May 3, 1843
Rosanna Means
1224
Page 79

Mercer, Pennsylvania May 15, 1843
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir,
Herewith you will receive the declaration of Mrs. Rosanna Means under the Act of 3rd of March last. You will confer a favor by making out her certificate as early as possible as she is old and frail and would be gratified at receiving it, even if its payment is to be delayed until 4th Sept. next.
Yours with respect,
Sam Holstein
Page 80

H. R. Washington City 21st January 1843
Hon J.L. Edwards
Dear sir,
Saml. Holstein Esq., a member of the Bar at Mercer, Mercer County, Pa., writes under date of the 13th just as follows,
"The Commissioner of Pensions only allowed the widow of Hugh Means, who was entitled under the Act of 4th July 1836 to receive for 5 years, the amount that would have been paid to her husband if then living, but $150 per Annum. Her husband received $240 per year, and why the widow has not entitled to that sum per annum, I should like to know."
Will you please give the information required in the above as early as you conveniently can.
Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Thos. Henry
Page 81

6956
Rosanna Means of Hugh Means, Pennsylvania
Admitted
Ensign 15 months $150
Capt. Boyd, Col. Irvin, Pa.
Died 12th Feb. 1835
Act 7 July 1838
Samuel Holstein
Mercer, Pa