Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 3703, for Robert Mc Donald, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3─1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

McDonald, Robert 
Mary

NUMBER
W 3703

CONTENTS
Page 2

[PRINTED FORM, BLANKS FILLED BY HAND]

17,511
Pennsylvania. R
====================
Robert McDonald,
of Mercer Co. in the State of Penns'a 
who was a private in the regiment commanded by 
Colonel Brodhead of the Pennsylv'a 
line, for the term of five years. 
====================
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania, 
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence 
the 19th of April, 1818.
====================
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th of June '20 
and sent to Alexander Broen, 
Judge, Mercer, Pennsylv'a
====================
Arrears to 4th of March, 1820 $
Sem-anl all'ce ending 4 Sept 1820
Com'd Jany 17 1824 
& sent to Hon T. Farrelly
House of Reps
182.89
48.00

{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
-------
$230.89

[?] could not be found May 8 1823
See Letter to A. Brown Mercer, Pennsylv'a

[writing on edge]
Correct certificate copied 2 Oct 1820
and sent [illegible rest of line]
Page 3

Rejected January 6 [illegible]

[printed form, blanks filled by hand]

2854
Pennsylv'a Philad'a
====================
Mary McDonald,
widow of Robert McDonald of Penn
who served in the Revolutionary war as a Private 
====================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
80 dollars --- Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848.
====================
Certificate of Pension issued the 
6 day of January 1849 
and sent to 
Hon. L Cameron 
N. J. Senate
====================
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 2, 1848, Page 242 Vol 2
Page 4

Mercer P  Free
22 July
9th April, 1818
J. L. Calhoun 
Secretary of War,
City of Washington.
Page 5

Mercer July of 20th 1820
Dear Sir
On the receipt of Robert McDonald certificate of Pension. I discover that it commences on the 15th of July one thousand eight hundred and twenty. 
Given at the war office of the United States this fourteenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Now I presumes the 15th day of February 1820 cannot be the date of the first nor second application which he has made. 
I cannot lay my hand upon his first application I therefore conclude it must have been sent to that Office with his other papers. but I have turned to an application made by a Martin Caringer dated on the 9th day of April 1818. My impression is, And McDonald says it was on the same day that his first application was made, as they came together to my house for that purpose. If this statement of his be the facts. It can be proved by Martin Caringer if it should be found necessary.
Perhaps the Clerk in filling up the certificate might have made a mistake.
By turning to his application it will be seen how the fact is, Should the date of Commencement
Page 6

be found incorrect, I presume it will be rectified. 
I am satisfyed his final declaration was made some time in the Spring of eighteen hundred and eighteen. 
With due respect I remain your friend &C.
[signature] A Brown.

J. C. Calhaun Esqr.
Page 7

District of Penn'a Mercer County ss
On this 15th day of Feby A.D. 1820, before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court in and for said County in the said District, personally Came Robert McDonnals aged Sixty three years, resident of Mercer County in said District who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the late law of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United Sates in the revolutionary War." That he the said Robert McDonnals enlisted for, during the War, sometime in July 1778 in Philadelphia in the State of Penn'a in the Continental Establishment, that he continued to serve in the said Corps, or in the services of the United States, until the 3rd of November 1783 when he was discharged from the Service in Philadelphia Pa By Colonel Harnean That he was at the Storming of Stonypoint. at the battle of the Green Springs in Virginia that he was at the Seige of York when Cornwallis was taken And was in Several Skirmishes. then went with General Wayne to Carolina  &C &C - That he is now in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for Support. he accompanies this his declaration with his former Capt'n
Page 8

Certificate of his Services (altho not upon oath, it can be had if necessary (but he lives at asistance) that he has now no other evidence of his services in his Power.
[right] his
[right[ Robert X McDonald [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark
Sworn to and declared before me this 15th day of February A.D. 1820.
[signture] A. Brown

I Alexander Brown Judge of the Courts&C - as aforesaid do Certify that it appears, to my satisfaction, that the said Robert McDannald did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the proceeding declaration against the Common enemy for the term of much more than nine months at once on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the processing and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress. 
I am also satisfied by the deposition of James Hawthorn and George Smith whom I consider as respectable men, that he needs the assistance of his country for Support. 
His first application for pension was on the 9th of April 1818. 
Given under my hand and Seal this 16th day of July A.D. 1820.
[signature] A. Brown { Seal }
Page 9

16,542
Robert McDonald
Mercer Co. Penn'a
Penn Line
Colonel Breakers 3 Regmt
July 1778
Nov 1783
15 February 1820.
------------
found on the rolls of 
the 5th Penn'a Reg't 
------------
first declaration
9th April 1818
------------
admitted
------------
Alexander Brown, Judge 
Mercer, Penn'a
rec'd 4 March 1820

[illegible writing, right side, on edge]
Page 10

Mercer County
Pennsylvania
Personally came before me Alexander Brown a Judge of the Court in and for said County James Hawthorn who being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Robert McDonald this applicant for pension and his circumstances and as he believes his circumstances is such that he needs the assistance of his country for support James Hawthorn
Sworn and subscribed before me this 10th day of November A.DE. 1819.
A. Brown
Page 11

Pennsylvania
Mercer County
I James Nelson Register and Recorder in and for the County of Mercer do hereby certify that Alexander Brown Before whom the foregoing proceeding wore has was then and now is a Associate Judge of said County as appears to me of Record-Given under my hand and Seal of Office at Mercer this 18th day of February 1820. For James Nelson Beav.
16.542
Robert McDonali
Mercer Co. Pennsylvania
Col Broadhead
July 778 
you 83
15 February 1829
found on the rolls of the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment
first declaration 
9th April 1828
admitted
Alexander Brown
Mercer, Pennsylvania
received 4 March 1829
Page 12

Robert McDonnato
Hon. William Farrelly House of Representatives
Page 13

Western District of Pennsylvania Mercer County
On the twenty fifth Day of November 1820 personally appeared in Open /Court being a Court of Record for said Robert McDonald aged upwards of Sixty years resident in Mercer County in Said District who being duly sworn according to Law Doth on his Solemn Oath declared that he served in the Revolutionary WAr as follows in Captain Thomas Bate's Company in the fitfh and discharged in the first Regiment in the Pennsylvania Line. The Date of my first Declaration in ninth of April 1818 and the Number Certificate for pension is 17.511. I do solemnly swear that I was a Resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th Day of Mary 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property nor any part thereof with intent to diminish it so low as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress entitled as an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor hath any person in trust for any property or Securities Contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereunto annexed and by me Subscribed that I have a wife of about fifty five years of age and a small boy of 9 or ten years of age That I am a farmer by occupation Robert McDonald 
Schedule of my property
100 Acres of Land Valued at $1.00 per acre  $100.00
1 mare " " valued at 25.00    $25.00
1 cow " " valued at 8.00    8.00
            $133.00
Schedule of Debts Due by me
To Jacob Harrington  $10.40
E Mayossen    $40.12
Johnathon Smith $4.06
Jacob Giffilin $.440
George Smith  4.37
James Hawthorn 5.25
John Swiss 4.06
John Williamson 6.18
James Clark 50
---------------
                 $110.30
Sworn and Subscribed open Court the fifth day of November 1820
James Miller Prothy
Page 14

Mercer County Pennsylvania
I John Findley prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed and duly copied are from the records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the Schedule is twenty two Dollars and Seventy Cents. In testimony whereof I have sent my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Mercer this Sixth day of January 1825 J Findley Prothy 
Robert M McDonald
Page 15

State of Pennsylvania
County of Mercer
On this 28th day of May 1841 Personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of said county Mary McDonald a resident of Delaware township in said County of Mercer aged about Seventy one years who after being duly sworn according to law in Open Court on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widow that She is the widow of Robert McDonald who was a private in the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary war She further declares that she was married tin the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty eight on the 14th day of September at Sharpburgh Maryland, and that her husband the said Robert McDonald died on the 9th day of June 1840 at Said township of Delaware in said County of Mercer that she married said Robert McDonald after he left the army at the close of the war and that there was no record kept of her marriage.  Sworn and Subscribed in Open Court May 28th 1841
Jacob Douglass Prothy
Mary McDonald
Page 16

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Newly translated out of the original Greek: And with the former Translations Diligently compared and Revifed
By his Majesty's Special Command. Appointed to be Read in Churches 
(Seal)
Edinburgh
by origin of Alexander Kincaid, his Majesty Printin
MDCCLXXXVIL
Page 17

August 13 Born Robert  McDonald
John McDonald was born February S.1491
November 28 Kelley McDonald born
Page 18

No 8058
Mary McDonald
of Robert
Pennsylvania
Act 7 July 3rd 
& 16 Aug 42
AOMD
Ryn pri
8091
Hon A Plumer
H.R.
Page 19

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County
on this 28th day of May 1841 Personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said Charles McDonald who after being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that the annexed leaf was taken from a Bible which has been in the family of Robert Mother of said county deceased husband of Mary McDonald whoseaffidavit is hereto annexed ever since his recollection he being a son of said Robert and Mary and that his father the said Robert McDonald repeatedly told him that the entire or said leaf of the children of said Robert and Mary was made at the time of their births and that the same has been always spoken of the family as their family record Your deponent further states that now record was kept of the children's birth
Charles McDonald
Sworn and Subscribed in Open Court May 28 1841
Ad Doughlass Prothy
Page 20

State of Pennsylvania
County of Mercer
I A.A. Douglass Clerk of the court of Common pleas of said county held in at Mercer in Said County Do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court Robert McDonald was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of ninety six dollars was a resident of Delaware township in said County of Mercer and State of Penna and died in said Township on the ninth day of June 1840 and left a widow Mary McDonald. And I further hereby certify that the annexed depositions of Mary McDonald Charley McDonald and JM Findley were all taken and sworn to in open Court given under my hand an Seal of Office at Mercer this 22nd day of Oct 1841 A.A. Douglass Prothy
No 8058
Mary McDonald of Robert Pennsylvania Oct 7 July 3 and 16 Aug 4th
aomd
(unreadable)
809
Hon. A. Plummer H.R.
Page 21

Rev. 1812 Wars Section
Rev
November 3, 1930
Mrs. F.M. Bleakney
210 E. Pine
Grove City, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War Pension claim, W.3703, that Robert McDonald enlisted at Philadelphia, Pennsylvani, in July, 1778, served as a private in Captain Thomas Boude's Company, Colonel Brodhead's First Pennsylvania Regiment, was at the storming of Stony Point, the battle of Green Springs in Virginia, the siege of Yorktown and several skirmishes and was discharged November 3, 1783. 
It is also stated that he served as a Ensign under General Wayne, no further particulars of this service given. He was allowed pension on his application executed April 9, 1818, at which time he was aged about fifty-eight years and resided in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
He died June 9, 1840, in Delaware Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The date and place of his birth are not shown. 
The soldier married September 14, 1788, at Sharpsburg, Maryland, Mary, her maiden name not given.
She was allowed pension on her application executed May 28, 1841, at which time she was aged about seventy-one years and resided in Delaware Township. Mercer County, Pennsylvania. She was still living there in 1848. The following appears on the family records:
Page 22

Robert McDonald born August 13, ....(torn).
John McDonald born February 8, 1791.
Kelley McDonald born November 28, .....(illegible).
The name of Charles McDonald, another son, also appears his age is not stated.
Very truly yours
E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
Page 23

1908 Aug 10 Hist toc. Mrs J.A. Orvis. A EP
1930 Sept 30/Hist to Leona Orr EEL
1930 Nov 3-Hist to Mrs F.M. Blearney EEL
Revy WIDOW &
File No. 3703
Mary McDonald
Widow
Robert McDonald
Pvt. Rev. War
Act: Feby, 2, 1828
Index:-Vol. M Page 18
Page 24

3380
Pennsylvania Philadelphia
Mary McDonald
widow of Robert McDonald who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 86 dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of December and sent to MMaxwell Mercer Pa
Act of March 3, 1843
recorded in Book A Vol 1 Page 134
WBKHS Hays po26'45
(unreadable)
Page 25

Rev. 30 January - 43
Page 26

Pennsylvania 6972
Mary McDonald widow of Robert McDonald who was a pensioner under the Act of Mar 1818 and who died on the 9 June 1840 of Mercer Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the...commanded by Captain....of the Regiment commanded by Col Broadhead the Pennsylvania line for five years
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 6th  day of March 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of January 1843 and sent to the Hon A. Plumer H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Semi annual allowance ending
$400.00
Act July 7, 1838 and 23 August 1842
Recorded by Book A Vol. 2 Page 158
Page 27

Mary McDonald
of Robert
Pennsylvania
Rejected
See Let 29 Oct '41 to Samuel Nolstein 
husband died after passage of Act 7 July 1838
Act 7 July 1838
Page 28

(unreadable)
Page 29

[transcription note: only have the page (vertically) was scanned; the cutoff area is indicated with a hyphen in transcription]
3 - 870.
Department of the-
BUREAU OF PENSIO-
Sec. F, July 2-
DAILY REPORT OF WORK OF RECOR-
SEARCHED   RECORDE-
Declarations.....Invalids......-
Evidence, etc......Dependent....-
Regiments.....Increase.....-
Specials.....Comb. book.....-
Cor. slips written.....Certificates.....-
Cases called.....Inv. Orig. jacket.....-
Arranging.....Wid. Orig. jac.....-
Calls for data.....Increase jacke.....-
Corrections, S. R.....Reviewed.....-
Corrections, C. R......Numbered.....-
Slips written.....Notified.....-
Compared.....Cases examin-
Cards corrected 8 Vacated.....-
Cards written 2 Briefed.....-
Records corrected 7
Remarks:
[signed]Alex H.Morick
Page 30

Mercer
23 Sept 3
J.L. Edwards Department of War
Pension Office
City of Washington
Page 31

Mercer September 28th 1820
Dear Sir
I have taken the liberty of returning the certificate of Robert McDonald's Pension because that it commences on the 11th of February 1820 which I presume was the date of his second Declaration that date of his first declaration being early in April eighteen hundred and eighteen. (I presume of 13th )
In order that the mistake may be corrected, and another Certificate Issued as of the date of the present one, commencing at the proper period or date of his first application. I am respectfully your Obt. Serv.t
A Brown
Page 32

Hon JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington city
DC
Page 33

Mercer Mercer Co Pa
To the commissioner of Pensions of the U.S 
Enclosed please find three declarations made, by Mrs. Elizabeth Fry, Margaret Rose and Mary McDonald, widows of Revolutionary soldiers for the purpose of obtaining certificates under the Act of 2nd February 1848. The Certificates held by them were forwarded to the pension office in Philadelphia on the 6th of March last. You will find one of the annexed contains a power of Atty it having been forwarded to Philadelphia and returned with instructions to forward to Washington to receive certificate. Please give them your prompt attention as the pensioners are needy and anxious to obtain their funds. Yours Respectfully BF Baskin
JL Edwards
Com. of Pensions
P.S. You May address to myself as I am acting as their atty in the matter
B.F. Baskin
Page 34

Rev Feb 26' 45
Page 35

Washington House of Representatives
Feby 25 1845
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I am requested by Mary McDonalds certificate for a Pension under act of lost Painter she drew on the five year act and again when it was continued for one year, she says she is entitled to a pension under this Act passed payable last April and last September. 
Please examine and send me the certificate with the other necessary papers.
I have the honer to be Respectfully your Obt Servt
LM Hays
Pennsylvania
Page 36

Stamp seal: Mercer Pa Aug 19
3441 Aug 23rd
Pa 
Mercer County
Mary McDonald
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 37

Mercer Pa Aug 19 /43
Sir
I enclosed the papers of Mary McDonald for pension written the act of Congress of 3 March 1843 I presume they are correct as I purposed them from  a form which I received from your office. Please enclose the certificate to me as soon as convenient
Yours M Maxwell
Page 38

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County
This 21st Oct 1841 Personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Common Pleas of said County and Mr Findley Esq who after being duly sworn in open Court before the Judges there by doth depose and say that I was well acquainted with Robert McDonald who was a pensioner for services rendered during the revolutionary war and who died in the year 1840 and also with Mary McDonald widow of said deceased from the year 1800 to the deceased of said Robert and resided all of the above time in said County and within six miles of the residence of said Robert McDonald and Mary his wife- during the whole of the above period from the year 1800 up to the death of said Robert in 1840-the said Robert and Mary lived together as man and wife and were so reputed and believed to be  by the whole neighborhood- Mary had several children born before said period and further deponent did state that he has no doubt but that the said Robert and Mary were married. He said Mary is now living unmarried in said county John Findley
Sworn and Subscribe in Open Court Oct 21 1841
AA Douglass Prot
Page 39

Jan 21 1843
Pa
R McDonald
Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Hon A Plummer HR
Page 40

J.L. EdwardsEsq
will you be so good as to give me the information asked for by the enclosed letter and return the letter with the necessary forms 
Very Respectfully yours
A. Plummer
Page 41

R McDonald late a private in the Pennsylvania line in the revolutionary war.
Columbus Nov 22
W. Robert McDonald
Mercer County Penna
Page 42

Columbus October 7th 1819
Mr Robert McDonald I (unreadable) yours by Mr Samuel McCrea who says he will deliver this I have entirely lost my sight for upwards of three years but I recollect you perfectly and have your name in several rolls and your receipt for 75 dollars being the same amount of the share of a private for the stares taken at Stony Point, there is no pereson being here that knows any thing of your Military Services but myself, I shall be happy of what I can do shall serve you  this is wrote by my youngest son who is now in his thirteen year. For my Father's Thomas bonds Samuel B Bounds
Columbia October 6th 1819
I do certify that the above Robert McDonald was enlisted by Lieutenant James McCollock in Philadelphia in the year 1778 and served in my company until the end of the Sara and was discharged at the barrase in Philadelphia Nov 3rd 1783 he was in my Light (unreadable) company at the storming of Stony Point he was at the battle of the Green Springs in Virginia the 6th of July 1781 he served at the siege of York which was surrendered the 19th of October 1781 he likewise was in several skirmishes with me in all of which he behaved like a brave and good soldier
Thomas Bonde
Late Captain of the 1st Regiment Pennsylvania and Adeagues by Brevet in the revolutionary War Present at Signing as me For thereto has lost sight
Samuel B Bond
Lancaster County Pennsylvania
Page 43

Mary McDonald
$80
3441
Wm Maxwell 
Mercer Pa
Page 44

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County Pa
On this twentieth day of June in the year of Lord Eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Mercer county Mary McDonald a resident of Delaware township in the county of Mercer aged Seventy five 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Robert McDonald who was an Ensign under General Wayne . The Captain whom he was immediately under was Captain Bowed the regiment or corps she cannot otherwise (unreadable) and she received eighty dollars per year of pension under the act of July 7th 1838. She further declares that she is still a widow. Mary McDonald
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year  above written before
B. Hubbard
Page 45

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County
I Franklin B Hubbord an acting justice of the Peace in and for Mercer county and State aforesaid before whom the within declaration was made signed and sworn do hereby certify that the said declarent Mary McDonand is personally known to him and that she is the person who deposits herself to be in said declaration. In Witness whereof I have hereunto at my hand and seal this 18th day of August 1843 J.B  Hubbard
Pennsylvania Mercer County
I A A Douglass Prothonotary of the Court of common pleas in and for the County of Mercer state  of Pennsylvania do certify that F.B. Hubbard Esq before whom the within declaration was made and by whom the above certificate is signed in an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said Countyu duly commissioned and Sworn and that to all his official aActs as such full faith and credit is and ought to be given and that the signature purporting to be his is in his own proper hand writing. In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Mercer this 18th day of August AD 1843 AA Douglass Prothy
Page 46

Application of Mary McDonald
Page 47

United States of America
State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County S.S.
Be it known that before me William W Patton a Justice of the Peace in  and for the county  Mercer aforesaid personally appeared Mary McDonald and made oath in due form of Law, that she is the identical person who drew a pension under the act of this 11th of June 1844 in account of the revolutionary Services of her husband the late Robert McDonald, at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum-that the new makes this affidavit for the purpose of drawing so pension under the Acts of Congress passed the 2nd of February 1868 entitled an act to continue the pensions of certain widows that she has not intermarried but continues to be a widow, that she now resides in Delaware Township in the county of Mercer and State of Pennsylvania and has resided there for the space of sixty years past and that pensions thereto she resided in Berkly County Virginia
Sworn and Subscribed this 3rd day of October 1848 in the  presence of Robert Wile James Meuno
I certify that the above named applicant is personally known to me that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavits. Wm Lenon Prot
James Neons
Page 48

Know all Men by these presents to that I Mary McDonald of Delaware Township Mercer County and State of Pennsylvania a revolutionary Pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute and efficient John R Caldwell of the City of Philadelphia my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to receive pension the agent of the United States foregoing pensions in Philadelphia my pension from the fourth of March 1828 to the fourth of September 1848. Witness my hand and seal this 3rd day of October 1848
Sealed and delivered in the presence of (Junreadable
Robert Wile
James Means
Mary McDonald
State of Pennsylvania 
Mercer County S.S. 
Be it known that on the 3rd day of October 1848 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Mercer, personally appeared Mary McDonald above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal the day and year just above mentioned.  Wm Leasson
Witness Robert Wiles
James Means
Page 49

State of Pennsylvania
Mercer County
I Mike Lacuts Prothonotary of the Courts of common Pleas of said county do hereby certify that Thomas N Pearson before whom that foregoing affidavit was made and the acknowledgement of the Power of Attorney taken is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned as such and that full faith and credit should be given to all his official acts In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Mercer this 19th day of October 1848
MC  Thomas Prothy
Page 50

J.L Edwards esq
Dear Sir
Herewith I send the proof and the papers in the case of the claim of Mary McDonald widow of Robert McDonald deceased The original certificate was sent to Philadelphia when the widow drew the balance at her husbands death. It is impossible to prove the marriage but I propose the proof of her having lived with her husband as his wife and so reputed by the neighborhood in connection with the record of the ages of some of their children here with sent might prove all sufficient. The civil law require no ceremony to constitute a marriage but one courts declare that where a man and woman live together and say to the world they are man and wife that it is evidence of that fact and the law doth not require proof of actual marriage to entitle the widow to answer. I presume you will not hold to more strict rules. No amount that will go to Mrs McDonald will be small (unreadable) at best being only for June 9th to March 1 1841
Yours with respect Sam H Coltesin
Page 51

September 30, 1930
Cora Orr
Spragueville Iowa
Rev.&1812 Wars Section Pel
Dear Madam:
You are advised that is appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W3703, that Robert McDonald enlisted at Philadlphia, Pennsylvania, in July, 1778, served as a private in Captain Thomas Boude's Company, Colonel Brodhead's First Pennsylvania Regiment, was at the storming of Stony Point, the battle of Green Springs in Virginia, the siege of Yorktown and several skirmishes and was discharged November 3, 1783.
It is also stated that he served as an Ensign under General Wayne, no further particulars of this service given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 9, 1818, at which time he was aged about fifty-eight years and resided in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. His pension certificate was issued June 14, 1820.
He died June 9, 1840, in Delaware Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
The date and place of his birth are not shown, nor is it stated that he returned to Scotland after 1798. The soldier married September 14, 1788, at Sharpsburg, Maryland, Mary, her maiden name not given.
She was allowed pension on her application executed May 28, 1841, at which time she was aged about seventy-one years and resided in Delaware Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. She was still living there in 1848.
Page 52

The following appears on the family record:
Robert McDonald born August 13, (torn)
John McDonald born February 8, 1791.
Bailey McDonald November 28, (illegible)
The name of Charles McDonald, another son, also appears his age is not stated.
Very truly yours
E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
Date of her death not as AB
Page 53

7-31-08
The Pension Dept
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs
Robert McDonald died in Mercer Pa in 1840. he was a Revolutionary soldier and grandfather to my grandfather, John R. McDonald now living in Belevue, Iowa
I would be much pleased and obliged to you if you will let me know as soon as convenient if he was a pensioned soldier and any other statistics you might have about him. I wish to become a member of D.A.R. Very Respectfully,
Mrs J.H. Orvis
Esterville, Iowa
Page 54

Spragueville, Iowa
Sept 3. 1930
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
May I please have the complete military (Revolutionary) record of Robert McDonald who obtained lot 210 district No 4 in what is now Mercer County, Pennsylvania and who obtained a pension under the pension law of 1818, June 14, 1820.
Have you copies of his naturalization paper? He was in America as early as 1777. Was single as late as late as 1791. Can you give me the place.
Page 55

a tradition that his daughter, Elizabeth McDonald, my great grandmother did not come to America until 1818, or 1819, or 1820 From several courses these traditions come. Robert McDonald must have returned to Scotland to marry Staying sometime and returning here to receive his pension. Is there anything on your records that would indicate this?
Very respectfully 
Corra Orr (on back)
Page 56

He seems to have enlisted from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Oct 1777 Private Robert McDonald 
lieut Wm. Williams
John McConnell
Ensign John Henderson
Capt. John HamiltonThere is another annotation from Cumberland County Pennsylvania Private Robert McDonald Sept 7, 1780 Ensign
Wm Stewart
Lieut Abraham Wilson
Capt. Andrew Farrier
He was taxed in Cumberland Co.
Milford Twp 1782
Lack Twp 1785
First census of U.S. for Pennsylvania 1790 Allegheny County single 1791 St Clair Allegheny Co. Single men tax.
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and date of his birth and death? Can you tell me who his wife was?
He was my great great grandfather, His real name was Cecil. He deserted from the British army and came to America joining the American forces. (Could he have been of the Jacobites who came to the South after 1745) The records seem to have a blank after 1798 when he settled in Mercer County. Is there a record of his having returned to Scotland after 1798? There is
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Department of Interior Washington D.C. Frank M. Bleakney M.D. Grove City, Pa 10/20/30
Dear Sirs:
May I have please the revolutionary service of Robert McDonald who served in Pennsylvania Line what of his family survived him and resided at time of his death and date of death
Thank You
Respectfully
Mrs T.M. Bleaxney
210 E Pine
Grove City, Pa
Stamped: Pension Office U.S. Oct 22 1930
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[scan cut off] of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
[in]formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on
file in this Bureau. W 3703. Robert McDonald
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT:
July 1776 to Nov 1783
RANK: Private
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN: 
Thomas Boude
COLONEL:
Broadhead
STATE.
Pa.
Battles engaged in: Stony Point
[illegible] Spring, [illegible] of [illegible]
Residence of soldier at enlistment: [illegible] enlisted at Phil[Philadelphia], Pa
Date of application for pension:
Apr 9, 1818
Residence at date of application:
Mercer Co Pa.
Age at date of application:
63 years. He died June 9, 1840 [illegible] Pa.
Remarks: [illegible] at [illegible] Sept 14, 1788 Mary [illegible] was allowed pension on an application executed May 26 1841 [illegible] evident of Delaware Township, [illegible] Co[unty] Pa  aged about 70 years. Children Robt born Aug, 18_, John b. Feb 8, 1791; Nelley and Charles
Very respectfully,