Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2483, Richard Cunningham, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE  
Penn.
Cunningham, Richard
NUMBER 
S 2483.

Carded.
CONTENTS
Page 2

[two-column page]
[left column of page]

[crossed out] Terre Haute
3043
13043
Ohio [crossed out] Ohio Indiana

13.043
Richard Cunningham
of Greene in the State of Ohio
who was a Private in the Company commanded 
by Captain Gaddis of the Brigade commanded
by Gen Brodhead in the Pena Militia
[word crossed out] for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank space] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of May 1833 
and sent to Claimant
Xenior [Xenia] Ohio

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 33 40.00
$200.00
[equation: $160.00 + 40.00 = $200.00]

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Geo. B. Whiting Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 8  Page 4
$200.00

[right column of page]
Cer to Pen Agt 2 Jany 1838.

To Terre Haute Indiana from
4 Sept 1837.  18 Jany 1838 -
Notification sent to [illegible] Terre Haute

Letter to Pensioner 25th July 1842.
[illegible] to Pension Agent 18. Aug 1842.

To Ohio from 4 March 1842.  6th
Sep 1842.  Notification to Pens
Waynesville, Warren Co. Ohio

Letter to J. B. Burner 16. Sep '42.
" [Letter] to Pen Agt (Ohio) 19. " [Sep] 1842.

Date of [illegible]
not on [illegible]
Page 3


J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[written sideways, on the left}
Sept 12, 1842
Mr Evans [illegible name crossed out]

[partially legible date stamp]
CINCINNATI SEP 7
Page 4

Application for a Transfer.
State of Ohio}
City of Cincinnati} ss

On the 6th day of September, 1842, before me,
the subscriber, Mayor of the City aforesaid, personally appeared
Richard Cunningham, who on his oath declared that he is the same
person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded
by Captain George Crawford in the Regiment commanded by
Colonel Dunlap, of the Pennsylvania Militia of the Army of
the Revolution; that his name was placed on the pension roll
of the State of Ohio from whence he removed to Terre Haute
in the State of Indiana on which roll his name then was
placed, that he now resides in Warren County in the State of
Ohio and wishes his pension to be payable in Cincinnati 
in future.  The following are his reasons for removing from Terre 
Haute to Warren County, Ohio:  his son formerly residing in
Terre Haute, having died shortly after deponents removal from
Ohio, he returned to his former place of residence to live with
his son in law, in Warren County.
Richard Cunningham his mark [X]
Witness John B. Burner

Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the Seal of said City, the day and year
aforesaid
Saml W Davies Mayor

State of Ohio}
City of Cincinnati} ss

September 6th 1842.
I Samuel W. Davies, Mayor, of said City,
do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence, viz: 
the testimony under oath of Daniel Wharton, a respectable citizen, 
that George Crawford who appeared this day before me to make
Page 5

the foregoing affidavit is the identical person he represents himself
to be, and that the statements, by him made are true.
Given under my hand at Cincinnati, the day and year
last mentioned

Saml W Davies Mayor
Page 6

Cincinnatti, Septr 6th, 1842.

Sir.
At the request of Mr. R. Cunningham, I take the
liberty to direct to you his application for a transfer from
the Roll of Lafayette Inda. to that of Cincinnati Ohio. 
The returns you will please direct to him to Waynesville, 
Warren County, Ohio.
I am Sir
Very respectfully
Your Obdt. Servt.
John B Burner

J.L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D. C.
Page 7

the State of Ohio Greene County Court of Common Pleas
of the Term of September in the year of our Lord 1832
Greene County ss Personally appeared in open Court
at the above term and in the 15th day of September
1832 Richard Cunningham a resident of Bellbrook in
the County of Greene aforesaid aged Seventy five year on
the 5th day of May last who being first duly sworn before
the Judges of the Court aforesaid doth under oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit 
of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 [words crossed out] 
states that he entered the service of the United States
as a private soldier and as a volunteer for the
Term of Six months under the command of Captain
Geddis and as he thinks Thomas Geddis, at the time
he entered the service (which was in the summer
of 1776, he resided with his mother about two miles
from [illegible: Mercersburg?] County of Franklin and
State of Pennsylvania, and he thinks [illegible] was
at that time in the County of Cumberland.  The name 
of the Lieutenant was Springer but does not recollect
his first name. the company was raised in and [illegible]
[illegible town name crossed out] brown Town
and marched under the command
of Captain Geddes to a place called the beach [Beech] botton
on the bank of the Ohio River and were stationed
at a post of Garrison between the mouth of Buffalow [Buffalo]
Creek and the mouth of Short Creek between
Wheeling and Pittsburgh.  The company remained at
this post until discharged and were employed in keeping
up a communication with the fort at Wheeling and
and a fort above the month of Buffalow [Buffalo] Creek and in scouting 
and spying for Indians -- this applicant was in
no battle or skirmish during this term of service
and was discharged about the month of December
1776.  This company was all the troops or force
Stationed at the beach [Beech] Botton and [were crossed out] and the
officer highest in command was Captain Geddes 
and the company was sent to that place by
the order of Genl Brodhead as he was their [illegible].
[illegible words crossed out]
Page 8

[crossed out words: in the latter part of the month of December he again
volunteered] He was discharged by Captain Geddis [Gaddis] 
at the beach [Beech] Bottom at the expiration of the Six
months for which he volunteered; and started for
home to his Mothers in Franklin County Pa. but
went as far as "Redstone Fort in Pa. and at that
place in the latter part of December 1776 as he
believes he volunteered for two months under
a Lieutenant William Colvin who was at that
time stationed at that place with a few men under
his command for the purpose of guarding some military 
stores.  he remained in the fort until the expiration 
of his two months service and was discharged
at that place by Lieutenant Colvin.  He then returned
to his Mothers and remained there ^until about harvest
A.D. 1777 when he again entered the service of the
United States as a volunteer in a company commanded 
by Captain George Crawford who resided
about 6 miles from Mekersburg [Mercersburg?]. He [word crossed out] applicant 
joined the company at Shippensburg in Franklin Co. Pa. and Volunteered as a private soldier for a term of two months and marched under the
command of Captain Crawford by the way
of Lancaster into the State of Delaware and was in a
battle or skirmish that was then called the
battle of the Iron Hill and in a skirmish at
a place called the White horse and in both instances 
the Regiment or battallion to which he belonged 
was command by Col. Dunlap, during this
term he was also in the battle of Brandywine
and in this battle Dunlap was his Col. and
and in this battle he received a slight wound on the head
Patter [Potter?] was his generals name. About this time
the Term for which he volunteered expired but
as another battle was shortly expected with the
British the [illegible] the company of Captain Crawford
were retained and in a short time he was in
Page 9

the battle which was fought at Germantown - He
was not at this time under the command of
General Potter but was in this battle [word crossed out] under the command of a General Armstrong who
was in the army called whistling Jack.  He was
not discharged for about a week or ten days
after this battle and was in the service [of crossed out] at this
time three months and a few days or three
months lacking a few days and he cannot
State which & he was then discharged between
Germantown & valley forge he cannot say at
what place and received an order for fourteen
dollars in continental money to be paid at
Lancaster for [word crossed out] ^his extra time. In the fall
of 1777 and before his return home to his Mothers
he enlisted at Lancaster (as he believes) for
a term of three years on condition that he
should receive a furlow to return home &
see his mother and arrange his business--
He received a furlow for three months from
Colonel Crawford but returned to Lancaster
Pa. before the expiration of two months and that
same fall or winter was marched by a recruiting 
Sergeant in company with 6 or 8 others
to Pittsburgh. The General in command at
Pittsburgh at that ^time or shortly after he arrived
was Genl. McIntosh.  He remained at Pittsburg
for a short time and marched down to fort 
McIntosh on the Ohio, and remained at that 
place as his [illegible] quarters until the expiration
his Term of three years He performed several
Scouts under the command of Captain Brady
the name of the Colonel was Crawford, the
Page 10

name of his Major he does not recollect.  He thinks 
about nine month of this time he was employed
under James Huston ^(of Cumberland Co Pa) and Belonged to his Brigade
of Pack horses and was employed in conveying
provisions from the interior of Pennsylvania
& Virginia for the use of the army at Fort
McIntosh & Pitt.  He served out his time under
this enlistment and was discharged at Fort
McIntosh.  Immediately after this discharge he
again entered the service as a volunteer for
one year as a spy under Captain Brady
and served out his time & was discharged
He remained at and spyed through the
Country in the neighbourhood of Fort McIntosh
& Pitt - but was in no battle or skirmish with
the Indians or Brittish during these last four
years service.  He cannot be positive as to the
correctness of the above date but is positive
that the length of time he served is correctly
stated and that he was in the battles above
mentioned.  He further states that he has no
he received a written discharge from Col. Crawford or 
[crossed out: Genl McIntosh] for
documentary evidence of his services that he has lost 
the three years for which he enlisted & served at Fort McIntosh
as above all his written discharges, and at he knows of no
person now living whose evidence he can obtain
to prove any of the above services but [illegble] procure 
the evidence of William Davis a Clergyman
and John Torrence who reside in his neighbourhood
to prove his general reputation as a soldier of the 
Revolution, and he hereby relinquishes all claim to
a pension [crossed out: under any other law] or annuity except
present & declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of [crossed out any] this agency of any state this applicant has resided for the last 25 or 30 years in [word crossed out] 
State of Ohio and the principle part of this time in the
county of Warner and a part of this time
Page 11

and for the last [five crossed out] six years in Green County in
Bellbrook further states in being asked by the
Court [word crossed out] that he was born in what is now Franklin 
County Pennsylvania about two miles from
Messersburg [Mercersburg?] and was born in 1759 and on the
fifth day of May [words crossed out] as appears
from an entry in the Bible of his Father [crossed out: appears] 
and that bible has been in his possion [possession] until
within the last few years
Richard Cunningham his mark [6]

Sworn to & subscribed in
Open Court this 15th
day of Sep 1832
J. L. Grover clk

the State of Ohio Greene County
Court of Common pleas of the Term of September
1832
We William ^F. ^R. Davis a clergyman 
[crossed out: and John Torrence of the County of Greene aforesaid]
residing in the County of Greene aforesaid and ^Jacob ^Rike 
[crossed out: John Torrence]
also a resident of the same County and in the neighbourhood 
of Bellbrook hereby certify that we are
well acquainted with Richard Cunningham who
has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be Seventy five years
of age; that he is reputed and believed [illegible] 
neighbourhood where he resides to have been a
Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in
that opinion.
Wm F R Davis
Jacob Rike

Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court
Sep 15. 1832
J. L. Grover clk
At the same time & place came before the
above court John Torrence who being [illegible] duly sworn
says that he is acquainted with Richard Cummingham
who has subscribed the above statement and that from
conversations with said Richard Cunningham and from
facts which he has stated to him he is confident he
must have been in the battle of Brandywine or he
could not have known the facts that he has Stated
to him as having taken place in that Batt [Battle]
Page 12

=le [Battle] and about that time
John Torrence

Sworn to & Subscribed in 
Open Court, Sep 15th 1832
J.S. Grover Clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after [the crossed out] putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department
that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier and served as he states.  And the Court further
certifies that it appears to them that John Steele [word crossed out] who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman 
resident in the County of Greene and State of
Ohio afsd and that Jacob Ryke who has also signed
the same & John Torrence above named are residents
in the same County of Greene, and are credible persons 
and that their statements are entitled to Credit.

I James L Grover Clerk of the Court of
Common pleas of Greene County, Ohio, aforesaid
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court in
the matter of the application of Richardson Cunningham 
for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & Seal of
Office this 15th day of September 1832

J.L. Grover Clerk
Page 13

I James L Grover Clerk of the Court of 
Common Pleas of Greene County Ohio aforesaid
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Richard Cunningham for
a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my name & seal of office this
18th day of [September crossed out] March
1833.
J. L. Grover Clk

[on the left: round seal stamped over a square shaped paper, ribbons also visible]
Page 14

State of Ohio Warren County Ss.
On this eighth day of August in the
year one thousand eight hundred & forty two, before me the
subscriber, a Justice of the peace for the said County of Warren
personally appeared Richard Cunningham, who on his
Oath declares, that he is the same person who formerly
belonged to the company commanded by Captain George
Crawford in the Regiment commanded by Colonel [blank] Dunlap in the service of the United States

that his name was placed on the pension roll of the [United crossed out] 
State of Ohio, originally, & afterwards, on the
18th January 1838, was transferred to that of Terre Haute
Indiana, from whence he has lately removed; that he
now resides in the State of Ohio where he intends to remain
& wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. He further 
states that his pension certificate bears date 4th day
of May 1833 & is numbered 13.043.  The following are
his reasons for removing from Indiana to Ohio to wit:
This affiant states that having lost his wife he went to reside 
with his son near Terre Haute Indiana but that
about two years ago his said son died & he was thereby
deprived of his home there.  He is therefore Compelled to
reside with his children residing in Ohio & finds it 
Extremely inconvenient & expensive to be compelled to
receive his pension at Terre Haute.

(The name of the word "United in the 11th line from the
top made before signing)
Richard Cunningham his mark [X]

Sworn to & subscribed before me 
the 8th day of August 1842
W Sellers J P
Page 15

State of Ohio Warren County
On this 8th day of August AD 1842
before the undersigned a Justice of the peace within &
for the County aforesaid personally came Allen
Wright (whom I certify to be a person of veracity) &
made oath that the person who has taken the within
Oath is the same Richard Cummingham described
in the within affidavit
Allen Wright

Sworn to & subscribed before
me the day & year aforesaid
W. Sellers J.P.

State of Ohio Warren County Ss
I Horace M Stokes Clerk of the
Court of Common pleas for said County certify that
William Sellers is a Justice of the peace of said
County duly Commissioned & qualified & that his
signature to the foregoing affidavits are genuine. 

Given under my hand & the seal
of said Court at Lebanon August
8th 1842
H M Stoke, Clerk

Please Direct Answer to Waynesville, Warren
County Ohio
Page 16

October 16, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Richard Cunningham - S.2483

Miss Pearl Finley
115 E. Kruzan Street
Brazil, Indiana
Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Richard Cunningham, who is recorded as
residing in Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana, at the home of
one Francis Cunningham.

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file
in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.2483, based upon the military
service in that war of Richard Cunningham.

Richard Cunningham was born May 5, 1757, in Cumberland (later
Franklin) County, Pennsylvania.  At the beginning of the Revolutionary
War, his mother was residing about two miles from Mercersburg, 
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  The names of soldier's 
parents are not shown.

While residing with his mother in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 
Richard Cunningham enlisted in the summer of 1776, served
as a private in Captain Thomas Geddis' Pennsylvania Company,
marched to the Ohio River and was stationed at a fort between
Wheeling and Pittsburgh, was engaged in spying and scouting against
the Indians and was discharged in December, 1776, having served six
months:  after his discharge, he started for his mother's home, but
on arriving at Redstone, in December, 1776, he enlisted again, served
two months under Lieutenant William Colvin in the Pennsylvania Troops
and guarded the military stores at that place in the summer of 1777, 
he volunteered, served as a private in Captain George Crawford's Company
under Colonel Dunlop in the Pennsylvania Troops, was in the battle 
of Iron Hill, White Horse, Brandywine, where he received a slight
wound on the head, and Germantown, and was discharged about ten days
after the last named engagement, having served about three months:  
while on his way home, he enlisted at Lancaster; received a furlough
of three months in order to visit his mother, but returned before the
expiration of two months and served under Colonel Crawford and General [McIntosh]
Page 17

[General] McIntosh; went to Fort McIntosh which place was his headquarters
during this service; served as a scout and spy, a part of the time
under Captain Brady, and for nine months under James Huston Transporting
provisions from Pennsylvania and Virginia to Forts Pitt
and McIntosh the entire length of this service was three years;
immediately after the expiration of this service, he reenlisted
and served one year under Captain Brady as a spy in the neighborhood 
of Fors Pitt and McIntosh.

Richard Cunningham was allowed pension on his application
executed September 13, 1832, while living at Bellbrook, Greene 
County, Ohio, where he had then lived for ten years.  Before
that time he had resided for twenty-five or thirty years in Warren
County, Ohio.

In 1833, he moved to Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, to
reside with his son, Francis Cunningham. In 1842, he stated that
his son, Francis, died about two years after soldier's removal to
Terre Haute to reside with him; soldier's wife was dead and he was
then living with a son-in-law in Warren County, Ohio, in which
state his other children resided. The name of soldier's wife and
the names of his children, other than son Francis, are not shown.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of
the Revolutionary War pensioner, Richard Cunningham (S.2383), you
should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Richard Cunningham
Certificate No. 3043
Issued May 4, 1833
Rate $80 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Ohio Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 18

[two column page]
[left side]
1925 Sept 22 Hist to Stasia
B Staley
MDY

1934 - Dec 6 - Hist to
Bertha H. Butzow [illegible initials]

1936. Oct 16. Hist to 
Miss Pearl Finley - E L

[right side]
Rev War [written sideways on the left]

2483
INVALID.
File No. 2483
Richard Cunningham
Privt Rev War

Act: June 7. 1832

Index: -- Vol. A, Page 84.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

[Round date stamp: Aug 8 (illegible letters)]
[stamp] FREE

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

[written sideways, on the right]
Aug 13 1842 
Rev War
Page 20

Round date stamp on the left: TERRE HAUTE Pa. DEC (18 crossed out) 19 handwritten]

Dec 30 [handwritten on top of the date stamp]

Mr. Evans [written sideways, on the left]

[stamp] FREE
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D. C.
Page 21

State of Indiana
County of Vigo Ss
On this 16th day of December, in
the year of our Lord 1833, before me the subscriber, a
Notary Public for the said County of Vigo, personally
appeared Richard Cunningham, who, on his oath, declared 
that he is the same person who formerly belonged to
the Company commanded by Captain George Crawford
in the Regiment commanded by Colonel -- Dunlap (first name not recollected), in the service of the United States; 
that his name was placed on the Pension Roll
of the State of Ohio, from whence he has lately removed
that he now resides in the County of Vigo, in the State of
Indiana, where he intends to remain, and wishes his
Pension to be payable at Terre Haute in said County in
future.  The following are his reasons for removing from
Ohio to Indiana.  He had become so much advanced in years
as to be unable to perform the ordinary business of housekeeping
and the labor incidental thereto; and he came to Terre Haute
where his son Francis Cunningham resides, for the purpose
of living with him.
Richard Cunningham

Sworn and subscribed to before me
the day and year aforesaid
S. B Gookins
Notary Public.

State of Indiana, Vigo County Ss
Francis Cunningham of said
County, being duly sworn, says he has been acquainted with
the above named Richard Cunningham for more than
fifty years, and that the said Richard is personally
known to him to be the person named in an original pension
certificate, in his possession, numbered 13043 dated May 4th
1833, and signed by Lew. Cass, Secretary of War, and that the
facts stated in the above affidavit by him made are true
F. Cunningham

Subscribed and sworn to, before me
this 16th day of December 1837
S. B. Gookins.  Notary Public.
Page 22

State of Indiana, Vigo County Ss
I, S. B. Gookins Notary Public in and for said
County, hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with
Richard Cunningham and Francis Cunningham, who
have this day made and subscribed the foregoing affidavits
before me, and that they are persons of good moral character, 
standing and credit, and that their said affidavits are
the most satisfactory evidence to me of the identity of the said
Richard Cunningham, and that the statements made by him in
his affidavit are true.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and Notarial Seal, at Terre Haute 
in said County this 16th day of December
1837.
S. B. Gookins
Notary Public

State of Indiana, County of Vigo Ss:
I, Curtis Gilbert, Clerk of the Circuit Court
of said County certify that S. B. Gookins, is a Notary Public
as above, and the signatures to the above certificate and
foregoing affidavit purporting to be his are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
my seal of office and subscribed my name
this sixteenth day of December in the year one
Thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven.
C. Gilbert
Clerk of the Circuit Court of
Vigo County, Indiana
Page 23

Round date stamp on the left: WAYNESVILLE Ohio, JULY 20]

[stamp] FREE
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[written sideways, on the left]
July 25. 1842
Mr Evans
Page 24

To J L Edwards Com. of Pensions Sir,

In the year 1837
Sept 4th, I was transfered from the Roll of Ohio to that of
Indiana at Terre Haute where I resided with my son who
is now Dec and I am thereby [word crossed out] compelled to return to Ohio
to other of my children.  Now sir what I wish is that I may
again be placed on the Roll of Ohio so that I can draw my
pension in Cincinnati Which is more convenient to me
than any other deposit in the State

I am now living in Warren County and any communication 
you may be pleased to make be pleased to send to Waynesville
in this County.  If you should be pleased to make the Transfer
back to Ohio have the goodness to apprise me of it so that I can
draw the money as soon as it is due as I am in express need of the
the money and if this communication is not sufficient to authorize 
you to make the transfer be good enough to direct me to
the proper course to be adopted

Very Respectfully yr &c &c
Richd Cunningham his mark [X]

Signed in presence of
Geo Harlan 
Daniel Wharton
Page 25

Pension Claim
[stamp: rectangle with FREE inside]

Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary of War
Washington City

[on the left:] March 15th
[date stamp: XENIA OHIO, MAR 9]
Page 26

[stamp] FREE

J L. Edwards Esq
Comr, of Pensions
Washington DC

[written sideways, on the left:]
30. Aug 1842
[illegible, faint impression of a date stamp on the left]
Page 27

Madison Augt. 24th 1842
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr. of Pensions
Washington

Yours of the 18th inst is in?
The last payment to Richard Cunningham
$80 per year under act 7 June 1832 was
4 March 1842.  I have entered his name
transferred to Ohio on my Roll

Very rspty
J. F. D. Lanier
Pen. Agent
Page 28

Free

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

[illegible round date stamp on the left]
Jan 16 [written over the date stamp on the left]

[written sideways on the left:] Mr Evans
Mr Evans
Page 29

Franklin Bank of Cincinnati
8th Jany 1838

Sir,
The last payment made, to Richard Cunningham, a pensioner
under the act of 7th June 1832, at the rate of $80 per annum, was
up to the 4th day of September 1837.  No further payment
will be made.

I am Yours
very respectfully
John. H. Groesbeck Pen. Agt
By R. W. Lawrence

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C
Page 30

Commercial Bk of Cincinnati
Pension Agency 13th Sept. 1842

Your favour of 6th Inst has been received-- I presume the name is intended
to be Richard Cunningham but is not fully written out-- If so I would state that by our Books
R Cunningham has not been paid since 4 Sept 1837 and has never been transferred from this
Agency to Indiana - his name has regularly been returned among the unclaimed pensions under the
Act of the 6th April 1838.  Under these circumstances, he having stated here a few days since that
he had recd his pay regularly at Terre haute we refused to pay him the last 6 mos. Pension
untill I could ascertain to which agency he properly belonged - Will you do me the
favor to inform me as to this point.

David Heath an Invalid Pensioner has repeatedly called to see whether
his Name had been transferred from Maryland to this Agency, he has been sick, is poor and
Needs the stipend for his daily support, under the circumstances if it could be hastened it
would be a deed of charity to him.

I am Respectfully
Yr Obt Servt.
James S Armstrong Pens Agt
By John G Anthony Pens Clk

J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC.
Page 31

1776. -- 6 Mon
 " 2
1777 21
Page 32

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Richard Cunningham -- which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension.
he is entitled? yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? yes
Page 33

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes

XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? yes


EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___ 
year ___ months, and ___ days, I served as a ___ For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 34

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase [italics] about three or four months [end italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the 
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  
It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not 
employed in any civil pursuit.

+QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.  
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

++QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.

[right-pointing hand icon] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal 
of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the of
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 35

Indianapolis, Ind., July 18th. /25
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,-
The List of Pensioners which was published in
connection with the Sixth Census of the United States
(1840) shows
Michael Crooks, and [in faint writing:] res Jackson, Clay Co - ag 80
  res with James Harland [end faint writing]
Richard Cunningham [in faint writing:] res Posey, Clay Co ag 84.
  res with Francis Cunningham [end faint writing]
as residing in Clay County in 1840.

[on the left, written diagonally:] [illegible] for either & no other Rev

Will you kindly advise me what the records of
your office reveal, concerning these two Revolutionary
soldiers.
I will greatly appreciate this information, as I am
endeavoring to assist the Clay County Historical Society
in compiling some data to be used in connection with the
celebration of the County's 10th anniversary, this fall
Very truly
Mrs. Stasia B. Staley
2617 Ashland Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
Page 36

Chicago, Illinois,
November 20, 1934.

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C. 

[Round time and date stamp, with numbers all around the edge to mark the time - 2:30 marked with an arrow:] RECEIVED NOV 28 1934 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS. ADM. READER #26 

Gentlemen: - I am anxious to secure
accurate data, not only of a biographical
and genealogical nature, but also of
a military nature, pertaining to
the two men whose names and
military service records as soldiers
in the American Revolution I am
listing below, so far as I know
them, and I shall appreciate
any information whatever that you
will kindly send me in regard
to them, their military services,
their wives and families.

1. Samuel Risley [underlined], who was a
private in the Connecticut militia
and who applied for a pension
while a resident of Athens County,
Ohio, where he is interred in a
private Cemetery. His pension
commenced March 4th, 1831 and
Page 37

he was placed on the pension roll 
February 2nd, 1833.  His wife's given
name was Stacey, but her maiden
surname is unknown to me, she is
said to have survived her husband
seventeen years, he dying some time
during the year 1838 and she in
1855, in Athens County, Ohio,

2. Richard Cunningham [underlined], who
served as a private in the
Pennsylvania militia and who
applied for a pension while a
resident of Greene County, Ohio,
where he is interred in the
cemetery north of Bellbrook in
Sugar creek township. His pension
commenced March 4th, 1831 and
he was placed on the pension
roll May 4th, 1833.  Both the
name of his wife and the date
of his marriage are unknown
to me.  He must have been a
Page 38

man of approximately 77 years
of age when first granted a
pension.

Thanking you in advance
for any data that you will
kindly send me, I am
Yours very truly
Bertha H. Butzow
6408 South California Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

[Round time and date stamp, with numbers all around the edge to mark the time - 2:30 marked with an arrow:] RECEIVED NOV 28 1934 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS. ADM. READER #26
Page 39

Brazil, Ind.
July -- 8th -- 1936.
Veterans Administration,
Revolutionary War Records Div.
Washington, D. C.

Gentleman:
Please send me a copy of the Service Record
of RICHARD CUNNINGHAM [underlined] who is listed in the 1840 Census
and Pension Roll as residing in Posey township, Clay County
Indiana in the home of one Francis Cunningham.

We, of William Oard Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution, are trying to compile a complete and
accurate list of all Revolutionary Soldiers and Patriots w
who have ever resided in this County.

Very respectfully,
(Miss) Pearl Finley

Historian of William Oard Chapter D. A. R.
115 E. Kruzan St.
Brazil, Ind.
12,

[Round time and date stamp sideways, with numbers all around the edge to mark the time - 2:45 marked with an arrow:] RECEIVED JUL 9 [illegible year]  MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS. ADM. READER #34
Page 40

Rev & 1812 Wars Section. [illegible]
September 22, 1925.

Mrs. Stasia B. Staley
2617 Ashland avenue,
Indianapolis, Indiana

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S-2483, it appears that
Richard Cunningham was born May 5, 1757 in what was later
Franklin County, Pennsylvania ahd while living there he
enlisted in the summer of 1776 and served for six months
as a private in Captain Thomas Geddis' Pennsylvania Company, 
and was discharged in December 1775.

He enlisted late in December 1776 and served two
months under Lieutenant William Colvin at Redstone Fort,

He enlisted about the time of harvest in 1777 and
served three months in Captain George Crawford's Company,
Colonel Dunlop's Pennsylvania Regiment and was in the engagements
at Iron Hill, White Horse, Brandywine and Germantown.

He enlisted in the winter of 1777, was stationed at
Fort Pitt and McIntosh under Colonel Crawford, served under
Captain Brady on several scouting parties and for nine months
was in a brigade of Pack Horses serving in all under this
Page 41

enlistment for three years.
Immediately after he served for one year as a spy
under Captain Brady, around Forts Pitt and McIntosh. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 15, 1832, while residing in Bellbrook, Greene
County, Ohio.  In 1833 he moved to Vigo County, Indiana
to live with his son Francis. In 1842, soldier stated
that his wife was dead and that the son with whom he had
lived was dead and that he was residing in Warren County, Oh;
Ohio with a son-in-law, whose name and that of soldier's
other children were not stated.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 42

[typed page with handwritten additions]

December 6, 1935
XXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Richard Cunningham-S.2483
Samuel Risley- W26369

Bertha H. Butzow
6408 South California Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record
of Richard Cunningham, who served in the Pennsylvania Troops and
applied for pension while residing in Greene County, Ohio; also the
record of Samuel Risley, of Connecticut, who applied for pension while
residing in Athens County, Ohio, both soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

You are furnished herein the histories of those soldiers, the data 
for which were obtained from the papers on file in the respective 
claims for pension based upon their military service in the Revolutionary War.  

Richard Cunningham
S.2483
Richard Cunningham was born May 5, 1757, in Cumberland (later
Franklin) County, Pennsylvania.  At the beginning of the Revolutionary
War, his mother was residing about two miles from Mercersburg, 
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The names of soldier's
parents are not shown.

While residing with his mother in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 
Richard Cunningham enlisted 

[line leading to a handwritten comment in the right margin:] found a Cap Gaddis but not capt in Pa Archives [end of handwritten comment]

in the summer of 1776, served
as a private in Captain Thomas Geddis' Pennsylvania Company, marched
to the Ohio River, and was stationed at a fort between Wheeling and
Pittsburgh, was engaged in spying and scouting against the Indians 
and was discharged in December, 1776, having served six months:
after his discharge, he started for his mother's home, but on arriving
at Redstone, in December, 1776, he again enlisted, served two
months under Lieutenant William Colvin in the Pennsylvania Troops
and guarded the military stores at that place in the summer of 1777.

[handwritten, on the left:] found sol. in Cumberland & Wash Cos  Pa in Vol 4 & 7
[handwritten, at the bottom of the page:] he did not say Redstone, Pa. & as it was
disputed territory, I did not use any state
Page 43

[typed page with handwritten comments added]

Richard Cunningham Volunteered, served as a private in Captain
[line leading to handwritten comment:] Found Capt Geo Crawford under Col 
Culbertson [illegible] under Dunlap [end comment]

George Crawford's Company under Colonel Dunlop in the Pennsylvania
Troops, was in the battles of Iron Hill, White Horse, 
[line leading to handwritten comment:] Have never been able to find date or state for White Horse but placed it where he put it. [end comment]

Brandywine, where he received a slight wound in the head, and Germantown and
was discharged about ten days after the last named engagement,
having served about three months; while on his way home, he enlisted
at Lancaster; received a furlough of three months in order to visit
his mother, but returned before the expiration of two months and
served under Colonel Crawford and General McIntosh; went to Fort
McIntosh which place was his headquarters during this service;
served as a scout and spy, a part of the time under Captain Brady,
and for nine months under James Huston transporting provisions
from Pennsylvania and Virginia to Forts Pitt and McIntosh:  the entire
length of this service was three years; immediately after the
expiration of this service, he re-enlisted and served one year
under Captain Brady as a spy in the neighborhood of Forts Pitt and 
McIntosh.

Richard Cunningham was allowed pension on his application
executed September 15, 1832, while living at Bellbrook, Greene
County, Ohio, where, he stated, he had then lived for ten years. 
Before that tome he had resided for twenty-five or thirty years
in Warren County, Ohio.

In 1833, he removed to Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, to
reside with his son, Francis Cunningham.  In 1842, he stated that
his son, Francis, died about two years after soldier's removal to
Terre Haute to reside with him, soldier's wife was dead and he was
then living with a son-in-law in Warren County, Ohio, in which
state his other children resided.  The name of soldier's wife and
the names of his children, other than son, Francis, are not shown
and there are no further family data.

******
Samuel Risley
26369
Samuel Risley was born June 11, 1761. The place of his
birth and the names of his parents are not shown.

While residing at East Hartford, Connecticut, Samuel Risley
enlisted the latter part of October, 1778, served about one month
in Captain Forbes' Company and guarded the soldiers of Burgoyne
from Springfield, Massachusetts to Nine Partners, Dutchess County,
New York:  he enlisted July 1, 1779, served two months in Captain [Stanley's]

-2-
Page 44

[Captain] Stanley's Connecticut Company went to New London and acted as a
guard at that place; he enlisted about April 1, 1780, for nine
months, served in Captain Nathaniel Wales' Company, Colonel Levi
Wells' Connecticut Regiment, was stationed at Horseneck and was enaged
a part of the time against the Cowboys: during this service,
Colonel Wells' headquarters was attacked one night and the colonel
and nearly all of his officers were captured and carried to New York
as prisoners: in another attack, while on picket guard, Samuel
Risley received a wound in his knee which rendered him unfit for
further military duty.  He was taken to the hospital at Stamford
where he remained unable to walk until the expiration of the time
for which he had enlisted and was then taken to his home by his
father.

After the Revolution, Samuel Risley resided in East Hartford,
Connecticut, until 1790; afterward lived for five years in Simsbury,
for six years in New Hartford, Connecticut.  In 1801, he removed
to the state of New York, where he lived for fifteen years at Batavia,
during which time, he assisted in making twelve miles of the "Great
Western Road through Onondaga".  He then removed to the state of Ohio,
lived first in Gallia County, that state; then, in 1827, moved to
Athens County, Ohio.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 12,
1832, while residing in Athens County, Ohio.

The soldier married June 11, 1815, 1816 or 1817 (all of these
dates are given) Stacy or Stacey Oliver, who was born February 9,
1782.  The widow gave three different places of marriage, namely
" in what is now Tyler County, Virginia", Washington County, Virginia
and Wood County, Virginia.

Soldier's widow, Stacy, was allowed pension on her application
executed April 13, 1853, while residing in Athens County, Ohio.

The names of the following children of Samuel and Stacy Risley
are shown:
James, the oldest son, born February 29, 1816 - in 1855, was
living in Athens County, Ohio.
Samuel, Junior " [ditto] March 31, 1818.
Julia S. " [ditto] January 7, 1821.
Heason [Reason] O. " [ditto] July 12, 1825.

There are no further family data.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
-3-