Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 6831, for Patrick Maher, Maryland
Page 1

[A form to list elements in a file - there are none]

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Md

Maher, Patrick
or Marhar
NUMBER R 6831
Contents
[many lines on the form, no entries]
Page 2

Patrick Mahorn [sic - Maher]  a Soldier of the Maryland line in the service of
the United States during the revolutionary [sic - lower case 'r'] War was entitled to lot1404 of the land westward of Fort Cumberland which was given to him by the State of Maryland
[signature] David Lynn [this is Captain David Lynn  third regiment of the Maryland line]
Page 3


State of Virginia
County of Rockbridge to wit:
On this 30th day of April 1834 personally appeared
before me, a justice of the peace for said county, Patrick Mahar [sic Maher], a resident of Rockbridge County State of Virginia, aged
Eighty one, the 17th of last March who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made
by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1780, in the fall of the year he thinks, with Capt. David Lynn, and
served in the third regiment of the Maryland line, under the following named officers: Col. Howard, Capt. David Lynn, Leiut [Lieutenant] Jno [John] Lynn, Lieut [Lieutenant] Socket, Tho [Thomas] Windham, orderly sargeant [sic - sergeant], he was in service when the peace was made, he served under but one term of enlistment, he resided in Fredericktown Maryland when he entered the service, he was engaged in no battles, he was detained at Fredericktown for some length of time after enlisting the first service he was
sent upon, was when the company, by the order of General Smallwood, went in search of Wayland the refugee [sic] who burned a ship at Stuart Shipyard, on West River, below Anapolis [sic Annapolis], he here remained for some time with Capt. Lynn's Company for the purpose of guarding and protecting a ship that was building, this ship when launched was I think called the Virginia or Virginian. he [sic - lower case 'h'] next returned to Frederick Town, and there drew 3 months pay in what was called Morris notes, also cloathing [sic - clothing], on his return to Fredericktown he found there a number of prisoners taken from Cornwallace's army he then, together with Capt Lynn's company were sent as a part of the escort to convey said prisoners to Little York Pa & Philadelphia new jail, which service being compleated [sic - completed], he with the said Lynn's company [continued to another page]
Page 4

[continued from another page]
again returned to Fredericktown Md. Capt. Lynn's company was next ordered the Fort Pitt, whithin [sic] with said company he again marched, and remained at Fort Pitt, in the performance of garrison duty until peace was declared.
he was then re_marched [sic - underscore] to Frederick Town Md. & discharged. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the
Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, and that his discharge is lost, and that [remaining sentence is very faint and unreadable - dry pen?]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before Saml [Samuel] Patterson
[signature] Patrick Maher

And I the said Samuel Patterson, Justice of the peace in the County of Rockbridge & State of Virginia, do hereby declare my opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. I hereby further certify that from bodily infirmity & the distance at which he resides from the Court House, that the said applicant is not able to appear before the court. I further certify my belief that his statement as to his age is correct, and my full belief that he is a man of truth
and incapable of knowingly making a false
statement.
[signature] Saml [Samuel] Patterson
Page 5

In the month of March 1832 as well as I recollect ┃
James Bridget a soldier of the revolution came
before me Saml [Samuel] Patterson a Justice of the peace for the County of Rockbridge and made oath that he
the said Bridget became acquainted with
Patrick Maher in the army of the United States
that at the time he first saw him he was in the
service to the north and afterwards saw him in the
service of the revolution at Ashley Hills in South Carolina

The afadavid [sic] which at that time was taken
I understood was sent to Washington City and have
went through the Hon [followed by superscript 'd' indicating 'honored']  Saml [Samuel] McMoore a
Member of Congress, that the afidavit [sic] of Bridget cannot be found
A few weeks ago application was made to me
to renew the testimony of the aforesaid James Bridget
I went to his house for that purpose but from
the infirmity of old age and the feeble State of
his mind he was unable to recollect any
circumstance of his having given his affidavit at
the time before mentioned
[Signature of] Saml Patterson [Samuel]

Sworn to and Subscribed
to before me John Wishaw [? unable to confirm last name]
a Justice of the peace for
the County of Rockbridge
[Signature of] John Wishaw [? unable to confirm last name]
Page 6

I have known the Declarant Patrick Maher near 40 years and have allways believed him to have been a soldier of the Revolution as well from his own statement
as that of James Bridget who is now living and on the pension list but who I am informed has now lost all recall [?] all mind. Same 20 years ago Bridget & Maher laboured [sic]
together on the farm whereon I now live for my Father 
they seemed much attached to each other from having been soldiers togather [sic - together]
under in Great Washington. Bridget Stated often in my
hearing where he first saw Maher amongst the Maryland Troop &amp; 2 or more difrent [sic - different] places he afterwards saw him
during the war which has escaped my recollection and unles [sic]
my memory greatly deceives me that they called him Mahony or some such name. This I think was the way he pronounced his
name when I first knew him expecially [sic - especially] when elated with vanity
or Grog [?] or both which was often the case from the time I first saw him untill [sic] with in the last few years.
I have allways [sic] believe him to be a man of truth
[signature of] Wm Houston [William Houston]
June 9th 1834
Page 7

[typewritten letter]

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON  February 10, 1937
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[initials] 
Honorable M. H. Evans
Room 1519, House Office Building
Washington, D.C.

BA-J/KEL
Patrick Maher-R.6831

My dear Mr. Evans:
Reference is made to your request by telephone of February 9, 1937, for the Revolutionary War record of Patrick Maher, of
Philadelphia.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon the service
in the Revolutionary War of a Patrick Maher, who is shown to have
resided in Philadelphia. The record has been found of a soldier with that name who alleged service in the Maryland troops and later lived in Rockbridge County, Virginia. His record follows as found in the papers on file in the claim for pension, R. 6831, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. Should this
not be the record of the soldier in whom your constituent is interested, a further search of the records will be made. Patrick Maher was born March 17, 1753. The place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown. It was stated that he was an Irishman. The name appears, also, as Marhar [sic].
After the Revolution, date not given, the soldier married in what was later Adams County, Pennsylvania, which county adjoined
Frederick County, Maryland, Hanah. The date and place of her
birth and the names of her parents are not shown.
Between 1800 and 1802, Patrick Maher moved from Maryland to
Rockbridge County, Virginia and lived in the neighborhood of
Brownsburg, that county.
While residing in said Rockbridge County, Patrick Maher applied, April 30, 1834, for the pension that might have been due on account of his service in the Revolutionary War and alleged that while residing in Fredericktown, Maryland, he enlisted in the fall of 1780 or 1781, and served until the fall of 1783,
Page 8

as a private under Captains John Lynn or David Lynn [note - both are listed as Captains in this regiment mentioned in a previous document], Colonel Howard's Maryland Regiment, and that a part of his service was rendered at
Fort Pitt.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.
The date of death of the soldier is not shown and there is no reference to children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 9

Representative M. H. Evans [Representative Marcellus Hugh Evans from New York]
Rm 1519 House Office Bldg phoned
Feb. 9, 1937 for Rev. War record
of Patrick Maher of Philadelphia,
had no further data.
[ enclosed in large parenthesis:] Phone Cap. Br.677
Mrs. Neivell [end parenthesis]
[illegible initials by hand]
Page 10

[NOTE: This is a narrow form, mixed printed elements entered by hand in provided lines, with a handwritten noted entered vertically in the margin - at end of this transcription]

6831
P.O. Patrick Mather
[rubber stamp entered on diagonal:] REJECTED
 Service: [no entry]
Enlisted: [no entry]. 18 [no entry]
Discharged: [no entry]. 18 [no entry]
[entered by hand below field for Discharged date and Application filed:] 
printed list of 1882 shows cause of suspension "For further proof"
Application filed: [no entry]. 18 [no entry]
Alleges: [no entry].
Re-enlisted: [no entry].
Attorney: [no entry].
P.O. [no entry].
[no entry]. Recognized.
[no entry]. Contract.

[hand written note entered vertically in left margin:]
1937 Feb 10 - [illegible word] [illegible word] [illegible word] M.H. Evans [illegible initials]
Page 11

[short handwritten note]

Patrick Maher
Virginia
-
Suspended Ser [service?]
letter 26 June 1834
to C. G. Bernard
30 Jun 1836 to {illegible word] [illegible word] 
Moore

6831
Page 12

[handwritten note - the majority of this letter is extremely faint and not readable. A better scan may recover text]

Mr Pict J. Moore [should this be Patrick Maher?]
 [following text is faint - unreadable]
[illegible] July [illegible] [faint - unreadable]
[illegible] 

[the remainder of any written text is faint and unreadable. This appears to be a longer letter or has a ghost image of text written on the other side of the page or ink transferred from another document]
Page 13

War Dept Pen Office [Pension office?]
Jan 30. 1834
Sir, 
In answer to your letter of
the 28 [unknown word or abbreviation - looks like 'indt' ] repeating the case of Patrick
Maher I have to state that no decinn [abbreviation for 'decision' ]
can be had in his case until it is
ascertained for Mn Brener whether his [illegible]  Roles of service at
Annapolis. [the word 'at' is lined out] The applicants [sic] declaration does
not [illegible word] as to the length of his service,
with the statement made by Captain Lynn
who was a Lieutenant in the company [several words lined out] with the applicant. The affidavit of one of  the [illegible word] to whom you allude in your letter is also exceptionable. He record that he knew the applicant while in
service in [illegible word] when it [?] appear from this declaration that he did not go to the 
south with the army. 
So soon as Mr. Brewer shall be heard from Mr Mahers [sic] case will be again taken  of the result reported to you
[initials by hand - a scribble]

Hon. S. McD. Moore  [this is not correct but what it appears to be]
[initials:] HR
Page 14

[NOTE: This is a hand written letter - either the scan is very poor or the writing is extremely faint. Only the shadows of words can be seen, but are too faint to be read, with the exception of a few words at the top left - this is all that can be entered in this transcription]

Hon L Mc D. Moore
29th June [unreadable]
[the text for the rest of the page is too faint to read]

[entered at the very bottom left corner of the 
 page:] Record Vol. 26. p. 11
-
-
Page 15

War Dept. Pen Office [War Department Pension Office]
June 26. 1836

Sir 
George G. Brower Esq Registrar
of the Land Office at Annapolis who has rolls
of the Maryland line has been written to for proof  respecting the service of Patrick
Maher. So soon as [the word 'he' is lined out]  an answer is received from him the claim will be again taken up for examination and the result reported to you.

Hon. S. McD. Moore
N. R
Page 16

Land Office, Annapolis July 3rd 1834,

Sir
Yours of the 27th Ultimo, respecting the application for a pension for Patrick Marker or Maher of Virginia, who alleges you say to have served in the Maryland line, was received. I have very carefully examined the muster and pay rolls of the revolution in this Office, and do not find his name upon any of the rolls.  You say that the applicant states, that he served in in a company commanded by Capt John Lynn. John Lynn, was only a Lieutenant in the Maryland line and served in the 6th Maryland Regiment, the applicant's name does not appear upon the rolls of that regiment,
I am respectfully,
Yrs Ob Ser [Your obedient servant?]
George G Browar
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Page 17

[Bifold document, text on left panel]

Patrick Mahar
March 26. 1832
ref [referral?] to the Committee on
Rev. [Revolutionary War] Pensions-
Mar. 28 1832 Com "disch" [sic]
-
The service of
service is not
satisfactory -
The applicant's account cannot be corroborated by other testimony of service
Mr. Craig
Page 18



22d Congress
1st Session
Congress of the United States
In the House of Representatives
March 26, 1832
On motion of Mr. Craig
Resolved, That the Committee on
revolutionary pensions be instructed to enquire into the expediency of granting a pension to Patrick Mahar _ _ _ of the County of Rockbridge, State of
Virginia, for his services as a soldier in the war of the revolution, and that the papers on
file in the Clerks Office of this House relating
to this subject heretofore presented together with the papers herewith presented, be referred to said Committee
Attest M. S. Clarke
Clerk
Page 19

Patrick Maher
[the words 'or Maker' were lined out]
March 26. 1832
ref to the Committe [sic]
on Rev. Pensions [revolutionary war pensions]

A. Port[illegible letters] & J Braids
affidavits, States P. Maher to be reputed
Soldier of the Revolution

S. McD. Moore

Craig
Page 20

I have known Patrick Maher many years
Twenty five or thirty years he is our Irish
{{man}}  and his tongue has considerably of the
Irish brough [sic brogue] he has uniformly said he was a revolutionary soldier. I have always believ [sic believed] he was. Ever since I have known him he has been a man of intemperate habits and when under the influence
of spirits his articulation is indistinct. 
owing to this circumstance it is probable the insertion of his name on the pension list roll may be different from what his spelling would make it.
My Father resided in what is now Adams Co. of Pennsylvania which adjours [sic - adjourns] Frederick the Co. where Patrick Maher says he was enlisted.  he knew him there and always considered him a revolutionary soldier Patrick Maher Married his wife Hanah [sic] Marker at
my fathers [sic] house in Pennsylvania
after the war - Feby 4th 1832
[signature] Alexander Porter

The undersigned have Known Patrick Maher 
upwards of twenty years.  he is an Irishman & speaks the English language imperfectly. I consider that owing to this  [continued on another page]
Page 21

[continued from previous page]

circumstance together with his habits of
intemperance an error might have very 
probably have been committed in the 
entry of his name on the original muster
roll. when a name that is presented to be
his stated Maher it known to one
also that he has always said he was a
revolutionary soldier.
Given under my hand on this 22nd day of
March 1832
James M Beard
Page 22

Rockbridge Co [county] Towit [sic - township]
this day Alexr [Alexander] Porter & James M
Beard came before me Samuel Patterson
justice of the peace in the County aforesaid
and made oath to the truth of the amund [sic - the 'd' is superscripted in the letter - is this abbreviation for 'amended'] statements to which their names are respectively affix'd [the 'd' is super scripted - abbreviation for 'affixed']
Given under my hand this
22 March 1832
Sam Patterson [Samuel]
Page 23

Rockledge Co [county] Va [Virginia] to wit
This day appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said County.  James Bridgett who being duly Sworn according to law deposeth [sic] &amp; saith, that he served as
a private soldier in the army of the Revolution,
that he served as such in Capt Thos [Thomas] Bowyers [?] Company of Infantry
10th Va [Virginia] Regiment that he is now a Pensioner of the United States in consideration of his services aforesaid, as will fully appear by reference to the Pension List Roll of the 2nd Agency at Eight Dollars per month.  that during the time he served in the Revolutionary War, he became acquainted with certain Patrick Maher or Maker as litterly [sic] called, then serving to the southward where they became first acquainted, he then said Maher or Maker belonging as a Private Soldier to the
Maryland line of Troops and according to his remembrance belonged to the company of a Capt Lynn of the same
that the identical Patrick Maher or Maker in
mentioned removed upwards of 30 year age to the Town
Brownsburg Rockledge  Co [county] Va [Virginia]. where this deponent then
resided, and in its immediate neighborhood
he hath continued to reside ever since.  save two or three years only. That he and the said
Patrick Maher or Maker renewed their Revolutionary acquaintance, and that the said Patrick Maher or Maker hath continued ever since to reside in Brownsburg and its
close neighborhood ever since he came up from Maryland. further that he the deponent never knew [continued on next page]
Page 24

[continued from previous page]

or heard of any other Individual by the same name or application of Patrick Maher or Maker other than the Individual alluded to in this deposition {lined out sentence]
Given under my hand this 6th March 1832
Sam [superscript "L"] Patterson [Samuel]

District of Columbia
County of Washington [initialed by hand]

On this 27th day of March 1833, personally
appeared to fore the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington, in the District of Columbia Preston [illegible last name]
and made oath
in due form of law, that he is personally
acquainted with James Bridgett maker of the written affidavit and that the said James Bridgett is a man of fair character and
respectability, and every way worthy to be believed on his oath
[illegible signature]
J.P. W.C. D.C.


I know the character of Duston Trotter the above affiant, I certify it to be that of a [illegible word - looks like "grutlonia" - not correct] of the first respectability, in his neighbourhood [sic - neighborhood ]
March 27th 1832

Robt Craig [Robert Craig]


[added by another hand: a note, vertical orientation to the lower left corner:]
Deposition of Jas [James] Bridgett as to P. Maher. 
[another fainter note written below this - I cannot make out the sentence - ends with 'of Maher"]
Page 25

Wm [William] Houston
affidavit 
States Maher to be
[illegible] soldier & is 
called & his [illegible] that he is this
same person as the  Maher  on the roll.
Page 26

March 13th 1832
---
Rockbridge County & State of Virginia
Having known Patrick Maher (or Mahan
as he pronounce his name especially when excited)
for the last 30 years I have no hesitation to
declare on oath that his Irish way of pronouncing his own name ever since I have known him has been such as to make it in my opinion improbable that one man out of ten, or even out of fifty would write it Maher a great majority
persons called his name Mahan untill [sic] a
few years last past and Merchants [abbreviation or word illegible] with
whom he had account all so far as I know
or have heard have written his Name Mahan
or samthing [sic] like it except in one instance
in my Fathers Day Book I find it written 20
years a go [sic] Maher & I recollect to here my Father
say Manrow [sic] a Scotch Man who was my school
Teacher at the time tell him the proper way to spell the name was Maher. Patrick Labaured [sic Labored] more or less every year on the Farm where I now live for
my Father since I was a small bay untill [sic] the
[continued on another page]
Page 27

Death of my Father and, since for myself
while he was able to Labour [sic] as a full hand
and I can well recollect to hear him relate
the circumstances of where he was enlisted, where
he served in the Revolutionary War to be such as I
understand were set forth in his papers under
which he claimed a pension.
as far back as
the time when the funeral rights of the Great
Washington wer [sic - were] Cellebrated [sic - celebrated] 
untill [sic] a very few years back he would drink
ardent Spirits when he could get it untill [sic]  he would be came extremly [sic] talkative & noisy & [illegible word]
Wm Houston [William] 

Rockbridge County to wit
Personally came before me the subscriber a
Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid
William Houston whose name is subscribed and made oath to the foregoing statement true.
Given under my hand this 13th day of March 1832
Saml Patterson [after Sam there is a period and a superscript "L" - Samuel}
Page 28

War Dept Post Office
June  27.  1832 [26 lined out and reentered as 27]
Sir
An application has been
made at this office for a pension to
Patrick [ word Mahon lined out]  Mahen or Maher of Virg [Virginia]
who alleges to have served in the Maryland
line in a company commanded by Cap [sic - captain] John Lynn.
I will thank you for a certificate of his
service. An early answer is respectfully request
S
by G. G. Brewer Esq [Esquire]
Reg. 2 off. [Region 2 Office]
Annapolis Md [Maryland]
Page 29

John King
and
Patrick Mahar
Copy Resolution
"Military Pensions"
Page 30

21st Congress
1st Session

Congress of the United States

In the House of Representatives
Feb 25, 1830
On motion of Mr. Craig of Virginia
Resolved, That the Committee on Military
Pension be, and they are hereby instructed to inquire into the expediency of granting pensions to John King and Patrick Mahar for services by them rendered as soldiers in the war of the Revolution.
Attest
M. S. Clarcke
Clerk
Page 31

J. L. Edwards
1830 [should be later year]
Feby 16th
{illegible] {illegible] letter
Regimt {illegible] of Maher for want of evidence
Page 32

War Department
Pension Office
February 10th 1830 [difficult to read - check]


Sir

[NOTE: THE ORIGINAL LETTER IS DIFFICULT TO READ AND FAINT - No transcript other than as presented]


Very
Respectfully
our to
J.L. Edwards

Hon R Craig
House of Representation
Page 33

[NOTE: this is a document that is folded in four sections. The top left and the bottom two sections contains text. The bottom text is upside down in this scan]

[Top Right Text]
Capt Lynn [Captain David Lynn]
to
R Craig {bracket] letter

Lynn is [ illegible word ] Maher was a soldier of the Revolution

[Bottom - Upside down]
The Hon'd [sic - short for Honored] Robert Gray, Esq.
in Congress
Washington
Page 34


Cumberland Allegany County May 8 1830
Sir

the enclosed papers, stating the sum of a Revolutionary
Soldier, now of Rockbridge County in your District to a pension under the
law of Congress, is forwarded to you, at his request
I believe I have not seen this man for more than forty years
and whatever I may have known of him previous to that time
I have now, no recollection, either of his person or his services
-
In my correspondence with him, or his friend for him, I have carefully
avoided saying any thing what could assist him in making of statement
to such his own case, although I cannot corroborate the whole. I find
guile enough in it, to satisfy my mind, he was a soldier of the Revolutionary
army, but by what name, I am not able to determine
He states that he was enlisted by Capt  David Lynn in Frederick Town
at [illegible] Tavern, in the fall of the year (he thinks) in Sept 1781 from
whence he went to Annapolis, and afterward sent on an expedition down
the Chesapeake Bay in pursuit of Refugees, that he with others, were
stationed for a time at Steward Shipyard then marched to Frederick
from thence under Capt [Captain] Marbury Luet {lieutenant] Sockett &amp; Capt [Captain] Jas [James] Lynn to
Fort Pitt, &amp; after being there for a time, returned to  Fred. [Frederick Town] with their
officers, Jas [James] Lynn &amp; I Marbury &amp; was discharged, at the same Tavern
when he had enlisted. He said he was with the Army in [illegible] or in
battle. He settled his claims against the U.S. with Capt Lynn of
whom he also received the evidence of his bounty land from this State
&amp; that [illegible] Lynn had a store in Fred [Fredrick Town?] after the war was over
His statement is not correct as to the time of his enlistment he could not
have enlisted either with my Brother or myself in the year 1781. my Brother
was in [illegible] from June 1780 when the Maryland troops joined the Southern
Army, untill Nov.. 1781 when he was severely wounded, in the battle at E[illegible] and
was not on his feet, or on duty again, for 12 months or more, &amp; all the [illegible] was
that could be raised in Maryland during that year was out to the Bay
of York Town, &amp; joined Genl [General] Greens army immediately afterwards, and as soon
the British Army surrendered, I was ordered with a part of the Maryland Militia
there on duty, to guard
Division of the Prisoners to Frederick Town, &amp; when this duly [continued on next page]
Page 35

was accomplished, I was ordered on the resulting service & stationed in Frederick,
my Quarters was at Grosk's [?] Tavern, & it must have been in the year 1782 that
I & my Brother enlisted this man, but as he was soon ordered from Fredrick to
Annapolis, the place of general rendezvous, & probably we have men [illegible words]
he fell into my Brothers hands the next [illegible] , & removed according to his statement,
in the Company under his command to the end of the war without perhaps stating
who had enlisted him.
I state the facts as to my Brothers services & my own
as occurrences I never can forget, either as to place or time, or it would appear, as of
12 months of his services, was not accounted for as his whole statement refers only to facts,
what occured [sic] in 1732 & 1733. But without any reference to his statement I
know all the recruits were sent to Annapolis, I know a detachment was sent
from thence down the Chesapeake bay, in pursuit of refuge in the winter 1782-3.
that a part of this detachment commanded by my Brother, was afterwards
stationed at Stewards Shipyard, below Annapolis on west river, to guard a ship
then on the stock at that place, that this guard afterwards joined Maj [Major]
Marbury's com'd [command] in Fred^ [Fredrick] , went to Pittsburgh, & on their return, at the close
of the war, were discharged in Frederick, & after peace was restored my Brother
connected with Genl [General] M Bayley, now one of the officers of the Senate, commenced
Storekeeping in Fred^d [Fredrick] & assisted many soldiers, in the settlement of these accounts,
with the U.S. perhaps Genl [General] Bayley may [illegible] this man.
My recollection does not enable me to say whether this man applied to
me in person for his bounty land, or whether the application was made by my
Brother for him, but it appears, he is in possession of the evidence of the [illegible]
as Mahorn, which he says was got for him, by my Brother, It is in my hand
writing & must have been [illegible], not much [illegible] than 40 years. my Brother died
nearly 20 years ago but I have no recollection of any difficulty about the name
at the time it was given. However whether his name is property Patrick Mahon
or patrick [sic] Mahar, I am entirely satisfied the man whose letters are enclosed
was a soldier of the Revolutionary Army, at the termination of the war, & had
served more than 12 months, with that part of the Maryland troops raised in 1782
who were never ordered to [illegible] & who enlisted after the fighting was [illegible] over,
or he never could have proven, an account so [illegible] of the service performed by those troops,
The name of Patrick Mahon stands [illegible] on my list, of Soldiers names
made out by the Auditor General of Maryland from the Muster Rolls of the army.
to be a [illegible] in the distribution of the County lands of this State, and there is no
Page 36

such name of Patrick Marhar, on it, and the name  of Marhar it appears, has been reported at the War office probably because it is not to be found on the Muster Rolls, which I am to suppose is the fact, or he would
have been on my list, also

very respectfully I am [illegible]
[possibly 'your humble serv't' - servant]
David Lynn Capt
the Mary^d [Maryland]  Rgt [Regiment] Revolutionary Army

[note made to the left of the signature by the same hand]

The distribution of bounty land among
the [illegible] of the Maryl^d {Maryland] was 
made by lottery, in the year 1739. I was one of the the [illegible]
who made the distribution. But as the [illegible] claim was not given in the
common form, made and by the Com. I presume
the application from him, must have been made to me after the official character of the board had
expired, & was the reason why [illegible] only of his claim was given, from the let in my hand.
Page 37

[Two orientations of text - main and a note added by hand, vertical orientation on left mid document]

[main - horizontal]

Patrick Mahar
Note by R, Craig 

[Vertical Note - difficult to read - faint]

Note {illegible word] {illegible word] {illegible word]  Craig stating the difficulty of getting a pension {illegible word] P. Mahar - No Date
Page 38

The difficulty in this case appears
to rise out of the doubt there exists
whether Maher is not the identical
soldier who was enrolled by the name of
Mahorn. He is a broad tongued
irishman [sic] and therefore a mistake
in this particular is quite conceivable
That there was a mistake I think
is partly clear from all the facts.
That [the name Patrick Mahorn is lined out here] no application
in the name of Patrick Mahorn [sic], has
been made for a pension have
the prosecution arising out of the
[illegible word] facts [illegible word] found
N. Craig
Page 39

Brownburg
Dec 30 1829

Free

Robert Craig Esqr [esquire]
Member of Congress
Washington Cty D.C.

[There are some illegible words at the bottom - upside down ]
Page 40

Brownsburg Decr [superscript 'r' = December] 28 1829

Dr [short for Dear] Sir

I have received your letter of the 8th Inst from Wash ["Wash" with superscript letters = "Washington (DC)]
and I feel gratitude for your kindness in consenting to aid
me in fairly representing my claim to the war department
for a pension. To enable you properly to understand the
nature of my claim. I deem it necessary to make some
statements with regard to my service in the revolutionary war
I was enlisted in that service by Capt Lynn in
Fredericktown in maryland [sic].  I served with him, and was discharged and received at that time a proper certificate of
service which paper I have long since lost, and it is owing
to the circumstances of my having lost my discharge, that I
have to so late a period defer [with superscript letters "de" = "deferred"]  applying for a pension the
fact was I considered myself that the loss of my discharge would preclude any chance for obtaining a pension and
it has been from the advice of several gentlemen who
have believed from my uniform statments [sic - statements] some twenty
years back when I had no view to a pension that I
was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.  amongst [sic - lower case 'a'] the
gentlemen alluded to. I would in particular mention Saml [Samuel] Patterson Esq of Brownsburg and Robert White Esq. of Lexington
the latter is now a member of our State legislature, and it
was he who aided me in making my declaration to the
War department about a year ago. The application made
at that time was rejected as you will see from the letter from
the war department signed by James L Edwards.  it [sic - lower case 'i'] appears that the principal causes of its being rejected there
circumstances of Capt [Captain] Lynn having no knowledge of me and my name not appearing on the muster rolls [continued on another document]
Page 41

since the receipt of the letter from the War department dated 15th April last I have written two letters to Capt. Lynn and have received answers to them. The letters from Capt. Lynn in answer to mine I will forward to you and will request him to forward my letters to him as I did not retain copies of them.

[above was transcribed by another - this is the continuation of the letter transcription:]

 these letters together with a certificate for bounty land which I received from Capt [Captain]  Lynn in 1789 and which I
have lately put into his possession, will I think explain how it was that my name did not appear on the muster rolls. I infer from Capt Lynn last letter that he will now promptly say that he believes I was a soldier of the revolutionary war. It must be evident to any one that there was an error in transcribing
the muster rolls and it was a thing very likely to
occur, I have noticed in the letter from the war depart my name is not written as it was in the declaration. My name was there written (as it really is) Marhar in the letter it is written Macker " If from the circumstance I have stated you may think there is any probability of me obtaining a pension. I want the favour of you to give me such advice or instruction
as may be necessary for the furtherance of my claim

Yours Respectfully
Patrick Marhar
Page 42


Browsburg  Paid
Dec 30 1829

Mr David Lynn

Cumberland
Alleghany Co
Maryland

[following text appears at the bottom of the page, upside down]
Jan 16. 1830
Copy of letter from Maher to Lynn & from Lynn to Maher
Page 43


Browning Decr 28th 1829
Dr [Dear] Sir
I am again troubling you on the subject
of my claim for a pension.  after I receivd [sic received] your letter last September recommending me to get the representative of this district to congress to attend to my business I wrote to him to know if he would
attend to my business. when my letter reached
the Post office nearest to his residence which
is about 100 miles from this place he was from
home nor did he receive my application until he went to Washington to which place my letter was forwarded, and it was not until last
week that I recd [recieved] an answer from him, from this cause. I have been prevented from getting my application again before the War department as soon as I wish. Mr Robert Craig. (the represenative [sic - representative] from this district) kindly offers to be my friend &
to make any fair suggestions calculated to advance my claim - In complyance [sic - compliance] with your advice I have forwarded the letters I recd [received] from you to Mr.
Craig & want the favour of you to forward those I wrote to you to him also. (I mean my letters of the 20 July and 17th Aug. last) as I did not keep copies of them. In your letter of the 10 Sept you suggested 
[continued on another page]
Page 44

the propriety of puting [sic] our representative in possession of those papers and that you would preserve those letters together with a land certificate which I sent to you in my last letter, the land certificate you will please also to send to him & he can send it to me, or perhaps deliver it to me as he returns from Congress
Perhaps Mr Craig may want from you some
information or explanations which I trust to your goodness to furnish so far as consistent with your own conscientious belief or knowledge, I feel already involvd [involved] in an obligation of gratitude to you which I suppose it will never be in my power to repay for the friendly interest you have manifested in my behalf in this matter
I am with feelings of much respect
from friend
Patrick Marhar
Page 45

Lynn to Maher

1829 Sept 1oth

[Round Seal stamped - two rings - outer and inner circle] 
[Outer Ring:] Chamber [illegible]
[Center Circle:] Sept 11

[to right of stamp by hand:] 18 2/s

Mr. Patrick Marhar [sic]
Brownsburgh
Rockbridge County
Virginia

[to left of the above by hand:] Mail?

[at the very bottom of the page written vertically is a partial word - may be from a fragment of paper transferred from another page - there is a shadow around the partial word. Illegible]
Page 46

[Page 1 of 3 Letter from David Lynn to Patrick Maher]

Cumberland Sept 10 1829
Sir
Your letter of the 17 Aug last in reply to mine the 8th
has been received, but being from Home has prevented from replying sooner. this is not material as I think nothing can be
done for you untill [sic] the winter when I would recommend it to you to put your claim into the hands of your member of Congress
from the District in which you reside who I have no doubt will be pleased to serve you if he can be satisfied that you were a Soldier of the revolution & in danger of losing the benefit of the law granting pensions to revolutionary [Soldier?] from the [illegible word] alone of your name being carelessly written on the Muster roll of the army which I am very much inclined to believe in the
past & this it appears was the impression on my mind in the year 1779 when I gave the Certificate you have now enclosed
to me.
I do not know the gentleman who represents
your District in Congress but you must see him before the meeting of Congress & know of the will agree to be your friend  on this occasion, it is all important to you that the should befriend you, because as a member of Congress he will more readily command attention in the public office where information must be had then you or I would & his franking privilege [this is the correct term for free postage] will enable him to do every thing for you without expense during the investigation
[continued on next page]
Page 47

[Page two of three Letter from David Lynn to Patrick Maher]

I am well pleased to see that your last letter of the 17th contains what I consider a very candid statement of your service, that it is certainly
altogether incorrect as to dates, however that circumstance does not surprise me as I am not to suppose you made memorandum &
the length of time since those occurrences took place may be considered an excuse for your not recollecting them
If you have preserved my letters to you as well as the copies of yours written to me on this subject, you had better put them
unto the hands of your member of Congress when you wait on him before he goes to Washington, but if you have not got them
I will forward what are in my possession to him as soon as he arrives there if I am called on to do so
I shall at present hold the land certificate you enclosed to
me with your letter & mine to be put into the hands of the
Gentleman who represents your District in Congress to be forwarded
to you by him when he is done with them if I am called by him
for information for the purpose of showing I was then nearly 40 years under the same impression I am now as it regain the land there was no soldier on my list of the name of "Marhar" entitled to land & I now send you in possession of the certificate given in the name of Mahorn, but whether it was given to you to my Brother for you it is not now in my power to determent.
You say your object in sending this list is to find out by it, whether you are the person whose name stands on the Role

[[continued next page]
Page 48

[Page three of three: letter from David Lynn to Patrick Maher] 

Mahorn & for me to say from the circumstances you have related within
I can conveniently aid you in applying for a pension, & that you
would come to see me of you thought you would make me sensible that
you were entitled to a pension, but that you have no means of
coming but on foot & my advice to you is that you put yourself to neither trouble or expense of any hand until you see your representative in Congress. If it is in the power of any one to
serve you, he is the man, any thing that I can do will be
done with pleasure to aid him. It will be unnecessary for you to write to me untill [sic] you have seen him. I am
Yr [your] Hb [humble] Servt {servant]
David Lynn
Page 49

Copy of Linns letter of
to Maher 
[written in another hand] Copy
Pat. superscript 'k" Marker [Patrick Marker - even at this stage they can't spell his last name properly]
Aug 8, 1829

-
Page 50

[page 1 of 3 from David Lynn to Patrick Maher] 
.
Cumberland (Maryland) Aug 8. 1829
Sir
I have received your letter of the 20 July, calling on me for assistance, to procure for you, the benefit of the law granting
pensions to the soldiers of the Revolutionary Army, but I am really apaid it will not be in my power, to say, or do any thing, which
an answer your purpose, as I have no recollection of your name, your person, or your services in the Army, if I were do know you,
40 or 50 years ago, time has worn of all remembrance of you. 
On an Official list of the officers & Soldiers of the Maryland line,
made from the muster rolls of the Army, & put into my hands by the Auditor General of the State, for the purpose of [illegible word] the County
land of Maryland among them, I find the name of Patrick Mahorn & to a Solder of that name, I delivered the evidence of his right, to 50 acres
of land, in the year 1789, but I now have no recollection of his person 
is it possible, that you were called Mahorn when a soldier and
of Marhar [sic] in private life .
In the Army, I know the names of soldiers were carelessly, and
I may say, very often improperly written, especially when soldiers could not write, or spell, their own names, 
but to rectify blunders of this kind,
 at this late period, well I am apaid, be impossible.
In your case, I can say nothing, if your name were stood on the muster Rolls of the Company to which you belonged, as it is written in your
letter now before me, because there is no such name on my list, from the office of the Auditor gen'l [General] and no land was given by the State of
Maryd [Maryland] to any man of that name. but whether there has been any blunder committed in writing your name whether  in the army, or since, is for you alone, to determine.  I had a statement of all the circumstances connected with [continued on next page]
Page 51

[page 2 of 3 letter from David Lynn to Patrick Maher]

your service in the Army, it would perhaps enable me to give my
opinion, on the propriety of your applying to the Secretary of War to
be placed on the pension list, but to endure me to do so, you must give
answers to all the questions, which I shall state below in the most
candid manner and forward them to me as soon as you can. I am [illegible - an abbreviation of a salutation?]
David Lynn

[none of these questions end with a "?" - all with a period or no punctuation]

when, in what County, & by whom, were you enlisted.
where did you join the first party of recruits, & draw rations, after you enlisted
where did you first perform duty as a solder, & under what officers
whose company, & whose Rgt [regiment] did you first join, & with what part of the Army were you on duty
were you with the Southern Army when the 7 Maryld {Maryland]  were reduced to two, if so, to which of the old ones did you belong & were you in the 1st or 2nd Regt [Regiment] when reduced
In what battle were you engaged, were you were wounded, if so, did you [illegible] join the Corps of Invalids
at what place were you discharged, & where were you, when the army was disbanded
with whom did you settle your accounts, & when did you receive your arranges of pay, in what was called final settlement Certificate
did you ever receive deprecation Certificates for your services previous to the year 1780 of the State of Maryland
Page 52

[page 3 of 3 letter from David Lynn to Patrick Maher]

Did you ever apply for or receive either the Continental or State bounty of land. {Ends with a period not a "?"]
Page 53

Maher and
Lynn to Craig
Aug 7th 1829
proof records question
to Maher

[vertical text entered by different hand]
Hon. Mr Craig 
4 June 1830 
[end vertical text]

[to right of vertical text] 
 / 2 1/2 [a slash mark then a fraction: "two and one half" ]

[horizontal text]
 To Marhar
Brownsburg
Rockbridge County
Virga ["Virg" with a superscript "a" - Virginia]
Page 54

Sir
Cumberland Maryld Augt [illegible] 1829

I have recd your letter 20 July  calling on me  for assistance, to procure for you, the benefit of the law granting pensions to the soldiers of the revolutionary Army, but I am really afraid it will not be in my power, to say or to do any thing, which can answer your purpose, as I have no recollection of your name, your person, or your services in the Army, if I ever did know you, 40 or 50 years ago, time has worn away all remembrance of you
On an official list of the officers & Soldiers of the Maryld line,
made from the muster rolls of the Army & put into my hands by the Auditor General of the State, for the purpose of dividing the bounty lands of Maryland among them, I find the name of Patrick Mahorn & to a Soldier of that name, I delivered the evidence of his right to 50 acres of land in the year 1789, but I now have no recollection of his person, is it possible, you were called Mahorn when a soldier & Marhan in private life
●
In the Army I know the names of soldiers were carelessly, and
I may say, very often improperly written, especially when soldiers could not write, or spell their own names, but to rectify blunders of this kind at this late period, will I am afraid be impossible
In your case, I can say nothing if your name ever stood on the
muster Rolls of the Compy to which you belonged, as it is written, in your letter now before me because there is no such name on my list, from the office of the [illegible] Genl. and no land was given by the State of Maryld to any solder of that name, but whether there has been a bllunder committed in writing your name, either in the Army or since, is for you alone to determine.
If I had a statement of all the circumstances connected with
your services in the Army, it would perhaps, enable me to give my
Page 55

opinion to the propriety of your applying to the Secy of War, to
be placed on the pension list, but to induce me to do so, you must
answers to all the questions which I shall state below, in the most
candid manner and forward them to me as soon as you can. I am
David Lynn
1 When, in what County, & by whom were you enlisted
2 When did you join the first party of recruits [illegible] after you enlisted
5 When did you first perform the duty of a solder & what were the names
of your officers.
6 Whose compy & Regt did you first join, with what part of the army were you on duty

Were you with the Army in South Carolina when the 7 Maryland Regts were reduced to two, if so, to which of the old ones did you belong,
& were you in the 1st or 2d Regt when reduced & who was your Capt & your Col.
In what battles, were you engaged, were you were wounded, if so did you ever join the Corps of Invalids
At what place were you discharged from the Army & where were you when the whole army was disbanded at the end of the war
With whom did you [illegible] your [illegible] & where did you receive your arrearages of pay, in what was called final settlement Certificate
Did you ever receive [illegible] Certificate for your services, previous to
the year 1780. of the State of Maryland
Did you we apply for, or [illegible],  either the State, or  Continental County, of land
Page 56

Brownsburg
July 26
1829
Capt David Lynn
Fort Cumberland
Alleghany [Allegheny] Co
Maryland
[illegible]
old folder
July 20 1829
Page 57

Brownburg July 20th 1829

Capt [Captain] Lynn
Dr [The 'r' is superscript to the "D" = abbreviation for Dear] Sir
I have been making efforts for several
years to obtain a pension for my services during the
revolutionary war. I have difficulty in making it appear
to their satisfaction at the War department, that I
was engaged [superscript "d"] in the revolutionary service. The only
remaining hope that I have is to identify myself
to you as a soldier of the revolution, which I hope
to do if I can see you. I visited your residence
a few years ago with the hope of seeing
you on
that business it unfortunately happened for me that
it was during Lafeyett's [sic] visit to the United States
and you had gone to Baltimore or Fredericktown
to see him, and I understood from some of your
family that you had been unwell with a fever
in Fredericktown - At the same time I left some
papers with your son
The object of this letter
is to get the favour [sic favor]of you
to write to me & let
me know some particular period that I would
be likely to find
you at home
Yours Respectfully
Patrick Marhar [sic - Maher?]
direct to
Brownburg
Rockbridge County
Va [Virginia]
Page 58

[bifold half sheet of paper - several different hands adding information to left side]

Patrick Mahar
[illegible initials] Edwards to A. Kind

Patrick Mahar
Feby 25. 1830 [February]
Refd. [referred] to Commission Mil. [military] Pensions with Resolution
May 18th 1830
Committee dischd [discharged] to lie
March 26. 1832
red to the Com. on
Rev. Pensions
Dec. 26. 1832
Ref [referred] to Com [commission] on Rev. [Revolutionary] Pensions
Feb 14 1833 [February]
[illegible - abbreviations appear to be: "Com a dirch"] _ to lie
Craig, Va [Virginia] 19
[illegible phrase]
Page 59


War Department
Pension Office
April 15, 1829

Sir,
Every effort has been used by this Department, to obtain evidence of Patrick Maher's service. Captain David Lynn under whom he states to have served, has been written to on
the subject, and the rolls of the Maryland line have been carefully examined; but Captain Lynn has no knowledge
whatever of the claimant, and the rolls contain no evidence of his service. Maher says that he served under Colonel Miller but no officer of that name and grade ever belonged to
the continental Army. Captain Lynn was a continental officer, and if he can prove that he served nine months in Lynn's company, he may perhaps obtain a pension; but he must also prove that he served under a Colonel of the
continental Army Service under Colonel Miller will not entitle him to a pension, as the revolutionary pension laws provide for none who did not belong to the continental
establishment. The witnesses must set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time
and manner of leaving it, as well as the regiment, company and line to which he was attached, and the magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the
Page 60

witnesses. The official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officers, under his seal of office.
The declaration is herewith returned.

I am respectfully,
Your Obt Sert [Obedient Servant]
James L. Edwards

[entered lower left corner of letter]
Andrew Reid, Esq [Esquire]
Lexington
Virginia.
Page 61

[Power of Attorney Declaration - Printed form with hand written entries to blank areas]


State of Virginia
County of Rockbridge, to wit
I, Patrick Mahar aged 69 years, a citizen of 
the United States, do, upon oath, 
testify and declare, that,
in the year seventeen hundred and 81, (after enlisting to [illegible word]) enlisted in the army of the
Revolution, against the common enemy of my country, for during the war at [illegible word] Hill served in the company commanded by Captain John Lynn, of Maryland in the 3 [no "rd"]
Regiment on have been Howard in the Maryland Continental line; and that I continued in the service as a corporal  until 
the year (the fall) 1783, when I was regularly discharged at [illegible] to give my  [illegible] 3rd regiment commanded by
Howard was by the Col's [colonel's] name
my discharge is now lost so that it cannot be produced to corroborate the above
statement. I further declare, that I have not received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised
me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim to
that gratuity in any manner whatever: Therefore, know all men by these Presents! That I, Patrick Mahar
aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint
Samuel Byde [?] Saunders, of the county of Franklin, and state of Virginia, to be my true
and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, to demand and receive from the Secretary of War
of the United States, or from such other person as is duly authorized to issue and deliver it, a
Warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid, and to sign a receipt or acquittance for it: And my said Attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more Substitutes or Attorneys, under him, for the especial purpose above expressed.
Witness,
Saml [Samuel] Patterson
Patrick Maher I , James Bridget aged 71
years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, declare, that I have been long acquainted with Patrick Maher who has subscribed the above Declaration, in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be: And, further, I [illegible] that he did perform the military service therein stated.

Witness.
Saml [Samuel] Patterson
James [hand entered symbol - his mark - with the word "mark" entered below the symbol - almost looks like a bird with wings down between Saml and Bridget] Bridget 

Before me, Samuel Patterson
a Justice of the Peace for the
county aforesaid, personally appeared the above named Patrick Maher
subscriber to the foregoing Declaration, and, in my presence acknowleged  [sic] the Power of Attorney thereto subjoined, to be his free act and deed: And, likewise, personally appeared James Bridget who has subscribed the above Certificate of Identity, both, to me, well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made oath to the truth of the Depositions by them,
respectively subscribed, this 31st day of August, 1825.
Samul [Samuel ]  Paterson Justice of the Peace
State of Virginia Rockbridge County to wit
In Testimony that the above written James Patterson was a magistrate authorized
to administer oaths and takes acknowlegements [sic], [symbol "&c". - ?] in  the State of Virginia, at the above date, and that his name, there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have, hereto affixed the County, Seal and subscribed my name and
quality at Abington in said court this sixth day
of September 1825 and on the 30th year of
The [commonwealth?] 
Andrew [Last name illegible]  Clerk
Page 62

Hon James Barbour
Secretary of War
[illegible initials]

[THIS PORTION OF THE LETTER IS TOO FAINT AND ILLEGIBLE TO READ - THIS IS THE EXTRACTED TEXT and is NOT CORRECT}
the [illegible word] for 100 acres of
land due to Patrick Mahan [sic - Maher] of Rockbridge
per will be pleased to direct to the of
Schary Regina
I am
of
ples
do
Hyde Sean
[END OF EXTRACTED TEXT]

[Additional text by a different hand]
State of Virginia Rockbridge county, to wit

I Robert White on of the presiding justice of the peace for the County Court of Rockbridge, do hereby certify that the presentation of Andrew Reid, Clerk of the said County, is in due form of Law that [illegible word] he is the proper Clerk, it appointed by the laws of the said state, for that purpose and that full faith and [illegible word ] is [illegible words] of right to be one thereto in every court or office in the United States. Given under my hand and seal this [no day entered] day of September 1825
Rob't [Robert] White [next to signature is the hand scribbled word "Seal" circled in flourished hand]

Hon'd [Honored] James Barbour
Secretary of war
Page 63

I do hereby certify that I have known Patrick
Maher for fourteen years and believe him
to be a man of truth, and that he was as he
declares an American soldier in the revolutionary army. I do farther certify that I have been well acquainted with Mr William Houston who testifies concerning said Maher, and know him to be a man of the first respectability and believe that his testimony may be fully relied on
I have been for fourteen years the pastor of
the church in the bounds which both
Mr Houston & Patrick Maher now live, and
have lived during all that time Brownburg June 18th 1834
James Morrison

I do hereby certify that the foregoing statement
given by the Rev'd [reverend] James Morrison whose name is thereto subscribed and also the statement of William Houston to which his name is also subscribed were both sworn to before me Sam'l [Samuel] Patterson a Justice of the peace
for the County of Rockbridge. Given under
my hand this 18th day of June 1834
Sam'l [Samuel]  Patterson
Page 64

State of Virginia
Rockbridge County Court
I Samuel McD [an abbreviation unknown to me]  Reid Clerk of the
County Court of said county do hereby certify that Samuel Patterson and John Witheron Gentlemen whose genuine signatures appear to the within & annexed
papers now are and were at the date of said signatures acting Justices of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified and that all their official acts are entitled to credit In testimony whereof I have
to hereto affixed my official seal
and subscribed my name this
21st day of June 1834 and in the
58th year of the Commonwealth
Sam [Samuel] Mc D [an abbreviation unknown to me]. Reid Ckl [clerk]
Page 65

[sheet of paper folded in half vertically with very little text]

Pat'k {Patrick] Marhar or Mahorn
17th 1829
Page 66

Brownsburg August 17 1829

[Illegible]
your letter of the 8 of the present month has come hand, and agreeable to suggestions therein contained
I will here proceed to detail some of the circumstances connected with my services during the revolutionary war. I enlisted in the fall of the year
(I think in September). I was enlisted by Cap [captain] John Lynn in Fredericktown, at Cap't [Captain] Crusher Tavern, about the same
time there was a number more enlisted amongst the number
There was a John Helms, William Bolen (a Sargeant [sic - sergeant] I think)
that I was instrumental in enlisting. There was one
Thomas Windom our orderly sergeant a very indifferent
schollar [sic - scholar] & poor scribe, who since you have suggested it, 
I have thought might have enter'd [entered] my name
erroneously on the muster rolls. _ some time after we enlisted we were march'd [marched] to Annapolis and found
General Smalls division, from which place we
were sent, in three barges and a french [sic] privateer
of 10 guns down the bay, after Whealand a Refugee
who had done much injury along the court, the plunderers
however had gone to New York which place the British
then had possession of.. [there are two periods] we then return'd [returned] to Frederick town
, and I cannot recollect at what season of
year.  when we returned however we there drew provisions & Clothes & were taken from there by
Capt [captain] James Marberry & Lieut [Lieutenant] Tucker & Capt' [captain] John Lynn to Fort Pitt, at which place I serv'd [served] one year and Eleven
months. We then returned to Fredericktown our officer
returning were John Lynn (your Brother) & Jas [James] Marbury
We were discharg'd [discharged] in a few days
after our return to Fredericktown at the same Tavern
when we enlisted _
I will now proceed in order to answer the questions, you have proposed - first you ask when and by whom I
was enlisted_ as stated above, I was enlisted in
Page 67

n Fredericktown, & by John Lynn
ans [answer] to 2 Ques [question]. I joined the recruits at Fredericktown & there
drew my first rations_
your third & fourth ques. [questions] are where did I just perform the duty of
a soldier & what were the names of the officers_ & whose company & Regiment, did I first join with & with part of the army was I on duly.
These questions I conceive are answered in the foregoing part of this letter. And to 4th ques. I was not in the army in South Carolina_ ans. [answer] to 5 ques [question] I was in no battles during the war.
answer to 6 Ques. [question] I was discharge as aforesaid at Frederic I think in the year 1781- answer to 7 ques [question] I
settled with Capt [captain] John Lynn he paid me at
Fredericktown, I got some good from him, he then had a {star}  & the balance he gave me his own note for. the note was for upwards of Eight [illegible word - possibly "pounds'] - the note I afterwards traded to Col Bruces
Son.. [two periods] [illegible word - possibly Aston] Bruce for two cows & lastly to the questions
I did apply for & receive from John Lynn a
Certificate for bounty land, which certificate
I will enclose herewith, hoping it will
enable you to determine whether there has not
been an error in inserting or transcribing my
name on the muster rolls - 
another circumstance, I will here
mention which is that I amongst others was
stationed a while at Stewarts Ship yard
to guard a vessel that was there built of 22 guns
It is my impression, that you and
your brother John had been on a tour of
service in South Carolina previous to my
enlisting and that your brother got wounded
at the Battle of the Eutaw Springs [this is the correct spelling of this town]
Page 68

I think we were taken to Fort Pitt, to supply
the place, of some recruits that had been there
from Pennsylvania, whose term of service was
then about to expire
The certificate which I will enclose I
want the favour [sic favor] of you to return to
me. My object in sending as before stated
is to find out by it whether I am not the
person, whose name you say stands on the
roll Mahorn -- I want the further favour [sic]
of you to say from the statement & circumstances here related, whether you can consciously aid me in applying for a pension.
I would go to see you as I think, could I do
so that I could certainly make you sensible that
am entitled to a pension, but the distance is great I have no means of going but on foot, and being lame a Journey of that kind would be a very serious tedious
undertaking, and along with other difficulties
my concerns do not admit of my being from home should however, my going be necessary
& the only alternative I will attempt it [illegible word]
Please write to me again
Yours very Respectfully
Patrick Marhar [he signs this "Marhar" - this archive document record has his last name "Maher"]
Page 69

Copy Mr. Pat'k [Patrick] Marhar or Mahorn [they still can't get his name correct]
Sept. 10, 1829

Your letter of the 17 Aug [August] in reply to mine of the 8th has been received but my being from home has prevented me from replying sooner. however this is not material as I think nothing can be some for you, until the winter when I would recommend it to you to put your claim unto the hands of your member of
Congress from your District, who I have no doubt will be pleased to serve you if
he can be satisfied that you were a soldier of the revolution & in danger of losing the benefit of the law granting pensions to revolutionary solders from the circumstances alone
of your name being carelessly written on the muster Roll of the army which
I am very much inclined to believe is the fact. & this it appears was the impression
on my mind in the year 1789 when I gave the list now enclosed to me [sentence lined out].
I do not know the gentleman who represent the District in Congress
in which you reside, but you must see him before Congress meets, & know
if he will be your friend on this occasion, it will be all important to you
that he should undertake it, because as a member of Congress will more
duly command attention in the public of where information must be had,
than you or I would, and his franking privilege, will enable him to do
everything for you, without expense during the investigation.
I am pleased to see that your last letter of the 17th Aug't [August] contains what I
consider a very candid statement of your Services. Thus it is certainly, altogether
incorrect as to the [illegible word], however that in [illegible word] does not [illegible word] me, as
I am not to suppose you made [illegible word] & the length of time, [illegible words]
took place may be [illegible - written above the line] an excuse for not recollecting them
If you have [illegible word] my letters to you as well as copies of yours
written to me, on this subject you had better put them unto the hands of
your member of Congress when you wait on him, before he go to Wash {Washington]
but if you have not [illegible word] them, I will forward what are in my
possession to him, as soon as he arrives there, if I am called on to do so
I shall at present [hold the law best] you enclosed to me with your letter
& [illegible word], I will put it into the hands of the gentleman who represent your
District in Congress, to be forwarded to you [illegible sentence written above the sentence] if I am called on by him for
information for the purpose of showing I was then (nearly 40 years ago) under the
same impression that I am now [phrase lined out] as it regarded the land then
was no solder on my list entitled to land of the name of Marhar, & you are
in possession of the let'r [letter] given in the name of Mahorn but whether it was given to you
to my brother for you. I do not [illegible word]  in sending the Cet't [certificate] is to find out by it, whether you are
the person whose name stands on the roll Mahan and for me to say from the 
circumstance you have related whether I can consciously aid you in applying for pension
Page 70

and that you would come to see me if you thought he could make me sensible
that you were entitled to a pension but that you have no means of coming but on foot & c [???}
My advice to you, is to put yourself to no trouble or expense untill [sic]
you see your representative in Congress of it is in the power of any one to serve
he is the man and any thing that I can do will be done with pleasure
to aid him after you have seen him & not till then you any write to me again. 

[no signature]

[Entered by another hand in the lower right corner of the page, written vertically - landscape - is this text: ]
Copy Pat'k [Patrick] Marhar
Sept [September] 10, 1829