Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5,193, for Leonard Toops, Pennsylvania
Page 1

Service
Penn

Toops, Leonard
Margaret

Number
W.5.193
BLWt 10-486-100
Inside

Contents
Page 2

Order to pay Jan. 2, 1837.
(illegible) sent April 17, 1821 to Wm. Steel, Huntingdon, Pa

5,096
Pennsylvania Roll
Leonard Toops
Private
Hampton
11th Penns. Regiment
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of Eight Dollars per month to commence on the 5 of May 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th of Decem. 1818. and sent to David Stewart Esq. Judge Huntingdon, Penn.

Arears to the 4th of Sept. 1818 3rd 27/31 and 4/20 32:2
Semi-aul all'ee ending 4th March 1819 48:

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818

Six Years war
(illegible)
Huntingdon Cty
Page 3

J. Barrish. B.L. (illegible) 24/57
3,634
Pennsylvania, Phila
Margaret Toops
Widow of Leonard Toops Penn
who served in the Revolutionary war as a Drummer (illegible) from $88
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum to commence on the 1st of July 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of March 1831 and sent to Col. J.B. Oliver
Mary (illegible)
Washington City

(illegible) on Roll of Pensioners under act January 2, 1848, Page 284, Vol. 2
Page 4

6976
Margaret Toop
of (illegible) Pennsylvania

Act 7. July 38
(illegible)
2 yr Drum.
$88

J.L. Bucher, Esq.
Harrisburg, Pa
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County

On this 28th day of April AD 1840, personally appeared before the Court of Common please, in and for the County, and State  foresaid Margaret Toops, a resident of Harrisburg, in the County and State aforesaid aged severnty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay, and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Leonard Toops, who has been receiving a pension from the Unted States for a number of years, up to the time of his death- who was a Drummer in the Army of the Revolution, enlisted for the War, as will more fully appear by this accompanying certificate of which the following is a try copy."These are to certify that the bearer hereof Leonard Toops drummer in the 1st Pennsylvania regiment having faithfully served the United States from May 1st 1777 to (illegible) date and being enlisted for the War, is hereby discharged from the American Army.

Given at the loan office the 13th of August (Settled 2.13.13.) 1782

By order of the Secretary of War
R. Lincoln
Jos. Carleton Esq.
Registered in the books of the regiment
Richard Fullerton adjutant"

She further declares that she was married to the said Leonard Toops on the day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty- eight at Millerstonw Lebanon County Pa; that she has made inquiry there, since the death of her husband, if there was any Church records of the marriage, but could not find any, nor has she any family record of the same- and that her husband the aforesaid Leonard Toops died on the 23 day of February 1840 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated:
Witness present at making her mark- the word "appears" was underlined before signing.

Margaret Toops mark
Samuel Pool
Catharine Dubbs
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before in open court.

M Porter
Chad Hammond
John C. Bucher
Judges

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County

I John A Allen Prochonatory of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of State aforesaid do certify that I, M. Porter Pred Hummel of John C Bucher are the Judges of Court of Common Pleas as above stated, of that the foregoing signatures are their genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand of the seal of said Court at Harrisburg this 28th day of April AD 1840.

John A. Weir Prothy
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania 
Dauphin County.

Personally appeared before me John B. Bucher one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas, in and for the county and State aforesaid this 16th day of April AD 1840- Casper Shrom of the Borough of Harrisburg County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to the law deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Leonard Toops who departed this life on the 23rd day of February last, being present when he died, and have known him personally previous to the yearn of our Lord (1788) seventeen hundred and eighty-eight, and always understood that he was a Drummer in the Revolutionary War, and have known that he received a pension from the United States, for a number of years, and up to the time of his death. Have also known Margaret Toops the widow mentioned dependent, previous to the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty eight (1788)- in the month of September of said year the said Margaret was married to the said Leonard Toops in lawful wedlock- I married her sister Catharine Shrom in (1890) seventeen hundred and ninety, and she the said Margaret Toops, was married to Leonard Toops, about one year and a half before I was married to her sister, and she also said Margaret Toops has never been married to any other person- and is now the widow of the sad Leonard Toops dec.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto ser my hand this day and date above

Casper Shrom
Sworn and subscribed this 18th day of April AD 1840 before me
John C. Bucher
Judge

I, James Peacock, Post master of the Borough of Harrisbury County of Dauphin and State of Pa: do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Casper Throm the above named (illegible), for more than Twenty years, and I consider him a man of truth and respectability to whse statement full credit and confidence ought to be placed by the War Department of elsewhere
M Testimony have here unto subscribed my name this 18th day of April AD 1840
James Peacock

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County

I, John A Weir Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid, certify that John C Bucher is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine- In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 27 day of April AD 1840.

John A Weir Rothy
Page 7

Rec'd Sept. 1820
J.C. Calhoun Esqr.
Secretary of War
Washington City D.C.

The residence of the applicant should be stated.
Leonard Toops
Leonard Toops application for (illegible)
Page 8

United States
4th Judicial District
of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County

At the Court of Common Pleas holders this day (to wit) 16th day of August 1820 at Huntingdon in and for said County Before the Honourable Charles Huston Esquire and David Stewart and Joseph McCune Esquire his associates Jusged and being a Court of Records Personally appeared Leonard Toops who being duly sworn deposeth and saith upon his oath aforesaid doth declare that he Enlisted as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War for the space of three year During the War in a Company Commanded by Captain Hetrich in the Regiment called Colonel Humpton's Regiment Commanded by Colonel Humpton of the Pennsyulvania Line as set forth in his original Declaration the date of which he doth not now precisely recollect but believes it was some time in June 1818 which declaration was forwarded to the war Department on which as pension Certificate was issued to the said Leonard Toops dated the 14th day of December 1818 Signed J.C.Calhoun Secretary of the War which certificate is numbered 5097 and is in possession of declamant who in pursuance of the act of Congress on the 20th of May 1820 makes the following declaration on earth (to wit). I Leonard Toops do swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not Since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof which an intent thereby so to dimish it as to bring myself within the provisions of any act of Congress, Entitled and act to provide for Certain persons engaged in the lands and name Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any Person or Persons in trust for me any property or securities Contract or debt due me nor have I any Income other than which is Contained in the Schedule hereunto (illegible) to by me subscribed the said declarant also States that he is sixty years of age on the 21st day of July Last that he is a shoemaker by trade but owing to his advanced age is unable to obtain a livelihood thereby for himself.

Lornard Toops
His mark
Page 9

Schedule of Declarant's Property Bed and Bedding Excepted

1 Trunk valued at $1.oo
1 Pen Knife valued at 12 1/2
Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court 17th August 1820
William Steel Proty

Leonard Toops
his mark

Huntingdon County
Michael Wallace Being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Leonard Toops the above named Pensioner and his circumstances and property and Estimates the same to be worth $1.12 1/2 which in the opinion of the Deponant is the utmost estate of its values.
Sworn and Subscribed in open Court the 17th August 1820
William Steel Proty
Michael Wallave

Huntingdon County
On the foregoing declaration being made on oath before the Court within mentioned and affidavit of Micael Wallace as to the value of Pensioner's property being taken the Court approve of the value of the same at $1.12 1/2 to Concur in the opinion therewith

By the Court,
William Steel Proty

Huntingdon County
I, William Steel Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Huntingdon aforesaid Do Ceritfy that Leonard Toops the applicant in the foregoing declarationi named and Inhabitaant and Resident of the County of Huntingdon and State of Pennsulvania Given under my hand and seal of said Court at Huntingdon the 19th day of December AD 1820.
William Steel Proty
Page 10

Leonard Toops private
Humpton eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment
1th May 1818
I have added an additional Certification in this case Nov. 30th 1818. 

D.S.

Correct
Page 11

State of Pennsylvania and Huntingdon County

On this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, before the Subscriber, one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Huntingdon and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania aforesaid, Personally appears Leonard Toops, aged fifty eight years, resident in Huntingdon County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania aforesaid, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States in the revolutionary Wat." That he the said Leonard Toops enlisted in the Town of Lebanon, then in Lancaster County (now Lebanon County) in the state of Pennsylvania, in the Company commanded by Captain Hetrich, in the eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment commanded by Col. Richard Humpton, in the beginning of the month of May, one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven; that he continued to serve in the said Corps, or in the service of the United States Unti the last of the Month of August in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, when he was discharged by Col. Josiah Harmon of the first Pennsylvania Regiment from service in the City of Philadelphia, which discharge is in Harribsburgh in the State of Pennsylvania and kept from him by his wife who lives in that Town and will not deliver the same to him. That he. was in the battles of Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown in 1777, Monmouth 28 June 1778, Springfield 1779, and at the taking of Lord Cornwallis and his Army at YorkTown in Virginia in the year 1781, and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. That he hath no pension heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States to his knowledge, and if any such exists, he doth hereby fully and entirely release the same to the United States. Sworn to and declared and subscribed before me, the day and year aforesaid.

Before David Stewart
Leonard Toops

Pennsylvania and Huntingdon County
I David Stewart an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and in foresaid County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Leonard Toops, did serve in the  Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings of testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress May 5th 1818.

David Stewart
Page 12

State of Pennsylvania, Huntingdon County

I William Steel Protonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do certify that David Stweart Esquire before whom the within and foregoing proceedings appear to have been sworn to and subscribed, was at that time and still is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for the COunty of Huntingdon foresaid and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such as well in Courts of Justices as (illegible)
In testimony whereof I have here to set my hand and afficed the seal of said County at Huntingdon the 20th day of May 1818.

William Steel Proty

Pennsylvania and Huntingdon County

I David Stewart an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and for said County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Do certify, that from the examination and oath of the said Leonard Toops it appears to my satisfaction that the said Leonard Toops did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and that he is poor and stands in need of the assistance of this County for support, and I now transmit the proceedings and the testimony taken and had before me, to the Honorable Secretary for the Department of War, from and to the direction of the aforementioned Act of Congress. November 30th 1818

David Stewart
Page 13

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County

I, Catharine Toops heir at law of of Leonard Toops do upon oath testify and declare to the best of my knowledge and belief that Leonard Topps did serve in the Revolutionary War that he served to the Close of the war and was entitled to 100 Acres of Land from the United States and served in the Pennsylvania Line, also draws a United States pension of Dauphin County Penna. Know all men by these presents that I Catharine Toops aforesaid do hereby constitute and appoint Jacob Barrick of Harrisburg Dauphin County Pa to be my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to demand and receive from the proper office of the United States the Number of the warrant and the (illegible) them of also the Location of said warrant, the Township and Range and County in which it may be

Catharine Toops

Witnesses
John J. McKee
Henry Beaden
Page 14

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County

Personally appeared the above named Catherine Topps subscribed of the foregoing declaration and in my presents acknowledge the Power of attorney thereto subjoined to be her free act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fourth day of January in the year AD 1859.

Witnesses
Henry Beader

State of Pennsylvania,
Dauphin County 3S I William Mitchell
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please of said County do hereby certify that Henry Beader, Esq. before whom the above and foregoing acknowledgment was made is an acting Justice of the Peace.
Page 15

In and for said County, State, duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit are and might be given to all such his official acts, accordingly, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.

Witnessed my hand and the Seal of said Court at Harrisburg this fourth day of January AD 1858

Wm. Mitchell
Prothy
Page 16

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Name Toops, Leonard 
Grade Private
Line Pennsylvania

WARRANT
10486
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED March 14, 1791
to- not shown-

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 17

War office, 1783.
The within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the bearer as a discharge, (illegible) the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace; previousto  which time, and until proclamation thereof shall be made, it is to be considered as being on furlough.

B. Lincoln
Toops, Leonard
Penn.  W 7271
Page 18

THESE are to CERTIFY that the bearer hereof in the Leonard Toops, Drummer, Pennsylvania regiment, having faithfully served the United States from May 7, 1777 to present date and being inlisted for the war, is hereby discharged from the American army.
Settled HBB

Given at the war office the 13 of August, 1783
By order of the secretary at war B. Lincoln

Joh. Carlton (illegible)

Registered in the books of the regiment
Richard Fullerton, Adjutant.
Page 19

Leonard Toops Pa Act 18 March 1818
to what time paid?
Penn. Office
May 27, 1840

Died 1840
pd. 23rd Feb 1840
JH
Page 20

certif returned by the PostMaster- Sent to Hon. John C. Bucher
March 7, 49
Reported
Feby 3/49

3634
Pennsylvania Phila
Margaret Toops
Widow of Leonard
who served in the Revolutionary war as a Drummer
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 88 Dollars 0 Center per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March ,1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Feby 1849 and sent to 
Pensioner
Harrisburg, Pa
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848
284
Page 21

Pennsylvania 7271
Margaret Toops 
widow of
Leonard Toops
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 23rd February 1840, Dauphin Co. in the State of Penna.
who was a Drummer in the ___ commanded by Captain ___ of the Regt commanded by Col. Humpton of the Pennsylvania line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 88 Dollars 0 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of May 1843 and sent to J.C. Bucher Harrisburg, Penna.

Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
$440.00
[Act July 7, 1838]

Recorded by WM Stewart Clerk
Book 4 Vol. 2 Page 167

(illegible)
Let to J.C. Bucher May 25 1843
Page 22

1910
Pennsulvania Phil
Margaret Toops
widow of Leonard Toops
who was a Drummer
in the Penna line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 88 Dollars 0 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Sept 1843 and sent to Hom. John C. Bucher 
Harrisburg
Penna.

[Act of March 3, 1843.]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. A Page 137
Page 23

1848
Rejected
(illegible) G. W. Morton
23-'39-

Act 7 July 38
Page 24

Margaret Toops
L. Edwards Esqr.
"Pension office Department"
Washington City
8898 
(illegible) 17 1803
PaJuly 7, 1838
 May & Toops
Page 25

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County
JS

On this fourteenth day of April AD 1843 personally appeared before me John C. Bucher one of the Judges of the Court of Common please, in and for the County of Dauphin of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Margaret Toops a widow of Harrisburg, in the County and State aforesaid, aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed July 7th 1838 and 23rd of August 1842 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war, That she is the widow of Leonard Toops, who was a Drummer in the Army of the Revolution, enlisted for the war, who served to the end thereof, as will fully appear by the following copy of a certificate, the original of which was sent to the war department in April 1846. These are to certify that the bearer hereof Leonard Toops drummer in the 1st Pennsylvania regiment having faithfully served the United States from May 1st 1777 to the present date, and being enlisted for the War, is hereby discharged from the American Army-- Given at the War office on the 13th of August 1783.'By order of the Secretary of War
Registered on the Book of the Regiment
J Discom- roll this name is somewhat (illegible)

Richard Fullerton Adjutant"

She also declares that she was married to the said Leonard Toops on the _ day of Septermber AD seventeen hundred and eighty eight and that her husband the aforesaid Leonard Toops died on the 23rd day of February 1840 (eighteen hundred and forty) that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place at Millertown Lebanon Co, Pa; previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz at the home above stated. that she still remains unmarried, and is the widow of the said Leonard Toops (who had been receiving a pension from the United States for a number of years to the time of his death) and as yet alive at the time of the Execution of this instrument; for further proof, she refers the Department to her papers forwarded to said department in April 1840- sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written- before me
John C. Bucher
Judge

Margaret Toops
her mark
Witness to the signature of Margaret Toops- "the interline above the word not- in the aforesaid declaration was done before signing.

Wm. Agnes, Jr
John J. Lawrencec
Page 26

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County
I John A. Weir Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas, in and for the County aforesaid do certify that John C. Bucher is a Judge of the Cort aforesaid, and that his signature attached to the author mentioned declaration, purporting to be his, is fully known to me, to be in his proper signature and that he is personally known to me. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this 14th day of April AD 1840
John A. Weir
Prothonotary for H.C. DeArmond
Page 27

Know all men by these presents that I Margaret Toops of the Borough of Harrisburg in the County of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania widow and relict of Leonard Toops, late of the same place deceased, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and to whom a pension was grated as will in the State of Pennsylvania as by the Act of Congress have made constituted and appointed and by those present a make constitute and appoint and in my place and stead put and depute George A. C. Sicler of the Borough of Hamsburg aforesaid my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my name to ask demand and receive all such or sums of money which are coming to me as the widow of Leonard Toops a soldier in the Revolutionary War aforesaid under the various acts of Congress granting pensions and allowances to the widows of such soldiers of the Revolutionary War aforesaid, as are now due and owing to me as the widow of said Leonard Toops by reason of the services of my said husband and in accordance with the provision of the Acts of Congress. Giving and grading unto my said attorney, by these presents my full and (illegible) power, strength and authority, in and about these premises, to have use and take all lawful ways and means, in my name for the purposes aforesaid, and upon the receipt of any such dues or sums of money acquittances or other sufficient discharges, for me and in my name to make seal and deliver- Hereby ratifying, allowing and holding for form and effectual all and whatsoever my said attorney shall lawfully do in and about the premises.

JN
Page 28

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of October AD 1852.

Margaret Toops
her mark

Witnesses present at signing
J. Sciler
JL McConnell RC

Dauphin County 
"Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County the aforenamed Margaret Toops and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be the act and deed and desired that the same might be recorded as such according to law.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of October AD 1852.

J.L McConnell
Justice of the Peace
Page 29

War Department
Pension Office
Washington City.
M. Cole 1910
Page 30

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 2nd February 1848 and entitled  An Act making further provision for Surviving Widow of Soldiers of the Revolution.

State of Pennsylvania
of Dauphon County ss.

On this fifteenth day of September AD 1840 personally appeared before the subscriber, Judge __ of the Court of Common Please Margaret Toops a resident of the Corough of Harrisburg int he county of Dauphin and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, aged seventy nin years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Contress passed the 2nd February 1848 grinding pensions to widoes of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Leonard Toops who was a Drummer in the Army of the Revolution, and received a pension to the time of his death- ad the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of 17 hune 1844 was Eighty eight dollars. She further declares that she is still a widow. 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before

Margaret Toops
her mark

John C. Bucher Judge
Witnesses at the signature of Margaret TOops making her mark
Catharine Dubbs
John C. Bucher
State of Pennsylvania
County of Dauphin

I, John C. Bucher a Judge in the county above named, do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence, viz my own personal knowledge, that Margaret Toops who this day appeared before me, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration, is the identical person she represents herself to be.

Given under my hand at Harrisburg PA on the day and year above written
John C. Bucher

I Wm. D. Boas, Prothy of the Court of Common Please county, certify that John C. Bucher is a Judge as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 15th day September in the year 1848.
Wm. D. Boas Prothy
Page 31

03030 June 27 43
Pa Mar 3 43
(illegible) Toops

$88 per anum
Hon. John C. Bucher
Harrisburg
Penn.
"Pension Office Department"
Washington City.
Page 32

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County

On this twenty fourth day of June A.D. 1843, personally appeared before me, one of the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas, in and for the County and State aforesaid, Margaret Toops, a resident of Harrisburg, County and State aforesaid aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d of March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war, That she is the widow of Peonard Toops who was a Srummer in the Army of the Revlution enlisted for the War, as will more fully appear by the certificate sent on to the War Department, of which the following is a true copy "These are to certify, that the bearer hereof Leonard Toops drummer in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, having faithfully served  the United States from May 1 of 1777 to the present date and being enlisted for the war, is hereby discharged from the American army.

Given at the War office the 13th of August 1783
By order of the Secretary of War

Joseph Carlton, Secy
J Discom

Registered in the book of the Regiment- Richard Hellertow, Adjutant and that the annual amount of the pension, which she received under the act of July 7, 1838 in Eighty eight dollars_ and she further declares that she is still a widow.

Margaret Toops
her mark

Swotn to, and subscribed on the day and year, above written; and I do further declare, and certify that Margaret Toops is above declarant, is personally known to me, and has been to upwards for forty years past before me
John C. Bucher

State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County

I, John A Weir Prothonotary of the Court of Common plea, of said County, certify that John C. Bucher is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, as above stated, and that the foregoing signature, reporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office. Subscribed my name this 24th day of June A.D. 1843.
John A Weir, Prothy

Witness to the making her mark of Margaret Toops
Catharine Dubbs
Jacob Eppley
Page 33

Division Office Department

The application of Mrs. Margaret Toops for the benefit of the law passed by Congress on 3d of march 1843 - granting pension to Widows [illegible] is herein forwarded to your department - should a certificate of pension [illegible], forward it to John C. Bucher, or if any further proof is necessary, please address to,

Your obedient fellow citizen
John C. Bucher
Harrisburg June 24th 1843

Assistant
Page 34

(illegible)
Honble James E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 35

Treasury Department
Fourth Auditor Office
March 21st 1851.

Sir
I have the honor to commit to you the Pension Certificate of Margaret Toops widow of Leonard Toops who was a drummer in the Revolutionary War, together with a letter addressed to me on the subject by my friend Judge Bucher of Harrisburgh [Harrisburg] Penna.

You will be pleased to acknowledge the Rec. of the Pension Certificate and grant unto the said Margaret Toops widow, such Pension arrears of Pension as she may be jointly entitled to by the laws of the United States.

I have the honor to be Very Respectfully
Your Ob. Serv.
J.B. Oliver

Hoble. James E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 36

Will Mr. Gordon State when (illegible) the no. of a Wr: which pues. to Leonard Toops a Drummer in the Pa. Cont'l line and whether it was assigned and to whom sent?

(illegible)

Land warrant No. 10.486 for 100 acres issued March 11th- 1791 to Leonard Toops, priv. Penna Continental line, no assignee in the case.
Page 37

Sept 9 43
"Pension Department" 
Washington City
Margt. Toops, PA 43
Page 38

Harrisburg September 18th 1843
Pension Office Department
Several months since margaret Toops's application to your department, was forwarded, for the benefit of the "act granting a pension to certain (Widoes of) Revolutionary soldiers"- approved 3 March 1843_ about which the answer has been received- on the first time of payment of pension under said act, has arrived, Margaret Toops and in portimate_ if she has not made out her flaim satisfactorily, if we can be approved where it is, we will endeavor to do so- will you be pleased to give this claim, the attention it deserved, and communicate to Mrs. Toops, through my address, the result at as early a period as the bearing of the pension Department will allow.
Respectfully
John C. Bucher
Page 39

Payment to be made at Philadelphia by J.R. Snowden [illegible] Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Pennsylvania.

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March

Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2d, 1848, Page 284 Vol. 2

Leon Jenkins, Clerk.

Leonard Toops [illegible] 23rd
February of 1840 -
Page 40

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848, Margaret Toops, widow of Leonard Toops, who was a Drummer in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eight Eight dollars and ____ cents per annum, commencing ont he 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she shoul again marry, in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the War Office of the United States this 3d day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.

WL Marcy.
Secretary of War.
 
Examined and Countersigned,
JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 41

[partial round black stamp] [illegible] Mar 16 

pa Margaret Toops
Pension Office Department
Washington City
Page 42

Pension Office Department Harrisburg March 16th 1843 I have learnd, through the Hon. Amos Gustine, that Congress have revived the Law, granting a pension to Widows of Revolutionary pensioners deceased, for at least one year & In 1840 I forwarded to your Department, the application of Margaret Toops, widow of Leonard Toops decd claiming the benefit of the pension, which had been allowed her husband, in answer to which I received, that her case, would not entitle her to the benefit of the law “granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" approved July 7th 1838 --- - - having understood that the law just part, is more liberal in its provisions, and the old lady above referred to being yet alive, and having heard of the passage of the law has importuned me to aid her, in pressing her claim for it benefits - will you please refer to her application on file in your department, and if she is entitled to a pension, will you please forward me a certificate, or order that may enable her to receive her quota - her late husband re $100 pr annum - in your answer 1 will you be pleased to send me a copy of the law, the form of proof necessary for application & as there are several widows here who hope receive benefit by this law respectfully John C. Tucker
Page 43

Harrisburg, PA May 22  JAS

John C. Bucher wishes Mrs. M. Toops pension increases to $96 per annu. 
B149. [illegible] 28/43
Pension Office

Margt. Toops
pa [illegible] 38.

[Round stamp - illegible]
Page 44

James M. Porter Esqr.
Secretary of War
Washington City

[word "FREE" stamped on document]
Page 45

James M. Porter Esqr Harrisburg May 23d 1843 Secretary of War Dear Sir Last evening, I received your certificate of Pension to Mrs Margaret Toops, the widow of a Revolutionary pensioner, in conformity with the act of July 7. 1838 allowing her eighty eight dollars per annum from 4th March 1836 to 4th March 1841 -- now as this granted to her by virtue of the law of Congress approved July 7th 1836 - which law entitled her to receive the same pension annually, which was allowed to her husband, and as he received a pension of ninety six dollars per annum, why is she allowed but eighty eight dollars pr annum? I knew the old man well from my boyhood, and that he received a pension for near 20 years, and that during the last years of his life. I assisted him in procuring his pension, from the pension office in Philadelphia all which makes positive of the amount recd —— I have also the receipts for money paid over - on reference to his account, in your Department, it will be found to be the major sum; should this have arisen from an oversight, or mistake, I feel confident you will have justice done to this old lady —- you will find on reference to her application made in 1840 testified before you, as President Judge of this district, abundant evidence of service rendered by her husband, to the U.S. during the Revolutionary war, and of her right to claim also, as his Widow. Will you please give this your attention, and forward an answer as soon as your business, will admit, for if your pension department, have just reasons, for the action, it will suffice, and proceed immediately to procure the boon of the Government due to this old lady most respectfully Your fellow Citizen John C Ruching
Page 46

(Addressed envelope)


James S. Edwards Esqr

       Pension Office

          Washington City

May 17, 1840

Mrs Toops


(Date Stamp)

 HARRISBURG
         MAY
           25
           P4
Page 47

Harrisburg May 25th 1840
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir,

    Three or four weeks since I forwarded to the war Department, the application of Mrs. Margaret Toops, widow of Leonard Toops dec'd a Revolutionary pension - claiming the benefit of the act granting to widows of pensioners, a pension of 5 years. accompanying the application, is the dismissal of Leonard Toops from the Army of the U.S. in 1783 -fearing the communication has not reached your Department, from the long silence - I am constrained to drop you a line of inquiry?

                              Most respectfully
                               Your fellow citizen
                                         //s//
                                John C. Bucher
Page 48

(Addressed envelope)

(Date Stamp)
HARRISBURG                   Free
       APRIL
          29
           P4



War Department
Pension Office
Washington City

6976

May 1, 1840
Pa. 
July 7, 1838
Margt' Toops
Page 49

Harrisburg April 28th 1840

War Department
Pension Office

    Enclosed in the application of Margaret Toops, widow of Leonard Toops dec'd claiming the benefit of the Act of the Congress of the U, States of the 7th July 1830 - "granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" I have known the deceased old soldier ever since I was capable of remembering anything - and also his widow, the present applicant - the reason why this enclosed certificate was not forwarded to the pension department, when Leonard Toops presented his petition for a pension, was because it was in the (??) of his wife, unkown to the husband, and she always supposed it might be useful to be, in some way or other - when she might become old & needy - hope the enclosed forms, will be acceptable to the department. to grant this old lady her certificate of pension - the difficulty of obtaining positive proof in these cases, is almost impossible from the lapse of time and the ravages made by death. 
                                                              
           respectfully - on behalf of the old lady
                                        //s//
                                  John C. Bucher
Page 50


Margaret Toops
   of Leonard
Pennsylvania
Rejected
let. 27th May 1840
to J.C. Bucher
to same Aoril 8, 1843

was not a widow at the
time if the passage of the
Act of 7 July 1838.


Act 7 July 1828
Page 51

Harrisburg January 5th 1859

Sir,

    You will find a power of attorney within requesting to know, the number and date thereof of a land warrant issued to Leonard Toops who was a drummer in the Revolutionary War and belonged to the Penn's Line and also location of said warrant, township and range and county in which it may be and by so doing you will much oblige.

     //s//
George C. Whiting, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
 D.C.  
             //s//
Yours Respectfully
Jacob Barrick
Harrisburg Pa

please attend to this as soon as convenient.
                                                       j.b.
Page 52

WIDOW, &c.
Rev'y

File No. 5193
Margaret Toops
Wid
Leonard Toops
(??) Rev War
Act: Feb'y 2nd 1848
Index:-Vol. M, Page 278
{Arrangement of 1870}