Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,547, for John M Taylor, Pennsylvania
Page 1

SERVICE
Penn   
Taylor, John M.
NUMBER
S.22.547
Page 2

Let to Page Mar 6 1841
[ditto][ditto] AlRay May 3. 1841.
Paid at Freeway
under act 6 April 1838
for 4 Sept, 1823 to 6 Dec
1843. Agent notified 14 Apr
1846.


11
Pennsylvania
=======
John M. Taylor
of Philad'a in the State of Penna
who was a Deputy Commissary
General in the Penn Continental 
line for two years.
=======
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 600 Dollars      Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Increases
from $480 per annum.
=======
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Dec'r [December]
1840, and sent to Alexr [Alexander]
Ray, Esq. Present
=======
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1841 $6000.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept '41 [1841]  300.00
=======
Deduct former payments $6300.00
=======
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1833
Recorded by D McCurdy, Clerk,
Book E.  Vol. 5  Page 60.
Page 3

United States of America
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
On this nineteenth day of June 1833
personally appeared John M. Taylor Esq
a resident of the City of Philadelphia, in the
eighty first year of his age, who being first
duly sworn in open Court, according to Law
doth on his oath make the annexed declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision
made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7th
1832.   And 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.   John M Taylor[signature]
Sworn to & subscribed in open
Court the day & year aforesaid

And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states
Jos. Hopkinson
Dist. Judge
Page 4

I Francis Hopkinson Clerk of the
Court of the United States for the Eastern
district of Pennsylvania do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application
of John M Taylor Jun'r for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
seal of office this nineteenth day
of June 1833-
Fra: Hopkinson Clk: Dist: W

In the month of June 1775, I entered the army as a
Sergeant in Col Wm Thompsons Regiment Captain Wm
Smiths company of Riflemen. Our first Lieutenant
was Micheal Simpson afterward, General Simpson
The Regiment marched from Lancaster for Cambridge and
arrived there July 24. General Washington arrived
there four days previous. We remained under the command
of General Charles Lee who was on Prospect Hill until
October when General Washington made a requisition for
Volunteer to go against Quebec.  Upwards of Eleven
Hundred offered and were accepted of which number
I was one.  On the eleventh of same month we sailed from
Newburyport, and arrived in Kennebec next day. Soon
after we ascended that river to the high land, which divides
the water that ran into the Bay of Fundy from those of
the St Lawrence, where we had seven miles land carriage 
into the Chadace Lake, one hundred & Eighty miles from
Quebec. The first forests Inhabitants were ninety
miles
Page 5

from the Lake.  There, the Commander in Chief, General
Arnold appointed me Commissary; where I purchased provisions,
and had ovens built for our then starving army.
On our way hither we killed all the dogs we could, and
eat them. The Inhabitants were very kind to us, and supplied
us amply with Beef, Flour, Mutton, & etc. which
I paid for in Gold.  We soon moved down the river to
Point Levy opposite Quebec.  Soon after we crossed the
St. Lawrence between two Sloops of war, and landed at
Wolfs cove, four miles above Quebec. On the thirteenth of
November, we mustered and counted four hundred & fifty
two men & officers.  General Arnold was determined to
march into the City, but the officers called a council
of war, to know the quantity of ammunition there was, and
it was found to be only two an half rounds  a man.   St Johns
and St Rocks Gates were open- a Sergeant Guard only
on duty. Had we gone forward, we could have taken the
town.  We took quarters in the houses on the plains, General
Arnold at Lord Hollands house, and Cornl Dupree
was
allowed some further provision stores, where I purchased
stored and issued the provisions for our Detachment as well
as that of General Montgomery, who came down from Montical,
after St Johns had capitulated, where he took upwards
of nine hundred British.  Soon after his arrival
he determined to [illegible] the city that night. I went with
Captain Cheesman of the Forlorn hope, who was killed at
my right hand and General Montgomery close by me.
Command then devolved on Donald Campbell who ordered
a retreat.  Major Dubois of the York line, and Donald
Campbell, Deputy Quarter Master General, contended for the
command, but Dubois gave up to him who had to rank of
Lieutenant Colonel.  General Arnolds party was taken, himself
wounded, and sent to Montreal. General Thomas took
the command on the Sixth of May, General Burgoyne
arrived with 4500 troops and marched out of the City to
fight us, but we were ordered to retreat, and did not halt
until on
at the month of the river of the river Sorrell
when General Sullivan, took command, and raised fortifications
and
Page 6

ordered Colonel Thompson to go down to the river to meet
Burgoynes Troops, who were following up, and there fought
them and were taken prisoner- we then retreated to the
Isle of nove and staid [stayed] two or three weeks waiting further
Stragging soldiers and the arrival of provisions from Sorrell
& Chambala in which I was much engaged- we arrived
at Crown Point early July 1776 where we buried 20 to 30
soldiers a day of the small pox. We moved to Tyconderoga
and there General Sullivan ordered it fortyfied. [fortified]
Remained
with the army in the same capacity in canada until I got
the fever and ague very bad, and obtained leave to go
Albany for my health- when there I found Mr. Trumble
Brother to the Hon. Joseph Trumble Commissary General
with whom I settled my account of purchases & issues to
that time and he gave me a Letter to his Brother then at
Lebanon Connecticut, where I went and he gave me the
appointment of Deputy Commissary General with directions
to go to Reading where I should act. I had not been long
there before he died. Carpenter Wharton of this City
succeeded him and he gave me the former appointment when
I continued to act in purchasing all kinds of supplies from
both. I had the appointment in writing, but congress so long delayed
in providing for Staff Officers that I never expected any benefit from
them, therefore destroyed them with other war to papers.  When
the army lay at Valley Forge in 1777 & 78 I continued to send
large supplies of Flour, Beef, Pork, & etc until 18 June when
General Washington decamped and followed the British army on
their retreat to New York and fought them at Monmouth N.J.
27th.  I still continued at Reading, sending down to the city
[illegible] supply of the Troops there, as well from the Laboratory of
the Surgeon General where all the medicine for the army come
made up.  The daily supplies were prepared by my
Deputy until February 1779 when I resigned Were General
Hiester living he would testify to my faithful services there
John M. Taylor [signature]
Sworn the 19 day of June 1833
before Jos Hopkinson
District Judge
Page 7

John M Taylor
Pennsylvania Allowed Act 1832
Page 8

James L. Edwards Esq.
War Department
Alexander Ray Esquire
Georgetown
D.C.
Page 9

Philad [Philadelphia] 3 Nov. 1835
Alexr [Alexander] Ray Esq
Georgetown}
Dr Sir [Dear Sir]
I recd [received] in due course yours of 21, [illegible] and note              
its contents.  You wish me to send you a certificate to the
best of my recollection of the monthly pay I received
while acting as Deputy Commissary General in the
Revolution.  I will  cheerfully comply with your request
to the best of my remembrance. You also ask me to state 
of my account in the capacity of Commissary
service I
John Taylor. They were always kept as John Taylor
but after the peace of 35 I settled here, and did Business 
as a Merchant.  There being several of my name, we 
frequently obtained each others letters; To avoid which
we agreed to add a letter to each of our names between
the Christian & Surname- My wifes name was Meredith
Consequently I did often add in M which I continued &
shall as long as life.
The lapse of time, Say Fifty five to
Sixty years puts it out of my power to furnish living
witnesses of my services.  The pay at the early period
of the revolution was [illegible] that of Lieutenant Colonel
pay which Received I think $75.  The only Services of
the revolution [illegible] knows my services are Colonel Aaron Burr, J A Hupple- I was duly commissioned by Joseph
Trumble and Captain Whastone, the first of whom
died at an early period of the war-The Second
succeeded him and gave a General Appointment
After [illegible] ago, I discharged [illegible]
Page 10

months papers among which were those two.  As Congress
maintains possession for the Staff of the Army for Fifty Service 
years I thought they now would.

Respectfully Yours
John M. Taylor

City Philadelphia ss
Personally appeared Before me Andrew Pettit
Esquire an Alderman in for the City of Philadelphia
John M. Taylor whose name is affixed to the foregoing
statement; and being duly sworn according to Law doth
repose say that the act as therein set forth are
there to the best of their recollection
Jn M Taylor [signature]
Given testament
Before me--Pettit Hon}
11 Oct 1835}


I hereby certify, That I have known John M. Taylor whose name is
affixed to the foregoing statement for upwards of forty years past and
have always believed him, to be the Identical John M Taylor who was
appointed to be acting in the Staff of the Army of the United States
at the Siege of Quebeck in 1776-  And further that I have known
Adam Platat the Revolutionary Pensioner, whose affidavit of the
Identity of the said John M Taylors will annexed for many years
part and have frequently heard him state that he was in the employ, and
under the direction of the said John M Taylor in the Commissary Department
at the line of Lubeck in 1776-
A Pettit
Hon
Page 11

State of Pennsylvania
City of Philadelphia} Ss

To all whom it may Concern
I, John R Vogdes Clerk of the Mayors Court for the
City of Philadelphia Do hereby certify that A Pettit
whose name is signed to the annexed Instrument of writing
and at the time of performing the Acts therein set forth
and signing his name thereto was an Alderman of said
City duly commissioned and authorized to do and perform
all and singular the acts and things as hereby appears
to have been done by him as an Alderman of said City
and to all who acts as such due faith and credit is
and ought to be
given
In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and the seal of the said
Court this fifth day of November in
the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight
hundred and Thirty five 1835.
John R Vogdes
Clerk
Page 12

John Taylor  A. D.  Commissary
_________________________________
|| Dollars
1776  |  To Johnathan Trumbull  Dy. Quarter Master Genl   ||500
1780 Feb | To Genl John Thomas  ||168


Treasury Department
Regular Office Oct. 22d 1835
I certify the above to be a true extract from the Leger of
"Jonathan Trumble Esq, By Pay Master General"
T Smith
Register
Page 13

I was a soldier of the Revolution in 1775
under the command of General Arnold & Montgomery
I belonged to the Regiment of Col. Ganswort while
there; John Taylor then Commisary of Purchases
and Issue to the army, made application to the
Col for a Soldier who spoke the German, to place
in the Store of Issues as we had a number of
Germans belonging to the Pennsylvania Troops
I was selected and kept by him at the Scales
until we were drove off, by the British on the
6th May 1776, under Genl Burgoine
his
Adam  X Happall
mark
Sworn subscribed
Before me
A. Pettit
Hon
October 22 1835}
This is to Certify, that Adam Happal the
Deponent to the foregoing Deposition, is
well known
by me, as having been a Soldier in the Revolutionary
War, and has been in habit for may years past
of calling (semi annually) at my office to swear
to his Identity as the Pensioner therein stated, and
that I have frequently heard him speak of the
circumstances alluded to in the forgoing statement
A. Pettit
one of the
Aldermen for the
City of Philada [Philadelphia]
Page 14

Oct 17
Com'y
Jno M taylor
Penna

[circle stamp]
PHILADA
OCT 16

Fr
James L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pension
Washington
D. C

Mail
Page 15

Philada [Philadelphia] 15 October 1838
Sir/
In reply to your Letter of the 10 ins: now before
me addressed to my attorney Mr Alexander Ray
of Baltimore, I have to state that I accept the
offer made by your department to reinstate my
name upon the pension roll at the rate of
Four hundred and Eighty Dollars per annum
and I do hereby relinquish all claim to a pension
at a higher rate or rewards being willing to be
continued during my life at Four hundred and
Eighty dollars per annum.
I presume upon the receipt of
this you will instruct the pension agent in
Philadelphia to pay over the arrears which may
have accrued, since my pension was last paid
at the same time must ask the favor of you to
appraise me of the facts.
I am very respectfully
Your obt. St. [obedient servant]
Jn. M. Taylor [signature]
James S. Edwards Esq.
Comr [Commisioner] of Pensions}
Page 16

Geo. Town Oct 12th, 1835
Sir/
I shall be extremely obliged to you for
a decision in the case of bounty Jno. M. Taylor
respectfully
your Ob Sr [obedient servant]
Alx. Ray
James L. Edwards Esq
War Department
Page 17

Oct 7
James L. Edwards Esq.
War Department
Washington
Page 18

Gage Town Oct 6 35
Sir/
Your letter of the 5th was duly recd[received]
you state that you will further examine the claim
of John M Taylor.
I should have enclosed the within letter to you on
the 28th Mar had I supposed any further evidence would
have been necessary, it is now of no avail in its
present state, but if any thing therein stated should
tend to strengthen the claim if sustained by proof
I have no doubt but it can be furnished.
But in the event of this being a previous case I
am done with it. The principle I shall nevertheless
endeavour to maintain should ever another case be
intrusted to me.
I am very respectfully
your Ob St [obedient servant]
Alex. Ray

J L Edwards Esq
War Dept
Page 19

Sept. 28
James L Edwards Esq.
War Department
Washington
Page 20

George Town Sep 28, 1835
Sir/
accompanying this you will receive a
letter from John M. Taylor Esq Dep Com Genrl of purchases,
and issue; in the army of the revolution.
It appears, that in the summer of 1833 Mr Taylor
made application for the benifits of an act approved
June 1832, and received a pension certificate for
four hundred and eighty dollars; it further 
appears that he is not satisfied with the apportionment
of his stipend, first for reason that there are comy
afer commissaries who are in the rect [receipt] of six hundred
dollars or at the rate of the highest Capt pay
but
more especially because the calculation agreeable to
the established rule of the pension office has not been
made in accordance with the amount of pay
he received while in the line of duty
I would here ask leave to call your attention
to the case of Ensign Adl. Issw commissary Wm Shute 
of New York, It seems that in 1833. He applied for the
benifits of Act of June 32. his application was rejected
by the pension office, upon the grounds that he could
not relinquish the "act 15 May 28 for 7 June 32 this
decision, however, was overruled by the opinion of
Mr Atty Genrl Laney May 15, 1833 [45] and Mr Shute was
permitted to relinquish his pension as Ensign at $240
and to take the benifits act June 32 as Ysn Genrl at $600
It is but reasonable therefore to infer since the case
Page 21

of Mr. Shute passed the hands of yourself the Secty War
and Atty Genrl that the allowance was either by your
admission, or acquiescence, and may be considered a
data or tenet fixed for analogous cases (Mr Taylors
case I see was admitted by Mr Cromwell) there are also
the cases of Commr Benj Weld, and geographer Linuon
De Witt of New York who receive pensions of six
hundred dollars.
It is not, however my purpose to build up
my constituents rights, solely upon the merits of the
allowance to other and it is judged unnecessary further
to advert to them. But upon the established usage of the
pension office, as stated in your letter address to me
[illegible] 5 Oct last
The case is submitted with no further commentary.

Your very
respectful
Ob. Ser [obedient servant]
Alx. Ray
Page 22

Philad [Philadelphia] 25 September 1835
Sirs:
Your favor of 16 ins: is before me, the contents of
which have been carefully noted.  In relation
to my claims as Deputy Commissary General I can furnish
you  with ample Testimony under the affirmation
that great man Aaron Burr who was my fellow
Soldier. I was appointed Quarter Master in the
Expedition to Quebec in 1775 and after the arrival
of the army there, Commissary to purchase Provisions
and distribute the same to the Troops before Quebec
& on their retreat to Crown Point. There is a soldier
now living that I took out of the rank and placed
within provisions Store who remained with me while
in Canada. His affidavit I can obtain if necessary
He is a pensioner and of good character, which will
establish this fact, that I was one of the first Commissaries
and was so continued until I left the Army in 1779
My papers with application for
pension I have a copy of which you may wish to see
to enable you to judge if further evidence is necessary
in support of my claim.
In the Settlement of my Canada
Account, at Albany with Colonel Trumble Brother to
Joseph Tremble then Commissary General, I made no
change of Sergeant pay which I did not think I was
entitled to, as I took the pay of Commissary only which
was I think
Page 23

that of Lieut Colonel 75 Dollars per month
I never made application to this
State for deprecation of the money I received, which
was at that time upond of Twenty percent
I could add much more Testimony in
favor of my claim, but deem it unnecessary as
my application with fully show that I am
entitled to the highest pay off any officers of my
grade as I acted in a Double Capacity
Your most obt St. [obedient Servant]
Jn. M. Taylor [signature]

P.S.  I hand you here enclosed a Letter to J. L. Edward,
Esq. Com of Pensions at Washington which you
will please present, and having as you will see
named you as my Atty. I have no doubt you
will use your best connections in my behalf.
Yours Respectfully
J. M. Taylor
Page 24

Payments to be made
at Philadelphia Pa
by the Presd U.S. Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
Pennsylvania
Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E Vol. 5
Page 60 by Jno Cromwell
Clerk
Page 25

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United 
States of the 7th June, 1832, John M. Taylor
of the State of Pennsylvania
who was a Deputy Commissary General in
the Revolutionary Army
is entitled to receive Four hundred & eighty dollars 
per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the
4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year
Given at the War Office of the United
States, this 26th day of
June  one thousand
eight hundred and thirty three
John Bibb
Acting Secretary of War
Examined and
Countersigned}
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 26

Revolution
22 547
INVALID.
File No. 22,547
John M. Taylor
Deputy Commissary Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 2, Page 422
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 27

Issue new certificate
at the rate of $600
per annum
and it to
A. Ray Esq.
Present
Page 28

John M. Taylor
Penn act '32
_____
See letter to A. Ray, Oct 10. 1838-
Susp. removed- see letters Oct. 17. 
1838 to P. Agt. & Pensioner.
let 2 Oct 40 A. Ray-do
to Same Oct 10. 1840.
Page 29

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
December 15, 1845.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act
directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners,
and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States", and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending
the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension
agents, The widow of John M Taylor, dec
a Pensioner on the Roll of the
Philadelphia, Pa.
Agency, at the rate of Six hundred
Dollars
and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June
1832, has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of Sept. 1843, to the 6th Dec. 1843.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 30

Ocbr. [October} 1840
V William
Jas L. Edwards Esquire
Court of Pensions
War Department
Washington
Page 31

Washington Oct. 1. 1840
Sir/
In the fall of 1835, application
was made by the undersigned as attorney in
fact for John M Taylor of Philadelphia, 
Commissary in the war of the revolution and there
in red [received] of a pension under the act of June
1832 at the rate of $480: for an increase to 600$.
upon the first and second examination of his
case, you decided to suspend his claim for
further evidence, to support it at the same
rate of pension he was then under red [received] of. In 
1838 evidence was obtained from the Registers
Office Reading department sufficient to
restore his name to the pension roll at the same
rate of pension he formerly recd [received] which
was accepted.
I have since been fortunate enough to
procure further evidence, showing
the balance
of pay that appeared to be due and paid to John
Taylor Commissary up to the 1 Sept 1777 
amounting to the sum of $1132.45 which will be
ample it is hoped for you to augment
Page 32

his pension to $600 equal to the sum other
Commissaries are under the red [received] of.  The certificate
from the Register of the Treasury is herewith
enclosed, being evidence of his having been
paid as Commissary
I remain very
respectfully
your  Ob Sevt [Obedient Servant]
Alex. Ray
Page 33

Extract from "the Register of certificate issued by Jonathan Banall
Commissioner for settling the Accounts of the Commissary and Quarter masters'
Department, from the 22 August 1782 to the 7th May 1789"
Name
John Taylor
No.
8
date
Decem 3 1782
Amount
$1132.45
When due
Septem 1 1777
---

Treasury
Department
Registers Office Sept 30 1840
I Truith
Regr
Page 34

Pension Agency
Philada. [Philadelphia] Mar 4th 1841
Sir:
The pension of John M. Taylor has
been increased to $60 per annum. I am thus
notified in your last statement of changes ie:
"John M. Taylor Depy Comy Gen $600 incrd [increased] fro $480
deducting former payments." I will be obliged
if you inform me whether I am to understand,  this
Pensioner is to receive $600 from 4th March 1831
less the amount already paid
I am Sir, very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt [Obedient Servant]
J Solms
P At
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 35

Washington
April 30 1841,
Sir/
I have respectfully to request of you to
to do me the favor to answer me the following questions
1st was not the pension of Jno. M. Taylor, of Philadelphia
who was a Deputy Commissary in the war
of the revolution, suspended in 1835, for reason.
that upon your re- examining his case, it was
found not to be supported by such proof as
would justify the continuance of his name
on the pension roll under act June 7, 1832.
2nd was not the necessary proof supplied by
me as his attorney to restore his name on
the rate of 480$ in 1838,
3rd and was not the further proof presented by
me as his attorney in 1840. The reason of his case
again being opened, and his stipend augmented to
600$ per annum, and were not all the
correspondence, and evidence of his Service
furnish by me as his attorney since 1835.
Your Most Obt.  Ser. [obedient servant]
Alex. Ray
J. L. Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Page 36


Washington Oct. 7. 1840.
Sir,
Your letter of the 2d was handed to me to day,
and I must beg to be permitted to express my surprise
at the reason you assign for not admitting an augmentation
of Commissary John M. Taylor, pension to $600,
nor can I perceive upon what principle discrimination
are made in the adjustment of Commissaries pensions.
It is believed that most, if not all, the Commissaries
had the same responsible and arduous duties to perform
and in respect to compensation the acts of the first Congress
made no discrimination of pay in their respective grades & the pay of Commissaries
have been always
at a higher rate than that of a Capt. of Artillery.
I will briefly advert to a few cases having a direct
bearing upon the one in question, Compsy Isaac De Graff
of New York received a pension under act 1832
of $480, evidence was obtained from the Treasury
Dept: that,  in the settlement of the accounts, in the
Commissary and Qr Master department for the year 1782
Isaac De Graff was paid as Commissary and his pension
was increased to $600.  Again, in the case of Commissary
Smith Weed of New York, your letter to me of the 1 April
1836
Page 37

Says "I have examined the case of Smith Weed, and I
am unable to discover that he does not receive all that 
the law allows. If he can shew that he received higher pay
than a Lieut while in the service, by documentary proof,
his pension may perhaps be increased, but without such
proof, any application for an augmentation of his
stipend will be unavailing". To meet your requirement
my best efforts proved unavailing both here and at
Albany, at the same time Comy [Commissary] Weed was willing
to be qualified to the amount of his monthly pay
you made no exception to the Capacity of Comy Weed
nor to the period of his service, the objection to an
increase arose solely because he could not show he recd [received]
higher pay then a Lieutenant. I have since learned that
his pension has been increased to 600$ and I take it
for granted that it was upon the evidence obtained
from the Treasury Department
and deemed to be sufficient under the regulations
of your office to establish the right to a pension
of 600$ by its being shown the Smith Weed was paid
as a Commissary.
In the case of Commissary Taylor, your letter to
me of the date 15th Oct 1835 says "his claim cannot be
admitted to an augmentation of his stipend unless he can
Page 38

produce evidence of his having been commissioned as
Dep. Comy and paid as such". The evidence not
having been at that time produced his pension was
not increased, But now, when the evidence of his
having been paid as Commissary required in your
letter 15 Oct 1835 is presented, it is alleged "there is
nothing to show that he was entitled to more than 40$ per month".
I regret to find myself obliged to declare
that I am totally or a loss to perceive any grounds
of difference in the cases, they are both acknowleged
in your letter to me, as having served for the year, and
at that time neither increased for the hearin reason that
we were not able to show the payments as Commissaries.
But a certificate from the Registers Office showing that
Smith Weed has been paid as Comy the sum of $962
an increase to a pension of 600$ is admitted, and made a
Similar certificate but greater in amt $1132.45 Comm'y
John M. Taylor application is refused.  Such being
the indisputable facts, I cannot in my mind
reconcile the most astonishing discrepancey, in the case
sited, and I cannot suppose it possible that your
office of the War Dept would willingly make inequality
of pensions unconformable to law and prescribed duly
under the act of congress
I attribute, therefore, the variableness in
Page 39

the decision in Jno. M. Taylor case,
of Philadelphia
and Smith Weed's of New York entirely to the presumption
of their not having been examined by
yourself,
and the gentlemen whose duty it was, to act, in the
cases, took different views without regard to the
principles involved, and requirement made in
your letter to me of the 15 Oct. 1835.
But such Sir/ are the circumstances,
and such I believe to be the facts in the cases, herein
mentioned, and in due courtesy to you, and in behalf
of my constituent respectfully ask for a 
reconsideration of the claim,
I am most
respectfully
your Obt Ser [obedient servant] 
Alx. Ray
Commissary Jno. M. Taylor sent me a copy of
his declaration, which I cannot at this moment lay
my hands on, but if my recollection serves me,
he states his service a that time over two years
If such, is the fact, the amt of $1132.45 due him the 6 Sept 1777 was clearly
at a higher rate of pay, then his present pension of 40$ per month.  He stated
to me his pay was 75$ per month
J. L. Edward Esq
Comr. of Pensions.
Page 40

Washington Decr. [December] 11. 1840
Sir/
Enclosed you will recd [received] a pension
Certificate issued in favor of Dept [Deputy] Commissary
Genr. [General] Jno. M. Taylor for $480- And in 
compliance with your letter of the 10th ult. [of last month] return it to
your office for a new one for 600$ under the
act 1832
I am very respectfully
your Ob Ser [Obedient Servant]
Alx. Ray
for Jno. M. Taylor Esq
J. L. Edwards Esq. 
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Page 41

is altogether unnecessary, here now-- Mr Taylor oath or
character if you please; is taken in his declaration as to
his service, but entirely disregarded as to the pay he received
while in the line of duty.
----------------------
You must perceive the correctness of the remark and
the dilemma such a course would bring about,
I hope this case may be reconsidered, and unless some
arguments be advanced sufficient to convince me that
my views of the case be the erroneous ones, I shall feel
it my duty to appeal on your decision.
I am respectfully
Your Ob. Ser.
Alx. Ray
atty in fact for J. M. Taylor
Page 42

of
This is to Certify, That previous to the
Revolutionary War, I was acquainted with John Taylor,
and that during said War he was engaged in the
Commissary Department and since the Revolution
I knew him as a Merchant in the City of Philadelphia
by the name of John M. Taylor, having added the letter
M. as I presume by way of distinction from other Persons
of the same name
Caleb North
late a  L Collonel [Lieutenant Colonel] in the
Revolutionary War
Affirmed Subscribed
Before me 
M Pettit
an Alderman of
the City of Philada [Philadelphia]
April 28th 1836-
Page 43

I do hereby certify, that, I knew Colonel
John Taylor acting in the Commissary Department whose
Station was at Reading, at the time our army lay in
Winter Quarters at the Valley Forge, and I believe he was
supplying the Army with provisions at different times,
till our Army opened the Campaigns, when the British
Army retreated from Philadelphia to New York: and
further I have known the said John Taylor to be the same
Person, ever since the year One thousand seven hundred
seventy seven to the present, that is now called John M.
Taylor at this time, and have known him to have been
a Merchant in the City of Philadelphia, for many years
since our Independance was declared as an honest and
upright many to the best of my knowledge & belief.
John Douglass
Late Capten [Captain] in the revolutionary
army of the United Sates
Sworn & Subscribed
Before me
M. Pettit
May 14th 1836}
Page 44

The Honble [Honorable] 
Samuel McKean
in Senate, United States
Washington City.
mail--
Page 45

Samuel McKean Esqr Philadelphia 15th May 1836
Dear Sir
Inclosed you have a packet with
five vouchers directed in support of my Pension
To J.L. Edwards Esq who suspended the payment thereof
Last March for want of further proof, I flatter myself
that I have now Compliyed with his demand by sending
five proofs, two of which, are positive facts the others
are Circumstantial or Corobrative [corroborative] the two are
Col Caleb North & John Duglas Revolutionary officers
both late Shirreffs [Sheriffs] of the City & County of Philada [Philadelphia].
My ageant Alexander Ray Esqr is at Pittsburg when
the arrives at Washington please inform him,
Will you have the goodness to wait on
Mr. Edwards and learn if the proofs now sent are
Sufficant [Sufficient], or if not, what further proof he requires
I flatter my self that they will be ample to entitle me
to the highest sum allowed any D. Commissary Genl.
I have kept Copys [copies] of the Vouchers above mentioned to
show to my ageant when he return hither to finish his
Monument Collection, I consider my self fortunate
in procuring the proofs now furnished, as most of my
Cotemporarys [Contemporaries] are gone to the world of spirits---
Please be so good as to drop me a line when you learn
Mr Edwards determinations in my case
I am Dear Sir
yours Truly
Jno M.Taylor
Page 46

Senate Chamber
May 17 --1836
Sir
Permit me to ask your especial
attention and to hope for your favorable
decision in the case of Jno
 M Taylor as found & in the documents
which accompany this
Respectfully
Saml McKean
J L Edwards Esq
Page 47

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
War Dept
Washington
Jno M. Taylor  Nov 4
[illegible]
Page 48

Baltimore
Nov. 3rd 1836
Sir/
I am sorry to be made the necessity of
requesting of you to furnish me with a copy of
the correspondence between us in the case of Commissary
John M. Taylor of Philadelphia, your letter to me
I think was in Jan /36 directed to Philadelphia with
your reasons for disallowing the case, which with all
were lost by mail between Philadelphia and
Washington or at the Post Office. I have no part of
them excepting my letter to you dated 11 Nov. in a
[illegible] and [illegible] not entirely correct.
I intended to have taken the case to congress at the
the last session, but in consequence of the loss of the
papers and my absence from Washington, delayed
it till the coming session. I do not wish to avail
myself of any advantage caused by the absence of
your letter for nor admitting the case under those
circumstances I hope you will have no objection
to furnish the copies askes for
I have your letter to Gen McKean dates 20th May /36
but it does not or into the detail of your
objections as did you communicate to me in
Jany.
There is two letters from me now before you,
[illegible], as soon as your convenience allow, be pleased
Page 49

to answer them
I remain
with respectfull
consideration
Alx. Ray
J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 50

Nov 23
James L. Edwards Esq.
Comr of Pensions
War Department
Washington
Page 51

Baltimore
Nov 22. 1836
Sir/
Your letter of the 17th was received 
yesterday, with a copy of your letter in J. M. Taylor's
case of Nov 10, 1835. It has been fixed in my mind
his claim had been suspended, but your letter
conveys no such intimation.  If it is not suspended
be pleased to inform me and I shall decline further
action upon it, otherwise I must be permitted to
request to be furnished with copies of your letters
5th & the 15th Oct 1835, as it will be necessary for me
to refer to them in my memorial. As it is a
good maxim to stop still when one gets in the
dark. So I hold it in this case, not to make a
representation unless I have data to sustain me
and early answer will much,
Obts Your Mos OS
Alx Ray
J. L. Edwards Esq
War Dept
Page 52

Washington Oct. 2. 1838\
Sir/
I herewith enclose you a certificate
in the case of Commissary, Jno. M. Taylor
from the Treasury Department, shewing
upon the settlement of his accounts with
the Northern Department, from the books
kept by Jonathan Trumbull Jr. that the
allowance of $5.413.  was made to him
in Lien of pay and rations
It is hoped that the heretofore objections
in this case will be obviated by said
certificate & that his name will be restored
to the pension roll of Pennay [Pennsylvania] under the
Act 7 June 1832
Your Most
Ob Ser [Obedient Servant]
Alx Ray
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comr of Pension
Page 53

Albany May 1780
Sending Lr [Letter] To
John Taylor
Contingent Expenses
making up 7575 Garments &c 3.033.5/8.6
Frampatation Cooperage Storage &c 203.3/8
B Egberts Store Keeper his Salary 153
His own Commissions on purchases
& making up in Lieu of
pay and rations & all
expenses in albany---5413.3/8.7 1/2
$8.803.4/8.1 1/2
Treasury Department
Registers Office 1st Oct 1838
I hereby certify that the above is a true extract
from the books of the Northern Department kept
by Jonathan Trumbull Jr, of Record in this
office
A. Smith
Register
Page 54

aomd
2 years Dep.y. Commissy
General
----------
480$
JW. Duane
Page 55

State of New York 
City and County of New York ⎬Ss

This certifies that I was acquainted with
John M. Taylor now of Philadelphia in the
year 1775 and that in the autumn of that
year he went with a detachment under
Colonel Arnold by the way of Kennebec to
Quebec; that he there discharged the duties
of Commissory of Arnold's detachment and also
to the army under the command of General
Montgomery when it joined Arnold's detachment
before Quebec; what particular rank or 
Commission he held at that time I am ignorant
but believe that he was at the head of that
department in Canada. I had during that
time very frequent intercourse with the said
John M Taylor who was then generally called
Colonel Taylor, I being then Aid de Camp to Genl
Montgomery.
Colonel Taylor was during the
whole period that our army lay before Quebec
distinguished for his very great activity punctuallity
and zeal in the discharge of his very laborious
and difficul duties and was universally esteemed
as a very upright man and a very meritorious
officer,
I left Canada after the army had retreated
to Sorel; which was as I believe, in the
month of May 1776. I do not recollect that I
afterwards served in the same division with
Colonel Taylor; but I occasionally met him during the war and then understood that he
continued in service and in the Commissary's
department, and to merit the respect and esteem
of all who knew him. I frequently met and 
renewed my acquaintance with the said Colonel
Taylor after the termination of the war. I do 
not recollect at what period he retired from
service but think that he served part of the
year 1779 and from having frequently heard him spoken of from the year 1775 to 1779, I have no
doubt
Page 56

doubt but that he served without intermission for about four
years - and I further declare that from my knowledge of
the said Colonel Taylor and from his established reputation
as a man of integrity and veracity I have no doubt but
that any declaration he may make respecting his military
services will be strictly true. Given under my hand this First
day of April 1833-
A. Burr
Signed and declared in
the presence of----
Henry Oscar Taylor
No. 31 Reed Street. N. York.
State of New York 
City and County of New York ⎬Ss
On this first day of June in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally
appeared before me John T Irving First Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas of the City and County of New York now
sitting Aaron Burr to me known to be the person who has subscribed
the above affidavit or certificate, and he being first duly sworn
in open Court did depose and say that the facts in the said
affidavit or certificate contained is true to the best of his knowledge
and belief, I further certify that I have been for a number of
years acquainted with the said Aaron Burr, and that his
statement is entitled to full faith and credit
Jno T Womr
[illegible] of the Court
of Com Pleas for the City
& County of New York
Page 57

State of New York
City and county of New York Ss I, Abraham Asten Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas of the City and County of New 
York do certify that the signature of John T. Irving
subscribed to the last preceding certificate is the true
and proper signature of John T. Irving First Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas of the City and County of
New York
In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed
my name and affixed the seal of the
Court of Common Pleas of the City and
County of New York this first day of
June in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty three
Abra[Abraham] Asten Clk [Clerk]
Page 58

See letter to Ray, Oct 15 1835
do same Nov 10, 1835-- do, to same 
1 Dec. 1835--suspend the letter Nov. 27.
1835 to P. Agt.-- do, to Hon S.
McKean May 20. 1836--
do to A. Ray Nov. 19, 1836--&
to same 6 Dec 1836 - same Oct 10
1838. same Suspn [suspension] removed letter Oct.
17. 1838 to P. Agt. [Pension Agent] and pensioner,
do to A. Ray Oct 2 1840, same Oct
10, 1840
19
Pennsylvania
========
John M Taylor
Phila [Philadelphia]
in the State of Pennsyla
who was a Depy Commiss. Genl commanded
by Captain _______ of the ________commanded by________ in the__________
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Phila Pa Agy
at the rate of 480 Dollars per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=========
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June
1833-
and sent Hon W..J. Duane
Present
=========
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 $960
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 240.
======
$1200.
======
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 ⎬
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk,
Book E   Vol. 5  Page 60
Page 59

10
John M. Taylor Esquire
Philadelphia
mail
Page 60

John M. Taylor Esqr

Reading April 20, 1833
Dear Sir-
I received your letter last evening and am sorry it is not in
my power to serve you in your application for a Pension. I have no recollection of your being
in the time you mention & of course cannot know anything of the nature of your business
and I have this morning called upon every Person I could think of in this place likely to
give me the necessary information but without success.  Most of the revolutionary Persons who
resided in this place have paid their debt to nature and those who remain do not
recollect you- it  would have afforded me great pleasure if it had been in my power to
serve a Gentleman so well entitled to be remunirated by his Country as I believe you to be-
I am Sir
With great respect
Yr Obt Svt
[illegible]
Page 61

Copy
Philad 3 November 1835

Alex'r Ray, Esq
Georgetown D.C.

Dear Sir
I rec'd in due course yours of 24 inst and note its contents. You wish me to send you a certification to the best of my Recollection of the monthly pay I received while acting Deputy Commissary General in the Revolution. I will cheerfully comply with your request to the best of my Remembrance. You also ask me to state if my accounts in the Capacity of Commissary were as John Taylor. They were always kept as John Taylor but after the Peace of'83 I settled here and did business as a Merchant. There being several of my name,  we frequently opened each others letters. Towards which we agreed to add a letter to each of our names between the Christian and surname.  My wife's name was Meredith.  Consequently I adopted an M which I continued and shall as long as life.
The lapse of time by Fifty-five to Sixty years puts it out of my power to furnish living evidence of my service.  The pay at that early period of the Revolution was taken to be that of Lieut. Colonel pay which I received / I think $75.  The only Survivors of the Revolution who knew my services are Colonel Aaron Burr and A Hepple.  I was duly commissioned by Joseph Trumble and Captain Wharton, the first of whom died at an early period of the war.  The second succeeded him
Page 62

and gave a general appointment
A few years ago, I  destroyed a number
of war papers among which were these two as
Congress made no provision for the Staff of the
Army for fifty seven years, I thought they never
would-
Respectfully Yours John M. Taylor


City of Philadelphia

Personally appeared before me Andrew
Pettit, Esq. an alderman in and for the
City of Philadelphia. John M. Taylor whose
name is affixed to the foregoing statement 
and being sworn according to law
doth depose and say that the facts as
therein set forth are correct and true
to the best of his recollection.
Signed, John M. Taylor

Sworn and Subscribed
before me
signed A. Pettit
Nov 3d 1835

I hereby Certify that I have known John M. Taylor whose name is
affixed to the foregoing statement for reference 
Forty years sent and have always believed him to be the
identical John M Taylor who was represented to be acting
sitter Staff of the Army of the United Sates at the Siege of Quebec
of June in 1776 and further that I have known
Adam Kepple, the revolutionary Pensioner whose affidavit of the
identity of the said John M Taylor is herewith
annexed, for many years past and know presently heard
him state that he was in the employ and under the
direction of the said John M Taylor in the Commisary
Department
Page 63

at Siege of Quebec in 1776.
Signed, A. Pettit
Alderman


State  Pennsylvania
City of Philadelphia

To all whom it may Concern, I, John
Rvogdes Clerk the Mayor Court for the City of Philadelphia do
hereby certify that A. Pettit whose name is signed
the annexed instrument of writing and at the time
of performing the acts therein set forth, and signing
his name thereto was an alderman of said City
dully commisioned and authorized to do and perform all
and singular the acts and things as hereby appears
to have been done by him as an Alderman of said city
and to attach as such due faith and credit
is and ought to be given .
[illegible] whereof have
hereunto set my hand and seal of the said
Court this fifth day of November in the year
of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
and thirty five 1835
Signed John  McRvogdes
Clerk
Page 64

Mr. John M. Taylor is known to us to be highly
respectable man and we should give full
Credit to any Statement in declarations made by
him. We make this declaration with a particular
reference to his letter to Alexander Ray Esq
dated at Philad [Philadelphia] 3 November, 1835 verified
by his affidavit.
Signed Henry Baldwin
Jon Hopkinson
Milad  Nov 1835.
Page 65

John M. Taylor is known to us to be
a highly respectable man and we should give
full credit to any statement or declarations
made by him - he makes this declaration with
particular reference to his letter to Alexander Ray
Esqr dated at Philadelphia 3 November, 1835 verified by her affidavit.
Henry Baldwin
Jos. Hopkinson

Philad. Nov. 5, 1835
Page 66

Nov 9
James L. Edwards Esq
War Department
Washington
Page 67


George Town,   Nov. 9,1835

Sir:

Your letter of the 15th ult requires further
evidence to be produced in the case of Asst Dep. Comm'y
Taylor to allow an augmentation to his stipend.

I now enclose a certificate from the Register of
the Treasury shewing by an extract from the leger
kept by I Trumbull Esq decd that John Taylor was
recognised from 1774 to 1780 as assist. Dep. Commissary by
an account with army, the entries seem to have been
made in the name of "John Taylor A.S. Commissary
and I wrote to him to know if his accounts were ever
kept as Mr. Taylor your have his statement under
oath with the explanation of the addition of the Seth M
to his name
Reside this is the affidavit of Adam Harpule
a soldier bound Taylor took from to ranks, and place
in the provision store, and a certificate from Inge
Baldwin of the Supreme Court, Juge Hopkins and
Alderman Pettit stating their opinion of Coms Taylor.

The books of I Trumbull, show no detail settlement
of pay in Comm'y. Taylor Asst which renders it impossible
to establish the fact by registered evidence, as I am 
informed the papers containing the settlement of such 
accounts were almost all burnt in 18[illegible date], some legers [ledgers] only
remaining, he however testified to the best of his rec.
to the amount of pay the received while in the line
of duty, and the journal of the old Congress. Vol 1 Page 107
Page 68

in 1777
sustain his asseveration,
this further evidence in the case, with the
evidence already on file allowing  him a pension of
$480 is, I trust sufficient to augment his stipend to
an Artillery Captain pay.
I am respectfully yours
your ob't ser.
Alex'r Ray



James L. Edwards Esq
War Department
Page 69


GeorgeTown Nov17. 1835

Sir:
Your letter of the 10th was received by this morning mail
informing me that the papers which I transmitted in the case of
John M Taylor have been examined and placed on file.

I beg leave to state, that, my impression has been that the
first requirement to establish a pension to a particular
grade is to provide evidence or by respectable and
re-printable testimony by witnesses in connexion with the applicants
declaration and that the pay or pension was then
rated according to rank not exceeding the pay of an Artillery
Captain, for instance, an infantry capt. of militia serves
for two years he is admitted to $480 pension so likewise with
Cavalry or Artillery Capt to $600. And one they required to
furnish proof, or the settlement of their accounts to show they
were paid $600 a year while in the line of duty. I can't
conceive is possible, and this impression is confirmed from
the fact, that you have admitted cases for me as Attorney on the
rate of $600 by merely establishing the grade of the officer,
and why were they so admitted, because the journals of the
old congress, points out the rate of pay to all classes of officers
and soldiers, and they have been considered as a rule or
guidance upon which pension laws has been made and
carried on.
To the second remark in your letter, I have this to say
that the certificate of Judge Baldwin and Hopkinson was not
procured at my instance, and I agree with you that it was
altogether unnecessary and so I think the whole additional evidence
unnecessary, for I go upon the premise that of the case be
Page 70

admitted at all, that it should have been admitted to the
full amount as there is proof of more than two years
service, the same view is entertained in relation to A. Sep.
all certificate
You also state that the extract from the Leger of the Pay
Master Genl is equally deficient, for it merely shews that
there was a John Taylor an assistant Commissary  in the
service, and that in different years he was charged with
the amt of $668. The extracts from his a/c was merely intended
to show the period of his service; and to meet the objection
in your letter of the 15 Oct when you state, "His claim
was admitted without any positive proof of his having
been commissioned as a commissary,” and that you 
could not admit
his claim to an augmentation of his stipend unless
he can produce evidence of his having been duly commissioned as Dep. Com’y and paid as such.
The capacity I here presume to be the only point of objection
is surely as susceptible of such a construction, an officer
might receive pay without performing any service, but it is not probable that an officer would serve without receiving his pay, or a promise to be paid, the construction seems to me to be understood as intended.
But the case stands admitted as in the first instance
to $480. I should be pleased to be informed, and I contend I have a right to know, upon what rule or principle this case was allowed on the rate of $480. for two years Service. Not by any statement made by the applicant,  for he has furnished
me with a copy of his declaration and I feel well assured that there is no instance to be found in the old Journal of Congress
Page 71

where the Ass’t Dep. Commissaries should receive a greater amount of pay than $480. Then upon what side of allowance was it based; as the amount did not grow out of any statement of the applicants, nor sustained by any one act of the old congress. It was not by precedent for the case was admitted more than a month after the case of Ensign of Commissary Wm Shute of New York. This case I maintain to be a precedent, for reason that after the disallowance the claim in the pension office, the case was submitted to the Sect’y of War and from thence to the Att Gen’l Mr Toney and it was judged, and settled upon its merits, of law, principle, and justice, freed from feeling of prejudice for or against, and this case I hold as a precedent what was the evidence produced in this case on what was
required I know not, but if the pension office made a like innovation in that case, as in this, and was complied with, I must submit. But I cannot suppose the pension office will be sustained in such an ineffectual and irregular requirement.
Your letter addressed to me on the 25 Oct 1834, admits the construction of the Act of June 1832 to be, that where an officer’s pay amount to $50 per month while in the line of service, he is allowed the pay of an Artillery Captain’s [illegible].
Now that the pension office arrived at the pay of Artillery Captains, has it been established by mere accounts, or by the asseveration that one man paid another man some money is in itself preposterous.
No Sir, it is by reference to the old Journals of Congress, that the pay of Artillery Captains are found, and where I refer you to Commissary
Page 72

to Commissaries, in the Journal of the old congress Vol I page 84. 1775 Vol II. Page 74, 147, 184, 219. & Vol III. page 205. 1779.
But let us for a moment review this case. In
your letter Oct 5th 1835. you write, “on looking over the papers in the case of John M Taylor you are inclined to think the pension should be [illegible].”, Mark the apprehension.
In your letter Oct 15 1835 you state the claim was admitted without any positive proof of his having been commissioned as a Commissary, and that his claim cannot be admitted to an augmentation of his stipend unless he can produce evidence of his having been commissioned as Deputy Comm’y
and paid as such. Here we find the apprehensions to have vanished and the case is admitted for no [illegible] service $480.
Nov 10th you state it was unnecessary to produce proof of the applicant’s character and that the extract from the Leger of the Paymaster Gen’l merely shows that there was John Taylor Asst Dep. Commissary. The certificate shows
nothing more I allow, but it does show precisely what you required in your second letter 15 Oct 1835. It states that he was recognised as Comm"’y from 1777 to 1779. It does not state in simple words that he served two years, to borrow your expression, it is  "unnecessary" for the case stands admitted, and readmitted for two year’s service, why then make the same requirement over again. 
Here is another remarkable instance in this case that strikes me with peculiar force, to wit, you state the certificate of Judges Baldwin and Hoskinson as to the character of Mr Taylor is satisfactory on the point, but as there was no proof [illegible-paperfold]
to reputation of the applicant, such a certificate
Page 73

Nov 27
Proofs Jno M Taylor

[octagon stamp illegible]

free
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pension
War Department
Washington
Page 74

Philadelphia
Nov 25, 1835
Sir
On the 11 inst I had the honor to
provide for your consideration a letter in the
case of Jno M. Taylor. I hope it may suit your
convenience to favor me with a reply, directed to me
to this City.
With respectful
consideration
Your ob’t s’t
Alex’r. Ray

James L. Edwards Esq
Page 75

I Peter Thomson of the City of Philadelphia do hereby certify that I personally know, and have been, for many years, acquainted with John M Taylor of this City who is a very respectable man now far advanced in years. I have understood he was in the American Army, under General Montgomery in the attack on Quebec, the latter end of the year 1776.
My earliest knowledge of him, however, seems to
have commenced at Reading in Pennsylvania in the winter of 1777 and 1778. He appears to have been there at that time in some public employment. What his commission or appointment was I do not know; but, I understood he was acting in the public service in the Commissary line. I was then but a youth between 13 & 14 years of age, and the events of that interesting time are fresh in my recollection. The occasion of my then being at Reading was this - my
Father in 1777, when it was evident that the British
Army would occupy Philadelphia, removed himself and Family to Reading, to avoid their unwelcome company, where we resided till they evacuated the City in 1778, when we returned to our home.-- Reading at that time was a sort of Head Quarters for the patriotic Citizens of Philadelphia, and was often crowded with military men and Troops going to camp at Valley Forge - I well remember that there were then there two military Hospitals for the sick and wounded of the
Page 76

the Army, and I was at one of them when some poor
Fellows were brought there on Litters, who had been
wounded at the Battle of Germantown. I have no
doubt but that John M Taylor must have had at
that time ample employment in the Commissary line.
P. Thomson
3 mo 7 1836
Page 77

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Washington City
Page 78

Phild’a April 15 1836

J L Edwards Esq
Washington City

Dear Sir
My agent Mr A. Ray was here during the winter; he advised me to go to New York & see Col. Burr, 
who knew me a John Taylor at Cambridge & on the March with Genl Arnold and in Canada, & also a Commissary of purchases and issues there. Had he or I thought at the time he gave me the certificate (which is now in your office) of the discrepancy regarding my name, having added thereto the letter M, he would have inserted it; I have declined going to New York, because I knew Col Caleb
North could testify to that fact. His testimony you have herewith as also that of Jno Douglass Esq: late Sheriff of the City & County of of Philadelphia; I enclose the above as my agent is in Pittsburg and
some other documents all of which I annex a list of.

I submit to your honorable decision in my case to say if I have not furnished ample proof to justify
my first statement to you when I applied for my pension; pray be so good as to compare the same with the list of proofs now adduced to determine whether I am not entitled to the additional
120 dollars or the largest sum allowed to any D C general.
I am Respectfully
Page 79

Dear Sir
Your Obt Srvt
Jno W. Taylor

1st Caleb North’s certificate of my belonging to the Army in the year 1777 & 1778 & part of 79.

2d Cap: John Douglass of the Revolutionary Army to the purport of Col. North

3d Andrew Pattil Esq the commendatory letter attached to the same copy. ditto of Henry Baldwin & Joseph Hopkinson Judges of the Supreme Court.

4 Peter Thompson circumstantial evidence