Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4838, Alexander Turner, Penn.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE  NUMBER
Penn. Turner, Alexander W. 4838.
Jane.
CONTENTS

[several blank lines]
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4932 [illegible torn off]
Pennsylvania
Jane Turner de[ceased - torn off] widow of Alexander Turn[torn off] who died on the 181[torn off] of York co. in the State of Penn a [torn] who was a depty [deputy] wagon master gen[torn off] in the    commissioned by Captain    of the   commendation by Sen in the line for two years

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 600 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 & end 15 Sept 1836, when she died.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of March 1850 and sent to Hon John Freedly, H. R.

Arrears to the 4th of    
Semi=annual allowance ending
Payable to surviving children to wit
Alexander Turner & Mary Boyer 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the   }
Recorded by J P Chase Clerk,
Book D Vol 2 Page 371

Reported
Let Hon J. Stevens 27th June 1854
" to I [torn, illegible]amfoler 28 May 51
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7603
[G. Mc. Johnson crossed out]
affadavitt [affidavit] dw
Jane Turner widow of Alexander Penna York Co Penna agency 
[illegible] 1810.
m. d. 15 Sep 1836
Children
Alexander Turner & Mary Boyer
admitted
Depty. [deputy] Wagon Mr Genl [Master General]
2 yrs -- $600 per
[illegible] March 1831 to 15 Sept 1836 when the dead children Alexander Turner & Mary Boyer
submitted to comr
1 March 1850 and passed
Hon John [illegible]ley
H. R
Act 4 July 1836
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[folded paper in upper right corner]
State of Pennsylvania}
York County} ss
On this 30th day of January 1830 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Nicholas James a resident of York Borough known to me as a person of respectability and veracity and whose statement under oath is entitled to the highest respect who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath state that at the time of the revolutionary war and when the troops were stationed at York Pennsylvania he often saw Major Alexander Turner at the Barracks at York and knew he was an officer in the waggon [wagon] department after the war ended Major Turner with his family moved to York County to live and settled at a place called forks of Muddy Creek he recognized him as being the same man that he knew as an officer in the waggon [wagon] department in the revolutionary war after his acquaintance with Major. Turner, he informed him he was the same officer. and frequently talked with him about his service in the war. he further states that he knew his wife Jane Turner and his family during the time of Major Turners life. he knows his daughter Mary who intermarried with the Rev Stephen Boyer (deceased) is the only daughter now living and believes she has
a Brother Named Alexander Turner who lives in Chester County are the only two children now living of Alexander Turner and Jane his wife, he remembers seeing Maj Turner about the time the troops left York for the South
Nicholas James
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written}
Samuel M Barnet
Justice of the peace ⎬
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Pennsylvania
York County, SS
J R Donnell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County -- 
Certify that Samuel M. Barnett, Esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is
and at the time of signing the same was an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said
County duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signature purporting to
be his is genuine 
In Testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and affix
the seal of said Court at
York this 30th day of January
A.D. 1850
J. R. Donnell Pro.
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Pennsylvania
York County ss:

I J R Dounell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, Certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that jane Turner who was a pensioner of said State on account of her deceased hosband's Revolutionary Services, was a resident of the county of York in the state of Pennsylvanis and died on the 15th day of September 1836.  And that only two of the children now survives her, to wit, Alexander Turner of Chester County and Mary Boyer of the Count of York.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at York this 30th day of January A D. 1850---
J. R. Dounell, (?)
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State of Pennsylvania
York County ss.
On this twenty ninth day of January A. D. 1850 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the county aforesaid, Grace McPherson a resident of said county aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath state -- That she was well acquainted with Major (?) Turner and Jane his wife - both now deceased.  She became acquainted with them first just after they came to York County.  They had two children.  They appeared to be three & one & an half years of age.  Soon after they came to York County their third child "Eliza" was born.  This was in 1784.  She knows this fact because about the same time her brother was born whose age is recorded in May 1784.  She remembers of hearing Wm. Turner speak of having been married to Wm. Turner during the time he was in service in the War, as a Major in 
the (?) Department and of hearing her tell of a circumstance respecting the birth of her first child, as follows,   She requested her husband (Major Turner) to come home at a certain appointed time.  He came at this very time and  their child had been born just two weeks previous.  That she always knew her as the wife and widow of Major Turner and also knows that she left but two children now living.  Alexander Turner of Chester County, and Wm. Mary Boyer of this borough of York Pennsylvania sworn & subscribed the day 1/2 year (?) above written before me Hugh Ross J.P.
A. W. Turner witness to her mark
Grace  "X" McPherson, her mark

I do certify that Grace McPherson this above named witness is of good standing in society, and is of good repute for truth of veracity.
Given under my hand this 29th January 1850
Hugh Ross
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Pennsylvania
York County ss:
I J R Dounell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said county - certify that Hugh Ross, Esq., before whom the foregoing was made is and at the time of signing the same was an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified and that the forgoing signatures thereto appended and that to the (?) purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at York this 30th day of January 1850  -
J. R. Daunelle  (?)
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the Army, and the second child was born when he was south; and further, that when said Turner was made Deputy Mayor (???) , he was called "Major" and kept the title to the day of his death.
She further declares that said Major Alexander Turner (?) his wife were married on the 10th of May 1780 at the house of Wm. Davis in Harford County Maryland by the Rev Mr. Davis.  The evidence that license was granted is shown by the Clerk's Certificate herewith submitted.  The said Major Alexander Turner died in the year 1810 having said (?) his wife, and that she died on the 15th of September 1830, having the only following named children, Alexander Turner of Chester County, and the (?), as will more fully appear by the evidence submitted.  And about one year before the death of the said (?), she was pensioned by the State of Pennsylvania, for the Revolutionary services of Major Turner.
Sworn to, and subscribed on this day and year (?) above (?).  before me
Daniel (?)
State of Pennsylvania (???) certify that I have been long (?)
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State of Pennsylvania
York County ss:   I, John R Donnell, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, certify that Cheston Darnel Durkee, before when the foregoing Declaration was (?) is the Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at York, this 15th day of February, A. D. 1850
J R Donnell
(?)
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State of Pennsylvania
County of York  S.S.
On this 15 day of February 1850 personally appeared before Mr. President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, it being a Court of Record;  Mrs. Mary Boyer a resident of said county and stated aged fifty one years, who is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily indisposition, and being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to attain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4, 1830.
That she is one of the surviving children of Alexander and Ians Turner his wife, both now deceased.  That the said Alexander Turner (?) for whose services a pension is now claimed, in the right of the said Ians. was early in this War of the Revolution in the service as a drafted soldier and served for a short term in 1776.  That he was soon after appointed a Major Commander, on the recommendation of Col Lamb of Pennsylvania and served in that office as Captain of Wagons till 1778 when he was made Deputy Major Master General and served in that capacity until the War ended; - for six years and some months.  She further says that his father died some fifty years ago, and cannot give the exact statement he made of his service; but declares she often heard his mother make the same statement of her husband's service, and that he went south with
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(handwritten ?)

WIDOW, &c.
- - - - - - - --
File No. 4838
Jane Turner
Widow
Alexander Turner
Deputy, Wagon Mc Genl, Rev. War
------------
Act: July 11, 1836
Index:---Vol. M, Page 285
[arrangement of 1870]
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M (?) Creek York Feb'y 13th 1851
Mr James E Heath Esq
Sir a pension was obtained about a year since by Abraham Turner son of Alex Turner of Lancaster Co or Chester County I do not know which and drawn at the (?) in Philadelphia (?) the (???) of his Father Alex Turner & Mary Boyer of York Co. Pa.  The (?) was obtained for services rendered by Alex Turner died during the Revolutionary War.  Who died leaving three children Alex & Mary who (?) Stephen Boyer who is now dead & Elizabeth who married Henry Manifold who is also dead Elizabeth died about 5 or 6 years since leaving eleven children.
The Pention was divided equally between Alex Turner & Mary Boyer & the (?) of Elizabeth Manifold received nothing Nor did they ever authorize Abraham Turner to draw the pention or obtain it for (?)  What we the (?) wish to know is if the children of Elizabeth Manifold are not entitled to one third of their mothers share of the pention which amounted to over $3300 in all
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If (?) whether Abraham Turner has drawn the full amount due or left our share undrawn, and if he has drawn the full amount, who (?) are to obtain our share from and what will be the mode to obtain it.
(?) information and any papers or copies you may in proper directed to me at Muddy Creek York P.O. York Co Pa
and you will confer a favour on the heirs
Very Respectfully your Abt Servant John Manifold
Mr James E Heath Esq
(?) of P(?)
Washington City
(?)
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House of Reps
Washington Feb'y 19 - 50
I. S. Edwards Esq
Sir
In the case of Wm. Ians Turner Dir late of Penn claiming a pension under act of ~36 May I request an early examination of the papers filed in support of the claim, and report to him against your attention will mush obligs
Your Obt Servt
John Freedley
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Washington
Feb'y 16 / 50

Jas L Edward 
(?) of Pension
Sir
In the case of Ians Turner late of (?) under ad 4 July 1836.  I (?) a declaration made in due form and also the original appreciation upon which a pension was granted to Wm. Turner by the State of Penn.then identifying more fully the widow.  I (?)
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Washington
Feby 6. /50
Jas L. Edwards Esqr [esquire]
Comr [commissioner] of Pensions
Sir
In the case of Mrs Jane Turner late of Penna presented a few days ago. under act 4 July 1836. 
I herewith submit a letter from [illegible] Secretary of State showing the [illegible]
service of Alexander Turner [illegible]

I remain very respectfully
Your [illegible] Ser.
Alex. Ray
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House of Reps Jany 1850
my dear Sir
yours was rcd [received] this afternoon and I have [illegible] up the matter to the
enclosed Petitions which is all that can be obtained that will be of any use to you here that document should of right be returned but if you with to retain them I will obtain leave that you should do so
with much respect
your friend
D. J. Bent
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To the Honourable [Honorable] the Senate & House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Penna in General Assembly [illegible]
The petition of the undersigned Jane Turner (Widow of Major Alexander
Turner) late of the County of York deceased Respectfully represents, that your petitioner was intermarried with the aforesaid Mar Alexander Turner in the year AD 1877 that the said Major Turner served, as Major, in the Pennsylvania line from the date of his Marriage untill [until] the close
of the Revolutionary War [illegible crossed out] Your petition further states that she is become very old & infirm, her memory so much failed
that she is now unable to recollect any of the particular engagements in which her said Husband fought - your petitioner further represents that she is become very poor & helpless & unable to support herself She therefore prays your Honourable [honorable] Body to grant her such relief as you may consider his entitled to receive & She [illegible] duty bound will pray &c &c
her
Jane X Turner
mark
York County
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in & for said County Jane Turner (the above named petitioner), & on his solemn oath taken according to law Saith that the facts as stated in the above petition are just & true sworn & subscribed this 19th day of
February AD 1835 before
A Clarkson
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York County SS
Before me the Subscriber o[illegible cut off] of the Justices of the peace in and for 
said County personally came John Manifold Dr Wm Smith and in their Solomn [solemn] Oaths taken according to Law said that the within named petitioner Jane Turner is a person of good character & on whose Oath the fullest credit may be given
Sworn & Subscribed this 19th day of February AD 1835
before A Clarkson
John Manifold
William Smith
Petition for Turner. W. O. S. 
 
York County ss
We the undersigned two of the Justices of the peace in & for said County do hereby certify that the above named John Manifold and Dr Wm Smith who have been sworn
to the character of the within named petition are person of good & respectable Character & Whose oaths are entitled to the fullest Credit
Witness our hands this 20th Day of February AD 1835
A Clarkson
Hugh Lane

348
[illegible on left margin]
Pet of Jane Turner W. O. S. 
Feb 25. 1835
Clms [claims]
Gratuity & annuity
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Wm Johnsons
affadavitt [affidavit]
MD
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State of Maryland}
Baltimore County} S.S.
On this the 20th day of January 1850 Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. William Johnson a resident of said County a man known to me as a person of respectability and good standing a man of unexceptionable character
and on whose oath the fullest credit may be given who being first duly sworn doth state that he was well acquainted with Major Alexander Turner and his wife Jane Turner late of York County both now Dead. he further states that Major Alexander Turner was always reputed and believed to have been an officer in the waggon [wagon] department during the time of the revolutionary war.  and was informed so by Major Alexander Turner
himself. he further says that he has often heard Major Alexander Turner and his wife Jane Turner (whose maiden name was Jane Johnson) saying that they were married during the
time of the revolutionary war. he has also heard Jane Turners Father and mother (their names was William and Elizabeth Johnson living in Baltimore County Maryland) saying that the daughter Jane was Married to Major Alexander Turner in the time of the revolutionary war
he is fully satisfied in his own mind that they were married before the close of the revolutionary war and also that the said Alexander Turner who was called Major Turner
in the war and up to the time of his death was an officer in the Revolutionary war. he always knew the said Jane Turned as being the wife and widow of Major Alexander Turner he also knows that she left but two Children now living to wit Alexander Turner of Chester County and Mrs Mary Boyer of the Borough and County of York in the State of Pennsylvania
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Sworn to and subscribed before me this  day and year first above written
John B Kidd Pr.
William Johnson
State of Maryland,
Baltimore County, Sct.
I hereby Certify, That John B. Kidd Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit was made and
who has thereto subscribed his name at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the
State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court, this 2d. day of February A. D. 1850
A.W. Bradford Clerk Baltimore County Court.
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5
[round stamp with BEL AIR Md Jan 29]
Alexander Ray Esqr [Esquire]
Washington City 
D. C.
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State of Maryland ss:
I Harry D Gough Clerk of Harford County Court, the same being a Court of record hereby certify that License to join in Holy Matrimony Alexander Turner and Jane Johnson, issued on the tenth day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty -
In testimony whereof I hereto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court at Bel Air this 22nd day of January 1850
Harry D Gough Clerk
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Department of State,
Washington, 5th February, 1850

Sir;

In answer to your letter of the 23? ulto., I have to state, that the evidence, in this department, of the service of Alexander Turner as Wagon Conductor and a Deputy Wagon Master General, is as follows.

In a paper entitled, "A Return of the D. W. "M. Generals, Wagon and Sub Conductors, now "present with the army, February 1. 1778," he is named as a "W. Conductor", at $40 per month and 3 rations per day, appointed, January 10th. 1777.

In a paper entitled, "Return of the Wagons "horses, &c, with the army, 31. July, 1779", he is styled D. W. M. Genl.

In a paper entitled, "Return of Wagoners, "horses, &c___ the property of the U.S___ with the main "army, Camp Jappan, 27th. September, 1780", he is styled D. W. M. General.

In a paper entitled, "A General Account of
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"of horses received, delivered, exchanged, &c. from "the 24th September, to the 11th October, 1778, "inclusive, he is styled D. W. M. Genl. [General]
I am, Sir, respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J M Clayton
Alexander Ray, Esquire,
Washington,
D. C.
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Washington
Feby 2. 1850
Jas. L. Edwards [illegible]
Comn [commissioner] of Pensions
Sir,
I herewith enclose a declaration made by Mrs. Mary Boyer of Penna in right of her
late mother Mrs Jane Turner, claiming a pension under Act 4 July 1836.
Jane Turner was married on the 15 day of May 1780 and died on the 15 Sept 1836 leaving two children Mary Boyer, and Alexander Turner as will appear by the evidence submitted
The several affidavits of Identity submitted, must certainly satisfactorily establish the fact, of the applicants mother, being the widow of Major Alexr [Alexander] Turner of the "Wagon Department"
I am instructed to say there were many papers & Books, kept in the family of Major Turner for some years after his death, and destroyed from time to time by the children, as they were supposed then to be of no use. The only thing that now can be found is the enclosed [illegible], which appears to have belonged to an old account book, giving a statement of the number of horses at the "Park" in New Jersey. [illegible] in charge of Genl [General] Knox whose artilley [artillery] was stationed at that Depot in Decr. [December] 1779. [illegible] seems to have been
at one time 393 horses under his charge, and in [illegible] 1780 the statement of horses recd [received] & disposed of. this old paper was deemed unimportant, but I considered it as important link and corroborate the statement made by the claimant, who gave it to me and with no expectation of it being of any consequence
Some year of the before Mrs Jane Turner died she was pensioner by the State of Penns [Pennsylvania] for the [illegible], now
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now alleged, as having been perford [performed] by her Husband And is sworn to by one of the affiant, as you will discover. [illegible] after the act 4 July 1836 was published. he wrote to his member of Congress in behalf of Mrs Turner. and as she died soon after further application [illegible] ceased.
The [illegible] of State has been requested to cause a search, of the "Washigton [Washington] Papers" for the evidence of Alexander Turners appointnent [appointment] and service. If [illegible] and in accordance with the alleged service set forth in the declaration, all else being satisfactory. I hope the claim will he admitted at once.
I remain your most. [illegible]
Alex, Ray
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Deposition of
Joseph Moody
&
Dr Wm Smith
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York County
Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in & for said County personally came Dr Wm Smith & Joseph Maya & on there solemn oath taken according to law saith that they have long been acquainted with Jane Turner Widow of Major Alexa Turner late 
of York County decd, a Soldier in the Revoluthry [Revolutionary] war) that the said Widow is very poor, that at present & for a number of years past, she is & has been, entirely destitute of any means of Support - Except such as she receives from her friends-- Sworn & subscribed this [illegible] day of March AD 1835 before A Clarkson [illegible]
Joseph Moody
William Smith
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Major Alexander Turner Entered the United States Army about the time Fort Lee & Fort Washinton [Washington] fell into the hands of the English Army I think in the fall of 1776 and continued in the service of the U. States Army from that time untill [until] the
close of the Revolutionary War. And I saw him and was with him every year during that time and was also present at the marriage of him and Jane Turner his widow
Andrew Turner
January 26th 1833
State of Maryland Harford County to wit
On this 27th day of January 1835 before me the subscriber one of the Justice, of the peace in and for said County personally appears Col. Andrew Turner and makes oath
on the holy evangely of Almighty God that foregoing certificate or statement is true as stated
Sworn before
Robt T Henderson
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James Nelson
affidavitt [affidavit]
Md
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State of Maryland
Baltimore County ⎬ SS
on this 28th day of January 1850
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County James Nelson a resident of Hartford County Maryland a gentleman known to me as a person of truth and veracity of high character and whose statement is entitled to respect and consideration and being first duly sworn according to Law doth state that he was well acquainted with Major Alexander Turner and his wife Jane Turner (both now dead) and that the Said Major Turner was reputed and regarded as having been in the waggon [wagon] department in the revolutionary war. he further Certifies that between the year 1828 and 1830 Mrs Jane Turner spent some time in his family. and in coversation [conversation] with her. Most distinctly remembers hearing her the said Ann Jane Turner frequently state she was visited by her husband, the said Major 
Alexander Turner during the time the American army was [illegible, fold] at Valley forge in Chester Co Pa and he is fully satisfied in his own mind that the said Major Alexander Turner who was so called in the war and up to the time of his death. was a revolutionary officer in the waggon [wagon] department. And further that he wrote to his member of Congress respecting a pension for Mrs Jane Turner but did not receive any answer. but understood that she received a pension from the state a short time before her death
James Nelson
Sworn to and subscribed before me}
on the day and year first above written}
William Johnson
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State of Maryland
Baltimore County, Sct.
I hereby Certify, That William Johnson Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit -- was made and who has thereto subscribed to his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of 
Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court, this 2d day of February A.D. 1850.
A.W. Bradford
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Payment to be made at Philadelphia by James R Snowden Agent for paying pensioners, in the Agency of Pennsylvania

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book D Volume 2 Page 371 by
J B Chase Clerk.
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Department of THE INTERIOR.
Claim for Military Service.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 4 July 1836 Jane Turner decd late of Pennsylvania widow of Alexander Turner who was a deputy Wagon Master General in the Revolution and died in the year 1810 is inscribed on the roll of pensions at the rate of Six hundred dollars per annum commencing 4 March 1831 and ending 15 September 1836 when she died. [illegible crossed out]
The amount is due and payable to her only surviving children viz Alexander Turner & Mary Boyer
Given at the Department of the Interior, this first day of March one thousand eight hundred and [forty crossed out] fifty
Secretary of the Interior.
Examined and}
Countersigned. }

Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 38

Alex. Turner
Pa. M.4838

An account of horses, wagons, etc used in 1780.
has been removed from this case to be forwarded to the War Dept. and may be found locked up in its Record Div

AW
Jan. 17. 1911

Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16. 1913