Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 666-100, for William Skeel, Massachusetts
Page 1

Mass. Skeel, William B. L. Wt. 666 100
Page 2

William Skeel
Sergeant
in the Massachusetts Line
Revol. Army of the U.S.
Warrant issued under
date 2nd Jun 1817 to 
"Amos Skeel, Son * Devisee
of William Skeel," ** **
Page 3

Amos Skeel
Power of Attorney 
#42 
Wt. to issue to Amos Skeel son of Devisee of W.S. Who was a Sargent in the Mass. line of the Revol. Army.
Page 4

Know all men by there presents that I Amos Skeel of the town of Prebble in the county of Cortland in the state of New York the son + sole hier of William Skeel, late a soldier in the army of the United States in the Massachusetts line during the Revolutionary war + who was (illegible) for the war + was honorably discharged by his (illegible) George Washington on the 10th of June 1783.  As will appear by the original discharge of the said William Skeel hereto annexed + as will also appear by the discharge of Timothy Pickering Quarter Master General also hereto annexed being written to all the real property of the said William (illegible) + his at law and also by virtue of the will of the said William a copy of which is hereto annexed have + by there presents, do nominate constitute + appoint Victory Birdseye, Esq. of Pompey in the county of Onondaga + state of New York, chancellor at law + now Representative that to (illegible) from the 19th Congressional district of New York, my true + lawful attorney for my + in my name + in my behalf to proceed + receive from such office person or persons as shall or may be legally authorized to grant the same, patent or other grant for the (illegible) of law to which I am entitled for the services rendered by my father as a sergeant in the army of the United States serving in the said Revolutionary War Pursuant
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to the power of the United States in which case made + provided unto be made + provided and I do further empower the Victory Birdseye to present with petition or petitions to the government of the United States or to any branch or department there of in my name as may he (illegible) (illegible) to obtain the said land and also to do + perform all such acts + things + give the receipt or receipts or execute such instrument or instruments in writings as shall be required in as full and complete a manner as I could myself do were I personally present and I do further empower him to constitute one or more attornies under him for the said purposes and I do further hereby ratify and confirm whatever my said attorney or his substitute shall carefully do in the (illegible).
    In testimony whereof I have hereto my hand + seal this day of November AD 1815 

Signed sealed + delivered 
in the presence of                   
Samuel Towridge 
Jason Comstock

(Signed) Amos Skeel
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 State of New York + County of Onondaga,
Amos Skeel of the town of Prebble in the County of Cortland being duly sworn (illegible) + saith that he is the same person described in + who executes the above power of attorney, + that the same is his own free out + deed for the purposes therein mentioned (illegible) (illegible) that his said father never did to the knowledge or belief of this Department receive any (illegible) permit for the land above mentioned nor have this Department
Amos Skeel (signed)
Sworn to (illegible) unto
Before me
This twentieth day of 
November 
AD 1815
G. V. Hoosen Justice of the Peace (signed)

State of New York + County of Onondago Fr: Samuel Towbridge in the town of Prebble in the county of Cortland + Jason Comstock      Of the town of Tully in the county of Onondaga being leverally (liberally?) duly sworn depose today that they + each of them are personally acquainted with Amos Skeel Esquire, the person above named + well know him to be the person
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 described is who executed the above power of attorney. The said Samuel Towbridge for himself further saith that he hath personally been aquatinted with the said Amos Skeel for thirty years, and also with William Skeel the father of the said Amos for five years before his death. That the said William Skeel died at Dusnesburgh then in this county of Albany + State of New York about eighteen years ago that this Department was present at his funeral + saw him buried. That previous to his death he had lived for several years with said Amos that the said Amos took (illegible) of the Real property of the said William +(illegible) + improved of it as his own as the Department understood by the virtue of the will of the said William + further this department saith not 
Jason Comstock (signed)
Samuel Towbridge(signed) 
Sworn to me 
This twentieth day 
Of November AD 1815

G. V. Hoosen Justice of the Peace (signed)

State of New York +
County of Onondaga:  I hereby certify that the above named Samuel Towbridge
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& Jason Cornstock are credible witnesses & well known to me. - Dated at Tully this twentieth day of November 1815.
[illegible] Justice of the Peace.

State of New York
County of Onondaga
Ebenezer —— Williams being duly sworn doth depose & say that he was personally acquainted with the above named William Skeel & his son above named Amos Skeel, previous to the Revolutionary War. & same the said (illegible), that this deponent was a Lieutenant in the same Company and Regiment with the said William Skeel during the said Revolutionary War & continued in service with him during the whole time specified in his Discharge hereto annexed - that the said William Skeel after the war moved to Duanesburgh [sic, now Duanesburg] in the State of New York & there died about fourteen years ago, as has always been currently reported and believed amongst the former acquaintance of the family, & which information this deponent believes to be true. The Deponent
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further & with that preveous [sic] & the said Revolutionary War, this Deponent was an inhabitant of the same town, with the said William Skeel, & well knew the above named amos Skeel to be the son of the said William Skeel - that his acquaintance with the family hath continued, at intervals, ever since. The Deponent further saith that the company & Regiment in which the above named William Skeel served as above mentioned was Capt. Jeremiah Miller Company, of the first Regiment of the Massachusetts Line. & further the Deponent saith not. -
Eben. Williams
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 21th day of November in the [illegible] years for one thousand eight hundred fifteen
Thaddeus Patcher Justice of the Peace
I certify that Ebenezer Williams the above Deponent is a credible witness & well known to me - Dated at [illegible]
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in the County of Onondaga & state of New York this 23d day of Mar A.D. 1815.
Thaddeus Patcher Justice of the Peace.

State of New York
County of Onondaga
I Jasper Hopper Clerk of Onondaga County in the State of New York do hereby certify that Thaddeus Patcher and Garret Van Hoosen Inn before whom the foregoing affidavits appear to have been made, are Justices of the Peace acting under the authority of this State & that the foregoing are their signatures respectively, In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of the County of Onondaga this twenty first day of November A.D 1815.
Jasper Hopper Clk
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The people of the State of New York, by the grace of God, Free and Independent; To you to whom these Presents shall come, or may concern, Send Greeting: KNOW YE, That at the city of Albany, in the county of Albany, on the First Day of June in this present year “”” before Abraham G. Lansing, Esq. Surrogate of our said county, the last Will and Testament of William Skeel, deceased. (A copy whereof is here until annexed) was proved, and is now approved and allowed of by us, and the said deceased having whilst he lived, and at the time of his death Goods, Chattels, or Credits, within this state, by means whereof the proving and registering the said Will, and the granting Administration of all and singular the said Goods, Chattels, and Credits, and also the auditing, allowing and final discharging the Account thereof, doth belong unto us; the Administration, of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Credits of the said deceased, and any way concerning his Will is granted unto Amos Skeel. The executor in the said Will named he being first duly sworn well and faithfully to administer the same, and to make and exhibit a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular of the Goods, Chattels and Credits, and also to render just and true account thereof when thereunto required. In Testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of office of our said Surrogate to be hereunto affixed. Witness Abraham G. Lansing, Esq. surrogate of the said county, at the city of Albany aforesaid, the eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety eight and of our Independence the TwentyThird.
            (Signed)             Abraham Lansing
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Amos Skeel
42
Page 13

In the Name of God Amen. I William Skeel of Duanesburgh County of Albany & State of NYork being weak in body but of sound memory do this second day of March in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety eight, make this my last will and testament in manner following_ First I give to my son Amos Skeel the one half of my estate both real & personal Second I give to my son William Skeel all my wearing apparel Thirdly I give to my wife the one half of my estates both real & personal during her natural life and at her decease I give the same to my son Amos Skeel. The household furniture to be entirely at my wife's disposal but if not disposed of at her decease to be divided equally among my daughters. It is to be observed that the Brown Mare & lott one yoke of oxen one yoke of three year old steers & one yoke of two year old steers are to be turned out to Eben Chase of Rorida to satisfy a demand against my son Amos. However is to be observed that the stock on the Farm is to be divided equally between Amos & my wife after the debts are paid. And I make and ordain my son Amos sole executor of this my last will. In witness whereof I the said William Skeel have to this last will and Testament set my hand & seal the day and date above written - Signed sealed & delivered by the said William Skeel as and for his last will & testament in presence of us who were present at the signing & sealing thereof -
[signed] William Skeel 
Nathan Skeel Chloe Skeel Nathan Skeel Junior
Albany Ss
Be it remembered that on the first day of June in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight personally appeared before me Graham G Lansing Surrogate of the County of Albany Chloe Skeel and Nathan Skeel Junr
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Junr who being respectively duly sworn on their Oaths declared that they did see William Skeel of the town of Duanesburgh deceased sign and seal the Instrument within written purporting to be the last will and Testament of the said William Skeel and heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament that at the time thereof he was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best knowledge and belief of these deponents that their names subscribed to the said will are respectively of their own proper Hand writting and that they did also see Nathan Skeel the other witness subscribe his Name thereto in the presence of the Testalor and also that Amos Skeel the Executor named in the said will likewise appeared before me and was duly sworn to the faithful performance execution of the said will by taking the usual oath as an Executor
[signed] Abm G Lansing Surrogate of the County of Albany
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MMHF/eel

                                        October 17, 1928
                                          Wt. 666 100

Frank H. Herr
Steubenville Bank & Trust Building 
Steubenville, Ohio

Sir:

      I advise you that from the records of this bureau it appears that William Skeel enlisted, the date and place not stated, served as Sergeant in Captain Jeremiah Miller’s Company, Colonel Joseph Vose’s First Massachusetts Regiment, also acted as Wagon Conductor in the Quartermaster Department, and was discharged from the First Massachusetts Regiment June 10, 1783 having served six years and two months. 
     After the Revolution he moved to Duanesburg, Albany County, New York, was living there in 1798 and died there about 1801 or prior thereto, the date not given. In 1798 he referred to his wife and daughters, their names not stated, and to his sons Amos and William.
      On November 20, 1815, Amos Skeel  while a resident of Preble, Cortland County, New York, applied for bounty land on account of the above named service, as the son and sole heir of his father William Skeel upon which application warrant
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No. 666 for one hundred acres of bounty land was issued January 27, 1817 to said Amos. 
The above noted William Skeel is the only soldier that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau. 
Respectfully, 
E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner.
Page 17

Rev.&1818 Wars Section         MMHF

                                 October 17, 1925

Mrs. Kenyon Stevenson
934 Virginia Ave., 
Lancaster, Penna.

Madam:

    I have to advise you that from the records of this Bureau it appears that William Skeel enlisted, the date and place not stated, served as Sergeant in Captain Jeremiah Miller's Company, Colonel Joseph Vose's First Massachusetts Regiment, also noted as Wagon Conductor in the Quartermaster Department, and was discharged from the First Massachusetts Regiment June 10, 1783 having served six years and two months. 
   After the Revolution, he moved to Duanesburg, Albany County, New York, was living there in 1798 and died there about 1801 or prior thereto, the date not given. In 1798 he referred to his wife and daughters, their names not stated, and to his sons Amos and William.
    On November 20, 1815, Amos Skeel while a resident of Preble, Cortland County, New York, applied for bounty land on account of the above named service, as the son and
Page 18

sole heir of his father William Skeel, upon which application Warrant No. 666 for one hundred acres of bounty land was issued January 27, 1817 to said Amos. 
          Respectfully,

     WINFIELD SCOTT
       Commissioner.
Page 19

These papers I want to have returned to me again if possible 
     Amos Skeel
Page 20

[typed form with typed answers]
SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
I-681
PHONE Branch 476
arding this job should refer to Requisition No. 9829
Duplicating, Addressograph Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 127.
Octobet 5, 1926. 192
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension 
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN SLITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostat copy of one page, from the Revolutionary bounty land claim, Wt. 666-100, Wm. Skeel.
No. of copies one
Shall form be kept standing? no days
For further information see A. E. Wilson, Room No. 5033 Phone No, 541
Approved: 
Chief Clerk of Bureau
[signature] Chief of Branch
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved be Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
[signature]

CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph
single or double space?
Facsimile signature?
Mimeograph
one side or both sides?
Facsimile signature?
Folding
once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling
Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter
Fill in addresses?
Dated?
Addressograph from lists
Envelopes size
Proof list
Labels (submit sample)
Fill in letters
Cards, size
Pay rolls
Corrections
Tabulation sheets
Photostat X Size actual
Official use?
Repay? $0.15
Blue Print 
Size
Official use?
Repay? $
Remarks
(OVER)
Page 21

(Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
☐ Make new addressograph plate
☐ Change present addressograph plate
☐ Destroy present addressograph plate
On list.
as follows:
Now reads
1
2
3
4
5
Should read
1
2
3
4
5
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made
192
Operator
MULTIGRAPH
Operator
Date
Type set by
Remarks:
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator
Date
Cut by
Remarks:
Page 22

[form with written answers]
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Oct 4 1926
Chief Rev War Section
I have this day received from Dorothy Whitcomb Cash 
No
for $40/100, requesting photostat copy as per letter herewith.
[illegible] Mailed
[illegible] Div
Oct-11-1926
[illegible]
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Division.
Page 23

                    October 2, 1926
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:
       I desire photostat copy of one page (certified) from the Revolutionary War bounty land claim of William Skeel. Wt. No. 666 100

Recd. payment 
40 cents 
(Signed)Antonia W. Ford

    Mrs. Dorothy Whitcomb
 1001 Transportation Building 
Washington, D. C.
Page 24

                                                     6769
                   3..2233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
 
Finance Division

                 Sept. 18 1926

Chief Rev. War. Section

I have this day received from

Miss Perle M. Skeele

cash   No

for $2 85     requesting 

photostat copy)   as per

letter herewith.

1926 Sept 24

Photos mailed 

+ Finance DW

Notif. aw

O. J. RANDALL

Chief Finance Division 

H. C. L. (signature)
Page 25

                                               September 15, 1926

Commissioner of Pensions

Sir: 
   
  Request is hereby made for copies of nineteen pages from Revolutionary War bounty land claim of William Skeel.  Warrant No. 666-100. Not certified.

6 copies of each of two pages in will,
6 copies of discharged dated June 10, 1783
1 copy of discharge dated June 21, 1783.


Signed:  

   (Miss) Perle M. Skeele
   85 St. Andrew's Place,
Yonkers, N. Y. 


Rev.&1812 Wars Section
Received payment, $2.85

(signed) (illegible) M. H. Finch
Page 26

[typed form with typed answers]
I-681
PHONE Branch 476
arding this job should refer to Requisition No. 9542
Duplicating, Addressograph Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 127.
September 22 1926
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension 
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN SLITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job 19 photostats of 4 pages from the Revolutionary bounty land claim, Warrant 666-100 of William Skeel.
No. of copies 19, (4 negatives 
(15 positives
form be kept standing? no days
For further information see A. E. Wilson Room No. 5033 Phone No, 541
Approved: [signature] Chief Clerk of Bureau
[signature] Chief of Branch
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved be Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering

CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph
single or double space?
Facsimile signature?
Mimeograph
one side or both sides?
Facsimile signature?
Folding
once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling
Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter
Fill in addresses?
Dated?
Addressograph from lists
Envelopes size
Proof list
Labels (submit sample)
Fill in letters
Cards, size
Pay rolls
Corrections
Tabulation sheets
Photostat X Size actual, all trimmed to size of largest.
Official use?
Repay? $2.85
Blue Print 
Size
Official use?
Repay? $
Remarks
(OVER)
Page 27

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal
reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of
bureaus.
192
(Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
☐ Make new addressograph plate
☐ Change present addressograph plate
☐ Destroy present addressograph plate
On list.
as follows:
Now reads
1
2
3
4
5
Should read
1
2
3
4
5
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made
192
Operator
MULTIGRAPH
Operator
Date
Type set by
Remarks:
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator
Date
Cut by
Remarks:
Page 28

                   3..2233      113
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Finance Division

        May 3, 1926

Chief Rev. War Division

I have this day received 

from Dorothy V. Whitcomb

cash       No.

for $45/100, requesting

photostat copy) as per

letter herewith

Copies Mailed 
 + Finance DW notif.
AW
May 4, 26

O. J. RANDALL

Chief Finance Div.

H. C. L. (signed)
Page 29

Request for Photostating (To be prepared in duplicate.) 
3-2006
Ex. (illegible)
8363
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK
Job No.
Date May 3 26.
Subject W.m. Skeel Rev. B. L. Wt. 666-100
See below copies of 2 pieces consisting of 2 pages to be forwarded when completed to the Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
Remarks: 1 neg of small paper
2 neg of large paper signed by Gew Washington
Approved:
(illegible) Wilson
Chief Sect.
___________
Chief Clerk.
Page 30

May 1, 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions
Please furnish photostat copies of three pages, not certified, from the Rev. War bounty land claim of William Skeel, Wt. 666.

recd payment
45 cents
Wilson
Chief Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

(Ms. Jack) Dorothy V. Whitcomb
1001. Transportation Building
17th & H at N. W.
Washington, D. C.

2 copies of Dask (?) Div - 
1 copy of Packering Dis -
Page 31

   Armstrong Cork Company
      Linoleum Department 
       Lancaster, Pa. 

                                    September 14, 1925

Pension Department
Washington, D. C.

Gentleman:

         I have from the War Department records the following information regarding the Revolutionary War service of WILLIAM SKEEL, whom I believe to be my ancestor and whose services I wish to use for membership purposes in the Daughters of the America Revolution:

           “William Skeel served in the Revolutionary War as a Corporal and as a Sargent, Capt. Jeremiah Miller’s Company, 1 Mass. Regt., also designated 14th Mass. Bay Battalion of Forces, commanded by Col. Joseph Vose. He enlisted April 1, 1777, for the war; was promoted to Sargent Aug. 1, 1777, and his name last appears on the company pay roll for April, 1781.”

   As I need also further information regarding this William Skeel before being positively able to identify him as my ancestor, will you kindly give me any and all information that the Pension Records may contain regarding this man. I am of the belief that after the war he settled in the state of Maryland, where it is presumed he died.

   May I have a reply at your earliest convenience, stating whether William Skeel received a pension, and if so the date of his death, place of death, age, and other biographical data you may have.

       Yours truly, 
Mrs. Kenyon Stevenson (signed and typed)

934 Virginia Avenue 
Lancaster, Penna.
Page 32

Nov. 25, 1925.
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Sir:
I request to be furnished photostat copies of five pages from the Revolutionary War bounty land:claim of William Skeel. Wt. 666-100, 
two copies of two pages,(the will )
one copy aff. Amos Skeel Nov, 20, 1815, which contains signature of G. V. Hoosen J. of P.
not certified.

Dorothy V. Whitcomb
3818 (illegible) St. 11 W., D. C.

received payment 75 cents. 
Nov, 24, 1925.
Antonio W. Ford.
(illegible)

As she wanted them off for signature only, I let her have the one pack (?) there to M did not complete the statement
(illegible)
Page 33


3-2233
113
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Nov 24 1925
Chief Rev Sect
I have this day received from Dorothy V. Whitcomb each for $75/100 in payment

photostat copy as per memo herewith.
Copies mailed (illegible) Finance Div most aid
Dec 3. 20

O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
Page 34

Request for Photostating (To be prepared in duplicate.)
3-2006
Ex. Aid
2713
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK
Job No.
Date Nov. 28. 25
Subject Wm Skeel, Rev. (illegible)-100
5 copies of 2 pieces consisting of 3 pages to be forwarded when completed to the Rev. 1812 Wars Section Division. Remarks: Please make two negatives of each of the two pages of the will = 4 copies and one neg. of affidavit of Amos Skeel
Approved:
A E (?) Wilson
Chief Sect.
________
Chief Clerk.
Page 35

   FRANK H. KERR
                      ATTORNEY AT LAW
  STEUBENVILLE BANK & TRUST BLDG
                STEUBENVILLE, OHIO 
        stamp enclosed 
                                        October 13, 1928.

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions.

Washington D. C.

Dear Sir:

I have been referred to your Department as a probable source of information regarding the record in the Revolutionary War of my Great Grandfather William Skeel. I will be thankful if you will have search made regarding him and if any record appears as to him I will gladly forward any fees that will be due prior to sending me any information found.
Thanking you in advance I am,
                      You’re Truly,
  Add as cash par:          Frank H. Kerr(signed)


Stamped: Pension Office U. S. October 15, 1928
Page 36

Discharge from the
Q. M. G. June 21, 1783



           (Illegible, half word covered up)
Page 37

William Skeel a Sergeant in the Massachusetts Line, who for several years has acted as a waggon conductor, is now discharged from the service in my department; having therein conducted irreproachably. 
      Newburgh June 21. 1783. 
                      Tim Pickering
                            Q. M. G.
Page 38

B Y  H I S  E X C E L L E N C Y (by his excellency)
   G E O R G E  W A S H I N G T O N (George Washington) Esq;
United States of America. 
T H E S E (these) are to C E R T I F Y (certify) that the bearer hereof William Skeel Sargent in the First Massachusetts Regiment, having faithfully served United States six years + two months and being inlifted for the war only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army.
   G I V E N  (given) at H E A D Q U A RT E R S (headquarters) the 10th day of June of 83
                            Geo Washington (signed)

By his excellency 
      J. Lumball Judge (signed)
  
R E G I S T E R E D (registered)in the books of the Regiment, 
                 Ralph H. Bowls (signed)

T H E (the) above Sargent William Skeel has been honored with the B A D G E  O F  M E R I T (Badge of Merit) for six Years faithful service 
                Joseph Vose Col. (signed)
Page 39

Head-Quarter, June 10th 1783.

T H E within C E R T I F I C A T E shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough.

     G E O R G E   W A S H I N G T O N