Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,533, for Christopher Mc Vany, Virginia
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Va.

McVany, Christopher
or McVaney 
Mary

NUMBER
S. 15.533

CONTENTS
Page 2

12,653
Virginia
Christopher McVany
Living in the State of Virginia 
who was a Private in the Company commanded 
by ["Captain" is crossed out] Lt Doren of the 
Regt commanded 
by Col James in the Viga [Virginia] Militia 
["line" is crossed out] for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia [page damage]
[page damage] Cents per annum
[page damage] 1831.

[page damage] 16 day of May
[page damage] and sent J Wamsley 
1833 [page damage] Weston Va

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833           $160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33    $40.00
[total]                                                    $200.00

Appeal. Decision of
office affirmed
Dec. snt. James W 187[page damage]
[illegible] letter filed in case of
Saml Harbent 16.646

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832        }
Recorded by Geo. B. Whiting Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page 17

Let      11 March 35        Pen Agent   )
[ditto][Let 11 March 35] W Hoffman  )  Aff
[ditto] [Let 23 March 35] G.L. Camden )

[Let] 19 March 31  same [G.L. Camden]
See let. to E. L Duncan, 2d. Octr. 1839

C. C. Tucker April 13, 1854
Page 3

Christopher McVany
Page 4

State of Virginia )
County of Lewis  ) S.S.
On this 7th day of August Ase. 1832 personally appeared 
in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Lewis 
County now sitting. Christopher McVany, a resident 
of Buckhannon Settlement in Said County of Lewis 
and State of Virginia aged Seventy Five years
who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following
declaration 
in order obtain the benefit of the act of Congress 
passed June 7th 1832  That he entered the serv=
-ice of the United States under the following named 
Officers and served as herein stated that in the
latter part of the year 1777.  The Indians had been committing outrages and depredations
on the Whites residing along the Frontier settlements 
in Virginia and Pennsylvania along Ohio River
and for the wrongs sustained;  he volunteered in that
year in Frederick County Virginia, For three years as a private militia man, was marched forthwith under Lieu=
=tenant James Doren, and Ensign Robert
Mitchell to Morgantown, in Monongahalia [Monongalia]
County Virginia, from thence was marched 
to Fort Pitt on Ohio River, from thence 
was marched to Wheeling Fort on Ohio River their [there] affiant remained during winter, and 
acted in the capacity of an Indian Spei [spy]
remained in the County during the summer
and winter of 1778: and had Frequent
Page 5

Engagements with the Enemy.  at one time affi=
ant recollects distinctly, that the Indians 
took the wife of one Galaspie, and two of 
his children, and the company commanded 
by Lieutenant Doren was in part dispatched
after them among them who affiant was one
after Trailing some distance one of the chil=
=dren was found Dead, with Its brains knocked
out pursued them further, and saved the wife
and other child, and Killed Four Indians
 in the spring of 1779.  affiants Company was
marched to Muskingdom [Muskingum] River in Ohio State 
in pursuit of the enemy -- and found it Expediant [expedient]
to return to Wheeling Fort again there took
quarters again the remainder of that year 
and acted as before mentioned in the capacity
of an Indian spie --in the spring of 1780 
affiant was marched under his Lieutenant James 
Doren, and Ensign Robert Mitchell from Wheeling 
Fort to the mouth of the Great Kenhawa [Kanawha] 
River, from there marched up sd. [said] Kenhawa [Kanawha] 
River, and crossed through towards South Carolina
near George Town, from there marched westward
to the war--Ford on the French Broad River-- from thence was marched Southward near the Great 
Swamps. from thence was marched to a place
then called the little Coves, where they found ["they Found" is crossed out] twenty of the British Horseman 
at a tipling shop and they killed two, took
Fifteen prisoners, and three escaped. the pris=
Page 6

=oners were taken and delivered to the army that
he affiant understood was Commanded by
General Gates, and he knows he seen Gen. Gates 
there, at a place called Charlotte in South
Carolina. then the company to which affiant
belonged returned, to the Great Swamps in South 
Carolina, and ranged about Hunting and Hanging of Tories and watching the movements 
of the British, until he affiant with his 
Company was brought into the engagement 
at Cowpens under the command of Gener=
=al Daniel Morgan, (there he seen Col. Howard
and other officers names not recollected)
in January 1781. as he affiant now recollects
the British infantry were nearly all killed 
or taken, together with upwards of Five
Hundred of their privates.__and about thirty Baggage 
waggons [wagons] to gather with near a hundred Dra=
=ggoon Horses. also a great many muskets
affiant does not now recollect how many 
after that battle affiants Company was discharged 
and he returned to his home in Frederick County Virginia after having been on Service for upwards of three years. 
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he
can 
procure, who can testify to his service.  He hereby 
relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
Page 7

or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency 
of any state.
Sworn and subscribed to the day and 
year aforesaid.
Christopher Mc.Vany

The said Christopher McVany being interrogated 
by the Court in the manner prescribed by the war 
department answered the several interrogator-
-ies propounded by that department as
following.

1st. That he affiant was born in Pennsylvania State 
name of the County not recollected, in the 
year 1757.

2nd. affiant saith that he has a record of his age 
at his house in a Bible, which was Transcri-
=bed by himself from his fathers Bible.

3rd. Affiant saith, he was living in Frederick County Virginia: Since he left the service 
lived first in Hardy County, then moved to
Frederick, then moved to Augusta, from thence 
to Rockingham, from thence to Pendleton
from thence to Bath, from there to Harrison
now Lewis County all in Virginia in the
settlement he now lives. 

4th. Affiant Saith that he volunteered under Lieutenant 
James Doren in Winchester, Frederick County Virginia
Page 8

5th. Affiant saith that he seen and knew the following 
named men when spieing [spying] &c along the Ohio River viz.
Cols. Zane, and Swearingen, Genl McIntosh, and Captain 
Mason, that when he went to the South he seen 
General's Gates, Howard, and Morgan, and
knew and seen Other Officers whose names he
has forgotten, as he is growing old and Frail
and as to what line , (if any) to which he belonged 
he has no recollection, neither does he recoll=
=ect any of the regiments that were engaged in the South 
as he affiant, was attached in the West to no par=
=ticular, Troops, that is along the Ohio River, and 
after going to South Carolina, Joined none, untill [until]
the battle at Cowpens, as he has stated in 
the above declaration. 

6th. Affiant Saith that he Recd. [received] a Discharge from 
his Lieutenant James Doren, and consider=
=ed the Same as of no further importance than
to permit him to return home, and
Consequently 
lost or mislaid the same so that he cannot 
find it now.

7th. Affiant Saith that he is known to Jacob Cozad a Clergyman of his neighborhood 
and to James Brown, they can testify to his character for varacity [veracity], and their belief of his 
revolutionary services.
Christopher Mc.Vany
Page 9

We Jacob Cozad a Clergyman Residing in 
the County of Lewis and State of Virginia and
James Brown residing in the same County 
and State hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Christopher McVany, who 
has subscribed and sworn to the above decler--ation [declaration], that we believe him to be Seventy Five 
years of age  That he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides, to have
been a soldier of the revolution as he has
sta-
-ted, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and Subscribed to the day and year aforesaid.
Jacob Cozad
James his x mark Brown

And the said count as hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the mat-
-ter and after putting the interrogatories
Inscribed by the war department That the above named applicant was a revolu-
-tionary soldier and served as he 
states. And the court further certifies 
that it appears to them that Jacob Cozad 
who has signed the preceding certificate is
a Clergy man resident in the said county
Page 10

of Lewis and that James Brown who has also
signed the same is a resident in the said
county of Lewis and is a credible person 
and that their statement is entitled to credit.. 

Virginia
Lewis County S.c.
I, John Talbott Clerk of the 
County Court of Lewis County, do hereby certify 
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings 
of the said Court, in the matter of the appli
cation of Christopher McVaney for a pension.
In testimony whererof I have 
unto set my hand and affixed my private 
Seal (not having been furnished with an 
Official one) this 8th day of December 1832.
J. Talbott (Seal)

I do hereby certify that John 
Talbott is Clerk of the County 
Court of Lewis in Va. and that 
the above signature is in his hand
writing - Dec. 16th 1832.
Lewis Maxwell
Page 11

[printed form, handwritten responses]
Declaration of Mrs. Mary McVancy widow of Christopher McVaney
For Revolutionary Pension under the Act of
[blank]

State of Virginia   )
County of  Upshur)  ss:
On this 12th day of September, 1854, personally 
appeared before the Circuit Court 
of the County and State above named, Mary McVaney a resident of 
Upshur County in the State of Virginia aged 76 years, who being 
first duly sworn according to the law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of 
the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 29, 1848 granting pensions 
to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Christopher 
McVancy a private of Virginia Militia in the 
War of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United 
States under the Act of June 7, 1832 on the Virginia roll at Eighty dollars per year.

She further declares that she was married to the said Christopher McVancy on the [blank]
day of October A.D. one thousand seven hundred and ninety six at 
Augusta County Va by one White a preacher of the 
gospel that her name before her said marriage was Mary Paule and 
that her husband the aforesaid Christopher McVancy died at Upshur County Va 
on the 30th day of June A. D. 1853 and that she has remained a 
widow since the death of her said husband.
Mary her x mark McVaney
x (her mark)
Sworn & subscribed to in open court.
G. D. Cardon Judge
Page 12

[printed form, handwritten responses]
Know all men by these Presents, that I, Mary McVaney of the 
County of Upshur and State of Virginia do hereby constitute and appoint 
Chas. C. Tucker, of Washington, D.C., my true and lawful agent and attorney, for me, and in my name to prepare and 
prosecute my claim for a Revolutionary Pension by reason of the services of my deceased husband; and I hereby em-
power my said attorney to examine all records and documents in reference to said claim on file in the Departments at 
Washington, to file additional evidence and arguments, and to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever touching the 
premises, with full powers of substitution. Hereby revoking and countermanding all former powers of attorney that 
may have been given by me for the above specified purpose.
Witness my hand and seal this 12th day of September 
in the year 1854.
Mary her x mark McVaney

State of Virginia  )
County of Upshur) ss:
On this 12th day of September 1854 
personally appeared before ["me" is crossed out] us Mary McVaney and acknowledged the forgoing power 
of attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.
A.M. Bastable
J. Mullins
(Justices 
(of the peace 
(for the county of Upshur & state 
(of Virginia

CLAIM FOR PENSION
Act of [blank]
Mrs. [blank]
Widow of [blank]
DECLARATION.
Chas C. Tucker, Attorney
Page 13

P 15533
INVALID.
No. 15533
Christopher McVaney
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Book: Vol 1, Page 248
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 14

REJECTED 
Ex'r
OLD WAR
No. 6814
REJECTED
["Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870." is crossed out]

Mary McVaney.
["P.O." is crossed out] Wid of 
Christopher McVaney

Service: [blank]
Enlisted: [blank], 18[blank]
Discharged: [blank], 18[blank]
Application filed: [blank], 18[blank]
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]
Page 15

No 1383
Mary McVaney
widow of Christopher
Va
#6814
Rejected
C.C. Tucker Octo 17 1854
Tucker & :Lloyd Apl 30/60
Return to Files - June 18[illegible]

No appeal paper in this case

[page damage]ly 29 1848
Page 16

I wish to see the papers of Peter Clark 
decd. act of 1818. Mass. Apl 19th 1852.
L. Godwin
Also Christopher McVany,
act 32. Stricken from Rolls.
Va. Lewis, Co.
From CG
Page 17

[round date stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
APR
7
1860

Revl. W

Mary McVaney--wid of 
Christopher--Va --bus
29 [illegible] 1848. 

Cherry Camp Va
April 5/60

Free

Hon. George C Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington 
D.C.
Page 18

[page damage] 83
Revolutionary
McVaney, Mary
widow of
McVaney, Christopher
12,653.
Revolutionary
Priv. Lt. Dorens Compy.
k
Col. [illegible] Regt. Va. Mil.
To be held up until 
Decision of Secry [Secretary] as
as to limitation of 5 years.
Page 19

Lewis County Court )
Virg.                         )
Margaret Means, appeard. [appeared] before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County,
and made oath on the holy evangelist of almighty God 
that in the year 1781 (as near as she can recollect) she there l
ived & resided on the South branch of Potomac, about 
a mile from the place where Moorefields now stands in 
the County of Hardy Va..  In that year she became 
acquainted with Christopher McVanny, who there resided 
with William Murphy, that said Christopher McVaney 
was there in low state of health, and that the cause 
was attributed to and in consequence of the hardships he 
was exposed to in the army, having there lately returned 
from a tour of Service. She further states that at the time
said Christopher came to the Branch, that some people
suspected said Christopher to be a deserter, but that it 
had been ascertained that he had a discharge
from his captain; this she heared [heard] and understood 
at the time from the neighbors--the said
Margaret Means states that she is now 78 years 
of age.
Margaret her x mark Means
Sworn & Subscribed to 
before me this 25 of 
July 1836.
Jacob Lorentz J.P.
Page 20

I Robert Young a Justice of the peace 
in the County of Lewis and State of 
Virginia do hereby certify that I am 
well acquainted with Margaret Means
and know her to be a woman of good 
credit given under my hand this 
2 day of March 1836.
Robert Young J P

Virginia          )
Lewis County ) ss..
I John Talbot Clerk of the County 
Court do hereby certify that Jacob Sountz & Robert 
Young are Justices of the peace as above and
that the foregoing certificates purporting to be
theirs are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand & affixed
my seal of office at Weston
this 3d. day of March 1836.
J. Talbott Clk
Page 21

Virginia to wit:
At a circuit court held for Upshur County Sept 12 1854. 
Mary McVaney widow of Christopher McVaney
deceased in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions 
made by the act of Congress passed July 29th 1848, 
appeared in Court and made a declaration
under Oath, which was signed by the said
Mary, and by the judge of the Court, and it was
proved before the said Court of the Oaths of Jonas Crotes and Oliver Carpenter, two credible 
witnesses, that the said Christopher McVaney
late a pensioner of the United States, departed this life on the 30th day of June 1833, leaving the said Mary his widow, and that she 
still remained his widow.
A Copy Teste
Andrew Poundstone Clk
of Upshur Circuit Court
Page 22

Cherry Camp Harrison Co. Va Apr 4th 60.

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Court of Pensions
Sir,
Enclosed please find the 
declaration of Mrs Mary McVaney widow of Christopher 
a Revolutionary soldier claiming a pension and the arrears 
of pension due her husband at the date of his death. 
Also her claim for Bounty Land under the 
Act of March 3 1855.
You will please address us at Washington D.C. as usual.
Land claim sent to Jenks
Very respectfully
Your obt servt
Tucker & Lloyd
Page 23

Washington D.C. April 8th 1854

Hon Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
I send herewith 
a Power of Attorney from Mary McVaney widow of 
Christopher McVaney late a pensioner under the Act of 
June 7. 1832 on the Virginia roll.
Mr McVaney's pension as I am informed was
suspended a few years after it was allowed. If such 
was the case will you please inform me the cause 
of such suspension and what evidence is necessary 
to reestablish the claim.
Very respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
Chas. C. Tucker
Page 24

Washington D.C. Oct. 14 1854
Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir.
Enclosed 
please find Claim for Revolutionary Pension
under the Act of 29 July 1848 of Mary 
McVaney widow of Christopher of Virginia. 
The husband of the Claimant was a 
pensioner and his name stricken from the rolls
but a pension is claimed for the widow under
the provisions of the Act of 7th of May 1846
as amended by the act of 26th June 1848.
Yours truly,
Chas. C. Tucker
Page 25

Copy

Depart. of War
Pension Office
March 19, 1836
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 5th. inst. [instant] upon the subject of 
Christ. McVaney's claim and enclosing the affidavit of Margaret 
Meanes to be used in support of his alleged service during the 
Revolutionary war, and have filed it with his papers. The 
discrepancy between Mr. McVainey's two statements render it 
proper to require the fullest and most satisfactory testimony.
In his original declaration Mr. McVainey stated that he 
volunteered in the year 1777 for three years as a private militia 
man--that he served in a company commanded by Lieut. 
Doran upon the Western frontiers in the character of an Indian
Spy until the spring of 1780 when he was marched under the 
same officer down the Ohio River to the mouth of the Kanawha, 
thence across the country to Georgetown, S.C. upon the Atlantic; thence 
west over the blue ridge to the French Broad; thence south and 
to Charlotte, N.C.; was in the battle of the Cowpens Jany. - 81
and was discharged after that battle by Lieut. Doran.
In the statement subsequently made to Mr. Singleton,
he says that in the year 1777 he enlisted under Capt. Daniel 
Morgan for three years and marched with his company from 
Winchester, Va. to Fort Pitt where he remained until the succeeding 
summer, when Capt. Morgan marched the company to So. Car. 
where he served out his 3 years; that he was in the battle of the
Cowpens and Gilford and that his Capt. Morgan was Com-
mander in Chief at the battle of Cowpens.  Two statements more 
incredible or more at variance with each other could hardly be
made.  Daniel Morgan at the time here spoken of as being a 
Capt. of a company at Fort Pitt was a Col. in the Continental 
army and not in that part of the country;  In the year 1777 
for the defense of Western Virginia Fort Pitt was garrisoned by a 
company of 100 men enlisted for during the war and Col. George 
Morgan who was an Indian agent at that time, was stationed there. 
The conclusion thereof is that either Mr. McVainey's whole statement 
is a mere fabrication or that if he enlisted he also deserted, an opinion
Page 26

which was prevalent at his return home among his neighbors 
as the witness Margaret Means has stated. The payment 
of his pension can not be resumed.
I am
Geo D. Camden
Clarksburg,  
Va.
Page 27

Commissioner of Pensions 
23 January 1866
In compliance with the 
Secretary's instructions 
of the 15th instant trans-
mits the papers in the 
Revolutionary pension 
cases of Delana Gord-
win and Mary McVaney.

[date stamp]
DEPARTMENT
OF THE
Jan 24 1866
INTERIOR.
Page 28

Department of the Interior
Pension Office
January 23: 1866

Hon. James Harlan
Secretary of the Interior
Sir.
In compliance with your 
instructions of the 15th Instant. in reference to the matter to which 
the enclosed letter of Messrs: Tucker & Sells relates.  I have the 
honor to report, that, the papers in the cases of Edward Harbert, 
Abraham McColloch, and Edwin Kearney, do not appear among 
the files of this Office.  They were charged to the Revolutionary pension 
examiner in June 1860.  Since when, no trace of them can be 
found. The Claims of Mrs. Delana Goodwin, as the widow of Edwin 
Goodwin, deceased, and of Mrs. Mary McVaney, as the widow of 
Christopher McVaney, deceased, for pensions, the former under the 
Act of February 3. 1853 and the latter, under the Act of the 29th 
of July 1848, appear to have been several times examined and 
rejected. The husbands of these claimants, were pensioner [pensioners] under 
the Act of 7th June 1832, in the years of 1833 and 1834. In March 
1835, the U.S. District Attorney for Virginia, examined 
these pensioners and filed in this Office a Copy of their
Page 29

statement in relation to their Revolutionary service, from which,
he, as well as the Commissioner of Pensions became satisfied that, 
they had been improperly allowed pensions, that, the proofs in their cases, 
did not show a sufficiency of pensionable service, to entitle them to pensions 
and, consequently, their names were stricken from the pension roll. Since 
this Action of this Office, no evidence has been filed establishing the service 
of Edward Goodwin and Christopher McVaney, nor, has it been shown that, a wrong 
was done in striking their names from the pension roll.
A revision of 
the Decision of this Office in these cases is now asked for, not upon the 
production of new and material evidence, nor, upon a recent decision, but,
after the lapse of many years.  I think a concurrence in the former action 
of this Office advisable and that, the questions involved should be regarded 
as settled. If, however, it is deemed advisable to review this action, 
I have to suggest that, the Act of Congress of April 2d, 1862, would 
seem to forbid the restoration of the names of the alleged soldiers to 
the pension roll and that, the only allowance which could be made 
would be to their widows, provided they are living, in their own right. 
The papers in the cases are herewith transmitted.
I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt: Servant
Jos. H. Barrett
Commissioner
Page 30

Va Mar 11

[date stamp]
CLARKSBURG
MAR
7
Va.

FREE

Hon:
 James L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington City
Page 31

Clarksburg Va. 5 March 1836
Sir,
I ended the affidavit of Margaret 
Means in support of Christopher McVanys 
right to a pension, it is hoped that this 
affidavit will be satisfactory and induce
the Department to reinstate Mr McVany 
on the Pension roll of the Virginia 
agency.  Mr. McVany resides in Lewis 
County in this state. I should be happy 
to hear from the Department on this 
& action claiming about what I have 
written some time since, as soon as it 
may be convenient.
I have the honor to be
very Respectfully Your
obt. servt.
G. D. Camdon
J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 32

State of Virginia
Upshur County.  ss.
On this 10th day of March 1860 before 
me a Justice of the peace and one of the Judges of the County 
Court in and for the County and State above named personally 
appeared Mrs. Mary McVaney aged 80 years a resident of 
Upshur County in said State who being duly sworn according to 
law declared that she is the widow of Christopher McVaney who 
was a Revolutionary pensioner of Lewis County Virginia and whose 
pension was stopped.
That her husband died on the 30th June 1853 and she 
has remained a widow since his death.
She makes this declaration to obtain the pension to which 
she is entitled and also the arrears of pension due her said 
husband at his death and revoking all former authority she 
hereby constitutes Tucker & Lloyd of Washington D.C. her attorneys 
to prosecute her claims.
Mary his [her] x mark McVany
her mark
Witness.
G.E. James
Jonas Crites

Sworn to subscribed and acknowledged 
before me the day and year first above written.
Alva Teter JP
Page 33

State of Virginia
Upshur County  ss.
I Mifflin Lorentz Clerk of the 
County Court in and for the County and State above named 
do hereby certify that Alva Teter Esq. before when the 
foregoing affidavit was made was at the date thereof a Justice 
of the peace in and for said County and that his signature 
thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
signed my name and affirmed my official 
seal this 22d day of March 1860. 
Mifflin Lorentz clk

[date stamp]
PENSION OFFICE 
APR 7 
1860.
306 825

Tucker & Lloyd 
Washington 
DC
Page 34

Christopher McVaney Pen. 
Report--

upon this case I can came to no opinion
and therefor have taken no proceedings 
W. Edwards [illegible] please direct what 
shall be done in the premises.
W. L S.
Page 35

Christopher McVaney, Pen. arrears $80 _

I the undersigned Christopher McVaney at the req
quisition of the Secretary of war give the following nara
tive [narrative] of my age and and [sic] Services as a Soldier in the 
war of the Revolution to wit--I am in my Seventy Seventh 
year of age, was born in the in the State of Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] removed
early into Virginia (too early to recollect) and settled near
Winchester in the county of Frederick. Some time in the year 
1777, as well as I can now remember.  I enlisted under 
Capt. Daniel Morgan of Winchester, for three years, that
shortly thereafter he marched his company (about 60 men) 
including myself to Fort Pitt, got there in the fall of 
the year and remained in that vicinity until late in
the succeeding summer, from thence Capt. Morgan marched 
his company to South Carolina where I served out my tour 
of duty of three years, get my discharge & returned [illegible].  I 
recollect the names of the following of my fellow soldiers who
marched from Winchester with me, Thomas Jenkins, Anas
Marney, Jacob Rhys, Alexander Jameson, Joseph 
Vance, John Riace, John Sergeant, Samuel Borser, 
James Ogan, & {illegible] Spencer.  Whilst in this Service, I 
was at the Battle of Gilford, in this contest the american
army retained its ground, but at the loss of a good many 
men.  I can't [illegible] who commanded the american army 
in this engagement. Gen Burgoin commanded the British 
Forces. I was also at the Battle of the Cowpens  Morgan was
commander in chief at the Cowpens and had about a thousand 
men under him__two or three hundred of which fled, with the
Balance he killed about 200 of the enemy and took one thousand
prisoners, after the Battle was over I was detailed as one of the
guard of the Prisoners taken. they were taken to Gilford Court House
and delivered over to Genl. Washingtons army. Whilst on [illegible]
day was hotley pursued by the British army, but fortunately escaped
by the rapid rise of a River over which we escaped in the evening.
the succeeding morning when the British army came up to Sta
[illegible] it had so risen that they could not [illegible].
[illegible] F. Newton unto my Declaration I gave him
the same statement I now give I agreed with Philip Cox,
he applied to [illegible] to get my pension 
 by the agreement I [illegible].
Page 36

to give him the first year pay and done so__ I swore to my 
Declaration in open court. In witness whereof I hereto
subscribe my name. July 3, 1834.
Christopher his x mark McVaney

witness
Nathan Goff
Another copy W. G Singleton

Jacob Brake a neighbor of McVaney, and a man 
of substance and character.  Says that McVaney is a man 
of bad character, and not to be relied upon. Such is his 
general character among his neighbors__Brake was 
present when McVaney made his application in court. 
He did not, [illegible] not after repeated application procure
a [illegible] of his to prove his credibility.  I [illegible] Brown is 
his witness. (he himself is an imposter). Brown was to me his 
from McVaney .  Cayard the Clergyman certifying McVaney's 
Declaration is out the communion with any denomination, 
of Christians, and is a man of bad character. The forgoing facts 
were communicated by the undersigned to W. G Singleton.
Jacob Brake
July 4, 1834
Another copy W. G Singleton.

Note I was unable to procure any further evidence touching
this case,__a comparison of the Statement here given with 
his Declaration. will enable you perhaps to decide upon
his right to a Pension__ I learned from several Individuals
that McVaney was a man of Bad character & not to be relied upon. 
W. G Singleton
Nov. 8. 1834
Page 37

REVOLUTIONARY PENSION CLAIM.
Act of [blank]

POWER OF ATTORNEY
TO EXAMINE CLAIMS.

CHARLES C. TUCKER,
Attorney, 
Present.
Page 38

[printed form, handwritten responses]
Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents: that I, Mary McVaney 
widow of Christopher McVaney deceased 
do hereby constitute and appoint CHAS C. TUCKER, of Washington City, D. C., my true and lawful Agent 
and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of my Deceased husband for any 
amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of 
for the Relief of Revolutionary soldiers or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said 
Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Departments at Washington 
City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for 
said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed: and to do all things 
that I might or could do, were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney 
may lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 17th day of March 1854.
Mary McVaney her x mark
In presence of 
Jonas Crites   )
Elam T. Crites ) ss.

STATE OF  Virginia, Upshur COUNTY-- ss.
On this 18 day of March 1854, before me a Justice of the peace 
in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared Mary McVany
and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her act and deed for the purpose 
therein mentioned.
Silas Bennet JP

STATE OF Virginia  )
Upshur COUNTY.   ) ss.
On this 18 day of March 1854, before me the undersigned Justice of the 
peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary 
McVaney, a resident of said County, and made oath according to the law that she is the identi-
cal Mary McVaney who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that she is 
directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as 
my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said Claim.
Mary McVaney x her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year written above.
Silas Bennet JP

STATE OF Virginia     )
COUNTY OF Upshur  } SS
I Mifflin Lorentz Clerk of Upshur County Court do 
hereby certify that Silas Bennet Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and
acknowledgement were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the 
Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such 
are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this
22d day of March 1854
Mifflin Lorentz clk
Page 39

3/4 
[illegible]
["56 1/4" crossed out]

Oct 2
Conv
[illegible]
Chr. McVany
RW Act 32

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Weston Va
Sep 25
Commr. of Revolutionary 
Pensions

Washington
Page 40

Weston Lewis Co. Va.
Sep. 24. 1839.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions
Sir,
Whilst holding my Court 
at this place I have been much importuned by
an old man (Christopher McVany) to aid
him in getting replaced upon the Revolutionary 
Pension list. I understand that for some 
cause his name has been stricken from the 
list of Pensioners, possibly this has proceeded
from the misconduct of some individuals whose agency in procuring pensions in this country 
rendered them notorious, and who in this as well as other cases by attempting too much
have deprived meritorious men of the 
pittance which the Government provided 
for them. I have no doubt McVany served 
in the Revolution, such is the belief of 
all his acquaintances, feeling an interest 
in his behalf I have taken the liberty of enclosing 
to you the within papers & to request the favour of you to state the difficulties if 
any in the way of replacing him on the 
pension list.
Very Respectfully
Yrs. &c
E. S. Duncan
P.S. My address is Clarksburg, Virginia
Page 41

Deposition of Margaret 
Means
Page 42

Lewis County towit
Margaret Means aged Eighty years, Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace 
in and for the County of Lewis aforesaid and; after 
being duly sworn ["on" is crossed out] upon her oath doth state that 
She is well acquainted with Christopher McVany, now 
a citizen of the county of Lewis aforesaid. She also states that she was acqu-
ainted with the said Christopher McVany about the close of 
the Revolutionary war that he then lived on the South 
branch of the Potomac in the now County of Hardy and that 
he was there respected to have been a Regular Soldier 
in the army of the united States and at his return from the
army he was in IiIl [ill] health for some time, and it was 
believed by the neighbours [neighbors] that the Sickness was brought on
in consequence of his Sufferings in the army. She states 
that She saw him while ["while" is crossed out] he was confined with 
his Illness that as was supposed he had contracted in 
the army aforesaid. She also states there She recollects 
there was a talk of taken the said McVany up for a 
deserter but that he produced his discharge which put an 
end to the talk of his being a Deserter given under 
my hand this 16 day of August 1839
Thomas C. Kingman J.P.

I have bin [been] acquainted with Margaret Means for 
many years and do believe her to be a women [woman]
of ferasity [veracity]
Thos C Kingsman
Page 43

J. L. Edwards Esq Comr. of Pensions
Sir,
The undersigned citizens of 
Lewis County Va feeling an Interest in 
behalf of their fellow Citizen Christopher McVany, take the liberty of stating to
you that he is in very poor & dependant [dependent] 
circumstances as well as aged & infirm
that long prior to the existance [existence] of the 
Pension Laws, he was reputed and believed 
by his neighbours [neighbors] to have been a soldier 
of the Revolution that he was recognized as such by his contemporaries of that period. 
The undersigned have full faith in 
his representations and believe him to have just claims upon the bounty of the Government.
H. Jackson
Abram [illegible]
Jonathan Yeager
John Cartright
Moses Bennett
Teter Kesling
Henry White
Page 44

Harrison County. Va.
I have known Christopher McVany 
upwards of Twenty Years, from my first knowledge 
of him I understood he had served as a soldier
in the revolutionary war. I know he is very
poor & I have no reason to doubt his statement 
of the part he took in the war of the Revolution relying upon his statement & the general opinion 
of the neighbours [neighbors], I think he is a fit person to 
obtain the bounty of the Government. 
ES Duncan Judge of 
the Sup Ct. of Law & Chancery
[illegible]
Alexander Ireland

Lewis County Va
I have been acquainted 
with Christopher McVany for about 21 years and from my earliest acquaintance 
with him have heard him speak 
of his services in the revolutionary 
war. I have no doubt of the truth 
of his statement he is very poor 
and in my opinion deserves 
aid from the government.
Thomas Bland
of the Va Senate

I have known him for             )
at least 25 years and fully con)
cur with the above.                 )

I have been acquainted with     )
him for 21 or 22 years and full  )
confer in the above statements. )
Philip Cox Jr

[illegible]

I have been acquainted 
with Christopher McVany 
for upwards of twenty 
year and from my kno
wledge of him believe he
is in titled [entitled] to [illegible] and [illegible] believe that he was a 
Soldier of the revolution
ary war
Wm McKincey