Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 2957, for Thomas Mc Dowell, Maryland
Page 1

Md. 
Me Dowell, Thomas
Me Dowell 
Me Dowell 
Mary

W 2597
Page 2

Left Side Page

12741
Pennsylvania
Thomas McDowell
of Chester Co in the state of Pennsylvania
who was a private in the regiment commanded
by Colonel blank 3rd Regt of the Maryland
line for a term of 1 year.

Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 dollars per month to commence on the 8 of May 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 of July 1819 and sent to Hon. William Darlington West Chester, Chester Co, Pennsylvania

Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819 9 mos 28/31 $90.60
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819 $48.00
$138.60

{Revolutionary Claim Act 18th March 1818

Continued

Right Side Page

[illegible] open April 10, 1837
Adam Whann Apr 1837

Application sent October 23, 1821

[illegible]
Page 3

6059
Philadelphia, Penn. 
Mary McDowell 
uidou of Thomas M, d Dowell 
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Madine
Inscribed on the Roll at the Rate of 56 Dollar 66 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March,1843. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 55 day of Sept, 1866 and sent to C. li, Benninges
George Join
D.C
Page 4

6455

Mary McDowell
Pa
Act 7 July '38

Husband died 11 July 1838
From Feby 82 to July 83 = 17 MD
Adm
17 Mo/Pri
56.66 from 11
July 38 the day of her husband's death
Also
Act 3 March '43
$56.66

Hon Fra James (crossed out)
C.M. Berringer
Geo. Town
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania
Chester County

On this ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine personally appeared before the court of Common Pleas of the county of Chester comprised of the Hon. Thomas S Bell resident judge and Jess Shurt and Thomas James Esqs. his associates - Mary McDowell a resident of East Nottingham Township in the County of Chester aforesaid aged about eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 8, 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows".

That she is the widow of Thomas McDowell late of the township - county aforesaid deceased who was a private in the army of the Revolution and served three tours in a company commanded by Captain William Spencer that she cannot detail the particulars of his service but supposes they may be found in the records of the War Department in as much as a pension was granted to the said Thomas as will appear by the following copy of a certificate now in her possession - numbered 12741 - War Department - Revolutionary Claim

I certify that in confirming with the laws of the United States of the 18th of March 1818 Thomas McDowell late a private in the army of the revolution is inscribed on the pension list roll of the Pennsylvania agency at the rate of eight dollars per month to commence on the eighth day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

Given at the war office
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of the United States this 20th day of July one thousand eight hundred and twenty

SEAL

J A Calhoun
Secretary of War

That subsequent to the issuing of the above certificate the said Thomas received a notice in his widow's possession of which the following is a true copy - 

"War Department - Pension Office
October 28, 1820 No 12741

Sir you are hereby informed that the schedule of your property has been examined, and the Secretary of war has directed your name to be continued on the pension roll"

I am respectfully your obedient servant

J.L. Edwards

To Mr. Thomas McDowell
West Nottingham
Pennsylvania"

She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas McDowell on the fourteenth day of August in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-eight, that her husband the aforesaid Thomas McDowell died on the eleventh day of July in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-eight; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety-four and at the time above stated.

She further declares that they were married by Philip Scott a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Chester now deceased who delivered to the deponent a certificate hereto annexed and of which the following is a correct copy.
Page 7

"Chester County  Ss
                                 To all whom it may concern 
"these are to certify that Thomas McDowell and 
"Mary Conner was joined in marriage by the "Subscriber one of the Justices of the peace for "Said County ni the presence of a number 
"of witnesses - Certified under my hand.
"August 14th 1788.    Philip Scott.   _"

   That the foregoing is the only written testimony of the marriage in existence so far as she knows and she believes that all the witnesses who were present at the ceremony are dead.
                           Mary (her mark) McDowell
Sworn to and Subscribed on         )   
the day and year above written in )
Open Court of Common Pleas      )
in the County of Chester               )
    Sam Pinkerton, Prot:

        (ORIGINAL DOCUMENT:)

Chester   Ss   To All Whom It May Concern 
County           these are to Certify that Thomas McDowel & Mary Conner was Joined in Marriage by the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace for Saiud County in the Presence of A Number of Witnesses. Certified under my hand August [illegible] 1788

             Philip Scott
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State of Pennsylvania
Chester County ______ )  Ss

   On the ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, personally appeared in open Court before Thomas S. Bell Resident & his associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Chester William T. Harris of East Nottingham Township in said County who being sworn in due form of law doth depose and Say, that he has been for a long time acquainted with Mary McDowell and her late husband Thomas McDowell decd.  That they were reputed and known as man and wife in the neighborhood and lived together as such until his death - that the Said Thomas McDowell died on the eleventh day of July eighteen hundred and thrity eight - that deponent lived on the (?) and attended the funeral.  that the Said Mary McDowell has not again married Since the death of her Said husband Thomas McDowell  but will remains his widow - And further saith not.
   Wm. T Harris
Sworn to and Subscribed on  )
the day and year above          )
written in Open Court of        )
Common Pleas of the County)
of Chester aforesaid.              )
    Saml. Pinkerton, Prot.
Page 9

State of Pennsylvania    )
Chester County   ____    )  Ss

     On the ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine personally appeared in Open Court before Thomas S. Bell Resident and a his associates Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Chester Elisabeth Harris  of East Nottingham Township Chester County aged fifty-two years - intermarried with Reuben Harris who being sworn in due form of law doth depose and say that She is the oldest child of Thomas McDowell decd and his widow Mary Mcdowell the within applicant, that she has resided with or near her parents almost all her life - that they have always been reputed and known as man and wife and as such lived together and had ten children nine of whom lived until they arrived of legal age and were taken charge of & provided for by their said (?) - that the said Thomas McDowell died on the eleventh day of July eighteen hundred and thirty eight, that your deponent was at his bed side shortly before & immediately after his death and further that the said Mary McDowell has not again married since his decease but still remains his widow and further Saith not -     
     Elisabeth (her mark) Harris
Sworn to and subscribed on     )
the day and year above             )
written in open Count of           )
Common Please of the County  )
of Chester aforesaid -                )

     Saml. Pinkerton, Prot:
Page 10

   And the Said Court of Common Pleas of the County of Chester Doth hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings had before it in the case of the declarations of Mary McDowell in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"  That the Said Mary McDowell the declarant and William T. Harris and Elisabeth Harris witnesses - are persons of credibility whose statements under oath are worthy of belief.

   In testimony whereof I Samuel
Pinkerton Prothenotary of the Court of
Common Pleas of the Said County
of Chester have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the Seal of 
the Said Court this ninth day of
December in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and
thrity nine. -
      Saml Pinkerton, Prot:
[seal affixed]
Page 11

Adnitlec
Page 12

Seventh Judicial District of the State of Pennsyl-
vania   Ss.

On this eighth day of May A.D. 1818 before me the subscriber one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chester in the State of Pennsylvania personally appears Thomas McDowell a resident in said County aged sixty years who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engage in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War"  That he the said Thomas McDowell in the month of February 1782 enlisted in the company commanded there by Captain Spurrier belonging to the third Maryland Regiment in General Smallwood's Brigade and that he continued as a soldier in the service of the United states until about the first day of July 1783 when he received an honorable discharge at Baltimore in the State of Maryland.  That he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support - That he hereby reliquishes any pension that he heretofore might be entitled from the United States.  That his discharge has been worn out and destroyed several years ago and he has no other evidence in his power of his services except this his declaration and the annexed deposition of John Nickle -
                             Thoas McDowell  [sic]
Sworn and declare before         )
me the day and year aforesaid  )   

            John Ralston

I John Ralston - Judge as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the aforesaid Thomas McDowell did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken to the direction of the before mentioned act of congress

To The Honble Secretary of War                          John Ralston
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Chester County  Ss.

[seal affixed]

I John G. Wersler Esquire Porthonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chester as certify that John Ralston Esquire within mentioned is an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chester duly commissioned and that full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all his official acts. in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Said Court this eighth day of May A.D. 1818
                    Jno G. Wersler Prot
Page 14

John Nickles 
Deposition
Page 15

Maryland Cecil County to wit --

On this 5th of May 1818 personally appeared John Nickle aged 78 years before me Daniel Job a Justice of the Peace for said County who being lawfully sworn Deposeth and Saith that in the month of May in the year 1782 he the sd Deponant met with Thomas Madole at Annapolis and that the said Madole has listed as he understood in the month of Feby Before and marched from Annapolis under Captn Spurier to New Winsor on the North River whare [sic] they Remained till June 1783 when they in Company together marched to Baltimore whare [sic] he was Discharged  -
   John Nickle
Sworn and subscribed to
   Daniel Job
Page 16

Thomas McDowell
West Nottingham
Chester
Page 17

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Chester County, SS:

On this first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty personally appeared in open court of Common Pleas held at Westchester in and for the county of Chester in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; being a court of record proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and keeping a record of its proceedings Thomas McDowell aged sixty two years and upwards resident in the township of West Nottingham in the said county of Chester and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who being first duly sword according to law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of congress of the 18th of March, 1818 and the 1st of May, 1820 that he served in the Revolutionary war in the third company commanded by Captain Edward Spurrier in the thirst regiment commanded by Major Landsdale of the Maryland Line on the continental establishment and has obtained a pension under the act of the 18th of March 1818 his certificate being numbered 12741

And I the said Thomas McDowell do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March eighteen hundred and eighteen and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the eighteen day of March eighteen hundred and eighteen and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the scheduled hereto annexed and by me subscribed.

Thomas McDowell
His X Mark

Sworn to, declared, and subscribed on the first day of August 1820 in open court of Common pleas in and for the county of Chester in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the said court being a court of record by the laws of the said Commonwealth.

Jno G Wersler - Prothonotary

Schedule Of Property

He has besides necessary clothes and bedding

Three split bottomed chairs - $0.375
Two iron Pots - $0.50
One iron tea kettle - $0.20
One cedar tub - $0.125
Two pails - $0.0625
Four Cups and saucers - $0.11
Six Knives and forks - $0.1875
One Poplar table - $0.25
One Sow with two pigs - $4.00
One pine chest - $2.00
One home trunk $1.50

$7.44
Page 18

Brought Forward $7.44
Twon Maul rings, two wedges and an axe - $2.00
one Hoe and one bake iron - $0.25
One Coffee mill and one coffee pot - $0.875
One curry comb and one flat iron - $0.375

Total $10.94

He has nothing due him from any person.
He owed one debt of thirty dollars
one of about twenty five dollars
one of ten dolars
one of five dollars
and one of three dollars

His family consists of a wife aged about fifty years, sickly and unable to labour (labor) - a daughter aged 22 years and one aged 20 years each of whom having had a child is not more [illegible] to support herself - a third daughter aged 17 years sickly and unable to work - and two sons aged about 16 and 8 years.

He has no trade and lives on a rented property of about three acres of ground - and follows labouring (laboring) of the day when able to perform it which he cannot do with constancy on account of his being afflicted with the bleeding piles and the making and being very weak with the infirmities of age. He is in such indigent circumstances as to need the support of his country .

Thomas McDowell
His X Mark

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Chester County, ss:

I John G Wersler Esquire Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of the said county of Chester; the same being a court of record by the laws of Pennsylvania; do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration & oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is ten dollars and ninety four cents. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Westchester this blank day of August one thousand eight hundred and twenty.

Jno G Wersler - Prothonotary
Page 19

Rev.&1812 Wars Section

[partly legible margin handwriting] this is ... statement is O.K, I presume, as she states he was in a ... was her husband. ... he lived there, he ... [/handwriting]

April 13, 1987

Rebecca McD.Monis(Mrs.W.N.)
5523 Greene St.,
Germantown, Penn.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim [underlined] W. 2957 [/underlined] it appears that [underlined] Thomas McDowell [/underlined] while a resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania enlisted in February 1782,served as a private in Captain Edward Spurrier's Company, under Major Lansdale in the Third Maryland Regiment and was discharged July 1, 1783.

[partly legible margin handwriting] I used the soldier's statement, ... longer service, that ... or organization ... , said ... [/handwriting]

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 8, 1918 while a resident of West Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania aged sixty years. He died July 11, 1838 in East Nottingham Township, Chester Count, Pennsylvania.

Soldier married August 14, 1788 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Mary Conner. She was allowed pension on her application executed December 9, 1839 while a resident of East Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania aged about eighty years.

They had eleven children. In 1820 two daughters were aged twenty-two and twenty years,each with a child of their own,husbands names not given,one daughter aged seventeen years,two sons
Page 20

aged sixteen and eight years, no names of children or grandchildren given of those referred to in 1920, but one daughter, Elizabeth,the wife of Reuben Harris, was living in East Nottingham Township, Chester County,Pennsylvania in 1839 and stated that she was the eldest child.

The above history is that of the only soldier named Thomas McDowell of Chester County, Pennsylvania, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau. His name also appears as McDowel and MDowall.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 21

[partly legible margin handwriting] Jan. 7 97 Histy
H Pennypacker
Westchester Pa
1927 - Apt. 3 - Hist to Mrs. H.N. ...
[other margin]L. Hon ... [/handwriting]

Widow, &c.
Ruy[?]
File No. 2957
Mary McDowell
Widow
Thomas McDowell
Pri. Rev. War
Act: March 3, 1853
Index:--Vol. [illegible], Page 18.

[start bracket] Arrangement of 1870. [end bracket]
Page 22

Rifi.[?]

8689
Pennsylvania
Mary McDowell
widow of Thomas McDowell

who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 11th July 1838 of Chester Co. in the State of Penn. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [illegible] Regt. commanded by [blank] in the Maryland line for 17 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rat of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the [crossed out] 4th day of March, 1836. [/crossed out] 11th July 1838

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th. - day of Sept. 1844 and sent to C. M. Berringer, George Town, D.C.

Total amount, $

[start bracket] Act July 7, 1838. [end bracket]
Recorded by D. Brown -- Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 1. Page 225
Page 23

6453 Rejected
Sec[?] let. to Hon. Francis Jams, Dec. 14. 1839

Act 7 July '38.
Page 24

V [illegible] 6453
Mary McDowell
widow of Thomas

Sec[?] let. to Hon. Francis James dec. 14. 1839
-Jo.[?] to C.M. Deringer
Aug. 20. 1844

Act 7 July 1838
Page 25

[Mostly faded] ... Mary McDowell ...
Page 26

Grace Darlington Esquire [illegible] Chester will inform Thomas McDowell when his income is received from Washington July reflecting his pay from pension

Samuel [illegible]
Page 27

Add.[?] Prost,[?]
M. Darlington
Page 28

Maryland Sct.
Auditors Office Annapolis Dec. 29th. 1818.

I certify that it appears by the Par Role of the Troops in the Maryland Line that Thomas McDowell a Private received Arrears of Pay from the [illegible] Jan'y 1782 to the 15th Nov. 1783.

R. Loorhuman[?] Aud. Gen'l
Page 29

Mr. Isaac Darlington
Attorney at Law
West Chester
Chester County
Page 30

East Nottingham October 14th 1818

Sir,
This is to Request you to give any information that may be in your [illegible] concerning the certific. of Depositions of Thomas McDowel as an appliant for his pension from the United States for his services [illegible] During the American Revolution; which certific. of Depositions is [illegible] the 8th Day of May Last, it together with the Depositions of John [illegible] was sent on by Mr. Jacobs, and the [illegible] was to be returned to you; if such [illegible] is not the case you will confer a [illegible] on an indigent old man by giving him any information you can on the subject will be acknowledged by [illegible]

--Thomas McDowel
[illegible] Darlington Esq
Page 31

6455
Pa
July 7. 1838

[inverted] L. Edwards,
Commsn[?] of Pens.
Washington
DC. [/inverted]

Hm
Francis James
HR.
Page 32

[same as previous, only inverted]

[inverted] Hm
Francis James
HR. [/inverted]

L. Edwards,
Commsn[?] of Pens.
Washington
DC.

[inverted] 6455
Pa
July 7. 1838 [/inverted]
Page 33

[illegible] L. Edwards Esq

Dear Sir

The Hon Francis James will deliver you the declaration of Mary McDowell in order to obtain te benefit of te act of Congress of July 7. 1838--Permit us to solicit [illegible] early attention to the case.

Then let there be a [illegible] decision [illegible] either deliver the certificate to hon James or transmit it to [illegible] to West Chester. Pa.

Yours respectfully
[illegible signature]

West Chester
Dec. 10. 1839
Page 34

GIDEON, PRINTER.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Jan'y 18th 1844.

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 Thomas McDowell, died a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia, Pa. Agency, at the rate of eight Dollars [crossed out] and [blank] Cents [/crossed out] per [crossed out] annum [/crossed out] month, under the law of the 18th March 1818, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of March to the 11th July 1838.

Respectfully, yours,
[illegible signature]
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 35

Aug 19 '44

Tho. McDowell
Pa

C. M. Deringer
Present
Page 36

State of Pensylvania
County of Philada [illegible]:

I Edward C Dale Prothonotary of the District Court of the City and County of Philadelphia holder at Philadelphia in and for said County do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Thomas McDowell Chester County was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of ninety Six dollars per year and was a resident of the County of Chester in the State of Pennsylvania and died in the County in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1838 on the 11th day of July, that he left a Widow whose name is Mary McDowell, and that John Binns is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine--

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Philadelphia this 12th day of January in the year of our Lord 1843.

Ed'd C Dale. Prothy Clerk of the District Court
Page 37

I do hereby certify that the within is a true copy from the Original on file in this Office

Treasury Department
Third Auditor Office
August 16th. 1844
J. Thompson
Acting Aud.
Page 38

Hon M Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Page 39

[illegible] Town Aug 20 1844
Hon M.[?] Edwards

D Sir
I was prevented yesterday, a gentleman having came in the office, from stating to you, the distress of the petitioner her declaration presents her affliction, being very old and destitute of everything needful, being so extremely poor & helpless -- your kind attention to her claim will merit many thanks from him as it is the first & may be the last I have to present -- I trust you will pass the claim as soon as convincing for you to take it up -- for which I will be exceedingly indebted to you.

Yours Respectfully
Claim of Mary McDowell, Calhoun Mason Deringer
Page 40

Office of auditor
Claim of Mrs McDowell for pension
Page 41

          Memorandum

Thomas McDowell a soldier of the Maryland line was placed on the Pension list under the Act of March 1818, on the Pennsylvania Agency residing then in Chester County his name will be found by referring to the published list of Pensioners thus stated  His widdow applies for a Pension under the act of 7th July 1838 which is refused her on the ground that her husband died four days after the passage of that act.  This is a decision directly at war with the practice of the department.  I will give here two official cases directly the reverse of this in practice.  To wit, the Widdow of Surgeons mate Isaac Brauson and the widdow of Lt John Painter of Northumberland County Pa both of whom as early as 1841 and for ought that I know in 1839 drew pensions under the Act of July 1838 yet there husbands died after 7th July 1838 and were both drawing pensions at the time of their death.  I could point to many more such but it is unnecessary as the Instruction of Congress of August 1842 deletes that question -
The widdow now applies again and refers to her husbands papers and declaration to furnish the evidence of his services. She states he was under Capt. Spurrier.  Edward spurrier was Capt of the Maryland line and not of the Pa as she supposes.  The marriage certificate appears to be on the files with her original declaration in the Pension office
She although a resident of Chester County makes her declaration in Pha  The regulations require the party to show the County in which they reside, but there is no restriction as to where the declaration shall be made.  I will here name two cases
Page 42

presented by me in point to wit Eligh Arthurs widdow of Lt James Arthur of Amelia County Va made her declaration before the dinwiddie County Court - And Mrs Martha Jay of Hartford County Maryland widdow of Maj A Zeswirth made her declaration before the Mayor of Baltimore  
The commissr will please take this case up as early as practicable and advise me the result. 
  Yours Respecty
   Henry Northrup
15th July 
P.S.  Evidence of Identity  it is presumed  accompanies her (?) declaration - also her marriage certificate I am told is there also -
Page 43



J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 44

                 Elkton Ind April 6th 1837

Dr Sir

             On the 27th (?) I enclosed you the papers & vouchers of Thomas McDowell a pensioner - and requested your immediate attention  Not having heard from you I fear it has miscarried - you will much oblige me by letting me hear from you - the old man is most distressed for money at present -
   Your friend
Adam Whann
Page 45

                          Pension Office,
                                August 20. 1866

   Sir;

           The paper which you left here in the case of Mary McDowell, widow of Thomas McDowell, has been examined and filed.  Before any investigation of the claim can be had, Mrs. McDowell, if living, must make a declaration under oath, setting forth the facts in the case.  The declaration may be made before a Justice of the Peace, and must be duly authenticated.  If she is dead, we must be first informed as the time when she died, before we can determine whether her children can receive any thing on account of her claim.
                I am respectfully,
                         Your Obt. Servt.
                          J. L. Edwards
Page 46

Letter of the Acting Commissioner of Pensions [crossed out] to the [/crossed out] the 9th of Decc 1839. to the Honbl Mr. Francis James relative to Mrs McDowells application for Pensions--
Page 47

         Sir,

                I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Mrs. Mary McDowell, widow of Thomas McDowell under the act of 7th July, 1838 has been examined and disallowed.
         That act provides for those only who were at the date of its passage the widows of deceased officers and soldiers of the revolutionary war, and it appears by her papers that her late husband died on the 11th July, 1838, four days subsequent to the enactment of said act.
                     I have the honor to be,
                          Very respectfully,
                              Your Obt. servt.
                                 Go Wm Crump




Hon. Francis James,
    House of Representatives.
Page 48

Aug 22 44.

Mary McDowell
To Hon. J L Edwards
Present.
[crossed out] [illegible]
Mary McDowell
[illegible] by H Northup
July 16th [/crossed out]
Page 49

                 Washington 22 August 1844

Dr Sir
          The declaration of Mary McDowell widow of Thos McDowell was filed a few weeks since by Co. Northup for me as did not know to what office it was referable.  The order of court showing the identity of the party filed by myself was that which seemed necessary & proper.  As the old lady promised to give me a new coat if I would get her certificate & bring it to her I would feel under obligations to Col Edwards if he would take it up & act on it & I might take it to her in a few days when I go home to Phila
                    Very respectfully
                        Wm H. Todd
                     for C. M. Deringer
                        agent

To Honl J L Edwards
             Present
Page 50

1818 May 23
Tho. McDowell
Page 51

Notation on left side of letter:

N : B
    Sir
When you write please to
Direct your letter Care of
Mr. Timothy Kirk Oxford
Chester County
__________________________________

    Oxford Village May 23rd 1818

Dear Sir:

I being directed by Mr. Jacobs to inquire of you respecting the return of an answer to an application for pay for services rendered in Revolutionary war I take the liberty of enclosing his directions as also a statement of the manner in which I claim that pay in consequence of the late act.  I listed in Feby. 1782 & got my clearance in June 1783 which I proved by one John Nicles a man in the same company during that time but I think it is not necessary for me to communicate the particulars as Mr. Jacobs is fully acquainted with them as I made application to him in your Village on the 8th day of this mo.  So Sir if you have recd. the Returns or as  soon as you do Please send me a few lines by post and By so doing you will confer a favor which I will always acknowledge besides make you any compensation you may think proper.
   from Yours &c
      Thos. McDowall
writen by -
Thos P Passmore
Page 52

     Oxford May 28                6

Isaac Darlington Esqr
   West Chester
   Chester County
   Penna
Page 53

Mrs. McDowell;
Declaration
______________
           "
Page 54

State of Pennsylvania   )
   Chester County         )
                                     On This the 12h day of January 1844 came in open court, being a resident of Chester County - state aforesaid, who on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions & the acts of Congress passed 7 July 1838 that of 23d August 1842, also that of 3d March 1843.  Affiant states she knows that her dec'd. husband was engaged in the service of his country during the Revolutionary War; that he was a resident of Chester County during the War, and entered on the service as a private soldier in the Militia in Captain Spurriers company and served a number of tours, how many she does not know, was in the service 3 years, but, that he was inscribed on the Pension roll of the United States at the rate of $8 per month, she begs leave to refer to his declaration for the particulars of his service, the officers under which he served, the Battles in which he fought, the countries through which he marched, and that her husband died on the 11h day July 1838 that she was not married to him before he left the service of the Revolution, but took place as shown by her certificate of Mariage 11h day of August 1788 being prior to act January 1894 she herewith furnishes her Certificate as sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.  She is very old & infirm near 90 years, her arm is displaced, her shoulder being dislocated, is very helpless and has no use of her arm.
   Mary (her mark) McDowell
Witness
Susanna F. Haddock
Page 55

State of Pennsylvania   )
    Philada County         )   Ss
I Joel Jones - Judge of the District Court for the City and county of Philadelphia certifys that Mrs. Mary McDowell came before me in open court who made oath on the truth of foregoing declaration.  She appears to be very old and infirm and is the widow of the late Thomas MdDowell
     Given under my hand this the 12h day of January 1844 -
            Joel Jones

[seal affixed]
Philadelphia City and County ss

I, Edward C. Dale Esquire Prothonotary of the District Court for the City and County of Philadephia to certify that the Honorable Joel Jones Esquire before whom the foregoing deposition was taken, whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the time of taking thereof, and Still is one of the Judges of the District Court for the City and County of Philadelphia, duly commissioned and sworn, to all whose acts as such full faith and credit is and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere - In Testimony Whereof;
I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court the Thirteenth day of January Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty four (1844)
    Edwd. C. Dale Prthy
Page 56

July 12. 1845
Mary McDowell
R. Jan 29. 1848.

[seal] PHILADELPHIA Pa. JUL 10 [/seal]

Col [illegible] Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
Dis Col.
Page 57

Mr. Edwards

This paper has been detained along time by the [illegible] Office. Will you please [illegible] for it, and [illegible] to her if passed before [illegible] the city for [illegible]
Page 58

Elkton March 27th 1837.

Sir
I have been requested to enclose you the within power of Attorney of Thomas McDowell, with the identity of his person as prescribed by your instructions. As it requires the transmission of this evidence to satisfy the Commissioner of pensions. I take the liberty of forwarding it together for examination and approval, and if correct and satisfactory please enclose it to me as soon as possible, but if these papers be found incorrect please give such instructions as will enable the pensioner to get his papers correctly made out according to law. I deem it [illegible] to stat that Thomas McDowell is a very old and infirm and really is at this time suffering for the want of his pension and any instruction of information that would [illegible] him in obtaining it could be most gratefully received

With the highest consideration of respect I am your Old Servt.

Adam Whann
Page 59

Rifi.[?]

353

Pennsylvania

Mary McDowell widow of Thomas McDowell who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 11th July 1838 of Chester Co. in the State of Penna, who was a Private in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Maryland line for 17 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. & end July 11. 1838, when her former certificate commenced.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of August 1845 and sent to C.M. Deringer. George Town, D.C.

Total amount. $

[start bracket] Act July 7, 1838. [end bracket]
& Resolution of 23d. January 1845
Recorded by D Brown Clerk,
Book [blank] Vol. [blank] Page 225.
Page 60

Feb. 16 - 27
5523 Greene Street
Germantown
Bureau of Pensions.

Dear Sir -
Will you please send me the War & Pension records of Thomas McDowell from Chester Co. Joseph McDowell of Phila. Chester Co.

Respy
Rebekah McD Moms

Ms N.N. Moms
5523 Greene St
Germantown
Pa
Page 61

353
Mary McDowell
Pa
Act July 7. 38 & Joint Resolution--
56.66 from 4 march 36 to 11 July 38 when her former certificate commenced

C.M. Berringer
Geo. Town
D.C.
Page 62

State of Pennsylvania
Chester County,

On this 15th day of April 1845 claim before undersigned a justice of the peace in and for said County. Mary McDowell resident, said County, who on [illegible] makes the following declaration to obtain the further provision, of the Act of Congress of the [illegible] July 1838 and the Act of 28 Feb 1845 officially states that she is the Widow of Thomas McDowell, [illegible] a pensioner of the United States, that she has been inscribed on the pension roll of the United States, at the rate of Fifty Six dollars, sixty six cents & has been paid to her from 11th day July 1838 to 4th March 1841 & from 4th day march 1843 - 4th March 1844 that she now makes the declaration in order to obtain the arrears of her pension under the Act of Congress [illegible] July 1838. to [illegible] from 4 March 1836 to the day of her husband death that her declaration for a pension was made prior to the 3rd April 1833 and filed in the pension office before the 23 of January 1845. She therefore claims the benefits of the [illegible] resolutions of Congress, of the last session as [illegible] the [illegible] act of the 21 Feb 1845.

Mary McDowell her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day & data above written.
James S Ramsey
[illegible]

I certify as justice aforesaid that Mary McDowell is the identical person who has received a pension heretofore as stated above, and that she is still living as the widow of Thomas McDowell late revolutionary pensioner of the United States this day & year aforesaid.
James S Ramsey
[illegible]
Page 63

Chester County [illegible]

I [illegible] Chamberlain, Prothy of the Court of Commons Pleas in and for the County of Ches. in the Commonwealth of Penna. Do Certify that James S Ramsey, before whom the within affidavit was made, to and at the time at which the same board date was one of the Justices of the Peace for said Commonwealth duly Commissioned and qualified for said County of Chester to all whose official acts as such full fair and Credit are and ought to be given

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at West Chester this 9th day of July [illegible] 1845

[illegible] Chamberlain
Prot

353
Mary McDowell
Pa
Act July 7 38 & Joint Resolution--
56.66 from 4 march 36 to 11 July 38 when her former certificate commenced

C.M. Berringer
Geo. Town
D.C.