Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,343, for Andrew Keen, Pennsylvania
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(3-1776)
SERVICE Penn. Keen, Andrew NUMBER S. 22,343  CONTENTS
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m 1, 1831 22.60 of Pennsylvania Andrew Keen Philad Co in the State of Penn who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Craig of the Regt commanded by Col Lewis in the Virginia line for seven [illegible] Pa. 
Inscribed on the Roll of Penna at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Hon. G. Watmough Phila Penn Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. 58.33 semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34, 11.67 $700.00 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} Recorded by ⎨ Wm R. Palmer Clerk 
Book Vol. Page 
order to pay in Jacob Keen
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State of Pennsylvania County of Philadelphia District of Kensington On this thirteenth day of October 1833 personally appeared before me, an Alderman & Justice of the Peace, in & for the district of Kensington, County of Philadelphia, Andrew Keen, a resident of said District, in said County of Philadelphia, State of Penns aged Eighty four years in August last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated [illegible] on the fourteenth day of July A.D. 1776, he entered the light Infantry Company of the 2nd Battalion of Philadelphia County volunteers, commanded by Captain Rudolph Neff and marched to Perth Amboy where he continued for the space of upwards of three months, when the regiment was dismissed with orders to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moments warning; the said Andrew Keen however, with seven of his [illegible], by name Isaac Keen Samuel Laycock, Robert Head, Geo Lighter, Conrad Hoffman, Wm Smith & Sergeant Samuel Wells were retained in service, having been detached as a Guard unit with a Waggon containing money for Head Quarters, on which duty they continued nearly a month when about the latter end of October or the beginning of November, they again joined the army at Head Quarters at [illegible] under General Washington and remained with him until some time in the latter days of February 1777; during which period the said Andrew Keen participated in the Capture of the Hessians in the subsequent glorious March from the Banks of the [illegible] and in the more 
glorious surprise of the British army at Princeton and that said Andrew Keen, with the company to which he belonged, during said Battle of Princeton
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fought, near the Person of General Mercer & and within twenty yards of him when he fell; that after the Battle the army passed on, crossed the Millstone River & remained that night at Somersett; the next day, they continued on to Pluckamine where they arrived about there oclock P.M. & bivouacked for the space of days at which place  they buried a British officer taken wounded at the Battle of Princeton &  drew their rations from whence they marched to Morristown the they remained until discharged --- That while at Perth Amboy his Battallion was under the command of Col. Robert Lewis and that during the affairs at Trenton & Princeton, the detachment to which he belonged was under the immediate command of Col J. Dean-- that on the approach of the Battle of Brandywine the said Andrew Keen was again drafted, with twenty three others of his said Company & ordered to report to the Head Quarters of the Army. that they acccordingly did so & met the army on its retreat from said field of Battle that he was subsequently engaged in active duty tho' not personally engaged in the Battle of Germantown and that he continued with the army & was stationed with his detachment at the Spring House [illegible] during the time the army lay at Whitemarsh when it decamped for the Valley forge, the detachment was discharged-- That he subsequently in the month of March following equipped himself as a volunteer Light horseman & was actively engaged as a volunteer on the  lines with Captain Craig of the regular cavalry during the whole time the British remained in Philad. That he was one of the detachment which engaged & defeated near Holmesburg a band of 72 refugees & tories then
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on their return from the British lines and that previously he had been with Captain Craig when they succeeded in capturing near the Black horse tavern on the Frankford road, fourteen Hessian soldiers and fourteen British lighthorse men in the act of foraging - That on the evacuation [illegible] by the enemy the said Andrew Keen joined a volunteer troop of Horse, commanded by Captain Fearis and marched to Head Quarters where they remained for the space of six weeks. 
That said Andrew Keen was actively engaged as a volunteer during the retreat of the British Army through July, was present at the cutting down of a Bridge laying in advance of their line march and on the day of the Battle of Monmouth was attached to the left wing of the American Army.
That after said Battle, he was subsequently called out at the several periods & remained out [illegible] weeks each time --
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.  Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid before me one of the Aldermen. In and for the County of Philadelphia, who being personally known to me. I do certify that through his debility occasioned by age that he the subscriber Andrew Keen is not capable of attending or appearing before the Court of the County aforesaid in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day & year above written P. Hodgson Ald
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We, Phinehas Price and George Chandler --a clergymen, residing in the district of Kensington & County of [illegible] hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Andrew Keen, who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration-- that we believe him to be Eighty four years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn subscribed, the day & year aforesaid before me one of the Aldermen for the Kensington District and County of Philadelphia . 
Phinehas Price
George Chandler
Hodgson Ald 
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, an Alderman of the District of Kensington & Ex Officio and Justice of the Peace, the above named Andrew Keen, who being duly sworn, deposeth that to the best of his recollection, [illegible] the Company to which he belonged remained with the army at Morristown New Jersey for the period of six weeks, at the end of which time it was discharged with it said deponent Andrew Keen, that being entered the service the 14th July 1776 as appears by his annexed declaration & been discharged while the army lay at Morristown which is known from history there been in February 1777, consequently by the said Andrew Keen performed a tour of seven months said & trying service witness my hand Subscribed & sworn this 13th Nov AD 1833 - Hodgson Ald Andrew Keen
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Andrew Keen Penn Adm 7. Months 23.33 
[handwritten 22.607.]
Hon J. G. Watmough Philadelphia Penna
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, Nov 7. 1833 
Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the service of Andrew Keen
Period when the service was rendered 
from 14th July 1776 until the end of February 1777
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days.
 ┃ 7 ┃  
Rank of the claimant. private 
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. 
Gen. Washington 
" Mercer 
" Sullivan 
Col Rob. Lewis 
Lt Col. Jos Deane 
Capt Craig
 Regular Cavalry
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 84 Phil 
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Certificates of old Solders now living with whom he formerly served --the General Report of his neighbourhood & concurring testimony of his [illegible] sustained by the [illegible] ableClergyman 
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of }ss
 
On this __ day of __ personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of __ in the county of __ and State, Territory or District of __ aged (c) __ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) __ , with __ and served in the __ (e) regiment of the __ line, under the following named officers: 
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of __ 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I __ of the Court of __ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this __  day of __ & c. If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the __ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __ , who has  subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be __ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the __ and that C. D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the __ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, __ Clerk of the Court of __  do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of __  for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this __ day of __ & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his 
[handwritten: If possible, the testimony of the witnesses should be more full and definite.]
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his Case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. {To a Solder. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
{To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fall to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not  conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth, and [illegible], that, by reason  of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served no less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For __ year __ months, and __ days, I served as a ___.   For __ months and __ days , I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension."  
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase 'about three or four months' is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers  and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress,  proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service
[j] In a case where the names of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from [a] to [I] to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.  
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section E. MMHF/HMM March 8, 1930 
Mr. Francis A. Donaldson 
205 Walnut Place Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dear Sir: 
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.22343, it appears that Andrew Keen was born in August, 1749, place not stated. 
He enlisted and served with the Pennsylvania Troops as follows: From July 14, 1776 until the last of February, 1777, in Captain Rudolph Neff's Company under Colonels Robert Lewis and J. Deane, and was in the battles of Trenton, Assanpink Creek and Princeton. 
From sometime in September, 1777, three months, officers' names not shown. 
From sometime in March, 1778, three months in Captain Craig's Company of Light Horse and was in a skirmish near Holmesburg, 
From June, 1778, six weeks in Captain Fearis' Company , and at the battle of Monmouth was "attached to the left wing of the American Army" 
He afterwards served on two short tours of a few weeks each. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 30, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Kensington District, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. 
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
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Due to the very large number of requests similar to yours and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the bureau has not been able to make immediate reply to each inquiry. Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in order of receipt and it is regretted that yours could not have been sooner considered. 
Very truly yours 
EARL D. CHURCH 
Commissioner.
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Please direct to Jacob Keen 
Kensington Post Office County of Phil Pa
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[illegible] Register
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And I Robert Hodgson one of the Alderman in and for the Kensington District and County of Philadelphia do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the Wards. that the above applicant was a soldier of the revolution served as he statesand I hereby further certify, that of appears to me, Rid that the Doctor Thomas Price George Chandler who have signed the annexed certificate are clergyman, resident in the District of Kensington County of Philada and all every way credible persons and that their statement are entitled to credit- 7 to Hodgson Adaman in and for the Remington District and County of Philad Chincelph County ss ( Richard, Palmer of the County of Common Pleas July City County of Philadette Do Hereby Certify that 1 Esquire is an absence of the County of Philadelphia and Ex officio a Justice and qualified and that of the Peace duly full faith & credit is his due to all his acts as such In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of Said Court the fourth day of Rent AD 1839 Farmer
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This is to certify that I am well acquainted with Andrew Keen of Philad County and that he served with me in the Revolutionary War under (crossed out) Col Robert Lewis of Pennsylvania Millitia witnefs my hand this 3d day of June AD 1833.
 James Dungin

Affirmed and subscribe before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Philad. June 3d 1833
Benjamin Crispin JP
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This is to certify that I am well acquainted with Mr. Andre Keen of Phila County Penna and that he and I served together in the Revolutionary Struggle under the Command of Col Robert Lewis of Pennsylvania Militia
Witnefs my hand this 31st day of October 1833
Robt Worrell
 The 31st day of october AD 1833 before me this subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Philadelphia came the above named Robt Worrell and being duly sworm did depose and say that the above certifificate is just and true
Witnefs my hand
Isaac Shalienfs
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And I do hereby certify that (crossed out) to my personal knowledge and belief Robert Worrell who has signed the within certificate is a resident of Oxford Township Philadelphia Countie and is a creditable person and that his statement is entitled to credit

Isaac Shallcrofs
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March 14, 1930.

Mr. Francis A. Donaldson, Jr.,
316 Walnut Street
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania.

Dear Sir:

I advise you that the date of birth of Andrew Keen, Revolutionary War pensioner (S. 22343), as given in Bureau letter of March 8, 1930, is correct accord-ing to the soldier's own statement.

On October 30, 1833, the date the soldier ap-le plied for pension, he stated:  "Aged eighty-four years in August last."

Very truly yours,

EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
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W. and N. Division. 3 -- 525. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C., _____, 190__ 
In reply to your request of _____ received _____ for a statement of the military history of Andrew Keen a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S 22.343. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. July 14, 1776 
Sept. 1777
Mar. 1778
June 1778
Subsequently called out twice, service several weeks each time.
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
to Feb. 1777 
3 mos.
3 mos.
6 wks
 RANK. Pvt. 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN. Rudolph Neff 
__
__
Craig
Ferris
COLONEL. Robert Lewis 
J. Deane 
STATE. Pa 
Battles engaged in, Trenton, Assaupink Creek, Princeton, and skirmish near Holmesbury Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Date of application for pension, Oct. 30, 1833. His cl. was al. 
Residence at date of application, Philadelphia Co. Pa. 
Age at date of application, Aug. 1749 
Remarks: 
Very respectfully, Commissioner.
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Established 1865. Telephone Lombard 2815 Francis A. Donaldson & Co. Insurance. 205 Walnut Place, 316 Walnut Street, within. Philadelphia 
March 10, 1930. 
Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C. 
Your File; Rev. and 1812 Wars Section EEL
Attention of Earl D. Church, Esq. Commissioner Dear Sir:  I acknowledge your favor of the 8th instant and thank you for your courtesy in the matter which is much appreciated . The information contained is confirmation of the military record of my Great Grandfather, Andrew Keen, except the year of his birth, which according to family records is Philadelphia, 6th of August, 1752 and not as the Bureau's records show, August, 1749. Respectfully, Francis A. Donaldson Jr.
FAD: M.
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Established 1865. Telephone Lombard 2815 Francis A. Donaldson & Co. Insurance 205 Walnut Place, 316 Walnut Street, within.
Philadelphia 
March 6, 1930
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: .Under date of January 27, 1930, I wrote asking for certain information regarding Andrew Keen as per copy of letter herewith. Up to the present  time, I have not been favored with the courtesy of a reply and would appreciate your advices. 
Respectfully, Francis A. Donaldson
FAD: M
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COPY 
January 27, 1930. 
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: May I ask that you give me confirmation of the military service in the American Revolution of my great, great grandfather, Andrew Keen, born in Philadelphia 6th of August, 1752, died in Philadelphia, Pa. 3rd of August, 1838, record of his service as I have it is as follows: 
1 -- Private in a company commanded by Captain Rudolph Neff under Colonels Lewis and J. Dean, from July 14, 1776 to February, 1777 and again for three months from September, 1777. 
2 -- Member of the Troup of Light Dragoons of Philadelphia County, served for three months from March, 1778 under Captain Craig and for six weeks from June, 1778 under Captain Owen Faires and subsequently on two occasions for several weeks each time. He received a pension from the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior of the United States , Washington, D. C. 3 -- He was engaged in the Battle of Trenton, Assumpink Creek and Princeton and in a skirmish near Holmesburg , Philadelphia County, Pa. also in the Battle of Monmouth. Respectfully,
FAD: M
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Established 1865
Telephone Lombard 2815 
 Francis A. Donaldson & Co. 
Insurance 
205 Walnut Place, 
316 Walnut Street, within 
Philadelphia 
January 27, 1930. 
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: 5 May I ask that you give me confirmation of the military service in the American Revolution of my great, great grandfather, Andrew Keen, born in Philadelphia, Pa. 6th of August, 1752, died in Philadelphia, Pa. 3rd of August 1838, record of his service as I have it is as follows: 
1 -- Private in a company commanded by Captain Rudolph Neff under Colonels Lewis and J. Dean, from July 14, 1776 to February, 1777 and again for three months from September, 1777. 
2 -- Member of the Troup of Light Dragoons of Philadelphia County, served for three months from March, 1778 under Captain Craig and for six weeks from June, 1778 under Captain Owen Faires and subsequently on two occasions for several weeks each time. He received a pension from the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior of the United States , Washington, D. C. 3 -- He was engaged in the Battle of Trenton, Assumpink Creek and Princeton and in a skirmish near Holmesburg, Philadelphia County, Pa. also in the Battle of Monmouth. 
Respectfully, Francis A. Donaldson Jr.
FAD:M
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one 2 ct Stamped Envelope Enclosed 
Rev Sec
1213 DeKalb St 
Morristown Pa
Pension Office
Washington, D.C. 
Sirs 
Will you kindly send to me a statement of the Revolutionary services of Andrew Keen. I am informed by Miss Grace M. Pierce, Reg. Gen. N.S.D.A.R. that this is required by her in order that Mrs. Sophia Boyd,  Wayne, Pa. a descendant of the said Andrew Keen can be accepted.
What ever charge there may be for this statement
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I will gladly remit. 
Thanking you very much for your trouble 
I am 
Very truly 
Mrs Frances Baily Brown 
Registrar 
Valley Forge Chapter D.A.R 
1213 Dekalb St.  
Morristown Pa
July 12. 1915
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try S22343 if no other
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The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 1961 Hon. Commissioner of Pensions: 
Washington, D.C. 
Sir,
I am writing inquire whether you have any record of the services during the Revolution of Andrew Keen of Philadelphia County, Pa or any other personal information about him.  He may have been a pensioner.
This inquiry is purely for historical and biographical uses. 
Very Respectfully yours,
Gregory B. Keen,
Secretary.
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Revolution 22343 INVALID. 
22,343 Andrew Keen Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7" 32 
Index: __Vol. 2 Page 217 
(Arrangement of 1870.) 

1911 Feb 4 Hist to Mr. Gregory B. Keen 
1915 July 16 Hist. to  Mrs. Sophie Boyd V.L.M.
1930- Mar 8 Hist to Mr Francis H. Donaldson 
1930 Mch.14 L. A. Donaldson
add. rel. to birthdate MMH
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This is to certify that I am well acquainted with Mr Andrew Keen of Philadelphia County Pennsa; that we were companions in arms under the immediate command of Gen Washington during the greater part of the Revolutionary Struggle. We were together at the battle of Trenton, under the direction of Lt Col.  J. Deane, at the defeat of the Hessians, at the battle of Assunpink Creek and at the battle of  Princeton during which our General (Mercer) was killed 
Jacob Foulkrod 
The 31st day of October AD 1833 before the subscribed and of the Justices of the peace in and for Philadelphia County came the above named Jacob Foulkrod and being duly sworn did depose and say that the above certificate is just and true witness my hand Isaac Shalcross
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Philadelphia County 
I Richard Palmer Public notary of the Court of Common Pleas for the City & County of Philadelphia.  I hereby certify that Isaac Shelcross Esq. is one of the Judiciary of the [illegible] in and for the County of Philadelphia [illegible] Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court the fourth day of November AD 1833 [illegible]
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and I do hereby further certify, that to my personal Knowledge & belief Jacob Forkroyd & Robert Norrel who have signed the annexed certificate, are residents of Oxford Township, Philadelphia County, and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit Isaac Shallcross
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[illegible]
Col. James L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions 
Washington
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My Dear Sir 
Your favour of 7th Mar is now before. I am confident you will at once do away with the objection taken in it against old Mr. Keen's claim, on the ground that his declaration was made before an Alderman & not a Justice of the Peace. By [illegible] of the last Session of our Legislature, all our Justices of the Peace were turned unto Aldermen & by that name alone is  they are now known. [illegible]  nothing more nor less than simple justices to object to a declaration being taken before an Aldermen is to compel an old man who cannot be conveyed a few squares to the Court House, to [illegible] out of town some 5 or 10 Miles to hunt up a Justice--old man Keen proves in the most clear manner and in this conformity with the regulation of the War Dep a continued period of 7 months service, that is, from the 14th July to the end of the following February the time of his discharge - You will pardon me too when I express my surprise at the admission made in your last of Nov [illegible] that Whiting's regular discharge from the Continental army at West Point, forwarded on to you with his declaration had not been noticed. I now return the same to you with the request that it be taken great care of-- Shearers papers are made out in [illegible] with the regulations of the department & put into the Post Office here by myself under cover of a letter addressed
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likewise by me to you--You will please [illegible] that the seal of the Court is regularly stamped on all the papers no wax being ok present and so that the ribbon could be fastened under the seal-- there is however a separate seal to the certification of each Alderman or Justice of the Peace You will likewise observe that the Clerk of the Court certifies that each Alderman is "ex-officio" as Justice of the Peace-
So soon as I can see Mr Keen, I will obtain from him a specific declaration (affidavit) as to the extent of his term of service altho' his declaration establishes clearly the day of his enlistment the 14th of July 1776 & his tour of duty is clearly made out through the most eventful & trying period of the war, continuously until after his service at Morristown which took place in February 1777- I shall be happy to know of these papers have been [illegible]-- I return you by mail of today Whiting papers with his regular discharge from the continental Army signed by Major Bowman, commanding the regular Artillery at West Point--the discharge is enclosed in an envelope Col. Edwards
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I have the honor to [illegible] with much respect [illegible]

P.S. I have seen Mr Keen & on the back of his declaration beneath the certificate of the two clergymen, you will receive Mr. Kenn's affidavit as to the length of his service which as I have written was satisfactory--
Col. Jas L. Edwards Com of Pen