Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26823, for James Patterson, Pennsylvania
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental Penn
Patterson, James
Mary
NUMBER
W. 26823
CONTENTS
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to R. Smith March 26 1851
H.H. Sylvester Apr 22 1851
Reported
2194
District of Columbia
Mary Patterson of Maghera, Ireland, widow of James Patterson
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a 2nd M. Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of October 1848 and sent to Pensioner, Maghera, Ireland
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 376 Vol. 4
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By Thomas Broder, Esquire, Colonel of the fourth [illegible] Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery in the Continental Service.
[illegible] are to certify that the bearer hereof, James Patterson, late 2nd Master Sergeant in the Regiment aforesaid, born in the County Perry in Ireland, aged twenty three years, five foot 7 3/4 inches high, fair hair, fair complexion, and by trade a Carpenter, having served four and a half years, and the term of time for which he was enlisted being duly expired, is hereby, at his own request discharged any further service in said Regiment. In having first been accompted with for all his Pay, arrears of Pay, clothing and every other just demand as appears of his accept underneath.
Given under my hand at Philadelphia this nineteenth day of February Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one.
Jn. F. Procter
Col. P. Artillery
I do hereby acknowledge to have received all my pay, arrears of pay, clothing and every other just demand, from the time of my being enlisted in the above said Regiment to this nineteenth Day of February Anne Domini one thousand Seven hundred and eighty-one.
James Patterson
Present at signing
Thos. Forrest
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Discharge
from Col. Proctor
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Discharge
from Col. Proctor
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Know all men by these presents, that we Jane Washington Patterson and Mary Patterson, both of Maghera in the County of Londonderry, Spinsters and Daughters of James Patterson, late a Soldier, Quarter Master Sergeant and Wagon Conductor General in the America Revolutionary war, also late of Maryland aforesaid Deceased, and also nieces of William A. Patterson, late a captain in said America War, who died in Philadelphia in or about the month of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety two, intestate without issue or being married. Do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Andrew Stevenson, Esquire, Minister Plenipotentiary for the United States of America to the Court of Saint James in England, our true and lawful Attorney for us and in our names and on our behalf, and to and for our use to ask, demand, apply for and receive by all lawful ways and means of and from the Government of the United States of America as aforesaid any money land, or [illegible] which we may be entitled to as the Daughters of James Patterson,  Deceased, and the nieces of William A. Patterson, also Deceased, to claim and receive under and by virtue of the
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the several Acts of Congress of the said United States of America as aforesaid. And upon receipt thereof, to sign seal and deliver for the same sufficient receipts and discharges as fully to all intents and purposes as we or either of us might do if personally present.
And further to appoint any other Attorney under him to do the same.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals this thirteenth day of July one thousand and eight hundred and forty.
Jane Washington
Mary Patterson
Signed Sealed and Executed in presence of
James J. Clark
Henry Maghera, Attorney at Law
I am acquainted with M. Clark and I know the above Signature is his handwriting.
[illegible]
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2
Dated the 13th July 1840
No. 7381
Declaration of Mrs. Mary Patterson, widow
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4 Pen Arty
On the thirteenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty, Personally appeared before me, James Johnston Clark, Esquire, one of her Majesty's Justices of the peace in and for the County of Londonderry in Ireland. Mistress Mary Patterson of Maghera aforesaid, of the age of Seventy five years and upwards, who being first duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelist, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the several acts of the Congress of the United States of America for the relief and benefit of widows of Officers, and Soldiers who served in the America Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of James Patterson who served for many years in different capacities as soldier
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served in the America Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of James Patterson who served for many years in different capacities as soldier, quarter Master Sergeant, and Wagon Master from the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six until the end of said war.
That he was for more than four years in the fourth Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery in the Continental service from which he was discharged in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, under the command of Thomas Proctor.
That he afterwards entered the Army as wagon master until the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in Virginia where he was present as she has always heard and believes.
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That her husband's health and constitution was very much broken down, and he lingered for many years before his death "from exposure and hardships" under disease, and finally died from the effects of same.
That she will be enabled to make clear by the fact of the service of her husband which she hopes to produce.
That she believes there was due to her husband a large amount for his services which was yet never paid or received. But which is still due.
She further declares that she was married to the said James Patterson on the twentieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six and that the said James Patterson her husband died on the twenty seventh day of December, one thousand eight hundred and four at Maghurd aforesaid of Fever [illegible] brought on by fatigue and cold in the America War. And that
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and that the said James Patterson her husband died on the twenty seventh day of December, one thousand eight hundred and four at Maghera aforesaid of Fever [illegible] brought on by fatigue and cold in the America War. And that he also lost his sight four years previous to his death in consequence of such fatigue as aforesaid.
That he was not married prior to his leaving the Army, but that the Marriage took place previous to the first day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, to the truth of which she now exhibits by affidavit.
Mary Patterson
Sworn before me at Maghera in the County of Londonderry this 13th day of July 1840 in the Court house of Petty Sessions being a Court of record, in right of my Commission as a magistrate for said County.
James J. Clark
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I am acquainted with Magistrate Clark of Maghera and I certify that his signature on the other side is his Handwriting.
T. Jones, M. P. Co of Londonderry
London Dec. 12 1840.
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above-named individual, T. Jones, at present a member of the British Parliament for Londonderry, and that the above certificate with the signature is in his handwriting. I make this certificate in [illegible] of the letter of J. L Edwards, Esquire, of the Pension Office of the U. S. dated the 10 of October [illegible].
A. Stevenson
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Copy Extract of the marriage of James Patterson, with Miss Smith, taken from registry book.
Married in the house of the late Robert Patterson of Gracefield [illegible] James Patterson of the town and Parish of Maghera, Gentleman, to Miss Mary Smith of the townland of Ampertain, parish of Maghera on the 20th January 1786.
Which I certify this 13th July 1840.
Charles Kennedy
Minister of the P. Church at Maghera
Witnesses present at the marriage:
Margaret Patterson, Maghera
as referred to in document
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I know Mr. Kennedy, the Presbyterian Clergyman of Maghera in the county of Londonderry and certify that the Signature on the other side is his handwriting.
T. Jones, M.P. Co of Londonderry
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James Patterson
150
$22.50
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James Patterson
The history of his serves - simply this -
He served 12 months in Col Proctor's Regiment of Artillery, in 1776 and was appointed quarter master sergeant in the same corps from which he was discharged 19 Feb. 1781. He was then appointed Quarter Master, the rank of [illegible] and soon after, to wit, April 7, 1781, he resigned that Office and was appointed Wagon Conductor to the Block 9 Artillery to proceed to the south with the Army. In an original letter written by himself dated April 1783, he states these facts, and that he continued to serve in that capacity to 1783. In another original letter dated Dec 7, 1783, written by James Patterson to the Revd. W. Rogers, he gave a short history of his services and spoke of his long [illegible] at the south in General [illegible] army. In another letter written by his brother, W A Patterson, to their mother, dated May 1763, he states that James was a wagon master general to the Southern army.
In the Quarter Master General's Depart, his name is found in the month Oct. 1781 as being attached to the Park of Artillery and Wagon Conductor, as appears from Book, now
exhibited, which have been loaned from the son of the late Thomas Pickery, Quarter Master Sergeant of the Army in 1781 to 1783.
The question for the [illegible] to decide is how long did 
Patterson serve after April 26, 1781. We claim two years and a half - two years will give a full pension
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Department of State
Washington, May 26 1831
H. H. Sylvester, Esquire
Washington
Sir,
The following evidence of the position of Lt. Col Carrington in the Quarter Master's Department, is found in Vol. 192, p. 109 of the old Congress papers.
A Letter dated "Philadelphia February 16, 1782, addressed to Col. Pickering L.M.G." is signed by "Ed. Carrington, Lt. Col. Art. J D. Q. Master A."
I am, sir, respectfully,
Your obedient Servant
W. S. Denick
Acting Secretary
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Mary Patterson
Claiming increase of pension
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The case of Mary, widow of James Patterson.
This is a claim for an increase of pension under the act of Feb. 2, 1848, that is for a pension for two years' service as Wagon Conductor, instead of for two years' service as Quarter Master Sergeant which latter has been allowed.
The act of Feb. 2. 1848 gives a pension to the widows of those who served in the manner required by the act of 7 June 1832. The act of 1832 authorized the allowance of a pension to those who served at one or more terms, for any period between 6 months and 2 years. Two years' service entitled them to a pension to the amount of full pay in the line, for any period less than two years, a proportionate amount was to be allowed.
James Patterson was a Quarter Master Sergeant in Proctor's Pennsylvania Regiment and is admitted to have served 2 years, and under the act of 2 Feb. 1848, his widow, Mary Patterson, has been placed upon the pension rolls at the rate of $120 per annum.
After serving out his term of 4½ years, Patterson, at his own request, was honorably discharged at Philadelphia on the 19th Feb. 1781. It is alleged that in April 1781, he was appointed Wagon Conductor to the Park of Artillery to proceed to the south with the army and that he served in that capacity for more than 2 years. No other point is disputed in this case and therefore, the only question for the Secretary to decide is, whether the evidence produced is sufficient to establish
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that length of service as Wagon Conductor.
What is that evidence.
1st: An old book, being Andrew Couldclough's account of forage issued to the Park of Artillery. At pages 31, 32, 33 and 34 we find issues to Patterson as Wagon Conductor for the months of October and November 1781. In another book, being an account of horses delivered in 1780, 81 and 82, we find that on the 9 Oct. 1781, one horse was delivered to and 7 exchanged with Wagon Conductor James Patterson for the Maryland Brigade. And other similar entries on the 23rd and 30th of October 1781.
2nd: Certain original letters sworn by Jane Washington Patterson, the daughter of James, to be those of her father and his brother. The first of these is dated May 25, 1783, and is from Wm. A. Patterson to his mother in Ireland. He there speaks of the return of peace, says he has been an officer and soldier since the war began - a captain of the train of Artillery and Engineer of the Northern army. Says "James is well and wagon master general to the southern army."
The next is a letter from James Patterson to the Revd. Wm. Rodgers in Ireland dated December 7, 1783. In this he speaks of his letter to his mother, in which he gave some account of his way of life. says he cannot give any account of his brother William because of his having been "so long from this place to the Southward with General Green's Army."
The next in his letter to his mother in Ireland, also dated Dec. 7, 1783. In this he speaks of the long interval of time since
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his last letter to her which was written while he was at work at a place called Port Pen, about 50 miles from Philadelphia, in the month of May 1776. He then goes on and gives her a narrative of his life from that time to the time of his writing. He says he left Port Pen 14 June (1776) and came to Philadelphia - could get nothing to do - went to sea in July 76. Returned after 9 weeks absence. Still unable to find employment there - that in the beginning of Sept. 1776. Col. Proctor, having been ordered to raise a company of artificers for one years or during the war, he readily joined, worked on a fort 7 miles from Philadelphia on the Delaware river where he remained for 7 weeks. Was then sick 18 weeks. That in June 1777, orders were given for the Regiment of Artillery to join the "Grand Army." That Col. Proctor then gave him the berth of Sergeant. That his first engagement was at Brandywine (that we would not give dates of battles and on the account would be sent in print). The next at Germantown, that after the defeat at Germantown, the British took possession of Philadelphia and our army had to build log houses at Valley Forge, where the snow was four feet deep. That they remained there until sometime in May (1778) when the enemy left Philadelphia and his Regiment marched into town and there remained until May (1779) and where he acted as Quarter Master Sergeant and Quarter Master and was comfortable, compared to his former privations and sufferings. That May 19th, Col, Proctor's Regiment was ordered to march to the westward against the Indians, under command of Major General Sullivan.
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That they returned the last of December following to a place called Morristown in New Jersey where they built houses and stayed until 4 May following (1780). That nothing happened that summer except Arnold's treachery and Andre's execution. That Dec. 25, they marched to the old ground at Morristown, the Pa. troops being there for winter quarters. That here most of our line, being Irishmen, took it into their heads to "sneak"- alleging that they were kept longer than they had agreed to serve. That a fair hearing was given and those who were entitled thereto received their discharge. That in the February following, he received his discharge from Col. Proctor. (That discharge is among the papers and is dated 19 Feb. 1781.) That on the 26 April 1781, his good old friend Col. Proctor obtained for him the berth of Wagon conductor to the Park of Artillery, which he readily accepted and remained there "from thence to the last of August 1883." Then he gives a long account of his relatives and friends and says that "Had I not been so long away from this place, I should have had it in my power to give accounts of the greatest part of our countrymen as any." Says that he had the fever and again 7 times in the last 5 years which would have cost him more than he could have earned, had he not been in the army.
When this evidence and that furnished by the old books alluded to, the Commissioner of Pensions is willing to allow an
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increase of pension on account of service as Wagon Conductor from the time of the discharge (19 Feb 1781) to 1st Dec. 1781, and it is for the Secretary to decide whether the narrative of Patterson on his letter to his mother in Dec. 1783 in which he distinctly says he was in the southern service as Wagon Conductor from 1781 to August 1783, and several times alludes to that service, can be considered sufficient to establish the claim for 2 years' service as W.C.
His discharge is dated Feb. 19, 1781, and it says his term of service was 4 years and a half. His narrative of his enlistment with Proctor in 1776 and of his service under that enlistment correspond with the discharge - and his whole statement, relative to the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, the occupation of Phila. by the British, the winter at Valley Forge, the evacuation of Philadelphia, Sullivan's expedition at the Six Nations, Arnold's treachery, the execution of Andre, the revolt of the Penna. line, and the movement of troops under Gen. Green to the South in the spring of 1781, and there stay in the south, is throughout singularly accurate with regard to dates and the succeeding events as recorded in the history of the times.
Were this the only evidence presented, it might property be deemed insufficient, but when it is found, by independent and undoubted evidence, that he served 4½ years prior to Feb. 1781 as Quarter Master Sergeant, and from April 1781 to Dec. 1781 as Wagon Conductor, it may be questionable whether his narrative written
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as far back as 1783, and designed, as it would seem, only for the satisfaction of his mother, and without reference to its being used as evidence of the service now alleged and which it states, ought not to be regarded as conclusive of the claim set up.
Patterson Married in Ireland in 1786 and died in 1804. His widow's pension is now $120 per annum. If allowed as claimed, it will be something like $560 per annum.
Respectfully submitted,
Geo. Whiting
June 3. 1851
N.B. When Patterson was discharged on 19 Feb 1781, he was settled with in full. In his narrative to his mother, he thinks of his accounts as of the public not being settled and says they amount to at least 200 pounds sterling. This would be something like what would have been due him for his service from April 1781 to August 1783 at $47 per month, which is believed to have been the pay of a Wagon Conductor of Artillery.
G.C.W.
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Dated the 13th July 1840
Deposition
Declaration of Mrs. Jane Washington Patterson
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On the thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty, Jane Washington Patterson of Maghera in the County of Londonderry, Spinster of the age of fifty years and upwards, personally appeared before me, James Johnston Clark, Esquire, one of Her Majesty's Justices of the peace in and for the County of Londonderry in Ireland, who being first duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelist, maketh Oath and Saith she hath carefully read over the four letters hereunto annexed, three of which Deponent positively swears are in the handwriting of deponent's father, the late James Patterson, deceased, and two of which said letters were written by him when in Philadelphia to Mrs. Jane Patterson, late of Maghera aforesaid, deceased, the mother of the said James Patterson and the Grandmother of this deponent, dated each respectively the twenty sixth day of April one thousand seven hundred and eighty one and seventh December one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, as by reference to same will more fully appear. Saith she hath also read the third letter, also hereunto annexed, dated at Philadelphia, Seventh December one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, which is also in the handwriting of her said father the said James Patterson, deceased, and written by him to one Reverend William Rodgers, then of Bellemere in the said County of Londonderry aforesaid, in which letter he, "Patterson", states he received one from Rodgers of May the twelfth, giving him an account of his mother's health and the family being well, that he had been in the Southern with General Greene's Army and also other news which said letter, when referred to, will more fully
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fully appear. Saith, she hath also read the fourth letter, also hereunto annexed, dated at Philadelphia the twenty fifth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, which is in the handwriting of her deceased Uncle, William A. Patterson, and was written by him to his mother, the said above named Jane Patterson, and in which he stated, she must excuse his long silence, he congratulated her on account of her health, and that of peace; that he had been an officer, and Soldier, in the beginning of the war, a Captain, in the train of Artillery, and Engineer, to the Northern Army, that he suffered much from fatigue in Canada, that his hair was white, that he was often wounded, but had no bones broken, that his brother James was well, and Wagon Master General to the Southern army, that he hoped soon to see her, and other news, which said letter, when also referred to, will more fully appear.
Jane Washington Patterson
Sworn before me at Maghera in the Court house of Petty Sessions, being a Court of Record, this thirteenth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and forty, in right of my commission as Magistrate for said County.
James J. Clark
I am acquainted with Mr. Clark and know the above signature to be his handwriting.
T. Jones
M.P. County of Londonderry
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No. 2194
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2, 1848, Mary Patterson, widow of James Patterson, who was a Quarter Master Sergeant, in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of One hundred twenty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 4th day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
W. L. Marcy
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Journal, Continental Congress. Dec 28, 1780 Vol 3, pp. 538
Resolved, That Congress approve the appointment made by Maj Gen. Greene of Lieut. Col. Carrington to be deputy quarter Master General for the Southern Army.
Tuesday, Feb. 20. 1781.
Resolved, That the southern army be composed of all the regular troops from Penna. to Georgia, inclusive, except Moylan's dragoons, as those on command on the Western frontier, and that the Commander in chief be, as hereby is directed to order the troops of the Pennsylvania line, except as above, to join the army or Virginia, by detachments, as they may be in readiness to march.
That the Deputy Quarter Master in Pennsylvania be and is hereby directed to put the wagons belonging to the Pennsylvania line in order for service immediately.
Resolved, that 400 wagons be procured and furnished for the Southern army.
pp 579
April 7, 1781
Ordered, That the resignation of Lieutenant Patterson of Proctor's Artillery (Regiment of Artillery), be accepted.
pp.608
Way & Gideon Edition
1823
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Wagon Conductor in the army $47. [illegible] of Congress July 16 1780 pp 494
To be used in case of Mary Patterson, widow of James
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Mary Patterson of Maghera, Ireland
Widow of James Patterson, Quarter Master Sergeant of Artillery
Act 7 July 1838
D.C. Roll
Cert: letter
A. Stevenson
Present
$120 per annum
Com: 4 March 1836
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Mary Patterson
Act 2 Feb. 1848
Sent Cert: to the Pensioner,
Maghera, Ireland
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Reported to Agent
See letter 28 June 1842 to the Pensioner and Hon. A. Stevenson
do. to Pensioner Oct. 17. 1843.
District of Columbia 6661
Mary Patterson, of Maghera, Ireland, widow of James Patterson, and who died on the 27 December 1804, who was a Quarter Master Sergeant, in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Virginia line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of the District of Columbia at the rate of 120 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of May 1842 and sent to Hon. A. Stevenson, Present.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1842 $600.
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. Brown, Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 233
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6661
District of Columbia
Mary Patterson, widow of James Patterson, who died on the 27 December 1804, of Maghera, Ireland, who was a Wagon Conductor in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Revolution line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Washington D.C. at the rate of 600 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of August 1857 and sent to Richard Smith, Esquire, Present
Arrears to the 4th of [blank], Semi-annual allowance ending [blank].
Inco. from $120
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by H.R. Weightman, Clerk,
Book I, Vol. 1, Page 479
233
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Mary Patterson
D.C. 48 - Mr. Cole
January 20, 1837
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J. L. Edwards, Esquire
Please let Mr. Sylvester examine the pension papers of Mary Patterson, widow of James, of Ireland, and under the Act of July 7, 1838.
R.D. Smith
Agent for Mary Patterson
January 20, 1837
D.C. Roll
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UNITED STATES CONSULATE AND AGENCY
Londonderry, 29th Nov. 1843
I, JAMES M. HENRY, Consul of the United States, for Londonderry and its Dependencies, do hereby certify, that James Johnston Clark, Esq., who has signed the annexed Instrument is a Magistrate for the County of Londonderry and that to his acts and deeds in that capacity, full faith and credit are justly due, and ought to be given.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal, this 29th day of November 1843 and 67th year of the Independence of the United States.
James McHenry
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County of Londonderry
To wit
On this twenty third day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty three, personally appeared before me, James Johnson Clark of Maghera, in the County of Londonderry, in that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called Ireland, Esquire, one of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, in and for said County, Mary Patterson, otherwise Smith, widow, a resident of the said town of Maghera aforesaid, aged seventy nine 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 on the third day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty three, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war, that she is the widow of James Patterson, who was a quarter Master Sergeant, and quartermaster in the 4th Pennsylvania regiment of Artillery, and afterwards wagon conductor to the Park of Artillery. That on or about the 26th day of May 1842, she received the sum of six hundred dollars, being arrears of Pension due to her as the widow of the said James Patterson, aforesaid, under the act of seventh day of July 1838, as she hath been informed and believes, and she further declares that she is still a widow.
Mary Patterson
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written at Maghera, aforesaid, before me, one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, for the said County of Londonderry, and I certify that said Mary Patterson, is personally known to me.
James J. Clark, J.P. for County Londonderry
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Pension Office
May 28th
Brief of Evidence in Mary Patterson's Case
In Envelope marked 'A' will be found the papers and evidence upon which the pension of $120 per annum was obtained.
The papers and evidence in Envelope marked 'B' have a direct reference to the present claim. Doc 'A': Letter from Commissioner to attorney of claimant granting an increase from 19th Feby 1781 to 31 Dec 1781. Doc 'B': Appeal from Commissioner's decision - Doc 'C': Letters from French & Sylvester, attorneys, with extracts from Congress Journals and from papers in Department of State, in reference to Col. Carrington's appointment as Dept Quarter Master. Doc 'D': Original letters from James Patterson to his mother, and to Rev. Wm. Rogers, also a letter from Wm. Patterson (brother of James), in which reference is made to James Patterson's service as "Wagon conductor" to the Southern Army.
Reference is also made to "Book of Forage Accounts" of Andrew Coldelaugh - see pages 31. 32. 33. 34. Also Book of "Deliveries," pages 32. 34.
'E': Transcript from Registers Office, also Patterson's Discharge - and a reference to Congress Journals.
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1813
Washington
May 27, 1857
French & Sylvester
Transmit certain papers in relation to the case of Mary Patterson, upon which they took an appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Pensions.
Department of Interior
May 27, 1857
Referred to the Commissioner of Pensions in connection with the appeal of French & Sylvester from his decision in the case. Referred to him for report. April 25, 1857.
No report has not been made?
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Washington City May 27, 1851
Sir,
The facts shown by the enclosed papers, having been referred to in our communications on the subject of the claim of Mary Patterson, pending before the Department of the Interior, we think proper to lay them before you.
We have the hour to be
Very Respectfully,
French & Sylvester
Hon. A. H. H. Stuart
Secretary of the Interior
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No 3641
Mary Patterson of Maghera, Ireland
Widow of James
Act Mar 3rd 1843
Increase from $120 as Quarter Master Sergeant to $600 for 2 years as Wagon
Conductor
'38, 43, 44 and 48
deducting former payments
Richard Smith
Washington D.C.
Page 45

Brief in the case of Mary Patterson, widow of James.
Page 46

Brief in the case of Mary Patterson, Widow of James, of Maghera, Ireland, act of March 3d 1843
Claim, for increase.
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. [blank]
(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Additional evidence of Record has been produced showing that James Patterson served as Wagon Conductor, which service in connection with the correspondence of Claimant's husband and his brother, William, with their mother, to my mind proves the service as claimed.
F H Davidge
Examining Clerk.
Name and residence of Agent
Richard Smith
Washington, D.C.
Page 47

Extract from the Journals of Congress, May 14, 1777
Resolved That
x x x x x 
That the pay of a Wagon Master be $75 per month. That the pay of dept W M General be $50 per month. That the pay of a Wagon Master or Conductor of Wagons be $40 per month.
Way & Gideon Ed. 1823
Vol. 2 p 129
Page 48

Richmond August 11, 1784, Virginia
Dear Sir,
I had the pleasure to receive your favor. Your Brothers account had, a few days before the receipt of your request, been transmitted to himself through the hands of Capt. Harper, from whom you will be able to get it if he (your brother) has not already received it.
I am much obliged by your very grateful remembrance of me and be assured that it will always afford me pleasure to hear.
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from a brother soldier whose character entitles him to my esteem, as yours has ever done.
[illegible] with the Highest respect, [illegible]
Ed. Carrington
Capt. Patterson
Page 50

on public business
Captain Patterson
[illegible] late of the 4th Regiment of Artillery
Ed. Carrington, Philadelphia
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UNITED STATES CONSULATE & AGENCY.
Londonderry, March 9th 1844
I, JAMES M'HENRY, Consul of the United States, for Londonderry and its Dependencies, do hereby certify, that James J. Clark, Esq., who has signed the annexed instrument, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Londonderry and that to his acts and deeds in that capacity, full faith and credit are justly due, and ought to be given.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official seal, this 19 day of March 1844, and 68th year of the Independence of the United States.
James McHenry
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County of Londonderry
To wit
On the fifth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, personally came before me, James J. Clark, Esquire, one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, Mary Patterson of Maghera, in the County of Londonderry, widow, and made oath upon the Holy Evangelist, and Saith she is the widow of James Patterson who was a quarter Master Sergeant in the American Revolutionary Army, and who departed this life on the twenty seventh day of December, one thousand eight hundred and four. And Deponent further saith, she is still a widow.
Mary Patterson
Sworn before me at Maghera aforesaid this 5th day of March 1844, and I know the deponent.
James J. Clark
Page 53

Maghera, County of Londonderry
5th March 1844
Seven days after sight please pay to the order of J. L. Edwards, Esquire, American Consul at Washington, fifty dollars, being the amount of one half years' pension due to me, on the fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, by virtue of my name being inscribed on the United States pension list, as the widow of James Patterson, who was a quarter Master Sergeant in the army of the American Revolution, and who died on the 27th day of December 1804.
Mary Patterson
To the Honorable J.M. Porter
Secretary at War
Washington
Signed by the above-named Mary Patterson, on the 5th day of March 1844, in my presence, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Londonderry in Ireland.
James J. Clark
Page 54

Maghera County of Londonderry
5th March 1844
Seven days after sight, please pay to the order of J.L. Edwards, Esquire, Counsel of the United States of America, at Washington, sixty dollars, being the amount of one half year's pension due to me on the fourth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and forty three, by virtue of my name, being inscribed on the United States pension list, as the widow of James Patterson, who was a quarter Master Sergeant in the army of the American Revolution, and who died on the 27th day of December 1804.
Mary Patterson
To the Honorable J.M. Porter
Secretary at War
Washington
Signed by the above-named Mary Patterson, on the 5th day of March 1844, in my presence a Justice of the Peace for the County of Londonderry in Ireland.
James J. Clark
Page 55

County of Londonderry
in Ireland
On the seventeenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty, Margaret Patterson of Maghera in the County of Londonderry Spinster, personally came before me James Johnston Clark, Esquire, one of Her Majesty's Justices of the peace in and for said County of Londonderry; and made Oath upon the Holy Evangelist and Saith, she knew and was well acquainted with the late James Patterson of Maghera aforesaid, Deceased, Gentleman. That she was present at the marriage of the said James Patterson with one Mary Smith then
Page 56

and Saith, she knew and was well acquainted with the late James Patterson of Maghera aforesaid, Deceased, Gentleman. That she was present at the marriage of the said James Patterson with one Mary Smith, then of Ampertain in said County of Londonderry aforesaid, spinster, "But now Mary Patterson of Maghera, Widow" when the marriage ceremony was performed in the house of one Robert Patterson, then of Gracefield in said County Esquire, Saith she knows and is well acquainted with Miss Jane Washington Patterson and Mary Patterson, both of Maghera aforesaid, spinsters who are the issue of said marriage.
Margret Patterson
Sworn before me at Maghera in the County of Londonderry this 17th day of July 1840 at the house of Deponent in right of my commission as Magistrate for said County.
James J. Clark
Page 57

I know Mr. Clark of Maghera and I certify that the signature on the other side is his handwriting.
T. Jones, M.P. County of Londonderry
Page 58

No. 222
Page 59

Consulate of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LONDONDERRY.
I, ROBERT L. LOUGHEAD, Consul of the United States for Londonderry and its dependencies, do hereby certify that James J. Clark, Esq., who has signed the annexed Instrument, is a Justice of the Peace for the [blank] County of Londonderry and that to his acts and deeds, in that capacity, full faith of credit are due and ought to be given.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Consulate of the United States, at Londonderry, this 17th day of February in the Year of our Lord 1851, and the 75th year of the Independence of the United States.
Robert L. Loughead
Page 60

Know all men by these presents that I, Mary Patterson 
of Maghera, County of Derry in Ireland, do make constitute and appoint Richard Smith, Cashier of the Bank of the Metropolis in the City of Washington, US of America, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute a claim against the U. States of America, for an increase of my pension and to take all necessary steps to effect said objects, either in person or by the appointment of a substitute to act under him.
Hereby ratifying and confirming what my said attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.
Witness my hand and seal this 14th day of February, A D. 1851.
Signed Sealed and delivered in presence of
James J. Clark, J.P.
for County of Londonderry
Page 61

To the Honorable the Commissioner of Pensions, J. Heath, White House, Washington, America
Page 62

Maghera December 2d 1852, County Londonderry, Ireland
To the Honorable the Commissioner of Pensions, J. E. Heath.
Sir, I have the painful intelligence to communicate to you. Your aged and respectable old pensioner, my dear mother is no more. She died on the 23rd of November last and as her pension certificate was in life, I want to know from you if she was entitled with the period of her death to the pension, if so, there is three months due all but 11 days though but a transfer to you it would help to defray the expense of the doctors and the funeral and also my dear and honorable friend. I want [illegible] intent with the President and Secretary of War to have us two orphans so long supported by your government during my mother's life that at our time of life we would be much destitute without a pension, be it ever so small, neither of us ever being married, but being by your bounty with my Mother trusting that you who done so much for the widow of my father, James Patterson, will not either overlook or neglect the [illegible] Daughters of the Revolution who fought and bled for your county in the Regiment of Artillery under Col. [illegible] with credit to him left in many situations and last of all according to my mother's certificate, Wagon Conductor
Page 63

to the Park of Artillery and as you in your Justice allowed my Mother six hundred dollars per annum for life in consequence of my father's services which has been proven to your satisfaction [illegible] our dear friend, Richard Smith at Bank of the [illegible], and what gives me so much confidence in you is my mother never was allowed any such pension until you became our [illegible] Commissioner. No wonder I look up to you with confidence convinced that a person of your justice and benevolence will not neglect old soldiers of the revolution's daughters, now up in years with bad health and wan light writing with two pain spectacles in and after being so long on your bounty, we must [illegible] if you do not get us inscribed in some pension list, for our lives or at least one of us, me being the eldest and living together and I trust you will enable us to keep up our respectability of the sanction of your County. I am ashamed to by and to [illegible]. I am not able trusting that the Lord will put it into your heart to take up the [illegible] rule in providing for Orphans over before the widow from the content pages of scripture down to James the apostle [illegible] and [illegible] to visit the Fatherless he reckons is pure religion and undefiled beside you will now the approbation of your own heart which to you is of more value I know not the love of your County now [illegible] I should
Page 64

[illegible] but I am convinced that any actions you will in goodness give to our worthy friend, Mr. Smith, he for our benefit will attend to remember as are the [illegible] and would venture to say the only [illegible] in Ireland who has any chum in your Hon. M der kind friend. If I do not get a favorable answer, I must of necessity sell all that I have and go out to Washington and thunder at the Congress Hall until I am heard for if I [illegible] due it. Went it well with he in this county where I have lived so long in respectability ended it is the better for you to take us under your protection and allow us a small pension than be bothered with me now. Do see Mr. Heath take our case into wise consideration and the Lord who has promised a reward for a cup of cold water will surely reward you as you take on us with compassion. I went with such importance for your honorable answer as it will either make us miserable or happy.
May God bless you for what you have done for our dear departed mother and grant your children never be left orphans is the prayer of Jane Washington Patterson and Mary Patterson.
Page 65

To the Honorable the Commissioner of Pensions, J. E. Heath
White House Washington
America
My dear and worthy friend, Richard Smith, Esq., with [illegible] I hand you my letter and I am [illegible] follow your direction concerning us.
Page 66

2194
District of Columbia
Mary Patterson, widow of James Patterson, Pennsylvania, who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Wagon Conductor
[Illegible] from $120
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 600 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued [illegible] 25th day of August 1857 and sent to Richard Smith, Present
Letter to [illegible] 6 Dec 1851
[illegible] Jan 1853
[illegible] 6 May 1853
Page 67

3641
District of Columbia
Mary Patterson of Maghera, Ireland, widow of James Patterson who was Quarter Master Sergeant in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of Dec 1843 and sent to Pensioner at Maghera, Ireland, Care of the American Consul at Londonderry, Via N Tork
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 1. Page 245
see letter to Pensioner May 3rd 1844 - Same June 25, 1844
Reported
same to R. Smith, June 20. 1844
same to James, Oct. 5, 1844.
same to Pensioner Oct. 5. 1844.
same to R. Smith, April 25. 1845
same to R. Smith, Oct. 6, 1845.
same to R. Smith, 28 April 1846
same to R. Smith, Oct. 6. 1846.
same to R. Smith April 12. 1847
same to R. Smith March 30 1848
Page 68

3.641
District of Columbia
Mary Patterson, widow of James who was a Wagon Conductor in the Revolution
[illegible] $120
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 600 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of August 1851 and sent to Richard Smith, Present
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 2, Page 130
A. 1.245
Page 69

Maghera County Day Ireland March 4. 1851
Honorable Col. James L. Edwards
My [illegible] and worthy friend, it has pleased Almighty God in his mercy to spare my aged Mother to another signing day. I therefore enclose you for our other kind friend, Richard Smith, Esq., my mother's power of attorney properly sealed to enable Mr. Smith to collect her [illegible] years pension for March 28 "I am will [illegible] from your former kindness and attention" that it will same be forwarded. I am ashamed to be always making a "poor mouth", but from your time here are not improved. We have all [illegible] and house rent to pay which makes us feel doubly thankful to you and your country for small as my mother's pension is, it enables us to weather the storm. I was in hopes that his [illegible] would of put me in some of your compassionate [illegible] and I still have that opinion of him that he will as the President of so great a nation that the Honorable Mr. Fillmore will have compassion on the
Page 70

Daughter of an old Republican Officer with my wish for your happiness, may the blessing of the divine and [illegible] attend you, is the constant prayer of Jane Washington Patterson
[Illegible] the gentlemen in our Country are by much more attentive to my [illegible] than the ladies, I must say the Ladies are not benevolent. I am yours at all meant with sincerity.
May God sent you and all who are kind to us orphans is the constant prayer of
Page 71

Honorable J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
White House
Washington America
Page 72

Maghera, Ireland, March 5th 1844
To the Honorable J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
Honorable Sir:
In compliance with the rules prescribed by your government, I have on the 5th of March 1844 had my declaration and two others drawn up on the 4th Sept 1843, the 5th of March, I have had signed and sealed, and your Londonderry Counsul and the Magistrate all done at the same time and if my left half years' pension 60 D. is not on the way, which I trust it is, you will have the goodness to order. [Illegible] D.C. [illegible] pay you the whole sum D.120 now due me. I have again [illegible] taken the liberty of requesting you to [illegible] the pension for me through due necessity, knowing no person in Washington that I could put any confidence in but either you and your honorable colleague, the Honorable A. Stevenson, Minister to the British court, who with you has done so much for the poor old widow of [illegible] brave old soldier who fought nobly for the liberty of America and now thanks to such Gentlemen as you and your friend, the Honorable A. Stevenson. And though in Ireland and [illegible] the benefit of that justice which I trust will have its reward by my blessing being
Page 73

thousand down on your head and his and your family. I have no more taken the liberty of an old women of eighty to have my [illegible] in you trusting you will comply this time with my unreasonableness, as before the next half year's pension if [illegible] is due I will have and I am sure your [illegible] which I will most implicitly attend to and honorable sir, don't think I am through ignorance of your [illegible] and consequence though I have again taken such a liberty. Indeed, it is due necessity as at present I am with my two daughters in my great distress do you believe me since the first application in left. I have been at great expense and in debt with postage and signature which you will take into consideration with your usual kindness and attention by ordering John P Van Ness, Esq., D.C., to remit me whatever is due on the 4th of March 1844.
Again, I would entreat your pardon for such liberty, but with your usual goodness of disposition, I expect to soon let me hear from [illegible].
I hope you will approve of those documents sent out and also I trust it will make no matter of consequence that my attorney has designated you Counsel instead of Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 74

If you, honorable sir, on the bounty of war, will forward the order to join James M. Henry, Consul for Londonderry, payable at [illegible], it would since "me presenting" on any of the Banks that you have in the county, it will be all one to me.
I wait your orders with impudence that I may not again commit an error. Any person you would please to appoint to [illegible] and [illegible] my pension in Washington, I will send my authority, you think proper. Honorable sir, [illegible] my but thanks for all the trouble you have had on my account and believe me, your grateful obedient servant,
Mary Patterson
Witness, Mrs. Mary Patterson
County Derry, Ireland
Page 75

Maghera Ireland, May 24, 1844
M. Patterson
How can she draw her pension.
S. 345, June 12, 1844
Mary Patterson
D.C. 38 or 43
3641-43
Page 76

War Office
To the Honorable, the Secretary of War, J. M. Porter
State House Washington
America
per Pachet
Page 77

Maghera May 4th 1844
To the Honorable Secretary of Dar County, Londonderry, Ireland, J.M. Porter
Sir:
I received on the 20th of January 1844 my pension certificate signed by your Honor and the Honorable J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, granting me a pension of $120 [illegible]. Sir, I am well convinced that it never was our [illegible] President and your intention to grant me a pension certificate without the benefit now observed in that there was then my [illegible] half years' pension due me you me well aware that my papers were signed by our chief Magistrate James J. Clark, Esq., and sealed by your American Consul, James McHenry, Esq., at Londonderry. I immediately wrote to the Honorable J. L. Edwards, requesting him to order the paymaster at Washington, John C Van Ness, Esq., agent for paying the pensions, to send me an order for my half year pension due on the 4th Sept, 1843. [illegible] I waited with great patience though in much distress for Mr. J L Edwards' answer, but [illegible] after [illegible] but no [illegible]. I had made every apology to Mr. J L Edwards for the liberty I had taken with a person of his rank and consequence, trusting as he had been so attentive to mother's affairs connected with the
Page 78

government that he would thus oblige me telling him I knew not the rules prescribed by the government, but if he in his goodness would let me know in what manner to apply, I would conform to an order of the government. I then [illegible] in on the 5th March 1844, had my  Declaration and widowhood certified by our Magistrate James J Clark, Esq., and your American Consul, James McHenry, Esq., at Londonderry with the orders for D60 each, sealed by your American Consul officially with your bond seal of office and attached with blue ribbons, these papers with another polite letter I directed to the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, J. L. Edwards, forwarded by the packet of 18th March 1844. Then surely convinced that I would receive years pension then due on the 4th March, I am now writing on the 24 of May and yet have never received any communication from your government which I think very strange indeed, honorable sir. Had I taken the advice of your American Consul at Londonderry, I would of written to you [illegible] but I put so much confidence in your honorable colleague, Mr. J. L. Edwards, that I thought he would of answered my letters. I am also [illegible] a letter to John P Van Ness, Esq., in the same subject to my
Page 79

thereof. I never made a demand on him you will have the goodness to request Mr. J. L. Edwards to give up my papers which will convince you of the truth of what I sent. And now, your honor, if I do take the liberty of suggesting a plan to you for the safest method of paying my pension every half year during my life, it would be that you would appoint your En.-Ex and Min. Edward Everett, Esq., at London to forward my pension to Edward Everett would [illegible] from you in 12 days and I would hear from him in 24 hours and as it is altogether a government business there would be no [illegible] in the matter. I trust this plan will meet with [illegible] honorable and worthy President and your [illegible] and trust you will soon let me hear from your honor as my distress at present is greater than I can well bear. If Mr. Wall is but half as good a man as our former minister the Honorable A. Stevenson, he will think no trouble in serving the widow. My God in his means direct you to take up my affairs and have them properly investigated is the sincere prayer of your poor and [illegible] is Mrs. Mary Patterson.
Witness Mary Patterson
Maghera County Londonderry Ireland
Page 80

P.S. It has occurred to me, honorable sir, that if the constitution of your government is changed and some have chosen a higher office or choose to resign, if so for God [illegible] present my letter his honor the President and your [illegible] and see me justice done and as you act of me may the Lord [illegible] 
M. Patterson
I write my deep [illegible] it is Mrs. Mary Patterson.
Maghera County, Londonderry, Ireland
Maghera, Ireland, May 24, 1844
M. Patterson
How can she draw her pension.
S.545 Jun 12, 1844
Pension Office
War Office
To the Honorable the Secretary of War, J. M. Porter
White House, Washingtob, America
Page 81

Maghera County, Derry, Ireland, Sept 4, 1844
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Your enclosed find his [illegible] providing another signing by which I am sure will give you pleasure. I enclose to your honor my power of attorney to enable my other friend, Mr. Smith, to collect my half year pension. It is a great blessing for my daughters that for so long spared them for without you and me they would be destitute. God bless and reward you for all your kindness to an old woman. I am sure Mr. Smith will not keep me long in want and get in [illegible] times as bad as when the potatoes are all blighted, and you know the staple food of this country indeed. I think it will be another year's famine for how the Lord bless your Land and my he [illegible] his best blessings to you and all your family. [Illegible] your devoted servant,
Mary Patterson
Page 82

Sept. 1, 1842, Ireland Maghera
County Day
J.L. Edwards
Honorable Sir,
I see by a late American paper that all soldiers who are entitled to have a pension either of the Revolutionary or Late War are ordered to foresaid their claims. Now your honor must be satisfied of my claims as my paper we left in your own office by the Honorable Andrew Stevenson, duly signed and certified that I am a true claimant and has received my pension up to May the 20, 1842. I have waited with great patience expecting to receive a remittance from you now that [illegible] has made communication so easy between the two Countries and passed by necessity and bad times, I am impelled for the sake of myself and my two orphan daughter to make application for my last year's pension, relying on your former justice to me, I am sure you will not keep me long in want of a remittance by the course of nature, I am so old it might be the last you would ever have to make.
Trusting to hear from your honor soon, I remain with great respect your very humble servant, Mary Patterson, widow of the late James Patterson of the 4th Artillery Regiment
Page 83

Bank of the Metropolis,
Washington, 6 January 1853
Sir,
I beg leave to hand herein a letter from Miss Jane Washington Patterson, daughter of Mary Patterson of Maghera, Ireland, a Pensioner of the United States, lately deceased.
I can only judge from her letter to me of the purport of this letter. I shall be much gratified if an arrangement can be made to continue the pension of the late Mary Patterson, to her two children, Jane Washington Patterson and [blank] Patterson, both advanced in life, and very poor.
Any answer you may be pleased to make to the letter to you, I will receive and forward to Miss Patterson.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant
Robert Smith, Esq.
Jas. E. Heath, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 84

Washington April 29, 1853
Sir,
The enclosed letter for you, was sent to me by Miss Jane Washington Patterson of Ireland, with a request that I would deliver it to you. Her father was Wagon Master in the Army of the Revolution, and her mother received a pension from our government of $600. per annum, up to the day of her death. Miss Patterson represents herself and her sister, to be in a destitute condition, and is very desirous of having the pension continued to her. In my correspondence with her. I have represented to her the limited powers of the Executive, on the subject of pension, but she nevertheless thinks that her case should form an exception to the general rule, and that the President could grant what she solicits. I have deemed this explanation proper, in order, that if you take up her case you may understand the whole bearing of it.
I am Sir with much respect, Your Obedient Servant,
Robert Smith
His Excellency
The President of U. States
Page 85

No. 4
May the 19th [illegible] Regiment of Artillery to which I belonged, who procured orders to march to the Western against the Indians under the command of Major General Sullivan, and there drove them and destroyed thirteen of their principal towns, but much after the way of tutermore Bildonge. We drove the Indians about seven hundred miles and returned the last of December. Following to a place called Morristown in the Jersey State where we then had to [illegible]. Lay there to the. 
4th of May [illegible]. Camp [illegible] lay very close to the enemy all that summer. Nothing happened that summer. [illegible] only General Arnold's treachery and the death of Major Andros. Sgt. G. to the British Army that our folks took as [illegible]. And hung which the great at Name [illegible] officers and soldiers was sorry to see die.
The 26th of December - we marched to the old ground at Morristown the [illegible] only. The [illegible] to [illegible] Winter Quarters after hauling our old [illegible]. In the best of order on the first of New Year and the most of our line. Being Irish, men took it in their head to [illegible]. On account that the [illegible] Capt. Long [illegible] times that the [illegible] engaged [illegible]. In our [illegible] the had all honorable, hearing of the [illegible] of enlistment. Though who had any right [illegible] Discharge got it. Samuel Borns was [illegible] chosen. Robert Wiley was one those. [illegible] This day Isen Cosen-Wiley [illegible] Dead. The [illegible] after I received from Col. [illegible] Proctor my discharge.
No. 5. Comes first
Page 86

Patterson, James W.26823
He tells [illegible] father and mother and brothers to all well [illegible]. His brother Jackson is to go from here in a month's time, which I hope I shall. Think of more news to write of any old.
Bothered suffers and founds in [illegible] great dysentery, as after numbers of our brave soldiers suffered. First by imprisonment when taken by the enemy, for the want of provisions and clothing. Thanks to God for all his [illegible]. I had the good luck of still getting clear of both imprisonment and of any wounds. [illegible] it hurts one [illegible] to think of the time I have lost in the services and cannot get the rights of our pay from our heads that I could only see. [illegible] with going home this fall to see you and the rest of my friends [illegible]. Nothing else hinders me than that off getting [illegible] settlement with the public for my services, which my accounts against amounts to upwards of two hundred pounds sterling, which I hope to have settled against [illegible] which if I do, God willing, I shall sell off and see you.  
After our defeat at Germantown, the British [illegible] of this place - then our [illegible] the month of January [illegible] had to go build [illegible] and the snow full four foot deep and lay [illegible] tents to the [illegible]. Built at place called the [illegible] where we remained to sometime in [illegible] the enemy left this city, our regiment of artillery [illegible] to march into town to keep garrison [illegible] we remained to May 1779, where I acted as [illegible] Master Sergeant and Quarter Master to the [illegible] then lived as happy as [illegible] in any [illegible] Wanted for nothing the army had
Page 87

Bank of the Metropolis,
Washington 6 January 1853
Sir,
I beg leave to hand herein a letter from Miss Jane Washington Patterson, daughter of Mary Patterson of Maghera, Ireland, a Pensioner of the United States lately deceased.
I can only judge from her letter to me of the purport of this letter. I shall be much gratified if an arrangement can be made to continue the pension of the late Mary Patterson, to her two children, Jane Washington and [blank] Patterson, both advanced in life, and very poor.
An answer you may be pleased to make to the letter to you, I will receive and forward to Miss Patterson.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Robert Smith
The Honorable A. H. H. Stuart
Secretary of the Interior
Page 88

FRENCH & SYLVESTER.
GENERAL AGENTS.
B. B. FRENCH, Attorney of law
H. L. SYLVESTER.
City of Washington, May 21, 1851
Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, Secy. of the Interior
Sir,
In our communication of the 25th ulto, referring to your consideration the case of the application of Mary Patterson, widow of James Patterson, deceased, we omitted to mention some historical facts which may possibly have a bearing upon the case.
The first is that Lt. Col. Edward Carrington of Virginia and of the 4th Regt of Artillery, was the Deputy Quarter Master General Southern Army, under Col. Pickering, for the years 1782 and 1783, which fact fully appears from the Washington papers in the Dept. of State; but no books, or any accounts connected with the same can be found.
The second is that Gen. Green's army remained at the South until late in 1783.
With the papers which will be placed before you, will be found a letter written in 1784 by Capt. Carrington to Capt. Patterson of the 4th Artillery (the brother of James) showing their connection and intercourse growing out of their respective services during the revolution. Both the Pattersons were highly respectable, and patriotic citizens, and the daughter of W. A. Patterson, a witness in this case, is a well-educated person and competent witness touching the genuineness of the original letters submitted with the papers.
Very Respectfully, your obedient servant,
French Sylvester
Page 89

Names | Letter | No. | Date | Amount | When due |
James Patterson | H. | 290 | May 20, 1784 | $525 | January 1, 1782 |
Treasury Department
Registers Office March 25, 1850
I hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the Register of certificates issued by Jonathan Burrall, Commissioner for settling the accounts of the Commissary and Quarter Master Departments, from the 22nd August 1782 to the 7 May 1789, on file in this Office.
Townsend Haines, Registrar
Page 90

Mary Patterson of Maghera, Ireland
Act 3 March 1843
widow of James Patterson, Quarter Master Sergeant
$120 per annum
Send cert to her
directed to Mrs. Mary Patterson
Maghera, Ireland,
care of the American Consul at Londonderry,
via New York
Page 91

Oct. 18, 1857
Dear Sir,
I return herein the letter from Mrs. Mary Patterson and thank you for the perusal of it.
The additional pension has been transmitted to me and the old lady, and she is, as you suppose, most grateful for it, and calls [illegible] blessings of heaven, in all who were instrumental in obtaining it.
I am respectfully yours,
Robert Smith
John Wilson, Esq.
Page 92

Extract from the Journal of Congress July 15. 1780
Residue to
x x x x x x x x x
That the pay of the Officers in the Quarter Master General's Department who are attached to the main or to a separate army, and more with it, be as follows . . .
Conductor of Wagons, when not of the line of the Army $35 per month. When of the line of the army, twelve dollars per month in addition to base pay in the line.
That the foregoing salaries be paid in specie or other money equivalents.
Way Gideon Ed 1823
Vol 3, p 494.
Page 93

Washington December 4, 1851
I beg leave to call your attention to the pension claim of Mary Patterson, widow of James of Ireland. This case was one brought before your department but was subsequently withdrawn as a full pension allowed by the Commissioner of Pension, upon a revision of the former decision. But it is alleged by the claimant that there is a manifest error in computing the pay of her late husband: the Commissioner having allowed $40 per month instead of $50, making a difference of $120 per annum.
In support of this claim, I have the honor to refer you to the Journals of Congress July 15, 1780, and of May 14, 1777, extracts from which are herewith enclosed.
It is admitted, as established by the pension papers on file, that James Patterson was a [illegible] Conductor of Wagons, or Wagon Conductor, in the line of the Southern army under General Green from 1780 to 1783, and it appears from the Journals of Congress before referred to, that his pay per month from 1780, was established at $52 per month.
Your attention is respectfully drawn to this subject with an ardent wish that you will cause an early examination of the case.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. H. Sylvester
Hon. A.H.H. Stuart
Secretary of War
Page 94

22
Washington
July 9. 1851
French & Sylvester
In relation to their appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Pensions in the case of Mrs. Patterson etc.
Page 95

FRENCH & SYLVESTER.
GENERAL AGENTS.
B. B. FRENCH, Attorney at Law
H. H. SYLVESTER.
City of Washington, July 9th 1851
Hon. A.H.H. Stuart
Secretary of the Interior
Sir,
Some month or two since we had the honor of addressing you, by way of appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Pensions, in the case of Mrs. Patterson.
I have called personally, three times, at your Department, to have an interview, but a press of business upon you has prevented my seeing you.
All I desired to say was, that Mrs. Patterson is an old lady, and her friends here are exceedingly anxious that the case should be settled. That she may enjoy as long as possible, the bounty of her country, and that you would confer upon all concerned a great favor by giving to the case your earliest attention.
I am, with the highest respect,
your obedient servant,
B.B. French
for F&S
Page 96

Pension Office
April 23, 1851
Sir,
I have examined the application of Mary Patterson, widow of James Patterson, who is now receiving a pension of $120 per annum under the Act of 2nd of February 1848, for two years since of her husband as Quarter Master Sergeant, for an increase of her stipend on the grounds that, after the termination of his service in that grade, he was appointed a wagon conductor and served as such to the end of August 1783. Upon a careful examination of the papers on which this claim for increase is founded, I can find no testimony to sustain it but the Ledger of [blank] Coldclough, by which it is shown that a James Patterson was paid as a Conductor of Wagons to December 1781. Those payments, in connection with the fact stated in Patterson's narrative written in 1783, are deemed sufficient to establish his identity, and an increase of Mrs. Patterson's stipend will, therefore, be granted from the time of his discharge as Quarter Master's Sergeant to the 1st of December 1781, if she will express her
Page 97

willingness to accept it.
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
H.H. Sylvester, Esq.
Present
Page 98

March 25, 1851
My dear sir,
Mr. Richard Smith called upon me yesterday. He expressed great anxiety to be enabled to see Mrs. Patterson's pension certificate by the next [illegible], if possible. be by the Canada at all events, which leave New York early in April.
Present [illegible] to join with him in pressing the action of the Office in this case.
[illegible] ever
H H Sylvester
F. S. Evans, Esquire
Chief Clerk
Pension Office
Page 99

Washington 10 Mar. 1851
Sir,
It is understood that Mrs. Mary Patterson, widow of the late James Patterson, was entitled to greater allowances than have heretofore been made, and that considerable arrearages are due to her. You will see by the enclosed paper, that I am authorized to act for her, in prosecuting the claim, and as she is very old and infirm and in great need. I will esteem it a favor if you will have the case taken up and acted on as promptly as possible, so that whatever may be found to be due to her may be made available to her, while yet it may conduce to her comfort.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Robert Smith
F. S. Evans, Esq.
Chief Clerk
Pension Office
Page 100

Certificate of Octavius Pickering, Esquire
[illegible]
Page 101

List of Papers and Books but to Col. Sylvester relating to the Revolution War.
Files of papers containing accounts, forage returns, letters, enlistments, receipts, etc.
Three memo books of accounts, labelled on the covers respectively: "Col. Pickering's Memorandums Books Sept. 28, 1782", "Cash Memorandum Nov. 12. 1782" and "Memo 1783, June."
A few leaves headed, "Extracts from Memorandum Book."
Three books of receipts of 1781, in a form to contain one receipt on each leaf.
A book (letter paper size) containing memoranda of accounts of 1782, of Skidmore Keege - and Mix.
A book (letter paper size) labelled "Public Accounts" with entries of Feb. and Mar. 1782.
A folio, (half bound) labelled "Magazine Ledger for 1782."
A folio (half bound) labelled "Andrew Couldclough Park of Artillery" and containing "an account of forage issued to the Brigade of Artillery" 1780, 81.
A folio (half bound) labelled "Samuel Cook Forage Master" and containing his
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forage accounts, 1781 and 82.
A folio (half bound) labelled "John F. Lasley [Lessey]" and containing Lessey's forage accounts - 1780, 81 & 82.
A folio (half-bound) labelled "Deliveries" and containing deliveries of horses - Sept. 27, 1780, to Dec. 20, 1782.
A folio (half bound) labelled "Return of specie certificates - Issued by John Harrison in the years 1780, 1781, 1782" - and containing "Return of specie certificates issued by Timo. Pickering Q. M. G." in those years.
A folio (stitched) labelled "Alphabet for specie certificates issued from the Quarter Master General's Office, commencing at number 6,501."
A folio (stitched) labelled "Return of specie certificates issued by Col. H. Hughes."
Boston Nov. 5, 1850 This day received the above-described papers and books on loan, and which I engage to return to Octavius Pickering, Esquire, upon his order on demand.
(Signed) H.H. Sylvester
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I, Octavius Pickering, of the City of Boston, hereby certify,
that the late Col. Timothy Pickering, at one period of the American Revolution, Quarter Master General of the American Army, was my father; that the books and papers described in the receipt of Col. H.H. Sylvester, of which the foregoing is a copy, were found among and constitute a part of the military papers left by my father at his decease; and that they have been in the possession of the family ever since, until the beginning of November 1850, when they passed into the hands of Col. Sylvester on loan, as stated in his receipt.
Octavius Pickering
Boston, Dec 30, 1850
Page 104

March 25, 1844
Mary Patterson
D.C. Wh 38
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, America
Page 105

Maghera County Derry Ireland
To the Honorable J.L. Edwards
Honorable and dear sir, I received on the 20th of January 1844 from you my pension certificate (for which ever my best thanks) and our family with the act of March 3, 1843, my half years' pension of last Sept. 4th is due and now, honorable sir, I waited with great patience though in much distress and want, the arrival of the July packet hoping some of them would of bought me an order from John C Van Wesley, Paymaster in Washington, D.C., for what is due me say, sixty dollars, the 4th of Sept 1843 but honorable sir, if there is any form to be gone through more than I have already complied with though ever so expensive, I will with pleasure do all I am desired according to the Laws and your just and honorable government. I thought that it would look ostentatious in a poor widow to have her identity and widowhood [illegible] declared in one half year for in the latter end of November my declaration and seal from your American Consul in the City of Londonderry went out [illegible] your Honorable [illegible] in the War Department, Honorable [illegible] Secretary of War
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and yourself, J.L. Edwards and backed by John P. Van Ness, Esq., D.C. for paying the pensions in Washington, DC.
And now, honorable sir, as no such order has arrived, I would take the liberty, I, an old woman, and request that you, whose goodness and disposition has done so much for me would finish the good work begun by ordering a requesting John P. Van Ness, Esq., to send an order either on your Consul in City of Londonderry or on whatever Bank in Ireland you may think proper for the sum of Sixty Dollars due on last Sept. 4 1843. I know this is an unaccountable liberty, but I have no acquaintances in Washington that could put any confidence in but yourself. I trust your Honor will pardon the liberty I take with a person of your [illegible] rank and consequence, but necessity obliges me and verily I trust you will have your reward, (in as much as you do it for one of these little ones, you do it unto me), may God grant you the reward if your good deeds to the widows and orphans is the prayer of your old and faithful servant,
Mary Patterson
Widow of James Patterson, Quarter Maser Sergeant in the Revolution
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P.S. And now, honorable sir, if God in his [illegible] will be pleased to have me until the 4th March 1844 we may get your American Consul seal affixed to my order for my March half year's pension and now, honorable sir, if you, who has done so much for me, would in your usual goodness of disposition, let me know rules I should go through according to the lines to your just and equitable government, I will do for the future as desired you dear sir. I cause my mother to sign her name with her own hand, though in consequence a [illegible] is hands able to hold the pen, May the Almighty bless [illegible] and yours to the latest ages of prosperity for what you have done for me is the constant prayer of Jane Washington Patterson
Mary Patterson
Page 108

The Honorable J. E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
State House, Washington, America
Page 109

Maghera County, Derry, Ireland, Sept 4, 1851
To the Honorable J. E. Heath, Commissioner of Pensions
Honorable sir, I am about to take the same liberty with you that have always taken with Honorable Col. J. L. Edwards by directing my mother's power of attorney to your honor, trusting that you will have the goodness to forward it to my friend, Richard Smith, Esquire, at the Bank of the Metropolis who always collected the pension for her and forwards it immediately. He is a true American at heart. He has the spirit of Washington 'being that to the old widow' and her Orphans of the Revolution. God Bless him and you, I trust, will take up the good cause also when I have the honor of being better acquainted with your honor. I trust you will bear out the great Washington's designs to us when taking time at the [illegible] on in the presence of my father and mother and all the army present [illegible] of his [illegible] and with uplifted eyes to heaven he beseeched the bounty that they never would forget the [illegible] that fought and bled with honor and principal for know that country [illegible] their prosperity. Now, honorable sir, if any has a claim on America, it is my father's widow and his two daughters
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as my father and his brothers served out the whole war. My uncle, [illegible] Augusta Patterson and Daniel Patterson, and I am also sure that there is not another family in Ireland could claim the provision of your Country but ourselves, my aged Mother and her two daughters. And so, sir, I beseech your friendship and intent for an old soldier's family whose father never was a cent the better for all his services for that County that he lost his health and became a blind man and died of his [illegible]. In America, he honestly served out the whole war as Quartermaster of the 4th Regiment of Artillery and then as Wagon Conductor General to the park of Artillery and never received ought but the pay of the latter and that [illegible] paper. I need not bother your honor with stating his services that has have proved beyond a doubt and as my mother, Mary Patterson, is very old, being [illegible] years of age, and all we have to support us is her small pension of 120 dollars and when the Consul [illegible] paid twice a year with postage and other expense, it just leaves us for House Rent and support about 22 of English money. I am sure you would think that a very small means of subsistence, therefore you will have the goodness to take our case into your own hand and have something done for
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us. That I will leave it to the goodness of your own disposition and providing for the widow and orphans, you are only doing your duty for from the beginning of the Bible down to the book of James, the duty to both the said scriptures has well [illegible] this doctrine the most High [illegible] Moses [illegible] 36 [illegible] first [illegible] for the daughters of [illegible] and to give them an intervention in the Land also [illegible] and last verse says that from religion and undefiled in this to visit the [illegible] and widows in their [illegible]. May all those [illegible] promises have their due [illegible] on your honor, that you may obtain the blessings promised is the heartfelt wish of your new friend, Jane Washington Patterson, for her mother, Mary Patterson, who is so infirm that she could not write for herself, her fingers being all of the joint with rheumatism.
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April 29, 1842, Maghera County, Derry, Ireland
To his Excellency, the President of the United States, John Tyler, Esquire
Sir,
Understanding by an American gentleman in 1837 that your Honorable Congress had granted a pension in 1829 to the widows of the Officers and Soldiers that fought in the Revolution of 1776 under General Washington, accordingly, I being convinced of my just claims on your country, my late husband, James Patterson, serving throughout the war under General Washington as you will see by my documents in the possession of your the Minister Consul to the British Court, Andrew Stevenson, Esquire. I entered into correspondence with him in the same year [illegible] he desired me to forward all my documents and vouchers. I did so through agency of the Honorable Capt. Jones, a member of our British Cabinet, who verified me to be the lawful widow of the late James Patterson. I am greatly distressed to give your excellency so much trouble, but I think it is better to give you a full idea of all my claims by [illegible] all my correspondence with Mr. Stevenson who was exceedingly kind in giving me every information (for the honor of your Country) on the subject. I sent him my husband's Discharge for four years and a half servitude in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery under Capt. Thomas Proctor, served as Quartermaster Sergeant. The reason he sought his discharge was a promise of promotion, which he obtained by being appointed Wagon Master General to the Park of Artillery.
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he served throughout the war in several situations he served in the western army against the Indians under General Sullivan, was at the Battle of Brandywine and at the Battle of Germantown in the Southern army under General Graham, often without clothing, the enemy having them by the blood of their feet endured the cold of winter and the heat of summer, often without sustenance, to give your county liberty, his constitution sunk under the weight of his fatigue, but observe he never left his beloved America until after the Treaty of Peace in 1783. He was present when Lord Cornwallis delivered his sword to General Washington, obtained leave to come home and bad health and loss of sight through the fatigue of the war prevented him ever returning to America, according to Mr. Stevenson, acknowledgement to Capt. Jones my late husband's name, James Patterson, was found in the records. Mr. Stevenson sent me copies and how I should proceed. Through Capt. Jones, I answered all the [illegible] through the means of my late husband's letters and my Brother-in-law's, Capt. Wm. Augusta Patterson, who also fought for your Country, also the certificate of my marriage, duly signed by the Clergyman, the Reverend Wm. Kennedy, from the Registry, the affidavit also of a most respectable female, a relation of my husband's, Margret Patterson, who was present at my marriage, then my Declaration, also my Husband's letter sworn to be his by my eldest daughter, Jane Washington Patterson, with the power of attorney
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both from myself and my two daughters, imploring him the said Mr. A. Stevenson, to act and receive for me whatever as the widow of the late James Patterson might be by law or otherwise entitled to and also for my daughters as being the lawful heirs of the late William Augusta Patterson of the Artillery and Engineers, also a bargain with Mr. Stevenson to [illegible] the one half (and no more) of all money, land or [illegible] which me or my daughters were entitled to by the laws of America, all those papers being duly signed by our Magistrate James J. Clark, in open Court and verified by Capt. Jones in London to Mrs. Stevenson in July, 1841. The papers were to remain in the hands of Mr. Stevenson until he would return to America, which he had last November. He was to present them at the State House in Washington to your Excellency and your Honorable Congress and I have been in great anxiety and distress from poverty, destitution and old age and my daughters, they to be left unprovided for having no answer from your late Minister and being hard pressed by distress, I take the liberty of applying to your Excellency, being a father and husband yourself and hearing of the goodness and greatness of your character and justice too. I thus by for the sake of me of your old soldier's widow, you will call on Mr. Stevenson and he will, I am sure, have the goodness to try my claims before your Honorable Congress, when I trust the Almighty will give you the power to do me justice. On my conscience, I think you have not so just a claimant.
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I trust your Excellency will soon let me hear from you good news from a far Country for looking for an inheritance from you for my daughters. I am just following the scripture John of Galahad who sought and obtained an inheritance (in the land their fathers conferred) for his daughter, number 27, and I by you read that chapter and I hope the Lord will deliver you in all things and old as I am, me and my two daughters of necessity will go out to your Country and as you do justice to the old widows and orphans, the Lord, I trust will [illegible] you bear in mind Mr. Stevenson has all my papers which I trust you will give attention to and may the grace of God enable you in this case to act as to your own character is the prayer of the distressed and afflicted.
Widow Mary Patterson
PS. I should of mentioned to your Excellency that I have incurred a debt to my attorney by getting all my papers drawn up for Mr. Stevenson, which unless your Excellency takes my case into consideration, God knows what I will do. The smallest renumeration from you would be acceptable and may your reward be found in Heaven is the wish of [illegible] to Mrs. Mary Patterson.
Maghera
County Derry
Ireland
Page 116

Dec. 27, 1842
Commissioner of Pensions
The Honorable J. L. Edwards, Esquire
City of Washington
America
Mary Patterson
Page 117

Nov 21, 1842
Maghera County, Derry, Ireland
To the Honorable J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, City of Washington
Sir, I would of returned you my sincere and heartfelt thanks for your kind and benevolent attention in so quickly answering the letter of Mary Patterson, the 25th of May last from your office [illegible] my [illegible] pension and the reason you had not my thanks before was I only have the cash for my bills on the 6th of [illegible], it being a bill of that kind the Honorable Mr. Stevenson sent me of sixty days for which I return him my sincere thanks for the generous manner he treated me and you, sir, for your attention to my business. I trust such officers as you and Mr. Stevenson will be long in places of the highest honor and trust for the good of such desolate widows as me and may the Almighty grant you every blessing for your too kindly and humanely taken into your consideration the cause of the widow is the constant prayer of your pensioner. And now, honorable sir, I take the liberty of requesting you to let me know with your usual kindness, what time I am to [illegible] for the ensuing year's pension as I am convinced his Excellency, the President, will allow my claims. [Illegible] was the pension ever so small it thankfully received. And I am convinced I am the oldest pensioner you have on your list, being 76 years of age, and unable to do anything for myself through disability and old age but the honor of being acknowledged. If my husband's country
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[Illegible] has made me young again. You know, honorable sir, that all my vouchers and papers are in your own office. May the Lord bless and direct you in everything is the constant prayer of your pensioner, Mary Patterson.
To the Honorable J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions for the City of Washington
The humble petition of Jane Washington Patterson and her sister, Mary Patterson, to the humane Mr. Edwards, requesting his intent with his Excellency, the President, trusting that you will use every exertion on our behalf to take into your consideration our destitute and helpless situation, being early left orphans by the premature death of our father, James Patterson, deceased, who fought and bled for your Country faithfully, and we are prevented of bad health for struggling with a hard world for our support and your great kindness to our beloved mother, Mary Patterson, causes us to apply to your Honor to have us put on your compassionate list as pensioners to enable us to live. And as General Green's daughter in the town with us is receiving a pension for the same service, we think we have as just claims on your compassion as her, though we may have no legal claims, we have the claims of being the daughter of a man who suffered more [illegible] in one year than General Green ever did, as his letters and papers deposited in your office will show and we feel the reproach that
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we are unacknowledged and as you have taken our mother, Mary Patterson, into your pension list, we trust the Almighty will [illegible] you to provide for us. You know the scripture promise is in as much as you do it for one of these little ones you do it unto me so I trust as you [illegible] yourself for us the Almighty will [illegible] you 7 fold and we will soon have the honor of hearing good news from you and the smallest kindness would be received with thankfulness by Jane Washington Patterson and her sister, Mary Patterson.
My address is Miss Jane Washington Patterson
Maghera County, Derry, Ireland
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Maghera, December 2, 1852 County Londonderry, Ireland
To his Excellency, General Pierce, President of the United States
Honorable sir, accept the congratulations of two Patriot [illegible] from Ireland on your ascension to what they consider the first situation in the world, President of the United States and thank providence the presidency has been bestowed on a man and a Christian every way worthy of such a high station. Never speaks of your heroism as a soldier and a General.  I think we will have reason to bless God that such a character as you have been but at the head of the government. Just such a generous person we require at present as we were left destitute of our aged mother and her pension on the 23d of November. She died that morning [illegible] her widow's pension which she received from your government died with her, six hundred dollars a year. Our father, James Patterson, who fought and bled with heart and hand in the Revolution under General Washington. My father belonged to the 4th Regiment of Artillery under Col. Proctor. He fought with honor to himself and his country, America. Him and his two brothers, Capt. Augusta Patterson and David, his brother. The whole three fighting for the same served during the [illegible] of the revolution
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with credit to himself never needing any remuneration but the pay of the soldier and that you know was but paper money but that hand no effect on him. The liberty of the Country he was engaged in [illegible] was all he sought nor did he we get a settlement with the government coming home to Ireland after the war with a shattered constitution in consequence of the fatigue he endured in [illegible] expedition, also the Southern at the Battle of [illegible] of Bunker Hill, [illegible] and Germantown, also 10 months in the [illegible] county at the Valley Forge when they had to build their huts in 6 foot snow, often without a shirt on his back or shoes but the [illegible] hides of the [illegible] sewn about his frost bitten toes. Now, your Excellency, all this has been fully attested to the entire satisfaction of the government. He married after he came a most respectable woman, our mother, and died of premature old age in consequence of the great fatigue he had in your Country. Soon after he came home, he lost his sight and now, my dear and excellent General, the reason I tell you this is to convince you who we are, his daughters, Jane Washington Patterson and Mary Patterson, now left destitute by the death of our mother Mrs. Mary Patterson, who has been long recognized
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by your government, allowing her a pension of six hundred dollars a year according to her [illegible] during her life. Her death has deprived us of the widow's pension but I trust though your intent not of the orphans we [illegible] with my mother and was very thankful for your bounty, being both unmarried we are more completely depending on your Excellency to the us under your [illegible] and see us provided for according to my father's rank and services. Our distress would be very great indeed living so long comforted by the bounty of your Country and now Dear General Pierce, as a soldier and a General, take up the old [illegible] daughters and see them done justice to by having as allowed a pension for our short lives. I am not young and with bad health and were [illegible] I would not be able to earn a subsistence without the help of the government and blessed be providence, I am addressing the heart of a soldier for a soldier's orphans will [illegible] you know from such time that the most high always puts the orphans even before the widows. And when a [illegible] of old [illegible] has it received what may you expect of you provide for us, I am convinced that you will not hide your [illegible] in a napkin, but like him who was but ever [illegible] like you have your [illegible] for you are but over fifty [illegible]. I trust [illegible] as orphans may the good Lord direct you in our case as that
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will not be either neglected or forsaken by the Country my father helped to make for I have great pleasure in referring you to the bearer of this letter, Richard Smith, Esquire, at the Bank of the Metropolis, who I have been in correspondence with 10 or 12 years and is well acquainted with me and also at the pension office, who granted our mother six hundred dollars per year. I don't know if we will be allowed for the time she lived three months all but 11 days of the last half year, it would be a small matter to the government, but of great use to us to help to defray the expense of the death and the funeral. All this I trust your Excellency will take into your wise consideration. To beg I am ashamed and to [illegible]. I am not able I know not in what manner I should apply for a pension according to the law of the country whether by petition or have but any directions that my great Mr. Smith. May your [illegible] us, we will [illegible] meet him. I have addressed a letter to the Commissioner of Pensions and one to the Secretary of the Interior as my mother suggested, is signed by them. May the God of the [illegible] direct you in all your undertakings for us with great respect, I remain your obedient servant, Jane Washington Patterson
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The Honorable A. H. H. Stuart
Secretary of the Interior
Washington, America
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Maghera, December 2, 1852 County Londonderry, Ireland
To the Honorable Wm. A. Graham, Secretary of the Interior
Honorable sir, I take the liberty of addressing you on a most painful subject, our aged and respected mother, Mrs. Mary Patterson, departed this life on the 23rd of November last, leaving us two orphans destitute of both parents and pension, unless you in the goodness of your heart will [illegible] my other funds the President and Commissioner of Pensions to have my sister and myself put on the orphans pension list. My mother received from your government a pension of six hundred dollars for life in consequence of my father's services in the Revolution under General Washington and so long as our mother was [illegible], we thought ourselves by will of but none unless you put your shoulder to us and give us your intent, we will be very destitute as by one fell swoop, we lost both my mother and her pension. I need not [illegible] to you our father's services, as they have been properly acknowledged by your government already. So, I don't wish to give you [illegible] trouble, but after being so long supported by your government, unless you get us inscribed on the list of pensions, we must [illegible] at my time of life, I am not able
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to provide for either myself or my sister and being the daughters of the old Revolution with such just claims. I trust the most High will direct you what to do for us for without your aid, we must be very destitute and afflicted. I am sure we are the only two individuals in Ireland that could claim a pension under the same Resolution and as your government was so kind to our mother, we think you will not neglect the orphans. If my petition is not attended to, I must sell all that I have and go off to Washington where I am sure you will not let us die for want, but indeed it would be better for you and the Commissioner to take up our case in your Country and send us a little to support us. After us there is no man claimants. Our worthy and kind friend, Richard Smith, Esquire, at the Bank of the Metropolis, will give you any information concerning me as I have been in correspondence with him these 10 or 12 years and is my but friend. I trust you will be pleased to direct the means for our further support.
May the God of the orphans direct you for us to comfort us in our afflictions.
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and well you know that from the [illegible] ages of [illegible], the orphan has been the case of the Lord he is pleased the orphan before the widow [illegible] to James the Apostle, first chapter and last verse for religion and undefiled is to visit the fathers in their afflictions. God bless you, dear sir, as you take up our case. We need you for your [illegible] for doing your duty. Providence has been pleased to put you and my friends in a very [illegible] situation with great [illegible] and well in my mother [illegible] you done your duty by her makes me have such confidence in you now. Trusting to hear good news from your honor. I remain with every good wish for your happiness, your obedient servant, Jane Washington Patterson
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Washington, April 25, 1851
Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior
Sir,
We have the honor to submit the letter of the Commissioner of Pensions in reply to the application of Mary Patterson, widow of James Patterson, for an increase of her pension, for the services originally asserted by her, to have been performed by her husband, as a Wagon Conductor to the park of artillery, for two years and over.
The evidence to sustain her application is as follows.
It appears from the papers now on file in the Pension Office, that her husband, James Patterson, was discharged on the 19th of February 1781, as a Sergeant Major in Proctor's Artillery. It also appears from an original letter, also on file, written by James Patterson, in 1783, that he had served in Proctor's artillery as a Sergeant Major and Quartermaster - the rank of Quartermaster being that of Lieutenant in the line.
It appears from the Old Journals of Congress, under date of April 7, 1781, that "Lieut. Patterson of Proctor's Artillery had leave to resign."
In the letter above mentioned, as
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your notice, and ask of you that justice to Mrs. Patterson which, in our opinion, is denied by the Commissioner.
Richard Smith, Esq., of this City, who employed us, is, and has for a long time been, the Agent and Attorney of Mrs. Patterson, and has expressed to us a strong desire to have this case settled as soon as possible, that lady being now, at an advanced age.
We are, with great respect, your obedient servants,
French & Sylvester
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having been written by said Patterson, he stated that he was appointed Wagon Conductor to the part of Artillery, on the 26th of April 1781, in which capacity he remained connected with the Southern Army, under Gen. Green, until August 1783.
In a letter written by said James Patterson, to Rev. William Rogers, dated at Philadelphia, Dec. 7, 1783, which is also on file, giving some short notices of his life and services; among other things, he states, as a reason why he could not give "any account of his brother William, his own long absence at the South in General Green's Army."
In an original letter, also on file with the papers, written by W. A. Patterson, brother of James, to their mother, dated May 25th 1783, he states that "James is well and a wagon master general in the Southern Army."
In an account of the delivery of horses by the Wagon Master general, under date of October 9th, 1781, then in Virginia, James Patterson is styled a Wagon conductor; also, in a book of forage account, kept by Andrew Coldcleugh, forage master of the park of artillery, under date of Nov. 1781, James Patterson's name appears, also as Wagon conductor. The two last mentioned notices of James Patterson are found in old books
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connected with the Quarter Master General's Department, which have been borrowed of Octavius Pickering, Esq. of Boston, who is the son of the late Timothy Pickering, Quarter Master General for the years 1781, 82 and 83, which books are herewith submitted.
So far as any records have been found in connection with this application, they have most fully corroborated all the allegations made in relation to it, but, as the account of Coldcleugh, who was forage master to the Part of Artillery, closes Dec 31st, 1781, no further trace of Patterson's name has been found, nor can any forage accounts of the Park of Artillery be found subsequent to that date; if such accounts could be found, there is no doubt they would fully substantiate James Patterson's services as a Wagon Conductor for two years, and over.
The Commissioner, however, as will be seen by his letter, is unwilling to allow an increase of Mrs. Patterson's pension, except from the time of James Patterson's discharge on the 19th of February 1781, to December 1781.
Believing, as we do, that the proof, as above stated, is ample and sufficient to substantiate James Patterson's services for considerably more than a year longer than has been allowed by the Commissioner, we have thought proper to bring the case to
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your notice, and ask of you that justice to Mrs. Patterson which, in our opinion, is denied by the Commissioner.
Richard Smith, Esq. of this City, who employed us, is, and was for a long time been, the Agent and Attorney of Mrs. Patterson, and has expressed to us a strong desire to have this case settled as soon as possible, that lady being, now, at an advanced age.
We are, with great respect, your obedient servant,
French & Sylvester
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p.13
J.E. Heath, Commissioner of Pensions
28 May 1851
Report of Commissioner in the case of Mary, widow of James Patterson
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Pension Office 28 May 1851
Sir
In the case of the claim of Mary Patterson, widow of James Patterson, a letter dated 23 April 1851 was addressed to the Agent of the Claimant communicating the decision of this office, which letter will be found among the papers. That decision was deemed fair and liberal, and to the full extent equal to any rightful demand the claimant might have to an increase of pension. When a pension claim has been adjudicated and acquiesced in, it is not unreasonable to require satisfactory if not street proof in favor of an increase in the rate and amount. Mrs. Patterson, as stated in the letter of 23 April 1851, is now receiving a pension of $120 per annum under the act of 2d Feb 1848 for two years services of her husband as Quarter Masters Sergeant and it is now admitted upon satisfactory proof that an increase ought to be granted from the time of her husband's discharge as Quarter Masters Sergeant on the 19 Feb 1781 to the period he
served as Wagon Conductor, which was the 31 December 1781. Whether he served longer than that in the capacity of Wagon conductor may be a matter of speculation and conjecture but is not sustained by adequate proof, it being admitted by the attorneys for the claimant themselves that the accounts of Andrew Coldcleugh which furnish evidence of Patterson's services as Wagon Conductor do not extend beyond that period.
The
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collateral and speculative proof of service after that time is deemed wholly inconclusive. The papers and a brief of their contents are herewith transmitted.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J.E. Heath
Commissioner
The Honorable Alex H H Stuart
Secretary of the Interior
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Mr. Cole, with the enclosed came a power of attorney and a letter to Richard Smith, Bark on the Metropolis, which I enclosed to him on Monday 6th, by the request of Mrs. Patterson.
T. W. Adams
October 7, 1857
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Dear and Honored mother
Voucher No. 4
No. 1
7th 1783
Philadelphia December
After our long and unhappy silence though thanks to the Almighty for his great goodness and kindness, throw those troublesome times that has been in our country and the happy News by cousin Clark of your being yet living and all the rest of my good friends.
I shall now give you account of my way of life and what [illegible] I have seen since I last wrote to you which was at a place called Porthen. In the month of [illegible] 76, fifty miles from Philadelphia, where I was helping to build a large barn with my old master the 14th of June, I left there and came to this place. Could not get one bit of work to do and did not know what to do, being much against having anything to do as soldiering. I thought the best thing that I could do was to take [illegible] to sea and would not been the least sorry that we had been taken by some of our British ships and sent home. I went out to sea in the beginning of July 76. In a sloop from Apleas called Cag. [illegible] As April [illegible], we had [illegible] weeks [illegible] and got nothing. We got safe into this Harbor and then nothing to be down at our tread. As had for me as ever the beginning of September following there was orders to Col. Proctor of this [illegible] to raise a company of Artificers for one year or during the war, which I readily joined, thinking that I might improve myself in my trade. We went to work on a fort seven miles from Philadelphia on the River Delaware, where I remained for seven weeks, then taken sick with the
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No. 2
fever and cauge, which remained with me for eighteen weeks. Thought by every of my friends that it should [illegible] my [illegible]. I was sent to quarters in town. I got to my good old friends, Mr. John from Apleas, called Killeybougin, where his good old wife took the greatest care of me which put over the cold of that winter with me. Nothing went so hard with me as the bad way of living we had in the Army at first June 77, orders [illegible] for our Regiment, which was a Regiment of Artillery. When the Province was made into States that we must join the Grand Army, Col. Proctor then give me the birth of [illegible]. Our first [illegible] was the Battle of Brandywine where [illegible] of my brave countrymen was killed, but none of my acquaintances or any from our park isn't be at the trouble of mentioning the days, the battles was fought on, as I shall sent the account. 
In [illegible] the [illegible] we had was the Battle of Germantown, where my brave and good soldier, Thomas Nelson, Son to John, was killed dead on our retreat with the canon, which I belong to. I see poor Thomas Nelson with [illegible] thigh shot off by a five-pound ball, which he died of. His Brother Andrew was that day in the field with us and came off [illegible] and is now married and living well. They are all our friends that I know. Remember of fell that engagement this morning. In Company with cousin Clark, I had the happiness of seeing my old friend, George Hunter from Alerand, of the State of Virginia, who I never see or any of the family since those troublesome times begun.
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No. 5
April 26th, 1781
My good [illegible] friend, Col. Proctor, after finding nothing that I could get to do, he recommended me as Wagon Conductor to the Park of Artillery to go to the Southern. Which I got the Birth and readily accepted of [illegible] there from thence to the last of August 23. When on my March to the Southern, I see the wife of Mr. Collans, who lived in Levatrough in North Carolina. Mr. Collans is dead. His wife is married to one Andrew Summers of this Country. [illegible] and lives well and well I was. [illegible] in their house, I see one month of [illegible] at a place called Camden in South Carolina. Who gave the last account from Ireland that I had he was one that belonged to the British Army as aforesaid with us. His name was Barnard from Meagall. James Carel died at the first of our troublesome times. Coming on, James Johnston, son to Charles Johnston, is well. I had the pleasure of spending a week at his house, alongst with cousin John Clark, he has got an agreeable, loving wife and two sweet children, both girls. Andrew Johnston married a widow and lives well. Both bore Commissions in our Army and much thought of. I see their brother William since he came in this City. He is well and hardy
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No. 6
Yesterday, I see Wm. Patison. He informs us of his brother and family is well. I on [illegible] travels. In the Streat of Searsey. I spent [illegible] nights with them. They must now begin to live happy as they had. [illegible] In our trouble sometimes, and [illegible] with [illegible] their countrymen. Cousins Joseph Patterson lives His wife and all his children that he brought with him to this Country, only his second son William and I am sure, worth more than all Brothers and Brotherin Laws, that he has at home the two sons of Bryan. Mr. Bread is well and by all accounts making out well. Patrick was a good friend of mine when apprentice at Port Pen at work. He wrought at the same house where we lodged. I am informed that Thomas Harmon Lives in this County, happy and well. Had I not been so long away from this place, I should have had it in my power to give accounts of the greatest part of our countrymen, as any which would be the greatest pleasure to me to give accounts to their friends. I see John Sloan, James McCandrey often there. Landing here and [illegible] lad who he told me that his mother attended you at Mr. Reads when there sick. He got a good master he says his mother's name was Foley
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No. 7
I likewise see the husband of Ceaster Dougel. That is well and Stewart Sampson, which nothing gives me more satisfaction than hearing from them and number more of John Clark's servants of his goodness and friendship to them during the passage. Never was there any young man that I have seen from our parts. Behaves with the Behaved. And [illegible] of a young Irishman. [illegible] he has done since he came to this place. All our officers are acquaintances of Brother Williams and mine. Delighted in be alongest with us. In his Company but very little pleasure I must think he has had since he came to his part of the world. A great deal of trouble he had. [illegible] throw [illegible] country to dispose of his servants then the [illegible]. Being so full of linen cloth and shows that his was very low in pride.
And the worst, his hard spell of sickness which [illegible], and not only me, but all his friends that see him, his sickness was much against him in his [illegible] as he lay the greater part of thirteen weeks. I see the son of Mr. William Bearfot of Magherafelt. He is well. William Marton from Maghera is well and intends going home next fall.
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If any of my old acquaintances think that coming into this country that has in the power to pay their passage, I would advise them to come with Mr. Clark as [illegible]. I have than now young man will have more friends in this place to look out good masters for them, which is the only thing that helps a young fellow in this place, that he served his time to honest masters.
I had the fever and cague seven times this five years, never less than seven weeks at a time, which had I been out of the Army, it should of costed me more than I could mead in the time. Give my compliments to all my old friends. Now one of them I will mention their name least I should forget same, as for Hugh Boody, I cannot say anything of him this six years. Joseph Willson is well and lives with good, honest men at his [illegible]. I am, Dear Mother, with love and affection, your ever-loving son to death,
James Patterson
No. 3
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WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26823
Mary Patterson, widow of James Patterson
Wagon Conductor, Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 1848
Index: Vol P, Page 115
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 144

Received Wm. Rodgers
Balleynure
No. 5
[illegible]
Mr. John Clark
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"4"
Honored sir,
Philadelphia, December 7th 1783
I was honored with yours of May 12, which was the first that I received which give me the account of my dear mother's health and the family being well, which nothing could be more agreeable to me than it was. I have mentioned In a letter to my mother a little of my way of life since those times came on. As to give you any account of my brother William's [illegible], I cannot pretend to do as my being so long from this place to the Southern with General Green's army. Cosen Clark can acquaint you of my constant requests to him to take my certificates and accounts against the public and only get me to the amount of one hundred pounds [illegible] which I am sure mine is not less than two hundred Sterling
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So, as I might only have the pleasure of seeing of you before any other alteration in the family, on my travels in South Carolina at a place called Camdon, I had the hoping of hearing one Mr. Loage, who had been an old acquaintance, preach which my friend, Mr. Marton, from the County Antrem, who I always thought mist be some relation to Marget Marton, though he was but very young when he came into this Country, took me to dinner with him where Mr. Loage and another gentleman was. Mr. Loage, hearing my name, inquired of me, from whence after acquainting him, who I was. He then insisted of my going with him home, and as long as I remained in that part, I made it my home and friendly used.
[illegible] by accounts you have been the [illegible] person that has honored that place of my fathers of not been [illegible] I shall beg you to keep it all the longer, if possible.
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as the public does us any justice, I am in short time. See everything settled and we have no other reason to think then the will as every method is going on to settle our fears. Which if I had [illegible] for what is now coming to me, I should sell them, though not get the half for them so, as I could get the pleasure of seeing of you all by [illegible] I wanted I shall write to Mr. Read and the rest of my cousins. Please give my compliments to all my cousins, all friends.
I am [illegible] with love and esteem, your ever dutiful and [illegible],
James Patterson
Page 148

Miss Jane Patterson at the Honorable Spinolas
[illegible] sloop [illegible] Capt. [illegible]
Balymena, County Antrim
No. 6
Page 149

Philadelphia May 25 1783
Honorable Mother,
"2"
You must excuse the long silence on [illegible] of the dire effects of war, but happy am I to have it in my power to congratulate you first on [illegible] of your health and secondly on that of pleased to be the officer and soldier [illegible] the beginning of the War a Captain of the train of Artillery and Engineer to the Northern Army. I suffered much by fatigues in Canada. My hair is quite white. I been often wounded but thank God no bones broken. Brother James is well and Wagon Master. [illegible] all to the Southern Army has done well
Page 150

Uncle Murdoch is well and his cousin Bob Wyley. I hope soon to see you. I was happy to hear you are with the worthy Lady Spinolla and daughter. Whom you will make my best respects to you shall hear from me at large in my [illegible] I have but a few minutes to write this letter. I am [illegible] very lastly as is Jamey. None of us yet married. I expect he will go home with me in the fall. I want none of my friends here with any goods except linens [illegible] believe me to be your loving affectionate son,
Wm. A. Patterson
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Direct to the at Capt. Hercules Courtres, Front Street, Philadelphia
Joe Beek in private [illegible] with Major [illegible] in this world and in [illegible] against him I shall [illegible] number of officers when I [illegible] of my acquaintance.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12 - 5 - 41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME: Patterson, James
GRADE: Sergeant
LINE: New York
WARRANT NUMBER: 7617
ACREAGE: 100
ISSUED Oct. 9, 1790
to- not shown-
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 153

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME: Patterson, James
GRADE: Private
LINE: New York
WARRANT NUMBER: 7628
ACREAGE: 100
ISSUED: June 24, 1790
to Elkanah Watson, assignee
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.