Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34977, for Thomas Mc Keel, Maryland
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[handwritten on pre-printed card]
SERVICE   NUMBER
Md  McKeel, Thomas S.34977
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[handwritten on pre-printed page]
6916
Maryland
Thomas McKeel of Talbot Coy in the state of Maryland who was a sergeant in the regiment commanded by Colonel Smallwood of the Maryland line, for the term of one year --
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 323d of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 of Feby 1819 and sent to Hon R H Goldsborough Senate Md
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1818 27.38
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819 48.00
$75.38
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
24
9/31
9/30
[faint illegible vertical handwriting on left side of page]
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Declaration of Thos. McKeel, under oath, that he enlisted ea -- in 1776 --
[illegible signature on right margin]
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State of Maryland}
Talbot County to wil}
I hereby certify that Thomas McKeel of Talbot County in the Second Judicial District of the State of Maryland, on this 23d day of May, in the years 1818 personally appeared before me the Subscriber, Chief Judge of the County Courts, in the Second Judicial District in Maryland and made before me, the following Declaration on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, viz that He enlisted in Captain Peter Adams', Company early in the year 1776 and marched with him to Annapolis, where they joined the first Maryland Regiment to which the said Company belonged; Captain Adams appointed him the Deponent one of his Serjeants; in the spring of the same year, they marched to New Jersey and New York & the Deponent continued to serve as a Serjeant in the Company afsd in opposition to the common Enemy of our Country until he was taken Prisoner at the Battle on Long Island on or about the 27th day of August 1776; he remained a Prisoner on Board of a Prison Ship until the British troops got possession of New York,  he was then taken ashore and imprisoned in New York with the Maryland officers and prisoners, until he was parolled, which happened in the month of february 1777-- on his way home to Maryland, he received and Ensigns appointment in Philadelphia, about the latter Part of February 1777; He then came down to Maryland, and continued doing no kind of Business, until he was solicited by the Contractors for the Army, to establish a Coopers Shop to furnish barrels for pork, flour [illegible]. He continued in that Business, until and Exchange of Prisoners took place which the Deponent thinks, to the best of his recollection, was from eighteen months to two years after he was taken a Prisoner on Long Island .
Colo. William Richardson then in the Service of the United States advised the Deponent to continue in the employment aforesaid, of making Barrels [illegible] for the Contractors afsd, saying he thought the Deponent could be more useful to his Country [illegible] in that way, than in the Army; he accordingly continued so employed until the End of the War -- The Deponent further deposeth and declares, that He having met with many [illegible] by find and otherwise, is now in such reduced Circumstances as to be in need of Assistance from his Country for his Support and he humbly prays, that he may be considered as an Ensign, altho he never received his Commission, as he did not fool himself at liberty to take it, he being a prisoner of war on Parol, as he has above stated --
[signed] Wm. J. Earle
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I herby certify to the Honble the War Depart of the United States, that I am satisfied Thomas McKeel within named served in the Revolutionary War against the Common Enemy and that he is in reduced Circumstances, and is in need of assistance from his Country for Support. and I hereby transmit to the said Department, the deposition of John Bennet Esquire, which proves the reduced  Circumstances of the said Thomas McKeel . . .
[signed] [illegible] 23d May 1819
State of Maryland }
Talbot County , towit }
I hereby Certify that Richard T. Earle Gentleman by whom the within and foregoing Certificates appear to have been Signed, is Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District of Maryland, duly commissioned and qualified And to all whose acts as Such due faith and credit are and ought to be give as well in Courts of Justices and thereout
In Testimony whereof I have hereto Set my hand and the the public Seal of my office affixed this 23d day of May A. D. 1818
[signed] Jacob Loockerman Clk of Talbot County Court
[on lower left margin of page] Declaration of Thos. Mckeel, under oath, that he enlisted ea -- in 1776 --
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Oath, Declaration and Schedule of property  of Thomas McKeel as a Pensioner under the Laws of the United States
6916. Maryland
13 Feb 1819
March [illegible]
not entitled
amo propy 462. 58/100
6 July 1820
Mr Carr
John L Kerr, [illegible]
Strother
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District of Maryland, towit}
Talbot County}
On this Sixth day of June in the year of our Lord 1820 personally appeared in open Court, at Easton in the County aforesaid, before the Honourable the Judges of Talbot County Court (the Same being a Court of Record, in the Second Judicial District of the State of Maryland, having the power to fine and imprison) Thomas McKeel, aged Sixty nine years and upwards a resident of the Town of Easton aforesaid who being duly Sworn according to Law, doth on his oath declare, that he Served in the Revolutionary war as follows towit:
He enlisted in the spring of Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six, as a private in Capt. Peter Adams' Company in Caroline County which Company belonged to the first Maryland Regiment Commanded by Colo. Smallwood, and marched with the rest of the recruits to Annapolis, where he Joined the Regiment, and Sometime after as Soon as Cloathing and arms Could be procured, were marched to New York, and continued there encamped until the Battle of Long Island, when he was made prisoner on the 27th day of August 1776. and was put on Board a prison Shi where he Continued until the British got possession of  New York, when he was taken there and Confined until he was paroled, which he thinks to the best of his recollection was in the latter part of February Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, when he returned to Caroline County and Continued a prisoner on parole for eighteen months or two years, when a General exchange of prisoners took place as he was informed, that he did not return to the army but Continued making Barrels (his occupation being that of a Cooper) for the army Contractors, as he had been for Sometime previous thereto, that he removed to Easton in Talbot County on the 9th Janry 1789. where he has ever Since Continued to reside -- That He was in the Battle of Long Island and taken
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prisoner as before [illegible] He further [illegible], that the pension Certificate obtained by him from the war office of the United States, date this thirteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and nineteen (1819) from the endorsement he believing the number to be 16, 916.  He further says that his original Declaration was made to the best of knowledge in May one thousand and eight hundred and eighteen (1818) -

And I Thomas McKeeel, do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time, by Gift Sale, or in any manner disproved of my property or any part thereof with interest [illegible] so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provising of an An of of Con [illegible] entitled "An act to provide for Certain [illegible] engaged in the Lord and Naval Services of the United States in the Revolutionary War," [illegible] on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not, nor have any person in trust for me, any property, or Security or Debts due to me, not have I my income other than what is Contained in the Schedule hereto [illegible] and by my [illegible].

A Schedule of all the property real and personal Thomas McKeel/ (necessary cloathing and Bedding excepted)
A Lott of Ground in Town of Easton on which are thou Small frame House [illegible] Subject to a ground Rent of Sixty Four Dollars and  the [illegible] Lot Contains thirty two feet in front ____ $300
1 Horse 17 year old $15
1 Colt 2 years old $40
4 Cows $32 
2 Calves of Yearling $10
1 Sow and pigs and 2 [illegible]
1 [illegible] and weights
3. 56 lbs and 28 lbs. of 2_14 lbs.  weights
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6 old tubs and barrels 50. non bound kegs $1 $1.00
414.00
Amount of schedule brought over continued 414.00
1 old wheel barrow $1. 1 old ax $1. 2 old barrows $1.50 3..50
3 grow pots & 1 tea kettle $2. 1 Dutch oven to [illegible] $1.50 3..50
6 pieces of wooden ware $2. 2 pot racks & frying pan $1.50 3..50
3 dozen black bottles $3. 1 tin wash basin 10 cts 1 tin [illegible] 10 cts 3..20
4 Open edge dishes 50. 2 doz plates $1.50. 6 China cups & saucers $1 3..00
4 silver tea spoons $1. 3 coffee pots & tea pot 25 cts. 1.25
6 mettle spoons 25 cts. 5 milk bowls 12 1/2 cts. 3 do. 6 cts. ..43 1/2
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I Jacob Loockerman Clerk of Talbot County Court aforesaid in the Second Judicial District of the State of Maryland, do hereby Certify , that the aforegoing oath of Thomas McKeel and the Schedue thereto annexed, are truly Copied from the Record of the Said Court - and I do further Certify that it is the opinion of the Said Court, that the total amount in Value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is four hundred and Sixty two Dollars and fifty-eight Cents --
I Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Said Court this Sixth day of June 1820.
[signed] J Loockerman Clk of Talbot County Court
[white paper with zig zag edges attached to left margin]

Oath, Declaration and Schedule of property of Thomas McKeel, as a Pensioner under the Law of the United States

6916 Maryland
13 Feb 1819
March 1819
not  [illegible]

amo property $62.58/100
6 July 1820

Mr [illegible]
John L K[illegible] Esq
[illegible]
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34.977
Revy INVALID

File NO. 34,977
Thomas McKeel
Serg Rev War
Act: 18 March 18
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 264
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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State of Maryland}
Talbot County to wit} 
I hereby Certify that Richard T. Earle Gentleman, before whom the within affidavit appears to have been made, and by him Subscribed was at the time of So doing and Still is, Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District of Maryland, duly Commissioned and qualified. And to all whose acts as Such due faith and credit are and ought to be give as well in courts of Justice as thereout.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto Set my hand and the public Seal of my office affixed this 23d . day of May A. D. 1818.
[signed] Jacob Loockerman Clk of Talbot County Court
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State of Maryland}
Talbot County to wit}
On this 23d day of May, in the Year 1818 John Bormott Esqr of talbot County, personally appeared before me, the subscriber [illegible crossed out] Chief Judge in the second Judicial District in Maryland, & made oath on the Holy Evangols of Almighty God, that Ho is well acquainted with Thomas McKeel of the County aforesaid, who is about to apply for a Pension as an Ensign in the late revolutionary war, and that He vorily bolieves him to bo now in such roduced Circumstances as to stand in need of assistance from his Country for a Support --
Sworn to bofore me
[singed] Nd. J. Earle

John Bennetts Deposition
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Musters of Maryland Troops
Names                  Time of Service
First Regiment      Rank | Enlisted | Discharged &e |
Thos. McKeel . .     Ensn. | 10 Dec 1776 | . . . . . | never served

Names 
First Regiment
Thos. McKeel  . . 
I certify that the above is a True Copy
[signed] T Loockerman Aude. Genl. 
Auditors Office Feby. 4th 1819
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I hereby certify that in autumn of the year 1776 I knew Thomas McKeel a prisoner of war taken in the action on Long Island and I have been informed that he belonged to the Company of Capt. Peter Adams of Colo., Smallwood's Regiment, which was recruited early in the year 1776
[signed] Edward Coursey
Sept 10th 1818

Talbot County to wit - On this 10th day of Sept. 1818 Personally appeared before me the Subscriber, one of the State of Maryland's Justices of the peace for Talbot County, Edward Coursey, and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, that the above Certificate contains the truth to the best of his knowledge and belief
Sworn to before [signed] Robert Spedden
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State of Maryland}
Talbot County to Wit}
I hereby certify [illegible] whom it doth may concern that Robert Spedden Esquire before whom the within affidavit was made and by him Subscribed was at the time of so doing one of the State of Maryland's Magistrates and Justices of the peace in and for the County a [illegible] Commissioned and qualified  and to all whose done as Such due faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as [illegible] 
IN witness whereof I hereto Set my hand and affix the Public Seal of my office this 11 day of September 1818
[signed] J Loockerman Ck
Talbot County Court

Mr. Conroys Deposition
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Mr Edwards will examine this case immediately If it is not correct he will admit it and notify Mr [illegible] if not he will report the objection.
[signed] J. C. C

 Admc. 

The Honorable The Secretary of War. 

Mr Edwards
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Sir. 
I have the Honor to transmit to you the papers in behalf of the claim of Thomas McKeel of Maryland for a pension under the Law of 1818. Agreably to his request, and I by have to ask of you to give me an answer as soon as your engagement will permit.
I am dear Sir
[illegible]
[signed Rob H Goldsborough
Senate Chamber 
Feby 9th 1819.
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L. Smith
Horble 
J. C. Calhoun
Secy. of War

Pension Office
Mr Edwards
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Sir/
Mr. Goldsboroughttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngh informs me that a Thomas McKeel States himself to have been a Soldier in Smallwoods Regiment. that Corps were raised on the [illegible] Establishment. on the [illegible] Jun [illegible] 1776. was Called into the United Service and fought at the Battles of Long Island and White Plains. and Covered the retreat of this Army until it Crossed the Delaware--[illegible] Regiment was thereafter considered the first M. R. in the U. S. Service. the Men were however reinlisted, If the Man was of Smallwoods. Services [illegible] twelve Months. [illegible]
Your obedt. Servt.
[signed] S. Smith
Late Leut. [illegible] Congress [illegible]
10 Feby 1819
Honble
J. C. Calhoun
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Honble
Robert H Goldsborough
Washington
By Mail.
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Easton Jany. 23d 1819.
Dear Sir,
Mr. Thos. McKeel conceiving himself to be entitled, under the Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary War", to a Pension as an Ensign, made application at the war Department for such a Pension; His Claim however was rejected, because the Auditor, Mr. Richard Loockerman, certified, that he never served, meaning no doubt as and Ensign: The facts appear to be, that He enlisted as a private Soldier in the Company of Captn. Peter Adams of the first Maryland Regiment early in the Year 1776 and continued in the Service till the Battle on Long Island on 27th Augt. 1776, he was then taken prisoner and romained so till late in february 1777 when he was parolled -- on his way home, he met with Captain Adams who informed him, that he would get him some appointment; accordingly Adams called the next day & told him he was appointed an Ensign; he came home to Maryland and remained under parol, until a general Exchange
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of prisoners took place, though he never received his Commission as Ensign --
Having boon appointed Ensign, he conceived himself to be entitled to an Ensigns Ponsion; this Claim being rejected, he now thinks it proper, to apply for a private Soldier's Pension -- Ho cortainly ought to be considered as in the Service of the United States from the time he onlisted till [illegible] he was discharged on parol by the British; if so, ho cortainly comos within the provisions of the Act of Congress; he enlistod early in the year 1776 say february, March or April 1776 and was not parolled till fobruary 1777 late in the month, so that he must have boon more than 9 months in Sorvice--
Enclosoed you will find tho papors which He sont to tho War Dept. whon ho made his formor application, and which havo boon lately returned to him, with dalottor from thom rejecting the Claim -- Ho has beggod mo to write to you on the subject and introat you to make dapplication in his bohalf for a ponsion for him as a private Soldior -- Ho flattors
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himself they will not rojict his claim to a private soldiors ponsion, and that it will take date from tho thimo homade his Declaration, to wit, tho 23d of May 1818 --
The Dipositions of Colo Richardson, Edward Councey and Jamos MCKeel, as woll as his own Doclaration Oath, provo that ho enlisted as a private Soldier in the year 1776, and the Circumstances stated by thom provo that ho was in theService of the United Staos more than 9 months, from the time he enlisted to the timo ho was discharge on parole to bo Mr. Mckeel says, it is more than [illegible] ble Gonoral Smith will rocollect tha He (McKeel) was in the Battle on Long Island- Ho says, Gonoral Smtih shortly after tho War, recognizod him in Balto, as an old Soldior in that battle; but ho may havo since forgotten him -- Ho wishos you howovor to montion the Subject to the Goneral, also to convorse with Mr. J Lees Horr on the Subject of his presont application, if he should bo in Washington --
I am Dr Sir most repect[illegible]
[signed John Goldsborough
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Easton Md June 14 1820
This is to certify, that I have known Thos. McKeil, now a resident of this place, for more than forty years, and have always understood, that he was a good and faithful soldier of the Revolution. Thos. McKeil was by trade an excellent cooper, at which he laboured hard, until infirmities rendered him unable to continue at that business, when other [illegible] engaged his attention, but it seems as if success did not follow him,
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and now to my certain knowledge, tho' he is possessed of a house of nominal value he really [illegible] and is not able to support himself in the seventieth year of his age. He is really in great poverty and must suffer if he does not receive some aid from some quarter and I think in strict justice, it ought to be from that country which gave him birth, and for which he fought and would [illegible] to achieve [illegible] independance. 
[signed] Ennalls Martin M.
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Easton, Md, 14th June 1820
I do certify, that I have for many years known Thomas McKeel and that he has long been afflicted with a Hernia or rupture which has rendered him unable to pursue his trade, or to obtain a livelihood by labor-- 
I am therefore of opinion, that from the services he rendered hi Country as a soldier, during the revolution, that he is intitled to the attention of his Government--
[signed] L. Thomas, M. D
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Colo Richardson's Doposition
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State of Maryland}
Caroline County}
I hereby Certify all whom it doth or may Concern, that I have some recollection of being present when Mr. Thomas Mckeel inlisted in Captn. Peter Adams's Company of colonel Smallwoods Regiment of Maryland Troops, in the Spring of Seventeen hundred & Seventy Six, but do not remember the day or Month. I have understood that he was taken prisner at the battle on Long Island on the 27th August 1776. -- That he gained his liberty and returned to Maryland, but do not recollect the time of his return. Soon after his return, he set up a Coopers Shop & I think it probably I advised him to do so. -- As in April 1779 I bout 116 Pork barrels of him for the use of the State Maryland. I do not know how long he Served in the American Army, but suppose it must have been twelve or fifteen months including the time of his imprisonment. Witness my hand this tenth day of September 1818. 
[signed] Will. Richarson.

Caroline County aforesaid, On the tenth day of September 1818 Personally came before me, One of the Justices in and for Caroline County afd, Colo. William Richardson formerly Commanding the fifth Maryland Regiment of Continental Troops, and made Oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, that what is contained in the above Certificate is true to the best of his knowledge & beleif. Sworn before
[signed] Matthias Alford
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Maryland Caroline county to wit; I hereby certify, that Matthias Alford, gentleman before whom the aforegoing probate appears to have been made and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the time of making the same one of the state of Maryland's Justices of the peace in and for Caroline County, duly commissioned and qualified, and to all his acts as such due faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in courts of justice as thereout.
In Testimony whereof I . have hereto set my hand and affixed the public seal of my office this 15th day of September Anno Domini 1818.
certificate & sela 40. cts
[signed] J. Richardson Clerk of Caroline County Court
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Jamos Mckeels Deposition --

ot be admitted untill claimants having se the certificate of [illegible] he [illegible] testimony
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State of Maryland}
Talbot County}
I hereby certify to all whoom it may [illegible] or may concern that Thomas McKeel enlisted (to the best of my knowledge) early in the year of seventeen hundred and seventy six in Captain Adams's Company of Smallwoods regiment of Maryland troops but as to the precise time I cannot say. I remember very well to have gone down to Potter's Landing to see him start with the Company for Annapolis. He returned in the spring of seventeen hundred & seventy seven on parole and in a short time commenced the Cooper's business took one or two apprentices and had carried on the buisness a considerable when he was exchanged. Witness my hand this 12th day of September 1818
[signed] James McKeel

Talbot County aforesaid. On the tweloth day of September 1818 Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the State of Maryland's Justices of the peace for Talbot County James McKeel and made Oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, that what is contained in the above Ceritificate is true to the best of his knowledge and belief -- Sworn to before
[signed] Robert Spedden
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State of Maryland}
Talbot County to Wit}
I hereby certify all persons whom it doth may concern that Robert Spedden Esquire before whom the within affidavit was made and by him Subscribed was at the time of so doing one of the Magistrates and Justices of the peace of the State of Maryland in and for Talbot County aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified and to all whose [illegible] done as Such due faith and Credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as thereout.
[white paper with zigzag edges attached at left margin]
In Witness whereof I hereto Set my hand and affix the public Seal of my office this 12th day of September eighteen hundred and eighteen
[signed] J Loockerman
Talbot County Clerk
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This claim cannot be admitted untill positive proof is exhibited of the claimant's having served nine months at one period. The certificate of the Auditor Genl. of Maryland will be ample testimony - War Dept. Oct. 6, 1818. 
Admd. as private