Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13146, Alexander Gibson, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

NC

SERVICE
Penn.

Gibson, Alexander

NUMBER
S. 13146

carded

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

Caveat within
Suspd see letter Apl. 25, 1835 to P. Agt
See letter to Jno Chambers Esq. Oct 10 1835- do. to Same Oct. 28. 183[illegible]
do. to Hon B. Stover Feb. 23 1836 - do to Hon. J. Chambers H.R. 3d
March 1836 - do to Hon. G. L. Kinnard & Hon. B. Stover
23. Ap. 1836 - do to same 21 May 1836 -
do - James W. Ray, Mar. 20 '37
[illegible] do-do -
Dead
Letter to Wm Hendricks Jr 25 March 1839
Letter to Hon T. A. Howard 12th Oct 1840

26568
Kentucky

Alexander Gibson [illegible] resident in the state of Kentucky who was a private in the [illegible] commanded by Captain Sanders of the regt commanded by ---- in the Virginia line for 2 years 

26568
Pa Line
Records corrected Jany 20 [illegible]

[illegible] on the Roll of Kentucky of 80 Dollars ------ Cents per annum commencing on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension the 20 day of March 1854 and sent to R M Johnson H R [House of Representatives]

Arrears to the 4th March   $240.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00
[total]                                    $280.00

[Revolutionary claim Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book [illegible] Vol. [blank] Page 11
Payment resumed under act 3 March 1837. See letter 14 March 1837 to P [pension] Agt. & Hon. J Chambers
Page 3

I hereby certify, that the accompanying pages numbered from One to Seven, inclusive, are truly copied from the originals in the Pension Office War Department.
J L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Be it Remembered, That JAMES L. EDWARDS, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused
the seal of the Department to be affixed, on this 21st day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

[seal]
Page 4

State of Kentucky
County Set.
On this 4th day of March 1834, personally
appear before W. H. N. Drake, Justice of the peace in and for the County of Pendleton Alexander Gibson a resident of Bracken County and State of Kentucky aged seventy eight years
who being first duly sworn according to Law
doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, that is to say. He entered the service of the United States as a substitute and a private some time in the year 1776 in the place of his father Andrew Gibson and under the command of John Leo Captain, Lieutenant Hugh White and James White as Ensign and marched from the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania to the State of New Jersey and was with General Washington during his retreat through said state and had one skirmish with the enemy. The troops to which this declarant was attached was sometimes detached from the main body and some times attached to the main body. He has a recollection that there was continental troops and officers with him but cannot say any thing particular about them as from infirmities of body old age and the consequent loss of memory he has forgot many incidents of the service but he recollects
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2
that he was to have served three months and was detained four months. He was stationed this campain [sic] at different places but recollects the name of but one which was called the Ash Swamp, there was a large army with him and he was a rather indistinct recollection of the officers with him the Regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Col Potter, Washington was the supreme command and he thinks at this time that there was General Greene and [General] Wayne and many others along, but he cannot recollect all of their names at this distance of time. For this tour he received in his own name, no discharge as it was in the name of his Father. In the year 1777 this declarant, say about June or July was drafted as a militia man still from the same county and State for the term of six months, and under the command of Captain John Lowden, no other officer now recollected except Colonel Potter. This declarant does not now recollect to what general officers command he belonged, but he recollects General Washington Wayne Morgan Maxwell and Lay Fayette and the Maryland Troops and this declarant was at the battle of Brandywine at Shades Ford and all persons acquainted with history are in some sort acquainted with that battle He served this time six months, as a private this time he received a discharge signed by Captain John Landon. In the spring of the year 1779 this declarant was again ordered out under a draft under the command of Capt Peter Grove Lieutenant Cronet Ensign not now recollected and was stationed
4
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3
during the season alternately at the Fort
named Fort Montgomery, Fort Rice and Fort
Sworty all in the County of Northumberland
and State of Pennsylvania and served as a private for the term of six months by ranging
from fort to fort and looking out for Indian signs and guarding said forts. He does not now recollect who his field officers was as there was but a captains command with him. And in the year 1780 and about the last of February or first of March in said year as there was an unusual indication of depredations to be committed by the Indians, this declarant volunteered and marched under the command
of Cap Thomas Robinson, Lieutenant Moses
Fincamp, and Ensign James Chambers and
was this year employed in the same named as
last year and stationed at the same place He knows of no other field officers than Potter who had in the meantime risen to the rank of General, he sometimes visited us this year. This declarant was himself in no battle, it was this year the practice to leave at each fort a commissioned officer with a few men while the others was a ranging except while one commissioned Officer was passing from one fort to the other and while our Lieutenant was in this year passing from one fort to the other
and ranging through the country with a few men he and his men was surprised in the night time by the Indians in a barn and all that was with him except himself and four others that was with him were killed himself and the four was taken prisoners, and did not
return for about two years, this year this
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4.
declarant served as a private soldier eight months making in all two years as a private soldier. He was born in Cumberland County Pennsylvania and on the 25th day of October 1755. He received discharge from all of his Captains setting forth the service above spoken of, except the time he was a substitute, but has lost or mislaid said discharges within 10 or 15 years since. He has now no record of his age as it has been lost but it was in an old Bible. He removed with his Father from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania the place where he was born to the County of Northumberland same state when he was about 12 years old and resided in said last place until the spring of the year 1790 when he again went to Cumberland County same state and remained one year when he removed to Washington County Same State and there remained until the year 1801 when he removed to Scott County and State of Kentucky, and in the year 1808 he removed into Bracken County Kentucky where he has ever since resided and does now reside having lost or mislaid his discharges, he has no record evidence of his services nor does he know of any person now living with whose residence he has any knowledge by whom he can prove all or any part of his services. This declarant further states that he cannot without great pain to himself as well as the incurring of an expense which he is illy able to bear appear at and in open court to sign and swear to this his declaration the county seat of Bracken County is about fifteen miles from the residence of this
declarant and the nearest justice six miles
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5
which is the reason of his going before a Justice of Peace of Pendleton County he having to go but about one quarter of a mile to get before a Justice of the peace in said County of Pendleton He refers to Theodorious Matthews and Sovereign Green of Bracken County and both near neighbours [sic] to this declarant and Clergyman of the Methodist persuasion. Having now stated all of the particulars
of his services as well as he can now recollect he repeats that owing to infirmities of his body oldage and the consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect all, but says that served as a private soldier in the year 1776 not less than four months, in the year 1777 not less than six months, in the year 1779 not less than six months and in the year 1780 not less than eight months as stated before and all the time a private in the militia of Pennsylvania
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State or Territory whatever.
Alexander Gibson
X
his mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
We Theodorious Matthews and Sovereign Green both clergyman residing in the County of Bracken and State of Kentucky do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Gibson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been
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6.
a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion, and that it would be difficult for him to appear at and in open court, an that it is much more convenient for him to appear before a Justice of the Peace in Pendleton County than to go to one in Bracken
Theodorious Matthews
Sovereign Green
And I the said W.H. N. Drake a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Pendleton as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department, and receiving from the applicant answers corresponding with the body of the above declaration, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And it further appears to me and therefore certify that Theodorious Matthews and Sovereign Green is [sic] both Clergyman, resident in the County of Bracken Kentucky and near neighbours of the above applicant and that they are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify that the above applicant is a decreped [sic] old man and much afflicted with what is called the gravel and wholly unable to leave home any considerable
distance without great danger of his health or perhaps his life, and that it is much more convenient for him to make the above declaration in Pendleton then it is in Bracken County for if he made it in Bracken he would have had to travel six miles, a distance which he could not with safety have gone, whereas he had only about on
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7
to make his declaration in Pendleton and at the same time be in the midst of his old neighbours
Given under my hand this 4th day of March 1834.
W. H. N. Drake J. P. P. C.
as aforesaid
State of Kentucky
Pendleton County to wit.
I Reuben McCaity clerk to the County Court for the county aforesaid do certify that W. H. N. Drake whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is now, and was at the time of subscribing the same, a regularly commissioned, and acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Pendleton, and as such full faith and credit is due to his official acts and that the above signature is his genuine hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, given under my hand this 5th day of March A.D. 1834 and the 42nd year of the commonwealth
Reuben McCaity Clerk

[seal]
Page 11

Rev War

13146

INVALID.

File No. 13146
Alexander Gibson
Priv. Rev. War

Act: June 5th 1832.
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 142

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

[crossed through] 25

Washington 5 [illegible] [illegible]

J L Edwards Esq.
Pension Office
Washington City

Oct 6

M Attestions
William
Page 13

Washington Kenty. 29th Sept. 1835

J L Edwards Esqr

Sir

Alexander Gibson of Bracken County, (in the Congressional district I have the honor to represent) whose name has been inscribed on the roll of Revolutionary pensioners, informs me that his pension has recently been withheld 
and that he is informed it will not hereafter be paid to him, but he is not informed of any cause for which he is refused the further  payment of his claim upon the government and seeks that information through me, Gibson is an illiterate man indeed an extremely ignorant one but sustains the character of a very honest man, and no doubt seems to be entertained in his neighbourhood of his having been in the revolutionary service I will thank  you to inform me why the payment of the old mans pension has been suspended and if it has been done upon the suggestion of persons
Page 14

in Kentucky, who they they are?  are which will probably enable the man to remove the difficulty by satisfying them that they have acted from incorrect impressions or information
Respectfully
Your Obt Svt
John Chambers
Page 15

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm. Pensions
Washington


Hon B Stover
H R [House of Representatives]

Feb 18 
Alex Gibson's case
Ken.

Arrd 23 Feb
Page 16

Wash. Feb. 16. 1836

Sir

A resolution of the House, instructing the
Com on Rev Pensions to inquire &c. "into the expediency of restoring Alexander Gibson to the pension roll, has been referred to me to examine the case & report to the Committee -
Gibson is of Bracken Co Ky and applied in March 1834 for his pension - it was granted, & he afterwards was suspended from the roll -
Please inform me, when the pension certificate issued to him; and when was it suspended? What was the amount of pension granted and what reasons induced you to strike the pensioner from the roll?  -
Very respectfully
B Stover

J L Edwards Esq
Page 17

House of Reps 18th Decr 1835

Sir

On the 29th of September last I addressed you
for the purpose of ascertaining the cause for which the pension of Alexander Gibson had been suspended and received for answer that the pension of Alexander Gibson was suspended on account of the information contained in a communication addressed to the war department a Copy of which (without the name of the writer which you say the rules of your office forbid you to disclose) you transmitted to me, doubting the propriety of the suspension of Gibson pension upon the information contained in that letter which from its date had I presume been received at the
department before the pension certificate of Gibson issued I again addressed you under date of 19th Oct endeavouring [sic] to shew that the ground alledged [sic] for the suspension of the pension did not justify it, and expressing & hope that upon a review of the subject you would think it proper to reinstate Gibsons name on the pension roll and order the payment of the arrearages of his pension
Page 18

in answer to that letter you (under date of 28th Oct) without adverting to the ground of suspension alledged [sic] in your letter of the 10th Oct and inform me that "in reviewing the
papers in his (Gibsons) case strong doubts arise on your mind as to the length of his service," that you "are disposed to think that his statements are very incorrect as to the length of time he has served probably he might have served about a year altogether but not more" and you add  that it would be advisable for him to go to the court house of the County where he resides and there in open court make a new declaration and let him obtain from every member of the Court a certificate setting forth that they have each personally examined the declarant and that they have the fullest confidence in his character for veracity and believe that he was a soldier
of the revolution" this is certainly a new and very singular test of the veracity of this class of men and I must say most untimely applied after a certificate of his right to a pension had been granted and the payment of his pension suspended upon ground in no way connected with the verity of his statement &  which seem to be abandoned as untenable on the slightest review of them and another assumed of the soundness of which I have no means of judging, but if Gibson cannot be reinstated upon the pension roll but on the condition you
Page 19

prescribe his case is hopeless as I am well assured he labours [sic] under an incurable complaint which renders it impossible for him to get to the court house of his county without great suffering and some harrow to his life, but if it were otherwise, and there was a probability that the members of the Court of his county  would decend from their judicial character to give individual certificates of their examination of him and of their confidence in his character for veracity and belief that he was a soldier of the revolution what would it avail him; you say "such a course would place his claim upon a more favourable [sic] footing and perhaps the department might then consider itself authorised [sic] to restore him to the pension roll at a reduced rate of allowance" it is then determined that his allowance shall be reduced in any event, and his restoration to the roll even in that way is doubtful. I have been thus particular in referring to your communications and in remarking upon them that you may understand my inducements for further examination of this subject, and to that end I as the representative of Alexander Gibson in this House ask that you transmit to me a copy of his declaration and the evidence accompanying it, and I beg to be informed whether any further or other communications from individuals on
Page 20

or any matter connected with it, the subject of Gibsons [sic] Pension, or any matter connected with it,  have been received at your office than that of which you gave me a copy under cover of your answer to my first letter and that I may be furnished with Copies if any such communications have been made. Inquest to
too that you will inform me what the do what the date of Gibson Pension Certificate is
your mo: Obt:
John Chambers


J. L Edwards Esqr
Comr. of Pensions
War department

a copy
Page 21

J. L. Edwards, Esq. Comm Pensions
War Department

Alex. Gibson
Sp Act

Hon J Chambers
HR [House of Representatives]
Page 22

House of Rep's 3d March 37

Sir

An act of the present session of congress directs that Alexander Gibson of Kentucky be restored to the pension roll. I will thank you to give the necessary direction at the pension agency, and inclose [sic] to me at my residence
(Washington Kentucky), a renewed certificate of his right or whatever may be the customary evidence of his restoration, and I beg that it may be done as early as possible as the old man is in great want
Respectfully
your Mo. Obt
John Chambers

J.L. Edwards Esq Comr Pensions
War Department
Page 23

Alexander Gibson
Ky to
Indianapolis

PAID

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Mar 20
Mr Burdine

[postmark]
INDIANAPOLIS
IND
MAR 10
Page 24

Indianapolis March 8" 1837

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

Herewith we send you the application of Alexander Gibson for transfer from the Kentucky Agency to that of this State
Please send the transfer order to this Office
a
Samuel Morill
Pension Agent
James W. Ray
Page 25

May 19.
Alexr Gibson
B. Stover
H R [House of Representatives]

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm. Pensions
Washington
D. C.
Page 26

House of Rep
May 18 1836

invite that Mr. Edwards to find in the two letters from Mr Vincent of Pa, in relation to
Alexander Gibsons application for pension them [sic] letters, was [sic] sent to you some weeks since as our [illegible] have wished me to report a Bill to restore Mr G. to the pension roll, I wish the letters attended to, to make a part of the case
Respectfully
B Stover

J L Edwards Esq
Com Pensions
Page 27

J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington

Mar 9.
Alex Gibson
[illegible]
26568

Hon B Stover
H R [House of Representatives]
Page 28

House of Reps
March 28 1836

Dear Sir

The papers in the case of Alexander Gibson
which have been before the Department, several times, and in which he asks for a pension have been referred to the Comm in Rep pensions & the examination of the case has been confided to me - 
I have thought,  an application to some intelligent person in that part of Pennsylvania when the petitioner resided, [illegible] might be obtained to corroborate his statement. Mr Anthony of the [illegible], you [gave] me the name of Mr Vincent to whom I wrote, &  whose answer I inclose [sic] to you -
I would suggest that you reexamine the case, and I hope the Commissioner will rejoin the truth of further action
[illegible] ob svt,
B Stover

J L Edwards Esq
Washington
Page 29

free

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commisr of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Apl 5
Mr [illegible]

[postmark]
LEXINGTON, KY
MAR 25
Page 30

Northern Bank Ky
Lexington March 28 1837

Sir
Alexander Gibson has been paid to the 4th March 1835 & will not be paid in future at this
Agency
Respectfully
Your Obt Svt
Jno Tilford Prest
per Wm Ernst

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commisr. of Pensions
Washington
Page 31

House of Reps 18th Decr 1835

Sir

On the 29th of September last I addressed you for the purpose of ascertain the cause for which the pension of Alexander Gibson had been suspended and served for answer "that the pension of Alexander Gibson was suspended in account of the information contained in a communication addressed to the department, a copy of which (without the name of the writer which you say the rules of your office forbid you to disclose) you transmitted to me doubting the propriety of the suspension of Gibsons pension upon the information contained in that communication, which from its date had I presume been received at the department before the pension certificate of Gibson issued. I again addressed you under date of the 19th Oct endeavouring
to shew that the ground alledged [sic] for the suspension of the pension did not justify it, and expressing a hope that upon a review of the subject you would think it proper to reinstate Gibsons name on the pension roll and order the payment of the arrearages of his pension, in answer to that letter you (under date of 28 Octr) without adverting to the ground of suspension alledged [sic] in your letter of the 10th of Oct inform me that "on review the papers in his (Gibsons) case strong doubts araise [sic] on your
Page 32

mind as to the length of his service, "and that you are disposed to think that his statements are very incorrect as to the length of time he served, probably he might have served about a year altogether but not more" and you add that "it would be advisable for him to go to the court house of the County where he resides and there in open Court make a new declaration and let him obtain from every member of the Court a certificate seting [sic] forth that they have each personally examined the declarant and that they have the fullest confidence in his character for veracity and believe that very singular test of the veracity of this class of men and I must say most untimely applied after a certificate of his right to a pension had been granted, and the payment of his pension suspended upon grounds in no way connected with the verity of his statement and which seem to be abandoned as untenable
on the slighted review of them and another assumed of the soundness of which I have no means of judging but if Gibson cannot be reinstated upon the pension roll but on the conditions you prescribe his case is hopeless, as I am well assured he labours under an incurable complaint which renders it impossible for him to go to the Court house of his county without great suffering and some hazard to his life, but if it were otherwise and there was a probability that the members of the Court of his county would
Page 33

decend [sic] from their judicial character to give individual certificates of their personal examination of him and of their confidence in his character for veracity and belief that he was a soldier of the Revolution, what would it avail him? You say "such a course would place his claim upon a more favourable [sic] facting [sic] and perhaps the department might then consider itself authorized to restore him to the pension roll at a reduced rate of allowance," it is then determined that his allowance shall be reduced in any event and his restoration to the roll even in that way is doubtful
I have been thus particular in referring to your communications and in remarking upon them, that you may understand my inducements for a further examination of this subject, and
to that end I as the representative of Alexander Gibson in this House ask that you transmit me a copy of his declaration and the evidence accompanying it. and I beg to be informed whether any further or other communications from individuals on the subject of Gibsons pension or any matter connected with it have been received at your office, than that of which you gave me a copy under cover of your answer to my first letter, and that I may be furnished with copies of them of any such communications have been made. I request too that you will inform what the date Gibson pension certificate is.
Your Mo. Obt.
John Chambers
J.L. Edwards Esqr

John Chambers
Court of Pensions
Page 34

Free
L Chambers [illegible]

Washington Ky
Oct 20

Oct 27
19
 [illegible]
Alex Gibson
26568 Ky

J. L. Edwards and
Pension Office
Washington City
Page 35

Washington 10th Oct. 1835

Sir

I have received your letter of the 10th inst in answer to mine of the 29th ult inclosing me a copy of a communication to your department under date of 3d March 1834, the name of the writer of which you inform me "the rules of your department prohibit you from disclosing".
You say the pension of Alexander Gibson was suspended on account of the information contained in that communication, and hence I infer that the manifestation of the truth of his statement which the writer promises are being furnished with copies of the papers offered in support of Alexander Gibsons claim has not been forwarded to your office, and I think it more than probable never will be. His communication seems to be intended as
an attack upon the character and conduct of Mr Drake who it seem acted officially in certifying Gibsons papers, but he admits Gibsons claim to a pension in the declaration that he "has no doubt but Gibson is entitled to a pension but perhaps not to the amount which Drake will make his declaration say." I do not feel it incumbent upon me in seeking to remove the
Page 36

difficulties which obstruct the payment of poor old Gibsons pension to attempt to vindicate the character or conduct of Mr Drake,I  know
him as a practicing lawyer, a Justice of the peace and at the last session of the legislature of this State as a member of the house of
representatives, (and at the last election as a warm and somewhat influential political opponent) & these are at least evidence of character which ought to place his official acts above the more suspicious of an impossible meddler and as I suspect a mere competitor for the "large fee" which he says Drake was to get if he succeeded.
Gibson is one of that class of men for whose
public services we all profess high regard and it is due to him that he should not be prejudiced in this matter without a full and fair opportunity of showing that he is in fact what the allowance of his claim to a pension proves you adjuged [sic] him to be upon the presentation of his papers at your office. Your
decision in his favour shows that his papers were not only regular in point of form but contained satisfactory evidence of the justice of his claim. Mr Drake acted officially in this matter and consequently upon oath, the charges exhibited against him (vague as they are) have no such claim to regard and if no
further evidence has been furnished in support of them I hope
Page 37

that upon a review of this matter you will think it right to restore the old mans name to the pension roll and order arrearages of his pension to be paid, if however you cannot do so consistently with your sense of official duty, will you be so good as to inform me what further or other form of application is necessary to enable you to do so, and whether evidence in chief of his claim must be again presented
Respectfully
Your obt
John Chambers

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
eight to
dee the
not do so
good as to
on is his
in chief
that
of the
Page 38

Free 
Geo L Hendricks

Apr 11
Comr.
Alex Gibson
26568

Hon G Kennard
HR [House of Representatives]

J. L. Edwards
Comr Pensions
War Dept.
Page 39

House of Reps
April 10th 1836

J L Edwards Esqr
Comr Pensions

Sir

I beg leave to call your attention to the case of Mr Alexander Gibson late a pensioner of the United States, as set forth on the 1st page of the enclosed letter from Col A. M. Morris, of Indianapolis Ind
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Yr. Obedt Servt
Geo. L. Kennard
Page 40

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com Pensions
Washington

Apr 20
Alexr. Gibson
Ken [illegible]

Hon B Stover
HR [House of Representatives]
Page 41

House of Rep
April 19. 1836

Dear Sir

I have obtained from Mr Vincent the paper certificate, which I hope will authorize you to place the name of Alexander Gibson of Kentucky on the pension -  roll from the
conversation we held together, when I saw you
last, I am led to the belief that you will now be satisfied
I should, feel gratified, that Just could be the case or I have excited myself, to obtain the truth and think I have been successful
as certify in of the result
Very respectfully
B Stover

Please notify me of the result.
J L Edwards Esq
Page 42

Alexander Gibson
Feby 13 1836
Revolutionary Pensions
June 1st 1836
Bill reported No. 672
Mr Chambers of K.
Page 43

Congress of the United State
In the House of Representatives
Nel 13 1836.
On motion of Mr Chambers, of Kentucky
Resolved that the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, be directed to enquire into the expediency of restoring the name of Alexander Gibson of Kentucky to the Pension roll, and directing the payment of the arrearages of his pension, since the suspension by the Commissioner of Pensions
Attest.
W. S. Franklin, Clerk.
Henry Welsh
(Papers)
Page 44

House of Reps 1st Mar 36

Sir

I understand from a letter of yours addressed to a member of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions that you consider Gibson entitled to a pension for one years service, if so, the many necessities require that he should be put in a situation to receive even that pittance will you be so good as to furnish me with the necessary authority to enable him to obtain it and inform me whether there is a pension Agency at Cincinati [sic] at which he can obtain it as that will be much more convenient to him them Lexington
Respectfully
Your mo obt
John Chambers

J L Edwards Esqr
War departmt.
Page 45

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington


Oct 12 1840
[illegible]
[illegible]

[postmark]
ROCKVILLE Md
OCT [illegible]
Page 46

Rockville Md.
30 Sept 1840

Sir,

I transmit the enclosed papers, which were directed to me after I left Congress -
If they are sufficient, I will thank to remit the [illegible] or draft for it to me at this place and I will account to the claimants.
I am most respectfully
Your obt. svt.
T A Howard

J L Edwards Esq
Com. Penns.
Page 47

FREE

Hon E Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
City

mail

Mar 5
 Mr [illegible]

[postmark]
MADISON [illegible]
Page 48

Madison Indiana
Feby 26. 1839

Commr. of Pensions

Dear Sir,
Enclosed please find papers forwarded for order
of payment.
Your ot.
W Hendrick Jr
atty
Page 49

1 + R 672

Alexander Gibson

Com: on Pensions
Page 50

29.968
Alexander Gibson

for 1776 pr  2 yrs
$80
from W.H.J. Drake
to
R Johnson

Hon R. M. Johnson
H. R
Page 51

State of Kentucky Sct.
County
On this forth day of March 1834 personally
appeared before W. H. S. Drake Justice of the
peace in and for the County of Pendleton, Alexander Gibson a resident of Brackin County and State of Kentucky aged Seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that is to say, He entered the service of the United States as a
substitute and a private some time in the year 1776 in the place of his father Andrew Gibson and under the command of Captain John Lee Lieutenant Hugh White & James White as Ensign and marched from the County of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania to the State of New Jersey and was with General Washington during his retreat through said State and had one skermish [sic] with the enemy the troops to which this declarant was attached was sometimes detached from the main body and some times attached to the main body He has a recollection that there was continettal [sic] troops and officers with him but cannot say any thing particular about them
as from infirmities of body, old age and the consequent loss of memory he has forgot many incidents of the service but
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he recollects that he was to have served three months and was detained four months. He was stationed this compain [sic] at different places but recollects the name of but one which was called the Ash Swamp there was a large army with him and he has rather indistinct recollection of the officers with him the Regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Colonel --- Potter, Washington
was the Supreme commander and he thinks at this time that there was General Green, and Wayne and many others along but he cannot recollect all of their names at this distance of time for this tour he received (in his own name) no discharge as it was in the name of his father
In the year 1777 this declarant, say about June or July was drafted as a militia man still from the same county and State for the term of six months and under the command of Captain John Lowden, no other officer now recolected [sic] except Colonel Potter this declarant does not now recollect to what General officers command he belonged but he recollects Generals Washington. Wayne, Morgan, Maxwell and Lay Fayette and the Maryland troops and this declarant was at the battle of Brandywine at Chadds' Ford and all persons acquainted with history are in some sort acquainted with that battle he served this time six months
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as a private this time he received a discharge signed by Captain John Lowden. In the Spring of the year 1779 this declarant was again ordered out under a draft under the command of Captain Peter Grove, Lieutenant --- Cromet,
Ensign not now recollected and was stationed during the Leason alternately at the fort named, Fort Montgomery, Fort Rice and Fort Swortz all in the County of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania and served as a private for the term of his month by ranging
from fort to fort and fooling out for Indian signs and guarding said forts He does not now know who his field officers was as there was but a captains command with him And in the year 1780 and about the last of February or first of March in said year as there was an
usual indication of depredation to be committed by the indians this declarant volunteered and marched under the command of Captain Thomas Robinson, Leutenant [sic] Moses Fincamp and Ensign James Chambers and was this year imployed [sic] in the same
manner as last year and stationed at the same places he knows of no other field officers than ----Potter who had in the meantime
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risen to the rank of General he sometimes visited us this seal this declarant was himself in no battle it was this year the practice to leave at each fort or commissioned officer with a few men while the others was a ranging except while one commissioned officer was passing
from one fort to the other and while our Leutenant [sic] was in this year passing from one fort to the other and ranging through the country with her men he and his men was [sic]
surprised in the night time by the Indians in a barn and all that was [sic] with him except himself and four others was [sic] killed himself
and the four was [sic] taken prisoners and did not return for about two years this year this declarant served as a private soldier eight
months making in all two years as a private soldier he was born in Cumberland County Pennsylvania and on the 25th day of October 1755. He received discharges from all of his Captains seting [sic] forth the service above spoken of except the time he was a substitute but he has lost or mislaid said discharges within 10 or 15 years since He has now no record of his age as it has been lost but it was in an old Bible He removed with
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his father from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania the place where he was born to the County of Northumberland same state when he was about 12 years old and resided in said last place until the spring of the year 1790 when he again went to Cumberland County same state and remained one year when he removed to Washington County Same State and there remained until the year 1801 when he removed to Scott County and State of Kentucky, and in the year 1808 he removed into Bracken County Kentucky where he has ever since resided and does now reside having lost or mislaid his discharges, he has no record evidence of his services nor does he know of any person now living with whose residence he has any knowledge by whom he can prove all or any part of his services. This declarant further states that he cannot without great pain to himself as well as the incurring of an expense which he is illy able to bear appear at and in open court to sign and swear to this his declaration the county seat of Bracken County is about fifteen miles from the residence of this
declarant and the nearest justice six miles which is the reason of his going before a Justice
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Peace of Pendleton County he haveing [sic] to go but about one quarter of a mile to get before a Justice of the peace in said County of Pendleton He refers to Theodorious Matthews and Sovereign Green of Brackin County and both near neighbours [sic] to this declarant and Clergyman of the Methodist persuasion. Having now stated all of the particulars
of his services as well as he can now recollect he repeats that owing to infirmities of his body old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect all, but says that served as a private soldier in the year 1776 not less than four months, in the year 1777 not less than six months, in the year 1779 not less than six months and in the year 1780 not less than eight months as stated before and all the time a private in the militia of Pennsylvania
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State or Territory whatever.
Alexander Gibson
X
his mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
We Theodorious Matthews and Sovereign Green both clergyman residing in the County of Bracken and State of Kentucky do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Gibson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been
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Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion, and that it would be difficult for him to appear at and in open court, an that it is much more convenient for him to appear before a Justice of the Peace in Pendleton County than to go to one in Brackin
Theodorious Matthews
Sovereign Green
And I the said W.H. N. Drake a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Pendleton as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department, and receiving from the applicant answers corresponding with the body of the above declaration, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And it further appears to me and therefore certify that Theodorious Matthews and Sovereign Green is [sic] both Clergyman, resident in the County of Bracken Kentucky and near neighbours of the above applicant and that they are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify that the above applicant is a decreped [sic] old man and much afflicted with what is called the gravel and wholly unable to leave home any considerable
distance without great danger of his health or perhaps his life, and that it is much more convenient for him to make the above declaration in Pendleton then it is in Bracken County for if he made it in Bracken he would have had to travel six miles, a distance which he could not with safety have gone, whereas he had only about on
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decreped [sic] old man and much afflicted with what is called the gravel and wholly unable to leave home any considerable distance without great danger of his health or perhaps his life, and that it is much more convenient for him to make the above declaration in Pendleton then it is in Bracken County for if he made it in Bracken he would have had to travel six miles, a distance which he could not with safety have gone, whereas he had only about on to make his declaration in Pendleton and at the same time be in the midst of his old neighbours. Given under my hand this 4th day of March 1834.
W. H. N. Drake J. P. P. C.
as aforesaid

State of Kentucky
Pendleton County to wit.
I Reuben McCaity clerk to the County Court for the county aforesaid do certify that W. H. N. Drake whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is now, and was at the time of subscribing the same, a regularly commissioned, and acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Pendleton, and as such full faith and credit is due to his official acts and that the above signature is his genuine hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, given under my hand this 5th day of March A.D. 1834 and the 42nd year of the commonwealth
Reuben McCaity Clerk

[seal]
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I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, given under my hand this 5th day of March A.D. 1834 and the 42nd year of the commonwealth
Reuben McCaity Clerk

[seal]
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free

Hon Lewis Cass
Secratary [sic] of War
Washington City
an'd. 15 March 1834
(See also letter to Hon. R. M. Johnson HR
19 March 1834.)

mail

[postmark]
CYNTHIANA KY
MAR 5

Pension Office April 15 1891 [?]
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Falmouth Kty
3rd March 1834

Honle. Lewis Cass

Dr Sr.

There has been or will be a Declaration of
War Department for the purpose of obtaining
a pension; Gibson resides in Brackin County & not Pendleton as the Declaration may perhaps alledge [sic] This Declaration was taken by a certain W. H. N. Drake a Justice of the peace for Pendleton Cty who have no doubt will certify that the Diclarent [sic] was unable to appeared in Court. If so the certificate is false
& untrue - Gibson is a hale harty [sic] man able to  ride any measurable distance; but Drake gets a lawyer fee if he succeeds in obtaining
a pention [sic] for him & as Sunderland has taken the Declaration out of Court to prevent the interogatories [sic] proscribed [sic] by the War Department, I have no doubt but Gibson is entitled a pention [sic] -- but perhaps not to the amount which Drake will make his Declaration say [sic] -- I presume Drake may
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forwarded the Declaration to C. W. Johnson to present the case to the Department
If the Declaration is presented to you will be good as to have the papers copyed [sic] & forward them to me & the case shall be fairly dealt with by the court so far as I am informed the certificate of the Magistrate (Drake) is false & ought to be expired; C. W. Johnson knows nothing of the case father than the Declaration speaks - as I have no doubt that Many Frauds of this kind have been practiced upon the Department, as I know of one or two from the
County by the same individual such cases ought to be exposed.
so soon as you forward a copy of the Declaration & certificate attached, I will make it manifest.
I am D[illegible]
Obt Hon Svt. 
Minor Winn MD