Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3043, David Douglass, Penn.
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SERVICE Penn
Douglass, David
NUMBER R 3043
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105-76
To the Secretary of War of the U.S.A.
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State of Ohio
Darke County
On this 22nd day of August A.D. 1832 Personally appears in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of said county now sitting David Douglass Resident of Greenville township Darke County State of Ohio age seventy seven on the seventh day of October last passed 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. At the time I entered service I resided in Chanceford Township York County State of Pennsylvania about the middle of July AD 1776. I volunteered my service with many others which made up a company and was commanded by Captain Joseph Reed [illegible] was called the First Company of the Seventh Regiment of the York County Militia. William Smith was the Colonel of our regiment and John Lindley our major. We marched immediately across the Susquehanna River to Philadelphia where we drew our equipments and then we marched to New York or Pocolshook as it was then called - Where we joined the army under General Robert Doe - at which place I staid until the next [illegible] at least of four months from the time I enlisted as I before stated after I got through said period of service I returned home at my former residence in the month of March AD 1780. I had left my home to haul a load for a man with my team to Charlestown in the State of South Carolina & [ ] my animal at Charlestown I was pressed with my team also into the service  of the Continental Army of Colonies at which time I was detained three weeks with my team also - I then returned to York County
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Pennsylvania, where I resided until the year of our Lord 1781. Sometime in the month of November of said year, I was pressed again in said County to Lamb Noor and provisions &c for the soldiers & arm of Cornwallis after they had taken and apart of which here battalion and at Yorktown in York County, said State of
Pennsylvania and was engaged at that time in the Revolutionary War until the last of March the ensuing year, making about three months and a half the last period of service. I have no documentary evidence now that I know of that I can prove the above by, nor do I know certainly of any person by whose testimony could establish the facts as above stated.
The said David Douglass 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.
David Douglass
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court.
John Beer, Clerk

We, John Armstrong & Andrew Ruth, residing in the vicinity and same township of the said
David Douglass, hereby certify that we are well-acquainted with the said David Douglass who has subscribed the sworn to the above declarations, that we believe him to be seventy-seven years as above stated, that
if he is reputed and believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in said opinion.
John Armstrong
Andrew Rush
Sworn and subscribed to the days and year aforesaid.
John Beers Clerk
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and the said Court hereby declares after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department, that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Armstrong and Andrew Rush are residents and persons living in the neighborhood of said applicant, and that they are creditable persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
By the Court attested
John Beers, Clerk

The State of Ohio 
Darke County SS
I, John Beers, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify
that foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of David Douglass for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of said Court this twenty- second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two
John Beers, Clerk
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10370
David Douglass
Ohio

Rejected

Letter to H Bell, 5 March 1833

Hiram Bell
Greenville
C.
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BRIEF in the case of David Douglass
of Darke County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 77
State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period: July 1776
Duration of Service: 4 months
Rank: Volunteer
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served: Col H. Smith, Capt. Jo. Reed

Period: March 1780
Duration of Service: 4 months
Rank: Served as a teamster
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served: 

Period: November 1787
Duration of Service: About 3 months & a half
Rank: Served as a teamster
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served: 

5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? York County, Pennsylvania
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. L. William, Examining Clerk
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Pension Office
JAN 10 1850

Augt
302.617 David of 1th August1859
208.157 in Ala


David Douglass
TO
John S Patterson
Dated August 10th1859
Power of Attorney
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Power of Attorney.
H. Justice & Co., Stationers, 25 Nassau-Street, N.Y.
Know all Men by these Presents, THAT
I David Douglass of Logansport in the State of
Indiana
He is a son of Revy Soldier
have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint John S. Patterson Esqr of the City of New York my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name, place and stead, to apply to the Commissioner of Pensions & War Department at the City of Washington for my pension under the act of June 7, 1832 & the acts amending the same on account of services rendered by me in the war of the United States against Great Britain in the year1812. and to revive my application now on file in the office of the commissioner of Pensions at said City of Washington, or to withdraw said application if deemed necessary to the end that a new application may be made if necessary so to do.
giving and granting unto my said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes, as I might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney or his substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
seal the 10th day of August in the year one thousand
eight hundred and Fifty nine -
Daniel Douglas
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
Dudley H Chase
G Shroves

[Notary Seal]
NOTARIAL SEAL CASS COUTY IND

State of Indiana} 
County of Cass}ss. Be it known, That on the Twenty seventh day of August one thousand eight hundred and Fifty nine before me Dudley H Chase a Notary Public in and for the State of Indiana duly commissioned and sworn, dwelling in Logansport
Cass County Indiana and personally came David Douglass the above named Grantor and acknowledged the above Letter of Attorney to be
his voluntary act and deed.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name. and affixed my seal of office, the day and year last above written.
Dudley H Chase
Notary Public for
Cass County
Indiana
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Saransport Indiana
June 27, 1837
Sir:
In the spring of 53 or 52 the heirs of
David Douglass a soldier of the Revolutionary
Army, and I believe of the Pennsylvania Militia
forwarded to the Department proofs and
papers necessary for obtaining a pension.
The pension was refused but upon what
grounds they have never been informed.
If I have been rightly informed of the
facts of this case, Mr Douglass is clearly
with the rules governing these cases
Will you please inform me at your earliest convenience wherein those papers are defective
Resply. Yours &c.
E Walker
for/
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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[Struck Thru}
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1876

REJECTED
3043.
P. O. ___ David Douglass
Service; ____ 
Enlisted: _____,18 .
Discharged: ____, 18 .
Application filed: ____, 18 .
187227691
Alleges: ____
Re-enlisted: ____
Attorney: ____
P. O. ____
____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for ____. 18 .
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David Douglas which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
which require
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there an assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes.
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? - No two witnesses

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reasons assigned for not obtaining it? - NO

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? - YES

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

BLANK

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? - BLANK

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? - YES

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered? - NO Several of them are unanswered

Explanatory Notes

Quere V. In a case where the applicant cannot by reason of the loss of memory state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, etc. A.B. who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For blank year, blank months and blank days, I served as a blank for blank months and blank days I served as a blank; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the  militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
++ QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Daniel Douglass
Ohio
Rejected see letter
to H. Bell
5 March 1833
----
3043

29.977
David Douglass
Indiana
---
Rejected served 4 mo. Militia & wagoner
See letter 20 March 1834 to No J. Tipton
I sent, dx 1 Sep '34
E Walker July 14 1854
----
[Illegible]1832 (over)
----
John S Patterson
Sept. 5/59
See bounty land claim. 
Jan 7 25/60

Return to Files April 23/60
69
Claim
of
Sept
June 28
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State of Indiana
Cass County
[Illegible] Cass
Circuit Court Febuary
Term A.D. 1834
On this 20th day of February in the year
of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty four
personally appeared in open court before the honorable Gustavus A. Everett President
[Illegible] Robert Edward one of the associate
Judges of said Cass Circuit Court now sitting, David Douglass now a resident of Logansport in said County of Cass and State of Indiana, aged Seventy nine 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 the 7th 1832
That he served [as a soldier - STRUCK THRU] eight months in the war of the revolution as follows to wit:- he entered the service as a volunteer private soldier in Captain Joseph Reed's company of the 7th Regiment of
Pennsylvania Militia about the middle of July
the year 1776 and was marched to Philadelphia where the company was armed & there marched to New York General Doe was the officer in command
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that he was engaged in the cannonading of Powler's & Kingston Hood and recollects the names of three of the largest vessels that passed up the North run at that time to wit - the Roebuck, the Royal George & the Charlotte - there were two other vessels called tenders names he does not remember. That he remained in the service four months and was discharged by Captain Reed having served out his tour. That he has no written discharge.

Deponent further states that he entered the service of the colonies again in the war of the revolution in the month of September or October in the year 1781 and entered in the service with a team four or six months to forage fuel, provisions, & clothing for the army - that he was discharged by George Arklebedger a Brigade Wagon Master at the beginning of the spring of 1782. That during his first term of service his Colonel was William Smith & his Major John Finley - that the only regular troops he saw or met with on his first tour of service was Colonel Morgan Rifleman who he met on his return home at Downingtown in Pennsylvania; where they were from Virginia marching to camp - that deponent at this time he further the service land in York County state of Pennsylvania where he was born - that he moved from there in the year 1799 and settled near Lebanon in the state of Ohio where he since remained until the year 1819 & then moved to Greenville in Dark County
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Court of Common Pleas August Term 1833

The State of Ohio
Darke County

In open court personally came John Buchanan a resident of Darke County aforesaid aged eighty-two years who being duly sworn according to law in open court says that he is well acquainted with David Douglas. That he knew Douglas in York County Pennsylvania in the year 1776. Deponent knows that said David Douglas entered into Captain Joseph Reed's company of Pennsylvania volunteers and that he served in said company for about four months in the states of New Jersey and New York. Deponent was then in Captain Thomas McManns company that the colonel that commanded both companies was by name William Smith and the Major was John Finley - deponent knows that said Douglass also served several months beside the tour aforesaid and afterwards in the militia of Pennsylvania during the war of the revolution and deponent resided with said Douglass in York County Pennsylvania in all about thirty years until deponent removed to the state of Kentucky; deponent further saith that he has known said Douglass as a resident of the state of Ohio where he has also resided for about thirty years last past and further this deponent saith not.

John Buchanan
His X Mark

Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 19th day of August AD 1833.
by the court
John Beer - Clerk
Page 19

in said State of Ohio where he and until
the summer of 1833 when he moved to the County
of Cass aforesaid in the State of Indiana
where he now lives. The deponent states that
he has no documentary evidence, and that
he knows of no person whose testimony he
can procure who can testify to his service-
Except John Buchannon who lived at York in
Pennsylvania at the time he entered the service and whose deportation is herewith presented dated the 19th day of August 1833 there is no clergyman residing in this neighborhood who can testify to the belief of his service, as he resided but a short time in this county.
David Douglass
He hereby relinquishes every claim whether to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid David Douglass.
We Daniel Clary and William Scott --- residing in the County of Cass and State of Indiana hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with David Douglass who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be Seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides & in the neighborhood where he formerly  resided in the State of Ohio to have been a soldier of  the revolution & in that opinion we concur.
Sworn & Subscribed the day year aforesaid
William Scott
Daniel Clary
Page 20

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above name applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Daniel Clay and Willaim Scott who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the neighborhood of the said applicant and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of said applicant who can testify to their belief of his services owing to the shortness of the time of the residence of the said applicant in this county.

29977
Hon J Tepton

I J B Durst Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County of Cass and state of Indiana do herby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of David Douglass for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Logansport this 6th day of March AD 1834.

J B Durst
Clerk

SEAL
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State of Indian
Cass County

In the Cass Circuit Court February Term AD 1834

On this 20th day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty-four personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Gustavus A Everet President Judge & Robert Edwars one of the associate judges of said Cass Circuit Court now sitting, David Douglass now a resident of Logansport in said county of Cass and state of Indiana aged seventy-nine 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 the 7th 1832.

That he served eight months in the war of the revolution as follows to wit - he entered the service as a volunteer & private soldier in Captain Joseph Reed's volunteer company of the 7th regiment of Pennsylvania militia about the middle of July in the year 1776 and was marched to Philadelphia where the company was armed & thence marched to New York. General Doe was the officer in command
Page 22

that he was engaged in the cannonading of Powler's & Kingston Hood and recollects the names of three of the largest vessels that passed up the North run at that time to wit - the Roebuck, the Royal George & the Charlotte - there were two other vessels called tenders names he does not remember. That he remained in the service four months and was discharged by Captain Reed having served out his tour. That he has no written discharge.

Deponent further states that he entered the service of the colonies again in the war of the revolution in the month of September or October in the year 1781 and entered in the service with a team four or six months to forage fuel, provisions, & clothing for the army - that he was discharged by George Arklebedger a Brigade Wagon Master at the beginning of the spring of 1782. That during his first term of service his Colonel was William Smith & his Major John Finley - that the only regular troops he saw or met with on his first tour of service was Colonel Morgan Rifleman who he met on his return home at Downingtown in Pennsylvania; where they were from Virginia marching to camp - that deponent at this time he further the service land in York County state of Pennsylvania where he was born - that he moved from there in the year 1799 and settled near Lebanon in the state of Ohio where he since remained until the year 1819 & then moved to Greenville in Dark County
Page 23

(Free)

To the Secretary of War of the
United States of America
Washington City
D.C.

Sep 25
10576
Ohio
----
Greenville}
Sept 7}
Page 24

Greenville Ohio September 4th AD 1832

To the Secretary of the War Department of the United States of America

Sir

Enclosed is the statement of David Douglass the applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.

The applicant as you will perceive has no documentary evidence of his service in the revolutionary war and therefore has made the best proof that he now knows of in his power - the applicant is quite unable to labor and of his age did not present he is now under hardship and frail that he is desirable from procuring a living from his own exertions - and quite poor at the time the court took the examination that there was no clergyman in the vicinity that he was acquainted with - the applicant and the court gives of opinion that it might be dispensed with by individuals certifying the same as required by your instructions you will perceive from the circumstances that it is impossible for the applicant to state the precise number of days he was engaged in the said war but he is very sure of the length of time at least at the different periods as he states and thinks when joined that all of these added together will make eight  and four months as he has stated it as you are the judge satisfied of the [illegible] of the applicants claims or if you are not fully satisfied and think further information please write as soon as you can - direct your instructions or answers to me or the applicant (David Douglass) at Greenville Darke County Ohio.

I am sir your obedient servant

Hiram Bell

L Cass - Sec of War
of the U.S.A.