Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,706, for John Steel, Virginia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE | | NUMBER
Va. | Steel, John. | S 17706
carded
[double underline]
CONTENTS
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19323
Indiana
John Steel 
of Johnson Co in the State of Indiana who was a private in the Co commanded by Captain Stump of the regt [regiment] commanded by Col Millersburg in the Va line for 6 mos. 

Inscribed on the roll of In [Indiana] at th the rate of 20. Dollars Centers per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Ceertificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Augt [ August] 1833 and [illegible] Ross Franklin

Arrears to the 4th of March 40.00
Semi-anl. [semi-annual] allowance ending 4 Sept 10.00
===
$50.00
===
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Danl [Daniel] Boyd Clerk, 
Book E Vol.7 Page 129

[side note in pencil] Date of death not on A.P.
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20,517.
John Steel:
Indiana.
from 1781 private
6 months.
$20.

William D. Ross, Agent:
Franklin, Johnson County, India [Indiana]
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BRIEF in the case of John Steel, 
County of Morgan, in the State of Indiana,
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declartion made before a Court or a Judge? A Judge.

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 71 years.

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

==

Period :

Drafted in 1781. Drafted in 1781. 

Duration of Service: Years __, Months 3, 3 Days__. [indicates two separate draftings in 1781, for three months each term]

Rank: as a pr. [private]

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. : Gen. Wayne, Col. Millersburgh, Capt Michael Stump, Gen Washington.

5. In what battles was he engaged? Little York.

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampshire County, Va.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or the by the rolls? Living witness and traditionanary.

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct.

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

W.R. Turner, Examining Clerk
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1
State of Indiana
Morgan County
Morgan Probate court November seven [7] 1832

On this 14th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Honorable John Matthews Probate Judge of said county of Morgan John Steel, aged Seventy one years the 25th of January Last. A resident of said coundty of Morgan who being duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the of the provission [provision] made by the Act of Congress of June the Seventh 1832 that he was drafted in the year 1781 Some time in the month of April or May in said year for the term of three months. The object of said Expedition was to go to Richmond in the State of Virginia for the purpose of keeping the British from Taking said Town of Richmond into their possession. He says he was commanded by Colonel Millersburgh the Lieutenant and Majors name not recollected. The Captains name under whom he served was Michael Stump. The Lieutenant and Ensign not recollected. That he lived in the State of Virginia in Hampshire County in said State on the waters of the Potomack [Potomac] River on the South Branch of said River and from the said place
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2
where he was drafted and also place of residence. He marched on in a direction of Richmond and crossed the Shenandoah River. And from thence Marched across the Blue Ridge and from thence onto a place called Bowling Green And from thence to Silver Creek at which said place the British Lighthouse came within about about two hundred yards of the American lighthouse and the said American chased the said British away and took two of the said British prisoners and the American Army was there reenforced by another 
Branch of said American Army commanded by General Anthony Wayne. And the American Army remained in that place about one week and from thence the army Marched on to a place called Williamsburgh and the army lay there for some days expecting to have an engagement with the said British Army But had none at which said place he says he was discharged verbily and he went home
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3
from said place
At some time afterwards in the month of July or August in the year 1781 he says he was drafted again for the term of three months. Under the command of Lieutenant Blue and the orderly Sergeants name in the company to whom he belonged was Simon Cochran and the other officers name belonging to said company not recollected He says the company to which he belonged marched from the Town of Moorfield on in the direction to Williamsburgh and joined the army. and the said army was engaged from about sundown until the next morning about nine o'clock in digging intrenchments [entrenchments]for the purpose of securing the American Army from and unfavorable attack from the British army. And when said entrenchments were completed the American Army went into the same and took all their arms and ammunition and then and there the two armies had a general engagement which lasted about twenty days and nights
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And at last the Americans defeated teh British and the said British Army Surrendered to the said American Army in October in the year 1781 and the British were all took prisoners by the American Army and a part of said prisoners were taken to Winchester in the State of Virginia and a part to a place called Albemarle [Albamarle] during said Battle this declarer says one of the British Soldiers disserted [deserted] the said British ranks and run to the American Army and told the Americans were the British kept their powder and the Americans commenced firing red hot Balls to the powder house which was heated by blowing the Large Bellows until the same was blown up house powder and all toghether the Number of prisoners taken as well as this declarer can recollect was SeSeven thousand two hundred and seventy-two. TheAmerican Army was commanded by General Washinton in person. General Lafayette was also present at the same time the British General was by the name of Cornwallis said
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5
Battle took place at a place called Little York. And from thence returned to Winchester and so on home.
This declarer says he received no written discharge as either of the before mentioned times and the said declarer in answer to the Questions propounded by the court as required by the instructions from the war department says that to the best of knolledge [knowledge] and belief he was born in the State of Virginia in Hampshire County in said State on teh 5th day of January in the year 1761 He says he has no record of his age at this time that he lived in the county of Hampshire when he entered the Services of teh United States and remained there until the year 1794 at which time he removed into the State of Kentucky in Montgomery county in said State which which was afterwards [illegible] and called Bath. And remained there about thirty [illegible] years and from there he removed unto the State of Indiana in Morgan County where he now lives
5
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6
This Declaration above details the manner which he was called into the Sirvice. The 5th and 6th enquiries are contained in his Declaration above so far as this declarer can recollect. That he is knows to John McNabb, Andrew McNabb, James Mcnabb and Benjamin Badgely who can testafy [testify] as to his character for veracity and their belief of his Services as a soldier in the Revolution

That he knows of no persons whose testamony he can procure but his brother Henry Steele whose afidavis [affidavit] is hereunto annexed who can testafy [testify] to his services and that he has no documentary evidence thereof

This declarer says that he was enlisted for the term of six months and served in the foregoing as stated above
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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. 
X his mark John Steel

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforsaid. [aforesaid]

We John McNabb and Benjamin Bedgly residing in county of Morgan Madason [Madison] Township Indiana do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Steel who has Sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to seventy one [seventy-one] years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war and that we concur in that opinion
John McNab [John McNabb]
Benjamin Badgley
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after [illegible] the interogatories [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 the above named applicant was unable to procure a clergyman
7
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he having but recently emigrated to this state and their [there] being no clergyman with whom he was acquainted nearer than two hundred miles. And that the above named John McNabb and Benjamin Badgley who have sworn and subscribed the above certificate and state aforesaid and are creditable persons that their statements are entitled to full credit.
John Matthews
Probate Judge

State of Indiana
Morgan County
Be it remembered that on this day before me the undersigned Clerk of said county personally came Henry Steel who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with John Steel who is his brother and an applicant for a pention [pension] and that he this deponent saith he knows that the said John Steel was drafted for three months tours in [illegible] of the Revolutionary War he does not recollect precisely the year. But this deponent saith th the said John Steel went a three months tour in the spring and returned home and went again on another three months tour in fall of the same year which services were rendered in [on] behalf of the United States in the strugle [struggle] for independence and further this deponent saith not.
Henry Steele 
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 14th day Nov [november] 1832
Geo [George] A Phelps Clerk
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I George A Phelps Clerk of the Probate Court of Morgan County State of Indiana do hereby certiy that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Steel who applies for a pension

Witness George A Phelps Clerk of the Probate Court of Morgan County and the Seal of said Court at Martinsville the 13th day of November 1832
Geo. [George] A Phelps Clerk

[seal in lower left ]
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John Steel
20517
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State of Indiana
Morgan County ss
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the peace within and for the County aforesaid, John Steel who, being duly sworn, deposeth and and saith that he is acquainted with no clergyman residing within the State of Indiana, that it is out of his power to procure testimony of a clergyman, that he attached the affidavit of his brother to his original application which he had hoped would supersede and other testimony except the certificates of the witnesses who were originally sorn [sworn] in court - and this deponent saith not ---

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23 day of May 1833

Daniel Vert [hand drawn scroll like a seal]
Justice of the Peace

John Steel X his mark

State of Indiana Morgan County ss
I Daniel Vert a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Morgan do hereby certify that Henry Steel [Steele] the brother of the above named John Steel and whose certificate is annexed to the original certificate of the Court within made, is a credible person and that his statement as to the actual services of the said John Steel is entitled to credit. 
Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of May 1833
Daniel Vert [hand drawn scroll like a seal]
Justice of the Peace
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Indiana to wit
Morgan County
I Hanable [Hannibal] R Stevens Clerk of the Morgan Circuit Court and also of the probaye court within name do hereby certify that Daniel Vert, who has subscribed the within certificates is [inserted the following: was at the date of his certificate] an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Morgan and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine, and further, that the applicant and witnesses subscribing the certificates within, were sworn and they they subscribed the same in open court before the probate court within named --- And that the preceeding [preceding] pages contain the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Steel for a pension.
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the County of Morgan this First day of June A.D. 1833
Hannibal R Stevens
Clerk M.P. Court
[ seal lower left corner]
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May 5, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thomas Smith,  S. 32524
John Steel,         S. 17706
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Monroe Martin
R. R. 6
Franklin, Indiana

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
records of Thomas Smith and John Steel, soldiers of the Revolution,
who, you state, are listed in the 1840 census as living
in Johnson County, Indiana.

The name of neither of those soldiers has been found on
the list of pensioners reported in the 1840 Census of Pensioners.
The pension record of Thomas Smith, of Johnson County, Indiana, has been found, but no John Steel of that county. In the
Report of the Secretary of War printed in 1835, the name of
John Steel was erroneously placed on the list of Johnson County, 
Indiana pensioners as a Pennsylvania soldier.  That John Steel
was a Virginia soldier and a resident of Morgan County, Indiana.

The records of Thomas Smith and John Steel are furnished
herewith, as found in their claims for pension based upon
service in the Revolutionary War.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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May 5, 1933

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thomas Smith, S. 32524
John Steel,        S. 17706
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Monroe Martin
R. R. 6
Franklin, Indiana

Dear Madam:

You are furnished herein the histories of Thomas Smith and
John Steel, soldiers of the Revolutionary War, as recently
requested by you.

THOMAS SMITH,  S. 32524

He was born in 1763 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, where 
he resided when he entered the service.  The names of his parents
are not shown in the claim.

He enlisted in Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina,
in the fall of 1780, and served at various times until the spring
or early summer of 1782, amounting to eighteen months in all, as
a private in the North Carolina trooops, under Captains Henry
Conaway, Henry Williamson, Cornelius Sayles, and Colonels
Tilghman Dixon, Thomas Williams and Campbell, was in the battle
at Allamance Creek and stated that at the battle of Guilford he
was detached to guard the wagons.

During the Revolutionary War, he moved to Washington County, Virginia, where he remained several years, thence to Fayette
County, Kentucky, from there to Henry County, Kentucky (he lived 
in those two counties of Kentucky about forty years); he then 
moved to the State of Indiana where he lived in Jennings County
about six years, in Marion County for about four years, then
moved into Johnson County, of that state.

He was allowed pension on his application executed March 
19, 1833, while a resident of said Johnson County, Indiana
Page 19

No reference was made in the claim of Thomas Smith to wife
or children, and the only family data given was a reference by
the soldier to an elder brother whose name he did not give.

                             *****************

JOHN STEEL, S. 17706

John Steel was born January 25, 1761, in Hampshire County,
Virginia.

While a resident of Hampshire County, Virginia, he enlisted
in April or May, 1781, served three months as a private in 
Captain Michael Stump's company, "Colonel" Muhlenberg's Virginia
regiment, and was engaged in defending the town of Richmond
from British invasion and while marching to that place was in a 
skirmish at Silver Creek.  He enlisted in July or August, 1781
and served three months under Lieutenant Blue and was at the
siege of Yorktown, in the Virginia troops.

The soldier lived in Hampshire County, Virginia, until 1794,
when he moved to that part of Montgomery County (which was later
Bath County), Kentucky, where he remained thirty-seven years,
and from there he moved to Morgan County, Indiana.

John Steel was allowed pension on his application executed
November 14, 1832, while a resident of Morgan County, Indiana.

No reference was made in the claim to wife or children.

In 1832, soldier's brother, Henry Steele [e underlined], was living in 
Morgan County, Indiana.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

            -  2  -
Page 20

John Steele
Pension Papers

[drawn pointing finger] See that Steele & the J.P.
sign the within papers
in their proper places and
be certain to send these
printed        instructions [crossed out]
objections with the papers
to Washington ---
           A Richmond
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
[handwritten] John Steel,
which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

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 [sp] of pension
he is entitled?

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension that the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?

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?
Page 22

                                                                    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?                    [handwritten] No, two citizens

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?

XII.  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?

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?

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?

XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  [handwritten]  No.

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?

                        EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and 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 ___________
year __________months, and _________days, I served as a _______________________  For ___________ months
and ____________days, I served as a _____________; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 23

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.
[pointing finger symbol] 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.
Page 24

{left side, form with handwritten entries]
17706
INVALID
ile no.     17,706
           John Steel
          Pvt Rev War
Act:     June 7"  32
ndex:---Vol.    1      , Page      363
        [Arrangement of 1870]


[right side, handwritten notes]
June 20, 1904  Hist
Shutler C. Kurtz
Des Moines Iowa

1933 May 2-Hist. to Mrs. Monroe
Martin  -  MRB
Page 25

[stamp upside-down: JUN 2 1904 FILES]

Des Moines, Ia., May, 27, 1904.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

[stamp: U.S. Pension Office F MAY 31 1904]

Gentlemen:
Will you kindly give me the record as shown by your office of John Steele a revolutionary soldier who enlisted from Virginia and rated as a Luitenant.
The above is my great grand father and I wish this information for the purpose of joining the Sons of the American Revolution.
Yours Truly,
Schutler C. Kurtz [handwritten]

#314-6th Ave. [notation, handwritten]
Page 26

JRW

Inv. 17706-Rev.War.
June 21, 1904.

Sir:
In reply to your recent inquiry you are advised that John Steel, residing in Morgan county, Indiana, applied for pension November 14, 1832, stating that he enlisted in Hampshire county, Virginia in the spring of 1781 and served three months as a private under Captain Michael Stump and Colonel Muhlenberg, and three months from August, 1781, under Lieutenant Blue. He was at the siege of Yorktown. His claim was allowed.
He was born January 25, 1761, in Hampshire county, Virginia.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner
Mr. Schutler C. Kurtz,
314 6th Avenue, Des Moines,
Iowa
Page 27

[Letterhead stamp]
Alexander Hamilton Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution
Franklin, Indiana

[stamped RECEIVED MAR 23 1933]

March 18, 1933.

Commissioner
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I wrote your Department December 17, 1932 asking for the records of the Revolutionary War Soldiers, Thomas Smith and John Steel. These men are listed in the 1840 census as living in Johnson County, Indiana.

The Alexander Hamilton Chapter of D.A.R. is trying to complete a record of these man who lived in Johnson County and we will appreciate sincerely any information your Department may be able to give us.

Yours truly,
Mrs Monroe Martin [handwritten]
R.R.6. Franklin, Indiana.
Page 28

The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veteran's Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Name Steel, John P.
Grade Private
Line Pennsylvania

Warrant Number 10391
Acreage 100
Issued June 20, 1789 to --not shown--

___
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrant Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.