Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8684, Francis Hardesty, Penn.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE                     NUMBER
Penn.   Hardesty, Francis   S. 8684
Born in Md.   carded

Contents
[This section is empty.]
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6.308
Hartford Agency
Francis Hardesty
Portage Co. in the State of Penn
who was a Private in the Company commanded
[text missing] Captain Sympson of the Regm [regiment]
[text missing] Col. Cooke in the [illegible]
[text missing] for Artilerist.

[Text missing] $20.00.

Inscribed on the roll of Ohio P. ct.
[text missing[ the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
[text missing] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of May
and Sent to
[illegible] Hon. E. Whiilesy [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Mch [March] 3y   60.00
Semi-ant, allowance ending 4 Sept  10.00
[Total] $70.00
[Enclosed in brackets] Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832. [End of bracketed text]
Recorded by J.T. Spragu Clerk.
Book C Vol. 9 Page 114
Page 3

[The following name has been added to a very faint letter that has been placed sideways for scanning.]

Hon E. Whittlesey
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The state of Ohio
Portage County  On this day of March in the 
year one thousand eight hundred and
thirty four personally appeared Francis Hardesty
before Charles Sumner one of the associate judges
of the Court of Common pleas within and for
the County of Portage aforesaid of Portage Township in
the County aforesaid aged seventy seven years on
the twenty fourth day of March last who being first 
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the act of congress passed June 7th
1832 that he was drafted in the army of the United States
in the fall of the 1776 with Captain Sympson served in
Colonel Cook's Regiment of the Pennsylvania Militia under 
the following named officers (viz.) Colonel Edward Cook,
Major Thomas Freeman, Captain Thomas Sympson, Lieutenant
H. Ashley, & Ensign John Clark. That at the time
aforesaid he resided at Fayette Township in Fayette County
in the State of Pennsylvania, That he the aforesaid Francis Hardesty 
with the balance of Captain's Company was
at the house of colonel Cook at Fayette aforesaid and 
the company consisting of one hundred marched according 
to the order of Colonel Cook to Redstone Fort
where the company drew provision, arms and ammunition
and from thence marched through Catfish
Camp (now Washington Pa) to [illegible] on the Ohio 
River and in the State of Virginia at which place
and [illegible] Creek blockhouse situated about thirteen
miles above log town the company was  stationed.
That he continued in the service of the United States
for the term of six months from the time he entered
the service and that at the expiration of said term
of six months he was discharged from the service
of the United States by Colonel Cook which
discharge is now lost. - - - - - - - - - - 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to
a pension or an annuity except the present
and he declares that his name is not on the
pension Roll of any agency in any State, that he
has no documentary evidence and that he knows
of no person whose testimony he can procure which can
testify to his service. [Signed with his mark] Francis Hardesty
In presence of sworn to and subscribed this day and year
aforesaid.
[Signed] Charles Sumner
Page 5

Mr. Edward Sumner and William Slater residing
in Middlesburg hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with Francis Hardesty who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him
to be seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been
a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that 
opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day}  Edward Sumner
and year aforesaid                     } William Slater

Charles Sumner
Associate Judge
Interrogatories provided to the applicant
Where and in what year was you born
Answer by applicant  In Prince George County in the
State of Maryland & in the year 1756
Question  Have you any record of your age
Answer by applicant  I have none
Question Where was you living when called into service
where have you lived since the revolutionary war
and where do you now live.
Answer by applicant  At the time I was called into 
service I lived in Fayette County State of Pennsylvania
an continued to live there until about fourteen
years since when I removed to Portage Township
Portage County Ohio where I now live
Question How were you called into service
were you drafted did you volunteer or were you
a substitute
Answer by applicant I was drafted
State the names of some of the regular officers
who were with the troops where you served such continental
and militia regiments as you can recollect
and the general circumstances of your services
Answer by applicant  There were no regular officers
in the vicinity where I served. I served at Logstown
a cross creek block house on the Ohio River.
There were no other troops in that vicinity except the
100 mentioned in the declaration and our runners
was to guard the frontier from the Indians who 
were daily commuting [illegible].
Question to the applicant  Did you ever receive a discharge 
from the service and if so by whom was it given and
Page 6

and what has become of it
Answer by applicant  I received a discharge from
Colonel Cook which has been lost
To the applicant  State the names of persons to
whom you are known in your present neighborhood
and who can certify as to your character for veracity
and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer by applicant  Asaph Whittlesy Eleakim 
Crosby  Jacob Brown Woolsey Wells  Eatkins Forey
William Phelps  Nathan Gillett Junior  Roan Clark.

And the said Charles Sumner judge of
aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion 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 I further
certify that it appears to me that Edward Sumner
and William Slater who have signed the preceding
certificate residents of the Village of Middlebury
in the County of Portage and State of Ohio
are credible persons and that their statement is
entitled to credit  And I further certify that
the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend
the court and that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings in the matter of the application
of Francis Hardesty for  pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal this 18th day of March 1834
Charles Sumner  [drawn seal image]
one of the associate judges
of the Court of Common pleas for
Portage County Ohio

[Under Sumners's signature is the following]
The State of Ohio
Portage County
[Seal added]
I Geo. Kirkum Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for said county, certify that
Charles Sumner is (a Magistrate as) an Associate
Judge as above, and that the foregoing signatures
purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my
name, this 27 day of March in the year 1834.
Geo. Kirkum Clerk.
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[Illegible] 495
Francis Hardesty
Ohio

[The word "Returned" is crossed out]
Adm 6 months

Hon. E. Whittlesty
George Kirkham
Ravenna
Portage County
Ohio
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WAR DEARTMENT,
Pension Office,
12. October 1833.

Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has 
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew [sic] what is
necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, 
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling [sic] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your 
claim.

[Below the letter is a table with the following entries.]
A Statement, showing the Service of Francis Hardesty

Period when the service was rendered. 1776
Duration of the claimant's services. 
  Years.
  Months. 6
  Days.
Rank of the claimant.  priv
Name and rank of the field officers under whom he served. Cap Sympson Col Cooke
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 77 years
Proof by which the declaration is supported.  Traditionary

[Following the table is the following.]
I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.

[The following note has been added at the bottom of the page.]
His service in 1773 and 74 are not provided for by the Act of 7
June 1832. He should enter more information into particulars as to his
last tour. See note e.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been constructed to extend, as well to the line, at to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. [etc], Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians [military musicians] or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having be law a seal and clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832,
State, Territory, or District [This line and the following one are bracketed with "ss." following the bracket.]
County of 
On this [empty space] day of [empty space] personally appeared (a) before [empty space]
[empty space] A. B. a resident (b) of [empty space] in the county of [empty space] and State, Territory or District
of [empty space] aged (c) [empty space] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [empty space], with [empty space] and
served in the [empty space] (e) regiment of the [empty space] line, under the following named officers:
[The following instructions are contained in brackets.]
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]  [End of bracketed text]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he 
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of an Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of [empty space].
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[The following sentence is included in brackets.]
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he sates.
I [empty space] of the Court of [empty space]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [empty space] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my and seal of office (i) this
day of [empty space] &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make  and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the [empty space] and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [empty space], who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to [empty space]
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[The following sentence is enclosed in brackets.]
{and then will follow the certificate of thee Court.]
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 named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that is appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [empty space]
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [empty space]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [empty space] Clerk of the Court of [empty space] do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of [empty space]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [empty space] this [empty space] day of [empty space] &c.
Every applicant will produce the bet proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission;
but if neither of thee can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted;
and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his 
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary
war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
[Question 6 has two versions, one for a soldier and one for an officer.]
6. To a Soldier. Did you receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was is it given, 
and what has become of it?
6. To an Officer. Did you receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein required to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating the such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure,
taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
______________________
[The following are footnotes linked to the lettered references in the instructions. The notes encompassed by the braces are those referenced as required in the letter in image 8. ]
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his "guidance".
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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 Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth [sic], 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 lest than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:__ For ___year ___months, and ___days, I served as _____.  For___months and___days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accomplish the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance whether the certificate of the certifying office who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers 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.

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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 oath 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.
[A finger pointing symbol appears before the following sentence] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops.   The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 11

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

March 12, 1924.

Elsie B. Laforgue,
1418 Elizabeth St.,
Denver, Colo.

Madam;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 8684, it appears
that Francis Hardesty was born March 24, 1756 in Prince
George County, Maryland.
While residing in Fayette Township, Fayette County,
Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the fall of 1776 and served
six month as a private in Captain Thomas Simpson's Company,
Colonel Edward Cook's Pennsylvania Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
March 18, 1834, while a resident of Portage Township, Portage
County, Ohio.
There is no date on file as to his family.
The above noted soldier, is the only Francis Hardesty,
found on the Revolutionary records of this Bureau.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 12

Hon E. Whittlesey
Washington
City
Page 13

Middlebury  March 28th, 1834.
We the subscribed residents of Portage County
Ohio, hereby certify that we are acquainted with
Francis Hardesty a resident of Portage Township
in the county aforesaid, who has applied for a
Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th
1832, that he is generally (in the neighborhood) believed
to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that
he is seventy 7 years of age, we concur in the above
opinions & also state from our own knowledge
that in addition to the natural infirmities of age
he is very much afflicted with palsy & is in very
indigent circumstances, we also believe that
as a man of truth he may be relied on.
E. Crosby
Jacob Brown
N. Gillett
Asaph Whittlesey
Henry Chittenden
Roan Clarke

Hon E. Whittlesey
Dear Sir the circumstances of F. Hardesty
the applicant for a pension I consider a
sufficient apology for troubling you with
the enclosed papers by your showing there
to the pension agent and giving what
information you may think proper with
regard to the Certificates you will [illegible]
a great favor on the application and shall
also be handsomely compensated for your
trouble by - your Humble Servant
Edward Sumner
Middlebury April 8th 1834
Page 14

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.   3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S.F. 8684   WQashington, D. C., ______________, 19-___

____________
____________
____
In reply to your request of [blank entry], received [blank entry]
for a statement of the military histor of Francis Hardesty
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
[The following information is contained in a table in the original document.]
Dates of enlistment or appointment.  Fall of 1776
Length of Service.  6 mos.
Rank.  Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
  Captain.  Thomas Simpson
  Colonel.  Edward Cook
State. Penn.
[end of table]

Battles engaged in, [blank entry]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fayette Twp. Fayette Co. Penn.
Date of application for pension. Mar. 18, 1834. His [illegible] was [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Portage Twp., Portage Co. Ohio.
Age at date of application b. Mr 24, 1756 in Prince George Co., Md.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family.
[Next to the remarks are the figures below used to calculate his age.]
1833
   77
____
1756

[Four lines with no entries follow.]
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 15

1418 Elizabeth st
Denver Colorado
Jan 26

The Commissioner
Bureau of Pensions
Dear sir
A pension was granted
for service n War of Revolution
to Francis Hardesty [name is underlined] of Portage
Ohio in 1834.
His application states that
he enlisted in fall of 1776
was 6 months [underlined] in service at
Lingtin on the Ohio in Virginia
also at Cross creek 13 miles above.
Officers Capt Thos Simpson, Col.
Edward Cook, Major Thomas 
Freeman!
Page 16

In Pennsylvania archives
6th series vol II p342
is record of a Francis Hardesty [last name underlined]
private, 6th class, [illegible]
Co militia 1782. [year underlined]
From my examination
into above Pa. arch. [archive] in State
Library here it seems that
officers of the latter Fr. Hardesty
were Capt. Thomas Newton
Col. James Nicol.
So that I suppose the
records to be of two different
men. Can you tell me
if my inference is correct
Page 17

My great-great-grandfarther
Francis Hardesty rented in
present Fayette Co. Pa. (then
Westmorland) about 1770-75
land was not patented till
1785 [date underlined] when Pennsylvania
gave patents to settler who
had formerly supposed themselves
to be in Virginia [underlined] territory.
I have supposed the
second record granted referred
to this Francis Hardesty.
He had a son Francis
who may have been the first one
as he had land across the
Page 18

river in present Washington Co. Pa. & later went to Ohio.
Can you tell if my
supposition is correct?
I am Sir
Your respectfully
Elsie Billingsley Laforgue
Page 19

3
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Mar 27 1920   19 __

Chief of Rev. War Section
Sir:
I have this day received
from Col. W. C. Brown [the word draft is crossed out]
[The word "No." crossed out] Cash [the word "for" crossed out] $45/100
requesting [the phrase "post-office address as" crossed out and replaced with an illegible word]
as per letter herewith.
Law Div. notified
of waiting of photos.
[illegible initials]
April 1, 1920

Very respectfully,
[illegible] Campbell
Chief of Division.
[illegible initials]
Page 20

[From the first piece of paper]
Cash 45 [cents symbol] from Col. W.C. Brown, Army
& Navy Club, Washington, D.C. for copies
of 3 pages from Rev. War claim of
Francis Hardesty, Pa. Troops, S. 8685.
[Stamp added] FINANCE DIVISION
MAR 27 1920
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[Following the stamp is:]

No receipt desired.   3 pages of [illegible] Mar. 18. 1834 Proctor Law
3/26/20

[The second piece of paper contains}
Date March 31, 1920
Name Francis Hardesty  No. SF 8684
Rev. War
Photographic copies wanted of 1
[word obscured], consisting of 3 pages.
Remarks:
Exr. [Examiner] A. E. Wilson Chief Rev. War Section
T. F. Dennis Law Clerk. 
[Word partially obscured] rial  1170
Page 21

19 rue de Pomeren
Paris 16 France
18th November 1919

The Commissioner
Pension Office
Washington D.C.
[A date/time stamp is to the right of the address]
PENSION
DEC
U. 2 S.
1919
OFFICE.
Sir
I write to request your assistance
in a matter of family history
and genealogy.
I am informed that land warrant [land warrant is underlined]
records as well as pensions records
are in your custody.
Charles Billingsley [name underlined and with a note "see negative slip" above the name] is found in
1782 [underlined] in present Berkeley County West
Virginia [names underlined]. Land Returns [words underlined] as possessor of
200 acres 1st Battalion [underlined] Berkeley
County (then Virginia).
Have you this record? This implies
military service of at least non- [underlined]
commissioned officer rank.
The Washington's have land in 2nd
Page 22

Battalion Berkeley Co. This may
assist in finding clue.
Charles Billingsley's [name underlined] will was probated
1810 Jan. 15. Have you record of
pension for service?
also
Francis Hardesty [name underlined] of Washington and
Franklin townships present Fayette [underlined]
Co. Pennsylvania in property rolls
of Penna [underlined] 1783: land warranted 1784
patent 1785 [underlined] by Pennsylvania [underlined] but
family Bible gives birth, his
daughter Alice 4th child as April
1770 [underlined] in Virginia [underlined]. This territory
was in dispute between Virginia
and Pennsylvania and the location
Point Lookout on the Redstone
is one the earliest [underlined] settlements.
Have you records of land in
Page 23

then West August Co. Virginia? or
of pension for service?
He died also about [underlined] 1810.
A Francis Hardesty [name underlined] is in War
of Revolution in Westmoreland [underlined]
Co. (Fayette separated later) and
a pension granted to a Francis
Hardesty of Portage Co. Ohio residence
in Fayette Twp. [underlined] Pa.
I think both father and son
Francis Jr. served but have not 
yet been able to obtain proof of
this nor very clear statement of
Francis Hardesty of Fayette Typ.
With the hope of assistance from
your records.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully yours
Mrs. Elsie Billingsley Laforgue
Page 24

These men were both my great great
grand-parents their children settled
1804 - 1811 in Columbraina Co Ohio
where & in adjacent Penna. any other
great grandparents settled same dates.
My grand-parents parents & myself
all born in Columbraina Co Ohio (&
Allegheny [inserted text "one grandmother"] or Beaver Co. Pa.) all of English
Scotch or Irish families.

[Below the text is a date/time stamp]
RECORD 
DEC 3 1919
DIVISION
Page 25

[Notes on left facing page]
1918 June 13 Hist to Dr. E. M. H. Moon
Letter in [illegible] 14.966 Samuel Blair
1920 Apr. 1 Photostat copies mailed
to Col. W. C. Brown Army & Navy
Club Wash D.C.
1924 Mch 1 Mist to Elsie B. Laforgue


[Information from right facing page]
8684
INVALID
Rev War [written vertically in left margin]
File No. 8684
Francis Hardesty
Priv Rev War
________
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 161
[Note at bottom of page "[Arrangement of 1870.]"]