Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31401, for Van Swearingen, Maryland
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE  Md  Penn

Swearingen, Van

NUMBER  S.31401
Page 2

[column 1]
See letters Augt 8
1834 to Nov &
G.M.Miller
Orig Certificate act of 
fixed & new certificated
opened 17 Sept '34 and sent to
Van Swearingen Jr Shelbyville Ken

Paid at the Treasury under
the act of the 16 April 1838 found 4 Sept 1838 to 18 July 1839
the day of his death
'age notified 3d March 1840

Dead
1884 Sept 15 HH Swearenger that this men
cannot be identified with the .C. soldier see file
31.402 inv.
1884 Oct 4 7+7+Swearingen with
history of service

[column 2]
1094
Kentucky
Van Swearingen
of Shelby in the State of Kentucky
who was a pvt & lt in the compy commanded
by Captain Herrod of the Regt commanded
by Col. Bowman in the Pennsylvania
line for 19 months 15 Aug from
1777
Sh be $80

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of $80 Dollars per annum
to commence in the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of October
1806 and sent to J.P. Millis
Shelbyville NY

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  150.00
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 March 1835   50.00
$200.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nathan Price Clerk,
Book D. Vol. G Page 60
Page 3

7345

Van Swearingen

Private for 1777
18 months 1 1/2 da 

$100

18 ms private 60
1 1/2 Lt  20
$80

13.33
664
20000
G.P. Miller 
Shelbyville 
Ken
Page 4

7345
Brief in the case of Van Swearingen, of Shelby County in the State of Kentucky
(Act 7 June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Open Court

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

3. How old is he?  78

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

[form]  Period / Duration of Service / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Page 5

Shelbyville
Revolutionary Claim
Free
Van Louis McLaw
Secretary of the Treasury
City of Washington
Page 6

Rec P.O. Sep 27.
Respectfully respond to the war department
[illegible[ Dept 26 Sept 1832

7345,
Page 7

Shelby County
State of Kentucky ss
On the 17th day of Sept 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Shelby now sitting Van Swearingen a resident of Shelby County. State of Kentucky aged about 78 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 th 1832.
I was born in the State (then Colony) on the 3rd of November 1734 I was removed to the State (then Colony) of Pennsylvania about 1770. To the part then known as the Monongahela County now Fayette County. At which place I resided when hostilities commence with Great Britain -
In the Spring of 1777 I entered the company of Capt Daniel Plutt a regular officer belonging to the Maryland line in which I acted in the capacity of 1st Lieutenant for about two months and assisted in recruiting thirty or forty men. My commission not arriving I quit the service, in consequence of an insurrection of the Tories in the western part of Pennsylvania where my father resided returned and assisted in quelling them in the fall of the same year I volunteered in the company of Capt James Neill and served three months on station at yellow creek on the river Ohio In support of the above service I know of no person living that can give his testimony and if I ever had and discharged they are now lost
Page 8

In the spring of 1778 I volunteered in the company of Capt Wm Harrod to the best of my recollection we redezvoused at a place called Muddy Creek in the western part of Pennsylvania in the month of April. We marched from thence under the command of Gen' Geroge Rogers Clark in the expedition against the [illegible] Col Wm Lynn second in command. I was at Pt Kaskaskia [illegible] when surrendered. On the return I remained at Louisville (then the falls of Ohio) two months and assisted in building a Fort and as a [illegible] comprising about ten months from the time I left the Monongahela till I returned in the spring 1779 I again entered the service as volunteer in the company of the above named Capt Herrad. We rendezvoused at Sovinville (Ky) and marched from thence agains the Shaunee Indians on the little Miami river now in State of Ohio commanded by Col Boman and was in the battle. To the best of my recollection I was three months on Bomans campaign the enclosed discharge will be evidence of my services in the two last [illegible] expeditionary I again returned to the Monongahila where I joined in company of volunteers and redered miscellaneous service as a scout  upon the further settlement until the June of 1783. Except two months service which I rendered in 1782 at two forts one called Picketts and the other Evans  To the last named service I know of no person who can testify  In consideration of all my services to my country. I have never received my compensation except a lot of [illegible] of land being near the falls of Ohio. which was granted in consideration of services rendered on the Illinois  Exepdition [illegible]
Page 9

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
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Van Swearingen
Page 10

I James S. Whitaker, Clerk of the County Court of Tholly County Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of Van Swearingen for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18th day of September 1832

Alt Ja. J. Whitaker Co
Page 11

Brum Calhoun Co. W. Va
Dec. 5th 1882.

Com of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Sir:
As the claimant is unable to appear before any court by reason of infirmity of age; and the two witnesses who can testify to the marriage of claimant to soldier, the death of soldier's former wife, and soldiers places of residence up to his death are about 100 miles from the claimant, it will be impossible to get said witnesses and claimant together, Therefore it will be necessary to have a separate blank for the witnesses who testify to these three facts; and the enclosed blank can be filled herein this county where claimant lives. The claimant is very feeble and not really competent to give such information as might be desired.
The interest taken in this matter is not for the want of [illegible] on any thing of the kind, but merely in justice to the widow.
I know of my own personal knowledge
Page 12

that it can be proven that this claimant is the lawful widow of Van Swearingen; - that she was married to him about 53 years ago, that his former wife was at that time dead - that soldier resided in Bath County Virginia from the time of his marriage to claimant up to his death.
So far as I know these are about all the facts that can be proven, though soldiers discharge is said to have been in the possession of his daughter in the county where soldier lived & died, but said daughter is now dead.
If this proof will be sufficient to obtain a pension for claimant, further interest will be taken for her; if not, it is unnecessary to continue the prosecution.
NB. A Blank like the enclosed, will be necessary & also a separate blank to be sent to the two witnesses who reside at a distance.
Very respectfully

H.C Lockney
Page 13

[illegible]

Attorney at Law and Notary Public,

To commissioner of Pension office, of U.S., 31.401
Washington D.Columbia; 
Sir:

Van Swearengen, was married to widow, in the year 1829 or 1830. in Bath W. Va., If there is any record of marriage it is there. He had a former wife & family, but the present widow is not the mother of any children by him. Application is made in widows interest & no other Soldier, (Swearingen) died from natural causes not caused by service.
So far as soldier's services in Rev. war is concerned we would be compelled to depend upon the records of said war, at the office in Washington, as there are no living witnesses of 100 yrs ago. Soldier discharge was said to be in the possession of his daughter, 30 yrs ago, but daughter is now dead. Don't know when discharged other papers or where other papers are at the time. I am personally known to the fact that 12 or 15 yrs ago, soldiers marriage to widow could have been proven by 5 witnesses 4 of them are now dead. It can be absolutely proven that she is the widow of soldier and has never married since his death.
I don't know of any proof that could be furnished, except that she (Sarah Swearingen) is the lawful widow of soldier (Van Swearingen)
Very Respectfully, H.L. Socking.
Page 14

[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE
AUG  36 1882
Page 15

Bruin [?], Calhoun Co. West Va
Feby 2nd 1884
To Comm of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
Sir:  In application of Mrs Sarah Swearingen widow of Van Swearingen made in the year 1882 for pension - will say that claimant's mind was as frail after the receipt of your letter, herewith returned, up to her death, which occurred in May 1883, that I could not attend to the matter, at that time - in fact by the time I received said letter, from you, her mind was entirely gone, so she could not testify.
claimant died in care of her only living child (a son) whose health is gone, and whose financial circumstances require assistance.
Can he not complete this case and receive the amount that was actually due his mother, the claimant?
Said son was a loyal man in time of the rebellion, holding officer in a county of this state and entirely lost his health in discharge of official duly and if it is right for him to receive the pension money due his mother, he ought to have it.
Page 16

Said son has for many years maintained the said claimant most part of the time and has never received any compensation from her, or the Government. There is no question, in my mind, about the claimant Sarah Swearingen, deceased, the widow of the deceased Revolutionary Soldier being entitled to pension and the son, of said claimant, having supported her for many years, ought to receive any money that he may be entitled to under the law.
I [illegible] am yours awaiting an answer.
H.C. Lodkerry,
[illegible], 
Calhoun Co
W.V.
P.S. Please answer this Question direct - Is the Son, as her heir, entitled to the Widows Pension, providing [underlined]she was justly entitled to the pension? We don't wish to engage any [illegible] Truly etc. H.C.L.
[Round stamp] PENSION 
U Feb 28 S
1884
OFFICE
Page 17

February 23, 1939

Van Swearingen
S. 31401
BA-J/MLB

Mr. F.M.Ballard
3655 Oak Street
Mariemont, Cincinnati
Ohio

Dear Sir:

The data which follow in regard to Van Swearingen were obtained from pension claim, S. 31401, on file based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Van Swearingen was born November 3, 1874, about ten miles from Hagerstown, Maryland. The names of his parents were not given. About 1770, he moved to what was then known as the Monongabela country which was later Fayette County, in Pennsylvania.

While residing in Monongahela County, Pennsylvania, Van Swearingen entered the service in the spring of 1777 as first lieutenant of Captain Daniel Stull's Maryland company, engaged in recruiting men, but in consequence of an insurrection of Tories in the western part of Pennsylvania, where his father was living, he returned there and assisted in quelling them, length of that tour two months.  He again entered the service in the fall of 1777 and served three months in Captain James Neill's Pennsylvania company.  He entered the service in April, 1778, in Captain William Herrod's company, Colonel William Lynn's regiment went on General George Rogers Clark's Illinois Expedition, was at the surrender of Saint Pierre and Kaskaskia Forts, remained at Louisville (then the Falls of the Ohio River) two months, during which time he assisted in building a fort and serving as a spy, length of this tour ten months. He again entered the service in the spring of 1779 at Louisville, Kentucky, in Captain Herrod's company, Colonel Bowmen's regiment, marched against the Shawnee Indians on the Little Miami River in Ohio and was in the battle there, length of tour three months. He then returned to the Monongahela country where he joined a company of volunteers and rendered miscellaneous service in 1788 at Prickett's and Evans' Forts and as scout on the frontier settlement until peace was declared in 1783.
Page 18

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed September 17 1838, while living in Shelby County, Kentucky. He died July 18, 1839, in Beth County, Virginia. He signed Van Swearingen.

Van Swearingen married in 1829 or 1830 in Bath County, Virginia, Sarah ___; her maiden name, names of parents and date and place of her birth are not shown. He had a former wife who was dead at the time of his marriage to Sarah. His children were by his former wife whose name was not stated. Reference was made to his daughter who lived in Beth County, Virginia, and who died prior to 1862, also to his son, Van Swearingen, Junior, both by his former marriage, Van Swearingen, Junior, was residing in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1834. It was stated that Sarah was not the mother of any of soldier's children.

Sarah Swearingen lived in West Virginia after the death of her husband, Van Swearingen, with her only son, whose name was not designated, nor was any reference make to a former marriage by her. Sarah Swearingen died at the home of her son in May, 1863.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 19

Lexington Agency
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Van Swearingen of the State of Kentucky
who was a private and Lieutenant in the Army of the revolution.
is entitled to receive one hundred dollars per anum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 26 day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two

Lewcass
Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned.  JL Edwards
Page 20

Old war invalid
Feb No 31.401
Blank W sent under
Sept 8/82
White
Page 21

C.W.and N
L.C.W.

Department of the Interior.
PENSION OFFICE.

Washington, D.C. July 29 1882.

Sir:

In response to your letter of July 18 1882, you are informed that an application by the widow of Van Swearingen, in accordance with the enclosed blank will be promptly considered
The date of soldiers death, and the marriage of claimant to soldier and whether she has remarried since soldiers death should be [illegible] in accordance with the enclosed circular.
Please attend to this at once, return this letter and prompt action will be taken.

Very respectfully
Wm W Dudley
Commissioner

H.C. Sockney
Arnoldsburg
Calhoun Co.
W.Va
Page 22

o.w. AND n.
lcm

Department of the Interior
Pension Office.

[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE B FEB 28 1884

Sir

In response to your inquiry of December 5 1882 you are informed that the enclosed blank should be as fully filled as can be done and properly executed by claimant and two witnesses who have known claimant for a number of years and can testify that she has been known in the community as widow of a Revolutionary soldier.
It is not necessary that the witnesses who are one hundred miles distant from claimant should appear with her to execute the enclosed blank.
The testimony of witnesses who are distant should be written out by some person where they live and properly executed before some proper officer in their vicinity. The death of soldiers former wife, the marriage of claimant to soldier and the date of soldiers death should be shown by the best proof that can be procured. The claimant should give a full discription of soldier where he was married to her, state where he resided after the service, and whether he ever applied
Page 23

for or received a pension, and if he did the name of some of the witnesses should if possible be furnished. Claimant should furnish the affidavit of credible witnesses to show that she is and has been recognized as te widow of Van Swearingen, and whether she has remarried since soldiers death.
Please attend to this at once, return this letter and prompt action will be taken.

Very respectfully, 
Wm W Dudley
Commissioner

H.C. Sockney Esq
Bruin,
Calhoun Co
West Va.
Page 24

[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE B FEB 28 1884
Page 25

March 18 1780

This is to certify that [illegible] Van Swearingen [illegible] so [illegible] in the is conies expedition under the command of Coln gaengers [illegible] dgens, and returned back [illegible] full of [illegible] and assisted in [illegible] manor in building a garrison than likewise [illegible] compy of volenter againcol shanays the 1779 and [illegible] as a brave soldier
[illegible] Captain
Page 26

GW and N
LCW

Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington D.C. Sept. 12 1882

[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE DEC 19 1882

Sir:

In response to your inquiry of August 7 1882 you are informed that the widow of Van Swearingen a soldier of the war of 1776, should have filled up the enclosed blank as fully as she can and properly execute the same before some officer of a court, unless she is unable to so appear by reason of infirmity of age, when she may execute the declaration before any officer who is authorized to administer oaths and whose official character is shown, and who will state in the Jurat that claimant is unable to appear before an officer of a court.
The death of soldier's former wife and the marriage of claimant to him should be shown by the best proof that she can furnish.
The claimant should give a full description of soldier, and state where he resided each year of the time he died, and the date of death, and if soldier was a pensioner, the name of the ageny
Page 27

where paid should be stated.
Please attend to this at once, return this letter and prompt action will be taken.

Very respectfully,
Apy Clarke
Acting Commissioner 
JC

Henry C. Sockney Esq
Arnoldsburg,
Calhoun Co
W. Va.

U.C. Lockney
Atty at Saw
Brim W. Va
Calhoun Co
Page 28

Shelbyville 8TH Sept 1834

Dr Sir

A letter came to my hands this morning informing me of a mistake in a certificate issued from the war department in 1832 in behalf of my Father Van Swearingen; which certificate is herein closed for correction, be pleased to direct to me - as L P Miller is deceased

Yours Van Swearingen Jr

The Hon Secretary of War
Page 29

U.S. PENSION OFFICE

JUL 26 1882
Page 30

Arnoldsburg, Latham Co. W.Va..
July the 18th 1882.

To the commissioner of pension office, Washington, D.C.

Sir:
Mrs Sarah Swearingen, (widow of Van Swearingen) is near 80 years of age and some what feeble in health, and in destitute circumstances.
Van Swearingen was a revolutionary soldier and was honorably discharged.
Mrs. Swearingen has never been married since the death of her husband, and as she had no friends to look after the matter, she has not as yet received any pension, but is desirous of doing so.
If you will write me instructions as to the matter, I will see to getting up the evidence, and will proceed in a proper manner to obtain for her what was in past.

Very Respectfully,
J.L. Lockney.
Page 31

Treasury Department,

Second Comptroller's Office, 
February 7th 1840.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," (The childen of Van Swearingen, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky Agency, at the rate of eightly Dollars and cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept 1838. to the 18th July 1839. the day of his death.

Respectfully yours,

Albion K Parring

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present
Page 32

July 18. 1912:

To the Pension Department

I would like to know if anyone by the name of Swearingen served in the Revolutionary War that belonged to or near Union town, Fayette leo Pa I will appreciate any information that you can give me.

Respectfully
Mrs. Gas Buchanan
619. C Gibson St
Princeton Ind
Page 33

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE Aug 7 1912
Page 34

Van. Shelby Co Ky In 1832 {?} of 2 year
Born in ? near Hagerstown Nov 3, 1754
To ? ? at Monogahela Co. now Fayette Co
Spring ? ? david Platt on M ? ?
? for 2 mos ? in CP recruiting ? ?
? his ? ? arrive and their Served in ?
of > west ? of ? local pact of ? whereafter father lived.
? ? ?
For ? he ? under ? of James Neill has
? at Yellow Creek on new Ohio - Spring 1778 ?
under Capt M Herrod suspended at ??
? part of Pen in April & marched under Com of Gen
? R Clark with explanation ? ? at Kansas ? 
Surrendered ? memoir at 7 mos at ?
? ? ? Fort ? a sky ? to ? absent to ?
again Vol in Spring 1779 under Capt Herrod ?
at ? ? ? ? on
from Cattle ? river in Ohio under ? ? ?
 ? the battle ? 3 ? Returning to
? where joined as ? Benning on ?
on the ? Settlements until here on this 1783. ?
1782 won ? ? ? Priest ? ? ?
Page 35

[column 1]

INVALID.
Revy 31401

File No. 31,401

Van Swearingen
Lieut Rev War

Act:  June 7th 32

Index: - Vol. 2, Page 409

(arrangement of 1870)

[Column 2]

Jly 28/82 Blank W Cubs 79
and letters Sockney 
for application by widow

Marck 5/84 Mrs Rocknez in
that son has no [illegible] white

1911 Jany 14 Hist to A. Truby
letter in W.F. 2070 John rawford V.Lak.

1912 Aug 13 Hist to Mrs James
Buchanan V.L. Mi

1915 March 6 Hist to Mrs Viola R Cameron
letter in S.F. 31294 Matthew Patton.
1939 Dec 23 Hist to M Ballard ( Ltr [illegible]
Jas. Hickman D.3/130)  MLB.
Page 36

[page cut off]
sion on file in this Bureau  Van Swearingen LT 31401

[CHART] Dates of Enlistment | Length of Service | Rank. | Officers under whom Service Was Rendered. Captain. Colonel. | State 

Spring 1777 / 2 mos / Lieut / Daniel Stall  /  MD Penn
assisted in quelling tories in western part of Penn.
Fall of 1777/ 3 Mos /  / James Neill   / 

Spring 1778 / 10 mos / / Wm Herro   Wm Lynn / 

Spring 1779 / 3 mos. /  / Herro  Bowman /

1782 / 2 mos /  / at Pricketts and Evans fort / 

1783 /    / Scout / miscellaneous service 

Battles engaged in,  St. Pierre [illegible] Miami River

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fayette leo Penn

Date of application for pension, Sept 17 1832 His [illegible]

Residence at date of application,  Shelby des Ky

Age at date of application, born in Maryland and about 10 miles from Hagerstown Nov 3 1754 died July 18 1839

Remarks:  Soldier married Sarah in Bath Leo Va in 1829 or 1830. He had a former wife whose name is not stated and children; Van Swearingen [Jr or Sr] who lived at Shelbyville in 1834 is the only name given. widow died May 1883
Page 37

February 24, 1939

James Hickman, S. 31130
Van Swearingen, S. 31401
[note] This corres. belongs in [arrow points to Van Swearinggen]
BA-J/MLB

Mr. F.M.Ballard
3855 Oak Street
Mariemont, Cincinnati
Ohio

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Lieutenant Van Swearengen and James Kickman, both of whom were pensioned for service, from Shelby County, Kentucky.

The records of Van Swearingen and James Hickmen are furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator