Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 11622, for Abraham Thomas, Pennsylvania
Page 1

SERVICE
Penn
Va.

Thomas, Abraham
Polly 

NUMBER 
W. 11622
B.L.Wt. 84012-160-55-

CONTENTS
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[top, right, and left edges of document are frayed, left edge is missing]
Ohio (19794
Abraham Thomas 
[illegible] in the State of Ohio
was a private in the Comp commanded
Captain -- of the Regt. commanded 
Col. Logan in the [penman?]
for 7 mo 15 ds.
[calculations/sums:]
$23.33             $50
    1.66              12.50
_________________________
$25.00             $62.50
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
the rate of 25 Dollars - Cents per annum
Commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Sep
1833 ---- and [Seutto?] D. Grosvenor
Troy
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $62.50
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 12.50
[total] $75.00

Revolutionary Claim,
June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. C. Stihl Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 8. Page 26
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6319
Ohio Cinc
Polly Thomas
widow of Abraham Thomas
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 dollars 00 
cents per annum, to commence
on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 22d day of July 1858
and sent to

Geo H. Aylsworth
Troy
Ohio
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 162 Vol. H
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160.638
Act Mar 3, 1855
June 6, 1855
Polly Thomas
Polly Thomas, widow
Abraham Thomas, private
Pensioner
Revolutionary war
AO 6319
Ohio Lars Feby 53
AO: 160 Ac. Sept. 11 1858
[illegible]
Geo. H. Aylsworth,
Clintons, Clinton Co., Indiana
Let: J.T. Neely April 12 1856
[illegible]
Vol T page 83.
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BOUNTY LAND CLAIM.
FORM OF DECLARATION
To be made by the Widow of an Officer or Soldier of the Revolutionary War.
State of Ohio}
County of Miami} s.s.
On this twenty first day of May A.D., one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Polly Thomas aged seventy nine years, resident of Miami County in the State of Ohio, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Abraham Thomas, deceased, who was a soldier in the Revolution. and drew a pension for said service from ____ up to the time of his death on April 5th 1843, and received the same of H.S. Mayo who drew the Amt. from the agency of at Cincinnati Ohio. She also refers to her late husband's declaration for said pension and the proofs and exhibits (illegible) attached for the necessary evidence of her said husbands service and so for as may be made the same a part of this his declaration for bounty land.

She further states that she was married to the said Abraham Thomas in said Miami County on the fifth day of July A.D., 1821 by one Samuel Kyle? a minister of the gospel and that her name before her said marriage was Polly Swailes. that her said husband died at said Miami County on the fifth day of April A.D., 1843 and that she is now a widow at the date of executing this her declaration.

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855. She also declares that neither she nor her said husband ever received a land warrant for said service or made any application therefore to the best of her knowledge and belief.
Polly Thomas X her mark

AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.
We, William Swailes and Chas. N. Culbertson residents of Miami county in the State of Ohio upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Polly Thomas in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. We also declare that we were at the funeral of the said Abraham Thomas dec'd and saw him buried and know that he died at the time and place above stated. And that the said Polly Thomas is now a widow.
William Swailes
Charles Culbertson

The foregoing declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiant to be a disinterested person; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Geo. H. Aylesworth Notary Public
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Power of Attorney
Know all men by these presents, That I, Polly Thomas of the County of Miami and State of Ohio and the widow of Abraham Thomas deceased, who was a soldier in the service of the United States, do hereby irrevocably, for me and in my name, to prosecute and receive from the United States the Bounty Land certificate, or warrant, due me by virtue of my deceased husband's service in the United States under existing laws granting Bounty Lands to the officers and solders, or their widows and minor heirs, for services rendered in the different wars, and generally to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever touching the premises, an attorney, or attorneys under him for the purpose aforesaid to make, and at his pleasure to revoke, hereby confirming all and whatsoever my said attorney shall in my name legally do or cause to be done in and about the premises, as much so as if present myself.
In WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of May 1855
Polly x Thomas
Mark
Acknowledged and subscribed before me, a Notary Public in and for the County of Miami and State of Ohio this 21st day of May 1855
Geo H. Aylsnorth
Notary Public
State of 
County of
Below Text is Crossed out
I, Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify that    whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration, affidavit, and power of attorney, is, and was at the time of signing the same a   in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court, is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.  
Given under my hand and seal of office at this day of  A.D 185.


160638
Bounty Land
Act of March 3, 1855
Mrs Polly Thomas
Widow of Abraham Thomas
deceased Rev Sol
Pensioner (illegible)
at Cincinnati Ohio

Crossed out
Crossed Out
Presented by
J.T. Neely,
Attorney, Washington City, D.C

Notes
The declaration to be executed before a Justice of the Peace, or other officer authorized to administer oaths for general purposes.  In the blank in the declaration the claimant must set forth according to the best of her knowledge of belief, the name and rank of the person on account of whose service the claim is presented; the day , month, and year (if possible) when he entered the service, and the time when he left the same; and, if under more than one engagement, the claimant must specify the particular periods; and the rank and name of the officers under whom the service was performed; the town or country, and State in which he resided when he entered the service; whether he was draughted , was a volunteer, or substitute; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; the country through which he marched, with such further particulars as may be useful in the investigation of the claim; and also, produce the best proof the nature of the case will allow, as to the service of the deceased officer or soldier, and the t time when he died.  It must be clearly shown in what troop or company, and regiment or corps he served, and the grade he held.  Proof as to service must be had, either from the records of the War Department, the muster rolls, the testimony of commissioned officers or the affidavits of persons of known respectability.
If the fact be so that the claimant has no documentary evidence in support of the claim, set forth such facts in the declaration.
But if the solder was a pensioner then simply describe him by giving the amount of pension her drew, the place of his residence, and the agency at which his pension was paid, instead of a description of his service.
This declaration must be accompanied by satisfactory proof of the marriage, of the husband's death, and the present widowhood of the claimant.  If there be a public record of the marriages, a duly certified copy of it should be forwarded if possible.  If there be none but a private or family record, such family record, or a certified copy of the same, should be forwarded, with the affidavit of some disinterested person proving the genuineness of the original and the correctness of the copy.  If no public or private record of the marriage exist, or can be procured, that fact should be set forth in the declaration, after giving her maiden name; and in such case, other evidence-such as the testimony of persons who knew the parties in the lifetime of the husband, and knew them to cohabit as husband and wife, and to be so reputed-will be admissible.
In no case, however, will the mere statement of witnesses that the claimant is the widow of the deceased be taken as evidence of the marriage but the witnesses bust state facts and circumstances from which they derived their knowledge or opinion that she is the widow of the deceased.  If the claimant draws a pension under any act, instead of proving her marriage again simply set forth the fact in her declaration, and refer to said papers for proof of her husband's service and her marriage.
The affidavit of two witnesses must be taken to establish the identity of the claimant.
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Illegible
Abraham Thomas
24924
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The State of Ohio Miami County is on this 30 day of Apl 1833 personally appeared in open court before Honorable Geo. B. Hott, [illegible] [illegible] judge of the court of common Pleas for [illegible] county now siting, Abraham Thomas, a resident of the State of Ohio and county of Miami, aged seventy-six , 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 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and service as herein stated.  That during the summer of 1776, the particular time he is unable to state, but he well recollects that blackberries were ripe during the time, he was out picking same blackberries when he discovered an indian making towards him and he ran and the indian chaised him some distance and he naroly escapes; he was drafted with a bout half of the militia company to which he belonged, and was quartered at Grave Creek fort or station, which is situated as he believes in the western part of Va. he was out two months under the command of one Joseph Tumbleson, who as near as he can now recollect acted as a Lieutenant and there were about thirty men in the service at this station at the time, the indians infested the neighbourhood considerable during this time, but there was no general battle during this tour of service.
That during the fall of the same year, 1776, he was again drafted, but he cannot recollect the time, but he recollects that the corn had become too hard to roast when he enters the service this time, he was under the command of a Phillip Verwell, but his grade or rank as an officer is not recollected, he had from fifteen to twenty men under his command, [illegible]was out about [about crossed out] one month, and during the time were quartered at a station called Fort Wheeling, and where the Tower of Wheeling in the western part of Va. now stands; that during this tour of service, they were attacked by the indians and beseiged by the savages two days at the time of being drafted on both of the above tours of duty
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he resides when at home in the Western part of Pa. on the waters of the monongahela river about thirty or forty miles above where the city of Pittsburgh now stands.
In the Spring of the year 1780, he removed from the state of Pennsylvania to the state of Kentucky and that sometime in June of the year 1780, as near as he can now recollect, he entered the service again as a volunteer under Col. Harrod, and [illegible] with the troops or volunteers to the mouth of Licking on the Ohio river, where he arrives in the latter part of July, he soon after crossed the Ohio with the troops, to where the city of Cincinnati now stands, the army here consisted of near a thousand men and were under the command of Genl Geo. R. Clark, there was Cols Benj. Logan, James Harrod, Lyn and Floyd and a Col. Slaughter, as he was called, of the Va. line. There was to [illegible] with the enemy one piece of artillery, they commenced there on march in the four part of august, went to a little indian town called Chillicothy on the waters of the little Miami river; the indians had abandoned this town and set it on fire, it was burning when the army arrived, the troops here halted and destroyed the fields of corn and then went on to another town taken and burned the cornfields destroyed; after this the army returned to licking and [unintelligible]; he was out on this expedition from first to last about [crossed out] two months as near as he can now recollect. During the summer of 1787, in the month of August as he can near as he can now recollect, the indians invaded the country and he volunteered under Benj. Logan,  to expel them from the settlements, he with the rest of Logans volunteers on their march for the scene of action, where the battle of the lower blue licks was fought but did not arrive in time to participate in the battle, in which the  Kentucky troops were defeated with great cas, he with Logans men not the fugitives a few miles from the scene of action on their retreat after collecting the scattered troops and making the necessary arrangements, he with the rest of the forces again advanced to the battleground and assisted in the burying the dead, and as near as
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he can now recollect he was sent this time ys. about [crossed out] fifteen days. Some time in the fall of 1782, in September as near as he can recollect, he again volunteered under Col. Benj. Logan and under the general command of Genl. Geo. R. Clark, the army this time was composed of about one thousand men mostly mounted volunteers with rifles, they crossed the Ohio river at [illegible] and traversed the indian country, and destroyed several indian towns among which were Chilicothy, Wilstowns. and Pequa on the great Miami and took on french {illegible] on Loramics Creek, and destroyed the corn and on this expedition a few prisoners were taken but no general battle was fought; he was out on this expedition, as near as he can now recollect, about [crossed out] two months from first to last, making in all about[crossed out] seven months and a half that he is able to particulars during the revolution. He will further state that shortly [illegible] to the revolution he was out on two indian expeditions and during the whole of the revolutionary war he lived on the frontier, in the western part of Pa. till 1780, and in Ky. during the residue of the war, the neighbors
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all of whom reside in Miami county and can testify as to his character.  He hereby relinquishes (illegible) claims whatever to a pension or annuity except the (illegible)and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Abraham Thomas (AT)
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year of 
First above written
in open court John G Telford
Clerk Miami County (illegible)
We (Illegible) a minister of the gospel residing in the county of Miami state of Ohio, and Alexander Telford resisting in the same county do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abraham Thomas who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that his reputation and behavior in the (illegible)...to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we
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State of Ohio
Miami County
I John G. Telford, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said Miami County do hereby certify that John S. Tullis, Esquire, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken is a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Miami and that the signature annexed purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of our Court of Common Pleas at Troy the sixth day of May A.D. 1833
John G. Telford Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County
The State of Ohio Miami County SS
I certify that Joshua Barber, the deponent to the above deposition, is a man of good character as to truth and veracity and is entitled to full credit.
Given under my hand and seal this 12th June 1833
John L Tullis, J.P.
The State of Ohio
Miami County
I, John G. Telford, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, certify that John L. Tullis, above, is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. That his signature is in due form.
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of our Court of Common Pleas at Troy the 13th day of June AD 1833.
John G. Telford, Clerk
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No 24924
Abraham Thomas
Miami County
Ohio
Adm 7 months and 15 days
D. Grasvenan
Miami Co
Ohio
Page 14

WAR DEPARTMENT Pension Office, 27th May 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 show what is necessary to be done. Those 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A Statement, showing the service of Abraham Thomas Miami County, Ohio

Period when the service was rendered:
Draft June 1776 ┃ [illegible] Fall 76 ┃ Spring 80┃Vol June 80┃ [illegible] June 82┃ Vol Fall 82

Duration of the claimant's service: 
2 months┃ 1 month 0 days ┃ 1 month┃ 2 months ┃ 15 days┃ 2 months

Rank of the claimant: Private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served:
Leut Tumbleson 
Col Harrod
Genl Clarke 
Col Logan & C

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service: 
76 years Western part of Pennsylvania

Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Living witness but no certificate of the credibility by the Judge & Traditional evidence

I am respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as 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, 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 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 by 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 of ss.
County of
On this day of personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District
of aged (c) 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), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[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 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. [stamp of a hand] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
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 any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[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 states.
I
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of &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 note (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 C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be  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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the 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 it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the  and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the  and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of  do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of  for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these 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? And if a substitute, for whom?
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.
6. To a Soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer: Did you ever 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 requested 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 that 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.

(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 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 [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."
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 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, and 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 accompany the papers.
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 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.
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 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.
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 17

State of Ohio County of Miami SS.
On this nineteenth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared before the Judge of the Probate Court of the County of Miami in the State of Ohio, Polly Thomas. a resident of Concord Township in the
said County and State, aged seventy-nine years, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed February 3rd 1853; that she is the widow of Abraham Thomas, who was a soldier in the revolutionary war and drew a pension of twenty-three dollars per annum through Henry S. Mayo at the Cincinnati agency in the State of Ohio, and that he resided in the said Township of Concord in the County and State aforesaid.
She further declares that she was married to the said Abraham Thomas on the fifth day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty-one, that her husband, the aforesaid Abraham Thomas, died on the fifth day of April A.D. 1843. That she was married to him at the time above stated. She further swears that she was a widow at the time of the passage of the act of February 3rd 1853, and is still a widow and that she has never before made application for pension.
Polly Thomas [her mark]
Page 18

Sworn to and subscribed by Polly Thomas before me, Joseph Pearson Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Miami on the day and year within written. And I hereby certify that said Polly Thomas is unable to appear in open Court from old age and bodily infirmity and that said Probate Court is a Court of Record wherein the Judge is clerk of the same.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Probate Court of said Miami County, this nineteenth day of July A.D. 1855.
Joseph Pearson
Probate Judge
George H. Aylsworth and William Swails, residents of Miami County in the State of Ohio, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration made by Polly Thomas was signed and acknowledged by her in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Geo. H. Aylsworth
William Swails
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons and that I have no interest in this claim.
Joseph Pearson, Probate Judge
Page 19

State of Ohio
County of Miami SS
On this 18th day of August A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me Probate Judge in and for said County, George Keifer and Henry S. Pettit, who being duly sworn according to
law upon their oaths, declare that they were members of a military company, which officiated at the burial of Abraham Thomas deceased, and assisted in burying him in Concord Township, Miami County, Ohio. We also state that we were present and saw him after his death and assisted as aforesaid to bury him on or about the fifth day of April A.D. 1848 and know that he died at the said County of Miami at the time above mentioned. And that the said Polly Thomas was a widow February 8, 1853, and is still a widow.
George Keifer
H.J. Pettit
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of August AD 1855, and I also certify that the said George Reifer and Henry
J. Pettit are credible persons and residents of said County of
Miami.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Probate Court of said
County of Miami at Troy this 18th day of August A.D. 1855
Joseph Pearson
Probate Judge
Page 20

Copy of Record of the Marriage of Polly Thomas
Being legally authorized I solemnly joined in the marriage relation Abraham Thomas and Polly Swailes on Thursday the fifth day of July 1821 - Certified by, July 6th 1821. Samuel Kyle E. C. C.
State of Ohio
County of Miami SS
I Joseph Pearson Judge of Probate in and for the County of Miami and State of Ohio do hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the records of marriages of said County, in every particular.
In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Probate Court of said County at Troy this 18th day of August A.D. 1833.
Joseph Pearson
Probate Judge
Page 21

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 11.622
Polly Thomas, Widow
Abraham Thomas
Private Rev.
Act: Feb. 3. 1853
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 270
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1929 Sept 6, Photos mailed to Mrs. Wm. W. McPherson, through W. S. Curry and [illegible]
Page 22

S
4.012
[illegible]
Page 23

No. 5998
Polly Thomas
Widow of Abraham
Ohio
I. J. Nealy Sep 5, 1855
Same Oct 2, 1855
Geo. H. Aylsworth Nov 23, [illegible]
3d Feby 1853
Page 24

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Additional Evidence for claim of Polly Thomas for bounty land No. 160.638
G. H. Aylsworth

Abraham Thomas, Deceased
Page 25

Polly Thomas, widow Abraham
Ohio
Allowed for $25. per annum
Commencing Feb. 3d 1853
under 2nd Sec. of Act of Feb. 3, 53
Geo H. Aylsworth
Troy
Miami Co., Ohio
Page 26

Pension Office Oct 2, 1853
Sir
Please state when Abraham Thomas, Ohio, Act 1832 at $25 was last paid.
Very Respectfully
S. Cole
C Clerk, Pension Office
R J Atkinson, Esq.
[illegible]
Page 27

Third Auditors Offices
October 4th, 1855
Sir,
Abraham Thomas, Ohio. Act 1832, has been paid to 4th March 1843, as appears from the books of this office.
Very Respectfully,
Robert Jamison
Josiah Minot, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 28

Washington D.C
Sept 27, 1853
Sir,
Enclosed find additional evidence in case of Polly Thomas widow Abraham for Pension 2d sect of the act 3d February 1853.
To Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, DC
[illegible]
M Neely
Page 29

Polly Thomas' Power of Attorney to G. H. Aylsworth
To [illegible]
Land Warrant issued in No 160.638 and Certificate of Pension
Page 30

POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all men by these presents, That I, Polly Thomas, in the County of Miami and State of Ohio, widow of Abraham Thomas, who was a Revolutionary soldier and whose application for Bounty Land to under Act 1855 No 160.638, was filed on the 6th day of June 1855, in the Pension Office, Washington, D. C., do hereby constitute and appoint Geo. H. Aylesworth of Troy P.O. Miami Co., State of Ohio, my true and lawful attorney, to prosecute my claim before said office, and receive my Bounty Land Warrant and Certificate of Pensions for delivery or transmission to me. As to draw and receive my pension money on said certificate of pension of the government hereby revoking all other powers of attorney, heretofore executed by one touching the premises aforesaid.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, 1857
Polly Thomas [her mark]
Vincent Dye
Maria Hanes
Witnesses
Acknowledged and subscribed before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of
Tippecanoe and State of Indiana this Nineteenth day of October 1857.
P.D. Paige, J.P.
STATE OF Indiana
COUNTY OF Tippecanoe SS
I, Arthur K. Makly, Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify, that Phineus D Paige, whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration, affidavit, and power of attorney, is, and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
GIVEN under my hand and Seal of Office, at Lafayette this 22 day of October A.D. 1857.
Arthur K. Makly, Clerk.
Fred M. Cole, Clerk.
Page 31

Brief in case of Polly Thomas, widow of Abraham
Miami County and State of Ohio
act 3 Feb 1853
Claim, original, [strikethrough: for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was pensioned under the act 7 Jun 1832, at the rate of $25. per Annum. Marriage proven by town record thereof. Soldier died 23 April 1843 as per the affidavits of two witnesses and report of the Third Auditor.
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Widow and with entity of claimant established by the affidavits of four credible affiants.
Geo. 11 Aylsworth, Esq.
Name and residence of Agent
Troy, Miami Co., Ohio
[illegible]
Examining Clerk
Page 32

Abraham Thomas, Deceased
5 April 1843
Polly Thomas, Widow 1821
Received
Page 33

Washington DC
Sept. 1. 1855
Sir
Enclosed find the claim of Mrs. Polly Thomas, widow. Abraham Thomas, a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner under act of 32 of Ohio, for Pension under 2d section of Act of 1853.
Commissioner of Pensions
Present
[illegible]
W. T. Neely
Page 34

Clinton, Clinton Co. Iowa
To Commissioner of Pensions
Dr. Sir
No. 160.638.
Polly Thomas (then of Miami Co. Ohio) made application through me for bounty land about May 1855, as the widow of Abraham Thomas, who was a revolutionary soldier, and a pensioner. She also applied for and has since received a pension as such widow, but has heard nothing as to the result of her application for Land Bounty. I heard from her a few days since, she is anxious to receive her land warrant. Her application contained substantially the same statement as to service of her late husband as her application for Pension, which was allowed. The proofs furnished in the latter were the same as required in her application for Bounty Land. I do not recollect that the proofs were duplicated. Could not have been without considerable expense to her. In fact, I have received a letter from the department, stating that if she furnished
Page 35

certain evidence, as to her marriage, death of the said Abraham Thomas, and that she was the widow of the identical Abraham Thomas who received a pension from Miami Co. Ohio, etc., that her application for bounty land and pension would be all owed. Such proof was furnished at two different times, and a certificate of Pension issued for her, but have had nothing concerning her land warrant as yet. All the proofs required have been furnished. They may have been placed on file with the papers in her pension case and thus overlooked.
Mrs. Thomas is quite aged, infirm and in indigent circumstances. If she is to be benefited by the allowance to her of a warrant, it will have to be issued soon. She is now residing in the State of Indiana. Such information as you are pleased to communicate relative to her claim for a land warrant will be highly gratifying to her and satisfactory to me.
I am residing at this place (Clariton, Iowa), and any communications
Page 36

you may make, please address to me here.
I formerly resided at Troy, Miami Co. Ohio.
Very Respectfully
Geo. H. Aylsworth
Page 37

To Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 38

Troy, Ohio Dec 1857
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Sir
Please find Enclosed the affidavits of Henry S. Mays and of Geo. Keifer as to the identity of Polly Thomas as the widow of Abraham Thomas who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of Miami Co., Ohio. These are the third set of affidavits Mrs. Thomas has procured to prove that she is the widow of the identical Abraham Thomas, who was a pensioner of Miami Co. Ohio.
The others were forwarded to J.S. Neely Esq, Washington DC. Perhaps he never filed them although he wrote me the warrant was issued and the certificate of Pension also issued, but that the court would not deliver them to him. Should these affidavits prove insufficient to establish the fact that Polly Thomas is the widow of the identical Abraham Thomas who was Pensioner etc., you will confer a great favor upon
Page 39

Mrs. Thomas by stating in what particular they are not sufficient. The requirement has been the same each time and consequently the affidavits are substantially the same.
All which is Respectfully submitted,
Very Respectfully
Geo. H. Aylsworth
N.B. See my Commission as Notary which is on file in the Pension Office
G. H. A.
Page 40

Troy, Ohio Nov 6, 1857
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Dear Sir
Please find enclosed the power of Attorney of Mrs. Polly Thomas, widow of Abraham Thomas, deceased, who was a Revolutionary soldier and drew a pension. Mrs. Thomas makes this power of attorney for the purpose of enabling me to receive her warrant and Certificate of Pension and the money thereon, which Warrant and certificate I am informed have issued. She is anxious to receive them and such assistance as you may be pleased to render in this request will greatly oblige her.
Very Respectfully
Geo. H. Aylsworth
Page 41

Additional Evidence
To No 160.638 for Bounty Land under act of March 3d 1855. And as to Polly Thomas' claim
for pension. 
Polly Thomas Claimant
G. H. Aylsworth, Agent
Page 42

State of Ohio
County of Miami SS
On this fifth day of December in the year 1857, personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, George Kiefer, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says, that he was for many years, previous to the death of Abraham Thomas, well acquainted with him, the said Abraham Thomas, who was a pensioner of Miami County, Ohio for services performed by him in the War of the Revolution under the act of June 7 1832. That affiant attended the funeral of the said Abraham Thomas and knows he died on or about the fifth day of April 1843. He further says that he well knows Polly Thomas, who made application No. 160.638 for bounty land under act of March 3rd 1855, and for Pension as the widow of Abraham Thomas. He says he knows her to be the widow of the identical Abraham Thomas who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the County of Miami and State of Ohio, now deceased. That he was well acquainted with each of them during the lifetime of the said Abraham, and practiced as a physician in the family of the said Abraham Thomas. That the said Polly Thomas is now a widow. Further affiant saith not.
George Kiefer
Sworn to and subscribed before me by the said George Kiefer on the day and year above written; and I certify that affiant a credible and disinterested person and a resident of the County and State aforesaid. 
Geo. H. Aylsworth
Notary Public
(See certified copy of my commission on file at Pension Office)
Page 43

State of Ohio
County of Miami SS
On this thirteenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, William Swailes and Charles H. Culbertson, residents of said County of Miami and State of Ohio, who being duly sworn according to law upon their oaths, declare that that they have known Polly Thomas, widow of Abraham Thomas, late of said Miami, deceased, for many years, and that she was a widow on the third day of February A.D. 1853, and has ever since been a widow, and that she is now a widow.
William Swailes
Charles H. Culbertson
Sworn to before me and subscribed in my presence by William Swailes and Charles H. Culbertson on the day and year above written; and I hereby certify that the said affiants are credible and disinterested persons and residents of the County and State aforesaid.
Geo. H. Aylsworth
Notary Public
A certificate of my appointment as Notary is on file in the Pension Office.
G.H.A.
Page 44

Troy
June 14th
Ohio Jun 21 received
[illegible]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War department Pension office
U.S.
Page 45

Troy, June 13th 1833
I have procured the certificate required by the enclosed letter and again forward the papers for allowance. I have also ventured to note an error in yours of the 27th by pencil mark, and refers to his second tour of service. He states he was drafted in fall of 1776 and served 1 month and during a time was besieged by the Indians in the station 2 days and in your letter the 2 days of siege is put down as the whole time of service, which makes by your count six months 17 days, whereas declarant swears he served seven months and [illegible] days. The error will be obvious on examination [illegible] the declaration and I hope will be corrected. Please direct to me at Troy, Miami County, Ohio.
Yours Respectfully
D. Grosvenor
Attorney for declarant
Page 46

State of Ohio County of Miami ss
On this 4th day of December in the year 1857 personally appeared before me a notary public within and for the county and state aforesaid Henry S. Mayo of lawful age who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he was well acquainted with Abraham Thomas who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of Miami County, Ohio. That he during the lifetime of said Abraham Thomas acted as his agent and drew for him his pension money which amounted to $25.00 per annum. That the said Abraham Thomas died at the County and and state aforesaid on or about the fifth day of April A.D. 1843. That the said Abraham Thomas was a Pensioner under the Act of June 7th 1832. Affiant further says that Polly Thomas who made application no. 160,638 for bounty land under Act of March 3rd 1855 and for pension as the widow of Abraham Thomas, he well knows, and has known the said Polly Thomas for many years and knows her to be the widow of the identical Abraham Thomas who was a Pensioner of Miami County, Ohio under the Act of June 7th A.D. 1832, and now deceased. That the said Polly Thomas is a widow.
Henry V. Mayo
Sworn to and subscribe before me the said Henry S. Mayo on the day and year above written; and I certify that affiant is a credible and disinterested person and a resident of said county of Miami. Sec My Com. as Notary on file in P. Offices.
Geo. (illegible) Aylesworth Notary Public
Page 47

The State of Ohio, Miami County ss
Before me John T. Tully, a Justice of the Peace for and within said County personally appeared Joshua Barbee of Mercer County, State of Kentucky, and being duly sworn deposith and saith that he has been acquainted with Abraham Thomas in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, the said Abraham Thomas being now present and declaring his intention of making the Declaration which is yet blank, and to which this affidavit is attached. Affiant says in the year 1780, he, affiant, and the said Abraham Thomas went out with the troops on an expedition against the Indians. That they belonged both to the same company, a volunteer, company, commanded by Captain John Doherty and Lieutenant Samuel Kirkhaven. That they started some time in July of that year, they crossed the Ohio at the mouth of Licking River, that the army there consisted of about a thousand men, commanded by Gen. George R. Clark. They commenced their march from Cincinnati and reconnoitered the County north of the Ohio River, taking in their march the Indian town Chillicothy and Piqua on the Little Miami, and destroying the Indian's corn and burning the town of Piqua after a severe battle had been fought. The army with deponent with the said Abraham Thomas
Page 48

returned to Kentucky after having been absent about two months, some
time in September.
In the year 1782, Affiant was again in the service and belonged to a company commanded by Captain Samuel Kirkham, formerly Lieutenant Kirkham, that the said Abraham Thomas belonged to said company. That they crossed the Ohio river again some time in October under the command of Col. Benjamin Logan. That they marched to an Indian town called Piqua on the great Miami River, now the town of Piqua, Miami County, Ohio. That they returned about the first of November, being gone altogether on this expedition, about six weeks. The expedition was commanded by Gen. Clark.
Affiant has been long acquainted with the said Abraham Thomas and from their intimate acquaintance he has often heard the said Abraham speak of expeditions in which he had been engaged after the Indians previous to his removing to Kentucky while living on the Monongahela and from the standing of the said Abraham Thomas in society and his known veracity he has no doubt of the truth of his statements and further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th April 1833.
Joshua Barber
John L Tully. J.P.
Page 49

State of Ohio
County of Miami SS
I Joseph Pearson, Judge of Probate within and for the said County of Miami in the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that the following is a true and exact copy or extract from the record of marriages in my office.
Being legally authorized I solemnly Joined in the marriage relation Abraham Thomas and Polly Swailes on Thursday the fifth day of July 1821 - Certified by July 6th 1821. Samuel Kyle E.C.C.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Probate Judge at Troy this 22nd day of May A.D. 1853
Joseph Pearson
Probate Judge
Troy Miami County Ohio
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the applicant for Bounty Land before and in the above papers to wit Mrs Mary Thomas, Widow of Abraham Thomas, deceased, with whom I was during his life time also well acquainted, that I know her to have been the wife of the said Thomas, for whom I acted as Attorney or Agent in [illegible] his pension at the Agency in Cincinnati (for service rendered during the Revolutionary War of the United States) for many years I think for ten or fifteen years in succession. In time if my memory serves me, $23.00 per annum.
Henry S Mays
Page 50

August 27, 1929.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Cash - 60 cents
FINANCE DIVISION
BOOK-KEEPER'S DESK
AUG 28 1929
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Dear Sir:
Please furnish me photostatic copies of four pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of Abraham Thomas, W. 11622, Pennsylvania and Virginia Troops, uncertified.
Very truly yours,
Mrs Wm Wallace McPherson
6726 Honore Street
Chicago, Illinois

through R. S. Curry
Received payment,
August 27, 1929,
60₵ [cents]
Ada De Young
Rev. &1812 Wars Section
Page 51

4 pages to Mrs. W. W. McPherson
soldiers decd. Apr. 30, 1833
Page 52

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 35059
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
August 27, 1929.
CHIEF, Division of Publications,
Room G 137.
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension Deliver to Room 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE,
EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job: photostatic copies of 4 pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of Abraham Thomas, Pa. and Va. Tpa. W.11622.
No. of copies: 1 of each 
Shall form be kept standing? [blank] days
For further information see Mrs. M. M. H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541
Approved: A D Wilkinson, Chief Clerk of Bureau
Margaret M H. Finch, Chief of Branch
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph | single or double spaced? | Facsimile signature?
Mimeograph | single or double spaced? | Facsimile signature?
Folding | once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling | Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric Typewriter | Fill in addresses? | Dated?
Addressograph from lists
Envelopes, size
Proof list
Labels (submit sample)
Fill in letters
Cards, size
Pay rolls
Corrections
Tabulation sheets
Photostat [X] | Size [actual] | Official use? | Repay? [yes $.60]
Blue Print | Size | Official use? | Repay? 
Remarks
Facsimile signature?
(OVER)
Page 53

NOTE
Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of
bureaus.
[blank] 192 ( Date )
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
Make new addressograph plate
Change present addressograph plate
Destroy present addressograph plate
On list [blank]
as follows:
Now reads, 1 [blank], 2 [blank], 3 [blank], 4 [blank], 5 [blank]
Should read, 1 [blank], 2 [blank], 3 [blank], 4 [blank], 5 [blank]
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made [blank] 192 .
Operator
MULTIGRAPH
Operator
Date
Type set by
Date
Remarks:
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator
Date
Cut by
Remarks: