Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 79, Joshua Barney, Navy
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Service
Navy

Barney, Joshua
Harriet

Number
Old Act Navy
W.79

Served from 1776 to 1818
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Navy Pensioner
Widow's Case

Harriet Barney

widow of
Joshua Barney formerly of the United States Navy who was a Commodore of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla and died on the 1 day of December 1818.
Placed on the pension roll under the act of the 11 of August 1848

Certificate payable at Louisville
Issued on the 5th of August 1849 and sent to Hon Garrett Duncan
Louisville, Kentucky
Allowed

Died 14 Oct 18499999999
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Transferred to Lexington
Kentucky
18 May 1830
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Joshua Barney Esquire lately of the city of Baltimore Maryland Commander of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla having died in consequence of a wound received in an action with the enemy near Bladensburg on the 24th day of August 1814 while in the line of his duty in the service of the United States Harriet Barney widow of the said Joshua Barney is entitled to receive at the Office of the Bank of the United States in Baltimore, fifty dollars per month, payable half yearly on the first day of July and first day of January in every year for the term of ten years to commence on the first day of December one thousand eight hundred and eighteen the day of said Joshua Barney's decease: she producing a certificate that she is and still remains the widow of said Joshua Barney and has not since intermarried with any other person; which certificate shall be signed by one of the principal magistrates of the town or place where said widow resides. And in case of her death or intermarriage, then the said pension shall be paid to the guardian of the child or children if any there be under the age of sixteen years; of which also a certificate shall be produced to the president of the aforesaid office, signed as aforesaid, or upon his duly authenticated power of attorney with proof of the legal appointment of the guardian; and also that the child or children were living within one month of the period of payment of the pension. In default of which proofs this pension shall cease.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Navy Department this eleventh day of September one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.

Smith Thompson

Registered, Benjamin Homans
Secretary to the Board of Commissioners of the Navy Pension Fund.

Navy Certificate 9th Dec 1838
[illegible] for the term of five years is from the first day of December 1838
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Smith Thompson Esq
Baltimore, March 13, 1819

Sir

Feeling anxious that the widow of my requitted father Commodore Josuha Barney should not have the misery of poverty added to her other afflictions. I claim for her the benefit of the law for the relief of widow's whose husbands died in consequence of wounds received in the service.

My father died at Pittsburg, Penna on the 1st December last from the result of a wound rec'd in defense of the Capitol of the Country - his surgeon's certificate to that effect was forwarded to Mr. Clay but it appears never reached your department - if necessary, a duplicate made be obtained & forwarded - I am confident an appeal to your humanity in the present instance is unnecessary; I therefore subscribe myself with respect & esteem.

Your obt serv

Louis Barney

Mrs. Harriet Barney
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To The Commissioner of Pensions

The memorial of the undersigned, the widow of the late Joshua Barney who was a Captain in the Navy of the United States respectfully shows:
That her husband the aforesaid Joshua Barney entered the service of the United States in the year 1814 that while in the said service and holding the rank above mentioned he departed this life, at Pittsburgh Pa on the first day of December in the year 1818; that the undersigned was married to the said Joshua Barney on the blank day of June in the year 1809; and in proof thereof, she refers to papers on file in the Pension Office upon which she obtained a pension for five years. She therefore claims the benefits of the second section of the act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1847, entitled "An act making appropriations for the payment of navy pensions for the year ending thirtieth June eighteen hundred and forty-eight" granting pensions to the widows of officers, seamen and marines, who have died in the service aforesaid; and she requests that her name may be inscribed on the roll of pensioners under that law who are paid at Louisville in the state of Kentucky.

Harriet Barney

Sworn and subscribed to before me on this 31st day of May in the year 1847.

G W Chambers - Judge

State of Kentucky, Jefferson County

I Curran Pope clerk of the county court of the county aforesaid do certify that George W Chambers who has signed the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said county duly commissioned & sworn and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts - In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 31st day of May 1847 & in the 55th year of the commonwealth.

Curran Pope

*If at a Navy Yard, the fact must be stated, and the name of the Navy Yard; if on board of a vessel of war, the name of the vessel must be given.

The official character and signature of the magistrate who may administer the oath must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.
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Newspaper Article

Commodore Barney
The Pittsburg Statesman thus concludes its remarks upon the burial of Commodore Barney:

"Commodore Barney was on his way to Kentucky with his family intending to make that state his future residence - when his career was stopped by one of those visitations of providence to which all are liable. The situation of his distressed widow and children thus suddenly deprived of their protector and friend in a strange place is better conceived than described.

Every respect was shown to the memory of the gallant and celebrated officer which times and circumstances would admit of. As one of the heroes of the revolution, he was beloved and respected and as the champion of Bladensburg he was everywhere received with enthusiasm. One of the most celebrated naval engagements which took place during the revolutionary war was fought by Commodore Barney on board the Hyder-ally against the General Monk a vessel of superior force commanded by Captain Rogers, the former carrying only four nine and twelve six pounders - and the latter eighteen nine pounders. This engagement was fought within Cape May on the 26th of April 1782 and gained for the Commodore the applause and thanks of his county. For his gallantry on this occasion, the legislature of Pennsylvania voted him an elegant sword.

On this occasion it is but justice to observe that Captain Barney received the most important aid from Captain Edward Scull brother to Mr. John Scull late editor of the Pittsburgh Gazette. Captain Scull commanded a body of marines recruited by himself and behaved in such a manner as to merit the particular thanks of the commodore, which this officer with that liberally which distinguishes brave minds, publicly offered at the Coffee House in Philadelphia.

The conduct of Commodore Barney at the battle of Bladensburg is recollected by all - in this engagement he was wounded and taken prisoner by General Ross and Admiral Cockburn and paroled on the spot. The ball could not be extracted and in the opinion of the physicians was the final cause of his death. In compliance with a wish often expressed by the commodore in his lifetime, the ball was extracted after his death by Drs. Dawson and Mowry; it was found lodged near the trochanfor minor of the right fermins flattened next the bone.

The age of Commodore Barney has been misstated in one of our papers. He was born in Baltimore on the 6th July 1759 and was in his 60th year. He was but 23 years of age when he took the Gen. Monk. His disease was not a bilious cholic as was reported but lumbago and inflammatory sore throat etc.
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June 4, 1932

BA-J/MCS
Joshua Barney
Old Act Navy Wid. File 79

Mr. L.B. Russell
Commanche 
Texas

Dear Sir

Reference is made to your letter of May 6th requesting information in regard to Commodore Barney.

the data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim Old Act Navey widow File 79, based upon injury received by Joshua Barney during his service in the War of 1812.

He was born July 6, 1759, in Baltimore, Maryland.

He commanded the vessel "Herder Ally" in the engagement which took place near Cape May in April 1782, between that vessel and the "General Monk" which was commanded by Captain Rogers.

During the war of 1812 he served in the United States navy as captain in command of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla. In the battle of Bladensburg August 24, 1814, he received a musket ball wound in the right thigh and was taken prisoner but was paroled on the spot.

On account of the disability resulting from the above noted wound, he was pensioned from May 1815.

In 1816 he was referred to as Commodore Joshua Barney.

He died December 1, 1818, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania while on his way to Kentucky.

Joshua Barney married in June 1809 or in May 1811 Harriet her maiden name not given.
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She was pensioned from December 1, 1818.

In August 1819 she lived at Elizabethtown Kentucky. In 1847 her post office address was Louisville, Kentucky.

Harriet Barney died October 14, 1849.

Joshua Barney's son, Louis, was living in Baltimore in 1819.

In 1841, one John Barney was executor of the last will and testament of Commodore Joshua Barney, "late of Baltimore County, Maryland" but his relation to Commodore Barney was not given.

Very truly yours,

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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NAVY PENSIONER
No 84

Joshua Barney
1814 of blank in the state of blank who was a Captain on board of the flotilla placed on the Pension Roll under the act of the blank of blank

Certificate payable at blank issued on the blank of blank and sent to blank.

Allowed for blank disability
$50 per month, commencing on the 1st of Jany May 1815
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PENSIONER

Harriet Barney widow of Joshua Barney formerly of the United States NAVY who was a commodore oof the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla and died of a wound 1 December 1818 placed on the Pension Roll under the act of the 11th of August 1848.

Certificate payable at Louisville issued on the 8th of August 1849 and sent to Hon'ble Garnett Duncan, Louisville, Kentucky

Allowed $50.00 per month commencing on the 1st of December 1848

Rate of disability....
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26th July

Mrs. Harriet Barney

Dear Madam,

Your letter of 28th June has lain unanswered in consequence of my being too unwell since its receipt to attend to it - The subject still lies over for the Secretary's consideration, the former certificate having been considered by him as sufficient to prove the case to be within the acts of Congress, he has been absent since March last and upon his return in a few days, I will lay the papers before him. You may depend upon my zealous and friendly endeavors to serve you in this and in very other instance in my power.
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To the Commissioner of Pensions
The memorial of the undersigned the widow of the late Joshua Barney, who was a Captain in Navy of the United States, respectfully shows:
That her husband, the aforesaid Joshua Barney entered the service of the United States in 1811 as a Captain, that he departed this life at Pittsburgh Pa on the 1st day of December 1819; that the undersigned was married to the said Joshua Barney on the blank day of May 1811; and in proof thereof she refers to papers on file in the pension office, upon which she formally obtained a pension. She therefore claims the benefits of the act of Congress of the 11th of August 1848 renewing certain Naval pensions; and she requests that her name may be inscribed on the roll of pensions under that law who are paid at Louisville in the state of Kentucky.

Harriet Barney

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 31st day of July in the year 1849.

G J Johnston - Justice of the Peace

State of Kentucky
Jefferson County - I Curran Pope clerk of the County Court
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for the county aforesaid do certify that G J Johnston whose name is signed to the within and foregoing affidavit is & was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said county duly commissioned & sworn and that full faith and credit is due all his official acts as such & that his signature thereto is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this first day of August AD 1849.

Curran Pope - Clerk
By Harrison Stucky - D.C.
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Baltimore July 29th 1816
Com. Joshua Barney
Endorses a certificate of application for a pension

Showing nature of wound.
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Baltimore July 26th 1816

My Dear Sir

I have come to Baltimore to consult with Doctor's. I am sorry to say that there still appears symptoms which alarms me, since the stoppage of the discharge from the wound, I am tormented to death with the headache which almost blinds me; medicine I take in abundance bloodletting in the arms freely, I am now compelled to cupping to relieve me but with little effect, when I take much exercise I feel great pain; when too little my head is affected so that I am continually complaining. I have consulted several surgeons, and they hope that time will do much, but time has thus far deceived me for I have been worse the longer I go, my best and easiest time was when I was first wounded: Doctor Hamilton the
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surgeon of the Flotilla has given me his opinion by the enclosed certificate; I sent it to you as secretary to the board of pensions; the board will ask as they think proper, I should never have made a demand but finding that I am compelled to keep a horse & light carriage, being unable to walk unless in great pain, which occasions are some considerable expense in consequence of my wound. I thought it nothing but just that my Country should in such a case grant me a generous relief; will you be pleased to present my certificate and favor me with the decision of the board.

I am your obt servant
Joshua Barney

Benj Homans Esq
Secretary to the board of
Naval Pensions.
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I do hereby certify that Commodore Joshua Barney was wounded by a musket ball in the thigh while in the command of the United States Chesapeake Flotilla when engaged with the British near Bladensburg on the 24th of August 1814 by which wound he suffered a long & painful confinement & several severe operations for the purpose of extracting the ball, but without success it still remaining in the limb keeps up constant pain & inflammation upon talking necessary exercise & a disposition to fever with is very injurious to his constitution & general health, I must prevent his pursuing any active business in future.

S Hamilton
Late Surgeon of the
United States Chesapeake Flotilla

Baltimore
July 20th, 1816

Com'd Joshua Barney is entitled to a pension as the law directs therefore a pension certificate must be issued.

B W Rawnimshields
Nave Dept July 28, 1816
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$50 
Joshua Barney lately commander of the Chesapeake Flotilla having been wounded in an engagement with British Army near Bladensburg on the 24 day of August 1814 which wound finally occasioned his death and having lost his life while in the line of his duty in the service Joshua Barney is entitled to receive of the Bank of the United States at Lexington Kentucky fifty dollars per month payable half yearly on the first day of July and the first day of January in every year for the term of five years, to commence on the first day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. She producing a certificate that she is and still remains the widow of said Joshua Barney and has not since intermarried with any other person, which certificate shall be signed by one of the principal magistrates of the town or place where said widow resides. And in case of her death or intermarriage, then the said pension shall be paid to the guardian of the child or children if any there be under the age of sixteen years; of which also a certificate shall be produced to the President of the Bank signed as aforesaid or upon his duly authenticated power of attorney with proof of the legal appointment of the guardian; and also that the child or children were living within one month of the period of payment of the pension. In default of which proofs this pension shall cease.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Navy Department this eighteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty.

Richd H Bradford
Secretary to the Board of Commissioners of the Navy Pension Fund.

Duplicate,
original issued 11 Sept [illegible] cancelled

R H B
Sept 11,
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Left Side Page

NAVY PENSIONER
Harriet Barney
widow of Joshua Barney
who was a Captain on board of the Chesapeake Flotilla.

The following are the names and ages of his children:

placed on the Pension Roll under the act of the blank of blank

Certificate payable at blank issued on the blank of blank and sent to blank

$50 per month, commending on the blank of blank 184x

Right Side Page

See letter to J H Causten May 16, 1845 - to Geo. Meriwether May 28, 1845
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File No 79
Navy Pensions
Widow's Case

Old Act.

Harriet Barney
Rev & 1812 
Joshua Barney
Commodore 
who died Dec 1st, 1818
by reason of a wound.
Placed on the Pension Roll 
Act of Aug 11th 1848
Certificate payable at Louisville Ky 
issued Aug 8th 1849
and sent to Hon. Garrett Duncan
Louisville, Ky

$50 per month from Dec
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Left Side Page

No 154
5 Years' Pension

Harriet Barney
widow of Joshua Barney
of the United States Navy who was a commander  
of Chesapeake Flotilla and died in consequence
of a wound received
placed on the Pension Roll under the act of the 3d of March 1845.

Certificate payable at Washington City issued on the 11th of March 1846 and sent to B. Homans, Esq. Present.

Allowed
$50 per month, commencing on the 1st of December 1838

Right Side Page

See letter to B. Homans 24 May 1847 - do to same 7 June 1847, do to Wm H Barnes June 10, 1847 - do to John Barney Dec 4, 1847

letter to Hon Garnett Duncan
May 19, 1848

Letter to Secretary of State
May 22nd 1848
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Left Side Page

5 Years Pension

Harriet Barney
widow of Joshua Barney of
the United States Navy who was a commodore
of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla and died in consequence of a wound on the 1st December 1818 and placed on the Pension Roll under the act of the
blank May 9, 1848.

Certificate payable at Louisville, Kent. illegible on the 5th of June 1848 and sent t Hon. Garrett Duncan House of Representatives.

$50 per month commencing on the 1st of December 1843.

Right Side Page

See letter to WN. Lane, N. Pit
July 12, 1848
do to Hon G Duncan M.C. July 18, 1849
1922 June 6 - Meyrle Pratt Bray add names of granddaughter & Great Granddaughter do not
appear in Claim
1932 June 4 - Hist to Mrs. L B Russell
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Hardin County Kentucky

This day personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said county Elizabeth Young who being duly sworn states on oath that she was with the family of Commodore Joshua Barney at Pittsburgh on their removal from Baltimore to Kentucky & that she was in the family at the time of the Commodore's death which was on the first day of December 1818 - given under my hand this 5th June 1819.

Samuel Martin - JP
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State of Kentucky Hardin County

I Samuel Haycraft Clerk of the said Harding County Court do certify that Samuel Martin whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit of Miss Elizabeth young was at the time of signing the same and still is a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified as such and that full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county at  my office in Elizabeth Town on the 5th day of June 1819 in the 28th year of the commonwealth.

Sam'l Haycraft - Clerk

SEAL

Comm. Barney
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Elizabeth Town Ky June 28, 1819
and 26th July

To Benjamin Homans, Esq

Dear Sir

I am in need again to trouble you to know the determination of the secretary with regard to the pensioning and whether he will allow it to me or not, you were so good as to say you would write me when my case should be decided on and I have waited until the funds I had is almost ceased and I know not where I am to get more without I am allowed the pension my dear husband received and for which he paid is dear, if he was allowed it during his lifetime, surely his wretched family wants it when they in leaving him are bereft of every comfort and friend in this world. You sir know he was of the generous to deposit [illegible] up anything and with him dead his income and now his family is left in a strange place without money or friends, I do hope the heads of government will take this into consideration and not let the family of a man that spent the best part of his life in the service of his county and finally lost his life in fighting his battles be left without support. The girls thank you for your kind remembrance of them and beg you to await their best wishes for your happiness and accept my sincere thanks for the friendship and interest you extend for me.

Yours with Respect
Harriet Barney
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Joshua Barney - scratched out
Harriet Barney
memorial
Petition - scratched out
 
1847 Dec 15
presented by 
Garrett Duncan

Dec 15, 1847
Referred by the Court
Further an Invalid Pensions
Naval Affairs - scratched out

January 4, 1848, Bill No. 23

Garrett Duncan
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Memorial of Mrs. Harriet Barney Widow of the late Joshua Barney who was a Captain in the Navy of the United States.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the U.S. in Congress Assembled.

The Memorial of Harriet Barney of Kentucky respectfully shows that an act was passed on 3rd March 1847 at the Second Session of 29th Congress which provided that the benefits of the Act of 3rd March 1843 Chap 41 Entitled "An act to be extended to all pensions of a similar kind, which have expired since the passage of said act". That the pension of your memorialist was removed under said act of 3rd March 1843 to commence 1st December 1838 and that it consequently expired 5 years thereafter on the 1st December 1843 before the passage of the act of 3rd March 1847. Your memorialist by this phraseology is cut off from the benefits of the act of 3rd March 1847, contrary as she confidently believes to the intention of Congress, who doubtless designed to renew all pensions that had been removed under the act of 3rd March 1845.

Your memorialist therefore prays your Honorable Bodies to pass such a law for her relief to correct the operation of the law before referred to as in your wisdom you may think proper.

Harriet Barney

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of November in the year 1847.

G W Chambers - JP
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Commonwealth of Kentucky
County of Jefferson

Know all men by these presents that I Harriet Barney widow of the late Commodore Joshua Barney of the U.S. Navy residing in the county and commonwealth aforesaid do hereby make constitute and appoint Benjamin Homans of the city of Washington in the District of Columbia my trued and lawful attorney in my name to ask for and obtain a renewal of the pension hereto fore. granted to me by the Secretary of the Navy and to receipt for and receive from the Government of the United States or from the proper department thereof whatever sum or sums of money may be due to me on account of said pension to this date.

In testimony whereof i hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of March in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty-six.

Harriet Barney

State of Kentucky 
Jefferson County

This day Harriet Barney whose name is signed to the foregoing power of attorney personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for said county and acknowledged the same to be her act and deed, authorizing the said attorney therein named to do all and severally the acts & things therein specified.

Given under my hand this 2nd day of March 1846.

G W Chambers - JP JC
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TO THE COMMISIONER OF PENSIONS

The memorial of the undersigned, the widow of the late Joshua Barney who was a Captain in the Navy of the United States, respectfully shows:

That her husband, the aforesaid Joshua Barney entered the service of the United States in the year 1813; that he departed this life at * Pittsburgh on the first day of December in the year 1818; that the undersigned was married to the said Joshua Barney on the blank day of blank in the yar 1809; and in proof thereof, she refers to papers on file in the Pension Office upon which she obtained a pension for five years. She therefore claims the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1845, granting pensions to the widows of officers, seamen and marines, who have died in the service aforesaid; and she requests that her name may be inscribed on the roll of pensioners under that law who are paid at Louisville, Ky in the state of Kentucky.

Harriet Barney

Sworn and subscribed to before me on this 2d day of March in the year 1846.

G W Chambers - JP JC

* If at a Navy Yard, the fact must be stated, and the name of the Navy Yard; if on board of a vessel of war, the name of the vessel must be given.

The official character and signature of the magistrate who may administer the oath must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.
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Commonwealth of Kentucky
Jefferson County

I Curran Pope clerk of the county court of the county aforesaid do certify that G.W. Chambers Esq whose name appears to the foregoing certificate was at the date thereof and is still an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned & qualified and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said county this 2d day of March 1846.

Curran Pope - Clerk
By W.J. Johnson D.C.
Page 32

Comm. Barney
Page 33

U.S. Arsenal near Pittsburg
April 30th, 1819

I certify on honor that I examined the wound of Commodore Barney at Bladensburg the day after he received it 25th August 1814. It was a deep gunshot wound six or seven inches in the upper part of the thigh & a case musket ball remained close to the bone & nearly under the femoral artery - it was therefore difficult & dangerous to be extracted. I examined the situation of the ball at several times afterwards when I met with the Commodore & found it to be still very inconveniently situated so as to be a continual source of irritation & sometimes of excruciating pain. I have no hesitation in believing that the said wound & ball was the cause of Commodore Barney's death on the 1st Dec.

Hanson Catlett
Port Surgeon U.S.A.
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HR 23

Thirtieth Congress - First Session

Report No. 19
(To accompany bill H.R. No 23)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mrs. Harriet Barney

January 4, 1848

Mr. Fulton, from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, made the following
REPORT:

The Committed on Invalid Pensions to whom was referred the petition of Mrs. Harriet Barney, report:

That Mrs. Barney, the widow of Commodore Barney, was regularly on the pension list, and her pension as renewed for five years, terminating on the 1st of December 1843.

It appears that whilst the spirit of the act of 1847 clearly embraced the case of Mrs. Barney, its phraseology failed to embrace it; simply because her pension expired on the 1st of December 1843 and the act aforesaid renewed only all pensions of a similar kind that had expired "since the passage of the act of the 3rd March 1845."

Whilst all other pensions of a similar kind were renewed for five years, it would be unreasonable to refuse the renewal in this one. The committee therefore report to the House the accompanying bill, with the recommendation that it should pass.
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MAIL STAMP - illegible

Benjamin Homas, Esquire
Navy Depart
Washington City

Cert. issued 11 Sept 1819
Page 36

U.S. Arsenal near Pittsburg
5th Sept 1819

Sir

I have received your letter of 24 August respecting the case of Commodore Barney - & herewith enclose to you my certificate required I know not that it contains anything material in addition to what I have heretofore stated & which I presumed is already before you. I have said I did not see Commodore Barney in his last illness but have seen the ball after it was extracted after his death; it was of the largest size, much battered & calculated to give much pain & irritation - I have conversed fully with the physicians who last attended him & entirely accorded in their views of his case which I believe are also before you.

Should anything still be wanting on this subject either in firm or substance that may be within my knowledge or power to furnish & it can be pointed out to me, it shall be given with readiness & pleasure.

I have the honor to be 
with great respect sir
Your obt servant
Hanson Catlett
Post Surgeon
Page 37

Baltimore March 17th 1819

I hereby certify that I have been repeatedly called on in my professional capacity to visit Commodore Joshua Barney in consequent of the wound received in the battle of Bladensburg, that on the first visit the inflammation and fever were such as seriously to endanger his life; that although on an extensive suppuration pervading nearly the whole thigh, the pieces of coat, pantaloons and shirt were taken away yet no efforts or acts could possibly remove the ball; that on two subsequent occasions by a revival of the inflammation and fever of the parts originally affected from slight causes the existence of the Commodore was as often menaced and finally that any feverous disease from whatever cause and in itself however innocuous might be the presence and irritation of the ball
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rendered fatal which in all probability was the melancholy fact for the Commodore's constitution in other respects was unbroken firm and robust.

John B Davidge MD
Prof of Anatomy in the University of Maryland

Commodore Barney
Page 39

Smith Thompson Esq
Secretary of the Navy
Washington City

MAIL STAMP - Baltimore Aug 31

Louis Barney
Balt Co 31 Aug 1819
Page 40

Balt Co Aug 31, 1819

Smith Thompson Esq
Secretary of the Navy
Washington

Sir

Having forwarded to your Department the certificates of Surgeons & others requisite to prove the justice of my father's widow's claim for a pension, under the Act of Congress granting pensions to the Widows of those who died from wounds received in defending their country; I solicit from you the necessary documents to enable Mrs. Harriet Barney to receive the pension alluded to above (she at present resides in Elizabeth Town, Kentucky) & oblige.

Your very obt servant

Louis Barney
Page 41

Benj Homans esq
Navy Department
Washington
Page 42

Baltimore, May 8th, 1819

Dear Sir

It gives me pleasure to enclose you certificate from tow surgeons at Pittsburg which I think will ensure Mrs. Barney receives her late husband's pension- I wish you to examine the certificates & if you think either will interfere with our claim do not present it - You will find one I sent on sometime since from Dr. Davidge corroborating the others. We have nothing new here, the times continue hard.

Our friend J Beatty Esq & family talk of leaving us next week for Kentucky, I sincerely hope his health will be benefited by the trip - with compliments to your lady etc.

I am sincerely yours

L Barney
Page 43

MAIL STAMP - May 17

Smith Thompson Esq
Secretary of the Navy
Washington City

L Barney
Page 44

Baltimore, March 17, 1819

Smith Thompson Esq
Secretary of the Navy

Sir

I enclose you the certificate of one of the first surgeons of our city who has attended my father in several attacks brought on by his wound. the last six or eight weeks previous to his leaving here for Kentucky on the road you recollect he was taken from us.

I have written to Pittsburg for certificates from the physicians who attended him there & who have already given a written opinion of the Commodore's death being occasioned by the ball he carried in his thigh but I am anxious to remove a small portion of the anxiety on the mind of Mrs. Barney and send on the enclosed in hopes it may prove to authorize  your opening a pension certificate in favor of Mrs. Harriet Barney.

I am with respect
Your obt serv
Louis Barney
Page 45

Benjamin Homans Esq
Navy Department
Washington
Page 46

Balt. March 16th 1819

Dear Sir

I am truly grateful for your kind exertions in behalf of the destroyed widow of my father. I enclosed to Mr. Thompson an extract of the account published at Pittsburg of the Commodore's death in which the Physician names & opinion were mentioned confirming my statement of his wound being the cause of our loss. The certificate Mrs. B sent on to Washington if found would settle the business at once, but for fear that could not be done, I have wrote on to Pittsburg for another certificate which I shall have in a fortnight & hope receiving that will not be too late to find the Secretary at Washington as I am very anxious to relieve Mrs. B's mind on the only topic on which it can be offered.

Perhaps however Mr. Thompson can act with the
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evidence already submitted which if possible, would be doing an act of charity as well as of justice.

I am with respect & esteem
Your obt servt
Louis Barney
Page 48

Know all men by these present that we John Barney and Nathaniel Williams executors of the last will and testament of Joshua Barney late of Baltimore County, Maryland, deceased - reposing special trust & confidence in Francis A Dickins of the City of Washington District of Columbia, [illegible] affidavits constituted and appointed why there respects [illegible] the said Francis A Dickins is our true & lawful attorney for us as in our names & behalf to settle [illegible] the office of the treasury of the United States or any other department of government the accounting of the late Commodore
Page 49

Joshua Barney; and to receive & give receipts in our names as executors as aforesaid or any sum of money or balances which may be due to the estate of said Barney from the United States or any department thereof & hereby ratifying & confirming whatsoever on said attorney shall or may lawfully do in the premises.

Given under our hands & seal at the city of Baltimore this twenty-first day of May eighteen hundred & forty-one.

John Barney
Nath. Williams

Signed, sealed & delivered in presence of Joshua B Wiliams
Page 50

I certify upon honor that I attended Commodore Barney in his last illness which terminated with a copious vomiting of very dark colored bile.

After his death I extracted a large musket ball from his right thigh - it was lodged near the Trochanter minor, flattened near the bone.

The constant irritation of the ball must have deranged the functions of the liver and produced the morbid secretion in that viscous which caused his death.

G Dawson
Late acting surgeon
Fort Fayette
Pittsburgh January 1, 1819
Page 51

Benjamin Homans Esquire
Navy Depart
Washington City

PITTSBURG Mail Stamp - Dec 28

Pittsburgh Dec 26, 1818
Mrs. Harriet Barney
Wishes to know if the pension
to her husband can be extended
to her.
Page 52

Pittsburg, Dec 26th 1818

To Benjamin Homans, Esq

Sir

Will you be so good as to inform me if it lays in the breast of the pension board to continue to me the pension of my late beloved husband Commodore Barney, if so may I count on your good offices to get it for me, I know I need not apologize to you for the liberty I am taking as the goodness of your heart will excuse it from the wife of your deceased friend.

Yours with respect

Harriet Barney

Please direct to the care of Alexander Johnston Esqr cashier of the Bank of Pittsburg

and 26th Jany
Page 53

MAIL STAMP - Illegible

Benjamin Homans Esquire
Navy Department
Washington
Page 54

Baltimore July 20th 1816
and 22nd July cover of J. Beatty

Dear Sir

I have been suffering much since I had the pleasure of seeing you as will appear by the enclosed; I am sorry truly sorry to trouble you or rather to have occasion to trouble you on this subject the fact is I not only suffer but am put to much expense in consequence of the wound & the least that can be done is to save my pocket - the pain I must bear - will you be pleased to inform me how that poor fellow William Munday who was on the Naval Pension list is to obtain the benefit of the law which I procured for him last session for the loss of his two arms & he has been with me and tells me he has not received anything as yet - I hope soon to pay a visit to Washington and as you are now your own [illegible] I will
Page 55

expect a compliance with your promise of a short visit to my house when we have good air & good water and a hearty welcome; I fear I shall suffer much in the election campaign, which must commence in a few days; the heat affects me greatly, however, I have undertaken it and will go through, and have every reason to calculate on success, although the feds seem confident of beating me and to have complete success in the state elections if bribery & corruption can succeed they will for they bleed at the purse freely. I shall be happy to hear from you & if there requires any particular form for my application, I will thank you to let me know
Page 56

with sentiments as the greatest esteem
and friendship I am
Yours most sincerely

Joshua Barney
Page 57

Louisville, August 11th 1834

Sir

I have to acknowledge for Mrs. Barney the receipt of your polite note apprising her of the necessary remittance having been made to the Branch Bank US at Lexington Ky for the payment of her pension - Not withstanding however, this note having been sent up by her to Lexington, the agent there declines at present paying it as it is not a formal order to him from the Navy Department to that effect - and by some mistake her name was not included in the list of pensioners sent out to him . The time specified in the last certificate under which she has been drawing her pension expired last December - of course by the Act of Congress of 1832 it is now current for five years longer from the period of its expiration - but Mr. Tilford re-
Page 58

quires of her a copy of the new certificate to that effect - this she has never got not knowing that was essential.

Would you have the kindness to have the certificate made out and sent to her as soon as possible as she is sustaining considerable inconvenience from not receiving her pension at the usual period.

Respectfully your obt servt

Thos L Caldwell

Jno Boyle
Acting Sect of Navy
Page 59

Louisville, August 20th 1834

Sir

You have within the certificate of Pension under which Mrs. Commodore Barney has been receiving her pension to December last - Mrs. B was not till today aware of the necessity of returning the old certificate to the Department before a new one could be issued and again desires of me to ask of you the favor to have the new certificate forwarded to her with as little delay as possible.

Respectfully
Your obt servt

Thos L Caldwell

John Boyle Esq
Navy Dept
Page 60

Lexington, Dec 7th, 1834

Jno Boyle Esq
Dear Sir

Permit me once more to call your attention to a little matter on which I formerly troubled you in June or July last. It is the pension of my friend Mrs. Commodore Barney. The last semi-annual payment was made to her immediately on the receipt of the funds $350 at the Branch Bk US in Louisville.

Having through ignorance of the necessity of applying for a renewal of her certificate of Pension sustained some inconvenience at that time and fearful that at the next period of payment the 1st Jany prox she might again suffer some delay Mrs. B applied a few days since to Mr. Gwathmey the cashier of the US Br Bank to know if there were funds there to be appropriated - to the purpose. He replied in the negative and advised her immediately writing to the Navy Department on the matter. As I had formerly addressed the Department for her in this business, she wrote to immediately at this place to request that I would again do so.

May I than ask the favor or your attention to the matter in her behalf that the requisite funds may be deposited in Louisville in time to meet the next payment when due to her that she may not again suffer any inconvenience - the kindness and promptness with which you formerly acted on my application
Page 61

to you for Mrs. Barney must plead my apology for now again troubling you.

Very respectfully
Your obt & humble servant

Thos L Caldwell

P.S. Should you favor me with a reply will you have the goodness to address to me at this place.
Page 62

Lexington Dec 15th /35

Dear Sir

I have once more to trouble you in behalf of my friend Mrs. Commodore Barney.

Mr. H.B. Hill late president of the Br Bank U.S. at Louisville being no longer the Pension agent since the winding up of that branch Mrs. B is ignorant where to apply for her semi-annual payments, and has requested me by letter, to address you for the purpose of ascertaining it.

Will you have the kindness to inform her by letter at Louisville address to the care of Maj.  Throckmorton or myself at this place and oblige.

Very respectfully
Your obt servant

Tho L Caldwell

Jno Boyle, Esq
Page 63

Sir

I enclose the affidavits relating to Mrs. Barney's case with the proper certificate of the clerk of Balt. County.

With great respect
Your most obt servant

Dany W Gray

Balt, July 11th, 1835
Page 64

Washington April 5, 1837

To the Hon Mahlon Dickerson
Secretary of the Navy

Sir

I have the honor to present herewith a power of attorney from Mrs. Harriet Barney, widow of the late Commodore Barney, to which I respectfully invite your early attention.

Your most obt servant

James H Caustin
Page 65

Louisville 18 Dec 1838

My Dear sir,

I learn with great regret that the Secretary of the Navy refuses to continue the pension to the widow of Commodore Barney on the ground that he was not in the service of the United States at the time of his death, although it is proven & admitted that he died of wounds received at the battle of Bladensburg.

In that engagement he commanded a detachment of seamen who performed most affectual service & received a gunshot wound which not only disabled him but occasioned his death.

This detail of facts I am persuaded will induce congress to restore the name of his widow to the Pension roll.

I know Mrs. Barney - she has resided here many years - she is a most exemplary & excellent lady and is extremely poor.

In truth this pension has been the means of her support. Can it be possible that the widow of Com. Barney will be left to the charity of his friends for support when she has such irresistible claims on the justice of her country.

Her husband was one of the most eminent of all our Naval commodores - His name is associated with the earliest and most glorious achievements of our Navy, and he died from wounds received on his last battlefield.

What a commentary on the gratitude of our country if this pension is withheld. May I beg you to see your friends in both Houses of Congress and urge the success of the bill to restore her name to the pension list.

I ask it of you as a personal favor - I am sure
Page 66

However, your generous feeling will prompt you to interfere on her behalf as you have ever been the friend of the widow & the orphan. 
Relying on your active act in promoting the measure I remain with great regard
Your friend

R J Ward

Hon Rh M Johnson
Page 67

Washington, December 1, 1838

To the Hon James K Paulding
Secretary of the Navy

Sir

I have been instructed by Mrs. Harriet Barney widow of Commodore Joshua Barney deceased to request that a pension be granted to her, under the provisions of the act of March 3d 1837 entitled an "act for the more equitable administration of the Navy Pension Fund" in virtue of the pension heretofore ranted to her and on the proof on which it was founded.

I have the honor to be
with much respect
Your most obt servant

James H. Caustin
Page 68

J H Caustin for Mrs. Barney

According to the attorney General's opinion within Mrs. Barney was not entitled to a pension in the first instance because Com. Barney did not "died in the naval service."

The case is submitted for the decision of the secretary of the Navy

5th Dec 1838

Ansd 7th Dec 1838
Page 69

Washington City
H. Reps
22 Dec 1838

sir

I herewith forward you the pension certificate of Mrs. Barney for [illegible], I suppose I ought to have provided it sooner, but it escaped my recollection - please forward me new certificate as soon as your convivence will allow.

Most respectfully
Your obt servt

W J Green

J L Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Page 70

May 25, 1841

Com. Joshua Barney, dec'd
Navy Pension
Page 71

Washington
25 May 1841

Sir

Commodore Barney was pensioned for a wound received at the battle of Bladensburg; the pension was granted to take effect from I believe May 1815 by law he was entitled to it from the 24 Augt 1814 the day that he was wounded. This case is expressly provided for by the law of 3d March 1837 which states that pensions to invalids shall be paid from the day on which they were disabled and numerous cases similar to this have been allowed by the department. The endorsed letter of attorney from the executors of Com. Barney authorizes me to receive
Page 72

the money & I will therefore request that you will direct the amount to be settled.

Very respectfully
yours
Francis A Dickinson

James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 73

John Barney for
Mrs. Barney
Ansd 9th Feby 1839

I could not find this letter

To the Honorable
Secretary of the Navy
Washington

B316 Feb 2,
Page 74

Washington, February 1st, 1839

Sir

I have the honor in acknowledging your favor of 31st inst.

The claim of the widow of the late Commodore Barney to a pension was recognized by all your predecessors at well as those of the Attorney General for the last twenty years.

Your decision must be corrected by the action of Congress

I therefore renew my request for authenticated copies of the certificate of his physician that he died of wounds rec'd in battle which were placed on file when the pension was obtained. I also ask permission to withdraw the bullet extracted from
Page 75

his body after his death and deposited by me in the office and hung up over the desk occupied by your predecessor on a silent pause in order that it may accompany the other evidence that his life was devoted to his country.

Very respectfully
I have the honor to be
your obt servant

John Barney

To the Hon'ble
J K Pauling
Page 76

Harriet Barney
1 May 1830

Mail Stamp - illegible

Hon. Charles A Wickliffe
Washington City

Mrs. Barney
Page 77

Louisville, May 1st, 1830

To the Honorable Charles Wickliffe

Sir

I received your letter wishing the original certificate which I now forward, will you be so kind sir as to have it transferred in time for me to receive it when it is due which you will see is the first of July by so doing you will much oblige.

Yours with respect

Harriet Barney
Page 78

Louisville, Nov 30 1847

Hon. Garrett Duncan
Washington D.C.

My Dear Sir

At the request of Mrs. Barney I herewith hand you her memorial to Cnogress for a special act to enable her to receive his pension, which by the phraseology of the act of 3rd March 1847 she is cut off from the benefits of. There cannot be a doubt of the success of her memorial if understood. I also had you the commissioner's letter which may be of service.

Please take this matter under yours & Mr. Crittenden's particular charge and let it be one of the first acts of the session.

The act should authorize the commissioners of Pensions to pay the pension at their agency at Louisville, Ky as the last 5 years of her pension. She never received the first dollar of her agent in Washington having rec'd it & failed to pay over & is hopelessly insolvent. Wishing you every success

I am your friend
Isaac Everett

You will observe from the memorial that her pension should be received for 3 years from 1st December 1843 this being the time which it expired & should have been received under the act of "47".

E.
Page 79

Baltimore, Dec 20, 1847

My Dear Sir

Will you favor me by stating when Mrs. Commodore Barney's claim to a renewal of her pension is defective that I may apply to congress to remedy it.

When I inform you that Mr. Benjamin Homans to [illegible] his pockets the whole of her last five years pension without giving one dollar as her last letter in [illegible] me green to cause the trouble I give learning that agent myself.

Very respectfully
John Barney

To J L Edwards Esq
Pension Agent Washington
Page 80

An Act
For the relief of Mrs. Harriet Barney
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the pension heretofore allowed Harriet Barney and which expired on the first day of December, eighteen hundred and forty-three shall be and the same is hereby renewed for five years to be computed from and after the first day of December, one thousand eight hundred and forty-three.

Approved May 9th, 1848

Department of State May 31, 1848
The above is a true copy as compared with the original roll.

W S Derrick
A.C.C.
Page 81

Washington, May 13, 1848

Sir

Will you do me the favor to enclose to me instructions and blanks for Mrs. Harriet Barney to receive her pension and whether it will be paid here or at Louisville, Ky.

And I will call your attention to the acts in reference to whether this is not now for life as all others of that class.

Be the act of March 1847 the benefit of the act of March 1845 were extended to all pensioners of a similar kind which expired the passage of that act - Mrs. Barney was one of those of a similar kind but it happened that her pension expired before the passage of the act of 1845 - it was a case evidently in the spirit of both acts - Congress has passed one act to give her the benefits of the act which has within a week past been signed by the President - this act gives her the benefit of it from the day her pension expired as was the case with the others - that date is 1st Dec 1843.

I find however another act of this session Feby 2nd 1848 which extend them to life if I understand the true construction of it. What such endeavor as have been admitted by special acts of congress to the benefits of the pension act of 1838, or 1844 shall.

Will you do the Mrs.
Page 82

see the report of this session on Mrs. Barney's case & the bill and to inform whether the act of Feby 1848 does not connect hers & all of that kind of widow's pension for life pensions.

With Respect

Garrett Duncan
Page 83

Washington Jany 30 1829

Sir

In 1818 or 1823 the widow of the late Commodore Joshua Barney was placed on the Navy Pension List in consideration of her husband's having died of a wound received at the battle of Bladensburg. Proof of which under the hand & seal of his physicians were placed on record and in the files of the Navy Department - however the pension has been suspended - permit me respectfully to call your attention to this subject in order that the certificate aforesaid may be examined in case there be any defect in the proof or that the existing laws do not meet the case and application may be made to Congress for relief.

Very respectfully
Your obt serv

John Barney

To the Honorable
The Secretary of the Navy
Page 84

Washington 20 May '48

Sir

I have had the honor to receive your communication of yesterday on the subject of Mrs. Barney's pension - I will examine the laws again & may call your attention to the same subject again if upon examination I find reason to doubt the correctness of your views.

But you seem to have overlooked the act of May 1848 for the benefit of Mrs. Barney - I wished you to look at the printed report in the House Reps  on which this act of Jany 1848 was based - I have reason to hope that this report & this act of this session signed by the President on I think the 9 May 1848 which you seem not to have seen will change your opinion but I do not wish to have you now to re-examine that opinion.

My object now is to ask what paper must be procured for
Page 85

Mrs. Barney to draw her pension under the late act of May 9th, 1848 - By it she is given her pension from 1843.

Do you not take notice of acts passed & approved which of course appear as laws in the state Department?

Yours truly

Garrett Duncan
Page 86

Louisville 12 July '49

Sir

Have you remembered or forgotten the account of Geo W. Merriwether which you were to have laid before Mr. Ewing on his return from Ohio - Some small vouchers for that book were disallowed though expended under your Mr. [illegible].

And while writing let me ask you whether you have ever thought again of Mrs. Barney's pension  certificate?

Yours truly

Garrett Duncan

J L Edwards Esq
Page 87

Louisville, July 31, 1849

Sir

You will find enclosed Mrs. Barney's declaration which is I think properly certified.

Your truly
Garrett Duncan

J L Edwards Esq
Page 88

Louisville, May 31, 1847

B Homans Esq

Dear Sir

Yours of the 23rd inst covering two memorials one returned and the other a blank to be filled up by & for Mrs. Harriet Barney came to hand yesterday. Herewith enclosed I had you the memorial under the act of the 3rd March 1847. As per act of which I wish presented to the commissioner & her name placed upon the pay roll at Louisville, Ky.

Respectfully

Isaac Everett
Page 89

Louisville, June 3, 1847

J L Edwards, Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir

You are hereby requesting to have placed to my credit at your agency in Louisville, Ky the whole amt of my pension commending 1st Dec 1843 as per my memorial under the act 3rd March 1847 hereby revoking all powers of Att'y to this date.

Very respectfully
Your most obt Servant

Harriet Barney

List:
Isaac Everett
Page 90

Louisville, June 3, 1847

B Homans Esq

Dear Sir

Mrs. Barney requests me to say to you that she desires the whole amt of her pension commencing 1st Dec 1843 paid at their agency in Louisville.

Very respt'y
Isaac Everett

This will be mailed at Cincinnati being too far for the mail here - therefore cannot pay postage.

E.
Page 91

Washington, June 8, 1847

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 7th inst. I will state that I have no particular desire that Mrs. Barney's pension certificate should be transmitted through me. Her memorial was enclosed to me by her son-in-law, Isaac Everett Esq and as I intended to write to him I thought it as well to enclose the certificate. It may be sent should you think proper to Mrs. B herself care of Mr. Everett, Louisville, Ky. 

Enclosed is a letter which I received from him this morning.

Very respectfully
Your obt. servant

B Homans

J L Edwards, Esq
Comm. of Pensions
Page 92

Pension Office
June 10, 1847

Madam
 
Upon an examination of your claim to a renewal of your pension, I find that your case is not embraced by the act of the 3rd of March 1847 nor can you under any other law obtain a restoration to the pension list. I have no doubt but that Congress upon a proper representation of the facts would pass a special act in your case.

Under the act of March 3, 1845, your pension was renewed for five years from the first of December 1838 and consequently expired on the first of December 1843. The act of March 3, 1847, renews the pensions which were renewed under the act of March 3, 1845, and which "may expire before the next session of Congress", but it does reach any case where the pension has already expired.

I am respectfully
Your obt serv.

J.L. Edwards
 
Mrs. Harriet Barney
Louisville, Kentucky
Page 93

Washington, May 24, 1847

Sir

I enclose the memorial of Mrs. Harriet Barney, widow of Commodore Joshua Barney, for a renewal of her pension under the act of the last sessions of congress, granting pensions for five years to those who had heretofore received them.

The certificate when issued I request may be enclosed to me to be forwarded to Mrs. Barney.

Very respt'y

Your obed Servant
B. Homans

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 94

Philadelphia, May 24th 1841

Sir

For good & sufficient reasons which I will have the honor to explain to you in person very soon, I have next earnestly & respectfully to request that all proceedings in relation to a pension claim by any agent for Mrs. Harriet Barney widow of my late father Commodore Joshua Barney may be suspended - until I can produce to you the authority for issuing a pension certificate and paying the same or any part thereof.

Very respectfully

Your Obt servant

John Barney

To the
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 95

Washington, March 9, 1846

Sir

I enclose the memorial of Mrs. Harriet Barney, widow of Comm. Joshua Barney for a renewal of her pension. As the five years have expired, to which she is entitled under the Act of March 3, 1845, I request that the pension may be made payable to me, at Washington, instead of to her at Louisville.

Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt

B. Homans
Attny of Mrs. H. Barney

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 96

Please to say to what time Mrs. Harriet Barney widow of Commodore Joshua Barney was last paid?

She was paid in Kentucky

Yours 
J L Edward

March 2, 1846

To Col. Hunter

Paid last at Kentucky Agency to 1st of December 1838 when her pension expired.

A H Mechlin
for Mr. Hunter who is 
absent - sick
Page 97

Louisville, May 23, 1845

J L Edwards Esq
Comm. of Pensions

Dear sir,

Please favor to Geo. Meriwether Esq Pension Agent at this place as myself - the papers necessary to obtain the pension of Mrs. Harriet Barney widow of Commodore Joshua Barney dec'd under the act of the last congress remaining the five-year naval pension law. I think you will find that her warranty expired either in "38 or "39 - Your early attention to this will confer a favor on the widow and

Your obt servt

Isaac Everett

I wrote to an agent at Washington some time since having rec'd no answer presume, she is [illegible].

E.
Page 98

Washington May 13, 1845

James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

The enclosed letter from Mr. Isaac Everett exhibits an expectation on the part of the widow of the late Commodore Joshua Barney that the act of congress passed it the last sessions entitles her to a pension of five years - and she asks through Mr. Everett for the blank forms prescribed by your Bureau to enable her to obtain the same, which I request you will favor me with. Should Mrs. Barney's said expectation be not well founded, and any other existing act of congress will entitle her to a pension be pleased to favor me with the blank forms applicable thereto.

It appears from the enclosed letter from the fourth Auditor of Mary 1, 1837 that the opinion of the Attorney General applicable to a former claim had reference to the arrears of pension supposed to be due to her as the widow or administrator of Commodore Barney from the date of his disability up to the date of his death; but did not extend to her right to a pension under any law then in operation. If this be the opinion to which our late conversation referred, it evidently does not decide her right to a pension.

I am sir with much respect
Your Obt Serv

James H Caustin
Page 99

H.R. No 23
Harriet Barney
Page 100

PENSION FILES BUREAU - Mail Stamp Dec 5 1931

Nov 17, 1931
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Old Act: Navy
Wid File #79
Joshua Barney

Dear Sirs

In applying for my D.A.R. papers I must have the birth dates of my great grandmother and y great, great-grandmother attested. I am a direct descendent of Commodore Joshua Barney of Baltimore, MD. Mary Barney Williams was his granddaughter born in 1812. My great grandmother was the daughter
Page 101

401 Washington Avenue
Glencoe, Illinois

32292
MAIL STAMP

of Mary Barney Williams and Dr. Michael Diffenderfer. She was born in 1832 I believe in Baltimore, MD & was Commodore Barney's Great Granddaughter. She married John George Anderson in 1851.

I must file duplicate certified copies of either birth, marriage or death dates.

I am enclosing $1.00. If this is not sufficient to cover the charges, please send the papers collect.

Thank you.

Currently $1.00
Yours Truly
Meryle Pratt Bray (Mrs. Allen R.)
Page 102

LETTERHEAD
L.B. Russell
Comanche, Texas

May 6, 1932

Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.

Dear Sirs:

I am trying to get some information relative to Commodore Barney supposed to have earned his titled by service in the U.S. Navy in 1812 though I am so ignorant of the matter that I don't even know where to apply for information. I should appreciate any assistance either from your records or by referring this letter to a proper source for the information.

Courteously 

B. Russell
Page 103

January 6, 1932

BA-J/MMHF:MLB
Old Act Navy W. FIle 79
Joshua Barney

Meryle Pratt Bray
401 Washington Avenue
Glencoe, Illinois

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in regard to establishing proof of the date of birth of Mary Barney Williams, granddaughter of Commodore Joshua Barney, of Baltimore, Maryland, and of date of birth of his great granddaughter (daughter of Mary Barney Williams and Dr. Michael Diffenderfer) who married John George Anderson in 1851.

This office has no general genealogical data on file as a means of establishing ancestral lines, however, the papers on file in the above noted claim have been carefully examined and no name appears as that of a granddaughter or a great granddaughter.

It is regretted that this office is unable to aid you in your research.

No charge is made for this service. One dollar, the amount of your remittance, will be refunded in due time.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator