Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31187, for Michael Kirkham, Virginia
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(3-1776)    NUMBER

Va    Kirkham, Michael   S.31187

CONTENTS
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13.541
Kentucky
Michael Kirkham
Woodford Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a pri & Ensign in the Company commanded
by Captain Duncan & Dougherty of the regiment commanded
by Col Robt Johnson in the Virginia Mil
for 8 months & 19 days.
Private 7 months - - $23.33
Ensign 1 mo. 19 days - - 16.33
39.66

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 39 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of May
1833 - and sent to Hon Robt
Johnson, Georgetown, Ken.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $79.33  Page 16
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33  19.83
$99.16
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk
Book E  Vol. 7
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M. Kirkham's papers
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State of Kentucky Woodford County [illegible]
On this 6 day of May 1833 personally 
appeared in open court, before the Justices of the County Court,
now sitting Michael Kirkham a resident of said County of 
Woodford and state aforesaid aged eighty six years on the 29 
day of August last. Who being 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 in June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States in a 
draft in the year 1776 under Capt. Duncan - That he 
was stationed as a guard at Hustons fort on or near Clinch 
River in the state of Virginia, that shortly after the Battle 
of the big Island was fought with the Indians, that he 
was with others ordered to remove his family into a fort 
that he then voluntered under Capt. Bledsoe for six 
months and was stationed at Moore s' fort in Clinch 
serving seven months altogether. That in the year 1779
He moved with his family to Kentucky & settled at Clarks 
Station near Danville. That in the year 1780 He was 
drafted on Clarks Campaign against the Indians - That he 
served seven weeks - That he was in the Battle on Mad 
River about twenty five miles above Dayton - That during 
this time he served as Ensign in Capt. John Daughertys Company. 
He served another term under the late Colo. Robert 
Johnson the father of Colo. Richard M. Johnson. - The length 
of service or year not now recollected. - That he has no 
documentary evidence but refers to the accompanying affidavit 
of Elizabeth Jolles as to his service under Gen'l Clark. 
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity 
except the present, and declares that his name in not in the 
pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
his
Michael his mark  Kirkham
We John Blackburn a Clergyman 
residing in the County of Woodford and William B. Blackburn residing
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in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Michael Kirkham who has sworn to the above declaration That we believe him to be eighty six years of age That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
 John W. Blackthorn [seal]
Wm. Blackthorn [seal]
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after pulling 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 John W. Blackburn who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Woodford and that William B. Blackthorn who has also signed the same is a resident of said County of Woodford and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to full credit.

I John McKinngalm clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of application of Michael Kirkham for a pension.

I testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of my office to be affixed at Versailles this 6th day of May, 1833. in the 41st year of the Commonwealth.
John McKinngalm. [illegible]
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From personal knowledge & from the most satisfactory information there can be no doubt of the statement of Michael Kirkham. He could get 50 respectable citizens to prove his respectability & the absolute & entire belief in his services as stated.
R [illegible] Johnson
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.    3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSION.
Washington, D. C. ,
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the miliary history of Michael Kirkham a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S.F. 31.187
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
1776 1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
1 Mo.
6  Mos. 
7 weeks
RANK.
Pvt
Pvt
Ensign
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN. Duncan  Bledsoe  John Daughterty  Robert Johnson
COLONEL.  Clarke
STATE.
Va
Battles engaged in, Mad River
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mustered in 1779 Clarkes Station near Danville Ky
Date of application for pension, May 6, 1833  His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Woodford Co. Ky.
Age at date of application, b. Aug. 29. 1746
Remarks: No family data
Respectfully, Commissioner.
6-2856
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31187
Revy INVALID.
File No 31, 187
Michael Kirkham
Ensign Rev War
Act: June 7th 32nd
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 222
[Arrangement of 1870]
1915. Oct .15: history to Mrs. Walter Darlington. MBH
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[illegible]
Commissioner of Pension
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
Can you give me the military history of Micheal Kirkham who is said, by his descendants to have received a pension for service during the Revolutionary War. Very sincerely yours
Mrs Walter Darlington
418 Prospect Blvd
Kansas City  Mo
Oct 10 1915
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State of Kentucky Woodford
I Southy Whittington a Justice of the Peace  for said county do hereby certify that Elizabeth Follis aged 69 years this day personally appeared before me and made oath that she lived in Clarke's Station near where Danville Ky is now stands. She thinks in the year 1780 - that Michael Kirkham lived then at the same time and she thinks in that year the said Kirkham went out with others from said place on an Expedition against the Indians. Said Expedition she thinks was commanded by Genl. Clarke.
Given under my hand this 6th day of April 1833-
S Whittington
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Commonwealth of Kentucky Woodford County [illegible] I. John McKinney [illegible] Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that Southy Whittington Esq. whose name is annexed to the written Certificate is one of teh Commonwealth [illegible] of the [illegible] in and for said county duly commissioned and qualifed and that his offical acts as such are [illegible] to full faith and credit and that the signature written  is the genuine signature of [illegible] South Whittington
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at Verailles this 7th day of May 1833 and in the  41 year of the commenwealth.
John McKinney [illegible]
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from 1776 private
Ensign 8 m 19 days
Private 23 33
Ensign 16 39.66
R M Johnson
Col J. L. Edwards
City of Washington

[postmark GEORGETOWN KY]
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Choctaw Academy
Col Edwards
I hope I shall soon have every one of my cases acted on & sent to me  - send Col. Buford certificate of pension which he enclosed to you. Also send me an ansr in the case of John Smith a wounded pension case as well as all others
I have told the applicant in this case to come to me in 25 days & would you have your answer or not disappoint me
Yours
Rt M Johnson
10th May 1833