Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,579, Thomas Coleman, Penn.

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Penn. Coleman, Thomas S 23.879

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11.288
Pennsylvania
Thomas Coleman
of Huntingdon Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was an Ensign in  the Company commanded by Captain [Moore] of the Rgt commanded by Col [Piper] in the Pennsylvania [illegible] Troops -
[Illegible] M[c] Ensign $70.
Included in the Roll of Pennsylvania as the rate of 70 Dollars. __ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of April 1833 ____ and [Senate]. Pa Pensions of Allegany Township, Huntingdon
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  140.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. 35.00
                                             [total] $175.00
 Revolutionary Claim
 Act June 7, 1832.
 Recorded b [F] [P] [Spangus] Clerk,
 Book C Vol. 5 Page 9
 [on right side of page]
 [illegible] to pay [Selleltin] 9 Nov. 1836
 to S. Smith + P. Agt
[Written in light pencil on angle]
Date of death not on A/B

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State of Pennsylvania
County of Huntington
SS
On this first day of Feby. One thousand eight hundred and thirty three the subscriber one of the judges of the said county of Huntingdon personally attended at the dwelling of Thomas Coleman a resident of Allegheny township in the said county of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania aged eighty five years who is unable form bodily infirmity to attend the Court of said county and who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit an act of congress passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as [illegible] in the year one hundred seven hundred and seventy seven, he with a number of his neighbors who lived on what were then considered the [illegible] frontier Settlement situate in this county then know as a part of the county of Bedford collected into a fort called Fetters fort situate in Franklintown township in said county during which year he began to excert himself against the Indians and in the service of the United States. that in the month of November in the same year he discovered the [illegible] of [pancel] of indians pursuing the path from Kittaniny [illegible] Franlintown township in said county during which year he began to excert himself against the indians and in the service of the United States that in the month of November in the same year he discovered the tracts of a parcel of indians pursuing the path for Kittaning lowland, Frranklintown that he followed until he found them in the act of making their fires that he immediately warned the inhabitants of the Settlement of their danger who made their escape and that he asisted in collecting men to attack them the following night when five of the indians were killed and wounded from that time deponent became a guide to the different companies of men that came to impact the defenceless inhabitants on the front tier he also turned out and followed the [bonies] who had meditated the death of the defencelesss woman and children by joining the indians of conducting them to the settlement and followed them to the cherry tree on the Susquehanna in the most clement weather when we encamped and deponent was the first man

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chosen to [illegible] the Kittaning to discover if possible if the [teries] had formed a [punction]with indians

in the month of August one thousand seven hundred and Eighty he was commissioned as an Ensign by the Supreme Executive council of Pennsylvania and served by the authority of said commission for the space of seven month the officers under whome he served were Captain John Moore late Judge Moore of Bedford county and Liutenant William McCall his [illegible] officers and men being strangers to the place the were stationed the fatigue of conducting men day and night in search of indians and pursuing them fell []onincibly on deponent 
after deponent was discharged he continued his services [illegible] and a guide to all that [illegible] upon him against the indians to the end of the Revolutionary war
he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any State
sworn and submitted the day and year aforesaid
Before
Jos Adams   Thomas [his mark] Coleman 

We Edward Bell and Thomas Williams do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Coleman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty five years of age and that he is reputed and reside in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war and that we concur in that opinion . Edward Bell
Before Jos Adams .  Thomas Williams
sworn and submitted this day and year aforesaid

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Interrogatories
1st Whene and in what year were you born 
    Answer I was born in Cumberland County Penna in the year one thousand seven hundred + forty eight
2nd Have you any record of your age and if do where is it?
    Answer I have no record of any age
3rd Whene were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live?
    Answer I was living in Franklintown township where in the county of Huntingten then after of Bedford County I have continued to reside in  that and the adjoining township since the Revolutionary war and am now residing in Allegheny township adjoining the said in the said county of Huntingdon
4th How where you called into service were you drafted did you volenter or were you a substitute and if substitute from whome
    Answer I volunteered when was called upon in [illegible] I was always a pilot for the scouting parties
5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops whene you served such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstance of your service
    Answer I was under Col Jack and Captain Black Col Piper of the militia the service was very sworn we frequently marched several days without any thing to ate and one time pursued the indians to near Kittaning and [illegible] out we had nothing to ate four days
6th Bid you even receive a commission and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it
    Answer I received and Ensign commission from the supreme Executive council of Pennsylvania dated  the 1st day of August A.D. 1780 signed by pos [illegible] President and attented by F Matlock Secy and it is now here in any

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prosession and is hereto [illegible]
7th state the names of persons to whome you [illegible] 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;
     I know Edward Bell and Thomas Williams

And the said judge does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war deponent that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier in service as he states in the capacity of an officer and indian spy and a guide that he cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court of the said County on any other and the said judge further certifies that it appears to him that Edward Bell and Thomas Williams who has signed the same and resides at Antis township and are credible persons and that this statement is entitled to credit and further that the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court. Witness my hand the 1st day of Feby. A D. 1823
Jos. Adams
[in different handwriting]
State of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County 
SS
[damage to paper could once have been a seal?]
I David R Porter Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Huntingdon DO CERTIFY that Joseph Adams Esq before whom the foregoing proceedings were held in one of this [illegible] of the Court of Common Pleas of said County duly commissioned and qualified, and acting as such And that the signature "Jos Adams" [illegible] is his genuine signature. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set and hand onto seal of the siad [crossed out text can't read] Court at Huntingdon the twelfth day of Februrary A.D. eighteen hundred twenty three
D Porter

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State of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County
SS

[paper damage could be seal]
I David R Porter Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Huntingdon DO CERTIFY that Joseph Adams Esq, before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County duly commissioned and qualified and acting as such. And that the signature "Jos Adams" [illegible] is his genuine signature. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set the hand and seal of the said [text crossed out illegible] Court at Huntingdon the twelfth day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three
D Porter Proty

State of Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County
Sirs:
[paper damage could be seal]

I David R Porter Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County DO CERTIFY that the [illegible] and foregoing contains the original proceedings before the HONORABLE Joseph Adams a judge of the said Court. and the matter of the application of Thomas Coleman for a pension. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court. at Huntingdon on the 12th day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three
D R Porter Proty

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Thomas Coleman
Ne Pa
No 22647

admitted
7 mos
Ensign
$70--

claimant of Alleghany township
Huntingdon
Pa

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the [suliscined] 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. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them. and you will, by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A STATEMENT, showing the Service of Thomas Coleman

[Column Headers]
Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service Years | Months | Days | Rank of the claimant | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served | Names and Rank of the General Field officers | Battles in which the applicant was engaged | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

1780 vol. |  | 7 |  | Ensign | Capt [Dnl?] Moore | Col. Piper |    | .  |  85 years Frankstown Township Pa | Documentary Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.

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2
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, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having 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 County of day of} ss.
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:
[a bracket here is omitted] 
 Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he serv- ed 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. 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. [close bracket omitted]

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.
[open bracket omitted] And then will follow the certificate of the Court. [close bracket omitted]
A. B.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolu- tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application 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 in the                   and C. D. residing in (the same)
, who has
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with 
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 day and year aforesaid,
[bracket omitted] And then will follow the certificate of the Court.[bracket omitted]
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 Revoluntionary 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 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 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 it 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts state 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 giv- en 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 he 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 enquiry 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.
[el 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:
For
months and
"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 period's mentioned below, and in the following grades:-For- days, I served as a year days, I served as a 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 mouths, and -; and for such service I claim a pension." 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. [S] The law makos the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it cause 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.

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December 5, 1934.
Mr. Floyd G. Hoenstine
Office of County Commissioners
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.
BA-J/ILL
Thomas Coleman
S. 23579

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of thomas Coleman, who served as ensign and received a pension.

The data give herein regarding Thomas Coleman are found in the papers of the file in his claim for pension, S. 23579, based upon his service in that war.

Thomas Coleman was born in  the year 1748, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; the day of his birth and names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Frankstown township, Bedford County (the part of which was later Huntingdon County), Pennsylvania, he volunteered in 1777, served as spy and guide under Captain Black, Colonels Jack and Piper against the Indians, in November of that year ascertained important information concerning the plans of the Indians against the settlers in the vicinity of Kittanning , aroused the neighborhood and assisted in an attack on the Indians in which several of their number were wounded or killed, and secured information of the pact between the tories and Indians. He was commissioned August 1, 1780, ensign and served seven months in Captain Moore's Pennsylvania company, engaged against the Indians. After this, he continued to set as spy and guide until the close of the war.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 1, 1833, at which time he resided in Allegheny township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. He had lived in that neighborhood ever since the Revolutionary War.

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There are no data relative to the family of Thomas Coleman.

In 1836, reference was made to one William Coleman; no relationship between him and the soldier, Thomas Coleman, was stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of the above noted pensioner, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following:

Thomas Coleman
Certificate 11288
Issued April 19, 1833
Rate $70 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831.
Act of June 7, 1832.
Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

2.

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COLEMAN, THOMAS
(PA.) S023579.

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In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY
of the FREEMEN of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
of the said Commonwealth,
to Thomas Coleman [illegible]
We, reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be 

[faded handwriting]

in the Service of this State for the Protection thereof, either within or without the same,
against all hostile Enterprizes: You are  therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of 

[faded handwriting but from other documents it is Ensign]

by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Privates under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as 
And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your superior Officer, according to the Rules of Discipline of War, Pursuant to the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or any succeeding Supreme Executive Council.

GIVEN under the Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this first Day of August in the Year of our LORD One Thousand Seven Hundred and [Seventy crossed out] Eighty.
ATTEST. 
[stamp of the national archives]

Page 16

Col. G. Smith
P[illegible]
9 Nov 1836
[initials]

Page 17

War Dept
Pension Office
Nov 9, 1836
Sir,
I have instructed the Agent to pay the amount due in the case of Thomas Coleman on the [illegible] vouchers.
Col. S. Smith
care of Bramers,
Market Street,
Philadelphia

Page 18

[illegible over stamp also illegible]
L Edwards NW
Commissioners of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
[written 90 degrees on left]
Nov [illegible]
[M] Coleman
[paron]

Page 19

Philadelphia Oct 31st 1836
Dear Sirs + [illegible]
The Liberty of the informing Thomas Coleman pension Bill to you it has been [illegible] to have his pension lifted for two years past he [illegible] me last spring to lift his pension + But and the [Bice] to the agt in Phil, he told me that I must [illegible] the identity of the person by some other We [Inesseth] your [illegible] I have it attended to this fall by having Wm Coleman to attend to the matter + trusting in him months more The agt, Required Me to send and the papers to you + you were [illegible] him to pay our the amt, he made his remarks on the pension
yours Respectfully,
Saml Smith
Jas L Edwards Esqr
I direct your letter Col S Smith
Care of C Bra[illegible] 
Market St
Philadelphia Pa

Page 20

23579
INVALID.
Revolution [written on an angle]
File No. 23579
Thomas Coleman
Ensign Rev War
Act: June 7" 82"
Indes: -- Vol. 2, Page 78
[bracket omitted] Arrangement of 1870. [close bracket omitted]

[Written on right hand side]
1922 Aug 23 Tombstone data
W [] M. Gen. U.S.A. an. 1931 -- July 13 - Ralph W. E. Cox adv. cost of places thaw to obtain date of last payment etc. [illegible] 
1931 Sept 18 Photos mailed to Ralph W. E. Cox + account Div. [illegible] A.D. [illegible]
[dividing line across]
1934 Dec 5 - Hist to Floyd G. Hoenstine [illegible]
1934 Dec 26. M Hoenstine
 advised regarding photo as to MMHF/ILL.

Page 21

December 26, 1934.
Mr. Floyd G. Hoenstine
Office of the County Commissioners
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

RA-J/MMHF/ILL
Thomas Coleman
S. 23579

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you state that you received the report on Thomas Coleman, S. 23579, which was furnished you December 5, 1934, which you appreciate, act., and now desire a copy of the record.

Because of the very frail condition of these old papers, it would be very injurious to have photostatic copies made, then, too, a part of the papers are so faded and the writing too indistinct to make a clear copy. When your request was received, a very careful examination of all papers on file in the claim was made and all data found in regard to the soldier's age, residences, service, etc. were incorporated in the report which was mailed to you. These reports have been accepted by the various historical, patriotic and genealogical societies as authentic; it is hoped that in this instance, the report furnished you will be all that you need in your research.

It may interest you to know that you may examine the papers and collect data from this claim by calling at this office. Should you do this, the records are located now in the Navy Building, 19th Street and Constitution Avenue,N.W., Room 1851.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

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Washington September 19, 1931.

BA-J/MMHF

Mr. Ralph W. E. Cox,
26th & Carson Streets,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:

You are advised that photostatic copies of original papers on file in Revolutionary War claim S.23579, Thomas Coleman, have been mailed to you on above date.

You will note that the copy of soldier's commision as ensign, is not legible, but it is as much so as the original on file which is very faded.

Very truly yours,


A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

Page 23

Rev. + 1912
No.28
September 9, 1931.
BA-J          541
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Rev. War claim for pension of Thomas Coleman, File No.S.23579. Actual 1 of each page.
List of pages to P.N.E. Cox:
Soldier's commission as ensign. [illegible]
   "            decl for pen. Feb 1. 1833 4 papers etc last one a long page
    "           ctf. Jacket -- 1p.
[Line]
6 --

Page 24

In case of 
PITTSBURGH MERCANTILE COMPANY
TWENTY SIXTH AND CARSON STS.
PITTSBURGH, PA
[stamp] 
Received Aug 25 1931
Mail Sub-diy.
USVS
Registry S
[end stamp]

B. N. Upham
PRESIDENT & GEN'L MANAGER

Aug. 22, 1931.
 [stamp] 30218

[numbers in pencil look to add up to 1.15]
Mr. A. D. Hiller,
Assistant to Administrator,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:

Referring to your letter of July 13th your file Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MMHF, am enclosing herewith $1.15 in currency to cover certified photostatic copies of original papers on file in Revolutionary War Claim for pension of Thomas Coleman of Huntingdon County,
Pennsylvania (S. 23579). Trusting to receive the copies at an early date, I am

Yours truly,
Ralph W. E. Cox

[in pencil]
cash $1.15
Lu copy of Pension Record AGS

$1.15 [illegible]
[stamp]
Received [faded]

Page 25

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
July 13, 1931.
Mr. Ralph W. E. Cox,
2600 Carson Street,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Rev.&1812 Wars Section
MMHF

Dear Sir:

You are advised that photostatic copies of original papers on file in Revolutionary War claim for pension of Thomas Coleman of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, (S.23579) will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page. If you desire to have them certified the additional cost for the set if twenty-five cents.

The number of pages to be copied is six. The proper amount should be forwarded by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States.

It is not stated in the papers whether he was married.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Thomas Coleman, the name of person paid and possibly the date of his death, you should apply to Records Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data: "Thomas Coleman, Certificate No. 11288, issued April 19, 1833, rate $70.00 per annum commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832, Pennsylvania Agency".

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

Page 26

PITTSBURGH MERCANTILE COMPANY
TWENTY-SIXTH AND CARSON STS.
PITTSBURGH, PA

B. N. UPHAM
PRESIDENT & GEN'L MANAGER

[written in script]
June 23 - 31

Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I have been advised by the State Librarian of Harrisburg, Pa. to write you for information on Thomas Coleman, who as a resident of Huntingdon County, Pa received a Revolutionary pension April 19, 1833 at the age of 86 years. I shall appreciate a photostat copy of this pension record which I believe will show the names of his wife and children. Thanking you for your attention to the matter I am,

Yours truly
Ralph W. E. Cox
[stamp] PENSION OFFICE JUN 24 1931
2600 Carson St
Pittsburgh, Pa

Page 27

PITTSBURGH MERCANTILE COMPANY
TWENTY-SIXTH AND CARSON STS.
PITTSBURGH, PA

B. N. UPHAM
PRESIDENT & GEN'L MANAGER

JUNE 10 - 31

Pension Dept.
Veterans Bureau
Washington, D. C

Gentlemen,

[illegible] you advise me at your convenience if your records contain the name of Thomas [underlined] Coleman [] of Blair or Bradford Co., Penna. Thomas Coleman fought in the American Revolution and is now buried in Blair Co. Pa.

His wife was Phoebe Gray. I am anxious for any information you can furnish in order to qualify my three boys in "Sons of American Revolution. If you are unable to give me any data on  the above, perhaps you can [underlined] advise me [] where to apply 

Thanking you for anything you can furnish I am

Respectfully yours

Ralph W. E. Cox

[stamp]
PENSION OFFICE JUNE 11 1931

Page 28

[stamp]
PENSION OFFICE JUNE 11 1931



COUNTY of BLAIR
Office of
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Hollidaysburg, PA.

[on left]
John P. Royer . .  .  . President
3rd Ave. & 6th St. Lakemont
Clair C. Fleck .  .  .  Secretary
220 Franklin Street, Hollidaysburg
Daniel B Brumbaugh  .   Vice President
3020 Broad Avenue, Altoona

[on right]
CHESTER H. EDWARDS
Clerk
JOHN J. HABERSTROH
Solicitor

November 20, 1934
[stamp]
REC'D
NOV 21 1934
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM 
READER , 4
[end stamp]

Veterans Administration,
Department of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

Information is desired concerning Revolutionary War Record of Thomas [underlined] Coleman [] who served as a Ensign, Continental Line, a resident of Bebford County, now Blair County during Revolutionary War period. Received a State Pension in 1830 and a Federal Pension beginning Marc 4, 1831.

Any information concerning his services during the Revolutionary War, date of birth, date of death, residence and dependents will be appreciated.

This information is necessary to comply with Act. 251 Penn'a. Laws 1929.

Very truly yours,
Floyd G. Hoenstine
Registrar of Veterans Graves

FGH:mt

Page 29


COUNTY of BLAIR
Office of
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Hollidaysburg, PA.

[on left]
John P. Royer . .  .  . President
3rd Ave. & 6th St. Lakemont
Clair C. Fleck .  .  .  Secretary
220 Franklin Street, Hollidaysburg
Daniel B Brumbaugh  .   Vice President
3020 Broad Avenue, Altoona

[on right]
CHESTER H. EDWARDS
Clerk
JOHN J. HABERSTROH
Solicitor

December 10, 1934
A.J. Hiller
Executive Assistant,
Veterans Administration, 
Washington, D.C

Dir Sir:

In reference to Thomas Coleman S23579, your letter of December 5th 1934 B.Z.-J/I.L.L. advising of Revolutionary War services, I wish to state that we greatly apprecieiate [sic] receiving this information which was unknown to the Historians of this County.

I wish to know whether a copy of the information contained in the application for a pension can be secured.

Very truly yours,
Floyd G. Hoenstine
Registrar of Veterans Graves

FGH:mt