Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12369, John Burdin, Del. New York

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Service                                        Number
Del.                Burdin, John       S. 12369
New York  

Contents                        [illegible]

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Virginia 23968
John Burdin
Monongalia in the State of Va was a Pv in the Company command Captain Perry of the Regt Col Selden in the NYork [ape] Militia.
Dr Draw $40.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate 70 Dollars 0 Cents per ann
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the [illegible] day of May and Sent to Mr Thos P Ray, May
Arrears to the 4th of Mar By 120.00
Semi-anu. allowance ending Sep.20.00
$140.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by [illegible] Cl
Book 6 Vol 61 Page 4
Del. and N.Y.
Records Completed
Nov. 8/05. 8.
[illegible] William H. Pen Apr
-------------------
Drope
T. R. Ray
28 April to same
"20 April to same
'22 May 1835 to same
'19 Jan 1836 to Hon. B. Storer

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10,601
John Burdin
Decb 1832

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State of Virginia
county of Monongalia} ss.
On this 28th day of August, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before the County court of Monongalia, John Burdin, a resident of said county, aged seventy six 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 as a private soldier for one year, in the county of Chester, and state of Pennsylvania with Capt. Perry, commander of a company stationed at Lewis town, on the capes of the Delaware, but he cannot recollect the year - that Col. David Hall was commander of the regiment or troops - that his Lieutenants name was John Hazzard and his ensign William Hall - that his enlistment was in the winter, and in the month of March following joined the company at Lewis town - that during the season we were employed in keeping the enemy from takeing cattle and provisions, acting as a flying camp - that at the end of his term he was discharged by Capt. Perry at Lewis town, which he has long since lost - that he is unable so far as he knowns to prove his services. that the only person who served in that company with him, who moved to this part of the country was Ezekiel Burrows, who is dead, and he understood was a pensioner under the law of 1818 -
That he again enlisted as a private soldier, for seven months in the month of May 1780. in the state of New York with Capt. Richard Sackett, attached to a regiment commanded by Col. Selden - that the troops were engaged during the same year in scouting and guarding the frontiers - that during this service he saw the British officer Andre brought to camp - that in the first day of December of the same year, he was discharged by Capt. Sackett, which has also lost -
That he again enlisted in the Delaware regiment, the same year peace was proclaimed, but was discharged at New Castle about the first of July - He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state. 
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
John Burdin his X mark
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states

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I Thomas P. Ray, clerk of the County court aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of John Burdin, for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 28th day of August, in the year 1832, and 57th year of the Commonwealth.
[signed] Ths. P. Ray

State of Virginia
Monongalia county} ss.
This day personally appeared before me William Lazier, one of the Commonwealths Justices of the peace in and for said county, a man who appears to me above the age of seventy years, a resident of said county, who calls himself John Verdin or Burdin, who after being duly and solemnly sworn, doth depose and say, That he cannot, nor never could read or write, that he believes his surname began with a V. - that he believes his memory failed him when he stated in the foregoing declaration that he enlisted in Chester county Pennsylvania he is now under the impression that it was eight miles from Lewistown Delaware on Broadkill creek where there was a drawbridge, on a farm of John Solman Dorhman, that this must have been in 1778, from the testimony of William Hall, a sergeant of our company - that he recollects the names of Ammus Green, Wm Nuble, John Bignell, Robert Butcher, Hubbard Dodd, who was in his mess - that he served in Capt. Perry's company for the one year. the time for which he was enlisted -
That he is confident his former statement of his services, under Capt. Sackett is correct, he recollects John Stewart who deserted from the British, was a messmate of his in Sacketts company -
That he was discharged immediately after his enlistment in the Delaware regiment, which was in a company commanded by Capt. Hazzard - that he was born in Sussex county Delaware, the year he does not know but believes he was seventy six last March - lived in this county eight years, previous to which he resided in the state of Ohio, that he removed to this county upwards of forty years ago from Delaware, and after living here about ten years removed to Ohio.
John Verdin his X mark

I William Lazier, a Justice of the peace as aforesaid, do certify that the aid John Verdin or Burdin, made oath to, and subscribed the foregoing declaration, at the county aforesaid, on this 17th day of June in the year 1833. As witness my hand and seal.
[signed] Wm Lazier seal

Virginia:
I Thomas P. Ray, clerk of the County court of Monongalia,

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 do certify, that William Lazier esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavit appears to have been made, and whose signature appears thereto, in testimony thereof, is one of the acting Justices of the peace of said county. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said court at Morgantown, the 17th of June in the year 1833. and 57th year of the Commonwealth.
[signed] Thos. P. Ray

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Jno. Bardin

April 10th1833 -
5.11.12.13.
Intg. 1.2.7.
P. 329.

Thomas P. Ray Esqr.
Morgantown Va.

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Brief in the case of John Burdin
County of Monongalia in the State of Va
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  open Court

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

3.  How old is he? 76 years

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

Column headings: Period, Duration of Service., Rank., Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
[Headings under Duration of Service.] Years, Months, Days,
[Headings under Rank] As a
[Headings under Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.] Gen.

In 17. 1. Private., Capt Perry Col Hall 
May 1780 7 [months] ---  Capt Sackett Col Selain
He states that he again enlisted in the Delaware regiment the same year peace was proclaimed but was discharged at New Castle abt the first of July.  [illegible] no time of service or officers mentioned
5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Nonoe

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Chester, Pennsylvania

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  By his own declaration

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  Cernal

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Catts
Examining Clerk.

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Richard
12369
INVALID.   Done [written vertically]
File No. 12,369
John Burdin
Priv Rev War
Act: June [illegible]
Index:-Vol.  A, Page 52
{Arrangement of 1870.}

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Col J. L. Edwards
Comr Pensions

[Following upside down]
Tho.P. Ray
22 Apl '34

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January 19, 1836.
Sir:  The petition of John Burdin is herewith returned.  The Department on reviewing the case has determined to restore his name to the Pension Roll.  I have therefore directed the Pension Agent to pay him as formerly, on the production of the proper vouchers, from the time to which he was last paid. 
To Hon. B. Storer, House of Representatives.

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Apl. 17
[Stamp]
Morgantown Va. APR 13

free

Cr J. L. Edwards esq
Comr of Pens
Washington

Tho P. Ray
Apl 11.1835

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April 6.
Immediate [illegible]
Attention
Va
[Stamp] MORGANTOWN Va
APR 2

free

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Case of J W Burden

[Illegible]  Commr

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The claim of J. Burdin after I had refused to admit it, fell into other hands, and was admitted.  The proof being deemed by me insufficient.  Mr. [ ]] has reported [ ] the claim and pronounced it a fraudulent one.  The name of Burdin was accordingly drop'd from the Roll.  Wm. Ray seems to think that injustice  a done him.
No evidence is to be found in Delaware.  Well you have the goodness to decide upon it.
Yours. Respectfully
H H Sylvester


Hon J L Edwards
The Comr of Pensions

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Morgantown, 22nd April 1834

J. L Edwards esqr
Coms of Pensions

Dear Sir,
I have just this moment received you letter from and at the request of Col. Hanway. inform you. that you have misunderstood.  The extract which I handed you from the committee of safety. on supposing that these extract alluded to two men of the same name.
Col. Hanway clearly states, that he served as a captain in 1775 of a volunteer company "and not minute men" as you state, to march against Dunmore. That during the same year, the law project to raise the "minute men" in which he was appointed a Lieutenant in Capt Jones' company, which he resigned, and was appointed a captain of Marines, he is mistaken in the year that he received the latter appointment.  It was evidently in 1776.  The extract of the 15 May 1776, is merely (as well as I recollect.) an order for the payt. due to Hanway, & as  Lieutenant.  When I wrote his declaration, he could not fix with certaintly the periods, he served under these several appointments, but relied upon the records at Richmond. & Amelia county.  I wrote to Rich & Booker esqr of Amelia, to procure a copy of the order appointing Hanway, a lieutenant of the Amelia minute men, as the records of the committee of safety, do not go back to 1775, in order to show you the date of that appointment, which I requested him to send to you.
By reference to Honb. E C Wilson, you will be satisfied that there is not a more

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honorable man in his district.
I have no doubt that he served as a captain of the volunteer company untill fall, May of 1775
As a Lieutenant from fall of 1775 untill May 1776. As a Marine captain from May to Dec 1776, but as soon as you receive the document from Amelia, it will fix the period of his appointment as a Lieutenant.  I have seen David M Hoge, before whom the declaration of Everly  was made, he says his signature is genuine.  I wish to take the deposition of Wm Wilson to prove the length of Everly's service under Clarke, I expect to get in a
few days and will then transmit you the original papers.
According to your directions, I again wrote the declaration of John Verdin or Berdin, since which his papers have been returned to you, he is unable to make further proof, he is willing to take a pension for his services under Capt Perry it is all he can prove.  I was waiting to get Wm Hall's testimony again, when I received it with your letter, he served under Perry without any doubt.
I am very respt
Your obt frd
Thos P. Ray

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Tho P Ray
Free

[Stamp] MORGANTOWN Va JUL 9
Mr. Sylvester
13. July 1835

Geo W Crump
Acting Cmr of Pensions
Washington City

[Following upside down]
Tho P Ray
Case of J Burdin
file with the papers

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Morgantown 9th July 1835
George W Crump esqr
Acting Comr of Pensions

Sir
On my return home a few days ago I received yours of 26th.  I sent it to old Evan Morgan with a request that he would write you and I wrote a line to Mr. Goff to give you the character of Wm Hall-there is not a more respectable family in the county and it is a numerous one that the Hall's, of Burden's service as stated in his declaration.  I have no more doubt than that of Anthony Wayne and no one could doubt it who could have examined him a year ago.  His mind & body is now much enfeebled.
Respt 
I am yr
Tho P. Ray

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Nathan Goff
Sylvester
10th July 1835

Take fold with the papers of Mr. Burdin
[ ] claim

[Following is upside down]
Free
[partial stamp illegible]

George W Crump Esqr
act Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington

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[Illegible] July 4th 1835

Sir I just mail received whence from Mr Tho P. Ray of Morgantown Va wishing me to give you the character of Wm. Hall who was [ ] in the case of John Burdin, and applicant for a pension from Monongalia County Va.  I have said all [ ] in that case in letter to [ ] Edwards, I think dated about the 13th of May last, I then stated that I did not know the applicant Burdin, that I was acquainted with Hall.  That his character was good H H.
I have stated that my testimony Mr Wm Hall has given may be relied on
Your obt svt 
Nathan Goff

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John Burden Pen

[illegible]

Frain

Not entitled

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John Burden
On this 13th day of November 1934, this man states that he was in his 77th year of age (but cant  tell what year that was) he enlisted in Broadkill Creek Delaware under Capt William Perry for (but [ illegible] for a [illegible] tells he did enlist, went to Lewistown that being head quarters, at which there was about one hundred men under Col. David Hall, remained at Lewistown and up and run to Bay Shore for pretty nearly one year.  In the year in which [ illegible] and at Stoney Point (but cant tell what year it was) he enlisted in the State of New York (but can't tell at what place or county he did enlist) under Capt Sacket-and guarded its lines there, their were about 80
men-dont know [illegible] his year in service in this enlistment.  This ends his times.
Evan Morgan age 87 Pensioner and a man of exceeding [illegible] memory and of  just  [illegible].  Guarded for [illegible] to its passage of the Pension Law Burden [illegible] had frequently [ ] a Revolutionary struggle.] 
and their participation in it [ ] in these [ ] Burden has frequently taken a [ ] "that he had enlisted and shortly thereafter desserted and was not taken.  Burden also states to the year in conversation its [ ] he had done some service as sea before his enlistment.  [ ] Aboxy
Note from a long conversation with Burden,  I am entirely satisfied that  his is an injustice. [ ] that uniform [ ] a who cant his declaration. 
W. G. Singleton
Nov. 28,1834

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Sylvester
13th July 1835

Stamp MORGANTOWN VA Jul. 9

Revolutionary Pension Office
War Department
Washington City
D.C.

free

Evan Morgan
8 July 1835

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Morgantown July 8th 1935
Honb. Lewis Cass
I have seen a letter from the Pension office which states that John Burdens pension cannot be paid until I write to you.  Burden told me that he had deserted, and I understand that some of his messmates after his year was up tried to make him believe, that he was enlisted for two, and they run him out of camp.  I did not know whether he was jesting or not at the time, but I have no doubt now but he served more than one year and that his messmates tried to make him believe he was enlisted for a longer term, I have known him about fifteen years, and I scarcely know a more weak or ignorant man, and a great deal of his conversation is in a light and jesting way, he is now reduced to the utmost poverty and is a distressing looking object.
I am respectively yours
Evan Morgan

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Morgantown 11th April 1835
Col. J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
I did not suppose that Mr. Singleton would have reported to you the foolish statement of old Morgan that Burdin had told him of his desertion.
I am sure if you had heard it, you would have rejected it at once, but to do Burden the justice to state to you the origin.
Burden after describing his services (when he made his declaration Morgan was present) said, that the sergeant at the end of the year told B. that he had enlisted him for two years, & he should serve longer, that the morning after, he was packing up to leave camp & his messmates told him he must stay a year longer, that he put on his napsack, and left the camp, and got but a few hundred yards, when he heard men hollering behind him, he ran & they following for a mile, he hired out within six or eight miles & frequently went to camp for his employer, with provissions in a Jersey waggon.
I enquired of William Hall, the sergeant who told me the same story, and remarked that Burdin was so ignorant and stupid a fellow, that he thought he could induce him to believe

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he had been enlisted for 2 years-but the mace after him was for amusement, and he frequently met him afterwards.
If Burden was before you ignorant and weak as he is, you would be satisfied that there was no design about him, he is too ignorant to fabricate, and certainly as devoid of sense as any human creature I ever saw, that was not deaf and dumb. Hall is now dead or I would get him to give you a statement in relation to Burdin, you have his deposition and if you desire any evidence of Halls' character, which I have given you, it will be sent you.
I am very respt'
Yr obt
Tho. P. Ray

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Morgantown 31st Mar 1835

Col. J. S. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Sir
I received last night yours of 21st stating name of John Burdin was drop'd from the roll.  
You must judge from the report made to you, but I assure you that injustice has been done this man--his services were clearly proven by William Hall his sergeant, who is still living and a pensioner.  Hall as I stated to you when I sent the testimony is a very worthy & estimable man, and no one who reads it who know him could doubt for one minute.
More than a year ago, when Burdin's declaration had been sent by you to some officer in Delaware, I remarked to you that Burdin, was so very ignorant, weak in body & mind, that is was difficult to take his declaration, & at the time Mr. S. examined him, his wife says, that he was confined and suffering greatly with a disease in the head and a few days after, one of his eyes, bursted from his head- he is now barely alive and distressly wretched and poor.
Hall says when Burdin was a boy, he was weak ignorant and the butt of the mess.
I have deemed this statement, coming within my knowledge Cna to Burden.

I am very respt' Tho. P. Ray