Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18389, John Easter, Md.

Page 1

Service
Md
Easter, John
Number
S18389

Carded
Contents

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Virginia
16.925
John Easter
of Morgan Co. in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Brewer of the Regt commanded by Col Rawlins in
the Maryland [Virginia crossed out] [illegible] for [illegible]
9 Mo Private
$30.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 30 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Octr 1833 and sent to John Sherrard Berkeley Springs, Va

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - 45.00
semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mch '34. 15.00
$90.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by John [illegible] Sprague,  Clerk.
Bk C Vol. [illegible] Page 11

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J. Reichard

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Virginia to wit;
In the record of the proceedings of the County Court of Morgan, amongst others is the following to wit:  At a court begun and held for Morgan County, on Monday the 26th day of November 1832.  Present; Jonathan Jones, Samuel Abernathy, Henry Myers, & Isaiah Buck, Gentlemen Justus.
John Easter, a resident of Morgan County, Virginia aged seventy two years, produced in court his declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 1832; in the following form to wit.
State of Virginia
Morgan County
On the 26th day of November 1832. Personally appeared before the County Court of Morgan County Virginia John Easter a resident of the said County of Morgan in the State of Virginia aged seventy two 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 entered the the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as here in state. First, he was drafted,  in Washington County, Maryland for a tour of three months service which he served [illegible] company of militia commanded by Captain Billmire, and was marched to the Schuylkill, within eleven miles of Philadelphia, where he remained a short time, the enemy about the time of his arrival having left the neighborhood of Philadelphia, the Corps he belonged to were marched back to Fort Frederick, in Maryland on the Potomac, where he was engaged in guarding prisoners, there being then 750 prisoners in the fort, the year and month when he entered the service he does not now recollect, but believes he was along about twenty years old at the time, he was at the expiration of the said three months discharged at Fort Frederick. Some time after his return home, he was again drafted , and served three months in a company of militia, commanded by Captain Brewer, and was marched from the then house of his residence in Washington County, Maryland to Baltimore, and from there back again to Fort Frederick guarding a party then called sea robbers, he believes they were pirates, he was stationed at the said fort the balance of the three months, and was discharged, and went home sometime afterwards he was again drafted, and was again marched to Fort Frederick under

Page 5

under the command of Captain David Cassner, part of the aforesaid time he was (attached) to a regiment [insert] commanded by Col. Moses Rawlins at the said Fort,  he knew Doctor Pindle, and Doctor Snively who were of the fort,  but does not know whether they were attached to the militia, or regular troops. In marching as first above stated, to the neighborhood of Philadelphia he marched to Hagerstown Maryland, then into Pennsylvania to little York, crossed the river at Harris Ferry, (now Harrisburg as he is informed) then through Lancaster onto 
Schuylkill, eleven miles from Philadelphia, he knew many Regular officers during the terms of his service, but their names are no longer familiar to him, he no longer recollects the year,  or day when he entered the service, or when he was discharged, never expecting any financiary reward for his service, [illegible] familiar to him, he received three regular discharges; but they have long since been lost, he can not tell how, he has no documentary evidence and knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service, he left his former place of residence about thirty six years ago, and has resided at his present place of residence ever since.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
[signature]
John Easter
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Teste J. Reichard [illegible]
We James Doyle and John Portmess, residing in the County of Morgan, Virginia
hereby certify that all are well acquainted with John Easter who has [illegible] and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is refuted and believe in the neighborhood where he resides,  to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that all concur in that conclusion.
James Doyle
John Portmess
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Teste J. Reichard
and the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation

Page 6

of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary sol-
dier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies, that it appears
to them that James Doyle and John Portmess who have signed the preceding
certificate are creditable persons, and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
Questions by the Court 1st where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born 17th January 1760 in Washington County Maryland.
Quest: by same, have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Ans. The only record I have of my age is in a German book now in my
possession, got from my Father.

Question by same, where were you living when called into service, where
have you lived since the Revolutionary War & where do you now live?
Ans. I lived near the big Spring in Washington County, Maryland,
when called into service.  I lived there, until about thirty six years ago,
when I removed to my present residence there Hampshire County, now
Morgan County Virginia.

Quest by same, how were you called into service were you drafted, did
you volunteer or were you a substitute?
Ans. I was drafted each time I served.

Question by same, state the names of some of the regular officers who
were with the troops when you served in such continental & militia Regi-
ments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Ans. I have long since ceased to remember the names of them.  I removed
from my former residence many years since, have read no books to
refresh my recollection, nor seen any of my old companions in arms
since to aid my recollections.  I remember Doctors Pindle & Smoley, who
served as surgeons at fort Frederick but know not whether they were
attached to the regular-or militia service.  The other general circumstan-
ces of my service are detailed above.  I beg leave to refer to them.

Quest by same, did you ever receive a discharge from the service,
and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Ans. I received three discharges one each time I left the service,
each was signed by the captain I served under, and perhaps the Colonel
I am not certain it was signed by the latter, but believe it was.

By the Same; State the names of persons to whom you are known in
your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for vera-
city and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Ans. I am known to John Shenard the representative of the County
in

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in the Legislature, Jacob Rinhard, Clerk of the Superior & [illegible]
Courts of this County, Col. Gustin, Col. Nuly, Henry Myers, Jona-
than Jones, Isaiah Buck, John Hutchinson, Samuel Abernathy, Justice
of the peace for this County, William Armstrong Hampshire-
Representative in Congress, and to most of the aged men in the County.

John Easter

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

[illegible] J. Rinhard, Cou. C.

I Jacob Rinhard, Clerk of the Court of the County of Morgan, in
the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application
of John Easter for a pension.

[Blurred seal Clerk of the Court]

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of my office, this 4th day of
December in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred & thirty two.

J. Rinhard

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State of Virginia }
Morgan County } Ss.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice
of the peace for said County John Easter, who being duly sworn deposeth and
saith that by reason of the loss of memory and infirmity he cannot recollect
the precise period of the War in which he served but it was not long before
the capture of Cornwallis at York Town in Virginia.  He heard of the fleets
going round to Virginia but cannot state the year in which his service was
performed he never having deemed it necessary to retain in his memory the
precise date of his service.  On examining his papers as returned from the War
Department he finds that from some cause he cannot account for the
time of his service under Captain David Cassner was omitted to be stated he
presumes it was owing to the error of the person who was engaged to commit
his statement to writing.  He now states that he served three months under the
said Casner in the militia one being under Billmier one under Brever &
one under Casner of three months each.  He knows he served three tours of three
months each and claims for no more service than he rendered.  He resides
very far from the seat of Justice of his County and is not allways able
to attend the Courts which puts him under the necessity of making this
Statement before a Justice of the peace.

John Easter

Sworn to & subscribed this 30th of September } John Shenard a Justice of the
1833 before me----} peace in & for Morgan County
Virginia

I Jacob Rinhard Clerk of the County Court of Morgan
County certify that John Shenard is a justice of the peace of
said County and that the foregoing is a copy of the original as
subscribed by him, and that the signature purporting to be
his is genuine.

[Blurred seal Clerk of the Court]

In testimony where of I have hereunto affixed
my seal of office and subscribed my name
this 31st day of September 1833.

J. Rinhard

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20743
John Easter Va

[illegible]
Private [illegible]
$30--

Jno. Sherrard
[Following lined through:
Henry A. Reynolds Esq]

[illegible] 
[illegible] Morgan Co.

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
April 23 183[illegible]

Sir,

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of
your case in tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and regulations will show what is
necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus } ). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
______________________________________________________________________________

A Statement, showing the Service of John Easter Morgan Co. Va.
______________________________________________________________________________

Period when the
service was
rendered.
_____________
---
---
---

Duration of the
claimant's service.
_______________
Years.
Months.
3
3
not stated
Days.

Rank of 
the 
claimant.
__________
pr
"
"
Names and Rank
of the Company
officers under
whom he served.
_______________
Cap Bellmire
Cap Brewer
Cap Casner

Names and Rank
of the General 
and Field officers.
_______________
---

Co[illegible]

Battles in which
applicant was
engaged.
_________
[No information provided]

County through
which he marched.
________________
Pa Md
"
"  "

Place of abode
when he entered
the service, and age
at the present period*
__________________
72
Washington Co. Md
"
"
Evidence by
which the decla-
ration is sup-
ported.
__________________
Tradly

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1839.

The following regulations have been adopted:

This 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 all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with army upon civic 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 claim-
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, or privates, will in the first in-
stance, 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, 1839.
State, Territory, of District of ss.
County of

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on this oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1839.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year [blank] with [blank] and served in the (d) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he 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 marked.  (e) This form is to be varied so to to apply to the cases of officers and per-
sons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank].

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 regular Troops, the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New 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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revo-
lutionary 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand seal of office this [blank] day of [blank] &cc.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commis-
sion; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.  

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he
will also, whether he produces 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

Page 12

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at-
tempted; 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 (mi) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of services 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.  
{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?
6. {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 person to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can tes-
tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the char-
acter and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.  

The traditionary evidence of service is 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 be-
fore 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 required 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 pro-
cure taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.  
____________________________________________

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b]  The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.  
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be made.  Every claimant must state with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: -- For ___ year  ____ months, and ___ days I served as a _____.  For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension." 

[The following paragraph has a bracket in the right margin]
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase [begin italics] about three or four months, [end italics]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 declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers 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 competent au-
thority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[I] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pub-
dlic seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

[begin italics] Mode of authenticating papers. [end italics]

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the paper is not written on the same sheet of paper which con-
tains 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.

[begin italics] Proof of Service. [end italics]

[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the name of the claimant's entering the service, and the manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the wit-
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.

[hand symbol pointing to the right] The notes from [a] to [I] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

W. L.Williams [illegible] Clk

Page 13

O. W. and N. Division 3--525.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C.,

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
of John Easter, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
you will find below the desired information as contained in his ([following lined through: or his] widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
_______________________________________________________________________________
[Column heading for tabular information]
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR 
APPOINTMENT.

LENGTH
OF SERVICE.

RANK.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. COLONEL.

STATE.

[The information contained in the table is so lightly written that it is impossible to transcribe.]

Battles engaged in, [checkmark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, near the big Spring, Wash. Co.., Md
Date of application for pension, Nov. 26, 1832: allowed
Residence at date of application, Morgan Co. Va.
Age at date of application, [illegible]
Remarks:
[Information is so lightly written it is impossible to transcribe]

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Page 14

August 26, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
John Easter-S. 18389

Agnes M. Easter
Aspinwall,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dear Madam: 

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War records of Nicholas Easter, a Maryland soldier,
George Easter and John Easter, born in 1760, in Washington Coun-
ty, Maryland, where he enlisted and served as a private in the 
Maryland troops.

There are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based
upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a George or Nicholas Easter. Such claims are the source of the data fur-
nished by this office.

It is suggested that as a possible means of obtaining the infor-
mation in regard to the military service of those soldiers you
apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city, who is
custodian of military records.

The record of John Easter is furnished herein, the data for
which were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary war
pension claim, S.18389, based upon his military service in that 
war.

John Easter was born January 17, 1760, in Washington County,
Maryland. The names of his parents are not show.

While living near the Big Spring, Washington County, Mary-
land, John Easter enlisted when he was about twenty years of age,
exact date of enlistment not shown, and served three months in 
Captain Billmire's Maryland Company; during this tour, he marched 
to within about eleven miles of Philadelphia, but the enemy having
left that city, he marched to Fort Frederick on the Potomac River,
where he was engaged in guarding prisoners. He again enlisted,
date not given, and served three months in Captain Peter Brewer's

Page 15

Maryland Company and served as a guard at Fort Frederick; sometime
after his discharge from this tour, he enlisted and served three
months as a private in Captain David Casner's Company, Colonel
Moses Rawlings' Maryland Regiment. no dates of service given.

About 1796, John Easter moved from Washington County, Mary-
land to Hampshire (that part which was later Morgan)County, Vir-
ginia (now West Virginia).

He was allowed pension on his application executed November
26, 1832, while living is said Morgan County.

There are no data as to soldier's family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of
the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Easter (S.18389), you should
address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records 
Division, this city, and cite the following data:

John Easter
Certificate No. 16925
Issued October 16, 1833
Rate, $30.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.

Page 16

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section [illegible]

August 11, 1926

Mr. T.J. Easter
1180 Fifth Ave.,% Lucian Smith
New York City.

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 18389 it appears that
John Easter was born January 17, 1760 in Washington Coun-
ty, Maryland, names of parents not given.

While living in said Washington County near the Big
Spring he enlisted in 1781 and served three months as a
private in Captain Billmire's Maryland Company.  He returned
home and shortly after, enlisted and served three months as
private in Captain Peter Brewer's Maryland Company, then
returned home and sometime after, again enlisted and served
three months as private in Captain David Casner's Company,
Colonel Moses Rawlings' Maryland Regiment.

About 1796 he moved from his place of enlistment to
Hampshire County (that part which was later Morgan County),
Virginia, and was allowed pension on his application exe-
cuted November 26, 1832 while living in Morgan County, Vir-
ginia.

Page 17

There is no data on file as to his family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of
pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date
of soldier's death, you should apply to the Record Sec-
tion, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E
Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. citing all of the follow-
ing data: "John Easter, certificate No. 18935, issued
October 18, 1833, rate $ 30 per annum, commenced March 4,
1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency".

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

Page 18

Aspinwall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

August 10, 1937.

Veterans' Administration
Old Wars Record Office
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

Will you kindly advise me if there is anything on the
Revolutionary War records as to the antecedents of John Easter, born
1760 in Washington County, Maryland.  While living in said county
near the Big Spring he enlisted in 1781 and served three months as
a private in Capt. Billmire's Maryland Co.  At the end of this period
he re-enlisted as a private in Capt. Brewer's Maryland Co. for three
months, and again at the end of this period re-enlisted in Capt.
David Casner's Company, Col. Moses Rawlings' Md. Regiment.

Also is there anything on record regarding Nicholas
and George Easter.  Nicholas was also a Maryland soldier.  Do the
records show his relationship to John Easter?  And was George shown
as a Revolutionary soldier?

Thanking you for this information or where it may be
obtained, I am

Very truly yours
Agnes [illegible] Easter

[Blurred circular time stamp]
[IIlegible]
AUG 11 1937
[Illegible]

Page 19

Mr. T. J. Easter of 1160-5 Ave., New Yk. City
(c/o Lucian Smith) called at this Bureau
Aug. 9-1926, and wished a history of
John Easter, Morgan Co. Va.
S. of W. 1835.

Only at the above address tempo-
rarily & wanted hist. early as
he could not read the history
here, owing to our files being 
closed for a short time on
account of moving to
Interior Build.

He wanted names of parents &
date of soldier's death.

Page 20

Rev/MK 1
[Circular stamp
PENSION
U. JAN S.
31
1921
OFFICE ]

Vincennes, Ind
Jan. 27, 1921

U. S. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:-

I have an ancestor, John Ester
of Maryland, who served in
the Revolutionary War as private,
drafted into service from
Washington, Co. Maryland
shortly before the surrender
of Cornwallis, served (3) three
months in Maryland under
Capt. Billmier, three months
under Capt Peter Brewer
and three months under

Page 21

Capt. David Casner and Col. Moses
Rawlins; in Nov. 1832 he applied
for a pension which was granted.

Would like official proof from the
Pension Dept. to accompany my
application blanks for membership
in the (D.A.R.) Daughters of
American Revolution.

[Oval stamp in right margin
RECORD
FEB 1 1921
DIVISION]

Respectfully,
(Mrs. Thos. L.) Etta Lee
117 N. 6th Street
Vincennes,
Ind.

Page 22

ROSE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

V. Q. V. FRATERNITY

TERRE HAUTE, IND.,  June 16, 1906

[illegible]
[Circular stamp
O. W. & N. DIV.
JUN
19
19 [illegible]
[illegible] ]
U.S. Pension Commissioner
U.S. Pension Office
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I write to you for
information concerning my
great-great grandfather John
Easter who serviced in the Revo-
lutionary War and received for
his services a pension until his
death which occurred at his home
in Morgan Co. Virginia about
the year 1845 or 1846.

John Easter has two living
grandchildren Miss Sue Portmess
of Fitzgerald, Ga. and Jacob Portmess
of Hobart, Ind. who say he was
born at Clear Springs, Maryland
in the year 1761 or 1762 and entered

Page 23

V. Q. V. FRATERNITY
TERRE HAUTE, IND., _________, 190__

the service of the United States
Army about 1778 or 1779 and
served till the close of the war.

I seek information concerning
John Easter in order to become a
member of the Society of the Sons
of the American Revolution.

If you can give me any
record or positive proof of his
services it will be of great
value to me.  Hoping I may
hear from you in regard to this
matter I am,

Yours Sincerely
Earle P. Lee

Earle P. Lee
317 N. 5th St.
Terre Haute,
Indiana.
[Circular stamp
PENSION
A
U. JUN S.
18
1906
OFFICE ]

Page 24

[Two columns]
[Left column]
18389
INVALID.

File No. [illlegible]
John Easter
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 1832
Index:--Vol. 1, Page 108

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

[Right column]

1906 June 21. History to
Earle P. Lee [illegible]
_________
1921 Mch. Hist to Mrs. Thos. L. Lee
1926-Aug. 11-Hist. to T. J. Easter
[illegible]
_________
19 [8?]7-Aug 26 - Hist to Agnes
M. Easter - EL.
_________

Page 25

[Envelope]

Feb 15
[Circular stamp
RICHMOND
[illegible] 12
Va.]

FREE

J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Page 26

House of Delegates Rich. Virga July 11 1836

J L Edwards Esqr

Sir

The enclosed papers have recently
been placed before you by [illegible] Lucas of the H of Repre-
sentatives in hopes that instructions would be given the agent
here to [illegible] them [illegible] necessary satisfactory opinions
that the person before whom the Power of Atty was executed
was a Justice of the peace, but it was deemed necessary to 
have them forwarded to the Clerk of Morgan County to obtain 
his certificate of that fact.  This was done but on presenting it
to the Agent here he discovered that the power was not presen-
ted within ninety-days the time limit for their presentation.
This limitation was unknown to me in whose hands the 
power was placed to have it collected for the claimants and 
the amount being small I advised that to save those needy persons
the expense of postage, that the presentations should be deferred
until I came to the legislature but it seems in giving this
advice I have led them unconsciously into error and caused
them much inconvenience.  The same persons executed powers
of attorney late in the fall for the pension due in Sept and 
which has been recd by the pension agent which shows that 
they were then living and I believe they [illegible] state so.  The
agent is satisfied that they out to be paid but requires [word scratched out]

Page 27

instructions from you to that effect and I trust they will
be given.  The extreme need of the pensioners makes me [illegible]
early decisions that they should be paid & more particularly as 
the delay was caused by my advice given without knowledge of the 
instructions of the department as to the time limited for their
presentation to the agent here.

As I shall probably leave this before long I hope to hear
from you as soon as your convenience will permit.

Most respectfully,
Yr Obt Svt
Jno Sherrard

Page 28

[Envelope]

[Written vertically on left side]
Mab. Nov 3d.
Rev War

Free

J L. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office
Washington

Page 29

Richmond
Nov. 1, 1837.

Dear Sir

I enclose [illegible] certain Pension
papers in the case of John Easter Morgan 
County Va.  Mr. Robinson, the Pension Agent
in this City, informs me, that he cannot pay the
amt because the time [illegible] 12 months.  He
recommends me to write to you, and ask your
[illegible] to him to pay it.

Do me the favor to look into
the subject, & front the new pay Power.

Resply

Thomas Ritchie

Page 30

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 17th 1839.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," John Easter, ----------------
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at
the rate of Thirty --- Dollars [following lined through: and ----- Cents]
per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837,
to the 4th March, 1838.

Respectfully yours,

Albion K Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.