Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B.L.Wt. 1166-100, Richard Black, Del.

Page 1

[printed form with handwriting]

SERVICE
Del.
Black, Richard
NUMBER
B. L. Wt. 1166-100

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[handwritten]

Warrant No 1166 issued to Catharine Black heir of James Black who was heir of Richard Black a private of the Delaware line for 100 acres of land
February 23d ____ 1826 __
and delivered to David Trimble

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[handwritten]

State of Pennsylvania}
County of Philadelphia} ss.
Catharine Black being duly sworn doth depose and declare that she is the widow and only surviving heir of Richard Black a private soldier in Captain Robt. Kirkwood's company in the Delaware line who was killed at the battle of ['Battle of' lined out] Brandywine ^[insert]1777 in the Revolution that she had two children now both deceased: the eldest died in 1802 and lived with her until his decease ['with her when he died' lined out]: that he died unmarried and without issue - that the other child died an infant, and that proofs of her marriage and claim for bounty land were sent from Wilmington to the war department.
And prays the Honorable Secretary of War to grant her a pension in consequence of her husbands having been killed in the Revolution: and she also states that she cannot now make negative proofs that her son died, and is too poor to go there for proofs, and prays that the Bounty Land [illegible] be granted her as there is no other person in existence heir to said Richrd Black, and further states that the balance of wages due her husband now has been paid her.
All which is Respectfully submited [sic] to the Hon Secretary of war. 
Catharine her X mark Black
Sworn & subscribed the 21 Nov. 1825 before me
Rich Renshaw Justice of Peace County of Philad.

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[handwritten]

Philada Nov 21st 1825
Dear Sir,
I Enclose the Affidavit of Catharin Black the widow of Richard Black a soldier in the Revolution who was killed at the battle of Brandywine 1777. Documents said to be on file at the War Department for a pension as well as bounty Land. the widow is now 76 years ^[insert] old without any support except for charity and resides in this City.
Respectfully yours.
Honorable J. Barbour Secretary of War.} P. W. Sproat

[appears vertically in margin]
N. B. Please to return the enclosed letter
Mr. Stewart & Mr. Edwds

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[Handwritten]

Catharine Blacks papers - -
Cath: Black
BLACK, RICHARD

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[handwritten]

Catherine Black exhibits an extract from the wife of William Black decd. dated 7. Sept. 1774 and recorded in the Registers Office of New Castle County by which the Testator devised to his Brother Richard Black in fee simple a piece of Land near Pidgeon Run containing about eleven Acres. Catherine Black states that Richard Black and she were duly joined in Matrimony 25 Feb. 1775 by Parson Gerelius in Wilmington Delaware, and in support of the fact exhibits a deposition of Mary Kennedy of Lancaster Pennsylvania who swears she was present at the marriage Catherine Black further states that her said Husband was killed at the battle of Brandywine in September 1777 and died Intestate baring one son Samuel born in March 1775 and another Posthumous son named Richard who lived only to the age of about sixteen months - that she and her son Samuel lived at Brunswick (Jersey) from a short time after his fathers death having removed from Philada. That Samuel Black her son died Intestate and without issue in August 1802 without having any Brother or sister or legal representatives of claim, by which event she claims the said Land as next of kin under the act of Assembly of Delaware. That neither her son or herself have been

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[handwritten]

in Delaware since the death of her husband untill [sic] July 1818 - when she came to claim the land and found it in the possession of Major Forman, by a contract of purchase from the heirs of David Erwin. It is further stated that Joseph Rhodes will prove that William Black the Testator had peaceable possession of the land and had Tenants living upon it under him at his death, but no deed to William Black can be found on record. She says however she knows he did purchase the Land for her own money was lent to proffer it on this Statement of facts, Catherine enquires [illegible] she has not a title to the land and exhibits Genl. Formans letter of 29th Oct. last addressed to me, expressing his desire that she may be informed and satisfied on the subject.
If Wm. Black as is stated was [?] in fee simple and in possession of the land his will did convey a fee simple Interest to his Brother Richard which upon the death of Richard as above stated descended his two sons and by the death of those sons Intestate without Issue and without having any Mother or Sister or legal representative of them, vested in the mother Catherine as next of Kin by the Intestate laws of this State. The chief difficulty in the claim is the length of time which has elapsed. Samuel the son was 21 years of age in March 1797 and had ten years from that time

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[handwritten]

to bring suit, that is untill [sic] March 1807 according to the saving clause of an Act of Assembly that does not alter the case, and claiming as next of Kin being then of age, and no disability mentioned in the Act of Assembly then existing on her part, ought to have prosecuted her claim within the period of ten years from Samuels attaining twenty and that is prior to March 1807 for the act of Limitation at his death had attached and was then running on and the estate descended to her in the same condition that Samuel held it, that is subject to be barred as to a right of entry at the expiration of Ten years from his full age of twenty one, according to the true spirit & meaning of the saving clause of the act of Apl 12. 1773 above mentioned.
As Van Dyke
New Castle Nov. 6. 1812

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[handwritten]

Lancaster County ss
Personally appeared before me the subscribed one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County Mary Kennedy and being Duly Qualified as said Directs, Deposeth and saith that she was Present in Washington in the year 177[?] February 28th at the Mariage [sic] of Richard Black to Catherine Hamilton and was legaly [sic] Maried [sic] by Pastor [illegible] Clergyman and further saith not
Mary her X mark Kennedy
Sworn Before William Boyd March 19th 1811

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[handwritten]

Pennsylvania}
Lancaster County} SS I, John Passmore, Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace in for said County DO HEREBY CERTIFY that William Boyd Esquire, before whom the within Deposition was taken was at the time of so doing & still is, one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County, by lawful authority duly commissioned and sworn, & that due faith and credit is & ought to be given to all his official acts [illegible] as such. 
Given under my hand & the seal of said Court at Lancaster the 22d day of March A. D. 1811
John Passmore Esq Clk
James M. Porter
Deposition of Mary Kennedy

[appears vertically in block letters]
BLACK, RICHARD.

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[handwritten]

Wilmington May 2. 1825
Dear Sir,
Mrs Rodney has requested me to send the inclosed [sic] papers to you. Tey relate to the case of Catharine Black, the widow of a soldier in the Delaware Regiment, who was killed at the battle of Brandywine. Last winter I sent them to Mr Clayton with a memorial, to be laid before the Senate, but in consequence, I believe, of the lateness of the period, no favorable result grew out of the application. The memorial I now send you: it will give you a brief history of Catharine's case, and the other papers identify her as the person she purports to be. It would be an act of humanity, as well as of justice, to grant a stipend to this poor old woman, who is now verging on 80 years, and is almost entirely dependent on the charity of Mrs Rodney. I do not know what the general law is on the subject, but as you will be able to ascertain that matter, I confide the case entirely to your hands
With great respect
I am Dear Sir
Your Obedt Servt
W. P. [illegible]
S. Pleasonton Esquire

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[handwritten]

Name as follows viz
" enlisted 6 May 1777
" rejoined 3d June
"missing 11th Septr 1777"
If the case he made out to the Satisfaction of the Secy of War, that He was killed in Service His heir would be entitled to 100 acres of Land provided the circumstance of his having for a short time left the Services as above stated be no obstacle in the estimation of the Secy.
P. Hagner

Will M Hagner be pleased to examine the claim of the poor Woman whose memorial & other papers are enclosed & inform me of the result?
S. Pleasonton

All claims for Service or supplies during the Revolutionary War have ling since been barred by Acts of Limitation - No provision exists in favor of the Widows of Soldiers who were killed in Service
The only grant that is not barred is Land 
I find by a Record of the Delaware Line that Richard Black inlisted [sic] 24 Decr. 1776 for the War, and it is noted opposite this

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[handwritten]

[ink stamp]
WILM
JUN
25
Free
Stephen Pleasonton Esquire
Fifth Auditor
Washington

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Washington June 25, 1825

Dear Sir,

I return you the papers in the case of 
Catherine Black. I have delayed sending them to you until now in the expectation that I should be able to find some persons who could make the qualification contained in the papers, relative to Catherine's identity as the widow of Richard Black. I have not been able to succeed in this object, owning to the lapse of time since the events occurred, in which almost all her early associates have gone to the grave. I trust however that this may not be insisted upon, as it is in fact a mere matter of form, and the point itself being sufficiently sublimated by the papers i have previously sent you. I will thank you to send me the warrant as soon as you conveniently can,-  as Catherine's Attorney in fact, I have indorsed on her power of Attorney to me, an authority for you to receive is.

I am sir
very respectfully,
W.P.  Brobsom

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Report of

Claim of the heirs of Richard Black - for Revolutionary Bounty Land -----
It appears from the record of the Delaware line to which Richard Black was attached that he enlisted 24th dec (sic December) 77" for the period of during the war, and it is noted opposite his name as follows viz "deserted 6th May 1777" "rejoined 3rd June -- missing 11th Sept (sic September) 1777---The document herewith go to show that he was slain at the battle of Brandywine -- I have examined the laws of Congress of 1777 -- but, can find nothing against the 

(Note :  this was across a paper signed by Wm M Stewart - Bounty Land Office
May 19th, 1825)

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Deposition of 
Esther McGuier
in the 
Case of
Richard Black

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State of Delaware }
Newcastle County }ss

Personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County
Esther McGuier and being sworn on the
Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposes and
says that Rich (sic Richard) Black was a private in  the army of the United States of America
that the said Richard Black  according to the
best of her belief & knowledge was killed
in the Battle of Brandywine and that
he belonged to the Company or Corps of
Capt Kirkwood 
  
 Sworn & Subscribed November 
 the 6th 1813

Esther (her X Mark) McGuier

Before

Saml (sic Samuel) Barr

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Rec (sic recorded)   June 27th 1825

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Dear Sir,

Having by the mail [?] of yesterday received the papers of Cathaine Blacke, relative to her claim to bounty land, I now have the pleasure to endorse them. Will you be so good [illegible] to send the necessart to me or to Mr. Robson the writer of the accompanying letter, as you may think most advesable.

With great respect,
[illegible] Do Sri, Young

S Pleasonton

William M Stuart Ego

27 June 1825

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(illegible)  & s Office

Receipt of 
P W Sproat
for M. L. warrant
No 1166
-------------
and of
Catharine Black

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Philada (sic Philadelphia) March 6th 1826

Received of J.W. Sproat Land warrant
No 1166 Granted me as for time  of Richard Black served in  of the Revolution in the Delaware line date  March 2nd 1826 signed by the Honorable James Barbour Secretary of war

Catharine (her X mark) Black

Witness
Hannah Taylor

Phila  (sic Philadelphia) March 6th 1826

Sir
your Letter of the 2nd Just was duly
received enclosing the Land warrant of
Mrs Catharine Black widow of Richard Black
of the Delaware line in the Revolution No 1166
and above you have  the Receipt for it.

 Respectfully yours
P W. Sproat

Wm. M Stewart esqr Atny

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Catharine Black
Papers

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Borough of Wilmington
State of Delaware

To all whom it may concern.
Be it known that on the fifth day of November A.D. 1813 Before me Isaac Stevenson one of the Burgesses of the said Borough personally came and appeared Margaret Conner aged about seventy three years and on her solemn oath doth depose and say, that she was well acquainted with Richard Black the husband, formerly of Catherine Black, knew both him and the said Catherine in the American Army in the year of our Lord 1777, and knew that he
was in the Company or Regiment commanded by Capt. Robert Kirkwood of the State of Delaware and further this deponent saith that
said Richard Black fell at the Battle of Brandywine in the year aforesaid, as she has been frequently told by her former husband
William Lewis who was also a soldier in said Kirkwoods Company and that she has good reason to believe he the said Richard Black
was killed at the Battle aforesaid, as she has never has seen him since nor heard of his being alive, & further saith not,

Sworn & Subscribed the date afs (sic aforsaid)

Margaret (her X mark Connor)

Before me
 Isaac Stevenson

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William M Stuart Esqr

War Department

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18th Cong (sic Congress)  }
2nd Sept (sic September)  }ss

Petition
of Catharine Black
widow of Richard
Black, killed at battle
of Brandywine, Revy (sic Revolutionary) war

==================

1825 Feby ( sic February) 10th read &
ref.. (sic referred) to committee on 
Pensions.----

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To the honorable the Senate and house of Representatives of the United States, in Congress Assembled

The Petition of Catharine Black of the borough
of Wilmington in the State of Delaware

Respectfully Showed
That on the 25th of February 1775, your Petitioner intermarried with a certain Richard Black, of New Castle County in the State of Delaware; that the marriage ceremony was performed by the Reverend Mr Gerelius of the
Episcopal Church in the Borough of Wilmington, who is long since deceased: that the husband of your Petitioner Richard Black, enlisted in the company commanded
by Captain Robert Kirkwood of the Delaware Regiment, and was killed, fighting for his country, at the battle of Brandywine in the month of September 1777 leaving your Petitioner with a son named Samuel
born in March 1776, and a posthumous son named Richard,  who died at the age of sixteen months: that neither received any pension or compensation whatever from the government, for the services of her husband; that
her remaining son Samuel died in the year 1802 leaving no issue, and she is now, at the age of Seventy

(continued page 2 from Catharine Black)

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(continuation of page 1)

ty four years, left destitute and without any means
of support, except what she derived from the charity of the benevolent. In these circumstances, your Petitioner is advised to appeal to the justice of Congress for the purpose of obtaining such aid as her case
may entitle her to, and as will enable her to spend
the short remnant of her days in comfort:

And your Petitioner will ever pray etc
Catharine Black

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(printed form)

State of Delaware       }
County of New Castle}ss

Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, for said County, Catharine Black and made oath in due form
of law, that she is the widow and  --- heir at law, 
of Richard Black late a soldier in the
Regiment of Delaware and that the said Richard Black died in 1777 leaving two children both of whom died without issue.

Catharine (her X Mark) Black

Sworn and subscribed before me, this twent;y seventh day of May 1825

Frdk (sic Fredrick) Leonard

Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the aforesaid County, ( blank) and (blank) credible and disinterested witnesses, and made oath in due form of law, that they are acquainted with the above mentioned (blank)and that (blank)
is the reputed (blank) of (blank)
who died (blank)
leaving (blank)

Sworn and subscribed before me, this (blank) day of (blank)  18...
J. P.

Note. -- If the person died without leaving child or children, &c. it must be so stated.

I  Joseph Roberts, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas do certify, that Frederick Leonard before whom the above Affidavit were taken, was at the time a Justice of the Peace for said County . Given under my hand and Seal of Office, this third day of June 1825

Jos Roberts      Proth

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(illegible) Certify that Richard Black a Soldier in Capt Robert Kirkwood compy (sic Company) of the Delaware but was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine and (illegible)  of his wound given
(illegible) my hand as Leut of said Regt this 12th day of July 1810

Thomas (illegible) the State Regt
P Jaquett  Late Captain of the Regt.





I certify that there was a Richard Black  a Soldier in the Delaware Regiment in the service of the
United States in the Revolutionary War: and
I believe that the said Richard  Black was killed or died by wounds received in the said Service
February 1. 1819
Edwd Roche  formerly serving 
in said Regiment

P.R. Bennett late of the afs Regt as (illegible)

P. Jaquett   Late Captain OF Regt

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(FORM)

DEPARTMENT OF WAR.

Regulations for the heirs of Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army, who were
slain by the enemy, or who have died since the war, and have not received land from the United States.

By an Act of Congress, of the 16th September, 1776, it is provided, that the Officers and Soldiers who engaged
for, and continued to serve during the war, or until discharged by Congress, and the heirs of such Officers and Soldiers
as shall be slain by the enemy, shall receive land in proportion to their rank.

N. B. Those who engaged for three years, or for any other period than during the war, or who died of sickness,
fatigue, or casualty, are not entitled to land from the United States.

The following declaration and enclosed blank form of heirship) must be filled up and signed by the proper authorities:


State of Delaware       }
County of New Castle}ss

I Catharine Black
heir at law of Richard Black
do, upon oath, testify and declare, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that Richard Black
did enlist in 1775, for the term of during the war, and served in the regiment No. -----------
under the command of Colonel -----------
of the Delaware line; and that he continued in the service aforesaid until the battle of Brandywine  in 1777 when he was killed.

I further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the bounty land promised to Richard Black on the part of the United States; nor do I believe that he ever received it, or transferred his claim to it in any manner whatsoever: therefore,

Know all men by these presents, that I, Catharine Black aforesaid, do hereby
constitute and appoint William P. Brobson to
be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant
for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.

Attest
J. Solomon

Catharine (her X mark)  Black

Personally appeared the above named Catharine Black 
subscriber to the
foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined to be her free act
and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.


Attest
J. Solomon
-
Fred (sic Frederick) Leonard   Justice of the Peace

In testimony that the above written Frederick Leonard was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c., in the State of Delaware at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at New Castle this third day of June
1825.

Jos. Roberts     Prothonotary
C.C. Pleas (sic County Court of Pleas)

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By virtue of the power in me vested in the within
power of Attorney, I do hereby authorize & impower. Stephen Pleasonton Esquire,
to receive for me from the Secretary
of War of the United States, the warrant for the quantity of land due to Catharine Black Wilmington June 25th 1825

W. P. Brobson
-
-
℗h is written seal

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Warrant No. 1166,
in the name of Catharine
Black, heir of her son
Saml (sic Samual) Black, who was
heir of Richard Black of the
Delaware Line . March
2d 1826
By
Ld
Office

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City of Philadelphia Ss

On the 16 day of Feby (sic February) 1826 before me Otto Christan one of the
Aldermen of said City came Mary Hapenney who
being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that
Samuel Black, Son of Richard Black & Catherine Black died
on the 8th day of September 1802 at New Brunswick State of
New Jersey that this deponent lived in the same house with said
Samuel Black & his mother Catherine Black at the time of the
death of said Samuel Black and this deponent further saith
that said Samuel Black was never married or had lawful
issue to the best of deponants knowledge & Belief

Mary (her X mark)  Hapenney

Sworn before me
 Otto Christan
aud (sic aldermen)

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County of Philadelphia, ss

Before the Subscribed one
of the Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Philadelphia, personally appeared Amos
Vorhees Summer of the said County  (illegible) and on his solemn oath, according to Law says,
that he was well acquainted with Samuel Black
Son of Catharine Black, Widow, that the said
Samuel Black died in New Brunswick in the State of New Jersey  the early part of September 1802 unmarried and without leaving lawful Issue, as the Deponent verily believes the Deponent further states, that he attended the Funeral of the said Samuel Black and followed his remains  to the Grave.

Amos Vorhees (his X mark) Summer

Sworn and subscribed 
the 17th Feb. 1826, before
me
Rick Renshaw
Justice of Peace

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County of Philadelphia,

Before the Subscribed one
⎬
of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Philadelphia, personally appeared Amos
Vorhees Sumner of the said County Cordwainer and
on his solemn oath, according to law, says,
that he was well acquainted with Samuel Black
Son of Catharine Black, Widow, that the said
Samuel Black died in New Brunswick in the State of
New Jersey, the early part of September 1802
unmarried and without leaving lawful
Issue, as the Deponent verily believes the
Deponent further states that he attended the
Funeral of the said Samuel Black and followed
his remains to the Grave

Amos Vorhees ( his X mark) Summers

Sworn and subscribed
the 17th Feb. 1826, before

Rich Renshaw(?)
Justice of Peace

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State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia⎬ ss.
.
Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace , for said County, Catharine Black and made oath in due form
of law, that she is the mother and only
heir at law, of Samuel Black Son of Richard Black late a soldier in the Delaware line 
Regiment of ------and 
that the said Richard died-------- 
leaving the said Samuel his only child & heir.

Catharine (her X mark) Black

Sworn and subscribed before me, this twenty forth day of February 1826
Wm Norton      J.P.


Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the aforesaid County, A (illegible) and was a credible and disinterested witnesses, and made oath in due form of law, that they are acquainted
with the above mentioned Catherine Black and that she is reputed mother of Samuel Black
who died unmarried leaving no lawful issue.

Sworn and subscribed before me, this
day of --------18
-----------------JP

Note. -- If the person died without leaving child or children, &c. it must be so stated.

I, ------Clerk of the County Court, do
certify, that ----------
before whom the above Affidavits were taken, was at the time a Justice of the Peace for said
County. Given under my hand and Seal of Office, this ------day of ---------18---
18

Page 37

DEPARTMENT OF WAR.

Regulations for the heirs of Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army, who were , 
slain by the enemy, or who have died since the war, and have not  received land from
the United States.

By an Act of Congress, of the 16th September, 1776, it is provided, that the Officers and Soldiers who engaged for, and continued to serve during the war, or until discharged by Congress, and the heirs of such Officers and Soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy, shall receive land in proportion to their rank.

N. B. Those who engaged for three years, or for any other period than during the war, or who died of sickness, fatigue, or casualty, are not entitled to land from the United States.

The following declaration (and enclosed blank form of heirship) must be filled up and signed by the proper authorities
:
State of Pennsylvania}
County of Philadelphia}ss

I Catharine Black heir at law of Richard Black
do, upon oath, testify and declare, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that said Richard Black did enlist in 1775, for the term of during the war, and served in the regiment No.------
under the----- command of Colonel------ 
of the Delaware line; and that he continued in the service aforesaid until killed at the Battle of Brandywine  1777

I further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the bounty land promised to Richard Black on the part of the United States; nor do I believe that he ever received it, or transferred his claim to it in any manner whatsoever: therefore,

Know all men by these presents, that I, Catharine Black aforesaid , do hereby
constitute and appoint Peter W Sproat of  Philadelphia to be my true and lawful
attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to
constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.

Catherine (her X mark)  Black

Attest
 Geo Norton 
WM Norton
John Ekeinnhart

Personally appeared the above  named Catharine Black
subscriber to the
foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined to be her free act
and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.

Wm L Norton
Justice of the Peace

In testimony that the above written------
was a magistrate
authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c., in the State of
at--------
the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the
county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at-------
this----
day of------18----
C. Clerk, &c.

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Philadelphia County [illegible]
I, Matthew Randall, [illegible] of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, do certify that the within named Peter Christian, Esquire, is an alderman of the city of Philadelphia and that the within named Richard Renshaw and William L. Norton, Esquires, are Justices of the Peace in and for the said county are duly commissioned and qualified.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and offered the seal of the said court, at Philadelphia, the 24th day of February A.D. 1826.

Matthew Randall