Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32375, for Henry Levens, Virginia

Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE Va. 
Levens, Henry
NUMBER S 32375
CONTENTS [blank]

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[left hand page]
Date of Death not in A.B.

[right hand page]
Illinois 19.923.
Henry Levens
of Monroe Co in the State of Illinois
who was a Private in the Co. [company] commanded by Captain Lee of the Regt commanded by Col. Broadhead [David Brodhead] in the Virginia line for 14 mos & 21 days
$49

Inscribed on the roll of Illinois at the rate of 49 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Sept. 1883 and sent to Daniel Converse. Waterloo, Monroe co. Ills

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 122.50
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Ma 34
24.50
$147.

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm R. Balmer Clerk
Book E Vol. 8 Page 58.

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21275
19.92.3
Henry Levens 
Morgan Co
Illinois

Adm 1. year 2 months 21 days
40
6.66
2.33
$49.00

98
24.50
122.50

Daniel Converse Esq
Waterloo Monroe Co
Illinois

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
22 April 1833

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 a 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 the regulations will shew 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, shewing the Service of Henry Levens, Monroe Co Illinois

[column headings: 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 and 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.]

1778 or [17]79. Not specified. Liuet. Cap S Teeters. Col Broadhead. None. Pensylva. 88 years Virginia. Traditionary & Witness.

Feb 1781 as near as he can recollect. Not stated.  " [Liuet]. Not mentioned Col Williams. Skirmish with Indian. Muskingam  Near Ohio. 

[below above transcribed table rows in "Duration of the claimant's service Months" column] 1 1 1

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 [left blank] County of [left blank]}ss.

On this [left blank] day of [left blank] personally appeared (a) before [left blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [left blank] in the county of [left blank] and State, Territory or District of [left blank] aged 9c0 [left blank] 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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [left blank], with [left blank] and served in the [left blank] (e) regiment of the [left 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 served 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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [image of hand with index finger pointing right] 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.]

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 [left blank]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [left blank] A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I [left blank] of the Court of [left blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [left blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [left blank] day of [left 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 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 [left blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [left blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [left 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 Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. [left blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [left blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [left blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I [left blank] Clerk of the Court of [left blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of [left blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [left blank] of office, this [left blank] day of [left blank] & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; 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 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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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 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 given 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 period 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 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:
"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."

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 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 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. [ "e" is surrounded by ( ) ]

[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 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. ["i" is surrounded by { } ]

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 was under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the wants of the applicant is not found on the department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. ["j" is surrounded by { } ]

[image of hand with index finger pointing right] The notes from to are all 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.

[signed] Joseph Rowen Ex Ck

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Henry Levins [Levens] 21.275

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[page1]

State of Illinois
Monroe County Ss
On this third day of June A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared before Edward S. Morgan, Scipis Beaird, & Felix Clark Judges of the County Commissioners Court of said County and State now sitting Henry Levins [Levens] a resident of said county of Monroe. Aged ninety 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th A.D. 1832-

That in the year 1776 he received a Lieutenants Commission in Captain Samuel Teters Company of Militia 
and on the first day of April of the same year he was detached with twenty five men to guard a Settlement at a place called Holidays Cove [Hollidays Cove, West Virginia] for one month where he was relieved and on the 1st day of November of the same year he was detached with the same number of men to guard a place called the Mingo Bottom Settlement [Mingo Bottom or Town now Mingo Junction, Ohio] for one month and on the 1st day of April 1777- he was detached with the same number of men to guard the Beach Bottom settlement [Beach Bottom Fort, in Brooke County, West Virginia] for one month.

And on the last day of August 1777 he was detached with the same number of men to guard & defend a little Fort at Wheeling [Fort Henry, West Virginia] on the Ohio River - 
(Mr. E.K. Kane a senator in Congress from this state informs me that he took the affadavit [affidavit] of Mr Ebenezer  Zenes [Zane] the proprietor of the Town of Wheeling to prove the last mentioned service which he filed in the department) 

On the first of August 1779 Captain Samuel Teters, himself Lieutenant & Ensign William [or Benjamin] Biggs with sixty non commissioned Officers and Privates Volunteered in the service of the United States & mustered into service under the Command of Colo. David Broadhead [Brodhead] he does not recollect the names of the General of Field Officers

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[page 2]

lent was acquainted with Captains [Samuel] Brady, Campbell, and [Benjamin] Biggs of Col. Broadhead's [Daniel Brodhead] Regiment - we marched over a Mountainous Country on the East side of the Allegany River [Allegheny] five hundred miles To a large Vilage [village] which was deserted as it was burnt by order of the commanders & the [illegible] destroyed as it was called and crossed to the west side of the River. and returned the first week of October of [illegible] was in no general engagement -but some skirmishes being with small parties of Indians.

In the last week of February 1782 I was called by the order of Either Colo. Broadhead [Daniel Brodhead] or [John] Gibson & which I cannot be certain with our company on a Tour against the Mingo & Delaware Indians under the command of Colo. David Williamson a Militia Colonel - we crossed the river & marched to the Vilages [Villages] on the Muskingum River. 
[in Ohio]. Killed seventy or eighty Indians - destroyed their vilages [villages] and their commander returned the first of April.

He was attached with his Captain & part of the Company to Thomas Bays command of the Battalion or Regiment of Militia - on an expedition against the Wiandotts [Wyandot] under the Command of General [Lachlan] McIntosh & rendezvoused near Pittsburg [Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania] where they built a large fort called Fort McIntosh [Beaver, Pennsylvania] and another [Fort Laurens, Bolivar, Ohio] on the Tuskarora [Tuscarora River, Ohio] where they left about two hundred men & owing to lateness of the season & scarcity of Provisions the main army abandoned their original intention of going to the Sandusky Indians & returned to the fort McIntosh [Beaver, Pennsylvania] about Christmas.

Robert McCreedy [McCready] was our Adjutant the other field officer he does not recollect. he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any Agency of any State

Questions by the Court.
1- Where & in what year were you born Answer in the year 1744 the 26th of March

2d. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? Ans. [Answer] I have none but have seen it in my Fathers Bible.

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[page 3]

3rd. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live? 
Answer I lived at a frontier Fort on the Water of the Ohio about 30 miles below Pittsburgh during the war & untill the year 1796- when I removed to the Kaskaskia River in the State of Illinois where I have lived untill latterly. I have lived with a Son in Law in this County where I now reside

4 How were you called out into service? were you drafted, did you Volunteer or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom?
on the request of Colo. [John] Gibson the several Companies were to furnish a quota of men & I volunteered.

5th State the name of some of the Regular Officers who were with the Troops where you served 
Answer General [Lachlan] McIntosh, Colonel [David] Brodhead, Colonel [John] Gibson, Captains Biggs, Captain Samuel Brady & Captain Campbell

6th Did you ever receive a Commission & if so by whom was it signed 
Signed by Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia- ,It is lost or mislaid with other old papers

7th State the name of Persons to whom you are known in your Present Neighborhood & who can testify to your Character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
Answer Ninian Edwards (who insisted on my taking a Captain's Commission in the last war while he was Governor of Illinois Territory) Elias Kane Senator in Congress, James  McRoberts, Enoch Moore, General James B Moore and many others of this County

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 3rd day of June 1833.
Henry Levens

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[several words on top of the page are vut off and illegible]
Credible

And on the same day personally came James W Robert who being sworn in Open Court deposeth and sayeth that he was Intimately acquainted with Mr. Henry Levens [crossed out: illegible] from the years 1779 to the present time and knows that he served with him on one Campaign mentioned in his declaration, and from the common report of the neighborhood he served the several tours mentioned by him & furnished his horse of amunition at his own expence. Sworn & Subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid
James W Roberts

The Peter Rogers a Clergyman residing in the Town of Waterloo of the Baptist denomination, and John Ryan residing in the County of Monroe & State of Illinois hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mr. Henry Levins who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration that we believe him to be ninety 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 
Peter Rogers
John Ryan

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation and after the Investigation of the matter and after the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Peter Rogers who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman residing in the Town of Waterloo in this County and that John Ryan who has also signed the same is a resident of this County is a Reputable person & that their statement is intitled to Credit-

E. T. Morgan [illegible] [illegible]

I Daniel Converse Clerk of the County Commissioners Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said [crossed out: illegible] Court in the matter of the application of Henry Levins for a pension

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this

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Original proceedings of [several words cut off] Court in the matter of the application of Henry Levins for a pension

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty three.
Daniel Converse

State of Illinois Monroe County }
On this twenty ninth day of July in the AD. Eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the peace for said County. Henry Levins who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make this addition to the foregoing Declaration. That he served in the United States Service as in the foregoing declaration Stated, at Holidays Cove, one month at the Mings Bottom settlement one month, Beach Bottom settlement one month, at Fort [crossed out: Wheeling] one month, on a Campaign with Col. Broadhead up the Allegany River against the Munsey Indians two months and one week, one against the Mingo & Delaware Indians, one Month and four days on Campaign under the command of General Mc Intosh, at least seven months and ten days, Making in all fourteen months of twenty one days

Henry Levens

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signature cut off]

Page 13

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Daniel Converse JP.

State of Illinois Monroe County} ss
I The undersigned Justice of the peace for said County having been personally acquainted with James W Roberts who was sworn to and  subscribed the within deposition for more than twenty years do Certify that he is a Credible person and of undoubted veracity.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my
& seal this 29th day of July AD 1833
Daniel Converse JP [handwritten seal]

State of Illinois Monroe County} ss 
I Daniel Converse clerk of the County Commissioners Court for said County do hereby Certify that Daniel Converse whose name appears to the foregoing Certificate was on the day the same was made an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Monroe. Regularly Commissioned and qualified, and that as such full faith and credit are and of right ought to be given to all his official acts

[stamped seal]

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Waterloo this twenty ninth day of July in the year
of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty three
Daniel Converse

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October 5, 1937

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

HENRY LEVENS
S. 32375
BA-J/MLB

Honorable William L. Nelson
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Nelson:

Reference is made to your letter of October 2, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Henry Levens who, you state, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland lived in Cooper County, Missouri, and Chester, Illinois, where he died in 1838.

No record could be found for a Henry Levens, identical with your description. You are furnished herein the only [inserted: pension] [inserted: as on orig.] record [crossed out: found] of a Henry Levens who served in the Revolutionary War. His record follows as found in pension claim, S. 32375, based upon his service in that war.

Henry Levens was born March 26, 1744; the place of birth and names of his parents are not shown.

While residing at a frontier fort on the Ohio River, about thirty miles below Pittsburgh, Henry Levens entered the service in 1776 and served at various times to the end of the war, amounting in all to fourteen months twenty-one days in Captain Samuel Teters' company, Colonel Silas Hedge's Virginia regiment, and under Colonels Daniel Brodhead and David Williamson. During these periods of service, he guarded settlements at Holiday's Cove, Mingo Bottom, Beach Bottom and a little fort at Wheeling on the Ohio River; assisted in the building of Fort McIntosh and another fort on Tuscarora River, went on expeditions against the Muncy Indians up the Alleghany River, the Mingo and Delaware Indians, also the Wyandotte Indians, and was in small skirmishes in which Indians were killed and their towns and crops destroyed. He stated that his service was rendered as a lieutenant.

No reference was made to the wife of Henry Levens and no names of children given. Henry Levens stated in 1833 that Ninian Edwards, while Governor of Illinois Territory, insisted on his taking a captain's commission in "the last war".

Page 15

In 1796, Henry Levens moved to the Kaskaskia River in Illinois, thence to Monroe County, Illinois, and in 1828 was residing in Harrisonville, in that county.

He was allowed pension on his application executed June 3, 1833, at which time he was living in Monroe County, Illinois, with a son-in-law whose name he did not give. He was pensioned at the rate of $49 per annum. He signed "Henry Levens".

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the exact date of death of Henry Levens, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Henry Levens, certificate No. 19923, issued September 25, 1833, rate $49 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Illinois Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

-2-

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1828 papers to be filed with Ad OWJ File # 32.375

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Henry Levens Lient-
Va. line
Illinois
Ins File No. 32.375
Act 1828 Evidence insufficient

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June 13, 1935

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

HENRY LEVENS
S. 32375
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Mary J. Arthur
506 North Coronado Street
Los Angeles, California

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request further information in regard to Henry Levens, S. 32375, Revolutionary War soldier, whose record was furnished you April 23, 1935; whether or not he was wounded in service, or was awarded a medal for any service rendered, or whether he was entitled to an Indian War medal.

The papers in the above noted pension claim have been reexamined. It is not shown that Henry Levens was wounded in service or at any time, nor that he was awarded a medal for service. The service he rendered against the Indians was Revolutionary War service, and this office is unable to state whether or not medals were awarded at that time for the kind of service he rendered during the Revolutionary War.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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April 23, 1935

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

HENRY LEVENS
S. 32375
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Mary J. Arthur 
506 North Coronado Street 
Los Angeles, California 

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Henry Levens or Levins, who served in the Revolutionary War from Pennsylvania, was pensioned while living in Monroe County, Illinois, and in which you desire to know the amount of pension received by him.

You are furnished herein the record of the only soldier named Henry Levens, under any spelling, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The data therein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 32375, based upon his service in the Revolution.

Henry Levens, [crossed out: as soldier signed,] was born March 26, 1744; the place of [crossed out: soldier's] his birth and names of his parents are not given.

While residing at a frontier fort on the Ohio River about thirty miles below Pittsburgh, [crossed out: he] Henry Levens entered the service in 1776 and served at various times to the end of the war, amounting in all to fourteen months twenty-one days in Captain Samuel Teters' company, Colonel Silas Hedge's Virginia regiment, and under Colonels Daniel Brodhead and David Williamson. During these periods of service, he guarded settlements at Holiday's Cove, Mingo Bottom, Beach Bottom and a little fort at Wheeling on the Ohio River; assisted in the building of Fort McIntosh and another fort on Tuscarora River, went on expeditions against the Muncy Indians up the Allegheny River, the Mingo and Delaware Indians, also the Wyandotte Indians, and was in small skirmishes in which Indians were killed and their towns and crops destroyed. He stated that his service was rendered as a lieutenant.

No reference was made to the wife of Henry levens and no names of children given. Henry Levens stated in 1833 that Ninian Edwards, while Governor of Illinois Territory, insisted on his taking a captain's commission in "the last war".

Page 20

In 1796, Henry Levens moved to the Kaskaskia River in Illinois, thence to Monroe County, Illinois, and in 1828 was residing in Harrisonville, in that county.

He was allowed pension on his application executed June 3, 1833, at which time he was living in Monroe County, Illinois, with a son-in-law whose name he did not give. He was pensioned at the rate of $49 per annum. [inserted: He signed, "Henry Levens"]

The land to which you refer may have been granted by the state from which the soldier served, as it does not pertain to a United States grant.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of soldier's death, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:

Henry Levens
Certificate No. 19923
Issued September 25, 1833
Rate $49 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
Illinois Agency

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

[handwritten: No record of issuance of Bty. Land Wt. for service in War of 1812 as Capt]

-2-

Page 21

506 North Coronado St.
Los Angeles, California
Thursday, May 9, 1935.

Veterans Administration
Washington D.C. 

[Circular stamp with numbers 1 through 12 encircling. Arrow pointed at number 11. Inner text reads: RECEIVED MAY 13 1935 [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]]

(In Reply Refer To)
Henry Levens
S - 32375
BA-J. 3/MLB.

Gentlemen:-
Would like to know if this Revolutionary War Soldier, named Henry Levens, was ever wounded in his Army Service?

Also, was he ever given a Medal of any sort for any service rendered?

Since you state he went in 4 expeditions against 4 tribes of Indians, does this entitle him to an Indian War Medal?

Thanking you in advance for a reply, I am Respectfully yours
Mary J. Arthur-

Page 22

506 North Coronado St.
Los Angeles, California
Sunday, April 7 - 1935.

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C. [two illegible faded lines]

Gentlemen:-
The reason for asking you for this information is that I want to join the Daughter of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) [overwritten: only [illegible]]. The name of my Revolutionary War ancestor is Henry Levens. It may be spelled Levins.

From Paul M. Angle, Librarian, of the Illinois State Historical Library, I have the following information:-
"From: United States Congress, 33rd. Illinois Pension Roll, 1834 - p. 16".

"Henry Levens, Private, in Pennsylvania continental troops, was placed on the pension list Sept. 25, -1833, and his age was given as being 89 years."

From a book - under the title, "Revolutionary Soldiers buried in Illinois," by Mrs. Harriet J. Walker it states "Henry Levens lived in Monroe County, Illinois and died in 1835."

I was born in Monroe Co. Illinois. My mother was born there. Her maiden name was Lucretia A. Levens.

The information I would like to have is:- The names of all the children of this soldier, Henry Levens their ages, their names if any of them who were married in reference to the daughters and the daughter's husband's names-

Page 23

2

The names of the sons, and who they married if you have such information on file.

Also, what was the amount of the pension he received as a Revolutionary War Soldier.

From Gertrude Mac Kinney, Director of State Library of the State of Pennsylvania, I have the following information:
"The name Henry Levins appears upon a list of Pennsylvania pensioners residing in Illinois who were inscribed on the Pennsylvania pension list. This Henry Levins was a private in the Pennsylvania line and on Sept. 25, 1833 he was 89 years of age, A Henry Levens had a warrant of land consisting of 253 acres in Washington County surveyed March 24, 1788. The name Henry Levins appears as the head of a family in Washington County in the census of 1790 - His family consisted of one male over 16, five males under 16 and five females.

Please write me all that you have on record about this soldier, named Henry Levens, or Henry Levins as it is sometimes spelled.

Thanking you in advance for a reply containing the information I have asked for and hoping to receive such a reply, I am, Respectfully yours,
Mrs. Mary J. Arthur.

Page 24

[letterhead]
WILLIAM L. NELSON
SECOND MISSOURI DISTRICT
WASHINGTON ADDRESS:
225 HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
HOME ADDRESS:
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

MEMBER:
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

[letter body]
October 2, 1937

[handwritten] only
[Circular stamp with numbers 1 through 12 encircling. Arrow pointed at number 11. Inner text reads: RECEIVED Oct 4 1937 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS ADM. [illegible] 1]

Mr. A. D. Hiller
Adminstrative Assistant
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. Hiller:
Kindly send us the Revolutionary War[underlined] pension record of Henry Levens[underlined], who was born in Baltimore County, Maryland and came to Cooper County, Missouri. He returned to Chester, llinois and died in 1838.

Thanking you, I am
Sincerely yours,
W. L. Nelson

S

Page 25

[left hand page]
32375
Revy INVALID. 
File No. 32,375
Henry Levens
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32 [1832]
Index:- Vol, 2, Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right hand page]
1912 Jan. 26 Tombstone data to Mrs Mary M. Dunlap letter in W.370 Jos. Jackson C.
1935, Apr. 23-Hist to Mrs. Mary J. Arthur MLB.
1935 - June 13 Mrs Mary J Arthur add question in re. to sol's ser [relation to soldier's service]
1937, Oct. 5- Hist. to Hon W. L. Nelson MLB.

Page 26

JW Aug 23
retd [returned]
Waterloo Mo.
July 31st

War Department
Pension Bureau
Washington City 
D.C.

Page 27

Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois
July 29th 1833

Sir
I again in close the Declaration of Mr Levins, hoping it may be satisfactory to the Department - as the old man is too feeble to [travel ?] without assistance I went to him & took the additional
affidavit

I am sir very Respectfully Your Obedient & very Humble Servt.
Daniel Converse

Page 28

855. 872

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
30 August 1828.

Henry Levens of Harrisonville in the County of Monroe in the State of Illinois, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution,” approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end of the war at which period he was a Lieutenant in Col Hedge's regiment of the Virginia line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing. [crossed out: dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of]

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.

By order of the Secretary
Fot. Dickins.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
3rd September 1828

[crossed out: It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the computation of five years full pay to [left blank] in the [left blank] line, amounting to [left blank] dollars.]

It further appears that Henry Levens is not now on the pension list of [crossed out: the] any agency, and has not been since the 3rd March 1826 [crossed out: at the rate of [left blank] per month]

The Revolutionary records in this Office furnish no information whatever in relation to the services of Lieutenant Henry Levens of the Virginia line-
Peter Hagner And

Page 29

General Land Office
16th Decem. 1828

The name of Henry Levins [Levens] does not appear in the list of Warrants issued by the Register of the Land office at Richmond Va. 
GH Graham
Commissioner

Page 30

872

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled ""An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and
Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution,” approved 15th May, 1828.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
11 Sept 1828.

The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Henry Levens,
under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a
request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether it appears, by any
records in the War Department, that the claimant has received, or is entitled to receive,
the bounty in land granted by Congress for service in the Continental line of the Army
of the Revolution; and, if so, whether he became entitled to the same by service to the
termination of the war, or in what other manner.

Richard Rush.
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.

War Department
Bounty Land Office
19th Sept 1828
Henry Levens a Lieutenant of the Virginia Line
is not returned, as entitled to land from the U. States
nor has a warrant issued for him
E Stephens

Page 31

B

S

Page 32

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an Act
entitled an act for the relief of certain surviving
officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution
approved on the 15th May 1828, I Henry Levins of
Harrisonville in Monroe County and State of Illinois
do hereby declare, that I was an officer in
the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution
and served as such to the end of the war at
which period I was a Lieutenant in the Regiment
Commanded by Col Silas Hedge of the Virginia
Line.  I never received a certificate, which I
was entitled to, for a sum equal to the amount
of five years full pay offered by the resolve of
Congress of the 22d March 1783, instead of
half pay for life-- to which I was entitled under the
resolve of the 21st Oct 1780. Owing to the
length of time and distance from the seat of
Government, I was was ignorant of those resolutions
in favor of Revolutionary officers and
Soldiers, untill the publication of the late law
and that my Commission is lost, and I
herewith enclose the affidavit of James W
Roberts in Liew thereof.
Signed -
Henry Levins

Before me Daniel Converse a Justice of the peace
in the County of Monroe and State of Illinois 
personally appeared this day. James W. Roberts

Page 33

and John Scott of the said County, who did severally
make oath that Henry Levins, by whom the foregoing
Declaration was subscribed is generally reputed
and believed to have been an officer in the army
of the Revolution in manner therein stated.

Witness my hand this 25th day of July in
the year of our Lord 1828.
Signed Daniel Converse

I Daniel Converse Clerk of the Court of the County
of Monroe in the State of Illinois, do hereby certify
that Daniel Converse, before whom the foregoing
Affidavits were sworn was a Justice of the
peace and duly empowered to administer
Oaths.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and private seal there
being as yet no official seal provided, 
this 25th day of July in the
Year, 1828.
Daniel Converse

(SEAL)

Page 34

Before me Daniel Converse a Justice of the peace in
the County of Monroe and State of Illinois personally 
appeared this day James W Roberts, who made
Oath that Henry Levins, was in the Revolutionary
Army and he believes, from its commencement
to its Termination, and he believes that said
Levins was an officer during the whole time
stationed, on the frontier Settlements. near
Pittsburg
Pennsylvania and that ty8s affiant has been
in one or two Campaigns with said Levins
who was personally Known to him
---
Signed  Daniel Converse

I Daniel Converse Clerk of the Court of the county of
Monroe in the State of Illinois do hereby certify that 
Daniel Converse before whom the foregoing affidavit
was sworn was a Justice of the peace
and duly empowered to Administer Oaths.

In Testimony whereof I have herewith 
set my hand and private seal there
being as yet no official seal for said
Court provided this 25th day of July
in the year 1828.-
Signed Daniel Converse

(Seal)
B