Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2810, for John Mc Pike, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
McPike, John
S 2810
CONTENTS
banded

No. 13.168
John M. Pike of Adams in the State of Ohio, who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Lynch of the Reg t commanded by Col o Scott in the Penn a line for 21. months.
$70.00 100
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 70 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of May 1833 and sent to Hon. W. Russell, M.P. Union Ohio
Arrears to the 4th of March, 1833. 140.- Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33. 35.
$175.-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Palmer Clerk. book 6 Vol. 8 Page 16
let 16 Jan 1836 to J. L. Warner, do 20 Oct 1836 do 15 Dec 1837 let 15 Oct '39 to L. C. Suggett let 16 March 1840 to Hon R. W. Johnson

To Mr. Luke

State of Ohio Adams County ss. 3
On the twenty seventh day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of record in and for the County aforesaid now in session, John McPike a resident of Adams County Ohio aged eighty one 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 act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - That at the time he entered the service he was living in York County Pennsylvania that as early as the fifteenth day of March 1775 he volunteered and entered the Militia as a private - under Captain - Lynch, that they were commanded by Colonel Scott - that soon after he joined the company he was appointed Orderly Serjeant and served in that capacity until the end of the war - that he entered the service at Sandy Creek Glades, was marched to Cheat River Punkard Bottom that the duties of his service were to guard the frontiers from the encroachments of the Indians in the neighborhood of Dunkard Bottom - and on Cheat River and that he served in said Lynch's Company four months and was discharged and returned home to York County Pa -
That again in the in the month of September 1775 he left home and went to Sandy Creek and volunteered and entered the service as Orderly Serjeant - as early as the 25 th of September 1775 under Captain Andrew McCreary was marched to Fort Pitt where they were stationed to keep guard and employed to watch the movements of the Indians and prevent their encroachments - on the settlements - and that in this town he served full four months and was discharged and returned home to York County Pa -
That again in 1776 as early as the 10 th of March (being commissioned and qualified as 1 st Lieutenant) he volunteered and entered the service in the Militia in that capacity under Captain Robert Rowan - Major Hugh Dinwiddie - Colonel Kennedy was marched from York - to Swedes Ford on the Schuylkill thence to the Delaware River and crossed at East Town thence to Warwick town in the state of New York, thence to Florida thence to Goshen thence to East Chester thence to New Windsor on the North River during this tour and while he was in the state of

In York the Declaration of Independence was made and pro- claimed - that he served in this town four months in the capacity of 1st Lieutenant - and was discharged at New Windsor and returned home again -
Again in the year 1776 as early as the first of December as he best recollects - he volunteered and entered the Militia Service at York Town Pa. in the capacity of 1st Lieut. under Captain William Lynday - Major Hugh Dinwiddie was marched with a detachment from York County Pa through Dauphin to Philadelphia and on their march at the Black horse Six miles the side of Philadelphia he met the Hessian prisoners which had been captured at the Battle of Trenton - at Philadelphia Major Din- widdie died - and Major Rame took the command was marched from thence to Trenton, thence to Prince- ton General Patnam now commanded - thence were mar- ched three miles down to Kingston on Picket guard while laying at Kingston his knapsack some clothing and the pocket book which contained his commission was stolen - none of which articles are ever recovered - After serving two months in this town in the capacity of 1st Lieut he was discharged and returned home -
That again as early as the first of April 1777 he again volunteered and entered the Service at York Pa in the capacity of 1st Lieut- under Captain William Lynn, Major Rame - General Pat- nam was marched from York County Pa to Philadelphia thence to Trenton thence to Princeton, there under General Pat- nam he was ordered to Allentown thence along the British lines (the British Army then lying at New Brunswick) to a connoitre and watch their movements, one day of this service with a detachment of fifteen men he espied 5 British Soldiers driving off some cattle belonging to American farmers and won- dered and took three of the British prisoners - on this tour he served in the capacity of 1st Lieutenant two months and was discharged and returned home -
Early in the year 1777 while at home in York County Pa and shortly after the Battle of Trenton, applications were made by many of the officers and soldiers of the American army to borrow money and raise funds to procure clothing and subsistence for the destitute American soldiers

He handed of his own money seventy five dollars to Colonel Kennedy to be laid out for the use of the Army and to this day he has not received any payment or consideration therefor —
That again in the year 1777 as early as the 20 th of November as he now best recollects he again volunteered and entered the Militia Service in York County Pa — a 1 st Lieut under Captain John Paxton — Major Vance Colonel — Kennedy General Potter — at the time Genl Washington's Army put up for Winter quarters at Valley Forge — he was marched to near the Valley of Forge — and the Gulf Mills and was marched about to various places and on various excursions along the line, sometimes intercepting supplies designed for the British, were sometimes sent or marched to Chester, and Derby Town — in this service he continued two months and at the end of two months was discharged, and for that time he again volunteered and entered the Service rather reluctantly to serve another term of two months in the capacity of Lieut. under the same officers — and at the expiration of two months was discharged and returned home — After this in the year 1779. and as early as the first day of July — he again entered the Service as a volunteer and served as 1 st Lieutenant under Captain John Paxton — Major Vance was marched from York County to Lancaster Pa. where he was employed to assist in building a fort for the British Prisoners after the fort was completed and the full month service expired he was discharged and again returned home —
That he served as before mentioned in the capacity of 1 st or 2 nd Lieut Sergeant eight months at least — and in all as 1 st Lieut. at least fourteen months — and for those periods and ranks he claims a pension — That he never received any written discharge — and knows of no surviving witness that could prove his services —
He hereby renounces every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present — and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any State agency in any State —

Quest. 1st Where, and in what year were you born Ans r In Chester County Pennsylvania in the 17 th of Sept r November 1750 —
2 — 2 Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it? Ans r I have no record of it — but have seen it frequently in my Father's Family Bible —
2. 3 — Where were you living when called into the service Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live —
Ans r — When called into the service I lived in York County Pennsylvania — In the year 1792 I removed to Virginia — and in the year 1823 I removed from Virginia to Adams County Ohio where I now live —
4 How were you called into the service were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
Ans r I volunteered on every occasion as particularly stated in the foregoing declaration — and served as Orderly sergeant — the two first tours of four months each — and as 1 st Lieutenant for the remaining tours, making in all fourteen months, as 1 st Lieutenant —
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such Conti- nental and militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service —
General Washington was at the Valley Forge, and the same winter I saw occasionally Generals Wayne, Potter & Sullivan — and Colonel Hartley —
The general circumstances of the service are as detailed in the foregoing declaration —

6- Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it -
Answer I never received any written discharge from the service -
Did you ever receive a commission and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
Answer I did receive a commission as 1st Lieutenant and in the Militia as early as the first day of March 1776. It was signed by the Vice President and countersigned by Colonel Scott, the last of the copy as I best recollect and verily believe - It was stolen from me with my pocket book and some other articles while on duty at Kingston in the month of January - 1777 - and has not been recovered since -
of State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution -
Answer Thomas Carray, John Stevens, Henry Gray - John E. McPike
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Joseph Darlington Clk. A.C.
We Thomas Carray Engraving residing in Adams County State of Ohio and John Stevens residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John McPike who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion - Thomas Carray John Stevens

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Joseph Darlington Clk. A.C.
And the said Court do hereby certify 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 Soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Thomas Cury who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Adams and State of Ohio and that John Stivers who has signed the same is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Joseph Darlington Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Adams and State of Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of John M c Pike for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 27 th day of October in the year of our Lord 1832
Joseph Darlington Clk. A.C.

Rev War
2810 INVALID.
File No. 2810
John M. Pike First Rev War
Act: June 7 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 2424
[Arrangement of 1870.]

are yes
Jamies L Edwards Esq Pension office Washington City D.C.

forms although his proof of being an officer may not be strengthened yet I believe there is no doubt but he was a soldier of the revolution as by him stated But should you deem his proof of being an officer deficient the allowance of a soldier would be important to him as he is in extreme want and subsisting on public charity I would thank to give his case an early examination
I also send you the paper of John Thompson whom I have long known and have no doubt but he performed the service as stated by him
Very Respectfully
Yours Obed Servt J. L. Edwards Esqr William Russel

Mar 16 1840
Col G. L. Edward
Hon R. M. Johnson Vice Pres. U.S.

13. 168 John Mc. Pike Adams Co Ohio.
Adm for 24 Months From 1775 (as per agree- ment of agent as private see enclosed letter)
  1775  3.  Months.  Long    "  4  "  "    6  4.      8  21      9  21       21       21       9       24.    
Hon. Wm Russell. S. West. Union. Russell Ohio.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Mc. Pike further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____ IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? _____
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? no
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? _____
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? _____
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? _____
XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 time of the claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
The claimant should produce evidence of his having received a commission and of his services as a Lieutenant.

14 March: 1840
My Dear Sir,
I wish you to examine particularly that part of the within which speaks of the Pension before of the writer - with full . also read that part of the letter which speaks of the widow of Genl Green & give the information requested as far as you can. Send the rules for widow of Genl Green.
I do not understand the paragraph about Mrs Green. Is it possible that the widow of Genl Green, who died in Georgia is now alive - !!! E. Voss W. A. Johnson cc J. L. Edwards

Washington 12 th Decr 1837
Sir; I am requested by John Mc Pike of the Pennsylvania line of the Revolutionary Army & now a pensioner on the roll of Ohio to as- -certain whether his pension can be increased (from a sergeant to a Lieutenant) upon the proofs he has filed since he was pla- -ced upon the roll; also to in- -quire for his lands to which he is entitled on account of his revolutionary services. Will you have the goodness to answer in regard to the Pen- -sion & to forward this letter to the proper office for informa- -tion as to the land?
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Respectfully Yours &c Th. L. Hamer

Oct 15
In at New Bedford John
Dear
James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Georgetown Scott Co Ky Oct 7. 1839
Dear Sir
Mr John Mc Pike has just address a letter to the Hon Richard M Johnson vice President of the United States which letter was referred to me to make the necessary enquiry in relation to increasing of Mr Pike's Pension he states that he is now a Pensioner in Brown County State of Ohio at 70$ Per Annum and that he was in the services 22 months during the war of the Revolution and served 8 months as a First Sergeant and 14 months as a serutenant and that he produced the evidence some years ago of his services as an officer and that he has recived no answer in relation to the last evidence produced you will I mean to have the kindness to inform me whether his Pension can be increased.
Yours with Great Respect Lewis C Suggitt
Hon James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Hm J. L. Hanner HR

State of Ohio } Adams County } B. On the 27 th day of October 1835 personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Henry Gray & John Francis both residing in Liberty Township county & State aforesaid in the immediate vicin- ity of John M c Pike a Pensioner for services rendered during the Revolutionary war who being duly sworn depose & say — that they are well acquainted with said John M c Pike — and that he is reputed & believed in the neigh- -borhood where he resides to have been a First Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War & to have rendered services as such Officer. This reputation & belief is of many years standing in the neighborhood — is general among the people so far as we know or believe and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed } Henry Gray the day & year aforesaid } John L. Francis
And the said Court hereby certifies — that it appears to them that Henry Gray & John Francis who have signed the preceding certificate & affidavit are credible persons residing in the township & neighborhood of said John M c Pike and that their state- ment is entitled to credit.
I Joseph Darlington Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original no

- cee d ings of the said Court in the matter of proof of said John McPikes services as a first Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, & his application for an increase of his pension on account of said services.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 27 th day of October A. D. 1835. —
Joseph Darlington Colk. A.C.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME McPike, Richard GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9875 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 27, 178? (Penn) to Richard Platt, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.