Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,563, for James Mahan, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Mahan James
S. 17.563
Va.
Also in 1774.
CONTENTS
carded

Lt Col Wm Harris Mar 1837
Tra Cu - - do - do -
Car to Pen age 20 Nov 1837
To Missourie Fr. 4 Sept 1838
D Decd 1837 No t - sent to
Wm Harris Esq on City M o
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 8 th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1838 to 4 March 1838. Age notified 20 March 39
Letter to Honble J.C. Edwards 14 of Rept of Auditor Dec 3 rd 1842.
Missourie 25059
Kentucky
James Mahan of Shelby in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the second company by Captain Drown of the 2 nd regiment in the Virginia line for 2 years V.M.C.
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Nov 33 and Andrew Craig Whiteley 611
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 200
Semi-ant. allowance ending March 40
240
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by David Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 24

Patron Office
Dec 5 th 1842
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 4 th inst 1 I have to state that the vouchers in the case of James Mahan a deceased pen- sioner have been referred to P t Hagner Esq c Third Auditor of the Treasury that the pension may be paid in conformity with the Acts of April 6 th 1838 and Aug 23 rd 1842.
I am Sir.
Wm L. G. Edwards
House of Rep s

State of Kentucky Whitley County } Set
On the 19 th day of October A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me Preston C. Berry a Justice of the peace for Whitley County Kentucky James Mahan a resident of said County and state aforesaid aged 78 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 June 7 th 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, That he volunteered on the 4 th of May 1774 under Capt Jacob Drennion as an Indian spy that he then lived in the state of Virginia on the Monongahela river and was marched from thence to Fort Pitt and from thence crossed the Ohio and marched against the Shawnee Indians on the Little Scioto river and was engaged in actual service not less than six months That he then in the fall of 1775 enlisted at Fort Pitt under Capt Astor and was stationed at Fort Pitt and retained there to guard the Indian Prisoners until they were dismissed and sent home - during the time he was at Fort Pitt Capt Astor was killed by a man by the name of Dadrick Smith

He states that he was in actual service under Capt. Aston not less than one year and was discharged that he then enlisted under Capt. Gibson at Fort Pitt to march to Williamsburg by way of the evacuation of the people on the frontiers and at Fort Pitt he put an other man in his place and he continued at Fort Pitt as a spy and guard under the command of Capt. David Scott Lieut. John Mahan who was under Col. Crawford for at least six months and was discharged that he then volunteered under Capt. McFarland who was under Genl. Braddock and marched against the Indi- ans at the Monocacy River and Fort Lawrence that he served on this Campai- gn not less than seven months and discha- rged sometime in the winter and returned home on the Monongahela River and remained inactive until the March follow- ing when he received intelligence that the Indians with some Britts had besieged Fort Lawrence that he then called a meeting of the people (or muster) to raise a company to march to the relief of Fort Lawrence the meet and he raised a company but a difference took place between him and man by the name of John Simpson

who was a Very or unfriendly to the American cause he Simpson abused the men in the fort and the Americans and swore they ought all to be scalped and that resisted the insults and personal engagement insured in which engagement he received a severe wound in the abdomen in consequence of which wound he was unable for the service about 12 months that he then re-enlisted and was engaged as a spy on the frontier under Capt Robert Herrell from spring to the fall of the year a term not less than six months and was discharged that he then removed to Green County Tennessee that he then volunteered as a Capt and raised a company of militia and joined Col. Sevier and marched into the Clinch Station and was in two small engagements at High Bridge and Chilhowee that he was engaged on this expedition as Capt not less than six months and was discharged he states that he got discharged for some of the reasons of duty but that he has lost them believing that they were of no use to him that he was in actual service not less than three years and one month as a private and six months as a Captain he states that he knows

of no surviving witness that he can prove his claim but he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity ex- cept the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
James Mahan
The following interrogatories were then pro- pounded to him by Preston C. Berry a Justice of the peace for the County of Whitley and State of Kentucky Question 1 st where and in what year were you born Ans r in Virginia between Manchester and the warm Springs in the year 1755 Ans r 2 nd where were you living when called into the service and where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live Ans r first on the Monangahela river State of Virginia then in Green County Tennessee and now in Whitley City Kentucky for the last 35 years Question 3 rd have you any record of your age and if so where is it Ans r yes my age is recorded in my family Bible now in my possession Question 4 th how were you called into service Ans r first a volunteer 2 nd Enlisted and last a volunteer
Question 5 th State the names of some of the Regular officers that were with the

Troops whom you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstance of your service Ans r I recollect at Fort Pitt Col o Crawford's Regiment and Genl. McIntosh's but whether they were regular Continental or Militia I cannot recollect I also recollect Genl. Lewis and Gov- -er Dunmore I was frequently sent on ex- -press from Fort Pitt to Genl. Lewis and Dunmore Troops that he first volunteered in 1774 and was stationed at Fort Pitt under Capt Drane as a spy that he had frequent occa- -sions on the frontiers and acted as a spy and guard also months that he then enlisted at Fort Pitt under Capt. Preston and was continued at Fort Pitt to guard the Indian Prisoners until they were dismissed during which time Capt. Preston was held by a man of the name of Patrick Smith he served under Preston 12 months and was discharged that he then enlisted under Capt. Gibson to march to Williamsburg by the request of the people of the frontiers and at the front he was retained at Fort Pitt he was retained as a guard and spy under Capt. Davis Scott and Lieut. John Mahan who was under Col. Crawford for six months that he then

Volunteered under Capt. McFarland who was under Genl. McIntosh and marched against the Indians on the Brazobos River where we built Fort Lawrence that he serve seven months in this Campaign and was discharged and returned home in the winter and remained there until he got wounded that he then removed to Tennessee that he there raised a company and served six months in the capacity of a Captain in the later they were under Genl. Sevier Question 6 th did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whome was it given and what has become of it Aum he recollects of having received a discharge but by whome it was given he can not recollect that he kept it in his shoe bag some time and lost it Question 7 th State the names of persons to whome you are known in your neighbourhood and who can testify as to your connection for meracy and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution Ans r William Elen Baker E. Watkins James Mahan
We William Elen a clergyman residing in the County of Shelby and state of Kentucky and Baker E. Watkins residing in the same County and state do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Mahan who has subs- cribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration and that we believe him to be 78 years of age and that he reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Revolutionary soldier

And that we concur in that opinion sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
William S. Lee off g Baker, E. (Wathern)
And the said Preston C. Berry a Justice of the peace for the County of Whitley and State of Kentucky doth hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the said Preston C. Berry further certifies that it appears to him that William Elton who has signed the foregoing Certificate is a clergyman residing in the County of Whitley and State of Kentucky and that Baker C. Mathis who has also signed the same is a resident in the County and State aforesaid and is a credible person and that their state- ments is entitled to credit and the said Preston C. Berry also certifies that the applicant James Mahan by reason of old age and bodily infir- mity cannot attend the court and consequent- ly a recollection given under my hand and seal as a Justice of the peace for Whitley County State of Kentucky the day and date aforesaid Preston C. Berry off
State of Kentucky Whitley County (Set)
Andrew G. Craig Clerk of the County Court of Whitley do hereby certify that Preston C. Berry who has signed the foregoing Certificate is and was an acting Justice of the peace for

Whitley County Ky and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature and the said Andrew Craig Clerk as aforesaid also certifies that the foregoing seven pages attached by me contain the original proceedings of the said Preston C. Barry a Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesaid in the matter of the application of Samuel Mahan for a Pardon
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and set my hand this 21 st day of October 1833

By 638 James Mahan age 83 Pension 3 Dollars Government
State of Kentucky - 3 October Term 1833 Whitley County Det R
Proof being made to the satisfaction of the Court Ordered that it be certified to the War department that James Mahan the within applicant for a pension is too old and infirm to attend Court. Copy test David Brant Clerk

January 24, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS James Mahan, S.17563
Mrs. John F. Brisbin 309 N. James Street Ludington, Michigan
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to James Mahan, a Revolutionary War soldier who enlisted from Virginia and was pensioned while living in Whitley County, Kentucky.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.17563, based upon the military service of James Mahan.
He was born in 1755 in Virginia "between Winchester and the Warm Springs". The names of his parents were not given.
While living on the Monongahela River, Virginia, he volunteered May 4, 1774, and served six months as an Indian spy and was stationed at Fort Pitt under Captain Drenin. He enlisted in the fall of 1775 and served at various times, amounting to two years and seven months in all, as Indian spy with the Virginia troops under Captains Aston, David Scott, McFarland, Robert Ferrell and Colonel Crawford and General General McIntosh's campaign and aided in building Fort Laurens. Having moved to Greene County, Tennessee, he volunteered and marched against the Cherokee Indians, serving as captain with the North Carolina troops under Colonel Sevier, and he was in engagements at Highwasa and Chilhawa and served six months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 19, 1833, while living in Whitley County, Kentucky. He stated that he had lived there for the last thirty-five years, having moved there from Greene County, Tennessee.
In 1837 James Mahan was living in Cole County, Missouri, with his children, their names not given. There are no further data relative to soldier's family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of James Mahan, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of death of the soldier, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data:
James Mahan, Certificate 25059, issued November 14, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Missouri Agency transferred from Kentucky.
No charge is made for furnishing this information.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLIER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

MS
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
October 6, 1924
Miss Alice Mahan State Library Frankfort, Ky.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.17563, it appears that James Mahan was born in 1755 in Virginia "between Winchester and the Warm Springs".
While living on the Monongahela River, Virginia, he volunteered  enlisted May 4, 1774, and served six months as an Indian Spy, was stationed at Fort Pitt under Captain Drenin.
He enlisted in the fall of 1775 and served in the Virginia Troops at various times, two years and seven months in all, as an Indian Spy under Captains Aston, David Scott, McFarland, Robert Forrell, and Colonel Crawford. aides in building Ft. Laurens.
Having moved to Greene County, Tennessee, he volunteered as a Captain, joined Colonel Sevier's North Carolina Troops and marched against the Cherokee Indians, was in engagements at Highwassee and Chilhowee and served six months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 10, 1833, while a resident of Whitley County, Kentucky.
In 1837 he was residing in Cole County, Missouri, with his children, no names stated.
Respectfully,
No charge.
Acting Commissioner

17 563 INVALID.
File No. 17 563
James Mahan 1818 - 1891
Act: June 7 th 1891
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1924 Oct. 6 Heir to Miss Alice Mahan Miss
1938 Jan. 24 Heir to Mrs. John F. Brisbin Miss

Wm at Apt 3 The President WASHINGTON MAR 27 1877
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions Washington D.C.

Northern Bank Bty March 27 th 1837
Sir
James Mahan has been paid to the 4 th Sept r 1836. Our Books are regulated according to your instructions.
Respectfully
Your O bt . Servt
John Gilford Bud per W m Ernst
Clerk
J. C. Edwards Esq r Comm r of Pensions

309 North James Street, Ludington, Michigan. January 12, 1938.
Mr. A.D. Hiller, Ass't to the Administrator, Veteran's Administration, Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Hiller:
I wish that you would send me all the information you have in your files regarding one James Mahan, a Virginia Militiaman, who was granted a pension in 1835. At that time he was living in Whitley County, Kentucky, where he had moved in the spring of 1833, I believe, from East Tennessee.
If you do not have this information, kindly advise me where I might find it. If there is a charge for this service, please let me know and I will forward check to cover same.
Thanking you in advance for your consideration in this matter, I remain,
Very Sincerely Yours,
Olivia P. Brinkin (Mrs John F.)

MRS. JAMES CAMPBELL CANTRILL LIBRARIAN FRANK K. KAVANAUGH ASSISTANT
MRS. ALICE HINES WALCUTT CLERK MISS ALICE MAHAN BOOKKEEPER
KENTUCKY STATE LIBRARY FRANKFORT
September 4th. 1924.
Revolutionary War Record Dept. Pension Bureau. Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir.
Please send me the Pension and War Records of the following two Men.
James Mahan of Whitley County Kentucky, under Act passed June 7th. 1832. Joseph Thompson of Shelby County Kentucky, under Act passed by Congress in 1841.
Thanking you in advance for your prompt attention ,
Respectfully,
(Miss) Alice Mahan - State Library Frankfort, Ky.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 7 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," James Mahan, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Missouri Agency, at the rate of eighty _____ Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept., 1836, to the 4 th March, 1838.
Respectfully, your.
William H. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Northern Bank of Ky Lexington Nov 27 1837
Sir
James Mahan a Pensioner under Act 7 June 32 of £80 per Annum has been paid to the 4 September 1836 . Your instructions shall have attention.
Very respectfully
Your Obed Servt
John Gilford Pres
per Wm Ernst
Letter
J. L. Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions

State of Missouri Cole County } ss
William Harris a Magistrate in the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the within named James Mahan who is praying for a transfer, is a very old man, and has become so infirm both in body and mind that he is entirely unable to recollect the names of the Captain and Colonel under whom he served Therefore I have thought it proper to send you with these papers, the original certificate from which you may receive the necessary information, and furthermore I certify that he is entirely incapable of fixing his own proper signature through inability of body having been almost helpless for the last five years
William Harris J.P.C.
P.S. you will please direct your communication to me as before at the City of Jefferson Mo with which you will please to return the aforesaid certificate
Respectfully yours
William Harris J.P.

27638 James Mahan Kentucky
from 1776 private 2 yrs $80.
clks.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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. These 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 James Moahan
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775 1 P. Col. ✓ 78   1776 6 P. Col. Scott   4 P. Col. Crawford   6  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the 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 entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &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 and C. D. residing in (the same) , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &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 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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional 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 inquiry 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 periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be 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 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.
[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.
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 pass 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 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 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.
37 The notes from [a] to [i] 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 traditional 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.

M968- Nov 17. 3/
Pension Office
22.009
Mr. Evans.

State of Missouri } This day personally appeared be County of Cole } fore me William Harris a Justice of The peace in and for the County aforesaid James Mahan a Revolutionary petitioner of the agency of Kentucky late of The county of Whitley and State of Kentucky who states on his Oath that he has lately removed from the State of Kentucky To the State and County first above mentioned and that he holds a certificate of Pension of which I certify the following A true copy viz
War Department Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832 James Mahan of the State Of Kentucky who was a private in the army of the Revo- lution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars 44 cents Per annum during his natural life Commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable Semiannually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year
[Handwritten initials and marks]
Given at the war office of the United States this 15th day of November one thousand Eight hundred and Thirty three
Examined and Countersigned
Lew Clegg Secretary of war
Commissioner of Pensions and he prays that it may be transferred to the agency of The State of Missouri

October the 28 day 1837
James his Mahan mark
Test
William Harris J P C C
State of Missouri } County of Cole } ss Be it known that before me William Harris a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared James Mahan and made oath in due form of law that he is the identical Person named in an original certificate in his possess- ion of which I have given a true copy on the foregoing page James his Mahan mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 th day of October 1837
J P C C
I William Harris a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence that the above nam- ed James Mahan is the identical person named in the aforesaid certificate viz the oath and affirmation of The undersigned witness who upon his oath saith that he has been acquainted with the aforesaid James Mahan for the space of thirty years past and that he knows

him to be the identical James Mahan named in the aforesaid Certificate David his Miller mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me by making his mark this 28 day of October 1837 William Harris J P C C
I do hereby certify that David Miller is personally known to me and that he is a man of unquestionable Truth and veracity given under my hand this 28 th day of October 1837 William Harris J P C C
State of Missouri } County of Cole } ss E S Edwards Clerk of the County Court of said County do certify that William Harris is a Magistrate whose name is subscribed to the within instru- ment of writing and Certificate of person of James Mahan and was when he signed his name there to a justice of the peace in and for said County aforesaid and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at my office this 22 day of Novem- ber A.D. 1837.
E. L. Edwards.

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Coles ss.
On this twenty eighth day of October 183 7 , before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Coles personally appeared James Mahan who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain _____ in the Regiment commanded by Colonel _____ in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Kentucky from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Missouri where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Kentucky to Missouri , to wit that part of my children was living in Missouri , and more of them going there of them particularly with whom I live, and I am very old, infirm, and unable to help myself, was the cause of my removal
his James the Mahan mark
Sworn and subscribed to before me, } the day and year aforesaid. }
William Harris J.P. Coles.
□ The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
□ The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
□ 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 be sent with the papers.
□ Mode of authenticating papers. —In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.
look within

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Mahan, Patrick GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7498 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 24, 1790 to Cath e Bleeker et al, assignees
*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.