Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,987, for John Mc Cracken, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
McCracken John
S. 40,987
CONTENTS

15. 4p46 Pennsylvania
See letter to J. W. Oliver 22 nd Apr. 1836
Application of John McCracken Pension, Marysville, Pa. Oct. 23 rd 1819 Revolutionary claim
John McCracken
of Bedford Co. in the state of Pennsylvania who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Johnson of the Pennsylvania line, for the term of four years
inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 22 nd of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd of Oct r 1819 and sent to Capt. G. W. Barker
Bedford Pennsylvania
arrears to 4th of Sep r 1819 $ 123.64 emi-anl. all'ce ending 4 th Mar 1820 $ 48.
15 mos 10/31 & 4/30 $ 171.64
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued (Signature)

MS. A. 9. 2. 20
John McCracken private Johnson Penn a Regiment 1776 to 1780 22 May 1818.
"The above is a true copy of the original as shown to me by the Rev. Mr. McCracken."
Bedford County. Pennsylvania
4 years 12/2 -
3
John McCracken
Declaration
Rev. Mr. McCracken
American States of America ... Pennsylvania

Ms. A. 9. 2. 20
John McCracken private Johnson Penna Regiment 1776 to 1780 22 May 1818.
The above is a true copy of the original on file in the Department of War
Bedford County - Pennsylvania
4 years 12 -
John P. Kirtland Clerk Field of McCracken Declaration
United States of America - John P. Kirtland

State of Pennsylvania
Bedford County P.
On the twenty second day of May AD 1818 Before me the subscriber President of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the fourth Judicial District of Penn- sylvania personally appeared John Mcbracken aged sixty five years two months and days resident in the said County of Bedford who being by me duly sworn, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide to for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War." That he the said John Mcbracken in the month of April AD 1775 at Kennett square in the County of Chester & State aforesaid enlisted as a private soldier in Captain Frederick Vernon's Company 5 th Pennsylvania Regiment Commanded by Colonel Francis Johnston & that he served as a private soldier in said Regiment for the space of four years and Eight months against the enemies & there received an honorable discharge at Trenton New Jersey that by said discharge hath been long since lost that he was in the following Battles viz t Battle of Brandywine, Paoli Germantown Monmouth also at Stony point and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support & that he hath no other evidence now in his power of his said services that he hath never received any pension here tofore from the United States.
JOHN M c BRACKEN
Sworn to & declared before me the day & year aforesaid
John Allen Walker.

Bedford County Pa.
Came before me the subscribed President of the 4th Judicial District of Pennsylvania Genl Benjamin Burd a resident of Bedford and a soldier of the Revolution who being duly sworn deposes & says that he was well acquainted with the officers mentioned in the foregoing declaration of John McCracken & that from a conversation held with the said John McCraeken respecting the said engagements he believes the facts set forth in said declaration to be true.
Sworn to & subscribed this 22 d May 1818
Benj r Burd
Jonathan Walker
Peter Mergert a resident of Bedford County being also sworn deposes & says that he is well acquainted with the applicants named in the foregoing declaration & that he hath lived his neighbour for nearly twenty years past & that he is a man of truth & an honest industrious citizen & that he believes the facts set forth in his said declaration to be true.
Sworn to & subscribed as above
Peter Mergert
Before me
Jonathan Walker

State of Pennsylvania Bedford County ss. I Jonathan Walker Presiding Judge as aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said John McBracken did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. Witness my hand this 22 nd May 1818
Jonathan Walker
Pennsylvania
Bedford County ss. I David Mann Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Do Certify that Jonathan Walker Esquire before whom the foregoing depositions of John McBracken Benjamin Bard & Peter Mergit appears to have been taken and whose name is thereto affixed was at the time of taking and signing the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County duly Commissioned and sworn to whose official acts as such full faith and credit is due as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office at Bedford the twenty third day of May A.D. 1818.
David Mann Prothonotary

United States Western District of Pennsylvania
I, D r Walker Clerk of the said District Certify that Jonathan H. Walker who has sub- scribed the within attestation was at the time of taking the same and still is Judge of the United States for the said District, and that to all his acts as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice, as thereout. Witness my hand and seal of office at Pittsburgh this twenty second day of March AD 1819 and in the forty third year of the Independence of the United States
D Walker Clerk

United States of America Western District of Pennsylvania
3
I Jonathan H. Walker, late President of the 4th district of Pennsylvania & now Judge of the United States for the Western District of Pennsylvania, do certify that the the declaration & testimony taken before me in my capacity, as a Judge in the State Court which is within stated, it appears to my satisfaction, that the within named John Estlin Walker did issue in the proceedings was as stated in the proceedings declaration against the common enemy for the term of eleven months and before at one time on the constitutional establishment, and that the said John Estlin is in redoubled circumstances in life & still in need of the assistance of his country for support; & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken before me to the Hon. the Secretary for the Depart- ment of War, pursuant to the directions of the above mentioned act of Congress.
Jonathan H. Walker

Copy of Declaration No of Jn. M. Crackin
15446 23 Oct 1819
Em
11.18

Bedford County Pa.
At a court of Common Pleas now held in and for Bedford County of August term 1820. before the Honorable Charles Houston Esquire President and his Associate Judges of said Court which Compose part of the 4 th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, on this day, to wit, On Tuesday the 8 th day of August 1820. Personally appeared in Open Court being a Court of Record in and for said County John McBracken Aged Sixty eight years on the 18 th day of July last, past, resided in the said County of Bedford, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War three years and eight months in a Company first Commanded by Captain Frederick Varlan, then by Captain Robert Gregg afterwards by Lieutenant Giffey in the 5 th Pennsylvania Regiment Commanded by Colonel Francis Johnson of the 2 nd  Regiment Brigade of General Waynes Division on the Continental establishment in the Revolutionary War, against the Common Enemy all which as Deponent believes was set forth in his Original Declaration bearing date as Deponent believes on the 22 nd day of May A.D. 1818 and on which a pension Certificate issued to Deponent dated the 23 rd day of October 1809. Signed J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War and numbered 15,446. and deponent doth also swear that he was a Resident Citizen of the United States to wit of the said County of Bedford State of Pennsylvania on the 18 th day of March 1818. And that he hath not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof, with an intent thereby to diminish it as to bring himself within the provision of an Act of Congress Entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818. And that he has not nor has any person in trust for him any property or securities, contracts, or debts due him nor has he any encumbrance other than what is contained in the annexed Schedule by him subscribed. Deponent also further states his occupation

Occupation to be that of a farmer labourer but that his eye sight and bodily strength does not admit of his pursuing his business and employment and that his family consists of himself and his wife who is also old and infirm. Deponent subjoins a list of his property vizt.
 One cow  One hog  1 Bed and bedding  Some plates, knives & forks &c  One Old loom &c  a few reeds  2 Iron pots 
That he receives forty Dollars per year from the State of Pennsylvania and his pension from the United States which is the principle means of his subsistence.
The interest which he has in 20. Acres of Poor land from having paid 30 Dollars on it but which he is totally unable to pay for and for which he has no title, nor was there ever any article of agreement between him and Hugh Dennison the proper owner.
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court this 8th August 1820.
D. Mann, Prob.
John McBracken
By and County of Philip. Morgan a reputable witness being duly sworn deposes and saith, that he is well acquainted with the within named John McBracken and that he is a man of truth and that he believes the schedule within filed to be a true list or schedule of the property of said John McBracken that the whole of which in the opinion of deponent is not worth eighty Dollars.
Sworn to and subscribed this 8th August 1820. in Open Court
D. Mann, Prob.
Philip Morgan
Abraham Martin Esquire being duly sworn deposes and saith that he is well acquainted with the within named John McBracken and that the circumstances of the said John McBracken are well known to deponent and that he believes the foregoing list or schedule to be a true list of said McBracken's property the whole of which he believes is not worth forty Dollars, that the only interest which

which he has in the 20. acres of land on which he lives arises from his having many years since purchased it from Hugh Dennison due and paid $30. and which is now absorbed in interest and that he is totally unable to pay the balance of the purchase money and that he is permitted to remain on it through the liberality - Hugh Dennison's Liberators
Sworn to and Subscribed in Open Court 8 th Aug t 1820. A. M c Martin D. Mann Pro t .
The Court from the evidence before them do certify that the value of the property of the said John McCracken does not exceed forty Dollars By the Court.
David Mann Pro t
Bradford County Pa.
In Testimony that the foregoing is a true copy of the Original remaining in my Office at Bradford on file I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at Bradford the twentyfourth day of August A.D. 1820.
David Mann Pro t

40987 INVALID. Rev
File No. 40987
John Wm Bracken Rev Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 819
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Adm o
Capt. G. W. Barker, Bedford, Penn.

City of Pittsburgh 23 rd March 1819.
Hon ble Sir,
I again transmit the declaration of Samuel Bracken which was returned to me at this place for informality. As the declaration & testimony were taken before me, when I resided at Bedford, and in the due course of my official duties as a State Judge, I have deemed it unnecessary to cause the testimony & declaration to be taken over again & have given a former certificate on the back of the former proceedings. I trust this will be deemed a sufficient compliance with the act of Congress.
I would further beg leave to mention that all similar proceedings taken before me in the counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin & Centre, whilst I officiated in that district,

may now be returned, & inform me, to the Hon ble Charles Russell, my successor in office; & that the proceedings, taken before me, in the county of Bedford, in the above capacity, may be returned to Capt n George H. Barker, who is a general agent for old soldiers at that place. It will be readily perceived that my removal to this place, in order more conveniently to perform the duties of my new office station, will preclude the possibility of my further attention to matters so far out of my reach.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect consideration, yours most respectfully,
Jonathan H. Walker.

John M c Cracken
Private
77 to 81
Johnston Pennsylvania
Regt
on Roll
Admitted
22 May 1818

Bedford County Pa.
George Pard Esquire being duly sworn deposes -veth and saith that he prepared the application & affidavits of said John McBracken the time stated in said McBracken's deposition in the month of May 1818, to the best of his belief that he delivered the said application to the Secretary of War & placed the same in the post Office in Bedford about that time. that he is acquainted with said John McBracken & that his reputation in the country where he lives is that he is an honest man & a man of truth.
Sworn to & subscribed this 18 th Nov. 1819.
Before
Thos Martin
George Pard
Bedford County Pa.
I Abraham Martin an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County - do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the above named John McBracken did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common Enemy for the term of three years & upwards on the Continental Establishment, and I now transmits the proceedings and testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the directions of the above mentioned act of Congress - I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his Country for support & further certify that he made a previous declaration before the Honorable Jonathan Walker when Pres. of this Court of which I am an associate judge
Thos Martin

Pennsylvanias
Bedford County ss I David Mann Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Do certify that Abraham Martins Esquire before whom the foregoing depositions of John McCracken, Benjamin Burds & George Burd appear to have been taken and whose name is thereto subscribed in his own proper hand writing, and whose name is also subscribed to the foregoing Certificate was at the time of taking and signing the depositions affirmed and Certificate aforesaid, one of the Justices of the same associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County duly Commissioned and sworn, to whose Official Acts as such Judge full faith is due as well in Courts of Justice as thereout
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Office at Bedford the first day of November A.D 1819
David Mann Protho

Bedford County Pa.
Came before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Courts of Common and Pleas of Bedford County. John McCrackin aged sixty seven years, resident in Bedford County who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" That he the said John McCrackin enlisted with Captain Frederick Vernon, of the 8 th Pennsylvania Regiment under the command of Colonel Francis Johnston, in Chester County, Kennetts square, Pennsylvania in the month of April one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, that he continued to serve in said Corps in the service of the United States for three years & eight months, when he was discharged at Trenton Jersey in the year 1781 in the month of December of said year. that he was in the Battles of Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown & Red Bank with brief skirmishes that he is in reduced circumstances in life and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support, and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services that his discharge is now lost. Deposes further states that he made affidavit of the foregoing facts before the Honorable Jonathan Walker Esquire on the 22 nd day of May AD 1818. who certified the said facts & that

He left his application, which contained the affidavits of Peter Morgerh & Benjamin Bird Esquire as to his credibility of which was certified by the said Judge in the hands of George Bird Esquire of Bedford to be forwarded to the War Department about the time of his said application.
Sworn to & subscribed. } John McCracken this 15 th Nov. 1819 Before. Henry Martin
Bedford County Pa.
Genl. Benjamin Bird of Bedford being duly sworn deposes & saith that he is acquainted with above applicant John McCracken & that from conversation had with him he verily believes the facts set forth in his said application to be true.
Sworn to & subscribed. } this 2 nd Nov. 1819. Henry Martin
Benj m Bird