Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16949, for Robert Mc Nair, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Penn.
McNair, Robert
116949
banded
CONTENTS
This Envelope Includes
78 FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Missouri . 25,814
Due to pay May 31, 1837.
Robert McVair Pike Co in the State of Missouri was a Sgt. in the Company commanded by Captain Robert of the ... commanded by Col. Wall. in the ... for Militia - 4 Cont'd    1 Dr. Pinch  $ 10.00    1 in ...  72.00     112.00  
Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri at the rate of 1 1/2 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of May and sent to 1834 Mrs. H. Askin, No. ...
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833  $ 8.00    Pension allowance ending 4th Oct '34  56.00     $ 336.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by John J. ... Clerk, Book Vol. 85 Page 85

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

OFFICE BANK UNITED STATES,
ST. LOUIS,
September 18 1837
Received of W. C. Williams Agent for Paying Pensions, St. Louis Mo. Dollars Eighty three Cents, being for ten months Pension due to Robert McMain from the first day of March 18 35 to the thirty first day of October 18 35 for which I have signed duplicate receipts.
$ 72.83
J. M. Richardson for James H. Main

22 5/8 12/16/1941
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Know all men by these presents, That I, Dane McRae , widow of Robt. McRae , Resid. of St. Louis County, State of Missouri , a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint John R. Ruland my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in St. Louis, State of Missouri, my Pension, from the fourth day of March 1837 to the twenty eighth day of October 1837
WITNESS my hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of August 1837
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
And S. Knapp For Ruland
John R. Ruland
State of Missouri, } ss. St. Louis County, }
Be it Known, That on the thirtieth day of August 1837 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Dane McRae above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above mentioned.
Brice McRae Justice of the Peace
State of Missouri, } ss. St. Louis County, }
Be it Known, That on the fifteenth day of September 1837 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared John Ruland the Attorney named in the foregoing Power of Attorney, and made oath, that the same was not given him by reason of any sale, transfer, or mortgage of the Pension, or arrears of Pension therein authorised to be received by him.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year last above mentioned, before me.
J. P.
J. R. Ruland

Hon. W. H. Ashley, AR.

Pennsylvania Erie County S-
Before me Henry Shippen, President Judge of the said Judicial Dist. Personally came David McNair of said County of Erie Who on his Solemn oath doth depose and say that his Brother Robert McNair Who has for many years Resided in the State of Missouri was in the year one thousand seven hundred and Seventy six Residing in the Township of Milford in Cumberland County, Laterly Mifflin County and now included in the County of Juniata and that the said Robert McNair did Enter the Service of the United States as a Soldier Some time in the month of December of said year and with his father David McNair and many of his Neighbours did march in a Company Commanded by Capt. Thomas Hale in a Regiment of Militia Commanded by Col. Thomas Forster and Joined that Part of the American Army which was then serving in the State of New Jersey that the said Robert Remained in said Service during the whole of that Winter Campaign during which time his father the said David McNair died in said Service that on the said Robert's returning home in the following Spring, he entered the Service as a Soldier and artificer for the term of one year in a Regiment Commanded by Col. Flowers, Major Lyekins and in a Company Commanded by Capt. Frith and Lieut. Wiley and Stationed at the U. S. Works near Carlisle in said County of Cumberland in which Service he the said Robert continued during the full term of his enlistment at the end of which he returned home and during the remainder of the Revolutionary War the said Robert performed various other short Tours of military duty on one of which Tours the Deponent accompanied the said Robert and was Stationed on the frontiers of Penn a , in what is called Buffalo Valley on the waters of Susquehanna River and Deponent believes to the best of his recollection of his family record that said Robert was about Seventy five years of age, in the month of December Last Past -
David McNair -
Sworn and subscribed November 9 th 1832 -
Before me
Henry Shippen Pres t of Dist.

Pennsylvania, Erie County ss -
Before me Henry Shippen President of the Sixth Judicial District of Penn a
Personally appeared James Pollock of the within named county of Erie who on his solemn oath deposes that in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six to the best of his recollection, the deponent resided in that part of Cumberland county lately included in Mifflin County and now within the county of Juniata and within in about four miles of the residence of David McKair the father of David McKair the foregoing deponent and recollects perfectly of the said David McKair and his son Robert McKair with many of their neighbours marching in the service of the United States in the winter of 1776. and joined that part of the American army which was then serving in the state of New Jersey during which winter campaign the said David McKair died in said service and that the said Robert McKair shortly after returning home in the following spring entered the United States service and served as an artificer at the public works near Carlisle in the said county of Cumberland and deponent has understood that the said Robert McKair is now in the state of Missouri where he has resided for many years
James Pollock
Sworn & subscribed November 9 1832
Before me
Henry Shippen Pres.
I certify that I am well acquainted with the before named Major David McKair, and James Pollock that they are gentlemen of the first respectability & veracity - Nov 9 1832 - Henry Shippen
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Henry Shippen and know him to be the present Judge of the 6 th Judicial District and that his name subscribed to the two foregoing affidavits and certificate is his handwriting. I am also acquainted with David McKair and James Pollock and that they are men of high respectability and veracity.
Subscribed House of Reps 5

27. 335
Robert Mc Main Missouri
Adm 2 years one year Reeneof as an Artificer Ret'd
113 102 335 224 511 280
For Wm H. Ashley to Rep
L Rogers Bowling Green Fifteen County Missouri

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
1. Nov. 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 subjjoined 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 Robert M c Nairn.
   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.     Dec. 1776. 3 priv Capt Forbe. 71. years.   1777. 1. Artificer Col. Wall. Cumberland   Capt. Irish   Col. Thomers.   1778. 25 Capt. Forbe.   Col. Watts   1778. 7 Capt. Wall.  
Traditionary
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 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) 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 days 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 used in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of

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 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 such subsequent death, 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] The declarant 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. The Clerk must fix 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] 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.

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

State of Tennessee County of ...
I Francis Parker Clerk of the Court ... and for the County and State ... the November Term of said ... ... day of said month of November ... before said County ... the satisfaction ... John Calson upon ... Robert M c Nair tale of said County ... the ... day of October A.D. one thou- ... thirty five, that he left a ... who was then, at the said November ... living; and that said Robert M c Nair ... the line of his death a revolutionary ... Pension Roll.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this fifteenth day of April A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty six
Francis Parker Clerk

Robert McNair
Declaration
27. 335
  1 st Floor  3 Months    2 " "  12 "    3 " "  2 "    4 " "  7 "  
Pennsylvania

State of Missouri } County of Lincoln } ss.
On this 16 th day of September in the year Eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Judge thereof being the Circuit Court within and for the County of Lincoln aforesaid Robert M c rae a resident Citizen of said County of Lincoln in the state aforesaid age forty five years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers. In the month of December in the year 1776 in the state of Pennsylvania he enrolled himself in a Company of Militia Commanded by Thomas Forster of the County of Cumberland David M c rae first Lieutenant. Robert Taylor Second Lieutenant Jonathan Robertson Ensign The Company was attached to the Regiment of Militia Commanded by Col. Walter the Regiment so Commanded by Col. Walter as Colonel was immediately marched across the Delaware River to the place where General Washington was then encamped with the Army and the said Regiment was then attached to the Army Commanded by Genl. Washington as aforesaid the encampment was in the State of New Jersey. and soon afterwards he thinks on the 25 th day of December being the same month of his enrolment he was engaged in the memorable battle of Princeton and was afterwards engaged in a skirmish in the big bend of a river with a party of forces about five miles from Princeton in this small engagement two men were killed on the part of the Americans and several wounded the troops then returned to Head quarters where he remained until he was discharged. This tour of service occupied the space of three months.
Afterwards in the month of June

in the year 1777 in the County of Cumberland in the state of Pennsylvania aforesaid. He enlisted as a soldier and artificer in the company of Capt Nathaniel Irish for the term of one year The company of Capt Nathaniel Irish was attached to the regiment commanded by Col Stevens on the line of the state of Pennsylvania there was a Major Leisler attached to said Regiment the name of the Lieutenants attached to the said company of Capt Irish was Wiley the names of the other Commissioned officers of the Regi- ment he does not recollect. The said company of Capt Irish was stationed near the town of Carlisle in Cumberland County aforesaid. When they remained the space of one year during the whole or nearly the whole of which time this respondent was engaged at hard labour in making and repairing the public works etc at that place and when he received a wound from the bursting of a cannon that they were testing. The effects of which wound he has never recovered from. and having served out his term of engagement One year he was discharged.
Afterwards in the month of August in the year 1778. in the County of Cumberland in the state of Pennsylvania he enrolled himself in a company of Volunteers commanded by Capt Thomas Lortie. Jonathan Taylor & Jonathan Robertson were the Lieutenants. in said company the Ensign was named John Grimes. The company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col McAlister . These troops were marched up the Susquehanna River to the frontiers and were engaged in reconnoitering the frontiers for the space of two months during this service these troops were joined by a Regiment commanded by a Col. Smith . He remembers a few of the officers belonging to the command of said Smith. to wit Capt Williams and a Captain Keary . during this service

he was not engaged in any battle. and was discharged having served the space of two months
Afterwards he thinks and believes about the first of September in the year 1778 he was drafted into a Company of Militia in the County of Cumberland in Pennsylvania Commanded by James Hart Hart. Lieut. Col. Boyle. Ensign - - - Grimes. The Company was attached to the Command of the aforesaid Walt as Colonel. The troops under the Command of Col. Walt as aforesaid were marched to Buffalo valley. on the then Frontier of the state of Pennsylvania on the waters of the Susquehanna and were engaged guarding the Inhabitants and ranging over the Country scorching the movements of the Indians and Tories. in that region. These outposts and Indians were Commanded by Col. McCloy . a Scotchman as he then understood. This service exceeded the space of Seven Months when he was dis- charged and returned home. he does not now remember the names of the officers of the Regiment except those mentioned He remembers that at the time of his second engage- ment. in New Jersey when the troops to which he belonged joined Genl Washington there was belonging to the army of Genl Washington sundry officers that he knew by sight Stovvold Genl Green. Genl Mercer (who was wounded in the Battle of Trenton) Genl Putnam who he believes at the time of the battle had Command of the Militia
He states that he has no documentary evidence of his services now in his possession but he has proof of his services to wit the Depositions of David McStair and James Pollock which depositions are now on file in the Pension office near Department Washington City and are referred to as part of this declaration and were filed in support of a former application for a pension by this complainant. He has no other evidence of his services - - - and in answer to interrogatories

pronounced by the Court. He crotth solemnly swear that he was born in the County of Cumberland in the state of Pennsylvania on the 24 th day of Decr 1756. He has a record of his age in his Bible now in his possession.
He states that he was living in the County of Cumberland in the state of Pennsylvania when he was called into the service. Where he remained after the war for about twenty years. He then removed to the neighborhood of Pittsburgh where he lived six or seven years he then removed to Lake Erie and lived there several years he does not now remember how long he then removed to the western country and settled in Missouri, he thinks in the year 1814 in the neighborhood of his present residence in the County of Lincoln in the state of Missouri. He further states that the first time he was called into the service he volunteered the second time he enlisted the third time he was a volunteer and the 4 th time he was drafted. He never was a substitute for any person. He knew Genl Green Genl Putnam Genl Mercer and others mentioned in the foregoing Declaration the general circumstances of his services are set forth in the foregoing Declaration. He received a written discharge from Captain Frick but he has long since lost or misplaced it he never received any written discharge from any other officer.
He states that he is known to Barnabas Thornhill and John B. Stowe who are residents of his neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. There is no Minister of the Gospel that he can now procure by whom he can prove his character for veracity and truth. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension whatever or annuity except

present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or (if any) only on that of the agency of the state of Pennsylvania
Robert M c Gain
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first
of said Frances Partee Clerk
We Barnabas Thornhill and John B. Stone residing in the County of Lincoln and state of Missouri do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert M c Gain who has sub- scribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declaration that we believe him to be thirty six years of age that he is respected and beloved the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
John B. Stone
Barnabas Thornhill
Sworn and subscribed this 11 th day of Sept. 1833
and Francis Partee Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare the opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after printing 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 John B. Stone and Barnabas Thornhill who have each signed the preceding certificates are reputable citizens of the county of Lincoln in the state of Missouri, and that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit
J. A. M c Whorter sole
Judge 2 nd Jud. Cir. M c .

State of Missouri County of Lincoln 3/3
I Francis Parker, clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the County of Lincoln in the state of Missouri Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert M c Naught for a perjury
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal. My Office at the Town of Troy in the County of Lincoln aforesaid this sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three
Francis Parker Clerk

November 25, 1938.
Jeannette McNair Bain 870 University Avenue Boulder, Colorado.
BA-J/ILL Robert McNair S. 16949
Dear Madam:
The Revolutionary War record of Robert McNair is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 16949, as requested by you.
Robert McNair, son of David McNair, was born December 24, 1756, in Cumberland County (later Mifflin and Juniata Counties), Pennsylvania; the name of his mother is not shown. He lived at the time of the Revolutionary War with his father in Milford Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Robert McNair entered service in December 1776, with his father, David McNair, served as private in Captains Thomas Bales' and Torbet's companies, Colonel Watts' Pennsylvania regiment, crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey, where he joined the troops under General George Washington, was in the battle of Princeton, also in a severe skirmish near there in which two men were killed, and was discharged at the expiration of service of three months. David McNair died while in service in that campaign, exact date and place of his death not given, no other details. Robert McNair returned home; he enlisted in June 1777 and served one year in Captain Nathaniel Irish's company, Colonel Flowers' Regiment of Artificers, stationed most of the time at the Iron Works near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was wounded there by the bursting of a cannon which he was testing, no further details regarding this wound. He enlisted in August 1778, and served two months as a private in Captain Thomas Torbet's company, Colonel Watts' Pennsylvania regiment, afterwards served seven months as private in Captain James Hurt's company in that same regiment; during these later services he was engaged in protecting the frontier against the Indians and Tories.
The soldier continued to reside in Cumberland County, Pennsyl-

vania, about twenty years after the war, then moved to the vicinity of Pittsburgh and resided six or seven years, thence to Lake Erie where he resided "several years", afterwards went to the western country and settled about 1814, in the vicinity of Lincoln County, Missouri.
Robert McNair was allowed pension on his application executed September 16, 1833, at which time he resided in Lincoln County, Missouri. He died October 28, 1835, survived by a widow who was living in May 1837; her name is not shown, not the date and place of their marriage given.
In November 1832, Major David McNair, brother of Robert McNair, was a resident of Erie County, Pennsylvania, at which time he made affidavit in regard to the service and death of his father in the Revolutionary War. No explanation in regard to the rank of this David McNair was given.
When Robert McNair made application for his pension, he referred to David McNair, "first lieutenant", Captain Thomas Torbet's company of militia in December 1776, but he did not state that this David was his father, David McNair.
In order to obtain the name of the person to whom the last payment of pension was made, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following:
Robert McNair Certificate #25814 Issued January 9, 1834 Rate $112 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Missouri Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

16949 INVALID.
File No. 16949
Robert M c Naught
Rev. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 88
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 242
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Jan'y-22-1900 m c Naught to Mary Ambrose Elliott Burlington
1909 July 14 Hist. to Mrs. Jennie C. L. Forristell from mem. for tombstone - inq ry in S. file 17086. C
1911. Mar. 9 Hist. to Mr. Joseph A. Mudd
1913 Aug. 2 Hist. to Miss A. C. Truby V. P. H. letter in R.F. & 92 Adam Poe.
1937-Nov. 5-Hist. to Mrs. Edward Bain - Boulder - Colo. S.L.L. letter in Rev. Archibald M c Naught
1938-Nov. 8- Jeannette M c Naught Bain advised no further data in regard to Robert M c Naught - S.L.L.
1938-Nov. 25- Hist. to Jeannette M c Naught Bain - S.L.L.

3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by F. M.
Claim No. S. F. 16,949
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Robert M c Nair
Service Pa. service
Additional Service Rev. War
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim for Robert M c Nair, Pa. service, other than S. F. 16,949.
S. F. 15,285 not ident. R. I. service.

Robert M c Vair - Missouri.
Ack 7 June, 1832.
To what time last paid?
5 th March 1833
R.H.

16949.
3-649.
Bureau of Pensions.
Rept. McNair
Applic. Sept 16-1833 Lincoln Co. Mo
En Dec. 1766 Pa Capt Thos Forbath Col - Watts 3 mos Battle Princeton
77 Cumberland Co Pa Capt Natl. Irish Col - Flower 1 yr
Aug 78 Capt Thos Forbath Col Watts 2 mos
78 Capt Jas Hurl Col Watts 7 mos

Pension Agency, St. Louis Mo. May 17. 1837
Sir
I transmit the original pension Certificate of Robert M c Alrain, the evidence of his death and the identity of his widow, who now claims the residue of his pension. It having "been unpaid for two years, the vouchers are therefore submitted for inspection".
The Certificate of identity appears somewhat informal, and makes reference to a power of attorney, which was altogether inadmissible and therefore torn off.
Of the facts shown in the papers, there is no room to doubt their truth. Should payment be authorized, Mrs. M c Alrain will of course be required to furnish the necessary papers besides those now forwarded as she will doubtless draw by attorney.
I am, Sir, very respectfully
Your obedt Servt
Wm C. Anderson, Agent
J. A. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions, City of Washington

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Signature of the Magistrate—( William H. ... )
) Justice of the Peace.
State of Mississippi
County, )
ss. T.
I,
Clerk of the
Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that
is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on
the 21st day of March 18 61 and will expire on the
day of March 18 65 and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said County, this
day of March 18 61
CLERK.
Francis S. ... by J. H. Murphy spt

State of Missouri
County of Lincoln ss. Be it remembered that on this 15 th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared in open Court Lincoln County Court, (it being a Court of Record) Jane M c Main who is personally known to the Justices of said Court to be the widow of the said Robert M c Main and who has a Pension Certificate as a Revolutionary Pensioner, and the said Jane M c Main being also personally known to the Justices of said Court to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument of writing and having executed the same, and acknowledged the said instrument to be her act and Power of Attorney for the purposes therein mentioned; and the said Jane M c Main signed the foregoing Power of Attorney, by making her mark in open court.
William Young P.L. 6.6 Barnes W. Harriman ack 8.2 6.6 Caleb W. Harlan P.L. 6.6

State of Mississippi, 3 rd County of Lincoln 3 rd I Francis Parker, Clerk of said County Court within and for said County do hereby certify that William Young, Miss M. Hammack and Carol P. Parker whose names are officially subscribed to the within Certificate of acknowledgment were at the time of affixing their names thereto acting justices of said County Court, and that the within Power of Attorney was executed and acknowledged before them in open Court by the within named Jane M. ... (D. 1835)
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 16 th day of March A.D. 1837
Francis Parker Clerk

Payments to be made
at by
Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of
  1 112.00   15 1/2 20.00   18 3/4 18.66 3/4   18 3/4 4.66 3/4   3 3/4 1.22 3/4   1 3/4 93 3/4   1 3/4 31 
174.66
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book Vol. 8. Page 15 by John D. [unclear] Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the June, 1832,  Robert M c Lean of Missouri who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Twenty dollars and Twenty cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 9 th day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty- four
L. Wood Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edward Commissioner of Pensions.
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Erie Pa Jan 4 The Honorable,
Mr
John Banks
member of Congress from Penn a ,
Hon. W. H. Ashley
now at the City of Washington
Mr. [unclear] for of [unclear]

Erie Penn a the 26 December 1832.
Dear Sir
enclosed you will receive the Deposition of myself and of James Pollock Esquire Relative to my Brother Robert McNair's military services in the Revolutionary war together with Judge Shippen's certificate thereto annexed I have taken the Liberty to enclose this Paper to you in preference to sending it to the State of Missouri where the applicant resides (if yet living) because it will not be so subject to miscarriage or delay. I do not know the member from Missouri but have written to my Brother that you would deliver those Proofs of his service to any Gentleman whom he might instruct to call on you or that you would deposit the same in the Pension Office and further that you would attend to, and advocate his claim with Zeal and friendship I must therefore request you to call on the Gentlemen from his State and enquire after his application and take such measures as will be thought best to obtain a Pension for the old man whom I have reason to believe stands in need of it and whom I can ever merit a Liberal Reward from a Government which to establish which he fought with Zeal and suffered much in times when men were ready to betray. I have not been able to prove all my Brother's services in the Revolutionary war in as much as he lived near the frontier settlements of Penn a and was out on various short voluntary excursions that neither Mr Pollock or me could specify with accuracy in our Depositions.
I am convinced that you will cheerfully aid an old soldier and have reason to believe that you will be joined by, and have the influence of several of the Gentlemen in the house who know something of the character of my Brother. Perhaps Col Benton from Missouri and Mr Wilkins from Penn a both of the Senate, will aid you in behalf of the applicant.
With Sentiments of High Esteem I am Dear Sir your O bt Serv t
Honourable
John Banks
David McNair

870 University Ave. Boulder, Colo. Nov. 16, 1938.
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter of Nov., 1938. I think you did not understand what I wanted when I wrote you last.
I did receive a letter from your office in November of 1937 giving me some valuable information. It was not that I was asking for further information that I wrote you, but to obtain the information again. I wish to use it in applying for membership in the D.A.R. and it must be an official letter. The letter you sent me last year was sent to one of my relatives. I have recently tried to reach him in Chicago but my letters are returned and I believe he has gone to California for the winter.
I have a copy of the letter, but it seems this will not do, and therefore will you kindly send to me the statements of that letter that referred to David McNair and his son Robert, and the statement that his son made affidavit of his service in the Revolutionary War. I shall appreciate your cooperation very much as I have your splendid help in the past.
Most sincerely,
Jeannette McNair Bain Jeannette McNair Bain
1 c of on

870 University Ave. Boulder, Colo. Oct. 3, 1938
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;
Will you kindly send me the data which you have on file in your office concerning the Revolutionary War service of Robert McNair and his father David McNair . It seems that the only record of David McNair's service is in your files in connection with the service of his son Robert and an affidavit made by his son Major David McNair.
I shall appreciate it very much if you will send me statements concerning David and Robert McNair that I may submit them as proof of such service.
Most sincerely,
Jeannette McNair Bain Jeannette McNair Bain
✓ Robert McNair s. 16949 Rev. War Pennsylvania
mrs Ladd

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190____
S. 16, 949  In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Robert McNair a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1776 3 mos. Pvt. Thomas Forster Watts Pa.   June 1777 1 yr. Artillery Nathaniel Irish Flours " (Artillery)   Aug. 1778 2 mos. Pvt. Thomas Forster Watts "   1778 7 mos. " James Hurst Watts "  
Battles engaged in, Princeton, and a skirmish near there.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mifflin Infy Cumberland Co. Pa.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 16, 1833 - Ch. ch.
Residence at date of application, Lincoln Co., Mo.
Age at date of application, b. Cumberland Co., Pa. Dec. 24, 1756.
Remarks: d. Oct. 28, 1835, leaving a widow, name not stated.
He was the son of David McNair who died in the service
Brother David Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
+ From A.P.

November 5, 1937.
Mrs. Edward Bain 870 University Avenue Boulder, Colorado.
BA-J/ILL Archibald McNair S.----Rev. War Robert McNair S. 16949
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to your ancestors with the surname McNair who served from Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary War, and cite David and Robert McNair who served in Captain Thomas Bales' company, Colonel Thomas Torbett's regiment.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and only two claims for pension found based upon service of soldiers with the surname McNair (variously spelled) of Pennsylvania, those of Archibald and Robert. The data which follow are shown in the papers on file in said claims, and may aid you in your research.
ARCHIBALD MCNAIR-S.----Rev. War.
Archibald McNair enlisted in the year 1777, served as sergeant in Colonels Lamb's, Proctor's and Andrew Porter's Regiments of Continental Artillery and was discharged at the close of the war. His residence at the time of his enlistment is not shown.
He was allowed pension at the rate of $120 per annum on account of his service; his name was placed on the pension roll October 17, 1829, under the Act of May 15, 1828; at that time his address was Mercer, Pennsylvania.
Archibald McNair applied February 10, 1830, for bounty land which was due on account of his service in the Revolutionary War. He was aged then seventy-two years, and resided in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The date and place of his birth and names of his parents are not shown. He

was granted 100 acres of bounty land on warrant #1640, issued June 17, 1830.
There are no data whatever pertaining to the family of this soldier.
It is suggested that information in regard to the location of the land which Archibald McNair received on account of his service in the Revolutionary War might be obtained from the Commissioner, General Land Office, this city; you should furnish that official the warrant number, acreage and date of issuance, given above. -----
ROBERT McNAIR*S. 16949.
Robert McNair, son of David McNair, was born December 24, 1756, in Cumberland County (later Mifflin and Juniata Counties), Pennsylvania; the name of his mother is not shown. He lived with his father in Millford Township, in said Cumberland County, at the time of the Revolutionary War.
Robert McNair entered service in December 1776, with his father, David McNair, served as private in Captains Thomas Bales' and Thomas Torbet's companies, Colonel Watts' Pennsylvania regiment, crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey, where he joined the troops under General George Washington, was in the battle of Princeton, also in a severe skirmish near there in which two men were killed, and was discharged at the end of service of three months. David McNair died in service while in that campaign, exact date and place of his death not given, nor other details. Robert McNair returned home; he enlisted in June 1777 and served one year in Captain Nathaniel Irish's company, Colonel Flowers' regiment of Artificers, stationed most of the time at the Iron Works near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was wounded there by the bursting of a cannon which he was testing, further details regarding wound not stated. He enlisted in August 1778, and served two months as a private in Captain Thomas Torbet's company, Colonel Watts' Pennsylvania regiment, afterwards served seven months as private in Captain James Hurt's company in that same regiment;

during these later services he was engaged in protecting the frontier against the Indians and Tories.
Robert McNair continued to reside in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, about twenty years after the War, moved then to the vicinity of Pittsburgh and resided six or seven years, thence to Lake Erie where he resided "several years", afterwards went to the western country and settled about 1814, in the vicinity of Lincoln County, Missouri.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 16, 1833, at which time he resided in Lincoln County, Missouri. He died October 28, 1835, survived by a widow who was living in May 1837; her name is not shown, nor the date and place of their marriage given.
In November 1832, Major David McNair, Robert McNair's brother, was a resident of Erie County, Pennsylvania, at which time he made affidavit regarding the service and death of his father in the Revolutionary War. No explanation in regard to the rank of this David McNair was given.
When Robert McNair made application for his pension, he referred to David McNair, "first Lieutenant", Captain Thomas Torbet's company of militia in December 1776, but did not state that this David was his father, David McNair.
In order to obtain the name of the person to whom the last payment of pension was made, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following:
Robert McNair Certificate #25814 Issued January 9, 1834 Rate $112 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Missouri Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

November 8, 1938.
Jeannette McNair Bain 870 University Avenue Boulder, Colorado.
BA-J/ILL
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Robert McNair and that of his father, David McNair.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service of David McNair, father of Robert McNair, S. 16949.
This office has no further information in regard to Robert McNair, cited above, than was mailed to your address November 5, 1937.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Do not send again - Mrs. Finch.