Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16951, for John Mc Donald, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
McDonald, John
S. 16951
carded
CONTENTS

Wisconsin Iowa 23032 Indiana
John McDonald of Henry Co in the State of Indiana who was a private in the com ny by Captain Pendergast of the reg t com nd by Col. Mays in the Virgin line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Nov r 1833 and John Elliott Newcastle
Arrears to the 14th of Sept r 78 Sem ant. allowance ending March 15 -
$90
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk Book E Vol. Page 121
and as d ordered May 3 1837 to C. Madison Aug. 22 1839.
Received from H. March D 1838. 5 Sept r 1839 Notification to Pensions Burlington, Iowa Letter Hon ble A. C. Dodge H. of Rep s 3 d Auditor June 18 th 1842
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of April 6 th 1832 from Sept r 4 th 1839 to Sept r 4 th 1841. Agent notified July 11 th 1842.
Letter to G. W. Jones P. Asst Sept. 20. 1843
Letter to Hon. A. C. Dodge 22 nd March 1844
Due to Pension Agency Letter to Hon. A. C. Dodge, 2 d April 1844
To Sarah, Grand daugh 4 th Sep r 1844 25 May. 1844. Note sent to Hon. A. C. Dodge. Home Rep s
Paid at Treasury, under act 6 April, 1832, from 4 th Sept. 1841 to 1 st March 1842. Agent notified 27 March 1846.

20,50.
John M c Donald, of Henry County, Indiana.
from 1781 private 19 months. $30.
Newcastle
John Elliott, Clk., Henry County In- diana.

BRIEF in the case of  John M c Donold,  County of Henry,  in the State of Indiana.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 79 years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Vol. In 1781. Not stated. pr. Col. Manywaters and Capt. Joseph Poindexter   Vol. 1781. 6. " Capt. Hall  
 5. In what="5">5. In what battles was he engaged? None.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bedford County, Va.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attested. 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. B. Turner, Examining Clerk.

State of Indiana Henry County 3 p
On this thirteenth day of November A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court Before the Honorable Spe. H. Walp. Probate Judge of the County of Henry and State of Indiana now sitting, John McDonald of the County of Henry and State of Indiana aged Seventy nine years, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth upon this oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed Jan'y 4 th 1832, that he entered the service of the united States in Bedford County in the State of Virginia on the seven- teenth day of January, 1781 and here in- this County of Bedford and State of Virginia aforesaid where he engaged, and that he was in the County of King George and State aforesaid in the year 1753 and was prin- cipally raised in Caroline County and State of Virginia aforesaid, and served until the twenty third day of April 1781 aforesaid under Capt. Joseph Poindexter and Col. Mary Weather and the other Officers he does not recollect and during which time he served as a Volunteer and marched from Bedford County in the State of Virginia aforesaid to Petersburg in Amelia County in the State aforesaid and from thence to Cabin Point on James River and from thence to Smith- field and there remained some six or eight days and from thence to Portsmouth on James River aforesaid during all which

time we were in the State of Virginia aforesaid and there remained about five weeks and then received a discharge by Capt. Hindley aforesaid. And sometime in the Summer of 1781 the precise time he does not recollect he en- tered the Service of the United States at Bedford in the State of Virginia aforesaid and there que- -sted the Magazine near Newington in the County of Bedford aforesaid for the term of Six months our Officers were, Hall Capt of the magazine and James Frickett Sergeant of the Magazine who at the expiration of the Six months gave us a discharge and that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court
The day and year aforesaid John H. ... Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 15 th day of November 1834 Witness John Beckett Clerk Whereupon in compliance with the questions of the Court put the following interrogatories to the Applicant
Ques 1 st Where and in what year were you born Ans. I was born in King George County Virginia in the year 1753
Ques 2 nd have you any Record of your age, and if so where is it?
Ans. I have a record of my age on it given at New River by my father
Ques 3 rd Where were you living when called into Service, where have you since lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live
Ans I was living in Bedford County Virginia

and lived there six or seven years after the Revolutionary war and moved from there to Washington County Va, and there lived three years, and then moved from there to Campbell County and remained there two years then moved to Botetourt County Virginia and there lived about three years, and moved from there to North Carolina in Spedale County sometime in the year 1796 and there remained until 1818 and then from there moved to Warren County in the State of Ohio and remained there three years, and from thence moved to the State of Indiana in the County of Henry and have there remained ever since
Ques 4. How were you called into Service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom Ans I was a volunteer as before stated in my declaration
Ques 5 th State the names of some of the regular Officers who were with the troops where you served; Such Continental and Militia officers regiments as you recollect and the general circumstances of your service In my first tour there were Capt Roindester of Col., Manyweather the other Officers he does not recollect and the Last tour we served there were Hott who was capt of the Magazine which we guard as before stated, Sergeant James Pritchett as before stated in my declaration.
Ques 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from Service and if so when it was by whom was it given, and what has become of it

that I received a discharge from service and bore the first from Capt John Dexter and the Second from James Prickett Seager as before stated in my declaration though they are both lost.
2nd 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify to your character for veracity and the belief of your services as a Soldier of the revolution.
Ans. There are Joseph Holman Hugh Board and in fact the whole neighbourhood.
State of Indiana
Henry County } ye 21 st H
of the county & state aforesaid Joseph Hobson and Isaac Woodard do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John McDonald who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy nine years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that you concur in that op- inion. Sworn to and subscribed this November 1839.
Isaac Woodard Geo H. Hobson mark

County of Des Moines. p.
On this 11 th day of April 1844 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Des Moines, personally appeared John McDonald who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Smith in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Morrison in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension roll of that State of Indiana and subsequently transferred to the Territory of Wisconsin that upon the division division of Wisconsin into Wisconsin and Iowa - he still remained in Des Moines co. now Iowa - that his pension after such division was still paid in Wisconsin until the past year - that he intends to remain in Iowa and wishes his pension to be there payable in future -
The following are his reasons for removing from Indiana to Iowa (formerly Wisconsin) - He has for a number of years lived with his son upon whom he chiefly relies for a subsistence - his son removed to this Territory, and he was induced as well by necessity as affection, to follow him - Subscribed and sworn to before this 11 th April 1844
John Mc Donald
James H. Ferguson Justice of the Peace.
Territory of Iowa Des Moines Co. } Re
I, John Hugh McDonald of said county after being duly sworn, do depose and say that I

am acquainted with John McDonald described in the foregoing affidavit, that he is the same person who drew a pension in the State of Indiana and by virtue of a certificate from the Secretary of War dated Nov. 12. 1833 - No 2144 in the Territory of Wisconsin - that the person who signed and swore to the above affidavit is the same person described therein, and that he is a man of veracity -
Subscribed & sworn to
before me this 11 th April 1844
Thomas H. Hymen
Justice of the Peace
Hugh McDonald
Territory of Iowa
County of Des Moines Co. ss
I James R. Fagenworth a Justice of the Peace in and for said county do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Hugh McDonald who signed and swore to the foregoing affidavit before me this, that he is a man of good reputation, and that I know him to be a man of veracity -
Given under my hand and seal this eleventh day of April A.D. 1844.
Thomas H. Hymen
Justice of the Peace
Seal
Territory of Iowa
Des Moines Co. ss
I John S. Dunlop Clerk of the District Court within & for the county of said do hereby certify that James R. Fagenworth before whom the above and foregoing affidavits purport to have been made, and whose signature appears to the above certificates, is duly commissioned a Justice of the Peace for said county duly elected.

commissioned and qualified, and that his signature to the above is genuine —
5082-
Given under my hand and seal of the District Court this 11 th day of April 1844 —
John S. Mulas Clerk
noted
7
2
3

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
October 11, 1924.
Clarence H. Smith, 614 S. 14th St., New Castle, IND.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16951 , it appears that John McDonald was born in King George County, Virginia, in 1753.
While a resident of Bedford County, Virginia, he enlisted January 17, 1781, served in Captain Joseph Poindexter's Company, Colonel Meriwether's Virginia Regiment, and was discharged April 23, 1781. He enlisted in the summer of 1781 and served 6 months under Captain Hall (or Holt) in the Virginia Troops.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 12, 1832, while a resident of Henry County, Indiana.
In 1839 soldier was living in Des Moines County, Iowa, where he had moved to be with his son, name not stated. There is no further data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Note: Date of death not on A.B., Commissioner. W.M.

1924, Oct 11, - Hist. to Clarence H. Smith. um
16951 INVALID.
No. 16951
1881
Act: June 7, 1898
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 249
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Plotter Pension Agent Milwaukee W.T. May 9 1844
John Mc Donald paid with 4th Sept 1841

Wisconsin Pension Agency Milwaukee May 9th 1844
Sir
By your letter of the 11th July 1842 I am notified that John Mc Donald, a Pensioner on the Roll of this Agency at the rate of Thirty dollars per annum under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at the Treasury Department his pension up to the 4th Sept 1841. The Pensioner has not since been paid at this Agency any part of his pension.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obed Servt.
P. Potter
Pension Agent
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington

Iowa Territory - Des Moines County p-
On this second day of May August A.D. 1839 - before me the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for said County of Des Moines personally appeared John McDonald, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Joseph Poinsett, in the regiment - commanded by Colonel one Murrell in the Service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Indiana, from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in the Territory of Iowa and County aforesaid, where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable in future. That he removed for the purpose of being with his son John his McDonald Mark
Witness Jas. W. Giffey
I sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Wm Giffey Justice of the peace
Des Moines County p-
On this second day of August A.D. 1839 perso- nally came before me a justice of the peace in and for said County of Des Moines, Hugh McDonald, who on his oath says that John McDonald who subscribed his name to the

above and foregoing affidavit, is the identical person whose name was on the pension roll of the State of Indiana, and he is the person described in the foregoing affidavit. Hugh X McDonald mark
Subscribed to and subscribed before me, the day & year last- above written
Wm Griffith Justice of the peace
I Wm Griffith Justice of the peace in and for the County of Des Moines and Territory of Iowa do hereby certify and declare that Hugh McDonald who signed and swore to the last- foregoing affidavit is a man of probity, honesty veracity and truth, and to be believed. And further, that John McDonald who signed and swore to the first- foregoing affidavit is the identical person named & described therein (Burlington Des Moines Co.)
Iowa Tery. August- 2 d 1839
Wm Griffith Justice of peace

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John M c Donald , which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No Two citizens.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No.
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

25032 Dec 24
M c Donald Ind. 1814
FREE
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Branch State Bank of Indiana Richmond, Dec. 16. 1836.
J. L. Edwards Commissioner, &c.
Resp d Sir - Please to receive enclosed herein the application of John M c Donald Pensioner of this district who has received no payment since Sept. 4. 1835. but now desires one.
Respectfully
Elijah Coffin, Cashier Acting for Samuel Merrill, Esq. Pension Agent.

Sept 3.
Inverness
J. L. Edwards Esq. Am. Gardens Washington D. C.

Indiana Pen. Asylum Madison Aug. 28 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq Gen. Attorney hi
Yours of the 22 d is rec d . John Mr. Donald was paid last, the 4 March 1838. Very respectfully J. P. Kirtland

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 21 st , 1842.
Sir:
Under the Act of the 6th of April, 1838, 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,"
John McDonald,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Wisconsin Agency, at the rate of Thirty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839, to the 4 th Sept. 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
William L. Harris Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Apr 26 '44
Mr Evans
Hon. A. C. Dodge Washington city D. C.
Hon. A. C. Dodge W.D.
87 L

Burlington April 11 th 1844
Hon. A. C. Dodge Washington City -
Sir,
Enclosed I send you the application of Mr. John McDonald, pensioner, to be transferred from the pension roll of Wisconsin to Iowa -
The papers I believe are made out according to the instructions forwarded to Mr. Guinness, and by him handed to me - If there is any mistake yet in the papers you will please advise me, if not, you will please forward Mr. M c D's certificate of transfer, or necessary papers to enable enable him to draw his pittance from the proper office - with directions how to proceed to get the same in the most summary manner -
I am with great respect Yours &c
Thos Lundeland

Pinkie Allen
Rec. Aug 21. 39 W. Ryan
Mo McDonald Indaile to Iowa Ter.
25032
deemed sufficient by Comt. D.W.

I certify that William Griffith of Des Moines County Iowa Territory, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County whose name appears annexed to the foregoing paper. Given under my hand and the great seal of the Territory at the City of Burlington in Iowa Terr. This the 2 d day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight-hundred and thirty nine
NATHAN K. GOR GOVERNOR OF IOWA TERR.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
April 18 th 1845.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, 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," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, John McDonald, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Iowa Agency, at the rate of Thirty 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. 1841, to the 4 th March 1842,
Respectfully, yours,
William L. Davis
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

John M. Donohoe 20359

State of Indiana } And the court do Henry County } hereby certify declare their opinions after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogator- ies prescribed by the war department that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he stated and that Asahel Woodard and George H. Nelson who has signed the proceeding certificate are residents of the county of Henry and state of Indiana and are credible persons and their statements are entit- led to credit In testimony I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12 th Nov 1832
John Elliott Clerk of the court of the county of Henry and state of Ind- iana do hereby certify that the forego- ing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of Application of John McDonald for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and a seal of the clerks office this 12 th day of Nov 1832 Witness John Elliott C. N. P. Court

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the County of Henry, and State of Indiana John McDonald Who being duly sworn, deposeth and sayeth, 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 four three months and five days I served as a volunteer in my first tour and for the months I served as a volunteer in my second, and for such service I claim pension.  subscribed John McDonald sworn and subscribed to mark before me this 10 th day of October 1833
We David Swank a citizen residing in the County of Henry and State of Indiana and Isaac Woodward residing in the same State and County last aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John McDonald who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be the person of age he represents that he is reputed and well known in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  David Swank Isaac Woodward sworn to and subscribed this 11 th day of Oct 1833
Thomas Green Clerk of the Henry Circuit Court do hereby certify that Abraham Elliot is an acting justice of the peace within and for said County and that all attestation is his signature and that all his official acts are entitled to credit

as such
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Newcastle this the tenth day of October 1833 Thomas Ginn Clerk pro tem M.C.C.
I Thomas Ginn Clerk pro tem of the Henry Circuit do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of application of John McDonald
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of Oct 1833
Thomas Ginn Clerk pro tem M.C.C.
My reason for not authenticating the papers correctly by fastening the original papers together as prescribed by the war department, they were already attached with wafers and could not be taken apart without tearing the papers Thomas Ginn Clerk pro tem

HENRY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 614 SOUTH FOURTEENTH STREET NEW CASTLE, INDIANA
September 28-1924.
Mr. Hays Heymaker, Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish us with records of service and one only other information on file regarding Joel Simmonds, Ebenezer Harper and John McDonald, pensioners under the 1832 Act for services in the Revolutionary War. Resident in Henry County Indiana in 1832.
Thanking you for all information,
Very truly yours
Clarence H. Smith Curator.