Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,097, for Francis Steele, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Steele, Francis or Steel.
R. 10.097
Margaret
CONTENTS

Application of Margaret Steele for Pension - Widow of Francis Steele. The papers, including a commission, for ensign, filed about 13 years ago. -
The widow died 9 th April. 1889 -
David Steele, her son, holds an instrument of writing purporting to be a Will, assigning any money, which may be owing to him -
Mr Steele served in the Penn a Line. Three - once for himself and twice as substitutes for others

Declaration of Margaret Steele of Centre County, Pennsylvania - widow and relic of Francis Steele - late of the same place deceased, in order to obtain the ben- efit of the third Section of the Act of Congress of the fourth of July 1836, Made before me John G. Shaffer District Judge of the U.S. District Court of Penna Pennsylvania 3/8 Centre County 3/8
On this twenty fifth day of January A.D. 1838 personally appeared before the subscriber Resident Judge of the Court  Judge of the Court aforesaid. Margaret Steele a resident of Centre County, in the State of Pennsylvania - aged eighty seven years or thereabouts, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath, make the following declaration - in order to obtain the benefit of the foregoing Act of the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836, That she is the widow of Francis Steele who was an Ensign of a Company of Foot - in the Fourth Battalion of Militia of Chester County, Pennsylvania whose Commission is hereto annexed, that he served under Genl. Howe and belonged to a Company commanded by Capt. Bulgan - That he did act under said Commission - and was in the Battle of Brandy- wine, after he was commissioned - that he was three different times in actual service in the war of the Revolution - and was dismissed, and was a substitute twice for other men - two months at a time for whom he does not recollect, after enlistment of the Company the time he was a sub- stitute - that he was also in a skirmish near Wilmington, Delaware - That he did receive a discharge from his Captain which he had several years in the house, but is now lost - that we lived near Marietta, Lancaster County, when my husband was called into actual service - that since, we lived in Philadelphia and Chester - from there we moved to Centre County where I now live - that she has no further documentary evidence in support of this claim other than the Commission hereto annexed. She further declares that she was born in the County of Down Ireland in the year 1752, and that the record of her age was in her father's bible - that she was married to the said Francis Steele - on the 9 th day of May A.D. 1774 by a Minister of the Church of England - whose

where she does not recollect, in the Dip Valley within about twenty miles of Philadelphia - that she knows not whether the Minister or any of the Presbyters who were present at the wedding, are now living - that her husband the aforesaid Francis Steel - died on the 17th day of April A.D. 1817, near Pennsylvania Furnace in Centre County, Penna. that she has to recd a Certificate of her marriage by the family Bible - and that she has remained a widow ever since the period of the decease of her said husband, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed, she also refers to the following testimony of character in her behalf
Given under my hand the 25th day of January A.D. 1838
Margaret her mark Steele
Before me the words in the family Bible inserted before signing - and also the words "a true copy of the original" - for the County of Centre and President Judge's signature for signing -
John W. Foster Pres. Judge of Court
Testimony, the original of which was exhibited to the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County - and copies ordered to be filed of record, the day of January A.D. 1838
This certifies that the bearer Francis Steel and Margaret his wife have lived some years in this congregation - behaved themselves inoffensively and uprightly - enjoyed church privileges with us - as members in full standing and may be received by any Christian Society where God in his Providence may order their lot.
Present time Chester County - Penna - Nathan Price C.D.M. November 4th 1838
Copy
That Mr. Francis Steel and his wife Margaret have resided for some considerable time within the bounds of the congregation of Believers - under my charge have been admitted to the distinguishing privileges of the Church - have behaved themselves in a manner consistent with their new life left
Copy

This free from scandal - a ground of church censure is certified by (Signed) Henry R. Wilson - P.D.M. Bellefonte March 10 th 1805
That Margaret Steel was several years in the congregation sup- ported a good moral and religious character - was in communion with us - when she removed out of our hands - free from any charge of scandal or church censure known to us. Certified at Spring Creek in the County of Huntingdon - in the State of Pennsylvania with the advice of Session.
October 22 nd 1817 (Signed) William A. Boyd - P.D.M. and Pastor of the Congregations of Spring Creek and Shickley Valley.
Copy from Family Bible of Francis Steele - in possession of his widow - the above extract taken 25 th Jan y 1839.
"Francis Steele and Margaret his wife was married the 9 th day of May 1771"
State of Pennsylvania 3/65 Carbon County 3/65
I Francis Duryee Resident Judge of the 1 st Judicial District of Pennsylvania do hereby certify - that the written and foregoing de- claration of Margaret Steele was made before me on the day therein mentioned - and I further certify that the said Margaret Steel from totality in family attend in your Court to make the said declaration - and further certify that the above copy of the record of the marriage of the said Francis Steele and Margaret his wife - was copied from the family bible of the said Margaret - in my presence - at the time of her deposition at my hand - the 30 th day of Jan y 1839
Francis Duryee Judge of Court

Centre County Pa 3 State of Pennsylvania 3
I John McVicker a Justice of the Peace in and for Centre County Do Certify - That I have known the within petitioning Margaret Steele for many years past - That she is and has always been to her certain knowledge a woman of good moral and religious character - That she is the reputed widow of Francis Steele deceased - That she is worthy of full credit & belief - and of very advanced age. Witness - my hand and seal the 29 th Aug 1838 John McVicker
I hereby concur with John McVicker Esq from my personal knowledge D. D. Burd
State of Pennsylvania 3 Centre County 3
I George Buchanan Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Centre County Do here by Certify - that the within foregoing Memoranda before whom the within and foregoing declaration was made - is the Plaintiff's Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Pennsylvania - duly commissioned and in whose official acts full faith and credit is and ought to be given. And further certify that satisfactory evidence was adduced before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas at the present January Term 1838 that Francis Steele was a soldier of the Revolution - that he was married to the said Margaret and that he died on the 17 th day of April 1817 - and that the said Margaret has remained a widow ever since that period - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Bellefonte - Centre County - the first day of February A.D. 1838 Geo. Buchanan. Prob.

Pelleforte Nov 21. 1856
Dear Sir,
The within letter directed to me I enclose at the instance of Jacob Steel who has for some time past been urging upon you his claims for the arrear of pension due to his mother the late widow of Francis Steele decd. I rec d from you a few days since a letter informing me that there was nothing due on that account and I supposed that would satisfy him. But he is a very ignorant man and consequently a very suspicious man and for the sake of satisfying him that he is not deprived of his claim by any unfairness or lack of proper representation I have consented to send you the enclosed statement. You will fully understand and appreciate my situation & will be ready to excuse my apparent importunity -
Yours respectfully Samuel Linn

Bellefonte Sept. 23. 1856
Dear Sir,
An old man named Jacob Steel has called several times at my office lately and requested me to assist him in trying to get something from the pension department for him on account of the services of his father in the war of the revolution. The story that he relates is about this -
Francis Steel (his father) served as an ensign in the revolutionary war three years - in all about six months. His captain's name was Bullion and he was in the battle of Brandywine. That he was married before the revolution - died about 1817, and left a widow named Margaret who died in 1839. These are all the facts he can give me. Please let me know if there is any thing upon the records of your office that will show that he is entitled to anything "by his merit coming to his aid me" Yours respectfully
Samuel Linn

Adolf Kiles
Recd Nov 10 th 1892

Washington Nov. 10. 1832
Sir: Herewith I enclose a memorandum handed me by S r D. Shugart Esq. with the request that it be laid before you. Respectfully, Yours ob d Serv t Ozro Williams
Mr. Lorenzo Waldo Comm r of Pensions.

Power of Attorney of Francis Steel
To O. S. A. Beck of Washington D. C.
Filed at the Pension Office July 11. 1853 With additional evidence of divorce -
Rejected case under Act of 1836.

State of Pennsylvania } County of Centre }
Be it Known, that on this thirty fifth day of November A. D. 185 2 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Francis Steel
resident of Spring Township in said County, and made oath according to law that Francis Steel who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of
the Pension Act of 1831 That he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint O. D. Beck , of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Francis Steel for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Sworn to, subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Francis Steel to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
State of Pennsylvania } County of Centre }
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Quarta Session Prothonotary Centre County that Francis Steel the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the Grandson of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that David J. Pruner Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office,
this thirty fifth day of November 185 2
D. J. Pruner Prothonotary
1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

Washington City Feb. 22 1842
W. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
I have been requested to call your attention, to the papers and claim of Mr. Margaret Steel widow of Francis Steel who served in the Revolutionary War also of Mrs. Mary Elder who was a regular pensioner at the time of her husband's death - With regard to the same the writer says it is not in his power to procure any more evidence - I would be much obliged if you would transmit me the papers with your report thereon.
Yours early Attention
With particular Oblige
Yours & James M c Guire

Bellefont Mar 18th 1841
Sir, The case to which I wish allude is that of Mrs. Margaret Steel - widow of James Steel deceased who made application for a pension under the act of July 7th - 1832. Yours Respectfully J. Mahan Mark S. L. Edwards

V 4334 Margaret Steel of Brans Pennsylvania
10097

Bellefonte Feby, 11 th 1838,
Sir,
Enclosed Send a declaration for Mrs. Steele which I trust you will find in accordance with your directing - and that she will entitle her a Pension. I have taken some pains with it - a hope to hear of her success.
Please advise me respecting her next application -
If any thing is right please send her their certificates -
I remain Sir, respectfully Your most obedt Servt J. W. Richardson
M rs J. W. Richardson Cena. of Claiming -

Mr Linn
Sir the proofs given in favour of a pension for Francis Steele are as follows There was Questions made and Answers given upon Oath before Judge Burnside of Centre County in which is contained an acct of the time he was in the service which was 6 mo at time six months and got a full Discharge together with his Commission as Ensign his son Martins Oath concerning his services at the Battle of Brandywine and what Captain he served under all this was done in the Spring of 1839 And sent down to Washington City George Buchanan undertook this business at that time
Jacob Steele

Additional evidence in case of Maryann Steel —
Francis Steel P. O. Box 1
1836
Reference
Rule 1
2. 1836
Fees $1.00

~Extract~
From "A Return of the Rank of the Officers of the 4 th Battalion of Militia Chester County" as the same remains on file in this Office
6 th Company
James Baylan Captain Sam l . Hamel 1 st Lieut. Jas. McAllister 2 d Lieut Francis Steele Ensign
The above Return of Officers Certified by me June 5 th 1777
M m . Evans, Colonel
Robert Smith, Lieut C. C.
Secretary's Office
Pennsylvania ss.
I do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct Extract from the original as the same remains on file in this Office
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and caused the Seal of the Secretary's Office to be affixed at Harrisburg this eighth day of June in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three and of the Commonwealth the seventy-seventh
C. A. Hacket
Secretary of the Committee.

4334 Margaret Steel wid. of Francis Pennsylvania
Suspended
See let. 1 st July 1839
Geo: Buchanan
let to do. 23 rd Nov 41 in John Elders wid. Mary, m. 24/17 let. 7 Feb 42 to do. 1842
James Irwin. copies of papers
Sent to same Mar 21. 1842 Let. in John 1 Elders wid. Mary. m. 24/17
O.S. Peck Nov 1 1853
H. C. Williams, Nov. 11/54
S. Thugut May 4 1853-
Sam. Linn Oct 29 1856-
Jacob Steel Dec 2 1856-
Act 14 July 1836

15822
3-2233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
..... April 26 1928
Chief Rev. 1812  1812  Section Division.
atl on
I have this day received from
Mrs. E. H. Adams .....
a
cash ..... in the amount
of $ 15,100 ..... requesting
photostat copy as per letter herewith.
Usury 21% 2/28 Photo. mailed Finance Div notified
O. J. RANDALL .....
Chief, Finance Division.
76-6 L
BOOK-KEEPER'S DESK APR 26 1928 BUREAU OF PENSIONS

April 26, 1928
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Please send me photostatic copy (not certified) of one page from Revolutionary War pension claim, Francis Steele, widow Margaret, F. 10097.
Mrs. C. H. Adams.
1757 Euclid St N.W. Washington W. C.
Received payment
$0.15
April 26, 1928
M. C. Stokes
Rev. & 1812 War Section

DUPLICATE.
AR
1-681
PHONE Branch 476
Inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 23094
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 137.
April 26, 1928 192
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pensions
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copy of one page from Revolutionary War pension claim of Margaret, widow of Francis Steele, P. 10097.
No. of copies one Shall form be kept standing? days
For further information see M.V.H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541
Approved: ADW Acty Chief Clerk of Bureau.
Margaret M. D. Finch Chief of Branch on Division
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph single or double space? Facsimile signature? _____
Mimeograph one side or both sides? Facsimile signature? _____ Folding once or twice?
Assembling _____ Stapling Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? _____ Dated? _____
  Addressograph from lists Cards, size   Envelopes, size Pay rolls   Proof list Corrections   Labels (submit sample) Tabulation sheets   Fill in letters 
Photostat x Size Actual Official use? Repay? yes $ 0.15 Blue Print Size _____ Official use? Repay? $ _____
Remarks _____ (OVER)

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.
.....192
(Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
Make new addressograph plate
Change present addressograph plate
Destroy present addressograph plate
On list.....
as follows:
Now reads
 1 .....  2 .....  3 .....  4 .....  5 ..... 
Should read
 1 .....  2 .....  3 .....  4 .....  5 ..... 
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made ..... 192
Operator .....
MULTIGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Type set by ..... Date .....
Remarks: .....
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Cut by .....
Remarks: .....

1928 May 2 nd to Mrs. C. H. Adams
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
100097
P. O.
Margaret Steele
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREE MEN of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL said Commonwealth,
To Francis Steele Genl. - - - - -
WE, reposing Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Ensign of a Company of in the fourth - - - - - Battalion of Militia in the County of Chester - - - - - You are therefore carefully and diligently to exercise the Duty of Ensign - - - - - by doing and performing all manner of Things therein concerned. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command to be obedient to your Orders at all times.
And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your Superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.
GIVEN under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this thirty first Day of May - - - - - in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and seventy seven .
Thos. M'Kean Pres
N o 6
ATTEST.
J. M'Callay
Jack B. ...