Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7028, for Richard Mathews, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Mathews Richard. Martha.
YR 7028
CONTENTS

12.7.97. Virginia.
Richd Mathews. of Brooke Co in the State of Virg. who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain Wm Jones of the Regt commanded by Col. Moyar in the Penn line for one year.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 40. Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of May 1833. and sent to Richd Mathews. Wellsburg. Va.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.  80.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Feb 33  20.00
$100.00.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Mary P. Moore Clerk. Book 7. Vol. Six. Page 17.
Col. Richd Mathews A. Richd Mathews

Richard Matthews
23679
Please use only Wellsburg, Brooke county Virginia

State of Virginia } ss. County of Brooke }
On this 25 th day of January, 1833 personally appeared before me, Moses Congleton, a Justice of the peace, and of the Court of Records, in and for the County aforesaid, Richard Matthews, resident in the same County and State, aged Seventy seven years past, who from age and extreme infirmity, I do certify is unable to attend at the court of said County; and who, after being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated:
That he enlisted on the 14 th day of February in the year 1776, as a private soldier, with Captain Thomas Robinson, for one year; this service was to have been performed along the Delaware bay and prevent the enemy pillaging along its shore; but, after enlistment, the company to which Declarant belonged was attached to Col. Anthony Waynes regiment of Pennsylvania troops, and with said regiment were marched to Canada and was in the battle of the Three rivers, on the 8 th day of June 1776 where the American troops were defeated; that after the said battle, the American troops retreated, and the Declarant, with other troops returned to Pennsylvania, by the way of Crownpoint &c to the town of Darby, below Philadelphia, where he and the company to which he belonged, were discharged, on the 19 th day of February 1777, by Captain Robinson, having served one year, the full period of his enlistment.
Interrogatories by the Magistrate.
Question 1 st Where, and in what year was you born?
Answer. I was born in Cumberland county in the then Colony, now State of Pennsylvania, on the 2 nd day of February 1753, and on the 2 nd Feb y . next will be eighty years of age.
Question 2 nd Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Answer. I have no record of my age. My knowledge of it is from seeing my birth recorded in my father's family prayerbook, in which he recorded the ages of his family.
Question 3 rd . Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Answer. I lived in Chester county, Pennsylvania at the time I enlisted with Captain Robinson; and the greater portion of my time since the war of the Revolution, in the State of Pennsylvania, and for the last three years in the County of Brooke and State of Virginia, where I continue to reside.

Question 4 th How were you called into service? &c.
Answer. I enlisted, to serve one year, with Capt. Robinson, as above stated.
Question 5 th 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 service.
Answer. I had but a slight knowledge of the Officers, excepting those of our own Regiment. I will recollect Col. Hartley, and Col. Irwin, also Captain Moore and Captain Church of our Brigade. The circumstance of my service is stated in the foregoing declaration.
Question 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it.
Answer. I did not receive a written discharge. When the Captain dismissed the company, I went home, and in about two weeks afterwards, returned to receive my discharge, and make a settlement for my back pay; the Officers were all gone on the recruiting service, I was informed, so that I never saw them afterwards, and by which I lost eight months pay.
Question 7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer. Mr Peter Shuck, John Cox, Luck M c Guire, Rev. N. Hedington & W m Machen.
That he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.
Declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or 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 the day and year aforesaid, Before me
Richard Mathews
Moses Conegleton Justice of the Peace

We Nicholas Headington, a clergyman residing in the county of Brooke and State of Virginia, and William Mahan, residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Matthews, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy nine years of age past; is very infirm and in indigent circumstances; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me Moses Congleton Justice of the Peace
Nicholas Headington William Mahan
And I the said Justice of the peace do hereby declare my 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 I do further certify that it appears to me that Nicholas Headington, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the county of Brooke and State of Virginia, aforesaid, and William Mahan, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same county and State, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Moses Congleton, a justice of the Court of Record in the county of Brooke aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before me, in the matter of the application of Richard Matthews for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year first above written.
Moses Congleton
State of Virginia Brooke County writ
I Nathan Hahn clerk of the County Court of the County of Brooke aforesaid do hereby certify that Moses Congleton Esq. by whom the foregoing certificate is subscribed was on the day of the date thereof and now is a justice of the County Court of the County of Brooke

aforsaid duly commissioned and qualified to whose official acts assuch full faith and credit are due and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere and I do further certify that his signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court at Wheeling this 28th day of January in the year of our Lord 1833 and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
Adam Rankin C.B.C.
Richard Matthews
23679
Please use dry Wellsburg, Brooke County Virginia

No 14594
Martha Mathews dec d wid of Richard Va
Act 7 July 1838.
Rejected,
let Am G. W. Thompson May 22/52,

State of Virginia Hancock County
On this 14 th day of April 1851. Personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for the County of Hancock, and State aforesaid. Elizabeth Fogle, a resident of the said County of Hancock and State of Virginia aged fifty four years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the pension due to her mother, Martha Matthews, who was the widow of Richard Matthews, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States.
That her father the said Richard Matthews, was placed on the pension roll, in the year 1833, and died in the year 6 th day of March 1836 as near as this deponent can remember, when his original certificate was returned to the pension agency at Wheeling Virginia a copy of which certificate is hereto annexed. That her mother Martha Matthews, and widow of the said Richard Matthews, died on the 30 th day of August 1841 and that this deponent is the only surviving child and heir at law of the said Richard Matthews and Martha Matthews his widow.
She further declares that she very believes that her father the said Richard Matthews, and her mother, the said Martha Matthews, were married at some place, after the last period of the service of her father the said Richard Matthews, and prior to the first day of January 1794, but that there is no family record of their marriage. She further declares, that her mother the said Martha Matthews continued the widow of the said Richard Matthews until her death.
Elizabeth
Sworn and subscribed before me
This 14 th day of April 1851
Wm H Pugh (J.P.)
her Elizabeth Fogle mark

Copy of Richard Mathews Certificate. Returned
" War. Department.
" Revolutionary Claims
I certify. That in conformity with the Laws of the united States of the 7 th June 1832. Richard Mathews of The State of Virginia who was a private in The army of The Revolution is Entitled to Receive Forty Dollars per Annum during his Natural life. Commencing on The 4 th March 1831. and payable Semi annually on The 4 th of March and 4 th Sept r . in every year Given at The War office of The united States This 20 th day of May. one Thousand eight hundred and thirty Three
Examined and Counterigned J. L. Edwards Compt. of Pensions
Lee C. Ball
Secretary of War

Hancock County } State of Virginia } ss
J. H. Atkinson clerk of the county court of said county do hereby certify that James H. Pugh before whom the foregoing certificates were made was at the time of his signing the same and now is an acting justice of the peace in and for our said county and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said county court this 1 st day January 1852 and in the 76 th year of the commonwealth.
J. H. Atkinson clk.

23679
Richard Matthews
Va 12.707.
Adm for 1 year from 1776.
Richard Matthews Wallsburg Brooke County Va

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 Richard Mathews Va
   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.     Pa troops Feb. 1776 until Dec. 1. Private Col Robinson Col Wayne 79 born in Camber. Pa ensured at Chester now lives in Dootch Co. Va Certificate of Clergyman and a Citizen know. of no surviving Widows who can claim Service  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) 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 useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each service was rendered, and the length of such service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

No 14.594
Martha Matthews dec d widow of Richard
Virginia - Rejected -
Let Hon e G. W. Thompson
H. of Reps
May 22 nd 1852
7028
✓ Act of 7 th July 1838

Acts of July 14, 1866, and March 3, 1870.
REJECTED
7098
P. O.
Martha Matthews
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis.
Searched for _____
, 18

[for Pension Office]
FREE
1864-3/4
The Honorable
23672
Lewis Caps.
Secretary of war
Washington City

House of Reps KV 47852
James E. Heath Esq Comm of Pensions
Sir
Herewith please receive the application of Elizabeth Figley for Bounty Land which when disposed of send to me with Respect G. W. Thompson

Richard Matthews. Pm - Bunk City

Richard Matthews -
I the undersigned Richard Matthews, in pursuance of the requisitions of the Secretary of War, give the following, as my Ac. declaration of Revolutionary Services. To wit, That I am a native of Cumberland county Pa. was born February 2. 1753, lived in Cumberland county until 1801, then moved west of the Alleghany Mountains. On the 14 th day of February 1776, I enlisted at Marcus Hook, in the Delaware, under Capt. Fabian Me. (our company) Marched from Marcus Hook, for Quebec, we got as far as the Three Rivers where met a party of the British Troops, with whom we had an engagement, in which we were defeated, the army retreated from the Three Rivers, to the camp at Sarrasce, and from there to Ticonderoga Fort, it remained there until the 24 th day of July, when it started for home, we got to Boston on the 19 th of July 1777, and was there discharged, on that day - having been in service one year and five days. In this service I belonged to Col. Anthony Wayne's Regt. don't know who commanded at the Battle of the Three Rivers, unless it was Col. Wayne. - I saw Genl. Sullivan at Charably on our retreat, and I slept in the Wilderness with Col. Hartley, on the night after the Battle of the Three Rivers. I don't recollect of seeing General Washington or Robert E. Lee in this expedition. Capt. McHenry wrote my declaration to which I detatched the same state of facts in substance as given. he charged me $10. In witness of all which I have subscribed my name. July 7. 1835 Richard Matthews his mark W. G. G. G.
W. G. G. G. a copy W. G. G. G. Note. I know this man old, and very inform in body & mind. I understand that his character is good