Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6,735, for George Mc Ilvain, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Penn
Mc Ilvain, George
JP 6,735
Mc Ilvin, or
Mc Alvan.
CONTENTS

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 -
Pennsylvania Washington County ss
On the 14 day of November - A.D. 1835, personally appeared in Open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, Main sitting, George M. Thomas, a resident of Somerset Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, aged about eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, cloth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 -
83336
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. On the first of August 1776, I was drafted, at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, (where I then resided) with a number of others, as privates in the company of militia, commanded by Captain Robert Cullenston, and in the regiment under Col. Davis, of Carlisle Pa. We marched from Shippensburg on through Carlisle and Lancaster, to Philadelphia where I think we remained two or three days, and thence we proceeded to Trenton New Jersey, thence through Princeton and Brunswick, to Perth Amboy, where we staid a few days, and then moved to South Amboy, at this latter place we were stationed as a guard to prevent the landing of some part of the British, from their vessels, then in the river, and in the river, and to guard against depredations by them. We remained here for some time so employed as guard, till (I think) after the battle of Long Island, when we were ordered over to Perth Amboy and proceeded on through Elizabeth town and New York, to a place called Bergen, where we were again stationed as pickets and guards. After being at Bergen some time we were ordered to New York, where we proceeded, and we were then ordered by our officers, to go out through the country, to raise wagons, and horses, for the purpose of taking provisions and forage, to Fort Lee. After procuring the requisites, I, with a number of others, as guards for the wagons, and provisions, proceeded with them to Fort Lee, and having safely conducted them to that place, we again returned to New York.

After being at New York for some time, our company was dismissed, and I returned home to Shippensburg Pa. at the last of October after an absence of three months in the service aforesaid.
Soon after the battle of Germantown, I was again drafted (to the best of my knowledge, it was about the middle of October 1777) and into the company, commanded by Captain Alexander Peoples of Cumberland Co. Pa. and Ensign Robert M c Combs. We marched from Shippensburg Pa. on through Carlisle and Lancaster and proceeded on, to the neighborhood of the Schuylkill and Schuylkill near Philadelphia. We were here engaged, for some time to stand and march about as guards, to prevent the British who at this time were in Philadelphia, from plundering and destroying the country and had some skirmishes with parties of English, who were going through different sections thereof, and carrying off provisions and forage. During this tour I was in the skirmish at White Marsh. was under Genl. Potter, when we were obliged to retreat, on account of the superior force of the enemy. After this we were engaged as before, parties of us employed in going through the country to prevent the incursions and depredations of the British, and were continued actively in such employment till we were discharged and I returned home about the last of January 1778. after an absence of three months in the service.
In the year 1785. I removed from Shippensburg to this county, and in the month of June 1791. I was drafted and served as Lieutenant, at Yellow Creek Station on the Ohio river, in a company commanded by Capt. Edward Todd. We went out to prevent the Indians, from coming in, and to prevent the ravages they were about to commit. We had for our head quarters, a block house, at the mouth of Yellow Creek, and from this place we sallied out to different parts, where the savages were expected and where they had committed a number of murders. I served in this tour one month, as Lieutenant, and returned home.
With this last tour my whole service amounts to seven months. The dates and circumstances of my different services I have stated with as much accuracy, as my frail and feeble memory will now permit. I have no documentary testimony, nor do I know of any living witnesses, except my brother Green M c Shane, who lived with myself and mother

Pennsylvania
Washington County } of
In the Court of Common Pleas; of said county.
Personally appeared in Open Court this 4 day of November A. D. 1835, Green M c Shane a resident of Somerset township, in the county and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, deposits on his oath say. That he is a brother of George M c Shane of the same township, who is now applying for a pension. That he well remembers of his brother George during the Revolutionary War, being drafted on two different occasions, and going out into the service. That to the best of his knowledge & belief, he was absent each time, about the period of three months. That he remembers well of his going from home, and returning thence, as he then lived with his mother along with George, near Shippensburg Pa.
Sworn & Subscribed for Open Court this 4 day of November A. D. 1835. Th. Officer Pro
Green M c Shane
Then the said Court do hereby certify that the above Green M c Shane is a person of good reputation and a credible witness
In witness my hand & seal of Office 4 th day of November 1835,
Thomas Officer, Pro

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 Boyd Weber who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in East Bethlehem township, and that William Peden, who has also signed the same, is a resident in Somerset township, both in the County of Washington, and State of Pennsylvania, that the said Peden, is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Thomas Officer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington & State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of George McShane for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Office this 4 th day of November A. D. 1835.
Thomas Officer Pro.

and who knows of my being out in the service on two different occasions. I was born in the State of Delaware, in the year 1754, to the best of my knowledge & belief, having no record of my age now, nor ever having had any. When called into the service I lived at Shippensburg as stated before, and in this county. Since the Revolutionary war, I have lived in this county, and continue to live here. When called into the service I was drafted. I am not able to state the names of any more officers, either regular or militia, than what I have already done, nor any more circumstances of importance connected with my services, than is already stated. I never received any written discharge. I am well known by Joseph Lawrence Esq. Want Exq., John Vance James Smith Esq. and the Rev. Boyd Mercer, who can testify to my character for veracity, and their belief that I was a soldier of the Revolution. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Book of the Agency of any State.
George McLean
Sworn & Subscribed in Open Court this 4 day of Nov 1835. The Officer Pro
We Boyd Mercer a Clergyman residing in East Bethlehem township — and William Pedem residing in Somerset township Washington County Pennsylvania, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George McLean who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be about eighty two years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, & have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & Subscribed the 4 day of Nov 1835. The Officer Pro
Boyd Mercer William Pedem

Rev. War Section
mmHJ
April 13, 1933
Mrs. Hazel Summers Malvern, Box 334 Iowa
Madam:
In response to your letter received February 14, 1933 you are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 8735 it appears that George McIlvain (McIlvin, McIlvan) was born in Delaware in 1754.
While a resident of Somerset Township, Washington County Pennsylvania on November 4, 1835 he applied for pension and alleged that on August 1, 1776 while living in Shippensburg Pennsylvania he enlisted and served three months as a Private in Captain Robert Culbertson's Company, Colonel Davis' Regiment, Pennsylvania Troops; that again he enlisted middle of October 1777 and served three months as a Private in Captain Alexander Peebles' Company; was in the battle of Whitemarsh. In 1785 he moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania where he enlisted in June 1781 and served one month as a Lieutenant in Captain Edward Todd's Company against

the Indians on the Ohio River.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish sufficient proof of six months' service as required by the pension law.
It is not stated that he ever married.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

REJECTED
0732?
P. O. George H. Shaine Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: Printed List of 1852 "He did not serve six mos."
Re-enlisted: mmnt
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1922-App. 1.8-Heck. as Mrs. Hazel Summers! mmnt.

N o 33356
Pennsylvania George M c Grain unfounded
Set to James Watson Esq 21 Nov 1832
Rejoice not found See letter 12 Jan 36 To Mr. T. M. T. McKinnon same Dec. 13, 1842 ✓
did not send six months
6735

George H. Flavine Johnson.
J. L. Edwards letter on the subject of the claim - Mar 27. 1835.
W. R. L.
J. L. Edwards Commr of Pensions
Hon. J. M. L. Mr. Kennon
James Watson Esq Washington City. Pennsylvania

War Department Pension Office Nov 11 th 1835
Sir
The claim of George McSwane enclosed in yours of the 13 th inst has been examined and suspended.
The service subsequent to the revolution is not embraced by the act of 7 th June 1832, and the two terms of service as a drafted Militia man, if each amounted to the full term specified, would just reach the minimum provision of that act. Hence it is indispensable that he should show that the aggregate of the two terms was certainly not less than six months, and this is the more insisted upon because the militia terms of Pennsylvania were generally two months.
Some reason should be assigned for the delay of making his application. His papers are placed on file.
I Am Respectfully Your Ob t Servant
J L Edwards
James Watson Esq o Washington C.H. Pennsylvania

Hon J. W. McKim Dec 23. 42

Pen A
Dec. 13: 42
Sir
I have the honor to re- -turn you the letter of Mr. McIlvane whose claim was rejected in 1835 upon the ground that his service was less than 6 months, the minimum pro- -vision of the act of 7 June 32 - He was, according to his own state- -ment but twice called out in the militia and altho he estimates each tour at 3 mos it is matter of notoriety that the term of the Pa. militia were 2 months only as limited by law.
Gen: J. M. McKennan P.P.

Dec 12. 1842.
Pa
G. M. e Stuart
Th. M. T. McKim Th. M. T. McKim
J. M. T. McKim H. D. 2
J. L. Edwards Esq. Pension Office

Dr. Li,
Will you state to me whether there is any evidence on the files of the Department showing the services of Mr. McHovine, the writer of the enclosed letter. I take it for granted that there is none but I want the statement in an official shape.
Yours very resp.
Th. M. T. McKenna
Dec. 10/62
J. L. Edwards Esq.
P. S. I have an impression that the old man applied some years since for a pension and that his proof was insufficient. Do me the favor of examining and if the papers are on file mention the defect in the proof. He may be able to supply it. It is probably this application to which he refers when he asks me to examine in the War Department. He is a very aged but respectable man.

Nov 16.
Mr. - at
Rev. Mr. Sluane
Geo. W. ...
Th. M. T. McKennan FREE  Ms.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Pension Office Washington D.C.

Washington Pa November 13., 1835,
J. L. Edwards
Sir
Enclosed is the Declaration of George M c Shane, together with the deposition of Green M c Shane. The papers are, I believe all regularly drawn up, and if your business will permit the old man would be greatly gratified if you would take them up, immediately , and pass upon them. He is a very frail and aged man, and if the action on his claim is long delayed, he , will probably never receive any benefits.
Yours very respectfully James Watson

33. 336 George M c Graine Additional Statement of George M c Graine Pennsylvania
Mr. J. M. McKennon HR

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Washington County ss.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, George McIlvain, who is now applying for a Pension, and being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say, that in reference to his application for a Pension his declaration now on file, in the Pension Office, contains all he is able to say on the subject. That from the frailty of his memory, a number of facts and circumstances connected with his service, and which would throw light on the whole subject, he is not now able to recollect. That he is positive he served during the Revolution, full six months, as already stated in his declaration, and he is not able now to show it in any other manner than is already done. That there were persons out with me, during those times, by whom I feel confident I could prove the facts, but they are long since deceased. The reason why I did not apply sooner for a Pension, was, that my circumstances were such, as did not compel me, but as I am now becoming so frail, and helpless, I thought it would still be of some use to me, and afford me additional comforts, and therefore determined to make the application.
Sworn & Subscribed before me This 26 th day of December 1835. James Blaine Justice of the peace
George McIlvain
I do certify that James Blaine Esq. before whom the above affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington Penn a . - I fur- ther certify that I am acquainted with George McIlvain and believe him to be a very respectable and conscien- tious man.
Th. M. L. McKennan Jan y 2/1836

Malvern Iowa
Feb - 11 - 23
Bureau of Pensions
will you please tell about - George M c Elvain that enlisted Penn - in the war of Revolution and was a Lieutenant Please give his war record and family if you have it
Mrs Hazel Summers
Malvern
Iowa
Box 234