Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8445, for Robert Mc Gowan, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Penn
McGowan, Robert Mary
W. 8445-
CONTENTS

Kentucky 7716
Mary Mc Gowan widow of Robt. Mc Gowan who was a Wagon Conducter in the Revolution Pa. husband died 19th May, 1803.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 480 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of May, 1846 and sent to Hon. John Mc Calla Sec Auditor
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book a 17th June, 1844 Vol. Q Page 183
Whip n lid 2A to R. W. Young Oct 22/57

V 3779
Rev
July '58
Mary MacGowan of Robert Reinuchs.
adm d by Secy.
2 years Mag. Con.
$4 80
Cash 40. 144
$4 80
M c M c Calla
Lex. K. Jan 4.

State of Kentucky, Fayette County City of Lexington ————— ss. set.
On this 10 th day of December 1838, personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for said county, at her own residence in said city, Mary Megowan the widow of Robert Megowan deceased, she being unable to attend in open court by reason of her age and infirmities, a resident of said city and in her eighty fifth year, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions certain to widows"
She states that she is the widow of said Robert Megowan, to whom she was married on the 23 d October 1780 in the county of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, that her husband died in 1803, on the 18 th or 19 th day of May since which time she has remained a widow. She was acquainted with her late husband before the revolutionary war began, and was engaged to be married to him for four years before they were finally united. During those four years, her said husband was constantly engaged in the military service of the government, first as a private soldier, how long she does not remember, but for more than two years prior to his leaving the army, he served as a wagon master in the regular service. She does not remember what officer he served under, except a Major Turner, who with his lady, often called at their residence, after she was married. Her husband left the service on the day that Major Andre was executed, he being in that part of the army, and in three weeks afterwards they were married. He had an honorable discharge from the service, which as she believes, was sent to Washington city by Senator John Brown one of the Senators from Kentucky with other papers, to sustain a claim on the government

for the loss of one or more wagons & teams, which papers were lost or mistaid by said Brown, and have never since been recovered. He not only served as a wagon mas- ter but owned one team, and half of another team as he has continually declared to the day of his death. Her said husband at the time he entered the service was a citizen and resident in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania and frequently during the war came to see this affiant and frequently spoke of his adventures in the service. Her brother John Parker who died lately, and who at his death was a pensioner under the act of 1832 served a part of his time in company with her late husband. Her husband she believes was a volunteer in the beginning of his service, and was af- terwards enrolled either in the state line of Penn- sylvania, or in the continental line, but from her igno- rance of the distinctions in the army she cannot say which. She remembers well that he was in the battle of Brandywine as a wagon master having often heard him speak of it, both before and after their marriage. She states that they were married at Philadelphia County, on the 23 rd October, in the same month that Major Andre was executed, which she is informed and believes was in 1780, by Rev. Mr. Muhlenburgh, since which time she lived with her said husband until his death which took place on the 18 th or 19 th day of May 1803. Her hus- band never returned to the service after their marriage, but they lived at same place until the year 1788 when they removed to Lexington Ky where they resided until the death of said Robert. She states that her eldest child Stewart  Robert Megowan who is still living and whose present was born in the year 1781. She has no documentary proof of her

husbands service, all which he supposed having been as before stated sent by Hon. John Brown to the seat of government & lost or mislaid.
Mary Megowan
Also at same time and place personally appeared David Megowan, who being duly sworn according to law, states that he is the son of the aforesaid ap- plicant, and is now in his fifty third year. He states he has often heard his father make state- ments of his services during the revolutionary war, and of his claims on the governments for the loss of one team and the half of another team, lost during the war, whilst he was in the service. He sent the docu- ments to the seat of government by the Hon. John Brown then a senator from Kentucky, and always com- plained of his negligence in not having attended to it, and for having lost them. He has heard his father speak of the battle of Brandywine, and that during the battle he hid the books belonging to his department under a bridge until it was over. Also of his having been in a skirmish with & being chased by some Hessian cavalry. He has no doubt that his father served as a wagon master, having often heard a certain Amos Farra who had served with his father in the war, and is since dead, conversing with him about their service, and detailing anecdotes relating to it. Subscribed and sworn to as above
David Megowan
Also on the same day at his residence in said city personally appeared before me John Fowler Esq. who by reason of his infirmities is unable to leave his house, who being first duly sworn, states that he knew well the husband of Mary Megowan, the said applicant.

and has heard him speak of his claims against the government, and having forwarded his papers by some person, to support them. This deponent being then a member of the House of Representatives, said Megowan wished to engage his aid in the same business - He has heard Megowan speak of his service in the wagon department, and has no kind of doubt that he served as he stated, he being a man of veracity and good standing. He is also well acquainted with the applicant Mr. Megowan, and considers her character for veracity and integrity equal to that of any lady. Such also was the general reputation in society.
Subscribed & sworn to the day first above written
John Foster
The above declaration and deposition, were this day subscribed and sworn to before me as above stated - Given under my hand this 10 th December 1838.
John Parker J.P.

State of Kentucky - 5 Franklin County 3 set.
Personally this day appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for said county William Parker a resident of Woodford county, four miles and a half from Frankfort, now in the 73 rd year of his age, who being first duly sworn depos according to law, doth on his oath, depose and state, that he is the brother of Mrs Mary Megowan of the city of Lexington who is an applicant for a pension under a late act of congress - He was well acquainted with the late husband of his sister, Robert Megowan - He lived at the witness father's, two miles and a half from Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill, several years before the revolutionary war, and entered early into the public service - In the latter part of 1776 or early part of 1777 Megowan raised and commanded a company of sixty or seventy men as artificers to work in the construction of the fort at Red Bank opposite Muddy Island. To the best of his recollection he is confident that Megowan served in that capacity six or eight months. After that service, he entered into the wagon masters service as a wagon master, and furnished one team & part of another for the use of the army, and in that office was in the battle of Brandywine - He has often heard Megowan mention a circumstance that occurred at that battle or immediately after the retreat began. The roads were heavy & wet, and the teams in thin order, and General Washington himself spoke to Megowan to hasten his brigade of teams, as there was a hot pursuit apprehended and the baggage might be in danger. The witness has heard his brother James Parker who is now dead and who was in that battle mention and confirm the same anecdote. The witness was often in the camp at Valley Forge after that time, when the American army encamped there.

and always saw Megowan there - and he knows that he remained a wagon master until he quit the service, which was a few weeks before he married the witness's sister Mary - The witness does not remember the year when the marriage took place but thinks it and indeed is confident that it was before the capture of Lord Cornwallis, as he saw the French troops on their march to Virginia to the siege of York, and that was after his sister's marriage - He perfectly recollects also that it was late in the fall - His parents were opposed to the marriage, and it did not take place at home - The parties and a few of their friends went to a tavern, and were married & then returned to his father's & took supper. The witness was present and saw them married. The minister who united them was Rev Mr Muhlenburgh - & further saith not.
William Clarke
The above deposition of William Clarke was this day taken subscribed & sworn to before me - And I do certify that the said deponent is a man of unquestionable veracity - and his statements are entitled to full credit. Given under my hand this 15 th day of December 1838.
James Shannon JP

Commonwealth of Kentucky Executive Department
Frankfort, 14 December 1838.
I James Clark, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby certify that John Parker whose name is signed to the annexed certificate, was at the time of the writing thereof, and now is, a justice of the peace, in and for the county Fayette and that James Shannon, whose name is signed to the annexed certificate, was at the time of the writing thereof, and now is, a justice of the peace, in and for the county of Franklin - both of whom are duly commissioned qualified and acting as such, and by virtue of their said Office, fully authorised to take acknowledgments, administer oaths &c. and to grant evidence thereof - That their certificates are in due form of law, and full faith and credit, are, and of right, ought to be reposed in all their official acts as well out of, as in courts of justice.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed at Frankfort, on the 14th day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight and in the 47th year of the Commonwealth
By the Governor
J. M. Bullock
Secretary of State
James Clark

Megowan Mary
Ken oodnab
Mary Megowan,
9 July No - 3119
- N o 2 -
M o M. McCalla, Lexington Ken ap 17.

State of Kentucky } Fayette Co. } Scl
Personally appeared in open court this day before the worshipful justices of the Fayette county court William Parker, who being duly sworn according to law, on his oath deposes, that he gave a statement in the case of his sister Mrs. Mary Megowan, which is now in the office of the commissioner of pensions at the city of Washington, and to which he makes this additional statement in relation to the services of Robert Megowan her deceased husband - On holding a conversation with said Mary Megowan, and on reflection, he is still unable to say what precisely was the nature of said Robert Megowan's contract with government when engaged in the public service as wagon master - but he can state some facts which he well remembers, which may enable those who are to decide the question to draw the proper conclusion. He knows it to be a fact that said Megowan entered the service early in the war, indeed on its first breaking out - and served two or three terms of service as a militia man of two months each, before he was in the wagon department. He well remembers Megowan's marching to South Amboy in New Jersey about that period - and that on his return or very soon after he was appointed to succeed the brother of this affiant John Parker, as Captain of artificers in the construction and completion of the fort at Red Bank opposite Mud Island in the Delaware. He knows the

fact that said Megowan was recruiting men for that service sometime before the battle of Brandywine but how long does not now recollect, and enlisted near about thirty men in the vicinity of this affiant's father - they were to supply the places of men whose term of service were expired or about to expire. This service as well as the tours of duty before named were before Megowan owned a team, or was in the wagon master service. There is another fact which he recollects & which is corroborated by the recollection of his sister Mrs. Megowan, that said Megowan remained in the service some time after he had lost his own team & half; and although this affiant does not know it to be so, yet he declares that he always considered said Megowan to be in the military service, both from the facts within his own knowledge, and from declarations which he has heard said Megowan often make since the war. Subscribed & sworn to this 9 th April 1839.
William Parker
Commonwealth of Kentucky Fayette County to wit At a County Court continued and held for the County aforesaid at the Court house in the City of Lexington - on Tuesday 9 th day of April 1839. The foregoing deposition of William Parker, in addition of the proof heretofore filed for the benefit of Mrs. Mary Megowan, widow of Robert Megowan deceased in support of her application for a pension in right of her husband's application for a pension in right of her said deceased husband.

and was subscribed and sworn to in open court and ordered to be certified.
I James C. Rhodes, clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing authenticity of the deposition of William Parker, as taken in open court, is truly transcribed from the record of the same in my office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court this 10 th day of April 1839. and of the Commonwealth the 47 th Year.
Att. J. C. Rhodes clerk

Very
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8445-
Mary M c Gowen Wid. of Robert M c Gowen Wagon Master Rev. War
Act: Mar. 31/43 & June 17/44
Index: —Vol. 16 , Page 21
[Arrangement of 1870.]

9990
Report
Kentucky
Mary Mc Gowan
Widow of Robert Mc Gowan, who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 19th May, 1803. of Fayette Co. the State of Kentucky who was a Wagoner in the Infy. commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Major Turner in the Revolution time for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Louisville at the rate of 480 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of May, 1846 and sent to John M. McCalla, Second Auditor
Total amount, $ 2400.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Th. Cummins Clerk, Book Vol. 1. Page 373

Mary McGowan
By I don't know what I
think '45 stock
No 7716
Jan 12/57

Pension Office
Nov. 15. 1845 Act 43 8895 Act 44 301
Committee of Pensions
Relation to the claim of Mary M c Govan.
In this case I think the evidence sufficient that applicant's husband served two years, as a wagon conductor, and, as it appears from the return from the Washington papers, that all the teamsters embraced therein were in the military service and Wagon -an being rated in the same return in the higher grade of Conductor, and consequently exercising control of the teamsters, must have been in the military service also. The claim is therefore allowed.
War Department, W. L. Marcy April 27. 1846

Pension Office,
November 15, 1845.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose the papers in this case of Mary M c Gowan, numbered from one to four. Gen. M c Calla, 2 d Auditor, wishes to take an appeal from the decision of this Office in this case. The simple fact that Robert M c Gowan, her husband, is found among the returns in the Department of State, as a Wagon Conductor, proves nothing of any importance. It is admitted that he was a Wagon Conductor, but he was under a civil contract in all probability, as he was part owner of teams employed in the public service. My letter to M r A. Ray of the 17 th September last, is also enclosed.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your Ob t . Serv t , J. L. Edwards
Gen. W. L. Marcy Secretary of War.

Paris Office
Alexander Hay, Esq.
Present

Pension Office, September 17 th 1845.
Sir,
The return of James Thompson "of Ulagon, Ulagoner &c with the Army 31 st July 1779" has this entry "Artificer Robert Gowen Ul. Conn" which affords no relief to the case of the late of Mary McCowen, whose declaration and proofs heretofore filed shewed that her husband engaged in the service as owner of One and a half Beams. It is known to this Department, that Beams and Beamsters were engaged under Civil Contract through the instrumentality of individuals who contracted to become the Conductors. All her papers would prove that her husband was a Conductor of that description, and the return of all the persons in Thompson's Division of the Quarta Master Department, with the Army on a particular day, according the cognomen of Ulagon Conductor, does not conflict with the conclusions to be drawn from her papers.
I am, Very respectfully, Your Hon. Serv t J L Edwards
A. May, Esq Present.

Washington Oct. 14 th 1850.
Sir
As the Agent of the Adm l . of Mary D r Gowan etc a a pensioner of the N.S. at $480 per annum, I respectfully present his Claim to an increase of pension from that sum to $600. per annum, the pay of a Waggon Master being $60 per month instead of $40.
Very respectfully
Your Obedient Servant J. D. Young
John Edwards Esq. Com r . Pensions June

J. L. Edwards Jr
Penmanship of Russian
No. 3

Col. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, will please to consider Alexander Ray Esq. as authorized to attend to the pen- sion case of Mrs. Mary Meganan, for whom I am agent.
Respg J. W. M. Calla Aug. 6 1845
Washington Aug. 6. 1845
Sir,
I understand in the case above named, that the widow made claim to a pension from Ky. act 1838. on account of her deceased husband. Rev. Dr. Gower, Military Service as a Major conductor, and as there was no documentary evidence presented of the appointment as a Military Major conduct the claim was suspended.
For further information as to the appointment of Rev. Dr. Gower as a Major Conductor. I would respectfully request, of you to write to the State Department, for an examination to be made in the case. The evidence will be found

in the Washington papers vol. N. 3 " returns on various subjects" I remain
Yours sincerely A. S. [?] A. S. [?]
L. L. Edwards Esq. Com d of Pensions

No 4 -

Department of State Washington Sept r 13 th 1845
Sir,
In reply to the enquiry contained in yours of the 13 th ult o , you are respectfully informed that on reference to the Washington papers, it appears that Robert M c Gowan is returned as a Wagon Conductor x of the Continental Army under the date of 31 st July, 1779.
The papers transmitted in the case are herewith returned.
Very Respectfully
I am Sir yr t Ob t Serv t .
James Thompson's return of Wagoners - Wagoners, &c with the Army 31. July 79
James Buchanan
x Artificers - Rob t M c Gowan Com.
James L. Edwards Esq r Commisioner of Pensions

Return of the Wagons Horses &c with the Army 31 st July 1779
   Division Brigades &c Deputies W.M. Gen l and Conductors of Wagons Enlisted Wagmen Wagmen from the line Field pieces Wagons Horses Total N.S. Total B.P.   Baggage Ammunition Commissaries Forage Prov. Gen l Stores Military Stores Artificers Wagon Artillery Reding Covers Wagon open Wagon Horses Wagons Horses     Brig s Gen l Knox Col o Harrison's Reg t Col o Lamb's Reg t Spare Ammunition Col o Cronin's Reg t Commissary's Forage Artificers Alex r Turner W.M. Gen l One Wagon Conductor One d o & one sub Conductor Four W. Conductors Abn Rand d o John Cook sub do Thos Scott W. Conductor Rob t McGowan d o 83 63 19 22 68 7 18 5 2 3 489 91 12 75 29 579 16 61  
Department of State Dec r 9 th 1845
The above is a true extract from the Return of James Thompson W.M. Gen l dated 31 July 1779 among the Washington Papers on file in this Department.
J. P. Hill Chief Clerk Department of State, Dec r 9. /45