Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16953, for John Mc Conihey, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
McOnihey, John McBonney McOnahay
S. 16953
CONTENTS

Virginia 29. 760
John McConkey alias M. Conkey of Bedford in the State of Virginia who was a prisoner in the by Captain [blank] of the [blank] by C. [blank] in the Va. Mil. [blank] line for [blank] months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 2 3/4 Dollars 33 1/3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of Feb y 1835 and signed H. C. O. H. 1/2 Clarence - 19. R
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 30 $81.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Oct 35 11.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { No. June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Duce Clerk Book C Vol. 67 Page 25
rel. Jan 29 th 1835 - 6 " Mar 11 th Clinton " " " " " July 5 th 36

7935 John M. Leonaha
[Faint, illegible handwriting]
5.14, 15.16 Mkt 1, 2, 5, 7.
E P112.
29. Nov. R. C. Mitchell Library Va

7935.
BRIEF in the case of  John M c Crana  County of Bedford  in the State of  Virginia  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70  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.     1 Act. vol. In 1780 ~ 3 ~ Private Gen. Capt. D o Figgins Maj   July 1781 (Substitute) ~ 2 ~ " Tho 3 Hardeman   again — served one tour time not stated " Capt. Tho 3 Gearing Col. Thurvenethy on Stevens  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? York.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? London City Va  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional & one witness 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The official character of the justice before whom the affidavit of the witness was sworn to is not certified by the Clerk
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. McLaugh
Examining Clerk.

State of Virginia Bedford County ss.
On the 27 th day of October 1834 personally appeared in open court before the court of Bedford now sitting John M c Conkey a resident of the County of Bedford in the State of Virginia aged Seventy one 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 act of congress passed June 7 th 1832.
"That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated.
"That he volunteered under Capt. Daniel Figgins in the County of Loudoun in the State of Virginia about the first of October 1780 for a tour of three months in the militia to go to North Carolina, that he marched from Loudoun County to Richmond where the company was detained about a week he was then marched to Chesterfield Courthouse, where he was informed that he was not to be marched to North Carolina, but was marched to Petersburg and from thence to Mackey's mill and from thence to Sleepy Hollow Ferry on the Nansemond River, where he was marched back wards and forwards, contending the British, who was said to be on the River until his tour expired, and he was discharged, that he served under Major Thomas Hadenward, the last name he cannot now recollect, that he has no written evidence of ever having served this tour, and knows of but one living witness that he can prove it by, which is Jacob Shepherd, who marched in another company from the same County at the same time commanded by Capt. Isaac Vincent and to whose affidavit he refers. The next tour was for two months as a substitute for John Old acres, that he commenced his march he thinks in the month of July 1781, under Capt. Thomas Canning from the County of Loudoun in Virginia, and was marched to Danville River to New Castle where he joined the army commanded by Col. M c Williams and Major Hadenward who was attached to Genl. Stacey's Brigade, that he was marched from thence to Ruffins Ferry in King & Queen County in which neighbourhood he continued until his term of service expired, That he never went home after the expiration of this tour, his own tour of two months had then come on, he was put in charge of Capt. Daniel John's waggon and team &

went with it to a place called the new magazine near Williamsburg and continued halting about Williamsburg and York until after the siege at York, that he assisted in halting the French Baggage from Springfield to York and also assisted in halting the American baggage, that he was at York during the whole siege and assisted in halting the ammunition in the night, that he could not be done in the daytime as the teams would have been shot, that after the capitulation at York he was loaded with the British baggage and carried it to Norfolk Ferry on the Potomac River, where he delivered it and was dismissed, That he has no written evidence of the service of either of these teams, but can prove them by James Davis of Sussex County in the State of Virginia who served the second team with him and knows of his having served the team, that he knows of no other living witness that he can prove it by, having moved from the County of Loudoun the place where he resided when called into service, about thirty two years ago a distance of about two hundred and twenty miles - He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity whatever except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Second to V. subscribed the day and year John M c Connelly aforesaid in open Court. . . . . }
The following is his answer to the several interrogatories propounded to him by the Court (Viz)
1 st I was born in Bucks County in the State of Pennsylvania on the 13 th day of April 1762.
2 nd I have a register of my age now in my possession as kept by my parents.
3 rd 4 th 5 th & 6 th answered in the above declaration.
7 th I refer to William Leffler a clergyman & to Deacon Preston who reside in my neighbourhood and who are acquainted with me as to their belief of my services and my respectability -
John M c Connelly
Beauford County S.S. We William Leffler a clergyman and Deacon Preston residing in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John M c Connelly who has subscribed & sworn to the annexed declaration and that we believe him to be 78 years of age, 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. Wm Loftwich
Second subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Pleasant Preston
State of Virginia Bedford County to wit.
I Jacob Shepherd aged Seventy four years of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John McCormely who signed the annexed declaration was a soldier of the Revolution & served the term of three months under the officers and as stated in the declaration. Jacob Shepherd
Subscribed and sworn to before me Booker Preston a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid by Jacob Shepherd who is a respectable citizen of the aforesaid County and on whose testimony reliance ought to be placed, and whose age I believe to be correctly stated above - Given under my hand this 5 th day of February 1834. Booker Preston J.P.
And the 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 doth further certify that it appears to them that William Loftwich who has signed the same is a clergyman resident in the said County and that Pleasant Preston who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County, is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Robert L. Mitchell Clerk of the said County Court of Bedford in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John McCormely for a pension, and further certify that Booker Preston Esq. whose signature is annexed above is a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly confirmed and qualified.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at office this 26 th day of November 1834 in the 59 th year of American Independence.
R. L. Mitchell C.P.

State of Virginia } I James Davis of Amherst County Virginia aged Amherst County } sixty nine years and five months a soldier of the Revolution do hereby certify that John McConachie late of London County But now of Bedford served a tour of about two months in the service of the United States in the Revolution under the command of Capt Thomas Cannon that I was discharged at the time of said time and the said McConachie still continued in the service of the United States but how long afterwards I now do not recollect I believe the tour commenced sometime in July and ended sometime in October 1781 that this affiant served the said tour with said McConachie in the said company James Davis
Subscribed and sworn to before me Jesse Mundy a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid by the said James Davis whom I do hereby certify to be a Respectable citizen of Amherst County and a credible witness Given under my hand the 22 nd of August 1834 Jesse Mundy J.P.
State of Virginia Amherst County to wit
I Robert Tinsley Clerk of the County Court of Amherst County in the State of Virginia aforesaid do certify that Jesse Mundy esquire who has given the preceding Certificate is and was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Amherst duly Commissioned and qualified according to the Constitution and Laws of the said State.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty fifth day of August One thousand eight hundred thirty four and in the fifty ninth year of the Commonwealth. Robert Tinsley

February 6, 1932
BA-J/MCS
Quartermaster General Memorial Branch War Department Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request of February 3, 1932, for information in regard to John McConihey, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data contained herein are obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 16953, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John McConihey.
He was born April 15, 1762, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and when ten years of age he moved to Loudoun County, Virginia.
While a resident of Loudoun County, Virginia, he enlisted and served with the Virginia troops as follows: from about October 1, 1780, three months in Captain Daniel Figgins' Company; from July, 1781, two months in Captain Thomas Canning's Company in Colonel Merriwether's Regiment; immediately after this service he enlisted and served two months as teamster and was in charge of Captain Daniel John's wagon and was in the siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 25, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Bedford County, Virginia, to which place he had moved about 1801 or 1802.
Very truly yours,
Date of death not in Agency Book
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

16.953 INVALID.
File No. 16.953
Joan McConing  in law Pre Civil War
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 249
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1929 Nov. 22 hist. to Mrs. E. C. Anderson M.C.S. 1931 Apr. 13 hist. to Mr. James L. Patterson M.C.S. 1931 Sept. 25 hist. to Mrs. Ernest H. Smith M.C.S. 1932 Feb. 6 Tombstone data to Quartermaster Gen. War. Dept.

John M c Caraher of Virginia is Rejected. see letter to Hon N. P. Claiborne M c b-
Act 7 th 1832
Not 6 months
Feb. 23. 1832

6608.
REJECTED
P. O. _____
John M. Canahay
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

John M c Combie Virginia
Suspended
Letter 29 Dec 1834
Hon: M c H Claiborne

John M'Conahay Declaration for Union 6608
Bradford City. Vt. J
M. H. Kelborne

State of Virginia Bedford County } ss.
On the 28 th day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the court of Bedford now sitting John McConahay a resident of the county of Bedford in the State of Virginia aged Seventy years who being first duly sworn according to Law with an oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That he enlisted and entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz. That he volunteered under Capt. Daniel Higgens in the County of Loudoun in the State of Virginia to serve a three months term in the militia to march to North Carolina. That he commenced his march about the 1 st October 1780 from said County of Loudoun to Richmond where the company was detained about a week he was then marched to Chesterfield Courthouse, when he was informed he was not to be marched to Carolina (the place he volunteered to go to) he was marched from Chesterfield Courthouse to Petersburg and from thence to Mackays Mills and from thence to Sleepy Hole ferry on the Nansemond River, when he was marched backwards and forwards watching the British who was said to be on the river until his term of three months having expired he was discharged - Thomas Hardeman was the major in command the Col's name he cannot now recollect, that he has no written evidence of the service of this term but can prove it by Jacob Shepherd who marched in another company from the same county with him under Captain Adam Vincent. The next term he substituted for John Oldacre to serve a militia term of two months. He marched from the County of Loudoun he thinks in the month of July 1781 under Capt. Thomas Gunning to Pamunkey River thence to New Castle where he joined the army commanded by Col. Morrisweather and major Hardeman who was attached to Genl. Stevens' Brigade, that he was marched over from thence to Rufford's ferry in King and Queen County in which neighbourhood he continued some time, when his term expired he did not return home. He was put in charge of David John's waggon and went with it to a place called the new magazine near Williamsburg continued halting about Williamsburg and York until after the siege at which he assisted in halting the French Baggage from Springfield

to York and also assisted in halting the American Baggage - that he was at York during the whole siege and assisted in halting the communication in the night that it could not be well done in the day time as the tuns would have burst shot. That after the capitulation at York he was loaded with the British baggage and carried to New York on the Potomac River when he delivered it and his term having expired was discharged. That he has no documentary evidence of the service of any of the troops he served nor does he know of any living witness near him by whom he can prove it. That he was born in Bucks County in the State of Pennsylvania and moved in the 10 th Year of his age to the County of Loudoun in Virginia when he resided when called into the service, that he moved from that county to the County of Bedford in the same State about thirty two Years ago a distance of 215 or 220 miles where he now resides and has had little communication with that part of the county since he left it. That he was born on the 15 th day of April 1763 agreeable to a record kept of his age by his parents in the County & State mentioned above that he refers to William Lefevick a clergyman and to Pleasant Preston a neighbor to both of whom he is well acquainted. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Bedford County to wit
John McCornack
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Jacob Shepherd aged seventy two years and made oath that John McCornack who signed the foregoing declaration did serve a term of three months in the militia in the war of the revolution that they marched from the same county and he was well acquainted with him while in the service
Jacob Shepherd
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25 th day of January 1833.
Brooks Preston J.P.
I Brooks Preston a justice of the peace for the County of Bedford do hereby certify that Jacob Shepherd who subscribed and swore to the foregoing affidavit is reputed a man of veracity and on whose statements reliance ought to be placed. Given under my hand this 25 th January 1833
Brooks Preston

personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for the county of Bedford John M c Conahy 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 in the following grades - for three months a militia soldier as a substitute for John Old and I served two months I served as a common soldier, I served ten months, my own term and was put in charge of Daniel John's waggon for which I claim a pension. Given under my hand this 25 th day of January 1833 Percy Preston
Bedford county to wit
We William Softwick a clergyman and residing in the said county and William J Walker residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John M c Conahy who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and concurs in that opinion Wm Softwick W J Walker
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after perusing the interrogatories presented by the clear department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states And the said Court doth further certify that it appears to them that William Softwick who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in said county and that William J Walker who has also signed the same is resident in said county a credible person and that their Certificate as entitled to credit
I Robert C Mitchell Clerk of the county court of Bedford in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John M c Conahy for a pension. And I do further certify that Percival Preston who has signed the annexed Certificate is and near

at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace for said County
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, the 2 nd day of February 1833 in the 57 th year of our Independence.
R. C. Mitchell C.M.P.

Hon: M. H. Claiborne.
Dec 29-1834
ae
6/11

Depart of War Pension Office
Dec r 29. 1834
Sir
The claim of Mr. Conkey has been examined and placed upon the list of the officers .
The reasons for the measure you will find fully stated in the accompanying President's letter to the claimant.
I am Sir
For
M c Clintock
H R
P. S. -

WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL WASHINGTON
FEB 2 1932 1931
Memorandum for The Surgeon General, Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Treasury Department, The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building, General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W.
1. The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon. In order that the proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your office would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name and complete designation of the organizations.
2. In addition, please advise State from which decedent came.
Wanted record of John McConkey d. 1695-3

Sept-25 th 1929
The Department of the Interior Washington D.C.
Gentlemen
I am trying to find out about some of my ancestors, so I may join the D.A.R. I find in the records of Bedford Co Virginia that my grand father John McDonihay drew a pension, that was all I could find, though he owned quite a lot of land.
Stamp. or

but the name was so often spelled wrong, my own father was in the war of 1812 you probably think that strange, but I am 82 years old, my father had the same name John Woodruff. Hoping to hear from you soon
Repl
Mrs E. C. Anderson 705 Kanawha Bk & Trust Bldg Charleston W Va

MRS. ERNEST H. SMITH 4115 BEACH AVE. RIVERVIEW, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
Sept. 22-1931. John Pearson claim 5-16953.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
I am anxious to obtain a copy of order granting pension to John McConihay of Bedford County, Va., who served in the Revolutionary war. I believe this

MRS. ERNEST H. SMITH 4115 BEACH AVE. RIVERVIEW, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
for D. A. R. purposes.
I enclose copy of application for the above said pension, duly witnessed by T. W. Nichols Clerk of the Circuit of Bedford Co. Va. referring to Order Book 1832 - 1834, p. 89.
Note the spelling - it may be "John Mc Connahle"

MRS. ERNEST H. SMITH 4115 BEACH AVE. RIVERVIEW, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
3
in your records. Please return this paper, as it is to be filed with my application for re-A. R. membership.
If there is any further information available in your records, I would thank you to let me know it, as I have yet a few dates to be filled in.

MRS. ERNEST H. SMITH 4115 BEACH AVE. RIVERVIEW, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
Thanking you for this information at an early date, I am gratefully yours,
Mrs E. H. Smith and enclose copy of John McCombie's declaration for pension, which P. S. I am a descendant of John McCombie on my father's side evidently he was my great, great grand father

P.O. Box 215 Bedford, Virginia, March 10th, 1931.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me the pension record that covers the following application; of John McConihay.
"At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for the County of Bedford the 30th day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John McConnehay an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th June last this day appeared in Court & Filed his declaration in the following words &c, Viz. "Virginia &c. " And the Court do hereby declare after an investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, their opinion 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 William Harris who has signed the same is a clergyman resident of this County and that Samuel Wilks who has also signed the same is a resident in said County in a credible person, and that their Statement is entitled to credit."
I find from the records on file in Bedford County Clerk's Office that John McConihay came to this County from Loudon County, about 1801. He died in this County in 1846, His wife name was Mary Davis.
Thanking you for your prompt attention.
Yours very truly,
James L. Patterson
Address: Mr. James L. Patterson, Bedford, Virginia.

WASHINGTON
September 25, 1931
Mrs. Ernest H. Smith 4115 Beach Avenue Riverview, Norfolk, Virginia
BA-J/MCS
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16953, that John McConiheey or McConneley was born April 15, 1762, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and when ten years of age he moved to Loudoun County, Virginia.
While a resident of Loudoun County, Virginia, he enlisted and served with the Virginia troops as follows: from about October 1, 1780, three months in Captain Daniel Figgins' Company; from July, 1781, two months in Captain Thomas Canning's Company in Colonel Merriwether's Regiment; immediately after this service he enlisted and served two months as teamster and was in charge of Captain Daniel John's wagon and was in the siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 25, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Bedford County, Virginia, to which place he had moved about 1801 or 1802.
The papers in this pension claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator
1 Enclosure copy of Bedford Co., Va. court record

April 13, 1931.
Mr. James L. Patterson P.O.Box 215 Bedford, Virginia.
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section MCS:ILL
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16953, that John McConiheey or McConneley was born April 15, 1762, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and when ten years of age he moved to Loudoun County, Virginia.
While a resident of Loudoun County, Virginia, he enlisted and served with the Virginia troops as follows: from about October 1, 1780, three months in Captain Daniel Figgins' Company; from July, 1781, two months in Captain Thomas Canning's Company in Colonel Meriwether's Regiment; immediately after this service, he enlisted and served two months as teamster and was in charge of Captain Daniel John's wagon and was in the siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 25, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Bedford County, Virginia, to which place he had moved about 1801 or 1802.
There are no data relative to his family.
The above noted is the history of the only soldier from Bedford County, Virginia, by the name of John McConiheey, searched under all spellings of the name, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours,
E.W.MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MCS/cel
November 22, 1929
Mrs. E.C. Anderson 705 Kanawha Bk. and Trust Bldg. Charleston, West Virginia
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16953, it appears that John McConiheey or McConneley was born April 15, 1762, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and when ten years of age he moved to Loudoun County, Virginia.
While a resident of Loudoun County, Virginia, he enlisted and served with the Virginia Troops as follows:
From about October 1, 1780, three months in Captain Daniel Figgins' Company; from July, 1781, two months in Captain Thomas Canning's Company in Colonel Merriweather's Regiment; immediately after this service, he enlisted and served two months as teamster and was in charge of Captain Daniel Jihn's wagon and was in the siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 25, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Bedford County, Virginia, to which place he had moved about 1801 or 1802.
There are no data relative to family.
The above noted is the history of the only soldier from Bedford County, Virginia, by the name of John McConiheey, searched under all spellings of the name, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.