Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 41,841, for John Mc Keithan, North Carolina

SERVICE
McKeithan John
NUMBER
8.41.841
CONTENTS

20459 20459 North Carolina
John M c Keithan
of Bladen Co. in the State of N. Carolina who was a private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t . commanded by Col l Maj r J. M c Ree in the N. Carolina line, for the term of one year. from Dec r . 1781 to Dec r 1782
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 18 th day of August 1837.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of June 1833 and sent W m J. Cowan Elizabeth Town N.C.
Arrears to 4 th of Sept r 1832 5. 07 Remizant. all ce ending 4 March 1833 48. 00
} $ 53. 07
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818. May 1, 1820. March 1, 1823. }
Recorded Book D. vol. 8 page 36 Henry W. Sylvas ter clerk

17.708
Wm McKeithan
Glades Co
ad 1818 N.C. having 12 mo. as a private from 1781 - at $8 per month, part to commence 15 Aug 1832

17.708
BRIEF in the case of  John McRuthan  of Plaster Co in the State of NC  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Cons  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72  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. As a Gen.     20 Decr In 17 81. 1 — — pr Major J. M. Kee  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

State of North Carolina Bladen County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions - August Sessions 1832.
On the 6 th day of August A D 1832, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record for said County & State, John M c Keithan a resident of said County, aged seventy two Years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the Act of Congress, of the 18 th March 1818, and the 1 st of May 1820: — That he the said John M c Keithan enlisted for the term of twelve Months, on the 20 th December 1781, in the County of Duplin, State of North Carolina, under Lieutenant Hardy Holmes, in the Company commanded by Captain James Mills, in the Corps or Regiment of which Griffith Jell Ree was Major, (the name of the Colonel and number of the Regiment not recollected) in the line of the State of North Carolina, on the Continental establishment: That he continued to serve in the said Corps or Regiment, for the above period of twelve Months, and until the peace, when he was discharged, at Wilmington, North Carolina, and as well as he recollects, received no certificate of discharge, having been informed by his Com-

manding Officer, that as the War was over, no such certificate was necessary; but received from Charles Gerard, Paymaster, a Certificate for twelve months pay, which owing to his necessities he sold to one F. A. Malbaugh, as the accompanying receipt will shew: That he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension, except the present - that his name is not on the Roll of any State, except that of North Carolina; and that the following is the reason for not making an earlier application for a Pension: Until within the last twelve months, he was the proprietor of a tract of land of the value of about two hundred dollars, which together with the personal property he then owned, he was informed would exclude him from the benefit of the Act of Congress.
And in pursuance of the Act of the 1 st of May 1820, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the 18 th March 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it, as to bring myself, within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled "an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18 th March 1818 - and that I have not, nor has any person for me in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts

or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed.
Two Cows & Calves valued at $16 One Sow 2.50 Ten Shoats 10.
That I have made no sale of my property, except the land already mentioned, for the sale of which I contracted in the Year 1831, for the sum of One hundred & fifty dollars, but did not convey the same until I was informed that a certified Copy of the Deed was required to be herewith forwarded, owing to a controversy which was then pending as to the boundaries of said land, and by the decision of which I have lost about Fifty acres of said land - said land was sold, in good faith, and to discharge debts which had been contracted for the support of my family. My occupation has been that of a Farmer; I reside at present, with my Son in law, who is a poor man, and has a large family to support.
John H. Heitharz
Sworn to & declared on the 5 th day of August before me A. H. Bratt, Clerk

Personally appeared in open Court, on the day and date set forth in the above declaration, Robert Ellis, who after being duly sworn, make the oath:- That John McKeithan, the Declarant, in the above declaration for a Pension, did enlist at Duplin Court House, in North Carolina under Lieutenant Hardy Holmes, in the Company commanded by Capt James Mills, in the Regiment of which Col Armstrong was Colonel, & of which G. M. Ree was Major; but does not know at  the precise time of his enlistment in the North Carolina line, on the Continental establishment. This affiant does not recollect the time of said enlistment but recollects that the said John McKeithan did serve for twelve months, the term of his enlistment, and was discharged at Wilmington N o Carolina, at the close of the Revolutionary War.
Sworn to before me.
His Robert X Ellis mark
J. H. Beattie John H. Beattie
I Patrick Kelly Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Bladen do hereby certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said John McKeithan did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy;

for the term of twelve months, under one engagement in the Continental establishment, and that Robert Ellis, whose name appears to the foregoing Affidavit, in the opinion of the Court, is a credible Witness: I also certify that the foregoing oath and Schedule, are truly copied from the Records of the Court: And I also further certify, that it is the opinion of the Court, that the total amount in value of the personal property, exhibited in said schedule, is twenty eight Dollars and Fifty Cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed the seal of the said Court on this 6 th August 1832.
D. Keeley CLK

September 20, 1939
Mr. J. E. Biggs Oxford North Carolina
BA-J/AWF Am John McKeithan S. 41841
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of James Murray and John McKeithan from North Carolina.
In order to identify the Revolutionary War record of the James Murray of North Carolina, in whom you are particularly interested, should it be on file, as much as possible of the following data relative to him are essential- approximate dates of birth and death and places of residence at enlistment and after service.
The data which follow concerning John McKeithan were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 41841, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only John McKeithan found on file in the Revolutionary War pension records of this office. The surname was searched under similar spellings.
The date and place of birth of John McKeithan and names of his parents are not given.
John McKeithan enlisted in Duplin County, North Carolina, December 20, 1781, and served twelve months as private in Captain James Mills' company, Colonel Armstrong's North Carolina regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application

executed August 6, 1832, at which time he was seventy-two years old, and a resident of Bladen County, North Carolina, with his son-in-law, whose name is not given.
The soldier, John McKeithan, referred to his family, in 1832, also to "a large family" of the above noted son-in-law. No names were stated.
Reference was made in 1832 to Daniel McKeithan as deceased, but it was not stated that he was related to the soldier.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
John McKeithan Certificate #20459 Issued January 3, 1833 Rate $8.00 per month Commenced August 16, 1832 Acts of March 18, 1818, May 1, 1820, March 1, 1823 North Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1925 Oct. 5. Hist to Hon. Edwin R. MacLethan M.P. 1939 Sept 20 - link to J.S. Duggs ann.
41841
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 41841 John McKeithan Rev Mr. Mac
Act: 15 March 18 th
Index: — Vol. 8 , Page 320
[Arrangement of 1870.]

17708 Amended declaration of John M c Kethan
Aug 21. '32
Hon. Lewis Cass.
Secretary of War
Washington for
William Howard

Elizabeth Town
Bladen County Aug 15 th 1832.
Sir
I have the honor to enclose herewith the amended Declaration of John McKethan an Applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of 1818, and hope that the testimony required by John L. Edwards Esq. Pension Agent in his communication to General McKay Member of Congress from this District, on the subject, has been supplied.
In the event of his application being favorably received, please direct to me at Elizabeth Town, Bladen County, N.C.
I have the honor to be very respectfully
Your obedt Servt
Will. F. Cowan
Hon. Secretary of War Washington City

does not show that he could -
Must prove by the testimony of at least one witness that he was given - and delivery - of check - that was a very long - that had been endorsed

John McKethan 17708
Aug. Term 1832
This deed was proven in open court by the oath of Robt Melvin and ordered to be Registered
D. Keeley Clk
The within I do certify to be a true copy from the Registry office of Bladen County Aug: 15 th 1832
Ge. Cromartie Reg. " "

This Indenture made the 8 th day of Aug t in the year of our Lord 1832 Between John McKeithan Sen r of the one part & George Ball- entine of the other part both of the County of Bladen & State of North Carolina Witnesseth that the said John McKeithan Sen r for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred & five do North Carolina Currency to me in hand already paid the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and by these presents do hereby exonerate therefrom to be fully satisfied contented and paid & by these presents do hereby exonerate against & forever discharge the said George Ballentine his Heirs assigns forever & by these presents hath Given granted barg- ained sold conveyed & confirmed & by these presents do grant bargain sell convey confirm unto the said George Ballentine his Heirs & assigns forever a certain piece of Land situate lying and being in the County of Bladen & State aforesaid on the south side of the Brown Marsh Swamp forming on Wears Land beginning at a stake in the West line of a 320 acre tract granted to Dan d McKeithan Esq r & runs N 22 W 3 ch 10 a. Sticks in said line then S 24 W 43 ch to a stake then S 44 W 7 ch to a Hickory & then a direct line to the first station The said piece or parcel of Land containing 186 acres more or less to have and to hold the said granted & bargai- ned premises & every part & parcel thereof unto him the said George Ballentine his Heirs and assigns forever to his use or either of his Heirs proper use benefit & behoof forever free and clear from all manner of encumbrance what- soever the taxes only excepted and the said John Mc- Keithan Sen r doth hereby oblige himself his Heirs Exors s & admrs that he the said John McKeithan Sen r shall & will warrant and forever defend the said bargained premises & every part and parcel thereof belonging against the claims or claims of any person or persons what- soever that shall or in or at any time or times hereafter lay any right title interest claim challenge or demand what- soever of in or to the said granted premises or any of the

Appurtenances thereunto belonging In witness whereof I the said John McKethan hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written
Signed Sealed & Delivered
In the presence of
John McKethan
Rob t Melvin
11
John McKethan
17708
Aug t Term 1832
This seal was proven in open Court by the oath of Rob t Melvin and ordered to be Registered
J. P. Keeley Clk
The within I do certify to be a true copy from the Registers office of Bladen County Aug t 15 th 1832
George Cromartie Pres t
State of North Carolina Bladen County
J. P. Keeley, Clk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that George Cromartie whose name appears on this copy is the lawful Register for said County In testimony whereof I the said J. P. Keeley Clk as aforesaid have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office the 15 th Aug t 1832
J. P. Keeley Clk

RECEIVED AUG 17 1939 NAVAL RECORDS NAVY DEPT
Please send me a record of two following men who received Pensions in Revolution from North Carolina:
1. James Murray mn
2. John McKeithan
Thanks,
J.E. Biggs,
Historian Granville County, Oxford, North Carolina.
no signature?
Mr. Lunsburg: ops 16 E
The attached letter was sent to the Pension Div. of Bur. Nav. as requested. It was returned as a matter under cognizance of the Library and Naval Records Div. Sec. 88
Handwritten signature
Mr. Baruch:
This should go to Miss Finch, Veterans' Administration who occupies, Rooms 3840-48 in this Building. Navy Navigation
H. F. Lunsburg
Aug 21/39
encl

RECEIVED AUG 17 1939 NAVAL RECORDS NAVY DEPT. WASH. D.C.
Please send me a record of two following men who received Pensions in Revolution from North Carolina:
 1. James Murray MW  2. John McKeithan 
Thanks, no signature? J.E. Biggs,
Historian Granville County, Oxford, North Carolina.
Aug. 15.
AUG 17 1939
P20-2(4)(39
John McKeithan

RECEIVED AUG 17 1939 NAVAL RECORDS NAVY DEPT
Please send me a record of two following men who received Pensions in Revolution from North Carolina:
1. James Murray MW 2. John McKeithan
Thanks, no signature? J.E. Biggs,
Historian Granville County, Oxford, North Carolina.
Aug. 15.
P20-2(4)(390815)
14 11 51 16 11 11

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
U.S.A. October 5, 1925
Honorable Edwin R. MacKethan Fayetteville, North Carolina
My dear Senator:
In response to your letter of October 2nd instant, I have the honor to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 41841, it appears that JOHN McKEITHAN enlisted in Duplin County, North Carolina, December 20, 1781, and served twelve months as private in Captain James Mills' Company, Colonel Armstrong's North Carolina Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 6, 1832, at which time he was seventy-two years of age and a resident of Bladen County, North Carolina.
In 1832 he referred to his family and to a son-in-law who had a large family but he did not give any names. There is no further data on file relative to his family.
The above noted is the only soldier named John McKeithan (searched under all spellings of the name) found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

EDWIN R. MACKETHAN ATTORNEY-AT-LAW MACKETHAN BUILDING FAYETTEVILLE, N. C.
Oct. 2, 1925.
To the Honorable, The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I note in a compilation of the Colonial and State Records of North Carolina that " John McKethan , Cumberland County , N.C." was a Revolutionary War pensioner.
This information has come to me, in recent investigations made for certain biographies of our earliest Representatives now in preparation by the Joint Committee on Printing of the Congress of the United States of which Senator Geo.H.Moses is Chairman.
While this has nothing to do with these prepared sketches, it will be of assistance to me in certain historical references now being made relative to early history of this section.
John McKethan, pensioner above referred to was born in 1743 and died in 1818.
Thanking you in advance for such information as may be given me, I am,
Yours very respectfully,
E.R.Mackethan, State Senator 10th.District, Fayetteville, N.C.
M/K.