Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22390, for Angus Mc Coy, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Mcloy, Angus
S. 22 390
CONTENTS

125.743 Pittsburgh - Agency
Ingus M c Roy
of Washington in the State of Penn sa . who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Van Swiney of the Reg t commanded by Col in the Pennsylvania for Nittib a -
6/10 P rs ate $20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh - Agency at the rate of 20 Dollars and Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Oct r and sent to - 1833. Pensioner Washington, Pa.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 - 50.00 Semestral allowance ending Sept 34 10.
$ 60.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 1, 1832.
Recorded by J. V. Pique Clerk Book 6 Vol. 5 Page 54
Pen Agent May 30, 1837.
Letter to Hon. J. Lest. 13 Feb 1840

De Sworn in open Court Sep 23 d 1833
Your Petitioner Angus McCoy in the Seventy third year of his age and After March next, will commence his Seventy fourth year do make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 on this first day of January 1833 personally appeared before David  David Frazier a Justice of the peace in West Finley Township in the County of Washington & State of Pennsylvania who being duly sworn According to law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits aforesaid. I Angus McCoy according to My Mother's statement was born March 1760 in Scotland. we landed at Philadelphia in the fall of 1772 I being upwards of twelve years old (My Father dying in Scotland), after I arrived to twenty one I moved to the western part of Pennsylvania in Washington County and Chartiers township, and there in the Summer of 1781. the Indians being very troublesome on the then Frontier or New Settlements. I having no family at that time I volunteered to guard the then frontiers on Chartiers Creek, and now Chartiers and Allegheny townships during the time of cutting and gathering in the then Harvest, in their collective capacity from field to field and house to house foraging together at night and laying without fire arms in our Arms occasionally - In the same Summer after the before mentioned service it was rumoured that three hundred Indians were in hostile array at the Moravian Towns, by a squaw that came to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh) at which report Capt Van Swearingin raised a company of Volunteers of which I was one. We marched to Robenson's run in this County where we had to detain until we procured Ammunition from Pittsburgh we then took up our line of March and proceeded by streams and ridges having no road until we struck the Ohio River at or near the place where George town now stands - there was three of our men went into the river to swim or bath themselves. they discovered the Indians about a Mile below us, making over to the other side. we ran down with all the might or speed we could, they discovered us. they sprang off the Horses which they had stolen from our side, they principally swam back. but the Indians made their escape, we proceeded about ten Miles down the river bottom to opposite Yellow creek and returned up Harmon's creek, a circuitous route making no other discovery of Indians - The time I lost as a volunteer this Summer in first guarding during Harvest, time and the above expedition My memory will not serve me - The last expedition we traveled some times the meanderings of streams & ridges - I find that the direct road at present direct road exceeds a hundred miles circuitous - The Committee on this Petition will please allow me what time they think proper on the above and following services - In the following Year 1782. early in the Spring. I was drafted a tour of Military duty According to the then Pennsylvanian law and served it faithfully under Capt Andrew Swearingin at Burgets Station at or

Near where Burgettstown now stands Guarding the then frontiers by traveling from point to point and house to house and field to field while the people were working in their collective capacity - I immediately at the close of the above draft I volunteered and served a tour of Military duty in the room or place of My Brother William Mooy who had a charge of a family and was legally drafted. next in rotation to the one I had just served. I have no dockementary evidence in my Disposition by discharge if any was given for these two drafts as and I do not know of any of my comrades living. and shall therefore give you a detailed account of the last above volunteer service in the room of my Brother who was drafted in succession of my former draft according to the then Pennsylvania law (This tour was of such a nature as to leave a lasting impression) I was placed under (Capt Charles Bilderback a noble officer) who was under the command of Col Crawford - we each found our own Horses fire arms and equipment - we crossed the Ohio river at the Mingo Bottom - we there detained until Ammunition was procured from Pittsburgh. our number being four hundred and eighty nine, our distance was computed by our Pilots who were Messrs Nicholson, Glover & Gane to be two hundred miles without any road. - we proceeded through the woods and across the Tuscarawas waters at length we reached the Sandusky Plains. It was about midday when we entered - we found a path which our guides knew led to their towns, we traveled until night, and camped as usual on the morning of the fourth of June (For on this day we had our battle) we took up our line of march and having come to the place where their town formerly stood, it was removed except their back walls of their fire places, we being by computation then then thirty miles in the Plains - Here we sent our spies ahead who had not gone far before they discovered the Indians. the Indians gave chase to our spies and ran them hard. (William Midkirk one of the spies) having a swift Horse soon appeared. giving us the signal, we each mounted and went to meet them as fast as we could, there was one Indian who did not run His comrades to meet us. But he was the first killed we dismounted and endeavored to screen ourselves behind the few remaining trees and let them advance on us. The play of humane destruction began. I think it was a little after the middle of the day when this border music began. we continued watching and firing at our adversaries and them at us until dark occasionally. soon after the commencement of the battle, A number of our men got wounded some badly and some fell to rise no more. I got my own cloths ridled with Balls But a Merciful Providence preserved my flesh. - finding that the Indians were concealed in the long grass. Daniel Leet mounted his Horse, and as he passed me looked me in the face said follow me. I immediately gave the same intention to those around me who were on foot. I took after Leet who rode between a canter and a gallop and I suppose between fifteen and twenty after me. We routed them in groups out of the grass. in this daring maneuver in their consternation not a gun was fired at us until Leet wheeled to the left, at which time two Indians discharged at Leet. I saw his Horse bounce as if mortally wounded (but neither injured). Our pass was so quick we had no time to fire on them, and a kind Providence prevented them. we supposed that we passed at least one half of the Indian line. The reason why Leet I suppose selected me was

we were well acquainted having served on a former draft together (But He is a few years past Numbered with the dead. or I have not the least doubt would corroborate this statement) Shortly after this A Brother officer Soldier close by me got wounded. I asked him for the loan of his Gun. it being a superior one to that of mine. He gave it me, and his Ammunition. (None I left on the battle ground) I confess I felt myself stouter being prepared with My additional stock of Ammunition. we had some of as brave a men as ever shouldered a Gun. we had some it is true, were no credit to themselves but they were the fewest Number. I think we were at this work of destruction for at least five hours, dark at length prevented us, the night being short at this season of the year (being the 4 th of June). We were all anxiety. and expected that the same course would be pursued in the Morning - But the Indians did not advance on us, and our officers gave us no orders to advance on them - during all the night past and all the 5 th of June they were endeavoring themselves. and forming a circle around us. Keeping at a distance. A while before sun down there was a company of Indians coming up to their place in the circle, who discharged their pieces at the sun - Near or about this time they had completed their circle and began to show themselves except where there was a deep swamp. here they had placed a sentry and nearly central in this swamp we supposed their intention was when all their forces were collected to close on us at or after dark. we however got every thing in readiness our wounded on horse back. (through the day we buried our dead and burning what stuff we could gather over where they were buried in order to deprive  prevent them from raising them) (we left none on the ground but one man who was shot through the breast who could not live long by the Name of Thomas Ogle). in this critical situation after sun down about the closing of the day we made an attempt to retreat at which time the sentry in the centre of the swamp discharged his piece. and immediately all in the circle discharged their pieces we suppose at us. but without effect. which proved very favorable to us. for before they could load, we passed them principally thro their lines and some thro the swamp. some of which struck fast and fell afire to the enemy - We marched all night as fast as the wounded could bear and circumstances permit - the Indians did not annoy us any more that night, we suppose from our taking a wrong road or path from that intended, the next day we made across through the plain. and continued our course as fast as our wounded could bear. Keeping together as well as we could in the evening some of our small Army being a small distance ahead. The Indians laying in ambush, rushed on them and caught John Hayes and before we could rescue him they had his scalp half raised off his head and inflicted a mortal wound with the Tomhawk on the same. and shortly after and before we were out of the plains. A body of Indians both on Horse back and foot attacked our rear - our small Army gave them powder and ball in exchange - while our front gained the woods. with the wounded, some of our men were here killed, and others wounded. John McDonald got his thigh bone broken with an Indian Ball or slug - Capt Bilderback. Requested me to take charge of McDonald, we got to the woods about dark and there we camped for the night. It commenced and poured down rain and that very heavy for the fore part of the night. Hayes who was still living and McDonald was laid on one blanket. My business was to guard them I

Walked around them all night. with the lock of my Gun under my arm in order to keep it dry. at the break of day things being in readiness we started, I got not  McBride on a Horse. (Hayes was still living but could not live long, we left him there) The Indians did not attack us any more - I brought not  McDonald home with much difficulty having to lead his horse all the way, as we had no road - He died in a few days after his arrival at home - I believe all the rest of the wounded were able to guide their own Horses - While I am on this sickening campaign Not wishing to wound or hurt the feelings of any connected or concerned, I understood that Col. Crawford the first night of our retreat left our little Army Taking with him Slower, the Pilot - Harrison his son in law & Doct. Knight - one thing I know and am certain of is, I never saw Col Crawford after the fore part of the first night of our retreat - I understood they were taken by another party of Indians who were coming to assist those engaged against us - Col Crawford I understood was burnt to death - Slower I saw some years after - He I understood was tied to a stake or tree to be burnt. but there coming on a great rain, the Indians supposing that their Hellish pleasure would not be gratified, loosed him for that time as he supposed for a better evening, during which time he made his escape - Doct. Knight as miraculously made his escape but had nearly perished with hunger - I never learnt what became of Harrison
In the same fall after Crawford's defeat I was again drafted our frontiers being few in population we had to be nearly one half of our time on frontier spring to fall public duty - Shortly after My time had expired wherein I had volunteered to serve in place of My Brother before stated, and when on our way to Fort Mendenhall. our orders were countermanded - Here I cannot recollect the time lost. I know it was late in the fall, and I was glad when our orders were countermanded for I dreaded the winters in our unprepared state - one thing I know that from early in the spring to late in the fall of 1782 My principal business is above stated, our difficulties with the Patsquage hunger and uneasy sensation of mind is bright to my recollection, but the exact time I cannot served I cannot recollect. yet I feel fully persuaded that whatever time the Pennsylvania drafts were for I served for my self and for my Brother as before stated - I shall here state that I never received any thing for my Military services other than certificates; which I traded for little or no value. to the best of my recollection. I have never received any Pension I never was an applicant until at present for a Pension. and now I only claim your lowest grade of Pension, which from the former and after services rendered by your petitioner will I hope appear sufficiently satisfactory to your committee to place me thereon - I am at present living in Washington County about Pennsylvania about thirteen Miles from Washington and have been for upwards of thirty years. I am a resident of said County for fifty one years past - I am nearly confined to My residence, I have been disabled by Rheumatic pain in My left Loin or sciatic joint for nearly twenty years
Immediately after peace was in some manner restored in some degree to the neighbourhood of Washington - I being a single man and having no charge I moved to the then frontiers, about thirty Miles North west of Washington - where I volunteered on several short scouts sometimes in the position of a ranger where I guarded, sorted and worked with the people in their Associate capacity for a summer season - I next moved to Wheeling waters where I continued a few years until I settled where I now live 16. or 17 miles west of

Washington where the Indians had formerly been very troublesome. After my arrival there - Two young men by the name of Beham was taken prisoners within two miles of me - likewise one Man and woman was killed within a few miles of me In short as late as 1791 I have laid down at night with my Gun in my arms to defend myself from these before mentioned Natives -
I leave the foregoing statement with you - convinced in my own mind that my services for ten years of Indian warfare collectively together will more than amount to the time required to place me on your humane Institution the benefit of for Revolutionary soldiers All my Brother soldiers and officers of which I was acquainted and served with me are removed by death and distance as to prevent me from procuring other testimony than here specified - I remain yours &c &c - Jan y 1 st 1833
Washington County Pa.
Angus M c Coy
Beall
Personally Before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County, came Angus M c Coy the above petitioner and being sworn according to Law, thereupon did say that the above statement respecting his services, are correct and true. and further saith not.
Sworn and Subscribed Jan y 1. 1833
Angus M c Coy
Before me David Finley
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court this 23 day of September 1833
Washington County Pa
Thomas Officer
Beall
Personally before me the Subscriber a justice of the peace in & for said county came George Sutherland jr. and Alexander Templeton both citizens of West Finley township Washington County Penn a and being sworn according to Law. Thereupon Do certify that they have been acquainted with Angus M c Coy the above petitioner for about thirty nine years, and believe him to be not a man maintaining a character, as to truth and veracity, not only unimpeached, but unimpeachable, and believe his history at present, to be correct, also from its corroborating with Statements made to the said George Sutherland by the people in the neighbourhood and to the said Alexander Templeton by the said Petitioner himself as far back as thirty years ago. and the said Geo. Sutherland added that he has often heard the sd. Petitioner spoken of a veteran and a courageous soldier, known to fame, load & fire in the open space upon the open  space enemies whilst his fellow were fighting from behind trees &c - and the truth of these statements to their knowledge has never been questioned by the people, & further saith not
Sworn & Subscribed Jan y 2. 1833
Geo. Sutherland
Before me David Finley
Alex r Templeton

I Do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with George Sutherland and Alex r Templeton subscribers to the foregoing Certificate & that they are men of the most strict truth and veracity. And I have had an acquaint- -ance of more than forty years with the petitioners and do fully corrob- -orate the statements made made concerning him, by those men.
Daniel Frazier
Jan y 2. 1833.
Washington County ss
In addition to the above Certificate given by me on the 2 nd inst o I Do certify that the peti- tioner Angus M c Coy is very infirm from age & Disease so much so, that to say the least it would be attended with serious inconvenience, to appear before the Court of Washington - and even if there, an unusual Disease, would render it impracticable for him (I believe) to Detain, but by intervals, to undergo the examination of the Court
Witness my hand and seal January the 12 th 1833, at West-Tinly Township
Daniel Frazier
I Do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Angus M c Coy the above applicant residing in in his vicinity, and that I do believe him to be of the age he represents himself to be, and that he is reputed and believed in the Neighbourhood to be have been a revolutionary soldier, in which opinion I heartily concur.
John M c Clusky Subscribed before me this 18 th day of Jan y
1833 Isaac Mays J.P.
Direct your communication to me to Glasgow post office Washington County Pa

Resolution
22390 INVALID.
The No. 22,390
August 11th 1867 By Rev. Sam
Act: June 7th 1867
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 258
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Geo. M c Grath Acting Comm r of Pensions
Mr. Angus W. Coy Washington Penn a
Hon. M c Renzie H d
2

War Department
Pension Office
October 12, 1883
Sir,
The papers in support of your claim to a pension have been again examined, and placed on our files.
You set forth, distinctly, only five months service, which is insufficient to bring you within the law under which you claim, requiring, as it does, from every applicant a service of six months.
As you are unable from your statements to give the detailed account of your other terms of duty which the Office desires, you cannot be permitted to bring yourself within the act, by the allegation of six months service. Your claim is therefore rejected.
I am respectfully
Your Obdt. Servt.
Geo. M. [unintelligible]
Mr. Angus McCoy Washington D.C.

Feb 12 1870
James L. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions Washington City D.C.
Secy H.R.

House of Reps
Feb 10. 1840.
Dear Sir:
You will please send me the forms, as similar to the ones suggested in the enclosed letter.
I am most
respectfully
Yours &c
Isaac L. Sect
James V. Edwards Esq

Adm. H. Mowat
$ 20
Rem d P.M.G. 

Pennsylvania
Washington County
By Thomas Officer
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid do Certify that John Marshall before whom the within affidavit of Angus M'Goy William Rabb as to the length of his service was made, unsubscribed also before whom the an- nexed affidavit of Hugh Workman was sworn & subscribed was at the time of making each of these affidavits and is yet an acting, and regularly Commissioned Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this 28 th day of Sept r 1853
Thomas Officer Prothon.

of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Washington do here by certify that the foregoing declarations, papers & documents contain the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of August McCoy for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28 28 th day of September A.D. 1833 Thomas Officer Pro
Pennsylvania } 382 Washington County }
I Thomas Officer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do certify that Isaac Moyes before whom the Rev John M c Clusky was qualified to the within certificate is an acting justice of the peace for said County also that David Frazier is likewise an acting justice of the peace for this County both regularly commissioned as such and that full faith and credit should be given to their official acts - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day and year above written Thomas Officer Prothonotary

Supplemental declaration of Angus
McCay - Answer to objection first - Early in July  June 1781 I volunteered and served under Captain John Andrew Swearngin, for at least one month on the frontier to prevent the Indians from making incursions into the Country, and to protect my fellow Citizens during the time they were cutting and securing their harvest. About the first of August of the same year I again volunteered under the same Captain, but was marched under Captain Mathew Ritchie from Cannansburg in Washington Co. to the Ohio River near where Georgetown now stands we then marched down the River about 10 miles and returned home by a circuitous route past Harmons Creek having traversed and scoured the Country for upwards of one hundred miles without the loss of a man, having in the mean time seen and driven a party of Indians west of the Ohio - On this occasion I served at the very least one month Early in the Spring of 1782 I was drafted and served out the whole time of a Pennsylvania draft, which to the best of my knowledge and belief was at least two months on this occasion I served under Captain Andrew Swearngin. We were marched from a place about 3 miles north of Washington to Burgett's fort, on the frontier, about 15 miles from the Ohio River, and 20 north of Washington. Our business here was to prevent the Savages from crossing the frontier, and to protect the people of the County, while pursuing their occupations from the inroads of the Indians, - In the same

year (1782) About the first of May, my brother William McCoy was drafted in the expedition of Col. Crawford to the Sandusky plains - He (my brother) being married and having a family of children, and I being a young unmarried man I agreed to take his place, and went out as a substitute for him under Captain Charles Bilderback, and served through the whole of Crawford's Campaign and was at his defeat on Sandusky plains on the 4 th of June in this year On this occasion I was in the service of my Country for at least two months - For a general & particular description of my services you are referred to my original declaration herunto annexed -
Answer to Objection Second
During the whole of the service which I rendered my Country I was a private - I have also frequently been out in the service during the Revolutionary war for Scouts for 3 - 4 & 5 days at a time. In fact I was always ready to turn out on every sudden alarm, when we expected the indians to make an attack on the settlements - But it is not necessary to speak of those things - I only Claim a pension for six months service
Answer to objection 4 th In the original proceedings the affidavit of John Mcclusky may be found and also the certificate of the Judge that he is a clergyman, sworn before Esquire Mays - If that is not satisfactory, it would be inconvenient and perhaps impossible to procure a clergyman to attend Court to certify for me Answer to Objection 5 th (See Answer to 4 th ) (see post John Mcclusky, affidavit in Court)

Answer to Objection 6.
I have no documentary evidence to prove my services, but since my last declaration I have discovered that Hugh Workman who served with me in Crawford's Campaign is still living, and his affidavit of my services, on that occasion is herunto annexed, I know of no other person living who has a personal knowledge of my services.
(Answer to Objection 3 d )
I hereby relinquish every
Claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed this day
of September, 1893 in Open Court Shot Officer Pro Angus McCoy
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the County of Washington State - Angus McCoy, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively 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 six months I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension.
My own handwriting within the frame
Angus McCoy

We John M c Cluskey a clergyman David Frazier residing in the County of Washington do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Angus M c Ray who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations (both original & supplemental); that we believe him to be 74 years of age last March, 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 last aforesaid before the Court of Common Pleas now in session.
Thos. Officer Pro
John M c Cluskey David Frazier
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 John M c Cluskey is a clergyman David Frazier Esq. who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the County of Washington and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. Thomas Officer Prothonotary

Commonwealth of Penna.
Washington County ss.
And the Court of Common Pleas, of said County do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, 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 John M c Cluskey, who has signed the preceding certificate is a Glengaryman, resident in the vicinity of said applicant, and that David Strazair, George Sutherland and Alexander Templeton, who have also certificates signed the preceding certificates, are residents in the vicinity of said applicant, and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit: And the said court do further certify that the said persons, could not be produced in Court, without too much inconvenience & expense to the said applicant; and also that the said applicant, by reason of bodily infirmity was unable to appear in Court. And And the Judges of the said Court, do further certify, that it would have been very inconvenient, for either of them to have attended at the residence of said applicant, he living in a remote part of the county, & a good distance of more than thirty miles from the residence of all of us.
Th s Braine
Royd Wilson John Hamilton

Washington County ss. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania I Thomas Officer, Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of said county do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the ori- ginal proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Angus M c Coy for a pension and that the Hon. Thomas H. Baird, Boyd Mercer and John Hamilton are the judges who have signed the fore- going declaration as the judges of our said court. In testimony whereof I have thereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court at Wash- ington the 23 d Jany A. D. 1833.
Thomas Officer, Prothonotary

Pennsylvania
Washington County ss
Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Hugh Workman aged seventy three years, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that Angus McCoy who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration, served with this deponent as a private in Col. Crawford's Campaign and was present at his defeat on the Perry  Canadux Plains in the summer of 1882. Further he says that they were out in the service on that occasion about two months. Sworn & subscribed this 28 th day of Sept 1883
Hugh Workman
Before me J. M. McLaughlin Justice of the peace
I certify that Hugh Workman who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit is an old and respectable citizen of this County and a credible person
J. M. McLaughlin
Justice of the peace