Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,354, for William Leslie, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Leslie William
S 22354
CONTENTS

22.733.
Pittsburgh Agency William Leslie
of Allegany Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a 1 st Lt in the Company commanded by Captain H c Dowd of the Regt commanded by Col Coers in the Pennsylvania Key Stone Battery —
5 th Triole — $ 20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency at the rate of 20 Dollars & 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Dec r 1833 and sent to Hon H c Donney, Ho of Rep
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1833 — 50.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept '34 10 $ 60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. P. Greger Clerk, Book 8 — Vol. 5 — Page 83 —

State of Pennsylvania } Allegheny County } ss
On this Eighth day of October November Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally ap- peared in open court, before the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid, William Leslie, a resident of Indiana Township in the County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylva- nia, aged seventy four years on the 29. day of this month, who be- ing first duly sworn according to law; doth upon his solemn oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of that Act of Congress passed June the Seventh one thousand eight hundred and thirty two That he entered the service of the United States under the fol- lowing named Officers and served during the times and in the capaci- ties here in after stated. He was in the first place drafted in the Militia  went out in the first place as a volunteer of Pennsylvania in Chester County In the last of July or first of August in the year 1776 under Captain John McDowell, Lieutenant James Hughes ensign cannot remember, William Montgomery was Colonel of the regiment to which his company belonged, Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Evans Ramoney was the Major, Allen Cunningham Standard bearer, James Wilson was the chaplain When he was raised and went out in the same company with him in both the first tours during this first tour which was two months he was in no engagement - The company marched from Chester County through Philadelphia and into New Jersey and encamped at the Blazing Star opposite Staten Islands - This was shortly after of Long Island and Staten Island was at that time in the possession of the British. He lay at this station until discharged. In the latter end of the same year he served another tour of two months as a volunteer under the same officers with the exception of Colonel Montgomery who was not along Ezr Evans was Colonel. In this he was marched from Chester County to Philadelphia Staid there about three weeks as a guard for the City was then marched into New Jersey to a place called Crooked to the right of Trenton. The night before the cannonading of Trenton an Express came from Trenton in the night in consequence of of which the company to which he was attached was ordered to Trenton to join General Washington's Army where he was marched and was pre- sent at the cannonading of that place by the British. was then ordered

on the Brandywine Creek down towards Burlington. And was then marched towards Morristown where Gen. Washington had fixed his head quarters for that winter and was discharged before reaching Morristown. This tour was two months. In the fall of the year 1777 to the best of his knowledge and belief about the beginning of December in that year he served another tour of two months as a substitute for his father George Leslie who was drafted in Capt. No. 5 of the Pennsylvania Militia. He does not recollect the name of the Regiment he served this tour under Captain Brown, Lieutenant John Fulton, Ensign Robert Lury. General Potter's command all the companies which were collected in that body was marched from Chester County to the neighbourhood of Philadelphia and continued near Philadelphia during all this tour of two months. The company in which he served this tour was employed with the others who went out as a scouting party to cut off the foraging parties of the British and to prevent spies from going to the British Camp then in the City of Philadelphia. This tour was two months. In addition to the three months of military service already stated he was engaged about five months in the year 1779 in forwarding provision to the American Army which lay at Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania. David Wills was Pack horse Master.
He was born in Chester County New London Township in the year 1759 on the 29. day of October. He has no record of his age. In the year 1779 he left Chester County and moved into Cumberland County and remained there until he moved into Allegheny County where he now resides - he thinks it was in the year 1793 that he left Cumberland County and came to Allegheny County. He does not recollect the names of any of the Officers under whom he served there. These he has mentioned. The first two tours he served as a volunteer the last he went out as a substitute for his father who had been drafted.
He has no documentary evidence of his service nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service. He was not engaged in any civil pursuit during the six months he was engaged as above described in military service. He is known to James Boyd, George Carthahan, Robert Morris, Thomas Love, William Hastel, Andrew Skeels, Adam Morris, Robert Hemphill, Robert Fortney and Robert Boyd Esquires who reside in Deer Township in the County.

aforesaid when the said William Leslie has resided until lately when he commenced teaching School in Indiana Township in said County all of whom can testify to the Character of the said William Leslie for veracity and their belief of his having been a soldier of the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state or, if any, only on that of the agency of the state of Pennsylvania
Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year last aforesaid
William Leslie
James Riddle
We Abraham Boyd a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church residing in the Township of Deer in the county of Allegheny aforesaid and James Boyd residing in the same Township and County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Leslie who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he has resided and still resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution. And we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid
Abraham Boyd James Boyd
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 William Leslie was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Abraham Boyd who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church Resident

in the Township of Deer and that James Boyd who has also signed the same is a Resident in the same Township of Deer in the said County and is a credible person, and that there statement is entitled to credit
James Reddle
I James Reddle One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the ap- plication of William Sallee for a perusion. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court This Eighth day of November A.D. 1833
James Reddle

Penetration
22 354 INVALID.
File No. 22, 354
William L. Hill
2nd Dec 1881
Act: James Y. 8921
Index:—Vol. 22 , Page 229
[Arrangement of 1870.]

15
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
To
Hon. H.
Kenny
H.R.
Livingston
Mr. Lewis

Pittsburgh November 8 th A.D. 1833
To J. S. Edwards Esquire
Sir,
Enclosed is the declaration of Mr. Leslie made for the purpose of securing a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. In consequence of the death of Mr. McLaughlin Esq. late Postmaster of this county, no appointment having yet been made to fill the vacancy so occasioned. The certificate has been signed and the seal of the court of Common Pleas of this county has been affixed to this declaration by James Reddel one of the Judges of our Court of Common Pleas of this county.
Most respectfully &c
Wm H. St.
Wm. Livingston

28. 636.
William Leslie
Penn a
Hon. L. Month —
Hon. H. Denny Ho of Rep —

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension. _____ I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: _____ and C. D. residing in (the same)
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. 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, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served within an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[i] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.