Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 38139, for John Lessley, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Lessley, John
S 38139
CONTENTS

14-298 119111111
John Lofley
of _____ in the state of Virginia who was a private in the regiment commanded Colonel Walter of the Pennsylvania line, for the term of three years
inscribed on the roll of Virginia at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 15 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th of Sept. 1819 and sent to Philip C. Pendleton Esq. Martinsburg, Virginia
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1819 133.86 semi-ann. all'ce ending 4. Nov. 1820 48.
16 mo 22/30 8181.786
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
R
Application sent to P.C. Pendleton Esq. 27 Oct 1820
Charles L. ...
Jan 4-1825-93

John D. Rockefeller
of _____ in the state of _____ who was a _____ in the regiment commanded by Colonel _____ of the _____ line, for the term of _____ years
scribed on the roll of Virginia at the rate of $ Dollars per month, to commence the 15 th of April 1865
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th of Sept. 1849 and sent to Philip C. Brantner Esq. Wartensberg. Magne
 Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819 133. 86 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 1 st Nov. 1820 48. 
22/30 8 181-86
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
19
Notification sent to P. L. Portland  By Pendleton By 27 Oct 1881 Chastleton By Jan 1882
Jan 4 - 1825 - 48 -

John Lepsey
14.290
March 11. 20
Rev. C. Pendleton
W. H. [unclear]

Virginia Berkeley County Court august term 1820 On this 14 th day of august 1820 personally appeared in open Court John Lepley aged above Eighty five years, resident in the said County of Berkeley, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served as a soldier in the Continental army for one year having enlisted soon after the Battle of Bunker Hill in a company commanded by Captain Clagget or Claggett of Bedford Penns y Co. and and afterwards for three years from the Spring of 1777 having then enlisted in a company Commanded by Captain Archibald McCallister of the regiments Commanded by Col o Hartley attached to the brigade Commanded by Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, as is more particularly stated in the affiant's de- claration before this Court at its April term in the year 1818 by virtue of which and upon other testimo- ny, he was placed upon the pension roll under the Act of Congress of the 18. March 1818 and received a certificate thereof dated on the 15 th September 1818 and numbered 14. 298
and 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 so 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 March 1818,

and that I have not nor has any 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 here to annexed and by me subscribed.
The said John Lessly further states that his occupation has been that of a shoemaker - but that for a considerable time past, he has been unable to pursue it by reason of his age and infirmities that he has not for many years had in his fam- ily any person other than his wife Sarah aged about sixty years who is so infirm as to be not only altogether incapable of contributing to his support but to add greatly to the distress and privations arising out of his poverty -
Schedule of the estate and income of John Lessly (his necessary clothing and bedding excepted) referred to in the foregoing affidavit -
a pension from the state of Pennsylvania of fifty eight dollars per annum.
one very old shot gun
two iron pots -
one iron bake oven
one Tub
one Tin bucket
2 Old chairs
one and
one iron weage
one small garden hoe
some few old hats and shoemaker tools
John Lessly

Sworn to and declared and subscribed by the said John Sepley on the 14 th day of August 1820 before the County Court of Berkeley aforesaid, being a court of records by Statute - with unlimited jurisdiction in civil cases.
I David Hunter Clerk of the County Court of Berkeley do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Eight Dollars Fifty Cents Exclusive of the pensions -
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 30 day of August 1820
David Hunter Clerk of the County Court of Berkeley

State of Virginia Berkeley County to wit
At a Court held for the said County of Berkeley the 13 th day of April 1818
John Sepley, appeared in open Court and made oath, that he entered the Continental Army as a private soldier in the year 1775, soon after the Battle of Bunker Hill, in a Company commanded by Captain Blaggett of Bedford Pennsylvania, & remained in the Army one year and was honorably discharged sometime in the year 1776, at a place called Bravesend, in New York which discharge he has lost and he further made oath that, he enlisted in the Continental Army as a private soldier for three years in the Spring of 1777, in a Company commanded by Captain Archibald McFaulister, in a Regiment belonging to the Pennsylvania line commanded by Col: Hartly, of Little York, in the Brigade commanded by Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, where he served three years & was honorably discharged, which discharge he has also lost — and he further made oath that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his Country.
David Hunter clerk of the said County Court of Berkeley do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript from the Records of My Office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, at Martinsburg, this 16 th day of May in the year of our Lord 1818 and of the Commonwealth the 42 nd .
D. Hunter

State and District of Virginia S c
Robert White presiding Judge of the Superior Court of law for the County of Berkeley in the State and District aforesaid Do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction That the within applicant John Shipley did serve as a private soldier in the Army of the United States against the Common enemy during the revolutionary more than nine months War And that he in reduced circumstances and stands in need of his country's aid for a support. With respect to the particular facts stated in the declaration I have no knowledge of them except as they are disclosed by the testimony. Which will be read before the Secretary for the Department of War. In testimony whereof all which I have hereunto subscribed my name above the seal of the said County of Berkeley this 29 th day of July 1819 R. White

June 8, 1938
Honorable Louis Ludlow House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
John Lessley S. 38139 BA-J/ATF
My dear Mr. Ludlow:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Leslie, Lasley, Lastley, Lassley, who served in the Revolutionary War as drummer and fifer and private in Colonel Thomas Bull's 6th Pennsylvania Regiment, also in Captain Robert Clugage's company, 1st Pennsylvania regiment.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 38139, based on the military service of John Lessley in the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only John Lessley found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office, who served with the Pennsylvania troops. The surname was searched under various spellings.
The date and place of birth of John Lessley were not stated, nor were the names of his parents given.
John Lessley enlisted in 1775, soon after the battle of Bunker Hill, served about one year as private in Captain Cluggage's Pennsylvania company. He enlisted sometime in March, 1777, served in Captain Archibald McAllister's company, and in Captain Sweeny's company in Colonel Hartley's Pennsylvania regiment, length of this

service three years.
John Lessley was allowed pension his application executed April 13, 1818, at which time he was living in Berkeley County, Virginia. He was pensioned, also, by the State of Pennsylvania, at the rate of $48.00 per annum.
John Lessley was eighty-five years old in 1820, and his wife, Sarah, was aged about sixty years. He died January 4, 1825.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further reference to the family of John Lessley.
In order to obtain the name and address of the person paid the last payment of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., and furnish the following data-
John Lessley Certificate #14298 Issued September 18, 1819 Rate $8.00 per month Commenced April 13, 1818 Act of March 18, 1818 Virginia Agency.
This report was furnished you May 16, 1938.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

LOUIS LUDLOW 12TH DISTRICT INDIANA
SUBCOMMITTEES: POST OFFICE AND TREASURY CHAIRMAN DEFICIENCY
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEVENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS WASHINGTON, D. C.
June 3, 1938.
Hon. Harold W. Breining, U. S. Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Breining:
I shall be appreciative if you will advise me whether there is a pension record for
John Leslie, surname also borne as Lasley, Lastley and Lassley, who served in the Revolutionary War as a drummer and fifer and as a private in Colonel Thomas Bull's company, 6th Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Harmar. He enlisted February 23, 1777 for the war and received pay to January 1, 1783, and
John Lesley who served as a private in Captain Robert Clugage's Company, 1st Regiment, Continental Troops, Pennsylvania.
Sincerely,
Louis Ludlow

May 16, 1938
John Lessley S. 38139 BA-J/ANP
Honorable Louis Ludlow House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Ludlow:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Leslie, who you state served as private in the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, War of the Revolution.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 38139, based on the military service of John Lessley in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only John Lessley found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office, who served with the Pennsylvania troops. The surname was searched under various spellings.
The date and place of birth of John Lessley were not stated, nor were the names of his parents given.
John Lessley enlisted in 1775, soon after the battle of Bunker Hill, served about one year as private in Captain Cluggage's Pennsylvania company. He enlisted sometime in March, 1777, served in Captain Archibald McAllister's company, and in Captain Sweeny's company in Colonel Hartley's Pennsylvania regiment, length of this service three years.
He was allowed pension on his application

executed April 13, 1818, at which time he was living in Berkeley County, Virginia.
The soldier, John Lessley, was pensioned, also, by the State of Pennsylvania, at the rate of $48.00 per annum.
He was eighty-five years of age in 1820, and his wife, Sarah, was about sixty years old.
John Lessley died January 4, 1825.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further reference to the family of John Lessley.
In order to obtain the name and address of the person paid the last payment of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., and furnish the following data:
John Lessley Certificate # 14298 Issued September 18, 1819 Rate $3.00 per month Commenced April 13, 1818 Act of March 18, 1818 Virginia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

LOUIS LUDLOW 12TH DISTRICT INDIANA
SUBCOMMITTEES: POST OFFICE AND TREASURY CHAIRMAN DEFICIENCY
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEVENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS WASHINGTON, D. C.
May 13, 1938.
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hiller:
Please refer to my letter of April 26 and your reply of May 2, 1938, BA-J/AWF, with reference to the Revolutionary War record of John Leslie .
I believe that this man served as a private in the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment. His name was spelled Lesley or Lessley.
Will you kindly have your files searched and advise me whether there is any further information about him?
--Sincerely,
Louis Ludlow

38 139
1938-May 16- list to Hon Louis Ludlow av-3 1938-June 8- list to Hon Louis Ludlow av-3
Ray INVALID.
File No. _____
John Lesley Rev Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 402
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dauphin County ss
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Dauphin in the State of Pennsylvania Archibald McAllister Esq. of the same County who upon his solemn Oath duly administered according to Law doth depose and say That during the Revolutionary war he was a Captain Commanding a company of Infantry in Col. Hartleys Regiment - and that in his Vindy book he finds the name of John Leely who was enlisted into the service in March 1777. by Lieutenant Sweeney (afterwards Captain Sweeney) who commanded the Company from Dec. 1777. And the Deponent further says that to the best of his belief the said John Leely served nine months or more in the continental establishment
Sworn & subscribed before me this 20 th May 1819
J. McAllister
Archd. McAllister
Dauphin County & State of Pennsylvania
The Magistrates Bench of the County of Dauphin & State aforesaid do certify that John Cochran Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing was at the time of signing and yet is a justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned & sworn to all whose acts as such due faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Harrisburg the 20 th day of May A.D. 1819
John McAllister (P.S.)

Virginia Berkeley county to wit
Benjamin Comegys Esqr of said county this day personally appeared before me George Wolff a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid and made oath on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that he has known John Leply for about seven years, as a resident of the said county - That during all that time he has been and still is in circumstances extremely reduced - living with his wife a very aged woman upon a part of the lands of W m Leply, to whom he for some time paid a rent of six dollars per annum as the affiant understood. He is a shoemaker without any other resource for the support of himself & his wife, the affiant believes than the little labour which a man who appears to be very old and in- firm is able to do. - Few men, the affiant believes stand more in need of the assistance of his country than John Leply.
Given under my hand and seal this 31 st May 1819.
Geo. Wolff

State of Virginia Berkeley County to wit I David Hunter clerk of the said County Court of Berkeley do hereby certify that George Wolff gentleman, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, was then & still is a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified to all whose Official Acts as such full faith & credit is and ought to be given
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said County, at Martinsburg the 31 st day of May 1819 and in the 43 rd year of this Commonwealth
D. Hunter

The Double J. C. Calhoun

Martinsburg Virginia
2 Sep. 1819
Sir
On behalf of John Kopley I transmit to you these papers with a view to his obtaining the provision made by Congress for the surviving soldiers of the Revolution war.
If any thing further is necessary it is important to this poor old man that he should know it as soon as possible, that he may set about supplying the deficiency if, indeed, it be in his power to do so.
Copies by the mail are so frequent that I solicit, for Kopley's satisfaction, a line to me acknowledging the receipt of these papers; and if an intimation can be given of the time when his application will be passed upon, it will be acceptable to
Yr. ov. Servt.
Phil. C. Pendleton
The Honble
J. C. Calhoun
Sec. of War Washington

Martinsburg, Va. Sept. 9, 1820.
Rev. Pardon J. G.
June 2, 13 Sept. 1820.
The Secretary at War Washington

Markedbury Pa Feb 1820
Sir
In forwarding the enclosed document, I beg leave to state, on behalf of John Kepley, and at his request, that, if the pension of 48$ per annum from the state of Pennsylvania, mentioned in his schedule, be any obstacle to his continuance on the pension roll of the U. States, he is prepared to resign it.
He has not been advised to send to the war-department any additional testimony, because it has been thought unnecessary. But if it shall be desired, he will ascertain to the secretary as near the inadequacy of this pension of 48$ per annum, to his support, as done by his other slender means, and a life of the strictest temperance and frugality.
Yr ob t Servt
Philip C. Pendleton
The Honble
J. C. Calhoun
Washington

One case
D. Hunter Esq. Clerk of Court Berkeley Co
Martinsburg
Martinsburg, Va. May 22 d 1818
Rec d May 27 th 1818
John L. D. [?]
private - [?]
Pennsylvania line
77 till 80 - [?]
Wanted the proper evidence of the reduced circumstances of the claimant
Further evidence of service required
The judge also please to certify to truth of the facts stated in the declaration
Chas. Bell
John D.
Washington
See [?]
James [?]

An application was made by Topley early in 1818 solely upon the basis of the affidavit made by him- self as certified by the clerk of the court of Berkeley County. It was re- turned with the within endorse- ments, which are now sent back, that the course of the business may be at once perceived.
The papers now sent with a view to meet the intent of the endorse- ments are
1. The affidavit of Mr. McAlister 2. That of Benjamin Comegys 3. The certificate of Judge White
Phil. C. D. Hutton
Sep. 2. 1819