Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 18,262, for John Struthers, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Struthers, John
P 18,262
1794
CONTENTS
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35,179 John Strulker Pension application Ohio

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Ohio
Franklin County ss
On this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of said County, now sitting, John Strathers a resident of the township of Covington in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, aged eighty two 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, and served under the officers and in the manner, stated herein -
I was born in Cecil County in the State of Maryland on the 11 th day of February 1759, according to the best of my knowledge, information and belief - having no record of that event; the record thereof being destroyed with other papers and effects of my father, in 1774, by the destruc- tion of his house by fire. In 1773 migrated with my father and his family, from Cecil County, to the head waters of the North Branch of Cheat's creek, then the utmost boundary of the few settlers towards the Ohio River in that region, now in Washington County, Pennsylvania. In 1774 the few settlers fled into the interior and erected forts for their protection at Rowlands Whites, near the main branch of Cheat's, in the latter of which I performed an equal share of duty with the men, from the latter end of April till about the first of November. If it be true, as was then believed by many persons that Lord Dunmore's main object in his campaign of this year was to engage the savages as British allies, against the frontiers (and his subsequent conduct proved it then, in the battle of Point Pleasant was shed the first blood in the war of Independence - I distinctly remember

that when with my father, crossing the Allegheny from the East, we met Lord Dunmore at Hance's Tavern, on or near the Laurel Hill, and it being announced to him that a Scotchman had arrived (my father was a Scotchman) he approached my father and having asked his name, he took him aside, and casting a look of disapprobation on me, my father told him I was his son, and I was permitted to hear the conversation. After extolling the Scotch for the most loyal subjects in his majesty's dominions, he said, a crisis was approaching, and near at hand, when it was probable, there would be a rupture between the mother country and her American colonies, and exhorted my father to continue his allegiance to his liege sovereign, and, firmly, to withstand all attempts to seduce him. Notwithstanding all this, and much more on the same subject my father, as soon as civil government was established by the States , took me with him to a justice of the peace and we both swore fidelity to the United States. This may be considered a digression, perhaps, and irrelevant.
Having no written discharge or evidence of my services, I must depend mostly upon my memory for the facts which I have to state. During the revolution, or the most of it, I kept a record of the principal events, in which I was concerned, but long since, with other papers considered of no value, they were destroyed. Nearly sixty years have elapsed since the termination of our struggle for independence, and I have been absent from the scenes of action, more than forty years.
Almost every one who was with me as a spy or an army scout, from its commencement till its termination in 1794 in which I performed my last tour of one month, has ceased to live. and of those who know any thing of my services there are but two persons, to my knowledge, now living, viz. John Whiteley, and my brother Thomas Struthers, who is younger than I am. I cannot specifically state dates,
The year 1775 was a time of peace and quiet to us, and the settlement progressed rapidly, a militia company was formed, and as Virginia had assumed jurisdiction over that part of the country, I, (being then sixteen) was enrolled

and in May 1776, was drafted for two months, and served that period under Capt. Robert Miller in the Blockhouse on Grants Hill, near Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh) as first sergeant and Clerk of the Company. The Captain, though a brave Irishman could but barely write his name. The only military pomp performed during this time was the capture or rather finding of five new bark canoes while on a scout up the Allegheny River headed by Capt. Miller, we saw no Indians. We did not serve quite two months being returned by our neighbors. Genl. Hand commanded at this time in Fort Pitt; there was no Militia officer, to my recollection, higher than Captain. Names of Lieutenants I do not recollect.
The summer of 1777 was a season of great alarm and the whole settlement from Fort Pitt to Kentucky was broken up. A number of families assembled at the house of my father, in order to erect a Fort, but hearing that families had collected at Hogglands and Reelers Eight or ten Miles nearer to the Ohio for the same purpose, they only repaired the cabins as well as they could to resist an attack and remained in them during the summer; the others went on and built forts. It was early resolved to raise a small company of volunteers to act as spies and wood rangers. Captain James Scott, a brave and experienced officer offered his services, and appointed a place of rendezvous, and in a few days had upwards of twenty, of whom I was one on old and ready to March with as much provision as we could conveniently carry. We started about the first of May, as nearly as I can now state, and I state it accordingly to be on that day.
The country traversed was from a few miles below Fort Pitt, down the Ohio, crossing Raccoon Creek, Travers and Tomlinson's runs, Croff Creek, Kings and Hermanns Creek, near their junction with the Ohio, passing on our way down Reardons and Hollidays Stations, where we occasionally drew provisions. From Hollidays Cove we traversed

the Country backward and forward carefully watching the Indian war paths, until we arrived at some one of the forts, or stations on the head waters of some of the streams above mentioned, in the vicinity of which most of our company resided, where we remained a day or two to get washing and mending done, and a recruit of provisions, and at every station, would spend an hour or two in the exercise of the tomahawk and rifle, not only for our own improvement in the use of these weapons of warfare, but also to alarm the savages, if they should be lurking in the neighborhood.
In the latter part of the season the alarm was still kept up, and increased, by the attack (as was reported at the time) of two or three hundred Indians on Wheeling fort, and in this stage of alarm many others volunteered to protect the frontier, and so effectually was the Country secured from Holliday's Cove to Fort Pitt, that, though we had no triumphs in battle to record, nor defeats to lament, yet not an individual was massacred by the savages in that region during this year. I ask credit for six months only during this season, that is from the first of May till in November when the cold weather forced the Indians to return to their station towns, and I am quite confident that I saved at least six months this year.
In the Spring of 1778, the Indians broke out earlier than usual and committed several murders on Con Creek River, which was then considered an interior settlement, and although not within the range of my excursions the preceding year was within ten or twelve miles of my father's dwelling, I believe it was in March, and the whole settlement, from Wheeling upwards, was broken up, and retired into Forts, of which there was now perhaps too many, as from the scarcity of males in each they could spare none to act as spies or wood rangers, and scarce enough to

defend the forts if they should they should be attacked. On my return from an ineffectual scout, in pursuit of the savages, who had committed these barbarities, though we passed two men whom they had murdered and scalped, and who were not yet cold, yet they escaped punishment; On my return from this scout, which lasted but three or four days, a request was sent me from Hoagland's fort, to turn out with as many volunteers as I could collect. I did so, and referring to my previous acquaintance with the woods and In- dian war paths was (though among the youngest) elect- ed to head about 15 or 16 active and brave men, and continued during the greater part of the season, that is from March to November, with short intervals to obtain ammunition clothing &c, on the same route as in the preceding year, but not quite so extensive. The result, however, was, that no Indian depreda- tions were committed in that settlement during the whole season. The whole time would be about eight months, but deducting the time, while at home recently, though it might justly be reckoned in the service I ask credit for six months only, and I am well as- sured in my own mind that I knew the time claimed that is six months, at least. In March 1779 I entered a volunteer in Captain David Vance's company of mounted men, in Genl. McIntosh's Cam- paign to Fort Lawrence on Tuscarawa, found my own horse, provisions, forage and accoutrements, and instead of being mounted, going out, carried a load of flour, or bacon on each horse. This was saved whilst the balance of the flour and meat was very much scattered through the woods and lost by reason of a salute fired from the garrison on our arrival. The next day after commencing our return it was ascertained that it would be more tedious, than

was anticipated, and the general, sent an officer to request Captain Vance to proceed with all possible speed to Fort McIntosh, and return with provision sufficient to subsist the army at least two days; and being piloted by friendly Indians, along a path nearer than the main road, we met the army a considerable way back. I returned home in April and spent the remainder of the Indian season, on the same route and in the same manner as during the two preceding summers; and during this season according to the best of my knowledge and belief I served, at least, six months.
Early in the Spring of 1780 intelligence was received, I do not remember, how, that a large body of Indians were on their march to devastate the whole country from Wheeling to Fort Pitt. This news was either not believed, or, at least not heeded, until a party of them, crossing below Wheeling had penetrated, nearly half way from the Ohio to Catfish Camp now the seat of justice for Washington County, Pennsylvania. They had taken a number of prisoners, but becoming alarmed, speedily retraced their steps to the Ohio, and murdered all their male prisoners on the way. The main body of those who were expected to have ravaged Raccoon Settlement it was supposed, never crossed the Ohio, but sent two of their warriors to reconnoitre, who approaching Dill's fort, late in the evening, spied two boys at play, and tomahawked and scalped them, within two hundred yards of the fort, and escaped, and it was supposed, that their report was rather unfavorable, and that they immediately commenced their retrograde movement much as no other mischief was done by them this season. Col Broadhead commanded at Fort Pitt, and this was the summer of his campaigns to the Muncy towns up the Allegheny river, and to Le-shootow at the forks of Muskingum, at which two places he was supposed to have destroyed 500 acres of corn. My services this year were of the same character with

those of preceding years, and amounted according to the best of my knowledge and belief to, at least five months, commencing early in the Spring and terminating late in the Fall, and deducting such time, as was not occupied in active service —
Early in the year 1781 the Indians made an incursion into the upper settlements of Buffalo Creek, and notwithstanding the vigilance and bravery of Col. David Williamson and his party, cruelly murdered several persons in his immediate neighborhood, and took others prisoners; this caused a general alarm through all the settlements and the people crowded into the forts, but still their great dependance for safety was on the volunteer spies and wood rangers, so I spent from April till November, at least five months, in exploring the frontier, and watching the Indian crossing places and war paths. In the fall of this year, too, was the first expedition of Col. Williamson to the Moravian towns on the Tuscarawara, in which I (at the risk of my popularity as a soldier) declined taking a part. In the latter part of February 1782 the Indians invaded the settlement of Raccoon, and murdered the family of a Mr Wallace and took John Carpenter prisoner, & took his two horses; he however soon made his escape & brought his horses with him. In March another expedition under Col. Williamson, started to the Moravian towns and destroyed them, with the inhabitants, amounting to nearly a hundred of all ages and sexes. In this also, I refused to be concerned. These occurrences were complained by the settlers as harbingers of great distress and suffering during the summer. Yet such was the vigilance of the settlers and spies that no other mischief was done, save in one instance, and they paid dearly for their temerity. Five Indians had crawled up ten or twelve miles into the settlement, and captured an old lone man of the name of William Jackson, and plundered his cabin, and

retreated; but, so instant was the pursuit, they were overtaken at the river, before they had time to embark, and a skirmish ensued, wherein five Indians were killed, and the other wounded in the abdomen; he dropped into a deep hole in the run, on the bank of which he was standing and eluded search: he was often at Pittsburgh, after the peace, would shew his wound and exult in his dexterity in hiding himself; he said the white man's gun was a double load, they made his head ache. Of the whites John Cherry was killed and Andrew Poe and the prisoner badly wounded with the tomahawk; the latter received a deep gash in the shoulder, as he turned to run towards the whites on their approach. This was the only skirmish, that I recollect, that took place in that region during the revolutionary war. In the spring of this year, I was elected to the command of a Militia Company, and my attention to the duties of that office, caused necessarily a relaxation of my excursions on the frontier, yet I spent at least two months in that service during the season, which added to the services heretofore stated will amount to two years and seven months - although from the lapse of so many years, and the absence of other data than memory, it is impossible to specify correctly the weeks and months spent as a volunteer on the frontier during the revolutionary war, yet I believe the statement, several months less than the services really performed. I am the more confirmed in this opinion by this, that in frequent conversations with several young men, my neighbors, who had listed for three years, and returned at the close of the war, it was admitted by all, that I and my companions, had actually served longer, and endured more fatigue and hardship than they had. These conversations, it is probable would not now be thought of, but that they were sometimes carried on with a considerable degree of acrimony; the regulars affecting to consider the volunteers as an inferior class, and these returning

on those, as a worthless set, not daring to set heads outside the gates, but under the protection of volunteers and so, on.
The regular Solain perform duty during the summer and then retire to winter quarters, receiving pay and clothing and rations for the whole year; the volunteers to whom I belonged, performed at least an equal amount of service, and retired home during the winter, not receiving either pay or rations, and not even clothing, for any part of the time, with the trifling exception of a little flour obtained now and then at the posts, or stations, and furnishing their own ammunition. Justice therefore requires that, these volunteers, on applying for pensions, should have their time calculated, in the same rule, as the regulars. The few regulars stationed along the Ohio, from Pitt to Wheeling, and I here speak of them only, the only reliance placed on them, was, to defend the forts should they be attacked. Indeed it was admitted by every one, at the time, that the only security of the people along the river, and adjacent settlements was the vigilance of the volunteers, in watching their crossing places and war paths, and ferreting them out of their lurking places near the stations, and that by their means, principally, was the settlement saved from savage vengeance.
I now state that to the best of my knowledge and belief, and of the truth of this statement I have no doubt, that I served not less than for more than two years as an Indian spy and scout, for two months as a volunteer under Capt. Miller as hereinbefore stated, and for months as a volunteer in Genl. McIntosh campaign above mentioned, and that in the whole I served at least two years and seven months, during the war of the revolution and for such service

I claim a pension.
Subsequent to the war, and until 1798 I resided in Washington County, Pennsylvania; in that year I came to Poland Trumbull County, Ohio, purchased a lot of land, and erected a cabin - and in the next year 1799, removed with my family, to Poland, where I continued to reside until about thirteen years since when I removed to the adjoining town of Coitsville in the same, County and have resided there ever since.
I do 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.
To Hon. Simon Perkins, of Warren, Hon. George Todd of Youngstown, Hon. Henry Manning of the same place, Hon. Elisha Whittlesey of Canfield, and many others in Trumbull County, I am well known, and they can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
I have often been told by those on whom I could rely that I was entitled to a pension for the services which I have related, but as I had lived independent of Government during the war, so I determined to live, as long at least, as I could hold my plough. That time is past, poverty has sought me in my old age, and the storms and peltings of more than forty severe winters have so battered my once firm constitution that my side is considerably abated - and the late discovery of some of my associates alive (whom for years I had lost sight of and supposed dead) offers an opportunity for an application, for a pension, and I submit my claim to the Honorable the Secretary of War, with full confidence in his disposition to administer justice. This application was not made at an earlier day, because the applicant had no certain knowledge or information of the passage of the law aforesaid until
1818

two for three years since then supposed all dead who knew of his service Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Stuthers
We David Goodwillie a clergyman residing in the township of Poland in said County, and Henry Manning residing in Youngstown in the same County; hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John Stuthers who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty two 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 day and year aforesaid
David Goodwillie Henry Manning
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he stated, And the Court further Certifies, that it appears to them that David Goodwillie who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman residing in the township of Poland in the County aforesaid, and that Henry Manning is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
I John Hutchinson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Trumbull aforesaid, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Stuthers for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26 th day of March A.D. 1841 - John Hutchinson Clerk

Penn. & Washington County Pa
Personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the Commissioners of the Peace in & for the county aforesaid John White Esq., a respectable citizen of said county who after being sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with John Struthers, an applicant for a pension, who at a very early period resided in this county and for many years has been a resident of Trumbull County Ohio - That during his residence here in this county he was his neighbor and knew him well. He well recollects that he served several tours of military duty as a volunteer during the revolutionary war, but the particular years in which he served or the exact length of the tours his memory will not now serve him to say -
He recollects distinctly that he performed a tour of duty under General McIntosh from Charities creek Washington County where we resided to Fort Lawrence on the Tuscarawas which is now in the state of Ohio - He deposes that he served that tour of duty with him and on their return from Fort Lawrence left

him at Fort McIntosh now Beaver - The year when this tour was performed he cannot now recollect but knows that it was between 1776 and 1781 -
The said Struthers was for some years a deputy surveyor of the County of Washington and was always esteemed a man of integrity and honor -
John White
Sworn & subscribed before me this 19 th day of Ap. 1841 -
James Blair
Washington County Penn: ss. Personally appeared be. fore me one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid Thomas Stru- thers, a credible witness, who after being sworn according to law, doth declare and say, that altho' young during the Revolutionary war he has a very distinct recollection of the Indian depredations and war on the Western Frontier from Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, down the Ohio river to Wheeling. His father lived on Chartiers creek in Washington County in the vicinity of the de- predations of the savages - The first summer of the war his father's family fled into the interior and took shelter in a fort at John White's near the village

now called Canonsburg. The next year or the year following the neighbors assembled at his father's for mutual protection and concluded the safest way would be to raise some volunteers, wood-rangers and spies to scour the frontier and thus relieve the settlers from the necessity of forting every summer. He recollects well that his brother John Struthers, who is now an applicant for a pension joined the first company of that description that was raised in that region which was commanded by Capt. James Scott and was engaged in doing military duty the most of that summer - the exact time he cannot say but is satisfied that he was out more than three months. He continued in that same service every summer till the close of the revolutionary war and altho' he cannot positively say how many months he served each summer he feels perfectly safe in saying that taking one year with another he served at least four months in each year. He feels further perfectly safe in declaring that he served performed military duty in this way for at least five summers before the close of the Revolutionary war - He recollects of his going to the Hunkerows in McDowell's campaign as it was called but can't recol-

lost the length of that tour, nor the year when it was performed. He recollects also that he the deponent served one month with him at Grays station on the head waters of Ferrule and Wheeling which station was under the command of the John Struthers - He recollects that Col. Gabriel Blakeney commanded the Fort at Rainsons station on the waters of Wheeling at the same time, but in what year he cannot recollect.
Sworn and subscribed before me Ap. 19 th 1841.
Thomas Struthers
James Blaine
The Commonwealth of Penna
Washington County ss
I John Grayson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that James Blaine Esq before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, was at the time and now is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned & sworn and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts and further the above signature purporting to be his appears to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Washington the 19 th day of April 1841.
John Grayson Protho
Pro fees 25 c paid

Petition Claim of John Struthers act of June 7. 1832
Affidavit of Matilda Galbraith & Power of Attorney to J. Struthers setting up said claim

The state of Ohio Tuscarawas County ss }
On this 5th day of October A.D. 1851 personally appeared before me Geo. F. Brown, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County, Matilda Galbraith aged 45 years, a resident of Cortesville in the county of Mahoning in the state aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares on her said oath that she is the daughter of John Struthers, the identical John Struthers who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and who made application for a pension for his said service, under the act of June 7. 1832, pending which application her said father, the said John Struthers, died, and never drew his pension for said service; that her said father the said John Struthers died at Cortesville aforesaid on the 31st day of December A.D. 1845, leaving no widow, but leaving Ann McBride now a widow, Mary Kirt, wife of William D. Kirt, John Struthers, Ebenezer Struthers, Thomas Struthers, and affiant Matilda Galbraith wife of A. M. Galbraith his only surviving children; that affiant is directly interested in the pension claim of her said father, and she makes this affidavit to set up her claim for the unpaid amount of pension which may be due to her said father at during his life time.

and for her benefit and the benefit of her Brothers and Sisters, and to be used by her Attorney in the prosecution of said claim. And she refers to the Declaration of her said father and the other proofs and documents now on file in the Pension office as proof in this case.
Hereby constituting any and all Power of Attorney which have been given in this case and particularly a Power of Attorney given by her son Warren or John T. Kealy of Washington City and hereby making and amending the same, and any and all heretofore given. I do hereby constitute and appoint J. Aspen of Warren, Ohio My true and lawful Attorney for me and the other children and in their name and stead to prosecute the claim which we as children of John Struthers have or may have to a share of Pension under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832, and I do hereby authorize and empower my said Attorney to file all papers, documents, evidence and arguments in our said claim; to send all papers, documents, bills, accounts and other papers touching said claim on file in the Public Office at Washington City, and to establish the service or a

higher grade of service, of the said John Struthers, the soldier on account of whose service the means of pension are claimed, to apply to officers at Washington City or to the public officers in any of the states for certificates of his own service, and to search the public archives in any of the states for such service, to receive for our benefit any certificate which may be issued in liquidation of said claim, where certificate I wish made payable at Cleveland, Ohio; to appoint one or more substitutes under him, and to do whatever he might or could do were I personally present, hereby ratifying whatever my said attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal. The day and year above written. In presence of { Chas. Chapman { Miss F. Brown {
Matilda Galbraith
Sworn to and subscribed before me Judge as aforesaid, duly authorized by law, to administer oaths on the day & year first above written; and also at the same and place, acknowledged by the said Matilda Galbraith to be her free act

voluntary act and deed for the purposes expressed in said Power of Attorney - And I do hereby further certify that the said Matilda Calbaita is the identical person who has above represented herself to be, and to be interested in said claim of John Struther as she has above set forth and to be a person of respectability In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand official, and affixed the seal of said court at Warrenton this 5th day of October A.D. 1885.
Geo. F. Brown Probate Judge

V. L. M. Rev. War Section.
March 31, 1919.
Mrs. S. R. Young, 455 Liberty Street, Grove City, Penn.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 22 d instant, you are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim of John Struthers R. File No. 18,362 that he was born February 11, 1759, in Cecil County, Maryland. His father, whose name is not stated, was a Scotchman and in 1773 soldier moved with his father and family from Cecil County, Maryland to what is now Washington County Pennsylvania and from 1776 to 1783 he served as an Indian Spy and Wood Ranger on the frontier during the summer season each year under Captains Robert Miller, James Scott and David Vance, and as late as 1794 was still serving as a Spy and Scout.
He applied for pension March 26, 1841 while a resident of Coitsville, Trumbull County, Ohio, but the claim was not allowed as the Act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied did not provide for frontier service against the Indians as performed by him.
He died December 31, 1845, at Coitsville, Ohio, leaving no widow, but the following named children survived

him. Ann McBride(a widow), Mary wife of William D. Hirst, John, Ebenezer and Thomas Struthers and Matilda wife of A. N. Galbraith, who was forty-five years old and a resident of Colteville, Ohio in 1855.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

John Struther Ohio
Rejected
See let: 5 th May 1841 to Hon. P. Whittier do. to same May 20. 1841 see also let. to Hon. R. Giddings service not provided for
Letter to Hon. J. Coarnell H. R. - 31 March 1848. Let. J. F. Asper Oct 22/53
Act 7 June 1832

Pension Claim of John Strathers
Ohio - was 1822, 23 1822
Cole
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

3 Stamped Envelope need 15c.
Rev. Rev. OS
455 Liberty St. Union City, Pa. March 22, 1919.
The Pension Department, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please give me any information you may have of a pension granted to John Struthers a Revolutionary soldier of Washington County, Pennsylvania, who later removed to Trumbull County, Ohio?
I shall be grateful for any information you may give.
Yours Truly,
Mrs. S. R. Young.

18262
1919 Mch. 31 Hied to Mrs. S. R. Young
P. O. Children of John Struther
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: Revolutionary _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: The printed list of H 2 gives cause of rejection
Re-enlisted: as follows: Service in fighting Indian Wars.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Washington May 4 th 1861
Sir
I received a letter some time since from Robert Taylor which not being before me, I cannot say what its contents were in every particular, but it related to the application of John Smithers for a pension, and I suppose the application is with you. He wished me to attend to the subject if found to be necessary. I have to day received additional testimony which I send to you. I have been acquainted with Mr Smithers since 1806. and a more upright honest man never lived. His services rendered as stated by him, is as well established in tradition in the minds of the old Settlers as Harmer's or St Clair's deeds of feat, and hundreds would as soon swear to his services as conscientiously as they would to their declarations. For myself, I do not believe there is a more living heart of the Alleghany Mountains, who served as long. His intellect is unimpaired and remarkable so for a man of his age, and he would as soon cut his thumb, as tell a falsehood, or discover the truth. I beg of you to examine this case yourself, and I presume you may be led to a just result.
With Sincerity Yours
E. Whittier
J. S. Edwards Esq. Com. on Pensions.

Pen. Office.
May 5, 1840
Sir,
The papers in the case of John Struther have been examined. Her claims for alleged service which consisted principally in watching against the hostile attacks of the Indians. In the early settlement of our western frontiers it was indispensably necessary in many instances to the safety of the inhabitants that the able bodied men of all ages should arm themselves in self defence against the savages of the wilderness. It is well known that for this purpose block houses were erected and that the people were obliged to resort to them for protection and to range in small parties through the country for the purpose of giving information of the approach of the savages. This description of predatory warfare however, was never considered of such a character as to place the persons engaged in it on the footing of soldiers drafted or enlisted for the general defence of the country; and such persons

therefore are not provided for by the pension laws. The applicant for such service can of course have no lawful claim to a pension. His claim has consequently been rejected; and the papers filed. enclosed Therewith is Mr. Struthers letter to you
From the favorable representation which you have made as to the claimant's character, I regret extremely that it is not in our power to afford any relief in the case.
I am with much respect and esteem, Your sv't servant,
O.C.
O.C. entd on index
Hon. Elisha Whittelsey, Auditor Genl Post Office.
Hon. E. Whittelsey, May 5, 1841.

Pension Office 248 May 20, 1841
Sir,
In consequence of the conversation which I had with you yesterday, I have again examined the case of John Struther, supposing that there might possibly have been some facts in the case undistinctly set forth, or not clearly understood on the first examination. I find, however, that his case is one of that description in which the Dep t has never allowed a pension. If we have been laboring under mistaken views in the construction given to the act of June 7, 1832, so as to exclude any class of persons from the pension roll who were intended by Congress to have been provided for, it is greatly to be regretted, but if we are wrong, it would be difficult to say who, if any one, can be censured for the decision since the practice has been acquiesced in by all Members of Congress who have hitherto presented claims of persons engaged in protecting their habitations on the Indian frontiers.
L. E.
Hon. E. Whittlesey Advisor of the Post-Off ce Dept.
No. 35179 act June 7, 1832 Ohio

Hann 7 Rep August 6. 1841
Sir I enclose to you a letter from J. Thurston Esq. Will you be so kind as to convey his enquiries
With great respect Your Obedt Servt
W. L. Chaplin
J. L. Edwards Esq

How J. R. Giddings Aug 9. 1841 62

Rev: Officer Augt 9. 1841
Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Mr John Struther in his case, and have to inform you that his claim has been rejected for the reasons stated in my letter to Mr E. Whittier, of the 5 th May last a copy of which is herewith enclosed. I also The Dept. is constrained to adhere to the decision made in the case
Hon. J. R. Giddings M.P.
O.C. 35.179 ac 32 with index

31. March 1848
Stoa f. Cronle

288 Pension Office March 31. 1848.
Sir.
In reply to your letter of the 29 th inst. in the case of Robert Struthers. I have the honor to inform you that it would be contrary to the regulations of this Department to comply with, Mary Struthers request, whose letter is herewith returned.
Hon J. Cromwell House of Reps.

Washington March 29. 1848
Dear Sir
May I ask the favor of you to furnish me a copy of Mr John Sturtevant's declaration sought for, by the writer of the inclosed letter.
Be so good as to return the letter with the copy -
Very Respectfully John Brown
Hon. J. L. Edwards Washington

Warrenton Oct 6, 1851 Commr of Pensions
Sir:
Enclosed herewith I forward you the affidavit and Power of Atty of Matilda Galbraith to set up the pension claim of John Stretthers late of Ohio under act of June 7 1832.
I request an examination of the case, and a report of what further evidence is required to support the claim, if any. I am assured that full evidence was filed with the original Declaration which should have entitled

the claimant to the petition. Is unable, we to decide what further can or may be done in the case I have to request a certified copy of the declaration and proof on file. This I do under the decision of late Leary Stuart. Mayo & Moulton p 5245.
I am respectfully Your obed Servt D. F. Asper

J. B. Harper
Oct. 22/08

Pension Office,
October 22, 1855.
Sir,
The enclosed copy of a letter, addressed to Hon E. Whittlesey, under date of May 5, 1841, will inform you of the condition of the claim of John Struthers, of Ohio, for pension under act of June 7, 1832. There has been no evidence filed since, this claim was rejected upon its merits.
I am, G. C.
J. H. asper Esqr Warren, Ohio

Youngstown O. March 29, 1871
Sir,
Enclosed I send you the application of John Sturtevant Esq., of Coiteville in the Army for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832.
Mr. Sturtevant purports taking some testimony in Washington Co. Pa. with regard to his services and therefore requests that no final decision be made against him until he can ascertain whether he can make the proof which he now purports.
I have enclosed a note to Mr. Whetmore which I pray you will forward to him.
Mr. W. is well acquainted with the applicant & has heretofore advised him to apply & can acquaint the Department with his character for truth &c, although I apprehend no further proof on that subject is necessary.
I have the Honor to be my respectful Young Servant R. M. Taylor
Address as per date of this
Hon Secy of War