Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,371, for Thomas Layton, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Layton, Thomas
S 32 371
CONTENTS

Illinois 31. 22.4
Thomas Layton of Clark Co. in the State of Illinois who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Robinson of the reg't commanded by Col. Morrison in the Penn- line for six months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Octr 1837 and sent to W. Manly Esq. Treasurer.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837 $130. — Semi-ann. allowance ending 10 Mar 38 10. —
$140. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, enacted June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Allison Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 8, Page 126
to N Manly Mar 29, 1841 = Letter to Erastus Wright April 14 th 1842
Letter to 3 d Auditor Au- gust 29 th 1842
Paid at the Treasury un- der the Acts of April 15 th 1838 and Aug 23 d 1842 from Sep 4 th 1838 to Mar 4 th 1841. Amount notified Sept 22 d 1842
Notified on A.B.

Page 1-
State of Illinois Clark county To Be it Remembered That at the December Term of the county commission court in and for the county of Clark and State of Illinois began and held at Darwin in said county and State on Monday the 2 nd day of December A.D. 1833 personally appeared Thomas Layton a resident of said county aged sixty nine years on the 11 th day of May A.D. 1834 who being 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 on 7. June A.D. 1832 relative to the surviving officers & soldiers of the Revolution. That is to say - I was born in Morristown in the State of New Jersey & I was 68 years of age on the 11 th day of May 1833. When I first served as a soldier I was living in the county of Northumberland in the State of Pennsylv- vania - I served two years a militia man on the frontiers of Pennsylvania at the age of about 13 or fourteen years - while I served as a militia-man I was at the taking of fort

freeing I did not belong to fort freeing but I was when that fort was taken by the Indians. Stationed at Boon's fort & it lies five miles below fort freeing on the west branch of Susquehannah river. freeing fort was on Warrior run 3 miles from its mouth. When I was in the militia I was under Captain Hawkins Boon. The Indians took fort freeing which was commanded by Cap- James Lytle - Captain Lytle would not give up the fort till the Indians agreed not to take off the women & children as prisoners but the Indians took off the men consisting of 20 or 25 men to Canada. They were given up to the British company again while I belonged to it - while in the militia I also served under Cap. James Nelson - The services however for which I chiefly claim a pension are for my services as an enlisted soldier in the I think the State troops of Pennsylvania

Page 2 nd
on the third or fourth day of May A.D. 1779 I Enlisted for during the war under captain James Robertson - I enlisted at a place called Milton which is on the west fork of the Susquehanna River at the mouth of limestone run - I was to get $8. per month & I got $7 - county money - We rendezvoused at fort Rice where we staid one summer - There were only twenty five Men Stationed at fort Rice - fort Rice was situated on the Lassa (?) a fine creek which empties into the west fork of Susquehanna five miles above Northumberland - I was also during this time Stationed at fort Wallace & fort Freeborn - I was during the whole term of my enlistment under Lieutenant Mases Van Camp & ensign William Doyle - I was under the command of Colonel James Morrow & General James Patton - I was in actual service from the 14 th of May 1779 to the first of December 1783 I remember that we drew our winter clothing about three weeks before I was discharged which as aforesaid was in December 1783 -
Army of fort

We did not march against the British, but were the Western Part of Pennsylvania Stationed about the country in small forts & in small Detachments to guard the inhabitants against the Indians, the the & were all the time either Stationed in the forts or following Indians & spying out their situations & to find when & where they intended to make their attacks - In short we were Enlisted for, & were, & were called, " Indian Spies " I remember that we went at one time to drive the Indians from Eel town or, by coming or Laconon, or Wyoaming creek - In this Expedition one Lieutenant Swarts had the command - I think Swarts - he Swarts belonged to a company Stationed at Northumberland which company was sent from near Reading & were principally Dutchmen - they were one hundred and fifty men & Swarts took only fifty of them in this Expedition against the Eel town - I think Swarts belonged to the Regular Army - I know that the Colonel under whom Swarts Served was named Lindermost

Page 8 th
Colonel Lindermoot's name was either Michael or Jacob but which I cannot remember — I think one Duart was paymaster but I was always paid by lieutenant in camp — I cannot say what Regiment I belonged to but I know that General James Patten was general of the Brigade to which I belonged. We drew our clothing & provisions from the State. I suppose it was from the State, I know we got them & I considered myself in the service of the State of Pennsylvania. We drew short coats or coatees of blue trimmed with white. We found our arms. Guns — we were riflemen — our officers wore blue coats with red facings or tunics — we got our powder & lead from the State — we drew cartridges one or twice but we had to empty them & run the lead into balls to suit our Rifles — In the expedition against the town we had militia included, three hundred & fifty men — the Indians had heard of our coming & had left their town — we burnt the town & then came home to fort Pine
as the taking of fort

The court then put the following interrogatories to said Layton who made the several answers annexed to the interrogatories to wit:
Question 1. where & in what year were you born?
Answer 1. I was born in Morris town N.J. on the 11 th day of May in the year 1765
Question 2. Have you any record of your age & if so where is it?
Answer 2. I have no record of my age with the exception of that in my Father's family Bible
Question 3. where were you living when called into Service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war & where do you now live?
Answer 3. when called into Service I was living in Northumberland county Pennsylvania & have since the Revolutionary war lived in New York I came to New York in 1791 where I lived two thirteen years ago when I came to the county of Clark and State of Illinois where I now live

Page 4th
To question 4. I answer that I served two years in the militia & three years & five months & some few days more as an enlisted soldier in the service of the State of Pennsylvania in an embodied corps called into service by competent authority.
Question 5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served. Such continental & militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer 5. I have in the body of this declaration stated the several circumstances of my service. I do not recollect any regular officers. I believe it was Lieutenant Schwartz & I am not positive that he was a Regular officer. I cannot remember the names of any of the regiments of the officers, however, I remember
the taking of fort as

(Potter) Gen. James Potter - Col. James Morrow Col. Lindermoot - Captain - James Robertson - Lieutenants Swarts - Captain — Rice - Lieutenant Moses Bancamp Ensign William Doyle - Captain — Lytle - Capt. Hawkins Boon Captain James Nelson Col John Morrow —
Question 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service & if so by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Answer 6. I Did Receive a Discharge from the Service; it was signed by Capt Robertson & by Lieutenant Bancamp & Ensign William Doyle — I kept it in my possession in my father's house for more than 20 years and it was burnt in my father's house which was accidentally burnt to the ground with all its contents —
To question 7. I answer that I am known to Stephen Denson & Lawrence Hallenbeck.

Page 5th
who can testify as to my character for truth and the belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution - and I do hereby relinquish every claim to Watsene to a pension or annuity except the present & I do declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state & that I know of no person living by whom I can prove my services
Subscribed and sworn to in open court the day & year aforesaid
Thomas Layton
Jacob Harlan, clerk.
We Stephen Dolsen and Lawrence Hallenbeck do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Layton who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing Declaration - that we believe him to be sixty five years of age - that we believe him to be a man of undoubted veracity that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have as the taking of fort

been a Soldier of the Revolution and we without any hesitation concur in that opinion Stephen Dobson Subscribed & sworn to before me in open court the day & year aforesaid
And the court certify that Stephen Dobson — and Lawrence Hallenbeck who have subscribed & sworn to the foregoing test certificate are both residents of the county of Ulster and State of Illinois — that they are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to the utmost credit — and the court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the several interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the applicant Thomas Layton was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states
Samuel Pratt Remy P. Bell Court Clerk Illinois

Wm H. Leary Ypk
29. 431.
State of Illinois I Jacob Harlan Clerk of the County of Cook and State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing five pages or five and half sheets contain the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Layton for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said court at Danville this 4th day of December A. D. 1833 - Jacob Harlan, Clerk

April 8, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. W. T. Hoard Capitol Hotel, Apt. 1 Pierre, South Dakota
BA-J/MCS Thomas Layton, S. 32371
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, Thomas Layton, John and William Rogers and Wilson Tharp.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford any information relative to a Wilson Tharp, or to a John Rogers who enlisted from Virginia and later lived in Lawrence County, Illinois.
As means of identification of the record of the particular William Rogers from Virginia in whom you are interested, it is essential that you furnish as much as possible of the following data: approximate date of birth and death, place of residence at enlistment and after service and first name of widow.
You are furnished herewith, the record of Thomas Layton of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and Clark County, Illinois.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

State of New York
Tompkins County ss personally appeared before me Parley Whitmore a Commissioner of deeds in and for the County aforesaid, Samuel Knapp, of the Town of Dryden in the County of Tompkins and State of New York, who first being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolutionary war, That in the year 1780, he served a tour in Captain Thomas Robinson's Company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Pennsylvania Infantry - so called;
This deponent further saith, that he was well acquainted with Thomas Layton, who served in the same Company and same Regiment at the same time, as a private at least six months, in the year 1780, as aforesaid - and that said Layton enlisted during the war, but was not That he the said Thomas Layton now resides in the County of Clark, and State of Illinois to the best of his knowledge and information
Samuel Knapp
Sworn and Subscribed before me This 6th day of April in the year 1836 -
Parley Whitmore
a Commissioner of deeds
I Certify That I am well acquainted with Samuel Knapp, who has Subscribed and Sworn to the foregoing affidavit, That he is a credible person, and that his statements are entitled to credit
Parley Whitmore a Commissioner of deeds

State of New York
Tompkins County
Clerks Office Esq. J. Arthur P. Johnson Clerk of said County do certify that Parley Whitmore before whom the foregoing or within affidavit was subscribed and sworn to was at the date of the same a Com- missioner of deeds in and for the said County that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe that his name subscribed to said affidavit is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal at Ithaca the 21 st day of April 1836.
Alfred Wetmore
Dep. Clerk
Hn. Hovey HN

Recd of H. Manly one hundred and fifty dollars being the amount of my pension from the 4. March 1831 to 4. Sept. 1838 (Signed) Thomas Layton
Marshall 24
Deir —
I have been shown the original of which the above is a copy. I have been acquainted with Thomas Layton, (a Pensioner) for over sixteen years, and believe the signature to the above receipt to be his hand writing.
Marshall Ky. March 20. 1842
J. Harlan

Springfield Ill.
1 April '42
Eraste Wright Pension claim of Thos. Layton
Rec d 12 April '42 Law?
Robert [unclear] [unclear] to the Comm ee of Pensions for a [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] April 12 th 1842.
W. Randall

Springfield Ills. 1 Ap. 1842
Dear Sir
Enclosed I herewith transmit the Pension Papers of Thomas Layton who it appears has omitted for a long time to apply for his Pension I believe his vouchers are correct I send duplicate receipts - Please to forward to me at this place am obliged yours Erastus Wright
Peter Hagan Esq. 3 d Auditor Washington City
If so convenient I would like a draft in New York. Erastus Wright

Mar 28 1840
The Layton Gen. roll
FREE
Genl. S. Edwards Govr. of Rainier Washington D.C.

Marshall Ill 19 Mar. 1842
Sir Sir. I am informed that Geo. R. Gibson of York Illinois has been making enquiries and probably charges against me in relation to the pecuniary of Thomas Layton that I had cheated him out of his money &c. &c. Is so as away any prejudice which might be created in the way I have you a copy of Layton's Memphis letter in Decr 1838. with a certificate of Judge Hooker for whose character I refer you to Mr. Casey - I can say without fear of successful denial that I have paid over every cent which I have ever owed for pecuniary with Mompeth - will you furnish me with a copy of Mr. Gibson's letter?
Yours S.
Hon
V. Edwards
H. M. Mundy

Dear Sir. Ill. 28 th Aug. 1887
Sir -
I have the honor to transmit you some additional testimony in the case of Thomas Layton for a Pension. I see there is some discrepancy in the statements of Samuel Knapp of N. York - in this that it states that Mr. Layton & his knowledge served 6 months in the year 1781 with him in the U.S. Service - and that said Layton enlisted during the war - now this must have been merely the understanding of Mr. Knapp - He was not present when Mr. Layton enlisted - In fact I suppose Mr. L. was not enlisted at all - The affidavit of Knapp is quite awkwardly drawn - It shows service 6 months - I have to request that if the claim cannot be

alluded to on the present testimony that the whole papers may be returned to me with a view of getting further evidence -
Mr. Layton informs me that Mr. Knapp has lately died -
There cannot be a doubt that Layton served at least 6 months - He served more but 6 months is all we have more and all we claim
Very Respectfully
W. M. Hart
Hon. A. L. Edwards (Secy of Pensions)

29436
Illinois
Thomas Layton susp a
Set. 20 Aug 35 to N. Manly " 14 June 36. Hon J. Casey.
act 7 June 32

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
65 P. O. Thomas L. [unclear]
Service: Application sent Dec 1835 to J M Robison (Senate)
Enlisted: See admitted 32 371 , 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Still suspended per letter 20 Aug 35 to Mr. Manly, Set to Hon. J. M. Robinson Senate U.S. Dec. 18, 1835. papers enclosed
6217
1832

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
August 31 st 1842.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"
Thomas Layton, _____
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Illinois _____
Agency, at the rate of Twenty _____ Dollars and
_____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th June
1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1838, to the 4 th March 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
James M. Mason
Comptroller.
Present.

I John Mone esq d a citizen of Clark County Illinois State do certify that I have been acquainted with Thomas Layton who I have understood has applied for a Pension for more than forty years past. I have often talked with Mr. Layton in relation to his Service and I am well satisfied that he was in the Service I have said Layton for a number of years in the State of New York - It is generally believed so far as my information extends that said Thomas Layton was a Soldier of the Revolution. I am seventy four years old John Mone esq d
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 18 th Dec.
1837 Ch. Mungo Esq d Notary

State of Maine } Probate Court Clark County }
I the undersigned Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Clark do hereby certify that on the 18 th day of August A.D. 1837 John Morecroft within named in my presence did subscribe and was duly sworn to the within affidavit. And that said Morecroft is a witness of the first respectability.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Darwin this 18 th day of August A.D. 1837
W. Manly Judge of Probate

April 7, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Thomas Layton, S.32371
Mrs. W. T. Hoard Capitol Hotel, Apt. 1 Pierre, South Dakota
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.32371, based on the military service of Thomas Layton.
Thomas Layton was born May 11, 1765, in Morristown, New Jersey. The names of his parents are not shown.
While living in Northumberland County, he served with the Pennsylvania troops as follows: first served two years in the militia under Captains Hawkins Boon and James Nelson, as private, and was engaged against the Indians on the frontier; then served from May 4, 1779, until December 1, 1783, as Indian Spy under Captain Thomas Robinson and Colonel James Morrow and was at the taking of Fort Freeland.
He moved to New York in 1791 and after living there thirteen years he moved to Clark County, Illinois.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 2, 1833, at which time he was living in Clark County, Illinois.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of Thomas Layton.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Thomas Layton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. file 32,371
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     ✓ 2 yrs. Pri. Hawkins Bean ✓ Pa.   James Nelson ✓   Mar. 1779 1783 Private Thomas Robinson James Morrow   James Robinson   St. John's   Br. Wm. Boyle  
Battles engaged in, Red Bank Fort, Philadelphia, Pa. July 29, 1777.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Northumberland Co. Pa.
Date of application for pension, Dec. 2, 1833.
Residence at date of application, Clerk Co. Ill.
Age at date of application, born May 11, 1765, in Monistown, N. J.
Remarks: No date of death known.

Dear Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th inst. and in reply to inform you that the same has been forwarded to the proper authorities for their consideration. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

APR 12 1910
Jacksonville, Illinois, April 7, 1910.
To Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Will you please have your records for the names of Thomas Lalow and Samuel Lalow, who served in the Revolutionary War.
It has been given to us they enlisted from New Jersey.
Thanking you - I am.
Most Sincerely,
(Miss) Hettie Layton
305 Woodland Place
Jacksonville, Illinois.

Capital Hotel Apt. 1 Pierre S. D. 2/20/39
Pension Bureau Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
May I have data on the following Revolutionary soldiers whom I believe received or applied for pensions?
Wilson Sharp - born in Va., died in Ill.
Thomas Layton - from Pa., Northumberland Co. militia - Came to Clark Co., Ill. b. 1835
W m Rogers - from Va.
John Rogers - Va. troops - Came to Lawrence Co., Ill.
Very truly yours,
Lou Hoard (Mrs. W. R.)

32 371 Rev INVALID.
1910 Apr. 18. Hist to Miss Ninetta Layton - P 1939 Apr. 8. Hist. to Mrs. W. T. Hoard. M.C.J.
File No. 32, 371
Thomas Layton
Rev Rev
Act: June 19 32
Index: —Vol 2 , Page 237
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Clark Court H.M. Aug r 3-1835
Sir - At the request of Mr. Layton I again send his application for a Pension - He insists that there is evidence of his services at Harrisburg in the proper office, and as he is old poor & infirm he requests that his application be transmitted to Harrisburg for examination -
I have the honor to believe
W. Manly
Hon. J. L. Edwards