Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,860, for William Mead, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Mead, William Meads or
S. 31,860
CONTENTS

See letter to P. Agt. May 18. 1832
Trn. Apr 2: 1836 (Conceded it was the same man as after 1836) was a deserter - In Letter to Lt. Webb May 2: 1836
Letter to Genl. C. Sullivan 1838
Date of death not on A. R
26529
Indiana
William Mead residing in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Dickerson of the regt commanded by Col. Dayton in the New Jersey line for 2 years
scribed on the Roll of Indiana the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of March 1834 and James Lockhart Evansville
Arrears to the 4th of March 240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 40.00 $280.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by David Lloyd Clerk, Book Vol. 7 Page 121

The State of Indiana } Vanderburgh county } On this 25 th Day of September 1833 Personally appeared before the Judges of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court William Meadows a Resident of Union  Union  in the county of Vanderburgh and State of Indiana aged thirty three years who being first duly sworn according to law states on his oath that the following declaration is true to the best of his knowledge of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832 that he was born in the State of New Jersey in the year 1740 that he entered the service of the United States at Morristown in the State of New Jersey for three years after the expiration of which time he re-enlisted under Captains Richards and Lane the regiment commanded by Col. Dayton and remained in the service some time the Regiment afterwards went to Albany from thence to Johnstown on the Mohawk River in pursuit of the Mohawk Indians we were then removed to Fort Stanwix upon the Mohawk River and remained there one summer from thence we were removed or crossed Lake George to Fort Dienderaga to garrison a large Mill at that place took up our winter quarters there in the Spring we returned to Albany from thence we went to New Jersey to a place called Elizabeth Town there had a battle with the Hessians commanded by Genl. Rahl from thence to Morristown and joined Genl. Washington there and took up our winter quarters Next Spring we Marched to Brandy Wine and there fought the Battle called the Battle of Brandy Wine we then moved to a place called Red Bank on the Delaware River from thence over the Blue Ridge to a place called Wyoming then our Regiment was attached to the part of the army commanded by Genl. Sullivan there Marched to the forks of the Susquehanna and there built a Block House from thence to Newtown and there had a battle with the Indians commanded by Col. Butts we were then marched to near Niagara and our provisions and ammunition falling short we were compelled to return to Elizabethtown and took up our winter quarters Next Spring we Moved up the North

Then to a place then called Daspas remained in that part of the country guarding it during that whole summer and quartered again that winter in Elizabethtown. Next Spring was removed to Bonds Brook that Spring had a battle at a place called Woodbridge with the British from thence we were marched to Easton and remained there a short time as a guard from thence we removed to Newmants and joined that part of the Army commanded by Genl. Greene and had a hard battle our detachment was then taken from the army and returned to New Luce and wintered at Newark. Next Spring we were taken to Staten Island and joined a detachment commanded Genl. Russell and had a battle with the British and drove them back to the Fort where some of their shipping returned to Elizabethtown again and remained that winter he with a part of his Regiment was detached and taken up above Newark as a detached guard and him and some others were at a wedding in the neighbourhood one night and taken prisoners by a small detachment of the British and then we were taken to New York and put on board of a prison ship the old Asia man of war he with others were taken on board said ship to Charlestown South Carolina himself and one Peter Sullivan escaped from the British and found Genl.
Greene's army at a place called the high hills of Santee. I remained with Genl. Greene until the Battle of of the Saluda Springs there I was wounded in the leg by having a bone broke and arm broke also shot in the shoulder and both things Genl. Greene having called for immediately from thence to New York and myself with others of the wounded were left there under Genl. Sumpter.
I was unable to travel for five or six months afterwards upon I got able to travel and join the army the troops were all disbanded and discharged and being entirely destitute of any thing I set in to work with a lot Davidson to procure means to reach home and remained with him a year before Genl. Greene left me while I was wounded he gave me a permit to enable me to travel to reach home which was all that I ever received like a discharge for the last term of service.

What papers I had were all destroyed by fire while I was in the army during the last war having my house and every thing I possessed burnt up
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 State  in any State Sworn to and subscribed this day and
year aforesaid in open Court
W. V. Jones Clerk
William his Meads mark
And the said Do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states
I Wm V Jones Clerk of the Vanderburgh circuit court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Meads of Vanderburgh county State of Indiana for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court this 25 th day of September 1833
W. V. Jones
Clerk

27. 466
William Mead Indiana
for 1778 per 2 m. $80
James Lockhart, Nathan Rowley Evansville Ind.

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 subjjoined 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 William Meads
   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.     3 P Capt Dickerson Col Dayton 93 N.J. no proof with papers. Found on the Rolls, and remarked as having deserted.  
Unless the applicant can produce the testimony of at least one witness, showing that he was taken a prisoner under the circumstances stated in his declaration, he cannot receive a pension.
For mode of authentication &c see note.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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.
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:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ 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, deponeth 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 with 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 fix 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 [i] 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.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Kentucky Edmonson County Set
On this 2 nd day of May, 1828 personally appeared in open court being a Court of record for the County of William Mead, aged 87 years past resident in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, that shortly after the Revolutionary War began, he does not precisely recollect what year, he enlisted to serve in the army of the United States at Morristown in the State of New Jersey, for three years, that he served under said enlistment of three years in the 28 th Regiment of Jersey Blues Commanded by Colo. Dayton, in the Company Commanded by Capt. Dickerson, on the continental establishment, he faithfully served out said term of three years, & was honorably discharged by Colo. Dayton at Elizabeth Town, New Jersey - which discharge has since been burnt up with my house after the expiration of the three years, so he enlisted for four years, or during the war, he served in the same regiment & company, Maj. Barboar Commanding the regiment during a part of the latter term, during this last term this officer was taken prisoner by the a part of the 71 st Regiment of the British at Pyramus in the State of New Jersey, was taken by them to the City of New York, & then sailed around to Charleston South Carolina, & detained there in captivity by the British till he escaped from them (which he did in a very short time after

They landed at Charleston; when he escaped from them there he fled to the army of Genl. Greene on the high hills of Santee, & remained with him & was in the Battle of the Utaw, where he got his shoulder broke, his right leg broke, & was bayoneted through both his thighs. He then remained with Genl. Sumpter till he recovered which was not long before Wallasee was taken, he obtained no discharge for this term of service because Genl. Greene alleged he did not belong to his troops by enlistment & he could not properly give him a discharge but he faithfully served out his latter engagement & obtained from Genl. Greene what was called a pass or recommendation. He was in the Battle of Long Island, Germantown, Trenton, Stony Point, Fort Washington White Plains, New Haven with the Indians on the Susquehannah, & the Utaw Springs. He knows of no witness now living by whom he can prove his services. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of 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 provision of an act of Congress entitled an "Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property securities contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income, or any property except my clothes

I have not been worth in any sense of the word $100, since the 18 th day of March 1818, I have made no contracts of any importance, received or paid out any money or property of any sort what soever since the said 18 th day of March 1818. I did not know of any law by which I could obtain any compensation from government for my services in the Revolution, till within about one year past or little more, in which time I have been sick six months - I have been travelling into distant parts to find witnesses to prove my services, but ascertained my witnesses were dead when I went after them - my wife is dead, I have no family living with me, I live by the private charity of a married son who is in reduced circumstances -
his William + Needs
It is ordered by this Court to be certified to the Mark Secretary of War for the United States that satisfactory evidence was produced in open Court to convince this Court that William Needs the above named applicant has been in very indigent circumstances for many years before the 18 th day of March 1818 and that since that time to this, he has not been worth One hundred dollars - And it was further proved by credible evidence that said Needs is a man of good character and worthy of credit where on oath -

State of Kentucky
I Augustus M. Barnet Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Edmonson in the State of Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and order of the said Court thereunto annex- ed is truly copied from the Record of said Court.
In Witness whereof I have here- unto set my name and affixed my private seal, (there being no seal of Office provided) this 2nd day of May 1828.
Augustus M. Barnet

May 24, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. H. K. Forsythe 636 Sunset Avenue Evansville, Indiana
WILLIAM MEAD S. 31860 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James McCulla, of Pennsylvania, born April 20, 1754, died August 29, 1889, and buried in Boonville, Indiana; also, of William Mead who served from New Jersey and was pensioned from Vanderburgh County, Indiana.
A careful search of the records has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service in the Revolution of a James McCulla, under any spelling, from Pennsylvania. Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by this office. The record was found of William Mead or Meads (name appears under both spellings) and it is furnished herein as obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 31860, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Mead or Meads was born in 1740 in the State of New Jersey; the names of his parents are not given.
He enlisted in 1775 in Morristown, New Jersey, served as private in Captain Dickerson's company, Colonel Dayton's New Jersey regiment, was in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Fort Washington, Trenton, Woodbridge, Staten Island, Brandywine, Germantown and was discharged after having served three years, the period for which he enlisted. He enlisted again in the spring of 1778 at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, served as private in the same company and regiment, was in the battles of Monmouth and Stony Point, assisted in building a blockhouse at the forks of the Susquehanna, was in the battle of Newtown, went on an expedition against the Mohawk Indians at Johnstown, was in the battle of Elizabethtown in New Jersey, was taken prisoner by the British at Paramus, New Jersey, carried to New York City and from there on the prison ship, "Asia", to Charleston, South Carolina, detained there a

short time, then made his escape and joined General Greene's army on the "high hills of the Santee", as he was unable to get to his own regiment, and while with General Greene, was in the battle of Eutaw Springs, in which he was shot in his shoulder, had his right leg broken and was bayoneted through both thighs; he received a permit from General Greene to return home, the date of which is not given.
In 1828, the soldier was residing in Edmonson County, Kentucky. In 1830, he was a resident of Madison County, Illinois.
William Mead or Meads was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1833, at which time he was residing in Union Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. He then stated that he was in the army in the "late war".
Soldier's wife died prior to 1828; in that year he had no family residing with him, but referred to a married son, whose name he did not give, nor did he state the name of his wife.
In 1834, the soldier was residing in Union Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, but in March, 1836, he had moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, where he was living with a son-in-law, Littleton Westbrook. He did not state the name of his daughter who married Littleton Westbrook.
The soldier's place of burial is not shown in the claim, and in order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of soldier's death, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
William Mead Certificate 26529 Issued March 6, 1834 Rate $80 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act June 7, 1832 Indiana Agency
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

31860 Rev INVALID.
(35 May 24 Dict. to Mrs. A. J. Merrymth — MK 13)
File No. 31,860
William Mead
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1822
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 268
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
7092
P. O.
William Wood
Service: Consolidated Oct 14 1882 with reg 7099
Enlisted: _____ In Africa _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Cont
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1865.
REJECTED
7079
P. O.
William Special
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

20.6.43
William Meade.
Edmondson county
Kentucky
act 18 March 1818
Rejected
Deserted
See letter 23 May 1828 to Hon Joel Harney H.S.
7092

(215-86)
William Meads
Illinois
act 18 March 1818
Reported 11 Jany 1831 Vide letter to the Hon J Duncan H R
7079
(Dunton)

Al
Mr Burdine

State of Indiana Warrick County
On this the Seventeenth Day of February A D 1834 personally appeared before me John W. Lilliston Esqre a justice of the Peace Duly commissioned and sworn as such in and for the County and State aforesaid, at my Office in the Town of Evansville, William Meads a resident of Union Township in the County and State aforesaid who being first Duly sworn ac- cording to Law Doth on his Oath Make the following Declaration, Supplemental to the one made by him, before the Judges of the Warrick Circuit Court on the twenty fifth Day of September A D 1833) in Order to obtain of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 which Declaration he is informed by J. L. Edwards Esqre Commissioner of pensions is in some parts deficient, in Order that that part of his Declaration (above referred to) relating to the time of service and the length of time he served may be definitely understood by the Department when Duty it is to investigate the claims of the several applicants under the above act - he would make the full say that in consequence of old age, and Mental & Bodily infirmities incident to it, he cannot definite- ly, say in what year he entered the service but would state that to the best of his recollection it was the year before the Declaration of Indepen- -ce & with the year 1775 at the place and under the Officers stated in his Declaration of the 25 th Septem- 1833 to which this is a supplement that he served as a private under that Enlistment three years (the full term for which he Enlisted) had a discharge for that term of service which was signed by Col Dayton & Major Barber - Which discharge he kept until some time during the last war when that together with his other papers were destroyed by fire -

That about a week after he was discharged from the before mentioned term of service of three years which terminated as near as he can recollect in the year 1778 - he again enlisted for the term of four years beginning the war under the same officers that he enlisted under in the first term of service at a place called Elizabeth town in the State of New Jersey - The first engagement he was in after his second term of enlistment was with the Hessians under Miphouren at the farms commonly called the battle of Elizabethtown, Marched from thence to Morristown &c as stated in the declaration to which this is a supplement he would state that as near as he can recollect it was in the spring of 1778 that he enlisted the second time that he continued in service until the battle of Eutaw Springs which he thinks was fought in the fall of 1781 which makes this last term of service something over three years, that he was wounded there as he states in the declaration above referred to - that the British had taken shelter in a large brick house near which he was wounded. About the time Colonel Washington made a charge upon the British with some dragoons that kept back for that purpose in this charge Col Washington was wounded and taken prisoner from the time he first entered the service until the battle of Eutaw Springs was some months over six years - all of which time he was in the service of the United States as a private except the month that he was a prisoner taken at the maddening as stated in his first declaration and about a week intervening between his first term discharge and his second enlistment for which he claims a pension this is the only point the department thinks defective in the above mentioned declaration as It is with extreme regret that he learns from the department that he who has served his country faithfully in both the first and second

Should be returned to the Department as a Deed but so it is - but it has pleased an all wise providence to provide him with ample means to refute the false charge, one of the aged veterans of the Revolution John Griffith yet lives, by whom he can prove what the Department refers before a pension can be granted - he would here state to the Department the reasons why he has made this supplemental declaration before a Justice of the peace instead of the Circuit Court the Circuit Court meets Semi-Annually on the 4 th Mondays in March & September but at his advanced age (near 94 years) according to the common course of things he has but a few days to live and that John G. Griffith is also very aged and in all probability may not live until the next term of the Circuit Court and also that he is destitute and wishes to leave before the Court meets to go to Kentucky to live with his Children
Subscribed & Sworn To this 17 th Day of February William W Meads A.D. 1834 J. W. Elliston J.P.
State of Indiana } ss Vanderburgh County } ss
John G. Griffith aged Eighty two years myx August being duly sworn according to Law upon his oath says - That he is acquainted with William Meads the above applicant for a pension who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War that he was taken prisoner at the Muddy in said Meads Declaration mentioned that he was there on the next morning after the Muddy at Paramus in the State of New Jersey this deponent cannot distinctly recollect in consequence of his loss of memory by reason of old age the precise year but thinks it was in the year 1780 that he then went to the South - that he saw Meads

and one Peter Sullivan return too and join General Greene Army at the High Hills of Santee in the State of South Carolina where he the said Mead said that he had deserted from the British where he had been detained as a prisoner this deponent thinks that it was in the year 1781 when Mead joined General Greene at the South & that he well recollects that Mead had hand cuffs on when he came to General Greene Camp This Deponent further says that he himself was a Soldier under General Greene and that he saw said Mead carried off the field at the Eutaw Springs after the Battle in 1781 (he thinks in the fall) wounded in the arm & shoulder & one leg & both thighs and this de- ponent further says not subscribed & sworn to this 17 th Day of February 1834
John G Griffith
J. W. Lilliston JP
I John W Lilliston the Subscribed of the peace before whom the foregoing papers were subscribed and sworn to do hereby certify that John G Griffith who has subscribed & sworn to the above Deposition is Reported to be a a Soldier of the Revolution and that his reputation for truth and veracity stands fair given under my hand this 17 th Day of February 1834
J. W. Lilliston JP
The State of Indiana Vanderburgh County set ss. J. W. Jones clerk of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court certify that John W Lilliston is a Justice of the Peace as above - & that I believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his is gen- uine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 17 th day of February in the year 1834
J. W. Jones clerk

State of Illinois } Madison County }
On the 6 th day of December.
Eighteen hundred & thirty personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for the said county of Madison William Meads resident in said county aged ninety one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doath on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of congress of the 18 th day of March 1818 and the first of May 1820 that the said William Meads enlisted for the term of three years in the year 1775 as well as he recollects in the state of New Jersey in the company commanded by Capt Dickerson in the line of the state of New Jersey in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Dayton; that he continued to serve in the said corps until he was discharged in the state of New Jersey; that he enlisted again in the same Regiment and company in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven or eight; that he relinquishes his every claim to a pension except the present; that his name is not on any state roll except in the state aforesaid; and the following are the reasons for not making an earlier application for a pension: He says that he was at the battle of Long Island; that he has made application but was returned as a deserter on these grounds; that he was taken prisoner in the state of New Jersey that he deserted from the British in Charles Town in South Carolina and joined General Green at the High Hills of Santee on account of not being able to get to his own Regiment and that with General Green was at the battle of the Utaw Springs and was wounded and that he was left with the wounded at Santee under the care of General Sumpter and was unable to travel to join his Regiment at the time it was discharged and that these facts have never been laid before the Government and that he has no other evidence

now in his power of his services except his own oath And Pursuant to the act of the 1 st of May 1820 I do Most solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of October 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 to diminish it so as to bring my- self within the provisions of an act of congress enti- tled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States in the revolutionary war passed on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person 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 herunto annex- ed and by me subscribed. My occupation is that of a Farmer, my ability to pursue it is very limited none of my children are living with me, so I am dependent on another person for a support Schedule I have nothing but the cloths that I wear at the value of seven or eight dollars or thereabouts
Sworn in open court, this 6 th day of December 1830 In presence of
his William Fellread mark
Robert Aldrich } Judges of the county David Swift } commissioners court
I Hail Mason clerk of county commissioners court do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the court, that the said William Head did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declara- tion, against the common enemy, for the term of three years, under one engagement, on the continental establish- ment. I also certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule hereto 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 of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is seven or eight dollars.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court on this eleventh day of December 1830
Hail Mason clerk of the court of the county of Madison state of Illinois

Hon A. C. Harrison Geo
Recora V 46 page 487

War Department Pension Office 11 th May 1838
Sir
I herewith return the papers in the case of William Meade. His Pension has been suspended for the reason set forth in the accompanying copy of a letter to S r H. Trevel Esq r Springfield Illinois
I am H e
Hon. A. G. Harrison Ho. of Rep.

H. Reps. May 10 th 1838
J. L. Edwards Esq. Court 16.
Sir. you will examine the within and let me know whether all is right or not. I know that Joseph Dickson is Clerk of the County Court of Carroll County, State of Missouri, and that the signature is in his own proper handwriting.
Respectfully A. G. Harrison

James Lockhart 18 May 1835 G. C.
James Lockhart Glasgow Scotland
Brown V. 2 p. page 36

War Dept Pension Office May 18. 1835
Sir,
Your letter of the 7 th inst. has been received. I have directed the pensions of Ziba Arnold and William Mead to be stopped. I am satisfied from a full examination of these cases that they are fraudulent, but the evidence is not perhaps strong enough to convict them of wilful and corrupt perjury.
I will be obliged to you if you will inform me as to the counties in Kentucky into which they have fled, if you can obtain such intelligence.
In
James Lockhart, Esq Evansville Indiana
Will Mear R. 31860

S. H. Yeat,
May 27 '36
Y. B.
Record V. 31 page 422.

Wm Lloyd
Pension Office
May 24 1836
Sir
Your letter enclosing the application of William Meade for a transfer has been received. It appears from documents on file in this office that Mr Meade was a deserter. His pension has, consequently, been stopped.
J. H. Trust Esq. Springfield Illinois

ap 39
Mr Brewster
Free
J. L. Edwards Commissaire of Pensions War Department Washington D. C.
William Chase

Mr. J. L. Edwards
Evansville Branch Bank } 18 th April 1836 }
Sir
There have been received from you four letters addressed as follows.
of 2 April To the President of the Branch of the State Bank of Indiana, Evansville
6 th April To the Agent for paying Pensions, Evansville, Indiana.
6 th April To the Mr. John Douglass, Evansville Ind.
8 th April To the Branch of the State Bank of Indiana, Evansville, Indiana
being a considerable variety in the way of address. The first letter would have been replied to sooner had the President been at home, and I did not conceive myself at liberty to open letters addressed to him. I would beg leave to remark that he never has had, nor ever will have, any thing to do with the Pension business; I would, therefore, beg leave to recommend that, in future, no letters on the Pension business be addressed to him; - they may be addressed in any other way you pleases provided it is so that I can with propriety open them. I have taken the liberty to suggest this, in order to prevent difficulties or delay hereafter.

William Head, Pen s during the Revolutionary War, is on my List, and his last payment is marked as having been made to 4 th March 1835, and in the next column he is marked as being suspended. I never made him any payment myself, and, as his suspension took place previous to my taking charge of the Pension Business for this district, I am unacquainted with the cause of the same.
Agreeably to your instructions I have entered on my List John Walker, Private, and shall pay his Pension from the 4 th March 1831, at the rate of $43.33 per Annum.
I remain Your mo t S t Serv t . John Douglass

State of Illinois County of Sangamon } S.S.
On this fourteenth day of March 1836 Before me the Subscriber a justice of the peace in & for the said County of Sangamon personally appeared William Mead — who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Dickson in the Regiment commanded by Col. Dayton in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Indiana from which he has lately removed that he now resides in the said County of Sangamon where he intends to remain & wishes his pension to be there payable in future that his reasons for removing to this State are that his daughter Elizabeth Estherton Westbrook has recently removed to this County, with whom he wishes to live with whom he now lives.
Sworn & subscribed to his William Mead before me this day mark just as above
Thomas Woffell J.P.

State of Illinois } County of Hampshire } S.S.
On this 14 th day of March 1836 personally appeared before me the subscriber a person of the kind in the the County aforesaid, Littleton Westbrooke, who makes oath and saith that he knows William Mead who has taken the foregoing affidavit to be the same person who is described therein.
Sworn & subscribed to before me this day & his Littleton Westbrooke year aforesaid - mark
Thomas Moffett J.P.
I do hereby certify that Littleton Westbrooke who has made the foregoing affidavit, is a person of respectability. Whereon Statements are entitled to full credit.
William Bowden Thos. Moffett J.P.

State of Illinois } County of Sangamon } S.S.
I Charles R. Matheny Clerk of the County Commission Court in & for the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas Moffatt Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, was then & now is an acting justice of the peace in & for said County duly commissioned and qualified & that his signature thereto is his genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my official seal this 14 th day of March 1836.
Charles R. Matheny Clerk

William Head
Evansville { Indiana }
to
Illinois
Letter to Mr. Treat of 2 nd May '36 - dictated by Comt.
Pension such?

Springfield Illinois March 15 th 1836.
Hon James L Edwards Com. Perkins.
Sir. Enclosed herewith I send the application of Mr. Mead to be transferred from the Mission agency of Indiana to that of this State.
The notice of transfer may be sent to me - Respectfully Yours Obedient Servt. J. H. Treat

" Next further Let to Thomas Posey of 18 th May '35"
Let to Thos Posey, Plant. Conyda, Ind. a. of that date, instructing him to make no payment in the case of Wm. Mead, until further order directed by the office to do so.
J. P. M.

Evansville Indiana Feb 17 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq
Mr Sir you will permit me to trespass upon your patience a few moments in a remark or two on the Envelope enclosing the application of William Meads for a Pension - his Case is a peculiar one, his having been returned as a deserter seemed at first blush to be an insuperable bar to his ever obtaining from his Country, that Boon to which, (all who know him) believe him to be so eminently entitled to but fortunately for him one of his Companions in Arm resided in the immediate vicinity whose testimony is forwarded with a supplemental declaration accompanying the original papers - I cannot entertain a doubt but that the additional statements he has made, to his former declaration together with the testimony required by the Department herewith transmitted will be entirely satisfactory to the Department - hundreds of his fellow citizens would no doubt testify to their belief of to his services that he was wounded as he states and as Griffith testified I am fully satisfied of, from an examination of his frame - It was my lot to be raised in a part of the country, where his services were rendered (to wit) New York & Northern Pa he is illiterate, he cannot I believe read, at all events he cannot write the minutiae with which he relates every minute circumstance is to me sufficient evidence that he was with Sullivan in that Section of the U.S. - Your immediate action on his case is Respectfully solicited
J. L. Edwards Esq Pension Office Washington D.C.
With Respect I have the Honor to be Sir Your Obedient Servant James Lockhart

William Meads Parsons Returned Member in the Department 27466 March 3 rd 1884
Judiciary Returned Department of War Indian Office Washington D.C.
Gainesville Va. Mar 4 1884
Thos

Evanville Ind
Oct 3 1833
25
27. 466 27. 2 1/2
Honorable Lewis Cass
Secretary of war
Washington City
Application for Revolutionary Pensions

Evansville Inda Oct. 2 d 1895
Honorable Lewis C. Dyer
Secretary of War
Enclosed is the Declaration of W m Meads a soldier of the Revolution applying for a pension under the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832 his age and extreme indigence makes his wants pressing it is therefore hoped that his case will be attended to as soon as the press of business in the office will admit it is believed by all those who are acquainted with him there is none that is more deserving his country's bounty for a man who has fought the battles of his country at the age of ninety three to be compelled to resort to manual labour of the most servile kind to procure the means of subsistence is nothing to the feelings of every true friend to his country
Respectfully yours
William Rawley

4 of Verbe
Dec 30 th 1830
Mr Sir
Ky
You will please to examine the enclosed papers and if possible do something for this old sinner
Yours ob- serv
Joseph Duncum

MRS. WILLIAM R. DAVIDSON, REGENT 810 E. POWELL AVE.
MRS. ELMER D. LUHRING, VICE-REGENT 718 S. E. SECOND ST.
MRS. BEX A. TRIMBLE, RECORDING SECRETARY 814 E. BLACKFORD AVE.
MRS. HAROLD K. FORSYTHE, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY 636 SUNSET AVE.
MRS. IVAN H. LOER, TREASURER 864 BELLEMEADE AVE.
MRS. LANE B. OSBORNE, REGISTRAR 2210 W. ILLINOIS ST.
MISS RUTH A. BEAN, HISTORIAN 1210 S. E. FIRST ST.
MRS. JOSEPH H. WILLIS, LIBRARIAN ROOSEVELT AVENUE
MRS. DANIEL F. NORTON, CHAPLAIN 1005 S. E. SECOND ST.
Vanderburgh Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
636 Sunset Ave. April 29, 1935.
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hiller:
I am interested in knowing where William Mead Revolutionary War Soldier, was when he last received a government pension. I know he applied for and received a pension in Vanderburgh County, Indiana in 1831 being 68 years old at that time and was in New Jersey since.
I would like to locate his grave, but do not know if he is buried here.
I am also very much interested in obtaining proof of service of a Revolutionary Soldier, - James McCullo who came from Pennsylvania. He was born April 20, 1754 and died Aug. 29, 1859. He is buried at Boonville, Indiana, but as he did not apply for a pension am having difficulty obtaining proof of service. I have already written Adjutant General and State Librarian of Pa. to no avail.
Very truly yours, Mary Rachel Forsythe (Mrs. H. K.)