Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4469, for John Kelso, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Penn.
Relso, John or Relssoc
No. 4469
Mary
CONTENTS

3083
Mary Kelso
-
Application for a Pension under Act July 1838 on roll.
Admitted Sept 2 nd 1840

State of Pennsylvania Allegheny County
On this eleventh day of October 1838 personally appeared before The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania sitting at Pittsburgh —————
Mary Kelsoe a resident of Forest Township in said County aged seventy-seven years who being duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed 7 July 1838 entitled "An Act "providing Half Pay & Pensions to certain "Widows"
That she is the widow of the late John Kelsoe who served during the War of the Revolution as a Sergeant in the Army of the United States in the Pennsylvania Line, and received therefor a Grant of Government Land, the original Patent for which she herewith transmits. She further declares that she was married to the said John Kelsoe

in the month of May 1786, in this County by a Clergyman of the Presbyterian Church then residing on Chestnut Street. She received no certificate of Marriage from him, nor does she suppose that any record of the marriage was made by him. Her husband, the said John Kelsoe died in March 1813. She has never been married since his death.
The date of the marriage and the ages of the four first children were entered by her husband in a small School Book; after which he died not minding to enter the ages of the younger children; and the Book having been used by the boys in America as a School book, it was worn out and she has no recollection of seeing it for a long number of years back.
Mary Kelso

State of Penns a Sc:
The foregoing declaration sworn to and subscribed before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania sitting at Pittsburgh the tenth eighth day of October 1838. Witness my hand & the seal of said Court - the day & year aforesaid.
Shaw, J. V. Prothonotary

968
Pittsburg Penn a
Mary Kelsoe
widow of John Kelsoe dec d ?
he was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the March 1813
Allegany Co. in the State of Pa a
he was a Sergeant in the Company commanded
by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded
by Col Chambers in the Penn a
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a
at the rate of 120 Dollars — Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Nov r .
1835 and by Hon. P. S. P. S. Pittsburg Pa a
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1835 $300.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th March 39, 60.00
$360.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by M. G. Addison Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 2 nd Page 156

Allegheny County Pa. Millsboro Feby 17 1849
Sir
My mother, Mary Kelso widow of John Kelso a Revolutionary soldier, has received her pension certificate dated the 23 d day of December last, on application however at the Pittsburgh Pension Agency for her same annual stipend, I was informed by Mr Guthrie, the Pension Agent that he had not received any instructions to place her name on the rolls.
I presume the matter has been overlooked, and hope the Commissioner of Pensions will order the Agent to place the name of the pensioner on the rolls.
Your Obedient Servt Benj o Freese.
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington City.

Return of the Pennsylvania Line, entitled to Donation lands, reported by the Quartermaster General.
   Name Rank Regiment Acres of land No.     John Kelso Sergeant 1st Penn c 250 acres 130 7th district.  
Pennsylvania G.I. I do certify that the above is an extract from the records of the Land Office.
Attest John Henderson Harrisburg Pa. Dy. Secy. Sept 15. 1838.

State of Pennsylvania Allegheny County Sss
On this Sixteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County above mentioned, Mary Nelson a resident of Allegheny County Pennsylvania aged eighty five years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 2 nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of John Nelson who was a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War and that she received a sum in of one hundred and twenty Dollars per annum under the Act of Congress of 17 th June 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow
Sworn to & Subscribed on this day and year above written
Mary his Nelson mark
Jacob H. McEwen
Witness Henry Nelson

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, } ss. State of Pennsylvania, }
I, William Hully Prothonotary of the Courts of Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegheny in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do by these presents certify, that Jacob H McEwen Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper hand writing, subscribed his name, was at that time, and now is,
an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the said county, duly commissioned and sworn, to all whose acts, as such, due faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, throughout the United States and elsewhere. And that said Affidavit was taken before the proper officer
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Pittsburgh, in the said County, this tenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty- eight and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America, the 73 rd .
ATTEST:
William Hully Pro

Pension Agency
Pittsburgh Feb. 28. 1845
Sir
I am requested by Mr. Kelso the son of the within named applicant for a renewal of her pension under the Act of 2 d Feby 1845. to transmit the annexed papers. I have no reason to doubt her identity.
Very respectfully
Your obedt Servt
J. P. Smith
Pension Agent.
Dear Sir, Enclosed Comp of Pension Washington City

State of Pennsylvania Allegheny County ss
Before me Ad am
Patton
a Justice of the Peace for said County. Personally came Jane Robb well known to me as a respectable & credible person who being duly sworn says:
That she is a sister of the late John Kelso. She was present at the marriage of her said brother to Mary McCormick now Mary Kelso upwards of fifty years ago. The ceremony was performed by the clergyman who resided on Charters Creek and as soon as the ceremony was performed returned to the house of the bride's father Benjamin McCormick. Deponent has resided in the neighborhood ever since. The said John and Mary lived together as man and wife until his death in 1813 and raised a numerous and respectable family.
Jane her Robb mark
Sworn & Subscribed before me this Twentieth day October 1838
A. Patton

Allegheny Co. Pa.
Before me a justice of the peace in and for the County of Allegheny
personally came Mark Kelso who being duly sworn says: That he is a brother of the late John Kelsoe who served in the Revolutionary War. That he came to this country shortly after the marriage of his said brother to Mary McCormick in the year 1785 or 1786. Deponent lived in their house for about ten years when he came out and deponent lived with his said father. He has resided in the settlement ever since. His brother and the said Mary almost lived together as man & wife until the death of said John Kelso and raised a numerous family Mark Kelso
Sworn and subscribed before me this twenty ninth October 1838 by Mark Kelso whom I certify to be a credible person
A. Patten

Allegheny County, S c
Personally appeared before me
Ann Hall who being duly sworn says: That she was present at the marriage of John Kelso and Mary McCormick. They were married by a Presbyterian minister on Chartiers Creek. Deponent has resided in the neighborhood ever since. They said John and Mary, although living together as man and wife until his death in 1813.
Sworn & subscribed before me this Oct. 1838
and I do certify that the said Ann Hall is a person of credibility
[Ann Hall's memory so impaired by age that it was deemed improper to take her testimony]
Allegheny County, S c .
Before me a Justice of the peace and for said county

his only son,
That he is the brother of Mary Kelso, formerly Mary McCormick. He was living with his father at the time when his sister the said Mary was married to John Kelso. They left the house to be married by a Congregationalist in Charleston and returned on the same day. Deponent now resides in the same residence house of his father. His sister and the said John Kelso ever lived together as man & wife and raised a numerous family.
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 15 th Oct. 1838
Hugh McCormick
the said Hugh McCormick being known to me as a man of credibility
Samuel Riddell

Allegheny County 5 th , State of Penn s .
I Thomas Siggett Prothonotary of the County of Allegheny County, State of Pennsylvania do certify that Adam Patten and Samuel Riddell before whom the foregoing Deeds were taken are Justices of the Peace for said County; that the attestation are in their proper handwriting, and that full faith and credit are to be given to the same. Witness my hand and seal of office this fifth day of November 1838
Thomas Siggett Pro

2171
Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
Mary Kelso
widow of John Kelso
who was a Sergeant
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20. day of Dec r 1843 and sent to Hon. R. Biddle
Pittsburgh, Pa.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 1. Page 134.

June 8, 1936
John Kelso-W.4469 BA-J/AWF
Virginia Naylor Brown Hotel, Room 540 Louisville, Kentucky
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Kelso, who enlisted in 1776, served as corporal and sergeant in the third Pennsylvania regiment, and continued to serve until January 1, 1783.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 4469, based upon the service of John Kelso during the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only John Kelso or Kelsoe, who served with the Pennsylvania troops, found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The date and place of birth of this soldier are not given, nor are the names of his parents stated.
John Kelso served as a sergeant during the Revolution, in the 1st Pennsylvania regiment, length of service and names of officers not given.
He married in the month of May, 1786 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Mary McCormick, daughter of Benjamin McCormick of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; the name of her mother is not given.
John Kelso died in March or April, 1813. His widow, Mary Kelso, was allowed pension on her application executed, October 7, 1838, at which time she was aged seventy-seven years and living in Fayette Township,

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where she continued to live in 1848.
The soldier, John Kelso, and his wife, Mary, reared a "numerous" family. Their son, Benjamin Kelso, in 1849 gave his postoffice address, Nobles-town, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; names of other children were not stated.
The soldier's sister, Jane Robb, was a resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1838, and his brother, Mark Kelso, was also residing there in 1838. Hugh McCormick, brother of the widow, Mary Kelso, was living in 1838 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in the house where his father, Benjamin McCormick, lived at the time of the marriage of Mary McCormick and John Kelso.
The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to family.
If you desire information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, Mary Kelso, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following:
Mary Kelso, widow of John Kelso Certificate # 2584 Issued December 23, 1848 Rate $120.00 per year Commenced March 4, 1848 Act of February 2, 1848 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Ans December 10, 1927
Honorable Charles E. Winter House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Winter:
In response In response to your letter of the sixth instant, I have the honor to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 4489, it appears that John Kelso or Kelsoe served during the war as a Sergeant in the First Pennsylvania Regiment, length of time and names of officers not given.
Soldier married in May 1786 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Mary, daughter of Benjamin McCornick.
Soldier died in March or April 1813, and she was allowed pension on her application executed October 11, 1838, while a resident of Fayette Town- ship, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, aged seventy- seven years.
It is stated that they raised a numerous family.

only name given, being a son, Benjamin.
In order to obtain the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Mary Kelso, widow of John Kelso, you should apply to the Records Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data-
Mary Kelso, widow of John Kelso, Certificate No. 2584, issued December 23, 1848, rate $120 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848, Act of February 2, 1848, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Agency.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

sion on file in this Bureau.
John Kelsor and File #4469
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     During the War — Col. — Hugh Penn.                                                                 
Battles engaged in, —
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated
Date of application for pension, Oct. 11 1838. Her claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, South of Philadelphia Pa.
Age at date of application, 47 years
Remarks: Soldier married in Philadelphia Pa. May 1790. Mary daughter of Benjamin W. McCormick. She stated that they raised a numerous family. Benjamin is the only name given. Soldier died March 27 1813.
OK
Very respectfully,
Mrs. Boyd McCormick 218 East Market St. Washington Pa.
27225b3m1-07
Commissioner.
Soldier's brother Mark Kelsor

C. J. MCCLAIN, CHAIRMAN 540 BROWN HOTEL LOUISVILLE, KY.
L. BURRELL, VICE CHAIRMAN 1703 EWING AVENUE EVANSVILLE, IND.
F. D. MILLER, SECRETARY 2207 BUSSE STREET COVINGTON, KY.
GENERAL GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD TRAINMEN L. & N. R.-R. SYSTEM
May 27, 1936
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Sirs:
On November 19, 1935, I wrote you to secure some information concerning any Kelso who might be recorded in your department.
December 4, 1935, you wrote asking for veteran's name, rank and organization, and approximate dates of service. Your file BAH.
I have secured the following information, which I hope you can locate in your files:
"John Kelso, who enlisted February 5, 1776, was appointed Corporal October, 1776; Sergeant, about March, 1777; Captain William Butler's Company, 3rd Penn. Regiment, commanded successively by Col. Arthur St. Clair and Joseph Wood. John Kelso served until January 1, 1783."
I should appreciate very much any information you can give me on this John Kelso.
Respectfully,
Virginia Naylor Virginia Naylor Room 540, Brown Hotel Louisville, Kentucky

CHARLES E. WINTER WYOMING
COMMITTEES: PUBLIC LANDS IRRIGATION AND RECLAMATION MINES AND MINING WAR CLAIMS COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE ON LAND GRANTS
Congress of the United States House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.      December 6, 1927.
Hon. Winfield Scott, Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Commissioner:
Will you be kind enough to give me the following information about Mary Kelsey, widow of John Kelsey, who served in the Revolutionary War:
The record of service of John Kelsey
Date of soldier's death
" of widow's death
Widow's address
I understand that the soldier enlisted in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and died on or about 1813 and the widow died about 1840.
Thanking you, I am
Very truly yours,
Charles E. Winter

Rev sent
M. H. BORLAND ATTORNEY-AT-LAW BELL PHONE 211 BURGETTSTOWN, PA.
July 13, 1921.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
The writer had an ancestor one John Kelso, born 1755 died 1813, who served in the Revolutionary War as a member, I believe, of the first Penn'a regiment. He enlisted in the Cumberland Valley, Penn'a and died in Allegheny County, Penn'a. He left a widow Mary McCormick Kelso who survived until 1849 and I understand she received a government pension for many years prior to her death. The writer would be grateful for information that may be secured from the archives as to:
The dates of birth and death of John and Mary Kelso;
A record of the service of John Kelso in the Revolutionary war.
Respectfully yours,
M. H. Borland

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ALFRED C. ORMOND, MINISTER 112 UNION STREET MISHAWAKA, INDIANA
September 20th, 1913
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly give me the pension record of JOHN KELSO, who enlisted in the First Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Army of the Revolution, and was mustered out Nov. 30th, 1783? His widow, Mrs Mary McCormick Kelso received a pension up to the time of her death in 1849. Thanking you kindly for the desired information I remain
Sincerely Yours
A. C. Ormond

Mrs. BOYD CRUMRINE, 212 EAST MAIDEN STREET, WASHINGTON, PA.
Oct 16-07.
U. S. Pension Record Office Washington D. C.
Will you kindly send me data as to date of pension record etc. of John Kelso , who died, in Washington County, Penna. His widow, Mary Kelso also drew the pension of ninety dollars for some years. Can you give me his time of service, rank and date of death? I have found nothing about the pension in our Archives here - yet know it was a fact. If you can send me copy of certificate I shall be greatly obliged. I need this for D.A.R. credentials.
Very Truly
Mrs. Boyd Crumrine

Nov. 4. 1907. First to Mrs. Boyd Granville. Washington, Pa. V.L.M. 1913 Sept. 27 First to Rev. A. G. Ormsby, N.Y. etc. 1921 July 25 First to H. H. Barlow. 1927 Dec. 10 " " Hon. Chas. S. Foster and 1936 June 8 " " Virginia M. Foster and
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4469
Mary Kelso,
widow
John Kelso
Sept. Rev war
Act: Feb. 2 nd 1848
Index:—Vol. 81 , Page 391
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1293457
1293457
WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington, Pa., Oct. 16, 1907.
John Kelso (Rev. War?)
Mrs. Boyd Crumrine
Requests data as to date of pension record, time of service, rank and date of death of above- named.

Sir
Pittsburgh 2 Oct. 1843
I forward to you the application of Mrs. Kelso for the benefit of the recent Act.
Very respectfully
W. Briddle

4595-
13
Oct 5 1843
Pa
Mary Kelly act 1843
968
FREE
S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pension, City of Washington

2584
Pennsylvania Philada Mary Helle widow of John Helle sen d who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Drayman
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Dec r 1847 and sent to Hon. M. Hampton Ref d
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 240 Vol. 2

To Pittsburgh Pa 4. March 1848. May 5. 49
Reported
Dec 23/48
Reported May 5/49
Deb to Wm H. Houghton May 5/49
Notes of accounts 1848-49

2083
Great Nova Pa
7 July 1838
J. L. Schumacher Com

1.2
Pittsburgh 5 Nov. 1832
I transmit the Application of Mary Helen for Pension under the Act of July 1832.
Very resp
BB Smith

Pittsburgh
Leigh
May 5: 1849
Mary Kelso of this County has drawn a pension for many years, but and under the Act of 2 d Feb. 1848 is intitled to $120. per annum, to commence on the 4 th Mar. 1848, according to the Certificate from the War Office dated 23. Dec. 1848. She has called on the Pension agent at this place, and he informs her that her name is not on the pension list.
Will you have the goodness to have this matter attended to immediately
Very Respectfully Your H. Servt M. Hampton.
J. S. Edwards Esq

House of Representatives Washington Dec. 20 th 1848
Sir
I am requested by a constituent to make the following inquiry at the Pension Office viz "What occasions the delay of Certificate to Mrs Mary Nelson relict of John Nelson dec d . a revolutionary soldier - This inquiry is based on the law of 1848 - She drew a pension under the old law up to March 4 th 1848."
Your answer to the above inquiry will greatly oblige
Yours Mr. Olds M. Hampton
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm te of Pensions

May Kelso
Dec 16 1883
$120 per annum
May Kelso
John Anderson Esq.
Hon. R. Bidwell
Conduit of Penna.
No 4595
City of Washington
Hon. R. Bidwell
Pittsburgh
Pa

Sir
Pittsfield 13 Dec. 1843
A considerable time ago I transmitted to you the Pension Papers of Mary Halsey to obtain the benefit of the Act giving one year additional Pension. Not having heard from you I fear a misconception of the letter. Will you be pleased to let me know whether it reached you?
Yours, &c.
W. B. Childs

4595 Declaration of Mrs. Mary Helso Widow of John Helso De- late of Pennsylvania, to Obtain the benefits of the Act of 3 rd March 1843

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3rd March 1813 granting Pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7th 1828
Allegheny County      State of Pennsylvania
On the 20th of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fortythree, personally appeared before me A. Potter Esq. One of the Justices of the Peace in and for said, Mrs. Mary Kelso a resident of said County of Allegheny aged eighty three who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the pensions made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3rd March granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war: That she is the Widow of John Kelso, deceased, who was a Sergeant in the revolutionary war and died April 1813. That she received five years pensions as such Widow at the Pittsburgh pension agency. — The said Mrs. Mary Kelso further declares that she is still a widow. —
Mary Kelso
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year before written before me the said A. Potter Esq. a justice of Peace as aforesaid.
A. Potter
And I the said A. Potter Esq. a justice as aforesaid do hereby certify that the said Mrs. Mary Kelso is personally known to me
A. Potter

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, } ss. State of Pennsylvania, }
I, Alfred Sutter Prothonotary of the Courts of Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegheny in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do by these presents certify, that H Potter Esquire, before whom the foregoing declaration was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper hand writing, subscribed his name, was at that time, and now is,
an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the said county, duly commissioned and sworn, to all whose acts, as such, due faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Pittsburgh, in the said County, this 2 day of Octobr in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty- three and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America, the 68
ATTEST:
Alfred Sutter Jr