Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16180, for John Kinney, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
Penn.
Kinney, John
NUMBER
S16180
Row in N. J.
CONTENTS
Carded

Ohio. 19. 850.
John Kinney
of Knox Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Snook of the Reg't commanded by _____ in the Penn. line for two years .
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. at the rate of 80. Dollars 00. Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of Feb. 1833 and sent to Mary B. Curtis. M c Vernon, Secy.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. — 200. — Pension, allowance ending 4 Mar 34. 40. —
$ 240.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. J. Johnson Clerk. Book 5 Vol. 8 Page 14.
Letter to S. J. Henderson Esq. 31 Aud. 21 Decr 1840
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1839 from 4 Sept 1839 to 4 March 1840. — A/gt notified 31 Decr 1840

Declaration of John Kinney for a pension -
2/1/81
Direct to Henry P. Curtis Fort Vernon, O.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Ohio Knox County, Com. pleas. ss.
On this 11 th day of March A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, now sitting, John Kinney a resident of Chester Township in the County of Knox aforesaid and State aforesaid aged about 77 years (as near as declarant can ascertain) who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832: That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: He enlisted or engaged as an indian spy and scout under one Henry Enochs, a Colonel of the Militia, or acting as such for state troops of Pa at Ten Mile Creek (so called) in that part of Pennsylvania, now Green County - in the Spring of 1778. Said Colonel had at the time, command of the following forts viz; Fort Sackeson, Seals' fort, Hogg's fort, Lees fort, Bell's fort, Lindley's fort, & Atkinson's fort; which were stationed across the Country on the head waters of Ten mile Creek, about five miles apart - Declarants service consisted in scouting through the woods & forest, watching & spying the movements of the Indians & their approach - and carrying messages & communi- cating intelligence to the forts - The service performed by declarant was very fatiguing frequently having to pass through swamps & deep ravines, & through dense brushy forests, over steep & rugged hills. Sometimes alone, sometimes with others, according to the emergency, or the nature of the service - and was attended with much danger and hazard - Declarant at the time of his engagement & during the war resided within a mile of where the Town of Waynesburgh in said Green County now stands - That his engagement was indefinite as to time, but was

to Continue while there was danger in that part of the Country and until discharged. He continued in the said Service until the end of the Revolutionary war in 1783 & further until the Treaty with the Indians of 1788. He received his discharge about that time or soon after, signed by Capt. Wolverton. but which discharge he has long since lost, as likewise all other papers & documents relating to said Service. Declarant does not know of any person living, believing there is none, by whom he can prove his said service. Of any who were then engaged in Service with him are now surviving, they have gone to parts unknown to Declarant. Declt. continued to reside in that part of Pennsylvania until 1810 when he removed to this County & to the neighborhood where he now resides. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. And in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Court under instruction of the War Department He further saith:
1 That he cannot state the year in which he was born, having lost his father when but about 5 years old, & being put out to service he is only able to calculate his age from a reference to his Indentures from which it would seem to declt. that he was born in 1755. (he thinks in Morris County) in the State of New Jersey. 2 Declarant has no record of his age, nor does he know of any. 3. & 4. interrogatories - (He has already answered in the body of his declaration) 5. He has already stated the names of his officers as far as he can recollect; except Lt. Col. James Brashal who succeeded said Enoch in Command. Some of his Captains were Andw. Farley - James Blackburn. David Ruble. Thos. Wolverton - 6. (as to his discharge he has already stated)

7. Saml Breen, and Tho s Boals & Jas. Irwin are persons who reside in the same neighborhood with applicant, and who can testify as to declarants reputation for truth & veracity, & their belief as to his services in the Revolutionary War
Sworn to & subscribed before me, in open Court the day & year first above stated - Alex r Elliot CLK
His John + Kinney mark
The State of Ohio } Knox County } } Mr James Irwin — a clergyman & Thomas Boals residing in Chestu Township of said County, and in the neighborhood of the residence of John Kinney the above applicant for a pension — And also residents of the same neighborhood hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Kinney who has sub- scribed & sworn to the above declarations. that we believe him to be 77 years of age or thereabouts. 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 to & subscribed to before me the date aforesaid - -and Alex r Elliot CLK
- Thomas Boals - James Irwin
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And

Court further Certifies that it appears to them that James Irwin who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Township & neighborhood as therein stated and Thomas Poalce who has also signed the same Certificate is a resident in the same neighborhood and is a creditable person - & that their statement is entitled to Credit.
I Alex r Elliot Clerk of said Court do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Kinney for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 16 th day of March A d 1833.
Attest. Alex r Elliot CLK

24. 181
19.850.
John Kinney Knox 6 th Ohio
Re trans
Adms 2 years pro $80
Henry B Curtis Mt Vernon 0

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
27 April 1833.
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 subjunctive 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 John Hinney
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     March 1778 " 1778 He continued in the said service until the end of the revolutionary war in 1783 Indian Spy Capt Briscoe 77 years Green Co. Pennsyl. Ex. citation of a clergyman  
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 do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ of the Court 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 day 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 (l) 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 reared 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 enquiry 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 transnit 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, deposeth 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 or a 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 affix 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.

November 1, 1924
Mrs. W. C. Ditt 149 South Phillips St., Kokomo, Ind.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 16180 it appears that John Kinney ( who signed by mark ) was born in 1755 in New Jersey ( he thought in Morris County ).
While living about a mile from what was later Waynesburg, Greene County, Pennsylvania he enlisted in the spring of 1778 and served as Indian Spy and scout under Captains Andrew Farley, James Blackburn, David Ruble, John Miller and Nathan Bann, Colonels Henry Enochs and James Marshall in the Pennsylvania Troops until the close of the Revolution.
After the Revolution he continued as an Indian Spy and scout under Captain Thomas Wolverton and Colonel Crooks until the treaty with the Indians in 1788.
In 1810 he moved from said part of Pennsylvania to Chester Township, Knox County, Ohio where he was

allowed pension on account of his services in the Revolution, on his application executed March 11, 1833.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death, you should apply to the Pension Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. citing all of the following data: " John Kinney, Certificate No. 18850, issued September 21, 1833, rate $ 80 per annum, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency. ".
The above noted is the only soldier of that name who served in Pennsylvania and was pensioned in Ohio.
> It is not stated whether he ever married.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to furnish any information in regard to John McKinney of Pennsylvania who moved to Ohio.
Respectfully,
Commissioner. John McKinney the next of kin to John McKinney

16180 INVALID.
1934 No 8-1 - Hist. to m. 1860 Dunnitt. MMXV.
File No. 16180
John Kinney Pri Rev war
Act: June 7" 32
Index: —Vol. / , Page 208
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 21 st 1840.
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," John Kinney, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839, to the 4 th March 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Alexander B. Barringer Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

John Kinney,
Amended Declaration
for pension
Add to
Francis P. O'Callaghan Mt. Vernon R.

The State of Ohio Knox County - Court of Common pleas June Term 1833
Personally appeared in open Court John Kinney a revolutionary soldier, and being duly sworn agreeably to law makes the following amendment to his declaration heretofore made out & forwarded to the war department to obtain a pension dated the 11 th day of March 1833: The said John Kinney saith that the said Young Enoch mentioned in his former declaration acted as his Colonel, and James Marshall was his Lieut. Col. His Captains were at different times Andrew Farley, James Plackburn, David Ruble, and Thos. Wolverton - He also now remembers that some part of the time he was under Cap t John Miller, and Nathan Dean. The said Dean was a Sp y Captain.
Declarant further states that he is frail in memory as well as in body, and is not able to speak with greater certainty as to his officers or the period of service under each respectively - His service continued as specified in his former declaration - during all which period he served as a private only - But Declarant now remembers in addition to the above named officers he was for a short time under Col. Crooks but he believes that was subsequent to the declaration of peace with Great Britain.
Declarant cannot find or hear of any of his old associates or persons who had actual knowledge of his said service & therefore is unable to produce further proof.
John his Kinney mark
Sworn & subscribed in open court the 11 th day of June 1833. Alex. Elliott C.K.

The State of Ohio Know all men by these presents
I Alex r Elliot Clerk of the Court of the County of said place for said County do hereby certify that the within amendment to the declaration of John Kuney was made, signed and sworn to in Open Court as within stated.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court. Dated at Cincinnati this 22 d day of July A.D. 1833
Alex r Elliot Clerk

149 S. Phillips St., Kokomo, Indiana, Oct.14, 1924.
Pension Department Dept. of Interior Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
I should like to have the pension department send me the record of the service of my great-grandfather, John McKinney in the American Revolution.
He lived in Pennsylvania and is said to have served eighteen months at the close of the war. He later moved to Piqua, Ohio and is buried in Harmony Cemetery, Sidney, Ohio where he died July 27, 1852, aged eighty-five years. He was very young during the Revolutionary War but he could have been in the service the last eighteen months.
Very truly yours,
Mrs. W.C. Dimitt.
Mrs. W.C.Dimitt.