Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6,267, for William Leet, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
Lt. William
NUMBER
R. 6267
Born in N.J.
CONTENTS

William Lect.
Hon
J. Gilmore
H. Ro

County of Beaver  BRIEF in the case of  William Leek  of Pennsylvania  in the State of Pennsylvania  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes  3. How old is he? 74  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Volunteered in the winter of 1775-76 2 1st Lieut. Capt Reason Virginia Pennd Corps   do August 1777 1 Ensign " R. Bright   do Nov 1777 15 Captain " J. Bagg   do Fall 1781 15 do Indian " David Williamson   do Spring 1782 1 Scout Command of Station Fort   his services are not of sufficient duration to entitle him to a pension under the act of June 1832 Captain  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Not any  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Washington Co. Pennsylvania  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas S. Wilcox Examining Clerk.  1 March 1833

M c Lect En Tavern of Beauf Beaufort County Penn a
12

Beaver County Pa. The Common a of Penn a .
On the first day of October A.D. 1832 personally appeared before Thomas Henry one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Beaver William Leet Esquire a Resident of said County aged Seventy four years 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 7 th 1832. That in the winter of the year 1775 and 1776 he served two months in the Mettler as first sergeant, under Captain Reason Virgin Lee were stationed on Dunkard Creek now Green County State of Pennsylvania to protect the frontier settlements against the Indians. Some time after my return home in the year 1776. I was elected ensign of the company, and about the month of August 1777 I was sent as ensign to take the command of Van Meter's Fort on Short Creek & served for one month. About this time or some time previous. Capt. Virgin moved away & John Roggs was elected in his place. Who continued in command of the company for some time, and then he removed down to Buffalo creek. and I was elected Captain of the company. This as near as I can recollect was in the year 1778. and in the year 1782. was re-elected Captain of the same company, and continued in the command of the company until after peace. The last and only commission now in his possession. is from the executive Council of Penn a dated May 1 st 1780. His first Commission

as Captain & his Commission as Ensign, has been mis- laid, or lost, nor does he now recollect whether they or either of them, were issued by authority of the State of Virginia, or Pennsylvania, as the dispute between the two States, was not settled at that time, & they both laid claim to the jurisdiction of that part of the Western Country.
My services as Captain were as follows —
An expedition into the Indian Country, in pursuit of the robbers known as the Doans & Richardsons, who were taken & brought back. I marched to Wheeling to rele- vive the garrison when surrounded and attacked was by Indians. I was a Scout when Hawkins house attacked, himself killed & his family taken Prisoners.
The above three trips, when taken together, would amount to at least two weeks. In the fall of the year 1781, I went a Scout to the Indian towns, on the waters of the Muskingum & took several prisoners. This expedition employed us two weeks. We were commanded by Colonel David Williamson — In the spring of 1782, I was sent to take the command of Vance fort, & in this service I remained one month, and in the same year, May & June, I had the command of a company in Crawford's disastrous Campaign — for one month.
Besides the above service as an officer, I served one month as a private in place of my Father who was taken sick on the Station, after the close of the Revolutionary war, in the year 1788 or 89. While the Indians were troublesome, I served one month as a private —
This Comprehends all my services, in & after the close of the Revolutionary war, except my occasional services, in carrying into effect, the orders of my su- perior officers, that consisted in raising men & mustering them into service, or sending them to the different exposed points or forts, with which we were surrounded — and watching the attacks

of our enemy. That kept us on the alert for more than eight years - of these services, I kept no particular record. Nor can I tell, with precision, what was the amount, in this service I was often employed from one to five days, at a time as the case required and although I cannot positively state the precise time, I was thus employed, I can & do state with perfect safety & certainty, that in this manner I was employed while an Ensign, one month - & as a Captain, at least three months -
I was born in New Jersey, in the year 1758, and have a record of my age taken from my father's Bible, was living in Washington County Penn a , when called into service & since that time have lived in Washington & Beaver Countys, & now live in the latter place, I always Volun- teered my service, & served as such except, when a substitute for my father, & the State as an ensign, in that instance I was drafted, I was also drafted when I took Command of Union Fort. I was stationed in no instance where there were regular officers, I never got a written discharge, was always discharged by Parole. There is no person living that I can procure evidence from of my service, as to persons, that have a knowledge of my Character, for Veracity &c, I could name a great number, but will hereby refer to, Genl. John Lacoak & Genl. Samuel Parker
I do hereby Relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State
Given & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Tho Henry
John Lacoak

We Abner Luce & Samuel Power residing in the County of Beaufort do hereby certify that we have been acquainted with William Luce Esq r  thirty or forty years , who has sworn to & subscribed the within declaration for thirty or forty years, that we believe him to be the age that he stated, that he has always sustained a character of the first order, for truth & veracity, we most sincerely believe that no pecuniary consideration would induce him to swerve from the truth, that it has always been understood by us & in the neighborhood where Mr Luce resides that in the Revolutionary war he was engaged in the defence of his country and that we have no doubt that he performed the services stated by him
Sworn & subscribed the 4 th day of Oct r 1832
Thos Henry
Abner Luce Samuel Power
We William Maclean & Jonathan Davis both Clergymen residing in the County of Beaufort do hereby certify that we have been acquainted for some considerable time with William Luce Esq r who has sworn to & subscribed the within declaration, that his character stands fair in the neighborhood where he resides for veracity & truth and is believed in the neighborhood, that he was engaged in the defence of his country in the Revolutionary war & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the 4 th of Oct r William Maclean, 1832
Thos Henry
Jonathan Davis

I Thomas Henry an Associate Judge in and for Beaver County do certify and declare it to be my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the within named William Leet, who applies for a pension was a Soldier in the Revolutionary & Indian war, and I do further Certify that the Rev d . Messrs Maclean & Davis are Regular Clergemen the former of the Presbyterian the latter of the Baptist Churches, both Residents of the County of Beaver, reputed as Gentlemen sustain- ing the best of Character, and that Honor Soc es . & Sam l . Paden Esquires both reside in the County of Beaver, are Gentlemen of good Character, and that the Statements of all these gentlemen are entitled to full credit. And I do further certify & declare that I have been intimately acquainted with the applicant Mr Leet for thirty years, that during my acquaintance no man has sustained a fairer Character for integrity Veracity & truth. That for a year and a half past owing to an affection of the spine, he is unable to walk & principally confined to bed, Consequently could not appear in Court to have his examination taken. Certified the day and year aforesaid.
Thos Henry

State of Pennsylvania Beaver County ss
I James Logan Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver county do hereby certify, that Thomas Henry Esquire (before whom the foregoing declaration was made and sworn to, and subjoined depositions taken, and before whom all the foregoing proceedings were had, relative to the aforesaid application for a pension by the said William Lett,) is an Associate Judge in and for the said county of Beaver duly commissioned by authority of the said Commonwealth and that his signature to the foregoing proceedings is in the proper handwriting of the said Thomas Henry Esq.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of said Court this 5th day of October A.D. 1832 James Logan Protho

March 21, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
aw William Leet-R.6267 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. H. E. Patton 446 Division Avenue Bellevue, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of David Bowel, William Leet and Hugh Mitchell.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of either David Bowel or Hugh Mitchell. The surnames have been searched under similar spellings.
The data furnished below were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 6267, based upon the Revolutionary War service of William Leet.
He was born in the year 1758 in the state of New Jersey, names of parents not given.
He applied for pension, October 1, 1832, then a resident of Beaver County, Pennsylvania and stated that while residing in Washington County, Pennsylvania, he served in the winter of 1775 and 1776, two months as first sergeant in Captain Reason Virgin's company, Pennsylvania militia, was stationed on Dunkard's Creek, to protect the frontier against the Indians; in 1776 was elected Ensign of the company and in August, 1777 was sent to Van Meter's Fort on Short Creek and served one month; in 1778, was elected Captain and served at various times, a part of the time under Colonel David Williamson, was in Crawford's Campaign, and continued

to serve as captain until "after peace". In 1788 or 1789 he served one month as substitute for his father, out against the Indians, no officers given; this service was as private.
The claim for pension of William Leet was not allowed, as he did not furnish proof of six month's service, as required by the pension law.
There are no data in this claim concerning the family of William Leet, other than the reference to his father, as given above.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

May 11, 1929
Mr. William Leet Rawn 424 North "G" Street Tacoma, Washington
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.6267, it appears that William Leet was born in 1758 in New Jersey.
He applied for pension October 1, 1832, while a resident of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and alleged that while residing in Washington County, Pennsylvania, he served in the winter of 1775 and 1776 two months as first sergeant in Captain Reason Virgin's Company and was stationed on Dunkard's Creek, Greene County, Pennsylvania, to protect the frontier against the Indians; in 1776 was elected Ensign of the Company and in August, 1777, was sent to Van Meter's Fort on Short Creek, and served one month; in 1778, he was elected Captain of the Company and served at various times, a part of the time under Colonel David Williamson, was also in Crawford's Campaign , and continued Captain until after peace.

May 1913 Section 1000
In 1788 or 1789, he served one month as private as substitute for his father (name not given), and was out against the Indians, no officers given.
His claim was not allowed as he did not furnish proof of six months service as required by the pension law.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

February 18, 1929
Frances T. Spragg 832 Main Street Wheeling, West Virginia
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.6267, it appears that William Leet was born in 1758 in New Jersey.
He applied for pension October 1, 1832, while a resident of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and alleged that while residing in Washington County, Pennsylvania, he served in the winter of 1775 and 1776 two months as first sergeant in Captain Reason Virgin's Company and was stationed on Dunkard's Creek, Greene County, Pennsylvania, to protect the frontier against the Indians; in 1776 was elected Ensign of the Company and in August, 1777 was sent to Van Meter's Fort on Short Creek, and served one month; in 1778, he was elected Captain of the Company and served at various times, a part of the time under Colonel David Williamson, was also in Crawford's Campaign, and continued Captain until after peace.

In 1788 or 1789, he served one month as private as substitute for his father (name not given), and was out against the Indians, no officers given.
His claim was not allowed as he did not furnish proof of six months service as required by the pension law.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

446 Division Ave
Bellefonte Pa
Veterans Administration.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly tell me if you have a record for Capt Hugh Mitchell who is buried near Madison West Co. Pa Believe it is Little Sewickley Cemetery. There is a Samuel and Alex. Mitchell also buried there. In Samuel Mitchell's will he mentions father Hugh and sister Agnes Hamilton my ancestor. Wish to know if Capt Hugh was father and if I can find his record it would likely prove who he was.
There was a David Bowel fr. Fayette Co. on Comm. at the Whiskey Rebellion Affair. Was he a Rev. soldier? Would also like the record of Wm Leet who died in Washington Co. Believe he was a Captain. He was mar. to Susan Laycock. Will be very grateful for these records.
Yours Resp't
Mrs H. C Patton
Mar 2-1934

William Scott Rawn. (RAWN)
424 North "G" St.
Tacoma Washington
Personal request for history.
May 11, 1929

L. W. SPRAGG
GENERAL INSURANCE GLOBE REGISTRY COMPANY ROOMS 407-408 NATIONAL BANK OF W. VA. WHEELING, W. VA.
May 29, 1928
Dept of Interior Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Can you tell me if a pension has ever been granted to Capt. William Leet, a soldier in the Revolution or to his widow? He served from either Penna., or West Virginia.
Your very truly,
Francis T. Spragg.
852 Main St., Wheeling, W. Va.
WTS/CA

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by S. D. Lamparter
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier William Seet
Service _____
Additional Service Rev. War
No _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim as above except Rej. 6267

Toledo Ohio 717 Grove Place - Jan. 27. 1908
Hon. Commissioner of Pension - Dear Sir:
Can you please give me any information of my ancestor, Captain William Lett - who applied for a pension on or about 1832, as a revolutionary soldier - who is said to have died in the forties.
I want the date of his birth and death - and place where he was born and died.
Any other information you can give me will be thankfully received. If you could send me a copy of his descriptive list as it appears in your records I would be obliged.
Yours Respectfully
Mrs A. M. Raven Rawn

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1908 July 4. Test to Mrs. A. M. Rosen. N.E.H.
REJECTED
25 67
P.O. William Leek Service: _____
1929. Feb. 18- Hist to Frances J. Spragg and
1929-May 11, Hist to Mrs. Wm Leek Rawn, M.E.E.
1934-Mch 21- Hist to Mrs. H. E. Patton and
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852
Heges: shows reasons for rejection -
Re-enlisted: "He did not serve six months"
Attorney: _____
P.O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

6267

William Lee BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡ QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Beaver
23 d January 1833
I do hereby certify that Thomas Henry Esq an Associate Judge of this county prepared an applica- tion for a pension for Mr William Scott of this county and the proceedings relative to the same were duly attested by me as Clerk of the Court for the county of Beaver = after which, I handed the same to Judge Henry = I also certify that upon examina- tion I find no such application in this office
23 d January 1833
James Logan Pritchett

I Thomas Henry one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Beaver County do certify that I took the declaration of William Seet Esq. to procure a pension under the provisions of the act of Congress passed the 7 th of June last. To the declaration of Mr. Seet was appended the the Certificate of Genl. Peacock & Genl. Paver given on oath. The next day after taking the depositions of these Gentlemen, which I think was in September last, I took the papers to the Prothonotaries office, and had the Certificate of the Protho & County Seal affixed thereto, and immediately enclosed them in an envelope & directed them to the Secretary of War, and sent the Package by my son to the Postoffice in Beaver
Thos. Henry
Beaver 23 rd January 1853

Beaver Jan. 23. 1833
I certify that James Logan deposited in this office 3 or four months ago or probably more two or three packages directed to the department of War which he said was certificates for pensions and if I recollect correctly told me one was for -all of Wm Lee, which were forwarded immediately to Washington City
J Logan

How are you
FREE
John Gilmore. M. b.
Washington City
D. C. -

Hemlock 23 May 1833
Dear Sir -
On receiving your letter in relation to the application of William Mott of Brecon County I immediately wrote to him, stating that his papers could not be found on file in the office &c - By the last mail I recd from Mr Mott the enclosed certificates, by which you will see the documents were regularly mailed and sent on. - I am requested by Mr Mott to ask your kind attention to make another effort to find the Mott papers, I have no doubt of their having been forwarded. - By taking this trouble you will confer a great favour upon Mr Mott who is old entirely helpless with the policy around oblige your friend &c &c
J. H. Asche
John Selmore Esq

H. P.
L. P. Edwards Esq. Passion Office

St. R. Aug. 31 st 1833.
Sir: I called yesterday at the Treasury Dept. Mr. Lee & Prufers had not been read there - I enclose you a letter & certificates which I recd. this morning - Respecting the application of Mr. Lee being made & sent.
Yours very Resp. - G. Clay
Mr. G. Clancey

Oct 10/82
Library Office
War Department Washington City
Stearne
Brig Genl

enn. act June 1832
Rejected, see letter April 2. 1833 to Hon. L. Caps.

Dear Sir
Pension Offr
April 2. 1833
Sir,
Herewith returned is Gen. Lacey's letter. The papers of record  in the case  of the  disbursing of William Keet have been looked  examined  caused  examination and placed on our files. It appears he was in actual service six months. As the act of June 7. 1832 provides for those who served 14 days, he is  is entitled to a Pension ca