Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,617, for Samuel Jordan, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Jordan, Samuel or Jorden
S. 5617
CONTENTS
carded

Samuel Jordan. Petition of David Jordan of Milton Penna. for a pension
Dec. 15, 1845. Referred to the Com. on Rev. Pensions.
Jan'y. 16. 1846 - Bill 123
60 Rev. Pen Pollock

To the Honorable, the Senate of and House of Representatives, of the United States, in Congress assembled.
The petition of Samuel Jordan, of Millers, Northumberland County Pennsylvania,
most respectfully represents:
That he was born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, on the 15th day of September, seventeen hundred and sixty five, from whence his father removed, and also your petitioner, at the age of 7 or 8 years, to the West Branch of Susquehanna nearly opposite the Borough of Milton, his present residence. At the period of his removal from Cumberland County, to the West Branch of the Susquehanna, the country was almost uninhabited, there being but one family, besides that of Your petitioner's father, for many miles around the place where they sat down, with a view of remaining. Your petitioner remained on the Susquehanna, until the commencement of Indian hostilities in 1778 or 1779, when he, with others fled, to the River Juniata, near the present site of Millers Town. In the fall of the same year, Your petitioner, his Brother Andrew, aged at that time about 23 , and his sister Sarah, a small girl, returned to the Susquehanna, leaving their parents, on the Juniata. During their absence, their dwelling was burnt, and also their horses and a Uddox. In the following spring they returned to the Juniata, and remained there until the month of June or July. Your petitioner again returned with the family to the place of their first settlement, on the Susquehanna, where they continued until the month of June 1782, when your petitioner volunteered, at Stetler's Mill, on Little Buffalo Creek, then in Northumberland, now Union County, to serve for 9 months in the Company commanded by Captain John Foster, of Buffalo. Captain Foster's health was feeble, and he died in the following winter. During his sickness, and after his death, the duties of the Captaincy were attended to by James Thompson of the same valley. John Moore was the first Lieutenant; the Ensign's name is not now recollect- =lected by Your petitioner. The Company consisted of 34 members, and was not under the control of any field Officer. The members of the Company were uniformed, consisting of the old fashioned hunting shirt, leggings and moccasins. The Company met at the place above stated, and was divided into two divisions; - one of them was under the command of the First Lieutenant Moore, and the other your petitioner, which was commanded by Captain Thompson. The division to which your petitioner belonged, marched through the territory, between Penns and Middle Creeks, on a scouting expedition - thence crossing Penns Creek to the base of Jack's Mountain, near where the Town of New Berlin, is now situated. Thence to where Lewisburg is now located, thence back to Stetler's Mill where they remained about a week. They were then ordered out, on a scouting expedition to Nuttall Mountain thence to the junction of White Deer Mountain with White Deer Creek - thence down the Creek to Samuel Fisher's Mill, thence up White Deer Mountain, following the course of the Mountain to near the mouth of the Creek; they then returned to Stetler's Mill. The Company continued to scout over nearly the same territory, almost every week, until the winter set in. They remained in winter quarters, as minute men until the spring of 1783. Your petitioner was then engaged for a period of nine months, during the year 1782, as nearly as he can now recollect. In September 1782 Your petitioner, volunteering with others, under the

command of Captain Hays of Dauphin County, to go to Lyaback Creek, then in Northumberland, now Lycoming County, for the purpose of reconnoitering the country, and protecting the scattered inhabitants from Indian depredations. They crossed the Susquehanna River, to where Milton is now situated; marched to the mouth of the Muncy Creek, where they remained one day, and after obtaining the services of Robert Ormsby, as a guide, they started for the head waters of Lyaback Creek, with four days provision on their backs. When the corps arrived at a point, about 30 miles up the Lyaback Creek from its mouth, John Mitchell was sent out, for the purpose of discovering traces of the Indians. The first day he was out, he discovered signs of their proximity - On the succeeding day, he discovered an Indian Encampment, with 14 Indians in it, as he informed the Corps on his return. The Captain for want of provision, and of a sufficient number of men deemed it most prudent to return to Wallingford, 4 miles above the mouth of Muncy Creek, where was stored accordingly - The corps then returned home - Some by land - others by water. The line thus spent by Your petitioner, was two weeks and upwards.
Your petitioner further states, that he, and the other members of the Company last above referred to, were under arms, and voluntarily subject to the order of John Moore, the Lieutenant, named in the former part of this petition, during the winter of 1783-4, as minute men. The whole of the service rendered by Your petitioner, during the year 1783-4, amounted to 4 months of actual service, consisting of short periods of actual service.
Your petitioner, for the services above stated, most respectfully asks of Congress such compensation, as they, in their wisdom, may think proper to allow him - In a little time, all, who participated in the War of the Revolution will have gone to the tomb, and Your petitioner, feels sensibly that he will need the aid of his country, or his friends, but a short time. It is not in the power of your petitioner to obtain testimony as to the above service - The individuals, by whom he could have proved them, some years ago, are dead; but he feels persuaded that Congress will not refuse the aid he asks, by requiring him to do what is now impossible.
Samuel Jordan

Northumberland County Feb 10
The said petitioner in his solemn oath declares, that the facts set forth in the foregoing petition, are, as he verily believes, true. That the several things stated, were performed by him; - That he knows of no one now living, who can prove them. That he never obtained a written discharge, and that his age is stated, as he now recollects hearing it, from his parents. The family Bible in which his age was recorded was burnt when the infirmary, here and any one referred to in the petition, were burnt. That your deponent is in circumstances, when out of his country, would be needed.
Sworn to before me this first day of December 1845.
Samuel Jordan
W. Miller Justice of the Peace.

Declaration for a United States Pension.
State of Pennsylvania Northumberland County } s. c. 5.
On Monday the first — day of January Anno Domini 1844 personally appeared before the Hon. Charles G. Domel His associates, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Northumberland aforesaid in open court (the same being a court of records) Samuel Jordan a resident of the Borough of Milton in the county and State aforesaid, aged seventy eight years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his solemn oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832 entitled, "An act supplementary to the "Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," to wit, that he was born in the Borough of Carlisle in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania on the 15 th of September Anno Domini 1765 - that he resided in Carlisle until he was seven or eight years of age when he moved with his parents to the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, to wit, on the Western shore of said river then in old Northumberland (now Union) county, opposite to the place where the present Borough of Milton in the now Northumberland county stands, that portion of the said state of Penn a being then a wilderness, there being but one other family then living in the said district, viz the family of James M c Clenahan - that he, the declarant, resided on the said West Branch of the Susquehanna until the commencement of the Indian hostilities in this section of country in the year 1778 or 1779 when he and his parents and residue of the family and a good many of the settlers on the Eastern side of the said West Branch of the Susquehanna river fled, for refuge, to a place on the Juniata river, about four miles West or rather North West of the present town of Millerstown on the Juniata river in Penn a and on the Eastern side of the said river, opposite to the Western side thereof where one James Mitcheltree then resided - that in the fall of the said year of 1778 or 1779 he and his brother Andrew Jordan, who was about twenty one or two years of age His sister Jane, who was then but a small girl, leaving their parents on the Juniata returned with two horses and a wagon to their old residence on the West Branch in Northumberland (now Union) county, and found that their dwelling house had, during their absence on the Juniata, been totally burnt up and destroyed - that in the following spring he and his brother and sister re-visited the Juniata In June or July returned again and remained at the site of their old residence

and in the neighborhood of it until the commencement of the services for which he now claims a pension. Declarant's parents continued to reside on the Juniata river till after the return of peace with the Indians on the West Branch of the Susquehanna river aforesaid when they also, viz his parents, returned to the place of their former abode on the said West Branch.
The declarant farther states that in June 1782 he, at the early age of seven-teen, at Fitzel's mill on Little Buffalo creek in Northumberland (now Union) county volunteered, for a tour of nine months, in a company of militia commanded by Captain John Foster of Buffalo valley, in said county, who died the succeeding winter, for having been a sickly man, his duties as captain both before and after his death, devolved on and were executed by James Thompson of the same valley. John Moore of the same place was the first Lieutenant. The name of the Ensign is not recollected. The company, which consisted of thirty four members in all, wore the old fashioned uniforms, viz hunting shirts, leggins & moccasins. They met at Fitzel's mill where they were thrown into two divisions, the one, of which the declarant was a member, commanded by the 1st Lieutenant, John Moore, and the other, he thinks, was commanded by Capt Thompson. The division, to which the declarant was attached, marched through the territory lying between Penn's creek & Middle creek in Northumberland (now Union) county on a scouting expedition, thence crossing Penn's creek they scouted along the foot of what was then called "Jack's mountain" down to the place where New Berlin the seat of justice of Union county now stands, thence they crossed to the place where the Borough of Lewisburg, in the same county, now stands, & thence they marched back to Fitzel's mill, where they lay about a week, when they were ordered out on a scouting expedition along the Nittany mountain, also in Union county; after leaving the mountain they marched to one John Fulton's house near to the junction of the White Deer Hill & its creek, and thence down the said creek to where Samuel Fisher's mill stood, about half a mile above the site now occupied by Joseph Moore's mill in Union county, thence they ascended the White Deer mountain & followed its course on down to one Smith's mill near the mouth of the White Deer creek & thence they again returned to their old station at Fitzel's mill. Thus this division of the company continued to scout over one or more of those same places nearly every week until the winter fully set in, when they remained in winter quarters as minute men till the following spring of 1783, the whole tour of active services thus rendered having occupied a space of nine months. The other division of the Fitzel's mill company, under Capt Thompson, performed similar services over other routes & portions of the same district of country. The object of those scouting expeditions invariably was to afford protection to the scattered & frontier settlers by spying out such Indians as might be lurking around and either driving them off or keeping them at bay.
The declarant farther states that in the month of September A. D. 1783 he and four other men, to wit, William Elliot, Thomas Martin, Captain — Harris of Dauphin county, State of Penn s ; and an associate of the said Harris, also from Dauphin county, whose name is not recollected, volunteered their services to go up to the Loyalsock creek in Northumberland (now Lycoming) county to re-connoitre the country and afford what protection they could to the scattered inhabitants.

of that region. This little band was under the command of Captain Harris. They crossed the Susquehanna river, to wit, from the Western to Milton, or rather the site of Milton on the Eastern side of the said river & proceeded thence by water, in a canoe, to Black Hole valley near the present Muncy Dam in the Susquehanna river, about eleven miles North of Milton, where they were joined by one John Mitcheltree, an old Indian scout, who volunteered his services in our Loyalock expedition, thence they proceeded on up the said river by canoe to Walton's landing below the mouth of the Muncy creek, where they abandoned their canoe & proceeded thence by land. The above-named John Mitcheltree had his permanent residence in the aforesaid Black Hole valley & was a brother of the James Mitcheltree who resided on the Juniata. The little band, thus enlarged, staid one day at the mouth of the Muncy creek when, having procured the assistance & company of Robert Crownover as a pilot or guide through the woods, they set out, by the nearest and best route, for the head waters of the Loyalock creek, each man carrying nine days provision on his back. When we arrived about thirty miles above the mouth of the said creek we sent out Mitcheltree to spy out traces of Indians. The first day he saw signs of the presence of Indians; the next day he went out and found an Indian camp with fourteen Indians in it and returned & informed us of it. Captain Harris, in consequence of the fewness of our men & the want of provisions, for our provisions had by this time been exhausted, deemed it most prudent for us to retire to Wallis' Fort, four miles above the mouth of the Muncy creek, and we did so, with much sufferings from hunger, the crossings of streams & on our way to the fort. From the fort they returned home, some by land & some by water, the time spent in this expedition having been upwards of two weeks. Capt Harris his associate now left this region of country & went home to Dauphin county. The residue of this little band, with the exception of Crownover & Mitcheltree, remained voluntarily subject to the control of John Moore, their old Lieutenant, for the whole of the winter of 1783-4 as minute men, the whole services rendered in 1783-4 having in this way occupied a period of four months actual service, by repeated services of short periods at a time.
The declarant farther states that he is unable to produce a discharge inasmuch as he never any written discharge - that he has no documentary evidence whatever of his services as aforesaid & that it is impossible for him now by reason of the great lapse of time & death of many of his old acquaintances to procure witnesses who can, from their own personal knowledge, testify to his services in the Revolutionary war in such manner as he could wish - that he has after the most diligent enquiry by letter & otherwise, only been able to find one witness, found him quite unexpectedly, who can give any testimony as to his the declarant's revolutionary services, to wit, Michael Fisher, of Union county, Penn s ; whose testimony will be found in his deposition which have been taken & are herewith annexed. Declarant farther states that he has no record of his age in his family Bible - that his age had been recorded in his father's family Bible but that the said Bible together with all the contents of the house were destroyed when his father's dwelling house on the West Branch of the Susquehanna was burnt up, as is supposed, by the Indians in 1778 or 1779, after they had abandoned it & fled to the Juniata. Declarant farther states that he is personally known to the Rev John Bryson & has been so for the last fifty four years - that he is also personally known to Gen. Joseph T. Anthony & Gen. Robert H. Hammond ex-members of Congress from this Congressional district, also to Gen Henry Fick the present member of Congress from this district & likewise to John Island of Turbut township.

William Taggart of Chilinguague & Col. Thomas Pollock of the Borough of Milton in the county of Northumberland & indeed to many other individuals whose names he might mention who can testify to his character for veracity and of their belief in his veracity & also of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. Declarant farther states that since the passage of the Pension act of 1832 he has frequently been advised and urged to apply for a pension but declined making such application, not from any doubts as to his being justly entitled to a pension but from an impression & even wish that as he had lived so long without any pecuniary assistance from the Government of his country he might end his days without such aid, but his increasing years and infirmities & of course wants have produced a change in his mind & now cause him to solicit that honorable aid which the laws of his beloved country have tendered and still tender to all such as have fought and bled and risked their lives & fortunes for her protection & welfare in a time that deeply tried men's souls. The declarant also states that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Interrogatories put to said applicant by the court. His answers thereto.
1. Where and in what year were you born? Ans. In the Borough of Carlisle in the county of Cumberland & State of Penn a on the 15th of September. A. D. 1765 2. Have you any record of your age & if so, where is it? I have none. My father's record of my age was burnt as above stated. 3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war & where do you now live? Ans. When called into service I lived on the West Branch of the Susquehanna river in old Northumberland (now Union) county, State of Penn a since the Revolutionary war I first lived in what is the now Union county, then three years in Lycoming county & then at Milton in the now county of Northumberland, where I now reside. 4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if so, for whom? Ans. I volunteered every time I was out. 5. State some of the names of the regular officers with the troops where you served, such continental & militia regiments as you recollect and the general circumstances of your service. Ans. The only regular officers that I recollect were Gen. Potter of Centre county & Col. John Kelly of old Northumberland now Union county. I recollect no continental or militia regiments. The general circumstances of my service have already been detailed in my declaration. 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given & what has become of it? Ans. I never received any thing more than a verbal discharge. 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Ans. Rev. John Bryson, Gen. R. H. Hammond, Gen. Henry Frick, John Ireland, William Taggart, Col. Thomas Pollock &c as set forth in my declaration.
I sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid, before me
S. D. Jordan P.M.
Samuel Jordan

35.438.
Samuel Jordan
Pa.
act 7. June. '32.

Northumberland County S.S
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County Michael Fisher of the county of Union State of Pennsylvania Yeoman who upon his solemn oath duly administered did say that he is now and has been acquainted with Samuel Jordan of Milton Borough said County of Northumberland ever since, and during the revolutionary war that he was a soldier in what was then called the Nine Months Service and under the command of Lieutenant John Moore as he the deponent believes Sworn and subscribed at Milton Borough the 28th day of November A.D 1843
James Sharp J.P.
His Michael Fisher mark
State of Pennsylvania Northumberland County } O.C.T.
I Samuel Durell Jordan, Prothonotary, of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Northumberland State aforesaid do hereby certify that James Sharp Esquire before whom the foregoing deposition of Michael Fisher purports to have been taken is sworn to is a Justice of the peace in and for the said county, legally elected & commissioned to act as such & that the signature annexed to said deposition is the genuine signature of the said James Sharp Esquire. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said court this 1st day of January Anno Domini eighteen hundred & forty four.
Sam D Jordan Prothonotary

We John Bryson, a clergyman residing in the township of Turbut in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania and Joseph Rhoads of the Borough of Milton in the same county and State do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Jordan who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age and upwards - that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war & that we concur in that opinion. The said John Bryson farther states that he could not safely attend court in person on account of his advanced age, (he being eighty four years of age) his present infirm state of health and the deep and heavy condition of the roads. Sworn to and subscribed by John Bryson at his residence in Turbut township aforesaid, this twenty eighth day of December Anno Domini eighteen hundred and forty three, before me the subscriber one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Northumberland & State aforesaid; and I do also certify that the said John Bryson could not safely attend court in his present state of health in this inclement season of the year, for the reasons above assigned.
John Bryson
John Bryson
And sworn to and subscribed, in open court, by Joseph Rhoads the other above-named deponent before me.
This 1st day of January, A.D. 1844
Sam l D Jordan
Joseph Rhoads
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 farther certifies that it appears to them that John Bryson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Turbut in the county of Northumberland & State of Pennsylvania and that Joseph Rhoads who has also signed the same is a resident of the Borough of Milton - in the county and State aforesaid. In credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Sunbury, Northumberland County, Penn a January 1. 1844
Charles G. Donnel Pres t
Geo. C. Welker

I Samuel Dwell Jordan, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of No Huntingdon Huntingdon County, State of Penn a , do hereby certify that the foregoing papers contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Jordan for a pension. In witness whereof I have herunto set my hand and the seal of the said court This first — day of January Anno Domini eighteen hundred and forty four.
Sam d D Jordan Pnt

Re-Issue.
Cop No. 32.517
5,617
File No. 15,487
Name: Samuel Jordan
Rank: Private
Comp'y: Cap M c allister
Reg't:
Revolutionary War
Philadelphia
} Agency.
RATE PER Year MONTH, AND DATE OF COMMENCEMENT.
1st Issue. { 30 00 Comm'g March 4, 1831
2d Issue. { Comm'g
3d Issue. { Comm'g
DATE OF CERTIFICATE, AND TO WHOM SENT.
1st Issue. { Oct 26, 1846 Sent to
2d Issue. { Sent to
3d Issue. { Sent to
Set 14th July, 1862 Bk. G., Vol. _____, Page _____
Registering Clerk:
Penalty. {

S. File 5617
Rev War
Pa -
Daniel Jordan
Receipt of Thomas Jordan from Jn. Wetzell A.C. of Issues -

Recd March 26 th 1883 of Mr. Waldo three pounds of flour in full of the with in due bill
The Foodman
S. J. S. 617 S. J. S. 617
12/3

I do Certify that there is due to Mr Thomas Jordan one hundred & Twenty pounds of Flour one hundred & Twenty pounds Beef & one hundred & Twenty Gills Whiskey, being his Rations from the First of January to the Thirty day of April 1781
April 30 th 1781
John Westall M aj Genl

See File 5617.
INVALID.
Cop. No 32.517 —♦—
File No. 15.4157
Sammel Jordan Tri Rev War
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 447
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Departure of Alexander Jordan & Samt. D. Jordan

Northumberland County ss.
On the 11 th day of April 1838 personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas of said County Alexander Jordan and Samuel D Jordan, sons of Samuel Jordan of Milton, an applicant for pension, and on their solemn oath declare that they have frequently heard the said Samuel Jordan, in the family speak of his services during the Revolutionary War, and have heard him relate most of the material matters set forth in his declaration before the act of Congress of 1832. They further state that the said Samuel within the last four years has sustained several losses in business, and has become, in consequence thereof, reduced in circumstances —
Sworn and subscribed Coram
D r Benjamin Pick
A Jordan
Sam D Jordan

SAMUEL JORDEN.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 123.]
JANUARY 16, 1846.
Mr. BRODHEAD, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Samuel Jorden, asking for a pension, report:
The petitioner claims a pension under the act of 1832, for thirteen months' service, in 1782-'83, as a volunteer, serving in scouting parties against the Indians, and in the protection of the frontier settlements. The committee are of opinion that sufficient evidence is not adduced to justify the grant of a pension, under the said act, for a longer period than nine months. It does not appear that he was in actual service for a longer period, although he may have been waiting orders as a minute man. The petitioner is proved to be a man of high character for integrity and intelligence. He testifies positively to his service, and gives a very minute and circumstantial account of its character. His reputation as a soldier of the Revolution is also clearly proved. The claim for nine months' service, the committee think, is made out according to the provisions of the act of 1832, and a bill is therefore reported, giving him a pension of thirty dollars per annum, beginning on the first day of January, 1844.
Ritchie & Heiss, print.

Oct 26, 1896
Abiezer can Save Jordan, W. B. D.

10
Wm. I. L. Edwards Commissary of Pensions Washington City

January 21 1826.
W. L. Sir,
Enclosed I send you an affidavit in relation to Samuel Sordans pension, which I hope will prove sufficient. I was under the impression that when Congress passed an Act for the relief of a Revolutionary Soldier, that it was not necessary to again furnish any department with the name of the Regiment Company &c, - and that it was only necessary for the Pension Office to know that such an act had passed to send on a Certificate - Samuel Sordans papers were before Congress at the time his petition was presented, by a reference to them you will find it more fully stated than in the enclosed affidavit.
I am my Resp. Yourself
Samuel Sordans
Wm L Edwards

Oct 9 '46
5
To the Commissioners of Pensions Washington City
at to until Oct 12 '46
Saml Jordan - Shart abt to CLK H 2
Oct 9 46

Wilkes Penna Oct 5 1826
Dr. Sir At the last Session of Congress, an act was passed granting to Samuel Jordan a pension — Will you be so kind as to inform me the amount, and how to proceed to draw the pension, and how much to draw the first time &c.
Yours with much Respect
Sam d W Jordan
Please direct to "Wilkes Pennsylvanias"

Dec 30. 1842.
Ph.
S Jordan mi.
Hon John L. Edwards Chair. of Pensions -
Hon. J. Snyder H.R.
Washington City. DC

To the Hon John L. Edwards, Commr. of Pensions
Sir:
I enclose you the papers of Samuel Jordan Esq. for a Pension; I can say nothing in support of the claim; but can say this, that I am acquainted with the applicant, the witnesses in fact, with every name attached to the papers, and unhesitatingly say, they all are men of the strictest integrity, and of high respectability as any in my district. Therefore am assured his claim will be placed in competition with others of a like character, which, (so far as my knowledge of the subject extends) have been allowed.
Most Respectfully
Yours J. M. G. G.
Decr 29: 1842
Home Rep't.

due at May 22
Notill
Hon. J. L. Edwards Count of Penns Wash
H. A. Hammond Mr
35238 V James Gordon Pennsylvania

Home of Rep 21 May 1836
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir
Will you be pleased to send me the papers filed in your office relative to the application of Saml Jordan of North Co. Pa for a Pension
Respectfully yours
R. H. Hammond

In at May 7
W. A.
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com te of Pensions
War Dept
Washington
R. H. Hammond RR

Washington City 7 th May 38
Hon J. I. Edwards
Sir
I enclose a letter on the subject of Sam l Jordan's application for a Pension. The letter is from his son a respectable lawyer of my country to whom I had sent your letter rejecting or suspending the application. I wish you would again examine the case of Mr Jordan, as I must think from what I have myself heard of the services of Mr Jordan in the neighborhood that he must surely be entitled to a Pension
Respectfully Yours
R. H. Hammond

Stace of the House Apr 5/04
See Edwards Sir
Shortly before the death of my Colleague Greville Fitch an application for a Pension of Samuel Jordan was of Northumberland to Pensions was sent to him
Will you be so kind as to inform me whether He sent it to your Office, & if so when it is examined report to me
As An early answer to the 1st Branch of the Inquiry is respectfully requested
Yours Respectfully
W. B. Smithhead

Pennsylvania 32,517
Samuel Jordan
of Northumberland Co. in the State of Penna.
who was a Private in the company comm. by Captain Foster of the regt. comm. by in the Penn s Militia for 9 months. Samuel Jordan Records corrected.
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per ann to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834. first January, 1844.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Octo. 1846, and sent to Samuel L Jordan, Sunbury, Penn s .
Airsars to the 14th of Semi-ann. allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Elap Act Jan. 7, 1837. H. August 8, 1846.
Recorded by D. Brown Cl Book E. 2. Vol. 5. Page 30

HR _____ 123.
Samuel Jordan.
Certif NO 32517
Private Pent —
Rev y War
$30
Certif Oct 26 1846

Home of Rep - Wash 16 16 th Apr 38
Hon J. L. Edwards,
Sir
I herewith enclose the application of Samuel Jordan of Milton Pa. for a Pension. I have known Mr. Jordan since my boyhood & can assure you that the utmost confidence may be placed in his statements.
I sincerely hope that his services may entitle him to the benefits of the Pension Laws as he is now old & poor
Respectfully Yours
R. H. Hammond

Pension Office,
May 16, 1846.
Sir,
The papers in the case of Samuel Jordan are herewith returned. The act of June 7, 1832, grants pensions for what is strictly military service, and no one, however great his perils, his privations or his sufferings may have been, is embraced by that act, unless he served under a commission, an enlistment, or a militia draft. The petitioner in this case was neither a militia man nor a regular soldier, but he was, like many other frontier settlers, engaged in the defence of his fire-side against the predatory warfare waged by the merciless savages who attacked our infant settlements. We are sorry that the laws do not provide for such cases. We cannot afford any relief to the petitioner.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. H. Johnson, Chairman of the Committee on Pensions, Senate U. States.

State of Pennsylvania
County of Northumberland
On the twentieth day of October A.D. 1846 personally appeared before me John Miller one of the Justices of the Peace of the said County, Samuel Jordan of the Borough of Milton, in said County, who on his solemn oath duly administered, did declare and say, that he served in the War of the Revolution, at different periods in Companies commanded by Captain John Foster - Captain James Thompson Captain Morris, as set forth in his petition to the Congress of the United States - That his petition for a pension, was presented by The Honorable James Tillock of Pennsylvania - That he cannot state the date of the Act of Congress, granting him a pension, other than by referring to the Hon. James Tillock by whom he is informed & satisfied as to a Letter from the Honorable Simon Cameron, on which it is stated to have been passed, August 7th. 1846 - He further says that it is his he is the identical person named in said act.
Sworn to before me at Milton. before me the 20th day of Oct. A.D. 1846.
John Miller J.P.
Samuel Jordan
State of Pennsylvania.
Northumberland County ss.
I John Harnsforth Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that John Miller Esq before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, was at the time of so doing & yet is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned & qualified for the signature thereto purporting to be his of genuine - Witness my name & seal of office at Sunbury October 21 1846 John Harnsforth Prothonotary

Witten, Northumberland County Pennsylvania Octobr 15 1846.
Rev J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Will please forward to Samuel D. Jordan, of Lehigh, Pennsylvania, my Certificate of Pension, granted me by Congres, at their last Session.
Respectfully Yours.
Samuel Jordan

No 35438
Application of Sam d Jordan of Milton, North o County Penn a for a Pension act. 7. June 1832
Examined Feb. 1872
Hon J. Snyder H.R.

State of Pennsylvania Northumberland County } S.C.T.
On the second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared in open Court of Common pleas of said county being a court of Record, Samuel Jordan of the said County, aged seventy four 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That in the year 1779 deponent was residing with his father in White Deer, then Northumberland now Union County, Pennsylvania, and volunteered and served during three months of that year in the Company commanded by Captain Hugh Mc Allister. The nature of the services performed by the deponent and the other members of the Company to which he belonged, was to guard the frontier settlements, as Northumberland County was then called, from Indian depredations, which were frequent and alarming. During the year 1779 among other hostile acts committed by the Indians was the burning of the dwelling house and barn of deponent's father. The family were obliged to leave White Deer for fear of the Indians, they having murdered a number of whites in Penna Creek, and while absent the house and barn of deponent's father were burnt. In this year the family of one Welsh living in White Deer township were greatly distressed by the Indians & Mr. Welsh was murdered by them. During this year I was under Captain Hugh McAllister, in a scout to Jack's Mountain, we fell in with Capt. Samuel McCreedy who was coming from the Great Island with 15 or 16 men to a fort called "Potters Fort." We remained out on the scout a number of days, & by the time we returned to the Fort Capt. McCreedy and men had left.
In the year 1780 deponent served as a substitute for one James McCart, during the months of October, November & part of December in the militia Company commanded by Capt. John Kelly part of the time and part of the time in the Company commanded by Capt. James Thompson. The nature of the service during the two months and upwards stated above was to protect the inhabitants and their

property along White Deer & Kittany Mountains in the county of Northumberland from Indian depredations. During this year deponent's brother Thomas served also as a volunteer in another Company, as appears by the paper attached.
In the year 1781 deponent entered the Company commanded by Lieut John Moore, as a volunteer and served ten months, the nature of the services performed during this period was similar to those performed in 1779. It was necessary during the said period of ten months to visit the settlements along Sach's Mountain, Shady's Mountain & the head waters of Middle Creek in the then county of Northumberland, now Union, where the Indians frequently made their appearance murdering the inhabitants or driving them to places of greater security - destroying their crops and other property. Part of the said ten months (deponent cannot recollect how long) the Company to which he belonged was stationed in the fort above mentioned.
In the year 1779 the Company of which deponent was a member was stationed at a mill in White Deer township then called Fitzell or Ditzell's mill, from deponent thinks that of this he is not certain. Thomas Grant Esq. was Lieut Colonel who was Commissary, Quarter Master or Assistant Quarter Master.
In the year 1782 deponent served as a minute man under Lt John Moore. He was under training that year and was obliged to be and was in readiness to turn out at any minute his services might be required. Frequently during this year but how often deponent cannot state he was out on scouts for from 5 to 10 days at a time. From length of time, age & consequently loss of memory he cannot state with more accuracy than he has done the length of time he was in actual service but believes the periods above stated are correct, to wit, three months in the year 1779 as a volunteer - ten months in the year 1781 as a volunteer and the months of October, November and half of December in the year 1780 as a substitute for James McCart and the whole of the year 1782 under training as stated above and in readiness at a moment's warning to act, if required, and for such services I claim a pension. The deponent states that he has no documentary evidence to prove the services above stated.

and that he does not know of any person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service. Capt. Thompson under whom he served part of the time died a few years since at Jersey Shore Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Deponent had three brothers William, Andrew and Thomas who could prove his service if living. Thomas and Andrew died many years since and William, if living, resides on the Wabash but where deponent does not know. The annexed certificate, signed by John Waitzel then Acting Commissary of Northumberland County found among his papers is referred to as evidence of the service of the said Thomas & as corroboration of the above statement. Deponent 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 the agency of any State. Deponent farther states that he cannot produce in Court a clergyman who can testify to the facts required by the War Department. The clergymen now residing in the immediate vicinity of said deponent have resided there but a short time. They could testify to their belief of deponents age but cannot for the reason above stated, testify that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution. Deponent farther states as reasons why he did not apply earlier for a pension that until lately he was in circumstances that did not require aid from his country, that he has been unfortunate in business and has met with several heavy losses within the last three years, and is now too feeble and far advanced in life to support himself and family by labor.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year above stated in open court before me.
D r Brantigan Pres t
Samuel Jordan

Interrogatories propounded to applicant
 1. When and in what year was you born. Ans. In Carlisle, Cumberland County, in the year 1764.  2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Ans. I have no record of my age; it was burnt when my father's dwelling house was burnt by the Indians.  3. Where were you living when called into service - Where have you been since the Revolutionary War, and where have you lived since? Ans. In White Deer Township, Northumberland County - Since the War, I lived in Northumberland County, excepting, 3 years, that I lived in the County of Lycoming -  4. When were you called into service - Were you drafted - Did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? Ans. In the year 1779, I volunteered and served three months - In the year 1780, I was a substitute for James McEnt, and served the months of October, November and part of December - In 1781 I volunteered and served four months - In 1782 I was drafted as a militia man, as stated in my deposition in chief -  5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served - such continental or state Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. Ans. Col. John Kelly - Capt. James Thompson - Lt. John Moore. The nature of the service is stated in my general deposition, as fully as can now be recollecting -  6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it? Answer. I never received a discharge.  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. Answer. Gen. Robert H. Hammond, Gen. Henry Frick, Col. Robert McQuigan and many others. 
Sworn to and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid, in open court before me.  Samuel Jordan  D. Brantigan Pres.

We Henry Frick & Robert McGuigan, residing in the Borough of Milton in the County of Northumberland hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Jordan who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy four years of age and also that he was a soldier of the Revolution and served as stated by him in his declaration.
Myself H. Frick
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid D r R. McGuigan & P. Frick
R. McGuigan
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 farther certifies that the said Gen. Robert H. Hammond, Gen. Henry Frick and Col. Robert McGuigan are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Ellis Lewis
President Judge.
Jacob Gearhart
Geo. Weiser
Pennsylvania - Northumberland County ss.
I Daniel Brantigan, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Samuel Jordan for a pension. In so doing whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at Sunbury this fifth day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
D r R. McGuigan & P. Frick

Samuel Jordan, Private of Capt. John Foster's company, regt. of Col.
Penn a Militia.
8 th special act passed 8 th August 1846.
Place Jordan on roll of June '32 Pension -
Pennsylvania (Philad.) Roll $30 per annum, to commence January 1. 1844.
Cert: to Samuel D. Jordan Sunbury Penn a

Resh
5617
INVALID.
File No. 5617
Samuel Jordan * Prin Penn. Mil d & Rev. War
Act: Aug th 8 th /46
Index:—Vol. M , Page 195
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Samuel Jordan * m. 3/10/44 Records corrected, S