Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31210, for Conrad Lear, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Dear Conrad
S. 31210
CONTENTS

23349
Kentucky
Conrad Lear
of Woodley in the State of Kentucky who was a private trumpeter in the corps commanded by Captain Ross of the reg t commanded by Col. Washington in the Virginia line for 1 year Trumpeter 1-11 private
Enscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 100 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of Jan y 1834 and from G Lyons W.H.
arrears to the 4th of Sept r 230.00 Pension allowance ending March 52.00 $300.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book Vol. 7 Page 17

State of Kentucky } County of Todd }
On this the ninth day of May, 1851, personally appeared before me, R. F. Allison an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, George Lear and Mary Branch, who first being sworn according to law, do upon their oaths state that they are the only surviving children of Conrad Lear, deceased, late of Todd county and State of Kentucky, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of Congress of 1818 and that he drew a pension of One Hundred Dollars per annum until the time of his death. They further state that they make this declaration for the purpose of obtaining an increase of the pension which the said Conrad Lear deceased received, to the full amount due him under the act of Congress passed 1818 or under any other act or acts of the said Congress of the United States.
They further state that their father, the said Conrad Lear deceased, died in Todd County and State of Kentucky, on the 10th day of April one thousand eight hundred and 18 (18
George Lear Mary Branch
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 9th day of May, 1851.
R. F. Allison J.P. &c.
State of Kentucky } County of Todd }
I, Willis L. Paves, Clerk of the County Court in and for the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that R. F. Allison, Esq.

whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit and certificate, is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; and all his official acts, as such, are entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Elkton, this tenth day of May, 1851.
Wellis D Reever Clerk Todd County Courts
Affidavit of George Dean and Mary Dean

27.484 27.484
Conrad Dean Ken
for 1775 P er by Tompeter of Early 2 yrs ————— P er 17 — 40 Tompeter — 60 $ 100. —
W. L. Lyon N. R. Fin. S. McLean Elkton Ken

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 State of Kentucky } ss County of Todd }
On this 13th 14 th day of Sept October 1833
personally appeared in open court before the Todd county Court Conrad Lear aged 94 years who being first duly sworn according to law with an oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he enlisted in the army of the United States about the first of January 1775 under Captain Ross who did not belong to the regiment of Binney commanded by Col Washington but was only a recruiting officer, the company to which I was attached did belong to Col. Washington's regiment, and I was Trumpeter for Col. Washington and belonged to his Life Guard, which consisted of the company to which I was first attached our first Captain died and our second was wounded at the Germantown battle of Brandywine from my extreme age I can not remember my Captains, names, nor can I remember the names of my nearest neighbours at some times with whom I have had the most intimate acquaintance I left the service shortly after the Germantown battle
Oct 4, 1777
(1776)
19

I received in Lancaster county Pennsylvania when I entered the service and fought in the battle at Boston the battle at New York, the battle at New London Connecticut, the battle of Princeton in New Jersey the battle of Brandywine we took five hundred Hessians, in all thirteen battles I was commanded by Col. William Washington and having but little to do with the superior Officer from my extreme age I cannot remember their names During my service, I marched through Pennsylvania New York New Jersey across Connecticut and Massachusetts, I served at so early a period it is extremely difficult to procure testimony. I think it is probable that my name is on the rolls of the continental troops, I could prove my service by at least one hundred individuals if traditional evidence were admissible
I first received a wound at the battle of Brandywine on my leg now visible I received a wound in my breast at the Germantown battle, I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the roll pension roll of the agency of any state subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid
1 st I was born in Lancaster county Pennsylvania in the year 1738
2 nd I have at this time no record of my age but I had a certificate from the clergymen who christened me which I lost when my house was burnt about 7 years since, my chest in which my papers were, was taken and carried off and found in the woods broken open and all my papers taken out

3 rd , I was living in Lancaster County Pennsylvania when called into the service I lived 3 years in Lancaster after the war I then went to Lincoln County North Carolina where I lived 14 years I then came to Kentucky Christian county lived there 3 years then moved to Logan lived there 10 years, then moved to Muhlenburg lived there 2 years, then moved to place I now to where I now live in Todd County Ky and have lived here ever since 4 th I enlisted in the service
I am acquainted with Col. B. B. King Jordan Solomon Daniel Carson Askin Shelton who are Clergymen Silas Snake Also a clergymen in my present neighbourhood & Col. R. B. King James M c Lean Col. S. G. Borne, Preacher Sheffield, John Shuf herd John Brock John Gates and one hundred others who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my military services and most of whom can testify as to my fair standing as a member of the Church for many years I received a discharge when I left the service signed by Col. William Washington and it was lost about seven years ago when my papers were robbed from my as before stated
I know of no person whose evidence I can procure who can testify to my service and I have no documentary evidence subscribed and sworn to the 18 th of Oct 1833 the day and year aforesaid.
Conrad Lear his Mark

We Asahel Shelton a clergymen & James Gordon Solomon a clergymen residents in Floyd county and a member of the Floyd county court do and Richard R. B. New, all of Floyd county certify that we are well acquainted and have been for a long time with Conrad the Lear who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. He has always been since we knew him reputed a soldier of the revolution and we all concur in that opinion, the report we have never heard con- tradicted. I Asahel Shelton also certify that the said Lear and myself were members of same church for 12 or 13 years. He was always of good character as a member I have known him 25 years he has always been considered a soldier of the revolution, we whose names are subscribed all believe him to be 94 years old Asahel Shelton. R B New J. S. Solomon
And said court hereby declare they have not the least doubt that the said Conrad Lear is who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration served as he for states after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, we also certify that Asahel Shelton and Gordon Solomon are clergymen residents in Floyd county both of whom subscribed and sworn to the for- going certificate

and Col B. B. New, is also a resident of Todd County who has also subscribed and sworn to the above Certificate and is a credible person and the said court believes that the said Lear is as old as he states, and appears to have lost his recollection and we as individuals know him and he has the universal reputation of being a soldier of the revolu- tion, we know him to be a man of truth and we believe his Statement
Lewis Butler JS H. B. Wilkins JS J. S. Solomon JS Joseph Gordon JS
I Willis L. Reaves Clerk of the Court of Todd County Commonwealth of Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the

the matter of the application of Morrad Lear for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 14th day of October 1833 And in the 42 nd year of the Commonwealth I do this to be noted.
Mr Lew Cass
Dear Sir, The foregoing application presents a case different from any I have known. I drew the declaration for old Mr Lear, and no doubt he served as he states, I am informed by the department; then his name, is not on the roll of the Virginia troops commanded by William Washing- ton, he Lear entered Early, in the North, and was probably never enrolled with the Virginia troops, as he was from a different state, and enlisted in an other state and was a trumpeter for the regiment and under no company officers, he is very old and his mind much impaired, he can not remember his neigh- bours names, he is able to prove by the whole county, that he has been always since he came here about 30 years ago, reputed universally a soldier of the revolution he is a man of first rate standing and could

from his reputation by a multitude, he is one of those, who need the assistance of the government he is poor very, poor, indeed not worth ten doll- ars on earth, and no friends to help him, and he will not go on the County for a support he can he is too proud hence I know to my own knowledge that he actually suffers if the department could see & know his condi- tion, and see him, and hear his tale, and know his reputation both as a man of the strictest integrity, and as a revolutionary soldier I do not feel the least doubt that they would grant him a pension, I know the rules and the great importance of sticking to them but would it not at least be sticking to them according to their spirit to grant this poor old man something, it is alto- gether impossible for him to obtain any direct proof he is too old to attend to it and has no person to do it for him I refer to Hon. C. Lyon, who knows my kind writing and my character also the Hon. J. P. Hopkins took of Ky. I further state that the R. B. New who has subscribed the within declaration certificate is a general of militia and representative of this County Godd and joins with me in this earnest solicitation for old Mr Lear Yours, E. C. McLean

Mr. Hecks
orig. 1868
Heath Esq. Comms. of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Al city
Dear Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
Herewith I enclose you the power of Attorney and declaration of the lines of Conrad Leas a native of Todd County Ky mak- ing an application for an increased pen- sion. Upon examination if such increase be due you will please cause a certifi- cate to issue & be enclosed to me at Fr- ankfort Ky.
I am Sir Very Respectfully Y.H. Trahan

Power of Attorney to George Lean and Mary Bruck

State of Kentucky, } County of Todd } p
Know all men by these presents, that we, George Lear and Mary Crouch, of Todd county and State of Kentucky, do by these presents nominate, constitute and appoint George H. Morrison and Stephen G. L. Grahame, of Louisville, Ky, our true and lawful attorneys, for us and in our name to prosecute against the Government of the United States the claim we have for pension due our deceased father, Conrad Lear, late of the county and State aforesaid, who was a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of Congress of
And when an amount or amounts are found due us, then our said attorneys are fully authorized to demand and receive from the treasury of the United States, or from any officer thereof, the money in satisfaction of the same, and to sign, seal and deliver any instrument or instruments in writing in order that they may deem right and proper. And we do hereby revoke any and all former powers of attorney or other authority heretofore given by us to any person or persons whatsoever. And we hereby enjoin the Government or any officer thereof not to hold communication with any other attorneys than those herein specified.
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this ninth day of May, 1851.
Witness D. M. C. W.
George Lear Mary Crouch

State of Kentucky } County of Todd }
Be it known, that on the 9 th day of May, 1851, personally appeared before me, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, George Levi and Mary Crouch, of State and county aforesaid, and acknowledged the above to be their act and deed for the purposes therein specified.
R. F. Allison, J. P. L. C.
State of Kentucky } County of Todd } I Willis L. Reeves, Clerk of the County Court within and for the State and county aforesaid, do hereby certify that R. F. Allison Esq, whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing Power of Attorney and certificate, is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid; duly commissioned and sworn; and all his official acts, as such, are entitled to full credit.
Given under my hand and seal of office Elkton, this 10 th day of May, 1851.
Willis L. Reeves Clerk Todd County, Kentucky

This day Ephraim Porter personally appeared before me Daniel Carson an acting Justice of the peace in & for the county of Iowa, and first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following statement, in prop of the claim of Conrad Lear, who has once, application for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1831
sd porter states that lately he has become acquainted with sd Lear, which sd Lear is about 96 years of age, sd porter states that he sd porter was in the American army at Germantown & Brandywine battle that he was then only about 14 years old and he states he remembers to have seen the trumpeter belonging to William Washington then engaged in those battles Cavalry, and from the great length of time which has since elapsed he is not able to say that the sd Conrad Lear is the same positively but he believes him to be the same trumpeter who was with sd Washington at Brandywine & Germantown. In sd porter's time then belonged to Col. Thos. Doyles regiment of militia and Gen. Smallwoods brigade January 4 th 1833 Ephraim his Porter mark
Given under my hand and seal the day and year above named
D. Carson J.P.
And I Daniel Carson a justice as above do further certify that Ephraim Porter who has subscribed & sworn to the above

Affidavit appears to be at least seventy three years old, he is a resi- dent of Todd county Ky and I am well acquainted with him as pastor and do hereby certify that he is a man of respectability and is entitled to credit, and I further certify that I am well acquaint- ed with Conrad Lear, spoken of by sd pastor in his affidavit and have been about 76 years and he is a man of credit and respectability, and I have no doubt but he served as he states in his declaration given under my hand this 4th of January 1833 Daniel Benson 
Commonwealth of Kentucky Todd County ss January 9 1834 Willis L Reccord Clerk of the Court. of (Todd County do certify that Daniel Carlson is a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid and that the foregoing signature purporting to his and general attestation whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this 9th day of January 1834 and in the 4th year of the Commonwealth Willis L Reccord

Hon. C. Lyon
I can add nothing to the statements contained in the witness papers except that Gen R. B. Lee, who testifies in this case is speaking of the present State of Repub. of Ky a man of strict morality, as is also James E. McLean, who writes to the department, and that I think the affidavit of Porter brings the applicant within the rules, there can be no doubt that old Lee served as he states.
Whitt Lyon Jan 26 1834

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Lear, George GRADE Private LINE Virginia
WARRANT NUMBER 12327 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED December 9, 1793 To Francis Graves, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.