Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 8237, for James Pearce, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
Penn.
Pearce, James
NUMBER _____
P 8237
CONTENTS

Address. Thomas. Edgington Mansfield — Ohio

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
The State of Ohio Richland County ss
On this first 2 nd day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared in open Court before me the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid now sitting James Pease a resident of Worthington Township of said County of Richland aged seventy seven 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers
He states that he was first drafted with ten others out of Captain Joseph Becketts Company of Militia near the mouth of Pigeon Creek in Allegany County in the State of Pennsylvania and was ordered by his Captain to march to Pittsburgh and report himself to some officer there upon arrival he cannot recollect where he performed a term of one months service in garrison but cannot through old age lapse of time & loss of memory remember the names of any of the officers that commanded the Garrison except that I think the Colonels name was Butler no officer marched with him to Pittsburgh and he received no written discharge. This draft took place in the summer of the year 1778 was the first service he performed and he lived at the time in what was then called Allegany County Pennsylvania
That he was again drafted in the year 1779 and on the first day of July of that year marched with

seven or eight others by Ensign Hugh Goudy of Cap- tain Dehane's Company, Militia to what was called Teagards Station on the old road from Pittsburgh over the mountains through Hanna's Town now called Greensburg. After remaining about five days at Teagards station he was marched under said Goudy about three miles to Wallows Station where there was a fort and garrison and where he served out the balance of the month under said Goudy in a block-house. Then even a great many of the inhabitants of the surroun- -ding country collected there. The day after I went to Teagards station I was sent with one Thomas Waller to guard on Major Samuel Wilson to Han- -na's Town and the next day about an hour after I left there for Teagards station Hanna's Town was burnt by the Indians. Teagards was about 12 miles from Hanna's Town, he was drafted this time from Captain Joseph Becket's Company of Militia. That he was again drafted from Cap- tain John Johnston's Company of Militia being the same which said Becket had commanded. Which draft took place he thinks in 1781 or 1782 but it may have been earlier. & he and nine others drafted at the same time were ordered to rendez- vous at Whiting where he was first under Captain Glee of Colonel Broadheads Regiment and on the first of April commenced their march to some indian Towns on the Muskingum - on the march had a skirmish with some Indians on the Liscum or places - killed seven of them - marched on to two indian Towns on the Muskingum called I think Coshocton & Newcomer's Town. When there killed ten or eleven warriors & destroyed their Town - killed

their cattle - destroyed their corn and took off a number of their horses - then they marched back to Wheeling Is- -land in the Ohio River opposite Wheeling Town where he was discharged To the best of his recollections said Pease states and that he nearly believes he served in this campaign at least one month and nearly 125 five days. - In the fall of the same year he volunteer- -ed and joined the army then rendezvousing at Fort McIntosh at the mouth of Big Beaver on Ohio River for an incursion into the Indian Country but which was abandoned in consequence of a failure in obtain- -ing reinforcements While lying there he was employed in scouting about the Country in search of Indians & spying under Captain Brady - his Colonels name he cannot recollect - he believes he served in that Town more than a month - He further states that he 1 afterwards as he nearly believes but it might have been he for the service last mentioned re-entered in four other expeditions against the Indians who were fre- quently & indeed almost daily committing murders and depredations on the frontiers - he then served under on Captain William Moore who was under a Col- onel Morton whose first name he does not recollect and who were militia Officers - Said Officers stipulated with their men that each of these tours should be com- -bined as a tour of one months service and according -ly I obtained a credit of four months service for them for these tours on the Militia rolls of Allegany County Penn- -sylvania from my officers and believe I performed in them as much as three months and a half of actual service - In one of these expeditions he went up to an old Town called Kittanning and believes he was gone a month - in another of these Tours went up to French Town Creek and believes he was gone some more than three weeks - in another he went up to the Blue Creek and believes he was also gone that time more than three weeks - in another Tour he went up to a creek called Tiskimintia or perhaps the name may be Tiskiminitia (it was some such name) and was gone at least three weeks and during the whole time he was gone on said Tours he was

in actual military service as a volunteer and private and not as a substitute and in answer to the interrogatories put by the Court as prescribed by the War Department he states that he was born on the Potomac River near Leovoscheagen on the fourteenth day of October A.D. 1860 - That there was a record made of his age but it was burnt by accident - That he lived when called into service in Allegany County in the State of Pennsylvania where he continued to reside till he was about forty years of age and then removed with his family to Columbiana County in the State of Ohio and in about ten years thereafter removed to Richland County in Ohio where he has resided ever since and now resides that for the first three tours of military service he was drafted as a militia man and served as a private not as a substitute - And that for the other tours he volunteered as a private and not as a substitute - That there were no Regular Officers among the troops with which he served - nor continental troops - that he can't recollect the numbering of the Militia Regiments with which he served or to which he belonged nor the names of the officers by whom they were commanded except the above named Captains Becket - Johnston, Egle, Brady and Moss - Major Wilson and Colonels Butler - Broadhead & Morton also Ensigns Hugh Goudy and Captain Deharen - That the general circumstances of his service were in pursuing Indians - scouting spying and protecting the Frontiers That he is known in his present neighborhood to Barnabas Cunning and John Hart who are now unwell and cannot attend Court also to Aaron Pease and William Pease - and that for each tour of duty he received a verbal discharge - never one in writing he further states that the said Cunning, Hart, Pease and William Pease can testify to his veracity and to their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution and also that George Armstrong and Peter P. Pope have lived in his immediate neighborhood and can also testify to his veracity and further states that there is no Blerryman in his neighborhood with whom

he is acquainted he further states that during the whole time he was engaged in foregoing military or service of duty he was engaged in no civil pursuit - that he knows of no documentary evidence by which he can prove said service or any part thereof nor any witness by whom he can prove any part of said service - That he was engaged in no battle but the aforesaid skirmish with the Indians on the Tuscarawas Plains and the capturing and killing the said Indians under Captain Ogle & Colonel Bloodhead at Newconus Town on the Muskingum - That he lived during the whole time in which he entered the service as aforesaid in Allegany County in the State of Pennsylvania -
And the said James Pearce further states that from lapse of time and failure of memory from old age he cannot state to an absolute certainty in what years the aforesaid service was performed and particularly as to the volunteer service under Captain William Moore but feels very confident that all the aforesaid service was performed during the Revolutionary War and that he performed no military duty after peace was made - And the said Pearce further states that from the same causes he cannot state more precisely than he has done how long he served on each tour nor how long he served altogether but from the best of his recollection he believes he served in said Revolutionary War at least eight months and he claims a pension for that much service -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declaring that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. sworn to and subscribed this 5 th day of December 1837 } James Pearce And the said Court then propounded to the
said James Pearce the following interrogatories prescribed by the War department the answers to which are embodied accurately in the foregoing declaration of said Pearce

First When and in what year were you born Second. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Third. Where were you living when called into service - Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Fourth - How were you called into service were you drafted - did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a sub- stitute for whom?
Fifth State the names 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 service?
Sixth Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Seventh State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neigh- borhood and who can testify as to your char- acter for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution?
We George Somerset late sheriff of Richland County of Peter P. Pope do hereby certify that I have resided in the immediate neighborhood of the above named James Pearce for fourteen years last past and have been well acquainted with him during that time and that I have always considered him to be a man of honor and to have that character. George Somerset sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Peter P. Pope W. Aaron Pearce and William Pearce do hereby cer- tify that we reside in the immediate neighborhood with James Pearce who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we have been well acquainted with him for many years - That we believe him to be seventy seven years of age and 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 { Nathan Pearce the day & year aforesaid } William Pearce James Pearce David Irwin clerk
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 application was a revolutionary soldier and served as a states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the above named Nathan Pearce & William Pearce reside in the neighborhood of said Pearce and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
I David Irwin — clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Richland County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the ori- ginal proceedings of the Court in the mat- ter of the original application of James Pearce for a pension. Testimony wherein I have herein set my hand and seal of office the Second day of December A.D. 1837 David Irwin clerk

29. 880
James Pierce Ohio
Return v
Thomas Edgington W. T. Sherman Mansfield Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
22 d March 1834.
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 subjoined 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 James Pierce
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     73 years Allegheny County Pa Traditionary  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 of the Court of do hereby certify (h) 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 (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 days 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 reputed 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 inquiry 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 transmit 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 three or 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.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Pearce a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Summer 1778 1 mo. Joseph Buckner Butler Penn.   Summer 1779 1 mo. Dehaven ✓   * Apr. 1, 1781 to 1782 2 mos. Ogle Broodhead   Fall of same yr. 1 mo. Brady   1783 4 mos. William Moore Harbison  
Battles engaged in, Skirmish with Indians on Tuscarawas Plains
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Allegheny Co. Penn.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 18, 1836.
Residence at date of application, Worthington Twp. Richland Co. Ohio
Age at date of application, born Oct. 14, 1760 near Conococheague on Potomac River
Remarks: Children are referred to as living in Ashland or Richland Co. Ohio no names are stated.
The ch. was not allowed for the reason that soldier did not render bona fide service during the Revolutionary War as required by the Act of June 7, 1832 unless which he applied for pension. His last service being against the Indians after that period.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

The State of Ohio Richland County
On the eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord
eighteen hundred and thirty six personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of Richland County in the State of Ohio now sitting James Pares a resident of Worthington Township of Richland County Ohio aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following declaration in or- der to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1833. That I entered the service of the United States in the summer of seventeen hun- dred and seventy eight and lived in what was then called Allegany County Pennsylvania. That he was first drafted at the same time with ten others out of Captain Joseph Beckel's Company of Mili- tia near the mouth of Pigeon Creek in Allegany County County Pennsylvania and ordered by our Captain to march to Pittsburgh and report our- selves there to some officer there whose name I cannot recollect and I there performed a term of one month's service as a private in garrison but cannot remember the names of any of the Officers who commanded the garrison except that I think the Colonel's name was Butler - no officer marched with us to Pittsburgh and we got no written discharge.
I was again drafted from said Captain Beckel's Company of Militia in the summer of eighteen hun- dred and seventy nine and was marched with seven or eight others by Ensign Lundy of Captain Scharen's Company of Militia to what was called Leagardens station on the old Pennsylvania road from Pittsburgh over the mountains through Hannibal's Station now called Greensburg after remaining about five days

At Teagards Station we were marched under Ensign Hugh Goudy to Walltown Station about three miles from Teagards where there was a fort and a garrison and where I served out the balance of the month under Ensign Hugh Goudy in a block house. There were a great many of the inhabitants of the surrounding country collected there. The day after I went to Teag- ards station I was sent with one Waller to guard Major Samuel Wilson to Hanna's Town and the next day about one hour after I left for Teagards station Hanna's Town was burnt by the Indians. Teagards station was about twelve miles from Hanna's Town. The above term of service was for one month which I served out as a private. There was no higher officer at Walltown station than Ensign Goudy. Major Samuel Wilson went from station to station supplying the places of those whose time expired with new drafts. I served at the time of the above term of service in Allegheny County Pennsylvania. There were no battles fought dur- ing said term - no regular officers out with us - we got no written discharge and I have no documentary or other evidence to prove my service.
I was again drafted from Captain John John- stons Company of Militia being the same which Cap- tain Becket had commanded and on the first day of April 1781 or 1782 we commenced our march to the Moravian Towns on the Muskingum and on the road had a skirmish with the Indians on the Tuscarawa Plains. The Company in which I served was command- ed by Captain Ogle under the command of Colonel Broadhead and I served in that Campaign as as I can recollect about two months at the end of which we were discharged at the Island near Wheeling - during this expedition we burnt and destroyed the Moravian Town. I do not recollect the names of any of our other officers.

There were no battles fought during this Tour but the above skirmish - We received no written discharge and I have no documentary evidence nor do I now know of any witness to prove my service - I lived at the time of the above draft in Allegany County Pennsylvania and served out this Tour as a private
I volunteered in the fall of the same year and joined the army that was rendezvousing at Mt. Inlosh mouth of Big Beaver preparatory to an excursion into the Indian Country which excursion was aban- doned in consequence of a failure to obtain reinforce- ments - Whilst lying at the mouth of Big Beaver I was employed in scouting about the country in search of Indians - I was under the immediate com- mand of Captain Brady - my Colonel's name I cannot recollect - I was out about one month as near as I can recollect - fought no battles - served as a private - lived in Allegany County Pennsylvania got no written discharge and know of no docu- mentary evidence or witnesses to prove my service
In the year 1783 I volunteered in four differ- ent expeditions in pursuit of Indians who commit- ted ravages upon the frontier - My Captain's name was William Moore under the command of Colonel Horton - Our Company was kept in constant readi- -ness during that summer to pursue the bands of Indians who made frequent inroads upon the frontier - Our Offi- -cers stipulated with us that each of these volunteer Tours should be equal to a Tour of one month's ser- -vice as a drafted Militia man - and in pursuance of such stipulation I received from my Captain a credit for four months service on the Militia rolls of Allegany County Pennsylvania - The first of the said four Tours I served as a volunteer was that men- tioned above when we rendezvoused at Mount Inlosh

I went out in June under the command of Capt ain William Moore who was then under the com- mand of Col. Edward Morton. We went up the Alleghany River to an old indian Town called Pit- -tanion in pursuit of Indians till they crossed the river - we then returned to John Canis station. I ser- -ved in this Town as near as I can recollect about three weeks. The second of said four Tours I went under Captain Moore up the Alleghany River to the Kickiminickis or Kickiminickas and returned again to Canis Station. In the third of said Tours we again went up the Alleghany as last above to a Creek called Bear Grass & returned again to Canis Station. In the fourth of said Tours we again went up the Alleghany up to Broken Straw. In each of the said four Tours I served as a private under Captain William Moore in pursuing Indians that had committed depredations upon the frontier - In the second Tour I served as near as I can recollect about three weeks - In the third about two weeks and in the fourth about a month - all these four Tours were spent in the open field and we fought no battles - I performed all the aforesaid service as a private and received no written discharge in any case and have no documentary evidence and know of no witnesses by whom I can prove my service or any part thereof - in all of said service there were no officers or troops belonging to the Continental establishment but were solely of the Militia - In all my service there was no fighting except the skirmish mentioned above. The general nature of my service was in assisting to protect the frontiers of the western Counties of Pennsylvania from the depredations of the Indians. The said

James Pearce in answer to the questions propoun- ded by the Court as prescribed by the War De- partment states as follows I was born on the 14 th day of October seventeen hundred and sixty that the record of my age is lost - was born on the Potomac River near Conococheague - I lived when called into service in Allegany County Pennsylvania - When I was about forty years of age I removed to Columbiana County Ohio and ten years after I removed to Richland County Ohio where I have since resided was drafted three times & volunteered five times - There were no regular officers with the troops with which I served nor continental Regiments and I cannot remember the numbers of the Militia Regiments - The general circum- stances of my services are that I was employed in pursuing the Indians - protecting the frontiers and in scouting - I never received a written discharge as it was not the practice of our Captains to give them - I never received a Commission having always served as a private and never was a substitute - In my present neighborhood I am known to Barnabas Cunnin Jonathan Pearce and Lewis Pearce Peter P. Pope and George Smenthout who can testify to my pu- rity and the first three of them to their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution & during the term of my service I was not employed in any civil pursuit I sworn to & subscribed the day his & year aforesaid in open Court } James F. Pearce (Send him letter) mark
Mr Barnabas Cunnin Jonathan Pearce

and Lewis Pearce (the said Jonathan and Lewis being nephews to the said James Pearce) all residing in Richland County Ohio hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Pearce who has subscribed the above declaration That we believe him to be seventy five 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 and that there is no clergyman living in the immediate vicinity of the said James Pearce. Sworn to and subscribed the day his Barnabas Cunnin year aforesaid in open court } Lewis Pearce Dated ward Ithaca 18th Jonathan Pearce
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Barnabas Cunnin Jonathan Pearce and Lewis Pearce who signed the preceding certificate are residents in the County of Richland Ohio are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

And the said James Pearce hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or 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 of the state of Pennsylvania known to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court. } James Pearce his mark Dated June 1836
The state of Ohio
Richland County } Personally appeared before } the Court of Common Pleas of Richland County Ohio the aforesaid James Pearce who being duly sworn deponeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively 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 eight months I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension - known to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court. } James Pearce his mark Dated June 1836
I Jared Irwin Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Richland County in the state of Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of James Pearce for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eleventh day of October 1836 Jared Irwin Clerk Com. Pleas

John James  Adams
Be it remembered that on the 14th day of March A D 1830 John James  Adams being in the custody of a justice of the peace for the

L. Davis Nov 25, 1836
Record Vol 41. P 70.

War Dept. P. Office Nov 25 th 1836.
Sir
The declaration of James Pearce has been examined. He alleges to have served two terms of one month one term of about two months, and in the fall of 1782, one term of about one month, making about five months, and in 1783, one term about four terms months against the Indians on the Western frontiers of Pennsylvania. The act of June 1832 provides for men who did not serve at least six months in a military capacity during the revolutionary war, which terminated early in 1783. The claim has therefore been rejected and the papers filed.
Sared & Irwin Esq Clerk of the Court of Richland Co. Mansfield Hanfield Ohio

Liberty OHIO
Ohio,
FREE
J. V. Edwards Esq.
Pension Agent
Washington City

Mansfield Jan. 9 th 1838
Sir, The Pension papers of James Pearce of Richland County Ohio sent to your office since November last were prepared and sent by me - And I request that any communication proper to be made concerning them be addressed to me at Mansfield Ohio. A letter containing the abovementioned is at present required by a rule of the War department and is all that is now desired of me in relation to the application if I rightly understand your printed circular & manuscript note - Knowing that C. T. Sherman Esq. of this place had sent to your office a former set of papers - simply endorsed as I have done the last, & that they have returned to him with a printed sheet of instructions showing that the papers had been examined & followed by example as being more convenient than writing a letter and answering equally well - not knowing that you had adopted a different rule - The papers of Mr. Pearce having been drawn by me without the aid of such instructions as were sent to Mr. Sherman or of a set of papers formerly prepared by me with such instructions before me but which have been lost or mislaid and taken into for the extremely feeble condition of the old man the state of my health would have kept me in bed I fear that they may be defective - I know that they are awkward and irregular. The answers to the questions prescribed by the War department for one thing not all immediately following each other according to the form - blanks being left where unnecessary and not sufficient room in other places for signatures &c. but I still hope that upon a careful examination of the whole papers they will be found to contain a substantial compliance with the rules of the department - If the papers should unfortunately be defective any information useful to the claim in your department or elsewhere will be thankfully received
J. H. Edwards Esq.
Very Respectfully
Yours &c. Thomas Edgington

Edgerton Apr 26. 1838
Ohio

War Dept; Pen. Office April 26, 1858
Sir The amended declaration of James Pierce has been ex d filed. His claim was rejected in Nov 1836 because he did not serve six months during the revolutionary war. It is very possible that his last alleged against the Indians terms were performed during hostilities with the Indians, but hostilities with them continued several years after the the war terminated with Great Britain, and such service is not provided for by the act of 7 th June 1832. The Dept. is therefore constrained to adhere to the decision made above referred to in his case.
Cv
Thomas Edgington Esq. Mansfield, Ohio.

James Pierce Ohio.
Rejected.
See letter 25 Nov 36 J. Irwin let. 26 April 1838 to Thos Edgington
did not serve six months during
the Revoly war.
Nov. W.D. Lindsley 19 Decr. 1854.
8237
act 7 th June 1832

1915 Feb 11 High To Mrs. P. B. Fink V. L. M. Gibson Eden in N. F. 9.4.50 Samuel Gibson
8237
P. O.
James Pierce
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ | _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

House Reps Dec 14 1852
Hon S. S. Waldo:
Dear Sir:
I am requested by the heirs of James Pearce, deceased, to ascertain the facts, if possible, in reference to a pension due their father.
It appears that they employed a Mr. Thos J. Bull of Soudenville to attend to the business, and, as they did not get the pension, think that there may be something wrong in the premises. Pearce, it appears, served in the Revolutionary war.
The application was made for James Pearce, citizen of Ashland, or, possibly, of Richland Co, O. as his children, with whom he lived, resided in both counties. His

services were rendered during the Revolu- tion, or old Indian wars, at which time he lived in Pennsylvania.
Any information you can give in reference to the above will confer a great favor on those interested.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully,
your obed. Servt. W. D. Linderley