Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7148, for Vachel Metcalf, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Metcalf, Vachel
R 71 48
CONTENTS

Declaration of Vetchel Metcalf. In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. State of Pennsylvania Washington County } On this 18 th day of October A D 1836.
Personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Vetchel Metcalf a resident of Crap Creek Township in Washington County Pennsylvania aged Seventy six years past, 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 7 th 1832. That he entered the Army of the United States in the year 1780 and served as herein stated. He belonged to Captain Josiah Swearingens Company of Col Van Swearingens regiment of Militia of Berkeley County Virginia, about the last of September 1780 a draft was made from the said Company and regiment and I was among the drafted men, we met in Martinsburgh where we were organized and informed of the service for which we were drafted, to march a distance of near Seven hundred miles to South Carolina, in order to operate against the Tories and to re-enforce the Southern Army in South Carolina, under General Green, accordingly we agreed to perform this service, in which we were engaged six months, under the Command of Captain Bathurst Anderson. We were marched from Martinsburgh 1 st of October 1780 to Winchester, and from there we crossed the Shenandoah river through Berkeley County to Albemarle barracks, and from thence to Hillsborough in North Carolina, where we remained a few days until our Regiment joined us all under the Command of Colonel Allen, with other troops all under the Command General Stevens. We were marched from Hillsborough through North Carolina into South Carolina and on to Cheraw Hills in South Carolina, where we joined the main Army under General Green; and we remained stationed at the Cheraw Hills for about eight weeks, when we were ordered to march under General Stevens and take charge of and guard the Prisoners taken by General Morgan at the battle of the Cowpens; and on our march to perform this duty we were pursued by the British Army, under Lord Cornwallis, and with whom we had a skirmish on our crossing the Yadkin river, we continued our retreat through North Carolina, when we were marched to Albemarle, and from thence to Winchester and from Winchester to Martinsburgh, where

our Company under Captain Anderson was discharged some time in the Month of March 1781. being as I have stated Six Months in the Services of the United States as a drafted Militia Man and volunteer under Captain Anderson. I received no written discharge. I know of no person living who has a personal knowledge of my services except James Pirtle of Ohio County Virginia whose affidavit is hereto attached.
I have no documentary evidence to prove my services and can procure none. I was born in Berkeley County Virginia on the 22 nd day of September 1760, a record of my age I have now in my possession copied from my Father's family bible fifty years ago. I was living in Berkeley County Virginia in 1780 when I entered into the service of the United States, and where I continued to reside until 1784, when I moved to Washington County Penn a where I have resided ever since. I refer to the following named persons who are well acquainted with me who can testify to my character for veracity and belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution viz. James Lee, Benjamin Bealant
I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Geo Wm Atkinson Prov
Rachel Melcalf
We James Lee and Benjamin Bealant residing in the county of Washington, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Rachel Melcalf who has sworn to and subscribed his name to the above application, that we believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. That he is moreover a man of veracity whose statement is entitled to credit.
Sworn and subscribed the 14 th Oct 1826, in open court
Geo Wm Atkinson, Prov.
Benjamin Bealant James Lee
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 Benjamin Bealant and James Lee who have signed the proceeding certificate are resident in the County of Washington Penn a and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled

to credit. I George Weir Atkinson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington, do here Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Rachel Metcalf for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 16 th day of October A D 1836
Geo Weir Atkinson Prothonotary -
but 35 cts paid

State of Pennsylvania Washington County
On this 10 th day of December 1836
personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for said County Nathaniel McTeal a resident of Cross Creek township in the County and State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following amended declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed January 7 th 1832.
That in the year 1780 I belonged to Captain Josiah Swearingen's Company of Col. Van Swearingen's regiment of Militia of Berkeley County Virginia. That a draft was made from the said Company and regiment, and I was among the drafted men, which draft was intended for three Months. The Company to which I belonged, Captain Anderson, met and organized at Martinsburg and moved from there about the first of October 1780 to our place of destination, prior to our marching from Martinsburg, we were informed that we were to be marched to South Carolina for the purpose of acting against the Tories and reenforcing the Southern Army, which I mentioned in my original declaration to be under Genl. Green. My meaning was that General Green did command the Southern Army when we arrived and joined them at Cheraw Hills, which was the fact, he having preceded us some days, although we left Martinsburg beginning of October we did not arrive at Cheraw Hills in South Carolina until some time in December 1780, we were more than two Months on the way including a stay of a week at Albemarle barracks and ten days at Hillsborough. We remained stationed at Cheraw Hills for about Six weeks, when we were ordered to march for the purpose of guarding the British prisoners taken by Genl. Morgan, at the Cowpens into Virginia. The battle of the Cowpens was fought on the 17 th January 1781, so that it must have been pretty well on in January before we moved from our encampment in South Carolina, I know that our term, my Company, had expired some time before. We were marched through North Carolina and entered Virginia during the

Month of February and arrived the beginning of March at Kemble barracks where we remained five days, in returning we found the roads extremely bad much worse than when we had went out. we were marched from Allegheny to Winchester and from Winchester to Martinsburgh where we were discharged the last of March, and it was not until we arrived there that we heard of the battle of Guilford which took place the 15 th March 1781, I was myself as well as most of Captain Andersons Company from the neighbourhood of Shipardstown, so that our Company had to March further than any other Virginia troops on that occasion.
My reason for not making an application sooner for a pension, was that for many years past I had no knowledge of any person living who had any knowledge of my services, unless it was James Curtis of Ohio County Virginia, nor was I sure that he was living or if living that he would recollect me until I went to see him in April 1835, after which I made an application as soon as I could do it conveniently.
Soon after I was discharged in Martinsburgh in March 1781 I called upon Col. Scott who was Lieutenant of Berkeley County Virginia and who was authorized and appointed to settle with the Militia of the county for any services rendered to the United States, accordingly the said Col. Scott settled with me, for my said services under Captain Anderson, allowing my pay for six months services, for which he granted me a Certificate accordingly.
Sworn and subscribed to this 10 th day of December 1836 Geo Elliott Justice
Michael Metcalfe

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Jachel Metcalf R. File 7148
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 1780 6 mos. Josiah Swaringer Van Swaringer Va.   Cuthbert Anderson Glen                                                          
Battles engaged in, Skirmish on Yadin river Residence of soldier at enlistment, Berkeley Co., Va. Date of application for pension, Oct. 18, 1836 Residence at date of application, Cross Creek Twp., Washington Co., Pa. Age at date of application, 6. Berkeley Co., Va. Sept. 22, 1760.
Remarks: * On account of lack of evidence of 6 mos. service his claim was not allowed.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1911, Feb. 25 - Hist. to Mrs. Villa Cole Case
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870.
REJECTED
7148
P. O.
Vachel Metcalf
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis.
Searched for _____, 18

Steel Works Club
Joliet, Illinois
Kindly furnish military history of these Revolutionary soldiers: Amasa or Vachel Metcalf, Virginia. probably Shepherd Town Burkley Co. Also Thomas Green of same place. Vachel Metcalf served under Gen. Wayne in Indian War from Ohio. Also Hugh Eagon of Maryland, whose son Elijah was in war of 1812, at siege of Baltimore, captain's name, Merriman. (Mrs) Vella Cole Case. 163 Ell. St., Joliet, Ill.

Watched Metcalf Pennsylvania
Resigned
let 30 Nov 36 B. Acheson.
Resigned let 4 Feb 1837 B. Acheson
did not serve six months.
Sit to Hon. J. N. J. McKim Oct 10. 1837 to Hon. J. J. White Clergy Jan 8. 1838.

Wheeling Va: December 23, 1836
The undersigned do hereby certify that they are well ac- -quainted with James Curtis who is and has been for many years past a resident of Ohio County Virginia, that he is a man of good charac- -ter and undoubted veracity and is moreover a reputed soldier of the Revo- -lution - Given under our hands this 23 d day of December 1836
Geo Sacole
Fann Young

Sept 13
In ab
R McCreedy 32013 Vachel McCreedy
To Mr. T. McCreedy J. L. [unclear] J. L. McCreedy J. L. McCreedy
J. L. McCreedy Pennine [unclear]

Dr. hi,
Rev. McCready Esq. of Washington 6. Penn a a pensioner has petitioned con- gress for an increase of pension and I will thank you to send me a copy of his declaration & other papers in your office. Please send me also a copy of the declara- tion & papers on file on the application of Rachel Mutchell of Wash n 6. a as was rejected — I am in no hurry for these papers — They may be made out at any time within two or three weeks.
Yours very resp.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
H. M. S. McKernan
Hall R. Dept. Dpt. 12/17/83

Sir
Washington October 18. 1836
I enclose you the application of Nicholas Metcalfe for a Pension, I am very Respectfully your ob d Serv t . David Atcheson
James L. Edwards Esq. d
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Washington December 24 th 1836
Sir
I enclose you an amended declaration of Rachel Metcalfe together with a certificate signed by J. Jacob and Samuel Sprigg Esquires of Wheeling, in relation to the character of James Curtis who is a witness in favor of Metcalfe's claim. Messrs Jacob & Sprigg are both gentlemen of the bar, well known to Mr. Morgan who represented that district of Virginia in the House of Representatives U.S. and to Mr. McKennan from this the country. I dropped a letter to you by mail on the 12 th inst. enclosing additional testimony in favor of the claim of Hannah Archer, widow of John Archer. May I therefore request the favor of you to inform me if you have received it, possibly my letter with its inclosures may have been destroyed with the Post Office on the 15 th
I am very Respectfully your att. Servt. Daniel Schoen
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

V 33. 904 Watchel Wetcalfe Pennsylvania
71 H 8

State of Virginia Ohio County
Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, James Curtis a resident of said county, aged eighty three years who being duly sworn according to law, oath, on his oath, depose and say. That he is and has been for acquainted years and upwards well acquainted with Mitchell Metcalf, who states he is a resident of Snapp Creek in Washington County Pennsylvania and an applicant for a pension from the United States. In the year 1780 I served with the said Mitchell Metcalf Six Months as a Soldier in the Army of the United States, and in the same Company with him under command of Captain Nathaniel Harrison, our company was organized in Martinsburg Virginia, and marched from there about the beginning of October 1780, and marched through Virginia and North Carolina into South Carolina where we remained stationed some time. Our company was finally marched back to Martinsburg and there discharged about the last of March 1781.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 15 th day of December 1836
James Curtis
J. P. Brady
Justice of the Peace
I do hereby certify that James Curtis who has sworn to and subscribed the above statement is a resident of Ohio County Virginia and a man of veracity whose statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 15 th day of September 1836
J. P. Brady
Justice of the Peace
Virginia, Ohio County, h. mt.
I John McCulloch Clerk of the Court of the County of Ohio aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that John Brady, Esq. who hath given the preceding Certificate and whose name appears thereto, is now, and was at the time of giving the same, an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the said County of Ohio, duly commissioned, and sworn. That his commission is dated the 30 th October 1836, and that his said signature is genuine. In testimony whereof, I the said Clerk have here set my hand and affixed the seal of my said Court, this seventh day of October 1836, and in the 61 st year of the Commonwealth. John McCulloch

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Washington County ss. I George Wein Acheson Prothonota- ry of the Court of Common Pleas for said County - do hereby certify, that George Elliott Esquire, before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, was at the time a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly Commission- -ed, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts, and the signature purporting to be his, I believe are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, at Washington, the 24th day of December A. D. 1836.
Geo. Wein Acheson Pro
cert. 25 cts paid
D