Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22457, for James Reid, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
Reid, James
NUMBER _____
NUMBER 8 22457
CONTENTS

Pennsylvania 25.706
James Reid
Union Co in the State of Penn a who was a Private in the Co. — commanded by Captain Gaylord. of the Reg t commanded by Col d Brice. in the Penn a line for One year .
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19. day of Dec r 1833 and sent to Hon ble Lester Miller. H d of Rep s
Arrears to the 1st of Sep r 1833. 100. Semest l allowance ending 4. Nov r 34. 20. $120.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M c R. Dalman, Clerk, Book E. Vol. five Page 49.

State of Pennsylvania
Union County } Set.
On this Second day of December, in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and thirty three, Personally appeared in Open Court, Before the Hon. Calvin Blythe Esq re , President, & Daniel Ehrhart, & Benjamin Kipner Esq re his Associates, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Union County aforesaid, James Reed, a resident of Walker township, in the County of Union, and State of Pennsylvania, aged seventy-eight years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress, passed the 7 th June A. D. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1. In the early part of July in the year 1776, he was drafted in the Militia, and marched from Chester County, Pennsylvania, (his place of residence at that time) for a two months tour. He marched under Captain James Boyd, from Chester to Philadelphia, where he joined some other Companies of Pennsylvania Militia, their Company was then marched, to Trenton, in New Jersey, and from thence to Woodbridge, near Amboy, where they arrived a few days before the Battle of Long Island. They remained at Woodbridge until after that Battle; shortly after he was discharged having completed his tour of two months; The militia who were along with him were all under the Command of Col. Thomas Brall. He cannot now recollect the names of any other of his officers, nor the precise nature of his services, but recollects being marched to several Stations in New Jersey. 2. In the Spring of 1777 he removed from Chester County, Pennsylvania to a place called Shamokin, on the Susquehanna River, then Cumberland County, now Dauphin, Penn a . from whence he was drafted in the Militia and marched on a two months tour, under Captain John Elliott. Sometime about the first of September 1777, his Company first marched to Old Chester, where they lay encamped, with some other Companies of Militia, for a short time they were then marched towards the Brandywine, and arrived at the place where the Battle was fought on that evening, being the 11 th of Septem r . 1777. We were then marched back to Old Chester, where we remained until after Philadelphia was taken by the British, shortly after that his tour of two months service expired; and he was discharged; He cannot recollect the name
Rev. S. J. Miller

of any other of the Officers except Captain Elliott.
3. Immediately after the expiration of the last tour, he entered the Army, without going home, as a Substitute, in Captain Samuel Hammels Company of Militia and remained under his Command in the neighborhood of Philadelphia for four months; He was engaged during this term of Service, in Scouring the Country, Guarding provisions for Genl. Washingtons Army, and in preventing supplies going to the British in Philadelphia; During the latter part of this tour, his Company was Stationed in an encampment on the Delaware River above Philadelphia; Genl. Potter Commanded the Militia part of this time; He was encamped sometimes with other Companies of Militia, and some Continental troops, but on account of his great age, he cannot now recollect the names of his Colonel, nor of the Regiments or Officers encamped with him; He was discharged at the encampment of the American Army above Philadelphia sometime in March 1778, having served as Substitute two tours of two months each successively, making four months.
4. After his discharge in the Spring of 1778, he was taken sick at his old residence in Chester County, on his return home to Shannock, where he remained during the Summer; And during that Fall, he volunteered for a two months tour & marched from Chester County, under the Command of Captain George Shire, we were first marched to the neighborhood of Philadelphia where we joined some Militia Regiments, under the Command of General Potter, after remaining there a short time we were marched to a place called Chestnut Hill, where we had a small Skirmish with some British troops Stationed there, He recollects a Lieutenant of the Americans, was killed, He thinks a Genl. Irwin taken prisoner; we were encamped after the Skirmish for a short time at that place; and were then marched back to the vicinity of Philadelphia, near which the Army remained until his term of Service expired, when he was discharged; He cannot recollect precisely the time of this tour of Service, but thinks he marched from Chester County sometime in the early part of November 1778 and was discharged in January 1779, being two months in Service.
5. He was drafted for a tour of two months in the Militia sometime in the year 1779, and marched to Philadelphia, He thinks was through New Jersey, but cannot from loss of memory, recollect any of his Officers or the nature of that Service; he was discharged upon the expiration of his two months,

6. He was drafted in the Militia, from Shannokin, Cumberland County, and marched under Captain George Hays. Sometime in the year 1779, he cannot recollect the month, but thinks it was in the fall, they were marched to Shippensburg Creek, now Union County, and were stationed the greater part of the time at Swineford Mills, & the residue of the time at the Penna Dams. Our duty was guarding the frontier from Indian depredations. There was but the one Company out at that time, we served out our tour of two months and were discharged.
He makes the following answer to the questions propounded by the Court, according to the regulations of the war Department, viz:
 1. He was Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of February A.D. 1755,  2. He has no record of his Age; he received the information of the time of his Birth &c. from his parents  3. He was residing in Chester County Penn a when first called into the Service, from thence he removed in the Spring of 1777 to a place called Shannokin on the Susquehanna River, then Cumberland, now Perry County, where he resided until the Spring of 1808, when he removed to Juniata (then Mifflin) County, where he has resided ever since.  4. He was drafted for four different Tours of two months each, He served as a Substitute for four months, and volunteered one tour of two months; From his great age & consequent infirmities, loss of memory, &c he cannot recollect the names of the persons for whom he served as a Substitute  5. For the same reason he is unable to state the names of any regular officers who were with the troops where he served, nor the Continental Militia Regiments, and the circumstances of his Service, further than is embraced in the foregoing declaration.  6. He was regularly discharged, upon the expiration of his several tours, but cannot positively say by whom, but thinks, by his respective Captains. All his discharges are lost & destroyed, never expecting that they would ever be of any use to him.  7. He states the names of Hon. Daniel Christy, Andrew Barrick Esq e Chas e Christian Stouffer, Benjamin Law Esq e James Thompson Esq e being persons of his neighbourhood, who can testify to his Character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution. 
He has no documentary evidence of his services, nor does he now know of any person, whose testimony he can procure.

There is no clergyman in his vicinity, who stipulates him, whom Certificate he could procure, his Pastor being lately dead —
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a Pension, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of James Reed
Sworn to, and subscribed the day of year aforesaid; — The words of the time of his birth omitted and before swearing — Wm W. Kirk Proby
We Daniel Christy, one of the Associate Judges of Juniata County, and Christian Stauffer both residents of Fermanagh township, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Reed, who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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 & subscribed the day of year aforesaid Wm W. Kirk Proby
Daniel Christy Christian Stauffer
State of Pennsylvania } Juniata County Set. } And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, after the investigation of the matter & 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 said Court further certifies that it appears to them, that the Hon. Daniel Christy and Christian Stauffer who have signed the preceding Certificate, are residents of Fermanagh township, Juniata County, Penna. and are credible persons, and their statement is entitled to credit.
Calvin Blythe Benjamin Kepner
State of Pennsylvania Juniata County Set }
I Wm W. Kirk Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Juniata County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Reed for a Pension. And that the signatures, annexed to the above certificate, of Calvin Blythe, who is President Judge, & Benjamin Kepner, who is one of the Associate Judges, of the said Court, are their genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Mifflintown, the second day of December Anno Domini 1833 — Wm W. Kirk Proby

March 4, 1940
BA-J/AWF James Reid S. 23457
Mrs. Mary R. Wolcott 22 West Fourth Street Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
The data furnished herein relative to James Reid were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 23457, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
James Reid was born February 5, 1755, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Chester County, Pennsylvania, James Reid enlisted early in July, 1776, served two months as private in Captain James Boyland's company, Colonel Thomas Bull's Pennsylvania regiment. He moved in the spring of 1777, to Shamokin on the Susquehanna River, and served in the fall of 1777, two months in Captain John Elliott's company, and was in the battle of Chestnut Hill. He served four months in Captain Samuel Hammel's company, scouting and guarding the frontiers, dates of this service not given. He served in the fall of 1778, two months in Captain George Ihrie's company. He served in 1779, two months, names of officers not given, and served in the fall of 1779, two months in Captain George Hays' company.
James Reid moved in the spring of 1808, to Juniata (then Mifflin) County, Pennsylvania.
He was allowed pension on his application

executed December 3, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Walker Township, Juniata County, Pennsylvania.
The papers on file in this claim contain no discernible data relative to family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, please use the same address as given in the claim of John Grove (W.1756), and furnish the following data:
James Reid Certificate #25706 Issued December 19, 1833 Rate $40.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Pennsylvania Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Protector
22457 INVALID.
1940 mch 4. liien to Mrs. Mary R. Wolcott. see her letter in John Grove W 1706
File No. 22, 457
James H. ... 1831 Nov 21
Act: June 11 1831
Index: —Vol. 9 , Page 125
[Arrangement of 1870.]

March 4, 1940
Mrs. Mary R. Wolcott 22 West Fourth Street Williamsport, Pennsylvania
BA-J/AWF John Grove-W.1756 22277 Philip Grove-S.2272 James Reid-S.22457
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of a great number of soldiers, with the surnames Reed, Reid, etc, and Grove, all of whom served from Pennsylvania.
This office has no general genealogical data on file. Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land which have been made to the United States, based upon service in that war.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request which requires so much time and research.
You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary War records of John Grove, Philip Grove, and James Reid. It is hoped that these records will be of interest to you.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
see her letter -
John Grove W. 1756

pa
Ann J. Miller
Pa Miller
Dear Dr. L. Edward Com. Pension Pension Office Washington City

W.R. Washington City
Dec. 13. 1833
Rev. J. L. Edwards
Sir
I herein enclose you the application of James Reid of Juniata County Penn a for a pension. You will oblige by its examination & Answer as soon as practicable
Very Respectfully & truly yrs
J. Miller

28. 827 25. ) 06.
James Reid
Penn a
Adm 1. year $40
Hon Sepa Miller Ho of Rep

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
52.
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 subjunct 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. These 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
   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.              
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 City of Philadelphia and that C. D. , who has also signed the same is a resident in the City of Philadelphia 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, (1) 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 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.
□ 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.