Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15324, John Beckett, Penn.

SERVICE
Penn.
Beckett, John
NUMBER
S. 15324
CONTENTS
carded

Ohio 19613.
John Beckett
of Butler Co in the State of Ohio. — who was a Private in the Co. — commanded by Captain Parsons. — of the Regt. — commanded by Col. Wood. — in the Pennsylvania line for six months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. — at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of August, 1833, and sent to Ohio. See Dr. Hamilton, R.C. Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 40.00 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33. 10.00
$50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. P. Palmer Clerk,
Book E Vol. 8. Page 3.
Letter to James C. Beckett 83 And 7th Feb 1839
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1 st April 1838 from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838. Agt Notified 14 March 1839.
Paid as above from 4 Sept 1838 to 4 March 1839. Agt Notified 26 Dec 1839.
Date of death unknown

18631 v
John Becke Abolitionary Soldier

The State of Ohio Butler County Court of Common Pleas of the term of October 1832 } f.s.c.
On this eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, personally appeared before the honorable the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Butler and State of Ohio, John Brecket, aged seventy  seventy years, a resident of the County of Butler aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth upon his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June seventh, eighteen hundred and thirty-two:—
That in the month of September seventeen hundred and seventy-Six, at Bedford Cove, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, he volunteered to serve in Captain Thomas Paxton's Company of Militia in Colonel George Wood's division in General Putnam's Brigade, — Asponent was marched to Frankstown in said County to fight the Indians where he was stationed two months — from thence he was marched to Princeton, New Jersey, where he was stationed three months — On the expiration of this term of three months at Princeton General Putnam ordered Captain Paxton's Company of Rangers to which Asponent was attached to proceed to "Two mile Run" near Brunswick on the Raritan River to route the Picket Guards of the Hessians, on condition of which said Company was to be discharged which condition was performed and General Putnam dismissed them accordingly — Late in the Fall of Seventeen hundred and seventy = Seven =

Seven deponent volunteered at Bedford Cove to serve in a company commanded by Captain James Shelby, to escort a brigade of about seventy Pack Horses laden with flour, belonging to General Hanse Hamil- ton, to Leganier. From Leganier deponent was marched to Palmer's Fort in the Leganier Valley, as a volunteer guide to Captain Thomas Blair, of a company of militia. From Palmer's Fort deponent volunteered to accompany a small detachment of Captain Blair's Company in pursuit of a scout of Indians whom they succeeded in overtaking on the same day; deponent killed one of the Indians with the butt of his gun, and the rest of the detachment killed three, making four in killed by the detachment out of the force whom they pursued. Deponent states that the term during which he volunteered to serve under Captain Shelby and Captain Blair inclusive, as aforesaid, was about one month and that the whole period during which he was engaged in active service as aforesaid was six months, during which periods of service inclusive deponent held a commis- sion as Ensign, which was signed and forwarded to deponent by Thomas Mor- timer of Philadelphia, in the summer of the year Seventeen hundred and Twenty five - deponent served as Ensign during the term of three months in which he was stationed at Princeton in New Jersey in the year Seventeen hundred and Twenty - Seven under Captain Paxton as aforesaid. Deponent has since lost his commission. He never received a written discharge and and knows of no person living by whom he can prove his services except  that  he = in the

written of Green County whose deposition is hereto attached taken before me this day said de- ponent has resided in the State of Ohio forty years, and in the County of Butler, Ohio where he now resides twenty one years. Deponent has no written record of his age, but states that he was born in the County of Antrim, in Ireland on the fifteenth September, seventeen hun- -dred and fifty-five. Deponent knows of no person living by whom he can prove his services, but is well known to
by whom he believes he can prove his character for truth and veracity and his reputation as a soldier of the Revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court 13th October 1832 John Reilly Clerk
John Becket
I Robert Johnston a resident of Butler County hereby certify that I have known John Becket who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration for several years, said John Becket has always been considered and reputed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and I concur in that opinion, said John Becket sustaining a good reputation for truth and veracity and I believe that his statement is en- titled to full credit.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court 13th October 1832 John Reilly Clerk
Robert Johnston

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation and reading the deposition of Stephen Mcgister hereto attached of the matter, 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 Robert Johnson, who has signed the certificate is a resident in the County of Butler, and is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
I John Reily Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Butler aforesaid do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Beckett for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Hamilton this twentieth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John Reily

18631 19.673
John Beckett Ohio
Return 5.11.12.14.17
Adm 6 Months for $20-
Geo W. Wood Hamilton Butler Co Ohio

BRIEF in the case of John Beckett  County of Butler — in the State of Ohio  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Val In 1776 6 Ensign Gen. Putnam, Capt. Paxton, Col Wood   " 1777 about 1 " Capt J. Shelby, Capt Blair  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bedford Co Pa.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary evidence, or by the latter living witness, & traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no clergyman 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. Forrest Examining Clerk.

May 29, 1936
John Beckett-S.15324 BA-J/AWF Am
Mrs. V. B. Wood 1019 E. 8th Street Pueblo, Colorado
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you furnish further information in regard to John Beckett, soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 15324, based upon the service of John Beckett, during the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only John Beckett found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office; the surname was searched under similar spellings.
John Beckett was born September 15, 1755 in County Antrim, Ireland. The names of his parents were not given.
He volunteered at Bedford Cove, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, sometime in September, 1766, served as ensign in Captain Thomas Paxton's company of rangers, under Colonel George Woods, in pursuit of Indians and Hessians, length of service five months. He volunteered at Bedford Cove, late in the fall of 1777, served as ensign under Captains James Shelby and Thomas Blair, in pursuit of Indians, length of service one month. He was in two skirmishes with the Indians.
He was allowed pension on his application executed, October 18, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Butler County, Ohio, where he had lived about twenty-one years.
The papers in this claim contain no data con-

cerning the family of the soldier, John Beckett.
If you desire information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., and give the following:
John Beckett Certificate # 19613 Issued August 8, 1833 Rate $20.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

John Beckett
No further Evidence can be produced The applicant will be satisfied if allowed for 6 mos as a private
Yours truly agt. for applicant

The State of Ohio Butler County ss In Butler Common Pleas June term 1837. Francis Monfort a Clergyman residing in Ham- ilton in the County of Butler in the State of Ohio hereby certify that I have been well acquainted for upwards of thirty years, with John Becket who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to be seventy seven 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 he is entitled to full credit and belief and that his statement and declaration can be reli- ed upon — Francis Monfort
Sworn and subscribed this 1 st July, 1837 — In open court in the term of June aforesaid John Reily Clerk Butler Com Pleas
The State of Ohio Butler County ss John Reily Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid certify that the deposition of Francis Monfort herein before stated was sworn to and subscribed in open court in the term of June above stated to wit on the fourth day July as above and in the capacity of a Clergyman as in the said deposition it is set forth In testimony whereof I have hereunto my hand and Official seal at Hamilton the said fourth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
BECKETT JOHN
John Reily

Feb 18.
W Evans # 11 11

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office, February 18 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Beckett, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Agency, at the rate of Twenty _____ Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept., 1837, to the 4 th March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

John Becket
The certificate of the Justice is added to the deposition of the witness So- and the certificate of a clergyman -

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Beckett which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? witness
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 6, 7.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Commission as Ensign must be produced, or Proof that he was such & duly commissioned. —
The claim can be allowed for 6 Months Provided the objection 14. is removed.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Dec. 13 th . 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Beckett, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio — Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838, to the 4 th March 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
Wm. B. Parsons
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

ry to 1374 ity -
P
15324
INVALID.
Apr. 10. 1897. Histo Mr. Eddy Palmer Pearl st. New York Co
1923-Dec 7 - Filed to Mr. Coupling 936 May 29 - " " Mrs. V.B. Wood
File No. 15324
John Beckett Pri Prev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]

The State of Ohio Greene County ss
Personally appeared before me Josiah Davidson a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Stephen Winter of the Town of Xenia and County aforesaid who after being duly sworn according to Law on his said Oath says that he is personally acquainted with John Bickett of Butler County in the State of Ohio whom he understands is an applicant for a pension as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, that he the said Stephen Winter marched on a three months tour of duty from Bedford County Pennsylvania under the command of Captain Thomas Paxton, against the British in the State of Pennsylvania New Jersey in the Regiment commanded by Colonel George Wood that among the before mentioned services they the said Stephen Winter and John Bickett were employed in scouting along the British lines, and was in a skirmish in routing the British soldiers and Refugees, who was then stationed at Pennys Island in New Jersey, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven (to the best recollection of deponent) that they the said Stephen Winter & John Bickett received their discharge at Princeton in the State of New Jersey The said Stephen Winter further saith that he has been acquainted with the said John Bickett over since that he now lives in Butler County in the State of Ohio that he said the said John Bickett is Xenia about four years since that he is the Identical John Bickett of whom he has spoken in this affidavit and further this deponent saith not. Stephen Winter
Sworn to & subscribed before this 17th day of Sept r 1832 Josiah Davidson J.P.
The State of Ohio Greene County ss
I James S. Updegraff Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Josiah Davidson Esq. above named, before whom the foregoing affidavit was this day made, is an acting justice of the peace in and for said County, duly qualified

would be qualified, authorised by law to administer the oaths, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and the seal of said Court at Xenia this 17th day of September 1832 J. Groom etc.
The State of Ohio Greene County P. J. Josiah Dampson before whom the within affidavit of Stephen Winter was. sworn to subscribed as certify that said Winter is a respectable Citizen and that his testimony can be relied on. that his character for truth & morality is good. so far as I have am heard or known.
Given under my hand at Xenia in the County aforesaid this 8th day of July 1833. Josiah Dampson late a Justice of the peace
Mr. John Wood
Sir I have above given my certificate as to the good character of Mr. Stephen Winter the within affidavit. I should have done so at the time the affidavit was made had I known it was necessary. I am not now in office as you will see by my signature above. if this will not do send up of the deposition can be taken again & a certificate made in due form by any Justice of the peace here.
Yours respect Josiah Dampson
July 8. 1833.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
April 9, 1936
YOUR FILE REFERENCE:
IN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. V. B. Wood 1019 E. 8th Street Pueblo, Colorado
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John, Joseph, and Robert Beckett.
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.
A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of Joseph or Robert Beckett. The surname was searched under similar spellings.
In order to identify the record of the John Beckett in whom you are particularly interested, some of the following data are essential- approximate dates of his birth and death and places of residence at enlistment and after service.
Upon receipt of this information, another search of the records will be made and a report sent you.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
The John Beckett in whom I am interested died in Bourbon Co., Ky. between 1785-1840. No doubt he served as a soldier in Va. Mrs. Wood.

L. W. B. I. 15324.
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
April 10, 1897.
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning John Beckett, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on October 18, 1832, at which time he was 77 years of age and residing in Butler County, Ohio, and his pension was allowed for six months' actual service as a private in the Penna. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Paxton and Col. Wood. He enlisted in Bedford County, Penna.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Eddy Palmer,
374 Pearl St., N. Y. City.

THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
PRESIDENT ADRIAN LYON
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT HARRY FRANK BREWER
SECOND-VICE PRESIDENT ELVORD G. CHAMBERLIN
SECRETARY DAVID LAWRENCE PIERSON
TREASURER FRANK E. QUINBY
REGISTRAR WILLIAM JOHNSON CONKLING
ASSISTANT REGISTRAR LIEUT.-COL. CHARLES A. ANDREWS
Headquarters 33 LOMBARDY STREET, NEWARK, N. J. Tel. Mulberry 0820
GENEALOGIST SAMUEL COPP WORTHEN
HISTORIAN REV. M. S. WATERS
CHAPLAIN REV. FRANK A. SMITH, D. D.
CHANCELLOR RAYMOND TOWNLEY PARROT
LIBRARIAN RUSSELL B. RANKIN
NATIONAL TRUSTEE C. SYMMES KIGGINS
October 27, 1925.
Commissioner of Pensions, Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish me with the military history of JOHN BECKETT, Private, Pennsylvania Militia, who made application for pension while residing in BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio.
His name appears in the Ohio list of pensioners as having been placed on list August 8, 1833, and giving his age at 79 years at time of making the application.
The information is desired to prove the eligibility of an applicant for membership in this Society.
Your courtesy will be highly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
W. J. Conkling Registrar N. J. S. A. R.
OCT 28 1925
SECTION

Palmer's NEW YORK
374 & 376 PEARL STREET
SOLOM PALMER. EDDY PALMER.
New York, March 9th, 1897.
Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
Will you kindly give me, if possible, all the facts on record in regard to my Great Grand Father John Becket , an officer in the Revolutionary war , who died April 22nd, 1843 at the age of 91 years, as recorded on his tombstone in the cemetery at West Chester, Butler Co. Ohio, where he had resided for many years.
Yours very truly,
Eddy Palmer

mmh
December 7, 1923
William J. Conkling 33 Lombardy St., Newark, N. J.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 15324 it appears that John Beckett was born in Antrim County, Ireland, September 15, 1755.
He volunteered at Bedford Cove, Bedford County, Pennsylvania in September 1776 and served as Ensign five months in Captain Thomas Paxton's Company, Colonel Woods' Pennsylvania Regiment, and late in the Fall of 1777 he volunteered and served as Ensign one month under Captains James Shelby and Thomas Blair. He was in two skirmishes.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 18, 1832 while a resident of Butler County, Ohio. There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.