Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2,924, William Denniston, New Jersey. Penn.

SERVICE
NEW JERSEY. Penn.
Deniston William Elizabeth
NUMBER _____
W. 2924
CONTENTS

Pittsburgh Pa 11889 Pennsylvania
With an Pension of Washington Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stamps of the Left commanded by Col Harrison in the N. J. line for 15 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania the rate of 5 Dollars & 00 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of July 1833 and sent to L. Simpson Pittsburgh
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 100.00 Sem-ant. allowance ending Sept 1 25.00 $ 125.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 5 Page 74

5598
Pennsylvania Pittsburgh
Reported
Elizabeth Denniston
widow of Col d Denniston
who was a Private N.J.
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of May, 1844 and sent to
M rs H. Laurie Esq Pittsburgh Pa re
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book C 4 Vol. 1 Page 131

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of Pennsylvania } ss County of Allegheny
On this 24 th Day of January 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting William Deniston A Resident of Peters Township, in the County of Washington Pa, aged 75 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, 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer, and served as herein stated
That he was drafted about the first of April 1776 from the County of Somerset State of Jersey under the Command of Capt Richard McDonall from which place we marched to Bargin Island at which place a number of Continental troops lay under the Command of General Howe at which place we remained for some length of time about the last of June we were dismissed and returned home after having served three months without getting a discharge I was drafted on the first of August of the same year under the same officer and from the same place that we were drafted before when we again marched to Bargin Island where we remained to the last of October when we were dismissed and I returned home after serving three months without getting any discharge I then moved to Chester County State of Pa, where I was drafted about the middle of August 1777 under Capt Edward Simeson Lieut Ephraim Russell Benjamin McKern from thence we marched to Ridley Creek Bridge State of Delaware where we were attached to Col John Hanoms Regiment from thence

we marched by a circuitous route to Brandywine where we had a very severe battle and was obliged to retreat being pursued by the enemy Genral Washington turned upon the enemy but in consequence of a heavy rain which damaged the armes and ammunition that we was obliged to retreat about the first of October we attacked the British Camp at Germantown where we had a severe engagement and we suffered grate loss about the midll of November I was discharged signed by Col John Hanoms I Returned home having served three month about the first of June 1778 I was drafted under Capt. John Craige when we marched to Delaware's town where we remained for some lenth of time having received orders not to proceed any further we ware dismised and I returned home having served two months the first of September I volunteered in a scouting party the Capt of which I canot recollect his name but we ware frequently under Major Peter Bell when we ware after the torys and many other duties we performed during the term of four months which I served for which term I never received any discharge
and that he knows of no person who is now living who can testify as to his service 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
Given to, and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
Wm. Caudell Pm
W. Allen - Enr.

We, William Jeffery a Clergyman, Residing in the County of Allegheny, and James Herritt Residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Deniston, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 75 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Wm W (Caudle) Bm
William Jeffery - James Herritt
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 William Jeffery who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman Resident in the County of Allegheny and that James Herritt who has also signed the same is a Resident in the same and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. - By the court
Wm W (Caudle) Bm
I William Mandlefs Clerk of the court of commonpleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Deniston for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Clerks office this 24 Day of January 1853 -
Wm W (Caudle) Bm

Microfotorys put by the Court
1) Where and in what year were you born answer) I was born in the County Denagal Ireland in the year 1770 2) Have you any Record of your age answer) I have no Record of my age 3) Where were you living when Called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live answer) I lived in Somerset County State of Jersey when I was first drafted for the two first tours and after Words I moved to Chester County Pa where my residence was during the three last tours and in the year 1790 I moved to Allegheny County Pa where I lived for or 40 years when I moved to Washington County Pa where I now live 4) How were you Called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a Substitute answer) I was drafted the four first tours I was out and the last I volunteered 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 service answer) General Washington Daur Irvine and Smallwood who Comanded the Maryland Lines, Colonel Baistet who Comanded the Delaware Regiment and Colonel John Thompson who Comanded the Pennsylvania Regiment Which I belonged to 6) did you ever receive a discharge from the Service answer) I received a discharge signed by Col John Thompson which I have since lost 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 answer) Dr Robert Thompson James Harriet John Riddell John Rana the Reverend William Woods and the Reverend Wm Jeffery
Wm Deniston
22083

of March 1840.
Alphabetic R
No 5802 Eliz h Denson Pa
Act 4 th July 36

State of Pennsylvania Allegheny County - - }
On this 25 day of February 1843 before me John McCully a justice of the peace in and for said County of Allegheny in the State of Pennsylvania person- ally appeared Mrs Elizabeth Denniston a resident of Peter Township in the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania aged Eighty two the 26 th day of January last past (and to me well known as the Widow of William Denniston late a United States Pensioner) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the Widow of William Denniston who was a private in the Revolutionary War, and was placed on the Pension List Roll of the Pittsburgh Agency, that she has no documentary evidence to direct her as to his services, except her Pension Certificate but from what she has heard her husband say in his life time she believes that he served some time as a volunteer. That he served also two tours in the draughted Militia of Pennsylv- -vania, and that he was in the battle of Brandywine.
She further declares that she was married to the said William Denniston on the fourteenth day of February Seventeen hundred and eighty six in Chester County in the State of Pennsylvania by the Rev d Abel Griffith a Baptist Minister of the Gospel - that she resided in Chester County for 5 or 6 years thereafter, and then removed to Allegheny County Pennsylvania, with three Children, where they continued to reside until within twelve or thirteen years ago, when they removed to Washington County to the place and where said William Denniston continued to reside with his family until he died, and which took place on the Eleventh day of March last viz March 11 th 1842 and that she is now his widow, and has remained his widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written.
before me John McCully Justice of the Peace
Elizabeth her Denniston mark

Allegheny County ss.
Before me the Justice of the peace before named personally appeared David Gibson aged 60 years and to me well known as a man of veracity, and a resident of Peters Township Washington County Pennsylvania, and who being first duly sworn on his said oath doth depose and say - That he has been well acquainted with William Tenniston, and his wife and family for the last 12 or 13 years since they came to live his neighbours in this Township, and that Elizabeth Tenniston this applicant is now the widow of said William Tenniston, who for the last 9 or 10 years before his death was a pensioner of the United States - and that said William Tenniston died on the 11 th day of March last past, and that he was at his funeral - and that he left his said Widow this applicant who still continues unmarried, and Eight Children viz Mary aged 55 1/2 years Nancy aged 54 - years Abigail aged 53 years Thomas aged 51 years Sarah aged 49 years Samuel aged 47 years Joseph aged 45 years William aged 43 years all of whom are alive - Sworn and subscribed this 25 day of Feby 1843 Before me John McEvilly David Gibson
Allegheny County ss
Also before me the Justice of the peace before named personally appeared John Gillellan Esq. Aged 58 years a resident of St. Clair Township Allegheny County Pennsylvania and to me long and well known as a man of veracity and being duly sworn according to law, on his said oath doth depose and say - That he has been intimately and well acquainted with William Tenniston and this Applicant his wife and family as long as he can recollect any thing, even from his childhood - That his acquaintance began with them while they lived his neighbours in St. Clair Township Allegheny County, and continued on terms of intimacy all the time they resided in said County, until they removed to Peters Township in Washington County

Pennsylvania, to whom this applicant once part of the family still resides, and which residence is not three miles distant from where the deponent was born and where he still resides, and that his acquaintance and intimacy with said William Denniston's family still continues - and that the statement made by David Gibson as to the names and ages of the children of said family he believes to be correct. Deponent further states that said William Denniston was a United States Pensioner, and that he frequently, as a justice of the peace prepared his papers for the lifting of his pension, and that said William Denniston died on the 17 th day of March last past, and that he attended the funeral of said William Denniston and to his knowledge this applicant, Elizabeth Denniston is the widow of the said William Denniston and still remains unmarried. And, that judging from the ages of the children of said William and Elizabeth Denniston he firmly believes the term stated by this applicant as the term of their marriage to be correct. Sworn and subscribed this 25 th
day of February 1843 } John Gilliland before me } John McCully }
I, John McCully the aforesaid justice do certify that I am well acquainted with this family, and know that the applicant is the widow of said W m Denniston dec d whose papers for lifting his pension I prepared for him several times. And that now this applicant being old and frail is brought before me into Allegheny county, at some risk and trouble, and that in her state of health and feeble strength it would have been unwise to try to take her either to the court in Washington or Pittsburgh Given under my hand this 25 day of February 1843
John McCully

State of Pennsylvania } Allegheny County } ss
I Alfred Sutter, Prothonotary of the District Court held at Pittsburgh, in and for the said County of Allegheny, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence John McCallum Esq. before whom the within affidavit was taken and who in his own proper handwriting has certified the same, was at the time and now is, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly elected, commissioned and sworn to all whose acts as such, full faith and credit are and of right ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere.
5502
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Pittsburgh, in the County aforesaid this 7 th day of March A.D. 1943.
Alfred Sutter Pro

B Oct 19. 1843
THE PSALMS OF DAVID IN METRE:
Translated, and diligently Compared
WITH THE Original Text,
AND FORMER TRANSLATIONS.
MORE PLAIN, SMOOTH, AND AGREEABLE TO THE TEXT, THAN ANY HERETOFORE.
Allowed by the Authority of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the KIRK of SCOTLAND , and appointed to be sung in Congregations and Families.
PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED FOR MATHEW CAREY, NO. 118, HIGH-STREET.
JOSEPH CHARLESS, PRINTER. 1801.

Mary Dennis ton was Born August the 14 th A.D. 1784 Lucy Dennis ton was Born Septem r the 19 th A.D. 1788 Abigail Dennis ton was Born April the 7 th A.D. 1790 Thomas Dennis ton was Born April the 27 th A.D. 1792 Jerah Dennis ton was Born Mar ch the 10 th A.D. 1794 Isaac Dennis ton was Born February the 27 th A.D. 1796 Joseph Dennis ton was Born Tuesday the second of January 1798 William Dennis ton was Born the fifth of October 1799

Of the tree of life.
CHAP. XXII. Christ the Alpha and Omega.
tenth, a chrysolite; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
CHAP. XXII.
The river of the water of life, &c. 1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and
her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; they need no candle, neither the light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel, to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John, saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: Worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he which is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The End of the New Testament.

Mary Denniston was Born August the 14th A.D. 1770
Nancy Denniston was Born Septbr the 19th A.D. 1780
Margaret Denniston April the 7th A.D. 1778
Thomas Denniston was Born April 4 th Annoque Domini 1792
Sarah Denniston was born May the 18th A.D. 1794
Samuel Denniston was Born Feb y 27 th A.D. 1779

Monroeville Pa 7. March 5th
1834
Col. John Ross Pittsburg Pa

Personally appeared before me Robert Wilson the subscriber being a Person of strict veracity and credibility on his solemn Affirmation deposed and says he is 80 years of age and Elizabeth Denniston the applicant for a Pension is his sister and was Married to William Denniston Deceased some time after the Revolution not being at the Marriage Cant state the time, That he always understood that William Denniston had served as a Soldier in the Revolution Wars under whom he served or where Disponent having no personal knowledge Chester County ss
§ taking and subscribed before } Robert Wilson me a Justice of the Peace in and for } Said County this 1 st day of July 1843, } Isaac Smith
Personally appeared before me Abigail Buffington the subscriber being a Person of credibility on her solemn Affirmation Deposed and says she is 75 years of age that Elizabeth Denniston the applicant for a Pension and Widow of William Denniston Deceased, is her sister and that they were Married in her presence and at her Father's House by Able Griffith a Respectable Clergyman of Chester County and thinks it was in the Spring of 1786 (not positive) have heard  heard that William Denniston had been a Soldier but don't know any thing further Respecting his Revolutions actions I was too young Abigail her Buffington mark
Chester County ss § taking and subscribed before } me a Justice of the Peace in and for } Said County this 1 st day of July 1843 } Isaac Smith
Isaac Smith

Pennsylvania
Chester County ss.
I Abner M. Chamberlain
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Chester in the Commonwealth of Penna. do certify that Isaac Smith Esq. before whom the foregoing affirmations were made is and at the time the same were made is, and at the time the same were made, was one of the Justices of the Peace of said Commonwealth duly commissioned and qualified for the said county of Chester, to all whose official acts as such full faith and credit are, and ought to be given.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at West Chester in said Co. July third A.D. 1843
A. M. Chamberlain Protho.

22083
William Deniston
b
Adm o
15 mo t
$50.00
E. Simpson
Pittsburgh Pa

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 6
1833
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 subjjoined 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 William Deniston County of Washington Pa
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     of Apr 1776 3 Pri: Capt s McDonald Col s From Mon- tgomery County Germany   " Aug. 1776 3 " " to Brandywine St. Asaph Revolutionary   " " 1777 3 " Simpson Hampson Battles of Brandywine & Germantown from Chester County to Red Bank to Chestnut Hill in 1777 - aged 75 Evidence   " June 1778 2 " Craig to Philadelphia years   1 Sept 1778 4 " May Bell to Brandywine   15  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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 day 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 he 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 enquiry 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 [a] 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.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Gu
Rev
June 19, 1924.
Laurence Denniston, Finleyville, R. 1, Pa.
Sir;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 2924, it appears that William Denniston was born in 1750 in County, the  Legal , Ireland.
While residing in Somerset County, New Jersey, he enlisted April 1, 1776 and served three months as a private in Captain Richard McDonald's New Jersey Company.
He enlisted August 1, 1776 and served three months as a private in same company.
Soon after this he moved to Chester County, Pennsylvania and enlisted August 15, 1777 and served three months as a private in Captain Edward Simonson's Company, Colonel John Hannum's Pennsylvania Regiment and was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown.
He enlisted June 1, 1778 and served two months as a

private in Captain John Craig's Pennsylvania Company.
He enlisted September 1, 1778 and served four months in a scouting party under Major Peter Bell.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 24, 1833, while a resident of Peters Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and he died there March 11, 1842.
Soldier married February 14, 1786 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth (sister of Robert Wilson), she was born January 26, 1761 and was allowed pension on her application executed February 25, 1843, while a resident of Peters Township, Pennsylvania.
Their children-
Mary born May or August 14, 1787. Nancy " September 19, 1788. Abigail " April 7, 1790. Thomas " April 27, 1792 1792 Sarah " March or May 10, 1794. Samuel " February 27, 1796. Joseph " January 2, 1798. William " October 5, 1799.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

LAURENCE DENNISTON R. 1, Finleyville, Pa.
May, 12, 1924 Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir:
Will you please send me the war record of William Denniston in the revolutionary war, He may have enlisted from New Jersey, after the war he lived at Bridgeville, Pa and died at Thompsonville, Pa. he got a pension, it would be mailed to one of those places.
Yours truly
Laurence Denniston Finleyville,
R. D. 1 Pa

1924-June 19-Hist to Laura Denniston aut
Perf WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2924
Elizabeth Denniston
Widow
William Denniston
Bi. Rev. War
Act: March 3, 1843
Index:—Vol. A , Page 174
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Allegheny County ss
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for said County William Deniston a Respectable Citizen of Washington County who being duly sworn as law direct deponeth and saith that the reasons why he did not make the application for the purpose of obtaining a pension in the County where he now resides was on account that he has lately moved from Allegheny to Washington County and that he has not formed any acquaintance with any Clergyman in Washington County who could certify for him and that he could not get the Clergyman where he belonged in Allegheny and the other Respectable neighbours who certified for him to attend the Court in Washington County without too much inconvenience on account of the distance and of his bodily infirmity and further saith not
Sworn and subscribed before me this 28 Day of April 1833
William Deniston
John Gilfillan
Allegheny County State of Pennsylvania ss
William M'Kandless, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County. To certify that John Gilfillan's before upon the foregoing Affidavit was made, was, at the time such Affidavit was made known
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned & sworn to all whose acts as such due faith & credit are & of right ought to be given throughout the United States & elsewhere.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court at Pittsburgh in said County this 8 th day of May A. D. 1833
Wm M'Kandless

City of Pittsburgh Allegheny County Penn a
Before me on Alders, or of said City personally came Col. John Noffs of said City an Old respectable citizen of Allegheny County Penn a and to me well known as a man of veracity who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say as follows viz
I am 61 years of age and have resided all my life in this County of Allegheny wherein I was born. I was well acquainted with William Derrington late a Pensioner of the United States and with all his family, ever since the year then 1805 at which time they were living in St Clair Township of this County. And they continued to reside in said County until about 13 years ago - when they removed into Washington County & Peter Township which is adjoining to St Clair Township. During their residence in this County they resided for 12 or 14 years on a farm of mine, since from which he removed to said Peter Township with his family where he continued until his death, which took place some time in the Spring of 1842 - I was not at his funeral, but I went with one of his sons to the printing office in Pittsburgh, with a notice of his death for publication - I am well acquainted with Elizabeth Derrington who is now applying for a pension under the Act of Congress passed July 7 1838. I have known her all the time above named as the wife of said William Derrington, and know that she is now his widow, and that since his death she has not intermarried - I am well acquainted with all their - Ohio.

children, and very particularly with their son Joseph who made the annexed deposition on his another application, and knew him to be a man of good character for truth and veracity, and also that such was the character borne him by all the said family Sworn to & subscribed before me John Ross this 11th day of August A.D. 1843
Alex Miller
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, } ss. State of Pennsylvania, }
I, Asaph Sutton Prothonotary of the Courts of Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegheny in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do by these presents certify, that Alexander Morton Esquire, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper hand writing, subscribed his name, was at that time, and now is, an
Alderman in and for the City of Pittsburgh, with all the powers of an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the said county, duly commissioned and sworn, to all whose acts, as such, due faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Pittsburgh, in the said County, this // day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-five and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America, the 68
ATTEST:
Asaph Sutton Pro

Sir,
Pittsfield July 11 1843
Agreeably to the wishes of Mrs Elizabeth Denniston I forward to you her papers and when your Department shall have examined and passed upon them You will please communicate the same to me, this being her will John Ross
J L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions

9226
Elizabeth Denniston
P as
Act July 7 th 38
Husband died March 11 th 1842
Rejected

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ss.
On this twenty third day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas — now in Session and holding for the County of Allegheny in the City of Pittsburgh in said Commonwealth being a Court of Record, Mrs. Elisabeth Denniston a Resident of Peters' Township Washington County Pennsylvania, and contiguous to this County of Allegheny Aged Eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of William Denniston who was a Private in the Army of the Revolutionary War and who, for services rendered during said War, was placed on the Pension List Roll of the United States at the Pittsburgh Agency at the rate of Fifty dollars per annum during his natural life, as per Certificate from the War Office of the United States dated the 11 th day of July 1833 in conformity with the law of the United States of 7 th June 1832 — She also states that she cannot say under whom her husband served in the Army, but she believes, from what she has heard him say, that he was at Brandy wine in the battle — She further declares that she was married to the said William Denniston on the fourteenth day of February A.D. One Thousand seven hundred and Eighty six in Chester County and State of Pennsylvania by the Reverend Abel Griffith a Baptist Minister of the gospel, and, that this is the true and correct date of her marriage with said William Denniston, she is very certain, that she never knew of any written record having been made of her said marriage or that any such record is in existence — that she with her husband left Chester County in 4 years after their marriage with three children and came into this County of Allegheny, into St. Clair Township, and wherein they continued to reside, until

about thirteen years ago when they removed into Washington County, Peters Township, adjoining, to said St Clair Township, where they continued to reside until the death of her said Husband William Denniston, which took place on the Eleventh day of March One Thousand eight hundred and forty two. That she knows of no person who can testify specifically to the date of her marriage, and she has here no better way of establishing that term than by the ages of her children, of whom she has had Eight by said William Denniston, all of whom are living, as follows - viz. Mary who was born 14 th of May 1787 - Nancy who was born the 19 th day of September 1788. Abigail was born the 7 th day of April 1790 Joseph - was born the 2 nd day of July  June 1792 - Thomas was born the 27 th day of April 1792 Sarah was born the 10 th day of March 1794 Samuel was born the 27 th day of February - 1796 and my youngest and last child William, was born the 5 th day of October 1799 all of whom are her only children, and whom she bore to said William Denniston who died on the day before mentioned, and she is still his widow. and remains unmarried since his death. The above names of her children she recited according to seniority viz - Mary was born May 14 1787 - Nancy Sept 19 1788 - Abigail April 7 1790 - Thomas April 27 1792 Sarah March 10 1794 - Samuel Febry 27 1796 - William 5 th Oct 1799 - She further states, that she is in a very infirm state of health, and strength of body, and with difficulty has been able to attend at this Court, which from where she resides is of easier access to her than the Court at Washington, and she has been no longer, and better known in this County than in Washington County Sworn & subscribed in Open Court this 23 rd day of June A.D. 1842
Elizabeth her Denniston mark.
R. Sutton Prothonotary

Allegheny County Pa.
On the same day June 23 rd 1843 and in open court William  Joseph Derrington Aged about 45 years, being duly sworn doth depose and say That he is the but one Youngest Child of the said William Derrington dece d and of Elizabeth Derrington this applicant. That the ages before stated by his mother of his elder brothers and sisters he believes to be correct. That he knows well that his father the said William Derrington was a housecarpenter at the time of his death, of the United States, which took place on the Eleventh day of March A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty two. That his father and mother have resided in this vicinity during all his knowledge of them and he believes were well esteemed by their neighbors. He further states that from the ages of his oldest sister, he has no doubt that his father and mother were married at the time stated by his mother. viz in 1786
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court June 23 rd A.D. 1843. J. Sutton Prothonotary
Joseph Derrington
I leave this application in the hands of my old friend Col. John Roff, for him to send on to Washington for me when he shall have received the Depositions of my brother and Sister living in Chester County to whom I have written for evidence of my Marriage with William Derrington
Elizabeth Derrington

Payments to be made at Pittsburgh by Pres d U. S. Br. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Pennsylvania
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book 3 Vol. 5 Page 74 by W. L. Williams Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, William Penniston of the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the war of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Fifty dollars and — — cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Eleventh day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three
John B. B. Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

My Sir
I enclose the application of Deputy Mr Callaway & Mr Remington for Pari, which application are amended ac- cording to your instructions
J. H. Harrison
Hon. J. L. Edward

May 20 1844
PAID FREE
Small 12 3/4 Hon. J. L. Edwards Commission of Pensions Washington D.C.

Hon. Sir,
Pittsburgh May 17 1844
Your answer of 13 inst. to the enquiry of the Hon. C. Farraght relative to the application of Elizabeth Fenniston is before me; in which you say that the testimony required by your letter of 14 th Sep r . last, - viz. the family record or other record evidence to establish it, does not appear to have been received.
I am surprised at this intelligence. As soon after the receipt of yours of the 14 th Sep r . as could be done, the family record, consisting of two leaves of common pocket bibles were taken out; the one containing the date of the birth of each of the 5 or 6 eldest children of Mrs Fenniston (de d .) and the other a copy of the same with the addition of the names and date of birth of each the younger children. The first in the hand writing of Mrs Fenniston de d . and the last in the hand writing of one of her sons, who proved said hand writings, and that the same, during the life time of Mrs Fenniston, had been in his possession, and since his death in the possession of the deponent. This testimony, with said records, was then enclosed and directed to you in the usual way, and marked at Pittsburgh, having been first sworn to & certified.
What can have prevented the reception of this document, is to me unknown. The length of time since, without any reply, was the cause of my addressing Mr Farraght, which, however I did only at request of the son of Mrs Fenniston to make further enquiry.
I am Sir very respectfully Your Obedt Servt
W B Lowrie
Hon J L Edwards

May 13 1844
J. G. Edwards Esq. Comm ee of Pensions Washington City D.C.
Dear Sir
May 13, 1844
Yrs. & Sincere

Cal for it see let.
Home of Reps 11 th May 1894
Sir
I have been requested to enquire at your office, what has been done with the application of Mrs Elizabeth Barrington of Peters Township Washington County Penn a (widow of Mr Barrington a pensioner & now deceased) - The last application I understand was made nine or ten months since, and contained the only original records of the ages of her children - to which she received no answer
I am very Resp t yours
C Barragh
J. G. Edwards Esq Comm Pensions

W o 5939
Elizabeth Denny Denniston Pa
Atkins. 8 o 43
~
Add 20
15 m
pri
$ 50.00 per an.
Human & register this can

5802
Mar 10 '43
pa July 4. 1836
Eliz. Demintur,
William 32
FREE
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington D. C.

Sir,
Pittsburgh March 7 th 1847
At the request of Mrs. Elizabeth Darniston the Applicant named in the enclosed papers I forward the same to you.
When the necessary examination in your department shall have been made, please to apprise her of the result by letter addressed to me
I am Sir with sentiments of high consideration very respectfully
Your F th Serv t
Chas B Lowrie
Hon. J. L. Edwards

No 5802 Elizabeth Denniston Pa
Rejected Lot to Mr. B. Laurie, April 22. '43
Act 4 th July 1836.
V No 9226 Elizabeth Denniston Pa
Suspended
Set to Mr. B. Laurie Sep 14. '43 " " Hon. C. Danagh, May 19. '44. " " Mr. B. Laurie May 28. '44
Act July 7 38

Oct 23 '43 L.
Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson Eliz Deming
L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
FREE

To the Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions. Pittsburgh October 19 th 1843
Elizabeth Denniston, widow of William Denniston late of Peters Township Allegheny County deceased, and who, at the time of his death was a pensioner of the United States, for services rendered during the Revolutionary War, begs leave respectfully to continue her application for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7 th of July 1838. She has no additional evidence to offer as to the extent of her husband's services, neither can she give any stronger proof as to her marriage with said William Denniston and when the same took place other than she has already done, except the Record of her husband's family which she does as follows - viz
Joseph. (Denniston aged 45 years being duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith that he is the seventh child of William and Elizabeth Denniston, that the only record of the ages and births of the children of his father that he ever saw which was made and kept by his father W m Denniston dec d was made on the outside of the last leaf of a small bible on which the preceding side of the same page contains the end of the New Testament. That said leaf is now before him, and in the hand writing of his father W m Denniston dec d contains the times of the birth of his first six children. I cannot say at what time or times this record was made further than that as long as I can recollect back from my youth until now it has always been the same as it now appears, and which has always been in the possession of said W m Denniston until his death, and since that time has continued in the possession of his mother and himself, she having resided with him since the death of his father. That said leaf has always been lying in said small Bible (which is much the

The worn of the wear) and lying loose therein, and this morning he took it out without tearing or cutting the same, and which to identify is now marked A. of this date on the printed side.
The further record of the ages of Mrs. Denniston's children is contained on the leaf of a school bible on the outside of the title page to the Psalms of David in Metre, and contains a copy of the former mentioned record, and also the time of birth of this deponent and his brother William Denniston, and which shows the ages of all the children of the said William and Elizabeth Denniston being eight in number and all still living. But in whose hand writing this record is made I cannot say positively, at some time I believe it to be in the hand writing of my oldest brother Thomas, and which is now forwarded with these presents, and to identify the same is marked B of this date on the printed side.
Sworn & subscribed before me on Joseph Denniston Alderman of Pittsburgh the 19 th day of October A.D. 1843 D.S. Scully alder
William Denniston aged 44 years the 5 th part being first duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith that he is the youngest child of said W m & Elizabeth Denniston, that he has heard the deposition above written of his brother Joseph read over to him, that he fully concurs in the statements therein made, and firmly believes the same to be just and true. That he also resides in the same house with his brother Joseph and his mother, and has done so since the death of his father, and that said Elizabeth Denniston continues the widow of said W m Denniston dec d and is unmarried since his death, and was also this morning sworn and subscribed before me William Denniston an Alderman of Pittsburgh the 19 th day of Oct r 1843 D.S. Scully alder

Be so kind as to forward the result of your examination in this business to Mr. Lawrence Pitts for Elizabeth Denniston Joseph Denniston
Wm J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Oct 19 1843 -
and appre of the to
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania } Allegheny County } Set
I Alfred Suther. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegheny in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Do hereby certify that Dennis J. Scully Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken and has certified the same in his own proper handwriting, was at the time, and now is, an acting Alderman in and for the city of Pittsburgh in the County aforesaid and ex officio a Justice of the Peace, duly elected, commissioned and sworn, to all whose acts as such, full faith and credit are and of right ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Pittsburgh in the County aforesaid this 19 th day of October A.D. 1843.
Alfred Suther Prothonotary back