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Finding that Revolutionary Blood

© Mark W. Swarthout

There are hardcopy indexes of Revolutionary Pension Applications available, but I haven't found them on the web yet. If you do find your ancestor, or possible ancestor, you may be able to obtain a copy of the microfiche through the National Archives and Records Administration. Their web site is at http://www.nara.gov/regional/mpr.html Here you can print out the appropriate form and mail it in with all the information you know about the individual. You will receive a letter in four to six weeks telling you whether they have the record and how much it will cost. You then send a check and the record comes back about four weeks later.

My pension applications have come on 11 1/2 by 14 paper, coming off of heavily scratched microfiche. There has always been a letter of apology for the poor quality. Given the handwriting, normally done by the notary who is taking the statement, is old style, quill type pen complete with blots, it can be a challenge! Reading the documents can be a bit hard, but always interesting! I normally transcribe a copy of the document and the process can go a long way toward helping with the hard to read words. I post the transcripts at appropriate web sites to assist others looking for the same information. Examples can be found at http://swarthoutfamily.org/Genealogy/Ral... or http://swarthoutfamily.org/Genealogy/Ant...

The application usually consists of a number of affidavits sworn before a notary or justice of the peace. These sworn statements are often made by relatives and their relationship is included in what ever narrative is provided. Occasionally these applications will also include a page from the family Bible with birth, death and marriage information.

Good luck finding your Revolutionary connections!

My next article, the third in the military series, will talk about the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the Blackhawk War.