(Some) John Sweeney correspondence with War Department over disability suffered at Fort George in November 1813 (1813–1821).pdf
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(Some) John Sweeney correspondence with War Department over disability suffered at Fort George in November 1813 (1813–1821).pdf
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This is probably not the famous "Colonel John Sweeney." This John Sweeney in 1813 joined Capt. Ransom Harmon’s company of the 13th New York Militia—possibly as a volunteer within a drafted detachment—and was mustered into U.S. service at Fort George in Upper Canada. There, in November 1813, he suffered a debilitating hernia after falling into a cellar while returning from picket duty. Although multiple comrades and a surgeon attested to his injury and honorable service, the War Department ultimately denied his 1821 pension application on technical grounds, ruling the injury occurred outside the line of duty. He would have been present at the notorious burning of Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake).
Colonel John Sweeney, in contrast, served the year before in Dox’s Light Infantry under Gen. Van Rensselaer, where he participated in the ill-fated 1812 Battle of Queenston and reportedly sustained a knee wound that left him lame the rest of his life (obit).
Affidavit of John Sweeney – August 31, 1818
Just previous to the 3rd of October last, Mr. E. of Youngstown being at my house, I enquired of him respecting the services of Mr. Sweeney during the present campaign. He stated that Capt. Sweeney had joined the militia in the early part of the campaign (probably about the 1st of September last) and performed duty until late in the year. On my farther inquiry, he observed that he joined the United States army as a volunteer or militia man; that his detachment was attached to several drafted men; was mustered into the U.S. service and formed part of the regular Militia; and performed his duty at Fort George.
That he continued to do militia duty at Fort George in the service of the United States (the army at that post being under the command of Gen. George McClure) for about two months and until the destruction of the town of Newark, when he was again drafted together with the said detachment; that he did not procure a discharge from the commanding officer at that time, although he was offered one by Capt. R. Hannon, the said officer offering this believing it would be of no service to him. That about the 10th day of the said month of November, being under the pickets, upwards to the left of the barracks and on the return from the forts where the said guards were stationed, he the said John Sweeney stopped at an uninhabited house the floor of which at the door had been taken away, which not being perceived by this deponent, being in the dusk of the evening he fell into the cellar, which occasioned a rupture, which prevented him from doing duty for 7 or 8 days after, and that he was unfit for duty about a month.
...prevented his doing duty from and after the next morning until seven or eight days thereafter—
That it was not at that time cured and that he has ever since at different times experienced great pain and inconvenience therefrom—That it at present disables him from attending to his customary business—
That for his services in the militia mentioned, he has received his pay from Capt. Harmon. Harmon says that Joseph McClure was Paymaster of the said Regiment at that time.
John Sweeney
Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of August 1818 before me,
Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of James Campbell – August 31, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
James Campbell of Buffalo in said County being duly sworn sayeth that he was well acquainted with John Sweeney in the months of November and December of the year One thousand eight hundred and thirteen—That the said John at that time was a private in Capt. Ransom Harmon’s Company of drafted Militia—in which this deponent acted as Orderly Sergeant—That he well remembers that said company was stationed at Fort George in Upper Canada, and the said John Sweeney while there as this deponent was informed and verily believes received a fall, the effects of which prevented his attending to duty for several days as further sayeth not.
James Campbell
Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of August 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of John Robson – August 31, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
John Robson of Buffalo in said County being duly sworn sayeth that he was well acquainted with John Sweeney in the months of November and December of the year One thousand eight hundred and thirteen; that the said Sweeney was then a private in Capt. Ransom Harmon’s Company enlisted then in the United States service and stationed at Fort George in Upper Canada. That while in said service the said John Sweeney was disabled and did no duty for several days in consequence of a fall, as this deponent then understood and verily believes; that this deponent was a private in said company at same time and further sayeth not.
John Robson
Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of August 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of Capt. Ransom Harmon – September 1, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
Ransom Harmon being duly sworn sayeth that in the month of November 1813 a detachment was made from the 13th Reg. of New York Militia to serve with the U.S. Army then stationed at Fort George (U.C.); that this deponent commanded said detachment, then being a Captain of Militia, and that John Sweeney served as a private in said corps which was detached to serve one month, but that it was nearly six weeks before it was dismissed. That the said John Sweeney served faithfully until said dismissal but that this deponent did not give him a written discharge, not being applied for by him & further sayeth not.
Ransom Harmon, Late Capt.
Sworn to and subscribed this 1st day of Sept. 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of Surgeons Ebenezer Johnson and John E. Marshall – September 2, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
We, John E. Marshall and Ebenezer Johnson, being duly sworn say that we are resident Surgeons of the town of Buffalo in said County—That on the request of John Sweeney they have examined his person, and find him afflicted with a rupture or inguinal hernia, which must necessarily incapacitate him in a great measure from labor; that he is by profession a tailor and these deponents believe him to be disabled one half.
Ebenezer Johnson
John E. Marshall
Sworn to and subscribed this 2nd day of Sept. 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of Benjamin Purcell – September 2, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
Benjamin Purcell of Ischua, residing in the County of Cattaraugus in said State being duly sworn sayeth that in the month of November in the year 1813 he belonged to Capt. Ransom Harmon’s Company of New York Militia drafted into the U.S. service and stationed at Fort George; that he was acquainted with John Sweeney also of said detachment, and this deponent well remembers that while in the said service the said John Sweeney fell by accident into the cellar of a dwelling house which prevented his doing duty for several days; that this deponent assisted in getting him out of the said cellar and that he knows that it injured him considerably and further sayeth not.
Benjamin Purcell
Sworn to and subscribed this 2nd day of Sept. 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend, Judge of Niagara Com. Pleas
Certification of Judge Townsend's Authority – September 2, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County, Clerk’s Office
I, Frederick B. Merrill, do certify that Charles Townsend, Esq., before whom the annexed affidavits were taken, was at the time one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, and that the signatures thereto are of his proper handwriting.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the county this second day of September 1818.
F. B. Merrill, Clerk of the County aforesaid
Letter from John Sweeney Jr. to Rep. Nathaniel Allen – February 11, 1821
Geneva, 11th Feb. 1821
Sir,
I take the liberty of enclosing to you the enclosed papers, and request of you to present them to the Hon. Secretary of War, or to the proper authority appointed to receive applications for pensions. Your prompt attention to this business will confer a favor upon me.
The claim I think a good one, the applicant is my father. The facts stated are true, and I think sufficiently proved.
With much respect I remain,
Dear Sir, your obt. servant,
John Sweeney
To: Nathaniel Allen, Esq.
Member of Congress, Washington City
War Department Decision on Pension Claim – June 27, 1821
John Sweeney, late a drafted militia man of the 13th New York Regiment, served U.S. service.
It appears that this applicant entered the service on the 10th Nov. 1813 and was marched to Fort George; that about the 15th of said month he was ordered on a Piquet Guard; that he left the Barracks and on the way from thence to the post (where the said guard was stationed), he the said J. Sweeney stopped at an uninhabited house the floor of which at the door had been taken away, which not being perceived by this deponent, being in the dusk of the evening, he fell into the cellar, which occasioned a rupture, which prevented him from doing duty for 7 or 8 days after, and that he was unfit for duty about a month.
The above is proved by the affidavits of the claimant & several of his fellow soldiers, but the Captain in his certificate of the service of the said applicant does not mention anything of the injury he is said to have received.
Pension Office, 27 June 1821
For decision of Mr. Edwards—whether this applicant can be considered as having been in the line of his duty when he entered the house (for what purpose he does not state)?
Decision: The claimant is not entitled to a pension. He could not have been in the line of his duty when he was disabled.
Inadmissible. See letter to Hon. Allen, Richmond, Ontario Co., New York.
29 June 1821
Colonel John Sweeney, in contrast, served the year before in Dox’s Light Infantry under Gen. Van Rensselaer, where he participated in the ill-fated 1812 Battle of Queenston and reportedly sustained a knee wound that left him lame the rest of his life (obit).
Affidavit of John Sweeney – August 31, 1818
Just previous to the 3rd of October last, Mr. E. of Youngstown being at my house, I enquired of him respecting the services of Mr. Sweeney during the present campaign. He stated that Capt. Sweeney had joined the militia in the early part of the campaign (probably about the 1st of September last) and performed duty until late in the year. On my farther inquiry, he observed that he joined the United States army as a volunteer or militia man; that his detachment was attached to several drafted men; was mustered into the U.S. service and formed part of the regular Militia; and performed his duty at Fort George.
That he continued to do militia duty at Fort George in the service of the United States (the army at that post being under the command of Gen. George McClure) for about two months and until the destruction of the town of Newark, when he was again drafted together with the said detachment; that he did not procure a discharge from the commanding officer at that time, although he was offered one by Capt. R. Hannon, the said officer offering this believing it would be of no service to him. That about the 10th day of the said month of November, being under the pickets, upwards to the left of the barracks and on the return from the forts where the said guards were stationed, he the said John Sweeney stopped at an uninhabited house the floor of which at the door had been taken away, which not being perceived by this deponent, being in the dusk of the evening he fell into the cellar, which occasioned a rupture, which prevented him from doing duty for 7 or 8 days after, and that he was unfit for duty about a month.
...prevented his doing duty from and after the next morning until seven or eight days thereafter—
That it was not at that time cured and that he has ever since at different times experienced great pain and inconvenience therefrom—That it at present disables him from attending to his customary business—
That for his services in the militia mentioned, he has received his pay from Capt. Harmon. Harmon says that Joseph McClure was Paymaster of the said Regiment at that time.
John Sweeney
Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of August 1818 before me,
Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of James Campbell – August 31, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
James Campbell of Buffalo in said County being duly sworn sayeth that he was well acquainted with John Sweeney in the months of November and December of the year One thousand eight hundred and thirteen—That the said John at that time was a private in Capt. Ransom Harmon’s Company of drafted Militia—in which this deponent acted as Orderly Sergeant—That he well remembers that said company was stationed at Fort George in Upper Canada, and the said John Sweeney while there as this deponent was informed and verily believes received a fall, the effects of which prevented his attending to duty for several days as further sayeth not.
James Campbell
Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of August 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of John Robson – August 31, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
John Robson of Buffalo in said County being duly sworn sayeth that he was well acquainted with John Sweeney in the months of November and December of the year One thousand eight hundred and thirteen; that the said Sweeney was then a private in Capt. Ransom Harmon’s Company enlisted then in the United States service and stationed at Fort George in Upper Canada. That while in said service the said John Sweeney was disabled and did no duty for several days in consequence of a fall, as this deponent then understood and verily believes; that this deponent was a private in said company at same time and further sayeth not.
John Robson
Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of August 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of Capt. Ransom Harmon – September 1, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
Ransom Harmon being duly sworn sayeth that in the month of November 1813 a detachment was made from the 13th Reg. of New York Militia to serve with the U.S. Army then stationed at Fort George (U.C.); that this deponent commanded said detachment, then being a Captain of Militia, and that John Sweeney served as a private in said corps which was detached to serve one month, but that it was nearly six weeks before it was dismissed. That the said John Sweeney served faithfully until said dismissal but that this deponent did not give him a written discharge, not being applied for by him & further sayeth not.
Ransom Harmon, Late Capt.
Sworn to and subscribed this 1st day of Sept. 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of Surgeons Ebenezer Johnson and John E. Marshall – September 2, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
We, John E. Marshall and Ebenezer Johnson, being duly sworn say that we are resident Surgeons of the town of Buffalo in said County—That on the request of John Sweeney they have examined his person, and find him afflicted with a rupture or inguinal hernia, which must necessarily incapacitate him in a great measure from labor; that he is by profession a tailor and these deponents believe him to be disabled one half.
Ebenezer Johnson
John E. Marshall
Sworn to and subscribed this 2nd day of Sept. 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend
Affidavit of Benjamin Purcell – September 2, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County
Benjamin Purcell of Ischua, residing in the County of Cattaraugus in said State being duly sworn sayeth that in the month of November in the year 1813 he belonged to Capt. Ransom Harmon’s Company of New York Militia drafted into the U.S. service and stationed at Fort George; that he was acquainted with John Sweeney also of said detachment, and this deponent well remembers that while in the said service the said John Sweeney fell by accident into the cellar of a dwelling house which prevented his doing duty for several days; that this deponent assisted in getting him out of the said cellar and that he knows that it injured him considerably and further sayeth not.
Benjamin Purcell
Sworn to and subscribed this 2nd day of Sept. 1818
Before me, Ch. Townsend, Judge of Niagara Com. Pleas
Certification of Judge Townsend's Authority – September 2, 1818
State of New York, Niagara County, Clerk’s Office
I, Frederick B. Merrill, do certify that Charles Townsend, Esq., before whom the annexed affidavits were taken, was at the time one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, and that the signatures thereto are of his proper handwriting.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the county this second day of September 1818.
F. B. Merrill, Clerk of the County aforesaid
Letter from John Sweeney Jr. to Rep. Nathaniel Allen – February 11, 1821
Geneva, 11th Feb. 1821
Sir,
I take the liberty of enclosing to you the enclosed papers, and request of you to present them to the Hon. Secretary of War, or to the proper authority appointed to receive applications for pensions. Your prompt attention to this business will confer a favor upon me.
The claim I think a good one, the applicant is my father. The facts stated are true, and I think sufficiently proved.
With much respect I remain,
Dear Sir, your obt. servant,
John Sweeney
To: Nathaniel Allen, Esq.
Member of Congress, Washington City
War Department Decision on Pension Claim – June 27, 1821
John Sweeney, late a drafted militia man of the 13th New York Regiment, served U.S. service.
It appears that this applicant entered the service on the 10th Nov. 1813 and was marched to Fort George; that about the 15th of said month he was ordered on a Piquet Guard; that he left the Barracks and on the way from thence to the post (where the said guard was stationed), he the said J. Sweeney stopped at an uninhabited house the floor of which at the door had been taken away, which not being perceived by this deponent, being in the dusk of the evening, he fell into the cellar, which occasioned a rupture, which prevented him from doing duty for 7 or 8 days after, and that he was unfit for duty about a month.
The above is proved by the affidavits of the claimant & several of his fellow soldiers, but the Captain in his certificate of the service of the said applicant does not mention anything of the injury he is said to have received.
Pension Office, 27 June 1821
For decision of Mr. Edwards—whether this applicant can be considered as having been in the line of his duty when he entered the house (for what purpose he does not state)?
Decision: The claimant is not entitled to a pension. He could not have been in the line of his duty when he was disabled.
Inadmissible. See letter to Hon. Allen, Richmond, Ontario Co., New York.
29 June 1821
Citation
“(Some) John Sweeney correspondence with War Department over disability suffered at Fort George in November 1813 (1813–1821).pdf,” North Tonawanda History, accessed August 9, 2025, https://nthistory.com/items/show/4224.