Cary McClelland served with Col Walter Stewart at Brandywine. Here is the text of his pension application.

State of Ohio, Knox County: On this 31st day of May AD 1834 personally appeared in open court, before the judges of the court of common pleas of Knox County now sitting, Cary McClelland, a resident of Pleasant Township in the County of Knox and state of Ohio aged 80 years on the fifteenth of March last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, that he enlisted in the army of the United States sometime in April, 1776, with Seargent Major Marshall, Seargent Major Nelson was a person, taken at St Johns, and put the regiment that claimant was in through their exercise the first time, after their rendivous at Marshy Sook by the request of Colonel Stuart. Claimant served in (the members of regiment not recollected) but was called Col Stuart regiment or the Pennsylvania Riflement and (as claimant thinks) of the Pennsylvania line, under the following named officers. To wit Col Walter Stuart and Captain John Marshal, Lieut. (names not recollected at this time, thinks only) Ensign Spears, claimant resided when he entered the service within five miles of Bushtown in Harford County, Maryland. Entered at the Trap Tavern the day before they rendivouzed the company that claimant was in. Drawed their capes and hunting shirts at Lancaster, Penna. Cape and the shirts was marked P. Rendivoused at Marshy Sooks. From there we marched to Lewistown to subdue a set of Tories. Then to the best of his recollection came back and built Red Bank Fort. Then to Philadelphia. Thence across the state of New Jersey to Long Island and won the battle of that place. They arrived on Long Island about 8 days before the battle commenced.
Early in the morning we were completely surrounded by the British and were ordered to break through British ranks which we did at the loss (as was supposed at that time) of about —- men. We took fifteen prisoners and reached a fort on Long Island between the battleground and New York where we staid one night. The next night we crossed the East River over to New York where we remained about three weeks. While we remained at New York the Roe Buck, a British man-of-war—–passed up the North River to make observations on the state of the American army. From New York we marched to the battle of White Plains, which declarant was in. Then up the North River to Dobbs Ferry where we crossed the North River. Then on the Jersey side to Brunswick, then to Princeton, and from there to Trenton. Followed up by the British who placed the Hessians at Trenton. We crossed the River at Trenton and marched (9 miles) up to McCastles Ferry. The night before Christmas, Washington recrossed the Delaware River, marched to Trenton, and took the Hessians stationed there on Christmas Day. After taking the Hessians we marched back to McCastles Ferry, our encamping ground, where we laid about eight days, then crossed the Delaware River and marched into Trenton again. While we were there, the British came up with a large army. We staid in town til they came in sight of town, and the British took possession of Trenton in the dusk of the evening. Washington gave orders to every man to build a fire about two yards apart, and while the fires were burning Washington marched us around the enemy and onto Princeton which the British had left the day before.
The British had left a guard at Princeton over the baggage.
Delcarant heard G Washington tell Gen ______ to detach a body of men and go and attack the guard. Declarant was one of the detachment. In the first of the engagements Gen _______ had the hoof shot off his horse with a three pounder and was himself wounded in the groin and fell. After that we had to push bayonets at the right and left wings and Gen
M_____ was stabbed seven times with bayonets. When we retreated a little distance, and was relieved by Gen Washington with a reinforcement. The British guard then surrendered and we took all the baggage. Gen Mer____ survived this action but a short time. From here we marched towards the British headquarters at Brunswick. Left behind eight men falling trees across the road and pulling up bridges to keep back the British. Washington took the Morristown Road and the British went on to Brunswick.
Laid at Morristown, Chatham and other parts of New Jersey all the spring and for most of the summer. Gen Stephen was commander at Chatham. Skirmishing was the most that took place at this time, on until the battle of Brandywine which declarant was in. Marched to Chads Ferry to meet the British were it was expected they would cross but they went up the stream about three miles. Washington marched his army up in brigades to resist their crossing. The contest continued the remainder of the day.

The PR regiment arrived about 2 hours Sun, and fought on until dark. Washington marched his army off that night and the next day marched to Philadelphia. Thence to Valley Forge. Gen Washington marched in the evening to Germantown where we had a battle. Early on the ensuing morning our _____ we attacked the British and beat them back to the middle of town, when unfavorable circumstances _____a confusion in our ranks. The British got round us and we were compelled to retreat back to Valley Forge. Where claimant remained some time when his term of one yar and nine months enlistment expired. Declarant received a written discharge from Capt Marshall and Col Stuart which he has lost.

Declarant was born in Ireland on the 15 of March AD 1753 had no record of his age. He was living within five miles of Buckstown, Harford County, Maryland, when he entered into the service of the United States.

After the Revolution declarant moved to Pennsylvania where he lived about fifty years and moved from there to his present residence. Declarant hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declared that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.

SUBMITTER INFO:
Tom Miller
tmiller@voicenet.com