Petitions of Soldiers 8 Nov 1759
Here are various petititions of Virginia Regiment, Militia, and Rangers. George Washington is on the committee who investigate Virginia Regiment claims.
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Compiled by Jim Moyer 10/8/23, update 10/10/23
Table of Contents
Peter Menzie, Petition of a wounded soldier at Grant's Hill in Sept 1758
Christopher West, Petition of an exchanged prisoner
Daniel M' Neil, Wounded in Nov 1758 at Loyalhanna (Fort Ligonier)
Christopher Hudson, Militia
John Dickenson, Ranger
Peter Menzie
Petition of a wounded soldier at Grant's Hill in Sept 1758
Thursday 8 Nov 1759
4th Session
page 133, November 1, 1759 to of November 21, 1759
M'' Bland reported. That the Committee to whom the Petition of Peter Menzie was referred, had had the same under their Confideration, and had agreed upon a Report, and come to a Refolution thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where the fame were again twice read, and agreed to by the Houfe, as follow :
It appears to this Committee,
That the Petitioner was enlifted as a Soldier in the first Virginia Regiment : That he always behaved well and as a good Soldier during his Continuance in that Ser\'ice: That in the Adlion on the Ohio, under the Command of Major Grant, he received a Wound in his left Arm, near the Wrift, which fliattered both bones in fuch a Manner as to render him incapable of getting his Livelihood.
Refolved,
That the faid Peter Menzie ought to be allowed the Sum of £30, to be paid by the Publick, in full Compenfation for the Injury he has received by Means of the faid Woimd.
updated 10/8/2023
Christopher West
Petition of an exchanged prisoner
Thursday 8 Nov 1759
4th Session
page 133, November 1, 1759 to of November 21, 1759
A Petition of Chriftopher Weft, fetting forth, That he was enlifted into the Virgina Regiment in September, 1754, where he continued in Duty till February, 1756, when he was taken Prifoner by the Indians, in which Captivity he remained till October, 1758, when he with others were fent in a Flag of Truce from Quebeck to England:
That he hath at length, after many hardfliips, again joined his Regiment, and praying that he may be confidered by the Houfe, and recompenced for his loft Time, was prefented to the Houfe and read,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition be referred to M' Wafhington and M' Harrifon; That they do examine into the Allegations thereof, and report the fame, with their Opinion thereupon, to the Houfe.
Wednesday 14 Nov 1759
M' Wafhington reported, That the Committee to whom the Petition of Chriftopher Weft was referred, had examined into the Allegations thereof, and found them to be true, and had come to two Refolutions thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table.
Ordered, That the Confideration of the faid Report be put off till Tomorrow.
Report to the House of Burgesses, 14 November 1759
Report to the House of Burgesses [Williamsburg, 14 November 1759]
Mr Washington reported, That the Committee to whom the Petition of Christopher West was referred,1 had examined into the Allegations thereof, and found them to be true, and had come to two Resolutions thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table.2 JHB, 1758–1761, 147.
1. In his petition Christopher West declared: “That he was enlisted into the Virginia Regiment in September, 1754, where he continued in Duty till February, 1756, when he was taken Prisoner by the Indians, in which Captivity he remained till October, 1758, when he with others were sent in a Flag of Truce from Quebeck to England: That he hath at length, after many hardships, again joined his Regiment, and praying that he may be considered by the House, and recompenced for his lost Time” (JHB, 1758–1761, 141). The speaker ordered GW, with Benjamin Harrison, burgess for Charles City County, to investigate West’s claims.
2. The House did not act on GW’s report until 15 Nov. when it agreed to GW’s recommendations that West “be allowed the Sum of £32, as a Consideration for his Pay during his Captivity” and that “any Arrears of Pay” before his captivity should be settled by the paymaster of the Virginia Regiment (ibid., 148).
Source:
Daniel M' Neil
Wounded in Nov 1758 at Loyalhanna (Fort Ligonier)
Friday 9 Nov 1759
A Petition of Daniel Mr Neil, setting forth,
That in November, 1758, he received a Wound in a Skirmish with the Enemy at Fort Ligonier, which has rendered him incapa- ble of procuring a Livelihood for himfelf and his Family, confifting of a Wife and three fmall Children, and praying the Confideration of this Houfe, was prefented to the Hovtfe and read.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition be referred to M'' Wafhington and M'' Francis Light- foot Lee; That they do examine into the Allegations thereof, and report the fame, with their Opinion thereupon, to the Houfe. The Order of the Day being read,
Saturday 10 Nov 1759
Mr Washingtmi reported, That the Committee to whom the Petition of Daniel Mr Neil was referred had examined into the Allegations thereof, and found them to be true;
and had come to a Refolution thereupon, which he read in his Place, and afterwards delivered in at the Table, where the fame was again twice read, and agreed to by the Houfe ; as follows :
Refolved,
That the faid Daniel M'Neil ought to be paid the Sum of ten Pounds by the Publick, as an immediate Relief to his prefent Neceflities ; and that he be alfo paid the Sum of five Pounds per Annum for his future Support, and the Subfiftance of himfelf and Family.
Report to the House of Burgesses, 10 November 1759
Report to the House of Burgesses [Williamsburg, 10 November 1759]
Mr Washington reported,1 That the Committee to whom the Petition of Daniel M’Neil was referred had examined into the Allegations thereof, and found them to be true; and had come to a Resolution thereupon, which he read in his Place, and afterwards delivered in at the Table, where the same was again twice read, and agreed to by the House. . . . 2 JHB, 1758–1761, 143.
Founders Online Footnotes 1. On 9 Nov. Speaker John Robinson appointed GW and Francis Lightfoot Lee, burgesses from Frederick and Loudoun counties respectively, to “examine into . . . and report” on “A Petition of Daniel M’Neil, setting forth, That in November, 1758, he received a Wound in a Skirmish with the Enemy at Fort Ligonier [see GW’s Orderly Book, 12 Nov. 1758, n.1], which has rendered him incapable of procuring a Livelihood for himself and his Family, consisting of a Wife and three small Children, and praying the Consideration of this House” (JHB, 1758–1761, 142). In August 1757 Daniel McNeil was a 38–year-old soldier from Norfolk in Robert Stewart’s company of light horse in GW’s Virginia Regiment.
2. The House passed a resolution stating: “That the said Daniel M’Neil ought to be paid the Sum of ten Pounds by the Publick, as an immediate Relief to his present Necessities; and that he be also paid the Sum of five Pounds per Annum for his future Support, and the Subsistance of himself and Family” (ibid., 143).
Source:
Christopher Hudson
Militia
Saturday 10 Nov 1759
A Petition of Chriftopher Hudfon, fetting forth.
That in the Month of June, 1758, he was ordered, with a Company of Militia of Hanover under his Command, to march to the Protedlion of the Frontiers, where the faid Company, by Order from his Honor the Governor, were detained in Service three Months longer than by Law they were appoin- ted; and praying that an Allowance may be provided, as well for that extraordinary Service, as for the Damages done to their Arms, was prefented to the Houfe and read.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition be referred to M' Syme, M"' Payne, and M' Dandridge ; That they do examine into the Allegations thereof, and report the fame, with their Opinion thereupon, to the Houfe.
Tuesday 13 Nov 1759
MR. Syme reported, That the Committee to whom the Petition of Captain Chrif- topher Hud f on was referred, had examined into the fame, and found the Allegation thereof to be true, and had come to two Refolutions thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where the fame were again twice read, and agreed to by the Houfe as follow:
Refolved, That the Arrears due to the Company of Militia under the Command of the' faid Chriftopher Hud f on, for their Service in the faid Petition mentioned, amount to £2-jo. 14. 8, as appears by the Pay Rolls of the faid Company, which have been under the Infpedlion and Examination of the Comiffioners appointed to ftate and fettle the Militia Accounts, which ought to be paid by the Public.
Refolved, That the Sum of ;£i6. 9. 3. ought to be paid by the Publick for the Damages done to the Arms of the faid Company of MiHtia while they were in the publick Service .
John Dickenson
Ranger
Saturday 10 Nov 1759
A Petition of John Dickenfon, fetting forth,
That he hath been informed that he was lately reprefented to this Houfe as mifbehaving in his Office, he being Captain of a Company of Rangers ; and that for that Reafon this Houfe had given Diredlions to the Commiffioners appointed for fettling the Accovmts of the ranging Companies, not to proceed on your Petitioner's Accounts till he fhould acquit himfelf before this Houfe : That he is now attending for that Purpofe, and praying that the Houfe will take the fame into Confideration, was prefented to the Houfe and read.
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Ordered,
That the faid Petition be referred to M' Chriftian, W Wilfon, M' Thomas Johnfon, and M' Richard Henry Lee; That they do examine into the Subje<$l Matter thereof, and report the fame, with their Opinion thereupon, to the Hotife.
Wednesday 14 Nov 1759
A Petition of John Dickenfon, fetting forth.
That he was Captain of a Company of Rangers on the Frontiers of this Colony, which at fome Times confifted of upwards of loo Men, which he was obliged to divide into three or four different Parties, in Order to prevent the Inhabitants from deferting their Settlements: That he hath adlually paid the whole of his faid Company, but that the Commiffioners appointed to fettle the Militia Accounts thought they were not authorized to allow him for more than loo Men ; and praying the Confideration of this Houfe therein, was prefented to the Houfe and received.
Ordered,
That the Confideration of the faid Petition be put off till To-morrow.
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Abraham Murray
Tuesday 13 Nov 1759
A Petition of Abraham Murray was prefented to the Hoiofe and read, fetting forth.
That in the Month of November, 1758, he entered into a Contradl with his Honor the Governor,
in which he bound himfelf under a Penalty, to fumiCh, as well the Militia as fuch Rangers as fhould be employed in his Majefty's Service in the Counties of Bed- ford and Halifax,
with Provifions till the firft Day of May laft, which Contradt he pundl- ually complied with.
That upon the Redudlion of Fort Dii Quefne the Militia were recalled, and before the Detachments from the ranging Companies took Poffeffion of the Forts they had occupied,
great Part of the Provifions the Petitioner had laid in for their Ufe were ftolen and otherwife deftroyed,
thofe Detachments not coming till long after the Militia had abandoned their Pofts, and left thofe Provifions to the Mercy of the Neigh- bourhood.
That the Petitioner's Agents might have difpofed of the Provifions left on Hand for his Account, but that the Petitioner had contradled to provide for the Rangers alfo in thofe Counties, and retained the Provifions for their Ufei and praying the Confideration of the Houfe on the Premifes, and that he may be allowed for the Lofs he has fuftained in fuch Manner as fhall be thought juft.
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Wednesday 14 Nov 1759
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Thursday 15 Nov 1759
A Petition of Leonard Leechenan, fetting forth. That he was one of the drafted Militia from the County of Prince William, in the Year 1758, and was in Service on the Frontiers 108 Days ; but by fome Miftake his Name was omitted to be inferted in the Pay Roll, and by that Means he hath not received any Satiffadlion for his faid Service ; and praying the Confideration of the Houfe therein, was prefented to the Houfe and read.
Ordered, That the faid Petition be referred to the Confideration of the next Seffion of Affembly.
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