Surprise in a Pension File

 This week's #52Ancestors in #52 Weeks Prompt is Surprise

A recent find in a pension file was quite a surprise. There are many stories about pages from a Bible or other originals included in a file as proof of some event. I've never encountered such a thing until now.

John C. McDowell (1784-1861) served as a Sergeant in Captain James Dennison's Company of the Pennsylvania Militia during the War of 1812. His widow, Susannah Vaughn McDowell (1792-1876) filed for a Widow's pension after John's death. It is 50 pages long and will likely be filled with great information. But the surprise that caught my eye was a "Certificate of Birth and Christening" for a son born in 1815. Besides the lovely decoration, Susannah's maiden name is also included. 

This decorative certificate was definitely a Surprise!!!