Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39,810, for George Kersche, Pennsylvania
Page 1

Penn.         Kirsche, George        S 39.810
                  or Kirst
                  or Kirsh - Kirsch, George
Page 2

18.665 R

Pennsylvania
George Kersche, alias Kirst
(aged 62)
of Lancaster Coy in the State of Pa
who was a private in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Hagen [  ] of the Pen. line, for the term of (1777 August to the end of the war)
(in the poor house)    (on rolls)
Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence on te 27 of August 1819
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 of June 1822 and [   ] G. B. Poren[   ]
Lancaster, Pa
Arrears to 4th of March 1822       242.32
Semi-anl ending 4 Sept 1822         48.30
  .                                                    290.32

                                               May 1, 1820
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March 1818}

pa. 117 on final certification
Kirst page 130 vol 2?

Samuel 
J.H.J. 
J.H. Han..
Page 3

George Kersche
[a soldier]
Lancaster Co. Penna.
Armung's Corps
Congress Regiment
Lancaster County
August 27, 1819
Hazens - or the Regiment called Congress
Selins Company
August 1777

Returned for correction, as to the name of the colonel commanding the Congress Regiment in which claimant last served.

17.310. Kirst
George Kersch
Lancaster Co. Pa.
27 August 1819

The testimony or oath of two or more disinterested and credible persons, certified as such, by the judge proving explicitly from their own knowledge, 9 months service in continuance, in court, establ. designating the Col's name and line to which he was attached, is required.
J.B.Porter,agent,
Lancaster, Penns
28 Aug 1820
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Lancaster County, In this twenty second day of August 1820 personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas of said county, George Kersche aged 68 years, residing in the Poor House in Lancaster County, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: Which Declaration made in addition to the annexed declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the Acts of Congress oof March 18th 1818 &  in the May 1st 1820 viz that in the month of August 1777, he enlisted for the period of three years, in the City of Philadelphia, in the company commanded by Captain Sealing  (how the name should be spelled he cannot say) in a free corps under the command of Col Armung called the "Armung's Corps". That he continued to serve in the said Corps until the expiration of the term of his enlistment nearly (3 years) when the Corps being much cut up in the different battles they had with the Genesse Indians. He again enlisted with the same  Captain for during the War, and the Company was then attached to the Congress Regiment under the command of Gerneral Hagle. That the Colonel commanding said regiment was Colonel Andle (how he spelled ?? he cannot say) and the major commanding was Major Tory. [??] in New Jersey & received his discharge from General Hazle, which he had since lost. That he was in the Battles of Brandywine & Germantown &  in a severe scrimmage below the "Old Rising Sun" near Philadelphia and was afterward at the capture of Cornwallis. That having then served his country for upwards of six years on the Continental Establishment and being now old & reduced circumstances and now stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. That he has no other evidence now in his power, of his services except the [??] 
  That his original declaration was made on the twenty seventh day of August 1819. On which no pension certified (or) had even yet been provided and in pursuance of the act of May 1st 1820. I do solemnly swear, the I was a resident Citizen of the United States March 18, 1818, and the I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner, disposed of my property or any part thereof,  with the intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act Congress, entitled, An Act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States, in the Revolutionary War." passed March 18, 1818; and the I have not, nor has any Person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other that what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. That I am by trade a shoemaker but cannot work at the trade on consequence of bodily infirmity and am consequentially a pauper, dependent on this Poor House for support .  That he has no family living with him and the only member of his family is a blind daughter - unable scarcely to maintain herself and that he has no property.

                                       //s.// George Kersche

Sworn, declared, and subscribed
Aug 22nd 1820
Attest J.R. Potter
Proth.

A SCHEDUKE of proerty of George Kersche  a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, taken August 22 1820.

                    No property

The above contains a correct return of all my property, of whatever kind, necessary beding and clothing excepted.
                        /S,/ George Kersche (in German)
It is the opinion of the Court, that the above statement of property is correct.

Walter Franklin 
Sam Dale
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State of Pennsylvania
On the twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nineteen personally appeared before me the subscriber President of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Second Judicial District of Pennsylvania composed of the counties of Lancaster & York, George Kersche now a pauper in the [tom-bonde] of Lancaster County aforesaid who being by me duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the late act of Congress passed for the relief of certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States in the revolutionary War.
   The he, the said George Kersche enlisted in the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania in the company commanded by Captain Sealing (exactly how the name should be spelled he cannot say) in a free corps under the command of Col. [Armstrong]. called [Armstrong's] Corps - that this enlistment was in the month of August in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy-seven,  it was for the term of three years: that he continued to serve in the said corps until the expiration of the said three years, when the corps being much cut up in the different battles they had had with Genessee Indians, he again enlisted with the same captain for during the war, and the company was then attached to the Congress Regiment under the command of General Hazlet. That he continued to serve in the said company until the close of the Revolutionary War, when viz in the year 1783 he was discharged at Pumptown Plains in the state of New Jersey and received an honorable discharge from General Hazlet, which has since been worn out. That he was in the battles of Brandywine & Germantown & in a severe skirmish below the old Rising Sun (Tavern) near Philadelphia. That while they lag at Pottstown watching the British while they lay in Philadelphia he was in several severe engagements in driving the British back and that he was afterward at the taking and capture of Cornwallis - that having thus served his country faithfully for upwards of six years & having been honorably discharged & being now old & poor & in reduced circumstances he stands in need of the assistance of this country for support. That he has no other evidence no in his power of said service.
Sworn Subscribed & declared 
before me this twenty seventh day of August AD 1819.
Walter Franklin                George Kersche
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Lancaster County, Pa.

   On the twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, before me the subscriber President of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county personally appeared Godfried Miller, who being sworn according to the law deposeth & saith that he is a disinterested witness - that he is well acquainted with the within named George Kersche. That he first became acquainted with him in the Revolutionary War& that he knew him as a soldier in the Pennsylvania Line - that he saw him often and recollects well that he was present &  joined in the capture of Cornwallis - That this deponent was in the artillery under Colonel Lamb, and therefore does not know when the said George Kersche engaged in the service if the country, but he knows certainly that the said George Kersche served at one period of the Revolutionary War for upwards of none months on the Continental Establishment.
Sworn & Subscribed
before me the said
twenty seventh day of August 1819 
Walter Franklin

            His
Godfried X Miller
            Mark

I Walter Franklin President of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the 2d Judicial District of Penns'a before whom the above proceedings were had, certify that it appears to my satisfaction from the proceeding declaration & affidavit that George Kersche did serve in the revolutionary War as stated against the common enemy, and that from his reduced circumstances in life he stands in need of the assistance of his country for support - and further, from the information I have received, i believe the above named Godfried Miller & the within named George Kersche are credible witnesses.
   And I now transmit the proceedings and testimony had taken before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the Act of Congress.
Walter Franklin
Lancaster August 27th 1819
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Lancaster County Pa

   I George B. Porter Prothonotary of the Court of Common  Pleas in and in and  for said county certify that the Honorable Walter Franklin before whom the witness and foregoing proceedings were had, is president  of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Second Judicial District of Pennsylvania, composed of the counties of Lancaster & York - and that to this and all other his official acts due faith and credit are and of right ought to be given.
 In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand & the seal of the said court at the county of Lancaster this twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nineteen.

G. B. Porter
Prothy.


Lancaster County Pa

Here within named George Kersche personally appeared on this thirteenth day of November 1819 before me the subscriber and one of the Aldermen of the City of Lancaster, & being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that the Colonel under whom he last served in the Congress Regiment within referred to was Colonel Audle ( exactly how spelling he cannot say) and the major in the same regiment was Major Tory. That the said officers continued to command said Congress Regiment until the time of deponent discharge within state and further saith that.

Sworn and subscribed          George Kersche
Nov 28th 1819 (??)
Sam Carpenter
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39810
Invalid
[Reey]
File No. 39810
George Kersche alias Kirst
[Dir Sec War]
Act: 18th March 1800
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 268
(Arrangement of 1870)
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County 

   Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county residing in the borough of Columbia in said county Godfrey Miller of said borough who being duly sworn according to law deposith and saith that he is acquainted with George Kersche  as an old soldier. That he knew him well in the Revolutionary War. That he was a soldier in the Congress Regiment attached to the Pennsylvania Line and commanded by Col. Armung. That he saw him often, that the Regiment was afterward commanded by General Hazen and Col. Andle (how spelt he could not say) and that the major's name was Major Tory. This deponent knows that he was present at the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. That he does not know the exact period of time the said George Kersche served but he knows certainly that he served for upwards of nine months in continuance in the Continental Establishment. That he said George Kersche is now old & in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support deponent further states that he is a disinterested witness.

Sworn to subscribed on the
twenty ninth day of October AD 1821 before 
Thomas .soud

Godfrey Miller 
          x
  his mark

Lancaster County Pa
  I do certify that the above deponent Godfrey Miller residing in the Borough of Columbia in said county is a disinterested and credible witness - and that the said Godfrey Miller is so much crippled that it would be almost impossible for him to go to the city of Lancaster to have made the above affidavit. Witness any hand seal. Oct 29 1821.

Thomas .ssoud
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State Of Pennsylvania
  Lancaster County

   On the twenty ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred  twenty one personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas of said county.  Peter Fosttens who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is disinterested witness that he is well acquainted with George Kersche applicant for a pension.  That he was well acquainted with him during the Revolutionary War.became acquainted with him in the year 1778, he the belonged to the Congress Regiment commanded by Colonel Armund. That he knows that the said George Kersche served in the said regiment during the term of enlistment of three years and again stated in the service of the United States and was at the capture of Cornwallis - under what particular officer he last served this deponent cannot say, but he knew him well and saw him in the service at the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. This deponent knows certainly the  said George Kersche served for a period of nine months in continuance on the Continental Establishment. That he is now old & in reduced  circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of the country for support.

Sworn to & subscribed              Peter Fosttens
in open Court Oct 28th 1821 
Walter Franklin
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Pennsylvania
Lancaster County

   I Walter Franklin President of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the 2d Judicial District of Pennsylvania and before whom the annexed proceeding were had, certify (upon request to me made so to do) that it appears to my satisfaction that the within named Peter Fortener and Godfrey Miller are disinterested and credible witnesses.
                                             Walter Franklin

Lancaster February 19th, 1822 -

Lancaster County [??]

   I Frederick A. Muhlinberg Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Lancaster, certify that Walter Franklin Esquire before whom the above annexed proceedings were had, were at the doing thereof  and yet is the President of said Court, and that Thomas Slayed Esquire before whom the within deposition was made is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County & that Samual Carpenter Esquire, before whom the within Deposition was made is an Alderman of the City of Lancaster, and that to these and  all other official acts of said Walter Franklin Esq., Thomas Slayer Esq. and Samuel Carpenter Esq. full faith and credit are and of right ought to be given.
    In testimony where I have herein to set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court this nineteenth day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred & twenty two.

F. Mahlenberg
                Proth
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Honorable John C. Calhoun Esq.
Secretary for the De[artment of War
Washington City
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Lancaster Penna. April 12,1822

The Honorable J.C. Calhoun Esq.
Secy for the Dept of War

Sir,
I once more forward the papers of George Kersche a revolutionary soldier to have him placed on the Pension List. I hope you will consider the proof sufficient. He is old, extremely poor, and in all probability will not see the days of another year. If therefore you can, consistently with the law, grant him a Certificate of Pension, it will be doing him a most essential service. I think it right to state one fact which possibly may throw some light on the subject of his claim. It is this. He is a German and spells his name in German KERSCHE. This in English is "Cherry" and the old man is more called "Cherry" than any thing else. Germans call him "Kersche". Those who use the English language call him "Cherry".

I also enclose the documents of the widow and legal representations of John Platenberger deceased. I wish to have them put on the pension list for 5 years half pay in lieu of military bounty lands.

I will be much obliged to you to let me know your decision on these two cases when you shall have made it. I will write to my friend W. Buchanon, mentioning these cases and if any thing further should be wanting. He will receive your directions as I know you must be much engaged at present.

I am very respectfully
your friend
& ob. servant
( Signature beautiful but illegible)