Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22511, for George Simmers, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

Simmers, George

NUMBER
S.22511

CONTENTS
Page 2

(Dead)
See letters to P Agt Hon H. Denny.
O. Apl 19. 1834
-
they may do to
same May 30. 1836
Pittsburgh Agency.
Simmit John
who was a Pr. in the Company command
of the Reg commander
Ezenwalt in the
Petitia
George
of Allegany Co. in the State of
7
No Site $23.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Pillsburgh Agency
at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per an
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Corn
cate of Pension issued the 29th day of Oct
and Sent to
Durham, Pittsburgh,
R
1833
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - 53.32
Semi anl. allowance ending 4. 11.55
$69.982
Revolutionary Claim,
June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J.T. Sprague
5
Page 3

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed  June  7, 1832
State of Pennsylvania and County of Allegheny} LS
on this 20 Day of June A.D. 1833 Personally appeared before me A Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Allegheny George Simmers   A resident of Dson Township in the County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania Aged 77 years who being first Duly sworn according to law Doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th AD. 1832
that he entered the service of the united states under the following named officers and served as herein states under General Clots and Cunsel  Greenwalt and Captain Serecur, Leut Peter Harton and John Gray Company officers on or about the first of August in the year 1776 as a revolutour and served about one month and then Deponent Enlisted in the flien camps for the time of four months under the above named officers and left the service on the first of January AD 1777 and Deponent lives in Lancaster County now he believes Lebanon County in the State of Pennsylvania and marched to [illegible] and from thence to East town thence to New wark in the Jersey State thence to Bargon thence to Palus Hook thence to Amboy coast over to Sttaton island under General Mercor to attack the British they give us  one fire and retreated and we took sevenl prisoners and crossed back to Newark from thence to Fort Lee adn was there at the time Fort Washington was taken and the half of our batalion was killed and taked and remainted at founrt he till the Brististh forst us to encinciate it and we retreated thru the Jersey state and crosst  the Delaware at Tenton into Pennsylvania foru miles below Trenton fery then an order came  f about Chrismis to escape to his quarters to join an expendition to cross to fight the Hesions  we arrived the next morning but not able to cross for ice and snow the batel and remained there till the first day of January AD 1777 and then  returned home. and Deponent volunteered again A short time before the Battel of Brandywine for two months and served the two months in guarding the hessions and keeping down the tories and that he has no Documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify
Page 4

January AD 1777 and then returned home
and Deponent volenteered again A short time before the
Battel of Brandewin [Brandywine] for two Months and served the two
months in guarding the hessions and keeping Down the tories
that he has no Documentary evidence and that ^ he knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure who can testify
to his service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to A pension
or annuity except the present and Declares that his
name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of
any State
Intergatrys
1 Where and in what yeare were you born
in Chester County in the yeare AD 1756
2 Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
no record but the indenter that he has lifted after
serving his aprentiship to the [illegible] traid
3 Whare ware you living when called into service
where have you lived since the revolutionary war and
where Do you now live 
in [illegible] County when called into serves and sence
in the County of Westmorland and now in Alleghany
County
4 How were you called into services
A volenteer
6 queston ancered in the affirmitive
6 Did you ever recive A Discharge from the service
ancer I never Did
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known
in your present neibourhood and who can testify as to
your charactar for veracity and their belief of your
services as A soldier of the revolution
In ancer to the above I refer your Honours to
 [illegible] Negley and Jame Marwell and Daniel Molasky
George Simmers
Sworn and subscribed before
me this 21 day of June AD 1833
Nath. Miller
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania
and County of Allegheny} ss

on this 21 Day of June AD 1833 Personally appeared
before me at Justices of the Peice [Peace] in and for the
County of Allegheny John Kennedy and John Gravat
and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with George Simmers who has sworn
and subscribed to the above Declaration that we
believe him to be seventy seven years of age
that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been A soldier of the
Revolution and that we concur in that opinion

Sworn and subscribed before
me this 21 Day of June AD 1833
Nath. Miller }  

John Kennedy and
John Gravat

Allegheny County  ss
I Do certify that the above Depositons [Depositions] was taken
before me and that the abovementioned George Simmers 
[illegible] is not abel [able] to stand the cort [court] [strikethrough illegible] Bodily infirmiteys [infirmities]
and the above John Kennedy cnr and John John Gravat is 
men of respectability and verasety [veracity] given under
my hand and seal this 21 Day of June AD 1833

Nathaniel Miller [seal]


Allegheny County SS:
Before me a Justice of the Peace in
and for said County personally appeared George Simmers above mentioned
who after being duly sworn doth depose and say that by reason of
[illegible] age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot [illegible] positively
as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of
his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned
below and in the following grades. that he served Gen'l
Clotz and the other officers mentioned in his declaration at
whatever in the year 1776 for the period of one month and then
immediately enlisted in the [illegible] camp and service therein
for the term of four months, after which he returned home
That his again volunteered a short term before the Battle of Brandywine  ^[illegible] for two months at least in [illegible] the [illegible] and [next line is cut in half top/bottom and therefore illegible]
Page 6

below and in the following grades. that his service under Gen'l
Clotz and the other officers mentioned in his declarations as
volunteer in the year 1776 for the period of our month and then
immediately enlisted in the flying camp and Service therein
for the term of four months, after which he returned home
That he again volunteered a short time before the Battle of Brandywine
^and s--- for two months at least ____ the husband and
keeping down the Tories and for sixth ___ for the ___ of seven
months deponent claimed a pension

Sworn and subscribed before
me this twenty seventh day of
June -- in the year of our
Lord A. D. One thousand eight
hundred and thirty three
Nathaniel Miller
Allegheny County SS }
[Signed] George Simmers

On this third day of July 1833 personally appeared in
open Court being the Court of Common Pleas in &
for the County of Allegheny State of Penna. to ___
Abraham Boyd a Clergyman residing in 
Deer- Township in Said County who on his oath
doth certify that he is well acquainted with the above
named George Simmers who has Subscribed and Sworn to the foregoing declaration 
That he believes him to be about
Seventy Seven years of age that he the
Said Simmers is very informed that he has
the character of honesty and veracity
That he is reputed and believed in the
neighbourhood where he resided to have been
a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur
in that opinion

Sworn and Subscribed in
open Court the day and 
year aforesaid.
Wm Mc Candless }   Abraham Boyd
Page 7

26,793

George Simmers

Admit
7 Months

T. J. Durham Esq.
Pittsburgh, Penn.
Page 8

WAR DEPARTMENT,
PENSION OFFICE.

Sir;

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  the following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed.  The rules and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done.  These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus }).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of  your claim.
   
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                       A Statement, showing the service of George Simmers  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
                  Period in which   |  Duration of the      | Rank of   |  Names and rank of      | Age at present, and place | 
                  the service was   |   claimant's  service |    the       | the Field officers under | of abode when he             | Proof by which the
                  service rendered |  years|months|Days | claimant | whom he served.           | entered the service            | declaration is supported
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                
                Aug. 1. 1776               1 month                |     Pr.       | Col. Greenwalt              |  77 years                           | Traditionary [illegible]
                Sept. 1.   "                   4 months              |      "         |         "                            |  Lancaster                         |   "
Again time not stated}               2 months              |       "        |                                       |  Co. Pa.                             |

I ma respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 9

Regulations Under the Act of June 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.  The Regular Troops.
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.  Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4.  Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of
On this ___day of ____personally appeared (a) before ______ A B. a resident (b) of ____ 
in the county of ______and State, Territory or District  of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____ , with _____ and served in the ______ (e) regiment of the ______ line, under the following named officers:
{Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched _____.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and person who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.}
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.   A. B.
{And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I ____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ____ day of ____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B. a Clergyman residing in the ____and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be ____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
{And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ___
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ______ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, ___Clerk of the Court of ____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of  _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ____day of ___ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 10

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. { To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
6. { To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of [illegible] those of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming in the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 
with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: --For---year -- months, and ------
days, I served as a ----.  For ---- months and ---- days, I served as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about hrct a four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent
authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g]  The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well
as the regiment, company, and time to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by 
the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[illegible] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] The traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
Page 11

22511
INVALID.
Revolution

File No.  22,511
George Simmers
Pri  Rev  War

Act:  June 7" 92"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 967
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

March [illegible] Bank
Pittsburgh 29th April 1836

Sir,

I beg leave to Submit the papers of George Simmons [illegible] dec'd. whose pension has not been paid from the commencement, and whose certificate is dated more than two years ago. I wait your instructions.

I have the honor to be
Your [illegible] Ob't. Serv't.
For M. Tienan Pr & P-- Ag:
David L. Brown Penn. Clerk

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 13

Merch & Manufs Bank
Pittsburgh 23d May 1836
Sir
I again submit the pension claim for
George Simmers, accompanied by the original certificate now surrendered. He claims a third of the pension due the deceased pensioner at the time of his death.
I am, very respectfully
Year Most Obd. Servant
for M. Tiernan Pr & [Pawag]
Henry [illegible]

J L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 14

Pittsburgh July 9, 1833

Sir

Inclosed you have the application of George Simmers for a pension He is a [illegible] old man and unable to attend court.

It is to be hoped that he has complied with everything necessary to have a pension granted to him if not any thing wanting will be [illegible] to. Please correspond with S. Kingston Esq., Pittsburgh 

Sir
I Remain
Respectfully yours

TJ Durham

J.L. Edmund Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 15

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Form VAN-51 12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

name Simmers,John grade Private,line Pennsylvania Warrant number 10380 acreage 100 issued February 6,179?(torn) to John Simmers notation : Certified Feb.25,1820 by N.C.
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16,1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9,1800.Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 16

And the Court further certifies that it
appears to them that Abraham Boyd who
has sworn to, and subscribed the foregoing
deposition is a Clergyman. resident in
Deer Township in the County of Allegheny.
aforesaid and that John Kennedy Senior
and John Gravat who has sworn to and
subscribed the foregoing depositions are residents
of said Township of Deer. and
are credible persons and that their statement
is entitled to Credit -
By the Court -
Wm McCandless
I. Wm McCandless. Prothonotory of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for the County
aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the proceedings the said Court in
the matter
of the application of George
Simmers for a pension
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and seal
of Office this 9. day of
July
1833-
day of
In the year of our Lord
Wm McCandless
Page 17

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Name    Simmers, John
Grade    Private
Line       Pennsylvania
WARRANT  NUMBER  10380
ACREAGE     100
ISSUED    February 6, 179? (torn)
to John Simmers
notation: "Certified Feb. 25, 1820,
by N.C.-"

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.