Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 2874, for Leonard Sommer, Pennsylvania
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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Penn. Somer, Leonard W2874
or Sommers
Elizabeth
 CONTENTS
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6165
Pennsylvania
Elizabeth Sommers,
wife of Leonard Sommers,
ctl 6165
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7th 1832.
and who died on the 18th February 1836.
of Lancaster Co in the State of Pennsylvania
who was a private in the Company command
by Captain _____ of the Regt. commande
by Col: Miller in the Pennsylvania
line for 6 Months
Pension
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 20 Dollars ___ Cents lper annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of April
1841 and sent to Martin
Bruner, Lancaster Pa:
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $100.
Semi=annual allowance ending
$100-
{Act July 7,
1838.}
Recorded by W.W. Tyler Clerk
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 165
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2298
Pennsylvania
Leonard Sommers
of Lancaster Co in the State of Pennsylvania
who was a private in the ______commanded
by Captain ___ of the Regt. commanded
by Col Miller in the Penna militia
for 6 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 20 Dollars per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23. day of November
1832 and sent to H. M. Leonard
Lancaster, Penna
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 30.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4. Mar} 10.00
$40.00
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J.M. Duffield Clerk,
Book D Vol. 6 Page 94-
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7760 
[stamp]
FREE
Sep. 24
Penna
Honourable Lewis Cass, Esquire,
Secretary of War, Washington
City in the District of Columbia
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Lancaster City September 10th 1832.
Honourable Lewis Cass, Esquire
Should the foregoing application of
Leonard Sommers, for a pension meet your favorable reception,
be pleased to direct your communication to Henry M Leonard,
Allorgat Lane, Lancaster City. Penna.
Yours very respectfully
Henry M. Leonard
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Leonard Sommers
Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
Pennsylvania
Lancaster County ss
On this 30th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before Walter Franklin, Esquire, President of the Court of Common Pleas of the Second Judicial District of Pennsylvania consisting of the counties of York and Lancaster & Justice of the Courts of Oyer & Terminer & General Jail Delivery and Quarter Sessions of the Peace in the said District and Samuel Dale and John Leitman, Esquires, Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Lancaster and Assistant Justices of the Courts of Oyer and Terminer & General Jail Delivery and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, in and for said County of Lancaster, Leonard Sommers, aged Seventy-three 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 7th 1832.
I entered into the service of the United States of America as a volunteer in the year 1776.  I then resided and lived in Germantown, in the County of Philadelphia & State of Pennsylvania - I volunteered for two months & I left Germantown sometime in 1776 - thence through Brunswick on to Amboy where we were encamped - my officers were Colonel Mattock & Daniel Climon - I again volunteered to the best of my recollection, in January A. D. 1777- I left Germantown & went on to Bristoll on the Delaware where we crossed the river Delaware and went    to Burlington in the Jersey - from
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 - - thence to Bordentown - thence to Trenton where we were drawn up in line of battle - at night we quietly left Trenton & went on to Princeton to attack the British who were there - we got there by daybreak where we found the enemy drawn up in line of battle - at this time our commanding officer  was Colonel Miller - General Mercer was killed in this Battle - I was in this Battle - after the Battle we marched on to Sommersett where we crossed the River Raratan pursued by the British - thence on to Morristown where we were encamped - thence on near to Brunswick - thence home to Germantown -
I again volunteered for two months & left Germantown in the month of August - my Captain was Mathias Gensen from Germantown - our officers were Generals Potter & Armstrong - we went from Germantown on to Fort Mifflin where we encamped something like two weeks - thence on to the town of Wilmington in the State of Delaware thence to Newport where we remained for a few days - the British landed at the head of Elk we [illegible] went on to Brandywine, I believe for the purpose of securing the fording places - the British attacked our left wing at Brandywine - afterwards attacked the Regular forces - I was in this Battle at Brandywine - after the Battle of Brandywine we went on to Philadelphia - from Philadelphia we marched up the Lancaster Road on to the Red Lion, about 20 miles from Philadelphia - then on to the Yellow Springs - thence over the Schuylkill - thence to the Trap where we encamped - thence on to Germantown where we attacked the British under General Howe - I was in this Battle - General Washington was our Commander -  I do not know one man now living who served with me - the last one I knew was Colonel Maton [illegible] of Germantown who died sometime last summer 1831 - my age will be 74 April 28th 1833 - I was born at Germantown in the county of Philadelphia
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I hereby relinquish my claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
Leonard Sommers
Sworn & Subscribed in open court August 30th 1832
Attest
Christ. Bachman Prothy
We Martin Bruman the Pastor of the German Reformed Congregation of Lancaster in the City of Lancaster & County of Lancaster & State of Pennsylvania and Amos Ellmaker, Esquire, residing in the same place  hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Leonard Sommers who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood when he swears to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion - 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court.
Attest
Christ. Bachman, Prothy
M. Bruner
Amos Ellmaker
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[illegible]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after [illegible] the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above & within named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Martin Bruman is a clergyman & Amos Ellmaker who have signed the preceding certificate are residents as above & before stated, and are credible witnesses or persons & that their Statemnent is entitled to Credit.
Walter Franklin
Sam Dale

I Christian Bachman Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please of Lancaster County do hereby certify that the foregoing contained the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Leonard Sommers for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court at Lancaster this thirty first day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirtytwo.
Christ. Bachman Prothy
Lancaster County 
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the City and County of Lancaster Leonard Sommers who being duly affirmed deposeth & said 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 six months served as a volunteer and for such service I claim a pension.
Leonard Sommers
Affirmed and Subscribed before me this 20th day of November 1832
William Bausman
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I do hereby certify that, in the Resister of the German Reformed Church at Reading, State of Pennsylvania the marriage of Leonard Sommers and Elizabeth Philippe is recorded by the Revd. Wm Boas, at that time the Pastor of said Church) as having been performed by him on the twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and seventy eight/ May 12th, 1778.)
Wm. Pauli

I, William Pauli , above named, depose and say: that I hold the office of Pastor of the German Reformed Church in the borough and state aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church.
Wm Pauli
Pastor of German Reformed Church.

Sworn and subscribed before me the 11th day of March 1841. Wm. Schoener

Pennsylvania
Berks County Pa}

I, the undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do certify, that William Schoener, above named is an acting Justice of the Peace of the said borough of Reading, and duly elected, commissioned and qualified, and that the signature purporting to this is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at Reading the Eleventh day of March 1841.
Benjamin Tyson, Prothonotary
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7628
Elizabeth Sommers of Leonard Pennsylvania
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster City } Ss
On this twenty first day of December A.D. 1840
personally appeared before Patton Ross Esqr Recorder of the Mayors Court
of the City of Lancaster Elizabeth Sommers, a resident of the city of Lancaster
in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania aged 76 years
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made
by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838. entitled "An act counting
faithfully and pensions to certain widows: That she is the widow of Leonard
Sommers, late of the city of Lancaster decd. who was a soldier of the Revolution 
and a pensioner under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 and
That in the year 1832 her said husband made application for the benefit
of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 and obtained a pension as will
more fully appear by a reference to his declaration forwarded pm to the
commissioner of pension in August or September 1832. - She further
declares that She was married to the said Leonard Sommers on the
twelfth day of May A.D. 1778 in the year Seventeen hundred and
seventy-eight: that her said husband the aforesaid Leonard Sommers,
died in the city of Lancaster, on the Eighteenth day of February in the
year eighteen hundred and thirty-six and that she has remained his
widow eve since - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving
the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January,
Seventeen hundred and ninety-four vis: at the time above Stated - 
Sworn to and Subscribed, on the day and year above written
Before Patton Ross
Esquire
Elizabeth x her mark Sommers
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Lancaster City Ss:
I Patton Ross Recorder of the Mayors Court as
aforesaid before when the foregoing declaration was made, do Certify that:
Elizabeth Sommers, widow of Leonard Sommers, late of the City of Lancaster
decd. is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity
that she is the widow of the above named Leonard Sommers
who died in the City of Lancaster as aforesaid -McGlinn my
hand and Seal at said City this twenty first day of December A.D. 1840.
Patton Ross 
Recorder Seal
Lancaster City Ss:
On this twenty-first day of December A.D. 1840 personally
appeared before me Recorder of aforesaid Anthony McGlinn and John
Hamilton both of the City of Lancaster who being duly sworn - 
according to law said that they are well acquainted with Elizabeth
Sommers the above declarant: that she is the widow of the above named
Leonard Sommers, who died on the eighteenth day of February in the 
year A.D. 1836 and has remained his widow ever since ______
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written
John Hamilton
Anthony McGlinn
Before Patton Ross
Recorder
Lancaster City Ss:
I Patton Ross Recorder as aforesaid before
whom the above affidavit was made do certify that Anthony McGlinn and
John Hamilton are highly credible persons, and their affidavit entitled
to full credit and belief. Witness my hand & Seal at said City this twenty-first
day of December A.D. 1840.
Patton Ross Recorder
Seal
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster City SS:

I Jacob Myers, Clerk of the Mayor's Court in and for said City, do certify that the foregoing contain the original proceeding of said Court in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Sommers for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty eight day of December. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-
Jacob Myers
Clerk [illegible] C.
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O. W. & N. Division

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.,  June 26, 1895.

M.E.C.

Miss:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of ---Leonard Sommers--- a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,  you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
_________________________________________________
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1776
Jan. 1777
Aug. 1777

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
2 mos.
Not given.
2  mos.

RANK
Pvt.
Pvt.
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
CAPTAIN
Not stated.
Not stated.
Mathias Gensen

COLONEL
Mattock & Climan
Millen
Gens. Potter & Armstrong

STATE
 Pa.
Pa.
Pa.

His pension was allowed for 6 months actual service. (two last words underlined.

Battles engaged in, Princeton, Brandywine, & German town

Residence of soldier at enlistment, German town, Pa.

Date of application for pension  August 30, 1832.

Residence at  death of application, Lancaster Co., Pa.

Age at date of application, Born April 23, 1759, at Germantown, Pa.
Remarks: He married Elizabeth Philippe May 12, 1778, and died Feb.13, 1836.

Very respectfully,
Miss Adelaide M. Cheney,
102 Cottage St.,
Meriden, Conn.

Commissioner
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Rev. WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2894
Elizabeth Sommers
Widow
Leonard Sommers
Pri. Pa. Line
Act: July 7 1838.
Index:-Vol. Im. Page 231.
{Arrangement of 1870}
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June 20/94 Hist. to Miss Adelaid M.
Cheney. 102 Cottage St.
Meridian. Conn. jurel.
Mich 16, 98. Miss Caroline A.
Dulving. Phila. Pa
June- 15-1900 - hist. to
Miss Anna M. North.
Trenton N.J.
Page 18

628
Elizabeth Sommers
of Leonard
Pennsylvania
admitted
Pr. 6 mo. $20. -
Cap. - Col Miller Pa
died 18 Feb: 1836
Act of July 1838
Martin Bruner
Lancaster.
Pa.
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S. [seal] O
Commissioner of Pensions - 
Have you any record of [underlined] Leonard. 
Sommers of Germantown
Pennsylvania, who served 
in the. [underlined] Revolutionary war
about the year [crossed out] 1778 or [crossed out 1779] possibly 1779 or 1780 or -1782 
He fought in the battle of Germantown
Adelaid M. Cheney.
102 Cottage St.
Meriden
Conn.
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[rectangular stamp]OLD WAR & NAVY
JUN 12 1895
FILES

[circular stamp}
PENSION OFFICE 
JUN 10 1895
PENSION OFFICE 
U.S.
JUN 10 1895

[circular stamp}
PENSION OFFICE 
JUN 10 1895
PENSION OFFICE 
U.S.
JUN 10 1895
Page 21

Elizabeth Sommers
Leonard
Pennsylvania
Suspended -
Sector 23 Feb. 1841
to Hon J. Buchanon,


[bottom of page] AA 7 June 1838
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Stanton & Evergreen
Chestnut Hill
Philadelphia
Penn

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me a little needed information on the “Meadville Chapter National Number 13.876
The military history of Leonard Sommers - A soldier of the Revolutionary War 

[stamp: One circular with PENSION OFFICE D MAR 10 1898; U S stamped on the middle of the page.] 
[Rectangular stamp one letter in each of the 4 corners: U. S. P. B. In the middle: O & N MAR 11 1898 RECEIVED.
[capital letters OAFN and underlined across the left side of the paper by the "to" address.]
Page 23

I would like an exact copy of the history sent to my Meadville Cousins in June 20th 1897- to verify the services of my great-great grandfather Leonard Sommers with the Commissioner's name signed.

I must have an exact copy to show that I can join the D.A.R.

Very Truly
Miss Caroline A. Duhring
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[This is a blank piece of paper with a circular stamp on it with the following inside the stamp:]

PENSION OFFICE U. S. D. MAR 10 1898
Page 25

[upper left corner in pencil illegible]
227 East State Lane
Trenton, New Jersey

Hon. H. Clay Evans
Esteemed Friend,
[stamped G.W.  DIVISION  JUN 1900 RECEIVED]
                May I trouble thee to see if there is any account on your Pension Books of Jacob Leonard Sommer of Lancaster Penna, who served during the Revolution was wounded and drew a pension.

Will thee kindly send me an Official Certificate or account of him, as I am desirous to
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have it for a client, who wishes to become a Dan.  of the Rev. It may be that his name will be
given as Jacob Somma [illeg] as it thus
Appears on the Depreciation Roll. in the Penna, Archives.
Please let me know of any expense attending this farm, and I will remit at once.
Thy friend.
Anna M. North. [illegible]
227 East State St.
Trenton
N. Jersey

6 mo. 9th 1900
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2874 
Leonard Sommers

Aug 30, 1832
Lancaster Co, Pa 73

76 Germantown,  Pa
Col Mattock 

January 77
Col. Millen 

Aug 77
Capt Matthew Genser
(illegible)
Page 28

[upper right corner] L. W. B. 
[upper right corner] W. 2374

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,

Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Leonard Sommers made an application for pension on August 30, 1832, at
which time he was 73 years of age and residing in Lancaster County, Penna., and his pension was allowed for six months' actual service as a
private in the Penna, troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Gensen and Col. Mattock. He enlisted at Germantown, Penna.     His widow, Elizabeth, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Miss Caroline A. Duhring,
Stenton and Evergreen,
Chestnut Hill, Phila., Pa.