Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3615, for William Strunk, Pennsylvania
Page 1


SERVICE
Penn

Strunk, William
Mary

NUMBER
W. 3615

----------
CONTENTS
Page 2


J Jacob Strunk 1797

Strunck, Wm.
Penn. W3615
Page 3


Jacob Strunck  gebossen
Inn 4 Abrill 1789
----------
Elizabets Strunck gebossen
inn 11 Abrill 1781
----------
Grorg Struck gabossen
Inn 25 Martz  1783
----------
Catarina Strunck gabossen
Inn 4 Abrill 1785
----------
William Strunck gabossen
Inn 25 Julia 1787
----------
Susannah Strunk gabossen
Inn 7 Augustt 1789
----------
Magdalena Strunk ///////////
gabossen Inn 5 februaria  
1792
---------
Josanna und Margreta Strunck
gabossnin Inn 28 Incembre 1794
Page 4


Penn   32.507

William ////, dec'd
==========
of Berks Co. in the state of Penna
who was a Pri in the Co commanded
by Captain  - of the Reg commanded
by Col. Craig in the Penna
line for 12 months
==========
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, & ending
15 Sept 1834, when he died
==========
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Sept.
1846 and sent to I N
Joves, Reading, Penna
==========
Arrears to the 15th of Sept. 36  $141.12
Semi-anl allowance ending ---------
$141.12
==========
Payable to his widow Mary Strunck

{Revolutionary Claim,
act of Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by L. H. Wood Clerk,
Book E.2. Vol. 5 Page 57.
Page 5


Bertoles  80
William Strunk

??
recd Jany 12th 1830
////

////// reported
//// Feby 1 1839
Page 6


To the Honourable the Senate & House of Representation
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General
Assembly Meet.

The Petition of William Strunk of
County of Berks, Humbly Sheweth, That he enlisted
in the Company of Infantry commanded by Captain
Kerns, for the Term of two years that he entered said
Service in the month of June AD 1776 in the army
of the United States of the Revolutionary war
against the Common Enemey that he served
in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Craig
and that he was engaged in taking the Hessians
called Hanoverians in the Latter part of the Month
of December in the year 1776, and that he was
in the battle of Trenton in the Month of January
AD 1777 and that he Enlisted in the County of
Northampton in the State of Pennsylvania
and that he continued to serve in said Corps
agreeable to his Enlistment and that he was
Honourably discharged in the Month of July
AD one thousand Seven hundred and forty
eight that he received his said discharge
by the hand of Colonel Craig, and that he
received a musket ball wound on his left thigh
at Trenton by the Enerney when on the Line of
his duty as a Soldier, and that he is now aged
Seventy three years, poor and unable to perform
Labour. Therefore Humbly prays that his case
be laid before your Honourable Bodies and
if he merit or is deferring relief he then Humbly
prays that an act be passed for his relief in
duty bound your petitioner prays
William Strunk
X his mark
Page 7


Pennsylvania
Berks County  SS

On this second day of January AD 1830 before me the
Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the
County of Berks Personally appeared William
Strunk who being sworn in due form of Law
doth on his oath depose and say that the
matters set forth in his petition are true
to the best of his knowledge and that
he received his discharge honourably as
aforesaid at a certain place called
Valley Forge in the State of Pennsylvania
William Strunk
X  his mark
Sworn and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
before me Christn Shermer

I the /////??///ly practiseing Surgeon and Phiscisian of
the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks & State of
Pennsylvania do hereby certify that after a careful examination
of the case William Strunk above named. I do find
that he has Received a musket ball wound in his
left thigh situated about nine inches above the knee
which ball penetrated entirely through said thigh
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my
name the day & year above written
Alec H. Witman

I am acquainted with Alec H. Witman
Surgeon above named he is credible and reputable
in this profession.  In Testimony whereof I have subscribed
my name the day & year aforesaid
Christn Shermer
Page 8

Pennsylvania
Berks County SS
On this fifth day of Janua AD 1830 personally
appeared Samuel Levan before me the
Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for
Berks County who being first sworn according to
Law doth say on his Oath that he is acquainted
with William Strunk and that he is very poor
Sworn and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
before me
Christn Shermer

I William High of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas
of Berks County Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that William Strunk and
Barney Idle, were citizens of Berks County (who have sworn to affidavits herewith connected) 
are entitled to credit and whose evidence would be received in a
Court of Justice
Rending June 2d 1846
William High

Jacob Strunk Born 4th April 1789. Elizabeth Strunk Born 11th April 1781,
George Strunk Born 25th March 1783, Catharine Strunk Born 4th April 1785,
William Strunk Born 25th July 1787, Susannah Strunk on 7th August 1789,
Magdalina Strunk on 5th February 1792, John and Margaret Born 28th
December 1774, 

I do hereby certify that the above is a copy translated from
the German, of a memorandum which was in the possession of Mary Strunk,
She says this papers contains the names and date of the births of some of her children,
and is correct as far as it goes, with the exception of the first named
Jacob Strunk, which is wrong, it should have been 1779, instead of 1789
Mary Trunk says this is the only family record which she has.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of
June 1846
William High one of
the Judges of Berks County

Hon J Ritter
HR

6750
Page 9


Pennsylvania 7946
==========
Mary Strunk
widow of Wm Strunk
who was a Private
in the Penna Line
Husband died Sept. 15. 1834
==========
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
40 Dollars  ---
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
==========
Certificate of Pension issued the
14th. day of Sept. 1846.
and sent to
James S. Jones, Esq
Reading, Pa
==========
[Acts of March 3, 1843.]
and June 17, 1844
Recorded in Book A
Vol 2.  Page 116.
J.H. Wood, Clerk

Rep
3 Celfs 1832
1838
1843 & 44


.
Page 10

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the act of Congress
passed July 4th AD 1836
State of Pennsylvania
Berks County  ss.

Personally appeared before the subscriber
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Pennsylvania
Mary Strunk aged Eighty Seven years, who being duly sworn according 
to law, on her oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed
July 4th 1836: That she is the widow of William Strunk, who was a
private in the army of the Revolutionary War, in Captain Kern's Company
that according to the best of her knowledge and belief, he enlisted in the
month of June 1776, for the term of two years, and that he received
his discharge about the month of July 1778, also that he had a wound
in his thigh which he always said was from a musket ball

We lived during the war in Northampton County Pennsylvania where
he enlisted, I now reside in Berks County State aforesaid, she further
declares that she was married to the said William Strunk a short time
before he enlisted in Capt Kern's Company, by the Reverend William
Steiner at a place called stone church about 15 miles from Easton in
Northampton County. My maiden name was Mary Englehurt, that
her husband the aforesaid William Strunk died on the 15th day of
September 1834, and that from that time to the present she has remained
his widow
Mary Strunk
X her mark
witness present
James M Jones
Sworn to and subscribed this
21st day of April 1846
William High one of the Judges of Berks County
Page 11


State of Pennsylvania
Berks County  SS

Personally appeared before the subscriber one of the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Penna Michael Strunk
who being duly sworn according to law on his oath says that
William Strunk, husband of Mary Strunk died on the 15th day of
September A D 1834 and that Mary Strunk is his identical widow
and is a widow at this time,
Michael Strunk  /s/

Sworn to and subscribed this
30th day of May A.D. 1846
William High one of the Judges
of Berks County
Page 12


State of Pennsylvania
Berks County  ss

I Peter Stohecker Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas of Berks County Pennsylvania, do hereby
certify that Christopher Sherner was an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for Berks County duly appointed and commissioned, 
and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his
are true and genuine, also that William High is an
Acting Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Berks
County Pennsylvania, duly appointed and commissioned
and the the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are true
and genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal of Office
at Reading, this 2nd day of June A.D
1846-
Peter Strohecker  /s/
Page 13


July 20, 1938
Wm. Strunk, W.3615
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. Margaret Holley

1403 Main Street
Honesdale
Pennsylvania

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for information relative to
Revolutionary War soldier, William Strunk, who lived in Bucks County.
Pennsylvania, at the time of the Revolution and later lived in Lewistown, 
Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the
pension claim, W. 3615, based on the military service of the only
William Strunk that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this
office.

The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents were
not given.

While a resident of Northampton County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted
in June, 1776, as private in Captain Kerns' company in Colonel Craig's
Pennsylvania regiment, was in both battles of Trenton, received a musket
ball round in the left thigh in battle at Trenton, and was discharged
in July, 1778, at Valley Forge.

In 1830 he was living in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and was seventy
three years of age.

He died September 15, 1834.

He married Miss Mary Englehart, she stated that they were married
at a place called Stone Church about fifteen miles from Easton, Northampton
County, Pennsylvania, shortly before he enlisted in the Revolution.
Page 14

On April 21, 1846, Mary Strunk, resident of Berks County, Pennsylvania,
aged eighty-seven years, applied for pension as the widow 
of William Strunk.  Her claim was allowed.

In 1846 it was stated that William Strunk had received a pension
from the state of Pennsylvania and his widow, Mary, was then receiving
a pension from that state.

The following names of the children of William and Mary Strunk
were given.

Jacob  born April 4, 1779
Elizabeth  born April 11, 1781
George  born March 25, 1783
Catherine born April 4, 1785
William  born July 25, 1787
Susannah born August 7, 1789
Magdalina  born February 25, 1792
John and Margaret  born December 28, 1794

In 1848 one Michael Strunk testified for the widow, Mary Strunk,
relationship not shown.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

'No further family data'
include in the next letter
MCS
7/20/38
Page 15


V M 6756
Mary Strunk
Pa
Hon. J. Ritter  Jun ///'4//
///July 14. 1846.

act 4 July 1836
Page 16


V 12958
Mary Strunk
Pa
------
Let. to Hon. J. Ritter  ////
/////, 1846

act 7 July 1838
Page 17


12958.
Mary Strunk
widow of William
Pa
act 7 July 1838
married before 1794
husband died 1834
Page 18

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County ss

Personally appeared before the subscriber a
Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Berks and State of
Pennsylvania, Mary Strunk a resident of the County and State
aforesaid aged about Eighty seven 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
provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7th 1838
entitled. "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain
Widows," That she is the widow of William Strunk
deceased who was a private in Captain Karn's Company
of Northampton County Penns enlisted to the best of her
knowldge and belief for two years and served out
his full time well which was in the Revolutionary War.
That she was married to the aforesaid William Strunk
by the Rev Wm Steiner about the 1776.  And that she
relinquishes all right to a claim for pension under the
act of 4th July 1836, and refers to the papers on file in office for proof
Mary Strunk  X her mark
Witness present
the word pay in 10th line
was interlined before for signing
J. B. Miller
J M Becker
Sworn to and subscribed
this 24 day of July 1846.
J M Becker  Pro
Page 19


State of Pennsylvania
Burke County  SS

I Peter Strohecker Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Penna
do hereby certify that Jacob M Becker
is an acting Justice of the Peace of Berks
County State aforesaid, duly elected and
commissioned and that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his is true and genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal
of Office at Reading this 25th day of July 1846
Peter Strohecker
Prot
Page 20


12001
Pennsylvania
==========
Mary Strunk
Widow of William Strunk
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 15th AD 1834
of Berks Co in the State of Penna
who was a Pri in the -------
commanded by Captain ----- of the
Regt commanded by Col Craig in
the Penna line for 12 mo.
==========
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 40 Dollars ---
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836
==========
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of
Sept. 1846 and sent to J. M.
Jones, Reading, Penna.
==========
Total amount,   $200.

[Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. Henry Wood Clerk,
Book D Vol. A Page 231. -
Page 21


1403 Main St.
Honesdale, Pa.
June 18, 1938

Veterans Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen,
Please send me any
information you may have
about William Strunk, that is
any thing that his pension
papers might reveal concerning
his family or his services
in the Revolutionary War. He
was at that time in Bucks
County, Pa. but afterward located
at Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pa.
and was a Miller by trade.

Very truly yours
(Mrs.) Margaret Holley
Page 22


Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3615
---
Mary Strunk
Widow
William Strunk
Pri Rev War
---
Act: March 3, 1843
Index:- Vol. M, Page 239.

28 July 20. hist to
Mrs. Margaret Holley. MCS
Page 23


No 6750
Mary Strunk
1750
widow of William
Pa
act 4 July 1836

Kridersville Pa
June 15 /////
Paid 10
J Glancy Jones Esq
Reading
Act 4th July 1836
Page 24


Kriders Ville June 15 1845.

Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 11inst came to hand
in which you request information respecting the
Marriage of William Strunk and Mary Engelhart,
which took place about the year 1776. At that
time the Rev. Mr Steiner was the Pastor of my
present charge. I have examined the Church
recorder, and can find no record of Marriages
It is not customary to keep a church record of
marriages as the celebration of Marriage is strictly
speaking not an ecclesiastical but a civil act.
Every minister keeps a record of his own to which
he can refer whenever so required. The papers of
Rev Steiner are not to be found, probably they
have been destroyed.  All inquiry respecting
the same on my part have been in
vain..

Yours respectfully
J C Becker

J. Glancy Jones Esq
Page 25


Washington July 30, 1846
Jas L. Edwards, Esgr

Sir,
Herewith inclosed I send
papers relative to the claims of 
the widows Strunk & Snyder,
to which I beg leave to all your
early attention

With esteem yours
Jno Ritter
Page 26

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County  SS

Personally appeared before the
Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Berks County
Pennsylvania, John Warner who being duly sworn
according to law on his oath says he is well acquainted with
Mary Strunk who is the identical widow of
William Strunk who received a pension from the
State of Pennsylvania, and resided in Berks County and
is now dead, I knew them years ago when they lived
together as man and wife. I know he received a pension
I know Mary Strunk now receives a pension from the
State of Pennsylvania as his widow.  She is the identical 
person who now makes application for the pension
from the United States.
John Warner

Sworn to and subscribed
this 11th day of August 1846
Matthias Mengel
Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that John Warner is a Citizen of Berks
County and that he is a man entitled to full faith and
credit
Matthias Mengel
Justice of the Peace
Page 27


State of Pennsylvania
Berks County  SS

I Peter Strohecker Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas of Berks
County Pennsylvania,  do hereby certify
that Matthias Mengel is an acting
Justice of the Peace duly elected and
Commissioned, and that the foregoing
Signature purporting to be his are true and
genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal of Office at Reading the 11th day of August 1846
Peter Strohecker
Prot
Page 28


Reading June 22nd 1846
J L Edwards Esquire

Respected Sir,
Your answer to the application for
Pension by Mrs Mary Strunk, (widow of William Strunk deceased)
of Berks County, has been received ///// decission in regard to the
evidence of her marriage is right, that is, that you have not evidence
sufficient to allow her to claim under act of 4th July 1836.
I of course did not expect to succeed under that act, but the old
lady  declares positively that she was married in 1776 - and if the person's 
Record could be found it would no doubt prove so, the reason 
therefore, for making the declaration under that law was because
such was the fact, but she of course can get no more then can be
sattisfactorily shown to the department, once of course then she
comes under the other act viz. 7th July 1838.

With respect to the length of service of William Strunk, he
////// in her petition to the Legislature of Pennsylvania that he served
two years, and proves by Burney Idle that he served more than one
year at least one year and one month-- Now I have every reason
to believe that William Strunk served all he says he did if
for no other reason that this, all the service required by the
Legislature of Pa  is four months to entitle them to the greatest
pension allowed to any person, therefore if it was not necessary to
have more evidence than four months to get his pension, he would
most surely not have claimed two years, if it was not the truth, that
Page 29


that he absolutely served that length of time, I wish you to look
at the case in the right light, and allow her what is absolutely //////
//her,  If you think she is entitled to the full pension I should be
much obliged to going to allow it, All I can do is to ////// what
I think to be right, and then urge you to allow it, of course there
are many claims that can not be proved at all, that may exist
and be perfectly just but can never be allowed for want of evidence
I therefore in conclusion ///much/// respectfully ask you to allow the
old woman a full pension. If you can, and if not a full pension,
allow all you can consistant with the rights of both parties.
You ask for some evidence of identity.  her husband was pensioned
by the Legislature of Penn on that set of papers on his death, she was
pensioned as his widow. There can be no mistake I assure you about
the identity. Your early attention will oblige
Respectfully your
Obet Servant
James M Jones
Page 30


I do hereby certify that I was acquainted with
William Strunk for a number of years who died
about the year 1834 and that I am also acquainted with
Mary Strunk who is the Identical widow
of said William Strunk all of Berks County the
said Mary French is the same person who swore
to her declaration before me a short time since
June the 22d 1846
William High one of the
Judges of Berks County

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County  ss
I Peter Strohecker Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas of Berks County Penn accordingly
certify that William High as a Judge of said
Court duly appointed and commissioned and
that the foregoing signature purporting to be his
is true and genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
Seal of Office at Reading this 23rd day of June 1846.
Peter Strohecker
Prot
Page 31


Reading August 11th 1846
J L Edwards Esq
Dear Sir,
enclosed you will receive the affidavit
of John Warner who is well acquainted Mary Strunk and
was also well acquainted with William Shank her husband
who is now dead, and who received a pension from Pennsylvania
I send you through Mr Ritter the certificate of Judge High
which I suppose you did not receive, as you call a second
time for evidence of identy, and say nothing of his certificate
I hope the enclosed will be satisfactory
Respectfully Your
James M Jones /s/
Page 32


No. 37. 351
William Strunk decd
Pa
Act 7 June 1832

//12 mo ///
$40.00 Per anu
from 4 March 1831 to 15 Sept
1834 the day of his death payable 
to his widow Mary Strunk
------
No. 12958  / 9043 / 1213
Mary Strunk widow of
William Per Act 7 July 1838
///// 12 mo ///
$40.00
from 4 March 1836
/////// acts 3 March 1843 and
17 June 1844 $40 per an
James M Jones
Reading Pa
Page 33


Pension Office
Sept.1846

Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 10 /////
I have to refer you to the communication from
this office dated the 11th last month for the
//////// of 1
Page 34


Bertolen  80

A Document in
Support of the claim
of William Strunk
an old Soldier

read Jany 28th 1830
-----
C////

Rept. Without
amendment
Page 35


Pennsylvania
Berks County  ss

On this twenty fifth day of January AD 1830 before me
Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the
County of Berks Personally appeared Barney Idle
who being sworn according to law doth depose
and say that he said Barney Idle was a soldier
of the Revolutionary war in Captain Beaty Company
in the Regmt commanded by Colonel Megaw that
he was aquainted with William Strunk during the
time that William Strunk was a Soldier in the Army
of the United States that he knows that wen he
first see him executing the duties of a Soldier
in the War of the Revolution was in the month
of August AD 1776 and in September of the year
1777 that the said William Strunk was then
continuing his duties as a Soldier in the war aforesaid
and that as far as he said Barney Idle knowns is
that Strunk served twelve months after that time
deponent says he does not know how long said
Strunk served after he last seen him
Barney Idle  X his mark
Sworn and subscribed
this 25th day of January AD 1830
before me
Christn Sherner

This witness in his declaration //////
in this ///// and as he is the only witness in the case
that amount //////////////////////
in the adjustment of this claim