Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4473, for George Kuhns, Pennsylvania
Page 1

Penn.
Kuhns, George    W.4473
Susan BLWt 26654-160-55
Page 2

[two-column page]

[left side]
988- Act. March 3/53,
Kuhns March 12/23-

Susan Kuhns Widow of 
George Kuhns - Private - Pri.

Capt. [blank space] Graff
" [blank space] Wirtz -
" [blank space] Crawford -
Penn. Mil.

Enl & served six months in 1776-7
do. 3 times 2, months each " 1777.
always hon'bly dischargd - 
[word crossed out] said Susan now receiving 
a pension from U. S.
Revolutionary War - 

[written diagonally on top of the above text]
Wo26654 [illegible] May 2d/56

Penn July 36-3823

Boynton
Ad:160 Ac. May, 15/56
[signature] Boynton
[flourish]

J. B. Kaufman
Lancaster Penn.

[right side]
Lett: to J.B. Kaufman, Apl 24th/55.
"  "  "  "  "  Jan. 2d/55.

Vol. K. 159.
Page 3

[two-column page]

[left side]
Pennsylvania  [crossed out] 3823

Susan Kuhns,  3803
widow of George Kuhns
who died on the 16 Jany 1831.
of Lancaster Co. in the State of Pennsylvania 
who was a Priv. in the Comp. commanded 
by Captain Graff of the Regt commanded 
by [blank] in the Pennsylvania line for 10 months. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia 
[illegible] the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum 
[illegible] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

[illegible] ...ate [certificate] of pension issued the 18 day of Jany 
1843 and sent to Hon. J. Buchanan, Senate U. S. 

[illegible]..rrears to the 4th of Sep. '42  = 383.29
Semi=annual allowance ending 4th, '43 = 16.66
= 399.95

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4, 1836}
{Section [illegible] }

Recorded by Theo L Moody Clerk
[illegible] C, Vol 3, Page 134

[right side]
Reported
3d Auditor May 9 1839

[written sideways]
date of death not [illegible]
Page 4

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.

State of Pennsylvania}
Lancaster County} ss

On this 20th day of December A.D. 1842,
personally appeared before me John K Findley, Recorder of 
the Mayors Court for the Co. of Lancster in the county 
and state aforesaid Susan Kuhns a resident of the 
City of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster aged 81 
years and upwards who being first duly sworn according
to law doth on her oath make the following declaration: -

That she is the widow of George Kuhns who
was a soldier in the Revolution.  That her husband the 
aforesaid George Kuhns in the month of July 1776
enlisted at the borough of Lancaster ( [illegible] City) under
Captain Graff of the same place.  He said his company
was part of the "Flying Camp" - that they left Lancaster
and marched towards Philadelphia - that she did not
see any [illegible] of him until he returned home in December
or February when he brought a great many Hessian
Prisoners with him, after his return he was discharged

That in the year 1777 her husband was drafted
at Lancaster to stand guard at the Barracks and Stockades
in Lancaster for two months.  The Hessian prisoners were
there in the stockades.  he served his term out and was
discharged.  The name of his Captain was Crawford.

That in the same year (1777) he had not
been discharged more than about a month or two
when he was again drafted to stand guard at the
Lancaster Barracks for two months.  That she thinks
his Captain was again Crawford.  She saw him
frequently when he stood guard.  After this, her
husband was frequently from home and she thinks
he done more service, but that she cannot positively
say what it was.  After his discharge at Lancaster
he was employed in hauling flour to the Barracks
for the use of the Soldiers. - The flour belonged to Showalter, 
a farmer of Lancaster county. = She also says that
at the present time she is poor, and in extreme want.

She further declares that she was married to the said
George Kuhn on the 23d day of June A.D. 1776, and
Page 5

that he died on the 16th day of January 1831 and that 
she has remarried a widow ever since that period as 
will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. 

Susan Kuhns her mark [X] [drawing of a round seal with scalloped edges:] Seal

Sworn & subscribed on the day &
year above mentioned before me
altering of dates}  J K Findlay
before signing}  Recorder

Test. J B Kaufman
John Hostetter

Lancaster City ss.
I, John K Findlay Recorder of the Mayor's Court 
in and for the City of Lancaster before whom the foregoing 
declaration was taken do Certify that Susan Kuhns 
is a highly creditable person and that her declaration 
is entitled to full credit and belief.

Witness my hand and seal at said
City, this 20th day of December AD 1842.
JK Findlay   [drawing of a round seal with scalloped edges:] Seal
Page 6

I George W. Glessner Pastor of the German Reformed Congregation
of the City of Lancaster in the County of Lancaster, and the State of
Pennsylvania do Certify that the following extract shewing the
marriage of George Kuhns and Susan Hubbert taken from
the records of said Church [crossed out: to] with the exception of the date, and
which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, is a true
copy of the record.

George Kuhns and Susan Hubbert were married
on the twenty third day of June, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy six

I George W. Glessner above named do depose and say that
I do now hold the office of Pastor of the German Reformed Congregation
in the City of Lancaster, County of Lancaster & State of Pennsylvania
and that the above is a true extract from the records of said
Congregation, with the exception of the date above named, which are
expressed in the said record in figures as follows:
23nd day of June 1776.

G. W. Glessner
Pastor

Sworn to and subscribed}
this 15th day of December}
AD 1842. before me -

Geo. Musser Ald.
[flourish]
Page 7

[checkmark] No 5728.

Susan Kuhn
Pa.
Act 4 July 36
admd.

10 mo pri
$33.33

Hn J Buchanan
Senate U.S

[on the left, two illegible words, partially visible]
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster [illegible, County?] ss:

[on the left: round seal stamped over a star-shaped paper]

I Rudolph F. Rauch, Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County
Do Certify, that John K. Findlay, Esquire
within named is Recorder of the Mayors Court
of the City of Lancaster, and George Musser
Esquire an Alderman of said City, both duly
Commissioned & qualified; that due faith & credit are and of 
right ought to be given to all their official acts as such in Court
of Judicature as elsewhere, and that the signatures purporting
to be theirs are genuine-

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court this Twenty fourth
day of December in the year our LORD, One thousand eight
hundred & forty two --

R.F. Ranch Prothy.
pr [proxy?]
Sam'l Dorwart
[flourish]
Page 9

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster City ss

On this ninth day of March AD 1855, before
an Alderman in and for said City and State aforesaid duly authorized 
by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Susan Kuhns aged
Eighty-seven years, a resident of said city, who being duly sworn 
according to law declares that she is the widow of George Kuhns deceased, 
who was a private in Flying Camp in the company commanded by capt
Graeff in the Pennsylvania Regiment in the Revolutionary War
with Great Britain; that he was drafted or enlisted in said company
for six months, served six months in 1776-7 and was
honorably discharged at Lancaster Pa, where he was drafted.
That he was in 1777, drafted three times, for tours of two months
each, in Capt. Wirtz's & Capt. Crawford's Companies and served each tour, sometimes standing guard at the Lancaster Stockade
& Powder house, where the Hession Prisoners were, and other
times driving teams with flour & the provisions for the Army as
teamster.  That he was always honorably discharged.

She further states that she was married to the said George Kuhns
[crossed out: on the day of] about 1781 in Lancaster Pa. by 
[word crossed out] a Lancaster clergyman, and that her name before her said marriage was Susan Huberd, that her said husband died at Lancaster Pa.
on the 16th day of January 1835, and that she is still a widow.
That she received a pension of Forty dollars per annum as
the Widow of George Kuhns deceased, from the State of
Pennsylvania, and that on the 18th day of January AD 1843
she was allowed a Pension of $33.33 per annum by the U. States
Government, the certificate of which She has in her possession.
She make this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land
to which she may be entitled under the act passed March [blank space] AD 1855
Susan Kuhns her mark [+]

Sworn & subscribed before me the day and year above written.}
And I hereby certify that Susan Kuhn is personally known}
to me, is of the above age & is entitled to believed, that}
she made her mark in my presence and}
I have no interest in this claim}
Walter G. Evans}
[flourish] 
Alder

Witness}
Geo. S. Ball}
Jacob Kuhns}
Page 10

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster City ss.

On this ninth day of March AD 1855, before
me the subscriber, an Alderman in and for said City and State
duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
Jacob Kuhns and George S. Ball, residents of said
City & State, who being each duly sworn according to law say
That they are personally acquainted with the Declarant Mrs
Susan Kuhns of said City and that she signed the within declaration 
in their presence, that her husband was George Kuhns
who in his lifetime was reputed by his fellow soldiers of
the revolutionary War and his neighbors as having
served in the "Flying Camp" for six months in the years
1776-7, and afterwards in the Militia Companies of Captains
Wurtz & Crawford for about six months more in [crossed out: the] 1777
as a private and teamster, and received honorable discharges 
each time.  That her name before her said marriage
was Susan Huber, That she believe they were married
about the year 1781 at Lancaster by the Lutheran or German
Reformed Clergyman stationed here, that they know that they lived together
as man and wife for many years and had many children 
together, who are now living here.  That her husband the
said George Kuhns died at Lancaster City, Pa. on the
16th day of January AD 1835, and that she is still his widow. 
That she is of the age stated 87. years, that she received a
Pension of $40 per annum from the State of Pennsylvania
for the services of her husband George Kuhns in the
Revolutionary War, and also a Pension from the
United States as the widow of the said George Kuhns 
of 32.33 per annum the Certificate for which she has in
possession and which was shown to us by said Declarant. 
That of the present time said deponents know of
no Revolutionary Soldier living in this County, all
of whom having died some years since, and that
Page 12

January 12, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

George Kuhns - W.4473
BA-J/AWF  [illegible initials]

Dr. Charles T. Zahn
Department of Physics
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you
request information concerning George Koontz, Koons,
Kuntz or Coonce of Pennsylvania, a soldier of the
War of the Revolution.

You are furnished herein the record of the only
soldier named George Kuhns, the surname searched under
various spellings, that is found on file in the Revolutionary
War records of this office. The data which
follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension 
claim, W. 4473, based upon his military service
in that war.

George Kuhns enlisted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
in July, 1776 and served six months as a private in
Captain Graff's company in the "Flying Camp" and was
in the battles of Long Island and Trenton.  He served
in 1777, three tours of two months each under Captains
Crawford and Wirtz in Colonel George Ross' regiment,
and guarded prisoners at the Barracks in Lancaster. 
Towards the close of the war he served as teamster
hauling flour to Lancaster Barracks, length of this
service not stated.

George Kuhns married, June 23, 1776 in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, Susan Hubbert (Huberd).  Their marriage
was recorded on the records of the "German Reformed
Congregation" of Lancaster.

The soldier, George Kuhns, died January 16, 1831
Page 13

in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

His widow, Susan Kuhns, was allowed pension on
her application executed December 20, 1842, then aged
eighty-one years and a resident of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 
She continued to live there in 1855.  She
also received a pension from the state of Pennsylvania, 
on account of the services of her husband in
the War of the Revolution.

In 1855 they had "many children" then living in
Lancaster, their names not definitely shown.  Jacob
Kuhns was a resident of Lancaster in 1855, his relationship
to the family not stated.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 14

Susan Kuhns W'dow
of George Kuhns decd-
Bounty Land Claim under
Act of March 3d 1811.

[underlined] Additonal Evidence
Application - No 988
Page 15

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster City ss

On this 22d day of May AD 1855 personally
appeared before me, an Alderman in and for said City & State
Mrs Susan Kuhns aged 87 years who being duly sworn
according to law Says that her husband in his life often told 
her & she heard it in conversation between her husband & the 
revolutionary Soldiers, that her said husband George Kuhns was 
drafted and served in four or five tours of two months each in the
Lancaster Militia in the years 1776 & 1777.  That he stood guard
at the Lancaster barracks over the Hessian and other prisoners
that he was at the battle of Long Island & Trenton and served 
in the Flying Camp of Penna.; his Captains were Graeff, Wirtz 
& Crawford, who were Lancaster men.  That he was also employed 
in the Army as a Teamster, and drove waggons for W Showalter 
of Lan. County which was pressed in the service-

Th they are no revolutionary Soldiers now living in this County,
as for as declarant, to testify in her behalf as to her husbands
services, that Philip Meck decd, & George Leonard who were
Revolutionary Soldiers & Pensioners and knew her husband very well 
and She thinks they testified to her husband's services at the
time she made application for a United States Pension.
That she knows of no public or private record, or "Record evidence"
of her husband's services any where, and that she received a state
Pension from Penna. and also a United States pension
in right of her deceased husband George Kuhns, of
Page 16

Which the following is a true copy of the certificate now in
her possession

War Department, Revolutionary Claim
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law
of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836 Susan Kuhns of
Pennsylvania, widow of George Kuhns deceased, who was a
Private in the Revolution is entitled to receive thirty three dollars
and thirty-three cents per annum, during the time she
may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of
March 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4th
of March, and of September.

[drawing of a round seal with scalloped edges:] Seal

Given at the War Office of the
United States, this 18th day of
January one thousand eight hundred 
and forty three.
John C. Spencer, Secretary of War

examined and}
Countersigned}
J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

She makes this additional declaration as additional
evidence in support of his claim for County Land, and that it 
is the best evidence which the nature of the case admits of, 
and within the prove to give, her former application was No 488.
Susan Kuhns her mark [+]

We George S. Ball and Jacob Kuhns, residents of
Lancaster City and State of Penna. upon on oath, declare that the
foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by
Page 17

Susan Kuhns in our presence, and that we know from the
appearance and statement of the applicant, that she is the
identical person she represents herself to be, and we believe there 
is no record evidence of George Kuhns services
Jacob Kuhns
Geo. S. Ball

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed
before me on the day and year above written; and I certify
that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the
claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that
I have no interest this claim
Walter G. Evans.
Aldn
[flourish]

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County,

I Joseph Bowman Prothonotary of
the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster Co.
Penna. Certify that Walter G. Evans Esq.
is an Alderman in and for the City of 
Lancaster in the County & State aforesaid, duly
commissioned and qualified and that his
above written signature is genuine.

Given under my hand and the seal of
said Office this 23d day of May, 1855.
J. Bowman
Prothy
Page 18

[from page underneath] 812

[initials] AUF

November 30, 1927

Lillian H. Smith
Lancaster, Aneshoga Park
Pa.

Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 4473,
it appears that George Kuhns enlisted at the
Borough of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in July
1776 and served six months as a private in
Captain Graff's Company, in the "Flying Camp"
and was in the battles of Long Island and
Trenton.  In 1777 he served six months in
Captains Crawford and Wirtz's Companies, 
Colonel George Ross' Regiment, and guarded the 
prisoners at the Barracks in Lancaster.  He also
served as a teamster and hauled flour to 
Lancaster Barracks, length of service not stated.

He died January 16, 1831 at Lancaster,
Pennsylvania.

Soldier married at said Lancaster, June 23,
Page 19

1776, Susan Hubbert or Huberd.  She was allowed
pension on her application executed December 20,
1842, while a resident of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 
aged eighty-one years.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 20

[illegible] ...quest of [blank], received [blank]
[illegible] the military history of George Kuhns
[illegible] the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
[illegible] contained in [crossed his (or] his widow's) application for pen-
[illegible] file in this Bureau.  W.F. 4473

[Table Headings: 1. DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. - 
2. LENGTH OF SERVICE. - 3. RANK. - 
4. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED, CAPTAIN. COLONEL. - 
5. STATE.]

1. July 1776 - 6 Mos. - Pri. - Captain Graff, "Flying Camp" - Pen.
2. 1777 - 6 mos. - [blank - Capt. Crawford, Capt. Wirtz, Col. George Ross - [blank]
3. 
[end of table]

Battles engaged in, Ling Island and Trenton
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [illegible] listed at Lancaster Penn
Date of application for pension, by widow Aug [illegible] 1842
Residence at date of application, Lancaster Penn.
Age at date of application, Eighty-one years.
Remarks.  She [illegible] at Lancaster Penn June 23, 1776 [illegible] 
Hubbert; [illegible] died Jany 16, 1831 and [illegible]
[blank line]
[illegible] for pension in [illegible] Apl. 8, 1912

Very respectfully,
Commissioner

6-2856
Page 21

[Round time and date stamp, with numbers all around the edge to mark the time - 4:00 marked with an arrow] REC'D JAN 2 1934 MAIL SUB-DIV. [illegible 25

Department of Physics
Pasadena, California
California Institute of Technology

December 29, 1933

U. S. Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C

Dear Sirs: 
I should like to have information concerning the
Revolutionary record of George Koontz (Koons, Kuntz, or Coonce) 
[noted: only all spell]
of Germany Township, York County, Pennsylvania (now Adams County).

I find in the Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series, Vol. II,
page 659, a reference to George Koontz as on the payroll of Captain
Thomas Cheyan, August 24 and October 24, 1782.

I believe this George Koontz died in 1825, and his wife
Catharine in 1826.  I also believe his wife was Catharine Schreiber.

I should appreciate very much your sending me any information
you may have in the Revolutionary records concerning this George
Koontz, and Catharine, his wife.

Very truly yours,
Charles T. Zahn

stamped
in [illegible]
Page 22

Commissioner of Pensions: -

Dear Sir
Some time ago I wrote and
asked you for a copy of a pension
application of Susan Hubert
wife of George Kuntz (new spelling
Kuhns) but have not received
same.

This claim was made Dec 20, 
1842 and I believe the number
is 4473 mid file, Revolutionary
Page 23

war.

I am very anxious for this so
will you kindly give it your
immediate attention.

Thanking you in advance, I 
am
Very truly yours
Lillian Hisbetter Smith
Conestoga Park
Lancaster Penna
Page 24

Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:-
Will you kindly send me a
copy of the application for pension
of Susanna Kuntz, widow of 
George Kuntz, soldier in the 
Revolution.  It would be
about 1831.

Thanking you in advance
Page 25

for this courtesy.  I am
Very truly yours
Lilliam Hisbetter Smith
(Mrs. A. C.)

Conestoga Park,
Lancaster. Penna.

[circular date stamp:] Nov 12, 1927 U. S. PENSION OFFICE
Page 26

[letterhead]
[left side] CHARLES A CRAIGHEAD
[right side] EZRA M. KUHNS

[center of letterhead]
CRAIGHEAD & KUHNS
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
1020 TO 1023 REIBOLD BUILDING
DAYTON, OHIO
[end letterhead]

April 1st, 1912.

Bureau of Pensions,
Department of the Interior
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

Five or six years ago you furnished me with
a Certificate of the revolutionary services of George
Kuhns as disclosed in the application of his widow,
Susan Kuhns. I have been looking for this certificate
but fail to find it. I would like very much to have
this memoranda again, as disclosed in your files. Will
you kindly furnish me with the same?
If the files show the names of witnesses, [noted: no aw]
will you kindly give me such names?
Yours very truly,
Ezra M. Kuhns
Page 27

[noted on the left] O.W. & N.

C

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY,
DEPARTMENT OF ROMANCE LANGUAGES.
MIDDLETOWN CONN.

[partial date stamp] JUL 6 1906 O. W. & N. DIV [illegible]

July 3, 1906.

United States Pension Bureau;

Dear Sirs:
Will you kindly send
me all the information you have concerning
George Kuhns (or Kuntz) of Lancaster, 
Pa., a Revolutionary soldier in Capt. Crawford's
Company.  I should like date of birth, death,
Marriage, children, Revolutionary service, etc. He got a pension.

Yours truly
United States

Oscar Kuhns

[round date stamp] 1 JUL 5 1906  U. S. PENSION OFFICE