Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12771, Peter Diffenderffer, Md. Penn.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE: Md., Penn.
Diffenderffer, Peter 
NUMBER: S.12771
Carded

CONTENTS: (Empty)
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Reported by agent see letter
Maryland 32,081
Peter Diffenderffer, deceased of Baltimore in the State of Maryland who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Francisco of the Regt. commanded by General Potter in the Penn line for 1 year. Payable to Elizabeth Horton, Maria Diffenderffer, Ann Hall, John A Diffenderffer & Catharine Bruner, children of said dec’d.
Pa. and Md. Nov. 18/05 [date questionable]. Records completed S.

Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at the rate of 40 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. & ending 10th February 1842, when he died.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of October 1843 and sent to John Hough 
York, Penn.

Arrears to the 4th of Semi-ans. allowance ending [blank]
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by DBrown -- Clerk
Book E. 2, Vol. 5. Page 99
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State of Maryland
Baltimore City Court

On this 8th day of May eighteen hundred and thirty seven Personally appeared in open court, [crossed out]
Now sitting -- Peter Diffenderffer of the city of Baltimore in the State aforesaid, being known to the court as a person entitled to credit -- Aged about 79 years-- Who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed June 7th in the year eighteen hundred and thirty two: Viz: That at a very early period of the Revolutionary War, antecedently to the declaration of Independence he was employed in the Service of the United States with the Militia of Lancaster County Pennsylvania:

That in the year 1776 he was drafted in the Flying Camp as a Soldier for the term of six months, which he served by a hired substitute. After which, he was appointed and served during two months as first Lieutenant in a company of drafted militia, commanded by Captain George Francisco, in the army under General Potter, near Darby, and joined the right wing of Gen’l. Washingtons Army, under Genl. Irving at Vally [Valley] Forge in the latter part of the year 1777. He afterwards returned to Lancaster, and served as a
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a Private in the Militia, in guarding Prisoners and performing other duties until the latter part of the year 1778. When he came to the city of Baltimore, and joined Captain Graybells company of acting militia -- in which he served till the close of the War, a part of which time he was employed in guarding the Prisoners at Frederick Town, Maryland who had been taken with Cornwallis' Army.
And 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 any agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed by the deponent on the day and year first within written
[signed] Peter Diffenderffer

And the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.

[signed] N. Brice Chief Judge
of Baltimore City Court

State of Maryland
Baltimore City Act

I hereby certify that the Honourable Nicholas Brice before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and by whom the above certificate was given was at the time of so doing and still is Chief Judge of
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of Baltimore City Court duly commissioned and qualified to all whose acts as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in courts of Justice as the court

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this Eighth day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty [illeg.]

[signed] Wm Medcalfe [illeg.]
Bal. City Court
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State of Maryland
City of Baltimore

Personally appeared before me the subscriber Chrof, Judge of the Baltimore City Court office City of Baltimore, John [illegible] Diffendaffer Who being duly sworn according to Law says That Peter Diffendaffer during his lifetime applied for a pension under the Act of June 1832 as an Officer in the Revolutionary war and that his Father Peter Diffendaffer died February 10 1842 leaving this deponent Elizabeth Horton, Maria Diffendaffer, Ann Hall, John[illegible] Diffendaffer and Cathrine Bruner, his only Children and heirs That they now apply for the pension due as the heirs under the Act of 9th June 1832. We would refer to the proof on file in the pension office already exhibited.
Sworn to and Subscribed this 3th day of February 1843  John A Diffindaffer

illegible signature
State of Maryland
Baltimore City Ss

Personally appeared before me the Subscriber Chief Judge of the Baltimore City Court in the State of Maryland 
[illegible initial]A. Schoolfield, who being duly sworn, resident of the City of Baltimore died on the 10 day of February AD 1842 That
Elizabeth Horton, Maria Diffendaffer Ann Hall John A. Diffendaffer Cathrine Bruner are his only children and heirs before me Morrice, Chief Judge Balk City Court
I do hereby Certify that S.A. Schoolfields is why [truncated] a Credible [truncated] and that I believe his statement to be true and that in my opinion that Elizabeth Horton Maria Diffendaffer Ann Hall John A. Diffendaffer Cathrine Bruner are the Children and heirs of Peter Diffendaffer [truncated] 
[illegible] my hand this 3 day of July 1843 
[judge's signature illegible and truncated]
Judge Balt[truncated]
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State of Maryland Baltimore City Ct.
I hereby certify that the Hon'ble Nicholas Brice before whom the within depositions were made who hath thereto subscribed his name mark at the time of subscribing the [illeg.] and still is Chief Judge of Baltimore City Court, duly [illegible] and qualified and that full faith and credit are due [illegible] to be given to all his official acts of such, as well in courts of Justice as thereof.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name affixed the seal of my office this third day of February in the year Eighteen hundred and forty three,

[signed]
Wm M Medcalfe of Balto City Court

[bottom of paper]
Peter Diffenderffer
Maryland
Act June [illeg.]

Wm. Allison
Feb. 9 - 43
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Know all men by this presents that I John A. Diffenderffer of the City of Baltimore do hereby make constitute and approval William s. Allinson my true and lawfull [lawful] attorney for me and in my Name and in the names of the heirs of Peter Diffenderffer dec'd [deceased]. Obtain from the Secretary of War of the U. States a pension certificate for the arears of Pension due us for the services of our late brother an officer of The Revolutionary war and do [illeg.] not and thing in the Law needful and necessary to be done is and about the fore[illeg.] all of which we will ratify & confirm the same as our own act & deed
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal this 7th day of Feby[February] 1843
[signed] C.A Hall
[signed] John A. Diffenderffer [Seal]
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[Handwritten in upper left hand corner] Rev War
12,771
INVALID
File No. 12,771
Peter Diffenderffer
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:- [blank], Page [blank
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Pension Office
October 13 - 1843
Act.g. Comm. of Pernsions

Refers in the [illeg.] of George Reinecker and Peter Deffenderffer

In Peter Diffenderffer's case the widows with unsupportive classes for a pension and wants this much a day as a pension for a sum of twelve issue may and the pension will be so granted
[signed] J.M. Porter
War Dept. Oct. 13. 1843
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Pension Office
October 13, 1843

Sir,
I have the honor to lay before you the cases of George Reinicker, dec, and Peter Diffenderffer upon which Mr. Hough has taken an appeal, upon the ground that the testimony addressed in each case is sufficient to establish it.

The letter to Mr. Allison of 17th March last furnishes the decision from which the appeal is taken in George Reinicker's case. To that letter I would further add, that it is an established rule of the Department to require record, or documentary, evidence of the rank of a Commissioned Officer; and in this case the only document is Captain Hope's letter addressed to him as a Lieutenant recruiting, while his name is not borne on any pay, or muster Rolls of the Pennsylvania Line. Upon these exhibits a claim of three hundred and twenty dollars per annum from 4 march 1831 to the day of his death is asserted.

In the case of Peter Diffenderffer the same objection as to the evidence, or rather absence of necessary evidence, of the grade of Lieutenant in a portion of his service, to which is aware the further objection that the papers do no not affirm that specification and detail of the length and grade of each time of service which
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is required by the rules, and indisputably necessary to adjudicate a pro rata pension understandingly.

I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Your Servant,
G. Wm. Crump

[Bottom Left Corner}
Hon James M Porter
Secretary of War
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G.W. Crump Esq
Acting Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
D. C.

[postmark] Oct. 24. 1843
GCrump
single
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York Oct. 23rd, 1843
Dear Sir
When I left you on the 14th last, you told me, that the certificates of the Heirs of George Reinicker & the Heirs of Peter Diffenderffer (whose pensions had been allowed) would probably be forwarded, on the Tuesday following, which would have been 17th. but that they would certainly be made out once forwarded to me at York Pension, in the following week, which was last week, not having seen them, I am fearful they may have been miscarried, will you be so kind, as to inform me what are the facts, and if they have not yet been forwarded do me the favor to forward them

Very Respectfully
[signed] John Hough

[signed] G. W. Crump Esq
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I have been acquainted with Peter Diffenderffer for more than fifty years and have known that he has [illeg.] _______________ Lancaster's [illeg.] often one of our most respectable citizens. He has served his country prior to his becoming a citizen of Balt.. and had done duty under my command as a militia man.

[signed] S. Smith L.T.
Major General Militia
Baltimore, 6th April 1837
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Pension Office
Sep. 22. 1863

Comm. of Pensions
Respecting the claims of John Burk, Peter Derfenderffer, and George Reinecker
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Pension Office,
September 22, 1863

Sir,
In the case of John Burk, Peter Diffenderffer, dec? and George Reinecker, dec? the evidence of service is not sufficient to establish their claims. The papers are herewith enclosed; and I respectfully request a return of them. My letters of the 17th of March and 26th of April last to W.M.S. Allison, copies of which are herewith enclosed, will shew what particular objections exist. The affidavit of Michael Lingenfelter, deposited in this office this morning by W. Hough in the case of Diffendaffer, or Diffenderfer, is not sufficient to remove the objection, in that case. The children should produce record or documentary evidence of his having been commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Maryland Militia, and such a specification of his service as the rules require, should be produced.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, 
Your [Obit.?] Servt.
J.L. Edwards

Hon. James M. Porter,
Secretary of War.
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Diffenderffer May 26, 1842
[postmark, illeg.]
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Baltimore January 25 1842
Sir,
On or about three years since I employed an agent to obtain me a pension whose name was Yeardley [?] who is now dead. Will you have the goodness to inform me whether you have my declaration in your office and other documents in support of my claim to a pension, and if so inform me what is your objection to granting me the pension as it has been a long time since the papers were sent to you. I hope you will write me soon without any further delay. I am now 82 years and hope you will not fail to answer my letter as soon as you conveniently can and oblige your humble servant
[signed] Peter Diffenderffer

Butler Street 23 N.
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[lower bottom center]

John Hough Esq
York
Pa.
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State of Pennsylvania}
York County}                 [illegible]

Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Michael Lingenfelter, Aged [illegible] years, who being by me duly sworn according to Law, Saith that he was well acquainted with Diffendaffer during the years 1781 and 1782 and knew him to be a Lieutenant in the Maryland Malitia and knew him to be in the actual service of the United States two months at Frederic [Frederick] Town in the State of Mayland, To Guard watch and keep secure the British prisoners station at that place.  Deponent was there engaged himself in marching and Guarding the different Prisoners of War that were sent from Lancaster and York to that place for safe Keeping during the years 1781 and 1782 and knows that Peter Diffendaffer was a Lieutenant and served as such for two months at that place in the year 1782 and further saith not

Sworn to [and] subscribed this fourteenth day of September Anno Somini 1843 before me
John A Wilson
Justice of the Peace

             his
Michael  X Lingenfelter
            mark
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Balto. County SS.
I John A Wilson a Justice of the Peace in for the said County before whom the written deposition was taken do hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with Michael Lingenfelter whom I believe to be eighty years old that he is a man of veracity and entitled to full credit on his oath or otherwise, that I have carefully examined him on his oath relative to his knowledge concerning the services of Lieutenant Diffendaffer and do believe his statement to be true. 

In [illeg.] whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 14th day of September [illeg.] 1843

[signed] John A. Wilson [seal]
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Pennsylvania
York County, Jct:

I, William Ilgonfritz, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, certify, that John A. Wilson, Esquire, before whom the forgoing deposition was taken is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that the forgoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have here-to-set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this 14 September 1843
[signed] W. Ilgonfritz, Prothy.
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34099
Peter Diffenderffer dec.
Maryland
Oct 7 - June '32
admd. by Secy.
12 mo pri
______
40$
to Elizabeth Horton
Maria Diffenderfer
Ann Hall
John A. Diffenderfer &
Catharine Bruner
only surviving children from 4 March 31 to 
10 Feby '42 the day of his death

[signed] John Hough Esq
York Pa
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State of Maryland City of Baltimore S.S.

On this 28th day of April in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the city aforesaid personally appeared Adam Bose aged about eighty years, a resident of Said City, he being known to me as a person entitled to full credit and made oath on the holy Evangely of Almighty God, that he was acquainted with Peter Diffenderffer (now a resident of the Said city of Baltimore) in Lancaster, State of Pennsylvania in the time of the Revolutionary War. That he knew him the said Diffenderffer as a Lieutenant under Captain George Franciscus in a company of Drafted Militia in the Service of the United States in the year 1777 during a period of at least two months:  That the Said Peter Diffenderffer was in actual Service, as a private in the State of Pennsylvania Militia in the United States Service at different periods in the War of the Revolution in all amounting to a term of at least twelve months. And that he served for a short time in the year 1782 in guarding the British Prisoners at Frederick Town Maryland.

Sworn before
[signed] Robt Dulton
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State of Maryland
Baltimore County [illeg]
I hereby certify that Robert Dulton gentleman before whom the within deposition was made and who hath [illeg.] subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of Baltimore Country Court this tenth day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty seven

[signed] Thos. Kell CW
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and by these present that I John A. Diffenderffer of the city of Baltimore and state of Maryland do hereby make [illegible] and in the presence have made, constituted and appointed George [illegible] in the county of York state of Pennsylvania my lawful attorney for me and in my name and on the [illegible] law of Peter Diffenderffer dec'd, [illegible] and [illegible] of the Secretary of war of the United States a pension certificate for the services rendered by him or for {illegible] during the Revolutionary was in and more fully appears by his declaration now on file in the Pension office together with proof of his services [illegible] uno Mr. [illegible] by these present full power to authorize to your said pension for [illegible] containing the amount of his service as aforesaid and the [illegible] be done in and about the premises  as full and large by said [illegible] I could do were I personally present and that I hereby revoke all former powers of Attorney given by me, whatsoever and do hereby [illegible] said attorney shall or may lawfully do in [illegible] I will ratify and confirm the same on my word and deed. In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21 day of September AD 1843.

John A Diffenderffer

Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of John A Diffenderffer

State of Maryland City of Baltimore
On this 21 day of September 1843 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said city personally appeared John A Diffenderffer who signed the above Power of Attorney and acknowledge is the same to be his act and deed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name on the day and year aforesaid. 

Wm A Schaffer
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State of Maryland
Baltimore County
I hereby Certify that William A Schaffer Gentleman before whom the aforegoing affidavit was made, and who has thereto signed his name, was at the time of so doing, one of the Justices of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in work for the city of Baltimore duly commissioned and from:
In Testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of Baltimore County Court on this 21st day of September 1843

[signed] Thos Kell Clk of Balto County