Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22460, for Frederick Reed, Pennsylvania
Page 1

Penn
Reed, Frederick
S 22460
Page 2

11581   11, 581
Pennsylvania
Frederick Reed 
of Franklin Co. in the state of Pennsylvania
who was a [illegible] in the company commanded
by Captain Sherman of the regt commanded 
by Col. Shafton in the Penn 
militia
6 mo private - $20.
Inscribed on the roll of Penn
at the rate of 20 dollars per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of May 1833 and sent to Frederick Smith, [illegible].
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.
Semi  anl allowance ending 4 Sept  $10.
$50.

{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by J P Sprague
Book 6, Vol 5, Page 48

Let to P agt and T J Crandford, [illegible]
1837
Letter to Hon J Cooper of 3 [illegible]
3rd Sep 1841

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838, from 4th Sep 1839 to 4th Sep 1840.  Agt notified 23 Sep 1841.
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania
Franklin county ss.

On the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me the subscriber William McKesson being one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Franklin and state of Pennsylvania (the same court being a court of record) Frederick Reed 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.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.  That he was born in the Township of Tulpehocken in the county of Berks Pennsylvania in the  year 1760, That he has no record of his age  That he lived with his father in said township when he was called into the service of his country.  That he was drafted in the militia in the year 1776 while living with his father as above stated in the company of Captain Sherman for the period of three months - we were taken to Reading and drew our muskets to them - Then we were taken to Trenton - That he served out the full time for which he was drafted - That they were not at Trenton all the time but were taken to the North River - That he got a discharge from his captain and was paid in Continental money - his discharge has long since been lost.  That at the time of the battle of Trenton they were about one mile from Trenton on their way there but when he arrived the battle was over and the Hessians were taken - That about six or seven months after he returned home he was again drafted in the militia for the period of three months under Captain Shaffner  This was in the year 1777 - We were taken to Reading as before and drew our muskets - from there we were taken to Pottsgrove and to Brandywine - That they were in the battle of Brandywine in the month of September 1777 but not actually engaged in it as the militia were kept in the rear, and that they were nearly a mile in the rear - That he served out the full term for which he was drafted being three months - That he was discharged but his discharge has long since been lost.
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that he served the full period of six months in militia, as above stated, in the Revolutionary War. That he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.  That he names Richard Morrow, Esq., clerk of the court of quarter sessions of Franklin County, Penna. and John Shoemaker, in his present neighborhood, who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 

That he lived in the place where he was drafted as above stated for three years after the war was over, and that he then removed to Letterkenny Township in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, where he has resided ever since. 

That there is no clergyman in the vicinity where he lives who knows him and who could certify for him.  That by reason of bodily infirmity, he is unable to attend at court at Chambersburg, a distance of ten miles from where he lives, for the purpose of making this application.  That 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 and that he draws no pension of any kind.
Signed:  Frederick Reed

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me.
Signed:  William McKesson

We, the subscribers residing in the county of Franklin, Pennsylvania, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Frederick Reed, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-three 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.
Signed:  Richard Morrow, John Shoemaker
Signed:  William McKesson
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I, William McKesson, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, Penna (the same being a court of record) do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant, Frederick Reed, was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And I do hereby certify that it appears to me that Richard Morrow, Esq., clerk of the court of quarter sessions of said county, and John Shoemaker, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the same county of Franklin, Penna. and are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit.  And I further certify that Frederick Reed, the above applicant, from bodily infirmity, is unable to appear in court in Chambersburg for the purpose of making his application and that no clergyman resides in his neighborhood who can certify to his services.
Given under my hand and seal at Roxbury in Franklin County aforesaid this 1st of May 1833.
Signed:  William McKesson {seal}

I, John Flanagan, prothonotary and clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Franklin and state of Pennsylvania (the same being a court of record) do hereby certify that William McKesson, before whom the above proceedings on the application of Frederick Reed for a pension, were had, is one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, duly appointed, commissioned and acting as such, that the said court is a court of record and that the signatures to the above proceedings annexed are genuine signatures of the said William McKesson.
Witness my hand and the seal of the said court the second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Signed:  John Flanagan, Prothy.
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No 24.810
Frederick Reed
Franklin Co - 
Pennsylvania - 

Admitted 
6 months
$20.00

Frederick Smith
Chambersburg
Franklin Co - 
Penna
Page 7

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,

183

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, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Frederick Reed Franklin Pensylvania [Pennsylvania]
Period when the service was rendered.
October 1776
Drafted 1777
Sept 77

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.   Months.   Days.
                   3

                   3
Rank of the claimant.
Private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Capt Shearman
Capt Shapton

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
73 years
Berks County Pennsylvania

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditional Evidence

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2

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 } ss.
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 persons 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principle 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?
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 are required to submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a 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 the services 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 to 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, be 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 _____ year, _____ 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 three or 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 indispenable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] the clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can distinguish
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 line 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.
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] This 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.
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February 27, 1937

Frederick Reed
S. 22460
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. James R. Kyle
3809 Peakland Place
Lynchburg, Virginia
Dear Madam:

The data which follow were obtained from
papers on file in pension claim, S. 22460, based
upon the service of Frederick Reed in the War of the Revolution.
Frederick Reed was born in the year 1760
in the Township of Tulpehocken, Berks County,
Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given.
He was living in said township with his father,
when he enlisted in the year 1776 and served three months in Captain Sherman's Pennsylvania company, they
were about one mile from Trenton at the time of the battle there. He enlisted in the year 1777, served three months in Captain Shaffner's Pennsylvania
company, was at the battle of Brandywine, but not actively engaged in the battle.
He moved to Letterkenny Township, Franklin
County, Pennsylvania, about three years after the Revolution. He was allowed pension on his application
executed May 1, 1833, then living in Letterkenny Township.
The papers in this claim contain no reference
to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of
Page 11

pension, name and address of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you
should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and give the following-
Frederick Reed
Certificate #11581
Issued May 27, 1833
Rate $20.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 12

22460
3-068
(Old No. 3-649.)             6-20
Frederick Reed
__________________________
May 1, 1833 - 73
Franklin Co., Pa.
___________________________
Born 1760 Tulpehocken Twp, Berks Co., Pa.
___________________________
'76. Berks Co. Pa. 
Capt. Sherman
Col.  -
Pvt. 3 mos.
_____________________________
77 Captain Shaffner
Col. -
Pvt. 3 mos.
______________________________
Thos. Post
Page 13

Revolution

22460
INVALID.

File No. 22,460
Frederick Reed
Pri   Rev War

Act:  June 7" 32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 335

[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 8, 1905, Hist
Mrs. M. K. Hurley
Bedford City Pa

1932 - July 14 - list to
Vera P. Speck  [illegible]

1934 - Oct. 5 - list to Mrs C. Hollis Hull [illegible]

1937 - Feb 27 - list to Mrs. James R. Kyle - See her letter in John Wertz S-22590 [illegible]
Page 14

Chambersburg, Penna. May 3rd, 1833.

Sir,

    Enclosed is the application of Frederick Reed of this county for a pension.  I presume it is made in conformity with the prescribed regulations under the act of Congress - If any thing in relation to ir may be deficient it may be sufficed.  You may send the certificate to me or to T.H. Crawford Esq. our member of Congress - I know the applicant - He is a man of good character and worthy of belief - He is certainly well entitled to a pension under the law.
    If you think it necessary to know anything of me please inquire of M. H. C. Clarke Esq. with whom I am well acquainted.

J. L. Edwards Esq.                       Yours
                                                     //s//
                                               Fredk Smith.
Page 15

February 27, 1937

BA-J/AWF

Mrs. James R. Kyle
3809 Peakland Place
Lynchburg, Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to John Wertz, Casper Read, Frederick Read, and Michael Read, soldiers of the Revolutionary War from Pennsylvania.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this
office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land, which have been made to the United States, based upon service in that war.

A search of the records fails to show such
claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of either Casper or Michael Read, under any spelling of the surname.

The Revolutionary War records of Frederick
Reed and John Wertz are furnished herewith, as found in claims for pension.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

see letter in John Wertz
S 22590
Page 16

October 5, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Frederick Reed - S.32480
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. C. Hollis Hull
1716 Indiana Avenue
Connersville, Indiana

Dear Madam:

    Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Frederick Reed of Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

    The date furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.22460, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Frederick Reed.

    He was born in the year 1760 in the Township of Tulpehocken, Berks County, Pennsylvania, names of his parents not given.

    He was living in said township with his father, when he enlisted in 1776 and served three months in Captain Sherman's Pennsylvania company, they were about one mile from Trenton at the time of the battle there.  He enlisted in 1777, served three months in Captain Shaffner's Pennsylvania Company, was at the battle of Brandywine, but not actively engaged in the battle.

    He moved to Letterkenny Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, about three years after the Revolution.

    He was allowed pension on his application executed May 1, 1833, then living in said Franklin County.

    There are no data in this claim concerning wife or children.

                                        Very truly yours

                                   A.D. Hiller,
                                Assistant to Administrator
Page 17

July 14, 1932
BA-J/AWF
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Frederick Reed
S. 22460

Vera P. Speck
53 West 91st Street
New York City
Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to Frederick
Reed of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data contained herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, S. 22460, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Frederick Reed.
He was born in 1760 in Tulpehocken Township,
Berks County, Pennsylvania.
He was living in said township with his father,
whose his name is not given, when he enlisted in 1776
and served three months in Captain Sherman's Pennsylvania company, they were about one mile from Trenton
at the time of the battle there. He enlisted in 1777 and served three months in Captain Shaffner's Pennsylvania
company, was at the battle of Brandywine, but
not actively engaged in the battle.
About three years after the Revolution he moved to Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 1, 1833, then a resident of said Franklin County.
There are no data relative to his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 18

Mrs. C. Hollis Kull
L7L Indiana Ave.,
Connersville, Ind.

Pension Commisioner,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,

    I have been advised that in your office you have the record of the Pension of Frederick Reed, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania.  He gave his age at the time of application in 1833 as 75 years.  He served in the Pennsylvania Militia, War of the Revolution.  Would you kindly send me all information you may have as to this pension and any other records concerning his family, which may have been filed with the pension.

    Thanking you in advance for your trouble, I am                            Sincerely yours,
                                      //s//
                           Harriet Foltz 
                          (Mrs. C. Nallis)

(Date stamp)
RECEIVED
SEP 15,1934
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM.
READER #4
Page 19

53 West 91st St.,
New York City,
June 4, 1932

Revolutionary War Dept.
Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.

Re: - Frederick Reed or William Reed or Wm. Frederick Reed.  5-18-1759-1847 Franklin Co. Penna.

Dear Sirs: - 

Because of fire, records have been destroyed which are very much needed for correct dates on markers to be erected in a family plot, which has been much neglected.

There was a William Reed (a Frederick or Wm. Frederick Reed) in the Continental Army, - a division from Central Pennsylvania.  It is not clear whether he enlisted in Berks County or in Franklin County, - both covering large areas in those days.  He was captured in Battle of Trenton by the Hessians who sold or bound their prisoners to the Pennsylvania Dutch, many of whom were from Hesse, Germany.  The dates that I have are 5-18-59 as Birth date and 1847 as death date.  My grandmother could not remember his receiving a pension; but it is quite likely he would not receive one if he was sold as captive, and later ran away.  There may be no Discharge record either.
Page 20

53 West 91st St.,
New York City,
June 4, 1932

Revolutionary War Dept.
Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.

Re: - Frederick Reed or William Reed or Wm. Frederick Reed. 5-18-1759-1847 Franklin Co. Penna.

Dear Sirs: -

Because of fire, records have been destroyed which are very much needed for correct dates on markers to be erected in a family plot, which has been much neglected.

There was a William Reed (a Frederick or Wm. Frederick Reed) in the Continental Army, - a division from Central Pennsylvania. It is not clear whether he enlisted in Berks County or in Franklin County, - both covering large areas in those days. He was captured in Battle of Trenton by the Hessians who sold or bound their prisoners to the Pennsylvania Dutch, many of whom were from Hesse, Germany. The dates that I have are 5-18-59 as Birth date and 1847 as death date. My grandmother could not remember his receiving a pension; but it is quite likely he would not receive one if he was sold as captive, and later ran away. There may be no Discharge record either.
Page 21

If he received a pension no doubt his wife's name, Elizabeth (Dice) Reed would be on the record.  Her dates are 9-5-1760 to 1844.  Also spelled "Deis" & "Teisg", - perhaps Dutch.

Please give me any information that can be had, as it is quite important in straightening up family records.  All the older folks are gone, and it seems almost impossible to get records, altho the stories continue.

Also any information about Benjamin Reed (4-17-1727) - Death date unknown - Wife Barbara Grove Reed - 11-5-1730 - Death date unknown.

I think this is one generation too far back, as he would have been 49 at the time of the Revolution.  The other man, Wm. or Frederick or Wm Frederick Reed would have been 17.  There is no doubt of his having served, - as my grandmother, and one or two of her brothers told the same story, to their grandchildren in different states entirely, - Pennsylvania and Illinois - before attempts were made to verify statements."

Any information will be appreciated more than can be expressed, by at least twenty descendants of the 4th & 5th generations.

Yours very truly,
Vera P. Speck

N. B.
Information re: Benjamin requested before but reply stated that "Revolutionary files do not afford any information," - therefore conclusion that the son was the soldier.
Page 22

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
September 7yh, 1841.

Sir:

   Under the act of 6th April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the treasury of the United States, "Frederick Reed - a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of twenty dollars per annum, under the law of 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1839 to the 4th Sept. 1840.

Respectfully yours,
//s//
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.