Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22791, George Gower, Penn.
Page 1

SERVICE
Penn
Gower, George
NUMBER
S. 22791
Page 2


Pennsylvania  11.595
==========
George Gower
of Northampton, Co in the State of Penna
who was a Pr in the Company commanded
by Captain Allison of the Regt commanded
by Col Miller in the - Pennsylvania
Militia
14. Mo Private - 46.65
==========
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
==========
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of May
and Sent to
1833 Rich Broadhead Jr. Eaton, Pa
==========
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - 93.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending of Sept 1833   23.33
$116.65
=====
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J.T. Sprague Clerk,
Book E Vol. 5  Page 21
Page 3

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Northampton  SS

On this Sixteenth Day of April in the year of our
Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three, Personally appeared in
the open Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Northampton Before
the Honorable Garrick Mallery President and John Cooper and Daniel Wagener
associates, Judges of the said Court, George Gower a resident of the Township
of Hamilton in the said County aged near Seventy four years, who being first duly
Sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Decleration 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. In the Spring of 1776 he enlisted in the Standing Army-
He enlisted at his place of Residence in Hamilton Township aforesaid, under Lieutenant 
Hamilton a recruiting officer, and was marched from there to Allentown
then in said County (now Lehigh) where he joined other forces under the command 
of Captain Allison, who was then sick. They were all intended to marched
to Philadelphia by the said Allison, But he being sick. They were marched by
the said Hamilton, when they arrived at Philadelphia they were placed un
der the command of Captain Lennox and joined the 5th Battalion, Virginia Troops
In a short time the Virginia Troops were ordered to New York, or near it, and
in a short time after their departure, his company was ordered over, when they
arrived they commenced the Building of Fort Washington, Commanded by
Col. Cadwallader.  They Built the Fort and remained in it until the morning 
of the Battle on Long Island, they were then ordered over and arrived
after the engagement was over, In that Battle his Brother John Gower fell
The Americans were defeated. This was in the Latter part of August 1776. He
thinks on the 27th WE remained on the Island until the evening in the
entrenchments, when WE silently set out for New York, the Brittish fired
at us as WE went off, WE remained in New York a short time, and were
then marched out toward Fort Washington, and encamped in a Woods, During the
encampment the City of New York was taken and shortly after it. He was taken sick
and removed to the Hospital in Jacob's Plains (as it was Called) above Fort
Washington during the time He layed in the Hospital
he understood that the Battalion to which he belonged, marched to Fort 
Washington again and were all taken prisoners. He remained in the Hospital
some time until he was sufficiently recovered to again join the Army, He
was discharged from the Hospital and joined the army in Philadelphia
and remained in it until the time for which he enlisted had expired
to wit: one year, which he solemnly swears he did serve, His Col. towit.
Cadwalader wished him to join the Army again. But he refused, came
Home, and remained home until the next fall, when he was drafted in
the Third Class Pennsylvania Militia for two months under Captain Laurence 
Kunkle marched from his place of Residence aforesaid to a place 
called the Rising Sun above Philadelphia where WE joined other forces
Page 4


under the command of Col Miller, The Brittish then had possession of the City
WE fired a fiew Cannon from the Rising Sun into the City and then retreated
Back through Germantown and Built fires into the woods near by, and then
left them and encamped in a woods close by, expecting that the Brittish would
come up. But they did not. WE remained in and about Germantown most
of the time on the left next to the River until two months had expired
when he was discharged, making the whole time which served one year
and Two months, for which service he claims a pension. He was occasionly
out to protect the Inhabitants of his neighbourhood from the Indians. But
not being bound to military duty he claims no pension therefore, That
he has no documentary evidence, and he knows of no person whose 
testimony he can procure as to his service except the testimony of Sebastian
Brong whose affidavit is herewith exhibited. He hereby relinquishes any 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 of (if any) only on
that of the agency of the State of Pennsylvania
George Gower
Sworn and Subscribed this
16th day of April AD 1833
in open Court
Wm L Sebring
Prothy

Jacob Frantz Esquire and John Fenner, Both reighbours of the above
named George Gower, Being duly sworn according to law, do depose
and say, that they are neighbours of the above named George Gower, and
have known him for a number of years last past, and well acquainted 
with him, that WE believe him to be near Seventy four years of age
that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides
to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, that they never heard it
Doubted, and that they concur in that opinion, and that there is
no Clergyman in his neighborhood who has resided in it long enough
to know him
Jacob Frantz
John Fenner
Sworn & Subscribed this 16th
16th day of April in open Court
Wm L Sebring 
Prothy
Page 5


And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the Investigation
of the matter, and after putting the Interrogations 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 Jacob
Frants Esquire and John Fenner, who have sworn and subscribed to the 
foregoing affidavit, are neighbor of the said applicant, and men of high 
standing and credibility and that their statements are entitled to Credit, and
that they speak without hesitation as to their belieffe
Garrick Mallery
Prst Judge
Jno Cooper
Daniel Wagener 
Judge C.C. P. &c
Northhm. County


I William L Sebring Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the
County of Northampton, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of George Gower for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
Hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at
Easton in the County of Northampton & Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania this Sixteenth Day of April in the
year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Thirty three
Wm L Sebring Prothy
Page 6


No. 24912
George Gower Northampton
County Pennsylvania

Aom @
14 months
$46.6
Richd Brodhead Jr. Easton Penn
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, showing the service Judge Gower Northampton County
Pennsylvania
==========
- Period when the
service was
rendered.
enlisted 1776
drafted 1777
- Duration of the
claimant's service.
1 year
2 months
- Rank of
the
claimant.
private
private
- Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Col. Cadwallader
Cap Allison, Captain
 Lennox
Cap Kunkle Colonel
Miller
- Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
74 years
County of
Northampton
Pennsylvania
- Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence, witnesses
certified credible, no clergiman named
& no reason given. One living
witness certified credible
papers correct-

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 8

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 claim- ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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, District or County of
On this ---day of---personally appeared (a) before 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) served in the --- (e) regiment of the -- line, under the following 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 of 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 price of the said Court in the matter of the application of ------ In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this & 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 days 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
Page 9

3 

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal 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 Millitia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. To a soldier. Did you 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 unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper 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 are 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 is determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant that, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following were 
" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Pease, A. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear expressively 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, in the following grades: ___ For ___ year ___months and ___ days, I served as a ____. For ____ 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 she 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 seat 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 parties are respecting the service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant serves; the duration of each term of engagement & the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embedded corps called late service he component authority; that he was after in the fall or garrison; and for the time the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
(f)The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
(g) The opinion of the court is always required. 
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
(i) The Clerk must afix his seal, and if it was no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished 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 carrying outer, 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 their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of leaving the same, as well as the regiments, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses names, 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 is 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.
Page 10


August 8, 1938.
BA-J/ILL
George Gower
S. 22791

Miss Irene M. Gower
1834 Hamilton Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of John George Gower, called George Gower,
of Hamilton Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, who received
a pension.

The data which follow are found in the papers on file in
pension claim, S. 22791, based upon service of George Gower in the
Revolutionary War. His name is not shown John George Gower in this
claim,

George Gower was a resident of Hamilton Township, Northampton
County, Pennsylvania, at the time of the Revolutionary War.

He enlisted there in the spring of 1776, served as a private
in Captain Allison's company, later commanded by Lieutenant Hamilton,
and in Captain Lennox's company, Colonel Cadwalader's Pennsylvania
regiment, marched first to Allentown, later to /Fort Washington/ and N.Y. State
assisted in building Fort Washington, was at Long Island Just after
the battle there, in which engagement his brother, John Gower, fell;  he
was later at Fort Washington and was confined by sickness in a hospital
there at the time that fort was taken, after his recovery rejoined
his regiment at Philadelphia, and was discharged at the expiration of
service of one year. He returned to Hamilton Township, Pennsylvania.

He enlisted there the next fall and served two months as private in
Captain Laurence Kunkle's company, Colonel Miller's Pennsylvania regiment, 
a part of the time stationed at Rising Sun, from which place
they fired on the enemy, then in possession of Philadelphia. He
was called out later on alarms to protect the inhabitants from the
Indians, length of this service not stated.

George Gower was allowed pension on his application executed

NOTE:
Pa. Arch. Vol 2 
Capt. David
Lennox, Col
Lambert Cadwalader
OK
Page 11


April 16, 1833, at which time he resided in Hamilton Township,
Northampton County, Pennsylvania. The soldier made no reference
to wife or children. He gave his age then as seventy-four years, date
and place of birth not given.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of
person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner,
you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting
Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
George Gower
Certificate #11595
Issued May 23, 1833
Rate $46.66 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


7/19/38

Dear Sir

Would like to know if you
have any data on John George
Gower, somtimes called George
Gouer of Northampton County
Hamilton Twp. Penna.

He was a pension Vet of the
Revolutionary War.  He was born
in 1752 died 1826, and according to
a brief record in Penna
Archieve he was a Navalman
that is the only thing I have
regards to his record.

What I would like to
know is "Where is he buried,
and what ship did he serve
on?
Page 13


Any information  will
be greatly appreciated

Thanking you in advance
I am
Your Truly
Mrs Irene M. Gower
1834 Hamilton St
Allentown Pa.
Page 14


Revolution
22791
INVALID.
-----
22791
George Gower
Pri Rev War
-----
Act: June 7th 32
Index: Vol. 2  Page 157

1938. Aug 8. Hist. to Miss Irene
Gower.  ILL
Page 15


Pennsylvania
Northampton County ss

Sebastian Brong of the Town
Ship of Chesnut Hill in the County of Nrthampton aforesaid
aged Seventy five years or thereabouts, appeared before the
Subscriber one of the Justices of the peace of said County
and being well known to me as a man of credit and
veracity, was duly sworn according to law and did
depose and say that well knows that George Gower
Now of Hamilton Township in the said County enlisted
in the army of the Revolution, with Sergeant Hamilton, 
in the spring of the year 1776 for one year
That he went off with the troops and was absent
for one year and upwards and was reputed and
believed in the neighborhood and Deponent has
no doubt of the fact, that he served his country
faithfully during the period of his Enlistment
Sebaston Brong
Sworen and subscribed on the Twenty Seventh day
of Febuary A D 1833 at Chesnuthill township
before me
C H Heaney

Northampton County ss
I William S Sebring Prothonotary of the Court of
Commonpleas of the County aforesaid do testify that
Charles H Heaney before whom the above acknowledge
mention made & taken was at the time thereof ///// an acting justice of the
peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified to act as such
that full faith are due to all his official acts as such & that 
the name thereto subscribed is in his own //// and writing.
Given under my hand & the Seal of said Count of Easton the
16thday of April AD 1833
Wm L Sebring Prothy