Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 21856, for Jacob Strayer, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(8-1776)
Service
Penn.     
Strayer, Jacob
Number: R 21856
Page 2

State of Virginia
Rockingham County 
On this 15th day of October 1832. personally appeared in open court before Daniel Mathews, George Clark, Jacob Hausbarger and John  H. Campbell.  Gentleman Justices the court of Rockingham County main sitting.  Jacob Strayer sent a resident of the said County of Rockingham and State of Virginia, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth (scratched out) and his oath, make the following Declaration in order to attain 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 to [illegible].  That sometime in the month of June in the year 1776 as he reenlisted, (scratched out) he entered the service of the United States as a second Lieutenant and volunteer for six months the company to which he was attached belonged and in which he held the commission and command of second Lieutenant in the service as afore said war command Captain Gerard Graves.  Christopher Coffman first Lieutenant himself second Lieutenant and [illegible] Stewart ensign that [illegible] the company were marched from Dover Township, York County Pennsylvania to the city of Philadelphia where he received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant as aforesaid. That the company in which he held the command aforesaid  [illegible] Banicky in the City of Philadelphia for several weeks and that those of them who had not drawn or received army [illegible] at Little York PA received them in Philadelphia [illegible] the said company was then transported in a sloop to Trenton New Jersey where they arrived on the second day after this [illegible] early in the morning and on the same day marched to Princeton where they remained one day and two night and marched there by way of Brunswick to Amboy, where they lay several weeks and them through Newark and Elizabethtown to the city of New York and remained there one night, and the next day joined the Regiment to which they were attacked about  two miles from the city on the Monday folllowing they escaped over to Long Island and encamped about a mile from where they landed on the island they had not been long there before they were attached by the British under the Regiment to which he belonged and in which he held the commission and command aforesaid (scratched out) were immediately ordered around under Army land continued under arms all nights although the British firing did not continue more then one of them from [illegible] [illegible] as aforesaid and only with small arms during that time.
Page 3

the next morning about day light the British maneuvered the attack on Battle with and brought their artillery into the field.  the Regiment to which he was attacked [illegible] toward the Yellow Mill. The British artillery [illegible] on them, they succeed in [illegible] the stream along the mill and pursuing a Gully or small ravine they succeed in marching or reaching the top of a ridge where the regiment formed in line and the Maryland [illegible]  came into action with the British in advance of the Regiment and this regiment were ordered to join and support enforce and other Regiment stationed near the Yellow Mill we had not proceed far before the fire became general all along the line, and this Regiment being much exposed and suffering greatly from the enemy fire commanded retreat and was thrown into confusion so much so that the officer found it impossible to rally them and while in their situation the enemies fire and dreadful havoc amongst this Regiment so much so that at least three fourths of this regiment was either killed or wounded as he believes and he will know that there were only fifteen men out of the seventy five volunteers which composed of the company in which he held the command aforesaid left [illegible]. [illegible] with three other American Officers and three privates to fort Odell Gates or to the fort at Odell gates where the [illegible] the River and returned to there former encampment where he first [illegible] the Regiment about two miles from the City of New York from which place the few off said  were  marched by Lieutenant Coffman to Elizabethtown were fourteen of the of their company got together and the remained there some weeks during which time Odell said stranger was taken sick and remained so and so ill that the surgeon physician that there was no hopes of his recovering so as to be able to render any service in camp during the remainder of that fall, it was then late in the fall, or the ensuring winter and that he had better as soon as he could stand a removal make arrangements with his friends to take him home after some time he became satisfied that he must adapt that course and [illegible] by availing himself of such means as he could [illegible] and the state of his health and great weakness from his long illness would permit him to use and as rapidly or under the circumstances and at that season of the year he could be conveyed [illegible] home.  He was between first and six weeks from the time he left Elizabethtown as aforesaid until he reached his home in [illegible] County State of Pennsylvania on his [illegible] health in the spring following he was elected commissioned first lieutenant in a company of Militia for six year in York Count Pennsylvania which company [illegible] to the absence of the Captain he mastered generally for six year subsequent to the aforesaid tour of duty as a volunteer and
Page 4

Second Lieutenant as aforesaid, he regrets that whenever lots were drawn for the s. battalions that should go into the service of the United States with the drafted militia during the Revolutionary War he always drew blanks.  [illegible] served as herein before stated nearly the whole of the six months in actual services in the Bareilly camp and filed and the remainder of the time subject to the command of those placed over him in the service, and ever ready and willing so far as the state of his health would permit to render every or any service required of him by the officers of the United States in whose service he year and continued to consider himself until the expirations  of the six months from the time he entered the service of the United States as aforesaid.
That he was born in York County State of Pennsylvania in the year 1753 that he entered or went into the service of the United States as aforesaid from the said county of York PA. That Colonel Peter Kiechlein or Kichline commanded the regiment to which he was attacked and in which he served as aforesaid that Generals Sullivan and Sterling command called Lord Sterling command he has now no further distinct recollection of dates or of the names of officers with or under whom he served then is herein before stated.  
That he moved from York County PA to Baltimore, Maryland in the year 1784 and about four years afterwards moved to Alexandria and in 1793 to Shenandoah County, Virginia about the year 1810 to Rockingham County VA where he now resides.  That the commission he received of second Lieutenant as aforesaid he has long since lost .  That he does not now recollect by wherein it was signed, that he received it on before stated in the city of Philadelphia.  That there is a record of his age in his fathers Bible which he believes is somewhere in York County, PA if it has not been destroyed that he has no documentary evidence that he knows of and no person whose testimony he can pursue who can testify to his services. he having been a resident of the state of Virginia for the last 45 years. That he is well known to some of the members of this court and Archibald Brock, Andrew [illegible], Philip Kootz - who are now here in court and who can testify as to his [illegible] for veracity and there belief in his services as officer as aforesaid in the Revolutionary War.

I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
sworn and subscribed in the day and year aforesaid
(signed) Jacob Strayer [illegible]
Page 5

Mr. Jacob [illegible] a clergyman residing in the county of Rockingham and state of Virginia and near [illegible] - residing in the same county of state aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Strayer [illegible] who has subscribed and sworn to the within and for giving declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine year of age, that he is [illegible] and believed him to be the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and an officer of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
(signed) Jacob B Houck
Andrew [illegible]

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the [illegible] 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 b. Houck who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Rockingham and that Andrew Huling who has also signed the same is a resident in the county of Rockingham and is a credible person and that their state wants is entitled to credit.
I Henry J. Gambill clerk of the court of the county of Rockingham do hereby certify that the foregoing can laws the original proceedings of the said court in the matters of the application of Jacob Thayer for a pension.
the testimonies whereof I have heard set  my hand and seal of my office this 23rd day of October 1832 and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth
 [illegible] Gambill Clerk of Rockingham County, VA

(markings on sides) 10906 Jacob Strayers Declaration
Page 6

Requested in letter to James Hale Harrisonburg, PA age 30  1833
Page 7

Brief in the case of Jacob Strayer in County of Rockingham in the state of VA ( Act 7th June 1829)
1. Was the declaration made before a court or Judge? on in court
2. If before a judge does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 79 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
  Period - In 1776
  Duration of Service - 6 months
  Rank - 2nd Lieutenant
  names of General and Field Officers under whom he served -  Capt. Graves
Col. Kiechlein
5. in what battles was he engaged?  Long Island
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? York Co. Pennsylvania 
7. Is his statement supported living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary 
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect? [illegible] 
 Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
(signed) [illegible]
Examining Clerk
Page 8

May 25, 1939
Mr. C.N. Strayer
R.F.D. #2
DeGraff, Ohio

BA-J/CC
Jacob Strayer
R. 21856

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Johan Nicolas Stroher or John, Jacob and Nicolas Stroher or Strayer, might have been in the Revolutionary War.
There is no claim for pension on file in this office based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Johan Nicolas, Michael, Adam, John, nor Nicolas Stroher or Strayer.  You are furnished herein the Revolutionary War record of Jacob Strayer, as found in pension claim R.21856.  This is the only pension claim found in this office based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a soldier with the surname Stroher or Strayer.
Jacob Strayer was born in 1753 in York county, Pennsylvania.  The names of his parents are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
While residing in York County, Pennsylvania, he volunteered in the early part of June 1776, marched from Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia, where he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant and served as such officer in Captain Gerard or Gerhart Graves' company, Colonel Peter Kiechlein's Pennsylvania Regiment and was in the battle of Long Island; a few days after the battle was taken sick and was not again able to rejoin he company and regiment; in the following spring he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of a company of militia of York County,  Pennsylvania, which commission he held for six years but never called out into active service.
Page 9

After the Revolution, he resided in York County, Pennsylvania, until 1784, then moved to Baltimore and lived for four years; then moved to Alexandria (state not given) then in 1793 to Shenandoah County, Virginia, and about 1810, to Rockingham County, Virginia. 
He applied for pension October 15, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Rockingham County Virginia.  He then signed Jacob Strayer, Senior.  His claim for pension was not allowed as he did not render six months' actual military service as required by the pension law.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
Very truly yours,
A.D.Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 10

M 233
Bureau of Pensions
Finance Division
June 27, 1924
Chief Rev Sect.
I have this day received from Holmes B. Strayer cashiers ck No....... for $1.05, requesting copy as per letter herewith.
Respectfully,
O.J. Randall
Chief Finance Div.
[illegible]
(written across page) copies mailed to Finance Div. [illegible] July 15, 1924
Page 11

1347 Wright St.
Los Angels, Calif.
June 18, 1924
Commissioner of Pensions
(Revolutionary Division) Washington D.C.
Sir:
I enclose cashiers check for $1.05. This to pay for
photostatic copies of the papers in your office machine the application for a pension Oct 15, 1832, of Jacob Strayer of Rockingham County, Virginia for six month service in the York Pennsylvania Militia as 2 Lieutenant.  He was my great grandfather.
Please send copy to me at below your address and office.
Yours Sic
Holmes B. Strayer
1347 Wright St.
Los Angles, California
(stamped) files June 24 1924 received
Page 12

Report of Material received
Request for Photostating  M6
(to be prepared in duplicate)
Ex MM[illegible] 
Office of the Chief Clerk
Job No.1114
Date July 14 1924
Subject Jacob Strayer, [illegible] 21856 - Rev. War 1 copy of 2 pieces consisting of 7 pages to be forwarded when completed to the Revolutionary War Section.
Remarks:
Approved:
--Wilson
 Chief Div
Chief clerk
Page 14

Requesting for Photostating  M 6
(to be prepared in duplicate)  Ex. AW
Office of the Cheif Clerk
Job No. 963 
Date: May 31,  24
Subject Jacob Strayer, Rev. R. 21856
1 copies of 2 pieces consisting of 7 pages to be forwarded when completed to the Rev. War Section Division 
Remarks:
Approved
A.-Wilson
Chief Div
Chief Clerk
Page 15

Mr. W. R. Strayer
Theological Seminary
Alexandria, VA
Paid for photostat copies of 7 pages (not certified) for Rev. War Pension claim R 21856 of Jacob Strayer
received $1.05
A- Wilson
May 27, 1924
Rev. War Section

(stamped)
Finance Division
May 27, 1924
Bureau of Pensions
Page 16

(3-223.)   [illegible]
No. 21. 856
..., Ex'r
Old War Invalid
Jacob Strayer of VA 
P.O. [illeile] Col. Richlin Pens troops
Service: Rev 
1-0
Enlisted:....., 18
Discharged:......., 18
Application filed:...... ,18
Alleges:....
Re-enlisted.....
Attorney:....
P.O.

(stamped across page) REJECTED
Page 17

1924 June 3, copies mailed to [illegible] R. Strayer. on 1924 0 July 15 - copies mailed to Holmes B. Strayer [legible] 1926 Oct. 1 photos to Ella [illegible] Strayer on 19933 Dec, 29 - hist to Mrs. H.R. Scott [illegible]

1939 May 25 Hist to C.N. Strayer cc
Page 18

December 29, 1933
Mrs. H.R? Scott
900 Harrison Street
Denver, Colorado

BA-J EEL
Jacob Strayer R. 21856

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of your great great grandfather "Strayer" who served from Pennsylvania.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers of that war.
Jacob Strayer was born in 1753, in York County, Pennsylvania.  the names of his parents are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
While residing in York County, Pennsylvania he volunteered in the early part of June 1776 marched from Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia, where he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and served as such officer in Captain Gerard of Gerhart Graves' Company, Colonel Peter Kiechlein's Pennsylvania Regiment and was in the battle of Long Island, a few days after the battle was taken sick and was not again able to rejoin his company and regiment in the following spring, he was commissioned 1st lieutenant of a company of militia of York County, Pennsylvania which commission he held for six years but was never called out into active service.
After the Revolution he resided in York County, Pennsylvania, until1784, then moved to Baltimore, Maryland and lived for four years: then moved to Alexandria  (state not give); thence in 1793 to Shenandoah County, Virginia and about 1810, to Rockingham County, Virginia.
He applied for pension October 15, 1832 at which time he was a resident of Rockingham County, Virginia.  he then signed Jacob Strayer, Senior.  His claim for pension was not allowed as did not render.
Page 19

six months' actual military service as required by the pension law.  There are no data as to soldier's family.
Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 20

(written along side); the only one in fill with surname Strayer or Stroker.

C.N Strayer
DeGraff, Ohio
R.F.D.2.

The Veterans Administration 
Washington. D.C.

My Dear Sir;
I am very anxious to find the war record of the following men: John Nicolas Stroher or Strayer, born about 1733.  He had five sons who might have been soldiers.  They are, Michael Stroher or Strayer, Adam Stroher or Strayer, John Stroher or Strayer, Jacob Stroher or Strayer, and Nicolas Stroher or Strayer.  Jacob Strayer was born about 1753 but I do not know when the others were born.
They lived at one time near Martensburg, VA.  If you cannot give me any information, where do you think I might find it? They were of German descent.
Thank you 
(signature) C,N, Strayer
C.N. Strayer

(date stamp on bottom)
received Apr 4, 1939
Page 21

Date stamp on top: Received Nov 10 1933

Denver, Colo.
Nov. 6, 1933

The Record and Pension Bureau War Dept.
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir;
I am eligible to the organization of "the daughters of the American Revolution," through my great great grandfather (only one) "Strayer" who served all through the Revolutionary war. I believe he enlisted from Harrisburg PA: After the war he settled five miles from there on the Susquehanna River.
I would like very much to belong to this organization but I understand that certain papers to prove this have
Page 22

to come from Washington D.C.
I would appreciate it very much it you could send me these records or tell me how to obtain them.
Respectfully
Mrs. H. R. Scott
900 Harrison St.
Denver, Colo.
Page 26

Jas. Hale Esqr.
Harrisonburgh, Va.

Apr. 30, -33
O.C. 





Re. vol. 9

Pa., 145
Page 27

War Department
PO
Apr 30, 1833
Sir,
The declaration of Jacob Strayer has been examined and [illegible] the that he did not serve six months he had were actual service will alone entitle one to the benefits of the Act of June 1832.
The applicant says:  - He served or heretofore stated nearly the whole of six months for actual service in the Bareilly Camp and field and the command of their placed on him is the service and even willing so far as the [illegible] of his health would permit to under any service required of him.
The papers remain on file in the office.
(signed) James
James Hall, Esq.
Harrisonburg, VA
Page 28

No. 16906
Jacob Strayer
VA

Rejected - see let to James Hall of the Apl 30th 1833
Page 29

Jacob Strayer     Va.
2d Lt. Col. Richlen Rev
James Hall 
Harrisburg PA
Page 30

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jacob Strayer [illegible] which require further proof or explanation.
I.  does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war he served? yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his serve, 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? no
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the clerk's seal affixed? and if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 33

Petition of
Jacob Strayer Va.
January 27, 1834
Refd. to the Committee
on Rev. Pensions

Feby. 11, 1834
Com Disch. to be 

Va.
Denning 20. dis & to his bank 68 (illegible)
Page 34

To the Honorable Senate and House of representatives of the United States in Congress Assembled:
The petition of Jacob Strayer of Rockingham County and State of Virginia, humbly shewette that in the year 1776 your petitioner resided in York County Pennsylvania and early in June in that year a volunteer company of infantry was formed in his neighborhood under the command of Garhart Graves, Capt. Christopher Kauffman first lieutenant and your petitioner second lieutenant.  They marched to Philadelphia and thence to New York and continued with the army in that vicinity until the Battle of Long Island on the 27 of August.  The company consisted of seventy privates of whom only thirteen escaped, in this engagement. The [illegible] were either killed, wounded or taken.  the command devolved on the first Lieutenant (the captain having been taken prisoner) who marched the men to Fort Lee.  Your petitioner was taken sick at Elizabethtown shortly after this battle, and was confined for three or four weeks; after he had partially  recovered and was able to travel, he commenced his journey homeward and reached Philadelphia, when he became worse, and was confined server weeks in that place under the care of a physician; when he again became convalescent, he hired a carriage to travel home.  Your petition was taken sick with three or four days after the engagement on Long Island and was never able to bear arms from that time until the expiration of six months, the period for which he engaged to serve  as a volunteer, although he considered himself subject to military order all the time.
Page 35

At the (blotted out) term of the county court for Rockingham County 1832 your petitioner subscribed and made oath to a declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Pension Act of Congress passed June 7 1832 which was authenticated and certified agreeably to the rules and regulating adoption by the War Department for the government of the Commissioner of Pensions in determining upon applications for Pensions under that law.
This declaration is yet on file in the department of war and your honorable body are respectfully referred to it for a more detailed account of your petitioners revolutionary services and the evidence in support of them.
On the 30th of April 1833 the Commissioner of Pensions wrote to the gentleman who had acted as the agent of your petitioner informing him that "the declaration of Jacob Strayer has been examined and rejected upon the ground that he did not serve six months which term of actual service, will alone entitle one to the benefit of the act of June 7th, 1832." Of this decision your petitioner does not complain as it is in conformity with the rules laid by the Department on the subject and in conformity with the strict letter of the law itself. But your petitioner considers his case to be one of hardship and all general laws and regulations must necessarily operate to was effect hardship and injustices in individual cases.  Your petitioner believes in justice and equity, he is as much entitled to the benefaction of the government as if he had actually bared arms for six month. the period of his engagement to serve as a volunteer.  He would have preferred military duty very
Page 36

decidedly, to languishing with disease among strangers, incurring the expense of physician's bills and the hire of a vehicle, when too feeble to travel on foot.  The decision of the commissioner of pension is final, and your petitioner's only hopes for relief is by an appeal to the bounty and justice of your Honorable body.  He is old and infirm, and in circumstances which would render a small annuity from the government very acceptable.  He therefore prays the passage of a law by your body, directing the Commissioner of Pensions to place him on the pension list, on the same footing he would have occupied; had his declaration been deemed sufficient to establish six months actual service, under the Act of June 7th 1832.  He is the more encouraged to hope the interposition of Congress in his behalf, from the disposition manifested of late years, by that body, to provide for the comfort and happenings of the surviving officer and soldier of the revolution, in the last years of their earthly existence. 

                                               //s//
                                       Jacob Strayer