Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8267, for John Piper, Pennsylvania
Page 1

Penn.   Piper, John   R8267
Page 2

State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County SS

Before me the subscriber, one of the justices of the peace for the county of Philadelphia, personally appeared John Piper of Chestnut Hill in said county, who from loss of sight and bodily infirmity being unable to attend court being first duly affirmed doth declare and say that he is now aged ninety years old and upwards and that he was drafted in the Penna. Militia and marched to Amboy under the command of Genl. Doe, Colonel Lawler, Major Engle and Capt. Sheets in the year 1776. 

And in the year 1777 volunteered and marched under the command of General Potter, Col. Moore, Major Wright and Capt. Kensel to Philadelphia, then to (illegible) Fork in the Delaware, and from thence to the battle of Brandywine.  After that he was attached to General Wayne's (?) brigade and encamped at Paoli on the west side of Schuylkill near the Lancaster Road on the day before the night of the surprise of General Wayne's command.  General Potter's brigade to which applicant belonged was marched on the east side of Schuylkill to join the main army and encamped at the Trap on the (illegible) Road near Norristown Road and then marched to the battle of Germantown and after that battle retreated to Paulins Hill up on the Perkiomen Creek and thence to White Marsh and then encamped.  

Applicant further says that in 1781 he was rendezvoused in Germantown under Capt. Erwin and then (illegible) and ordered to (illegible) himself in (illegible) to march in an hour's notice but did not afterwards (illegible)
Page 3

any orders to march.
Signed:  John (his X mark) Piper

Affirmed and subscribed before me on this eleventh day of November 1837.
Signed:  Jacob Reaver
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania}
Philadelphia County  }  SS

Before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county personally came Jacob Kibler of Springfield Township aged seventy three years and upwards who being first duly sworn upon and says -- that he is well acquainted with John Piper and lived his neighborhood at the time of the Revolutionary war, and for several years afterwards --Deponent knows that he was [illegible] the service.  That the father of this deponent Jacob  Kibler and the said John Piper were both out at the same time and under the same officers in General Potter, Col Moore + Major Wright
also certify that the deponent is a gentleman of credit and good character.

Sworn  and   subscribed}
before me this eleventh}  Jacob Kibler
day of November 1837 }

Jacob Reaver
Page 5

34.276
John Piper
Pennsylvania
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania}
Philad. County           } SS

Before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the County of Philada. personally came Phillip Keesey of Springfield Township, Montgomery County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn deposed and says -- that he is well acquainted with John Piper of Philada County, and knows that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army -- Deponent being out at the same time he was, and commanded by General Erwin, Col. Smith + Major Reese--  The commanders of John Piper were General Potter, Col Moore + Major Wright - and at times we were encamped with the main [illegible] at Whitemarsh.  Deponent knows that he then said John Piper was in the service  nearly all the time from 1776-or 7 up to about 1781.

I also certify that the deponent is a gentleman of credit + good moral character.  

affirmed before me  }
this eleventh day      }   Philip   X   Keesy
of Novenber 1897    }         His Mark

Jacob Reaver

Pennsylvania             }
Philadelphia  County}  SS

I Robert Morris Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that Jacob Reaver, Esq, before whom the aforegoing 


will come back
Page 7

Postal stamp showing DEC 8

S. L. Edwards, Esquire
Commission of Pensions
Washington City
Page 8


Phila Dec - 6, 1837


My dear Sir:  I regard exceedingly given you so much  trouble, such really in the matter of the application of old John Piper of Philad.  County then
Page 9

and after that still continued a volunteer until the English (??) Penna. (??) was in actual service upwards of nine months.  

      Thus you will see that he was one of the men we now seek for in every nook and corner of the attended land, to clothe them with the mantle of unsparing bounty, in gratitude for the smelled contribution of military service.

     If therefore you will have the kindness to again to his papers you will find that his noted service was as least nine months. 

                         I am very respectfully
                          your obt. svt.
                          R. I. Arundel
                          No. 89 Rao St.
Page 10

REJECTED
R.8267
P.O. John Piper
Service: _________

Enlisted: __________,18__.
Discharged: ________, 18__.

Application Filed: _______, 18_.

Alleges: ________
Re-enlisted: ______
Attorney: _______
P.O. __________
_________ Recognized.  __________Contract
________Cert. of Dos.  Searched for ______.18__.
Page 11

John Piper
Pennsylvania
REJECTED

See letter 25th Mov. 37. R.J. Arus.
del. do to law 12th Dec 1837 do 15th
January 1838. do to same Feb. 9. 1838

Did not service six months.
Page 12

Philad. Nov. 13, 1837

Dear Sir;

   I enclose you an application of John Piper for a pension.  He is a highly respectable gentleman of Philada. County.

                                I am Sir
                                   Most respectfully
                                      //s//
                                R..J. Arundel 
                                   No. 89 Race St.

Ias: L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Page 13

(An addressed envelope)

J. L. Edwards, Esquire
Pension Office
Washington, D. C.


Dec 26
Pa.
A.J.J. J.F.F.
No papers

(Date stamp) 
PHILDELPHIA
     DEC 29
          PA
Page 14

Dear Sir;

   I enclose you another statement of the services of John Piper in the War of the revolution.   You will perceive that his (2-3 words inked out) a much longer duration than you supposed.

                                       I am Sir,
                                       Very respectfully
                                       R. I. Arundel 

P.S. I shall be obliged to you for an early disposition of this case as J. Piper is in his ninetieth year and his son informs me this morning that he is quite indisposed.   

                                         R. I. A.
Page 15

Philadelphia County} ss.

   Before me the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared John Piper of Chestnut Hill in said county who being duly affirmed doth declare and says that in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six he was drafted in the Penna. Militia and marched to Amboy under the command of Genl. Doe and Colonel Major English and Captain Sheetz - that after being at Amboy he was called on a tour under the command of Captain Real and marched to Philadelphia and quartered the Hessian prisoners which General Washington captured at Trenton and tool to Lancaster.  After securing a tour under Captain Kensel he still served after serving a tour under Captain Real and marched to Philadelphia and quartered the Hessian prisoners which General Washington captured at Trenton and tool Lancaster after serving a tour under Captain Kensel he still served as a volunteer in the Army having been such out g---- the English
. My property consists of a dwelling and wheel right shop.  That he was wounded and taken prisoner in the battle of Germantown the same time that General Erwin had his finders shot off and was held as a prisoner & served week until paroled,  After that still continued a volunteer till the English left the State of Pennsylvania.  That year one thousand seven hundred seventy seven (1777) he volunteered and marched under the command of General Potter, Colonel Moor Major Wright and Captain Kensel to Philadelphia and thence to Mud Fork in the Delaware and from thence to the battle of Brandywine. After that he was attached to General Wayne's Brigade and encamped at the Paoli on the west side of the Schuylkill near the Lancaster Road on the day before the night of surprise of Genrl. Wayne's
command. This was during the rigorous winter of 1778.  General Potter Brigade to which he belonged was afterwards marched to the east side of the Schuylkill to join the main.  We encamped.....(next page) 
hereafter being at Amboy he was called out on a tour under the command of Captain
Page 16

at the Tress on the then called Egypt Road now Morristown Road then Marched to the Battle of Germantown and afterwards retreated to Pawlings Mill up on the Perkiomen Creek and thence to White Marsh Mont County and there encamped for some time.  That in one thousand seven hundred and eighty one 1781 he was under (illegible) in Germantown under the command of Captain Erwin and compelled to be ready to march at an hours notice.

    Deponent further says that he is unable to give a more detailed statement at this late period of his life being in his ninetieth years and considerable service and hard duty performed by him he has not the dates of but that he was in actual service upwards for nine months, and might be safely qualified to being in service off and on from 1776 to 1781 inclusive.                            
                                John (his mark) Piper
Witness present
Henry A. Piper

Philadelphia County} ss.
   Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforementioned named John Piper he was duly appointed according to law says that above statement as it stands states is right and true witness my hand and seal at Germantown this twenty first day of December 1837.   
                                        //s//
                             Jacob Reaves   (seal)