Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22616, Peter Yocum, Penn
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SERVICE Penn

Yocum, Peter

NUMBER S. 22616
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No. 18897 
Pittsburg 
Peter Yocum 
of Westmoreland Co. in the State of Penna who was a Private in the - commanded by Captain -  of the Rgt commanded by col. Bird in the Penn. Militia line for 6 months 
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th of Octr 1833 and sent to A. Jordan Sunbury Pa 
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833   50.00 
Semi-an;. allowance ending 4 March 1834 10.00 
$60.00 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book  E   Vol. 5 Page 96
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26.766
Peter Yocum
application
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State of Pennsylvania, 
County of Northumberland Ss. 
On this Seventh  day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of said County, Peter Yocum a resident of Shamokin township Northumberland County, and State of Pennsylvania, aged eighty three, on the second day of June last past, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions much by the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.   That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.    In the fall of the year 1776, deponent was drafted as a militia man, in the Company commanded by Captain Derrick Pennypacker, Dan’l Davis was first Lieutenant, and Thomas White, Ensign, William Bird was Colonel. We marched from Bishops Mill, below Reading in Bucks County, to Philadelphia from thence to Trenton in Shallops.  We were stationed at Bergen Point opposite New York and remained there until the two months for which we were drafted were fully expired. We returned to Philadelphia by water, and landed at Knights wharf.  This was in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and seventy six. The Battle of Long Island was fought while we lay at Bergin’s point.  We heard the report of the cannon and saw the smoke, and saw the British pass up the north River.
Deponent further declares, that about one year after the battle of Long Island and while Genl Washington and the American army lay at the valley Forge, and soon after the battle of Germantown, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, he was again drafted, in the company commanded by Captain Derrick Pennypacker. The company marched from White Horse tavern below Reading to white Marsh and Spring House Tavern. Remained there two months, and returned home up the winter. John Bull now deceased was Colonel. Deponent recollects Col. Potter.  He (deponent) was one of 60 men that volunteered, and marched down a Creek to Colonel Potter battalion, and cut down a lodge
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to prevent the escape of the Hessians and British. The Cannon balls stuck the trees near where deponent and the others were at work.  The militia commanded by Colonel Potter, were engaged with the British Army.   
In about 10 days after deponent returned home, he was again drafted, and marched from Reading Berks County, in the company commanded by Captain John Strouss - John Cumins was Major, and one Stroud, Colonel.  Left Reading and went to Easton - crossed Bushkills Creek, thence through the wind Gap to Wyoming, in Luzerne County, in pursuit of the Indians.  Took three white men prisoners, and sent them to Easton Jail, and shot one white man off his horse.  We went also through the German flats, Shehili and Lackawanas scouting.  We and out several days.   Saw 16 indians and shot at them. A captain belonging to the regular army joined us, with about 46 men. A light horse man swam the river on horseback in pursuit of 2 Indians - came up with them, but did not succeed as killing them. Three of the Regular Soldiers, Killed an old man named Seeley, who kept a small [unreadable] in this sect of Wyoming.  Deponent saw Seely, the day he was buried. They were afterwards hanged at Easton, Pennsylvania.   Deponent returned home, through old Nazareth to Reading, and was discharged after serving two months.
Deponent further declares, that soon after serving the 2d tour above mentioned, he started from Amity township, Berks County, Pa with a waggoner, in the month of June, while Gen’l. Washington lay at Valley Forge,  with whom deponent [unreadable]. Deponent remained there a short times and returned home for Hay, Oats, &c for the Army. Deponent and his team were proper, and kept in the service for one month. 
The deponent states, that it is not in his power to produce any witness to prove his service; that if any witness he living who served with him, his residence is unknown to said Deponent.  
He hereby relinquishes his every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the
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pension roll of any state. 
Peter Yocum’s mark
Sworn and presented the day and year aforesaid 
Ed Y Bright Prothy 
1. Where and in what year were you born?
I was born Amity township, Bucks County, on the 2d June 1750.  
2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it? 
I have a certificate of my age in my possession, from St. Gabriel’s Church.
3.   Where and you living when called into service - where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
I lived in Berks County, until about the year 1800 – since then I have lived in Northumberland County.  I lived in Berks County, when called unto the service.
4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?  
I was drafted, as stated in my declaration. 
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 recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
I cannot recollect the names of any other officers then these mentioned in my declaration and I have stated the general circumstances of my service.  
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it issued, and what has become of it now?  
I never received a written discharge 
7. State the names of persons in your neighborhood to whom you are known and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your Services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Jonathan Oasters, Allen C Bend Esq,  Abraham Huffman, Hugh Tealy, and others –
Peter Yocum’s mark
Sworn and Subscribed August 7 1833} 
Ed Y Bright Prothy
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We John P. Schindel a Clergyman, residing in the Borough of Sunbury, the County of Northumberland, and Jonathan Oasters and Elida Johns Esq residing in Shamokin township, in said County, hereby certify that in are acquainted with Peter Yocum, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty three years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood when where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
J. P. Schindel
Elida Johns
Jonathan Oasters
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Ed Y Bright Prothy
And the said Court do hereby declare there opinion of the [unreadable] matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 John P. Schindel - who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Borough of Sunbury and that Jonathan Oasters & Elida Johns Esq. who have also signed the same, are resident in the township of Shamokin, in the County of Northumberland, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit 
Seth Chapman 
Jacob Gearhart
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I Edward Y. Bright, Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Northumberland hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application Peter Yocum for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Sunbury, this 24th day of May A.D. 1833- 
Ed Y Bright Prothy 
Per Cha’s M. Hein Depy
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26.766
Peter Yocum
Admit
6 mos
A. Jordan Esqr
Sunbury Pa
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
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 compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
Statement, showing the Service of  Peter Yocum of West’d Co. Pa.
Period when the service was rendered.  Fall 1776   Duration of Claimant’s Service  2 Months   Rank of claimant.   Pr.   Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.  Col. Bird  Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.   83 years   Berks Co. Pa.   Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Traditionary Evidence
Period when the service was rendered.  1777   Duration of Claimant’s Service   2 Months  Rank of claimant.   Pr.  Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served   Col. Bull
Period when the service was rendered.   1777   Duration of Claimant’s Service,  2 Months   Rank of claimant.  Pr.   Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.  Col. Stroud
Period when the service was rendered.   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  1 Month  Rank of claimant.  Wagoner   Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.  Inadmissible.
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 in stance, 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 A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in 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 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 that of 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 hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter 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 hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has 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 contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. 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
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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 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 Town officer 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 he 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. 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 enquiry 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 Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed 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 declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person 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, 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 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 months and --- days, I served as 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 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 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 indispensable. 
[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 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 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 wife nesses, 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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Revolution 
22616
INVALID.
File No. 22616 
Peter Yocum 
Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7" 32” 
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 485 
[Arrangement of 1870.]