Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7236, for Martin Miller, Pennsylvania
Page 1

Penn. Miller, Martin S.7236
Page 2

26.275
Pennsylvania
Martin Miller
Of Berks Co in the state of Pa who was a (unreadable) in the Company commanded by Captain Bowers of the Reg commanded by Col Haller in the Penna for Militia 6 months $20.00
Subscribed on the Act of Penna at the sale of 29 dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. 
Certificate of Pension found the 28th day of Apr. and sent to 1834: Dan Behm, Kennedy
Assears to the 4th of Mch 34 60.00 Semi Anl. allowances ending 4 Sept 10.00 ---------$70.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by HT Sprague Clerk, Book 6 Vol 5 Page 40
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania Berks County Be it know that on this 15th day of April A.D. One thousand eight hundred and Thirty four, personally appeared his S. Richard one of the Judges before the attention J Richards one of the Judges in and for Berks County State as aforesaid Martin Miller a resident of Pike Township Berks County, the aforesaid aged seventy eight 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 7 1832. That he served the United States as a private Soldier, in the War of the Revolution under the following named officers, and served as herein state, that he entered into Capt Sebastian Lentz Company of Musquetry in the month of June A.D. for one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, in District Township Berks County and State as aforesaid, March from thence to Amboy, through Allentown, Easton crossed the River Delaware and after he arrived at Amboy he remained there in service for about one month, that he afterwards enlisted to the Flying Camp for the term of five months, in Capt Jacob Bower Company of Musquetry, under Command of Col Haller, March from Amboy to
Page 4

for the term of five months, in Capt Jacob Davies Company of Mesquity under Command of Col. Halley, March from Amboy to the White Plains, has been in the Battle of White Plains, from thence marched to Trenton New Jersey and in that Neighborhood he remained for some time, and after the expiration of his enlistment the whole company was discharged by Col Haller at or near Trenton New Jersey in the month of December A.D. 776 that he afterwards returned his Musket to Capt Jacob Power in Reading Pennsylvania and that he received his pay for his services at the time he returned his Musket he has not discharge in his power the Testimony of Jacob Walter which will be annexed to this declaration, the applicant has not church record of his age has been living since the Revolutionary War in Berks County and State aforesaid, he served in the whole period six months and for that amount he claims a pension, he has rec'd a gratuity of the agency of Pennsylvania, by authority of an act passed by the Senate and house of Representatives of Pennsylvania on the first day of April A.D. one thousand of Eight hundred and Thirty or Forty dollars, 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 any agency of any State, Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me, Matthias  S Richard Abel a Judge of Berks County in Pa his Martin Miller  Mark
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania Berks County
I Abraham Behm a Justice of the Peace of and for Berks County in Pennsylvania do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Martin Miller, who subscribed the within declaration, that he is a credible person, and that his Testimony would be received in any court of Justice, and I further certify that he appears to be Seventy eight years of age and that it is generally believed in the neighborhood where he resides that he was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, and I also certify that he is unable to appear before a Court of Record, or before a Judge of the Court of Record, by reason of Bodily infirmities , I have therefore, attended at his place  of abode and Administered the foregoing oath, and in Witness whereoff I have here unto Set my hand and Subscribed my name in the County and State aforesaid for this thirteenth day of January A.D. on thousand eight hundred and thirty four. Abraham Behm 
I Jacob Wallace clerk of the County of Comm Pleas in and for Berks County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the above named Abraham Behm is a Justice of the Peace and that the Signature on record is his Genuine Signature. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of Office this 15th day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty four  Jac William Prothy
and the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the Investigation of the matter and after Putting the interrogatories prescribed  by the war  department that Abraham Behm who has signed the Proceeding Certificate is a resident in the County and State as aforesaid and that he is a credible person and that his Statement is entitled to credit.
Garrick Mallory Presiding Judge Mathias V Richard a Judge of Berks County
Page 7

I Jacob Salade Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Berks County and State of Pennsylvania do hereby Certify that Mathias L. Richards Esq. who last signed the foregoing declaration is a Judge of a Court of Record in and for Berks County and that the Signature annexed is his Genuine Signature, In Testimony whereof  I have here unto Set my hand Seal of Office this 15th day of April Jac Wallace Prothy
Page 8

29,409 
Martin Miller Penna
Adm 6 months
Daniel Behm Esq
Reading Penna
Page 10

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, 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, 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.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
A. B.
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
the 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
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 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 11

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 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 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 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 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 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 ----months and ----day, 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 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 
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.
-
Page 12

7236 INVALID Rev War
File No. 7236
Martin Miller 
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol 7th Page 257
Page 13

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City D.C.
Page 14

Reading, April 19 1834
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Sir,  Yours of 22nd March came duly to hand, finding that there is still objection existing. I have procured the certificate of a Judge of a Court of Record, and also the certificate of the proper officer with the Seal of Office annexed, which was all that was required in Your letter hoping this Representation will meet with better success that the former, you will find that the Judge has certified in Stead of the Justice in the old Declaration and the certificate of the Prothonotary on the Back of Declaration Your Resp
Danl Rocher
Page 15

Mr J. Minot, commisioner
of pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Martin Miller 
1832

CHAMBERSBURG PA
MAR 11
Page 17

Pension Office April 2 1856
Sir
McKnight has presented no application for an increase of the pension of Martin Miller of Penna , Nor can I perceive the grounds upon which such an application could be made, as he was pensioned for every day's service that he claimed to have served.  
John Oliver Esq
Southern Franklin Co Penna
Page 18

Scotland Mar 10th 
Mr J Minot Esq
Dear Sir
Having been Agent for Samuel M Knight of Washington D.C. for applications for Land warrants I sent two claims in an about the 7th of July 1855 and received an answer of the reception on the 10th the claim was for John N Baxter in Fayetteville F. County Pa was sent August 1st 1815 with power of attorney In the claim of the heir of Martin Miller Decd for an increase of pension from which time I have received no answer till the 12th of Oct 1875 when Mr Knight said he would report me the result of all the claims it is now about three weeks I sent a letter to Mr Knight and as I received no answer as yet. I thought proper to write to you and ask your kindness to answer me if you please as those for whom I for taken Application are anxious to hear the result of their claims it included me to write when I seen your notice in the papers of this place.
Yours Truly
J Minot Esq.
Please direct to Scotland Franklin Co Pa
John Olirch