Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 22,263, John Getz, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)


SERVICE
Penn.

John Getz

NUMBER
S22.263
===============================
CONTENTS
Page 2

two sided document
Left side

11.598
Pennsylvania
==============================
John Getz Sen'r
of Lancaster co. in the State of Penn'a
who was a Pv. in the Company commanded
by Captain Craford of the Reg't commanded
by Col. Reigart in the Pennsylvania
(line for crossed out) Substitute

10 Mo. Private- $33.33
==============================
Inscribed on the Roll of --Pennsylvania,
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33. cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
==============================
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of May and Sent to 
1833 H. M. Leonard, Lancaster, Pa.
==============================
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833-    66.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept." -16.661/2 
                                                            ========
                                                          $83.32
                                                           ========
{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk
Book E Vol. 5 Page 21--

right side
Sam'l Dale & Pen. Agent May 5,. 1837
Page 3

No 24896

John Getz Sen'r Lancaster
County Pennsylvania



Admitted
10 month
$33.33



Henry M. Leonard Lancaster
Pennsylvania
Page 4

Printed form letter

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, shewing the Service of John Getz Sen'r. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
==================================
(Following in columns transcribed in lines)

Period when the service was rendered. Entered 1777; Entered 1778;
Called out 1778; Entered 1779; entered (Blank)
Duration of the claimant's service-Years all blank; Months 2; 2; 2; 2; 2 Days. All blank
Ranks of the claimant. private with ditto's down 4 times
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Cap Henry, Colonel Reigart; Cap Crawford; Cap Petre; Colonel Slough; Cap Davis; Cap Wilde
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 75 years; County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary evidence & Clergyman; Certificate- witness certified credible applicants affidavits taken before a Justice of the peace, who is certified to be in commission, by the Clerk-papers correct

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 5

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 
County of
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.  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 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
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



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Page 6

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 ex-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 live now?
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 collect, 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.
Page 7

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 2 @ 1832

State of Pennsylvania}
Lancaster County SS}

On the Eighteenth day of April A. D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before Walter Franklin, Esquire, President of the Courts of Common Pleas of the second Judicial District of Pennsylvania, consisting of the counties of York and Lancaster, and General Gaol Delivery, and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, in the said District- and Samuel Dale and John Lightner, Esquires, Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Lancaster, and the Assistant Justices of the Courts of Oyer & Terminer and General Jail Delivery and Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for the said county of Lancaster, now sitting, John Getz senior, a resident of the City of Lancaster, in the County of Lancaster & State of Pennsylvania aged 75 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 act of Congress passed June 2d 1832--
That he entered the service of the United States in the year 1777 as a militiaman- my Captain's name I do not now positively remember, but to the best of my recollection, it was Captain John Henry of the Borough , now City of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster & State of Pennsylvania-- I entered the service for 2 months, and guarded ^ at the Lancaster Barrack's the British Prisoner's of War, of the 7th Regiment of Foot, or Royal Fusiliers, who were afterwards sent on to Elizabeth-town, in the Jersey's there to await the orders of the Commander in Chief--
Adam Reigart of the Borough of Lancaster was our Colonel--I was on duty 2 months--
Page 8

In the year 1778, to the best of my recollection, Iagain entered the service of the United States as a militiaman, under Captain crawford,of the Borough of Lancaster, and stood guard at the Lancaster Barrack's for 2 months--at this time the Barrack's was crowded with prisoners--It was there said that they amounted to 2.700 men ~

The same year 1778 to the best of my present recollection, I was again called upon to do duty for 2 months, which I performed at the Lancaster Barracks & Powder House by mounting guard-- my then Captain was Christian Petre of the said Borough--Matthias Slough my Colonel-

The following Year 1779, I again entered the service of the United States, as a militia man under Captain Davis of the Borough of Lancaster and stood guard at the Lancaster Jail and Lancaster Barracks for 2 months--

I again Entered the service of the United States under Captain Widle of the Borough of Lancaster for 2 months-- the year I cannot now remember, but I stood guard at the said Lancaster Barracks, the precise time I do not now remember, but think it was 2 months--I remember that at this time there were from 80 to 100 prisoners of War sent on to New York where they were discharged--

I do not personally know one man now living who served with me--I was born in the County of Lancaster, within six miles of ^the Borough ^of Lancaster December 21st 1757 ~
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Lancaster County SS
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the City (word crossed out) county of Lancaster, John Getz. Sen'r, who being duly sworn deposeth & 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 afoursaid [sic] periods, and in the following grades:- for ten months, at least-I served as a private malitia-[sic] man---

Sworn and Subscribed this 6th day 
of April A. D. 1833---
/s/ John Getz Sen'r.
Before me
/s/ Geo. Walter

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present- and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of Pennsylvania----

Sworn to, and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court---
/s/ John Getz Sr.

/s/ Christ Backman
Prothy.

We Martin Brunnow, Pastor of the German Reformed Congregation in the City of Lancaster, residing in said City, and Jacob Long, residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Getz, Sen'r. who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 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 & subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court}

/s/ M. Brunnow
/s/ Jacob Long

/s/ Christ. Backman 
Prothy.
Page 10

And the said County do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the foregoing & written named applicant-was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states-And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Martin Brunner, who has signed the proceeding certificate is, a clergyman resident-in the city of Lancaster, in the County of Lancaster & State of Penna and that Jacob Long, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said City; county & State aforesaid, and (word crossed out) is a credible person, and that their Statement is entitled to credit.

/s/ Walter Franklin

/s/ Sam Dale
/s/ John Lightner

I Christian Bachman Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of Lancaster County, Do Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Getz for a pension. And I further Certify that George Matter, Esquire before whom the within affidavit was made, was at the time and now is, a Justice of the peace for said County of Lancaster, duly Commissioned and qualified; and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature--In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Lancaster this 26th day of April Anno Domini 1833
/s/ Christ. Backman
Proth'y. [SEAL]
Page 11

This is very dark

22263

INVALID
Revolution

22263

John Getz Sen.
Pvt. Rev war
---------------------
Act: June 7' 32'
Index: Vol. 2. Page 151

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 12

round stamp
Lancaster
APR
26
PA.

stamped "FREE"

Honourable [sic] Lewis Cass, Esquire
Secretary of War
District of Columbia
Washington City

written sideways bottom to top
May 8

Pa. 

John Getz
24896
Page 13

Honorable Lewis Cass, Esquire,
Should the within named Applicant for a pension, meet your approbation, be pleased direct your communication to Henry M. Leonard atty. at Lancaster--
Yours very Respectfully

Lancaster April 26th 1833
Henry M. Leonard