Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7377, for Thomas Rees, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn.
Rees, Thomas
NUMBER
S. 7377
Carded
CONTENTS
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See the letter to G. N. Tatham April 4. 1836 -
Letter 22 April 1837.  Agt & Saml Bispham
Order to pay & letter to Saml Bispham. 14 March 1838

Pennsylvania  25.319
Thomas Rees
of [illegible] in the State of  [illegible]
who was in the Co commanded
by Captain [illegible]of the [illegible] commanded by Col [illegible] in the [illegible]
line for [illegible].
Inscribed on the Roll of [illegible]
at the rate of [illegible] Dollars [illegible] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the [illegible] day of [illegible] and [illegible].
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible]
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep [illegible]

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk,
Book ? Vol. 5 Page 49
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Thomas Rees

25592
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State of Pennsylvania
Erie County SS
-
On this eighth day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty three personally appearred in open court before the Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas of the County of Erie - it being a court of Record and now Sitting - Thomas Rees Esquire a resident of the Township of Harbor Creek in the said County of Erie and State of Pennsylvania - aged sixty nine years - who being first duly sworn according to Laws, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain 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 

At the time he performed the services herein after
stated he was a resident of the Town of Northumberland in the County of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania.

The Indian war in that quarter commenced in the fall of the year 1777. One Jones and one Salter man were killed by the Indians. Early in the summer of the year 1777 - about the first of June - it became necessary to organise some military force and Colonel Samuel Hunter - the Lieutenant of the County ordered the young men able to bear arms to organize themselves into companes for the defence of the Frontier. The young men of the Town and neighbourhood of Northumberland (among whom was this applicant) organised themselves into a Volunteer company of Militia for the purpose above mentioned. Capt John Chatham was our
Captain - Richard Martin and John Painter were our Lieutenants. Our company consisted of about seventy men We were employed that season principally in scouting through the country. Whenever we heard of any outrages committed by the Indians we marched to the place in pursuit of them. We were called once to Fishing Creek and twice to Buffalo Valley where two families
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were killed by the Indians. Sometimes the Indians stole the Horses of the Inhabitants and we were called on to pursue them. We continued in this service from about the first of June till the snow fell and winter set in which I believe was about the middle of November 1778. We then went home and remained there during the winter of that year. Having served as above stated at least Five months that season in the field or in Garrison.
In the month of May of the year 1779 our company was again called into the same service with the same officers we had the preceeding year.
We were employed in Scouting the country as we had been the preceeding year and were also employed in the early part of the summer in building a fort at Northumberland. We were frequently called off from our work of building the Fort to go out on Scouting parties. During that season we were employed in scouting the country between the North East and West Branches of the Susquehana River. We went up the North East Branch as far as Jenkins Fort,  Freelings Fort and across the country to Boshers[?] Fort and then to Swarts's fort on the West Branch of the River.
In the course of that season, the Inhabitants retreated from Jenkins fort down the river to Fishing Creek where we built a stockade at the farm of the widow McClure. I assisted in building the Stockade, - it was built under the command of Lieutenant Van Camp of the Rangers.
In the month of July 1779 Freelings fort in the said County was taken by the British Tories, and Indians and all the men able to bear arms were carried off as prisoners. There was a general alarm raised through that part of the Country by this event, Volunt and Militia were raised from Dauphain and Northumberland Counties amounting to about six hundred men.
They rendesvoused about twelve miles above Northumberland at the place where Milton now stands on the West Branch of the Susquehana.
Colonel Mathew Smith of Northumberland commanded the whole force - Colonel Keller from Buff[?]
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valley was also there and had a command. Lieutenant Painter commanded our company on that expedition. I was a volunteer private in the Said company and did duty as such. Our forces were collected in a very short time and in a few days after the capture of Freelings fort we marched on in pursuit of the enemy. We passed Freelings fort on the trail of the enemy and marched up the West Branch of the Susquehana as for as Lycoming[?] creek and about miles up it We there halted and sent on runners and spies to endeavour to find some traces of the enemy; their search was in vain and on their report we concluded it would be useless to pursue any further. We then returned to Northumberland and were there kept on duty in Scouting the country during the remainder of the Season. We were called to Buffalo Valley and other places where the Indians committed depraidations. There was Scarcely a week passed without some depridations from the Indians in some part of the Country - which occasioned alarms and called us out to the defence of the inhabitants. About the time that the snow fell and winter set in - which was in the middle of
November we returned to our homes and remained there during that winter - having Served at least Six months in the field or in Garrison during this year 1779.

In the spring of the year 1780 in the month of May our company was again called out in to this same Service. We went on an expedition against the Indians and Capt McCabe commanded us - A great many murders by the Indians were committed that year. The family of John Lee within four miles of Northumberland were murdered; Alexander Hamilton's family were also Killed near the Town of Northumberland. The families of Aurm and Lee on the North East Branch and many others were also killed or taken by the Indians. This year we were kept in constant and active service scouting
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the Country. We went to the different Forts and across the Country between the two Branches of the Susquehana. During that year fort Bosler commanded by Capt Robison with his company of Rangers was besieged by the British and Indians. Colonel Kelesy from the West Branch raised all the forces he could and sent word to the militia to join him to go to the relief of the Fort. We joined him and marched to the relief of the Fort, but the enemy had retired the day previous to our arrival.

We had an intention of pursuing them but learned that their force was double our number and did not pursue them. We then returned to Northumberland and continued in the same service as before mentioned until about the middle of November when we went to our homes having served at last six months during that season 1780 - in actual service either in the field or in Garrison.

In the month of May 1780 we were again called [illegible] in the same service as we had been in the preceeding years as before mentioned - that is Scouting the country between the North East and West Branches of the Susquehana River and in protecting the inhabitants in that country from the Incursions of the Indians.

Lieutenant Painter commanded our company that season. We went across the country from the Forts on  the North East to those on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and were a good deal in Buffalo Valley. We continued in the service this year till late in the month of November, having served at least six months in the field or Garrison in actual service during this year 1781.

In the spring of the year 1782 in the month of May we were again called out in the same service and served during that year in the same kind of service as mentioned in the preceeding year - that is in Scouting the country and protecting the Inhabitants from the incursions of the Indians. We were under the command of the same officers as before mentioned. Sometimes we were
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commanded by Captain Thomas Robinson of the Rangers. We continued in the same service till late in the month of November having been at least six months in actual service in field or Garrison during that year
1782.

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 the agency in any state. He does not know of any Clergyman[?] by whom he can prove his reputation of having served in the war of the Revolution; nor[?] does he know of any living witness by whom he can now prove his services excepting Richard Martin whose testimony is herewith submitted.
Thos Rees
Sworn & subscribed in Open Court 8th May 1833
Edwin J. Kelso; Pro

And further states in answer to interogatories that the continued to reside in Northumberland County till 1794, that he then removed to 
Erie County, & remained there in the summer seasons & in the winters in  Philadelphia till 1798, & since that year has continued to reside in this County. That he was born within twenty three miles of Phila.
Sworn & subscribed in in Court before Henry Shippen
Thos Rees
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The following interrogatories were propounded to the applicant for a pension
1st Where and in what year were you born?
2 Have you any record of your age; and if so where it 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 service
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service
and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it.
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbour hood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
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7
We a clergyman residing in the 
and residing in the 
hereby certify that  we are well acquainted with Thomas Rees Esquire, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution And we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interogatorie prescribed by the War Department
that the aforee named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the 
court further certifies that it apears to them that
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the 
And that who has also signed the same is a resident in the
And is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
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I Edwin I Kelso Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing containes the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Reese Esq for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of     Off this day of      1839
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No. 25592

Thomas Rees Erie County Pennsylvania

Adm 2 years
$80
Hon J. Galbraith
Co of Ret
Tho H Sill P Erie Pennsylvania [striekthrough]
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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 regulations will show 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, showing the Service of (Thomas Rees Erie County Pennsylvania) [handwritten]

Served 1777 5 months private Cap Chatham 
Called out 1779 6 months " Capt Chatham, Col Smith
Served 1780 6 months " Capt M Cabe
Served 1781 6 months " Lut Pointer
Served 1782 6 months " Same Officers

Age at present, and place of abode where he entered the service 69 years Northumberland County Pennsylvania

Proof by which the declaration is supposrted Traditionary evidence one writeup - paper correct

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE @, 1852

The following regulations have been adopted: 
This law has been constructed 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 lar, 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 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 } ss. 
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 og the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 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:

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid  A.B. 
[And then will follow the certificates 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.
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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 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 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 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 bis 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 mouths and days, 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 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 [j] 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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7344
INVALID
Rev. War

File No.  7344
Thomas Rees
Priv Rev War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. 1st, Page 312

{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 17

J.L. Edward Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Page 18

Erie, PA  April 9. 1835
Sir,
The Pension papers[?] of Thomas Rees are herewith returned, with the additional the affidavit of Robert Lee, which it is hoped may prove satisfactory -

It is respectfully requested that on [illegible] as may be returned to me as soon as convenient -
-
Tho H Sill
J. L. Edwards Eq
Court of Pensions
Page 19

(Transcriber's note: an addressed envelope.)


                                                 FREE
                Hon. J. L. Edwards
                     Commissioner of Pensions
                            Washington, D.C.

(Date stamp)
ERIE
 APR
   3
  PA

   
Apr 10
Tho. Rees
26319
Page 20

Erie Penna   April 3rd 1837
Dear Sir
Enclosed is a power of Atty by Thos for the collection of his pension from the 4th of March 1836 to the 4th March 1837 which is objected to on account of it having been a year since it was paid by the Agent in Philadelphia. He directed me to forward the Power to you and you would give the necessary instructions for the payment. Will you have the goodness to attend to it immediately and if consistent with your Mode of business forward it to Mr Saml Bispham 261 Market Street -- Philadelphia. If not please return it to me at Erie Penna with the necessary papers for the payment of the same.
Very Respectfully yours
Ewn H Chase

Hon J L Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Page 21

(Transcriber's note: An addressed envelope.)

Free               J. L. Edwards Esq.
                     Commissioner of Pensions
                      Washington, D.C.

(Date stamp)
   PHILA
      29
    MAR


Tho. Rees
Pa. Roll
26319
Page 22

Profile[?], I have taken the liberty of sending it to you for inspection, and ask your sanction to its  payment by the Bank. Please return it
to your obedient Servant
George N. Nathan
Philad.
P.S.
I am known to George C. Bomford Esq. Son of Col B. of the Ordnance, and to M. Dyer Caster a Clerk in one of the offices at your City Respectfy
J. N. T.
Page 23

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington  City D C
Page 24

Erie Penna March 5 1838
Dear Sir
I forward herein to you Thomas Reeses power of Attorney for collecting his Pension which has been one or without drawing. If there is no error will you please forward it to Saml Bispham 261 Market Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania and you will much oblige.

Verry Respectfully yours
V H Chase

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 25

War Department
Pension Office
October 30th 1833
Sir,
The papers in support of the claim of Thomas Rees have been examined, and are herewith enclosed to you.
The early age at which his three first services were alleged to have been performed, induces the belief that they could not have been military service, but rather were performed under a civil contract; Boys under the age of 16 years, were never authorized to be enlisted. There is also another obstacle to the allowance of a pension. It is not shown to the satisfaction of the Department that there was a description of troops raised as he states; and employed for so long a time as six months, No body of Militia was ever in service for so long a time. These difficulties must be removed by satisfactory explanation and proof.
I am, respectfully
Your Obt Sevt
J. L. Edwards
Thomas H. Sill Esqr
Erie
Page 26


War Department
Pension Office
October 30th, 1833.

Sir,

    The papers in support of the claim of Thomas Rees have been examined and are herewith enclosed to you.
    The early age at which his three first services where alleged to have been performed included the belief that they could not have been military service, but neither were performed under a civil contract; 3trs under the age of 16 years were never authorized to be enlisted.  There is also another obstacle to the allowance of a pension.  It is not shown to the satisfaction of the Department that there was a description of troops raised as he states; and employed for so long a time as six months, no body of militia was ever in service for so long a time.  These difficulties must be removed by satisfactory explanation and proof.

                                     I am, respectfully,
                                     Your obt. serv.
                                              //s//
                                      J. L. Edwards
Thomas H. Still Esqr.
Pa. (illegible)
Page 27

Hon. John Galbraith
Mem Congress
Washington City, DC
Hon J Galbraith

stamped:  Erie, April 9, PA
Page 28


Erie Pa April 4, 1834.-
Dear Sir
I have applied for a pention about Eight months past at a that time past it has returned with objections, one was that I was too young. In 1778 I was fifteen years and large of my age and accustomed to handle my Rifle, I lived in the Town of Northumberland on the Susquehanna River the part of the County that was exposed to the Indians. The war began  1777. In 1778 Col. Samuel Hunter then Lieutenant of the County Gave Orders for the Militia to Inrole themselves and all under Eighteen capable to bare arms to Join the Militia and to doe[?] duty. Captn John Challam was our officer all under Eighteen was called Volenteers I was one of them, Continued untill the Close[?] of the war untill 1783, I beleve I done as much duty as any one in that Quarter, My application Depositions inclosed will show, in the War Office, The two [?]anniable ones is Richard Martin which has been a member of Assembly of Laycoming County Robert Lee which was an Officer under Genl. Wayne, both of these are Respectable.
I shall feel greatfull for your attention at this time to this business and will consider it with gratitude, --
I remain yours
Thos. Rees April 4, 1834
N. B It is with difficulty for me to rite my Sight is  allmost gone
T. Rees
April 4, 1834
The Honorable John Galbreath
N.B. I never received any pay during the war for my Services, nor applied for any before,-
T. Re.
J. R.
Page 29

State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County

I Joseph Wood, Prothnatory of the court of Common Pleas of Lycoming county do hereby certify that John Pursell the abovenamed Justice is a regular Justice of the peace for said  County and that full faith and credit are given to his official acts and [illegible] I believe the signature purporting to be his is his own hand [illegible] having frequently seen him right it.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this ______ day of March AD 1833.
J Wood, Prothy
Page 30

State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County
Personally came before me the subscribed one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County Richard Martin aged seventy three years who upon his solemn oath duly administered doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Thomas Reese of Erie County Pennsylvania - who is represented as applying for a Pension - and knew him in Northumberland Pennsylvania more than fifty years ago - That in the year AD 1778 said Reese enlisted or was enrolled as a soldier in said Northumberland in a Company commanded by Captain John Chatham in a Regiment command by Colonel Samuel Hunter in the line of Pennsylvania militia - said troops were formed by the direction of Colonel Thomas Hartley one of the officers in the regular army.

I was in the same company and acted as first Lieutenant, by an election of the soldiers in said Company although I never had a commission - Said Reese after he so enlisted became a regular soldier and was engaged in assisting to Build the Stockade at Northumberland
Page 31

to fortify the town against the Indian and to protect the Inhabitants of the surrounding country that had then take shelter from the savages of the enemy. Said Reese continued as a soldier in said Company from the time aforesaid until the [illegible] peace was proclaimed which this deponent thinks nea[r] in the year AD 1783 - This deponent well recollects that said Reese was frequently out in scouting parties I was out with him in said parties in order to destory the Indians who were then our common enemy and infested the Country on the Susquehannah river

That said Reese to the best of this deponents recollection served during the year foresaid faithfull as a soldier.- This deponent has not seen said Reese for a number of years, but from his recollection of their respective ages he must seventy years of age or more.

And further this deponent saith not
Rich Martin

Sworn & subscribed before me this 19th day of March AD 1833
John Pursel

I John Pursell the Justice above named do certify that I am well acquainted with said Richard Martin and that he is credible witness and believe his statement an entitled to credit.
John Pursel
Page 32

to fortify the town against the Indians and to protect the inhabitants of the surrounding country that had them take shelter from the savages of the enemy.  Said Reese continued as a soldier in said company from the time as foresaid until the time service was (illegible) which this deponent think was in the year 1783.  This deponent well recollects that said Reese was frequently out in scouting parties against the Indians.  out with him in said parties in order to destroy the Indians who were then our common enemy and infested the country on the Susquehanna River.
    That said Reeses to the best of this deponent's  served during the (illegible) aforesaid faith as a soldier.  This deponent has not been said (illegible) for a number of years, but from his recollection of their respective ages he must be seventy years of age or more.
     And further this deponent saith not.

                                           //s//
                                   Rich, Martin
Sworn & subscribed before
me this 19th day of March
AD 1833.

                      //s//
              John Pursel

   I, John Pursell the Justice above named do certify that I am well acquainted with said Richard Martin and that he is a credible witness and believes his statements are entitled to credit.                             
                               //s//
                           John Pursell
Page 33

State of New York
County of Niagara SS
Before me Ansel M Hurd Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County came Robert Lee who being duly sworn saith, that Thomas Rees Esq the County of Erie in the State of Pennylvania hath been personally known to him said deponant for more than fifty years. That during the war of the Revolution the said Rees as well as the said deponant resided in the County Northumberland in said State of Pennsylvania which was then the [illegible] that the [illegible] of the Savage [illegible] were frequent and fatal. That during the last year of the war only a very small military force was stationed in the County, and the inhabitants left to their own resources for protection and defence; and that therefore it was expected if not required that every man should be prepared to turn out to repel the incursions of the Indians and that this deponant remembers to have heard the men of that time and place speak in praise of the great activity and intrepidity of the said Thomas Rees. That in the year 1782 this deponant as he believes was thirteen years of age, a present at the home of John Lee father of this deponant in said County of Northumberland County, and State of
Pennsylvania aforesaid, from which the Savages had recently carried away a number of persons out of whom were very shortly afterwards murdered within a short distance of the spot that said Rees was among the first who arrived, and among the first who prepared pursuit, and that he was the leader of a party who went in pursuit of the enemy and the captives. That this deponant hath good reason to believe and doth [illegible] believe that during the last years of the Revolutionary war the said Rendered much service to the inhabitants of the aforesaid [illegible].
R. Lee

Sworn to and subscribed before me the 17th day of February 1834
Ansel M Hurd Justice of the Peace
I certify that Robert Lee the above named deponant is a credible witness.
Ansel M Hurd J.P.
Page 34

Niagara County
Clerk Office
I, Henry [illegible], Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Ansel M Hurd [illegible] whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been from was on the date He Says [illegible] the acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Niagara [illegible] Elected, qualified & empowered to act as such & that I am acquainted with his hand writing and [?] believe his name subscribed to this foregoing affidavit is his proper hand [illegible] and signature. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set and affixed my Seal of Office this 17th day of May of [illegible] 1834
Henry Catlin [illegible]
Page 35

The National Archives
Form VAN-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT CARD

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name: Reese, David
Grade: Private
Line:  Pennsylvania

Warrant Number: 10254
Acreage: 100
Issued:  May 16, 1791 to:  (not shown)
Page 36

(Duplicate of page 35)