Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 812., Adam Betz, Penn
Page 1

[notecard]
[upper left]
SERVICE
Penn
[middle]
Betz, Adam
[upper right]
NUMBER
R.812.
Page 2

Declaration order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of Ohio    }
Ross County      }ss.  
On this 4th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County aforesaid, now sitting, Adam Betz, a resident of Chilliothe in the County of Ross and State of Ohio, aged Eighty four 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 7th 1832. 
That from information received from his parents as well as from his indenture of apprenticeship, he was born in Chester County in the state of Pennsylvania, on the 1st day of October 1748.  That he entered into the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War in the Militia as a Lieutenant of the company commanded by Capt Commerine, Peter Richards being our Ensign from New Hanover Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, on a tour of six months, and was attached to a regiment commanded by Col Richard Tea and Genl Hester, on or about the 31st day of July 1777, as also appears by the certificate of his oath to be true to his country of that date,  and now in his possession; From which place he was marched first to Trentown, [Trenton] thence to Raritan, thence to Princetown  [Princeton] Colledges, [sic] thence to Amboy, Thence to South Amboy, Thence to a station at Featherbeds Hill, at which place his time expired, having served his full tour of six months but not having been in any battle he was unwilling to leave the army; although his Captain and many of his company returned home; he continued with the army, and was promoted to a Captain, and after having made up his company, he took the command, and was attached to Gen Sulivan's [sic] Regiment; he, with his company were in the Rearguard on the hill, at the Battle of Brandy Wine, after which he was marched to John Vaughn's hill to Genl Washington's head quarters, wherein, after a short time he was discharged, having served the United States three months as a Captain, and six months as a Lieutenant of Militia in the Revolutionary War, for which he claims a pension under the act of Congress aforesaid;  he has no documentary evidence of any of his services, and knows of no person now living, whose testimony he can procure to testify to any of his services; shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War, he removed to the spring forge, in the state of Pennsylvania, which he owned when it was destroyed by a flood; from whence he removed to Chillicothe in the County of Ross in the state of Ohio, where he has resided the last thirty three years. We hereby relinquish 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 of any State--
Sworn to and  subscribed in open Court June 4th 1833.
/s/ Humphrey Fullerton Clerk       
/s/  Adam Betz
Page 3

was needed the last was by three years.  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 of any State.
/s/ Adam Betz
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court June 4th,1833.
/s/ Humphrey Fullerton, Clerk

We, Thomas Scott, a Clergyman residing in Chillicothe in the County aforesaid, and William Creighton, residing in the County & State aforesaid, hereby certify that we have been acquainted with Adam Betz for many years, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty-four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been an officer or soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, and believe him to be a man of truth.
/s/ Thomas Scott
/s/ William Creighton
Sworn and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid.
/s/ Humphrey Fullerton, Clerk

In the matter of Adam Betz for a pension, the Court hereby declares 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 Thomas Scott who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Chillicothe in the County of Ross and that William Creighton Jr
who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Chillicothe and County aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statements an entitled to credit-

The State of Ohio}
Ross County        } SS
I, Humphrey Fullerton, Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the
matter of the application of Adam Betz for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed the seal of said Court
this 22nd day of June 1833 & of this State
the 31st.
[SEAL]
/S/ Humphrey Fullerton, Clerk
Page 4

Adam Betz
Ross County
Ohio

Hon Wm Allen
Ho of Rep
Ohio

[William Creighton and Chillicothe crossed out]
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
13th August 1833
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.

A statement, shewing the service of Adam Betz

Period when the service was rendered: July 1777
Duration of the claimant's service: ___ years, 6 months, _____ days.
Rank of the claimant: Lieut.
Names and ranks of the Field officers under whom he served: Col. Tea, Gen. Hester

Period when the service was rendered: July 1777
Duration of the claimant's service: ___ years, 3 months, _____ days.
Rank of the claimant: Cap.
Names and ranks of the Field officers under whom he served: General Sullivan 

Age at present, and place of abode, when he entered the service: 84 years, Phila. County, PA
Proof by which the declaration is supported: Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 6

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1852.
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 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, 1852.
State, Territory or District of
County of       SS
On this     day of     personally appeared A  B, (c)  a resident 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
the Agency in the State 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     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
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
Page 7

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 principle 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 are required to submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a 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, be 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 _____.  For _____ year, _____ months, 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 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 makos the relinquishment indispenable.
[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 distinguish
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. Or in the militia cases, the muster rolls exist
[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:
[See presented laws & instructions of 1849, page 96]
Page 8

The State of Ohio
County of Ross SS
On this 19th day of September 1853
personally appeared in open court before the Probate Court of Ross County, Ohio, now sitting Joseph Shepherd and Mary Shepherd, his wife, late Mary Betz, resident to [sic] of the said County of Ross and State aforesaid, Adam Betz, also a resident of the said County and
State, Chas A Richards and Henrietta Richards,
his wife, late Henrietta Betz, residents of the County of Pike in the State aforesaid, all of lawful age, who first being duly sworn according to law, do on their oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
That the said Mary Shepherd (late Mary Betz),
Adam Betz and Henrietta Richardson (late Henrietta Betz) are the only surviving children and heirs at law of Adam Betz deceased. That the said Adam Betz was a Revolutionary officer and entered the service as a Lieutenant of Militia in the company commanded by Capt. Commerine, Peter Richards being Ensign from New Hanover Township, Philadelphia County Pennsylvania, on a tour of six months, and was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col Richard Tea and General Hester on or about the 31st day of July 1777. from which place he was marched first to Trenton - thence
to Raritan, thence to Princeton College, thence to Amboy, thence to South Amboy, hence to a station at Featherbeds Hill, at which place his time expired, having served his full tour of six months; but not having been in any battles, he was unwilling to leave the army although his captain and many of his company returned home; he continued with the Army
Page 9

and was promoted to a Captain, and after having made up his company he took the command and was attached to General Sullivan's Regiment. He with his company were in the rearguard on the hill at the Battle of Brandywine, after which he was marched to John Vaughn's Hill to General Washington's headquarters when after a short time he was discharged having served the United States three months as a Captain and six months as a Lieutenant of Militia in the Revolutionary War as these affiants are informed and verily  believe for which they claim his unpaid pension under the act aforesaid.  These affiants have no documentary evidence of any of the said Adam Betz military service in the War of the Revolution and know of no person now living whose testimony they can procure to testify to the same, except his own declaration under oath, made before the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Ross, in the year 1833, and filed herewith.  These affiants further state that according to the said declaration of the said Adam Betz it appears, that after the close of the War he removed to Spring Forge in the State of Pennsylvania and from thence to the county of Ross, in the State of Ohio; where he died on the 17th day of November 1839, and that his name was never in any Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, these affiants further state that the said Adam Betz died leaving a widow him surviving, who also died on the 30th day of December 1849.

/s/ Joseph Shephard
Mary her X mark Shephard
/s/ Adam Betz
/s/ Charles A. Richards
/s/ Henrietta Richards
Page 10

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day and year  first herein before written
/s/ Samuel F McCoy
Probate Judge
Also on the twenty eighth day of August 1853 came James Howard a credible and disinterested person of lawful age, who being duly sworn in open court, as aforesaid, according to law, declares and says that he was well acquainted with Adam Betz, in the life time of the said Betz, and that he always regarded him as a man of truth and veracity, and that he was so spoken of by the community generally; that the said Adam Betz was always regarded as having been a soldier or officer of the Revolutionary War, and on all public occasions in which it was usual to do honor to the patriots of 1776, he was generally among the prominent men of the day; and that he has perfect confidence in what he has alleged in his declaration in the Court of Common Pleas for Ross County concerning  his military services in the said war, and believes the same to be true;  that he is also acquainted with Mary Shepherd late Mary Betz,  Adam Betz and Henrietta Richards, late Henrietta Betz & has been acquainted for a long time,  that they were always recognized by the said Adam Betz during his life as his legitimate children and the affiant believes them to be so, and they have ever so been ^ regarded by the community generally; that this affiant knows of no other children of the said Betz, ^ except Jonah Henderson who advised is now deceased.  This affiant further discloses that the said Adam Betz died at Chillicothe Ross County Ohio about the 17th day of November 1839.
/s/ James Howard, Sen.
Page 11

Subscribed and sworn to by James Howard Gen 
in open court this 28th day of September 1853
/s/  Samuel F. McCoy 
Probate Judge


The State of Ohio
Ross County ss 

These affiants Joseph Shepherd Mary Shepherd Adam Betz Chas A. Richards and Henrietta Richards make oath and say that Sarah Henderson wife of Nathaniel Henderson was another child of the said Adam Betz decd who survived the said Adam Betz decd and that they together with these affiants are the only children of the said Adam Betz who did survive him; That the said Sarah Henderson died about 18+ months since, at Pike County Ohio leaving the preceding named children to wit Margaret, Ophelia, Matilda  and John Henderson.

/s/ Joseph Shepherd
Mary her X mark Shepherd
/s/ Adam Betz
/s/ Charles A. Richards
/s/ Henrietta Richards

Subscribed and sworn to     }
in open court this                 }
19th day of September 1853}
/s/ Saml F. McCoy
Probate Judge
Page 12

March 13, 1940

BA-J/AWF
Adam Betz
R. 812
[initialed]

Mrs. H. F. Willey
370 Highland Drive
Seattle, Washington

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of the
following persons:
Henry Betz, supposed to have enlisted from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, served in Captain Von Ottendorff's company;
Adam Betz, Lieutenant in Berks County, Pennsylvania militia;
Samuel Betz, Lieutenant in Dauphin County,
Pennsylvania militia;
Abraham Betz, Major in Berks County, Pennsylvania militia.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office
are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land, which have been made to the United States, based upon service in that war.

A search of the records fails to show such
claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of Henry Betz, Samuel Betz, Abraham Betz, under any spelling of the surname.

As a possible means of securing information
relative to the military record of these persons,
it is suggested that you apply to The Adjutant
Page 13

2 -
General, War Department, this city.

Adam Betz-R. 812

The data which follow in regard to Adam Betz
were obtained from papers on file in claim for
pension, R. 812, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.

Adam Betz was born October 1, 1748, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given.

Adam Betz of New Hanover Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, took the oath of Allegiance and Fidelity, July 31, 1777, and in 1780, he was commissioned Lieutenant in a company of foot in the 3rd Battalion of Berks County, Pennsylvania Militia.

He alleged that he served six months as lieutenant in Captain Coomerine's company, Colonel Richard Tea's Pennsylvania regiment, and served three months as captain, under General Sullivan.

Adam Betz moved after the Revolution to "the
Spring Forge" in Pennsylvania, thence to Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio.

He applied for pension June 4, 1833, then having lived in Chillicothe, about thirty - three years.

The claim for pension was not allowed as proof
of six months' service, as required by the pension, was not furnished.

Adam Betz died November 17, 1839, in Ross
County, Ohio. His widow died December 30, 1849. Her
Page 14

3 -
name and age were not given, and there are no data in this claim in regard to their marriage.

On September 19, 1853 reference was made to
the following children of Adam Betz-
Mary, wife of Joseph Shepherd, residing in Ross County, Ohio;
Adam Betz, residing in Ross County, Ohio;
Henrietta, wife of Charles A. Richards, living in Pike County, Ohio;
Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Henderson. The said Sarah was then deceased and was survived by the following children -- Margaret, Ophelia, Matilda, and John.

It was stated that one Peter Richards was ensign in Captain Coomerine's company at the same time that Adam Betz was lieutenant in the company. The relationship of Peter Richards to the above named Charles A. Richards was not given.

The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 15

[blank notecard]
[writing is very faint - appears to say Betz, Adam
R 812]
Page 16

Chillicothe Ss
I  DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that Mr. Adam Betz of New Hanover Township in the County of Philadelphia Joyner
Hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the O A T H of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an A C T of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 13th day of June, A. D., 1777.  Witness my hand and seal, the [illegible] 31st day of July, A.D. 1777
No. 402

[L.S.] /s/ Peter Richards

PRINTED BY JOHN DUNLAP.
[bottom handwritten line is barely legible- unable to transcribe whole line]
Page 17

[left-hand side of page]
p940 - March 13. hist to
Mrs. H.F. Willey [illegible]

[right-hand side of pae]
Ex'r
No. 812
[Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. crossed out]
INVALID
REJECTED

Adam Betz
P. O. _______________________
Service:____________________
Enlisted: __________________, 18
Discharged: _______________, 18
Application filed: __________, 18
Alleges: ____________________
Re-enlisted: ________________
Attorney: ___________________
P. O. ________________________
Page 18

[left-hand side of page]

No. 38.631

Adam Betz decd
Ohio
Wm. H. Safford Esqr
Oct 13/53

812 

Act June of 1832

[right-hand side of page]
[stamp partially legible]
C.HILL...HE
SEP 29
O.
N. 1, 1853
of
Adam
Betz, decd
Ross Co.
O. 
Act 1/38
W Cole [handwritten in pencil]
W. H. Safford,
Chillicothe,
O.

[address on envelope]
Hon S. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

FREE
Page 19

[seal in upper left-hand corner]

In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
of the said Commonwealth,
To Adam Betz Gentleman
We, reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, [sic] Conduct and Fidelity, DO by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant of company of  foot in the third Battalion of Militia, in the County of Berks--You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Lieutenant by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging.  And We do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Lieutenant.  And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts of Assembly of this State.  This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the Laws of this State, shall of course expire.
GIVEN under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this tenth day of [month is not visible] in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty.

/s/Jos Reed
President
ATTEST:
/s/ T. Matlack
Page 20

Chillicothe Ohio
Sept 28th 1853

Hon S. P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Sir:

I herewith enclose the application for un-paid pension of Adam Betz, on the part of Joseph Shepherd and Mary his wife, Adam Betz, Chas A. Richards and Henrietta Richards his wife, heirs at law and legal representatives of the said Adam Betz decd.

You will observe that Adam Betz in his life time, made application for a pension, but failed to succeed from the fact that he could not establish his services by two credible witnesses, according to rule J, in the enclosed instructions.  That his case was already misaprehended [sic], I think you will readily perceive by reference to the Book of printed instructions published, I believe, in 1849 - or 50, page 96--you will observe there the following "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, or in militia cases in which muster rolls exist."
Page 21

By  the Auditor General's letter of Nov 15th 1833, also herewith enclosed, it will be discovered that there are no rolls known now to exist of the Pennsylvania Militia, prior to the reduction of the Pennsylvania line in 1780--This then under the rules before alluded to, is a clear case for admitting traditionary evidence.  His own papers having confirmed in every particular to the requirements of the instructions under the act of June 7th 1832, I do not think the pension should have been withheld from him.

Please make the necessary examination, and inform me what other proof is necessary to be furnished by the heirs

Yours very respectfully
/s/ W H Safford
Attorney  for
the Heirs of Adam
Betz decd
Page 22

    Know all men by these presents that we Joseph Shepherd and Mary Shepherd his wife, Adam Betz, Charles A. Richards and Henrietta Richards his wife, do hereby constitute William H. Safford of Chillicotte, in the county of Ross and Seth of Ohio our lawful attorney, for us, and in our names to apply for, prosecute and receive whatever may be due to us, as the heirs of Adam Betz dec'd., as a Revolutionary Soldier, in the matter of his (illegible) pension from the government of the United States, and to this end, to make our application to the Commissioner of Pensions and any other of the Department of the Government for the same - receive thereto us fully and effectually as if we were personally present and acting for ourselves.

    In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seal this 19th day of September 1852.
(Signatures) 
Joseph Shepherd
Mary (her mark) Shepherd
Adam Betz
Charles A. Richards
Henrietta Richards 

Witnesses
//s//
James Miller
Saml. F. McCoy

    Subscribed in my presence, and acknowledged before me the 19th day of September 1853.

                                            //s//
                                     Saml. F. McCoy
                                     Probate Judge
Page 23

    Also, on the 28th day of September 1853 came John Maderia a credible and disinterested person, of lawful age, who being duly sworn in open court as aforesaid according to law declares and says that he was well acquainted with Adam Betz, in the life time of the said Betz and that he always regarded his as a man of truth and veracity, and that he was so spoken of by the community generally; that the said Adam Betz was always regarded as having been a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and in all public occasions in which it was usual to do honor to the patriots of 1776 he was generally among the prominent men of the day; that he was confident in the statement of the said Adam Betz before the Court of Common Pleas for Ross County (previous) to his death, concerning his service during the Revolutionary War; and believes the same to be true;  that he is also acquainted with Mary Shephered wife of Joseph Shepherd and knows the fact that she was recognized by the said Adam Betz during his life as his legitimate child, he also knows the fact that there were other children whose names he does not know, and this applicant further says that Adam Betz died at Chillicotte some ten or twelve years since and that his widow has since died.  
                                                    //s//
                                            J. Maderia

Subscribed and sworn to this 28th day of September 1853 in open court.

                                             //s//
                                      Saml. F. McCoy
                                       Probate Judge.
Page 24

   I Saml. F. McCoy Judge of the Probate Court of Ross County, duly authorized by law to authenticate, may (illegible) act ny the (illegible) of my court, do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement of Power of Attorney have duly made and acknowledged before me on the respective days therein stated and that the signatures thereunto are genuine.

    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court this 28th day of September 1853.

                                        //s//
                                Saml. F. McCoy
                                Probate Judge
Page 25

(An addressed envelope.)


William Creighton Esqr.

      Member of Congress

                 Chillicotte,

                         Ohio.
Page 26

Auditor Gen's. Office
Nov. 15th, 1833

Sir,

    Your letter to the Gov. dated Nov. 7th, 1833, was submitted to me.  I have examined the personnel roll in my department.  But cannot find the name of Adam Betz.  I have also had an examination made of the musters of the Supreme executive council from the years 1777 to 1780 but do not find that any (illegible) to have (been) made in the name of A. Betz.  Our pers. rolls contain only the names of those in the service after the revolution of the Penna. Line in 1780, what (illegible) of the pay rolls preceding that period because of those rolls, I cannot say but presume they were transferred to Washington City on (illegible) settlement between the U.S. & Penna & were destroyed in the fire of the capitol, among the last you might probably find something relating to Mr. Betz (illegible) in the minutes of the Continental Congress of the period to which you alluded.  
The Gov. wishes you to be informed of his unending friendship & (illegible)

                               Yours respectfully,
                                Danl. Sturgeon

Wm. Creighton Esqr.
Page 27

[upper left corner] logo of Daughter's of the American Revolution

[letterhead]
Mary Morris Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution
Seattle, Washington

[typewritten letter]
370 Highland Drive
Seattle, Washington
February 17, 1940

Veterans' Administration
Washington, D. C.
Att. of A. D. Hiller, Executive Assist.

Dear Sir:

I am requesting information concerning the following persons who served in the War of the Revolution from Pennsylvania: --

1. Henry Betz - in Von Ottendorff's Company, Continental Line. The county from which he enlisted not known, but supposed to be Franklin.
2. Adam Betz-Lieut, Berks County Militia.
3. Samuel Betz-Lieut. Dauphin County Militia.
4. Abraham Betz- Major, Berks County Militia

If your office is unable to furnish data on these soldiers, may this request be turned over to the War Department for pension records.

Thanking you for your assistance in the past and for any data you may be able to supply at this time, I am,
Very truly yours,
[signed] Ruth M. Willey
Mrs. H. F. Willey