Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,936, for Jacob Speth, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
Pennsyla
SERVICE Penn
Speth, Jacob
NUMBER S. 23936

CONTENTS
Page 2

11477
Pennsylvania
Jacob Speth of Luzerne in the State of Pennsylvania was a Private in the Company commanded
Captain Yule of the Regt commanded by _____ in the Pennsylvania Militia for nine months

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 30 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the Second day of May 1833 and sent to S Harrison Mifflinville Pa

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $60
Semi- annl allowance ending 4th Sep 33 15.90 
$75.90

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Geo. B. Whiting
Book E Vol. 5 Page 52

[right side]
[all crossed out]
order to pay. See letter No. 10. 1836
to L. G. Clover & P. At
Let to L. G. Clover Mar 29 '38
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania
Luzern County

On this tenth day of (illegible) 1833 personally appeared in open court, before the court of common pleas now sitting, Jacob Speth, a resident of Sugarloaf Township in the county of Luzern and state of Pennsylvania,  aged sixty-seven 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.

In April 1780 he enlisted at Allentown (then in Northampton County) under Captain Jacob Yale for the term of nine months.  Thomas Para(?), John Thomas and Jacob Nanaemacker joined the company at the same time.   From Allentown I went to Philadelphia, from thence we were marched to Williamsburg, Virginia.  We remained there until August and thence were marched to Alexandria, thence to Baltimore where we remained two months, from thence we went to Philadelphia where I received my discharge which I have lost.  We were in no engagements, but I was in the service for the full term of nine months.  

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.
Page 4

I was born in France A.D. 1766.  I have a record of m age in a certificate now in my possession.

When I entered into the service as above stated I resided at Allentown in this state.  Since the Revolutionary War I have resided in Northampton and Luzerne Counties and how reside in the Township of Sugarloaf in this county of Luzerne and state of Pennsylvania. 

I entered for the term of nine months and served the full time.  

I do not recollect my officers except Captain Jacob Yale and General Lafayette.

I would refer to the following persons for my character for truth and veracity (illegible) Col.  Jacob Trumbell, Valentine Syple, Moses Branduge, Samuel Yost, Philip Yost, Philip Woodring Esquire. 

There is no clergyman residing in my neighborhood & I reside nearly thirty miles from the place of the sitting of the court. 
Signed:  Jacob Speth

Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid.
Signed:  A. Pattelone, Prot.
Page 5

We, Samuel Harman and Anthony Fisher, residing in the said township of Sugarloaf in the said county of Luzerne, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Speth, who (illegible) and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty-seven years of age; that he is reputed and known in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Signed:  Samuel Harman, Anthony Fisher

Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid. 
Signed:  A. Pettebone, Prot.

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 Jacob Speth was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And the court further certifies that Samuel Harman and Anthony Fisher, who have signed the preceding certificate, are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.  

I, Henry Pettelbone, Prothonotary of the court of common pleas of Luzerne County, certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jacob Speth for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Wilkes Barre the tenth day of January A.D. 1833.
Signed:  H. Pettebone, Prot.
Page 6

November 14, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
JACOB SPETH
S. 23936
BA-J/MLB

May C. Wayne
2214 Mather Avenue
Elkhart, Indiana

Dear Madam:

The data which follow in regard to Jacob Speth were found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 23936, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Jacob Speth was born in 1766 in France and came to this country in 1769 with his parents whose names were not given.

While residing in Allentown (then in Northampton County) Pennsylvania, Jacob Speth enlisted in April, 1782, for the term of nine months, served as private in Captain Jacob Yule's Pennsylvania company, stationed at Philadelphia, Williamsburgh, Virginia, Alexandria and Baltimore, and was
discharged after serving the term for which he enlisted.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed January 10. 1833, while a resident of Sugarloaf, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 1838, he was living in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. He died December 25, 1837.

Jacob Speth was survived by a widow, whose name was not stated. No reference was made to any children.

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and name and address of the person paid, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Jacob Speth, certificate #1147, issued May 2, 1833, rate, $30 per
annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 7

State of Pennsylvania 
Columbia County } ss.
Personally appeared before 
me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in 
and for said County. Thomas Ward aged eighty 
four who was duly sworn according to law who saith, I am well acquainted with your 
Pettitioner [petitioner] Jacob Speth since the year 1779 
and in the spring of 1782 the said Jacob Speth Enlisted under Captain Jacob Yale in Allenton  Northampton 
County for the term of nine months with [John?] Thomas, Phillip Deul, Jacob Nonnemacker Nathan Beach & Adam Yale. I was with said Jacob Speth 
from Allentown to Philadelphia, from there to Williamsburgh, to Alexandria, Baltimore and a 
number of other place not recollect. from 
Baltimore we marched to Philadelphia all this time Jacob Speth was in the service of his Country in the Continental Army 
and further saith not 
Thomas Ward his X mark

Sworn and Subscribed 
this 19 day of March 
1833 before me 
Samuel Harman JP.
Page 8

Columbia County ss
I Samuel Harman, one of the 
Justices of the Peace in and for the said County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with 
Thomas Ward, the within named affirmant, and that he is a credible person and worthy of believe [belief]
and also that he is a resident of the township 
of Brier Creek, Columbia County Pennylvania. 
In testimony Whereof I have set my hand and 
seal at Mifflin Mills this 19th day of March AD 1833.
Samuel Harman (seal) JP.

State of Pennsylvania 
Columbia County 
I Jacob Eyerly Prothonotary of the 
Court of Common Pleas in and for the 
County of Columbia aforesaid do certify 
that Samuel Harman Esquire before 
whom the foregoing affadavit [affidavit] was taken was & still is an acting Justice of the 
Peace in and for the County of Columbia aforesaid duly Commissioned as such 
and to all whose Official Acts as such 
due faith & Credit is and Ought to 
be given as well in Courts of Justice as 
elsewhere, and that the signature of 
Samuel Harman as above written is the 
proper handwriting of the said Samuel 
Harman Esqr In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal 
of said Court at Danville this twenty 
third day of March AD Eighteen hundred & thirty three Jacob Eyerly Proth
Page 9

1938. Nov. 14 - Hist to May C. Wayne MLB

Revolution 
23936 
INVALID. 
File No. 23.936 
Jacob Speth
Pri Rev War 

Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 389
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 10

2214 Mather Ave
Elkhart Ind.
Oct. 4, 1938

Pension Bureau
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir:

Please send me the Revolutionary War service & whatever vital or family records are in your pension records for Christian Wayne and Jacob Spade who lived in Northumberland Co Penn. ["after the War." crossed out]  We believe they were the grandfathers of our John Wayne born 1801 who married Susan Spade born 1804.

The John Wayne family lived in Middleburg Snyder Co Pa.  Snyder Co. was formed from Union Co in 1855. & Union Co. was from Northumberland in 1813.

Our Wayne name was spelled Wain & Weyn also.
 "  Spade " " " Spath & Spaaf "
Page 11

We want three seconds to help prove a lineage to join the children of the am Rev.

Sincerely yours,
May C. Wayne
2214 Mathers ave
Ehrhart Snd.
Page 12

[time stamp, apparently stamped on the rear side of Document 11 in this folder]

RECEIVED OCT 6 1938
MAIL [illegible]-DIV 
VETS. ADM 
READER #5

[arrow pointing approximately to 11:50 on the time stamp]
Page 13

November 14, 1938
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MLB

May C. Wayne
2214 Mather Avenue
Elkhart, Indiana

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Christian Wayne (Wain, Weyn) and Jacob Spade (Spath, Spaaf) who lived in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension of bounty land found based upon service in that war of a Christian Wayne, under any spelling of the name. Such claims are the source of data furnished by this office in regard to soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Information in regard to his military services might be obtained from the Adjutant General, War Department, this city. The only regard found for a soldier of similar name to Jacob Spade was that of Jacob Speth, of Pennsylvania, which is furnished here with in hopes that it may prove of interest to you in your research.

Very truly yours,
A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 14

Luzerne County ss

   I Henry Pettibone Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county do certify that the foregoing is the original proceedings supplementary to the declaration of Jacob Speth, dated 10th day of January 1833.  In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Wilkes-Barre this 5th day of April A.D. 1833.

                                        //s//
                               Henry Pettibone
                                                   Prot.
Page 15

State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County ss.

   On the fifth day of April anno domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County, Jacob Speth a resident of Luzerne Township in said county who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in addition fo the declaration dated the tenth day of January 1833 and returned by the War Department. 
    That he is the same Jacob Speth who appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County on that the fifth day of January 1833 and swore to declaration established by the War Department for further information.  And that by reason of old age and loss of memory he cannot swear to the names of the Colonel who commanded the regiment to which he was attached neither can he recollect any of the officers who were with the army at the time except General Lafayette and Captain Jacob Yule.   That he has no documentary evidence of his service and knows of no persons whose testimony he can procure excepting the testimony of Thomas Ward whose deposition accompanying this declaration. 

                                 //s//
                         Jacob Speth
Sworn & subscribed
in Open Court the day &
year at Supra.
                   //s//
            H. Pettibone   Proth.
Page 16

L G. Clover 
March 29, 1828 
G.C. 

Record Vol 46 page 389
Page 17

War Department
Pension Office
March 29, 1838

Sir,

   In answer to your letter of the 13th March, I have to inform to that the enclosed printed sheets will show the widow od Jacob Speth dcd. how to proceed in order to obtain the arrears of pension due up to the day of his death.
   I also enclose to instructions under the act of July 4, 1836 for her guidance provided her case is embraced by the law.  


//s//
Mr. L. G. Clover 
Brookville, Pa.
Page 18

Jacob Speth

$30. Private 9 months
Saml Harman agt
Mifflinville Cola. Pa
Page 19

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jacob Speth which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. Has he mentioned 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? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes he showed erate his colonel - if possible

VII. has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No.

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness of witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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 and 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 consequence 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 -------- month and -------- days, I served as a -------- For -------- months and -------- days, I served as a --------; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served.
rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
and the particular rank he
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 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
farm of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the of each term
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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
-In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
-
Page 22

(An addressed envelope)

Brookville, Pa.                        B/U     
Mar. 14th

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.



W. Mar. 28th
Jacob Spath
Pa. M.

11477
Page 23

Brookville March 13th, 1838
To the Commissioner of
Pensions at
Washington City, D.C.

Sir,

    There formerly resided in this county a man namely Jacob Speth formerly a revolutionary soldier who drew a pension from the United States of thirty dollars per year is (now) deceased on the 25th of April last leaving a widow in indigent circumstances who wishes to draw the balance due from the last payment up to his death.  Will you have the kindness to address me and inform me to what way she will be able to come at getting the balance and also to be able to get a pension for herself the balance of (illegible) time.

                                   I am yours 
                                           //s//
                                    Levi  G. Clover

(2 -3 words illegible)
recorded in book E, Vol. 5, Page 52. Recorded by (illegible) Whitney
Page 24

Levi G Clover
Pa
10 Nov 1836
GC

Record G 36 page 315
Page 25

War Dept.
Pension Office
Nov. 10. 1836

Sir,

The Agent has been directed to pay the amount due to Jacob Speth on the enclosed vouchers.

J

Levi G. Clover, Esq
care of Messrs. Potts, Reynolds & Co., Merchants
Philadelphia
Page 26

(An addressed envelope)

(postal stamp)                            
WILKESBARE
        APR                                   FREE
          6
         PA

War Department
Pension Office
Washington City, D.C.

(mail)
Page 27

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pa
April 5, 1833

Sir,

   Per mail I am (illegible) to you the (pension) request of Jacob Speth, Anthony (2 - 3 words illegible) Cornet and also hoping that there may be no delay in (illegible) two pensions withheld  (illegible) also please to send the certificates to William Bell Post Office Columbia County, Pa.

                   I am yours very respectfully,
                                       //s//
                             Samuel Harman
Page 28

Free

Nov 4

PHILADA
NOV 2 
PA

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 29

Phila  Novemr. 2d 1836

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Sir

Enclosed I send you a power of attorney from Jacob Speth revolutionary pensioner of Jefferson county Penna. formerly from Luzerne County said State, which I have this day presented at the Givard Bank for payment, but which was refused wanting ["a" crossed out] special directions or order from the Comr. of Pens. owing to its having overrun one Year.  I am certain he is the identical person named in his certificate of which he has in his possession from my having been personally acquainted with him since he first came to Jefferson County, he states he formerly lived in Luzerne Coy Pa. living [illegible] from Post Offices, and the and being [illegible] he neglected collecting it in the 6 months; from age &c I am perfectly satisfied he is the Jacob Speth, You will please send an order immediately to the
Page 30

Commissr of Penss in Philada for the payment of the same, as I reside in Jefferson County nearly 300 miles from this place and it will be inconvenient for me to remain here any length of time, please direct the enclosed to me care of Messrs Potts Reynolds Co Merchants Philada.

Yours Respectfully
Levi G Clover