Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4,713, for Christian Plakard, Pennsylvania
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(8-17760

SERVICE  Penn.  
Plakard, Christian.  
NUMBER   S. 4.713
Carded
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Ohio No. 13281
Christian Plakard of Clermont in the State of Ohio who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Graves of the Regt commanded by Col. Cunningham in the Pennsylvania line for 7 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of June 1833 and sent to J.D Morris Batavia Clermont Co Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $46.66 and Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 11.67
$58.33
{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by JW Clagett Clerk,
Book E Vol. 8.  Page 20

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 Sept 1838. Agt. notified 18 Oct 1839.
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Christain Plakard 25275             
Declaration             
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832            
State of Ohio           
Clermont County } SS        
On this Eighth day of May 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon, John M. Goodenow President & Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of this and Robert Maines Israel  Whitaker and John Emery Sigler Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the above named County now sitting Christian Plakard a resident of Ohio Township Clermont county and State Said aged seventy 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.               
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.  He  was born on the 23d day of February in the year 1755 in Germany and emigrated with his father to the United States when he was in the tenth year of his age.  He lived in Lancaster County in the State of Pennsylvania at the time he entered the service of the United States on the or about the 1 day of May in the year 1776 and he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under the command of Captain George Grave and was attached to Brigadier General [unreadable] brigade. Col Cunningham was the colonel of the Regiment declarant belonged to.  He joined the company in Lancaster in said County of Lancaster, and they marched from there
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to Philadelphia. Staid there about a week and marched from there to the Delaware at Dowver & took into New Jersey, marched from there Princetown where they took up their quarters in College house. From there they marched to Woodbridge and from there marched to Elizabeth town in Brunswick. From of which location they marched by Asbury. While the Hessians were on Staten Island then staid at Asbury for about two weeks and went from there to Elizabeth, (I think) where the staid three or four days and from there we marched over to New York. Staid there four or five days and then marched over to Long Island and a boat to there intrenchments where we staid a night or two and there marched to Flat Bush where we had a battle. The battle began in Flat Bush where deponent was [unreadable] ten o’clock in the morn and lasted till after night. The Americans were defeated and went to their intrenchments. There was a great slaughter of the Americans and the British took a great many of them prisoners and confined some of them in some of the Churches in New York. The British took Fort Washington a short time afterwards. There we staid safe, fifteen hundred men in it from Flat Bush. They marched over to New York in the night. Having left New York standing.                     
For this same tour he was in the Battle of the White Plains. There were two forts there and the British took one of them, the company declarant belonged to under the command Captain Grave came on to reinforce the Americans during the battles. The firing of cannons lasted better than a day. Lord Sterling was one of the field Commanders of the Americans. After at the battle of the White plains and General Putnam was another, There was a great many Delaware and Jersey Soldiers killed and wounded at the battle of the White plains
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after the battle of the White Plains we marched to Fishkill and from there we took shelter and went to Kings Fields. They said on a place called the Pleasant Hill after the battle of the White Plains it he went from Sharpston to Trenton where my time was up and from there we crossed the Delaware went to Philadelphia where we were discharged while we were on this tour three companies  were detached to go to West Chester to guard the court Building near by the river at [unreadable] Captain Grave commanded one of the companies and declarant went with him – we staied at West Chester eight or nine weeks, at Philadelphia I was discharged having served from the 1st of May until new year following. I served on the expedition not up toward seven months Gel [unreadable] Brigades were stationed together in general there was some volunteers and drafted men      
Declarant has seen General Washington and Gel [general] Green and Gel See and Gel Morgan and his riflemen.  He has no record of his age he had one but has lost it.  I got my age from the  statement of my father.  I received a discharge in Philadelphia which was signed by Captain George Grave He lost his discharge which was Stolen with his pocket book containing some other writing and money nearly forty years since   Chaplain Archer Esqr. Thomas Ware Esqr William Robert Elijah Mattox &c. know me in my present neighbourhood and can certify  to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier of the revolution he knows of no person whose testimony he can
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procure who can testify to his service a soldier of the revolution       
From Lancaster County he moved to Northumberland County Pennsylvania from there he moved to Columbia in Henrietta County Ohio, from Columbia he moved on the Little Miami about twelve miles from its mouth, from there he moved to Clermont County this in which county he has lived in ever since [unreadable] six year - four, and two in Colerain Township in Plainsville County in Indiana. On which county – Clermont - he lived in all about for twenty five years   - he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except present and declared that his name is not on the pension roll of any State 
Christan Plakard his mark      
Sworn and subscribed in open Court this 8th day of May 1833       
J. D. Morris Clerk               
We Elijah Mattox a Clergyman residing in Ohio Township Clermont County Ohio, and Thomas Littleton residing in the same township hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christian Plakard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he dwells to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.                     
Elijah Mattox his mark     
Thomas Littleton                   
Sworn and subscribed in open Court this 8th day May 1833                          
J. D. Morris Clerk                             
Christian Plikard applications 25275
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The state of Ohio Clermont Common Pleas May seven 1833
On the 8th day of May 1833 personally appeared in open court Christian Plakard an applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress in relation to pensions passed June 7th 1832 and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after having seen that the interrogations prescribed by the war department were properly answered that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to them that Elijah Mattox who has signed the providing certificate is a Clergyman and resident in Ohio Township Clermont County Ohio  and Thomas Littleton who has also signed the same is a credible person resident in the same township and that their statement is intitled to credit. 
I Jonathan D Morris Clerk of the Court of common pleas in and for Clermont County Ohio do hereby certify that the  foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Christian Plakard for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 20th day of May AD 1833 J.D. Morris Clerk
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No. 25275 Christian Plakard Clermont County Ohio Adm for 7  month
Jon D Morris Clk Clermont County Ohio Batavia
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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 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 need to be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the 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, shewing the service of Christian Plakard Clermont County Ohio 
Period when the service was rendered.  Vol – May 1776   Rank of the Claimant   private    Duration of the claimant's service.   7 months   Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.   Genl Washington & Green   Capt Grave  Lt. Hande  Col. Cunningham    Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.    77 years County of Lancaster Pennsylvania       Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Traditionary evidence with Clergymans certificate, certified credible papers properly attached.   
Battle at Staten Island, White Plains.   
I am respectfully,             
Your obedient servant,           
J. L. Edwards,           
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 Regulations under the act of June 7, 1882
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 and Teamsters, Boatmen, and 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, uscicians 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 1882.
State Territory, or District of County of  On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of  and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1882.  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. (Finger pointing) This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, etc.)
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only that of the Agency in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B. (And then will follow the certificate of the Court.) And 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 
If, no examination of the proper record, the name of applicants, amking such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.  Every applicant who clams 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 thn 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 tha 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 ther their statement is entitled to credit. i, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of  Every applicant will produce the best proof in his pwer. This is the original discharge or commision: 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 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 clam, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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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 detecting the imposition if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decisions 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 propund the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militis, 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 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 general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier To an Officer. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it 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 inconvieniene to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one believes 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 part.  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.  Applicants unable to appear in court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of  Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot , from bodily infirmity attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of 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, 1882; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration here in required is mad, the parties interesd 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.
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4713 Invalid. 
Rev War
File No. 4713 Christian Plakard
Prvt Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index-Vol A page 387
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
October 4, 1839
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,", Jacob Plakard, guardian of Christian Plakard, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of twenty three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837, to the 4the Sept. 1838.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris,
Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.