Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7231, Christian Balsley, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn.

Balsley, Christian
Ann Elizabeth
NUMBER
W. 7231
Page 2



Virginia  30.943
Christian Balsly of
Augusta in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Heaster of the Regt commanded by Col Holler in the Va
line for 10 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Jany
Craig Ho of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $183.31
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Ma 39
16.66
-------
$199.97
Recorded by

[illegible] Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 642 P, 4
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Page 3

State of Virginia
Augusta County

I, Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the Court of Augusta County, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said 
Court in the matter of the application of Christian Balser for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal of file this
3d day of November 1832 & in the 59th year of the Commonwealth.

Jefferson Kinney, Clerk

P919 
Christian Balsley's Declaration
Page 4

State of Virginia
County of Augusta to wit:
on the 24th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the County Court of Augusta, Christian Balsley, a resident of the County & state aforesaid, who will be aged 77 years the 1st of May 1833, who being 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 enlisted in the army
of the United States in the year 1776 with Capt in a company
the officers of which were capt. Hester first Lieut Gist,
& ensign Brasher, and served in the Regiment of the
Pensylvania line. At the time he entered the the service
he was a resident of the Town of Reading in Pennsylvania
that his company with several other were paraded at Reading
Regiment
he thinks near the first of June 1776. From thence they marched
to Newtown, he thinks it was here they joined the
under the command of Col Holler, that Lieut Col Loots and
Major Bott were also his officers. From Newtown they march
crossed the Delaware River to Trenton, from which place they
marched to Princeton from thence to Sepertown & from the
invoy. After remaining here a few weeks they marched
to New York from New York they were taken over to Long
Island, That the American army were attacked by the British
on Long Island on the 27th of August. The day before the
battle he had been called out on Picket guard, and on the
morning of the battle the picket was pounded by the British
light horse and compelled to retreat, that they escaped through
a piece of woodland and a marsh, which the enemy horse had
to past round before they could intercept their retreat, but that
they preached the fort before this could be effected, that they
as a prisoners, amongst whom was this declarants brother
After the battle for Long Island, the army passed over to New York
remained there a few days, then marched to Kings
and proceeded from thence to the White Plains
That a battle was fought at the White Plains a few days after
their arrival, but that at the time of the battle he was out
on a shouting party after some British light horse-
After this battle they crossed the North River to the Jersey
side, and continued their march to Trenton,
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at this place an alarm was given, and the army crossed the Delaware River to the Pensylvania side. that they lay on the Delaware till they were discharged, which he believes
was on the 29th of December. They then returned to Reading his place of residence. He was enlisted for six month but remained
in the service nearly seven -
He commenced his next tour of duty sometime in July 1777.  He was draughted in the Militia, he thinks in the 7th Class.
They were marched from Reading to the place called White Marsh Hill, near Germantown where the British then lay.
They remained here untill they were discharged. They had a few skirmishes with the enemy here but no engagement of any note. His term of service in this Tour amounted to
about two months and a half. He was under the command of Col Bull, but cannot recollect the names of any other of his officers
That he was again draughted in the year 1778. He was Marched from Reading about fifty miles above East Town on Delaware River, that he was in a body of about 400 who were sent to guard the frontier against the Indians
That they were sent out on scouting parties several times and that one of these parties met with fifteen or sixteen
Indians who tried to make their escape-- and that two White men who had joined the Indians were taken prisoner, that he guarded these prisoners one night.
In this town he cannot recollect the names of any of his officers, one Captain Miller commanded a company to which he did not belong - that he served in this tour
about two months and a half.
[crossed-out sentence about being drafted again]
His whole term of service amounted to about 12 months.

He would further state that he was born in Berks County Pennsylvania in the year 1756. He had a record of his age in a family Bible which has been lost, he did in Berks County untill he enlisted. He afterwards resided in different parts of Pennsylvania till 17[illegible] when he removed to Virginia where he has
ever since resided.
He would suggest the names of Gasper Corner & Christian
Page 6

Coiner as persons to whom he is known and who can testify to his character and their belief of his service as a soldier - He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to
pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
he knows of no one who served with him who can [illegible] to his services.  
Christian Balzley

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.

We Kasper Coiner & Christian Coiner
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christian Balsley who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration, that we believe him to be 77 years of age,
that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion

Kasper Coiner
Christian Coiner

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that 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 certify that it appears to them that Kasper Coiner & Christian Coiner
who have signed the above certificate are residents of Augusta County and are credible persons & their statements are entitled to credit

Augusta County Court Sept Term 1832
Kasper Coiner This day made oath in open court that he has known Christian Balsley for upwards of Thirty years and that he has heard him frequently declare and state particulars of his service, that he that he served
he states in his declaration: That he understood he was a 
native of Pennsylvania and that he is a
man of respectability
Kasper Coiner
Page 7

State of Virginia
Augusta County
I, Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the Court of
County do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
the application of Christian Balsley 
for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
my hand and affixed my seal of Office this
3rd day of November 1832 & in the 57th 
year of the Commonwealth
Jefferson Kinney
Page 8


No 16919
Christian Balsley's
Amended Declaration
Adm 10 Mo p $33.33
per ann.
Penn [illegible] comp 1776
1776
Hon R Craig
Page 9

Virginia Augusta County to wit
On this 27th day of August 1834 personally appeared before John Somers, George M. Cochran, William S. Eskridge, George B. Stuart, 
Justices of the County Court of August in open Court, Christian Balsley a resident of said County and offered after being during
sworn according to law, the following amendatory declaration to that submitted to this court on the 25th day of September
1832 and which is hereunto annexed - that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot set forth more in detail that he has done the history of his service
or the names of his officers, nor can he 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 set forth below, and in the following grades. 

For a period of seven
months or his first tour as a private as set forth in his
the declaration for a period of two months and fifteen days, on his second tour as set forth in his former declaration as a private-- for two months & fifteen days, on his third and last tour of duty as set forth in his former
declaration, as a private, makeing all together a service of at least twelve months that he served as a private
---
That he did not procure the certificate of or evidence of a Clergyman to his former declaration because he resides in a remote and thinly settled part of the County,
a considerable distance from a clergyman, and from his age and infirmities he is unable to attend at Church which is some miles distant from him, and from the fact also, that he had obtained the certificates of Kasper Coiner of Christian Coiner, two wealthy and respectable citizens of the County with
whom he had been long acquainted- that he knows of none of his fellow soldiers who are living, that he would procure the evidence of the some of them may possibly yet be alive but from his age, infirmities and poverty he is unable to travel to the state
of his nativity and the scene of his services
to seek them out
Sworn and subscribed to on the day & year
first above stated

Christian Balzley
Page 10

Virginia to wit:
I, Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the County at
of Augusta in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
amended application of Christian Balsley for a Pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal of Office this
4th day of September 1884 and in the 59th year
of the Commonwealth
Jefferson Kinney C.C.
Page 11

6463
Virginia
Ann E. Balsley
widow of Christian Balsley
who was a private
in the Virginia line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
33 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
3d day of Dec. 1844
and sent to the Pensioner at
Staunton Pa

Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 134
Act of March 3, 1843.}
& 17 June 1844


[illegible] 295, not 17 June '44
Date of death not on AB
Page 12

8510
Anna E. Balsley
Va
Act 7 July 38
Nr. 79.
1818
admd.
10. [illegible]
---
33. 33/100
[illegible] Barret Esq.
Richmond Va.
Page 13

State of Virginia County of Augusta 

On this the 5th day of October 1843
personally appeared before John Wast
a justice of the peace
for the County and State aforesaid app'd Anna Elizabeth Balsley resident of the County and state aforesaid, aged about Eighty three years
of Christian Balsley deceased who first being duly sworn according to law doth
on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838: That
she is the widow of Christian Balsley deceased who was a revolutionary soldier and pensioner and who died sometime in June Eighteen
hundred thirty seven she has frequently heard her husband the said Christian Balsley speak of his service during the war of the Revolution but cannot speak definitely concerning his services, that she was married to the said Christian Balsley in the County of Cumberland and
State of Pennsylvania sometime about the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine by Parson Hunkley or Hunkle) she thinks, that she [illegible] this County sometime after marriage and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her above-mentioned deceased husband as will more fully appear from proof hereto annexed.

Her
Anna Elizabeth X Balsley
Mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before me
[illegible] J. Peace
I furthermore certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs Balsleythe above named widow of Christian Bursley deceased that she is a lady
of high respectability and that her declaration is entitled to full credit that from her age it would be inconvenient for her to attend Court.
Given under my hand this 5th day of October 1842

I also certify that the above named Christian Balsley and Anna Elizabeth Barsley lived together as man and wife to the day of his death, and have no doubt; nor did I ever hear any one else doubt, but that they were legally and lawfully married.   Mrs. Balsley is a respectable and very pious old lady, and
has been resident in this County to my knowledge upwards of thirty years as the
wife of Christian Balsley, She also had three sons with whom I am acquainted: John
George & Jonathan Balsley the oldest of which is to all appearance sixty years of
age, and that the Register below was taken from an old book printed in 1775 by myself
and attested to the with three seals

[illegible signature]
Page 14

In the County Court of August October 24th 1842.
The Court having examined the proceedings of
[illegible] member of its body, concerning the Declaration of Ann Elizabeth Balsley, for a pension doth approve the same, which is
enclosed (?) to be certified to the War Department.
I, Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the Court of Augusta County do hereby certify the above and one copy of the order made
the application Anne Elizabeth Balsler of Pension and further Certify that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of
office this 23th day of October 1842 and
in the 69th year of the Commonwealth
Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the Court of
Augusta County
by Jacob K Stribling D.
Page 15

TRANSLATION
BALSLEY
In re: BALSLEY, Christian
W. 7231 -- Rev. War
The following is a translation of the entries in German on the attached sheet apparently taken from a book: In the year 1780 I had a daughter born into the world on May 27, and to whom the name Anna Cattrina was given.
In the year 1781 on October 31, I had a son born into the world, and he was given the name Georg Adam.
In the year 1783 on December 29, I had another son born into the world, and he was given the name Johannes.
In the year 1786 on January 9 I had a third son born into the world, and he was given the name Christian.
In the year 1790 on March 28, I had a daughter born into the world, and she was given the name ( Translator's Note:
The name cannot definitely be made out on account of the torn condition of the paper -- presumably it was Elisabetta ).
Translated from German
by Matteossian /fr/ 5 - 16 - 38
,
Page 16

Mr. S. V. Hunnings
Avon Park, Florida
Dear Sir:
May 18, 1938
X
BA-J/EEL
Christian Balsley-W.7231
The data which follow were obtained from the papers filed in pension claim, W.7231, based upon the service in the Revolutionary
War of Christian Balsley, the only soldier named Christian Balsley who is found on the Revolutionary War records of this
office.
Christian Balsley was born May 1, 1756, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, Christian Balsley enlisted in June, 1776, served as a private in Captain Hiester's company, Col. Haller's Pennsylvania regiment, marched to Long Island, the day before the battle on Long Island, was detailed to the picket guard and on the morning of the battle said guard was almost completely surrounded
by the British light horse; this soldier managed to escape but his brother, name not given, was taken prisoner: Christian Balsley was in the retreat from Long Island and marched to
King's Bridge, then to White Plains but was out on a scouting party on the day of the battle at that place; returned to Pennsylvania
and was discharged December 29, 1776, having served about seven months; he enlisted in July, 1777, served under Colonel Ball in the Pennsylvania troops, marched to White Marsh
Hill near Germantown, where he was stationed and served two and one-half months, was in several skirmishes while at this place;
he again enlisted sometime in 1778, served on scouting parties and was engaged in protecting the frontiers from the Indians:
names of officers not given; length of service, two and one-half months. It is not stated that he ever served as an officer.
After the Revolution, he lived in various parts of Pennsylvania, then moved to the state of Virginia, where he was living in
Augusta County, said state, when he was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1832.

[Note on side;]
Found a Col. but not Capt Heister in Pa. archives.  Col. Haller was in the flying (?) Comp. but this soldier does not so state.
Page 17

Christian Balsley died in June, 1837, place not shown.
The soldier married sometime in 1779, exact date not shown, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Ann or Anna Elizabeth, date
and place of her birth and names of her parents not stated.
Soldier's widow, Ann E. Balsley (as her name was borne on the pension rolls), was allowed pension on her application executed
October 5, 1842, at which time she was aged about eighty-three years and resided in Augusta County, Virginia.
The following names of children of Christian and Ann Elizabeth Balsley are shown
Anna Cattrina Balsley born May 27, 1780.
Georg Adam Balsley " October 31, 1781
Johannes Balsley. " December 29. 1783
Christian Balsley. "  January 9, 1786
Elisabetta (torn?)  " March 28, 1790.

In 1842, son Jonathan Balsley, was referred to, date of his birth was not given.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of
the Revolutionary War pensioner, Ann E. Balsley (W.7231), you
should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Ann E. Balsley
Certificate No. 6463
Issued December 3, 1844
Virginia Agency.
Rate, $33.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1843
Acts of March 3, 1843 and June 17, 1844
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 18

1938 - May 18. Hist to
Mr S W. Hunnington
Letter in case of Jacob Hyre - W. 1856. E.L.

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7231

Ann E. Balsley
Wid,
Christian Balsley
Pvt. Va. line
Act: March 31/[illegible]
Index: -- Vol. A
Page 31
Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

6879
Virginia
Ann E. Balsley
widow of
Christian Balsley
who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank]
and who died on the [blank] June 1837
of Augusta in the State of Virginia
who was a privt in the Company
commanded by Captain Heaster of the
Regt commanded by Col Holler in
the Virginia line for 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of
Nov. 1842 and sent to Wm
F. Barnet Esqr Richmond
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $166.65
Semiannual allowance ending [blank]

Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by Theo T Moody Clerk,
Book A
Vol. 2 Page 182
Reported
to Hon. A.H.H. Stuart
Oct 31. 1844
Page 20

W
Oct 31 '44
of
Eliz Balsley
6879 Va act 38
---
Commr of Pensions
Washington City
Page 21

Staunton Oct 28th 1844

Dear Sir

Elizabeth Balsley widow of Christian
Balsley of Augusta County Va. who had been
for some years in the receipt of
a pension, under the act of 1836 is anxious to obtain the benefit of the late
law. She is in very indigent circumstances, & cannot afford to do without
it or to employ an agent to attend
to it-- Will you be good
enough to let me know whether the former
declaration will answer & if not
what steps are necessary. If a
new declaration is necessary. I would
be glad to get a copy of the old one. 
Very respectfully
your obt. svt.
Alex H. H. Stuart
A. J. L. Edwards
Page 22

An
R. Crane H.H.
Page 23

State of Virginia
Augusta County, to wit
This day George Runkle aged
Eighty years a resident of the County of Augusta, appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the County of Augusta and made oath according to law. That he was born
in Berks County in the State of Pennsylvania that he was a soldier in the war of the revolution, that after his enlistment he joined the American forces at Reading in Berks County, that there he first became
acquainted with Christian Balsley who is an applicant for a pension, that the said Christian Balsley was then a soldier in Capt Heisters company, he does not now remember the names of the other officers of the said Heisters Company, that from Reading they
Marched to Newton and joined a Regiment under the command of Col Holler, he recollects that a man by the name of Loots was the Lieut. Col. and a man by the name of Bolt or Butler the Major.  That he continued in the service with the said Christian Balsley, that
he remember to have seen him at Princeton, Amboy, New York, Long Island and White Plains - that he cannot now undertake to state the day of the month when he first saw said Balsely on the ser vice but is satisfied it was in the month of June in the year 1776 he cannot state the day or even the month when they were discharged, but he does
very believe, that the said Balsley did not on this tour of duly serve not less this six months, and that it


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Pensioner: Ann Elizabeth Balsley
Page 24

it might have amounted to seven months. This affiant did not serve in the same company with the said Balsely but belonged to Capt John Ludwick's company, he had been some time in the service before he became acquainted with said Basley at Reading that he has no personal knowledge of the said Balsley having performed any other tour of duty other than the one he has above stated
he remembers to have heard of said Balsley
being afterwards in the service, and entertains
no doubt he was so, but for what length of
time he has no knowledge or recollection now

George Runkel

Sworn & subscribed to
before me the 22nd day
of October 1836.
[illegible]
Page 25

State of Virginia
Augusta County to wit.
This day James D McCutchen also
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid and made oath according to law, that he has known the George Runkle whose affidavit is annexed for upwards of Twenty years that he has resided in
the same neighbourhood with him, and from his personal knowledge of said Runkle and his general character he would place full confidence in his statements whether upon oath or at otherwise
Sworn & subscribed to before
me the 26th day of Decr 1836
James D. McCutchen
Mr Young

Virginia, to wit
I, Jefferson Kinney, Clerk  of the County Court of Augusta,
hereby certify that William Young who hath given the preceeding certificate is now and was at the time of signing
therein, an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid commissioned and qualified as such
according to law and that the
signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereto
affixed the seal of my office and
subscribed my name this 30th
day of Dec. 83
Jefferson Kinney, Clerk
Page 26

6711
Nov 14, 44

Con
Va
Mar 3d 1843
Ann E. Balsley

Hon. J. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
A.E. Balsley 
Acts '43 and '44
$33.33 per annum

to the pensioner at Staunton, Va.
Page 27

State of Virginia to wit:
On this eighth day of November
1844, personally appeared before the undersigned one of the Commonwealths Justices of the peace in the County of Augusta, Ann E. Balsley, a resident of
the State of Virginia in the County aforesaid, aged eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision
made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d
of March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war

That she is the widow of Christian Balsley who was a private in the army of the United States in the [blank] regiment, and that she has
received annually the sum of ten pounds for the period of five years, under the pension act of July 7th 1838
She further declares that she is still a widow
her
Ann E. Balsley
mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year written above.

State of Virginia, Augusta County to wit:
I certify that Ann E. Balsley, widow of Christian Balsley who is personally known to me, appeared before me, a
Page 28

justice of the peace in the State & County aforesaid and made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing declaration are true. Given under my hand this 8th day of November 1844
Gerard B. Stuart
---
I, Jefferson Kinney, Clerk of the County Court of Augusta the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Gerard B Stuart is Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting
to be his is genuine.  In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed my seal office this 11th
day of November 1844 and in the 69th
year of the Commonwealth.
Jefferson Kinney,
Page 29

Mr. S. V. Hunnings
Avon Park
Florida
May 18, 1938

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Ensign Christian Balsly, two soldiers named John Balsly, Jacob Balsly, all of Pennsylvania and Captain Jacob Eyre, of Virginia.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request
pertaining to soldiers of that war.
You are furnished herewith the records of Christian Balsley (W.7231) and Jacob Hyre.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 30

TRANSLATION
BALSLEY
In re: BALSLEY, Christian
W. 7231 -- Rev. War
The following is a translation of the entries in German on the attached sheet apparently taken from a book:

In the year 1780 I had a daughter born into the world on May 27, and to whom the name Anna Cattrina was given.
In the year 1781 on October 31, I had a son born into the world, and he was given the name Georg Adam.
In the year 1783 on December 29, I had another son born into the world, and he was given the name Johannes.
In the year 1786 on January 9 I had a third son born into the world, and he was given the name Christian.
In the year 1790 on March 28, I had a daughter born into the world, and she was given the name (Translator's Note:
The name cannot definitely be made out on account of the
torn condition of the paper presumably it was Elisabetta).
Translated from German
by Matteossian (fr 5-16 - 38