Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 687, John Beeber, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE

PENN.

Beeber, John
or Beaver

NUMBER

R.687
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State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County  Sct

On this sixth day of October A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Lycoming aforesaid now sitting John Beaver a resident in Muncy Creek township in Lycoming County aforesaid aged about 73 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.  
I was drafted as a Militia Man to serve as a Substitute for my Brother Nicholas Beaver in Windsor Township in Berks County in  Pennsylvania in the month of July in the year 1779  I served in the company of Pennsylvania militia commanded by Capt. Jacob Shardel -- the company belonged to the Batalion commanded by Major Martin Kercher, the name of the Colonel I cannot remember .  We  first marched from Berks County in the month of July 1779 with another company of Pennsylvania militia both under the command of Major Kercher to Sunbury.  The Major and one company went up the North branch of the Susquehanna, and one company under Capt. Shardel, marched up the west branch. We were stationed at Shoemakers Mills for one month to protect the inhabitants from the Indians who were then around the settlements while we lay at Shoemakers Mill one of the settlers George Gortner was killed by the Indians -- Capn. Shardel was wounded at the same time.
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At the expiration of one month, the company was marched to Fort Muncy in the West Branch, about 40 miles from the camp at Shoemaker Mills -- I served in the company at the Fort for another month, when our tour of duty was ended --  While we lay at Fort Muncy one of our men was badly wounded and scalped by the Indians -- We had no general engagement with them -- at the end of  our two months for which we had been drafted we were marched to our homes in Berks County by Capn Shardel -- almost all the route of our march being through a wilderness and over mountains.  I served as a Substitute for my brother Adam Beaver again as a Private in the month of February & March in 1780 in the company of Pennsylvania Militia commanded by Captain Geist --  I entered  myself as such substitute  in Windsor Township in Berks County aforesaid -- The Company was drafted for 2 months, I served the whole of this time for which my brother was drafted in Berks  County, chiefly for guarding the military stores which were at Reading belonging to the Continental Army -- Peter Sones of Moreland Township in Lycoming County served with me in another Company of militia commanded by Capt. McMurray on this 2nd tour as a militia man --  I have no documentary evidence in my possession relating to my service -- Philip Gortner and Peter Dankelberger both old men & infirm knew of my services at Shoemaker Mill & Fort Muncy.  They have long resided & still do so in Muncy Creek Township in Lycoming County --
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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.  
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid --  John Beeber 

J. Wood Prot.

We Samuel Shoemaker and Peter Sones residing respectively in Lycoming County aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Beaver who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 73 years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion sworn + subscribed the day and year aforesaid

J. Wood Prot.    
Joshua Nason
Samuel Shoemaker [signature]

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 

John Cummings
A. Davidson
Page 5


Hon. Samuel Shoemaker Esq and Peter Sones both residents of Lycoming County are persons of credit that their statements are entitled to credit.

In answer to the interrogatory prescribed by the War Department to be prosecuted by the Court the  said John Beaver he answers as follows 

1st  I was born in Germany, on the 11th day of March 1761

2nd  I have a record of my age, in my possession since I can remember, I received it & retain it according to the usages of the German Lutheran Church of which I am a member --

3  I was living when called into service as I have stated in Windsor Township in Berks County in Penna.  Since the Revolutionary War I moved into Muncy Township now Muncy Creek Township in Lycoming County aforesaid, where I have lived ever since & now continue to live -

4   I served as a Substitute as a militia man as I have before stated --

5th  As to the names of officers, who were with  the troops with whom I served, and of the Continental & militia regiments I can state no further than as contained in my declaration. 

6.  I never received any discharge.

7.  I did not receive any commission during the Revolutionary War --
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No. 16549

Jno Beaver

Penna

Rejected
Served about 4 months
687

Hon,. L. Dewart
H. R. 

E
Page 7

Brief in the case of John Beaver
County of Lycoming in the State of Penna.
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court of Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period In 1779-80 
Duration of Service, Years, Months, Days
Substitute 2 Nicholas Beaver
Ditto 2 Adam Beaver
Rank As a
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Shandel
Capt Geist
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Berks Cy Pa
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental [illegible], or by the [illegible]
8. Are the papers defective as to form mor authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Devin Bell
Examining Clerk.
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John Beeber
R. 687
BA-J/AWF

Reverend I. M. Beaver
222 North Sixth Street
Reading, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John and Nicholas Bieber, both of whom served from Berks County, Pennsylvania, and after the Revolution, moved to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, also the Revolutionary War record of a John Bieber of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claims for pension found based upon the service of a John Bieber of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, or of any Nicholas BIeber.  The surname was searched under similar spellings.
The record of John Beeber of Berks and Lycoming Counties, Pennsylvania is furnished herein, as found in pension claim, R. 687, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Beeber was born March 11, 1761 in Germany.  The names of his parents were not  stated, nor was it shown when he came to this country.
While a resident of Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, John Beeber (as his signature is shown in the claim) served in the summer of 1779, as a substitute for his brother, Nicholas, two months as private in Captain Jacob Shartel's company, under Major Kercher in the Pennsylvania troops; he marched up the West Branch of the Susquehanna, was stationed at Shoemakers Mills to protect the inhabitants from the Indians,
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and was in a skirmish with Indians, in which his captain was wounded.  He served early in 1780, as a substitute for his brother, Adam, two months as private in Captain Geist's company, guarding the military stores in Reading.
John Beeber applied for pension, October 6, 1832, at which time he was living in Muncey Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.  The claim was not allowed as he rendered only four months' service, only, and at least six months' service was required by the Act of June 7, 1832, to entitle pension.
On November 27, 1852, William Michael referred to the soldier, John Beeber,, as then deceased and that there were nine heirs, that he was one "in right of my wife"; reference was made at that time, also, to one George Beeber.
The papers in this claim contain no further family data.
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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Wm. Michael

Letter of Inquiry
Page 11

Muncy, Pa Nov 27/52

Dear Sir

It is reported that an Attorney in Washington City by the name of Samuel M Knight is prosecuting a claim for the pension due John Beeber late of Muncy Creek Township Lycoming County Pa deceased, a revolutionary soldier's [illegible] was employed by one of the heirs of John Beeber without the knowledge or consent of the next -- There are nine heirs of said Beeber, one of which I am in right of my wife. The heir would most respectfully protest against the money being paid to McKnight, who would of course pay it over to George Beeber by whom he is employed -- Will you be kind enough to inform me as to what has been done in this matter. 
  Yours respectfully 
  Wm. Michael

Hon. J. E. Heath
Comm. of Pensions
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William Michael
May 5/53
Page 13



44

Pension Office
May 5, 1853

Sir,

In reply to your letter of Nov. 27, 1852, I have to inform you that the claim of John Beeber of Pennsylvania, deceased, has long since been rejected.  The service sworn to by him only amounted to four months, while at lease six months service is necessary to entitle to a pension in such cases.  

No further action has been had in the case.  

William Michael, Esq.
Muncy, Pa.
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Letter to Wm. Michael
May 5, 1853
John Beaver
only four month's service
Page 15

[Left side]

Oct. 12, 1905 History to Laura M. Helman, Catasauqua, Pa.
1935 - July 18 - hist to Mrs G. R. Kenny [illegible]
1937 - Mch - 25 - hist to Rev. J. M. Beaver 
1937 - Apr - 2 Rev. J. M. Beave[r] -
Jun - adv - as to brothers - Adam & Nicholas - his  letter in Adam Bieber S.2067  eny  


[Right Side]

Ex'r   INVALID

No. 689

REJECTED

John Beeber [Beaver crossed out]

No.   [blank]

Service:  [blank]

Enlisted:   [blank]  , 18

Discharged:   [blank]  , 18

Application Filed:   [blank]  , 18

Alleges:  List of rejected claims printed in 1852 shows cause 
Re-enlisted:  of rejection as follows:
"He did not serve six months".  

Attorney:  [blank]
[P]O.:  [blank]
Page 16

Lycoming County set before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Lycoming County in Pennsylvania, personally appeared Philip  Henry Gortner an aged and infirm witness at his own house in Muncy Creek Township in Lycoming County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to Law upon his oath, saith that he is well acquainted with John Beaver of the said Township, and has lived in the same neighborhood with him since the year 1784 -- That he well remembers that John Beaver was one of the Berks County militia men commanded by Capn. Jacob Shardel, who served in the summer & fall of 1779 at Shoemaker Mills in Muncy Creek -- That  his father George Gortner was killed by the Indians while the company under Capn. Shardel lay at Shoemaker Mills -- & that Capn. Shardel was wounded by the Indians at the same time --  He also remembers that the company after staying some weeks at their camp at Shoemaker Mills, were marched to Fort Muncy about 4 miles up the West branch of the Susquehannah river -- and that Mr. Beaver went with the company -- most of the inhabitants had then left the country, and the service was considered very dangerous - on account of the force of the Indians --Fort Freeling in Northumberland County had been taken by the Indians
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under some white officer, he believes named  Butler about the month of June before  Capn Shardels company of Militia came up into the country from Berks County --  

Sworn & subscribed}
Oct. 4, 1832 Before }   Philip Henry X Gordner
me.  S.  Schuyler      }            His Mark
Justice of the Peace }

I J. Wood, Prothonotary  of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Beeber for a pension.  

In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of October, A.D. 1832.  
J.Wood, Prot.
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7  I am known to Samuel Shoemaker Esq. a Justice of the Peace & Peter Sones both of Lycoming County who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief in my services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
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Beaver Family Reunion March 6/37
REV. I. M. Beaver President
222 N. Sixth St
Reading, Pennsylvania

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: I would like to have the Rev. War record of Nicholas Bieber or Beaver and John Bieber or Beaver, brothers who lived in Berks Co Pa and enlisted in the Rev. War.  After the war they married and settled near Muncy, now Lycoming Co PA.  It is said the government paid them for  their services in land and they selected this land near Muncy, Pa. I would also like the Rev. War record of John Bieber of Beaver who enlisted from Lancaster Co Pa.
Thank you for your early attention
Yours truly,
(Rev.) I. M. Beaver
Page 20

302 So. Harvard Blvd.
Los Angeles, Calif.
June 30, 1935
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs: I am seeking information concerning the Revolutionary War service of my great great grandfather, John Bieber, who was born March 11, 1761 and died Feb 28, 1846, in Lycoming Co.  
He fought at Brandywine, but in what capacity?  Have you the date of his marriage and to whom?
Yours very truly,

(Mrs. G. R.) Louise Bieber Kenny
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3-595.

O. W. AND N. DIVISION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Oct. 5, 1905

Searched By  F, F, N,

Original No.  [blank]

Certificate No.  [blank]

Claimant [blank]

Soldier, John Beaver

Service, Penn Service

Remarks:  No Rev. Inv. or Wid Admt claim.
No Rej claim other than 687, and Rej. 20,315

Chief of Division

18624b5m6-05
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U.S. Pension Agency, Washington D.C.
Received Oct 3 1905
Catasauqua, Pa
Oct 2, 1905
Dear Sir;
I understand that there were several of the name of John Beaver in the Rev. War.  Can you tell me whether any of
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them were the father of Valentine Beaver or Anna Margaret Beaver of Northampton Co.?  I would like very much to know as I am a descendent of the Beaver family.
Yours Sincerely,
Laura M. Helman
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R.687

In reply to your request of ----------, received ------------- for a statement of the military history of John Beeber a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [“(or his widow's)” crossed out] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[A table with the following columns]	

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
     * July 1779
     * Feby. 1780

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
	2 mos.
	2 mos.

RANK.
	Private
	    “  

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.		       COLONEL.
     Jacob Shardel		Maj. Martin Kercher
     Geist                            [a check mark]

STATE.
     Pa.

[End of table]

Battles engaged in,  [a check mark]

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Windsor Tnp., Berks Co., Penn.  

Date of application for pension, Oct. 6 1832

Residence at date of application, Muncey Creek [Illegible] Lycoming Co., Penn

Age at date of application, born Mch 11, 1761 in Germany

Remarks: his claim was rejected on the grounds that he did not serve six months as required by the act of June 7, 1832 [Illegible]

	Respectfully, 
[illegible] S.2067

	Commissioner


6 – 285C
Page 25

April 2, 1937

John Beeber
R.687
BA-J/AWF
am

Reverend I. M. Beaver
222 N. Sixth Street
Reading, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter of March 29, in which you request information in regard to Adam and Nicholas Beeber (Bieber or Beaver), brothers of John Beeber, whose record was furnished you March 25, 1937, as found in pension claim, R. 687, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

You were advised March 25, that the records of this office fail to show a claim for pension on file based on the service in the Revolutionary War of any Nicholas Bieber, under any spelling of that surname. It is suggested that as a possible means of securing information relative to the military record of soldiers of the Revolution, that you apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city.

The above named John Beeber served as substitute for his brother, Nicholas, two months, during the Revolution, as shown in the record furnished you.  The papers in the claim state no reason for this service as substitute.

You, also, state that these three brothers moved about 1784 to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania and “took up land” near Muncy that was given them by the Government for service rendered.  The land to which you refer was not a grant from the United States Government, but may have been granted by the State of Pennsylvania. For 

[Handwritten below the above]
See his letter in Adam Bieber S.2067
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information relative to land granted by the State of Pennsylvania, it is suggested that you consult the archives at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 

The Revolutionary War record of Adam Bieber of Pennsylvania is furnished herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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July 18, 1935
XXXXXX

John Beeber-- R.687
BA-/JAWF

Mrs. G. R. Kenny
202 S. Harvard Blvd.
Los Angeles, California

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Bieber, born March 11, 1761 and died February 28, 1845 in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

The record which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 687, based upon the service of John Beeber (as his signature appears in the claim) in the War of the Revolution.

John Beeber was born March 11, 1761 in Germany, names of his parents not given, nor is it shown when he came to this country.

While residing in Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, he served as a substitute for his brother, Nicholas, as a private in Captain Jacob Shartel's company, under Major Kercher, in the Pennsylvania troops, marched up the West Branch of the Susquehanna, stationed at Shoemakers Mills to protect the inhabitants from the Indians, was in a skirmish with the Indians, in which his captain was wounded, length of service two months.  He served early in 1780 as a substitute for his brother, Adam, two months as private in Captain Geist's company, guarding the military stores in Reading.

John Beeber applied for pension, October 6, 1832, then a resident of Muncey Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The claim was not allowed as he rendered
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only four months' service, and at least six months' service was required by the Act of June 7, 1832, to entitle one to pension.

William Michael, November 27, 1852, referred to the soldier, John Beeber, as then deceased and that there were nine heirs, that he was one in right of my wife", reference was also made at this time to one George Beeber.  No definite date of death of the soldier was given and no further family data.

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


[Handwritten vertically along the right margin, the words “Mrs. Frinch”]