Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,067, for George Kersteller, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE   Penn.
Kersteller, George
NUMBER   S.40.067
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15.460 
Pennsylvania 
George Kersteller of Union Co in the State of Pennsylvania private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Houseger of the Penn line for the term of eight years 
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8- Dollars per month, to commence on the 2nd of June 1818   
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th of Octr 1819 and sent to Simon Snider Jun. Esq New Berlin, Union County Pa 
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1819   $120.80 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar. 1820   $48. 
15 mo 3 / 30     $168.80   
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.} 
File Mch 20
Discontinued 
R
Notification Sent May 30 1821 to Simon Snyder Jr. Esqr
Union Coty New Berlin Pa.
See letter to Hon John Snyder, July 7 1842
See letter to Th. Gallaher July 9 1842
See letter to Hon Snyder July 18 1842
Capt Boyer German Regt. Bundle 17 No. 5
Deserted July 1780
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George Kersteller
Susp'd for Mr. Edwards 
No. 15.460 Mar '20
Not entitled
J. L. E.
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District of Pennsylvania 
Union County} ss 
On the twentieth day of December AD one thousand eight hundred and twenty personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid being a Court of Record and having common Law Jurisdiction unlimited in amount and keeping a Record of its proceedings & expressly made a Court of Record by act of assembly George Kersteller aged about 64 years resident in said County who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he enlisted in the City of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania in the Company commanded by Captain Daniel Burkhart in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Hunsecker and remained in the service of the United States about four years and that he made his original application on the Second day of June AD 1818 and that he received his pension his certificate is numbered 15460 and dated the 25th day of October 1819 and that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift Sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed and I am by occupation a Blacksmith my wifes name is Elizabeth aged 56 and have two of my Children at home Jacob aged 20 years and Dorothy aged 19 years and that I am unable to support myself without the  assistance of my Country
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Sworn & Subscribed in open Court December 20th 1828 Simon Snyder Junr Prothy }  
[unreadable]   
A List of property belonging to George Kerstetter 127 acres of Land Situate in Washington Township in this County and very broken he paid 40 shillings per acre of which purchase money there is £102 yet due of the value of one dollar per acre 71 acres adjoining the above Land which the said Kerstetter took up and for which an Ejectment is brought against him for the same valued at one Dollar per acre 
2 Horses --- $ 40.00 
1 Cow  ---        9.00
1 bed  ---          6.00 
1 Plough ---      2,00 
1 Waggon --- 10. 00 
2 Hogs and 6 Shoats –5.50   
2 Sheep ---       2.00.
One Stove  ---14.00
 & Sundries  -  5.00
$291.50
Sworn and Subscribed in open Court Dec 20 1820 Simon Snyder Junr Prothy [unreadable]   
December 20. 1820. The Court are satisfied with the valuations 
Union County ss I Simon Snyder Jr. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of the said Court, & I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is two hundred and ninety one dollars & fifty cents 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said Court at New Bulin December 20 1820 
Simon Snyder Junr Prothy
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George Kersteller 
German Regimt. 
Not found on rolls 
See endorsement in the case of David Seebold 
Admd
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Pennsylvania District 
Union County Sct}  On the Second day of June AD One thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me the Subscriber, one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Union County in said district personally appeared George Kersteller aged sixty years resident in Union County aforesaid being by me first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Navel service of the United States in the revolutionary War” That the said George Kersteller enlisted in Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania in the year AD 1775 in the Company commanded by Captain Burkhart and afterwards came in Captain Boyers company commanded by Colonel Nicholas Hussecker in the German Regiment and afterwards commanded by Colonel Lewis Weltner in the Pennsylvania line that he continued in the service of the United States until the end of the war, when he was discharged from the service of the United States , in the Town of Northumberland in Northumberland County State of Pennsylvania. That he was in the Battles of, at the taking of the Hessians at Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, at the storming of Stoney Point by General Wayne, and at the Expedition against the Indians by General Sullivan at Newtown &c that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and has lost his discharge and has no other evidence now in his power of his said services 
George Kersteller 
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid Bolender 
I John Bolender one of the associates Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Union County and State of Pennsylvania District, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said George Kersteller did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy's and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress- Bolender
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Pennsylvania 
Union County Sct}  
I Simon Snyder Junior Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of Union County aforesaid do certify that the Honorable John Bolender Esquire whose name is subscribed to the preceding deposition was at that time & yet is one of associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Union County aforesaid to all whose official acts due faith and credit is and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere – 
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at New Berlin the thirteenth day of June Eighteen hundred & eighteen 
Simon Snyder Junr Prothy
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Union County Sct
Personally appeared before John Bolender Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Union County aforesaid Philip Neitz & John Kersteller who on their solemn oath according to Law, depose & say that they are well acquainted with George Kersteller the applicant mentioned in the foregoing certificate and knew him in the revolutionary war and knew to their certain knowledge that he Inlisted into the Continental service and remained in the service till after the Expedition by General Sullivan against the Indians upwards of four years     
Philip Neytz
John Kersteller
Sworn & Subscribed the 27th day of May 1819.  Bolinder
I the subscriber one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Union County, do certify that I am acquainted with Philip Neitz & John Kersteller named in the above deposition and they are creditable witnesses – 
Bolender 
Pennsylvania District 
Union County Sct}  I John Bolender one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Union County aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said George Kersteller did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common enemy and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the of his Country for support, and I now transmit the proceedings and Testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the department of war pursuant to the directions of the afore mentioned act of Congress. 
Bolender
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State of Pennsylvania 
County of Union SS}    On this 24th day of December 1851 in open Court of Common Pleas held in and for said County personally appeared David Kersteller aged years resident of Chapman Township in said County of union who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration under act of Congress passed 17" June 1844 & subsequent acts
 his declarant states that he is the lawful child of George Kersteller late of said County who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act of 18 March 1818 at the rate of 96 per annum and who died on the 1st day of June in the year Eighteen hundred and forty seven (1847)   
This declarant states that he is the lawful child of Elizabeth Kersteller who was the lawful wife and widow of the aforesaid George Kersteller That the maiden name of this declarants mother was Elizabeth Snyder that the said Elizabeth and George Kersteller were lawfully married in the said Township of Chapman and County of Union aforesaid in the year seventeen hundred and Eighty five (1785) that the said George and Elizabeth Kersteller had several children born to them prior to 1794 two of whom were named Michael and Catherine and that the said Elizabeth Kersteller died in the aforesaid Township on the 5 day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty (1850) 
This declarant further states that the said George & Elizabeth Kersteller lived in lawful wedlock as
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man & wife from the time of their aforesaid marriage up to the period when he died & that after the death of the said George his said widow did not again marry but died being a widow 
That the said George and Elizabeth Kersteller died leaving 6 children only surviving them whose names are viz Michael, Solomon, Philip, David and Jacob Kersteller & Dolly Gilbert 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written Before me in open Court   A. J. Wilson  Prest Judge  
David Kersteller
State of Pennsylvania
County of Union } SS 
I J. Eyster Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas held in and for said County do certify that satisfactory proof has been made in open Court of Record in said County that George Kersteller late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of $96 per annum died in said County on the first day of Jany in the year 1847, leaving a wife who did not intermarry after his death, whose name was Elizabeth Kersteller and who died on the fifth day of December in the year 1850. That the said George & Elizabeth died leaving six children only surviving them whose names are, Michael, Solomon, Phillip, David and Jacob Kersteller & Polly Gilbert 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court on this 24th day of December 1851 
J. Eyster, Prothy
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P. Norton July 16, 1832
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No distinct returns exist in this office of the noncommiss’d officers and Privates of the German Regt ordered to be raised in the State of Penn’a and Mary’d by the Resolutions of Congress of the 27th June 1776 - By reference to said Resolutions it will be perceived that they were ordered to be inlisted to serve three years, unless sooner discharged by Congress
N G
18281
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40.067
Revy  INVALID.
File No. 40,067
George Kersteller
Pri   Rev War
Act:  18" march 18"
Index: - Vol 5, Page 268
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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POWER OF ATTORNEY.
State of Pennsylvania
County of Union} SS.   Know all Men by these Presents,  That I David Kersteller of Chapman Township in said County do hereby authorize, constitute and appoint A. P. Norton Pittsburgh 1 my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute for me and on my behalf, all and singular, claim or claims, I may have against the General Government of the United States, on account of the service of my   father  George Kersteller    deceased, in the war of the Revolution; the said power of Attorney to be irrevocable for the space of three years from the within date: and the said A. P. Norton is hereby authorized to take all necessary and proper steps in the prosecution of said claim or claims on my behalf. 
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of December 1841 
W.G. Herrold 
Jacob H. Lenig J. P. 
David Kersteller  L S
 State of Pennsylvania 
County of Union }SS. Be it Known, That on the Twentieth day of December 1857, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared the letter above named, and on oath declares he is directly interested as one of the claimants aforesaid, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed 
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above mentioned. W.G. Herrold J.P.
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1828 papers
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Col. N. Housseggers, German Regt 
Names  Kersteller George Prvt.   Companies   D. Burkhard   date of enlistment  Augt 29 1776 Time of Service   War - .
1828 papers
 I hereby certify that the above is a true transcript from the Records of Col Housseggers Regt deported in this Office 
J. L. Edwards 
War Dept Pension Office 
7 Feby 1833
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[unreadable]
Nomine Inn Clann   Nomen Inn KrinInn [unreadable] 
Grorg Karstettr [unreadable]  Cassannior ofnborne Jun 8 
[unreadable] Elizabet born in In May 1792 [unreadable]
Grorg [unreadable] Jun 5
[unreadable] February 1794 [unreadable]
Jun 23 May 1794
State of Pennsylvania 
County of Union } SS On this 25th day of July A.D. 1851 personally appeared before me William G Herrold a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Adam Nerhood aged 62 years resident of Chapman Township in said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose & say that he is the lawful treasurer of Botshafts Lutheran and Presbyterian Church located in said Township and that the above is a true copy in his own proper hand writing as they now remain on file in the said Church book of record now in his possession - Declarant further states that he has lived neighbor to said George and Elizabeth Kerstetter from the year Eighteen hundred & fourteen up to the time of the decease of said George & Elizabeth and that the above named Catharine and Solomon were the reputed lawful children of said George and Elizabeth Kerstetter 
Adam Nerhood
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year first above written before me W. G. Herrold  J. P.
I certify from personal knowledge that declarant Adam Nerhood is the man he represents himself to be and that his testimony is entitled to full credit and belief 
Wm G. Herrold Justice of the Peace
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State of Pennsylvania 
County of Union } SS On this 25th day of July A.D. 1851 personally appeared before me William G. Herrold a Justice of the Peace in and for said County George Arnold aged 46 resident in Chapman Township who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose & say that he made a Coffin for the body of Elizabeth Kerstetter deceased on the 5th day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty - declarant states that said Elizabeth was the lawful widow of George Kerstetter who was a revolutionary soldier & pensioner of the United States as he believes and that the said George & Elizabeth died leaving several children surviving them whose names are as follows Viz Michael, Sally Gilbert, Solomon, Phillip, David and Jacob Kerstetter 
Georg Arnold
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before me I also certify that declarant George Arnolds testimony is entitled to full credit and belief 
Wm. G. Herrold
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Kersteller Michael (Renter)  Acres: 30, Value per Acre $6, Horses – Cattle 1, Value as Recd $1.80 Value on Personal 0.10  Value on Occupation 0.20 Real Tax 0.32 Personal Tax 0.30 Occupation Tax 0.25
State of Pennsylvania 
Union County} SS   I certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the assessment, of the above Michael Kersteller, as returned to this Office by the assessor of Mahontongo Township in said County, for the year one thousand Eight hundred and fourteen 1814. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of office, at New Berlin the 23th day of July 
C. Breyman, Clerk, 
State of Pennsylvania 
County of Union } SS 
on this 25th day of July A.D. 1837 personally appeared before me William G Herrold a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Adam Nerhood aged 62 years resident in Chapman Township  in said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was acquainted with George Kersteller who was a revolutionary soldier and pensioner of the United States in said County and that he died leaving a widow surviving him who is also deceased    
Declarant also states that Michael Kersteller whose name is above stated as having paid a Tax in Mahontongo Township in said County of Union in the year one thousand Eight hundred and fourteen was the reputed lawful son of George Kerteller the pensioner and Elizabeth his wife 
Adam Nerhood
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above stated before me 
Wm G. Herrold J. P.
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I certify from personal acquaintance with declarant Adam Nerhood that he is a man of respectability and that his testimony is entitled to full credit and belief 
Wm. G. Herrold J. P. 
State of Pennsylvania 
County of Union} SS  
I, J. Eyster Prothonotary of said County do hereby certify that W S Herrold Esq before  whom the foregoing affidavits were made is & was at the time of the execution of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are Genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Official Seal this six day of April 1852
J. Eyster Prothonatary
George Kersteller
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July 5 1842
Pa.
George Kersteller
roll 1818
John L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington DC.
Hon J. Snyder 
H. R.
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Hon. John [James] L. Edwards 
D Sir
I enclose you the letter of Mr. Wm. Gallaher, asking an examination into the claim of George Kesteller, (I think he is mistaken in the name). I am well acquainted with the individual he refers to.
Please cause the examination to be made. and much oblige 
Mr J. W. Snyder 
July 4 1842
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Pittsburgh Penna 
April 12" 1852 
Sir
I have the honor herewith to submit the application of the heirs of Elizabeth Kersteller Penna who was the widow of George Kersteller who drew a pension under the act of 18” March 1818 - for the benefit of the act of 17 June 1844 & subsequent acts.
Embracing the declaration David Kersteller proof of Mr Kersteller Marriage prior to 1794 and Power of Attorney I have the honor to be , with great respect 
Your Obt Servt    A. P. Norton
J E Heath 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington DC
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July 18, 1842
Pa.
Hon John L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City DC
Hon Jno Snyder
H R
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Hon John [James] L. Edwards, Comr of Pensions
Dr Sir 
I enclose you the further explanation of Mr Gallaher in the case of Mr Kersteller I know Mr. K well & am well informed he never was a deserter – there must be some mistake in the name perhaps please cause another examination to be made, and oblige 
J. W. Snyder
House Rept
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July 8 1842
Hon. Britton
Gen Carton
J. D. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City W. S.
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Liverpool Perry County Pennsylvania July 1 1842 – 
Dear Sir:  By a letter from you to the Honorable John Snider Isua pension is granted to Hannah Brittan will you be so good as to inform me how much money she at present draws and where the is to draw it.  Your printed stub shows the kind of a Bond that is necessary -  George Castider a Revolutionary soldier from Pensylvania who served as a militia man or Enlisted Soldier during the Revolutionary war drew a pension for Number of years and about 18 years ago his pension was stopped he is Extremely poor and would be glad to have his known renewed will you be so obliging as to let me know why his pension was stoped he is now blind and dependant on his poor relatives for a living he was a brave man and was in many important Battles being the Revolutionary War. His services can be fully established and his claim for a U. States Pension is certainly Just By some Roads practised on him at Washington he has been deprived of his just right please answer this Letter and I will prepare his papers 
Yours respectfully 
Tho Gallaher
J. L. Edwards Esq
N.B. Please inclose me a Blank Bond sworn to and signed before the power of attorney can be paid  T. G.
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1828  
2068
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS. 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,  
7 Feb. 1833. 
George Kersteller of  in the County of Union in the State of Pennsylvania has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution,” approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until it termination, at which period he was a Private in Captain Boyer's company in the German regiment of the Pennsylvania line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, and further, that he was not on the 13th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary 
Francis A. Dickins 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
2068 
1828  
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 
7th February 1833 
It further appears that in now on the pension list of the agency. and has been so since at the rate of the dollars per month. 
The name of George Kersteller, is not found among those of the Pennsylvania and Maryland lines to whom certificates for the gratuity of Eighty Dollars were issued –
Peter Hagner Aud  
Correct
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War Department 
Bounty Land Office 
Feby 7. 1833
The name of George Kerstetter is not returned of the Penna Mary’d lines among those who acquired a right to Bounty Land of the U. States nor has a Land Warrant issued for him.
Wm Gordon 
Not Allowed
Act 1828
To be filed with Ad 
OW
Invalid
#40.067
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Sep 28 '39 to Carver
July 12 '39 to Abing