Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22598, John Wilfong, Penn.
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Penn.

S. 22498

Wilfong, John
or
Wilforg
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11.498
Pennsylvania
John Wilforg
of Montgomery Co. [County] in the State of Penn who was a [illegible] in the Company commanded by Captain Roberts - of the [illegible] commanded by Col. McGraw in the Pennsylvania [illegible crossed out word] Troops - 
6 Mo Private - $20.00

Inscribed on the Roll of - Pennsylvania at the rate of 20. Dollars - [illegible] per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of May and sent to - 1833 T. H. Jolly- Norristown, Montgomery Pa.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - 40.00
Semi-anl. [semi-annual] allowance ending 4 Sept 1833    10.00.

$50.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by J. T. Sprague  Clerk,
Book E   Vol. 5   page 64.
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Application of John Wilfong of Montgomery County Pennsylvania for a pension 

 24301

Send certificate to Thomas M Jolly
Norristown

[illegible]
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Declaration of John Wilfong an old soldier in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress [illegible] June 7, 1832.

State of Pennsylvania [illegible]
County of Montgomery

On this twenty second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty three personally appeared in open court before the court of common pleas now sitting at Norristown in the county of Montgomery and State aforesaid, John Wilfong a resident of Lower Merion Township in said county & state in the seventy first year of his age, who being duly sworn [illegible] on his oath doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress [illegible] June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated., The first time I marched from the City of Philadelphia in the year 1780 in the fall of the year, dont recollect the month, I lived in Philadelphia County at that time, My captains name was Richard Roberts, the Colonel's name was [illegible crossed out name] [illegible] the Major; name was Maybury Jolly
We march [marched?}  up to Trenton up through Frankford to Bristol then up the river [illegible] we got [illegible] to Trenton where we crossed the river, and [illegible] we marched to the [illegible] the town where we encamped, just before I was discharged I have marched up to Princeton and then back to the olde place where we were discharged.  I never got a written discharge, this time I was out [crossed out illegible words] three months.  There [illegible] these that I know of. he has no documenting evidence of his service [crossed out sentence] I know of
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no [crossed out illegible word] person living who was out with me this time
The second time I was out I marched from Philadelphia, again under the command of Captain Richard Roberts.  This was in the fall of 1781, can't recollect the names of the colonel [illegible] this time our lieutenants name was George don't recollect his first name.  Anthony [illegible] has [illegible] left Philadelphia in a Schooner.  With a [illegible] of Prisoners up to Trenton. then we marched to Prinston. [Princeton?] from there to Brunswick. then to Elizabeth Town. then to Elizabeth Town [illegible] where we delivered the prisoners to the [illegible] to be exchanged - then we came back to Brunswick again then to Prince Town [Princeton?] then he crossed the river Delaware at [illegible] and march to New Town in Bucks County which was headquarters. There we marched Germantown in Philadelphia County to[illegible], and then he marched back to New Town in Bucks County, there he stayed until we were told to go home. We were out three months again, we were discharged in November, Martin Walters was out [illegible] this time, and I know of nobody else who is now living that was with me.  [illegible] - I was out six months in the whole - Since the Revolution I have lived a part of the time in [illegible] Township in Philadelphia County, and for the last thirty one or two years in Lower Merion Township Montgomery County where I now reside. I was born in 1762 August 4th in Philadelphia County. My age is recorded in my father's hand
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writing, in this book (here shown to this court) [illegible]  the sacrament & the Lords Supper. I now make Splint baskets for my living and am very poor.
I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on any pension list of any agency whatever --
Sworn & subscribed in open Court this twenty second day of Jany. [January] 1833.  

John Wilfong

J. Fry Jr. Prot [Prothonotary] 

On this twenty second day of January appeared in open court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County aforesaid Martin Walters who being duly sworn according to Law on his oath doth declare and say. I am [illegible] John Wilfong the above named petitioner. I have known him from a boy.  I am near seventy five years old - John Wilfong [illegible] Lower Merion Township of Montgomery County - I [illegible] he [illegible] in the Revolution two different companies or tours.  I was out with him myself [illegible] he was out in the [illegible] company and the [illegible] he was out three months that time, Richard Roberts was our Captain, Lieutenant George. and Ensign Anthony [illegible].  He started from Philadelphia
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and went to Elizabeth point with Prisoners we went by water up to Trenton and from there we went by [illegible].  We delivered the Prisoners to the British at Elizabeth point and they took them to Staten Island - they were exchanged for some of our people.  We marched back the same road and crossed the Delaware at Coryells ferry, and went to New Town in Bucks County.  Then we went to Germantown to an Election and back to New Town, and staid [stayed] there until we were discharged - I know that Wilfong was out to Trenton [illegible] this time, it was the year before. This time I firmly believe he was out three months. [illegible] the whole six months.  We got no written discharge no body [nobody] did.  

Sworn & subscribed in open court aforesaid the twenty first day of Jany. [January] 1833 - 

 Martin T. Walters [signature, with his written above and mark written below]

J. Fry. [illegible] Prot [Prothonotary]
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Mr Thomas Humphreys & Joseph Fernand residing in Lower Merion Township in the county of Montgomery & State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Wilfong who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be in the seventy first year of his age, and that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur with that opinion

Thos [Thomas] Humphreys

Sworn & subscribed in open court the day and years aforesaid

J. Fry. [illegible] Prot [prothonotary]

I Isaac James, a Clergyman, residing the county of declarant within a half a mile of Lower Merion Township in the County of Montgomery, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Wolfong who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that I believe him to be in the seventy first years of his age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and I concur in that opinion
affirmed & subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid 

Isaac James [signature]

J. Fry [illegible] Prot [prothonotary]
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Interrogatories submitted to the petitioner in open court.

1st. Where and in what year were you born 
A. I was born August 7. 1762 in Philadelphia County

2nd. Have you any records of your age & where is it
An. [answer] I have, it is in this [illegible] Book of my fathers in his handwriting, with the rest of the family.

3rd. Where were you living when called into service
Where have you lived since the Revolution, and where do you live now.
A. I lived in Philadelphia County when called into service, lived there since the revolution until the last thirty one years during all that time I lived where I now live in Lower Merion Township Montgomery County.

4th. How were you called into service.  Were you drafted, a volunteer or substitute.
A. I was drafted.

5.  State the names of the regular officers that you were with.  Wich [which?] continental & militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services
A. I [illegible] no regular officers, I recollect of no other regiments but my own other then moving them with us.  I [illegible] the first time at Trenton - the second time I [illegible] to guard prisoners to Elizabeth Pont & then marched to New Town.  Six months; in all.

6. Did you ever receive a discharge from your service
Ans.  I never received a written discharge

7. State the names of some persons from your
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neighborhood to whom you are known in your neighborhood and can testify as to your character for veracity and thus belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution

Ans. [answer] Jonathon Miller, Benjamin Humphreys, John Litzenburg. Isaac James, John  [illegible], Thomas Humphreys and many others.
John Wilfong [signature]

Sworn & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid

J. Fry [illegible], Prot

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after [illegible] the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant John Wilfong was a revolutionary soldier and sworn as he states, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Isaac James a resident in Delaware County near Lower Merion in Montgomery County is a clergyman and that Thomas Humphrey who has signed the above certificate is a resident in Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit .[illegible] our hands the day & year aforesaid

John Fox Presd. [presiding?] Judge [signature]
Richard B. Jones, [illegible] Judge Montgomery County[signature]
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I Jacob Fry Juret.  Prothertory of the Court of Common Pleas
in for the County of Montgomery
& State of Pennsylvania do Certify
that John Fox who has subscribed
the foregoing certificate with his
own proper hand is the Presiding Judge and the said Richard B Jones who has also
subscribed his name to same certificate with he;  own
proper hand is an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid, and that the foregoing providing an the original proceedings had before them in
said Court in the case of an application of John
Wilfong an old Soldier for a Pension

and I do further certify that the within
named Martin Walters a witness Examined in said
case was sworn and Examine before me in open
Court, and that I believe said Martin Walters
to be a credible witness
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court this twenty second day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three
J. Fry. Prot.
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No 24301
John Wilfong
Montgomery Co
Pensylvania [Pennsylvania]
Adm@ 6 mo's [months]
$20.-
[illegible] M Jolly
Norristown
Montgomery Co
Pensylva [Pennsylvania]
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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 of 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 must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew 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 John Wilfong Montgomery Co Pennsylvania
Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode
when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Feby 1780 [illegible] 1781 | 3 3 |  Private | Capt [Captain] Roberts Col Mc Graw Maj Jolly | 71 years Philadelphia County Pennsylvania | Witness M. Walters for applicants whole service- & traditional evidence

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of
Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
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, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. 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, musicians 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, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of }ss.
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, 1832. 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. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
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 on 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 the 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 &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then 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 that 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 that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify 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, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it 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 a 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 claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
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 of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision 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 propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, 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 a 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 the general circumstances of your services.
6. {to a soldier] Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{to an officer} 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 inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives 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 party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry 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 a 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, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested 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.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.

[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.

[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.

[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.

[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, & c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ________ year _______ months, and _____________ days, I served as a _______________. For ________________ months and _____ days, I served as a _____________ ; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, & c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.

[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.

[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.

[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.

[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

[ ] The notes from [a] to [ ] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.

[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.

[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.

[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

John N. Ashton
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Revolution
22598
Invalid
File No 22598
John WIlforg
[Li Rev Mar]
Act: June 7th, 32
Index:-Vol. 2; Page 452
Arrangement of 1870.