Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4350, Michael Groaves, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1728)
SERVICE
Penn
Groaves, Michael or Grove
NUMBER R4350
Catharine
CONTENTS
Page 2

6014
Catharine Groaves
Pa

Act 4 July '36

Hon J. Buchanan
Senate US

-Michael
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County) ss

On this 2nd day of January
AD 1844, personally appeared before me
Emanuel Schaeffer one of the associate Judges
of the court of Common Pleas in and for the County
aforesaid, Catherine Groaves a resident of the city of
Lancaster aged 89 years and upwards who being first
Sworn according to law, doth depose and say as follows
to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress 4th July
1836 -

That in the year 1777 my husband left
Lancaster for Philadelphia (a few months after we were married) at which last mentioned ^place he joined
the Army and was appointed ensign in the year
1777 (31st day of May) according to the commission
Hereto attached - he remained with the
Army until the year 1781 - sometime in the
summer that he returned to Lancaster when
he was regularly discharged from service -

On his return I have often heard him relate
that he had been in the following battles viz:
Germantown, Brandywine, Monmouth, Princeton,
Red Bank - and other places -
(over)
Page 4

my husbands discharge  I have often seen, but it  has been
lost or mislaid upwards of 34 years past -

She further declares that she was
married to the said Michael Groaves on the 10 day of November
AD 1776 and that her said husband died on the
17th day of June AD 1816.  and that the
still remains his widow

Sworn to & subscribed the day and year
aforesaid before me -

E. Schaeffer
D Wondersmith

Catharine  X  Groaves (her mark)

Lancaster City ss:

i Emanuel Schaeffer one of the
associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County
of Lancaster, state aforesaid before whom the.
foregoing declaration 
was taken do certify that Catharine Groaves is the
widow of Michael Groaves late of the  ity of Lancaster deceased
and that she is highly respectable lady, and that 
her declaration is entitled to full credit and belief -

witness my hand && seal this 2nd day of January
AD 1844 -

E Schaeffer (seal)
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County} SS

I George Glessner pastor of the German Reformed church of the City of Lancaster in the County and Sate aforesaid, Do certify that the following extract shewing the marriage of Michael Graves and Catharine Peters taken from the record of said church is a true Copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows-

Marriages
one thousand seven hundred and seventy six (1776) December tenth (10) Michael Graves and Catharine Peters.

I George W. Glessner above named depose and say that I hold the office of Pastor of the German Reformed Congregation in the City, county and state aforesaid and that the above is a true copy from the records of said church with the exception above named as certified by me-
Sworn to & subscribed this 3rd day of January AD 1844 before me-
G. W. Glessner
Pastor
Geo. Musser Aldr.
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County

On this 2nd day of January AD 1844.
personally appeared before me George
Musser an Alderman in and for the City of Lancaster duly commissioned. [Peter] Shindle a resident of the City of Lancaster, a soldier and pensioner of the United States, who being first sworn according to law, doth depose and say as follows, Viz
that in the year 1777 left the City of Lancaster for Philadelphia, at the same time Michael Groaves of Lancaster, also left for Philadelphia, (I served as fifer)-a few months after which was in the year 1777.
that I saw the said Michael Groves as ensign
of some Company belonging to a Regiment of Philadelphia, under the command I believe then of General Wayne. I saw him at the battles
of Brandywine and Germantown - after these
battles the Philadelphia Regiment was marched
to Philadelphia-- I did not see him after
wards until the year 1781 or 82 - on his return
to Lancaster, (with uniform on) in company with Captain Scott, who resided up the Susquehanna -
(over)
Page 7

I have often seen his discharge on his return as he shew it to me frequently. I recollect of seeing on his discharge the year 1781- the time of his discharge-
I might mention that at the Battle of Germantown he was slightly wounded on the left shoulder by a musket ball however not to disable him from doing military service-
He further declares that the present applicant Catharine Groaves is the widow of Michael Groaves who was a soldier of the revolution and that she still remains his widow--
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me-
Peter  his X mark  Shindle

Geo. Musser, Aldr.
Test D. B. Vondersmith
Mich. Groaves

Lancaster City SS
I George Musser an alderman in and for the City of Lancaster duly commissioned before whom the foregoing deposition was taken. do certify that Peter Shindle is a pensioner of the United States and that he is highly respectable citizen and that his deposition is entitled to full credit and belief-
Witness my hand & seal this day of January AD 1844
Geo. Musser 
(Hand drawn seal)
Aldr.
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County SS

(seal affixed to left side)

I Rudolph F. Rauch, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Said County- Do Certify that Emanuel Schaeffer Esquire is One of the Associate Judges of said Court of Common Pleas: and George Musser Esquire an Alderman of (word blacked out) the City of Lancaster in said County. All as stated in the foregoing proceedings both duly Commissioned & qualified: and that the signatures preporting to be theirs are genuine--
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court & subscribed my name this third day of January in the year of our LORD, One thousand eight hundred & forty four-
Rud F. Rauch Porth.
Pr. Sam G. Donvart
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Declaration
In order to obtain
the Benefit of the Act of Congress of
the 7th day of June 1832.
On this twenty Sixth day of April Personally appeared before me the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for said County Elizabeth Smith  the Daughter of Michal Grove a Revolution Soldier. A Resident of Limestone township in the County of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania aged fifty Eight years who 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 June 7th 1832, That her father Enlisted in the Army of the United State Some place near Sunbury Now Northumberland
I think he State[d] to me that he served from the Commencement to the close of the war
I dont Know any Officers. That I can remember, Except George Washington, He has often told me that he was at the Battle of Brandywine And Red Bank ford,
I Hereby Relinquish every Clame [sic]  what Ever my father was entitled to pension or annuity Except the present and declare that I do not know That my fathers name is on the pension Rolls of any Agency in any State only on that of the present Agency in the State of Pennsylvania
Witness Present
Saml Yingling
Elizabeth (her mark) Smith
Sworn and subscribed before me this twenty sixth day of April 1854
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Saml Yingling              Mark
Before me Sworn and subscribed before me this twenty sixth day of April 1854.
State of Pennsylvania } SS
County of Lycoming
I hereby certify that Jesse Bower Esq before whom the foregoing declaration and acknowledgement was made and who has
thereunto Subscribed his name was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the fence in and for the County aforesaid Duly Commissioned and Sworn in Testamony  [sic] Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of the County Court this second day of May One Thousand Eight Hundred and fifty four
J.M. Green Prothy
[seal affixed]
Page 11

Nippenose May 18th 1854
Hon L. P. Waldo Esq
Inclosed [sic] I send five applications for pensions under the [act] of Congress
Passed June 7th 1832. They Thought by making this application they could find out whether was nessary [sic] to go to any more Troble [sic] those are all the children of Soldiers of the Revolutionary war, and think they are intitled [sic] To the Pension as well as those who have received it. If there is any chance for them they are going to try hard
Yours in hast
Jesse Bower
B. White to me at Nippenose. As I intend
to send to them for those few poor people;
If I, do find out how to git [sic] at it
J B
Page 12

Lancaster Nov. 17.51
Sir
Sometime in the year 1844 I forarded
the claim of Catharine Groaves widow of Michael Groaves an officer of the revolution & the claim was dropped on account of their not being sufficient evidence at the time to sustain it 
I desire to obtain a copy of the last letter
to me in said case, as I have lost the original
one from the late Commr J L Edwards Esq.
You will greatly oblidge [sic] me by this compliance-
The declaration was drawn up under
act of Congress 4 July 1836
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully Your
obedient Servant
D B Vondersmith
To J. E. Heath Esq
Page 13

Lancaster Feby 14. 1844.
Dear Sir
I recd your letter dated the 26th of
Jany last, in relation to the claim of Catharine Groaves stating thereon that it was impossible for the Department to form any conclusion what pro rata pension the old lady should have in consequence of the toursnot being
mentioned by the Declarant herself or witness (Shindler)-It is true that the old lady was unable to state the services of her husband as they occurred in the Revolutionary war, but merely stated the facts as related to
by her deceased husband, on his return from the war as regards the Shindle's testimony, he states that Michael Groves left the City of Lancaster the same time that he did, that he saw the said (Groaves) personally engaged in the battle of Brandywine and Germantown, and that he (Groaves) acted as ensign, here his knowledge and as regards the service of Groaves, but he states that he saw him (Groaves) on his return to Lancaster in
the year 1781 with uniform on and the enclosed deposition of D. Diffenderfer, must prove conclusively to the Department that the said Michael Groaves served his Country faithfully, from the summer of 1776
(the time he left Lancaster), until the Autumn of 1779, when
Groaves was last seen in the Army by Diffenderfer
Page 14

at Sunbury, the time of Diffenderfers discharge, he states that he saw (Groaves) on his return to Lancaster in 1781, also dressed with his uniform-- this respectable witness states that there can be no doubt but what (Groaves) served until 1781. however it is impossible for the old lady to obtain further testimony as regards the services from 1779. to 1781. and if the Department thinks this latter services not fully substantiated by the depositions as
already adduced, the old lady does not ask an allowance for this latter service to 1781)
Hoping therefore that the enclosed deportion proves satisfactory the services of Michael Groaves as rendered by him during the Revolutionary War
I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully
Your Obediant [sic] Servant
D. B Vondersmith

Hon: James Buchanan
U.S. Senator,
Washington City.
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County J.P.

On this 14 day of February
AND 1844. Personally appeared before me George
Musser an Alderman in and for the City of Lancaster, duly
Commissioned David Diffenderfer a resident
of
Earl Township in the County and State aforesaid, a
pensioner and soldier of the United States, who being
first sworn according to law, doth depose and say as
follows viz
That he was well acquainted with Michael
Graves a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and he served
as follows
In the summer of the year 1776.2.4 Michael
Graves, Peter Shindle and many others left Lancaster ┃
in Militia companies for Philadelphia, Shortly after arriving
at Philadelphia, I and Michael Graves joined Captain
Coperwait's Company or Regiment of Militia (this was
about December 1776), and was marched to Trenton here
we got into an engagement with the british, (which was
sometime in Jany 1777, the night of the Skirmish, we retreated
to Princeton and arrived in the morning, and we got into a
battle here (General Mercer fell here) after this battle we
were marched back to Philadelphia, we were then
formed into Scouting parties, which was perhaps in May =
(over )
Page 16

1777. that Michael Graves obtained his ensign com
Mission, about four or five weeks before the battle of Bran
dywine I enlisted in Captain Wilberts Company, one Colonel
was Stueker, I saw Graves shortly after the battle of
Brandywine, at Chester the place that we retreated to
(he then was ensign) from Chester part of our army was
marched to Germantown, here we got into an engagement
with the british, (British was rather too strong for us, we
retreated to Philadelphia (this was sometime in October 1777).
it was then that Michael Groaves was discharged and
enlisted in Captain Wilberts Company (the Company that
I belonged) Michael Groaves served at least to the
best of my knowledge, four months as ensign of the
Militia company - I might state here that when
he enlisted, was after the skirmish at Red Bank as
he was present) after the said Michael Groaves in
listed the Regiment was marched to Morristown from
thence to different other places, until we were marched
to Monmouth which was in the beginning of the
summer of 1778, that we got into an engagement
with the british, the british had to retreat (this
was the hottest day that I ever experienced, after this
battle we were marched to the white plains, not far from
New York Island, and remained encamped sometime,
from thence we were marched to West Point, Washington
had his head quaters here, we remained encamped here
some time, it was during this encampment that I
obtained a furlough to come home and see my =
Page 17

parents in Lancaster, (I brought a letter from Michael
Graves to his wife, the present applicant). I remained
at home a short time, and met the army at Easton,
under the command of General Sullivan, we were then
marched from thence to the Wyoming Country. then the
Regiment was under the direction of Major Weldner, we
were then marched on to Sunburry-- here I was discharged
on account of my health, Michael Groaves was still
with the army all the time mentioned, the year that
I was discharged in the Autumn of 1779.
I had a
personal knowledge of the said Michael Groaves service for
at least three years-
I saw him (Groaves) on his
return to Lancaster in year 1781. from Philadelphia
with his uniform on  - during the
three years
service that I had a knowledge of he served
faithfully as a soldier-
Further Deponent saith not-
Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid _
before me-
Geo. Musser
Hon

his
David X Diffenderfer
mark

Lest
D. B. Bonder Smith
James Diffenderfer
Lancaster City SS
I George Maper an Alderman in
and for said City, before whom the foregoing deposition
was taken, do certify, that David Diffenderfer=
(over)
Page 18

is a pensioner and soldier of the United States, and
that he is a highly respectable citizen, and that 
his deposition is entitled to full credit and belief
Witness my hand & seal this 14 day
of February AD 1844
Geo Musser ℗
,
Aldr
State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, ss.
I Adolph F. Ranch Prothonotary of the Court of the Court of
Common Pleas of said County do certify that George Musser
Esquire is an Alderman of the City of Lancaster in said County
as stated in the foregoing proceedings, duly commissioned and
qualified and that the signatures purporting to be his are
genuine-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
the seal of said Court and subscribed my name this Fourteenth day of February in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty four
-
Recd. F. Ranch
Prothy
Ps
Samuel  Honwart
Page 19


Senate Chamber 16 Feby 1844

Dear Sir
I enclose to you the letters of Mr
Vondersmith, with the deposition of David Diffenderfer,
which latter will, I trust, prove satisfactory I am not
certain that I know Mr Diffenderfer; but his relatives are
highly respectable people & I have no doubt but that the
Certificate of Alderman Masses in his favor is altogether true
from your friend
very respectfully


J. L. Edward Esq
James Buchanan
Page 20

6014
Jan 5. 1844

pa

July 4 1836
Cath Groaves
Page 21


Senate Chamber 4 January

My dear Sir /
Will you be good enough to examine
the within papers as soon as
may be convenient I
have known Peter Shindle the
witness for many years
know him to be respectable

J.L. Edwards

Your friend
very respectfully
James Buchanan
Page 22

San Caster Jany 3/44,
Dear Sir -
By request of Mrs C. Groaves a resident of San Caster, I have enclosed her declaration, with her husband's (Communique?) thereto attached - there is also the deposition of Mr. P. Shindle stating the fact that he saw her husband doing actual service in the Revolutionary War - She being at present confined to her bed by indisposition, and is also in no (position?), circumstances that by stating this fact to you, that you would have the claim urged - 
Will you have the kindness to have the claim investigated as soon as it can conveniently -
I have the Honor to be - Very Respectfully Your Obediant Servant
D. B. Hanover Smith(?)

Hon James Buchanan
M.S. Senate
Washington
Page 23

In the NAME and by AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of
the said Commonwealth,
To Michael Groaves Gentleman
We, reposing Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct
and Fidelity, D O, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Ensign
of a Company on Foot in the Fourth
Battalion of Militia, in the City of Philadelphia You are therefore carefully and
diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign by
doing and performing all
Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers
and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Ensign
-
And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to
Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your
superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts
of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the
Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.
GIVEN under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this
Thirty first Day of May in the Year of our
Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven -
-
Ho Whartonjun Ares

No. 8-
Attest
T Matlock Jug
Page 24

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873 [this line is crossed out]

REJECTED
4366
P.O.
Michael Grove
Service:
Enlisted: , 18 .
Discharged: ,18 .
Application filed: ,18 .
Alleges:
Page 25

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 8, 1873. [this line is crossed out]

4350

P.O.
Catharine Groaves
Service:
Enlisted: , 18 .
Discharged: ,18 .
Application filed: ,18 .

[REJECTED IS STAMPED IN BLACK AT AN ANGLE ACROSS THE 3 LINES ABOVE]
Alleges:

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.

Recognized         Contr
Cert. of Dis.          Searched for  , 18 .
Page 26

Apl 5 1844
Hn ab
for
Cath Grave
-
X
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

James Buchanan
Senate U.S.
Page 27

Dear Sir
I enclose you another letter from Mr
Vondersmith, in behalf of Mrs Groaves, which
I sincerely hope may prove satisfactory.
I presume
there is not the least doubt of the service of
her husband in the revolutionary War. You
will also find enclosed the letter of Charles
McClure by Secretary of State of Penn to is
I solicit your attention
Yours as ever
5 April 44
James Buchanan
Page 28

Washington Dec. 27" 1847

Sir.
received a circular from you some days ago,
in this you state that no search could be
made in Groaves case until you have his Christain
name it is Michael
Michael Groaves of Lancaster
Pennsylvania was an ensign in the days of the
Revolution. His name was spelt in those days
Groves.Michael Groves but since that time
it has been altered by Castor or Common
Consent to Gross,
Daniel B. Vondersmith of
the same place was employed to obtain a pension
for the above named and has received papers
and also an extract of a journal kept by
Mr Groves Containing an account of his travels
and the different actions in which he was
engaged. Frequent applications have been made
to Mr Vondersmith for the paper which he has
received and also asked whether he has obtained
a pension: but he would never give a direct
Answer
I have to trouble you to inform me whether
Mr Vondersmith has obtained a pension for
Mr Groves and if so, whether he has received
Page 29

any portion of it.
I am very
Respectfully
Your Obedient servant
Hon. Amlaeg
Page 30

See care of Catharine Groaves
Widow of Michael Pa 1836
I is pd
Page 31

Secy's Office Harrisburg
April 3d 1844
D.B. Vondersmith Esqr.
Sir
your letters of the 23d and 28th ulto.
enquiring "whether the name of Michael Groaves
a soldier of the Revolution appears on the "
records in this office" have been recvd de
after a careful search I have been unable
to find his name upon the Records in
this office or any evidence of his services
as a
soldier of the Revolution. But few
of the names of the soldiers of the Penna line
that served in the Revolutionary war are to
be found on the Records deported in this
office-
I am very respectfully
your obt svt
Chas McClure
Secy of the Comwth
---
-

P.S. I was prevented by business from giving earlier
attention to your request-
C. McC


1280
208_
1072
Page 32

4 July 36

v
Let to Hon James Bu
chanan
Jany 26. 1844
Let to Hon J. Buchanan
March 18. 1844
Let to same Apl July 1844
Let to lil. I Amwey
Jany 13.48
Let D.B. Vondersmith Feby 9/52
Let inside [illegible]
3814 for City
Page 33

No 38764
Michael Grove Decd
Pa

Jake Bever May 29/54
4366
June 7 1832
Page 34

6014
Catharine Groaves
widow of Michael
Pa
Hon J. Buchanan Jly 26 1844
" " " Mch 18 1866
" " " Apl 24 1866
J Amwey Jny 13 1848
DB Vondersmith Feby 9 1852
4350
July 4 1836
Page 35

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51-
12-541

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Groce, Alexander GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania

WARRANT NUMBER 9469 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED February 25, 1791
to Charles Colver, assignee

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subse
quent dates. Other records relative to the application for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.