Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5332, Abraham Decker, Penn.
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Service: Penn.
Decker, Abraham
S. 5332
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Death Notice
31.604
Pennsylvania
Abraham Decker of Pike Co. in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Van Etten of the Reg't commanded by Major Barton in the Penn. Militia for eight months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 26 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of arch, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5day of March 1839 and sent to Hon D.D. Wagener Easton Pa.
Arrears to the 4th of 4 March 1839. $213.28
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 1839. $13.33
Total: 226.61
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by F.S. Evans Clerk
Book 62 Vol. 5 Page 15
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31.604
Abraham Decker
Pennsylvania
[illegible]
Pr. 8 mo. $26.66
4 March
Hon.D.D. Wagener
Easton, Pa.
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page 5
performed during the revolutionary War which have since been lost or destroyed.  He further saith that there is no person to his knowledge living who served with him in the revolutionary war either as a drafted militia man or a volunteer.  That he has no record of his age having received the information of his age from his parents when living.  The deponent further saith that he has no documentary evidence to support this his declaration, and he further saith that James G. Force is a clergyman residing in the township of Sandyston County of Sussex and State of Newjersey and that John Westbrook residing in Delaware Township, Pike County in the State of Pennsylvania resident in the neighborhood of Deponent will as deponent believes testify as to his veracity, and the deponent 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.
Abraham Decker
Note the words "washington" erased in the 9th line from top of 2nd page and the words "they were commanded" erased in the 10th line from top of 4th page before signing.
Sworn to and subscribed before me May seventh AD 1833
Danl W. Dingman
State of Pennsylvania
Pike County SS
We James G. Force a clergyman residing in the township of Sandyston in the County of Sussex and State of Newjersey and John Westbrook residing in Delaware township in the County of Pike and State of Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Decker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. that we believe his to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in the opinion.
James G. Force
John Westbrook
Sworn and subscribed before me this twenty ninth day of July AD 1833
Sanl W. Dingman
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State of Pennsylvania
Pike County }ss
I Daniel W. Dingman one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Pike do hereby declare my 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 stats, and I further certify that it appears to me that James G. Force who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Sandyston is the County of Sussex and State of Newjersey and that John Westbrook, who has also signed the same is a resident in the township of Delaware in the County of Pike and state of Pennsylvania and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit, and I further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Abraham Decker for a pension, and I also certify that Abraham Decker the above named applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty ninth day of July A.D. 1833
Danl W. Dingman
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State of Pennsylvania
Pike County } ss
I John J. Brodhead Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Pike do hereby certify that Daneil W. Dingman Esq. whose hame is subscribed to the foregoing declaration Affidavit and certificate was at the time of signing the same and still is one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Pike duly commissioned and sworn and I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Daniel W. Dingman and varily believe the name of Daniel W. Dingman affixed to the foregoing declaration Affidavit and certificate to be his signature in testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at Milfords this thirteenth day of July AD. 1833
J.H. Brodhead
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State of Pennsylvania Pike County 
On this seventh day of May AD Eighteen hundred and thirty three————-before the honorable Daniel W. Dingman Esq. one of the Apeciate Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Pike appeared Abraham Decker a resident of Delaware Township in the said County now on the Seventy ninth year of his age who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of congress passed June Seventh AD Eighteen hundred and thirty two, that he was born in Delaware Township Pike County and state of Pennsylvania, near Dingman’s Ferry, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and fifty four and has resided in the same place } except what time he was absent ini the revolutionary war as a soldier} Ever since that in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy six he entered the service of the United States a a drafted Militiaman in the Company of Pennsylvania Militia Commanded by Captain Johannes Van Etten(underlined) marched through the State of Newjersey to Amboy where the troops were stationed under the Command of General Robert Doe or O. The regiment to which despondent was attached was commanded by Major Elisha Barton, during this tour despondent served four months(underlined) after performing the aforesaid tour of duty returned home with the said Captain Johannes Van Etten, that in the fall of the same year he again turned out as a drafted Militiaman in the Company of Pennsylvania Militia Commanded by the said Captain Johannes Van Etten marched through the State of Newjersey to Amboy where where Deponent remained with a part of the Regular Army for the space of six weeks from Amboy Deponent (underlined) with his company marched to Trenton and arrived there in the beginning of the year Seventeen hundred (end of page)
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And seventy seven, and was engaged in the Battles of Trenton which took place within a Day or two after Deponent arrived at that place, General George Washington was attached Trenton and Commanded the American Army from Trenton Deponent marched with the regular army to Princeton where an other engagement took place with a part of the British Army laying at that place who were defeated General Washington also NL commanded the American Army at that battle, from Princeton Deponent returned home during this tour of duty Deponent served five months as a private.
———————————
He further saith that in the Summer of the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven(underlined)  he again entered the service of the United States as a drafted Militiaman in the Company of Pennsylvania Militia Commanded by the said Commander Johannes Van Etten in the Regiment commanded by Major Nelson and Colonel Bryan marched through Allentown to the City of Philadelphia where he with a portion of the Regular Army remained some time from Philadelphia Deponent marched to Brandywine in the month of September when the battle between the American and British armies took place Deponent was engaged in that battle General Lafayette Commanded the division of the American Army to which Deponent was attached. After a long and bloody engagement at that place the American Army or that part of it to which Deponent was attached was ordered to retreat, a few days after the Battle the Company to which Deponent belonged was ordered to march to Reading from Reading the Company marched Lancaster from Lancaster marched to Harrisburgh and from Harrisburgh the Company marched to Carlisle where Deponent was discharged
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During this tour of duty Deponent served six months(underlined)
Deponent further saith that in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight (underlined) he again entered the service of the United States in the Company of Pennsylvania Militia Commanded by Captain Johannes Van Etten as a Volunteer and served in said Company three months (underlined) a part of the Company to which Deponent was attached were stationed at a Fort at a place called Deckertown on the Delaware River a short distance from Dingman’s Ferry for the purpose of defending the frontier inhabitants from the incursions of the hostile Indians. Deponent during the said term frequently was scouting the woods in search of the Indians who had made their appearance and had committed depredations along the valy of the Delaware.

He further saith that in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine (underlined) he again entered the service in the Company Commanded by the said Captain Johannes Van Etten as a volunteer and served in said Company as a private five months(underlined) Deponent was stationed in a fort at Captain Van Etten on the Delaware River a part of the time he also served a part of the time in the Fort erected by Andrew Dingman at Dingman’s Ferry  the residence of the time h was stationed in the Fort at Deckertown. During the said five months(underlined)Deponent frequently was called out to reconnoiter the county in search of the Indians. 

He further saith that in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty (underlined) he again entered the service in the Company Commanded by the said Captain Johannes Van Etten  as a volunteer and served in Said Company as a private Five months (underlined) during this time of service service
(End of page)
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Deponent was a part of the time stationed in the before mentioned Fort on the Delaware River and a part of the time employed in reconnoitering the County in search of the Indians Deponent during said time marched up the Delaware River to the mouth of the Lackawaxen river in pursuit of the Indians. During this year a large Party of hostile Indians made a descent upon the inhabitants along the valley of the Delaware. (3 words were crossed out) and killed  Isaac Dingman. David Decker and Henry Decker the two latter were causing of Deponent the Indians then marched up the Delaware River about five miles above Dingman’s Ferry where they were attacked by a party of Pennsylvania and Newjersey militia and volunteers on the first attack the Indians gave way having sustained a loss of several men one of whom was ascertained to have been the Commander of the Indians from the peculiarity  of his dress-the Indians were pursued about four miles in the woods where they made a stand and gave Battle after a bloody conflict the Americans were compelled to retreat in this engagement Captain Peter Westbrook, Lieutenant Benjamine Ennis and Richard Rosencrantz were killed James Van Etten was wounded in the shoulder and Samuel Helm in both his thighs - Deponent further saith that in truth he served as a private during the revolutionary war in the Militia for the term of Fifteen months and that he served as a volunteer on the Frontiers against the Indians for the term of Thirteen months - 

Deponent further saith that he received several discharges from the Commanding officer of his Company for several tours of duty he had 
(End of page)
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5332
Rev War
INVALID 
Am
~~~~~~
File No. 5332
Abraham Decker
Priv. Penn. Ma Rev War
~~~~~~~
Act: June 7. /32
Index: -Vol. M, Page 92
[Arrangement of 1870]

Right side was left blank
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Abraham Decker
Pennsylvania
———————-
Suspended
———————-
See letter 24 January 1838 to Hon DD Wagener
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This is an envelope addressed as follows:

From
Davi D Wagener

J.L. Edward
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Stamped with a circular stamp WASHINGTON CITY D.C.
 FEB 27
Along the left side Mr. Ab Feb 28
Along the right side Hon DD Wagener
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House of Rep
Wednesday

J.L. Edward’s Esq
My Dear Sir,

I call your attention particularly (underlined) to the subjoined cases and hope they will not be overlooked - 

Mrs Roth (underlined) widow of Christian Roth. I understand is before you - Wm L. Lebring forwarded to you her documents.

Abr. Decker and Saml Helms refer you to enclosed letter.

I also wrote you yesterday in relating to Mrs Deans case - By reference to 3rd an NL office. If NL any, you will find Capt Saul Dean, Rep PM in the Book of depreciation paid by the State that he rec $185.08  depreciation.
Also Wm Garis - 

i am anxious to ascertain the character of all their claims before I leave. 
Yours
D.D. Wagener
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At the request of my friend Dimmick I enclose you the (illegible) papers -- Please examine them, & inform me, with as little dely {delay} as you conveniently can the result.
                Very Respectfully
                 D. D. Wagoner
                  (illegible) Ju. 23 1838
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From
David D Wagener

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

{Written at 90 degrees to the above}
(illegible) Jan 24
pa.
Hon D D Wagener H R
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Hon'l D D Wagener
Washington
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H Burg January 19-1838

Dear Sir
Additional testimony has been procured to support Abraham Decker’s claim to a pension and is here with forwarded to you. Will you have the goodness to hand the same over to the Commissioner of Pensions and request a speedy investigation. I was glad to see you noticed in Philadelphia on the 8th this looks favorable in that quarter nothing new here except what the papers contains
Very Truly Yours
OS Dimmick
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Blank sheet of paper until the bottom and shows Hon DD Wagener HR
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Pike County

Personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said county of Pike, Barnardus Swartwood, who being duly sworn according to law saith he thinks that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy-seven the deponent was in the service himself and marched to Allentown where they received the news that General Howe had taken possession of Philadelphia. 

Deponent saith that Abraham Decker the person named in the foregoing declaration was in the service not in the same company but attached to same regiment but do not recollect who commanded the regiment but know that the said Abraham Decker served two months in that campaign. 

 Deponent further saith that afterwards by order of Colonel Stroud saith himself and Abraham Decker were ordered out to go out to Susquehanna and marched to Stroudsburg under Capt. Johanas Van Etten when there came an (illegible) and brought the word that Susquehanna was cut off when they received orders from Colonel Stroud to return back and defend the frontiers on the Delaware.  This term of service was two months.

Further saith that he knows that the aforesaid Abraham Decker served as a volunteer under Captain Johanan Van Etten.  Do not know the term of service exactly but it was in the service two summer seasons under the order of Colonel Stroud and Captain Johanas Van Etten.

Deponent further saith that he knows that Captain Johanas Van Etten was in the service in the state of New Jersey but does not know who were his men nor what length of time and further saith not.

Signed: Barnardus Swartwood

Sworn and subscribed before me
the 10th day of January 1838.
Signed:  Jacob Westbrook, J.P.
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State of Pennsylvania 
Pike County ss
I Daniel W Dingman Jr. Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Pike and Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Do certify that Jacob Westbrook Esq before whom the last & foregoing affidavit was made and taken was at the time (illegible) and still is an acting Justice of the peace duly commissioned for said county and further I certify full faith & credit is & ought to be given to his acts for proceedings & further I certify that his signature to said affidavit annexed purporting to be his is genuine & in the proper hand writing of said Justice.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Milford this 13th day of January A D 1838.
                      D. W. Dingman Jr Prot'y