Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23702, Joseph Hill, Penn.
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE
Penn.


NUMBER
S 23702

Hill, Joseph 

CONTENTS  [blank]
Page 2

11.298
Pennsylvania

Joseph Hill
of Lycoming Co in the State of Pennsylvania
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Robinson of the Reg’t  commanded
by_____[blank] in the Pennsylvania line for Militia
6 Mo Private			$20.00
________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of  – Pennsylvania
at the rate of 20 Dollars —-- Cents per annum,
to Commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of April
1833    and sent to :
W. Cox Ellis, Muncy, Pa.
________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833_________ $40
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. " [1833]  10
___________________________________$50.00

			{ Revolutionary Claim, }
			{ Act June 7, 1832.      }
RECORDED BY 	J. T. Sprague    Clerk, 
Book E   Vol. 5   Page 23 —
Page 3

application of Joseph
Hill for a Pension
16544

$20 per an. [annum]

W. Cox Ellis Esq.
West Port 
Penn
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania }
Lycoming County       } Ss

On this 11th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County aforesaid now sitting Joseph Hill a resident of Moreland Township in the county of Lycoming aforesaid in Pennsylvania aged about 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration - in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - I enlisted in a company of Pennsylvania Rangers commanded by Captain Robison, to the best of my recollection his name was Thomas Robison, enlisted in the forepart of the year 1782 to the best of my recollection - I enlisted at the house of Capn Robison in Northumberland town ^ at the time of my enlistment I resided with my mother and family on the West branch of the Susquehanna river, nearly opposite to the present town of Milton, in Northumberland county in the summer, a few days before Fort Freeling was taken ^ in 1779 - I lost my father and oldest brother John Hill in a skirmish with a company of Indians - in which skirmish my brother Henry and myself were engaged - In the engagement 2 of our company were killed - my father & brother John were taken prisoner at that time, my brother Henry & myself and two others made our escape - In consequence of the continued invasion of the Indians into the settlements, and having lost my father and Brother who both died in captivity - my mother and family
Page 5

in the Summer Seasons resided on an island in the
Susquehannah opposite to our dwelling on the shore
to which we returned in the Winter Seasons.
	I enlisted for Six months and Served the whole time
of my enlistment – on duty guarding the Frontier
settlements against the Indians – The duty of our company
often required, the men to be divided in different 
parts of the County – at the Forts — Bosley, now Washington
Columbia County, at Jenkins Fort at Nescopeck on the North
Branch – at Fort Minager on the West branch.
I received no written discharge at the end of my term
of service —-. I received my pay in a certificate —- fifteen
pounds– Besides the time of my enlistment I often was
a volunteer, in scouting parties in the country — That
service was perhaps more hazardous, than in the regular
service and often of as great benefit to the inhabitants
in Guarding them from the attacks of a Savage enemy
I well remember that a company of Berks county Militia
under the Commanded [Command] of Captain Shardel 
[possibly Capt. Jacob Shraedel (Shartel)]
were stationed at Shoemaker’s Mill, on the Muncy
Creek in the summer and fall of 1779 – not long
after my discharge from the service, in Captain
Robison’s company of the Pennsylvania Rangers, to the
best of my memory peace was declared.
Our first Lieutenant was Sam’l [Samuel] McGrady. The Ensign of 
the company was named Chambers.
There was another company of Rangers while I was in 
service Commanded by Capn. [Captain] Peter Grove. Their 
headquarters was at Sunbury in Northumberland
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County — this company rendered great service to 
the country.
James Barret, now living in Jersey Town was
one of our company – My Brother Daniel now 
living in Moreland Township in Lycoming county
knows of my enlistment and service in Capn. Robison’s
company – Most of my old neighbors, who knew me
in the time of the time of the war, have moved away
and others deceased, so that few now remain by whom
I can prove my service. My memory is also impaired
by age -
	He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever for
Pension or annuity except the present, and declares, that
his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any 
state

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J. Wood Pre }

Joseph Hill [signature]

We John Beaver and Peter Sones
residing in Lycoming County hereby certify, that we are 
well acquainted with Joseph Hill who has subscribed 
and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe 
him to be about 71 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    John Beeber
J. Wood Pre }	   Peter Eusner
Page 7


And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the war department 
that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states, and the court further
certifies, that it appears to them, that John Beaver 
and Peter Sones are residents in the County of Lycoming
aforesaid, and are credible persons and that their
statement is entitled to credit.
		John Cummings [signature]
A Davidson	[signature]

I Joseph Wood Prothonotary of the Court of Common
pleas do hereby certify, that the foregoing, contains, the
original proceedings of the said court, in the matter
of the application of Joseph Hill for a Pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and the seal of the Court of
Common Pleas of Lycoming County aforesaid
this 6th day of October AD 1832
			J. Wood Prot. [signature]

In answer to the interrogatories, propounded by the Court
to the said applicant, agreeably to the directory of the
War department, he replies as follows —
1	I was born in Windsor township in Berks County in
Pennsylvania on the 16th day of March 1762
2 	There was a record of my age, in a Book in my Father’s
family, which I copied and have it in my possession
Page 8

3	I lived opposite to the place where the Town of Milton
now is in Northumberland County – when called into
service as I have stated in my declaration
I have lived in Muncy creek and Moreland Township
in Lycoming County since the War of the Revolution
and still reside there —-
4 –	I enlisted for six months as I have stated in my
declaration – And I volunteered my services in 
scouting parties as I have stated —
5 –	To this interrogatory I answer as I have stated
in my declaration —
6 –	I never received a discharge, as I have stated
7 – 	I never received a Commission — I always 
served as a private soldier —
8 – 	I am known to John Beaver and Peter Sones
resided in my neighbourhood, and who can
testify as to my character for veracity and their
belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution—
My services are also known to Daniel Hill my
brother and I believe to James Barret of Jersey
Town in Columbia County who served with me
in Capn Robisons Company—
Page 9

Personally appeared in open Court of Common pleas of 
Lycoming County before the Judges of the same Court on the
6th day of October AD1832, Daniel Hill a resident
of Moreland Township in said County — who being 
duly sworn according to Law upon his oath saith —
I am 65 years old in July just past — I remember 
my Brother Joseph Hill; enlisted for 6 months in 
the Company of Pennsylvania Rangers commanded by
Capn Robison — he served out the whole of his time
for which he was enlisted — during the time of his
enlistment and service I lived with my Mother on the West
branch of the Susquehannah — I cannot state the year but
but I think it was near the close of the war when his 
time of service was out — I remember his leaving home to join
this company, and his return after his Term of enlistment was
out — He came home to see the family sometimes, during the
time of his service — The company were sometimes stationed
at Fort Minager a few miles up the river from where our family
resided —
I remember that my Brother Joseph was in the engagement with
the Indians near Fort Brady, when my Father and Brother
John were taken Captive – my Brother Henry was also in the
same engagement — besides the services above stated, my Brothers
Joseph & Henry were often volunteers against the Indians in 
scouting parties. My Brother Henry also enlisted under Col Hartley
the Captain was named Walker — My Father & Brother John
died in Captivity —
Sworn and subscribed in open court of common pleas the
day and year aforesaid —
	J. Wood Prot. [signature]    Daniel Sill [signature]
Page 10

Rev. and 1812
War Section.

September 16, 1925 

Mrs. James R. Barr
924 Stewart Ave
Cambridge, Ohio.

Madam:
I have to advise you that you are herewith
furnished the history of the only Joseph Hill or
Hills, found on the Revolutionary War records of
this Bureau, who served in the Pennsylvania Troops,
for which there is no charge, your $1.00 is therefore
returned.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension
claim, S. 23702, it appears that Joseph Hill
was born March 18, 1762 in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
In the summer of 1779 he was in a skirmish
with the Indians near Fort Brady, his father (his
name not stated) and brother John were taken prisoners
at this time and died in captivity.
While residing on the west branch of the Susquehanna
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River in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania,
with his mother and family (no names given),
he enlisted early in 1782 and served six months as 
a private in Captain Thomas Robinson’s Company of
Pennsylvania Rangers.
	He was also out on several scouting parties
against the Indians, no details stated.
	He was allowed pension on his application
executed October 6, 1832, while a resident of Moreland
Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

		Respectfully,
		
		WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 12

Supplementary
Depositions & Exhibits in the 
application of Joseph Hill
for a pension under the act 
of Congress 7th June 1832.
Page 13

In the matter of the declaration of Joseph Hill of
Moreland township in Lycoming County for a Pension
under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832
Lycoming County Ss
	Be it remembered that on the 11th day of March
1833 personally came before me a Justice of the peace
in and for Lycoming County aforesaid, William
A. Petrikin Esquire, Postmaster of the Borough of
Muncy, being well known to me to be a man of 
truth and integrity and a credible witness, who
being sworn according to Law doth upon his oath
say, that he has long known Daniel Hill, a witness
who appears to have been examined on the 6th day
of October 1832 as a witness, in the above matter
before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas
of Lycoming county aforesaid — That the said Daniel
Hill is to the best of Deponents knowledge and belief
a person of truth and integrity and a credible witness.
He further states that the Court of Common pleas of the
said county is not now in Session, —
Sworn and subscribed  before me the 
said Justice of the peace the day and 
year first above written. Witness my 
hand & Seal S. Shuyler [signature]   {seal}
Wm A. Petrikin [signature]
Page 14

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County Ss

I Joseph Wood Prothonotary of the Court
of Common pleas of Lycoming County aforesaid
do hereby certify, that Simon Schuyler Esquire
before whom the annexed deposition of 
William A. Petrikin Esq. has been taken
is a Justice of the peace in and for Lycoming
County aforesaid duly Commissioned as
such, that full faith and credit may and of
right ought to be given to all his acts as such

I further Certify that his hand writing is well
known to me and that the name S. Schuyler
is of his proper hand writing.
	
In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and Seal of the 
Said Court this 12th Day of March 1833
J. Wood Prothy.
per J. L. Messina Dep. Prot.
Page 15

3-2233		113
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Sept. 11, 1925
Chief  Rev Sect Division. [Division is crossed out]
	
	I have this day received
	from Mrs. James R. Barr
cash
for $1.00, requesting
photostat copy } 
post office address } [post office address is crossed out]
as per
letter herewith.

O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
		H.C.L.

$1.00 returned 
Finance Division
Notified
Sept. 11, 25
		auf. [initialsed]
Page 16

MRS. JAMES R. BARR
924 STEWART AVE.
CAMBRIDGE, OHIO

[Stamped:]
FINANCE DIVISION
SEP 11 1925
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Sept. 8th 1925
Bureau of Pensions

We are not informed as to the
charges for information we desire,
will enclose $1. Can you send me the 
record of Joseph Hill a Revolutionary
soldier who was pensioned in the
year 1833 also the names of his 
family. Our ancestor Joseph we were told
lived to be 96 years old. His son 
Stephen our Ancestor fought in 
the war of 1812. He was born in 
Westmoreland Co. Pa. 1779. Married Sarah
Reasoner, daughter of Peter Reasoner.
Page 17

MRS. JAMES R. BARR
924 STEWART AVE.
CAMBRIDGE, OHIO

[Stamped:]
FINANCE DIVISION
SEP 11 1925
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

And Mary Spears. Can you find
on the pension list the name of 
this Peter Reasoner he was born in
France in 1735 married his wife
in Germany then came to South
Carolina. He lived in Colfax Court
house then went to Tennessee.
	Our desire is to become members
of the D. A. R. and trust we can find
the desired information.
	Please Ans. soon.
	Mrs. James R. Barr.
Joseph Hill drew a pension in 
Lycoming Co. Pa.
Page 18

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington
$23.33 per an [annum]
Page 19

Sir, 
I herewith return to your office, the applications 
in the case of Peter Sones and Joseph Hill
both residents of Moreland Township in Lycoming
County Penna– Their papers were originally 
prepared by me– They are both men of truth
and integrity– and having known them since I was
a boy, I have no doubt of the truth of their respective
statements—
I have endeavoured to obviate every objection
of the Department by Testimony and official certificates
I hope they may be approved–
In the event of granting the certificates of Pension
you will please to address then to me at
Muncy, Lycoming Coy [County] Penna–[Pennsylvania]

					I am respectfully
					Your Obt. Servt.
					W. Cox Ellis
                    Muncy 11th April 1833

To J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions—
	Washington