Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 11736, William Wirtz, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn.

Wirtz, William
or Wertz 

NUMBER
R 11736

CONTENTS
Page 2

William, son of Christian & Margaret Wuertz, was born July 22, 1758.

Margaret, daughter of William & Margaret Wirtz, was born September 13, 1775.

A true extract from the records of the Evangelical Lutheran church of the Holy Trinity in the city of Lancaster.

John C. Baker
h.t. Pastor.

Lancaster, Pa.
Octbr 2, 1846.

State of Pennsylvania Lancaster City ss
Personally appeared
before me the Subscriber an Alderman
in and for said City; the above
named Revd John C. Baker Pastor
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
the Holy Trinity in the City of Lancaster
who being duly sworn according to law
doth depose and say that the above
certificate as stated and subscribed by
him is correct and true.
John C. Baker

Sworn and subscribed
before me October 2, 1846. 
M Carpenter Ald
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania & County of Lancaster ss
I J. H. Kurtz Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas for the County of Lancaster
Do Certify that M. Carpenter Esqr before whom
the within affidavit was made, was at the time
Justice of the Peace in and for the City of
Lancaster duly qualified & commissioned & to all whose acts as such full faith & credit is and ought to be given
and that his name purporting to be his, is genuine and made
by the proper officer.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, and affix
the Seal of said Court this 2nd day of October AD 1846.
J. H. Kurtz
Prothy

City of Lancaster ss
Before me the subscriber an Alderman in
and for said City personally appeared Philip
 Shindel, who on his solemn
oath according to law, saith, that he was well
acquainted with Captn William Wertz during the
Revolution, was employed by him in the year 1777 as
fifer in the recruiting service, and marched with him
to the borough of Lebanon in the County of
Lebanon & State of Pennsylvania, said Capt
William Wertz was my Captain, and serv'd under
Col’n James Ross until the year 1781, he was my
Captain in the year 1781 under the said Col James Ross -
William Boynton was our adjutant 
Sworn & subscribed before
me October 2d 1846
 Geo. Musser Ald
Peter Shindle his mark
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania & County of Lancaster ss
I J. H. Kurtz Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas for the County of Lancaster do
Certify that George Musser Esq before whom
the within affidavit was made, was at the time
of making thereof & still is an acting Alderman
of Lancaster duly qualified & commissioned to all whose
acts as such full faith & credit is and ought to
be given, and that his name purporting to be
his is genuine & made by the proper officer
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & seal at the
said Office this 2nd day of October A.D. 1846.
J. H. Kurtz
Prothy
Page 5

Oct 6 46
Add’l h’ff
Margt Wertz,
[Look as Reg]

William Sternbergh Agent
at Saratoga Springs
in the County of Saratoga
Sternbergh
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania  County of Philadelphia ss
Before me the Subscriber
an Alderman and ex officio Justice of the Peace in and for
the County aforesaid personally came Margaret Cravens
Formerly Margaret Wirtz of the County aforesaid Widow,
and on her solemn Oath duly administered according to
law doth depose and say that she is now upwards of 
Seventy one years of age, that she was born in the City of
Lancaster and State aforesaid, that she is the Daughter
of Captain William Wirtz late of Montgomery County,
formerly of Lancaster County in said State, deceased: that
she recollect his being in the Revolutionary Army and
that he was a Captain in said Army: that he often
told this Deponent of the Battles in which he had been
engaged and particularly of the surprise at Paoli, of
which she distinctly recollects of his telling her, that the
British officers came into the Camp disguised as Women
to sell Eggs and Poultry & Butter the day previous to the
battle; that he with the army were obliged to run and
that he made his escape by catching hold of the tail of
a Colonel’s Horse (which he said was grey), thus helping
his escape whilst the balls were flying thick around
them: that during his life he frequently related
the events in which he had been engaged in the
army of the revolution. that he resided with this
Deponent from the year 1792 until within two
Years
Page 7

years of his decease, which took place at the house
of his Brother Christian Wirtz Junior in [Geoynned]
Township Montgomery County aforesaid: that she
has often heard General Washington and her Father
conversing together at her Fathers House. that she is the
only surviving child of the said William.
 Margaret Cravens
Sworn to and subscribed this
fifth day of October A.D.
1846 before me
Geo W Ash.
Alderman & Justice Peace

State of Pennsylvania City & County of Philadelphia  S.S.
I, David C. Skerrett Esq. Prothonotary of the District
Court for the City & County of Philadelphia do Certify
that George W. Ash Esq. before whom the above affidavit
was taken, whose name is thereto subscribed, was at
the time of taking thereof, and still is an Alderman
& Ex officio a Justice of the Peace in & for the County afore
said duly commissioned & sworn, to all whose acts as
such full faith and credit is and ought to be given as well in
Courts of Justice as elsewhere.
Witness my hand and seal of said Court the
fifth day of October A.D. 1846
D.C. Skerrett, Prothonotary
Page 8

No. 37576
William Wirtz
Pa 

Act 7 June 1832
Rejected
dec’d before the passing
of any law granting pensions
for revolutionary service
Page 9

State of Pennsylvania County of Philadelphia ss
Before me the Subscriber an 
Alderman and ex officio Justice of the Peace in and for the
County aforesaid personally came William Sternbergh of
the County of Saratoga in the State of New York
and on his solemn oath duly administered according to Law
doth depose and say that there is now standing in the
German Lutheran Church Yard in the City of Philadelphia
the Tomb Stone of Margaret Wirtz the Mother of
Margaret Cravens on which are the following words &c
"In memory of Margaret Wirtz comfort of William to
Wirtz how departed this life the 23d day of April Anno
Domini 1785 aged thirty Eight years & 2 months”
which said stone is in the 35th Row North End of said Church
Yard; that there is also standing in the same Church,
Yard, Row No 35 North end the Tomb Stone of Margaret
Wirtz the Grandmother of said Margaret Cravens on
which are the following Words &c
“In memory of Margaret Wirtz wife of Christian 
Wirtz Senior was born the 18" February 1736 & died
at Germantown the 17th January 1795 aged 58 years
10 months & 25 Days”.
That he personally copied the above inscriptions on the
3 day of October Instant from the said Tomb Stones in
the presence of Cochran Spar Sexton of said Church.
That the following record from Saint Peters Church in
Page 10

Groynned Township Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
was taken from the Records of said Church on the
4th October instant in the presence of David Benner
Sexton of said Church and is in the words & figures
following to wit
“William Wirtz Died the 14th day of October
 1805 and was Buried the 15 in Saint Peters
Church af’said Groynned Township Montgomery”
William Sternbergh
Sworn to and subscribed the
fifth day of October A.D.
1846 before me
Geo. W Ash
Alderman & E.O.Justice of Peace

State of Pennsylvania City & County of Philadelphia ss
I, David C. Skerrett Esq. Prothonotary
of the District Court for the City & County of Philadelphia
do certify that George W. Ash Esq. before whom the
foregoing affidavit was taken, whose name is thereto
subscribed, was at the time of taking thereof, and still is an Alderman & officer a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, to all whose acts as such full faith & credit is and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere.
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court the
fifth day of October A.D. 1846
D. C. Skerrett, Prothonotary
Page 11

Pension Office
L. Edwards Esq.
Washinton D. C. 

Decm’r 15 41

W. Wirtz or
[Major Serurchs]

[illegible postal stamp]
Page 12

Phila Decr 1 47

L. Edwards Esq
Dr sir
I enclose you all the
paper, respecting my Margaret Craven Pension due
Her husband, the same papers which Wm Sternbergh had 
Received and handed over to Mrs Craven who has been in
formed by Dr Hous Wirtz, if she would send the papers
on to L. Edwards Esq You would endeavour to do
something for her. The Father of Dr and Mrs Craven
are once cousins. She stands much in need and all you
can due to obtain that needful will be highly appreciated
by and her friend, and yourself, well rewarded.
Mrs M. Craven beged me write & Enclose these papers
for her & if you can do anything in the matter she
begs you would address me on the subject.
Dr Sir with much Respect
 I Remain YoursTruly
George Denton

P. S. Mr William Sternbergh Stated me
he could get the Pension [this winter] but owing to
so much business in the North could not attend to
it. G. D.
Page 13

[circle stamp]
WASHINGTON L.O.
FEB 13

5
Mr Wynkoop Wirtz
No 71 Butterworth Street
5th House about 8th
Philadelphia
Page 14

Office, Feby 12th
Dear Father & Mother
I this moment
saw Mr Edwards - he has searched all over
the files & no name like Craven or Wirtz,
is to be found-- Mr Sternberg has therefore
not presented the claim or finding it a
bad one has dropped it. The only persons
who can draw pensions are the widows
 of Revolutionary Soldiers, who had
served nine months at least, & who
were married before this service - at least
I understood him so - If while the claim
of the widow is pending, she should die,
the children can draw the money- that
is five years pension - but under
no other circumstances.
It is fine weather & I am right well.
I send a paper - I think L. Ragnet is
Jim’s Son-- I heard he had a profligate
Son-
Horace

[left margin-vertical]

If Cousin Peggy wishes her business done - she must write to
Mr. Edwards - Commissioner of Pensions - & state every circumstance - date of serving - time - date of marriage - full name &c &c - & he will see what can be done.
Page 15

11.736
P. O. 
William Wirtz
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
REJECTED

Application filed:
Alleges: The printed list of 1852
gives cause of rejection
as follows: "died before
the passage of the Act.

Reenlisted: 
Attorney: 
P. O.
Recognized.
Contract
Cert.of Dis.
 Searched for
Page 16

[most of page too dark to read]

Act 7 June 1832
Page 17

State of Pennsylvania County of Philadelphia ss
Before me the Subscriber an Alderman
and ex officio Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally came Wynkoop Wirtz of the County of Philadelphia and on his solemn Oath duly administered according to Law doth depose and say that he is personally
acquainted with Margaret Cravens formerly Margaret
Wirtz of said County Widow of John Craven of said
County, deceased; that he has known the said Margaret
all his life and that she is the Daughter of William
Wirtz late of Montgomery County in said State
deceased who was a Captain in the Revolutionary
army, as this Deponent believes. That the said Margaret
is of good and respectable standing in the community
in which she resides.
Wynkoop Wirtz
Sworn to & Subscribed the third day of October A.D.
1846 before me
Geo. Ash.
Alderman & Justice of Peace
Page 18

State of Pennsylvania County of Philadelphia  ss
I David C. Skerrett E. Prothonotary
of the District Court for the City & County of
Philadelphia do certify that George W. Ash
Esq. before whom the within affidavit was
taken, whose name is thereto subscribed, was
at the time of taking thereof, and still is an
Alderman and ex officer a Justice of the Peace in and for the
County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, to all whose
acts as such full faith and credit is and ought to be given
as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere.
Witness my hand and the seal of said
Court the fifth day of October A.D. 1846
D.C. Skerrett Prothonotary
Page 19

Geo Dunton
Jany 12. 68
Page 20

Pension Office
January 12 1848

Sir
The application of Margaret
Craven as the Daughter of William and
Margaret Wirtzo have been received and the
papers filed in the name of William
with under the act of 7 Jun 1832
Children of revolutionary soldiers
have no claim to pensions in their own
right, and as Mrs Craven’s parents both
died long before the passage of any law
granting stipend for service in the revolution
they acquired no right to pension
during their lives which can now be [assured]
by or paid to their children-
As the law now stands
Cravens has no claim either in her own
right or that of her parents to either pension money or Land.
George Dunton Esq
Philadelphia