Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4912, for Philip Switzer, Virginia
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.

Switzer, Philip
or
Switzen

NUMBER
S. 4912

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Ohio 780

Philip Switzen
Gallia in the State of Ohio
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Crocket of the Regt commanded
by Col Bowman in the Virginia
line for 1 year from 1778

Philip Switzer, Records corrected
Apr 26 '04

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 60. Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5. day of Decr 32
and sent to Francis
Clercy Gallipolis, O (clk)

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832.......................90.
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33..30
..........................................................................$120.-

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nathan Rice - Clerk,
Book D Vol. 10 Page 48 _




Date of death
Page 3

Philip Switsen
Ohio
No 4340

from 1778 private
1 yr 6 mos
60.
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Philip Switsen
of Gallia County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 74 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Drafted
July In 1778
1779
1780

Duration of Service.
Years,
1
..
..
1-
Months,
..
3
3
-6
Days.

Rank.
As a Private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Col Haith afterwards
Col Bowman} 7 Regiment
Capt Crockett}  Va Line
Capt McGuire Militia
offices names not recollected

5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth, White Plains

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampshire Co Virginia

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness is part & traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Examining Clerk.
Page 5

[Document is VERY light.  Transcription accuracy is doubted]

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit
the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Ohio Gallia County ss
On this 13th day of August A.D. 1832 personally 
appeared in open Court before the judges of
[several words, illegible] residing Philip Switzer a resident
of [the rest of the line, illegible]
of Ohio aged seventy four years to 15th of May
last 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 7 1832
He entered the service of the United [several words, illegible]
[illegible] named officers and served as herein
listed that it is the last week in February 1778.
at Hampshire County Va. where he [several words, illegible]
[several words, illegible] drafted for a tour of 6 mos [several words, illegible] that
soon after the draft he separated [several words, illegible] the
place of rendevous for the troops; that they marched
from there to the Valley Forge where he joined
the seventh Virginia Regiment, which was
led by Col Bowman _ in the company commanded
by Capt Crockett, that at the  time
the British left Philadelphia in this Regiment
marched in pursuit of them; that he was
in the battle of Monmouth, from which
place they marched to the white plains
in the State of New York from which
place they marched to West Point;
[several words crossed out, illegible] [inserted:] & then they marched to
Bonbrook in the Jerseys & took up winter quarters
[several words crossed out, illegible] [inserted:] where, at the inspiration of his [illegible]
[several words illegible] was discharged by writing
under the hand of Capt Bowman which
was afterwards [crossed out: given] handed by him to Col.
Abraham Hait in order that he might
present as such of [illegible] or fifty
Dollars in lieu thereof which had been
previously promise him but neither of which
did he ever get, nor has it since seen or
heard of sd discharge - That in the fall
of the year 1779 he still residing in the same
County was again drafted for a tour of
three
Page 6

[Original document is very light, and so the accuracy of the transcription is doubted]

these months for the purpose of guarding the
Burgoyne Prisoners then set the Winchester
[Illegible] - that a few days after he was drafted
but separated to the afs? barracks and joined
a company which he thinks was commanded
by Capt McGuire, but of this he is not, 
positive - that he remained at that place
in said service for three months when he
is dismissed and returned home - That
owing to the great lapse of time & the frailty of his
memory he is unable to [illegible] with certainty
as to the names of the officers at that place -
That some time in the fall of 1780 he still
was living in Hampshire he was again drafted
for another tour of three months; that after
this draft he was placed as one of a guard
over several deserters then confiined in the
Hampshire [Inserted: I did] [crossed out, where from some] in which
service he continued until the deserters
were sent to a place in the lower part
of Virginia. the names of which he does not recollect,
when he was continued as [crossed, illegible] one of the
[illegible] over them [inserted, crossed out, illegible] until they arrived the place 
of [illegible] and joined the troops at that
place among whom he continued to serve
during the residence of his said tour when he
was again dismissed - That for the
[iilegible] that he cannot tell the name of
his captain or any of the other officers at
that place - That he never recd any other
discharge except the one [crossed out: named] whose named
That he has no documentary evidence and that
knows of no person whose testimony he can
procure who can testify to his service [illegible]
the testimony of Gideon Viah, whom he thinks
knows the fact of his going out on his twelve
months tour & whose deposition will accompany
this Declaration - That he was born in Frederick
Co Va. . in the year 1757; that his age is recorded
in his Bible now in his house which he [illegible]
from his Fathers Bible. That since the Revolution
he
Page 7

August 13th 1832
Francis LeClercq Clk. c.c.s
G. C. 
I [one-half of the line crossed out, illegible] [inserted: John [Illegible]] residing in the  
Township of [crossed out, illegible] [inserted, illegible] in the County of Gallia [crossed out, illegible]
[most of the line crossed out, illegible] hereby
certify that I am well acquainted with Philip
Switzer who has subscribed & sworn to the above
Declaration; that I beleive him to be
seventy four yeasr: that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood where
he resides to have been a soldier of the
Revolution, and that I concur in that
opinion _
[Signature crossed out, illegible]
John X his mark Switzer
Francis LeClercq Clk. c.c.s
G. C.

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
Page 8

served as he states And the Court further certifies that
it appears to them that John Switzer who signed the
above certificate and Gideon Viah who signed the affidavit
thereunto annexed are residents in the County of Gallia
and are credible persons and that their statements are
entitled to credit. And the Court are further satisfied
that there is no Clergyman in his (the applicants
neighbourhood
The State of Ohio Gallia County SS
1932
7
I Francis LeClercq Clerk of the Court of Common
pleas of Gallia County do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of said Court in the matter of the application
of Philip Switzer for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my name and affixed the seal of said Court
this thirteenth day of August AD 1832

Francis LeClercq Clk. C. C. P.
G. C.
Page 9

[Original document was written in very faint ink, and so many words were illegible
]
State of Ohio Gallia Co ss.
Court of Com. Pleas of of August
A. D. 1832-
Personally appeared in open court Gideon Viah
who after being duly sworn saith That sometime
in March A.D. 1778 [mostly illegible] previously
[illegible] for a tour of one year in the Virginia
[illegible] went to Winchester Va. the [illegible]
[line mostly illegible] become
acquainted with one Philip Switzer and was
there as a soldier whose [illegible] 
[line mostly illegible] by the summer
he wasn't [but not sure about last word] in company with said Switzer
from Winchster to Valley  Forge - the day
[crossed out, illegible] they arrived there he went with him
to the seventh Virginia regiment [crossed out, illegible]
he knows at the time that said Switzer joined
that regiment _
& that he has no recollection of having seen
said Switzer after that day until he saw
him in Gallia Co & some time in the
year 1819 or 1820 but he is sure 
that the Philip Switzer whom he knows as a 
soldier as afsd is the same identical Philip
Switzer who is now in court & who has made
application for a pension
Giden Viah
Sworn to and subscribed
in open Court this 11
day of August A.D. 1832
by
Francis LeClercq Clk. c. c. s.
G. C.
Page 10

July 31, 1939.

BA-J/ILL
Philip Switzer
S. 4912

Miss Nonas Richardson
824 South 2nd Street
Washington, Iowa.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request
the Revolutionary War record of Philip Switzer ( Swisher), who
died in Gallia County, Ohio, July 3, 1835.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on
file in pension claim, S. 4912, based upon service of Philip
Switzer in the Revolutionary War.

Philip Switzer was born May 15, 1757 in Frederick County,
Virginia; the names of his parents were not given.

While a resident of Hampshire County, Virginia, he enlisted
in February 1778 and served one year as private in Captain Crockett's
company, Colonels Heth's and Bowman's Virginia regiment, during which
he was in the battle of Monmouth; he enlisted in the fall of 1779 and
served three months in Captain McGuire's Virginia company, guarding
prisoners at Winchester barracks; he enlisted in the fall of 1780 and
served three months guarding deserters in Hampshire County, Virginia,
names of officers under whom he served not stated.

The soldier moved some time after the Revolutionary War from
Hampshire County, Virginia, to Greenbrier County in that state and
remained about eighteen months, then moved to Botetourt County, Virginia,
where he resided about three years, then returned to Greenbrier County
and remained about seven years, after which he moved to Kanawha County,
Virginia, he moved from there about 1802 to Gallia County, Ohio.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13,
1832, at which time he resided in Addison Township, Gallia County, Ohio.
His name was borne on the pension roll as Philip Switsen. He made no
Page 11

reference to wife or children.

In 1832, one John Switzer resided in Addison Township, Gallia
County, Ohio; no relationship between him and the soldier's family
was stated.

Very truly yours,

G. H. SWEET.
Acting Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
of death of this pensioner

[Added in handwriting at the end of letter:]
This writer had date od death of this pensioner.
Page 12

January 22, 1932.

BA-J/ILL

Mrs. F. L. Davis
101 West Main Street
Abingdon, Virginia.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Philip Switzen,
Revolutionary War pensioner.

The data furnished herein are from the papers on file in
pension claim, S. 4912, based upon the military service of Philip Switzer
in that war.

Philip Switzer, pensioned Philip Switzen, was born May 15, 1757
in Frederick County, Virginia.

While a resident of Hampshire County, Virginia, he enlisted in
February, 1777, served one year as private in Captain Crockett's Company.
Colonel Heth's and Bowman's Virginia Regiment and was in the battle of
Monmouth; he enlisted in the fall, 1779 and served three months in Captain
McGuire's Virginia Company guarding prisoners at Winchester barracks; in
the fall, 1780, he served three months guarding deserters in Hampshire
County, Virginia, officers name not stated.

Some time after the Revolution, the soldier moved from Hampshire
County, Virginia, to Greenbrier County, that state, and remained about
eighteen months, then moved to Botetourt County, Virginia, remained about
three years, when he returned to Greenbrier County and resided there about
seven years, moved then to Kanawha County, Virginia, from which place he
moved about 1802 to Gallia County, Ohio

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13,
1832, while a resident of Alton Township, Gallia County, Ohio.

One John Switzer was a resident of Adison Township, Gallia
County, Ohio, in 1832, no relationship to soldier stated.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.

[Handwritten:] Service - Did not use 7th Va. as 
Col. Bowman, Heth were not found 
in that Regt.
Page 13

1932 Jan. 22. Hist. to Mrs. L. Davis
1929, July 31 - Hist. to Miss Nondas
Richardson - ILL.

Rev War

4912
INVALID.

File No. 4912
*Philip Switzen
Privt Rev War

Act: June 7 1832.
Index: - Vol. M, Page 365

[Arrangement of 1870.]

*Philip Switzer Records corrected
Apr 26 '04 a
Page 14

JUN 28 1939

WASHINGTON, IOWA
JUN 25 1939
7:30 AM

Administrator,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

(Revolution)
Page 15

Washington, Iowa,
June 24, 1939.


Dea Sir:

Please send me whatever data you have
in regard to one Philip Switzer (Swisher),
a soldier of the Revolution, who died on
July 3, 1835, in Addison Township, Gallia
County, Ohio.
Sincerely,

(Miss) Nondas Richardson
824 So. 2nd Ave.
Page 16

MRS. F. L. DAVIS
101 WEST MAIN STREET
ABINGDON, VIRGINIA
Jan. 1932

RECEIVED
JAN 5 1932
[ILLEGIBLE]
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION

Director of Pensions
Washington, D.C
Dear Sir
The gathering information
concering the Genealogy of
my family I would like
to identify
Switzon, Philip, Sec. of War, 1835
Pension 3, Ohio, 122.
& found his name in Ecken-
Page 17

rods List of Revolutionary Soldiers
of Virginia
Do you think he could
be the same as Philip Swisher
(5 Va.R.) W.D. 119,1
7 Va. R.) W.D. 158, 10
(3 & 7 V. R. ) W.D. 300, 1
(Philip Swisher )
He enlisted Feb 27, 1778 for one year
and was discharged Feb 16, 1779.
I will appreciate any
information you can give
me. Very truly yours
Mrs. F. L. Davis
Page 18

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Philip Switzen which require further
proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension he is entitled? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished  from any other seal?  yes
Page 19

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no to

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no to

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? One Living witness in part, who served with him

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  no

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 7 [illegible] answer

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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."
Page 20

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 to
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating pers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.