Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3066, Jacob Barnitz, Penn.
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SERVICE   Penn.
Barnitz, Jacob
Mary
NUMBER  W.3066
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Date of death not on AB –
Pennsylvania 333 
Mary Barnitz widow of Jacob Barnitz Penn who was a pensioner under the Act of April 24. 1816 and who died on the 16th April 1828 of York Co. in the State of Penn who was an Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain Stakes of the Regt. commanded by Col. Swope in the Rev. War  for 18 months & 17 days 
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 190 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836 
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Sept and delivered to Hon Charles A. Barnitz, Present   
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. ‘38   476.66 2/3
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar ‘39   
95.33 1/3   
$572.00 
{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by D. Brown 
Book A. Vol. 2 Clerk, Page 145
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934
Hon Charles A. Barnitz
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State of Pennsylvania ss 
On this twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty eight personally appeared before me George Barnitz one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of York in the said State of Pennsylvania (being a Court of record) Mary Barnitz of the Borough of York in said County of York a resident thereof aged seventy six years who being first 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 July 7. 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows” That she is the Widow of Jacob Barnitz who was an Ensign in Captain Stakes company in Colonel Swopes Battalion of the Pennsylvania Flying Camp in the Revolutionary War who entered the service in July 1776 and at the capture of Fort Washington on the 16th November 1776 was wounded and taken prisoner by the enemy under General Howe and remained a prisoner until February 1778 when he was exchanged 
She further declares that she was married to the said Jacob Barnitz on the twenty third day of September in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty four, that her husband the aforesaid Jacob Barnitz died on the sixteenth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred twenty eight, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred ninety four viz at the time above stated 
Mary Barnitz
I certify that the above named Mary Barnitz from bodily infirmity is unable to attend the Court and under the privilege allowed this declaration Barnitz is made before me and sworn to and subscribed by her on the day & year above written }
Geo. Barnitz
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State of Pennsylvania SS  
On this twelfth day of September in the year one thousand Eight hundred thirty eight personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of the County of York in said State John Stroman Esq a credible witness who on his solemn affirmation doth say that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War in Captain Stakes company of Col Swopes Battalion of the Pennsylvania flying Camp and that Jacob Barnitz was the Ensign of the same Company - that this deponent with the said Jacob Barnitz in the said Company left York on their tour of Service in July 1776 and on the sixteenth of November following this deponent and said Jacob Barnitz at the taking of Fort Washington were taken prisoners and continued prisoners for upwards of a year before they were exchanged - that the said Jacob Barnitz was severely wounded in the engagement and remained a prisoner at New York until exchanged - that this deponent returned to York in February 1777 on parole but was still considered a prisoner until exchanged – 
Jno Stroman
Affirmed & Subscribed before me
Geo Barnitz
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State of Pennsylvania 
York County SS 
I Benjamin Lanius Prothonotary the Court of Common Pleas for said County of York, do certify, that George Barnitz Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavits were made, is one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas for said County of York and as such is duly commissioned and qualified and believe the signature to the same to be in his proper hand 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at York Borough this 12th day of September AD. 1858 – 
Benjn Lanius Prothonotary
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Pennsylvania 
York County Ss   Before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of York County aforesaid came Mary Barnitz widow of Jacob Barnitz deceased of the Borough of York and made oath that the annexed record contained in the family Bible is the family record of the said Jacob Barnitz and herself and that during his life at was kept by him and since his death has been kept in her possession 
Sworn & Subscribed before me Sept. 12. 1838 
Mary Barnitz 
Geo. Barnitz
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State of Pennsylvania 
York County SS. 
I Benjamin Lanius Prothonotary of Court of Common Pleas for said County of York, do certify that George Barnitz Esquire before whom the within affidavit was made, is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County and as such is duly commissioned and qualified; and believe the signature to the same to be in his proper hand writing 
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at York Borough this 12th day of September A D 1838. 
Benjn Lanius Proth
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Rebeccah Barnitz Daughter of Jacob & Mary Barnitz was born on Sunday the Sixteenth Day of October at about one O Clock A. M. Anno Dom 1791, & was Baptized on Sunday the Sixth of November, said year by the Reverend W. Goering 
Jacob Barnitz a Son of Jacob & Mary Barnitz, was born on Wednesday the Twenty Eighth Day of August [unreadable]
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Jacob Barnitz, Son of Charles Barnitz & Anna Barbara his wife and Mary McClean, a Daughter of Archibald McClean Esq. & Ann his Wife Were Married on Thursday the Twenty third day of September between 7 & 8. o Clock in the Evening Anno Dom 1784 by the Reverend Mr Nicholas Kurtz, in York
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February 24, 1939
BA-J/AWF OWN   
Jacob Barnitz 
W. 3066  
Margaret Didier 
2704 Elsinore Avenue 
Baltimore, Maryland 
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Ensign Jacob Barnitz, Swope's Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp, War of the Revolution. 
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, W. 3066, based (upon service of John Barnitz in the Rev. War & upon dis. Incurred in War ser. ) on disability of Jacob Barnitz, and on his service in the Revolutionary War.
Jacob Barnitz was born in York, Pennsylvania, date not stated. He was the son of Charles Barnitz and wife, Barbara. 
Jacob Barnitz volunteered sometime in July, 1776, then about eighteen years old, was an ensign in Captain Christian Stake's company, in Colonel Swope's Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp, marched from York, Pennsylvania, to Fort Washington, and on November 16, 1776, when Fort Washington was captured by the British, Jacob Barnitz was wounded in both legs, taken prisoner and carried to New York, where he suffered many hardships, and was exchanged February 16, 1778, and returned to his home in York, Pennsylvania. 
Jacob Barnitz was pensioned under the Act of June 7, 1785, on account of disability resulting
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from the wounds referred to herein. 
Jacob Barnitz died April 16, 1828 in York, Pennsylvania. 
Jacob Barnitz married September 23, 1784 in York, Pennsylvania, Mary McClean. The date and place of her birth are not given; she was the daughter of Archibald McClean, and wife, Ann. 
The widow, Mary Barnitz, was allowed pension on her application executed September 12, 1838, at which time she was aged seventy-six years, and a resident of the Borough of York, Pennsylvania. 
The names of the children of Jacob Barnitz and wife, Mary, are shown as follows 
Rebeccah      born October 16, 1790 
Jacob   born August 28, ( year not given)     
In 1838 George Barnitz was one of the Judges of the Court of York County, Pennsylvania; it was not stated that he was related to the family.    
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data relative to family. In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data 
Mary Barnitz, widow of Jacob Barnitz 
Certificate #333 
Issued September 14, 1838 
Rate $190.66 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1836 
Act of July 7, 1838 
Pennsylvania 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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1939 – Feb 24 Hist to R. Margaret Didier  AWF
Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 3066 
Mary Barnitz 
Widow 
Jacob Barnitz 
Ens. Rev. War. 
Act: July 7. 1838 
Index:-- Vol. A, Page 29 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Mary Widow of Ensign Jacob Barnitz 
$190.66 per act- Act 1838 – 
Penn Roll 18 mo 17 days
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Documents
[unreadable] by and of Congress 1800
Case of Jacob Barnitz
York Pennsylvania
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Mr. Barnitz 
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING 
THE BILL FOR THE RELIEF OF JACOB BARNITZ 
JANUARY 18, 1809. Presented this day (to Congress)  
WASHINGTON CITY:  A. & C. WAY, PRINTERS 
1809.
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DOCUMENTS
YORK, January 7, 1809. 
SIR, 
In stating my unfortunate case to you, I shall begin with my entrance into the army. In July, 1776, being then eighteen years of age, and being animated by the spirit of the times and the love of my country, at her call I marched out to the Jersey, with the militia, having received a commission of ensigncy in captain Stake's company, in Colonel Swope's battalion of the Pennsylvania flying camp. We were ordered to fort Lee, and afterwards to fort Washington , on York island. On the 15th November, 1776, we were attacked by the British army under the command of general Howe, and after fighting some time I received two gun shot wounds, one in each of my legs, and was taken prisoner on the field of battle. The treatment I received from the enemy, was by no means such as I expected, or as a soldier, whose misfortune was his only fault, would have deserved. On the next day after the battle and surrender of the fort, I was stripped naked by the enemy, excepting my stockings which were clotted with the blood of my wounds. That night I was with our other wounded, hauled in waggons to New York, and there lodged in a cold, uncomfortable house, in want of every necessary attendance and supply. I remained there about five weeks, during which I suffered much from cold and hunger, my wounds getting worse and more painful every day. My brother officers, being then permitted on parole, visited me, and found my situation so distressing, that they removed me to their
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quarters, though little better or more comfortable than my own. My wounds getting worse, a board of surgeons was called to consider my case, and agreed that the amputation of one of my legs must be resorted to; but on a second consultation it was concluded , that in my then low state and cold uncomfortable situation, destitute of every convenience, amputation would be too hazardous an experiment. My brother officers then employed one of the principal Hessian surgeons to attend me (who was one of the consulting surgeons). I, however, experienced no change for the better, and through the interposition of my captain's friends, and the influence of my surgeon , I procured private lodgings, though at double the expense of the other officers. One of my wounds now became more alarming, a large abscess formed in my thigh, which was afterwards twice lanced; the leg was also laid open at several places, in search of the ball and splinters of the bone. I was then very low, and my life despaired of. I continued in a painful lingering state until April following, when one of my wounds, in the right leg was healed, and the other appeared to mend. At this time my surgeon, being ordered off with his regiment, recommended to me doctor Bower, the surgeon general in the New York hospital, an amiable man and eminent surgeon. I accordingly employed him, and he and his son attended me during the remainder of my captivity. I was at considerable expense in paying the surgeons, boarding and other attendance during my imprisonment on account of my wounds. On the 16th of February, 1778, I received a note from commissary Loring, informing me, I was exchanged. I then had recovered so far as to walk a little with a crutch and cane, although my wounds were yet very sore and painful. I then left New York in company with our commissary of prisoners, Mr. E. Boudinot, (who had come to New York by order of general Washington and congress, to settle certain disputed points concerning our
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prisoners) and with colonel Atlee, and several other officers and privates. I arrived, after a tedious, expensive and painful journey of near four weeks, at York, my native place. The wound in my left leg was still open and very painful. I then applied to, and employed a French surgeon, residing in York, who attended me for some time. Afterwards, in succession, employed doctors Ream, Sensenig, Otho, Ludwig, Lostetter, David Jameson, Morris, Thomas Jameson , Spangler and doctor Study. I also consulted doctor Hall and doctor Wistar, of Philadelphia. At the recommendation of my doctors, I went one season and made use of the waters of Berkley springs, and two seasons I used the sulphur spring waters in Adams county in this state, all which was attended with considerable expense to me. 
In the fall of 1803, my wound, which was always open and discharging, became more painful and alarming; and in February, 1804, doctor Thomas Jameson, my attending physician, recommended calling in doctors Morris and Spangler, who were accordingly employed. I was then confined to my bed and chamber; the inflamation increased, and a large abscess was formed, which was brought to a head and lanced in March, 1804. A second was formed, and lanced in May following. My case appearing desperate ; amputation was resolved upon as a last expedient ; and my case was stated to doctor Wistar, with a request that he would come and perform the operation, or in case he could not, to prevail on doctor Physick. Neither of them could come, but desired that I should be brought to Philadelphia in a litter; this, however, was found impossible, as I was then so weak and ill such pain that I could not be removed. Doctor Study , of Maryland, was then applied to, he came, and after a short time I felt considerable relief; the wound and openings began to mend and continued to grow better, and in March, 1805, large exfoliations of the bone took place, which gave me great relief. The
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wounds still remained open, and a great discharge continued, there being four openings in my leg at that time. During parts of the years 1805 and 1806, I felt less pain than I had at any time in twenty years before, although my wounds remained still open and unhealed and the discharge continued copious. In the summer of 1807, my pains increased, and in the fall I was again confined: inflamations appeared and became alarming, the leg was again lanced, and on the 10th of March, 1808, the ball was extracted, when a great exioliation of the bone took place and continued during the summer; but I received no relief, and found my constitution wasting and sinking under continual hectic fevers. 
Doctor Wistar last August passed through York on his way home; he examined my leg and wounds and carious bones, and gave his opinion that amputation should be resorted to as soon as the weather became cooler, and I should gather more strength, unless certain symptoms of healing appeared. I still continued in a lingering state, and finally I resolved to suffer an amputation, to which, while ever a hope remained of my pain abating and becoming even tolerable, my feelings as a husband and a father forbade my submission , as in my case it was always deemed a very doubtful alternative. I applied to doctor Wistar and Physick for assistance. As the medical lectures had just commenced, neither of them could attend, but warmly recommended doctor May, of Lancaster, as a judicious and adequate surgeon for the purpose. I accordingly sent for doctor May, who, with his partner doctor Archer, attended and performed the operation on the 10th of last month (December) with the assistance of doctors Jameson and Spangler. 
From this statement, sir, you may judge of the great and continual expense I have been at, for surgical assistance and other necessary care, for 32 years, without any allowance or compensation. Of my sufferings during all this period, no man but myself can
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have any conception. In the consciousness of having borne them in a just and noble cause, I however feel satisfied; while I trust a grateful country will make me just remuneration for that assistance and care my unhappy case required. 
JACOB BARNITZ. 
To the honorable JAMES KELLY, esq.}  
I, Thomas Jameson, practitioner of physic and surgery, living in York town, in the state of Pennsylvania , do hereby certify, that I have attended Mr. Jacob Barnitz, the subscriber to the statement contained in the foregoing pages, and occasionally dressed his wound for the space of twelve years past; that during the said time he suffered much and often extreme pain; that the foregoing statement made by him is, as far as my acquaintance with his case extends , correct and true; and further, that my father, doctor David Jameson, now dead, attended him, before I did, a considerable time. 
Witness my hand the 7th day of January A. D. one thousand eight hundred and nine. 
THOMAS JAMESON. 
I, John Spangler, of York town, in the state of Pennsylvania, practitioner of physic and surgery, do certify, that I was employed by Mr. Jacob Barnitz, a wounded and disabled officer, as stated in his deposition before contained. That the foregoing contained statement made and signed by him, as far as my acquaintance with his case extends, is correct and true; that I was well acquainted with him for near twenty years past; that he was lame, occasioned by his wounds, and appeared sickly. That after the amputation was performed, doctors May, Archer,
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Jameson and myself, examined the amputated part of his leg, and found the upper extremities of the bones of the leg mostly destroyed by caries; a foul and ill conditioned ulcer of considerable extent and accompanied by an offensive discharge; himself wasting by a constant hectic; all which would soon have brought on dissolution, or rendered amputation inadmissible. 
Witness my hand the 7th January, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and nine. 
JOHN SPANGLER. 
I, Michael Schmyser, a captain in the revolutionary war , in Colonel Swope's battalion of the Pennsylvania flying camp, do hereby certify, that I was well acquainted with Jacob Barnitz, in the foregoing statement named, before the war; that I was taken prisoner with him and taken to New York; that while a prisoner, I had full opportunity of knowing his distressed situation on account of the severe wounds he received, as I was permitted to visit him, and saw him almost daily, and at the request of his friends I paid particular attention to him; that his sufferings on account of his wounds were extreme, and that his life was long despaired of; that I have also been intimately acquainted with the said Jacob Barnitz since that time, and well knew his situation; and I do hereby certify, that the statement contained in the foregoing pages, made and signed by him, and which I have examined, is to the best of my knowledge correct and true.    
Witness my hand the 7th January, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and nine. 
MICHAEL SCHMYSER
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On the 7th day of January, anno domini, one thousand eight hundred and nine, before me, John Morris, quire, notary public for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania , duly commissioned and sworn, residing in the borough of York in the said commonwealth personally appeared Jacob Barnitz, doctor Thomas Jameson, doctor John Spangler, and Michael Schmyser, and on their solemn oath, respectively taken, do severally declare and say, that the statement and several certificates contained in the foregoing pages, by them respectively made and subscribed, are just and true. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and notarial seal on the day abovesaid. 
( L. S. ) JOHN MORRIS, 
Notary Public. I, John M. Donald, late a captain in the revolutionary war, in Colonel Swope's battalion of the Pennsylvania flying camp, do hereby certify, that I was well acquainted with ensign Jacob Barnitz, of captain Stake's company of said battalion; that he was an active , brave and enterprizing young officer, much esteemed by all his brother officers and soldiers; that on the unfortunate 16th day of November, 1776, when the British army attacked fort Washington on York island, the said Jacob Barnitz, received two severe gun shot wounds in his legs, was taken prisoner on the field of battle, and was severely treated by the enemy, having been stripped naked, that he was afterwards taken to New York with our other wounded soldiers, there lodged in a cold, disagreeable place, without fire or other necessaries; that as soon and his brother officers were permitted on parole to walk the streets of New York, we visited him, and
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and finding him in a very distressed situation, we removed him to our quarters. His wounds getting worse, a board of surgeons met and concluded upon the amputation of one of his legs. On a second meeting , however, they determined that in his weak and uncomfortable situation, amputation would be too hazardous an expedient. An eminent surgeon belonging to the Hessian army was then employed to attend him; he still grew worse; his leg was lanced and laid open in search of the ball. We were afterwards ordered on Long island, except captain Schmyser , who was permitted to remain in New York to attend to his wants; he continued ill and suffered much pain, and his life was despaired of a considerable time. He afterwards got something better and was exchanged. Some time after I was also exchanged, and on my arrival at home I visited him and found that he was quite lame in one of his legs, and that the wound in one of his legs was still open and very painful, and continued so until lately, when he was obliged to save his life, to suffer the painful operation of an amputation. I further certify, that the said Jacob Barnitz had the fairest propect of a speedy promotion in our army had he not been thus wounded and disabled; and from my knowledge of his situation, I believe no man alive has suffered more on account of our country than he has further, there are but few of his brother officers now alive, who bore witness to his sufferings, viz. captains Schmyser, Dritt and myself. 
Witness my hand the 11th day of January, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and nine. 
JOHN M. DONALD. 
On the 11th January, 1809, before me John Morris , esquire, notary public for the commonwealth of a Pennsylvania, residing in the borough of York in said commonwealth, personally appeared captain
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John M. Donald, the subscriber to the foregoing statement of the case of Jacob Barnitz, and on his solemn oath doth say, that the same is just and true. Given under my hand and notarial seal at York the day aforesaid. 
( L. S. ) JOHN MORRIS, 
Notary Public. 
Capton Dist Certificate, and [unreadable] to be Printed with the forgoing Statements  
J. Kelly
Member of Congress from York County
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The [unreadable] will of Jacob [unreadable] and the foregoing documents is a [unreadable] paid by the armie.
& oblige his humble
Geo J. Barnitz
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Pennsylvania 
Jacob Barnitz, 
Ensign, Army U. S. – 
Ins [inscribed]: on roll of Pa @ $10 increased to $13. by Law of 24 Apl 1816. Old Pension 
Cert issued  17 Nov. 1819 & sent to Pensa. York, Pa
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YORK PA NOV 12
FREE
Honorable Calhoun Esq
Secretary of War
Washington
[unreadable]
Wm Hickey
[unreadable]
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York Pennsylvania Nov 12th 1819  
Sir:  
Being placed on the Pension list of the United States, in consequence of wounds received in the Revolutionary War and and had to suffer an amputation of one of my Legs, and by late regulations made by the department the Pension Certificate is required (or a copy thereof)  papers with the power attorney to Draw the pension I therefore beg you will be pleased to send my certificate by mail to me residing in York Pennsylvania.  
I was an Ensign in Captain Christian Stakes Company Colonel Michael Swopes Battalion in the Pennsylvania Flying Camp & was wounded & disabled in 1776 – 
I am Resply Your humble Servant 
Jacob Barnitz 
Honble Calhoun by Secretary at War 
City of Washington
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RECEIVED JAN 6 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM READER # 23
2704 Elsinore Avenue 
Baltimore, Md. 
January 5, 1939
Veterans Administration 
Washington, D. C. 
Gentlemen: Re: Revolutionary War Pension Records 
The Adjutant General's office of the War Department has referred me to you for any information you may have concerning the Revolutionary War record of ENSIGN JACOB BARNITZ, of Swope's Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp. 
I am especially anxious to find out just how long this officer served in the Continental Army and the dates of enlistment and discharge. 
Very truly yours, 
Margaret Didier
M. R. Didier