Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6388, for George Litzenberg, Pennsylvania
Page 1

Service:  Penn

Litzenberg, George

R.6388
Page 2

Geo Litzenburg

susp

Act 32

Pa
Page 3

L T Waldo

Comrs of Pensions 

George Litzenburg Late of Green County Pa Dec'd made aplication for a pension under Act 1832 But he faild to establish his claim. the children of the Late Applicant has been informed a pension may yet be Established. I have therefore Most Respectfully Ask that Mr Abel Ray of this Citty May Re=allow to make an Examination of the papers Filed in this Case


Washington City May 1 /53 

yours Respectfully
J B Litzenberg
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania
Green County ss

on the fifteenth day of May AD 1840 Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for the County and State afforesaid, George Litzenberg a Resident of the County of Green and aforesaid, aged between the age of Eighty two and three who by reason of his age and bodily infirmity is now unable to attend the sitting of a court, who being first sworn according to law doth on his sollemn affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by act of Congress passed the 7th June AD. 1832, 

that he entered the service of the United States, and served as herein after mentioned to Wit. he joined the company near Philladelphia Chester County, his Captains name was Hugh Jones, Lieutenant William Brooks, the Col Commandent he thinks was by the name Paskel. they the company went to Philadelphia 10 miles distant; 
from thence to Amboy where we drew arms; from thence they marched under orders to reinforce Genl Washington who was then at long Island. but before they joined him found that Washington was retreating and they changed at a place called Bergin at wick place and Powles Hook. they remained for some time and then
turned to Chester County Pa near Philadelphia. he remained out this tour for the term of three months. upon the British approaching Phila he was again drafted. at that time Brooks had been advanced to Captain. I remained in active duty the whole time the British lay in Philadelphia and  for some time after about wich time I received the appointment of Lieutenant in wich capacity. I acted for some length of time before he receiving his Lieutenant commission from the supreme Executive Council of the Commonweath of Penn. dated 10th May AD. 1780 and wich is hereto attached and made part of this case. petitioner's residence was then within ten miles of Philadelphia, Chester County
Page 5

now Delaware County Pa. where he was performing one kind of duty or other untill the close of the war. Petitioner further states that from age and infirmity and the consequent loss of memory therefrom he cannot speak with certainty as to the length of time of his various tours as from his near vicinity to the Army for some time and a portion of wich time was spent as a guide to troops in their various movements (being detained frequently for that purpose ). still makes it more difficult for him to particularize but
was out from my first entering the service untill the close of the war with but little intermission.  I was born in Germantown six miles from Philadelphia and raised in the Vicinity of Phila.  he has no record of his age
his possesion. I was living in Chester County when called as mentioned in my declaration. after the peace I moved to Winchester Va where I continued thirteen years; from thence I moved to Green County Pa where I have continued to reside untill now and where I now reside.  I at first went into the service under a draft and after receiving my commission, I acted as a Volunteer.   as to the names of Officers he cannot state
them very particular as he was in no general engagement but frequently in small scouting Engagements commanded by regimental and Company officers but went with General Wayne to attack the Hessians on Schuykill but did not get into an Engagement.  Wayne was a near neighbor to the Petitioner.  does not recollect of getting at discharge. thinks the Militia got no written discharge while a private and his commission is referred to above.  I will mention the names of George Rose and Jacob F. Randolph.  His reason for not applying for a pension before was that he thought his circumstances were such that he could live without such assistance but his infirmities from age 81 render it more necessary for him now.  he would further say that having removed from those who had personal knowledge of his services he could not tell what would be the result of his application from the proof in his power.  he does hereby
Page 6

he does hereby (r)Elinquish any claim whatever to a Pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension role of any agency in any state whatever sworn to and
subscribed the day above written before me

Geo. Litzenberg

Samuel Black

We George Rice and Jacob H. Randolph residing in the County of Green afd do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above named Petitioner; that we believe him to be of the age of Eighty two years; that he is reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. sworn to and subscribed this day and year.

I do certify that the subscribing witnesses to reside in Green County Pa and are entitled to credit.  I also concur in the Above Statement

Samuel Black
15th May 1840

And I further certify and declare my opinion after investigating 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.

15th May 1840
Samuel Black
Page 7

May 18, 1939.
XXXXXXXX
BA-J/co
XXXXX
George Litzenberg
R. 6388

Velna Roseberry
Rices Landing,
Pennsylvania.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of George and William Litzenberg.

There is no claim for pension on file in this office based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a William
Litzenberg. The record of George Litzenberg, as found in pension claim R. 6388, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War is furnished you herein.

George Litzenberg was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, date of birth and names of his parents are not shown.

He applied for pension May 15, 1840, while living in Green County, Pennsylvania, aged between eighty-two and eighty three years, and stated that while living in Chester County, Pennsylvania, he was drafted and served three months as private in Captain Hugh Jones' company, under Colonel Paskel, also that he was on active duty under Captain William Brooks, while the British were in Philadelphia. He was commissioned on May 10, 1780, as lieutenant of a company of foot, in the Sixth Battalion of Chester County, Pennsylvania Militia, but did not state how long he served under that ommission. He also stated that he was performing one kind of duty, or another, until the close of the war, a part of the time acting as guide to the troops.

His claim was not allowed, as he failed to furnish satisfactory proof of six months actual military service in the field, as required by the pension laws, it being considered that he was engaged in a civil capacity, while a guide.
Page 8

After peace was declared, George Litzenberg moved to Winchester, Virginia, lived there thirteen years then moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania.

One J. B. (or K. Litzenberg, in 1863, referred to the children of this soldier, but did not give their names or the name of the soldier's wife, nor did he state his relationship to the family.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 9

[too dark to transcribe]
Page 10

1925 Dec 18 - Hist to Mrs P S Hazlett
----
1939 May 18 - Hist to Velna Roseberry

*****
6388

REJECTED

George Litzenberg

The printed list of rejected claims gives cause of rejection as "He did not serve in a military capacity"  but see Pension Office letter in claim.  It says 6 months, etc
Page 11

In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of the said Commonwealth,

To George Litzenberg, Gentleman

WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, do by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant of the company of foot in the sixth Battalion of Militia, in the County of Chester. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Lieutenant.
And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in force until your Term, by the Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.

GIVEN under the Seal of the Commonwealth at Philadelphia, this 10th Day of May in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and eighty
Page 12

Pen Office
June 2, 1840

Sir,

The declaration of George Litzenberg has been examined. He alleges to have served a tour of three
months as a militia man of Pennsylvania in 1776 and after the enemy obtained possession of Philadelphia was in constant service. He alleges to have been in service thereafter as a Lieutenant and exhibits his commission dated 10th May 1780. While the enemy were in Philadelphia he alleges to have served as a guide to the troops in their various movements, he living at the time within ten miles of that city. The militia served in tours of two months only under one engagement and from the statement given it is believed the
he was engaged in a civil capacity as a guide. After the date of his commission the Pennsylvania militia were not called out by competent authority to perform military duty. The act of 7th June 1832 does
Page 13

not provide for any one who did not perform six months actual service in a military capacity.  The claim has therefore been rejected, and the papers filed


Hon Enose Hooks
HR
Page 14

House of Reps
May 29, 1840

Sir,

I send you enclosed the application of George Litzenberg for a pension.  I would be glad if his papers could be examined in time to enable me to apprise Mr. Litzenberg of the result before the adjournment of Congress.

Very respectfully,

E Hooks

Hon J L Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Page 15

Stamp:  Received Mar 30 1939 - Mail SUBDIV - Vets Admin

Rices Landing, Pa, 
March 29 1939

Veterans Administration
Washington DC

Gentlemen:

I have been referred to you by the War Records Office as a possible means of obtaining the Revolutionary War Records of George Litzenberg and his father William Litzenberg.

If you have any record of the above mentioned, is it possible to obtain copy of same.

Respectfully,
Velma Roseberry
Rices Landing PA
Page 16

Parkersburg, W Va
Dec 15, 1925

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Gentlemen:

Several weeks ago I addressed you concerning three members of the Litzenberg family who were alleged to have served the nation.  They were:  George Litzenberg, Corporal
Page 17

War of 1812; George Litzenberg, Lieutenant, War of the Revolution; and Simon Litzenberg, War of the Revolution.

You may recall that I inquired for any particulars concerning them, and also the names of their wives.

My inquiry was prompted by a suggestion from the War Dept.  If you can possibly
Page 18

send me any data concerning these individuals it will be very greatly appreciated.

The writer is preparing a genealogy of the Litzenberg family.

Yours very truly

Mrs P S Hazlatt
Page 19

Rev. & 1812 War Section

Dec. 18, 1925.

Mrs. P. S. Hazlett
1718 Washington ave
Parkersburg, W. Va.

Madam:

I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 6388, it appears that
George Litzenberg, was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, date not stated.

He applied for pension May 15, 1820, while living in Green County, Pennsylvania, aged between eighty-two and eighty-three years and alleged that while living in Chester County, Pennsylvania, he was drafted and served three months as a private in Captain Hugh Jones' Company, under Colonel Paskel, also that he was on active duty under Captain William Brooks, while the British were in Philadelphia.

He was commissioned on May 10, 1780, as Lieutenant of a company of foot, in the Sixth Battalion of Chester County, Pennsylvania Militia, but did not state how long he served under that commission.

He also alleged that he was performing one kind of duty, or another, until the close of the war, a part of the
time acting as a guide to the troops.
Page 20

His claim was not allowed, as he failed to furnish satisfactory proof of six months actual military service in the field, as required by the pension laws, it being considered that he was engaged in a civil capacity while a guide.

he had children but their names and that of his wife are not on record.

Respectfully,

Winfield Scott
Commissioner