Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9570, John Hatter, Penn.
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Service                                Number
Penn        Hatter, John       S.9570
Carded
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Noted- Date of birth not on AB
Ohio  96.387
John Hatter of Highland Co in the State of Ohio who was a private in the C____ Commanded by Captain H____ of the R___ commanded by Col __ in the __ line for 


Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 26 Dollars and 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March , 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of June 1834 and 
Arrears to the 4th of ___  80.00
Semi-ant allowance ending   13.33
                                                 93.33
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by ____-- Clerk
Book 6 Volume 8 Page 11-
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Certificate 28287
John Hatter
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The state of Ohio
Highland County
Declaration
On this 29th day of August 1833 personally appeared before the subscriber one of the justices of the Peace in for the county of Highland & the state of Ohio John Hatter a resident in said county aged 83 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress papered June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers issued as herein stated-
The following interrogations were put by said justice of the peace to said applicant to which the annexed answers were returned to wit
1. Where in what year were you born? Answer. I was born in Wintenburg in Germany in the year 1750.
2. Have you any record of your age? Answer. I have not.
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War & where do you now live? Answer. I lived when called into service in the county of Northumberland and in the state of Pennsylvania- lived in that county until the year 1809- when I moved to Highland county Ohio where I have since lived.
4. How were you called into service? I was always drafted.
5. Question. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental Militia regiments as you can recollect of the general circumstances of your service.
Answer. I knew several general officers & others of the American Army but can not now recollect any others than those I served under. I was drafted for the Pennsylvania Militia at the county of Northumberland PA in October 1776. I joined the company commanded by Captain Wiser & the Regiment commanded by Colonel-
the 1st Lieutenant of our company was Adam Shaper. I marked under said officers to the neighborhood of Trenton in New Jersey
We remained there several weeks & joined the 
American Army which retreated in November or December of the same year that said state of New Jersey- I remained with the army until I served out the tour of three months for which I was drafted  when our company marched to Philadelphia when I received a written discharge from my said Captain & returned home- I served in this town four months at least.
In September 1777 I was again drafted for the Pennsylvania Militia at Northumberland county - I joined the company commanded by Captain Black & the Regiment commanded by Colonel      Potter. We marched soon after I was drafted to a place called big Island at the mouth of  bald eagle creek which empties into the Susquehannah. Our object was to protect the frontiers against the Indians. We had no battles during this
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term of my service. I remained under the command of said officer at said island for about three months when i received a written discharge from my said captain & returned home after serving in this tour about four months.
In consequence of my age & consequent loss of memory I can not recollect the names of any Colonels in the two terms of my services above mentioned.
6th Question. Did you ever receive a written discharge? Answer. I received written discharges as I have above mentioned after both terms of my service- which I have since lost.
7th. Question.- State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for honesty & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
John Middleton, John Roads, Martin Shoemaker, John Hammond, Sampson Tener & others will testify as is required. There is no clergyman in my neighborhood & therefore I cannot conveniently procure such a certificate  in all respect as the Department requires- I have no documentary evidence nor do I know of any living witnesses by whom I could prove my services.
The said applicant represents that from old age & bodily infirmity he can not without very great danger attend before the courts of review of said county to make his declaration- that he resides about 13 miles from Hillsboro when said courts are held
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.       John Hatter X ( His Mark)

The State of Ohio Highland County
SS:
I certify that the above named John Hatter personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in the fore said county on the day & year first above mentioned & made oath that the above declaration signed by him is true. I further certify that I live in the neighborhood of the said John Hatter & have known him for many years, I am well convinced that from old age & bodily infirmity he could not without endangering his health & perhaps his life- attend before the court of Common Pleas  at Hillsboro in this county to make his declaration. And I do hereby declare any opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogation presented by the war department that this and John Hatter was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. Given under my hand & seal this 29th day of August AD 1833-
Sampson ____ Justice of the Peace
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We the subscribers residing in Highland County Ohio do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Hatter who has subscribed & sworn to the within
declaration, that we believe him to be 83 years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we
concur in that opinion
John Roads
Amos Barnett
Sworn to & subscribed in
open Court this 28th day of of October 1833
Samuel Bell Clk
Highland Common pleas State of Ohio SS:
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the within named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the interrogatories prescribed by the war department were put by said Justice of the peace to said applicant & that John Roads & Amos Barnett who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of said
County of Highland are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit, said court being now in session.
I Samuel Bell Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas of said County of Highland do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Hatler for a pension
I further certify that Sampson Tener who has signed his name to the within certificate was at the time of signing the same a justice of the peace of said County of Highland & that said signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Witness my hand of seal of Office this
4th day of November
AD 1832
Samuel Bell Clk
The State of Ohio Highland County ss
personally came before the subscriber a Justice
of the peace of said County John Hatter who makes oath that
he is still unable from bodily infirmity to move from his house and that he cannot prevail upon one of the Judges of the County of
Record of said County to visit him at his house so as to comply fully with the requisition of the War Department - That in his last term of service above named he was on duty & under arms not less than four months and further saith not
John Hatter X his mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me
this 13th day of Jany AD 1834
Sampson Tener JP
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The State of Ohio
Highland County ss
I Samuel Bell Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of said county do hereby certify that Sampson Tener who has subscribed the written certificate is & was at the time of subscribing the same a justice of peace of said county & that the written signature purporting to be his is genuine.  Witness my hand & seal of office May 19th 1836.
Samuel Bell C H C

{written vertically}
Certificate 28287
John Hatter
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28. 287
John Hatter
Ohio
Apr 1776 prv 8m
$26.66
[Struck Thru] Return 

William Scott
Hillsboro
Highland Co
Ohio
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
15th Nov. 1833
Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A statement, shewing the Service of John Hatten

Period when the service was rendered. Oct 1776.
Duration of the claimant's service. 4 months.
Rank of the claimant.  priv
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Cap. Wisen
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 83 years Northumberland County Penna
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary.

Period when the service was rendered. Sep. 1777.
Duration of the claimant's service. About 4 months.
Rank of the claimant. priv
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Cap Black
83 years Northumberland County Penna
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Last tour not specified about [underlined] 4 months.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of _
County of  _
On this _ day of _ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _ in the county of _ and State, Territory or District of _ aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with _ and served in the (e) regiment of the _ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. 
This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _ of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _day of _ & c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _ and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have beena soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _ Clerk of the Court of _ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this _day of _ & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. 
To a Soldier
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
[next paragraph bracketed]
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[footnote a bracketed]
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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."
[next paragraph bracketed]
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he 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.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and went to the War Department, with the declaration.
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[Written on top of letter] Mailed without review F
March 19, 1936
JOHN HATTER
S. 9570
BA-J/MLB
Marie Knox
1650 -6th Street
Gering, Nebraska
Dear Madam:
You are furnished herein the record of John Hatter as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 9570, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Hatter was born in 1750 in Wurtemberg, Germany; the names of his parents are not given and it is not stated when he came to this country.
While residing in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in October, 1776, served as private in Captain Wiser's company, in the Pennsylvania troops and was discharged after having served four months. He enlisted in September, 1777, served as private in Captain Black's company, in the Pennsylvania troops, 
stationed at Big Island at the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek which empties into the Susquehanna, engaged in protecting the frontiers against the Indians, and was discharged after serving on this tour about four months.
John Hatter resided in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, until the year 1802 when he moved to Highland County, Ohio.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1832, while residing about thirteen miles from Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio.
There are no family data shown on the claim.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of the person paid and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:- John Hatter, Certificate #26387[?], issued June 4, 1834, rate $26.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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March 19, 1936
JOHN HATTER
S. 9570
BA-J/MMHF:MLB
Marie Knox
1650 - 6th Street 
Gering, Nebraska
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of John Hatter who, you think was born in Pennsylvania, and later, in 1802, moved to Brush Creek Township, Highland County, state not named; also, the Civil War record of George W. Davis, who enlisted in Illinois and died in 1902 at Lushton, Nebraska,
The record has been found of one soldier, only, with name John Hatter who served in the Revolutionary War and applied for pension. His record is given herewith, as shown in the papers on file in claim for pension, S 9570, based upon his service in that war.
Your letter has been referred to the proper division for reply in regard to the Civil War soldier, George W. Davis.
Very truly yours
G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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1936 Mar 19, Hist to Marie Knox MLB.
(Ltr to Civ War Div)

9570
Rev War
INVALID
---
File No. 9570
John Hatter
Priv. Rev. War
---
Act: June 7th 1832
Index-Vol. 1, Page 162

[Arrangement of 1870.]