Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21,768, Henry Berkhammer, Penn.
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(S-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Penn. Berkhammer, Henry R. 21768

CONTENTS
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No. 33,398
H. Berkhammer
Priv.  Col. Farmer Pa Troops
Declaration


Sylvester  p23d

Exam'd. The proof of service not deemed sufficient. Report to be disch. 
(Illegible faded sentence.)

(illegible) 14 dis.

Hon. J. Johnson
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State of Virginia
Harrison County}  to wit

    On the twenty first day of August 1832, Personally appeared in open court before Wm. Martin, John Reynolds, Wm. Rodgers & Benjamin Baine the court of Harrison County now sitting Henry Berkhammer a resident of Harrison County and state aforesaid aged 81 years who being duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtains the benefits of the act of Congress passed since the 7th June 1832.
    The he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he entered the service by enlistment for four years under the command of Leut. Smith afterwards Capt. Smith & thinks that name of the Colonel was Lewis Harmar a German, he does not recollect the No. of the regiment, but recollects the buttons on his coat were No. 4 he thinks therefore, that was the number of the regiment.  It was called the German Regiment belonging to Pennsylvania and was occasionally commanded by General Washington.  He enlisted for 4 years at the expiration of which time he received an honorable discharge but does not recollect by whom it was signed.  And having considered ot of no value, it has long since been destroyed.  He does not know of any person in this state by whom he can prove the above services and his poverty and age prevent him from going to the neighborhood of Philadelphia where he formerly lived.  He enlisted in Philadelphia, marched from thence to Amboy, was in the battles Germantown, Woodbridge, Strawberry Hill, Trenton and Fox Chase.  Was discharged at the close of the war at a place called the Trap about 15 miles from Philadelphia.  He remembers the name Capt. Tolman or Tolbert, who served in the same regt.  He removed from Philadelphia (next Page)
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to Frederick County, Pa about 27 years ago, thence to Harrison County 22 years ago where he now lives.
    He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not n the pension Roll of any agency in any state.
    Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 



    And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, they have first put the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department.
    I David Davidson Clerk of the Court of Harrison County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Henry Berkhammer for a pension. 
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this day of August 1832.
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    We Hamilton Goss and Soloman Johnson residing in the county of Harrison and state of Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above-named Henry Berkhammer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty one years of age, that he is reputed and believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
    Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
                                  //s//
                          Hamilton Goss
                          Solomon Johnson

     And the said court do further more certify that it appears to them that Hamilton Goss who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman in the county of Harrison and that Solomon Johnson who has also signed the same is a resident in the county aforesaid and is a creditable person and there (their) statements is entitled to credit. 

    I David Davison Clerk of the Court of the County of Harrison do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Henry Berkhammer for a pension.

    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 2nd day of November 1832.
                                         //s//
                                  D. Davison C.H.C.
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Henry Berkhammer
33398
Dec. 23d, 1833
Ref to the committee 
on the Revolutionary Pension.

Jan. 16, 1834
Comm. disch'd. to lie.

Feb 2, 1836
Ref to the Commission Revy. Pensions

Suspended per 
let. 30 Nov. '33.

J. J. Johnson
Apr. 20, 1836
Comm. disch'd. to lie.

J. Johnson W, Rev. Pen,

J.J. Allen Va. 30. Rev. Pens.
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resident of the county State of Virginia
Harrison County}   to wit:

    On the 19th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open court for the county of Harrison now sitting Henry Berkhammer a resident of the state aforesaid aged 82 years, who being first sworn doth on his oath make the following amendatory declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passes on the 7th June 1832.  
    That he was born in the county of Philadelphia state of Pennsylvania & resided there until the close of the Revolutionary War except when in the service of his country.  That in August 1775 or 76 he was drafted in the militia under the command of Captain John Porton marched from Philadelphia to Trenton thence to Amboy remained there two months & was discharged.  Soon after he thinks in December following, he was again drafted in the service under the same officers & marched to Lewistown thence to White Marsh remained there two months & discharged early in the spring following he was again called into service the same Captain Porton march to Chestnut Hill was in a battle at that place from thence to Hickory  town & was directly under the same officers marched to Tar chase was in a battle fought at that place & was discharged from the militia.  He enlisted under Captain Church was afterwards placed under Captain Smith & served to the close of the war.
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As stated in his former declaration he was advised that it was necessary to mention his service in the militia when his former declaration was made and he further states that in consequence oi his great age & loss of memory he may have errored in some particulars but that he is confident that he did serve eight months in the militia as a private & that he then enlisted & served to the close of the war.  That he knows of no witnesses now living by whom he can prove the above facts that his discharge have been lost or dislayed (mislaid).  His age is recorded in the family bible in his possession.  He further states if his statement will not justify the department in allowing him full pay.  He is willing to receive any amount however small it may be.

    Sworn & subscribed to this 19th March 1833.
                            
                                  for wit. David Davisson

    And the said court do hereby declares their opinion that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states.

    I David Davisson Clerk of the Court of Harrison County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application Henry Berhammer for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22nd day of March 1833.

                               Test.  D Davisson C.H.C.
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(3-223,)
revy.

No. 21,768
________, Ex'r.  REJECTED
OLD WAR INVALID.
Henry Berkhammer of Va.
Priv.
P.O. Colonel Farmer, Pa. Troops
Service: Revy.
Enlisted: _______, 18__.
Discharged: _______, 18__.
Application Filed: ______, 18__.
Alleges: _______
Re-enlisted: ________
Attorney: _____
P.O. _________     297
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Department of War
Pension Office
March 24th, 1836

    I have recd. the additional evidence in the case of Henry Berkhammer from the Hon. Wm. Miller, which together with the other papers, I herewith enclose to you agreeably with your request. 

    I have the honor to be
very respectfully your obedient servant.

                                            //s//
                                   J. L. Edwards
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33,298





Hn. Jesse Miller
             H.R.
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State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County ss}

    Personally appeared before me John Smith Esqr. a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Cumberland in the state aforesaid, George S. Rhinehart, who being duly sworn according to law, on his solemn (oath) doth say that he served three years as a private in the company of Capt. Grebler belonging to the German Regiment of Pennsylvania first commanded by Colonel Farmer, and afterward by Colonel Houseger; that he knows Henry Berkhammer who served as a private in the said regiment in a company of which Adam Smith was a Lieutenant this Captain's name, he is not certain of and further saith not.     //s//
                                             George L. Rinehart
Sworn & subscribed
the 5th day of March 1836.
Before me.     //s//
                   Jno. Smith

Cumberland County ss.

    I George Fleming, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County do certify that the above-named John Smith is an acting Justice of the Peace, as above stated.  To all whose acts in the capacity, due faith & credit is & of right ought be given throughout the United States; and that the above signature purported to be his, is genuine.
    In testimony whereof I have hereunto sey my hand & the seal of said Office at Carlisle, the seventh day of March, A.D. 1836.

                                          //s//
                             George Fleming Prothon.
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Henry Berkhammer
Private
76 to 80
Pennsylvania
Regt.

Henry Berkhammer Priv
Church's Company 4 years
Declaration 22 December 1818.

(Transcriber's note: very faded sentence)
.... to be (illegible) of entering the (illegible) of the Regt. & Line must be stated in the declaration.  (3 or 4 illegible sentences).


//s//
J.G. Jackson
Clarksburg , Pa.
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Virginia ss.

    As a court for the county of Morrison on the 28th day of December 1818 & 43 year of the Commonwealth.  Present William A. Rogers, John Reynolds, Saml. Washington & Edward B. Jackson Gentlemen Justices of said county before the court aforesaid personally appeared Henry Berkhammer who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States in the revolutionary war". That he enlisted in the year 17__ as a regular soldier in the city of Philadelphia in Captain Church's company and served for the space of 4 years & upwards in the service of the United States against the common enemy and was engaged in the battles of Germantown, Woodbridge, Thawsbury Hill, Trenton and Fore Chase and at the close of the war was discharged at a place call the Trap about 15 miles this side of Philadelphia and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services and need the assistance of his country for support.  He fought under General Washington; he does not recollect the name of the Colonel he was under the command of Capt. John Smith. 
    It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Henry Berkhammer served in the Army of the revolutionary war against the common enemy and from the declaration here filed and their belief in it, & truth from examination of the said Henry before the court and the said declaration with the opinions of the court we certify to the Honorable Secretary of War the court being fully satisfied that the said Henry did serve in the Army of the United States against the common enemy more than nine months successfully & that he is in reduced circumstances and (in) need of assistance of his country for support.

                                 Copies test. 
                                        //s//
                                   J. Wilson C.H.C.

Virginia Harrison County ss.

    I John Wilson Junr. Clerk of the County Court of Harrison County do certify that the foregoing is truly copied in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 3d day of February 1819.
                                            //s//
                                   J. Wilson CHC
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The claimant must state the name of the Colo. who commanded the Reft. in which he served - his service must be proved by a witness, certified by the Judge to be credible.

Not on rolls.
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Virgina Harrison County ss.

    Henry Berkhammer within would appeared before me this 3rd August 1819 & upon his oath made the following additional declaration, he cannot state the year of his entering into the Army as well as he recollection was in the beginning of 1775 as he thinks been nearly (illegible) years therein before the battle of Trenton. The officer who enlisted him was Captain Church but he afterwards became invalid and resigned & the Lieut. John Smith succeeded him.  He does not recollect the name of his Colonel of of the regiment - it was called the German regiment belonging to Pennsylvania & was under the immediate command of General Muhlenberg.  He enlisted for four years & served out the full term, therefore & received a discharge which supposing it never would be useful & he lng since destroyed.  He does not know of any person in this state who knows of his service & his poverty and age prevent him from going to the neighborhood of Philadelphia where he formerly resided. 
    I certify that the said Berkhammer is in indigent circumstances & has the reputation of being an honest man & that full confidence in the truth of his declaration. 

                                         //s//
                                J.G. Jackson
                                Judge U.S. for
                                West. Virginia