Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4513, for Lewis Shelley, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE   Continental (Penn)
Shelley, Lewis
or Shelly
or Shelle
Rosann
NUMBER  W.4513
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Pennsylvania 3888
Rosanna Shelley deceased widow of Lewis Shelley or Shelle Penn who died on the 7th July 1787 of Lancaster Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a priv dragoon in the Legion commanded by captain of the commanded by Armand in the line for 2 years 
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 100 Dollars - cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 & ending on the 29th day May 1843 the day she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of June 1843 and sent to DB Vonder Smith Lancaster Penna
Arrears to the 4th of 
Seniannual allowance engine -
$1222.66
{Revolutionary Claim Act July 4, 1835 Section the}
Recorded by Nell Stewart clerk
Book C Vol 3 Page 15

Repo June 10 1843 by letter
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Declaration

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County Ss

On this 9th day of January AD 1843 Personally appeared before me. Emanuel Schaeffer, one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Lancaster. Rosanna Shelly, a resident of the City of Lancaster in the County and state aforesaid, aged 85 years and upwards, 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 4 1836.

To the best of declarants recollection my husband Lewis Shelly, joined the Army of the revolution in the year 1777. (Shortly after we were married) as Bugleman in Armongs [Armand] Legion of the Borough of York, he belonged to Captain Company, and his Major was Shaffner, this Legion was raised in York Borough - they joined the Legion during the revolutionary war, my husband returned to the Borough of York, in the year 1783 - when he and Leonard Bomgardner (who joined the Legion at the same time that my husband did) and both belonged to one Company - and were discharged together - 
She further states that she was married to the said Lewis Shelly on the third day of January, AD 1777 and that her husband the aforesaid
(over)
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Lewis Shelly died on the seventh day of July AD 1787 and that she was married to him prior to his leaving the service - we were married in York County by a Justice long since dead -     
Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year above written before me -       
E Schaeffer 
D B Vonder Smith 
Rosanna Shelly x her mark [seal]
Lancaster City SS     
I Emanuel Schaeffer one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for County of Lancaster, before whom the foregoing declaration was taken, do certify that Rosanna Shelly, is a highly respectable lady, and that her declaration is entitled to full credit and belief    
Witness my hand & seal this 9th day of January A.D. 1843-    
E Schaeffer [seal]
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County Ss
On this 9th day of January AD 1843. Personally appeared before Emanuel Schaeffer One of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County - John Gonter a soldier and pensioner of the United States, who being first sworn according to law, doth say, that hw had a person knowledge of the military service of Lewis Shelly trumpeter in the Revolutionary War and they are as follows viz:
In the year 1778 I enlisted under captain John Hubley whose company marched to Shomakin after remaining there during the winter we returned to Lancaster and was regularly discharged in 1779
Shortly after my discharge in 1779 I went to the Borough of York and there joined Armons [Armand] 88 Legion under captain Sharpe (or Shorpe) a company of dragoons, and remained in service for about two years served and after many skirmishes with the enemy frequent marches and bearing a full share of the hardships which were sustained by the soldiers I was regularly discharged
Shortly after joined Armands Legion I became acquainted with Lewis Shelly, the trumpeter of our company (Sharpe) he was the trumpeter of our company, until we were discharged which was not less than two years the said Lewis Shelly served faithfully during the two years as the trumpeter of said company of Dragoons 
(over)
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Colonel Armands corps consisted of two companies of infantry three companies of Dragoons and one company of Grenadiers 
During this campaign I often seen the wife of Lewis Shelly the present applicant in the Legion with her husband, she was with the Legion during the whole campaign, I seen her almost every day during the two years
Deponent further states that Rosanna Shelly is the widow of Lewis Shelly who died on the seventh day of July AD 1787 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before me E Schaeffer
John Gonter
Lancaster City SS
I Emanuel Schaeffer one of the associate judges of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Lancaster, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken, do certify that John Gonter is a highly respectable citizen and that his deposition is entitled to full credit and belief
Witness my hand & seal this 9th day of January AD 1843
E Schaeffer
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State of Pennsylvania         
Lancaster County}  SS         
On this 18th day of March AD 1843 Personally appeared before me George Musser an Alderman duly Commissioned in and for the City of Lancaster, Elizabeth Swartzwalter a resident of the Borough of Columbia in the County and State aforesaid , aged 83 and upwards, who being first sworn according to law, depose and says as follows -     
I am the Sister of Rossanna Shelley (widow of Lewis Shelley, a soldier of the revolution deceased) - my father’s name was John Lindy he resided in the Borough of York (now dead about sixty years) - my sister Rossanna was the eldest of my father’s children, and I was next eldest. I was last July eighty three years of age - I was present at the solemnization of my sister (Rossanna’s) marriage to the aforesaid Lewis Shelley my partner was Jacob Myers (now deceased) of the Borough of York we had gone from York to Hanover in York County, and stopped at a tavern kept by Powell Metzgar - the ceremony was performed by a Justice of the Peace of said village by the name of - Schlegal, (both Metzgar and Schlegal have died some years ago) - My sister (Rossanna) and Lewis Shelley where married in the year 1777 - it was but a short time after Independence was declared - It was early in the spring of that year (1777) that they were married - my sister gave birth to a male child the following year (1778 - it was born in Camp -- Shortly after his marriage to my sister, he joined Armands Legion   
(over)
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and my sister went with the army She travelled in a baggage wagon - it was well on to two years when she returned with her child to York - Further Deponent saith not – 
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me 
Geo. Musser      Elizabeth Swartzwalter her mark [seal]   
Lancaster City Ss:            
I George Musser an Alderman duly commissioned in and for said City, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken, do certify that Elizabeth Swartzwalter (is the sister of Rossanna Shelley) and that her deposition is entitled to full credit and belief – 
Witness my hand and seal this 18th day of March AD 1843- 
Geo. Musser [seal]   
State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County Ss: 
I Rudolph F Rauch, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County Do Certify that George Musser, Esquire, before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, is an Alderman of the City of Lancaster in said County, duly commissioned & qualified, and that the signatures purporting be his are genuine   
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court subscribed my name this Twentieth day of March in the year of our LORD. One thousand eight hundred & forty three 
Rud F Rauch Prothy 
Pr Saml Donvart
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State of Pennsylvania        
Lancaster County } Ss   
On this 5th day of June AD 1843 Personally appeared in Open Court, before the District Court now sitting John Leonard, a resident of the City of Lancaster in the County and State aforesaid - who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say as follows -       
I was well acquainted with Rosanna Shelley widow of Lewis Shelley a soldier of the Revolution deceased) who was an applicant for a pension from the United States at the time of her death - the said (Rossanna) died on the morning of the 29th of May AD 1843, and left two children viz: Elizabeth intermarried with Jacob Ehler, who resides with his wife in Church Street in the City of Lancaster, and Jacob Shelley resides in Monagen [Monaghan] Township York County in the State aforesaid - and that I have had access to the family Bible of the said Mrs. Elizabeth Ehler containing the births of Elizabeth Shelley (now intermarried with the said Jacob Ehler who was born on the 20 day of April AD 1784 and Jacob Shelley was born on the 6th day of June AD 1786. 
And that the said Elizabeth Ehler and Jacob Shelley are the only heirs of the said Rosanna Shelley to my knowledge –
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in Open Court –
John Leonard 
Attest Rud. F. Rauch Prothy
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State of Pennsylvania         
Lancaster County }  Ss   
On this 5th day of June AD 1843 Personally appeared in open Court, before the District Court, now sitting, John Gonter, a resident of the City of Lancaster, in the County and State aforesaid - who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say as follows -       
I was well acquainted with Rossanna Shelley (widow of Lewis Shelley a soldier of the Revolution deceased) who was an applicant for a pension from the United States at the time of her death - the said Rosanna died on the morning of the 29th of May AD 1843. and left two children viz: Elizabeth intermarried with Jacob Ehler, who resides with his wife in Church Street, in the City of Lancaster - and her son Jacob resides in Monagan [Monaghan] Township York County in the State aforesaid   
and do further say that Elizabeth and Jacob are the only heirs of the said Rosanna Shelley decd to my knowledge -    
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court - John Gonter   
Rud. F. Rauch Prothy
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I Alexander L Hays Judge of the district Court in and for the County of Lancaster do hereby certify that it has been proved to the satisfaction of the said Court that Elizabeth Shelley intermarried with Jacob Ehler of the City of Lancaster, and Jacob Shelley of Monaghan Township, York County, are the surviving children of Lewis Shelley and Rosanna Shelley deceased – 
City of Lancaster, June 5, 1843 - A. L. Hayes              
State of Pennsylvania         
Lancaster County. ss.   
I Rudolph F. Rauch Prothonotary of the District Court for the City County of Lancaster Do certify that the Honorable Alexander L. Hayes Esquire by whom the foregoing attestation is made & whose name is thereto subscribed was the time of making thereof and still is President Judge District Court forth City & County of Lancaster duly Commissioned & qualified to all whose acts as such full faith & credit is and ought to be given as well in Court of Justice as elsewhere and that the depositions of John Howard Jr & John Gonter were taken in said Open Court – 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court & Subscribed my name this fifth day of June in the year four Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty three -
Rud. F. Rauch
Prothy
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June 6 1843
Cont.
Cont. 
LANCASTER Pa.
JUN 5
Pa.
Addl [additional] proof 
Rosanna Shelly
Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Lancaster June 5, 1843.
Dear Sir-  
Enclosed you will receive two depositions proving that Mrs E. Ehler and Jacob Shelley are the only children of Lewis & Rosanna Shelley decd – 
Mrs Shelley has one child which was born in Camp named Lewis Shelley – it died at the age of 4 or 5 years – 
Will you forward the certificate as soon as convenient for the Department - as the heirs are very poor – 
I have the Honor to be very Respectfully your friend 
D. B. Vonder Smith 
Hon J. L. Edwards 
Comm of Pensions
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Revy  WIDOW &c.
File No. 4513
Rosanna Shelly
Wid.
Lewis Shelly or Shelle
Privt  Rev. War
Act:  July 4 '36
Index:- Vol. M.  Page 204
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Rosanna Shelly decd 
widow of Lewis Shelley
(or Shelle)   Act 4 July 36    
Penna    
Issue a certificate in the names of Rosanna Shelly decd widow of Lewis Shelly, Private of Dragoons, Armand’s Legion, $100 per ann. to terminate 29 May 1843, when she died Payable at Philadelphia Agency to Elizabeth Ehler, wife of Jacob Ehler, and Jacob Shelley, only surviving children of Rosanna Shelley, decd and send the certificate to D.B. Vonder Smith Lancaster, Penna
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9 May 1843
Penna
LANCASTER Pa.
MAY 8
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Lancaster May 8th. 43   
Dear Sir – 
About eight or nine weeks ago I sent on to your office the deposition of Mrs. Swartzwalter, Sister of Rossanna Shelley, who was present at the marriage of her sister (Rossanna) the only letter that I recd respecting the said Claim was on the 10th of March last, stating that Lewis Shelley had served during the Revolutionary war, but that the proof of marriage was not sufficient there was no record of any kind in existence as they were married by a Justice of the Peace who has long since died upwards of 50 years, it was impossible to obtain his records as there is none of the family now living - therefore it is impossible to produce any record –
It then became necessary after there was no record in existence for us, to produce the deposition of some person that was present at the solemnization of the ceremony, which we did by produce in her sisters deposition, which proved clearly that Mr. and Mrs. Shelley were married at the time stated in her deposition – 
Not receiving any answer since the deposition has been forwarded to you, I thought it necessary to write order to have some information from your wether the
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deposition has been received by you or not -
I have the Honor
to be. Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
D. B. Vonder Smith
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pension
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13 May 1843
D.C. 
Rosanna Shelly
LANCASTER Pa.  MAY 8
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
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Lancaster May 12. 43.        
Dear Sir.
Enclosed you will receive the affidavit of Rossanna Shelley containing answers to queries requested in your letter to be answered-- (except query No 4 & 5. which are answered, by the answer to your 3rd query) -  You have stated that Lewis Shelley's name is not on your record as trumpeter, but served as a private in Armand's Legion - might not the person who made out the list of the soldiers of Annand Legion possibly have omitted to insert trumpeter - the witnesses have deposed positively of his being trumpeter in the Legion (and Bomgardner especially, whose deposition was taken upon his death bed)  as the declaration of a dying man are admitted, without oath, on a supposition, that in his awful situation on the confines of a future world, he had no motive to misrepresent, but on the contrary the strongest motives to speak without disguise - how much more weight then should it be to the truth of Shelley serving as trumpeter when It is endorsed with the dying declaration of Bomgardner which is considered to be more powerful over his conscience then the obligation of an oath, and being on the verge of the next world of course then there can be no doubt them upon the mind of the Department as to Lewis Shelley serving as trumpeter
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in Armands Legion,- 
But if the Department think they cannot possibly grant the pension of Mrs R. Shelley for services rendered by her husband in Armands Legion as trumpeter - She is willing to submit to the decision of the Department for a pension for her husband services rendered as a private in Armand's Legion  -
I Have the Honor to be. Very Respectfully 
Your obedient Servant 
D. B. Vonder Smith
Hon J. L. Edwards 
Commr of Pensions 
P.S. Mrs. R. Shelley authorizes me to say, if ever the Bounty Land was received, by any person else then Law mentioned in her affidavit, she does not recollect of authorizing any person else to make application for it -
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Mar 23 ‘43
LANCASTER Pa
Mar 20
Pa.
Rosanna Shelly
Submitted Mar 9 1843 to D. B. Vonder Smith
Sus 36
Hon: J. L. Edwards
Commr. Of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
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Lancaster March 20. 1843.    
Dear Sir   
Enclosed you will receive the deposition of Elizabeth Swartzwalter, Sister of Rosanna Shelley widow of  L. Shelley decd  -  a witness who was present at the solemnization of her sister (Rossanna’s) marriage – 
Mrs. Shelley did not receive a marriage Certificate from the Magistrate nor did they ask the magistrate for one -  
There is no family record in existence belonging to the said Mrs. Shelly 
I have the honor to be very Respectfully your humble friend 
D. B. Vonder Smith    
Hon. J. L. Edward   
Commr of Pensions     
[unreadable]
P.S. Will you have the kindness to forward to me the law that was past this last Congress, respecting the widows of the Revolution - (I believe it is a supplement to the act of 1838.
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Comr  May 30 '43
LANCASTER Pa MAY 29
Ros. Shelly Pa.
FREE
Hon: J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City D. C.
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Lancaster May 29. 1843 
Dear Sir – 
I write to inform you that Mrs. Rosanna Shelley widow of Lewis Shelley - died this morning leaving two children, Son and daughter, the daughter is intermarried with Jacob Ehler a resident of Lancaster 
Should the claim be granted would you be kind enough to inform me in what manner to proceed – I thought it proper to inform the Department of this fact – 
I have the Honor to be very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant 
D. B. Vonder Smith 
Hon. J. L. Edwards 
Commr of Pensions-
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Pa. Apl 10 1843
R. Shelly
LANCASTER Pa.
APR 8
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
D. C.
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Lancaster April 8th. 43.        
Dear Sir
About three weeks ago I forwarded to you the deposition of Mrs. Swartzwalter a witness who was present at the solemnization of her sister Rossanna Shelley’s marriage - I had received a letter from you stating that it was necessary that some record evidence as regards the marriage or witness that was present, should be produced in order to establish that Lewis Shelley and Rosanna his wife were married - also stating in your letter that Lewis Shelley had served during the Revolutionary war in Armand's Legion (I might state that land has been granted to her, but the person that obtained it for her never gave her the certificate)  
Please inform me respecting the claim, as soon as convenient        
I have the honor to be very Respectfully &c.  
D. B. Vonder Smith 
Hon. J. L. Edwards 
Commr Pensions-
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State of Pennsylvania 
Lancaster County} Ss   
On this 11th day of May AD 1843. personally appeared before me, George Musser an Alderman duly commissioned in and for the City of Lancaster, Rossanna Shelley a resident of the City of Lancaster, who being first sworn according to law, doth depose and say as follows. In answer to the following queries -    
1.  Was Lewis Shelley entitled to Bounty land for his service?   
Ans. From a letter recd. dated 11th of March inst, from you stating that Lewis Shelley's name was on the record in this office, which appears that he enlisted in Armands Legion at the commencement of the Revolution, and remained in the service until peace was declared (1783) - according to the act of Congress that every enlisted soldier who served during the revolutionary war, should be entitled to Bounty land from this it would appear, that she would be entitled to her husband land   
2. If so, who recd his land warrant from the U.S.?  
Ans.   John Lamb of the Borough of York about eight years ago, perhaps more, undertook to obtain the Bounty land for her (Mrs. Shelley) and it was afterwards reported that he obtained the certificate for her land; but that she has not seen him since she employed him to obtain the land. So it is impossible
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say wether he obtained it or not, - but the records in County Land Office, I suppose would give that information - (Nor do I know wether he is living or not)   
3.  Did any one ever administer on his estate?  
Ans.  In answer to this query I have to say that there was no administrator or Executor that I know of - as my husband Lewis Shelley died a poor man, possessed of no estate whatever - he is now dead about 56 years - he died in York County- 
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me  
Rossanna Shelley her mark
Geo. Musser 
Test – D. B. Vonder Smith          
Lancaster City Ss   
I George Musser an Alderman duly missioned in and for said City, before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, do certify that Rosanna Shelley is a highly respectable lady, and that her affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief    
Witness my hand & seal this 11th day of May AD 1843 
Geo. Musser [seal]
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State of Pennsylvania       
Lancaster County ss:           
I Rudolph F. Rauch, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County Do Certify that George Musser Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is an Alderman of the City of Lancaster as before stated - duly commissioned & qualified; and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine – 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court, this Twelfth day of May in the year of our LORD One thousand eight hundred and forty three – 
Rud. F. Rauch  Prothy
P. 
Saml Donvart
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No. 5774  Jan 28 1843
LANCASTER Pa JAN 25
Pa.
July
Rosanna Shelly
FREE
Hon:  J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
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Lancaster January 26, 1843.    
Sir   
Enclosed you will receive the declaration of Mrs. Shelly and two depositions attached to it. 
The marriage Certificate I was unable to procure as she was married in the County of York by a Magistrate, during the revolutionary war, and he has long since died and not been able to procure any of his records   Mr. Gonter States that he saw her with her husband during the time that he was in the service – Mr. Shelly’s name is no doubt upon the records in your Department, 
I have the honor to be very Respect fully your humble friend – 
D. B. Vonder Smith 
Hon. J. L. Edwards
N.B. Please inform me respecting Thomas Henry’s claim --- I forwarded to you the affidavit of to Physician respecting his inability
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State of Pennsylvania 
York County SS. }  
On the twenty fifth day of February Anno Domini one thousand Eight hundred and thirty Eight personally appeared before me Jacob Glessner a Justice of the Peace in & for the Borough of York in said County of York Leonard Baumgardner a resident of the said Borough of York who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith as follows. That he was taken prisoner at the Battle of   and Marched by a guard to Winchester in Virginia where he remained untill he was regularly exchanged & being desirous of remaining in the United States he enlisted in the service of the United States in Captain Shorbs Company that he then became acquainted with Lewis Shelly late of the Borough if York aforesaid deceased, who was a Soldier of the Revolution belonging to Armong’s [Armand] Legion under Major Shaffner and attached to Capt Shorbs Company and was enlisted sometime before deponent was enlisted deponent further say that Lewis Shelly belonged to Armong’s Legion Captn Shorbs Company was Bugleman of said Company when he deponent enlisted at Winchester Virginia
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where they remained from the time he enlisted untill they were marched to the Borough of York Pennsylvania sometime in the month of and discharged in the month of November 1783, that they had enlisted for three years and detained as the deponent was informed by the officers for during the war, that they deponent Lewis Shelly were discharged at the time that all the Legion was discharged at the Borough of York Pennsylvania and deponent says he is a Pensioner of the United States      
York County SS. Personally came before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the said County Jacob Glessner Esq. who being duly sworn according to law deposeth saith that the afore going is a correct copy of the deposition of Leonard Baumgartner abovenamed as dictated by him the said Leonard to the said Jacob Glassner Esq and that he the said Leonard was willing to swear to said deposition at the time but the reason why he did not swear to it was that deponent advised Mr. Jacob
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Ehler who called upon said deponent to go to the Residence of the said Leonard to take his deposition that he Ehler had better had better take it & show it to his attorney and that if it would be of any service the said Ehler Should send it to deponent and that deponent would copy & Call & Qualify the said Leonard Baumgartner to wit in one form of law but deponent never received the deposition alluded to until after the death of the said Leonard    
Jacob Glessner
Sworn to and subscribed December 29th 1842 before John A. Wilson
York County SS. 
I John Wilson Justice of the Peace in & for said county do Certify that Jacob Glessner Esq  deponent above named was an acting Justice of the Peace to said Borough & County at the time that Leonard Baumgartner above named appeared before him the said Jacob Glessner Esquire dictated to him the
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aforegoing deposition or Statement to him the said Jacob Glessner In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at York in the said County the 29th  day of December A D 1842.  John A Wilson   
State of Pennsylvania 
York County S. S.    
I William Ilgenfritz Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of York, do certify that John Wilson Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is and was at the time of subscribing his name thereto, was an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and as such is duly commissioned and qualified, and that the signature to the same is in his proper hand writing    
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fired the seal of said Court at York Borough the 30th day of December A.D. 1842 
W. Ilgenfritz  
Prothy
Jus Wilson's fees paid for Mr. Tucher
$1.50
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No. 5774 V
Mrs. Rossanna Shelley’s Declaration
Pa. 
Act 7 July 36
Page 38

State of Pennsylvania    
Lancaster County ss 
I. Rudolph F Rauch, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County Do Certify that Emanuel Schaeffer, Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is one of the Associate Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County duly commissioned & qualified, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this Twenty fifth day of January in the year of our LORD One thousand eight hundred & forty three – 
R. F. Rauch 
Prothy 
pr Saml Donvart