Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,373, for David Luker, New Jersey
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SERVICE
New Jersey

Luker, David
or Lukre

NUMBER
S.22373
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26. 159
Pittsburgh Agency
David Lukre* of Westm'd Co. in the State of Pa
who was a prvt in the Co commanded by Captain Chambers of the Regt commanded
by Col [illegible] in the Penna line for
1 yr 3 mo  Drummer 55 00
[Illegible] 30.00
$85.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburg Agency at the rate of 85 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of March and sent to1832 Hon T. M. T McKennan
Arrears to the 4th of Sep and 34   255.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept.  42.50
$297.50


{ Revolutionary Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by I. T. Sprague
Book 6 Vol. 5 Page 83
*David Luker
Page 85
N.J. Line Records corrected
Febr 12/06.
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The Declaration of David Lukre a soldier of the
Revolution for the benefit of an Act passed
7th June 1832-
State of Pennsylvania
Westmoreland County ⎬
On this twentieth day of November Eighteen
Hundred and thirty two personally appeared in
Open Court before the Honorable John Young Esquire and his associates, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County now sitting David Lukre a resident of Robbstown in the County of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania aged Seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth
on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832-
That he entered the service of the of the United States under the following Officers and
served therein as herein after mentioned
That on the first day of June 1776 this declarant voluntarily attached himself to a company of Grenadiers under the command of Captain Chambers in Cranberry Middlesex County New Jersey at which time said Company with its captain volunteered their
services to be ready at a minutes warning with
two days rations
About the sixteenth day of June in same year
the Company to which I was attached, under the command of Captain Chambers was ordered by Gen. Washington to march to the Fort at Paulus Hook in the State of New Jersey where we remained until New York was abandoned to the British, then
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marched to Barrington in New Jersey where we
remained untill driven by the British to Trenton, and then all the men under the command of Captain Chambers were dismissed-
On the first day of January 1777 orders were received from Good Washington by Colonel Sender (the commander of the Battallion to which Chambers' Company was attached ) and Colonel Nelson to said the volunteers
and Militia and to station them at Cranberry
in New Jersey, which order was transmitted to Capt Chambers who in compliance with the same stationed his company to which I was attached and there remained for further orders from the first of January till the month of June, then marched to Morristown in New Jersey, and continued there until some time in August when this Declarant was selected among six others as guards to take a prisoner to Genl
Washington at Tapan in New Jersey where we delivered the prisoner into the care of Genl Washingtons guard then returned to Morristown where this Declarant was
dismissed with the rest of the Guard near the close of September in the year of 1777-
In the month of May 1778 Captain Chambers received orders to march to the Black Horse in New Jersey to keep guards till the British would come on, then to retreat before them to Monmouth in the same State, where we had a Battle on the 28th day of June, after which the company to which this Declarant belonged, with a great number of the Militia were dismissed until further orders which was sometime in August 1778-
In the month of June 1779 Captain Chambers Marched us, in compliance with General orders to New York and was then attached to Colonel Dayton's Regiment
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where we remained until dismissed which was
in November the twenty Eighth
On the day before this Declarant was  ismissed
he and some others were pursued in one of the Streets of New York by a number of British who exceeded their own number, and in [crossed through - an attempt to] jumping over a ravine this Declarant had his wrist so sprained as to have but very little use of
the same arm ever since-
In the month of June 1780 Captain Chambers in accordance with General Orders marched us to Springfield in the West of New Jersey where we joined Colonel Nelson and Drayton and there had an engagement with the British, after which we were dismissed on the 29th of November of the same year
In the month of July 1781 Captain Chambers received General Orders and in obedience to the same marched us to Amboy in New Jersey and there joined Col Morgan, then marched to Monmouth to guard the Stores taken from the British, after the sales of which we were
dismissed on the 23d of November 1782-
In the month of May 1783 Captain Chamber
according to General Orders marched us to Spotswood in New Jersey to join Colonel Morgan from which place we were sent in small scouting parties to guard the lines as they were called in which service I remained with the whole company of Captain Chambers until the war was finally concluded in October the 18th 1783 when Genl Washington sent
a letter of thanks to Colonel Morgan, requiring him also to dismiss the volunteers under his command.
This Declarant has not in his possession any Documentary Evidence to establish this services as a volunteer
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I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
The following answers were given to the Questions as propounded by the Court and prescribed by the War Department-
1. In Cranberry Middlesex County in New Jersey and was born on the 4th day of December 1758.
2. None other than such as was made by my father. 
3. In Cramberry in New Jersey and continued to live there until 1805, when I moved to Robbstown in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania where I have lived ever since
4. I volunteered as a minute man
5. I know no others, or at least, do not recollect the names of any others than those mentioned in the foregoing declaration
6. We were always discharged as a company
and that I believe verbally. I do not recollect of
any, even one of the members of the Company to which I belonged ever receiving a written discharge
7. The Honorable George Plumer, General Joseph Markle Henry Fulton
David Luker

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid before Randal McLaughlin Prothy

Mr James Estep a Clergyman and John C Plumer Esquire residing in South Huntingdon Township hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Lucre who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
James Estep
J C Plumer
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before Randal McLaughlin pro
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And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Doctor James Estep who signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in South Huntingdon Township in said County & that John C. Plumer Esquire, who has also signed the same, is a resident in Robbstown in the same Township & is a credible person & that their statement
is entitled to credit
I Randal McLaughlin Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Lucre for a pension-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my office this twentieth day of November AD 1832
Randal McLaughlin Prot,
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Westmoreland County
David Lucre the foregoing applicant appeared in person before me a Justice of the peace in & for said County & on his solemn Oath made
the following Declaration - That in consequence of old age & the loss of memory thereby he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service in each campaign or but to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned belove viz: in his first service six months in his second service eight months in his third service two months, in his forth & fifth service six months  each & in his sixth & Seventh services five months each in all three years & two months & that for such service he claims a pension
Sworn & Subscribed the 22d day of August
1833.
Before me
A. Johnston
David Luker
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David Lukre
Westmoreland Co
Penn
Adm 1 year & 3 Months drummer
9. Months private
1.44
Hon. T. M. T. Kennon
Hon R. Coulter
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
20 June 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. Those 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
Period when rendered.
1776 indefinite
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he
entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
It cannot readily be admitted that the services of the applicant are insusceptible of proof, and the regulations require the best to be produce that can be had
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2
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, musicians 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 County of} ss
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:
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 been a 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 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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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.
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 a 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
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 
[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. 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 claimant 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 ____ months, and ____ days, I served as a____, For  ____ months, and ____ days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension."
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.
[j]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 sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Westmoreland County Ss
Personally came before me the Subscriber
a Justice of the peace in and for said County Elizabeth Sloan a resident of said County and upon her solom oath saith that she is the Sister of David Luker who lives in Robbstown in the County aforesaid deponent saith that she was upwards of nine years old at the time that her Brother, said David Luker entered the servis of the U. States in 1776 at at that time deponent and her Father & family lived in Cranbury New Jersey. She recollects many circumstances of her Brothers going into the servis recollects of said Luker telling of being in a battle on Bennats Island where he took a British Col & guard one of Deponents neighbours was killed at that place his name was Wm Laden when David Luker came home from Bennett Island
he had one ear slightly injured which was supposed to have been with a bullet deponent knew Capt. Chambers very well
he lived near Neighbor and under him deponent recollects of David Luker Serving a number of tours of duty he was very little at home during the Revolutionen and two others of Capt. Chambers Company brought in a Hession Soldier & horse which they took on a scout deponents father Bought the Horse afterwards when Sold deponent left Jersey
and moved to Westmoreland County Penna about 27 years since
the same David Luker is now applying
for a pension
Eliza Sloan
Sworn to and Subscribed Before me 4th day of August 1834
I Stokely Justice of the Peace
I certify that Eliza Sloan who took and subscribed the above deposition before me is a credible witness Witness my hand and seal this 4th day of March 1834
I Stokely
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Westmorland County ss
I Randal McLaughton Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of Westmoreland County, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Do hereby Certify that Joseph Stokely Esquire before whom the foregoing supplimentary
Declaration of David Luker was made and also the deposittion of Eliza Sloan-- at the time thereof was and now is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned
and sworn to all whose official acts as such faith & credit are due and that the signature "I Stokely, is the gennine signature of said Justice.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Greensburgh this fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Randal McLaughlin, Prot.
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Wars Section.
June 23, 1928

Mrs. Mary L. McNulty
120 Talbot St
Greensburg, Pa.
Madam;
I advise you that the Revolutionary War records
of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any David Luther, Louther or Lowther.
You are herewith furnished the history of David
Lukre or Luker.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 32373, it appears that David Luker was born December 4, 1758 at Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
While a resident of that place, he enlisted June
1, 1776 and served at various times amounting in all to three years and two months as a drummer and private in Captain David Chambers' Company under Colonels Scudder,
Dayton, Neilson, and Morgan in the New Jersey Troops, and was in the battles of Monmouth and Springfield.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
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November 20, 1832, while a resident of Robbstown, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married,
Your letter has been forwarded to the proper
division for reply relative to the Civil War soldier
James M. Louther or Luther.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Letter sent to Rec Div for reply to civil war soldier
James M. Luther
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July 21, 1924.

Mrs. Mary W. Wall,
461 Main St.,
Monongahela, PA.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.22373, it appears that David Luker was born December 4, 1758, at Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
While a resident of that place he enlisted June 1, 1776, and served at various times amounting in all to three years and two months as a drummer and private in Captain David
Chambers' Company under Colonels Scudder, Dayton, Wilson, and Morgan in the New Jersey Troops and was in the battles of Monmouth and Springfield.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 20, 1832, while a resident of Robbstown, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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DEPARTMENT OF
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.
S.F.22373
In reply to your request of ____. received ____
a statement of the military history of David Luker a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
June 1, 1776
Jan'y 8 or 9, 1777
May 1778
June 1779
June 1780
July 1781
May 1783
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6 mos.
8 mos.
2 mos.
6 mos.
6 mos.
5 mos.
5 mos.
RANK
Drummer

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
David Chambers-
COLONEL.
Scudder
Dayton
Neilson
Morgan
STATE.
N. J.
---

Battles engaged in,  Monmouth, Springfield.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cranbury N.J. & until 1805
Date of application for pension, Nov 20, 1832, His cl. was alw.
Residence at date of application, Robbstown, Westmoreland Co. Penn
Age at date of application, born Dec 4 1758 at Cranbury Middlesex Co. N.J.
Remarks:
Sister Eliza Sloan
d -- 285C
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 19

Westmoreland County Ss
the Commonwelth of Pennsylvania
Personally came before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County David Luker and upon his solom oath made the following Supplimentry declaration in order to establish his claim to a pention under the act of Congress of June 1832 declarant says that on the first day of June 1776 he volluntered as a drummer in a company of Grenaders under the command of Capt. David Chambers in Crainbury Middlesex County New Jersey the Company all volenteered to be redy at a minutes warning with two days provisions and on the 17th day of June 1776 declarent
marched with said Company under General orders to the fort at Paulus Hook in Jersey where said Company were attached to Col Scudders Regiment & - there was a General in Command who came to the place aforesaid and gave some Genl orders but declarent dont recollect his name on the 18th said Company marched to Brunswick and on the 19th marched to Elizabethtown laid these two three or four days before we marched to the fort aforesaid where declarant done camp duty as a Drummer untill New York was abandoned by the British but declarant does not recollect the date but at that time the troops that ware at the fort above marched to Barrington in New Jersey where we were engaged guarding the lines to keep the British from Getting Supplies for a considerable time
declarent says that Genl Washington ordered the troops to retreat from the place aforesaid to Trenton before the Company commanded by Capt Chambers reached Trenton the were discharged at Crainbury on the 14 day of December 1776 after Serving Six months taking three days declarent says that the company were verbally discharged and on
the 8th or 9th day of Jany 1777 he declarant again Joined a vollunteer Company commanded by Capt Chambers under orders from Cols Scudder and Nelson rondevoused at Crainbury where the Troops were constantly
guarding the lines of the Enemy to keep the tories from furnishing them with Supplies declarant was with a detachment in April 1777 that marched to Bennett Island and took a British Col Stogden and 73 men
conveyed them to Princetown and delivered them to the Troops in that place in this expedition declarent says that one of his comrads named Wm Saden was killed after this declarent and two others of Chambers
Company took a Hessian prisoner and his horse while plundering a mile from the Enemys Ragement of Hessians, in the month of June same year declarants Company under command of Col Scudder & Nelson was
ordered to Morristown in Jersey sometime in August declarent and Six others were sent as a guard with a prisnor to Gen Washington
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at Tapan delivered the Prisoner to Washingtons Guard and returned to Morristown where declarant was dismissed on the 16 or 17th Sept 1777 after Serving eight months and Seven days as a drummer Maj. Egbert of Col. Nelsons Ragement dismissed the Company verbally declarent was paid some weeks after at Crainbury by Capt Chambers on the third
day of June 1778 declarent again marched as a drummer in Capt Chambers Company to the Black Horse in New Jerey by way of Crosswicks, at the Black Horse Col Scudder commanded, the Troops were guarding the Inhabitents from being plundered by the Enemy and kept provisions from reaching the Enemy Camp
by the Tories declarant says he thinks on the morning of the 25th June before day during a hevy rain two light horsemen came to gave them an alarm of the Enemy approaching the Troops was paraded and marched from the Black Horse before day Reached Allentown same day met with a large number of Troops at this place Genl Firman was in command the officers held a counsell on the 26th June reached Crainbury the 27 day marched from thence towards Monmoth 28 June reached Monmoth where we had a battle declarant thinks Genl Lee Commanded at this time with
what was called the Left divission and Washington on the Right
the day after the Battle the troops to which declarent belonged marched to Elizabethtown laid there a day or too and was marched
to Crainbury and was dismissed by Capt Chambers on the 2d day of July 1778 after serving 29 days as a drummer Sometime after
declarent was paid by Capt. Chambers on the 9th day of June 1779
declarant volunteered as a private in Capt. David Chambers Company and marched under Genl orders to Amboy from thence to Elizabethtown to New Ark was there attached to Col Daytons Regement where we engaged guarding the lines keeping provisions from reaching the Enemy and keeping down the tories on the 27 day of November 1779 the British crossed over from Staten Island after Cattle that the tories had collected for them, in
Retreating before the Enemy declarent fell and sprained his Wrist very badly on the 28th was dismissed by Col. Dayton after Serving five months and 19 days sometime after Capt Chambers paid declarant on the 9th or 10 June 1780 and declarent cant Say precisely which, he again marched as a private in Capt
Chambers Company under Genl orders to Springfield was attached to Col Nelson Ragement Col. Dayton was there also was continually Guarding the lines, performed scouts to Elizabethtown there was
Page 21

there was three tories the name of Clopen Hutchison and ____ taken as spies or bearers of Intelligence to the Enemy there on Staten
Island declarent seen them hanged sometime before the battle the British drove the troops out of Springfield declarant thinks in
November had a considerable Battle declarant helped to pull up the Bridge under orders of Barron Stuben Genl Washingtons troops came up to our relief the Enemy retreated burning Houses & Barns our troops took possesion of Elizabeth town declarent and company was dismissed at this place 29 Novem 1780 after
serving a tour of 5 months and 19 days on the 18th day of July 1781 declarant marched as a private in Capt. Chambers Company of Volunteers under Genl orders from Cranbury to Amboy in Jersey called South
there our company Joined Col Morgans Ragement and marched to Monmonth to guard the stores taken from the British vessel
Grounded near Sarsbury Genl Fermen had the command and on the 23d day of Novem Company dismissed by the Genl aforesaid
after serving a tour of 4 months and five days on the 20th day May 1783 declarant again marched as a private in Capt Chambers Company to Spotswood in Jersey Joined Col Morgan (this was not Col Morgan that commanded the Riflemen) from the place aforesaid we were continully guarding the roads and lines and on the 18th day of Oct. 1783 were dismissed by a letter from
Genl Washington to Col Morgan in which the Gen tendered his thanks to Col Morgan & his troops this tour was five months taking two days during all the time specified in the foregoing declarent was not engaged in any civil persuit or calling other than that of the Servis as aforesaid
David Luker
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of March 1834
I. Stokely Justice of the Peace
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Robbstown 10th March 1834
Dr Sir after I. Y. Barckly Esqr having frequently told me that he had forwarded David Lukers papers to the Pension Office he at lenth found that he had them in his office I have written out a Supplementery Declaration which is attached to the Original also the Deposition of Eliza Sloan all attached by the Clerk of the Court with his certificate as to the official act of the Justice of the peace also the Deposition of Samuel Vankirk taken in Allegheny County before Esqr Manown with the certificate of the Prothy of Allegheny I hope the old mans claim to a Pension will be satisfactory to the Department I ask the favor of you to present them to the commissioner of pensions and
ask a favorable attention if his case is made out have the goodness to have the payment ordered at Pittsburgh Pen. Your attention will confer a favor on an old Soldier and I shall feel myself under renewed obligations to you for repeated acts of kindness
Repectfully
J.C. Plumer
Hon. Thos. M. T. McKennon
Page 23

Free

Hon. Thomas M.T. McKennon
Washington Citty

Hobbstown Pa
12 May

Hon T. M. T. McKennon
Page 24

Allegheny County & the Commonwelth of Penna
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Samuel Vankirk who on his Solom oath saith that he and David Luker of Robbstown
Westmoreland County Penna was almost raised from their Infancy untill the time of the Revolutionary war in one Neighbourhood in
the State of New Jersey and that he and the said David Luker were frequently out in the servis of the U. States togather during said war and that that he recollects of being with him on a scouting partie from Cranbury to Bennett Island under the command of Capt David Chambers and was with him at taking the British Col Guard on that Island this was he thinks in the year 1777 after the Battle of
Trenton he says he was with him at Morristown in the servis from there him and said Luker with some others was sent as a guard with
a Prisnor to General Washington then at Tapan the Prisoner was said to be the express Rider and by the name of John Light he further saith that he was with him at Springfield where they had some fighting with the enemy and were then under the command of Col Nelson all the above named places he says he perfectly
recollects of being with him and has good reason to believe that he was at different times in the service of the U. States during the
war when he was not with him the said Luker was a private Soldier
Samuell VanKirk
Sworn to and Subscribed Before me The third day of March 1834
James Manown
I certify that Samuel Vankirk who took and subscribed the above deposition before me is a credible witness in witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 3rd day
of March 1834
James Manown
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State of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County Ss
I
Hervey H. Peterson Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County
Do certify that James Menown before
whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at that time, and now is, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Allegheny
duly commissioned and sworn, to all whose acts as such full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given throughout the United States & elsewhere,
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 7th day of March A.D. 1834
Hervey H. Peterson Prothy
Page 26

25541
David Luker
Page 27

cw
Inv. File 22373
Page 28

West Newton, Pa
Jany 25, 1906

Office of the Pension Department
Pittsburg
Dear Sir
Can you tell me if there is any thing on record
of a pension that was drawn by David Luker of West Newton for services rendered during the
Revolutionary War. Mr Luker
Page 29

died July 10, 1846.
Very Respectfully
Mrs. James Quigley Waters

West Newton, Pa.

[Stamp] O.W. & N. Div Files
Jan 29 1906

[Stamp] U. S. Pension Office
Jan 29 1906
Page 30

N.S. Pittsburg Pa
Oct 1917
Department of Interior
Washington D C.

Dear Sir
Would you Kindly give me or write me the history of David Luker, as a Revolutionary
Soldier. We want to join the
D of R At your earliest convenience, address as follows,
A E Luker
1239 Buena Vista St
N.S. Pittsburg Penna
Page 31

22373
INVALID.
Revolution
File No. 22.373

David Luker
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 2 Page 249
[Arrangement of 1870.}
David Luker*
Records corrected Feb. 12 /06 j.s.
Hist. to Mrs. James Quigley Waters
West Newton Pa. Feb. 12, 1906.
1917 Nov. 3 Hist. to A.E. Luker
1924. July 21 - Hist. to Mrs. Mary Warren Wall.
U M
-
1928 June 23. Hist to Mrs. Mary L. McNulty Esq
Her letter sent to Rec. Div. for reply about
Civil War.
awf.
Page 32

Monongahela Pa
June 13 - 1924.
Dept. of the Interior,
Will you kindly send me a statement of the military history of David Luker (David Luker) a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
If it will be any help to you, I will tell you, I have the file no as a relative of mine has one of the
statements,
O. W. and N. Division
A. E. P.
Inv. File 22373
Rev. War.
Respt. yours
Mrs. Mary Warren Wall
MRS. MARY WARREN WALL.
461 Main Street
Monongahela
Pa
[Stamp] U. S. Pension Office  Jun 16 1924