Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 46,331, for John Henry Simler, Pennsylvania
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Continental
Simler, John Henry
S. 46,331
B.L.Wt. 1403-100
Penn - residence in 1829
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No. Cert 468                              
                                          46.331
Name:  John H. Simler
Rank:    Pri    Comp'y:  Bert
Reg't:   Col. Armands Corps

Allowed     Act 1828.
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No. 1403
John alias John H.
Simler
priv
armd.
Sent to J.Norris
Phila.
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State of Pennsylvania    )   SS
  County of Philadelphia)

      I, John Henry Simler, alias John Simler aged seventy seven years, do upon oath testify and declare, that about or in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, I enlisted and entered the service as a private for the term of during the war, in the regiment commanded by Col. Armand, and afterwards served in the aforesaid regiment under the command of Col. Armand and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, when I was regularly discharged from the same regiment, commanded by Col. Armand of the _(blank)_
line and when I was a private in the same: and I am unable to annex hereto my Certificate of Discharge from the Revolutionary Army as I placed the same together with other papers thought necessary to substantiate my claim, in the hands of the late James Philips, to deliver the same to Charles Smith Esq. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, now deceased, Attorney at Law, for the purpose of procuring the bounty land to which I was entitled from the United States - and I firmly believe that my Certificate of Discharge and the other papers relating to my claim for bounty land, were placed by the said James Philips in the hands of the said Charles Smith Esq., for the purpose aforesaid, as I received somewhere about the year 1809 or 1810, a letter from the said James Philips then in Philadelphia and where he shortly afterwards died, who stated to me in the said letter, that he had delivered all my papers to the said Mr Charles Smith
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for the purpose of making application in my behalf for my bounty land - and I further declare that the letter of the said James Philips to which I have referred is not now in my possession or power, but I believe that I delivered the same to Hardman Philips the brother of the said James Philips deceased - and I further declare that I firmly believe that my Certificate of Discharge and the other papers placed by the said James Philips in the care and possession of the said Charles Smith Esq., have been lost or mislaid, as I have frequently heard that they were, by the said Charles Smith Esq.
     I further declare that I never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States, nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatsoever.
     In Witness whereof I have here unto affixed my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of October A.D. 1828.
                                   John Henry Simler

I, Conrad Wile  -  aged about sixty  -  years, do upon oath, declare that I have been long acquainted with John Henry Simler, alias John Simler who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be and further I know or do believe that he did perform the military service therein stated.
Attest                             Conrad Wile
James N Barker
                    Atty
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State of Pennsylvania )
City of Philadelphia     )  ss.

     Before me the subscriber an Alderman of the City of Philadelphia and ex officio a Justice of the Peace in and for the city aforesaid, personally appeared the above named John Henry Simler alias John Simler, subscriber to the aforegoing declaration: and likewise personally appeared Conrad Wile ___ who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed, this thirtieth ___ day of October A.D. 1828.
                                    James N Barker
                                                                 atty
State of Pennsylvania   )
County of Philadelphia ) 

     In testimony that the above written James N Barker Esq was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths je. in the State of Pennsylvania, at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia and subscribed my name, at Philadelphia, this thirtieth day of October   A.D. 1828 in my capacity as Clerk of the Court aforesaid.

                                       Matthew Randall
                                            Prothonotary
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                                              O W J
                                              #
                                              46.331
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468                                 627

                 REVOLUTIONARY  CLAIMS

                                  TREASURY DEPARTMENT
                                                      Aug't. 9. 1828

     John Henry Simler, of Philadelphia has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828.  He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a private in captain Bert's (Light Dragoons) company, in Col. Armand's corps and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing;

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
                                 By order of the Secretary,
                                            A. Dinkins

                        TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
                                   Third Auditor's Office,
                                    14th August 1828

     It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to John Simler in Col. Armands Corps.
     It further appears that John Simler is not now on the pension list of any agency, and has not been so since the 3d March 1826.
                                   Peter Hagner Aud

Allowed   Act 1828   (in pencil)
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                      Revolutionary Claims

     For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," appeared on the 15th of May 1828, I, John Henry Simler, of the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a Private in Captain Bart or Bert's company, in the First Troop of Light Dragoons Free Legion, Colonel Armand - and I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.  
     And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1828, on the Pension List of the United States.
     Witness my hand this twenty fourth day of July in the year 1828.
                                       John Henry Simler
                    ________________________

     Before me the subscriber an Alderman of the City of Philadelphia iin the State of Pennsylvania personally appeared, this day Randolph Osborne of the said City and Henry M. Russell of the said City who did severally make oath that John Henry Simler by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated.
     Witness my hand this twenty fourth day of July i the year 1828.
                                          James N Barker
Randolph Osborne                                   Amn
Henry M Russell
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I    Matthew Randall      Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that James M. Barker Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time an Alderman of the City of Philadelphia and duly empowered to administer oaths.
                   In testimony whereof I have hereunto
                    set my hand and affixed the seal of
                      the said Court this twenty fourth
                        day of July 1828.

                                    Matthew Randall
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     John Hartyen of Germantown in the County of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is now in the Pension list of the United States - that he served in the Revolutionary War as a private in Captain Bart's company First Troop of Light Dragoons, Free legion under the command of Colonel Armand - that he knows well John Henry Simler of the City of Philadelphia and knows that he was a private in the same troop with himself and that he served until the termination of the Revolutionary War and that the said John Henry Simler received at the same time with himself a discharge from the service of the United States.

Witness to John)                   his
Hartyen's mark )       John     X      Hartyen
     Isaac Norris  )                  mark

     Before me the subscriber an Alderman of the City of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania personally appeared John Hartyen the above deponent who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that the above statement made by him and subscribed with his mark in the presence of Isaac Norris is true and correct.
     Witness my hand this twenty fourth day of July 1828.
                                    James N Barker
                                                              Aldmn
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I, Matthew Randall     Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that James N. Barker Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, was, at the time an alderman of the City of Philadelphia and duly empowered to administer oaths.
                             In testimony whereof I have
                             hereunto set my hand and
                             affixed the seal of the said
                             Court this twenty fourth - day
                             of July 1828.
                             Matthew Randall
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                           Philadelphia July 24th 1828.

Sir

      I have the honor to enclose to you in behalf of John Henry Simler, a revolutionary soldier, his declaration to attain the benefit of the Pension Act of the 15th of May 1828.  Accompanying the declaration there is also the affidavit of John Hartyen who served in the same company with him for the purpose of establishing his claim.
     He has no papers in his possession to show that he was a soldier as stated.  Several years ago he placed his certificate of discharge with other papers in the hands of Charles Smith Esq. of Lancaster, Penna, in order to get his bounty land by whom they were lost as Mr Smith repeatedly told him.
                                       very respectfully 
                       your most obedient servant
                                       Isaac Norris
                                       South Seventh Street

Hon. Richard Rush
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                     General Porter
                              Secretary of War
                                        Washington.
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                         Philadelphia October 31st 1828

Sir
      I have the honor to enclose to you in behalf of John H. Simler, his application for bounty land for services rendered by him in the Revolutionary War.
      Accompanying the declaration of Simler, is the affidavit of Hardman Philips Esq., corroborating Simler's statement of the loss of his Certificate of Discharge and other papers relating to his claim for bounty land.

                                 very respectfully
                                             your servant
                                  Isaac Norris
                             No 55 South Seventh Street


General Porter          )
     Secretary of War )
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     Robert Taylor Esquire
               Bounty Land Office
                      Washington
                              D.C.
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                      Philadelphia November 5th 1828.

Sir

      I acknowledge with great pleasure the receipt today, of your letter of the 3d inst., enclosing a Warrant bearing date November 3d 1828 from P.B. Porter, Secretary of War, to John Simler alias John H. Simler who was a private in Armand's corps, for one hundred acres of land to be located agreeably to the Act of Congress of the 15th of April 1806.
      As respects the variation to which you refer, of John H. Simler's name from that on the printed list (where it stands I presume John Simler) the testimony of John Hartyen one of his fellow soldiers who served also in the same corps and who has, I believe, received a pension from the United States for his services in the same, might have been procured showing  John H. Simler the applicant to be the identical individual who served in that corps: but as Hartyen 
                                                           resides
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   resides some distance from this city, his testimony could not be procured without great expense to Simler; and which Simler was unwilling to incur unless it should be thought absolutely necessary by your Department.  I firmly believe and am convinced in my own mind, there is no doubt that Simler the applicant is the identical individual who served in Armand's corps and that his papers have been lost by Mr Smith as stated by him.
                                   very respectfully
                                    yr. m ob ser't.
                                 Isaac Norris
                             South Seventh Street.


Robert Taylor Esquire
       Bounty Land Office.
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No 1403
Jno. alias Jno. H.
Simler
            Secy. for War
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Pennsylvania    )
Centre County  )   S.S.

          On this thirtieth day of September A.D. 1828 personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County, Hardman Philips of Philipsburg in said County Esquire aged forty four years, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that not long after his arrival in these United States, which took place in the year of our Lord 1810 he did at the request of Henry Simler, formerly of Philipsburg aforesaid and as sole executor of the will of his late brother James Philips of Philadelphia, apply in Lancaster, in said State, to Charles Smith Esquire of that place for certain papers which said Simler told deponent said deponent's brother the late James Philips had confided to said Smith & which, said Simler told deponent, related to his services as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  The answer of said Charles Smith to this application was that he would make search for said papers, and deponent did remain longer in Lancaster than he would otherwise have done, to allow ample time for the search to be made.  Afterwards said Smith told deponent that the papers must be mislaid, as he could not find them.  Deponent then proceeded on his journey.  Deponent further saith that he has the impression in his mind that in his subsequent acquaintance with Charles Smith Esq he casually & more than once renewed his inquiries after Simler's papers, but his recollection is too indistinct for him to testify thereon further than this, that at no time did said Smith ever deny or even express
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a doubt of having received Simler's papers from deponent's brother, nor did he ever admit that he had found or could find them.
                                        Hardman Philips
Sworn before
James Kinnear
State of Pennsylvania)   S.S.
            Centre County)
Before me James Kinnear Esquire a justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared the above named Hardman Philips Esquire, a resident of the said County and the subscriber of the aforegoing declaration, to me well known to be a man of respectability and truth and made solemn oath to the truth of the deposition by him subscribed  as above this thirtieth day of September A.D. 1828.
                                         James Kinnear

State of Pennsylvania)   S.S.
            Centre County)
In testimony that the above written James Kinnear Esquire was a justice of the peace and a magistrate duly authorized to administer oaths in the State of Pennsylvania at the above date and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto fixed the seal of the County Court and subscribed my name at Bellefonte this 16th day of October A.D. 1828 in my capacity of Clerk of the County Court aforesaid.
                                    Jno. Rankin Proth
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John Simler
No 1403
Pa Line
Rev.
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William Gordon Esq
     Bounty Land Office
            Washington City
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                                York   December 24th 1831

Sir
Will you do me the favour to inform me whether John Simler of Armand's Corps ever received his bounty Land or not
                                       You will mutch oblidge
                                               Your H. Servant
                                                    David Corey
Mr Wm Gordon

                        (answer)
                          War Dept Bounty Land Office
                                               Dec. 19, 1831
Sir
In reply to the inquiries submitted in your letter of the 24th & 27th Inst.  I have to inform you that, Land Warrant No 1403 issued 3d Nov. 1828 in the name of Jno Simler who was a Private of Armand's Corps, and the same was sent to Mr. Isaac Norris at Philadelphia.

I have also to inform you that Land Warrant No 10.418 issued 29th March 1791 in the name of Ezekiel Sankey who was a Private of the Penna. line
                                         Yrs H
                                          Wm Gordon
David Corey
York
Penna.