Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7860, Phillip Werntz, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn

Werntz, Phillip
Wernsz, Philip

NUMBER
S. 7860

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

26445
Pennsylvania
Philip Wernsz*
of Centre Co. in the State of Pa
who was a Pr in the Company commanded
by Captain Erhmer of the Reg commanded
 by Col — in the Pa 
line for Militia-
6 Mo Pr $20.00

*Philip Werntz Aug 8/04 
Records corrected

Inscribed on the Roll of Pa
at the rate of 20 Dollars  – Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of July1834
and sent to R. C. Hale, Bellefonte, Pa

Arrears to the 4th of Mch 34  60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 10.00
$70.00

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by J T Sprague Clerk
Book C Vol. 5 Page 65
Page 3

Philip Werntz
24292
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania County of Center ss
On the 25th day of January,
AD one thousand Eight hundred & thirty three personally
appeared in open Court before the Honorable Thomas
Burnside Esquire and his associates Judges of
Court of Common pleas of the said County of Centre and
State of Pennsylvania, now in session Philip Wernsz, 
a resident of Haines township Centre County as aforesaid,  aged seventy years who being duly sworn
according to law, doth on his solemn oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the seventh day of June, in the year AD one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
That he, the said Philip Wernsz, entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers & served as herein stated. That in the month of May AD  1780, as near as 
as he can recollect, he at that time residing
in the town of York, York County, State of Pennsylvania - entered the service of the United States, as a militiaman under the command of Captain John Ehrman and assisted in
Escorting English prisoners from the town of York to the
town of Reading in Berks County State of Pennsylvania. They
were engaged in this service about ten days. In the
month of August of the same year. AD one thousand
hundred and eighty said Philip Wernsz as a militia
under the command of Captain John Ehrman, Lieutenant
John Albertson, and Martin Cronmillar of Union County
(who is still alive) a corporal - In which three months said
company were a great part of the time engaged in
fatigue duty. To dig ditches, make pallisades &c
for the safe keeping of said prisoners. After the
Expiration of said three months fully served out - A second
draft of Militia was made, and said
Philip Wensz served three months this tour as a substitute
for Daniel Sprankel of York County aforesaid, in
guarding prisoners at or near the town of York aforesaid.
Said Philip Wernsz was entitled to draw pay for these
six months, but has never received any. He was directed
Page 5

to the Paymaster in the town of York aforesaid, named
Eichelberger, who said he had received no money. There
were regular troops in company with the Militia during
the last tour, but he does not recollect the names of an
of them. He did not receive any discharge. but
after the expiration of the second tour of duty
in guarding the prisoners, he was permitted to leave
the army, the time for which he was drafted having
Expired. He then went to live in York town, York
County as aforesaid, where he lived about six years.
From York he removed to Lancaster County. He
resided in Lancaster County about forty years. From
thence he came to Centre County where he has resided
three years on the Eighth day of September last & where
he now resides.  And the said Philip Wernsz doth
hereby relinquish every claim whatever, to
any provision or annuity except the present, and declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency
of any State.
Questions by the Court
1st When & in what year year [sic] were you born?
Ans. In Earl township Lancaster County, State of 
Pennsylvania on the ninth day of May
one thousand seven hundred & sixty one.

2nd Have you any record of your age & if so where is it?
I have a Dauphine at home with my age on it.

3rd Where were you living at the time you were
called into service, & where have you lived since
the war and where do you now live?
Ans. I was living in the town of York, York County State of
Pennsylvania. After the war I resided in York as aforesaid.
From York removed to Lancaster County where I lived
about forty years - from Lancaster County I moved to Haines
Township Centre County where I now reside.

4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did
you volunteer or were you a substitute & if a substitute
who were you a substitute for?
Ans. In the first tour of ten days in escorting the prisoners
from York to Reading-- I was called out of bed before day
and "pressed" to go. The second tour or the first three
months, that served in guarding the prisoners at York, I
was drafted-- The third tour or the second three months
that I was at York, I served as a substitute for Daniel Sprankel of York County, who was drafted.
Page 6

5 State the names of the Regular officers who
were with the troops with you, such continental
& militia regiments as you can recollect
& the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. I do not remember the names of any of the
regular officer or soldiers-- I served ten days
in guarding & escorting prisoners from York to
Reading-- I was drafted & served three months in
guarding the English prisoners at or near York. I then
served an additional three months as a substitute for Daniel Sprankel-

6th Did you ever receive a discharge & where is it?
Ans. I never recd a discharge when the tour of
three months for which I was drafted had expired
I was permitted to leave the army without a discharge.

7th State the names of persons residing in your
present neighborhood, who can certify as to you
character for veracity, and their belief of your
services as a soldier of the Revolution
Ans - John Hosterman George Motzs of Hainestown
Centre County as aforesaid.
Phillip Werntz

Sworn & subscribed in open Court this twenty eighth
day of January AD 1833 
Jas Gilliland Prothy


We John Hosterman & George Motzs of
Haines township Centre County Pennsylvania, hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Philip Werntz,
who has subscribed to the above declaration & believe
him to be seventy one years of age & that he is reputed
& believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the revolution. And we concur
in that opinion
subscriber
John Hosterman
George Motzs

Sworn & subscribed in open Court this 28th
day of January AD 1833 
Jas Gilliland Prothy
Page 7

And the said court do hereby declare their
opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department
that the above named Philip Wernsz was a soldier
of the Revolution & served as he states. And the court
further certify that John Hosterman & George Motz
who have signed the above certificate are residents
of Haines township, in Centre County and are credible
persons & that their statement is entitled to credit. 

Judges
Thomas Burnside
Isaac McKinney
Jacob Ryder

I James Gilliland Clerk of the Court of Common
pleas in & for the County of Centre do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
in the matter of the application of Philip Wernz
for a pension-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office this 27th day of January 1832
Jas Gilliland Clk

Philip Werntz
24292
Page 8

No 24292
Philip Wernsz
Centre Co
Pennsylvania

for 1780 Pr 6 –
$20.

R. C. Hale Esq
Bellefonte
Pa
James Gilliland Esq
Bellefonte
Pa
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,  ___ 183 __
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 Philip Wernz Centre Co Pensylvania

Period when the service was rendered.
draft’d May 1780
draft’d Aug 80
draft’d substituted for
D. Spankel

Duration of the claimant's service.
About 10 days
3 mos 
3 mos

Rank of the claimant.
Private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Capt Ehrman
no field officers stated

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
70 year
York County
Pensylvania

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditional evidence
& living witness for 3 mo &
10 days service

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 10

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 of
On this day of County of of A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before in the county of
and State, Territory or District aged 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) served in the (e) regiment of the
With 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
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. 
And the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of  for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same) 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 named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of  do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this day of & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 11

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Solder. - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer, - Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
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.
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.
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.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
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---year----months, and -- For -- months and – 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 want 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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
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. [right brace mark]
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses  and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. [encircled]
The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
John N Ashton
Page 12

Will Mr. Adler kindly translate the signature in the declaration hereto attached and place the translation on this slip?
L. M. C.

Philip Werntz
L. A
Page 13

Rev War 
7860
INVALID.
File No. 7860
Philip Wernsz*
Priv. Rev. War

Act: June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. 1st, Page 398
{Arrangement of 1870.}

*Philip Werntz Aug. 8, 1904
Records corrected ss
Page 14

Union County Set.
I do hereby certify that Hugh
Wilson Esq. is one of the Associate
Judges of the Court of
Common Pleas of Union County
Pennsylvania duly commissioned & qualified
Witness my hand and the
seal of office this tenth day of
January A.D. 1833
Joseph Stilwell Proth
for Thomas Stilwell
Page 15

Personally appeared before me Hugh Wilson one
of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of
Union County and State of Pennsylvania, this twentieth
day of December A.D. 1832. Martin Cronmillar, of
the said County, who being duly sworn according to
law doth depose and say that he distinctly
remembers that in the spring of the year 1780
when residing in the town of York, York County
and State of Pennsylvania that Philip
Wernsz entered the service of the United States as a
Millitiaman under the command of Captain
John Ehrman, of whose company deponent was
Corporal. That the company proceeded to the
town of Reading in the County of Berks and
State of Pennsylvania whither they escorted
a number of English Prisoner from the town of
York and that they were absent upon this
duty for about ten days.
Deponent likewise does declare that that
in the fall of the same year 1780 the said
Philip Werntz again entered the service of the
United States as a militia man under the
command of Captain John Ehman, Lieutenant
 John Albertson, at which time and in which
Company Deponent was again corporal, that during
this service the company was engaged in digging
ditches, making pallisades &c, for the secure keeping
of the said prisoners, and that during the entire
service which lasted for three months the said
Philip Werntz performed his duty as a good soldier
 and Citizen and further this deponent saith not.
Martin Cronmillar
Sworn and subscribed before me one of the Judges of Union
County, Pennsylvania date above, by Martin Cronmillar whose statement is worthy of credit.
Hugh Wilson
Page 16

State of Pennsylvania Union County
I Joseph Stilwell Clerk
of the Court of Common pleas of
the County and State aforesaid, do
hereby certify that Hugh Wilson Esq
before whom the within deposition
was taken is one of the Associate
Judges of the Court of Common
pleas of Union County, duly
commissioned and qualified, and
that the within signature purporting
to be his is genuine-
Given under my hand and
the seal of said County, this
thirteenth day of May AD 1834
Joseph Stilwell Prothy

State of Pennsylvania Centre County ss
And now this 24th day of May
1834. the deposition of Martin Cronmiller
having been forwarded to the Prothy
in County, for correction and to have
the same properly certified is returned
and attached to the original papers
of Philip Wernsz in his application for
pension. Witness my hand & the seal
of office the day & year above written
Jas. Gilliland Proth