Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,544, for William Stitt, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(S-1776)

SERVICE NUMBER

Penn Stitt, William S.22544

CONTENTS
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Pittsburgh  11468
=================
William Still 11468
of Armstrong in the state of Penna. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt commanded by Col. Hartly in the Pa. Militia for originally 4 months. 
=================
In scribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 53 dollars and 33 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of May 1833 and sent (to) claimant Armstrong Co, Pa. 
=================
 Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833            $106.66
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sep 1833     26.66
                                                                 _______
                                                               $133.32

{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Geo. B. Whiting Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 5   Page 95
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Declaration of William Stitt
State of Pennsylvania
Armstrong County ss

    On this nineteenth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting William Stitt (Junior), a resident of Alleghany Township, Armstrong County, State of Pennsylvania aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated to wit; I enlisted for one year in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five under Captain Abraham Smith, our General was Irwin of Carlisle, our first lieutenant was Irwin of Carlisle, I cannot recollect his first name, our second Lieutenant was John Alexander, our Colonel was Hartly from Little York.  I do not recollect  any other officers.  I was attached to the sixth Regiment in Conococheague, we then marched to Philadelphia thence to New York from thence to Albany from thence to Fort William Henry from thence to Ticonderoga thence to the Three Rivers where we engaged with the British on the 8th day of June 1776 and we were defeated (next page)
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and were compelled to retreat to St Johns below Lake Champlain thence we went to Crown Point before the aforesaid lake and Ticonderoga - we went then to Point Independence and where we remained during the winter until the 16th February of 1777 thence to Albany past Fort Hand from Albany to Lopa and from thence to Philadelphia and from thence home to Conococheague now Franklin County and arrived home on the 16th day of March 1777.  At the Island of Acts or Ax Moose we were going to a house for the purpose of getting some beer, when I saw Captain Adams lying over the side of a (Botteares), I wnet down into the water and found he was dead & I raised (him) on my shoulder and carried him to another botteares, and took him to the camp - and buried him.  He had been struck with a tomahawk on the temple. I do not remember any more circumstances which are worth of relation. The present applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his in not on the pension roll of agency in any state only that of the agency of that of the state of Pennsylvania.                   his
                               William X Stitt
                                        mark
Sworn and subscribed this
19th day of Sept. 1832.
                //s//
          Fredk Roher Proth.

Que. 1st - Where and in what year were you born?
Ans:  I was born in Chester County, Pa. in the year 1755.

2nd - Have you any record of your age, if so where is it?
Ans - I have a record of my age in my possession. I took my age from an old family bible that was the property of my father and transcribed into my own bible.

3rd - Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you live now?
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Ans. - I was living in Conococheague settlement ten miles from Chamberstown.  I have lived in Westmoreland & Armstrong Counties ever since the Revy War and now live in Armstrong County.

4th - How ere you called into service; was you drafted, did you a volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?
Ans. - I enlisted in the first place, and was drafted and served under Captain Young, but cannot recollect the precise time, but believe it was two months - I also was drafted under Captain John Bask for two months. I cannot remember the year but believe that it was in 1777.  That I served under the above-named Captains & when volunteered.   and I was never a substitute.

5th - State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops when you serve; such continental and militia regiments, as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. - I cannot remember any other officers that those stated in my declaration, nor do I remember any continental or militia reg'ts. nor my circumstances other than those in my application. 

6th - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so, where is it?
Ans. - I never received a discharge.

7th - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood?
Ans. - Robert Robinson Esq.  Philip Merchling Esquire both of Kittanning Armstrong County.
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We Robert Robinson& Philip Merchling residing in the borough of Kittanning, County of Armstrong & state of Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Stitt who has signed & subscribed the foregoing declaration, and believe him to be of the age stated in his declaration, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolutionary was and that we concur in the opinion, as well as that he is a man of veracity.

                                    //s//
                         Philip Merchling
                         R. Robinson
Sworn & subscribed
this 22d day of Sept. 1832
in open court.
           //s//
     Fredk Roher Pro.

   
    And the said court do hereby declare this opinion, after the investigations 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 that P. Meckling & R. Robinson who has signed the preceding certificate are residents of Kittanning and their statement is entitled to credit.
//s// 
Robert Orr
Joseph Bankshire

The President being absent from (illegible)
only the associates have signed.)

   I Fredck. Rohrer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong County do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the applications of William Stitt for a pension.
The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the 22d day of September 1832.                   //s//
                                       Fredrk. Rohrer Pro.
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    A supplement to the application of William Stitt in satisfaction of the declaration. -
Armstrong County ss

    I William Stitt was applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832 - being first duly sworn saith that he cannot procure any living witnesses who could testify as to his services in the Revolutionary War nor does he know any living witnesses.

                                                his
                                   Willaim  X  Stitt
                                                Mark

Sworn & Subscribed 
in open court this
19th day of August
A.D. 1833.
                   //s//
         Fredrk Roher  Pro.

    I Gabrial A. Reichert a resident of Armstrong County a clergyman do certify that I am well acquainted with William Stitt has sworn to and subscribed this annexed declaration that I believe him to be of the age as stated in his declaration and that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood and that I concur in that opinion.

                                     //s//
                              G.A. Reichert
Sworn & subscribed in 
open court 19th March 1833.

//s//
Fredrk Roher, Pro.

And the court certify that G.A. Reichert is a resident of the Borough of Kittanning a clergyman and that his statement is entitled to credit.

   State of Pennsylvania, Armstrong County  ss

    I Frederick Rohrer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong County in the state of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that in the matter if William Stitt's application for a pension the supplement thereof was regularly executed in open court.

    In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Kittanning this 25 March A.D. 1833.

                                             //s//
                                       Fredrk. Rohrer, Pro.
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April 13, 1934

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mr. Campbell Patch
C/0 Haws Refractories Company
407 Main Street
Johnstown, Pennsylvania

WILLIAM STITT
S. 22544
BA-J/MLB

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you furnish further information in regard to William Stitt.
The record of William Stitt is given herein as found in pension claim, S. 22544, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Stitt was born in 1755 in Chester County, Pennsylvania; the names of his parents are not stated.
While residing in Conococheague Settlement, ten miles from Chamberstown, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted the last of September or first of October, 1775, for a year, served as private in Captain Abraham Smith's company, Colonel Hartley's Pennsylvania regiment, was in the battle of Three Rivers in which they were defeated by the British, after being discharged he returned to his home in Conococheague, Pennsylvania. The soldier stated also that he enlisted in 1777, served two months under Captain John Jack, and two months under Captain Young, in the Pennsylvania troops, but did not give dates of enlistment. It is not shown that he served in the War of 1812.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier resided in Westmoreland and Armstrong Counties, Pennsylvania.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 19, 1832, at which time he was living in Allegheny Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
There are no family data in the claim.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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22 544
Revolution
INVALID

File No. 22, 544
William Stitt
Priv.  Rev.  War

Act: June 18th 1818
Index:-Vol. (illegible), Page (illegible)

{Arrangement of 1870.}

1934 Apr. 13 - Hist. to Wm. Campbell
Patch    -                                        MLB
1936 July 31 - Campbell Patch ref of MLB
to Compt(roller) Gen(eral) for day last payment.
Page 10

Wm. Stitt
Armstrong Co.
Pa.





1 year 4 mos. Private  $53.33
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Stitt which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. Has he mentioned 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?

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
No

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 days, I served as a For months and days. I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3

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 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 shewn 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.
QUERE XIV. 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 claimants 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 the seal of office.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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July 31, 1936

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

WILLIAM STITT
S. 22544
BA-J/MLB

Mr. Campbell Patch
Haws Refractories Company
407 Main Street
Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter of July 19, in which you desire to know the date of last payment of pension or date of death, of William Stitt, a soldier of the Revolutionary War (S. 22544).

The papers on file in pension claim, S. 22544, of William Stitt, whose record was furnished you April 13, 1934, do not contain the information you desire, and in order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

William Stitt
Certificate #11468
Issued May 8, 1833
Rate, $53.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Agency

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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March 28, 1934

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/MLB

Mr. Campbell Patch
C/o Haws Refractories Company
407 Main Street
Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information relative to one William Stitt and to his father, both of whom served in the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War date furnished by this officer are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States based upon military service of soldiers in that war.
The data given by you in regard to William Stitt and his father are not sufficient to enable this office to make a proper search of the records, and it is essential that as much as possible of the following data be furnished in regard to each: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow. The full name of William Stitt's father should be given also. Upon receipt of that information, another search of the records will be made for you.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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Johnstown, Pa. July 19, 1936.

Veterans Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Gentlemen:-

    William Stitt was allowed a pension on his application executed September 19, 1932 Claim S. 22544.
    Will you let me know when the payment of this pension was discontinued or the date of death of William Stitt and if the widow was ever paid this pension after his death and what her name was.

     Thanking you kindly, I am,
                   Very truly yours
                    Campbell Patch
                    407 Main Street
                    Johnstown, Pa.


Campbell Patch
Secretary & Treasurer
Haws Refractories Company
Johnstown, Penna.  

(Date Stamp)
RECEIVED
Jul 11 1936
Mail SubDiv 
Vet Admin 
Reader 13
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[stamped RECEIVED
APR 6 1934
MAIL SUB-DIV.
READER 26
VETS ADM]

Johnstown, Penna.,
April 4th, 1934.

Veterans Administration
A. D. Hiller, Asst. Administrator
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:-

We thank you very kindly for your letter of March 28th relative to one William Stitt and his father, both of whom served in the Revolutionary War.
In the connection we attach copy of letter received from Department of Public Instruction, State Library, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which we trust will enable you to give us some additional information in regard to these two men.
Thanking you in advance for anything you may be able to do for us. I remain
Very truly yours,
Campbell Patch
c/o Haws Refractories Co
407 Main Street
Johnstown Penna
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
STATE LIBRARY
HARRISBURG

March 16, 1934

Mr. Campbell Patch
c/o Haws Refractories Company
407 Main Street
Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

My dear Mr. Patch:
There were two men names William Stitt who served in the Cumberland County Militia at the time of the Revolution. It is probable that the younger man also served in the company of Captain Abraham Smith, Colonel Irvine commanding, February 22, 1776. Captain Smith's company was recruited in Cumberland Valley. John and William Stitt were taxed in Washington Township, Cumberland County, now Franklin County, in 1782. They seem to have removed from Franklin County to western counties. A William Stitt is said to have received a pension for service in the War of the Revolution in Armstrong County. The Armstrong County History states that William Stitt was a Revolutionary soldier, also a soldier in the War of 1812. This would indicate that he was the William Stitt, Jr., of the Militia. There is a Stitts Burying Ground adjoining Carnahan's Run in Armstrong County. William Stitt has several sons. We know the names of Samuel and John. John married Esther Frantz and his children were born between the years 1818 and 1833.

As an additional source of information we suggest you wirte the Commissioner of Pensions, Veterans Bureau, Washington, D. C., making inquiry as to the pension of the William Stitt of Armstrong County. William Stitt was taxes on 100 acres of land in Washington Township. When he sold this land his wife probably joined the dee. You could secure her first name by writing the Recorder of Deeds at Chambersburg.

Very sincerely yours,

Gertrude MacKinney
Director of State Library

By Signed - Jessica C. Ferguson
Genealogist

JCE:slc
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[stamped
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APR 6 1934
MAIL SUB-DIV
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VETS ADM]