Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 46,310, for Conrad Keller, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE PENNSYLVANIA

KELLER, CONRAD

S 46310
B.L. Wt. 1969-100
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1930 JUNE 22  Hist to Lillian Babcock Et Al

3-230
46310
Revolutionary

Name Conrad Keller
Rank Private
Regt Col Broadhead PA Line

Died Oct 15 1836

Allowed Act 1828
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Rec’d 21 Sept 1833
2088
Before me a Justice of the peace in & for the County Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania personally appeared Conrad Keller of the same place as said who is known to me as a person of good repute & entitled to credit, who being first duly sworn does on his oath say that he served in the Army of the Revolution in the Pennsylvania line -  that he is now in the Eighty first year of his age & his memory is not distinct & clear as to dates & names - that he thinks he enlisted about 1780 for one year and at the end thereof he enlisted for served to the end of the War that he served principally a waggoner and he thinks he was convened & attached to the Hospital Brigade & was in Regiment No 1 at a line commanded by Col Broadhead - he recollects Commissary Mitchell & Commissary James who were attached to the same corps & that he was under their directions a part of the time - that I have no recollection of ever having received any bounties or pay from the United States since the war ended & in OK [unreadable] that I lost six months of my wages due for services  when the war ended as I was not paid the same according to the best of my memory & recollection - that I have never applied for any bounty as before this time as I never considered it of any consequence  & have always been in [unreadable] circumstances & been enabled by my labour to get a living – that within the last 10 or 15 years I have lost nearly ten thousand dollars
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by insolvents & am willing now to receive any thing on or offered to me by the United States - In witness whereof I have set my hand & seal this 10th day of September 1833
Conrad Keller [seal]
Sworn & subscribed before me this 10th day of September 1833 
Jos. B. Norbury J.P. 
I Frederick Burkart aged upwards of seventy two years certify that at the time Genl Lafayette was in Philadelphia, Conrad Keller of this place who has subscribed the foregoing declaration marched amongst the Revolutionary soldiers & I understood from some of them whom I know that said Keller was a waggoner & in the army of the Revolution 
Frederick Burkart his mark 
The foregoing certificate was sworn to & subscribed this 10th Sept 1833 before me and I certify that Frederick Burkart is a man of truth & entitled to full confidence as a witness. Given under my hand at Philadelphia as aforesaid – 
Jos. B. Norbury J. P.
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State of Pennsylvania 
County of Philadelphia 
September 10. 1833}  SS  
This day Conrad Keller personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in & for said County & acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act & deed.- 
And I further certify that I have known said Conrad Keller for many years & have no hesitation in saying that his statements are in my opinion entitled to full confidence & credit - witness my hand &c the day & year aforesaid 
Jos. B. Norbury J.P. 
I Frederick Burkart aged upwards of seventy two years certify that at the time Genl Lafayette was in Philadelphia Conrad Keller of this place who has subscribed the foregoing power marched among the Revolutionary soldiers and I understood from some of the soldiers whom I knew that said Keller was a waggoner & in the Army of the Revolution 
Frederick Burkart his mark 
County of Philadelphia Sep. 10. 1833 
Frederick Burkart made oath to the above affidavit before me a Justice of the Peace - & I certify that he is a man of truth & entitled to full confidence 
Jos. B. Norbury   J. P.
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I Conrad Keller of the City & County of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania do hereby testify & declare upon my oath that I served in the Army of the Revolution in the Pennsylvania line and in the Regiment No One commanded by Colonel Broadhead of the Continental line from the year 1780 to the end of the war - that I was waggoner & was attached I think to the Hospital Brigade & was under the direction of Commissioners James & Mitchell -  that I enlisted at first for one year & then reinlisted for & served to the end of the War – that my memory is very bad as to dates & names - that I am now in my Eighty first year - that I have never received the Bounty Land promised me on the part of the United States nor transferred my rights thereto - Now therefore know all men by these presents that I Conrad Keller and do hereby authorize & appoint Vespasian Ellis of Accomack Co. Virginia my lawful attorney to demand & receive from the war department United States all warrants for Bounty Land due me for my Services in the Revolutionary War & in all respects to & for me in the premises in like manner as I Could do if personally present & his acts in the premises I will ratify & confirm by their presents as witness my hand & seal this 10th Sep: 1833 
Signed sealed & delv’d.  in presence of us
Conrad Keller [seal] 
Saml Harvey 
Isaac R. Smith
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Conrad Keller
S.46310
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
KEL 
January 22, 1930 
Lillian Babcock 
Pacific Building 
Manila, Philippine Islands 
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.46310, it appears that Conrad Keller enlisted about 1780, served one year, no officers stated, immediately re-enlisted and served as a private and wagoner attached to the Hospital Brigade, a part of the time under Commissaries Mitchell and Hames, Colonel Brodhead's First Regiment, Pennsylvania Line, his service terminating with the close of the war. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1833, at which time he was in the eighty first year of his age and resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
He died October 13, 1856.  AB [agency book]
A granddaughter is referred to, her name not given and there are no further family data. 
Very truly yours 
EARL D. CHURCH 
Commissioner.
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Manila, P. I. 
Nov. 1. ‘29. 
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly write me what your records show as to the pension received by a Conrad Keller of near Philadelphia. I believe he was receiving a pension about 1840 and so I believe it was from the Revolutionary war it may have been from the war of 1812 
Very respectfully 
Lillian Babcock 
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS SECTION
DEC 4 1929
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
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Accomack CH Va Oct 13 1833 
Rec’d per mail from the Secretary of War a Warrant for 100 acres No 1969 paid to Conrad Keller a soldier of the Pennsylvania line  & dated Sep. 30th 1833 
Ves. Ellis Atty
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I Samuel Harvey do certify that I am at present and have been personally acquainted with Conrad Keller who subscribed to the foregoing declaration and that I have known him personally, about forty four years and expect he is about Eighty years of age, and that in numerous conversations which I have had with him on the subject of the revolutionary war which was familiar to me, have heard from him the said Conrad Keller repeatedly of his serving as a waggoner in said war. Moreover in my long and intimate acquaintance with him, always found him to be a man in whom full reliance could be placed for any statement he made: Also that he is a man of respectable and fair standing in society 
Sam Harvey 
This day Samuel Harvey made solemn affirmation to the truth of the above certificate. And I certify that he is a gentleman of respectability - the President of the Bank of Germantown, & entitled to full confidence – 
In Testimony I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, at Germantown this twelfth day of Sept AD 1833 
John F. Watson Notary Public
I certify that I have known Conrad Keller of this City for some time and believe him to be about 80 years of age and have always understood for some years past from old persons that he served in the Revolutionary War.  I further certify that his statements are in my opinion entitled to full credit 
Isaac R Smith 
State of Pennsylvania, County of Philadelphia 
This day Isaac R. Smith a credible witness came before me & made solemn affirmation to the truth of the above certificate, witness my hand & seal as a Justice of the Peace, the 16th Sept 1833 
Wm. L. Norton  J. P.
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I certify that I have been more than thirty years acquainted with Mr Conrad Keller, during all which period he has borne the character of a man of probity and integrity, which I have never known to be doubted. I therefore think his is testimony entitled to high credit 
Wm. L. Norton Justice of the Peace 
State of Pennsylvania, County of Philadelphia 
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas in & for said County hereby certify that Joseph B Norbury & William L Norton Esquire whose names are subscribed to the several foregoing certificates were severally Justices of the peace in & for said County at the date of their respective certificates and are duly authorized to administer oaths in said County and that then several signatures appear to be genuine 
Witness my hand & seal of Office at Philadelphia this September 1833 
R. Palmer Prothonotary
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I Samuel Harvey of Germantown in the County of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania have been personally acquainted with Conrad Keller who subscribed to the foregoing Power of attorney  about forty four years to the present time and expect that he is about Eighty years of age, and that in numerous conversations which I have had with him on the subject of the revolutionary war, which (I well remember) have heard from him the said Conrad Keller repeatedly of his having served as a waggoner in said war. Moreover in my long and intimate acquaintance with him always found him to be a man in whom full reliance could be placed for any statement he made: Also that he is a man of reputable and fair standing in society. 
Sam Harvey 
This day, Samuel Harvey, made solemn affirmation before me to the truth of the above certificate, and I certify that he is a Gentleman of respectability - the President of the Bank of Germantown and is entitled to full confidence - In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, at Germantown, this twelfth day of Sept AD 1833 
John F. Watson Notary Public 
I certify that I have known Conrad Keller of this City for some time and believe him to be about 80 years of age and have always understood for some years past from old persons that he served in the Revolutionary War. I further certify that his statements are in my belief entitled to full credit 
Isaac R. Smith
State of Pennsylvania 
County of Philadelphia } SS.   
This day Isaac R Smith this day Isaac R Smith came before me & made solemn affirmation to the truth of the above certificate, Witness my hand & seal this 16th Sep. 1833. and I certify that I. R.  Smith is a credible witness – 
Wm. L. Norton [J.P.]
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Rec’d Sep 21 1833
I certify that I have been more than thirty years acquainted with Mr Conrad Keller during all which period he has borne the character of man of probity and integrity, which I have never known to be doubted. I therefore think his testimony entitled to high credit 
Wm. L. Norton  Justice of the Peace 
State of Pennsylvania County of Philadelphia 
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas in & for said County hereby certify that Joseph B. Norbury & William L. Norton Esquires were severally justices of the peace in & for said County at the dates of their respective certificates and that their signatures appear to be genuine  - 
Witness my hand & seal of Office at Philadelphia this 17th day of September 
R. Palmer Prothonotary
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Know all men by these presents that I Conrad Keller of the City & County of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby constitute and appoint Vespasian Ellis of Accomack County Virginia my true & lawful attorney with a power of substitution for me & in my name to receive from the United States the amount of pay now due to me under the act entitled “an act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the Revolution" approved 15th May 1828 as a soldier or Waggoner in the first Regiment of the Pennsylvania line of the Army of the Revolution. Witness my hand & seal this 10th day of September 1833 at the City County of Philadelphia aforesaid Sealed & delivered in presence of us 
Conrad Keller [seal] 
Sam Harvey
Isaac R. Smith
[C]   
Form of Affidavit to be taken by Attorneys 
Before me, R. S. Briscoe a Justice of the Peace in the county of Washington in the Dist of Columbia personally appeared this day, Vespasian Ellis  the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that the same, or any part thereof, was not given to him, nor to the best of his knowledge and belief, to any other person, by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy or seizure, by any legal process what ever, of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, intended to enure wholly to the personal benefit of the person by whom the said power was executed. 
Witness my hand, this 1833 day of Sept in the year 1833 
R. S. Briscoe J Peace
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Before me a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Philadelphia & State of Pennsylvania personally appeared this day Conrad Keller whose name is subscribed to the foregoing power of Attorney and acknowledged the same to be his act & deed, & also declared that the same was not given by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy or seizure by any legal process whatever, of the pay therein authorised to be received, but that the said pay is intended to same shall to his her personal benefit.   Witness my hand this 10th day of Sept 1833 
Jos. B. Norbury  [SS]
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State of Pennsylvania  
County of Philadelphia } SS   
September 17th 1833 
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the County Court of Philadelphia hereby certify that Joseph B. Norbury Esq before whom the foregoing power of attorney purports to have been acknowledged was at the date of the foregoing certificate a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly qualified as such authorized by law to take acknowledgements in the County aforesaid --- and that the signature purporting to be his appears to be genuine Witness my hand & seal of Office at Philadelphia the day and year above written 
R. Palmer
Prothonotary
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Conrad Keller
No 1969.
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No of orig Payt - 1151
OW Ad Inv
File # 46.310
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I certify that at the suggestion & request of Conrad Keller of Philadelphia I applied to a Mr. Peirce who lives in South 9th St (I think) Philadelphia for the purpose of taking his deposition proving the services of Conard Keller in the Revolutionary War that I went to the house of [unreadable] Peirce & enquired of him whether he knew Mr Conrad Keller?   He answered that he did  know him & that he has known him well for a great many years. I then asked him if he knew any thing of the series of said Keller in the Revolutionary War Mr Peirce answered that he did, and that he served himself with him - and he then asked me the object of my enquiry I told him that Mr Keller had authorized me to obtain his Bounty Land & pay for his service & had referred me to him (Peirce) as the only man now living in Philadelphia whom he recollected as being one of his Comrades. Mr Peirce immediately remarked that it was a shame for a man as rich as Keller to apply for his land or money which so many poor men had not obtained their Bounty I then informed Mr Peirce that Mr Keller was unquestionably entitled & that his wealth ought not to be
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any objection to his claim Mr Peirce then said he would not testify for Keller but that if he was a poor man he would with pleasure do so. I asked him if he has any doubt of Keller being the same man who served with him in the Revolutionary War. He answered and that he knew him to be the same man & has known him ever since the war ended but would not testify for in other real or but because he was rich enough already. 
I further certify that I had various conversations with old gentleman in Philadelphia who stated to me that Mr Keller was reputed to have served in the Revolutionary war but that they did not see him in service - I do certify that he appears to be about 80 years old that I was informed by Samuel gentleman then Philadelphia that he was a man of unquestioned veracity I further certify that when the subject was mentioned to said Keller first, he stated that he knew he was entitled to land & pay but that he had never thought it of any concequence & that if it was obtained
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he would give it to his grand daughter or that I might do so as he cared nothing about it.   I also certify that from Mr. Kellers conversations I am perfectly satisfied that he was in service in the War of the Revolution as he states 
Ves. Ellis 
of Accomack Va 
County of Washington Sep 24th 1833 
This day Ver. Ellis made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition as witness my hand & seal this day 
R. S. Briscoe J. Peace