Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,234, for Tobias Starry, Pennsylvania
Page 1


(3 - 1776)   NC
SERVICE
Penn.

Starry, Tobias.
Elizabeth.Catharine

NUMBER
R. 10.234

CONTENTS
Page 2

6858
Elizabeth Starry deed
widow of Tobias
Pa
Act July 1836

Capt Thusch 2 mo
Capt Marks   2  -
Capt Filler     2  
                     ____
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania
York County ⎬ SS

On this the Eighteenth day of March
A.D. 1846. Personally appeared in open Court Michael Starry of
Adams County in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn
according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration
in the name of, and as one of the children of Elizabeth Catharine
Starry in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of
Congress passed July 4th 1836. That the said Elizabeth C Starry
at the time of her death in 1843 was the widow of Tobias Starry who
during the revolutionary war was an ensign in the militia of Northampton County Pennsylvania, and in that capacity performed
several tours of duty amounting in the whole to not less than a
year or fifteen months-  That his father the said Tobias
Starry as ensign performed a tour of two months duty in the summer
and fall of 1777 ending about the time of the battle of Germantown
in which battle he was engaged-- that this tour was in
the militia Company of Captain Trexler and in the battallion
of Colonel Geiger - That afterwards, immediately after he
thinks in the month of November and December he also 
performed a tour of two months as ensign in the militia and
during this time marched to the western part of Pennsylvania
against the indians under Captain Marks and Colonel Geiger or Miller
  That again he was in service as ensign in the militia
of Northampton County, for two months acting as one of a guard
over a number of Hessian prisoners taken from the English, and
held for safe keeping at Bethlehem in said County - he thinks he was
under Captain Trexler but in what year or months this was he
does not know-- That he was also engaged as ensign in a Company
escorting and guarding waggons loaded with provisions and
clothing to the American Camp at Morristown which was he
believes in the year 1779 or 1780 ____
   That after this in 1781 and 1782 he performed two tours of militia
duty as ensign under Captain Abraham Rinker on the frontiers
of Northampton County between the Delaware, and Susquehanna
rivers guarding it from the incursions of the indians.
  That his mother the said Elizabeth C. Starry was married
sometime in the year 1777 the day of the month he does
not know, that her husband the said Tobias Starry
died on or about the 7th day of November 1831. That
his mother the said Elizabeth C Starry died on or about this
Page 4

Eighteenth day of August 1843 in Adams County aforesaid
aged about eighty three years, and left the following
Children, Catharine Starry, Elizabeth Harry Michael
Starry residing in Adams County Pennsylvania _
     And he further says that the said Elizabeth C. Starry remained the widow of the said Tobias Starry
until her death _
   And he further says that he would have made
this declaration before the Court of Adams County aforesaid
where he resides, but for the reason that there will not
be a Court held there for some time, and that he must
necessarily be absent about the time of the Court
and has taken advantage of a visit to York an adjoining
County to make this declaration during the Court
there _
   The accompanying old paper is the Commission
of said Tobias Starry which is the only documentary
evidence which remains to support this declaration
and which has for years been in the possession of the said Tobias
and Elizabeth Starry's family __
Sworn and Subscribed }      Michael Starry
in Open Court before    }                 
Me                                 } 
         J. R. Donnell  Pro }
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania }
              York County ⎬ SS.
I John R. Donnell Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of York
Do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been produced
to said Court that Tobias Starry named in the foregoing
declaration died on or about the 7th day of November 1831 [&]
that Elizabeth Starry the widow of said Tobias died on or about
the Eighteenth day of August 1843 in Adams County, Pennsylvania and left the following Children, Catherine Starry
Elizabeth Starry and Michael Starry all residing in Adams
County aforesaid

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal of Office
this Eighteenth day of March 1846.
for J.R. Donnell Pro
WO Ilgenfritz Cl'Ro.
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania  }
             York County _ }

         On this the fifth day of September 1846
personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the
Peace in and for the said County Michael Starry who
being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that
he is one of the children of Tobias and Elizabeth Starry. That the
said Elizabeth and Tobias had a daughter Catharine and
that the accompanying paper purporting to be Record of the
age and baptism of said Catharine has always been considered
by their family as a true record - That the said Tobias and Elizabeth
Starry were married sometime about the year 1777 but that no
record evidence can be discovered to prove the same, nor can they
obtain the testimony of any individual to establish said marriage
     That the record containing the birth and baptism of George then
oldest child is lost, and that said George is now dead - that
John their next oldest child left for the west many years ago, and
that he is also dead, and the record of his birth cannot be had - that the
said Catharine was the fifth child of said Tobias and Elizabeth -
Said George Wilhelen being the first child, _  John who was about two
years and three months younger than George was the second, this
deponent the third who was born on the twenty eighth day of January
1784, about two years and five month [strikethrough -older- insert] younger than John. The
fourth died at its birth, and Catharine the fifth was born
in 1786 - the age of this deponent was sixty one last January, his birth
having taken place as appears by his family record on the twenty eighth
day of January 1784.
Sworn to and subscribed
Michael Starry
this fifth day of September 1846.
Before me [?? Jacob CLle ssnes]
I certify that Michael Starry above named is a person
entitled to credibility and belief - [?? GSlossner
Page 7

State of Pennsylvania }
              York County  } Ss
                      I John R. Donnel Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County
of York, Do hereby certify that Jacob Glefsner whose
name appears to the foregoing affidavit and certificate
is and at the time of the execution thereof was an
acting justice of the Peace in and for the said
County, and that the signatures purporting to be
his are genuine --
                    In Testimony Whereof I have
hereunto affixed my seal of office and
Subscribed my name this Twenty fifth
day of September A.D. 1846.
J. R. Donnell   Pro~
Page 8

[Painting of red, black, and yellow daisies on top corners of document. Below this are angels looking down, wearing dresses in red, black, and yellow. In between them is a black and yellow circle surrounding a daisy atop a yellow magpie.]
[Yellow and red iris on left side of document]
[Large yellow ring with red and black border]
[Inside right half of ring]
Wer da Glaubt und getauft wird der wird seelig werden
[Yellow heart at bottom center of ring]
[Writing inside heart illegible]
[Inside left half of ring]
Wer aber nicht Glaubt der wird verdammet werden
[Yellow and red iris on right side of document]

[Inside ring]
Diese beide Ehegatte als Tobias Starry und seine Ehefrau Elisabeth Catharina eine Geborene Missmerin Lutheriseger Religion ist eine Tochter zur Welt gebobren als [??] Catharina ese Gebohnen im Jahr unsers Herrn Jesu Christe 1786 den 24 Juni im 3 Uhr Morgens in Weisenburg Taunschip Northampton Caunti im Staat Pensilvanien und wurde darauf den -- zur Heilig Taufe gebeagt und von Herrn Sehelh[??] worte getaufet. Die dazu gebrene Tauf zeugen ware Aha[???] Kno[??] und seine Ehefrau Maria Catharina und haben ihr den Namen beigeht als Maria Catharina 
[Yellow magpies on flowers on below left and right sides of ring]

[German to English]
These two spouses, Tobias Starry and his wife Elisabeth Catharina, a native of the Lutheran religion, gave birth to a daughter as Catharina born in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 1786 on June 24 at 3 o'clock in the morning in Weisenburg Township Northampton County in the state of Pennsylvania and was then baptized in Holy Baptism and baptized by Mr. Sehelh[???] worte. The witnesses to the baptism were Aha[???] Kno[??] and his wife Maria Catharina, who gave her the name Maria Catharina
Page 9

V   No 6858
Elizabeth Starry  as
            Pu
Lit to Tho P. Pitts
[Mar?] 30th 1846
   10234
act 4 July 1836
Page 10

State of Pennsylvania
        Adam County

        On this day the eighteenth day of September 1846. Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County John Duffield who ebing duly sworn according to law doth depoze and say, that sometime in the year 1801 Tobias Starry the husband of Elizabeth Starry and the mother of Michael Starry purchased a farm near where i now reside, and that said Tobias and Elizabeth Starry lived together as man and wife from that time until her death, which took place about three years ago, and that said Tobias and Elizabeth had a son George who was when I first became acquainted with him which was in the year 1801. A man grown, above his minority and to the best on my knowledge and belief between twenty and twenty three years of age
                                     John Duffield

Sworn and subscribed 
Before me the date above
                            (?) Diver

Justice as aforesaid do hereby certify that John Duffield above named is a person entitled to credibility and belief
                                (?) Diver
Page 11

State of Pennsylvania Adams County} ss.
I, Anthony B. Kurtz Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Adams do hereby certify that William Diven whose name appears to the within affidavit and certificate, is, and at the time of the execution thereof was an acting justice of the Peace, in and for the said County of Adams, and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine- 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this Twenty first day of September 1846. 
A. B. Kurtz Prothy
Page 12

A Return of the Officers of the 2d Battalion of Malitia
in the County of Northampton with the Rank of the
Company

Colonel . . George Bring
Lieut Col . . . . Stephen Bolliet
Major . . .  Frederick Limbach
Adjutant . . . John Shnell

8th Company. Captain Daniel Shnyder
  1st Lieut  Jacob West
  2d do Nicholas Marks
   Ensign Tobias Starry

I do Certify the above to be a true Return of the
Officers of the 2d Battalion of Malitia in the
County of Northampton with their rank
    Witness my hand June 18th 1777
                      John Wetzel Lieut
Pennsylvania 
I do Certify that the above is a true extract
from the original paper remaining on file in
this Office
In Testimony Whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and the seal of
the Secretary's Office at Harrisburg this
22nd day of May AD 1846
H. Petriken
Dep [?]eq Count[?]

[ formal circular seal stamped on diamond shaped paper and affixed to document]
Page 13

A General Muster Roll of the Second Battalion of
Northampton County Malitia

Field Officers
{ Colonel George Breinig
{ Lieut Col Stephen Bottet
{ Major Frederick Sembach
{Adjutant, 
| Captain                |  Captain
┃ Christian Fisher  | Daniel Shuyder
=============================
| Lieutenants            | Lieutenants
| Daniel Good 2nd    | Jacob Wat 1st
|                                | Nicholas Mark 2d
=============================
| Ensign                    | Ensign
| John Ord                | Tobias Starry
=============================

Pennsylvania B.
I do Certify that the above is a true
extract from an original paper as the Same
remains on file in this Office
  In Testimony Whereof I have here
unto set my hand and the Seal of
the Secretary's Office at Harrisburg
this 22 day of May AD 1846
TH Petirken
Cand Dep. Sec. Comr
[circular seal on diamond shaped paper affixed]
Page 14

Return of Malitia companies of Northampton County
in Service at the Station for two Months and discharged
after the expiration of their tours as guards in 1781


Commanding Officers
___________________
  Capt Waggoner
  Cap Filler

Lieutenants
__________
  Jonthan Fisk
  David May

Ensigns
_______
┃ Tobias Starry

27 non com . and
Privates
29. do

Jan 7. 1782
Peter Helverson
Dop mus

Pennsylvania
I do Certify that the above is a true
copy of an original paper now on file
in this Office
In Testimony Whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and the
Seal of the Secretary's Office at Harrisburg this 22nd day of May A.D. 1845
Miller
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 15

York Penna
Sept 25, 1846.
Sir,
I enclose you the declaration made by one of the Children of Mrs. Elizabeth Starry in order to obtain the Pension due her in her life time -The Commission mentioned in the declaration and which accompanies this will shew that Tobias Starry was an ensign in the revolutionary war and belonged to
the Militia of Northampton County Penna.
The affidavits of Rex, Waggoner and Schlosser taken in 1828 will shew a part of the service performed by him. This testimony was collected it will appear by the affidavit of Michael Starry for the purpose of
obtaining a State pension for Tobias Starry- these witnesses it will appear by the same affidavit are all dead, and as the affidavits showing the service were without the certificate of credibility, the Certificate
of a Justice has been obtained showing they were persons entitled to belief, and which our congressman informed me was necessary. The affidavits show that Tobias Starry was an Ensign and served once under
Captain Trexler, for two months, a like period under Capt Marks and the accompanying Certificate from the Secretary's Office at Harrisburg show that he also served two months under Captain Filler in
1781. - The affidavit having been carefuly [sic] kept you will observe the of them not full on account of it being to me, nor can the piece of it wanting be found, but the last part of it is made up by the testimony of Peter Waggoner another of the witnesses who says that "Starry was at Germantown directly after the battle" which would make it evident that the part of the affidavit wanting would express the
meaning that this part of the service was performed at the time the British were encamped or quartered in Philadelphia," There are also several certified
Page 16

Copies of returns which show that Starry was an Ensign. The marriage is alleged to have taken place sometime in 1777 - no record evidence can be found to establish it after very diligent search nor can any witness be found who personally knew the parties as man and wife before the termination of the service as will appear by Michael Starry's affidavit, but he swears that he a son was born in January 1784 and had a brother George Wilhelm, and also a brother John older by several years than himself the affidavit of John Duffield will show
that he became acquainted with the Starry
family in 1801 that then George Starry a son
of Tobias and Elizabeth Starry was a man
grown above his minority and between
21 & 23 years of age. This would put the
Marriage back as far as 1779 or the early part of 1780, at least he says that in 1801 George
Starry was above his minority. The accompanying record of baptism
will shew that one of the children Catharine the fifth child was born in 1786.
The Testimony herewith furnished is
the only evidence which can be had-
Respectfully yours
Thos. P Potts
J.L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Thos P.
Page 17

[illegible]
the Deposition of Peter Schlosser of Manallen Township Adams
County Pa.  upon his solemn oath taken before the Subscriber
one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County and State
aforesaid does depose and Say. that the Said
[illegible afore] mentioned
Tobias Starry served two months under Capt Trexler and a like term under Capt N. Marks as [crossed out]
he does not recollect. the last two months he Served some of
the time with him in Scouting parties [crossout] against the
indian he thinks it was in 1777 . during the revolutionary war
at any rate
                                          [?atta?r  flyN??v]
Sworn and Subscribed
before me the 26 day
of March AD 1828
C.F.Keener
Page 18

State of Pennsylvania
Adams County
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the
Commonwealths Justices of the Peace in and for the County of
Adams. Peter Waggoner of the County aforesaid who upon
solemn oath duly administered doth depose and say
that he Knew Tobias Starry now of Adams County Pennsylv[r=]
formerly of north hamptirs County State aforesaid who [?]
then the Said Tobias Stains Served as an Ensign in the
Continental war in the year [illegible] under
the command of
Captian Peter Trexler who was attatched to General Bulls Command
and that the said Tobias Starry served two months the time
he cannot recollect, but he recollect that Said Tobias Starry
served under Col Henry Giger and that the Said Starry was at 
German Town directly after the Battle of Germantown.
that the Said Tobias Starry during all this time Served under
Second Battallion of Malitias of northanton County Pa

Affirmed and Signed
before me the Sub the
3 ,Day of April Anno Domini
1828
C.F.Keener

    [here]
Peter Waggoner
    Mark
Page 19

State of Pennsylvania
Adams County ⎬ Personally appeared before me the Sub
Sember One of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County
Daniel Rex of the County aforesaid who upon his Solemn
Oath Saith that he was acquainted with Tobias Starry now
of Adams County Pennsylvania during the last Revolutionary war that the said Tobias Starry served a Tour
of Military duty under Capt Nickolas Marks of the Pennsylvania Malitia upon a Scouting party after the Indians
and that the said Tobias Starry serve another Tour or
two in the Pennsylvania Malicie at the time the
here encamped or quartered in Philadelphia
the said Tobias Starry was an ensign
---
and serves in that Capacity until discharge and that the
said Tobias Starry is now very old and unable to
earn his livelihood.. at the time of the Tour preformed
under Capt Nickolas Marks of the Pennsylvania in
of malitia by Tobias Starry the Deponent Served in
Same Company, but at that particular time transfer
to Some other Capt the name not Recollective
Sworn in Subscribed   
            Daniel Rex
before me the 25 day of
April Anno Domini 1828

C.F.Keener
Page 20

State of Pennsylvania
Adams County ⎬ SS.
On the twentieth eighth day of May .A.10.
1846 personally appeared before me a Justice of the
Peace in and for the said County Michael Starry who
being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and
Say that the accompanying affidavit of Peter
Schlosser executed on the 26th of March 1828, that
of Daniel Rex executed on the 25th of April 1828
and that of Peter Waggoner executed on the 3rd
of April 1828 before C. F. Keener Esq. were taken
to prove the revolutionary service of his father Tobias
Starry, and obtain for him a State Pension-
He further says that the said
Schlosser, Rex, and Waggoner, have all died, and
that C. F. Keener the Justice before whom the said
affidavits were made has left this Country, and
now resides somewhere in the west -
Sworn and Subscribed  }   Michael Starry
before me
Daniel Minnigh
---
I Justice of the Peace as aforesaid do
Certify that Michael Starry above named is a person
entitled to credibility and belief.
Daniel Minnigh
Page 21

I Daniel Minnigh Justice of the peace in and
for Adams County Pennsylvania do hereby certify that Peter Waggner Peter Schloser and Daniel Rex who have made these Special Affident for thee proof of the
Revolutionary Services of Tobias Starry, formerly
of Adams County do hereby certify that said Rex Schloser and Waggner whare persons entitled to credibility and belief.

Given from under my hand this 29th day
of May 1846.

Daniel Minnigh



State of Pennsylvania }
Adams County            } Ss


I Anthony B. Kurtz Prothonotary of
of the Common Pleas in and for said County Do Certify that Daniel Minnigh And C. Keener before 
whom the accompanying affidavits were executed were at the
time of the execution thereof justices of the Peace 
in and for 
the said County, and that the signatures purto
be theirs are genuine p-

In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal of Office this Tenth
day of September A.D. 1846
[H?]RRussell for
A.B. Kurtz Prothy

[official seal with a dark felt diagonal strip underneath a light-colored felt circle with zigzag edges. Ink is visible in the central circle. Some zigzag edges of felt are folded in, some straight.]
Page 22

In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of
the said Commonwealth,
To Tobias Starry Genl - -- --

WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct
and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Ensign
of a Company of Foot in the Second ---
Battalion of Militia, in the County of Northampton You are therefore carefully and
diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign ---
by doing and performing all
Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers
and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to
Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your
Superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts
of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the
Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.

GIVEN under the letter Seal of the Commonwealib, at Philadelphia, this
twenty-first day of May in the Year of our
Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seven Seven - -
[Thomhastoryiun?] Pres
-

ATTEST.
[?F]Mattack [?f?]y

[zigzag edges are visible where seal was affixed]
Page 23

To be used as evidence
in the case of
  Elizabeth Storry and
 Catharine said to be ll
4th [fourth crossed out] child born in 1786
Page 24

REJECTED
10.234
P. O.
-Elizabeth Strong- [strikethrough]
-
Service: Elizabeth Starry
widow
Enlisted:
Tobias Starry, 18
Discharged: A.O.T., 18
Aug. 14, 1906
Application filed: __,18

Alleges: __
Re-enlisted: __
Attorney: __
P. O. __
 __Recognized.  __Contract.
 __Cert. of Dis. Searched for  __, 18
Page 25

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
         Form VAM-51
               12-9-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD *


NAME __ Start, Moses __  GRADE Private __
LINE Maryland

WARRANT NUMBERs 18727 and 14111
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED February 24, 1795
to Francis Sherrard,
assignee of Aquilla
Lanthorn, Admr
______
* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.