Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4,721, for Michael Luther, Maryland
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(8 - 1776)
SERVICE
Md 
Luther, Michael
Number W. 4,721
Mary
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12864
North Carolina
Michael Luther
of Randolph in the State of N. Carolina who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Duvall of the Regt commanded by Col Johnson in the Maryland Militia one year 8 months

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of June 1833 and State Clerk of Randolph (illegible)

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $133.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33.  33.33
$166.65

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Geo. B. Whiting Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 47

Pay (illegible)
(illegible) 4 April 1835 Pensioner
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6 Mos
North Carolina
Mary Luther
widow of Michael Luther dec'd MD
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 10th October 1834 of Randolph Co in the State of N. Carolina who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Duval of the regiment commanded by Col. Johnson in the Maryland line for 7-1/2 months

Inscribed on the roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 25 dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued 22nd day of March 1841 sent to Mr. Geo Luther Martha's Vineyard, Chatham, Co, N.C.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $125.00

{Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by D McCurdy Clerk
Book A Vol 2 Page 188
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This is to certify that according to the church record of the Evangelical, or, German Reformed Church of Frederick, Md., Michael Luther and Mary Kindlo were joined together in the Holy bonds od Matrimony, according to law, on the 20th day of December A. D. 1789 - Witnesses:  Jacob Luther X Robert (illegible) 

Frederick May 23d 1840 

I. Zacharias
Pastor of Ev. Ref. Cong. Frederick
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North Carolina
Randolph County

Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
August Term 1840

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows".

on this third day of August AD 1840 personally appeared before the court of pleas and Quarter sessions of said county, Mary Luther a resident of said county aged about eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the followings declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" that she is the widow of Michael Luther who was a soldier in the war of the revolution and drew a pension from the United States up to the time of his death which took place on the 10th Oct 1834. For a particular account of his services she begs leave to refer to his declaration on file in the War Department which she believes contains a true account of his services. She further declares that she was married
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to the said Michael Luther on the 20th day of December AD 1789 and that her husband the said Michael Luther died on the 10th day of October 1834 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz; at the time above stated and that she has not married again since the death of her said husband.

Mary Luther
Her X Mark

Sworn to & subscribed in open court on the day and year above written before said court

Hugh McCain - CC

Wesley Dean maketh oath that he has known Mary Luther who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration for the last thirty years or thereabouts and he has no doubt of the truth of the facts set forth in her declaration.

Wesley Dean

Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 3rd day of August 1840.

Hugh McCain - CCC
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No. 7329

State of North Carolina
Randolph County

I, Hugh McCain, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of Mary Luther for a persion.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 25th day of August 1840.

Hugh McCain (illegible)
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Declaration of Michael Luther for a pension under the act of Congress 1832

Filed Nov Term 1832
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State of North Carolina
County of Randolph

Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
November Term 1832

On this 5th day of November AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justice of the Court of Pleas & Quarter sessions now sitting, Michael Luther a resident of the county of Randolph, State of North Carolina aged eighty two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed July 7 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated viz:

That he was born in Strasburg Germany March 7th 1751 and emigrated to this country about the year 1759. HIs parents settle near Alexandria D.C. & afterwards in Frederick County where he resided at the time he entered the service in December 1776. He states his brother George - that all the circumstances of his service in said tours an detailed so far as he recollects them in his brother George Luther's declaration to which he refers p that they served in the same companies under the same officers & were discharged at the same times, down to Dec 1777 & that he received no written discharge.

He states that in June 1781 he was drafted in Frederick county MD & went into service under Capt. Burged & was marched to Georgetown D.C. thence to Fredericktown, MD when the Tories had [illegible] - he states that he had permission during this service occasionally to go home which he did for short intervals - that in the month of October he was marched to Nolan's Ferry on the Potomac where he assisted in guarding the prisoners of Lord Cornwallis's army to Frederickstown, MD where they remained until February 1782 - Thence he assisted in guarding them to Pennsylvania
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vania & between Yorkton, in Tork County & then Susquehanna they met the regular troops from New York who came on to take charged of said prisoners; whereupon he with the rest of the militia were sent back to Maryland & he was engaged in the illegible Service illegible sometime in April he was discharged in Frederickstown; but received no written discharge. He declares that his service amounted altogether to twenty months. He knows of no person by whom he can prove his service except his brother George with whom he served as before stated - he has no documentary evidence of his service & never had any - he recollects the officers mentioned in his brother's declaration & regiments they commanded. He is well known in his neighbourhood (neighborhood) in which he has resided since January 1790. That previous to that time after the war he resided in Frederick County, MD. He expects to prove his reputation for service & his character for veracity by the Rev Micajah Hill, Benjamin Brookshire & Reuben Lamb.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.

Michael Luther
His X Mark

Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid

We Micajah Hill, a clergyman residing in the county of Randolph & state of North Carolina, and Benj Brookshire & Reuben Lam residing in the same county & state
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hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Michael Luther who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty two years of age; that he is reputed & belived in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.

Micajah Hill
B. Brookshire
R Lamb

Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Micajah Hill who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Randolph North Carolina, & that Benjamin Brookshire & Reuben Lam who have also signed the same are residents of the same county & state and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.

Wood - JP

I Hugh McCain clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Michael Luther for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this tenth day of November AD 1832

Hugh McCain - Clerk

SEAL
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Amendment

Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Randolph, State of North Carolina, Michael Luther, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has a record of his age taken from the Church or Parish Register of his native Parish in Germany, that on or about December 15, 1776, he was called into service with the militia of Frederick County, Maryland, under Capt. Duvall, and Col. Baker Johnston, and was marched through York County, Pa, Lancaster, Phildelphia, where he drew arms and ammunition. Trenton New Jersey, to Lord Sterling's (illegible) when they arrived the last of Feb or the 1st of January A. D. 1777
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December 13, 1939

BA-J/ady
Miachel Luther
W. 4721

Mrs. DeForrest McMillion
Widen
West Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Michael Luther a soldier of the revolutionary war.

The record of the only Michael Luther that is found on the revolutionary war records of this office is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, W.4721, based upon his military service in that war.

Michael Luther was born March 7, 1751, in Strasburg, Germany. About 1759 his parents, their names not stated, emigrated to America and settled near Alexandria, District of Columbia, and later in Frederick County, Maryland.

While a resident of Frederick County, Maryland, Michael Luther enlisted served as private in Captain Duvall's company, Colonel Baker Johnston's Maryland regiment; was in the battle of Piscataway, and was discharged April 1, 1777, having served three months and fifteen days. He enlisted August 15, 1777, served as private in Captain Hilary's company, Colonel Baker Johnston's Maryland Regiment; was in the battle of Germantown and was discharged December 25, 1777. He enlisted in June 1781, served as private in Captain Burged's Maryland Company and was discharged in April 1782.

In January 1790 he moved from Frederick County, Maryland to Randolph County, North Carolina.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 5, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Randolph County, North Carolina.

He died October 10, 1834, place not stated.

Soldier married December 20, 1789, Mary Kindle. Their
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marriage was recorded on the records of the Evangelical or German Reformed Church in Frederick, Maryland. Jacob Luther was a witness, no relationship shown.

Soldier's widow Mary Luther was allowed pension on her application executed August 3, 1840, at which time she was aged eighty years and a resident of Randolph County, North Carolina.

Soldier's brother, George Luther, was residing in Randolph County, North Carolina in 1833, his age not given.

In 1841 one George Luther was a resident of Martha's Vineyard, Chatham County, North Carolina, his age and relationship not stated. There are no further family data.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the death date of widow, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C. and cite the following data: Mary Luther, widow of Michael Luther, certificate No 6110, issued march 22, 1841 rate $25.00 per annum, commenced March 4, 1836 Act of July 7, 1838, North Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Rev & 1812
War Section

April 8, 1929

Tennie Luther
Guymon
Oklahoma

Sir:

I advise you from the papers in the revolutionary war pension claim W.4721 it appears that Michael Luther was born March 7, 1751, in Strasburg, Germany.

About 1759 his parents, names not shown, emigrated to America and settled near Alexandria, Virginia and later in Frederick County, Maryland, where the soldier resided when he enlisted, December 15, 1776, served as a private in Captain Duvall's Company, Colonel Baker Johnston's Maryland Regiment, was in the battle of Piscataway, and was discharged about April 1, 1777.

He enlisted, August 15, 1777, served as a private in Captain Hilary's Company, Colonel Baker Johnston's Maryland Regiment, was in the battle of Germantown, and was discharged, December 25, 1777.

He enlisted in June, 1781 served as a private in Captain Burged's (?) Maryland Company and was discharged
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in April 1782.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 5, 1832, while a resident of Randolph County, North Carolina, where he lived since January 1790. He died, October 10, 1834.

The soldier married December 20, 1789, in Frederick County, Maryland, Mary Kindle. She was allowed pension on her application executed August 3, 1840, while a resident of Randolph County, North Carolina, and then aged about eighty years.

One George Luther was a resident of Martha's Vineyard, Chatham County, North Carolina, in 1841, no relationship stated.

The soldier's brother George who also served in the Revolution was a resident of Randolph County, North Carolina in 1833.

Respectfully,

E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
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RECEIVED STAMP - Nov 27 1939 - Vets Admin

Widen, West Virginia
November 25, 1939

The Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

Your office has been referred to me by Major General E.S. Adams of the Adjutant General's Office in Washington, with reference to one, Michael Luther served as a soldier during the Revolutionary war either from the state of Maryland or Pennsylvania or possibly North Carolina. I am tracing family lineage and will appreciate your efforts to help me secure the above information.

Very truly yours,

[illegible] L. McMillion
Mrs. DeForrest McMillion
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Tennie Luther
Treasurer of Texas County
Guymon, Oklahoma

Aug 11, 1928

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:

Wil (will) you kindly tell me if your records there show anything concerning the army record (Revolution) of Michael Luther. I should like so much to get any information possible concerning him, names of his parents, children, birthplace, etc. The North Carolina Historical Society shows him to be a pensioner according to the acts of 1818 & 1832, but the records further were incomplete.

Thanking you very much,

Tennie Luther

STAMP US PENSION OFFICE - Aug 14, 1928
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Left Side Page

1929 Apr 8 - Hist to Tennie Luther
1939 Dec 13 - Hist to Mrs. DeForrest L. McMillion

Right Side Page

Revy WIDOW, etc.

File No 4721
Mary Luther
Wid
Michael Luther
Priv MD Militia

Act: July 7/38
Index Vol A Page 446
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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7399

Mary Luther

Wid of Michael
N. C.
Act July 7, 1838
Married 1789
died 1834
Allow (illegible)
$25 per annum

Mr.
George Luther
Marthas Vineyard
Chatham 6  N. C.
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FREE

Luther

J.L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.

No 7329 Sept 2 1840

As he [illegible] N.C.
August 28th

N.C. July 7, 1838
Mary Luther
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Asheboro, N.C. Aug 26th 1840

J.L. Edwards Esqr.

Dear Sir

Inclosed (Enclosed) is the declaration of Mary Luther for a pension with the certificate of the pastor of the Ev. Reformed Church of Frederick, MD - if the pension is allowed, please forward to me the certificate - or if not allowed the explanation of your refusal.

Your Obt Servant

J Worth
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Luther
Feby 12 '41
[illegible]
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Pension Office 127
Feb 12, 1841

Sir

In reply to your inquiry touching the suspension of the pension of Michael Luther dec'd I have to state that upon a subsequent examination of his claim in 1834 it was ascertained that he had been improperly allowed $66.66 per annum [illegible] $25 which was all that he was entitled to according to the amount of service [illegible] by him. He died in Oct 1834 having rec'd his pension to March 1834 and being nearly one hundred dollars too much.

There is of course no amount due of widow. She can however receive a certificate for $25 the amt for 5 years from Mar 4, 1836, if she chooses to accept it.

I am
OC
July 7 1838
7329

Mr. Geo Luther
Marthas Vineyard
Chatham, County NC
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FREE

Honorable 
James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Martha's Vineyard
as of January 1841

Feb 3, 1841
NC
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Martha's Vineyard, Chatham County N. Carolina

25th Jan 1841

Dear Sir

I am instructed by the first auditor of the Treasury department to inquire of you for what cause Michael Luther of Randolph County N. Carolina was suspended from the Pension List as the arrearage of pension which the widow claims will be paid at the Treasury provided the cause of suspension is removed you will please inform me as soon as possible the cause and whether it is such a course as can be removed and what course is proper to take in the matter.

I am respectfully yours

Geo Luther

Honorable 
James L Edwards
Com Pensions
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FREE

Martha's Vineyard
10 of March 1841

Honorable
James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Mar 20, 1841
N.C.
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Martha's Vineyard, Chatham County, NC

March 10th, 1841

Dear Sir

Your note of the 12th ultimo in answer to my inquiries respecting Mrs. Michael Luther claim was duly received informing me of the reasons of Michael Luther's suspension and also saying she could have a certificate if she wanted to accept of it. I am authorized to state that she will very thankfully accept of it and if it has not been issued and sent, I will thank you to issue it as soon as convenient and send it to me for her. I have enclosed you the original certificate of ML not that I think it of any consequence anywhere but from the fact that it had been considered entirely last for several years having been sent to an agent in Fayetteville for the purpose of collecting the arrearage supposed to be due. The agent left the state and left this with other papers supposed to be usable at least to himself in a box and by accident the next occupant of the house found them with other of the same character. I understand that it is a rule that all applications for pension that are rejected by your department are handed over to Congress for their decision and action if this is the case I must inquire of you what has been the decision in Manning Brookshires case I as the friend and agent of Brookshire sent that case to the department last year and it was not disposed of by your department in time to bring it to the notice of congress in time for consideration. Mr. Fisher who attended to it while there in his last informed me that from some cause business of private concern went on show, he has now left and if the case has been decided favourable (favorable) to Brookshire, I will thank you to send his certificate to me as well. As there are several acts of congress in favour (favor) of
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widows that are either not known here or very imperfectly understood and there are widows who consider that there is something intended for them and as I have been in the habbit (habit) of transacting business of the kind I have had several applications to prepare and lay their claims before the department but I am unwilling to trouble the department with the consideration of any claim and until I am fully satisfied that it comes completely within the intent and meaning of the act of Congress. I will therefor thank you to furnish me with all the acts and other information on the subject that you can with convenience.

I am very respectfully your obt servant

Geo Luther

Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner Pensions
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N. Carolina
Mary Luther
letter to J. Worth 3 Sep 1840
George Sutton 12 Feb 1841

Act July 1838
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Michael Luther's
Declaration

Act of 1832
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He states that they were under the command of Brigadier General Thomas Johnston from the time they were called into service until they arrived at Lord Sterlings Castle; they were then placed under the command of Major Gen Sterling. While stationed at the castle the British under Lord Cornwallis were stationed at or near Brunswick & on the 1st of March 1777 there was a skirmish between the Americans & British picket guards which brought on a several engagements on both sides in which the Americans were beaten: This occurred at Piscataway 16 miles from the castle. He was discharged on or about the 1st of April 1777 - having served three moths & 15 days; received no written discharge. He states that the Maryland Militia now classed into eight classes & he belonged to Class No. 1 to the best of his recollection; & in August as early as the 15th of the month the two first classes No 1 & 2 were called into service under Capt. Hilary & Col Baker Johnston. Crossing the Susquehanna at Johnston's Ferry where they met with General Smallwood & were placed under his command, thence to Oxford, marching in Pennsylvania, where they drew ammunition & some muskets thence to Downington on the Brandywine, whence they marched in the night to [illegible] to meet Gen Wayne but before they reached that place they learned that he had been defeated by Genl Gray. They joined him next morning at the Red Lion Tavern; thence to the Schuylkill crossing it at Polsgrove & joined Gen Washington's army at Perkiomen Creek in September. He remained in Washington's army until the battle of Germantown Oct 4, 1777, in which the American army was defeated & retreated to Perkiomen Creek where
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they remained a few days; thence to Skippack creek thence to White Marsh where the remains of the Frederick County Militia were discharged from Washington's army & we marched by Col Johnston to Fredericktown, MD & finally discharged by him to the best of his recollection on or about the 25 of December 1777, having served four months. He received no written discharge. His other services are specified as well as he can recollection them in the declaration above. He states that he has no documentary evidence of his services & knows of no one by whom he can prove it or any part of it except this brother George Luther whose certificate accompanies this amendment of his declaration. He states that by reason of old age, the consequent loss of memory & the lapse of time since this event of service, 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 period mentioned below & in the following grade. For twenty months I served as a private in the American revolutionary armies & for such service I claim a pension.

Michael Luther

Sworn to & subscribed before me March 4, 1833

B. Elliott - JP

I George Luther residing in Randolph County North Carolina do hereby certify that Miachel Luther who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & amendment served as he states to wit from Dec 15, 1776, to April 1, 1777 & that he was regularly discharged also from August
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15th 1777 or thereabouts to Dec 20 or 25th 1777 & was regularly discharged. That he was for many months in service in the state of Maryland against the Tories & that he was one of the guards that guarded the prisoners of Cornwallis' army at Nolan's Ferry & to Pennsylvania as stated in his declaration; & that he believes he (Michael) served at the least twenty months.

George Luther

Sworn to & subscribed before me at Asheboro, March the 11, 1833

B. Elliott - JP

Randolph County

I Benjamin Elliott Justice of the Peace as aforesaid do hereby certify that George Luther, who has subscribed & sworn to the above certificate is a credible man & that his statement is entitled to belief.

March the 11, 1833

B. Elliott - JP

I Hugh McCain Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter sessions for Randolph County North Carolina do hereby certify that the above are the official signatures of Benjamin Elliotte Esquire who was at time of making the same an acting Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid and that full faith and credit are given to his official acts. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this the 13th day of March AD 1833.

Hugh McCain - Clerk

SEAL