Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22977, for John Shoemaker, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Penn. Shoemaker, John S.22977
CONTENTS
[blanks]
Page 2

[left side]
Pennsylvania 25,881
John Shoemaker decd. of Schuylkill Co in the State of Penna. who was a Pr in the Company commanded by Captain Miller of the Regt. commanded by Col [blank] in the Pennsylvania line for Militia
Certificate issued to his heirs from 4” Mch ‘31 up to the time of his death 2 March 1833
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 25 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of Jany 1831 and Sent to H King Ho of Rep
Arrears to the 4th of a [blank]
Semi-anl. allowance ending [blank]
Arrears to the 2 March 1833 $53.25
the time of his death
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J.T. Sprague Clerk,
Book E Vol. 5 Page 54

[right side]
See letter to Hon. H A. Mecklenberg Jan. 3. 1835
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838, from 4 March 1831 to 2” March 1833, the day of his death. Agt notified 19. Aug 1840
Page 3

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Second Comptroller’s Office, August 6th, 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of APril, 1838, entitled “An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,” The childn. of John Shoemaker, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of Twenty six Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1831, to the 2d March 1833, the day of his death.
Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
Page 4

Schuylkill County, Commonwealth of Penna Ss.
On this 4th day of January A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before Calvin Blythe and his Associated Judges of the court of Common pleas of Schuylkill County aforesaid now compsing and holding a court of common pleas in and for said County being a court of record in said Commonwealth John Shoemaker a Resident of the Borough of Orwigsburg and County of Schuylkill aforesaid aged between Eighty three and Eighty four years who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his solemn Oath depose and Say or make the following declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed on the 7th day of June A. D. 1832.
That he entered the Service as a Drafted Militia man under Catain George Will (That he does not remember the names of the Colonel or commanding General) in the fall of the year 1776 and marched from Reasin Berks County, Pa. to Newton Bucks County where the American army was there Stationed. That he was there stationed for some time that during this time, the only striking occurrence that took place was the taking of a number of British Prisoners in the State of Jersey, who were brought to the American Camp and that he assisted in ferrying across the Delaware at Newtown does not remember the precise time of returning, but that the
Page 5

Weather was Severely cold that his time of service was two months and upwards That he received no written discharge that he returned to Reading Berks County aforesaid his place of residence.
That he again entered the Service as a Drafted Militia man under Captain Geist in Col. Hunters Regiment first Brigade Pa. Militia. That he marched from Reading aforesaid through Pottsgrove Montgomery to Philadelphia and Brandywine, that he was not in the engagement at Brandywine but that he was within a short distance that he was under arms all day and stationed near the Battle ground that he plainly heard the Large and small guns firing and Saw the smoke [marked out] rising during the time of Battle, that his memory is very much impaired in consequence of Old age, That he does not recollect the precise time when he again returned, but that the weather was severely cold and that he served about two months or more, that he recieved no written discharge.
That he again entered service and Marched from Reading his place of residence under Captain Sebastian Miller command by Major Currious in the summer of the year 1778, to Kutztown Berks County, Allentown and Easton Northampton County to Mannessing on the Delaware River to fight the Indians and tories. That he was stationed at the latter place for some time that he served in scouting party frequently that he returned again to Reading aforesaid
Page 6

after Serving about two Months, that he recieved no written discharge.
That he again served as a Militia Man under Captain Joseph Tolbert and was Stationed for the space of two Months at Reading Berks County Pa. his place of Residence, That his services there rendered was that of guarding British or hessian Soldiers and their property, that he cannot remember the year, but that he believes it to have been in the fall of the year 1777 or 1778
That he was Born in Oley Township Berks County Pa. on the 15 Novr. 1749, That the record of his age is contained in his Family Bible, That he continued to reside in Reading, Berks County Pa. until the year 1806 and Since that time he has resided in the Borough of Orwigsburg his present place of residence.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid } Johan Shoemaker
Jac. Hammer ProShy. }
We Philip Mayer - a clergyman residing in Brunswig township Schuylkill County Pa. in the Vicinity of the Borough of Orwigsburg and Frederick Hesser of the Borough of Orwigsburg aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Shoemaker who has sworn and Subscribed to the
Page 7

John Shoemaker, 22095.
[continued from previous page] above declaration that we believe him to be between the age of Eighty three and Eighty four 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.
Phillip Mayer
Fredk. Hesser
Sworn & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid }
Jac. Hammer Pro Shy }
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 Philip Mayer - who has signed the precedings certificate is a clergyman resident in Brunswig Township Schuylkill County Pa. And in the Vicinity of the Borough of Orwigsburg and that Frederick Hesser who has also signed the same is a resident of the Borough of Orwigsburg aforesaid, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Calvin Blythe
G Raush

Pennsylvania
Schuylkill County Pa.
I Jacob Hammer Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Shoemaker for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said office this Fourth day of January AD 1833
Jac. Hammer
Page 8

Nov. 15, 1833.
Pension Office
In the case of Jno Shoemaker decd.
Certify To be issued  [illegible - written on top of each other]
And 2d March 1833
Admd. 2 Ys - $26.66 per ann
Hon H. King
HR

[written down left side]
“Cer Public Service”

[written updside down]
Orwigsburg Nov 12
Louis Sass Esqr.
Secretary of War
Washington City D. C.
Page 9

Pennsylvania }
Schuylkill County Ss. }
On the Eleventh day of November A. D. 1833 personally appeared before me the [illegible] one of the Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid Charles Frailly who upon his Solemn Oath did depose and say that John Shoemaker Decd. Formerly of the Borough of Orwigsburg in the County aforesaid who prefered this application to this War Office of the United States found time in the year 1832 to obtain the Benefit of an Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832. Died in the spring of 1833 Leaving three children to wit John Henry and Catharine Intermarried with Henry Plats and that their statement is said John Shoemaker Decd. left no widow his wife having died in the month of Feb. 1811.
Sworn & Subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid } Chas. Frailey
G Raush

Pennsylvania
Schuylkill County Ss.
I Jacob Hammer Prothonotary of the court of Common pleas in and for said County Do certify that G. Raush Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is and was at the time of Administering thereof in acting Justice of the Peace Duly Commissioned and appointed and That full faith and credit is and ought to be due to all actions by him in that capacity.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said court Nov. 11th A. D. 1833.
Jac. Hammer
Page 10

August 10, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
John Shoemaker-S.22977
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Lenora D. Hickman
Parson
West Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John George Shoemaker of Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers in that war.
A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of John George Shoemaker or of George Shoemaker, the surname has been searched under various spellings.
You are furnished herein the record of John Shoemaker, the only soldier by that name found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office, who served with the Pennsylvania troops. The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 22977, based upon his service in that war.
John Shoemaker was born November 15, 1749 in Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, the names of his parents not stated.
While residing at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, John Shoemaker enlisted and served as a private with the Pennsylvania troops, as follows - 
In the fall of 1776, two months in Captain George Wills’ company; in 1777, two months in Captain
Page 11

Geist’s company, Colonel Hunter’s regiment, and was stationed a short distance from the battle of Brandywine; in the summer of 1778, two months in Captain Sebastian Miller’s company, under Major Cunions, out in pursuit of Indians and Tories; again two months in Captain Joseph Talbert’s company, guarding British and Hessians prisoners.
The soldier, John Shoemaker, resided in Reading, Pennsylvania, until in 18086, when he moved to Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Pension was allowed on his application executed, January 4, 1833, then a resident of Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. He died there March 2, 1833, leaving three children- John Shoemaker, Henry Shoemaker, and Catharine, wife of Henry Plate.
The soldier, John Shoemaker, left no widow, his wife having died in February, 188, her name is not stated and there is no further reference to her.
The son, Henry Shoemaker, was living in 1833 in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 12

Revolution
22977
INVALID.
File No. 22,977
John Shoemaker
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7” 32”
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 263
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

Circular to Mr. Claude Coller Feb. 16.1910 - 555 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, N.Y. 
1926: Sept. 23 Hist to S.C.Deen AWF
1933- Aug. 10- hist to Lenora D. Hickman AWF
Page 14

Berks County (Pennsylvania )

Personally appears before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Berks, residing at Reading, John Philip Nagle, of the latter place, who on being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say: that he is about seventy four years of age, that this day, being the thirtieth September AD 1833, a certain declaration or deposition, made by a certain John Shoemaker, late of Orwigsburg, in the County of Schuylkill before Calvin Bly the Esqr and his associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas of said Schuylkill County, on the fourth day of January last past and that he finds so much of said declaration, or deposition as relates to the said John Shoemaker tour to
Manessing as a drafted Militiaman, under Captain Sebastian Miller substantially true and correct in all its particulars, he this deponant in person having accompanied the said Shoemaker during the whole of said tour as a Musician and belonging to the same company

J Philip Nagel

Sworn & subscribed Sept 30, AD 1833 before me

Wm Schoenes
Page 15

Personally appears before the subscriber John Strohecker of the borough of Reading aforesaid, aged about seventy nine years who on being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say: That he was a soldier in the AMerican Revolution, and among
other services rendered his country he made a tour under Captain George Mill and marched from Reading Berks County Pa. to Newtown in Buck County Pa.  that he was at that time well acquainted with a certain John Shoemaker, who lately lived, and as is reported, died at Orwigsburg in Schuylkill County; that he does not distinctly recollect (being so long since) whether the said John Shoemaker actually did accompany him in said war, but to judge from a certain narrative on oath made by said John Shoemaker before the Judges of the Court of
common pleas of said Schuylkill County on the 4th day of January last past, so as the same has been read to this deponant, he this deponant, has good reason to believe that the said Shoemaker did share in said tour, and must have been present during its whole continuance (about two months), because of the correctness of every incident given in said narative of
said tour.

John Strohecker

Sworn & subscribed this 30th Sept A.D. 1833. first erasing the words "Gush in Colonel Hester's Regiment first brigade PA.  Militia through Calls grove Montgon "in the seventh
and eighth line from top before me

Wm Schoener
Page 16

Berks County

Personally appear before the subscriber one Jacob Petry of the borough of Reading aforesaid who on being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is about seventy six years of age, that he served as a drafted militia man under Captain George Will, in the American Revolutionary war, that he marched from Reading to Easton & from there to Amboy in the State of New Jersey, where, after serving about two months he was discharged. that John Shoemaker, late of Orwigsburg deceased, belonged to the same company & shared in the same tour during the whole of its continuance. That he was afterwards called upon to make another tour, when he marched under Captain Diehl from Reading aforesaid to Philadelphia and Newtown, in Bucks County, where the company with others, were engaged in ferrying British Prisoners across the Delaware; that the said John Shoemaker was also present upon this occasion and to the best of his knowledge & belief of this deponent he served out the whole of that tour, which lasted two months. That he, this deponant, together with the said John Shoemaker and others in the year 1777 marched under Captain Gust from Reading through Pottstown to the Brandywine, that they were stationed near the celebrated Battleground while the engagement continued and was fought. that they this deponent & the said John Shoemaker, served out their time (two months) and were discharged. That he was afterward once more drafted (he thinks it was in the year 1780) and was stationed at Reading aforesaid for the purpose of guarding the British prisoners stationed there, that the said John Shoemaker
Page 17

was engaged in the same service during the continuance of said tour which also lasted two months.

This deponent further states that he might have stated things somewhat different from what they actually were, on account of old age & length of time, but he thinks he cannot be mistaken as to the services of the said John Shoemaker rendered to his country.

Jacob Petry

Sworn & subscribed this first day of October AD 1833 before me

Wm Schoener

Pennsylvania, Berks County 

I, John Miller, Recorder of Deeds in and for aforesaid County do hereby certify that Wm Schoener Esquire whose name is signed to the above acknowledgement & before whom the same was taken was at the time and now is a Justice of the the peace in & for the said County duly authorized & Commissioned and that to all acts done by him in that capacity full faith & credit are due and of right ought to be given.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Office this second day of October AD  one thousand eight Hundred & thirty three

John Miller Recorder
Page 18

Schuylkill County

On this 12th day of October A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Henry Shoemaker of the Borough of Oswigsburg in the County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to Law did depose and say that the said John Shoemaker who presented his application to the War Office some time in the winter of the year 1833 died on the second day of March of the same year leaving behind three children by Catharine, intermarried with Henry Platt, John Shoemaker and Henry Shoemaker, this Deponant.  that this deponent has entered the necessary county and obtained Letters of Administration from the Register of the County aforesaid, a copy of which is hereto annexed and further saith not.

Henry Shoemaker

Sworn & Subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid

G Raush

Pennsylvania
Schuylkill County So

I Jacob Hammer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that George Raush Esq. before whom the above affidavit appears to have been made is an acting Justice of the Peace duly appointed and Commissioned and that I believe the above signature G. Raush to be genuine.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Orwigsburg the Fourteenth day of October AD 1833

Jac. Hammer Prothy
Page 19

I Charles Fraley Register for the Probate of WILLS and granting LETTERS of Administration, in and for the County of Schuylkill.

To Henry Shoemaker a son of John Shoemaker late of the Borough of Orwisgburg in the county of Schuykill [illegible]

GREETING:
WHEREAS the said John Shoemaker lately died intestate, (as is affirmed) having whilst he lived, and at the time of his death, divers goods, chattels, rights and credits within the said county, by means whereof the full disposition and power of granting the administration of all and singular the goods, chattels, rights and credits which were of the said deceased within the said county, and also the auditing the accounts, calculations and reckonings of the said administration and final dismission from the same to me is manifestly known to belong. I desiring that the goods, chattels, rights and credits of the said deceased may be well and truly administered, do hereby grant unto you the said Hemy Shoemaker in whose fidelity in this behalf I very much confide, full power by the tenor of these presents, to administerthe goods, chattels, rights and credits which were of the said deceased, within the said county: and also to ask, collect, levy, recover and receive the credits whatsoever of the said deceased, which at the time of his death were owing or to him did any way belong, and to pay the debts in which the said deceased stood obliged, so far forth, as the goods, chattels, rights and credits will extend, according to their rate and order of law, especially of well and truly administering the goods, rights and credits of the said deceased, and make a true and perfect inventory thereof, and exhibiting the same into the register's office at the town of Orwigsburg, in the county of Schuylkill, at or before the third day of April next, and render a true and just account, calculation or reckoning of the said administration, at or before the third day of April in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and thrty four. And also, I do by these presents ordain, constitute and appoint you the said Henry Shoemaker, administrator of all and singular the goods, chattels, rights and credits which were of the said deceased, within the limits aforesaid, saving harmless and forever indemnifying me and all other officers against all persons whatsoever, by reason of your administration aforesaid, and saving to all others their rights. IN TESTIMONY whereof, I have hereunto set my HAND and SEAL OF OFFICE, the third day of April in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and thirty three

Chas Fraley
Reg
Page 20

Schuylkill County ss

I Charles Farley Register for the probate of Wills 
in and for said County certify that the within is a true copy of the Letters of Administration granted to Henry [illegible] for the estate of  John Shoemaker as the same remains of second in case of him.  Witness my hand & seal of office at Owisburg Oct 12, 1833

Chas Farley, Reg
Page 21

3-871

RECORD DIVISION

Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Briefed by:  Geo M Moore
Feb 10, 1910

Soldier:  John Shoemaker
Service:  Pa  Rev

REMARKS:  No O W I W or R as above except RF 95-26
Page 22

Minneola Minn
July 16 '25

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Can you give me any information concerning John Shoemaker Revolutionary soldier from Lancaster Co Penn.  Captain Jeremiah Talbot's Company, 7th Penn Regiment

Respectfully

S C Deen

Stamped received July 20, 1925
Page 23

Petersburg, Ind
Sept 11, 1925

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Can you give me any information concerning John Shoemaker of Capt Jeremiah Talbot's 7th Penn Regiment, I think commanded by Col William Irvine.  Did he draw a pension?  His wife's name was Catherine.

Respectfully

Sarepta Deen
Page 24

Stamp:  Received Sept 15 1925

Sep 14 1925
Page 25

Parsons W Va
Aug 1 1933

Pension Dept
Washington DC

Can you find anything in your records about John George Shoemaker, a soldier of the Revolution who served as a private in the First Battalion, Bers County Militia (Pennsylvania) commanded by Col Nicholas Lutz.  He guarded Hessian prisoners of war at Reading who had been captured at Trenton and in New York state.

I shall apreciate any information

Sincerely yours

(Mrs) Lenora D Hiskinan
Page 26

[very faint document - transcribed what was possible]

pension on file in this Bureau

John Shoemaker

S File 22977

Date - Length - Rank - Capt - Col - State

Fall 1776 - 2 months - private - Capt George Wills - - Pa

Fall 1777 - 2 months - private - Capt Guin - Col Hunter - Pa

Summer 1778 - 2 months - private - Capt Sebastian Miller - Maj Cunion - Pa

Fall 1778 - 2 months - private - Capt Joshua Talbot

Battles engaged in: 

Residence of soldier at enlistment: Reading, Bucks Co, PA

Date of application for pension:  Jan 4, 1833.  His claim was allowed

Residence at date of application:  Orwigsburg, Schuykill Co, Pa

Age at date of application: [illegible]

Remarks:  [illegible]; three children, John, Henry and Catherine, wife of Henry Platte; left no widow; his wife because not mentioned; having died Feb [illegible]

Very respectfully, Commissioner
Page 27

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
September 23, 1925

S. C. Deen
Minneola Minn

Sir:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 2277, it appears that John Shoemaker was born November 15, 1749 in Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

While residing at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted and served as a private in the Pennsylvania Troops as follows

In the fall of 1778, two months in Captain George Will's Company.

In the fall of 1777, two months in Captain Geist's Company, Colonel Hunter's Regiment

In the summer of 1778, two months in Captain Sebastian Miller's Company, under Major Cunions.

In the fall of 1778, two months in Captain
Page 28

Joseph Talbert's Company.

Pension was allowed on his application executed January 4, 1833, while a resident of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

He died in said Orwigsburg, March 2, 1833, leaving three children John, Henry and Catharine, wife of Henry Plate.

Soldier left no widow, his wife her name not stated) having died in February 1811.

The above noted John Shoemaker is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau, who served in the Pennsylvania Troops.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.