Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 6919, for John Marsh, Pennsylvania
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Penn
Marsh, john
Eliza
R6919
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7574
Eliza Marsh
widow of John Pennsylvania
on roll for war, deserted July 1780
6919 
Act to July 36
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County
On this 28th day of July AD 1849. Personally appeared before me Emanuel Schaeffer on e of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County and State aforesaid Joseph Marsh a resident of East hemp Field Township in the County and State aforesaid aged 64 years-who being duly affirmed according to law doth depose and say as follows 
That he is one of the Sons and heir at law of Eliza Marsh who died on the 27th day of June 1847 and who was the widow of John Marsh a reputed soldier of the revolution deceased. my father  John Marsh enlisted with his brother Joseph Marsh at or about the same time int eh German Regiment, to the best of my recollection, from having beard his father and mother talk over the times of the war, enlisted early int he war int he Summer of 1776 or 77 at Lancaster Pennsylvania near there they resided but the service he cannot state further then that his father said, he served from the time he entered the service to the end of the whole war. I have also heard my father state in his lifetime, that the office named that either he enlisted under or marched him from Lancaster, was Young whether he was a sergeant or Leiutentant of his Company I am unable to say but that he was a German from Lancaster and that his Company was drilled in german Language My mother often stated that she wept bitterly when her husband left Lancaster for Philadelphia, she was under the impression that he would never return that he would be killed in the war and when her husband left she had one child to him and hand no means of support is one reason why she was distressed about him leaving her and her child and that she always blamed his brother
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Joseph for persuading him to enlist and leave his family my father did not return from the war for several years from what I heard him and Mother say during his absence the child died. my uncle Joseph Marsh (Father's Mother) is dead upwards of fifty years ago and never was married
my father John Marsh died on the 23rd day of May 1816 leaving a widow and two sons which survive the mother The reason why my mother never made application for a pension for the services of her husband was that she was a member of the Menonist Society and the members of the Society dare not make application or prosecute for any claim pension or debt of any nature if the would they would be liable to expulsion form the Society if any of the members of the Society are in want they Society supports them I had often spoke to my mother respecting my father's services in the revolution that he was entitled to money from the U.S. Government, she always replied that she did not want the Government money and thought that it was worth that any person would ask the Government for money for services rendered in the Revolutionary War and that she would rather go to the poor house then to make application for pension
After her death I was not aware until a short time ago that heirs had a right to make application and establish a claim on account of the services of the father in the revolution, when I was informed of this I immediately in Company with my mother called upon her Vondersmith and made the present Application for means of pension due my deceased mother in right of her husband John Marsh
And further in my fathers lifetime he had papers of his services in the revolutionary.
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war but have long since been lost before the death of my father and there is no living witness who served with my father to be found. I have been inquiring for old soldiers, but can find none. Further deponent saith not Affiremed and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
E Schaeffer  Joseph Karski

Lancaster City
Personally appeared before me Emanuel Schaeffer one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County before whom the foregoing declaration was taken" Do certify that Joseph Marsh is a highly respectable farmer of East Hemp Field Township and that his declaration is entitled to full credit and belief
Witness my hand and Seal this 18th day of July AD 1819 e. Schaeffer Seal

Lancaster City
Evidence has been produced before me satisfactory that Joseph and Jacob Marsh are the only children of the late Eliza Marsh widow of John Marsh a reputed enlisted soldier of the revolution deceased and that the widow died on the 27th of June 1847 Witness my hand and Seal this 28th day of July AD 1849  E Schaeffer Seal
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County
On this 28th day of July AD 1849 Personally appeared before me Walter G Evans an Alderman in and for the County aforesaid. Samuel Ehrman a resident of Hempfield Township in the County aforesaid aged 45 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say as follows- I am a Cabinet maker and undertaker, I made Mrs Eliza Marsh's Coffin and attended her funeral-She was buried on the 30th of June 1847 in the menonist grave yard, Hempfield Township, in the County aforesaid-I cannot recollect the date of her death from my knowledge as I took no note of it but she was buried on the 3rd day after death the day that she was buried on I have noted in my day book (made charge of the Coffin)   I had not acquaintance with John Marsh in his lifetime, as I did not reside in the County I removed to the Township about 25 years ago since then I have known Mrs Marsh until the day of her death. when i first came in the Township she was pointed out to me as the widow of John Marsh an old revolutionary soldier who had served faithfully for his Country. She always bore the reputation of being an old soldiers widow- She was  street menonist, and held to  that denomination until her death-Her sons Joseph and Jacob I am well acquainted with they are the only children of Eliza Marsh widow of John Marsh a reputed soldier of the revolution
Further deponent saith not. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me. Walter G Evans  Saml. Ehrman
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Lancaster City
Personally appeared before me the subscribed an Alderman in and for said City before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken: Do Certify that Samuel Ehrman (Cabinet Maker) is a highly respectable Citizen of East Hempfield Township and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief Witness my hand and Seal this 28th day of AD 1849 Walter G Evans Seal

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County
On this 28th day of July AD 1849 Personally appeared before me Walter G Evans in Alderman in and for said County. Jacob Barder a resident of the Township of East Hempfield in the County aforesaid aged Seventy four years (farmer) who being first duly affirmed according to law, doth depose and say as follows   I first became acquainted with John Marsh a reputed soldier of the revolution about the year 1790, he removed from Lancaster Township (Which adjoins the City of Lancaster) to East Hempfield and resided here until his death which occurred sometime in the year 1816.  the said Marsh was a sober and industrious man, he was a laborer, and would do any kind of work on a farm=and he could always get employment in the neighborhood in preference to others, which was on account of the respect they had for him, for his services in the revolution, I never had any doubts as to his services in the war. As he bore an unexceptionable character for truth on this account he was always believed. I had conversa
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tion with persons who had the reputation of being wars men and they always stated that John Marsh was a soldier of the revolution (those persons that I had this conversation have long since died) When the said Marsh removed to this Township he had papers showing his services, as he had shown them to me and others, but whether it was a discharged I am unable to say. I have had conversation with the said John Marsh in his lifetime in this conversation he stated that the Regiment that he belonged to was the "German Regiment", and that it was the best drilled Regt. in the war, he also stated the hardships that he endured, in consequence of not having sufficient clothing in winter, and that their feet were not protected from the weather, that when the weather broke up and Spring came, then feet were so tender that them could March a short distance in a day, and were not able to endure fatigue and also stated that the officers of his Company were very severe and strict and that he was glad when the war ended, and that he would never enlist again nor permit any of his sons enlisted if he could prevent it. he stated that he enlisted in the beginning of the war and served until the end and that he had been married sometime before he enlisted and that during his absence his child died his brother Joseph I also was acquainted with he was dissipated man he died sometime in the year 1799 (he never was married to my knowledge) he had the reputation of serving in the war with his brother John 
The widow Eliza Marsh I was well acquainted with in her lifetime, she belonged to the same denomination that I belonged the "Menonists." I am not a member at present have not been for about five years in consequence of having had a suit against a commissioner merchant for a large amount of grain that he had obtained from me and failed in his business in consequence of which
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it was necessary for me to bring suit or else I would have lost a large amount of money for this act the Society suspended me I have hears of persons speaking to the old lady in her lifetime about making application for money from the Government for the Services of her husband in the war but that she would never give them any satisfaction and told them that she had no need for money )although she was very poor they could not persuade her to leave her Society however the society done for her with the assistance of her sons
The said Eliza Marsh (widow of John Marsh a reputed soldier of the revolution) died sometime in the month of June 1847 leaving two sons Joseph and Jacob Mrash the only children
Affirmed and subscribed the day and aforesaid before me. Walter G Evans Jacob Barder
Lancaster Cioty
Personally appeared before me the subscribed and alderman in and for said City before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken Do certify that Jacob Barder is a highly respectable farmer of East Hempfield Township and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief
Witness my hand and Seal this 28th day of AD 1849 Walter G Evans Seal
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State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County
On this 30th day of July AD 1849 Personally appeared before me Walter G Evans and Alderman in and for said County Jonas Mumma a resident of the Township of East Hempfield, aged Sixty years and upwards (farmer) who being first duly assumed according to law doth depose and say as follows:
I first became acquainted with John Marsh about   the year 1804, he done laboring work for my father on his farm, I then was a boy and at home with my father, the said Marsh was always called the "old Soldier." by all the boys in the neighborhood and also by my father's men  working on his farm. We had always the greatest respect for him as we had been told that he had served during the whole revolutionary war, he frequently would relate in the evening to the working men his service, and they appeared to be much interested din him , giving accounts of the hardships that he endured and also related many anedotes I cannot recollect any of his conversation, to repeat, but I was about the war, as I was young at the time. I did not change my memory about it I never heard a single person in the lifetime of said Marsh doubt at all that he had served in the war but bore the reputation of an old Soldier of the revolution until the day of his death which occurred sometime in the year 1816. I was present at his funeral it was the largest funeral that had been there for many years. I recollect well that the report in the neighborhood was that the soldiers were coming from  Lancaster to bury him but they did not come on account of the distance from the City. The widow I also knew well Aliza Marsh. She was a menonist, I had often heard persons state that they hand mentioned to her
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that she was entitled to money from the U.S. Government on account of the services of her husband in the Revolution, but that she refused making application stated that it was wrong to apply to the Government for pension for fighting in the war and that she never would do it. The Society had been very kind to her in her old age they assisted heir her sons being poor with large families. I was present at her funeral she died sometime in June 1847. I did not take note of the date of the month her sons I am well acquainted there is but two. Joseph (the present applicant for pension) and Jacob Marsh the old lady's age at her death was ninety two years. Further deponent saith not-
Affirmed and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me.
Walter G Evans    J. Parsons

Lancaster City
Personally appeared before me the subscribed and Alderman in and for said City, before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken Do Certify that Jonas Mumma is a highly respectable farmer of East Hempfield Township and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief.
Witness my hand and Seal this 30th day of July AD 1849
Walter G. Evans Ald
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State of Pennsylvania 
Lancaster County
On this 30th day of July AD 1849 Personally appeared before me Walter G Evans an Alderman in and for said County. George Ganiber a resident of East Hempfield Township in the County aforesaid aged seventy three years (Farmer) who being first duly affirmed according to law doth depose and say as follows- I first became acquainted with John Marsh a reputed soldier of the revolution about the year 1790. When he removed to Hempfield Township with his family the said Marsh frequently done laboring work for my father. I recollect on several occasions that he and his wife (Eliza Marsh) broke flase for us I knew him intimately from the time that he removed to the Township until the day of his death which occurred in the year 1816 I often heard him relate his services in the revolutionary war to persons that he was in Company with. I heard him relate his services at my fathers house, I recollect distinctly stating that he belonged to the German Regiment and that they were the best drilled in the Army at that time and that he joined the service early in the revolution and remained until Peace was declared I recollect a circumstance that occurred at my fathers the said Marsh was relating his services to some persons, his wife being within hearing she remarked that he could not of thought much of his wife and child to leave them destitute and not knowing that he would ever get to see them again he then remarked that his brother had persuaded him off stating to him that a soldiers life was a fine one but that he found that out to his hearts content, but that he never was sorry for what he had done for his Country  although he was employed in preference to others who were better workers than he was
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still this was in consequence of broken Constitution from exposures in the camp, every person was satisfied with that fact, and never doubted but that he had been a faithful wars men, the farmers would always do for him, when there was not work to be done if he was in want, his neighbors would always supply him with every thing that he stood in need of he was a very sober man. If I recollect right he never touched spirits liquors in his lifetime, I heard him state this I often heard him state that he enlisted in Lancaster, sometime after he was married to his wife (Eliza), and that his brother Joseph enlisted about the same time, and that some others hand joined their company from Lancaster but not recollect of any names being mentioned.
I was also well acquainted with his widow in her lifetime (Eliza Marsh) she had been often many years ago at my father's house. I have frequently called at her own house in her lifetime, had frequently sent her flour She was a strict member of the Menonist Society. I know to my own knowledge, that persons have spoken to her in her lifetime to make application for a pension but her answer was that she did not want Government money for her husbands fighting in the war. She had joined this Society a short time after her husband's death and remained a member until her death. I was present at her funeral She was buried sometime in June 1847 in Menonist grave yard her age was ninety two years this was announced at the grave. There is two sons that survive the mother Joseph and Jacob Marsh only heirs. Affirmed and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Walter G Evans Ald
Geo Gamben
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Lancaster County
Personally appeared before me the subscribed and Alderman in for said before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken. do certify that George Gamber is a highly respectable farmer of East Hempfield Township and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief
Witness my hand and Seal this 30th day of July AD 1849 Walter G Evans Seal Ald
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I John C Baker Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of the Holy Trinity in the City of Lancaster in the County of Lancaster and the State of Pennsylvania. Do certify that the following extract showing the marriage of John Marsh and Eliza Kendis taken from the records of said Church to with from a Register of marriages kept by Reverend Henry Muhlenburg formerly Pastor of said Congregation is a time copy of the record in fair legible figured as follows
1774 Sept 3 (unreadable) John Marsh and Eliza Sept l.N.
Which said record was written and kept by the said Reverend Henry Muhlenburg in the German language in the aforesaid Resister the record of which said marriage being translated into the English language is as follows
1774 Sept 3 According to Proclamation John Marsh and Eliza Beam, the being married.
I John C Baker above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of the Holy Trinity in the City county and State aforesaid, and that the above German extract is a true extract from the records of said Congregation and that the English translation of the same is a fair translation Sworn to and subscribed this 24th day of July anno Attest  Domin 1849.
Walter G Evans Ald    John c Baker Paster h.t.
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State of Pennsylvania Lancaster County 
I Henry Stock, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Lancaster. Do certify that Emmanuel Scheaffer Esq before whom the foregoing declaration was had and certificate of heirs and death of the widow attached to declaration is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that Walter G Evans Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were had (viz: Samuel Ehouran, Jacob Pardo, Jonas Mumma, George Gauber and certificate of marriage Rev John C Baker) is an acting Alderman in and for the City of Lancaster duly elected commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signatures supporting to be their are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court as Lancaster the 31st day July A.D. 1849.  Henry Stock Prothy
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Eliza Marsh
widow of John
Pennsylvania
Suspended...crossed out
Rejected
See let 5th Oct
A Ro
(deserted)
Act 4 July 1836
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6010
P.O. Eliza Marsh
Service: John
Received
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Washington August 7 1869
James L Edwards
Court of Pension
Fri
I enclose herewith a declaration in the case of Eliza Marsh deceased widow of John Marsh, claiming the benefits of the act 7 July 1828
(unreadable signature)
very respectfully yours on (unreadable)
Alex Vay