Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 420, John Baker, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn
CONTENTS
Baker, John
NUMBER
R. 420
Page 2

Union County Pa
Declaration of
John Baker
23540

When a decision is made
upon this declaration information
to be given to
John Lashells Esq
New Berlin
Union County
Pa
Feb. 25. 1833
Page 3

Pennsylvania
Union County

On this Nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Thirty three personally appeared in open court of Common Pleas held at New Berlin in and for the County of Union before the Hon. Seth Chapman Esquire this associate Judge thereof, John Baker a resident of Union Township in the County of Union and State of Pennsylvania aged Seventy Seven years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832- 
That he entered the service of the United States and the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I resided in Upper Milford Township in Northampton County in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1777 when I volunteered in the seven of the United States
as a driver of a continental Team for
six months under Captain Cleaver, and continued in that service with the Regular Army, and was at the Battle of Brandywine and after the battle we went to Phila & Bethlehem & Valley Forge when I was discharged, after having served my tour of six months - my discharge was in writing signed by Capt
Cleaver, which is end.
In the Spring of 1778 I entered in the service of
the United States to cut straw for the continental Teams, in Northampton County Penn and on times in that service for three months.
About July 1778 I entered the service of the United States as a drafted militia man in the sixth class in Capt. Grangers Company in Northampton County Pa. our head quarters was at a large Stone House on the Lehigh, now in Lehigh County Pa
we were engaged in the inhabitants
against the attacks of the Indians, and continued
in that service for two months when I was
discharged
Page 4

I then entered the Service as a Shoemaker to make shoes for the continental Soldiers, I remained in this service one year at Allentown now Lehigh County Pennsylvania during which time I made three hundred and twelve pair of shoes and never received any pay for fifty pair except a trifle, making the whole of my service over year and eleven months
In consequence of the lapse of time and change of residence I have no person who
can know my actual services.
I was born in Germany on the 10th November 1755 and emigrated to the United States in the
year 1774 -
I have no record of my age but remember it well.
I lived in upper Milford Township Northampton
County Penna when first called into service
since the Revolution in 1794 I removed to them Northumberland now Union County P. where I now live.
As to the manner in which I was called into the
service I have stated in my declaration.
I was not with any of the regular troops except while during train as aforesaid-
I never received any other than a verbal discharge except one which is look
Christopher Lebold. George Keenan Esq and indeed many of the old respectable inhabitants of this county can testify as to my character for sincerity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution.
I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any Agency of any state
(signed)Johannes [illegible]
Subscribed in
open
Court the
February AD 1833
J Stillwell Prother
Page 5

We Just. Henry Fries a clergyman residing in the Mifflinburg Union County & Christopher Seebold residing in New Berlin U. County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Baker - 
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be seventy seven 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.-
Sworn and subscribed
in open Court
this 19 February 1833.
Just. Joseph Stillwell Pro
Just. Henry Fries
Christoph Seebold
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion,
after the investigation of the mater, 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 just Henry Fries who has
signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident
in the County of Union and that Christopher Seebold who has
signed the same is a resident in the said County
and is a credible person, and that their statement
is entitled to credit-
Seth Chapman
Hugh Wilson
Union County Pa
Joseph Stilwell Clerk 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 Baker for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hearunto set my hand and seal
of office this 19 day of Feby. 1833
J. Stilwell Prothy
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23540
John Baker
Union County
Pennsylvania

Rejected
See letter
11 May 1833

John Lashell,
New Berlin,
Pennsylvania
Page 7


WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir;
   The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: ⎬
You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Baker, Union County, Pennsylvania

Period when
service was rendered
Volunteer 1777
Volun. 1778
Drafted --
Entered -- 

-
Duration of the
claimant's service.
Months
┃ 6 
┃ 3
 |   2
Years
|   1

Rank of the
claimant.
┃ teamster
┃ to cut straw
┃ Private
  |  shoemaker

Names and Rank
of the Company
officers under
whom he served.
Capt
Cleaver
Captain
Greeneweyer

┃ Names and Rank ┃
of the General
and Field officers.

Battles in which the
applicant was engaged.
|  Brandywine

Country through which he marched.
|  Philadelphia
|  Bethlehem
|  Valley Forge
|  Large Stone House
|  Allentown

Place of abode when he entered
the service, and age at the present period.
|  77
|  Northampton
|  Penn.

Evidence by which the 
declaration is supported.
| tradition

"whole service 1 year 11 months"
12 months shoemaking
6 teaming!!
3 straw cutting!!!
} Not provided for by act of June 7, 1832

I am, respectfully,

Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

The signature of applicant does not look much like John Baker
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of County of }88.
On this      day of    personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of       in the county of
and State, Territory or District of    aged 
(c)    years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion [sic] made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)    , with    and served in the
(e) regiment of the    line, under the following named officers:
 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched.  
This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.         A. B.
{And then will follow the certificate of the Court}

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I       of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of       for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the   
and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with    , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be   
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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B.       who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,      Clerk of the Court of     do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of        for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this    day of     
&c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if 
neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible. the testimony of at least on credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected
therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{ Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of
the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, 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 periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For    year     months, and      
days, I served as a-     .  For     months and     days, I served as a      ;  and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is 
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i]The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certification.

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  
The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the 
magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, 
Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 10

'-
to
Advertised
John Baker Esq whereof
New Berlin
Union Ct
Pa
-
John Baker
Pa
"
Suspended


Prefer.
to
Cole
1
Mr Hassler
Page 11

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary
Pensioners, &c.*
STATE OF Pennsylvania
COUNTY of Union
Be it known that before me
John Swineford
Justice of the Peace
personally appeared
Peter Baker
aged 73 years, who being duly cautioned and
then sworn in due form of law, states that he is the only son of John Baker
who was a Revolutionary Cause & soldier in the State of Pennsylvania
and that he died on the 18th
day of September 1843 and that his mother, named
Elizabeth
died on the 3rd
day of February 1831, and that they were
married on the ay of
in the year 1779, and that they were residents of
in the State of Pennsylvania and that they resided there
years, and that
resides in Pennsylvania
and that furthermore
BY THESE
PRESENTS, constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of substitution, F. E. HASSLER, of Washington city, D. C., as his true and lawful Attorney for him and in his name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the U.S. Government
and State officers his rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension of Land, that may be due him as the son of John Baker who died leaving the same
undrawn, as in right of law he
may be entitled.
In witness whereof, he has on this eighth day of Nov 1852, hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal.
Witness: Jacob Mauck
Peter Dale  [seal]
Witness John P. Seebold
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Peter Baker
has always by the community been known as the son
of John Baker
Dated on this 8th
day of November
1852
John Someford
J. P.
of
to wit:
COUNTY of Union
hereby certify, That John Swineford
Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned
and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Union
County Court, this eighth
day of November one thousand eight
hundred and fifty two
J. Caster,  Clerk.
*If a widow applied, state the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband."
+State under what act pensioned, or when pension commenced, if a pensioner and amount of pension.
Page 12

Ex'r.
INVALID.
No. 420
John Baker
Service:
Enlisted:     , 18
Discharged:     , 18
Application filed:    , 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Page 13

23,540

John Baker
    Pa

420

Reg  act  1832
Page 14

John Baker
applied law 32 from Pa
I have a letter of invalid
dated Jany 25.56
from
Arad Joy