Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6154, for Joseph Sturgis, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE   Penn.
Sturgis, Joseph
or Sturges
NUMBER  S.6154
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30. 372         
Pennsylvania    
Joseph Sturges of Luzerne Co in the State of Penn’a who was a private in the Compy commanded Captain McElvaine of the regt commanded Col in the Penn’a Mil’a for six months Joseph Sturgis   
Records corrected          
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.           
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of January 1836 and sent to N.B. Wright Wilkesboro - Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1835 $90              
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mch 36   10
$ 100 –
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832} 
Recorded by Wm T. Allison Clerk  
Book S2.  Vol. 5   Page 57
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1833       
State of Pennsylvania     
Luzerne County Ss}        
On this 5th day of August 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon David Scott and C.D. Shoemaker William S. Ross Esquire his associates, composing a court of Common pleas of Luzerne County Joseph Sturges aged seventy six years and upon 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 was born in the City of Lancaster on the 25 day of April A.D 1757 of which he has now no record That about the 1st of August 1777 was drafted in a company of Malitia
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Commanded by Captain McElvain of Roxborough in Phil’a County, for a period of two months - was in and about Wilmington - that during this tour he was in Battle of Brandywine That at the end of the tour of two months he was discharged -- his discharge was written   
2 mo.}
That about the 1st of October he was again drafted at Roxborough in a company of Penn’a Malitia under the command of Captain Mathew Holgate under the general command of General Potter - that he marched to Montgomery County – was about German Town & was in the Battle of German Town at the end of this period of two months he was discharged. - He believes his discharge was not written - and he thinks during this tour he assisted in raising the “Red Bank” so called
2 mo}
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That about the first of December 1777 He thinks he went as a volunteer or a tour of two months - enlisted at Roxborough in the County of Philadelphia in Captain Helgates company - was really stationed about Bristol, Binleyton &c. - said Company was attached to the Brigade of Gen’l Mifflin he believes - this period he was at the cannonade of Trenton and there received a shot thro his ear - incision of which or perforation is now visible - and be in consequence of which he was prevented from being of the battle of Princeton the next morning which was he believes on the 3 Jany 1777 - After he received the wound in the ear he returned home after being out about one month - He had he believes no written discharge of that time.  
That he thinks in the Summer of 1778 he believes in June he was drafted it Roxborough, of said he was drafted in the
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Pennsylvania Malitia in Captain Mathew Helgates Company for a period of two months – he was stationed in and about Roxborough aforesaid-  as he thinks immediately after the British had evacuated the City of Philadelphia – At the end of said period was discharged – not written –
2 mo }    
That on (he thinks about the) first of December 1780 or January, he enlisted in the United States troops, at Roxborough aforesaid for a period of seven months in a company commanded by Captain Lusks company - 1st Lieut. Reeny attached to Colonel Walter Stuarts regiment (he believes the 7th regiment)  - He marched into New Jersey while stationed a sentinel at Stony point he saw Arnold pass down the North river - From  Stony point be marched to Tappan where he remained the remainder
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of his term awaiting the landing of the British from N. York - the end of the seven months he had a written discharge which he has since lost – 
That he was out on another tour of two months, previous to the tour of 7 months under he believes Captain Luck but cannot now recollect by reason of extreme infirmity where he was stationed & to what regiment attached 
2 mo}  
He herby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares his name is not on the agency of any State - That after his last tour of service he returned to Roxborough he lived some thirty years and nine when he removed to Luzerne County his present place of Residence. He respectfully refers the court to Captain William Holgate a living witness to prove his service in
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part - and to William House and John Holgate as persons to certify to his Character for truth and veracity and the belief of his being a revolution Soldier.  That there is no clergyman residing in Covington -           
Joseph Sturgis
Sworn and subscribed in open Court this August fifth 1834 before me
H. Pettibone Prot }
John Holgate being duly sworn in open Court, aged fifty two years and upwards says that he has known Joseph Sturges for a period of forty years and upwards - That he has resided in his fathers family for that period. That he has full confidence in his Character for truth and veracity and believe the above declaration to be true, and that he has always been deemed and deputed among his friends & neighbors to have been a soldier of the revolution -    
John Holgate
Sworn and the in open Court August 5. 1834 before me
H. Pettibone Prot }
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Before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of peace in and for the County of Phil’a in the Commonwealth of Penn’a personally appeared this day Capt Wm Holgate of Lower Merion in the County of Montgomery who solemn oath doth depose & say that he is well acquainted with Joseph Sturges of Luzerne County in the State of Penn’a That he served with the said Joseph during the Revolutionary war in the years 1777 1778 and 1779 that he was at the Battle of Brandywine & Germantown & Trenton -  that he served under Capt. Holgate Capt Snyder was under the command of Genl - Anthony Wayne for Seven months in actual service had a musket ball through his Ear at the Battle of Trenton from which he suffered much
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That he was honourably discharged at close of the year  
That he is now poor and in his Seventy Sixth year of his age and entirely unable to provide for himself all which the foregoing I hereunto set my hand this 16th day of October Anno Domini 1833 -  Wm. Holgate
Sworn & subscribed before me date above 
F. Murphy Justice of Peace [seal]   
I do hereby certify that William Holgate above mentioned whose name is subscribed is every way worthy of Credit is known personally & by his character to be a man of Truth & Veracity & & every way worthy of Credit 
Witness my hand & seal 17th of Oct 1833
F. Murphy
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Philadelphia County ss     
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the City & County of Philadelphia  Do hereby certify that F Murphy Esq is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Philadelphia duly Commissioned and Qualified and that full faith & credit is Justly due to all his acts as such       
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Same Court the 28 day of May AD 1834 
R Palmer Protonotary
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State of Pennsylvania    
Luzerne County SS }     
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 County further certifies that John Holgate and William House are residents of Covington and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.   I Henry Pettibone Prothonotary of Luzerne County of the Court of Common pleas in said County do herby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Sturgis for a pension    
In testimony whereof I I have set my hand and seal of office the 14th day of August 1834-    
H. Pettibone Prot.
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Before me Amasa Hollister Jr one of the Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Luz.  personally came William House Pastor of the Greenfield Church in said County and being duly sworn according to law deposes and sayeth that from the best information he can obtain from those that have been acquainted with Joseph Sturgis the said applicant that he has been a Revolutionary soldier and a man of truth and is about Seventy six years of age   
William House Jr. Pastor    
Affirmed & Subscribed October 21st 1833 Before me            
Amasa Hollister Jr. J. Peace
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Amended Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed on the day of June 1832    
At a Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Luzerne State of Pennsylvania now sitting -to wit- Aug. 5, 1835.    Personally appeared in open court Joseph Sturgis aged 76 years and upwards who being duly sworn depose and say           
That he is an old and infirm man and that his memory is considerably impaired but that he is still of the opinion that he enlisted as stated in his original declaration in the Malitia of Pennsylvania at Roxborough  as stated before in 1780 as he believes in January for a period of seven months -- He states that he believes the was a requisition of men required for some purpose of which he does not now recollect and the means resorted to for raising said Corps as follows- That two men should enlist for a County from each company of Militia in his vicinity - That
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he was one of the two who enlisted in his Company - and that he received as his bounty $1700.00 in Continental money which was much depreciated at that time. That when so enlisted he went to the Barracks in the City of Phild’a and there remained till a company was made up and then they went on board a shallop and went to Trenton - Thence he marched to Tappan and there staid as stated in his original declaration -  
Then he believes he was in [unreadable] the time he was at the cannonade of Trenton but that he bears the marks of a wound on the side of his head and Ear received in said battle – but that he believes it was before the time as stated before.   
He faith refer to the evidence of Christopher Ozias a witness he has lately found to testify to his services in part - and with whom he is well acquainted – He has produced all his evidence in the matter and is now an old
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and infirm and without any means of support save Manuel Labor              
Joseph Sturgis
Sworn and subscribed Aug. 5, 1835 - in open Court }    
H. Pettibone Prot, 
I Henry Pettibone Prothonotary of Luzerne County do certify that the above amended together with the affidavit of Christopher Ozias - we added to the enjoined declaration of Joseph Sturgis and that there with the original are all the procedings of said Court in the matter of Joseph Sturgis for a pension – 
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office at Wilkes Barre in said County this 7th day of August 1835    
H Pettibone Prot -
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Pa.  33.179
Joseph Sturges
allow for 6 months  $20
M.
H. B. Wright Esqr
Wilkesbarre Pa
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Philadelphia County SS.     
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Philadelphia Christopher Ozias of Roxborough Township and County aforesaid and made oath that he is well acquainted with Joseph Sturges formerly of Roxborough aforesaid and now of Luzerne County Pennsylvania and that he served with Sturges in the Pennsylvania line and was with him in the Battle of Germantown in the year 1777 and further saith that he knows his being out in two or three campaigns when this said Deponent was not with him and that Sturges was in the Battle of Trenton and Saw him two days after and that he saw the wound in the Ear that Sturges Rec’d in said Battle of Trenton, and further saith not 
Christopher Ozias
Taken & Subscribed before me May 27th 1835    
Sam’l H. Slingluff  
Philadelphia County Ss  
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the City & County of Philadelphia Do hereby Certify that Samuel H. Samuel H Slinghuff Esq who hath subscribed his name to the foregoing attestation is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Philadelphia duly Commissioned and Qualified and that full faith and Credit is Justly unto all his acts as such -    
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court the 29th day of May AD 1835 
R. Palmer Proty
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In reply to your request of received for a statement of the military history of Joseph Sturgis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his  application for pension on file in this Bureau.    
S. 6154         
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  Dec 1776    LENGTH OF SERVICE.   To Jan 3 1777  RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Holgate   STATE. Penn 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  Aug. 1 1777   LENGTH OF SERVICE.  2 mos.    RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain McElvain  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Oct 1 1777    LENGTH OF SERVICE.  2 mos.  RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain Matthew Holgate 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  June 1778   LENGTH OF SERVICE. 2 mos.    RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Matthew Holgate    
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. June 1778    LENGTH OF SERVICE.  2 mos.   RANK.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Lusk 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  June 1 1780   LENGTH OF SERVICE.  7 mos.    RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Lusk Colonel Walter Stuart  
Battles engaged in, Trenton, Brandywine & Germantown, sustained gunshot wound of ear at Battle of Trenton.
Residence of soldier at enlistment Roxborough Phila    
Date of application for pension, Aug 1834, His claim was allowed    
Residence at date of application,  Luzerne Co. Penn.
Age at date of application, born Apl 1757 at Lancaster Penn.  
Remarks: [unreadable] to Auditor of the Int. Dept. U. S. Treasury D. C. etc etc.
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner.
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Rev War Section.    
March 13, 1913.   
Miss Anna M. Shaw,          
Jersey Shore, Pa.          
Madam:    
In response to your letter dated the 1"" and received the 3d instant, you are herewith furnished the military history of Joseph Sturgis, Sur. File 6,154, and advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John Crawford, Robert Shaw, John Montgomery, Peter Poorman, Amos Sturgis and James Crawford, described by you.  
The pension of Major James Crawford under the Act of March 29, 1813, referred to in the Pennsylvania Archives, was granted him by that state, and for information in regard thereto you should address the Secretary of the State of Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Very respectfully,         
J.L. Davenport  
Commissioner.
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No. 33.179
Suspended
Pennsylvania
Joseph Sturges
August 20 - 1835
See letter to H. B. Wright
Augt 20 1835.
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Jersey Shore, Pa.    
March 1, 1913.        
The Pension Department,     
Washington, D.C.   
My dear sirs-  
In reply to your letter dated Feb. 27 beg leave to say that it is recorded in the Pa. Archives that my ancestor Major James Crawford was granted a pension per act 29th March 1843 (see page 198 Vol x1 2nd series)  He was major of 12th Pa regiment. Col Wm Cooke residence Northumberland -
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Jersey Shore, Pa.    
March 1, 1913.        
The Pension Department,     
Washington, D.C.   
My dear sirs-  
In reply to your letter dated Feb. 27 beg leave to say that it is recorded in the Pa. Archives that my ancestor Major James Crawford was granted a pension per act 29th March 1843 (see page 198 Vol x1 2nd series)  He was major of 12th Pa regiment. Col Wm Cooke residence Northumberland -
Co. - born 1730 died 1817 - widow Agnes    
Tradition says that John Crawford father the above also served He was from Lancaster or Dauphin Co. Pa. born about 1710 -    
Robert Shaw after the War moved to Venango Co Pa  - he died about 1827 his 1 widow Eliza - my idea to get pension is to get information I dont have   
please give this one your especial attention – I dont know exactly where he enlisted I hope to find that out -
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John Montgomery's wifes name was Martha at one time lived in Dauphin or Lancaster Co’s   born in about 1710 -              
Peter Poormans wife was Katharine - lived in Lancaster Co. Died after 1781 – 
If you have either Amos or Joseph Sturgis see your lists will you please send me copy of record - There was only one each these names in Pa I believe             
Hoping you may be able to give me desired information  
I am very truly yours, 
(Miss) Anna M. Shaw
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Revolutionary
6154.
INVALID
File no. 6154
* Joseph Sturges
Pri  Rev  War
Act:  June 14 32
Index:- Vol. M  Page 359
[Arrangement of 1870]
* Joseph Sturgis
Records corrected
1911 Mch 12 Miss Anna m. Shaw
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Dec 28
Pa - 
Joseph Sturgis
Pa.
WILKESBARRE PA DEC 24
Free
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington D. C.
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Wilkes-Barre Dec 24, 1835     
J. L. Edwards, Esquire
Com of Pensions} 
Dr Sir    
I am instructed by Joseph Sturges to state to the War Department that if under the rules laid down, he has not made sufficient proof of the tour of 7 mos.  under Col. Stuart in the Penna line of U.S. troops, as will appear by his declaration to [unreadable] the Department to allow him for the other terms of service their specified, and proved - From the fact of his extreme poverty, and the marks on his body of the wounds Received in the Cannonade of Trenton the stem Justice of his case would seem to demand not too rigid a Construction of the pension Law- 
Your Obt Svt
 H.B. Wright
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H. B. Wright
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War Department         
Pension Office          
August 21 1834   
Sir,
The papers in the case of Joseph Sturges have been again examined, and they are herewith returned, his statement is still unsatisfactory, He alleges to have served in the Militia of Pennsylvania in the fall of 1777, during which time he was in the battle of Brandywine and Germantown &c. The battles took place at the time stated, and he may be correct in regard to the services performed by him at the time; but the statement is incorrect, in regard to his having been at the battle of Trenton, after having served as stated above. His claim for seven months service in 1780 is also objectionable, There were no enlistments for so short a period, he enlisted to serve for a greater length of time than is set forth, it should be so stated, and a satisfactory reason assigned why he did not continue longer in service, such proof of his services under his enlistment should be exhibited as is required in note in the enclosed printed sheet, No allowance can be made for tours of service as militia Man, Excepting, where a full and specific statement of all the particulars connected with the service, shall be Given,    
I am Respectfully,
Your Obt Servant
J. L. Edwards
H. B. Wright Esqr 
Wilkesbarre Pa.
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J. L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Pension
W. City
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Wilkes Barre Aug 8, 1835    
J. L. Edwards Esq      
Com of Pensions    
I hereby transmit the amended papers of Aaron Wright and Joseph Sturges - I hope they may be pulled by the Dept at an early period if convenient. The affidavit of Christopher Ozias taken in Phil’a has not accompaning in the statement that he is a person of credibility under the hand of the Justice – 
I hope from the evidence before the depot - this may be waived as he is very old and infirm and has now walked 27 miles three times to get his papers arrayed & he says he will be unable to make another trip - - 
We Might also traveled into the State of N. York to get the evidence of Jas Medbury - I think the difficulty in relation to Col Trumball is now by plausably settled & [unreadable]
Your Obt Svt.
 H.B. Wright