Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,648, for Michael Kern, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

Kern, Michael

NUMBER S.5648


carded

CONTENTS
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Pennsylvania
32,177
Michael Kern
===============
OF BERKS COUNTY IN THE STATE OF PENNA. WHO WAS A PRIV. IN THE CO. COMMANDED BY CAPTAIN - OF THE - COMMANDED BY - IN THE REV. WAR LINE FOR 8 MOS. Pa. Line, records completed.   STS
================
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 36 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of July 1814 and sent to Hon. John Riller Reading, Pa. 
==================
Appears to the 4th of ____
Semi-anl: allowance ending _____

(Revolutionary Claim}
(Act June 7, 1834.)

Recorded by F. L. Swann Clerk,
Book e, Vol. 5, Page 35.


Ltr to J. M. Jones Feb 26, 45.
Page 3

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the Acts of Congress June 7th A. D. 1832.
State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Ss}

On this 12th day March A. D,.1844 personally appeared in open Court,  Before the adjourned Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Michael Kern, a resident of Exeter Township the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, aged nearly Eighty Seven years, on the 4th day of May [illegible] AD, 1844 I will be Eighty seven years of age, should I live so long who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th A.D. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
I was a resident of Germantown near Philadelphia when the Revolutionary War commenced with England, I am now a resident of Berks County Pennsylvania, I have lived here ever since the close of the Revolution, I have served Six months and three weeks in the war of the Revolution, in four different drafts of two months each in the Pennsylvania Militia.
First (underlined) I was drafted for two months in August A.D. 1776.  It was soon after the declaration of Independence; and was under the following officers  Thomas Dunning (re Duncan) Captain, Samuel Schriver  Lieutenant, William Wanner  Sergent, Hills Co.  I was marched to Asbury New Jersey, Asbury was our headquarters, the Brittish lay on long Island at this time, I think
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there was about 1500 Soldiers of us there at this time, I served out these two months.
Second,(underlined) I was drafted the following winter for two months and marched under Schneider Capt. Hill I think was our Colonel, I do not at this time remember the first names of Capt. Schneider or Col Hills, I do not at this time recolect the names of the other officers, I was at Trenton New Jersey a good part of this tour.  I was not in any battle in this tour the Army was divided and I did not get with them that were in the battle that happened during this tour in New Jersey, I served out this tour of two months.
Third, (underlined) I was drafted for two months, and under Captain Schneider we marched down the Delaware to Wilmington there we had a general review; General Potter then and there took the command; McGraw (or McGaw) was our Colonel we then marched to Newport, from thence to Brandywine, there we halted, and at 3 o clock in the morning the Battle commenced and continued on all day, night at last us overtook and general retreat was made, I was in this battle all the time, it was a bloody day I was glad when night came, I was not wounded,not a ball touched me that whole time I served out these two months.
Fourth,(underline) I was drafted for two months for an expedition to New York we marched to New Jersey and lay in camp this side of Trenton John Robeson was my Captain, I do not recollect any of the other officers names, this was towards the close of the war, I cannot give you the particular dates but I know this, that before we were marched any further than New Jersey, Cornwallis
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was taken at Yorktown, soon after the news came us were discharged and we went home, I was out this last time, only between three and four weeks.  That he has no documentary evidence of his service, and knows of no person now living by whom he can prove his service.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declared that his name is not on the Pension Rolls of the Agency of any State, and that he never in his life received a cent of pension from any where that he now is in indigent circumstances, old and inform, and hopes for a favorable answer
Michael Kern X his mark
Affirmed and Subscribed before me March 12. 1844
Matthias V. Richards a Judge of Berk County
Witness present
H. Rhoads
James May Jines
We Rev Charles W. Shults a Clergyman, residing in the County of Berk and David Etely-residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Michael Kern who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be nearly Eighty Seven years of age, as he states; 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 opinions
Charles W Schults
David Eterly
Sworn and subscribed this 12th March. 1844
Mathias  V. Richards a Judge of Berks County.
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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 certifys that it appears to them that Charles W Shults who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman; resident in the County of Berks and that Daniel Esterly who has signed the same, is a resident in the County aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.
Mathias V. Richard one of the Judges of the Court of Berks County. Penn.d

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Ss.
I Daniel Young Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Berk County do  certify that Mattias V. Richards is one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County, duly appointed and commissioned, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are true and genuine-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Reading
April 3. 1844
Daniel Young Prothonotary
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V.L.M;Our

IN REPLY REFER TO  3-1854
Rev.War Section

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON

January 9, 1930.

Honorable Arthur G. DeWalt,
House of Representatives.

My dear Mr. DeWalt:
In reply to your letters dated the  8" instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension Claim. S.F. 5648 , 
 (claim number underlined), in appears that Michael Kern (name underlined) was born May 4, 1757 and while residing in Germantown Pennsylvania enlisted in August 1776 and served in the Pennsylvania Troops as a Private under Captain Thomas Dunning or Duncan and Colonel Hill (underlined), two months.
The following winter he served under Captain Schneider and Colonel Hill two months.
In 1777 under Captain Schneider and Colonel Magaw, and was in the Battle of Brandywine, served two months.
In 1781 he served under Captain John Robason between three and four weeks.
He was allowed pension on an application executed March 12, 1844 while a resident of Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.  There is no data on file as to his family.
Very truly yours,
E.C. Tieman
Acting Commissioner.
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information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  
Michael Kern S.F. 5648

DATES OF ENLIST OR APPOINTMENT.
Aug. 1776
Following  winter
1777
1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
2 mos.
2 Mos.
2 mos.
both 3 and 4 weeks

RANK.
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.

CAPTAIN.
Thomas Dunning or Duncan
Schneider
Schneider
John Roberson

COLONEL.
Hill
Hill
Martin
Martin

STATE.
Penn

Battles engaged in, Brandywine
Residence eof soldier at enlistment, Germantown, Penn
Date of application for pension, March 12, 1844  His cl al
Residence at date of application, Exeter Twp. Berks Co. Penn.
Age at date of application,, b. May 4, 1757
Remarks: No family data.

1844
  87
______
1757
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5648 Rev War
INVALID
File No.  5648
Michael Kern
Pri- Rev War
Act: June 7th "32
Index:-Vol. M, Page 202
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1912 Feby 19 Hist to Mrs. James B. May
522 Walnut St. Cattasanqne Pa J.L.M.
1920 Jany 9 Hist to Hon A. J. Dewalt
1922 March 27 Hist. to Mary J. Cooper
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(stamp Jefferson 1 cent)
(stamp [illegible]  Feb 25 1922 [illegible] PA)
THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
(stamp CHIEF'S DESK RECORD FED 21 1922
DIVISION  [illegible] [illegible] PENSIONS)
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Finleyville Pa. R.D.Z.
Rev. Sec
Feb. 24. 1922.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir:- Please give Rev. War record of Michael Kern of Berk's Co., Penn. Militia, sent same to
Mrs. Samuel Downer
Monongahela Pa.
Thanking you 
I am very truly
Mary J. Cooper.
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ARTHUR G. DEWALT
13TH DISTRICT PA.
HOME ADDRESS
ALLENTOWN, PA.

House of Representatives U.S.
Washington, D.C.
January 8, 1920.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Dept. of the Interior,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Commissioner:
I am herewith enclosing a letter which is self-explanatory.
Can you furnish me with the desired information?
Please return the letter.
Very truly yours,
Arthur Dewalt

Letter from Edward L. Kern
527 Douglas St.
Reading, Pa. returned to Mr. DeWalt Jan 9. 1920

(stamp [illegible] G U.S. Jan 9 1920 OFFICE)
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(stamp PENSION D
U.S. FEB. 13 1912 OFFICE.)
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522 Walnut St.
Calasangna-Pa.

Commissioner of Pensions-
Dear Sir:
I am desirous of becoming a member of the D.A.R.- and wrote to the War Department for the Revolutionary records of Michael Kern ( underlined and number added 85648) and Isaac Boone (underlined) of Pa.  but can get no information there-and was advised by the Adj.-General to write to
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you.
Thanking you for any information you can give, I am 
Very truly
Mrs. James B. May
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35684
Michael Kern
Pen.
Let to Hon J. Ritter June '44

Act. 7 June  1832
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35684
Application of
Michael Kern
for a Pension under
act 7th June 1832

admd-
8 mo pri
26.66

Hon. J Ritter
Reading Pa
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House of Repr.           April 10,1844
J.L. Edwards Esqr.

Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith papers relative to Pensions, which have been entrusted to me for that purpose. By bestowing your early attention  [illegible] to the same, you would much oblige.
Respectfully Your's
M E Ritter
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House of Reps.  June 15, 1844.

James L. Edwards, Esqr.
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith papers as " proof in the case of Michael Kern of Exeter Township, Berks county, Pa" an applicant for Pension.
The answers you will please to direct to me at Reading, Pa, as early as convenient.
I have the honor to be
very respectfully yours
Jno Ritter
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State of Penn
Berks County Ss.

Personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court in and for said County.  David Esterly Esqr. residing in the Borough of Reading formerly in Exeter township Berks county, and being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say that he is well acquainted with Michael Kern of Exeter township aforesaid, for a period of thirty years at least.-Michael Kern is an aged man and supposed him to be about ninety years of age, frequently heard Michael Kern say that he had been a [illegible] mate with the father of this deponent in the War of the Revolution.  This deponents father is dead about twenty one years, and always understood his father to say, he had served as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War under Captain Wagner.-that deponent thinks his father had also said that he and Kerns had been [illegible]. others also who had lived in Exeter township had been out in service but are all gone to their  long home and knows of no other reputed Revolutionary soldiers living about the neighborhood at this time-is well aware that Michael Kern's has always been refuted in the neighborhood as having been a Revolutionary Soldier.  and from the knowledge of him as a correct and honest man in his reputation believe his statement [illegible] of his services to be true, and worthy of credit
David Esterly

Sworn and subscribed the 11th day of June AD 1844 before me}

Mathias V. Richards
a Judge of Berks Co.
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State of Pennsylvania
Berks County, ss.

    I Daniel Young Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County do certify that Mathias S. Richards is one of the Judges of said court in & for Berks County, duly appointed and commissioned, and that John Guldin is an Active Justice of the Peace in and for Berks County, duly elected and commissioned and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs, are true & genuine.  
    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county at Reading, June 12, AD 1844.
                                               //s//
                                       Daniel Young Prothy.

 Proof in the case
of Michael Kern of
Exeter, Berks Township
County, Pennsylvania.
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State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Ss.

Personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Associate Judges of the State of Pennsylvania in and for Berks County, James M. Jones, who being duly sworn according to law on his oath doth depose and say I have on several occasions visited Michael Kern of Exeter Township Berks County, who appears to be entirely ignorant of the Pension board, though he conceived he was entitled to a pension, he knew nothing of the manner of proceeding he told me he had made up his mind to visit the President of the United States, and see whether he was the man that granted the Pensions.  Now he feels desirous of having an early answer answer for fear Congress will adjourn, thinking that they pass a special Act for his case, the foregoing and other matters satisfy me that he never knew his rights with regard to a pension.
James M. Jones
Sworn and subscribed this 11. day of June A.D. 1844
Before me
Mathias  V. Richard one of the Judges in and 
for Berks County Penn.
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State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Ss}
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Michael Kern of Exeter Township who is a very old man I have been acquainted with him for upwards of Fifty years  I have heard him speak of his services in the War of the Revolution  There is not another soldier of the Revolution in this section of County Michael Kern is the last in our neighborhood.  I have heard him speak of his services at different times from fifty years back down to the present, he is a man entitled to credit I don't doubt but he has sworn to the truth in his declaration.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of June A D 1844
John Guldin
Justice of the Peace
Seal
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State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Ss}

Personally appeared before  the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Berks County Jeremiah Kine a neighbor and acquaintance of Michael Kern of Exeter township who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say Michael Kern is a very old man.  I have know him for many years, he is reputed to be a soldier of the War of the Revolution  I have often heard him tell of his services in the Revolution  I believe what he says to be honest and true-he is the last relic of the Revolution in this neighborhood and a man of integrity and what he says is entitled to credit
Jeremiah Kine
sworn to and subscribed this }
10th day of June 1844
before me.}
John Goldin
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State of Pennsylvania}
Berks County} ss.

    Personally before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Berks County, Dr. Jeremiah B. Kern who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, I am well acquainted with Michael Kern of Exeter Township, Berks County.  He is an old man, I have often heard him relate matters connected with his services in the War of the Revolution.  I have heard him speak of his services at different times for the last twenty years, he is reputed in the neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution, I believe what he has stated in his declaration to be strictly honest and true.
                                 //s//
                       Jeremiah B. Kerns
 Affirmed to and subscribed this\10th day of June 1844 before me a Justice of the Peace.
                                       //s//
                            John Golden

    I Mathias S. Richards, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Berks, Pennsylvania do certify that Jerimiah B. Kern, Jerimiah Hine, John Golden Esquire, James  May Jones, and David Esterly (the High Sheriff of the County) whose names are severally subscribed to the several depositions, are person personally known to me as credible persons, whose testimony would receive full faith and credit in a Court of Justice.
    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the seventh day of June A. Domini 1844.
                                                //s//
                                        Mathias S. Richards