Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3791, William Etchberger, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE

Penn. [Pennsylvania] 

Etchberger, or Etchbery William 

Magdalena 

NUMBER

W. 3791
Page 2

4739
Maryland Roll

William Etchberger
              Etchbery
Penn [Pennsylvania]
Private -  

In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary war

Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 21st of April 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd of December 1819 and sent to Alex'r Nisbet Esq. Judge Baltimore

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818  4 mo 16/30  35.73
Semi-anl.all'ce ending 4th March 1819 - 48.

$83.73 [double underlined]

{Revolutionary claim, }
{Act 18th March, 1818}


City of Baltimore
Page 3

Dead. See letter 18 May 1837 to A. Yearly (Couldn't find)
Page 4

[Written on left side of page]
 352.
Maryland

Magdalina Etchberger widow of Wm Etchberger who was a Private in the Pennsylvania Line for eighteen months

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Sixty Dollars ------- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of June, 1843 and sent to Alex'r Yearley, Baltimore, Md 

]Act of March 3, 1843.]

Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 1  Page 141. 

[Written on right side of page]
Date of death of wid. not on - ab|
Page 5

Baltimore 10 November 1818.  I have no knowledge whatever of William Etchberger as a soldier of the Revolution.  He has however satisfied me by the answer he has made to my questions that he was in the Battles of Long Island, Brandywine & Germantown, and that he was taken prisoner in Fort Washington, of course that he was more than nine months in the service of the United States during the War of the Revolution, and is entitled to the pension under the Act of Congress

S. Smith
Formerly Lieut. Colonel of the fourth Maryland Reg't
Page 6

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore ss

On the twenty first day of April in the year of our lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, William Etchberger of the City of Baltimore aged about seventy five years an applicant for a pension under the act of congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War". and then and there made the following declaration on oath by me administered - "that he enlisted at Reading town, Berks County, State of Pennsylvania in the early part of the year 1776 into Capt. [Captain] Craigs Company of Colonel Adley's regiment - marched out under said Colonel to Long Island when Capt. Craig was killed in Fort Washington, then under command of Colonel Magaw, taken prisoner and carried to New York Gaol, from whence he was exchanged in the spring 1777.  Then joined Capt. Deckarts company in Colonel Outdery's Regiment, was engaged at the Battle of Brandywine, when Captain Deckarts was killed - was afterwards commanded by Captain Spoon who was wounded at the Battle of "German town" then retreated to White Marsh at Bennibeckey
Page 7

Mills, where he received his discharge from Colonel Outdery, which happened, to best of deponants knowledge and belief about the first of February 1778 - which discharge was lost - or mislaid many years ago, how or in what manner knows not.. = that his name hath never been inscribed on any pension list, therefore hath none to relinquish. That from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his Country for support.

William Etchbery [signature]

Subscribed & Sworn   }
to before --------------}
Alex. Nisbet
Assoc Judge Balt'o - City Court

City of Baltimore sct -
I hereby certify that the said William Etchberger in addition to the within declaration on Oath, brought before me Wolfgang Etchinger of the City of Baltimore whose deposition is hereunto annexed, from which documents, it appears to my satisfaction that the said William Etchberger served in the Revolutionary War, against the common Enemy on the continental establishment as stated in said declaration - And from his reduced circumstances is entitled to a pension under the late Act of Congress.

Alex. Nisbet [signature]
Page 8

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore sci
On this twenty first day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen, personally appeared before me the undersigned Wolfgang Etchberger who being by me duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was three years in the regular service of the United States during the Revolutionary War.  That during that time and when on the march from the North River to the battle of Brandywine he fell in at Chester, near Philadelphia with his brother William Etchberger now present, who was in the U. [United] States Uniform, also in actual service in the regular army - after a few words of conversation they separated and did not see him again until after the close of the war, but has good & sufficient reason to believe that said William served about three years as a regular soldier in the service of the U. [United] States during the revolutionary war.
Wolfgang Etchberger [signature]

Subscribed & Sworn to before me
Alex. Nisbet [signature]

Balt'e10th November 1818
Sir,
By request of Mr. William Etchberger, I return his declaration with the addition of a certificate of General S. Smith of our city, who is now a member of congress; General Smith being of opinion this addition will be amply sufficient.  I can further certify from my personal knowledge that William Etchberger is a man of reputable character, and whose veracity would not be doubted by any person who has knowledge of him.
he requests me to state that Colonel or General O. H. Williams commanded at Fort Washington at the time he was captured.  With due respect &c

Tho. [Thomas] Bailey [signature]
Page 9

State of Maryland 
City of Baltimore Ss
I Thomas Harwood Clerk of Baltimore City County do hereby ceritfy that the Honorable Alexander Nisbet Esquire before whom the aforegoing proceedings were taken and Certified and who has thereto subscribed his name, was at the time of taking and Certifying the same, and still is Associate Judge of Baltimore City Court, duly commissioned and to all his acts as such full faith and Credit is and ought to be given - 
In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty first day of April Eighteen hundred & eighteen
Th Harwood Esq [signature]
Baltimore City Court
["Admitted" written in left-hand margin sideways]

Hon. Sir
When you are pleased to grant a pension certificate upon those documents please forward the same, directed to me care of "Thomas Bailey Esq. Post Office Baltimore"
William Etchberger [signature]
Witness P.G. Hands [signature]

[written in right-hand margin]
returned for further evidence
Page 10

Baltimore City Court. February Term 1837

On this 29th day of April eighteen hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared in open court before the Honourable [Honorable] the Judges of Baltimore City Court now sitting, Magdalena Etchberger, a resident of the city aforesaid, aged 84 years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by Act of Congress passed the 4th of July 1836.
That she is the widow of William Etchberger who was a regular soldier in the War of the Revolution who was himself a pensioner of the United States about the year 1820. - That she was married to him before the last period of his service in the War of the Revolution - That he died February 13, 1823 and that she has not intermarried but remains his widow.
Sworn and Subscribed by
Magdelena X Etchberger her mark

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of Baltimore City Court this twenty ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty seven.

William M Medcalf, clk [clerk]
Balt, [Baltimore] City Court

[Written horizontally on left side of page]:

This declaration has been corrected - by the substitution of a new one - under the law of July 7, 1838. - which is now at the pension offic.e
Page 11

State of Maryland

City of Baltimore S.S.

On this twenty eighth day of April eighteen hundred and thirty seven, before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the city aforesaid came William Jackson, aged 70 years, who is a gentleman known to me as entitled to full credit and being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he has for upwards of fifty years past known Magdalena Etchberger, now the widow of William Etchberger, who he has understood was a soldier of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States - That she is a lady of good character and entitled to ample credit. That her husband departed this life about thirteen years go and that she has not married again but remains the widow of said William Etchberger

Sworn before 
Nathaniel Knight

Subscribed by me, the above named deponent on this 16th day of April 1839
William Jackson

Witness
Alexr [Alexander] Yearley
Page 12

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore S.S.

On this 29th day of April in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the city aforesaid personally came Archibald Kerr, aged 70 years, being known, to me as a gentleman entitled to ample credit and being duly sworn according to law testifies and saith that during a period of about fifty two years he hath been acquainted with Magdalena Etchberger now the widow of William Etchberger who also was known to him for many years and was understood to have been a Revolutionary Soldier & Pensioner; that the said Magdalena Etchberger is a lady entitled to ample credit and has not married again since the death of her said husband William Etchberger who departed this life on or about the year 1823.

Sworn Before 
Nathaniel Knight


State of Maryland
Baltimore County Sct}
I hereby certify that Nathaniel Knight gentleman, before whom the above depositions were made and who has thereto signed his name, was at the time of so doing, one of the Justices of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court on this 1st day of May 1837.
Tho. [Thomas] Kell Clk [clerk] of Baltimore City 


[Written horizontally on left side of page]:

April 16 1839. Archibald Kerr who made the deposition is now extremely ill – and cannot sign his name nor attend to any business – Alex. Yearley
He is now dead. May 16. 1839
Page 13

According to our church record William Etchberger and Magdalena Schifler were married by the late Reverend Schulze the seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and seventy eight.
Daniel Ulrich.

I Daniel Ulrich above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Minister of the Gospel, in the Lutheran Congregation in Tulpehocken Township in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, and that I have in my custody the records of said church and that the above is a true extract from the records of said church, and that the dates of said marriage on said record is in fair legible figures as follows, viz: 17 March 1887.
Daniel Ulrich, Pastor of the Lutheran Congregation

Sworn before me
April 19th 1839
Fred. K. Muth Jr
Justice of the Peace
Page 14

December 17, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
William Etchberger
W. 3791
BA-J/MLB [initialed]

Mrs. Cassandra Long Brown
3516 Poppleton Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Madam:

You are furnished herein the record of William Etchbery or Etchberger as found in pension claim, W. 3791, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth and names of the parents of William Etchberger or Etchbery are not shown.
He enlisted in the Town of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, early in 1776, served as private in Captains Craig's Dechert's and Spohn's companies, Colonels Atlee's, Magaw's, Williams' and Outdery's regiments in the Pennsylvania troops, was in the battle of Long Island, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington carried to New York where he was exchanged in the spring of 1777, in the battle of Brandywine and Germantown and was discharged February 1, 1778.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed April 21, 1818, at which time he was aged about seventy-five years and a resident of Baltimore, Maryland. He signed William Etchbery but his name was borne on the pensions rolls as William Etchberger. He died February 13, 1825, in Baltimore, Maryland.
William Etchberger married March 17, 1778, Magdalena Schiflers, in Tulpehocken, Berks County, Pennsylvania, where their marriage was recorded in the Lutheran Church records. The date and place of birth and names of the parents of Magdalena were not stated.
Magdalena Etchberger, soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed April 29, 1837, at which time she was aged eighty-four years and a resident of Baltimore, Maryland. She was still living in Baltimore in 1843.
Page 15

It was stated that in 1798 William Etchberger and his wife, Magdalena, had several children, but the only name designated was that of William, their first child.
Soldier's brother, Wolfgang Etchberger, made affidavit in 1818 in Baltimore, Maryland, in William's behalf.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 16

December 17, 1937
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mrs. Cassandra Long Brown
3516 Poppleton Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska

William Etchberger
W. 3791
*******
Wolfgang Etchberger
S. 35287
*******
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request further detail in regard to the statement that Wolfgang Etchberger, Revolutionary War pensioner, had a married brother. You state that if that brother were living in 1837, in Baltimore, Maryland, the information would aid you in your research.

One Stafford H. Parker, of Port Royal, Virginia, addressed the Secretary of War in 1837 in regard to any pension which might have been due the married daughter of Wolfgang Etchberger, Revolutionary War soldier, who was then deceased. He stated that this daughter stated that her father’s brother died some years ago and left children. The names of the children and the brother are not shown in this claim for pension, nor their residences.

A further search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and the claim for pension found of William Etchberger or Etchbery of Baltimore, Maryland, brother of Wolfgang Etchberger, who may have been the brother referred to above. The record of William Etchberger or Etchbery is furnished you herewith which, it is hoped, will contain the data you seek.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
Page 17

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
W 3791

3--525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D.C., ________, 192  [date not completed]
In reply to your request of _______, for the history of Wm [William] Etchbery or Etchberger, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taking from the S & W claim for pension.

|DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT/LENGTH OF SERVICE.
Early in 1776 to Feb [February] 1, 1778 |

| RANK.
Pvt [Private] | 

| OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. |


| CAPTAIN
Craig
Deckert
Spohn |

| COLONEL
Adley & Magaw
Cutdery

| STATE.
Pa [Pennsylvania] |

Battles engaged in,
Ft. Washington where captured, exchanged spring of 1777, Brandywine, Germantown

Residence of soldier at enlistment,
He enl. at Reading [word Town is crossed out], Berks Co. Pa

Date of application for pension,
April 21,1818 His cl was all.

Residence at date of application,
Baltimore, Maryland

Age at date of application, 
about 75 yrs.  He died Feb [February] 13, 1823.

Remarks:  
Sol. mar. Magdalena Schiflern, Mar 17, 1778. at Tulpehockan [sic] Berks Co. Pa [Pennsylvania].  She was all. pen. on her ap'n Apr 29 [or 28, 9 is written in space above the 8], 1837 while living in Baltimore Md [Maryland] aged 84 yrs.  They had several children, only name stated was William.

Respectfully, 

Commissioner.

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

Decker & Spohn were Captains in Magaws 5th Pa Battle
The two other colonels I could not find anything about - names evidently misspelled.
Page 18

3516 Poppleton Ave.
Omaha, Nebraska

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Sirs:

If you will please quote the references made to the married brother of the soldier Ba-J [illegible]
Wolfgang Etchberger S- 35287 as mentioned in your letter of June 28, 1937 - I think it may prove of value to me in my search.  If it would seem that the brother was living in Baltimore in 1837 I will be able to make connection
Page 19

with other Etchbergers then living in Baltimore and whose history I know, so please quote in full that part of the application dealing with the brother of the soldier

Yours truly

Cassandra Long Brown
(Mrs. Eli V. Brown)

[stamp at bottom of page]
RECEIVED
NOV 22 1937
[rest of stamp too faded to transcribe]
Page 20

[letterhead]
[center]
Maryland Society
[large coat of arms with eagle on top and banner below]
(on banner) Sons of the American Revolution
Organized April 20, 1889
[left]
President
Herbert Baker Flowers
1506 Continental Building
[right]
Registrar
Francis Barnum Culver

Baltimore, Md. 
[handwritten letter]
17 Sept. 1923

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Please furnish the military record, War of American revolution, of William Etchberger (or Etzburger), private in Penna. Militia, with personal data.
Yours truly, 
Francis B. Culver

[stamped] U.S. Pension Office D Sep 18 1923
Page 21

Revy WIDOW, &c

File No.    3791
Magdalina Etchberger
Wid. [widow]
Wm. [William] Etchberger
Pvt. [private] Penn. line

Act: Mch 3rd 43.
Index: - Vol.  A, Page 221

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

1923 Oct. 26.
Hist [History] to F. B. Culver - AW


1937 Dec. 17 - Hist [History] to Ms. Cassandra Long Brown - MLB
Page 23

3798

Maryland

Magdelina Etchberger
widow of William Etchberger, dec'd [deceased] who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 - and who died on the 13 February 1823 of Baltimore City in the State of Maryland who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Craig of the regiment commanded by Colonel Kelley in the Pennsylvania line for 18 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at the rate of  60 Dollars  ---- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of August 1839, & sent to Alex. Yearley, Baltimore, Mary'd

Arrears to the 4th of March 1839 $180.00
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sept. '39  30.00
=====$210.00

[Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by D. McCurdy, Clerk
Book A.  Vol. 2  Page 174.

2

[On right side of page the following sentence is crossed out]:

see letter to A. Yearly Aug. 13, 1839
Page 24

Magdalena Etchberger
act 4 July 1836
Rejected. See letter to A. Yearly, May 18 1837.
(diff handwriting - "could not find")

(diff handwriting)
Service terminated 1 Feby 1778 was married 17 March '78
Page 25

V [or checkmark]
Magdalena Etchberger 
Maryland
Suspended
(crossed out "let 11 April 1839 A. Yearly)

Act 7 July 1838
Page 26

1
V [or checkmark crossed out] 1805.
Magdalena Etchberger
Widow of Wm Etchberger
Baltimore - Md
by Alex Yearley
May 1837
Page 27

[written vertically on left side of page]:
Stouchsburg  Pa [Pennsylvania]
April 19th

[written on right side of page]:
183
Revd [Reverend] Benjamin Kurtz
Editor 
of the Lutheran Observer
Baltimore 
Md. [Maryland]
Page 28

[page is really too faded to transcribe properly]
Page 29

[upper right corner] 18 3/4 

Mr. Alexander Yearley
No. 10 St Paul Street 
Baltimore

[circled] Stouchburg [Stouchsburg] Pa April 10th
Page 30

Tulpehoccan [this is likely “Tulpehocken”] Berks County April 9th 1837
Over

Dear Sir

According to your Request I sent you an Extract from our Church Record concerning the marriage of William Etchberger and Magdalena (not Mary as you had mentioned in your letter) Schiflern.

According to our Church Record, William Etchberger and Magdalena Schiflern was married by the Revd. Emanuel Schulze the 7th of March A.D. 1778.

That the above is a true Extract of our Church Record, I the subscriber certify.
Daniel Ulrich
Pastor of the Luth Congregation of Tulpehoccan [Tulpehocken] Township 
Berks County and State of Pennsylvania.
Page 31

Magdalena Schiflern was married to Wm. Etchberger March 24. 1776 – her first child was born 30 Aug 1778 named William & was baptized by Revd Eml. Schultze.
Page 32

I, John P Strobel, of the city of Baltimore State of Maryland, became acquainted with William Etchberger and Magdalena Etchberger in the year 1798, at which time they were residents of this city as man and wife, having at that time several children. That the Said William Etchberger died in this city about sixteen years ago, leaving the said Magdalena Etchburger his widow who is still living in this city, and has not married again since his death. I have heard the said William Etchberger Say that he was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution and that he had for a short time recd a pension from the United States, As Witness my hand this 16th day of April 1839.
[signed] John P Strobel
Witness
Simon Kemp
Alex Yearley

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore S.S.
On this 16th day of April 1839 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore aforesaid, came the above named
Page 33

John P Strobel and in my presense Signed his name to the aforegoing Statement; and made oath, according to law, that the contents thereof are correct and true as therein Stated. And I do hereby certify that the above named John P. Strobel is known to me, as an aged and respectable resident of this City who is entitled to full credit - 
Sworn before Simon Kemp
Justice of the peace

State of Maryland
Baltimore County Ss
I Hereby certify that Simon Kemp Gentleman before whom the aforegoing Deposition was made & who hath thereto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland  & for the City of Baltimore duly Commissioned & Sworn
In testimony whereof I hereto Set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court this 16 day of Feby 1839
[signed] Ths Kell Clerk
Page 34

PENNSYLVANIA, SS.
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
[Seal with two horses, an eagle and “VIRTUE LIBERTY INDEPENDENCE]
Pennsylvania

DAVID R. PORTER, GOVERNOR OF THE SAID COMMONWEALTH,

[handwritten] David R. Porter

To all whom these presents shall come, KNOW YE, That Frederick Muth Jr. Esquire of Berks County in the State of Pennsylvania whose name is ---- subscribed to the instrument of writing hereunto annexed, was, at the time of subscribing the same, and now is acting Justice of the Peace in said County ----in the said Commonwealth, duly appointed and commissioned; And full faith and credit ought to be given to his official acts accordingly.

GIVEN under my hand and the Great Seal of the State, at Harrisburg, this eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one-thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and of the Commonwealth the Sixty third  

By the Governor.
[signature] Fr. R. Shank
Secy Com.
Page 35

V [or checkmark]
4058
Magdalena Etchberger 
of William 
Maryland

Admitted 
Pr 18 ms $60.-
Capt Craig Col Adley
Pa.

Died 13 Feb. 1823

Act of July 1838

Alexr. Yearley
Baltimore.
Md.
Page 36

State of Maryland
Baltimore City Court
 October  Term 1838
On this 22nd day of December in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight, Personally appeared in open court, Magdalena Etchberger, a resident of this city, aged about eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows, That she is the widow of William Etchberger, who was a Soldier of the Revolution of the Pennsylvania line, and a pensioner of the United States payable at Baltimore, about the year 1819, or 1820, She further declares, that She was maried [sic] to him the the[sic] said William Etchberger, on the Seventeenth day of March seventeen hundred and seventy eight, That her husband, the aforesaid William Etchberger, died on the thirteenth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and twenty three; That as to the fact of her husband's having been in the service after their marriage, as stated in her former declaration, she is satisfied upon reflection , that he went as a substitute for another person; and, as She is not able to procure the requisite proofs of said Service, she hereby relinquishes
Page 37

relinquishes all claim for the same; and claims only in account of his military services rendered prior to their marriage, which took place previous to the 1st day of January 1894, to wit, at the time above stated; she, for the proofs of her marriage, and identity as his widow, as also of his death, she refers to the documents on file at the office of the Comr of Pensions, which accompanied her former declaration, made in the year 1837; and for his military services she refers to the proofs under which he obtained his pension, in 1819 or 1820, as above mentioned.
[signed] Magdalena Etchberger x her mark
Witness [signed] John Ranson

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first above written, Before:
[signed] N Brice Chief Judge Baltimore City Court

State of Maryland & Baltimore City to wit, I hereby certify that the Hon'b le Nicholas Brice before whom the above declaration was made & who hath thereto subscribed his name and at the time of so doing chief Judge of Baltimore City and duly commissioned and qualified.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of Baltimore City Court this twenty second day of December eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
[signed] Wm M Medcalf, Clk
Balti City Court
Page 38

Baltimore, Dec 22 1838

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
Herewith I send you the application of Magdalena Etchberger for a pension under the act of Congress passed the 7 July 1838.

Her husband William Etchberger was a Pensioner of the U States about the year 1820 and I think was discontinued on account of his being worth property, beyond the limits of then existing laws. He died in 1823.

She applied to you some time in 1837 for pension under the act of July 14 1836 and alleged and believed that her husband was in the Service after their marriage – but, as [underlined] she has no proof of his Service, except that which you have on file (in her husband’s care when he obtained a pension) She now relinquishes all claim on account of his Services after their marriage (altho she still believed he did so Serve) and claims exclusively and definitely on account of his Services after their marriage.

Her case, in the view of it, appears a clear one, and her very advanced age and necessities respectfully ask for a decision at your earliest convenience.

Very Respectfully
Your obt Servt
[signature] Alex Yearley
Page 39

Baltimore May 16. 1839

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
In yours of 11th April last you say that before the claim of Magdalena Etchberger widow of Wm Etchberger for pension under the act of July 7 1838 can be allowed--the witnesses should offer their signatures to their affidavits--and the person having charge of the church records should make affidavit &c.
In compliance I now send you back the affidavits--one of which, by William Jackson is now signed; the other by Archd [Archibald] Kerr is not signed, by reason of his illness and death; but in lieu thereof I now send you the Testimony of another credible witness viz of Wm. P. Strobel.--
The certificate of marriage by the minister having charge of the church records is also now sent you duly authenticated.  Thus, after an effort of more than two years, and now about 86 years of age I trust she has completed the requisite testimony and that you will very soon make known the decision.

I have now to ask a favor of you, viz--that you will please to take up the case of Rebeca Burgess--widow of Vachel Burgess, decd who was a Lieutenant & captain of the Maryland line, in the war of the revolution--her application was sent on to you March 22 1839--She is in very ill health, and anxious to know the result of her claim.

With much respect
Your obt Servant
Alexr Yearley [signature]
Page 40

[written in upper left-hand margin of page}
Wm Etchberger
No 35287

War Dept. Pen Office
April 11. 1839


Sir,
The declaration of Mrs. Magdalena Etchberger widow of William Etchberger decd. ^ under Act 7 July 1838 has been examined. [crossed out words] Upon the examination of her claim under act 4 July 1836 which was rejected because it appeard that she was married after the termination of her husband's service, it was not necessary to state [word any crossed out] the objections which existed to the manner in which the testimony was taken.  Before the claim can be allowed under Act 7 July 1838 witnesses should affix their signatures to their affidavits, and that person having charge of the church record containing the records of the claimant's marriage should make an affidavit of the facts as required in the enclosed printed regulations. 
[crossed out - that the affidavits should be made anew and it shall be] 
The sheet containing the declaration under act
Page 41

4 July 1836 and the affidavits of the witnesses is herewith returned.
The additional testimony in the the case of Mrs. Sarah Moore widow of Nicholas R. Moore decd has been examined and filed with her other papers.  It would appear therefore that ^he was a sentinel of campers of cavalry in the fall of 1777, and that in July 1780 he was commissioned as a captain of a volunteer troop of cavalry, and was in service as such in 1777 and 1781.  The service was not continuous, but performed in tours of short duration.  It will therefore be necessary that each tour of actual service should be specified by witnesses from actual knowledge.  They should state the service, and the duration of each tour.
The claim of Mrs. Priscilla Smith has been admitted and her pension certificate will be issued in a day or two & sent to you.

A. Yearley Esq [signature]
Present.

[written at bottom right-hand side of page]
No 1901} Act 7 July 1838
E 4058}
Page 42

Aug 13
[round stamp] BALTIMORE MD AUG 12

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Mrs. Etchberger 
[illegible]
[round stamp] BALTIMORE MD AUG 13
Co[illegible] Aug 13
Page 43

Aug 13
[round stamp] BALTIMORE MD AUG 12

L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Mrs. Etchberger 
M[illegible]
[round stamp] BALTIMORE MD AUG 13
Co[illegible] Aug 13
Page 44

Baltimore Aug 12 1839

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Comr of Pensions; 

Sir, 
Mrs Magdalena Etchberger presented her Pension Certificate for payment at the reuion Bank, this day; and was told by the Cashier that they could not pay it; having resigned the Pension agency - 
To whom is the application for payment to be made?

Very Respectfully
Your ob Servt
Alex Yearley
Page 45

Alexr. Yearley,
Aug. 13. 1839
GC [initials]

Record of 4th Nage 409 [?]
Page 46

War Dep
Pension Officer
Aug. 13 1839

Sir,
In your letter of yesterday you inform me that the Pension Agent at Baltimore had refused to pay the pension of Mrs. Magdalena Etchberger, in consequence of his having resigned. I have received Mr. Evans’s resignation, and another person has been appointed. Until the new Agent shall have entered on the duties of his office, I can give no peremptory order to [crossed out – “the late Agent”] him to pay any money, nor can I oblige the late Agent to continue in the discharge of the duties of the office. The pensions, however, which have been granted for the last five months to widows are not payable till September by law.

Alexander Yearley Esq
Baltimore, Maryd
Page 47

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore Sct
On this fourth day of May Eighteen hundred and forty three, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City aforesaid, Magdalina Etchberger aged 90.- year a resident of said City who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of WIlliam Etchberger who was a Soldier of the Pennsylvania line in the Service of the United States in the war of the Revolution That She received a Pension of sixty dollars per annum for five years under the act of July 7th 1835. She further declares that she is still a widow
[signed] Magdalina Etchberger x her mark
Witness [signed] Thos C Yearley

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me. And I do hereby certify that the above named declarant Magdalina Etchberger is personally known to me 
Sworn before
Jno H Browning [signature]
Page 48

State of Maryland Baltimore County Sct
I hereby certify that John H Browning Esquire before whom the within affidavit was made and who hath thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn
In Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court on this 13th day of May 1843
[signed] Thos Kell Clk

[written vertically]
Magdalena Etchberger
$60 per annum
Send cert to Alex Yearley 
Baltimore
Page 49

State of Maryland Baltimore County sct
I hereby certify that John H Browning Esquire before whom the within affidavit was made and who hath thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the Seal of Baltimore County Court on this 13th day of May 1843
[signed] Thos Kell Clk

[written vertically]
1165
Magdalena Etchberger
$60 per an
Send Cert to 
Alex Yearley
Baltimore
Page 50

Baltimore May 4th 1843

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
Herewith I send you my application and declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 3rd March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have obtained Pensions under the act of July 1838.
Be pleased to direct to me to the care of Alexr Yearley of Baltimore
Very Respectfully
I am Your Obt Servt
[signed] Magdalina Etchberger x her mark
Witness
[signed] 
Jno H Browning