Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4484, for Adam Koch, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3-1776) 
SERVICE  
Penn. 

Koch, Adam or Kock

NUMBER    
 S 4484 or Bt. Ld. Wt. 1160-100.

CONTENTS
Page 2

Ohio. 22.332. 
Adam Kock*
of Starke Co in the State of Ohio. 
 who was a Private in the Co. commanded  by Captain Bower of the Regt commanded by Col. Craig. in the Penn. line for 18 months. 
Adam Koch*
Reasons "OK." [illegible] 1865

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio,
 at the rate of 60.[underlined] Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Oct'r 1833 and sent to Hiram Griswold, Canton, Starke Co. Ohio. 

Arrears to the date of Sept. 1833,  150.
Semi-ann'l allowance ending 4 Mar 34 30.
$180.00 

{Revolutionary Claim, Act. June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm R Palmer Clerk 
Book E Vol. 8. Page 14 

1876 May 8. Rachel Faith - Synopsis of his military history
Page 3

Warrant No 1160 iss'd to
Adam Koch- a private 
Penn'a line Feby. 7th 
1826-----

not returned on the Penn'a
line as having served to the close of the war,
name return. 

Deliv'd: to the Hon. A Thompson to as a soldier of Von Heer's Dragoons -
Page 4

2h. 434, 22.332
Adam Kock.
Ohio 

per dates on roll

Adm 1. yr & 6 months
$60.
Hiram Griswold
Canton
Starke County
Ohio.
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
14th October 1833 
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. These 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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Adam Koch. 
[column headings] Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service, Years. Months. Days., | Rank of the claimant., | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported. 
1781. | 1. | 6. | [blank] | private | Cap. Bower Col Craig | 77 years Berks County Pa | [blank]

I am, respectfully, 
your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 of
On this day of County of of A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before in the county of
and State, Territory or District aged 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) served in the (e) regiment of the
With 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
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. 
And 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same) 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 days 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 one 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
Page 7

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 Solder. - 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 the 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 inquiry 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.
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.
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.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 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 -- For -- months and – 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 highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under want officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix 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 certificate.
Proof of Service.
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 to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 8

Pensioned Pen’a roll
Sep’r 1820
This is Von Heer’s soldier.
no other on Pa roll of 1818.

Adam Koch 6 Inf
Paid to the 1s Jany 1781
No 68,724
Vol 3
Declaration states that
he served about 7 years
from the 4 July 1775-
in Col Harman’s Reg’t
Capt’n Finney 6 Infantry
Page 9

State of Pennsylvania County of Somerset
I Adam Koch aged eighty four years, do, upon oath, testify and declare, that, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six I enlisted for the term of “during the war,” and served in the regiment No. Six under the command of Colonel
Harman of the Pennsylvania line; and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, when I was regularly discharged from the said Sixth regiment, commanded by Colonel Harman. I further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatsoever: therefore,
Know all men by these presents that I, Adam Koch aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Alexander Thomson Esq to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.
Adam Koch
Attest,
C. Ogle
John Witt


I George May aged Seventy one years, do, upon oath, declare that I have been long acquainted with Adam Koch who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and further, I know, or do believe, that he did perform the military service therein stated. 
George May
Attest,
John Witt
Catherine May her mark

Before me, John Witt Esq. a Justice of the peace
personally appeared the above named Adam Koch,
subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined, to be his free act and deed; and likewise, personally appeared George May who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed, this Eighteenth day of January 1826.
John Witt Justice of the Peace.

Somerset County ss
In testimony that the above written John Witt esquire was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c. in the State of Pennsylvania at
the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the
county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at Somerset this eighteenth day of January 1826 --
Alex’r Ogle C. Clerk, &c.
Page 10

Adam Koch
Pen’a Line
[illegible] In 1820 
1160

Alan Koch
served as a soldier
of Vonheer’s Dragoons
Page 11

Adam Koch [illegible] 
No 68.3028 P pay to Jan 9 1781 $26.60
Adam Koch [illegible] 
No. 68724 - to Jan 1787 $33.20
Page 12

Adam Koch makes application to the war
office of the United States for one hundred acres
of Land for his Services in the Revolutionary
war. Adam Koch

Somerset County Pennsylvania ss
Personally came before
me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in
and for said County Adam Koch and he being
sworn according to Law did depose and say
that he is the same person who did serve
for and during the Revolutionary war
and that he has not received his Land and
further saith not. Sworn and Subscribed
Before me this 29th day of May 1823
Adam Koch
John Mitchell {seal}
Justice of the Peace

Somerset County
Personally came before
me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace
in and for said County William Findlay
and William C[ha]rice, Two creditable witnesses 
and they being Sworn as the Law
Directs Do Depose and say that Adam
Koch is the same person who did the
service in the Revolutionary war and
further saith not. Sworn and subscribed
Before me the same day above written
William Findlay his mark
William S Charise
John Mitchell {seal}
Justice of the Peace
Page 13

Pennsylvania Somerset County ss
I John Wells Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for Somerset
County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
do by these presents certify that John Mitchell Esquire
 before whom the foregoing Depositions were made is an acting Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and Sworn.
In Witness I here set my hand and seal of office this 29th 
Day of May 1822
John Wells Prothy
Page 14

Somerset County ss
Personally came before me a Justice of the
peace in and for Somerset County, Adam Koch
Before named and on his oath taken
according to Law Did Depose
and say that he served in Capt Jacob
Bowers Company Sixth Regiment
Commanded by Col Horner and 
[illegible] [illegible] in the Pennsylvania
Line and further sayeth not.
Sworn and Subscribed Before me
John Mitchell {seal}
Adam Koch
Page 15

The State of Ohio Stark County ss
On this 5th day of August 1833 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County
aforesaid Adam Koch a resident of Bethlehem Township
in the County and State aforesaid aged 77 years the 20 day
of October next following who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act
of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That some time in the spring of the year 1781 he at that time residing in the Township of Unity in the County of York and in
the State of Pennsylvania he enlisted as a private for the term of eighteen months into the Army of the United States
at Reading in the said County of Berks. That the
company to which he belonged was under the command
of Captain Jacob Bower. That he with the Company to
which he belonged trained after his enlistment at
Reading for some weeks. That he thinks there was not a
full Regiment raised at Reading and consequently that
there was no Colonel, but he cannot distinctly recollect. That
at the expiration of a few weeks - how many he can
not recollect - from his enlistment they marched near to
Philadelphia, when his company was attached a Regiment
or Battalion commanded by Colonel Craig. That they
remained at this place some time, how long he cannot
recollect, when orders were received to march southward
to meet Lord Cornwallis. That thereupon the troops raised
at Reading, and he thinks more, but whether the whole
of the forces there assembled or not he cannot
recollect - went on Shipboard at Philadelphia and
Page 16

Sailed to the South, he had not proceeded far, when
they were overtaken by a storm and obliged to land.
And landing they marched the remainder of the distance
to York Town where he remained until the capitulation
of Lord Cornwallis. After the surrender of Cornwallis
the Regiment to which this declarant belonged under the
command of Colonel Craig as aforesaid, and also
another Regiment or Battalion from the State of Maryland, 
but whether there were others or not this declarant cannot
recollect, marched to the South to join the Army under the
command of General Green. The reason why he can
recollect so distinctly that a Corps from Maryland, marched
at the same time and cannot recollect whether any others
did or not, is, that during their march to the South Col
Craig and the Colonel of the Maryland Corp fought a
duel in which Colonel Craig was wounded so as to be
obliged to remain behind, and when they joined the
Army of General Greene, which was, as near as this
declarant can recollect, about the 1st of January 1782
and at his encampment, about fifteen miles from
Charleston, the Regiment or Battalion to
which this declarant belonged was put under the
command of one Colonel Minger. This declarant
does not recollect the names of many places through which
they marched while on their way to Join the Army of Genl
Green, but among others there were Guilford and
Salisbury in the State of North Carolina, and
Moravian town the name of which he cannot now
Recollect. That two or three months after joining
General Green’s army this declarant was principally
engaged with others as a Scout in watching the
Page 17

movement of the enemy at the end of which period
of two or three months he was attached to a Light
Infantry company. The Captains name he cannot now
recollect, but the company with some other Light
Infantry Companies, how many he cannot recollect,
was under the command of Major Hamilton
and were engaged as Scouts, flanking parties &c. during the
remainder of his term of eighteen months. He was in
no regular engagement but was in some skirmishes.
He was in the neighborhood of, and in Green’s
 encampment all the time after he joined it. If he recollects
Right, Green did not during that time move his
quarters to any great distance from where it was
when he joined it, though owing to sickness in the
camp, he was obliged to remove occasionally short
distances. At the expiration of the eighteen months
for which he had enlisted he left the Army and
returned to his home. This was in the Autumn of the
year 1782, but what month he cannot recollect
He received no written discharge from the service
consequently has no documentary evidence thereof and
knows of no person by whom he can prove the same.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present, and he declares
that his name is not the Pension Roll of any
Agency in any State. 
Adam Koch his mark
Sworn and subscribed before me in Court this
5th day of August 1833
Jno Myers Clerk
Page 18

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above
named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he
states.

The State of Ohio Stark County 
John Myers, 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
Adam Koch for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this 12th day of August 1833.
Jno Myers Clerk

Adam Koch
26.434
Page 19

Alex’r Thompson
Oct 9th 1829
Adam Koch
W 1.160
Rev
Recorded P 414 Vol 8
Page 20

Alex’r Thompson Esq
Bedford County
Pennsylvania

War Department
Bounty Land Office
Oct. 9th 1829
Sir
In the month of Feby 1826, an application for Bounty
Land, with the proofs in support of it, was presented by
you to this office, as the Attorney in fact of Adam Koch,
who was a soldier of the Pennsylvania line, in the Revolutionary War, and Land Warrant No 1160 issued on the
7th Feby 1826, in the name of the said Adam Koch, and
was delivered to you.  An application for Bounty Land
is this day received from the Heirs of Adam Koch of
Reading Berks County, Penn, who, it is stated was a private of Von Heers Dragoons, and died on the 22d May 1827 - A further examination of the case, leads to the impression that some mistake may have caused in the issue of the Warrant on 7th Feby 1826, and thinking it probable that your recollections of the
case might enable you to throw some light on it,
I have respectfully to request that you will inform
me whether the individual, for whom you obtained the
Warrant was personally known to you, and where he
resided at that time, and whether he is now living
Your Compliance in these particulars will oblige in
and perhaps have the effect of explaining and existing
difficulty.
with great respect
Your Obt Servt
Wm Gordon
Page 21

March 19, 1834
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Adam Koch-S.4480
BA-J/AWF OWN

The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary
War record of Adam Koch.
The data furnished herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, B.4484, based
upon the Revolutionary War service of Adam Koch or
Kock.
The date and place of birth of this soldier
are not shown in the claim, nor are the names of his
parents given.
While residing in Amity Township, Berks County,
Pennsylvania, Adam Koch (Kock) enlisted in 1776, served
as private in Captain Jacob Bower's company, Colonels
Harmar's and Craig's Pennsylvania regiments, also under
Major Hamilton and Colonel Ninger and was discharged at
the close of the war.
He was allowed pension on his application executed, 
August 5, 1833, then a resident of Bethlehem
Township, Stark County, Ohio, and gave his age as
“seventy years the 20th day of October next following”

[Next sentence is typewritten, but crossed out. Included here as the crossed out words appear to be linked to the note in the right margin.]
[“He had given his age in 1825 as eighty-four years to
explanation is made of this discrepancy in age.”]
[handwritten]
Copied [illegible] eel

The application for headstone for Adam Koch is
returned herewith; there was no correspondence attached.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 22

[circle stamp]
READING PA 
NOV 19

Revolutionary
Claim

[FREE-crossed out]
12 ½
Hon. William Gordon
Bounty Land Office
City of Washington D. C
Page 23

Penn’a Reading November 19th 1829
Hon. William Gordon
Dear Sir receive my sincerest thanks for
your kind letter bearing date the 22d October 1829 for and in
behalf of the Heirs of the Adam Rock who was a Soldier in
the Company of Dragoons Commanded by Capt. Vanheer.
Permit me to ask your assistance in endeavouring by all
honourable means to recover the Land warrant 1160 issued
7th Febru’y 1826 in the name of Adam Koch aforesaid.
Have the kindness be find such written Instructions
as in Justice the case will admit. I have this day
received by mail a Letter of Mr Charles Ogle of the
Borough of Somerset, Penn’a. The following is the Contents
of his Letter truely copied verbatim etc.

Somerset Novr 13th 1829
Samuel Levan
Dr Sir on the 24th March 1826 the Hon. Alex’r Thompson
Wash
then member of Congress, transmitted to me the Land warrant
of Adam Koch numbered 1160 dated 7th Februa’y 1826
for 100 Acres, which warrant was obtained by Mr
Thompson on the papers of Adam Koch that had been
forwarded to him by me-- Adam Koch at that time lived in Somerset and received the warrant from me immediately after it came to hand and held it untill the 13th day of June
1827 when he sold it to me. He executed a
Deed for the same in the presence of Jacob Mautz
& Jacob Chrise, the first named a Justice of the
Peace of this County and the latter the Son in Law
of Koch, and the administrator of his Estate since
his death which took place not long after I purchased
the warrant, not as a matter of speculation
but as an act of kindness to Koch who was poor
and at that period out of money & unable to
work-- I hold the warrant yet, and will gladly
sell it for the amount I paid for it without interest.
The above being the facts of the case you
may judge of my surprise at the receipt of your
Letter yesterday.  I shall be much pleased to hear
from you again.
Very Respectfully Charles Ogle
Page 24

Permit me here to state that Mr Samuel Briner
of the Borough of Reading, Berks County Penn’a
is administrator of the Rights and credits which
are of Adam Koch dec’d, late of the said Borough
& County aforesaid who was the identical person
that served in the Revolutionary War a Dragoon
in Captain Vanheer’s Company & was duly Enlisted
for & during the said year, and that the
necessary steps he has engaged me to effect
The object as regards the Land warrant.
I have not directly or indirectly any Interest
in the same. Permit me to mention that
Adam Koch of Somerset as appears has given
Mr Ch’s Ogle the power of receiving the
Land mentioned with down Right afore thought
fraud, permit further to remark that due
proof can be produced that Adam Koch
of Reading Berks Cty, was asked about 15 hour
before his decease if he had parted with
his Bounty Land. He answered that he had
never assigned nor given any person power
to receive the same in his name. It thus
appears evident that the act of Adam Koch
of Somerset was an outrageous fraud. Adam
Koch of Vanheer’s Dragoons has since the return
of his Country’s services resided in Reading
County & State aforesaid & has never changed
his place of Residence except at the time
That he served his country as a Soldier. Mr
Saml Briner administrator of said Estate is fully
determined to pursue the case for & in behalf
of the Heirs of said Estate in the name and
in behalf of said Estate. I humbly ask the fine
advice & councel of the Hon William Gordon in
order that this abominable fraud may be brot to
Justice. I would ask the following -  is Adam
Koch of Somerset County.  is his name entered on
the Revolutionary Roll Book - no never
Page 25

The Hon William Gordon will
find in the pension Office
that Adam Koch of Reading
Berks County Penn’a Received a
Pension Anuity of 96 Doler payable
Semiannually for services Rendered
to the United States during the
Revolutionary war and
that he was a member as aforesaid
of Captain Vanheer’s Dragoons.
The Hon Wm Gordon is humbly requested
to send me a Letter giving such
good council as the case will
admit.  As we are ready to prove
that Adam Koch of Reading
was the Identical person to whom
the Land warrant belonged or to whom
the said warrant belonged for real services
Rendered to the United States during the [blank] with Great Britian In the Revolutionary. [sic]
I am respectfully, your obedient humble serv’t
Samuel Levan

To Hon William Gordon
Bounty Land Office

Adam Koch of Reading Departed
this life some time in the month of May AD 1827

Have the kindness to answer the
Contents of my letter so soon as time
will permit.
Page 26

George Graham Esq
Genl Land Office
May 5th 1830

1160
Revy

Recorded P 48 Vol 9
Page 27

War Dept Bounty Land Office
May 5th 1830
Sir
On the 7th Feby 1826, a Land Warrant for 100 acres issued
from the Bounty Land Office to Adam Koch of the
Pennsylvania line No 1160. It appears now, that the
Warrant was wrongfully issued; and that it belonged to
another of the same name, and who was in a different
Corps, to wit, the Dragoons. Thus were there two of the same
name, the one entitled to Bounty Land, the other not. The
One not entitled has received the Warrant, and now the
heirs of the rightful claimant, are asserting their claim.
Under this State of things another Warrant must issue.
I have accordingly to request of you, that the first Warrant
on coming into your office for a patent, be stopped,
and no grant issued until it be considered of
Respectfully
J. H. Eaton
copied from the original
Wm Gordon

Geo. Graham Esq
Commiss’r of the
Genl Land Office

B.L.W. 1618 - 100 issued
on service of soldier
in Von Heer’s troops
Page 28

B'y L. Office
19th Oct 1829


William Gordon Esq
In the War Department
Washington City
D. C.
Page 29

Chambersburg 16 Oct 1829
Sir
I have no recollection on the subject of
the land warrant to which you refer in yours of the
9th inst except what is suggested to me by the papers
in my possession. These are the letters of Charles Ogle
Esq of Somerset in this State to me on the subject, and
a copy of the warrant with a memorandum, signed
by Mr McCormick, then in the Post office of the
House of Representatives, that a letter containing the
original warrant, directed to Charles Ogle Esq at
Somerset Pa, was put into the office by me to
be sent by mail, on the 27 of March 1826
I have no personal knowledge whatever
of Adam Koch. From the circumstance that the
papers were transmitted to me by Mr Ogle from
Somerset, I presume he lived in that County at
that time. Mr Ogle will no doubt be able to
furnish full information on the subject to which
you refer.
Judge Smith of the Supreme Court, who
lives in Reading, has this day informed me that
a man of the name of Adam Koch once lived in the
neighbourhood of that place, where some of
His family still reside; but that he left it a number
of years ago. He could give no information of where he
had gone when he left Berks County
I am very respectfully
your obt servt
A Thomson

Wm Gordon Esq.
Page 30

Moundsville West Va
Mar 27th 1876

Hon Chas. R. Gill
Commissioner of Pensions
Hon Sir
I Rachel Faith of the Town of
Moundsville County of Marshall State of West Virginia, am a
daughter of Adam Kock, the surname is German name and
I cannot sell it, but in English is pronounced Cook. Said
Adam Kock was a member of Capt Bowers Company,
General Wayne's Command Revolutionary War, and was a
pensioner and died 18 or 20 years ago. I would respectfully
ask that you give me the date of his death and the Captain’s
full name, Regiment, Brigade and Division and period of service.
Very Respectfully
Rachel Faith
care of John W.P. Reid
Moundsville
Marshall County
West Virginia

Hon Chas. R. Gill
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 31

[rectangle stamp]
OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
FEB 7 1905
U S P B

Respectfully referred
to Mr. Chas. M. Bryant
Chief Old War & Navy Div,
for consideration and
proper reply to the
writer of the accompanying
letter
W N campbell
Acting Chief Finance Div
Page 32

[rectangle stamp]
OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
FEB 7 1905
U S P B

1102 E. Rep. Seattle Wn
Jan 30, 1905
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir
I am seeking information
regarding my great
grandfather, Adam Koch's
service as a soldier during the
Revolution. The enclosed
correspondence is self explanatory.
Very respectfully
Lillie M. Dinius
Page 33

STATE OFFICIALS
WILLIAM A. BIBY, PRESIDENT
INSURANCE BUILDING
TOPEKA KANSAS
WILLIAM E CONNELLEY, VICE PRES
MEMORIAL BUILDING
TOPEKA KANSAS
P. W. BRUCE, SECRETARY
1135 GRAND
TOPEKA, KANSAS
CHAS. E. BRUCE TREASURER
1135 GRAND
TOPEKA, KANSAS
HOMER EILER REGISTRAR
1518 GROVE 
TOPEKA, KANSAS
E. E. KELLEY, HISTORIAN
STATE PRINTING PLANT
TOPEKA KANSAS

Kansas Society
Sons of the
American Revolution

Topeka, Kansas,
Mch. 5th -- 1930
1518 Grove St -

Office of
Pension Dept-
War Dept-
Washington D.C.
Rev. War Dept-Pensions-

Gentlemen; -- Please give me the records
of ANY nature whatever you have -  ESPECIALLY -- any family records of Adam Koch a Rev war soldier of the Penna - Cont Line, but removed later to Stark Co - Ohio, where he died a very old man.
Our family records say he was a Pensioner at time of death in
Stark Co --
Resp,
Thanks for any family names mentioned. -- Dates etc.
Resp, 
Hower Eiler

Return in 10 days in
HOMER EILER
TOPEKA, KANS. 1518 GROVE 31
Page 34

Request for Rev W
Record of
Adam Koch
who was buried in
Navarre-Ohio- Died 
Dec 31 - 1844 -
Record sent - appli - 
for headstone returned
March 19-1934
aws
Page 35

WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON
MAR 10 1934

Memorandum for

The Surgeon General,
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department,
Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Treasury Department, The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building,
General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W.

1 The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon. In order that the proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your
office would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name
and complete designation of the organizations.

2. In addition, please advise State from which decedent came.
Page 36

Navarre O 3/26/30
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D C

Can you furnish any
information on the
Soldier named below,
Buried at Navarre, Ohio.
this is the inscription
on tombstone
"Adam Koch
A Revolutionary soldier
Died Dec 31 - 1844
aged 88 yrs 2 mo. & 10 Days"
We are considering
erecting a suitable
marker and would like
to have a little more
Page 37

history. This Village
was laid out in
1806 and this is the
only revolutionary
soldier buried in
this locality, Any
information will be
greatly appreciated
James Truly
John H Adams
Box 137 Navarre Ohio
Stark County
Page 38

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section - EEL

April 1, 1930.

*[handwritten note]
While residing in Amity Township, Berks Co. Pa. 

Mr. John H. Adams
Box 137
Navarre, Ohio.
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S.4484, it appears that Adam Koch (the
name also appears as Kock) *[see above note for insert] , enlisted in 1776, served as private in Captain Jacob Bower's Company, Colonels Harmar's, Craig’s and Minger's Pennsylvania Regiments and also under Major Hamilton and was discharged at the close of the war.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
August 5, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Bethlehem
Township, Stark County, Ohio, and stated that he was “aged
77 years the 20th day of October next following”.

In 1826, [crossed out - “while residing in Amity Township, Berks Co. Pennsylvania”] , he stated that he was eighty-four years of age. No explanation is made of this discrepancy in age.

[crossed out -”There are no data concerning his family.”]

[handwritten note-right margin]
at that time he made af’d [illegible] Co. Pa

Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 39

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section - EEL

March 13, 1930

Homer Eiler
1518 Grove Street
Topeka, Kansas
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S.4484, it appears that Adam Koch (the
name also appears as Kock) enlisted in 1776, served as
private in Captain Jacob Bower's Company, Colonels Harmar's,
Craig and Minger's Pennsylvania Regiments and also under
Major Hamilton and was discharged at the close of the war.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
August 5, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Bethlehem
Township, Stark County, Ohio, and stated that he was
“aged 77 years the 20th day of October next following”.
In 1826, while residing in Amity Township, Berks
County, Pennsylvania, he stated that he was eighty-four
years of age. No explanation is made of this discrepancy
in age.
There are no data concerning his family.

Very truly yours
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner

[handwritten note]
He stated that he was at Yorktown, but i could [not] decide whether he participated in the siege or was at the surrender, so did not use it. 


[illegible handwriting at end of page-unable to tell how many words]
Page 40

The histories of the 3" and 6" Pa Regts (see Pa Archives) show that the man who drew the bounty land as of Capt Jacob Bowers and the man who drew the pension as of same co. were one person in spite of discrepancy in age.
The 6" regt under Lt. Col. Harmer was in South
campaign as described by soldier in pension claim.
 Under the officers he gives the bounty land claim, and Harmers regt and Craig’s 3 regt. acted together at one time.
 Soldier only says attached to Craig’s regt.
Page 41

Feby. 16, 1905 Hist to
Lillie M. Dinius, Seattle Wn
1930 Mar 18. Hist. to Homer
Eiler - eel
1930 Apr. 1 - Hist. to John H
Adams - eel
1934 - Mch 19-hist to 
Memorial Branch - awf copy -eel

4484
Rev War 
INVALID.
File No. 4484
Adam Kock*
Privt Rev War

Act: June 7" 1832
Index:--Vol. A, Page 211
{Arrangement of 1870.}

Adam Koch*
Records O.K. Febr. 18/05
Page 42

Canton August [illegible date-page torn]

Sir
Accompanying this are the several applications of 
Adam Koch,  Michael Hahs and Joshua
Knapp for a pension. As soon as the action of the
Department can be had thereon, please advise me
of the result.
Your Obt Serv’t
Hiram Griswold

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 43

Somerset 3d June 24
Sir 
Will cause a Warrant to be sent
for Adam Koch a soldier of the
Revolutionary War.
and remain your
Humble Servant
Alexander Ogle
Page 44

War Department
Bounty Land Office
Oct. 22d 1829
Sir 
In answer to that portion of your letter addressed to the
Secretary of war enquiring into the right to Bounty Land
of the Heirs of Adam Koch, I have to inform you that
Land Warrant No 1160 issued on the 7th Feby 1826 in the
name of Adam Koch, who was a soldier of the Pennsylvania
line, in the Revolutionary War, and was delivered to the
Hon’bl Alexander Thompson. I am informed by Mr
Thompson that the papers in this case were transmitted
to him in this City, by Mr Charles Ogle of Somerset
County Penna to whom the Land warrant was sent.
It is therefore taken for granted that the Land
Warrant issued to Adam Koch of the Penna line, was
received by the same Adam Koch, whose heirs are
now making the inquiry through you, and, who state
that their Father belonged to Von Heers Dragoons.
You are perhaps acquainted with Mr Charles
Ogle of Somerset, if so he will be able to give you
satisfactory information on the subject
Respectfully yours
Wm Gordon

Mr Samuel Levan
Reading
Pennsylvania
Page 45

Mr Saml Levan
Oct 22d 1829

Adam Koch
No 1160
Heer's Dragoons
Pa

Recorded P 419 Vol 8
Page 46

Mr Saml Levan
Nov 24" 1829

Adam Koch
Heer's Dragoons
No 1160
Pa

Recorded P 439 Vol 8
Page 47

War Dept, Bounty Land Office
Nov. 24th 1829
Sir
Your letter of the 19th Inst, came duly to hand, and in reply
I have to observe that, a renewed investigation of the case of
Adam Koch, serves but to confirm the opinion, expressed in
my letter to you of the 22 ult’o namely that the Warrant issued
to Adam Koch of the Penna line, and which is now in the possession of Mr Chas Ogle of Somerset County Penn’a, must have been intended for Adam Koch deces’d, late of Reading, whose pension papers shew that he belonged to Von Herr’s Dragoons, whilst on the other hand, the Records of the Penn’a line, on file in this Office, shew that no person of that name and line was returned at the close of the War, as entitled to Bounty Land. The Gentleman who conducted the business of this Office at the time the Warrant issued in Feby 1826, has retired from it for more than two years past, and I have no means of ascertaining correctly, why the Warrant was issued to Adam Koch of the Penn’a line, but am inclined to think, it may have been caused by some representations, other than those found in the papers filed in the case - As the Warrant has gone into the hands of persons not entitled it, and through the immediate instrumentality of Mr Chas Ogle of Somerset,
I can scarcely entertain a doubt, but that his sense of
justice to the indigent heirs of the rightful owner, Will
induce him (without a resort to coercive measures on
their part) to surrender it to them, regardless of the
small loss he may sustain by the purchase, now that he
is fully apprised that the original issue was made under
a misapprehension of the rightful claimant.
Respectfully Yours
Wm Gordon

Mr Saml Levan
Reading Penn’a