Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6041, for John Shober, Maryland
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(3-1776)
SERVICE | | NUMBER
Md. | Shober, John | W.6041
Navy | or Shover | 
 | Susannah | 
CONTENTS
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Left Side Page

Virginia 
16810
John Shover alias Shober
of Kentucky in the state of NA
who was a priv in the blank commanded by Captain Marine of the regiment commanded by Col. Johnson in the MD line for 16 months

Inscribed on the roll of Virginia
at the rate of 53 dollars 33 center per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept '33 and sent Harrison Waite Martinsburg VA

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $133.33
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar '34 $26.66
$159.98

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 5, 1832}

Recorded by N. Rice - Clerk
Book E Vol 6 Page 27

Right Side Page

Dcad
See letter to J. Rawlings
Dec 9, 1836
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6220
Richmond 
Virginia
Susannah Shober
widow of John Sober
who was a Private
in the MD Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 53 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of October 1844 and sent to J. P Ingle
Present

[Act of March 3, 1843]
and June 17, 1844

Recorded in Book A
Vol 2 Page 147
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C. Hogmun
Dec 31
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Family Register
John Shober born 17th August 1759
married 22nd December 1785 to
Sussanna Bowers who was born the 15th September 1768

Children

1. Anna born 21st April 1788
2. Catharine 20th August 1789
3. John May 22nd, 1791 - Dead
4. Susanna 6th March 1793
5. Henry 12th January 1795 - Dead
6. Eliza 28th Sept 1796 - Dead
7. John B 28th Sept 1798
8. Elizabeth 8 Sept 1800 - Dead
9. George 11th October 1802 - Dead
10. Mary Ann 27th March 1806
11 Adam 24th January 1810
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State of Virginia Berkeley County

Be it known that on the 21st day of December 1838 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Susanna Shober (alias Shover) widow of John Shober dec'd late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that the family record hereto attached of her marriage with the said Shober 
dec'd is now and has been in her possession ever since the death of said Shober and is in the handwriting of the said John Shober  dec'd 
later her husband.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year above mentioned.

Daniel Burkhart 

Virginia, Berkeley County

I Harrison Waite, clerk of the county court of said county do certify that Daniel Burkhart is a Justice as above and a member of the said county court which is a court of record and I further certify that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this 21 day of December 1838 and 63rd year of our Foundation.

Harrison Waite, Clerk

SEAL
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State of Virginia, County of Berkeley Ss.

on this 8th day of July 1833 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record John Shover -(at present spelled Shober according to the German) a Resident in said County, aged 73 years the 17th Day of August last past, who being first Duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7.th 1832

That he the said John Shober at the time the British over ran the Jerseys volunteered his services and served  Three months, which was in the winter of 1776 & 1777. That he was in the Schirmish at buebble Tower where three of his mess were killed ____ That in the month of September following at the time the Brittish landed at the head of Elk he again volunteered his services & marched in the company Commanded by Cap.t Hoff, Baker Johnston Colonel of the Regiment Maryland Militia, and under the command of General Smallwood, That the Division arrived at head Quarters on the Bergomy, and that on the night of the 3.rd of October the army took info the line of march & at Day break arrived at the foot of Chesnut hill, where he was one of 40 men picked out by the Captain to Commence an attack on the outposts of the Enemy, The morning being very Foggy we advanced too far & received the Enemys fire on our left Flank within a few yards, the Captain was wounded, lieutenant Grosh fell by my side & myself Received a Ball through my Thigh, altho. wounded I advanced on the Enemy & Discharged my piece 5 times being Irritated by the pain of my wound, During the Engagement four Balls more entered my clothes and grazed my body without inflicting another wound excepting a piece of melted lead or slug entered under my Rib where it remained for years before it was Extracted. That he was left on the field when the army retreated, being Chased by the Brittish Horse
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he took Refuge on a rock and kept them at Bay, he left the Rock and Roads & passing through the woods he arrived the Third Day at Head Quarters, his wound being Irritated & inflamed for want of Dressing.  He was put in the Hospital at Beading where he remained some time when he obtained a passage home in a waggon, & for six months he was Disabled from work on account of his wound having been unproperly Dressed & the friction of the Nerves & on the wound

and further that he the said John Shober in the eatter part of 1780 enlisted on Board the Confederacy Frigate of 36 guns then lying at anchor opposite Chester in the Delaware __ (being enveighled on board & compelled to Enlist) That he served in said vessel untill the arival of the same at Cape Francis in the Island of Hispaniola, that he was attached by the prevelant fever & that he together with some of the Crew were landed & placed in the Hospital ____meanwhile he was informed by some of the French officers of the Navy (having seen none of the officers belonging to the confederacy for nearly a month, that a Brittish Frigate have in sight off the Harbour & that the Confederacy went out to meet the Brittish vessel & that it was a General report & fully believed that the Confederacy struck her flag without making any Defence "The French officers further remarked that as soon as I was fit for service I would be put on board of a man of war (saying we fight for the americans & the americans must fight for us) not willing to serve the French & hearing nothing further of the Frigate, the officers & Crew, & there being no american vessel in the Harbour he left the Hospital & Travelled through the Island in a weak & forlorn state, passing through Ganives, Port Lemark, semasr & other ports seeking for american vessels, that some time in the months of April or May 1786 he arrived at Port ou Prince, where he joined the Brig Mars of 12 Guns Commanded by Cap t Cannon, bound for Philadelphia ___
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(3)
He agreed to work his passage & on those terms he entered the Brig, Capt. Cannon also informed him that the *** was captured as aforesaid. Leaving Port au Prince, he were chased by British Cruisers so that we were compelled to seek safety in the Island of Curacao having touched at St. Eustatius but the British fleet under Rodney had taken the Island and we narrowly escaped being taken. Arriving at Curacao, I remained until September when an American Brig named Two Friends sailed for Philadelphia on which I entered by working my passage & that sometime in the latter part of October 1781 I landed at Philadelphia being absent nearly between 10 & 11 months, I made inquiry respecting the frigate & was informed as aforestated. He was advised to call on Mr. Morris for his bounty & pay (of which he had received no part). Mr. Morris informed me that he was ruined & could not do anything for me. He then returned to Frederick Town state of Maryland the place of his nativity from whence he removed in 1785 to Martinsburg Berkeley County Virginia where he at present resides - to corroborate the foregoing statement & throw as much light on the subject of the truth of the case & of his actual services, he will state a few facts from memory he thinks the names of the Capt. of the ship & Capt. of the mariner were Harding or Hardin. His armorers name was Benj Rothrock, one of the boatswains was called Portergee John & the cook being remarkable having lost an arm - The Confederacy, Fair American & Saratoga Frigates left the capes of Delaware together & for some time sailed in company, after passing Turks Island & being in the Gulf of Florida & being overtaken by a storm the fleet was scattered & the two latter vessels were lost as they were not heard of since.

That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present & that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state - sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

John Shober
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4

In reply to the Particular INterrogatories of the Court

1st - I was born in Frederick Town Maryland the 17th of August 1759
2nd - I have no record of my age except in my family bible & Lewis' Dispensitery taken from the record in my father's family bible forty seven years ago.
3rd - I was livining in Frederick Town when called into service & have lived in the town of Martinsburg in Virginia from 1785 until the present period.
4th - I was a volunteer in the frist instance, and in the second I was the substitute for Godlsel Miller. To whom I was there an apprentise, I did not ask or receive any compenstaion as substitute. I considered byself as a volunteer - Miller being a very infirm man.
5 - The answer to this question is given in already in this declaration.
6th -
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(5)

The undersigned doth certify that he has been acquainted with John Shober for twenty years past, & intimately for the last 13 years - that he has frequently heard him speak of his services as a soldier & sailor in the war of the Revolution - from his minute statement of facts compared with the historical events of the Revolutionary war he is convinced he must have served otherwise he could not have been so well acquainted with the events that then took place, and I do further certify that I believe him to be man of truth  - given under my hand this 7th day of June 1833

Seamans Garard

I have examined John Shober & find he has scars on his right thigh bearing the evidence of a severe wound which he says was received in the revolutionary war. Given under my hand this 28th June 1833.

Richd McSherry

I have known John Shober of Martinsburg Virginia for about twenty-five years. It is perhaps more than twenty years since he first informed me of his having served during the revolutionary was as a solider and a sailor and that he had been wounded in the battle of Germantown, the marks of which were shown me at the time and I think more than once since. They have the appearance of shot wounds.

From the years 1817 until 1831 the said Shober was employed by me [as acting clerk of the county court of this county] as and
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(6)

assistant. Having been myself in the late war it was very natural that such occurrences as had been witnessed by either should be occasionally spoken of. Of the incidents connected with the services of John Shober during the revolutionary war, I have heard him speak often since the time as above mentioned sometimes in detached anecdotes and repeatedly in something of a connected history of his services.

I have examined the foregoing declaration and am satisfied that it is substantially the same statement I have so often heard from him as above mentioned; and from the entire consistency of the details which have been given by him from time to time, when too he had no expectation of being accommodated for his services, I am persuaded that he did serve as set forth in his declaration. But apart from this I should believe his statement from my estimate of his character as a man of truth.

John Strother
June 29th, 1833

I Nathan Young a clergyman residing in the Town of Martinsburg, Berkeley County Virginia do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Shober who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that I believe him to be 73 years of age, that he is respected & believed in neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that I concur in that opinion sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Nathan Young

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 Nathan Young who has also signed the preceding
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(7)

certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Berkeley and that Seamons Garrard John Strother & Doctor Richard McSherry who have also signed their certificates are residents in the town of Martinsburg and are creditable persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.

I Harrison Waite clerk of the court of the county of Berkeley do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Shober for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8th day of July in the year of our Lord 1833 and 58th of this commonwealth.

Harrison Waite - Clerk
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State of Virginia County of Berkeley

On this 6th day of September 1833 personally appeared in open court before the circuit Superior Court of law and chancery for Berkeley County being a court of record, John Shober a resident in the said county who being first duly sworn on the holy evangelists of almighty god doth make the following declaration in addition to that made by him before the county court of this county on the 8th day of July 1833 in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th, 1832.

 That he entered the service as a volunteer in the militia in the month of December 1776 and served under the command of Capt. Nicholas White, in the Regt of Col. Charles Beatty which was stationed near Lord Stirling station in Bascon Ridge in New Jersey. He volunteered for three months and was discharged in the month of March or April.

His next service commenced in the month of September following when he went on a three month tour and served as stated in said original declaration. It was about four months from the time of his entering in this service until his return home from the hospital at Reading; and for the months after his return, he was unable to work at his trade [that of a stocking weaver] on account of his wound.

His naval service as set forth in his declaration aforesaid commenced he thinks in November 1780. He entered as a marine but did duty also as a sailor. He was taken sick as well as he can now recollect.
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and sent ashore at Hispaniola in the month of January following and it was more than two months before he was able to leave the hospital, when he left it, in the manner and for the reasons stated in his original declaration. He returned to this county in the manner stated in said declaration after an absence of ten or eleven months.

The precise length of service he cannot state positively owning to the lapse of time. He estimates the time of service in the first occasion mentioned at three and a half months - in the second, four months unless would be considered that the six months when disabled by his wound should be included which would make it ten months and his service in the Navy ten and a half months - in all eighteen months exclusive of the six months when he was prevented by his wound from pursuing his occupation. During all the period of eighteen months above mentioned he was employed in no civil pursuit.

His services in the first instance mentioned can be proved by Phillip Rhoe of Frederick Town, Maryland who he believes is the only one alive to whom it is known. He can also testify as to the personal fact of applicants second service and return home wounded. Doctor John Baltzell who was then a child may have some recollection of this fact or of its having been spoken of some time afterwards in the family of his father.

Applicant knows of no other person to whom he can refer for further proof of his land service and none are alive and known to him of these who composed the crew of the confederacy in the other ships
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in which he sailed to testify touching his service by sea.

He refers to his original declaration in the county court for his answer to the particular interrogatories prescribed by the war department.

And the said court doth hereby declare its opinion after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to it that Nathan Young who has signed a certificate annexed to the original declaration of the said John Shober is a clergyman resident in the said county of Berkeley and that Seamans Garrard, John Strother and Doct Richard McSherry whose several certificates are also attached to said declaration are residents of the town of Martinsburg in the county of Berkeley in Virginia and are creditable persons and that their statements are entitled to credit

Richd G Parker

I John Strother clerk of the said Circuit Superior Court of law and chancery for Berkeley County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Shober [in the original declaration appended hereto called Shover or Shober] for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
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my hand and seal of office this 7th day of September in the year of our Lord 1833 and 58th year of the commonwealth.

John Strother

SEAL
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No 25862
John Shover (alias John Shober) Berkeley County Virginia

Return [illegible]
Amdt as
Priv 7 mo $23.33
Marine 9 mo $30.00
$53.33

Harrison Waite Clerk Berkeley County
Virgina
Martinsburg
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War Department
Pension Office
1st August 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 ta 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 show 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 his printed letter with them and you will by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement showing the service of John Shover alias John Shober Berkeley County Virginia.

Period when the service was rendered:
1. Vol 1776 to 1777
2. Vol Sept
3. Enlisted 1780

Duration of the claimant's service
1. 3 months
2. Not stated
3. 10 or 11 months

Rank of the claimant
1. Private
2. Private
3. Marine

Names and rank of the field officers under whom he served
1. None provided
2. Capt Hoff, Col Johnston
3. Frigate Confederacy 36 guns Capt Harden

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service
73 years, Frederick Town Maryland

Proof by which the declarations is supported
Traditionary evidence papers not properly attached

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 District of County of }ss. On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 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) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it 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
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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 Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. [a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: " Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of bis service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For year months, and days, I served as a ; For mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension." {It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must 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. (as a sailor)
 [j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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(2631)
Virg
Susannah Shober
Declaration
Admitted
Pri $53.33

Jan 21

Mr. C. Hogmire
Georgetown
D.C.

C. Hogmire Oct 22
Page 23

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"

State of Virginia
Berkeley County

On this 8th day of October 1838 personally appeared before the County Court of Berkeley in the commonwealth aforesaid Susanna Shober a resident of the town of Martinsburg in the county of Berkeley aforesaid aged seventy 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 John Shover (alias Shober) of the state of Virginia who was a private/marine in the army and navy of the revolution and inscribed on the pension list roll of the Virginia Agency at the rate of fifty-three dollars and thirty-three cents per annum during his natural life. She further declares that she was married to the said John Shover (alias Shober) on the 22nd day of December in the year seventeen hundred and eighty five that her husband the aforesaid John Shover (alias Shober) died on the 3rd day of October, eighteen hundred and thirty-six; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety-four viz at the time above stated.

Susannah Shober
Her X Mark

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before the court aforesaid.

Virginia

At a court held for Berkeley County at the Court House on Monday the 8th day of October 1838. The declarant
Page 24

ation of Susannah Shober a resident of the county of Berkeley and widow of John Shover (alias Shober) dec'd was this day made subscribed and sworn to in open court by the said Susannah Shober and on consideration thereof the same is ordered to be certified to the war Department.

In testimony whereof I Harrison Waite clerk of the county court of Berkeley have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal at Martinsburg in said county, the 8th day of October 1838 and 63rd year of our foundation.

Harrison Waite - CBC
Page 25

February 8, 1933

John Shober W.6041
BA-J/MCS

Miss Margaret Wilson
C/O The Exponent
Clarksburg
West Virginia

Her Madam:

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim W. 6041, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Shober or Shover.

He was born August 17, 1759, in Frederick, Maryland.

While living in that place he enlisted in December 1776 served three- and one-half months as private in Captain Nicholas White's company in Colonel Charles Beatty's Maryland Regiment and was in a skirmish at Quibbletown. He enlisted in September, 1777, served about four months as private in Captain Hoff's Company in Colonel Baker Johnson's Maryland regiment, received a wound in the right thigh in the battle of Germantown and was placed in the hospital at Reading. He entered the service late in 1780 and served as marine and sailor on board the "Confederacy", Captain Harding or Hardin, said vessel being a frigate of thirty-six guns lying at anchor opposite Chester in the Delaware River. He sailed to Cape Francio on the island of Hispaniola where in January 1781 having become ill with fever, was placed in a hospital for two months. When he was able to leave the hospital, he wandered through the island seeking an American vessel. He arrived at Port au Prince in April or May 1781, found the brig, "Mars" Captain Cannon, sailed to the island of Curraco (Curacao) and in September sailed for Philadelphia on the American Brig, "Two Friends" landed at Philadelphia late in October 1781 and returned to his home in Frederick.

In 1785 he moved to Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia.

From 1817 until 1831 he was Acting Clerk of Court in Berkeley County, Virgnia.
Page 26

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 8, 1833.

The soldier died October 3, 1836 in Berkeley County, Virginia.

He married December 22, 1785, Susannah Bowers who was born September 15, 1768.

She was allowed pension on her application executed October 8, 1838, while living in Martinsburg Virginia and she was living there in 1844.

John and Susannah Shober or Shower had the following children:

Anna born April 21, 1788
Catharine born August 20, 1789
John born May 22, 1791, dead in 1836
Susanna born March 6, 1793
Henry born January 12, 1795
Eliza born September 28, 1796, dead in 1836
John B. born September 28, 1798
Elizabeth born September 8, 1800, dead in 1836
George born October 11, 1802, dead in 1836
Mary Ann born March 27, 1806
Adam born January 24, 1810

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 27

Left Side Page

1932 May 12 - Hist to Mrs. Bertha Ellis Marsh
1933 Feb 8 - Hist to Miss Margaret Wilson

Right Side Page

Revy
WIDOW, etc.

File No 6041
Susannah Shober
widow
John Shober
Pvt Md Line

Act: Mch 3rd '43 & June 17, '44

Index Vol M Page 205

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 28

1681
Richmond Virginia
Susannah Shober
widow of John Shover dec'd
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 3rd October 1836
of Berkeley in the state of VA
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain blank of the Regiment commanded by Col. Johnson in the Md line for 16 months  & Navy

Inscribed on the roll of Richmond Va at the rate of 53 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 3rd October 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd ay of Jan 1839 and sent C. Hogmire Geo Town D.C.

Arrears to the 4th of sept 1838 $133.32
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 39 $26.66
$159.98

{Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by D D Addison - Clerk
Book A Vol 2 Page 183
Page 29

Susanna Shober
of John
Virginia
Suspended
See Let 27th Oct 
1838 to C. Hogmire
do 4 Jan 1839

Act 7 July 1838
Page 30

John Shober - Va Act 7 June 1832
to what time paid?
Pen Office
Oct 27, 1838

Died 3 Oct 1836 paid to that
period J.H.
Page 31

STAMP: Richmond VA Nov 29

FREE

Jno Shober
Va

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 32

Richmond Virg 29 Nov 1836

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Dear Sir

I enclose the pension power of the widow of John Shober dec'd with the certificate of pension issued to John Shober - As the pensioner died on the 3rd day of October, 1836, Mr. Robinson the agent now thinks he has no authority to pay until after the 4 March next without your instructions.

A direction to him to make immediately payment on the production of proper vouchers is now asked of you by

Very Respec
Your Most ob Ser

James Hawling
Page 33

6509
Va
Mar 3 1843
Sus Shober
Acts 43 & 44

$53.33 per ann

No 151 Act 1844

J P Ingle
Pres
Sept 26 '44
Page 34

State of Virginia Berkeley County

On this 19th day of September 1844 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Susannah Shober a resident of Martinsburg in the county of Berkeley aforesaid aged seventy-six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the acts of congress passed on the 3rd of march 1843 and as revised and extended in the 17th day of June 1844 granting pensions to widows of persons who serve during the revolutionary war - that she is the widow of John Shober deceased who was a private marine pensioner of the United states at the rate of Fifty-three dollars and thirty-three cents per annum. That her said husband John Shober departed this life on the 3rd day of October 1836 and that subsequently thereto she received a pension of fifty-three dollars and thirty three cents from the United States from the 3rd of October 1836 until the 4th March 1841 under the act of congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" and she further declares that she is still the widow of the said John Shober dec'd.

Susannah Shober
Her X Mark

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.

Danial Burkhart

In presence of
D. Beales
J A Beales
Page 35

State of Virginia Berkeley County

I Daniel Burkhart a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Susannah Shober who made same to and subscribed the foregoing declaration before me is a citizen of Town of Martinsburg in the County aforesaid that I have been acquainted with her for upwards of Thirty years past. That I also knew her husband John Shober dec'd who during his life was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States and that the said Susannah Shober is the identical widow of the said John Shober and has not married again since his death and that she received the pension as within stated.

Given under my hand this 19th day of September 1844.

Daniel Burkart

Virginia Berkeley County

I Harrison Waite clerk of the County court of said county do certify that Daniel Burkhart is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal at Martinsburg in said county the 23rd day of September 1844.

H. Waite CBC
Page 36

Virginia Berkeley County Set

I Erasmus Gantt presiding judge of the county court of said county do certify that Harrison Waite is the clerk of said court and that his certificate and attestation aforegoing is in due form. Given under my hand the 23rd day of September 1844.

Erasmus Gantt
Page 37

Washington County

Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Conrad Hofmire and made oath that he has known Mr. John Shober about thirty years and that he acted as deputy clerk in the county court clerk's office of Berkeley County Virginia and that the family record of John Shober attached to this certificate of D. Burkhart is in the handwriting of said John Shober dec'd and that he believes he died either in the year 1834 or 35. Given under my hand this 18th day of Jany 1839

J I Stutt
Page 38

War Department
Pension Office
January 4, 1839

Sir

I herewith return the paper purporting to be the family record of Mrs. Susanna Shober widow of John Shober dec'd. I have to state that before a final decision can be had, you should make an affidavit stating your knowledge of the handwriting in which said record is made, from what circumstances your knowledge has been derived and at what time the claimant's husband died.

The additional testimony in the case of Mrs. Catharine McEver widow of Angus McEver deceased is also returned in order that the credibility of the witness may be certified, as required by the regulations of this office. If you have any knowledge of the age of her oldest son, your testimony should be exhibited. If the claimant has a family record of her marriage or of the births of her children, it should be exhibited. If there be none, it is indispensably necessary that she should state the fact under oath.

I am respectfully
your obt servant
J.L. Edwards

C. Hogmire, Esq
Georgetown
District Columbia
Page 39

Add evidence
new Dec 8, 1838

C. Hogmire
Page 40

Virginia

At a court held for Berkeley County at the courthouse on Monday the 12th day of November 1838.

Seamans Garand of said county known to the court to be a respectable and competent person, personally appeared in open court and made oath that he was well acquainted for many years with John Shover (alias Shober) and who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States - that he believes as he often told him  ,that he served a long time as a marine and soldier in the army of the revolution. That he is also well acquainted with Susanna Shover, alias Shober, the widow of the said John Shober who as he understands is now an applicant for a pension under the act of congress passed on the 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows and whose declaration for that purpose was made before this court at the last October term and ordered to be certified to the war department. That he knows the said Susanna Shober to be the identical widow of the said John Shober, alias Shober, dec'd and that she has not been married since his death but is at this time residing in the Town of Martinsburg in the
Page 41

county of Berkeley single and unmarried.

And the court doth certify that it has been positively proven before this court by competent and credible testimony that the said John Shover, alias Shober, died in the county of Berkeley on the 3rd day of October 1836 - and the court doth further certify that from the family register produced in court is the hand writing of the said John Shover, alias Shober, that the said John Shober was born 17th August 1759 and married 22 December 1785 to Susanna Bowers who was born the 15th September 1768 all which is now ordered to be certified to the war department.

I Harrison Waite Clerk of the county court of Berkeley aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true abstract from the records of the said court.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal at Martinsburg in said County the 4th day of December 1838 and 63rd year of our foundation.

Harrison Waite - CBC
Page 42

War Department
Pension Office 1st August 1833

Sir

The evidence in support of the claim of John Shover alias Shober has been examined. There are several objections to the admission thereof viz. His first tour he has not given the name of the officers under whom he served - in his second tour he has not stated the length of service and as a sailor he has not given his service whilst on board the Confederacy. The papers are moreover not attached agreeably to the regulations. See the notes in the accompanying brief.

I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servant
J.L. Edwards

Harrison Waite, Esq
Martinsburg
Berkeley County 
Va
Page 43

910 North Mesa Ave
El Paso, Texas
March 24, 1932

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir

(I)

Will you please give me what the records have about Silas Marsh whose widow Mary (Byington ?) received land, and I think a pension? I found it mentioned under the D.A.R. Report 1917-1918 (Senate Documents Vol 6, 86 Congress, 1st Session 1919. Connecticut)

Silas Marsh wid Mary BLWT 26582-160-55
W 1979 drawer 60 923 15-1/2 widows file
Silas Marsh

I am not sure that our ancestor's wife was Byington. All we have is that he was born Mar 3, 1740, and died 1790 and he was a Yale Graduate, but tradition has it his wife was Mary Byington and we know he died many years before his wife did - and that she lived in New York in her old age.

(II)
In the census of Pensioners of 1841, I found a Mary Folsom of Gilmartin N.H. was she Mary Moody Folsom wife of Daniel Folsom Jr. (1739-1817)?
Page 44

(III)
Will you please tell me about Susan Shobe who received a pension according to Census of Pensioners 1841? Her residence was Berkeley Co Virginia, and age was 70. I have an ancestor Susannah Shobe who live in Virginia, and we have never been able to straighten out our ancestors. Who was her husband and what was her maiden name.

Thanking you
Sincerely
(Mrs.) Bertha Ellis Marsh
Page 45

Clarksburg, W. Va
June 14, 1932

United States Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen:

Will you be so kind as to send me a copy of the record showing the Revolutionary services and any family history or genealogy given in the application for pension of Henry Bedinger, a revolutionary soldier who resided in Berkley County, West Virginia in 1840.

I would also ask that you send a similar certificate giving like information for Susan Shober, who resided in Berkley County in 1840.

Thanking you for such information as you may send me and hoping you will let me hear from you at your earliest convenience, I am

Very truly yours

Margaret Wilson

Miss Margaret Wilson

Address:

c/o The Exponent
Clarksburg, W.Va

RECEIVED June 15, 1932 STAMP
Page 46

May 12, 1932

BA-J/MCS

Mrs. Bertha Ellis Marsh
710 North Mesa Avenue
El Paso
Texas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of March 24th, requesting information in regard to soldiers of the revolution.

You are advised that the revolutionary war records of this office fail to afford any information in regard to a Silas Marsh who was born March 3, 1740, and died in 1790.

The Silas Marsh, as shown by papers on file in pension claim, W.1977 was born in 1764 and died in 1848. He married Mary, the daughter of William and Mary Hare.

The papers on file in pension claim W. 17913, show that Mary Folsom (maiden name Connor) of Gilmanton, New Hampshire was the widow of John Folsom. The revolutionary war records of this office fail to afford any information in regard to a Daniel Folsom.

You are herewith furnished information in regard to Susannah Shober, widow of John Shober.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 47

May 12, 1932
BA-J/MCS

John Shober, W.6041

Mrs. Bertha Ellis Marsh
710 North Mesa Avenue
El Paso
Texas

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter requesting information in regard to Susannah Shober who was the widow of John Shober, a soldier of the Revolution.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 6041, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Shober or Shover,

He was born August 17, 1759, in Frederick, Maryland,

While living in that place he enlisted in December 1776, served three- and one-half months as private in Captain Nicholas
White's Company in Colonel Charles Beatty's Maryland Regiment and was in a skirmish at Quibbletown. He enlisted in September 1777,
served about four months as private in Captain Hoff's Company in Colonel Baker Johnson's Maryland Regiment, received a wound in the
right thigh in the battle of Germantown and was placed in the hospital at Reading. He entered the service late in 1780, as marine and sailor on board the "Confederacy", Captain Harding or Hardin, said vessel being a frigate of thirty-six guns lying at anchor opposite Chester in the Delaware River. He sailed to Cape Francio on the island of Hispaniola where in January 1781, having become ill with fever, was placed in a hospital for two months. When he was able to leave the hospital, he wandered through the island seeking an American vessel. He arrived at Port au Prince in April or May 1781, found the brig, Mars", Captain Cannon, sailed to the island of Curraco and in September, sailed for Philadelphia on the 
American brig, Two Friends, landed at Philadelphia late in October 1781, and returned to his home in Frederick.

Handwritten notes in margins:

See Md Archives for spelling of the name Johnson

Battle of Quibbletown or New War was in June 1777 but I mentioned the skirmish as may have been sometime prior to the battle.
Page 48

In 1785 he moved to Martinsburg, Berkeley County Virginia.

From 1817 until 1831 he was Acting Clerk of Court in Berkeley County, Virginia.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 8, 1833.

The soldier died October 3, 1836 in Berkeley County Virginia.

He married December 22, 1765, Susannah Bowers who was born September 15, 1768.

She was allowed pension on her application executed October 8, 1838, while living in Martinsburg, Virginia, and she was living there in 1844.

John and Susannah Shober or Shover had the following children:

Anna bon April 21, 1768
Catharine born August 20, 1789
John born May 22, 1791, dead in 1836
Susanna born March 6, 1793
Henry born January 12, 1795
Elisa born September 28, 1796, dead in 1836
John B. born September 28, 1798
Elizabeth born September 8, 1800, dead in 1836
George born October 11, 1802, dead in 1836
Mary Ann born March 27, 1806
Adam born January 24, 1810

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator