Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6054, for Lawrance Koons, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn

Koons, Lawrance
Mary

NUMBER
R 6054
CONTENTS
Page 2

Declaration
On behalf of the heirs of Mrs Mary Koons, for pension
under the act of 7th July, 1838, and acts subsequently thereto
State of Pennsylvania Perry County ss
Be it known that on this tenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty seven, personally appeared to the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas holden at Bloomfield in & for the County of Perry, State of Pennsylvania, Mary Silks, and Jane Wendt, residents of Perry County, State aforesaid, who being
first duly sworn according to law, do on their oaths, make the
following declaration, in order to obtain for themselves, and the other heirs of Mary Koons deceased, the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress of 7th July 1838, and acts subsequent thereto. That they are the children of Lawrence Koons, and Mary Koons both deceased, that the said Mary Koons in her life time made application to be placed on the pension Roll of the United States, under the act of 7th July 1838. That she died in the Town of Liverpool, in the County of Perry, State aforesaid, in the year one thousand eight hundred & forty six, on the twenty ninth of January
in said year. That the said Mary Koons did not intermarry, but
continued to be the widow of the said Lawrence Koons, until the day of her death, and that the said Lawrence Koons died in the County of Perry in the State of Pennsylvania, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty one on the twentieth day of February in the said year. They also apply for any pension that may be and in his right, they therefore ask that certificates for pension may issue in their name as Executors of the Last Will and Testament of Mary Koons, for such sum or sums, as may be due.
Mary Silks, her mark
Jane Wendt her mark
Executrix’s

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above
mentioned (tenth April 1847) in presence of the Judges of the
Court aforesaid,
Attest Joseph Miller, Prothy
Witness signatures
John A Baker
J J Crane
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania Perry County ss-
I Joseph Miller Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas of Perry County being a Court of
Record holden at Bloomfield in and for Perry County do hereby
certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited at
said Court that Mary Koons widow of Lawrence Koons a soldier of the Revolutionary war, was a resident of the County
of Perry State of Pennsylvania and died in the County of 
Perry, State aforesaid in the year on thousand
memored and forty six on the twenty ninth day
of January in said year that she left three children
to wit: Mary intermarried to Abraham Silks, Jane
intermarried to George Wendt and Hannah intermarried to
Philip Beich all of whom survived and I do further certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of
the said Court in the matter of the application of the
heirs of the aforesaid Lawrence Koons and Mary Koons for
pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the seal of the said Court
and subscribed my name at Bloomfield
this teth day of April Anno Domini
one thousand eight hundred & forty seven
Joseph Miller, Prothy
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania Perry County ss
I George W. Crane Register for the
Probate of Wills and granting Letters of 
Administration in and for said County of Perry, Do
certify that on the ninth day of April AD 1847, 
Letters Testamentary on the Last Will and Testament
of Mary Koons, late of Liverpool Township
in said County of Perry deceased, were in due form of Law,
granted to Mary Silks and Jane Wendt, Executrix in
said Testament named.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Office at
Bloomfield this Tenth day of April AD 1847
George W. Crane Register
Perry Count
Page 5

Pennsylvania District  Perry County ss
On the twenty fifth day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty one personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices the Peace in and for the County of Perry Mary Koons a resident of Liverpool township in the County of Perry aged seventy four years of age who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 Entitled an act Granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widows. That she is the Widdow of Lawrance Koons a Revolutionary soldier or private. She further declares that she was married to said Lawrance Koons at one time in the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and that her husband the afforesaid Lawrance Koons has drew a pension from the State of Pennsylvania since the year eighteen hundred and twenty two and died on twentieth day of February last. And that she is now his widow and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place
previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and
and Ninety four at the time above stated. And further
saith that she had five children by said Lawrance
Koons and they Lived together as man and wife from the
date of the marriage untill his death the date above stated.
Mary Koons her mark
Sworn and Subscribed on the day
day and year above written before the
Subscriber at the Borough of Liverpool
Perry County Pennsylvania
William Lenhart J.P.
Page 6

of [his life] and now in his old age in a poor situation and in a
reduced circumstance nearly lost the sight of eye, and no more able to help himself. He stands in need of assistance of his country for support whom he has served faithfully and honestly during said time. Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays your [?] body to consider him as a Pensioner. And
your [Soldier?] in duty being [illegible]
Lawrance Koons his mark

Perry County ss 
Before the Subscriber one of the Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared James Smith of Liverpool Township in said County who being sworn deposeth & saith that Lawrance Kuntz [sic] served in the 8 Regiment of Pennsylvania commanded by Col McCoy in the year 1776 and deponent further saith that he was in the same Regiment himself.  James Schmitt his mark
Sworn & subscribed the 12 day of Feb’y A. D. 1822 Before me John  
Jus. Peace

 I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a correct copy of the Petition documents of Lawrance Kuntz [sic] for a Pension as presented and which remain of record in the House of Representatives of Penn’a.
Given under my hand this 20 day of August 1840. 
J [Seiler] Clk H of Rep.
Page 7

Perry County ss 
Before the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County appeared Adam Berger of the Borough of Liverpool Perry County and State of Pennsylvania who after being sworn as law directs saith that that about 1776 or 1777, but as to the year your Deponant is by no means certain, a Large company of Regular troops perhaps near one hundred men came from a Northern [Section] and pitched their tents on the Susquehannah then Cumberland County, Now Perry, on ground near the Place where the town of Liverpool now stands and remained there of my Father Farm Several Days.  I distinctly recollected then every day to see the troops going through their Exercises. I was still looking at that them when perading [sic], being a Boy about ten years of age and have a firm  recollection of seeing Lawrance Kuntz [sic] among said Company always when on Parade dressed in Soldier Cloths with Duck tails in their hats. After remaining a few days on my Father’s farm they marched to Carlisle.
Adam Berger

Sworn and Subscribed before me at the Borough of Liverpool  Perry County  this 25 day of June AD 1841
Wm Lenhart
Page 8

Pennsylvania District Perry County  ss
I hereby Certify that I am acquainted with Mary Koons
of Liverpool Township Perry County and State of Pennsylvania
and that she is an infirm woman and from her
statement to me on oath I hereby certify that she is
unable to appear [Before] at the Court of this County which
is a distance of at least eighteen miles from this place.
She declares she cannot ride on a waggon and the distance
does appear to me too grate for a woman of her age to walk.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal at the Borough of Liverpool Perry County
Pennsylvania this 25th day of June AD. 1844
Wm Lenhart {seal}

Perry County ss
Before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and
for said County appeared Adam Bruge & John Holman
Citizens of Perry County and State of Pennsylvania who being
sworn as Law directs saith that they have been acquainted
with Mary Koonts [sic] wife of Lawrance Kunts near or about forty years and that Lawrance Kunts] and his wife raised a number of  Children together and always appeared to live as man and wife,  always living in the County of Cumberland now Perry or Mifflin County and further saith that Lawrance Kunts
has [was] always considered a soldier of the Revolutionary War and died in February last 1841 to our certain knowledge
and drew a pension from the State of Pennsylvania for a 
Number of years of $40 per year.  John Holman
Adam Burge


Sworn and Subscribed before me at the Borough of Liverpool Perry County and State of Pennsylvania this 25 day June AD 1841
Wm Lenhart
Page 9

State of Pennsylvania Perry County  ss
I Alexander F. Topley, Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas of Perry
County, do certify that the signature
Wm Lenhart Esquire, whose name is subscribed
to the depositions annexed is Genuine, and that he
was at the time of taking the said depositions and still is an
acting Justice of the peace duly elected, Commissioned and sworn as such in and for the said County of Perry. And further I do Certify that John Turner, Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition of James Smith was taken was at the time of taking the said depention an acting Justice of Peace duly Commissioned and sworn as such in and for the said County of Perry with full power to take such depositions and administer oaths and to whose official acts at that time full faith and credit was and of right ought to be given. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Bloomfield, the thirteenth day of July Eighteen hundred and forty one .
Alex’r F. Topley Prothonotary
Page 10


To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in [August]
Assembly met
The petition of Lawrence Kuntz [sic] a
Citizen of Mifflin County and Commonwealth aforesaid
Respectfully Herewith
That your petitioner engaged and served in the Revolutionary
War against Great Britain, he entered and enlisted in the month of July 1776 under the command of Captain Carson of
Cumberland County belonging to the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment  Commanded by Col McCay for three years or during the War. Afterward in the year 1777 your petitioner was drafted
and attached to Col Morgan’s Rifle Regiment to march 
against the enemy up the North River.  Your
Petitioner has during his enlistment been in sundry hard
and sore battles, viz  At the memorable battle of
Brandywine and in the sore battle at Germantown.
In which let battle your petitioner was wounded. He has been
in the service of his Country against the common
enemy of his Country from year 1776 until the
year 1782 during which time he endured many a days
hardship and labor for the delivery of his Country from the Tyranny of Great Britain and for the 
independence and liberty thereof. Now whereas your
Petitioner is well [illegible] in years being now in the 67 year
Page 11

Pennsylvania District Perry County ss
Before the Subscriber George W Crane
Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Perry
 Personally appeared John Rouse and Adam Berger both
Residents of the Borough of Liverpool in said County of
Perry and who after being both sworn as law directs
saith that they were acquainted with George Carsteder
of Union County or upwards of Forty years that he was always 
Considered to be a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner.
And that he was, as far as our knowledge of him extends, he
was considered to be a man of good repute and entitled
to credit, and we would believe him in Oath.  We further
State that he has sworn the deposition of George Carsteder
taken before John Signs Esquire of Union County and certified
by the Prothonotary of said County to be hereunto [annexed]
the 9th day of June 1842 and hereby state that this
deposition relates to the said George Carsteder.
John Rouse
Adam Berger

Sworn and subscribed before me at the Borough of Liverpool in said County this 15th day of June AD 1844
Geo W Crane
Page 12

We the Subscribers two of the Justices of the Peace in and
for said County Do hereby certify that we are severally acquainted with Adam Berger and John Roush both residents of the Borough of Liverpool in said County who signed the foregoing Deposition and all hereby State that we would believe them on Oath and that they are entitled to Credit in their neighborhood. Given under our hands and seals at the
Borough of Liverpool in Perry County and State of Pennsylvania  this 18th day of June AD 1844
Geo W. Crane {seal}
John Reifsnyder Jr  {seal}

Perry County ss

I J. A. F. Topley Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
of Perry County Certify that George W. Crane and
John Reifsnyder, are magistrates as above, and that the
foregoing signatures, purporting to be theirs is
Genuine. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto
affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my
name, this 19th day of June A.D. 1844.
Alex’r F. Topley Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas of Perry County
Page 13

No. 8604
Mary Koons
Penn’a
Let to Hon J Irvin
June 14 ‘44
Sec’y to Tho. Gallaher Oct 14 1844
Act July 7. 1838
Page 14

Mary Koons
Pa
Susp’d
let to Hon A Gustine Feby 7 ‘43
Same March 3d 1843
let to T. Gallaher May 20 1843
Act 7 July 1843
Page 15

July 26, 1841

No 7913
Pa
July 7. 1838
Mary Koons
Page 16

Washington July 24th 1841
Sir-
Enclosed I submit the application
of Mary Koons, for a pension, which
you will please to examine and let me know,
as soon as it will suit your convenience,
wither her papers are, or are not, in such
form as will entitle her to the benefit
of the law on that subject.
I am Sir very respectfully
Yours &c-
A Gustine
H. R.

Hon J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 17

H. R. Washington City
Jan 28 1843
Maj. Edwards
Will please to examine the enclosed
papers relative to the pension of Mrs Mary Koons and
report on the same as early as it may be
found convenient to do so
I am Very respectfully
Your friend &c
A Gustine

Maj J. L. Edwards
Commissioner
of Pensions Washington City
Page 18

Pennsylvania District Perry County ss
Before Me the subscriber one of the Justices
of the Peace in and for said County Personally Appeared
Mary Silks who after being first sworn according to law
deposeth and saith that from the information she has from
her parents that she is now fifty seven years of age the twenty eighth day of last September and that she has lived in Greenward township Cumberland County now Buffalo Township Perry County for forty nine years past Last March. And Recollects Lawrance Koons And Mary his wife with some children moveing into said County of Cumberland Now Perry in said March which would [be] forty Nine years ago last March. And further saith that from the time they came into this Country untill his death which was in the winter of 1841, they lived together as man and wife and had more children after they came to this Country. And further saith that Mary Koons is living and remains the widdow of Lawrance Koons and that has since the date mentioned never had lived at a greater distant than from eight to ten miles of where they, Lawrence and Mary Koons, and was well acquainted from the date mentioned with them and their children.
Mary Silks her mark

Sworn and subscribed before me at Buffalo Township Perry County this 23d day of February AD 1843.
G W Crane


NB The words ‘And And Mary Koons’ in the second Line from
the Bottom was enterlined before signing. Given under my hand the date above.
G W Crane

Perry County ss  I hereby Certify that I have been personally acquainted with Mary Silks the above mentioned deponent for upwards of forty years and hereby declare her to be a woman of good repute in her neighborhood and entitled to credit and I  would believe her on oath and further certify that I have been acquainted with Mary Koons now widdow of Lawrance between forty and and fifty years.
Given under my hand at the Borough of Liverpool Perry County My seal above
G W Crane
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State of Pennsylvania Perry County Set
I Alexander F. Topley. Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas of Perry County.
Do Certify, that the signature of G. W. Crane
Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the within
affidavit is genuine, and that he was at the
time of taking the said, and still is an acting
Justice of the Peace duly elected Commissioned and sworn as suchin and for the said County of Perry, with full power to
administer oaths and to whose official acts as such full
faith and credit is and of right ought to be given 
throughout the United States and elsewhere. In Testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of
said Court at Bloomfield, the 24th day of
February A.D. 1843,
A F Topley Pro

Hon. A. Gustine
H.R.
Page 20

H. R. Washington
March 1 1843

Maj J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir
I herewith enclose you some
additional papers in relation to the claim of Mary
Koons to a pension. I would be pleased if
it would suit your convenience
to report on this case before Saturday morning. If you
cannot by that time, you will please to direct
your report to me at Mifflintown, Juniata
County Penn’a.
I am very respectfully
Your friend &c
A Gustine
Page 21

Union County State of Pennsylvania ss
Before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared John Casteder who being
first sworn as law directs, saith that he from the best information given him by his parents is upwards of eighty three years of age and draws of Pension from the State of Pennsylvania for Revolutionary services. And further saith that
about the close of the Revolutionary war that deponent resided in Chapman Township Northumberland County Now
Union County. And that Deponent went to see his Brother
George Casteder, an Enlisted soldier who was then Engaged at Northumberland town within about twenty
Miles of Deponant’s Residence. And further saith that
there was a Number of Regular troops there - General Sullivan
was their Head officer. I there become acquainted with a
a number of the soldiers; among them was Lawrance Kuns.
And further saith perhaps a few months after my visit to
Northumberland, that I heard that a number of Regular
troops had encamped on the Susquehannah on the farm of
one Burger in Cumberland County Now Perry County.
I went to see them and there I again saw Lawrance Koons.
He was dressed as a regular soldier and I saw them drilled
or mustered. I then understood from them that they would
in a short time march to Carlisle to be discharged. A few
afterwards Lawrance Koons and his family moved to this
Neighbourhood within about six miles from where I now reside
and remained in the Neighbourhood untill as I have been informed untill he died.
John Kasteder his mark
Sworn and subscribed before me at Chapman Township Union County this 12th day of April AD 1843
John Lenig 

Union County ss
I hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted
with John Casteider the above mentioned Deponant
for upwards of twelve years. He is an[d] old man but as
far as my knowledge extends is of sound memory
Page 22

he is a man of good repute in his neighbourhood and
Entitled to Credit and I would believe him on oath
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal at Chapman township Union County the date before
written. 
John Lenig {Seal}


State of Pennsylvania Union County ss
I Wm Roshong Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas
of Union County, do certify that John Lenig before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, was at the time of subscribing his name, and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly qualified & commissioned, and that full faith and Credit are due to all his official acts as such.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my
name and affixed the Seal of our said Court at New
Berlin the fourteenth day of April AD one thousand eight
hundred & forty three
Wm Roshong Prothy
Page 23

8609
Mary Koons
Pa
act 7 July 38

No. 8609

Hon A Gustine
H R

6054
Page 24

Perry County Pennsylvania ss
 Before the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State afforesaid Personally appeared Mary Koons aged seventy four years last September who first being sworn according to law doth on her solemn oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed the seventh day of July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pension to Certain Widows. That she is the widdow of Lawrance Koons a Reported Revolutionary Soldier. And that she was married to said Lawrance Koons about fifty eight years ago in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania and was
married by a prisbeterian preacher by the name of Henry Deckard. And has no marriage Certificates or Family Records. And further saith that she lived with said Lawrance Koons as his wife and had per children by him, untill his death which was on the 21st day of December 1841. And further saith that he for Revolutionary services drew a Pension from the State of
Pennsylvania and untill his death received forty dollars per year. Deponent further declares 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 1794
Mary Koons her mark

Sworn and Subscribed before me at Juniata County this
second day of December AD 1842
William McAllister

Juniata County Pennsylvania ss
I do hereby Certify that Mary Koons the above Named aplicant is an old in [sic] infirm woman and as I belive is unable to appear in Court to set forth her declaration. Given my hand the date above. William McAllister

State of Pennsylvania Juniata County The word July in the sixth line from the top of the Application was interlined before signing and done in my presence
Given under my hand the date above William McAllister

State of Pennsylvania Juniata County ss
I Lewis Burchfield Prothonotary of the Court of Common 
Pleas in and [for] the County of Juniata do hereby Certify that William McAllister before the foregoing proceedings
Page 25

Ware [were] had is one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Juniata regularly commissioned and qualified and the Signatures purporting
to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court
in Mifflintown this 14th day of December AD
1842-
L Burchfield Proth

No 8609
Page 26

Perry County State Pennsylvania  ss 
Before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in
and for the County of Perry Personally appeared before me Adam Berger a Citizen of the Borough of Liverpool in said County who being first sworn as law directs doth hereby declare that from the best information he has from his parents
that he is upwards of seventy two years of age past. And [as] a boy was personally acquainted with Lawrance Koons when he was a soldier near the close of the Revolutionary War. And further saith that Lawrance Koons with near about one hundred other soldiers, which considers and believe were Regular troops, returned as I was informed by them, returning from Northern Expedition against the Indians and further saith that he beliefs
there head officer’s name was Sullivan. And further saith that both officers and Privates struck their tents and encamped for a number of days close to the Susquehanah River then Greenwood township Cumberland County Now Perry County
on the farm belonging to Deponant’s father. While the troops at the Encampment was frequently seen by deponent under arms and well drilled or peraded [sic] by the officers. They remained a number of days and from Information received from the troops they left their encampment and marched towards Carlise as it was understood to be discharged. A few  years afterwards Lawrance Koons with his wife Mary the present applicant for a Pension moved into this Neighbourhood and lived together as man and wife until he died which was in the fall of the year 1841. They raised a family of children together. And further saith from the best information he can collect and Report Lawrance Koons and Mary his wife moved in the neighborhood about fifty years age or more about that time. And further saith that she is a [frontier]a woman and remains the widow of Lawrance Koons-
Adam Berger 
Sworn and subscribed before me at Liverpool
township Perry County this 19th day of Dec 1842
G W Crane {seal}

I G W Crane whom before whom the deposition of Adam Berger was taken according to Law do Certify that I am personally acquainted with Adam Berger for upwards of thirty years and that he is a man of good of good repute in the neighborhood and Entitled to Credit and I would believe him on oath. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal the date above
G W Crane
Page 27

State of Pennsylvania Perry County ss
I Alexander F Topley Prothonotary of the Court 
of Common Pleas of said County do
certify, that the signation of G.W. Crane Esqr., 
whose name is subscribed to the
within acknowledgement is Genuine
and that he was at the time of taking the same and still
is an acting Justice of the peace, duly elected Commissioned
and Sworn as such in and for the said County of Perry
with full power and authority to take such 
acknowledgements and administer oaths and 
to whose official acts as such full faith and credit 
is and of right ought to be given throughout the United States
and elsewhere. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Bloomfield, this 20 January A.D. 1883
A F Topley, Prothonotary
Page 28

Perry County Pennsylvania  Set
Before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in
and for said County of Perry Personally appeared before me
Jacob Long a resident of Liverpool township in said County who being first Sworn as law directs saith that he is now upwards of eighty three years of age and has been alive in Perry County formerly Cumberland County for upwards of seventy years ago. And further saith that as near as he can recollect and from other Information he can get in the
Neighbourhood, Lawrance and Mary Koons moved into the neighbourhood where deponent now resides about fifty years ago. They then were considered to be man and wife and raised a family as such untill he died which was the fall of 1841. And from the General Report he was considered to be a revolutionary soldier and drew a pension from the State for a number of years and untill he died. And further saith
that Mary Koons still remains his widdow and is an old and
infirm woman and lives in the same neighbourhood with Deponant.
Jacob Long
Sworn and subscribed before an acting 
Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid
this 30th day of December AD 1842
G W Crane (Seal)


Perry County ss
I George W Crane an acting Justice of the Peace before the above deposition of Jacob Long was taken do hereby Certify that I have been personally acquainted with Jacob Long for upwards of thirty years and do consider him a man of good repute in the neighborhood and Entitled to Credit and I would believe him on oath. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date above written
G W Crane
Page 29

Apl 25 184
Pa
Mary Koons

Apl  22
John L Edwards Esquire
Pension office
Washinton City
U Sta~~
Page 30

Liverpool Perry County Pennsylvania April 22 1843
Dear Sir, Wm Gustin when Mrs Mary Koons made her first aplication to you for a pension which was in 1842 along with her application and other papers there there was enclosed a Deposition of Lawrance Koons Husband to the present aplicant and James Smith a Revolutionary soldier and a pensioner. This testimony was the reason of Lawrance Koons getting his State pension. Smith was if I Recollect right
belonged to the same company with Lawrance Koons but is dead.  Their testimony was on file. I sent the testimony under seal of office From Harrisburgh. Gustin says the testimony as he believes was [Left in the hist’y] in your possession. I have no further testimony; all the old residents that knew him in this Neighbourhood when a soldier are dead. I enclosed since you the deposition of John Kesterder a Revolutionary
Soldier and a State pensioner and a man of good character who knew Lawrance Koons while in the United States service and seen him while in the service and after the war was over. I  I presume if you have Koons’ and Smith’s Depositions from the case is as fully made out as the lapse of time will admit. Please advise me on the subject and if Koons’ and Smith’s depositions are not with you Gustin must have them among his papers. You will Please advise me on the case of Hanah Brittan. Her aplication was sent on some time back. I have not heard any thing about it since. If you have determined favorable in the case of Hannah Britton you can either enclose  the Certificate of Pension to the Honorable Amos Mifflintown
Juniata County Pennsylvania or myself at the place above Stated.  Your answer as soon as convenient will oblige yours Respectfully
Thos Gallahagher

J L Edwards Esquire
Page 31

Pennsylvania Union County ss
Before the subscriber one of the sum of the Justices of the
Peace in and for said County Personally Appeared George Casteder a resident of Chapman township Union County who being first Sworn as Law directs deposeth and saith that when in the service of the United States as an Enlisted Soldier that he first became acquainted with Laurance Koons a Regular Soldier about two years before the War was ended. That Deponant belonged to Captain Boyer’s Company. Koons belonged to another Company the Name of his officer I cannot recollect. There was three or four Companies Emamped Near about 1780 at Northumberland Pennsylvania. Koon was in  one of the Companies. The troops that were stationed at
Northumberland was marched from here up the North
Branch of the Susquehannah under Colonel [Winter] about
twelve miles above [Tioga?] Point. We then had a battle with
the Indians and destroyed their barn and burnt their houses. The troops returned to [Norman?] and staid there at
least six months. Koons was still in the Company. He started with the troops, then returned to Northumberland and my Company with one of the others remained there untill we were discharged. Koons with other Companies marched from thence to Carlise at which time he considered the War to be over. From the time I first Became acquainted with Lawrance Koons as a Soldier untill he marched off from Northumberland must of of been at least two years. I after the war was over again saw Lawrance about 1790. He then had a Wife and children and lived within about four miles of my residence. His wife’s Name was Mary. They Lived in Cumberland County And Deponant in Northumberland County, the Counties joined. Frequent visits took place between the Koons and Deponant on Sundays. Old War stories was Generally the subject we talked most about which from his conversation I considered he as well as myself had passed through the greater part of the Revolutionary struggles. I always understood from him that he he Enlisted in the early part of the Revolution
Page 32

When we both became old our acquaintances ceased.
Deponant is upwards of Eighty five years of age but as he
believes can recollect all the Battles he was in and under
what officers he served under. And further saith that the last
time he saw Lawrance Koons was in the Treasurer’s office Harrisburgh, as we are both drawing our Pension. This was about the year 1830.
George Casteder his mark
Sworn and Subscribed before me at Chapman towns Union
County this 9th day of June 1843
John Lenig
Page 33

State of Pennsylvania Union County ss
I Wm Roshong Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas of Union County, do certify
that John Lenig Esq before whom the
foregoing affidavit was taken and acknowledged
 was at the time of subscribing his
name and now is an acting Justice of the peace
in and for said County duly Elected &
Commissioned and that full faith & credit are
due to all his off official acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed the Seal of our said Court at New Berlin the
Eleventh day of March AD 1844
Wm Roshong Prothy
Page 34

Rejected

See let. 26 July 1841
Hon. A. Gustine

was not a widow
until after passage of
act of 7 July 1838,

Act 7 July 1838

No 8609
Mary Koons
Pa
Lawrence

Hon A. Gustine - July 26 ‘41 [&] Feby 7 ‘43
Same March 3 ‘43
Hon T Gallaher May 30 ‘43
Hon J Irvine June 14 ‘44
Hon Thos Gallaher Oct 14 ‘44
Hon Alex Ramsey June 23 ‘47
Let G M Phillips Dec 11 ‘51
Page 35

July 10 1844
Pa
[Aft / wid]
Mary Koons

Free
J L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 36


Pennsylvania Perry County Liverpool July 9 1844
Dear Sir, Inclose you the certificate of the good character of
Good Character George Casteder. I hope it will be satisfactory to you. Lawrence Koons died the first part of 1841. If you consider her claim, perhaps it would be right to date her
pension from the date of his death but having the
Law on this subject to be better able to Judge the
claim. I could find more evidence but it is Expensive. 
[?] of the Original application of 1833 to Legislature of 
Pennsylvania. Having the deposition of Lawrance Koons & James Smith both soldiers and afterwards Pensioners. Last about these you [again] inclosed a Request
[illegible-4or 5 words] under seal from Harrisburgh.
[illegible-entire line]
old lady would glad. [illegible-reminder of this line and entire next line]
favourably send me as soon as convenient the Certificate of Pension from [illegible-reminder of line] 
Yours very Respectfully
Thos Gallaher
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 37

Power of Attorney
Heirs of Lawrence & Mary
Koons

Act 1832 & 1838
Geo M Philips
Present
Page 38

Know all men by these presents, That we, Mary Silks and Jane
Wendt, Executors of the Estate of Mary Koons, late of Juniata County, State of Pennsylvania, and heirs of Lawrence Koons, a soldier of the Revolution, and late of said County, deceased, have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents, do make, constitute and appoint George M. Phillips, of the City of Washington, DC. our true and Lawful Attorney for us and in our name, and for our use and benefit to prosecute before the proper department at Washington, any claim we may have for pension, or arrears of pension, under any law or decision of the proper authorities thereof, and to ask, demand and receive from the proper officer of the United States, a Certificate or Certificates, for that which may be due, on account of the services of the said Lawrence Koon, in the Revolutionary War
in his right, or in that of his widow, the aforesaid Mary Koons,
hereby on authorizing and empowering our attorney
herein named, to take and adopt all such steps as may be
lawful and necessary in the premises. In witness
whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed
our seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and forty seven.
Mary Silks her mark {Seal}
Jane Wendt her mark {Seal}

Signed, sealed & delivered in presence of 
John A. Baker
David Darlington

State of Pennsylvania, Perry County
Be it known that on this tenth day of April, 1847, before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Mary Silks and Jane Wendt, above named and acknowledged the foregoing Power Attorney to be their act and deed. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
David Darlington
Page 39

State of Pennsylvania
Perry County 

    I, Joseph Miller Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, of Perry County, certify that David Darlington, Esq. is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his genuine.

    In testimony where of I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name at Bloomfield; this tenth day of April, in the year 1847.

                                        //s//
                                 Joseph Miller
                     Prothonotary of the Court of                        Common Pleas of Perry County.
Page 40

Harrisburg June 14/47

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Com. Pensions

Dear Sir,

   I have been requested to enclose you the declaration of the executix of Mrs. Mary Koonz late of Pennsylvania decd. for a pension under the Act of July 1838 and Acts subsequent thereto, I am informed that Mrs. Koonz was the widow of Lawrence Koonz and applied in 1841 but was rejected on the ground that she was not a widow at the time of the passage of the Act of 1838.  The heirs also apply for any pension in due in right of their father.

                                      Very Respectfully
                                      Your Obt. Ser.
                                               //s//
                                        Alex. Ramsey
Page 41

Washington, Oct. 3, 1851

Sir,

    I herewith enclose a Power of Attorney from the Executors of Mrs Mary Koons (widow of Lawrence Koons) of Pennsylvania, applicants for a pension in right of their father under the Act of 1832, and of their mother, under the Act of 1838, and respectfully request that a re-examination of the papers in the case may be had.

                                      Very Respectfully,
                                      Your Obt. serv.
                                               //s//
                                        Geo. M. Phillips

J. E. Heath. Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Page 42

OWN
REJECTED
6004
P. O.
Mary Koons
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.
Contract
Cert. of Dis.
 Searched for
Page 43

Liverpool Perry County Feb 21 1843.
Inclosed I send you the deposition of Mary Koons which with the other testimony I hope will satisfy you.
I will here make a statement.
When Lawrance Koons’ Pension was granted by the Legislature of Penn’a, he on the record in your possession on the files of the Pension office. I was if I recollect  right that he had [three?] times enlisted and state the various
battles he had been in. And I was [?] on the same record a
Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner swore as I believe that he belonged to the said Company or knew him to be in the service. This testimony was considered sufficient for our Legislature at that time to grant him a pension [illegible] on to the land mentioned.   We offer the testimony of Berger who swears that he [was then after the war] 
became reacquainted with Laurance Koons, who with near
about 100 other soldiers Returning from the North Cameron on his Father’s Ground on the Susquehannah and remained there a Number of days and then marched to Carlisle as he understood from them to be discharged. In behalf of Mrs Koons, her deposition swore that she was Married 58 years ago and had children [together] and lived as man and wife
untill he died in 1841. The next is Jacob Long, a man of 85 years of age, of first [Qualifying] Character who have lived for upwards of 70 years within a mile of Mrs Koons residence. Who swore that to the best of his knowledge that Koons and his wife moved to this County about 50 years agoe. A. Berger says the first he saw Koons (after seeing him  [in] the army) with his wife was between 48 and 50 years agoe. Mary Silk who has lived in this Neighborhood and as to Koons says
that Koons and his wife Came to this County in March 49 years agoe. All the testimony seems well to agree - considering the length of time and deaths of Soldiers and others for cases that this one can be [believed &]
made out.  Could you Sir [but Per] of the old woman without
[pension] and her children poor and having trouble enough to support themselves. I presume if you considered it consistant with your duty to the Govermont, that you without delay make out a Certificate and it to the Honorable Amos Gustin who will attend to forwarding it.
The Clerk of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania says that the records of Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line about 1812  was sent to Washington in Records of the [?] and burnt the Last War the declaration of his. I know nothing
about

Yours Respectfully
Thos Gallaher

J L Edwards Esquire
Page 44

Liverpool 
June 25, 1841

Dear Sir,

    Enclosed I send you some papers to procure a pension for Mary Koons her husband drew a pension from 1832 in Penna and died in February 20th last.  Her (sic) and the old man Lawrance Koons had subsisted for about 13 years on the small sum of $40 per year.  She is now left poor as his pension stopped with his death.   I have procure a copy of the evidence on which he got his state pension - which is herewith enclosed.  I presume the law layed down by the President in the printed sheet sent me is completed with (??) a certified from the Prothonotary of Perry County under seal of office that Wm. Lenhart Esquire is an acting Justice of the Peace - which certificate shall be forwarded to you in a few days. Perhaps Mr Edwards may require a discharge.  I refer you [to] you Lawrance Koons statement on the back of Smith's deposition. The papers, so say the Auditor General of Harrisburgh, that would Contain Koons Registry as an enlisted soldier was sent on to Washington before the War of 1812.  And Mr Edwards in a Letter to Doctor Case of this place say that the pension office was burnt by the British in the last war and was once burnt before that date. The testimony of James Smith was taken before John Turner Esquire of this place, Should the agent of the pension office required a certificate of his being an acting justice at the time the deposition was  given, Mr Penrose of the City of Washington could certify. The deposition was taken two years before he was (??). Or I could send on a Certificate or Mr. Turner's Commission which could be returned to me. You will please produce all the papers herewith enclosed to the agent of the pension office and write to me if there is any defects. I presume the proof of service is complete. Smith who made the deposition before John Turner Esq. is dead several years ago. In about to [two] days I will send you the certificate above mentioned. Please let me know what the prospect is and whether there is any [augts]  in the application.

Yours Respectfully,
 Tho. Gallaher

Honorable Amos Gustin