Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39828, for Adam Koch, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental (Pa.)

Koch Adam
NUMBER
S. 39828
B.L. Wt. 1618-100

CONTENTS
Page 2

11. 912
Pennsylvania R
Adam Koch
of Reading in the State of Penn’a
who was a private in the corps commanded by
Capt Von Heer of the Penn’s
line, for the term of two years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 2 of November 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th of June 1819
and sent to Henry Betts, Esq
Reading Penna

Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819 3 mo 18/30 4/31  27. 69
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th Sept 1819 48.00
$75.69

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

Died May 11, 1827
See A B
Page 3

Adam Koch
Reading
Penna
Admitted

Another affidavit
annexed Capt Vonheet
Independant Corp
Page 4

Pennsylvania Berks County ss, 
 On the 21st day of November AD 1818
Before me James Diemer Esquire one of the associate
Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County, personally appeared Adam Koch resident in the Borough of Reading County aforesaid, aged fifty five years who being by me duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in, Order to obtain the provisions made by the late Act of Congress entitled "an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the naval and land services of the United States in the Revolutionary War”. That he the said Adam Koch enlisted in the Borough of Reading
aforesaid in the year 1782 as a private in a company of Dragoons, commanded by Captain Vonheer, during the war, that he continued in said Corps in the service of the United States, untill he was discharged from service in the State of
New York. That he had received an honorable discharge, which
he gave some years since to Lt Philip Strubing his
Lieutenant in the service aforesaid, in order to settle for his
services during said war. That the said Lt Strubing
removed from the Borough of Reading and
hath since died, that he hath not been since able to obtain
his said discharge, And that he hath not received any
Pension under the Laws of the United States, but that he is
poor and in indigent circumstances, therefore stands in need
of the assistance of his Country for support
Adam Koch

Sworn & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[illegible] Jas Diemer

Berks County ss. On the 21 day of November AD 1818 Before
James Diemer Esquire, one of the Judges of the Court of Commonpleas in and for said County personally appeared George Pries of the Borough of Reading County aforesaid who upon his solemn oath according to Law doth depose and say that he hath known Adam Koch named in the above affidavit upwards of twenty years. That he is in indigent circumstances in life and stands in need of assistance from his country for support. 
Georg Pries

Sworn & Subscribed the day & year afs’d.
[illegible] Jas Diemer
Page 5

Berks County ss On the 21st day of November AD. 1818. Before me James Diemer Esquire one of the associate Judges of the Court of Commonpleas in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared John Strohecker of the Borough of Reading aged about sixty four years and Jasper Maderai of the Borough aforesaid aged upwards of sixty two years who upon their Solemn Oath according to Law doth depose and say that they have known Adam Koch named in the within affidavit upwards of fifty years. That during the revolutionary War he belonged to a company of Dragoons commanded by Captain Von Hare, who belonged to the United States Service. That the said Adam Koch went with said Company from
Reading and to the best of our recollections remained
in the service of the United States untill the end of the
War.
Sworn & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[illegible] Jas Diemer
John Strohecker
Casper Madera

I James Diemer Esquire one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for
the County of Berks do hereby certify
that I am personally acquainted with
Adam Koch the claimant and am also
personally acquainted with George Preis, 
John Strohecker,  and Jasper Madera who
are men of Veracity. Therefore in my opinion the declaration
 as to services as well as circumstances are true, that the said Adam Koch did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, In Witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the said Court to be affixed this twenty first day of November AD 1818 
Jas Diemer
Page 6

Adam Koch the claimant on his oath doth depose & 
say that he belonged to Capt Vonheers Company
of Dragoons, being an Independant Corps attached to no
Regiment or line to the best of his knowledge & belief-
Adam Koch

Sworn & Subscribed before me
Gab’l Hiester [illegible] Associate Judge
of the Court of Common pleas
of Berks County St Penn
Page 7

Adam Koch
No 1618
Page 8

Pennsylvania Berks County ss
Be it Known that on this 19th day of December
AD One Thousand eight hundred and twenty nine
before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and
for the County of Berks, Personally appeared
David Fox a Resident of Reading & County and
State aforesaid who being sworn in due form of 
Law doth on his solemn oath depose and say
that he said David Fox was formerly a Trumpeter
in Captain Von Heers Dragoons, in the service of
the United States in the Revolutionary War. And
that he knows to his certain knowledge that
Adam Koch deceased of the Borough of Reading,
Berks County & State of Penna was duly enlisted in
the Company comanded by Captain Von Heer.
That he the said Adam Koch was Enlisted
for and during the Revolutionary war and
served as such. And that Adam Koch decd
of Reading Berks Pen’a has never changed his
place of Residence from Reading except at
the time in which he served his Country as a
Soldier and that Adam Koch of Reading was
the only Identical Adam Koch who served in the Company
Aforesaid. And that he said Koch was a
faithful Soldier and knows to his certain
knowledge that Adam Koch of Reading Berks
County Pennsylvania was in his life time and
immediately after his decease entitled to a Tract
of Bounty Land from the United States.
David Fox his mark

Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before me 
Christ'r Sherrer J P
Page 9

I Cristopher Sherrer a Justice of the Peace
in and for Berks County do hereby certify that
I am acquainted with David Fox who
has subscribed his name to the foregoing
affidavit and that he is a credible person
to me known as such many years, and
I further certify that his Testimony will be
excepted in any Court of Justice.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & subscribed my name the day & year 
aforesaid Christ’r Sherrer J P 

Pennsylvania Berks County ss
I Jacob Sallade
Prothonotary of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the said County of
Berks do hereby certify that Christopher Sherrer Esq
before whom the affidavit of David Fox was taken,
was at the time of taking the said affidavit and
the above certificate & signing the affidavit &
Certificate a Justice of the Peace duly authorized
& Comissioned & that all acts by him done
in that capacity full faith & credit are
due him and of Right ought to be given.
And I further certify that the names purporting
to be Christopher Sherner are true genuine
signatures. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the seal of our said Court and
subscribed my Name, at Reading
this 19th day of December AD 1829
Jacob Sallade Prothonotary
Page 10

State of Pennsylvania Berks County ss
Be it known that on this fifth day of April One
Thousand eight hundred and thirty before me the Subscriber
a Justice of the Peace in and for Berks County personally
appeared, Daniel Koch [&] Margaret Eisenhauer both residents
of the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks and
State of Pennsylvania,
We Daniel Rock, Margaret Eisenhauer, Heirs at Law of Adam Rock decd late of the County of Berks and State aforesaid, we do upon Oath Testify and Declare to the best of our knowledge and belief that the aforesaid Adam Koch was Enlisted
to the Company of Dragoons Commanded by Captain
Von Heer called the Independent Troop and that
this Troop was not attached to Regiment. And that the
aforesaid Adam Koch did Enlist to said Corps
in the Borough of Reading County of Berks and
State of Pennsylvania in the year 1780 for the Term
of during the Revolutionary War, and that the said
Adam Koch continued to serve in said Corps
until the year 1783 when he was honourably discharged.
for his said services at a certain place called
Wall Kill in the State of New York. We further
declare that we have never received a warrant
for the Bounty Land promissed to Adam Koch
aforesaid for his said services during the Revolutionary War
on the part of the United States; nor do we
believe that he ever received it; or transfered his
claim to it in any manner whatsoever: therefore
Daniel Koch
Margaret Eisenhouer hermark

Sworn to, declared and subscribed
this fifth day of April AD 1830
before me Peter Nagle Jun’r


Know all Men by these presents that we Daniel Koch [&]
Margaret Eisenhauer Heirs of Adam Koch aforesaid
do hereby constitute and appoint Henry A Muhlenberg of
the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks
and State of Pennsylvania to be our true
and Lawful Attorney for us and in our names
to demand and receive from the Secretary of
war of the United States a warrant for the quantity
of Land due to us as aforesaid. And our said
attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered
to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes
or attorneys under him for the Special
Page 11

for the special purposes above expressed,
In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed
our names & Seals this fifth day of April One Thousand
eight hundred and thirty
Margaret Eisenhauer her mark {L.S.}
 Daniel Koch  {L.S.}

Signed Sealed and delivered in presence
of Jacob Manner
Peter Nagle Jun’r

State of Pennsylvania Berks County SS
Be it Known that on this 5th day of April AD 1830
before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace
in and for Berks County personally appeared
the above Named Daniel Koch, Margaret Eisenhauer 
all Heirs as aforesaid and subscribed to the foregoing
Declaration, and in my presence acknowledged
the power of attorney thereto subjoined to be their
free act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.
Peter Nagle Jun’r

State of Pennsylvania Berks County SS
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Berks County Samuel Levans
and made oath in due form of Law who on his oath deposes
and says that the above named
Daniel Koch and Margaret Eisenhauer are both Heirs at 
Law of Adam Koch deceased late of Berks County
in the State of Pennsylvania.  And this deponent
further says that Adam Koch aforesaid Died
as near as he can recollect was the latter end of
the month of May AD 1837 and that he left a widow
who has since been married and that said widow
has no claim at present whatever and that said
Adam Koch died in the Borough of Reading
Berks County & State of Pennsylvania
Samuel Levan his mark

Sworn and subscribed this 5th day of April AD 1830 before
me Peter Naylor Jun’r
Page 12

State of Pennsylvania Berks County ss
I Peter Nagle Jun’r Justice of the Peace in and for
said County of Berks do hereby certify that
I am acquainted with Samuel Levan who has subscribed
his Name to the foregoing affidavit in the case of
Adam Kochs Heirs and that the said Samuel Levan
is a credible and disinterested witness in behalf
of the same, and I further certify that his
Testimony will be admitted in any Court of
Justice. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set and subscribed my name the day and year aforesaid.
Peter Nagle Jun’r

I Peter Nagle Jun’r a Justice of the Peace in and
for the County of Berks do hereby certify that I am
fully satisfied and believe that Daniel Koch aforesaid
and Margaret Eisenhauer are the same Identical
reputed Heirs of Adam Koch dec’d who died
and leaving a widow as aforesaid and I
do further certify that they are both credible persons,
to me known as such, and that full faith
and credit are due them and of Right ought
to be given and their Testimony will be
admitted in any Court of Justice.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and subscribed my
name the day & year aforesaid
Peter Nagle Jun’r

The above named Margaret Eisenhauer is a daughter
and Daniel Koch a son of Adam Koch deceased, a soldier
in Von Heers Dragoons, of the Army of the Revolution
Hon A Muhlenberg
Washington May 7. 1830
Page 13

State of Pennsylvania Berks County ss
 I John Addams
Prothonotary of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for Berks County in the
State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that Peter Nagle Jr
Esquire before whom the foregoing affidants were taken
and subscribed was at the same time a Justice of the
Peace in and for the said County duly authorised
and Comissioned to administer Oaths and I do
further certify that the Names purporting the be
Peter Nagle Jr Justice aforesaid are all true genuine
Signatures. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the Seal of our said Court and subscribed
my Name & quality at Reading in said County
this 5th day of April AD 1830
Jno Addams Prothonotary

Heirs of Adam Koch
Page 14

Pennsylvania Berks County ss
On the twenty second day of May one Thousand eight hundred
and twenty six before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of
the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of
Berks, the said Court for which I am a Judge being
a Court of Record proceeding according to the course
of the Common Law with a Jurisdiction unlimited
in point of amount and keeping a Record of its
proceedings, personally appeared Adam Koch a resident
in said County, Aged ninety two years, who being first duly
sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the provision
made by the act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and
the first of May 1830. That he the said Adam Koch
enlisted for and during the continuance of the Revolution
War in the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks
State of Pennsylvania. That he Enlisted in the month of
March in the year one thousand seven hundred and
eighty one in the Company of Dragoons Commanded by Captain Vonhear and called the Independent Troop,  was
particularly chosen for the Guard of General George
Washington and was in general so called and
that said company was not attached to any Regiment.
That they belonged in the line of the State of Pennsylvania
in the Continental establishment, that he continued
thence in said Company until the month of August
of the year one thousand seven hundred and
eighty three when he was discharged from the
service at a certain place called Shongom [Shongo], in the-
State of York. That he received an honourable discharge
by the hands of Lieutenant Midinger which has since been
lost or mislaid. That he hereby relinquishes every claim
to a pension whatever except the present, that his name
has been placed on the pension list, that to his
knowledge he says that his Pension Certificate is
not numbered. That he never before exhibited
a Schedule of his property except the one sent in April
last past to the Congress which was returned, and
that his reason for not making earlier application
for the continuance of the pension is that after the
act of the 1st of May 1820 he was informed, that that
act prohibited persons who were able to work
Page 15

from receiving pension, and that he was at that time
able to work. And that he considered that it
would be an imposition against his Country
if he would ask for a pension as long as he
could earn a good days wages. In the year[s] 1822
and twenty three the fever prevailed to an alarming
degree. I then myself took the fever
ague in 1822, and that in 1823 again took the
ever, and that in these two years I was not
able to work more than about five months
during the said two years. And that he has
the affidavit of David Fox in his power to
prove his services. The said David Fox was a
member in the same company aforesaid
Adam Koch
Sworn to and declared & Subscribed before me the 22d
day of May AD 1826
Jacob Schnider one of the Judges
of Berks County, Pennsylvania

And in pursuance of the act of the 1st of May, 1820
I do Solemnly Swear that I was a resident Citizen
of the United States on the 8th day of March, 1818
and that I have not since that time by Gift sale
or in any manner disposed of my property or any
part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it
as to bring myself within the provisions of an act
of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain
persons engaged in the Land and Naval service
of the United States in the Revolutionary war
passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that
I have not, nor has any person in trust for me,
any property or securities contracts or debts due to me;
nor have I any income other than what is contain
in the Schedule hereunto annexed and by me subscribed.
Adam Koch
Sworn to declared & subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid
Jacob Schnider one of the
Judges of Berks County
Pennsylvania
Page 16

Schedule of the property of
Adam Koch
a one storied log House & half Lot of Ground $130.00
Personal
1 Kitchen dresser 2.50
1 Lot of Crockey 1.10
1 Stove 4.00
1 dough tray .75
3 Iron pots 1.60
2 Tubs 1.00
3 Windsor chairs .75
1 Pine Table 1.00
1 small looking glass .50
3 Tin buckets .75
1 Iron Kettle 1.80
Adam Koch $145. 75

Sworn to & subscribed before
me the day & year aforesaid.
Jacob Schnider one of the Judges 
of Berks County Pennsylvania

Berks County ss
On the 22d day of May one thousand eight hundred
And twenty five before me the Subscriber one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas, personally appeared the named Adam Koch, who being first duly sworn according
to Law doth depose and say that he is unable to attend 
Court on account of Bodily infirmities and that he 
is not able to attend the Court personally on account
of certain bodily infirmities
Adam Koch
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year
aforesaid
Jacob Schnider one of the Judges of 
Berks County, Pennsylvania

I Jacob Schnider a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas holden in the County of Berks where the Declarant resides,
do hereby certify that the within named
Adam Koch is, from a complaint called the
rheumatism and piles with which I am credibly informed,
and believe he has been afflicted for the space
of Seven years and that the said complaints grow
worse as he gets older, and unable to attend the Court of 
which I am a Judge and I do not think from
present appearances that he will be able to attend
The Court above named at its next Session. I have
therefore in pursuance of the act of Congress of the
1st of March 1823 attended at his place of abode and
administered the foregoing Oaths.
Jacob Schnider one of the 
Judges of Berks County, Penn’a
Page 17

I am by occupation a Mason but by reason of age
& great bodily infirmities I am unable to pursue
that occupation, there are only two persons in my
Family my wife Catherine aged fifty five years the
can not contribute to my support. I have a son
named Daniel he is married he cannot contribute
any thing towards me. I can no longer support
myself without the assistance of my Country on
some public or private charity.
Adam Koch
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year
aforesaid
Jacob Schnider one of the
Judges of Berks County
Penn’a

I Jacob Schneider Judge aforesaid do hereby
certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said
Adam Koch did served in the Revolutionary war as
Stated in the preceeding declaration against the
Comon Enemy for the Term of twenty eight months under
one engagement on the Continental Establishment.
[illegible] J Schnider one of the Judges as aforesaid

Pennsylvania Berks County ss 
I John Addams Prothonotary of the County
of Comon Pleas in and for the said County
of Berks do hereby certify that Jacob Schnider
Esqr before whom the affidavit of David Fose
was taken and the affidavits of Adam Koch,
who is now confined to his House, is Judge
as aforesaid. I also certify, that the said Schedule and Oath
have been admitted to the Record of the said Court
and that the same are truly copied therefrom;
and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said
Court that the Total amount in value of the property
exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is one hundred
and forty five Dollars and seventy five cents
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the said Court on this
twenty third day of May AD 1826
Jno Addams
Prothonotary
Page 18

January 19, 1940
XXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/CC OWN
Adam Koch
S. 39828

Ruth I. Beseman
St. John, Kansas.
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers found in
pension and bounty land claims on file under S.39828, based upon service of Adam Koch in the Revolutionary War.

The date of birth of Adam Koch and names of his parents are
not shown.

Adam Koch enlisted in March, 1781, served as private in
Captain Von Heer's Independent Corps of Dragoons and was
discharged in August, 1783. This corps was “particularly chosen” as Guard to General George Washington.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed
November 21, 1818, then aged fifty-five years and a resident of
Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, where he had always lived. He died there May 22, 1827.

Date and place of marriage of Adam Koch is not shown. In 1826, his wife, Catherine, was aged fifty-six years, her maiden name not shown. Their son Daniel was then married.

In 1830, soldier's widow, Catherine, had remarried. The name of her husband is not shown.

On an application dated December 19, 1829, bounty land warrant No. 1618, was issued March 3, 1838, in behalf of Daniel Koch and Margaret Eisenhauer, on account of the service of their father, Adam Koch, in the Revolutionary War. They were then residing in Reading, Pennsylvania.

No further family data are shown.

For information in regard to the location of the land cited
above, you should address the Commissioner of the General Land Office
Page 19

Interior Department, this city, and furnish the warrant number,
the acreage, and the date of issuance.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, and
the name and address of person paid you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Adam Koch
Certificate #11912
Issued June 9, 1819
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced November 21, 1818
Act of March 18, 1818
Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 20

Important
Luker
2 pieces
Page 21

Berks County ss Pennsylvania
On this twenty second day of May one thousand eight
hundred and twenty five before me the Subscriber
a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the
said County of Berks Personally appeared David
Fox a Resident of the Borough of Reading in the
County of Berks, who being first duly sworn according to
Law, doth on his solem oath depose & say that
he the said David Fox was Enlisted as a soldier
in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war
against the Common Enemy. That he was a
member in Captain Vanhear Company of Dragoons.
And deposes & says that to his certain knowledge he
knows that Adam Koch of the Borough of Reading
in the County of Berks who is now an applicant
for a pension enlisted in the Borough of Reading
in the County of Berks & State of Pennsylvania.
That the said Adam Koch was duly enlisted
in to Captain Vanhears Company of Dragoons in the
Month of March of the year one Thousand seven
hundred and eighty one. That the said Adam Koch
continued to serve in the said Company from the
aforesaid period of time until the month of August
of the year One thousand Seven hundred and
eighty three, when the said Adam Koch Received
an Honourable Discharge from his said services
by the hands of Lieutenant Midinger at a Certain
place called Shongum [Shongo] in the State of York.
That the said company was not attached
to any Regiment, but served as Guard of General
George Washington, and that the said Company
was further called the Independent Troop.
Further deponent says not.
David Fox his mark
Sworn to and subscribed by making his mark before me the day & year aforesaid
J Schnider one of the Judges
as above stated
Page 22

I Jacob Schnider do hereby  certify
that David Fox who has subscribed his name to the foregoing affidavit in the case of Adam Koch is a credible
person and I do further certify that his Testimony
will be taken in any Court of Justice as personally
known to me as such. In witness whereof
I have hereunto set my hand & seal
the 22d day of May AD 1826
Jacob Schnider one of the  {seal}
Judges of Berks County Penn’a
Page 23

Recd 29 May 1826
Samuel Levan,
Reading, Pa
Page 24

On the 22d day of May One Thousand eight hundred
and twenty five before me the subscriber
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for the said County of Berks, Personally came
Daniel Krauser and Jacob Goodman Residents
of the Borough of Reading in said County, the[y]
being first duly sworn according to Law do each depose
and say that the[y] have duly appraised and
Valued all the Real and personal property
of Adam Koch to the best of their knowledge
and Judgment and do on their oaths say that the
same is One hundred & forty four Dollars and
Seventy five cents
Daniel Krauser
Jacob Goodman
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Jacob Schnider one of the Judges

of Berks County Pennsylv’a

I Jacob Schnider Judge aforesaid do hereby certify
that the deponants Daniel Krauser and Jacob
Goodman who have subscribed their names
to the foregoing affidavit are both credible persons
personally known to me as such, and I do hereby
further certify that their Testimony will be taken
in any Court of Justice. In Witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal at Reading
in said County the day & year aforesaid
Jacob Schnider {seal}

Pennsylvania  Berks County ss
I John Addams Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for
the said County of Berks do hereby certify
that the name purporting to be Jacob  Schnider Esquire,
Judge as aforesaid in the case of Adam
Koch and the affidavit of David Fox and the affidavit of
Jacob Goodman and Daniel Krauser are all true and
Genuine Signatures.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the said Court at Reading the 23 day
of May AD 1826
Jno Addams Prothonotary
Page 25

Description of the property of Adam Koch
situated in the Borough of Reading in the County
of Berks
a half Lot of Ground being 30 feet in width and from
East to West 230 feet in length, on which is erected a
one Stone House built with round Logs 20 feet by 15 feet.  the greater part of the said Logs are
now rotten with age. all my Real and personal
Estate has been lawfully appraised
at One hundred forty five Dollars and forty five cents
no changes have been made on my property of any
kind since the 18th day of March 1818
Adam Koch

Pennsylvania Berks County ss
I Jacob Schnider Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for the County of Berks w[h]ere the Declarant resides do
hereby certify that on the 22d day of May last past AD 1826 I did in pursuance of the act of Congress of the 1st of March 1823 attend at the dwelling house of Adam Koch the Declarant and did lawfully administer the Oaths; upon the Oath of the said Adam Koch. he did say that no changes have
been made on his property of any kind since the eighteenth
day of March 1818 and I do further certify that the same was
unfortunately omitted in the declaration of the said-
Adam Koch. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal the sixth day of June one thousand eight hundred
and twenty six
{seal}
Jacob Schnider one of the Judges
of Berks County Pennsylv’a


Pennsylvania Burke County ss Judge of Berks County
I John Adams Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas in and for the said County of Berks
do hereby certify that Jacob Schnider who has subscribed
his name to the above certificate was at the time of
Signing and now is a Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the said County of Berks duly authorized & commissioned, and that to all acts done by him in that capacity full faith and credit are due and of Right ought to be given. And I do further certify that a true description of the property of Adam Koch has been admitted to the Record of the said Court describing the width length &c and that the above is truly copied therefrom. In Testimony the personal property was not mentioned in this certificate as the same was regularly admitted in the Declaration I filed
Page 26

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said Court at Reading the
Sixth day of June One Thousand eight hundred & twenty five
Jno Addams Prothonotary
Page 27

Rec’d Feb 24 1826
Adam Koch
Rec’d Feb 24 1826
Sam’l Levan
[illegible], Pen.
Sept 1829

Free
Ho. James Barbour
Secretary of War
Pension Office
City of Washington
Page 28

Februa. 20th 1826
Reading Berks County Pen’a

Hon James Barbour Secretary of War
Dear Sir by the request of Adam Koch,
formerly a soldier of the Revolutionary war a private
in the Independent Troop of Dragoons Comanded by
Captain Vanher in the service of the United States
against the Comon Enemy. I am requested
by him to bring his case before the Hon Secretary.
viz That he received a pension by the act of the
18th day of March 1818 and after the act of the
first of May 1820 he was informed by certain persons
that he could not obtain his pension as he
has a small hut, a House built of round Logs
with a half Lot of Ground in the upper part of
the Borough of Reading and is only six feet
2 Inches heigth of the Storage. He having since
been informed that Christian Miller of
the Borough aforesaid who has a House &
half Lot of Ground of much more value
than his was restored to the pension List
and humbly how sets his case before the Hon
Secretary of war as follows. he says that
he is unable on acct of weakness to appear
in open Court to comply with the requisite to
of Congress, but humbly asks if the Honorable
Secretary of war will permit the Judges of
this County to swear him and perform every
honourable act required the same as if
in open Court as he on acct of weakness
can not attend the Court. He wishes to do
nothing inconsistent against his Country. He is now
Page 29

#28
far advanced in age and has been
very Ill several years, and that he wishes
to come before his Country without fraud
and therefore humbly asks on acct of his
weakness of the Hon Secretary will grant
him permission to have his case done
and acted upon by one or two of the
Judges and in duty bound he will ever
pray as he can not go into Court
as he is weakly & sickly. His House and
half Lot is worth say $140. Be so obliging
and report to me if you can grant
the within request.
Respectfully your Obt Humble
Serv’t
Samuel Levan

The Hon. Secretary will receive a transfer by
the hands of Mr Addams in the case of
Paul Schneider. The said Schneider rec’d
his semi annual payment due in Sept’r
last at the Maryland Agency. But the
Agent made known to Mr Frailey, the person
empowered to receive his pension, that hereafter
he could no longer receive his pension at
the Maryland Agency unless he become a
resident of said State.
Respectfully your Obt humble
Serv’t
Samuel Levan
Page 30

[postmark]
READING PA. 
OCT 3

Referred to the Bounty 
Land Office Oct 8

Pension Office 
6th Oct 1829


FREE
Ho. J. H. Eaton
Secretary of War
Pension Office
City of Washington
Page 31

[postmark]
READING PA. 
OCT 3

Referred to the Bounty 
Land Office Oct 8

Pension Office 
6th Oct 1829

FREE
Ho. J. H. Eaton
Secretary of War
Pension Office
City of Washington
Page 32

[separate handwriting] 
see next page
[left margin - vertical]
Assigned to Pension Office Pen'a

Reading Pen’a October 3, 1829

Ho. Secretary of war, permit me to ask the
following favor, viz Paul Kreider of Captain
Marstons Company of Infantry, who is an Invalid
Pensioner of the United States of the late War,
humbly requested me to apply to the pension
Office for a certificate of his service rendered
to the United States during the late War
against the Enemy,  stating the Captain and
Regiment in which he served. It appears that the
applicant during the services rendered to the
United States received disability, viz he lost the front
falanges [phalanges] of both his feet which the Surgeons
do say that said Kreider was not able to
perform manual labour during the winter
Seasons. Under these circumstances he says
if he could procure a certificate as aforesaid
he might obtain a Small assistance of Relief
from the State of Pennsylvania. This is the sole 
object. This certificate if the Secretary should
 comply with ought to be under the Seal &
Signature of the War Department authenticate
as such. Also another application has been made
to me by the Widow of Hartman Laithheiser
who, as she says, was an officer in the service of
Page 33

in the service of the United States in the
Revolutionary War. She desires me to procure
a certificate as aforesaid describing the
manner in which he entered said service
and Termination of the same. This also should
the Honourable Secretary Comply with
ought to be authenticated as aforesaid.
Her object is thereby to procure a gratuity
Pension from the State of Pennsylvania
I am Respectfully the Hon Secretary’s
Obedient humble Servt
Samuel Levan

Ho. J. H. Eaton
Secretary of War
Ho. James Lewis Edwards will confer a favour
at some leisure Hour. Adam Koch, deceased,
formerly a private of Captain Vanheers Dragoons.
His children are poor. The[y] defered me to enquire 
if their Father Adam Koch aforesaid was
entitled to and [any] military Lands or otherwise 
by virtue of their Father’s services. Please
make enquiry & oblige his children & report
the same to me.
 Respectfully your ob’t 
S. Levan
Page 34

[top left margin - vertical]
Assigned to Pension Office
8 Sept 1829

[bottom left margin - vertical]
[illegible] [illegible] referred to Mr. [illegible]

late a Pensioner - Penn. rolls
Sep 1819
Died 22 May 1827
Page 35

Adam Koch
Pa
1 May 1820

Rec’d 9 June 1826
Samuel Levan Esq
Reading
Pa.
Sept 1809

Rec’d Jun 9, 1826

Hon James Barbour
Secretary of War 
Pension Office
City of Washington
Page 36

June  6th 1836
Reading Berks County Pennsylvania
Ho. Secretary of War, 
I humbly beg an appology in the case of Adam
Koch’s Declaration. He has answered on his Solemn Oath that
no changes had been made of any kind of his property since
the 18th day of March 1818. That part I had omitted in the declaration  likewise describing the depth and width of the said of Lot of Ground together with the size of the House. This is now done and entered in to the Record of the Court. I therefore humbly appologise for the Error. And as it is the first I have filed under the act of the 8th of March 1823, permit me
to remark one thing. The applicant House is only a shelter.
The greater part of the laws are nearly wrotted throe. This I can vouch is true. I had a perfect view of the House yesterday
the 5th of this Ins’t. The [illegible] he is poor in reality on acct
of his weakness. Far be it from me that I should do
any thing wittingly or willingly against my country. I therefore
humbly ask that in case the declaration should not
be drawn in such order as it might require that you
the Hon Secretary of War will look over a small error.
I have also found in the proceedings of our Court that
an Inquest by the Sheriff did Summon 12 Lawful men of
his Bachurch who on their Oaths did value an[d] appraise
the same property at the sum of Twenty five Pounds.
This appraisment was made 9th day of Decbr 1788.
Since my last letter I happened to come in conversation
with a certain Mr Michael Bright, a Near Neighbour of Mr
John Gonter. Mr Bright declared that Mr Gonter has
an annuity of forty pounds yearly by his wife and a decent
house to live in if he chooses forth do free of Rent charge
I remain Respectfully 
Ob’t humble Servn’t
Samuel Levan
The Ho. S. of War

The Ho. S. of War
will please report the result to me
The House & half Lot of Ground of A. Koch is situated on the outmost part of the limits of Reading on the East side of Lord Street and if the said house & lot was sold to day, by the Sheriff, it would be purchased for about $80. More than that sum I should not like to pay for the same.
S. Levan
Please refer to a few
lines on the next page
Page 37

The Prothonotary thought it was not necessary
to mention any thing in his last Certificate
respecting the personal property as that
part was regularly entered heretofore in the
Schedule Declaration. I therefore filed an
amendment this day, the 6th of June and described
the real Estate accurate & just and had
the same filed in the office. It must be
understood that this Certificate given is to prove
the description of the real Estate of the said Adam Koch’s.

S. Levan
Page 38

Adam Koch
for continuance
Rec’d May 2, 1826

Hon. Wm Adams
H R

on Roll Pen, Sept 1819

he [illegible] with
Andrew Fox's papers
Page 39

Continued 9th June 1826
Pension to commence
June 1826, at $8
pr month. Notification sent
to Samuel Levan Esq
Reading
Pa.
Page 40

See letter to Hon Wm Adams
H R 5th May 1826
and to Samuel Levan
29 May 1826.

Sept 1819
Page 41

39828
Revy INVALID.
File No 39828

Adam Koch
Pri Rev War
Act: 18th March 18
Index: --Vol. 3 Page 282
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 42

Hist sent to Robt C. King
Wash D.C. April 18, 1910

1940 Jan. 19
Hist to 
Ruth D. Baseman -
Page 43

Washington, D.C. 4/4/10

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Sir:
Please furnish me with any information
concerning the enclosed, Adam
and Mathias Koch, to be found in the
records of your office.
I wish to find out especially if Mathias
Koch is the father of Adam Koch and names
of battles they were in, etc.
Yours respectfully
Robert King
3536-11 N.W

[circle stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S A
APR 5 1910

[stamped]
APR 4 1910
Page 44

Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
Please tell me what you
can find on Adam Kock. 

[handwritten separately]
or Cook. 

He was a private soldier in the
6th Regiment Pennsylvania Continental
line under Capt Jacob Bowers.
I was trying to get papers
fixed that I might become a D.A.R.
& seems that they feel a [need] they more
information. 
The[y] want proof of this data - 
Where Adam Kock married, rendered
Service, also State County & township
in which he resided
I think his wife’s name was
Catherine. He died 1807.
Also tell me how I can
about it to trace back
the Kerns line & McQuen.
Many Thanks
Ruth I Baseman
St John Kans

[circle stamp]
RECEIVED
JAN 16 1940
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS ADM
READER #12


P.S. it might
save time for our
organization if you were
make 2 copies & send one
to Register General
Memorial Continental Hall
Washington, D.C. and one to me.
Page 45

Washington, D. C., April 20, 1910
Sir
In reply to your request of 4 ult, received 5 ult
for a statement of the military history of Adam Koch
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Mch 1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
Aug 1783

RANK.
Priv

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Von Heer

COLONEL. [blank]

STATE.
Pa.

Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment Reading, Berks Co., Pa.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 21 1818 This claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application Reading, Berks Co, Pa.
Age at date of application, 62 yrs in 1826
Remarks: In 1826, wife Cather was 56 years of age, and son 
Daniel, who was then married.  no other data as to family.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner

Robert C. King
3536-11 N.W.
Washington D. C.

156563m10-08.
Page 46

January 19, 1940.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MMHF/CC
Adam Koch
S. 39828

Ruth I. Baseman,
St. John Kansas.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Adam Kock who served in the Pennsylvania troops, whose wife was Catherine and who died in 1807, also to know how to true your Kerns and McQuen lines. You state that you would like to have one copy of the record of Adam Kock sent to you and the other to the Registrar General Memorial Continental Hall, Washington, D. C.

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been
searched under the surname Cook(e), Koch and Kock for the record of Adam described above and no record found identical with your description. The records of this office show that the Adam Koch who rendered the service stated by you was living in 1835 and the name of his wife is not given in his claim for pension, S.4484. The record has been found of an Adam Koch who had a wife Catherine; he died however, in 1827. His record is furnished you herewith in duplicate.

In order to trace your Kerns and McQuen lines it is suggested
that some good genealogist would aid you materially in your research.

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