Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6175, for Samuel Sunderland, Pennsylvania
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Penn

Sunderland, Samuel

S.6175

carded
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31585

Pennsyvania

Samual Sunderland of Mifflin County in the state of PA who was a Private in the Company [commanded] by Captain Moore of the ----- by ---- in the Pennsylvania Line for 6 months.

Subscribed in the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of $20 dollars and no cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of January 1839 and sent 

Hon W Potter, Gov of Penn.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838... $150
Semiannual allowance ending 4 March 1839... $10

Total  $160.00

Revolutionary Claim Act, June 7, 1832
Recorded by [ ] Addison, Clerk
Book 32, Vol 5, Page 57

Paid at the Treasury under an act of the Congress on 6 April 1838 from 4 Sept 1840 to 4 March 1841. 

Agt notified 1 Dec 1841
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In the case of Samuel Sunderland the said Sunderland being duly sworn doth depose and say that he had not heretofore applied for a pension from the United States nor has never received any such.  The reason he had not before applied was that he lives near twenty miles from Lewistown and is himself infirm and seldom leaves home and he thought that none but regular Soldiers in the continental service and not the militia in that he enlisted for the Indian War could get or were entitled to pensions. And the first knowledge he had of being entitled to a pension for service in the Militia or being enlisted to fight the Indians was from Thomas Holt now a pensioner and whose affidavit accompanies deponents application for a pension. Holt told him that he deponent was much better entitled to a pension than Holt himself was. He then made application and his papers were sent on to the pension office last spring, and though he had notice in June last that his application was suspended for further information. That he has never been able to be at Lewiston until this time. Further deponent states that he served two tours of two months each though actually put three months each tour, and that he was enlisted and served nine months under Capt. Cluggage as stated in his application sent on for a pension, that if he got a discharge in writing, it is destroyed or mislaid, and that there is no person now living who could prove his service except Thomas Holt, Pensioner who was out with one Militia tour and whose affidavit is with petitioners papers sent to the department
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Deponent has obtained the deposition of R.C [illegible], Esquire, which is herewith annexed. And that He believes except he would repeat the same statement given in his application there is no further evidence that he could give to the pension office and that he respectfully refers to his deposition and statements and the deposition of Thomas Holt in support of his service rendered to the United States
for thirteen months or fifteen months, including the whole time he was in the service and going from and returning home.  And Petitioner respectfully requests a careful perusal of his papers and refers to Wm W. Potter Esq, member of
Congress, for his Character for Respectability and truth and that he is old and frail and requires the assistance and is well entitled to a pension for his services rendered the country.   Mr Potter's Grandfather, Genl Potter, was well acquainted with this applicant, and one of the Towns in the Militia was at Potters Fort in Pennsylvania where Mr. Potter's lived.  William Potter is also well acquainted with
the story of the murder of Holliday Family near Frankstown as set forth in applicants deposition and statement, all of which is Respectfully submitted

Samuel Sunderland

Sworn and subscribed this 15th day of September, 1837  before the Justice of the Peace for the county 

-
Henry Eisenben J.P.
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Mifflin County & State of Pennsylvania

Samuel Sunderland, who applies for a pension from the United States being duly sworn evidence to now doth depose - 

In January 1777 as He deponent believes He marched in the Militia from Cumberland County under Captain Thomas Cluggage of Bedford County & Coln [Colonel] John [illegible] - or Coln Piper of Bedford County. and marched to Lancaster [illegible] & there we met the Hessian prisoners who had been taken at Trenton by Genl Washington a short time before that. From Lancaster we marched to Philadelphia & from that to Basking Ridge in the Jerseys & from thence to Princetown [Princeton] & stayed there a short time 10 or 20 days & we then marched to Trenton & from there on a boat to Philadelphia where he was discharged being out three months - from the time [illegible] Home till we returned home again.

The next time, I marched under Capt Robert [Mears] from the [illegible] County on the Juniata River & then to Potters Fort in Penns Valley, as a militia man against the Indians.  Our Coln [Colonel] was Coln Arthur Bucha.  On a militia tour of two months - this was in the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine [1779] as Deponent believes.

The next time I marched under Capt Thomas Cluggage. and befor Robert Cluggage - to Sinking Valley - then Bedford now Huntingdon County to Sinking Valley Fort or otherwise Called Lead Mine and then I enlisted for nine months under Capt
Thomas Cluggage  - and served out my nine months in that Fort at [illegible] time John Hollidays family were killed at Frankstown or Hollidaysburgh[?].  And I was discharged at the end of nine months and & if I got a
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discharge in writing I have lost it. Could not find or know where it is. This was my last
tour of service.   The years in which each of these tours was performed and of [illegible].  Where I performed my first tour to Philadelphia & Trenton, I was about fifteen or sixteen years.  I am now and until next August I'll be seventy firve years old, being born in the year 1762.  I was never in a battle but when I was at Trenton with [illegible] the British had their winter quarters at New Brunswick in New Jersey. -- I stayed two or 3 weeks at Basking Ridge before we went to Princeton.  We were sent to Potters Fort to keep off the Indians so that the scouts being kept up to protection thus.  also of in that at Simkin valley at said fort we were to keep off the Indians from the the parties.  I helped to bing John Holliday's two sone Robert and [illegible] and his daughter a girl 14 or 15 years old, who was killed and scalped by the Indians as Holliday was [illegible].
 
Deponent says at times he marched to Princeton and Philadelphia & to his [illegible last paragraph] 

Samuel Sunderland
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[illegible] Atkinson Esq & David  [illegible names] being duly sworn
say they are well acquainted with the petitioner Samuel Sunderland for the last thirty years and upwards that the said Samuel Sunderland is a man of good moral character & of truth & veracity, & highly respected as a moral and a good citizen who [illegible] and a man of [illegible] and good laborer.  That his statement on [illegible]of his revolutionary service we would believe to be true and that he is we think between seventy [illegible] years of age and that he is reputed and believed [illegible] ......
and said Sunderland had lived in this county of Mifflin for this last thirty to forty years.  

Sworn [illegible] in Open Court of [illegible] for the county of Mifflin [illegible] being a court of Record

Sworn and Subscribed 6th April AD 1839

Lukens Atkinson
David Jenkins
Thomas J Portlethwait
Benj M Walters

and the said Court do hereby [illegible] satisfaction and after [illegible] by the War Department that the [illegible] Samuel Sunderland was a Revolutionary Soldier as he stated and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that [illegible] 

[illegible]
John Oliver
David Reynolds
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Thomas Holt, a [illegible] of the United States by [illegible] granted the 6th day of April 1838 being duly sworn doth depose & say that He deponent is well acquainted with the [illegible] Samuel Sunderland and has known the said Samuel Sunderland for the last 50 to 60 years.  [illegible] the deponent [illegible] in tour of militia service at Potters Fort in [illegible] in the year 1779 in [il] deponent marched in the company commanded by Capt Robert [illegible] 

[rest of statement is largely illegible]
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office
Nov 23, 1841

Sir:

Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, Samual Sunderland, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and no cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of Sept 1840 to the 4th March 1841

Respectfully yours,
[illegible] K Parris

To the Commissioner of Pensions.

Present.
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Mifflin

Robert Hale of the Borough of Lewistown in said County being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is acquainted with Samual Sunderland of Mifflin County, now an applicant for a pension, and also
with Saml Sunderlan of Clearfield County for whom he several years since
acted as agent in procuring a pension from the government of the United States, that they are different persons, though of the same name, & so far
this deponent knows are not related to each other.

Robert Hale

Sworn & subscribed the14th Sept 1897 
Henry Eisenein

Mifflin County
I Daniel Eisenbin Recorder of Deeds in & for the said County, do hereby Certify that Henry Eisenbin Esquire before whom the depositions of
Samuel Sunderland & R C Hale were taken is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Mifflin and that due faith and credit are due to all
his official acts as such.

Certified under my hand and the seal of said Office at Lewistown in said County the 14th day of September AD 1837

Daniel Eisenben
Recorder
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J L Edwards, Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington City

Hon W M Powers, HR
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J L Edwards, Esq

Sir:
In enclose you D W [Kirby's] letter on the subject of Samual Sunderland's pension and respectfully ask your attention to it.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

William W Potter
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Hon WW Potter
HR
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The Com of Pensions

Sir:
Genl Wilson of the House of Representatives, in PA, at the request of [illegible] Esquire, the agent of Samuel Sunderland, has by have with an in from the file in the State department sundry depose certain which if read will entitle Samuel Sunderland to an increase of his pension. Will you be pleased to examine then and when satisfied with the examination and when satisfied with the exam, return them to me so that they can be restored to the War Department in PA.  I am deeply interested for William Watters, and have addressed a letter to to the Secretary of State in New Jersey, and have by him been informed that no muster roll of the troops in the [illegible] Camp
are on file in that State.  would you be pleased to inform me what additional evidence would be necessary?

Have a letter and application by John [illegible], the son in Law of George Merrick.

I am desirous that the papers, containing his application under the circumstances should be entrusted to Dr. Shaticker, the representative from center County in the State Legislature. 

Will you please return the letter to me?

respectfully your obedient servant,
William W Potter

10th Feb 1838
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INVALID

File No  6175
Samuel Sunderland
Private, Rev War

Act:  June 7th, 1832

Index:  Vol M, Page 364
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Samuel Sunderland
Pennsylvania

Suspended

See letter 10 June 1837 to S W [Watson]

Letter 25 Sept 27  William Potter

6th Oct 1837  Let 5 Feb 1838  S W [illegible]

Let:  10th February 1838  W W Potter

Let 7 June 1838 S W Nutney
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Honorable J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC
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Lewiston, Oct 2 1837

Dear Sir
In answer to your letter to the Honorable William Potter, Esq, I have observed that you have entirely mistaken the nature of the service rendered by Samuel Sunderland, under Captain Cluggage. Sunderland was not on a tour of Militia duty, but an enlisted soldier for none months, having been regularly enlisted for the period of 9 months, & served out his enlistment in Coppermine fort as stated by him in his first application, to which I respectfully refer you and as part of that service he was present soon after the massacre by the Indians of Holliday's family and helped to bury them, as also therein stated.  from that 9 month enlistment under Capt Cluggage he was regularly discharged, but his discharge lost or mislayed. There was a regular Fort called Coppermine Fort on the head waters of the Juniata in which those regular enlisted to it were stationed to overcome the Indians in time of peace and as a rallying point for the Militia when called out in time of war.  this murder  of the Holliday's family was the first murder in the breaking out of the new war, and these militia tours of 2 months were carried out to drive off the Indians, to quell them when in an actual State of war.  You will find a reference to the [illegible] of period, that the troops that were stationedat forsts were for a period of 6, 9, & 12 months, none being taken for shorter enlistments, while the Militia to repel the Indians in that time.
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were only for 2 months

MrSunderland could by no means accept a pension for 6 months service when he is fully entitled to 13 months. as an enlisted Soldier under Capt Cluggage at Coppermine Fort and 2 tours of militia dury 4 months.  I hope the Department will reexamine this matter, Correct this misunderstanding of the 9 month enlistment, and grant Mr  Sunderland his full pendion for 13 months.

I have the honour to be very respectfully yours 

David W Houdingh

Hon J L Edwards Esq
Commisioner of Pensions
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J L Edwards, Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington City
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Mr Potter has the honor to enclose to Mr Edwards, a latter from D W Hastings Esq.  The first part of which has relation to Sunderland's application for a pension.  The latter part refers to private [illegible].    Mr E will please return me the letters, with such information, as may enable me to reply to him.

16th January 1839
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J L Edwards, Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington City
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J L Edwards, Esq
Washington, 10th April 1838

Sir:

I have the honor to include the revised application of Samual Sunderland for a pension.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

William Potter
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Hon J L Edwards, Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington City, DC
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Lewistown 23d May 1838

Dear Sir:

Not being able to furnish any further proof I shall ask you to decide on the case of Samuel Sunderland & send on his pension certificate, but I think when you take in anew the whole facts connected in his case that he will be entitled to a pension of $60.00 or $80.00 a year, for though he has not been able to obtain other proof than his own deposition of his enlistment for 9 months service at the lead or Coppermine fort, under Captain Cluggage, the fault in act his but in the deceasing nature of time, all his fellow soldiers being dead. Sunderland is poor & deserving.  Please give his case a liberal construction & remit me his certificate

Very respectfully yours
David W Hulings

J L Edwards, Esq
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May 24
Act 1832

J L Edwards, Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington City DC
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Lewistown  May 5th 1837

Dear Sir:

I herewith enclose you the application of Samuel Sunderland, a Revolutionary soldier.  He served two tours in the militia, of two months each, and a six months tour as an enlisted soldier, as you will see from the testimony herewith sent.  Please write me to Lewiston Penn

Very respectfuly yours,

David W Hulings

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
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State of Pennsylvania & County of Mifflin

Before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County personally appeared Thomas Holt a pensioner of the United States by pension granted the 6th day of April 1833, being duly sworn doth depose & say that he Deponent is well acquainted with the petitioner Samuel Sunderland & has known the said Samuel Sunderland for the last 50 to 60 years ever since the
time he Deponent & petitioner served a tour of Militia service at Potters fort at in Penns Valley in the year 1779 in the fall season.  and that in the fall season of that year deponent marched in the company commanded by Captain Robert Mens & Lieutenant David Coulter of Kishacoquillas Valley & John Record of same Valley Ensign.  said deponent & Petitioner Samuel Sunderland served a two months tour together and deponent says since that time he has known the petitioner Samuel Sunderland & that he has resided in Mifflin County ever since. that said Petitioner is a man of highly respectable character and connections and a man of truth & veracity & whose statement as set forth in the foregoing deposition is as deponent believes entitled to full faith & credit & of many of the facts he Sunderland speaks of deponent knows & believes to be true.

Johnson Scott

Sworn & Subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Mifflin this Eighth day of May1837

John M. Barton
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Admitted

Six month $20

per letter 25 Sept 37
W W Potter

Jan 17

Hom W W Potter
HR
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Mifflin County

I William B Schuster, Prothanotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original recordings in the matter of the application of Samual Sunderland for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 19th day of May AD 1837.

W B Schuster, Prot
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J L Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC
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Lewistown, Sept 14th 1837

Dear Sir

I herewith enclose you the papers of Samuel Sunderland, be good enough to have them examined.  If any further information required
which he is able to give, it will be sent on. [illegible] own and the deposition of R Hale are enclosed with reference to Wm W Potter Esq, our present member of Congress. I hope there will be a speedy and expedited issue to this application as this applicant is very aged, frail, and desirous of getting something before he dies.

very respectfully your
David W Hulings


J L Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
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J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, DC
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I certify that the [illegible] & foregoing deposition was taken in open Court before the Judges of the same & that it is under [illegible] that the annexed depositions
of John L & Daniel Forge were duly take & there to annexed

as Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 5th of April 1838

Proty
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S Sunderland

Papers
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Huntingdon County, Henderson Township

This is to Certify that in the year one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven I was on a Tour of Duty in the American Army under
Captain Thomas Cluggage at the same time Samuel Sunderland was Drummer for said Cluggages Company  I Remember well that
Samuel Sunderland was with us at Prinston [Princeton] and acted as Drummer for the aforesaid Company.  we were removed from Prinston, to Philadelphia and moved a good deal about that at this time. I cant say how long Mr Sundeland was in Actual Service

Huntingdon County Ss

Before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of Peace in and for the said County, Personally Came John Fee, and being Duly Sworn as the Law Directs did Depose and Say that the above Certificate is just and true as it Stands Stated to the best of his Knowledge 

Sworn and Subscribed this 
Twenty sixth Day of February 1838 
Before me, Robert Wray}   
John Fee
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Huntington County

Cromwell Township, January 19th 1838

This is to certify that I have seen Capt Clugage's [Cluggage's] Commission.  He was commissioned by General Hand and I likewise seen his roll with the names of his men and that he was three months at Baskin [Basking] Ridge and Prinston [Princeton] in the Jersey State and Nine months at Fort Robertdo [Roberdeau] or Rather Lead mine fort stationed as Wood Rangers under the command of Mj [Major] Robert Clugage and I Believe he gave his papers to one of his men for their assistance in getting some Recompence for their services and I certify that Captain Clugage Drew Two Hundred Dollars for his services at the Lead mine Fort in sinking Valley.

given from under my hand the day and year above written

Daniel Teague, Administrator of the Cpt Thomas Clugage Deceased
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Huntingdon County 

Before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the peace for the said County personally came Daniel Teague.  and being Duly sworn as the Law directs and did depose and say that the within certificate as it is stated is just and true to the best of his knowledge

Daniel Teague

Sworn and Subscribed this 20th of January 1838

Before me

Benedict Stevens
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Lewistown January 29, 1838

Dear Sir:

Some time ago, I obtained at Harrisburg some documents of Capt Thomas
Cluggage, who was the Captain under whom Samuel Sunderland served his 9 months tour, at lead mine fort otherwise called the Coppermine Fort, near Frankstown and had them forwarded to Wm W Potter, Esq.  These papers show that Cluggage was commissioned by General Hand, for 9 months with authority to enlist soldiers for that term and Sunderland was so enlisted, & served the 9 months and he is not now able to find any soldier living or person who could prove his having served.  Capt Cluggage is dead some years ago, & Sunderland being much the youngest man in the company has out lived them all.  I have made search at Harrisburg and Captain Cluggage has no commission on record, as had his appointment from General Hand.  I have
made much inquiry for documents for older soldiers and men who might know the fact of Sunderland's having served.  But the consuming teeth of time has devoured them all, and Sunderland is old, feeble & cant live long & will I think from those papers & his oath be entitled to a pension for that 9 month enlistment and service.  Mr. Sunderland could not think of taking $20 a year when he is certainly entitled, though his proof is deficient, to pay for the 9 months.  I hope the department will take his own deposition with this collateral evidence & allow him his full pay for that 9 months of enlistment as well as the two militia tours for 2 months each.   Please have his papers
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re-examined with those documents that will be handed you by Mr Potter and write me again on the subject.  I also some weeks ago sent you the papers of Mr Freeman, old soldier.

Very respectfully yours,

David Hulings

J L Edwards, Esq
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J L Edwards, Esq
Washington City DC
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State of Pennsylvania  Mifflin County

In the Open Court the same being the Court for Common Pleas for said County again personally appeared Samuel Sunderland who has heretofore sent on his application for a pension; who being
sworn doth further say that he served nine months tour of duty under Captain Thomas Cluggage at Fort Robertdo [Roberdeau] or Lead Mine in Huntingdon County.  And that being the youngest member in the Company, he has outlived them all and all other persons so far as he can ascertain who could know his service.  That he has not been able to procure the roll of the said Captain Cluggage - as He being commissioned by General Hand, no roll is filed in the officers of the state of Pennsylvania at Harrisburg.   That the only
further testimony He could procure is that of 
Daniel Teague, the administrator of Capt Cluggage, & the deposition of John Fee both hereto attached & that He hopes & has a full trust that the pension officers will not cut him off from a 
full pension for the want of further proof 
as times consuming [illegible] has distroyed his fellow
soldiers; & that he cant long survive[?] & that He now 
casts himself on the Justice & gratitude of his Country to make him a full allowance for his two tours of two months each & his nine months
enlistment at Lead mine Fort.

Sworn and Subscribed this 5th of April 1838. In open Court

Samual Sunderland

[illegible]  proty