Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6302, for John Levering, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE [stamped]
Penn.
Levering, John
NUMBER [stamped]
R. 6302
Page 2

Revolutionary
John Levering
Authority to examine
claim of the said
John Levering
_________________________
Pennsylvania Suspended
__________________________
Act 1832

[portion cut off] 11 June 1833
F. E. Hassler
Washington
Page 3

West Haverford Del: Co: Pa
April 25 1883

F.E. Hassler Esq.

Dear Sir:

A circular of yours was received a few days since by my father (Abraham Levering) soliciting a power of atty and a proposition to prosecute the claim of John Levering (his father) to a pension from the U.S. government.

My father wishes me to say that he is willing to accede to your proposition and wishes to know whether you will need any evidence of the services of Jno: Levering.  My grandfather's commissions were placed in the hands of Wm Todd Esq. of Philad [raised a] some six years since for the same purpose who says they were filed at Washington, but we have never received any further intelligence.

Please inform me how to procede in this matter truly oblige

Yours respectfully
J. H. Levering M.D.
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania}
Philadelphia County} SS

On this 12th day of Febry 1843 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in and and for said County Abraham Levering who is a resident of said County and State and who on his solemn oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the arrears of pension due him under the provisions of the Act of Congress the 7th June 1832.

Deponent states that he is the surviving son of John Levering decd. that he is informed and verily believes that his father John Levering was commissioned an ensign or lieutenant of a company of Militia of the State of Pa and in the County of Phil [raised a] in the year 1776 and served two months as an officer in the war of the Revolution.  That again in 1777 he was commissioned an Ensign and served two months as the law then required under said commission that he did other important service in leaving dispatches & keeping Gen Washington advised of the movements of the enemy in and around the city of Phil[raised a] during the war.  That deponent does not know but is informed he served a second tour under his commission in 1777 but has not enough of proving the same, nor does he know the length of the service done by his father as leaving dispatches, but was always informed that it was a continuous service.
That again in 1780 he was commissioned as a
Page 5

Captain of a company of Millitia of the 7th Battallion of the County aforesaid and that he served under said commission for two months under the law and done other duty how long deponent does not now know or has he any information touching the subject save that his father always told him such was the fact  
That again in 1783 he was commissioned as a [a crossed out] captain and if he was required performed duty with but whether he was or not required deponent does not recollect very definitely from having heard his father speak  on the subject; deponent is informed that his father was called Capt. while he was only commissioned as an ensign.  And he had dispatched to Genl Washington at Valley Forge [insert Pa] and other points in the State of New Jersey.  Your petitioner would further state that his father departed this life in the month of August 1833 and left no  widow but the following children to wit this deponent Abraham Levering & Enock Levering and wife of Samuel Stearn. Hannah wife of John [smudge] Nagy & Sarah wife of Saml Slinglough all of Pa. as the only surviving children of Captain John Levering and your deponent therefore prays that all arrears of pension due have from the 4th of [1831 raised] March [arrow up] to August 1833 be allowed unto dep[raised t] his will and pray &
Sworn to and subscribed this day & year above.
Abraham Levering
Sworn to & subscribed}
before me this 11th day of}
February AD 1845}
James W. Campbell}
sworn [illegible]
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania}
Philadelphia County  } SS

It was on this 11th day of Feby 1845 proven in open court to the satisfaction of the same that Captain John Levering of the County of Phil [raised a] reported to have been an officer of the Revolution died in August 1833 in Rocksborough Township Phil [raised a] County.  That he left at his death no widow but the following children as all that survived him, to wit
Abraham Levering, Enock Levering, Ann wife of Saml Stearn, Hannah wife of John Hagy & Sarah wife of Samuel Slinglough all of Pa. All of which is ordered to be certified to the war department Washington City, D.C.
James Campbell
Page 7

35.958
John Levering
decd.
Pa.
Act of June 32

J. S. Tennery
Page 8

Pennsylvania }
Philadelphia County} SS

I Richard Palmer Jr Esquire Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that the Hon. James Campbell by whom the within order and upon whom the annexed declaration on oath was made and whom his own proper handwriting has hereunto subscribed his name and at the time of so doing and knowing one of the Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas [insert:  which is a court of record and of law] duly commissioned and qualified to all whose acts or such full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of Indenture of that Court.

In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said Court
at the Philadelphia this 12th day
of February A.D. 1845
R. Palmer, Jr. Prothonotary
per J. S. Tennery

35.958
John Levering
decd.
Pa.
Act of June '32
Page 9

Penn [raised a] Inspe

[illegible initials]

F. E. Hassler
Washington
Page 10

Washington City, DC
June 2d 1934

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir,
In the suspended Revolutionary Pension Claim of John Levering on the Penna Suspend Rolls, I respectfully request that the papers of Elizabeth Leyman & Phoebe Righter [illegible] Penna may be reexamined in connection with his claim.  As I deem it not sufficient proof for its allowance will therein be found also the papers of redirect agree will furnish some further proof.
Yours respectfully
F. E. Hassler
Page 11

House of Reps.
Washington Dec. 17. 1850.

Col. Heath           
Com [raised m]. of Pensions} SS

Dear Sir,
I received the letter herewith enclosed, this morning from one of my constituents.
May I ask of you whether there are any papers on file in your office in relation to application by John Levering of Philad [raised a underlined with two dots below] County [insert] P [raised a underlined with dot] or by his heirs, for pension, or commutation pay, or other relief.
Please return the enclosed letter.
I am Respy. Yours,
John Freedley
Page 12

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873 [crossed out in pencil]

6302

John Levering [crossed out]
Service:  John Levering

REJECTED [stamped]

Rest of form blank.
Page 13

The deposition of Frederick Axe taken in Roxborough Township County of Phila on the 11th day of Feby 1845 now being in the 88th year of his age and a pensioner of the United Sates as a private and a Lieutenant of the Pa millitia during the Revolutionary War, states that long before the war of the Revolution he became well acquainted with John Leavering or Levering of said County states that in the year 1776 he was performing duty as a private in the said war, and saw said John Levering in the Service as an ensign or Lieutenant that in that capacity he performed a tour of two months as Ensign or Lieutenant, then again in Seventy Seven said John Levering was out and performed a tour of five months as an Ensign or Lieutenant, deponent does not recollect to have seen him out as an officer afterwards tho he has understood and believes he was out in 1780 as a capt for 2 months, and in 1783, said Deponent was well acquainted with said Levering from the end of the war to the day of his death which took place in the early part of 1833 as this affiant is informed & believes that said Levering died in Rocksborough Township whereas this deponent also lived at that place & now resides further saith
Frederick Axe

State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County } SS
I Charles B. Rees an Alderman and 
Justice of the Peace
Page 14

in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified to act as such hereby certify that Frederick Axe came before me and solemnly affirmed to the truth of the foregoing deposition to the best of his knowledge & belief.
I further certify that my acquaintance with Frederick Axe for upwards of 20 years gives me an opportunity to know he is a man of excellent character & his memory is fine touching old events & circumstances 
Given under my hand this [insert] Eleventh day of July 1845.
Charles B. Rees
Alderman
& J. P.

Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County} SS

I Richard Palmer Jr. Esq. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do certify that Chaz B. Rees Esq. before whom the within deposition was taken and by whom the foregoing certificate and attestation was made and given and given [repeated] and who to the said certificate and attestation that in his own proper handwriting  subscribing his name, was at the time of so doing and now is an older man and as Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Philadelphia duly commissioned and qualified to administer oath take acknowledgments [illegible and looks to be crossed out] depositing to all whose acts as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in Court of Judicature as the court.

In testimony whereof I have h
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of the said Court at
Philadelphia this 13th day of February
A.D. 1845
R. Palmer Jr. Prothonotary
per Joseph S. Tennery
Page 15

Stamped postmark
Philadelphia PA
Mar 28

[illegible word] RG [initials] 1848

Rel [not sure of letter]

E. Lehman &
Jho Levering.der
[underlined]

Hon James L. Edwards [seal]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC

[illegible stamp on right-hand side]
Page 16

Phil [raised a] 26th Mar 1845

Dear Sir

Through the Hon Geo M. Dallas The Claim of Saml Lehman & John Levering been presented, that of Lehman I do not complain of further evidence being required.  That of Levering I claim is good for time as an ensign & 2 months as capt which is fully proved the Commissions as 1777 & 1780, and a lieutenant now drawing a pension and such arrears to 2 mo in 1776 by Levering having known him before the war & they each having lived in Rocksborough Township all their lives, Frederick Axe is one of the most intelligent men I ever conversed [insert with] in my life and the man of same reputation I do not remember to have known. The objection is to the form asking for a more specific Statement of Service.  The substance of the [the word "that" inserted above] which is claimed is in my opinion proven and I ask an arrears of this claim, not in the least doubting that 6 mo will be allowed. The vote as laid down to require the children to state that he might have stated himself is requiring a thing next to improbable He says a presumption is raised against it [inserted above] because not asking for by himself, he died in 1833 & was likely in bad health for months before his death and may not have heard of the law in the County, Suffice it to say. 3 commissions during the war is found filed certainly 2 during the action part of the war a time proven
Page 17

by a Lt in 1776 a time when a large force of militia is known to have been employed in Phil[raised a] County, and I know from examination at Harrisburgh that there is no militia rolls of 1776 while in 77 78, 80 & 81 there are numerous returns of Phil [raised a] County the most army major[smudged] perfect but in a such map in heap of old papers, The claim under all the circumstances for 6 months 4 mo as Ensign 2 as Capt is proved & I hope will be so considered on a [illegible] recovery the pensions examined having been made in a hurried period of time during the session
I am dear sir very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Wm H Todd

To Col J L Edwards
Washington City
DC
Page 18

Original commissions of John Levering as an Ensign in the Philadelphia Militia dated 6th May 1777.  As a captain in service dated May 1st 1783.  As a major dated 23 [raised e underlined] April 1788 - as a Major dated 2 [raised e underlined] August 1803.  As a captain dated 1st of May 1786 - have all been delivered to his grandson John Levering this 19th day of September 1862
L. M. Drury
Examining Clerk

Received 19th September 1862. the [for crossed out] commissions amended to above.
John Levering
Page 19

The Deposition of Charles Righter taken at Roxborough Township Phil [raised a] County on the 16th day of January 1847
Deponent being in the 71st year of his age Deposeth & saith that he was born in the Township & County above, and has always resided there until this time, that his father was a soldier in the war of the Revolution that from the Revolutionary incidents of which he has often heard his father speak and others and from universal report & [and] belief in the neighborhood, John Levering was allways said to have been a soldier in the early part of the war of The revolution - and that he was promoted to some rank, that said John Levering lived in the township above mentioned & died in James Place. And Deponent was allways acquainted with him to the date of his death sometime about 1833.  Deponent says he further understood John Levering was a very usefull man in acting as a [crossed out] spy for general Washington in viewing the movements of the army of the Brittish forces & making report of the same.  He further states that he has had frequently [conversations inserted above] heard old soldiers mention him as such.  I never at anytime heard the report of service contradicted by any one
Charles Righter

State of Pennsylvania }
Philadelphia County   } SS
I Saml H. Slinglough a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid hereby certify that Charles Righter came in proper person
Page 20

came before me and affirmed on the wholy evangelist of allmighty god that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition are true to the best of his knowledge & belief
Saml H. Slinglough} JP
I further certify I have known Mr. Righter 32 years & know him to profess truth & veracity beyond doubt or question given under my hand this 16th January 1847
Saml H. Slinglough [seal]

Also the deposition of [of repeated twice] Mary Smith taken at the same time & in the Township before mentioned she states that she is now in the 85th year of her age - and was about twelve years old when the Revolutionary war broke out.
She further states that she was acquainted with John Levering who allways lived and died in Roxborough Township, that he was out as a soldier in the same year that the war broke out, and served a tour or [perhaps inserted above] more as a soldier and was afterwards made an officer, as this Deponent understood, that he served as a soldier in the early part of the war.  Deponent speaks of her personal knowledge and as to his service as an officer of the Millitia.  She says common report says he served.
This Deponent resided for upwards of forty years within a few doors of his place of residence and where he died, and she feels satisfied that he was a soldier of the war of the Revolution as [illegible] from personal as repeated knowledge and she knows that the said John Levering was universally reported to have been a soldier in the year 1776 and out in New Jersey & was generally an officer of the millitia together with Capt. Holgate &
Page 21

The said John Levering died in Roxborough in 1833 - and Abraham Levering is one of his sons - He was a pious and good old man during his life - further saith

Mary Smith [her X mark]

Also the deposition of Daniel Smith son of the above named Mary Smith who on oath states that he resided from his birth in Roxborough and was from his earliest recollection acquainted with John Levering, and that universal reputation and common report in the neighborhood where he allways lived & died accorded to him to have been a soldier in the early part of the war of the Revolution and subsequently to have been an officer at a  different tour of millitia duty, and to have acted as a spy for Genl Washington at different times and was very valiant & useful soldier & officer - further saith not

Daniel Smith

State of Pennsylvania }
Philadelphia County   } SS

I John Alexander a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid hereby certify that Mary Smith and Daniel Smith came before me and affirmed to the truth of the foregoing
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depositions according to their knowledge and belief, I further certify that I have been acquainted with the foregoing Mrs Smith & her son for more than forty years and know them to have fair and good standing in society for all that space of time
I personally  knew Capt John Levering and reputation accorded to him to have been a soldier & an officer of the Revolutionary war and I never heard of the report in his neighborhood contradicted.
Given under my hand and seal 16th January 1847.
John Alexander
J Peace
Manayunk

State of Pennsylvania  }
County of Philadelphia} SS
I John Smith Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the county aforesaid, do hereby certify that Samuel H. Slinglough and John Alexander before whom the foregoing depositions were taken and whose signatures are thereto such received in their own proper hands, were at the time of doing the same and now as acting justices of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified to act as such, and to all whose acts full faith is due & ought to be given as well in Courts of Judication and there-out.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of my said office this 18th day of January, AD 1847
P. S. Brown
Prothonotary
Page 23

State of Pennsylvania} SS
It appears from the muster rolls of the Several Battalions of the County of Philadelphia dated June 17th 1780 and on file in this Department that the name of John [cross out] Levering is found as Captain of the 7th Battallion signed by Wm. Coats County Lieutenant.
The name of said John Levering appears also on a return of the officers of said county Oct. 17th 1783 as a captain of the 2nd company of the second Battalion of Phil[raised a] millitia signed by Wm Coats Lieut Co Phil[raised a]

October 24th 1776
In council of safety
Capt Levering for Repairing arms L3 4 - 9

Pennsylvania Co.
Secretary's Office
Harrisburg Janry 30th 1845
I do certify the above to be a true extract from the original remaining on file in this office
Witness my hand and seal of the Secretary's office at Harrisburg the date above
J. Miller
Page 24

Letters to Hon. G. M. Dallas 22 [nd]
Febry 1845.
Liet. W. H. Todd May 12/45.
to Hon G. M. Bibb 5. May 1867

[smudge]
Page 25

[smudge at top of page]

Dear Sir
I enclosed the documents relating to two pension cases, and will feel greatly obliged to you for an early attention to them.
Respectfully, Dr. [illegible]
Your mo. [most] humb. [humble] Ser [servant]
G. M. Dallas
21. Feb. 1845
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Page 26

35,958
____________________________
John Levering
 - Pa -
___________________________

Hon. J. Freedley [illegible]
Aprl 1/57 -
F. E. Hassler - June 7. 1854

6302 [written in pencil]
_____________________________
Acts - 7 June 1832
Page 27

The Deposition of Mary Levering taken at the House of [blank space] Hoffman in the Township of Rocksborough County of Phil[raised a] on the day of Sept. 1846.
Deponent being duly sworn or affirmed according to law deposith & saith that she is now in the 82 years of her age that she was born in the Township & County before stated & has all her life resided in the same, that from her earliest recollection in infancy she was well acquainted with John Levering who was also a citizen of said Township & County that said John Levering was a man  grown at the commencement of the Revolutionary war a number of the incidents of which is familiar to deponent, she states that she will recollect that John Levering left the neighborhood of Roxborough an officer of Militia and performed a tour of duty as such she thinks in the spring or summer of 1776, that he was gone from the neighborhood in Command as an officer about two months he left wearing a uniform and components of military men & she understood he was performing his duty at any rate he was during his first tour of duty, said to be in Jersey & was at the taking of the Hessians.  She was a stout girl at the time & only saw him go & understood he served out his tour. That he was out again in the summer of 1777 and was again an officer and she also understood served in Jersey and completed his tour of duty all before the battle of Germantown - that she was the wife of Anthony Levering after the war who was also out as soldier under her brother John - that she understood he was subsequently out as an officer but does not recollect having seen him during his subsequent tour.  She is not certain but she thinks John Levering' tours of duty was two months each he is the same John Levering who died about the year 1833 and left Abraham & other persons his children but no widow.  Deponent states that her husband Anthony Levering has been dead 27 years or thereabouts
Page 28

that she is now in the receipt of  a pension from the State of Pa. as she married about the year 1797 She never made application to the United States for one not being entitled to the same - She states that John Leering never employed a substitute to [insert word do] military service for him, but was ready to act for himself when called on was a very exemplary man through life, was reported to have born messages to and from Genl Washington during the Revolution further saith not.

Phila [quotes under a] County SS
Before me the subscriber one of the magistrates in and for sd [said] County personally appeared the within mentioned Mary Levering and did solemnly affirm that the foregoing statement according to her recollection is perfectly correct in every part - Mary Levering
Affirmed & subscribed
Sept 29th 1846
St. Murphy
Magistrate

Mary Levering above named is a hereby respectable lady of Roxboro Phil[raised a] County
Penn [raised a underlined]
F. Murphy

[writing in left-hand margin]
State of Pennsylvania                } SS
City and County of Philadelphia}
I John Smith the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do certify that F. Murphy before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who hath thereto affixed his name in his own proper handwriting was at the time of so doing and still is a justice of the peace of the County of Philadelphia [words crossed out] duly commissioned and qualified to all whose acts as such full faith and within and right to be giving as well in County of Judication as the most  audited [illegible] and  of said court this twenty fifth day of December A.D. Eighteen Hundred forty six
John Smith
Prothony
per P. S. Brown
Page 29

The deposition of Phoeby Righter taken at her own house in Roxborough Township Philadelphia  County, She states that she is now in the Eighty ninth year of her age, that she always resided in Roxborough Township that during the war of the Revolution she was grown up and remembers many of its incidents. The Battles of Germantown and Brandywine are familar to her.  She was well acquainted with John Levering from his infancy and lived within two miles of him at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. (and at the close of the war within one mile of him to the time of his death) he was then a young man and was called to march in defence of his Country in the summer of the year 1776 in the company called the flying camp which went to Amboy in New Jersey.  She recollects well that it was in warm weather and was for two months, and when that time was up he volunteered in the army without coming home in what was called the Artificers as a private and was out until after the battles of Trenton and Princeton which I have frequently heard he was in and at the Battle of Monmouth and that he did not come home untill in the winter when it was cold weather, and she remembers well the joy that was expressed when he returned to his family and friends or neighbours being so long absent from home.  He was at home but a short time untill he went out again and whilst he was out this time he was at the taking of the Hessians I think it was in the summer or fall of 1777.  That he was for his conduct promoted to an officer and was out again in 1779 & 1780 as the deponent always understood.  She is clear in John Leverings tour before the battle of Germantown in September 1777, when he was so long gone from home which was the cause of the great joy at his return from New Jersey after the battles before stated.
John Levering was always spoken of as being out a soldier in 1776, and an officer in 1777 & 1780 and
Page 30

Initials in left-hand corner of page

And that she never heard it contradicted by any one. That Abraham Levering in Lower-Merion Township Montgomery County is the son of the said John Levering, and further saith not.
December 14th 1846
Phoeby  her X mark Righter

Philad[raised rest of word] County SS
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Philadelphia the abovenamed Phoeby Righter and affirmed that the above statement is just and true according to her recollection and belief.  In Witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand & seal at Roxborough this 14h day of December One thousand eight hundred & forty six
Sam H Slinglough J.P.

I do certify that I am and have been well acquainted with Phoeby Righter for about thirty years, and have always considered her as a pious and worthy woman, and respected for truth and veracity in the neighbourhood and the widow of a Revolutionary soldier now drawing a state pension
Sam H. Slinglough

State of Pennsylvania                 } SS
City and County of Philadelphia}
I John Smith Protonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do certify that Samuel H. Slinglough before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who hath thereto affixed his name in his own proper handwriting and at the time of so doing and [cross out] is [crossed out words] Justice of the Peace of the County of Philadelphia duly commissioned and qualified to all whose acts as such full faith and will & ought to be proven as well in the Court of the Judication as [illegible] - Witness my hand and seal of said Court this twenty sixth day of December. A.D. eighteen hundred & forty six.
John Smith Prothony
per P.S. Brown
I further certify that Samuel Murphy
Page 31

(A.)

rest of page is illegible.
Page 32

State of Pennsylvania} SS
Philadelphia County  }

On this 26th day of December 1846 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, Abraham Levering a resident of Lower Merion Township Montgomery County Pa. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following [crossed out word] amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
That this applicant is the son of John Levering deceased, that he this Abraham Levering has been informed and verily believes that his deceased father John Levering served in the war of the Revolution, that in the Spring or Summer of 1776 his father was attached to the flying camp and a tour in said camp, and was at the time of entering the service a citizen of Roxborough Township Phil[raised a] County - that during his tour attached to the flying camp he marched to New Jersey, and was at Amboy Princeton Trenton and other places, the officers under which he served applicant cannot state. that he was after his tour of two months or more in the flying camp attached to a company of Artifices in which last company he served for a space of time applicant not distinctly state, but believes it to have been for upwards of two months.  That again, in the month of May 1777 he was commissioned an Ensign and arranged to the 2nd Battallion of Phil[raised a] County Militia in which capacity he served for two months in the State of Pa & New Jersey.  That again in June 1780 he was
Page 33

commissioned a captain in the 7th Battallion of Phil [raised a] County Militia and served for two months that during this tour of duty he was as applicant is informed & believes attached to the State or County.  That your applicant is informed & verily believes that his decd father John Levering was made a Lieutenant of the militia of the County of Phil [raised a] in 1779, but your applicant has lost or mislaid the commission for that tour. your applicant states that his father died in the year 1833 in the County of Phil [raised a] State of Pa leaving your applicant & several other of his children but no widow. That he has heretofore made application for a pension filed two commissions signed by the proper authorities of Pennsylvania one showing his decd father to have been an Ensign in May 1777 and a capt of 1780 that this is all the documentary evidence he has found among the old papers of his decd father that he knows of no witness by whom the service can be proved. That his father allways lived & died in Roxborough Township Phil [raised a] County Your applicant further states that all he knows of his fathers service is derived from information & hence he can not state the names of the officers under whom his father served and those who were in the service at the same time as [crossed out a] regulars - your applicant would most respectfully refer to the Declaration and evidence in support thereof now on the files at Washington City on which Wm. Holegate was allowed a pension from Pa Montgomery County, your applicant would also refer to that of Wm Fless on the files at Washington City -
Your applicant states that he relinquishes every claim to a pension but the present and declares his father name never was on the agency of any state during his lifetime
Page 34

Sworn and subscribed this the day and year above stated.
Abraham Levering

We Horatio G. Jones aged 69 years residing for forty years in Roxborough Township Phil[raised a] Cty Pa a clergyman and George W. Smick aged 65 resident for all his life in the County & Township above -
hereby certify that they were well acquainted with John Levering who lived and died in the Township & County aforesaid, that he was the father of Abraham Levering who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declarations, that we believe the [crossed out word] said John Levering was upwards of eighty years old when he died sometime near 1833, that the said John Levering was allways reputed in his lifetime to have been a soldier in the early part of the Revolution, and to have belonged to the Artifices & to have been at Amboy Trenton Princeton in New jersey, that he was subsequently reputed to have been an officer while in the millitia of Pa. and we concur in that opinion of his being universally reputed a soldier & officer in the war of the Revolution
Horatio G. Jones
George W. Smick
[initials at left-hand margin]
Page 35

Questions Propounded by the Court -

Where and in what year was your father born
Answer. My father was born 1750
Have you the record of his age and where is it,
Answer.  My brother now [crossed out words] has in his possession which shows the date of 1750.
Where was your father living when called into the service. where did he live after the Revolution to his death
Answer. My father allways lived in Roxborough Township Phil [raised a] County & died same place
How was your father called into service, was he drafted did he volunteer 
Answer. My father as I am informed was drafted in 1776 and served in the flying camp for some two months and secondly was in a company of Artifices for two months more
State the names of regular officers who were with the troops during your fathers service and such Millitia Regiments as you can recollect & the genrl [abbreviation for general] circumstances of your service
Answer.  My father served as I am informed a part of the time under Gnl [abbreviation for General] Huster of the millitia & much of his early service was in New Jersey, the same circumstances of his service I have stated above -
Did your father ever receive a discharge from the service.
Answer. If ever he recd [abbreviation for received] a discharge it is now lost
Did your father ever receive a commission if so by whom was it signed & what has become of it
Answer.  As the exct [abbreviation for executor] of my fathers estate informed a commission signed by the authorities of the State of Pennsylvania making John
Page 36

SS
John Levering an Ensign the 6th of May 1777 all of the 2nd Battallion of the Phil [raised a] County [put in with a raised carrot] Millitia 
Also record of said State showing him to have been commissioned a capt of the 7th Battallion of Phil [raised a] Millitia [crossed out word] dated the 17th June 1780 the commission of Ensign is now on file at Washington City in order to get arrears of pension your applicant states that the commission as capt & Lieut he thinks are lost or if not are on file at Washington City.  Applicant states that there were three in numbers prior to 1781 -
Who are persons, to whom your father was known residing in the neighbourhood where he died and who can speak of his character and veracity and their belief as [a soldier crossed out] to his services as a soldier in the Revolution at our time & an officer at another time -
Answer.  I refer to Horatio G. Jones a clergyman & George Smick who were acquainted with my father and his general reputation as a soldier & officer.
Abraham Levering

And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting interrogatories furnished by the War Department that the above named applicant [crossed out word[ [carrot inserted] is the son of [crossed out words] John Levering a Revolutionary soldier and [carrot] who served as he states - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Horatio G. Jones who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the township of Roxborough aforesaid and that George W. Smick who has signed the same
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is a resident in the township aforesaid is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit -
I John Smith Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Philadelphia do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Levering for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this twenty sixth day of December AD Eighteen hundred forty six -
John Smith Prothonotary
per P. J. Brown
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March 30. 1841 [last number is smudged]

Additional declaration
& evidence - as to
service of -
John Levering
of Roxborough Township
Philadelphia County
Pennsylvania -

application under acts
of 1732 -

_______
from 4th March 1831 -
to 14. August 1833 -
______________
Page 39

Washington, March 29. 1847

To the Hon [raised e] J. L. Edwards, Comm [raised s] of pensions ss

Herewith I submit the additional evidence to fortify the claim for the services of John Levering, under the act of 7th June 1832, made by his son Abraham Levering, showing that John Levering did serve in the revolutionary war, in the Militia, Volunteers, & flying comp [any] of the State of Pennsylvania, for a period not only for six months, but "at one or more terms a period of two years," as a soldier, ensign & captain

Having carefully examined the printed
Page 40

instructions of the Secretary of War of June 27.th 1832, I find, that the death of John Levering, before he made a declaration, but after the Act of 7th June 1832 took effect, is not an obstacle to the claim of Abraham Levering his son, provided he complies as for may he, with the regulations & instructions of the War department, [crossed out word(s)] in transmitting to the department, evidence, "showing the "services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of "the neighbourhood respecting such services, the title of the "claimant, & the Opinion of the Court upon the whole matter."
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The act of 7th June 1832, was passed to remunerate services in the revolutionary war, performed upwards of forty nine years before that law was enacted.  After such great lenghth [misspelled] of time, it was not in the contemplation of the Congress of the United States, that evidence, from rewards, muster rolls, and the positive evidence of persons, swearing of their own personal knowledge, to the length of service & rank, of their compatriots in arms, of such a definite, exact, demonstrative character, as that no wight could pinch at it & raise a cavilling doubt, could be produced, or would be
Page 42

required, to entitle the applicant to the bounty of the government.
The acts of the Congress, of 15 May 1828, and the supplement of 7.th June 1832, were conceived, passed, & approved, in a spirit of justice, liberality, & gratitude, towards those soldiers of the revolution, who had encountered toils, hardships, privations, exposures, & perils of a very extraordinary character, who, (in the language of an eminent man) "fought with halters about their necks," to be hung as rebels if the revolution was not successful,
Page 43

but to be blazoned in future times as heroes & patriots if the independence of the United States should be established,
It was well remarked in the regulations of the 27.th June 1832 adopted by the Secretary of War for carrying into effect the Act of the Congress, passed June 7th 1832, "To require from the applicant positive proof "of service from a contemporary, [crossed out word], would, after the "lapse of so many years, be to deprive many of them "of the benefit of the law."
Page 44

The accounting officers of the government in executing this Act of the Congress of 7th June 1832, ought to be actuated by the liberal spirit of generosity & gratitude which influenced, the Congress of the United States in passing the act, & the president of the United States in approving it.  Why should the generous spirit & glowing gratitude of the Congress & the president, towards the officers & soldiers of the revolutionary war, & their families, be repelled and chilled by the Executive officers of the War department?  This
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act of bounty & gratitude, ought to be liberally expounded & executed in the same liberal spirit in which it was enacted.
The document A. contains the declaration of Abraham Levering the son of John Levering as to his father's services, the certificate of the Clergyman Horatio G. Jones & of the witness, Geo. W. Smick, residents of the township of Roxborough, county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, in which township John Levering lived, & died in August [smudged writing] year 1833, certified by the Court of Philadelphia County.
Page 46

This document states the services of John Levering in the revolutionary war, and  his death in 1833; [crossed out word] the age of the decedent at upwards of Eighty three years at the time of his death; "the opinion of the neighbourhood respecting such services" of the s.[raised d] John Levering, that he was always reputed in his life time to have been a soldier [underlined] in the early part of the revolution, & to have belonged to the Flying camp [word crossed out] & to have been at Amboy, Trenton, & Princeton in New Jersey," - "subsequently reported to have been an officer [underlined] in the militia of Pennsylvania" - "universally
Page 47

reputed a soldier & officer in the war of the revolution."
So is the testimony of the Clergyman Jones & the credible witness Smick.  The Court declaring their investigation of the matter, & putting interrogations & answers, as certified, concur in the verity of the statements respecting the services of said John Levering, & that the applicant Abraham is his son, & that Jones is the Clergyman & that Smick is a credible person _ SS.  This document conforms fully to the regulations of the war department in that respect, & herewith returned.
Page 48

The declaration made by Abraham Levering the son  upon oath in open court - states that his father - John Levering, was born in Roxborough in 1750 - & died there in 1833 - 14. August:
That said John Levering in the Spring or Summer of 1776 - was attached to the Flying Camp, & marched to Amboy - and was in service at Amboy, Trenton & Princeton.
That in May 1777 - he was commissioned as an ensign & arranged to the 2d battalion of Philadelphia County militia, & served in that a tour of duty of two months, or [seems to be crossed out]   upwards -
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- that again in [crossed out word] 1779. he was a Lieut. of Militia; and a captain in 1780 - of 2 Batl: Phil. County militia; that he served [crossed out words] for two months, in the flying camp two months, or more - & then as a volunteer.
Document B. contains the depositions of Mary Levering, aged 82 years, & of Phoeby Righter aged about eighty nine years - Mary Levering deposes to the service of John Levering in the Spring or Summer of 1776 - & during his first tour was, said to be in Jersey; he was at the taking of the Hessians - that he was out again in 1777 - as an officer - that
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he was reputed to have carried messages to & from Genl. Washington during the war -
Mrs. Righter - states that John Levering was called to march in defense of the Country in the Summer of 1776 - in the company called the Flying Camp - which went to Amboy in New Jersey - &  that service was for two months- then he volunteered in the army [crossed out words] as a private & was out until after the battle of [crossed out word] Trenton & Princeton - in both of which battles he served - he was also in service in the battle of Monmouth.
Page 51

and did not come home until cold weather in winter - she well remembered the rejoicing of his friends, [word after crossed out] on his return having been so long absent from home - .
He was at home but a short time until he went out again - & was at the taking of the Hessians - that he was for his conduct promoted to an officer - he was out again in 1779 & 1780 -
She is clear in John Levering's services before the battle of Germantown (in Oct_1777) when he was so long gone from home, which was the cause of the great joy on his return from Jersey after the battles before stated [carrot inserted] (Trenton & Princeton);
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He was always spoke of as being out as a soldier in 1776 - & an officer in 1777 - & 1780 - I never heard it contradicted -
Both these witnesses are certified by the magistrates as highly respectable ladies [crossed out word] & worthy of credit --
Document C. contains the depositions of Charles Righter, Mary Smith, & Daniel Smith - all old respectable inhabitants of Roxborough - confirming the statements of the other deponents, as to the services of s.[raised d] John Levering - that he went
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out as a soldier in the beginning of the war - that he also served as an officer in the militia - was a soldier in 1776- & out in service in New Jersey-- & subsequently "an officer at different tours of "militia duty. [cross out] He had acted as a spy for "Genl. Washington at different times - & was "very valiant & useful soldier & officer -"

The deposition of John Axe, proves that John Levering performed a tour of duty 1st as a soldier as a private in 1776 - saw him again(2d) in service as an ensign or Lieut. & he performed a tour of duty as such [carrot inserting (1776)] and again
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[crossed out words in 1777]
(3d) he performed a tour of duty of two months as ensign or Lieut in 1777 - & he understood & believes that (4h) John Levering served a tour of duty for two months as a Capt: in 1780 -
& (5th) was out again as a capt. in 1783--:

The following commissions to John Levering are on file corroborating the depositions: viz. An Ensign 6 May 1777 -[carrot inserted] & May 1st 1783 -
as Capt. of foot of 2d batt: Mil: Philadelphia County--
In addition to those evidences by witnesses, the copies from the muster rolls signed by the County Lt. - show the service of John Levering as Capt., muster roll, dated June 17 - 1780!
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Capt of the 7 bat: of Mil: of Philadelphia County-,
And on 1st of May 1789, he was commissioned as Capt. of 2d compy of 2d bat: of Militia of Phil  [raised a] County-
The witnesses have alluded to certain important events of the revolution, in which John Levering served as a soldier & as an officer.  An attention to the dates of those events will serve to explain the lenghth [misspelled] of John Leverings services in the war of the revolution.
In July 1776, Admiral Lord Howe, & his brother Genl. Howe, with the British Fleet & armies of Britains, Scotts, Hessians, & Waldeckers, appeared off
Page 56

Amboy, Sandy Hook, Staten Island & Long Island, & entered by the confluence of bays, sounds & creeks formed by those islands & the continent on each side, with the North & Raritan rivers, & landed on Staten Island.
27th Aug. 1776 - the battle was fought at Flatbush -
Shortly after Genl. Washington abandoned the City of New York, posted his army at Kingsbridge & Harlem: And shortly thereafter retreated to the
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White Plains.  In the course of this year the Jerseys were overrun by the British Army -
1776 Dec. [word crossed out] Genl. Washington, [crossed out word] having received intelligence that a body of Hessians were stationed at Trenton, another body at Bordentown & another body of them at Burlington within twenty miles of Philadelphia, formed a design of capturing these Hessians.  Having assembled his forces, consisting chiefly of draughts from the Militia of Pennsylvania & Virginia, he divided them into three bodies, one under the
Page 58

command of Genl. Cadwalader, another under the command of Genl. Erving; the third commanded by Genl. Washington in person assisted by Generals Sullivan & Green; with intent to attack on the 26th Dec. 1776, those several bodies of Hessians by crossing over the Delaware in night of the 25th & taking them by surprize.  Gen. [carrot inserted] Washington crossed & took the body of Hessians at Trenton, on the 26th Dec [raised r], but the other divisions were prevented from crossing the river by reason of the running ice.
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Genl. Washington being in consequence of this plan of operation & the success, speedily reinforced by the arrival of several regiments from Virginia & Maryland as well as by several bodies of the Pennsylvania Militia, took up his quarters at Trenton.
On the 2d day Janry 1776- Lord Cornwallis marched to attack the American Army at Trenton; skirmishes ensued & a cannoning was kept up until night.  Genl. Washington having no desire for a general battle; lightened up the forces at night,
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(3d Janry 1777-), and not returning until after such a long absence - connecting this with the testimony of John Axe who proves services at five different times - as private - ensign - & Capt - between 1776- & 1783- corroborated by the commissions & muster rolls & the landing of British under Lord Howe & Genl Howe in July 1776 - in the neighbourhood of Amboy, the skirmishing which ensued on Staten Island & Long Island - the battles of Trenton & Princeton in 1776 & Janry 1777 - the occupation of Philadelphia by the British in Sept -
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1777 - the Battles of Brandywyne in Sept 1777 - the battle of Germantown about six miles from Philadelphia in Oct. 1777 - together with the reputed valour & good conduct of John Levering, & his acting as a spy in the service of Genl. Washington - from all these services from Summer 1776 - to Spring 1783, at various places, battles, from a private, to a Capt. in 1783 - it seems to be a rational inference well warranted that John Levering served for the space of two years & was entitled to the bounty as a Capt under the
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act of 1832 -

All which is most respectfully
submitted
Geo. M. Bibb
for the children of
John Levering.
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John Levering
& Saml Lehman
Pension claims

[smudges]
Page 64

Pension Office
Febry. 22d. 1845.

Sir.
I have the honor to inform you that the proof in the case of Elizabeth Leyman, is satisfactory to establish the alleged date of the marriage, and that her husband, received a commission of Ensign in the Pennsylvania militia in 1781.  But the rules and the pro rated character of the pension alike require that the period length and grade of each town, names of officers, stations [maybe etc.] should be furnished to enable the Department to Act understandingly in adjudicating it.  The claimant has no other knowledge than that founded upon hearsay and tradition; and her witness merely attests in general terms, that he had seen him in service on various occasions, as Artificer and Soldier, and thinks that he must have served at least three tours of two months each.  His employment as a Blacksmith was not military service in the contemplation of the Pension Claims, and no one term of his service is definitively assessed
No occasion is known to this Department, after his commission as Ensign in August 1781, for
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the requisition of a tour of duty from the militia of Germantown and its neighborhood.  Upon the present exhibits it cannot be admitted that her husband served as much as six months in a military camp, in field as garrison, which would appear to have been his own opinion as he never asserted a claim in his life time.
SS
In the case of John Levering, dec.d it appears that he was commissioned Ensign in the Philadelphia militia in 1777 and Captain in 1780.  But no one term of service is set forth in the particulars required by the regulations herewith enclosed.  It is his [underlined] claim, and although it is payable when adjusted to his children, they are not relieved from the full compliance with the rules which would have been exacted of him if he had set up his claim in his life time.  His failure to assert a claim is presumpting against it.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your ppo Serv t.
J. L. Edwards
Hon G. M. Dallas
Colemans Hotel