Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39702, William Holgate, Penn.
Page 1

8-1776
Service
Number
Penn.
Holgate, William
S 39702
Page 2

 20
 20
   2.58
  42.58
240
240
522.58

20.244
Pennsylvania
William Holgate
of Montgomery Co in the State of Pennsylvania
who was a Lieut. in the company commanded
by Captain M. Holgate of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Curry in the Penn line, for the term of
from May 1778 to December 1778

Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of twenty
Dollars per month, to
commence on the 1st day of January 1828

Certificate of Pension issued the 15th of September
1830 and sent to N. R. Potts
Philadelphia
Arrears to 4th of March 1830 $522.58
Semi-anu'l all'ce ending 4 Sep. 1830 120.
$642.58
Rec. Book D
Revolutionary Claim, Acts
20 May 1830

Rec: book D Vol. 6
Foli: 61

see letters Oct. 9. 1830 to N. R. Potts
& Pension Agent do to Hon. J. B. Sterigue, Oct 12. 1830 do. same date to G. Rodman, T. Dept. do. to N.R. Potts & Agnt Oct. 15. 1830. Let to J Fornance Jany 1835 to Hon J. Frye March
21. 1836

See Letter Hon J.R. Mans. H.R. 17th Mch 1834
see letter 2 April 35 to J. M McKean Treas Dept. 
let 24 Augt 1835 t J Fosnance

do to Hon J. Fry H.R. 15 Apl 1836
See letter 6 Aug 36 J. Butler
let 18 Dec 38 C.J. Jack do to Hon J, Fornance Dec 31 1840
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania     }
County of Montgomery }

On this fifteenth day of August 1846 Personally appeared before me
Mr Ramsey _' Jacob Rodenboh a resident of said county who being duly sworn according to law states that he married Rebecca the only surviving child of the late Lieut. William Holgate dec'd who, up to the time of his death was a revolutionary Pensioner under act March 18th 1818 at the rate of Two hundred and forty dollars per annum, on the Pennsylvania Roll, and died on the 12th day of May 1843 leaving no widows and that Rebecca Rodenboh is the only child that survived her father the said William.

Now the object of this declaration being made and in behalf of the only surviving child is in order to relinquish a claim to a Pension under act 18 March 1818 at the rate of $240.00 per annum, and to assert a claim to a Pension at the rate of $320 per annum under act June 7 1832, and for the payment of a difference of arrears and increase between the two acts from the day 11th day of March 1832 to 12th May 1843.

Sworn and subscribed on the}
fifteenth day of August          }
A.D. 1846.                               }
M. S. Ramsey JP                      }

Jacob Rodenboh in behalf of my wife Rebecca

Montgomery County } SS

J. M. McGlathery Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Michael S Ramsey is an acting Justice of the Peace with said County duly Commisioned as such according to Laws witness
Page 4

my hand and seal of said Court this fifteenth day of August AD. 1846.

[signature] M. McGlathery, Protty [prothonotary]


State of Pennsylvania     }
County of Montgomery }

J. M. McGlathery Clerk of the Court Common Pleas of Montgomery county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said court that Lieut William Holgate was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Two hundred and forty dollars per annum, was a resident of Montgomery County in the State aforesaid, and died on the 12th day of May AD 1843 leaving no widow and that Rebecca Rodenboh is the only child that survives.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Norristown this fifteenth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty six.~

M. McGlathery Prothy [prothonotary]
Page 5

Montgomery County Commonwealth}
   of Pennsylvania —    } Ss

     On this twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas now sitting William Holgate a resident of Lower Merion township, Montgomery County and State of Pennsylvania aged Seventy three years who being first duly Affirmed according to Law doth on his affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
     That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and Served as herein Stated. He first entered the Services of the United States in the year one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Six under the command of Captain Holgate and Colonel Levering he thinks Levering was Lieutenant colonel, he was then fifteen years of age. he entered as a private volunteer and Served three months— In July Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven he again entered the Service as a volunteer under Capt. Holgate & Col. Curry; he was immediately appointed Sergeant[sic] major and Served in that capacity till after the battle of Germantown a period of three months. immediately after the battle of Germantown he was appointed Lieutenant by General Potter, he never received any Commission, but was enrolled and Served as Lieutenant from immediately after the battle of Germantown to the fall of Seventeen hundred and eighty one a period of four years during which time he never Left the service  or Served in any other capacity than as Lieutenant, making his Service be [underlined] Three months as a private, three months as
Page 6

Sergeant[sic] Major and four Years as Lieutenant. He never at any time received a written discharge, and cannot now tell the day he went into Service nor the day he left it; but to the best of his recollection it was as follows.— When he first entered the service in Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six and Served as a private he was a resident of Roxborough township Philadelphia County, he entered the Service Sometime in the Summer before the american army retreated across the Delaware. he first marched to Philadelphia he afterwards Joined the American army, in December he crossed the Delaware under General Sullivan, and was at the battle of Trenton, he then marched to Princeton and was in the engagement at that place. he then marched to Morristown where he lay the remainder of the winter and was discharged in March, one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Seven: He returned home to Roxborough township aforesaid- and in July entered the Service as Sergeant Major, this was July Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, the first circumstance worth noticing that he distinctly recollects, he was encamped under the Command of Col. Curry along the bank of Schuylkill, near where the village of Manayunk is now built, when the news came that other British were advancing towards Philadelphia ; and that a foraging party of the British were driving off a large drove of cattle; he was Sent with a party of men to intercept the cattle, whilst the remainder of the Battalion under Washington went to meet the British as they advanced towards Brandywine; He and his party Succeeded in getting the cattle, and joined the american army after the battle of Brandywine, whilst retreating to the upper part of Philadelphia now Montgomery county. In the beginning of the month of october[sic], of that year, the americans [blurred] attacked the British at Germantown
Page 7

He was in that engagement, on that day he was attached to an artillery company; and when the american army retreated, and all the officers and men belonging to his company had abandoned their [sic] prior, he Stood alone Loading and firing for some time, till finding the army would not rally he was forced to abandon  it also— for his conduct on that day he was appointed Lieutenant; Sometime during that fall or winter, information was received of a Small body of the British laying near Wilmington; a body of the americans among whom he was one, were Sent to attack and Surprise them; they however found they had been deceived, that the numbers of the British were double what had been represented, and the americans were glad to make good their retreat. After receiving the appointment of Lieutenant, he Served under Col. Heister[sic] , he marched under him into Jersey after the British had left Philadelphia; at the battle of Monmouth they did not arrive in time to take a part in the engagement. he then went with the american army to the North of Jersey, he was in no engagement during that season, one day when the British he thinks were laying near woodbridge, Col. Heister marched his battalion within Sight of the enemies[sic] pickets and encamped; after dark Heister decamped and posted his men at Some distance from his first encampment leaving [word crossed out, next two words inserted above] your applicant together with Lieutenant Levering and a few men as an out post or forlorn hope in case the British Should attempt to Surprise them; A large body of British horse and Some infantry appeared early in the morning, but so light as for them to see the trap that had been laid for them, So nothing was effected, they made their winter quarters at White plains in Jersey; the following Summer of Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine, he was in no engagement; The
Page 8

British being encamped in the City of New York the american army was Stationed along the North river. Some Sharp Skirmishing occasionally took place but he was in none of them, he lay at Amboy that winter, during the Summer of Seventeen hundred and eighty he was in the american army along the North river nothing of any consequence occurred during the whole summer. that winter and the following Summer of Seventeen hundred and Eighty one passed away in the same manner, in the fall of Seventeen hundred and eighty one [inserted] when Washington marched to the South, he was left together with the battallion[sic] on the North river where they continued untill[sic] the return of Washingtons[sic] army after the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Your declarant was then discharged about the last of November or the first of december[sic], he then returned home: Sometime after he moved to Merion township now in Montgomery County where he now resides and where he has resided for the last forty years. He knows Col. Barry Gen. Potter, Gen Sullivan, Col Curry. Col Heister[sic]. Col Levering under all of whom he served at different times; he also saw frequently Wayne, Green, Stephen’s and other distinguished officers but never served under their command he has no documentary evidence of his Services, & he knows of no person except [crossed out] Charles [inserted above] Frederick ?Axe [inserted above] & Christopher Ozias whose depositions are hereunto annexed who can testify to his services or any part of them. The declarant was born on the fifteenth of July Seventeen hundred and Sixty two in the county of Philadelphia, has no record of his age That his name is he believes on the pension roll of the United States, having received a pension under a special act of Congress, but that he does hereby relinquish any claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present.
    William Holgate [signature]

affirmed and Subscribed in open court  }
the twentieth day of october[sic] [several
words crossed out] 1835
     Adam Summer Prothy
Page 9

Interrogatories propounded by the Court
Question 1st where and in what year were you born
Answer. I was born in Roxborough township Philadelphia County the fifteenth of July Seventeen hundred Sixty two,
Quest - 2nd have you any record of your age & if so where is it
Ans. I have no record of my age.
Quest 3rd Where were you living when called
into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, & where do you now live
Answer - I lived in Roxborough township Philadelphia County State of Pennsylvania when called into service, after the revolution I
went to Merion township which was then a part of Philadelphia now Montgomery County where I still reside
Quest. 4 - How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom
Answer. I volunteered for myself & not as a substitute
Question-- 5 State the name of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect and the
circumstance of your service
Answer, Wayne, Sullivan, Washington, Green, Stephens, Col's Levering, Currey, Heister were with the troops at different time together with the regiments under their command in our marches and engagements in Pennsylvania, New York & New Jersey.
Question 6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the services and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it
Answer I never received a written discharge
Quest. 6 Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed and what has become of it
Answer. I never received any commission, I was appointed, enrolled and served as ---
Lieutenant -
[words on next page show through tear bottom right of page]
Page 10

[words from next page show through tear upper right corner]

Quest. 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood who can testify as to your character for veracity, and good behaviour, your services as a soldier of the revolution-
Answer I am known by Abraham Levering & Thomas Stroud who can testify as to my character, and to Frederick Axe & Christian Ozias who can testify to at least some of my services
William Holgate [signature]

Affirmed and and subscribed in open Court}
[line of crossed out words]
the twentieth day of October AD 1835        }
Adam Summer Proty. [prothonotary]

Montgomery County SS
Frederick Axe of the County of Philadelphia on his solemn affirmation doth say that he served in the revolutionary war, from the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six to the year one thousand seven hundred and
Eighty one near the close of the war, that William Holgate the above applicant served with him during the whole of that time and was in the same Battalion this deponent was a member of the Germantown Company & Holgate of the Roxborough Company, that he
the said William Holgate served as a Lieutenant from the fall of Seventeen hundred
and seventy seven to the fall of Seventeen hundred and Eighty one, during which time he the said Wm Holgate never left the service nor
resigned his commission but acted as Lieutenant for four years, the whole term of service I know to be near five years.  I am now seventy Eight years of age on the twenty Eighth of this months & can recollect the service of Wm Holgate distinctly. I was with Wm Holgate at the Battles of Germantown, Trenton and Princeton I saw him there, & was with him in the campaigns mentioned in his declaration and know the whole to be true--
affirmed and subscribed in open            }
Court the twentieth of October AD 1835}
Frederick Ace
Adam Summer Prot.
Page 11

April 13, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
William Holgate
S. 39702
Mrs. Samuel Sturgis
4416 Dexter Street
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of William Holgate, S.39702.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 30702, based upon the military service of William
Holgate.
He was born July 15, 1762, in Roxborough Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
While living in Roxborough Township he enlisted in 1776 as private in Captain Matthew Holgate's company in Colonel Levering's Pennsylvania regiment, was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and was discharged in March, 1777, having served three months. He enlisted in July, 1777, as sergeant major in Captain Matthew Holgate's company in
Colonel Curry's Pennsylvania regiment, served three months and was in the battle of Germantown; he stated that during this battle, when his entire company retreated, he alone remained on the battle field loading and firing until he found that the army would not rally, and for this conduct he was appointed lieutenant. Immediately after the battle of
Germantown he was appointed lieutenant in Colonel Hiester's Pennsylvania regiment and served as such until he was discharged in November or December, 1781.
It was stated that he served as captain in the War of 1812 but no details of this service were given.
Page 12

William Holgate applied for pension November 17, 1827, while living in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, at which place he had lived since about 1795.  His claim was allowed.
He was living in said township in 1835.
He died May 12, 1843.
His wife, her name not given, did not survive him. His only surviving child was Rebecca who married Jacob Rodenboh and was living in
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in 1846.  It was not stated that William Holgate was related to Captain Matthew Holgate under whom he served. In 1828 one Jacob Holgate stated that he had been acquainted with
William Holgate for a long time but he did not give relationship.  There are no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 13

39702
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 39,702
William Holgate
Lieut Rev War
Act: 18th March 18th
Index: -- Vol. S, Page 231
[Arrangement of 1870.]
'27, Dec. 5. Hist. Mrs. Samuel Sturgis U.C.A.
'34 Apr. 13 four copies of this record sent to Mrs. Samuel Sturgis U.C.A.
Page 14

Wm Holgate
Pa
[A. Ray, Sept. 10 '46 crossed out]
File March 1831
Act March 18 1818
Page 15

This document is extremely damaged. A combination of aged paper and what appears to be very dirty. It is a horizontal and small piece of paper, not full sized. 

Washington (illegible month) 18th, 18(?)5

Edward’s

Yours
J Fornance.

The body of the letter is illegible due to the reasons above. There are words that may be legible, but the sentence they are contained in are not legible. Please refer to this original document for clarification.
Page 16

Manayunk Oct 19 1835
This will certify that I am
now & have for several years
been acquainted with Frederick
Axe now a resident at this place 
& that he is an honest
Sober & Inteligent man free 
from any reproach & that he
is fully & honourably entitled
to credit & Veracity
 F. Murphy
J.P.
-----------------
County of Philadelphia
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ⎬Ss

I do hereby certify that F Murphy
who signed the annexed certificate
appear from the records of my office
to be appointed a Justice of the
peace, Witness my hand and
seal of office this twenty fourth day
of October -- AD 1835
-
A. M Carahuther
Page 17

I to certify that I was out in Revolutionary war
with William Holdgate of Montan Joy
at the County and State of Pennsylvania
Germantown at which time he was a
Sergeant Major and that
after the Battle he was promoted to a
Luntenant in Captain Matthew Holdgatesvolunteer
Company under Colonel Currie
belonging to General Potter Bugade and

I know of his being out during the war
and that he was generally considered a
bold undaunted and inted soldier ready and willing to for Sanger when his county needed freely, Christopher Ozias, Philadelphia County ss. Personally appeared before me the Subscriber one & of the Justice of the Record in and for the County of Philadelphia the above named Christopher This and
ng to Law that the above
was duly and at G a
Court, Witness my on this fifteenth day of October thousand Eight & then the
Page 18

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania}
County of Philadelphia} Ss

I do hereby certify that Samuel
H Slingluff whose name is
attached to the foregoing
certificate, appears from the record
in my office to be a Justice of
the peace in and for said County
Witness my hand and seal of
office this twenty fourth day of October
AD 1835

A. M Carahuther
Page 19

To whom it may concern
We the undersigned do certify that we have known Mr. Frederick Axe (?) for several years and that he has always possessed those qualities which constitute a respectable citizen.

Manayunk Oct. 19th 1835
Anthony Levering
Jacob Dewees

Geo. W Davis
Alexr. Quinton
Silas G Levering
Page 20

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Montgomery County ss
This Horatio G. Louis a clergyman residing in Roxborough township Philadelphia county and Abraham [Livering] & Thos Stroud Residing in Lower Merion township Montgomery county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Holgate, who has subscribed and affirmed to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution.

Sworn and Subscribed in open court [strikethrough 'before the --- prothonotary of  -- court] this twentieth day of October AD 1835}
Adam Kemmer Proth'y

Horatio G. Jones
Abraham Levering
Thos Stroud


And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after this investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that [strikethrough 'the of'] William Holgate the aforementioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Horatio G Jones - who has sworn - and signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman, resident in Roxborough township Philadelphia county, that A. Levering & Thos Stroud who has also signed the above certificate are creditable persons and reside in Lower Merion township Montgomery county, and that their statement is entitled to credit. It also appears to them that Frederick Axe whose deposition is hereunto annexed is a creditable person, resident in Roxborough township aforesaid, and that his statement is entitled to credit, and also that Christopher [Oziers] whose name is attached to a deposition hereto annexed it appears to us is too infirm to appear in court.

John Hon Pres't Judge
[strikethrough illegible]
Hiram M Neill
one of the [officers] of, Montg County
[Horatio] B Jones [apt'd]
Judge [illegible]
Page 21

Montgomery County Ss

I Adam Summer Prothotory of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of William Holgate for a pension, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighteenth day of November illegible first word then domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty five

Adam Summer Prothy

The seal was placed on the upper left hand corner. It is a star shaped circular seal, that is damaged and the words are worn off. It does have a ribbon attached behind the seal, and drapes down to the bottom of the letter.
Page 22

This is a tri-fold document with numbers and words placed in various parts of the document as follows:

Left side:

Circular stamp with the words not legible, placed in the upper left side.
James L. Edward’s, Esquire
Pension office War department 
Washington City
( three illegible words above the address)

Middle Page:

123
3/40
    13.33
————-
    53.33
    93.33
————-
146.66

1-4 11.11
IIIIIII#
7 SL
16.0
———
  8. 0
 13.33
———
53.33

Right Side:

Wm. Holgate
Lient. $20 per mo.
Rev Penn. Roll
1 sec. Act May 20. 1830
Pen: to com: 1 Jan. 1828

Sec Sept. 15.1830
Page 23

State of Pennsylvania
City of Philadelphia Ss

Be it known that before me Peter Chrestian one of the Aldermen of the City of Philadelphia aforesaid personally appeared William Holgate, who upon his solemn affirmation
Page 24

City and County of Philadelphia ss

I Richard Palmer Esquire Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia Do Certify that Peter Christian Esquire before whom the within affidavit was taken was at the time of taking the same and
now is one of the Aldermen of the City of Philadelphia, and ex officio Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned & qualified to administer oaths, to all whose official acts, as such full faith & credit is and ought to be given as well in courts of justice as elsewhere

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Thirteenth day of September, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-

R Palmer
Prothonotary
Page 25

Philadelphia. Sept 13. 1830

James L. Edward’s Esquire
Pension office War department

Sir
    Herewith you will receive the affidavit of William Holgate identifying himself as the person mentioned in the first section of and if Congress passed for the relief of Revolutionary officers and others - - If on examination you shall find it sufficient you will confer a great favor illegible Pensioner, and relieve him in his old age by remitting to him the amount due, or putting him in a situation, to receive it with writ or little trouble an expense as probable.
     If any thing further should be required of him, letter directed.  To Nathan R. Potts. Philadelphia will be immediately attended to -

With great respect 
Your obedient servant 
Nathan R Potts
Page 26

J L Edwards Esq
Corm of Pensions
Washington
City
D C

Hn. J.K. Mann
Page 27

Capital Hill

Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you the pension certificate of Lieu't Holgate which was returned some time since not having his name to the certificate of relinquishment of his former pension I procured the signature of Holgate himself which I presume will [illegible] all difficulty I hope you will extend his bounty as far & as soon, as convenient for he was a meritorious old veteran. He was the last man on the Battle ground at Germantown, & saved some lives & property by his energy & Bravery

Truly & Sincerly your
Obt Serv't
Jack K Mann
March 8th 1834


J L Edwards Esq
Com'r of Pensions
Page 28

To the Honourable  the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States

The petition of William Holdgate an Officer & Soldier of the Revolution 

Respectfully represents
That he [illegible] the service of the United States in the Continental Army as a private in Cap'n Slaughter's Company of infantry - belonging to Col'n Stover Regiment in the Pennsylvania line the latter end of the year 1776 and continued in the service as a private in said company till May 1778 when he was transfer'd to Cap'n Mathew Holdgates Comp'y of infantry, belonging to the Regiment Commanded by Col'n Curry in said line, in which company he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant - He continued [strikethrough] as a Lieutinenat in the service of the United States in said company till Dec'r 1778 when he was honourably [strikethrough] discharged in New Jersey. That he has [last] his discharge - He served [strikethrough] the United States under Generals Sullivan & Green and in Washington's Army, your petitioner was in the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Trenton & Princeton & was one of
Page 29

the Hundred Men, who ast the battle of Germantown volunteered [strikethrough 'returned'] to storm the Hession battery, near Robinson's Mill - and was the last man on the field that day. Your petitioner is near sixty seven years old, and in very reduced circumstances and is unable to support himself without assistance from his country - nearly all his companions in  arms are dead, and he is therefore unable to procure any other proof of his services than what is herewith transmitted, which with the (most of whom have known your petition from their boyhood he hopes will be deemed satisfactory proof of his Services.
He prays your honourable bodies to take his case into your consideration and to grant him such pension as is usually given to Revolutionary Officers of his grade, and he will pray 
                                       William Holgate
affirmed & subscribed before}
me a Justice of the Peace}
Nov. 17 1827  A Moor[??]
Page 30

We, the subscribers do certify that we are. and have been for a long time well acquainted with Mr William Holgate whose petition is hereunto announced that we believe him to be a man of undoubted integrity, that we have often heard himself and his neighbors speak of his Revolutionary services; and from that confidence which we would not hesitate to place across his declaration we have no doubt that he has rendered to the United State the services he has represented.

Lowry
John Gillkel
[strikethrough]
Jacob Holgate
Geo. W. Holstein
[illegible]
[illegible]
A Moor[?]
Henry Daule
[illegible]
Jn'o Markley
Joseph M Rowland
John H Ickeetz
John Freedley
Andrew Crawford
Josh  Morgan


Penna
Page 31

To the testimony of the above gentlemen (the most respectable citizens of my district) in sworn of the credibility, and good character of Capt William Holgate who has petitioned for a pension. I take great pleasure in adding my own. I have known Capt H. many years - He has always sustained the character of an honest, a moral and good man - and of a patriot. I [strikethrough] have frequently heard his revolutionary services spoken of and his good conduct at Germantown, before I had any personal acquaintance with him and they have been matters of general knowledge in the county as far back as my knowledge of public office extends. There is no person in whose statement I would upon greater confidence than in this of Capt Holgate. His is a man very var advanced in years [strikethrough 3 lines]. I may not be improper to add that in the late was at the age of fifty and upwards he was [illegible]  a captain of a company of volunteers of upwards  of one hundred persons, and turned out in defence of his country, and [illegible] the confidence and [illegible] of his company to a greater extent than [illegible] any other officer in this state. 
                  Jn'o B Herigen
[illegible]
April 26 = 1828[?]
Page 32

We the undersigned do hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with Captain William Holgate. We do certify that in the year 1776 that he, the said William Holgate, entered the  Continental army as a private under Capt Matthew Hollgate and was promoted for his bravery and good soldier-like conduct in 1778 to the rank of Lieutenant.  We also certify that he, the said William Holgate, was present at the Battles of Trenton,, Princeton and Germantown {illegible] he was conspicuously brave and noticed by his commanding officer, Col Curry.  We also certify that he, the said Wm Hollgate served under Col Stone and [illegible] Sullivan in Washington's army, until near the close of the war.
Sworn and subscribed before me, the subscriber March 20, 1828
John Levering, Mayor
David Markel
Christopher Ozias
John Ginket, Justice of the Peace in Phil & County [illegible]
Page 33

William Holgate
Rev Officer Soldier
March 28. 1828
Ref comm. on military officers
with [illegible]
Apr 29 1828
Bill reported no. 283
Dec 5 1828
Ref to form mil. pensions
Dec 16 1829
Ref form mil. pensions

(side note illegible)

I certify that John [illegible] before whom the written deposition was taken, was at the time of taking a Justice of the Peace in the county of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania, and that these deponents are men of veracity.
Jno B Stensen
Page 34

June 26 ----

To James L Edwards      }
Com. of Pensions            }

Dear Sir

William Holgate of Penna is already a Pensioner, for his revolutionary services But it is his impression (I understand) that he does not receive as much as he is entitled that he receives only the pension due a private when in fact he was an officer.

Some years ago he made some application to have his pension increased, but was refused as he says on the ground of some informality

He has now got J Richard Jones Esq to interest himself in his behalf, who has written the enclosed note to me.--  Will you do W. Jones the favor to comply with his request

with great respect
Yours

J Fornance
Page 35

Washington
Aug 20 1846

Sir/

I enclose, herewith, a declaration in the case of Lieut William Holgate decd late a pensioner on the Penny roll act 1818.  a claim is now made for the benefit of the act 1832. at the rate of 32$ per annum.  

I am very respectfully
Your ob svt
Alex Ray


J.L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Page 36

J L Edwards Esq 

Sir

Captain William Holgate [illegible] to his Pension Certificate when the records a Lieutenant in Captain Matthew Holgates Company of Colonel Curry’s Regiment has called in and [illegible] present his Case to your notice. 

by his present certificate he only rcving $20 per month a half pay by the act of 1832. He is entitled to his full pay upon his relinquishing his present pension -- being [illegible] himself of the provisions of that act I will thank you.  [Illegible sentence]

Your obt svt
C. J. Jack
Dec 15. 1838
Page 37

[This is the back of the prior document, with writing along the left edge]

A. Ray
Sept 10, 1846
Page 38

Pen off
Sept 10.46 

Sir

In the case of Wm Holgate dce’d upon an application for increased pension under act of 3 June 32 there has been a correspondence since 1830 to show to the claimant in his lifetime & his then agents; & to his Heirs since his death of their friends & agents that he recd a pension by special [“set” inserted] much greater than would be allowed him under any act if adjusted by this Dept—

He was allowed as an officers by Congress not only without the proof of a Commission but in the face of his own declaration that he never Rec’d one----

His claim would [“would” crossed out] could not be allowed to any extent under any general law upon the exhibits filed

A. Ray Esq Present
Page 39

4416 Dexter Street, Roxborough, Phila., Pa.

United States Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs: -
Will you please send me the war record of WILLIAM HOLGATE of Lower Merion Township,
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution as also the War of 1812, for which he drew a pension.

I should be very glad to send you whatever is the cost for such a record, if you will advise me the amount, and should appreciate this very much.

Sincerely Yours,
Julia R Sturgis
(Mrs. Samuel Sturgis.) 

[A round stamp, reading around the edge, then the center]
PENSION OFFICE U.   S.
F JUN 2 1927
Page 40

Veteran's Adminstration
Washington, D.C

Please mail to
     Mrs Samuel Sturgis
     16 Dexter St
     Phila, Pa.--

records of William Holgate, S.3970 - Penna. officer in War Revolution.

Thank you kindly
Angeline R Sturgis

March 27 1934
Page 41

Rev. & 1812 War Section                  M.C.S.

December 5, 1927

Mrs. Samuel Sturgis
4416 Dexter St.
Roxborough, Phila., Pa.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 39702, it appears that WILLIAM HOLGATE was born in Roxborough Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, July 15,1762.

While a resident of Roxborough Township, Pennsylvania, he enlisted and served with the Pennsylvania troops as follows:

Enlisting in 1776 he served three months as a private in Captain Holgate's ["Holgate's" crossed out, Wallker's written in] Company in Colonel Levering's Regiment; he was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and was discharged in March, 1777.

In July, 1777, he enlisted as a sergeant major in Captain Matthew Holgate's Company in Colonel Curry's Regiment and served three months; he was in the battle of Germantown.

Immediately after the battle of Germantown he was appointed Lieutenant under Colonel Hienter and served as such until he was discharged in November or December, 1781.

He also served as captain in the War of 1812, no details of this service given.
Page 42

William Holgate was allowed pension on his application executed November 27 [day crossed out] 17, 1827, at which time he was living in Lower Marion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

He died May 12, 1843.

His wife, her name not given, did not survive him. His only surviving child was Rebecca who married Jacob Rodenboh and was living in
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in 1846.

The War of 1812 records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to pension having been claimed on account of the service of William Holgate in that war.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner