Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22592, Jacob Witt, Penn.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn.
CONTENTS
Witt, Jacob
NUMBER
S. 22592
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24.196
Pennsylvania
Jacob Witt of Somerset, Co. in the State of Pa. who was a Pri. [Private] in the company comman[ded] by Captain [illegible] of the Regt. comman[ded] by Col. [illegible] in the Penna. line for
9 mo. P $ 30 00

Inscribed on the Roll of Penna. at the rate of 31 Dollars - Cents per ann[um] to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of April and sent to 1834 Chas. [illegible] Somerset, Co. Pa.

Arrears to the 4th of [illegible] 90.00
Semi-anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 [illegible] 15
$105.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by J T. Sprague Cl[Clerk]
Book C Vol. 5 - Page 65

Dead
Paid at the Treasury [illegible] the Act of the 6th April 18[illegible] from 4th March 1834 to the 13th Nov. 1835 the day of his death Agt [Agent] notified 12th Jany [January] 1839
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 4th 1839.
Sir: 
Under the act 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, the Widow of Jacob Witt,- a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia, Pa. Agency, at the rate of Thirty-Dollars and [Cents crossed out] per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, 1834,
to the 13th November, 1835, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
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166.16
Declaration of Jacob Witt a revolutionary soldier in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June 1732 -
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Pennsylvania
County of Somerset SS.
On the Nineteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid at the township of Southampton in said county, Jacob Witt a resident of the
said township aged seventy eight years & eleven months, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832-
That he performed six several tours of duty in the service of the United States in the war of the revolution-- as follows to wit
First- He volunteered & served two months under Captain Paul Grosscup, Major Martin Carigher or Kercher, & Colonel Matlzer Gehr - that he marched through Easton, through New Jersey to Amboy that he there received a discharge which has been lost by time or accident. This tour was performed in the summer of the year 1776.
Secondly. He was drafted for two months under Captain Peter Spangler that
he marched to Newtown in Bucks county, Penna. & up & down the river  Delaware. That he was under General Mercer who was killed
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that he served out his tour of duty & was discharged - that his discharge has been lost by time or accident this tour was performed in the fall of the year 1776-
Thirdly - He was drafted in the summer of the year 1777 under Captain Ernest for two months- that he was at Chads ford at the time of the battle of
Brandywine- that he served out this tour & received a discharge which has been lost by time or accident -
Fourthly - He was drafted in the summer of the year 1778 under Captain
Schapell & Col John Owl- that he marched through Jersey & was at the battle of Monmouth-- that he served part of this tour under General Morgan - That he served out this tour & got a discharge which has been lost by time or accident
Fifthly He served a tour of thirteen days against the Indians under Lieutenant
[illegible] 
Sixthly-- He served a tour of eighteen days against the tories in Lynn township Northampton County, Pennsylvania-
That he always entered the service every tour at the township of Maxatawney township, Berks County Pennsylvania, where he resided during the war & until the year 1794 when he removed to the
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township of Southampton, Somerset county Pennsylvania,
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state-
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid}
George Miller
Jacob Witt[illegible] 

And the said Justice of the peace doth hereby declare his opinion after the 
investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department, that the above named Jacob Witt was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states in his declaration, and further that the said Jacob Witt cannot from bodily infirmity, attend the court. In testimony whereof the
said Justice of the peace hath hereto set his hand & seal this 19th day of October 1832
George Weller [seal surrounded by squiggles]

Pennsylvania
Somerset County Sct
I Chauncey Forward Esquire Prothonotary of the court of common pleas of Somerset County aforesaid do hereby
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certify that George Weller Esquire before whom the within declaration
of Jacob Witt was taken & certificate thereto attached made, was at the time & now is an acting Justice of the peace in & for the County of Somerset aforesaid to all whose official acts as such due faith is and of right ought to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal of office this twentieth day of October - 1832-
C Forward
Prothy [Prothonotary]
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.
State of Pennsylvania
County of Somerset Sct
On the Seventeenth day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred & thirty three, personally appeared before the Honorable John Kurtz Esquire one of the Judges of the court of Common pleas of the County of Somerset in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the said court being a court of Record having a seal & clerk; Jacob Witt a resident of the township of Southampton in said County & State aged seventy eight years, who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration, in order to
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he was born in the township of Albany in the County of Berks, Pennsylvania on the 15th November 1754 that he volunteered in August 1776 in Maxatany township, Berks County & State aforesaid under Captain Paul Grosscup & Lieutenant Jacob Levan, that he marched through Allentown, Easton, crossed the Deleware [Delaware] to Amboy in New Jersey where he
remained two months in the regiment commanded by Colonel Baltzer Gehr. That he returned to Berks County after his time of service had expired That soon after his return, he was sent with money & clothes for Henry Witt who had enlisted in the Flying camp under Captain Manser & Colonel Lutz, that he found Henry Witt at White Plains sick, and that he served as a substitute for 
said Henry Witt seven weeks in a company commanded by Yost Sutter - Captain Mouser having been taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island a short time before-- That he again returned home to Berks County & was drafted under Captain Ernest for a tour of two months, which term he served in the summer of 1777. that he was at Sweeds Hart at the time of the battle of Brandywine & was in the brigade that had charge of the baggage & military stores, under Colonel Hiester. That he again returned home & afterwards served a fourth tour of duty for two months as a drafted militia man in the company commanded by Captain Peter Spangler & Lieutenant
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John Owl under Major Leffler - that he marched to Philadelphia and crossed the Deleware [Delaware] at Coryl's ferry in Bucks county, and was at the battle of Monmouth, that after the battle he marched to New Germantown where he remained until his tour of duty expired-- The he served a fifth tour for two weeks in a  company commanded by Lieutenant Dunglebayer who marched with party men to scatter a party of Indians at Broad mountain near Shamokin - That he served a sixth tour for two weeks in a
company of militia commanded by Captain Deal who were ordered out to settle the tories in Northampton County, Pennsylvania; the tories having shot Major Sechler a short time previous - that he marched to Lyntown township & guarded the tiled church that had been turned into a powder house  - at he received no written discharges - said deponent doth further say & depose that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot
swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than eight months and always as a sergeant; That he removed with his family in the year 1794. to the place where he now resides & where he has lived ever since. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state-
Jacob Witt [illegible]
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid }
John Kurtz
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Pennsylvania
Somerset County Sct 
Personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of the court of Common pleas in & for said County Peter Troutman a credible witness aged about seventy six years, who on his oath duly
administered doth say & depose that he is well acquainted with Jacob Witt, the foregoing Declarant, that deponent was well acquainted with the said Jacob Witt, during the Revolutionary war - that deponent knows that the said Jacob Will served in the army of the Revolution in the manner stated in his Declaration, as deponent was in the same army nearly all the time with the said Jacob Witt- That deponent well remembers that the said Jacob Witt served the several tours of duty mentioned in his declaration under Captain Paul Grosscup & Capt [Captain] Peter Spangler & the other officers respectively named in said declaration-
Peter Troutman
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid}
John Kurtz

We George Weller Esquire & John Florn residents of the township of Southampton in the County of Somerset & State of Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Witt who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion-
George Weller
his
John X Florn
mark
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid}
John Kurtz
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Pennsylvania
Somerset County Set
I John Kurtz being one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in & for said County & State do by these presents declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the said Jacob Witt served in the Revolutionary army as he states in his declaration - and I do further certify that the said Peter Troutman & George Weller & John Korn who have signed the foregoing depositions reside in the said township of Southampton in the County of Somerset aforesaid and that they are all credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. And I do also
further certify that the foregoing Jacob Witt the declarant is entirely unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity-
And I further certify that there is no clergyman residing within the said township of Southampton - In full testimony of all the foregoing I have hereto set my hand the day & year aforesaid-
John Kurtz

Pennsylvania
Somerset County Sct
I Chauncey Forward Prothonotary of the court of Common pleas of the said County of Somerset do hereby certify that John Kurtz Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration of Jacob Witt was made & also before whom the respective affidavits of Peter Troutman, George Weller & John Korn were taken, whose name is also subscribed to the above certificate was at the time of said acts, and now is one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in & for the county of Somerset aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn to all whose official acts as such due faith & credit ought of right to be given. In testimony whereof I have unto set my hand & seal this 23d day of July [illegible]6. 1833-
C Forward
Prothy [Prothonotary]
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26.784
Jacob Witt
Penna
[Returned crossed out]
Adm 9 Months
Charles Ogle - 
[C. Fleming Esq crossed out]
Somerset Penna
Page 14









WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office.
22d Jany 1834

Sir:  

The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done.  hese points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this  }   ).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department,  send this printed letter with them; and you will by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.  

A STATEMENT, showing the Service of Jacob Witt

 Period when the service was rendered - 1777
Duration of the claimant's service -2 Months
 Rank of the Claimant - Pri
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served Cap. Kercher, Col. Gehr
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service - 78 years, Berks County, Pa.
Proof by which the declaration is supported - Serving Witnesses.  

Period when the service was rendered - 1777
Duration of the claimant's service -2 Months
 Rank of the Claimant - Pri
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served Cap. Spangter,  
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service - 78 years, Berks County, Pa.
Proof by which the declaration is supported - Serving Witnesses.   

Period when the service was rendered - 1777
Duration of the claimant's service -2 Months
 Rank of the Claimant - Pri
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served Cap.Emert  
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service - 78 years, Berks County, Pa.
Proof by which the declaration is supported - Serving Witnesses.  

Period when the service was rendered - 1777
Duration of the claimant's service -2 Months
 Rank of the Claimant - Pri
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served Cap. Schapell
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service - 78 years, Berks County, Pa.
Proof by which the declaration is supported - Serving Witnesses.  
Also served 12 and 18 days , as a Pri, no other info stated.

I am respectfully,
   Your obedient servant, 
JAMES L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:  
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line", "State troops" , "militia", and "volunteers" all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and in Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular  places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.  
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
   1.  The Regular Troops.
   2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
   3.  Persons employed in the Naval Service.
   4.  Indian Spies.  

As rolls of the regular troops in the 
Revolutionary War existed in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, or privates will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.  

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of }
    County of                         }   SS.

 On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]       A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years who being first duly sworn, according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank] , with [blank]  and served in the [blank]
 (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following names officers:  

{Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers, the time hel eft the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and state in which he resided .    [pointing hand symbol] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, etc.)

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank].  

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

  And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  

I [blank] of the Court of [blank]  do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.  

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c. [blank].

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.  

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  
 
{And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named application was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that [blank]
 who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank]and that C. D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible persone, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  

I, [blank] Clerk of the Court, of [blank] do hereby certify that the following contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.  
 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.  

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.  

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3 [Page Number]
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names 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 general circumstances of your services.
6. { To a Soldier } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom what it given , and what has become of it?
{To an Officer} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may m ake the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served' otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his decision by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B.
who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of his of old age, and the consequeat loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For _____year________months, and _________-days, I served as a __________; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, to all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the person to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase 'about three or four months', is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the [illegible], the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or order papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached
thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department , he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and time to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[?] The notes from [a] to [?] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia Men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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[PAGE  17 TOO FADED TO READ]
Page 18

Revolution
22592
INVALID.
File No. 22.592
Jacob Witt
Pri [Private] Rev War
Act: June 7th 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 452
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1927 Apr. 1 Hist to Miss N. Witt AW
1927 Apr. 12 " " Mr. J. B. Witt
Page 19

Pennsylvania
Somerset County Ss.
Personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the peace in & for said County of Somerset Peter Troutman a credible witness aged about seventy eight years & resident of the township of Southampton in said county who on his solemn oath doth say and depose that he was raised & brought up on a farm adjoining the farm on which Jacob Witt (whose declaration is attached to this deposition) was raised & brought up, that he has been acquainted with the said Jacob Witt from infancy -- That deponent served with the said Jacob Witt in the army of the Revolution - That deponent knows the said Jacob Witt volunteered in August seventeen hundred
and seventy six in Maxatawny township, Berks county, Pennsylvania under Captain Paul Grosscup & Lieutenant Jacob [illegible] in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Baltzer Gehr and that the said Jacob Will served two months as sergeant during the said tour under the said Captain Grosscup -
That deponent also knows that the said Jacob Witt served as a substitute for Henry Witt his brother-- under Captain Jacob Mouser & Yost Sutter in the Regiment of Colonel Lutz a tour of about two months soon after the returned from the tour first mentioned- That the said Jacob Witt marched during the first tour to Amboy New Jersey - & during the last to to White Plains - that deponent further knows that the said Jacob Witt served a third tour of duty of two months as a Sergeant in Captain Ernest's company of drafted militia during the summer of 1777. In the Brigade of Colonel Hiester -
Page 20

Deponent also states that he knows that the said Jacob Witt served a fourth tour of duty as sergeant in the company of Peter Spangler Captain - under Major Leffler - as a drafted militia man for two months-- this last mentioned tour of duty was served about the time of the battle of Monmouth- Deponent further says that he knows Jacob Witt served two other short tours of duty of several weeks - one after the Indians and the other tour in pursuit of the tories - These services were performed a short time after the fourth tour of duty above mentioned - Deponent further saith that although he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of the time said Jacob Witt served as a soldier in the Revolutionary army but that he is certain & well knows that the said Jacob Witt served at least eight months in said army - That deponent & the said Jacob Witt moved from the township of Maxatawny - Berks County, Pennsylvania upwards of forty years ago to Southampton township, Somerset County where they now reside-
Peter Troutman
Sworn to & subscribed this 14th March 1834}
George Willis
Page 21

Pennsylvania
Somerset County Ss.
Personally came before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for said County William Troutman who on his oath doth say that he has been intimately acquainted with Jacob Witt whose declaration is hereto annexed [illegible] infancy - that he knew the said Jacob Witt well during the war of the Revolution - That he knows that the
said Jacob Witt served in the army of the Revolution during the period of eight months- including his tour of duty as volunteer & militia man-
[illegible] Troutman
Sworn & subsd [subscribed] 14th March 1834}
George Weller}

Pennsylvania
Somerset County SS.
I George Weller a Justice of the peace in & for said County do by these presents certify that I am well acquainted with Jacob Witt -- Peter Troutman and William Troutman all citizens of Southampton township in said County that they are all credible persons and that their statements are entitled to full credit-
Witness my hand & seal this 14th day of March 1834-
George Weller [seal surrounded by squiggles]
Page 22

Pennsylvania
Somerset County SS.
I Chauncey Howard Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas in & for said County of Somerset do by these presents certify that George Weller Esquire before whom the foregoing depositions of Peter Troutman and William Troutman were taken was at the time of taking such depositions & now is an acting Justice of the peace in & for the County of Somerset duly commissioned & sworn to all whose official
acts as such due faith & credit ought of right to be given-
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal of Office this twenty first day of March 1834-
C Forward
Prothy [Prothonotary]
Page 23

Proof of service of Jacob Witt in the War of the Revolution
Page 24

Pennsylvania
Somerset County Sct
On the sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for the said County of Somerset Peter Troutman a resident of the township of Southampton in the County aforesaid aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn
according to law, doth on his oath say & depose, that he is well acquainted with Jacob Witt of the township of Southampton in the County of Somerset aforesaid - that he believes the said Jacob Witt to be seventy seven years of age - and that he doth well know that the said Jacob Witt was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and served four several tours of duty of two months each in the said war - One tour under Captain Paul Grosscup - one time under Captain Peter Spangler - One tour under Captain Ernest and one tour under Captain Schapell - That deponent & the said Jacob Witt at the time of the revolutionary war both resided in the township of Maxatanny Berks County, Pennsylvania
Peter Troutman
Sworn & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid}
C. Forward Prothy [Prothonotary]
Page 25

Pennsylvania
Somerset County Sct-
Also on the day & year before mentioned, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the court of common pleas of the County aforesaid William Troutman a resident citizen of the township of Southampton in said County aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn doth on his oath taken according to law depose & say - That he is well acquainted with Jacob Witt of the township of Southampton in the County of Somerset aforesaid - that he believes the said Jacob Witt to be seventy seven years of age and that he doth well know that the said Jacob Witt was a soldier in the war of the revolution and particularly that the said Jacob Witt served one tour of duty under Captain Paul Grosscup - another tour of duty under Captain Peter Spangler - in the said war - That at that time the said Jacob Witt & deponent both lived in
the township of Maxatawney in Berks County, Pennsylvania- And deponent further declares that from age & bodily infirmity the said Jacob Witt is unable to attend court in the opinion of deponent - 
William [illegible]
Sworn & Subscribed same day & year} 
C. Forward Prothy [Prothonotary]
Page 26

Pennsylvania
Somerset County Sct
Also on the day & year aforesaid personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the court of common pleas of said County Henry Close a resident citizen of Southampton township in said county and on his oath duly administered doth say & depose that he is well acquainted with Jacob Witt a resident citizen of Southampton township in said county - that he believes the said Jacob Witt to be seventy seven years of age - And that the said Jacob Witt is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that deponent concurs in that opinion-
Henry Close
Sworn & Subscribed same day & year}
C. Forward Prothy } [Prothonotary]

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named Jacob Witt was a soldier of the war of the revolution & served as stated in the foregoing affidavits and that Peter Troutman, William Troutman & Henry Close are residents of the township of Southampton in the County of Somerset aforesaid and that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled
Page 27

to credit-In testimony whereof I Chauncey Forward Esq. Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Somerset County aforesaid have hereto set my hand & seal of office this sixteenth day of October 1832
C. Forward Prothy. [Prothonotary]
Page 28

Declaration of Jacob Witt in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

26.786.
Page 29

Pennsylvania  Somerset County Sct
personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for the County of Somerset Henry Close alias (Klose) a credible Witness aged about seventy four years who on his oath duly administered doth say and depose that he is well acquainted with Jacob Witt of Southampton township of the County of Somerset aforesaid that deponent was well acquainted with the said Jacob Witt during the Revolutionary war that he knows that the said Jacob Witt Served Sundry tours in the army of the Revolution and that he deponant [deponent] belives [believes] the annexed declaration of services made by the said Jacob Witt is substantionally [substantially] correct and true
Sworn and subscribed}
the 17th day of July A.D. 1833}  Henry Close
John Kurtz
also at the same time and place personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Somerset County William Troutman a credible Witness also a resident of Southampton township aged about Seventy two years who on his oath duly admistered [administered] doth depose and say that he is well acqainted [acquainted] with Jacob Witt the declarant that he deponent knew the said Jacob Witt well during the Revolutionary War and that he knows that the said Jacob Witt served in the army of the Revolution several tours deponant [deponent] recollects seeing the said Jacob Witt with the troops going to the army and and at the end of the term of service returning home again that from his own knowledge he belives [believes] the declaration of services made by the said Jacob Witt and hereto annexed to be true and correct
his
William X Troutman
mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid}
John Kurtz
Page 30

Pennsylvania
Somerset County Sct
I Chauncey Forward Prothonotary of the court of Common pleas of the County of Somerset aforesaid do by these presents certify that John Kurtz Esquire before whom the within affidavits of Henry Close & William Troutman were taken, was at the time of taking the same & now is one of the Judges of the court of Common pleas in & for the County of Somerset aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; to all whose official acts as such due faith & credit ought of right to be given
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal of office this 23d July A.D. 1833-
C Forward
Prothy [Prothonotary]
Page 31


Mass  Penny, Pilatrak
Page 32


[handwritten note]

If [illegible] her reply, she only wants abstract


two can be sent as to the [illegible]                 by making one carbon on letterhead paper
Page 33


982 Prospect Ave.
Plainfield, N.J.
April 7"1927

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:  Will you kindly mail me two (2) copies of the application paper of Jacob Witt? He received a Revolutionary War pension in 1834.  

Thanking you, I am
very truly yours
[illegible] Witt Bingaman
(Mrs. Rallph W.)

P.S. Kindly send copies of the
Page 34













original application blank if you still [illegible].  The ones which were formerly sent out were copies of the blank filled in with copies of the blank filled in as originally filled  in by the applicant.
  M. N. B.   

[ROUND POSTAL STAMP]
   PENSION
       APR
U  .   13    S.
     1927
    OFFICE

 Note. This is the 3" letter in the same handwriting (with different names and addresses) received recently . Evidently  the history furnished is not all that is .  [illegible], hence, my answer to this post script of hers 
which is very vague,
Page 35

  67 Wilson Ave.
Uniontown, Pa.
March 26"1927

Bureau of Pensions
  Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sirs:   

It will be two weeks Monday since I wrote asking for two (2) copies of the Pension papers of Jacob Witt of Somerset Col, Pa.  He was enrolled in 1834 for a Revolutionary pension at the age of seventy nine, according to the 1906 history of Somerset and Bedford Co. published by Lewis and Co. of New York and Chicago.  The registration of
Page 36









the local chapter of the D.A.R. told me you answered  promptly.  Am very anxious to receive the papers in order to make out application paper for the D. A. R. 

If the papers have been sent kindly disregard this letter.  

Thanking you, I am
Very truly yours,
(Miss) Nell Witt

P. S. Kindly send by return mail if possible.,

[postal stamp dated  Mar 28 1927]
Page 37

67 Wilson Ave.
Uniontown, PA.
March 14"1927

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: 

I would very much like two (2) copies of the Revolutionary pension paper of Jacob Witt of Somerset Co. Penna.  On page 248 of the History of Bedford and Somerset Counties of Penna., published by the Lewis Publishing Co. of New York-Chicago it states "Jacob Witt was 
placed on the pension rolls in 1834, at the age
Page 38














seventy-nine."  I would like to know if the pension was transferred to his wife and when the pension ceased.  

Thanking you most kindly.

I am
very truly yours
(Miss) Nell Witt
Page 39

 Uniontown, Pa
22 Walnut St.
April 9-1927

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen:  

I wrote sometime ago for an exact copy of the pension of Jacob Witts, Claim S. 22582 and have not heard from you.  Will you kindly mail me two copies of this pension.  I am joining the Sons of American Revolution and need the information the pension would give.  

Thanking you for this favor, I am 
Yours truly

J. B. Witt.
Page 40

Rev. & 1812 Wars
Section.

April 14, 1927

Mrs. Ralph W. Bingaman,
982 Prospect Ave.
Plainfield, N.J.

Madam: 

If you wish an abstract of the pension claim of Jacob Witt, S. 22592, Revolutionary War, such as has been furnished recently to Miss N. Witt and Mr. J. B. Witt, please so state.  That is the usual form in which such histories are furnished.  The former ones with less information on printed blanks are no longer sent, nor were they full copies of the original papers.  Such copies are not given free of charge.  

If you desire photostat copies of the original papers in the above noted claim, they will be furrnished under the provision of the Act of Congress dated August 24, 1812, at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra for certification, if that is wished.  The number of pages to be copied is nineteen.  

The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau in payment, by [part of line smudged] check, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, (Not to the order of t he Commissioner of Pensions.) 

Respectfully,

Winfield Scott,
Commissioner