Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5817, for Jacob Keiser, Pennsylvania
Page 1

Service
Penn.

Keiser, Jacob
Kiser

Number
R.5817
Page 2

29.302
Jacob Keiser dec'd
Penna

suspended

Return [crossed out]

Maj. J.H. Hook
U.S. Army
Presents
Page 3

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
24th 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 shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return you papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

[Table title] 
Statement, shewing the Service of Jacob Keiser

[Table column headings]
Period when the service was rendered, | Duration of the claimant service. years. months. days. | Rank of the claimant | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served | Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service | Proof by which declaration is supported.

[Row 1]
1776 |1 years | [Rank illegible] | Cap. Stewart, Cap. Biles, Col. Cadwalader | 78 years Phila County Pa | Traditionary

[Row 2]
1777 | 2 months | ditto Rank | Cap. Rush

[Row 3]
2 months | ditto Somers
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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 to 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 exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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 } ss.
County of     
On this      day of     personally appeared (a) before       
A. B. a resident (b) of       personally appeared (a) before      in the county of      and State, Territory or District of      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)     , with    and
served in the     (e) regiment of the      line, under the following named officers :

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left 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 when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
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     Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.     A. B.
[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        of the Court of     do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this      day of     & c.
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      and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with     , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be      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 days 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 after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.       who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the         and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the             and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,            Clerk of the Court of       do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this     day of         & 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
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 was 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 inquiry 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 make 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 ma.le 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 role.
[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 declaration 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 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 the periods mentioned below, and 
in the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: _____For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For ______ months and ______ days, I served as a ______; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension 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 tours, 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
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 other 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 witnessed
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 line 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. as to first tarts
The notes from [a] to [i] 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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State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County


Be it known that before me, John Fisher, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County personally appeared Jacob Keiser of the Borough of Shippensburg County and State aforesaid, who being duly cautioned and then sworn according to law states that he is sixty four years of age that he is the second son of Jacob Keiser Sen. who was a Revolutionary soldier in the State of Pennsylvania and that he died on the Tenth day of January A.D. 1834 and that his (deponent's) mother named Catherine Keiser died on the Fourth day of July A.D. 1847 and that they were married about the year 1784 and that they were residents of the Borough of Shippensburg aforesaid and that they resided there about Fifty years and that he (deponent) resides in the Borough of Shippensburg aforesaid. And furthermore by these presents he the said Jacob Keiser constitutes, appoints and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of substitution, his son James H. Keiser of the Borough Mercersburg, County of Franklin and State aforesaid, as his true and lawful attorney for him and in his name and stead to examine into, to prosecute, to demand and receive from the United States Government and State Officials, his rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or land that may be due as aforesaid of the said Jacob Keiser, Senior, who died leaving the same unknown, as in right of law he may be entitled. In witness whereof he has on the Fourth day of September 1852 hereunto set his hand and seal.
Jacob Kiser [signature] Seal [handwritten]

Witness
Samuel Utz [signature]
R.P. McClure [signature]

Signed, sealed, acknowledged and sworn to before me: and I further certify that the above named Jacob Keiser has always by the community been known as the son of Jacob Keiser Sen and Catherine Keiser his wife.
Witness my hand and seal the Fourth day of September A.D. 1852

John Fisher [signature] Seal [handwritten]
Page 7

State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County

Be it known that before me, John Fisher, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid personally came Mary Dewalt, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says she is now in the Seventy third year of her age that she became acquainted with Jacob Keiser Senior and Catherine Keiser his wife, when she, the said deponent, was about ten or eleven years of age, that the said Jacob Keiser Sen and Catherine Keiser lived together in the Borough of Shippensburg, State and County aforesaid, as husband and wife from the time this deponent became acquainted until the death of the said Jacob Keiser Sen; that the said Jacob Keiser Sen and Catherine Keiser had a number of children, the eldest of whom, John Keiser, is now dead, and the eldest of whom now living is Jacob Keiser who resides in the Borough of Shippensburg aforesaid and further the said deponent says that the said Jacob Keiser Sen and Catherin Keiser were reported and considered to be husband and wife and that she verily believes that they were legally married, further says not.
Mary Dewalt 
her mark X

Sworn and subscribed before me, the 4th day of September A.D. 1852
(the words "personally came" in the third line and "Keiser" in the fourth line of the foregoing affidavit having been first interlined)

John Fisher [signature
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County

Be it known that before me, John Fisher one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid personally came Jacob Steinman, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and say that he is now Sixty three years of age, that he has lived in the Borough of Shippensburg for the last Thirty five years, that he became acquainted with Jacob Keiser Senior soon after he the said deponent moved to Shippensburg, that before the death of the said Jacob Keiser Senior in a conversation with the said deponent he the said Jacob Keiser Sen stated that he had then been married and lived with his wife Catherine Keiser about Fifty years or upwards, that the said Jacob Keiser Sen and Catherine his wife lived together as husband and wife in the Borough of aforesaid from the time deponent became acquainted with them, until the death of the said Jacob Keiser Sen, and that they were reported to be husband and wife  and further says not.

Jacob Steinman [signature]

Sworn and submitted before the 4th day of September 1852
John Fisher [signature]
Page 9

State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County

Be it known that before me John Fisher one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid personally came David Mahon who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he is Sixty nine years of age, that he can recollect Jacob Keiser Sen and Catherine Keiser his wife since the year Eighteen hundred, about Fifty two years ago, that the said Jacob Keiser and Catherine Keiser were then living in the Borough of Shippensburg County and State aforesaid as husband and wife and that they so continued to live in the said Borough until the death of the said Jacob Keiser Sen; and further deponent says that the said Jacob Keiser Sen and Catherine Keiser his wife were reported and considered to be husband and wife, further says not.

David Mahon [signature]

Sworn and subscribed before me, the 4th day of September, A.D. 1852
John Fisher [signature]

State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County

I, George Zinn Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please of the State and County aforesaid, do hereby certify that John Fisher Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgements were made and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing and is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and sworn and that his signature above written is genuine.
Writing my hand and the seal of the said Court at Carlisle the Fourth day of September A.D. 1842

George Zinn Prothy [signature and title]
Page 10

State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County

On this Sixth day of September A.D. One thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court Jacob Keiser, a resident of Shippensburg in said County and State - aged about Seventy eight years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his solemn oath make the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 7th June A.D. 1832.

That he was born in Germantown in the State of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County in the year Seventeen hundred and fifty five - that he has no record of his age and does not know of any.  That he entered the service of the United States at the times and manner herein stated and sometime in the year One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy six, he enlisted at the City of Philadelphia in the Company of Captain Walther Stewart of the third regiment of Pennsylvania troops, under whom he served for six or seven months, when Captain Stewart was appointed aid de camp of General Gates and a Captain Biles took command of the Company and continued in the same, until we were taken prisoners.
When we left Philadelphia we marched through Trenton, Princeton, and Brunswick and from there to New York, and from there crossed over to Long Island where an engagement took place between the Americans and British on Long Island but our Company was not engaged in it, but were obliged to recross to New York and went from there into Fort Washington - which was then building and we were engaged in working to complete it. At this fort we remained some time, when we were ordered to White Plains, but after marching about seven miles from the fort we were ordered to return which we did and remained in the same until it was taken by the British; the precise time of which I do not recollect. The whole of the Americans were taken prisoner, and we were marched into the City of New York, and I was kept there until
Page 11

I made my escape, through the assistance of my uncle George Keiser who in those days resided in New York and kept a tavern the Sign of the Bulls head. The whole time I served under Captains Stewart and Biles, including two months I was prisoner at New York - was one year. The names of the officers at Fort Washington were Colonels Cadwalader, Major Becker, Captains Edward Graydon Hubley,  Lenox West and one other whose name I do not recollect - there was also in the Fort Colonels Penrose and McGaw but I don't remember the names of the other majors.  The subaltern officers of our Company were Tilton - Henry Becker and Henry Stout - I recollect General Mifflin, but he was not at the fort at the time of the engagement nor did I know where he there was. After I returned to Pennsylvania I was drafted in the militia, in the year 1777 under Captain Rush and served two months a Colonel Will commanded I think. We had no engagement - I then volunteered my services and entered the Company of Captain Somers of the artillery but I don't know who commanded this regiment - we were stationed between Germantown and Pottsgrove and I remained in the service then two months longer. I was in no engagement except that at Fort Washington - And the whole time that I was in the service of the United States is One year and four months which includes the two months I was prisoner. At the time I first enlisted I lived in Philadelphia - Since the Revolutionary War I lived first in Carlisle and from thence went to Shippensburg in Cumberland County where I resided ever since a period of near fifty years - I never received a discharge from the service.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

Jacob Keiser [signature]

Sworn and Subscribed in open Court the 6th Sept 1832 before W Harper [signature] clk of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumb. County
Page 12

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

February 17, 1928.

Mrs. N.J. Bell,
Waterloo, 
Nebraska.

Madam:

I advise you that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services.

For the military services of any soldier it is suggested that you correspond with the Adjutant General, War Department, Washington, D.C.

In order to make a proper search of the records of this Bureau for soldiers of the Revolution and War of 1812, as much as possible of the following data is essential:

Full name of soldier, approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and first name of widow.

Owing to lack of clerical force available for
Page 13

the purpose only two histories are furnished each inquirer.

You are herewith furnished the history of the only soldier named Jacob Keyser 9all spellings of that name searched) found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, who served with the Pennsylvania Troops.

From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claims, R. 5817, it appears that Jacob Keiser or Kiser was born in 1754 in Germantown, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

He applied for pension September 6, 1832, while residing at Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and alleged that while residing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in 1776 and served in Captains Watter Stewart's and Biles' Company in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington and held two months in New York City, when he made his escape, with the assistance of his uncle, George Keiser, who kept a Tavern, "The Sign of the Bulls Head", in New York City.

In 1777, he served two months in Captain Rush's
Page 14

Company Pennsylvania Militia; and soon after served two months in Captain Somers' Company of Artillery.

The claim was not allowed, as there was not proof of six months service, as required by the pension law.

Soldier married in 1784, Catherine (her maiden name is not stated), he dies January 10, 1834 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and she died July 4, 1847.

It is stated that they had a number of children - the eldest, John died prior to 1852, and their second son Jacob was sixty-four years old in 1852 ad living in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

No other names of children given.

A grandson James H. Keiser, the son of the above mentioned Jacob Keiser, in 1852 was living in Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Respectively,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 15

B

Jacob Keiser

Cole

Pa - [illegible] 1832

Hon. L.P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 16

Will Mr. Edwards oblige me with the information requested in the enclosed letter-
I am respectfully
C. McClure
25 May '38
[illegible]
Page 17

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Washington
D.C.
Page 18

Act of 7th June '32

Suspended.

See letter to Secty. of War
25 March 1835

let 28 May 1838 C. McClure

L. G. Brandeburg Jany 7 1854
and 7 June 1832

Hon. S L  Russel
Aug 4, 1854
Page 19

Hon. L. G.
Page 20

29,302,
Jacob Keiser
Pa

not found
Secy of War 25 Mch 1835
Hon C. McClure 28 May 1838 [lined through]
L. G. Brandenburg Jany 7 1854 [lined through]
Hon S. L. Russel Aug 4 1854 [lined through]
L. G. Brandenburg 15 Nov 1854 [lined through]
same April 25 1855 [lined through]
John McCurdy Dec 28 1855 [lined through]

5817

June 7 1832
Page 21

Jacob Keiser
Pa - sus 32

Cole

S. L. Russel
M. C.

Genl. L.P. Waldo
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 22

Jacob Keiser
Pa 
Sus '32

Cole

L. G. Brandeberg
Present
Page 23

Information is wanted, as to the claim of Jacob Kiser, for the unpaid portion of the Pension due to his father, a Revolutionary soldier - a power of attorney to act in the matter was given to Mr. Knight of Washington City - old Jacob Kiser resided in Shippensburg, Cumberland Co. Penna.
[illegible]
L. G. Brandeburg
Washington City
Page 24

Jacob Keiser
Pennsylvania

The only paper in the case of Jacob Keiser was an affidavit, which was returned to Hon. [illegible] Miller written 3 March 1835. He gave his receipt.
Page 25


Hall of the Hos of Reps
Augt. 2 1854.

Dear Sir,

I am requesting to inquire of you, whether Jacob Keiser (or Keyser or Kiser) a Revolutionary soldier of Franklin County Penna. ever made application for a pension and if he did why it was refused? Will you be so kind as to furnish me with the information?

With great regard
Resp'y Yours,
S. L. Russell [signature]

Gen L. P. Waldo
Page 26

Aug 4 [illegible]
Page 27

Pension Office
Aug 4 1854

Sir
In reply to your inquiry, I have to inform you that Jacob Keiser of Pa did make application for a pension, but was not allowed because he failed to show by any kind of proof that he served his alleged service. His claim should be established by the Records to be found in the office of the Auditor General of Pa.

Hon. S L Russell
Hy R
Page 28

Hon. C. McClure
May 28. 1838
Pa
Page 29

War Dept. Pension Office
May 28. 1838

Sir

I herewith return the letter to you in the case of Jacob Keiser and have to state that his claim has not been allowed. His declaration is on file in this office with suspended cases. In March 1835 some testimony in his case was returned to Hon. J. Miller, since which time no additional evidence has been received . Mr. Keiser alleges to have enlisted in Capt. Stewart's Company of the Penna line in 1776 and to have been taken a prisoner by the enemy.  Proof of this said war service is required in the evidence [illegible] what place he enlisted. 
[following sentence crossed out at end of letter] It should be shown particularly at what time he enlisted.

Hon C. McClure
M R.

Pa
Page 30

L. G. Brandenburg

Jany 7. / 54
Page 31

108

Pension Office
Jany 7 1854

Sir

In 1832 Jacob Keiser of Pa asserted that he served in 1776 and 1777 a year and four months, that he served under Col. Cadwalader , Capt Stewart, Capt Biles, Capt Rush and Capt Somers, but he failed to show by any kind of evidence that he ever served a day - Application should be made to the Auditor General of Pa for any evidence he may possess in his claim. 

L. G. Brandeberg Esq

Present
Page 32

Hon. J. Miller

19 Feb. 1835
[illegible]

Record Vol. 26. p. 384
Page 33

War Dept. Pen. Office
Feb 19, 1835

Sir:

The affidavit in the case of Jacob Keiser, left by you at this office has been filed with suspended cases. His declaration was returned to Major J.H. Hooks of the [illegible] dept. in January 1834, since which time it does not appear that it has been received at this office. No decision can be made until the applicant declaration shall have been received at this office.

Hon. J. Miller
N.R.
Page 34

April 25 / 55
Page 35

Pension Office
April 25 1855

Sir

The evidence in the case of Jacob Keiser of Pa is not sufficient to justify an allowance. He declares for 16 months service from the year 1776, but the proof in his case only indicates a service of two months, or that claimed under Captain Rush. Indeed his claim for 12 months service before this under Rush does not accord with what is understood to have been the character of service rendered by the militia of Pa during the War of the Revolution, which [illegible] in short tours of two months duration. The claim cannot be allowed unless Record can be furnished corroborating his allegations or upon the testimony of witnesses who knew that he did serve as alleged.
The date of the widows marriage has not been established agreeably to our Regulations.

L.G. Brandenburg Esq
Present
Page 36

Jacob Keiser
Penna
Suspended

See letter to Hon. J. Miller [underlined]
19 Feb. 1835 [underlined]
Pa [underlined]

in the case affidavit of Jacob Keiser returned to Honorable Miller for which he has given a receipt.[illegible]
Page 37

John McCurdy
Dec. 28.1855.
Page 38

Pension Office
Dec 28 1855

Sir,
On the 25th of April last Mr. Brandenburg was informed that the case of Jacob Keiser could not be allowed, because it had not been proved that he rendered as much as six month's service in the War of the Revolution.

1832
Pa

John McCurdy Esq
Shippensburg
Pa
Page 39

Muster Roll of Capt. Conrad Rush's of 3rd Company of the 3rd Class Philadelphia Militia now in the service of the United States

Captain
Conrad Rush

Lieutenants
Jacob Binder
Martin Fiss [illegible]

Privates

Privates  [names]          |       Enlisted [date]

George Sigfreid            |      August 7th
John Taylor                   |      do [August] 20th
Peter Williams               |      do [August 20th]
Michael Hanner            |       do  [August] 7th
Jacob Keiser                  |       do  [August] 7th
[underlined]
John Miller                    |        do  [August] 20th
[illegible] Snyder           |        do [August 20th]


Wilmington September 3rd 1777 
Mustered then Capt. Conrad Rush Company as specified  the above Roll.
Lod K Sprogell
M M G. of P.
Page 40

Secretary's Office

Pennsylvania

I do hereby certify [underlined] that the foregoing and annexed is a true and correct extract of the original papers now remaining on file in this office.

In Testimony Whereof [underlined] I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Secretary's Office to be affixed at Harrisburg this Seventh day of November AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.

E.S. Goodrich
Dep'y Sec'y, Comth [possibly abbreviation for Commonwealth]
Page 41

Shippensburg Nov 11 1854
Hon. L G Brandeberry

Dr Sir
Jacob Kiser called upon me this morning and requested me to write to you in relation to his father's Pension. You, in January last, sent him the letter of the Commissioner of Pensions, which directs him to examine the Records in the office of the Auditor General of Pa. This has been done, and after considerable trouble the name has been found. It appears by the Rolls that his father enlisted August 7th 1777. Kiser asserts that the deposition of Ludwig Miller, a messmate of his father, was taken in or about the year 1832, proving that he served with him and is now on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions, if it has not been lifted by some one who has previously been spoken to on the subject of getting the Pension. The first one to whom they made application was a man by the name of Knight, the second one's name was Weed.  Of the papers already sent on are not on file they may be found in the possession of one of these gentlemen. If the copy of the Rolls now in possession of Kiser is sufficient without the testimony of Miller, they will be forwarded to you. I know that other testimony is necessary, but do not know what is on file in the Commissioner's Office. You will please have
Page 42

the office of the Commissioner of Pensions carefully examined for the papers, and if they are not found there you may possibly find them in the hands of either Mr Knight or Mr Weed and after you have finished your examination write to Kiser and state to him what success you have had, and what further proof will be necessary, if any.

I have another case in which the soldier was married prior to 1790 - He served 18 months - died about 1793 and his wife died in 1827. Would the heir be entitled to a Pension.

Yours truly

John McCurdy [signature]
Page 43

Waterloo Nebraska
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Please give me data you have of Jacob Riser [written above this "only 5th avl] who served as private in the companies of Captain John Carothers & Captain Alexander Peebles of Cumberland Militia (County) 1780 & 1782 & in the Lancaster County Militia in Captain Wm Brisbane's Company. The name of Jacob Kiser Jr. Also appears in this militia company. I get these records from Pennsylvania State Library I am trying to find Rose Kiser & want to know who her father was so please give all data if you
Page 44

have records of the children of Jacob Kiser or his son. 
You do not answer half of my enquiries & I wish especially you could answer this as soon as possible. 
  Mrs. N.J. Bell
Waterloo
Nebraska
Please tell me Does the records I send refere to Revolutionary or 1812 War.
Page 45

[this is a trifolded piece of paper, with only one fold showing]
Under Cover to J.J. Miller
Nov. 15/32
[written vertically as the edge of writing on the page if unfolded]
send any receipts
[and along the other edge]
Hon L. E. Brandeberch
Page 46

Pension Office
15th Nov. 1854.
Sir, 
Jacob Keiser of Pennsylvania, as stated that he entered the service in 1776 and served one year. and that in the year 1777 he performed two terms of service of two months each. I understand from Mr McCurdy's letter that Keiser's name is found on the records of Harrisburg, and that it is shown by them that he enlisted 7th August 1777. It is proble that this enlistment was for one of his two months tours. [crossed out are the words supposing his identity] and if so would be good (supposing he may be identified as the same man). for that length of time. Ludwig's children's affidavit is not found among Jacob's papers. Inclusive of the objections as to Keiser's services, it would be well for me to state that there is no proof as to the date of his marriage, and the death of his wife and himself and as to the names and number of his surviving children.
   Mr McCurdy mentions another case (the truth of which he does not give) in which he wishes to ascertain whether there is
Page 47

a valid claim. He says the soldier was married prior to 1790.Served eighteen months and died in 1793. His wife died in 1827. Under this statement of facts the heirs have no claim, as the soldier and his widow both died before the passage of any pension law under which they could have derived any benefit.
[written vertically along right side of page]
Under cover to 
J.J. Miller
Nov 15/32

Hon. L.G. Brandeberry, 
Shippensburg, PA

Under cover to J.J. Miller Esq.
Washington. D.C.
Page 48

State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County

Before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County residing at Shippensburg came Rev John Moody and David Nevin said together as follows.
We John Moody a clergyman in the town of Shippensburg and David Nevin residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Keiser who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy eight 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.
John Moody [signature]
David Nevin [signature]

Sworn and Subscribed this sixth day of September A.D. 1832 before me
Geo McGuinis [signature ]

State of Pennsylvania
County of Cumberland

I John Harper clerk of the Court of Common pleas of said county certify that George McGuinis is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing declaration purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my seal of office and subscribed my name this 13th day of November A.D. 1832
Jn. Harper [signature]
Clk of the Court of [illegible] of C.C.

[written in left hand margin]
29.302
Page 49

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter and  after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the said Jacob Keiser the applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that the Rev John Moody and David Nevin could not be produced in Court without too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant, that the said John Moody is a clergyman in Shippensburg where the applicant resides and that David Nevin is resident in the same and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and that Geo McGuines before whom they were sworn is a Justice of the Peace of this County duly commissioned and
By the hand
John [illegible signature, last name] [illegible title]
[illegible signature, first name] Graham

Cumberland County
I John Harper Prothonotary of the Court of Common please of the County of Cumberland do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jacob Keiser for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my seal of office and subscribed my name this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jn. Harper [signature]
Prothy
Page 50

5817

P.O.
Jacob Keiser

Service: ___________

REJECTED

Enlisted: _________, 18
Discharged: ________, 18

Application filed:
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension - 

Alleges: _________
"Suspended for further proof"

Re-enlisted: ______
Attorney: __________
P.O. ___________

[Written vertical note, left margin states] 
1928-Feb-17 - Heir to Mrs. N. J. Bell [illegible]
Page 51

Hon. L.P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 52

Washington City April 23rd 1855

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comm. of Pensions

Sir,
In 1832 or 3, Jacob Keiser of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, filed his declaration for a Pension, as a Revolutionary soldier, under the act of 1832, together with the deposition of Ludwig Miller, a Revolutionary soldier, who served with Keiser, a portion of the time. This deposition was withdrawn by the Hon. Jesse Miller, then a member of Congress, or given to him, and the receipt of the same by him, noted on the papers, but for what reason or purpose, is not stated. The case was suspended. The deposition of Ludwig Miller has been lost. Since that period he died; the Hon. Jesse Miller has since died - the applicant, Jacob Keiser died in 1834 - his widow died in 1847  - and Mr. Wade, who has something to do with the case is also dead.

The son of Jacob Keiser dec'd, (Jacob Keiser junr) has been prosecuting the recovery of the pension since, and the successive casualties above mentioned, will account in some measure for the absence of the necessary evidence, and the loss of that which was taken and filed.

I now enclose a certified extract from the Revolutionary Muster Rolls of Pennsylvania, shewing the enlistment of the old man in 1777, and the depositions of Jacob Keiser
Page 53

Shippensburg Nov 20 1854

Willis G. Wade Esq

Dr Sir

Some years since application was made to you by the heirs of Jacob Kiser, a Revolutionary Soldier, to recover his pension, papers were placed in your hands and were never lifted. Amongst them was the deposition of a certain Ludwig Miller, who testifies to having served in the same mess with him. Miller has since died consequently said deposition cannot be reproduced. If it is still in your possession you will do me a great kindness by sending on to me to this place, together with any papers in your possession touching said claim.

Yours truly
Jacob Kiser [signature]
Page 54

Shippensburg Dec 7th 1855

Sir
Jacob Kiser of this place is an applicant for a pension for the services of his father, Jacob Kiser, in the War of the Revolution. He is papers, containing all the evidence in his possession were sent on to his regularly  appointed Agent L G Brandeberry, Esq, to whom, he says has written several times without receiving an answer, asking whether the claim has been granted or not. Will you be so kind as to let me know whether any decision has been given, and if so, what it is.

Your Respectfully
John McCurdy [signature]

Hon J Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 55

Cumberland County S.S.

I Daniel K. Noell Prothy of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that within named John Fisher Esq is and acting Justice of the Peace in for said County duly commissioned and authorized according to law and that all his office acts as such are [genuine crossed out] entitled to full credit and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

Given under my hand and seal of Court at Carlisle this 8th January 1855.

D.K. Noell
Prothy.
Page 56

Know all men by these presents, that I, Jacob Kiser, of the borough of Shippensburg, County of Cumberland, and State of Pennsylvania, do nominate, constitute and appoint, and by these presents have nominated, constitute and appointed, L. G. Brandebury of Washington City, D. C., my true and lawful Attorney for me, and in my name, to prosecute my claim or claims before the proper Department of the Government of the United States, for a pension in the right of my father, late a revolutionary soldier of the service of the United States, dec'd, and in right of my mother Catharine Kiser, his widow, dec'd and to do and perform every thing necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and effectively to all intents and purposes, as I myself could do if personally present, hereby notifying all my said attorney may lawfully do in the premises, and hereby revoking all other powers of attorney granted by me heretofore.

Witness my hand and seal this third day of January AD 1855

Jacob Kiser [signature, followed by handwritten circular seal]

State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County S.S.

Personally appeared before me, one of my Justices of the Peace in and for said County, the above named Jacob Kiser, well known to me as the person who signed the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and that the same might be recorded as such according to law. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this [missing] day of January AD 1855

John Fisher J.P.  [signature and title, followed by handwritten circular seal]
Page 57

Jacob Keiser
Reject'd 32, Pa

[following two names also present on note but lined through]

Nicholson A. Keson
Rej'd 32, Pa

Thompson Price
Rej'd 32, Penna

[signature located at bottom right hand corner of note]
George Zinn Prothy
Page 58

POWER OF ATTORNEY [template PoA document; explanations for symbols *, +, and ++ noted within document are explained at bottom]

State of Pennsylvania
County of Cumberland
ss:
Be it known that before me, Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorised by law to administer oaths, personally appeared *Jacob Kiser a resident of Shippensburg in the county of Cumberland in the Sate aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, states that he is +a son of Jacob Kiser Sen. late of Shippensburg in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania dec'd who was a revolutionary ++soldier and that he believes the United States are still indebted, under existing laws, for the pension that was due under the application heretofore made, and that he is directly interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made as foresaid, and constitutes and appoints WILLIS G. WADE, of Washington, D. C., true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate, and establish the claim for said pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.

In Witness Whereof, the said Jacob Kiser has on this Seventeenth day of December 1852, hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal. Jacob Kiser [signature]

Witness
D.S. Raurhaus [signature]
R. P. McClure [signature]

Signed, sealed acknowledged, and sworn before me, on this 17th day of December 1852
John Fisher [signature] J.P.

[the following template instructions are provided at bottom of form]
* Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead, insert one of the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant, insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.
+Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name again; if the widow is living, insert the words "widow of", and the name of her husband; if both dead insert the words, "son or daughter of", and the name of the former unsuccessful applicant.
++Here insert the word "soldier", or "officer", whichever he was.
NOTE - When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter "s" before the word "he" in every place where it occurs.
Page 59

State of Pennsylvania
Cumberland County Ss.

I, George Zinn Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please in and for the said County do hereby certify that John Fisher Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made, and whose genuine signature appears thereto, was and is one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified, to all whose official acts as such full faith and credit are due and ought to be given.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Carlisle the 17th day of December AD 1832

George Zinn Prothy [signature and title]

[writing in lower left corner of letter follows]
Jacob Keiser
Reject'd 32, Pa

[following two names also present on note but lined through]

Nicholson A. Keson
Rej'd 32, Pa

Thompson Price
Rej'd 32, Penna