Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3212, Jacob Bower, Penn.
Page 1

[right column]
SERVICE
Penn.
[Center column]
Bower, Jacob
Rebecca
[left column]
W.3212
BL.Wt. 201-300 Capt.
Issued Feb. 22, 1791.
No Papers
Page 2

8934
Pennsylvania Phila
Rebecca Bower decd
widow of Jacob Bower
who was a Captain
in the Revolution
Pennsylvania Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 480 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued
the 14th day of February 1837
and sent to 
Hon Joseph Casey
House of Reps
[Acts of March 3, 1843, (crossed out "& June 17, 1844")]
Recorded in Book A
____ 2, Page 104
Page 3

Berks County, State of Pennsylvania

Be it remembered, that on the first day of April, in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, before me George Ege, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Berks in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, personally appeared Jacob Bower of the Township of  Heidelberg in the County of Berks and a resident citizen of the United States, and being duly sworn according to law, doth and did declare and say, that he entered into the Army of the United Colonies raised for the defense of American liberty, and for expelling every hostile invasion thereof, first as a Sargent of a Company of Riflemen under Captain George Nagle in the month of June 1775 and July following March from Reading in Berks County to Cambridge of Prospect Hill near Boston and joined the Regiment Commanded by Col. Thompson and was there appointed Quarter Master to said Regiment and continued therewith for some time on Long Island in the latter part of 1776 he this deponant (deponent) was elected a Captain in the Flying Camp joined the Battalion, took sick and returned home And was duly commissioned a Captain in the first Pennsylvania Regiment by commission under the hand of John Hancock, President of Congress, dated at Philadelphia the fifteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and seventy seven (and the same renewd (renewed) on parchment under the hand of John Jay President of Congress dated at Philadelphia the tenth day of April, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine to rank from the said fifteenth day of February one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven) And also commissioned as a Major by Brevet in the army of the US by commission under the hand of Elias Bondrish, presd. dated at Princeton the 10th day of October 1783 was by the said Commissions now in his possession manifestly appeases That he did actually serve in the Army of the United Colonies, afterwards the United States from June 1775 in different grades to the Year 1777 and from thence as a Captain for five years afterwards to the time of the proclamation of discharge of the army of the US by the Honorable the Congress of the said U.S at Philadelphia the 29th day of October 1783. And the said Jacob Bower doth further depose and say on both aforesaid, that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support. And that he hath no pension heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States, to his knowledge, and if any such exists he doth hereby fully and entirely release the same to the United States.
Sworn and subscribed before me
this first day of April 1848
George Ege             (signed) Jacob Bower
Page 4

Berks County
State of Penna

I, George Ege, oneof the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Berks, do hereby certify, that it satisfactorily appears to me, that Jacob Bower, now residing in Heidelberg Township in the County of Berks, served in the revolutionary, as is set forth in his deposition, as within, against the common enemy. and that he served and was duly commissioned, as by him stated, as manifestly appears to me, by his commissions to me and before me exhibited and the originals herewith sent, all which, together with the affidavit, I do respectfully transmit  to the secretary of the department of war.

George Ege

I Samuel D. Franks Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that George Ege Esquire who has attested the within affidavit and signed the above certificate is a Judge of the said Court of Common Pleas and that the signature of the said George Ege to the attestation and certificate is the proper handwriting of the said George Ege Esquire.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas at Reading this fourth day of April Anno Domini One Thousand eight hundred and Eighteen.
Samuel D. Franks. Prot
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania
Lebanon County

On this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1838 personally appeared in open court of the court of common pleas in and for said county, Rebecca Bower, a resident of Meyerstown, in Jackson Township, county aforesaid, aged seventy-four years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 1 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."  That she is the widow of Jacob Bower, an officer in the army of the Revolution of whose various ranks and services the following is a detail.  

He engaged in the service of the United States in June 1775 as a private in Capt. George Noyle's company of riflemen in the first regiment commanded by Col. Thompson.  In July 1775 he was appointed a sergeant to said company and in the same month marched with them from Reading in Berks County, Pa. to Cambridge and Prospect Hill near Boston.  About the beginning of 1776 he was appointed quartermaster to said regiment and continued as such during the march from Boston to New York and from thence to Long Island and there renounced the appointment of quartermaster.  Towards the latter end of 1776 he was appointed captain in the Flying Camp and marched to Amboy in Jersey, took sick and returned home to Reading.  On the 15th day of February 1777 he was commissioned as a captain in the 6th Penna. regiment and continued as such with the army in Virginia, North and South Carolina during the remainder of the war until the discharge of the army by Congress through proclamation on the 29 October 1783.

She further declares that she was married to the said Jacob Bower on the eighth day of May herein her recollection differs from (illegible) the year seventeen hundred and eighty-five; that her husband the aforesaid Jacob Boer died on the third day of August
Page 6

eighteen hundred eighteen, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz; at the time above stated.   The documentation sworn to and subscribed on the day evidence in her possession and year first above written in here with (illegible) in open court before.
Signed:  Rebecca Bower

Lebanon County

I, George Mark, prothonotary in and for the said county of Lebanon and clerk of the court of common pleas in and for said county, do certify that the foregoing is the declaration of Rebecca Bower as made by her and sworn to in open court on the fourteenth day of August 1838.  Before the judges of the said court and that she subscribes her name thereto in open court on the same day and year last (illegible) and that the said court of common pleas is a court of record.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this day and year last aforesaid.
Signed:  Geo. Mark
Page 7

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d of March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7. 1838.

State of Pennsylvania
County of Lebanon ss
On this twenty eight day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty, personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Lebanon, State of Pennsylvania Dr William Bower a resident of the township of Jackson in the County of Lebanon, State aforesaid, aged 32 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain for himself and the other heirs of his deceased Grandmother Rebecca Bower the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on third day of March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War

I am the administrator of the Estate of Rebecca Bower the widow of Jacob Bower, who was a Captain in the Revolutionary war, and on account of whose services in the said war she, the said Rebecca Bower, drew a pension from the United States under the act of 7th July 1838 at the rate of four hundred and eighty Dollars per annum - that she died on the twelfth day of June in the year eighteen hundred and forty three leaving grand Children, whose names are Cyrus Jacob,
Franklin Henry, Mary Amanda, intermarried to Joseph White,  Rebecca Emeline intermarried to John Pfleger, Matilda Angeline, and this deponent as will more fully appear by the proof hereto
annexed. He further declares that she the said Rebecca Bower, remained a widow until the day of her death.
Wm Bower [signature]
Sworn to subscribed on the day and year above written before me
John Immel Esqr
Justice of the Peace
Page 8

Lebanon County S.S.
I David Hoffman Prothonotary of
the Court of Common Pleas in and for
Lebanon County do hereby certify that
John Immel before whom the within
Affidavits were taken is an acting Justice of the Peace
duly commissioned and qualified as such, and that
full faith and credit are due his official acts
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court this
second day of November A.D. one thousand
eight hundred and fifty
David Hoffman Prothy
of the Ct of C.P. of Lebanon County

heirs of Rebecca
Bower of Penn
renewal [?] of Pension
under Act of 1843.
Page 9

State of Pennsylvania
Lebanon County SS
Be it known
that on the twenty eight [sp] day of October in the year
one thousand eight hundred and fifty personally appeared
before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace
in and for said county duly authorized by law
to administer oaths. Samuel Ingham, George Lindenmuth
and Sarah [sp] Mengel known by me to be credible witness
who being by me first duly sworn according to law
doth depose and say that they where [sp] well acquainted 
with Mrs Rebecca Bower deceased who was the
widow of Captain Jacob Bower, deceased that she
was a pensioner of the United States, and departed
this life on twelfth day of June in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty three
leaving no children but grand children whose names
are Cyrus Jacob Bower, Franklin Henry Bower,
Mary Amanda intermarried to Joseph White, Rebecca
Emeline intermarried to John Pfleger, Matilda Angeline
Bower and William Bower, that Samuel Ingam [sp] 
one of the deponents made the coffin for the said
Rebecca Bower and I the said George
Lindenmuth do certify to the above, and that
I was one of the Pall Bearers, for the said
Rebecca Bower and attended at her funeral which
took place on the forteenth [sp] day of June one thousand
eight hundred and forty three, and I Sarah Mengel 
do certify that I made the shrowd [sp] for said Rebecca Bower

Samuel Ingham
George Lindenmuth
Sara Mengel

Sworn and subscribed before me, the day and
year first above mentioned
John Immel
Justice of the Peace
Page 10

Jacob Bower & Rebecca marrie [cut off]
on the 8th day of May AD 1782
by the Reverend W. Navaling
in Reading Berks County Pa

Jacob Bower, Born the 20th December 1757
Rebecca, his wife,
20th September 1764.
Maria, Daughter
18th February 1786. 40 minutes
Harry, Son 21st February 1792. 5 o'clock in
William Son (Born dead
2d April 1794 afte
Mary, Daughter Born on Saturday 12th April 1800, 15 minutes aft
Mary took sick on friday [sp] afternoon the 17th of December, and died on friday
December twenty five minutes after 8 o'clock in the morning.
William W Son, Born the 4th day of June 1804. 1 o'clock in th
Harry & William Baptized on Sunday the 7th day of Oct
1804 by the Reverend M. William 
William died on Monday morning the 2nd
September 1805 at one quarter of an hour after

William Wood, Born the 4th June 1756.
William W. Bird ditto 18th June, 1779.
Page 11

Dauphin County Ss

William Graydon of Harrisburgh Pennsylvania deposeth and saith that he has known Mrs.
Rebecca Bower widow of Major Jacob Bower and all her family above fifty years her maiden
name was Wood, daughter of Joseph Wood who had been a Major in the Pennsylvania  line during the Revolutionary war. An elder sister was married to Deponents brother - deponent was married in the year 1787 and he think Mrs. Bower and Major Bower were married a considerable time before. He was not at their welding, but they were always reputed to be man and wife -
Deponent was well acquainted with Jacob Bower before and after his marriage- He always understood that he went to Boston, as a volunteer at the commencement of the war, that he
afterward obtained an appointment in the army and was considered to be very meritorious officer
William Graydon [signature]

Sworn & subscribed
Sept 22 1838
Before me
Chris V Seiler
Page 12

Pennsylvania, ss.
In the Name and by the Authority of the Commonwealth
OF PENNSYLVANIA.

JOSEPH RITNER
Governor
OF THE SAID COMMONWEALTH.

So all to whom these presents shall come, [Symbol] VIRTUE, LIBERTY INDEPENDENCE
Sends Greeting:
Know Ye, That Christian Seiler Esquire
whose name is subscribed to the instrument of writing hereunto annexed, was at the time
of subscribing the same, a Justice of the Peace in district numbered three
composed of the Borough of Harrisburg and the Townships of Lower
Paxton and Susquehanna in the County of Dauphin

in the said Commonwealth, duly appointed and commissioned; And full faith and credit ought to
be given to his official acts accordingly and that the attestation to the said 
instrument of writing is in due form and by the proper officer.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State, at Harrisburg, this
twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty eight and of the Commonwealth the sixty third
By the Governor.
J Wallace
Deputy Sec.
Page 13

September 16, 1932

BA-J/AWF
Jacob Bower
W. 3212

Mr. W. W. Early
RCA Victor Co., Inc
Camden, New Jersey

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to Jacob Bower,
a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, W.3212, based
upon the Revolutionary War service of Jacob Bower.
Jacob Bower was born December 20, 1757, place not
not stated nor are the names of his parents given.
He enlisted sometime in June, 1775 and served
as private and sergeant in Captain George Nagel's
company in Colonel Thompson's Pennsylvania regiment;
early in 1776 he was appointed quartermaster in same
regiment and continued as such during the march from
Boston to New York and thence to Long Island, when he
renounced the appointment. He was appointed the latter
part of 1776, Captain in the Flying Camp, shortly after
was taken sick and returned home to Reading. He was commissioned, February 15, 1777, Captain in the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment and on October 10, 1783 was Brevet
Major in the United States Army and served until October
29, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
April 1, 1818, at which time he was a resident
of Heidelberg, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
He died August 3, 1818 in Womelsdorf, Berks
County, Pennsylvania.
Jacob Bower married May 8, 1785 in Reading, Pennsylvania
Page 14

, Rebecca Wood. She was born September 20, 1764 
(place not stated) and was the daughter of Joseph Wood, 
the name of her mother is not shown.

The widow, Rebecca, was allowed pension on her
application executed August 13, 1838, then a resident
of Meyerstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

The children of Jacob Bower and his wife, Rebecca
Maria born February 18, 1786
Harry or Henry born February 21, 1792
William (born dead) April 2, 1794
Mary born April 12, 1800, died
December 31, --
William W. born June  4, 1804, died September 2, 1805

After the death of Jacob Bower his widow, Rebecca, lived
with her son, Dr. Henry Bower until his death (date not given)
and in 1838 she was living with her grandson, Dr. William
Bower.

The widow, Rebecca Bower died June 12, 1843, leaving
no children, but the following grandchildren survived her
Cyrus Jacob Bower
Franklin Henry Bower
Mary Amanda, who married Joseph White
Rebecca Emeline, who married John Pfleger
Matilda Angeline Bower
Dr. William Bower, who was 
thirty-two years of age in 1850 and
living in Jackson Township, Lebanon County,
Pennsylvania.

The following names also appear on the family record,
the relationship to family not shown
William Wood born June 4, 1756 William W. Bird born June 8, 1779

William Graydon stated in 1838 that the widow's (Rebecca
Bower) elder sister married his brother but he gave no names.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 15

State Pennsylvania
Lebanon County ⎬ S.S.
On this thirteenth day of August A.D. 1838, personally appeared before me the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, Rebecca Bower a resident of Meyerstown in Jackson Township, County aforesaid aged seventy four years, who being first duly affirmed according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838, entitled "An act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows"" That she is the widow of Jacob Bower, an officer in the army of the revolution of whose various rank and services the following is a detail, being the abstract of a paper drawn up in his own hand writing: he engaged in the service of the United States in June 1775 as a private in Capt George Nagle's Company of riflemen, in the first regiment commanded by Col Thompson: the July 1775 he was appointed a surgeon to said Company and in the same month marched with them from Reading in Berks Co. Pa. to Cambridge & Prospect Hill near Boston: About the beginning of 1776 he was appointed Quarter Master to said regiment and continued as such during the march from Boston to New York & Long Island and these renounced the appointment of Quarter Master toward the latter end of 1776 he was appointed Captain in the Flying Camp and marched to Amboy in Jersey, took sick and returned home to Reading: on the 13th day of February 1777 he was commissioned as a Captain in the 6th Penna Regiment and continued with the army in that rank, in Virginia, North & South Carolina during the remainder of the war until the discharge of the army by Congress through proclamation on the 29th October 1783

She further declares that she was married to the said Jacob Bower on the 8th day of May in the year seventeen hundred and Eighty five; that her husband

[in different hand writing]
BOWER, JACOB (PA.) W3212
Page 16

the aforesaid Jacob Bower died on the third day of 
August Anno Domini 1818 Eighteen hundred & Eighteen that
she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service,
but the marriage took place previous to the first of January
Seventeen hundred & ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.
Affirmed to and subscribed on the
day & year first above written
before. D Stine 
Rebecca Bower

Jacob Bower & Rebecca
married on the Eighth day of May
A.D. Seventeen hundred and Eighty five by the Reverend W.
Neveling Berks County.

I Daniel Stine Justice of the Peace in and for the County
of Lebanon do hereby certify that the above is a true copy
of an entry made in the family bible of Mrs Rebecca Bower
with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the
record in fair legible figures, as follows, "8th day of May A.D.
1785."
D Stine J.P.

Mark Prothonotary in and for the said
County of Lebanon and Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for said County do certify that D Stine before
whom the above declaration was made is a Justice of the Peace
in and for the said County. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & the seal of my office the 14th
of 1838.
Geo. Mark Proy
Page 17

Inform M. Wiedman
that the commission
cannot be returned.

No
Rebecca Bower
[illegible] of Jacob
Pa
3 [illegible] Feb 5, 1857
March 8, 1873
Page 18

[left side]
let 7 Jan 1839 N. S. Reily

[right side]
Philadelphia Pennsylvania 1, 427

Rebecca Bower widow of Jacob Bower who was a pensioner under the Act of ___ and who died on the 3. August 1818, of Lebanon Co. in the State of Penn. who was a Captain in the ____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Thompson in the Pennsylvania
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania the rate of 480 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Dec. 1838 and sent to Hon. G. W. Keim, H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 38 1200.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Ma 39 240.00
$1440.00.

Act July 7 1838
Recorded by D. Brown
Book A Vol. 14 Pa [illegible]
Page 19

Rev. and 1812
War Section. AWF

January 14, 1926
Addie C. Owen
545 Centre Ave
Reading, Pa.
Madam:

I have to advise you from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 3212, it appears
that Jacob Bower was born December 20, 1757,
place not stated, names [illegible]

He enlisted in June 1775 and served as a
private and sergeant in Captain George Nagel's
Company, Colonel Thompson's Pennsylvania Regiment; in early 1776 he was appointed Quartermaster in
same regiment and continued as such, during the
march from Boston to New York and thence to Long
Island, when he renounced the appointment.

The latter part of 1776, he was appointed
Captain in the Flying Camp, was taken sick and
returned home to Reading,
Page 20

He was commissioned, February 15, 1777, Captain
in the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, and October 10,
1783, commissioned Major by Brevet in the U. S.
Army, and served until October 29, 1783.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
April 1, 1818, while a resident of Heidelberg, Berks
County, Pennsylvania. He died August 3, 1818 in Womelsdorf, [illegible] Pennsylvania.

Soldier married May 8, 1785 in Reading, Pennsylvania,
Rebecca Wood (daughter of Joseph Wood), who was born
September 20, 1764. [illegible] She was allowed pension on her
application executed August 13, 1838, while a resident
of Myerstown [sp], Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

Children--
Maria born February 18, 1786.
Harry or Henry born February 21, 1792, referred to as Doctor.
William (born dead April 2, 1794.
Mary born April 12, 1800, died December 31, --
William W. born June 4, 1804, died Sept. 2, 1805.

Widow, Rebecca, died June 12, 1843, leaving no
children, but the following grandchildren survived her
Cyrus Jacob Bower; Franklin Henry Bower; Mary Amanda,
married Joseph White; Rebecca Emeline, married John
Pfleger; Matilda Angeline Bower; and Dr. William Bower, [lined out] referred 
to as Doctor. The names of their parents not on file. [handwriting illegible]

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 21

Rev. War Section.
July 7, 1914.

Mrs. Maude Bower.
State Center, Iowa.
Madam:

In addition to the military history of Jacob
Bower, W. File No. 3,212, Rev. War, you are furnished
the following data as to his family.
Children.
Maria born February 18, 1786.
Harry born February 21, 1792.
William (born dead) April 2, 1794.
Mary born April 12, 1800, died December 31. --
William W. born June 4, 1804, died September 2, 1805.

Grand-children.
Cyrus Jacob Bower.
Franklin Henry Bower.
Mary Amanda wife of Joseph White.
Rebecca Emeline wife of John Pfleger.
Matilda Angeline Bower. [illegible]
1843
Dr. William Bower.
Ref. as Dr. 1838

Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 22

[A printed form to which information has been added.  Both the top and bottom of the form have been cut off when copied.]

sion on file in this Bureau.  Jacob Bower  Wid. File 3212

[A table with the following columns]	

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
     June 1775
     [illegible] 1776

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
     [blank]

RANK.
     Pvt. Sgt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
     CAPTAIN.   	COLONEL.
     Georg [Illegible]	Thompson

STATE.
     Pa.

[A paragraph written on the table is illegible except for the following]

Feby 15. 1777 Co commissioned [illegible] in 6th Penn Regt and Oct 10. 1783 commissioned Major by Brevet U.S.A. and served until Oct. 29 1783

Battles engaged in, [Blank]

Residence of soldier at enlistment, [Blank]

[An illegible paragraph written through the next several sections; the limited legible sections are at the end of the transcription]
 
Date of application for pension, 

Residence at date of application,

Age at date of application, 

Aug 13 1836  His claim was all   Lebanon Co Penn  She was born Sept 20, 1764 and died June 12 1843.   Soldier    Dec. 20, 1757 and died Aug 3
Page 23

[logos]
RCA Victor Company, Inc.
CAMDEN, N. J., U. S. A.
ADDRESS FOR RADIOGRAMS

Sept. 1, 1932

Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:

I am interested in securing a copy of the
pension application of Jacob Bower who was born in
September 1757 in Reading, Pa., served during the revolutionary
war and died in Womelsdorf on August 3, 1818.

Would it be possible to secure a copy from
your files?

Very truly yours,
W W Early
Page 24

545 CENTRE AVENUE
READING, PENNSYLVANIA

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you kindly give me
the pension record of Captain Jacob Bower
of Berks County whose name appears
among the Revolutionary pensioners in
Pennsylvania Archives Third Series, 
Volume
twenty-three, Page five hundred. It is wanted
for historical purposes only.

Yours truly
Addie C. Owen

U.S.
PENSION OFFICE
NOV
24 
1925
Page 25

W. 3212
Jacob Bower
Joseph Robinson
N. W.

RECORD DIVISION
NOV
27
[illegible]
Page 26

Geo. D. Sitherwood, M. D.
Dental Surgeon
118 West Washington St.

TELEPHONES:
KINLOCH-BLOOMINGTON AND CENTRAL UNION
Bloomington, Illinois Nov. 22, 1907.

Hon. Vespasian Warner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Can you furnish me the military history of the following soldiers
of the Revolutionary War? Jacob Bower of Pennsylvania, his certificate
#149. Philadelphia Agency, Payment made to Henry Bower Adm. the
pensioner residing in Heidleberg, Berks Co. Pa. His wife was Rebecca
Bower, certificate #8934. Adm. William Bower who resided in Lebanon Co. Pa.

Joseph Robinson, son of James and Jane Robinson, born in 1744,
Monmouth Co., New Jersey; his wife's name was Eunice. He probably enlisted
from Monmouth Co., New Jersey.

These men were great and great-great grandfathers of mine, and
the information is desired for historical purposes.
Very truly yours,
(Mrs.) Geo. D. Sitherwood

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
NOV
25
1907
Page 27

POSTOFFICE
STATE CENTER, IOWA
MAUDE BOWER, P.M.
[handwriting illegible]

June 25 1914
Comm. of Pensions
Would like to
know if Captain
Jacob Bowers Co 6th
Pa Regiment commanded
by Col Josiah Harmar
Sept. 9-1778 was a
pensioner &
also - William
Bower of Penn. (a Gunner)
was a Revolutionary
Solders - his record
in found in Vol 4
Pa - Archives Page
21 - Associates &
Militia. Very respectfully
Maude Bower
Page 28

WIDOW, &c.

File No. 3212
Rebecca Bower
Widow
Jacob Bower
Capt Rev War,

Act: March 3d 1843
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 71
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1907 Dec. 4, Hist to Mrs. G. D.
Sitherwood, V.L.M.
1914 July 7 History to Maude Bower
1926 Jan. 14 "          " Addie C. Owen
Aug.
1932 Sept. 16, hist to Mr.
W. W. Early Aug.
Page 29


Rev War
3034
INVALID.

File No. 3034
Jacob Bower
Capt Co. [illegible]
Consolidated with widow 3212

Act: March 18, 1818
Index:--Vol. 32, Page

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Pa Continental Service Records corrected
Feby 16, 1904
Page 30

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.

Jacob Bower Esquire Greeting, We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by the presents constitute and appoint you a Captain in the State of Pennsylvania Regiment in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the 15th day of February 1779.  You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Captain by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we di strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders as Captain.  And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed a Committee of the States or Commander in Chief for the time being of the Army of the United States or any other superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you.  This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress before mentioned or a Committee of States. 

    Witness his (illegible): John Jay Esquire President of the Congress of the United States of America, at Philadelphia the tenth day of April 1779 and in the third year of our independence. 
                                              //s//
                                        John Jay
Entered in the War Office
and examined by the Board
Attest
//s//
P. Louth Secretary of the Board of War.
Page 31

Rebecca Bower dec
widow of Jacob, who was 
a Captain in the 
Pennsylvania Line

Admitted Act March
3d 1843 at $480 per Ann
to Commence March 4, 1843
and end 12th day of June
1843, when she died

Payable to
William Bower
Administrator

To
Hon. Joseph Casey
H. R.

App [illegible]
Rebecca Bower dec
Penn
Nov 9 Triplitt

[illegible] Ill
J.L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 32

State of Pennsylvania
Lebanon County SS
Personally appeared before me the subscriber
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and
for the said County of Lebanon, Jacob Sheaner Esquire who
being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say
that he was well acquainted with Major Jacob Bower
an Officer of the army of the Revolutionary war. The
Major was an acting justice of the peace in the Town of
Womelsdorf in the County of Berks in this State I was
at that time and for about fifteen years acted as a
Constable and depute constable to the said Jacob Bower
and had a full opportunity of become acquainted with
his hand writing have seen him write hundreds of
times. While I was a recruiting officer in the Army of
the United States [lined out] in the year 1812 the
said Jacob Bower did all my writing and being better
acquainted with matters appertaining to the recruiting service
as to forms of returns receipts. So he drew them up for
me. I therefore knew him & his hand writing as well 
as any body and I knew him and his hand writing perhaps
better than any body else from close intimacy [sp] which
existed between us. I have examined the family Bible
of the said Jacob Bower decd and find written on the
leaf (just taken from the said Bible which is now in the
hands of
William Bower the grandson of the said Jacob Bower)
these words "Jacob Bower & Rebecca married on
the 8th day of May A.D. 1785 by the Reverend W Naveling
in Reading in Berks County, which entry I firmly
believe to be in the hand writing of Jacob Bower dec.
Page 33

I have known Mrs Rebecca Bower about fifty years when
she was the wife of the said Major Bower. I have know [sp]
the Major & Rebecca his wife ever since and for the last
thirty years have know [sp] her intimately and have always known
the said Rebecca to be acknowledged by him the said Jacob
Bower as his wife up to the time of his death which
happened in August 1818. She then lived with him and
afterwards resided with her son Dr Henry Bower until the
day of his death and now lives with her grandson Dr William
Bower. She never after married but is now still the
widow of the Jacob Bower ded.
Sworn and subscribed before
me this 20 day of October
A.D. 1838.
John Shindel

Lebanon County ss
Personally appeared before me the said
John Shindel one of the associate Judges of the said Court
of Common Pleas. Doctor William Bower who being a
sworn doth depose and say that the Book from which
the annexed leaf is taken is the "family Bible of his
Grandfather Major Jacob Bower" and as such
have always known it to had held and received in
my father, and now in my family.
Sworn and Subscribed
before me this 20 day of
Oct. 1838.
John Shindel
Page 34

Lebanon County SS
I George Mark Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County do hereby
certify that John Shindel Esquire is one of the associate
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for
the County for the said County of Lebanon and that
the Name and signature of John Shindel annexed to
the forgoing deposition is the proper hand writing of
him the said John Shindel Esqr judge as aforesaid
and that of the full faith and which ought to be
attested to his acts as such. In Testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of
my office this 20th October 1838.
Geo. Mark Trothy [?]
Paid 25th
Page 35

24th 1838

Pa
add: proof
Rebecca Bower

to inclose you [illegible]
[stamp] LEBANON PENN
July 1954 [?]

$480 per ann
act 1838
sion [sp] Claims
Hon. J. L Edwards
Commissioner
Pension Office
Washington

Hon G. W. Keim
HR
Page 36

Lebanon Oct. 20th 1838
Hon. J. L. Edwards Esqr
Dear Sir
I have the honor to inclose you
the Seal and deposition proving the record of Marriage of
Rebecca Bower with Major Jacob Bower and hope for
the friendship I entertain towards her and for the mem [sp]
of her deceased husband that her application may find
an approval by the proper officers as I myself entertain 
not the least doubt but that she is justly entitled
to the relief intended to be extended to the widow
of the revolutionary hero's [sp]
I remain with high respect
your most Obt Servt
Jacob B. Weidman
Page 37

V1904
1427
Rebecca Bower
Pennsylvania
Page 38

Bucks County - State of Pennsylvania}
United States of America} ss

   On this nineteenth day of September Anno Domini 1838 personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county aforesaid Mark John Biddle of the Borough of Reading in the said county Attorney at Law aged seventy-three years & upwards who being duly sworn according to law depose & say that he knows Major Jacob Brown formerly of the said county of Bucks when he was a Captain in the Pennsylvania Line during the War of the Revolution about the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty two and was & for most part of the time - intimately acquainted with him from that time until his death.  That he was also knew & intimately acquainted with Mrs. Rebecca Brown the widow of the said Jacob Brown who now resides in Myers Town in the county of Lebanon in the state of Pennsylvania - both before and after her marriage with the said Jacob Brown until his death.  That the said Jacob and Rebecca were married according to this deponent's recollection and belief about the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five.  This deponent was not present when the marriage ceremony was performed, he being then in Philadelphia but was informed of it immediately or very soon after it took place and knows that from that time to the death of said Jacob. He the said Jacob and the said Rebecca lived together as man and wife and was reputed to be (so).  The deponent (??) and (??) did with the said Jacob and Rebecca after their marriage and from his own observation of their conduct, from his knowledge of their character & standing in (??) of their & relations and general reputation is as firmly convinced that they were legally married as his would be if he had been present when the ceremony was performed.  The deponent further said that he (??) with Mrs. Rebecca Brown since the death of her husband. Until this time (??) owing to said time they have lived within twenty two miles of (??) except for a few months when she was in the city of Philadelphia within the last two years and that he has never heard it intimated or said that &
(??) second time and he believes without doubt that the (??) & JLM is the widow of the said Jacob Brown.  This deponent further said that he is not certain at the precise time when the said Jacob and Rebecca were married as he was informed but he is certain that it was after the Peace with Great Britain and when the said Jacob was no longer an officer in the Continental line and before the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety four.                      //s//
                                 N. John Biddle
Sworn & subscribed before me
the day and year aforesaid.
//s//
Matthias S. Richland
a Judge of Bucks County
Penna.
Page 39

Pennsylvania
Berks County} ss

   On the nineteenth day of September A.D. 1838 personally appeared before the subscriber on of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Berks County aforesaid, Henry Betz of the borough of reading in said county. Esquire aged sixty-five years, who being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say that he was well acquainted with Jacob Bower, sometimes called Captain and sometimes mayor Bower, that in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four the said Jacob Bower resided in the borough of reading aforesaid, that he removed to Womelsdorf in the county aforesaid and there died.  That he is also well acquainted with Rebecca Bower the applicant the widow of the said Jacob Bower deceased.  That in the year 1794, this deponent in the month of August became to reside in the  borough aforesaid, and at that time the said Jacob Bower and Rebecca lived together as man and wife and lived together as such until the death of the said Jacob Bower and were reputed as such.                        //s//
                                            Henry Betz
Sworn & subscribed
the day and year above written.
                 //s//
       Mathias S. Richards

 Pennsylvania
Berks County} ss

   I A. H. Witman Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Berks aforesaid do hereby certify that Mathias S. Richards is and was at the time of the taking of the deposition & the above named (illegible) John J. Biddle & Henry Betz Esquires, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county aforesaid and that the Mathias J. Richards is(illegible) witness hands in writing. 
    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and caused the seal of this office to be affixed this nineteenth day of September one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight.
                                                //s//
                                       A.H. Witmann
                                                   Prothonotary
Page 40

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 41

Penna. Lebanon County Sept. 25, 1838

Honorable J. L. Edwards

Dear Sir,

    In closed, permit me to send you the claim of Mrs. Bower for pension in part prepared by the Honorable G. M. Keim and myself if any doubt exists the General will be able to give all information which may be required to who I refer if you deem it necessary to inquire of any part relative to the claim.  I have enclosed the commission of Mrs. Bower husband - which I should like to have returned again to the family.  If the pension is granted the certificate with the commission should be directed to Genl. George M. Keim of Phila. Penna, Bucks County is favorable or Jacob B. Weidm (of) Lebanon, Penna.  
            I remain with high respect your                       
            obedient servant
                                     //s//
                        Jacob B. Weidman
Page 42

Cnw [?]
Oct 8
Mrs. Bower
pa cl
[stamp] LEBANON PENN

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 43

Lebanon October 2, 1838

Dear Sir
Yours of the 29. ult. has been received.
Permit me, Sir, to offer a view of the case of Mrs.
Bower, which may perhaps not have occurred to the
Officers of the department. The evidence required
by your letter, viz: the original family record, in
this instance consists of the usual entry in the family
bible, where it stands preceded and followed by
others of the same or a more mournful nature
and the removal of this must necessarily occasion
the destruction and disfigurement of the record
of births, marriages, and deaths which have taken
place in the family in a very painful and disagreeable 
manner. Of course the transmission of
the volume itself is entirely out of the question.
If, sir, you would have the goodness to point out
any mode by which the department would be
satisfied of the accuracy and truth of the record
of which a copy was forwarded, without rendering
it necessary to transmit the original itself you will
much oblige, very respectfully
Your obedt Servant
Jacob B. Weidman
Page 44

P.S. Would it be satisfactory if an associate Judge
of the Court of Common Pleas for the County were
to certify to the accuracy of the copy and to
the credibility of the witness who swears to the family
record and the hand writing of the original entries. Dr. Bower [illegible]
face blood boil at the idea of the distruction [sp] of his 
Grandfather's
family record and requests me to say that he hopes that this
[illegible] of his grandson may not be they draw from the sacred vol.
I myself have seen the Book had it in court when Mrs. Bower made
her application or declaration. It is a large folio Bible. The hand
writing the hand writing [repeated] of the major himself. These facts can be
established beyond doubt but the distruction [sp] of the record is what
is desired to be avoided if possible.
Page 45

IN CONGRESS.

The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay,
Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, TO

WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity,
DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be [illegible] a company of
[ilegible] in the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment.
in the Army of the United States, ratify for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every
[illegible] thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of [illegible]
by doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as a
[illegible] And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to
Time, as you shall receive from this or future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress,
or that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United States,
or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the
Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
DATED at [illegible]
By Order of the CONGRESS,
John [illegible]
PRESIDENT.
Page 46

I Jacob Bower Capt in the Sixth Pennsylvania
Regiment
do acknowledge the UNITED STATES of AMERICA to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and
declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience
to George the Third, King of 
Great-Britain; and I
renounce refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to
him; and I do swear that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain and defend the said
United States against the said King George the Third, his
heirs and successors, and his or their abettors, assistants and
adherents, and will serve the said United States in the office of
Captain which I now hold, with
fidelity, according to the best of my skill and understanding.

Sworn before me at Valley Forge
[illegible] this 27th day of May 1770
[illegible] Major Gen Jacob Bower Capt.
Page 47

To what time has Rebecca Bower, wid of Jacob
Bower, who was inscribed on the Roll of the 
Philadelphia Pa Agency, under the act of July 7. 1838.
at the rate of $480 per annum been paid?

Pension Office
February 5, 1851.
[illegible]
pd to 4th March 1841.
BLB [?]
Page 48

Pennsylvania
Jacob Bower
Captain
Army U. States

At $20 per mo. comm(ence)d 4th April 1818.
Cert. issued 12th April 1818 and sent to Honor. Genl. Heister, House of Representatives U. States.
Arrears to 4th Sept 1818, 5 1/31 months  $100.64
(Revy Claim)
(Act 18th March 1818)

Pennsylvania line 1777, 6 years.

(Transcriber's note: Mathematical calculations for payments. Copied as written.)
       29
31 /2000/64
      156
         140
          279
              16
  9.4
  4.3
  5.7
  20
_____
$100.64
$
Page 49

IN PURSUANCE
Of an ACT. of
CONGRESS
Of the Thirtieth Day of SEPTEMBER,
A.D. 1783
Jacob Bower Esquire
is to Rank as Major by Brevet,
in the ARMY of the UNITED STATES 
of AMERICA.

GIVEN under my Hand,
at [illegible] the Tenth
Day of October 1783.

CB Lincoln
Ellis Bower [illegible]
Page 50

Letter to
Wm Bower Adm
of
Rebecca Bower
Page 51

No.
Rebecca Bower
Pennsylvania

March 3d 1843

Hon. J. Casey
House of Rep
Page 52

Lebanon County, SS.
I Andrew Henry Esq.,
Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters
of Administration in and for the County of Lebanon, in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To William 
Bower of Jackson Township
Lebanon County and State
aforesaid.

GREETING.
WHEREAS Rebecca Bower late of the Township of Jackson in the county of Lebanon
lately died intestate (as is affirmed) having whilst she lived, and at the time of her decease, divers goods and chattels, rights and credits, within the said county, by means whereof the disposition
and power of granting Letters of Administration thereof is manifestly known to belong to me. I
therefore, desiring that the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said deceased,
may be well and truly administered, converted and disposed of, according to law, DO hereby grant
unto you the said William Bower

[in whose fidelity in this behalf I very much confide) full power, by the tenor of these presents, to 
administer the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said deceased, within the
said county; as also to ask, collect, levy, recover and receive the credits whatever of the deceased,
which at the time of her death were owning or did any way belong to her and to pay the
debts in which the said deceased stood obliged, so far forth as the said goods and chattels, rights and
credits, will extend, according to the rate and order of the law, especially of well and truly administering
the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said deceased, I making a
true and perfect Inventory & conscionable appraisement thereof
& exhibiting the same in the Registers office at Lebanon on
or before the 11th day of November next ensuing & also a true &
Just account calculation and Reckoning of your Administration
upon your solemn oath or affirmation to render at or before the 11th day of October in the year of our Lord 1851
according to Law. And also, will diligently and faithfully regard and well and truly comply with
the provisions of the law relating to collateral inheritances.

AND I DO by these presents, ordain, constitute and depute the said William
Bower Administrator of all and singular
the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said deceased, within the limits aforesaid,
saving harmless and forever indemnifying me, and all other officers, against all persons by reason of
your administration aforesaid, and saving all others, their rights, &c.

IN TESTIMONY whereof I have caused the seal of the said office to be hereunto affixed. Dated 
at Lebanon aforesaid, the Eleventh day of October in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
Andrew Henry REGISTER.