Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23246, Richard Gunsalus, Penn.
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SERVICE                 NUMBER
Penn. Gunsalus, Richard S.23246
or
Gunsanlus
Page 2

[left side of page]
Sent letter 12 Jan 1834
to R. Hale, - to the Hon.
W. W., Potter H. R. and P. 
Agt. June 121. 1838

[Written down left side of page]
Date of death not on AB

[Right side of Page]
26.114
Pennsylvania
line
Richard Gunsalus
of Priterd Co. in the State of Pa.
who was a Pr in the Company commanded
by Captain,    , of the Reg. commanded by Col Watts in the Penna line for 

1 Yr Pr $40.00
line
Inscribed on the Roll of Penna
at the rate of 40 Dollars ---0Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
line
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of March 1834 Hon j. Henderson H. R 
line
Arrears to the 4th of March '34   $120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. $20.00

                                                         $140.00
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
RECORDED BY J. T. Sprague Clerk,
Book C, Vol. 3, Page 22
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State of Pennsylvania
Centre County Pa

On the first day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the County Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Centre in the state of Pennsylvania was in [illegible] Richard Gunsalus, as resident in Howard Township in the County of Centre in the state of Pennsylvania, aged seventy six years who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed on the seventh day of June One thousand eight hundred and thirty two.  That he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under the following named officers and served as here in stated; He volunteered in Captain McElhatton company, of Pennsylvania Militia and marched to Carlisle in Pennsylvania in the County of Cumberland when the company rendezvoused and when this applicant was [illegible] second Lieutenant of the company, one Col Frederick Watts, in the month of August one thousand seven hundred and seventy six; and marched from Carlisle to Philadelphia from thence to Amboy in Jersey, therein to Trenton, therein to Brunswick and therin to New Ark in Jersey, thence to [illegible] Hank, near New York, and about the first of December, we were discharged and returned home to my residence on the Iunsata , above old Town in they then County of Cumberland, now [illegible] in the state of Pennsylvania; about the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven.  The same company, under the command of Captain Adams, then former Captain McElhatton, having been taken previous [illegible] New York, marched again to Carlisle and under the command of Conl Watts we marched again through jersey and joined the General Army, under the command of General Washington and remained in the service until the fall of seventeen hundred & seventy seven when we were discharged, and returned to our homes.  After that I served a tour of Malitia, ajacent the Indians, and laid in Potters Fort, in the now County of Centre in the State of Pennsylvania, of about three months. and again I served a tour up the [illegible], to Franks Town, against the Indians and [illegible] under Captain John McDonnald, and in company with Samuel Moor arrested two of the torries who was engaged, with the Indians, in committing aggressions on the americans.  That he has no documentary evidence of his decision and never had a written discharge, and has no knowledge of any person now living whose testimony he can procure, to testify to his service. And I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever, to any pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any states.  That he was a resident of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, when he entered the services, on the various occasions aforesaid.

1.  When and in what year were you born?  Ans. on the second day of March 1756, from the record of my fathers bible.  And I was born in Minisink, in the State of New York.
2.  Have you the record of your age & if so when is it?  Ansd. I have not the record; my Mother took with her when she moved, to the west, & I have not seen it for many years.
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3.  Where were you living when entered into service?  Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War?  and where do you now live?
Ans.  I lived on the Lunink then Cumberland now Mufflin County, Pennsylvania when called into service; In 1784 I removed from my former neighborhood to the Bake Eagh, in now Manard Township Centre County Pennsylvania; where I now reside.

4.  How were you called into service?  Were you drafted; did you volunteer or were you a substitute & if so for whom?
Ans; I volunteered.

5.  State the names of the Regular officers, who were with the troops, when you served, such as Continental & Militia Regiments as you [illegible] and the general circumstances of your service?
Ans; General Washington, was commander in chief, General Putnam held a distinguished command, and our division in 1776 was received and under the command of General Mercer who was killed at Princetown and I have given a full [illegible] of the general circumstances, eg my service in the [illegible].

6.  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service?
Ans:  I received a verbal discharge, but never a written one.

7.  State the names of Persons, to whom, you are known, in your present neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior and your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Ans:  Lawarance Bathurst, a soldier of the Revolution has known me for many years, and Robert Mazdin , of the same neighborhood, has known me for a number of years.
Richd Gunsalus

 
Sworn to & Subscribed this first day of October 1832 in open Court
Jas Gilliland Prothy

We Lawrence Bathurst and John Mazdin who hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with the Richard Gunsalus, who has such [illegible] and sworn to the above declarations; that we believe him to be about seventy six years of age, that he is reputed and believed, to have been a soldier of the revolution in the revolution, in the neighborhood where he resides and that we concur in that opinion.
John Mazdin
Lawrence Bathurst

Sworn & Subscribed the first October
1832 in open Court
Jas Gilliland Prothy
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State of Pennsylvania
Centre County, Ls

On the 26th day August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared, in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Tenke, in the State of Pennsylvania, now on Lepiorn, Richard Gunsaulus, a resident of Howard township, in the county of Tentic and State of Pennsylvania, aged seventy six 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 A.D. 1832.  that he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under the following named officers and served as herein stated.  He volunteered in Capt. McElhattan company of Pennsylvania militia, and marched to Carlisle in Pennsylvania, the first Lieutenant was Thomas Thompson at Carlisle he rendezvoused for six or seven days, and while there this applicant was elected Second Lieutenant at the same time Thompson was elected First Lieut.  Our Colonel was Frederick Watts; this from Carlisle we were marched to Philadelphia from thence to Amboy, in the State of New Jersey, from thence to Trenton in the same state, from thence to Brunswick in the same state, from thence to New Ark, and thence to Paulis Hook, near New York, in the State aforesaid; about the first of December, of the same year we were discharged.  This tour was for three months while I served in full.  I got no written discharge.  I was not engaged in any civil service during that tour.  

About the first day of January, A D 1777, I volunteered in the same company, under the command of Captain Adams, our former Captain (McElhattan) having been taken prisoner near New York, he having joined the Flying camp, after we were
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discharged at Paulis Hook; I was the second Lieutenant, our Colonel was Frederick Watts-we met in Carlisle, marched to Philadelphia.  from there to Trenton, and from thence to Middletown, where we joined the main army under the command of General Washington, and remained in the service until discharged.  this tour was for three months, which I served in full.  I was not engaged in any civil engagement during this tour.

In the summer of 1778, I volunteered in the service against the Indians, we were posted at Potters Fort, in the near county of Tanter, in the State of Pennsylvania.  Our Captain was John McDonnald.  I was a second Lieutenant in the company.  I served three months, being all the time in the above named Fort, when he were discharged.  

In the fall of the same year I again volunteered to go against the Indians, we were marched up the Juniata to Frankstown.  we were under the command of Captain John McDonnald.  This applicant, whilst at Frankstown, in company with a man named Samuel Moore, captured two of a party of tories.  The tories were commanded by a Captain named Weston, who was killed.  The tories taken were named Hanpson and Daily.  This tour was three months which I served in full.  That he has no documentary evidence of his service and never had a written discharge, and has no knowledge of any person whose testimony he can procure, to testify to his services; And I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to any pensions or annuity, except this present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency of any state.

When and in what year were you born?  
Answer-On the 2nd day of March, A D. 1756, and I was born in Minisinks, in the State of New York.
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2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so when is it?
Answer:  I have not the records; my mother took the bible with her in which  my age was recorded by my father, when the house to the next.  I have not seen it for many years.  but my recollection of my age is distinct.
3.  where was you living when called into service?  where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer:  I lived on the Juniata, then Cumberland, now Mifflin County, Pennsylvania when called into service.  In 1784, I removed from my former residence to Bald Eagle, now Howard Township, Tentre County state aforesaid, where I have lived ever since, and where I now reside.

4.  How were you called into service?  were you drafted; did you volunteer; or were you a substitute, and if so, for whom.
Answer:  I volunteered every time that I was out. 
 
5.  State the name of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstance of your service
Answer; General George Washington was the Commander in Chief'; General Putnam held a distinguished command, and our Division in 1776 was [illegible] and under the Command of General Mercer, at Amboy, who was killed at Princeton.  I have recollection of seeing a number of continental regiments, but cannot recollect the name of any of them or the
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name of any of their officers

6  Did you receive a discharge from the service?  
Answer-I received a verbal discharge each time, 
but never a written one.

7-  State the names of Previous to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behaviour, and your services as a soldier of the revolution?
Answer-William Tipton, Esq and James Crawford. (a clergyman)

Sworn and subscribed this 26th day of August, A. D. 1833, in open court
Richd Gunsalus

Jas Gilliland Prothy

We William Tipton, and James Crawford (a Clergyman) residing in the township of Howard, County of Centre, and State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Gunsaulus, who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-six years of age; that he is a reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he now resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
James Crawford
Wm Tipton

Sworn and Subscribed
in open Court this 26th 
day of August, A.D. 1833
Jas Gilliland, Prothy
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July 13, 1934.
M-J/ILL
Richard Gunsalus
S23246

Mr. Raymond M. Bell
55 Wilson Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
records of two Revolutionary War soldiers of Pennsylvania, Richard
Gunsalus and Alexander McIllhatten, both pensioners.
These records are furnished herewith from pension claims,
based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours,
A. D. MILLER,
Assistant to Administrater.
Page 10

July 16, 1934
line

Richard Gunsalus-S.23246
BA-J/AWF

Mr. Raymond M. Bell
55 Wilson Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 23246, based upon the military service of Richard Gunsalus, during the War of the Revolution.

Richard Gunsalus, as his signature is shown in the claim, was born March 2, 1756 in Minisink, New York; the names of his parents are not given.  He stated that his mother moved to the "west".

While residing on the Juniata above Old Town, Cumberland (later Mifflin) County, Pennsylvania, he volunteered in August, 1776, was elected 2nd Lieutenant and served in Captain McElhattan's company, Colonel Frederick Watts Pennsylvania regiment, until about the first of December, 1776.  He volunteered January 1, 1777, served three months as 2nd Lieutenant in Captain Adams' company, in Colonel Frederick Watts' regiment.  He volunteered in the summer of 1778, served as 2nd Lieutenant in Captain John McDonald's Pennsylvania company, was out against the Indians, stationed at Potters Fort in Center County, Pennsylvania.  He volunteered in the fall of 1778, served three months in Captain John McDonald's company, marched up the Juniata against the Indians and British.

The soldier moved in 1784 from his residence in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania to Howard Township,
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Centre County, Pennsylvania.

Richard Gunsalus was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832, then a resident of Howard Township, Pennsylvania.

There are no data in this claim concerning the family of the Soldier, Richard Gunsalus, other than the reference to his mother as given herein.

Very truly yours


A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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Rev. and 1812
War Section.

December 3, 1926

Lt. Col. Ira F. Fravel
4104 Harrison St. N. W.
Washington, D. C.

Sir:
I have advised you from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 23246, it appears that Richard Gunsalus was born March 2, 1756 in Minisink, New York.

While a resident of Cumberland (which was later Mifflin) County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted and served as second Lieutenant in Pennsylvania Troops, as follows-
From August 1776, three months in Captain McElhatton's Company, Colonel Frederick Watts' Regiment; in the summer of 1778, three months in Captain James McDonald's Company; and in the fall
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of 1778, three months in Captain John McDonald's Company.  In the last two tours, he was out against the Indians and Tories.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832, while a resident of Howard Township, Center County, Pennsylvania.

Soldier stated that his mother moved to the "west", there is no further data on file as to her, and no data on file as to a wife and children.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C. , Apl 23, 1921

In reply to your request of        , received Gunsaulus for a statement of the military history of Richard Gunsalus a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this 
Column Headings:  Dates of enlistment or appointment, Length of service. Rank. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain. Colonel. State.

August 1776. 3 mos., 2" Lt., Captain McElhatton, Colonel Fred'k. Watts, Pa
Jan 1, 1777, 3 mos, 2" Lt. Captain Adams, Colonel Fred'k Watts, Pa.
Sum. 1778, 3 mos., 2" Lt. Captain Jno. McDonald, Colonel Fred'k Watts, Pa
Fall 1778, 3 mos. 2" Lt., Jno McDonald against the Indians, Colonel Fred'k Watts, Pa

Battles engaged in,  None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cumberland (later Mifflin) Co., Pa.
Date of application for pension, Oct q 1832 et al.
Residence at date of application, Centre Co. Pa, (Howard Twp.)
Age at date of application, mar. 2, 1756 in Minisink, NY
Remarks:  no fam data mother moved to the west


Respectfully,

Commissioner.

3-2856
Page 15

Lt. Col. Ira F. Fravel
4104 Harrison St. N. W.,
Washington D.C.

Clev. 2417  
Personal request

Richard Gunsalus S. 23246
Penn. Troops Nov. 17, 1926
Page 16

[written in upper right corner of paper]
Rev W

Bellefonte, Pa.
March 28, 1921

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C-

Dear Sir: - Once more I ask a favor for a for my Countys sake.  A Rev. soldier of Centre Co by name of Richard Gunsalis or Gontsalus (variously spelled) is on record of Pension List of Centre Co Pa --- for P. M. pensioned March of 1834 - aged 77 ---
Please send copy of Pension as completed as possible [illegible] name etc for one of his descendants as soon as possible-
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Thanking you in advance.

I Am Very Truly Yours
Mrs. H. C. Valentine
109 West Curtin St
Bellefonte Pa

[stamped}
Record Division
April 1 1921
Page 18

[written vertically on left side of page}
1921, Apl. 23 hist to Mrs. H.C. Valentine  Eu
1926. Dec 3- hist to Lt. Col. Ira F Fravel
1934-July 16 - hist to Raymond M. Bell
see his letter in Alexander McIllhatton  S47577

[right side of page]

23246
INVALID
[hand written across upper left corner of right side of page}
File No.  23,246
Richard Gunsalus
Pri Rev War 
line
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 2, Page 163

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 19

Rev
Pennsylvania
Rich. Gonsalus

Suspended 
Act 7 June 

See letter to 

J. Bigler
Bellefonte

[illegible] 1833
Page 20

R. Hole Esqr
12th Jun 1834
O.C.


Record. Vol. 254. p. 491
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War Dept. Pen Officer
June 12, 1834

Sir,
In compliance with the request contained in your memorandum respecting the case of Richard Gunsalius, I have to inform you that his papers have been reexamined.  From a letter to the Hon J. Henderson from J. Gibler Esq. filed with Mr. Gunsalus's papers, it would appear that a pension could be accepted at the rate of a private pay.  In order to establish his claim to an increase of pension for services as a Lieutenant, the applicant should produce direct proof of his having served in that capacity in each tour, or set forth in his declaration.  Note J in the enclosed printer sheet will show particularly what is required.

J
Page 22

John Bigler
respect, Pensioner &
Mail 2d




Hon. J. Henderson
H R
Page 23

Bellfonte Feb 26 1834
Hon Jos. Henanon
Der Sir
A few weeks since I
send You the paper of Ran Rupell an old
soldier to be handed to I. L. Edwards by Com
mipious of Painious. At the same time I
sent him an answer to his enquiry whether
Richard Gunsalus an old soldier who
claimed as a Lieutenant, would con-
sent to be enter as a private. I would
be much pleased if you would take
the trouble of calling on [indecipherable] Edward
and ascertaining whether he has ac-
ted on them, and if not urge him
to do so immediately.
We are [indecipherable] with your
votes in relation to the Bank. Your
[indecipherable] will sustain you. "Go
ahed" and all will be well.
Yours
John Bigler
Page 24

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of this 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 certify that it appears to him that James Crawford who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the township of Howard, County of Centre, state of Pennsylvania, and that William Tipton, who has also signed the same is a resident in the same township county, and State, a Magistrate and is credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit

Th Burnside
Isaac McKinney
Jacob Kryder

I James Gilleland Prothy, of the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County do certify that the foregoing contained the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Richard Gunsalus for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and seal of office this 26th day of August 183[illegible page ripped off]

Jas. Gilliland Prothy
Page 25

War Department
Pension Office
October 8, 1883

Sir
Farther proceedings cannot be had in the case of Richard Gonsalus, whose papers are filed, until the land his original papers, returned to him for amendment, to this office.  He must also state whether he ever received a Commission if so by whom was it signed and what became of it.  Claims of this nature, the applicants are expected to produce some proof.  There is also another objection to the admission of his claim.  There is no evidence in this office, that the militia
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of Pennsylvania, were subject to terms of service as long as those months, at some of the periods of the war, during which he alleges such length of service.  This needs explanation---

J. Bigler Esq.
Bellefonte 
Pa

[written along left side of page]
oc 8 Oct 33
J. Bigler


[written along right side of page]
 Received Vol. 29, page 28
Page 27

Hon. W. W. Potter
11. June 1838
GC

Record 747 page 52
Page 28

War Dep
Pension Office
June 11. 1838

sir,
I have the honor to inform you that I have directed the Pension Agent at Philadelphia to pay the pension of Richard Gonsalus, on the production of the proper vouchers.

Thanks






Hon. W. W. Potter
[illegible]
Page 29

Adm 1 year
private


Hon J. Henderson
Page 30

29843
to 29.892} both inclusive

French S. Evans, Esqr
in the Care
Page 31

[postage mark upper left corner]
illegible except for Sep 7

Free
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.

[written up left side of page]
Sept 9 1833
Pa
ritd
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Bellefonte Sept. 21 1833

J. L. Edwards Esq

Dear Sir
I enclose the second application of Richard 
Gunsalus.

A few days ago I received a [illegible] from you stating that a report in the case of Ludwick Friedly of Logan township Tersten county, State of Penn, had on the 7th of Aug just been forwarded to James Gilliland, Esq Prothonotary, &c.  I have called on Mr. Gilliland and he [illegible] me that it has never came to hand: he told me he had received a Report in the case of Henry Price, of this country, bearing date the 17th Augs perhaps there is some mistake, I am very sorry to trouble you, but I am totally at a loss to account for the not receiving of the report, and know of no other mode of acquiring of information on the subject.
Yrs Respectfully

John Bigler
Page 33

[illegible postage mark]

J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions


J. Bigler esq
Bellefonte
pa
Page 34

War Department
Pension Office
8 October 1833
Sir,
Farther proceedings cannot be had in the case of
Richard Gansalus, whose papers are filed, until he send
his original papers, returned to him for amendment, to this office.
He must also state whether he ever received a commission,
if so, by whom it was signed, and what has become
of it. A claim, of this nature and amount, applicants
are expected to produce some proof. There is also another
objection to the admission of his claim. There is no evidence
in this office, that the malitia of Pennsylvania, were
subject to terms of service as long as three months, at
some of the periods of the war, during which he alleges
such length of service. This needs explanation.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pension
J. Bigler Esq.
Bellefonte
Pa.
Page 35

Richd Gunsalus
24298
Page 36

And now to wit the first day of October AD 1832 and the said court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department, that the above named applicant, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.  and the court further certify, that Lawrence Bathurst and John Mazdin who have signed the preceeding certificate are residents of Centre County, and are credible persons. and that their statement is entitled to credit

Th Burnside } Judge

Jacob Kryder
I James Gilliland, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Centre; do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings, in the matter of the application of Richard Gunsalus for a pension

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Ret my hand and the seal of office to his office this first day of October AD one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Jas Gilliland Prothy
Page 37

State of Pennsylvania
Tentre County

On this 25th day of November, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Tentre, State of Pennsylvania, Richard Gunsalus, a resident in Howard Township, Tentre County State of Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following additional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed on the seventh day of June AD 1832, That he was elected second Lieutenant as stated in his former declaration, that he never asked for or received a written or printed Commission signed by any person, that he cannot remember from what length of time he volunteered, each time he was in service, but is positive that he served the lengths of time as stated in his former declaration. 
Richard Gunsalus

Sworn and subscribed 
before the subscribed a Justice of the
Peace in and for the county of
Tentre, of Pennsylvania
this 24th day of November, AD 1833
James Rothrock
Page 38

State of Pennsylvania
Centre County
I Jas. Gilliland Prothy of the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County do certify that James Rothrock, Esq. before whom the foregoing deposition was taken & who has signed the same in his own proper hand writing, is an acting Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned & Sworn & to whose official acts as such full faith & credit is & ought to be given

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the Said Court at Bellefonte the 9th ninth day of November A.D.1833

Jas. Gilliland Prothy