Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6,225, for John Leap, Pennsylvania
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Service - Penn.        Name - Leap John         Number -  R.6.225
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4766
John Leap 
Indiana 
6225
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4766.
BRIEF in the case of John Leap.
of Switzerland County in the State of Indiana
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court.
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 87 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
| Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. |
| In 17 | Years, Months, Days. | As a | Gen. 4th. Regt. Penna. Militia. |
| Served from Septr 1775 to Jany. 1778. | Private | Capt John Jameson - Colo. Archa. M,celroy - 
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Springfield Township, Bucks Coty. Pennsa [a underlined]
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionally evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionally evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.
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John Leap
4766










Direct to Mr. C. Keen
Printer's Retreat
Indiana


Recorded & Enclosed
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In the matter of}  An applicant for a pension, under the act of Congress
John Leap         }                          of June 7, A. D. 1832
                            Recorded in book ______ page _______________________clerk.

The state of Indiana, Switzerland county, SS:
On this thirteenth day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared, in open court before the honorable, the Probate court of the county aforesaid, being a court of record, John Leap a resident of Switzerland county, Indiana aged eighty seven years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his said oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress, passed the 7th of June A. D. 1832  -- that he the said John Leap entered the service of the United States during the AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR under the following named officers and served as herein stated --That he, the said John Leap.
1. Served under Captain John Jameson of 4th regiment of Pennsylvania Militia under Colonel Archd McIlroy from Sept 1775 to January of 1778, as a private soldier. 

And that he hereby relinquishes every claim 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.

The Court, then propounded the following interrogatories to the said John Leap.

1. Where, and in what year were you born?  I was born near Manheim on the river Rhine, on the 15th April 1745.

2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  I have no record in this country.

3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live?    I lived in Springfield township, Bucks county, state of Pennsylvania.  Since the war I lived 4 years in N.J., twenty nine or thirty years in Penn. and the last sixteen in Indiana.

4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted -did you volunteer or were you a substitute?  and if a substitute for whom?    I was enlisted voluntarily

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 service.    I was marched from Bucks county, Pennsylvania to Amboy N.J and continued serving in the state of New Jersey for the greater part of the time.  I was cut and in Jan  of 1778, I was discharged near Morristown.
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after marched to Morristown N.J. and I was discharged at Bottle hill.

6.  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?   Col. McIlroy signed my discharge, but I have lost 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 in the Revolution.      Col. John F. Siebanthal, John D. Morerod, John F. Dufrin and one hundred others, if necessary. 

8.  Have you any documentary evidence of your services, and do you know of any person now living whose testimony you can procure to testify to your services?     Having lost my discharge I have no documentary evidence - and I know of an person now living who can testify to my services.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid}     John Leap
        Edward Patton, Clerk                                          }


We John Morrill a clergyman, residing in Switzerland county and state of Indiana and John D. Morerode residing in Switzerland county, state of Indiana hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Leap who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be eighty seven years of age -the he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the REVOLUTION, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid } John Morrill
                                                                                } Jean D. Morerod
                 Edward Patton,  Clerk

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 John Leap was a REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER, and served as he states.  And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Morrill who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in Switzerland county and state of Indiana and that John D. Morerod who also signed the same, in a resident in Switzerland county and state of Indiana as is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit.  

I, EDWARD PATTON, clerk of the Switzerland Probate Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Leap for a pension.

{SEAL}            In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Vevay, 
                       this Twenty third day of August one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two.

                                                          Edward Patton, Clerk
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from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, to Amboy N.J. and continued serving the state of New Jersey for the greater part of the tine I was out and in Jany of 1778, I was discharged near Morristown.
N.J. by Col. McIlroy.   During the tine I was in service, I was in the battle at Staten Island, where we captured some Hessians, in 1776, it was with difficulty that we recrossed to the mainland with our prisoners, as several of the enemies repels. [intelligible} the Roebuck, Phoenix and Greyhound endeavored to cut off our retreat, we however, with much difficulty succeeded in making fort Lee we had, if I remember right between two and three hundred Hessian prisoners.  Fort Washington on York island was at the same time occupied by the flying camp.  Major Williams was taken prisoner, at the taking of this fort.  When the enemy attacked fort Lee, we retreated to the Delaware river, and crossed that above the mouth of Lehigh river and march to Bethlehem, from Bethlehem we march about thirty miles towards Philadelphia then turned to the left and march to Newtown, Bucks county Pa where we remained until sometime in Dec.  when we marched again to the Delaware river and crossed the same below the rapids near Trenton, J.J.  where we had, on the 20th of Dec. 1776 or 1777 a brush with the enemy and captured a great number of Hessians.  Gen, Washington was present, it was tremendously cold.  a few days after that battle the British force lay on one side of creek and our army on the other side when we lay all day in the evening and night having found a fording place we crossed said creek and encamped on a ridge in the rear of the enemy.   Another morning we march towards Princeton, N.J. where we again had an engagement, about day break and again were victorious, company was shortly
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N.B. It is not necessary that a;; the heirs execute this instrument, any one of them may give the requisite authority.

John Leap.

Aeh 1832. Ry Indiana
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State of Indiana   }
County of Boone }   

Be it known, that on this 24th day of May A. D. 1853 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared: Barbara Leap, widow of John Leap deceased, resident of Lebanon in said County, and made oath according to law that she is the widow of the identical John Leap who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of _____________________(blank)

That she is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.

Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT, of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of John Leap for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Pension Agency of this State, to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present.  Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.

                                                                                      her
                                                                          Barbara  X  Leap
                                                                                      mark

Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Barbara Leap to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
                                                                   David Hacker, Justice of the Peace


State of Indiana        }
County of Boone      }

It is hereby certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Boone County Indiana that Barbara Leap, widow of John Leap deceased, the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the identical widow of the reputed soldier aforesaid.  I further certify, that David Hacker Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.

                                       In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of 
                                       Office,  this twenty fourth day of May 1853
                                        Wm. C. Rise, Clerk
                                        By H. Shannon Deputy
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April 26, 1935.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mr. C. W. Leap                                                                                          BA-J/ady
Fort Pierre                                                                                                 John Leap
South Dakota                                                                                            R. 6225


Dear Sir:

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for 
pension, R.6225, based upon the military service of John Leap in that war. 

John Leap was born April 15, 1745 near Mannheim on the River Rhine.

He applied for pension August 13, 1832 while a resident of Switzerland County, Indiana, and stated that 
while a resident of Springfield Township, Bucks County Pennsylvania, he enlisted in September 1775, served as a private in Captain John Jameson's Company, Colonel Archibald McIlroy's Pennsylvania Regiment and that he was in the battle on Staten Island in 1776, crossed the Delaware River with General Washington, was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and was discharged in January 1778.

Soldier's claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service six months as required by pension law. 

After the Revolutionary War soldier lived for six years in Jew Jersey, he lived about thirty year in Pennsylvania, and about 1815 he moved to Indiana.

The date of soldier's death is not shown.

Soldier's widow, Barbara Leap, her maiden name and age not stated, was a resident of Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana, in 1853.   There are no further family data.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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April 25, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXX


Mr. G. W. Leap                                                                   JOHN LEAP
Fort Pierre                                                                          R. 6225
South Dakota                                                                      RA-J/MLB


Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of a soldier with surname Leap, of the Revolutionary War. 

The record of one John Leap has been found who served in that war.  His record is furnished you herewith as found in the claim for pension, R.6225, based upon his military service.  If this is not the soldier in whom you are interested, please furnish the full name and as much as possible of the following data in regard to hm, when a further search of the records will be made.

Very truly yours


A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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December 14, 1932.


Hon. Louis Ludlow,                                                                          BA-J/ADY
House of Representatives,                                                               John Leap
Washington, D. C.                                                                             R.6225


My dear Mr. Ludlow:

Reference is made to your letter relative to one John Leap, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R.6225, based upon his military service in that war.

John Leap was born April 15, 1745 near Mannheim on the River Rhine.

He applied for pension August 13, 1832 while a resident of Switzerland County, Indiana, and stated that while a resident of Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in September 1775, served as a private in Captain John Jameson's Company, Colonel Archibald McIlroy's Pennsylvania Regiment and that he was in the battle on Staten Island in 1776, crossed the Delaware River with General Washington, was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and was discharged in January 1778.

Soldier's claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service of six months as required by the pension law.

After the Revolutionary War soldier lived for six years in New Jersey, he lived about thirty years in Pennsylvania, and about 1816 he moved to Indiana.

The date of soldier's death is not shown.

Soldier's widow, Barbara Leap, her maiden name and age not stated, was a resident of Lebanon, Boone
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County, Indiana, in 1853.

There are no further family data. 

Very truly yours,



A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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November 11, 1932

Mr. Lee C. Riley                                                                         BA-J/ADY
10 West Ohio Street, Room 208                                                John Leap
Indianapolis, Indiana.                                                                R.6225


Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to one John Leap, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R.6225, based upon his military service in that war.

John Leap was born April 15, 1745 near Mannheim on the River Rhine.

He applied for pension August 13, 1832 while a resident of Switzerland County, Indiana, and stated that while a resident of Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in September 1775, served as a private in Captain John Jameson's Company, Colonel Archibald McIlroy's Pennsylvania Regiment and that he was in the battle on Staten Island in 1776, crossed the Delaware River with General Washington, was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and was discharged in January 1778.

Soldier's claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service of six months as required by the pension law.

After the Revolutionary War soldier lived for six years in New Jersey, he lived about thirty years in Pennsylvania, and about 1816 he moved to Indiana.

The date of soldier's death is not shown.

Soldier's widow, Barbara Leap, her maiden name and age not stated, was a resident of Lebanon, Boone
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County, Indiana in 1853.

There are no further family data.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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Fort Pierre So Dakota
April 12, 1935

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,

Was there ever a man named ? Leaf who served in The Revolutionary War?

Any Information you can furnish one will be greatly appreciated.

I am trying to find if he and I are related.

Thanking you in advance.

I Am Respectfully,

G.W. Leap
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Louis Ludlow
7th District Indiana

SUBCOMMITTEES:
TREASURY AND POST OFFICE
LEGISLATIVE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
SEVENTY-SECOND CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, D.C.

[STAMPED:  INSURANCE SERVICE RETIREMENT SUBDIVISION DEC 12 1932 VETERANS ADMINISTRATION]

December 10, 1932

Dear Mr. Morgan:

I am trying to identify the Revolutionary War service of one John Leap who is said to have served as a private in Captain John Jameson's Company, Colonel Archibald McIlroy's Pennsylvania Regiment. In August, 1832 he was a resident of Switzerland County, Indiana. He is thought to have been a resident of Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, at the outbreak of the War, and to have enlisted from there in 1775. He is believed to have been in the Battle of Staten Island in 1776, to have crossed the Delaware River with General Washington, to have participated in the battles of Trenton and Princeton, and to have been discharged in January of 1778.

Other relatives maintain that he enlisted with the New York Militia at the outbreak of the Revolution. 

He died in Boone County, Indiana, September 12, 1845.  At his grave was placed a marker stating that he was a Revolutionary War soldier. 

I wish you would look through the files of your office and advise me whether there is any record of a claim having been filed in behalf of Mr. Leap and if so, the action taken thereon, and the information given about his service, family, etc. 

Very sincerely,

Louis Ludlaw [hand written signature]

Hon. E. W. Morgan,
Director of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 

[stamped Received Dec 12 1932 CONGRESSIONAL 1 MAIL SUB. DIV. U.S.V.B.]
[stamped Received Dec 12 1932 MAIL SUB. DIV. VETS. ADM. PENSIONS #2]
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10 West Ohio St. Room 208
Indianapolis, Ind
Oct. 25, 1932

Director of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,

As I am thinking of joining the S.A.R. and am compiling a genealogy of the Leap family of which I am a descendent I would appreciate information concerning one, John Leap or John W. Leap who served in the Revolution with the New York Militia.

As I understand it, pensions were granted the Revolutionary soldiers in 1830.  At that time this old man, John Leap or John W. Leap was living either in Switzerland County or Boone County Indiana.

Would appreciate any information, whether this old Revolutionary ancestor drew pension, where was he living at the time.

Thanking you in advance,

I am Yours Truly,

Lee C. Riley

Stamped:  Received Oct 27, (1932?
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Penn. Leap, John R.6225
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[A circular stamp, reads: 
RECORD DIVISION
NOV 12 1910]

NOV 12 1910
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C. W. Kinnan
Attorney At Law
Montpelier, Indiana

November 9/1910.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-

Please send me a certificate showing all the available facts concerning the military history and record of JOHN LEAP, a soldier of the War of the American Revolution, believed by his descendant here to have been a soldier from either Virginia or North Carolina, and to have also been a pensioner, as the same may appear from the records in your office.  

Thanking you in advance for the information sought.

 I am,
Respectfully,

C. W. Kinnan
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(Stamped- Rejected)
6225
John Leap Alleges Rejected book given Reason for rejection: He did not serve six months 
1910 Nove 18 Hist to C.W. Kinsan a
1932 Nov. 11. Hist to Lee C. Riley A N Y
1932 Dec 14 Hist to Hon. Louis Ludlav AD.G
1935 Apr 26 Hist to GW Leap N Y
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War Department Pension Office Nov 21, 1831
Sir: The documents in support of the claims of John Shupe, Norman B. Baginder, Thomas Sevin, Robert Know and John Seaf have been examined and pensions have been allowed to them forever. Enclosed are certificates for them. It would appear from the statement of John Seaf that he entered the service a short time previous to the expedition to Staten Islands and was discharged soon after the battle of Princeton. The expedition to Staten Island took place some time subsequent to September 1776, and the battle of Princeton occurred on the 3rd of January 1777. He could not therefore have served
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six months. The revolutionary Pension laws provide for none who did not serve at least six months. His claim cannot therefore be allowed. The (unreadable) will remain on files of this office. Robert Knox's papers are returned with the objections noted on a private sheet accompanying the same. Copy 
(Written on left side-MMl Stein Nov. 21,1832)
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War Department
Pension Office
February 15, 1833

Sir,

The paper in the case of John Leaf have again been examined and the declaration last made is herewith returned.  The first service states to have been performed by him was the expedition 
to Staten Island and that expedition took place in the fall of the year 1776 it is highly probable that he entered the service in the fall of ___ year and not in the fall of 1775 as stated in his declaration on file with (rejected?) cases, and as he was discharged soon after the battle of Princeton which was in (crossed out number or a 17) January 1777.  He (could?) not have performed six months service under his first engagement.  
??????_________________________________________________________________________________
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statement of his service in the Commiss Dept, 
and should clearly shew that he was enlisted for the team service in the continental establishment.
His declaration deposits in the office by you is herewith return

Recorded Vol. 8.
Hon. [illegible]
House of Reps
Feby 15, 1833
O.L.

Recorded Vol. 8. Page
Page 305.

Hon R. Boon
N.R.
Page 27

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Leap which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes & has a device.
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 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."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being in properly attached to the certificate
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Lehann (unreadable) May 22 1833
Hn L.P. Holder Comm of Pensions, Dear sir: Mrs Barbara Leap  widow of widow of John Leap (arrow inserted-a soldier of the Revolution deceased, desires no to make some inquiry respecting her claim for Pension. Mrs Leap executed and power and some other papers and forward the same to S. (unreadable) Knight Washington D.C. some one in two years since and she has been unable to have anything from him in relation to her (unreadable) She desires therefore to know whether Mr. Knight has filed her claim? or has done anything in the pensions and if so what? Respectfully Yours By Boone and Shannon Barbara Leap
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May 31/33
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Pension Office May 31, 1855
Gentlemen, 
No information in relation to the condition of the case of John Leap of Ind has been (unreadable)  for by either Knight, for he doubtful knew that the claim was not made  out. Leap claims to have served over three year in Pa and New Jersey, but never furnishes a particle of evidence that he even served a day.  Stephen Boone, and Shannon Sebanon Ind
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Confidence index is not available
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Confidence index is not available