Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,307, Adam Hamsher, Penn.
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(S-1776)
SERVICE   NUMBER
Penn.   Hamsher, Adam  S. 22,307
or Homsher

Contents
[The rest of the document is empty]
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[The following is from the left page in the image.]
N. 11021
Pennsylvania
Adam Hamsher
of Montgomery Co. in the State of Pennsylv.
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Weber of the Reg. [Regiment] commanded
by Col. Curry in the Pennsylv. troops
for 6 months & 12 days. Private $21.33

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 21 dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of March
1833 and went to Hon. J. K. Mann
Jenkinstown, Montogomery Co. Pa.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833                42.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833  10.66
                                                                       $53.32
[Contained in a left brace]  Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by D. Brown  [A word beginning with "Cle" is obscured]
Book E  Vol.5  Page 23

[The following in from the right page in the image]
let to. [illegible & [illegible] Nov 8, 1836
G.P. Hayes Sept 14, 1853
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State of Pennsylvania
Montgomery County
On the twenty second day of 
November Anno Domni One thousand eight hundred
and thirty two personally appeared in the court before
the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery
Adam Hamsher a resident of Worcester Township in the
County of Montgomery and Commonwealth aforesaid
aged seventy eight year who being first duly sworn
according to law doth give his oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
passed the seventh day of June 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States: the
following named officers and served as herein stated.
Entered the service of the United States in the latter
end of July A.D. 1776. I was drafted, Christian Weber
was Captain of the Company, Henry Shipe first Lieutenant
and Benjamin Weber Second Lieutenant,
Curry Colonel, John Edwards Major and
Bull General. We went to Philadelphia and lay
there about two weeks, we then we set out and marched to
Amboy where we remained until three months
the time for which I was drafted expired, when I
went home.
In September A. D. 1777 I was again drafted, we
went to Swedesford, from there we marched to Fatlandford - Peterman was Captain. I think the other officers were the same as the first time I was drafted, 
there we marched back to Swedesford, at this
point sometime employed with a team - this second
term of service continued two months.
In the year 1778 I was again drafted and required
to drive a team. I started in Company with
many others, after the British Army left Philadelphia
and went up the north river above New York,
and we engaged six coaches, after having unloaded.
I returned to Philadelphia where I was discharged,
I have lost my discharges, and have no documentary
evidence to prove my service.
Page 4

I know of no person now loiing who served with me
in the army except James Bean.

He hereby relinquishes any claims whatsoever to a
pension or annuity except the present and declares that
his name is not on the Pension role of the Agency of any
state.
 Sworn & subscribed this
day year aforesaid.
[signed] J. Fry & Adam Hamsher

Interrogations to be prepounded by the Court with
the Applicants answers.

1st Where and in what year were you born?

Ans. I was born in Upper Hanover Township now Montgomery
County, State of Pennsylvania, in the 7th
day of October Anno Domini 1754.

2nd Have you any record of your age and if so, where is it?

Ans. I have a record of my age in a family bible in
my possession.

3. Where were you living when called into service; where
have you lived since the revolutionary war and
where do you live now?

Ans. When called into service I lived in Worcester Township
Montgomery County, where I lived ever since
except about four years when I lived in Providence
and Morreston Townships - and now live in Worcester Township.
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[page] 3
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted,
or did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if
a substitute for whom?

Ans. I was drafted.

5th State the names of the regular officers who were
with the troops when you served, such Continental
and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and
the general circumstances of your service.

Ans. John Bull was our General. Curry Colonel
John Edwards Major, Christian Weber Captain
and the circumstances of my service are
as stated in my declaration. I do not remember
any of the regular officers.

6. Did you receive a discharge from service and if so
by whom was it given and what has become of it.

Ans. I received a discharge but know not by whom it
was given and have lost it.

7. State the names of persons to whom you are known
in your present neighborhood and who can testify
to your character for veracity and their belief of your
service as a soldier of the Revolutionary War?

Ans. George Wack a clergyman & Henry Strong
can testify to my character and service.
Page 6

Mr. George Wack, a clergyman resident in the
Township of Whitpain and Henry 
Long resident in the Township of
Worcester in the County of Montgomery do certify that
we are well acquainted with Adam Hamsher
who had subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age
that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolutionary
war and that we concur in that opinion and
that he is a man of veracity.
Sworn & subscribed
Nov 22, 1832   [Signed] Geo Wack Henry Strong
J. Fry [illegible]

I and the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter and after [illegible] the interrogations
subscribed by the war department that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and served as he states. And the Court further
certifies that it appears to them that Henry Strong
resident in the Township of Worcester
and George Wack a clergyman resident in
the Township of Whitpain who have signed the
preceding certificate are credible persons and their
statements entitled to credit.
[signed] John Fry Presi. [Presiding] Judge
Hiram McNeill associate
for Montgomery County
Richd B. Jones [illegible]
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[The information is written on an envelope of the Department of the interior.]
July 22, 1853
Appl., and
reference of
John Hamshur
to the papers
of his father,
Adam Hamshur,

Penna

G. P. Hayes
[illegible]
Chester Co.,
Penna.

[In the upper right corner of the envelope is]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Page 8

[Left side]
Revolution [in the left corner written vertically]
22307
INVALID.
File No. 22,307
Adam Hamsher [The name "Hornsher" crossed out]
Pri. Rev. War
Act: June 7 32
Index: Vol.2, Page 190
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Right side]
1923 - Apr. 26 - Hist. to Dr.
Jas. M. McGee request [illegible]
through the Commissioner
See letter in Anthony Sherman S. 31957
Page 9

Adam Homsher
Mann [in faint hand writing]

[illegible initials]
21.31
Hon J. K. Mann
Page 10

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

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

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?

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 amount of pension
he is entitled?

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every clam to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And is so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
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2

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?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for 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?

XIV. [dagger mark]If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? [hand written entry] No. See quere 14.
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?

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. [double dagger mark] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [hand written entry] No. See Quere 16

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?

__________

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 Pec, 7c. 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 each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase [begin italics] about three of four months [end italics] is too indefinite, 
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. [etc.] without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.
It must in every case be clearly shewn [sic] under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with and embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed 
in any civil pursuit.

[dagger] QUERE XIV.  [In italics] 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 he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

[double dagger] QUERE XVI. [In italics] Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
[finger pointing symbol] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Chester
On this eighth day of July 1853
personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace
within and for the County and State said John
Hamsher aged sixty nine years and a resident of the County
and State aforesaid who upon being duly sworn according 
to law doth depose and say that he is a son of Adam
Hamsher dec. who was a Revolutionary Soldier.
He declares the he knows that his father made application
for a pension about [illegible due to an ink smudge, possibly "fourteen"] years ago, and that his
name was placed upon the pension list; and that he
received a draft for arrears through the United States
Bank, and that said Bank failed and that he never
received his pension money.
That his father died about three years ago and was
not a pensioner at the time of his death.
Attest}  John Hamsher
Sworn and subscribed before me [signed] Saml. W. Davis [A drawn seal is above the signature]

Know all men by those present that I John Hamsher
a resident of the County of Chester and State of Pennsylvania
do hereby constitute and appoint G. P. Hayes of the County
and State aforesaid my true and lawful attorney for me
and in my name and said to have made in the
Pension Office of the United States; I search for the documents
forwarded to said office in case of my father Adam Hamsher
for evidentionary pensioner, and I do hereby authorize the
Commissioner of Pensions to forward all documents
[illegible] relative to said case to the said G. P. Hayes.
Attest} [signed] John Hamsher [a drawn seal next to name]
Acknowledge before me, Saml. W. Davis. J.P. [drawn seal next to name]
Page 14

[The following text is written round the image of a seal]
Pennsylvania
Chester County
I Jas. Sweney Clerk of the Court of
Quarter Session of Said County,
Do Certify: That Saml W. Davis Esq.
before whom the foregoing affidavit and
declaration was made is a Justice of the
Peace os Sad county, duly commissioned
and qualified, to all whose official acts full faith and
credit are due - and the signature purporting to be his, is
genuine, witness my hand and the Seal of said court
at West Chester. July 19th A.D. 1853
[signed] Jas. Sweney
Clerk
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Hon. L. P. Waldo
Washington
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[illegible] Pa. July 17th 1833
L. P. Waldo, Com. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir, The inclosed
document is another specimen of out county
magistrates ignorance and awkwardness.
I gave written directions as plain as language
could be used, to prevent such mistakes, but I
hope you will except is as present.
Very respectfully your obd. sert. [obedient servant]
G. P. Hayes [illegible] Pa

N. B. If Mr. Hamsher was ever a pensioner
he was upon the Pennsylvania List .
Very resp.
G.P. Hayes
Page 17

Adam Homsher - Penna - roll - Act 7 June 1832
at $21:33 per annum. Up to what time was
he last paid?
Pen Of.
Nov 8 1836

To the 4 fifteen 1835
3rd Aud Office
Nov. 8 36
Page 18

State of Pennsylvania
Montgomery County
I Jacob Fry Esq.
Prothotary [sic Prothonotary is the current name of the court official] of Court of Common
Pleas of Montgomery County
do certify that the affixed papers
contain the original proceedings of
the said Curt in the matter of the
application of Adam Homsher for
a Pension. That the Judge 
whose names are thereunto signed and subscribed
are judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery
County - that the said Court is a Court of Record and
that the signatures of the said Judges are thus genuine.
signatures.
Witness my hand and the Seal of the
said Court at Norristown, the twenty first day
of February Anno Domini one thousand eight
hundred and thirty three.
J. Fry [illegible] Proto.
Page 19

In the time of the American Revolution, Adam Homsher
then a private in Captain Wentz's Company, the militia
had called out to take a town, Captain Wentz being unable
to turn out, Christian Weber being our first Lieutenant [illegible]
was notified to meet at Captain Wentz's on a morning in
the latter end of July 1776 all ready equipped. As many
as could turned out came and we started from there under the
Command of Lieutenant Weber who took the command of the
company that had assembled. We marched to Philadelphia
where we lay two weeks and then marched to Amboy
in New Jersey at which [illegible] we remained until our term
of three months had expired under the command of Col.
John Bull. We were then discharged and marched home and
Adam Homsher was with us all of the time and several other
times the duration of which I cannot now recollect.
Adam Homsher was a faithful friend to America during
the Revolution and continued in service until discharged
by the Government. I served in the same company both
times.
[signed] James Bean

State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County
I certify that on the twentieth
day of February Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred
and thirty three James Bean whose name is signed to the foregoing statement
personally appeared before me an alderman for the District of Spring Garden in
the County aforesaid and upon his solemn oath duly administered
did declare and say that the facts therein set forth and contained
are true as he first believed and that he was in the seventy
fifth year of his age.  I further Certify that he said James Bean
is apprised of integrity and credibility whose statement is entitled
to credit. Witness my hand and seal the day and year
above written.
[signed] Jn L. Woolf  [hand drawn seal next to signature]
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County of Philadelphia
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the Court of Common
Pleas for the city and county of Philadelphia Do certify that John L. Woolf Esq.
before whom the within attestation was taken was at the time and still is an
Alderman in and for the District of Spring Garden in the County of
Philadelphia, and that due faith and credit are due to all his official
acts.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the Seal of the Said Court to be affixed this
Twentieth day of February in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
[signed] R. Palmer
Prothonotary
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Joel K. Mann