Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,532, Joseph Hiester, Penn
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE                                     

Penn           

Hiester, Joseph   

NUMBER

S. 5,532

                                                          carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

[ripped, illegible] 32448

Joseph Hiester, [torn]

of Berks Co. in the State of Penn.
who was a Capt. & Col. in the Compy. comm[torn]
by Captain ----- of the Regt. com[torn]
by ----- in the Pa. R[torn]
for 5 Mo. Capt. & 4 Mo. Col.

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 200 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, and end
on the 10th June, 1832, the day of his death.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of April
1846 and sent to John
M. Jones, Reading, P[torn]n.

Arrears to the 4th of
Semi=anl. allowance ending
Payable to John S. Hiester only
living child.

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Tho Lumpkin
E 2  Vol. 5
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County JS

At an adjourned Court of Common Pleas
held in and for Berks County Pennsylvania. On September the
25th 1844, Personally appeared John S Hiester son, and of 
all the children Col Joseph Hiester deceased, of Reading Berks 
County Pa. the only survivor. Who being duly sworn according
to law doth depose and say, that his father Col Joseph Hiester
served as an officer in the Mlitias of Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary
War, And I do hereby make the following declaration, in order to
obtain the amount of Pension due him, at his decease, under the 
Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. Granting pensions to officers 
and soldiers of the Revolutionary War, who have served six months
and upwards, in the Army; as well Malitia as Continental com-
mencing on the 4th March 1831 and terminating with their
natural life.

My father in the year 1776 ^ (as he is informed and beleives) organised a company of soldiers
in Reading Berks County Penn?, he took command as Captain 
and marched from Reading to join General [underline] Washington, [/underline] and suc-
ceeded in getting his men to go with him (though with a great
deal of trouble to get them out of the state, they supposing they were
not bound to go beyond the state line) and joined General
Washington, was at the Battle of Long Island, he was then
taken Prisoner, was confined in the Jersey prison ship and
was afterwards confined in the City of New York (was very badly
treated then.) After his release from the City of New York he
Page 4

returned home, and was promoted to the office of Colonel
and remained in that Commission to the termination of the War
of the American Revolution.

With this declaration I send you a certificate from the 
Secretary of State of the State of Pennsylvania, to show that he
was out as Colonel at different times. Deeming further proof
unnecessary, I refer you to the History of the Revolution for
the important part he took in it, from 1776 when he raised
his company in Reading to its close, of course he served longer
than two years; and for that service I ask a full Pension as
Colonel. My Father died on the tenth day of June 1832.

[signed] John S Hiester

Sworn and subscribed in open
Court this 25th day of September
1844,
Mathias S. Richards, one of
the Judges of the Court of the 
County of Berks.

I Mathias S Richards one of the Associate Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for Berks County, do hereby
certify that I have examined, the grave stone of Colonel
Joseph Hiester above mentioned and find it recorded
there, that he died on the tenth day of June 1832.
[signed] Mathias S. Richards
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Pa
I Daniel Young Prothonotary of the Court of Common
Pleas of Berks County do certify that Matthias S. Richards
is one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas of Berks County, duly appointed and 
commissioned, and that the foregoing signature
attesting (?) to be his, is true and genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
affixed the seal of said Court at Reading this twenty
sixth day of September A.D. 1844
Daniel Young Prothonot
Page 6

35874
Joseph Heister
dec'd
Pa
Ac? 7. June '32
died 10 June 1832

16 Flying Camp Capt. 5-
77 accs. Col. 2
80 ---- home (?) ----
5 mo Capt
4 mo. Col.
200 to 10 June
32. day of his death
To John S. Hiester
only living son

John. Jones
Reading
Pa
Page 7

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Js.

At a Court of Common Pleas held in and
for Berks County Pennsyklv, the eighteenth Day of January
[illegible] 1845. It was proven in Open Court to the satisfaction
of the said Court, by the oath of John  S. Hiester Esquire, that Col. 
Joseph Hiester of Berks County Penn. died on the tenth Day
of June [illegible] 1832. And that his wife died previous to 
that time. Also that John S. Hiester, Catharine Spayd Dec'd
and Rebeccah Muhlenberg Deceased, were all his surviving 
children _____ All of which the Court order to be certified.

Jul 3 [illegible]
[illegible] 

[illegible] Almanack

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Js.

I Daniel Young Prothonotary of the 
Court of Common Pleas in and for Berks County. Penn. Do 
hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the minutes 
of said Court.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court
at Reading the eighteenth Day of January 1845.
Daniel Young Prothonotary

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County Js.

I Daniel Young Prothonotary of the Court of 
Common Pleas of Berks County, do certify that
David Medary is an acting Justice of the 
Peace in and for the County of Berks, duly
elected and commissioned, and that the
foregoing signature purporting to be his is true & genuine. [illegible]
my hand & seal of office at Reading February 24, 1845
Daniel Young Prothonotary.
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County 
Personally appeared before the subscriber
a Justice of the Peace in and for Berks County, Michael Spatz
a resident of Berks County Pa. Age 80 years, who being
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath say that
he is a soldier and pensioner of the United States for services
rendered in the War of the Revolution, that he was on the ship
South Carolina of Charleston, was taken prisoner and confined
in the Jersey prison ships, laying in the North River, nine months
he was a prisoner, and nine months, they were in the Capes and 
about there in the Ship South Carolina, so that he was
in and about that neighborhood Eighteen Months,
That he was well acquainted with Joseph Hiester before
he went out in service and afterwards he knows he organized
a Company of Soldiers in Reading and went with them as
their Captain to Long Island, that he was there taken prisoner
and confined in the Jersey Prison ships and afterwards removed
to the City of New York and finally released or exchanged.
When I came home to Reading, Captain Hiester was then a short time
I was not with him in service nor as prisoner, he just left the ship
for the City of New York when I came in now from what I heard
seen and know, he was engaged in this expedition nearly as long
as I was, I believe he was engaged in service to the best
of my knowledge and belief as Captain sixteen months
Sworn and subscribed 
this 19th day of November                          Michael Spatz
1844 before me
David Medary J. P.
Justice of the Peace
Page 9

August 2, 1933
RA-J/EEL
Joseph Hiester
S.5532
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of 
Joseph Hiester are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.

In 1776, exact date not given, he organized a company in Reading,
Pennsylvania, and as captain of said company, joined General Washington's army; was in the battle on Long Island, where he was taken prisoner; was confined in the Jersey prison ship and in the city of New York; length of time in captivity not stated; after his release, he was promotedcolonel in the Pennsylvania Troops and served to the close of the war.

He died June 10, 1832, and his wife had died sometime previous 
to his death.  There are no particulars in regard to her.  Colonel 
Hiester is also referred to as Governor Hiester.

He left surviving him three children, a son, John S. Hiester,
and two daughters, Catharine Spayd and Rebeccah Muhlenberg.  The
ages of the children are not given.  Both of the daughters were
dead in 1844.

On September 25, 1844, John S. Hiester, of Reading, Berks County, 
Pennsylvania, the sole surviving child, made application for the pension
which was due on account of the services of his father, Joseph
Hiester, War of the Revolution.  His claim was allowed.

There are no further family data.

Hist to James E Gibson
His letter in John A. Alto 5.5133
Page 10

1933 Aug. 2 Hist to Joseph E. Gibson. His letter to further reply in John A. Alto. S.5133.

INVALID.
File No. 5532
Joseph Hiester
Col. Rev War

Act: June 7th /32
Index:-Vol. M, Page 172

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 11

No. 35874
Joseph Heister
Pennsylvania @
(?) to Hon J. Ritter Nov. 15, 1844
(?) to J. M. Jones April 14thsame 18 July 1845
Hon. J. Ritter April 6th 1846
(?) June 7th 1832
Page 12

Reading February 23rd 1845
J L Eddwards Esquire
Enclosed you will receive some more papers in regard to the claim of Col. Joseph Heister's heirs. The certification I hope will be satisfactory.To find any evidence by witnesses living is rather a hard matter.  Col Heister service is notorious every person in Berks County is aware by tradition and history of his valuable service of Old Governor Heister, particularly his capture and imprisonment on Long Island New York and his starting his company in Reading in 1776 when he paid out of his own pocket some $60 or $80 to the first person who would join his company, some smaller amount(?) to the second and other persons who joined his company but at this date to find witnesses who could day and date anything that great patriot did during the Revolution is impossible.  You will find a copy of some papers at Harrisburg showing absolute duty of 5 months as Colonel this paper states they were and are on duty.  How much longer they were on duty is hard for me to tell; but you must have a considerable knowledge of the services and hope you will be as liberal as you possibly can consistently with your duty.

Respectfully Yours
James M Jones
Page 13

A Return of the Militia of Berks County that were and is in The Service of the United States; from the 5th Day of August, 1777 to the 5th of January, 1778.

Colonel Daniel Hunter's Ba | Colonels 1 | Lieutenant Colonels 1 | Majors 1 | Surgeons 1 | Quarter Masters 1 | Adjutant 1 | Sergeant Majors 1 | Drum and Fife Majors 2 | Captains 5 |  Lieutenant 12 | Ensigns 5 | Sergeants 22 | Drum and Fife 2 | Private Militia Men 219 | Substitutes 91 | Total Rank and File 310 | Total Including Officers 365

Col. Daniel Udree's Battn | Colonels 1 | Lieutenant Colonels 1 | Captains 5 |  Lieutenant 12 | Ensigns 6 | Sergeants 19| Drum and Fife 3 | Private Militia Men 189| Substitutes 65| Total Rank and File 254| Total Including Officers 301

Col. Michael Lindamood Btn | Colonels 1 | Majors 1 | Surgeons 1 | Captains 3 |  Lieutenant 12 | Ensigns 3 | Sergeants 16 | Drum and Fife 3 | Private Militia Men 180 | Substitutes 66 | Total Rank and File 246 | Total Including Officers 286

Col. Joseph Hiester Bttn | Colonels 1 | Lieutenant Colonels 1 | Majors 1 | Surgeons 1 | Adjutant 1 | Captains 4 |  Lieutenant 11 | Ensigns 4 | Sergeants 16 | Drum and Fife 2 | Private Militia Men 193 | Substitutes 28 | Total Rank and File 221 | Total Including Officers 263

Col. Henry Spiker's Battn | Colonels 1 | Lieutenant Colonels 1 | Majors 1 | Surgeons 1 | Quarter Masters 1 | Adjutant 1 | Sergeant Majors 1 | Drum and Fife Majors 1 | Captains 8 | Lieutenant 14 | Ensigns 8 | Sergeants 20 | Drum and Fife 11 | Private Militia Men 354 | Substitutes 19 | Total Rank and File 373 | Total Including Officers 442

Col. Jacob Weaver's Battn | Colonels 1 | Surgeons 1 | Quarter Masters 1 | Adjutant 1 | Captains 8 | Lieutenant 13 | Ensigns 4 | Sergeants 23 | Drum and Fife 7 | Private Militia Men 294 | Substitutes 41 | Total Rank and File 335 | Total Including Officers 394

Captain Crouse's Company Guarding the Powder Magazine at Windsor | Colonels - | Lieutenant Colonels - | Majors - | Surgeons - | Quarter Masters - | Adjutant - | Sergeant Majors - | Drum and Fife Majors - | Captains 1 | Lieutenant 2  | Ensigns 1 | Sergeants 3 | Drum and Fife - | Private Militia Men 33 | Substitutes - | Total Rank and File 33 | Total Including Officers 40

[Totals] | Colonels 6 | Lieutenant Colonels 4 | Majors 4| Surgeons 5 | Quarter Masters 3 | Adjutant 4 | Sergeant Majors 2 | Drum and Fife Majors 3 | Captains 34 | Lieutenant 76 | Ensigns 31 | Sergeants 119 | Drum and Fife 28 | Private Militia Men 1462 | Substitutes 310 | Total Rank and File 1772 | Total Including Officers 2091

I do hereby certify the above to be a true return of the Militia of Berks County. 
Jacob Morgan L:B:C.

To His Excellency
Thomas Wharton Esq.

[Embossed Seal] 

Pennsylvania Fs: I certify the above and foregoing to be a true copy of the original paper now remaining on file in this office

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and the Seal of the Secretarys office at Harrisburg this nineteenth day of February in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five and of the Commonwealth the sixtyninth. [Signature Unknown] Depy Secy Commth
Page 14

Raulr of Field Officer Captains Subalterns and Court Martial Men of the Militia of Berks May 17' 1777

1' Battalion 1st Raulr
David Hurster, Colonel
John Guildin St do
John Cunins Major
4th Battalion
Joseph Heister Lieut Col.  4th RaulR
Jacob Morgan

Commissions for the officer of the foregoing six
Battalions dd. Col. Morgan June 14, 1777
D. Matlack Secry

Return of the Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
in the service of the United States of America
No. of Class | Counties from whence they are seal | Commonwealth Names
4 | Berks County | Col Joseph Hiester
Camp White Marsh Philad. County Nov 24, 1777
SodR Sprogell M M G of P 
Endorsed "A Return of Militia of Pennsylvania who
have serv'd their tour of Duty, Discharged to the 24th November
1777
Return of the Field Captains and Subateres Militia
Officers of Berks County_27 May 1780
Sixth Battalion
Lieut Colonel Joseph Hiester
Major Edward Scull
Certified by me
Jacob Morgan Lieut BC
Commissions made out dated 10th May 1780 and 
delivered to Colonel Morgan
Page 15

Pennsylvania, [illegible]: Secretary's Office

I certify that the within are true extracts from the original papers remaining on file in this office.

Witness my hand and the seal of the said Office of Harrisburg
this 10th day of August AD 1844

Chas. McClure
Secretary of the Commonwealth [?]
Page 16

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County [illegible]

Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Berks aforesaid David Pring of said County aged Eighty nine years who being duly sworn according to Law, on his said oath says, I knew Colonel Joseph Hiester in the War of the Revolution, I knew he was a Colonel was out in service twice, was taken prisoner on Long Island, and after being exchanged, was again with the Army and engaged in the Battle of Germantown. He was to the best of this deponent's knowledge and belief withe the American Army from the commencement of the Revolutionary War to its close. Further this deponent saith not. - - David Pring a Pensioner of the Revolutionary War

Sworn to and subscribed
this fourth day of March             David Pring [signature]
Anno Domini 1845.

William Betz, J.P. [signature]
State of Pennsylvania
Berks County 

I Daniel Young Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Berk's County, do certify that William Betz is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Berk's County, duly elected and commissioned and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is true and genuine

In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hands and affixed the Seal of Said Court, at Reading this 12th day of March 1845.

   Daniel Young Prothy.
Page 17

Reading March 19th 1846

J L Edwards Esquire

Dear Sir.

Enclosed you will receive an extract from a paper published in Reading Berks County on the 19th day of August AD 1820. Mr. Hiester resided in the town of Reading at that time and would not have permitted the publication of anything that was not the truth, the precise length of services is not definitely mentioned but in office of Captain he certainly was [illegible] six months than five in actual service and imprisonment. Then during this imprisonment he was promoted to the Office of Col. so that part of this time he would be entitled to pay as Col.  Afterwards he served two tours in actual duty in the office of Major or Colonel. from the commencement to the close of each of these tours he must necessarily have been engaged until he got home again at least three months in each tour, in fact a certified copy of a return which I sent you about a year since states one of these tours to have been five months. At all events there appears to have been at least one years service in all. One half as Captain and Major and the other half as Colonel. You will therefore please examine the case as early as you can and give me as liberal a decision as your official duties will permit.

Respectfully Yours [illegible]
James M Jones [signature]
Page 18

House of Reps March 23rd, 1846
J L Edwards, Esq.

Sir,

Herewith I inclose papers in relation to claims made in behalf of the late Genl Hiester of Berks County, a Revolutionary Officer, entrusted to me. An early answer would oblige.

Yours very respectfully,
[illegible] Ritter [signature]
Page 19

Reading, Pa.  March 26, 1845

Jas L. Edwards, [illegible]
Sir, to transmit an additional paper 

I herewith have the honor to transmit an additional paper to substantiate the claims of the late Col Joseph Hiester.  The parties interested are desirous of hearing on the subject as early as convenient.

I have the honor to be, 
very respectfully yours

Jno Ritter
Page 20

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Page 21

State of Pennsylvania
Berks county

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Berks County.  John Weldy who being duly sworn according to law on his oath [illegible].  I am near Seventy seven years of age.  I am a Citizen Reading Berks County now, I was born in this county, lived here all my life, I was well acquainted with Col. Joseph Hiester.  I know he organized a Company of Soldiers in the beginning of the war in the Burough of Reading over which he was the Captain, I was of course young at the time, was not with him to long Island but understand that in this expedition he went to Long Island and he was then taken prisoner.
John Weldy

Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 11th day
of April AD 1846
Mathias Mengel
Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that John Weldy who has sworn and subscribed to the above affidavit is a citizen of Reading, a man entitled to credit, and whose evidence would be received in a Court of Justice.
Matthias Mengel
Justice of the Peace

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County

I Peter Strokeckee Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Pennsylvania do hereby certify that Matthias Mengel is enacting Justice of the Peace of said County duly elected and Commissioned, and the foregoing signatures purporting to be his is true and genuine.

In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Reading this 13th day of April 1846.
Peter Strokeckee   Prot.
Page 22

Reading April 13th 1846
J L Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
Inclosed you will receive the officiant of John Weldy an old and respectable Citizen of Reading was who knows the fact of Capt Joseph Hiester having raised a company of soldiers in the Burough of Reading, and that he went with them to Long Island and was then taken prisoner, this is the service of which you want proof that he was out in the Character of Capt. you here have the evidence that he raised the Company and went with them as their Captain, I have sent you proof that he was Captain before, [illegible] other proof can be had and heretofor the great part you always seem to aim at was being witness now when you have them you seem take other grounds as a required documentary evidence, as you have it on file Amoungst the records in your office, how can I produce them under such circumstances, I hope you will feel satisfied with what you now have, this claim has been long pending before you, and no man's service is more notorious than that of Joseph Hiester, I don't like to complain but it seems to me really that you are unnecessarily hard before me, their cannot be any doubt of the fact in my mind but you have in your office the very evidence you call upon me for, now I have done all you can reasonably expect of me in making out any claim, I have ransacked all the papers in Harrisburg, and given you all the evidence that I could find.  I hope you may [illegible] a artifact of what is really due, and end this claim.  You may consult the Hon John Ritter who is an old man, as to what he knows and thinks about it, and once the matter as you think you think right once just between parties

Respectfully Yours
James M Jones
Page 23

House of Reps. April 18, 1846
Jas L. Edwards, Esqr.

Sir,
Herewith I inclose the deposition of John Weldy, and reference to the claim made in behalf of the late Gov Hiester with whom I am well acquainted and have reason to believe what he says to be true.
With due respect, 
Yours 
Jno Ritter
Page 24

Payment to be made at Phila. by S. F. Smith, Esq Agent for paying pensioners, in the Agency of Phil, Penn

Recorded in the Pension Office, in book E 7 Volume 5 Page 28 by 
Tho Lumpkin, Clerk.
Page 25

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Joseph Hiester, deceased late of New York, who was a Captain and Colonel in the Revolution, and entitled to receive a pension of two hundred dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th March, 1821, and terminating on the 10th June, 1832, the day on which he died.  The amount due is payable to John S. Hiester only living child.