Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12626, David Crosby, Penn.

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Penn

Crosby, David

S. 12626

carded

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No. 11.711
Pennsylvania

David Crosby

of Chester County in the State of Penn. who was a Capt/ Ensign [Leigh/Lugh?] in the company commanded by Captain Strawbridge of the Regt. commanded by _______ in the Penn. a. Mil. line  for 

2 months Capt - 40.00
3 " Ensign - 30.00
4 " 28 days, Augt. 24.00
__________
$74.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 94 Dollars 60 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of July 1833 and sent to J. W. Cunningham
West Chester Pa

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833
189.20
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833 
47.30
_________
$236.50

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by D. Brown 
Clerk:
ok E
Vol. 5
Page 9

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Chester County, Ss

On this tenth day of December A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at the West Chester in the said County of Chester, David Crosby, a resident of the township of Upper Oxford in the County aforesaid aged seventy seven 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 act of Congress of June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated to wit.

1st Early the July 1776, I marched as a sergeant and a volunteer in a company commanded by Captain Thomas Strawbridge in which John Ramsey was first Lieutenant Joseph Strawbridge second Lieutenant and Charles Greswell Ensign. Our company were all volunteers and marched en masse to Philadelphia-thence to Trenton and Amboy and were from thence conveyed up the sound between the Jersey Shore and Staten Island to the blazing Star Ferry where we lay encamped until the latter end of September in the same year and were dismissed after having served near three months. The field officers were Colonel William Montgomery Lieutenant Colonel, Evan Evants. First Major David Mackey + 2nd Major Patterson Bell.

2nd. In the winter following I again marched as a sergeant and a volunteer in the same company and under the same company officers. Our company again

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marched on maybe but where we marched or who the Regimented or Commanding Officers were this declared cannot now recollect - the cannonade of Trenton was during the time I was out upon this tour and after having served about two months we concluded (at the request of our officers), to stay about two weeks longer, till a fresh recruit of men either militia or soldiers should arrive to take the place of those whose tour of service had expired - which lengthens our tour of service till about two months and an half - we were dismissed and returned to our homes.
3rd In August 1777.  I was called in my class being at this time an Ensign.  This call was made by Thomas Strawbridge who at that time was one of the SubLieutenants of the County.  After reaching our rendezvous it was discovered that there were more officers, and particularly, more Ensigns, than were wanted or necessary to command the number of men who appeared in obedience to the call, the companies not being full.  This declarant was ordered to engage in aiding to procure by coercion or inforcement and conduct teams for the purpose of drawing and conveying boats or carriages or wheels to be used in case it should become necessary for the army to cross deep waters, in haste.  After the Battle of Brandywine, myself and others were directed to leave the boats, and the teams were directed to haul ammunition and other military stores out the city of Philadelphia for the use of the army this tour continued until November, when we were dismissed having served near three months.
4th In 1781.  I was choosen Captain and as such directed to march my company to Philadelphia. I paraded my men prepared and ready to march where ever directed - our orders were countermanded with directions to hold myself and my men in readiness to march at a minutes warning until further orders, and were not

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dismissed for about two months.
This declared further states that when he entered the army he resided in the Township of Londonderry in the County of Chester and that his residence during the whole of the Revolution was in the same township.  That his two first tours of service was performed as a volunteer and his two last as an officer, and drafted according to the then existing laws of Pennsylvania. and that he never was a substitute - never was in any Battle - the county over which he marched was Pennsylvania & Jersey only.  That he has no recollection of the names of any Regular officers other than those whose names he has mentioned.  That he has no documentary evidence of his services and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to testify there unto.  And in answer to the interrogations directed to be put by the Court to the applicants under the act which has been mentioned to the declarant answers to will for the first interrogating.  Where and in what year were you born? This declarant answers I was born in the Township of London Derry in the County of Chester in the year 1755.  To the second interrogatory  Have you any record of your age and if so, where is it?  The declarant answers, There is a record of the time of my birth made upon a leaf bound in my fathers family Bible now in my possesion.  To the third. Where were you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live? The declarant answers when I entered and when called into the service of my country I resided in the Township of Londonderry in Chester County.  Since the war I have lived part of the time in the same township and part of the time in the Township of Upper Oxford    County where I now live.  To the Fourth Interragatory to   .  How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute?  This deponent answers, I marched as a volunteer the two first tours the third tour I was drafted (as an ensign) and as a captain was called for a fourth tour as I have before stated.  I never

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served as a substitute for any man.  My object was to serve my country and not to earn money.  To the fifth interrogatory   .  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 services?  This declarant answers That he recollects General Roberdeau having visited the encampment once or twice and on one occasion that he addressed the Regiment but there was no General Officer in command at any time in place where the company to which this declarant was encamped.  Colonel William Montgomery of Chester County was our Commander at one time & Col John McDowell of the same county, at another, cannot now recollect any continental Regiments either marching or being encamped with us.  Was never in any regular Battle when we lay near the sound the Hessians were frequently firing over upon us.  To the Sixth Interrogatory to wit Did you ever receive a discharge from the service an if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?  Did you ever receive a commission and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it?  This declarant answers That he never had a specific or regular discharge but was on each occasion dismissed upon on from Parade with the rest of the company - that he had a commission as an Ensign it was issued by the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania and has long since been lost or destroyed - does not now recollect by whom it was signed but thinks it was dated in the year 1777.  Declarant had also a Captains commission which was issued by the same authority but the date there of or by whom signed is not more recollected, this commission is also lost or destroyed but when or under what circumstances the declarant does not recollect.  
To the seventh to wit, State the name of persons to who you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution The declarant answers that he is personally known to Robert Cochran James Greswell  Rev Robert White

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William Carlile, Jonathan Gordon, and Genl. John W. Cunningham either it all of whom can testify as to his character for veracity and also their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
And finally that the declarant is now in his seventy eighth year of age and that his memory is much impaired
He hereby relinquished every claim whatever 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.
December 10th 1832
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

[signatures]
D Crosbey
John W. Cunningham Prot

[crossed out] General John W. Cunningham and Jonathan Gordon, both of the County of Chester, State of Pennsylvania being duly sworn do]

State of Pennsylvania Chester County Ss. General John W. Cunningham, of said County being duly sworn and Jonathan Gordon of same place being duly affirmed do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Crosby who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be above seventy seven years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur on that opinion
afformed and Subscribed in open court 11 Dec 1832
[crossed out] the day and year aforesaid

[signatures]
Jonathan Gordon
John W Cunningham Prot

Sworn and subscribed in open court by John W. Cunningham this 11 Dec 1832
[signatures]
John W Cunningham,
Isaac Darlington Prec. of said Court

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[2 dark x through the middle of each paragraph]

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 [word scratched out] applicant named named in the forgoing declaration was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that John W Cunningham , Johnathan Gordon, Robert White [who have made and subscribed the forgoing [word crossed out with hash lines] affirmation + deposition The Rev Robert White who made + published the following deposition  and that  their statements are entitled to Credit
By the court
[left margin of the document written sideways]
 These are erased, for informality [underlined 2 times]

[2nd paragraph has 3 x's and 2 slash marks through the paragraph]
State of Pennsylvania 
Chester county Pa {squiggle line] The reverend Robert White of said county, being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is Pastor of the Presbyterian [word crossed out] congregation called Faggs Manor in Upper Oxford township said] county of Chester, which in the nearest church to David Crosby the declaration written names, and this declaration in the nearest clergyman to the said David Crosby that he is well acquainted with David Crosby who has inscribed and sworn to the written declaration, and that he believes him to be above seventy seven years of age and that he is reported and he believes in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that this dependent concurs in that opinion

Sworn and transcribed 
in open court: the 
day of Dec 1832

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State of Pennsylvania
Chester County, We the Rev Robert White
a clergyman residing in the township of Upper Oxford in
the County of Chester State of Pennsylvania, and Gen
John W. Cunningham residing in New London township
said County of Chester hereby certify that we are
well acquainted with David Crosby who has
Subscribed and sworn to the within declaration
that we believe him to be above seventy seven
years of age; that he is reputed and believed in
the neighbourhood where he resided to have
been a soldier of the revolution, and that we
concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed
in open Court, this
11 Dec. 1832
Robert White
John W Cunningham
[unreadable signature]
President of the Court
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 David Crosby the within named
applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And
the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that the Rev
Robert White who has signed the preceding certificate, is a
Clergyman, resident in the township of Upper Oxford, said County
of Chester, State of Pennsylvania & that Gen. John W Cunningham, who
has also signed the same, is a resident in the same county of
Chester, & that Jonathan Gordon who signed the affirmation immediately
succeeding the within declaration is a resident in the same County
of Chester & that the said Robert White John W Cunningham and
Jonathan Gordon are credible persons, and that their statements
are entitled to credit
By the Court
John W. Cunningham Prot

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John W Cuningham Prothonotary of the Court of
Common pleas in and for the County of Chester do
hereby certify that the foregoing and within contain
the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of David Crosby the
within named Declarant, for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my
hand and seal of the said court this Eleventh day of December
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and thirty two
●
John W Cuningham Prot

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Chester County

And now on this day to wit on the
eleventh day of May AD 1833 personally appeared
in open Court before the Court of Common pleas now
sitting at Westchester, in the said County of Chester
David Crosby, the within named declarant for a pension
who being duly sworn doth amend his
within declaration and doth depose and say that
by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he can
not 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. In the year 1776 on the tenth or
the 11 July I marched as a Sergeant and volunteer in a company commanded
by Captain Strawbridge as stated in my within declaration, and served as
Sergeant in said company for a period not less than two months and fourteen 
days from the said 10 or 11th July. In the winter following I again marched
as a Sergeant and volunteer in the same company as stated in my within
declaration, and served on that occasion as a Sergeant, not less than
another period of two months and fourteen days. In August AD 1777
was called in my class being at this time an Ensign as stated in my
within declaration, & in this year that is, 1777 I served as an Ensign as
stated in my within declaration for a period not less than three
months. In 1781 I was chosen Captain, as stated in my within declaration
and served as a captain for a period not less than two months
And for such services I claim a pension
Sworn to and subscribed
this eleventh day of May
6. 1833 in open Court
John W. Cunningham Prot

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Commonwealth of Penns
Chester County

I John W Cuningham Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chester do certify that the
foregoing contains the additional original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application and Declaration of David Crosby
the deponent who has subscribed the same in order to obtain a pension
on the act of June 7, 1832
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and the seal of said Court at West Chester in
the said County of Chester this Eleventh day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred
and thirty three
John W Cuningham Prot

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12.626
INVALID.
File No. 12.162
David Crosby
Lieut & C Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832

[Arrangement of 1870]

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Adm
2 mon. Captain 40.00
3 mon. Ensign  30.00
4. {unreadable] 24.60
                         ______
                        $ 94.60
J. W. Cunningham Esq
Westchester
Pa

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

1. 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 of 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? 
No, see Queve 5
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 claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and other 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 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? 
XIV. 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?
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. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 

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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; 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 about three or four months 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. 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 [shown] under 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 an 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.
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 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. 
QUERE XVI. 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. 
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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Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
Washington City

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Sir

I have the honour to enclose you the acclamation of Captain David Crosby a soldier of the Revolution as the same has been amended by supplementary declarations before the Court this day.

When passed upon please to enclose the result to.

I am very respectfully yours,

John W. Cunningham


Hon J L Edwards Esq
Com. Pensons [sic[


West Chester Penns
May 11 1833