Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 22249, Balzer Fritz, Penn.

Page 1

Service |                           Number
Penn.   |   Fritz, Balzer   |   S 22249 [Handwritten row]

Born in Germany [Handwritten]

Contents [empty field]

Page 2

No. 11,160
Pennsylvania

Balzer Fritz
of Lehigh Co. in the State of Penn. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Kurkel of the Regt. commanded by Col. Kever in the Penn. Militia for 6 months Private. $20.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 20 Dollars [Cents crossed out] per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2? day of April 1833 and sent to Pensioner care of the Protho. of the Co. Allentown P.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 | 40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Sep. 1833 | 10.00
[equals symbol] $50.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. [in brackets]

Recorded by D. Brown [signature] Clerk, Book E, Vol. 5, Page 19

Page 3

State of Pennsylvania
Lehigh County towit

Taken at the house of Balzer Fritz the applicant here in after named in the Township of Lowhill in the said County of Lehigh & State of Pennsylvania - 

On the seventeenth day of September 1832, personally appered before John Fogel, one of the associate judges of the Court of Common pleas in afor said County of Lehigh State of Pennsylvania, Balzer Fritz now residing in the Township of Lowhill in said County of Lehigh aged Eighty Eight Years, on the [illegible] day of March - last past, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth an [his crossed out] Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed - June the 7th, 1832, that he entered the Service of the United States under the following offices and Service as here in stated - that is to say, in the Year AD 1777, in the month of August or September in said Year, that he resided in the Township of Weisenburg [Weisenberg] in the said County, and at that time belonged to the 6th Class of Militia of Pennsylvania, as said Militia was Classed, that George Fritz residing in the same Township of Weisenburg [Weisenberg] aforesaid, belonged to the 5th Class was drafted for actual Service - and that he this applicant whent as a Substitute for said George Fritz, under the Command of Captain

Page 4

Adam Knuckle attached to the Regiment Commanded by Col. Nicholas Kern and was marched to Germantown, the British Being of the City of Philadelphia and where marched from place to place in that neighborhood and that he the applicant served a tour of duty for two months as a substitute for said George Fritz, and after the completion of said tour of duty then went home. And that he was not in any battle and that General Washington was with the army & General Bull Commanded the militia at the time he was in Service and toward the end of October in 1778 he was drafted and marched under the command of the aforesaid Captain Adam Kunkel & Major Frederick Siehler Battalion & Regiment commanded by Col. Henry Geigers Pennsylvania Militia, that he carried a rifle & was marched to the Blue Mountains, to the Mahoney Crick near the River Lehigh, and served two months and upward in Service against the Indians & after the Expiration of said Tour of Duty he returned home and remained at home for about three months or more he was again ordered out and marched under the command of Capt. Nicholas Miller, and attached to his Regiment, Commanded by Col. Nicholas Kern and was marched behind the Blue Mountains near the River Lehigh and that neighborhood and remained two months and upward in service against the Indians and returned home in June or July in 1779

Page 5

In reply to the questions put by the judges according to the instructions of the war department.
The said Balzer Fritz, makes the following reply-
1. I was born on the 15th day of March 1744 in aforesaid (unreadable) Germany, I came to America when I was about six years of age, I came to Weisenburg township Northampton County (now Lehigh) county state of Pennsylvania.
2. and that he lived in said Weisenburg township where he was called in the service [(of) crossed out] Each time and has lived and has lived there for about 15 years after the close of the war, when he moved into the township of Lowell, where he has since & doth now reside.
3. a Certification of my birth and baptism that was taken from the church record
4. I first served as Substitute for George Fritz & was afterwards drafted as stated in the forgoing declaration.
5. I cannot recollect the name of any other officers then those mentioned in my declaration.

Page 6

6. when the tour of service of militia expired they (unreadable) without discharge so far as I know. I do not recollect of having received a written discharge
Sworn and subscribed
this 17th day of September 1832
Before me
John Fogle one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County
Pennsylvania

Balzer Fritz
x his mark

Lehigh County
Henry Smith & Andrew (unreadable)Esq.  citizens of said County who Being duly sworn according to law do depose & say that they are now well acquainted with and have long known Balzer Fritz the applicant in the forgoing declaration and believe that he is of the age he declares himself to be in said declaration. We also believe that he is a man of truth and Validity. We also know that it is generally believed in the neighborhood where he resides the he served in the militia in the Revolutionary War. And we concur in that belief 
Sworn & subscribed this 17th day of September 1832 Before me
John Fogle one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
{signature in German} Henry Smith and Andrew Shiffernt(unreadable)

Page 7

And the said judge Doth here by declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogations prescribed by the War department that the above & with in named applicant served in the war of the Revolution as he has stated, And the said judge further certify that it appears to him that the said Henry Smith and Andrew (Sluffrsteve)? who have signed the proceeding certificate are residents in the County of Lehigh and are creditable persons-
(to my own knowledge) and that there Statement is entitled to credit, and I the said judge further certify that there is no clergyman residing near than nine miles of the residence of the said applicant And it would be troublesome expensive for the said applicant to prove the personal attendance of one,
John Fogle one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Pennsylvania
and I the saidJudge before whom the foregone proceedings where had & (unreadable) Do Certify that Balzer Fritz the above and within named applicant could not from Bodily Infirmity Attend Court. Witness my hand September the 17 AD 1832
John Fogle one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Lehigh Pennsylvania

Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Lehigh County
Came before the Subscriber one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & of the County of Lehigh, State of Pennsylvania Peter Seidel aged Seventy Six years & upwards, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose, declare & say that he is well acquainted with a certain Balzer Fritz, who is now an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th day of June 1832. This deponent swore they either to the best of his knowledge & recollection this applicant Balzer Fritz and this deponent served together two dowers(Tours) of two months duty as militia men in the Revolutionary War.That is to say a two month duty in the Year 1777 under the Command of Capt. Adam Kunkel and attached to the Regiment Commanded by Col. Nicholas Kern which two months dower (tour) of Duty was performed by the applicant in and about Germantown near Philadelphia after the Battle of German Tavern, in 1777 as a private militia man-and in the year following to (unreadable)1778 one other dower(tour) of duty of two months under the Command of said Capt. Kunckel and attached to the Regiment Commanded by Col. Henry Geiger which dower (tour) of two months duty was performed by the said Balzer Fritz as a private militia militia men in the county of Northampton against the savage Indians fourther said not 
signed
Peter Seidel
Sworn and subscribed
This 19 day of September 1832
Before me
John Fogle one of the judges of the County Common Pleas of Lehigh County Pennsylvania

Page 9

State of Pennsylvania
Lehigh County
Came before the Subscriber one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Pennsylvania, George Back aged Seventy three years and upwards, who Being duly Sworn According to law doth declare today that he is well acquainted with a certain Balzer Fritz of the said County of Lehigh, who is now an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th day of June 1832-This deponent fourthe saith that to the Best of his knowledge and recollection-the Said Balzer Fritz and this deponent served together two Dowers (tours) of Two months duty each Dower as militia men in the Revolutionary War. that is to say a two month dower(Tours) of duty in 1778 under the Command of Captain Adam Kunckel & attached to the Regiment Commanded by Col. Henry Geiger and in the following year so said in 1779 one other dower(Tour) of two months duty under the Commanded by Col. Nicholas Kern. Both dowers(tours) of duty where performed by the said Balzer Fritz as a private-militia man in the North-costency parts of Northampton against the Savage Indians-farther said not known to the subscribed.
signed
Georg Bok
This 19th day of September 1832 before me John Fogle one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Pennsylvania

Page 10

Pennsylvania
Lehigh County ss
I Daniel Kramer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County  Do Certify that John Fogle Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, and affidavit sworn was at the time and is One of the associate Judges of the said Court Duly Commissioned & Qualified.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Said Court at Northampton the fifteenth day of October AD 1832
D. Kramer Prot.
By Jacob Fillinger

Baltzer Fritz (written along the botton left margin bottom to top)

Page 11

November 11, 1935

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Balzer Fritz, S.22249
BA-J/HCS

Mrs. Archie W. French
3211 Jackson Street
Houston, Texas

Dear Madam:

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 22249, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Balzer Fritz.

He was born March 15, 1744, in "Assandellingsburg", Germany, and when he was about ten years of age he came to America, to Weisenburg Township which was then in Northampton County but later Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

While living in Weisenburg Township, he enlisted and served as private with the Pennsylvania troops as follows: from sometime in August or September, 1777, two months in Captain Adam Funkel's company in Colonel Nicholas Fern's regiment and was a substitute for George Fritz (relationship not given); from late in October, 1778, two months in Captain Adam Funkel's company in Colonel Henry Geiger's regiment; about three months after return from last noted service he enlisted and served two months in Captain Nicholas Miller's company in Colonel Nicholas Kern's regiment, returning home in June or July, 1779.

Balzer Fritz was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, at which time he was living in Lowhill Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, having moved there from Weisenburg Township about fifteen years after the close of the Revolution.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.

Page 12

The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford any information in regard to bounty land having been granted by the United States on account of the service of Balzer Fritz.

For information relative to land that may have been granted this soldier by the State of Pennsylvania, it is suggested that you address The Librarian, Pennsylvania State Library, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Page 13

22249
INVALID
(Revolution written diagonal across the above words)
File No. 22.249
Balzer Fritz
Pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7"  32"

Index:--Vol. 2 Page 143
[Arrangement of 1870]

(hand written along right side top)
193(?)  Nov. 11 hist. to Mrs. Archie W. French MCS
-------------------------------------------
1936 Jan 21, Mrs. Archie W. French inf. rel. to obt. soldier's death etc
MCS

Page 14

State of Pennsylvania
Lehigh County Towith}
Before John Fogle one of the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County the judge before whom the original declaration is made and to which this is to be anesced as an adititional declaration and the answers to the aditional questions made by the War Department which seems have been omitted in the original declaration, On the 26 day of January 1833 personally appeared before me the judge aforesaid Balzer Fritz who Being duly sworn-deposeth & saith that, by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positive as to the precise length of his Service-but according to the best of his recollection he Served not less (word crossed out) than the periods mentioned below and in the following Grades. Two months I served in the year 1777 as a Substitute for George Fritz as a private. Two months I served in the year 1778 as a drafted militiamen as a private and Two months I Served in the year 1779 also as a private militia men-And for Such Service I Claim a pension--And I Balzer Fritz the applicant aforesaid Do hereby Relinquish Every Claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity Except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State or of the United States
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid

Balzer Fritz
his mark

Before me
John Fogel
the Judge aforesaid

Page 15

and I the judge before whom the foregoing declaration was made do further declare my opinion in respect of the witness Examined in the foregoing declaration Do Certify that from the representation Reviewed of Peter Seidel & George Back (whose depositions are annexed to this application) and from the Knowledge I have of them my Self that there Statements in relation to the Revolutionary Services of Balzer Fritz is entitled to Credit. In Testimony whereof I have herein to see my hand & seal this 26 day of January 1833.
John Fogel (Seal)
the judge aforesaid

Pennsylvania 
Lehigh county SS
I  D. Kramer Proth'y of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Do here by Certify that John Fogle Esqr before whom the within Instrument of writing to me acknowledged I whose name is hereto Subscribed  was at the date thereof & State is one of the associate Judges of the Court of Said county and that full & saith & credit accord of the right (unreadable) to be Given to this & all other his official acts as well in Court of Judication as elsewhere.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and the Seal of the Said Court at the Borough of Northampton in Said County this First Day of February in the Year of Our Lord one thousand and thirty three
D. Kramer Prothy

Page 16

Adm. 
6 mo's
Private
#20.--

Pension
Care of the Pro. of the Co.
Allentown
Pa

Page 17

(Typed questions on form with handwritten answers)
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the red ink, will apply to the claim of Balzer Fritz (handwritten in) which require further proof or explanation.

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 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 quere 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?  No
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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?

Page 18

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 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 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? No see Quere 14
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 registration directs? No, see Quere 16
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, deposits and saith, that, by reason of old age, and 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."

Page 19

Page 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 (in italics)} is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service (in italics)
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 witness, 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 italics)
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 the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any  paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Page 20

3211 Jackson St.            Stamped received Jan                                            17 1936
Houston, Texas
Jan. 14, 1936

Reference to:
Balzer Fritz, S. 22249
B. A. J/MCS

Mr. A. D. Hiller
Veterans Administration
Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Hiller:
Thank you so much for the valuable information in your letter of Nov. 11, '35, with reference to the above.
Will you kindly give me the date of the death (underlined) of Balzer Fritz and the place where he lived at the time of his death.
Was a pension paid to his widow after his death? If so what were the dates of this pension, and where did the widow live.

Very truly yours,
Mrs. Archie W. French

Page 21

3211 Jackson St.
Houston, Texas
Sept. 16, 1935

Mr. A. D. Hiller
Veterans Administration
Washington, DC.

Dear Sir, 

I am writing again with reference to the Revolutionary War data that I am seeking.

Apparently I did not make myself clear about the name of the soldiers. I wish the records of two soldiers: (1) Fritz, (2) Ford. Both lived at some time in the vicinity of Allentown, Pennsylvania. The soldier named Fritz, I have been told, did receive a pension, lived to be 110 years old, and died either in Pennsylvania, or in Medina County, Ohio. He had a son named Peter Fritz. The soldier named Ford had a daughter named Esther and also served with Pennsylvania troops in the Revolutionary War. 
The soldier named Fritz received a bounty land grant either in Pennsylvania or Ohio. 
If I am not asking an unreasonable request I wish to have the records of any Fritz who received a pension following the Revolutionary War, so that I may make comparison with the family traditions. I shall greatly appreciate your help.
Very truly yours,
(signed)(unreadable) French
Mrs. Archie  W. French

Page 22

January 21, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/MCS        (Am in cursive next to initials)

Mrs. Archie W. French
3211 Jackson Street
Houston, Texas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of January 14, 1936, requesting the date and place of death of Balter Fritz, S.22249, also if a pension was paid to his widow.

The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to show that anyone ever applied for pension as the widow of this soldier.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Balzer Fritz, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of the soldier's death, it is suggested that you address The Controller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing the following data:
Balzer Fritz, Certificate 11160, issued April 2, 1833, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Page 23

November 11, 1935
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/MCS
Balzer Fritz, S. 22349

Mrs. Archie W. French
3211 Jackson Street
Houston, Texas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War records of soldiers surnamed Fritz and Ford.

In order to identify the record of the particular soldier in whom you are interested with surname, Ford, it is essential that you give the full name and furnish as much as possible of the following data: approximate date of birth and death, place of residence at enlistment and after service and first name of widow.

You are furnished herewith, the record of the only soldier with surname, Fritz, who enlisted from Pennsylvania, that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. 

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator