Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6884, Samuel Gerock, Md.

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(3-1776)

Service
Md.

Gerock, Samuel

Number
S.6884

Carded
CONTENTS

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N. Carolina 12.760
Samuel Gerock of Craven Co in the State of N. Carolina who was a Lieut- in the company commanded by Captain Keeport--of the regiment commanded by Col. Housegger in the German regt line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 366-Dollars 66-Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issuded the 20th day of May 33 and Sent - Applicant Newbern N.C-

Arrears to the 4th of March 33  -733.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Septr 183.33
916.63

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Rush Newman Clerk
Book E  Vol. 6  Page 41

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Declaration
In Order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832,
State of N Carolina Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Craven County
On the 18th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Craven County now sitting, Sam Gerock, a resident of Newbern, in the County of Craven, and State of No Carolina, Aged Seventy Eight Year, 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, passed June 7th 1832,  That he entered the service of the State of Maryland, in the Revolutionary War, being then living in Baltimore, (as a first Lieutenant, in the Company of Artillery Commanded by Capt Alexander Furnival, at that time stationed at the Fort below Baltimore, now called Fort McHenry, along with another Company of Artillery under the Command of Capt Richard Dorsey).  The whole under the immediate command of Major Nathaniel Smith, Having previously served in the Continental Army as a first Lieutenant, in a Regiment of Infantry, in the Winter Campaign, in the Jerseys in 1776 and 1777.  As his former declaration, under the Act of 18th March 1818, will more fully who, and rendered incapable of more active service by past suffering during the time, he accepted this commission sometime in July or August 1777, and appeared off the mouth of the Patapsco, in View from the Fort and an attach was expected, he was stationed in Command of the Right of the Upper Battery, the Water Battery being manned by a Militia and others, In this Service he continued, untill sometime in the month of October 1778, when he resigned, and he has no documentary evidence to prove his service, having applied for the same, at the proper

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office at Annapolis, was informed in reply under date of 13th Dec, 1832, that there was no Rolls of the Maryland Artillery in the Office, and that the presumption was that they were lost shortly after the Revolution, as they were never returned to the Office, and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service under the two engagements, comprising a period of Two Years and upwards.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension toll of any State, only on that of the Agency of the State of N Carolina

Sworn to and Subscribed, the [illegible due to ink blot] and [illegible] aforesaid

J.G. Stanley Esq
Sam Gerock

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resident in the Town of Newbern, and that John H Bryan who has also signed the same is a resident in Newbern aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, James G Stanly, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Craven County, State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applications of Samuel Gerock for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirteenth day of February in the Year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
J.G. Stanely
C.C.

[Seal stamp]

Interrogations Proposed to Sam Gerock
1  Where, and in what Year were you born
Answer
I was born in the Twon of Lancaster State of Pennsylvania on the 13th October 1754
2nd  Have you any record of your age & if so, where is it
Answer
I have no record of my age, but was so informed by my parents
3  Where were you living when called into Service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live
Answer
I was then living in Baltimore when I entered the service of the State of Maryland, and after the Revolutionary War continued there, untill my departure for Newbern, where I arrived sometime in the Month of May 1784, and where I still live
4th  How were you called into Service, were you drafted, did you Volunteer, or were you a Substitute, and if a substitute, for whom
Answer
I received a Commission as first Lieutenant in a Company of Artillery Commanded by Capt Alexander Furnival, Stationed at the Fort below Baltimore
5th  State the names of some of the regular officers, who were

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with the Troops where you served, such Continental Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer
The Garrison of the Fort composed of the above Company, and another Company of Artillery Commanded by Capt Richard Dorsey the whole under the immediate command of Major Nathaniel Smith, no material circumstances occurring during this time, than as aforementioned
6th  Did you ever received a Commission [crossed out] discharge from the service [end cross out] if so, by whom was it [crossed out] given [end cross out] signed. What has becomes of it.  
Answer
The Commission which I received as above stated, was signed I think by the Governor, for the time being and was returned to Annapolis, at my resignation
7th  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character, for the veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution
Answer
I have the honor of being known to John H. Bryan and the Rev John R. Goodman, and generally the Inhabitants of Newbern, who can testify as to my character for veracity, and their belief of my Services as a Soldier of the Revolution
Sam Gerock
Sworn to and Subscribed the day & year aforementioned
J.G. Stanley C.C.

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Declaration
In order to be restored to the Pension list under the Act of first March 1823
Craven County [illegible] }
On this twenty first day of April 1829, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record, for the County of Craven, [illegible] the Superior Court of Law, foresaid County, Sam Gerock, resident in said County, aged Seventy four (74) years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on his Oath maketh the following declaration, in Order to obtain the provision, made by Congress of 18th March, 1818 and 1st May 1820, that he the said Sam Gerock Entered as a first Lieutenant, some day of July in the Year 1776, in the Town of Baltimore, and State of Maryland, in the Company Commanded by Cat. Geo P Keeport, the the German Battalion in the line of the State of Maryland, on the Continental establishment.  That he continued to serve in the same Corps, untill the middle of May 1777, when he received leave of absence near Quibbletown in the State of New Jersey So came home to recruit, being rendered totally unfit for further active service by a violent

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attach of Rheumatism and after his recovery therefrom, was {illegible] to accept a Commission as first Lieutenant, in a Company of Maryland Artillery, commanded by Capt Alex. Furnival then stationed at the Fort below Baltimore, in which he continued to serve untill sometime in October 1778 when he resigned.  That his name has been placed on the Pension list, and dropped wherefrom, on account of his property, And in pursuance of the Act of 1st May 1820
I do Solemnly Swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United Stated, on the 18th day of March 1818.  And that I have not since that time, by gift sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent, thereby, so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provision of an Act of Congress, entitled an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & Naval Service, of the United States in the Revolutionary War.  Passed on the 18th day of March 1818.  And that I have not, not has any person in trust for me, any property of securities, contracts, or debts, due to me, nor have I any property other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by be Subscribed being some old household kitchen furniture.  [illegible] Statement and held by Courtesy of the Bank of Newbern

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Schedule of Property
1 Old Mahogany desk & book case
2  "        "     dining tables
1   "        "    Tea         "
8    "        "  Chairs
 [illegible]
a trifling quantity of China & other Crockery
 [illegible]
1 doz.  Old silver table spoons. 1 doz Tea [illegible] 1 Ladle
1 Old Copper Kettle 1 pr Kitchen Anderons shovel thongs
1 " [illegible] Kitchen, 1 Wood Saw 4 [illegible] 1 pan
1 ' looking Glass, 1 pr [illegible]
1 " Knife Case  1 Common pine Safe 1 Wheal Barrow
1 pr Old brass Candlesticks
1 [illegible]
Sam Gerock
And my only income, what I procure, buy acting as a Clerk & When I can find employ, and the ability to pursue this Occupation, very uncertain, and my Eye sight greatly impaired.  I have two children living with me, a Daughter named Mary Aged 24 yrs and a Sone name Charles, aged 22 years, in a Capacity to contribute to his support
Sworn to and declared on the 21st day of April 1829 before me, one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Law and Equity of the State of North Carolina
Wm. Norwood

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State of North Carolina}
Craven County -}
Superior Court Of Law
April Term 1829
I Abner Pasteur Clerk of the Superior Court of Craven do hereby certify that if appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Sam Gerock did Serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the Common Enemy for the term of Nine Months, under One engagement on the Continental establishment.  I also certify that the foregoing Oath & the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court  And I do further certify, that it is the Opinion of the said Court, that the totall amount in Value of the property exbibited in the aforesaid schedule is One hundred & eleven dollars and forty- cents
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court
On this twenty first day of April, 1829
Abner Pasteur
Clerk, S.C.L. 
Seal of the Court

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In pursuance of an Act of the Congress of the United States.  Approved by the President on the 18th March 1818.  Entitled an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War.
Your Petitioner most respectfully [illegible] that he received an appointment as first Lieut in Capt George P Keeports Company raised in Baltimore German Battalion Maryland Line, Commanded by Col. Nicholas Haussegger, on or about the 12th July 1776,   That he commaned said Company in the then absence of Capt Keeport, at the Attack & Cannonade at Trenton N Jersey, on the afternoon of 2nd January 1777 [illegible] sunrise next morning at the Battle of Princeton.  The Army then under the immediate command of his Excellency Gen. Washington, after which your Petitioner was stationed with the remains of the Battalion 15th Febr on the lines, at Quibbletown &  [illegible] places about 6 miles from New Brunswick [illegible] in possession of the Enemy, Main Army & about 4&5 miles from Bonam town Piscataway a Chain of Posts occupied by them in this situation, continually harassing your Petitioner was [illegible] several times in action with the Eneby on the 23rd Feby 24th March & 20th April, [illegible] affairs and suffering every privation, & hardships of an Open Winters Campaign, buy the Month of a of [illegible] evening, was rendered totally incapable of further service, by a Violent attach of Rheumatism, on the 13th May, received leave of absence to come home to Baltimore to recruit, on his arrival there sometime in that month, was laid up entirely, & suffered very much from its effects for more than a month in continuance.  In consequences of

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bodily suffering & disability for more active service.  Your Petitioner was induced to apply for a Commission as first Lieut of Maryland Artillery, in Capt Alex Furnivals Company then stationed at the Fort below Baltimore.  Which Commission he received to the best of his recollection between the month of Aug. & Oct. 1777 and served as [illegible] some in Oct. 1778 when he resigned, and owing to the lapse of time since the period of his services, the Commission which he had the honor of holding are lost, and does not know of any evidence in his power to procure for a further confirmation

Your Petitioner would humbly beg leave to state that he is a Native Citizen on the United States, a resident of the Vicinity & Town of Newbern N Carolina, since 1784 [1764?] that he is now 63 years of age, with four children depending on him, and that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his Country for support and as in duty bound shall every pray.
Sam Gerock
15th April 1818}
Newbern No. Carolina}
Samuel Gerock maketh oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing memorial are just and true  [Signature] Sam Gerock
Sworn to before me the above date.
John Louis Taylor C.J.

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North Carolina Roll
Maryd Line

Correct

Newbern, N.C.

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Newbern No. Carolina}
15th April 1818}

I am perfectly satisfied that Samuel Gerock the applicant, served in the Revolutionary army in the capacity, and under the circumstances stated in his memorial.  The integrity of his character sustained through a long course of years, in offices and employment, which though of great [illegible] were of [illegible] is personally to myself, a sufficient pledge of the truth of all his petitions.  But in addition to this, he has laid before me [illegible] papers, being the evident [illegible] of authenticity, which are in themselves sufficient to enforce a like conviction.  He has shown me an [illegible] almanack of the year 1777, the blank leaves of which he kept a diary, and recorded the services he performed, and the affairs in which he was engaged, - also several letters addressed to him as Lieutenant of the company by Capt. Keeport, and several receipts recognizing him in his military capacity signed by the Colonel of the Regiment Nicholas Haussegger ---- In testimony of the above certificate I has hereunto signed my name and [illegible]  the seal of [illegible] Superior Court, in which I am present

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preside, to be affixed hereto.
John Louis Taylor.
Chief Justice of No. Carolina

[Seal or Stamp]

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6884
INVALID
RevWar

No. 6884
Samuel Gerock
Lieut Rev War

Act:  June 7th 32
ex: - VOl. 1st, Page 139

[Arrangement of 1870]

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3767.
North Carolina.
Samuel Gerock
Lieutenant
Maryland line
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina, at the rate of 20- Dollars per month, to commence on the 15th of April, 1818 and sent to pensioner, at Newbern North Carolina.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.  mo. 20/20
Semi-anl. all'ee ending 4th March 1819
[crossed out figures 27.33  48? 85.33]
$93.33
{Revolutionary claim Act 18 March, 1818}
 120-
$213.33
77 One Year
Newbern, Craven County
Copy of Gerock declarations sent to the Hon: to the Hon J H Bryan HR 27 Jany 1826
See letter to Hon John Long 16. January 1829
See letter May 6. 1829 to Hon. J. H. Bryan.  
See letter to S. Gerock June 5. 1829

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3767
North Carolina
Samuel Gerock
of Craven County in the State of North Carolina who was Lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain Keeport of the regiment commanded by Colonel Housegger in the line, for the term of one year from July 1776 to [blank] 17
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month to commence on the 15 day of April 1818. and
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th October 1818 and sent to the Pensioner at Newbern N.C.
Continued the Roll 2nd day of September 1829 and notification sent to the Pensioner at Newbern N.C. Pension commencing on the 10th of August 1829
Amount due on 4th of March 1830}
$136.85
{Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, May 1, 1820}
Recorded Book C Vol 8 page 37
[initials BLB?]
See letter of Hon. J.H. Bryan Sept. 18. 1829 to to same April 5. 1831.

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3767
North Carolina
Samuel Gerock
of Craven Co. in the State of N. Carolina who was a Lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain Keeport of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Housigger in the German Regt. line, for the term of one year, from July 1776 to 1777

Inscribed on the roll of North Carolina at the rate of twenty Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 day of January 1828

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of April 1831 and sent to Pensioner.  Newbern, N.C

Arrears to 4th March 1831 $762.58
Semi-anu'l all'ce ending 4 Sep. $120.
$ 882.58

See letter to S. Gerock, May 16, 1831
See letter to Gerock --- of 3d August, 1832 [illegible initials WHP?]
do to same Sept. 29. 1832

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War Department
Pension Office
16. January 1829.
In reply to your letter of the 14th instant I have to state that Samuel Gerock a Lieutenant was inscribed on the Revolutionary Pension list of the North Carolina Agency at $20 per month commencing the 15th April 1818.  He was dropped from the roll under the Act of 1 May 1821, never having exhibited a schedule of his property, as required by that Act.  He has never made any application to be continued on the pension list.
I have the honor to be very respectfully you Obd. Servant
James L Edwards

Hon. John Long
House of Representatives

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[postal stamp] Newbern N.C. Dec 20
free
Hon: John H. Bryan
Ho. of Reps.
Washington City.

Mr. Gerock

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Decbr.

Dear Brother.
Accompanying this letter, I have written to you in
exhaustion.  I have prepared Mr. Gerock's [illegible] to [illegible] but upon investigation, we do not find any individuals of any standing, when testimony we should think would corroborate Mr. Gerock's Statement.  Mr. G you will find by applying to the War Department, was on the Old list, but professing all the pride and magnanimity of a veteran soldier, he was unwilling to renew his application traumattic as it would have been by an experience of his property and [illegible] Extreme necessity, and the recent sale as you know, of all his property, to satisfy a judgment in favor of the Bank of Newbern have compelled him to [illegible] this last [illegible] to are that is acquainted with Mr. G. here.  Never for a moment doubt the veracity of his statement---his Character you [illegible] has always been unimpeachable, and if there ever was an object worthy of the charity of the

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Government.  I have no hesitation in saying that it is Mr. Gerock.  I send you the certificate which he obtained whilst on the old list, it may possibly aid you in your investigation.
[illegible] affectionately
James W. Bryan
[paraph flourish]

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Saml. Gerock
of
NewBern N.C.

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I am very well acquainted with Saml. Gerock of NewBern N.C.  He sustains a remarkably high character for honour & integrity.  He is very old & now begins to bend with the weight of years.  He is believed by all who know him to have been a revolutionary officer and was recognized as such by President Monroe, who as I was informed remembered him as such at the battle of Revolution on Princeton.
He has now little of no property, and derives a scanty subsistence by [illegible writing?] for the Bank of NewBern but his great age and I verily believe have caused the Bank to [illegible] him, but for his poverty & revolutionary services. 
January. 14. 1829
Jn. H. Bryan

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Pension Office
31st Aug. 29.

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Newbern Aug. 22nd. 1829
Sir
I have the honor to enclose an addition to the documents, heretofore transmitted to the department the [illegible] deposition of [ illegible name C Stephen Egan ?]  [illegible]   Cashier of the Bank of Newbern, which I hope will supply the testimony necessary to make my application successful, all which is most respectfully submitted.  
Very Respectfully
Sir
Your Obt. Servt
Sam Gerock 
Hon.
The Secretary of War
United States

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Honorable Secretary of War
Pens. Office
15. Jan. 1829.

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January 14 1829
D. Sir
Will you please inform me whether Saml. Gerock [^] No. Ca. [end ^] was enrolled on the Pension lists under the law of 1818 and at what rate, and also why he was discontinued
Very Respectfully yours
[illegible initial and name JW Long?]
Honorable 
Secretary at War

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Sept 18 1829
Certificate sent by the messenger who delivered this to J. L. Edwards

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War Department
Pension Office
September 17, 1829
Sir,
The Honorable John H. Bryan. [initial of title held?] from N. Carolina in a letter to this Department states that the pension certificate of Samuel Gerock was sent to him during the last session of Congress, and that it was placed among the papers of the Pension Committee of the House of Representatives, where he thinks it still remains, or perhaps it may be with papers filed in the office of the Secretary of the Senate.  If you can give any information on the subject, or send me the certificate, I will be greatly obliged to you, as the old man Gerock is in want of his certificate to draw his Pension.
I am, respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
James L. Edwards
M. St. Clair Clarke, Esqr
Clerk of the House of Representatives
Capitol

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Payable on the 4th March and 4th September of every year, by the President of the U.S. Branch Bank at Fayetteville
Recorded by Wm S Allison
Clerk, in Book D
Vol. 8 Page 31

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War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I Certify, That, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the [crossed out] 10th of March 1818[end cross out] 20th May 1830
Samuel Gerock
late a
Lieutenant
in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the North Caroling Agency, at the rate of twenty dollars per month, to commence on the first day of January one thousand eight hundred and [crossed out] thirty [end cross out] twenty eight.  The amount paid since 2 September 1829 to the present period to be deducted from the pension under the act above mentioned.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 30th day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty one.
Jno H Eaton
Secretary of War.
Examined and countersigned,
J.L. Edwards

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Land Office; Annapolis; December 13, 1832
Dear Sir;
Your letter of the 6th [illegible month?] directed to the Secretary of State; with a one dollar note enclosed [^] has been handed me by him. [end ^] In reply, I have to inform you; that I have very carefully examined the revolutionary pay rolls, as also the Army Ledgers [^] in this office [end ^] and your name does not appear upon any of said records as having served in the revolution as respects the muster rolls of the Maryland Artillery. I have to state that there are no rolls of the Maryland Artillery in this office.  I have been informed by the late Auditor General, who had formerly the charges of the revolutionary records, that he had never been able to find any rolls of the Maryland Artillery, that he presumes therefore they were lost shortly after the revolution as they were never returned to the office.  Your name however, I should presume, ought to appear either upon the pay rolls or Army Ledgers.  There is no charge for information furnished from the revolutionary records I therefore herewith return you enclosed your one dollar note
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Svt
George G. Brewer
[illegible title]
Saml Gerock Esq.

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Pension Office
April 30 1831

$20 per month from
Jan. 1. 1828.
act May 20. 1830
Revo. N. C.

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Newbern April 22nd 1831
Sir
Agreeable to your instructions of 5th [illegible month?] directed to the Hon. Jno H Bryan, for my observance, which came to hand this day owing to the absence of Mr Bryan
I have now the honor to surrender my Old Pension Certificate, dated 20th Oct. 1818, and Certificate of Continuance on the pension list annexed, dated 2nd Sept. 1829. herewith enclosed in order to obtain the amount of pension allowed me by the Act of May 20th 1830.  also the required documents, executed as directed
I have the honot to be
with great Respect
Your Obdt. Servt.
Sam Gerock 

Hon.
The Secretary of War
United States

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Copy
Newbern Dec. 6th 1832
Hon.
Secretary of State Maryland
Sir
It is requested by the War department of the United States, in establishing my claim to a pension under a late Act of Congress, that I should prove the time of my service in the Army of the Revolution, as this can be done with more certainty by obtaining a Certificate from your Office.  I take the liberty respectfully to request an extract from the Roll of the Maryland Artillery in the Revolutionary War, for the date of my Commission in 1777 as first Lieutenant in Capt. Alexr Furnival's Company of Artillery, stationed at that day at the Fort below Baltimore, and also the date of my resignation, which was sometime in October 1778, be pleased to give your Certificate that form, which will enable me to use it as evidence of the fact I [illegible] committed an error in supposing the Records are under your care, you will do me the favour to obtain the Certificate from the proper Officer, and enclose it to me at Newbern.  I send one dollar to discharge the fees
Most respectfully
Your Obdt. Servant
Sam Gerock

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Pens
Saml Gerock
[crossed out] No 12760 [end crossout]
Pension Office
Revolutionary Claim
#6884  free

[postal stamp]  NEWBERN NC. AUG 17

Hon~e
The Secretary of War
[illegible ansd?] Sept. 29. 1832
United States

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Newbern Aug 17th 1832
Sir
Various obstacles having occurred to prevent my respectful attention in due time.  I have now the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 5th [illegible July?] enclosing the regulations of the War department for the direction of the applicant to obtain the benefit of the Act approved 7 June 1832, for the further relief of those having served in the Revolutionary Army [illegible] and such information as Sollicited in mine of 27th [illegible] for which attention I ask the acceptance of my profound respect, and take the liberty this occasion affords me, to make the following statement, in Order to be informed whether the Law in your opinion will contemplate my case, as reserving its Stipulations.  In the early part of 1776, I received an appointment from the Council of Safety of Maryland (I think it was) as first Lieutenant in Capt Geo Keeports Company of Infantry, then raising in Baltimore for the German Regmt composed half of Marylanders, the other of Pennsylvanians All German descendants, and when collected together at Philadelphia in Septr 1776 were placed under the command of Col Nicholas Haussegger a Pennsylvanian, and our Commissions were made out to Congress, agreeable to the grade assigned in our appointments, I state this to account for, as intimated in yours, for the differance of procedure in the case of this Regiment, and the usual routine of granting Commissions to others of Individual States for every other recognition of the Law respecting my claim.  I respectfully beg leave to refer to my former Declaration, under the Act of March 18th, 1818

With great Respect
Your Mo. Obdt. Servant
Sam. Gerock

Hon.
The Secretary of War
United States

Page 40

Samuel Gerock
[illegible month Dec?] 29 1828
Ref. to form on Mil./Pensions

Sufficient evidence of services & poverty to [illegible ensure?] this Court to grant a Pens. of $20 [illegible forward?] which is the same amt. of his former Pens.
[crossed out illegible]
Sept. 18. 1828
Sent the pension certificate of S. Gerock,
 to Jas. L. Edwards, War department- his letter requiring the filed herewith
Dec. 15th 1829
Ref. to Com Mil. Pensions
see letter 5 April 1831 to Hon. J.H. Bryan.

Bryan

Page 41

Com: on Milt. Pensions
Saml. Gerock
of NewBern N.C

Bryan 33. Pensions

Page 42

To the House of Representatives of the United States;
The petition of Samuel Gerock of the town of Newbern and State of North Carolina, respectfully showeth unto your Honorable body, that he received an appointment as first Lieutenant in Capt. George P. Keeport company raised in Baltimore German Battalion, Maryland line, commanded by Col. Nicholas Haussegger, on, or about the 12th July 1776.  That he commanded said company in the then absence of Capt. Keeport, at the attack, and cannonade at Trenton New Jersey, on the afternoon of the 2nd January 1777. and by sunrise next morning at the battle at Princeton, the army then under immediate command of his Excellency General Washington.  After which your Petitioner was stationed with the remains of the battalion the 15th February 1777 on the lines at Quibbletown and Lamptown two small places about 6 miles from New Brunswick then in possession of the Enemy's main Army, and about 4 and 5 miles from Bonum Town and Piscataway a chain of ports occupied by them.  In this situation continually harrassed, your Petitioner [illegible] several times in action with the Enemy on the 23d of February, 24th of March and 26th of April in small affairs; and suffering all the privations and hardships of an open winter campaign, by the month of May [illegible] was rendered totally incapable of further service by a violent attack of the rheumatism.  On the 13th of May he received leave of absence to come home to Baltimore to recruit

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and on his arrival there some time in that month was laid up entirely and suffered very much from its effects for more than a month in continuance.
In consequence of bodily sufferings and disability for more active service, your Petitioner was induced to apply for a commission as first Lieutenant of Maryland Artillery in Capt. Alexander Furnival's company, then stationed at the Fort below Baltimore, which commission he received to the best of his recollection between the months of August and October 1777 and served as such until some time in October 1778, when he resigned, and owing to the lapse of time since the period of his services, the commission which he had the honour of holding are lost and does not know of any evidence in his power to procure for a further confirmation.  Your petitioner would humbly beg leave to state that he is a native citizen of the United States, a resident of the vicinity and town of Newbern since 1784.
Your petitioner further states that every attempt to support and substantiate the facts set forth in this his petition by contemporary testimony has [illegible] unavailing and fruitless as his age and poverty have prevented him from seeking it elsewhere, and there is not a being in the place of his adopted residence who is at all conversant with the facts.  Your petitioner further showeth that his poverty and old age alone have reluctantly compelled him to ask from the Country when right, he maintained and defended the small [illegible] which a protracted life, the better part of which was spend in its service requires for its support.  Three children the offspring of his happiness and more prosperous days look to him for support, and now although advanced to seventy four years of age he could which to have been spared the [ illegible crossed out] of asking from his country that which his poverty demanded.
 Samuel Gerock maketh oath that the matters set forth in the foregoing Petition are true.
Sworn to before me this 20th December 1828
J.R. Donnell Judge of [illegible S.C&VE?]
Sam. Gerock

Page 44

In the Honorourable the House of Representatives of the United States.
We the undersigned Inhabitants and residents of the town of Newbern are perfectly satistified from our acquaintance with Samuel Gerock that he served in the capacity and under the circumstances set forth in his memorial;  The integrity of his character sustained through a long course of years in office and empoloyments which though of great trust were of small [illegible] is to us a sufficient pledge of the veracity of all his [illegible].  Mr. Gerock has resided among us for a number of years and during the whole of that his conduct has been characterized by the strictest regard for honour and truth, and his department marked by a [illegible] respect for every thing that was gentlemanly and honourable.
[signatures below]
J.R. Donnell
John M Roberts
Veni Allen
Jno. H. Smith
James W. Bryan
Frans. Hawks
Edward Graham
J. G. Stanly
Jno. W. Guion
Wm Hollister
I. Taylor
Samuel Simpson
Joseph Oliver
Stephen B. Forbes
Frederick A. Aomes

Page 45

Newbern April 22nd 1831-
State of No Carolina
Craven County [illegible intials of court?
Be it known, that before me Jos. S. Fowler a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Sam Gerock, and made oath in due form of Law that he is the Identical Sam Gerock named in an Act of Congress passed the 20th May 1830
Sam Gerock
Jos S. Fowler J.P
That he is entitled to a pension of Twenty Dollars per Month, on account of wounds & Disabilities received or of services rendered to the United States, during the Revolutionary War, that he served  in Capt Geo P Keeports Company of Infantry, in the Maryland Line German Regiment.  That he now resides in Newbern, and has resided there for the space of forty six years past, and that previous thereto, he resided in Baltimore. 
Sam Gerock
Sworn and Subscribed this 22nd day of April 1831 before me
Jos S. Fowler JP
State of North Carolina
Craven County
I, James G. Stanly Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Craven County hereby certify that Joseph S. Fowler Esquire is an acting Justice of the peace of Craven County & the foregoing is his signature
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at NewBern this 22nd of April 1831.
J. G. Stanly CC
[seal affixed to left of signature]

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Pension Office
Revolutionary Claim
Hone. Secretary of War
United States

Page 47

Newbern April 13th 1833
Sir
Herewith I enclose my declaration in order to be entitled to the benefits of the Acts of Congress of 7th June 1832 in behalf of the Soldiery of the Revolution and my course [illegible] to procure documentary evidence, along with with my Pension Certificate as directed, I have to the best of my capacity endeavored to meet the requirements as directed by the department, but as the Artillery Companies Stationed at the Fort below Baltimore were altogether a Seperate Corps, entirely unconnected with any other Troops in the Service during my time, will account for my reply to the 5th Interrogatory.
I have no data to recur to for the precise period of my leaving the service, other, than an acct. I made out for my Depreciation of Pay, found since my Declaration, preserved in a parchment pocket book, made out of a part of the Drumhead of the Drums belonging to Capt. George P Keeports Company, German Regiment, in the different Scenes of Trenton, and Princeton, in which company I served at the time as first Lieutenant, in the Relick of days past, I find this acct. and other Wartime Memorandum, stating in conclusion as follows
In Continental Army State Troops, and State Service, from 12th July 1776 to 5th October 1778, depreciation being then five for one, this is all I can adduce to prove the time of my Service, and is respectfully submitted for your decision.
With great respect
Your Obdt. Servant
Saml. Gerock
Hon. Secretary of War
United States

Page 48

[initials AMC?]

Page 49

State of North Carolina} 
County of Craven- }  SS.
On this Fifteenth day of May 1829, personally appeared in open Court of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the 
County of Craven and State of North Carolina, being a Court of Record which proceeds according to the course of Common Law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and keeping a record of its proceedings Samuel Gerock a resident of Newbern in said County aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in addition to that made on the twenty first of April last before the honorable the Superior Court of said County, in order to obtain the provisions made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820, that since the 18th March 1818 the following changes have been made in my property; that on that day I was possessed of the following negro slaves, Joe and Hagar then old and both of whom have since died; also of the negro slaves Limerick Godfrey John Hagar (the younger) Jenny Nancy and Betty, William Sarah Nancy and a price [illegible] ; that of this property [illegible]

Page 50

Sarah William and Nancy were in the month of April 1828 sold at a fair evaluation and with the Consent of the Officers of the Bank of Newbern to which Bank this Department was largely indebted, and the whole net process of said sale were applied to the part discharge of said debt and then delivered over to said bank; that Nancy (the first of the name herein before mentioned) has died since the 18th of March 1818, and that all the rest of said property which had been under mortgage to secure the debt to said Bank and which mortgage was executed the 13th January 1814, was finally sold under an execution at the instance [insistence?] of said bank on the 19th November 1828 and the proceeds thereof applied as far as they would go towards to satisfaction thereof leaving a large portion of the debt to said Bank still unpaid.  And the said Samuel Gerock further on oath as aforesaid declares that he was a Clerk in the said Bank up to the 31st day of March last; that he has been discharged by said Bank from employment on that day and thereby wholly lost the little salary which enabled him to find the means of subsistence, and declares this change in his situation to be the cause of his now applying and of his not having applied before the discharge

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from said employment for the County which he solicits from his Country
Saml Gerock
[P. 15?]
Sworn to in open Court Mary 15th, 1829 before
 J. G. Stanly Clerk.
On the day aforesaid in open Court personally appeared John W Guion Cashier of the Bank of Newbern and being duly sworn doth on oath declare and say that it appears from the books of said Bank that Samuel Gerock was debtor to said bank on a note of the said Samuel for the sum of two thousand and two hundred dollars which had been discounted at said bank on the security of a mortgage of property and which became due the 28th September 1817- also on another note of the said Samuel's as aforesaid for one hundred and fifteen dollars due August 19th 1818; and also an another note of said Samuel's as aforesaid due September 17, 1820 for the sum of twelve hundred and twenty dollars - that the only payments made there on were on the 17th July 1828 of four hundred and eighty four dollars ten cents which payment was by means [illegible after?] notes of Edward Starkey Jones who bought certain negroes of the said Samuel's - a payment through Elijah Clark Sheriff of Craven County on the 24th of November 1828 of seventeen hundred and seventy three dollars five cents - and a payment through the said Sheriff on the 20th February 1829 of four hundred and five dollars ninety seven cents - that there is due to the said Bank calculating the interest up to the first day of this month a balance of three thousand and eighty dollars and nine cents -

Page 52

that this affiant knows that all the property of which the said Samuel was held and deemed to be owner unless it be some trifling articles of furniture of which the Bank has forbearance to make [illegible] has been sold at execution and that no hope or expectation is entertained by the affiant as agent of the Bank or as he believes on the part of any of its officers that the balances due as aforesaid can ever be collected.
Sworn to in open court
P 15
May 15th 1829
before
J. G. Stanly Clerk
Jno. W. Guion Clerk
At the same time appeared in open court as aforesaid Elijah Clark Esq Sheriff aforesaid County and being duly sworn doth declare that at the May term A. D 1828 of Craven County Court the President of Directors of the Bank of Newbern received against the above mentioned Samuel Gerock a Judgment amounting principle and interest to five thousand five hundred & fifty  six Dollars & 52 Cents  besides [illegible] that an execution issued returnable to the November term 1828 of said Court directed to this affiant, under which he sold eight negro slaves for $1915. of which  [illegible] after dedicating [illegible] & commissions, he paid one thousand seven hundred & seventy three Dollars & five Cents to the Cashier of said Bank that under a second execution returnable to the February Term 1829, of said Court this affiant sold the only tract of land which said Samuel Gerock owned for $430 - four hundred & five dollars
[illegible number fraction 27 1/2/100?] of which were paid to the Cashier of said bank.  With balance to [illegible] & commission leaving a balance yet due of said Judgment  [illegible] $3440, and his belief is that Samuel

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Gerock has no property out of which the balance can be made-
E. Clark [initial]
p. 15.
Sworn to in open Court}
May 15th, 1829}
J. G. Stanly Clerk
Whereupon it is Ordered, that it be Certified to the Secretary of War of the United States, that is appears to the satisfaction of this Court, that the said Samuel Gerock did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, and that said Samuel Gerock is now in reduced circumstances and needs to assistance of his country for his support.
In Testimony whereof, I James G. Stanly Clerk of the said Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Craven County have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at NewBern in the County Aforesaid this 15th day of May AD 1829
J. G. Stanly
Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Craven County

Page 54

State of North Carolina
County of Craven } SC
On the tenth day of August 1829 in open Court of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid being a Court of record which proceeds according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimitted in point of amount and keeping a record of its proceedings appeared Marcus C. Stephens a witness in behalf of Samuel Gerock, an applicant to the Government of the United States  for the provision made by the acts of Congress of 18th March 1818 and 1 May 1820 who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say as follows [illegible]
This Deponent saith that from the year 1805 until the 30th December last past he was the Cashier of the Bank of Newbern, that for many years during this period Samuel Gerock the applicant above mentioned was employed in one capacity or another in the service of said Bank, and this Deponent was well acquainted with him, with his transactions in the Bank and with his circumstances in life, that during the whole of this time the said Samuel Gerock was greatly pressed for the means of subsistence, that from the month of July 1817 he was in the habit of overdrawing on the Bank for trifling sums to meet his daily emergencies, that the note of one hundred and fifteen dollars mentioned in the preceding affidavit of John W. Guion was discounted for the accomodation of the said Samuel on the 20th May 1818 to enable him to pay house rent due to James McKinley who has since died, and that on the 25th of said month one hundred and ten dollars eighty two cents nearly the whole net proceeds thereof were paid to the said James

Page 55

accordingly, that the note for twelve hundred and twenty dollars mentioned also in the proceeding affidavit was discounted at said Bank for the accommodation of the said Samuel on the 19th June 1820 and the whole of its proceeds were applied together with the Salary which became due about that time to the extinguishment of the amount which the said Samuel then actually owned the Bank and which amount had arisen from the overdrawing begun in Julu 1817 and continued up to that times this Deponent further saith that he has no hesitation in declaring that the said Samuel is exceedingly poor and stands in needs of the aid of his country for support
M. C Stephens
Sworn to & Subscribed in open court this tenth day of August AD 1829
J. G. Stanly Clerk
In Testimony whereof I James G. Stanly Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of the County of Craven & State of North Carolina have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at NewBern, this tenth day of August A.D 1829
J G. Stanly CC
[seal affixed]