Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2220, Robert Foster, Penn.

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Penn
Foster, Robert
S2220
Carded

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(Written in left margin)
Jan 29 1834 A.13

(Written Right page)
5134
Pennsylvania
Robert Foster
in the State of Pennsylvania
he was a Private in the Company commanded
(by) Captain Clark of the Reg commanded
(by) Col Kelly in the (illegible)
for 2 years from Private - $80.00
================================
-scribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
the rate of 80 Dollars __Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
================================
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Feby.
1833 and part to Hon L Duncan
House Reps
================================
Arrears to 4th of Feby. 1832-$120.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending  4 Mar 1833  - 40.00
======
$160.00
======
{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by  V(illegible) Luce
Book D Vol. 6 Page 57

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Robert Forster of Buffalo Township Union County
Pennsylvania on the 24th day of September last in open
Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas at New
Berlin in and for the County of Union, made a declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832, and not being able, by reason of loss of memory
to state precisely who long he served, now amends his
declaration, hereto annexed, by making the following
affidavit-
Pennsylvania
Union County (illegible)

Personally appeared before me the
undersigned, a Justice of the (illegible) in and for the
County of Union, Robert Forster, who being duly sworn
deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the
consequent lap 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:
That I entered the service in the spring of 1777 and
served (alternably) week about with my brother
John until May 1780 when he was killed by the
Indians; during this period I served not less than 
one year, as a Drafted militiaman.
I next served under Capt McCoy for three months
as a volunteer.
I next served under Capt John Clark for 
three months as a Drafted militiaman.
I next served under Capt James Thompson for
six months as a Drafted militiaman.
Making my actual service altogether no less than 
two years and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn & Subscribed
this 29th January 1833
John Maclay (signature)
Robt Toften (signature)

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State of Pennsylvania
Union County  Stt [or Scb, short for scribed]

I Joseph Stilwell  Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Union Do Certify that John Maclay, Esq before whom the within Deposition was taken and sworn to was at the taking of the said Depositions and acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Duly Commissioned and qualified, and that feels fairly and credit are due and of right ought to be given in to his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have herunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at New Berlin this Thirteenth day of January A.D. 1833.
Joseph Stilwell, Prothy

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Union County
On this Twenty fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Common Please at New Berlin in and for the County of Union now sitting Robert Forster a resident of Buffalo Township in the County of Union, and State of Pennsylvania aged Seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his solemn 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 United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I resided in Buffaloe valley in Northumberland now Union County when I entered the service as a Drafted Militia man in 1777 under Col John Kelly. I continued in this service week about with my Brother John until he was killed by the Indians in May 1780 at a place then called French Jacob; also on Buffaloe Creek at the foot of Buffaloe Mountains than in Northumberland now Union County, James Chambers, Samuel Laughlin and George Steviler were killed at the same time - after my Brothers death I was drafted and marched under Captains John Clarke over Buffaloe Mountains in an expedition against the Indians, who were murdering and plundering the inhabitants, after lying our wet night in the woods we went to a small Garrison on the West Branch of the river Susquehanna where a fire was made up and we were pretty comfortably situated. I was sent with two others Paddy Watson and Frederick Reinhart to  Sundbury in Northumberland COunty for ammunition and drew it and returned to our company - This was a man of the name of Rheinsmith and took two of his Daughters prisoners. the Girls was taken on to the Shomoken Ridge in their North now Union County, near to this town and were left in the care of an old Indian, while the other Indians went out to plunder. WHile the old Indian was asleep, the Girls took a Tomahawk and killed him and made their escape, though one of them received a wound from a Bullet of a gun fired by an Indian before she reached a party of escapees in the valley she however, recovered and is yet living in Buffaloe Vally, she is now widow Chambers

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My Father, removed his family to Dauphin County I left them and returned to guard the Frontiers of Northumberland County, and was out on frequent scouting parties shortly after my return from Dauphin County Paddy Watson and his mother were both killed by [illegible] Indians this was in August 1780. I marched in pursuit of the Indians under Capt Gilbert Mc Coy to Sacks Mountain on Penns Creek, was found when the Indians had made up a fire to cook more provisions but they made their escape. I was afterwards drafted in Capt James Thompsons Company and was under the command of Col. Kelly, was marched up the north branch as far as Fishing Creek, where the Indians had murdered a number of the Inhabitants who were making sugar, and two previous Peter Spencer and Moses Vancamp were taken prisioners, Col. Kelly ordered now to take 25 men and go in pursuit of the Indians, we had a pilot along we got on this trail, but they were too far ahead, .we could not overtake them, we stayed so long in pursuit of them that the Col. sent a man to hunt us- we heard a whistler on a charger, I thought it was an Indian, but, could not on him distinctly, it turned out to be the man that was sent to hunt us, I had very nearly shot him, we  then returned to Fort Jenkins and that night the two prisoners Peter Spencer and Aloysis Vancamp came to us in the fort having made their escape. I served in this manner for more than two years and  never received any discharge in writing Nor do I know of any person living except Capt James Thompson who can proved my actual service.. He knows of my serving senders him on Tour and whom affidavit is hereto annext. 
I was born on the 28 August 1758 in Lancaster County, PA I have a record of my age in my bible. I never received any written discharge
I lived in Buffaloe Valley when I was called in to the service, where I have resided ever since the war. Rev Thomas Hood, John Ray, George Rurmer,  Judge Wilsons and many citizens of this county can testify as to my character for  veracity their belief of my being a soldier of the revolution. 
I never was on any pension roll of any state and hereby relinquish all claims to my pension or annuity except the present. 
Robert Foster
Sworn and Subscribed
in open Court
th 24th September, 1832
Joseph Stilwell, Prot

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No 12675
Robert Forster

18 Jan. 1833
Obj. 5.1 h
Hon. L. Dewart
Flo. of Repri.

A Comittic
2 yrs
$80c
P 205

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[this is a form with handwritten responses and a table]
Brief in the case of Robert Foster of Union Co in the State of Pennsylvania
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge: Common Pleas
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 74 years
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed
[below is a table with four columns, headers as follows:}
Period    Duration of Service    Rank   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. 
[responses are as follows]
1777   time not specified    private     Col Kelly
1780 July   Time not specified   Private    Capt Clark
"    "  "  "   private Thompson, Col Kelly
says he served more than two years
5. In what battles was he engaged? [this is left blank]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norththumberland Co. PA
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary & living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so in what respect? Papers improperly attached
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. D. Brown Examining Clerk

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and 1812
Section 

December 16, 1929

Mrs. Ira C. Howard
Box 153
Seaman, Ohio

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.2220, it appears that Robert Foster was born August 28, 1758, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 

While a resident of Buffalo Valley, Northumberland (later Union) County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the spring of 1777 and served as private with the Pennsylvania Troops at various times until May 1780, amounting to about one year in all, under Captain John Kelly; he alternated tours of service with his brother, John, who was killed by the Indians in May 1780 at French Jacob's Mill on Buffalo Creek. He then enlisted and served three months in August, 1780, and served three months under Captain Gilbert McCoy. He afterwards enlisted and served six months in Captain James Thompson's Company, Colonel Kelly's Pennsylvania Regiment. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania. 

The above noted is the only Robert Foster from Pennsylvania found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Very truly yours,

EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.

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[typewritten letter, with some handwritten notes]

January 17, 1938
Lazarus Finney
S. 13032
Robert Foster S. 2220
BA-J/AWF
[handwritten note with arrow pointing to Robert Foster's name read]
This correspondence belongs in [arrow to name]
Mrs. Edward L Everitt
3024 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Madam:
In compliance with your request of recent data, you are furnished the Revolutionary War record of Lazarus Finney, pension claim S. 13032 and the Revolutionary War record of Robert Foster, pension claim, S. 2220.

Lazarus Finney S. 13032
The data furnished herein concerning Lazarus Finney were obtained from papers on file in pension claim S. 13032, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
Lazarus Finney was born September 9, 1751 (Old Style) in New London Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given.
While residing in New London Township, Lazarus Finney served in the Pennsylvania militia as an ensign, as follows
In the summer of 1776 two months in Captain John McDowell's Company, Colonel William Montgomery's regiment; from sometime in November, 1776, two months in Captain John McDowell's Company, Colonel Even Even's Regiment; and was in the battles of Trenton, and Princeton; from sometime in September, 1777, two months in Captain Ephriam Blackburn's company, Colonel Bull's regiment, and was in the battle of Germantown; in the spring of 1781, one month in Captain Robert Correy's

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company.
Lazarus Finney, about six years after the close of the Revolution, moved from New London Township, Pennsylvania, to White Deer Township, Union County, Pennsylvania.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 8, 1832, then a resident of White Deer Township, Pennsylvania.
The papers on file in this claim contain no reference to wife or children.
James Longhead or Laughead in 1833 was then about sixty-eight years of age and the Postmaster at Danvilled, Pennsylvania, stated that the soldier, Lazarus Finney, was a relative of his mother; he did not give his mother's name.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of the pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of the death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., and furnish the following data -
Lazarus Finney
Certificate 11914
Issued July 12, 1833
Rate $70.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Pennsylvania Agency.
**************
Robert Foster - S. 2220
The data which follow relative to Robert Foster were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 2220,

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based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Robert Foster was born August, 28, 1758 in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not stated. 
While a resident of Buffalo Valley, Northumberland (later Union) County, Pennsylvania, Robert Foster enlisted in the spring of 1777, and served at various times as private with the Pennsylvania troops, under Colonel John Kelly, until sometime in May, 1780, in all about one year. After which, he served three months in Captain John Clark's Pennsylvania company, three months in Captain Gilbert McCoy's company and six months in Captain James Thompson's company, Colonel Kelly's Pennsylvania regiment. His service was in pursuit of Indians, who were plundering and ravaging the country where he lived.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, then a resident of Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania. He died January 29, 1834.
John Foster, brother of the soldier, Robert Foster, was killed by the Indians in the month of May, 1780 at French Jacob's Mill on Buffalo Creek. The Soldier's father was living during the Revolution, and moved his family about 1780 to Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and guarded the frontiers, and was out in frequent scouting parties. 
The papers on file in this claim contain no further reference to family
In order to obtain the name and address of the person paid the last payment of pension, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following
Robert Foster, certificate 5134, issued February 4, 1833, rate $80.00 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Pennsylvania Agency.
Very Truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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MCA

Rev.       Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
Wars

August 15, 1925

Mrs. Lulu D. Russell
Bloomingdale
Parke County, Ind.

Madam:

     I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 2220, it appears that ROBERT FOSTER was born August 28, 1758, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
      While a resident of Buffalo Valley, Northumberland (later Union) County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the spring of 1777 and served as private with the Pennsylvania Troops at various times until May 1780, amounting to about one year in all, under Captain John Kelly: he alternated tours of service  with his brother, John, who was killed by the Indians in May 1780 at French Jacob's Mill on Buffalo Creek. He then enlisted and served three months in Captain John Clark's Pennsylvania Company. He enlisted in August, 1780, and served three months under Captain Gilbert McCoy. He afterwards enlisted and served six months in Captain James Thompson's Company, Colonel Kelly's Pennsylvania Regiment.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Buffalo Township, Union

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County, Pennsylvania.

The above noted is the only Robert Foster from Pennsylvania found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau. 

Respectfully, 

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner

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                                                         MCA
                                    3-2027
REV. & 1812.             UNITED STATES
WAR SECTION.       DEPARTMENT OF THE                                                 INTERIOR
                                   BUREAU OF PENSIONS
                                     WASHINGTON
                                                  June 5, 1925

Mrs. Lulu D. Russell
Bloomingdale
Parke County, Ind.

Madam:

I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to a Robert Lane as described by you.
In order to identify any particular soldier named Robert Foster you should furnish as much as possible of the following data: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and first name of widow.

Respectfully,
Wilder S. Metcalf
commissioner
Dear Sir: 
I can not furnish you very much of the data you request. The residence of Robt. Foster at one time was York Co. Penna and his wife's (first wife) name was Mary. Will you kindly furnish me whatever you might have in regard to Robt. Foster or his widow if you have data on more than one Robt. Foster of Penna. Please send me. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely
Lulu D. Russell
June 23, 1925

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(Two sided document)

left side

1925 Aug 15 Hist to Mrs. Lulu D. Russell MC
1929 Dec 16 hist to Mrs. Ira C. Howard
see letter in Frederick Vandeman W 6357 WCS

1938 June 17. hist to Mrs. Edward L. Everett See letter in Lazarus Finney S. 13037 CWF

right side

2220
INVALID
Rev War

File No. 2220
Robert Foster
Privt Rev War
________________
Act: June 7. 1832

[Arrangement of 1870]

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Pennsylvania
Union County SS

I Joseph Stilwell Prothy. of the Court of Common Pleas of Union County before whom the within affidavit, in open Court, was made, do hereby certify that the within named James Thompson, is a person of credibility, that full confidence may be placed in his testimony.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 30th day of January AD 1833.
Joseph Stilwell Prothy.

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Union County SS
Captain James Thompson being duly sworn in open court says, Robert Foster whose, application is hereto annexed served under my command during the revolutionary war in this county then Northumberland, but cannot tell how long--
James Thompson

Sworn & Subscribed this 24 September 1832
Joseph Stilwell
Prothy.

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Declaration of
Robert Foster
12.675

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We Thomas Hood a Clergyman residing in Buffalo Valley, Union County and Capt James Thompson residing in __________in the same county, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Robert Foster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy four 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 in that opinion
Thomas Hood
James Thompson

Sworn & Subscribed in open Court the 24th September 1832
J. Stitwell

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the questions prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Thomas Hood who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Buffalo Valley Union County and that Capt James Thompson who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place___ and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit--
Seth Chapman
Hugh Wilson
Adam Leight

I Joseph Stilwell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Union County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                for a pension

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 24th day of September 1832 AD. 
Joseph Stilwell, Prothy.