Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,068, George Bower, New Jersey

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New Jersey

Bower, George
   or Bowers

R. 1,068

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New Jersey

Bower, George
   or Bowers

R1,068

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V33989

George Bower

Declaration to obtain the benefit
of the Act of Congress of June
7th 1832

the above over-written by word - Pennsylvania possibly?

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Declaration
     in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress based June 7th 1832 -

State of Pennsylvania
County of Union
      On this thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Union at New Berlin now sitting George Bower a resident of Whitedar (?) township in the County of Union and State of Pennsylvania aged seventy seven 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 was herein stated:
       In the fall of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven he was pressed to drive a team, cannot recollect just the day he left home, during the following eight months he was engaged in hauling ammunition, baggage, and provisions for the Revolutionary Army and having lain that winter at Valley Forge.  He and some others were discharged in the spring through the intersession of their Wagonmaster John Cumberland, they being sick with the bloody flux in consequence of which sickness he was unable to do anything for along time after he came home - Among the officers at the Valley Forge he remembers General Washington, Major John Van Fleet Captain Edward Damon and Lieutenant Bill Ross.
    Before he was entirely well of his sickness above mentioned he was.....

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...draughted into the New Jersey militia and marched in the month of June seventeen hundred and seventy eight (1778) from Mansfield township Sussex County New Jersey under the command of Captain Edward Dumond Lieutenant Bill Ross and sergeant Garret Van Fleet (John Van Fleet being his Major) and arrived at Monmouth just as the battle at that place was closing.  We lay there three moths during which time having made different incursions through the country.  At the end of the three months (being the time for which he was draughted) he was discharged and went home, having received a written Discharge which was destroyed when his mother's house was burned in New Jersey about fifty years ago. During this tour he remembers General Bond - colonel West Major John Van Fleet and Captain Edward Dumond as among the principal officers.  Remembers well of seeing La Fayette at Monmouth - Captain Edward Dumond died at Monmouth, and his wife came and took his corpse home - remembers well of seeing him said  -?- after his death -
    Shortly after he came home from the last above mentioned tour, in the same year he was pressed to drive a ammunition wagon which he drove from Princeton to a place on the North River called point no point Kings Ferry thence to New Windsor and New Burg - Washington and all the army was along John Cumberland was wagon master -  while he was there he was put in charge of a provisions wagon, and came back and hauled out a load of provisions to the army.  He was this time out a tour of nine months.
     In the year 1779 he was draughted into the New Jersey Militia and marched from Mansfield County to Sussex County New Jersey in the month of August under the command of Captain David Van Fleet Lieutenant Bill Ross, and Major John Van Fleete to Bottle Hill.  He lay there about two weeks, when a part of the army that lay at Bottle Hill was ordered to march to Pompton.....

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....in the same state of New Jersey, where another part of the American Army lay, during the march to Pompton he was detained in the rear for a short time, during which he had an encounter with a British soldier, who has been laying in ambush, during which he received a wound in the right knee with a sword - the road was deep with snow and but poorly broken and before -?- took the company he was much exhausted by loss of blood -  he was carried by his companions to Pompton where he lay under the care of the surgeons six weeks before he could do duty - After his tour of duty was expired, being three months, he received a written discharge and returned home, which was also lossed in the destruction of his Mother's house aforesaid.  With the wound he received he has been come (?) over since, still getting worse as he -?- older.  From this curse (?) and other misfortunes  that might be enumerated he is now poor - and unable to maintain himself by manual labor.  Among other officers during this tour  besides those above mentioned he remembers General Bond, and Colonel West (?) - The Battle of Bottle Hill was nearly over when he arrived there, the army had retreated, had one or two fires at the enemy, after the battle he helped to gather the British soldiers that were slain into a pile -
     Towards the close of the war he was pressed to drive a team at which he was engaged about six or seven months.  He drove from Trenton to Poughkeepsie and Hartford on the east side of the North River, and hauled baggage of the French army to Philadelphia - Samuel Daglet was wagon master - got a written discharge this time which was lossed in the burning of his mother's home aforesaid - He remembers LaFayette being along with the French army at this time -

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   That the time of his service altogether is twenty nine months and upwards.  Six months of which he was the New Jersey militia in the service of the United States; and the remaining twenty three months and upwards he was engaged in driving teams in the service of the revolutionary army.  
    That from the lapse of time and change of residence he does not know of any person living who could certify as to his service, nor has he any documentary evidence thereof. 
    That he was unable to procure the attendance of a clergyman at the present time to certify for him, his former clergyman, the Rev. Mr. ______Smith being some years dead, and there living none in his immediate neighborhood with whom he is intimately acquainted on account of his having but recently come to his present residence. 
1st.  I was born on Chestnut Ridge along Schuylhill in Berks County Pennsylvania on the 1st September A.D. 1759
2nd.  the original record of my age is the church (?) bible in Mansfield.  I haven other record of my age.
3rd.   I lived in Mansfield township Sussex County New Jersey when I entered the service of the United States and continued there till the year 1797 when I moved to Alexander Township Hunterdon County New Jersey where I was married and lived till the fall of 1800, when I moved to Turbet (?) Township, Northumberland County Pennsylvania, where I live one year and a half, and the moved to Washington township Northum-.....

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....umberland (now Lycoming) County Pennsylvania, where I lived till between two and three months ago, when I moved to -?- township Union (?) County Pennsylvania my present place of residence.

4.  This I have stated in my general declaration

5.  This is also stated in my general declaration as near as I can recollect.

6.  I have stated in my general declaration that I got written discharges for both my tours when I was draughted in the New Jersey Militia and the last time I drove team, which were destroyed in the burning of my Mother's house as I therein stated - he can not remember whether he got written discharges the other times or not. 
7.  Samuel Oatis Daniel Folmer Esq. of Lycoming County Washington township Pennsylvania and Jack M. Gorley Esq. Robert M Gorley and John Ranch Esq. of White-- township  Union (?) County Pennsylvania and many others know me and can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.

    That he hereby relinquishes any claims whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that's name is not on the pennons roll the agency of any state -
   George Bower his X mark

Sworn and subscribed before
me the day and year above said -
     RR Maday / Meaday Prot.

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    John Gray and Samuel Baker residing in the township of White--- County of -?- State Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are acquainted with George Bower who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides and has resided for the past twenty five or thirty years to have been a soldier of the revolution and that they concur in that opinion.
   Jn. Gray
  Samuel Baker

Sworn and subscribed in
open Court the day and
year aforesaid 
   RP Maday Prot.

    And the same Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - And the court further certify that it appears to them that John Gray and Samuel Baker in White--- township Union (?) County are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
    Ellis Lewis
     Hugh Wilson

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State of Pennsylvania
Union (?) County
      I Robert P. Maday Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Union (?) County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Bower for a pension.
   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirteenth day of February Anno domino one thousand right hundred and thirty seven.
     R.P. Maday Prot.

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No. 16545

George Bower

Pennsylvania

REJECTED
WAGGONER
18 Much 1833

claimant
care of the prothonotary
of the Court (?)
Williamsport
PS

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(transcription of hand written parts)

George Bower
County of Lycoming in the State of Penn'a.

1. Court

2.  (blank)

3. 69

4. Period - in. 1776 Sept
     Duration - 3 years
     Rank - Wagoner
     Officers - Samuel Haslet & John Haslet

5. none

6. Sussex Co. N.J;

7.  Tradition

8.  (blank)

           Levin (Sevin?) Bell
              Examining clerk

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(left side of page)

stamped:  REJECTED
1068

George Bower

Name not found on
the printed list of
rejected in 1852

(right side of page)

1931 Apr. 14 History to Mrs. Ada M. Avery  EEL

1932 Mar 29 Ad. Mrs. Ada M. Avery - that there is no record of the other of Geo. Bower in said Geo. Bower's claim for pension R1068 - except that he serv. as a drafted militiaman - EEL

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George Bower
Pennsylvania

REJECTED

(crossed out - let. 7 March 1837)
    Hon. J.B. Anthony

(crossed out - let. 16 March 1839)
    R. Hamilton

did to serve 
six months in a military
capacity

1068

Act 7 June 1832

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R. Hamilton

March 16 1839

06

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War Dept:  Pen: Office

Sir,
    In reply to your letter in the case of George Bower I have to inform you that he was employed as a wagoner, at the age of thirteen years.  His engagement was under a civil contract, and such persons are not provided for by the pension laws.
   His ("application" crossed out) claim made in 1833 and 1837 was consequently not allowed.

Robert Hamilton
Newton
N. Jersey

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Hon. J.B. Anthony
PA
17 March 1837

OC (?)

Rec'd Vol. 41 pa. 352

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War Dept. Pa Office

Sir
     The declaration of George Bower has been rejected.  He alleges to have been pressed (?) several times to drive a team for the army during the revolutionary war and also to have been twice drafted as a militiaman of N. Jersey  to serve three months under each draft.  The service  as a teamster under the circumstances was to of that character provided for by the Act of 7 June 8132 and the militia of NJ were drafted to serve only one month under each draft.  The Act of 7 June 1832 provides for none who did not perform six months contract services in a military capacity.   The claim has therefore been rejected and the papers filed.  Enclosed is Mr. Sinn's letter to you.

   Hon. J.B. Anthony
      Williamsport, PA

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top horizontally:

-?- at
NJ Jan 23
Geo. Bower

center vertically:
James L. Edwards Esquire
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City

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Newton January 18 / 39
Sussex County New Jersey

-?-
 George Bower of Lycoming County Pennsylvania State - claiming to be a soldier of the Revolution and entitled to a pension - States that he made a declaration for pension in the said County some years since - which failed for some cause - and that he afterwards made another declaration in the County of Union in said state of Pennsylvania - which also failed for some cause - which he cannot intelligently inform me - he is an old crippled man, of very limited understanding - and very difficult to be understood - he came to this State - where his services were rendered to seek out some evidence if it could be found - and is now in this County at his brother's Andrew Slockbower - Slcokbower being the name the family went by here when young - but the father dying while he was quite young and he moving to another state was informed by his friends that the old and true name was Bowers which name he assumed and uses - but at the time his service was rendered went by name of Slockbower - and he may probably reenrolled by that name - he has been informed since here of one or two men who were out in the service and who he thinks must know of his service - he wishes therefor to obtain his papers - with the objections his claim that he may overcome them if possible and satisfy the department of his right to a pension - he wishes then...

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....forwarded to me at this place -  and by so doing you will confer a favor on your
humble servant
Rob. Hamilton

Jas. L. Edwards Esquire
Comm. of Pensions

    James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions - please forward to Robert Hamilton Newton Sussex County NJ the papers and proceedings by me sent to the War Department to obtain a person and oblige yours....
George Bowers his X Mark 

January 18 1839
present Rob. Hamilton

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Application of
George Bower
for a
Pension
16545

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State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County
     On this sixth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of theCourt of Common Pleas of the County of Lycoming and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania now sitting George Bower a resident of Washington township Lycoming 
County and State aforesaid, aged sixty nine years on the first day of September last past, who being 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 7, AD 1832.
     That he entered the service of the United States in the month of September 1770 as a Wagoner under John Cumberland of Sussex County New Jersey, I was thirteen years of age and drove team to Trenton New Jersey we lay there two weeks with the army under the command of General Washington, and from thence we went to Princeton and afterwards returned for more provisions to Trenton and took them to Princeton.  We then went to King's Ferry on the North river - in the next summer I was engaged in the service of my Country as a wagoner under command of Wagon Master John Haslet of Sussex County New Jersey and was about one year under him and his brother Samuel Haslet.  We moved from King's Ferry to New Windsor and thence Newbury four miles down the army wintered there and I was engaged in hauling provisions and forage and baggage during the time -  Continued in the service of the army as a Wagoner for three years from the commencement.....

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(continued from previous ;age)

...General Washington had the command of the army at that time, Captain John VanFleet and Lieutenant Peter Geaflin were out with a company of drafted militia twice during the time I was in the service.  My father was also in the serviced as a drafted Militiaman.  I recollect of hauling with my team the baggage of the American Army from Poughkeepsie and Providence to Philadelphia this was the last of my service.
    At the time I entered the service at Trenton I lived in Mansfield township Sussex County New Jersey - I have no documentary evidence nor do I know of any person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service or there is no person living in the parts of the Country with whom I was acquainted during the Revolution.
      To the interrogatories propounded by the Court I answer:

1st. that I was born in Berks County Penn'a on the 1st day of September in the year 1763.  At seven months of age my parents removed with me to Hunterdon County New Jersey, after  living there one year we removed to Sussex County New Jersey

2nd.  I have no record of y age - I believe if ever there was one that it is lost.

3d.  I was living in Mansfield Township Sussex County New Jersey when I entered the service, Continued to live in Sussex County and Hunterdon County till the year 1804 the I removed to Northumberland County (now Lycoming) Washington township and have resided here ever since that period (following words smudged out).

4th.  I went into the service as a Wagoner and served about three years as above stated.

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...5th I know of nothing in addition to what I have heretofore stated in answer to the fifth interrogatory

6th I never received any written discharge from the service

7th I have long been acquainted with Lawrence Miller and Hugh Donley who reside in Lycoming County they as well another's can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services in the revolution.

     And I do further hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State to the best of my knowledge.

George Bower his X mark

Sworn and subscribed in open
Court. this 6th day oof October 1832
    J. Wood Prot.

      We Lawrence Miller and Hugh Donley presiding in the County of Lycoming do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Bower who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be sixty nine 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.
Hugh Conley
Lawrence Miller

Sworn and subscribed in open Court 
of Common Pleas this 6th October 1832
   J. Wood Prot.

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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 above named applicant was in the service of his Country and placed as he states herein - Also the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Lawrence Miller and Hugh Donley who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Lycoming and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit -
               John Cummings
                A. Davidson


   I Joseph Wood Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Lycoming do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George bower for a pension.
   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 6th day of October A.D. 1832
                          J Wood Prot.