Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4728, Peter Wise, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Wise, Peter
S. 4728
carded
CONTENTS

Ohio 7969.
Peter Wise
of Montgomery in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith, of the Regiment commanded by Col. Thornberry in the Penn. a line for 8 months.
$26 \frac{66}{100}
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. at the rate of 26. Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of April. 1833 and sent to C. R. Green. Dayton. Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 53.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833 13.33
$66.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Palmer. Clerk, Book 8. Vol. 8. Page 28,

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 th Sept 1834 to the 21 st Jan y 1838, the day of his death. Age notified 31 Jan y 1839
Walter Seaman, March, 19159
10 th Kenchill, June 10, 1839

Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, May 27, 1859.
To the Comr. of Pensions, Sir:
Peter Wise, a pensioner, who died in this place on the 26th day of January, 1838, having left a widow, Elizabeth Wise, who is aged 80 years, and resides here, she requested that I should present her claim as the said widow for a pension as provided for by the laws.
The papers held by Peter Wise have been lost or mislaid and cannot be forwarded. He, of late years, drew his pension at Cincinnati.
All the facts as to her being his widow, &c. can be established.
Plade forward instructions as to the manner of proceeding to secure said pension.
Truly Yrs.
Wm. Grunckel.
You will find my commission as Notary Public recorded in your office. Will attestation and affidavit in her case before me answer the purpose?
W. G.

23551 7909
Peter Mire Montgomery Co. Ohio
Adm for 8 Months from 1876
Printed $26 \frac{66}{100}
Chas R Grantham Dayton Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Peter M c Montgomery b o Ohio
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol 1776 6 Private Capt Sish St Col Heads 05 in 80 Traditionary   Reg'd 1777 4 asa to Thornberg Battle Salpahack   Rec'd 1778 genus Capt Smith Maj Loom Brandy Easton in 4 Anarue Zeller   with his train Gen M c rea Brandy St Amboy Heads 60 as to the first term   To Camp Brandy Gen Wayne Brandy Paoli Pa Am Ennerick   near for Gen 1 Maj Smith German Valley Forge   Washington Maj Loom German Red Bank   drafted 1778 2 Capt Struss Struss German Easton   Magnolia   Milford   Pa  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) 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 seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby 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 seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Geo. B. Whiting

State of Ohio Montgomery County } Court of Common Pleas 3/10 March Term 1833
On this 12 th day of March 1833. personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County Ohio now in presence Peter Wise a resident of said County aged about Eighty years who being first duly sworn declares on oath under the act of the 7 th June 1833. That he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under Captain John Leshler in the Pennsylvania Militia at Tulpahocking Township Berks County, Pennsylvania in the month of August (1776) Seventeen hundred and seventy six, and served for two months, they marched to Reading, thence to Bethlehem and Easton through Jersey to Amboy, from thence we crossed the Raritan to South Amboy and remained here until our time expired, there was no Col with us; the Lieut Col name was Thornberry, the Major Christian Loner, and there was a General Mercer at Amboy, but whether of the Continentals or Militia he does not recollect. This declarant was born at Tulpahocking Township, Berks County Penn a has no Register of his age but as near as he can ascertain believes himself to be Eighty. On his second term while living at the Tulpahocking aforesaid he went out in August Seventeen hundred and seventy seven at this time he was pressed and made to drive a waggon with ammunition cartridges attached to the army of General Wayne was at the Battle of Brandywine and during the action was employed in supplying the cannon with cartridges he served this time four months their Captain's name was John Smith - the Major name was Smith father to the Captain, he was with Wayne on a scouting party to Paoli; and At the Battle of German Town, during these four months he served as aforesaid and in Chester County on the Brandywine and near Philadelphia and was employed & compelled -

to drive the Ammunition Waggons and serve cartridges, at the end of four months, winter coming on and being destitute of clothing he obtained a passport and returned home. The following Spring between Easter and Whitsuntide he went to Valley Forge with a supply team with Provender for the horses of General Washington's Army, he was pressed into this service & served one month and returned home.
In the month of August was drafted into the United States Service Pennsylvania Militia under Capt. Strode, joined in Reading Berks County in Seventeen hundred & sixty eight, marched to Bethlehem to Easton and to Lehigh in Northampton County up the Delaware to Wilson's Ferry - Fifty Six Miles from Easton here the term of service ended - it being for three months. This was an expedition against the Indians and Tories, they were under the command of Major Conyngham the force that went up against the Indians consisted as he supposes of about Fifteen hundred men being light horse & regular taken from General Washington's Army and militia.
Declarant further states that the Rev d Andrew Teller and William Emerick his neighbours living in this County can testify to part of his service.
Question By the Court! Where and in what year were you born - Answer He was Born at Ulpoheching Township, Berks County Pennsylvania, has no record of the time.
Ques t . Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? Answer, I have none. -
Ques t . 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 living in Ulpoheching Township Berks County Pennsylvania, at as I suppose about 35 years of age I removed to Paxton then near to Harrisburg Penn a , I was about 16 years - there. I then went to Brush Valley in Centre County Pennsylvania from Brush Valley I removed to Wayne County Ohio I lived

thru about Eight years and then moved to Montgomery County Ohio where I now live
Quest. How were you called into service did you volunteer were you a drafted, or a substitute?
Answer. The first term as a Volunteer, the second & third I was pressed; and the fourth term I was drafted as aforesaid
Quest. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served, such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.?
Answer. I have answered as fully as I can recollect.-
Quest Did you ever receive a discharge from the service. Answer. I never recd a discharge none of them did to my-
knowledge!
Quest. State the names of some persons in your neighbourhood to whom you are known, and who can testify to your character for truth & veracity and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. Rev d Andrew Tellers, - William Amerrick Esq and Rev d Andrew Knickle.-
This Declarant further states that he relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Role of any agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Peter Wise mark
State of Ohio Montgomery County ss
We Andrew Tellers and Andrew Knickle clergymen residing in the immediate neighbourhood of Peter Wise the Applicant & Also William Amerrick resident as aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Wise who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the

neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
ATHEN HENNES Andrew Zeller William Emrick
State of Ohio Montgomery Co. ss
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 a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Andrew Hinkle and Andrew Zeller who have signed the preceding certificate are clergymen resident in this County and that William Emrick Esq. who has also signed the same is also a resident of this County and is a creditable person, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I Charles R. Greene Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery and State of Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing together with the deposition of Andrew Zeller and William Emrick taken and sworn in Open Court and hereto attached & identified by my signature, contain and are the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Peter Wise for a Pension.
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 13th day of March 1833. C. R. Greene clk.

Rehas
4728. INVALID.
File No. 4728
Peter Wise
Pri. Pa. Line
Act: June 7 th , 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 408
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Peter N. Rose - Ohio - Mar. 1, 1832
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City, D. C.

WALKER & LEAMAN, Attorneys at Law, AND REAL ESTATE AGENTS, DAYTON, - - - OHIO.
Peter Wiss abt. 1832
Wid. application
To Champion of Illusions Washington D. C.

Dayton Ohio
Feby 19th 1889
To Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sir:
About Eighteen years ago one Peter Wise was enrolled on the list of Pensions under an act of Congress giving pensions to Revolutionary Soldiers and drew his pension at Cincinnati regularly for three years or thereabouts. Peter Wise died leaving a widow who still resides in Germantown Montgomery County Ohio, quite aged & very infirm. I cannot find in our libraries the act of Congress under which Wise drew his pension. Will you inform me whether or not the widow of a deceased pensioner is entitled to her deceased husband's allowance, or whether there is any provision at all made by the Government.
Very Respectfully Walker D. Seaman for Walker

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 21 st , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," the Widow of Peter Wise, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio — Agency, at the rate of Twenty Six Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept., 1834, to the 26 th January, 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson B. Passig Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Peter Wile.
Application for Pardon under Act of June 7 th 1832. —
23551

State of Ohio Montgomery County
Court of Common Pleas March Term 1833. Personally appeared in open court Rev Andrew Tellers who being duly sworn  affirmed declares that he is seventy eight years of age in August next, that he was born in Tolpechochie Township Bucks County Pennsylvania that he is well acquainted with Peter Wise an applicant for a pension that they lived near each other and when Boys went to School together that Peter Wise was older than him, that they both live near each other in this County and that this affiant came to this County in 1806. That he knows that Peter Wise was out the first Term he mentions under Capt John Scashler, that he was out with him & they served together for two months, this term of Volunteering. He further states, that Peter Wise is a man of truth & veracity and that he believes and it was generally understood in the neighbourhood that he served as he states, though he has no personal absolute know- ledge of the same except on the first term as aforesaid known & subscribed in Open Court A. R. Greene Atty
Andrew Tellers
Also at the same time appeared in Open Court William Emerrick Esq. and being duly sworn declares that he was born and lived within two miles of Peter Wise in Bucks County Penn- sylvania and has known him from boyhood that they now live near each other in this County. That this affiant is aged seventy two years that he believes Peter Wise to be eighty years of age, that he knows of his being out in the Revolutionary army the first term of two months as his brother Leonard was out with him. It was generally understood in the neighbourhood in those days that Peter Wise was out the four months as stated by him,

and I have positive knowledge of his going up the - Delaware as a soldier as stated by him in his - Declaration that he has always sustained the character of a man of truth and veracity and - that his services as a soldier as aforesaid are - known to him as an individual personally recon- nized and living in his immediate neighbourhood during those times.
William G. Lewis
Sworn & subscribed this 12 th day of March 1833 in open Court. C. R. Greene Clerk