Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,654, for Henry Stitzer, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
Penn.
Stitzer, Henry
NUMBER
87654
CONTENTS
carded.

Pen Suck? let to Pen agent, May 2. 1835. See letter from Pen. agent filed with the papers of H.S. 10 1833 sec 5 a. B. Norris, Aug 24 1837 - Do. to Same 6 Sept. 1837. Do to Hon 10.10 Polts, Sept 29 1837. Do to Pgt A. B. Norris, Oct 6. 1837
No 26.268 I certify that in the State of who was a in the commanded Captain of the commanded by in the No P. 30. 1837
Inscribed on the Roll of at the rate of Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 1th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the day of and
Arrears to the 1th of Semi-ant. allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Clerk, Book Vol. 5 Page 54

L 30. 122
Adms 6 Months —
Hon. J. G. Henderson

State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County
On this 4th day of April A.D. 1831
personally appeared before David Reynolds Esquire one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Mifflin County, Home still a resident of Amity Township Mifflin County and State of Pennsylvania and eighty two years of age, 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 January 1831
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as hereinafter stated - that in the year 1776 he was drafted under Captain Charles Dunlop for a term of two months from Philadelphia that we were marched from Philadelphia to a place called Billingsport where we were kept raising fortifications during this term of service after the two months the term for which we were drafted had expired, we were marched to Philadelphia and dismissed, I did not receive a written discharge from this term of service, the officers stationed at Billingsport during our continuance there were Colonel Delany, Major Boyd, Lieutenant Colonel Bradford and Captain King.
Volunteered for a two months term in the latter part of the year 1776 in Philadelphia under Captain King, who refusing to serve, a command from Captain was procured for me & Lieutenant Robert Miller we from here marched into Jersey to Wapping's creek, we cut down the bridge over said creek, to prevent the British from coming down (as was said) to cannonade the city we from thence marched to Schuylkill creek, and crossed the creek about nine o'clock in the evening we from thence loaded a quantity of shot down to Philadelphia, we then the next morning commenced our march to Red Bank our army in Jersey and proceeded to Bristol and from thence we

were marched to Shannin's Creek, we were prevented from crossing the river Delaware on account of the ice which was driving in the river, we from thence were ordered above Bristol about four miles, and succeeded in crossing the river, we then took four prisoners and sent them to balance Coats in Bristol. We then marched up the river until Monday opposite Trenton, when our Army remained there until that night, when the Army was ordered to cross the river, but owing to the ice, and a heavy fog, together with a good many others were obliged to remain until the next morning, when we crossed over, and continued in sight of the British Army all day, they continued our march all day, about nine o'clock at night we were ordered to make up our lines and continue our march for the purpose of deceiving the enemy we continued our march toward Princeton until about two miles from that place we encountered with the main body of the British Army, and here began to act their part Trenton, we had a good deal of fighting with them before we succeeded in routing them. We then marched to Princeton, and there fought the British. After that Battle our Army was marched to Morristown, and re- mained there for some time. When here, our General Hassay proposed, by the particular request of General Mifflin, we consented to remain fifteen days longer. The British Army being out foraging in the Country adjoining Morristown we were ordered to attack a Mill, in their possession on Mill Stone Creek, we marched from here to Red Bank & secured some recruits, and commenced an attack upon the British at the aforesaid Mill, and after a good deal of fighting we succeeded in entirely overcom- ing them. In this engagement our Captain was wounded in the neck, the Battle continued until after night when we drove them off from the Mill & took possession of it; the British loss was very great, and we had none

much, the British had about seventeen hundred men in this engagement, we had about four hundred. we were ordered from thence with our plunder to General Dickerson's, where it was sold, and received our discharge here, and returned home. I did not receive a written discharge, the Officers to this time as far as deponent recollects, were General Mifflin, Colonel Matlock, and Captain M c Teer, he also recollects of seeing General Washington,
I again volunteered in 1777 for a two months tour, in Northampton County Pennsylvania. I do not recollect our Captain's name, as he was taken from us a few days after we volunteered for misconduct, and we continued under the command of Colonel Watson, we were drafted out by our said Colonel into squads of about eleven men each, I had the command of a squad, I was ordered to search the redoubts, above Philadelphia at Master's Mill, I marched near to the said place, & finding the British had left the place, we returned to Dickerson's place, where we had left the rest of the Company but they having left it, we marched to the "Rising Sun" Tavern and thence up the German-town road as far as Chestnut Hill, and from thence we were marched to the Billet, at Congello's Ferry and came up with the rest of the Company at this place, and from thence, we were marched to Allentown, and there after the two months had expired we were dismissed. I received a written discharge from this tour of service, but having to pass through a greater settlement, and believing that they would deliver me over to the enemy if my discharge was found, on my person, I destroyed it - he cannot distinctly recollect the other officers to this tour -

Interrogatory 1 st Where and in what year were you born? Answer He was born in Strablan in New Jersey in 1752.
Interrogatory 2 d Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it?
Answer I have no record of my age, but a paper which has now become defaced so much as almost unintelligible.
Interrogatory 3 d Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War? And where do you now live?
Answer That he was living in Philadelphia when called out on the two first terms, and when called out in 1777, he was living in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and since the Revolutionary war, he has continued to live in Berks, Dauphin Union & Mifflin counties ever since. I have lived six years in Mifflin Co.
Interrogatory 4 th How were you called into service, were you drafted; did you volunteer or were you a Substitute; if a Substitute for whom?
Answer He was drafted in the first term of service, and in the last two terms he volunteered.
Interrogatory 5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental & militia regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service.
Answer This interrogatory answered to the best of defendant's recollection in the foregoing declaration -

Interrogatory 6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service: and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer He received, verbal discharges from the two first times, and a written discharge from the last time; but as he cannot recollect his Captain's name, he is unable to say from whom it was given - He destroyed it, owing to fear of the Inquisition as before stated. Interrogatory 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, & who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
15
Answer James Brown & John Stowell - He was unable to procure a third man, owing to their being in the immediate neighbourhood - Who could testify for him -
He hereby attests that every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. The facts set forth in the foregoing declaration were to me believed before me, one of the Associate Justices of the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County this 14th day of April 1811.
Henry K. Mitchell Judge
David Russell

We James Brown & John Sturte residing in Annagh Township Mifflin County, Penn- sylvania, here by certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Sturte, who has subscribed known to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty two years old, that he is respected & believed in the neigh- bourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that Opinion - Sworn & subscribed before me one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Mifflin County this 8th day of April A D 1814
James Brown John Sturte
David Reynolds
State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County
I David Reynolds one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Mifflin County aforesaid do hereby certify that I attended at the house of the said Henry Sturte in Annagh Township, County and State aforesaid, who from bodily infirmity is unable to appear in court when I took the above declaration. And I do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the said applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served in the States and do further certify that James Brown & John Sturte who have signed the foregoing certificate are residents of the said Township of Annagh and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. Done this 8th day of April
David Reynolds

State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County
I David Reynolds, Brother also of the court of Common Pleas of Mifflin County aforesaid, being a court of record, do certify that David Reynolds, before whom the foregoing deposition of Henry Stibbs and James Dunn and John Stenett purport to have been taken, and who gives the foregoing certificate is one of the uppon the judges of the court of Common Pleas of Mifflin County, and that the signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. I affixed the seal of the said court this 8th day of April A.D. 1804
D. Reynolds Prothonotary 3

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1812 2 yrs Col. Col. M c Lean Col. J. H. ... Ky.   1812 2 yrs Col. Col. ... Col. ... Ky.   1812 2 yrs Col. Col. ... Col. ... Ky.  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____ Date of application for pension, _____ Residence at date of application, _____ Age at date of application, _____ Remarks: _____
5- Children ... to ... name ... At date of ...
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Henry Switzer
for
new Certificate
Payment of the Pension in the case suspended.
Respectfully referred to the Comt
Mar 13 37
R. B.
Inform the app. that a new certificate cannot be issued until the suspension is removed.

Henry Stitzer, at $20 per Annum - Pa roll act 1832, And Henry Stitzer at $21 \frac{66}{100} per Annum Pa roll act 1832,
Be pleased to say if payments have been made in both cases, and up to what time in each case?
Plasir Office } Sept 28 1837 }
  2166  80    2 \frac{1}{2}  54 15    43 32  134 15    10 83     54 15  120     10  

No 18843  Pennsylvania Henry Stitzer of Schuylkill Co. in the State of Penna. who was a Private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col. Mattocks in the Penna. Troops for 67 months
Inserted on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 21 Dollars 66 2/3 Cents per annum. to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Service from the 8th day of Oct. 1833 sent to Pensioner Bringslang Pa.
Interest to the 10th of Sep. 1833 54.16 2/3 Payment. Interest since Sep. 1834 10.83 2/3 $ 65.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { At June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E Vol. 5 Page 53
Pension Supp? See letter to Pen agent May 2. 1835. Lett A. B. Norris Mar. 14. 37 - Pension disbursements - do to same Aug 24. 1837 - Do to same, 6 Sept. 1837 - Do to H. M. Potter, Sept 29. 1837 Lett to Payt. A. B. Norris, Oct 6. 1837
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of April 1838 from 4. March 1835 to 17. Aug. 1838. Age notified 13 Decr 1844
Lett to A. B. Norris 16 Jan 1840

1922, apl. 18 list to Mrs. Mar- gorie Leach - Eu-
Revtran
7657
INVALID.
File No. 7657
11, 11, 11
11, 11, 11
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. 11 , Page 359
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sharon Pa.
March 10 th 1922
Pension office of War Dept.
Sir:
I am making application for membership in the Daughters of American Revolution, and am anxious of obtaining a reference, by volume and page, to the documentary or other authority upon which to found the record of
Henry Stitzer. private Born in Philadelphia 1753. died in Mifflin Co. 1838.
any information regarding this record will be much appreciated.
Mrs. Marjorie Leslie 818 Newcastle Ave Sharon Pa.

RECORD MAR 25 1922 DIVISION

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Mount 9. 1844.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, 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," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pen- sion agents, The Adm rs of Henry Stitzer a Pensioner on the Roll of the — Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of — Twenty — Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 — has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, 1835 to the 17 th Aug t 1838.
Dear Sir,
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
1 Present.

Washington D.C. Sept 11/91 for the Pension Office
Honorable James Wilson
Secretary of War
Admiral 6 1/2 mos
Washington City
"On public service"

Q62
Henry Stutzer
Exhibit A to the Will
of
John
W. Potter A.R.
Wartburg for Lady

Dear Sir,
Enclosed you the explanatory letter of A.B. ... ... in relation to Henry Stetson's pension, to be filed as requested in your note of yesterday.
Yours of Representatives 24 Sept 1877
I have the honor to be very respectfully young that present
Will. N. Tollen

A. B. Jones via turn to Henry Stiger Pension 11. Sept 1887 15 Sept Am.
Gen. W. W. P. M. Member of Congress Washington D.C. Brownsville Sept 1887
1-235

Brumley Mills. September 11 th 1837.
H. W. Potter Esq r
Dear Sir,
I write to request the favour of your speaking to S r J. Edwards Esq r Com- missioner of Pensions, in relation to a pension of Henry Stitzer. His case is as follows. In 1824 on the 28 th April a pension Certificate was procured by me for him in Mifflin County, and also one was procured some time previous in Schuyl- kill County by Charles Maloy Esq r . I went on and draw his pension on the Certificate of S r procured up to the 4 th March 1824. When Mr. Banks re- ceived the papers of said Stitzer, and drew his pension for one year up to 4 th March 1825 from which time I have applied for his pension up to the present time to wit from 4 th March 1825 to 4 th March 1837. I was informed by the Department that S r could not draw it until I explained how it was that there were two pensions of the name Stitzer drawing pension one in Schuylkill County, & the other in Mifflin County.

At the time Mr. Banks had the papers, the certificate from Schuylkill County was sent on to Henry Stitzer, who is a resident by his son who is a resident in Schuylkill County but there never was any use made of it, and when this difficulty arose at Washington about the payment of the last two years pay now due up to March 1837 I sent it on to Mr. Edwards Esq. You will please therefore see Mr. Edwards & explain to him the circumstances, so as he can order the rent to be paid at Phil a & I can make calls to the fact as far as I dare it to not be the 4 th March 1834. I presume Mr. Banks can to 4 th March 1835 - if necessary.
I beg leave to remind you of my situation spoke to you about previous to your departure to Washington, and would be under many obli- gations to you if you could procure me any sit- uation by which I could make a living for a year or so. If you would name any one, father and William would wish to tell Mr. Buchanan & have Mr. Cline about it. You will please write me soon concerning it.
Mrs. Jones begs to be remembered to you
Very Truly Yours Cousin J. P. Jones

Mar 10.
Mr. Burdine.
Bravo Miller March 7th
12 3/4
12 (Richard) Cope
Penmanship Student
Shabon in Life
2.6
Henry H. Taylor

T. Dennis Mills March 6 th 1867
As through the influence of our Minister in England (Sir Robert D. Cooper  Cooper ) I procured a pension for Henry Stiles about three or four years ago, and upon his death last year the interest granted by the Secretary of War. Would you have the good will to enclose me a copy of said Certificate for the purpose of making the claim the money now due and owing Stiles from the Agency at Philadelphia.
Yours Affectionately Will M. Dodge
John W. East
Dr. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
J. B. Mansel
T. Dennis Mills Buffalo County Penns a

A199
Aug 18. 1851.
Boston Mass
Dr. H. L. Loring Washington City D.C.
17

State of Pennsylvania
Mifflin County 30 th 10 th of August 1837
George Green
a magistrate in the County above named do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence by of my own personal knowledge, that Henry Stitzer
is the identical person named in the pension Certificate which he has exhibited before me numbered 20.268. and bearing date at the War Office the 28 th day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty four
Given under my hand at Amity Township Mifflin County Pennsylvania on the day and year above written
Geo Green Justice Peace

State of Pennsylvania Mifflin County
I William P. Schuster Esq. the undersigned of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Mifflin do hereby certify that George Green whose indictment is herein attached, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Mifflin, duly commissioned and qualified, and that to all his official acts full faith and credit are due; and that the hand writing of the name "George Green" is the proper hand writing of the said Justice, & so testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court at Lewistown the twelfth day of August A.D. 1807
W. B. Johnston Prothon.

1857 Brownsville Mills 12 th August
General Butler
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you Certificate of Identity of Henry Stetson, as he has not received his pension for two years you will please give notice of it to the Agent at
St. John
Very Respectfully
Yours & J. Richardson

Sept 5:
Bocara hills 31 Aug
34000
Rev. Slipher
Dear A. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
D. 6

Prospect Mills 31 st August 1827
Hon. P. S. Edwards,
Dear Sir,
I received your letter of the 24 th inst, and in answer to which I have to remark that there was two pension certificates granted to Henry Stitzer, one in Schuylkill County, and the other in Mifflin County. The way the two certificates were obtained was this. Henry Stitzer was at his son's in Schuylkill County when the application for his first Certificate was made. at that time he removed to Mifflin County and then applied to me to procure him a pension, I did procure the pension certificate and have been drawing his money on the Mifflin County Certificate ever since, during the time or since the one was procured in Mifflin County, the certificate from Schuylkill was sent on to Henry Stitzer by his son and there never was any thing done with it since I received it. I herewith send it to you in order that you may instruct the Pension Agent at Phil a to pay the amt due on the applications etc. - I reside at Phil a
Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt J. J. Stitzer

May 2 nd
268 223
Church
Commonwealth of Virginia
Richmond
St.

Dear Dick
Philadelphia, April 20, 1880
Since my last letter to you, I have been very busy, and have not been able to write to you until now. I have been thinking of you and your kind words, and how much I should like to see you again. I have been very well, and hope you are the same. I have been thinking of you and your kind words, and how much I should like to see you again. I have been very well, and hope you are the same. I have been thinking of you and your kind words, and how much I should like to see you again. I have been very well, and hope you are the same.
I am, Dear Dick, Yours sincerely, John G. Wharton

Payments to be made at Philadelphia by the Dist. U. S. Bk. & Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Penn s .
Col. Matthew Benjamin
Capt. Lewis T. Lewis
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E. Vol. 5 Page 53 by D. Brown Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Coney Stitzer of the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive Twenty one dollars and Sixty Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 8 th day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Acting  John B. M c Lean Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Clannant Dwightbu Ga

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 subject-matter, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those parts 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 compliance with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Henry Stitzer
   Period when the service to be rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
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 days 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 false or 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 the 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 inquiry 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 terms, 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.
Mod. 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] The traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If no answers can be found, the declarant must state the facts.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Declaration of Henry Stitzer of Upper Merion town, Township, in the county of Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
On this 30 th day of July A.D. One thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally ap- peared in open court of common pleas now sitting before Salomon Bigby the Esquire and his associates Judges of the court of common pleas in and for said County. The above named Henry Stitzer aged between eighty three and eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his solemn oath desire and has make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
That he entered the Service as a volunteer in the Month of December 1775 under Captain Murch Minges Lieutenant Robert Mc Kee in Col. Cushing's Matlock at the city of Philadelphia That he crossed the Delaware at Philadelphia and marched to Cooper Creek and there assisted in cutting down the Bridge about seven Miles from Cooper's Ferry That he proceeded up Suckasock Creek to a Ferry and there assisted in burning the flats used at that point in said Ferry excepting one which the American used for the purpose of conveying their forces across said Creek to near Philadelphia That they attempted to cross the Delaware near Tiannong Creek but in consequence of the Ice thus floating on the river, they could not reach the shore on

the opposite side and were obliged to return. That they again attempted to cross the river about four miles above Bristol where they succeeded in crossing and marched from the landing place at the distance of one mile they made Prisoners of three British Officers Lieut. Linnings and three others were selected to guard them and to carry cross the river on Pennsylvania side and then recrossed the river and marched to Trenton. That he was in the Battle of Trenton during the whole of the time of the Battle. That he marched with the Americans in the night of the same day of the Battle of Trenton to Princeton that he was engaged in fighting the British during the continuation of the whole of the Battle. At the latter place that he received no wound upon either occasion. That he returned to Philadelphia by way of coach ferry to his place of residence. That he served two months and fifteen days. That he was honorably discharged by the Lieut. who was the commanding Officer at the time.
That he entered the Service as a Militia man under the Command of Capt. Charles Long in Col. Bradford Regiment in the Month of June 1777 and proceeded in a Boat from Philadelphia to Billingsport where he assisted in building a Fort that he was stationed there for the space of two months during the whole of which said time he was at labour in building of said Fort. That he received no written discharge upon this occasion but was honorably discharged by the Captain.
That he again entered the Service as a Militia man under Col. M c Keel does not remember the name of the Captain in the beginning of the Month of December 1778 and marched from Allentown

in Northampton County, then his place of residence to Crooked Bille & Germantown in a Dickerson farm below the Three Mile run That himself and thirty two. These were drawn out to march to the coast to hear Phil a remained there a short time returned to Dickerson going to the river. Then down to Crooked Bille & and arrived again at Germantown his place of residence That he received a written discharge which he destroyed some time after when on a journey to Woodberry for fear of its getting into the hands of the British at Chester Point house a place which he was obliged to pass and where some British soldiers were encamped at that time. The time of service in this town was two months.
That he has no record of his age in his possession but knows his age to be as stated from circumstances sufficiently strong enough to convince him that he is of the age as stated.
That you have no particular place of residence being a poor man are obliged to seek your living from the  among your children and that at present your residence with your son is the place aforementioned.
That you cannot produce the testimony of a clergyman in your present place of residence but that Benjamin Raper and William Stetson can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
That by reason of old age and the encroachment of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his knowledge he served not up than the period mentioned and in the following grades

For two months and fifteen days as a volunteer under Captain King. For two months under Charles Linn and for two months in Col. Wetzel's Regiment the two last tour as a private militia man and for such services he claims a Pension.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any or only on that of the agency of the State of Pennsylvania.
Sworn to and subscribed his the day & year aforesaid } Henry X Stetzer Jas Hammac Protho. mark
We Benjamin Reimer and William Stetzer both residents in the neighborhood of the above Petitioner that they are well acquainted with the above named Henry Stetzer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be between Eighty three and eighty 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.
Sworn and subscribed } Wm Stetzer the day & year aforesaid } Benjamin Reimer
Jas. Hammac Protho.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of that the matter and setting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named Applicant was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that the said Benjamin Reiner and William Stitzer who signed the same are residents of the neighborhood and are creditable persons, and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
Calvin Blythe
Graush
Pennsylvania Schuylkill County S.S.
I Jacob Hammer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Stitzer for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Pottsville the thirty first day of July A.D. 1833
Jac. Hammer

Pennsylvania Schuylkill County
On the 26 th day of September A.D. 1833 Henry Stitzer of Lehigh Mahanoy Township in the County of Schuylkill personally appear- ed before me and after being duly sworn according to Law did depose and say that he is the same Henry Stitzer who subscribed his name to the annexed application for a pension that he cannot prove his ser- vices by any witness not knowing of any one of his comrades in arms to be now but that he cannot swear positively that they are all deceased having for many years lived at a distance from the place where I entered the service in the Revolutionary war. and further deposeth not.
Peter Yoder
Henry Stitzer mark
Pennsylvania
Schuylkill County S.S.
I Jacob Hammer Notary Public of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Peter Yoder Esq. before whom the above affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace duly appointed Commissioned and authorized and that I believe the above signature of the said Peter Yoder to be Genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Pottsville the Ninth day of September A.D. 1833
Jac. Hammer