Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3198, for Henry Stauffer, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Stauffer, Henry
N. 3198
Ann Catherine
CONTENTS

2317. Pennsylvanians
Ann B. Stauffer, deceased; widow of Henry Stauffer, -
who died on the 19th: May, 1805 - of Lancaster (in the State of Penn a ) who was a Lieut. Vols: - in the camp of: - commanded by Captain Goff - of the - commanded by - in the Pennsylvania line for 9 months, Sergeant & 2 months, Lieutenant
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia, - at the rate of 71 Dollars 66 - per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831. & ending: 29th August, 1837 when she died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of January, 1846 and sent to Hon. J. Strohm, S. R.
Arrears to the 14th of Semi-annual allowance ending
$464.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836. Section the 3 d - }
10th Jany: 1846. re -ported to Pen: Agent.

Deposition
State of Pennsylvania Lancaster City ss.
On the 24 th day of November AD 1895 Before me the subscriber, an Alderman in and for said City, personally appeared Peter Shindle, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth as follows:—
That Henry Stauffer was he had an intimate personal knowledge of the services of Henry Stauffer and they are as follows:
That Henry Stauffer joined Captain Andrew Graff Company of Militia in January 1776 as a Sargeant and done duty by standing Guard at the Lancaster Barracks and Magazine until July, 1776. In July 1776 Captain Andrew Graff marched his Company to Philadelphia, I was along as a fifer and Henry Stauffer as one of the Sargeants of the Company of Andrew Graff. We then marched to Elizabethtown in New Jersey and encamped. While here Colonel George Ross came from Philadelphia, where he had been attending Congress, and took command of our Regiment. My Mem- -motes were Michael Grob, George Weis & Henry Stauffer — 2 months being expired, in the fall, I with many others of our Regmt. returned home; Henry Stauffer was then promoted to an Ensign in Graff Company, and continued with the Army and I was afterwards told on his return, by soldiers who were with him That Stauffer was at the battle of Princeton. I saw him when he came home to Lancaster in January 1777, he was then discharged,

In the fall of 1777 I was in the army at the Battle of Brandywine and Germantown in Colonel Grunevald's Regiment, on my return to Lancaster I found that Henry Stauffer was appointed as 1 st Lieutenant in the Lancaster County Militia, and had charge of the Guard at the Lancaster Magazines for 2 months, and that afterwards he continued to stand guard during the rest of the winter, under his Lieut. Commission - and was on duty when I saw him at Lancaster at the Battle of Red Bank on my return to Lancaster. I believe he continued in service under his commission until the Spring of 1780, but I cannot any more recollect the particulars of his service. And further deponent saith not
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year before written
Peter Shindle
Test - W. Kaufman
Geo. Neuffer Ald.
Lancaster City.
I the subscriber, an alderman in and for said city before whom the foregoing deposition was taken do certify, that Peter Shindle is a highly respectable and aged citizen, and that his deposition is entitled to full credit and belief.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24 th day of November A.D. 1845.
Geo. Neuffer

I John C. Baker, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation of the City of Lancaster in the County of Lancaster and the State of Pennsylvania, do certify that the following extract showing the marriage of Henry Stauffer and Catharine Pritz taken from the records of said Church, to wit from a Register of marriages kept by Henry Baubling  J. S. Geroch formerly Pastor of said congregation is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows — Henry Stauffer, living with Catharina Pritz, living, united Jan 9 th Oct r 1763.
Which said record was written & kept by the said Revd. J. S. Geroch, in the German Language in the aforesaid Register. The record of which said marriage being translated into the English Language is as follows: — Henry Stauffer, single, with to Catharine Pritz, single, married Octob 9. 1763.
I John C. Baker above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the City, County, and State aforesaid, and that the above German extract is a true extract from the records of said congregation, and that the English translation of the same is a fair translation of the same — John C. Baker.
sworn to and subscribed before me this 25 th day of Novemb. AD 1845.
Geo. Kiefer Alder

Declaration
State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County
On this 25 th day of November A D 1845 personally appeared before the Hon: Emanuel Schaeffer, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, in open Court, Sarah Stauffer aged 69 years, a resident of the City of Lancaster, in the County & State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth make the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1836.
That her Father Henry Stauffer, during his life time told her, and she has every reason to believe that he was drafted as a Sergeant in Militia in the commencement of January 1776, in Capt. Andrew Graff's company, and served by standing guard at the Lancaster barracks until July 1776, when he was drafted as a Sergeant in Capt. Andrew Graff's company and marched to Phila, and into New Jersey, when in September he was promoted to be ensign of his company. That he was at Amboy and other places and was at the battle of Princeton and was slightly wounded in the leg there, and received a furlough from one of the British Soldiers of the 7 th Regt. That after the battle he helped to bring the prisoners to Lancaster to Lancaster & York Barracks, where he was discharged in Jan 1777. He was in Colonel George, R esp. Christian Craufords Regiment, all this time. That her Father was promoted to be a Lieutenant in the fall of 1777, in the Lancaster County Militia for 2 months, and done service under his commission for 2 months and a long time afterwards. That his Lieutenant cost was for many years in the family, also his commission (which is in file). That her Mother was married to her Mother A. Catherine Pritz on the 9 th day of October, 1763. That her Father died on the 19 th of May, 1805. That her

brother George Stauffer and herself are the only children of her mother, Mrs. Catherine Stauffer who died on the 29 th day of August 1837.
Rudolph F. Rauch
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25 th day of November A.D. 1845.
E. Soler officer
J. B. Kauffman
Lancaster County ss.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that Henry Stauffer served as his daughter's estate, and that her declaration is entitled to full credit & belief. And the Court do further certify that Sarah Stauffer and George Stauffer, are all the children who are now living that survived their mother, Catherine Stauffer who died on the 29 th day of Augt A.D. 1837.
Witness my hand & seal this 25 Nov: 1845
E. Soler officer 
State of Pennsylvania Lancaster County ss.
I Rudolph F. Rauch Prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County -
do certify that Geo. Moyer Esq. is an Alderman of the city of Lancaster and the three within signatures purporting to be his are genuine and I do hereby further certify that the Hon: Judge Schaeffer is Judge of said Court, that the above signature purporting to be his are genuine, and that the foregoing are the original proceedings had before Judge Schaeffer.
In testing whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 25 th day of November A.D. 1845.
R. F. Rauch Prothon.
for Corw. H. Rauch

6591
Ann. C. Stouffer Ga
at 4 July 36
Married in 1763
husband died 1805
Mother " 29 th Augs 1837
6591
177
Dec. 17, 1845
9 mo Sept Cap M...
177
2. Sept

Declaration.
State of Pennsylvania Lancaster County ss. On this 7 th day of October A.D. 1845. personally appeared, before the Hon. Emanuel Schaeffer Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, in open Court, George Stauffer, aged 63 years, a resident of Paradise Township, in the County aforesaid, who being first sworn according to law, doth make the following July 2 nd 1836. declaration to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 1 st 1832. That his Father, Henry Stauffer, in his life time, told him, and to the best of his knowledge he believes, that his father was drafted as a Militia-man, in the early part of January 1776 in Captain Andrew Graff's Company, and served as a Serjeant, by standing guard, looking after the magazines &c. at the Lancaster Barracks & Powder House, for the period of two months. That in the month of March 1776 he again done duty at the Lancaster Powder House and Stockades as a Serjeant in Capt. Andrew Graff's Company, for the period of two months. That in the month of May 1776 he was again in service and done duty by standing guard, giving and obeying orders &c. at the Lancaster Magazines, under Capt. Andrew Graff, as a Serjeant, and was then discharged, at the expiration of his tour of two months. That further, his father informed him, that in the month of Sept. 1776, he entered the service as a Militia-man, in the capacity of an Ensign. That he was shortly after marched to Philadelphia, Amboy & through the Jerseys. That he was at the Battle of Princeton - took an active part in that battle and succeeded in capturing a British Fusse from one of the 7 th Regimt. of Royal Fusiliers, which fusse is now in the possession of

said Declarant - That after the battle he assisted in guarding the Prisoners to Lancaster, and then marched some of them over to York Barracks, in York County, Penna - That he was discharged on his return in January 1777.
That in the fall of 1777, he was appointed by the Government of Penna, a First Lieut. of a company of foot in the fifth Battalion of Militia in Lancaster County, and done duty as a Lieut. under the Commission he received, which is hereto annexed, for a period of three years, until spring of 1780, and was then discharged.
That his Father was married to his Mother, Ann Catherine Pritz - in the year 1763. - That his Father died on the 19 th of May 1805. That the children and heirs who survived his mother, and who are now living, are Miss Sarah Stauffer, aged 69, and declarant, That his Mother died on the 29 th day of August 1837, without any estate, and no letters of Administration were taken out of the office.
Subt E. Schaeffer J. B. Kaufman
George Stauffer
Lancaster County ps.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that Henry Stauffer served as his son George Stauffer, And the Court further certify that George Stauffer is a highly respectable person and his Declaration entitled to full credit and belief, That Henry and Ann Catherine Stauffer were married in the year 1763, That the children & heirs who survive A. C. Stauffer are Sarah and George Stauffer and that Mrs Ann Catherine Stauffer died on the 29 th day of August 1837, and from the records, it appears no letters of Administration was had on the estate.
and seal this 7 th day of October 1845.
E. Schaeffer

Lancaster County ss
I Rudolph F Raub, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, do hereby certify that the Hon: Emanuel Schaeffer is Judge of said Court and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine, and that the foregoing are the original proceedings had before Judge Schaeffer in open Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 7 th day of October A D 1845.
R. F. Raub " Protho.

H. B. Kaufman Esq. Lancaster Pa.

Auditor General's Office, Harrisburg, Oct. 15 1845.
J. B. Kaufman Esq.
Sir:—
Your letter of the 8 th inst. has been rec d . Enclosing a Commission of Henry Stauffer, Gentleman, a Lieut. of a Company of foot, in the 5 th batt n of Militia, in the County of Lancaster, dated Oct. 25. 1777, and desiring to be informed how long he served, or could have served, under said Commission. &c.
In my letter to you dated 19 th Aug. last, I informed you that the name of Henry Stauffer did not appear on record in this department.
Enquiry has been made in the land department, but without success, no lands having been granted to other than those who served in the Penn a line. —
I find by an examination in the Secy of State's Office, that the general Assembly enacted a law for the regulation of the Militia of the Commonwealth, passed 17 March 1777, (Law book, vol. 1. page 99) by which a Commission would not expire until the expiration of three years.
From a change of Circumstances, and other causes, it appears that said law was insufficient to answer the purposes for which it was intended,
And

And, that, on the 20 th March 1780, a new law was passed for the better regulation of the Militia. From the foregoing facts it would seem that the Commission of Henry Stauffer, would not expire until the 20 th March 1780.
Very Respectfully Yours &c.
John A. Suriano Aud. Genl per Wm D Wallace. Clerk
N.B. The Commission of H. Stauffer is herewith enclosed W.D.W.

Philadelphia
June 19/54
Mr. S. Goodwin, Washington City.
Dear Sir,
Your favor of the 10 th inst; was duly recd, and in reply I have to state. Sarah Stauffer is now living with me. I do not know what has become of Christopher, the son of Ann. Henry Stauffer was born on the 2 nd Aug t 1739 and died 18 th May 1796. aged 58 years 8 mo. & 22 days. Catherine, the wife of Henry, was born 19 th October 1740 and died 29 th March 1828, aged 87 years 5 mo. and 8 days. The Commission of Henry Stauffer & his discharge, it is thought were sent to Washington about the year 1845 & 1846. The King hereby agree to allow you one half of what you recover, according to your own terms & will procure all the information in their power to insure success, you will, therefore, please inform what we shall do further to aid you in the matter.
Yours respectfully,
John Fisher
address to the care of Henry Sampson No. 431 Ninth Street.

Philadelphia
May 31 st 1834
Mr. J. Goodwin, Claim agent,
Sir,
Mr. Staymaker has informed me that there is a sum of money coming to the heirs of Henry Stauffen, for the services of George  Henry Stauffen who was an officer of the war of the revolution. The undersigned is a son in law of George Stauffen, who was the son of Henry Stauffen, any information as to how I shall proceed to get the money for the legal heirs will oblige me. Christopher Stauffen, the brother of George & the son of Henry, is still living in Somerset county, in this state, but my wife is as near a relation and heir as he is & has five children by me. Please address to the care of Henry Simpson, alderman, No. 431. Vine Street.
Very respectfully Yr. ob. Servt.
Joseph Fisher

Payment to be made at by Agent for paying Pen- sioners, in the Agency of
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book Vol. Page by
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th of July, 1836, Ann C. Stauffer, who was the widow of Henry last Stauffer, who was a Sergeant and Lieutenant, was of entitled to a pension at the rate of $71.66 per ann: com: on the 4th: March, 1831 and ind: up till on the 29th: August, 1837, the day of her death, which will be paid upon the production of the proper vouchers to Sarah who was a and George Stauffer, her only surviving children.
is entitled to receive _____ dollars and cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September.
Payment to be made at Phil a Penn:
Given at the War Office of the United States, this — 9th. — day of January — one thousand eight hundred and forty- six
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
Commissioner of Pensions.

No. 4591 Ann C. Stouffer acd Mann of Struy Pa
act 4 July 1836
Adm.
9 Munchy Segments. $45.00 2 " Secret - 26.66 $71.66
from 4 March 1831 to 29 th August 1837. payable to Sarah Stauffer and Grace Stauffer her only surviving Children -
J. B. Kauffman Lancaster Pa

Lancaster Pa. Nov. 25 th 1845
Dear Sir:—
I received your favor of the 19 th inst in the case of A. Catherine Stauffer deceased, in which you allow some service and object to others. Enclosed I send you the proof of the marriage to remove that objection and the Court certify to the death of A. Catherine Stauffer and to the names of the surviving children. The declaration of Sarah Stauffer, proves more substantially her father's services, than did the Declaration of Sarah  George Stauffer, who is much younger. The Deposition of Peter Shindel fully corroborates the children's declarations, and proves his promotion to Ensign and services from Sept. 1776 to Jan. 1777 in the Jersey H ts . He also proves that he served under his Lieutenant's Commission. I now send you the Muster roll of Capt. Andrew Graff, dated July 16 th 1776 at Phila, which agrees with Shindel's statement. You will find in it Henry Stauffer's name as a Sargeant, and Peter Shindel as fife. You will find that some deserted on the 11 th of Augt 1776, which shows that they were in New Jersey in Augt 1776. You will see that the 1 st Company was sick at Trenton. The other Rolls I sent you before from January to June 1776, both together must convince you that Stauffer served as a Sargeant until late in Augt or Sept. 1776 from Jan. 1776. and from the Deposition of Shindel and Declarations of Children that he was then promoted to be an Ensign and served until Jan. 1777.
From the tone of your letter we have been compelled to produce positive proof only to one term of two months under the Lieut. Commission, as they cannot definitely state what the residue of the services under the Commission were. I therefore refer you to my letter of the 16 th Oct. to the oath of Allegiance, to the Auditor General of Penna's letter, to the Stauffer Declarations, to Peter Shindel Deposition and to the Commission itself; and will then leave it to your own discretion to allow as much as you think the heirs are justly entitled to under the Commission.
Yours truly W B Kaufman.
Hon: J L Edwards. Com. of Pensions Washington City

126. Mother
Nov. 29. 1845
Abraham
Cath. Stauffer
10
Hon: J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington City.

I Do hereby certify that Henry Stouffer - hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the Oath — of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 13th Day June, 1777 — Witness my Hand and Seal, the 28 Day of March — Anno Domini, 1778
Henry Stouffer [L.S.]
LANCASTER: Printed by FRANCIS BAILEY.

In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ,
The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of the said Commonwealth,
To Henry Stauffer Gentleman
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be first Lieutenant of a company of foot in the fifth Battalion of Militia, in the County of Lancaster You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of first Lieutenant by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as first Lieutenant . And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.
GIVEN under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this twenty fifth — Day of October — in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven
N o 6 ATTEST.
W. Mallack
Thos Wharton jun Pres

Dat-
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3198
Amelia Stauffer
Widow
Henry Stauffer
for S. & G. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index:—Vol. In. , Page 239.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Capt. Andrew Graff Company of Monmouth Guard for the protection of the Magazine at Lancaster from January to May 1776. filed in Dr. Brumbaugh Room
Capt. Graff Company in the Flying Camp from July 11 th 1776. filed in Dr. Brumbaugh Room
1776 4 months at Magazine at Lancaster " 5 " in Flying Camp Sergeant 1777 2 " as Lieutenant

Jany. 76. Thru tour as Sergt in Capt. Graff's company at Magazine at Lancaster — Sergt 6 — Sept. 76. to Jany 77 — Ensign — N. Jersey — battles of Trenton & Princeton — Jany 77 appointed Lt in Lancaster Militia for 3 years —
MS. 801

V
6591.
Ann C. Stouffer dr.
Peru. Lett to J. B. Kaufman Nov. 19. 1845
ad 4th Sep 1826.

Oct. 23. 1845.
Rev. Mr. Knapp.
Hon: J. S. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington City
Rev. Mr. Knapp - 52 Spruce and a

Lancaster Pa. October 20 th 1845.
Sir.
Simon Stevens Esq. the bearer of this Letter, has in his possession, and he will show to you, a Roll of Colonel Crawford's Regiment of Militia, Capt. Andrews Gaff's company will be found composing it. You will find in Captain Gaff's company the name of Henry Stauffer, as being in service and in the company in the month of July 1776. You have the original rolls of Gaff's Co. for the previous part of the year - which I sent to you about a week since together with the Commission, Oath of Allegiance, Auditor General's letter &c - I wish you would take a note of the July service, and place it on the Declaration or somewhere where it may be taken into consideration when you examine the claim -
Yours Respectfully J B Kaufman -
Hon: J L Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington City.

6591. Oct 17. 1845
Olney C. Hoffmeyer
Aug 4. 1836.
15
Hon: J. L. Edwards Committee of Pensions Washington City.

Lancaster Pa. October 16 th 1845.
Sir.
Enclosed I forward you the Declaration of George Stauffer - one of the 2 heirs of Anna Catherine Stauffer, widow of Henry Stauffer deceased, and the opinion of the Court at length in the case. I send you the original return of Captain Andrew Graff's Company, found among the original records of the Committee of Safety for the County of Lancaster, in 1776, in which you will find the name of Henry Stauffer, mentioned as a Sergeant in the 5 months stated, the last of which his name is spelt correctly. A copy of this original Return of Graff's Company, with many returns of other companies, were, in June 1776, reported to Congress by the Committee of Safety, as in service. The enclosed commission dated 25 th Feb. 1777 (in the paper in of the son George) shows that he was promoted to a Lieutenant, and Declarant states that he served until the Spring of 1780. I also send you his oath of Allegiance taken before the Chief Burgess of Lancaster Borough (as our City Records show) on the 28 th day of March 1778. which shows that he was still in service then, as all Officers were compelled to take the Oath under the Act of 13 th June 1777 of Penna. I also send you the opinion of the Auditor General of Penna, as to the length of service under the Commission, and the extracts from the Books in the Secretary of State's Office - which confirms the opinion of Declarant Declarant took on the 7 th inst. We have omitted procuring a list - up to prove the 2 tours in the fall of 1776, in which he served as an Ensign, captured a fufee &c - because we have proved enough other service to obtain all we are entitled to recover. If however the

Department think it is to the interest of Declarant to substantiate those two tours, they will please inform me of it
I never knew a Militia case so complete with Documentary proof, and that too, of the best character. I hope it may facilitate the Department, in its decision.
Very Respectfully
Yours &c
J B Kaufman
Hon: J L Edwards Com of Pensions Washington City.