Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,604, for William James, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
James William
S. 5604
carded
CONTENTS

Order to pay $600 to Mrs. A. McKeim 24 th March 1838.
Paid at New Treasury from under Act of April 1838 from 4 March 1836 to 4 Sept 1837 Agents M c Alister 1 June 1838
30.311
Pennsylvania
"William James"
of Berks Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Rives of the 1 st Regt by Col. — in the Pennsylvanian line for six months in 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Jan y 1836 and sent to H. C. N. A. Muhlenberg N. 12
Arrears to the 14 th of Sept. 1835 $90. Semi-ant. allowances ending March 1836 10. $100
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Allison Clerk Book C. 2 Vol. 5 Page 32

Personal
affidavit
Respectfully
Personally appeared William Jones of
The Borough of Reading County aforesaid in Open Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, after upon his solemn oath that he was born in the County of Berks in the State aforesaid, aged seventy three years. Maketh the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That in the year 1775 at Reading, he served two months, and upwards under Captain Alan Pyle on the recruiting service in the service of the United, as a fifer, in the same year 1775 Marched as fifer, in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Greer a tour of two months, Marched to New Town in Berks County aforesaid, in 1776 Marched as a fifer in a company of Militia in a company commanded by Captain Hines a tour of two months and Marched to Chestnut Hill near the City of Philadelphia, in 1776 and 1777 Marched as fifer, in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Roberts, for two months and Marched to the Crooked Billet in said County, at the time the British were in Philadelphia, that the company was kept there watching the movements of the British, in the fall 1777 Marched in a company commanded by Captain Walker as fifer from Berks County two months and Marched from said Berks County into "Upper Jersey" and there remained until Genl. Burgoyne surrendered his Army at Saratoga, in the State of New Jersey, that from there he Marched in said company guarding the Hessian Prisoners to New Virginia at Shannan River, from where returned to Berks County aforesaid That in the 1777 he enlisted in a Troop of Horses for six months, in a company commanded

by Captain Bennet in the County of Bucks, appointed Called six months, May, as a private, That in said he Marched, to Chestnut Hill near the City of Philadelphia there the said Company was kept some time, that they were Skirting partly backward & forward watching the move- ments of the British along the Delaware, That at the expiration of each of said periods, he was honorable discharge That at the time he first entered the Service of the United States he was a boy of the age of about fifteen years, That at this late period he cannot find any living Witness that was out with him in said Service, at any of said periods, That he hereby relinquishing every claim, what so ever to a pension or an Annuity, (except the present); Wm James
I do hereby subscribe in Open Court Aug. 15 th 1834 Garrison Mallory Part Judge
John McKnight of the Borough of Reading Esquire, aged sixty years a Creditable Witness, in Open Court of Common of Common Pleas, who upon his solemn Oath, doth depose & say that he is well acquainted with William James the Appli- cant for a Pension, upwards of twenty years, That he is a Man of good Moral Character, and that he is to believe on his Oath,
I do hereby subscribe in Open Court Aug. 15. 1834. Garrison Mallory Part Judge
J. W. Knight.

The Court of Common Pleas held at Reading this 13 th day of November A.D. 1834 in and for the County of Berks, within State of Pennsylvania, pronounced the following interrogatories
Intensivierungs-
When and in what year was born? I was born in Bucks County Penn. in the month of August the 15 th 1781. as appears of record in the family Bible of my father.
Second of record in the family Bible of my father, where we were living when called into Service, where have you heard since the revolutionary War, and when do you know her, I heard with my father Isaac Jones in Bucks County, after the War I moved into Chester County Penn a and from thence into Bucks County and now reside with Borough of Reading Bucks County aforesaid.
How was you called into Service, when you drafted, did you be- have or were you substitute, that in May 1775 he two months in a Company commanded by Capt. Walter Pelt, in the Service of the United as a Corporal and as a fifer, in the same year 1775 Volunteered as a Fifer for two months in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Green, of Bucks County aforesaid, Marched to New Town in Bucks County, in 1776 Volunteered as a fifer, two months, in a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Haines of Bucks County, and Marched to Charnel Hill Near the City of Philadelphia in the year 1776 & 1777 Volunteered as a Fifer, in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Roberts of Bucks County two months, Marched to the Crooked Billet in said County, at the time the British were in the City of Phi a the Company was kept there some time Watching the Movements of the British in the fall 1777 Marched in a Company of Militia as a Substitute for D r Lion d Waris, of Bucks County, in a Company commanded by Capt. Walker, (as fifer) two months, and Marched from Bucks County into upper Jersey, in the State of New Jersey. There Remained until Genl. Burgoyne surrendered his Army at Saratoga in the State of New York. Then the said Company was ordered to Sp a and the Susquehanna River, and Marched thence to what was called New Virginia at Shesquaha River, from thence returned to Bucks County, aforesaid in the year 1777 he enlisted as a private in a Troop Horse, in a Company commanded by Capt. Bonnet of Bucks County, Called Six Month Men Marched to Charnel Hill, Near the City of Phi a was there kept some time as a Skouting party Watching the Movements of the British along the Delaware River, that at the expiration of each of said periods, he was Honorably dis- charged that at the time he first entered the Service he was about fifteen years of age,
of age, State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the Troops, when you served, such Continental and Militia regiments. I knew General Henry of Bute, cannot say that I so ranked under him. I cannot tell Robert and Major Henry of Bute's rank, or to any other Officers at the time he cannot recollect.
Weyise

Vermont Gentlemen, state the names of persons whom you know in your present Neighborhood, and who can testify to your Character for Morality and their belief of your Sermons as a soldier with Robert's Cavalry The Hon ble Henry A. Muhlenberg John W. Knight Gen l Geo. H. Kim Henry W. Pitz, Robert Porter Late President Judge, Dr. John A. Otto Henry Reardon, all residing within the Borough of Reading. Penns
Very truly, I was subscribed in presence Nov 23. 1884
W m James
Gamaliel Bailey Pres Judge

1558
Deposition of Benj James.
Benjamin James testifies that he recollects his brother William James having served in the revolutionary war as a Sifer under Col. Heysig, but does not recollect for what length of time - recollects his serving on another tour but cannot recollect who he then served under - He recollects his after joining Col. Bennetts Troop but cannot recollect the time of his service.
He was a native of New Britain Township Bucks Co. Pa. and joined the service in said county.
Sworn to & subscribed at state of 1835 before
me Richard P.D.
Bucks county
Benjamin James
State of Pennsylvania ss Bucks County
I Charles H. Matthews Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby Certify that Josiah Y. Shaw Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings were had
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Bucks duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Doylestown this Ninth day of October Anno Domini One thousand eight hundred and thirty five
C.H. Matthews Prothon.

Deposition of Nathan James.
Nathan James testifies that he recollects of his brother William James having served in the revolutionary war in the following manner - viz. 1st as a Sijh under Col. Bonflet. Col. Walker, & Col. Potts. how long he served under them he does not distinctly recollect. recollects that he served, 1st under one and then the other at different times. but cannot recollect how long at any time under either - he thinks not up upon three months at any time he was called - He also recollects his serving a time under Col. Gwyn - He also recollects his afterwards having joined Col. Brant's Corp of Light Artillery but how long he served cannot recollect.
He was a native of Bucks County. When he entered the service -
Sworn & subscribed on this day personally before me
Nathan James X Mark
Josiah J. Shaw J.P. Bucks County
I Josiah J. Shaw Esq: a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bucks residing at Doylestown in said County Do certify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin James & Nathan James who have sworn and subscribed to the foregoing affidavits, and that they are credible persons & their statements entitled to full credit - Witness my Hand December 25 th 1835 -
Josiah J. Shaw J.P.

I E. M. Barker (Minister of the gospel) of the town of Reading, County of Berks, State of Pennsylvania, Do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Mr. James for several years, and from personal knowledge and general report, believe him to be a man of unquestionable veracity, a decided moral character, and a respectable citizen of this place, he is a member and Deacon of the Baptist Church of which I have the charge. The family record says he was born in Berks Co in Aug 15 A 1761. He is reputed and believed (by the inhabitants of this neighbourhood) to have been a soldier of the revolution, and I concur in that opinion.  Witness my hand, November 30 th 1835  E. M. BARKER
Berks County, p  I the undersigned one of the judges of the said County do hereby certify that the above named E. M. Barker is a minister of the Gospel residing in Reading in the County aforesaid. Witness my hand this 30 th day of November A. D. 1835
10222 Darling.
Pennsylvania Berkshire County, p.  I Just DALLAS Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Berks, do certify that William Darling Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate is one of the Judges of Berks County duly Commissioned & qualified and that full faith & credit are due to all official acts by him done, of which the foregoing is one. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 1 st day of November A. D. 1835.

August 11, 1930
Rev. & Rel. Wars Section MCS:MLB
Mrs. J. V. Z. Anthony Twenty-four Franklin Place Montclair, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5804, that William James, the son of Isaac, was born August 15, 1761, in New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
While a resident of that place, he enlisted and served with the Pennsylvania troops, as follows:
From May, 1775, two months as fifer in Captain Van Pelt's Company; in 1775, two months as fifer in Captain Greer's Company; in 1776, two months as fifer in Captain Hines' or Hynes' Company; in 1776 and 1777, two months as fifer in Captain Roberts' Company; in 1777, six months as private in Captain Bennett's Company; in the fall of 1777, two months as fifer in Captain Walker's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1834, at which time he was a resident of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
There are no data relative to wife and children.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORCAN Acting Commissioner
transposed these two services in order that they both fall in 1777 as soldier state.
ncj.
Mother Rev. and Mother.

On this day personally appeared one Ben. Stacey, a citizen of the Borough of Reading, and of Open Court of Common Pleas, who upon his solemn oath before me, deposes and says that he is well acquainted with William Gandy, the applicant for a Pension, upwards of twenty years, that he is a man of good Moral Character, and that he is to believe, on his oath
Hen Munchenberg
Sworn to before me, in Open Court Aug. 15. 1834.
Garrick Mallery Prest Judge
Genl. George D. B. Heim of the Borough of Reading appeared in Open Court, of Common Pleas, who upon his solemn oath before me, deposes and says that he is well acquainted with William Gandy, the applicant for a Pension, upwards of twenty years, that he is a man of good Moral Character, and that he is to believe on his oath
George D. B. Heim
Affirmed before me in Open Court Aug. 15. 1834.
Garrick Mallery Prest Judge
Henry Fitz Gwyn, of the Borough of Reading appeared in Open Court of Common Pleas, before me, who upon his solemn oath before me, deposes and says that he is well acquainted with William Gandy, the applicant for a Pension, upwards of twenty years, that he is a man of good Moral Character, and that he is to believe on his oath
Henry Fitz Gwyn
Sworn to before me in Open Court Aug. 15. 1834.
Garrick Mallery Prest Judge

Since the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the in- of the matter and after perusing the interrogatory presented by the War Depart- ment that William Jones the applicant here in the foregoing entitled Declaration, was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, in the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Wright, Henry H. Muhlberger, Geo. D. Kain, and Mary D. D. who have also subscribed the preceding Certificate are residents of the County of Berks, Pa. and are creditable persons and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
Gerrit Mullen Pres. Judge Matthias V. Richards a Judge of Berks Co.
Berks County ss. the I Jacob Lallade Esquire. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the applicant of c. William Jones for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the said Court to be affixed this thirteenth day of August A.D.
1834.
Jac. Lallade Protho.
31.800
William Jones Pensioner
allowed for p.a.
Suspended
See letter 3 Jan 1835
A. M. Set
H. A. Muhlberger
H. A. Muhlberger

Treasury Department,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
May 4, 1838.
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;" William James 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 4 th of March 1836 to the 4 th of September 1837.
Respectfully, your
Abner K. Parris Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Suspended
Suspended
See letter to Hon. W. A. Muhlenberg 5 Jany. 1835 d. 16 Dec 1835

Dec 14
Mr. Callahan
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department
H. S. Matthews H. L.

Washington Dec 12. 1835
Dear Sir,
I have been requested to hand you the enclosed additional evidence in the case of William James , whose declaration under the Act of June 1832 is, I believe, upon file in your Office.
I have also been requested to enquire whether the declaration of Phil. Sheedy of Montgomery County Penn a , under the above named Act is upon file in your Office & if so whether any decision has been had upon it. If not yet decided the result may be communicated to me.
I am
With great regard,
Your obedt Servt
Richd Muhlenberg
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Jan 4 nw-at
James J. Shultz for membership of Am. Bot. Club H. H. Muhlenberg JHK Mrs. DeGraaff

Washington Jan y 1. 1886.
Dear Sir,
I return the papers of William James with a certificate of the credibility of witness attached, as requested, and trust the pension at the rate of six months service will now be issued as promised. Further information as to longer service cannot now be had as all witness are dead.
Very respectfully
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Yours,
Wm A. Munkenberg

Rev. May
5604 INVALID.
File No. 5604
William James
Pri Rev War
Act: June 1st 82
Index: Vol. M , Page 190
[Arrangement of 1870.]
May 2 nd 1911. Hist. to Andrew Shaeffer, 331 E. 1 st Reading, Pa. e
1930 Aug. 11 hist. to Mrs. J. W. Z. Anthony, N.Y.C.

TWENTY-FOUR FRANKLIN PLACE MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY
June 24, 1930
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Honorable Sir:
Will you kindly give me the military record of William James , a soldier of the Revolutionary War? He had been a pensioner; was born August 15, 1761, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and died at Reading, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1850. The year of his application for pension was 1834.
This information is desired for use in the preparation of a family history, and will be gratefully received.
Yours faithfully,
Wannie J. Anthony
(Mrs. J.V.Z. Anthony)