Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,322, for Francis Kitner, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
N. C.
Fitner, Francis
7/6 210 322
Heiner,
Elizabeth
CONTENTS

3566 North Carolina
Elizabeth Kitner widow of Francis Kitner decd.
who died on the 5 th February 1831 of Stokes Co. in the State of North Carolina who was a Private in the Compa y commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. ————— in the No. Car. line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 40 Dollars ————— Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of June 1841 and sent Hon. D. Williams Ho. of Representatives
Arrears to the 14th of March 1841 $420.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 11 Sept. 20.00
$440.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Not July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by W. H. Addison Clerk, Book CC Vol. 156 Page 153

Frederick son of Franz and Elisabeth Fickner born 10 th May 1774. baptized 2 nd July 1774. he was baptized by the Revd. Nic. Lor. Bage at Bethabara as recorded in the Church Book.
Jan. 8 th 1840. John R. Smith p. Pastor of Bethabara.

Matthew son of Francis & Elizabeth Vetter was born Nov r 28 th 1780
Catharine , daughter of the same parents was born Dec r 13 th 1783
I certify the above to be a true & correct copy of the Register of the Church at Bethania,
Jany 5 th 1840
Witness my Hand & Seal
Julius Th Beckler E. B. Pastor Mr. Ch. Bethania Stokes City N.Y.

State of North Carolina } ss.
County of Stokes
on this first day of September 1840 personally appeared before me Charles Barron a Magistrate of the County Court of Stokes aforesaid. Elizabeth Ketner at her own place of Residence in Salem district in the County of Stokes aforesaid in North Carolina aged Eighty six years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836. that she is the widow of Frances Ketner who was born in Berks County January the first 1748, who was a private soldier in the Militia army of the United States during the Revolutionary war and served the following expeditions since they were married together as man & wife (tovil) the first he was gone three months against the Tories March d from Surry County North Carolina to Fayetteville she believes he was drafted & went under the command of Captain Henry Smith & Lieutenant Brinkley who was her neighbor with whom she was well acquainted; and Col o Joseph Williams was Col o Command t it was in the spring of the year 1776. when her son Frederick was two years old, & she had another child born & it died while her husband was gone in that tour the next fall in the same year he went under the same officers on an expedition to the Cherokee Nation of Indians and was gone four months & afterwards first he went from Surry County & drove a waggon with provisions for the army to Wilkes County then the army return d in two or three weeks & her husband came home & remained at home a week or ten days. then he was call d on to start & went on foot & was gone till after Christmas & return d with the Capt o Smith & Company & said he had a discharge for four months as a footman the next he served as a Minuteman & went a number of short scouts after Tories under her neighbor Capt o John Crowe; she cannot remember half thereof cannot claim any thing for them that tour only one of two weeks he was out when said Capt o Crowe & his company had a fight (she calls it) with the Tories at Surry Court house when said Captain was wounded

By Bullet from the Tories, our whig Company was compell'd to Retreat. as the Tories was too many in Number for them: Col. G. Williams Commanded our men She cannot recollect the date that this affair happened. But it was previous to his going a long time under Capt. Smith to South Carolina at least six months She dont recollect any of the route only he told her he went to Salisbury & joined the Main Army Commanded by a General Rutherford. and March'd from there to S. Carolina. She remembers that her daughter Elizabeth was her youngest child at that time who was born in October 1777 - the next he went a tour of two months with a Wagon load of Ammunition from Salem to Henry Court house in Virginia & from there to some place where the Main Army was. & carried the powder to them. and while he was gone the British Army passed by her house coming from the Shallow ford on the Yadkin River. to Hanes Town & Robed her of all her Corn. & small grain meat and every thing almost that her & family had to live on, even her Ducks & Chickens some of them asked her if she had a husband She said yes; Where is he they asked. She told them he was gone with a Wagon to haul a load of Ammunition to the American Army to shoot you Red Coats that have Robed me of my living this happened shortly before the Battle of Guilford and on the very night of said Battle her husband said Francis Ketner return home, as she heard the cannon firing in morning of the Battle; the foregoing are all the Services that she remembers of her husband being employed in - She further declares that she was Married to the said Francis Ketner in a Lutherian Church in Berks County. State of Pennsylvania on the fourth day of July. Seventeen hundred & seventy one and removed to Surry County. N Carolina in the fall of the same year. with her Father Joseph Miller & his family; that her husband the aforesaid Francis Ketner. died in Stokes County N. Carolina on the 5 th of February 1831. and that she has re- mained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof which is to be herewith annexed; and further she declares that she had seven children born of her

Body whilst she and her husband the aforesaid Francis Ketner lived together as man and wife. namely. Henry Ketner was born the 20 th of May 1772, but no record of his age it being lost - the next was Frederick Ketner was born the 18 th of May 1774 the Church Record hereunto annexed, the next was born the 12 th of May 1776 & died at five days old. The next was Elizabeth born the 20 th October 1777, the 5 th child Matthew Ketner was born the 28 th November 1780. and Catherine born the 13 th Decem r 1783. the Church Record of both hereunto annexed will show, the last was Francis. Born the 14 January 1790 - the children whose ages was recorded as above stated was Baptized in the Moravian Church; the others were Baptized by a preacher at our place of Residence & no record kept of them; From bodily infirmities she is unable to travel or be carried to Court, without endangering her health very much; therefore have sent for the subscribing Magistrate to draw this writing at my place of Residence (the truth of which statements I am fully satisfied sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above mentioned before me.
Charles Beane J.P.
Elizabeth his Ketner mark
State of North Carolina County of Stokes } I Reuben D. Golding Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, for the County of Stokes aforesaid do hereby certify that Charles Beane is a Magistrate as above - And that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of my Office and subscribed my name this 16 th day of January A.D. 1841.
Reuben D. Golding Clerk

Ray
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20822
Elizabeth Bitter Widow of Francis Bitter Died Beer War
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index: — Vol. 21 , Page 202
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N.C. act 1836 - 5258
Eliz Tretner - of Francis
Let to Hon. L. Williams
28 Jan 1841

Frances Ketner d 1831. S.
Eliz Ketner. 86. m. 1771 S
76 3 m. at 1000 H Smith
" 4. Cherokee's
menah-man.
(5) 6. Smith. SC
81 2 with wagg
12
Lean Wolf Joseph House Jacob Holzapfel
Siadmillar clan
Fanny Martin he p 97.38

State of North Carolina } 27 th March 1841. Stokes County }
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Jacob Hiliabach of the County and State aforesaid that he is a respectable citizen and of sound mind and memory
M. Doubl
I do hereby certify that Michael Doubl who signed the above certificate is a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church & is of high standing as such given under my hand
This 27 th March 1841
J. Banner J.P.
Signed & Certified before me J. Banner J.P.

State of North Carolina ss County of Stokes
I Christian Lash a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with a certain Joseph Henson many years who is now dead he died about two months last past I am informed he gave his deposition in behalf of Elizabeth Ketner the widow of Frances Ketner in order to obtain her a pension some time in the year 1840. I further certify that said Joseph Henson retain'd a good sound mind & memory till a few days previous to his death and that due faith and credit ought to be had and paid to his declaration on oath. Given under my hand this 27 th March 1841
Christian Lash
Signed & Certified before me J. B. Broom S.P.

U. State of North Carolina } ss 25 th Feb y 1841 County of Stokes }
Be it known that I John L. Bitting of Germanton in the county aforesaid Merchant have been well acquainted with a certain Jacob Helshult who is a pensioner of the U. States. That I believe him to be a person of sound mind & memory & have no doubt but every narrative that he relates on his oath is facts
J. L. Bitting
Signed & Certified before me
W. B. Banner J.P.
I am well acquainted with Jacob Helshult named in the foregoing Certificate. He is a respectable old gentleman, a pensioner of the United States. I drew his declaration for a pension, some years ago, I have seen him often since and entertain no doubt but that he is sound of mind.
Geo. F. Poindexter.
Signed before me
W. B. Banner J.P.

Members of Congress paper
June 7. 1841 Inah
James L Edwards Comm ee of Pensions Washington
Dr. Williams H.R.

Washington June 1 st 1841
Sir, I send you further evidence in the case of Mrs. Patners claim - Yours obed Hble Servant Lewis H. can errand
James L. Clemenes Esq.

Elizabeth Pitner wife of Francis Pitner
As July 4 1832
Married 1771 died 1837
Allaw 12 m. pr. $40 per ann. N.C. Mabelia L. & H. Smith
H. S. Williams H. R.

Pension Office,
January 28. 1841.
Sir,
I have examined the claim of Mrs Elizabeth Kiter, widow of Francis Kiter decd. and have placed her papers upon our files. In proof of the service alleged by the widow, the testimony of Lewis Wolf, Joseph Houser, and Jacob Helbeck is offered. As I have had recently the honor to address you touching the competency of some of these witnesses to testify; and which letter I presume has been by you forwarded to Mr Banner, the agent in this and other claims, which rest upon similar proof, I have thought proper to suspend any further action on this claim until Mr Banner is heard from on the subject.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your ob't. serv't. J L Edwards
Hon. L. Williams, House of Representatives.

765258
Jan 26 (1874)
nc
July 4. 1836
James L. Edwards Esq. Pension office Washington
Hon. L. Williams
H.R.

Washington Jan y 26 th 1841
Sir
I forward to you the claim of Mrs. Retner of States County N.Y. - I can state that I was acquainted with the old Lady, and with her husband Francis in his life time. They resided within about four miles of where I was born and raised, and where I knew him; although in a different County - They were very respectable people and I have no doubt every thing stated by Mrs. Retner is true - I knew the children also, and believe their ages to be correctly stated - I hope the claim may be allowed -
Your Hble Servt.
Levi Williams
James L Edmards Esqr -

North Carolina } ss
Stokes County } Be it known that on this 28 day of December 1840. before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace for said County personally appeared Jacob Holsebeck a Respectable Resident of said County of probable truth & bensioner of the U. States who being first duty sworn, declares on his oath that he served a term of service in the United States Army during the War of the Revolution with Francis Retner the husband of Elizabeth Retner under a capt. Henry Smith & in the same Mts with Retner was entered the service in Surry County in October or Novemr. 1778 & went to Salisbury & then joined Genl. Rutherford's Army, then at head quarters then march d to Charlotte & from thence through various parts of S. Carolina to Savannah River. when a part of our troops under a Aske capt. the River had a Battle at Brim Creek and was defeated by the enemy, shortly after the term for which we entered the service ended, which was for five months. but we were detained untill new recruits came in, when said Retner & our Company rec d . discharge for our full five months, altho we were gone fully six months & return d home to Surry County. A6 Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above mentioned
before me
C. Banner JP
Jacob his X Holsebeck mark

5258 Elizabeth Retum, widow of Francis. N.C.
Act 4 July 1836
5258
H. S. Williams H. S.

Deposition in behalf of Eliza Ketner
North Carolina Stokes County 3 rd ss On this 2 nd day of September 1840 before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace for said county personally appeared Joseph Houser aged Seventy Eight 78 years a resident of Bethania in Stokes County aforesaid & a person of good character for probity & truth who being duly sworn according to law declares on his oath that he was well acquainted with Francis Ketner the husband of Elizabeth Ketner ever since they came & settled near Bethania in the then Surry County, that was nearly seventy years past and that they lived together as man & wife until the day of his death which happened about ten years ago that they had children baptized in the Moravian Church in Bethania to which this Deponent belonged and was recognized and certified to be lawfully married by Joseph Miller the Father of said Elizabeth Ketner a short time before they removed from Pennsylvania to this neighborhood whereupon they were admitted to have their children baptized in the Church. This Deponent further declares that he drove a wagon in company with the said Francis Ketner both loaded with ammunition for the army of the United States from Salem & Carolina to Henry C. house in Virginia in Feb y 1781, with a guard of about 200 men & he left said Ketner there, & under- stood he proceeded to convey his load to Genl. Greene's head quar- ters shortly before Guilford Battle, and he always understood from Col s Henry Smith & George Houser that said Ketner had served as a faithful soldier, against the Scotch Tories & to the Cherokee Nation of Indians, also a tour of five months to South Carolina all under said Col s Smith - that the said Elizabeth has remained a widow ever since her husband said Francis Ketner's death and is unable to go about but very little. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above mentioned.
before me
Joseph H. Houser marks
C. Banner J.P.

North Carolina Giles County 3.55
On this 8 th day of September 1840. before me the subscribing Justice of the peace in & for the county aforesaid personally appeared Lewis Wolff a resident of the Vicinity of Bethania in the county aforesaid a person of good Veracity for probity & truth who being duly sworn declares on his oath that Francis Retner served a three month term of duty as a Militia Soldier of the U States with him under Capt. Henry Smith in his own M ps & marched from Surry County N Carolina in the Spring of the year 1776. to Dobsons Creek Roads then to Fayetteville Carolina against the Scotch Tories & return home, & was discharged at the old Town in Surry and in the summer & fall of the same year said Retner first drove a wagg n with provisions for the army, to the Mulberry Fields in Wilkes Co ty Carolina & return d to Surry Court house, & after remaining there some time said Retner went on in Capt. Smiths Company to the Cherokee Nation of Indians & returned in the winter with the said Army after being gone at least four months. and after that he saw said Francis Retner in the Service as a minut horse man in Capt. John Crosses Company near Old Rich- mond Surry C. house that they told him they had been to the Brushy Mountains & to Col o Cleveland, & had apprehended a parcel of Tories & delivered them to said Cleveland who hung some of them & whipped others; that they had been gone two weeks at least or perhaps three weeks on this Scout, but believes that said Retner was often out as minut man tho he cannot tell how long in all only what Retner stated that he had served at least three months at different times when ever he was called on at a minutes warning which this Deponent has Just reason to believe was the case and it was necessary to keep a continual watch against the Tories to prevent them from collecting into Companies and committing depredations as they were often accustomed to do - the next Service he remembers that said Francis Retner entered the Service under the same

Capt Smith & went to Salisbury & then to S Carolina & was gone in this expedition nearly or quite six months he does not recollect the date, but it was when the Battle of Brice Creek happened. he further declares that said Francis Retner and his wife Elizabeth came to this neighborhood before the Revolutionary War with the late Joseph Miller Esq who was the Father of said Elizabeth who settled neighbor to this Deponent that said Jo. Miller told him they came from Pennsylvania & that said Francis Retner & his daughter the said Elizabeth was Married in Lutheran Church about two months before they started in N. Carolina. and that he said Retner died nine or ten years ago in this county. and that his wife the said Elizabeth has remained a widow ever since his death. and he believes she is 86 years of age as she declares. and is unable to travel but very little only goes in a carriage a small distance to church very seldom. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above mentioned before me
Charles Bannier J.P.      Lewis his W m Wolf mark
State of North Carolina County of Stokes      I Reuben D Golding clerk of the court of pleas and Quarter Sessions certify that Charles Bannier is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his to the several depositions of Jacob Helsper, Louis Houser and Lewis Wolff are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name this 16 th day of January A.D. 1841
Reuben D Golding clerk