Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23290, for Samuel Kline, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Kline, Samuel
S. 23290
CONTENTS

Pennsylvania 36.058
James M'Kin
of Schuylkill in the State of Pa who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Miller of the Dept commanded by Col. M'Kin in the Penna line for a Residue
1 1/2 1/2 $ 11.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Penna at the rate of 10 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Feb and 1834 for H. A. M'Kin
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 100.00 Semi-annual allowances ending 1st March 20.00 $ 120.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. S. Morgan Clerk. Book 6 - Vol. 5 Page 31 -

29. 116.
Samuel Kline
Peru
Return
Adm 1. year
$40
Hon. A. A. Muhlenburg House of Rep

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
5 th Feby 1834
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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Samuel Kline
   Period when the service was 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.     1776. 1. private Capt. Manser 73 years.   2. " Col. Halker. Berks County Pa. Traditionary and living Witnesses.   2. " Capt. Smith   2. " Col. Doyer   2. " Capt. Baldy   2. " Capt. Biebers.   " Col. May.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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)                      , who has 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 one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that 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 tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. (The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.)
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

29. 4. 16. —
For H. A. Muhlenberg

State of Pennsylvania County of Berks 3 rd .
On this twenty first day of January One thousand, eight hundred and thirty four. Personally appeared, before the Honourable Matthias S. Richards Esq. an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Berks, Samuel Kline of the Township of Ruscombmanor, in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, aged seventy three Years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his Oath, 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.
He enlisted in the year One thousand seven hundred and seventy six in the Company of Captain Jacob Mauser, for the term of six months at which time he was a resident of Richmond Township in the said County of Berks, the lieutenants of the said Company were Joel Siler and Stephen Baldy. he served as a private in the said Company for the full term of his enlistment, in what was called the flying Camp. the Company marched from Reading, through Trenton, New York, Long Island, White Plains and Kingsbridge. He was engaged in the battles of Long Island and White Plains. the Company was attached to the Regiment of Colonel Henry Haller after the expiration of his term of Enlistment he was discharged. He does not recollect any regular Officers except General Washington and Lord Stirling.
He afterwards served as a Substitute for Christian Bergard for a tour of two months, as a private in Captain John Smiths Company of Pennsylvania Militia, the Company assembled at Memphis (then Levan's Tavern) in Marstallown Township, and marched from thence to the Borough of Reading from whence they were marched to Brandywine. They were attached to the Regiment of Colonel Jacob Boyer. he was present but not engaged in the battle of Brandywine.
He was afterwards drafted as a private, and served a tour of two months during the Revolutionary War in Captain Jacob Baldy's Company of Pennsylvania Militia, assembled in Richmond Township whence they marched to Newtown in Bucks County where they were discharged. he does not recollect to what Regiment the Company was attached.
He was once more drafted, during the said War, and served as a private for a period of two months, in Captain George Diebers Company of Pennsylvania Militia, the Company assembled at Hamburg in said County from whence they marched to Wyoming against the Indians, under the command of Colonel Miley, at the expiration of said period they were discharged.
He has no documentary evidence of his said services, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services in the Militia.
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 State, or if any, only on that of the agency of the State of Pennsylvania.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and Year aforesaid before Matthias S. Richards a Judge of Berks County.
Samuel Kline

We John Deysher a Justice of the Peace, residing in the Township of Richmond, and Daniel Dobb residing in the Township of Ruscombmanor in said County. Hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Kline who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy-three years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Berks
Thos. Donagan
John Deysher
Daniel Dobb
And I the said Matthias Richards Esquire, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. I do further certify that it appears to me that John Deysher who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Justice of the Peace, resident in the Township of Richmond and that Daniel Dobb who has also signed the same is a resident of the Township of Ruscombmanor in said County, and that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. — And I do further certify that Samuel Kline the applicant above named cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court.
Matthias V. Richards a Judge of Berks County
Penn a Berks County ss.
I Jacob Gallade Notary and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Berks, do hereby certify that the Hon. Matthias V. Richards Esq r before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn to and subscribed, and by whom the preceding Certificate was given, in the matter of the application of Samuel Kline for a pension is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, and that the signatures thereto annexed are his genuine signatures. And I do further certify that James Donagan, before whom the foregoing certificate by John Deysher and Daniel Dobb, was sworn to and subscribed, and the annexed affidavits of Christian Barchet and John Young sworn to and subscribed is and was at the time therein mentioned an acting Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned in and for the said County and that the signatures thereto annexed are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this thirty first day of January, One thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Jacob Gallade Notary

Penn a Berks County ss.
Be it known that before me Jas. Donagan a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County. Personally came Christian Baretz and made oath in due form of Law that he is well acquainted with Samuel Kline the foregoing Petitioner, and knows of his own certain knowledge that he enlisted in Captain Jacob Claussens Company in the Regiment of Colonel Henry Koller and served in the same for the period of six months when he was honourably discharged and further that he served a tour of Militia duty as a substitute for this deponent in the Company of Captain John Smith as stated in the foregoing declaration - during the Revolutionary war, and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed January 21. 1834
before me Jas. Donagan
His Christian Baretz mark
Penn a Berks County ss.
Be it known that before me Jas. Donagan a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County. Personally came John Heinz and made oath in due form of Law, that he is well acquainted with Samuel Kline who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, and knows of his own certain knowledge, that he enlisted in Captain Jacob Claussens Company in the Regiment of Colonel Henry Koller, and served in the same for a period of six months when he was honourably discharged, this deponent having served in the same company and Regiment, at the same time. And further that the said Samuel Kline was out in the Militia to Brandywine, during the Revolutionary war. And further this deponent saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed this 25 th day of January 1834 before.
John Heinz
Jas. Donagan
I certify that Christian Baretz & John Heinz the witness above named are credible persons
Hen. Muhlberger M.C. Feb 18. 1834

Revolution
23290 INVALID.
File No. 23, 290
Samuel's Klinc
Pri Rev War
Act: June 11 1891
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 224
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1931/1 apr. 1. Mrs. Alexander Kraff adv. cost of photo to M. M. [?] 1931/1 apr. 21. Photo mailed to Mrs. Alexander Kraff & Fin. [?]. 6.00.

Saml. Klines declaration handd to W. Hagner May 30. 1834 by JLE

C-MC
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D. C.
February 24, 1931
From Mary Graff (Mrs. Alexander) 108 Arch Street Kittanning Pennsylvania
Dated February 14, 1931
Subject request for a copy of the pension application of Samuel Kline, Revolutionary soldier, etc.
(with 4 cents in stamps)
Rev
Respectfully referred to Bureau of Pensions Department of Interior
and the writer so informed
Herbert Putnam
Librarian of Congress

"Stony - Fourteenth"
MRS. ALEXANDER GRAFF 108 ARCH STREET KITTANNING, PA.
To the Pension Dept.
How much will you charge me for a copy of the Pension Application of Samuel Kline , revolutionary soldier from Berks County Penna. I think the year is 1830.
Yours Sincerely
Mary Graff
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS RECEIVED FEB 17 1931
Refer Pension Bure

Please certify _____
Rev. V 18 1/2 War Section
Photostatic copies of your pages from Revolutionary War claim for pension of Samuel Kline, Survivor File No. 23290.

DISBURSING DIVISION
8-1860
IN YOUR REPLY PLEASE REFER TO DATE, INITIAL, AND NUMBER
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS WASHINGTON

Bureau of Pensions. Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
April 13, 1931.
541
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rev. War claim for pension of Samuel Kline, File No.S.23290.
Actual 1 of each page.
xxx
60¢.....4 pages
Kindly leave margin of 1½ in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section. Handwritten: 1812 1812

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION BUREAU OF PENSIONS
check # 297 - 85 cents
WASHINGTON
April 1, 1931.
THIS LETTER REFERS TO YOUR FILE NUMBER:
IN REPLY REFER TO:
Rev.&1812 Wars Section. MMHF
Mrs. Alexander Graff, 108 Arch Street, Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
Dear Madam:
You are advised that photostatic copies of original papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Samuel Kline, S.23290, will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page.
The number of pages to be copied is four.
Should you desire to have them certified, allow twenty-five cents additional for the set.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Acting Commissioner of Pensions.
Very truly yours,
E. W. Morgan
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.
Enclosed find checks for .85- 4 pages at .15 = 60 p 25 extra Kindly send my family history filed with it as that information is in high favor see King
1-20-31

April 1, 1931.
Mrs. Alexander Graff, 108 Arch Street, Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
Rev.&1812 Wars Section. MVHF
Dear Madam:
You are advised that photostatic copies of original papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Samuel Kline, S.23290, will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page.
The number of pages to be copied is four.
Should you desire to have them certified, allow twenty-five cents additional for the set.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Acting Commissioner of Pensions.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.