Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16434, for John Keisling, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Keisling, John or Kiesling
S. 16434
carded
CONTENTS

13.899 Indiana
John Heisling
of Madison Co. in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Sindewirt of the reg't commanded by Col Heister in the Penn's Ma line for 8 months from 1776
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 26. Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of July 1833 — and sent to Robert M. Williams, Anderson Town Ind.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 53.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep " 13.33
$ 66.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. S. Helle Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 118
Letter to Pension Agent S. B. Keene - probed 24 th April 1838
Letter to Pen Agent J. May 1838
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 Sept 1835 to 4 Sept 1837. Agt Notified 10 July 1838.
N. R. Lindsay May 20, 1857
200612

No 25493
John Kiesling Madison County Indiana
from 1776 private 8 months
$26. 66 100
Robt. N. Williams Col. Madison County Indiana

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. Those 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, shewing the Service of John Kiesling Madison County Indiana
   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.     Sub. Sept. 1776 - 2 - private Cap Whetstone 75 years Revolutionary evidence - paper correct.   Drafted Oct. 1776 - 2 - " Cap Lindemoot, Colonel Heister Bucks County Pennsylvania   Drafted 1777 - 2 - " Cap Lindemoot   Drafted april  may 1777 - 2 - " Col Heister   discharged 1779 - 2 - { transferred } Heister Cap Lindemoot  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1852.
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
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 do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____, 19____.
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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] 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, (1) 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 enquiry 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.

Anderson Town Ky 23 May 1833
Free
Department of War
Mr. for pension
John Keeling
25493
Office of Pensions Washington City D.C.

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 Bryant Fannin who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the County of Madison that Aaron Dunn who has also signed the same is a resident in the county of Madison Indiana, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit,
James Scott, Probate Judge,
I, Robert A Williams Clerk of the Court of Madison County do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Krieling for a pension,
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of Office, this 17 th day of May A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three,
Robert A Williams Clerk

troul of an Officer whose name was John Lindemoot, and served as aforesaid for the term of two months, and was again discharged
He further states he was born on the 23 rd day of March A D 1758. and that he has no other record of his age than that taken from his Father's record of his family ages, which he has transcribed into his own family Bible, During the Revolutionary war he resided in the state of Pennsylvania, he afterwards removed to the state of Virginia, and from that to the state of Indiana, that while he was in the service he was in Irwin's Brigade, as known & called at that time
He also further states, he never received a written discharge nor does he believe any of his fellow soldiers did, and that there is no person within his neighborhood or acquaintance in this state whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services, but that he is well known to his present neighborhood, to Levi Brewer, Col. Thomas Bell, Leiah Hodgin, Abraham Adams, and divers others, any and all of whom can, & if required would, testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Revolutionary soldier
He states also as his reason for making this declaration in Madison County, that it is more convenient for him so to do than to make the same in Henry County, and because his counsel resides in Madison County
John [Signature]
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 any agency of any state
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid John [Signature] marks
We Bryant Fannin A Clergyman residing in the county of Henry  Madison and Aaron Dunn residing in the county of Madison hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Kiebling who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Bryant Fannin Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Aaron Dunn

State of Indiana Madison County
On this sixteenth day of May A.D. 1833, personally appeared in Open Court, before the Honorable James Scott Esquire, sole Judge of the Madison Probate Court, now sitting in and for said County, John Kiesling resident of Fall-Creek Township in the County of Henry, in the State of Indiana, aged seventy five 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that that he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated to wit. He first entered the service in the month of September (but the day he cannot recollect) A.D. 1776, as a substitute for his father (Jacob Kiesling) who was drafted as a private in Captain Jacob Whetstones company of Militia, at Reading, Berks County and State of Pennsylvania, from which place he was marched under command of Captain Whetstone, whose Lieutenants name he does not recollect to Wilmington on the Delaware River, at which place he remained for the space of two months, doing military duty, and was then discharged being served out the time for which his father had been drafted. He was afterwards in the month of November A.D. 1776, drafted at Reading aforesaid, as a private in Capt Lindemoots company of Militia from which place he was marched under command of Colonel Hiester, (late Governor of Pennsylvania) on the direction of Philadelphia, to an encampment twenty miles West of Philadelphia and there remained doing military duty for the space of two months and was then discharged. Afterwards to wit in the month of in the year 1777, he was again drafted (at Reading aforesaid) as a private in Capt Lindemoots company of Militia, and was marched under command of said Capt, from Reading, to Trenton and then remained doing military duty for the term of two months, and was then discharged. He was again in the month of April or May in the same year, and at the same place (Reading) drafted as a private and, remained at Reading (as one of the Guard over the Continental property) under command of Col. Hiester, for the term of two months, at the expiration of which time he was discharged. He was again in the year A.D. 1779 at Reading as pressed into the service as a waggoner, with his fathers team, and was under the direction and con-

November 3, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL John Keisling-S.16434
Mr. Frank M. Schertz 1305 Farragut Street Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16434, based upon the military service in that war of John Keisling.
John Keisling, the son of Jacob, was born March 23, 1758, place of birth and name of his mother not shown.
John Keisling enlisted at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, and served with the Pennsylvania troops, as follows: from September, 1776, as a substitute for his father, two months as private in Captain Jacob Whetstone's Company; from November, 1776, two months in Captain Lindemoot's Company, Colonel Hiester's Regiment; in 1777, two months in Captain Lindemoot's Company; from April or May, 1777, two months under Colonel Hiester and acted as guard over Continental stores at Reading; in 1779, two months as wagoner under Captain John Lindemoot and drove his father's team.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 16, 1833, while a resident of Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Indiana.
He died about December 25, 1840, leaving a widow, her name not stated. She was living in 1857. No reference was made to children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

1923-May 16- Hist. to Alma E.S. many awt.
1927- Nov. 21- Hist. to Harold C. Keckling awt.
1929- Feb. 19- Tombstone Data to Cemeterial Branch all papers returned
1930- Mar 3- Hist. to Mrs. Philip A. Spence - Letter in Case of Richard Keckling A.H.E. et al
1937- Nov 3- Hist. to Frank M. Behesty - Ek
16.4.34
INVALID.
File No. 16.4.34
John Keckling His Rev Mrs
Act: June 7 th 39
Index:—Vol. 68 , Page 254
[Arrangement of 1870.]

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by J.R.K.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant or Kisling
Soldier John Keisling
Service Rev. war
Additional Service. _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
no. C. H. inv. wid. or rej.
claims as above except
J. File 16, 434

Dear Sirs: -
Will you please send me a copy of the pension record of John Keesling of Madison County, Indiana? John Keesling was a Revolutionary soldier of Pennsylvania.
I desire to use the copy in proving my eligibility to the D. A. R.
If a copy can be secured by May, 1st, or at your earliest convenience it will be greatly appreciated. Thanking you, I am, Yours truly,
Alma E. S. Macy 3353 N. New Jersey St. Indianapolis, Indiana.

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL INDIANAPOLIS
May, 10th, 1923
Mr. W. Gardner Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please send me at your earliest convenience a copy of John Keesling's pension papers? John Keesling was a Revolutionary soldier of Pennsylvania and drew a pension while he lived in Madison County, Indiana.
I wish to use these papers that I may qualify for

membership in the D. A. R.
Kindly thanking you,
I am, Truly yours,
Alma E. S. Macy 335-3 N. New Jersey St. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Roanoke April 30 th 1857
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
John Kishling in his life time for services rendered in the war of the revolution drew a Pension up to the time of his death which took place about the 2 nd day of December 1840 his wife survived him, and is still living,
She is now quite old and feeble she wishes instruction from your office, as to what it will be necessary for her to do, if she is entitled, in order that she may draw a pension. Will you be good enough to answer soon you will please ad dr ess the undersigned at Roanoke Howard County Indiana
yours Truly
W. R. Lindsay

July 7. 1838. New Haven,

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 7.
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," John Reistling a Pensioner on the Roll of the Indian Agency , at the rate of twenty six Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1835 to the 4 th Sept. 1837
Respectfully yours,
Edward E. Parrish Comptroller
Indian Agency Roll
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

November 3, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Frank M. Schertz 1305 Farragut Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.
Ditrich Kisling, S.16178 Jacob Kisling, S.5554 John Keisling, S.16434 BA-J/MCS
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for abstracts from papers on file in the pension claims of Revolutionary War soldiers, Ditrich Kisling, S.16178, Jacob Kisling, S.5554, and John Keisling, S.16434.
You are furnished herewith, the records of these soldiers as obtained from papers on file in their claims for pension on account of service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section EPL
March 3, 1930
Mrs. Philip A. Spence Wytheville Virginia
Dear Madam:
I advise you that the following histories are those of the only soldiers surnamed Kesling under any spelling of that surname, except that of Jacob of Rockingham County, Virginia, whose record you state you already have.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16434, it appears that John Keisling or Kiesling was born March 23, 1758, place not stated.
He enlisted at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, and served as a private with the Pennsylvania Troops, as follows:
From in September, 1776, two months in Captain Jacob Whetstone's Company, as substitute for his father, Jacob Kiesling; from in November, 1776, two months in Captain Lindemoot's Company, Colonel Hiester's Regiment; in 1777, two months in Captain Lindemoot's Company; from in May, 1777, two months in Colonel Hiester's Regiment; and in 1779, two months as wagoner under Captain John Lindemoot.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 16, 1833, while a resident of Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Indiana.
He died about December 25, 1840.
He left a widow, her name not stated, she was alive in 1857. No further family data.
* * * * *
Other part of letter in case of Ditrich Kesling. S 16178
70- p 21 Reading 206 h

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel
February 19, 1929
The Quartermaster General War Department Cemeterial Branch Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16434, it appears that John Keisling or Kiesling was born March 23, 1758, place not stated.
He enlisted at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, and served as a private with the Pennsylvania Troops as follows:
From in September, 1776, two months in Captain Jacob Whetstone's Company, as substitute for his father, Jacob Kiesling; from in November, 1776, two months in Captain Lindemoot's Company, Colonel Hiester's Regiment; in 1777, two months in Captain Lindemoot's Company, from in May, 1777, two months in Colonel Hiester's Regiment; and in 1779, two months as wagoner under Captain John Lindemoot.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 16, 1833, while a resident of Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Indiana. He died about December 25, 1840.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
John Keisling Data. all papers returned

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RECORDS BRANCH
November 21, 1927
November 21, 1927
Harold C. Keeling 4519 Bell St Kansas City, Mo.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 16434, it appears that John Keeling or Kiesling was born March 23, 1758, place not stated.
He enlisted at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania and served as a private with the Pennsylvania Troops, as follows-
From in September 1776, two months in Captain Jacob Whetstone's Company, as substitute for his father Jacob Kiesling; from in November 1776, two months in Captain Lindemoot's Company, Colonel Hiester's Regiment; in 1777, two months in Captain Lindemoot's Company, from in May 1777, two months in Colonel Hiester's Regiment; and in 1779, two months as wagoner under Captain John Lindemoot.
He was allowed pension on his application exe-

Dear Sir:
T.M.
ecuted May 16, 1833, while a resident of Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Indiana.
He died about December 25, 1840, leaving a widow, her name is not stated, she was alive in 1857. No further family data.
X The above noted John Keisling or Kiesling is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, and said records fail to afford any information in regard to soldiers named Conrad, Martin, and George Kisling, all spellings of that name searched, or to Jacob Kisling or similar spellings of that name, who served with the Pennsylvania Troops.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

awf
S 16434
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 192
In reply to your request of _____, for the history of  John Keichinger Kiesling , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the soldier's claim for pension.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 1776 2 mos. Pvt. for father Jacob Pa.   Nov. 1776 2 mos. Jacob Whetstone   ✓ 1777 2 mos. Lindemoot Hiester   May 1777 2 mos. Lindemoot ✓ Hiester   1779 2 mos. wagoner ✓ John Lindemoot  
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Reading, Berks Co. Pa.
Date of application for pension, May 16-1833- His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Fall Creek Township, Henry Co. Indiana
Age at date of application, Born March 23-1758, was the son of Jacob Kiesling
Remarks: He died about Dec. 25-1840. leaving a widow name not stated - In 1857 she was still alive - No further family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Nov. 1, 1937 Penn
Please send me Revolutionary War Record of
John Reising S 16 434.
Frank M. Schertz 1305 F. aragut St N.W. Washington D.C.

HAROLD C. KEESLING
4519 BELL STREET KANSAS CITY, MO.
November 16, 1927
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Rev. War Section. Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
In reply to your letter dated November 10th, I want to say that I feel sure there must be records of some of the men about whom I asked. In going over my records I find that the family name has been spelled in various ways. I list these variations here, so they may aid you in finding the records: Kissling, Kisling, Kiesling, Kesling, Keasling, Keisling, and Keesling. I find I have an unauthentic copy of the pension record of John Kiesling (as it came from your office). This man is listed in the Pennsylvania Archives as John Kisling.
May I ask that you again go through your records, using the surnames I have listed above for these men:
Private Martin Kisling °
Private John Kisling ✓
Private George Kisling °
Private Jacob Kisling; all of whom served and enlisted from Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Trusting we may have better success this time in the search, I beg to remain
Very truly yours,