Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5013, for Matthias Kelhner, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Kelhner Matthias Maria
W 5013
CONTENTS

1006 Pennsylvania Maria Kelchner widow of Matthias Kelchner
who died on the 18 June 1809 of Berks Co. , in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the reg t commanded by Col. Craig in the Pennsylvania line for two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of June 1837 and sent to Saml Levan Esq. Reading, Pa
Arrears to the 14th of March 1837 $ 480. Semestral allowance ending 20 Sept 37  40
$ 520.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by J. M. Miller Clerk, Vol. 1 Page 167

V1602 Mariah Kelchner Pennsylvania
married 4 April 1765 1765 died 18 June 1817 admitted 180 on Roll

State of Pennsylvania Berk's County ss.
No. 1
On this 28 th day of March A one Thousand eight Hundred and thirty seven before me Matthias S. Richards a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Berks in the State of Pennsylvania personally appeared Maria Kellner widow of Matthias Kellner's deed, a Resident of the County and State aforesaid Aged Ninety six years, and past who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her Oath, make the following Declaration, in Order to Obtain the benefit of the Pension made by the Act of Congress, passed July 3 rd 1836 That she is the Widow of Matthias Kellner who was a duly Enlisted Soldier in the service of the United States, and in the third Pennsylvania Regiment as will more fully appear by reference to her said Husband's discharge in the war of the Revolution and that her said Husband was at one period of time in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Craig that her said Husband had often Declared that he had served as a Soldier in the war of the Revolution for a Term of Four years & past and that her said Husband was Honouably discharged at Trenton the 25 th day of January 1781 by the Certificate signed by Anthony Wayne. She further Declares that she was Married to the said Matthias Kellner on or about the fourth day of April 1765 and that she was Lawfully joined into the Holy bonds of Matrimony by the Reverend Muhlenberg the Elder of the Luther Congregation that she was Married at a certain place called Swamp that she has not any Family record of her Marriage; and that her Son Jacob is Now past Seventy years of age. That her Husband the aforesaid Matthias Kellner, Died on the 18 th day of June A D 1819 and that she has remained a Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the Proof hereto annexed
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above written
Maria Kellner widow mark
Matthias S. Richards a Judge of Berks County.

On this 28 th day of March A.D. 1837 before me Matthias V. Richard a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Berks in the State of Pennsylvania personally appeared Daniel Wentzel a Resident of Lehigh County & State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath depose and says that he was acquainted with Matthias Kelhner and his Wife Maria that they lived together as Husband and Wife in the beginning of the Revolutionary War that he was not present when the said Parties were Married and that he was a near Neighbour to them in the said War; and that this Deponent has never changed his Residence; nor did Matthias Kelhner & his Wife ever change their Residence and this Deponent Declares on his Oath that he can remember that the said Matthias Kelhner came home & presented a furlough in which was stated that he could only be absent a short time for the purpose of visiting his family and that at the time of issuing said furlough that the said Matthias Kelhner had three Children then with his said Wife and that this Deponent can not recollect the Day & year that said Kelhner went out as a Soldier in the War of the Revolution and that on his Oath Declares that to the best of his knowledge he believes that he was three years & more a Soldier in the War of the Revolution  Sworn to and subscribed the Day & year aforesaid  before me
Daniel Wentzel
Matthias V. Richard a Judge of Berks co.

State of Pennsylv a Berks County ss.
Be it known that John Reiff, an Inhabitant of the said County of Berks aged about sixty eight years personally came before me the subscriber Matthias V. Richards one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, and after being duly sworn according to law he the said John Reiff, did depose and say, that he was well acquainted with Matthias Kelschner having resided near him, and well recollects that the said Matthias Kelschner lived with the present widow Maria Kelschner, and that they were considered, and so reputed as man and wife, that the said Matthias Kelschner enlisted as a Soldier in the Revolutionary war and as this Deponent believes for and during the war, that he left home as a recruit, that he does not recollect that he returned for some years, or after the war, that after his return home, the said Matthias Kelschner and his widow Maria had a son born to them This Deponent was not present at their intermarriage but from the common reputation in the neighbourhood were always deemed and respected as man and wife, had five children in wedlock. — This Deponent having always resided in the neighbourhood of the Kelschner family, is therefore well acquainted with the facts. This Deponent further says, that when he saith that he does not recollect that he returned home for some years or after the war, he is to be understood not to have returned as staying at home, as he full well recollects that he came home on a visit, that he had a furlough, staid a short time, and he and a certain Bill Reaf left home, and took with them a Deserter for the Army. — further states that the said widow is in full life this day, but blind and helpless.
Sworn & subscribed this 19 th day of April 1837 Matthias V. Richards
John Reiff

No 4 State of Pennsylvania
Berks County ss I Matthias V. Richards a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Berks in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that the Parties to the foregoing Namely Maria Kellner widow of said Matthias Kellner and Daniel Urentzel and John Reitz the parties who have sworn and subscribed their names before me that credit is due and of Right to them be given on their Oaths & statements made, and that their Testimonys will be received at such in any Court of Justice. I also believe from present appearance that the applicant Maria Kellner widow aforesaid is of the age that she has stated Namely 90 years. I also certify that she presented to me the Original discharge of her said Deceased Husband Matthias Kellner. I do further certify that the said Maria Kellner is unable to attend a Court of Record of which I am a Judge. I have therefore in Pursuance of the act of Congress attended at her place of abode and administered to her the foregoing Oath she being unable to attend a Court of Record on account of extreme age and bodily infirmities and my Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 19th day of April A.D 1837
Matthias V. Richards a Judge of Berks County Penn a
State of Pennsylvania
Berks County ss I Alexander W. Witman Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Berks in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that Matthias S. Richards Esq r before whom the foregoing proceeding, Declaration and Testimony was made in the case of Maria Kellner widow is a Judge of the said Court duly commissioned and authorised to administer Oaths, and that the foregoing Nos 1, 2, 3 & 4 contains the Original Proceedings of the said Matthias S. Richards Esq r Judge as aforesaid in the matter of the application of said Maria Kellner widow for a Pension and I also certify that all the signatures of the foregoing hereunto affixed purporting to be the signatures of the said Matthias S. Richards Esq r Judge has

aforesaid are all his true & Genuine Signatures, And in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have hereunto Affixed the Seal of the said Court and subscribed my Name and Quality as Rede clerk in the County of Berks in the State of Pennsylvania On this 19 th day of April AD 1837
Alexander H. Mitman Prothonotary

Mariah Kelchner Pennsylvania
Suspended
at 26 April '37
Rev. H. A. Muhlenberg

Jan 25 three day's ration B.T.B.
Cash $2.00 W. Shoss Wheok
2 Harrison D.
[Faint, illegible handwriting or bleed-through from the reverse side of the paper]

THIS is to certify that the Bearer Mathias Lehman having served in the Third Regiment of Pennsylvania during the Term of his Enlistment, is now discharged the Service of the United State of America. Given at
Trenton this 25 th Day of January 1781. Three days provision
paid - 2 -
Henry Mays

ION.
PUBLISHED AT SMITH'S STEAM PRESS, DEADERICK STREET
, 1837.
[NUMBER 43.]
to pass to the credit of cash; obtaining thus a for the soundness and collections, and making ons, and making the to every practical pur- payment in specie. is kind would, in my the exigencies of all volved, whether of the y, or the general bu- nity, and would con- the country at large. President, a resolu- and embodying these arrassed by a question it regularly before the ent moment. I will, liberty of reading it to cheerfully conform to ch may be made as to disposing of it. ayes and noes on the tr. Ewing's resolution , and it was passed to eneral consent, i
Bell, Wise, Peyton & Co. —Our readers will recollect the writer of the following letter—the Hon. A. Yell—as a former citizen of Bedford county, and a talented and independent member of the Tennessee Legislature of 1827, when Major Bradford, Col. Williams and other gentlemen opposed Judge White's election in advance of the expiration of his time, to the Senate of the United States. Judge Yell was then a sound Jacksonian republican, and has kept the faith ever since. He writes with a perfect knowledge of the characters and relations of the political firm whose name stands at the head of this article. He is now a member of the House of Representatives in Congress from the new State of Arkansas—We copy his letter from the Arkansas Gazette of the 10th instant.
last war by her arms, has been maintained by her sons in the swamps and hammocks of Florida.
It will be recollected that about the time when the Seminoles were to move west of the Mississippi, according to the terms of their treaty with the United States, they resolved upon war, led on by the distinguished warriors, Oseola and Jumper. The best certain evidence of this their determination was seen in their having murdered, on the 23d December their chief Charles E. Math- the, who signed the treaty. They next the murdered the United States Indian Agent Thompson, and the mail rider Rogers at Fort King, Maj. Dade who then lay at Tampa, with his force of 115 men took up the line of march for Fort King, and on the 28th December, seven miles north of the little Withlacoochee—and 20 miles of Fort King in the open pine woods, was at- enemy, and every man fell fought as bravely as

enemy to their strong hold (the Cove) upon the north side of the river, and within the forks, formed by a large slue of water making into the Withlacooche from lakes on the north side, a stream at all times of the year sufficiently wide and deep for the navigation of steam boats. The country between these streams, (the Cove) is covered by an extended thick hammock interspersed with swamps, bounded on three sides by navigable streams, on the other by large swamps extending for about 20 miles, a part comprising what is called the Warhou swamp.
This was a crisis in the history of the war in which it might have been ended, but instead of pursuing the enemy and attacking the lion in his den, General Scott on the next day the 1st of April, took up the line of march for Tampa and arrived on the 5th. He there finds Eustis and Lindsey. The former marched his force from Volusia by way of Dade's battle ground, to Tampa; the latter marches from Tampa, got within 35 miles of the point designated and retraced his steps to Tampa. At Coochahachee hammock he was fired on by some Indians, but little fighting done. He establishes Fort Alabama on the Hillsboro river 20 miles from Tampa, both Lindsey and Eustis left their sick and provisions at this post. On the 26th, Colonel Chism with the Alabama Volunteers marched to its relief, brought off the men, burn up the provisions and blew up the fort. This was on the 26th. On the 27th, he moved to Tampa at the Thron...
On our first descent upon the Withlacooche we did not expect to find out and conquer the enemy on 5 days' rations. We considered it a great point to gain, in finding out the Cove and the location of the enemy. On the 12th of October, on the north side of the river, we cut up a party of Jumpers warriors, and took 13 prisoners, who gave us the pleasing intelligence of being near the Cove, and almost in the presence of the enemy; although we had not a day's rations on hand, yet understanding from a squaw that the river could probably be forded on horseback, the General resolved to attack the enemy—one trail led to the main river where it was 220 yards wide, and impassible. The other to the forks, about three miles above, which was likewise swimming from previous rains. The first trail the main army took & found not from the friend of the enemy, but from the width and depth of the stream, a passage impracticable, while Lieut. Col Guild with his brave detachment of 300 took the latter trail, and engages the enemy at the Cove for upwards of an hour and drove him from the opposite bank of the slue. The supplies now being entirely out, the river impassable, a Council of War was held next morning, and two questions submitted. 1st. should we fall upon the St. Johns at Volusia 90 miles for... or march to the mouth... not
scattered south, operation on the Brigade altogether threw upon a fort with field of Wahoo 15% of the bastions, completed it at Fort Armstrong, in General, and enabled Arm, which built it, upon the fields of W.
It will be admitted Brigade has on various occasions whipped this enemy; but they have not compelled the answer is in the who knows any thing of his wily foe. Your operation that there never country for an enemy or escape by a retreat swamps, lakes and has over the country—run cove and covered by the a country hitherto unknown only to the enemy—or water or mud upon sers battle always cov unknown and safe ret tificial trails while th go it blind, without p mocks, ponds, swamps opening—and when mock by a charge, he And from their habits of the country the best United States could much less a Brigade or climate, broken de

14 June Encl. 40 sent to Mrs. John L. S. Lewis
Mrs. John L. S. Lewis 14 June
FREE James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
City Washington D.C.

Reading Penna June 12 th 1837
James L. Edwards Esq r ,
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir I sent you inclosed the Testimony of John Hissinger in the case of Captain John Soder decd in behalf of his wife Eva Soder } also the Testimony of Anthony Schroeder in the case of Maria Helkner widow of Matthias Helkner decd who was an Enlisted Soldier of the war of the Revolution I believe that I sent these cases of state 22 nd May last past I was asked this day by their Friends if the cases had been acted upon, to which I answered that the had not within my knowledge, Mr Edwards will therefore confer a favour by writing to me informing me of the results as soon as time will permit & oblige
I am Sir your Obedient humble Servant
Samuel Evan Jew r
J. L. Edwards Esq r C. of Pensions

1602 May 29 pa
addl pft Maria Kelchner
FREE
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions City Washington D.C.

Penna Reading May 25 th 1837
James L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir I have enclosed the affidavit of Anthony Schroeder, in the case of Maria Kelhner widow of Matthias Kelhner deceased . I beg leave to state such facts as are within my own certain knowledge that the said Maria Kelhner is in the receipt of a Pension annuity of Forty Dollars during Life payable Semi annually on the 1 st  January & 1 st  July in every year this Pension was granted to her By virtue of an act of the Penna Legislature and that Body the Senate & House of Representatives being satisfied that said Maria whose Maiden Name was Kronen was Lawfully joined into the bonds of Marriage with Matthias Kelhner and she was  then applicant Mrs Kelhner is Totally Blind having as is stated lost her Eyes light by reason of Old Age and that sum which she now receives as Pension from the State of Penna is by no means adequate for her support, and in fact she is poor and from appearance is not long that she will remain in this world; however leaving the Decision all matters to the pure discretion of her Country, who I sincerely believe will ever do justice in all cases, after the case has been acted upon please report the Result to me and Obey
I am Sir Respectfully your Obed t Humble Serv t
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Commissioner of Pensions
Samuel Lewis Esq r
The words in the 13 th line from the top ought to read thus before the commencement of the Revolutionary war

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5013
Maria Kethner
Wid.
Matthias Kethner
Pat. Pri. line
Act: July 21 st /36 Sec. 3 rd
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 391
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County ss
Be it known that on this 15 th day of May A D 1837 before me Samuel Babb a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Berks in the State of Pennsylvania Personally appeared Anthony Schraeder a Resididly Citizen of the County of Berks in the State of Pennsylvania aged Eighty years Soldier of the Revolutionary War and a Pensioner of the United States, who being first duly Sworn according to law, doth on his Oath Depose and Say that, he was acquainted with Matthias Kehner a Resident of Said County and Maria Kehner his Wife and that the said Matthias Kehner was duly Enlisted in the Service of the United States in the War of the Revolution, and that the said Matthias Kehner, was Lawfully joined into the Holy Bonds of marriage, with the said Maria whose Maiden Name was Kronen and that she was married as aforesaid Many years before the Revolutionary War, and before the year 1776 and that she was married by the Reverend Muhlenberg the Elder Pastor of the then Luthern Congregation of the Church called the Swamp Church, and that she was generally known by the then old Citizens of the Neighborhood to have been married before the beginning of the Revolution- ary War to the said Matthias Kehner, and Many Years prior to the close of said War and that said Maria continued the Widow of said Matthias Kehner ever since his Decease and that she is poor & helpless and advanced to great age, and that the said Maria's Marriage was not Entered in the Church Record and that she had received a Marriage Certificate which was lost or mislaid
Anthony Schraeder
Sworn and Subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
before me
Samuel Babb
Justice of the Peace
3

I Samuel Babb a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Berks State of Pennsylvania do hereby Certify that I am fully acquainted with the parties Namely Maria Kelchner and the other party Anthony Schroeder who has this day appeared before me and hath Sworen and Subscribed his name to the foregoing affidavit that he is a Credible Person and that on his Oath and Statement made Credit is due him and of Right ought to him be given, and I do further Certify that I am a Neighbour to the said Anthony Schroeder and am fully acquainted with his general Character which is Certainly good, and that his Testimony will be fully Received in any Court of Justice I also know of my own Personal Knowledge that Maria Kelchner widow of Matthias Kelchner is in the Receipt of a Pension Anuity of Forty dollars by virtue of an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature and that that Body was fully Satisfied that she was Lawfully joined into the Bonds of Marriage with said Matthias Kelchner, and that her Pension is paid Semi annually during her life January 1 st and July 1 st in Every Year, I also know that Conrad Miller Parson of the Luthern Church called the Proamp Church has Examened the Books of the said Congregation and found that not a Single Marriage was Recorded in the Books in Muhlenbergs Time, that at that Time they were not Recorded I also was acquainted with Matthias Kelchner at the Time of his death and Six or Eight Years before they lived peaceably together as man and wife, and that the said Maria Kelchner Remained his widow to this day and that it was generally Reported by the then old Citizens that the said Matthias Kelchner and Maria his wife had lived together peaceably from the Time of their Marriage to the Time of his death, she is very old Blind and sleepless On Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set My hand and Subscribed the Same in the County of Berks State of Pennsylvania on the 15 th day of May A.D 1837
Samuel Babb J.P.

State of Pennsylvania
Berks County ss. I Alexander H. Witman Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Berkes in the State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that Samuel Babb Esqr before whom the foregoing affidavit of Anthony Schraeder and certificate of credibility in the case of Maria Kellner widow is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Berks, and is duly commissioned and authorised to administer Oaths & that such acts by him done in that capacity credit is due him and of Right ought to him be given I further certify that the signatures purporting to be Samuel Babb Justice as expressed in the foregoing are his own Genuine Signatures and in Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the said Court and subscribed my Name and Quality at Reading in the County of Berks in the State of Pennsylvania on this 15 th day of May A D 1837
A. H. Witman Prothonotary

Alb 26 Jm. ab. Penn a April 1 '36 3 3/4 c.
End.
FREE
James L. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Reading Apr 22. 1837
Dear Sir,
I have been requested to hand you the enclosed for examination & would ask you to communicate the result at your convenience
Respectfully
Yours
Hen Muhlenberg
J L Edwards Esq Com. of Pensions