Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22464, for John Abraham Ready, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
Penn.
Ready, John Abraham
NUMBER
S. 22464
CONTENTS

N o 18851 Pennsylvania
John Abraham Ready of Lehigh Co. in the State of Penn a who was a Pvt. & Drum r in the company commanded by Captain Reeder of the R. & S t . commanded by Col. Geiger in the Penn. Troops time for 2 months & 1/2. 6.66 2/3
6 " Drummer 22.00
$ 28.66 2/3
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 28 Dollars 66 2/3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9. day of Oct r . 1833 and sent to Pension Allentown Pa.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r . 1833 71.66 2/3 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st March 1834 14.33 1/3
$ 86.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. Vol. 5 Page 48
John A. Voyel, & Pen. Agent May 8, 1837.

Dec. 13. 1832
John A. M c Ready
1832
V

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 as he states. And the Court further certify, that it appeared to them that William Fenstermacher who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a  was a resident in the Township of Heidelberg in the County of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania and that Cooper Peter who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Township, County & State and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And on being interrogated the said John Abraham Ready says all his services were as a private soldier -
Garrison Maitland First Judge
John Vogel one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County -
Jacob Stein a Judge of Lehigh County Pennsylvania
State of Pennsylvania County of Lehigh ss
I Daniel Kramer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County aforesaid. Do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Abraham Ready for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at the Borough of Northampton the Eighth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two -
D. Kramer Prothon. " " "

The Petitioner John Abraham Ready further states in addition to what he has before stated that he understood his Generals name was Gowach, or some name similar to it, he however did not see him. Petitioner never had any regular discharge, as soon as his term of duty was out, his Officers permitted him to go home. We were called into service by a requisition from the State of Pennsylvania. I was in the field all the time. During my service in the War I was not engaged in any civil pursuit whatever. The Petitioner further relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the Present - Petitioner was born May 13 th 1833 at 4 O'clock P.M. his name John Abraham Ready was given to him. The 19 th day of May he was baptized. His God Father was John Abraham Ready. This is an Extract from his Fathers Bible - Petitioner further states that he served the fourth or fifth term under Maj Scobler. He was present as Teamster at the Battle at Mud Run. I helped to bury the Dead.
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court this 30 th day of April A.D. 1835
J. A. Abraham Ready
Garrison Mallory Dut. Judge

Lehigh County ss In the Court of Common Pleas State of Pennsylvania ss of Lehigh County 5 th December Term 1832
On this Eighth day of December 1832 personally appeared in Open Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County before the Honorable Judge of  of  the  the  Court  Court  of  of  Common  Common  Pleas  Pleas John Boyer and Isaac Stern Associate Judges of said Court of Common Pleas now sitting John Abraham Read now a resident of the Township of Middleberg in the County of Lehigh & State aforesaid aged 76 years more, who being duly sworn according to Law doth make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of January 20 th 1832.
I John Abraham Read was born May 13 th 1756 in Goshen now Schoppen now Montgomery County but at present residing in Middleberg Township Lehigh County and State aforesaid and resided during the War of the Revolution in the last mentioned Township where he now resides. In the Fall of 1775 being only 19 Years Old was drafted and the place of rendezvous was at the House of Casper Peter in said Township the Company consisted of nearly 100 Men, and from thence marched under the Command of Capt Conrad Reeder to the City of Philadelphia and from thence Encamped on or near the Banks of the River Schuylkill under the Command of Col Henry Gries we marched to New Jersey and my term of duty was 2 Months and I was discharged at that time we was marched to the State of New Jersey we crossed the Delaware River at the Durham Ferry for the purpose of being attached to the Army under General George Washington, I was drafted in the 7 th Class again under the Command of Capt Conrad Reeder and attached to the Regiment under the Command of Col Henry Gries. I was appointed to drive the Team of Michael Ohl which belonged to the Wayne Brigade we passed on to Easton and from thence to Trenton where a short time after the Battle of Trenton and the taking of the Hessians it was about 6 Weeks that I drove the team I was then discharged and returned home I was about 2 Months at home, I drove a team again under Col Henry Gries and we took a loading in a small boat and drove on to New London with my load of Flour and was unloaded at the last mentioned place I was then again discharged I was at home till the Spring of 1777 a draft took place and turned out in the Capacity of a Drummer

in Capt Conrad Reeder's Company of Militia against the Indians and marched to Mahony Valley Northampton County and stood my turn of duty for 2 Months - was then discharged. It was about 6 Months at home a nother draft took place and it fell to my lot to go again in the Capacity of a Drummer in Capt Stahler's Company of Militia, we Marched to the Wind Gap in Northampton County and Company was attached to Col Hubner Regiment and stood a tour of 2 Months at and about Stroudsburg. the Scouting parties took 3 Indians which was delivered over to a guard & further I know not what become of them when was discharged & returned home, I was a short time at home a nother draft took place and I was drawn in the 7 th Class again and was in the Capacity of a Drummer under Capt George Smith and was marched off over the Blue Mountains to a place called the Mahony Valley against the Indians, this was in the Summer before peace was made with Great Britain which tour of duty was 2 Months and I was discharged and returned home.  Sworn and subscribed in open Court of Common Pleas the day & year aforesaid  John Alexander Rife  Y. Smith Miller Pres t Judge
In consequence of there being no Clergyman residing in the Township of Heidelsberg aforesaid, and the Clergyman who statedly preaches in said Township living at a considerable distance from the same the Court direct that any of the applicant neighbors be substituted in his stead. Therefore, the William Kontermacher & Casper Peter residing in the Township of Heidelsberg aforesaid - the Joseph Stager and Jacob Klein residing in the Borough of Northampton in the County of Lehigh. Hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John & Abraham Reedy, jun r who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 76 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.  Wm Kontermacher  Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Casper Peter  in open Court of Common Pleas the day and year aforesaid  Y. Smith Miller Pres t Judge

Question 1. Where, and in what year were you Born
Answer I was Born May 13 th 1756 in Goshenhoppen Township Montgomery County
Question 2 Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
Answer I have no record of my age with me but the above is an Abstract
Question 3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live
Answer I lived in Heidelsberg Township when I was called into service and have lived there since the Revolutionary War and doth live there still
Question 4 How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom,
Answer I was at all times drafted and was no volunteer nor substitute.
Question 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
Answer General Washington commanded the army at Trenton Col Henry Beiger of the regiment I was attached to Col Reader was my Capt when we crossed the Delaware at the Durham Ferry and to be attached to the army under General George Washington, Col Henry Beiger was our Colonel at the time I drove the team to New Windsor with flour for the army
Question 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it
Answer I never received a discharge in writing but when our time was out the respective Captains told us that we could go home

Question 7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your Character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the revolution.
Answer I am well known to the within named Jacob Steiner & Joseph Saeger who can testify as to my Character for veracity
Sworn & subscribed in open Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Dec. 5. 1832
Job Abraham Riondy
Gaius H. Kelley First Judge
John H. Read
199/3
Dec. 13. 1832

19973 John Abm Ready
E
July 1. 1883
e.
Alm c
2 M o s Private
6 - Drummer
Blauvelt
Allentown
Pa
1

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
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 subjjoined 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, shewing the Service of John Abraham Ready of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     abt 1775 2 Private Capt. Reader Col. Geiger thru Penn- sylvania & New Jersey Lehigh County Pa. Traditional Evidence   again drafted 1 14 Sergeant Reader Geiger Lehigh County Pa.   again time not stated Lehigh County Pa.   1777 2 Drummer " " aged 76   1777 2 " Stabler Houbner Scranton Smore   after a short time 2 " Smiller  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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) _____ 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 day 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 he 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 [j] 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.
It is impossible to determine the amount of pension to which the applicant is entitled. The papers were sent back that he might state the definite length of his service, see affidavit of [e] above.

Brooklyn
22464 INVALID.
Am
File No. 22,464
John H. ... ...
Act: June 7 th 1879
Index:—Vol. 11 , Page 72
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pennsylvania Lehigh County ss.
In the matter of the application of John Abraham Ricely, for a pension.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the county of Lehigh, aforesaid, who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades: For two months I served as a private in Captain Reardon Com- =pany, For twelve weeks I served as teamster, For six months I served as drummer; and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn & subscribed this second day of September A.D. 1833 - Nicholas Saeger
John Abraham Ricely
Pennsylvania Lehigh County ss.
I Daniel Kramer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County, aforesaid. Do certify that Nicholas Saeger Esquire whose proper & genuine signature is subscribed to the above instrument of writing, is and at the time of subscribing the same was an acting justice of the peace in and for said County, duly Commission- ed and Qualified -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this second day of September One thousand eight hundred & thirty three -
Daniel Kramer by Saml. A. Bridges