Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8704, for Philip Renn, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Renn, Philip
R 8704
CONTENTS

12
28.390
Pension
P. Rann
Philip Rann

State of Pennsylvania.
Northumberland County.
on this twelfth day of November Eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Northumberland Philip Renn a resident of Augusta township in the County of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania aged nearly seventy nine 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed the 7 th day of June 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1776 with Capt Trumbull and served under the said Capt Trumbull & Colonel M c Graw. That he resided at Goshoppen in the County of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania when he entered the service, that during this enlistment he was in the Battle of Fort Washington when it was taken by the British & was detained as a prisoner eleven months.
That after his discharge on parole he returned to a place called the trap in Pennsylvania and six days before the battle of Germantown joined a company of Militia commanded by Capt Bull and marched with seven other companies under command of Genl Potter to Hickory town - thence to Germantown - was in the battle at Germantown and in a skirmish at Chestnut Hill and went with Washington to Rawlings mill at Perkiomen during the winter. The officers known to him at Germantown were Genl Potter, Major Jacob Markley, late Capt of Northumberland Captains Mear, Shepe Springer and Lower. Capt Bull commanded the company in which he marched out - Conrad Grim was first Lieut. & Valentine Buff ensign - Capt Bull left the army in about two months after we went out and he then was under the command of Capt Shipe. In the spring I joined Capt Springer's company and assisted in conveying prisoners from the swedes ford to Lancaster - went there twice - then we were marched to Newtown and staid two weeks - thence to a place between Newtown & Trenton where we remained one month & three weeks. In this campaign I went out on the last of September 1777 and remained in the service until May 1778 - I then went as a substitute

for Jacob Moyer  Landis in Capt Lowei's company and went to Heath's bed hill near Wisahicon and remained out two months. Making in all according to my recollection nine months and three weeks in the militia and one year in the regular service - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion or an annuity except the present and he decla- res that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any state - but that he receives a pension from the state of Pennsylvania - Nov. 12. 1833. Sun. L. Edw. Bright Broth
Phillip D. Rorer
Where and in what year were you born Ans In Upper Sulpher township - Now Montgomery county. Near Phila- delphia on the fourth day of January 1755 - Have you any record of your age and if so where is it - I have a copy of the record of my birth taken by myself from my father's bible. It was sold at vendue after his death - I do not know where it is - Where were you living when called into service Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live Ans I lived at Goshoppen - I lived after the war for some time in Goshoppen and removed to Augusta township Northern Berland county about thirty three years ago. When I now live Where were you called into service? were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom? Ans. I enlisted - I was drafted - and went as a substitute for Jacob Moyer.
State the names of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served - such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect & the general cir- cumstances of your service Ans The names of the officers are stated at large in the declaration as also the general circumstances of my service - The names or numbers of the regiments I do not recollect

Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it.
When I was sent home from New York one Peter Dault got a paper which he kept. - I never received any other discharge that I recalled
State the names of the 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.
Attest. Sarah Moore Henry Conrad Peter Conrad Rev. J. P. Shindel Nov 12. 1833. Sun - Ed. G. Knight Potty. Philip D. Dorn
We Sarah Moore Henry Conrad Peter Conrad and J. P. Shindel, Ministers of the Gospel in habitations of Augusta township & the Borough of Sunbury Northumberland County Pennsylvania do testify that we are acquainted with Philip Dorn who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be of the age he represents - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion sworn & subscribed in open court etc. Nov 12. 1833 Sun - Ed. G. Knight Potty J. P. Shindel Henry Conrad Peter Conrad Jacob Moore
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after 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 a States and the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jacob Moore Henry Conrad & Peter Conrad and J. P. Shindel, the last named of whom is a clergy man, are credible

persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edw Lewis President Judge Jacob Gearhart [Signature]
28.390 Pension P. Penn Philip Penn
Col V. Bright Smith for Russell & Co. Agents Dept.
December 4th 1833.
I do hereby certify that the within copy of the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Philip Penn for a pension is a true and correct copy of the same as shown to the said Court.

Northumberland County
I Edward V Bright Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of said county do certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Philip Hearn for a pendente lite
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed the seals of said court at Sunbury this twelfth day of November A. D. 1833
Ed V Bright Prothon. per Charles H. Hays Depy.
28.390
Pension
P. Hearn
Philip Hearn
John Hays
Joseph Hearn
Pension here
Ed V Bright
Prothonotary and that this statement is a true and correct

Philip Renu Act 1832 Pa.
Rej. Act. 1832.
2

State of Pennsylvania } County of Northumberland } SS
Be it Known, that on this twenty fourth day of November A. D. 185 2 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Philip Ream
resident of Union Augusta Township said County, and made oath according to law that he is the legal heir of Philip Ream who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of
the Pension Act of _____ that he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney, and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT , of Washington City , my true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute the claim of Philip Ream for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Philip Ream his mark
Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Philip Ream to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Witness John Bernhake  J. H. Zimmerman
State of Pennsylvania } County of Northumberland }
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County , that Philip Ream the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the child of  the identical man a reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that J. H. Zimmerman Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office,
this 24th day of November 185 2
James Beard Clk
1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3 "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

28. 390
Philip Penn Penn Penn
Adm. 1 yr 9 Months 21 days. Philadelphia
Hon. J. B. Anthony H.B.
For Louis Sennard Philadelphia Penn

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
238 Nov. 1833
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. 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 Philip Ream
   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.     Fall of 1776 { 1 11 Private Col M c Gaw Gosheppan   Last of Sept 1777 { Genl Potter   the middle of May 1778 { 7 3 weeks. Private Major Markley 79 years His own oath   after May 1778 { 2 Private   1 9 21  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
The claimant should endeavor to obtain some proof of the alleged services

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 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, shall 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.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
8704.
P. O.
Philip Rem
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Cont
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

To remain on file
See letter to J. B. Anthony No of Rep. 31. Decr 1833.
8704

A.S. Knapp U.S.A.
10
Hon. J.B. Anthony H.B.
Charles Colonel Cragg Sunbury North Co. Pa.

Harrisburg 12 th December 1853
Dear Sir
your request relative to the documents of Philip Ream I attended to on Saturday last so far as to examine the Journals of both Houses for several preceding years and found the petitions were presented in the Senate in the Session of 1829-30 I then offered to Wm. Baker of Philadelphia County who asked and obtained leave to withdraw them from that body. He afterwards called on me and told me he had obtained leave to withdraw them. I then went with him to the Clerk who examined the book and found an amount of them and proceeded to examine the files of that Session and they were not to be found I then postponed the matter and at my leisure since have examined all the Journals down to this time and there is no amount or record of there ever having been withdrawn which ought to appear if the like had been done I have this day caused another examination to be made but without success — I learned from the Journal of the Senate that the

petitions were presented by Mr. Ray the Senator from that district at that time, he may be able to give some information about them or Mr. Packer may have taken them from the files for some reason and they have been mislaid. He may be able to give some information on the subject.
Very Respectfully your most Obedient Servant
C. G. Samsel Esq.
A. C. Barrett

Personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the Peace of the County of Northumberland and Philip Renn who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and 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 one year in the regular service as a private - for seven months and three weeks in the militia as a private and for two months in the militia as a substitute for Jacob Moyer and for such service I claim a pension
The said Philip Renn further deposes that when he applied to the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania for a pension, which has been granted, he passed his services by Jacob Zeb. Martin Kepple & George Moore who were out with him, that they all lived in Goshoppen and as he believes are now all dead. That he sent, by a friend to the Representative of this County at Harrisburg to obtain the proof aforesaid and as he is informed the papers cannot be found
Offilip D. Renn Sworn & subscribed Decr 21. 1833 Henry Maser J.P.
I certify that Henry Maser Esq. is a Justice of the Peace of Northumberland County Pa. & that the signature "Henry Maser J.P." above signed is genuine
J. B. Anthony Washington City Decr 27. 1833