Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23.542, Borick Bechtel, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Bechtel, Borick Becktel
$ 23.542.
CONTENTS

Pennsylvania 25.979
Brick Beckett of Chester Co. in the State of Pa.
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain McNamara of the 1st Regt commanded by Col Heckler in the Line for a
Li Mo Dgr 20.00 " " " 13.33 $ 33.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Feby and Jan y 1834 Hon D. Potts H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 83 32 1/2 Semi-ant. allowances ending Oct 31 16.66 1/2 100.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. Sprague Clerk Book 6 Vol. 5 Page 7
Letter to Hon David Potts, Jr March 22, 1837 " " Pen. Agent. " 22, 1837
Oct. 2, 1841 - A.B. 352

Declaration of Borick Pecktel in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th: 1832 Entitled an act supplementary to the "Act for the Relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution"
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Chester County ss
On this tenth day of February personally appeared in Open Court before the Honorable Isaac Darlington, President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid now sitting Borick Pecktel a resident of the Township of East Nantmeal in said County and of the State 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He was enrolled as a Militiaman and entered into a Company commanded by Captn. Joseph McMunn, at Reading on or about the first of July 1777, the company referred to then forming part of a Regiment commanded by Field officers Genl. Potter and Col. Joseph Hoister. He does not at this distance of time recollect the names of any other of the company officers except that of his Captain Jos. McMunn. After remaining here about one week for the purpose of organization, we marched to the barracks at Philadelphia where after spending there a day and a half, a number of Shallops were procured and the regiment proceeded in them to Old Chester. He does not remember how long they stayed at Old Chester, but from that place the Regiment marched to Newport in the State of Delaware where we lay encamped for a week. After leaving Newport and passing through a number of small places the names of which he cannot possibly at this distance of time bring to memory, they joined the regular army on the morning of the 11th of Sept. the day upon which the battle of Brandywine was fought. On this day they were once fired upon by the British Artillery, when he is very positive the whole regiment ran. They were stationed during the battle on the left wing of the army, and on the north bank of Brandywine Creek, where they remained during the action. The Battle being decided, they retreated on the evening of the 11th to Old Chester. At this place we remained a few days, and were there discharged from the service, the company to which I was attached marching to the Valley Forge, where we separated each militiaman returning to his respective home. He says this was my first.

term of service of more than two months duration. He was in no other Engagement during his first term of service. When he was first drafted he resided in Robeson Township Berks County. Some time in the year 1779 the day and month he cannot now bring to mind he again entered the Militia at Reading (Having been enrolled and drafted) in a Company commanded by Captain James Steele. At Reading he remained in this Company more than four months who were stationed there for the purpose of guarding a body of Hessian Prisoners who were taken at the Battle of Trenton by the American forces. After this his second term of service of more than 4 months, he received a written discharge from his Captain. During the time his Company were stationed at Reading, he was first Sergeant. After his second discharge he returned to his residence in Berks County and there remained for about a year, when upon being again enrolled as a Militiaman by the County Lieutenant, he was drafted into a Company the name of the Captain of which he cannot possibly at this time bring to his recollection. Neither can he name at this time any of the field or company Officers under which he served during his third time except that of Major Morgan. From Reading at this time marched to Trenton where we remained stationed for two months, after which we were regularly discharged this being the last of his terms of service. He was with the army near the White Horse, when an engagement between the British and American forces was only prevented by a heavy rain. He has two affidavits of Jacob Moses and Jacob Parker, who were in the same company during two terms of his service, Jacob Parker during the first two months, and Jacob Moses during the second period of four months. These persons above named who have personally testified to his services are so weak in firm and aged that they are both confined entirely to their rooms, so that it would be impossible to procure their attendance here. The memory of the applicant being much impaired by age and disease, that he cannot state more distinctly the facts connected with his services as a Militiaman. He would however say that he received written discharges, at the expiration of his several terms which are long since lost or destroyed. He receives no pension from any agency whatever. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court John W. Cunningham Pnt
Conch Lechtel

The applicant made the answers herein set down, to the several interrogatories required to be propounded to him.
He was born in Berks Co, State of Pennsylvania but in what Township he cannot say, nor can he specify the day of the month or year on which he was born.
He has no records of his age in his possession, nor does he believe there is any in existence now, but he is induced to believe by declarations made to him by ancestors and now deceased that he is about 75 years of age. If ever there was a Record of his age it has long since been lost or destroyed. When he first entered the service he lived in Robinson Township Berks Co, he has lived in Chester County since the Revolutionary War, in East Nantmeal Township, county aforesaid. He was on every occasion regularly drafted, and was neither a Volunteer or a Substitute.
I do not remember the names of any of the regular officers who were with the troops where I served except that of General Washington. I do not recollect any of the continental regiments, he does not remember the number of the Militia Regiments in which he served. He states that the first Regiment of Militia into which he entered was commanded by Genl Peter and Col: Joseph Heester. The names of the principal officers who commanded the Regiment of militia during his last term of service.
He received discharges from his Captains at the expiration of each term of service, which have been since lost or destroyed. He is well known to Evan Evans Esquire, and  and  to  to  Rev  Rev Levi Bull, and  and  to  to  others  others , persons residing in his neighbourhood, who can testify to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court John H. Bunningham Pro
Conick Bechtel
Chester County ss
I, Levi Bull, a Clergyman residing in the the Township of East Nantmeal and County aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Conick Bechtel, who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration, that I believe him to be 75 years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed this day of September 1882 before me

Chester County ss.
And Mordecai Evans The Evan Evans, residing in the Township of East Nottingham and County aforesaid residing in said Township and County do hereby certify that he well acquainted with Porrick Bechtel, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 75 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Affirmed and subscribed before me this tenth day of September 1832 in open Court
John W. Cunningham Pres
Mor. Evans
Chester County ss.
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 Levi Miller who has  Levi Miller and Evan Evans are the foregoing certificate is a true copy of the original and that Evan Evans who has also signed the foregoing certificate are residents in the Township and County aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court John W. Cunningham Pres
I, John W. Cunningham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Chester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Porrick Bechtel for a pension. In Witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two.
John W. Cunningham Pres

November 9, 1931.
BA-3/ILL Am
Mrs. E. B. Lane 1334 Cypress Street Pueblo, Colorado.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Berick Beagle, a pensioner of Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1840.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 23642, based upon the military service of Berick Bechtel in that war.
Berick Bechtel or Bechtel (the name does not appear Beagle), was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, date and place not stated.
While a resident of Robeson Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted about July 1, 1777, served as private in Captain Joseph McMurray's Company, Colonel Joseph Hiester's Pennsylvania Regiment, was in the battle of Brandywine and was discharged shortly after that battle; he enlisted in 1779, served more than four months as sergeant in Captain James Claeve's Pennsylvania Company and guarded prisoners in Reading; after about a year, he enlisted and served two months as private under Major Morgan, no dates or details of that service given.
After the war, the soldier lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, while a resident of East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was then about seventy-five years of age.
He died October 2, 1841. - A.B.
There are no family data in the papers in this claim.
Very truly yours,
A. D. MILLER, Assistant to Administrator.
Penn. Arch. Vol. 5 p. 293 Jas. Claeve. Did not use Claeve 1840 list corrected by Mrs. Finch -

Provisions
23 542
31 - Nov. 9. Hit. to Mrs. E.B. Lane - 122.
INVALID.
File No. 23,542
Barick Bechtel
sergt. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index: - Vol. 9 , Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]

13,232
Adm. J. Mowbray Serf " " priv
Hon. D. Potts, jr. H. A.
James A. Humphreys West Chester Pa.
3/1000 18,333's

War Department Pension Office May 4. 1833
Sir,
The papers in the cases of Alexander Nesbitt and Borick Bechtel have been examined and are herewith returned.
As Nesbitt relies solely on traditional evidence for corroboration of his claim, he should procure the certificate of a clergyman as to the general belief of the neighborhood in his revolutionary services, and his acquiescence in that opinion. If he cannot obtain the affidavit of a clergyman to that effect, the reason should be stated.
The credibility of the witnesses who testified to Bechtel's service should be certified by the magistrates who took their depositions. The papers are improperly attached. They should be connected together by a piece of tape, or narrow ribbon, the ends of which should pass under the seal of the certifying officer.
I am respectfully Your Obet. Servt. J L Edwards
James A. Hemphill Esq. West Chester Penn a

Chester County ss Personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices in and for the County of Berks & was duly affirmed according to law doth depose and say that Borick Bethel was a soldier under Capt Joseph McMurray and this deponent further saith that the said Borick Bethel was two months in the service of the United States and was in the battle at Brandywine in the year 1777 and further not affirmed & subscribed Before me this 5th day of Sept 1832 Jacob Parker Benj. Fabbott
Chester County ss Personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County Jacob Moses and on his solemn oath doth depose and say that Borick Bethel was a soldier in the Revolution and served four months in Captain James Gleads company standing guard over the Hessians in the borough of Reading in Berks County the year 1777 not recalled and further this deponent saith not Sworn and subscribed August the 30th 1832 Before me John Davis Justice of the Peace Jacob Moses

Chester County SS.
I Benjamin Talbot a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, Do certify that the said Jacob Parker whose deposition as to the Revolutionary services of yours affidavit of which is taken before me and which deposition is hereto annexed, is a person of credibility and as such to be esteemed worthy of credit and belief. Witness my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of December in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty Three
Benj. Talbot Seal

Chester County Pa.
I John Davis of Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Do certify that the said Jacob Moses whose deposition as to the Revolutionary Services of the arms appli- -cant Gorick Pechtel as taken before me, and which deposition is herunto annexed, is a person of credibility, and as such to be esteemed worthy of credit and belief. Witness my hand and Seal of Office this twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three
John Davis Seal

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania § Chester County } ss
I John W Cunningham Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chester in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania DO Certify that Benjamin Talbot and John Davis Esquires before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken are and at the times at which they respectively bear date were Justices of the Peace of said Commonwealth duly commissioned and qualified for the said County of Chester to all whose official acts as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at West Chester in said County this thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & Thirtyfour A D 1834
John W Cunningham Prot

1334 Cypress St., Pueblo, Colo., Oct. 23, 1931
Administrator
Veterans' Administration
Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
Kindly inform me as to the name of the Rev. soldier for whose service, Elizabeth Lawrence aged 87 in 1840, drew a pension. She was living at that time with Hiram Lawrence, in Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. Any dates and family data will be greatly appreciated.
Also, all possible dates and data pertaining to Barick Beagle aged 88 in 1840, living with Jacob Starrett in East Nantmill Twp., Chester Co., Penn.
Thanking you for these favors, Very truly yours,
Mrs. E. B. Lane.

Warwick, March 18. 1837
James L. Edwards Esq.
Dr Sir,
The accompanying paper was handed to me with a request that I would forward it to you, for the pur- pose of obtaining the order , which the Pension agent at Philad a , has noted in pencil mark on the back- thereof, which  is it is also necessary to pro- cure, before the pensioner therein can receive his pension —
Your early attention to the sub- ject is very respectfully requested by
Your Obed Servt
P.S. My address is. Pottstown, David Potts Esq Montgomery Co, Penna } — 3 —