Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39996, Michael Bitz, Penn.

SERVICE
Penn.
Ritz, Michael
NUMBER
S. 39996
CONTENTS

P 15.440 Pennsylvania
Michael Bitz
of Lehigh in the state of Pennsylvania who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Hampton of the Pennsylvania line, for the term of Three years
Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 14 of June 1819
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of Sept r 1819 and sent to G B Porter Esq r Lancaster Pennsylvania
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1819 - 2 3/4 21:6 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 March 1820 48.
Continued $ 69:66
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
20
Michael Bitz - December 26 1820 James Hill Lancaster Pennsylvania J. H. Hargreaves Appt 11836 same Appt 22 1836 same May 17 1836

Michael
Michael Bitz: Old soldier; 10 Penn a Regiment Col Hampton. 1777. served 4 1/2 years. all the time under Capt. Jacob Weaver. (Gene a Col. Penn a 14 June 1879.)
Adm d

Pennsylvania Lancaster County ss.
On this fourteenth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and nineteen before me the Subscriber President of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Second Judicial Dist. of Pennsylvania, composed of the Counties of Lancaster and York, personally appeared Michael Bitz of Conestogo Township in the said County of Lancaster & District aforesaid, aged sixty two years and upwards who, being by me first duly sworn, according to Law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war". That he the said Michael Bitz enlisted for three years (meaning the term of years) sometime in or about the month of August (exactly the day or the month he cannot remember) in the year One thousand seven hundred & Seventy Seven, in Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania in the Company commanded by Captain Jacob Neary, which Company he believes was raised for the purpose of guarding the British Prisoners then at Lancaster, and was afterwards attached to the 10 th Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Colonel's Humphreys & Adam Hubley, on the Continental Establishment. That he continued to serve in the same Company, in the service of the United States, about four years and an half, (believing that he & the other members of the said Company had been returned by accident or otherwise, "as enlisted during the War") when he was discharged at Trenton in the State of New Jersey. That he cannot remember exactly when he was discharged but he remembers it was directly after the Retreat of the Pennsylvania Line, when the Troops were stopped by General Wayne & Col. Stewart at Trenton, where they were met by a Committee from Congress. - at which time & place he received a Certificate of discharge which he has since lost. That he was after he first enlisted a considerable time in Lancaster guarding the British Prisoners. - That he marched in the said Company when the said Prisoners were conveyed to Bethlehem in the County (now) of Northampton in the State of Pennsylvania - that he immediately thereafter marched in the said Company when the said Prisoners were removed to Winchester in Virginia. That he was during the said four years and an half of service in many skirmishes, and was at the taking of Stony Point and in the attack made upon the Block Houses this side of New York. and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for Support. That he has no other evidence of his said services, now in his power except the affidavit of John Erckholz, here

annexed, who was a Sergeant in the same Company to Andrew Troyer of Lancaster, who was also a Sergeant in the same Company being sick & unable to leave home.
Sworn to, and declared before me the day & year aforesaid having previously sub- scribed his name in German as appears & as he now admits.
Walter Frankfort
Michael Bitz
At the same time personally appeared before me, the Subscribed President of the Court of Common Pleas as aforesaid John Eichholz of the City of Lancaster, County of Lancaster & State of Pennsylvania, aged Seventy five years & upwards who being sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with the above named Michael Bitz - that he knew him previously to the Revolutionary war - that some time about the month of August in the year One thousand seven hundred & seventy seven, the said Michael Bitz enlisted in Captain Jacob Weisner's Company, in Lancaster, Penn- sylvania, which Company was afterwards attached to the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Col. Hampton L. Adam Habley - That the said Deponent was then a Sergeant in the said Company, & remembers well the enlistment & services of the said Michael Bitz - that he the said Michael Bitz remained in the said Company & was a faithful good Soldier, during all the time this Deponent remained in it which was about a year two years to the best of his recollection That he this Deponent was then transferred to the Light Horse Battalion (as will particularly appear by his own declaration & papers upon which he has lately received his Certificate from the Department of War) after which time he this Deponent knew nothing more of him or the other members of the said Capt. Weisner's Company, but truly believes the facts stated by the said Michael Bitz in the annexed declaration are true - He knows certainly, that he the said Michael Bitz served for more than nine months at one period of the war, on the Continental Establishment. - And that from his reduced circumstances in life he now stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Sworn to & declared before me the said day & year
And further saith not.
viz the fourteenth day of June 1879. having previously subscribed the same, as appears & as he now admits.
Walter Frankfort
John Eichholz

Walter Franklin Judge as aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Allen had not only done service in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for the term of upwards of nine months at one time, on the Continental establishment: And that the said Allen had only John Eichholz are credible witnesses: And I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress. — I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his country for support.
Walter Franklin
City of Lancaster June 14 th 1819
Witness Lancaster County ss
I hereby certify that the Court of Common Pleas in the said County hereby certify that the Honorable Walter Franklin before whom the above foregoing proceedings were had is President of the Court of Common Pleas in the 2 nd Judicial District of Pennsylvania, composed of the Counties of Lancaster & York, & that due faith & credit are due to his acts other his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court at the City of Lancaster the fourteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred nineteen.
J. B. PORTER Clerk.

Michael Bitz Old soldier - Lancaster County, Penna
15.449
Conestogo
Joseph '19
Mar's

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Lancaster County, ss.
ON this fifteenth day of September 1820 personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas  being a part of Record in the District Court for the City & County of Lancaster  Michael Bitz aged Twenty Three years, resident in the Borough of Lancaster in Lancaster county, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: first enlisted under Capt. Weaver in the 11th Regt. commanded by Col. Hampton where he served Three years, then under Genl. Gates until regularly discharged at Trenton
That his original declaration was made on the fourteenth day of June 1819 on which was granted a Pension-certificate, dated thirtieth September 1819 numbered 15,419 . And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States March 18, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, 'An Act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War,' passed March 18, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any Person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
I'm a Laborer. Had no family
Michael Bitz
Sworn, declared, and subscribed September 15 th 1820 in open Court.
ATTEST.
A SCHEDULE of the property of Revolutionary War, taken
Michael Bitz September 15 th 1820
a Soldier in the
One Gun worth $4.50
The above contains a correct return of all my property, of whatever kind, necessary bedding and clothing excepted.
Michael Bitz (unmarried)
It is the opinion of the Court, that the total amount in value, of the property exhibited in the foregoing Schedule, is four Dollars & fifty Cents
Charles Smith
President of the District Court for the City and County of Lancaster which Court consists of one Judge only — 15 th Sept 1820
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Lancaster County, ss.
I, George B. Porter , Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas  District Court for the City and county of Lancaster, certify that the foregoing Deposition and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court. And I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value, of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is four Dollars and fifty cents
IN TESTIMONY whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, at the city of Lancaster, this fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty —
G. B. Porter Prothon.

I know all men by these presents That Whereas Michael Bitz or  or  Bitz was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, and served in the Continental Pennsylvania Line, for which services he received a U. States Pension of $96 per annum under the Act of 1818 and died in 1821, November 8 th leaving a Widow named Nelly Bitz or  Bitz who died in 1843, without any heirs, except Mary Ann Gof of Lancaster County, who is the only child of George Bitz or  Bitz who was the only child of said Michael & Nelly and died in 1816. Now know ye that I Mary Ann Gof (Widow) do hereby empower, constitute and appoint Simon B Kaufman of the City of Lancaster, Penn a my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to ask, demand and receive of and from the Commission of Pensions a copy or synopsis of the proof of service upon which my Grand father Michael Bitz or  or  Bitz received his United States Pension, to enable me to have my papers prepared correctly in order that I may make in due form and consistent with the facts my application for an arrear of pension due to me as the heir at law of Nelly Bitz or  or  Bitz deceased, and hereby empower my said Atty to do all the acts in and about the premises which I could do were I personally present, hereby ratifying all that my said Atty shall do in and about the premises by virtue thereof. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
This 12 th day of March A.D. 1856 sealed and delivered in presence of us
Henry G. Kindig Sam M. Gornley
her Mary Ann X Gof mark

State of Pennsylvania Lancaster City
On the 12 th day of March 1856, before me the subscriber, an alderman in and for said County, personally appeared Mary Ann Gays within named and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year last above mentioned —
Wm P. Leonard Ald.
State of Pennsylvania } I Jos. Bourn an Prothon- Lancaster County ss. } otary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do certify that W m P. Leonard Esquire before whom the above acknowledg- ment was made is an Alder- man in and for the City of Lan- caster, duly commissioned, and qualified, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court the 12 th day of March A.D. 1856
J. Bournan, Protho.

Michael Pitt Esq.
Very Rev. M. J. Con. of the Washington J.C.
FREE

Michael Pitz Pa - 18th 1818
Hon. J. Morris Commission of Pleas Washington City
FREE

39.996
Michael Bitz
June 14-1879-
Lebanon Pa - 62
Aug 77 - Lebanon Pa
Capt Jacob Weaver
Col Hampton
Post 4 1/2 yrs
Stony Point
and many skirmishes

O. W. & N.
Pittsburg, Pa., Oct. 7, 1901.
General Pension Office, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen,
Please send me at your earliest convenience a transcript of the pension papers of Michael Bitz who served in the Pennsylvania Line, during the Revolution. Please send me all information possessed by your office relative to Mr. Bitz, with a certificate that he received a pension up to time of death in 1824.
Any expense attached to the service rendered will be borne by me.
I desire this information for family history purposes.
Respectfully Yours, Morgan H. Moss Hastings.
Address:—
cor. Chauncy St. & Centre Ave., 13th Ward, E. E., Pittsburg, Pa.

Hastings "
39996
Oct. 12-1921 Morgan De Mares Pittsburgh P
INVALID.
Ray
File No. 39,996
Michael Bitz Via Rev. Wm
Act: 18 March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8, Page 53
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Lancaster Pa, March 13 th 1856
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send a power of Atty from Mrs. Mary Ann Goff, her's of Lancaster of Michael & Kelly Bitz to enable me to ask for the proof upon which Michael Bitz of this County received his United States Pension as she alleges that he drew one in his life time over thirty five years ago.
Yours Respectfully J B Kaufman,

Nelly Bitz, deed widow of Michael Bitz deceased Revolutionary arrears claim
Lancaster May 1 st 1856,
Sir,
Your letter of April 23 rd 1856 is at hand in regard to the claim arising out of the services of Michael Bitz of the Penn a Continental Line - I have filed a power of atty in this case - The party interested says Michael Bitz drew a pension of 96 dolls per annum under Act of 1818 & died in 1821 - his widow Nelly Bitz died in 1843, without children then living, but had a son named George Bitz who died in 1846 leaving a daughter who is the party in interest and gave me the power of atty now on file, Your letter of the 23 rd April last intimates that Grand Children are not entitled to arrears of Pension due their Grandparents
But more assuredly an administration can be raised on the Estate of Mrs Nelly Bitz the deceased widow of the soldier & pensioner, and application can be made for the arrears due Nelly Bitz deed to the day of her death from 1831 or 1836 depending upon the date of her marriage with Michael Bitz, As this woman is very poor I do not wish to let her go to the expense of preparing proof unless I am certain she is proceeding correctly and her claim is just as Administratrix
You will be kind enough to let me know if Mrs Goff (Granddaughter) applies as Administratrix the claim will be allowed provided the proper proof is furnished as to marriage, death of parties identity etc according to the rules of the Department applicable to such a claim -
Yours Respectfully J. B. Kaufman
to Genl. Minor } Com d of Pensions }

Act of 1818 & 1836 etc.
11 Pension Office April 1 st 1856,
Sir
It is not necessary that the widow of Michael Bitz of Penna should describe his services - If she designs applying for a pension she can refer to her husband's papers on file for proof of service -
Respectfully Yours
S. Cole
for Commissioner
J B Kaufman Esq - Lancaster Pa.
Lancaster April 8 th 1856,
Sir
The above short letter I do not fully understand; I sent you a power of Attorney signed by Mary Ann Gop, Grand daughter of Michael Bitz & Sally Bitz deceased, so that I could obtain the proof on file upon which Michael Bitz received his pension under the Act of 1818, to enable her to make out her declaration correctly as to Michael Bitz' services. The first part of your letter requires the Widow of Michael Bitz to describe her husband's services. Now the Widow died in 1843 - Their only son & child is dead, and this Mrs Gop is the only child of this deceased son (see power of Atty) The first part of your letter, I say requires the services to be described and the last part says she can refer to his papers on file for proof of service. The two sentences are quite different - Now I presume all you require is for this Granddaughter to show by

sufficient proof that she is the only heir of Michael & Nelly Bitz, that Nelly Bitz was Michael Bitz's widow & died in 1843, and then to refer to the papers on file furnished by Mr. Bitz in his application. Had you sent me a copy of the papers on file I could have embraced the particulars in her declaration, but if your rules will not allow it, we do not care much for the copy, if by referring generally to the papers on file will do. You will please let me know so as to save the trouble and expense of preparing the papers twice.
Yours Respectfully J B Kaufman
Genl. Minot } Com. Pensions }