Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 736, John Bemensderfer, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Bemensderfer, John Elizabeth
R 736
CONTENTS
✓ W

Pennsylvania } Lebanon County }
On this 13 th day of August A. D. 1838 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Lebanon Elizabeth Bernersberger a resident of Mittleburg Township in the County of Lebanon and State of Pennsylvania aged eightytwo years who being first duly affirmed according to law, to wit, on her affirmation makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836: That she is the widow of John Bernersberger who was an Ensign of a company of foot in the ninth Battalion of Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary War - and that her said husband John Bernersberger served in the revolutionary army for two years having borne shortly after the sixth day of November A. D. 1777 and returning from his home the said, in road of two years - That his first commanding officer was Colonel Eder - The names of the other officers in command are not now recollect- -ed by this deponent owing to age and infirmity - That among other battles her husband was engaged in was on at Brandywine where his General officer Irvine had his horse shot under him and his Captain Lytle was killed - She further declares that she was married to the said John Bernersberger on the twenty fifth day of July A. D. 1775 by the Rev Mr. Helmuth in the town of Lancaster that her husband, the aforesaid John Bernersberger died on the 24 th of January 1836 and left at the time of his death eight children two having died in the lifetime of their father and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Affirmed & Subscribed in open Court on the day & year above written }
Elizabeth X Bernersberger mark
Geo. Mark Prothy

Lebanon County
Personally appeared in open court George Strickler who being duly affirmed according to law doth affirm and say that he knew John Menendanger now deceased husband of Elizabeth Menendanger about forty years that he has often heard him speak of his services in the Army during the war of the Revolution - That he was reputed and admitted by all his neighbors to have been a revolutionary soldier and always called an old soldier from the time he first knew him - Affirmant further saith that the said John Menendanger told him he had served two years and heard the bullets at the battle of Chosnut-hill whistle - And the affirmant further saith that he knows Elizabeth Menendanger the widow of John Menendanger to be an aged woman and that she remains a widow & further saith not.
Affirmed and subscribed in open court this 13 th day of August A.D. 1838
Geo. Mark Prothy
Geo. Mark Prothy

Lebanon County
Personally appeared in open court Michael Bemenderfer and being duly affirmed doth declare and say that he is the seventh child of John and Elizabeth Bemenderfer now in his fifty third year. That he has often heard his father who was a Revolutionary soldier speak of his services in the army of the revolution especially of the battle of Chesant-hill in which some of his officers were killed and he was very much pressed by the enemy in the retreat. That he said he had served two years in the war - and the affiant further saith that his father the said John Bemenderfer was reported by all his neighbors to have been a revolu- tionary soldier from his most earliest recollection and this affiant hath no doubt but he had been a soldier in the army of the revolution - and the affiant further saith that he knows Elizabeth Bemenderfer the widow of the said John Bemenderfer the being his mother and that she is an aged woman and still remains a widow & further saith that his father the said John died on the 24 th of January 1836 affirmed & subscribed in open court this 12 th August 1838
Michael Bemenderfer
Geo. Mark Troth

Lebanon County
Personally appeared in Open Court Michael Fesler and being duly affirmed doth declare and say that he knew John Bemmenderfer about twelve years that he was known respected and believed in the neighborhood in which he lived to have been an old soldier and to have served in the army of the Revolution and affirmant further saith that he knows Elizabeth Bemmenderfer to be his widow and that she is an old woman and remains a widow
affirmed & subscribed } Michael Fesler in open court this 23 rd day of August 1825 }
Geo. Mark Groth

V 3748 Elizabeth Bemensderfer widow of John
Pa Act 4 July 36

In the matter of the application of Mrs. Eliza Beth Biemersdicker, for a pension under the acts of Con- gress, the following proceedings took place, in a Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County, Penn- sylvania, in open Court, on the 8th day of April 1839.
Mrs. Elizabeth Biemersdicker, being conscientiously conscientious of taking an oath, and being duly affirmed according to law, deposes & says - I was mar- ried in the year 1775 to John Biemersdicker, by the Reverend Mr. Holmuth, a Lutheran clergyman, in Lancaster Pennsylvania, search has been made for a record of my marriage, but in the Church books, but none could be found. We lived together as man and wife till 1835, and had a number of children, and I was his lawful wife, we lived together as man & wife until his death. My said husband was an officer in the Pennsylvania militia, he served over two years, but he was not out from home, at any one time during so long a period, he was out at one time from harvest until Christmas, in the year 1777 to the best of my recollection; after that I mean that he was out on service in the army from home during the said period - after that he was out from home on service in the army, to the best of my recollection more than once, but I cannot tell how long at a time - I think the last time he was out, was in the latter part of seventeen hundred & seventy nine. At the time of the Battle of Brandywine, he was attending as guard in the Hospital at Lancaster - to the best of my knowledge and belief, and was, therefore not in said Battle. He told me so often that he was in the Battle at Chesapeake, I cannot recollect that he

informed me of any other Battles he was in - he told me that he was on service at White Marsh but he that did not say that he was in battle there - He told me that he was sent with his company to the stock Lead Creek, to remove Mill-Stones and Mill property to prevent the British from destroying them - He mentioned other places where he was on service, but I do not recollect the names. He mentioned to me General Irvine as his commanding officer at the Battle of Chestnut Hill, & that General Irvine's horse was shot, and the said General taken prisoner at the Battle of Chestnut Hill. All my husband's old friends & acquaintances being dead, I cannot procure any better proof on the subject.
Affirmed & subscribed in open Court this 8 th day of April 1839.
before me
Elizabeth her X Bowersdale marks
Henry DeShuff. Prob.

Michael Bierenderfer, being conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, and being duly affirmed according to Law in Open Court, deposes & says - I am a son of John Bierenderfer & Elizabeth his wife, I remember my father told me, that he was out on duty, in the Army, from home, at one time six months, & he returned, four or five days before Christmas, - I think he said mentioned it was the year Seventeen hundred & Seventy-seven - My father told me, that at the time of the Battle of Brandywine, he stood as guard in the Hospital at Lancaster - He also told me that he was at White Marsh - My father also told me, that he and others were sent to the head of the Elk, to remove the Mill stones, & other mill property, so that they could not be destroyed by the British - That about the close of the Revolution, a volunteer company was raised in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, and that he, my father, then joined under General Peter Muhl, under his old commission, I also heard him say that he was at the Battle of Cherven Hill. All my father's old friends and acquaintances being dead, & I cannot procure any better proof of the subject.
Wigil Bierenderfer
Affirmed & subscribed before me in Open Court S. Alice 1839.
Henry Dehoff, Prok.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lancaster County, ss.
I Henry Dehoff Pro- -thonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, Lehigh State & County, do hereby certify that the proceedings set forth in the above & the two preceding pages of this sheet of paper took place in Open Court in the Court of Common Pleas of said State & County on this day of April 1839 in the presence of the Hon. Calvin B. Fletcher President of said Court, the twenty fifth Judicial District of the Common- -wealth of Pennsylvania composed of the Counties of Lehigh -Carbon, Schuylkill & the City & County of Philadelphia Weis, his prothonotary. Witness my hand & the seal of said Court. This 1 st April 1839.
Henry Dehoff, Prok.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lebanon County ss.
We Calvin Blithe President & Judges of the twenty-fourth Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, composed of the Counties of Dauphin, Lebanon & Schuylkill & John Shindel & Adams Weis a special Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County do hereby certify that the proceedings set forth in the herewith pages of this sheet of paper took place in open Court in our presence & that the witnesses viz: Elizabeth Benenderfer & Michael Bournenberger are credible witnesses our hands & April 1859.
Calvin Blithe
John Shindel
Adams Weis
3/4 8
Elizabeth Benenderfer
witness of John
for
Adams Weis

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Brown a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. R. 736
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Concord Nov. 6, 1777 1 Ensign of a Co. of Foot, 9th Btry. Lancaster Co., Pa. militia and several under Capt. Lytle and Col. Elder and other officers not specified. Pa. militia    This claim was rejected on the ground of insufficient proof of 6 months service and marriage, as required by the Act of July 4, 1836, under which she applied.
Battles engaged in, Cherry Hill.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, 1
Date of application for pension, Aug. 13, 1838
Residence at date of application, Hastelburg, Lebanon Co., Pa.
" Age at date of application, 82 yrs.
Remarks: Soldier mar. in Lancaster, Pa. July 25, 1775 - Elizabeth. Ten children, two of whom died prior to soldier - Michael as 52 yrs. in 1836, names of others not stated. Soldier died Jan. 24, 1836.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1912, Mar. 7. Hist. Co. Mrs. J. P. Boyle.
Ex'r.
INVALID.
736
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Elizabeth Demensderfer
P. O.
Widow of John Demensderfer
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ,
The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of the said Commonwealth,
To John Bernersderfer Gentleman
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Ensign of a company of foot in the north Battalion of Militia, in the County of Lancaster — You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign — by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Ensign — And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.
GIVEN under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this sixth — Day of November — in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven
ATTEST.
Wm. Mattick Secy
Go. Charles Joseph Prit

3748 Act V E. P. Pearson Oct. 2. 1838 - same 12: Aug. 39
736
Act 4 July 36

Apr. 23.
Mr. [unclear] pa [unclear] add [unclear] Eliz: Brewster [unclear]
Charles [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] office [unclear] [unclear] Washington -
Mr. [unclear] [unclear] [unclear]

Lebanon, Lebanon County Pennsylvania April 20. 1837.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
Your favour of 2 d October 1838 on the subject of Mrs. Beman's application for a pension was received by me. In reply I beg leave to submit to your examination, the proceedings which I now enclose. —
I take the liberty of suggesting, that there is no reason whatever to believe, that there is any thing false or pretended, in this applica- -tion. — I trust that the document now sent, in connection with the affidavits & the Ensign's commission which I forwarded to the Secretary of War on 25. August last, will be sufficient to show that this old lady is entitled to a pension.
In your letter of 2 d October, you mention that the date of the marriage should be estab- -lished by such documentary or record proof as the books or papers of the parish, & of most families offer. — On this point, I beg to state, that in Pennsylvania, proof of that kind is not necessary.

to establish a marriage. — Common reputation rehabilitation as man & wife, are sufficient under our laws. —
Mr. Bemens deceased husband left a small real estate in this County, & on the proceedings to have it administered in the Orphans Court, new things were allotted to her as his lawful wife. — Samuel Oberly Esq. a respectable Justice of the Peace, was employed to examine the church records at Lancaster; & by his certificate which I now enclose, it appears that no entries whatever of marriages, deaths or baptizing, were made in the year 1775. — in the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Helmuth was pastor.
May I request your early attention to this application, and also the favour of a speedy reply directed to me at this place.
I am Sir
very respectfully
Your obedt Servt.
Richd. T. Pearson

52 Regt Lancaster
Document Petition of John Bemenderer of Lancaster county, as Soldier of the Revolutionary War, praying for a pension.
AR Jan. 22 1835.
Pennuz
Proof of service wanted & no certificate

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met.
The Petition of the subscriber respectfully Represents
That he was on the Sixth day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy-seven Commissioned an Ensign of a Company of foot in the ninth Battalion of Militia in the County of Lancaster, as appears by his Commission herunto annexed, and he served under said Commission for two years and upwards in the late revolutionary war at the Pennsylvania Militia line partly of the time under the Command of Colonel Elder and partly of the time under the Command of some other Commanding Officers who he can not now recollect, the time of his service was from the date of his Commission until the latter part in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy-nine, during the time of his service of his Country he received a rupture in his left side by a fall in a retreat from the Enemy of his Country which permitted him ever since not to perform any hard labour, He being now poor, old and infirm would beg your Honorable Body to grant him such relief as you may think proper.
And he will ever pray &c
Johnson (signature)

Lancaster County ss
Personally came and appeared before me the within named John Bemensderfer and upon being affirmed according to Law he Says that the contents in the within and foregoing petition are true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief Witness my hand and seal at Elizabeth Township Lancaster County January the twelfth day Anno Domini 1835
Samuel Eberly
Justice of the peace
Lancaster County ss
Personally came and appeared before us the Subscribers two of the Justices of the peace in and for Said County of Lancaster Michael Bemensderfer and George Strickler two respectable Citizens of Lebanon County and upon being affirmed according to Law do Say that they well know the within petitioner John Bemensderfer who also lives in Lebanon County, and belief him what he says on oath or affirmation to be correct as he is a creditable man and believed in our neighbourhood by circumstances that he was in the service of his country during the late revolutionary war and further Say not. Affirmed & Subscribed before us this 12th day of January A.D. 1835
Misal Simon, Justices George Strickler
Samuel Eberly
John Eber

Lancaster County, ss
Personally appeared in open Court Samuel Eberly a justice of the peace of Lancaster County and being duly affirmed doth affirm and say that on the 12 th day of February 1835 John Bunnensanger appeared before him and made oath that the contents of the annexed petition to the Senate and House of Representatives of the Com th of Pennsylvania "were true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief" and the affiant further saith that the said John Bunnensanger produced before him the commission hereto annexed of Ensign in a company of foot in the ninth battalion of militia in the County of Lancaster dated the 6 th day of November 1777 under which under which he had served in the war of the revolution from the date of said commission to the latter part of the year 1779 as he supposed - affiant further saith that the said John Bunnensanger died in the month of January 1836 - & further saith not
affirmed & subscribed in open Court this 13 th day of August 1838
Samuel Eberly
Geo. Mark Troth

Libanon county p
Personally appeared in open court Christian Ramler High Sheriff of Libanon county and being duly affirmed doth affirm declare and say that he knew John Bernersdorfer now deceased whose widow is Elizabeth Berners- dorfer. That the said John Bernersdorfer was reputed & believed in the neighborhood to have been a soldier of the army of the revolution and to have served in the revolutionary war and further saith not
Christian Ramler Sheriff
affirmed & subscribed in open court this 13 th day of August 1838 }
Geo. Mark Prothy

Lebanon County
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter in open Court, that the aforementioned applicant's husband was in his lifetime a revolutionary soldier and served as a soldier in the Continental Army and the Court further certifies that Elizabeth Bennenderfer, George Strickler, Michael Bernum Jasper Michael Fisher, Samuel Shultz and Christian Rauscher are all credible persons and their statements are entitled to full faith and credit
Calvin Blythe
John Shindler
John Weiss
Lebanon County ss
I George Mark Blyth of the Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Bennenderfer for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 13 th day of August 1838
Geo. Mark Blyth

Edgeworth Williamstown I am sorry to inform you that I have examined the church Book, and find that the church was stated to me that Mr. Bellamy was the minister in the year of 1775 at Lancaster and it appears that no entries were made of any marriages, deaths or Baptisms on the Twenty fifth of July 1775 nor in that year therefore it is impossible to give a certificate of the present minister Mr. Becker to establish your marriage with John Biermenderfer
Yours Respectfully
Parnach Eberly
November 10 th 1838

Elizabeth Wemensderfer widow of John Pa
The Honorable J. B. Poinsett Secretary of War of the United States City of Washington
July 1836
Act 4 July 1836
3468 1836 Aug 29. 1836

Lebanon, Lebanon County
Pennsylvania August 25. 1838
Hon. J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War of the United States
Sir
I beg leave to enclose you the proceedings that have taken place in the Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County, relative to the claim of Mrs. Elizabeth Bemensderfer, widow of John Bemensderfer, deceased for a pension. The commission of John Bemensderfer as an Ensign of a Company of foot in the ninth Battalion of Militia, in the County of Lancaster, is also enclosed. I hope they may be sufficient to obtain a pension under the laws of Congress.
I beg the favour of an early reply, stating whether a pension can be drawn, & the amount of it, if any thing should be defective in the proceedings, or the evidence, please inform me, & perhaps it may be supplied.
I am Sir
very respectfully
Yours ob t Serv t
Edw. T. Pearson

Shelton Conn. 160 Division Ave
Feb 26, 1912.
U.S. Pension Office Washington D.C. Dear Sir:-
I am desirous of joining the D. A. R. and to do so it is necessary that I have a copy of the pension papers of John Beamensdorfer , who was flag bearer & Sargent under Geo. Washington in

favor to get this information and wish to thank you in advance. Of course if there is any expense connected with this I expect to be notified. Enclosed is a stamp for reply.
Respectfully Mrs. J. R. Boyle.

the Revolutionary War. He also helped to arrest spies. He was taken prisoner and imprisoned at Lancaster, Pa. For a time he lived at Brickville, Pa. He received $40 per year pension and it was secured by Samuel Oberly. He is buried at Shaefferstown, Pa.
I will consider it an especial