Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,405, Abraham Decker, Continental Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Decker, Abraham Penn.
S 15,405
carded
CONTENTS

13427 Ohio Pittsburgh
Abraham Decker
Residing in the State of Ohio. was a Sergeant in the Co. commanded Captain Miller of the Regt. commanded Lt. in the Kentucky for 3 1/2 years. Continental $120.
scribed on the Roll of Ohio the rate of 120. Dollars 00 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Sept 1833. and sent to John Paulk, Ashland, R.R. Ohio.
arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 240. Semi-annual allowance ending 1, Sept 1833. 60.
$300.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Wm. H. Palmer, Clerk. Book 8. Vol. 8. Page 109.

Date of death not on OB

State of Ohio, ss. Richland County.
on this 18 th day of October in the year 1832. Personally appeared before Wells Kellogg Esquire, a Justice of the Peace in the County of Richland and State of Ohio - Abraham Dacker, of said County aged this day, Ninety Two years of age, 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 7 th 1832.
That he Enlisted as an orderly Sergeant in the Army of the United States in the year 1775 or near as he can recollect. But but this much, he is Positive, that he Enlisted Prior to the declaration of Independence in 1776. and that his Enlistment was some time Prior to the said declaration of Independence whether it was one, Two, or Three years Previous thereto, he cannot now recollect, in consequence of his impaired memory - but says Positive, that shortly, a few months after his Enlistment, he was in the Engagement or Battle of Bunker's Hill, in the state of Massachusetts and says he Served in the one of the Regiments of the Pennsylvania Line, the names of his officers, he cannot recollect other than as herein stated, the name of his Captain Under whom he Enlisted & By whom he was commanded at his first Enlistment was one Abraham Miller, and the Lieutenant whose name he believes  thinks was Ehrie, or Arie, But will Positive as to the Lieutenant's name But his Captain whose name he is Positive was Abraham Miller as above mentioned, that he Enlisted originally for the Term of Three Years, Under the said Captain Miller, - and Served Under the said Captain Miller, in the said Pennsylvania Line, as an orderly Sergeant until after the Engagement at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, above mentioned, and says he believes that the said Captain, Abraham Miller resigned his Command shortly after the Battle at Bunker's Hill, that he fought Under the Command of said Miller, at the Battle of Bunker's Hill.

And that shortly after the said Battle at Bunker's Hill he was transferred or Placed together with the whole of the said Company of the said Captain Miller, under the command of one Captain — Craig. In the said Pennsylvania Line of Troops — that whilst he was at Bunker's Hill he was so placed under the command of the said Captain — Craig, and that he continued under the command of the said Captain Craig until and after the Battle at Fredericktown, and that he was in the engagement at the Taking of Genl. Burgoyne — and commanded By — General the Gates And that during his said service he was once more Placed under the command in said Pennsylvania Line of Troops, of another Captain, whose name he cannot recollect — but this Third Captain Commanded only about a month, & then the — said applicant was discharged honorably after a service in said Pennsylvania Line of Troops for the Term of Three Years and six months from the date of his original Enlistment. having served faithfully as a Soldier of the Revolution for the Period of six months over and above, his Term of Enlistment above mentioned — And said Decker Received a written discharge from the said last Captain whose name is not recollected, and said discharge this applicant's service, and that such discharge was granted at Pitts-Town, or Drake-Town, in the state of New-Jersey, in Hunterdon County — of said state. The said Abraham Decker saith that he is a native Born Citizen of the County of Sussex, in the state of New-Jersey — and that that was, the Place of his Residence, at the time of his Enlistment.

But that he resided in that Part of the state of New-Jersey, Bordering on the Line of the state of Pennsylvania, and that he went from his said residence, into Northampton County in the state of Pennsylvania, and there Enlisted originally as above mentioned under said Abraham Miller, for the Period above stated. The Place, of his Enlistment was about Forty miles, above Easton, on the Delaware River.
The Countries, Through which he passed & Marched after entering the service under Captain Miller, he went to Bunker's Hill, In the state of Massachusetts, he Marched Through the state of New-York, on their way to Boston, or Bunker's Hill. From Boston, or Bunker's Hill, he Marched to a Place In the state of New-York, on or near Long-Island, near the South River, in said state, and from thence he marched to a Place on the North River, in the state of New-York, Called West-Point, and wintered there at that Place and that whilst he continued at West-Point he was Present at the execution of the Noted, British-spy. Major Andre, at that Place.
and he further says that he was In the Battle or engagement fought at Trenton, In the state of New-Jersey - at which Battle he assisted In the Capture of Nine hundred Hessian's, taken as Prisoner's of war.

The said Battle was fought at Hunts Mill - at Trenton, and that he & others, were in a Large Mill, called Hunts Mill, & fought the British Troops who attempted to cross a Bridge at the Place, near the Mill, and he & other Soldiers, fired upon the British with their Muskets, through the windows of the Stone Mill, So, at that Time, Call'd Hunts Mill,
and he further says, that, he was in the Battle or Engagement, at Monmouth, in the State of New-Jersey, at which Battle the Americans - were victoriou, - and the British were driven and retreated at the said Battle, and says, that, a number of Americans were killed, in said Engagement, But not as many as the Americans killed, as there were killed of the Enemy - that the Battle was fought in very warm weather, In the Month of August, on a very Hot day, and after the Battle he says, a Great many of the American Soldiers - were so Exhausted By the Heat of the day & the Fatigue of the Battle, that they went to a Brook, and drank freely of Cold water, & were Suddenly kill'd In consequence thereof. and that he received a Slight wound, By a Ball from the Enemy, In his left leg, In the said Battle or Engagement at Monmouth as above mentioned. and which said Scar bears testimony of his services as a Revolutionary Soldier.

the said Abraham Decker, says that he is utterly unable to recollect, further than as above stated, the names of his officers during his said services above specified - and that being so Infim. In Body & Mind & so aged, being this 16 th day of October 1832. Ninety Two Years of age, his memory is almost entirely Impaired By such Extreme old age & Infirmary, & is hardly able to bear the Fatigue of this Investigation, he cannot recollect more particular, than he has above stated,
He however further says that he has lost the written discharge which he received from his officers at the expiration of his Term of Enlistment, that after receiving the same he kept it By him in his Packet-Book safe, until within about Twenty Years, when, one day In looking over his papers, his Packet-Book & Papers fell into the fire accidentally & were Burnt & destroyed together with his discharge, & for that reason he cannot now Produce the same, being utterly out of his Power so to do. and that he does not know of any Contemporary Survivor of the Revolution By whom he can Prove his said Services as a Soldier - other than By his own Personal oath & declaration - that he knew of one Contemporary Soldier, By whom he could Prove his Services, as a Soldier, who Served as a Soldier with this applicant

In the Pennsylvania Line of Troops - Under the same Captain - Craig - with this applicant, that such Soldier was one, John Teal, who has been placed on the Pension Roll, By the department, Under a Former Law, Regulating Pensions - to Revolutionary Soldiers. - But that the said John Teal is now dead - and has been for five, or six, Years, and this applicant Does not know of any Person By whom such services other than By the original affidavits could be proved; this applicant does not distinctly recollect By what officer his discharge was signed By. And I the said Abraham Becker Hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a - Pension or annuity, except the Present, And he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency In any State, Abraham Becker
Sworn to and subscribed this day of October 1832
Sworn to and subscribed this twentieth of October 1832. Willy Kellogg Justice of the Peace

No. 20076 Decker 13.42 Abraham Decker
Richland County State of Ohio
Return to the
Adm. D. J. Cane
John Faulk Ag't. Richland Co. Ashland Post Office State of Ohio

BRIEF in the case of Abraham Deatun,  County of Richland in the State of Ohio  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Justice of the Peace  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 92 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted thinks In '17 75 3 6 As a O. Sergeant Gen. Capt. Abraham Miller Capt. Craig  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bankers hill, Trenton, Saratoga, Monmouth  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sussex County New Jersey  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct Incorrect 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Daniel D. Davidson Examining Clerk.  11

June 16, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ENL
Abraham Decker-S.15405
Mr. Frank N. Decker Clinton-Nomen Building Syracuse, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Francis Norton, Abraham Decker and Reuben Decker, also, Colonial records of the Nortons.
This office has no record of services rendered in the Colonies prior to the Revolution.
The Revolutionary War records have been searched and there are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in that war of a Francis Norton or a Reuben Decker, nor for an Abraham Decker who seems identical with your description. The record of one Abraham Decker has been found who was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, which may interest you as you cite Deckers of that county. The name Decker was searched also.
The data given below in regard to Abraham Decker were obtained from pension claim, No. S.15405, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Abraham Decker was born October 16, 1740, in Sussex County, New Jersey.
In 1775, while residing in Sussex County, New Jersey, he went to Pennsylvania, and enlisted at a place about forty miles above Easton, that state, on the Delaware River; served as orderly sergeant in Captain Abraham Miller and Craig's Pennsylvania Company; he was in the battles of Bunker Hill, at the taking of the Hessians at Trenton, at the capture of Burgayne and battle of Monmouth in which latter engagement he received a slight wound in the left leg from a ball; his service amounted to three years and six months; he stated also that he was present at the execution of Major Andre.
See Claim of soldier's brother Benj. Decker P. 42670 in files
miles Craig in Thompson Refle Regt Brig. sent on in 1" Cont. (Pa) & in 4" Cont Dragoons (Maryland) so later it was with him
Benj says he served under Col. Hand & was under Col. Chambers when discharged
Bunker Hill the of this was information left as it is only Hill, regarding that as possibly Hill, company so Bunker Hill he stated he was at Bunker Hill he was put battles together

Abraham Decker was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832, while residing in Richland County, Ohio.
There are no data as to wife and children.
The soldier had a brother, Benjamin Decker, who served with him.
There are no further family data.
Your application blank, also copy of letter to Mr. Franklyn Hagboom, are returned herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.
Date of death not on AB

LAW OFFICES OF FRANK N. DECKER
CLINTON-NOXON BUILDING
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
May 29, 1933
Mr. A. D. Hiller Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:                Thomas Marble R. 6896 BA-J/MLB
Relative to your letter of May 16th. I have already proved up membership in the Sons of the American Revolution on my great grandfather Thomas Marvin (Marble). He was born 1763, I think in Hebron, Connecticut, and died 1835 and is buried in the cemetery at Warners, here in this county.
His wife was Anna Norton, born 1773, or 1770, buried also at Warners, 1827. The Norton family resided in Hebron, Conn. Can you advise me whether Anna Norton's father, Francis Norton, wife Lydia Davis, served in the Revolution. His father was John Norton (born 1674, died 1730) first wife, Mary. His father was Joseph, born 1651, died 1741. The next ancestor was Nicholas Norton. He was the first of the name to come to America and settled in Martha's Vineyard; born 1610, died 1690, wife, Elizabeth.
I am interested to know whether any of my maternal ancestors, through Anna Norton, were in the Revolution, or other colonial wars.
Yours very truly
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "Frank N. Decker".

LAW OFFICES OF FRANK N. DECKER
CLINTON-NOXON BUILDING
Syracuse, New York
May 29, 1933
Mr. A. D. Hiller Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Mr. Francklyn Hogeboom, Registrar of The Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, advises the following Revolutionary record of my great grandfather Reuben Decker, wife, Mary Snyder, and great, great grandfather, Abraham Decker, wife, Hannah Marston:
Reuben Decker - Ulster County Militia - 3rd Regt. Col. Pawling.
Abraham Decker - Ulster Co. Mil.-4th Regt., Col. Hardenburgh Orange Co. Mil.-3rd Regt., Col. Hathorn Albany Co. Mil. 10th Regt., Col. Graham Albany Co. Mil. 8th Regt., Col. Van Rensselaer
Enclosed is blank showing the line of descent from Johannes de Decker, who came over from Holland in 1655. Also a copy of letter to Mr. Hogeboom concerning the matter.
Will you please advise how this data checks out concerning my ancestor's Revolutionary, or other early war records.
Yours very truly
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "Frank N. Decker".
enc. oil Pm

P
15405
INVALID.
1933 June 16 - Fiat To Frank A. Decker Eck
File No. 15405
Abraham Decker
Lient Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 95
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Prima Care ✓

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abraham Deaker which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes  No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? The Justice of the Peace has IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes  No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
134 $ There were no enlistments for 3 years as early as 1775. —

Pension Papers.
The Honbl Secretary at War Washington City -

I would observe, that the first Enlistment made By Captain Abraham Miller, of Soldiers in the Pennsylvania Line of Troops in 1775: or about that time, the Enlistments being for 3 years time, the Soldiers served 3 years, and were detained in the Service for the space of 6 months after the 3 years had expired - They were then discharged, and the most of the Soldiers then again Re-Enlisted, but this Abraham Decker & a few others, - did not so Enlist again, and it is believed that the Original Enlistment made By the said Captain Abraham Miller for the first 3 years Service, has never been returned to the War-Department - But, it is believed that the first 3 year Enlistment has not been so returned, as the most of the Soldiers again Enlisted with the Exception of a few - so that those few do not who did not, so again Enlist, do not find their names, at the War Department, although they have Honorably served 3 years & 6 months over and above the term of their Enlistment.)
Respectfully Yours &c.
John Fauch

and I the said Wells Kellogg Esquire a Justice of the Peace of the County of Richland In the state of Ohio, do hereby declare My Opinion that Abraham Decker the applicant above named, was a - Revolutionary Soldier, and served in the Revolutionary Army of the United States Troops as he states, and I hereby expressly state, that there has never been any doubts In the neighborhood where he resides, of the fact of his having served as a Soldier of the Revolution, and that such belief is General and indisputable. and that he is a man of strict Integrity & good moral - character.
And I the said Wells Kellogg Esquire a Justice of the Peace In the County of Richland & state of Ohio, do hereby certify that Abraham Decker the applicant for a Pension, By Reason of his Extreme old age, and Bodily Infirmary, is unable to appear In Court, and there submit to an Examination before the said Court. In witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal this twentieth day of October AD. 1882
Wells Kellogg

Abraham Decker's Application For Pension, act. 7 June. 1832.

State of Ohio.
Richland County ss
I Ellzey Hedges — of Common Pleas, Clerk of the Court, in and for the County of Richland, in the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that the said — Wells Kellogg who has subscribed, and taken the foregoing depositions and proceedings, was on the 20 th day of Oct. 1832 & now is an acting Justice of the Peace, in the County of Richland. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & seal of office this 27 th day of October 1832.
Ellzey Hedges Clerk

We, William Mathews, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the county of Richland, in the state of Ohio - and Robert Nelson, Cornelius Aten, Hugh Van Meter, John Faulk, and W. M. Deming, inhabitants
residing in the county of Richland, Ohio. Do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abraham Daiker, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be ninety two 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. Oct 16 th 1832.
Robt Nelson Cornelius Aten Hugh Van Meter John Faulk W. M. Deming
Sworn to, and subscribed the twelfth day of October. 1832. Wells Kellogg Justice of the Peace
And I the said Wells Kellogg Justice of the Peace of the County of Richland & state of Ohio - do hereby declare, my 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 said Justice, further certify, that it

Appears to me that William Matthews — of Richland County & State of Ohio —
is a Clergyman, who has signed the said Preceding Certificate, and resides in the County of Richland, and that Robert Nelson, Cornelius Aten, Hugh Van Meter, John Faulk and W. M. Darning —
who have also signed the same are residents in the County of Richland and are Credible Persons, and that their statements are entitled to full Credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my name & seal of office this 20 th day of October 1832.
Willy Kellogg Pastor of the Church

In the Matter of Abraham Decker For a Pension.
Under the act of 7 th June. 1832.
200/6

We The subscribers being Inhabitants of the County of Richland In the State of Ohio. and having for a number of years been - acquainted with Abraham Dicker the applicant for a pension, and from our acquaintance and knowledge of him, we do not hesitate to say that he is a man of strict integrity, and that full credit is due to his statements, he has always sustained a good moral Character in our Neighborhood, and has been & now is a Member of the Presbyterian Church, In this County - In good standing, that his Character for truth & veracity is unblemished and his statements In relation to his services as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, are Uniform and such is the Universal belief, and - Unhesitating opinion of the Citizens of this County, who are, or have been acquainted with the old Gentleman. we also believe him to be Ninety Two years of age the 16 th of October 1832. as he states. we also certify that the old Gentleman is very Poor & infirm, & has no subsistence but that of Public Charity. October 16 th 1832.
Cornelius Dean
+
Robt Nelson
John Faulk.
Hugh Vanmetre

Richland County 3-
Robert Nelson of Richland County in the State of Ohio - being duly sworn, deponeth & saith that, he resided in Northampton County in the State of Pennsylvania, not far from Easton . In the year 1775, as near as he can recollect, that he knew & was personally acquainted with Abraham Miller , a Captain in the Pennsylvania Line of Troops; that this deponent personally knew several persons who were enlisted & served under the said Captain Miller, that he had two Cousins who were enlisted & served under the said Miller , in said Line of Troops - that he often saw his two Cousins who were enlisted under said Captain, in said Line of Troops & heard them both speak of the said Abraham Decker , who now applies for a Pension, and that he often heard other people say that Abraham Decker was an enlisted soldier under said Miller , and that the said Decker was a companion soldier with his said two Cousins, under said Captain Miller , in the year 1775; that the names of this deponents two Cousins, who belonged to the said Captain Miller's Company, were with the said Abraham Decker were John M c Farren & Hugh Gaston, that he often heard them say that said  Abraham Decker served with them & that he marched with them under said Miller to Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, -

that this deponent frequently heard the said M c Faren & Gaston say that Abraham Decker had enlisted with them under said Miller in 1775. and Prior to the Battle of Bunker's Hill, that he often heard the M c Faren above named, say that the said Decker served with them in said Line of Troops, under the said Captain Miller, that the said M c Faren & Gaston often spoke of the said Abraham Decker's Services & Enlistment as above mentioned after they the said M c Faren & Gaston had left the army & returned home, & had quit the service 'and frequently heard the People -' at Easton, in 1775: speak of the said Abraham Decker's Enlistment under said Miller - and heard much talk about said - Decker's Enlistment, at the time above mentioned - that this deponent was also personally acquainted with Benjamin Decker, a Brother of said Abraham Decker who was enlisted & served under the said Abraham Miller, with the said Abraham Decker, that this deponent verily believes that the said Abraham Decker has served as he states in all Particulars, for the Term of Three Years & Six months - in said Pennsylvania Line of Troops

that this deponent was at the time of said Decker's enlistment in the - neighborhood of the said place where - the said Captain Miller, enlisted soldiers in said Pennsylvania line of United States troops in the year 1775. as above stated -
Sworn to and subscribed this 20th day of October 1832.
Robt Kellogg Justice of Peace
Robt Kellogg

Ashland, Richland County, State of Ohio. Nov. 24 th 1832.
To the Hon!
Secretary at War.
Sir I Enclose to you the Papers, in the Matter of Abraham Decker , a soldier of the Revolution, who is a very old man, 92. years of age, 16 th Octr 1832. the old man has lost his discharge , and, as he is so very old, & extremely debilitated & his Memory almost entirely impaired by age, & sickness & Poverty, I have not been able to procure any further Evidence of his services, than his own Oath , & the Deposition of Robert Nelson . Esquire, a Gentleman of Respectability & good Standing in this County -
There is no doubt of the old Gentleman's services as a soldier of the Revolution, all of his Companions in the Revolutionary Army , that he knew of, are now dead . he served and enlisted in the Pennsylvania Line of Troops , in 1775. under Captain Abraham Miller , and fought under said Captain at the Battle of Bunker's Hill , and shortly after that Battle, said Captain Miller, resigned, or for some reason Miller left the Army - & then Decker , was Placed under one Captain - Craig , and served same time under him, & then Craig , was Promoted to a Colonel in the Army - & then Decker , was put under another Captain whose name he does not now recollect -
Decker Enlisted under Miller with his Brother Benjamin Decker , and served with him in the same Company & Regiment of Pennsylvania Line of U. S. Troops -

and. It would be an imposing a hardship - upon the old veteran , to compel him to produce further & more evidence of his services.
If there ever was a case that merited the gratuity of Government it is this case of Abraham Decker . he is very poor & infir , and is in the greatest need of his Pension , for a support - he now lives on Public Charity . -
It is to be hoped that the Secretary at War . will give this case a place on the Pension Roll , as it is one of Meritorious Revolutionary Service , and the very advanced age of the applicant, it addresses itself to the Justice & Humanity of the War Department , an immediate answer from the War Department is requested, on the subject.
Yours Respectfully
John Faulk
N. B.
Please to direct to me at the " Ashland - Post-office , Montgomery Township - Richland County , State of Ohio - John Faulk.

I Abraham Decker the within applicant for a Pension, do hereby state, that after he had served Three years and Six months in one of the Regiments of the Pennsylvania Line of United States Troops - during the Revolutionary war, that his Term of Original Enlistment, in said Line, was under one Abraham Miller a Captain in said Pennsylvania Line of Troops, that he served his said Three Years in said Line of Troops faithfully, and served six months over and above his said Three years, and then received his discharge Honorably from his officers, but which is now lost as stated in the annexed Papers - and that after the discharge of the Soldiers of the said Regiment to which this deponent belonged the most of said Soldiers again re-enlisted and joined the Army - but this deponent and a few others who had been so - discharged, refused to enlist again, and did not so enlist - a second time , and which is supposed to be the reason why this deponent's name is not, or has not been returned to the war-department, this deponent has understood that the original Enlistment of Troops of the Pennsylvania Line has not been returned to the war-department - or at least of some of the Regiments belonging to said Line of Troops - or that if, such return was made

that the same is lost or mislaid & cannot be found that this deponent belonged, as he supposes to one of those Regiments whose original term of enlistment has not been returned to the war-office,
Abraham D. Lusk
Sworn to and Subscribed
before me this tenth day of October. 1832.
Wm. Kellogg Notary Public

Answer to Interrogatory No. 5.
Richland County ss.
I personally appeared before me Will Kellogg Esquire a Justice of the Peace in the County of Richland State of Ohio , Abraham Decker, who being duly sworn, deponeth & saith, that By reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively to the Precise Period or Year, in which he enlisted, in the Pennsylvania Line of Troops, but that according to the best of his recollection & belief he served more than Three years & Six months, as an orderly sergeant, in said Line of Troops, and that the above is his term of service - and for such service I claim a pension, for the Rank of Orderly Sergeant.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 16 th day of April, 1833.
Abraham Decker Will Kellogg

Inver. 18 th
Richland County ss.
I, the said Abraham Decker being duly sworn depose & say that I do not precisely recollect the exact term of time for which I enlisted, but I do know, that according to the best of my recollection I served for three years & six months, but whether my enlistment was for that period of service I am not able at this time to say, In consequence of my loss of memory & old age, whether my enlistment was as early as the year 1775 or not I am not positive, - as
It may have been subsequent, to that time. Given under my hand & seal this day of
this 18 th day of April 1833.
Abraham Decker
Wells Kellogg
State of Ohio.
Richland County ss.
I Ellzey Hedges, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Richland, & State of Ohio do hereby certify that Wells Kellogg who
has taken & subscribed the foregoing depositions & the signature & seal thereto affixed is his genuine signature which - & that he was at the time of taking the same an acting Justice of the peace, in this County of Richland, In testimony whereof I hereunto set my name & affixed my seal of office this 14 day of May A D 1833
Ellzey Hedges Clerk