Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2,923, Thomas Cummings, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Cummings, Thomas Abigail
W 2923
CONTENTS

6432
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Margaret Cummings,
widow of Thomas Cummings,
who was a Private Penn
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Nov r . 1844 and sent to Hon. James M. Porter Easton, Penn.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. June 17. 1844.
Vol. 2. Page 105
Ref d .
see letter 5 Dec. 1844 to Hon. J. M. Porter. do J. G. Jones
Jan. 8. 1845.
Family record returned to Philip B. Fish, 412 N. 33 rd St Philadelphia. Mch. 14. 84. N.P.H.
Date of death not on B

Declaration of Abigail Cummings, widow of Thomas Cummings
State of Pennsylvania } ss. _____
On this tenth nineteenth day of September June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty four personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of North- ampton County in the State aforesaid. Abigail Cum- mings a resident of the Borough of Easton in the county aforesaid. aged eighty one years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" & also the acts of 1842 & 1850 extending the same. That she is the widow of Thomas Cummings, who was a soldier in the revolutionary war. That in consequence of her advanced age & bodily infirmi- ties, she is not now able distinctly to recal to mind the grade he held nor the Company he was in but from the best of her recollection, he was part of the time an Ensign in a Company of Philadelphia Volunteers or Militia. The former she thinks, which Company was commanded by Captain Peale or Peel. Though as before stated she may be mistaken as to the Captain's name & the grade of her husband - of the follow- ing facts her memory is clear. That her husband entered the service sometime in the year 1776, or in the beginning of the collection of Volunteers, for the battle of Trenton: in which battle he fought & was wounded by a ball in his leg. That from that time forward he continued in the service of his country as a soldier

or volunteer with little interruption in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey until sometime in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine or beginning of seventeen hundred and eighty. when he left the Army. with a view to getting married & setting down to business; That her husband was a resident of Philadelphia at the time of his entering the service & returned there to reside after leaving it. That to the best of her recollection. he rendered all his service under the command of Captain Peale; & in the different campaigns in the States of New Jersey & Pennsylvania. Though in this her memory may deceive her. That the material facts required by the War department in their pension regulations can be proved by the Muster rolls in that department. family records & the deposition of respectable witnesses. That her husband being in easy circumstances during his lifetime never applied for a pension. nor did she contemplate it until induced so to do by declining health & recent reverses of fortune.
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Cummings on the eleventh day of May A.D. 1780. of which no record remains that she can learn of except the family record in the hand writing of her husband — and that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Cummings died in the month of January, eighteen hundred and eight. & that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four at the time above stated; & that she has continued his widow from the time of his death to this time.
Abigail her Cummings Sworn and subscribed mark on the day and

year above written before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. aforesaid which Court is a Court of record; The said Abigail Cummings being unable from age, and bodily infirmities to attend Court.
Geo. Hef. Jr.
Northampton County. State of Pennsylvania ss
This is to certify. that George Hef. Jr. is regularly commissioned authorized to act as a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of Northamp- ton County - state aforesaid. which court is a court of record that the above is his genuine signature Witness the seal of said court. This 16 th day of July A.D. 1844
Wm Hackett Prothonotary

State of Pennsylvania
On the fifteenth day of June A.D. 1844, personally appeared before me one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County which is a court of record. Margaret
Frost who is a person of the highest respectability who being duly affirmed did depose & say that she is fifty five years old & is a daughter of Thomas Cummings. That the said Thomas Cummings was married to her mother. Abigail Cummings (who is now his widow having been married again) on the eleventh day of May A.D. 1780 as she knows from having always been told so & also from a family record in the hand writing of her father. That this deponent is a member of the Society of Friends to which her father also belonged. That her father the said Thomas Cummings was disowned by the said Society of Friends in consequence of his having enlisted in the Revolutionary war as a soldier. That she remembers often to have heard conversation in her childhood among the members & friends of the family about the battles in which her father was engaged & more particularly that of Trenton in which he was wounded. That she has often heard Friends regret the fact of her father's removal from their Society & state that they believed it to have been a great disadvantage to him through life but that he always declared himself a patriot & that he would enlist for his country. She is certain her father must have been in the service several years but the precise time she cannot

say he was a resident of Philadelphia. & inherited from his parents a respectable property & being mainly attached to his country he never applied for a pen- sion. being also not pressed by necessity - that until lately. his widow: has not stood in need of aid from the government: the pension to which she is entitled would now be of great service to her being old & infirm & in needy circumstances - her father & mother always lived together as man & wife & sustain a good reputation among their neighbors as such That the said Thomas Cummins died in the Month of January eighteen hundred & eight
Margaret Frost
Affirmed & subscribed before me the day & year above written.
Geo. Hefle Jr. A Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County Pa.
Northampton County. State of Pennsylvania ss.
This is to certify. That George Hefle Jr is a regularly commissioned & authorized to act as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County. which is a court of record - that the above signature is his genuine signature. Witness the seal of the said court this 16 th day of July A.D. 1814.
W. Hackett Prothonotary

This is a true copy, OLD WAR & NAVY MAR 12 1884 DIVISION. N. Rose asst. Clerk
Enoch Cummings the Son of Thomas & Abigail Cummings born the Eight Day of September 1781.
Ann Cummings the Daughter of Thomas & Abigail Cummings born March the Nineteenth in the year of Our Lord 1783.
John Cummings the Son of Thomas and Abigail Cummings born November the Seventeenth in the year of Our Lord 1785.
Thomas Cummings the Son of Thomas and Abigail Cummings dead born August 1787.
Margret Cummings the Daughter of Thomas and Abigail Cummings born May the Fifteenth 1789.
Ann Cummings the Daughter of Thomas and Abigail Cummings born July the fourteenth 1791.
John Cummings the Son of Thomas & Abigail Cummings born November the Sixth in the 1793.
Thomas Cummings the Son of Thomas & Abigail Cummings born November the Sixth in the 1795.
Jane Cummings the Daughter of Thomas & Abigail Cummings born August 26 in the Year 1797.

Hannah Cummings the daughter of Thomas and Abigail Cummings born August fourteenth in the year of Our Lord 1801.

April 8, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/REL
Thomas Cummings-W.2923
Mr. Norris S. Barratt, Jr. 1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the pension record of Thomas Cummings(1756-1808), who served as a private in the Pennsylvania troops, War of the Revolution.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.2923, based upon the military service in that war of Thomas Cummings.
Thomas Cummings was the son of Thomas. The date of his birth and name of his mother are not shown. Thomas Cummings, Senior, was steward of the Pennsylvania Hospital at Philadelphia. They were members of the Society of Friends.
While residing in Philadelphia, Thomas Cummings volunteered sometime in 1776, in a company of volunteers raised in Philadelphia, commanded by Captain Peale or Peel, and was in the battle of Trenton where he received a wound in the leg from a ball: he served, also, in the 11 th Pennsylvania Regiment, and continued in service until 1779 or 1780: it was stated that he served a part of the time as ensign.
In 1798, he was residing in Philadelphia, then moved to Morrisville, Pennsylvania, where he died in January, 1808. It was stated that he was a tailor by trade.
The soldier married, place not shown, May 11, 1780, Abigail Masson or Mason, date and place of her birth and names of her parents not shown.
Soldier's widow, Abigail, was allowed pension on her application executed June 19, 1844, at which time she was aged eighty-one years and resided in Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
I did not see statement of record of the meetings of the Friends showing he was expelled from the Society. Could not identify a Capt. Peel or Peale in official papers from a G.O. Office at Harrisburg dated as such. was priv in 11 th Pa

The following names of children of Thomas and Abigail Cummings are shown:
   Enoch Cummings . . . . .  born  September  8, 1781.    Ann Cummings . . . . .  "  March  19, 1783.    John Cummings. . . . .  "  November  17, 1785.    Thomas Cummings. . . . .  dead  August  --, 1787.    Margret Cummings . . . . .  "  May  15, 1789.    Ann Cummings . . . . .  "  July  14, 1791.    John Cummings. . . . .  "  November  6, 1793.    Thomas Cummings. . . . .  "  "  6, 1795.    Jane Cummings. . . . .  "  August  26, 1799.    Hannah Cummings. . . . .  "  "  14, 1801.   
In 1844, Margaret Frost, made affidavit in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, that she was the daughter of Thomas Cummings and his wife, Abigail. She did not give the Christian name of her husband. In same year Anthony Zuilch, aged forty-five years and a resident of Easton, Pennsylvania, stated that his wife was Jane Cummings, daughter of Thomas and Abigail Cummings.
In 1844, Mary Mason, of Hunterdon County, Pennsylvania, made affidavit in support of the widow, Abigail's claim for pension, but gave no relationship. In same year, Anna Morton, a maiden lady of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, stated that she was a niece of Abigail Cummings widow of the soldier, Thomas Cummings. Anna had a brother, Doctor Samuel G. Morton, of Philadelphia. The names of their parents are not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Abigail Cummings, widow of Thomas Cummings(W.2923), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Abigail Cummings, widow of Thomas Cummings Certificate No.6432 Issued November 28, 1844 Rate $80.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1843 Acts of March 4, 1843 and June 17, 1844 Philadelphia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Decr. 18, 1901 Cornelia R. Pomeroy Southport Conn Jan'y, 17-1902 Miss Grace Cummings Present Ohio 1938-Apr 8. 7 list to A. S. Barratt. Ch
Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2923
Abigail Cummings Widow
Thomas Cummings Rev. Rev. War
Act: March 13, 1843
Index:—Vol. A , Page 160
[Arrangement of 1870.]

CUMMINGS, THOMAS (PA.) W-2923
A
H. Litch Geo Hays Jr. 920

Thomas Cummings and Abigail Wilson Married the Eleventh Day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & Eighty - 1780

6732 Abigail Cummings widow of Thomas Cummings, private 24 con service $80 per an.
acts 7 July 1838 } 3 March '43 } 17 June 1844 } married 11 May 1780 husband died January 1808
270 Philadelphia Roll
Send cut: to the Hon. James M. Porter Easton Pa.

Pap?
8898 Pennsylvania
Abigail Cummings widow of Thomas Cummings who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the — January 1808 of Northampton Co. in the State of Penn a . who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Peale of the regt. commanded by in the Philad a "Volunt rs " for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of November 1844 and sent to Hon. Janus A. Porter, Easton Penn.
Total amount, $400
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1. Page 217.

City of Philadelphia ss
Anna Morton of the City of Philadelphia being duly affirmed according to Law doth declare and say. That she is a niece of Abigail Cummings, now residing at Easton Pennsylvania, with her son in law Anthony Zwick as affiant understands, and believes. That the said Abigail is the widow of Thomas Cummings, who is described in the minutes, of the Society of Friends of Philadelphia, of the date of 6th Mo. 27th 1777 as Thomas Cummings Junior of the City of Phila- delphia Taylor, as having associated with others to learn the art of war, as affiant has always heard in the family and as she verily believes, And the affiant has no doubt whatever of the identity of the husband of the said Abigail Cummings with the Thomas  John Cummings, for whose revolutionary services the said Abigail has applied to the United States for a pension And that this belief is founded on what she has always heard said in relation to the said Thomas  John & Abigail Cummings in the family and family connection
Affirmed and subscribed Anna Morton before me this 22 d Mo. A.D. 1844 (the words "Thomas" being first interlined)
Wm Thompson Alderman

Dec 4. 1844
Ab: Cummings paull
6432
at 43
Col James A. Smith
Dear Sir,
Hon John Palmer, Easton Pa,
Com d of Pennsylv
Washington City

Casim P o Nov 30 o . 1844
Dear Sir
Yours of the 28 th enclosing pension Certificate for Mrs Abigail Cummings has just been received. I observe that One Certificate grants the pension from 4 th March 1836 to 4 th March 1841 - The other from 4 th March 1843 to 4 th March 1848. Why is there an intermission from 1841 to 1843? - or do not the acts apply to that term -
Again the old lady is very feeble - although she may longer on for some time - In fact has recently become almost if not quite demented & entirely helpless - Must an Inquisition be held upon her declaring her incapable of acting for herself, and then have a Trustee appointed for her or will the pension be paid to the son in law with whom she has long lived and who is yet supporting her. He is a respectable and responsible man and would willingly account to her personal representatives in the event of her death for all sums received & expended. But would avoid if he could all unnecessary costs.
Only Yours
J. M. Porter
C. C. J. L. Edwards

Catfish & Shrimp with Balance of family Menu

I George Hays Junr One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County Penn- sylvania, Do certify that the Annexed paper is the residue of the Leaps of the Family Records of Thomas Cummings and Abigail his wife the upper part whereof Containing the Entry of the Marriage of the said parties, was separa- ted in my presence and as I understood forwarded to Washington in support of the Claim of the said Abigail for a pension. And which is now produced to me by Mr. Anthony Griile the son in Law of the said Abigail Witness my hand at Easton Penn a Nov. 23 d 1844. —
Geo. Hays Jr.

Anthony Zuelch of the Borough of Easton being duly sworn according to Law says that he is married to Sarah daughter of Thomas & Abigail Cummings - That the paper produced by Deponent to Judge Hess and to which he has appended his Certificate this day, is the residue of the leaf of the family records of the said Thomas Cum- mings and Abigail his wife, other than the part thereof heretofore detached and forwarded to the Pension Office in Washington in support of the Claim of the said Abigail for a pension - And that Deponent has always understood in the family that the said Thomas Cummings was in the service of his Country in a military capacity in the Revolutionary war, and from what he has always heard he firmly believes that he was the same person who was named one of the Society of Friends in Philadelphia for attach- ing himself to the military service of his Country in the Revolutionary war And that he is the same person mentioned in the Certificate of the Auditor General of Pennsylvania already forwarded to the Pension Office
Anthony Zuelch
Sworn to Subscribed Nov 23 d 1844 Before
Geo. Hess Jr one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County Pa

James L. Edwards Esq

Easton Pa Nov 23. 1844
My Dear Sir
I enclose you in Abigail Hasson Cummings Case three Affidavits
1 st of Mary Mason of New Jersey. She knows that she has suffered so much from sickness and old age and the person who took it was so little aware of what was wanted that it does not amount to much. Except to prove that Thomas Cummings and Abigail Cummings are man & wife and that she has remained her widow
2. The affidavit of Miss Anna Morton, an elderly maiden lady of great respectability in the City of Philad a being the sister of Dr Sam l G. Morton of that City, who testifies as what he has always understood in the family as to the identity of the persons & the service.
3. The deposition of Mrs Rachel Care, who was long a nurse in the Pennsylvania Hospital, and knew the father of Thos Cummings as well as himself and who believes that he is the same person that enlisted in the Army and who married Abigail Mason.
4. The extract from the minutes of the Society of Friends of 27th 6th Mo (June) 1797 showing that Thos Cummings was expelled from the Society of Friends for taking up arms.
I think these papers will be evidence

of the family records certified by Judge Hays and identified by the deposition of Mr. Arthur Zuleta who is a highly respec- table man in my presence. Added to what you already have on file will enable you to do justice to this most excellent old lady.
You are aware that I am under a hearing injunction to help aid and assist all revolutionary soldiers and their widows without fee or reward. Hence I never undertake any cases of the kind for pay, nor will I ever press a case on the Department where I have a reasonable doubt of its legitima- cy. In this case, from my knowledge of Mrs. C. Cummings and her family, I have no doubt of the justice of the claim.
Hoping that it may issue favorably and desiring to hear from you on the subject as soon as will suit your convenience
I am my truly
Yours
G. M. Porter
Col James L. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions

At a Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia held in our Meeting in 4 th Street the 27 th 6 th mo 1777
A testimony being prepared against Thomas Cummings jun r it was agreed to as follows, and David Bacon & W m Richardson are appointed to deliver him a copy thereof. Viz.
Thomas Cummings jun r of this city, Taylor, who hath had an education amongst us, hath in this time of commotion associated with others to learn the art of war, contrary to our peaceable profession, & Christian testimony against wars & fightings; for which he hath been lovingly treated with in order to convince him of his error, but not being appearing sensible thereof, vindicates his conduct. We therefore in support of our Christian testimony, do testify, that he hath thereby separated himself from us, until from a proper sense of his conduct he condemns the same, & seeks to be restored by a suitable acknowledgment; which is our desire.
The above is a true copy of the testimony of disapproval in the case of Thomas Cummings jun r as it stands on the minutes of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Philad a 11 th mo. 16 th 1844. Nathan Kite clerk to that meeting.

The within and foregoing was affirmed and subscribed this 22 d day of November A D 1844 before me the subscriber an Al- derman in and for the City of Philadelphia John Thornock Ald

State of New Jersey. Hunterdon Co. ss
Before me William Elybur one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Mary Mason of the said County, who being duly sworn on her solemn affirmation, which she took according to law did declare, that Abigail Cummings was the wife of Thomas Cummings, who lived in or about the year 1798 in Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania and to the best recollection & belief of the deponent the said Thomas Cum- mings then removed to Morrisville in the State of Pen. a where he died, and this deponent further saith that the said Abigail Cum- mings hath remained the widow of the said Thomas Cummings until this time, Affirmed at Little York in said County Nov. 9. 1844 Before me William Elybur
Exd 5 Mary Mason Mason.

No. 1416. 3 Certificate for £ 61. 14. 2 specie We do certify, that the State of Pennsylvania is indebted to the Estate of Thomas Cummings private of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment in the sum of sixty one pounds fifteen shillings and two pence specie, with interest from the tenth day of April 1781, being the amount of the residue of the depreciation of his pay, pursuant to two acts of Assembly passed at Philadelphia the 18th of December 1780 and the 10th of April 1781 &c
Philadelphia Jan y 30th 1785
M c Michelson
Quartermaster General's Office Harrisburg April 10th 1784
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of the original
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand at said Office
[Signature] P. H. Bachman
Quar r General

Dec 20 44
He
6 Camp Hatch Ab. Cummings
Edwards Pension Office Washington D. C.

Eastm 17 Dec 1844
Dear Sir,
Please to furnish me with a copy of the testimony, furnished the pension office in the application for Mrs Abigail Cummings pension accompanied by a certificate. That she has been enrolled on the pension list in your department. Please to omit the two acts of Assembly & give a reference to them simply. I wish to use the testimony, at Hanover for an application from the state, & have kept no duplicates.
Please to mark on the margin the fees & they shall be transmitted forthwith.
Yrs O.W. W J. Glancey Jones
Col Edwards

City of Philadelphia, ss.
Rachel Care, of the City of Philadelphia, being duly affirmed according to law, doth depose and say: - I was personally acquainted with Thomas Cummings, who was Steward of the Pennsylvania Hospital. I also knew his son Thomas from his childhood. - I remember hearing that Thomas Cummings, junior, enlisted in the Army during the revolutionary war, and was disowned by the Society of Friends, on that account. - I remember hearing, after the war, that he was married to Abigail Mason. I am now in my seventy-eighth year.
Rachel Care
Affirmed and subscribed, the 22 d day of November, A.D. 1844, before me,
Peter Hays Alderman.

J. L. Edwards Esq - Commissioner of Pensions

J. L. Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
Easton 17 July 1844
I enclose the necessary deposition declarations &c for a pension under the act extending its benefits to widows. The declaration of the widow was written by me last fall from her mouth but not dated nor sworn to until recently. The delay was occasioned by a wish to procure other testimony. & in this I hope I have been successful - the testimony is not as positive or direct as I could wish but this is not available in one case in twenty at this late day when widows apply & husbands have not been pensioners - The widow who signs the declaration with her mark was able once to write a fair hand & makes her mark at present in consequence of physical infirmity to write anything . In addition to the depositions I enclose a Certificate from the Auditor Genl accompanied by the two acts to which it refers. from these I think may be deduced the following facts 1: That Thomas Cummings was a soldier (private) in the 11. Regiment of the Penna line - 2: That this Regiment was in the employ of the Confed : 3: That according to the scale of deprecation appended to the act of Assembly of Penna: he must have been in the service between three & four years - these two acts being passed especially for the benefit of persons serving the U. States: paid in a currency so depreciated as to make these acts of Assembly necessary to protect them - the marriage - death - & widowhood. I presume are sufficiently tested by the record & depositions - It should strike you that only in

formality exists in the mode of authenticating the family record: I will remark that the record was exhibited to the Judge cut out & signed by deponent & Judge; I did know the handwriting of earnings by having settled up the estate & over- hauled a large number of papers & letters: all of which papers & documents together with the record sworn to were found in her possession years ago & none remained there to his knowledge.
I hope the Department will act promp- tly on this application that the prayer may be as specially granted: The old lady at the age of 80, nearly was left in destitute circumstances after a long life of comfortable subsistence.
Her pecuniary misfortunes are owing to the recent stock explosion which bore so hard upon widows & orphans; any amount of testimony can be furnished as to her character: This small pension if granted will support her in tolerable comfort the short remainder of her days.
Some the favor to write soon & oblige. Yrs affec
J. Blaney Jones

don't copy this
An Act to settle and adjust the accounts of the Troops of this State in the service of the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned.
Whereas from a variety of Causes the United States have not been able to comply with their engagements heretofore made to the Officers and private men of Pennsylvania line which hath occasioned great injury to those Troops to whose virtuous Exertions America is much indebted. Be it therefore enacted and it is hereby enacted by the Representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met and by the Authority of the same That the Supreme Executive Council be and they are hereby Authorized and directed to appoint three Auditors to settle the depreciation of the pay accounts of all the Officers and private men of the Pennsylvania line from the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and eighty one to the first day of August one thousand seven hundred and eighty one And the said Auditors or any two of them are hereby empowered and directed to estimate in specie all sums of Continental Money received by the said Officers and private men on account of their pay within the period aforesaid agreeable to a scale of depreciation herein after mentioned and contained.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Auditors or any two of them are hereby empowered and directed to give to the Officers and private men to whom pay on such settlement as aforesaid shall be found due Certificates specifying the sums due in specie which Certificates shall be received and considered as equal to specie in payment of the Contested herein after mentioned and directed to be sold.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Confiscated Estates not already sold or appropriated to public use shall on the first day of July next or as soon after as may be convenient be disposed of at public sale for the highest price which sale the Supreme Executive Council are hereby directed to order the Agents for Confiscated estates to make giving due notice thereof And the said Agents are hereby directed to receive in payment for the estates which they shall sell as aforesaid Specie or Bills of Credit of this State equivalent thereto or the Certificates aforesaid which sales shall be made upon the same terms of payment as have heretofore been directed in the sale of other Confiscated Estates.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That in order to prevent the Certificates of the private men of the line aforesaid from being counterfeited or becoming objects of speculation no transfer or Assignment of the same shall be good and valid in law unless attested by the Officer Commanding the

Regiment to which said privates shall belong
And be it further enacted by the Authority Aforesaid That in case the possessor or possessors of the said Certificates shall think proper to purchase unlocated lands belonging to this State with the same, then and in such case it shall and may be lawful for the Commissioners or other proper officers of the said Office so soon as the said Office shall be opened by law, and they are hereby directed to receive the said Certificates so unpaid, equal in value to specie in payment for the lands so purchased from the said Land Office, which lands purchased with and paid for in the Certificates as aforesaid are to be rated and granted at the same price at which unlocated lands shall or may be rated and granted to any person or persons tendering gold or silver or Currency equivalent thereto.
And be it further enacted by the Authority Aforesaid That the said Auditors shall in like manner settle and adjust the Accounts of all Officers and privates of the line aforesaid who have fallen or died in the service during the said period, and their widows and children shall be entitled to such Certificates and to all the benefits and advantages hereby granted to the Officers and private men now in the said line.
And be it further enacted by the Authority Aforesaid That the Officers and private men of the State now in actual service shall and are hereby declared to be equally entitled to all the Benefits and allowances extended to the Pennsylvania line by this Act, And all Officers and soldiers of this State taken prisoners in the actual service of this State or the United States shall likewise be considered as being within the intent and meaning of this Act so far as to be entitled to all the benefits and advantages hereby granted and extended to the Officers and privates of the Pennsylvania line aforesaid.
And be it further enacted by the Authority Aforesaid That the Auditors aforesaid previous to their entering on the duties required of them by this Act, shall severally take the following Oath or Affirmation to wit. "I, A.B. do swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will well and truly perform all and singular the duties required of me by the act intituled 'An Act to settle and adjust the Accounts of the Troops of this State (meaning Pennsylvania) in the service of the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned to the best of my knowledge and abilities without partiality or respect to any person or persons whatsoever' And the Auditors aforesaid are hereby fully authorized and directed to settle the aforesaid Accounts upon Oath or Affirmation, which Oath or Affirmation shall be by them administered.
And be it further enacted by the Authority Aforesaid That this or any future Assembly notwithstanding the provision made as aforesaid, may

or shall if they think proper call in all such Certificates given and not redeemed as aforesaid, and pay off the same in Species, or other current money equivalent.
And be it further enacted by the Authority Aforesaid That in Case any of the Confiscated Estates above mentioned Shall be sold and paid for in Species or other current money then the Agents aforesaid shall pay the said Monies so received to the Treasurer of this State which he is hereby directed to reserve for redeeming the Certificates aforesaid which shall remain unpaid in such manner as the General Assembly shall order and direct: And all Certificates received by the Agents aforesaid and Commissioners of the said Office by virtue of this Act shall be by them delivered to the Treasurer aforesaid who is hereby directed to keep the same to be cancelled and destroyed in such manner as the General Assembly shall order and direct.
And be it further enacted by the Authority Aforesaid That the following scale of depreciation shall be the rule by which the said Auditors shall be governed in the Settlement aforesaid.
   One Thousand Seven hundred, Seventy seven October Five   January - - - One and an half November Six   February - - - Two and an half December Six   March - - - Two One Thousand Seven hundred, Seventy nine   April - - - Two and an half January - - - Eight   May - - - Two and an half February - - - Ten   June - - - Two and an half March - - - Ten and an half   July - - - Three April - - - Seventeen   August - - - Three May - - - Twenty four   September - - - Three June - - - Twenty   October - - - Three July - - - Nineteen   November - - - Three August - - - Twenty   December - - - Four September - - - Twenty four   One Thousand Seven hundred, Seventy eight October - - - Thirty   January - - - Four November - - - Thirty eight and an half   February - - - Five December - - - Forty one and an half   March - - - Five One Thousand Seven hundred, eighty   April - - - Six January - - - Forty and an half   May - - - Five February - - - Forty seven and an half   June - - - Four March - - - Sixty one and an half   July - - - Four April - - - Sixty one and an half   August - - - Five May - - - Fifty nine   September - - - Five June - - - Sixty one and an half   July - - - Sixty four and an half  

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Auditors aforesaid shall be entitled to receive the same pay and allowances as the Auditors of this State appointed by the Legislature for the settlement of the public accounts.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That printed certificates shall be provided by direction of the Supreme Executive Council in such manner and form as they shall judge necessary and proper and delivered to the Auditors aforesaid to be by them applied to the uses and purposes herein before directed.
Signed by Order of the House.
Frederic A. Muhlenberg Speaker
Enacted into a Law at Philadelphia on Monday the eighteenth day of December in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty.
Samuel Sterett Clerk of the General Assembly
Pennsylvania S.S. Secretary's Office. I certify that the above and foregoing is a true Copy of the Original Law as the same remains on file in this Office. Witness my hand and the seal of the said Office at Harrisburg this 9th day of July, A.D. 1801.
Chas. Wilson Secretary of the Commonwealth
Fees $2.25.

Don't Copy This
An Act to Amend the Act intitled "An Act for the more effectual Supply and honourable Reward of the Pennsylvania Troops in the Service of the United States of America" And the Act intitled "An Act to settle and adjust the Accounts of the Troops of this State in the service of the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned"
Section 1. Whereas doubts have arisen whether the Chaplains and Surgeons of the Pennsylvania line are included in the Act intitled "An Act to settle and adjust the accounts of Troops of this State in the service of the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned" passed the eighteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty
And Whereas the Chaplains and Surgeons of the said Pennsylvania line engaged to serve during the present war have not by the Act intitled "An Act for the more effectual Supply and honourable reward of the Pennsylvania Troops in the service of the United States of America" the encouragement and reward their services and sufferings justly entitle them to.
Section 2. Be it therefore enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the Representatives of the freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met And by the Authority of the same. That the Chaplains and Regimental Surgeons of the Pennsylvania line engaged to serve during the present war, shall be, and they are hereby intitled to all the Emoluments and benefits to all intents and purposes which the military commissioned officers in the said line are intitled to under the Act intitled "An Act to settle and adjust the Accounts of the Troops of this State in the service of the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned" passed on the eighteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty and also shall be intitled to the half pay of a Captain during life they the said Chaplains and Surgeons continuing in the Service during the present war with Great Britain.
Section 3. Provided always And be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Commissioned Officers Chaplains and Surgeons of the Pennsylvania line aforesaid who are or

hereafter shall be intitled to half pay shall be liable to be called into actual Service by the Supreme Executive Council of this State at any time hereafter and if any of the Commissioned Officers Chaplains or Surgeons of the said line, shall neglect or refuse to go and continue in said Service when called to it as aforesaid such half pay shall from thence cease and determine anything in any law of this State to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.
Section 4. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Supreme Executive Council of this State may and they are hereby authorized and empowered to appoint any additional number of Auditors above the number three mentioned in the act intitled An Act to settle and adjust the accounts of the Troops of this State in the Service of the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned as they shall judge necessary for expediting the business to be performed by the said Auditors which additional Auditors shall have all the powers and authority and the like reward for their services which are given and granted by the said Act to the Auditors therein mentioned.
And whereas it hath been represented to this House that it is both necessary and expedient to pay off and discharge a certain proportion of the sums specified in the Certificates lately granted to the Officers & Soldiers of the Pennsylvania line for their depreciation of Pay.
Be it therefore further enacted by the Authority Aforesaid That the Supreme Executive Council be and they hereby are authorized to draw upon the Treasurers of the State for such sum or sums of money as they may deem necessary and place the same into the hands of Certain Commissioners to be especially appointed by them for that purpose (which they are hereby empowered to do) who shall attend at the Rendezvous of the respective Regiments on or before the first day of May next ensuing and then and there pay to such Officers and privates who are in actual service and shall make application for the same one third part of the sums found due on Settlement and specified in the Certificates aforesaid respectively.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid that

the said Commissioners are hereby authorized and directed to take up and transmit to the Treasurer of this State the Certificates aforesaid and to issue new Certificates to the Officers and privates men for their respective balances which said new Certificates shall bear lawful interest and shall be transferable in the same manner as Promissory Notes are by law any former law to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the Certificates of such Officers and Soldiers as shall not apply to the Commissioners aforesaid for payment shall bear lawful interest and be transferable in like manner as the new Certificates herein before directed to be granted and the possessor or possessors of the same may when he or they shall think proper call on the Treasurer of the State for a third part of the sums mentioned in the said Certificates respectively, who is hereby authorized and directed to pay the same and the said Treasurer is hereby further authorized and directed to retain the said Certificates in his hands and grant new Certificates for such balance as may be due in manner and form as above directed.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the Supreme Executive Council be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to order sale to be made of all forfeited Estates appropriated by the act entitled "An Act to settle and adjust the accounts of the troops of this State in the service of the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned" on or before the Tenth day of May next ensuing and apply the Money arising therefrom to the Uses and Purposes in the said act mentioned anything in the fourth Section thereof to the contrary notwithstanding.
Signed by Order of the House Frederic A. Muhlenberg Speaker
Enacted into a Law at Philadelphia on Tuesday the Tenth day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred eighty and one
Samuel Sterett Clerk of the General Assembly

Pennsylvania, ss.
Secretary's Office
I certify that the within is a true Copy of the Original Law as the same remains on file in this Office
Witness my hand and the seal of the said Office at Harrisburg this 9th day of July A.D. 1824
Chas. Whipple Secretary of the Commonwealth
Fees $1.75
11183 Abigail Cummings Maw of Mamma
act 7 July 1838

State of Penna ss —
On the third day of July. A.D. 1844. personally appeared before me. one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County in the state of Pennsylvania. which Court is a Court of record.
Anthony Leitch aged forty five years. whom I certify to be a witness of respectability whose testimony is entitled to full faith & credit — who being duly sworn according to law. did depose & say. That he has been acquainted with the family of Thomas Cummings deceased for more than twenty years that Mrs Abigail Cummings the present applicant for a pension is the widow she has always remained the widow of the said Thomas Cummings who died in the year 1808. as appears by the record in the family he has always understood by the family & their friends. She said Abigail Cummings was married to Thomas Cummings on the eleventh day of May A.D. 1780. as appears by the family record. which is now cut out of said record & hereto attached. marked. A. by said deponent. which record is in the hand writing of Thomas Cummings has been kept in the possession of his widow Abigail Cummings to this time; he has always understood that Thomas Cummings was several years in the revolutionary Army: & in several engagements. particularly that of Trenton in which he was wounded. Thomas Cummings was a man of considerable means during his life & a true patriot consequently never made application for a pension nor has his widow since until her circumstances have rendered her needy; In consequence of the death of all the associates & acquaintances of Thomas Cummings deceased: It is difficult to get at any positive proof of service other than by reputation record that Abigail Cummings is a woman of the strictest integrity of character & could not be induced to make application for a pension

unless under the firm belief that she was entitled to it by Law. he has been informed by members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) so then that he was disowned on account of his embarking in the revolutionary war sum subscribed the day & year above written before me.
A. Litch
Sum subscribed the day & year above written before me. Geo. Hays Jr.
Northampton County p. This is to certify that George Hays Jr. is a regularly commissioned Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Northampton County in the state of Pennsylvania & authorized to act as such: The said Court being a court of record the above signature to the deposition also to the stick of paper marked A. is his genuine signature. Witness the seal of the said Court this 16th day of July A.D. 1844
W. Hackett Clerk Prophy.

Copy of family record
Enoch b Sep t 8. 1781 Ann b Mch 19. 1783 John b Nov 17. 1785 Thomas b Aug t 1787 died same day Margaret b May 15 1789 Ann b July 14 1791 John b Nov 6. 1793 Thomas b m 6 1795 Jane b Aug 26 1799 Hannah b Aug t 14 1801
Dear Anthony Quitch Jan 19. 1842.
Yrs Isaac Fowler
J. P. Edwards Newark Jan 19 th 1842 Washington City
FREE

in 1844
Thomas Cummings — Mary Mason of Huntington Co N J states he lived in Phil a about 1798 & removed to Morrisville Pen a where died —
Elderly Anna Morton, of Phil a  in 1844 a niece of Abigail Cummings now residing in Easton  State, that Thomas Cummings was Pen a with her son in law William Zulech described in the minutes of the Society of friends of Phil a after the date of April 6 mo 27 th 1777 as Thomas Cummings Jr of Phil a , Taylor, as having associated with others to learn the art of war, as affirmant has always heard in the family as she firmly believes Rachel Care of Phil a states Tho d Cummings was Steward of the Pen a Hospital said to have  has a nurse He enlisted in Army & was disowned by the Society of friends on that account & after the war heard his mother Abigail Mason
At a meeting of Friends Phil a on 4 th St 27 th 6 mo 1777 testimony being prepared against Tho d Cummings Jr
Thomas Cummings Jr. Taylor who h d had an education among us h d in this time of Convulsion associated with others to learn the art of war contrary to our peaceable profession & Christian testimony against wars & fightings for which he has been lovingly treated with, in order to convince of his error but not appearing sensible thereof vindicates his conduct. We therefore in support of our Christian testimony do testify that he hath thereby separated himself from us, until from a proper sense of his conduct he condemns the same & seeks to be restored by a suitable acknowledgment which is our desire — Certified in 1844 by Jonathan Kite Clerk to that meeting
Abigail Cummings of Easton Northampton Co Pen a in June 1844 & aged 82 years States that part of services was Ensign in a Co of Phil a Volunteers com d by Capt Peak or Peck — Sometime in 1776 at the beginning of collecting vols for the battle of Trenton in which battle he fought & was wounded in his leg from that time forward he continued in the Service with little interruption in N J & Pen a until sometime in 1779 or beginning of 1780 when he left the army with a view of getting mar d & settling down to business. — He was then residing in Phil a — was mar d July 11 1780 — He died Jan 1808
Margaret Frost a daughter testifies in 1844 in Northampton Co aged 55 years to the family record of marriage & to the decease of her father in 1808 Anthony Zulech aged 45 yrs of Northampton Co a witness to family record of mar d & his Thomas decease Certif of being private in 11 th Pen a reg t

DOROTHY RIPLEY CHAPTER SOUTHPORT, CONN.
To the Pension Bureau - Will you please send me a copy of the Pension Record of one Thomas Cummings probably of Philadelphia Penn - for service in the Revolution - entered the service under Capt. Peel in 1776 - Wounded at Trenton Dec. 26-1776 Pension granted to his

Widow Abigail Cummings about 1881
Any information you may have in regard to him would be wel- -come
Yours
Cornelia R. Pomeroy Southport Conn.

2923
Purida March 6 th 82
Hon W m H Dudley Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
Sometime since we wrote to the Department for information in regard to my Grand Father Thomas Cummings, who was a soldier of the Revolution, wounded at the Battle of Trenton and died Jany 1808. His Widow Abigail Cummings a very old and infirm lady made application and received her Pension and back pay about the year 1844. In filing the papers of application, an old family Record of Marriage & Births of Thomas & Abigail Cummings was removed from the family Bible and filed with the application, in order to more fully substantiate her-

Ohio, which Record was never returned to the family and was always supposed to have been lost or destroyed.
I received an answer to my communication, from C. P. C. Clarke then acting Commissioner, in which he states that there is such a record on file with the application papers, and is in the hand writing of Thomas Cummings, and I being a Grand Son, I have been requested by the family in their behalf, to ask of the Department, whether the Record could be restored again to the possession of the family, and will consider it a lasting favor if it is in your power to grant them this request, I Remain
Yours Respectfully, Philip S. Zulech 417 7th 33rd St. Pineads, Penna

Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution
HALL OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA 1300 LOCUST STREET PHILADELPHIA
March 17, 1938
Vebrans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
✓ 3
Will you please send me a copy of pension claim of THOMAS CUMMINGS (1756-1808), who, I believe was a private in the Philadelphia. Pa. Militia during the Revolutionary War.
Thanking you for your courtesy in the matter, I am
Very truly yours,
Norris S. Barratt, Jr.
Norris S. Barratt, Jr. Secretary

The Clauss Shear Works, OF THE INTERNATIONAL CUTLERY CO. MANUFACTURERS OF  FINE SHEARS & SCISSORS Pruners, Razors, Tailors Shears, Tanners Snips, also Serrated Clauss Knives.
Fremont, Ohio 12/26/01
Pension Department, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
Kindly confirm the record of one Thomas Cummings, a Revolutionary soldier from Eastern Pennsylvania, who was wounded at Valley Forge. Please give the date of his birth, and also his death, which occurred at Morrisville, Pa.
Yours very truly,
(Miss) Grace Cummings.

Philadelphia Mch 14 th 84
Received of the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. The within mentioned family record of Thomas Cummings, please accept my thanks.
Yours Respectfully Philip S. Zulech

R O. H. & H. Div. M. P. H. Ex't. No. 2923 Mid. Tho. Cummings. Co. Privt. Reg't. R. H. Ar.
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE
Washington, D.C. Mch. 11 1884.
Return this letter with your reply.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of Mch. 6 1882, I enclose herewith the family record filed in the Old War pension claim. Please acknowledge receipt of the same, by indorsement on back of this letter.
Very respectfully, W. Dudley - Commissioner. am
Philip S. Julich. 417 N. 33 rd St. Philadelphia Pa.