Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,858, Peter Crawford, Continental (N.J. & Pa.) New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
continental (N.J. Vols.) New Jersey
Crawford, Peter
S. 40.858,
CONTENTS

18563
Pennsylvania
Peter Crawford.
Reading Co. in the state of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Infantry regiment commanded by Colonel Von Beer of the Cont. line, for the term of five years
scribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of $8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 15 of November 1820
ertificate of Pension issued the 23 of April 1822 and sent to the Hon. S. Norman House of Representatives
arrears to 4th of March 1822  $89.29 emi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1822  48. 3 Mos 16/30 4/31  $137.29
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
11 May 1820

Peter Crawford -
Dragoon
15 Nov. 1821.
Capt. Von Heer
Independent Troop of Horse - attached to Genl. Washington's Life Guards -
1782 - for the War
Adm. V. Com. U.S.N.
The credibility of disinterested evidence within intrepas should be fully certified. 19 March 1822.
Hon. L. Warman, H. R.
Em

District of Pennsylvania ss.
On this fifteenth day of November A.D. One thousand eight hundred and twenty one personally appeared in Open Court of Common Pleas holden in the Borough of Reading County of Berks and State aforesaid, being a Court of record, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and keeping a record of its proceedings, Peter Crawford, aged sixty eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818. and the 1st of May 1820. that he the said Peter Crawford enlisted for the term of five years or during the war in the winter of the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty two in the borough of Reading and State of Pennsylvania in a troop of horse commanded by Captain Bartholomew Von Heer, known by the name of Von Heer's Light Dragoons on the Continental establishment which troop was attached as a body guard to his Excellency Genl. Washington - that he continued to serve in said troop until the close of the revolutionary war, when the troop was discharged at Shewangunk in Orange County in the State of New York: That in the fall of the year 1782. he was with his Excy Genl. Washington in an excursion from Verplank's point to Tarrytown near New York when they were fired on by a party of refugees and he received a ball in his hip - That the period of his service from the time of his enlistment in the said troop until his discharge exceeded nine months - That his discharge is lost or destroyed and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except the affidavits hereto annexed: That he is a native of Monmouth County in the State of New Jersey: That he entered early into the service of his Country in the revolutionary war - That he was at the battle of Trenton at the taking of the Hessians - And at the battle of Princeton where Genl. Mercer was killed - That after the British evacuated New Jersey he returned to Monmouth and was on duty guarding the stores &c - That in the winter of 1777. his father was shot down by his side at the Highlands of Navesink - That he was in the battle of Monmouth and six other engagements and was under the Command of Major John Burrows. That during the whole of the revolutionary war he was an active partisan on the side of his Country - That he was twice wounded and three times taken prisoner and that having rendered himself extremely obnoxious to the British they offered a reward for him which induced him to leave New Jersey - That he afterwards repaired to Reading and enlisted as above mentioned: That since the Revolutionary War

War he has been employed in building Mills, Machinery, bridges &c - that in the fall of 1819. his horse ran away and upset the carriage in which he was riding, threw him among some rocks, injured his hip, broke his thigh and two of his ribs, put his shoulder out of place and ruptured him. That in consequence of the said accident he is entirely incapable of pursuing any kind of business for a livelihood - And that since then he has expended nearly five hundred Dollars, the whole amount of property which he possessed his necessary clothing excepted, and that he has now no means of support. That he has five children who reside in the State of New York. And in pursuance of the Act of the 14 th of May, 1820. he does solemnly swear that he was a resident Citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March One thousand eight hundred and eighteen - And that he has not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring himself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the revolutionary war." passed on the 18 th day of March One thousand eight hundred and eighteen. And that he has not, nor has any person in trust for him any property or securities contracts or debts due to him: Nor has he any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by him subscribed.
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court the 15 th day of November A. D. 1821. before - R. Porter, President of the third judicial district of Pennsylvania.
Signed, Peter Crawford.
The declarant has no property of any kind whatever, his necessary clothing excepted. Signed, Peter Crawford.
Andrew Fox of the Borough of Reading being duly sworn doth depose and say that he was enlisted for five years or during the war in a troop of horse commanded by Capt n Bartholomew Von Heer on the Continental establishment in the revolutionary war. That he was well acquainted with Peter Crawford the declarant above named who enlisted in the said troop in the Borough of Reading in the winter of the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty two that he frequently saw him performing his duty as a trooper in the said troop until the close of the war and that the period which the said Peter Crawford served in the said troop exceeded nine months. - Signed, Andrew Fox. Sworn in Open Court this 15 th day of November A. D. 1821. before - R. Porter, President of the third judicial district of Pennsylvania.

David Fox of the Borough of Reading being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was a Trumpeter in Capt. Bartholomew Von Heer's Troop of horse on the Continental establishment in the revolutionary War. That he was well acquainted with Peter Crawford the declarant before named who enlisted in the said Troop in the Borough of Reading in the Winter of the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty two and that he continued to serve in said Troop until the close of the revolutionary War and that the period which the said Peter Crawford served in the said Troop exceeded nine months.
Sworn and subscribed in Open Court this 15. day of November A.D. 1821. before -
R. Porter, President of the third judicial district of Pennsylvania
Signed, his David Fox mark.
I Marks John Biddle Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Berks in the third judicial district of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that the foregoing oaths and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court. And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the declarant Peter Crawford has no property, his necessary clothing excepted. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Reading this sixteenth day of November A.D. 1821.
Marks J. Biddle Prothonotary

May 29 July
To the Honorable J. E. Calhoun
Free Stearns Stearns 14
Back master at washington city will please to present this letter to the Secretary of war as soon as possible
Secretary of War City of Washington

July 26th 1822 Reading Berks County Pennsylvania
To the Honourable Secretary of War Dear Sir I feel myself obligated to my Country & particularly when I see certain persons using deception in order to obtain a Pension from the United States, a certain Peter Crawford under stand has received a Pension from the Honourable Secretary of War. permit me here to state pure facts. he first applied to me to file his application and being first by me duly examined I found that he could not satisfy me as to the time of entering the service of his country & that of leaving the same. I was then fully satisfied that his services were involved in mystery and I done nothing for him and indeed as I was then aware also that he received as much money from the different Masonick Lodges as he had use for, the most point is of much importance to the Honourable Secretary of War even said Peter Crawford returned from the City of Washington he made use of Infernal Language against the Secretary of War & saying that the Honourable Secretary was a Tyrant & other disrespectful things which decency forbids me to insert in this Letter. and further said that the Honourable Secretary did not countenance him that he received the aid of Mr Monroe the President & so forth this all I can prove. & more he made application to the State of Pennsylvania this last Session for a pension and obtained one and indeed it was with the greatest struggle that he obtained the same & attended there in person went up to the State Legislators with two crutches very faint full of poverty and as soon as placed on the pension by the State aforesaid he walked as active as a young boy wanted no crutches. The Honourable Secretary will refer to Crawfords Schedule and see if he has complied with the Act of Congress I am of opinion that he has not I myself have informed him that in case he received a Pension of the State of Pennsylvania that he would be obligated to let forth the same in his State Pension of 40$ To the application of the United States as his Schedule The Honourable Secretary can fully satisfy himself by sending a few lines to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania whose name is James William Clark at Harrisburg Pennsylvania he will inform the Honourable Secretary of the day & date that Crawford was mentioned

Far be it from me that I would use any fraud or deception on any thing that might injure my Country or otherwise I only commend Crawford to be struck off from the pension list forever. Query for what because he has abused the character of the honorable Secretary and other things I has not complied with the acts of Congress he being first informed by S. Levan that he must set forth his State Pension. I wish the honorable Secretary would keep this Letter Secret that is the part that concerns Crawford but should the Honorable Secretary ask it I can make oath that all herein stated are pure facts the same language Crawford also made use of to Andrew Rose an Old Soldier but Rose had better & refined feelings he the said Rose said he could not say anything against the honorable the Secretary of war altho he was also struck from the pension Roll.
Peter Fricken called on me at my House he was fully penitent he said thus I have filed my defence to the Honorable Secretary of War on account of my State Pension he further says that his memory was far gone that he did not leave out the State pension with an intent of deception or fraud but that he had previously to filing his schedule asked several men in Reading if he must set forth his State Pension & that the had said he need not as it was not in his hands & so forth & therefore it appears that he did not with an intention aforethought leave out the same on account of his extreme inability and fits I commend him to pardon as he at present has made application as a hauer to Mr. John Reightmeyer one of the overseers or Guardians of the poor.
I remain Respectfully the Secretary Friend
N B I also send enclosed the claim of Peter Smith who was an Enlisted Soldier of the Late War Samuel Levan

June 22, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. S. R. Calhoun 368 Hillcrest Avenue Macon, Georgia
BA-J/ady Peter Crawford S.40858
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Peter Crawford, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.40858, based upon the military service of Peter Crawford in that war.
Peter Crawford was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, date, and the names of his parents are not shown.
Peter Crawford enlisted in New Jersey early in the Revolutionary War and was in the battles of Trenton, Princeton and Monmouth and other engagements, served under Major John Burrowes. He was taken prisoner three times, no details given, and after rendering himself obnoxious to the British they offered a reward for him which induced him to leave New Jersey. In the winter of 1782 he enlisted in Reading, Pennsylvania, in Captain Bartholomew Von Heer's Light Dragoons which troop was attached to General Washington's Life Guard and in the fall of 1782 he received a ball in his hip while in a skirmish near Tarrytown, New York. He was wounded twice, nature and details of the second wound not stated, and he served to the close of the war. Soldier stated that in the winter of 1777 his father, his name not given, was shot down by his side at the highlands of Navesink.
Peter Crawford was allowed pension on his application executed November 15, 1821, at which time he was aged sixty-eight years and a resident of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

In 1821 soldier had five children living in New York State, their names and ages not shown. No reference was made to soldier's wife, and there are no further family data.
Peter Crawford died June 21, 1822, place not stated. Am 9/2
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name of person paid you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following data: "Peter Crawford, Certificate No. 18563, issued April 23, 1822, rate $8.00 per month, commenced November 15, 1821, Acts of March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820, Pennsylvania Agency".
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

40 858
Rev INVALID.
File No. 40 858
Peter Cranford Rev Peter Cranford
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 105
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1939 [unclear] S.P. Calhoun 907

The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania being requested to certify as to the character of Andrew Fox and of David Fox both of the said Borough of Reading whose Depositions stating their knowledge of Peter Cromford having been enlisted in the Troop of Horse commanded by Captain Bartholomew Van Horn were sworn to and subscribed in open Court in the Court of Common Pleas held in & for the said County of Berks on the 15 th day of November 1821 before the honorable Robert Potts President of the said Judicial District of Pennsylvania of which the said County of Berks is part do hereby certify that we have known the said Andrew Fox and David Fox upwards of thirty years during which time we have resided in the same town with the said Andrew & David and that we have never heard any thing alleged against the said Andrew and David or either of them and do not know of any charge against either of them to induce us to believe that either of them would swear to a fact in true which they did not know to be true and in our opinion the said Andrew & David would be received and admitted as Witnesses in the Court of Berks County Pa. without any objection being made to their credit and that they are worthy of credit. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names this 17 th day of April 1822
Masters In Ordinance
_____
Peter Aurand
John Boshinsbire
The above named Andrew Fox and David Fox have been known to me for seven or eight years and I subscribe with great pleasure to the fact above stated - that they are men of veracity and entitled to full credit in the premises.
Isaac Hustler

I, Ludwig Worman, a Representative in Congress from the State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with the four persons whose signa- tures appear on the following page, and that they are gentlemen of respectability, in whose statements the utmost reliance can be placed.
Ludwig Worman
Member of Congress
April 22. 1822.

Suspended see letter to Claimant, 9 Aug. 1852. See Bureau within.
This case has not been, & is not to be, reported to the Agent for paying pensions until a further investigation of the claim.

General Accounting Office reported by telephone (Mr. Manning) that this soldier died June 21, 1872 at the house of Daniel Olf in Mansfield Twp, Sussex Co., N. J. and pension due was paid Daniel Olf, as administrator, from Nov. 1871 to soldier's death.
MNV June 23, 1939
This notation may remain with other documents in this case - D. 40858

C O P Y
War Dept. Pension Office August 9, 1822
Mr. P. Crawford Reading Pa.
Sir:
It has been represented to this Department that at the time of making your schedule, you received a pension of $40, a year, from the State of Pennsylvania, which you omitted to set forth in your schedule. I have, therefore, to inform you, that the payment of your pension from the U. S. will be stop't until you shall have made it appear, that the information given is erroneous. If correct, you can no longer be continued on the list, it being contrary to the regulations under the law of the 1 st May 1820, to allow State pensioners the benefits of the acts providing for officers & soldiers of the revolution.
I am etc. J. L. E.
C O P Y

368 Hillcrest Ave Macon, Ga
April 26. 1939
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Please send me the Revolutionary Pension record of Peter Crawford of Berks Co. Penn.
And oblige
yours truly
Mrs. S.R. Calhoun