Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,702, John Cronk, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Cronk, John
S. 22,702
CONTENTS
This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

11.149  Pittsburgh Agency  John Cronk
of Beaver Co - in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private - in the Company - commanded by Captain Hiltzheim - of the Regt - commanded by Coll Bell - in the Pennsylvania line for -
Yrs No Dr $ 23.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of March 1833 and sent H Davis Beaver P.O. B.C. Pa
  Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 -  46.00    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sps 1833 -  11.66     $ 58.39  
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. J. Sprague Clerk Book E Vol. 5 Page 73
dead 20 Jany 1834. Number 63 d Div n . Plot No 1. 4. 13 Class 18 February '36

19459 John Kronk papers
Note to Henry Luce's at Beacon Post Office Barn County

State of Pennsylvania County of Beaver } ss
on this 29 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Subordinate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Beaver now sitting John Cronke a Resident of the Township of Moon in the County of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania aged Seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 17 th 1832 That he enlisted as a private in the Service of the United States in Captain Hetherlands Company in Chester County in Pennsylvania for a term of Five months in what was called the Flying Camp in the year 1776 about harvest and marched to Philadelphia thence to Trenton thence to Princeton and so proceeded to the North River (alias Hudson River) on the bank of which we built Fort Lee in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Bull where we remained untill Fort Washington was taken by the British which Fort Washington aforesaid lay on the opposite side of the North River from Fort Lee all Captain Hetherlands Company crossed the North River to Fort Washington and were taken prisoners by the British except myself and seven more who were on guard at the time they crossed the River at Fort Lee and so escaped being taken we returned and marched back again to Trenton where I took sick about the time my Five months were expired and was in the Hospital and so soon as I could travel my Father sent a horse for me and I returned home again to Chester County Pa
That he entered the Service of the United States again in the Revolutionary War as a private Militia man drafted and served a term of Two months in the fall of the year 1777 marched and joined the Army Commanded by General Washington at the Three Springs near Trenton to prevent the Tories and enemy bringing provision to the British who were then in Philadelphia and returned home again to Chester County at the expiration of the term of two months making in all Seven Months in the Service of the United States in the Revolution That he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no person whose Testimony he can procure who can testify to his services as a Revolutionary Soldier except James Johnston who was in Colonel Bulls Regiment with him at the same time That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or Annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Interrogatories
1 st Where and in what year were you born Answer in Pennsylvania about thirty miles from Philadelphia in the year 1756 August 27 th

2 nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
Answer I have in a Book of my family records
3 rd Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolution War and where do you now live
Answer each time that I was called into service I lived in Chester County in Pennsylvania afterward I lived some time in Virginia married there and removed into Pennsylvania near to the place where I now live in Beaver County where I have resided with my family more than 35 years
4 th How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute
Answer I enlisted in Captain Hetherlands Company for 5 months and served in Colonel Bulls Regiment and afterwards I was drafted and served two months
5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served and other circumstances of your service answer at Fort Lee were Colonel Bull Major Cullertson Captain Armstrong & my own Captain Hetherlands and many others which I cannot now recollect I was out on guard at Fort Lee when my fellow soldiers crossed the North River to Fort Washington and after they were taken we returned to Trenton where my term expired and the next year when I was drafted I served under General Washington at the three Springs under different officers whose names I cannot now recollect for a term of 2 months
6 th did you ever receive a discharge from the service
Answer No I was sick at the hospital at the end of the term of my enlistment and I also neglected at the end of my militia tour to obtain
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify of your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer James Johnston who was in the same Regiment with me I believe can testify of me and many others of my neighbors can testify of my veracity
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in my Court James Lagan Pro J. G. S. 1832
I James Johnston of the Township of Hopewell in the County of Beaver residing in the vicinity of John Cronk who has sworn and subscribed the above declaration do hereby certify that I have been long acquainted with him was in Captain Armstrongs Company which belonged to the same Regiment in which he served at Fort Lee in the Revolutionary war and I do believe him to be 76 years of age and that he did render the services by him above stated the Revolutionary war
Sworn and subscribed before me the 29 th day of Feb y 1832
Thos Henry
James Johnston mark

I James Logan  the undersigned Henry Davis residing in Hopewell Township in Beaver County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Cronke who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that I believe him to be 76 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion Sworn and Subscribed &c. Henry Davis
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 the states and the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that James Logan Henry Davis who has signed the preceding Certificate is a resident resident in the neighborhood of said Cronke and that James Johnston who has also signed his Certificate is a resident in the vicinity of said John Cronke and is a Credible person and that their Statement is entitled to credit
I James Logan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and quarter sessions in and for the County of Beaver do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Cronke for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 4th day of Decr 1832
James Logan Pro

19959
John Cronk
(Pittsburgh Agency)
ADM l
Tmo's
Pirate
Dec 3, 93
Henry Davis Beaver PO Beaver Co PA

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of John Cronk of Beaver County Pennsylvania
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 5 Private Capt. Hetherington Col Bull Gene thru Pennsylvania & New Jersey to New York Chester County Pennsylv a aged 76 years a living witness   1777 2 " Washington Traditionary evidence  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, 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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.,
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
☞ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Beaver L. B. Pa. Feby. 1/56. J. A. Bliss. Mark. Feby. 18 th /56.
That the above is a true copy of the original as shown to the Rev. Mr. Bliss by the undersigned and his wife Mary A. Bliss.
21 Sept 1836 20 Feby 1837 $23.55 per annum
Mr. Randall (L.S.)

Prison Office
February 15 1856.
Respectfully referred to the 3rd Auditor
R. M. Rue
for Comm't

State of Pennsylvania County of Beaver ss.
Be it known that before me Adam Gormley Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Jacob Kronk and made oath in due form of law that he is the son and Executor of John Kronk, the identical person who was a pensioner and is now dead, and to whom a certificate of pension was issued which is herewith rendered. That the deceased pensioner resided in the County of Beaver in the State of Pennsylvania for the space of forty years before his death, and that previous thereto he re- sided in _____ County in the State of Virginia, and that he makes this oath of identity to obtain whatever arrearsages of pension may have been due at the time of his Father's death
Sworn and subscribed before me this 31 st day of January 1856 Jacob Kronk Adam Gormley J.P.
Know all men by these presents that I Jacob Kronk of Freedom in the County of Beaver and State of Pennsylv- ania do hereby constitute and appoint J. S. Bliss Esq. my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to receive from the United States Government whatever sum or sums may have been due the said deceased pensioner at the time of his death
Witness my hand Seal this 31 st day of January 1856 Sealed & delivered in presence of
S. M. Gormley Adam Gormley
Jacob Kronk Seal
State of Pennsylvania, Beaver County ss
Be it known That on the 31 st day of January 1856 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County per- sonally appeared Jacob Kronk above named and acknow- ledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his Act and Deed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and

Seal the day and year last above written Adam Gormley Justice of Peace
State of Pennsylvania County of Beaver ss
Be it known that on the 31 st day of January 1856. Before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared J. G. Bliss the attorney named in the foregoing Power of Attorney and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any sale, transfer or mortgage of the pension or arrears of pension therein authorized to be received by him J. G. Bliss Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year last above written Adam Gormley J.P.
State of Pennsylvania County of Beaver ss
I Alexander R. Thompson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas held at Beaver in and for the County of Beaver do hereby certify that Satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that John Kronk was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of twenty three dollars and thirty three cents ($23 33 ) per annum; was a resident of Beaver County in the State of Pennsylvania and died in the County of Beaver in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1839 on the 20 th day of January; that he left no widow but left  the children whose names are Philip Kronk, John Kronk, William Kronk, Abraham Kronk, Magdalene, intermarried with Adam Lawrence, Joseph Kronk, Jacob Kronk, Samuel Kronk and Elizabeth intermarried with Adam Fausler That the said children are the only surviving children of the said pensioner; and I further certify that Adam Gormley Esquire before whom the foregoing oath of identity of Jacob Kronk was taken and before whom the foregoing Power of Attorney was

was acknowledged was at the time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the above signatures purporting to be his are genuine; and that the aforesaid Jacob Kronk is the Executor of the deceased pensioner aforesaid
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Beaufort this Second day of February A.D. 1856
Alexander R. Thomson, Pro.
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAD

No. 963. Eva
John C. Smith Execution of John Cronk
Pittsburgh Penna. (17 June 1852)
P. 892
W. apt. Feb 18. 1856. " 19- "
Reg d No. 4, 366, dated 22 d Feb to Treasury 22 d February, 1856-

STATEMENT.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
The United States,
To the Executor of John Cronk, dec'd,
pensioner of the Pillsbury, Pa., Agency, per Act of Congress of 4th of June, 1832, Dr.
For his pension from 4th September, 1838, to 20 January, 1839, at $23, 33 per annum. $8.92
Stated Feb'y 18 1856, by Ed. T. Matthews Clerk.
Treasury Department, SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
Examined Feb 19 1856, by Jos. T. Adams Clerk.

Brookton 22702 INVALID.
File No. 22,702
John Cook
Mr Rev Me
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 55
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Payments to be made at, Pittsburgh by J. A. S. D. B. R. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Pittsburgh
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 3 Page 73 by John T. Spence Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Cronk of the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution,
is entitled to receive — Twenty three dollars and Thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 28 th day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.