Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,714, Thomas Curts, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Curts, Thomas Cartz or
S. 22,714
CONTENTS

Dead Let to Hm A. C. Dodge May 28. 1842.
Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 6. April 1838 from 4. March 1831 to 27. Sep 1833. Age notified 25 April 1845
25.743 Pennsylvania
Thomas Curtis Sen r
of Wyoming Co in the State of Penn a who was a J t in the Penn a Line Battery commanded by Captain M c Coy of the Reg t of Penn a Art y by Col Purdie in the - Penn a Keyser's Battery
Y. M. J t $ 23.33 x pensioned Curtis
Inscribed on the Roll of - Pennsylvania at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Sept r and issued to
1833 Hon D. B. Anthony, No 1 of Rep
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - 58.32
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Oct '34 11.66 2/3
$ 69.98 2/3
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. S. Sprague Clerk Book 6 Vol. 5 Page 10
V

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
March 10 th 1845.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Three of the Four child ren of Thomas Curts, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of Twenty Three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1831, to the 27 th Sept. 1833,
Respectfully, yours,
W. L. G. Smith
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

State of Pennsylvania ) County of Lycoming )
On this Sixth day of December Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Seth Chapman President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and the Hon. John Cummings and Asher Davidson Associate Judges of the said Court, of Lycoming County now sitting Thomas Coats a resident of Dunstable Township in the County of Lycoming & State of Pennsylvania aged seventy seven 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 7 th 1832 - That he entered the armed service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated - In the summer of 1780 the said Applicant was living in Hontz valley in Cumberland County in the State of Penn a . The frontiers were then invaded by the hostile Indians, and the inhabitants had nearly all been driven from their homes by the merciless savages, and some had fallen victims to the scalping knife & others taken refuge in the different Forts. The Commanding officers issued orders that a Company should be raised for the protection of the frontiers by taking two men from each Company that belonged to their Regiment. Gilbert McCoy was appointed Captain of said Company They marched from the said Applicant's neighborhood in June or July 1780. Though Coats the said Applicant's brother went along with Capt. McCoy's Company; but the Applicant remained at home until he had procured a new rifle which he earned by Grubbing and then in the early part of August he left home & joined the Capt. McCoy's Company in Buffalo valley then in Northumberland County Pa. That they marched along the frontier protecting those of the inhabitants who had not fled from danger the said Applicant was frequently out in scouting parties, & that they remained in actual service until the middle of December following, they were then discharged by

Captain McCoy returned home - he then remained in the neighborhood of Pottz Valley until August 1781. When he was drafted, that he and Geo Brane left home about the middle of August & joined Captain George Hays company at the Cedar Springs in the County of Cumberland where there inspected by Col Purdy, they then marched from thence to the head of Middle Creek in Northumberland County. They were then stationed along the frontiers in small guards of from 6 to 8. soldiers at each post, that he the sd Applicant was stationed at the Bears Dams, on Middle Creek. That while stationed there the alarm came in that Indians had been seen skulking in the neighborhood a scouting party was raised in the of the soldiers, & he the sd Applicant was one of them, they traversed Buffalo & Pennvalley and a large portion of the country now included in Centre & Lycoming Counties. That Cap Hays's company  they remained out nearly a month after their time expired at the request of Col Purdy, he does not now recollect the length of time for which they were drafted, but they were not discharged until about the first of December following - The sd Applicant does not recollect the names of any of the field Officers except Col Purdy, he often saw other officers but does not recollect their names - he has no documentary evidence in his possession nor does he know of any person whose deposition Testimony he can procure who can testify to his services, he has the deposition of Leonard Pottz attached to this declaration which is the best testimony he can procure - 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. And in answer to the Interrogatories prepared by the Secretary of War and propounded by the court the sd Applicant saith as follows, to wit, Int. 1 st Ans. I was born near Easton in Northampton County Pennsylvania A D 1755 Int. 2 nd Ans. I have a record of my age which was taken from my Father's Bible

Int 3 rd line, I lived in Potters Valley Cumberland County Pennsylvania when I entered the Service for after I left the Service I came to Dunstable Township where I have lived ever since Int 4 th line. The first Term I went as a Volunteer. The Second I was Drafted Int 5 th line I can state no more fully than is contained in the Declaration
Int 6 th line I received a discharge at the expiration of each Term of Service but they are lost
Int 7 th line I am known by Alexander McCormack Nathaniel Hanna and others who can
testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution The Said Applicant furthermore states that there is no clergyman who has resided in his neighbourhood a sufficient length of time to certify as is required by the Department
Sworn to and Subscribed
Thos. Crops Sec
We Alexander McCormack and the Nathaniel Hanna also the both the above- Judges of this County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Crops who has Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy seven 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 we concur in that opinion Alex d McCormack Sworn and Subscribed Nath l Hanna John Cummings A. Davidson
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 since the Court further certify that it appears to them that Alexander McCormack & Nathan ill Hanna are credible persons & that their statement is entitled credit
Seth Chapman John Cummings A. Davidson
I Joseph Wood clerk of the court of common pleas of Lycoming County State of Pennsylvania do here by certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Curts for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this sixth day of Dec. A.D. 1832
J. Wood Proth.

19979 Thomas Kurtz
Inquire -
Seth McLeanick - Richard Martin of Lewis Shore
E
$23:33 per an Hon. J. B. Anthony
Thomas Kurtz to have Pension 7 months
Please to inform J. B. Anthony about Richard Martin & F. Seth McLeanick, I will call again - J. B. A.
James Gamble Versey Shore Lycoming County Pa

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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, shewing the Service of Thomas Curtis of Lycoming 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.     vol d 1780 Aft d 1781 from early part of Aug t to midle Dec r August to about first Dec r Private Capt s M c Coy Hays Col l Purdy thru Penn s ylvania Revolting Cumberland County Penn s yh a aged 77 years a living Witness    
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Early in August till midde Dec r . is 4 mo Aug t 1781 till 1 Dec r - 3/4

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 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 he 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] 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.

Production
22 714 INVALID.
aw
File No. 22,714
Thomas Curran
Pr. Rec. was
Act: June 7 th 821
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Thomas but Curtz, Pa roll, Act June 7. 1832 at $23.33 per annum.
Be pleased to say to what time he was paid.
Plurin Offic } May 28. 1842 }
23 33 11 66
Thos. Curtz - is is on the roll but does not seem to have been paid. since his name was inscribed on the Books of this office -
J. P. Van Dyne

Hon. U. S. Dodge May 28. 1842.

Pension Office, May 28 1842.
370
Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Mr John Curts and have the honor to inform you that a pension was allowed in 1833 to Thomas John Curts Dec d of Lycoming County, Penn a . In order to obtain the amount due from the State of March 1831 up to the day of his death, such vouchers as the enclosed printed sheet direct must be furnished to the Third Auditor of the Treasury.
Hon A. B. Dodge A. R.

House Reps: May 26 th 1842.
Hon J. L. Edwards: Commr. Pensions:
The enclosed is a letter which I have just received from John Carts Esq upon the subject of a pension due his father. He is a highly respectable man, but wholly ignorant as to the pension laws, regulations &c. I mention this as an apology for troubling You with his second letter upon this subject.
I am Sir with the Most perfect respect Your obt servt A. C. Dodge

State of Penna
County of Lycoming Personallly appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County of Lycoming Leonard Spontz a resident Tioga County Penna aged fifty nine years, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he has been intimately acquainted with Thomas Curts (of Dunns- table Township in the County of Lycoming, who is about making application for a pension under the act of Cong- -gess passed June 7th 1832) for the space of fifty three years - That in the summer of 1781 or 2 (S d deponent does not recollect which) the said Applicant Thomas Curts was living with S d deponents father in Spontz's valley Cumberland County in the state of Pa & that during that summer the said Curts was drafted for the purpose of defending the frontiers from the invasion of the hostile Indians - That he well recollects seeing the S d Thos Curts & George Crane who was then an Uncle of the said Deponents leave his father's house with their guns & knapsack & understood at the time that S d Crane was going as a substitute for Benj m Crane his brother & that Thos s Curts had been drafted - S d Deponent does not recollect how long they were gone, but thinks now it must have been 3 or 4 months at least (being the last term mentioned in S d Curts Declaration) he recollects when they returned to have heard them talk about their services, their privations &c - The S d Deponent was young at the time but from the circumstances of Mr Crane being his Uncle & Thos s Curts living at his father's, & both starting away together, he recollects perfectly the circumstances above stated, he further states that he is intimately acquainted with Thos s Curts & believes him to be a man of veracity & thinks his statement (as contained his Declaration which S d Deponent has seen) is entitled to credit. And further S d deponent saith not -
Sworn & subscribed before me This 29th Day of December Anno Domini 1832 - V. Winchester
Leonard Spontz

I Joseph Wood Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County , do hereby certify that S. Winchester before whom the within deposition was taken is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Lycoming & that full faith & credit is given to his acts . In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office This sixth day of December 1832
J. Wood Prothny.
1997 1997 1997