Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,990, George Hensel, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Hensel, George
S. 6,990
CONTENTS
carded

Virginia 12.604
George Hensel
of Frederick Co in the State of Virginia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Morgan of the reg t commanded by Col. Thurston in the Virginia line for six months -
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 - Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of May - 33 and sent to Genl. Hunt Winchester Va.
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 40-00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Sept - 10-00
50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Rush Mearns Clerk, Book E — Vol. 5 — Page 11

No 24072
George Hensel Frederick Co Virginia
Admit as a private for 6 mo. $20-
Samuel Bent Winchester Frederick Co Virginia -

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 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 George Daniel Frederick Co. Virginia
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol. Dec enlisted 1776 disch. Apr. 1777 disch. Aug. 81 disch. Aug. 82 3 Private Suppl. Capt. Morgan Col. Thurston Capt. West Genl. Malarkey Col. Stricker 74 years in Berkeley now Jefferson Co. Virginia living evidence of J. Haynes for one term under Col. West - George Riley for term 1776 to April 1777 for 3 months service - & Traditional 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 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 _____ 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 days 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, (1) 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 _____; 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.
John C. Ashton

I Thomas Allen Tidball clerk of the Court of Frederick County Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of George Hensel for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 3 rd day of April in the year of our Lord 1833:
T. A. Tidball

Declaration of George Hensell a soldier of the Revolution.
240 2 /2

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832
State of Virginia
Frederick County ss:
On this 2 nd day of April 1833 personally appeared before the Court of the County aforesaid George Hensel a resident of Frederick County and State of Virginia aged seventy four 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 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1776 in the month of December with Captain William Morgan in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Preston in the Virginia line under the following named officers Lieutenant Edward Lucas, Ensign Edward Pettengill. That he enlisted in Berkeley County now Jefferson. That he marched from Shepherdstown in Jefferson County to Philadelphia through Fredericktown, York & Lancaster & afterwards to Brunswick that he was in an action near Brunswick New Jersey & was discharged at Quibbletown in New Jersey in the beginning of April 1777 having served upwards of three months.
That he was drafted in the Militia in April 1781 in Berkeley County Virginia in the Company commanded by Captain Vestal that he marched from Shepherdstown to Fredericksburg from thence to Richmond and from thence returned to Raccoon Ford - then marched to near Yorktown, and was there until his time was out and then returned home after being discharged in the beginning of August in the same year having served as full time of three months. Genl. Muhlenburg commanded.
And the said George Hensel in answer to the interrogatories presented by the regulation of the War Department:
To the first. He was born in Berks County Pennsylvania in the year 1758.
To the second. A record was made of his age in his father's bible which was left in Pennsylvania.
To the third. When called into the service he lived near Shepherdstown in Jefferson County Virginia. After the Revolution he

lived in Alexandria District of Columbia and now lives in Frederick County Virginia.
To the fourth. He was a volunteer the first tour. The second tour he was drafted.
To the fifth. He does not recollect the names of any regular offi- cers. The Regiment was commanded by Col. Stricker which is all he recollects. He has stated all the circumstances in his declaration.
To the sixth. He received a discharge from Captain Morgan and has lost it.
To the seventh. W m Wood, Adam Keart, James Wheat, Gabriel H. Davis. George H. Hensel mark.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
We Joseph Dolby a Clergyman residing in the County of Frederick and Gabriel H. Davis . . . . .
residing in the same place hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with George Hensel who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Joseph Dolby Gabriel H. Davis
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Joseph Dolby who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the County of Frederick and that Gabriel H. Da- vis who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

October 17, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
George Hensel-S.6990 Michael Hensel-W.7717 BA-J/AWF
Miss Elizabeth Whitesell 4110 Crestwood Road Richmond, Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War records of George Hensell, private in the Virginia militia, and Michael Hensell, private in the Virginia militia. A self addressed stamped envelope was enclosed with your letters, which envelope is returned herewith.
The records of George and Michael Hensel which follow, were obtained from claims for pension, based upon their service in the War of the Revolution.
George Hensel-S.6990
George Hensel was born in the year 1758 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, names of his parents not given.
While residing near Shepherdstown, Berkeley the fall of 1776 County, Virginia, he enlisted in Dheenalt , of 1776 and served three months in Captain William Morgan's company, Colonel Thruston's Virginia regiment and was in an engagement at Brunswick, New Jersey. He enlisted in April, 1781, served three months in Captain Vestal's under Colonels Willis and Stricken.
Comharty
After the Revolution he lived in Alexandria, then moved to Frederick County, Virginia.
He was allowed pension on his application exe-

cuted April 2, 1833.
There are no data in this claim relative to the family of the soldier, George Hensel.
*****
Michael Hensel--W.7717
Michael Hensel (the name also appears Hentzel and Hansel) was born November 9, 1753 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, the names of his parents not stated.
While residing in Berkeley County, Virginia, he enlisted sometime in January, 1776 and served until sometime in July, 1777 as a private in Captain William Morgan's Virginia company and was in the battle of Brunswick.
After the Revolution he lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and in 1801 moved to Fairfield County, Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 7, 1833, then a resident of Fairfield County, Ohio.
He died July 15, 1836 in Fairfield County, Ohio.
Michael Hensel married March 17, 1778 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Barbara Harsh (Marie Barbara Hirsch), who was born May 4, 1763 or 1765; the names of her parents are not given, nor is it shown where she was born.
Pension was allowed on her application executed January 24, 1851, at which time she was living in Fairfield County, Ohio. She died in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 26, 1851.

The following is a list of the children of Michael Hensel and his wife, Barbara:
Henry born March 27, 1781 George " September 16, 1782 John " June 10, 1784, died November 24, 1817 Catherina " May 21, 1786 Anna Maria " May 26, 1789, married George Engle Sarah " March 25, 1792, married Samuel Stukey Elizabeth " March 19, 1794, married Jacob Erik Margaretha " March 3, 1796 Magdalena " May 29, 1798 Maria " September 12, 1800 Susanna, date of birth not given.
The following children survived their mother: Anna Maria. Elizabeth, Magdalena, and Susanna.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Reo-man
6990
INVALID.
No. 6990
George Hensel Brn. Rev War.
Act: June 7 th 1852
ex: Vol. 1 B , Page 169
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930 - July 30 - Miss to Mr. John Hensel surj. 1934 - Feb 17 - " Miss Elizabeth Hensel

Winchester April 10 th 1833
Sir,
I send you the declaration of George Hearn who applies for a pension, with other papers, relating to his claim, which are now submitted to you. Mr. Hearn is a sober, and has been a hard working industrious man, and there can be no doubt that he performed the service that he states. When you decide upon his case please to communicate the result to me.
I hope soon to hear from you on the subject of the other cases of mine that still remain in your office.
I remain very respectfully your Hon. Robt. Lewis
Leon. Brent
A. L. Edwards esq.

Virginia
Frederick County to wit:
On this 10 th day of February 1833, before me a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid George Riely aged twenty nine years personally appeared, and being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that George Beurel who is an applicant for a pension from the United States, was in a volunteer company of Militia commanded by Capt William Morgan of Berkeley County in Virginia that this deponent was also a member of the said Company and well remembers, that the said George Beurel was in said Company - that the said Beurel marched in the said Company from Shepherdstown in the said County in the second week in December 1776 to Philadelphia through Fredericktown, York and Lancaster to Philadelphia, and afterwards to Brunswick - that they were in an action together near Brunswick, New Jersey and were discharged at Quibbletown in New Jersey in the beginning of April 1777 - that he knows, that the said George Beurel served a full tour of three months at that time. Given under my hand the day and year first above written.
Ch H Clark
I certify that the said George Riely is a person of credibility.
Ch H Clark

Mr. George Henside Called on me to procure my name for the purpose of proving that he was En- -gaged In the Revolution. I Can only say that I was Engaged In one tour under Capt West the Lieutenant Thomas Hart and second Lieutenant Robert Buckles. We left Shepherd's Town Berkeley County Virginia under Command of Colo Willis Mr George Henside Remarks to me that he was Engaged in the same tour and under the same officers. Mr Henside Being a stranger to me at that time I Cannot positively Recollect him But from Circumstances which Mr Henside Very minutely relates, I am Convinced that he was with us until a short time after we Engaged in the Service. When Mr Henside attached himself to a Rifle Company after which time we were separated. But from the Very minute Circumstances which Mr Henside relates Respecting our tour I am brought to the conclusion and Can say to the Best of my knowledge that Mr George Henside was Engaged In the Revolution. as attests my Hand this 11 th day of Feb 1833
Test G. W. Shute
Jacob Haynes

309 Texas St., Ft. Worth, Texas
June 17, 1930.
The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
In the family records it states that one George Hensel was living in 1835 and drawing a pension for services rendered in the Revolutionary War. This person happens to be my great-great grandfather. I am writing you asking that you send me a written statement, showing proof of this statement, that I made. I feel sure that you can find a record of this.
Hoping to hear from you soon, and thanking you in advance for the service that you will probably be able to render me, I remain
Very truly yours
John Hensel John Hensel 309 Texas St. Ft. Worth, Texas.

Br + 1812
4110 Crestwood Road, Richmond, Va., September 25th, 1934.
Pension Bureau, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
amf
I enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and shall appreciate your sending me a full and complete record of George Hensell, who was a private in the Revolutionary War, with the Virginia Militia, and was placed on the pension roll May 11th, 1833, as recorded in the Report of the Secretary of War, Volume 2, Page 138 - Virginia.
Thanking you,
Very truly yours,
Elisabeth Whitesell
(Miss) Elisabeth Whitesell.

July 29, 1930
Mr. John Hensel 309 Texas Street Fort Worth, Texas
AWF:MLB Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 6990, that George Hensel was born in 1758, in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
While residing near Shepherdstown, Berkeley (later Jefferson) County, Virginia, he enlisted in the fall of 1776 and served three months in Captain William Morgan's Company, Colonel Thruston's Virginia Regiment, and was in an engagement at Brunswick, New Jersey. He enlisted in April, 1781 and served three months in Captain Vestal's Company, under Colonel Willis and Stricken.
After the Revolution he lived in Alexandria, then moved to Frederick County, Virginia, where he was living when he was allowed pension on his application executed April 2, 1833.
There are no data as to family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner