Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,291, Joseph Henderson, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Henderson, Joseph
S. 22,291
CONTENTS

Joseph Venderfine
Columbia Co in the State of Penn a who was a S er in the Company commanded by Captain Nelson of the Reg t commanded by Col in the Penn a for Militia
No 1 st $ 23.33
Enscribed on the Roll of Penn a at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of April and Sept th 1831 Hon A Beameant MR
Arrears to the 4th of Feb ch 31 $ 70.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept th 11.66 2/3 $ 81.66 2/3
Revolutionary Claim, for June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D. Sprague Clerk Book 6 Vol 5 Page 24
V

29 720
Joseph Henderson
Penn a
Release
A due 7 months
Hon A. Beament
Ho of Rep

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
28th Feb. 1832
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 show 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 Joseph Tenderson
   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.     1776. 1. priv Col. Nelson 74 years   1. " " Northampton Traditionary {   1777. 2. " Phanata County Are Mitchev {   1778. 1. " Cap. Nelson Pa Mitchev that Certified {   " 1. " " Phanata To be Credible {   1779. 1. " " Jones  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 or 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 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, (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 inquiry 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, deposes 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.
[k] 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 is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Las Henderson c/o A Beaumont
29. 7. 23
Hon A Beaumont

State of Pennsylvania } S.S. County of Columbia }
On this 22 d day of January 1834 personally appeared in open Court, before Court of Common Pleas  Justices of the Peace now sitting Joseph Henderson a Resident of Derry township in the county of Columbia and State of Pennsylvania 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 Act of Congress passed June 4 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz
In August 1776 he entered the service as a Volunteer under Capt. Nelson in Northampton County State of Penn. a was marched to Easton in the same County and from thence to Amboy in the State of Jersey. He was then under the command of Genl. Robert Howe in which service he continued one month when he was discharged.
In the winter of 1776 & 77 he was drafted in the Militia under the same Captain and marched to Newtown in Bucks County Pa. and there remained guarding the Hessian that were taken prisoners at Trenton one month when he was discharged.
In the fall of 1777 he went as a substitute for John Nelson under Capt. or Pennypacker Schanata, he was mustered at Allentown Pa. and there guarded some property that was sent from Philadelphia from this place he was marched to the army under Gen. Washington near Germantown one of these officers was Major Garton. Here he was employed frequently in scouting parties and was once a volunteer to endeavor to bring the Conestoga wagon guards to an engagement in which attempt a few shots were exchanged this was all the engagement he was in. He remained in this service two months suffered greatly in consequence of having no boots but those made of brush.
In the spring of 1778 spring and summer of 1778 he was frequently called out under Capt. Nelson against the Indians for a few days at a time in all he served  about one month .
In the fall of 1778 he served one month under Captain Schanata against the Indians they were marched up the Schuylkill river about 35 miles to a place called Brimbalink.
In the fall of 1779 he was again drafted and served one month .

under Col. James he was marched over the Blue Mountain in Northampton County Pa in which service he remained three months for which he never received any pay
After this for a period of several years he was frequently called out for a week or a few days at a time against the Indians he thinks at the lowest estimate  encountering to  five months
He further states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of but one person now living who can testify to any of his services whose deposition accompanies this declaration
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on any Pension Roll of the Agency of any State
Joseph Henderson
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Jacob Eyerly Clerk
We John Shep a clergyman and John Plee residing inerry Township Columbia County Pa hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Henderson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be seventy four 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
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Jacob Eyerly Clerk John Shep John Plee
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 the Reverend John Shep and John Plee who has signed the preceding certificate are residents oferry Township Columbia County Pa and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to Credit
Edy Lewis, Post Judge William Mositzmay Isaac M c Part
I Jacob Eyerly Clerk of the Court of Intercommu Pleas do hereby do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Henderson for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto

Questions by the board.
1 When & in what year were you born?
Answer - Deponent was born in Northampton County Penn t . the beginning of the year 1760
2 Have you any record of your age; & if so when is it?
Answer - Deponent has a record of his age at his residence in Derry township in this County.
3 Where were you living when called into service; when have you lived since the Revolutionary war & where do you now live?
Answer. Deponent resided in Northampton County Penn t when called into service when he resided till 41 years since when he removed to Derry township where he now resides & has resided since his removal as aforesaid
4 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served: such continental and military regiments as you can recollect of the general circumstances of your service
Answer. Deponent does not remember the names of the continental officers except Genl. Washington & he has stated the general circumstances of his service in the foregoing statement.
5 How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute. And if a substitute for whom?
Answer - Deponent volunteered was drafted & served as a substitute for John Nelson as stated in the foregoing statement.
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, & if so by whom was it given & what has become of it.
Answer - Deponent never received a discharge
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
Answer - Deponent is known to Robert Simonton, Hon. John Murray - Capt. Charles Clark, Col. Thos. Moorhead - Robert McGehee
Sworn to in open board Jan y the 22 d 1834 before me Jacob Ely by Rob t
Joseph H. Anderson

Columbia County Pa.
Personally came before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in & for said County Robert Simanton of the Township of Township of Liberty in the County aforesaid and being duly sworn according to law doth depose & say that he was well acquainted with Joseph Henderson (now of the Township of Madison in said County) in the time of the Continental War, and that he this deponent knew that the said Joseph Henderson was out in the army of America at different times, to wit, to deponent's recollection, one term of one month at the time the British took New-York, one other term in company with deponent one month up the Delaware River, the fall after the massacre of Wyoming, under Col. Strubel, & that said Henderson was out at sundry other times some times in company with deponent some times not at Linden Colbs by the officers, the length of times hereon or the number of times not recollectable, & further that this deponent & the said Henderson, was at that time residents in the County of Northampton Muncy Township, Pa. & further saith not —
Sworn and subscribed before me Jan'y. 21. Robert Simanton
1834
Caleb Haines J.P.

State of Pennsylvania Columbia County ss
I Jacob Egly Notary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Columbia aforesaid do certify that Caleb Thomas Esq before whom the within Affidavit was taken was and is still an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Columbia aforesaid duly commissioned as such and to all whose Official acts as such are faith & credit is and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere & that the signature of Caleb Thomas as within written is the proper hand writing of the said Caleb Thomas Esq In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court at Danville the twenty first day of January A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty four Jacob Egly Not.
I Caleb Thomas a Justice of the Peace before whom the deposition of Robert Simonton was taken (as within) do certify that the said Robert Simonton is of good Repute for honesty and veracity & is well entitled to Credit. Witness my hand at Madison Township The 7. day of March A.D. 1834
Caleb Thomas Esq.
State of Pennsylvania Columbia County ss
I Jacob Egly Notary of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Colum- bia aforesaid do certify that Caleb Thomas Esq before whom the foregoing deposition & certificate were taken upon which is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid duly commissioned as such & to all whose Official acts as such are faith & credit is & ought to be given & that the signature of Caleb Thomas as above written is the proper hand writing of the said Caleb Thomas Esq. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Danville the 8 th day of March A.D. 1834. Jacob Egly Not.

set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Danville the twenty second day of January A.D 1834
Jacob P. Gentry Clerk

October 18, 1933
XXXXXXXXXX
Joseph Henderson S. 22291 BA-J/MCS
Mr. M. M. Lewis The American Historical Society, Inc. 80-90 Eighth Avenue New York City
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the record of Joseph Henderson, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 22291, based upon the military service of Joseph Henderson.
He was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, "the beginning of the year, 1760." The names of his parents were not given.
While living in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted and served as private with the Pennsylvania troops as follows: from August, 1776, one month in Captain Nelson's Company; in the winter of 1776-7, one month in Captain Nelson's Company; in the fall of 1777, two months under Captain Vanetten; in the spring and summer of 1778 he was frequently called out to serve against the Indians a few days at a time, amounting in all to one month, under Captain Nelson; in the fall of 1778, served one month against the Indians and was in Captain Vanetten's Company under Colonel Stroud; in the fall of 1779 he served one month under Captain James; he afterwards served a few days or a week at various intervals over a period of several years, amounting in all to two months, names of officers not given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed January 22, 1834, at which time he was living in Derry Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, having moved there from Northampton County.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator
Death not in Q. B.

Provisions
22 291 INVALID.
1933. Oct. 18 hist. To Rev. Mr. Lewis, U.C.
File No. 22 291
Joseph Henderson
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 178
[Arrangement of 1870.]

J. L. Edwards Esqr Officer of Revolutionary Pensions War Department Washington City D.C.
Hon. A. Beaumont

Washington Mar 28 1834
J. L. Edsall Esqr
Dr Sir
I again enclose the papers relating to the claim of Joseph Henderson for a pension. The certificate of the justice to the vacancy of the witness and the official capacity, also established in the usual way is now annexed to the documents.
Yours sincerely
A. Beasly

THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
Publishers 80-90 EIGHTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
October 9, 1933
M. M. LEWIS RESEARCH AND STATISTICS Genealogical Service With Cited Authority
TELEPHONES WATKINS { 9-7751 CABLE ADDRESS { 9-7752 LEWHOSO - NEW YORK { 9-7753
PA.POL.-FJS-
Bureau of Pensions Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
We are desirous of obtaining the pension record of Joseph Henderson, born January 1, 1760, died April 3, 1838. He was on a muster roll of Captain John Nelson's Company of First Battalion of Northampton County, Militia, commanded by Colonel George Taylor, December 10, 1776; was in the sixth class of a Class list of Captain Hugh Gaston Company of Militia in Northampton County, State Pennsylvania, in 1780, etc; and received depreciation pay as private in Northampton County Militia.
Thank you for the favor of an early reply.
Very truly yours,
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
M. M. Lewis M.M. Lewis
MML:AD
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