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(from Abstracts of Revolutionary Pension Papers for Pensioners of Centre County, Pennsylvania, E.F. Chase, 1966, excerpted from Revolutionary Soldiers and Pensioners Papers, Dr. W.F. Wagner and published in Collections of The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Vol 1, Philadelphia.
John Snyder R-
State of Pennsylvania,
County of Centre, ss,
On this 29th day of August, A.D., 1834, personally appeared before the Hon. Thos. Burnside, and his associates, in open Court of Common pleas of Centre County, John Snyder, a resident of Walker Township, Centre County, 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
In the year, 1776, I was in the Continental, a Revolutionary service, with private wagon as driver, from Easton to Trenton, with a company of soldiers, and when they encamped there, I returned home. – And in the year, 1777, May first, I enlisted for six months, to drive a continental wagon, under Captain A. Overley and Col. Huber, from Northampton County, Penn’a, there were ten of us, viz: Abraham Houk, Petery Hilyard, Henry Unangst, Michael Deits, John Miller, John Snyder, they being from Northampton, and Michael Rohr, Valantine Wert, Philip Steckle, Bastian Brown and Stephel Brown, being from Bucks County, our wagons and horses were furnished by Anthony Lark, from Northampton County, all branded or marked Continental, both wagons and horses, our wagons were loaded with flour and chop feed, we made the start from Trenton, over the Delaware in Jersey, and came to Gen. Wahington’s army in Middlebrook, at the same time came an officer from Col. Spencer’s Reg’t, and took me along, and then I was under the command of Gen. Thomas Gregg, my wagon contained the chest and medicine of Doctor letley, and more of their goods. (WFW note: Probably Ledlie, Archer, Penn’a – Surg. 12th Reg’t, 1777-79.) Afterwards I was ordered to drive with the piquet guard, the guard consisted of forty-five men, on one evening we came to a Church, where we staid over night, my four horses I had in pasture and in the morning, before sun-rise, we seen the Hessians, or some of the enemy coming, I ran after my horses as quick as I could and before I had time to look round, the men had all left me, and fled, only one man of the wagon-guard was left, and before I had geared my horses, he was also gone, I being then quite alone. I drove as hard as possible through a lane, perhaps a mile long, and seeing a number of the enemy before me, some distance in the main road, I took a bye road through the woods to escape, being almost surrounded, I had only one way to effect my escape. However, I came safely to the encampment (or campt), perhaps one hour after the soldiers came in also, who were also glad to see me, thinking I had been taken prisoner. – I had a very good team, but I believe it was through divine Providence that I came off safe. – After laying sometime, we made a start for Philadelphia, crossed Schuylkiln, towards Brandywine creek, there we staid all night, next morning, I was ordered to drive back as quick as possible, I was perhaps three miles off, when the Battle (Brandywine) began. I drove of to Philadelphia after the Battle, and waited till the army came on, we marched up Schuylkiln, near Germantown, from thence we marched through the country, and got to Allentown, in Northampton, then to Bucks County, then to Montgomery, where he had camped again, near Farmer’s Mill, where I got free the first of November (1777). I had a certificate of my Captain, but it is mislaid or lost.
Then, in the year, 1778, I was in the Continental service again, six months, under Captain Jacob Wolf, with a private team, a depo (deposition), of which I gave for the use of the said Wolf to obtain a pension (Penn’a pension WFW note) in 1824, which is perhaps to be seen at Harrisburg. I gave it to Mr. Orr, member of the Legislator from Armstrong, for Mr. Wolf’s use. –
I never drew any wages or clothing, for my six months service, but my rations I drawed with the soldiers, where it was to be had. I was bred and born in Northampton County, and am now over 76 years if age, and I cannot expect to live long.
(signed) John Snyder.
I have a record of my age at home, in the bible of my father, and in a doffsheim also (WFW – The German name for a family record.), which set forth, that I was born in the year, 1757, in Northampton County, where I was living, when called into service, and where I lived after the Revolutionary war, till I came to live in Centre County, twenty-three years ago last spring. – There is but one person, now living, that I know of, that can speak from personal knowledge of my services, and I have his deposition here with me, John Buss, of Luzerne County, in this State but Colonel Wm. Smyth, Commissioner of this County, and David Lamb, a Revolutionary soldier also (WFW – David Lamb was a pensioner of Centre County, under the 1832 law, see his application and declaration in this collection.), who draws a pension of two hundred and eighty dollars a year, as I have heard as Wagon-Master, can speak of my good character, and that I have been and am considered, by everybody that knows me, as a Revolutionary soldier, but there is no Clergyman in our neighborhood, and, of course, I can’t get none to do so, -- And I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and I declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State.
(signed) John Snyder
Sworn and subscribed, in open Court, the day and year, aforesaid. –Jas. Gilliland, Prothy.
We, William Smyth and David Lamb, residing in Walker Township, Centre County, Pa., hereby certify that, we are well acquainted with John Snyder, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy-seven 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.
(signed)Wm. Smyth
David Lamb.
Sworn and subscribed, in open Court, this 29th August, 1834, before me, -- Jas. Gilliland, Prothy.
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, Colonel Wm. Smyth, Commissioner of this County, and David Lamb, who have signed the foregoing certificate, are residents of Walker Townships in this County, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit..—
(Signed)Th. Burnside, Isaac M’Kinney, Jacob Kryder, Judges
With the certificate of the Clerk of the Court, Jas. Gilliland, Aug. 29, 1834, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Snyder for a pension, &c., in form No. 2.
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Centre County. ss.
Personally appeared before William (Carner), one of the Justices of the Peace, in and for Centre County, John Buss, of Luzerne County, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and after being sworn, did say, Viz; that he was well acquainted with John Snyder, at the time he lived in Northampton County, before the Revolutionary war of the United States, likewise during the war, and every since. – My father’s plantation and John Snyder’s father’s place joined each other. I recollect very well, that John Snyder was enlisted in the United (States) service, in the year, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven (1777), cannot recollect how long he was in the service but he was their about the time of the Brandywine Battle; I also recollect of a man of the name of Peter Hilyard, that came to my father’s house, and made enquiry for John Snyder, and where he lived, he said that, he was a conrad of his, in the Revolution of the Unites States, and would be very glad to see him, I directed him to where he could find him, he started for that place. Weather he called in the House or not, I do not no. – And further saith not.
(Signed) John Buss
Sworn and subscribed, the 20th Day August, A.D., 1833, Before me, at Walker Township. -- William Carner.
With the certificate of the Clerk of Court, James Gilliland, Aug. 29, 1834, that William Carner is a duly qualified justice of the peace of said County, &c., in form No. 1.
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Centre County. ss.
Personally appeared before the Subscriber, one of the Justices of the peace, in and for Centre County, John Snyder, and after being sworn, did depose and say, that on the first day of May, 1777, he did enlist in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, under Colonel Hooper for to drive team for six months, in the Revolutionary service of the United States, there was twelve Waggons in number, and the Drivers were all enlisted by him, viz: Peter Hilyert, Abraham Houk, Henry Onuks, Michael Teates, John Miller, Michael Roher, Valentine Vast (or Vart?), Philip Stakel, Boston P---g (blotted), Stofles Prong, and myself, there was a lieutenant that drove one of the teams, his name I cannot recollect. I entered the army, afores’d, and served out my time in Colonel Spenser’s fifth Regiment, Jersey, under Capt. Anthony Overley, Capt. Of Waggons. A few days before my time was expired, Captain Overley came to me and gave my discharge, said, perhaps I shall not see you (crossed out) be here, the day your time is up; at the expiration of my time. I started for home, on the second day’s travel, I met with two officers in a tavern, on the Bethlehem Road, kept by Christian Grose, the officers challenged me of being a deserter from the army. – I told them I was not, they was not satisfied, I then shoe’d them my Certificate, they was satisfied, which certificate I have lost. – My father , Philip Snyder, drew my wages from said Colonel Hooper, as I was not of age at that time, &c.
(Signed)John Snyder
Sworn and subscribed, the second day of October, A.D., 1834, before me. -- William Carner.
And the certification of the Clerk of the Court, James Gilliland, Oct. 2, 1834, that William Carner is a duly qualified justice of the peace of said County, &c., in form No. 1.
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Bellefonte, October 2nd 1834
Sir: I forwarded to Charles F. Lex, Esq. of Philadelphia, a few days since, a power of attorney, duly acknowledge in open Court, by John and Andrew Peters, sons of Anthony Peters (WFW – see Anthony Peters application and declaration, Centre County, act of March 18, 1818, this collection.) late of this County, dec’d, to draw the pension coming to their father, at the time of his decease. – Mr. Peters died about two years since. – The papers were in all respects correct, in the opinion of the bank, save that they want special order from the Pension Office, to pay it. – More that two years have elapsed, since the death of Mr. Peters. – To account for this lapse of time, I enclose to you a power of attorney, made out in 1829 but returned for informalities. – The papers were then lost, and only discovered a few days since, on examining the papers of a gentleman, who died a short time since in this Town. – The order for payment you will please enclose to “Charles T. Lex, Esq.
I also enclose to you, a fourth application, on the part of John Snyder . – The old man brought the paper to me today, and insisted on my forwarding it to you. – As the applicant enlisted in May, might he not come under that class of Waggoners, enlisted for nine months or the campaign? The campaign would open earlier, than the time he states he enlisted, and might he not have enlisted for six months, and the balance of the campaign? I believe that he proved his service by a deposition annexed to his first application. –
Respectively your ob’t Serv’t,
Rb. Hals.
J.L. Edwards, Comm’r of Pensions
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Sir: The papers in the case of Antony Peters, dec’d are herewith returned. – the Agent will pay you according to the directions I have sent to him, on the production of the proper vouchers; but the enclosed are not deemed sufficient. – The printed sheets herewith transmitted, contain the necessary instructions for the guidance of those who may draw up the vouchers.
John Snyder’s claim cannot be allowed, for the reason, which was given in my last letter to you, of the 4th ulte. – The affidavit, which you sent here in this case, does not remove the objections which exist. (WFW – Teamsters and Boatmen, did not fall within the provisions of the pension note of 1818 and 1832, and is the reason for the rejection of John Snyder’s claim.)
(WFW – no signature, apparently from the Comm’r Pensions.
R.C. Hale, Esq. Bellefonte, Pa.
Notation. – “Cite this letter in relation to Snyder’s case in index.”
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(endorsed on jacket)
31,823, -- Rejected, -- Served as a Wagoner.
See letter 4 Sept., 1834, to R.C. Hale, Bellefonte, Pas., do same, Oct. 8, 1834.
9921
Act 7th June, 1832.
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Notation, in the War Dep’t list of rejected claims of Revolutionary Soldiers of 1852: “Snyder, John, Bellefonte, Centre, -- Wagon Service.”
Compiled and Edited by W.F. Wagner, M.D.
of
2838 Myrtle Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C.
and
Hartleton, Union County, Penn’a.
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