Military: Rev Pension record: Michael Happes Schuylkill Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Denise O'Kern USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________________________ File Number S23686 Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. State of Pennsylvania County of Schulykill On the twenty third day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Schuylkill, State of Pennsylvania -illegible- being a Court of Record, now sitting, Michael Happes a resident of West Penn Township in the County of Schuylkill in the State of Pennsylvania, aged between seventy nine and eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed the 7th of June, 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he serves as a private militia man under Captain Peter Rick in Colonel Giger's Regiment in the winter of the year 1776 and 1777 - that he marched from West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, then Northampton, State of Pennsylvania to Easton from thence to New Brunswick in the State of New Jersey from thence to Trenton where he remained until dismissed. That during the time he was stationed at Trenton he frequently served as a guard - That he was dismissed after serving two months. That he has no documentary evidence to prove the fact of service - -that Jacob Backer who served with him and belonged to the same -illegible- prove the act of his service - that he returned sometime in the month of March in the year 1777 to West Penn Township aforesaid. That he again in the month of January 1778 entered the service as a private militia man under Captain John Krum and Lieutenant Christian - Known in Colonel Stroud's Regiment under General Lacey and marched from West Penn Township then Northampton County now Schuylkill to Allentown then Northampton County now Lehigh in the State of Pennsylvania from thence to -illegible- in Bucks County Pennsylvania from thence to Newtown near the Delaware River, from thence to -illegible- Tavern near the North Welsh Road that he frequently served with others in scouting practices and that he was taken prisoner of war near -illegible- Tavern on the North Nelson Road, by the British. This was in the latter part of March or beginning of April. That he received two severe wounds during the struggle with the British Light horsemen, one on the left arm and one on the breast by a cut of the sword which last mentioned wound is visible to this day and may be seen by the court. That he was held by the British as a prisoner of War for the span of about three months in Philadelphia and from thence he was removed to the City of New York and held as a prisoner of war and confined in the Sugar House of that city for the span of three months more. That he was exchanged as a prisoner of war in the latter part of the month of October 1778 and sentenced to Allentown, then in Northampton County now Lehigh in the State of Pennsylvania. That he again served a term of two months as a private militia man under Captain Staller in the summer of 1778 and marched against the Indians - that he was stationed with others as a guard in the said Company in Mahoning Valley, then Northampton County now Schuylkill Pennsylvania at the residence of Adam Zehner - That he was born in the 1753 in Oley Township, Berks County Pennsylvania and that the record of his age is contained in a certificate now in his possession - That he was a drafted Militia man. And he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity whatever and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid. November 19, 1934 XXXXXXXXXXX page 2 Michael Happes - S.23686 BA-J/AWF Mrs. F. R. Burns 301 East Main Street Mentone, Indiana Dear Madam: Reference is made to your letters in which you request information in regard to Jonas Hoppes of West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, who had a son Christian, and whose father was John Michael Hoppes, and to Thomas Fredericks of Union County, Pennsylvania, both soldiers of the War of the Revolution. Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land, based upon military service of soldiers in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War services of either Jonas Hoppes or Thomas Fredericks. Both surnames have been searched under similar spellings. The Revolutionary War record of Michael Happes has been found and is furnished herein as found in pension claim, S. 23686, based upon his service in that war. This record may be of interest to you and aid you in your research. Michael Happes was born in the year 1753 in Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; names of his parents are not given. He enlisted in the winter of 1776 and 1777, served as a private in Captain Peter Rick's company, Colonel Geiger's regiment, Pennsylvania militia, marched from West Penn Township, Schuylkill, then Northampton County, Pennsylvania to Trenton, and was in the service two months. He enlisted in January, 1778, served as a private in Captain John Krum's company, Colonel Stroud's regiment, was in several scouting parties and in a skirmish with the British in April, he received two severe wounds, one on his left arm and one on his breast, and was taken prisoner and held about three months in Philadelphia, when he was carried to the Sugar House in New York, and held there until exchanged in October, 1778. He again served two months in Captain Staller's company, was out against the Indians, exact date of this service not given. Michael Happes applied for pension October 23, 1832 at which time he was living in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The pension was allowed. He died July 30, 1833, leaving no widow, but the following children survived him: Susannah, wife of Jacob Biebelheimer; Jacob Happes; Michael Happes; Christina, wife of Yost Dreisbach; Daniel Happes; Mary, wife of Michael Kistler; Christian Happes; Catharine, wife of David Wertman; and David Happes; all of whom were beyond the age of twenty-one years. The name of the wife of the soldier, Michael Happes, is not given, There are no further family data. Very truly yours, A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator