In The Fight For Independance

Jacob Kesler 14 JUL 1757 - 12 AUG 1843 Buried - Cosby Cemetery, Lauramie Twp., Tippecanoe County, Indiana Jacob's military record is well documented, primarily through his own affidavit in applying for a pension.  As a result he received an amount equivilant to $33.33 per year from 4 MAR 1831 for service in both Pennsylvania and North Carolina.   *****       State of Ohio Preble County:  On this 21st day of September AD 1832 Personally appeared in open Court Before the Honorable Judges of this Court of Common Pleas now sitting in and for the county of Preble State of Ohio  Jacob Kesler a resident of Harrison Township Preble County State of Ohio, aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benfit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.     That he entered the service at the county of York in the state of Pennsylvania where he then resided under Captain George Deal in Col. Michael Swoops Batalion of Pennsylvania Militia some time in the year of 1775 or 1776.  This was a draft for a two month tour of duty. Marched to Elizabethtown in the state of New York aforesaid for a three month tour under Captain John McArnold in said Col. M. Swoops Regt or Batalion  of Pennsylvania Militia.  Remained in the neighborhood of Elizabethtown  most part of this tour, during this time commenced building Fort Lee nearsaid Elizabethtown where he was discharged at the expiration of his tour of duty.  Served three months this tour and got no written discharge.  And that he shortly afterward entered the Service as a volunteer in Captain Nicholas Galwicks Co. Pennsylvania Militia.  Marched under Col. Albright in an expedition against the Indians to Fort Roberts in what was called Sinking Valley. Served a Tour of duty of two months.  This tour thinks was performed in 1778.     And that he afterwards entered the Service as a substitute for one Jacob Finger in Lincoln County, North Carolina in the N. Carolina Militia for a three months tour.  Does not recollect the name of his company officer.  Marched to Charlestown South Carolina Was under Col Henright and served a tour of duty of three months most part of the time in Charlestown S. Carolina  Does not recollect the time he entered the Service but knows he was discharged the 7th day of May and on the 12th day of the same month, five days after he was discharged the British took the town of Charleston. And desponent does further declare that he did serve the several tours of duty aforesaid during the Revolutionary War making aggragately ten months service.  And that he has no documentary evidence, he had written discharge which he had lost and that he knows of no persons whose testimony he can procure who cantestify to all his said service.  He herwith transmits the affidavit of Henry Horn who served a tour of duty with him.  He herby 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.  he further states that he has a Record of his age which he believes was taken from _______ made by his father by which it appears he born in July AD 1757 in the County of Burks in the State of Pennsylvania and that at the time he was called in to service he lived in York County, Pennsylvania.  nd that he served in the Militia of that state except the last tour he served in North Carolina. And that since the Revolutionary war he resided in Rockingham and Greenbrier Countys of the state of Virginia and from that place he came to Preble County in the state of Ohio where he now resides and has resided for the space of 19 years last part past.  And that he is known to William Leas and Daniel Leas and others who resides in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his character for Varacity and their belief to his service as a soldier of the Revolutionary War.    Sworn and Subscribed this day and eyar aforesssaid.  J.C. Hawkins, Clerk   /s/ Jacob Kesler   We Jacob F. Miller and Frederick Miller of the County of Preble and State of Ohio do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Kesler who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 75 years of age, that he is believed anbd reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we fully concur in the opinion and we believe no doubts have arisen on this subject sworn to and subscribed the day and years aforesaid. /s/ J.C. Hawkins, Clerk /s/J.F. Miller /s/Frederick Miller