Francis Ditto

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Francis Ditto, #050053, private Pension certificate, which letter was addressed first to The Adjutant General, War Department.

The number cited by you pertains to the record of that soldier in the office of the Adjutant General and your letter has been transmitted to that office for reply.

The record of Francis Ditto or Franz Dido (the name shown both ways) which is on file in this office, is furnished you herein as shown in pension claim, W. 7017, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Franz Dido was born about the year 1758, in York County, Pennsylvania; the day of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of McCollister's Town, York County, Pennsylvania, Franz Dido enlisted in the winter of 1777, for three years, served as private in Captains John Robb's, Koby's (possibly meant for Cobea's) and Jacob Story's companies, Colonel Walter Stewart's Pennsylvania regiment; he wintered at Valley Forge, was in the battle of Monmouth, was taken prisoner at Newark, carried to New York, where he was confined in the Sugar House for three months, was exchanged, returned to the army and was discharged shortly after the revolt of the Pennsylvania Line (January 1, 1781) .

After the Revolutionary War, he moved to Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, where he resided for thirty years, then moved to Washington Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, where he resided about sixteen years, and moved to Clinton Township, Seneca County, Ohio.

Franz Dido was allowed pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War on his application executed on
October 3, 1833; he signed his name Franz Dido. He resided in Clinton Township, Seneca County, Ohio. This soldier died June 16 or June 25 (both dates given) , 1841 in Eden Township, Seneca County, Ohio.

Franz Dido married in March 1782, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Eleanor or Ellanor _____. She was born
September 15, 1758[?]; the place of her birth and the names of her parents were not given.

Eleanor Dido, this soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed February 9, 1849. Her name was borne on the pension roll Eleanor Ditto. She resided in Freedom Township, Henry County, Ohio.

It was stated that the soldier and his wife had a family of children. The only names designated were Samuel, their
first child, who died in infancy, and Catherine, who was born September 15, 1784, in Union County, Pennsylvania. Catharine married February 18, 1806, George Markley, who was born December 27, 1783; in 1849, they resided in Henry County, Ohio. One John H. Markley was Justice of the Peace for Henry County, Ohio, in 1849; no relationship between him and George and Catherine Markley was stated.

Franz Dido referred to a twin brother, Jacob, but gave no other information in regard to him.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:

Eleanor Ditto, widow of Francis Ditto, Certificate #5773, issued October 6, 1851 Rate $80, per annum, commenced March 4, 1848 Act of February 2, 1848, Ohio Agency.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.

(b) Application for Revolutionary War Pension, Franz Dido.

The State of Ohio
Seneca County

On this 3 day of October 1833 personally affirm in open Court before the Court of Common Ohio (being a Court of Record) now sitting, "Franz Dido" a resident of the township of Clinton, County, aged more than seventy-five years old, as he thinks, he believes he is nearer eighty than seventy-five years old, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath aforesaid make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress paper term of 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated—
In the winter of 1777-8, I think about the middle of January at McCollister town, York County, Pa., I enlisted into the 2nd Regiment of Pa. troops commanded by Col. Stewart, Lieut. Col. or Major _____Murray. My company commanded by Capt. Robb, afterward by Capt. Koby, then Capt. Jacob Story. The name of the recruiting officer was Robert Peeling I believe.

When I enlisted I was told by the recruitor that I should be sergeant of Horse, but I was soon undeceived for I served on foot and as a private.

My twin brother of the name Jacob with several others enlisted at the same time and under similar representations from the recruiting sergeant, but when they found they had been gulled they deserted, and earnestly suggested me to do the same, but I concluded that my services were so much needed at that time that I would serve my term which was three years. Gen. Wayne was our principal office under Washington and La Fayette was with us sometime.
Soon after my enlistment I joined the army at Valley Forge, where we remained during the winter.

I was in the Battle of Monmouth and the next day helped to bury the dead; heat killed more that day than Sword, pistols or musket.

I was with about 30 others taken prisoner at Newark, (and I think it was the second winter of my service). We were taken to New York on the ice when we were put into the Sugarhouse. Night we were generally locked up in church. I think a Quaker church.

We were prisoners about three months. While in the church we undertook to make our escape. We dig a hole under the wall of the church and under the pavement. (I remember I worked with a hog jaws bone.) When we had all things ready waiting for a dark night a ______ boy who had previously deserted from the British (I suppose to make _____) discovered to the British our woodchuck hole. Soon after we were exchanged. When we rejoined the army I think at Fredericksburg.

At the time Gen. Wayne took Stony Point I was working at West Point at the large Fort on the hill ... of the Cannon which Wayne took at Stony Point, we mounted at West Point. The largest I think was drawn up the hill by 16 yoke of oxen and about 60 men with drag ropes.

I wintered at White Plains one winter, and at Fredericksburgh the remainder I believe.

While in the service and near the close, a baggage waggon upset which I at lower side was endeavoring to hold up. I
slipped and my hip was severely injured; however, I was very soon on duty again, but the consequence to me has been very serious; it was always lame; and more than thirty years ago I became and have always since remained a cripple, the joint being completely destroyed, all which my physician told me was caused by the original injury.

A short time before my term expired there was a revolution among the soldiers, because they could not get discharged when their times expired. Col. Stewart was driven out of camp at the point of the bayonet. For 7 hrs, the soldiers marched toward Philadelphia to settle their grievances. Gen. Wayne was with us; I saw him repeatedly in much apparent danger, the soldiers were pointing and crying shoot the Damned _________. I took no part in the revolt. My time had not quite expired. However, when we got to Princeton (as I believe) , and the difficulty was settled, it was found as the men whose term had expired, were getting their discharges. That I myself had but about two weeks more to serve and thinking at that . . . the two weeks would be of but little service. Capt. Whiteman and another officer gave me a certificate with the rest, and we went to the Printing Office and got discharges. I think my own was signed by Gen. Wayne, but as I hardly remember seeing it since it having long since lost, I cannot tell for certainty who signed it. I believe it was a printed discharge. I remember the hanging of the Spies who had been sent to us by the British.

I know of no person whose evidence I can procure that can testify to my services.

I hereby relinquish every claim ... to a pension or an annuity except the present and disclose that my name is not on the pension role of the agency of any State.

________the day and year_________
Sworn to _______
in open court--Oct 13, 1833

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