Joseph Chamber
Revolutionary War Patriot

Joseph Chamber, Revolutionary War Patriot{Article compiled by Kitty Kutchmark and Flora L. VerStraten} Pension File - Joseph Chambers – Pension File, Penn, S2120 – Letter to Mr. Herbert Bishard, dated June 23, 1930, Dear Sir: Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Joseph Chambers, soldier in the Revolutionary War from Derry Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and later lived in Jefferson County, Ohio. The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S 2120, based upon service of Joseph Chambers in the War of the Revolution.

Joseph Chambers was born October 14, 1751, in Derry Township, Lancaster Coutny, Penn. The names of his parents wer not listed.

While residing in said Derry Township, Joseph Chambers enlisted sometime in May, 1776, served four months as first sergeant in Captain Robert McKee’s company, Colonel Alexander Lowrey’s Pennsylvania regiment. He enlisted sometime in February or March 1779 Serving two months as first sergeant in same company and regiment.

Joseph Chambers moved in the year 1780, from Lancaster County, Penn. to the Monongahala River, about twenty miles above Pittsburgh, and about the year 1806 (?) moved to Jefferson County, Ohio. He was allowed pension on his application executed May 13, 1833 at which time he was living in Cross Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio.

The soldier died January 12, 1841, leaving a widwo whose name was not stated, and there are no data relative to their marriage.

Very truly yours, A.D. Hiller, executive assistant to the administrator.

Census Records – Joseph Chambers is found in the 1830 Census in Cross Creek, Jefferson County, Ohio with a wife and five children. Film # M19134 & 185 – He listed under, 60/70 years old male. We can’t locate his wife in Cross Creek census in 1840, so if she is still living, she maybe be living with one of her children.

Ancestral File – Family Group Record from FamilySearch – Joseph Chambers parents: James Chambers (AFN: 14Q8 – GCC), born 1716, Antrim, Ireland, died 2 Aug. 1762 in the Battle of Muncy Hill, Penn. Parents of James is listed as: Joseph Chambers (AFN: 14Q8 – G9X) and mother, Mrs. Catherine Chambers (AFN: 14Q8 – GB5). James’ wife listed as: Mrs. Mary Chambers, born abt. 1720, Antrim, Ireland.

Children of James and Mary are as follows:

1. Ann Chambers – Born abt. 1753, Pa.
2. Sarah Chambers – Born abt. 1755, Pa.
3. Elizabeth Chambers – Born abt. 1757, Pa.
4. James Chambers – Born 1749, Pa., died after 1778, place unknown.
5. Benjamin Chambers – Born 1740, Pa.
6. M. Rowland Chambers – Born 1744, Pa.
7. Joseph Chambers – (AFN: 14Q8 – G54) Born 14 October 1751 (matches birthdate on pension file). Another file lists his mother name as: Sarah Lee.

Same search for descendants of Joseph Chambers – son found: Joseph Chambers – Born 2 June, 1823, Jefferson County, Ohio, died 1903, burial unknown, living in Saline Twp. in 1900 census.

The following was taken from the orginal pension file: State of Ohio, Jefferson County – On the 15th day of May 1833, personally appeared in open court before the judge of the County of Common Pleas of said county, now sitting, Joseph Chambers, a resident of Cross Creek township, in the said Jefferson County aged eighty one years on the 14th of October last, who being duly sworn according to law, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the year of June 1832. That he serving in the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein viz, in the month of May 1776, this then residing in Derry Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and being a first sergeant in a milita company was drafted as sergeant for four months in the company commanded by Captain Robert McKee in the Regiment Lieut. Colonel Alexander Lowry and the names of the others in his company and field officers is not able to recollect. On the 28th May ’76 he served with his company at the town Lancaster to Princeton & Elizabethtown to (?) New Jersey.. while at this station his service expired and on or about the 1st of October ’76 he received a written discharge from service signed by the captain, Robert McKee. In the month of February or March 1778 being a first sergeant in the milita, he again drafted up for two months and again in a company of Capt. Robert McKee…serving at the town of Lebanon, in the state of Pennsylvania, while he was held prisoner, taken to Trenton soon after the prisoner…He moved to Monongahala river, about 20 miles above Pittsburgh, where he lived until the last twenty seven years, during which time he constantly lived in Cross Creek Township, said county….