Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,523, for Ethan Newcomb, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey

Newcomb, Ethan

NUMBER
S.18,523
Carded
===
CONTENTS
Page 2

13.444.
Ohio Pittsb[urgh]
===
Ethan Newco[mb]
of Trumbull Co in the State of Ohio
who was a private in the Co. commanded 
by Captain Low of the Rg't. commanded
by Col'o Newcomb in the New Jersey
line for One year.
===
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 40. Dollars 00. Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of July,
1833, and sent to R.
P. Spalding, Warren. T. Co. Ohio
===
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833, 80.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Sept 33, 20.00.
[total] $100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm R. Palmer Clerk,
Book E, Vol. 8. Page 121.

[Written vertically in right margin]
Date of death not [?] on A B.
Page 3

Ethan Newcomb
Ethan Newcomb
Application for a
Pension --
17143
[check]
Page 4

The State of Ohio
Trumbull County } ss

On this 11th day of October A.D. 1832
personally appeared in open Court before the Court
of Common Pleas now sitting at Warren within
and for said County of Trumbull, Ethan Newcomb
a resident of Brookfield in the County of Trumbull
and State of Ohio aged Seventy 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 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.

During the Revolutionary war
I lived in Downs Township in Cumberland
County in the State of New Jersey and was
often called out in the Militia to assist in guarding
the Shores of the Delaware River against the
depredations of the Refugees. At one time in
particular during the latter part of the war, but
in what year I do not now recollect, I was out
on duty as a volunteer in a Company of Jersey
Militia for the term of ten months and was
employed the most of the time, day and night,
on guard duty on the shores of the Delaware
about sixty miles below Philadelphia and near
the mouth of the River. The names of the officers
of my company were as follows - Captain William
Low - Lieutenant Reuben Cheeseman. We were
a considerable part of the time under the command
of General Silas Newcomb of New Jersey. Our
duty consisted in endeavoring to prevent the
Refugees from landing, and plundering the
inhabitants. During the above period of ten
months I assisted in taking one of the Refugee
Boats containing a number of men who had
come for the purpose of plunder. Gen'l Newcomb
was with us at this time.
Page 5

I was never in the Regular Service, neither did I
at any time serve in company with any of the
Regular troops. The nature of my service during the
war was altogether such as I have stated.
I never, to the best of my recollection, received any
compensation from the State for my services but
did receive a trifling sum as my share of the
prize money in taking the Boat. I served at
various times and in all I should think a period
of nearly two years. I have no documentary
evidence and know of no person, whose testimony
I can procure, who can testify to my services.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present, and declare that
my name is not on the pension roll of the agency
of any State.

Ethan X Newcomb

Sworn & Subscribed the day & year
aforesaid. George Parsons Clerk

interrogatories put by order of the Court -

1. Where & in what year were you born?
Answer. In Downs Township, Cumberland County in
the State of New Jersey and, as near as I can tell,
in the year 1762. I have no record of my age.

2nd Where were you living when called into service; where
have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where
do you now live?
Answer - In Downs Township before stated. I remained in
that same place until 24 years ago when I removed
to Brookfield, Trumbull Cty, Ohio where I now live.

3. How were you called into service?
Answer - I was always a volunteer in the militia.

4. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service?
Answer - I never rec'd a Discharge in writing.

5. State the names of persons to whom you are known
in your present neighborhood who can testify as to
your character for veracity, and their belief of your
services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer - The Reverend James Anderson, Ambrose Hart Esq
and many others.

Ethan X Newcomb

Sworn & Subscribed the day & year
aforesaid - George Parsons Clerk
Page 6

We James Anderson a Clergyman residing in the
Township of Brookfield, Trumbull County, Ohio and
Ambrose Hart, residing in the same Township
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Mr. Ethan Newcomb who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
Seventy 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.

James Anderson
Ambrose Hart

Sworn & Subscribed the day
and year aforesaid

George Parsons Clerk

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 James Anderson
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman
resident in the Township of Brookfield and that Ambrose
Hart who has also signed the same is a resident in the
same Township and is a credible person, and that
their statement is entitled to credit.

The State of Ohio
Trumbull County ss
I George Parsons Clerk of the Court of Common pleas
aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Ethan Newcomb for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of Office at Warren this
19th day of October A.D. 1832

George Parsons Clerk
Page 7

No 17143
Ethan Newcombe - Trumbull
County Ohio
13.444.
Adm for 1 year
Rufus P. Spalding
George Parsons Clerk
Warren
Trumbull County Court
Ohio
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Ethan Newcomb of Trumbull County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 70

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[Table with a single row of data:]
Period. Vol. In 17[blank]

Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. 10 [months]
Served a period of nearly two years at various times

Rank. As a Private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Capt Low, Genl Newcombe

5. In what battles was he engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cumberland Co. N.J.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Ayer Castor Examining Clerk.
Page 9

March 14, 1931
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB

Miss Flora H. Smith
170 Kenilworth Avenue, S. E.,
Warren, Ohio

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 18523, that Ethan Newcomb
was born in 1762 in Downs Township, Cumberland County, New
Jersey.

While residing in said Downs Township, he was called out
in the New Jersey militia to guard the shores of the Delaware
River, and served in all about one year under Captain William
Low. There are no dates of service given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
October 1, 1832, at which time he was living in Brookfield,
Trumbull County, Ohio, having moved there from Downs Township,
New Jersey.

There are no data as to family.

Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 10

File No.
I [or P?] 18523
INVALID.
File No. 18,523
Ethan Newcomb
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:-- Vol. 1, Page 274
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Written vertically to right]
1931- Mch. 14- Hist to Miss Flora H.
Smith AWF
Page 11

Warren Ohio

Bureau of Pensions
Department of Rev. and 1812
Washington D.C.

Dear Sirs Information contained if your department on

Ethan Newcomb and
Jonathan Mansfield soldiers of the Revolution from Trumbull
County Ohio, will be much appreciated.

Your truly
(Miss) Flora H Smith
170 Kenilworth Ave S.E.
Warren Ohio

[stamp] U. S. [PENSION] OFFICE. JAN 26 1931
Page 12

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Ethan Newcomb which require further proof or explanation.

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides[?]

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled?
No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain[ing it?]

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. [dagger] If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. [double dagger] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
---
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___ For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 14

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed, whether in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

[dagger] QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, [THESE 2 WORDS UNDERLINED] and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

[double dagger] QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

[Pointing hand] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 15

[this page is blank]
Page 16

Ethan Newcomb
Amended Declaration
for a Pension
Page 17

The State of Ohio
Trumbull County ss } Brookfield April 22nd 1833
Personally appeared before me, the
undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in said Township
and County, Ethan Newcomb of said Brookfield
who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by
reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory
he cannot swear positively as to the precise length
of his service as a soldier of the Revolution, but
according to the best of his recollection he served
not less than the periods mentioned below and
in the following grades; For Ten Months I served
as a private under Captain William Low. This
was one continued tour of service.

For Two months I served as a Private, afterward,
under Captain Low and Lieutenant Cheeseman.
And for such Twelve months service I claim
a Pension. I am confidant I served longer,
but as I cannot specify the length of time, I
law for twelve months only.

Ethan Newcomb X his mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and
year first above written.

Ambrose Hart
Justice Peace
Page 18

The State of Ohio
Trumbull County ss }
I George Parsons Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas for said County do hereby
certify that Ambrose Hart Esqr whose
signature in his own proper hand writing is
affixed to the within affidavit is and was
at the time of subscribing the same a
Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly
commissioned and sworn agreeably to the Laws of said State
of Ohio - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and the seal of said Court at Warren the 7th
day of May 1833

George Parsons Clerk
Page 19

Revolutionary Pension Documents }

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Dist. of Columbia

[Written vertically at left]
Warren, O. May 13.
Ohio
Ret'd [?]
Page 20

Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio
May 7, 1833.

J. L. Edwards Esq

Dr Sir

I enclose to you the pension
papers of Ethan Newcomb with an amended
Declaration stating more precisely his service
& the grade in which he served

Very Respectfully
Your Obed't Serv't
R. P. Spalding