Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23861, for James Read, New Jersey
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(3 - 1776)
New Jersey 
Read, James
Number S.23861
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25.881
Pennsylvania
James Read
of Philadelphia in the State of [Illegible]
who was a [Illegible] in the Company commanded
by Captain Baker of the Regt commanded by  Col Warren in the New Jersey line for Militia
[Illegible]
============================
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 40 Dollars [Illegible] Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
============================
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Jany
[Illegible] Butler, Philadelphia, Pa.
============================
Arrears to the 4th of April - 116.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending [Illegible] - 23.33
===============
$139.98
======
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J T Sprague Clerk.
Book 6 - Vol. 5 - Page 49
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28 318
James Read
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City of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania{ ss.
On this 10th day of October 1833. Personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting James Read, a Resident of the County  of Salem State of New Jersey aged 75 years on the 21st of October Instant. Who being 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 7th 1832. 1st Volunteer'd in the company commanded by  Cap. John Banker met at or near Bacon's Neck, on the River Delaware shores before assembling the British had  landed a number of men from their  ships, the Roebuck and Liverpool and had commenced killing the Cattle of the inhabittants and Burnt the Houses of Holmes and a Cap of Militia, who's name I do not recollect. we ware then ordered and did duty, in  guarding the shore to prevent their landing and commiting further depredations on the inhabitants, and being supplied with provisions by the Refugee's and Tories.  served Two months and was discharged, returned home. - 2nd Campain I was Drafted in the Company of Cap John Banker, and March'd up into Glouster County and at the Mulhcahill Joined a Company under command of Capt Jonathan Beasley. Lieut.  Mills. we march'd up through Jersey to Trenton, Princeton and continued on to a town call'd Pumston; within about Eighteen miles of New York here we ware under command of a Col.. who resided in that County. cannot remember his name lay here and did duty Two months; after returned to our own neighbourhood, I was discharged.. In all Three months. 3rd tour was on a sled in the Company of Capt.. Wallen. Liet.. John Woods. assembled at Slow - creek in the county of Cumberland March's up into the county of Burlington, encamped at Mount holly, under command of a Col. Hillman. Major Ellis. after being here some time we march's down to Haddenfield, met the Enemy at Cooper Creek, here we had an action, but owing superior numbers we ware obliged to retreat  over the Bridge, which we tore up, and made a stand behind the back, but the Enemy filed of towards the River and [illegible] into Philadelphia; our head quarters was now at Haddenfield, our Pickett's extended to upper Cooper Jeny and to Kainespoint before Camden. N. J. here we had frequent opportunities of driving the Enemy from the show in their attempts to land. we here served out the rest of the Campain. This Tour was  was full three months 4th Tour of Duty, I volunteered in the company of Capt.. Barker, we march'd hearing the Enemy had land, and met them at Lumton's Bridge, here we had a smart engagement, in which we lost five men kill'd. To wit. Mome.. Edmonson, Coutch; Blackburn; John Stump & Isaac Rain. wounded Two. Jacob Harriss & Jacob Stump. Others wounded we do not know their names. - a Capt.. Smith's horse was kill'd in this engagement. we then retreated to Thomson Bridge, the Enemy [illegible] the delaware into Philadelphia. we continued the rest of this tour engaged along the Delaware guarding the inhabitents from depredations.
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constantly commited by the Enemy and Tories. after serving out this tour we march'd back into our own county & discharged.  This tour three months. After this I was call'd out repeatedly at short tours and different officers a few days at a time, to drive the Enemy off from commiting depredation on the Inhabitants. These calls ware often and continued as long as the British lay in and had possession of Philada.. and could they be placed together would make at least Three month. - While  engaged in the four Tours of duty, I was not engag'd in any civil pursuit. - I hereby relinquish all claim to any pension; other than the one under the Act of June 7th 1832. The reason of my wish to be inscribed on the Pennsylvania agenecy, is, that it will save me one hundred and twenty miles in the year. beside expense, by only crossing from Camden into the city. Owing to my age and bodily infirmities, am not able to state or remember Dates. so many years have elaps'd
James Read

Sworn and subscribed}
to in Open Court the day and}
year of aforesaid ...}

FA. Raybold Interogatories by the Court.
ppeoty
1st.. where and in what year ware you Born. { Born in N Jersey. year 1758. -
2nd.. Have you any  Record of your age; and if so whare is it?{ Recorded in famy.. Bible
3rd.. Where ware you living when call'd into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?{ in the county of Cumberland, ware I have since lived. now in Salem.
4th.. How ware you call'd into service; ware you drafted; did you Volunteer, or ware you substitute and if so for whom? {1st..  Volunteer'd 2nd.. Drafted 3rd.. Drafted 4th.. Volunteered and at each short tour Volunteerd.
5th.. State the names of some Gen. Officers, who war with the Troops, whare you served. { Major Mashill. Col Witman Major Ellis. Capt. Platt.
6th.. Did you ever receive a Discharge; if so from whom and what has become of it? { Each time Verbally discharged---
7th.. State the names of persons to whom your known in your present neighbourhood, who can Testify as to your charactor for Veracity and belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution{ David Bowen Esqr..
Abram Harris. Wm.. Walker Stephen Reaves. Col Robt.. G. Johnston. a Judge of the Court.

We Isaac Smith and David Read Residents of Camden NJ. Residing in Camden N. Jersey Do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Read who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration That we believe him to be 75 years of age as he has stated, 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. David Read 
Isaac Smith

Affirmed and Subscribed the} 
day and year aforesaid}
in Open Court. }
F. A. Raybold
pprofhy
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City of Phileda (Philadelphia) and State aforesaid{ 
Personally appeared in open court, before the Courth of Common please - now sitting. David Read a  Resident of Camden, N. Jersey. Who being duly afirm'd according to law.  doth on his affirmation declare and say. - That he is Brother to the  within applicant James Read, and that he well knows his statement is correct; he having served in the companies and under the same officers, in the first, Third and fourth companies with him but owing to his [illegible] age cannot remember dates. - Affirm'd the day and year you said, in other courts {
David Read
Fel Raybold
p prothg
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 within applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states and the Court further certify, That it appears to them; that Isaac Smith and David Read who have sign'd the same are Residents of Camden N Jersey. and are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Edera W King
I Refernece Poleman Clerk of the Court of Court of Camm[illegible] Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original  proceedings of the said court in the matter of application of James Read for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10th day of October 1833. - 
[illegible signature]
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David
See Read's papers
No. 28.317

28.318
James Read
Penna..

Adm to yrs & 2 Months
$46.66

Joseph [Butten?]
Philadelphia 
Pa
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
16 Nov. 1832.

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
___________________________________________
A Statement, showing the service of James Read
==========================
Period when the service was rendered|
____________________________________________
Duration of the|
claimant's service.|
Years.|
Months.|  
2 |                                
3.|
3 |
3.|
3 |
Days|
_________________________________________
Rank of the Claimant.| 
Priv|
__________________________________________
Names and rank of the Field officers|
under whom he served.|
Cap. Barker
  "       "
Cap. Wallen
Col. Hillman
Cap. Barker
_________________________________________
Age at present,|
and place of abode|
when he entered|
the service.|
73 years. |
Cumberland |
Co |
N. J. |
_________________________________________
Proof by which the declaration is supported.|
Traditionary and |
a living witness- |
___________________________________________
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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[this document in typed with blanks indicating where information relevant to the case should be filled in]
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
 The following regulations have been adopted: This law has be construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to Military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service
4. Indian Spies
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary Ware exist in the Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.
State, Territory, of District of
County of } ss.
On this _____ day of___ personally appeared (a) before _____ of ____ aged (c) ___ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ___, with ___ and served in the ____ (e) Regiment of the ____ line, under the following names officer - :
[ Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service: (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers; the town or county and state on which he resides when he entered the service the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the county through which he marched [illegible]. This form is to be varied as the apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the Militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He Hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.
[ And then will follow the certificate of the Court ]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I ____ of the Court of _____
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ____ for a pension.v
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of ----- &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by Virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman residing in the ---- and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ----- , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ----- 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ----- and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ----- and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, ----- Clerk of the Court of ----- do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ------ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this --- day of --- &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, I'd possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as May have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in he declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such a evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material fact, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3 
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. { to a soldier{ Did you ever receive a Discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{to and officer{ Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it given,and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and how can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, May make declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the Act of June 7, 1832; and in the case of death subsequent thereto, and before declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[in footnote at the bottom of the page]
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimants must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every Continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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 reasons 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 --- year --- months, and ---- days, I served as a ----. For ---- months, and ---- days, I served as a ---; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for 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 that 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any evil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no [illegible] seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the Regiment, company, and time to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by [illegible] note [j] applies to Continental troops only.
[k] This revolutionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Revolution
23861
INVALID.
____________

File No.  23,861
James Read
Pri  Rev War
____________

Act:  June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 2, Page 33

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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To J L Edward Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions

Respected Sir.

I Received the enclosed papers a few days ago. 
have now forwarded them and hope on a further examination that you will be satisfied that the reasons of the two Brothers David and James Read for having their names inscribed on the Pennsylvania agency, are satisfactorily answered at the conclusion of their declarations before the Court as they have no other reason.  They likewise declare it out of their power to remember the periods when the services were performed, nor can they prove it by any person living who served with them but each for the other as they have stated under oath before the Court of Common pleas and before the Justice Cowputhwaite. David Read 81 years of age and very infirm often confined to his Room and Bed for weeks at a time, so reduced by infirmities and old age as not to be able to travel to the County [Town?] where the Courts are held only six days in each quarter, of the year. James Read 76 years old, a man allmost worn out, lives in Salem County, and has only to visit his Brother and cross into this City, where they need not be detain'd more than six hours in doing all that is needed. The Traditionary Witnesses are very respectable men, the one a Clergyman the other an Alderman of said City. These two applicants are likewise Respectable Communicants of the Church to which they belong, if proof of their credibility further, I can procure fifty good men who know them Should all that has been done in the case proves insufficient to obtain their being inscribed in Pennsylvania, I am authorized to say they will be satisfied with being placed on the N Jersey Roll _ for they assure me they have made all the proof in their power. I hope, on reconsideration you will be pleased to grant their requests, as I have done all I can. _ 
Remain Respectfully your Obedient Servt.
Joseph Butler