Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22228, Thomas Eltom, Penn.
Page 1

Service Number
Penn   Eltom, Thomas      S22228
or
Elton,

Born in England
Contents
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11.251
Pennsylvania
Thomas Elton
of Bucks Co in the state of Pennsylvania
who was a Sgt [?] in the Company commanded
by Captain Holgate of the Regt commanded
by Col. Morris in the Pennsylvania
[illegible]Troops

5 due Sgt   
                          } $79.88
10 [illegible]    dup: [illegible]

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
At the rate of 79 Dollars 88 cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of April
1833 and sent to
Bnjn Morris [illegible] Phila.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.                     159.76
Semi-an. allowance ending 4 September 1833  39.94
                                                                          199.70

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by J. T Sprague [?], Clerk
Book [illegible] Vol. 5 Page 17

July 30th 1833 dup: ipoaut[?] sent to no= Benj.all[?] Thomas
No. 223 N. 6th Street Phil. Augt 20 1833
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, ____
June 7, 1832
State of Pennsylvania
County of Bucks
On this twentyninth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two personally appeared in open Court before the common Pleas of such county now fitting H
Hilltown township in the ___ County of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania aged about seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to law ___ on his ___ make the following declation in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, ha__ June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following name and office and served of Captain Holgarte and Lieutenant Amitage as a volunteer
His company was formed in Germantown near Philadelphia march thence to Roonbas' a few miles distant, there to emboy by the way of Trenton and joined Col. Moore's regiment, of which Solomon Busch was a Major. During this period which lasted him weeks then was no active service. After close was regularly discharged. 
Immediately on being dismissed enlisted under Capt. Jacob Humphry of the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment of the Flying Caseps Col.  Moore first commanded this regiment (when he joined it) and resigned; then Col. George Smith of Montgomery township (Make of Pennsylvania). Marched to staten Island under Col. Smith, soon after he took the command and attacked the Hofn and fifteen miles from Amboy after having marched the whole night. Our forces consisted of two Brigades under the command of General Mercer, Col Smith was wounded in the arm and returned home. This was in 76 towards fall. Major Busch succeeded Col Smith in the command. There they marched to Fort Lunder the same officing to wait. General Mercer, Major Busch, and Capt. Humphrys. We were then attacked by the Hefins and retriat
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the Jerseys opposite to Trenton, into Pennsylvania- And the five months having thus expired for which he enlisted he got his discharge
     He next enlisted with Captain Edwards (or Edmonds) for seven months-joined Colonel Miles' regiment under General Merser-Crossed the Delaware on thru divisions on 26th December in the year 1776 and took the Hessians at Trenton- 963 Hessians were taken & 6 pieces of cannon- and then marched to Princeton and attacked the Brittish on thei [illegible due to edge of paper and the next 5 words unreadable due to page folded] General Mercer was killed and was then discharged on account of sickness- The Company was commanded at Trenton and Princeton by Captain Edmonds-
     After discharge went to Germantown his place of residence was sick near 3 months.  When he recovered went out under Capt. Snyder in militia as a volunteer- The Regiment was commanded by Col. Magaw of Frankford near Philadelphia and General Potter had the general command - The Regiment marched to Ridge- I then was selected as a Pilot for Sterling's division, because I knew the country, having been raised in Germantown- The Pilots were known by two white papers crossed on the hat- Continued to pilot the standing army at Germantown till we [crossed out- were safe] retreated under the command of Sterling-After that rejoined the regiment under Col. Magaw- This period occupied two months- The battle of Germantown in which he acted as a Pilot was fought about the 4th or 5th or so of October 1777
     After that two months was up went out as a substitute for Jacob Race, Hatfield township, Montgomery county, under Captain Jacob Springer- The regiment was commanded by Lawyer Hanna & Major John Murry- Marched to Newtown Bucks County, then on to Wentz's tavern Montgomery County- Thence back to Newtown and were then discharged
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the Jerseys  to Trenton, into Pennsylvania and the
five months having thus expired for which he enlisted he got
his discharge
He next enlisted with Captain Edwards (or Edmonds)
for seven months- Joined Colonel Miles regiment under
General Merser Crossed the Delaware in the divisions of 4, 
26th December in the year 1776 and took the Hessians at Trenton - 963 Hessians were taken & 6 pieces of cannon and then marched to Princeton and attacked the Brittish on the
4th of January 1777 when General Mercer was killied, and was then discharged on account of sickness. 
The Company was commanded at Trenton and Princeton by Captain Edmonds
After discharge went to Germantown his place of residence was sick near 3 months. When he recovered went out under Capt Snyder in militia as a volunteer - 
The Regiment was commanded by Col. Magan of Frankford near Philadelphia and General Potter had the general command. 
The Regiment marched to Ridge-- I then was selected as a Pilot for Sterlings division, 
because he knew the county having been raised in Germantown - The lots were known by two white papers crossed on the that continued to pilot the standing army at
Germantown till we retreated under the command of Sterling after that rejoined the regiment under Col. Magar. This period occupied two months. 
The battle of Germantown in which he acted as a Pilot was fought about the 4th or 4th of to of October 1777 after that two months was up went out as a substitute for Jacob Race, Hatfield township Montgomery County, under Captain Jacob Springer, The regiment was commanded
by Lawyer Hanna & Major John Murry Marched to Newtown Bucks County thence to Wentz's tavern Montgomery County - Thence back to Newtown and were then discharged
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Was at the Battle of Brandywine September 1777 under Captain Peter[illegible] and Busch General Potter & Ervin([illegible]) commanded at the battle.  I was under Erwin - Both sides lost many men and we retreated - A Major was killed in the battle and I haven't out to see his body. La Fayette was wounded in the battle & I think I can show the very spot where the accident occurred - We started for Brandywine from Germantown and went to Billensport - were taken on board of the row gallies and taken up to ---Wilmington -(ineligible)there a little while a day ago and then the action commenced. After the battle was discharged, somewhere in Chester county - then went home.
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We Joseph Mathias a Clergyman residing in the township of Hilltown and State of Penna. and John Morris of the same place hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Elton, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
      Sworn and subscribed [and year aforesaid is lined out] and year aforesaid in Open Court.  Wm Pardy Proth               Joseph Mathias, his mark  John Morris, his mark

[On left margin- Thomas Elton 19164  check mark]

     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 stated.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Joseph Matthias [gave lined through} who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Hilltown, Bucks County, and is a credible person, and that John Morris who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place, is also a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
      John Tron Presdt. Judge
      Wm Watts one of the Asst.
      William Long As. to judge 

I William Pardy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Bucks and state of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Elton for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal of said office, this twenty ninth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two  [Outline of a star on left side  obliterating some of the words.]
     Wm Pardy Proth

[At bottom of page writing that is difficult to read- Applicant is now]
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the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Hilltown, Bucks County, and is a credible person, and that John Morris who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place, is also a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

John Tron Presd. Judge
Wm Wattson of the As-
William Long As. to Purdy
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the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Hilltown, Bucks County, and is a credible person, and that John Morris who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place, is also a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

John Tron Presdt. Judge
Wm Wattson of the Asst-
William Long Asst. Judge

I William Pardy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Elton for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal of said office, this twenty ninth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

Wm Pardy Proth

H [blot on paper] applicant is now receiving pension from the state of Pennsylvania, and in order to the [two unreadable words] filed some papers of evidence, which properly can be obtained  The offices of the department will please address any communication on the subject it deemed necessary to Buy-M.
Thomas No 223 N. 6th St Philada. who is the duly authorized agent of the applicant- This is not considered a part of the declaration; but a gratuitous suggestion mainly
B M Thomas
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SERVICE                                               NUMBER

Penn.                Elton, Thomas.           S22228
                          Elton,  

Born in England
————————————————————— 
CONTENTS
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BRIEF OBJECTIONS TO THE ADMISSION OF PENSION CLAIMS OF WHICH THREE ANSWERED IN THE NEGATIVE, IN RED INK,WILL APPLY TO THE CLAIM OF Thomas Elton  Bunc Penn which require further proof of explanation.
Number 1 
does the Declaration show where the applicant resides?
No

Number 2 
Did the declarant make the Declaration in the county where which he resides ?
No

number 3 
if the applicant did not make the Declaration in the county  where he resides is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?


Number 4 
has he declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
No

Number  5
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 amount of pension he is entitled?
No  No See Tues 3

 Number 6
 Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served in Conformity with regulations ?
Yes

Number 7
Has he made a reliquishment of every claim to any other pension then the one under the act of June 7th 1832?
No

Number 8   
Has a court given their opinion?
no

 NUMBER 9
has a clerk given his certificate
No

NUMBER 10 
Is the clerk seal affixed and if so has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
No
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 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, Yes
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining 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? He [illegible] [illegible]  the affidavit [illegible] [illegible]  he [illegible] .
XIV.  If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service but has 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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV.  Does it appear from say of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANTATORY NOTES.

QUERE V.  In the case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state previously how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making as affidavit in the following words::
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, [illegible]  A.R. 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.
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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 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 civil pursuit.
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, and line 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.
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.
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.
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Penn.   Eltom, Thomas   S22228
or Elton
Born in England
Page 15

County of Philadelphia Js
Before me one of the Alderman in and for the District of Spring Garden, formally appeared 
Benjamin M  Thomas , attorney at law, who being duly sworn according to law, says that he is the agent of Thomas Elton, of Hilltown Bucks county and state of Pennsylvania in his application for a pension under the act of [illegible] papers the 7th of June 1832.  That the certificate for a pension granted said Thomas Elton which he learned was put into the Post office at Washington, on the 15th day of April last, directed to said deponent  in Philadelphia, has never been received by said deponent or said applicant, or any other person as agent for them or either of them, 
after the fullest search and inquiry, made for the same at the Post Office in Philadelphia.
B M Thomas
Sworn and subscribed before me this
29th day of July A.D. 1833  M M Michael
I Richard Palmer, clerk of the court of Common 
Pleas in and for the city and county of Philad, do hereby certify that M? M Michael Esq, before [illegible] [illegible] the above affidavit is an Alderman or Justice of the Peace in and for [illegible] district of Spring Garden county of Philad and that the signatures thereto annexed is his genuine signature, [illegible] my hand and seal of said office this 29th day of July 1833 R Palmer [illegible]
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Philad July
Sir,
A sad fatality seems to attend me in my (missing corner)
Thomas Eltom, the certificate for his pension (missing) been rec'd
 as it would seem the affiant which I forwarded
and immediately on hearing of the misfortune, was not
doomed to reach the Pension Office- Mr Eltom is old,
infirm and dependent upon the charity of the world, it
would therefore he peculiarly grateful to him to
receive an immediate answer to this his repeated effort
to obtain an honorable support. Please address to
yours truly
Benj M. Thomas 223 N. 6th St Philad.
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War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States on the 7th June, 1832, Thomas Elton of the state of Pennsylvania who was a Sargent, and Private in the Army of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Seventy-nine dollars and eighty-eight cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 15th day of April one thousand eight hundred and  thirty three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and
Countersigned
J L Edwards commissioner of Pensions
Page 18

To the senate & House of Representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania now in General Assembly met
The petition of Thomas Eltom of Hilltown Township in the county of Bucks and commonwealth aforesaid an old Revolutionary Soldier humbly showeth 
That your petitioner at an early period of life and near the begining of the war took up arms in defense of his country at about fifteen I left Germantown and marched under Captain Hamilton to Amboy continued in his company till discharged then listed under Captain Jacob Humphrey of the 3 regiment Pennsylvania flying camp for five months served my time out during which time I was in the following battles {viz}of Staten Island and the taking of the Hessions at Trenton New Jersey battle of Princeton then I listed under Capt. Edward for 7 months served my tour and returned home to Germantown. The  British being on their way towards Philadelphia I joined Capt. Petersons of the Militia and was in the battle of Brandywine where I fought from morning till night after which I joined Captain {?} company and fought in Germantown battle
Your Petitioner having endured in an honest way to free himself from becoming a charge to the commonwealth {?} but being destitute of relations in America and old age having overtaken me that I am no longer able to support myself therefore I pray your honorable body would grant me a pension to supply my necepittiss (sp) (necessities?) the first remaining days of my appointed time
November 14th AD 1827
And I as in duly bound will pray} Thomas Eltom
Bucks
Seal
On the fourteenth day of November AD 1827
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace(?) in and for (?) county James Lewis of Hilltown Township (an old revolutionist) and did sware on the holy evangelist who saith that he saw the above named Thomas Eltom at Amboy, Eltom met me on the road in Newark and (?) me to had paid of the baggage of Capt Humphreys company to Fort Lee and I know that Eltom was a Sargent in Humphreys company and further saith not.
Sworn & subscribed before???
or ?? ?? my hand SEAL                James Lewis
Griffith Owen
Page 19

No 27 p._. Thos. Eltom
6 Dec 1827 Claims

I, William Purdy
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that Griffith Owen
whose name is affixed to the affidavit of James Lewis is a Justice of the Peace, and that the
signature annexed is his
genuine signature. In total
mony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of said
office this fifth day of April
in the year one thousand eight
hundred and twenty three
of this county being first.

2 
(illegible) Petitioner
Thomas Eltom


We the undersigned
hath every (illegible) to be
the facts stated in the
within Petition to be
(illegible) Witness our hands
Benj. Morris
Griffith Owen
Martin King
Philip Miller
Charles Elhart
Wm Watts
(illegible)
Mr. B. Shaw
John tugh,
Mathias Morris
Illegible
Dewey Chapman
___ Carr
Mo Rickman
Alex Barchard
E. Gilky
Henry Hough
Geo. Frantz
Page 20

Answer of Thomas Eltom of Hilltown township,
Bucks County and State of Pennsylvania to the brief
objections of the Commissioner of Pensions to his claim
The objections are thus, 1st

That the declaration has not mentioned the period or periods
of the war which he served in answer to which he submits
the following affidavit.
Bucks County ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice
of the Peace in and for the said County and State of Pennsylvania
Thomas Eltom of the said place, 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
periods of the war when he served, further than as appears in
the original declaration to wit, 1st period in the summer of
1776 (6 weeks) 2nd period immediately after the termination
of the first (3 months) including the attack upon the Hessians at ┃
Staten Island 3d period includes the capture of the Hessians
at Staten Island and Princeton, on the 4th January 1776, 4th includes the battle of Brandywine Sept. 1777 5th period includes
the battle of Germantown 4th or 5th Oct. 1777. 6th period the
last of fall or beginning of winter 1777. The other periods of
which there were several indistinct on account of defect of
and the absence of active service. The above six are however are more indicated, as accurately as he is able to do.
Sworn & subscribed this 4th
day of April A.D. 1883
Thomas Elam
Griffith Owen J.P.
Thomas Eltom
Page 21


2 ad objection (v) Has he mentioned with (illegible) or the length
of his service, and the different grades in which he served in language to definite as to enable the department to determine
to what amount of pension he is entitled? No"
In answer to this the applicant submits the following affidavit

Bucks County to wit
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a
Justice of the Peace in and for the said County and State of
Pennsylvania Thomas Eltom of the township of Hilltown
and same county and State who being duly sworn deposeth
and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss
of memory, he cannot swear positively 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 five (5) months I served as a sergeant
enlisted for seven months a private enlisted for four
months and two weeks (illegible)  a private volunteer making
in all sixteen months and two weeks (16mo. 2 weeks), and
for such service I claim a pension
Altho he cannot tho decay of memory mention particularly other
terms of service, yet he is perfectly certain that he served upwards
of two years in the Revolution, but of this he can give no
additional proof to this his affidavit
Sworn & subscribed this 4th day
of April A.D. 1833
Griffith Owen J.P.
Thomas Eltom
Page 22

To objection he should forward the affidavit to which
he refers to wit of James Lewis. In answer to that he
sends the affidavit accompanied with his petition to
the legislation of Pennsylvania, because they cannot be
property separated, James Lewis is now dead
Bucks County to wit
Personally appeared before me the
undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County
and State of Pennsylvania Thomas Eltom of said County &
State and township of Hilltown, who being sworn deposes
and saith, that the accompanying petition and affidavit
dated Nov 16th 1827
are those sent to Harrisburg and the latter the affidavit
he refers to is his declaration, and this is all the
documentary evidence he can produce as to his revolutionary
services, and he also swears that the facts set forth in
said affidavit are true to the best of his recollection
Sworn and subscribed the 9th
day of April A.D. 1839
And I hereby certify that the
said applicant cannot from
bodily infirmity attend court
(dated Nov 14th 1827 being added
before making of affidavit)
Griffith Owen J.P.
Thomas Eltom
Page 23

I, William Purdy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the
County of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that
Griffith Owen, whose name is affixed to the three within affidavits
of Thomas Elton is a Justice of the Peace and that the signatures
annexed to the said affidavits are his genuine signatures. I took
many whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of said office this fifth day
of April in the year one thousand
eighteen hundred and thirty thru
Wm Purdy Notary


to
9
the
of
-
$79.88 per an

Benj. Morris Esq.  6th Street Philadelphia