Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,155, for William Pettit, New Jersey
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(8-1776)



SERVICE                                            NUMBER
New Jersey        Pettit, William       R. 8,155
                                        Hannah



CONTENTS
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V1246
Application of
Hanna Pettit
New Jersey
for a
Pension for the
services of
William Pettit
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the 3d section of the act of Congress of the 4th
of July 1836 

State of New Jersey
County of Monmouth

     On this third day of February
AD 1837  Personally appeared before me one of
the Justices of the peace in & for said County
Hanah Pettit of the Township of Middletown of said
County, aged eighty years.   Who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the act of Congress.  Passed
July 4th 1836.  That she is the widow of William
Pettit, a native of New York who removed thence to
New Jersey, Monmouth County, asforesaid a little
before the Revolutionary war.  That said William
Pettit served in Colonel Holmes Regiment, in the
beginning, of the war under the command of Captain
John Smock in whose district he then lived.  That
he served as a militia man in said company according
to the regulations of said company at least as
much as four years.  About which time Captain
Smock was taken prisoner & the company was then
commanded by Lieutenant Tobias Polhemus
who was also taken prisoner but, how long after
his captain this deponent cannot remember.
   After that Captain Barnes Smock commanded said
company some time, cannot remember how long
but thinks to the end of the war.  Thinks also that
he was discharged at the end of the war by said
Captain Smock.  He served to the end of the war
his regular tours of duty, but the particular
date of each tour this deponent cannot remember.
   That she has no record of his services
that while on duty he pursued no civil occupation.
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that his services were rendered at Sandy Hook, sandy
[ill] Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Middletown & other
places township of Middletown & Shrewsbury.
And also in Freehold in the said County of Monmouth.
That he was out at the time of the battle of Germantown
but has heard not in the battle though near that place.
That he sometimes heard substitutes but cannot
remember the particular times, thinks as much
as for six months, cannot be much more.  That
his service was rendered in the field.  That he was
very frequently called out the join scouting parties
when his militia duty did not call him out.  That
he served in all at least, at the lowest estimate as much
as three years, thinks as much as four years. This
deponent cannot remember so as to distinctly state
further particulars of his service on account of her
extreme age & debility. She further declares that her
maiden name was Hannah Morrill that she was
married the said William Pettit by the Reverend
Benjamin DuBois, a dutch Reformed Clergyman on the
fourth day of July seventeen hundred & seventy three as
she believes will appear of record from the register of 
marriages by him kept to which for greater certain she refers.
That her husband the aforesaid William Pettit
died the twenty second day of March AD 1832. and
that she has remained his widow single & unmarried
ever since that period as will more fully
appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.

Subscribed the day &
year above written before me                       Hannah Pettit
a justice of the peace as aforesaid.
Henry B. Chesman

    I the subscriber a Justice of
the peace of the County of Monmouth & State of New Jersey
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Do hereby certify the the applicant Hannah Pettit,
is a respectable inhabitant of the Township of Middletown
Monmouth County, New Jersey.  That her statements
are entitled to full faith & credit. That she appears
to be of the age he represents & that she is the widow
of William Pettit who died sometime since.  And That
from bodily infirmity, she is unable to go out so as
to attend the county courts.

Henry B. Cherman Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
County of Monmouth

        Personally appeared before me
a justice of the peace of the County of Monmouth
John Williamson, a Revolutionary soldier & pensioner
of the United States of the Township of Middletown
of said County.  Being duly sworn according to law
deposith & saith that he was well acquainted with
William Pettit, whose widow is applying for a pension.
  That he knew said William Pettit of the
said Township of Middletown in the time of the
Revolutionary war.  That he was out in the service
with him frequently in the early part of the
was at the Navisink Highlands under the 
command of Captain John Smock.  As he thinks that
said Pettit, lived in said Smock district which
was in the Township of Middletown.  That this
applicant cannot state his services after the winter
of 1777 & 8.  On account of his having joined the
horse. That to the best of the knowledge & belief
of this deponent the said Pettit, performed regular
militia duty as a good & faithful soldier.
Was always reputed to be a good & true soldier
that said, Pettit was reputed to be a married
man while in the service, that this
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deponent cannot state how long he was out
in the service, nor the times of such service
but believes him to have served throughout
the war under different commander in Colonel
Holmes regiment.
Sworn & subscribed this fourth day                   John Williamson
of Febuary, AD  1837  before me
Jas. Baird.

    I, the subscriber a justice of the Peace in
& for said County of Monmouth do hereby certify that the
foregoing deponant is a respectable inhabitant
of Middletown township, Monmouth County.
And that his statements as contained in the
foregoing affidavit are entitled to full faith & credit
J. Baird Justice

State of New Jersey
County of Monmouth.

James Otterson a Dutch Reformed
Clergyman & pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church
of Freehold.  Personally appeared before me one of the 
Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the
County of Monmouth and being duly sworn according to
law deposeth & saith that he has in his possession the
record of marriages of said church kept by the Rev. Benjamin
Du Bois.  Who was formerly pastor of the United Dutch Church
of Freehold and Middletown.  That in & among the record of 
marriages by him kept & as he believes in his original hand 
writing he find an entry as follows.  July den 4, 1773.  I William
Pettit met Hanna Morrel getrouwt which is the
usual mode of entering marriages in said record at that
time

Sworn & subscribed before me             Jas Otterson
this 6th of February 1837
John Hull  Judg.
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State of New Jersey
County of Monmouth

               Aaron Sutphen aged about
seventy six years, a Revolutionary soldier &
pensioner of the United States.  A resident
of said county being duly sworn according to
law in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
of said County.  In open court deposeth & saith
that he became acquainted William Pettit
of said County during the Revolutionary war. In
the winter of 1778 while in the militia service
under captain Joseph Stillwell in Colonel Holmes
Regiment while performing a monthly tour party.
In the month of January & partly in the month of
February at Freehold in said County & part of the
month at the residence of said captain.  In the
Township of Middletown in said County near North river.
That said deponent thinks that he has seen said
Pettit while performing other tours of duty, but
cannot remember the particulars of time or place.
That he was always reputed to be a good &
faithful soldier & believes him to have performed
his regular tours of duty as a faithful
militia man.  That the present applicant
Hanna Pettit, is the widow of said William Pettit.
       That she always as long as this deponent has known
he has lived with & been reputed to have been
his lawful & wedded wife & that she still remains
his widow since & unmarried.  That
he believes that said Pettit, died about five
years since.

Sworn & subscribed this 26th
of January AD 1837 before                                   Aaron Sutphen
me one of the Judges of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas.
John Hull

       I the subscriber one of the Judges of the
Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County
of Monmouth do hereby certify that Aaron Sutphen
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is a respectable inhabitant of the County of Monmouth
That his statements as contained in the
foregoing affidavit are entitled to full faith
& credit
                              John Hull

State of New Jersey, Monmouth County.
     John L. Bennett a Revolutionary soldier & 
pensioner of the United States, of said County.
Being duly sworn according to law before the
Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County.
In open court deposeth & saith that he became
acquainted with William Pettit of said County in
the time of the Revolutionary war whose widow
Hannah Pettit is about applying for a pension.  That
he knew said Wm Pettit to have performed militia
duty in said war in Colonel Holmes assignment.
    In Captain John Smock district for a consider
able length of time, cannot tell how long.  That 
he believes him to have been a good & faithful
soldier throughout the war & was always reputed
to have been a good soldier by his officers & 
comrades.  That he has been informed & believes him
to have been dead for some time leaving his
widow, the present applicant who has remain
his widow single & unmarried ever since.
Signed in & subscribed this 26th
of January AD 1837 before me                  John L Bennett
One of the Judges of the Inferior
of Common pleas of said County.
William Lloyd

         I the subscriber one of the judges of
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the
County of Monmouth do hereby certify that
John L Bennett is a respectable inhabitant of
the County of Monmouth & that his statements
as contained in the above deposition entitled
to full faith & credit.
William Lloyd
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is a respectable inhabitant of the County of Monmouth
& that his statements as contained in the
foregoing affidavit are entitled to full faith
& credit.
                                        John Hull
  
     State of New Jersey Monmouth County
John L Bennett a Revolutionary soldier and a
pensioner of the United States, of said County.
Being duly sworn according to law before the 
Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County.
In open court deposeth & saith that he became
acquainted with William Pettit of said County in
the time of the Revolutionary war.  Whose widow
Hannah Pettit is about applying for a pension.  That
he knew said Wm Pettit to have performed militia
duty in said war in Colonel Holmes regiment, 
in Captain John Smock district for a consider
able length of time, cannot tell how long.  That 
he believes him to have been a good & faithful
soldier throughout the war & was always reputed
to have been a good soldier by his officers & 
comrades.  That he has been informed & believes him
to have been dead for some time, leaving his
widow the present applicant who has remain
his widow single & unmarried ever since

Sworn & subscribed this 26th
of January AD 1837 before me                       John L. Bennett
One of the Judges of the Inferior
Court of Common pleas of said County
William Lloyd


     I the subscriber one of the Judges of
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the
County of Monmouth.   Do hereby certify that
John L Bennett is a respectable inhabitant of
the County of Monmouth & that his statements 
as contained in the above deposition is entitled 
to full faith & credit.

William Lloyd
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Monmouth
County
State of New Jersey

            Personally appeared before me the subscriber.
One of the Justices of the peace in & for said County
William Pettit. Who being duly sworn according to Law did
depose and say that he was born in the State of New York
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and fifty and removed in the year seventeen hundred &
seventy twenty three. and remained in the said State
unto the commencement of the Revolutionary war. 
Then entered into the service under Capt. John Smock
in the Infantry. And was with him four years and
upwards.  And after that was under
Barns Smock for two years or more.
   Afterwards was under Hendrick Smock at the Battle of
Germantown on a scouting party, but not in the
Battle.  At sundry times was in different
skirmishes during said war.  And rendered other
service in.

Sworn & subscribed this 8th                              Wm Pettit                
day of November AD 1834 before me
S.C. Vanderhoof  Justice

Monmouth
County
State of New Jersey

Personally appeared before me the
subscriber. One of the Justices of the peace in & for said
County. Capt John Schenck.  Who being duly sworn according
to law did depose & say that he knew William
Pettit, the above petitioner.  That he was a soldier in
the Revolution, and that he was always as far he understands
was a faithful soldier.

Sworn & subscribed this 6th day            John Schanck, Cpt.
of November AD 1832 aforesaid
S.C. Vanderhoof
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Monmouth
County
State of New Jersey.

      Personally appeared before me the
subscriber.  One of the Justice of the peace in &
for said County, John Williamson who being
duly sworn according to law.  Did depose and say
that he knew William Pettie, the above petition.
Was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and served
as such with this deponent at sundry time
in skirmishes against the enemy.
Sworn & subscribed this 9th
day of November, 1831 before me            John Williamson
S. C. Vanderhoof, Justice

Monmouth
County
State of New Jersey

    Personally appeared before me the
subscribed one of the justice of the
peace in and for said County. John L
Bennett who being duly sworn according to
law did depose and say that he knew William
Pettit, the above aforesaid.  That he was a
soldier in the Revolutionary war and that he
rendered services at different times during the
war.  In case of claims, and was always
reputed to be a good soldier; by his officers.

Sworn & subscribed this             John L Bennett
of November, AD 1821
S. C. Vanderhoof Justice
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    I the subscriber one of the Judges of the said in
superior Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that
James Otterson, is pastor of the Dutch Church of Freehold.
That on examining the record of said church, be find the
entry aforesaid & that he fully satisfied from there
and my acquaintance with the parties that the fore
going is the record of the marriage of the applicant
Hannah Pettit to the said William Pettit deceased, who
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
                                                              John Hull
          I, Daniel H. Ellis, clerk of the Inferior Court
of Common Pleas in & for the County of Monmouth
and State of New Jersey.  Do hereby certify that Henry
B. Chuman is and was at the taking of the foregoing 
declaration of Hannah Pettit.  A Justice of the peace of said
County duly commissioned & sworn & the signatures.
Henry B. Cherman and his proper hand writing.  That
James J. Baird is & was at the time of taking the deposition
of John Williamson a Justice of the peace of said
County & that the signatures "Ja Baird are his proper
hand writing.  That John Hull is a Judge of said
Inferior Court of Common Pleas & that the foregoing
signatures John Hull" are genuine.  That William
Lloyd is also a Judge of the said Inferior Court &
that the signatures William Lloyd" foregoing are genuine 
That Samuel A Vanderhoof, was at the
time of taking the foregoing affidavits purporting to be
taken before him a Justice of the peace of said County. 
Duly commissioned & sworn & that the foregoing signature
S. C. Vanderhoof, are the sign manual of said Justice.
That the official acts of the before named officers should
have full credit. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of office
this tenth day of February, A.D. 1837
                                                         D. H. Ellizek
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[crossed out]
REJECTED
8155
Hannah Pettit
Service: wid of William
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
_______ Recognized.  _____ Cont
_______ Cert. of Dis.  Searched for _______, 18
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V
Hannah Pettit
New Jersey
Suspended
let 4 April 1837
B. Dubois Sneck
See letter in claim of
John Hays-W. 7633
8155
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13 Feb
B Dubois Smock
Freehold N.J.
Case Hannah Pettit
  "   Sarah Niversar
Act 4 July 36
Luce
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Hon L Edwards,
          Enclosed you have two applications 
for pensions. The proof which support
them is of a general nature establishing.  However
beyond the possibility of a doubt the fact
that the husbands John Niverson & William
Pettit of the applicants were good & faithful
soldiers in the Revolutionary war from its
commencement to the close.  Upon the question
how many tours of duty or months of service
have they respectively made there may exist
a doubt of the estimate of the deponents in
not credited. They had opportunities of knowing
from their knowledge they speak. Al thought
after the lapse of half a century with their
natures sinking under them, their memories
are not sufficiently clear to allow them
to swear to the particular set times of duty.
      I was aware of your rules of judging of applications
when I endeavored to get such specific 
statements of services from old soldiers.
Who were eyewitnesses & who fought with them
shoulder to shoulder in our battles of freedom,
but they fearing lest they might or would not
venture to particularize. I believe the applied applications
have enough proof, if it was only particular
as to time, will not a sworn estimate be considered
& regarded by you?  It is thought that it ought to be
Wm Pettit several years ago was about applying for
a pension.   Affidavits by him & others then made
have been attached to the present application
Will you let me know soon what is done
with the case of Elizabeth Hays

February 11th 1837                                   I am respectfully
Freehold, Monmouth                                your obt. sup
County,  New Jersey                                 B. DuBois Smock