Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9810, Leonard Coleman, New Jersey
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SERVICE                                                  
New Jersey       

 Coleman, Leonard    
                     Eunice 


NUMBER
W 9810
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Letter to P. Haynes 31 May 1838                                              ________________________________________
Paid at the Treasury under Act 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1835 to 4th Sept 1837. Agent modified 4th June 1838. 


                                                                               29.936
Ohio. Pittsburg.
Now Wheeling Agency. 
==================================
Leonard Coleman of Belmont Co. in the State of Ohio who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Varondoll of the regt commanded by Col Frelingkuys(?) in the N. Jersey (Mile)? line for 6 months for 1776.

==================================
I inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsburgh: at the rate of 20 Dollars ---- Cents per annum, (to)?  commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 

==================================
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of May 1835 -------- and sent to T.H. Genin, St Clairsville, Ohio.

==================================
Arrears        $ 90--
to the 4th of Sept 1835                
Semi-anl. allowance ending         10
ending 4 March 36 
==================================                                                                           
  $ 100.-- 
 =======
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832  
Recorded by Wm. Allison           Clerk,
Book  (ink blob = deliberate scratch out?),    2
Vol    5.       Page     119
Page 3

6734
Missouri
Eunice Coleman
widow of Leonard Coleman
NJ
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
29 day of March 18 [illegible]
and sent to S Steven Browne Esq,
Wheeling pa
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
and June 17, 1844
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 233
Page 4

State of Ohio Belmont County (illegible) On the first day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas for said County now sitting Leonard Coleman a resident of Said Belmont County aged seventy eight years in April last 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 7th 1832--
      That during the whole revolutionary war his place of residence was in Somerset County New Jersey except that the year before Cornwallis was taken he resided in Morris County of the same State. That he was in the service of the United States as a volunteer about three out of five years of this war--His main business was tory-catching--went much on short excursions--His first entrance into the service was under a Captn. Jonathan Whitaker in the capacity of Sergeant some eighteen months before the declaration of Independence. His colonel was a Mc.Donald. He was marched to Amboy where they remained some time, but not much over a month--A short time about a month after-wards he went out again under a Captn Parker, was marched to Elizabeth town Amboy Newark, and was kept scouting constantly--(twas?) early in 177[?] He was under this Captn. Parker a couple of years at intervals--He was under Captn. Helen (Robt. Helen) next--was out with him two or three times--next under a Captn. Mc.Coy one or two excursions--next under Captn Cory, went with him to Compton Plains-- helped to build a fort there under genl. Heard--fought none this time--
During the battle on Long Island he was at Bergen point driving off cattle lest the enemy would get them--He had many skirmishes with the foraging parties--A smart one (1)? mile or two east of Spring field NJ when many were killed---He took some ruffians at a meeting house in Middlesex County near the line of Essex--was at Fort Washington a while and when the Independence was declared--was cleaning his gun at this fort when the news there arrived but was not
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part of the garrison + was there only a day or two being, on a scouting excursion.  On the retreat of Washington through Jersey, applicant left the army being almost naked and passing not far from his home he took the opportunity to go & see his wife and get shoes & clothes--He remained at home two days and then followed the army to Trenton--He was in the Battle of Monmouth--his captain's name at this Battle was Vanasdol--the Col's name, Frelingham. He was under Captn. Helen upward of four months -- during this time he was operating at or near quibble town, between New Brunswick & Amboy--He had joined Washington's army but ten days before the Battle of Monmouth-- applicant's memory is very weak [illegible] the more he tries to think the more confused & [illegible] less distinct are his ideas. He never had a written discharge--
      Applicant was born on the 16th of Apl. 1754 in Morris County New Jersey. He has a record of his age as (sic) home in his Bible, transferred from his fathers bible. He has since the revolutionary war lived near Washington in Penna. some 16 or 18 yrs & about twenty seven years in Belmont County Ohio where he now resides.   Applicant went into service as a volunteer every time he entered it. and not as a substitute--while at Quibble.Town he was under Col. Wines, who was afterwards a General.    He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any other state.
Sworn to and subscribed this day & year aforesaid in open court                Leonard Coleman
"thru out of" interlined
PeterTallman CK

We, (first name illegible) Hall a clergyman residing in it County of Belmont and Robert 
McMasters residing in the same place nearby certify that we are well acquainted with Leonard Coleman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration--- that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age or thereabout. That he is (reported)? and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion
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Sworn & Subscribed
this day & year aforesaid in open court- Peter Tallman 
Robert McMaster
[illegible]
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after its investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Rachel Hall who has subscribed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident of said [illegible] County and that Robert McMasters who has also subscribed the same is a resident of said County and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
J H Hallock 
George Sharp 
John Davenport
James Alexander Jr
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Belmont County
This applicant is among the very meritorious this service was irregular & varied. The time of three out of 5 yes was inserted to be on the safe side, he fully believing that he was that length of time from house, although the whole 5 was broken & [illegible], almost for private business- The 2 last yrs of the war he was left to persue his own affairs, his neighbors & officers considering that he had done part. His memory appears to retain but few details, and only those [illegible] which are made by the more striking events and such as from their nature become deepened by reflection
 The department will address to (Leonard Coleman St Clairsville Ohio" to care of Thos. Genis"
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State of Ohio }
Belmont County } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a
Justice of the peace for said County Leonard Coleman 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 period mentioned below, and in the following
grade - For three years I served as a volunteer and as a
private. I was orderly Sergeant in Capt Nat Baily Company 
for three months. I was in the battle of Monmouth
on the 28th of June 1778. I also served in the capacity of
orderly Sergent under the command of Capt Coarys at
Pompton Plains, the date not recollected - I was occasionally
in the service for five years during which time I was
actually employed three years. And for such service I claim
a pension. I cannot mention with more precision than
I have done, the periods of the war when I service. I have done
my best.
Leonard Coleman
Taken sworn and subscribed before me the 10th day
of May A.D. 1833
John Thompson Jr (seal)
Justice of the peace

State of Ohio }
Belmont County ⎬ ss
I hereby certify that Leonard Coleman, the deponent above named is entitled to full credit & [illegible] 
[illegible] being made for the infirmities of age
Given under my hand and seal this 25th day
of November A.D. 1833
John Thompson Jun (seal)
Justice of the Peace
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The State of Ohio
Belmont County   P.J William Tallman deputy Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County, do hereby Certify that John Thompson Jr. Esq. before whom the foregoing deposition of Leonard Coleman appears to have been taken was at the time of taking the same an asking Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly elected com-missioned and sworn and fully authorised to administer Oaths and take acknowledgments and to all whose official acts as a Justice of the peace full faith and credit are due. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of St. Clairsville this 26th day of November AD. 1833.
                                William Tallman Deputy Clerk
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State of Ohio Belmont County ss

On the eighteenth day of March AD 1835
personally appeared in open Court before
the Court of Common Pleas for said County
now sitting Leonard Coleman a resident of
said Belmont County aged eighty one years
on the fourteenth of April next who being first
duly sworn according to law doth on his
oath make the following ADDITIONAL declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832

That he went to the liberty pole within half
a mile of Basking ridge meeting house Sommerset NJersey where
Captain Jonathan Whitacre was beating up for men
be ready at a minute's warning, and thence forward
stood ready to muster & march at the firing of the
cannon stationed at this liberty pole - He through
the summer of 1775 met at this liberty pole
with his company for drilling or "getting the exercise" twice a week

The spring of 1776 in March he was led to Amboy
with his company under the command of Captain Bailey
He had not been at Amboy but four or five days before
he was sent by Colonel Frelinghuysen to Dutch
Valley and Black River - into Schooley's Mountain and
other part of Morris County, with the localities of which he
was well acquainted, to espy and watch the enemies
of the Country and arrest suspicious persons and send
them to head quarters whereever established - these were
sometimes at Morristown - Basking ridge - Pluckamin [Pluckemin] - He
He had under his command certain persons who, at his
summons, were bound to take into custody the suspicious
and carry them to Head quarters - The names of some
of these subordinates are Stephen Bruce - Nick Emmons -
John Coleman - He was engaged all the summer of 1776
in the service of the United States - He took one Sweezey a
prisoner who was detected in carrying off or stealing horses
He Sweezy was afterwards shot in attempting to escape
from the guard which was composed of Peter Coryell &
Joseph Bullman That the applicant was informed and believes
these persons shot him but he did not see it done though
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he heard the report of the guard - Applicant acted as Sergeant
on his tours of duty - He was on duty next under the command
of Capt'n John Parker one month - He (applicant) went six several
tours under Capt'n Parker, between the tour of March 1776 under
Captn Bailey and --- He was in the service whenever Capt'n
Parker was - He was on one tour under Capt'n Rob't Helms
He served he is certain at least six tours of one month each
under Capt Parker - He was more than one month in very
hard service on the tour he was detached from Capt'n Bailey's
command by Col. Frelinghysen - He was one month in the service
under Capt'n Helms - He was standing sentry under a hickory bush
annoyed by Musquitoes, on Bergen point, the night the battle of Long Island
begun - soon after this battle the applicant with his company marched
up to Bergen town driving before all the cattle geese &c. - a ten gallon
kettle of geese was boiled at Bergen town from which some of the
men got sick by eating geese - they were troubled some days with
the flux in consequence - applicant was in Fort Washington when
he heard first of the declaration of Independence - When Washington
crossed over into Jersey applicant was at Tappan on duty - he
cannot tell under which of the captains - He remained many times
after the end of his captains tours under the orders of the succeeding
captains, the officers being urgent to retain, all who could possibly stay
in the service - He thinks his captain at Tappan was Fulkinson - he marched
down the river from there and joined Washington's army in the retreat
Applicant when passing near his old master Leon'd [Leonard]
Straight's with whom he learned his trade, he informed his capt'n that
he would like to get some clothes that he had at Straights - The Capt'n
told him to fall back then provided he would return - applicant got
his clothes, and after two nights and one day joined his comp'y again
at Millstone - The major's name was Wm Davison (the Major in
s'd Frelinghuysen's regiment) - At a skirmish near Quibbletown
in NJersey his neighbor Mr Lyon was killed and s'd Davidson
in his haste run his ramrod through his hand - this skirmish
took place on the morning of the 1st of Jany. 1777 - Applicant
thinks his Capt'n at this time was of the name of Cory - He
served one tour under Capt'n Cory of a month - It was
while under Cory he took fright at the capture of a baggage waggon
in a skirmish with the british containing a person most dead
with the small pox supposed to have been yielded to the Americans
for the purpose of spreading the disease - applicant was immediately
afterwards innoculated for the small pox - applicant served one
tour under Captain Tunison of a month - Col. Wines commanded
when he was near Quibbletown aforesaid - under Capt. Tunison
he was at Elizabeth town - In the May & June of 1777 he was on
a tour at Pompton - helped build a fort there - He marched thither
under Capt'n Logan - Gen'l Heard commanded at this place. He
remained at this place two months - was the chief blacksmith in
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the building of the fort fixing pick axes spades hoes &c. and the
General Heard would let no one shoe his horse but me the officers urged
and were very desirous I should remain there. Applicant was
in the service of the U.S. one town of a month under Capt. Ferguson [crossed out] no
Fulkinson - Applicant served one tour under Capt Vanosdol
of a month's duration: In this tour he was between Pluckamin & Bound
Brook when intelligence arrived of the capture of Genl Lee and
applicant with others cut across by the mountain road from Puckamin
towards Benj Vale's woods and came out some four miles South 
of Baskingridge meeting house; but the Brittish had taken a
different road from the one they came upon. Freelinghyson
was colonel on this occasion - Applicant cannot say who was the
Captn at the battle of Monmouth but thinks it was Rickey-- he well
remembers of suffering from heat & thirst on his march from near
Princeton to the field of battle - after getting on the trail of the
Brittish the wells were found to have been injured by them Cow's
paunches nails logs stores and all manner of filth having
been thrown into them. He is sure of having served more 
than a month at the time in which the battle of Monmouth
took place - Applicant has no doubt he served more than
three years out of the five first years of the war
1 applicant was born in Morris County NJersey apl. 14. 1754
2 I have a record of my age in my big bible copied
from a record in my father bible
3 When called into service I was living in Sommerset County
NJersey-- I have lived since the Revolutionary war
thirteen yrs in Washington County Penn and the
rest of the time in Belmont County Ohio
4 Requisitions were made for a draft, but applicant
volunteered and agreed to continue to volunteer
as often as the requisition should be made and
no draft was made on his company that he recollects
there being a sufficient number of volunteers he
never served as a substitute
5. Col. Wines. Col Frelinghuysen Major Davison Genl
Heard Capt Bailey, Helms, Vanosdol, Parker, Cory, Tunison, Fulkinson
6. I never received a discharge. I served in the
capacity of sergeant the whole time I served-
7. David Lockwood Jeremiah Hays Zachariah Hays
Robt Dent Esq, Benjm Ruggles late Senator John
Patterson formerly of Congress H. R., Jas Caldwell Do
There are many towns that for want of remembering the
names of the captains cannot be particularized, the applicant
however is certain that he is not wrong in the aggregate
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of time (the three years out of five) that he faithfully served
(without standing upon requiring the ceremony of draft) his country 
and believes if he had said three and an half years he would
not have been wrong
And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name
is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State
Leonard Coleman
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
J C Tallman Clk

We Benjamin Ruggles & John Patterson residing in the County of
Belmont hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Leonard Coleman who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration that we believe him to be about eighty one years of
age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he
resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in
that opinion
Benj Ruggles
John Patterson
Sworn and subscribed the }
day and year aforesaid in open Court }
J C Tallman Clk }

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion with 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
certify that it appears to them that Benjn Ruggles & John
Patterson Esquires who have signed the preceeding certificate 
are residents of said County of Belmont are credible persons
and that their statement is entitled to credit

[note: the following paragraph is crossed out]

I John C Tallman Clerk of the Court of Common pleas for Belmont County do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the 
original proceedings of the said Court
in &c. Alexr Harper Prst Judge of the 4th Dist
George Short
James Alexander Esqr
Associate Judge 

I John C Tallman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Belmont
County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceeding, of said Court in the matter of
the application of Leonard Coleman for a pension
And that John Spatterday is a duly qualified and acting Justice of the Peace  
In testimony whereof I have hereto 
set my hand and seal of office this
day of March 1835
Jno C Tallman Clerk
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11,636
Eunice Coleman
Received
January 31, 1845.
Act July 1838
M80039
Page 14

State of Missouri }
Lewis County } ss
On this third day of December 1844, personally
appeared before William Hagood a Justice of the County Court of
Lewis County Eunice Coleman, a resident of Union township
in the County of Lewis
aged eighty two 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 7th
1838, entitled "an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain
widows"
That she is the widow of Leonard Coleman, who was a
private in the Army of the Revolution, and a Pensioner of the United 
States
under the Act of June 7th 1832, whose services are fully set forth in
the vouchers filed in the War Department to obtain said pension, the
Original Certificate of which, numbered 29.936 is filed with this
declaration. She further declares that she was married to the said
Leonard Coleman on the first day of February Seventeen hundred and
eighty, that her husband the aforesaid Leonard Coleman died on
the twenty eighth day of March eighteen hundred and thirty nine.
that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service; but the
marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred
and ninety four, viz, at the time above stated; and that she has
remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully 
appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Eunice Coleman
Sworn & Subscribed on the day and ⎬
year above written before }
Wm Hagood J.C.C

State of Missouri }
County of Lewis } ss
I Wm Hagood a Justice of the County 
Court of said County of Lewis do hereby
certify that the above named applicant Eunice Coleman cannot from
bodily infirmity attend court. Given under my hand this third day
of December 1844
Wm Hagood J.C.C.
Page 15

State of Missouri }
County of Lewis ss }  I J. H. Blair Clerk of the County
Court within and for said County of Lewis do hereby
certify that William Hagood whose name appears to
the within and foregoing certificate is now and was
at the date thereof a Justice of the County Court within
and for said County of Lewis, which is a Court of record,
duly commissioned and qualified as such, and that 
his signature thereto is his genuine signature
Given under my hand and the seal of said
Court. Done at office in Monticello at
the County aforesaid on this 21st day of
December A.D. 1844
J. H. Blair Clerk
Page 16

State of Missouri }
County of Lewis ss } Be it remembered that on this
the Eighteenth day of December A.D. eighteen
hundred and forty four before the Hon. J.A. McBride
Judge of Circuit Court within and for said County
of Lewis, it being a Court of record, came William
H. Jones and John Biggs into open Court
and being first duly sworn to testify the whole truth
of their knowledge concerning the widowhood of
Eunice Coleman, say upon their oath aforesaid
that since the death of Leonard Coleman deceased
her husband, which occurred on the twenty eighth
day of March A D Eighteen hundred and
thirty nine, she has resided alternately with
the aforesaid witnesses, and that she has 
remained a widow ever since that period
which was ordered by said Court to be certified
accordingly
In testimony whereof I J H Blair
Clerk of said Court have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court, Doncat Office
in Monticello at the County
aforesaid on this the day and year
first above written
J. H. Blair Clerk
Page 17

State of Virginia
Ohio County Set:
On this second day of December
A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty four personally appeared
before the County Court for Ohio County aforesaid Jacob
Coleman a resident of Mead Township, in the County
of Belmont in the State of Ohio, who being first duly
sworn, deposes and says.
I am a son of Leonard Coleman deceased late 
a
pensioner of the United States. The said Leonard Coleman
died the 28th day of March Eighteen hundred and thirty
nine in Mead, Township, Belmont County in the State of
Ohio. The paper I now produce (This paper is annexed
to this deposition as an exhibit and marked "A referred
to in Jacob Coleman's deposition") is the original pension
certificate granted to the said Leonard Coleman
by the United States under the law of the United States,
of the 7th June 1832. I have seen the said Certificate in
the possession of the said Leonard Coleman and being
his Executor, found the same certificate amongst
his papers after his death. The paper hereto annexed,
as an Exhibit and which is marked "HB referred to in
Jacob Coleman's deposition" is the family record in the 
possession of Leonard Coleman up to the time of his death
and since then it has remained in my possession. The entry
of the marriage of the said Leonard Coleman in the said
Record, with some others was made about fifteen years ago
by one James Flack then our Schoolmaster, in presence
of said
Leonard Coleman, I was also
present. Said entries
were so made from an original record made by the said
Leonard Coleman. This original record I now know
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nothing of from said record it will appear that the 
said Leonard Coleman my father was married to
Eunice Pierson my mother, on the first day of
February A.D. Seventeen hundred and eighty. this is
the date of which I have always heard my mother &
father speak of as the time of their marriage. I was
born on the seventeenth day of December Seventeen
hundred and eighty four. My mother Eunice Coleman
now resides in Lewis County in the State of Missouri
and still remains the widow of the said Leonard Coleman,
not having married again since his death.
She removed to the State of Missouri in March 1841.
up to the time of his death my father and mother
lived together as man and wife and were universally
known and recognized amongst their neighbours
as such. I know that the said Leonard Coleman is the
same person named in the annexed pension certificate
having several times attended personally to the
drawing of his pension under his said Certificate
Jacob Coleman
Sworn to and subscribed on the day }
& year above written, before the }
County Court for Ohio County
Teste
Jno McCollock Clerk
Page 19

[ 677 ]
FAMILY RECORD.
MARRIAGES || MARRIAGES
Leonard Coleman &
Eunice Pierson was
Married February 1st AD.
1780
Wm Coleman to
Jamima Craft
November the 12th AD 1800
Page 20

[ 678 ]
FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS || BIRTHS
Leonard Coleman was
born April 14th AD. 1754 ┃| Charlotte Coleman was born October 31st A. D. 1797 |
Eunice Coleman was
born February 12th AD. 1762 |┃ Sarah Coleman was born Jany 6th AD 1803 |
William Coleman was
born Jany 18th AD. 1781.|| Wyllys Pierson Coleman was
born August 26th AD 1806
John Person Coleman Was
born December 3d AD. 1782
Jacob Coleman was
born December 17th AD. 1784
Elizabeth Coleman was
born December 31st AD. 1786-
Leonard Coleman was
born Jany 16th AD. 1789-
Mary Coleman Was
born November 25th AD. 1794
Page 21

[ 679 ]
BIRTHS.
FAMILY RECORD.
DEATHS.
John Pierson Coleman Died
in New Orleans October 1st 1801
aged Eighteen years nine months
and one day without one kind
friend to smoothe his pillow
or support his aching head

Sarah Sperry Died
October 26th 1831
aged Twenty seven years ten
months and Eleven days

Leonard Coleman Signer
departed this life March
28th AD 1839
Page 22

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United 
States of the 7th June, 1832, Leonard Coleman
of Ohio. (Pittsburgh Agency)
who was a Private in the Army of
the Revolution
is entitled to receive twenty dollars and
cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semiannually
on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in
every year
Given at the War Office of the United States,
this nineteenth day of
May
one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-five
C. A. Harris
Acting Secretary of War 
Examined and }
Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 23

Payments to be made
at Pittsburgh
by M. Tiernan Esqr
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency
of
Pittsburgh

Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book E. [2?] Vol. 5
Page 119 by
Wm Allison Clerk
Page 24

& 1812
Section
April 27, 1929
Mr. Howard F.Sedgwick
Clerk, Committee on Military Affairs
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
In response to your letter of April 23, 1929, with which you
enclosed one, herewith returned, from Mrs. Pierie Coleman Bernhardt
of Martins Ferry, Ohio, I advise you as follows:
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 9810,
it appears that Leonard Coleman (the name does not appear as 
Koohlman) was born April 14, 1754, in Morris County, New Jersey.
While residing at Mine Brook, Somerset County, New Jersey,
he enlisted in 1775 and served at various times during the first
five or six years of the war, with the New Jersey Troops under
Captains Jonathan Whitaker, Fulkerson, Parker, Logan, Robert Helms, 
Bayles, McCoy, Tunison, Corey, and Van Arsdale; a part of the
time in Colonel McDonald's and Colonel Frelinghuysen's Regiments,
and was in the battle of Monmouth and many skirmishes with foraging
parties. His service was rendered in the capacity of sergeant and
accounted in all to at least three years.
After the Revolution he lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania
about sixteen or eighteen years and then moved to Meade Township, 
.
Page 25

Belmont County, Ohio, where he had resided for twenty-seven years
when he was allowed pension on his application executed August 1,
1832. He died there March 28, 1839.
The soldier married, February 1, 1780, in Somerset County,
New Jersey, Eunice Pierson, who was born February 12, 1762. She
was allowed pension on her application executed December 3, 1844,
while living in Union Township, Lewis County, Missouri, to which
place she had moved in 1841, and resided alternately at the homes
of William H. Jones and John Biggs; their relationship to her is
not stated.
The children of Leonard and Eunice Coleman were
William, born January 18, 1781, married, November 12, 1800,
Jamima Craft.
John Pierson, born December 3, 1782, died October 1, 1801,
in New Orleans.
Jacob, born December 17, 1784, living in Meade Township,
Chio, in 1844.
Elizabeth, born December 31, 1786.
Leonard, born January 16, 1789.
Mary, born November 25, 1794.
Charlotte, born October 31, 1797.
Sarah, born January 6, 1803, married, Sperry. She
died October 26, 1830.
Wyllys, born August 26, 1806.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 26

1929 - April 27, Hist to
Mr. H.F. Sedgwick, for
Mrs. Frank Bernhardt M.E.E.
File No.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 9810
Eunice Coleman
Wid of
Leonard Coleman
Pri. Rev. War
Act: Mch, 3d/43, & June 17th/44
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 145
Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 27

SEVENTIETH CONGRESS
JOHN M. MORIN, PA, CHAIRMAN
W. FRANK JAMES MICH.
HARRY C. RANSLEY, PA.
HARRY M. WURZBACH, TEX
LOUIS A. FROTHINGHAM, MASS.
B. CARROLL REECE, TENN.
JOHN C. SPEAKS, OHIO
J. MATHEW WAINWRIGHT, N.Y.
JAMES P. GLYNN, CONN.
ALLEN J. FURLOW, MINN.
WILLIAM R. JOHNSON, ILL.
JAMES A. HUGHES, W.VA.
HAROLD G. HOFFMAN, N. J.
PERCY E. QUIN, MISS.
HUBERT F. FISHER, TENN.
WILLIAM C. WRIGHT, GA.
DANIEL R. CARRETT, TEX.
JOHN J. MCSWAIN, S. C.
JOHN J. BOYLAN, N.Y.
LISTER HILL, ALA.
VIRGIL CHAPMAN, KY.
VICTOR C. K. HOUSTON, HAWAII
HOWARD F. SEDGWICK, CLERK

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON, D. C.
April 22, 1929.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Commissioner:
Enclosed is a letter from Mrs. Pierie Coleman
Bernhardt, of Martins Ferry, Ohio, relative to her
Great-grandfather, Leonard Coleman 
(Koohlman) and
his record in the Revolutionary War.
Will you kindly advise me what the records of
your office may show, together with the return of
the enclosure?
Very truly yours,
H. F. Sedgwick,
Clerk.
Page 28

No 11636
Eunice Coleman
widow of Leonard
Mo.
act 7 July 1838
Admr 6 mo private
$20 per annum.
from 28th March 1839 to
4 March 1841

Admd 3 March 1843 and
17 June 1844
$20.00 per Anm
No act 1843 - 7048
"      " 1844 - 464

J. Steen Brown
Wheeling
Va
Page 29

Treasury Department,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 1 1838
Sir
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the
Treasury of the United States, Leonard Coleman
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Wheeling Agency, at
the rate of twenty
Dollars and  " " cents [crossed out]
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1835
to the 4th September 1837
Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.
Page 30

Pension Agency
Wheeling January 27th 1845
Sir
I enclose herewith vouchers to sustain the application
of Eunice Coleman, widow of Leonard Coleman decd,
for a pension under the act of July 7th 1838-
the vouchers are believed to be complete and in
accordance with the prescribed forms - It is hoped
that this application will receive your earliest attention
I beg leave to call your attention to a similar
application in behalf of Robert Lockwood, forwarded
to your office on the 21st of December last

I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J Steen Browne
Pension Agent
Page 31

13. 231.
Leonard Coleman
Ohio
from 1776 pr 6 mos
$20
Suspended [crossed out]
Rates [crossed out]
T. H. Genin
Hon. J. M. Bell [crossed out]
HR
Thomas H. Gennin [crossed out]
 St Clairsville
Ohio
Page 32

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 shew 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

Period when the service rendered |
Duration of the claimant's service |
Years. | Months | Days.|.
Rank of the  claimant. |
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served. |
Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered 
the service. |
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 33

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been 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 War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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, or District of }
County of } ss
On this day of personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District
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 named officers:

(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 in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, 
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to 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 an 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.
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 days 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, if
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 his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, 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
Page 34

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 a 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?
6. {To Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services 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 traditionary 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 the 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 case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
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.

[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 confirming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant 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 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---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 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 that they served two years
in the militia, &c. thout 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.
[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 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.

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 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.
[] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary 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 all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 35

9112
Missouri
Eunice Coleman
widow of Leonard Coleman
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 28 March 1839
of in the State of Missouri
who was a Pri in the Cont
commanded by Captain of the
commanded by in
the line for 6 mos. 
Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri
at the rate of 20 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 28th day
of March, 1839
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of
Mar '45 and send to 
J Steen Brown, Esq, wheeling
Total amount $ yr
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by F.L. Swann, Clerk
Book D Vol. 1 Page 411
Page 36

Deposition of Jacob Coleman of Euclid Township, Cuyahoga County
& State of Ohio, taken the 22 day of Aug A.D. 1834 before
Elijah Burton a Justice of Peace for the Town & County aforesaid
to be red at the pention office of the United States, in evidence
of the services rendered the Country during the Revolutionary
war by Leonard Coleman now a resident of Mead
Township Belmont County Ohio-
Q What do you know respecting the services rendered the cuntry
by Leonard Coleman during the War of the Revolution?
A all that I know of his services during the two first years
of the War, is from the testimony of others & from comon
report at the time, as I did not live within 12 or 15 miles of
his place of residence during that period I however distinctly
recollect that my impressions at the time was, that he spent
his whole time in the service of the Cuntry either in being
out with the Company to which he belonged, or in hunting Tories
for the latter service I know he was considered verry famous-
I think in the forepart of the third year of the War, I went &
resided with him two years, (& until I enlisted in the regular
service & went to the South) during this period we both belonged 
to the Same Company of what was then called minit men, we were
volunteers Leonard Coleman acted as Sargent of the Company
during my stay in the place
Q What officers commanded the Company at that time?
A Robert Hellem & William Simpson were two officers that
I well recollect but who the Ensign was I do not now recollect
Q What Regiment or Battalion was your company attached to?
A I do not recollect distinctly I however think the Cornals
name was Freelinghowsen. The Mager was James Lin
who lived in the immediate nabourhood with 
with no one I
was personally acquainted
Q During the third & fourth years of the War, how
many months service do you think Leonard Coleman
performed?
A I think I may state safely that during those two years
his service could not be less than one year of the time
Q How old are you?
A Seventy Six years old the 18th day of last June-
Page 37

Of State some circumstances attending Leonard Colemans Service's during the War? A I recollect well that he was considred the most efeciant Gory cetcher there was in the company & that I have known him & one or more others to be ordered back to stay & patrol the country by night & cetch the Gories who were collecting provesion for the enemy; I have known of his being in that employ for weeks when it was supposed there was none but old men & Women lef in the nabourhood, & he genrally had good suckseff, I have known of his taking sevral & delivering up to the officers in command 
his
Jacob + Coleman 
Mark 
I Clijah Burton Justice of the peace of the Township of Cuclid County of Cuyahoga & State of Ohio, do hereby certify that Jacob Cole-man was by me sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to the above named deposition, and that the said deposition by him subscribed was reduced to writing by William Coleman Esq & taken at the time and place therein speeified, given under my hand & seal the's 22 day of August 1834
Elijah Burton Justic Giser JS
And I hereby further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the said Jacob Coleman, signer of the above deposition and Know him to be a man of good morral chrach-ter truth and veraeily, my acquaintance with him has been for for the term of about fourteen years
given under my hand and seal this 22 day of August 1834
Elijah Burton Justic Guu
Page 38

Deposition of John Adams of Euclid Township Cuyahoga County & State of Ohio, taken this 23 day of Aug A.D. 1834 before Elijah Burton a Justice of peace in & for Town & County aforesaid to be red at the pention office of the United States in evedance of the Service rendered the Country during the War of the Revolution by Leonard Ceoleman of What do you know respecting the serve rendered by Leonard Coleman during the War of the Revolution? A I recollect Leonard Coleman almost as erly as any other person in the place where I was raised, he was an Apprentice in the Smithshop where my Master got all his Smithwork dane, & I being an orphant boy, & but few friends, ,, often found his protection of service to me, my impreffions are now, that he must have cum of age sum where about the commencement of the War; & the Same impreff=ions are, that he never was an inlisted souldier, because I know, that his place of residance continued the same til long after peace, (neither do) I distinctly recollect that he belonged to a Company of volenteers, at that time known as minitmen, whose liuduly was to attend at all alarms, which at (that) time, I recollect was considered an important station & more partientarty so while the British lay in the State of New jersey at Brunswick
y What was thaught of Leonard Colemans Carrecton at the time of the War?
A I know he was considered at that time to be a substantial Whig & real Patriot_
De you know of his drawing either pay or Rations of A I do not & think that he got neither Do you know of Leonard Colemans being frequantly of absent on duty during the War?
A My impreffions are that Leonard Coleman always considred him Self on duly during the War at all times & the reason why I think so is, I  know he was allways reaely & allways went at evry alarm, & I know those alarms were very frequant, because we lived near the lines or what was then considred the frontier
Page 39

Q Do you know of any circumstances in which Leonard
Coleman was engaged during the War?
A The Morning after Gen Lee was taken, I went to Mill,
& in going passed through the American Camp which was
left in disorder, & on my return I lernt that Leonard Coleman
was one of the party that ran from Plluckhimin to
Steals gap, in order to intercept & cut of the retreat of the
British, who had passed the latter place a few minits before
the minitmen arive. I know also that the deponent said at
the time that Leonard Coleman was at the battle of Monmouth
Q Where did you & Leonard Coleman live at the time you
speak of?
A In Summerset Co Newjersey at a place called Mine Brook
Q what officers commanded the Company to which L Colman
belonged - A I knew of none but Lieutenant Wm Simpson
Q How old are you? A Sixty six years the 28 day of 
January next--
John his X mark Adams

State of Ohio Cuyahoga Co (SS)
on the 23 day of August A D 1834 before the Subscribed
Justice of peace in & for said County personally appeared
John Adams the Signor of the foregoing Deposition
who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith: that 
foregoing is trew, according to the best efforts of his
memory-
Elijiah Burton Just Peace {seal]
I do hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted 
with John Adams for the fourteen years last past & that
he is considered a good Morral man & one of truth 
& varasity
Elijiah Burton Justice Peace

The State of Ohio Cuyahoga County ss I Henry G Weldon Dep Clerk of the Court 
of
Common Pleas do certify that Elijiah Burton was and now
is a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid
duly commissioned and qualified according to law
and further that I am acquainted with the hand
writing of said Justice and believe to be his genuine signature
Witness my hand and signature the 25 day of August 1824
Henry G Weldon Dep Clerk
Page 40

Ohio
May 18

(stamped)
[illegible]
MAY
13

Free
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 41

St Clairsville May 12th 1835
Sir
you state that the Rules adopted by the 
department for the execution of the law of Congress
passed
June 7. 1832 were sanctioned by that body, and
consequently form in fact a part of the law, and
cannot be departed from"; (in your letter of the 28th ult)
By reference to my letter of the 20 ult, it will be seen
that I do not seek a departure from the rules, but I give
to them the force of positive law and endeavour to establish
Leonard Colman's claim to a full pension (instead of six
months which you thought he might be entitled to ) on the
ground that the lesser evidence may be admitted where
it is manifest the greater evidence cannot be had, in
Short, allowing to the rules all the efficacy of a law of Congress
I seek a decision under those rules agreeable to the law
of evidence, as it exists throughout the United States 
England and elsewhere, founded on immutable principles,
and modified by the wisdom and experience of ages.
If a note cannot be produced evidence
of its contents is admitted on proof made of
its loss or destruction and so of other things. Though
the highest evidence is required the nature of the case
admits, yet or proof that the highest cannot be
produced a lower is admitted. The point made in
my letter of the 20th is that proof sufficient being
made of the applicant's loss of memory & frailty of
mind to show his incapacity to go into all the details
as required by the rules (or the law) the commissioner
should admit his recollection of said total as evidence
without insisting of the items of service especially as the applicant
character for truth is good and circumstances corroboration
and strongly sustaining his statement touching the [illegible]
Page 42

total of his service The law of June 7 1832
was framed for the benefit of those who had served the
United States in the revolutionary war whether their
minds remained sound or not a sum of money may
be due from A to B though B has lost the [evidence crossed out] note
which contained the evidence of A's indebtedness
the rules were framed to extend the benefits of the law
to those who were the objects of it. Among those objects are
persons whose mind and memories are wholly or partially
destroyed. To require of every applicant full details of
service would be to require of him a sound mind and
memory. the notice in every case & thus a class
the most needful of assistance would be excluded
In Colman's case, we indeed present the note, but mutillated
and torn Some of the lines are legible but others wholly
defaced, still we contend that the deficient lines are
so far supplied by the depositions of others as to justify the
inference that he could not have served less than the
two years which he declares he is certain he did serve
It cannot be said that I use his mind as sound for one
purpose and unsound for another as to a matter that requires
equal intellectual power. Every one has experienced the
difficulty of accurate recollection of items, and even totalities
beyond round numbers. The expressions "He owes me two hundred
and odd dollars." 
and the like, are uttered by the most sane and honest 'Tis and the like, are uttered by the most 
with memory as with vision the fingers toes arms and little
appurtenances of objects are the first to disappear as they receive
at length nothing but a rounded mass is left. of the existence
of that mass the mind is certain, but the department want the ear
much the particular limbs of the object that it may make comparisons
to detect imposition if any is attempted. This cannot be
Page 43


given in his case  the mental vision is too weak; but a mass of
2 yrs & upwards is claimed to be seen, some 6 or 10 tours are
also seen; because they are so many entireties, and take their
character as such, from the circumstance of different Captains
commanding in each tour. His good character should go for
something which together with the depositions on file would
make it less necessary to be guided by the statements of the applicant
Thinking that my letter of the 20th ult was misunderstood
I have thought proper to send this in explanation. I observe
too, that the language of your last letter seems to reject
his claim for the whole period though your former letter
stated that you could only-- The whole sentence reads
thus unless each tour can be specified in detail
a pension can only be allowed for six months
service, which is the lowest rate provided for by
the act of 7 June 1832" I presume therefore that 
the language used in your letter of apl 28 was not
meant to imply a reversal of any decision indicated in
your letter of March 27th
I am respectfully
your obdt servt
Thos H Genin
L Edwards Esq
Page 44

Free
J L Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
War Department
Washington DC
Page 45

St Clairville March 20. 1835
Sir
agreable to the recommendation
of J W Edwards a 2d Declaration
of Lend Coleman is forwarded His
affit of loss of memory is already on
file with the other papers depositions
& accompanying the 1st declaration
He was in latter health and appeared
to recollect more on the taking of this
declaration than on the 1st and
could connect the events or incidents
he mentions so as to present their
relation to each other but with great
difficulty. His mind is full enough
of isolated facts, but from an
incident of 75 he passes at once to
an event of 1780, and it was with
much pains that he could be kept
to one period long enough to connect
one of its incidents with the name of
a particular captain or event so
as to present him as an actor in it-- You will perceive
he speaks positively as to the sum total of his service
though he furnishes items for but 16 months. The depositions
already submitted with the one of J. T. Riggs herewith sent
as well as the recommendation of Messrs Ruggles & Patterson
and others induce his friends to hope for a favourable disposition
of his case - and that 2 yrs service will be considered as established 
and that something will be conceded to honesty of intention
and frailty of memory, when it is remembered that a man who is
certain of having served three years, were be not regardful of
truth in a high degree, might furnish items of time to make
out 2 - Yours &c
J L Edwards Esqr
Page 46

Ohio Belmont County ss Isaac T. Riggs being sworn
saith that he was born and brought up in Summerset
County NJersey, near Basking Ridge meeting house
he was born in 1772 or 3 at the time that Leonard
Coleman, who is here present making application for 
pension, went into the service of the United States deponent
was a small child but well recollects the circumstance
of sd Coleman's going to the war and the deponent has
resided in that neighborhood until five years ago, and
while he was going into manhood & since he has
heard the neighbors speak of said L. Coleman's
services in the revolutionary war - this neighbor
always spoke well of said Colman as having been
a good soldier and active in said contest
particularly, deponent has heard his own
father often talk of his own exploits and labours
in connexion with those of said Colman Deponent's
father having been in the service at the same
time and in the same company. He Coleman married his
wife at Deponent's fathers house who brought her up
Deponent got the idea from what his father and
the neighbors said that sd Colman has served
as much in the revolutionary war as any other
in the militia
in that part of the country, who served in like
grade as a common soldier in the militia and he has
never heard the fact called in question, that
he had served a great deal in the Revolutionary
War
Isaac T Riggs
Taken sworn and subscribed }
the 18th March 1835 }
Jno Scatterday }
Justice of the peace }
Page 47

The State of Ohio, Belmont County ss
I do certify that from information received from Respectable
person
that Isaac T Riggs the within Deponant is a Respectable 
person and ought to be credited for truth and
Verasity. Given under my hand this 18th day of March 
1835
Jno Scatterday }
Justice of the peace }
---
application of }
Leon Coleman } 2d Declaration 
for pension }
.
Page 48

Deposition of Christopher Redden of the Township
of Hiram, in the County of Portage & State of Ohio taken
on the 17th day of July in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred & thirty four, before Elias Harmon
an asociate Judge of the court of common pleas for the
County aforesaid. To be red [in evidence crossed out] at the Pension
office of the United States in evidence of  the services [of crossed out]
rendered the United States during the Revolutionary War
by Leonard Coleman now a resident of Belmont Co
Ohio
Q How many times were you out in the army
with Leonard Coleman? Ansr I was I think I can saw  with
certainty that we were out in the service together not
less than five or six times
Q How long was he in the service at each time?
A The winter that the British lay in New Jersey, he was
out not les than four months at one time; at other
times our general term of service was one month at a time
without going home
Q What officers were you & Leonard Coleman under?
A First under Capt John Park Lieut Robbert Hellem
and after Parker died the Company was commanded
by Hellem
Q Do you know of Colemans being out many time in
the service during the first five years of the war?
A I do not know positively of his being out at any
other times than those when I was with him; but I
know that situated as he was during the forepart
of the war, he must of necesity have been out one half of the time-- the two first years of the war
Q State any circumstances you may know [respecting crossed out]
showing that Coleman was repeatedly engaged in the
Service of the cuntry-
A I recollect that he was with me on the ground
at the battle of Monmouth, we were not in the
action that my self being in
on gard over the baggage-
Q Now old are you? A. 81 years the 17th day of Aug next
Q Where did you live at the time Coleman went into
the service & how far from him?
A In Summerset County Barnet Township New jersey that
& within three or four miles of Colemans residence-
Page 49

Christopher Redden his x mark
State of Ohio Portage Co } ss
On the 17th day of July AD 1834 before the Subscribers
associate Judge within & for said County personally appeared
Christopher Redden the signer of the foregoing deposition
who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that the
foregoing is trew according to the best [of his crossed out] 
efforts of his memory
I do hereby certify that I have been personally
acquainted with Christopher Redden for the last thirty
years & that he is considered a man of veracity & truth
Elias Harmon Asst Judge

The State of Ohio }
Portage County ss }
I Geo. Kirkum Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the
County of Portage in the State of Ohio, do by these presents certify and 
make known, that Elias Harmon Esquire, before whom the foregoing 
deposition was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper hand 
writing subscribed his name, was, at the time of taking such deposition
and now is an Associate Judge of said Court of Common Pleas
duly commissioned and sworn, and to all whose official acts as such
full faith and credit are and ought to be given throughout the 
United States and Elsewhere

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed
my name this Eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and thirty four-
Geo. Kirkum Clerk