Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,535, for Lot Stratton, New Jersey
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SERVICE NUMBER
New Jersey Stratton, Lot S.22.535
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Pennsylvania 18.945
Lot Stratton
of Lycoming Co in the State of Penna
who was a Soldr in the Company Commanded
by Captain Foster of the Regt commanded
by Col  in the New Jersey line for
Mo Private $26.66
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Novr
1833 and Sent to
Pensioner, Williamsport, Pa
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 66.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mch '33 13.33
$79.98
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. T. S[Illegible] Clerk
Book C Vol. 5 Page 53
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State of Pennsylvania}
County of Lycoming} On this fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Lycoming and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, now sitting Lot Stratton a resident of Muncy Creek Borough in the County of Lycoming & State aforesaid, Aged 76 years on the 4th day of February last past, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th AD 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as follows viz.--I was a minute man early in the year 1775, under Captain Foster of Cumberland County in the State of New Jersey I was frequently called out to repel the British who landed on the Shore for plunder & provisions, I continued to be a minute man until I enlisted for one month in the month of August 1776 under Captain Wood, Lieutenant Pauling, Ensign James Rhea, after serving the term of my enlistment I was discharged at Shrewsbury [Illegible] Long Island.
About a month afterwards I was drafted in the Militia, my Captains name I think was Foster, the field officers names I do not remember. The company in which I was, marched to Mount Holly New Jersey where we had a small skirmish with the British, no lives were lost. this was in the Autumn of 1776. We retreated toward the Delaware reiver & I shortly afterwards returned home. After remaining at home a short time
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I was again called on & we rendevouzed at Bordentown and marched from that place to Trenton where I arrived just before the Cannonade began in January 1777. We marched across the Ass[illegible] Creek to the South side I was in the front line near a Stone Mill during the Cannonade, the firing did not cease till after dark. We remained till about ten O'Clock at night & then moved quietly off the ground, leaving our fires [illegible] the army went to Princeton & I went as a guard with the baggage Wagons by way of Bordentown to Burlington, after remaining a few days with the baggage at Burlington I went with it to Princeton, the baggage went on to the main army farther up in Jersey. I remained at Princeton till the time for which I was drafter expired, I then returned home. I was out as a drafted Militiaman frequently in the year 1777 in different places in New Jersey but never was in any other engagement than those heretofore stated.
At the time I entered the service I lived in Deerfield Township Cumberland County & State of New Jersey - I have no documentary evidence nor do I know of any person whose testimony I can [illegible] who can testify to my service as there is no person in this part of the Country with whom I was acquainted during the Revolution.
I was born in the year 1756 on the 4th day of February at Deerfield Township, Cumberland County New Jersey I have a record of my age in my Bible at my residence in Muncy Creek Township Lycoming County, Penna At the time I entered the service I lived in Deerfield Township as above stated & remained there till the year 1787 when I removed to the State of Pennsylvania, where I have resided at different places ever since I now reside
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in Muncy Creek Township above mentioned.
I was called into actual service as a Minute Man, and enlisted for one month I was frequently on duty as a drafted Militiaman as above Stated, for upward of two years.
I have given a full Statement of the general circumstances of my service above & do not at the present recollect the names of the regular Officers with whom I served except that Captn Foster was afterward appointed Major.
I never received any written discharge from the service.
I am known in the neighborhood where I reside by the Honorable Isaac McKinney, William A. Petriken Esq and others, who can testify to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a Soldier of the revolution.
And I do further hereby relinquish ever claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present & Declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State to the best of my knowledge.
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court}
of Common Pleas this 5th day} Lot Stratton
of September AD 1832.}
J. Wood Prothy

I William Petriken residing in the County of Lycoming do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Lot Stratton, who has subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration that I have known him for the Space of Thirty years & believe him to be 76 years of age  , that he has always borne a good character & been [illegible] considered a person of truth and veracity.
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court} Wm A Petrikin
this 5th day of Septr 1832}
J. Wood Prothy
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I, Isaac McKinney, residing in the County of Centre and State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Lot Stratton, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that I have known him upwards of thirty years & believe him to be Seventy six years of age, that he has always borne a good character and is considered a person of truth & veracity.
Sworn & Subscribed in open
Court this 11th day of Sept Isaac McKinney
AD 1832.
J. Wood Prothy.
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 & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William Stuart whose certificate is hereto annexed is a Clergyman resident in Centre County Pa & that [illegible] Clergyman resides in the neighborhood of the applicant. And that William Petreken & Isaac McKinney, who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of the County of Lycoming [Illegible] and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit
Seth Chapman
A. Davi[illegible]
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21,127
Lot Stratton
76.66
21-
53.32
13.33
Claimant 66.65
Wmsport
Pa
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Pension Office.
183
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 with 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the  Service of Lot Stratton of Lycoming County Pennsylvania
Period when the service was rendered Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
1775 Frequently called out Minute Man Cap Foster Field officers not remembered in these 3 Tours Battle at Trenton [illegible] N. Jersey Cumberland Coty. New Jersey Traditionary Evidence
1776 1 [Month] Private Wood
dftd 1776 time of service not [illegible] " [Private] Foster aged 76 years
after a short time not known [illegible]
1777 out frequently in this year
I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Sate, Territory, or District of} 
County of} ss.
On this    day of
A.B. a resident (b) of   personally appeared (a) before   in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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)   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; 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
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. [Illegible] This form is to be varied to as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.}f
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.
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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C.D. residing in (the same)
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.
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
&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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
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?
{To an Officer} 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 he 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, an in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquire whether the belief [illegible] general and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirm may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of the 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.
Whether any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, of by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
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 wherehe resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the 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 that 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
days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting the 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 the 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 he 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 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 magistrates 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.
[Illegible] The notes from [a] to 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.
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22535
Revolution
INVALID.
File No. 22,535
Lot Stratton
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 392
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County Ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Lycoming aforesaid Lot Stratton 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 viz-:
I served in the year 1775 merely as a minuteman and was called out whenever an alarm was given that the British were in the neighborhood - my whole term of service during that year did not exceed one month.
In the year 1776, I served as an enlisted soldier for one month under Captain Wood, as stated in my declaration. during the Autumn of the same year I served as a Militia man One month under Captain Foster.
In the year 1777 I served beginning sometime in December 1776 one month at the time of the Cannonade at Trenton, in which I took a part as stated in my Declaration. After returning home I was regularly called out & served every other month during the year 1777 in the Militia. In that year to the best of my recollection I served six months, and after that I rendered no further service.
The whole time of my service as an enlisted soldier, and
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militia man, is between eight and nine months and for such service I claim a pension.
I would further state that to the best of my knowledge the Officers of the Regiment to which I belonged were Colonel Potter, Major Foster (formerly my Captain) and Adjutant Fithian Stratton (my Uncle). I believe that Colonel Seeley was our Colonel at the cannonade at Trenton. I distinctly recollect that at that time I first saw General Washington.
Deponent further states that he was not employed in any civil pursuit during the periods above named but was under the command of his officers and regularly enrolled in an embodied corps and performing military duty as above stated.
Sworn & Subscribed before me} Lot Stratton
this eighth day of October AD}
eighteen hundred and thirty three}
the name "Lot Stratton" in the third line}
from the beginning, interlined before signing}
Jacob [Illegible]
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State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County Ss. I Joseph Wood Prothinatory of the Court of Common Pleas of the [Illegible] of Lycoming aforesaid, Do hereby certify that the [illegible] contains the Original proceedings of the s aid Court together with the annexed affidavit of Lot Stratton in the matter of his application for a Pension & I do further certify that "Jacob G[illegible]" before whom said affidavit was made on the 8th day of October 1833 is a Justice of the Peace of the County of Lycoming duly commissioned & that his signature "Jacob Graf[illegible]" is his genuine Signature.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and Seal of Office at Williamsport in Lycoming County this    day of October AD 1833
J. Wood Proty.
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Lycoming County I Joseph Wood, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Lycoming do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lot Stratton for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Williamsport this eleventh day of December AD eighteen hundred and thirty two.
J. Wood Prothy.
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Centre County Ss
Personally came before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County Henry Dale who after being Sworn according to law doth depose & say that he has known Lot Stratton for thirty years and that he knew that he was reputed to be a Soldier of the revolution in the Neibourhood where he did resede and often heard him say that he was at the Battle of Trenton in the year 1777 and doth Concur in the opinion that he was at said battle and further saith not
Sworn & Subscribed to this 10th day
of October 1832 Henry Deal
Wm Keatley J.P
I do certify that I have known Lot Stratton for thirty years [illegible] do concur with the above named Henry Dale in his opinion Witness my hand this 10th day of October 1832
Wm Keatley
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State of Pennsylvania}
Centre County Ss} I, James Gilliland Prothy. of the Court of Common Pleas of Centre in the State of Pennsylvania, Do certify that William Keatly before whom the foregoing deposition was taken and who has Signed the Same in his own proper hand writing, is a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County, duly commissioned and Sworn and to whose official act due faith and Credit is and ought to be given
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set my hand and Seal of Said Court at Belleport 
the 12th October A.D. 1832
Jas Gilliland Proth
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[Illegible] certify that Lot Stratton lived in the bounds of Spring Creek Congregation for the Space of twenty years, Supported a good moral character without any charge against his character either for truth or honesty, was a member in full C[illegible] when he left us about twelve years ago, and since that time we have heard nothing against his character, and therefore conclude that his word may be relied on as [illegible] in whatever he delivers for truth.
Signed by order of Session
October 10th 1832 Wm Stuart Pastor