Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4770, for Isaac Rial, New Jersey
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SERVICE NUMBER
New Jersey Rial, Isaac
Carded
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Ohio 13,020
Isaac Rial
of Lawrence Co in the State of Ohio.
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Pierson of the Regt commanded
by Col Frelinghuysen in the New Jersey
line for 13 months
$43.33/100
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 43 Dollars and 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the [illegible] day of May 3[illegible] 
and sent to [Illegible]
Beckley, Burlington, L. Co, Ohio
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 86.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33, 21.67
$108.33
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm [Illegible] Ca[illegible], Clerk
Book 6, Vol. 8, Page 22.
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Declaration of
Isaac Rial - for
a Pension
[Written vertically]
Isaac Rail
24229
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832-
State of Ohio} Court of Common Pleas, March Term
Lawrence County SS:}
AD. 1833-
On this 12 day of March 1833, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Com. Pleas aforesaid, now sitting, Isaac Rial, a resident of Upper Township, in the county of Lawrence aforesaid, & State of Ohio, aged 72 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 Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated -
Firstly - In the year 1776 - in the month of August the day of the month he does not remember, he entered the service & served the Term of three months - was drafted from Morris Cunty, New Jersey - went to Acquankanack, Pumpton - Buttr'fly Hill - & he believes at Hackensack, - was employed principally guarding the lines - Capt. Pierson, commanded the Company in which he served - Genl. Wines commanded - the Colo name don't recollect, believes it was the 1st Regt he was attached to - was in no battle - saw the enemy near acquankanck - supposed they intended to destroy the bridge - marched rapidly to prevent - & did - enemy retr'd - he was discharged in November at acquankanack - [illegible] - by Genl Wines, he thinks - Knew Maj'r Daniel Cook - remembers no other officers
Secondly - In April 1777 - Declarant resided in Bedminster, Summerset County, New Jersey - he was [illegible] out, by Capt Moffit, of Stoney Hill - same county - in the2 Regt - N. Jersey Militia, Colo Spencer - Colo White, commanded the Regt - He believes both commanded during the term - he served two & half months - served at Elizabethtown & near that place - The British army was principally at or near N. York he believes - He was in no battle during this term - Knew Major McDaniel & Lieut. Abraham Vantile - he was discharged by verbal order, at Elizabethtown - by Colo Spencer, he believes
Thirdly - During the same year (1777) & about one month after the last discharge above, he was called out again, from the same place, by Capt Moffit in the same 2d Regt, served at Elizabethtown, & on the North River believes he went to Tarrytown & Woodbridge - Maj'r McDaniel
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served both the trips this year, he believes; he was in no battle - Enemy were frequently over stealing cattle & other provisions - and During this term he served two months & a half - was discharged in October or November, at Elizabethtown, by verbal order - by the Capt
Fourthly - In September 1778 - he was called out again & served two months - under Capt [Illegible], from the same county, (Summerset) in New Jersey - in Colo Frelenheyson Regt the No of Regt not recollected - N. Jersey Militia - marched to Brunswick - where he remained about a month, thence marched to Woodbridge & Shankstown - & then returned to Brunswick, where he was discharged in November, by verbal order of the Capt - was in no battle - the Enemy lay on Statten Island - Long Island & at New York - Majr McDaniel served this term
Fiftly In May 1780 (according to his recollection it was in 1779) he was called out again to perform a tour of two months - from the same (Summerset) County - under Capt S[illegible] - in Colo M[illegible]s Regt of [Illegible] Mountain [Illegible] Regt not remembered, went to Springfield - was in the Battle of Springfield - was near Colo Meddick, when a Cannon Ball passed near him - he [illegible] dodged  - & then run away - Colo Taylor or Colo White then took the Command of the Regt - Battle was fought near the Bridge - at alst the British crossed the bridge & the Americans re[illegible] - they set fire to the town - the battle was fought in June - after the Battle the British returned to N. York - & declarant remained near Springfield, till his term expired - when he was discharged by the Colo by verbal order
Sixthly - In the same year, in April he believes - he was called out on an alarm, at the burning of Elixabeth Town farm, served under Capt [Illegible] about one month - & till discharged
During the Revolutionary war, declarant saith, that he believes he served the term of Eighteen months, at least, yet he cannot state the times & places particularly, from want of recollection, any farther than the foregoing, which amount to but thirteen months - and he further saith, that he is certain he served the terms above specified, but is not certain that he is correct as to the dates - the particular times of of the several years, is not distinctly recollected
He further saith, in [illegible] to the Interrogatories put to him
that he was born in Morris Co. N. Jersey July 9, 1760
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2 He has a record of his age in his fathers Bible - now in his Brothers hand who now resides in Gensee Co. N. York - his name Joseph Rial
3. When called into service at first he lived in Morris County N. Jersey - where he resided till about the year of [illegible] - when he went to Summerset county N. Jersey - where he resided till about the year 1820, when he removed to Washington County Pennsylvania, where he resided till April 1832 when he removed to the place where he now resides
4 - He was always standing as a minute man & went when called on - it was then called warming out - he went aways when called on & served till discharged - he never was a substitute
5 - Cannot name any officers - except those before named
7 -  He knows no person in the county except Mr George Sp[illegible]ling who is acquainted with him & can state as to his character for veracity - or give an opinion as to his service - he has me declarant thirty years
He has no documentary evidence to prove his service, or other evidence [Illegible]
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except to the present, & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State
his
Isaac + Rial
Sworn to & subscribed the day &} mark
year aforesaid}
Jos Wheeler Clk}
I, George Spa[illegible]ling, a resident of Upper Township in Lawrence County, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Isaac Rial, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, the I believe him to be Seventy two years of age, that he was ever reputed in the neighbourhood where he formerly resided, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that I concur in that opinion - I further certify that in the neighbourhood where he now resides, he has had no opportunity to become acquainted
with people, (the settlement being thin) sufficient to acquire any reputation on the subject
his
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid George X Sp[illegible]ling
attest Jos Wheeler Clerk mark
and the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & Serves as he states - and the court further certifies, that it appears to them that George Spa[illegible]ling, is a resident of Upper Township as he states, & is a credible person, & that his statement is entitled to credit
(Continued over)
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I, Joseph Wheeler, Clerk of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Isaac Rial for a pension -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 12th day of March 1833
Jos Wheeler Clerk
[Written vertically]
Declaration of
Isaac Rial - for
a Pension
[Written horizontally]
Isaac Rail
24229
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24,229 13,020
Isaac [Illegible] Rial
Lawrence Co Ohio
Adm for 13. Months
from 1776
$43.33
[Illegible] Beckley
Burlilngton P-O
Co as above
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
16th May 1833
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 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. These points to which your attention is 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 
Period when the service was rendered Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and 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.
Augt 1776 3 [months] Private Capt Pierson Gl Wines 72 years Traditionary
draftd 
[Illegible] 1777 2 [months] 15 [days] " Capt Moffit Colo Spencer Morris Co one witness
1777 2 [months] 15 [days] " Capt Moffit Major McDaniel New Jersey
Sept 1778 2 [months] " Capt S[illegible] Colo Frelynghausen
May 1780 2 [months] " Capt Spillegible] Col Maddick
April 1780 [Illegible] 1 [month] " Capt S[illegible]
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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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] generaland 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
Page 12

Aug 27 '96 [Illegible]
pe[illegible] to
John Rial, Greensbg, Pa
FWB
Rev War 4770
INVALID.
File No. 4776
Isaac Rial
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index:--Vol. M, Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

[Written vertically]
OLD WAR & NAVY
AUG 25 1896
[Illegible]
PENSION
U AUG S.
22
1896
OFFICE.
Page 14

Greensburg Pa Aug 9 21" 1896
Com of Pensions
Washin D.C R P
Dear Sir
Kindly give me the dates of issue, (if any) and where payable, of pensions to David Ryall or Riall, 3rd Continental Line, N.J. also of Isaac Ryall or Riall or Riel of Capt Sebring's Company Somerset County Militia, Revolutionary War - Please send Copies of certificates
Very truly &c
John Rial
Page 15

Burlington O,}
Mar. 20, 183[illegible]} Free
Hon. Secretary at War - 
Pension Office
Washington City -
D.C.
[Written vertically]
Apl. 11
O.
24221
24228
to 30
Page 16

Burlington O. Lawrence County
March 20, 1833
Sir -
Enclosed are the Declarations of
Zachariah Davis
Isaac Rial -
Henry Mannon &
Wm Losey - all of this county - & applicants
for pensions under the Act of Congress 7th June 1832 -
The decision of the Department, as soon as made, is requested to be reported to the subscriber (, who is the agent of the applicants of this county) - to this place -
Respectfully yours -
Solomon Berkley
Hon. The Secretary at War