Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2467, William G Crawford, New Jersey
Page 1

(1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Crawford, William G. 
Martha
NUMBER
R. 2467
___________________
CONTENTS
Page 2


REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
3 - 525
R.F. 2467

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ___________, 19___

In reply to your request of__________received__________________for a statement of the military history of William G Crawford, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT: 1
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 1
RANK: Pvt. 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED: 
CAPTAIN: Samuel Carhart
COLONEL.: [Blank]
STATE: NJ.
Battles engaged in,  [check mark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment,  [check mark]
Date of application for pension, May 23, 1854
Residence at date of application, 313 Grand St. New York City.
Age at date of application, She was born Dec. 2, 1767.
Remarks: Soldier was born Oct. 1. 1757 and married  Mch. 23, 1788 at Middletown N.J. Martha Bedle. He died Dec 16. 1837 in New York City.  Joel, one of those six children, was born Feby. 10, 1802. Amelia Burns was a grand child.  
The claim was rejected on the ground of insufficient  proof of 6 mos. of service as agreed by the Pension Comm. 
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
AW. It is not possible to determine relationship of people named on family record as she had only 6 children & there are more  Crawfords than that on it.  
6-2856
Page 3

State of New York}
City & County of New York}SS.
Joel Crawford, residing at 163 Suffolk Street, in the City & County aforesaid being duly sworn deposes and says that he is the son of Martha
Crawford, who signs the foregoing
deposition, and William G. Crawford,
who this deponent has always understood
and truly believes to have been
a soldier of the Revolutionary Army,
drafted among the troops from the
neighborhood of Middletown in
the State of New Jersey.
Deponent knows that said William
G. Crawford, died in the City of
New York in the year A.D. 1837,
and that the said Martha Crawford
has remained a widow since his
death.

Sworn & Subscribed before me this 23 day of May 1854} Joel Crawford
D.P. Ingraham
First Judge of N. York
Common Pleas
Page 4

G. Crawford, died in the City
New York in the year A.D. 1837,
and that the said Martha Crawford

State of New York,
County of New York} ss.

I, RICHARD B. CONNOLLY, CLERK of the City and County of New York, and also Clerk of the Supreme Court for the City and County Court of Record, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that D.P. Ingraham before whom the annexed depositions were taken was at the time of taking the same, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas - for said City and County, duly appointed and sworn, and that his signatures thereto are genuine, as I verily believe.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court the 23 day or May, 1854

Richd B Connolly Clerk.
Page 5

     Record in the case of Martha Crawford
wid. of Wm G. Crawford of New York.  Act July 7, 1838.  From the Family Bible published at Hartford, Conn. in the year 1834.
"Births."
"William G Crawford was born October 1st 1757."
"Martha Bedle was born December 2nd, 1767."
"William Crawford & Martha Bidle was married March 23rd, 1788." 
"William Crawford & Martha Bedle was married 
March 23d 1788."
"Lydia Crawford was born March 21st 1789."
"Andrew Crawford was born August 20th 1793."
"Rachel Crawford was born September 15th 1797."
"Amelia Crawford was born September 15th 1797." 
"Joel Crawford was born February 10th 1802."
"Maria Crawford was born December 27th 1804."
"Mary Elizabeth Crawford was born May the 22 1822."
"William Crawford was born January 3d 1826."
"Thadeus Crawford was born September 10th 1827."
"Emily Crawford was born October 19th 1835."
"Emilia Vanderhoof was born February 25 - 1826."
"Oscar G. Vanderhoof was born December 19, 1827."
"Martha R. Vanderhoof was born May 23. 1830."
"Wesley Morgan was born November 27. 1826."
"Anelise Morgan was born May the 29. 1829."
"Jane Morgan was born October 8th 1831."
"Mary Ann Morgan was born September 2d 1834."
Page 6


"Wm H. Morgan was born Oct. 8th 1836. "
"William Morgan was born December the 16th 1837.
"Maria Louisa Morgan was born February 6th 1840."

"Deaths"
"Gideon Crawford departed this life May
the 4 1782."
"Mary Bedle the wife of Job departed this life November 13th 1815."
"Jane Morgan departed this life April 5th 1837."
"William Crawford departed this life December
the 16th 1837."
"Amelia Vandrough wife of Cornelius departed 
this life February 23d 1840."
"Ann Eliner Morgan died February 27. 1829."
"Thadeus Crawford died March 1st 1841"
"Lydia Crawford died May 4. 1841."
"Rachel Crawford died August 20th 1842."
"Maria Crawford the wife of William J. departed this life September 16th 1845."
"Martha B. Chandler wife of Jonas departed this life February 21st 1851.  1851

[ill.] by
S. G. D

Transcript of Family Record
Returned Sept. 30, 1854
Page 7

State of New York}
City & County of New York}SS.

Martha Crawford, maiden name Martha Bedle, aged Eighty-Seven years, residing at No 513 Grand St, in the aforesaid City & County, being duly sworn deposes and says, that she was
duly and legally married in the year
1788, to William G. Crawford, in the
town of Middletown, State of New Jersey, by Hendrick Henderson a
Justice of the Peace. That she has been
informed and believes that her said
husband William S. Crawford served
in the Army of the Revolution as a
private soldier, and she also believes
that his name may be found on the
New Jersey roll, possibly under either
Capt. Carhart or Captain Thos. Wallin.
That she lived and cohabited with her
said husband, for fifty years or up
to the day of his death to wit Dec 16,
A.D. 1837, and that by her said husband,
she has been mother of six children
two only of whom are now living.
That the only record of her marriage
which can be now produced is found
in the family bible, dated 1834; that
it was not customary in the times
when she was married to furnish certificates
and that none was ever furnished to her.
She further declares that she is still
a widow.
Page 8

She makes this declaration on upon
oath for the purpose of securing
to herself and her children any
advantages that may accrue to her
and them, from the provisions of any
Acts of Congress.
Martha Crawford X Her Mark

Witness
Amelia Burn
Mary Bulloock

Sworn & Subscribed}
before me this 23d day of}
May A.D. 1854.}

D.P. Ingraham
First Judge New York
Common Pleas
Page 9

State of New York} 
City& County of New York}SS.

William Grandin, Counsellor at Law of said City & County of New York, being duly sworn deposes and says, that on the 22d day of May 1854, he made the following exact copy from the family records contained in a family Bible belonging to and in possession of Martha Crawford,
at No 513 Grand Street, in the words and
figures following to wit:
"William G. Crawford, was born, Oct 1st 1757.
Martha Bedle, was born Dec 2nd. 1767.
William Crawford and Martha Bedle, was married, March 23rd, 1788.
William Crawford departed this life Dec the 16. 1837."

Said family bible was published
and printed by R. White & Co, in
Hartford A.D. 1834.      Wm. Grandin

Witnesses as to correctness of aforesaid copy.}
Amelia Burn
Mary Bubbook

Sworn & Subscribed before me this 23d day of May A.D. 1854
D P Ingraham
First Judge of N.Y. Comm Pleas
Page 10

1916 Jan'y 26.
First to Mrs. W J
Flaming (Grace
____________
REJECTED
2467
Martha Craw[rest of name obscured.}
Service: widow of William G. Crawford

The Agent Wm Grandin, 18 ┃
 requested in letter of 18, ┃
Jany 3 1855 a return of all paper filed by him,  but it does not clearly appear, what, if any pape[rs] were returned -
Alleges: __________________
Re-enlisted:_______________

Attorney: __________________
P.O._______________________
________Recognized.    _________Contra
________Cert. of Dis.  Searched for____, 18
Page 11

[ill.]
Martha Crawford
widow of Wm. G.
NY 2467
W Grandin May 27 1854(G)
"       "        June 13 1854 (T)
____
See affidavit in Martha Luqueer 
case act '38 No 1577 S) G
W Grandin July 7 1854 (G
"          "      July 13 1854 (T
Hon W H Sewarn July 15 1856 (S
W Grandin   Aug 15 1854 (G
"         "         Aug 26 1854(N
"         "        14 Sep 1854 (R
"         "        Sep 29 1854 (D
"          " [ill.]     Octo 18 1854 (T
{Try explain TP10963
{2 Jno. Voorhees> Nov 21    "  (F
See [ill.] Dec 20 /54
Hon H. Fenn & W B Cutter Dec 21/5 [torn paper.]
July 7 1838. W. Grandin [paper torn/missing.]
Jan 2/ 

[written sideways]: Grandin. Jan. 5/55-
Grandin [ill.] 55
[ill.] TR10963 [ill.] [ill.]
Page 12

State, City & County of New York:SS
Elizabeth Springstien residing at No 97 West 16th Street in said City & County, being duly sworn deposes and says, that for a period of twenty years and upwards prior to 1837, she resided with her husband John Springstien, a Revolutionary Pensioner, in the vicinity of Middletown, New Jersey.  That they were near neighbors to William G Crawford and Martha Crawford his wife, and were in the daily habit of interchanging visits. That she believes William G. Crawford to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary Army among the troops drafted from Middletown and vicinity aforesaid, having often heard him speak of incidents and events
of those times, as well as her said husband
John Springstien. That she knows Martha
Crawford now residing at 513 Grand St in said City, to be the identical woman who was the wife and is now the widow of William G. Crawford aforesaid. Deponent is now ninety-three years of age. 
Elizabeth  herXmark Springstien 
Witness:}
Wm Grandin}
Mary Babbook]


Sworn before me at No 97 West 16th St
in the City & County of New York, this 25th
day of May A.D. 1854, I having visited
said house for the purpose, deponent
being unable from great age and infirmity [ripped page] visit my office, or to leave her room.
O. E. Westlake
Comms. of Deeds}
Page 13

heard him speak of incidents and events
of those times, as well as her said husband
John Springstien.  That she knows Martha
Crawford now residing at 513 [ill.]
in said City, to be the identical woman
who was the wife and is now the widow

_____________________
State of New-York,}
City & County of New York} ss.

I, RICHARD B. CONNOLLY, Clerk of the City and County of New York, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That O.E. Westlake
whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a
Commissioner of Deeds for said City and County, dwelling in the said City, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And, further, that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of such Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment, is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the County, the 25 day of May 1854
Richd. B. Connelly
Clerk
Page 14

State, City & County of New York}Ss.

Elizabeth Springstien at present residing at No
97 West 16th Street in the City & County
aforesaid, being duly sworn deposes and
says that she resided in Middletown
New Jersey for a period of twenty years
and upwards, before the year A.D. 1837.
That William G. Crawford and Martha
Crawford, his wife, were her near
neighbors and they were in the daily habit
of mutually interchanging visits. That
she has every reason to believe that the
said William G. Crawford was a private
soldier and served in the Revolutionary
Army with the troops drafted from
the vicinity of Middletown, and has
repeatedly heard her late husband
John Springstien, a revolutionary pensioner, make mention of the services rendered by said Crawford in the Revolutionary Army.
Deponent further says that she
knows Martha Crawford who signs
the foregoing declaration to be the
identical Martha Crawford who
was the wife, and is now the widow
of the said William G. Crawford.
                         Elizabeth herXmark Springstien

Witnesses:
W. Grandin
Mary Bublook
Page 15

State City & County of New York SS
William Grandin of
said City & County, being duly sworn
deposes that he drew the foregoing deposition,
signed the name of, and witnessed Elizabeth
Springstien execute the same by making
her mark. That said Elizabeth Springstien 
knew and understood the contents of said
deposition, and is unable from great
age and infirmity to attend upon the
lawful officer authorized to administer
oaths and affirmations.
                                            Wm Grandin
Sworn & Subscribed}
before me this 23d day of}
May A.D. 1854.}
H. H. Rice
Com of Deeds
Page 16

State of New-York, }
City and County of New-York,} ss.
I, RICHARD B. CONNOLLY, CLERK of the City and County of New York, and also Clerk of the Supreme Court for the said City & County, being a Court of Record, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that H. H. Rice before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds, for said City and County, duly appointed and sworn, and authorized to administer oaths to be used in any Court in said State, and for general purposes; and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed on the Seal of the said Court and County, the 23d day of May 1854
                                          Richd B. Connelly, Clerk.
Page 17

State of New York}
City & County of New York}S.S.

Amelia Burn
of No 513 Grand St, in said City &
County of New York, being duly sworn
deposes and says that she knows the
aforesaid Martha Crawford who signs
the foregoing deposition to be the widow
of William S. Crawford, who was as
she has always been informed and
verily believes to have been a private
soldier in the army of the Revolution
of the New Jersey troops from the neighborhood of Middletown.  That she is
the grand daughter of said William
G. Crawford deceased, and Martha
Crawford his wife, and knows that the
said Martha is his widow. That said
William G. Crawford died at No 120
Stanton Street in said City &
County of New York, on the 16th of Dec
1837, aged, as she believes from the record
in the family bible, Eighty years. That the said Martha Crawford has remained since his decease a widow.

Amelia Burns

Sworn & subscribed before me} 
this 23 day of May, A.D. 1854}
D P Ingraham
First Judge of
N York Common Pleas
Page 18



Brief of the evidence of service in the cases of Martha Crawford, widow of Wm G. Crawford, and Martha Luquiere, widow of John Luquire - both of New York, who apply for pension under the act of July 7, 1838.

Elizabeth Springstein, now a pensioner,
and widow of a deceased pensioner-- swears that she firmly believes Wm G. Crawford and John Luquiere served in the New Jersey Militia -- revolutionary war -- from having repeatedly heard her husband say so -- that she lived in the same neighborhood with the families of both for 20 years prior to 1837 -- and that she has repeatedly heard her husband and the said Crawford and Luquiere talk of their service in [ill.] war.

Amelia Brown, a grand-daughter, and
Joel Crawford, a grand-son of Crawford
swear that they have repeatedly heard their grand-father say he was in the war -- there is no
mention made of the length of the service.

It appears by a Certificate from the au-
Page 19

thorities of New Jersey that the militia rolls of that State were sent to Washington, and are
supposed to have been burnt by the British
the 1814.  It also appears by letter in answer to others written by the attorney in these cases
that no one personally engaged in the service claimed to have been performed by these parties, is now alive, in the opinion of the writers.
      Upon these facts, Mr. Grandin, the attorney
of the claimants, contends the claims should be allowed because it is "the very best evidence which it is morally possible to procure and the best which the nature of the case will permit."
      The claims have been suspended -- for want of proof of service, among other objections-- and Mr. Grandin so informed.  He now writes to Senator Seward -- who requests the Commission to express an opinion upon the merits of these cases.
                             Respectfully submitted,
                                       R Giddes, Ex AK

For Mr. Waldo
Page 20

                                   --1--
 
New York, June 26. 1854

Dear Sir,
      In reference to the cases of Martha Lequier and of Martha Crawford, widows respectively of
John Lequier and of Wm G. Crawford,
in compliance with your suggestion,
I made application to the Secretary
of State for New Jersey, and to the
Clerk of Monmouth County-New Jersey
for any information they might possess
in regard to them.  I forwarded to
your office the replies received by me
from those gentlemen.  It appears
by the letter from the Secretary of
State, that the Militia Rolls from
his office had been forwarded to
Washington, and had been there
destroyed by fire. Hence, probably
the "imperfect information as to
Militia Service possessed by this
*office" mentioned in a late letter.
     When the declarations and
proofs are considered in these
two cases, is it not highly and
liberally probable, to say the least,
that the names of John Lequier and
William G. Crawford were upon those very Rolls, so certified to have been destroyed?


*Pension Office.
Page 21

2.

When we come to reflect how very
few of those gallant and patriotic
spirits of the Revolutionary struggle
are yet among the living, it will be
seen how extremely difficult, if
not morally impossible it must
be to present positive testimony of
facts like those surrounding these
two cases.
     The most that a sound, plenary
and executive discretion would be
obliged to demand, would seem
to be "The very best evidence which
it is morally possible to procure
and the best which the nature of the
case will permit."

                                  Very Respectfully.
                                   Wm Grandin
Page 22


New York, Sept 27, 1854.

Sir,
     Herewith please find the Family Bible and records of Martha Crawford, widow of Wm G. Crawford, a soldier in the Revolutionary Militia.

     The service of Wm G. Crawford, John Luqueer and John Voris is proven by the affidavits of Joseph Walling and Mary Voris, on file in the Pension office-
                                  Yours Respy-
                                    W. Grandin

P.S. Please return the Bible after it shall have been examined.
Page 23

STATE OF NEW-JERSEY.

I, THOMAS S. ALLISON, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that I
have examined the Revolutionary records in my
office, and do not find therein any evidence of the service of William G. Crawford, and I do further certify, that the records of this office being only certificates for balance of pay due, the fact of the name not being found therein, is not conclusive evidence that he was not in the service.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, this eighth day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

Thos Allison
Secretary of State.
Page 24

Pension Office
January 2, 1855

Sir:
     I have been instructed to inform you that the Secretary of the Interior has considered
the report of this office in relation to the
claim of Martha Crawford, Martha Luqueer, and 
Mary Voris, and concur on the decision
of this office that the testimony [ill.] is
not sufficient to authorize their war pension. 
     The above cases were brought to the attention of this office as consequence of the letter which you addressed to the Chief Clerk of the Department of the Interior, and which was referred to this office as an official communication with the usual mementos to report. [ill.]

William Grandin, Esq}
Attorney at Law,}
New York.}
Page 25

Wm. Grandin
      Jan 2/5[ill.]
Page 26

Sept.  29/54
Page 27

                                                                   154

                                                Pension Office
                                                Sept 29. 1854

Sir

     The family bibles containing the family records in the cases of Martha Luqueer, widow of John, and of Martha Crawford, widow of William G., both of New York, under the act of July 7, 1838, and the other additional proof in the case of Martha Luqueer, and in the case of Mary Voris, widow of John, of N. Jersey under the same act, have been examined.

   The family records will be copied and the
bibles returned as requested.

     You have been informed already that no
satisfactory evidence of service has been filed
in either of these cases, and are referred to my
late letters to you respecting them


W. Grandin Esq.
     New York City
Page 28


                                    New York, Nov 18. 1854

Sir 

     In accord with the requirement of your last letter to me, I have the honor to enclose herewith explanatory and supplementary affidavits procured by me yesterday in 
Monmouth County, New-Jersey.
These show "how" the witnesses
"fix facts and events in their
recollection".

     I will only add that the
parties stand greatly in need.
                             
                                Yours Respy-
                                Wm. Grandin
Page 29

                               
                                New York, Oct 21, 1854.

Sir, 

     Your letter of the 18th
just has been received
and forwarded to Judge
Stout of Monmouth Co., 
New Jersey.  Should the
aged and respectable
witnesses, Joseph Walling
and Mary Voris be able to
add anything more certain,
positive, explanatory or
satisfactory, or to state
how they can "fix facts"
in their memories, I
have asked Judge Stout
to see it done.
                            But,
Page 30

I am confident that the
affidavits of these
old persons do state
a variety of events, acts
and circumstances from
which they fix their
recollections as
to John Luqueer, John Voris, 
Wm. G. Crawford, and the 
service rendered by
them with as much
moral certainty as any
facts can be fixed.
     This proof added to
all the other proofs 
corroborative, make it
reasonably certain that
Page 31

these three cases are 
as just and meritorious
as any cases can be
that one is not personally
certified of.

     The family record of
Martha Crawford (an
old framed sampler)
has reached me.

     The bibles of Martha
Crawford and Mary Voris
have not yet come to hand.

                             Yours Respy--
                                   W. Grandin
Page 32

                                                                         189
                                              Pension Office
                                              Octo 18 1854

Sir

It is not enough that a witness declares that to
his knowledge a man served two years in the War of the Revolution.  He must be able to show
how he can fix the length of the service. He must give me some means to test the accuracy of his recollection.  Would not be surprising if a witness with the most honest purpose should make a mistake as to the length of service rendered so long ago as the Revolutionary War. Indeed we know that soldiers themselves not only mistake as to the length of their services, but even as to the officers under whom they served and the years of their service. In the cases of Martha Crawford and Martha Laqueer of NY and Mary Voris of NJ the witnesses
Page 33

do not furnish me with the test required. 





W. Grandin, Esq.
       New York, 
             NY

Oct 18/54
Page 34

                                     New York, Oct 14, 1854


Dear Sir.

     In the cases of John Luqueer, Wm. G. Crawford and John Voris, the affidavits of Joseph Walling, Mary Voris, and Mrs. Beers, and Elizabeth Springstien as to the service have been filed in the Pension Office.

     If the "respectability as well as the credibility" of these witnesses is questioned, after the requisite certificates of the Judge, and my own representations, I would very respectfully suggest that some one be detailed by and from the Pension Office, and I will with pleasure accompany him to each of the above named deponents, and upon his report the Commissioner can decide
Page 35

as to the point whether or not they
are persons of "known respectability"
as provided for by the Act of Congress. 
It is hard that these aged claimants
should suffer poverty when
they are most clearly entitled
to the bounty of their country.  

                           Yours Very Respy--
                            Wm. Grandin.
Page 36

                               New York, Oct 8th 1854

Sir. 
     
     Your communication of the 29th [ill.] was received.  In the cases of Martha Crawford, Martha Luqueer, and  Mary Voris, the widows respectively of Wm G, of John, and of John, I would respectfully ask if the Commissioner has received in proof of the revolutionary service of the husbands, -- the several oaths or affidavits of Joseph Walling and Mary Voris both very "aged persons."  As also the certificate of the Secretary of State of New Jersey, and of the Clerk of Monmouth Co N.J. that no "public record" of the service exists, or can be found; as also that the Middletown Militia rolls, in which
it is alleged the service was performed were sent to Washington and were there, it is alleged, destroyed by fire?
Page 37

I am well aware that it is not the province of any tribunal to instruct suitors touching evidence,
but I would be glad to receive any suggestion as to what more can be required than "public or private record, or in the absence of these, the oaths of persons of certified credibility,
positive, direct and certain."  These being "the best evidence morally possible to obtain," as gathered from all my correspondence with the Pension office, and from the several circulars in my hands. 
     I enclose a peculiar dutch record of the "met" or marriage of John Lequier, von Middletown, and Maria Ekkenon," which has just come to hand, and which in fact
Page 38

and substance, though not in
orthography, agrees with and goes
to substantiate the affidavit of
John G. Ackerson, and the "Sampler"
or private record in the case of Martha Luqueer.  In those old days when many could not read and
fewer still could write, it is only to be wondered at that any proof or record of any kind can now be found.

     Touching the family bibles etc. when examined and copied, please send Martha Crawford's to Geo Burn
523 Grand St, N. York. -- 
Mary Voris to Judge Elijah Stout, Keyport N. Jersey, and the "Sampler record" to care of Judge Stout also.

                            Respy Your Obt Servt.
                            W. Grandin.
Page 39

                                             Pension Office.
                                             14th Sept 1854.
Sir,
      The claim of Martha Crawford, widow of William G. Crawford of New York, has been examined in connecion with the additional
proof.
     There is no such evidence of
Williams services as would justify
the admission of the claim. The original family record showing the date of the marriage of William and Martha, and of Williams death
should be sent to this Office.
     The claim of Martha Luqueer, widow of John of New York, has been examined.  John's services as a revolutionary soldier have not been proved. No record has been adduced as to the date of the marriage of John and Martha
and of John's death, and the
Page 40

witnesses who testify upon these
points relate no single circumstance or 
event, by which to test the accuracy of their recollection.
     The claim of Mary Voris, widow of John of New Jersey, has been examined. No evidence
has been adduced which in any manner establishes John's services in the Revolutionary war. There is no proof as to the date of his
marriage with Mary, nor of his death.
     These claims have undergone a careful examination, and I would inform you, cannot be admitted without direct and satisfactory proof, which shall obviate the objections above taken.

William Grandin Esqr.
     New York.
Page 41


                                 New York, Sept 16th, 1854

Sir.

     The evidence of revolutionary services of Wm G. Crawford and of John Luqueer, is contained in the direct, clear and positive oaths
of Joseph Walling, aged 91 years, and
Mary Voris, aged 86 years.  It will be recollected that I was directed by the Pension Office to find some "aged persons" who could swear positively to facts. This has been done.  I do not know whether or not these proofs have been
recd, but I certainly sent them, and they are the best possible proofs now to be procured, which as I understand to be required by the rules of the Pension Office.
                         
                                 Yours Respy,
                                 W. Grandin
Page 42

                           New York, Sept 6. 1854.

Sir.
     Your last letter calls for the certificate of Secty of State of New Jersey, in
cases of Luqueer and Crawford.

     I have long since forwarded to the Pension
office such certificate, and if looked for
should be found.

     In a letter long since from the Pension Office,
I was directed to find "some aged persons" who
"knew the facts,"
Page 43

Providentially such persons have been found,
and the office is in possession of their sworn 
statements that Luqueer and Crawford
actually served at least one year, and probably
longer, and Voris for at least two years and probably longer.  And throughout the entire neighborhood of Monmouth these facts are believed and discussed as matters of historical truth.

I have answered each
Page 44

repeated demand made upon me, at great expense of time, travel and money.  I have sent
positive proof from witnesses now existing, but who in the order of nature must soon die.

        I am unable to understand what more can be demanded by the law, as "the best evidence possible to be procured" and plenty
of it, has been placed on
file.
                                   Yours Respy,
                                   W. Grandin.
Page 45

                                Private.                                   
                                New-York, Aug 19, 1854.

Dear Sir.

         I am not advised as to the name of the gentleman Clerk having control and decision of
the different classes of pensions.  There are at present, however, three cases, Martha Luqueer, Martha Crawford & Mary Voris, of Revolutionary claims for which I am the Attorney; two of these, Luqueer and Crawford, are plainly, palpably just, and are supported by the most direct, distinct and positive testimony. These two cases have been protracted, in my judgment, unreasonably, and if you or the Commissioner would just look at them, and the proofs, I am confident your judgment would coincide with mine.

     The probabilities are that the claimants may soon follow their husbands and pass off the Stage of Existence.  It is the part of justice and generosity, therefore, to decide these cases speedily.
                                 Your friend,
                                 Wm. Grandin

P.S. I have been engaged to conduct a newspaper, and will send you a number.  Nothing like independence.
Page 46

                                      New-York. Aug 17. 1854

Sir.
     Your letter of the 15th Just, has just been received.  In no previous letter from the Pension Office touching the cases of W. G. Crawford and John Luqueer, has anything been required in addition to the abundant testimony as to the probability of service, except positive, distinct and certain proof of such service. No period is named.  Nor is record of the "officers themselves alluded to. The positive affidavit of Mary Voris, the best proof to be now procured, should in my judgment, be sufficient.
     See the papers upon which a pension was given to John Springstien, and if I am not misinformed, he served under the same Capt Carhart with Crawford and Luqueer. 
     Mary Voris swears positively that there
was such a Captain, and the pension
office is confessedly without rolls or records
of militia service.
Page 47

And she positively swears to names,
dates and places.

     I have already sent you the certificate of the Secretary of State that the Militia Rolls of New Jersey had been forwarded to Washington and had been there destroyed before.

     What more can be done?
                                 Your Respy,
                                  W. Grandin.
Page 48

                                                                        192

                                  Pension Office
                                          August 15th 1854
Sir, 

     I have received and filed with the other
papers, the affidavit of Mary Voris, designed
as evidence in support of the claims for arrears of pension in virtue of the revolutionary services
of Wm G. Crawford and John Luqueer.  

      Even if this proof should be considered
sufficient to establish the fact that these parties
performed some service of some sort, the duration of such service and whether it was of the character required to make it pensionable, would be left wholly conjectural. Of course, these claims, therefore could not be admitted upon such testimony, as the law requires at least six months service -- in a regularly embodied corps -- to entitle a party to any pension whatever.  I must, consequently, again refer
Page 49

you to my previous letter in respect to these
cases, with the additional observation that there is no record evidence whatever that the officers themselves under whom Crawford and Luqueer are alleged to have served, were in the service. This is a strong objection against these claims, which can only be obviated by the clearest proof of actual service of a specified person.  

                                     I am,  
                                         Very respectfully
                                                    &c


                   Wm. Grandin
                   119 and 121 Nassau Street,
                                      New York
Page 50

                                 Pension Office
                                 August 26, 1854.

Sir:

I have filed the additional test pray which accompanied your letter of the 17th past, are  and carefully re-examined the cases of Martha Crawford, widow of William G. and our Martha Luqueer, [ill.] of John. Then [ill.] a fact which was accidentally overlooked in the last examination attendant testimony showing that Samuel Carhart and Thomas Walling commander company of Monmouth, N.J. militia for several years during the Revolutionary War.  But that general fact will not [ill.] the [ill.] of the names of the parties in the services of their husbands
Page 51

[ill.] them. We want direct evidence of the duration of the service, which is not
shown by the affidavits of Mary Voris
and Joseph Walling.  The Books of 
of the Secretary of the State of New
Jersey, at Trenton, no doubt contains
some evidence of payments made to the
rank and file of the companies of Carhart and Walling, and for certification should be sent to this office. 

     John Springstein was pensioned
for two years service under Walling &
Carhart at a time when on leave, but a
[ill.] knowledge of the character  of
the noble service of New Jersey -- but if
the claim was now considered for the
[ill.] time it would be wholly [ill.]

                      Wm Grandin, Esq.
                          Counsellor at Law
                               Nassau St. New York
Page 52

                           New York .August 19. 1854.

Dear Sir.

      To meet and obviate the late "objection"
raised in your letter of Aug 15.  I went to Keyport 
yesterday, and with Judge Elijah Stout of the Monmouth Pleas visited Mr. Joseph Walling living some four miles in the country.  His deposition herewith transmitted is additional "proof positive of actual service for a specified period" of Captain Samuel Carhart, John Luqueer, and William G. Crawford in the revolutionary war.  Deponent said also that to his best knowledge and belief these men served during the whole war, and received for such service___continental money.  

     I trust that these protracted cases may now be decided.

                           I am, Respectfully,
                                Your Obt Servant,
                                       W. Grandin
Page 53

                                       N.Y. Aug 12. 1854.
Dear Sir.

      Was no allowance other than land made to
the N.Y. Vols.?

      I am waiting annxiously for a reply to the
positive, direct, and certain testmony forwarded in cases of Luquier and Crawford. 

                                     Yrs. 
                                           W. Grandin
Page 54

July 13/ 54
Page 55

184

                                  Pension Office
                                       July 13 1854
Sir

      I can discover no reason for changing the decisions heretofore reported to you in the cases of Martha Luqueer and Martha Crawford of NY -- act July 7 1838.

     The service must be proved as indicated in the instructions already given. 

                                 William Grandin Esq
                                      New York
                                            NY
Page 56

July 15/54
Page 57

                                                                         208

                                      Pension Office
                                            July 15, 1854

Sir.

     In reply to your communication of the 11th instant in relation to the pension claims of Martha Crawford and Martha Luquire, of which Wm. Grandin Esqr is the attorney, I can only say that, however I may regret the misfortune of the claimants in being unable to adduce satisfactory proof of the service of their respective husbands in the revolutionary war, I cannot allow their claims upon the evidence now on file.  Mr. Grandin has been informed by letter of the 13th instant the requirements of the office as to the proof of service.

     I herewith enclose Mr. Grandin's letter, which you transmitted to this office with your note.
                      I have the honor to be,
                                Very respectfully
                                        Your obt. Servant

Hon. Wm H. Seward, U.S. Senate.}       Commissioner
Page 58

                  Keyport, Monmouth County N. Jersey
                                           August 5. 1854.

Dear Sir.

      Having satisfied my own mind as
to the justice and reasonable character
of the claims I presented for Martha
Luqueer and Martha Crawford, in
behalf and right of the revolutionary
services of their respective husbands
John Luqueer and Wm G Crawford; and having been unsuccessful in forcing such conviction as I had, upon the official mind of the Pension Bureau, by means of circumstantial evidence as
to the strong probabilities, I have visited
this place for further evidence.
     
     It was in this vicinage that the services
alleged were rendered.

      Through information received from
Judge Elijah Stout of the Monmouth Pleas,
I have found three of the "oldest inhabitants." 
A Mrs Beers, a pensioner as I understand; Mr
Joseph Walling and a Capt. Taylor.
These persons all knew John Luqueer and
Wm G. Crawford, but cannot swear that they were in service, though they so
believe, and such is common [ill.].
Page 59

 I have also learned that John Luqueer's sister lived some six miles from this
place, and was quite aged. If she be
among the living, it is to be supposed
that the event of the times of '76 will be
remembered. I propose seeking her
out this afternoon, and shall send at
once to you such information as she may
be able to communicate.

     It would seem to be a waste of time
and exertion to send any more evidence
except of a positive, certain character.

                                  Yours very truly,
                                          W. Grandin.
Page 60

July 7/54
Page 61

                                                                   71                              

                                    Pension Office
                                          July 7, 1854.

Sir,

     I have received the affidavit of Elizabeth Springstein transmitted as proof in the application for pension of Martha Crawford and Martha Lequiere, and am constrained to say that it does not strengthen these claims so as to justify this allowance.  I respectfully refer you to my previous letters for the character of the testimony required as to the service of the parties in whose right these claims are asserted.
                                        Very respectfully,
                                                          &c
                                                               

William Grandin, Esq.
          New York City, 
                          N.Y.
Page 62


                                   N.Y. July 19, 1854
Sir.

     I have received your letter of the 7th, Just touching the force & effect of Elizabeth Springteins' evidence by affidavit in the cases respectively of Martha Crawford & of Martha Lequier.
     Please see the Union of the 7th Just for a New York letter.  You may possibly
imagine the author
Page 63

In these cases of the
widows Crawford and
Lequier I have made,
(as you or the Examiner
must be aware) the
most assiduous and
persevering efforts to obtain
all the testimony within
human possibility to
establish the service of their
husbands. It seems, from
all concurrent testimony
to be morally impossible
to find a living witness.
Page 64

Vide the following.  
    [cutout of a presumed newspaper article]:
["--There were 531,791 engaged in the revolutionary War.  Of this number, there are now less than fourteen hundred living, whose ages must average nearly ninety years.  Seventy three have died during the past year.  A few years more and these venerable octogenarians will only be known to the pages of history."]

And, advertising the possibility -- or practicability of finding any living person cognizant of the facts appertaining to revolutionary matters, -- what might naturally be supposed to be the chances that such person was acquainted even, with 
Wm G. Crawford and with John Lequier?
Page 65

I shall not cease my efforts, however, so
long as I can hope for justice.
                                Your Obt Servant
                                 Wm Grandin
Page 66

                       Freehold June 6th.  1854

Dear Sir,

     I find no one here that is able to give any information of the Military services of W G Crawford, Laquiere, or Capt. Carhart.

   We are here some 12 to 15 miles distant from Middletown and seldom see any of the oldest
people from that section. 

     Alfred Walling, Esq., a practical 
Surveyor & Conveyancer at Keyport, though a young [ill.] not [ill.] [ill.] 35  -- is a business here, and in his occupation as surveyor
is generally acquainted throughout
Raritan & Middletown  -- & there is a
number of the name of Carharts at
Keyport & of Crawfords in Middletown &
Raritan -- may perhaps be some
old people being amongst them that
Page 67

may be important in the matter.

     We have no record here that gives any information of such services.  We have record were [ill.] has been confiscated -- at time of the revolution [ill.] --  no military roll lists in [ill.] of soldiers.  

     I am informed there is some record of the New Jersey Militia at Trenton.  And  even that is
considered not full and complete.

     You might write to the Secretary of the State or some one at Trenton to examine the rolls &
such records as they have there. 
 
     Should I be able to find out anything that I Consider may be of service to you in that matter I will cheerfully answer.

                                  Very Respectfully
                                      Your Obt. Servant
                                            D. Christopher
                                   
To
Wm Grandin Esq.
Aty. & Counsellor 
at Law
    NY
Page 68

Wm Grandin
May 27/54
Page 69

                                                                  501
                                               Pension Office,
                                                  May 27, 1854.

Sir,

     The papers transmitted by you in support of a claim for pension of Martha Crawford as widow of William G Crawford, have been examined and filed under the Act of July 7, 1838.

     Our rolls of the New Jersey line do not show the service of a soldier of the name of claimant's  alleged husband.  Neither
can we find that there was a captain of the
name of either Carhart or Walling serving at
any time in said line.  It is therefore, probable
that if Crawford served at all, it was
in the militia -- as our rolls of the line are pretty
full.  Application should be made to the 
authorities of New Jersey for evidence of service in this case. The evidence in this office of Militia service is very imperfect.
                                            Very respectfully
                                                    &c

Wm Grandin, Esqr.
       New York City
               N. Y.
Page 70

                                   New York, May 26, 1854.

Dear Sir.

      I have the honor to enclose the depostion
of Elizabeth Springstein, in the matter of the application of Martha Crawford, widow of 
Wm G. Crawford, a revolutionary soldier for a pension.

                                     Your Obt Servant
                                      Wm Grandin
Page 71

Letter --
Page 72


                          New York, May 23. 1854.

Dear Sir.

     I have the honor to enclose herein, the declaration on oath, of Mrs. Martha Crawford, widow of William G. Crawford, a soldier
of the Revolutionary Army, drafted
from Middletown, New Jersey, or its
neighborhood, accompanied by the
best proofs of which the nature of the
case will admit. 

     May I hope soon to hear from this case?

                                      Very Respectfully
                                            Your Obt Servant
                                                    W. Grandin
Page 73

Wm Grandin
Red. Jan'y 6. 1855
________________
Respecting the cases
of Martha Luqueer
Martha Crawford &
Mary Voris.
________________
Respectfully referred 
to the Comm. of Pensions
[ill.]
Jany. 6/1853
Col Whiting
    Chief Clerk
Page 74

In the matter of the claim of Martha
Luqueer, Martha Crawford and
Mary Voris, widows respectively of
John Luqueer, Wm G. Crawford and
John Voris, alleged soldiers in the war
of the Revolution.

     Joseph Walling of sound mind
and memory, certified credibility
by the proper authority according to
law, fully proves upon oath the
service of the parties. If such certified testimony, is doubted, and if the
opinion of the Commissioner that "his
memory has evidently failed him," the
offer has been made by me to go with
any person authorized by the Dept.
not only to Joseph Walling, but to the 
claimants, to test the presumption.
The Judge also certifies, that it is the general belief and tradition that the claimants' husbands did serve as sworn to.

Walling's affidavits show how he is enabled to fix the facts in his memory.

     It is not alleged that the claimants served under Capt. Thomas Walling as supposed by the report of the Commr. if my memory be not at fault.
Page 75

It appears that Joseph Walling was a witness in the case of John Springstien, a pensioner.
His testimony for the above claimants
is direct and positive. He gives dates,
events &c, which ought not to be
contradicted or set aside upon mere
presumption or opinion, especially when
corroborated by circumstances.
A fair impartial review of his testimony is enough, in my judgment to satisfy the Secretary
of the Justice of these claims.  He is the only person (saving Mary Voris) who has positive knowledge and recollection in the premises, at least the only one to be found after diligent
search and inquiry.
There is no allegation that John Luqueer or Wm G. Crawford serves otherwise than under Captain Samuel Carhart, and there is no
proof to show that they did not so serve. On the contrary, the last explanatory affidavit of Joseph
Walling distinctly proves such Service.

Respectfully submitted.
Wm Grandin
Page 76

OK
Purt
Stratford, env. retd

Jan 20th, 1916
To/The Pension Office
Dear Sir--
Will you kindly let me know if Wm. G. Crawford
who fought in the "Revolution" under Gen. Wagstaff, also in the z'Battle of Monmouth" and
was among the New Jersey
Page 77

Militia was awarded a pension.
If so will you kindly let
know the amount.

     Thanking you for your courtesy -- I remain
        
                    Sincerely --
                         Grace Cornell Fleming
Address/
               Mrs. W. J. Fleming
               401 West 142 St.
                 New York City,
                              N.Y.