Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 46661, for Joseph Jay, New Jersey
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New Jersey   
Jay, Joseph
S. 46661
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13,656
New Jersey
Joseph Jay
Huntington of the state of N. Jersey
was a private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Wynds of the N. Jersey
line for the term of one year '76
transcribed on the roll of New Jersey
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 11 of July, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 of Aug. 1819 and sent to Thomas Hance, Esq. 
New Brunswick, NJ
Arrears to 4th of March 1819            62.45
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1819  48.00
Dollars                                               110.45
Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818
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Nelson, Smith, Benjamin, Mary [illegible] Wilson and Eliza Strook (children of Joseph Jay, deceased) (N. Jersey), who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March and who died on the 30th November, 18? in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Lieutenant in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wynds in the New Jersey line for 7 mos. and 2 days [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 236 Dollars [blank] cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831, and terminated 30th of November 1835.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of March, 1843 and sent to Hon. W. Halsted, H. R.
Arrears to the 4th of [blank] 
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
$120.73
[illegible]

Recd. 2 Mar. 1843
Let. to Agt. Hon. W. Halsted Mar. 9, 1843. do to P. Ag. 19 April 1843 and to Hon. W. Halstd , 20 Apl. 1843 do. to Smith Jay May 8 1843.

Hon. W.  S. Dayton
July 26, '49,
Let. to Smith Jay
May 15, '49
Report to Secretary of Interior
Mar;ch 10 '51
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Application of 
Joseph Jay for
a pension as a Lieutenant
Roles Baldwin
Ensign to 1 May '77
St. 1 May '77 - in June
'78 pay roll paid for 2 mo. 28 days st. from 1 March
Admd
12 mo. 28 ds. St.
4 mo. Ensign
7 mo. 2 pri
____________
24 mo.
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State of New Jersey Hunterdon County ss  On this twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared before me [illegible] one of the judges of this Superior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon in the State of New Jersey.  Joseph Jay a resident of the township of Hopewell in the said county of Hunterdon who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saeth and maketh the following declaration in order to allow the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832, to wit that he will be eighty-two years old on the fourteenth day of July next, that he entered the service of the United States in the fall of the year 1775 in the company of Captain Daniel Pratt in the year service as a private and continued in the company of Captain Pratt about thirteen months.  He [illegible] after he enlisted in Captain Pratt's company marched to New Brunswick and from thence to Elizabeth Town and formed the Regiment commanded by Lord Sterling and about the latter part of December 1775 we went to New York and from thence marched to Canada under the command of Colonel Wynds we crossed Lake George and Lake Champlain and went down the river source to the junction of that river with the St. Lawrence and there encamped and from there were marched until we came near the three rivers when the British sent up a frigate and drove us back to the mouth of the source
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and from thence we retreated to Fort Chambly and thence up the rapids to the Lake aux nois we returned home across Lake St. George and by the way of Saratoga and Ticonderoga.   At Ticonderoga Col. Wynes was drummed out of the camp and Col. Matthias Ogden took the command of the regiment to which this deponent belonged and this deponent returned to New Jersey with the said regiment under the command of the said Col. Matthias Ogden in the month of November 1776. On the first of December in that year Col. Matthias Ogden appointed this deponent a Lieutenant in the company of Captain Daniel Baldwin belonging to the first Jersey Regiment in the  continental service and then procured from the Governor of New Jersey a Lieutenant's commission for this deponent.  After this deponent secured his commission, his company rendezvoused at Troy eight miles from Morristown in New Jersey and remained there until the spring of 1777 and from thence marched to Rahway and from thence we marched to Boundbrook and Middlebrook where the whole American army was assembled.  From that time this deponent was engaged in the recruiting service being in delicate health from diseases contracted on the expedition to Canada and again formed his regiment under the command of Matthias Ogden.  The day after the battle of Germantown his health
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being still delicate and Col. Ogden believing this deponent not yet strong enough to do Camp duty.  Col. Ogden gave this deponent an order to remove the officers' baggage from Mount Holly to Morristown and to remain until he recovered his health.  And in [illegible].  This deponent went from Trenton to Valley Forge in company with George Anderson and John [illegible] had been in the first month's service as a Captain while [illegible] at Valley Forge finding my health state too delicate to enable me to [illegible] service.   [Remainder of this page illegible]
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New Jersey, Hunterdon County ss  Alexander Douglas of the township of Nottingham and County of Burlington being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that this deponent is now upwards of ninety-two years old and that he is acquainted with Joseph Jay, the applicant for a pension in the foregoing papers named and that he was acquainted with the said Joseph Jay during the Revolutionary War, that he knew this deponent prior [illegible] the said Joseph Jay at the time the said Joseph was a child and resided in the township of Nottinhgham in the county of Burlington; that this deponent knew that the said Joseph Jay entered into the service of the United States and this deponent further recollects that the said Joseph Jay was a recruiting officer in the service of the United States and he this deponent understood at the time that the said Joseph Jay was a Lieutenant in the service of the United States in the revolutionary war but he does not now recollect how long the said Joseph Jay served in that capacity; that the character of the said Joseph Jay as far as this deponent knew and has heard during the war was that of a good soldier and a brave man and from this deponent's knowledge of the said Joseph Jay and his general character he believes that the
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statement of the said Joseph Jay in relation to his services as an officer in the army of the revolution is correct and is entitled to credit and that the character of the said Joseph Jay [illegible] this deponent believes to be good.

                                      Alexander Douglass

Sworn and subscribed at
Trenton this 22d of November
1834

Wm. McKee
Justice of the Peace of
the County of Hunterdon
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New Jersey, Hunterdon County, George Anderson being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he, this deponent, is aged eighty-three years and upwards and that he is acquainted with Joseph Jay formerly of the township of Nottingham in the County of Burlington and now of the township of  Hopewell in the county of Hunterdon that this deponent knew the said Joseph Jay when the said Jay was about fifteen or sixteen years old; that this deponent recollects the said Joseph Jay during the revolutionary war and that the said Joseph Jay was respected at that time to be a Lieutenant in one of the New Jersey regiments in the continental service; that this deponent recollects going from the neighborhood of Trenton with the said Joseph Jay to Valley Forge while the American army was there and that the said Joseph Jay was then received by the officers there as a Lieutenant and addressed by the title of Lieutenant Levy and was treated as such.

                                   George Anderson

Sworn and subscribed before me
the subscriber, one of the Justices of the
Peace in and for the said county of Hunterdon this 21st day of November A. D. 1834.

Saml. Evans
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Aaron Ogden of Jersey City, County of Bergen, in the State of New Jersey, [illegible] that he knew Joseph Jay in the revolutionary war as a Lieutenant in the first New Jersey regiment commanded by Col. Mellhier to which regiment this deponent belonged, but this deponent is unable to state when Joseph Jay received his commission or when he left the service or how long he served as an officer in such regiment.

Aaron Ogden
Captain in the first New Jersey regiment

Sworn before me this
24th November 1834

John A. Westervelt, Judge and Justice
for the County of Bergen

Altho the foregoing affidavit may be different in regard to length of time, yet from new [illegible] to me, which I verily believe that he was in the service in Col. Ogden regiment for the term of fifteen months and that he is accordingly entitled to the benefit of the late pension act of New Jersey.

[Illegible] dear sir
Jane yours truly and [illegible]

Aaron Ogden
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I, James D. Westcott, Secretary of state of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings in the matter of the application of ;Joseph Jay for a pension.  And I do further certify that Evans is the person before whom the deposition of Joseph Jay is taken and whose name is thereto subscribed and whose name is also subscribed to the depositions of Jonathan Muirhead and J. Leonard Gilder and also to the certificate immediately following the said Declaration and affidavits is a judge of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Hunterdon and that its acts and proceedings as such are entitled to full faith and credit.  And I do further certify that William McKee, whose name is signed to the deposition of Alexander Douglass hereto annexed and Samuel Evans, whose name is subscribed to the deposition of George Anderson also hereto  annexed are both of them justices of the peace in and for the County of Hunterdon and that full faith and credit are due to their acts as such.  And I do further certify that William A. Westervelt whose name is subscribed to the deposition of Aaron Ogden hereby annexed is a justice of the peace in and for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey and that his acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty-sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.

James D. Westcott
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Joseph Jay
13656
Pennington
Aug't 19
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                        Schedule

State of New Jerey
Hunterdon County      ss:

On this fourth day of August, eighteen hundred and twenty personally appeared in open court of common pleas, being a court of record in and for the said county, Joseph Jay aged sixty-five years,, resident in Pennington in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:  He enlisted at Pluckemin in the County of Somerset in the State of New Jersey on or about the first day of October, A.D., 1775, under Capt. Daniel Pratt in the first New Jersey Regiment commanded by Col. Sterling in the continental establishment for the term of one year and that he served more than one year but obtained no regular discharge and was at the battle of the Three Rivers with many other skirmishes during that time and was obtained a pension certificate No. 13656 on the New Jersey agency.

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intend thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

5 chairs                                            $  .62
2 tables                                              1.00
1 stand                                                .50
1 old tub                                             .25
1 old pail                                            .06
1 frying pan                                        .50
1 tea kettle                                         .12
 Andirons                                           .50
                                                        ________
                                                        $ 3.56

He owes about nine dollars to the best of his knowledge.

His family consists of himself and wife.

I am upwards of sixty-five years of age -- my wife about fifty-nine years of age.  I have a weakness and infirmity in my back which disables me from labor.  I am incapable of gaining my subsistence by labor, and have need of the assistance of my country for support.

Joseph Jay

Sworn to and declared on the fourth day of August, A. D., 1820, before Thomas Capner.

I John T. Blackwell, Clerk of Hunterdon Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is three dollars and fifty-nine cents.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this fourth day of August, eighteen hundred and twenty.

John T. Blackwell
Clerk of the Court for the county of Hunterdon
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Joseph Jay

Already continued but file this with original paper.
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SCHEDULE

State of New Jersey
Hunterdon County      ss

On this fourth day of August, eighteen hundred and twenty personally appeared, in open court of common pleas, being a court of record in and for the said county, John Jay aged sixty five years, resident in Pennington in said county, who being first sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows:  He enlisted at Pluckemin in the county of Somerset, in the State of New Jersey on or about the last day of October 1775 under  Cap. Daniel Pratt in the first New Jersey Regt. commanded by Col. Lord Sterling in the continental establishment for the term of one year and that he served more than one year, but obtained no regular discharge and was at the battle of the three rivers with many other skirmishes during that time and has obtained a pension Certificate No. 13656 on the New Jersey agency.

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war,," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

5 chairs                                   $0.62
2 tables                                    1.00
1 stand                                       .50
1 old tub                                    .25
1 old pail                                    .06
1 frying pan                                .50
1 tea kettle                                 .12
andirons                                     .50
                                               ________
                                                $3.56

He owes about nine dollars to the best of his knowledge.  His family consists of himself and his wife.  I am [illegible] of sixty five years of age.  My wife is about fifty nine years of age.  I have a weakness infirmity in my which disables me from labor.  I am incapable of gaining my sustenance by labor.  I have need of assistance from my country.  

Joseph Jay

Sworn to and declared on the fourth day of August 1820.

Thomas Capner

John T. Blackwell, Clerk of Hunterdon Pleas, do hereby certify, that the foregoing schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is three dollars and fifty six and a quarter cents.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this fourth day of August eighteen hundred and twenty.

J. Blackwell
Clerk of the Court for the county of Hunterdon
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Joseph Jay of 
Hunterdon County
New Jersey
No. 15656
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SCHEDULE

STATE OF NEW JERSEY
                                        SS:
Hunterdon County

On this fourth day of August eighteen hundred and twenty personally appeared, in open court of common pleas, being a court of record in and for the said county, Joseph Jay, aged sixty-five years, resident in Pennington in said county, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows:  He enlisted at Pluckemin in the county of Somerset in the State of New Jersey on or about the first day of October A.D. 1775 under Capt. Daniel Pratt in the first New Jersey Regiment commanded by Col. [illegible] Sterling in the continental establishment for the term of one year and that he served more than one year but obtained no regular discharge and was at the Battle of Three Rivers with many other skirmishes during that time.  Has obtained a pension certificate No. 13656 on the New Jersey agency.

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or ant part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

5 chairs                                              $0.62-1/2
2 tables                                                1.00
1 stand                                                  .50
1 old tub                                               .25
1 old pail                                                6-1/4
1 frying pan                                          .50
1 tea kettle                                           .12-1/2
Andirons                                              .50
                                                         ____________
                                                          $3.56-1/4

He owes about nine dollars to the best of his knowledge.  

His family consists of himself and wife.

I am upwards forty five years of age.  My wife is about fifty nine years of age.  I have a weakness infirmity in my back which disables me from labor.  I am incapable of earning my subsistence by labor and have need of the assistance of my country.  Sworn to, and declared, on the fourth day of August A.D. 1820 before Thomas Capner.

Joseph Jay

I John T. Blackwell, Clerk of Hunterdon Pleas, do  hereby certify that the foregoing and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is three dollars nd fifty-six and a quarter cents.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this fourth day of August, eighteen hundred and twenty.

John T. Blackwell
Clerk of the Court for the county of Hunterdon.
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June 27, 1913

Mr. W. C. Jay
#2019 South Race St.
Denver, CO

Sir:

In response to your letter dated the 18th and received the 24th instant, you are advised that Joseph Jay, S. File No. 46,661, Rev. War. was allowed pension on his application executed July 11, 1818, while a resident of Hunterdon Co., N.J.

He stated that he was born July 14, 1753, in Nottingham Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, at the beginning of the Revolution he was in Esopus, New York, but returned to New Jersey and enlisted at Puckemin, Somerset County, 1775, as Private in Captain Pratt's company, in the New Jersey regiment commanded by Lord Sterling, Colonels Wynds and Matthias Ogden; that he was in the battle of Three Rivers, Canada, served about thirteen months and in November or December, 1`776, he was appointed Lieutenant of Captain Daniel Baldwin's company, same regiment, and was detailed on recruiting duty by Colonel Matthias Ogden until he resigned in February, 1778; and that he afterwards volunteered and was in the battle of Monmouth, having held his Lieutenant's commission fifteen months.
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In 1820, he resided at Pennington, Hunterdon Co., N.J., and referred to his wife, fifty-nine years, but did not state her name.

Soldier died in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1835, leaving six children, and the arrears of his pension were allowed for their benefit, viz, Noah, Smith, and Benjamin Jay, Mary, wife of Charles White, Nancy or Ann, wife of George Wilson, and Eliza, wife of John Strook.

Very respectfully, 
GM Saltzgaber
Commissioner
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Blank
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Register of the Certificates issued by John Pierce Esquire, Pay Master General, Commissioner of the Army Accounts for the United States.

No.
9055

Letter
D

Date of Certif.
Dec. 20, 1783

To Whom Due
Joseph Jay

When Becomes Due
Jan. 1, 1783

Amt. of Each Certificate
$58.50

State of New Jersey (seal impressed)

I, Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true extract from a book headed as above, as taken from and compared with the original record in my office.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton this third day of October, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-nine.

Charles G. McChesney
Secretary of State
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Copy
Letter, May 15, 1849
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Copy
Pension Office
May 15, 1849

Sir,

In answer to  your letter of the 14th March last, I have to inform you that your request to be furnished with the original papers upon which your father, Joseph Jay's, pension was granted on copies thereof cannot consistently with the Rules of this Department be complied with.  Should you  wish to apply to Congress for an enlargement of the stipend allowed him, any statement that the Committee of either House may require will be cheerfully given, but the papers cannot be withdrawn from the files.  Children have no claim to pension under the Act of March 18, 1818.  Pension under that law commences only from the time the proof required by the law of 1st May 1820 is completed which can be done alone by the officer or soldier himself.  The papers filed by Mr. Dow do not furnish sufficient evidence of the service of Lieutenant Jay to authorize an increase of pension granted to him.

I am respectfully,
Sgnt. J. L. Edwards, 
Com. of Pensions

Smith Jay, Esq.
Trenton, NJ
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State of New Jersey)
Middlesex County)

On this eleventh day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, before me, Thomas Hance, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey, personally appears Joseph Jay of the County of Hunterdon in said State, aged sixty three years, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary War."

That he, the said Joseph Jay, enlisted at Pluckemin in the County of Somerset and the State of New Jersey in the month of October in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Five in the company commanded by Capt. Daniel Pratt in the first Jersey Regiment on the continental establishment commanded by Col. Wynds -- that he marched to Elizabeth Town -- thence to New York and in the Spring say May, Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Six to Canada and that he continued to serve in said Regiment for the term of one
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year the period of his enlistment -- that he returned with the residue of the Regiment to New Jersey having been discharged at Ticonderoga and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of assistance of his country for support and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services save that of Joseph Britton, one of his fellow soldiers..

Joseph Jay

Sworn to and declared before me this day and year aforesaid.

Thos. Hance

[illegible] County ss:  Joseph Britton of New Brunswick in New Jersey being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, that he is now and was in the war of the revolution well acquainted with Joseph Jay, the applicant above named -- that the said Joseph Jay was a soldier in Capt. Daniel Pratt's company in the first Jersey Regiment commanded by Col. Wynds and served with this deponent in Canada in the Spring of Seventeen Hundred Seventy six and this deponent verily believes that the said Joseph Jay served in said Regiment for one year; and this deponent further saith that the said Joseph
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Jay is in reduced and indigent circumstances and stands in need of support.

Jos. Britton

Sworn and subscribed
this 11th July 1818.

Thos. Hance

I, Thomas Hance, Esq., Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Middlesex in New Jersey, certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Joseph Jay did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy; and also as well from the proof as my personal knowledge of said Joseph Jay, I believe he is in indigent circumstances and stands in need of assistance for support; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of  Congress dated this 11th July, 1818.

Thos. Hance

State of New Jersey  )
Middlesex County    )

I, William P. Deare, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Middlesex, certify that Thomas Hance above named is a Judge of said court duly commissioned and sworn.

Witness my hand and the seal of said Court this eleventh day of July, Eighteen Hundred Eighteen.

Wm. P. Deare, Clerk
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[first fold illegible]


{center fold]

Joseph Jay, private
Middlesex County, NJ
1st Jersey Regiment 
enlisted October, 1775
one year
11 July, 1778

Evidence of service required such as the deposition of two disinterested witnesses -- their credibility proven by the certificate of the magistrate who administers the oath of his official character and signature attested by the county clerk under his seal of office.  See additional evidence.

Thomas Hance, judge
No. Brunswick
Middlesex County 
New Jersey

[third fold]

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County          ss:
John Bastedo, of said county, being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Jay, the applicant within named; that he served as a private soldier in Captn. Daniel Pratt's company in the first Jersey Regiment commanded by Col. Wynds against the common enemy in the war of the revolution for nine months and upwards; that this deponent enlisted in the aforesaid company in the fall of the year 1775 and that shortly after the said Joseph Jay joined the company and continued to serve until October 1776.  

John Bastedo

Sworn and subscribed before me this 2nd day of June, 1819.

Thomas Hance

I, Thomas Hance, judge of the court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County, certify that John Bastedo, Esq., and Joseph Bretton are disinterested witnesses in this application and are credible witnesses.

Thomas Hance
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Revolutionary Service O.W.& N. Drv.
MEMORANDA

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.

Full name of soldier: 
Joseph Jay

Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible)
New Jersey

Place of residence after service:  (Town, county, and State, if possible)
Belvidere, New Jersey

Date of death (as near as possible):



Christian name of Widow:
Ellen, I think

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
No

Remarks:  
I [illegible] to know if any [illegible] of his application is on file.  [illegible] all through the war and was required to  apply for a pension which I know was refused and he died of a broken heart.  He gave his all for his country.

Your name and address:
Mr. Wm. H. McCartney
Willks-Barre
Pa.
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State of New Jersey   ss:
Personally appeared before me William Pennington, Governor and Chancellor of the State of New Jersey, John Nelson of Lower Makefield Township in the county of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, who, being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was acquainted with Joseph Jay, late of Pennington in the county of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey -- the said Joseph Jay departed this life in the house of witnesses in the township of Falls, county of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, on the thirtieth day of November Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty five.  The said Joseph Jay left six children viz:  Nelson, Smith, Benjamin, Mary, wife of Charles White, Nancy or Ann, wife of George Wilson, Eliza, wife of John Strook, living at the time of the death of the said Joseph Jay.  The said believes the said children of the said Joseph Jay are still living -- the said witness was present when the said Joseph Jay died.

John Nelson

Sworn and subscribed before me at 
Newton this tenth day of February, A.D., 1843

William Pennington

I, William Pennsington, Chancellor of the State of New Jersey, do certify that by the foregoing affidavit it appears to me that Joseph Jay,late of Pennington in the county of Hunterdon in New Jersey, departed this life on the thirtieth of November, eighteen hundred and thirty five and that he left his children via: Nelsons, Smith, Benjamin, Mary, wife of Charles White, Nancy or
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Ann, wife of George Wilson, and Eliza, wife of Wm. Strook, living at his death and that they are still living.

Wm. Pennington
{illegible] Febry. 13, 1843 

I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of His Excellency William Pennington, Governor and Chancellor of the State of New Jersey and that the signature of Wm. Pennington witness to the foregoing certificate is the genuine signature and handwriting of the said William Pennington, Governor and Chancellor of New Jersey.

Washington, Febry. 13, 1843.

M. Halsted

[Illegible]
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Blank
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Jessups & Hand
Attorneys and CounsellorsCommonwealth Building
Scranton, PA
William M. Jessup
Horace E. Hand
William H. Jessup, Jr.

April 21, 1894

Hon.  Wm. Lochran, Commissioner of Pensions,

Dear Sir:

My wife is a granddaughter of Joseph Jay, who was a lieutenant in the New Jersey Volunteers during the Revolutionary War.  The records in your office show that a pension was granted to him and search for his commission does not prove availing here.  My wife as his granddaughter desires to know whether the commission is on file in your office, and if so, will you kindly have it sent here to me as that the family may have the benefit of it, and oblige.

Respectfully yours,

W. H. Jessup
Page 38

Rubber stamp markings

U.S. Pensions Office
Oct. 29, 1894

Old War & Navy Files
Oct 31, 1894
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Bankers & Merchants Lithographing Company
613 Delaware Street
Kansas City, Mo.  Oct. 25th 1894

August Bauer
H. Bruce Laird
Nelson Jay

To the Hon. Comm. of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

A short time since I wrote the War Department asking for a record of service of my great grandfather, Joseph Jay, who our family history says served in the Continental Army.  I was advised by Col. Ainsworth to write to the Commissioner of Pensions and see if a pension was ever applied for, if it was I could get a record of services from that department.  Any information you could give me in regard to the matter would be highly appreciated.

Very truly,

Nelson Jay
613 Delaware St.
Kansas City, MO

(Sent Nov. 16, '94 F.S.)
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24
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Department of the Interior
Washington, D. C.

June 18, 1913
Denver, CO

Gentlemen,

I have just been told that an ancestor of mine fought at the Battle of Monmouth and as many of my friends are members of the Sons of the American Revolution, I would like to have all the proofs of the same that you can give me.  My father is John S. Jay of Emporia, Kas, born in Trenton, NJ in 1844 or thereabouts.  My grandfather was John Jay of Emporia, Kas, born in Pennington, NJ, a member of New Jersey and Michigan legislatures.

My great grandfather was Smith Jay and the ancestor who fought at Monmouth was said to be Joseph Jay.  I am told that he was mentioned in one place as Col. Jay in another as Lieut. Jay but I know nothing as to the facts.  I am also told that on my mother's side I am descended from Gen. David Shay M. 1945.  My mother's name was Helen A. Clark of Lima, N.Y.  Her mother's name was Henrietta Shay but that is all I know.  Respectfully, John Jay, 2019 So. Race St.
Page 42

The Heights
Berwick, Pennsylvania

Pension Office,

Will you kindly send me a copy of Lieutenant Joseph Jay's pension with all names and dates and tell me what his widow was
Page 43

Mrs./Emmi Jessup Wooden
The Heights
Berwick, Penn.

Could you tell me if Charity Melick, widow of John Foster, ever drew a pension


Stamped U.S. Pension Office
August 3,, 1898
Page 44

and if she received a pension.  Joseph Jay was from Nottingham Township, Burlington Co., N.J., I believe in 1753.  Send charges to me and oblige.

Stamped U.S. Pension Office
August 3, 1898
Page 45

[left part of page]
April 12/94 Mil. Hist. to 
Mrs. Wm H. McCartney.
Wilkes Barre. Pa. C
1913 June 28. Hist to W.C. Jay

[center part of page]
Revy
Invalid, &c.
File No. 46.661
Joseph Jay
N.J.
[illegible] &c
Act 7 June 1832
Index: Vol. 2, Page 373
(Arrangement of 1870.)

[right part of page]
May 11/94 Mil. Hist to
W.H. Jessup,
Scranton. Pa. C.
1894 Nov 16 Hist. to
Nelson Jay, Kansas City, Mo.
Page 46

Copy_
Letter Feb. 28. 1849
Page 47

Pension Office,
February 28. 1849.

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d utto. respecting the case of Joseph Jay, died, and in reply, to state that Jay, was first placed upon the pension roll, under the act of 18 March, 1818, at the rate of $96 per annum, but in 1843. an application under the act of 7 of June. 1832. for an enlargement of his stipend for his service as a Lieutenant and a Certificate at the rate of $236, per annum, was issued to his children, commending on 4 March, 1831. and terminating on the 30 Nov, 1835, the day of his death. This amount covers the whole period of his service as an officer, All that the proof will authorise us to allow, has already been granted in this case.

I have the honor to be,
Your Obit Servt,
(Signed) James L. Edwards,
Commissioner

Hon. W. L. Dayton
Senate UStates.
Page 48

Hon J L Edwards
Commissionor of Pension
Washington DC

[written over above text]
free #
W Cole[?]_ have the papers copied
died 5/41

[stamp]
PENNINGTON [illegible]
DEC
4
Page 49

Pennington, Decbr 3rd 1849

Mr J.L. Edwards

Sir in your last, you informd me that the testimony left you by Mr Dow, was not sufficent, please to inform me what is required to make it so, you say you cannot send me, the original vouchers filed in the office, please send me coppys of those papers, as longness one about sitting I wish to have them publishd in Phamplet form, that each member may be made acquainted with the Testimony therein contained, you will find that my Father was paid as an Officer in the Revolusionary war, up to the full 77 this you will find by refering to the revolutionary Books in your own Office

please write by return of Mail

Respectfully yours

Smith Jay
Page 50

[left side of page]
[text running up page]
lit. to Hon. G.D. Wall 18. Jan. '39.
To J.C. Potts 14. April 1840

Certf cate issued 2d. Aug. 1819

appt [inkblot] June 7. 1832 rejected. See letter to Smith Jay Nov. 29. 1834_ to Mrs Jay[underlined] Feb. 10. 2835
See letter fo Hon G.D Wall March 26, 1836. do to Pen agt. & Saul Evans, July 19. 1836.

[right side of page]
Let to Hon. W. Halsted Dec 17. 1842
Let to ditto. Jan. 24th. 1843.
Let to ditto Feby 6 1843
Page 51

[text running up page]
Imat Jan 17.
Jos. Juy
Hon G.D.Wall
Senate US

The Honble
J. L Edwards Esq.
Comr of pensions
pension Office

[upside down]
1839
Page 52

Senate Chamber Jany 16 1839

Sir

The inclosed affedavit which you returned to mek in your Letter of the 14 [illegible] was presented to be added to the other Papers, of the said Joseph Jay, now on file in your office. Will you have the goodness to do so, and to give the whole case your rexamination[?], and inform me of the Result. I think that an examination of all those papers will shew the [illegible] of Joseph Jays appointment & the time of his service_ and. I hope may result in establishing his claim to a pension.

Yr [illegible]
Garret D Wall

The Honble
J L Edwards Esq
Comr of pensions
Page 53

Fm
Wm Halsted

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D Columbia

[stamp]
FREE

[stamp on left side]
TRENTON
N.J.
17
APR

[text going up left side, over Trenton stamp]
Apl 19 1843
Jos Jay dcd[?]
NJ roll

[upside down at bottom]
1843
Page 54

Trenton April 17th 1843

Dear Sir

The enclosed power of Attorney from one of the heirs of Joseph Jay deceased is the one I mentioned to you where the heir lived in Tennessee at a distance from the Clerk of the County, and in consequence of which I thought it would be very difficult to get the Clerks certificate to the justices signature, and you were good enough to say that I might tell Mr Dickinson the pension agent here that he might pay it and you would pass it without the Certificate of the Clerk Mr Dickinson however says it will be more satisfactory, if you will write or. the power of Attorney that you will as left[?] it without the certificate of the Clerk or signifcy your assent upon the power of Attorney that you will receive it

I will thank you therefore if you will write something upon the power which will warrant Mr Dickinson in paying it and return it to me

This is the second power that has been sent from Nashille, and from some of the other heirs no less than three times have the Powers of Attorney been sent back in consequence of some informality

Yours very Respectfully
Wm Halsted

JL Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 55

Fm
Wm Halsted

J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington
D C

[stamp]
FREE

[stamp on left side]
TRENTON
N.J.
7
MAR

[text going up left side, over Trenton stamp]
Mar 9 1843
Jos. Jay
NJ roll

[upside down at bottom]
1843
Page 56

Trenton March 8th 1843

Dear Sir

As the heirs of Joseph Jay are scattered in different parts of the United and I will be attended with very great difficulty and delay to get them all to write in one power of Attorney I wish you would send a director or [illegible] to pay the pension in portions to each of the heirs as they are entitled and may apply, without waiting until all shall have united in one power of Attorney

Yours Respectfully
Wm Halsted

JL Edwards Esq
Page 57

Washington, Jan. 19, 1842

I will thank you to examine the papers and records in your office and inform me whether Ensign Joseph Jay of Capt. Baldwin's company of the New Jersey line was not entitled to a pension as an officer instead of a pension a a soldier and whether he being dead his heirs are not entitled to receive the pension which should have been allowed him as an officer.  

Yours respectfully,

Wm. Halsted
Page 58

New Jersey
Mercer County ss:  Personally appeared before me Evan Evans, President Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and Justice of the Peace in the same, Robert Phares, known to me as a respectable and credible person in whose statements full confidence may be placed, and who being duly sworn according to law on his oath says:  I was seventy six years old last August, I was born in Crosswicks, Burlington County (now Mercer) in State aforesaid, and have lived the principal part of my life in the Township of Nottingham in said County.  In the commencement of the Revolutionary War resided in that township and continued to reside there during the whole war.  I served as a private in the company commanded by Captain Robert Quigley several tours.  I was well acquainted with Lieut. Joseph Jay, whose son, Smith Jay, now resides at Pennington.  He was a recruiting officer in the regular service.  I knew him in that capacity before I first went into the service while in  the fall of seventeen hundred seventy-seven.  He was then recruiting at Nottingham Square in the Township where I lived.  He was recruiting for soldiers in the regular army.  He was several times after at the Square on the same business.  To the best of my knowledge, I knew  him six months or more as a recruiting officer.  He was afterwards (I think in Seventy eight or seven) attached to the army in the five months service.  I saw him with the army in Succasunna Plains in Mercer County.  Capt. Baldwin of the regular army, who lost his leg in the war,  once later was, after the war, [illegible] Lieut. Jay had, on one occasion, rescued him and his company, from being captured or cut to pieces by coming to his assistance.  He told me the time and place, but I have forgotten it.  I have heard that he was at the battle of Short Hills, and there he stood near Capt. Ephraim Anderson when he was killed there.  I knew Lieut. Jay to the day of his death.  He was always reputed to be a good soldier and was always a patriot and friend to his country.

Robert Phares

Sworn and subscribed to
at Trenton in the County and 
State aforesaid this 17th day
of November, 1878.

Evan Evans
Page 59

State of New Jersey ss:
I, James D. Westcott, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that Evan Evans, Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was taken, and who hath attested the same was at the time thereof President Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Mercer in said State and Justice of he Peace of the same duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are to be given to his official attestations.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton in said State this thirteenth day of November Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight (1838).

James D. Westcott

Hon. G. D. Wall
Senator U.S.
Page 60

1843

Evidence in relation to death of Joseph Jay



Hon. W. Halsted
H.R.
Page 61

Treasury Department
Third Auditors Office
February 8, 1843

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday requesting to be informed as to what date Joseph Jay, a pensioner on the pension roll under the Act of 1818, was paid.  In reply, I have to inform you that it appears from the books of this office that the pension in question has been paid to the 30th November, 1835, the day of the pensioner's death.

With great respect [illegible] Hagman and
Hon. William Halsted, House of Representatives
Page 62

General Walls statement in relation to Joseph Jay application

Adml.

7 mo 2ds pri.
4 mo ensign
12 mo 28 ds sh.
_________________
236$ from 4 March 31 to 30 Nov. 1835 to Nelson, Smith and Benjamin Jay, Nancy Wilson, Eliza Strook, and Mary White, deducting what was held under Act of 1818.

Hon. W. Halsted.H.R.
Page 63

I was well acquainted with Joseph Jay who in his lifetime made an application for a pension for his service in the Revolutionary War.  I well remember his telling me that he made his application as a soldier because he could not find the evidence of his appointment as a Lieutenant and that the gentleman who prepared his papers informed him that if he could prove that he served in the army at the requisite time, it entitled him to a pension and could not prove that he was an officer, that he was clearly entitled to the pension of a soldier.  I informed him then that I thought he had been badly advised, but he assured me that it was made because at that time he could not procure the evidence of his appointment as an officer but that he who had the appointment by commission and served more than a year as Second Lieutenant in Captain Baldwin's company (I think) was in Col. Matthias Ogden's Regiment of the Jersey Brigade. I know he is the same person who made the application for a  pension as a soldier.  I had known Jay for many years before and have heard Gen'l Joseph Bloomfield, General John N. Cumming and General Jonathan Rhea, Col. Aaron Ogden, respectively, speak of him and state that they had known him when he was a Lieutenant in Col. Matthias Ogden's Regiment, during the Revolution and I know that he is the same man that they recognized as having been such Lieutenant and who made the application for a pension as a soldier.  I further certify that the said Joseph Jay at the time that I knew bore a respectable character
Page 64

for truth, and that his children who, I understand, are now perfecting his application, are respectable members of society, and that I do not believe that they would be engaged in any attempt to defraud the government.  I, from my knowledge of the circumstances of the case, I am entirely satisfied that the application is made bona fide and that any discrepancy between the case made out by their father  and the evidence now produced has arisen from the mistaken advice he received and his inability to prove his appointment or commission at the time he made his application.  

Burlington, Jany. 18, 1843.

Garret D. Walls
Page 65

Copy.
Letter. May 8. 1843
Page 66

Pension Office,
May 8. 1843.

Sir,

I have received your letter of the 4th instant relative to the case of Joseph Jay, deceased. No further allowance can be made. I shall be very happy to have it in my power, to make a statement of all the facts in this case to Congress, in reply to any complaint which you may please to make.

Very Respectfully,

Your Obe't Serv't.
J.L. Ewards  (Signed.)
Commissioner

Mr. Smith Jay,
Trenton,
N. Jersey.
Page 67

Jan 28/1843

J Jay

Hmll Halsted
HR
Page 68

Washington Jany 28d 1843

Dear Sir

I enclose you the Certificate of General Wall in relation to the application of Joseph Jay for an increase of pension Joseph Jay at first applied for a pension as a solder which was allowed him, and subsequently applied for a pension as an officer which application was disallowed and the ground stated by the pension Department was that it appeared that Lieut Jay was absent without leave In a conversation with Dr Crump[?] upon the subject the Dr told me that the fact of Lieut of [illegible] Jays being absent without leave was not a good ground of refusing his pension but that if he had been marked as a deserter it would have been a good ground to refuse the decision. But in addition to the opinion of Dr Crump it will also appear by the original payrolls that Lieut Joseph Jay was paid as a Lieutenant from June 1777 to June 1788 inclusive that that the last payment was made after he is marked as being absent without
Page 69

leave (In May 1777 Joseph Jay was an Ensign)

I consider the objection taken by the Department if it had any validity, as entirely overcome by the fact of Lieut Jay's having returned and been paid after the entry on the roll of his absence without leave.

But although Dr Crump thought there was no validity in the objection on which the Department rejected the application for an increase of pension Yet he took another objection on which he said he he should be disposed to object. and that was that Joseph Jay had applied for a pension as a soldier and had obtained it and had in that application said nothing about his service as an office and therefore he concluded that Joseph Jay the solder and Joseph Jay the officer were different persons and he appeared to think that there must be something wrong in the second application. An examination of the two applications will shew you that they are both made by the same person. But I also inclose you the certification of General Wall
Page 70

which also shews that Joseph Jay who applied for a pension as a soldier and Joseph Jay who applied as an officer are the same person. It also states the reason why the application was made for a pension as a soldier and not as an officer and also certifies as the character of Lieut Jay and his family

As to the second application which was made for a pension as an officer and about which D Crump thought there must be something wrong the Dr is entirely mistaken for I drew this application and procured most of the testimony myself and therefore know it to be fair and bona fide

As therefore the only ground of objection taken by the Department is removed and there is no foundation whatever for the other objection raised by D Crump I hope you will take up this case with the [illegible] rational light an evidence which is herewith presented and give me your decision upon it

Yours Respectfully
[signature]Wm Halsted

JL Edward Esq
Page 71

State of Newjersey, Mercer County ss

Personally appeared Before me one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Mercer John Clutch who being duly sworn did depose and say that he was will acquainted with Joseph Jay who was a recruiting officer in the continental service from the commencement to near the close of the revolutionary war and that he was a good and meritorious officer

John Clutch [an X appears between the first and last names, with "his mark" written above it]

Sworn to and Subscribed this eighteenth Day of  December AD 1848 before me William C Sinclair J.P.

I Do hereby certify that John Clutch is now in the ninety first year of his age and draws a pension from the United States
William C Sinclair


State of New Jersey
Mercer County ss  I Ralph H Shreve Clerk of the County of Mercer in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that William C Sinclair Esq the person before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was at the time of the taking thereof one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Mercer duly commissioned and sworn and duly qualified to administer Oaths

[seal appears to the left of this paragraph]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Eighteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & forty eight
Ralph H Shreve clk
Page 72

State of New Jersey
Mercer County ss

Before me, Charles Burroughs one of the Judges of the Inferior Court, of Common Pleas in and for the county of Mercer personally appeared James Phares of the Borough of South Trenton[?] in said county and state who being duly sworn, on his solemn oath doth depose and say, That he is now in the seventy sixth year of his age_ that he was personally acquainted with the late Joseph Jay deceased_ that he was called Lieutenant Jay and was recruiting officer in the Revolutionary War and was stationed at what is called Sandtown and then called Nottingham Square in said county of Mercer in the recruiting service_ that He knew him for the space of one year acting in the capacity of recruiting officer and knew him to be a very successful officer in that capacity_ 

[signature]James Phares

Subscribed and sworn to December 18. 1848 before me_

[signature]Chas. Burroughs
Judge

I do hereby certify That I am personally acquainted with the aforesaid James Phares and that he is one of the most respectable gentlemen among us__ Dated Dec. 18th 1848.

[signature]Chas. Burroughs
Judge 


State of New Jersey
Mercer County ss  I Ralph H Shreve Clerk of the County of Mercer in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Charles Burroughts Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was at the time of the taking thereof one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and to all his official acts full faith and credit are due as well in courts of Judicature as thereout_ Witness my hand and seal of office this Eighteenth day of December AD 1848
[seal appears to the left of this paragraph]

Ralph H Shreve clk
Page 73

[postmark]
TREN N.J.
DEC 
14

John C. Colhoun Esquire
Secretary of War
United States

Free

Recd 16 Dec. 1820

Exd.
Page 74

Trenton Dec. 12. 1820

John C Colhoun Esq
Secretary of War.

Sir_ The within named Joseph Jay has been personally known to me for some years, by age and infirmity he has become unable to support himself, with the assistance of his Son, a tradesman rather in low circumstances, and of some other friends, I believe he has never become a public charge, but I take him to be exactly one of those which the Pension law was designed to assist.

His deposition was taken in August term, and he depended on the Clerk of the Court to forward it__ He sent to the Clerks office a few days ago to know if he had received any answer from your office, the Clerk not being at home his assistant sent him the inclosed saying that was sufficient for him it was indorsed continued, from those circumstances he supposed the Clerk has neglected to forward it to you and has requ3ested me to do it.

If his Pension is continued he begs you will send the notice to me, as he lives in my neighborhood.

I am, with respect.

Sir your most obed Sert.
[signature]Jas Ewing
Page 75

[stamp]
FREE

[postmark]
TRENTON
N.J.
JUL
15

James L. Edwards, Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

July 18

Jos. Jay
N.J. [illegible]

2 Aug 1819

Jos Jay
[illegible]
1818
Page 76

James L. Edwards, Esquire,

Dear Sir,

I am requested by Mr Smith Jay one of the children of the late Joseph Jay decd. to enclose the papers herewith sent to you, in order that your examination may be had, and if found to be sufficient, to have your instructions to the Agent for paying Pensions in Trenton to pay the same__ Mr Smith Jay has expended, as her informs me, rising Twenty dollars in obtaining the necessary papers and from what he informs me there is no other objection to paying the Pension after the Attorney takes the necessary [illegible] except that the power of attorney has been executed exceeding the usual time__ Mr Jay thinks that as the parties to the Power of attorney are so widely scattered that you will be willing to make allowance for its not being presented within the usual time_

Respy
Your Obt Servt
[signature]Saml. Evans.
Trenton July 15. 1836
Page 77

Cap Baldwins Co.

Ensign Jay  on common  to 31 May 1777
S. Joseph Jay   Feb 2 1778

the above found on Muster[?] roll 1st N.J. Regt from 1776 to 1782

Joseph Jay 2d Lieut absent without leave Feb 1778
do do    "   no remarks  Feb 27[?], 1778

The above Muster[?] roll 1776 to 1780, 1 Regt

Joseph Jay Ensign pay 1 mo to 1 May 1777
Joseph Jay 2nd Lt. pay 1 mo to 1 June 1777
do      do        "         "     "      "  1 July 1777
do      do        "         pay 1 "   to 1 Oct 1777
do      do        "         "     1      "  1 Nov 1777
"          "        "         "     "      "  1 Dec 1777
"          "        "         "     "      "  1 Jan 1778
"          "        "         "     "      "  1 Feb 78
"          "        "         "     "      "  1 March 78
"          "        "         [illegible] 2.28  " _____ 1 July 78 payroll June 1778
Page 78

Letter to Smith Jay
Dec 12. 1847. [illegible]
Copiez &c______

[word cut off] Newill
[word cut off] 0/51
Page 79

[word on left edge of paper cut off]

let 16 Nov. 1849
to A. Ray

Hon W. [word cut off]
Jany 3[rest of word cut off]

[text written upside down]
32,024_[illegible] 1832
New Jersey--
Page 80

Joseph Jay
N.J.

Copy for Hm
W Halsted HR

4 paps. 1818
200   32

M [illegible]
Dec 9tn
Page 81

Senate Chamber
Fey 12/51

To Jas E Heath
Com of Pensions

Sir

Mr Smith Jay of Trenton N J has an application before you for a pension [illegible] his Father [illegible] As far as I have been able to [illegible] the case it appears to be one of Merit

If you can a few [illegible] take up his case & decide at you [illegible]

Much oblige

Your [illegible]
[signature] W Miller
Page 82

Joseph Jay
NJ-32
M. Cole
Feb. 26, 1837
Page 83

Joseph Jay Revo. Pensioner of N.J.  We desire to see the papers in the case.

Edwards & Smith

Feb. 26, 1857
Page 84

Trenton, March 7th, 1849

Mr. J. G. Bennit,  Please sir read this attentively.
Sir, I received your letter of the 28th ult, to Senator Dayton stating there was nothing more coming in my father's claims, as a Revolutionary Officer I take it for granted sir, you could not have seen the Testimony of Mr. Clutch & Pharos, which I sent to you by E.L. Dow, of your city, one of whom affirms he knew my father from the commencement of the War till near its close, as an officer.  The other knew him as such for about a year.  This testimony I sent you, about two months since.  About 12 years ago I left at the Department the testimony of Ex-Governor Ogden, Capt. Douglass and Geo. Anderson, Esqs.  All of those gentlemen knew my father as an officer in the Revolutionary War.  You have, Sir, in your possession a letter from Judge Dayton, of the Senate, both of whom vouches for the veracity of those two witnesses above named, Clutch & Pharos, not only this but my father stands on your own books paid up as an officer to the Fall of 1777.  Please sir examine those papers again; and then say if the heirs of Joseph Jay are not entitled to his pay, as an officer, from the law of 1818.  S. Jay
Page 85

James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 86

Trenton, March 14th, 1849

Sir, as I have petitioned in vain for the Balance Due on my father's claim as an officer, I wish you to return all the papers now on file in the Pension Office as I intend to have the whole proceeding published.  If you cannot send the originals, please send copies of the whole.  You are aware sir that when I visited you in person you told me there was nothing coming to my father and also confirmed it by letter.  Then after that when I employed Wm. L. Halsted, at half the amount he should obtain, you granted his demand without any additional testimony so that the Fee Lawyers get all and the poor pensioner or those the law was intended to benefit, get nothing.

Yours, Smith Jay
Page 87

1849
Page 88

Jas. L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm'r of Pensions

Washington
Oct. 6. 1849

Sir, I have rec'd from one of the children of Lieut. Joseph Jay, dec'd late of New Jersey, whose name was inscribed under Act 32 at the rate of $236 per annum.  Your letter of Feb. 28, and of May 15th, '49, with the enclosed certificate from the Sec. of State of New Jersey show that was due to the said Joseph Jay on Jan. 1, 1783, the sum of $58.00 and to which a certificate was issued by the Pay Master General with intent thereon.

I am requested to present the certificate upon which an increased rate of pension is denied at the rate of $320 per annum.  No evidence shows conclusively that the amt was allowed by the Paymaster Gen'l than I presume no questions can arise in allowing the additional rate of pension claimed.

I remain your
[illegible]
Alex. Nay
Page 89

Jan. 18, 1849

Ames

J.E. Dow, Agency
for Pensions
No. 3 Union Building
Washington, D.C.
Page 90

Trenton, Jan. 11th, 1849

Dear Sir,

Since my return, my attorney has examined the Pension Laws of 1818 and has there discovered that each officer was entitled to 20 Dollars per month, without distinction of grade, which from that Act, will make what is still due my father's claim upwards of 1800 Dollars, and from the different acts passed since 1818  to 1831 will make it still more, beside the Land.

Please see Col. Edwards and get him to report as soon as possible and write me as soon as you ascertain the amount, and I will deposit the money in the Trenton Bank and send you a check marked good for your percentage.

Should there be any difficulty you can confer with Senators Dayton, Bright, Houston or Doc Newell.

J.E. Dow. Esq.

Respectfully,
Smith Jay
Page 91

1849
Page 92

House of Rep U.S.
3rd[?] Jany 1849

Col J L. Edwards
Com of Pensions

Sir

The bearer of this (one of my constituents) Col Jay is desirous to make further search concerning the claim of his father Lieut Jay of the Revolution

He has with him__ in addition to the testimony already in your possession the certificates of two very respectable individuals, on of whom I know very well Mr John Clutch, the other James Phares whom I know by reputation, to be a very worthy man and both worthy of your confidence

I have no doubt whatever of the justice of the claims of Col Jay and will esteem it a particular favor, if you will give them due and if possible immediate consideration, with great respect-

I am yours &
--Wm A Newell [illegible] NJ
Page 93

Wm D Dayton
[illegible]

J.L. Edward Esq
Comr. [illegible]

1849
Page 94

Sen. Chamber
3d Jany 1849.

Col J.L. Edward Esqr
Comr [illegible]

Dear Sir. The bearer hereof Col Jay. of the City of Trenton N.J. desires to present the application of the children of Joseph Jay decd (his father) for the allowance of the arrears of Pension due to him_

A pension was granted [illegible] Jos. Jay a private[underlined] in the Continental Army from 1818_ [illegible] he was pensioned as Lieut.[two words underlined] from 1831. The evidence shows clearly, if I understand it, that he was an officer of the rank of Lieut. & as such[two words underlined] should have been paid under the act of 1818_ This rank was held by him as appears by the files of the war office, & as is admitted indeed by the allowance made him in 1843 by your office_ Why his pay was restricted upon the evidence and con_
Page 95

_fined to an allowance under the act of 1831  I cannot see or understand.

I have promised Mr. Jay that you will examine his case. and see that justice is done in the process.

There is no doubt presumed from the character of the witnesses, as well as from other matters, that his father served as he states, and in the capacity therein set forth.

I hope you will give his case a speedy & favorable consideration

I have the honor to be

Respectfully
Your obt sert.
[signature]Wm D. Dayton.
Page 96

1851
Smith Jay
Page 97

Pennington Jan, 13th 1851

Dear sir

Please excuse me for again trespasing on your Valuable time. I have no other friend, at present in Washington, to whom I can communicate. I have just ascertained that arch fiend, J.L.Edwards, has been expelled.  I see nothing now to prevent my obtaining my Father's just Claims as a Revolutionary officer, & if you will take upon yourself the trouble to assist me in this matter, you will confer a favor on me. You will find among the papers now on file at the Department a letter from the Hon, Jame Buchanan of Pen, wherein he states that he had examined the Revolutionary papers at the Pension office & there found my Father's Name as Second Lieutenant of Col. Ogden's Regiment & the Date of his Commission 26 of April 1776. Also the Hon, Wm Halsted when member of Congress in 1843 found my Father's name on the muster rolls of the Department as a Lieutenant and that he was paid up as such until May 1778. So you see, here and 2 years he was an officer according to the Revolutionary Records an Mr Clutch whose Veracity you can
Page 98

Vouch for, knew him as an officer from the beginning till near the Close of the War_ this together with other Testimony on file, I think we must eventually obtain the Pension, wee Claim it_ from the Law of 1818 to 1831.  Now sir if you will have the goodness to attend to this_ & let me know the result, or will drop me a line stating how you progress & if I am wanting please let me know I will come on immediately_ you will have some trouble no doubt_ & what ever you charge I will cheerfully pay

your Respectfully
Smith Jay

Hon Wm A Newell
Page 99

[postmark]
TRENTON
N.J.
5
MAY

Honorable J.L Edwards
Pension Office
Washington
D.C.

[text running up left side]
Comm May 8 '43
Jos. Jay
NJ [illegible 32
Page 100

Trenton May 4th 1843

J.L. Edwards Esqr

Respected Sir, I have taken the liberty to address a few lines to you trusting that you will read them carefully and answer them, immediately_ it is concerning My Father's Pension, a part of which has lately been obtain through the exertions of Mr Halsted. There must be some mistake in this matter. How is it Sir, that after I had been to the trouble and expense of traveling the different States in search of evidence to substantiate my Father's Claim to an officer's Pension, & having procured all the evidence the Law required and went on to Washington myself with the proof, you then & there told me, my Father stood register'd on the muster roll, absent without leave, and that it nowhere appeared that he had ever returned to the army, an therefore he was not entitled to any gratuity whatever. These I believe were your own words. I was therefore obliged to return home disappointed but not wholly discouraged. So well was I convinced of the Justice of My
Father's Claim, that I never for an instant gave
it up, but hopeless of obtaining it by my own
means, I was constrained to offer Mr Halsted
one half in the event of his obtaining it together with other expenses unavoidably incurred
Page 101

and left me about one third of the trifle obtained to be divided among the heirs. Now sir let me ask you, if this Law, that was intended to benefit the poor Soldier who fought and bled in his Country's service_ if he has to spend twice as much as his Pension amounts too in order to obtain it_ is it not a curse[underlined] instead of a Blessing. I do not blame you sir for being
cautious as there is no doubt many imposters
ready to take advantage of Pension Law, but with the proof that I procured, there could
be no doubt of his Claim being genuine and had you search'd a little further, you would
have found, that he was markd absent without
leave in Feb, 1778 and that he was recognised
as an officer up to the May following 1778 and received his pay up to that time, of this
fact I was inform by Mr Halsted_ so you see
Sir, that your oversight or whatever you may be pleas'd to term it_ has cost me hundreds of Dollars_ besides years of anxiety_ and what
is equally strange the very same proof that you
rejected when presented by me, you allow'd
to Mr Halsted, after a lapse of years I have
consulted several eminent Lawyers, who all tell me I am entitled to my Father Pension from 1818_ and if the evidence already obtained
is insufficient_ I can procure the testimony of an aged & Respectable man by the name of Clutch now
Page 102

living at Allentown in this State whose name is on the Pension list at Washington, he knew my Father intimately_ and as a Lieutenant for more than two years_ and fought by his side at the battle of Monmouth_ I Respectfully request you will answer this immediately_ and tell me whether or not the Claim will be allow'd by the department with this additional evidence. If not, I intend to lay the whole before Congress. I labor'd hard to support my father, while he lived in consequence of his being kept out of his rightful Claim_ Justice is all I ask there that I will have if tis possible to obtain it
[rest of text covered up by paper]

Respectfully yours
Smith Jay
Page 103

Washington
Mar 7/31 [could also be Mar 7/37]

Edwards & Smith

Appeal from the decision of the Comr of Pensions in the Case of Joseph Jay na revolutionary pensioner, &c.

Cole

decision of the Comr of Pensions affirmed See letter to Edwards & Smith. Mar 19. 1837
Dept. Mtr.
N.C.

papers retd to pension office
Mar 19. 1851
N.C.

Referred to Comr of Pensions
Dept Mtr. for [illegible]
Mch 7/37
Page 104

Washington March 7. 1851

Sir

In the case of Joseph Jay, deceased, we respectfully appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Pensions. The case is this, In
July 1818 he applied for a pension under the
act of March 18, 1818 as a private soldier, and his claim was allowed for one years service in 1776 in that grade. The claimant omitted to state the fact that on the 26th of April 1776 he was appointed a Lieutenant and served as such to the end of the year. It was supposed when he made his declaration that unless the claimant served as long as nine months as a commissioned officer he was not entitled to the pension of an officer, and he therefore set forth in his declaration no service as an officer, But he was under an erroneous impression in relation to the matter, The Secretary of War Mr. Calhoun having decided in 1818 that if a man served nine months in the continental army, and any portion of that time as an officer, he was entitled to the pension of an Officer ($240 per annum) It is that
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pension which is now claimed by his son. It will be seen by reference to the Washington Papers in the Department of State, that Joseph Jay  was a 2d. Lieutenant in Col. Ogden's Regiment of the New Jersey Line, and was appointed to that office in April 1776. The omission of the deceased to set forth that fact in his declaration is no bar to the claim, as one of your predecessors, the Hon. Thomas Ewing, decided that if an applicant committed an error in claiming less than the record proved, the claimant should be allowed all the benefits of the record. All that we ask is that the error of the deceased may be corrected by allowing the pension of $240. per annum instead of $96. per annum under the act of March 18. 1818.

We have the honor to be very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servts
Edwards & Smith

Hon. A.H.H. Stuart
Secretary of the Interior.
Page 106

cops

Letter, May 29. 1834
Page 107

Copy

War Department
Pension Office
November 29. 1834.

Sir:

The papers in support of the claim of Joseph Jay have been examined and placed on our files. On examining the rolls of the New Jersey line, it appears that he was an Ensign in Baldwins Company of the first regiment, and opposite to his name is marked that he was absent without leave and he does not appear to have afterwards joined the regiment. In no case like this has a claim been allowed. A pension cannot be granted for such service, as every one who quits the service without leave forfeits all claim to pension_ and every other gratuity.

I am respectfully
Your obt. Servt.
(Signed) JL. Edwards
Com. of Pensions

Smith Jay, Esq
Present.
Page 108

1840

[postmark]
TRENTON
N.J.
8
APR

[stamp]
FREE

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Com'r Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[text running up left side]
Apl 9 1840
N.J.
Joseph Jay
Page 109

Trenton, April 8th/40

JL Edwards esq
Comr. of Pensions

[illegible],

Mr. Smith Jay, of this County has called at my office and requested me to procure from the files at Washington, the original papers. connected with his father's (Joseph Jay's) application for a pension_ filed in part some six years ago. The object of Mr. Jay is, to see if further evidence cannot be procured to maintain the application, and if not,- to lay the whole claim before Congress at its next sitting.

Very respectfully,
Your obt
Jos. C. Potts
Atty for S. Jay.
Page 110

Department of State,
Washington, Jany 17. 1849

Hon: J D Cummins
House of Representatives

Sir

In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 13th inst, I have caused the Washington Papers to be examined for evidence of the Revolutionary services of lieutenant Joseph Jay, and have to report as follows:

In a paper entitled "Col. Ogden's arrangement", Joseph Jay is returned as second lieutenant of Col. Ogdens regiment_ date of Commission 26th april 1776. In the same paper appears the following note: "Those officers who have dates affixed against their names are such as were nominated by Col. Ogden's or his Excellency's authority".

I am Sir very respectfully
Your Obr Sevt
James Buchanan