Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 912, for Samuel Shipman, New Jersey
Page 1

Service:  New Jersey
Shipman, Samuel
S. 912
carded.
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New Jersey. 17218.
Samuel Shipman
Enrolled in the State of NJersey. he was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Potter of the Rgt. commanded by Col. _________ [left blank] in the New Jersey line for 20 months.
  17 Jo [illeg]   56.66
     3 Jo [illeg12.50
                        ________
                        69.126.
Inscribed on the roll of New Jersey at the rate of 69 Dollars 16.Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
____________________________-
Certificate of Pension issued the 10. day of 
Augt. 1833 and sent to F. B. Chetwood Elizabethtown NJ
_________________________
Arrears to the 4th of March, 1833    138.32
semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 33     34.58
                                                       __________
                                                      $172.90

who refended no service in Brittains artilley
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Wm R. Palmer Clerk, Vol. 3 Page 130

payt [illeg]hundred to agent + ndin to F B Chetwood and J B Miller 13 June 1835 
let to P. Dickinson May 24 1836 resuming
[illeg] 30 Sept. 1836  payt. to [illeg] L. Condict
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9415  17,218.
Samuel Shipman N J

adm  1 year & 8 months   3 months thereof Artillery
1.5  --  56.66
   3     12.50
 _____________
          69.16
F Barden Elizabethtown New Jersey
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
25 May 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
--------------------------------
A Statement, showing the service of Samuel Shipman N.J.
[table follows with 9 columns; column headings as follows:]
(1) Period when the service was rendered.
(2) Duration of the claimant's service. {sub-headings:  a.  Years.  b.  Months.  c.  Days.
(3) Rank of the claimant.
(4) Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
(5) Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. 
(6) Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
(7) Country through which he marched.
(8) Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
(9) Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

[text beneath column headings as follows:]
(1) 1776 ord., ", Call " , Jany 1777 enlist, " service, 1778 volun., Winton part [continues across other columns:] on his own account on or past for his Father, 1779 - [continues across other columns:] out often monthly duty, 1780 out [continues across next column:] artil[l[ery, afterwards " , continues in service t ill the close of the War -
(2) a. [blank], b. 2, 1, 1, 3, [blank], 1 c. [blank]
(3) Private, ", ", "
(4) Cap Potter, Cp Wade, [blank], Cp Britton, 
Cap Potter, Cap Sages, Cp Clark
(5) [blank]
(6) Skirmish, Connecticut Farms, Spring ield
(7) guard E.T. point, Springdd. E.T. point,  Spottswood
(8) 73, C.T. farms and more lines
(9) two living witnesses prove generally--, certificate of clergyman and a citizen
[end of table]

I am, respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Ste, Territory District of
County of
day of} ss.
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
---
with and
served in the
(e) regiment of the
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of & c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C.D. residing in (the same)
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court. And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of
& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{ To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
-------------------------
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades n which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason f old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank].  For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank],  and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.

[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses. who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
-->The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies in continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832-
State of New Jersey Borough of Elizabeth}Ss:
On this fourth day of September AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex now sitting Samuel Shipman a resident of the Township of Union in said County of Essex and State of New Jersey aged 73 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7th June 1832
    That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
    In the year 1776 sometime in the summer the particular month he does not now recollect whilst he resided at Connecticut Farms in the Cunty of Essex he was ordered out in the Service of he United States in the militia of New Jersey in the infantry on a monthly tour under Capt Matthias Potter. The company was stationed at Elizabeth Town Point in huts built for them. He kept guard at said point opposite Staten Island for one month and when the month had expired, was retained as a substitute for his father Abraham Shipman and remained another month under command of Captn. Potter - The following month he served on his own account and thinks under the command of Robert Wade.  He served the month out and was dismissed -
    He was called out again on a monthly tour on his own account in the fall of the year 1776, the same month in which the enemy marched through New Jersey. He served the month out and was dismissed -- In the month of January 1777 he enlisted
Page 8

in the 3 months service at Chatham that part of Essex and state of New Jersey under Captn. William Brittain, Lieut Jonathan Pierson and marched to Springfield - staid there all night and the next day on the march to Elizabeth Town had a skirmish at Connecticut Farms with the Hessians and took all the footmen, prisoners, in all 70 - then marched on to Elizabeth Town, and was stationed there for about two months. Laid in the Town and kept guard at the Elizabeth Town Point, and along the shore opposite Staten Island - after these 2 months were expired he marched to Newark and laid in the Town during the rest of the term, which was extended 2 weeks beyond the time for which he enlisted for want of relief - was dismissed under the same officers -- He served through the summer of the year 1777 on monthly tours both on his own account and as a substitute for his Father, sometimes under Captn. Matthias Potter at other times under Captn. Jacques, but does not recollect the precise time he was under either.
   In the year 1778 he joined the artillery as a volunteer under command of Captn. [illeg] Clark and marched to Spotswood in the County of Middlesex on his way to Monmouth at the time of the battle there, when orders were received for their return. At this time Genl Winds commanded and gave orders for their return - He returned to Elizabeth Town and served out the month - In the following winter he was stationed at Elizabeth Town and kept guard at the point opposite Staten Island, part of the time on his own account and part as a substitute for his Father -
    In the year 1779 he was out on a monthly duty several times but does not now distinctly recollect the number of times - was stationed sometimes at Rahway in the County of Essex and sometimes at Elizabeth Town - was sometimes under command of Captn. Potter --
    In the summer of the year 1780 he was out in the artillery under Captn Little at the time of the engagement at Connecticut Farms and fought the enemy
Page 9

with a Field Price until they rreated. The Church and houses at Connecticut Farms were burned, including the house his Father lived in - He was afterwards out in the artillery at the Battle of Springfield under Captn Little - Here also the Church and many dwelling houses were burned by the enemy - He afterwards continued in the militia service in the artillery during the whole war until peace was declared in 1783 - He was also in service on all occasions of alarms, scouting parties +c and is sure that his services in all should amount to more than one half of the whole period during which the war lasted. He was well acquainted with Cols. Matthias Ogden, Elias Dayton ad William DeHart of the Continental Army, all of whom resided at Elisabeth Town. He has no documentary evidence of his services or his discharge -
And this deponent further states that he was born on the 6th day of September 1758 at Newark in the County of Essex + since the Revolutionary war he has resided in the county of Morris in the State of New Jersey for about 30 years until within about 2 years since, when he removed to Union Township where he now resides - The Record of his age is in a book of family records in the possession of his son at Brooklyn Long Island -   He never received any certificate of service or dismissal + has no documentary evidence of either -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity excepting the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day + year aforesaid} Samuel Shipman
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Mr. Stephen Thompson a clergyman residing in the township of Union -- in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and Matthias Brant residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Shipman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.  Stephen Thompson Matthias Brant
Sworn and subscribed the day + year aforesaid}
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Stephen Thompson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Union aforesaid, and that Matthias Brant who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Frances B. Chetwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elisabeth, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey the same being a court of Record do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Shipman for a pension
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In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this fourth day of September Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Two
J. B. Chetwood Atty
State of New Jersey Borough of Elizabeth}Ss:
Stephen Headley being duly sworn according to law o his oath says that he is well acquainted with Samuel Shipman who hath subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that he was acquainted with him in the time of the Revolutionary war - that he served in the New Jersey militia with him in the company of infantry commanded by Captain Potter, but can not say with certainty how long he served with him in that company - that he has seen him out on duty often times during the Revolutionary war and knows that he was often on duty in the artillery of the New Jersey militia, under the command of Captain Thomas Clark and has seen him on duty in that service - Stephen Headley.  I certify that Stephen Headley the above named deponent is a man of credibility. Moses Chandler Ald 
Subscribed + sworn this 4th day of Septr. A.D. 1832 in open Court
Moses Chandler Alderman}
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I Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the Court of Commo Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth, the same being a Court of Record in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Moses Chandler before whom the within affidant was taken is an alderman of the Borough of Elizabeth and a judge of said Court, duly commissioned and sworn, and as such is authorized to take affidavits, and I do further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Alderman, and that the signature "Moses Chandler" to the said affidavit subscribed is genuine --
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this seventh day of September A.D. 1832.
F. B. Chetwood
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Morris County State of N. Jersey}Ss: Be it known that on this 29th day of August 1832 before th subscriber a Justice of peace in + for the County aforesaid personally appears Jacob Shipman of said County, aged 66 years, who being duly sworn doth on is oath declare that he lived with his father Abraham Shipman, near Connecticut farms in Essex County N. Jersey in the war of the revolution + altho' not old enough himself to near arms in the beginning of the war, he has a perfect + distinct recollection that his older brother, Samuel Shipman, aged now about 74 years, performed militia duty on many occasions under Captain William Brittin + Captain Eliakim Little both of Essex County - that said Samuel was very often sent out from his father's house with arms + equipment, accoutered for a months tour of duty, sometimes at Elisabeth town + the different points of landing, throwing up breast works for the defense of the town + adjoining county against the invasions of the enemy, who were there in possession of Staten Island + New York; - that this deponent, then a boy, was frequently sent from home with clothing + some necessaries for his  rother Samuel:--that said Samuel, was to the knowledge of this deponent, engaged on a tour of three months service, performing militia duty under Capt. Brittin aforesaid, + often saw him whilst in said service, at the lines, performing guard duty at + near Elisabeth town - that he knows said Samuel was personally engaged at the skirmish at Connecticut farms when the church + many private buildings were burned ny so many that he saw his brother, said Samuel + some 10 or 12 of his comrades around a [dield pieces?} which they had been discharging against the enemy - that they were all lack with the smoke + powder + apparently deafened by the firing of the gun - that on this same occasion, the enemy burned the village of Connecticut farms + with it, the dwelling house of his father + many other private dwellings, + at last were driven back towards Elisabeth town. -- This deponent was about this time an apprentice + about 14 or
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or 15 years of age, being very near his father's house + in sight of the whole proceeding -- computing his present age, it would carry back this transaction to about the summer of 1780.  The other services attended to were before this period + in different years, probably in 1778 + 1779. - The said Samuel Shipman was about from home, from the time this deponent had a distinct recollection of the events of the war, almost the whole of the rest of the war + from what he knew of the preparations made for him from time to time, he knew that he was about on militia duty.  This deponent remembers that his brother Samuel was occasionally at home for a few days + was then absent on duty for a month or for a longer period, + in this manner the great part of his time was spent in militia service till the war was ended.  And further he said not.  Jacob Shipman
Sworn + subscribed before me, this 29th day of August 1832. Peter Freeman Justice of the Peace
   I hereby certify to the Secretary of war, that Peter Freeman Esqr. before whom the foregoing deposition was taken is known to me to be one of the justices of the peace in + for Morris County N. Jersey, duly commissioned + authorized to take depositions.  I am also well acquainted personally with Jacob Shipman the foregoing deponent + with his brother Samuel Shipman, who is, as I understand, about applying for a pension under the law of June 1832.  I have known them both for 30 years or more.  They are both of the, honest, industrious men, sustaining good character in society as men of veracity + fully entitled to belief wherever they are know.
Lewis Condict, one of the Representatives from N.J.  
Morristown, N. Jersey, August 29th, 1832
Page 15

Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 912
Samuel Shipman
Priv. N.J. Line.
Act: June 7. 1832
Index: --Vol. .....a.....Page 336
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 16

James L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 17

Morris town N.J. Augt 18th 1835.
Dear Sir,
    I enclose herewith the deposition of said Shipman whose pension has been suspended, for reasons stated in a letter from your office  ind. a few weeks since.
    With much research, he has obtained some testimony in relation to a part of his services, which I hope on examination you may find sufficient to restore him.  His poverty has obliged him in his old age, to remove from Essex Co to live with a daughter in this place, on whom he must be entirely dependent for his [health?] unless he can be reinstated. --
With much esteem + respect your old [    ] + friend  Lewis Condict
Jas. L. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 18

Jersey City N J 
Sept 7
The honorable Lewis Condict 
Morristown N J
Page 19

Jersey City Monday Sept. 5 1835

Dear Sir

On my. return from Trenton on Saturday [illegible] last I found yours of the 31st last.

I well remember Captain Britton who [illegible] died at Elizabeth Town, and Col. Oliver Spencer who was brother in law being named [illegib le].

Col. SPencer had been appointed a Colonel in the State [illegible] and Captain Britton belonged to the State Corps in the winter of 1776 -1777 and Col. Spencer in that winter with his State troops was engaged with the enemy at Springfield in which engagement his horse was killed under him and with his troops took prisoners 50 or 60 Hessians who had returned from Elizabeth Town as far Connecticut Farms about four miles in the country.  Somewhere about this time General Washington in [illegible] of power invested in him by Congress appointed Col. Spencer to the command of one of the
Sixteen Continental battalions so called, so that Mr. Shipman might have well served and his three months under Col. Thomas [illegible],   
his name being ocaolled in the muster rolls of  who took commission in Col. Spencers regiment and of [illegible] that deprive him of the benefit of his 3 months service, if his proof thereof is sufficient, and as to myself fully believe from my knowledge of that his corps this Dr Shipmans statement is correct.  

I am Sir
Yours respectfully [illegible]
Aaron [illegible]

The Honorable
Lewis Condict
Page 20

Dr. Sir,
    The hand writing of my venerable + worthy friend Col Aaron Ogden is in my tremulous from age + its infirmities as to be scarcely legible, except by those who are familiar with it.  That it may be fully understood, I take the liberty of transcribing it, that it may be seen how fully his recollections agree with the words stated by Shipman + his witnesses.  Col. Ogden was a Captain in the Revolutionary army has been a Senator of the U.S, Governor of N Jersey -- is now Collector of the customs at Jersey City + there is no man living whose integrity + veracity is more unquestioned than his. -- his letter reads thus:  
Dear Sir, On my return from Trenton on Saturday evening last, I found yours 31st of August last.  I well remember Capt. Brittin, who has lived at Elizabeth town + Col. Oliver Spencer, who was brother in law, having married my sister.  -- Col. Spencer has been appointed a Colonel in the State service + Capt. Brittin belonged to the State corps in the winter of 1776.77 + Col. Spencer in that winter with his State troops was engaged with the enemy at Springfield in which [       ] his home was killed under him, + with his comp.  I took prisoners 50 or 60 Hessians, who had returned from Elizabeth town, as far as Connecticut farms, about four miles into the County.  Somewhere about this time, General Washington, in virtue of power vested in him by Congress, appointed Col. Spencer to the command of one of the sixteen additional battalions, so called, so that Mr. Shipman might well have served out his three months under Col. Spencer, without his name being enrolled in the master rolls of Captain Britton who took a company in Col. Spencer's regiment + of course that the omission of his name on the master rolls of the line of the army cannot deprive him of the benefit of his 3 months service if the proof thereof be positive, and as to myself, I fully believe from my knowledge of the two corps, that Mr. Shipman's statement is correct. Yours respectfully: Aaron Ogden
 I feel some delicacy in asking of Col. Ogden, in deposition, as to the truths of the parts set forth in his letter; but if it be desired [illeg] by Mr. Edwards to put it in that form, he will not object, altho' as is evident, it must be difficult for him to write, his hand being greatly paralyzed + his sight much impaired.  With sincere respect + esteem, Your obt. servt. Lewis Condict  Morristown N.J. Sept. 9th 1835
Jas. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 21

Jersey City N J Sept 7
The honorable Lewis Condict
Morris Town N J
Page 22

State of New Jersey }
Borough of Elizabeth } SS:  Personally appeared before me the subscriber an Alderman of the Borough of Elizabeth, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough John C. Lunn of the township of Union in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, who is a man of credibility and his statements entitled to full credit, who being duly sworn, on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Samuel Shipman of the township aforesaid, that he was well acquainted with him and lived within one mile of him during the greater part of the Revolution, that the said Samuel  was actively engaged in the service of the United States from the commencement of the war until after the battle at Springfield in June 1780, and that soon after that battle this deponent removed from his residence in Essex County to Chatham in Morris County. That the said Samuel was engaged in the summer of 1776
at the same time with this deponent in erecting the fortifications at Elizabeth Town Point during which service they were both on monthly duty-- but cannot say how many months the said Samuel served during that season, and according to the best of his recollection he was stationed at Elizabeth Town point the greater part of the time from July 1776 till the retreat
of the army through New Jersey in the fall of 1776 and this deponent was also there the same time, and this deponent recollects that the sd Samuel was on duty the month in which the army retreated through New Jersey-

That he served with the said Samuel in the winter of 1777 in the 3 months stance of the New Jersey State Troops and was stationed at Elizabeth Town under the com-
Page 23

name of Capt. William Brittin, and that they were two weeks in that service after the expiration of their terms of enlistment -- 
   That he recollects that the said Samuel was in the artillery service under Capt Elicum Little, but he can not say how long he continued in that service as this deponent was not in that service himself --
John C Lum
Subscribed and sworn this 20th day of June 1835 before me. Edward Price Herman
State of New Jersey, Borough of Elizabeth}Ss.
I Francis B Chetwood, Clerk of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State aforesaid, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough hereby certify that Edward Price before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, at the time of testimony the said affidavit was and still is an alderman of the Borough aforesaid and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the same duly commissioned and sworn rending therein, and as such is authorized to take affidavits and I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Alderman, and that the signature "Edward Price Alderman" to the said affidavit subscribed is genuine
    In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said court at Elizabeth Tow in the Borough aforesaid this twentieth day of June A.D. 1835. F. B. Chetwood Clk
Page 24

State of New Jersey Borough of Elizabeth} Ss: Personally appeared before the subscriber and alderman of the Borough of Elizabeth and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the same, Samuel Shipman of the township of Union in the County of Essex and State and who being duly sworn on his oath says that since he wrote his declaration in court he has reflected upon his service during the Revolutionary war, and is able to set forth some of his services with some particularity -- that in the summer of 1776 he served three monthly tours in service from in the militia, ten months on his own account and one month as a substitute for his father under the Captains in his declaration mentioned and which tours he was stationed at Elizabeth Town under the command of Col Samuel Potter --
   That he served one month in the militia in the year 1776, the same month in which the enemy retreated through New Jersey, under Capt ["Samuel" crossed out] Matthias Potter in the regiment of Col: Samuel Potter and was stationed at Elizabeth Town on the lines.
   That the 3 months services mentioned in his declaration under Capt. William Brittin was performed in the service of the New Jersey state troops at the time and stations and under the officers in his declaration mentioned.  Oliver Spencer was Col of the regiment in which he performed the 3 months service.
   That he served six monthly tours in the year 1777 in the companies of Capt Matthias Potter and Capt Moses Jacques who was afterwards Col: three of which months
Page 25

months he served as a substitute for his father Abraham Shipman, but he can not at this time state the particular months with certainty; during those tours he was stationed at Elizabeth Town and Rahway in Essex County and guarded the lives -- Col Crane and Col Samuel Potter commanded the militia while he was on his monthly tours in 1777 --
   That he served a monthly tour in the artillery in June 1778 during which service he marched to Spotswood on his way to the battle at Monmouth -- Under Capt Thomas Clark and General Windes.
   In the winter of 1778 or 79 he served one month in the artillery service in the company of Capt Thomas Clark and was stationed at Elizabeth Town and during the same winter he served one month in the same company under Capt Clark as a substitute for his father and was stationed at Elizabeth Town,
   That in the year 1779 he served three monthly tours in the infantry service under command of Capt Matthias Potter + Col Moses Jacques, and was a substitute for his father, during which tours he was stationed at Rahwa -- but it is impossible for him to state with certainty the particular months --
   That he served one month in 1779 in the artillery and was stationed under Capt Thomas Clark at Rahway, Moses Jacques, Col: but the precise month he can not state with certainty --
    That he was on duty in the artillery service in June 1780 at the battles of Connecticut Fars and Springfield under Capt Elicum Littel, but was out only two or three days at that time --
  That the above are all the services he can mention
Page 26

in particular, tho: he entered the service in 1776 and continued therein during the war the most of which services were on monthly duty --
   That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his service: but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades -- For six months I served in my own account in the infantry service: For seven months I served as a substitute for my Father Abraham Shipman in the infantry service: For three months I served in the artillery service; For Three months I served in State Troops service, and for one month I served in times of alarm, and for such service I claim a pension:
    And the said Samuel Shipman further says that he knows no person living at this time, who served with him at any time during the Revolution except those whose affidavits he has procured. Samuel Shipman
Subscribed + sworn this 19th day of June A. D. 1833 before me Moses Chandler Alderman}
State of New Jersey Borough of Elizabeth}Ss: I Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the same hereby certify that Moses Chandler,  before whom the foregoing affidavit of Samuel Shipman was subscribed and sworn at the time of taking the
Page 27

said affidavit was and still is an Alderman of the Borough aforesaid and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the same duly commissioned and sworn, residing therein, and as such is authorised to take affidavits, and I further certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Alderman, and that the signature Moses Chandler Alderman to the foregoing affidavit subscribed is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at Elizabeth Town in the Borough aforesaid this nineteenth day of June A.D. 1833
F.B. Chetwood, Clk
Page 28

N.J. Oct 31.
[illegible at-

FREE

Jas.L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington
Page 29

Morris town, Oct 26th 1835

Dear Sir

Your favour of the 14th inst. respecting the case of Saml. Shipman, was recd. last week. This morning I & had an interview with him, & read
your letter to him.-- He says it seems impossible for him, after the lapse of so many years, to state with any greater precision & detail than he has done, the monthly tours of duty which he performed as a substitute for his father. Of the fact that he performed Militia duty both for himself, & for his father, he is very confident, & has given several instances which he particularized, when he made out his supplemental statement to me last spring or summer. He states, that if you will send his
papers, he will do his best endeavor to specify further, & give all other details that may be recalled to his recollection, both in regard to serving as a substitute for his father & when he belonged to the Artilley. From my long personal acquaintance with Shipman, I can assure you of his honesty & sterling integrity. He could not be tempted to swear to an untruth; & I do not believe that any militia man in New Jersey has
better claim on the pension fund for Militia service, that he has.

If he should be unable to specify & detail his Artillery service & his tours as a substitute, which he has set forth in his statement, I will return his papers as they are for such action as you may think they merit. Whatever is done, or can properly be done for his relief, would be charity to do speedily, the old man being very
poor & the winter near at hand.

With much respect & esteem
Your friend & Obt St
Lewis Condict

Jas. L. Edwards Esqr
Commr .Pensions
Page 30

Jas. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions.
War Department.
Page 31

Morris town, N.J. Sept 9th 35

Dr Sir,

I recd. your letter of Augt 24th respecting the case of Saml. Shipman, requesting that his certificate may be returned. & new one be issued for the admissible part of his claim &c. The Certificate has been deposited for safe
keeping, at Trenton, with others entrusted to me. And if I cannot satisfy you, that his claim
for 3 months service in the State troops, in Britton's Co. & Spencers battalion, is a fair & valid claim I will send for his Certificate & return it agreeably to your letter.

Shipman is so well known to me personally, & his witnesses also, as men of strict integrity, & high regard to truth, that I cannot entertain a doubt, that he actually enlisted & served 3 months under Britton & Spencer, in the winter of 1776, 77. And I think Col. Ogden's letter, which I herewith enclose for your perusal, fully explains what to you must before have seemed to be an error in Shipman's statement.- In Wilsons compilation of N.J. Laws page 6, Chapter 9, is "an act for the Raising of 4 Battalions", passed Nov. 27th '76-- the men continuing in service till April 1777, & were admitted during their service to enlist into any of the 4 battalions to be raised in the State,
under the continental establishment". This was immediately after Washingtons retreat through
N. Jersey, & the State in possession of the enemy. I understand that Col. Spencer commanded one of the State Battalions, & Capt. Britton raised a company under Spencer for 3 months, returning from the "Mudrounds" march, in the winter, with Washington in his retreat. Shipman enlisted this 3 months service in Britton' Co.s - Before these 3 months expired, Genl. Washington appointed Col. Spencer to the command of one of the 16 addl.  battalions in the Regular army, & Capt. Britton had the appointment of Capt again, under Spencer - altho' both were then in the State service.  The recruiting service for this new arrangement no doubt began immediately, for the N. J. Legislature authorized enlist ment from among the men raised for defence of the State for 3 months. Shipman however never enlisted into the Continental service under Britton, but served out his 3 months under his first engagement in the State corps. Capt Britton's  muster rolls therefore of his Co. of Continental troops, which began to be raised in Feby or perhaps earlier, could not contain Shipman's 
name, because he continued in the State corps till April.-- Whether Britton in person, commanded his co. in the State corps till Apl. altho' recruiting for the line of the Army, I
not. Perhaps his 1st Lieut acted in his stead. But Shipman certainly continued till the 3 months expired, as the testimony & his own deposition fully shew - He was personally present & assisted in taking the Hessian prisoners spoken of in Col. Ogden's letter. See Aaron Ball's & 
Mr. Lunn's testimony, who, if I mistake not, were both present at taking the Hessians, & both know that Shipman was there in Britton's Co. & under Spencers command in this engagement.
These men, as well as Shipman, mentioned the killing of Spencers horse at Springfield, but
I believe I did not detail it in their depositions, but I know, they all spoke of it, as a thing which they saw & knew.  I would not for a moment, press the claim of Shipman for these 3 months service if I did not most conscientiously believe it well founded.   He is indeed very poor & so an honest, sober & deserving old man. I hope you may see it to be right to reinstate him.

Respectfully, your friend & obt. Servt.  
L. Condict

J.L. Edwards Esqr.  Commr. of Pensions
Page 32

State of N. Jersey }
Morris County }
Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in & for said County personally appears Saml. Shipman, an aged & respectable citizen of said County, & well worthy of belief, who having been by me duly sworn according to law saith as follows, viz: I am in the 78th year of my age, & an the same Saml. Shipman who have been admitted to receive a pension from the United States under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832, for Revolutionary Militia services in the State of N. Jersey which pension has been suspended by Commissioner Edwards, for reasons stated by him in several letters written & used since March last. In a supplemental & explanatory statement made by me in the course of last summer, & endeavored to obviate those difficulties, so far as my own memory & the statements of some 3 or 4 of my early companions in the war, could enable me. I also obtained a letter from our former Governor, Aaron Ogden, explaining some difficulties relating to my service under Capt. Brittin [Britton], which I understand is satisfactory as respects that portion of my service. I now learn, that there is some doubt in regard to my service in the Artillery Co & also as a substitute in the room & stead of my father. Abraham Shipman, & I am required to specify & particularise them.  
The great length of time which has intervened, & the frailty of my memory, may lead me into
some inaccuracies as to names & dates, for which I trust a reasonable indulgence will be
made. The Artillery to which I belonged was attached to the Essex Co. Militia, when my
father lived about 4 or 5 miles west of Elizabeth town, & near to Connecticut farms village
& Church. This Co. I verily believe, was commanded by a different Captains whilst the war lasted, namely, Captain Williams, Captain Clark & Captain Little.  I performed Militia duty
under each of them, & I believe Little was the last, in the order of time. This Co. was called
for its proportion of service, as were other companies, according to emergencies, & when on duty was under the order of its officers, who were also subject to the command of the Colonel, or of the General, who had chief command at the time & station. In each of the tours of duty which I have before specified, I was always called out by orders from our company officers duly commissioned & duly authorized, as I verily believe-- we were actually embodied & encamped [illegible] other militia companies with us, sometimes under tents, sometimes in Barracks & in barns, & such accom[m]odations, as our stations could furnish. We even under daily military duty & discipline, during the whole of each town, & I was never absent from duty, but acted constantly under the orders of my commanding officers, throughout the whole of each & every tour until we were regularly discharged, as were the Infantry & Horse who often served with us. 
We always had our piece of artillery with one Co. (a 4 pounder) which was drawn by horses
& I often had charge of the horses. I belonged to this Co. when Monmouth battle was fought
& the Co. then under Capt. Clarks command & Genl Winds orders, was marching with a large Militia force toward Monmouth. We had proceeded beyond New Brunswick, near to Spotswood
Page 33

when, as it was said, Genl Winds recd. orders for his force to return to the neighborhood
of Elizabeth town, & we all returned, without reaching the battle ground.  We had this same Artillery piece in our case at the battle & burning of Connecticut farms & of Springfield, in the spring season or Summer of 1780, if I mistake not the year.  The whole Co. was then in service, & I believe was commanded by Capt. Eliakim Littell.  All the militia service performed by me, after I joined the Artillery, except what I performed as the substitute of my father, was performed as an Artillery man, as I verily believe.  My father, Abraham Shipman, owned a farm, near Connecticut farms, & had a large family of sons & daughters, younger than myself. His presence at home, & his labor on the farm, was more important to the family than mine could be; & wherever the defence of the Country did not call for every man & boy to shoulder his gun, my father would, if practicable, prevail upon the Militia officers of his Co. to take me in his stead. Sometimes the officers consented to accept me as his substitute & I took his place in his Co. carrying a musket as an Infantry man, & not in the Artillery Co .as when called out on my own account. In this way & manner, I did actually perform several monthly tours of Militia service in my fathers stead & as I believe, some in each & every year whilst the war continued. These tours were performed generally along the frontiers, at & near Elizabeth town, Rahway, Woodbridge, Amboy, Springfield, Lyon's farms, & near New York City. It would probably be
impossible for me now, to distinguish them, or most of them, from tours on my own account, except by the fact, that the latter (viz: my own) were in the Artillery Co.  My memory I fear might mislead me, should I attempt further details & specifications, than I have given in former statements, in which I have endeavoured to give an honest & faithful account, as far as recollection would go.

Capt Matthias Potter commanded the Militia Infantry Co to which my father belonged & as long as he continued to be the Captain, my service as fathers substitute, was sometimes under him, & some of his under officers. Robert Wade, I think was his Lieutt. & I have a pretty clear recollection of doing duty under Lieut. Wade, in & man Eliz Town. During the first year of the war, when Genl Washington & his army retreated through Jersey, I was in the service performing guard duty with very little, if any intermission, until I enlisted in Brittin's [Britton's] Co. -- The enemy possessed N. York,
Staten Island, Amboy & N. Brunswick, & the whole militia was kept almost constantly under
arms & in active constant duty. After N. Jersey was evacuated, the Militia duties were less constant, & the tours of service were more regular & more in rotation. I have on former 
occasions sought for evidence of my services, & would again respectfully refer the Commissioner of Pensions, to the testimony of Aaron Hall Esqr., Clark Lum, Stephen Headly & Jacob Shipman.  I know no other living witness, altho' I have enquired diligently, & would gladly answer to the best of my recollection, any & every question which the Commissioner might ask, if it were possible for me to see & converse with him respecting my militia revolutionary services.
Samuel Shipman

Sworn & subscribed before me, at Morristown, N. Jersey this 18th November, Domini, 1835.
P. A. Johnson
Justice of the Peace

I certify that Peter A. Johnson Esqr .the Magistrate before whom the preceding deposition of Samuel Shipman was taken, is well known to me to be a Justice of peace in Morris Co. & the signature of his name thereto is genuine. His official character & signature are also well known to the Honble. M. Dickinson, Secry. of the Navy, to whom reference can be had.       Novr 18th 1835.
Lewis Condict, formerly a Repr.
from the State of N. Jersey
Page 34

I am well acquainted with Peter A .Johnson of Morris Town New Jersey - have understood that he is a Justice of the peace for the County of Maine in that State and believe him to be such-- I have very often seen his hand writing, or what
I supposed to be such-- altho' I do not recollect ever to have seen him write - I have no doubt the signature above of his name is his proper handwriting-
21st May 1836
Mahlon Dickerson
Page 35

Saml. Shipman
Morris Co. N. Jersey

Return to Lewis Condict
Morristown, N. Jersey
Page 36

State of New Jersey County of Morris, SS.
Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in & for said County personally appears Samuel Shipman, aged 77 years, well known to me as an aged & respectable man, & believed by me to be a man of fair character for veracity, & having been by me duly sworn, saith as follows, viz:
I am the same Samuel Shipman, who some time in the year 1832, made my declaration of my military services in the war of the revolution before the Court of                  in the County of Essex (I am now unable to state with certainty, whether my Declaration was made before the Court of Common Pleas of Essex County, or before the Borough Court of Elizabeth, in said County) to obtain a pension from the U. States, for my militia services under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832, & for which services a pension Certificate has been
granted me by the Commissioner of Pensions & been regularly paid me, to the 4th March 1835.
By a letter signed by the Commissioner of Pensions J. L. Edwards Esqr. dated 13th June last & addressed to F.B. Chetwood Esqr. I am informed that "the agent has been directed to make me no further payment, until orders to that effect shall be given". The reasons assigned for suspending or withholding payment, as explained to me, are, 1st that my "services in Capt Brittin's company & Col. Oliver Spencer's Regiment are not verified by the rolls, which are complete, in the pension office, for the year stated: & 2d that my s"ervice in the Artillery is not supported by my original statement, nor by any evidence whatever".

I cannot think that Capt Brittin, my worthy officer, would designedly omit my name in his company rolls, & I feel confident, that if all the truth can appear, the Commissioner of pensions will not doubt that I did actually serve 3 months in his company & under command of Major or Col. Spencer. My memory in regard to dates, is very poor.  I cannot tell the numerical year in which any particular part of my Militia duty was done; & yet, I well know, that I actually performed much militia duty in every year of the revolutionary war, from beginning to end. I do not think, that when I gave in a narrative of my services to Mr. Chetwood in 1832 before the Court, that I could fix upon any one year with certainty, from any effort of my own mind, when any particular service was done. I could state that in the first year of the war, living in Essex County upon the lines, I was obliged to perform militia service at Elizabeth town point & along the show where the enemy often showed themselves, but I could not of myself, being a man of no reading, tel in what year these  services were done. It was probably fixed by Mr Chetwood, & as I supposed correcly, but I cannot now say positively of myself.  I will repeat the facts & circumstances, which are within my remembrance, as to my enlistment & Service of 3 months under Capt Brittin & Major Spencer, or Col. Spencer, & will leave it to the Commissioner to say in what year. I had been called out into actual service, & had done considerable Militia duty upon the lines, as is probably stated in my Declaration, before
I enlisted under Capt. Brittain. I was upon guard duty at Elizabeth town point, when Genl. 
Washington retreated before the British, through New Jersey. It was, as I believe, in the fall of the year after the Long Island battle. All the militia in that part of the County, followed Genl. Washington, & I among them. At or near New Brunswick, the Militia filed off by Bound brook, through Pluckemin, Veal town, Baskingridge, to Morristown, & some of us to Chatham. It was then late in the fall season, probably in November. It was known as the "Mudrounds" march, & is so called to this day by old revolutionary Jerseymen in this quarter of the State.-
Page 37

I cannot tell with any certainty, whether it was November when we reached Morris town & Chatham; it might possibly have been late in
October. But it was within a few weeks after my return from the Mudrounds March, that I enlisted in Capt Brittin's Co. to serve for three months from the first of January or New years day so called, when one service began.- I 
could not myself, tell certainly, whether this was in 1776, or 77, nor do I now know of myself.  I suppose Mr Chetwood numbered the year as he believed to be correct, & what he called it, I do not now know. I hold myself responsible for the truth of the facts which I state, appealing to the
searcher of hearts for their entire truth.-- Barney Ogden, Farry or Pharaoh Price, & Aaron Ball were my neighbors, & served in the same company with me. Ogden & Price are both dead, & I know of none living who served with me in that company, except Aaron Ball, whose testimony I will endeavour to forward herewith.-- I believe that Captain Brittin & Major Spencer, after this 3 months service, entered the Continental Army in the Jersey line, & that Spencer had command of a Continental Jersey Regiment till the war ended. So I am informed & believe; but I did no duty under either, as a soldier in the regular army. The 3 months service which I performed, was, as I think, Militia service, altho' by enlistment. Perhaps it was "State Troops"/-  - I am not well informed as to their distinctions. Perhaps it will be found on close scrutiny, that the rolls of Capt Brittin's Co. & of Spencers Regimt. relate only to their service whilst on the Continental establishmt. & if so, I know my name ought not to appear there. But if Brittin's rolls for the 3 months service, beginning in January are found, & my name be not on them, I can only say I shall be
much disappointed, & that great injustice is done me in the omission.

Respecting my artillery service, which is the second service objected to; I believe that soon after I was discharged from the 3 months service, (having served on my time 2 or 3 weeks, for want of relief) I then joined a Militia company of artillery commanded by Capt Clark, & after his resignation by Capt Eliekim Littell, in which Artillery Co. the most, if not all of my  militia duty was performed, except when I served as Substitute, & then I did duty in the Infantry, carrying my musket, as others.- Of this artillery service under Clark & Littell, I shall hope to obtain some proof to support my claim. My aged comrades are most of the dead. I am very poor & helpless, & whilst I feel grateful for my country's bounty, I would not for all her treasure, perjure my soul, by over stating my revolutionary services. I do hope however, that the little pittance heretofore awarded me in remembrance of faithful & hard service, may be continued, to supply my daily bread, the little time I may yet be permitted to live.

I now live in Morris County, with a relative, having no home of my own. I often performed
Militia service as a substitute for my father. Abraham Shipman, who lived in Essex County, he working on the farm, whilst I performed my own, & sometimes his militia also. I never recd. 
any written discharge, from my officers, nor was it customary.
Samuel Shipman

Sworn and acknowledged
before me this 1st day of
August A.D. 1835--
Peter A. Johnson
Justice of the Peace
Page 38

State of N. Jersey, Essex County SS.
Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in said County, personally appears John C. Lum, known to me to be a man of charity & good standing & being by me first duly sworn, saith as follows viz:  I am 76 years old in Dec. next, was a militia soldier in the war of the revolution, & performed much active service in that war. I am personally well acquainted with Samuel Shipman now of Morris County, & a pensioner of the United States, as I have unstood. Shipman & I were brought up boys together in the same neighbourhood near Elizabeth town in Essex County, where we lived when the war began; & we performed militia duty together, frequently in the same company, & at the same time.  We laid upon the lines, & the enemy often over ran the Country plundering property, & carrying
off the inhabitants prisoners to New York. My first tour of duty was performed at Eliza town
point, opposite Staten Island, building forts & pickets, breastworks &c. we lived in tents. It was in summer season & we were ordered out on duty the next day after the landing of the enemy on Staten Island.  We were commanded by Captain Richard Townly, or Capt Matthias Potter, but it is my belief that it was Townly. Genl Williamson, had the chief command of the whole, there being a large Militia force opened from all the adjoining counties, & I believe Col. Thomas of Elizth. town was the immediate officer of our Regiment. I know well, that Samuel Shipman was then present with me the whole time. We come boys together at home, & we messed together when soldiers on duty. I never went home from this service until late in the fall, when Genl. Washington's army retreated through Jersey, I think in November. I staid a month on my own account, & then a month as a substitute for my brother Stephen Lum, who was older than I, & was much needed on the farm & remained at work. And in this way I continued, till in the fall as before stated, in service, a month for myself & a month for my brother, until we followed the army on its retreat through Jersey, as far as N. Brunswick, when the Militia filed off up the Raritan into Bound brook & through Pluckemin & Veal town to Morristown where we lay 3 or 4 weeks, when I enlisted there, under Captain Wm. Brittin for 3 months, in Major or Col. Spencer's Battalion or Regiment. Our duty at Elizabeth town during this summer, was not performed during the whole time under the same Captain, but he was charged frequently.  I believe, that we were sometimes under Capt Britten, then in the Militia, sometimes under Capt. Jacob Crane, Capt. Joshua Horton. They were changed sometimes monthly, & sometimes oftener.  
I know well, that Shipman & I were constantly messmates together during the whole of this long service at Elizabeth town, & during the retreat & march from Brunswick through
Boundbrook & to Morristown.- he like myself, performing alternate months duty for himself
& then for his father Abraham Shipman. The scouting service for 3 months began when we
lay at Morris town, where I enlisted myself, & whether Shipman enlisted there, or at Chatham
Page 39

I am unable to say with any certainty. My belief is, that when our march from Eliz[cut off] 
following the retreat of the main army, that Captain Matthias Potter had command of Co. 
& continued till after we arrived at Morris town.-Shipman & I continue to mess together in the 3 months service the whole time. Our station was principally at Elizth town, after the fight with a body of Hessians at Connecticut farms, when Col. Spencer took a body of them prisoners to the number of 70 & upwards who were footmen, & in addition thereon 12 mounted Dragoons, armed with broad swords & Carbines. Our whole company was engaged
in this fight & I remember Shipman being present. After this, the enemy evacuated Elizth town & we took our quarter there, & remained there until about the time, or very near the time
of our enlistment expired. We were then ordered to Newark, where there were many plundering parties of the enemy & refugees & tories, annoying the inhabitants. Here we remain as long as two weeks after our 3 months expired, & we were verbally discharged by our officers. Shipman remained with us to the last. I remember Aaron Ball, who was also a soldier in Capt. Brittin's Co. in the 3 months service, who was then my neighbor at home, & whom I have
known ever since. I do not recollect distinctly ,of performing duty afterward in the same company with Mr. Shipman, but I after met him on Militia at afterward, in every year of the war, till it closed I remember him often times at Elizabeth town & at the different landing places opposite Staten Island. He entered as was said & as I believe the Artillery Militia under Captain Eliakim Littell, in which I saw him performing 
duty at various places. I saw him in Littells company at the battle of Connecticut farms,
& afterward at the battle of Springfield, in the latter part of the war, in the summer season, 
when the Churches & villages before named were burnt, & when Mrs. Caldwell, the widow of
Revd James Caldwell was shot. I remember Mr Shipman had a pair of horses of his own, & I have frequently seen him with the horses dragging t heir field piece under Captain Littell's command.  How long he served in this capacity I cannot tell. I recollect one occasion in which I was under Capt. Potter, near Amboy & Woodbridge, at Strawberry hill, we fell in with a party of the enemy who were concealed in an orchard in the grapes, who suddenly rose & fired upon us & we retreated into piece of wood, their balls falling very thick around us. It was in warm months, just before the time of cutting grapes. Shipman was with me then, & believe it was in the next summer after we were discharged from the 3 months service. 
John C. Lum

Sworn & subscribed before me at Springfield
Essex County, this 8th of August, 1835.
Philemon Dickinson
Justice of the Peace
Page 40

State of New Jersey, Essex County, SS.
Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in & for said County personally appears Stephen Headly an aged man, & fully entitled to belief, & who having been by me first duly sworn according to Law, saith as follows, viz:
I am in the 75th year of my age, & am personally well acquainted with Samuel Shipman whom I have known from my boyhood, & through the war of the revolution. I served with him as a militia soldier in several monthly tours of duty in different years of the war, sometimes in the same company with him, & often at the same time & in the same neighbourhood with him, when we were commanded by different officers. In the second year of the war, & I believe in the fall season, I performed a months duty with said Shipman at Elizabeth town, & at the landing opposite Staten Island, under Captain Potter I believe. At Rahway, I performed a months duty under Captain Potter, & Col. Jaques; we mounted guard at the ferries, (old & new Blazing Star ferries) opposite Staten Island, where the enemy lay in considerate force. Samuel Shipman was with me at this time, & served with me the whole of this tour which I think was in April or perhaps in May. In September following, to the best of my recollection, I was ordered out on a monthly tour of Militia duty under Capt. Matthias Potter, & we were stationed at Woodbridge, performing guard duty, the enemy then being in  possession of N. Brunswick & Staten Island & Amboy, our duty being to watch the movements of the enemy & protect the inhabitants against depredations of the enemy. I am at a loss to state the precise year when these services were performed, but I think it was in 1777.  I recollect to have seen Mr. Shipman at Springfield, at the battle, with Capt. Eliakim Littell who commanded a piece of Artillery. Shipman had charge of the horses when I saw him, which were used to drag the piece. The horses were then detached from the piece & Shipman had charge of them near by, under a hill, & Littell & his other men were discharging the piece against the enemy. This was in June, & near to  the close of the war.
Stephen Headley

Sworn & subscribed before me, at Springfield
Essex County, this 8th August, 1835.
Philemon Dickinson Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey, Essex County SS:
Before the subscriber Justice of peace in & for said County, personally appears, Aaron Ball of said County, an aged & respectable citizen, &
fully entitled to belief, & having been duly sworn, saith as follows viz:
I am in the 81st year of my age, was a soldier in the war of the revolution & performed much
Militia service. I was well acquainted with Samuel Shipman, then of Essex County, who
now resides, as I understand in Morristown. we were boys & school mates together, in the same neighbourhood. We were also fellow soldiers together in time of the revolutionary war. We both belonged to Captain William Brittin's company Major, or Colonel Oliver Spencer's Battalion or Regiment, recruited to serve for three months. Our enlistment took place as I believe, early in the winter after the battle of Long Island, & after Genl. Washington retreated through New Jersey into Pennsylvania. We entered upon this service if I remember right, early in January, & continued in it until the 3 months expired, & for want of timely relief, I believe we remained a week or two over the time before we were discharged.  We were stationed under Capt Brittin part of the time at Elizabeth town point, opposite Staten Island, part of the time in the town & part of the time at Newark. The enemy were in N. York & New Brunswick, & upon Staten Island, & often sent over plundering & foraging parties, to annoy the people. The Hessians especially, were very troublesome & we had frequent skirmishes with them in the neighbourhood of Elizabeth town, Connecticut Farms & Springfield. Considerable numbers of the Hessians were made prisoners during the winter & spring season. Shipman was afterward in the Militia service, & I believe I saw
him on militia duty every year throughout the war, often at Elizabeth town, & at the point
as well as in the neighborhood of Rahway, Connecticut farms & Springfield. I do not now bring to recollection the particular occasions, nor times, so as to specify his other services, or the officers who commanded him, excepting when the enemy burnt the village & Church at Springfield toward the close of the war, probably in 1780, in the summer season.  Shipman was then in Captain Eliakim Litell's Militia company of Artillery, in which I saw him performing a tour of duty under Captain Littell. Our discharge from the 3 months service under Captain Brittin took place at Newark, two weeks after the term of enlistment expired, having been detained for want of relief. I remember well, the captain of a considerable body of Hessians, upwards of 70 in number, in the winter of the 3 months service, Col. Spencer being present & commanding our forces. It was at Connecticut farms & I know that Shipman was present in the engagement & continued in the Co. till we can discharged at Newark, some time in April, to the best of my belief.
Aaron Ball

Sworn & subscribed before me at Springfield Essex Co. this 8th day of August, 1835.-
Philemon Dickinson Justice of the Peace
Page 42

I hereby certify to the Honble. the Secy. of War & to the Commissioner of Pensions, that the
within deponent, Aaron Ball Esq.. has been personally well known to me for a period of
more than 30 years. He resided many years in Morris County, at Long hill, & was a Justice
of the peace in that County as long as 8 or 10 years, living within a few miles of me. No man
known to me, sustains a more unblemished character for truth & moral worth. He now lives in Essex Co. about 12 or 14 miles from me, where I believe he is highly & justly esteemed.-
John C. Lum also resides in Essex Co, but is the owner of a farm in Morris, about 3 miles from
me, & he is often there, & has good reputation as a man of truth & fair character.
Stephen Headle, the other witness, is to me a stranger.
Morristown, N.J.
Augt 17th 1835

Lewis Condict, late number of
the H.R. from N. Jersey.-

I, Elias Van Arsdale Clerk of Essex County New Jersey do hereby ceetify that Philemon
Dickinson Esqr the Magistrate before whom the within deposition of Aaron Ball Esqr. & the annexed depositions of Stephen Headly & of John C. Lum, appear to have been taken & subscribed, is a Justice of the peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & authorized as such; & I believe the signature of his name to the several & respective depositions of said
Aaron Ball, Stephen Headly & John C. Lum, is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, & affix the seal of my office at Newark in said County, this 17th August, 1835-
E. Van Arsdale Clk
[seal affixed at left]
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State of N. Jersey, Morris County, SS:
Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in & for said County, personally appears Jacob Shipman of said County, personally well
known to me to be a man of truth & of good standing in society & having been by me duly sworn, saith as follows, viz:-- I shall be 70 years old on the 29th of this present month August if I live till then.-- Samuel Shipman, who is now, or has been, a pensioner of the U. S. for revolutionary service, is my close brother & was to my knowledge a soldier in said war. I was then too young to be a soldier myself, but have a clear & distinct remembrance  of many events of the war. My father Abraham Shipman, then lived in Essex Co. N. Jersey at Connecticut farms, & in sight of the Church which was burnt by the enemy of the battle there in the summer of 1780. My brother Samuel Shipman, had to my knowledge often been drafted to do militia duty against the enemy before that time, & been absent from home on service, for weeks & for months together. I then understood & believed, that he often served as a substitute for my
father, whose labor was needed on the farm. I often saw him go from home, with his gun, cartridge box & knapsale, prepared for service, & after return home after a long absence.  & tell of his services. I verily believe, he was then out of this kind of duty several months in each year of the war, whilst it continued-- He belonged to the common Militia in the earlier part of the war, & after that, I know that he joined the artillery militia company commanded by Capt Eliakim Little, & did duty in that company. Before the battle at Connecticut farms & burning of that place by the enemy I had been  bound as an apprentice to the blacksmith business to Nehemiah Ball, about a mile below the village, & lived with my Master. On the morning of that day, it was known that the enemy were coming
out in force, & I was sent off into the hills west of the farms Church, with a load of household good of my master, to hide them from the enemy. In the afternoon & heard distinctly the firing of the guns & saw the smoke of the battle & of the burning village. I hasted back, & met many of our people retreating toward Springfield, at which the enemy seemed to be aiming their mark. Between Springfield Church & the bridge, I saw Capt Eliakim Littell's Artillery company & my brother Saml. Shipman one of the company, posted on a rising ground near Captain Horton's house, with a field piece, 
which they were directing against an advanced part of the enemy across the stream, & which was approaching toward Springfield. This force of the enemy returned the fire & their balls flew very thick around us.  They were soon checked by the fire of Capt. Littell's field piece & other Militia companies there & retreated back to Connecticut farms & to Elizth Town. I knew several of Capt Littell's men as they were around the gun, and saw my brother Sam, there, among them. Their faces even all black
with the smoke & sweat & dust & I remember they all seemed quite deaf & could scarcely hear.  On my way back to the Farms & home, I saw a dead horse of the enemy just killed by the fire of the field piece & on reaching the village, saw the smoking ruins of the Church & dwelling house, & my fathers house also burnt. My mother saved one or two beds, the rest of her furniture all burnt with the house . Springfield village & Church were burnt by the enemy about 2 weeks afterward, when there was a second battle fought. My brother Sam was out on this occasion with Capt Littell's Artilley also & continued to serve in his artillery company till the close of the war. I often saw him parade with the Co. under Capt. Littell, for Military exercises, tho' I do not now remember particularly any other skirmishes or fights they had with the enemy. In my former deposition given by me of Samuel's services, I believe none of these details were mentioned, because I was not questioned particularly, & I only spoke in general terms of his Militia services. 
Jacob Shipman

Sworn & subscribed before me at Morris town in the State of N. Jersey, this 11th of August, Domini 1835.
Peter A. Johnson, Justice of the Peace-
Page 44

I hereby certify to the Honbl. Secry. of War & Commissioner of Pensions that the within Deponent Jacob Shipman, is well known to me as a man of unblemished character & veracity, with whom I have been well acquainted personally, for at least 30 years. His close Brother, Samuel Shipman, who is now asking to be restored to the pension list. I have known personally & well, and since the year 1798, & was his family physician many years. He is a plain illiterate man, of sober & industrious
habits, in whose veracity I have the most implicit confidence. I have not the least doubt that he was many years an active Militia soldier in the revolution. He lived upon the enemy's lines, & I have often heard him speak of his services in Capt Brittin's Co. & in Littell's Artillery, which was a militia Co.- The conversation to which I allude, was with 
Shipman long before the Pension system of the U. S. as regards the Militia, was established.-
Morristown, N.J
August 17th 1835
Lewis Condict, late a Representative
from N.J. in the Congs. of the U.S.

Peter A Johnson Esqr the Magistrate before whom the within deposition of Jacob Shipman, & the deposition also of Samuel Shipman, were taken & subscribed, is my near neighbor, & is well known to me to be a Justice of the peace in & for Morris Co. duly commissioned & authorized, & the signature of his name thereto is genuine.
Morristown, Augt 17th 1835.
Lewis Condict, late
Reprt. from N.J. in the H. R.