Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 201, for Harmonus Speer, New York
Page 1

3-1776
SERVICE 
New Jersey 
New York  

Speer. Harmonus
Spear. Harmanus or
Mary
NUMBER W. 200
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Certificate made payable to Mary Speer, his widow-- let to per Agent, 
May 7, 1838 

New Jersey 31.400.
Harmanus Spear, decd of Essex Co. in the State of N. Jersey who was a Lt Artilley in the compy commanded by Captain Brown of the 24th commanded by Col. Wilkinson in the N.Y. & New Jersey line for 6 months Lieut Artilley & 12 private Infantry 

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 40 Dollars - [blank] Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, & term Note 14 January, 1836, time of his death.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of May, 1838 and sent to S.B. Miller, Esq. Newark, N. Jersey. 

[illegible] to the 14th of January 1836 $676:20
[illegible text crossed out]
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832. ⎬ 
S. A. Elliot Clerk, 
Book E2 Vol. 3  Page 161
Page 3

Reported. 

New Jersey 56
Mary Speer 
widow of Hermanus Speer 
who was a Lieutenant of Artillery & private of Infantry 
in the New Jersey line 
Private of Infantry 12 months $40.00
Lient of Artillery 6 " 100.00

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
140 Dollars [blank] 
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1843. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 
29th day of April 1843 
and sent to  Samuel B. Miller Esq.
Newark 
New Jersey.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A 
Vol. [illegible] Page 126.
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No 15723 
Harmanus Speer Essex County 
New Jersey 
Suspended 
Orange W. King, Esq. 
Mr Joseph N. Tuttle (Newark), New Jersey
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WAR DEPARTMENT.,
Pension Office, 
Sept. 20. 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, shewing the Service of Harmanus Speer Essex County New Jersey

[column headings: Period when service was rendered. Duration of the claimant’s service. Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.]

Vol 1775. —. 1. —. private. Cap Speer. 80 years.
Traditionary evidence living Witness and Documentary evidence, papers Correct —

Vol - Spring 1776. —. 9. —.  Artificer. Cap Squire. Bloomfield.


Vol. A.P. Spring 1778. —. 9. —. . . . Cap Brown. Essex County.

Lot 1779. 2. —. —. Lieutenant. Lieutenant. Lieut Brown, Col Wilkinson. [illegible] Wines. New  Jersey.

Recd 8 Jan 1781. a Lieut Commission & acted under it to the close of the war he thinks. 2. —. —. —. —. Battle at Elizabeth Town Point.

See the other side-- page 3
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, mucicians 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. 
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: 

[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 [blank]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 

I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) [missing text] acquainted with [blank] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 days 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 

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

The Court will see that the 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 payment can be made on account 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 in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine what amount of pens the is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection , he served not less 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 [in italics “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 the 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.
[dingbat] 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 to continental troops only.
{k} This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
{l} If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
{m} The answers to the interrogation must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Declaration of Harmanus Speer 
under act of Congress of June 7. 1832. 
15723
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DECLARATION. 

State of New Jersey } ss
Essex County, 

On this twenty seventh day of September, AD 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges [ blank] of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said County of Essex now sitting, Harmanus Speer, a resident of Bloomfield in the county of Essex — and State of New Jersey, aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.

In the spring of the year seventeen hundred and seventy five he volunteered as a private under Capt. Abraham Speer, for one month— cannot specify the month— he went to Elizabeth Town point from the place at which he volunteered, to wit at Bloomfield and from the Point he crossed to Staten Island, and returned home at the expiration of the month.— In the spring of the succeeding year, he again volunteered under Capt Henry Squier, in a company of artificers, for nine months, which he fully served out During this period he joined the army at Fort Washington and in about two weeks had to retreat to White Plains, a fortnight after which, crossed the North river near the Little lake at Rockland— the army then retreated through New Jersey halting at Bound Brook, where it separated, and that part of it in which deponent was, moved to Pluckamin, thence to Morristown, thence to Chatham where he remained until the said period of nine months expired. He did military duty thro' the whole of this term. 


In the spring of Seventeen hundred and Seventy Eight, thinks in April, he volunteered for the third time for a period of nine months under Capt James Brown and Major Quackenboss— he served part of this time at Newburg in the State of New York and part at the "continental Village"— does not remember what particular services were done in this period.— In the year 1779 again volunteered [ crossed out “for twenty four months “] in the artillery under Lieutenant Benjamin Brown, who shortly after received a commission in the Standing army, when
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deponent was chosen Lieutenant in his room, and served as such under a warrant from Col. Philip Van Courtlandt which warrant is mislaid or destroyed. This term continued for twenty four months, the whole of which time, he was in actual Service— was in several skirmishes, to wit, at Springfield on the same day of the battle; in June, Seventeen hundred & eighty, he believes; went the next day towards Elizabeth town and overtook the continental regiment, commanded by Col. Wilkinson, went with them towards the Point where a battle ensued— deponent commanded the only gun that was used, recollects that an intimate friend of his, Peter Van Winkle was wounded in the knee— left Elizabeth Point, where one of the guns remained, and were ordered to the Heighs before occupied by the enemy— took possession of them the battle at the same time having been continued— retreated to Elizabeth town, after which they returned home— was out at Acquackanonk and Hackensack in the fall or winter of Seventeen hundred & Eighty in skirmishes and on guard— and under Gen. Wines in the following year— was out on every night of the cold winter of Seventeen hundred & eighty, when not engaged in other military operations patroling the Passaic river and keeping guard. Towards the close of the war— deponent received a letter from Governor William Livingston requesting him to break up the smuggling and traffic with the enemy—  He and several men went to the old ferry and after some exertions, took a boat carrying a Scovel and three or four other small boats whose cargoes consisted principally of beef— afterwards seized several barrels of flour, and flax seed— after the making a breast work and doing what was necessary to defend themselves from an attack of the enemy. Near the end of the war, he was one of twelve men commanded by Capt Henry Joralemon who took two prisoners, Captains McMichael & Harding on the York bay shore, where it was supposed they were guarded by Sixty men.— On the eighth day of January 1781 he received a Lieutenants Commission, signed by William Livingston, then Governor of the State, under which he acted until the close of the war, in keeping guard
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guard on the Jersey lines, and performing various other military operations incidental to the Service,— guarding against the enemy, and the crossing of Americans to traffic with the enemy as before stated in this declaration Deponent cannot say with any precision what his whole term of service amounted to but can State, that it exceeded the sum of five - years, and that the period of service in which he was a lieutenant exceeds— two years, and he thinks three. In addition to the time he was in the service, he was a prisoner of war in the sugar house in the city of New York in the year 1777 in the fall, from two to three months.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Rolls of the Agency of any of the United States.

Sworn to, and subscribed in open of Court, the day and year first aforesaid ⎬ Harmonus Speer 
A. Reynolds Judge 

We John Dow a Clergyman, residing in the Township of Bloomfield County of Essex and State of New-Jersey, and James Hornblower residing in the Township of Bloomfield County of Essex and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Harmonus Speer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration,— that we believe him to be eighty 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 FIRST AFORESAID. }
John Dow
James Hornblower 
A. Reynolds, Judge

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 that John Dow—  who  has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman residing the Township of Bloomfield County of Essex— and State aforesaid, and that James Homblower who has also signed the same, is a resident of the Township of Bloomfield County of Essex— and State aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

A. Reynolds, Judge

I, Elias Van Arsdale Jr Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicaton of Harmanus Speer for a Pension.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of Office, this twenty seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. 
E. Van Arsdale [illegible]
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3015

2684
 Declaration and Evidence of the 
Widow Mary Speer 
for a pension under the 
Act of Congress of July 7th 1834–

Admitted 
Lieut of Artillery 6 mo 
Private of Infantry 12 " 

Sam B. Miller 
Newark New Jersey

paid
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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows. 

State of New Jersey 
Essex County ⎬ss.
On this Eighteenth day of October In the year of our Lord one Thomson & Eight hundred and Thirty eight, personally appeared Before the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County of Essex in the State of New Jersey. Mary Speer a Resident of the City of Newark in the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy four years.— Who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838. Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows— That she is the widow of Harmonus Speer late of the said County of Essex and State of New Jersey deceased, who was a Lieutenant of Artillery and private in the War of the Revolution, and who had a pension granted on the sixteenth day of May Eigheen hundred and thirty eight, at the rate of one hundred and forty dollars per annum, under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832. And made payable to Mary Speer, widow of said deceased up to the time of his death viz to the 14th day of January 1836.— And the said Mary Speer Further Declares that she was Married to the said Harmonus Speer on the Twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and Eighty four By the Revd Henricus Schoonmaker Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Acquackanonk, And that her husband the aforesaid, Harmonus Speer died on the Fourteenth day of January in the year
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year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty six at his residence in said County of Essex. 

That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the Marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and Ninety four, viz at the time above stated. 

And that she has no Documentary evidence except that kept by the Revd Mr Schoonmaker a Copy which is hereunto annexed. 

Sworn to and subscribed on the 
day and year above written Before } Mary Speer the said Court 
E Van Arsdale Clk 

I Elias Van Arsdale [illegible] Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Essex in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the Matter of the application of the Widow, Mary Speer for a Pension.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty eight. 
E Van Arsdale Clk
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In the Matter of the Application of the 
Widow Mary Speer for a pension under 
the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838.

State of New Jersey 
Essex County } ss.

Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller a Justice of the peace in and for said County. Elizabeth King— A Resident of the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, known by me to be a Respectable Person and entitled to Credit as a witness.— And being by me duly sworn on her oath saith that she is seventy four years of age. That she has been well acquainted with Harmonus Speer and Mary Speer his wife.(Formerly Mary Dow.— of the County of Essex and State of New Jersey at and before the war of the Revolution, that she is the sister of the said Harmonus Speer deceased and was present at the Marriage of the said Harmonus Speer to the said Mary Dow— Now the widow Mary Speer soon after the close of the Revolutionary war By the Revd Mr Schoonmaker who was then Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Acquackanonk— And the said Deponent further saith that the said Harmonus Speer and Mary his wife always resided together or husband and wife until the death of the said Harmonus Speer which took place on the Fourteenth day of January Eighteen hundred and Thirty six at his residence in the City of Newark N. Jersey and that his widow the said Mary Speer is still living In the said County of Essex and has remained a Widow and unmarried ever since the death of her said husband, and is about seventy four years of age and further saith not. 
Sworn to and subscribed at 
Belvill in said County this } Elizbth King 
Fourth day of October A.D. 1838
before me 
Saml B. Miller Justice of the peace
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With Licence November Ten Twenty seventh one Thousand seven hundred and Eighty four, Harmonus Speer with Mary Dow.

William R. Bogardus Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Acquckononk In the County of Passaic and State of New Jersey,.— Do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy taken from the Record of Marriages kept by the Revd Henricus Schoonmaker deceased When Pastor of said Church, and now in my Custody with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair Legible letters and figures as follows— 

October 30th 1838. November [illegible] 27th 1784. 
Wm R Bogardus

State of New Jersey 
Essex County } ss
I William R. Bogardus above named depose and say that I hold the office of Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Acquackanonk in the County of Passaic and State aforesaid, And that the above is a true extract from the said Marriage Record kept by the said Revd Henricus Schoonmaker deceased When Pastor of said Church with the exception above named or certified by me.— And further saith not. 

Sworn to and subscribed 
at Belvill In said County 
October 30th A.D. 1838 } Wm R Bogardus before me Saml B. Miller Justice of the peace 

I do hereby certify that the above named William R. Bogards who has this day subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Certificate and affidavit before me is a respectable Clergyman and Pastor of the said Church at Acquackanonk as above stated.—
October 30th 1838
Saml B. Miller Justice of the peace
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Revd Wm R. Bogardus 
relation to the 
Widow Mary Speer
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In the Matter of the Application of the 
Widow Mary Speer for a pension under 
the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838. 

State of New Jersey 
Essex County— } ss
Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller a Justice of the peace in and for said County. Mr Samuel Davis, of the City of Newark in the County and State aforesaid, known to me to be A Respectable person and Entitled to Credit or a witness and being by me duly sworn on his oath saith that he is sixty years of age that he has been well acquaintd with Harmonus Speer and Mary his wife, (Formerly Mary Dow.) for as much as Thirty-years Last past whose son In law he is having married the daughter of the said Hermonus Speer and Mary Speer.— And the said Deponent further saith that the said Harmonus Speer and Mary his wife always resided together as husband and wife until the death of the said Harmonus Speer which took place on the Fourteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty six at his Residence in the City of Newark aforesaid. And that his Widow the said, Mary Speer is still living in the said County of Essex and has remained a Widow and unmarried ever since the death of her said Husband and is as Much as Seventy four years of age.— And further saith not. 
Sworn to and subscribed at Newark 
In said County of Essex this First } Samuel Davis day of November A.D. 1838.
Before me, Saml B. Miller, Justice of the peace
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State of New Jersey 
County of Essen } ss. I Elias Van Arsdale Jun. Clerk of the County of Essex Do hereby certify that Samuel B. Miller before whom the annexed affidavits of Elizabeth King, William R. Bogardus & Samuel Davis were severally made & taken, at the time of taking the same was & still is a Justice of the peace of said County duly commissioned and sworn; and that the signature "Saml B Miller” affixed to the Jurat of said affidavits are genuine.—
In Testimony Whereof I have hereto set my hand & Seal of Office at Newark in said County the First day of November AD. Eighteen hundred and thirty eight— 1838–
E Van Arsdale Clk
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James L. Edwards Esquire 
Comm of Pensions

Speer, Harmonus
NJ-NY W201
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D.[illegible]
Persunance is some proof in the case of H. Speer, that his friends believe in the aprighting his claims. They have our worked for further and and all that they have her called the Permit me to refer the points reached by the depositions—
1. In 1776. one month - [illegible]
2. In 1777 West point  - by one witness nine months 
3. In 1780 was in the Battle of Connecticut farms as dentist—
4. Then his commission as Captain in 1781, & general, [illegible] expectation of his services as Captain 

Please examine the papers report as you may decide.
Very Respectfully 
Theo Frlinghuysen

Sam L. Edwards Esqr
Clerk
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Harmonus Speer
[illegible]
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date of Commr Jan 
1781 

Speer, Harmonus
NJ NY W201
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[not transcribed—illegible]

The State of New Jersey 
Tenant of the Company of Artillery lately commanded by Captain Aaron Clark & thereof and duly because it open and soldier of the said Company and as they are handed in the Penna law are likewise to spread such directions from to the former commanded thereon then or Officers and for you is day this at your mission in the of the said States hereunto and that William Livingston Esquire Governon Captain General and Commander in and went home and plan there unto belong panellor today in the same at the iteth day of January in the year of our and one thousand Seven hundred and eighty one, I Birth cents and and Confidence of your brother Connell and Fidelity I have thought for and by these Presents do 5 ing in Pelle 21 - 2 Faye and Mary herself Hatman feen Euthman
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201 
Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 201
Mary Speer, 
Widow.
Hermanus Speer, 
Lt. of Art. and Priv. of Infantry N.J. line
Priv. of Inf. 12. Mo. #40: Lt. Aty. 6. Mo. #100.

Act: March 3. 1843. 
Index:—-Vol. M, Page 233

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Hon J. L. Edwards 
Sir, My own disappointment, and shed of a great number of other pardons, in this place & the native place of Lieut. Hermanus Speer personally acquainted with him, at the cool reception, which his application herewith from, the Depart. must being apology if one be required, for my addressed you at this late day, when all efforts used honorably in his behalf, have not only failed to benefit him, but have been [illegible] of, to the detriment of others,— upon his recital of his revolutionary services & hardships, I was something like two years ago, [illegible] to make his case an Exception to the general determination which I had formed not to enlist in the Paper [illegible], in which the “old Veterans of the Revolution”, were called upon to fight anew their battles— exhibit their scars, & rehearse their past [illegible]— that they might receive from a [underscored text “magnanimous nation,”] indebted to them for its government & freedom, or [underscored text “pecuniary pittance,”] I foresaid that from lapse of time their of [illegible] ages— & the little care taken to preserve, the [underscored text “Rolls & papers public & private”], many difficulties must necessarily attend their applications— but I have no idea, when I considered the motive which must have led to the passage of the Pension act—  that not only a false mode of reasoning was to be adopted— but a technicality not to be met with in the most petty [illegible] in the County, resorted to, in [illegible] of their righteous claims—  We first forwarded the
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Declaration of the applicant, accompanied by the Original commission, which Declaration, was pronounced by the Court who passed upon it and by all who saw or heard it read to be the strongest one, which had then been sent from this quarter, we received an answer that no part of the evidence, was satisfactory,— and what most surprised us, was that this answer, gave us to understand, notwithstanding the direct & positive oath of the applicant,— that he could not have served as a Lieut. under a Warrant, because he received a commission two years after he received the Warrant from Col. Van Courtlandt— issued by Governor Livingston— Now we had formed an opinion in respect to the commission, that it was some little evidence of prior service as we could not believe, that Govr. Livingston would have commissioned a persons, as Lient. who had never up to that late period of the Revolutionary struggles, served his country,— in any capacity—  We considered that this document, in connection with, the deposition of the applicant of his taking prisoners & being taken prisoner,—  of his being in diverse engagements & of other persons being wounded by his [underscored text “side almost”]— of his serving under the special confidence of Superior officers in patrolling & guarding, the shores & country,— of his marching from place to place, being encamped at diverse places, for certain [illegible] of time would be sufficient evidence to entitle the applicant to a pension,— but we were disappointed in these our calculation. After the answer of Oct. 22d 1833. we forwarded a supplemental deposition of the applicant, but it availed nothing— We then enlisted in his favour, the influence & attention of
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Honl. Lewis Condict, Th. Frelinghuysen & P.H. Dickerson, who kindly endeavoured to aid us,—but their efforts avail us nothing— and one of the honl. gentlemen is informed that he has been duped & deceived by persons well known to him, simply because the gentleman made a mistake as to the capacity of Mr. Speer.— We [illegible] acquire the affidavit of Aurz King & others,— but he is supposed to swear incorrectly as to one matter, because he did not go farther, swear to others, that his testimony cannot be correct although solemnly sworn to by him, because he omitted or forgot to mention the matter sworn to or some [illegible] of it in his own decln as part of the service for which he claimed)— and this negative mode or false mode of reasoning is not only to deprive us of the benefit of his testimony, but he is thereby to be deprived of the pension already granted to him— If matters have come to this, that witnesses are to be called upon by the Department, in their old age, to swear to every thing or not be believed as to any,— and that the omission of the Witness to claim for certain services, in his own behalf is to deprive others of the benefit of his testimony & himself of a pension granted upon sufficient testimony a twelve month before— [underscored text “the act of June, may as well be erased from the Statute Book & the Pension office closed”] We at any rate --- despair of satisfying the Department of the claim of Lient. Speer—  Thou whom no person among is better entitled to the honour of having faithfully served his
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country & maintaining a character above reproach of any kind— We have one other resort left us, which is today our [illegible] evidence, accompanied by a memorial signed by the [illegible] of Lieunt. Speers neighbors extensive acquaintance before “Congress of their Committee— and this will be done— 
Your most Obt 
& Humble Servt
O. W. King
June 22d 1835
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Newark N. Jersey May 1st 1838
 J. L. Edwards Es 
Sir Mrs Mary Speer Widow of Harmonus Speer Deceased, is very desirous to hear the Result of her claim for a pension under the arrangement, stated in your Letter to the Hon G. D. Wall, Dated March 6th 1838, Mrs Speer States to me that her son in Law Mr Samuel Davis, [illegible] to you her acceptance according to the stipulation mention in your said Letter dated on or about the Seventeenth March last.— To which paper you will find my name subscribed as a witness.

Your attention to the same will much oblege Mrs Speer and confer a peticutor favour on yours with all due respect 
I Remain your obedient Servent, & 
Saml B. Miller
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Harmonus Speer
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State of New Jersey, 
Essex County } Ss Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Essex, John Smith of the Township of Bloomfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey known to me by General Reputation to be a man of good standing in Society and entitled to belief as a Witness.— And being by me duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he is Eighty four years of age that he was a soldier in the Revolution that he was during the Revolutionary War well acquainted with Harmonus Speer of the County of Essex New Jersey.— And believes the said Harmonus Speer to be as much as Eighty four years of age.— And this deponent further saith that he is knowing that the said Harmonus Speer served three Months in the summer and fall of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven as a Volunteer in a Company of Artificers Commanded by Captain James Brown stationed at Fish kill under the command of Major Quackenbush and stationed a part of the time at New Burg and Attached to General Washington Army. And that he the said deponent served in the same Company under the same officers at the same time.— And he further saith that he now recollects that he and the said Harmonus Spear served one Month Together under Captain Henry Squire in the fall and first of the Winter of the year 1776 and was marched to Bound Brook and from there to Morris Town as a private in the Common Militia. And further saith not.
Sworn to & Subscribed at Belvill 
in said County May 19th 1835 } lJohn Smith before me 
Saml B. Miller — Justice of the peace.
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State of New Jersey 
Essex County } ss Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County, Aury King of the Township of Bloomfield in said County, to me known to be a person of good character & entitled to belief as a Witness.— And being by me duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he is Eighty years of age that he was a soldier in the Revolution that he was during the Revolutionary War well acquainted with Harmonus Speer of the Township of Newark in the County and State aforesaid at that time residing at second River & what is now Called Belville in said County. And Believes the saw Hermanus Speer to be as much or Eighty four years of age. And that in the first part of said war and as this deponent now believes. In the winter or early in the spring of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven. The said Harmonus Speer went as A Volunteer in the service of the United States in a Company of Artificers under Captain James Brown and under the command of Major Quackenbush as a private and has always understood that the said Harmonus Speer in that service was stationed on the Hudson River at Fort Montgomery and at Fish Kill and West point.— And keep at work at the Forts and Brest works, Before and at the time Burgoyne was taken and that he was on duty and in actual service at that time in the said Company Nine Months and this deponent further saith that he was also with the said Company as a Volunteer about two months at the same time the said Harmonus Speer Belonged to said Company stationed about four miles above fourt Mountgomery. And this deponent further saith that
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he is knowing that the said Harmonus Speer was a Lieutenant in a Company of Artillery and attached to Colonel Philip Von Courtlands Regiment of Militia and had command of a peace of Artillery as early in the Revolutionary War as the Latter part of the year 1777 or the first of the year 1780 as a Lieutenant under the command of Captain Nathaniel Comp. dont know at what time said Speer Receive a Commission or whether he meanly acted under a Warrant from Col Van Courtland And this deponent saith that he Belonged to the said Company for a short time & was [illegible] Ensign But did not serve as he prefered being in the Infantry, and as he now believes the whole Company consisted of about Sixty four men and had under their Charge Two [illegible] of Artillery. The privates belonging to said Company being Called out one half at a time.— And the said deponent further saith that the said Harmonus Speer had command of one of the said peaces of Artillery as Lieutenant and was always with the peace himself when ordered on duty and was stationed at Second  River Now Called Belville and along the lines from Rahway to Hackensack. And he further saith that he saw the said Lieutenant Speer on duty with his peace of Artillery at Belvile Hackensack Elizabeth Town point and at Newark a number of times. Also saw him at Springfild with his peace of Artillery at the time of the Springfield Battle in the Summer of 1780. & knew him to be a good officer, and is well satisfied and fully believes that the sd Harmonus Speer was out on duty and in actual service as much & one half of his time from the first of the year 1780 to 1783. And that he was in actual service as Lieutenant of Artillery more then one year during said war, & that he knows of no one Now Living that belonged to sd Speers Company. And further saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed at Belville in said County May 19th A.D. 1835 before me } Aury King
Saml B. Miller Justice of the peace