Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3775, Alexander Freeman, New Jersey
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(8-1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Freeman, Alexander
NUMBER
R. 3775
CONTENTS
Page 2

Alex.
Freeman
25434
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Niagara County NY

On the Seventh day of May eighteen hundred & thirty three personally appeared
in open court before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas of the Court House in the
Town of Lockport in the Country of Niagara and the state of New York
Now sitting Alexander Freeman a resident of the town of Lockport in the county of Niagara of the state of New York aged [illegible] years & reference being just & duly sworn according to law doth on his oath [illigible] 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 make the following names offering & service, hereinafter states. In the latter part of the month of February [crossoff] 
 hundred & seventy seven but the exact day Declarant cannot state Declarant enlisted  
under Capt Edgar (given name not remembered) in a company of the New Jersey Militia it in the service of the United States against the common Enemy. When declarant
thus enlisted he reside in the Town of Morristown in the County of Morris in State of
Jersey. That a company consists of volunteers & was chiefly raised in the month 
of December 1776.  By this enlistment declarant was to serve six months from the time
the land was raided. Declarant continued to serve in said company untill [until] the same
was discharged which was three months after applicant thus enlisted.
Declarant served as a soldier in said company one month before he enlisted
as aforesaid. This was a company of Light horse. Manning was colonel of said company (given name not remembered).  Col.[illegible - Hunt?] commanded the Regiment to which this company was attached does not recollect Hunt's given name nor the names of the other officers of this company.
Declarent was actively engaged during this term of service with said company in guarding  & defending the Sea Coast & in guarding the people from the attacks of the (Tories?) & Refugees & from the pilages of the foraging party from the British Army - who a part of the time were encamped at or near Brunswick & Amboy & were also engaged in secret, watching the movements of the British army. The Headquarters of this company was at Morristown. During this service Declarant was [illegible] acquainted with a Col. Cook & a Capt. Kade of the Militia who were at Morristown with some troops. Also with a Capt. Conway of the Militia at that place who afterwards was promoted to the officers of colonel in the regular Army. A part of Washington's army lay at Morristown, a ,,,IN August 1777 and after applicant time of servicexxx  he again enlisted in a company of New Jersey Militia command, commanded by a Capt Reys (given name not remembered) for the term of three months. Declarant served the whole of the term in this company possible and was discharged.xxx   Declarant resides at Woodbridge in the state of New Jersey, Randall was lieutenant of this company a part of the time.And William Edgar was xxx the remaining part . Does not recollect the names of the other officers of said company - nor the regiment to which it belongs. The company was stationed at Elizabeth town and  Woodbridge during this term and was engaged inpossibly secreting....xxx. Colonel Cooksaid xxx officer at the is time does not recall the names of any of these officers this time..
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Service  Number
New Jersey - Freeman, Alexander - R. 3775 
(2) hundred American (illegible) crossed from the New Jersey coast on the ice + took Staten Island from the British + Torrys + Refugees .  ____ then had made this place their headquarters + were thus enabled to cause much destruction to private property + much danger was anticipated by the Inhabitants from the almost daily attacks. Declarant then acted in the company of Militia commanded by Capt. Randall, Col. Martin commanded the expedition. The island was taken by the Americans + the Refugees + Torrys   to the number of about forty men(?) made prisoners. The stores provisions + about #26 horses collected for their use ___ also to ___ + carried ___ to New Jersey. The number of expeditions directly in which Declarant was engaged are to (too) numerous to be here detailed in this communication. But Declarant wishes to state that while he thus acted as a minute man, he was unable to attend to any other business + that during that time he was sick as a horse until the  ___ of the season   when it was dangerous   to close his eyes in the open air that an attack from the enemy + ^(illegible) Torys. During this part  of applicants service his constitution received injuries from fatigue + inclement seasons from which Declarant  never has recovered + from ___  received pay from  (illegible) Labores. Declarant submits the question to the government to determine whether under ___ they considered circumstances Declarant is not entitled to compensation for the time he actually ___ as such minute man.
1. Declarant was born in the Town of Woodbridge ^in the County of Middletown> in the State of New Jersey on the Thirteenth day of February, Seventeen hundred+ fifty two. 
2. Declarant has a Record of his age in the family Bible made by himself which was taken from the family record of Declarants father. This record is now at Declarants Residence in the Town of Lockhart(?) in the County of Niagara. When Declarant first entered the service as above mentioned he resided in the Town of Morristown in the County of Morris in the State of New Jersey. The other times that Declarant entered the Service he resided in the Town of Woodbridge in the State of New Jersey where he resided untill 1782. When he moved from there to the Town of Hardwick in the County of Sussix (Sussex) in the State of New Jersey where he lived until the year eighteen hundred. When Declarant moved from there to the Town of Warren in the County of Herkimer in the State of New York ^where he resided until 18?2. When he moved to the Town of Gorham in the then County of Ontario in Said State where applicant resided untill (in - crossed out) 1807 when he moved from there to his present place of residence ^in the Town of Lockhart> in the County of Niagara + State aforesaid.
4. Declarant enlisted each time he entered the Service as a volunteer. Never was drafted not a substitute.
5. Declarant cannot state the names of the regular officers forgotten than above. Declarant recollects  the "First Jersey Regiment".  He recollects ___ under Montgomery. Declarant cannot state the names of these Regiments though he frequently saw + (crossed off) was with them. The general circumstances of his service further than above he cannot state.
6. Declarant never took a written discharge from the service Declarant was discharged by his Captains from each Service but this was done by parol(sp) + not in writing.
7. Declarant referred to Daniel Alvord W Essex a __________________  of the ____  Seymour Scoville Esq Custom House Officer. Eleke Alvord Esq officer of the Town of Lockhard, The Rev. Silas Parsons. Col Asher Saxton. Job M Dayton.  David Catton Esq Commissioner of Highways. Col Wm. Mollyreux as Gentleman to whom  Declarant is well known + who resides near Declarants residence + who can testify to Declarants character for (crossed off) certainty + their belief as to his being a soldier of the Revolution.
Page 5

Declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity draft except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. 
Declarant has no documentary evidence of his service nor is there any persons now living whos testimony applicant can provide to prove the time of his service and this declarant further says that he cannot state and set forth the exact day he entered the service in each of his terms in this declaration mentioned nor can he state the days on which he was each time dismissed.   
Subscribed and sworn to in open court before  me this seventh day of May AD 1883 [illegible] clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the (illegible) of Niag County. 
[signed] Alexander Freeman
     We Josiah Warren a clergyman residing in the town of Lockport in the county of Niagara and State of New York and Hiram McNeil sheriff of the county of Niagara residing in the town of Lockport aforesaid and [illegible Labal] Layton of Lockport in said county certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Freeman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years old and [illegible] that the ___ where he related(?) to have been and believed in the ___ where he resided to have been a soldier of  the revolution and that we continue in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed before me in open court this 7- May 1833
Henry Catlin of the County [illegible] 
[signed] Henry Catlin
[signed] Josiah Warren
[signed] Job M. Layton
[Signed] Hiram McNeil

     And the said court do hereby declare this opinion after the investiga(tion) of the matter and after putting the interrogatories which  [illegible]  the above name Alexander Freeman was a revolutionary soldier and [illegible] as states.  And this court further certifies that it appears to them that Josiah Warren who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Lockport in Niagara County and that Hiram McNeil and Job M Layton are also residents of said town of Lockportand are creditable persons and that this statement is entitled to credit. 
[signed] J.McCollum   (of these three - ) Judges 
   of the Court
[signed] [illegible]
[signed] Calvin Hotchkiss

     I Henry Catlin Clerk of Niagara County and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said county so duly certify that the foregoing contains the original [illegible] of the said Court in the matter of the application of Alexander Freeman for a pension- In a ___ ___ I have herewith set my hand seal of office this 7- day of May 1833.  

[signed] Henry Catlin Clerk
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October 13, 1928

Mrs. H. W. Satterfield
122 Netherwood Avenue
Plainfield, New Jersey

Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 3775, it appears that Alexander Freeman was born February 13, 1762, in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
He applied for pension, May 7, 1833, while a resident of Lockport, Niagara County, New York, and alleged that while a resident of Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, he enlisted in February, 1777, and served four months in Captain Edgar's Company, Colonel Heard's New Jersey Regiment.
While a resident of Woodbridge, New Jersey, he enlisted in August 1777, and served three months as a private in Captain Ross's Company, Colonel Cook's New Jersey Regiment, and was in the battle of Staton Island.
He enlisted in December 1777, and served six months in Captain Ross' Company, Colonel Cook's New Jersey Regiment.
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After this service he stood as a minute man and served on an average of one day in six until the close of the war, and he was in the battle of Connecticut Farms. 

His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws. 

In 1782, soldier moved from Woodbridge to Hardwick, New Jersey, lived there until 1800, then moved to Warren, Herkimer County, New York; from there to Gorham, Ontario County, New York, where he remained until 1807, when he moved to Lockport, Niagara County, New York. 

Soldier died before December 1854. 

His son, name not given, is referred to. 
There are no further data on file.

This is the history of the only soldier, named Alexander Freeman, found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Respectfully,

N. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.
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Service: New Jersey
Freeman, Alexander
R 3775
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House of Representatives
Dec 19, 1843

Sir,
The enclosed letter is from a very respectable source, and though I have not seen the paper, I believe from very personal knowledge of Mr. Freeman that he is entitled to a pension.
Please feel obliged, if at your convenience you will inform me of the result of his application,

Very respectfully
Yours,
W. Hunt

Col. J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
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Hon. Washington Hunt MC Washington D.C.
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Lockport Dec. 13th 1843
Hon. W. Hunt. [Dr?] Sir, Some five or six weeks since I sent some pension papers to the commissioner of Pensions at Washington by mail in the case of Alexander Freeman a Revolutionary Soldier and an old inhabitant of this town. If you will have the goodness to bring this matter before the Pension Commissioner, and if from the papers he is entitled to receive a pension and send the certificate to (me)you will confer a great favor on the old gentleman man Yours truly .. Lester Cross
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[Envelope or Letter Cover]

Oct. 21. 1843 [noted sideways]
Oct 18 N.Y. [postmark - year not readable]
Alex. Freeman 1832 [noted sideways]

Hon J.L. Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C

A [large A handwritten]
Page 13

Lockport Oct. 18 1843
Dr
Sir, Enclosed are the papers of an old Revolutionary Soldier who has been trying to get a pension for a long time as you will see by the papers. I wish you to examine as soon as it is convenient for you to do so and send me the certificate if he is entitled to with as little delay as possible for the old man is destitute of the comforts of life and now needs this boon from the Government to smooth the down hill as a reward for services rendered in early life for the blessings of Liberty we now enjoy.
If the papers are not right please return them with instructions
Very Respectfully Yours
Lester Cross
Lockport Niagara Co. N.Y.

J. L. Edward’s Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
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Alexander Freeman
Page 15

Hickory Corners N Y Dec 5th 1854 Alexander Freeman made application for a pension some 15 or 20 years since for service in the Revolution Soon afterwards his atty died and Mr Freeman never heard any thing from his application-- he now is dead. his son wishes to know of the papers were sein and pension allowed or if not allowed what was the cause or what further documents must be furnished to have it allowed      D Pomroy
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[illegible]
January 5 44

I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Alexander Freeman has been again examined this [illegible] filed -- There were no volunteer troops in N.J. and the officers under whom he alleges he "enlisted as a volunteer" were militia officers -- Except as a substitute or draft he could not have served under them and he expressly swears he was neither -- Indeed the largest portion of his service is alleged to have been rendered before he was old enough to be enrolled. He should make a short statement under oath showing the period length and grade of each term of service - names of officers - stations and battles and obtain upon the same paper the certificate of the [illegible] of NJ showing how far his records discredit or confirm each -- the service of the militia
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of N J was limited to monthly term

Hon W Hunt 
Jan 5 1844

Hon W Hunt [illegible]
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Pension Office,
December 14, 1834

Sir,

The endorsed copy of a letter to the Hon W Hunt dated January 5, 1844 will inform you of the grounds upon which the claim of Alexander Freeman for pension under [illegible] of June 2, 1832 was not allowed   No evidence has since been filed Recourse must be had to the authorities of New Jersey for the proof of Freeman's service. Your note of the 3rd December [illegible] has been filed with the other papers.

Very respectfully, 
[illegible] C

[illegible] Pomroy [illegible]
Hickory Corners, New York
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25.434
Alexandra Freeman
NY

Set to Hon. Mr. Hunt. January 3. 1844
D. Pomroy Dec. 14/54 [December 14, 1854]

7 June 1832
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Service               Number
New Jersey   Freeman, Alexander  R. 3775
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State of New York
Niagara County
Personally appears before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in [illegible] for the County of Niagara Alexander Freeman who [illegible] duly sworn [illegible] and saith by reason of old age and the consequent laps of memory he [illegible] swears [illegible] as to the [illegible] length of his service; And according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned before, and in the following grades: For the term of [illegible] months as a [illegible] in the year 1777.  For one month as a private same year. Capt. Edgar & Col. Hand commanders, also for three months as a private under Capt. [illegible] Cole. Each commanded the Regiment at [illegible] , and also for six months  under Capt. [illegible] name not recollected [illegible] upon reflection the defendant believes that Col. Cook commanded at the time of the enlistment of the defendant and the [illegible] of the six months time of service but cannot state whether he Col. Cook or some other officers were in command during the remainder of the said six months term of service or not -- for a more full detail account of service [illegible] by defendant [illegible] attached here to -- And this defendant [illegible] the time of enlistment had expired and which he so faithfully served in the field with [illegible] called into service by competent authority and for the time during which their service was performed he was sick. [multiple lines illegible] For such service I claim a pension. Alexander Freeman 
Sworn and subscribed before me this 24th day of March 1843 L Fellows Justice of the Peace
Page 22

I certify that I have been acquainted with Alexander Freeman
for the period of Ten years past. From my knowledge
of his character, and his reputation in the community.
I belive [believe] his statements intitled to face credit
L. Fellows

[different writer]
State of New York
Niagara County Clerks Office.

I David S Crandall Clerk of
said County Do hereby certify that Lathrop Fellows sign
before whom the foregoing declaration supports to have
been sworn was at the time there of a Justice of the 
Peace in and for said county duly qualified and note
[illegible] that his signature above written is genuine
Witness by hand and seal of Office at
Lockports the Sixteenth day of October
A.D. 1843
David S. Crandall
Clerk
Page 23

stated which is as follows according to
the best recollection of this Deponent
-
3 months in the light horse in the year
1777 as a private-- a little more than
one month in the same year as a private
in Captin Edgar Company and Colonel Hards
Regiment at last under his command which
service was performed between April and November
in that year - Also 3 months as a private
in Captain Ross Company in Colonel Cooks
Regiment also 6 months in the Company
commanded by the said Captain Rose and this
Deponent thinks it was in Colonel Cooks
Regiment but may possibly be within
This Deponent thinks on reflection that he entered the service previous to April in the year 1777
This Deponent is well acquainted with the
credibility of the said Ferman and this Deponent believes that his statement is entitled
to full credit. This Deponent has heard
the foregoing statements of the said France [illegible]
read and from this Deponent personal
knowledge of the fact therein stated he
fully concurs in those statements-
This Deponent on further reflection might
possibly be able to state the services of
the said Truman more definitely; but and [illegible]
ding to the best recollation of this Deponent
in regard to the services of said Truman
he the said Truman has stated them
correctly
Subscribed and sworn to
this 28 day of July 1843
upon me
Vize Hel
Manton Farnham
Justice of the peace
of Wyoming County
Page 24

State of New York
Wyoming County

[illegible] [crossed out "On this"] I do hereby certify
that I have been acquainted with
Vine Hebard for ten years past and that
he is a man of truth and veracity and
his Statement and affidavit is entitled to 
full credit - Dated July 28. 1843 -
Moulton Farnham

[different writer]
Wyoming County,
Clerk's Office

I hereby certify that Moulton 
Farnham Esquire before whom the within
deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same,
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, duly authorised [authorized] to take the same.  And that the signature within -
purporting to be his, is genuine.  I witness whereof,
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal,
at Warsaw, in said County, this 11th, day of October 1843.
N. Wolcott, Clerk
by H. Silliman, Dep' Clerk [Deputy Clerk]
Page 25

Pension on file in this Bureau. Alexander Freeman Ref. 3775
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR 
APPOINTMENT.

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.

RANK

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED

CAPTAIN, COLONEL

STATE

Feb'y 1777 | 4 mos | Trooper | Edgar | Heard | N.J.
Aug 1777 | 3 mos | Pvt | Ross | Cook
Dec 1777 | 6 mos | [illegible] | Randall Ross | Martin Cook
served | 9 mos | as a minute man to the close of the war

Battles engaged in, Staten Island.
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Morristown, Morris Co. N.J.
Date of application for pension, May 7, 1833
Residence at date of application, Lockport, Niagara Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, Born in Woodridge, Middlesex N.J. Feb'yb. Feby 13, 1762
Remarks: Claim was not allowed alleged service not satisfactorily
Proven
He had a [illegible] name not stated
Page 26

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
Dec 6 1927
[circular seal, upper left]
Page 27

Mrs. H. W. Satterfield
122 Netherwood Ave.
Plainfield, N.J.

Dec. 2-1927

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary Records of: Alexander Freeman (wife Margaret Brown). Born at Woodbridge, N.J. and died at Freeport New York. and Timothy Brown Jr who died in Sussex Coun. New Jersey. Wis wife was Dezire Freemans I Think -
Page 28

Mrs. H. W. Satterfield
122 Netherwood Ave.
Plainfield, N.J.

Very truly yours.

(Mrs H. W.) Harriett F. Satterfield
Page 29

THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
OFFICERS
President
REV. LYMAN WHITNEY ALLEN, D. D.
881 South 17th Street, Newark, N. J.
First Vice-President
HON. ADRIAN LYON
Second Vice-President
HARRY FRANK BREWER
Secretary
DAVID LAWRENCE PIERSON
Treasurer
EARLE ANDERSON MILLER
Registrar
WILLIAM JOHNSON CONKLING
Genealogist
SAMUEL COPP WORTHEN
Historian
REV. MASHEIM STECK WATERS
Chaplain
RT. REV. WILSON REIFF STEARLEY, D.D.
Chancellor
RAYMOND TOWNLEY PAROT
Vice-President General
THOMAS WRIGHT WILLIAMS
Trustee  of National Society
CHARLES SYMMES KIGGINS
Headquarters
44 HARRISON STREET, EAST ORANGE, N. J.
Telephone Orange

MENDERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
Sylvester H. M. Agens
Alfred William Alesbury
Bridgwater Meredith Arnold
Frederick B. Bassett
Frederick Z. Board
Herbert Royal Crane
Edward O. Cyphers, M.D.
S. Carl Downs
William Simonson Eddy
William C. L. Gallagher
J. Stewart Gibson
Frederic D. Hahn
Ray Henry Hart
Frederick Hoadley
H. Donald Holmes
Henry R. Kent
Hon. Joshua R. Salmon
Rev. Frank Austin Smith
Bert Elias Underwood
John Brewer Wight
Thomas Wright Williams

Past Presidents
Hon. John Franklin Fort
Major W. I. Lincoln Adams
John Lenord Merrill
Chester Neville Jones
Carl Montaigne Vail

EAST ORANGE, N. J.,
OCTOBER 8, 1921.

Hon. Washington Gardner, Commissioner
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: -
Will you kindly furnish certificate of military history of 
ALEXANDER FREEMAN, Private, Middlesex County, N.J. Militia, during
the REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
He is said to have been born at Woodbridge, N. J., and died
in Meadville, Crawford County, Penn'a. No dates of birth or death are
given by applicant for admission to this Society
The information is desired to prove the applicant's eligibility.
Any information you may be able to furnish will be highly
appreciated. 
Very truly yours, 
Wm. J. Conkling
Registrar N.J.S.A.R.
(stamp)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
OCT 10 1921
Page 30

Rev  War
(round stamp) 
U.S. Pension Office
Nov 23 1907

Rev
(round stamp) 
Record Division
Nov 23 1907
Page 31

My dear Sir
May I trouble you to
send me Rev. record of
Alexander Freeman
List 1840
Niagara Co,
N. Y.
Yours &c
Maria Wilkinson
31 East Ave
Lockport N.Y. Nov. 21st
Page 32

Waverly, Iowa, Jan. 21, 1909.
Bureau of Pensions, Dept of Interior,
Washington, D.C.

I wish to join the D.A.R. [Daughters of the American Revolution] as a
descendant of Alexander Freeman, of Lockport, N.Y.
who served in the New Jersey Militia.  The references
on the application papers of a number of the
D.R. - who is also a descendant of the said Alexander
Freeman - say, "See 'Causes of Pensions for 
Revolutionary Services 1840', Page 88."  Will you kindly
oblige me by a copy of said reference?
Very truly yours,
Mrs. N. B. Marsh,
Waverly, Iowa.
Page 33

(stamp)
W
OLD WAR & NAVY
MAR 7 1898
[illegible] LES,
Page 34

Waverly Iowa -
March 1798
Hon. [Honorable] Commissionaire of Pensions
Washington

Dear Sir.
I find in the Pension
list of 1840 Alexander Freeman
name. and recieving [receiving] a Pension.
will you kindly inform ^me what
his Military Standing was
and from what state he enlisted
Very Respect.
Mary J. Leonard

[circular seal in lower left page reads:
"U.S. PENSION OFFICE
MAR 4 1898"]
Page 35

1907 Dec. 2. Hist. to Maria Wilkinson V.L.M.
1909 Feby 4 Hist to Mrs. N.B. Marsh V.L.M.
1909, Aug. 27. Hist. to Freeman Loomis
Letter with P. .F. 2565, Henry Freeman *W,
1921 Nov.1 Hist. to Wm J. Conkling
1928 - Oct. 13. Hist to H.W. ┃
Satterfield, M. E. E.

3775
P. O. ________________________
Alexander Freeman
Service: ____________________________
Enlisted:____________ NJ, ___________,18__
Discharged::_______________________, 18__
REJECTED (stamp)

Application filed: __________________  18__
Printed list of 1852 of suspended
claims shows cause of sus. 
Alleges:  pension as follows:
Period, length, grade, officers 
commanding battles & [illegible[ are
all necessary to the examination
Re-enlisted: of a tour.
Attorney:_________________
P. O. ______________________ (check mark)
__________Recognized, ____________Contract.
Cert of [illegible] Searched for ______18__
-