Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 992, for Abraham Skillman, New Jersey
Page 1

(3--1776)
SERVICE New Jersey
Skillman, Abraham
               Mary
NUMBER W992
CONTENTS
Page 2

17.367
New Jersey
Abraham Skillman 
of Middlesex in the State of N. Jersey
 who was a Private in the Comp commanded 
by Captain Longstreet of the Reg. commanded 
by Col on the N. Jersey 
line for 1 year. 

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey 
at the rate of 40 Dollars ---- Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Aug 
1833 and sent to J. F. Randolph
M.C. present
Arrears to the 4th of Ma[rch?] 33     $80
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Sep 33    20
$100
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by P [illegible] Clerk,
Book E. Vol 0 Page 130
Page 3

10.204
Middlesex County
New Jersey
application of
Abraham Skillman 
for a pension
under act of 1832

James P Rangolph
New Brunswick 
N.J.
Page 4

State of New: Jersey
Middlesex Countys:
On this eleventh day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before Robt Matherson Esq: and other judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at New: Brunswick in and for the County of Middlesex and State of New: Jersey
Abraham Skillman, a resident of the township of South Brunswick in said county of Middlesex aged seventy one years last September, 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, June 7_1832_
that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He was born in the county of Somerset about a half a mile from Kingston in the township of South Brunswick, where he now lives. He was born on the thirteenth day of September, seventeen hundred and sixty- his age is recorded in the family bible of which he has a true copy made by Ralph [ill] Esqr and is now produced in court. Since the revolutionary war
he has lived within five miles of his present place of residence.
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He states, that General Washingtons army was on John Vanhorn's place at Rocky Hill near Princeton in the year, 1776_ the British were then at Vantilburgh within a mile and were firing and this applicant came to Princeton and fell in with Washingtons army - which marched to Trenton - he followed them and crossed the River Delaware the next day with them into Pennsylvania - here he found the company of Captain Aaron Longstreet with whom he was acquainted and his Lieutenant Robert Mershon - and also Matthew Van [ill.] of Mappletown, Middlesex County. He entered here the Company of Captain Aaron Longstreet_ he recollects too, that Henry Breese was also a member of the Company, where he joined = he thinks, they remained there through November and till the latter part of December. The evening of Christmas General Washington crossed the River Delaware with his army and attacked the Hessians at Trenton the next day morning and defeated them. this applicant and Jacob Hyer's son [?] came over on the ice. the Hessians were marched up the river and this applicant counted the platoons and counted between 880 to 890 = this applicant return(ed)
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(retur)ned to Pennsylvania and his company was ordered to cross the River and was stationed to keep guard and watch of the River Road about two miles on the Jersey side. He remained here for two or three days and were then ordered to march toward Trenton where we met the British, and we were compelled to cross the Delaware to Pennsylvania. the next day morning, we heard the noise of cannon in the direction of Princeton and we again crossed the Delaware and followed the road that General Washington took to Princeton. We came first to Assunpink and then to Princeton by the Quaker Road. We looped [?] at Assanpink [Assunpink] on the road one night, and reached Princeton the day after the battle. Captain Longstreet then dismissed the company for three days and then to join him at Cranbery [Cranbury] which we did and scouted there about on the lines for sometime and was then marched to the Court House of Monmouth County - staid there a few days and was then ordered to Middletown in that county. and the refugees left it when we came we were then ordered to Shrewsbury and then to Monmouth Court House, where we staid, till the
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goods taken from the British could be sent on to Burlington. we then came back to Cranberry - and we were then ordered to Princeton. There was a general alarm, that the British had come out of New: Brunswick and had gone to the old court house at Millstone. We came to Princeton and marched to buxtown [?] and fell in with the battalion commanded by Col. Hayes and Major Scudder. the next day we marched from buxtown [?] down to one of the branches of the Raritan and encamped and fell in with the Somerset militia - we went to Sourland Mountain and then to Stuts Gap, and then we joined the army of General Washington. A scout was wanted and this applicant, John Gulick [?] and Willian Vantilburgh and others were selected. we were placed under the command of captain Longstreet, Williamson and Chambers. We staid all night at Capt. Williamson and went early next morning to New Brunswick. I went next to Elizabeth town under the same captain and remained so doing duty for himself and as a substitute for his father till the British shipped and landed below Phila as this applicant understood. I then returned to Cranbury and was then drafted out of Captain Longstreet to join Captain
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for two months and they marched to Haddonfield in the county of Gloucester- we were commanded by General Frelinghuysen. We were ordered out to Timber Creek two or three miles below Haddonfield where we had a skirmish with the British army. the American regulars were commanded by a French General, but this name I cannot remember. We then returned to Haddonfield and there discharged at the end of the two months which he thinks was in the month of December - it was winter weather. He has no documentary evidence of his service but he served he thinks one year [7 words inserted] and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pensions roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid.
Joseph MChesney

his
Abraham X Skillman
mark

We, David Comfort a clergyman residing in the township of Franklin in the county of Somerset and seated [?] by preaching in the church at Kingston and Henry Breese residing in the township of South Brunswick - county of Middlesex hereby certify that we are well acquain
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(acquain)ted with Abraham Skillman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age and upwards, 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.

David Comfort
     his
Henry X Breese
     mark

Sworn and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid

Joseph M'Chesney

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigations upon matters and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant Abraham Skillman was a soldier in the Revolution and served as
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he states, and the Court do further certify, that it appears to them that David Comfort is a clergyman resident in Kingston, Somerset County and that Henry Breese who has signed the same statement and also that William Vantilburgh, William Mershon and John Gullion who have been examined, as witnesses before them are entitled to credit.

Robert McChesney
Thos Hance
Ichabod Potter

I, F. S. Vanarsdalen Clerk of the Court of Common Common Pleas of the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Skillman for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court this Eleventh day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty-two.

F. S. Vanarsdalen Clk
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Abraham Skillman





Adm d
12 mos pri
40$

James F Randolph
New Brunswick
N.J.
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Supplementary Declaration in the case of Abraham Skillman an applicant for a pension under the Act of June 7, 1832.

Middlesex County
New Jersey, ss:

On the fifteenth day of July 1832 personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Abraham Skillman, the applicant for a pension named in the papers number 10.204, [ill] being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer private in the latter part of the year 1776 under Capt. Longstreet, who was then in Pennsylvania and served during that year under said Longstreet, as he has particularly detailed in his original declaration, at least two months That in three or four days after this service, he went into service again being drafted & amongst the [ill.] militia, under the same Capt. Longstreet & continued to serve under said Longstreet [last 3 words inserted] without intermissions, for himself and as a substitute for his father, until he learned that the British had landed near Philadelphia which was between the 20th & 25th Sept 1777. Making a continuous and hard service of at least eight- mths. The particulars of his service are stated in his original declaration. He then returned home and was soon after in the same year drafted out of Capt. Longstreet's Company, and served two months under Capt [ill], and served as before stated at Haddonfield, Timber Creek, and other places in West Jersey. Gen Frelinghuysen commanded. Scudder was one Colonel in his [crossed out: my] [ill.] under Capt. Longstreet. And for this service, at least twelve months in all, he claims a pension.

            his
Abraham + Skillman
           mark

Sworn & subscribed before me the day/year aforesaid
Peter P. Runyan [?], Justice of the Peace
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I Nicholas [illegible] Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing annexed paper contains the original Supplemental Proceedings in relation to the application of Abraham Skillman for a pension & I do further certify that Peter P. [illegible] before whom the preceding Supplemental Declaration was & is a Justice Peace of the said County duly commissioned & I know that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two

N [illegible] Clerk
Page 14

Left page
Refnded

Right page
5664
New Jersey
Mary Skilman
widow of Abraham Skilman
who was a Private
in the Revolution
N jersey  S[ill]
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
40 Dollars ---
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
6th day of June, 1844
and sent to John Lowrey
Princeton
New Jersey
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol 1 Page 126
Page 15

5927
Mary Skilman
N.J.
Act 4 July 36-
M 87. a 42
Page 16

State of New Jersey Mercer County ss

On this twenty fifth day of July eighteen hundred forty three personally appeared before me John Lowrey one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Mercer. Mary Skillman A resident of the Borough of Princeton in the County and State aforesaid Aged about eighty 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed July fourth eighteen hundred and thirty six, that she is the widow of Abraham Skillman who was a private soldier in the army of the Revolution, in the Militia of New Jersey, and A pensioner of the United States, he performed several tours of duty after they were married, as will appear by the papers connected with the application of the said Abraham Skillman, now on file in the office of the Pension Agent of the United States in Washington City.
Said deponant further declares that she was married to the said Abraham Skillman on the seventeenth day of October seventeen hundred and eighty one by Abraham Cruser Esqr a Justice of the Peace in the County of Middlesex,
The only record of deponants marriage, to her knowledge is on her family record accompanying and attached to the affidavit of Susan Sunderland, written as follows "Abraham Skillman was married October 17th 1781" and although deponants name is not mentioned, said record is intended to be an account or statement of her marriage
Page 17

That her husband the aforesaid Abraham Skillman died on the eighteenth day of August eighteen hundred and forty two and that she had Remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear be reference to the proof hereto annexed

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me John Lowrey Judge 
}Mary Skillman
} 

I do hereby testify that Mary Skillman the above declarant is not able to appear in open Court on account of bodily infirmity she is known to me as a person of staid veracity and truth,
I further testify that I was acquainted with her husband the said Abraham Skillman who died in the month of August in the year eighteen hundred and forty two, that she had not been married again but continued his widow.
John Lowrey Judge
Page 18

State of New Jersey Mercer County ss

On this second day of August eighteen hundred and forty three, personally appeared before me John Lowrey one of the Judges of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Mercer John Cruser a resident of the Township of Princeton in the County aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say he is the grandson of Abraham Cruser Esq who formerly resides at Mapleton near Kingston in the County of Middlesex, and there were not so far as deponant believes or has ever heard any Record of Marriage left amongst the papers of the said Abraham from deceased

John Cruser

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me. John Lowrey Judge
Page 19

State of New Jersey Mercer County ss

On this tenth day of August eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before me John Lowrey one of the judges of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Mercer, Susan Sunderland [?] a person of credibility and truth, who being first duly sworn according to law, saith that Mary Skillman the foregoing decedent is the sister of this deponant, and the widow of Abraham Skillman, deceased, who died in the nineth of august eighteen hundred and forty two, said Mary Skillman has remained a widow from from [sic] that period.

Deponant knows the paper attached to this affidavit to be the family record of the said Mary Skillman said record was in the care and possession of Isabella Sunderland deponant's sister who died a few months since, but it was kept in the family bible kept in the House of deponant and her said sister who have lived together from their infancy. Deponant believes said record to be correct and entitled to credit, and [is - crossed out] that it was made at or near the time that the events occurred.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me. John Lowrey Judge

     her
Susan X Sunderland
     mark
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State of New Jersey Mercer County ss

On this tenth day of August eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Mercer John Hubbard who being first duly sworn according to law saith that Mary Skillman who made the foregoing declaration and affidavit is the widow of Abraham Skillman deceased who died on the eighteenth day of August eighteen hundred and forty two, she has lived in the family of deponant and has remained a widow since that period.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me

John Lowrey Judge

    His
John X Hubbard
   Mark
Page 21

State of New Jersey, Mercer County ss

On this tenth day of August eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before me the subscribed one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Mercer William Sunderland, a person of credibility and truth who being first duly sworn according to law, saith he is the brother of Mary Skillman the applicant, and he is Seventy Seven years of age, he believes in October Next, deponant lives with his father John Sunderland in the village of Kingston in the County of Middlesex and State aforesaid, he was at home when his sister Mary was married to Abraham Skillman, at his fathers House in Kingston, does not remember who performed the ceremony, but deponant was in the room when they were married, cannot remember the date but thinks he was a boy of thirteen or fifteen years of age. Deponant recollects going to the house bringing with his father and mother next day after the wedding, at the house of John Skillman, who was the father of the groom, Abraham Skillman, and lived in Middlesex County about a quarter of a mile from deponants fathers residence, Said Abraham Skillman died in Augst [sic] 1842 and applicant remains his widow.
      his
William + Sunderland
      mark
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me
John Lowrey Judge
Page 22

State of New Jersey
Mercer County  ss

I Ralph H Shreve Clerk of the County of Mercer in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that John Lowrey Esq the person before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken was at the time of the taking thereof one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said county of Mercer duly commissioned and sworn and full faith and credit is due to all his acts as such as well in counts of Judicature as thereout

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal at Nottingham this twelfth day of August in the year eighteen hundred and forty three

Ralph H Shreve Clerk
Page 23

Skillman, Abraham
NJ W992
Page 24

Abraham Skilman was married october 17 : 1781
Elisabeth Skilman was born may 4 : 1782
William Skilman was born August 22 :178?
[ill] Skilman was born January 18 1786
John Skilman was born October 30 1788
Abraham Skilman was born March 7 1791
Died February 3 1792
Peter Skilman was born
August 20 1793
David Skilman was born [ill] [ill] 1794
Mary Skilman was Born February 5 1799
Sammuel Skilman was Born September 02 [ill]
Susanna Skillman was born June 15 8001                                                           1804
John Sunderlands junior
Anna Sunderland was born
December 28th 1793
Samuel Sunderland was born February 3 1791
John Sunderland was born february 5
David Sunderland was born August 800 24
Page 25

10204
Abraham Skillman
Middlesex County
N. Jersey


Return 

Aom d

James F Randolph
New Brunswick
New Jersey
Page 26

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
15th May, 1839

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 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 Abraham Skillman Middlesex Co. N.J.
(table transcribed so each row below is a line)
Period when the service was rendered. 
                  Vol    1777
                   Dec "
Duration of the claimant's service.
   Years. Months. Days.
   (across all columns)  [ill] time not mentioned
   (in months column) 2
   (across all columns} Suppl. appl claims 12 mo
Rank of the claimant.
                    pr
                     "
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
                   Capt Longstreet-
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
                    Gen Washington
                    Gen Frelinghuysen
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
                      N.Jersey
                      Penn
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
                      71
                      Kingston
                            NJ-
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
                    Traditionary
(end of table)

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 27

2
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 brand 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 were 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
County of } ss.
On this __ day of __ personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of __ in the county of __ and State, Territory or District
of __ aged (c) __ 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 provion [sic] 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 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 enered [sic] 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 solider, and served as he states.

I __ 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 __ and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __, 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.
I, __ Clerk of the Court of __ do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [sic] __
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 knowledges 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
Page 28

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 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 sub-stitute, 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 who 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 who 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 solider, 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 a 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 trans-nit such evidenced 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 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 of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot sweat 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 __ year __ months, and __ days I served as a __. For __ months and __ days, I served as a __; 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 tot he 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 expression are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &e 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 tern 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 she et 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 end of which must pass un der 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.

[Pointing hand] 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 interrogatories must all be written, and seat to the War Department, with the declaration.

R .. Neuman

[A line in left margin calls out the paragraph "Mode of authenticating papers".]
Page 29

5927
Mary Skillman
NJ.
Seth J. Lowrey. Nov 8. 1843
Act 4 July 1836
Page 30

V. N. Jersey
Mary Skillman
let. to J.N.Reading 25 June 1839
Paper returned

Act July 1838
Page 31

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 992
Mary Skilman
Widow
Abraham Skilman
Priv.Rev.War.
Act: March 3, 1843.
Index: ---Vol. M. Page 216
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 32

Left page
Rife?

Right page
New Jersey 8266
Mary Skilman
widow of Abraham Skilman
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 18. August 1842
of Mercer Co. in the State of N. Jersey
who was a Private in the company
commanded by Captain Longstreet of the
regt commanded by --- in 
the N. Jersey line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 40 Dollars ---
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of
April 1844 and sent to Col. A.M.
Cumming, Present
Total amount, $200
[Act Jul 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D,Brown Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 1. Page 207
Page 33

Honr James L Edwards
Commissioner of. Pensions
Washington City
Page 34

Princeton August 16th 1843
Dear Sir
Herewith I send you the Application of Mary Skillman. I believe all the Witnesses on which they relied to establish her husbands claims, are deceased.
She has therefore to rely entirely upon the testimony on file. 
Very respectfully
your obt servant
John Lowey

James L Edwards}
Commissioner of Pensions }
Page 35

(sideways, left side)
Dec. 1.1843
10320
Mary Skillman
July 7, 1838
NJ
S Abraham
FREE

(right side)
Honl J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D C
Page 36

                  Princeton Nov 29th /43

Sir
I read yours of the Eighth Inst[ant] informing me that the application of Mary Skillman had been dissallowed, which opinion I am satisfied is correct, the old lady must be mistaken about her husband being absent on duty after their marriage,

I now Renew her application under the Act of 1838, which I hope will bring us within your rule.

Have heard nothing from the application of Anne Blower

Yours very Respectfully
John Lowrey

Hon JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions }
Page 37

Apl 4, 1844

NJ

Gray
Skillman



Col AMCumming

(down the left hand side} 
Col. A. M. Cumming
Present
Page 38

10320 [light]
I am very anxious to know the fate of Mary Skillman's application under the law of 1838 forwarded, I believe, about the first of Dec 1843
10449 [light]
Please get also some inteligence respecting Elizabeth Gray fowarded say Aug 21st, 1844

May 26th 1844
Dear Col'l                        
I presume the above will be sufficient explanation of what I want, I should be rejoiced if the kind Gens at Washington could grant certificates by your agency.

it appears to me as if the old ladies count the hours, since the applications have been made, and there is no rest in their bones, Perhaps Judge Dayton would assist you, and oblidge me in this matter, he has always been very polite
           Yours sincerely, 
                    John Lowrey
Col A[ill] M. Cumming
   Princeton
   New Jersey
Page 39

10320
Mary Skilman
N.J.
Act' 7. July 38
m 81. d 42 [Abraham married 1781, died 1842]
admd
12mo pri
$40


Col A.M. Cumming
Present
Page 40

Declaration

Under Act July Seventh 1838
State of New Jersey
Mercer County ss

On this twenty fourth day of November one thousand eight hundred and forty three, 
personally appeared before the subscriber one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Mercer Mary Skillman of the Township of Princeton in the County and State aforesaid, in the eightieth year of her age, a person of credability [sic] and truth, who first being 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 eighteen hundred and thirty eight,

That she is the widow of Abraham Skillman, who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, in the Militia of New Jersey, and a pensioner of the United States
Page 41

as will more fully appear by reference being had to the paper connected with his application now on file in the office of the Pension Agent of the United States at Washington City

She further declares that her maiden name was Mary Sunderland, That she was married to the said Abraham Skillman on the seventeenth day of October one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, That her husband the aforesaid Abraham Skillman died on the eighteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty two, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me

Mary Skillman
Page 42

I hereby certify that Mary Skillman the above declared is not able to appear in open Court on account of bodily infirmity not being able to leave her house, is known to me as a person of strict veracity and truth

State of New Jersey
Mercer County ss I Ralph H Shreve Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Mercer do hereby certify that Stacy A Paxson Esq the person before whom the foregoing declaration was made was at the time of the taking thereof one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Mercer duly commissioned and sworn and that to all his official acts as such full faith and credit is due and ought to be given

In testimony where of I have herewith subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this twenty seventh day of November eighteen hundred & forty three

Ralph H Shreve Clerk
Page 43

State of New Jersey Mercer County Ss

On this twenty fourth day of November eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County  of Mercer, John Hubbard who being first duly sworn according to law, saith that Mary Skillman  who made the foregoing declaration and affidavit is the widow of Abraham Skillman, deceased, who died on the eighteenth day of August eighteen hundred and forty two She has lived in the family of deponant, and remains the widow of the said Abraham Skillman, deceased, since his death

Sworn and Subscribed the day and year above written before me
Page 44

[round stamp:]
FLEMINGTON N.J. Jun. 21

[vertical on left]
Jan 24, 1839
NJ
4587
7 July 1838

[right side]
FREE

Hon. James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 45

Dear Sir
Enclosed I send the Pension papers of Mary Skillman & Nelly Bellis, should they be deficient, please inform me as soon as convenient. Some two or three months since I sent on the papers of Mary Forgers & Mary Francis. Please let me know if they are read as also these

Very respectfully
Your obt servt
James N Reading
Flemington New Jersey
Jany. 17th 1839
Page 46

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3d of March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7th 1838

State of New Jersey
Mercer County ss

On this seventeenth day of April Eighteen hundred and forty four personally appeared before the Subscriber Mayor of the Borough of Princeton and Justice of the Peace by officio, Mary Skillman a resident of said Borough aged about Eighty two [?] years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the third day of March 1843 granting pensions
to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War,

That she is the widow of Abraham Skillman who was a private Soldier in the Militia of New Jersey and served in the army of the Revolution, declarant is not informed to what Corps he was attached, and the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 7th 1838 was forty dollars.
She further declares she is still a widow

Mary Skillman

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before John Lowrey Mayor

I do hereby certify that the above named Mary Skillman is personally known to me, and that she is entitled to credit for truth and veracity, and that she is unable to appear in open court from bodily infirmity - Witness my hand this seventeenth day of April 1844

John Lowrey Justice of the Peace by officio
Page 47

59[ill.]

M.Skilman
act '43


$40 per ann



John Lowrey
Princeton
N.Jersey
Page 48

State of New Jersey

I Charles G McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that John Lowrey Esq. before whom the within declaration of Mark Skillman was made and taken, was at the time of the doing thereof mayor of the Borough of Princeton in the County of Mercer and state of New Jersey and ex officio Justice of the Peace duly appointed commissioned and sworn, that full faith and credit are to be given to his official attestations and that the signature thereto is in the proper handwriting of the Said John Lowrey Esq.

In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Trenton in said state, this twenty ninth day of May AD. one thousand eight hundred and forty four.

Charles G McChesney
Secy of State