Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 23271, Abijah Hunt, Continental New Jersey Privateer S.C. Sea Service
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(8–1776) C
Service
Continental
New Jersey
Privateer
S.C. Sea Service

Hunt, Abijah 

Number
S23271

Contents
Reserve in New York
Page 2

Duplicate Certificate 
June 17 1837 and sent to
Ben Rand Albany N.YK (New York)
Hon. 1858
Treasury at 6 April, 1838, from Sept. 1843 to 4 March '44.
Agent notified 6th April. 1845.
Died March 4, 1852

New York
24672
Abijah Hunt

of Cayuga County in the State of New York who was a [illegible] in the Cont. Army com [commanded] by Captain Bell of the 20th Company by Col. Spencer in the N.J. Concourse Line for 15 months for New Jersey

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the Rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension signed the 3 day of July by and sent to
John McFadden [Illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1893 $250.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th March 3, $50.00

$300.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by W. G. Williams, Clerk
Book E. Vol. 4 Page 111
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73232

Alijah Hunt
Cayuga Co.
N. York

Suspended to hear
from Exec. Dept. of S.C.
see letter H. May '33

Metr -
Admit

John McFadden Esq.
Cayuga, Co.
Sterling, N. York.
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War Department
Pension Office, 
183 

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 [show] what is necessary to be done.   Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 




A Statement, showing the service of Abijah Hunt Cayuga Co New York 

Column 1: Period when the service was rendered:
-----------------------------------------
1776
Win 1776 [Winter 1776]
Fall 1779
Not Stated

Columns 2-4: Duration of the claimant's service

Years:
1776 Not Stated
Win 1776 3 months
Fall 1779: 1 Year, 9 Months,
Not Stated: 1 Year, 3 Months

Column 5: Rank of the Claimant 
---------------------------------
[Column 5, Row 1] Private
[Column 5, Row 2] " [meant to mean Private]
[Column 5, Row 3] Teamster
[Column 5, Row 4] Midshipman

Column 6: Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
-----------------------------------------------
[Column 6, Row 1] Col. Spencer, Captain Brittan
[Column 6, Row 2] " -"
[Column 6, Row 3] Cap. Bell, The [illegible] of Philadelphia
[Column 6, Row 4] Cap. John Joiner, Frigate L Carole, of 40 guns + 783 men.

Column 7: Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.
----------------------------------------------
[Column 7, Row 1] 70 years, Morris Town, New Jersey

Column 8: Proof of which the declaration is supported
--------------------------------------------
Traditionally with one Witnefs. [sp: Witness]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 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 [sp: musicians] or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 


DECLARATION, 

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 

State, Territory, or District of } ss
County of

On this day [        ] of [      ]  personally appeared (a) 
before A.B. 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [            ] with [            ] and served in the  [            ](e) regiment of the [            ] 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 [            ]

 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 [            ] 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, cease 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 hereby [            ] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [            ], who has subscribed and sworn to the mere 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 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 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 application of [            ] for a pension. 

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

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

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-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? 

6 { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what one 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 their declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 

[Footnotes]

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will find low 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 in 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 [illegible] his declaration by making an affidavit and in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned Justice of the Peace, & C. A. B.  who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequence of 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 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 the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia and &c. without specifying the tours the names of ppthe officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is lightly 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 place wherein the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; the 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 sea, 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, moving to the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany 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.
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County Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Race a resident
of the Town of Sterling in said County, Abijah Hunt of the town of Stirling aforesaid ┃
who being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent ┃
less of memory he cannot swear patiently as to the precise length of his service, nor can he recollect
the particular dates of the period where he enlisted or when he was discharged but according to the ┃
but of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following
Grades he enlisted and served as a private in Captain Brittens company in Colone Shines Regiment
afterwards called the fifth Jersey Regiment for three months and actually served the three months was
discharged at Elizabeth town, whether the said three months services was in the year Seventeen hundred
and twenty six or seven or a part of both years this declarer cannot now recollect, and after his de
turned to Morristown and remained there at his fathers residence and after the army went into Winters
quarters at
Josiah Hunt the Brother of this deponent
home on furlough, and some time after his return home was taken sick and remained sick at his
this Residence untill his furlough had expired this deponent volunteered and took the place of
his sick Brother and served three months in his stead that this last three months service was
during the time the American army lay at Valley Forge, Cannot recollect whether in the Winter
and Spring of seventy seven or seventy eight that he served as a private the last mentioned the
the fall of seventies resided and seventeen he striped on board the track
adelphia commanded by Captain Thomas Bell and suited for Lorenson in price and on the
page the same was Captised by the Enemy at this declare the with the land was
the laws landed and are sent to Cork and kept for pay for seventeen months
manner she was capture of the term of one year and
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[illegible] that in the fall of Seventeen hundred and seventy nine he shipped on [illegible] of Philadelphia commanded by Captain Thomas Bell and sailed for Loremon in france and on their homeward bound voyage the Luzerne was Captured by the Enemy and this declarer, together with the Crew was carried into 
Limerick and the crew landed and were sent to Cork and kept prisoners for piracy for Seventeen months having been out four months before she was captured, making the term of one year and nine months Service and Captivity.  this declarer further deposeth and saith that on or about the first of July in the year One thousand seven hundred and Eighty two he shipped himself on Board the Frigate South Carolina of forty guns commanded by Captain John Joiner as a Midshipman of the first Class, Capable of navigating  a ship of the first class.  Then lying in the river at Philadelphia filing out for a voyage or Cruise that the South Carolina Sailed the Latter part of September or first of October and having put to sea was captured by a fifty six-gun ship and carried to Newark and the Crew put on boats  the Prison ship at the Wallabout- and confined about a month and the prisoners were then paroled.  does not recollect the date of his parole.  Thinks he received nothing nothing [sic] but a pass to carry him through the British lines into New Jersey, that the Navy agent Mr Rorison made the arangements for paroling and releasing the prisoners from the Prison ship on which he was confined, and by his parole, was bound not to take up arms against Great Briton untill Exchanged or the Definitive treaty signed and ratified.--  he further saith that he understood  that the number of men on board the South Carolina was 783, that the Marines were divided into 37 Messes [?] Six privates to a mix making 222, Excessive of Marine officers, that these
Marines Ware Hessians who ware Captured at Saratoga with General Burgoine but cannot positively say he had so many men only by reputation.  he was so informed and So believed.--  This declarer further Saith that he knows of no other witnesses to prove his services then his two brothers James 
and Josiah Hunt who now reside in the city of Newark and to whom he has made applications to make such proof which will be forwarded if obtained.--  To the interrogatories required by the war department this deponant gives the following answers.  to the first, Answer in the year seventeen hundred and Sixty two on the Seventeenth day of March.  2nd Answer, he has no Record of his age, has been informed by his
Parents. 3rd Answer  When he Entered the service resided at Morristown New Jersey and Elizabeth town, then went to Sea.  lived in the City of Newyork, then Resided in the City of Albany thirty years, thence to Sterling where
he now resides. 4th Answer  When he first went into the service he enlisted for three months then Volunteered three months as a substitute for his Brother Josiah who was taken sick when
home on furlough.  Served for the last mentioned time before his Brother was able to relieve him, then Shiped on Board the Luzerne Letter of Marque, then on Board of the Frigate  South Carolina, and remained to the End of the War
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5th Answer. he served under Colonel Spencer, General Wines, at Elizabethtown. at Vally-Forge Saw General Washington,  the Marquis LaFayett and Colonel Alexander Hamilton who acted as Adecamp [aid-de-camp] to General Washington and Colonel Barber of the Jersey troops.  General Wines Commanded the Newjersey Militia--

6th Answer for the first term of service under Captain Britton he Received no discharge--was Informed he might go home.   for his second term as Substitute for Josiah Hunt he was Received as such by Captain Briton and at roll call Answered to the name of Josiah Hunt.  and at the Expiration of the three months was Relieved by said Josiah Hunt and then went home to his fathers, in Newjersey.

7th Answer. The Revd David Currie and John McFadden has given such testimony which
will appear on my first Declaration.  John W. McFaddens, Isaac Turner, Seth Turner,
William Wyman, Benjamin Lyon,Thomas Brown, William McCoy, George Cooper,
William Graham, George C. McFadden, John W. Stewart, Alexander Proudfit, Abram Skeels, Silah Divine, Ernest C. Schryder, Amos Hitchings, Timothy Austin, all in Sterling and a number of Others in the City of Albany might have been mentioned, Where he formerly resided.

And this deponant further saith that he cannot give a statement of his said services
in terms more deffinant [definite] than what he has set forth in the foregoing affidavit and that he should not have been able to have stated definently [definitely] his first term of his enlistment had not a been for three months, and for the second term when a substitute for his Brother Josiah, that the time was three months, and further saith not.

Abhijah Hunt
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that he should not have been able to have Stated definently [definitely] his first term of his Enlistment had not been for three months, and for the second term when a Substitute for his
Brother Josiah, that the time was three months, and further saith not.

Abijah Hunt

I do hereby Certify that Abijah Hunt to me known personally appeared before me and took and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and Answered the seven Interrogatories Required by the War Department, as above set fourth [forth] under Oath in due form of Law and that he is a man of Good moral character deserving of full credit as a Witness.   Subscribed and duly sworn before me this 19th day of November 1833.--

Benjamin Clark Justice of the peace

State of New York
Cayuga County Clerks office} ss
I certify that Benjamin Clark Esq, was on the nineteenth day of November inst. a Justice of the Peace of said County; and that I am acquainted with his hand-writing & verily believe that his signature to the above certificate is genuine.

Witness my hand & the Seal of said County, this twenty first day of November 1833

A.L.  Millerd Dep. Clerk
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June 13, 1924

Jean Fay
7810 Forsythe Blvd. Box 43
Clayton, Missouri

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 23271 [manually underlined] it appears that Abijah Hunt was born March 17, 1762 in Newtown, Sussex County, New Jersey.
While a resident of Morristown, New Jersey he enlisted in 1778[?] and served three months as a private in Captain Britton's Company, Colonel Spencer's New Jersey Regiment and was in a skirmish at Connecticut Farms.
In the winter of 1777 he served three months as a substitute for his brother Josiah in Captain Britton's Company, Colonel Spencer's New Jersey Regiment.
In the fall of 1779 he, with his brother James, ship-[end of line]ped at Philadelphia on the Letter of Marque "Luzerne", Captain Thomas Bell. It was captured four months later and they were confined in Ireland and England for seven-[end of line]teen months until exchanged.
On July 1, 1782 he shipped as midshipman on the Frig-[end of page]
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ate "South Carolina", Captain John Joyner. It was cap-[end of line] tured about October 1, 1782 and he was confined at New York about one month and then paroled.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 23, 1833 while a resident of Sterling, Cayuga County, New York. [check mark] He died March 4, 1852.
There is no data on file as to his family, other than the reference to his brothers.
Respectfully,
[blank space]
Acting Commissioner.
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1924 -June 13 - Hst. to Jean Fay. [illegible]
Invalid [script]
[illegible crossed out]
Revy (?)
Navy (?)
File No. 23241
Abijah Hunt
Pri and Midshipman
Rev War
[blank]
Act: June 7  1832
Index:--Vol.  4,  Page 111
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Treasury Department,
          SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
       August 20th, 1845

Sir:
            Under the act of the 6th of April 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pensions agents, Abijah Hunt, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N. York Agency, at the rate of one hundred - Dollars (and      Cents crossed out) per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1843, to the 4th March 1844.

                                             Respectfully yours,
                                                        //s//
                                             Albion K. Parris
                                                               
                                                       Comptroller.
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Jas B Campbell
Counselor at Law

Mem Dep O.C.

A copy of Abijah Hunts Dep. & Meneereams statement & furnish information by the Wes cott, Panpl life - Wilts
Commi
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31 May 1833
Locate to DC for creation of case of Hunt
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3
Auditors
18
Abigal Hunt Jr. & Midshipman $ 100. In a
Alby New York role. Sits June 7
To what time he was he last paid
Pen office
June
17
37
RB.
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[letterhead]
MISS JEAN FAY
7810 FORSYTHE BLVD. Box 43.
CLAYTON, MO.

[script]
May 8, 1924
Washington Gardner
Commissioner of Pensions
Rev. War Section.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please send me the records of Abijah [underlined] Hunt whose claim for pension is (Invalid No 23271); David Hunt (Widow 25603) [partial underlines] also record of James Hunt all brothers of Josiah Hunt (Widow No 2554) this record has been sent to me.
I should also like a record of Hannah E Rodgers or Rogers, who being the
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daughter of Josiah Hunt was granted a pension in 1897 but this arrived three weeks after her death in January 1898.
Thanking you for your kindness
Very respectfully,
Jean Fay
Box 43
Clayton, Mo.
Page 20


Abijahl Hunt
N W
for
Case
Page 21

Amos
L. Edwards Esq
Commiss of Pensions
In
Albany June 14, 1837
Abijah Hunt a Pensioner under the
act of June 7, 1832, wishes to obtain a new Certificate
on the enclosed affidant & his former
on being lost-
He wishes me to state that he is here on expences and
wishes a speedy answer-
I am Sir
S
very respectfully
Your obedt Senr
L. Junkins
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Hon. Lewis Cafs Secretary of the War Department or Hon. Geo Wm Crump acting Commissioner of Pensions
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Sir,

Sterling Cayuga County New York of AD. 1833.
yours of the 12th October last in relation to the application of Abijah Hunt for a pension was duly Received together with his papers which were previously sent to the Pension Office-
Mr. Hunt has made another affidavit which accompany this Letter, in which he gives a more full explanation of his services,.--- which I hope will be satisfactory to the department his first term of three months under Capt Britton I think is Satisfactorily explained, and the three months service as a substitute for his Brother when sick- or rather a volunteer to fill his Brothers place while on furlough and not able to return to camp. I hope his Explanation will be convincing
to the Honl. Secretary of War and in regard to his services on board the Luzerne Letter of Mark, he says he always understood that she was a national Ship and did believe her so considered by the Navy officer at that period, and Since the revolutionary War, he had no idea that she could be considered a privateer, and because he was charged of piracy by the Enemy, he thinks that is no proof She was a privateer, and permit me to observe that at the commencement of the war that the party
who took up arms against Great Britton ware termed rebbils [rebels] and threatened with punishment on the Gibbet, then under this circumstances it cannot be wondered at that the crew of the Luzerne were termed
Pirates, and Imprisoned for Piracy on the high seas by the then Mistress of the Ocean.  these circumstances Mr. Hunt requests me to submit to the Honl. the Secretary of War, as he believes that the Luzerne was a national vessel under the United States Government and commissioned thereby and he is in hopes that the privations and sufferings which he endured
in Mill prisons England, will not be overlooked by the department in Case it comes under the purviews of the act of the 7th June 1832.
Mr. Hunt would further suggest that he has two Brothers in New York viz:  James & Josiah that by the Latter, he could prove the six months
service in the Jersey troop, and by James his imprisonment in England and the imprisonment in New York. would call your attention to the--
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affidavit of Joshua Musseran which accompanys this Letter, and as it respects the testimony of his Brothers it will be forwarded as soon as it can be obtained, provided the department decides that further Evidence is necessary, and should the Evidence herewith transmitted be considered  insufficient please to inform me in Letter, and permit me to mention that the Brothers of Mr. Hunt are aged frail men and at the distance of 360 miles, and when obtained from the consequent loss of memory-  it may be doubtful whether they could recollect these transactions that took place more than fifty years ago, and permit me to call- your attention to the Great difficulty of proving revolutionary Services at the present day, from the length of time that has elapsed and the decay of memory and intellectual faculty by reason of old age- all of which is respectfully submitted with a confidential belief that the Honl. Secretary of War will adoept such measures as will render Justice in all cases that comes before him.   I am Very Respectfully
your obedt Servt
Jno McFadden
Agent for Abijah Hunt

Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of War
or Geo. Wm Crump acting Commissioner of Pensions

Please direct to me at Martville Cayuga County. N.Y
Jno McFadden
Page 25

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
---
State of New York
County of Cayuga} SS.   On the Twenty third day of January One thousand eight hundred and thirty three Personally appeared in open Court before Joseph L. Richardson first Judge of the Court of Common pleas of Cayuga County and the other associate Judges of said Court now in session Abijah Hunt of the town of Stirling in the County of Cayuga and State of New York ,aged Seventy ['one' crossed out] 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, and served as herein stated. That he was born in the Town Newtown, County of Sussex & State of New Jersey on the 17th March 1762. That in the year 1776 he enlisted as a volunteer in
Capt Brittons Company & Col. Spencers Regt in the service of the United States & marched from Chatham to a place called Connecticut farms, to the number of about 250 men, and had a skirmish at that place with a foraging party of the enemy, in which the Americans beat them & made prisoners of about 80 Hessians and a small number of British horse; that upon the British evacuating Elizabethtown, the Americans took possession of it, and this declarer having been Stationed there with the regt continental to do duty there untill his Enlistment had expired, and then was discharged and returned home, that a brother of this declarer, who had also enlisted into the same company, was likewise in the aforesaid Skirmish, and immediately thereafter enlisted in Col. Spencers, on the 5th Jersey Regt for three years or during the war.-

In the winter of 1776, when General Washington was with the army at Valley Forge, this Declarer
volunteered and served in the place of his said brother (who was sick (for three months, and upon his recovery, was relieved by him, after the Expiration thereof. - That in the fall of 1779, this declarer, in company with his Brother James Hunt, Shiped on board the Luzerne Letter of Marque, at Philadelphia, Carrying Eighteen
Guns, commanded by Capt. Thomas Bell; that sometime in the ensuing Spring, the Luzerne, being then on her homeward bound voyage from France, was captured by an English Frigate of thirty two Guns; that he this declarer with the rest of the Crew of the Luzerne, were landed at Limerick in Ireland, and after staying there about three weeks were sent to the town of Cork, and there on board of the Lenora a British 74 gun ship, and there remained a prisoner, untill he landed at Plymouth in England, and was then confined in the Mill prison, for alledged piracy and high treason, there to remain untill the King should be pleased to order them for trial; That this declarer was thus confined for one year lacking fifteen days, when after the Capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army, the Declarer with the other American prisoners were suffered to be exchanged, and sailed in a Cartill, and arrived at Philadelphia
after an absence of one year and nine months. That soon, or within a few weeks thereafter,
he the Declarer shipped himself on board the Frigate South Carolina of fortye guns & 783 men
Page 26

by him, after the Expirations thereof. - That in the fall of 1779 this declarer, in company with his Brother James Hunt, Shiped [shipped] on board the Luzerne Letter of Marque, at Philadelphia, Carrying Eighteen Guns, commanded by Capt. Thomas Bell; that sometime in the coming Spring, the Luzerne being then in her homeward bound voyage from France, was captured by an English Frigate of thirty two Guns; that he this declarer with the rest of the Crew of the Luzerne, ware landed at Limerick in Ireland, and after staying about three weeks were sent to the Cove of Cork, and there put on board of the Lenora a British 74 gun ship, and there remained a prisoner, untill [until] he landed at Plymouth in England, and then confined in the Mill prisons, for alledged [alleged] piracy and high treason, there to remain untill the King Should be pleased to order them for trial; That this declarer was thus confined for one year lacking
fifteen days, when after the capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army, the Declared with the other American prisoners were suffered to be exchanged, and sailed in a Cartill [cartel], and arrived at Philadelphia after an absence of one year and nine months. That soon, or within a few weeks thereafter he the Declarer shiped himself on board the Frigate South Carolina of forty guns & 783 men commanded by Capt John Joiner as a Midshipman of the first class Capable of navagating [navigating] a vessel of the first Class into any port, and lay at the Port of Philadelphia, and in the river, about two months- and then put to sea on a Cruise, and after being out about twenty hours, the South Carolina was captured by a 56 gun ship and two British frigates, and Sent into the part of Newyork, where the prisoners were put on board the Prison ship and there confined, until paroled, and Continued on parole untill peace was declared. That this declared pay on board the South Carolina was thirty Dollars as he understood per month and that the length of his Service on board her and prisoner was fifteen months and upwards. That at the time he served in the militia as before mentioned, his place of Residence was at Morristown in New Jersey; Since which he has resides in the City of Albany for thirty years and now resides at Stirling in the County of Cayuga-- and that he has no record of his age nor documentary evidence of his services.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present,
and declares that his name is not on the Pension role of the agency of any State.-

Abijah Hunt

Sworn to and subscribed the day of
and year aforesaid
Page 27

We David Currie a clergyman, residing in the Town of Stirling, Cayuga County and John McFadden, residing in the same town do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abijah Hunt who has subscribed and sworn to the ['above' crossed out] within declaration, and that we believe him to be Seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the
neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we Concur in the opinion.-}. 

David Currie
John McFadden

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, and within named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he States, and the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that David Currie who hath signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman, resident in Stirling- and that John McFadden who has also signed the same is a resident of the town of Stirling in the County of Cayuga, and is a credible person, and that their statements are entitled to credit.

I Michel S. Myers Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Cayuga and State of New York, Do hereby Certify, that the within and above contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of Abijah Hunt for- a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal ofOffice. this twenty third day of January A.D. 1833.  
M.S. Myers Clerk
Page 28

service on board
the Privateer & alleged
service of 3mo in
his brother place in open
any Regt who appears by
the rolls not to have been
substituted at any time
disallowed
Adm D
3mo apri.
15
Midshipman
of 40 gun ship
-
10
20
72
18
__
90
Page 29

State of New York }
Chenango County }
Town of Bainbridge } ss
Joshua Mersereau of the town
County and State aforesaid being duly sworn on his
oath says that according to the best of his information
and belief he was seventy one years old last
June & that in the year 1782 some time about the
month of June or July Capt Abijah Hunt came
to Philadelphia and to the best of the recollection
of this deponent came in company of this deponents
father who introduced him to Comodore Gillard
and recommended him, the said Hunt as a suitable
person to fill the office of Midshipman on board
the Friget South Carolina commanded by John
Joyner, and that Comodor Gillard Engaged the
said Hunt in that [illegible] a office. This deponent having
previously been engaged as carpenter of said ship
and having frequent occasion to call on the 
comdore by his special desire to make reports to him, gave
him this deponent an opportunity of free conversation
particularly from his kind attention to this deponent
that Capt Hunt was on board said ship in the war
and that on or about the twentieth of December
they sailed [we sailed crossed out] out to sea, was soon attacked
by three British ships of war and taken off
the cape of Delaware and further that on the second
day after we were captured the weather being hazy
and our convoys not to be seen a plan was projected
by & among the prisoners to raise in mass & return the ship & fight our way into some port, and that
this deponent personally put the question to the said
Hunt whether he was capable of navigating the
ship if the said prisoners succeeded in retaking
her to which he replied he was the prisoners already
had an arm chest at their command and this
deponent requested said Hunt to stand by & take charge
of said a chest and hand out the arms when
the word was given to raise, for which purpose this
deponent was to go on deck & see of all was clear
Page 30


and give the signal & attack the officer near the 
companion which would make the way clear for the
prisoners to mch on the quarter deck where the 
contest was to take place, that this deponent was on the
quarter deck & supposed the proper time had arrived
when another officer came running towards this deponent
from the cabin with a pistol in each hand
& threatening to blow him through ordered him below
He instantly shot the companion [illegible]. They had
by some means discovered the intended attack the
prisoners were instantly ordered into the ward room & to
be quiet. The ship soon arrived at New York
the prisoners remained several days on board the said
ship in that situation this deponent saw several of
his friends by whom he gave information to his
father and Genl Washington of his & the said
Hunts situation who with the rest of the prisoners were
transferred on board of the Scorpion prison ship
Here their sufferings were severe being plundered
of their blankets and clothing and without fire and
a short allowance of provisions of the poorest
quality But arguably to the information that this
deponent had given to his friends they procured
from the British Commissary a parole of honor
for this deponent & the said Hunt. They then returned to Jersey and continued on parole until
the defenden treaty was approved of which released
from their obligations-- And further this deponent
says that in the year 1782 the said Hunt, in
frequent familiar conversations, did inform this
deponent of having been taken prisoner & taken
to Inland & transfered to England as set forth
in the declaration of the said Hunt and this 
deponent verily believed at that time & now believes the 
same to be true. And this deponent further saith
that in the year 1800 this deponent being in attendance on the Legislature at Albany as a member
thereof and the said Hunt then residing in that city in
mercantile business they received the former [illegible]
Page 31

and from that time to this it was continued by doing
business & otherwise and this deponent says that from these facts &
such intimate acquaintance & form the general character
of the said Hunt he this deponent has the strongest
reasons to believe that he the said Hunt is 
a man of truth and veracity and that the services
stated by him in his declaration both as a soldier
and a sailor in the revolution are entitled to full
credit, he the said Hunt having frequently
repeated the same to this deponent in long gone
by & sociable conversation conversation [crossed out] and for
then this deponent saith he verily believes the said
Hunt to be rising of Seventy year of age, having been
acquainted with him more than fifty years
and further this deponent saith not 
Joshua Mersereau
Sworn to this 30th day
of October 1832
before me
Levi Bigelow
a Judge Chenango County 

I Levi Bigelow a Judge of Chenango
Common pleas
do certify that I have been acquainted with the
above named Joshua Mersereau for Fifteen years
last past, that he is in the vicinity where he
resides
reputed to be a man of truth and
veracity and I have no doubt of the facts set
fourth in the above affidavit - October 30 1832
Levi Bigelow
Page 32

State of New York }
Chenango County } ss
I James H Pike
Clerk of said County do certify that Levi
Bigelow before whom the within affidavit
purports to have been sworn was at the
Date of the same one of the Judges of
the Court of Common pleas in and
for the said County that I am 
acquainted with his hand writing and verily
believe his name subscribed to the said
affidavit to be his genuine hand writing
and Signature
Witness my hand and seal
of Office this 31st October
1832
J H. Pike Clk

W. B. Comadore Gillan of the State of South Carolina was
the agent for filing out five frigates in the Revolutionary War
for said State of which the South Carolina was one

(left edge)
Service on board 
the Privateer & alleged
service of 3 mo in 
his brothers place in [illegible]
reg't who appears by 
the rolls not to have been
substituted at any time
disallowed. 
Adm'd
3 mo pri Feby [or July]
15 - Midshipman
of 40 years ship
10
20
Page 33

State of New York }
Albany County } ss Abijah Hunt of Stirling, Cayuga County
being duly sworn, deposeth, that he is a Pensioner of the United 
States
under the act of Congress
of June 7, 1832, at the rate of one
hundred Dollars per annum. That there
was due to him on the
fourth day of March last past six months pay, which is still due &
unpaid. That on the 12th day of September last he received his
semi-annual stipend due on the 4th day of that month
That a few days afterwards he lost his original pension certificate
That he has since made diligent search for it, and has not yet been
able to find it - That he was on a visit to Brooklyn Long Island
last fall and believes he lost said certificate there, as it was whilst
he was in that place that he first missed it. That this deponent has
advertized in the public papers that he has lost said certificate, and can
obtain no information resputing it and verily believes that the same
is lost or destroyed - That this Deponent does not recollect the
number on date of his said Certificate. That this Deponent of
obtained a pension for his services as a private in Capt Britton's Company
Col. Spencer's Regiment New Jersey troops & as a Midshipman on board
of the Ship South Carolina
Abijah Hunt
Sworn and subscribed this 14th day
June 1837 before me -
L Jenkins Comr of Deeds
The under "one year" erased & "six months" interlined
S. Jenkins Comr of Deeds
Page 34

State of New York }
Albany County } ss: Robert Shepherd of the City of Albany
being duly sworn, deposeth, that he know the within named
Abijah Hunt & has been acquainted with him he served
years, & has no doubt that he is a Pensioner of the United 
States, as within mentioned
R. Shepherd
Sworn and subscribed this 14th
day of June 1837 before me
L. Jenkins Comr of  Deeds
I certify that the above Deponent is a credible witness &
also that I know the within named Abijah Hunt
& have no doubt he is the person he describes himself
to be in the within affidavit
L. Jenkins
Comr of Deeds

State of New York }
County of Albany } SS. I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the
said County do hereby certify that Lemuel Jenkins
Esq. before whom the preceeding affidavit was subscribed
and sworn and whose name is subscribed to the above
certificate of credibility was on the day of the date of
the same a Commissioner of Deeds &c and that his
name subscribed to said affidavit & certificate
is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of the said County this
14th day of June 1837.
C.A. Ten Eyck Clerk