Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 3939, John Carter, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE   NUMBER
Penn.  Carter, John    W 3939
             Helena     B.L. Wt. 10216-160-55
Page 2

Declaration of Mrs. Helena Carter Widow of deceased John Carter of the Am. Rev. Army [illegible]
Page 3

State of New Jersey, Mercer County ss:
Be it known that Before the Superior Court of Common Pleas holden at the city of Trenton in and for the County of Mercer, being a Court of Record, this Fifteenth day of June of the year of our Lord A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty four in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress of the seventh of July A.D. eighteen hundred thirty eight and of the third of March A.D. eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared in open court Mrs. Helena Carter sometimes called Sarah Carter (formerly Willett) a resident citizen of the said City and County, aged the [illegible] Seventy Seven years and alleging herself to be conscientiously of taking an oath, before her solemn affirmation in due form of Law, doth make the following Declaration and say that she is the widow of John Carter deceased who was a Lieutenant in the American Continental Army, and served as she always understood from the beginning in 1776 until the end of the Revolutionary War.
That at the time her said husband John Carter entered the service and joined the army he was a young man about nineteen, residing with his father Joseph Carter of the mill in Northhampton township, Bucks County Pennsylvania. That she lived with her Father Jonathan Willet at South Hampton about two miles distant. The he was detained a Prisoner of War upon the Long Island about fifteen months as she heard and always understood and believed. That she was married to her said Husband John Carter December 27, 1787 of Bensalem, Bucks County by Samuel Benezet Esquire a Justice of the Peace of that County
Page 4

and in the presence of Jonathan Shaw, John Mitchell, James Harrison, Ann Shaw, Sarah Mitchell, Rachel Willett (her neice), Sally Walton, Elizabeth Willett, her Cousins, Catherine Benezet, Anna Robers, and Barnard Vendegrift acquaintances, neighbors and friends. All of whom subscribe their names in the own proper hand writing from together with her said Husband and herself to the original  certificate subscribed by the said Justice and which is hereunto annexed and [illegible] Exhibited a Charles M. Biles, J.P. and Charles Burrough Judge. That after their intermarriage they lived at Millford in the same County, and in a short time removed to Pennypack near Holmesburgh; thence they removed to Pequeston Mills & there they continued to reside until his death in Lancaster in seventeen hundred and ninety three.
That she had by her said Husband one son which died an infant and two Daughters, Mary & Sarah Mitchell Carter now wife of Abraham Woodruff of the City of Trenton with whom they share Daughter Mary at present reside and have so resided for many years.
Her said Husband John Carter departed this life at their residence of the Pequeston Mills near Holmesburgh Pennsylvania of yellow fever September 23, 1793. Leaving affirment his widow with her two Daughters above named [illegible] surviving, both very young, and that she hath no remarried and now is still the widow of the said John Carter deceased, but still in intolerable health.
/s/ Helena Carter
Taken, affirmed and subscribed at the city of Trenton, Mercer.
Page 5

County New Jersey in open court before me this 15th day of June A.D. 1844 }
And I do hereby certify that am well acquainted with this affirmant and have been for many years while resident in the this City, and that she is a woman of great respectability of character and entitled to full faith and credit. The word "Pequeston" being first written upon an erasure.
/s/ Chas Burroughs Judge.

New Jersey Mercer ss. Abraham Woodruff son-in-law of Helena Carter above named a woman of good character for integrity & veracity & entitled to full credit personally known to me, who upon being duly sworn declares upon oath, and certifies that the facts & circumstances above set forth in the Declaration of Helena Carter conforms with the [illegible] Declaration & History in [illegible] & the subject matter which his [illegible] in the family of deponent during the whole period of his conversations with the family & acquaintances with its [illegible] and that she believes thence & be true, and that the [illegible] delay in the present application in relation thereto was the reluctance of the Petitioner Helena Carter arising from religious [illegible] being of the Society of Friends, and that [illegible] have but recently overcome on account of the [illegible] position of the Petitioner sworn in
Page 6

her advanced age which also affects those of her family with whom she hath been[illegible] 
/s/ A. Woodruff
& sworn & subscribed before me
/s/  Chas Burroughs Judge

[The following is written in the left margin]
declaration of Mrs. Helena Carter
widow of Lieut John Carter of the  Am. Rev. Army decd. [deceased]
Page 7

Marriage
"John Carter & Helenah Willet was married 27th of December one thousand Seven hundred & Eighty Seven, 1787 by Samuel Benezett Esqr of Bensalem, Bucks County Pennsylvania."

Deaths
John Carter departed this life the twenty eighth day of September 1793, aged 40 years.

State of New Jersey ss
On this 5th day of April A.D. 1855 before me a Master in Chancery for said State personally appeared Abraham Woodruff a resident of the City of Trenton in the County of Mercer and State aforesaid to me well known who being duly sworn according to law declared the foregoing extracts from the Family Bible record of Helena Carter are true and correct and taken from and Compared therewith and believes the same to be true and that he had no interest in her application for Bounty land.
/s/ A Woodruff
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year above written.
/s/ Charles G. McChesney
Page 8

State of New Jersey.
I, Thomas S. Allison, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that Charles G. McChesney Esquire before whom the within affidavits were taken, was, at the time of the doing thereof, a Master of Chancery duly authorized to administer oaths in and for the State of New Jersey in said state, duly commissioned and sworn; that full faith and credit are to be given to his official attestations, and that the signatures thereto are in the proper handwriting of the said
Charles G. McChesney Esq.
In testimony whereof, I have set my hand, an affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said state, this Sixteenth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five.
/s/ Thos. S. Allison
Secretary of State.
Page 9

[The original document is damaged with portions missing]
New Jer
Helena Car[ter] widow of John Carter Penn who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Lieutenant
[illegible] $186:66
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 288 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.  Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of June 185[illegible] and sent to Alex Ray
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act of February 2, 1848. Page 287 Vol.4

287
Page 10

87.194 Acts 3 March }
April 21} 1855

Helena Carter widow of John Carter  dec'd  [illegible]

Capt. McKissack  Penn. Mil.

Pensioner
Revolutionary War

[Three faint, illegible lines of text]

Chas. G. McChesney
Trenton
N.J.

Vol.  [illegible] 5.

[There is an illegible line of text written diagonally across the page]
Page 11

BOUNTY LAND CLAIM.
DECLARATION FOR WIDOW OF A DECEASED OFFICER OR SOLDER.
WHO HAS NOT HAD A LAND WARRANT

STATE OF NEW JERSEY }ss.
County of [blank] }
On this Fifth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Master of Chancery within and for the County and State aforesaid Mrs. Helena Carter aged Eighty Seven years, a resident of Trenton Mercer County in the State of New Jersey who being duly affirmed according to law declares, that she is the widow of John Carter deceased, who was a Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Captain McKissack in the [blank] regiment of [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Bucks County militia in the State of Pennsylvania in the Revolution of 1776. that her said husband was a Prisoner of War at New York on or about the [blank] day of [blank] A.D. 1778 for the term of [blank] and continued in actual service in said war for the term of [blank] and was honorably discharged at [blank] on the [blank] day of [blank] A.D. [blank].
She further states that she was married to the said John Carter in Bucks Co. Pa. on the twenty seventh day of December A.D. Seventeen hundred Eighty Seven(1787)  by one Samuel Benezette [sic] a Justice of the Peace and that her name before her said marriage was Helenah Willett that her said husband died at Bucks Co. Pa. on the twenty eighth day of September A.D. Seventeen hundred ninety three (1793) and that she is now a widow and draws a pension of $266.66 per annum under act of February 2, 1848, refer to her declaration on file for proof.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3d, 1855.  /s/ Helena Cater.
We Abraham Woodruff and  A. Jackson Smith residents of Trenton, Mercer County in the State of New Jersey upon our oaths declare, that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mrs. Helena Carter in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she presents herself to be.
/s/ A. Woodruff
/s/ A. Smith

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed, before me on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
/s/ Charles G. McChesney

I hereby certify that Mrs. Helena Cater above named is inscribed on the pension Roll of the Agency of N. Jersey, Act of Feb. 2, 1848, at $266.66 per annum.
Trenton April 17, 1855.
/s/ Phoe Dickinson [illegible]
Page 12

O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
E. S.    Bureau of Pensions,
H.  S. O.
Washington, D. C. January 30, 1896.

Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of  --- John Carter --- a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[The following are table headings, but the information provided in the letter are not in tabular format.]
[Column 1] Date of Enlistment or Appointment.
[Column 2] Length of Service.
[Column 3] Rank.
[Column 4] OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
[Column 4 A] Captain.
[Column 4 B] Colonel.
[Column 5] State.

The details of his military service are not specific in the widow's pension papers, but it is stated that he entered the service in the year 1775, at which time he was about nineteen years of age, as a Lieutenant in Capt. McKissick's company of Col. Butler's Pa. regiment and continued in the service as a Lieutenant until the close of the war. He was held as a prisoner of war on Long Island, from September 1777, to October, 1778, neither the particulars of his capture nor any other details of his service are given.

Battles engaged, None mentioned.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Carter's Mills, No. Hampton, Pa.
Date of application for pension. by widow, June 1844.
Residence at date of application, by widow, Trenton, N.J .
Age at date of application, of widow, seventy-seven years.

Remarks: Soldier married Helena Willett, Dec. 27, 1787, and died Sept. 28, 1793. The widow's application for pension was allowed.

Very respectfully,

F.B. Woodruff, Esq.  Commissioner
307 Security Bldg.
St. Louis, Mo.

[illegible initials at the bottom of the letter]
Page 13

[Right Image]
Mil History
F.B. Woodruff
Saint Louis
_____
May 2nd 1905 Hist to
Israel Johnson, Jr. Phila, Pa.
______
See letter in miscellaneous files to Mr. Elizabeth H. Ogden related to three John Carters Oct. 1, 9[illegible]

[Center image]
Revy. WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3939
Helena Carter 
wid.
John Carter
Lieut. Rev. War

Act: Feby 2nd/48
Index: - Vol. a, Page 113
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Right Image]

1895 Jan 30
Page 14

No. 87194
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.

Received Apr 21st, 1855

John Carter, Dec. Lieut.
Capt. McKissack
Penn. Militia
Rev. War

10216-160-55

/s/ Chas. G. Mc Chesney
Trenton
N.J.
Page 15

10216

[illegible]
Page 16

No 11684

Helena Carter
New Jersey
Sent to S. R. Hamilton
March 7th, 1845
Page 17

98[illegible]
New Jersey
Helena Carter
Widow of John Carter who was pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the [blank] of [blank] in the state of N. J. who was a Lieut. in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank] line for [illegible] $80

Inscribed on the Roll of N. J. at the rate of 186 Dollars 66 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Oct 1831 and sent to Alex Ray Present

Total amount $ [blank]
[Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by H. E. Robinson Clerk.
Book D Vol. 1  Page [blank]
Page 18

7542
New Jersey
Helena Carter
widow of John 
who was a Lieut. 
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 186 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 10 day of Oct. 1857. 
and sent to A. Ray
Present

[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]

Recorded in Book: a
Vol. 2  Page 94
Page 19

7542

New Jersey
Helena Carter
widow of John
who was a Lieutenant
in the Revolution

Incd. [increased] from $186.66
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 266 Dollars and 66
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
29th day of June 1853 and
sent to Alex Ray
Present

[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June
17, 1844.]

Recorded in Book: a
Vol. 2, Page 94
Page 20

9847
New Jersey
Helena Carter
widow of John 
who died on the [blank] of [blank] in the State of N. J.
who was a Lieut. in the [blank] commanded 
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by [blank] in the Revolution line for 20 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Trenton 
at the rate of 266 Dollars 66 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Incd. [increased] from $186:66.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of June 1853 and sent to
Alex Ray
Present

Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 8, 1838.}

Recorded by /s/ H. R. Weightman  Clerk
Book D  Vol. 1  Page 193
Page 21

2328
New Jersey
Helena Carter
widow of John Carter
who served in the Revolutionary
was, as a Lieutenant

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars [blank]
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
12 day of Dec 1848
and sent to Hon. Wm. A. Newell
H. of R.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 2, 1848, Page 287 Vol. 4.

Reported Dec 12/48.
Page 22

9847
New Jersey
Helena Carter
Widow of John Carter
who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank]
and who died on the 18th. September 1793
of Mercer Co. in the State of N. Jersey
who was a Lieut. in the company
commanded by Captain [blank] of the
[illegible] commanded by [blank] in 
the Fling Corps, for 6 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank]
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of
January 1846 and sent to Samuel R.
Hamilton Esq., Trenton, New Jersey

Total amount $400
[Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 1  Page 193.

Rep.?
Page 23

7542    Rep.?
New Jersey
Helena Carter
widow of John Carter
who was a Lieutenant
in the Revolution

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

Certificate of Pension issued the
29 day of January 1846
and sent to Saml. R. Hamilton, Esq.
Trenton, New Jersey

[Act of March 3, 1843.]

Recorded in Book A,
Vol. 2, Page 94
Page 24

[portion of page missing]28
New Jersey
Helena Carter
widow of John
who served in the Revolutionary
was, as a Lieut

Incd [increased] from $80
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 186 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 10 day of Oct 1857
and sent to  A. Ray, Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February, 1848, Page 287 Vol. 4
Page 25

In matter of Declaration of Helena Carter widow of decsd. [deceased] John Carter due
affirmation of Obadiah Willet
Page 26

State of Pennsylvania
Bucks County ss: Be it [illegible] that Obadiah Willett of the township of South Hampton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County who alleging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath upon his solemn affirmation doth depose and say that he was born on he always understood & believes was  21 of September A.D. 1755. at the time of Braddocks defeat, in the township of North Hampton adjoining his present residence about seven miles distant from his present dwelling and that he is at this time in his Eighty ninth year of age, and in tolerable health. That he has a wife & family of two sons and five daughters, all living, that he [illegible] manages his own, farm and plantation, containing about four hundred acres of land, himself. That he was well acquainted with Lieut. John Carter, who was about of the same age with this affirmant, when a boy together of the same neighbourhood [sic] that Carter might perhaps be one year older and that he was born & brought up at his Father Joseph Carter's mills in North Hampton township near the Buck tavern. This affirmant was a Volunteer in the Pennsylvania service during the American Revolution in 1776, and was himself in New York at the time the British troops drove the Americans from Long Island.
That his young friend and [illegible] Fellow John Carter enlisted into the American Continental army as a Lieutenant in 1775 as he believes under Capt. McKissack [illegible] and remained in the service of the Country as a Lieutenant in the
Page 27

American Continental army from the time he first entered in 1775, when about nineteen  or twenty years of age a very young man during the Revolutionary War. That he was during the war was detained a Prisoner of War for eighteen months upon Long Island.
That at the close of the war being honorably discharged from the Service, he returned home to his Father's House and family and on the 27 December 1787 married this affirmant's Sister Helena Willett, daughter of Jonathan & Deborah Willett, upon Certificate of Samuel Benezet Esquire a Justice of the Peace of the county of Bucks at Bensalem Pennsylvania which is now exhibited and marked Exhibit A.  Chs Biles J. P. Chs Burroughs Judge which he is satisfied and believes to be the original certificate of that marriage, subscribed & certified in the proper hand writing of the said Justice, together with the Parties (the said Helena having subscribed her name as she was sometimes called Lenah) one a number of witnesses who were young friends, companions and acquaintances of the Parties and with all of whom this affirmant was well acquainted excepting only Ann Shaw and [illegible]. That affirmant's Father Jonathan Willett resided at that time in the township of South Hampton and about two miles from Lieutenant John Carter's Father's mills, where the Lieutenant at that time resided. That the Lieutenant & his wife after their intermarriage went to live at Milford, there remained at the Pennsylvania Mills near Holmesburgh, thence they after
Page 28

ward removed to the Pequeston or Pequestown Mills as they were called,  lived where they continued to dwell until he died Sept 28, 1793 as was suffering of yellow fever, leaving the said Helena Carter his widow, [illegible] surviving, and so has remained sometime, and still is the Widow of her said Husband John Carter. That the issue of that marriage was a Son, which died in infancy and two Daughters, Mary Carter, and Sarah Mitchell Carter now wife of Abraham Woodruff of the City of Trenton and with whom the said Helena Carter the widow and Mary Carter the Daughter of the said Lieutenant John Carter deceased do at present reside and with whom in the said City of Trenton New Jersey she and he said Daughter Mary have constantly resided since the marriage of her Daughter Sarah to the Abraham Woodruff about thirty three or four years ago. Lieut. Carter was a miller by occupation.
/s/ Obadiah Willett
Affirmed and subscribed at South Hampton at the residence of the affirmant this 18th day of June A.D. 1844 before me a Justice of Peace of Bucks County, Pa. and I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the affirmant Obadiah Willett who resides in my neighborhood, and that he is a man of great respectability of character and entitled to full faith and credit.  The words "as he believes, under Capt  McKissack of [illegible] first interlined, near bottom of first page.

/s/ Stephen N. Bartine J. P.

[There is additional text following the above signature that is too faint to reliably read.]
Page 29

State of Pennsylvania, County of Bucks ss.
I Robert Stoneback Recorder of Deeds in and for said County do hereby certify that Stephen N. Bartine before whom the foregoing   affidavit appears to have been taken was at that time and is at present a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified to act as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said office at Doylestown this 15th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four.

/s/ R. Stoneback Recorder
Page 30

State of New Jersey}
Mercer County}  ss.
On this fourteenth day of June A. D. Eighteen hundred and fifty one, personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in this and for the County of said State aforesaid Helena Carter a resident of the City of Trenton in the County and State aforesaid aged Eighty four years who being first dully sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following supplemental declaration to the one now on file in the pension office under act "July 7, 1838." That she is the widow of John Carter late of the state pf Pennsylvania dec"d [deceased] who was a Lieutenant in the militia in said state militia in a Company commanded by Capt McKissack and that while in the service of the United States he was taken prisoner she believes in the year 1777, and carried to New York on Long Island and was there detained for upwards of Eighteen months before he was exchanged as a prisoner of war for which and other services she claimed
Page 31

an increase of pension to which she believes she is justly entitled being now in the receipt of one for six months service (in the flying camp) of her said husband in the early part of the war of the Revolution. For such further proof as may be required she respectfully refers to the Commissioner of Pensions to her original papers on file in his department.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
Before Obadiah Howell J. Peace }  /s/ Helena Carter 

State of New-Jersey,
I, Thomas S. Allison, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that Obadiah Howell Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was taken, was, at the time of the doing thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Mercer in said state, duly 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 Obadiah Howell Esquire.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said state, this fourteenth day of June A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty one.

/s/ Thos S. Allison
Secretary of State.
Page 32

Forward Certificate
to P. Dickinson Esq.
Trenton 
N.J.
Page 33

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 2nd of February, 1818, entitled, "An Act making further provision for surviving widows and soldiers of the Revolution."

STATE OF NEW JERSEY, }
Mercer County, } ss.

On this twenty ninth day of August 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Judge of the Common Pleas, in and for said county, Helena Carter aged Eighty one years, who being first duly affirmed according to law, doth on her affirmation, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of John Cater who was a Lieutenant in the war of the Revolution, and served in the Pennsylvania Line, and that she received Eighty dollars and [blank] cents per annum under the Act of June 17, 1844.

She further declares that she is still a widow.   /s/ Helena Carter

Affirmed TO AND SUBSCRIBED, THE DAY AND}
YEAR ABOVE WRITTEN, BEFORE ME. }

/s/ Chas Burroughs Judge.

I certify that the above named declarant is personally known to me.

/s/ Chas. Burroughs Judge.
Page 34

STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

I, Charles G. McChensey, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that Charles Burroughs Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was taken, was at the time of the doing thereof, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Mercer in said state, duly 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 Charles Burroughs.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said state this twenty ninth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.

/s/ Charles G. McChensey,
Sec'y of State.
Page 35

[This is a duplicate of the first image in the file]

(3-1776)

SERVICE  NUMBER
Penn.  Carter, John  W.3939
Helena  B.L Wt. 10216-160-55
Page 36

Bucks ss: I do hereby certify that John Carter and Helena Willett were joined in Holy Matrimony by me this Twenty Seventh Day of December in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Seven in the Presence of the subscribing Witnesses. Witness my Hand the Day and Year above written.
/s/ Sam. Benezet

Witnesses
/s/ John Carter
/s/ Lenah Carter
/s/ Jonathan Shaw
/s/ John Mitchell
/s/ James Harrison
/s/ Ann Shaw
/s/ Sarah Mitchell
/s/ Rachel Willett
/s/ Sally Walton
/s/ Elizabeth Willett
/s/ Catherine Benezet
/s/ Anna Robers
/s/ Bernard Vandergrift
Page 37

Rec. Mar 6 45  No. 11684

Helena Carter
N.J.
Act 7 July 38

Saml R. Hamilton
Trenton
Page 38

State of New Jersey
I Charles G. Mc Chensey Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Charles Burroughs Esquire before whom the Declaration of Helena Carter, and the affidavit of Abraham Woodruff were made & taken was at the time of the doing therefore one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Mercer in said State duly appointed and 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 Charles Burroughs.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Trenton in said State this twenty seventh day of February A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty five.

/s/ Charles G. Mc Chensey
Secy. of State
Page 39

Payment to be made at Trenton by P. Dickinson Esq.
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of N.J.
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March

Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2d, 1848, Page [blank] Vol. [blank]

H.E. Robinson Clerk.
Page 40

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848
Helena Carter, widow of John Carter, who was a Lieutenant in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of 180 dollars and 66 cents per annum, commencing on the  4th of March 1848 and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not Payable after the time of such marriage. Former payments at $80 per annum to be canceled.
Given at the Department of the Interior this 10" day of October one thousand eight hundred and 51.

/s/ Alex H.H. Stewart
Secretary of the Interior.

Examined and Countersigned.
/s/ J.E. Heath
Commissioner pf Pensions.
Page 41

Paid to 4 Sept 1851.
Paid to 4 March 1852.
Paid to 4 Sept 1852.
Paid to 4 March 1853.
Page 42

Brief in the case of Helena Carter widow of John Mercer County and State of New Jersey act July 7, 1838, [illegible]

Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Increase for the six months service in the Flying camp which had [illegible] in a former adjustment, but which the Commissioner after a consideration of the facts, on the 16th of May
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
1853 ordered to be remitted.

Name and residence of agent
Alexander Ray
Present

Examining Clerk,
Ogden Niles
Page 43

Brief in the case of Helena Carter, wid. [widow] of John Carter [blank] County and of New Jersey act of 7 July 1838 and supplemental

Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance

Additional recr & evidence of service furnished

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Names and Residence of Agent. Alex Ray Present.
F.F. Kirby
Examining Clerk
Page 44

Helena Carter
Communication
Jan 24, 1846

Saml R. Hamilton
Trenton, N.J.
Page 45

In answer to the communications which I had the honour to receive from  Col. Edwards of the U.S. Pension Office Washington of March 7, 1845 it is respectfully submitted that a certificate in the case of Helena Carter of Trenton N. J. widow of Lieut. John Carter late of P.A. dec'd. be formulated upon the greater allowance of six months service in the Pa. "Flying Camp" of Revolutionary service. Such allowance such  [illegible] her claim to increase allowance upon subsequent additional & more [illegible] service are part of her Husbands during the Revolution.
Your obd Servt. [obedient servant]
/s/ Saml. R. Hamilton
Trenton N.J.
Jany 28, 1846

Col. Edwards
Comss. of Pensions
Page 46

Elias Boudinet Esq. Commissary General of Prisoners for the United States of America
To Lewis Pintard

Foy Sundry Supplies furnished the following American Officers, Prisoner of war as per their [illegible]
[The following is in a table.]
[Col 1] Date
[Col 2] Name
[Col 3] Rank
[Col 4] State
[Col 5] Reg.
[Col 6] Comp.
[Col 7] Sterling Pound symbol

[Row 1] Apr 12, 1777  John Carter   Lieu.  Pennsylvania  Col. Barter Mc Kissack  4  6  5
[Row 2] Oct 15 "  Do [Ditto] Do.  Do. Do  Mc Kissack 2 10 [blank]
[Row 3] Oct 30, 1778 Do Do. Do. Do. Mc Kissack 38 16 1

State of New Jersey
I Thomas S. Allison Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the forgoing is a true extract from a paper [illegible] as above, as taken from & compared with the original on file in my office.
In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton this fourteenth day of June Eighteen hundred & fifty one.
/s/ Thos. S. Allison
Page 47

[See previous image as this is a duplicate of image 46]
Page 48

State of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia County ss: Be it known that Thomas Chappell of Moreland Township in the County of Philadelphia personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of Peace in and for said County, alleging himself to be conscientious & scrupulous of taking an oath, upon his solemn affirmation doth declare, depose and say that he was born in 1760 Nov 1 (and is now in his eighty fourth year) in this town where he now resides. That when young he was acquainted with John Carter and Helena Willett that he believes about two years, at the Bishop mills about two miles from Carters mills the Father of John Carter. That he knew John Carter was in the American army and served during the Revolutionary war, that he was always called Lieutenant and he believes he was a Lieutenant in that service.
That after the war the said John Carter resided with his wife and family at the Pequeston mills, and died, as it was believed, of the yellow fever. That affirment frequently [illegible] and took flour to Lieut. Carter mills to be sold, and took down to Philadelphia where the goods were had there being no bridges and being obliged to send that way by water. That he is informed & believes that Lieut. John Carters widow resides with her so-in-law Abm. Woodruff of Trenton, New Jersey.
/s/ Thos Chappell

[The following is a margin note that continues in the net image]
The word "two" on the 12th line and the word "Widow" on the
Page 49

[Continuation of margin note from last image]
[illegible] line but [illegible] being first interlined, and affirmed and subscribed June 19 1844 Before me and I do certify that affirment is a man of character for integrity & veracity and entitled to credit  among his neighborhood.

/s/ Franklin Comly
Justice of the Peace

City of Philadelphia ss:
I Richard L. Lloyd Recorder of Deeds for the City and County of Philadelphia do Certify that Franklin Comly Esq. before whom the foregoing record and attestation was made, and who has thereto Subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing and still is a Justice of the Peace of the County of Philadelphia, duly commissioned and Sworn to all whose acts as such full faith and credit and ought to be given in Court of Justice as therein. 
Witness my Hand and Seal of Office the 3d of July A.D. 1844
/s/ Rich. L. Lloyd
Rec'd
Page 50

Washington
June 17, 1857

J. E. Eath Esq
Comss. of Pensions

Sir,
 I herewith enclose you an amended declaration made by Helena Carter a pensioner under act 1838, on the New Jersey roll.
She states, she is now in the act of a pension for 6 mo. service of her husband as a Lieut. in the flying camp of Pa. and now claims upon the evidence enclosed an allowance of 13 mo. additional amount of pension on account of her husbands services as a prisoner of war.

I remain very respectfully
Your Ob. Ser.
/s/ Alex Ray
Page 51

Washington May 12, 1853

Hon. L. P. waldo
Comss. of Pensions

Sir,
In the case of Helena Carter widow of John a pensioner on the New Jersey roll Act 1838, I have to state, in her original declaration she declared for her husbands service as a Lieut. in the Flying Camp in 1775 in Penna line, and subsequently a prisoner of war for eighteen months.
She claims for 6 mo. service is the Flying Camp was entitled and of endorsement made on the papers to that effect by Commissioner Edwards. In 1851 the claim was placed in my hands with evidence which I filed showing that Lieut. John Carter was a prisoner from Sep 1777 to Oct. 1778. An allowance was made for service as prisoner of war [illegible] clerk refused to continue the 6 mos service allowed by Commissioner Edwards in 1775.6 in the Flying Camp.
I am not prepared to state the character of proof which governed the late commissioner in the allowance he made, but am fully satisfied he [illegible] now has granted a pension in this, or in any [illegible] case until he was perfectly satisfied to his mind that the service was rendered.
I maintain an allowance in this case made in the hand writing of a Commissioner of Pensions; is not only to be respected, but binding
Page 52

on the department, unless it can be shown it was wrongfully allowed.  And I can hardly presume that any one now venture even to [illegible] Comms. Edwards ever allowed a case unless supported by evidence satisfactory to him.
The time of the Flying Camp was in the year 1775.6 while the proof I presented of his, Lieut. John Carter imprisonment was in 1777.8. I cannot be supposed, he was taken a prisoner the first day he entered its service.
And I should have to contend, when the case was up in 1851 that knowing the personal feeling that against the late Commissioner Edwards did not press the question before the [illegible].
I, therefore,  now claim that the 6 mos. service heretofore allowed by the late commissioner be added to the time of 16 mos. allowed for as prisoner.
I have the honor to remain Obd [illegible]
/s/ Alex Ray
Page 53

Washington
June 27, 1853

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comss. of Pensions

Sir,
In compliance with your request, I send herewith enclosed the pension cert. of Mrs. Helena Carter act 1838 of New Jersey.
I have the honor to remain Your Ob. Ser.
/s/ Alex Ray
Page 54

Helena Carter

Payment to be made at Trenton by P. Dickinson Esq. Agent for paying pensioners, in the Agency of New Jersey. 

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March


Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2d, 1848, Page 287 Vol. 4.

//s//
Leo Jenkins Clerk


Returned in lieu of one issued for an increase of $106 66/100.
Page 55

War Department
Widow's Pension.

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848, Helena Carter, widow of John Carter who was in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the War Office of the United States the 12th day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

                                 //s//
                           W. E. Marcy
                                       Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned, 
//s//
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 56

paid to 4 Sept 1848
paid to 4 March 1849
paid to 4 Sept 1849
paid to 4 March 1850
paid to 4 Sept 1850
paid to 4 March 1851
paid to 4 Sept 1851
Page 57

8'46

Helena Carter
widow of John 
Carter Lieutenant
Flying Camp
(6 months)
$80 per annum
Act '38
 "    '43      8602
  "   '44        430

New Jersey Roll

Married - 27 Dec 1787
Husband died - 28 Sept 1793

Cert: to Saml. R. Hamilton
Trenton
 New Jersey

Broadhead 
    H.R.
Page 58

Increases
_________

New Jersey Roll

Helena Carter widow
of John.

Act. Acts July '38. '43, 44, and '48.

20 mo. Lieut. $266.66 per annum

Deducting former payments at $186.66.

Certificate to Alexander Ray 

Present
Page 59

Increase

Helena Carter
Wid. of John
N.J.
Acts '38, '43, '44, '48.

14 month Lieut. $186.66 per annum

Former payment at $80 per an: to be deducted.
Page 60

State of Pennsylvania.
Office of Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Harrisburg, Pa. Nov. 20, 1832.

R. McCrae Esq.
Pension Office

Dear Sir,

   In reply to yours of the 16th inst., I have to state that there is no evidence in this office of an  "Issue of a Commission to John Carter as ensign in Captain McKissock's Company in Col. Baxter's regiment of the Panna. Flying Camp about Sept. 19th 1776."  nor is there any evidence of his subsequent commission as a Lieutenant. 

   The name of John Carter appears on an old pay roll as a private in the 9th Regiment, Captain Thomas B. Bowen, July 1778, with the figures; "56: 6: 5." prefixed to a (illegible) designed to (illegible) his pay in shilling money.

 I am very respectfully
your obt. sevnt.
//s//
John M. Sullivan
Deputy Vice Commisioner
Page 61

Helena Carter wid. of John 
Rev. Pensioner Dep 2, 1848
New case 162 (illegible) Nw Jer

Charles G. McChesney
Trenton
N. Jersey
Page 62

Mr. Warner,

Dear Sir,

   Thank you very much for the authentic account of John Carter.  I am a member of the Founders & Patriots Colonies Dowes and Philadelphia Chapter of D.A.R. on
Page 63

mother's side on account of my son wanted to have the data of my father's (illegible).

Very respectfully,
Laura Raguet Johnson
Page 64

Mrs. William H. Bailey

Dear Sir,

    Can you give me any information in regard to John Cater my great, great grandfather. He entered service as Lieutenant in 1775.  I think of Capt. McKisseck Co. Col (next page)
Page 65

Butlers Penna. Request confirmed in service till close of war, died 1793 aged 40.
Understand his widow Helena Carter, who died in Trenton N.J July 27th 1863, received a pension till the day of her death.
Respectfully
Laura R. Johnson
Page 66

From
Mrs. Israel H. Johnson Jr.
117 South 42nd Street
Philadelpiha, Pa.
May sixteenth 1905
Page 67

Respectfully referred to Chief of Old War and Navy for for reply
W.D. Bayley

[Date stamp]
CHIEF'S DESK
Old War and Navy Division
MAY 17 1905

{Date Stamp]
BUREAU OF PENSIONS CHIEF CLERK
MAY 17 1905
Page 68

F. B. Woodruff,
Selling Agent for 
Carter Rice & Co.   307 Security Building
Boston Mass  St. Louis, MO
Paper.   Dec. 26, 95

Hon. William Lochran
U.S. Com. of Pensions Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
In order to make my application to join the sons of the Revolution I would like from you the Mem. of pension drawn by Helen W. Carter of Trenton New Jersey she was the wife of Lieut. John Carter of the Continental Army from Bucks Co. Penna. She was my Great Grandmother and died in 1863.  
If you can furnish me this information and anything in regard to Lieut. John Carters service you will greatly oblige.
Dic. F.S.w  Yours Truly
[an illegible flourish]

[In the left margin are the hand written notes]
939  Wid.