Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 398, for William Pence, New Jersey
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(8-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Pence, Willam
Britton, Elizabeth
(Former widow)

NUMBER
W. 398

CONTENTS
This woman's other husband was pensioned.
See claim of Daniel Brittan, New Jersey S. 24070
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth County   SS.
   On this twenty first day of November A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty three.  Personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the Judges of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth, Elizabeth Britton a resident of the Township of Upper Freehold in the county and state aforesaid, A person of credability and truth In the eighty seventh year of her age.  Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4, 1836 And the Act explanatory of said act passed March 3d 1847.  That she was married to William Pence Who was first a malitia man in the service of the United States in New Jersey And afterwards to the best of declarants recollection He enlisted in What was called Maj Lees Legion of horse some time in the winter of Seventeen hundred and seventy nine (1779)  That he was home a number of times at Allentown Where they resided and where applicant kept house.  That the last time he was home was in the year 1782 that he never returned and as applicant heard and believes that he was either killed in battle or died in the service -
She further declares that she was Married to the said William Pence on the seventh day of November In the year of seventeen hundred and seventy eight.  By Robert Willson esquire.  that she had a certificate of Marriage and also record of it - And the birth of her child by the said William Pence all of which was destroyed with the dwelling and property of her second husband in the year 1809 in the county of Cape May and state of New Jersey.  That she had a son by the said Pence whose name was William and Who died in Allentown Monmouth County six years ago leaving a wife and children, she also declares that she knows of no one living
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Who was present at their said marriage.  Nor dies she know of any record evidence in the World  That her husband the aforesaid William Pence died in the Army or in battle after the year 1782 As she believes and has heard as he never returned.  That she was afterwards Married to Daniel Britton.  Who was a private in the 2d Jersey Regt. of the Revolution and drew a pension of 96 dollars till his death, and also a Private in the 15th Jersey Infantry in the late War, in which he received a wound in the neck.  At the battle of Plattsburgh of which wound he afterwards died and that her children by the said Britton received a land Warrant for 160 acres of land.  That the said Daniel Britton deid on the seventeenth of May 1823.  That she was a widow on the 4th July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Elizabeth ( her X mark) Britton

Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year
above Written
Before
   William L. Imlay Judge

I certify that the above declarant Elizabeth Britton is unable to appear in open Court on account of Bodily infirmity.
   William L Imlay Judge
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State of New Jersey
[seal affixed]
I Charles G McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby cerfity that William L Imlay before whom the declaration of Elizabeth Britton & affidavit of James Chambers were made & taken, was at the time of the doing thereof a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas & Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Monmouth in said State, that Richard L Beatty Esqr. before whom the affidavit of Amy Anderson was taken was at the time of the doing thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County of Monmouth and that John B Mount Esqr. before whom the affidavit of Jacob Hall and John Hammell were taken, was at the time of the doing thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Mercer in Said State all duly appointed commissioned & sworn that full faith and credit are to be given to their official attestation and that the Signatures thereto are in the proper handwriting of the Said William L Imlay, Richard L Beatty & John B Mount Esqr

   In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Trenton in said State this twenty eighth day of May A.D. One thousand eight hundred & forty four.
Charles. G. McChesney
Secy of State
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Copy
Office of Secy of State
Trenton Jany. 10, 1842

Dear Sir

  Mrs Elizabeth Britton asserts That her first husband John Spence enlisted at a place called New Mills Burlington County under Capt. Zebulon Pike in the Revolutionary Army served to the end of the War of six years as she says.  Came home and again enlisted in the Western expedition in which he died.  Supposed to have been slain November 4th 1791 in St Clairs defeat.  She was married to John Spence before he enlisted under Pike some where in Cape May or in the lower Counties.  In 1791 or 2 she again married Thomas Daniel Britton who was a Revolutionary soldier a few years before the close of the Revolution.  Thomas Daniel Britton enlisted in the late War under Capt. Charles Carson of the 15 Infantry received a wound in the neck at the Battle of Plattsburgh which caused his death. her children by Britton received a warrant for 160 acres of land.
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She is very aged and infirm, and almost suffering only for the charity of her neighbours, one of whom (Capt David Fisher) has called and made the above statement.  Will you oblige Mr. Fisher so much as to go to the Department and ascertain about the service under Capt Z. Pike.  Mr. Fisher says she thinks was in the Light Dragoons but she is not certain.  The proof is such a distance off that unless the records at the Dept contains the facts, it is useless for her friends to go to any expence in the prosecution of her claim  She desires (under the first husband) to make the application.  She resides about 3 miles from Allentown and 2 from John B. Mount Esqr (Memr Legislature)  Will you ascertain it the first opportunity

Respectfull Yr. Obt. Servt.
(signed)  Charles G. McChesney

Hon. Wm Halsted
House of Reps.
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth County   Ss
   On this fourteenth day of february A.D. 1844.  Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Personally appeared Amy Anderson (Late Amy Pence) A person of credability and truth in the fifty fourth year of her age Who being duly sworn according to Law on her oath deposeth and saith, That I was married to William Pence on the first day of June AD 1822, That I have six children by him, four of which are still living Viz. John, David, George and Abigail Pence  That the above named William Pence departed this life on the first day of february AD 1837  That he left no record of his birth That he was the son and only child of William and Elizabeth Pence as deponent has always understood that his father the former husband of the present Elizabeth Britton died in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War.  That after said War Mrs Pence married one  Daniel Britton by whom she had several children who are still living  That the said Daniel Britton died in the Late War  That the said Elizabeth Britton has not married again since his death
Amy (her X mark) Anderson

Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year above
Written
  Before RTV Scott
One of the Justices of the Peace Jsy
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State of New York
Mercer County    Ss

   On the 11th day of November A.D. 1843 before the Subsciber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Jacob Hall of East Windsor in said County, in the eighty third year of his age a person of credibility and truth who being duly sworn according to law on his oath Saith, that he well recollects Elizabeth Walton (now Britton) who was a cousin to dept. and married William Pence about the time he enlisted in Capt. Bowman's company of the 2d. Jersey Regt for the war.  he was then in the 9 month Service.  his said cousin married William Pence about a week before dept. enlisted.  they then kept house at Allentown and he remained all night with them sometime afterwards the said William Pence enlisted in Maj Lees troop of horse.  dept. was wounded in the battle of Springfield in June 1780 in the Shoulder and received a furlough.  he then visited his cousin Elizabeth Pence in Allentown.  She then had a son called William named after her husband who was then absent in the army some time about the end of the Revolution or a little time after.  it was reported he well recollects that Billy Pence as he was called was killed in battle in the South.  he never returned, as dept. has always lived in the same neighbourhood since except for a year or two.  the said Elizabeth Pence afterwards married Daniel Britton who was wounded in the late war with England at Plattsburgh of which wound he died.  her son William Pence by her first husband lived in Allentown till his death a few years ago.  he left a widow
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and a number of children.  the said Elizabeth Britton is now a town charge, is very feeble and suffers much with Rheumatism.  She has not married since the death of her last husband Daniel Britton who died of his wound in the last war dept. thinks she well deserves a pension as both her husbands died in the defence of their county. and further saith not.  Sworn to and Subscsribed
the day and year above written
before me           Jacob (his x mark) Hall
John B Mount J P
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth   SS
On this twenty second day of november A.D. 1843 Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, personally appeared James Chambers a resident of the Township of Freehold in the county and state aforesaid a person of credability and truth.  Who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith I am in the eighty first year of my age  That I served in Maj Lee's Legion of horse as a private in the srvice of the United States in the War of the Revolution for which service I now receive a pension from the United States  That I knew William Pence who was a private in Maj Lee's Legion  That we belonged to the company commanded by Capt Rodolph.  Knows that William Pence died while the Legion was encamped at Williamsburgh in Virginia in the Spring of 1783 the disease that he died of was called, measels, it raged to a great extent throughout the camp and in many cases proved mortal recollects hearing Pence speak of his family in the state of New Jersey but does know know exactly where they lived.  After the War had ended some years I became acquainted with one William Pence who resided at Allentown in this County and was called the son of the above named William Pence
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I have not seen him for several years and believe that he is dead
  James Chambers
Sworn to and Subscribed
on the day and year
above matter
Before
  William L Imlay  Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey
Mercer County    SS

   On the 11th day of November A.D. 1843, before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county personally appeared John Hammel Esqr of East Windsor in the county aforsd. a person of truth and standing in the Seventy Eighth year of his age.  Who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he can distinctly remember William Pence the first husband of Elizabeth Britton. they then resided in Allentown and dept. then was going to school - he the said William Pence joined a Company of Light horse from the south in the Revolution. frequently saw him on his horse and dressed in his uniform, that said William and Elizabeth Pence had a son named William who dept. was well acquainted with from childhood to the time of his death. he died a few years ago, leaving a widow and children dept. has always lived within four miles of Allentown and well knows that the said Wm went off with the army and never come back his widow married Daniel Britton who died in the late war.  She has not married since.  She is on the suppport of the town and has always been poor and ignorant and is now confined to the bed with disease, if her said son William Pence was now living, he would be upwards of Sixty four years of age. and further Saith not
   John Hammell
Sworn to and Subscribed the
day and year above written
before me
  John B Mount J P
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Thomas Daniel Brittain died of wounds at Plattsburgh in late war.  Bounty Land & to whom
15. Jany. 1842
GWC
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     (Copy)
Hon
Wm Halsted               Trenton  July 26th 1842
 (in congress)

My dear Sir

   I will enclose to you the letter of Col Edwards on the subject of enquiring about Daniel Brittons widow - you will perceive Col Edwards is in error. nothing is said about Jeremiah Britton. the desired information is continually evaded.  I am aware Mrs Elizabeth Britton is entitled to a pension under the act of July 7, 1838 - for the services of her Second husband Daniel Britton to whom she was married in 1792 or 3 (forget which) but my desire is to know when her first husband Wm. Pence or Spence enlisted under Capt Zeb Pike at or near the New Mills prior to or about the year 1779. he was killed it is supposed in 1791  the truth is, the old Lady dont know, but heard he was dead and on that information married Dan Britton.  Jacob Hall now living belonged to the Same Regt. (2d) with Britton and is a relation of the said Elizabeth Britton and her late husband Daniel - If she can make out when her first husband enlisted, she is entitled to a pension under the act of "July 4, 1836" from March 4, 1831 during life.  I supposed Mr. Dicksons
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could acertain when Mr Pence enlisted under Capt. Pike, that is the enquiry, you will see at once that the Commrs letter does not answer the enquiry at all.  The last husband D Britton served in the Revolutionary war and also in the late war, got wounded at Plattsburgh and died of his wound. it is strange, of two husbands killed in battle she cannot succeed (now helpless and aged) in procuring a Pension when Justly Entitled under both acts  all those old people who knew both husbands say it is very strange she cannot Succeed possibly there may be some now living in the neighbourhood of the New Mills who knew of William Pence or Spencers enlistment, but I cannot go to make the enquiry, and she is too poor to hire anybody.  To answer the Regulation of the War Dept. it is necessary to ascertain as nearly as possible the date of enlistment which She is unable to remember there is Sufficient proof of Service, nor does there appear anything ambiguous in the case 
Procure for me the letter of Col Edwards.
  Six or Seven Candidates have -
This letter was written to Hon Wm Halsted, House of Reps.
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Pension Office
January 21st 1842

Sir,

  I have the honor to return you Mr. McChesney's letter relating to the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Brittain and to remark that its statements if derived from the claimant are highly prejudicial.  For example it states that Mrs. Brittain married John Spence who served to the end of the war, and was killed in the western expedition in 1791, and that in 1792 she again married Thomas Daniel Brittain who enlisted in the late war - died of his wounds at Plattsburgh and that her children by him drew his Bounty Land of 160 acres.  She asserts her claim for Jeremiah Brittain's service in the first regiment of the New Jersey Line to whom she was married in 1779 and who was killed in 1791 in the Western expedition under St. Clair.
  She makes no allusion to her marriage with Spence but asserts that she was the wife of Jeremiah
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Jeremiah Brittain from 1779 to 1791 and his widow ever since.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Yr. Mo. Obt. St.
J L Edwards


NOTES:
Elizabeth Brittain
Widow of 
Jeremiah
N. J.
signed


Hon. William Halstead
House of Representatives
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(Copy)

Office of Secy of State
Trenton
Jany. 10, 1842

Dear Sir

   Mrs. Elizabeth Britton asserts that her first husband William John Pence Enlisted at a place called New Mills Burlington County under Capt Zebulon Pike in the Revolutionary Army. he belonged to the Horse, Served to the end of the war in Six years as she says.  Came home and again went off in the Horse to the west and died while there or was killed by the Indians it may have been in Nov. 1791 in St. Clairs defeat.  She married to William Pence before he enlisted under Pike somewhere in Cape May or the lower Counties, in 1792  She again married Tho' Daniel Britton - who was a Revolutionary Soldier a few years before the close of the Revolution.  Thos. Daniel Britton enlisted in the late war under Capt Charles Carson of the 15th Infantry. Recd. a wound in the neck at the battle of Plattsburgh which caused his death, her children by Britton recd. a warrant for 160 aces of land.  She is very aged and infirm, and also suffering only for the charity of her neighbours, one of whom (Capt David Fisher) has called and made the above Statement.  Will you oblige Mr Fisher so much as to go to the dept. and ascertain about the Service under Capt. Z. Pike
  Mr Fisher says she thinks it was in the light Dragoons but She is not certain.  The proof is
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Such a distance off, that unless the records at the dept contains the facts, it is useless for her friends to go to any expence in the prosecution of her claim  She desires under (the first husband) to make the application   She resides about 3 miles from Allentown and 2 from John B Mount Esqr (memr Legislation)  Will you answer  at the first oppty

Respectfully yr Obt Sevt
Charles G. McChesney

Note  Mrs E Britton prosecured a pension of $100 per annum - services of first husband
Wm Spence
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   In the case of Jeremiah Britton.  I assisted in obtaining a pension for Elizabeth Britton for the services of her first husband William Pence (sometimes called Spence) who served under Pike, in Maj Lee's dragoons.  The second husband was Daniel Britton.  Pence was lost or killed as she heard in 1791.  Daniel Britton was wounded at the battle at Plattsburg, war of 1812 and died soon after.  Mr Daniel Britton belonged to the 2d New Jersey Regiment and was a wars man.  The Department has mixed up the claim of Elizabeth Britton, the widow of Daniel with papers in the case of the widow of Jeremiah.  Separate these papers and there will be no confusion.  I don't recollect the name of the widow of Jeremiah.
   Now for the services of Jeremiah Britton.  First, he enlisted under Capt. Daniel Niels company of Artillery on the 16h March 1776 and served till March 1, 1777,making 352 days, as matross, when he was discharged,  Capt Neil was
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killed at the battle of Princeton, Jany 3d, 1777.
Second.  Jeremiah Britton enlisted in June 1778 in Somerset County N. Jersey, for nine months under Colo. Frelinghuysen, muster master of said county.
   William, Daniel and John Britton all belonged to Colo Spence's Regiment.  The New Jersey Regiment were so cut up that they were consolidated in 1779 & 1781.
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Washington
14 July 842

Sir,
   I have a letter from Dr. McChesney in which he says that in Jany. last he wrote respecting the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Britton and received an answer from you in which the name was misstated and some mistake made in relation to the facts.  Will you be so good as to re-examine the case

Yours respectfully
Francis A. Dickins

James L. Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions.