Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23918, for Stephen Simpson, New Jersey
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(8-1776)

SERVICE  --------------------- NUMBER

New Jersey      Simpson, Stephen     S23918
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No. 6591
Pittsburgh

Stephen Simpson
of Greene Co. in the State of Pennsylvania, 
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Gathwright of the Reg't commanded by Col. Thomas in the N. Jersey troops 
for 18 months   Private   $60.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh
at the rate of 60 Dollars ----- Cents per annum to comence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of March  1833 and Sent to Hon. A Stewart, M.R.

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832       90.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending in 
March 1833                                   30.00
                                                     $120.00
                                 Revolutionary Claim
                                 Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by D. Brown    Clerk
Book D. Vol. 2   Page 183
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Greene County
Pennsylvania

I William T Hays Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please for said County
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the motion of the application of Stephen Simpson for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28th day of November A.D. 1832.
 
                            William T. Hays (signature)

(written vertically along right margin):
19136
Declaration of Stephen Simpson a Revolutionary Soldier
Entire Service
19 months
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Greene County
Pennsylvania

On the 10th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of common pleas in the county + state aforesaid now sitting Stephen Simpson, a resident of Morris Township in Greene County, Penn, aged Eighty three years on the 18th day of September instant who being duly sworn according to the law doth on oath make the following declaration his and is to obtain the benefit of the  act of Congress dated the 7th day of June 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer and  serves as herein stated

That he first entered the Service in the month of June 1776 as a volunteer at Elizabethtown in the state of New Jersey where he was born, under Captain Gafright, Colonels Thomas + Smith, that he marched from the muster ground where he volunteered through Bergen to New York remained there about two weeks then returned to Elizabethtown by way of Newark remained in service one month that he was at thome but about five days till he was drafted for a month under Captain Wood went to Elizabethtown and served out his tour which ended about the time of the battle of Long Island in the later half of August 1776 - that in or about the first of October he served another month under Capt. Crain that shortly after the expiration of the month he was called out again for another time of one month under Captain Darby that he lived between the lines of the British and American armies and was kept almost continually at the service he was adulized (?) by the British and a reward offered for him. he felt safest in the army and continued in the services under different officers for sixteen
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full months besides being out frequently for shorter periods. as occasion required his [illegible] harbors(?) [illegible] other services. on one occasion of this kind he fought all day having Exchanged upward of forty shots with the Enemy. this was the village called the Connecticutt farms was burnt by the British. That in addition to foregoing times he served several months under Captain Wood - he also volunteered one time under Captain Horton another under captain John Darnly they lay at Springfield under adjutant General Wm Bot also under Col. Winds and liewise Col. Condict at the Short Hills near Woodbridge who died of the small pox then Lieut. Fatute also died of the [illegible] that they took Elizabethtown from the British with little fighting. he was afterward drafted with two horses into the artillery service one of these (a [illegible] valuable) was killed by Captain Charles Turnbull - That he is certain he served seventeen months, under different officers + at different times as above mentioned and in repeated calls + as a volunteer, besides several tours of shorter duration making together between two and three months more - He was born near Elizabethtown New Jersey in the yaer 1749. 18 Sept. that he has his age recorded in his Bible at his home, that he lived when he entered the service near Elizabethtown, New Jersey, that since the revolution he has lived in New Jersey about seven years, then removed to Penn's [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] thence to washington County [illegible] [illegible] to his current residence in Morris Township in Greene County where he has lived about thirty years past, that he received no written discharge except one which is lost, that he can prove his character was [illegible] + as a soldier by the Rand Cephas [illegible] + Isaac Ross.
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that he has no documentary evidence. That he hereby is releasing any and all claims to any other pensions or annuities excepted the present + [illegible], that his name is not on the pensioners roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn and subscribed   Stephen Simpson
Sept. 10th 1832
Wm. T. Hays [illegible]

Mr.  Cephas Dodd a clergyman of Amwell Township, Washington County Pa + Isaac Ross of Center Township Greene County Pa hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Simpson of Morris Township, Greene County, who has subscribed + sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be eighty three years of age, that he is reputed + believed in the [illegible] [illegible] hope where he [illegible] to have been a soldier of the revolution. 2 That we concur with that opinion.
Sworn and Subscribed
Sept. 10th 1832               Cephas Dodd
Wm T. Hays  [illegible]     Isaac Ross

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion. after the investigation of the matter + after putting this in terms of a [illegible] 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 Cephas Dodd who has [illegible] the above certificants is a clergyman resident in Amwell Township Washington County Pa and that Isaac Ross of Center Township in Greene County Pa who has also expressed the same is a credible person + that their statement is entitled to credit.
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Greene County
Pennsylvania

I William T Hays Prothonotary of the court of Common Please for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Stephen Simpson for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand + seal of office. This 28th day of November AD 1832.

William T Hays

(written vertically along right border)
19136
Declaration of Stephen Simpson
a revolutionary soldier
Entire Service
19 months
Page 8

I certify that the persons in this case were [illegible] by me, and that the failure of the applicant to state that he could produce no direct proof was an omission of mine.

A. Stewart
2 Nov. 33
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

June 9, 1925

Ethel M. Dougherty
57 1/2 South Court Street
Fairfield, Iowa

Madam:

I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S-23916, it appears that Stephen Simpson was born September 10, 1749 near Elizabethtown, New Jersey.

While residing there he enlisted in June 1776 and served at various times amounting to eighteen months as a private under Captains Gafright, Woods, Crane, Darby, Horton and John Darnly and Colonels Thomas, Smith, Winds and Condict in the New Jersey Troops.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832 while residing in Morris Township Greene County, Pennsylvania.

There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,
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Amwell Township W. Co Pa.

I certify that Stephen Simpson has for may years been an inhabitant of this vicinity, has sustained a good moral character, and is a regular member of the Presbyterian church.

Cephas Dodd
Pastor of the Presbyterian Church Ten Mile

July 14th 1832
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Fairfield, Iowa, April 8, 1925

Bureau of Pensions
Department of The Interior,
Washington, D.C.      Revolutionary War Section.

Gentlemen:--

Will you please give me the complete data on your File NO. S. 23918-- Stephen Simpson, born Sept. 10, 1749, near Elizabethtown, N.J.  He requested his pension on Sept. 1832, and resided then in Morris township, Green Co., Penn.

I desire the full data, as I am endeavoring to trace my ancestry with the view to joining the D.A.R. order. The said Stephen Simpson being my great-great-grandfather.

I have seen some papers with part of records of the above, but desire the information given out by your records to place on my appication for membership papers.

Thanking you for your early attention, I am

Your very truly,

Ethel M. Dougherty
57 1/2 So. Court St.
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To Commissioners of Pensions
Dept. Washington D.C. 

(Written vertically along right border)
a
27
Page 13

BERT ARNOLD    Rev H
Jeweler                   I

Commissioners of Pensions
Albia, Iowa Aug 24 1920

Dear Sir: Please send me war record of Stephen Simpson service of Revolutionary War In N Jersey Elizabethtown applied for pension and application was allowed Sept. 10th 1832 while he was resident of Morris Township Green Co Pa 
I want proff(sic) of service as I may be eligible to D.A.R.

Yours Most Resp.

Mrs. Bert Arnold
Albia Iowa
216 B. Ave West
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(written on diagonal along left border of left column)
Revolution

23918
INVALID

-le No. 23,918
Stephen Simpson

[illegible] Rev War

Act: June 7  32

(I)ndex: -- Vol. 2, Page 367

[Arrangement of 1870]

(Right-hand column)
1920, Aug 20 Hist. to C. I. Spenser - E[illegible]

1920, Sept. 30 Hist to Mrs. Bert Arnold. e[illegible]

1925. June 9. Hist to Ethel M Dougherty. [illegible]
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Stephen Simpson
good for 18 months at least

Pension @(?)
$60-

Hon. A. Stewart
Page 16

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Stephen Simpson --- which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show were the applicant resides: Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides: Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? ---
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served: No
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No
Each term of service claimed for should be distinctly + separately set forth.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served in conformity with regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes.
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergman's affadavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? ----
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No.
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of hte papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorialy? And if not, which of them is not so answered? answered

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age and the consequent 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 than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: for ---- year ---- months and ---- days----, I served as a ----. For ---- months and ---- days, I serves as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs 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.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature
of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 - 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Aug, 20, 1920

In reply to your request of ____ received _____
for a statement of the military history of Stephen Simpson
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his [(or his widow's) is crossed out] application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
S23918
[column headings] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. |  RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.

From
June 1776. | served | Pvt. | Gafright | Thomas and Smith | N. J.
at various times [more is crossed out] | Wood, Crane | Winds - Condick - 
[20 is crossed out] Mos. in all. | Darby Horton | [handwritten check mark] 
18 | Jno. Darnly | [handwritten check mark]
allowed for

Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Near Elizabethtown N.J.
Date of application for pension, Sept 10, 1832 His cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Morris Twp. Greene Co. Pa.
Age at date of application, b. Sept 10, 1749 near Elizabethtown N.J.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to family.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-283C
Page 20

Rev
MH
CLARENCE I. SPENCER
ATTORNEY AT LAW
408-410-412 S. & L. BUILDING
DES MOINES, IOWA
July 22, 1920.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I write to inquire if the name of Stephen Simpson
appears among the names of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
This man lived in Washington and Greene Counties, Pennsylvania,
and his postoffice address was at one time Sparta, Pennsylvania,
and at another time Washington, Pennsylvania. Prior to
that time he lived in New Jersey but his postoffice address in
New Jersey I do not have.

I enclose stamped addressed envelope for reply.
Yours very truly,
P.J. Spencer

CIS:S
Encl.
[stamp]
PENSION
U.S.
Jul 24 1920
OFFICE.