Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44093, Josiah Willson, New Jersey New York
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey
New York

Willson, Josiah
or
Wilson

NUMBER
S44093

CONTENTS
in 1819 res. Morris Co. N.J.
in 1821 aged 62 yrs, res. New York City & wife Jemima
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18545
New York

Josiah Wilson

of the City of NYk. in the state of New York who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel McDougall of the New York line, for the term of one year

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 19 of September 1821

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 of April 1822 and sent to Geo Bibby Esq of the Eng Department

Arrears to the 4th of March 1822 $44.23
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1822 " 48

$92.23

{Revolutionary claim,}
{Acts 18th March, 1818.}
& 1 May 1820
Page 3

In the matter of Josiah Wilson on his application for a pension --- }

Col: McDougall's N. York Regt
1776 - 1 year.

filed [illegible] [illegible] 18 Sep. 1821.

Stated that he made a declaration in March 1818.
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New York Common Pleas.

In the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York held at the City Hall of the City of New York in and for the said City and County before the Judges of the same Court on the third Monday of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one

Present the Honorable John T. Irving Esquire first Judge of the said Court. --

City and County of New York ss: Be it Remembered that on the nineteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York, in open court, the said Court being a Court of Record for the City and County of New York according to the charter of the said City, and the laws of the State of New York, Josiah Wilson aged Sixty two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March, 1818, and the first of May 1820, that he the said Josiah Wilson enlisted for the term of one year on or about the first day of January in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six in the State of New York in the company commanded by Captain David Lyon in the Regiment commanded by Colonel McDougal in the line of the State of New York on the New York Continental establishment, that he continued to serve in the said corps until
Page 5

the latter part of February or the first of March one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven when he was honorably discharged from the said service in Morristown in the State of New Jersey by Captain David Lyon, that these then declarant went home to his fathers and in the opening of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven he again enlisted at Maiden head in the State of New Jersey for the term of six months which declarant believes was only for the ^[service of the] State of New Jersey at the end of which time declarant was discharged when declarant proceeded immediately to Hanover in the State of New Jersey where his father resided and  ^[then] again enlisted, the length of time for which he enlisted he cannot now recollect in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight at Hanover in the State of New Jersey in a company of Waggoners commanded by Captain Ellis Cook, in a Brigade called Colonel Gershom Johnsons Brigade of Waggons declarant cannot tell what time he was attached to, but he was with the standing army on the Continental establishment, that he continued to serve in the said corps until about the close of the war where he was honorably discharged in the State of New Jersey and declarant further says that he was in the battle on Long Island at Flatbush, at the battle of Harlem Heights, in the skirmish at Frogs Neck, and at the
Page 6

battle of White plains, where he was wounded in his ^[right] side by a musket ball, deponent saith he was in two Battles in Springfield in the State of New Jersey in one of which battles he was wounded in his left leg with a [crossed out] bayonet at which time deponent belonged to a volunteer corps and that he has no other evidences now in his power of his said service except the affidavit of  John Wiley, of the City of New York and Martha Runyan hereunto annexed, his discharges having all been lost. Deponent further saith that he made an application for his pension in the Month of March 1818 where he failed he would also refer the Secretary of War to the letter hereto annexed by Mr. Richard Riker as to his character.

And in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 8th day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any means whatsoever disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to being myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" passed on the 18th day of March one thousand
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eight hundred and eighteen and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts owing to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed, to wit,

Real estate -- None --

Personal Estate (necessary bedding and clothing excepted) --
[column 1]
1 Tea Kettle -- 0.75-
6 plates -- 0.25-
1 Pine Table -- 1.00-
1 Chest (pine) -- 0.75-
1 Testament -- 0.25-
1 Tea pot -- 0.12 1/2
1 Tub -- 0.37 1/2
---
$3.50

[column 2]
6 Knives & forks -- 0.56.
1 Case of Razors for which deponent gave --} 1.00
1 little writing desk (old) -- 1.00
1 Psalm Book -- 0.12 1/2
6 Spoons (Iron) -- 0.25.
1 Water Pail -- 0.12 1/2
--
$3.81
3.50
The whole value of deponents property then is -- $7.31

Declarant has no trade, but he has heretofore had a small place at Cold Spring in Putnam County which he lived and where he attempted to raise some little market truck to enable him to support himself and family, which he has hitherto done until the last year, where in consequence of the [crossed out] drought his little garden has been [illegible] and he was obliged to [crossed out] leave his place and remove to the City of New York in debt. Declarant saith that he was obliged to sell the most of his furniture to enable him to get to New York he also saith that he is old and
Page 8

infirm, and in consequence of a wound from a sword in his right arm at the battle of Springfield he has partially lost the use of his right arm which at times renders declarant unable to work, and as he grows older it continues to grow more useless -- Declarant saith that he has no family except a wife residing with him, Jemima Wilson aged about twenty eight years who does declarants house work, makes declarants and her own clothes, and washing which is all she is able to do, declarant further saith that he is in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support himself without the assistance of his Country, that is to say without the aid of the General Government, except by private or public Charity. --

Josiah Wilson

Sworn & declared in Open Court this 19th Sept. 1821 before me
Jno. L. Broome Clk
[circular mark]

In the matter of Josiah Wilson on his application for a pension under the acts of the 18th of March 1818 and the first of May 1820 } State of New York City of New York ss; John Wiley of the  City of New York in the State of New York being duly sworn doth depose and say that he was a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel McDougal afterward, Major General
Page 9

McDougal, in the line of the State of New York in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six on the continental establishment that he does not personally know Josiah Wilson now here present, but from circumstances which he relates to deponent, and from a number of incidents which he relates to deponent as happening during the revolution, deponent saith that he verily believes that he the said Wilson was engaged and actually enlisted in Captain David Lyons company in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six in the State of New York in the Regiment commanded by Colonel McDougal the Regiment to which deponent also at that time belonged. Deponent saith that the said Wilson has recalled to deponents recollection a number of incidents that happened during the Revolution from the month of February one thousand seven hundred and seventy six until the month of December one thousand seven hundred and seventy six (the same year) that no person would have related to deponent except a person actually engaged, and belonging to the Regiment commanded by Colonel McDougal and that deponent verily believes he did belong to the company he has stated in his deposition hereunto
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annexed. Deponent further saith that he has heard the deposition of said Wilson hereunto annexed read, and has no hesitation in saying that he believes it to be correct and true and that the Secretary of War may with safety place the fullest reliance upon his statement -- and Deponent further saith that he has carefully examined the said Josiah Wilson and descended to the minute particulars respecting his service during the time above stated, and can only say, that his consistency and the circumstantial accuracy which he finds in him induces the most perfect conviction of the entire truth of his statement

Sworn and declared in Open Court this 19 Sept. 1821 before me
Jno. L. Broome Clk

John Wiley


NYork 16 March 1820
I saw this day, after calling several times, your papers. It appears that your application fora  pension has been rejected on the ground, that you were not on the Continental establishment. I conversed with the Recorder on your statement and he thinks with me that there is some mistake. You were I believe
Page 11

on the Continental establishment. I shall be glad to see you obtain your pension and if it was in my power I would cheerfully serve you. 

Your Obt. Servt.
R. Riker

Mr. Josiah Wilson

endorsed Mr. Josiah Wilson Westpoint


In the matter of Josiah Wilson on his application for a pension under the acts of the 18th of March 1818 and of the 1st of May 1820 -- } State of New York City and County of New York ss; Martha Runyan of the village of Yonkers in the County of Westchester in the State of New York married woman being duly sworn doth depose and say that Josiah Wilson above named [illegible] her own brother, and that at the commencement of the American Revolution, he did enlist for the term of one year, in a company commanded by Captain David Lyons in a regiment commanded by Colonel McDougal and served his Country faithfully during the said year, deponent saith she knows he was honorably discharged, from the service at the end of the year for which he enlisted, and that he was wounded in his right side by a musket ball, and shortly after his first discharge she knows ^that he again enlisted in the service and served
Page 12

until about the close of the war, Deponent further saith that she has heard the affidavit ^[of her brother] hereunto annexed read and verily believes it to be true, she further saith that he is in indigent circumstances and unable to support himself without assistance from his friends or the public and further saith that the said Josiah Wilson is a man of character and reputation and who may be believed on oath --

Martha Runyan

Sworn before me this 18th Sept. 1821 in open Court } Jno. L. Broome
Clk

I, John L. Broome Clerk of the City and County of New York and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York, Do hereby Certify, That the foregoing depositions and the schedule thereto annexed and the letter therein mentioned, are truly copied from the records of the said Court. And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is seven Dollars and thirty one cents. --
On testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this ninth day of October, 1821, --
Jno. L. Broome
Page 13

Josiah Wilson
Soldier--

[paragraph crossed out with three large X's] The applicant must make his declaration in the state where he resides

AnD on the Continental establishment
Referenced

recd 11 June 1819. P. A. /
Page 14

To the Honorable Richard Riker

Recorder of the City of New York, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New York, which is a Court of Record of the State of New York,

The Declaration of Josiah Willson formerly a private engaged in the service of the United States, during the Revolutionary War, and now a Citizen of the United States, and resident of Morris County State of New Jersey

Respectfully showeth, that the said Josiah Willson enlisted sometime in the Month of February or March in the year 1776 in the Company of David Lyons in McDougals New York line & joined the Regt. at New York was at the Battle of Long Island White Plains where the deponent received the wound which he received in the side which he now labours under. He then joined the Regiment at Morris Town and was discharged after remaining in service for upwards of one year. The deponent enlisted again and remained in service untill the year 1783.

And this Declaration further representeth that the said Josiah Willson is now a citizen of the United States, and residing in State of N. Jersey aforesaid,
Page 15

and is by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for support; and being now in his 60th year of age.

Therefore, he conceives himself entitled to the benefit of the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," approved, March 18, 1818, and requests that your Honor will examine into the truths of the matters aforesaid, certify and transmit the testimony in this case, and the proceedings had thereon to the to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War, to the end that such relief may be had in the premises, as is by law in such case provided. And in support of the facts above set forth, he refers to the testimony of himself and of William Smith hereafter set forth,

Dated, the 21st day of Jany. 1819

City and County of New York, ss Josiah Willson

being duly sworn, says, that the matters by him set forth in the foregoing Declaration, are in all respects just and true.

Sworn the 21st day of Jany 1819 before me,
R Riker      Josiah Willson
Page 16

City and County of New York, ss. Be it Remembered, That on the twenty first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen before me, Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New York, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New York, which is a Court of Record of the State of New York, personally appeared the aforesaid Josiah Willson Applicant, and William Smith

entitled to the fullest credit, who being by me duly Sworn to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing declaration

Whereupon I being satisfied that the said Applicant did serve in the Army of the United States, on the Continental Establishment, in the Revolutionary War, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and longer, to wit, for the term and in the manner stated in the declaration of the said Applicant; and that he is fairly and justly entitled to the benefit of the Act aforesaid.

Therefore, I do hereby Certify and transmit the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, as before set forth, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War.

Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said Court, at the City of New York, the day and year above written.

R. Riker--
Page 17

March 28, 1939

[left column]
Miss Fanny O. Clarke
318 N. Lorel Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

[right column]
BA-J/AWF
Josiah Willson
S. 44093

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Josiah Wilson or Willson, pension file number 44093.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 44093, based upon service of Josiah Willson (Wilson) in the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of Josiah Willson, and names of parents are not given.

Josiah Willson enlisted in New York State, about January 1, 1776, served as private in Captain David Lyon's company in Colonel McDougall's New York regiment, was in the battles of Long Island, Harlem Heights, Frog's Neck, and White Plains in which battle he received a wound in his right side by a musket ball, and was in the battle of Springfield, and was discharged the latter part of Fabruary [sic] or first of March, 1777, and returned to his father's home. Josiah Willson enlisted in the spring of 1777, served six months as private, names of officers not stated, and then went to Hanover, New Jersey, where his father was living. He enlisted sometime in 1778, in Captain Ellis Cook's company of wagoners, Colonel Gershom Johnson's Brigade of wagons, was in the second battle of Springfield, and continued to serve in this corps until the close of the war. He received two bayonet wounds, one in his left leg, and one in his right arm in the battles of Springfield, but
Page 18

he did not designate in which battle he received the wounds.

The soldier, Josiah Willson, was living in 1819 in Morris County, New Jersey, then in the sixtieth year of his age. He was allowed pension on his application executed September 19, 1821, then living in New York City, where he had moved from Cold Spring, Putnam County.

In 1821, soldier's wife, Jemima, was aged about twenty-eight years and living with him in New York City.

Martha Runyon, "married woman", sister of the soldier, was a resident of Yonkers Village, Westchester County, New York, in 1821.

The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data-

Josiah Wilson, as he was pensioned
Certificate #18545
Issued April 11, 1822
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced September 19, 1821
Acts of March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820
New York Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 19

[left page]
44093
Revy INVALID

File No. 44.093
Josiah Wilson
Pri Rev War

Act: 18 March 18

Index:--Vol. 3, Page 569

{Arrangement of 1870.}

[right page]
Jan. 21. 1897.
Mr. Howard

Mch. 24. 1897.
Mr. J. D. Wilso
Worcester.
Page 20

History to
N. Fuller,
Albany, N.Y.
L.W.B.

History to
n.
New York.

1939-Mar. 28 Hist to Fanny O CC
Clarke [illegible]
Page 21

Jan. 21. 1897. History to
Mr. Howard N. Fuller,
Albany, N.Y.
L.W.B.

Mch. 24. 1897. History to
Mr. J.D. Wilson.
Worchester, New York

Hist to Fanny O CC
[illegible]
Page 22

Aclm. Hon.
J.L.E.

Send the certificate to Mr. Bibby, Esq., Dept. ~
10 Apl. '22.
Page 23

State of New-York,

[stamp to left]

CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, SS.

I, BENJAMIN FERRIS, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said City and County, hereby certify, That RICHARD RIKER, Esquire, before whom the annexed Affadavits were made, and who hath subscribed his name to the Certificate also hereto annexed, was on the day when the said Affadavits were made and the said Certificate signed, Recorder of the City of New-York, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, and duly commissioned and sworn. And further, that the said Court is a Court of Record of the State of New-York, and that the signature of R. RIKER subscribed to the said Certificate, is the proper hand writing of the said Richard Riker.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this fifteenth day of February 1819.

Benj. Ferris
Clerk
Page 24

Extract of a letter from Saml Gouverneur to Saml Gouverneur Jr. dated

New York 10th March 1822

"I wrote you or George, sometime ago and requested you would ascertain whether Josiah Wilson, who served faithfully in the Revolution was placed on the Pension List. If there is a soldier deserving of it, Wilson has given the most satisfactory evidence of his claim. He is also entitled to three or 4 years backpay.

Tell George Bibby I will be much obliged to him to ascertain the fact, and so how the money will be paid."

Signed
Sam Gouverneur
Page 25

[stamped diagonally] Free

The Hon: John C Calhoun
War Department
Washington City

[circular stamp] New-York APR 6

[written vertically along left edge] Mr. Edwards
Page 26

New York April 5th 1822

Hon: John C Calhoun Esq

I herewith enclose the original declaration made by Josiah Wilson three years since transmitted by the then Recorder of the city of New York to your department and returned to Mr. Jay? the late Recorder of the city of New York and received by him the 11th June 1819 in conformity to a request ? to James Herald be ?
again to your department by letter addressed to George Bibby Esq of the Engineer department by J L Edwards SS War Department. I would thank you to let the certificate of pension be sent me in his care if presented as soon as convenient.

With high respect and consideration
Page 27

Worchester - New York
Feby 22/97

Dept of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir.-
Your favor with my application for information from your Bureau was first recd. I will be obliged to give you further trouble as much as I dislike to, as there seems to be a discrepancy some where in the records.

They contain Hon Howard N. Fuller of Albany N.Y. recd. from your office an official record of Josiah Wilson. The letter was dated Jany 21/97. On this letter to him was the following viz.
I44.093
L.W.B.
Perhaps these figures will aid you again to find the information desired.

It appears in this letter that Josiah Wilson made applications for pensions Jany 21. 1819. and was residing at Morris Co. New Jersey. Served
Page 28

as a private in the New York troops Rev-War; served under Capt Lyons part of the service and Col. McDougall.

In event you may mail a full copy of this letter from W.L. [illegible] (or [illegible]) Acting Commr. I will obtain a copy & remit to you on advise.

I wished to know where he was residing when the last payment of his pension was made. As I can't seem find at what place he died. I thought that would aid in locating it.

 I'm Very Respy

J.D. Wilson
Page 29

Worchester - Otsego Co.
New York
Jany 27/97

Dear Sir,

Will you kindly give the official military record of Josiah Wilson of Morristown N.J.?

Served as soldier in the Revolutionary War. Also in the war of 1812.

Please give the items in his application for pension.

Give date of last payment of pension. And where sent. And if date of death, & where it occurred is on record, state it. What have you on Rolls of 1812 respecting him? I learn he was
Page 30

an officer during the war of 1812.

It is also understood he was mustered out as Captain in the War of the Revolution. Can you ascertain that by your records?

I am very Respy
J.D. Wilson

To
Dept of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 31

Worchester - Otsego Co.
New-York
Mch 15/97

Dear Sir,

Some time since I wrote to your Dep't for information concerning Josiah Wilson - military record, also official copy of his pension or service during the War of the Revolution.

I think perhaps I can assist you in finding data quickly by remarks on a letter to Hon Howard N. Fuller Albany N.Y. 21 Jany '97. I read the same this week & made the following note--

"O.W & N. DIV. Revolutionary"
I.44.093
L.W.B.

This was in
[circle drawn with "W" written inside]
Red pencil

Letter signed by Acting Comr., could not make out his name.

With many thanks in advance for the trouble.

I am Very Respy
J.D. Wilson

To
Dept of Int. Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 32

File
S 44093

[rectangular stamp on left side]
U.
OLD WAR & NAVY
MAR 22 1897
FILED

[circular stamp on left side]
PENSI[cut off; likely "pension"]
H
U MAR 17 1897 S
OFFICE
Page 33

[circular stamp, with a border with ticks and numbers going from 1 to 12 like a clockface]
RECEIVED
FEB 10 1939
[illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible]

318 N. Lorel Ave.
Chicago, Ill.
Feb 6, 1938

Bureau of Pensions
Dept. of Interior
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

As a lineal descendent of Josiah Wilson, I am writing ot ask for an "official copy" of the military record of Josiah Wilson or Willson. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War in Captain Belden's Company. His application for a pension was made July 21, 1819. Will this help in getting the record.

G.W. & N. Division
Revolutionary War

LWB
I 44093.

Thanking you, I am
Sincerely yours,
Fanny O. Clarke