Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 40489, for John Spicer, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Spicer, John

NUMBER
S40489
___________________
CONTENTS
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Page 2

6984
Ohio
Pennsylvania

John Spicer
in the state of Penn.
was a Private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Martin of the New Jersey
for the term of 6 years

(?) on the Roll of Pennsylvania
the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 
(?) of November 1818

certificate of Pension issued the 16th of July 1819
and sent to Hon:
                                 R. Moore
                                 H. of Reps.
(?) to 4th of March 1819    ________?_______

                                      $32.76
     {Revolutionary claim,}
     {Act 18th March, 1818}
Page 3

Dead. See letter to R.
Mitchell, May 11, 1839
do to same July 3, 1839

Paid at His Treasury under
______?________    april 1858
from (?) March 1858 to 6th
Aug 1838, this day of his 
death Agt notified 18th
Dec 1859
Page 4

John Spicer
Certified affidavit & Schedule
    
(number not clear)
Page 5

STATE OF OHIO, MUSKINGUM, County, SS.

    On this twenty-fifth day of November 1820, personally appeared in open Court,
being a Court of Record for said state John Spicer aged 66
years, resident in Muskingum county in said state, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on
his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War on the continental establishment, as follows: In
the fourth Regiment, commanded by Colonel Martin Capt. Martin's Company New Jersey Line. The date of my original
application is 2nd November 1818. and the number of my pension certificate is
6,984 And I do solemnly swear, I was a resident citizen of the United
States on the 18th of March 1818: and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner dis-
posed of my property, or any part thereof, with intend thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within
the provisions 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 1818.
And that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due
to me; nor have I any income other than that which is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed.
    My occupation is farming  ____________________________ Not able to pursue it
owing to a wound received at Battle of Brandywine. The number of my family residing with me is
Two. __________________ Their names as follows: Catharine (wife) and Benjamin (grandchild, 7 years old.)
Their ages as follows: Catharine 66 years old + very infirm.
Their capacity to contribute to my support none.                 his
                Sworn to and subscribed  -                             John  X  Spicer
                                                                                                    mark
Schedule of Property -- Real and Personal.
1 Cow and Calf                         $9.50
1 Bull                                          $7.50
3 head of sheep                       $5.00
6 head Hogs                             $3.00
1 old shovel plough                  $ .50
Dreper furniture                       $2.00
1 Sieve                                       $1.00
Knives + forks 1/2 doz each    $1.00
Tongs + shovel                         $2.00
Pot metal old                             $3.50
1 Table + 3 Chairs                     $1.00
1 old churn                               $   .25
                                                  --------
                                                 $36.25
                              his
       (signed) John  X  Spicer
                             mark
Sworn to and subscribed on this twenty-fifth day - November 1820 before me,
        (signed) Robert Mitchell  Associate Judge.
Page 6

State of Ohio Muskingum County SS.
I David Chambers Clerk of the court of common
Pleas of Muskingum County do hereby certify, that the within oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the original on file in the records of said court; And I do further certify that the court are satisfied that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule does not exceed the sum of thirty six dollars twenty five cents.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court this 25th day of November 1820.
David Chambers Clk
Page 7

John Spicer
(Private)

Martins New Jersey
Regt.

1777- 6 years-

2d Novr 1818
Page 8

Declaration against the Common Enemy and I now  transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress  Given under my hand this 2d day
of November AD 1818
James Bovard

Butler County SS.   Before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas Walter Lowrie Esq who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that the applicant John Spicer to whom the foregoing certificate was given and is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support
Walter Lowrie

Sworn and subscribed before
me the 18th day of November 1818
James Bovard 

I James Bovard one of the Judges of the Court  Common Pleas of Butler County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that the foregoing Applicant John
Spicer who made the foregoing declaration is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for Support and that testimony of Walter Lowrie Esquire to this fact is to me feeling satisfactory of the fact Given under my hand & seal this 18th day of Nov AD 1818
James Bovard {seal}
Page 9

Butler County SS.
I John Nesley Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Do hereby certify that James Bovard Esq before whom the
foregoing Depositions were made and who signs the foregoing certificates is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County duly commissioned & sworn and acting as such
and that full faith and confidence are due to all
his official Judicial acts as such as well as Courts of Justice as thereout.

In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto at my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court at Butler
this twelfth day of November A D
one thousand eight hundred eighteen
Jno Nesley Prothy.

I certify that John Spicer is a resident
and Citizen of Butler County Pennsylvania
I know the facts to be unquestionable
Washington 15th July 1819
Robert Moore
MC
Page 10

Butler County District of Pennsylvania ss
On this Second day of November 1818 before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in the fifth Judicial District of Said State personally appeared John Spicer aged about Sixty four years who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Congress Entitled an act to provide for certain persons Engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war That he the said John Spicer Enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Martin of the fo[u]rth Jersey Regiment that he continued to serve in the Corps or in the service of the United States until the end of the war when he was discharged from service as will appear from his Discharge that he was in the Battels [Battles] of Shorthill Brand[y]wine Monmouth the sign of Comwallis, and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for Support and that he has no other evidance [evidence] now in his
power of said Service.
                                                                 his
Sworn and Subscribed before      John X Spicer
me the day and year aforesaid            mark
James Bovard

I James Bovard one of the Judges of the Court of common pleas in the fifth Judicial district of the State afforesaid [aforesaid] do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said John Spicer did Serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding
Page 11




Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.            MDY

June 10, 1925

Florence Porter,
Minot,
North Dakota.

Madam:

I have to advise you, that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S40489, it appears that John Spicer enlisted in 1777 and served as a private in Captain Martin's Company, Colonel Martin's Fourth New Jersey
Regiment and was discharged June 5, 1783. He was engaged in the battles of Short Hills, Brandywine where wounded, and Monmouth and at the siege of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 2, 1818, while residing in Butler County, Pennsylvania, aged sixty-four years. In 1820, he was living in Muskingum County, Ohio and referred to his wife Catharine
aged sixty-six years and to his grandchild Benjamin aged seven years. Soldier died August 6, 1838. There is no further data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 12

Hon. Joel R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
Washington City
D.C.

May 10

M205
May 10,183[illegible]

Pension Office

Ohio

Jno Spicer
Ohio   NA

16 [illegible] 1819
Page 13

Lanesville May 6. 1839

Hon J. R. Poinsett

Sir, 
on the 16th of February 1819 John Spicer obtained a certificate of Pension from the department over which have preside, which allowed him eight dollars per month- It appears that Spicer drawed his half years pension on the 4th of March 1838. That Spicer died on the 6th
of August of the same year, which would make five months and two days, which his widow would be entitled to, he left a Widow 84 years old whose mental faculties are greatly impaired, so much so that if I  am informed correctly it would be imprudent to administer the requisite oath enable her to draw the arrears of her husbands pension. I want to know of you, if the Executor of her husbands estate (who is the son) could not be drawn for her, or what other means could be pursued to enable her to get her due, my information you may deem proper to give will be thankfully acknowledged, so that justice may be done to a
superannuated old lady.

With sentiments of esteem
I am your friend &c
Robt Mitchell
Page 14

Rev. War Section.                   AW

March 15, 1921.

Hon. Arthur Capper,
U. S. Senate.

My dear Senator:

In response to your letter of the 11"" instant,
I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. File No. 40,489, it appears that John Spicer enlisted in 1777 and served as private in
Captain Martin's Company, Colonel Martin's Fourth New Jersey Regiment and was discharged June 5, 1783. He was engaged in
the battles of Short Hills, Brandywine, where wounded, Monmouth and at the siege of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 2, 1818, while residing in Butler County, Penn. aged sixty-four
years. In 1820, he was living in Muskingum County, Ohio and referred to his wife Catharine aged sixty-six years and to his grandchild Benjamin - aged seven years. Soldier died August 6, 1838. There is no further data on file as to his family.

Very truly yours,
A D Wilkinson
Chief Clerk.
Page 15

VLM

Rev. War Section.

February 27, 1917.

Miss Wilma Spicer,
423 N. Weber Street,
Colorado Springs, Colo.

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the 10" instant,
you are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John McQuown and Jonathan Spicer described by you.

The Revolutionary War soldier, John Spicer of the New Jersey Troops, (S. File No. 40,489) whose record was sent you on April 29, 1916, is the pensioner who received $96 per annum and was placed on the roll February 16, 1819. There
is no further data as to his family than that already furnished you.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner
Page 16

In reply to your request of [left blank], received [left blank] for a statement of the military history of John Spicer a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
S. File 401489 Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. [illegible] Length of Service. 6 years. 6 [illegible] 5/83 Rank. Pri. Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. Captain [illegible] Colonel [illegible] State. 4 N. J. Battles engaged in, [illegible], [illegible], Man., Siege of Yorktown. 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [check mark] Date of application for pension, Nov. 2, 1818, Residence at date of application, Butler Co., Pa. Age at date of application, 64 yrs.
Remarks: In 1820 he resided in Muskingum Co., Ohio, & ref. to his wife Catherine [illegible] & grandchild Benjamin -- & 7 yrs.
Soldier died Aug. 6, 1838.
Page 17

[left side:]
40489
Revy INVALID.
-----------------
File No ___No. 40,489 ___
___ John Spicer ____
___Priv Rev War _____
------------------
Act: __ 18" March 18"
Index: - Vol. __G__, Page __483 __

[Arrangement of 1870]

[right side]
1909 Dec. 28. Hist to
Miss Florence Porter 
1916 Apl 29. History to Miss
Wilma O. Spicer.
1917 Feb 27 Wilma Spicer that there
is no other family data than that
furnished Apr. 29. 1916.
1920 Mch 18 Hist to Mrs B.H. Spicer.
1921 Mar 15. Hist to Senator
Arthur Capper
---------------------
1925 June 25 Hist to
Florence Porter MDY
----------------------
Page 18

Minot, No. Dak.
April 2, 1925
Pension Department,
Washington, D. C.
Will you please send me the Revolutionary War record of John Spicer, enlisted, I think, from Pennsylvania-later lived in Ohio.
Also the record if there is any, of Christopher Ringsbery or Ringlesberry from Virginia. This is for D. A. R.
Respectfully
Florence Porter

Stamp
Apr. 6, 1925
Pension Office
Page 19

Sonora, Ohio
Feb. 28, 1920
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
I am writing in regard to a man by name John Spicer who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. Will you please send a copy of the service of the same as he was my great grandfather and I would like very much to have an abstract of his service address.
Mr. B. H. Spicer
Sonora R. R. 1
Muskingum Co. Ohio
I am yours truly
B. H. Spicer

Stamp
Pension Office
Mar. 2, 1920
Page 20

ARTHUR CAPPER, Kansas,
CHAIRMAN,
WILLIAM H. SOUDERS, 
CLERK

UNITED STATES SENATE,
COMMITTEE O
EXPENDITURES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

March 11, 1921
Dr. F. D. Byington, Commissioner
Department of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Dr.  Byington:
Relatives in Kansas of John or Jonathan Spicer, a revolutionary War soldier, who enlisted from West Moreland County, Pennsylvania, are anxious to get some information as to his military record Inasmuch as he was a pensioner, it occurred to me that this information might be obtained from your files. I would appreciate any information you can supply me.
With kind regards, I am
Very respectfully,
Arthur Capper

Send S40459
N. J. Troops but res of Butler Co. Pa. which is near Westmoreland Co.
and probably originally a part of it.
no Jonathan at all & a lot of people have asked for this John
cw

Stamp
Deputy Commissioner
Mar. 15, 1921
Page 21

429 N. Weber St.,
Colorado Springs, Colo.,
February 10, 1917.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir: -

I thank you very kindly for your courtesy in reply to my letter of January 27, 1917. In reply to your request for any data I may possess relative to the alleged pension of Jonathan Spicer, I will say that I based inquiry upon some information given in a Spicer genealogy of all the Spicers in the United States, which I have recently purchased a meager account, from which I quote.

"Spicer Genealogy", compiled by Meech, published by the Stanhope Press, F. H. Gilson Company, Boston, Pennsylvania, page 370:
"Jonathan Spicer is said to have been born in England, about 1753. He died in America about 1833 or 1834. He married in New Jersey, Katherine ----------, who was from Wales. He served through the War of the Revolution, and was wounded three times. He had a silver plate in his head over an injury to protect the brain. He received a pension. Some, perhaps all of his children were born in West Moreland County, Pennsylvania.  (All the above data obtained from descendants).

Children.
1. Jonathan, m. (1) Lavinia Barnes, m. (2) Sarah Montgomery
2. David.
3. Daniel.
4. Thomas, m. Mattie Wilson. (My great grandparents).
5. Jane, m. Mr. Porter.
6. Elizabeth, m. Mr. Porter.
7. Katie,m. Mr. Bowman.
8. Peggie, m. Mr. Mapes.
9. Polly, m. Mr. McMahan?"

Our immediate family has known our Revolutionary ancestor on my father's side as "John" Spicer. On April 20, 1916 I wrote you concerning the War records of said John Spicer, to which you kindly replied Apr. 29, giving his record as contained in his application for pension on file under I. S. C.  S. File, 40,489.

I assume that this said John Spicer and Jonathan Spicer must be the same, although we had never heard of Jonathan until very recently obtaining this genealogy. I am still lacking some information necessary to filling out my papers for the Daughters of the American Revolution, I
thought that additional data might be on file in the Pension Office under the name of Jonathan Spicer.

Thanking you again for your courtesy,

Permit me to remain, sir,
Yours respectfully,
(Miss) Wilma Spicer

See enclosure.
Page 22

Last July while doing some research work in Newbury Library, Chicago, I found in the Pension Rolls the following data regarding John Spicer, part of which was not included in the record which (illegible) last April.
John Spicer, private, Annual allowance $96, sums received $1,472.79, N. J. cont'l. Put on Pension Roll Feb. 16, 1819, commencement of pension Nov. 2, 1818, age 80 when applied for pension.
John Spicer, Capt. Martin's Co., 4 Battalion, 2 Establishment. Also, Militia of Hunterdon Co.,     N. J. "Jerseymen in Revolution" Pages 289, and 764.
I found also this record of John McQuown. 4 Class, 4 Company, 6 Bat., Lancaster County Militia 1778, 1779. "Pennsylvania Archives" 5 Series, Vol. VII, page 548. Also 5 Co., 9 Bat. in 1782. If you have any records relating to said John McQuown, I would be deeply greatful (grateful) if you would send them to me.
Page 23

Wh 1 Rev [illegible]

423 N. Weber St.,
Colo. Springs, Colo.,
April 20, 1816.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C

Dear Sir:-
I am desirous of joining the Daughters of the
American Revolution and would appreciate very much if you would send me the records of my great-great grandfather, John Spicer, who was a pensioner receiving eight ($8.00) dollars a month. He was injured and a piece of his skull was removed, and a silver plate inserted. He came from England about the beginning of the the War.

Permit me to remain,
Sir,
Yours respectfully,
(Miss) Wilmer Olive Spicer
Page 24

Libertyville Illinois
July 28, 1911

John Spicer, of Butler Co. Pennsylvania, is the soldier whose history of service I desire.

Thanking you for your kindness in the matter

I am sincerely
(Mrs) Angie C Beebe,



[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE D JUL 31 1911
Page 25

Rev

Grand Junction, Colo.
Dec. -7 -'09

Pension Department
Washington, D.C.

Will you give me the War Record of Jonathan
Spicer during the Revolutionary War. He enlisted from Ohio, and I think drew his
pension at Zanesville, O.  I wish this for D.A.R. Purposes.

Very Respectfully
(Miss) Florence Porter,

Box
841, 
Grand Junction, Colorado
Page 26

J.L. Edwards Esq
Pension office
Washington City

Adm. @
Hon. R. Moore
H.R.
Page 27

Sir

I enclose you Spicers application with 
my certificate of his residence, it was a mere 
Clerical blunder by Mr Walter Laune who drew the application, he is now a Senator of the in S. from Pa.

Yours with great respect
Robert Moore
15 Feb 1819

J L Edwards Esq
withnot
Page 28

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
Dec. 13th 1839

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The Admr of the widow of John Spicer, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio - Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars ['and      Cents' crossed out] per month under the law of the 18th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, 1838, to the 6th August, 1838, the day of his death.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 29

[stamp:] ZANESVILLE OHIO MAY 8

Jno Spicer
Affidavit for
['certificate' crossed out]
Transfer
-----
recd 16 May 1820

FREE
Honle. J.C. Calhoun,
Secretary of War,
Washington City
Page 30

John Spicer's Application
to be transferred from
Pennsylvania to Ohio.

Transferred 20th May 1820

Mar 19
Page 31

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER

County of Muskingum
State of Ohio
     On this sixth day of May 1820, before me the subscriber, a Justice of Peace for the said county of Muskingum personally appeared John Spicer who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person sho formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Martin in the regiment commanded by Colonel Martin in the service of the United States: that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Pennsylvania from when he has lately removed that he now resides in the state of Ohio where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future.

Sworn and subscribed to, before}
me, the day and year aforesaid.}

                                                               John   X   Spicer
                                                                      mark
Page 32

State of Ohio
Muskingum County } SS.
I David Chambers Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of Muskingum County do hereby certify that Thomas Floid Esquire who has certified the within affidavit, was at the time and now is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and to whose official acts as such full faith and credit may be given wheresoever these presents may come.

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Zanesville this Sixth day of May 1820.
David Chamber's Clerk
Page 33

[stamp:] ZANESVILLE O. JUN 17


Hon. J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
Washington City

M256
July 2. 1839
Pension office

Jno Spicer
Ohio roll

16 July
Page 34

Lanesville June 26. 1839

Hon. J. R. Poinsett

Sir

Some time since I had the honour to address a letter to you in relation to the widow of John Spicer in which I represented the imbicillity of his mind, & was answered that a Guardian should be appointed &c. according to the laws of Ohio, a Judge must issue a Warrant for his summons five freeholders to examine.  She and the freeholders must then be taken to the Court and a tryal [trial] had on him in relation to his sanity- if convicted of insanity, a Guardian may be appointed - this process is totally impracticable, she lives 9 miles from the Court
and his frailty and indisposition is such, as would render it impossible to attend Court, she could not perform the journey without great and manifest injustice done to his constitution. I ask if there could not be any other method taken to effect the object of her procuring the arrears of her husbands pension-

Your friend & humble servt
Robt Mitchell
Page 35

BY HIS EXCELLENCY
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq
General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.

THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof
John Spicer private Soldier in the New Jersey
Regiment, having faithfully served the United States six years and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.

GIVEN at HEAD QUARTERS the fifth
day of June 1783
G Washington

By HIS EXCELLENCY'S
on[cut off]nand
I Humbert ImGatoss[?]

REGISTERED in the Books
of the regiment,
Ephm Whitlock Adjutant,

THE above John Spicer private soldier
has been honored with the BADGE of MERIT
Six Years faithful service.
Richd Cox
Major Comd
Page 36

HEAD QUARTERS, June 5th 1783.

THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the
Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be
made, He is to be considered as being on
Furlough.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

John Spicer
Judge [illegible] please to draw on bounty lands from the [illegible] state and oblige your friend
          his
John    X      Spicer
         mark
May 30 [illegible]