Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 834, for Peter Shirts, New Jersey
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SERVICE NUMBER
New Jersey Shirts, Peter S. 834
carded
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New Jersey 17221
Peter Shirts
of Hunterdon Co in the State of New Jersey
who was a Private in the Co commanded
by Captain Haight of the Regt. commanded
bby Colo Taylor in the New Jersey
line for nine months
$30
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey.
at the rate of 30. Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Augt.
1833 and Sent to N.
Saxton. Flemington, NJ.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - 60.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending Sep '33 15.00
$75.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm R. Palmer Clerk,
Book E. Vol. three Page 130.
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No 17049 -
Peter [The word Shirt is crossed out] Shirts
NJ
17.221 
[The words Return (illegible) is crossed out.]
Adm 9. Months
$30.
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
Sixteenth [Illegible] May 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, whenyou return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the service of Peter Sheets Hunterdon Co NJ
1776
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service Years Months Days
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank the Company officers
whom he served. Names and Rank
of the General and Field officers.
Battles in which the applicant was
engaged. Country through which he marched.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Evidence by which this declaration is supported.
1776 Priv Capts Allard Col Me[illegible] None N.J. Aged 82 Lilving
1 [month] " Rhineheart Taylor " Hunterdon Co Witness
2 [months] Haight Beavers " NJ. Traditionary
1 [month] " Haslett "
1 [month] " Allyar 
1 [month] " [Illegible] "
1777 " Lane Ten Eyks "
"
Out alltogether upwards of nine months
I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. Sate, Territory, or District of} County of} ss. On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; and the country through which he marched. [Illegible] This form is to be varied to as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.}f He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with and C.D. residing in (the same) who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. And then will follow the certificate of the Court. And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories 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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this &c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier}Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Officer} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, an in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquire whether the belief [illegible] generaland whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirm may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of the Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whether any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, of by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
office will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a]The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b]The declarant must make his declaration in the county wherehe resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: --For---year---months, and ---days, I served as a --- ---. For --- months and --- days, I served as a ---; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely
days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting the service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of the term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 he belonged. The magistrates 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.
[Illegible] The notes from [a] to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declarations.}
Dyer Castor
Exam Clerk
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application of
Peter Shurts
17049
Addit Answer to
N. Saxton Flemington
N. Jersey. -
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State of New Jersey. Hunterdon County. Ss:
On the fifteenth day of August 1832 before the Court of Common pleas holden at Flemington in and for the county of Hunterdon personally appeared Peter Shurts a resident of the Cow[illegible] of Reading town in the County of Hunterdon aforesaid aged 82 years who being first duly sworn According to law Doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following Named Officers and served as herein after Stated. -- Viz I was born on the 12th October 1749 - in the township of Lebanon in the County of Hunterdon aforesaid - When I first entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War I live in the Cow[illegible] of Reading town in said County I Continued to live in said Reading town about 25 or 26 years - after that time, then I moved into the adjoining township of Tewksbury in said County where I have lived ever Since. - At the time the Militia was first called out I was enrolled in Captain Benjamin Allyars Company of Militia, in the Readingtown Battallion. I dont recollect who the Major was at that time, we had several Majors in the Battalion in a few years. - John Stevens (now of Hoboken) was Major at one time. - Godfrey Rhinehart was Major afterwards - John Mehelm was Colonel of the Regiment after him
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John Taylor was Colonel The first time I went out that I distinctly remember was in 1776. Some time before Fort Washington, above New York - was taken. - And Fort Lee Evacuated I first went out under Godfrey Rhinehart While he was captain & was the Second at Elizabeth Town a month in that time the Militia went over on Staten Island and attacked the Tories & Refugees. I returned again to Elizabeth town at that time Col Jos Beavers commanded. The regiment there, and Abraham Bonnete was Leiutenant Col: - afterwards I was out under Captain William Haghit at Elizabeth Town I was out under him two different tours of duty of one month each that I recollect distinctly because the Second time we went down we cut lumber on DeHarts land and built Log Huts to live in And the [Illegible] Militia did the same - I think I was down at Elizabeth Town a third tour of a month under Captain William Hazlett - but cannot recollect any particular Circumstances That occurred then. - the first or second time I was then under him fort washington was taken and I was on guard & Saw Lord Sterling and the troops come thro' Elizabeth town [illegible] on low and [Illegible] - I was out under Captain Benjamin Allyar at Millstone on a tour of duty one month. Captain Benjamin Allyar took the [illegible] from them and after he came [illegible] broke out and died with it. & I got innoculated afterwards.
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I did a tour of duty of one month at Millstone under Captain John S[illegible] - I was out in the Winter & Spring of 1777 and did Several tours of duty on the Raritan, then, our half of the Militia was out at a time and the other half relieved them every two weeks. I was out a number of tours of duty of two weeks each along down the Raritan The first time I went under Captain Cornelius [Illegible]. We marched to the two Bridges at the forks or head of Raritan and lay there in Col Ten Ecks barn - I was out another time when we lay at Wallaces abut 4 weeks below the forks near Somerville on the North side of the Raritan - another time we crossed over and lay at Pater Demons on the South side of Raritan & had a guard house at Van [Illegible] Bridge - I was out Another time when we lay at Demond I was out another time when we Marched farther down and lay at a place Called Dismal between [Illegible] Town and Bonham Town our business on these occasions was to Watch the British and Harrass them whenever they came out of [illegible] cut off then force [illegible] and pick up Straglers - I was at Bonham Town at the time the British left New Brunswic then was a battallion of Standing troops there. and we had a pretty smart Skirmish with the british then but was obliged to retreat -
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I continued to go out until some time before the battle of Monmouth when my lameness from having had my leg broke increased so that I was excused from doing Militia duty - I am satisfied That I was out alltogether upwards of nine months but how much more I am not able to ascertain particularly. - I have no documentary evidence to prove my services or [illegible] my recollection. - all the officers under whom I served are now dead. I am acquainted with Col David Scha[illegible] who knows something of my services and is acquainted with my Character I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Peter Shirts
Sworn & Subscribed
the date above [illegible]
George Rea
New Jerey Hunterdon County Ss: David Scha[illegible] aged 77 years being Duly sworn according to law before George Rea One of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Hunterdon on his oath saith That he is well acquainted with Peter Shirts who has sworn to and Subscribed the foregoing declaration That he believes him to be 82 years of age. - that he is older than the deponent he & deponent when they were very young lived & were brought up on adjoining farms & went to school at the farm school [The words with deponent are crossed out.] - That they lived neighbours in the revolutionary War That deponent knew at that time that he was often out in the Service of the United States in the Melitia in the term of the war That deponent recollects seeing him out in the [illegible]
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at different tours and places. he was out in the service with the Militia & deponent saw him at Amboy before deponent went into the f[illegible]  months service in 1776 often and in 1777 deponent saw him in the service with Captain Allyar at Millstone deponent also saw him in the Service at different times at Elizabeth Town - and along down the Raratan at different places - and from what Deponent saw & knew of his service & what he heard, deponent has full confidence in his Statement & is of opinion that he served more than nine months & farther saith now
Sworn & subscribed the} David Scha[illegible]
11 August 1832 before}
George Rea}
We Benjamin Egbert one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon residing in it township of Bethlehem in the County of Hunterdon and David Scha[illegible] residing in the township of Readingtown in said county Do hereby Certify That we are well acquainted with Peter Shirts Who has Subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration - That we believe him to be 82 years of Age - That he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution - And we Concur in that opinion
Sworn & Subscribed the day} David Scha[illegible]
and year aforesaid} Benjn Egbert
George Rea}
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and the said court. Do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the Matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War department that Peter Shurts the above names applicant was a revolutionary soldier and Served as he States. - And the court farther Certify that the said Peter Shurtz being Well known to Some of the members of this court particularly Benjamin Egbert the Court have dispensed with the Ceteficate of a Clergyman and that David Scha[illegible] who has Signed the Above certificate is a resident of the township of Readingtown in the County of Hunterdon. and is a credible person and his Statement entitle to credit. Done in Open court Aug 18 1832.
Benjn Egbert
John Barton
Jn Thompson
Richd Co[illegible]
State of New Jersey Hunterdon County Ss.
I Isaac G. Farber Clerk of the Court of common pleas to the County of Hunterdon Do hereby certefy That the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the Matter of the Application of Peter Shurtz for a pension and that George Rea Benjamin Egbert John Barton John Thompson and Richard Cone whose Names are subscribed to the attestations of the foregoing declaration and affidavits & The Certeficate of the Court are respectively Judges of the said Court of Common pleas duly Commissioned and Sworn to all [illegible] Official Acts full faith and Credit
In Testimony Whereof I have here
unto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court at Femington
this 18th day of August AD 1832
Isaac G. Farber Clk
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State of New Jersey Hunterdon county Ss: I John Thompson one of the Judges of the Inferior court of common pleas of the said county of Hunterdon do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with David Scha[illegible] the witness who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing affidavit: and that full faith & credit is to be given to his statements 
Witness my hand this 14th day of June 1833.
Jn Thompson
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Peter Shurts
certificate to be sent
to N. Saxton Flemington
Page 16

State of New Jersey Hunterdon county Ss: Peter Shurts, the person signed & sworn to the preceding declaration being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he has a record of his age recorded in his own family bible at home that It was taken from his fathers family bible - and that he was born at the time & place mentioned in his said declaration. And that when he first entered the service of the United States, he entered the same as a volunteer and the said Peter Shurts on his oath further 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 period mentioned below in the following grades, for nine months and upwards. I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn & Subscribed before} Peter Shirts
me George Henry one of}
the Judges of the Inferior}
Court of Common pleas}
of the said county of
Hunterdon this 17th day
of June AD 1833.
Geo. Henry
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State of New Jersey Hunterdon county Ss: I Isaac G Garber clerk of the Inferior court of common pleas of the county of Hunterdon do hereby certify that John Thompson who has signed the preceding certificate of credibility of the witness and that George Henry who signed the preceding affidavit were at the time of signing the same Judges of the Inferior Court of Common pleas of the said county of Hunterdon and I do farther certify that the signature of Jno. Thompson & George Henry are their genuine signatures In Testimony
Whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the
seal of the said court this
17th day of June in the year
of our Lord Eighteen hundred
& thirty three 1833.
Isaac G. Farber Clk.
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Jany 3-1901
W.H. Shurts, Newark N.J.
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 834
Peter Shirts
Priv. N.J. Line
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:--Vol. [Illegible], Page 336
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Free
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
Peter Shirts
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White House NJ April 26/54
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir. Peter Shurts late of this state deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution and was entitled to and did receive a pension of thirty dollars per annum Commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and which was paid up to the 4th of March 1842. On or about the 27th of March 1842 he died leaving a widow and Several children.
His widow survived him three or four years when She died without having made any application for a pension on account of her husband's services; and the children are now advised that upon proper application they are entitled to receive what could have been drawn by their mother to the time of her death. If this be so, will you be so obliging as to Send me a copy of the law and also such blank forms as are necessary in making a proper application in their behalf directed to White House Post Office New Jersey
Very Respectfully
Your Obt servant
Isaiah P Large
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
NAME Shirts, Peter GRADE Private LINE New york
WARRANT NUMBER 7798 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 4, 1791
to Peter Shirts
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.