Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,106, James Boylan, New Jersey
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(8-1776)
SERVICE | | NUMBER
New Jersey | Boylan, James | R. 1,106
CONTENTS
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James Boylan
of N Y
Jany. 4 1840
Ref (under resolution.)
the Com. "Rev." Pensio
March 5 1840
Bill - 143
1776- Colo Quick N J
James Boylan
Declaration
18345
Please make returns to 
Homer M Soper
Batavia, Genesee Co
at N.Y
Examined-
June 23 1836- Bill No 718
Dec. 11 1837
Refd to the Com "on 
Rev." Pensions
Jan. 8 1838
Bill- No. 368
Jan. 21. 1839
Ref. to Commr. Rev. Pensions
Feb 16. 1839- Bill No. 11.51
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Declaration of James Boylan, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7- 1832-
State of New York
County of Genesee ss.
On this fifteenth day of October in the year Eight [Eighteen] hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County of Genesee, now in Batavia in said County, being a Court of Record and having a Seal, James Boylan, a resident of the town of Stafford in the County of Genesee and State of New York, aged seventy seven years on the 4th June 1832, 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 stated.
That some time in the month of March or April, but at what precise time he cannot tell in the year 1776 while he lived in Barnardstown, in Somerset County, New Jersey, he was drafted for three months into the State Militia of New Jersey into Capt Jacob Ten Eyck's Company and that Van Tuyl was Lieutenant; that he was attached to Col Quick's Regiment and thinks Col. Meddick was attached to the Regiment and that Baird was Major- that he marched immediately to Elizabethtown N.J. and was on guard every third day, and helped to built two forts on Elizabeth town Point and remained there until the expiration of the time for which he was drafted, when he still continued in the service for one month longer as a substitute for his uncle James Ross who had been drafted and as he was a tony in his principles, procured him to take his place- that he continued in the service in this manner, alternately when he was drafted and when his uncle was drafted as his substitute until the fore part of the fall of 1777, but the precise time he cannot tell and that he remained most of the time at Elizabethtown under different officers- that he recollect Capt. De Groat, Capt Van Tuyl, Capt John Seaburn, Capt Logan and Capt McCoy- that he served under most of them- that he was stationed as part of the time at Newark and some of the time at Hackensack and at [illegible]- that he was verbally discharged in the
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fall of 1777 and then went home- that he is distinct in his recollection that he served at this time more than one year and an half but the precise time he cannot recollect.
That immediately after his return home, in the fall of 1777 but the precise time he cannot recollect, he was enlisted into the continental service by Seargeant Scott for three years and into Capt McCoy's Company: that Crawford was Lieutenant and Finley was Ensign and he was attached to what was called the [illegible] Battalion which came from Fort Pitt and was in Col Morgans Rifle Regiment - that he thinks Gen Lincoln commanded the battalion- that he went to Bound Brook and remained then the succeeding winter and in the spring went to Millstone and remained there during the summer until fall when he marched back to Middlebrook to go into winter quarters and there built log hut which was in the fall of 1779 and remained there until, as he thinks, about Christmas, when he was taken prisoner by a company of British Light Horse as he was out a short distance from the camp with a small party and they were suddenly surprised and taken prisoners and carried to Brunswick and remained there as a prisoner nearly two months when he obtained leave, through the influence of his uncle, to go home and visit his friends- that he did not go into the service again- and never received any discharge- that he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person living who can prove his service. that he has written to ascertain whether John Campbell and Philip O'Brien are living who lived in New Jersey and who were in the service with him and has learned that the they are both dead-
That he was born in the town of Barnardstown in Somerset County New Jersey on the 4th June 1755- that he has no record of his age but believes he is of the above age from information from his parents- that he lived in Barnardstown aforesaid more than twenty years- then in Shoreham on Lake Champlain Vt. nearly two years; then in [illegible], Cayuga County N. Y. about four years: then in Wantage, Sussex County, N.J. about ten year- then in Charlestown, Montgomery County, N. Y. about five years- then in [illegible], Cayuga County, about one year - then he moved to Stafford where he resided about 15 years. That there is a clergyman in his neighborhood who is acquainted with him- That Seymour Ensign and Henry B. Crampton -- live in his in his neighborhood
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and both are acquainted with him and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief in his services as a soldier of the revolution.-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state.
James Boylan
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day of and year aforesaid in open Court
Timothy Fitch Clerk
We, Seymour Ensign a Clergyman, and Henry B. Crampton, residing in the town of Stafford and in the neighborhood of the said James Boylan, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said James Boylan, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy seven 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.-
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in open Court
H.B. Crampton
Seymour Ensign
Timothy Fitch Clerk
And the said Court do herby [hereby] declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after pulling the interrogatories subscribed 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 Seymour Ensign who has signed the preceding is a clergyman resident in the town of Stafford in the County of Genesee and State of New York and that Henry B Crampton, who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
Isaac Wetson
Robert Earll Jr
William Mitchell
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I, Timothy Fitch, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Boylan for a pension
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of October 1832-
Timothy Fitch Clerk
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Rev. War Section,
Record Division.
Feb. 9, 1833.
Hon. Charles L. Knight,
House of Representatives.
In re: James Boylan - War of Revolution.
You are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford information in regard to any officer of that War named James Boylan, or Boylen, or O'Boylan. You are herewith furnished the history of the only soldier of that name found on said records.
From the papers in the claim, Rejected File No. 1106, it appears that James Boylan was born June 4, 1755, in Barnardstown, Somerset County, New Jersey and lived there during the Revolution. He alleged that he was drafted in the New Jersey Militia in 1776, and served at various times when called upon until the fall of 1777, when he entered the service for three years under Capt. McCoy, that he was captured about Christmas 1779, by the British near Middlebrook, and was released after two months. There is no mention made as to whether he was
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married.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of services as required by the pension laws.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
No use to go into details of service as it was not proved.
Col Daniel Morgan was in 11th Va. in 1777. (not in the Rifle Regt)
& I do not think this is the person whose record was desired as there was a Capt James Boylan of Pa. see Hertman
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Ex'r. INVALID.
REJECTED
Act of July 14, 1862, and March 9, 1878. [crossed out]
1106
P. O. James Boylan
Service:
Enlisted: , 18
Discharged: , 18
Application filed: , 18
Alleges: [crossed out] The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension as:
Re-enlisted: [crossed out] "Such long militia tours in New Jersey did not exist - no such service as is described could have been performed.
Attorney:
P. O. 
1922 Feb. 9. Hist to Hon
Chas. L Knight and
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New York
Revo:
James Boylan
Suspended
See letter of 16 Oct. to P. L. Tracy
Batavia N.
Act of June 1833
let to Hon. G. W. Lay
Jany. 14 1835
Let to H. U. Soper May 27th 1835
Papers sent to Hon. G. W. Lay 
[illegible] letter Spril 13. 1836
Let to Hon F. Pierce June 19, 1840
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Washington April 7. 1836
Dear Sir:
The Petition of James Boylan [illegible] have been refered [referred] to our Committee on Revolution Pensions. The Committee have directed me to ask you to furnish me as early as convenient with a copy of his papers now on file & the reasons which [illegible] the Commissioner is  refering [referring] to [illegible] the Petitioner in the Pension Role
Yours Respectfully
George W. Lay
J. L. Edward Esq
Comr of Pensions
The papers may be sent upon receipt [illegible]
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Papers-
Hon. F. Pierce
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Batavia May 14. 1835 -
New York. -
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 14 January last in relation to the claim of James Boylan is received and I feel some reluctance in pressing this claim farther, but I cannot resist the appeals of the old man, who is on the verge of the grave, to make one more effort to obtain some remuneration for his revolutionary suffering. I would urge you to examine his papers again and from the internal evidences of their truth, determine whether the applicant is entitled to any pension and how much.- He cannot obtain any more proof without going to New Jersey himself, which is impossible as he is a cripple.- His claim must stand or fall with his present papers.- If, upon the liberal rules laid down by the Department when the Act was passed and acted upon at that time in a liberal spirit or contemplated by the framers of the law, he cannot obtain even a small pension, he must submit.- I am sure his case is eminently deserving a liberal construction and from you last letter I should Judge his papers would warrant him a pension for his continental services- Please inform me what is the absolute determination of the Department.- He will be content to take any part to which he may be entitled. -
I am,
with Respect-
H. U. Soper
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions F
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Free - P L Tracy [illegible]
Doctor George W Crump
Chief Clerk Pension office
Washngton DC -
[stamp] BATAV N.Y. SEP 27
Mail
1106
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Batavia NY Sept 27. 1833
Dear Doctor
The main body of old continentals have raised the [illegible] of my office, but a few stragglers yet longer behind, among when is James Boylan whose claim has been twice suspended for further proofs - I now enclose his explanatory affidavit. Also the affidavit of a reputable witness to corrolate his statement- 
Mr B is a [illegible] & [illegible] but infirm man unable to [illegible] from home. The highest degree of [illegible] be attached to his statement as [illegible] from his [illegible] as his unfirm statement-
Some time since, I write to New Jersey for Mr B. but witnesses are all dead - He now furnishes the only proof in his power- And his hopes must rest upon this and his own declaration. I know that many have been embraced within the spirit of the act with even slighter evidence- Please to excuse the trouble which I have your humanity your disposition to construe the act with liberality
I remain [illegible]
Respectfu
Yours
P L Tracy
Doct G W Crump
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James Boylan Offr.
[illegible] Soper
Agt.
Batavia
N.Y.
for James Boylan
Batavia Pension [illegible]
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State of New York
Onondaga County ss:
Aaron Parkinson being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is a resident of the Town of Pompey of the County & State aforesaid. and that he is personally acquainted with James Boylan of Batavia of the County of Gennessee [Genesee] & State of New York that he has been acquainted with him above seventy years - that he was acquainted with him during the whole of the Revolutionary War & saw him very frequenty [frequently] during that war. that they lived in the State of New Jersey in the Town of Basken [Basking] Ridge in the County of Somerset together when they were boys, this deponent is seventy five years of age- and that the said James Boylan was then accounted three or four years the oldest & must be now about seventy nine years of age, that this deponent left the State of New Jersey about thirty four or five years and moved into Schoharrie [Schoharie] County in this State - and that the said James Boylan did not leave New Jersey till some time after- when he came into this State where he has remained ever since, & where this deponent has seen him, And this deponent further says, that he knows that the said James Boylon was drafted into the Militia in Capt James Ten - Eycks company in the State of New Jersey in the regiment commanded some times by Col. Meddick and Major Davidson and Major Baird - that he saw him in Ten. Eyck company at the battle of Monmouth, that he saw him frequently by meeting him in the [illegible] under arms. that this deponent was at Elizabeth Town with the said James Boylan when he saw him on duty & under arms and that he saw him there at different times for [illegible] time, thinks as much as two years & more - that Capt Seaborn Capt. Logan & Capt McCoy were commanding the company at different times that they both served in the same company at Elizabeth town - And this deponent said that the said James Boylan was stationed at New [illegible] at one time - at another time in Hackensack and at another time in Ambary - that this deponent was stationed with him at New Brunswick at two or three months at a time and at other places. And this deponent further says that had heard & verily believes that the said James Boylon Enlisted into the continental service after the this deponent was taken
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Prisioner [Prisoner] at Elizabethtown which was in Febuary [February] but of what year, this deponent does not recollect, this deponent heard at the time & believes that the said James Boylan Enlisted in Morgan's rifle Company - Knows that he the said James went to Bond Brook and saw him there in the service under arms in the winter season, saw him at Millstone in the summer season under arms, saw him often at Middle Brook under arms - saw him there in Winter Quarters- Heard of his being taken prisioner [prisoner] by the Brittish Light house - and did not see him again till after the war was ended, when he this deponent saw him in New Jersey at his home and this deponent employed him as a carpenter, And further this deponent saith not
Aaron Parkinson
Subscribed & Sworn this 14th day of August 1834 Before me
A. Nims J.P.
I Certify that I am well acquainted with Aaron Parkinson who has Subscribed and Sworn to the above affidavit and that he is a credible person
Asa Nims J.P.
State of New York
County of Onondaga ss.
I Certify that Asa Nims Esquire before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and qualified and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the [illegible] of said affidavit and to the above certificate to be his proper hand writing and genuine Signature Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 16th day of August 1834
R L Hess Clerk
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CHAS. L. KNIGHT
14TH DISTRICT OHIO
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
February 6, 1922.
The Honorable,
The Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly advise me whether the name of Col. James Boylan (or O'Boylan or Boylen) appear upon the pension records of your Department, as a soldier of the revolutionary war, with any information that may be afforded therein.
Very truly yours,
Chas. L. Knight
[stamp] U S. PENSION OFFICE F FEB 8 1922
[stamp] [illegible] Feb 9 1922