Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2144, Joseph Compton, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
[handwritten] New Jersey
[handwritten] Compton, Joseph

NUMBER
[handwritten] S. 2144

[handwritten] carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

1314
Ohio
Joseph Compton
of [illegible] in the State of Ohio who was a private of law in the Compy 1 commanded by Captian Wicoff of the [illegible] commanded by [illegible] in the New Jersey line for 2 years from 1776

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 100 Dollars [blank] cents per [illegible] to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of Nov 1832 and sent to John Woods Hamilton. O.

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 semi=ant. allowance ending 4 March 1833

150
 50
_______
$200

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk, Book D Vol. 10 Page 31

[note written vertically on side:  Death [illegible] on P. 13
Page 3

2373

[written vertically on side] fourth day of August One thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John [illegible[

Joseph Compton
A Revolutionary Solder

PO
Page 4

The State of Ohio, Butler County
Court of Common Pleas
of the term of July A.D. 1832.

On this first day of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty
two personally appeared before the honorable the Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the County of Butler and
State of Ohio, Joseph Compton, aged seventy
three years, who, being first duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress passed June
seventh Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
That he volunteered to serve in the company of Militia commanded by Captain Nicoff of Colonel Samuel Firman's Regiment one month, in December, seventeen hundred
and seventy six- deponent was marched to Long Branch and from thence to Shark River-- deponent next served under Captain John Conover one month in Colonel David Firman's Regiment deponent next served under Captain Baird, for one month, in a company of horse on Cedar Creek and the sea coast, during which term they were
engaged in a severe skirmish with the tories
deponent next served under Captain Coward
of the fourth Regiment of New Jersey Militia
under Colonel Lawrence, in the Monmouth
Brigade-- About the first of the year seven
hundred and seventy eight deponent again
volunteered to serve during the war, as a
horseman in a volunteer company of horse,
who held themselves in readiness at a moment's warning, well equipped with sword, pistol, and carabine, to guard the frontiers against the frequent
Page 5

frequent attacks of the Britsh, refugees and and tories, in which service deponent was employed during the war. deponent states that he was during the whole struggle of the Revolution in active service as above mentioned at least four years in which service and in maintaining and equipping themselves in service he a brother expended nearly all their property to the amount of two thousand pounds of good and lawful money of the currency of New Jersey - deponent subsequently received a commission as adjutant of the fourth Regiment of Monmouth Militia, signed by Governor Howell on the first of November Seventeen hundred and ninety seven, in which capacity deponent served about five years, and which is herewith transmitted as corroborative evidence of deponents good character and standing - deponent never received a written discharge from the service -  ^He has a written record of his age left by his father in the family Bible by which it appears that deponent was born on the twenty ninth day of December Seventeen hundred and fifty nine, in Monmouth New Jersey, on the farm on which Monmouth battle was was fought deponent believes he can prove his services, in part at least, by Joseph Baird and George Collins, the last named of whom was during the whole service as aforesaid, residing in Monmouth and was personally knowing to much of the same. deponent is likewise well known to John Craig and John Crane, residents in the County of Butler aforesaid by whom he can prove his character for truth and veracity and his general reputation as a soldier of the revolution- deponent removed from Monmouth in the year Eighteen hundred and two
Page 6

and two to Butler County Ohio where he has lived ever since and now resides deponent 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

Sworn to the day & year aforesaid John Reily Clerk } Joseph Compton

We Joseph Baird and George Collins residents of the County of Butler Ohio do hereby certify that we are [illegible] acquainted with Joseph Compton by whom the above declaration has been subscribed and sworn to we believe him to be of the age of Seventy three years we were acquainted with said Joseph Compton during the war of the revolution  and we know that he did serve as a soldier of the Revolution but  for what time said Joseph Baird cannot state we know that he did serve under Capt Wikoff Capt [illegible] and Capt. Baird all on whom [illegible] served under as [illegible] we three knowing as we live in the same neighborhood with said Compton and I said Collins say that said Compton did serve at least  [ illegible] [illegible] said compton and his [strikethrough] brothers were the most active whips of the [illegible]

Joseph Baird
George Collins
[illegible sentence] 
John Reily Clerk
Page 7

John Craig a resident of Butler County hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Compton who has subscribed and sworn to this declaration that he has always maintained a good character for truth and veracity and has always been reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the war of the revolution and I concur in that opinion and believe his statement entitled to full credit.  John Craig
Sworn and subscribed in open Court 1st August 1832 John Reily Clerk
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 Joseph Bassit, George Collins and John Craig, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the said county of Butler, and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I John Reily Clerk of the court of (illegible) file as of the county of Butler aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing (illegible) of the original proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of Joseph Compton for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Office at Hamilton this fourth day of August One thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John Reily
2373
Joseph Compton
A Revolutionary Soldier
PO
Page 8

Joseph Compton
Ohio
No 2373

from 1776
private of Cavalry
a year $100.

[illegible]
Page 9

BRIEF in the case of Joseph Compton of Butler County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 73 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[chart]
[headings] Period.  |  Duration of Service.  |  Rank  | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

[period]
December In 1776
dates not given
[illegible] 1778
Serve during the war and was in active service  |  at least 4 years  |  [blank]   | 

[Duration of Service.]
Years, Months, Days
" 1 "
" 1 "
" 1 "

[Rank}
As a Private

[Gen]
 
Col Saml Haumans Regiment
[illegible]
Col [illegible] Regm 5
Capt John Conover
Capt  [illegible ] comp of horse
Col Laurence Monmouth [illegible]
Capt [[illegible] 

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Monmouth County New Jersey

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? two Living Witnesses

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective as regards dates & period of Service

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

[illegible] Examining Clerk
Page 10

May 8, 1940
Mrs. Charles Owen LeNoir
P.O. Bix 365
Jacksonville, Florida
Joseph Compton
S. 2144
BA-J/MCS (Absent): ML
Dear Madam:
The data which follow relative to Joseph Compton were obtained from the papers in pension claim, S. 2144, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph Compton was born December 29, 1759, in Monmouth, New Jersey, on the arm on which the battle of Monmouth was fought. The names of his parents were not given.
Joseph Compton was living in Monmouth when he enlisted in December, 1776, and served during the entire period of the Revolution, at various times amounting in all to about four years, as private with the New Jersey troops under Captains Wikoff, John Comover, Baird and Coward, and Colonels Samuel Forman, David Forman and Lawrence; he was in a severe skirmish with the Tories. In 1797, he was commissioned adjutant of the Fourth Regiment of Monmouth militia and served about five years.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832, at which time he was living in Butler County, Ohio, having moved there from Monmouth, New Jersey, in 1802.
It was stated that Joseph Compton's brothers, names not given, also served in the Revolution. There are no further data relative to the family of this soldier.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of Joseph Compton, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city,
Page 11

and cite the following data:  Joseph Compton, certificate #1314, issued November 1, 1832, rate $100 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 12

May 8, 1940
Mrs. Charles Owen LeNoir
P.O. Box 365
Jacksonville, Florida    BA-J/MMLF:MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Joseph Compton, Revolutionary War soldier, of New Jersey, who was born in 1759 and received a pension for his service, the Civil War record of John J. Rogers who died in prison at Point Lockout in 1865 and the Civil War record of Bernes Mason who died in 1863 in the Federal Prison in Philadelphia.
This office has no record of soldiers who served in the Confederate Army, hence, no record of Thomson Bernes Mason cited above. It is assumed that you have received the report in regard to John J. Rogers.
The record of Joseph Compton (S. 2144) is furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 13

| GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SERVICE REQUEST FOR SEARCH OF PENSION FILES | FOR NARS USE |
FULL NAME OF VETERAN | WAR IN, OR DATES BETWEEN, WHICH HE SERVED | STATE FROM WHICH HE SERVED |
Compton, Joseph | 1776-1783 | NJ. |
| DATE OF HIS BIRTH | PLACE OF HIS BIRTH | DATE OF HIS DEATH | PLACE OF HIS DEATH |
| 12-29-1759 | near Middletown, NJ | 3-31-1841 |
| FILE NUMBER |
| REVOLUTIONARY WAR |
| S2144 |
Page 14

THE FOLLOWING IS FOR USE OF NATIONAL ARCHIVES PERSONNEL ONLY
RESULTS OF SEARCH (Check and complete)
1. NEGATIVE
2. SEVERAL FILES AS DESCRIBED: MORE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION REQUIRED
3. FILE IN FEDERAL RECORDS CENTER ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA | A. ACCESSION DATE
4. FILE IN VETERANS ADMINISTRATION FIELD OFFICE | A. LOCATION OF VA FIELD OFFICE
5. FILE IN VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, WASHINGTON D C
REMARKS
[ILLEGIBLE STAMP]
SEARCH MADE BY (Last name only)
REPRESENTING
NNWC  NNWE

TIME STAMP
GSA WASH DC 63+1 4509
Page 15

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joseph Compton which require further
proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension
he is entitled?
No.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 
Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of 
June 7, 1832?
yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished 
from any other seal?
yes
Page 16

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?
no Clergyman
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining 
it?
No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least
one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
two living witnesses
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the
magistrate who 
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an
age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yrd
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ____
year ____months, and ____days, I served as a-
For ____months
and____days, I served as a____; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 17

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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as 
well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated , as above directed.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
Page 18

(left side)
Mar. 12, 1897. History
to Mr Joseph C. Chamberlain 
Carlisle, Ohio

July 23/97 Gen Wm. S. Stryker
Adj Gen, Trenton, NJ

1922, Sept. 19. Hist to J.G. Roseboom, En
1937 Feb. 17 Hist to Mrs.
Maunie Quillin mcs
1940. May 8 - Hist to Mrs. Charles O.
LeNoir mcs:mlo

(right side)
Rev War
2144
INVALID.
File No. 2144
Joseph Compton
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7. 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 72
[Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 19

February 17, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Joseph Compton
Mrs. Maunnie Quilllin
Nickelsville
Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of February 3, 1937, requesting
information relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, Joseph Compton and
John Snoddy.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the
limited clerical force available for furnishing such information, it 
is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers
of this war. The record of Joseph Compton is furnished you herein, as
found in papers of pension claim, S.2144, based upon the military service
of this soldier.
Joseph Compton was born December 29, 1759, in Monmouth, New Jersey,
on the farm on which the battle of Monmouth was fought. The names of his
parents were not given.
Joseph Compton was living in Monmouth when he enlisted in December,
1776, and served during the entire period of the Revolution, at various
times amounting in all to about four years, as private with the New Jersey
troops under Captains Wikoff, John Conover, Baird and Coward, and Coward, and
Colonels Samuel Forman, David Forman and Lawrence; he was in a severe
skirmish with the Tories. In 1797 he was commissioned adjutant of the
Fourth Regiment of Monmouth Militia and served about five years.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832,
at which time he was living in Butler County, Ohio, having moved there
from Monmouth, New Jersey, in 1802.
It was stated that his brothers, names not given, also served in the
Revolution. There are no further data relative to the family of this soldier.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 20

RECORD DIVISION
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., 9-19, 1922
P. 2144
In reply to your request of ______, received _________ for a statement of the military history of Jos. Compton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. COLONEL.
STATE.

Dec. 1776 served at various time in all about 4 yrs. 
Pvt. 
Wicoff
Jno. Conover
Baird
Coward
Samil Firman
David Firman
Lawrence
N.J.

enter period
In 1797 he was commissioned 
Adjutant in Monmouth Military served about 5 yrs.

Battles engaged in, Skirmish with Tories
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Monmouth, N. J.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 1, 1832-al
Residence at date of application, Butler Co. Ohio, where (?) 1802
Age at date of application, b Dec. 29, 1759 in Monmouth, N.J. on the farm on which the battle of Monmouth was fought
Remarks
It is not stated whether he was married
brothers also served
6-- 2856
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 21

April 29, 1940
Mrs. Mollie LeNoir,
P. O. Box 365
Jacksonville, Florida.
BAHB - 801
ROGERS, John J.

Dear Madam:
In reply to your communication of April 21, 1940, you are
informed that a careful search in the files of this office fails to
identify any pension claim based on the Civil War service of John J.
Rogers. If he served in the Union Army and you can furnish his rank,
the organization to which he was assigned, and the date and place of
his enlistment, further investigation will be made.
Your inquiry concerning Thomson Barnes Mason and Joseph
Compton will be answered under separate cover.
By direction,
W. C. BLACK,
Chief Clerk.
Page 22

MRS. CHARLES OWEN LENOIR
April 21, 1940
POST OFFICE BOX 365, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Pension Office
May I have any [illegible] 4/25/40  available information
regarding pension papers of
no per ident, evidently confederate soldier
John J. Rogers, who died in Prison at
Point Lookout My. May 1865

Thomson Barnes Mason, who died in Federal
Prison at Philadelphia
date not known -- married before
1855 Susan Taylor.

Joseph Compton of New Jersey - served at age 17
Born 1759 died 1841
Am sure he had pension-
Very truly,
Mollie Le Noir
Page 23

NICKELSVILLE, VIRGINIA
February 3, 1937
Veterans Administration
Revolutionary Bureau
Washington, D. C. 
My dear Sir:
I would appreciate you giving me the documentary
evidence of the service of Joseph Compton of Butler Co., Ohio
who is believed to have received a Revolutionary War Pension in
about 1840 -- in 1840 he must have been about 80 years of age.
Also desire documentary evidence of John Snoddy
Revolutionary services according to tradition he served in
Contiental Army from Virginia and moved in later years to
Ownes County, Ohio and should have been about 82 years of
age in 1840.
Whatever information you can give me about
either or both of the above named Revolutionary War Veterans
will be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Maunnie Quillen
(Mrs) Maunie Quillin
(Stamped)
Received 
Feb 6, 1937
Mail Sub-Div
[illegible]
2
Page 24

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Cincinnati Ohio
Aug. 15 - 1922
Dear Sir:
would be pleased if you will
send to me. The Revolutionary Military Record of
Joseph Compton Butler Co. Ohio
Nov. 1- 1832-
placed on roll
New Jersey Militia
private -
Age 75.
act passed. 7 June 1832
page 107. Vol 4. Pension Rolls
also, if any mention is made of the maiden
name of wife, or any names of his
children
Resp.
Your humble servant
J. G. Roseboom
746 Betts ST
Cincinnati Ohio
(Stamped)
U.S. Pension Office
Aug 16 1922
Page 25

State of New Jersey 
Office of Adjutant General.
Trenton July 15, 1897
Hon. H. Clay Evans, 
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. 
Sir:
I have the honor to request a statement of the service

of Joseph Compton, who is supposed to have served as a
Captain during the Revolutionary War in some New Jersey organization 
and drew a pension for such service. If the application
for pension of Joseph Compton, as an officer or enlisted
man, is on file in your office, I should be pleased to
have a record of his service as set forth therein.
Very respectfully
William S. Stryker
Adjutant-General.