Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4950, Isaac Hickman, New Jersey
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SERVICE     NUMBER

New Jersey Hickman, Isaac R4950

CONTENTS
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33,233
Isaac Hickman
Pennsylvania
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State of Pennsylvania
Wayne County } SS

On this 17th day of August A.D. 1835 personally appeared in open Court before the honorable David Scott, Moses Thomas and James Manning Esquires judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County now sitting, Isaac Hickman a resident of Canaan Township in the County and State aforesaid aged seventy eight years nearly 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 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he volunteered for four months as a private in the Militia of the State of New Jersey about the middle of April 1776 at Great Egg Harbour in a Brigade that was raised for the defense of the Coast - The officers under whom he served were Colonel Richard Somers, Captain John Somers, Lieutenant Henry Snell, Ensign Japhet clark - During these four months he assisted in building a Fort called "Mud Fort" on Somers Point - this Fort they garrisoned during the four months and ranged the Coast from Great Egg Harbour to Chestnut Neck - He was engaged in several petty skirmishes in one of which at Absecum, he and his company took sixteen men. He was dismissed about the middle of August without any written discharged having served the four months.

In the November after the British took Philadelphia he again volunteered in a Company raised in the neighborhood of Great Egg Harbour, Officers Captain Samuel Snell, this declarant Lieutenant, Ensign not now recollected and marched to Haddonfield below Philadelphia and joined the forces under Colonel Hillman. Here he remained until the following February when, after a service of three months, he was dismissed with a written discharge from Colonel Somers who went out with the Company but was shortly compelled by ill health to return home. This discharge he had til a few years past bit it is now mislaid and after diligent search cannot be found.

A few days after his return home from the last mentioned expedition an alarm was spread that the Hessians were coming down from New York when he again volunteered with twenty five others under (he thinks) General Griffin at Moorestown. He acted in the capacity of Lieutenant. While out this time he was
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Engaged in a skirmish with the Hessians in which our forces were beaten with the loss of two or three men killed. The next morning or the next but one after this skirmish General Washington came up and in a battle with the Hessians took several hundreds of them prisoners - After serving one month, declarant was dismissed without any written discharge. His next and last service was one month in June and the early part of July 1778 - His principal employment during this time was as a volunteer lighthorseman along the Jersey Coast from Somers Point to Chestnut Neck - On the 4 of June, late in the afternoon an alarm was given that some Refugees had landed on the Coast at Egg Harbour - Declarant mounted one of the horses with which he was ploughing and soon succeeded in collecting together thirty eight men with who he marched down to the Bay. Having no commanding officer they decided to elect one and did elect Henry Snell as their General - By this time it was dark and a  guard was set between the house where the Refugees were and their boats in the Bay. About 10 o'clock at night it being very dark and stormy their General went to relieve the guard, but from some unfortunate cause the guard mistook him for the enemy and shot him dead on the spot. Next morning it was concluded best to attack the Refugees in their quarters which was accordingly done and two of them killed, one wounded and thirty six taken prison and sent to Philadelphia.

He has no documentary evidence of his services nor did he receive a written discharge on any occasion except the one above mentioned and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services those who were his neighbors at the time being dead of dispersed he knows not whither - He further saith that he was born at Great Egg Harbour in the State of New Jersey on the 4th of June 1757 - From there he removed to Luzerne County in 1806 and from there to Wayne County where he now resides and has resided during the last fourteen years -

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.

Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid
Geo B. Westcott [illegible]

Isaac Hickman
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We William M. Griffin and clergyman residing in the township of Canaan and Thomas Starkweather residing in the same township hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Isaac Hickman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight 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 in open Courth the day and year aforesaid
Geo B. Westcott [illegible]

Wm M. Griffin
Thomas Starkweather

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 William M. Griffin, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the township of Canaan, and that Thomas Starkweather who has also signed the same is a resident in the same township and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
I George B. Westcott clerk of the said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaac Hickman for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 17 day of August Anno Domini 1835.
Geo B. Westcott
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Isaac Hickman

Act. 1832  Mich(?)

A.H. Mackland
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State of Michigan
County of Calhoun

Be it known that on this seventeenth day of January A.D. 1853 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peach, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared: Isaac Hickman and Joh E. Hickman, sons of Isaac Hickman (a revolutionary soldier) deceased residents of Battle Creek in said County, and made oath according to law that they are the legal heirs of the identical man who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of
That they are directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence of arguments as their agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Power of Attorney and authority heretofore given whereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M KNIGHT, of Washington City Our true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claims of Isaac Hickman for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and we hereby authorize our said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidenc or arguments, and to receive for our exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issue for said claim, which certificate we wish made payabot at the Washington City, D.C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that we might or could do wee we personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that our said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises. 
Isaac Hickman
John E Hickman

Sworn to, subscribed, and Acknowledged before me he day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Isaac Hickman + John E. Hickman to be directly interested in said claim as set forth and to be the identical party therein alleged.

Eli S. Stillson Justice of the peace

State of Michigan
County of Calhoun
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May 5, 1936

Isaac Hickman - R.4950
BA-J/AWF

Mr. L. Garrett Myers
The Genealogical Socity of Utah
80 North Main Street
Salt Like City, Utah

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Isaac Hickman, born June 4, 1757, resided at Egg Harbor, New Jersey, later in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, and died August 15, 1845 in Battle Creek, Michigan.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R4950, based upon the service of Isaac Hickman in the Revolutionary War.

Isaac Hickman was born June 4, 1757 at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey. The names of his parents were not stated.

He live at Great Egg Harbor during the Revolution, and in 1805 moved to Luzerne County, and thence to Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

He applied for pension August 17, 1835, then living in Canaan Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, and stated that he volunteered about the middle of April 1776, servied four months as private in Captain John Somers company, Colonel Richard Somers regiment of New Jersey militia, assisted in building Mud Fort on Somers Point, ranged the coast from Great Egg Harbor to Chestnut Neck, and was in several skirmishes; that he volunteered in November after the British took Philadelphia, served three months as lieutenant under Captain Samuel Snell and Colonels Somers and Hillman
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was stationed at Haddonfield; that a few days after his return home, he volunteered on an alarm against the Hessians, served one month as lieutenant and was in a skirmish; and served one month in June and July, 1778 as lighthorseman and guarded the shores from Somers' Point to Chestnut Neck.

The claim was not allowed, as proof of service as required by the pension law was not furnished.

Isaac Hickman and John E. Hickman, sons of the soldier, Isaac Hickman, on January 17, 1853, both then living in Battle Creek, Michigan, referred to their father as then deceased, but did not give the date and place of his death. the name of soldier's wife is not given, and there are not further data relative to children.

Vey truly, yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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REJECTED

4951
P.O.

Isaac Hickman
Service: See rejd soldier file 4950

Enlisted:
Discharged:
of Canaan Pen age 78 in 1835 Wayne Co
In N.J. enlisted April 1776 at Great Egg Harbour, NJ Col. Somers, building "Mud Fort" on Somers Point

Alleges: 
S.M. Knight
Re-enlisted: Any 22 53

Attorney: ____
P.O. ____

____Recognized. ___Contract.
____Cert of Dis. Searched for  _____, 18
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(Left column)

Dec. 23/91 Hon. James O'Donnell that no allowance can be made while

1916 Mch. 16 History to Mrs. Julia E Squier (etc.)
1916 May 13 Hist to W. J. Hickman (etc)
1927 May 24 - Hist, to Rudolph C. Johnson [illegible]
1936 May 5 - Hist to L. Garrett Myers [illegible]

(Right column)
REJECTED
4950
P.O.
Isaac Hickman
Service:
Enlisted: ____, 18___
Discharged: ____, 18 ___
Application filed: ____. 18___
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspensions
Alleges: "Suspended for more perfect details. The New Jersey militia
Re-enlisted: were out in alternate monthly tours, and never adopted four-month tours"

Attorney:
P.O.
____Recognized ____Contract
____ Cert. of Dis Searched for ____, 18__
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Isaac Hickman decd
Mich
{Relation to power of atty in a lot of claims
Set {S.M. Knight Aug. 22/53
J. Hickman, March 28/60
4951
Act June 7, 1832
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Suspended
See letter of Sept. 1835 to G. B. Westcott
4950
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Isaac Hickman
Mch 28
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Pension Office
March 28, 1860
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 21st instant I have [illegible] that a power of attorney was filed by S. M. Knight, in 1853, authorizing him to prosecute a claim in virtue of the services of Isaac Hickman in the Revolutionary War. No other papers have ever been filed, and of course, no allowance made. Mr. Knight is not now permitted to prosecute claims before this bureau.

As it is presumed Isaac Hickman (the alleged soldier) is not deceased, it is proper to add that the children of revolutionary soldiers cannot establish and recover a claim for pension or land. Such claims lie with the soldier and his widow.

Isaac Hickman Exec
Battle Creek
Calhoun Co.} Michigan
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Washington
June 6th, 1853

Hon. L.P. Waldo
Comr of Pensions} Sir

I have the honor to enclose herewith a power of attorney executed by the heirs of Isaac HIckman decd of the state of Michigan whose claim under act of June 7th 1832 has been suspended.

I hope to be enabled to file additional evidence in this case sufficient to establish the claim before it comes up for examination.

Very Respectfully
Your Olds. Sers.
S.M. Knight
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G. B. Westcott
Sept. 7(?), 1835
or
Record Vol. 28, P.121(?)
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War Dept.: Pen: Office
Sept. 7, 1835

Sir,
The declaration of Isaac Hickman has been ex'd + filed with suspended cases in the offices.
He alleges to have served as a militia man of New Jersey in 1776, at Egg Harbour, four months in continuation; three month continuous  service from Nov. 1777 at Haddonfield, NJ, a short distance from Phila and one other tour of one month and that in the two last tours he acted as lieutenant. There is no evidence in this office showing that the N. Jersey militia served more than one month under one engagement, nor have claims for such service as is alleged been allowed. Unless it can be shown by the most satisfactory testimony that the militia of that state were called out to serve as alleged, the claim cannot be allowed.

George B. Wescott
Bethany, Pa.
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Battle Creek Mich March 21- 60
Rev. John Robb

Dear Sir,
In the the "Christian  Advocate and Journal" of March the 8th I saw a notice of the Death of "Mrs. Archa Robb" wife of Rev. John Robb Chief Clerk in the Pension Office Washington City.
Wishing to gain some information in regard to some matters at the Pension Office pleas excuse me for taking the liberty to addressing you.
I wish to know whether you know a person by the name of S. M. Knight. I received a letter from a person who claimed that he was (or had been) Government Claims Agent by the name of S. M. Knight. he wrote to me in regard to a claim for a pension which had been previously presented in the name of Isaac Hickman a Revolutionary Soldier. Which claim he said for some reason or other had been rejected or suspended and which he thought he or I could get allowed. He is an extract from his letter bearing Date, Oct 18th 1852.
"Enclosed you have the necessary Power of Attorney to enable me to act in the matter. which if you will execute and return to me will be considered an acceptance of my offer on receipt of which authority I shall at once proceed in your behalf and keep you fully advised.
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from time to time of the progress of the case -
For any information you may desire respecting my reliability or business qualifications address the Pension Office."
The Power of Attorney was duly executed and returned. I received a letter from him Dated Jan. 5th 1858.
As I can hear nothing more from S.M. Knight will you pleas tell me whether the claim was allowed or not. And whether you know anything concerning S.M. Knight.
Address Isaac Hickman Box 680
Battle Creek Calhoun Co Michigan
With the amount of your Fee
and oblige
to Rev. John Robb 
Isaac Hickman
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Mch 1
Revo
Sec.

149 Fremont St.
Battle Creek, Mich

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions

Gentlemen, will you kindly look up the service of Isaac Hickman who served in the REvolution, send me a certified copy of his service please and bill for same if any.
Thanking you for the
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kindness
Yours truly
Mrs. Julia E. Squier
Mar. 7, 1916

REV. WAR SECTION
MAR 9 1916
PENSION BUREAU
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(POSTAL STAMP: Pension Office May 12 1916 U.S.)
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NTI Rev Sec

Subject:

Case No. POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE of INSPECTOR
W.J. Hickman, Inspector

Chicago DIVISION
Chippewa Falls, Wis., May 10, 1916

Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.

I am somewhat interested in obtaining information relative to the record of my great-grandfather Isaac Hickman, who was a soldier of the American Revolution, and who died at the age of 87 near Battle Creek, Mich. It is my understanding that he enlisted from Egg Harbor, N.J. (?) and, after being discharged, re-enlisted.
I have been informed that a pension was due his heirs, but for some reason was never paid: presumably on account of a missing link the records of his service. Can you advise me as to that?
If you are able to furnish me with such information as will enable me to join the "Sons of the American Revolution", kindly do so.
Thank you for the favor, I remain
Very respectfully,
W.J. Hickman
Post Office Inspector
Chippewa Falls, Wis.
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Newport, Wash., March 14th, 1927

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

Sir,-

I should be pleased to get the data you may have on file concerning Isaac Hickman (one only) and James Hickman (more inf) two Revolutionary War soldiers of New Jersey.

Yours Respectfully,

Randolph C. Johnson
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The Genealogical Society of Utah
Joseph F.Smith Memorial Building
80 North Main STreet
Salt Lake City, Utah

17 April 1936

Veterans Administration Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Gentlmen:

We are desirous of obtaining record of the parentage and ancestry of Isaac Hickman, a member of the Gloucester County, New Jersey militia in the American Revolution. He was born 4 June 1757, resided at Egg Harbor, New Jersey, late at Wayne County, Pennsylvania, and died 15 August 1845 at Battle Creek, Michigan.

Will you please search your records and send us a copy of any information found concerning him. We wish particularly to obtain the place of birth and the names of his parents.

Sincerely,

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF UTAH
Research Department
L. Garrett Myers
L. Garrett Myers, Supt.

EH/S
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In reply to your request of ____, received ___ for a statement of the military history of Isaac Hickman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in the Bureau.

R. File 4950
Dates of Enlistment 
Apr. 1776
Nov. 1777 
v
June 1778
Length of Service
4 mos
3 mos
1 mos
1 mos
Rank
Private
Lieut
Lieut
v
Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered  Captain
John Somers
Samuel Snell
Volunteered against the Hessians
guarded the shore against Refugees

Battles engaged in, ____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Great Egg Harbor, N.J.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 17, 1835
Residence at date of application, Canaan Twp, Wayne Co. Penn.
Age at date of application, born June 4 1757 Great Egg Harbor, N.J.
Remarks: The claim was never allowed, claimant failed to furnish satisfactory proof of alleged service required by the pension law. In Jany 1853, Isaac + John E Hickman of Battle Creek, Mich. claimed to be sons of the deceased soldier, date of his death is not stated.

Respectfully
Colonel
Richard Somers
Hillman
State
N.J.

[illegible] for more perfect details. NJ Mil were out alternate monthly tours - never adopted 4 mo tours. (?)

Commissioner
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& 1812 Wars Section  [illegible]

May 24 1937

Robert C. Johnson
Newport, Washington

Sir: I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 4950 it appears that Isaac Hickman while a resident of Canaan Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania applied for pension August 17, 1835 and stated that he was born June 4, 1757 at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey.

He also stated that while living at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey he volunteered about the middle of April 1776, served four months as private under Captain John Somers and Colonel Richard Somers in the New Jersey Troops, assisted in building Mud Fort on Somers' Point and was in several skirmishes one of which was at Absecum; that he volunteered in November after the British took Philadelphia, as a Lieutenant under Captain Samuel Snell, Colonels Somers and Hillman in the New Jersey Troops and served three months; that a few day slater he volunteered, served one months as Lieutenant against the Hessians and was in a skirmish; that again, in June 1778
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Rev.

he volunteered and served one month as horseman and guarded the shores from Somers Point to Chestnut Neck against the Refugees.

His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of the alleged service as was required by the pension laws.

In January 1853 Isaac and John E. Hickman of Battle Creek, Michigan claimed to be sons of the "deceased soldier", but did not give the date of death. The name of the soldier's wife is not stated.

Respectfully,

Winfield Scott
Commissioner
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Rev. War SEction

MAy 13, 1916

Mr. W. J. Hickman
Post Office Department
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Sir:-

In response to your letter dated the tenth instant, you are advised that the papers in the claim of Isaac Hickman R. File No. 4,950 Rev. War, show that he applied for pension August 17, 1835, while a resident of Canaan Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

He stated that he was born June 4, 1757 at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey, where he resided and volunteered in the New Jersey Militia, about the middle of April, 1776, as a Private under Captain John Somers, Colonel Richard Somers, and assisted in building "Mud Fort" on Somers' Point; was in several petty skirmishes, one of which was at Absecum, and served four months.
Volunteered in November, after the British took Philadelphia, as Lieutenant, under Captain Samuel Snell, Colonels Somers and Hillman; served three months.
A few days  later, as Lieutenant, volunteered against the Hessians and had a skirmish; one month.
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Volunteered in June, 1778, as a Horseman, and guarded the shores from Somers Point to Chestnut Neck against the Refugees; one month.

The claim was never allowed for the reason that the claimant failed to furnish satisfactory proof of his alleged service, as required by the pension law.

In January 1853, Isaac and John E. Hickman of Battle Creek, Michigan, claimed to be sons of the "deceased soldier" -- the date of his death is not shown.

There is no provision of law under which the descendants of Revolutionary soldiers are entitled to pension.

Very respectfully,
G.M. Saltzgaber
Commissioner