Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 42,185, Christopher Drum, New Jersey
Page 1

( 3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Drum, Christopher
NUMBER
S. 42,185
CONTENTS
Page 2

N19.999
Pennsylvania
Christopher Drum
of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Peter Morris of the regiment commanded
by Colonel Ogden in the New Jersey
line, for the term of nine months
[Fro]m June 4 1778 to 3 March 1779
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 3d day of November 1828.
[cer]tificate of Pension issued the 6 of Decem. 1828
and sent to P W. Sprout Esqr
Philadelphia
Arrears to 4th of March 1828 $32.48
Semi-anl. all'ce ending
$32.48
Recorded Book C
Vol 6 page 54
B.B.
Revolutionary
Acts March, 1[illegible]
and May 1, 18[illegible]
Page 3

State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia Ss.
1
Christopher Drum being duly sworn doth depose and say
that he first enlisted in the Revolutionary War for the term
of nine months on the continental Establishment at
Mount Holly in New Jersey under Captain Peter Vorhes
about the year 1779 to the best of his recollection, being at
that time very young, that the first engagement he was
in was at Monmouth-- that he was also at the battle
at White plains - that Captain Vorhees was killed at
Monmouth battle, and other officers took command
That soon after being discharged from the nine months
sworn he enlisted again for three years or for the War
under Col Ogden, was under various officers, Captain
Polhemus, Captain Eden, and others whose names
he cannot remember - the company was called Vorhes's
company - but was commanded after his death by Captain
Polhemas, Egdar, and others not remembend - the deponent
remained in shore until the peace in 1783 when he
was discharged at Elizabethtown New Jersey.
The deponent being of weak memory cannot remember at
this distant period the exact date and names of officer half a
century ago
The deponent further declares that no changes have
been made in his property since the 18th of March
1818 - that he was equally as poor at that date as at the
present - having no property whatever except wearing
apparrel - and supported himself as a daily laborer -
Page 4

that he has been a poor man all his days, and never
his life was worth fifty dollars at any one time.
on now prays the Honorable Secretary of War to place
him on this pension Roll that he may be with in his old age
for his Revolutionary services.
Sworn and subscribed this 3d day of November 1828
before Wm Strong
Justice of the Peace
s/ Christopher Drum [his X mark]
Page 5

20737
Christopher Drum
Philadelphia
P.W. Sproat Eq.
Philadelphia
Recd
27 Oct 1828
Page 6

ORIGINAL CLAIM.
Declaration, in order to be placed on the Pension List, under the Act of
the 18th March, 1818.
State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia Ss.
On this Twenty second day of October 1828, personally appeared in
open court, (a) being a court of record (b) [crossed out ] for the district, circuit [end cross out] the court of common pleas 
for the county, [crossed out] or corporation, as the case may be, ] [end cross out] of Philadelphia
Christopher Drum resident in said county, aged 71 years, who,
being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, 
in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March,
1818, and the 1st of May, 1820; that he the said Christopher Drum enlisted (c) for
the term of three years on the [blank]  day of [blank] 
 in the year 1780 in the State of New Jersey in the company (d) commanded
by captain Vorhes in the regiment commanded by Colonel Ogden
in the line of the State of New Jersey in the first [illegible] on the continental
establishment; that he continued to serve in the said or vessel until 1783
[blank] when he was discharged from the service in Elizabethtown
in the State of New Jersey ; that he hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension, except the present; that his name is not on the roll of any
State, [crossed out] except [end cross out] ; and that the following are the reasons for
not making earlier application for a pension: (e) Extreme poverty - ignorance - and inability to make the full proofs required.
And, in pursuance of the act of the 1st May, 1820, I do solemnly swear ( [crossed out] or affirm,
as the case may be, end corss out] ) that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day
of March, 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner
disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as
to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled ""An act to provide
for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States
in the Revolutionary War,” passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have
not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or
debts, due to me; nor have I any income [crossed out], other than what is contained in the schedule
hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. (f) That, since the 18th of March, 1818,
the following changes have been made in my property [end cross out]  (g) whatever
/s Christopher Drum [his X mark]
Sworn to, and declared, on the 22 day of October 1820 [crossed out] before [end cross out] (h)
I Matthew Randall, Prothonotary [crossed out] Clerk [end cross out] of the Court of common pleas for the City & County of
Philadelphia do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said
Christopher Drum did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the
preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under
one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify, that the foregoing
oath ( [crossed out] or affirmation [end cross out] ) and statement thereto annexed, are truly copied from the
records of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said
Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited [crossed out] in the aforesaid schedule 
[end cross out] is neither [blank] dollars [crossed out] and[end cross out] cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the
said Court, on this twenty second day of October 1828
s/ Matthew Lamark
Prothonotary [crossed out] Clerk [end cross out] of the Court of the Common pleas
for the City & County of Philadelphia
Page 7

 a ) Or, in case of disability, by reason of bodily infirmity, in lieu of "in open court," insert the words " before
the subscriber, a judge or justice, as the case may be) of the court of," &c.
( 6 ) All are courts of record, within the contemplation of the act of Congress-
1st. Which are expressly made courts of record by the laws of the State which creates them;
2d. Which have been solemnly adjudged, by the tribunals of the several States, to be courts of record;
3d. Which proceed according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount,
keeping a record of their proceedings;
4th. Which have the power of fine and imprisonment.
And courts which proceed according to the course of the civil and canon law, having neither of these attributes,
are not courts of record, although they may keep a registry of their proceedings, and possess a seal. The court
should, in every instance, state, on the face of the proceedings, that it is a court of record, and state why it is such
( c ) If the claimant was an officer, he must here state what rank he held, and insert the word "entered, in lieu
of " enlisted."
(d) If the claimant served in the Navy, he must here insert the name of the ship or vessel in which he sailed,
and give the name of the captain or commander.
( e ) Here give sufficient reason for not making earlier application for a pension.
( f ) Here enumerate each article of real or personal estate, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, and subscribe
the same. The declarant must also mention his occupation, his ability to pursue it, the number and names of
his family residing with him, their ages, and their capacity to contribute to their support, in order that the Department
may be enabled to decide whether the applicant is in such indigent circumstances as to be entitled to the
pension. It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that the words of the 3d section of the act of the 1st of May,
1820, ""in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support himself without the assistance of his country,"
comprehend those only who are incapable of supporting themselves without the aid of the Government, except by
private or public charity.
( g ) If any changes have been made, here insert an account of the property in the applicant's possession on the
18th March, 1818, and not now owned by him, of which that disposed of by sale will be in the following columns:
| Description of Property. | Names of the persons to whom disposed of.  | Time of Sale. | Amount of Money or description of Property received in return. | 
If the property has been sold under execution, the certificate of the sheriff, or officer making the sale, must
be produced, and the manner in which the debt originated, on account of which judgment was obtained, and excution
issued, should be shown by the testimony of the plaintiff, who is required to swear as to the time at which the
debt was contracted; and to state for what articles, the amount of them, and whether he believes that they were
applied to the exclusive use and benefit of the defendant, or persons claiming a pension. In every case where there
has been a transfer of real estate, authenticated copies of the deed of conveyance should be exhibited; and where
debts have been discharged with the proceeds of the sale of any property, the evidence of the creditors, proving
the fact, is required. The creditors should state, under oath, the time at which the debts were contracted, for
what articles of property, the time when they were paid, and in what way. The application of all money should
be clearly shown, in like manner, by disinterested witnesses. If a claimant has taken the insolvent debtors' oath,
the certificate of the magistrate before whom the oath was taken, must be produced. The origin of every note,
bond, or other obligation, for the payment of money, the fulfilment of a contract, or the discharge of a debt, either
to or from the applicant must be clearly shown, as well as the time and manner of discharging the same. The
oaths of disinterested persons are required to show for what the obligations were given, for what amount, and at
what time; and similar proof is required as to the discharge or cancelling of the same. Similar evidence is required
in every case where property has been sold under a mortgage. The testimony of the mortgagee, as well as that
of the mortgage, is required. Each should swear as to the manner in which the mortgage originated, showing the
time of contracting the debt, for what consideration, and the amount thereof; and the mortgage must show how the
money or property for which he became indebted, was applied. In cases where persons have held landed property,
and have never had deeds for the same, the affidavits of public officers, competent to give testimony in such cases,
are required. The official character and signature of the magistrate before whom the affidavits may be taken, should
be certified, under seal of office, by the county Clerk, the Mayor of the city, the Secretary of State, or by such other
officer as is required by the laws and usages of the State or Territory where the evidence is taken. The officer should
certify that the magistrate is a Judge, Justice of the Peace, Alderman, or other officer, as the case may be, duly
qualified to administer oaths, and that the signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
( h ) persons unable to appear in court, by reason of bodily infirmity, and who are permitted, by the act of March 1,
1823, to take the oath before a Judge or Justice of a court of record, must, in addition to the oath in ordinary cases,
swear that they are not able to attend personally in court, by reason of disease, or bodily disability, as the case may
be. Before the words "I ]blank] clerk, " & c. insert the following: "I [blank] a Judge, (or Justice )
of the court of [blank] holden in the county of [blank] where the declarant resides, do hereby certify, that
the above named is, from a disease called the [blank] with which, I am credibly informed, and
believe, he has been afflicted, for the space of [blank] unable to attend the court of which I am a Judge, (or
Justice,) and I do not think, from present appearances, that he will be able to attend the court above named, at its
next session. I have, therefore, in pursuance of the act of Congress of the 1st March, 1823, attended at his place
of abode, and administered the foregoing oath. A.B. Judge," &c. Then let the clerk, in lieu of the usual certificate,
write these words: "I,  [blank] clerk of the court of [blank] certify that [blank] before whom the above affidavit of
 [blank] who is now sick and confined to his house, was made, is Judge as aforesaid. I also certify, that the said schedule and oath have been admitted to the record of said court, and that the same are truly copied therefrom: and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is 
[blank] dollars and [blank] cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this [blank] day of  [blank] 
182 [blank]. 
Clerk of the Court for the  [blank] of, etc.
Page 8

42 185
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 42.185
Christopher Dunn
Pri Rev War
Act: 18 March 18[illegible]
Index: -- Vol.  S  Page 137
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 9

County of Philadelphia Ss

Personally came before me Michael Jordan of the
County of Philadelphia who is duly affixed
doth believe that he is personally acquainted with
Christopher Dunn now genent and knows him to have
been a captain  & in the Revolutionary war in the company
commanded by Captain Month in the Jersey Line
in the Continental Establishment and knows
that said Dunn now for near than the space of
one year in said Company and knows when he was
honorably discharged at Elizabeth town in [illegible]
that he was in the same [illegible] with him; that the
name of the Colonel was [illegible] and the [illegible]
- that he was with him in the battle of
Monmouth with Captain Vorhees, and will [illegible]
him in the Engagement, that he was a good soldier
Sworn and subscribed this 20th day of March 1826
s/ Michael Jordan
s/ L Norton
Justice of the Peace
I certify that I have full belief that the above named
deponent is a credible witness + Captain Peter Vorees
s/ L Norton
did not enlist for the period
of the year & serve to the close
of it- not i[illegible]
Page 10

I Mathew Randall Prothonotary of the Court of common pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia Do hereby certify that Wm H Norton
before whom the within affidavit was taken was at the time and still
a justice of the peace for the County of Philadelphia duly authorized and
and to whose official acts full credit is to be paid
have I have hereunto set my hand
whereof and affixed the Seal
of the said court on this 22d day of October 1820.
s/ Mathew Randall
Page 11

Chris Drum
not entitled to land
from the U. States
War Department
Bounty Land Office
16 Oct 1828
[illegible reverted text at bottom]
Page 12

Philadelphia Dec 2nd 1820
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 25th [illegible] was
duly received. C. Drum called this morning
and I read to him your Letter.
And he explains as follows: That he served the
first nine months under Captain Peter Vores in
the first Jersey Regt and was Honorably discharged.
First he soon after enlisted for three years for during War
and was the principal part of the time in Captain
Pratt's Company in the first Jersey Reg about
the year 1780 and remained in said Company
until the spring of 1783 when he received a
verbal discharge from his officers to leave the
service as Hostilities had ceased - he states that
many soldier left the service at the same time
gave up their arms by consent of the officers and
returned home - this neglect of the officers to [illegible] the
[illegible] Discharge is unfortunate for the soldiers as they
are not returned for Land arrears of pay Grratefully & Respectfully
s/ P.W. Norton
s/ J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 13

Supplement.
So is probable that be a reference to the Rolls of
Captain Piatts Company for 1781 -2-3 that the
name of Christopher Drum will be found for and the
term for which he enlisted be found for either three years
or During the War - the next question will be whether
his having left the service without a written discharge
before the formal Treaty of Peace in the Autumn of 1783.
the will be considered to have served during the War-
If on the Rolls he is found enlisted for the War it will be
a question whether he ought not to be placed on the list
and the new act of May last.
Page 14

State of Pennsylvania | 
City of Philadelphia | ss
John Polhemus of Philadelphia
Being duly sworn doth depose and say
that he was a Captain in the first Regt.
in the Jersey Line on the Continental Establishment
[crossed out] in the Revolutionary War.
That Christopher Drum an old soldier has
called upon the Deponent, and that after a long &
careful examination of the said Christopher Drum he
the aforesaid Deponent is perfectly satisfied that
said Drum did serve as a private soldier in
the company formerly under his command, and subsequently
under the command of Captain Peter Vories in the
first Regiment in the Jersey line for the term of
nine months at one period, under Col Ogden and
General Masewell, and is entitled to a pension
from the United States for or his faithful services
during the Revolutionary War.
Sworn and subscribed this 23rd day of October
A.D. J.P.2P
James Baxter [illegible]
Jn Polhemus
Page 15

Philadelphia County ss
Matthew Randall Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County to certify that Samuel
[illegible] Parker Esquire before whom the written affidavit was made
and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing
and still is an Alderman of the city of Philadelphia and ex-officio
a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualifies to
all whose acts as such full faith and credit are and ought
to be given as well in Courts of Judicature as [illegible] here.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of the
[illegible] Court at Philadelphia this
twenty fourth day of October AD
Eighteen hundred and twenty eight
Matthew Randall
Page 16

Philadelphia, Oct. 18 1843
Sir:
On behalf of Christopher Drummond
a revolutionary pensioner under the
act of 1818 at the Pennsylvania [illegible]
Philadelphia, I ask for a copy
of the proof & papers in his case
on file in the pension office for the
purpose of applying to the Legislature
of [illegible] Jersey for a pension for that
state.
His years & the near approach of the
session of said State legislature
remind me that [illegible] is required
in the case, if practicable.
And here I would refer to what
the Hon [illegible] of [illegible] told
[illegible] to wit that he was [illegible] some
of the Clerks in his office should
assist in the Pension if required.
Will you have the goodness to inform
me by return of mail whether
this request will be granted ?
Very truly
John Stuart
Hon. J. L. Edward S. Library St
[illegible] Phil.