Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4440, for John Jeffryes, New Jersey
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SERVICE  
New Jersey 

NUMBER
S. 4440

Jeffryes of Jeffreys John  

Carded
CONTENTS
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(Left column)
No date of death on AB

(Right column)
6946
New Jersey

John Jeffreys of the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Price of the Reg commanded by Col. Somers in the New Jersey [illegible] for 2 years + more Private - $80.0

Subscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars --- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of March 1833 and sent to Hon. R M[illegible] Codfin(?) Camden, N. Jer.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - $160.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept "- $40.00
$200.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Viral Luce, Clerk,
Book D Vol. 4 Page 157
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Gloucester County SS: On this twenty first day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Gloucester, personally came Thomas Price who being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he is in his eighty seventh year was born (in) Shrewsbury in the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey and removed to Eggharbour near Somers Point in the County in his one and twentieth year where he has lived ever since- That he recollects the Eggharbour Guard - they were stationed to protect the extensive line of Coast from Cape Island to Sandy Hook from the depredations of the Enemies Cruizers, to prevent their landing and molesting the inhabitants, and to protect the inhabitants from the refugees, who came there in great numbers on account of the sparse settlement of the place. We were obliged to be constantly on the watch. Wherever a British vessel appeared on the Coast we were obliged to watch her to prevent her landing or corresponding with the Refugees - He recollects John Jeffryes served in the guard during the Revolution. he thinks during the whole service of the Guard - Is confident he served as much as two years - This deponent was in the Guard service from the time of its formation until its service expired, and believes that John Jeffryes was also - We were some(time?) at the Southern and sometime at the Northern extremity of the Coast as our services were required. We had a good deal of skirmishing with the refugees and British at different times whenever they attempted to land from their vessels - This deponent received an
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a pension from the state of New Jersey for his services in the Eggharbour Guard during the war of the Revolution. 

Affirmed and subscribed
Before me the date above
Michael C Fisher

His X Mark
Thompson Price

I Michael C. Fisher one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester before whom the above affidavit was taken do hereby certify that I believe the above named deponent Thompson Price to be a credible witness and that his affidavit is worthy of full credit and belief.

Witness my hand this twenty fifth day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three
Michael C. Fisher

I John C. Smallwood Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester, do hereby certify that Michael C. Fisher Esquire before whom the above affidavit was taken, is one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County duly commissioned and affirmed and that the name "Michael C. Fisher" thereto subscribed is the proper hand writing of the said Michale C. Fisher.

Witness my hand and seal of office his twenty fifth day of February AD one thousand eight hundred thirty three
Smallwood, Clk
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Gloucester County SS: On this twentieth day of February AD Eighteen hundred and thirty three - before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid - personally came James Somers who being duly affirmed according to Law Sayeth that he recollects very distinctly the Eggharbour Guard - He recollects seeing John Jeffryes in service in the Guard - He has seen him in service at building two Forts at the mouth of Eggharbour river within one and two hundred yards of the door(?) of this affirmant's father - He knows from personal observation of his actual service in the Guard for at least two years, and believes that he served as much as three years - although from the length of time elapsed he will not affirm positively to that length of service. He recollects that officers of the guard were Cols Robert Taylor + Richard Somers Capts Samuel Snell, Robert Snell (who was killed) + John Somers - This affirmant served at short periods in the Guard whilst in his immediate neighborhood at which time John Jeffryes also served - This affirmant cannot recollect so distinctly the Dates of the above service of John Jeffryes, as to be able to specify them- this affirmant is upwards of seventy one years of age, and lives at Somers Point in the county where he was bred and born - and where much of the service of the Eggharbor Guard was required and performed.
Affirmed and subscribed before me the date above
Michael C. Fisher   
James Somers
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I Michael C. fisher one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester before whom the within affidavit was taken Do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the affirmant James Somers, that he is a wealthy and respectable Citizen of this County; and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief.
Witness my hand this twenty fifth day of June AD eighteen hundred and thirty three
Michael C. Fisher

I John C. Smallwood Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester Do hereby certify that Michale C. Fisher Esquire before whom the within affidavit was was taken is one of the Judges of the said Court duly commissioned and affirmed and that the name thereto subscribed is the proper hand writing of him the said Michael C. Fisher.
Witness my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three
Smallwood clk
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John Jeffreyes

Ad(?)a(?)ter

2 years [illegible]
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Gloucester County SS: On the 21st day of January AD 1833 before me Ephraim Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the said County personally appeared John Jeffryes the same person who has sworn and subscribed to the following declaration, woh being duly sworn according to law saith that the whol length of time there he served during the Revolutionary War, and whilst in a regular organized corps, was four years and two week - during which time he served as a private in the following companies
Four Month and a half in a Company Commanded by Captain William Price in Col Richd Somers Regt
One Month under Capt. Jna Somers in Col Richd Somers Regt.
Two months under Capt. Rob Snell in Col Richard Somers Regt and five months under Capt. David Weatherby in the Flying Camp in Col Potters or Col Taylor's Regiments and Three years in what was called "The Egg harbour Guard" and for which service of four years and two weeks, he claims a pension.
John Jeffreyes
Sworn and Subscribed the date above before
Ephraim Miller
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Gloucester County SS: On the 21st day of January AD 1833 before me Ephraim Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, personally appeared James Steelman of said County aged Seventy four years and upwards, who being duly sworn according to law saith that is well acquainted with John Jeffreys and knew him during the War of the Revolution and this deponent further saith that the said John Jeffreys served a five month tour of duty in Capt. David Weatherby's Company in the flying camp he believes, and the reasons fo his belief are as follows, Richard Steelman brother of this deponent was an officer in said company, and he and the said John Jeffreys went away together and said that were going to join Capt Weatherby's Company. they were gone from home several months, and when they returned they spoke about being in Capt David Weatherby's Co and this deponent remembers hearing them speak about being in that co at many different times since, and he has very little doubt but that they both belonged to said Company + served in it for five months. 
his X mark
James Steelman

Sworn and Subscribed date above before 
Ephraim Miller

Gloucester SS: I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that Ephraim Miller Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits were make is one of the Judges of said Court duly commissioned and affirmed, and that the signature of the said Judge thereto subscribed is genuine.
Witness my hand + seal January 21 1833
Smallwood clk
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State of New Jersey
County of Gloucester}SS

On this Fifteenth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and Thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the said county of Gloucester now sitting, John Jeffryes, a resident of the said county of Gloucester and State of New Jersey aforesaid, aged 75 years on the 14 day of September last, who being 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 entitled "An Act Supplementary to an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution."
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
About the month of August 1775 I was called out under Capt. William Price, Lieut. Samuel Spring; we went to the Forks of Little Eggharbour river, in the county of Gloucester and state of New Jersey where we quartered, under command of Col Richard Somers we remained out but 2 weeks and did but little duty other than keeping guard-- I was then discharged.
For the month of July 1776 I was drafted in Capt. John Somers Company in Col. Richard Somers Batalion and my father served
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in my place as a substitute. They went to Trenton, or to Amboy. I do not recollect which for one month.
In October 1776 I entered as a Volunteer in Capt. John Somers Comp. in Col. Richard Somers Batalion we met at Somers Point at the Mouth of the Great Eggharbour river in the county of Gloucester where we quartered. Did no other duty than keeping up the Guard. Were discharged after a month's service.
Some time in December 1776 was again called out under Capt. Robert Snell in Col. Somers Batalion. Went to Somers' Point again, on Guard, for one month was discharged when my time expired.
The latter end of September 1777 (I think) I was again out under Capt. William Price and Lieut. Samuel Springer, to Woodbury, in Gloucester County we were discharged after about 2 weeks of service and I returned home. This was in Col. Somers Batalion.
About the last of January 1777, I again entered the service under Capt. Price in Col Richard Somers Batalion - Met at Mays Landing in the country of Gloucester and Marched from there to Haddonfield in the said county, about 40 miles. Then to Philadelphia where we were quartered for a few days, then marched through Bristol to Princeton thence, through Princeton and Somerset to the Raritan about 15 miles above New Brunswick where we encamped.
After about 2 weeks spent in this service
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I enlisted in Capt. David Weatherby's company in Col. Taylor's Batalion, or Col. Potter's. - I belonged to the Flying Camp. I enlisted for 5 months - was under Lieut Richard Higbee and Richard Steelman was ensign. We marched to Somerset under command of Ensign Steelman, as Captain, thence to New Brunswick where we had a skirmish with the Picquet Guard of the British Army, took some prisoners; do not recollect how many, lost none of our men. I was in no considerable engagement with the enemy during the 5 months.
I was discharged and went home.
June 1778 I volunteered in Capt. Robert Snell's Co. Col Richard Somers' Batalion. Met at Col Doughty's, near Bargaintown in Gloucester County, marched from there to to the camp of the Refugees on the Shore; had a pretty sharp contest with them and succeeded in taking 25 or 30 prisoners and our Boat with their captain, whose name was Turner. We had no irons with us and after marching them about a mile to a house for the purpose of securing them, they rose on the Guard but we subdued them again and tied them and took them about 10 miles to Mays Landing from there they were sent to Prison. Turner I believe escaped on the way. I was discharged.
In August 1778 we were again called out under Capt. William Price in Col. Somers' Batalion - we met at Chesnut Neck
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on Little Eggharbour river in Gloucester county New Jersey. There were several British vessels in Little Eggharbour Inlet, they landed a company of men on Bass river who did much mischief in burning vessels, houses, forage etc. and in plundering the inhabitants. The vessels: lay then about a month. In going out, one of the ships grounded on the outer bar and they set her on fire and blew her up. We were released after a month's service.
September 1778 I again entered the service under Capt. Price and Col Somers, at Somers Point. We built a Fort there, by direction, I think, of Col. Proctor who was there at that time - I served one month and was discharged.
The latter end of October 1778 I volunteered in what was called the Eggharbour Guard whose duty was to guard the coast from Great EggHarbour river to Sandy Hook. Served one year and was discharged. Our officers were Capt. Samuel Snell and Col. Robert Taylor.
In October 1779 I again enlisted the same service under the same officers; and was discharged after serving one year.
The service in the Guard was not regular. We had a great deal of Marching and Skirmishing which I cannot recollect. We went sometimes along the Seashore by land and sometimes by sea.
In 1780 I entered again the Guard Service and served one year.
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We went in pursuit of the British, Reffugees + Tories as we had information of the incursions along the coast as far north as Staten Island. I remember going with Cap. Badcock in a Boat to Barnegat in Monmouth County in pursuit of one Bacon, who was a notorious Reffugee and murdered and plundered Andrew Steelman and had wounded Lieut. David Scull and had done much other mischief - we found Bacon's residence but did not meet with him.
On another occasion we took a Reffugee trading boat part loaded with Tar and Cranberries. We took them out - and burnt the Boat, and then returned home.
I was born in the County of Gloucester in Great Eggharbour, New Jersey on the 14th day of September 1737. I have no record of my age. I have seen my age in a book, but I do not know where the book is now. I was living when called into service in the Township of Eggharbour Gloucester County, New Jersey and have lived there ever since.
I was drafted, once, but did (not?) go, my father went in my place. I volunteered at all the other times that I was in the service.
Col Proctor was at Eggharbour, Col. Potter and Col Taylor were at the River Raritan. I did not see Genl Washington at Somerset, but I heard that he was there when I was there. I saw Genl Newcomb at Woodbury. I saw Col Proctor's Regt of Artillery
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at Chesnut Neck + Somers Point in Gloucester County, Col Taylors Regiment at the same place, Genl Newcomb's Regiment in Woodbury.
I never received a written discharge except from Capt. Weatherby when I was in the five months service this has been lost along time since.
I am acquainted with Major John R. Scull, Dr. M D Canfield, Daniel Baker Esquire, Enoch Doughty Esquire and many others in my neighborhood. Gideon Leeds formerly Custom House officer at Eggharbour.
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.
John Jeffryes

Sworn and subscribed the date above
Ephraim Miller

We Jesse Smith and Jacob Glover both residing in the County of Gloucester hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Jeffryes who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is respected  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
Jacob Glover
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day and year aforesaid
Jacob Glover
Jesse Smith

Affirmed and subscribed
October 15 1832 in open court
Ephraim Miller

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 Jesse Smith and Jacob Glover Esq. who have signed the preceding certificate are resident in the said county of Gloucester and are highly respectable individuals, the one filling the Office of Surrogate and the other, the Sheriff of the said county, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Ephraim Miller

I, John Smallwood, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Gloucester, do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Jeffryes for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15th day of October 1832 -
Smallwood clk
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I, Ephraim Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester, before whom the following affidavit of James Steelman was made, do certify that I am well acquainted with the said James Steelman, he is a respectable citizen of this county and a person of credibility and that his affidavit is worthy of credit and belief. -
Witness my hand this eighth day of January AD one thousand eight hundred and thirty tree.
Ephraim Miller

The State of New Jersey Gloucester County SS
Be it Remembered that on the 15th
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The State of New Jersey Gloucester County SS
Be it Remembered that on the 15th day of October AD 1832 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester, personally appeared James Steelman of the said county aged seventy four years and upwards, who being duly sworn according to law saith that he was well acquainted with John Jeffryes and was well acquainted with him during the Revolutionary War - that this deponent and the said John Jeffryes served a considerable length of time during the said war in the same company under the same officers.
That the first time they served together in the War was in the month of August 1775, in a Company commanded by Capt. William Price in Col. Somers Regiment. We marched to Little Eggharbour River to the Forks and remained there until discharged.
The net time there were out together was in the Month of October 1776 under Capt. John Somers in Col Richard Somers Batalion, we were marched to Somers Point and remained there one month and were discharged.
The next time we were out together was in December 1776 in a Company commanded by Capt. Robert Snell in Col. Somers Batalion
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We were stationed during this tour at Somers Point remained there one month and were discharged.
The next time we were out together was in September 1777 under Capt. Price in Col Somers Batalion, we Marched to Woodbury where we quartered in the Friends Meeting House. Genl Newcomb commanded, during the time we lay in Woodbury the Battle of Brandywine was fought. We heard the firing quite plainly - this service lasted one month. -
The next time we were out together was in a company commanded by Capt. Robert Snell in June 1778 in Col. Richd Somers Regiment during this tour we had a pretty severe skirmish with the Reffugees on Eggharbour Shore we took 25 or 39 prisoners among them was their Capt whose name was Turner- during this period Capt. Snell was killed by one of his own men named Wells. Wells was on Guard and Capt. Snell went to relieve Guard. he did not give Wells the Countersign and he shot him, this was in the night, after that his father Samuel Snell took command of the Company.
The next time we were out together was in the month of August 1778 under Capt. Wm Price in Col Somers Batalion. We marched to Chesnut Neck on Little Eggharbour River where there
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there were a number of British vessels lying in the Bay one of them in going out grounded and they blew her up- this service lasted one month-
The next time we were out together was in the month of September 1778 under command of Capt. Price in Col Somers Batalion, we were quartered at Somers Point, where we built a Fort that was laid out by Col Proctor, this service lasted one month and we were discharged.
The next service that we performed together, was in the Eggharbour Guard" so called, the service lasted from October 1778 till October 1781 under Capt. Saml Snell in Col Robt Taylor's Regiment during his period we had hard duty to perform, a good deal of skirmishing with the Reffugees.--
his X mark
James Steelman

Sworn and subscribed Oct 15 1832
Ephraim Miller

I. John C. Smallwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester do hereby certify that Ephraim Miller Esquire before who the above affidavit appears to have made is one of the Judges of the said court duly commissioned and affirmed, and that the signature of the said Judge thereto subscribed is genuine.
Witness my hand and seal on this fifteenth day of October AD one thousand eight hundred and thirty wo
Smallwood clk
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October 16, 1936

Mrs. Charles W. Blake
1106 South Shore Road
Pleasantville, New Jersey

BA-J/EEL
John Jeffryes - S.4440

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you furnish further information in regard to John Jeffries (variously spelled) a soldier of the Revolutionary War, of Great Egg Harbor, Gloucester County, New Jersey, in whom you are interested.

You are furnished herein the history of John Jeffryes, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 4440, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

John Jeffryes was born September 14, 1757, at Great Egg Harbor, Gloucester County, New Jersey. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, John Jeffryes enlisted and served from August, 1776, to September, 1776, on tours of from two weeks to one month each, as a private in the New Jersey Troops under Captain William Price, John Somers and Robert Snell and Colonel Richard Somers. Solider stated that his father served one tour of one month from July, 1776 as a substitute for him (John Jeffryes) in captain John Somers' Company, Colonel Richard Somers' New Jersey Regiment. Soldier served five months as a private in captain David Weatherby's Company, Colonel Taylor's or Colonel Potter's New Jersey Regiment of the Flying Camp; no dates were given for this service. From October, 1778, until October, 1780, John Jeffryes served as a member of the Egg Harbor Guard under Captain Robert Snell and Colonel Robert Taylor and was in a number of skirmishes with the Refugees in one of which Captain Snell was killed, after which Captain Snell's father, Captain Samuel Snell, commanded the company. Soldier stated that his entire service amounted to four years and two weeks.
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John Jeffryes was allowed a pension on his application executed October 15, 1832, while a resident of Gloucester County, New Jersey. He signed John Jeffryes, was pensioned as John Jeffreys.

There is no reference to wife or children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Jeffryes (s. 4440), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

John Jeffreys
Certificate No. 6946
Issued March 11, 1833
Rate, $80 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New Jersey Agence

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Adminstrator
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(vertically written along left margin)
Revolution

(left column)

4440
INVALID

File No. 4440
John Jeffryes
Privt Rev War

Act: June 7 1832
Index:- Vol. A, Page 192

[Arrangement of 1870]

(Right column)

1936 - Oct. 16 Hist to Mrs. Chas W. Blake[illegible]
1936 - Nov. 25 Mrs. C.W. Blake adv. cost of photos [illegible]
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(Insignia of DAR)

Mrs. Charles W. Blake, REGENT
General Lafayette Chapter D.A.R.
1106 South Shore Road
Pleasantville, N.J.

October 21, 1936

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Attention: Mr. A.D. Hiller

Dear Sir:

In further reference to pension papers of "John Jeffryes" - BA-J/EEL S. 4440:

Could I have a type written copy of his complete pension papers? and what would be the expense? There is much historical data contained therein, which would be of much local interest.

Thanking you for an early reply, I am

Very truly yours,

Georgiana C. Blake
Mrs. Charles W. Blake, Regent.
Page 25

(Insignia of DAR)

Mrs. Charles W. Blake, REGENT
General Lafayette Chapter D.A.R.
1106 South Shore Road
Pleasantville, N.J.

October 8, 1936

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Attention: Mr. A.D. Hiller

Dear Sir:

In reply to your letter of Oct. 6, BA-J/EEL, John Jeffries (Jeffryes-Jeffers-Jeffrys) enlisted in Gloucester County &lt; Great Egg Harbour Township, New Jersey. He served as a private in the Third Battalion, Gloucester County Militia, New Jersey. His residence both before and after the Revolutionary War was Great Egg Harbour Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.

I am not sure of the date of his birth or death or of his wife's name. I do think he received a pension. At least the family traditions say that he did.

Thanking you, I am

Very sincerely yours,

Georgian C. Blake
Mrs. Charles W. Blake, Regent
Page 26

November 25, 1936

Mrs. Charles W. Blake
1106 South Shore Road
Pleasantville, New Jersey

JOHN JEFFRYES
S. 4440
BA-J/MMHF: MLB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request a complete copy of the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.4440, based upon service of John Jeffryes.

Photostatic copies of the papers in the pension claim designated will be furnished at the rate of twenty-five cents a page. The number of pages to be copied is eighteen.

Please make remittance by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States and transmit same to the Veterans Administration, this city, when the photostatic copies will be prepared and mailed to you.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator