Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 754, for Henry Simpson, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE | NUMBER
New Jersey | Simpson, Henry | S.754
Carded [check mark]
CONTENTS
Page 2

9785.
New Jersey
Henry Simpson
of Sussex in the State of New Jersey
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Seward of the Reg commanded
by Col Seward in the New Jersey
line for 7 months & 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of June
1833 and Sent to J E
Edsall Newton NJ.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $50.00
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 12.50
=====
$62.50
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J W Clagett Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 130
Date of death not ea AB
Page 3

Pension In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set my hand and seal of said Court this twenty eighth
of August 1832
J E Edsall Clk
No 8059
Henry Simpson
Page 4

Sussex Common Pleas
August Term 1832
New Jersey
Sussex County ss
On this twenty eighth
day of August in the year of Lord Eighteen
hundred and thirty two personally appeared in
open Court before the Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for our said County
of Sussex now sitting, Henry Simpson of
the age of Seventy five years, resident of the
Township of [crossed out] Hardiston in the said County, who being
duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath
[crossed out] 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 Unted States under the following
named officers and served as herein stated
that he entered and joined the army of the United
State on the first day of July 1776 in the company 
of Captain John Seward, under Col Ephriam 
his first Lieu. Jno Martin 2nd Lieu. Zenos Goble
assign John Welling in Genl Heards Brigade
entered and marched from Sussex County New Jersey
to the City of New York from there to Long Island
was under the command of Genl Washington at
the retreat of Long Island, Marched to Fort Washington 
and was dismissed at New Brunswick on
the first day of Decr. of the same year after having
served in the army five months the time enlisted
for. That he was called out for one month
and entered in the Company of Capt Seward afterwards
made Col. and Lieu. Peter Burger assumed the
Command of Capt. entered about the first of
January in the year 1777, and marched to Scotch
Page 5

Plains in the County of Middlesex were he was stationed
and done one months duty - that he was again
called out and entered [crossed out] in the Company
of Capt. Syrus Beckworth under the command of
May Samuel Mecker in the year 1778 thinks in
the fall of the year was out and served half a
month during which time he was stationed upon
the Delaware River near Minisink then called in
New Jersey to protect the frontiers from the depredations
of the Indians - that he was again
called out and entered under Capt Syrus Beckworth 
aforesaid Lieu Hopkins, thinks, in the month of
May in the year 1779 was Stationed on the
Delaware River aforesaid, to guard against the Indian
and done duty half a month that he was
again called out and entered in the company of
Capt Syrus Beckworth under the comd of Col
John Seward, aforesaid, in the year 1780 thinks
the month of [crossed out] June was marched up the
Delaware and Lackawack River against the
Indian arrived the same day the Yorkers were
defeated by the Indians was out and done duty
duty for half a month. Says he was born
on the 16th of Augst 1757, as he believes, in Sussex
County New Jersey has a record of his age at
home, says at the different times when called
& entered in the service [crossed out] he was resident of
Sussex County aforesaid, and has continued to reside in
said County since the war, never received any
written discharge from service, that he has no
documentary evidence. that he knows of no person
except James Edsall whose testimony he can
procure to testify to his service says Benjamin
Hamilton and James Edsall can testify to
his Character [crossed out] for veracity and their belief of his
Services as a soldier of the revolution. he hereby
relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
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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 the
day and year aforesaid - Henry Simpson
James Stoll | 
Andrew Wilson | Judges
Jos. Y. Miller | 
We Benjamin Hamilton & James Edsall
residing in the neighborhood of Henry Simpson
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
the said Henry Simpson who has subscribed 
and sworn to the above declaration that
we believe him to be seventy five years of age
that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood
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.
Jos Y Miller | Judges | Benj Hamilton
 |  James Edsall
Andrew Willson |
James Stoll | New Jersey
Sussex County SS James Edsall
Being duly sworn doth declare and say that he is
acquainted with Henry Simpson above named, that this
deponent together with said Simpson entered the service of
the United States on the 1st day of July 1776 in the
declaration of the said Simpson mentioned under the office they
named was at the places therein mentioned and knows
that the said Simpson done the said duty and service
of five months in his [illegible] first mentioned. Says he
recollects well and knows of the said Simpson doing
the other duty by him mentioned in his declaration above
was with him at the different time and places aforsaid
under the officer by him mentioned.  Sworn & subscribed the
Day and year aforesaid.  James Edsall
Benj Halsey Judge &c
Page 7

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 certify that Benjamin Hamilton
and James Edsall who have signed the preceding 
certificate are credible persons and that their
Statement is entitled to credit.
Benjn Halsey | 
R H M Carter | Judges
Aa. Halen | 

J. Joseph E Edsall Clerk of said Court of Common
Pleas, do hereby certify that the
[seal applied] foregoing contained the Original
Proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application
of Henry Simpson
Pension " In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of said Court this twenty eighth
of August 1832
J E Edsall Clk
18059
Henry Simpson
Page 8

8.059
Henry Simpson
Essex Co N Jersey
Adm for 7 months
& 15 days.
J. E Edsell
New Jersey
Sussex
Page 9

Brief in the case of Henry Simpson
County of Sussex  in the State of New Jersey
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers
 | | | under whom he served.
1776 July | 5 months | Private | Capt Seward Col Ephraim
1777 Jany | 1 month | " | Capt Seward
73 fall | 15 days | " | Capt Beckwith Maj Meeker
79 May | 15 days | " | Capt [illegible] "
30 June | 15 days | " | Capt " Col Seward
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sussex Co New Jersey
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By a living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
Richard Catts
Examining Clerk.
Page 10

February 3, 1937
XXXXXXXX
BA-J/REL
Mrs. Joseph B. English | Henry Simpson-E.754
10 Morningside Drive
Trenton, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary 
War record of Henry Simpson, of New Jersey.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file
in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 754, based upon the military
service in that war of Henry Simpson, the only soldier of that name
or similar spelling that is found on the Revolutionary War records
of this office.
Henry Simpson was born August 16, 1757, in Sussex County, New 
Jersey. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in said Sussex County, Henry Simpson enlisted
and served as a private with the New Jersey troops, as follows:
from July, 1776, to December 1, 1776, in Captain John Seward's
Company, Colonel Ephraim ______'s (last name of Colonel not given)
and was in the retreat from New York: from January 1, 1777, one
month in Captain John Seward's Company, and after Captain Seward's
promotion to colonel under Lieutenant Peter Burger: from sometime
in July, 1778, two weeks in Captain Cyrus Beckwith's Company under
Major Samuel Meeker; from May, 1779, two weeks in Captain Cyrus
Beckwith's Company, and from June, 1780, two weeks in Captain
Cyrus Beckwith's Company, Colonel John Seward's Regiment: the last
two tours he was out against the Indians on the frontier.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28,
1832, while residing in Hardyston Township, Sussex County, New Jersey.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
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 soldier, Henry Simpson (S.754), you should
address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records
Division, this city, and cite the following data:
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Henry Simpson
Certificate No. 9785
Issued June 17, 1833
Rate, $25 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New Jersey Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 12

10 Morningside Drive
Trenton, New Jersey
Veterans Bureau,
Washington, D. C
[Date Stamp RECEIVED JAN 23 1937 Mail Sub-Div Vets Adm #26]
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me a copy
of the pension record of Henry Simpson
Revolutionary soldier, State of New Jersey?
Respectfully yours
Iva M. English
(Mrs. Joseph E. English)
Page 13

July 19, 1932
Mr. A. D. Hiller | Re: Henry Simpson
Assistant to Administrator | Sussex County
Veterans Administration | New Jersey
Washington, District of Columbia
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly let me know what data | [Date stamp RECEIVED Jul 20 1932 War Sub Div]
you have in your files in reference to
Henry Simpson.
Sussex County
New Jersey
a revolutionary soldier who was granted a pension
in 1831.
Yours truly,
Lila Southard
(Miss) Lila Southard
594 Clifton Avenue
Newark
New Jersey
Page 14

[left panel]
1932 - Aug 10 - Hist. to Miss Lila
Southard -  EEL
1937 - Feb 3 - Hist to Mrs Joseph E. English ES
[right panel]
Rev War
INVALID.
File No 754
Henry Simpson
Pvo. N.J. Line
June 7 1832.
Index:--Vol. A, Page 341
arrangement of 1870
Page 15

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
Henry Simpson Sussex C New Jersey 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? yes
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? Yes
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
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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
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?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
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.
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8
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. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not
ployed in any civil pursuit.
tQUERE 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 official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
tQUERE 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.
[pointing hand symbol] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 18

August 10, 1932
Henry Simpson-S.754
XXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Miss Lila Southard
594 Clifton Avenue
Newark, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information
in regard to Henry Simpson, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file
the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.754, based upon the
tary service of Henry Simpson in that war.
Henry Simpson was born August 16, 1757, in Sussex County, New
Jersey.
While residing in Sussex County, New Jersey, he enlisted and
served as a private with the New Jersey Troops as follows: from
July, 1776, to December 1, 1776, in Captain John Seward's Company,
Colonel Ephraim's ----------'s [margin note:this was probably Col. Ephraim Martin] (name of colonel not stated) Regiment, and
was in the retreat from New York, from January 1, 1777, one month in
Captain John Seward's Company, and after Captain Seward's promotion
to colonel under Lieutenant Peter Burger: from sometime in July, 1778,
two weeks in Captain Cyrus Beckwith's Company under Major Samuel
Meeker; from May, 1779, two weeks in Captain Cyrus Beckwith's Company:
and from June, 1780, two weeks in Captain Cyrus Beckwith's Company,
Colonel John Seward's Regiment: the last three tours he was out against
the Indians on the frontier.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28,
1832, while residing in Hardyston Township, Sussex County, New Jersey.
There are no data as to his family,
[margin note: Date of death not on ap] 
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 19

Henry Simpson
$25
Payments to be made
at Trenton.
by 1st Trenton
Banking Co
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
New Jersey
#754
Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E. Vol. 3.
Page 130 by Wm R. Palmer,
Clerk
Page 20

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States
of the 7th June, 1832, Henry Simpson
of the State of New Jersey
who was a Private in the Army.
of the Revolution.
is entitled to receive Twenty five dollars [crossed out]
[crossed out] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on
the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and
4th of September, in every year.
[seal applied]
GIVEN at the War Office of the United 
States, this Seventeen day of
June one thousand eight
hundred and thirty three
John Robb
Acting Secretary of War
Examined and
Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 21

Sept. 20 1833 Paid to Sept 6. 1833
Mar 10, 1834 Paid to Mar 4, 1834
Sept 12. 1834 Paid to Sept 4, 1834
March 26 1835 Paid to May 4 1835
Sep 18 1835 paid to Sept 4 1835
March 15 1836 paid to Mar 4, 1836
Sep 15 1836 paid to Sep 4 1836
Mar 25 Paid to Mar [illegible]
Paid to Sep 1837
Paid to 4 Mar 1838
Paid to 4 Sep1838
Paid to 4 Mar 1839
Paid by 4 Sep 1839
Paid to 4 Mar 1840
Paid to 4 Sep 1840