Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21703, Thomas Hickman, Continental New Jersey
Page 1

Service
Continental
New Jersey
Hickman, Thomas
Number
W31702
Page 2

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County
On this thirty first day of July
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred and thirty two, Personally appeared in open
court before me the Judges of the Inferior court
of common Pleas in & for the county of Middle
sex & State of New Jersey being a court of record
Thomas Hickman of the Township of South  Am
boy in the county and state aforesaid who being 
first duly sworn according to Law doth on 
his oath make the following declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the provision made
by the act of congress passed the 7th of June 1832
viz. That he was born in Scotland on the 18th
day of May 1760 & is now in his seventy third 
year of age. That he came to Boston when 
he was three years of age with his parents.
That he enlisted in the army of the United States
in the month of March 1775 in the State of New
Jersey in the company commanded by Capt. 
Joseph Brearly in the regiment commanded
by Col. Willett in the line of the State of New
Jersey on the continental establishment for
the term of twelve months and served in said, corps
serving said Term & that he continued in said service after his said Term expired and until the 
month of September 1776 when he enlisted for
the Term of the continance of the war in the 
State of New Jersey aforesaid in the company
commanded by Capt. William Washington
That he does not now recollect the name of the 
Colonel who commanded the regiment but
it was in the Virginia line on the Continental
establishment that he continued to serve in the 
company of the said Capt. Wm Washington
Page 3

until the year 1778 when he was drafted in
to the company of Captain Stokes in the second
regiment commanded by Col. Maxwell of 
the New Jersey Line on the continental establishment
That he was sergeant & clerk in said company
That he continued to serve in said company of 
Capt. Stokes until he was drafted in the company
of Capt. Holms under the command of Col. Lynch
that he this declarant was the clerk to said Regi-
ment commanded by Lynch & that he contin
ued in such service until the year 1784 when
he was honorably discharged at Richmond in 
the State of Virginia. That he was appointed 
by General Green two days before the battle of 
Guiltford court house a Lieutenant in Capt. 
Holm's company- That he was in the battle of Guilford court house Eutaw Springs, Trenton Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth & Green Springs. That he was also at the storming 
of Stony Point under General Wayne. That 
he has no other evidence of his service now in
his power & believed until recently that the files
or records of the war department would 
show that his name was enrolled in the 
companies above mentioned but has lately 
been informed that it is not there. For this he is now able to account & thinks that it may yet be found.
And he further declares the the country 
through which he marched serving the war
was New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware 
Maryland Virginia & North Carolina. That
the family record of his age has been Lost.
He has Lost his discharge also & cannot 
now produce it. He is personally well
known to the Reverend Sinnes Henry in
Virginian & Robert McChesney . both of whom
reside in his neighborhood both of whom
Page 4

can testify to his character for veracity & their 
belief in his service as a revolutionary war sol-
dier- Since the revolution he has resided in 
New Jersey in several of the counties at different times having pursued the occupation
of a school master & now lives in the county 
of Middlesex in said State. When he first
enlisted he resided in Philadelphia. The 
discharge which he had from the service 
& which is lost was received from General
Nathan Green.
He hereby relinquishes his every claim what 
ever to a pension or an amenity except the 
present & declares that his name is not 
on the pension roll of the agency of any 
State.
Sworn in open court this
day & year first above
written
Thos Hance Lesage    Thomas Hickman

State of New Jersey
Middlesex county   The Synnes Henry a clergyman
residing in the county of Middlesex & State of New
Jersey & Robert McChesny residing in said county
with Thomas Hickman who has subscribed and 
sworn to the above declaration that we believe
him to be seventy three years of age or thereabouts
that he is reported and believed in the neighbor
hood where he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier & that we concur in that opinion

Sworn & subscribed in open    Symmes C Henry 
court this day & year above     Robert McChesny
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And the said court so hereby declare this
opinion after the investigation of the mat
ter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and served as he states. And the court further
certifies that it appears to them that Simes Henry 
who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing on the county of Middlesex aforesaid & that Robert McChesny who has also 
signed the same is a resident in said county
and is a credible person & that their state-
ment is entitled to credit. Dated July31, 1832
Thos Hance
N Booraem  Judges
H Ford

J Ferdinand S Van Arsdalen Clerk of the 
Inferior of common Pleas in and 
for the county of Middlesex in the State of New
Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas
Hickman for a pension.

In testimony whereas I have 
hereunto set my hand & seal this
31st day of July in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and thirty two.
F S Vanarsdalen Clerk
Page 6

February 8, 1937
Rudolph C. Johnson
Newport, Washington

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revo-
lutionary War pension claim R. 21703 it appears that Thomas
Hickman, the son of John, was born May 18 1760 in Scotland
and came with his parents to Boston when he was three years
old.
He applied for pension July 31, 1832 while living in 
South Amboy Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey, and al-
leged that he enlisted in New Jersey in March 1775 and served
in Captain Joseph Brearley's Company under Colonel Willett,
until 1776, when he enlisted in Captain William 
Washington's Virginia Company and served with him until he 
was drafted in 1776 and served as Sergeant in Captain Stokes'
Company, Colonel Maxwell's New Jersey Regiment, until he was 
again drafted into Captain Helm's Company, Colonel Lynch's 
Regiment, in which he was made a Lieutenant, just before the
Battle of Guilford, and he was discharged in 1784.
His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to 
furnish proof to sustain his allegations as to service.

He said he was a res, of Philadelphia where he 1st enlisted
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It is not stated whether he was ever married.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail
to show a claim for pension bounty land on file on 
account of the services of John Hickman of New Jersey.
Respectfully,

In 1838 liv
in Princeton, N.J.

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 8

Rejected
4755
P. O. 
Thomas Hickman
Service: papers delivered applicant
Dec 13 1834

The printed list of 1852
gives cause of suspension as:
"For further proof
and papers withdrawn"

1922 June 3. Hist. to Col. Chas E. Banks aw
1927 Feb 8. Hist. Rudolph C. Johnson
Page 9

(3-223.) Revy
No. Rev. 703
Ex'r/ REJECTED
OLD WAR INVALID.
Thomas Hickman of N J
Priv. Colo Maxwell NJ line
Service: Revy
Page 10

Thomas Hickman
N. Jersey
Suspended
Act 7 June 1872
[illegible] letter to applicant
Papers deliv'd Pew Dec 13. 1834. see
Hon. S Fowler's letter among Receipts
Page 11

Return this
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Thomas Hickman  which require
further proof or explanation

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 amout of pension
he is entitled?

No see Quere 14.
He should state what time in '84 he was discharged.
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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?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

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?
No

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?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

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?

XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No see Quere 16.

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 [blank] year [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 14

This name is not on the rolls
for proof of service see Quere 14
Page 15

Papers of Tho Hickman delivd the applicant Dec 13. 1834 at the request of the Hon S. Fowler of that date.
See Mr F's letter filed
Among Receipts

4965
(7)
Page 16

May 27

I have no knowledge of Mr.  Hickman or his services in the revolutionary war- he must comply with the requisitions of the law, or a pension cannot be granted to him.  If he fails in
his proof, he must apply to congress, the
only power to grant relief.
A.J.
Page 17

(4 )

Princeton May, 22, 1838 New Jersey

Honored Sir

I have the honor to address you, I received a letter from the Secretary of War, he puts so many obstacles in the way for an American
Officer to get his pension his Excellency General Washington new [knew] me from the years of age he told me. If ever I got reduced there was at Mount Vernon at his House a 
plate, knife and fork at his table, when ever I come there for my integrity to him, during the war.  I have been seven years and Six Months in the  American Army, I was at the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and Monmouth all under the commander in chief, I was in the company commanded by Capt William 
Washington and Lieutenant James Monroe, Sergeant and Clerk in said company all that time for I New [knew] them from their infancy. I was drafted to the Southern department under the command of General Nathaniel Green, Capt Helms company, General Green appointed me Lieutenant before the Battle of Guildford, Sir you fought there like a little Frog and I took care of you, I mounted you, on one of our Jack Horses after the Battle of Guildford, I continued the remainder of the war in the Southern department.  Sir, I have none of General Officers living that knows me except General La Fayette and you  I lay at your Father in laws one night during the war, my Father was Capt. John Hickman his name on the Rolls in the war department, and my [illegible] was there in 1796.  I laid out on American Soldiers, when we lay Morristown 3568 Crowns, General Washington told me, it was on Journals of
Congress.  I am now seventy three years of age the 18th of May, I was born in 1760, Sir, the Secretary of War in letter to me, why did I not make application sooner, I made application when M Calhoun was Secretary of War. I am going to Mount Vernon next October. If the almighty spares my life and health and Tennessee, in my tours, to see whether any of my Brother Officers are living yet. Sir, after I left the army my employment was in Teaching School and the decompting House---
Page 18

Sir

I am respectively your affectionate
Friend
Thos Hickman

Princeton May 22 1833.
New Jersey
---
Page 19

Tho Hickman
Nov. 15. 1834
O.C.
Page 20

(6)
War Dept
Pension Office
Nov. 15. 1834

Sir,
Your papers have been examined and
placed on our files. You should obtain some other proof
than your own declaration in relation to your alleged revolutionary service. Unless supported by better testimony
than that already submitted, a pension cannot be granted.

Mr. Thomas Hickman
of New Jersey
Present
Enter this on the N Jersey Index- Oct 1832
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(5) 
No. 3032
Thomas Hickman
application for a
pension

May 27 [1833?]
Pension
Office
Dec-18, 1834
Refd to form see Rev. Pensions
Feb 17. 1835_ Cond- disch to the
Colo  Maxwell
Page 22

Tho. Hickman
July 13, 1838
O.C.
Page 23

(9)
War Dept
Pension Office
July 13, 1838
Sir,
I have received your letter
of the 10. inst. and I have again to inform you
that a pension cannot be granted to you, unless you
produce such proof as has been  required.

Mr. Thomas Hickman
Princeton
N. Jersey

Enter this. See
N. Jersey Index, Oct '32
Page 24

FREE

Pension Office

Com July 12

[stamp:] PRINCEN. N.J. JUL 10

Honorable
Secretary of War
Washington City
D.C.

Tho. J. Hickman
Page 25

(8)
Princeton July 10, 1838 New Jersey
Honor, Sir-
I have written to you in respect of my pension
my papers are in the House  of Congress, or at the war office
for I carried them to Dorton Fowler members of Congress from this
State, I have been in the american service from 1775 to 1784.
I was at the Battle of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Monmuth [Monmouth]
I am in the Seventy Ninth year of my age, I gave in 1779 to 
G. George Washington, and Mr John Adams was Present 3568 dollars
for to support our Government during the war, they told me
it would be set in the Journals of Congress, and the American
Government was to pay both Principal and Interest as long
as the [illegible] its [illegible] [ineligible] my Pensions or the Money plenty
then for to support as long as I live, while I am on this
Earthly habitation. Sir, yourself has been in the Military
service. I need not repeat this hardship thee go [illegible] in a 
Military life. I want my pension while I am on the land of the living. When I am dead I will not want  it. 

Princeton July 10,th 1838
New Jersey

Sir, I am your Friend
and Brother Officer,
Thos J. Hickman
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Dr. Charles E. Banks
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S.P.H.S.
Retired
2018 Prairie Ave., Chicago. Ill, Apr 19

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I request information as to the following persons:
James Hickman
Thomas Hickman
in relation to Revolutionary  War service, if pensions were
granted to them, as residents of New Jersey. Stryker's 
New Jersey in the Revolution states that both served. I
desire such record as you have if either made appli-
cation for Pension. 

Yours respectfully,
Charles E Banks

PENSION US OFFICE
F
Apr
22
1922

Col. Charles E. Banks,
2018 Prairie Ave., 
Chicago, Ill.
Page 27

Newport, Was., Dec. 9th. 1926.

Dept. Of Interior,
Division of Revolutionary War Records.
Gentlemen,-
Does the names of either John Hickman or that of 
Thomas Hickman appear as soldiers in the Revolutionary War from
New Jersey? Should either or both names appear I should be
pleased to get any data you might have concerning them and their 
families.

Yours respectfully,
Rudolph C. Johnson
Page 28

June 3, 1932.

Colonel Charles E. Banks,
2018 Prairie Ave. 
Chicago, Ills.

Sir,
In response to your letter of the 19" April, you
are advises that in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 21703, it appears that Thomas Hickman, the son of John, 
was born May 18, 1760, in Scotland and came with his parents to Boston when he was three years old. 
He applied for a pension July 31, 1832, while living 
in South Amboy Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey,  and
alleged that he enlisted in New Jersey in March 1775, and 
served in Capt. Joseph Brearly's Company, under Col. Wil
lett, until September 1776, when he enlisted in Capt. Wil
liam Washington's Virginia Company, and served with him un
til he was drafted in 1776 and served as Sergeant in Capt.
Stokes' Company, Col. Maxwell's New Jersey Regiment, until
he was again drafted into Capt Helm's Company, Col. Lynch's 
Regiment, in which he was made Lieutenant, just before the 
battle of Guilford, and was discharged in 1784.
Page 29

His claim for pension was not allowed, as he  failed
to furnish proof to sustain his allegations as to service
It is not stated whether he was married .
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau failed to
afford any information in regard to a James Hickman of 
New Jersey.
Very respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.