Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1110, for Abraham Speer, New Jersey
Page 1

New Jersey
Speer, Abraham
Number 
S.1110
Page 2

Died Feb 28, 1834 
New Jersy
28043
Abraham Speer
of Elizabetham in the State of New Jersey
who was Captain in the Conf. commande
by Captain King of the Regt commanded by Col. 
in the New Jersey line for 0 years
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 480 Dollars 00 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834
tificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Jany
1/34 and [illegible]
[illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible] '33
Semi-ane. allowance ending 4th 34
$1200
   240
$1440

Revolutionary Claim,
Aft June 7, 1832.
by Geo. C Stiles Clerk
E. Vol. 4 Page 131
Page 3

9413
Abraham Speer
N J
Return [illegible]
aom d

act requiring oaths of 
all officers [illegible] 19 Sept 
1776
Chetmood
Francis Barber
Elizabethtown
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
25th May 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of 
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, 
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and regulations will show what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margins with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

Statement showing the Service of Abraham Speer N J

[Column headings: (1) Period when the service was rendered, (2) Duration of the claimant's service-Years-Months-Days, (3) Rank of the claimant, (4) Names and Rank of the Company officers under when he served, (5) Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers, (6) Battles in which the applicant was engaged, (7) Country through which he marched, (8) Place of the abode when he entered the service, and age at present period, (9) Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
1775 volun [blank] [blank] [blank] orderly sergeant [illegible] [blank] [blank] Essex 85 Essex NJ  entered and
1776 [blank] 2 [blank] Captain [blank] Col Van Courtland NJ [blank]
" ordered [blank]1 [blank] " [blank] Col Codman [blank] NJ [blank] Two Living [illegible] testify to general service
1777 " [blank] [blank] [blank] " [blank] Vaniourbland [blank] E F point [blank]
during This Year frequently out every other month at E Forth point [blank] [blank] [blank]
1776 ordered [blank] [blank] [blank] [blank] [blank] Princeton [illegible] Ferry Certificate of a Clergyman and one Citizen and a Document
var. service from commencement to the close of the War and served more than 2 years [blank] 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 5

                                                 2

         REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
        1. The Regular Troops.
        2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
        3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
        4. Indian Spies.
    As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

                      DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
           State, Territory, or District of   ss.
              County of
   On this              day of             personally appeared (a) before
      A.B. a resident (b) of            in the county of           and State, Territory or District
of           aged (c)            years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)    , with    and  
served in the        (e) regiment of the      line, under the following named officers:

    {Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and state in which he resided when he and the
which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. [finger pointing to word] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

    He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
    Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
         [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I                                                                          of the Court of
hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of                           for a pension.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
                      day of                     & c.
    If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
    Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
    (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the         and C. D. residing in (the same) 
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                     , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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 the day and year aforesaid,
       (And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
    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 A.B.
                      who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                         Clerk of the Court of            do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of                                 for a pension.

                                         In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
                                                   of office, this            day of                & c.
    Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
    If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 6

3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts state, I will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; an unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicant for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops. or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and The State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what you were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from services, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer: Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputable and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.  The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.  Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may take the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.  Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.  No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto,  and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

__________________________________________________

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariable be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 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.  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 Peace, &e. 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 services I claim a pension."  
   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 that they served two years in the militia, &e without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  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 the garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which much pass under the seal of the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his services by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in the affidavits the time of the claimant's 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.
--> The notes form [a] to [l] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops,  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 7

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832.
State of New Jersey | 
Borough of Elizabeth | ss: On this Sixth day of September
AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court before
the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough
of Elizabeth in the County of Essex & State of New Jersey now sitting Abraham
Speer a resident of the Township of Bloomfield in the
County of Essex and State of New Jersey aged 85 years
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 7th June
1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as
herein stated.-
In the spring of the year 1775 whilst he
resided in the Township of Bloomfield aforesaid he volunteered
in the infantry service as orderly Sergeant to Capt Garabant Garabrant's Company
in the service of the United States in the militia of New 
Jersey and execised the company every Saturday at
three alternate places in the County. In March 1776 he
was elected Capt. Henry King 1st Lieut John Brown
2nd Lieuts. Two or three days afterwards, Col Philip Van
Courtland of the militia having herd that the British Fleet
was at Staten Island in New York ordered out his company 
with three days provision. They marched through Newark
in the County of Essex till they had easily reached
Elizabeth Town, when they were informed the British had
left Staten Island. The company returned and was discharged, 
without receiving either certificates or pay.
In the month of June in the year 1776 he was ordered
with his company to Long Island in New York under
Lieut Col Thomas Codmus, and landed at Brooklyn Ferry
Page 8

[left margin
* Shortly after the British landed at Staten Island, after being home but a few days he took his
Company to Elizabeth Town and kept guard at the shore until the British went to Long Island, but
but the exaact length of time he can not say, but believes it was more than a month

[main letter]
A few days after this Genl Putnam ordered his company with
one other to Red Hook to join the New England Artillery and
there remained three or four weeks until Genl Washington
came with the army when his company was relieved and
returned home, without either pay or certificates-- about
this time the British Fleet came from sea and landed
at Staten Island and there encamped under the command 
of the Howes - *
In the year 1776 in the month either of September or October
does not recollect which while stationed at Elizabeth Town he was again ordered [crossed out] with his
company, being still capt to go to Aquakamonk in this
State in the County of Essex, to such fortifications. They
built a fort near the Bridge and were there nearly a
month, under command of Genl Winds of the Militia.
After this they were dismissed without either pay or certificates
In the year 1777 Sometime in the spring the month
he does not now recollect Colonel Van Courtland ordered
his company out, and they encamped at Elizabeth Town
Point. The British were then at Staten Island under the
command of Admiral and Genl Howe- He here served
for one month and for the first time received pay. --
During this year he was frequently out as Capt of the
Guard for a month at a time sometimes at Belville
very often at Hackensack - sometimes at Newark and
sometimes at Elizabeth Town-- He served every other month
in that year in such service. In the year 1778 in the
month either of August or September, he was ordered out
by Col Van Courtland with a company of enlisted men
to supply a deficiency in the army. They marched through
Elizabeth Town New Brunswick and Princeton, thence
to Bordentown, thence to Mount Holly and thence to
Fostertown in New Jersey near Philadelphia; to the
Fourth Regiment of the Continental army under the
command of Col Elias Dayton. Recollects not Col Willison DeHart Col
Matthias Ogden and (he thinks) Col July now there. He saw Genl
La Fayette there and understood he had command of the
Page 9

[left margin]
* In 1780 he was on duty two months as Captain of the guard at [crossed out]
Bellville then in Newark township in the County of Essex which was during the said winter.
[main letter]
3
Parade - The British at this time had possession of Philadelphia 
but left in a few days. The American Army
were at Valley Forge in the State of Pennsylvania. Genl.
Washington commanding. He was bearer of dispatches to
Genl Washington from Col Dayton, Ogden De Hart &
After this he returned home and was immediately
ordered out by Col Van Courtland-- Took his company
to the County of Monmouth under Genl Winds-was
prevented from being at the Battle at Monmouth by
the destruction of the Bridge. Heard the firing at the
Battle which took place on Sunday, and returned home
a few days afterwards * he was in the service of the
New Jersey Militia from the commencement of the
War until after its close and did more duty than any
man in the Regiment, and served more than 2 years hard duty
and this deponent further states that he was born on
the 13th day of March 1747 at Bellville in the County
of Essex and State of New Jersey, and has the record of his
age in the Church Book of Records in the Dutch Church
of the township of Bloomfield, aforesaid-
He has no documentary evidence of service or discharge except his commission
Signed by Henry Fisher Vice President of the Provincial
Congress of New Jersey attested by William Patterson [illegible]
[crossed out] which is annexed to this Declaration.
His service was always as a volunteer-
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 to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signature Abraham Speer]
We John Dow-- a Clergyman residing in the township 
of Bloomfield in the County of Essex and State of
New Jersey and Abraham H King residing in the township
aforesaid & in the County and State aforesaid, hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Speer
Page 10

who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be Eighty 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 | [signature John Dow]
the day and year aforesaid | [signature Abraham H King]
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 John
Dow who has signed the preceding certificate
is a clergyman resident in the township of Bloomfield
in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, and
that Abraham H King who has also signed the same
is a resident in the township aforesaid & in the
County and State aforesaid and is a credible person
and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth, the same
being a Court of Record in the County of Essex and
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 Abraham
Speer for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
[seal with ribbon applied] my hand and affixed the seal of the said
Court this Sixth day of September Eighteen
hundred and Thirty Two.
F. B. Chetwood Clk
Page 11

I John Dow, a Clergyman residing in the township
Bloomfield, in the County of Essex and State of
in forsey, do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted 
with Capt Abraham Speer, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
That being myself, in the sixty seventh year
of my age, & having resided in the same neighbourhood
with the said Abraham Speer nearly the whole
of the revolutionary war, well recollect, that he
was an officer in the militia, and that he was
generally known by the title of Captain Speer,
I believe him to be Eighty five 
years of age, and know that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides, to have
been an officer of the revolution.
I do moreover certify, that I am also acquainted
with James Hornblower, whose affidavit on the
above subject I have seen, that he is an older
man than myself, and that he is generally esteemed
as a person of strict veracity, and integrity.
John Dow -
State of New Jersey | 
Essex County ss: | Personally appeared before me John
Williams, one of the Justices of the peace
in and for said County, the Revd John
Dow, who being duly sworn on his oath saith that the
facts embraced in the foregoing certificate are Just and
true to the best of his knowledge, John Dow
Sworn and subscribed before me
September 6th 1832. John Williams
Page 12

State of New Jersey | 
Borough of Elizabeth | ss: Personally appeared before me
the subscriber an Alderman of
the Borough of Elisabeth aforesaid and a Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough [crossed out]
Abraham H. King of the County of Essex in the State
aforesaid, who is known to me to be a man of strict
veracity and his statement entitled to full credit, who
being duly sworn according to law on his oath says
that he is well acquainted with Captain Abraham
Speer of the township of Bloomfield in the County
and state aforesaid, that he was well acquainted with
him in the Revolutionary war and lived in the 
same neighbourhood with him, during the war.
That he this deponent was in the Company of
Capt Henry King his father until the fall of the
year 1777 at which time his father died, and in
the same fall of 1777 this deponent volunteered in
the company of Militia commanded by the said
Capt Abraham Speer and continued in the militia
service [crossed out] in the Company of Capt Speer during 
the remainder of the Revolutionary War, That the
said Abraham Speer was always reputed and
acknowledged to serve more than any other Captain 
in that part of the Country where he resided
which was along the enemy lines and that the
said Capt Speer was always the most active and
efficient officer in the militia service, and was on
actual duty more than half of the time during the
whole war and was very regularly on duty in the
Page 13

place of other Captains, and served during the
war, to the knowledge of this deponent, more than
two years in actual service as Captain of the
New Jersey Militia -- and this deponent
further says that it is impossible for him to state
the precise period he served under the said Capt Speer
during the war- And further saith not
Subscribed & sworn this 14th day of | Abraham H King
August 1833 before me |
Elijah Kellogg Alderman | 

State of New Jersey | 
Borough of Elizabeth | ss: I J. Francis B Chetwood Clerk of the Borough
aforesaid, and Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the said Borough hereby certify that Elijah Kellogg
before whom the foregoing affidavit of Abraham H. King was subscribed
and sworn at the time of taking the said Affidavit was and still is
an Alderman of the Borough aforesaid and a Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough duly commissioned 
and qualified residing therein and as such is authorized 
to take affidavits, and I further certify that I am acquainted 
with the handwriting of the said Alderman, and that 
the signature "Elijah Kellogg Alderman", to the said affidavit
subscribed is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed
[seal applied] my name and affixed the seal of the said Court
at Elizabeth Town in the Borough aforesaid, this
fifteenth day of August 1833.
F.B. Chetwood, Clk
Page 14

Admd
24 mo. Capt.
-
480 $
Page 15

State of New Jersey | 
County of Essex | ss: Personally appeared before
me the subscriber a Justice of
the peace in and for the County aforesaid, James
Hornblower of the township of Bloomfield in the
County & State aforesaid aged Seventy two years
who is personally known to me to be a man of
good reputation and standing in society and
his statements are entitled to full credit, who being
duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquainted
with Capt Abraham Speer of the township
of Bloomfield aforesaid and was acquainted with him
during the Revolutionary War and lived on the
line in the same neighbourhood with him during 
the whole war- That in the year 1776 he
entered the company of Militia commanded by the said
Capt Speer and belonged to the Regiment of Col
Philip Van Cortland, and continued in that Company 
under Capt Speer during the whole war
and in consequence of living directly on the lines
of the enemy was on duty the greater part of the
time - That the said Capt Speer was always
the most active and faithful captain in the
militia and to the knowledge of this deponent
the said Capt Sheer served in actual service
in the militia more than half the time and
served in all during the war more than two
years in active duty a Capt of the Militia
the from the length of time elapsed since the war
he can not state the particular tours of duty.
Page 16

and this deponent further says that Abraham
H. King and this deponent are the only persons living
to this deponents knowledge, who were in the Company 
of Capt Speer at any time during the war.
Subscribed & Sworn this 14" day of | 
August 1833, before me | James Hornblower
John Williams Justice of the peace | 

State of New Jersey | 
County of Essex | ss:
Personally appeared before me 
the subscriber a Justice of the peace in
and for the County aforesaid - Harmonus Speer of the
township of Bloomfield in the County aforesaid aged
Eighty one--years, who is personally known to
me to be a man of strict veracity, and his statements
are entitled to full credit who being duly sworn on
his oath says that he is a brother of Abraham Speer
of the township of Bloomfield aforesaid, who made his
declaration before the Court of Common Pleas of the
Borough of Elizabeth on the 6th of Sept 1832, that he
lived with his father in the same neighborhood with
his brother Abraham during the whole Revolutionary
war, that he was a Lieut in the artillery service
his brother Abraham Speer was commissioned
a Capt in the Militia in 1776 and continued Capt
in that service during the whole year, and lived on
the lines during the whole war. That the said Abraham
Page 17

Speer was always acknowledged to be an
[crossed out] active and efficient officer of the Militia.
That he does not know what particular tours
of duty his brother served in, but he knows that
he was on duty the greater part of the time during 
the war, and served at least two years as Captain
in active duty, in the infantry service.
subscribed and sworn this | 
15th day of August 1833 | Harmonus Speer
before me | 
John Dow
Justice of the peace

State of New Jersey I ss I Elias Vantisdale Clerk of the
County of Essex- | County of Essex aforesaid, and Clerk of
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, hereby
certify that John Williams before whom the foregoing affidavit
of James Hornblower and John Dow before whom the fore
going affidavit of Harmon Sheer were subscribed and sworn
at the time of taking the said affidavits were and still are Justices
of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned 
and qualified, residing therein, and as such Justices
are entitled to take affidavits, and I further certify that I am a
acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justices, and that the
signature "John Williams Justice of the peace" and "John
Dow Justice of the peace" to the foregoing affidavits subscribed, are
genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name and affixed the seal of the said County
[seal applied] at Newark in the County aforesaid this sixteenth
day of August Eighteen hundred & thirty three
Evan Arsdale Jr. Clk
Page 18


August 8, 1935
XXXXXXX
Mr. James W. Eckersley | ABRAHAM SPEER
Oswego | S. 1110
Oregon | BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary
War records of the following soldiers who served from Essex
County, New Jersey: Captain Cornelius and Abraham Spier, Captain
Elijah Squires, Major Samuel Hayes, and Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt
and Edward Thomas.
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched
and no claims for pension or bounty land found based upon service of
the Samuel Hayes, Philip Van Cortlandt or Cortlandt and Edward Thomas
described by you, or of any Cornelius Spier or Elijah Squires (all
surnames searched under various spellings). Such claims are the source
of data furnished by this office in regard to soldiers of the Revolution.
The record was found of an Abraham Speer who served as captain
from Essex County, New Jersey, and it is given herein as shown in the
papers on file in pension claim, S. 1110, based upon his service in
the Revolutionary War.
Abraham Speer (as soldier signed) was born March 13, 1747, in
Belleville, then in the township of Newark, Essex County, New Jersey;
his birth was recorded in the Church Book of Records of the Dutch
Church in the township of Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey. The
names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey, the soldier
volunteered in the spring of 1775, served as orderly sergeant in
Captain Garrabrant Garrabrants' New Jersey company, length of this tour
not given. In March, 1776, he was commissioned captain and served as
such, at various times, frequently every other month, until the close
of the war, amounting to a period of between two and three years, under
Colonel Philip Van Cortland, Lieut. Col. Thomas Cadmus and Colonel
Elias Dayton in the New Jersey troops. During his service he was
engaged in guarding the towns and shores of New Jersey, in building
fortifications, and while General Washington was stationed at Valley
Page 19

Forge, the soldier was bearer of dispatches to him from Colonels
Dayton, Ogden, De Hart and others, and he commanded a company at
the battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms in June, 1780.
Abraham Speer was allowed pension on his application executed
September 6, 1832, while a resident of the township of Bloomfield,
Essex County, New Jersey, where he was still living the following
year.
Abraham Speer was elected one of the delegates from Essex
County, New Jersey, to the General Assembly of that state for a
period of nine or ten years in succession, dates not stated.
The soldier stated that during his service in the Revolution,
his "family" was so situated that it was convenient for him to be
absent most the time, but did not give any names of his family or
state their relationship.
Abraham Speer died February 23, 1834.
In 1833, soldier's brother, Harmonus Speer, aged eighty-one
years, was a resident of Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey, and
stated that during the Revolution he lived with his father in the 
same neighborhood as his brother Abraham lived, and that he (Harmonus)
also served in that war as lieutenant in the artillery service,
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 20

Capt. Abm Speer's can
Certificate from Paymaster Accts
copies from Book at Trenton

Hon Lewis Condict
[crossed out]
Morristown
Page 21

Trenton Sept. 24, 1833
Dr Sir:
Enclosed is an extract from Lewis Fray
Roles, exhibiting Speer's service in the militia
as it shows service in 1776 - 7 - 8 - 9 and 1800
I have thought it [illegible] to make extract
from the bounty roll.
very respectfully
your ser
James D. Westcott
Page 22

The DEPUTIES of the Several Counties of New-Jersey in
PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
to
To Abraham Spear Gentleman
WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity,
Do, by virtue of the Power and Authority delegated to us by our Constituents, and in
Pursuance of the Direction of the Honourable the Continental Congress, constitute and appoint
you the said Abraham Spear Capt of the Northern Battallion of the Regiment of Forte Militia
in the Township of Newark [illegible] in the County of Essex whereof
[illegible]
You are therefore to take the said Company into your charge and Care as
Capt thereof, and duly to exercise both Officers and Soldiers of that Company
in Arms. And as they are hereby directed to obey you as their Capt
so you likewise to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time as you
shall receive from your superior Officer or Officers, the
Provincial Congress or Committee of Safety: And for your
so doing this shall be your Commission. Dated the Third -- Day of March
1776 -
By Order of the Congress,
Attested
[illegible]
Page 23

[stamp The National Archives of the United States]
Be it Remembered that on the last day of May Anno Dom 1778
Abraham Speer within named having taken the oaths
to the State of New Jersey and Subscribed the Roll
the office of Capt in Col Courtlands Regiment
the day and year above and before
me
Jos. Hedden Jur V D.P.
Page 24

State of New Jersey | 
Borough of Elizabeth | ss: Personally appeared before the
Subscriber an Alderman of the
Borough of Elizabeth and a Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas in and for the said Borough Abraham Speer
whom I certify is the same Abraham Speer who made
his declaration before the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid
for the benefit of the act of June 7th 1832, and
who being duly sworn on his oath says that he [illegible]
in the service of the United States in the service
and at the time mentioned in his declaration, and in the
month of March 1776 he was commissioned by the
Provincial Congress of New Jersey a Capt of the Militia
while he resided in the there township of Newark in
the County of Essex and continued [illegible] of the Militia
acting under that Commission (which accompanies his
declaration) during the whole war of the Revolution 
that it is impossible for him to enumerate his various
[illegible] during the war, in consequence of the length of
time elapsed since, and the loss of memory- That
he was principally on duty at Acquackanonk, at
[illegible] river at Newark and Elizabeth Town in
the County of Essex along the lines, at which places
he was at least half of the time on duty in
monthly tours and times of Alarm, during the whole
war actively engaged on duty as Capt of the militia
Companies and Capt of the guard- That his
family was so situated that it was convenient for
him to be absent most of the time. That he
never missed his tour of duty during the war, and
served may frequently in monthly tours, for other
Page 25

officers who could not serve as [illegible] as he
could- That he was always sought after by the
enemy who know him to be active officer in
service of the United States in consequence of which
where not abroad in duty, he seldom was at home
That he lived on the lines during the whole war
and was either in monthly duty continually the
company at some of the above stations, or on scouting
parties the greater part of the war. That in the year 1776
he served as a Captain in the militia three months on monthly tours, at Long Island, New
York Elizabeth Town, and Aquackanerak, but he can not say
with certainty what particular months they were-- but it
was between summer and fall previous to the retreat through
the State of New Jersey. That in the year 1777 he served at
least 4 months on monthly duty as Capt. of the Militia, at Elizabeth
Town Point, Newark, and Belville, and was actively engaged in
commanding the company stationed at those places, on guard duty
but he can not swear positively to the precise months. That
in 1778 he served as Capt in like manner as mentioned above, at
least five months in monthly tours, and was stationed at the above
named places, but can not specify the particular months with
certainty - That in 1779 he served at least five months on
monthly tours, and was Capt of the Companies stationed at
Elizabeth Town Newark and Aquackanouck on guard, in
active duty. That he served the whole of the winter in 1780
in active service as Capt of the Companies stationed at Belville
to prevent the enemy from crossing over second river from Powels
Hook where they lay during that winter. That he served at
least 6 months on monthly tours as capt commanding the
Companies on guard at the above named places in 1780 during which year
in the month of June he commanded a company of Militia
at the Battles of Springfield and Connecticut farms-- That he
Page 26

Served at least 5 months on monthly tours, as Capt. in the
year 1781 and was actively engaged in commanding the guard
companies at the station above named-- but he can not
specify the particular months. That he served at least
5 months on monthly tours as Capt in the year 1782, and
was actively engaged in commanding the companies on guard
stationed at the above named places-- but the precise months
he can not specify- That he continued in the militia service
as Capt during the whole war and many years afterwards-
That in addition to the many monthly tours of duty, he also
served very frequently as commander of scouting parties in pursuit
of refugees, and in times of Alarm, That while he
was on monthly duty he was never at any time engaged in
any civil pursuit, but was always employed in actual service.
- That he knows no persons living by whom he can
prove his services and who served with him at any time [illegible]
James Hornblower and Abraham H. King who were privates
in his company during nearly the whole of the war, whose affidavit 
he has procured- That has made diligent
enquiry, and can not find an officer of the infantry service
in the whole regiment to which he belonged.
That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory
he can not 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 two years I served as a Captain of the New Jersey Militia
and for such service I claim a pension.
Subscribed and sworn this | [signature Abraham Speer]
16th day of August 1833 | 
Moses Chandler Alderman |
Page 27

State of New Jersey | 
Borough of Elizabeth | ss:
I Francis B Chetwood Clerk of the
Borough of Elizabeth, and Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough hereby certify that
Moses Chandler before whom the foregoing affidavit of Capt Abraham
Speer was subscribed and sworn, at the time of taking the said affidavit
was and still is an Alderman of the Borough aforesaid and
a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Borough aforesaid 
duly commissioned and qualified, residing therein, and as
such is authorized to take affidavits; and I further certify that
I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Alderman, and that
the signature "Moses Chandler Alderman" to the said affidavit
subscribed is genuine-
[seal applied] In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my
name and affixed the seal of the said Court at
Elizabeth Town in the Borough aforesaid this
seventeenth day of August 1833
J.B. Chetwood Clk
Page 28

INVALID. Rev War
---
File No. 1110
Abraham Speer
Capt. N. J. Line
---
June 7. 1892.
Index:-- Vol. A, Page 353
[Arrangement of 1870.]
[right panel]
1921, Oct 18 hist to Wm J. Conkling GW
1935 Aug. 8 - Hist to W. Eckersley - MKB
Page 29

JAMES W. ECKERSLEY | COMMITTEES:
 | Chairman: Bills and Mailing
OSWECO, OREGON |  Vice Chairman: Banking and Corporations
 | Constitutional Law
 | Forestry
 | Insurance
 | Utilities
STATE OF OREGON
-----
THIRTY - EIGHTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
HALL OF REPRESENTATIVES
SALEM
July 24, 1935. | [date stamp RECEIVED JUL 29 1935 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS. ADM. READER #29]
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please give me the military record of
the following soldiers who served in the War of the
Revolution.
1. Captain Cornelius Spier who served in
the Essex County Militia from New Jersey.
2. Captain Abraham Spier who served in the
Essex County Militia from New Jersey.
3. Captain Elijah Squires who served in the
Essex County Militia from New Jersey.
4. Major Samuel Hayes who served in the
Essex County Militia from New Jersey.
5. Col. Philip Van Cortlandt who served in
the 2nd Regiment Essex County Militia
from New Jersey.
6. Colonel Edward Thomas who served in the
1st Regiment Essex County Militia from
New Jersey.
With many thanks for past favors from your department,
I am,
Sincerely yours,
[signature JW Eckersley]
James W. Eckersley
Oswego
Oregon
Page 30

THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
[SAR letterhead]
September 29, 1921.
Hon. Washington Gardner, Commissioner,
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. | [Date stamp RECORD DIVISION OCT 1 1921] [note Rev.  mk 1]
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish certificate showing military history of
ABRAHAM SPEER, CAPTAIN NEW JERSEY MILITIA REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
His name appears under ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., in the published list
of pensioners as having been placed January 18, 1834.
The information is desired to prove eligibility of applicant for
membership in this Society.
Very truly yours,
Wm J. Conkling
N. J. S. A. R.
D/E | [date stamp US PENSION OFFICE M OCT 1 1921]
Page 31

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. | 3 -- 525
S1110 | DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Oct, 17 1921
In reply to your request of ___________, received __________
for a statement of the military history of Abraham Speer
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his [crossed out] application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR |  LENGTH OF | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
APPOINTMENT.  |  SERVICE. | | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
Apr. 1775 | served at various times | Ord Sgt | Garahrant Garahrant | N.J.
Mar. 1776 | in all more than 2 years | Capt |  |  Philip Van Cortland
 | | | | Thos Cadmus
 | | | | Elias Dayton
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bloomfield, N.J.
Date of application for pension, Sept 6, 1832 cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Bloomfield, Essex Co. N.J.
Age at date of application, b Mar 13 1747 [crossed out] at Belville, Essex Co NJ
Remarks: In 1833 he refers to his family - no names stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6 -- 2856
Page 32

New Jersey | 
Essex County | ss
Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in afor said
County personally appears Capt. Abraham Speer of said County who
being duly sworn, saith, I am the same Abraham Speer, who on the
6th day of September, 1832, made a declaration of my militia services
before the Court of Com. Pleas of said County, to obtain the benefit
of the law of Congress of June 7th 1832, which declaration has been
returned for the purpose of some explanation.-- I was commissioned as
Captain of Militia in March, 1776. & the endowment of my oath of office & of
allegiance to the State, bears date, May 1st 1778.-
When this fact was first mentioned to me. I had no remembrance of ever taking
said oath, nor did I recollect that such an oath had ever been required
of those persons, who, like myself had [illegible] exposed & defended at the hazard
of life & property, the cause of their Country & of Liberty, against the encroachments
of British tyranny & usurpation. I find on further examination & inquiry
that the Legislature of the State afterward required on oath of allegiance &
fidelity from all officers in the service of the State, civil as well as military. The
date of this law, I have not ascertained, but believe it was probably in 77, or 78
The first information recd of it according to the best of my remembrance was from
Hedden Esqr a member of assembly from this County, before whom I then
immediately took the oath required, & continued my services a Captain of Militia in the same manner & spirit as before said oath had been required or taken by me. And it
will appear by examination of the [illegible] Paymaster acct of monies by him disbursed for
Militia Services, that I was recognized by the proper officers of the State as a Captain of Militia long before said oath was
taken by me, in the same manner as I [crossed out] had been before. This Militia Paymaster aut
will be found in the office of Secretary of State of New Jersey at Trenton, as official
abstract from which, will, as I expect, be furnished by the Secretary of State, & founded
herewith. And to show, that I retained the confidence of my company by after
the termination of the war, & the re-organization of the Militia in time of peace, I
herewith send to the Pension office a Commission of Captain from Govr Howell, dated
in the year 1793. June 5th I have who so far enjoyed the confidence of the people of my
County, as to be elected by them, one of the delegates of Essex in the General Assembly of the
State for a period of 9 or 10 years it in succession.
Sworn & subscribed before me at Bloomfield this 7th Octr 1833.
Abraham Speer Capt
P Van Winkle Justice of
the Pleas
I certify that I am well acquainted with the character
of Capt Abrm Speer who has signed the foregoing affidavit
I consider him entitled & the full credit
Dated [illegible] Oct 8th 1833
Silas Condit
Page 33

I certify that P. Van Winkle Esq before whom the within deposition of Capt. Abraham
Speer was taken, is a Justice of peace in Essex County, & the signature of his name thereto
is genuine.
Morris Town 10th Octr 1833.
Lewis Condict