Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9470, for Samuel Shelley, New Jersey
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(3-1776)

SERVICE

New Jersey

Shelley, Samuel

NUMBER

R. 9470
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No. 38,342

Declaration of Samuel Shelley
Under the Act of June 7, 1832

9 Months service
Capt. Reeves

New Jersey Brig.

Cols. Ogden & Dickenson

Dec 18 May '52
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State of New Jersey
County of Sussex
ss

On this twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty one personally appeared before me, Moses dunning a Judge of the Inferior Court of common Pleas of the County of Sussex which said Court is a Court of Record and having a  Seal, Samuel Shelley a resident of the township of Wantage in said County of Sussex aged ninety two years who being by me 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 June 7th 1832.

I entered the service of the United States during the "hard Winter of 1779 -80.  I think it was between the sixteenth and eighteenth of March of the year seventeen hundred and eighty.  I entered under Captain Reeves of the New Jersey Brigade Colonels Dickinson and Ogden.  I continued to serve until a few days before the first day of January AD seven hundred and eighty one.  I was discharged between Christmas and New Year's Day.  I received my Certificate of Discharge at Morristown from colonel Dickinson.   Colonel Ogden being at the same time present.  I surrendered my accoutrements at Morristown and returned home having been in actual service nine months and some odd days.  I entered the service for the term of nine
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Months.  I was at that time a resident of Canoe Brook about twelve miles from the city of Newark in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey.  I enlisted under the following circumstances.  These two American Officers came to my father's at Canoe Brook and desired a conveyance to Green Brook.  My father sent me with them, this was in the month of March, I traveled in a sleigh across the fields & over the fences.  One of these officers was named Brainard or Braimard and acted as major in the regiment in which I afterwards served.  When we arrived at Green Brook I was asked concerning my age.  I told them I was twelve.  They let me pass and I returned home one James Ballard an orderly sergeant in the army came and inquired my age I told him the same thing.  He then went to an old aunt of mine who was ignorant of his purpose and found he learned the truth, he then said to me my fine fellow I will take care of you, do you not know that there is a heavy fine if you do not join the army when you get to your age.  I told him I did not.  he then carried me off to Green Brook in a Sleigh where there they tried to persuade me to enlist during the war I did not like to do it.  Then Colonel Dickinson and Captain Reeves told me I had better enlist for nine months and then they would give me clear, and I
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accordingly did so.  I was enrolled in Captain Reeve's Company.  My Lieutenant was named Parsel.  Brainard or Brennan was one of the Majors in my mess. one Burril was Cook. and Stephen Tichenor was one of my mess mates.  There was one Townley and one mount who were in the service at the same time the names of the others I cannot recall.  One Thomas Tousdal was our fife major.

We laid at Green Brook until in May and the Soldiers having then recovered from the effects of the hard winter we were marched to Baskinridge.  Whilst we laid at Baskinridge word came that the British five thousand strong with cannon and a troop of horse and large supplies had crossed over from Staten Island to Elizabeth's Toms Point.  We were immediately set in motion to meet them but before we had arrived at Connecticut Farms they were burned to the ground The British began their retreat General Green rode up and ordered the Jersey Brigade to take the Vauxhall road and follow it on  until we met a Regiment which had marched  by another road at a place where the roads came together. When we reached this point, we found the other Regiment engaged with the enemy.  The skirmish was short. The British retreated and we followed on until we saw them cross
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at Elizabeth Town Point.  Captain Reeves was badly wounded at the point where the roads come near to get the ball entered his side and passed upwards coming out near the breast bone .  He recovered of his wound but died some time afterwards from the effects of it. We were after the British crossed to Staten Island we were marched around for some days until we reached Chatham we encamped.  Genl. Washington was there with us, his quarters were in a house below the Academy.  We were on the High Ground beyond.  We can tinued there until the twenty second or third of June and then we heard the alarm guns fired first one then another and again the third, we were all immediately aroused and busy. General Green ordered the Jersey Brigade to Springfield.  We marched to Springfield before we arrived the Rhode Island troops had been engaged at the Bridge near the meeting house & had been almost cut off. Our Colonel (Dickinson) rode up and ordered forty or fifty of the spryest to go and cutoff the British Light house. We ran across to a place where the road ran near a stone fence overgrown with "sumac" bushes. We concealed ourselves and fired upon the stragglers as they passed towards  Day's Hill.  Many were
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killed.  The British again retreated and we again followed them to Elizabethtown Point.  In the pursuit they left their cattle near where Governor Livingston used to live.  Lee with his troop of horse also pursued them and hurried them to that they outran the Jersey brigade.  Just as they crossed in their boats Washington descended the hill on one side and Green with his troops on the other. Washington fired upon them with his cannon. It was his purpose to cut them off but was too late.  Green fearing that some of the British might have come up the creek to attack our rear, ordered a flank movement and I was marched up the river. This was in the night.  In the morning the British had disappeared. We were then marched back by easy marches halting whenever we could find provisions.  We remained a short time at a place called the short hills, we had occasional alarms but no more skirmishes in the fall when the cold weather began to set in we were marched to Morristown to take up Winter Quarters. We were encamped on a ridge where his army had been before.  We fixed up the cabins they had left.  General Washington was at times in the Freeman house and sometimes he was in the house of one Ford, Judge Ford I think.
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I remained there until between Christmas and New Years. A short time before I left the Pennsylvania Troops came in. Whilst laying there I remember one Stoneburgher had charge of the Continental Teams.  He had collected provisions for us.  Between Christmas and New Years I get my Lieutenant to calculate the time of my service he did so and told me my time was up.   I asked him how I could get my discharge by applying to the Colonel.  I asked him to do so for me and he did.  Colonel Dickinson in a day or so afterwards, handed me a paper with a large seal upon it, and some "sage leaf" money wishing me at the same time good luck.  for I had been a faithful boy.  I could not read at that time and do not know what the contents of the paper were.  It has been lost or destroyed for many years.

I then returned to Newark and enrolled myself in a company of horse commanded by one Captain Condit.  I remained in Newark until the British left New York.  I then went to New York and remained about a year then returned to Newark where I remained until the Whiskey rebellion when I was one of those who were drawn from Condit's troop for that service.
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I was out on this service where I again met with Ballard the Sergeant who had enlisted me.  He in this service ranked as a Major.  When I got back to Newark I remained there for a short time, afterwards went to New York, and afterwards moved to the county of Sussex where I have ever since resided and still reside.  I have been in this County over fifty years, and I do not know of anyone  now living who knows the fact of my having served in the war of the Revolution.  I having come into this County a stranger, I do not know of anyone who has ever heard that I was out in that service except from my own declarations.  As to my character for veracity I can refer to my neighbors and friends Daniel Haines, Esq.  James Decker Esquire William Willson.  I have no original record of my age.  I have an entry in my family Bible transcribed by an aunt from an old family record in her possession, some thirty years since.  My aunt is now dead and I do not know what has become of the record original word.

Samuel Shelley

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written before me Moses Dunning
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New Jersey
Sussex County 
Ss

I Daniel Haines Counsellor at Law and a resident of the County of Sussex being by having appeared before me Moses dunning a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Sussex and being by me first duly sworn according to law on his oath doth depose and say I have been acquainted with Samuel Shelley the above named declarant for the space of about twenty years past, that I believe he is of the age he represents and that he bears a good character for truth and veracity in the neighborhood in which he resides.

And this deponent further says that he is in no way interested in the above application of the benefit of the Pension Laws of the United States, but that he was called in by the parties interested, and was present during the reexamination of the above named declarant, and from his narrative, and his manner of detailing many incidents connected with the services in which he represents himself to have been engaged, he believes that his statement is substantially correct and entitled to credit.

Dan'l. Haines

Sworn to and subscribed this 20th day of December AD 1851 Before me Moses Dunning
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State of New Jersey
County of Sussex
Ss.

On this twenty third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one Samuel Shelley whose declaration is hereto appended having again appeared before me the subscriber a Judge of the Inferior Court  of Common Pleas the Court of Sussex aforesaid and being by me again duly sworn according to law in answer to the following interrogatories, doth depose and say

Question  Where and when were you born and where did you reside before your enlistment

Answer  I was born in Hempstead Plains on Long Island on the second day of August seventeen hundred and sixty according to the best of my information and belief. I was serving my time in New York city when the British took that place.  I remained in that city until the British compelled my mother to leave Long Island.  They stole everything she had.  My father was a rebel and by trade a ship carpenter.  The British had tried to get him on board a coaster vessel.  The vessel met with an accident somewhere on the coast and he was sent in the woods to secure timber for repairs.  He watched his opportunity and escaped.  He found his way to a place Newark and there concealed himself for some time.  When it became safe for him to appear he got word to my mother who escaped from the Island in a coaster commanded by my uncle with such things as she had been able
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to save in a hogshead buried in the cellar.  She carried me with her where they sent me to Newark again, where I staid until my boss got killed by an accident.  I then got back to Newark and worked for that neighborhood until I entered the service.

Question  How did you get over from New York to Newark

Answer  In my Uncle's vessel.  He was an Englishman and married my father's sister.  He was allowed to cross by the British.  He found me idling about the city after my boss was killed and he told me I had better go home.

Question  What business was your father engaged in when you arrived home

Answer  He was building a sloop on the Newark river for some one.  He returned home to Canoe Brook a distance of twelve miles every Saturday night on horseback.  I staid around home for a time getting wood for the family.  Then a man named Baldwin employed me to work in his yard at Orange.  I remained there for a short time when the fall before the hard winter set in  I left Newark to go to Albany.  I staid around home whilst my mother was making me some clothing and then the cold weather set in and I could not go.  and thats the way that the Sergeant caught me.  I was twelve years old for a good many years.  I was always very small in stature.

Question  What had the two officers whom you took to Green Brook been doing at Canoe Brook How long had they been there and what were their names and rank.

Answer  They came to my father's house about the time
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the heavy fall of snow and staid there until in February I suppose they were on furlough, I don't know who they were great gentlemen and I never had any conversations with them.  Brennan or Brainard was afterwards my Major, I cannot tell the name or rank of the other and I never saw him after I left him at Green Brook.

Question  How long were you in during from Canoe Brook to Green Brook and mention the incidents of your drive

Answer  We started from the house in the morning and marched the army in the afternoon  The Major spoke to the Colonels and they let us pass.  We drove up to a house a little distance from the army and I tied my horses by the door and went in I found the room full of officers they were common officers and seated around the fire some of them wrapped up in blankets smoking their pipes.  they told me to come to the fire but there was but little there.  All the higher officers were in another part of the house.  There was no place to put up my horses so I concluded I would go to Springfield that night.  I went out, and found one of my blankets taken off the horses an officer came out and engaged after the blanket.  the sentry said that the one who had been there before him had taken it off.  The officer sent for him he came up shivering with the cold with my blanket around him.  I told him to keep it and I went home without it.  I was told when I met the first sentry I must say "fight" to the name let him go and to the first "good bye"  It was all
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new to me and I have always remembered them word.  I reached Springfield that night and next day I got home.  I marched a straight course for the coast over fences and everything.  This was in February.

Question  What was the name of the officers who compelled you to enter the army, and what do you know of them

Answer  His name was Ballards - Jim Ballards and his folks lived near my father's.  He learned my real age from an old aunt and then he told me he was going to carry me off.  I remember he had a large cloak on.  I do not know whether he had a uniform on or not.  I think he was an orderly sergeant.  He kept fetching in the new recruits all the time.  He one day brought an old acquaintance from Orange.  His was Dickinson, I think it was Stephen Dickinson.  Where he was taking me to Greens brook he picked up another man in the woods.

Question  When he took you to Green Brook what did they do with you

Answer  I told them to take me to Capt. Reeves he had lived close by my father's and I knew him well. They wanted me to join the Continental service, I would not, then Colonel Dickinson who lived about four miles from my father came up said to me "Sam join us for nine months and there maybe the war will be over".  So I joined them and I was placed in a tent where there was six more. Bariel the cook and Tichenor afterwards was in the same mess.  The next day after I arrived in camp they gave me a musket and bayonet & a knapsack and canteen, a cartridge box and an old rug to
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sleep on. They then began to learn me the exercise and they found me a green hand for I had never fired off a gun. 
Question Who taught you the Exercise
Answer Sometimes one man and sometimes anther they called him a "fugle man"
Question Who were your superior officers.
Answer. My Ensign I cannot now remember he has a crooked Dutch name. My Lieutenant was named Parcel Captain Reeves commanded by Company. Then there was Colonel Ogden. and Colonel Dickinson, Colonel Dickinson seemed to be superior to Ogden. He was a very high officer, and I always looked up to him, because I had known him before. He might have been a General but I think that he was called Colonel tho may be I have forgot. Genl Green always had command of us on General Parades, and after I had been in the army a few days. Gen'l Washington received us. He rode past the  lines with his hat in his hands altho it was very odd it was the first time I ever saw him. 
Question Can you remember the named of any other of the officers
Answer I cannot. There is our major whose name I have mentioned. Ballards. It seems in my mind that there was a General or Colonel Mercel or Matsell. he was some high officer and was over us. Then there was another officer named Angel Colonel Angel I think. I remember him in the Battle of Spring field he did not belong to our brigade. I was so often detached from the main body, and [illegible]around through the hills for provisions that I
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hardly knew to what brigade I belonged. 
Question. Was there a village called Greenbrook?
Answer There was no village but very few houses, we were encamped very near a large swamp where there was wood to be had. as the snow sunk away it left the stumps of the trees standing ten or twelve feet high. 
Question Where was the first place you encamped after leaving Green Brook.
Answer We encamped a few days at a small village a short distance from Green brook. the soldiers feet were so sore that they could not march far at a time. Then we broke up our quarters again and got as far as Basking ridge where we remained until the word came that the British has come over, If I recollect a Gentleman brought a letter to Washington, I think I was told so at the time. There was no[illegible]of alarm [illegible] as before, the Battle of Springfield. 
Question How far is it from Baskingridge to the connecting farms and how long where you marching there
Answer I do not rightly know the distance. It took is some time to get there. Major Lea with the horses made more speed. when we got there it was all on fire. The house had been there and the british were gone we were ordered to take the Camphall road to keep them from going to Springfield We marched along this road, until we came to a place where there was two roads approached. Over in the other road there was skirmishes, and we fired on the British. Here is where my Captain was
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wounded. At the time he received the wound he was a little way of from the rest of us reconnoitering and he was fired on and badly wounded. 
Question Did Captain Reeves ever do duty after that 
Answer He did not. At Spring field Battle Lieutenant Parcel was our commander.
Question Did the British return, and where did they go
Answer They did, and we followed them till they crossed. I did not say I saw them cross but they escaped us
Question Where was Washington that day
Answer I do not know. I did not see him.
Question Where did you go after returning from the pursuit
Answer We lingered along in the little villages until we got to Chatham and then we took up our quarters thinking that the fighting was over.
Question Can you describe your Encampment at Chatham
Answer We were scattered around on the rising grounds and Washington was down below us beyond the academy or Schoolhouse. It was whilst we laid here that the alarm guns fired. 
Question. Where were the guns fired
Answer off Towards Elizabeth town
Question What occurred when the Guns fired.
Answer The first one we paid no attention to the second made us prick up our ears. and where the [illegible] one was heard we were all as busy as bees. We were ordered to Springfield and two or three other Regiments or Brigades with us, here is where I first recollect Angel or Hangel. As we came near Springfield we saw this church on fire
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It appears that before we came there had been a smart action by one of the bridges between the Rhode Islanders and the British Horse. The Rhode Islanders fired away all their ammunition and then fired their Bayonets, but the horse were too much for them and drive them back. crossed the bridge and the fool followed this was all before we got there. Where we came in sight the streets of Spring field were full of red coats. They had got past the meeting house and were firing the last house. The Horses were ahead. When they got the last house burning they then aimed for Hays Hill Street a village nearly. We were ordered to cut them off. Two or three hundred marched up and a few were stationed behind a store wall, may be fifty of us. The road was near the river. and the scattered horseman had to pass us. We dropped them as they came along some had two or three balls in them. We killed all that passed us except a little irishman and his horse was killed under him and he taken prisoner. He it was who told us they were going to take Bayshill [?}. When the pursuit began we had one cannon with us. They rigged up an old horse to it and followed on after the British he would ride up and pour it in on them, and Lee was there to, and they were mightily hurried. He would not get anywhere near them, All this while we saw nothing of Washington until we came to Elizabeth town point and there he were in sight. 
Question Did you have any more skirmishes during your-
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term of service.
Answer This was the last. this occurred in June I think and I know it was in the middle of the same month that we had the skirmish at the Connecticut. I am positive it was in June from the appearance of a cornfield through which we ran when we were going to cut off the British.
Question- How much money did Dickinson give you at the time you left the service and have you ever received any other pay or emolument.
Answer It was but a small sum two or three bills. I suppose it was to pay my expenses home. and it is all that I have ever received either in pay bounty- and or Pension.
Question. Why have you not applied for your pension before this
Answer Many years ago I went to make application and I was told by Governor Pennington that I would have to make an oath that I was maimed or wounded and disabled, and that I could not live without it. I told him I could still make my living and I would not take any such oath. And there the matter has rested ever since. I did not know until lately that the law had been changed. 
I want to speak of one other man who was out with me during the war one Samuel Tinghy. He and Ballard the sergeant and Treesdale are the only ones I have ever seen since I have lived in thus Country. 
Sworn to and subscribed before m the day and year first above written
[signatures]
Moses Dunning

Samuel Shelley
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State of New Jersey
County of Sussex

James Decker Esquire one of the Justices of the peace of the County of Sussex aforesaid and a resident of the Township of Wantage in said County having appeared before me Moses Dunning a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Sussex and being by me first duly sworn according to law on this oath doth depose and say I have been acquainted with Samuel Shelley whose Declaration is hereto appended for the period of sixteen years last past, and I believe him to be of the age he represents, and that he has the reputation of being a worthy man and good citizen. and then he has a good character for truth and veracity in the neighborhood in which he resides. 
And this deponent further states that he has before heard the declarant speak of his service in the revolution. that he remembered to have heard him speak of his being out in said war as long ago as the year eighteen hundred and thirty six and so far as the deponent believes remembered his narrative then corresponded with the present. 
And this deponent further says that he is no way interested in the above application for the benefit of the Pension Laws of the United States but that he came in at the request of the said Declarant and was present during the examination
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and assisted to examine him and from his manner of detailing the facts his clear recollection of incidents, and his limited means of knowledge except from actual observation, he believes that his statement is correct and entitled to full faith and credit.
And this Deponent further says that the clergy of the neighborhood have been resident among us but a very short time and that none of them can speak of a period more remote than three years, and that their knowledge of the above declarant will not extend further back than a period of three years and further this deponent saith not
Sworn and subscribed this the 23rd day of December AD 1851 Before me
Moses Dunning

[signature]
Jas Decker
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New Jersey
Sussex County Ss.
William Willson a resident of the Township of  Wantage, in the County of Sussex and State
New Jersey having appeared before me Moses Dunning a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Sussex and being by me duly sworn according to law on his oath doth depose and say, I am in my seventy seventh years of age, I have been acquainted with Samuel Shelly the above named declarant for fifty five years last past. I was present at his wedding which took place in this Township fifty five years ago. I was married fifty three years ago, and his wedding was two years before mine.  at that time I set him down as a man thirty five years of age, He might have been some years older or some younger, I only judge by his appearance.

And this deponent further saith that during all the time aforesaid he has been living near said declarant and a part of the time they were next neighbors. That they have had their little difficulties and misunderstandings but that this deponent would not be willing to refuse his belief to his statement made under oath.

Wm Willson

Sworn to & subscribed this 23rd
day of November A D 1841 Before me
Moses Dunning
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and I Moses Dunning Judge aforesaid do hereby certify that by reason of the great distance the said Samuel Shelly (whose proper name is subscribed to the above declaration and affidavit thereunto appended, resides from the County Town and by reason of being very deaf it would be impossible to conduct an examination in open court and I do hereby declare my 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 she states
And I Moses Dunning further certify that Daniel Harris Governor of the State of New Jersey and ex officio Chancelor of the State, is to me personally known to be and is at present engaged in the practice of the law in the neighborhood of the said Samuel Shelley and is considered a man of eminence and distinction in his profession, a credible person and one where statement and opinion is entitled and great weight, and further that the declaration and examination taken on the twentieth [instant?] was taken in his presence, he the said Daniel Harris freely questioning the said declarant and did after the conclusion of the examination freely and of his own accord dictated the affidavit and directed to be reduced to writing  in my presence and did also in my presence subscribe
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his proper name thereto which said affidavit is herewith included
And I the said Moses Dunning do further certify that James Decker Esquire and William Willson are also to me personally known and that the said James Decker is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Sussex and was present at the examination had [illegible] the twenty third day of December did freely examine said declarant in my presence, and direct the answers to be taken down and after the conclusion of said last examination he the said James Decker did dictate and with his proper name subscribe the said affidavit which said affidavot it is also herewith included, and I consider the said James Decker and William Willson respectively as respectively credible persons and entitled to full credit.
[signature]
Moses Dunning
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New Jersey
Sussex County ss
On this the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before me the subscriber a Judge of the Inferior Court of
Common Pleas of the said County of Sussex John Simeson who being by me first duly sworn according to law on his oath doth depose and say I will be sixty six years of age on the twenty
ninth day of June next, I am the son of one
Walter and ['Jane' crossed out] Rachel Simonson, my father died when I was quite a small boy and my mother afterwards intermarried with an Thomas Trusdall a Soldier of the Revolution. I was taken by my Stepfather and remained with him until I was one and twenty years of age, I learned the trade of a chair maker with him and after I had served my apprenticeship with him, I hired with him for some months and after that I worked with him on chairs, and I was somewhere about twenty four years old before I left him the said Thomas Trusdall entirely. Whilst I was living with the said
Thomas Trusdall I used to listen to him by the hour whilst he was telling of his campaigns. 
He talked a great deal about General Washington. I used to hear him mention other officers also, whose names I have now forgotten. I do not know how long he was out during the war, I remember that he said he was a fifer
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and he used to show the fife that he used during the war. he thought a great deal of this fife, and was the best fifer I ever heard.
And this deponent further saith, while I was yet a boy I used to hear my step father speak of his old friends Samuel Shelley who he said was also an old Revolutionary Soldier, and out at the same time. I used to hear my step father speak of Mr. Shelley often. I have heard him mention the names of others but as I did not know of them I have forgotten them. At this time my step father lived near Newton the County seat of Sussex County, and Samuel Shelley lived some twelve miles distant, I was not at this time acquainted with Mr. Shelley. but I often heard his name mentioned by other persons as well as by my step father. I afterwards saw Mr. Shelley, and became acquainted with his person, but had no great intercourse with him. I observed him the  [oftener?] from his being the man whom my step father said was the old Revolutionary soldier.
And this deponent further saith that when in his twenty fifth year he married and few years afterwards he moved into the Northern part of Wantage Township near the New York State line and about twelve miles from where the said Samuel Shelley was there living. and still lives, and that whilst he was living in said Township, his mother came and lived with him the said deponent, her husband the said Thomas Trusdall having
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again left for the service during the war of 1812, and that after the war was over or after his term of service had expired, he the said Thomas Trusdall came and staid at the house of this deponent for a short time and whilst he was staying there he the said Thomas Truesdall told this deponent that he had seen his old friend Samuel Shelley, that he Shelley had been to Handy Town for a load of boards, and was passing the house, when they saw each other and recognized each other, and this deponent
further saith that he was not at home that day, but his step father told him all about their meeting when he this deponent returned home in the evening. And this deponent further saith that he remembers this circumstance the better, from the old man his step father, appearing so much pleased as having seen Mr Shelley. He the said Thomas Trusdall having again been to the war it was the first time they had met since his return, and this deponent
further saith that shortly after this his mother
and step father left the house of this deponent
and he this deponent only saw them at intervals
when they visited back each other, and this
deponent further saith that he does not at this
time recollect of his said Step father again
speaking of the said Samuel Sheilly after the
time last referred to.

And this deponent further
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saith that the said Thomas Trusdall has been dead about twenty years and his mother died some time before, and that there is now none of the family living except this deponent.

Question Did you hear your step father say how long the said Samuel Shelley was out . what company or brigade he was in, and who his officers were
Answer I did not hear my step father say how long the said Samuel Shelley was out that I now remember of, I am quite certain he told me that the company he the said Samuel Shelley was in, for he used to tell me all about it, but I cannot now remember as it was a great while ago. The names of officers mentioned I cannot now remember. 
Question Did Your said Step-father say whether or not he and the said Samuel Shelley were on the same Company Regiment or brigade 
Answer. I do not remember whether my stepfather said that he and Samuel Shelley were in the same company or Regiment or brigade or not. I only remember that he my said step-father said that he and the said Samuel Shelley were out together during the Revolutionary war.
Question Did your step father ever receive any pension
Answer None that I ever heard of.
Question. Is the Samuel Shelley that your step-father referred to the one whose declaration is hereto appended.
Answer.  as to that I cannot answer, but it is the same Samuel Shelley who then resided and still resides near [illegible] in the township
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of Wantage and County of Sussex aforesaid
and he is the only one of this name that has lived in this County within my remembrance. If the declaration shown was made by Samuel Shelley I have no hesitation in saying that it was made by the same Samuel Shelley that my step father referred to.  My step father referred to the Samuel Shelley who married a Cuddeback, and who was tanner by trade. I am sure there has not of late years been another of the name of the county.  I think I have heard from some source that my step father was sent as a substitute by his father who was also named Thomas Trusdall but upon this I cannot now be positive.

        his
John X Simeson
       mark  

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year first
above written Before me
Moses Dunning
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New Jersey
Sussex County Ss.
On this Eighth day of January in the year
of one Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before me the subscriber a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Sussex aforesaid, Lavinia Courtright who being by me first duly sworn on her oath doth depose and say, I am now in my thirty seventh year and an the daughter of John Simeson whose affidavit is herewith included, I very well remember his stepfather Thomas Trusdall who claimed to be a
soldier of the Revolution, and when I was from
twelve to fifteen years of age to and to come
to my fathers house & he would frequently entertain me with tales of the Revolution. I have
an indistinct recollection of his telling of the burning of Springfield, and I recollect distinctly of his telling about being stationed at Morristown.

And this deponent further saith I well remember of the said Thomas Trusdall mentioning old Uncle Sam Shelley as he called him. He frequently spoke of him as having been out in the Revolutionary War at the same time that he the said Thomas Trusdall was. Mr Samuel Shelley is a man who I have always understood resides in the same township in which I reside and about five miles distant from me. I am
not personally acquainted with him, but
Page 31

I have always been accustomed to hearing his name spoken in my neighborhood, and it is for this reason, that I now remember him as being the man whom my step Grandfather often told me about as being the old revolutionary soldier, that was out with him under Washington.
And this deponent further saith I cannot now recall any of the incidents my Step Grandfather mentioned because I have not thought of the matter for years and I should have forgotten about Mr. Shelley if I had not so often heard his name to remind me of him.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written Before me and I certify that the word John was erased and Thomas interlined in the body of this affidavit before subscribing
Moses Dunning

[signature of]
Lurina Courtwright
Page 32

New Jersey
Sussex County ss.
On this the Eighth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
fifty two personally appeared before me the subscriber a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Sussex aforesaid James Lain aged about forty years who being by me first duly sworn on his oath doth depose and say I am by occupation a Merchant and as such have been doing business in Beemerville in the Township of the
Wantage and County of Sussex aforesaid for a period of about Eleven years and that during all that time I have known John Simeson whose affidavit is hereto attached, and his reputation for honesty and integrity for truth and veracity has always stood high, & has never in my presence been questioned or in any way doubted. from my knowledge of the man &
from his reputation in his neighborhood I consider him a man of unquestionable veracity.

James Lain

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year first above
written before me.
Note. The word "years" interlined
on the eleventh line from the
top before subscribing.
Moses Dunning
Page 33

New Jersey
Sussex County Ss. 
On this the Eighth day of January A D Eighteen hundred and fifty two personally appeared
before me the subscriber a Judge of the Inferior
Court of the Common Pleas of the County of Sussex aforesaid Austin Scofield aged sixty years and James Rollison aged fifty one years who being by me severally sworn on their oath depose and say we have respectively been acquainted with John Simonson whose affidavit is hereto appended for more than forty years
and from our knowledge of the man and from his high standing in the community we severally regard him as a man of unquestionable character for truth and veracity. His honesty and integrity is unquestionable in the neighborhood where he is known-

Austin Schofield
James Roloson

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year first
above written before me
Moses Dunning
Page 34

I Moses Dunning Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Sussex and
State of New Jersey, Do hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with John Simonson whose affidavit is hereto appended for a period of at least forty years and with Lavina Courtright since her childhood, The said John Simonsen I have always regarded as a man of unquestionable character for truth and veracity and such is the reputation he bears in his neighborhood and I fully concur in the opinion expressed by James Lain Austin Schofield and James Roloson men selected for their integrity and discernment and whose affidavits are herewith included. And I further certify that Mrs Lavina Courtright is regarded in the neighborhood as a respectable woman and of undoubted character for truth and veracity, and I also regard her as such

Given under my hand this the Eighth day of January A D eighteen hundred and fifty two.
Moses Dunning
Page 35

New Jersey Sussex County Ss.
I Thomas J Ludlum Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the said County of Sussex certify that Moses Dunning before and after the dates of the within declaration & affidavits & certificates thereto appended was
and still is an acting Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, that the signature attached to said declaration and the several affidavits  certificates thereto appended and
purporting to be the signature of the said
Moses Dunning is true and genuine and that full faith and credit are given to all his official acts and that the aforesaid Court of Common Pleas is a Court of Record having a Seal and also possessing general jurisdiction

Given under my hand & seal of Office at Newton in the County of Sussex aforesaid this the twenty first day of January A D one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
Thomas S. Ludlum
Page 36

['Acts of July 14, 1853 and  March 3, 1873.' crossed out]

REJECTED
__9470__
P. O. ___________________________
__Samuel Shelley____
Service:________________
Enlisted: _____NJ______________, 18
Discharged: ________________, 18
Application filed: _____________, 18
Alleges: ____________________
Re-enlisted: ___________________
Attorney: ______________________
P.O. ___________________________
_______ Recognized. ________Contract.
_____ ert. of Dis.   Searched for ______, 18. .
Page 37

No 38, 342
Samuel Shelley
New Jersey
------------
[cut off]let S. H. Potter Attorney
Beckertown
Sussex County
N. Jersey
May 18th 1852
Act 7th June 1832
Page 38

Jan. 27- 52
-----------------
Appl of Saml. Shelley

Original

S.H. Potter
Beckertown
N.J.
--------------
J.E. Heath Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 39

To
Deckertown Sussex County
New Jersey Jan 24 1852
Enclosed herewith I forward the application of
Mr Samuel Shelley for the benefit of the act
of 1832.
at the time of his making his
declaration I was not aware that any corroborative
evidence could be obtained, and supposing that he
would have to rely solely on the strength of his own
testimony I deemed that the opinion of those
who were accustomed to the investigation of testimony
based upon actual observation of the manner of the declarant
when under oath would be more satisfactory to the department
than more testimony as to their opinion of his character
for veracity. accordingly Mssrs Haines & Decker were called
in the former a Lawyer of eminence and a christian
gentleman, the latter a justice of the peace. If however
other evidence of Mr Shelley's character for veracity is
required it can be obtained as it stands entirely beyond
the reach of suspicion.
Your Obdt Servt
S Henry Potter

To J.E. Heath Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington D C
Page 40

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES   
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD

Name Shellman, Ernest
Grade Private
Line Armand's Legion

Warrant Number 13708
Acreage 100
Issued August 25, 1789  (To ---- not shown)

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the application for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.