Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2787, for William Mc Ilroy, New Jersey
Page 1

( 3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
CONTENTS
McIlroy, William
NUMBER
S.2787
Carded
Page 2

31218
New Jersey 
William McIlroy
who was a Sergt.

Warren Co in the State of N. Jersey,
in the company commanded
Captain J. Boyd of the regt commanded
Col. Wise in the N. Jersey
8 Mrs. Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 42 Dollars 50 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of October 1837 and sent to Hon J
P.B. Maxwell, H. Reps.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837 $276: 25
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '38. 21. 25
$297.50
Recorded by
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
S. A. Elliot Clerk,
Book  82
Vol. 3
Page 147.
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the
act of the 6th April 1838
from 4th Sept 1837 to the 11th
March 1838, the day of his
death. Agt Notified 28th
Feby 1839.
Page 3


TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 2d 1839-
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," the Widow of William McIlroy
a Pensioner on the Roll of the New Jersey
the rate of Forty two Dollars and fifty
Agency, at
Cents
per annum, under the care of the 7th June, 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the
to the 11th March
of Sept. 1837-
1838, the day of his death.

Respectfully, yours,
Allen H. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 4

Application of William
McIlroy of Warren
New Jersey for a pension
7541.
1782. Extract of law from
ape to 15 Dec the term of
liability to service of the
men raised in pressed
of
Also
Mo. Sergt
$42.50
Hon J. P. B. Maxwell

New Jersey
Page 5

Declaration of William McIlroy in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New Jersey
Warren County ss. On this third
day of September, in the year
of our Lord 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the
Judges of the Inferior Court of Court of Common Pleas of the said
County of Warren now sitting William McIlroy a resident
of the township of Greenwich, County of Warren and State of
New Jersey, aged eighty two 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 Con
gress passed June 7. 1832. That he entered the service of
the United States under the following named officers, and
served therein as herein stated
I was born in Ireland, in the Kingdom of Great Britain
in the year 1750 I was a soldier in the British
army and landed at Boston, Massachusetts in the United States of America
on the spring of the year, I think in the
1775.
I soon after deserted from the British army and in
the latter part of the same year enlisted in the Revolutionary
service at Newark New Jersey, for one years or what was
called the first Jersey Regiment
the Company
officers
whom I enlisted were Captain James Boyd, Lieutenant
Morrison, and Ensign Jacob Pratt
Colonel Wives commanded the regiment and we were placed
at Elizabeth town in Essex County New Jersey. We soon got
orders to go to Hackensack to get the King arms which
were kept there in the Court house, or prison. The Keeper
Page 6


Captain in
unto Samuel 252 152 1st to my high in
refused to open the doors or let us have the arms, and me
immediately broke upon the door and got the arms and all
to
the military implements in that place, supplied those who
had no guns with them and returned to Elizabeth town
We continued at Elizabeth town though the winter, until year
spring of 1776. when we went to New York and thence to Long
Island. We continued there some time until we were taken in
sloops up the North river to Albany, thence marched
by land to the Lake at Saratoga
which we crossed north
and thence marched to the main army which the land at
a place dont recollect
we continued there until the years service ended and I was
discharged. The discharge which was then given to me
I soon lost, and I know nothing about it, for and I take
any care of it thinking it of but very little consequence
at that time. When discharged I came to the place in
Greenwich, where I now reside and where I have had my
home ever since
In 1781 or 1782. I again enlisted in the
nine months service, at Bloomsbury, in the County of Hunterdon
and State of New Jersey, a small village on the borders of Hunderdon and Sissor under Captain James Bunnell Souterant
Caleb Hatfield and Ensign Anthony Blackford
I enlisted as an orderly Sergeant. This was in the New Jersey
State troops. We marched up through the County of Susex
to a place called Minnisink, on the Delaware river on
the borders of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania
after the Indians, and continued the whole of the time in
Page 7

that region of country, scouting out every few days after the
Indians until our time expired and I was discharged I
do not recollect gether any written discharge, but if I did
I now know nothing of it. I recollect for companies parts
from New York to get up the North river companied
Captain Meeker Boyd Morris and Platt, Major
Dehart of Elizabeth town was to be the major but I dont recollect 
his being out-
I have no documentary evidence to prove my services
William
McIlroy
except it be the affidavit of David Johnston and John
McKinney
accompanying this
application or do I know of any persons living by whom
except it be att in Ohio, whom I dont know whether living
I can make further proof
There is no clergyman being
in my neighborhood, nor within several miles of me. but by
John McKinney and Philip Woolever
I expected to
be able to prove my character for veracity, and the tradition
by report of the neighborhood of my being a Soldier of the
Revolution I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a
pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my
name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn to and Subscribed for court
the day and year aforesaid
Garret Law
William Mcilroy
Page 8

We John McKinney residing in the township of
Greenard
in said County and Philip Woolever
Alre
residing in the township of Greenwich
in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted ┃ with
William McIlroy, who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration; and that we believe him to be eighty
two 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 in
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Garret Lary
John King
Philip Williver
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after the 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 McKinney and Philip Williverof
the said County of Greenwich
who have signed the preceding certificate are resident of the
said County of Warren, and are credible persons, and that their
statement is entitled to credit.
Mr Blain
Garrett Lang
Wm Kennedy,
Wm
Mullough
Charles Carter
Page 9

State of New Jersey
Warren County ss. Before me, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County on the twenty eighth day of August
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty
the personally appeared John McKinney, aged seventy four
years or 11th September last, who being duly sworn according to
law saith that he was well acquainted with William McIlroy
who is applying for the benefit of the Law of Congress of 7th June
1832 for Revolutionary Militia man that he knew him well
in the time of the revolution and recollects that said McBroyenlisted
in the Continental service for nine months, in 1780 or 1782
and knows that he served said term that they went from
Super County New Jersey
to the Minisink County on the border
of New York Pennsylvania and New Jersey
and further
saith not-
Sworn and Subscribed the date above
John M Kinney
before me
J. kinney
⎬
I John Kinney Jr one of the Judges of the Court of
Common Pleas of said County before whom the above affidavit
was made certify that the said John McKinney is a credible
person, and that his statement under oath as aforesaid is entitled
to full faith and credit. Witness my hand & seal this 18th
June 1833
J. Kinney
Page 10

Affidavit of John McKinney
of service of Wm McIlroy
service in Revolution
Page 11


State of New Jersey

Warren County ss. Before me one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of
Common Pleas in and for said County, on the twenty eighth
day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty two personally appeared David Johnston
aged Seventy five years on 3 November last who being duly ┃
sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with
William McIlroy who is applying for the benefit of the Law
of Congress of 7th June 1832, for Revolutionary Malitia War
that he knew him well in the time of the Revolutionary war
that he know that he enlisted at Bloomsbury Hunterdon County
New Jersey under Captain Bunnell in the nine months service
against the Indians
that deponent saw him while in said
service and verily believes that he served out the whole of said
ter in the United States service
Sworn and Subscribed the date above
David John
before me
Kinney
I
John Kinney Jr one of the Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas of said County, before whom the above affidavit was made
certify that the said Johnson is a credible person, and
that his statement under oath as aforesaid is entitled to full
faith and credit and I further certify that there is no clergyman
living in the neighborhood
of said William McIlroy the applicant
W
thess my hand & seal the 18th June 1833-
Kinney Jr
Page 12

affidavit of David Johnson
of Wm McIlroys service in
9 months service of Revolution war
Page 13

State of New Jersey
Warren County ss. I. Phineas B. Kennedy Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas,
of the said County of Warren do hereby certify
that the forgoing contains the original proceeding
of the said Court in the matter of the application
of William McIlroy for a pension-
I also further certify that John Kinney
Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of David
Johnston and John McKinney were taken, was at that the
and full is one of the Judges of said Court and that the
signatures annexed are his genuine signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office the Seventh day of September in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
thirty the
P. Kennedy
Clk
I Phineas B Kennedy Clerk as aforesaid further
certify that the signatures of J Kinney Jr to the certifcates of Credibility of John McKinney and David Johnson
hereto attached are his genuine signatures, and at the time
of doing thereof that he was a Judge of said County
I also certify the foregoing to be the original proceedings
before said Court, (except said certificate of application of
May for a person Witness my hand & seal the
18th June 1833
P. Kennedy
Page 14

soldier pensioned
Gen. Wm S. Syker,
Trenton, N.J.
M.C.
-
Sept 1898
E. L. Hudler
My Vernon
N.Y.
R Blazer S D.
1911 Sept. Hist to Mrs
Perry L. Hobbs Letter
in S.F. 24.28
John Ohl.V.L.M
File
27814
INVALID.
No. 2784
William McIlroy
Sergt. N.J. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -- Vol. A
, Page 24
(Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

Suspended
See let to Lewis Con
dict May 25, 1837
Page 16

William McIlroy
New. Jersey

witneses to give term
do not bear the rank
which he delares for
term in 1775 at
be allowed unless proved
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
William McIlroy Wernon 6 New Jerey which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
Has
he made
June 7, 1832? yes
ent of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? yes
.
at
Page 18

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
regulations direct?  NO
of
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
⎬
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; Foryear
--
months, anddays
, I served as a-
-
and days, I served as a-
Forand
for such service I claim a pension.
months
Page 19

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 in
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. within
out 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the
ployed in any civil pursuit.
when the service was performed, he was not em-
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who
state 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.
+QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 20

Case of Wm McIlroy
Extract from N. Jersey Laws
The law within referred to, shews
the authority, under which Mr Shay
performed service in 1782 in the
County of Susex; N. Denney
The case has been before Dr Camp
& defered, till the law could be
examined.
Page 21

Extract from Wilson's edition of New Jersey Laws, printed at Trenton,
page 251, Chap. 300.-- "An act to provide for the defence of the frontiers, & for
repaying the expences of the government of this State, passed Decr 29th 1781.
Preamble recites, whereas from the continuance of the war, it is still incessary that
1
provision should be made for the future defence, security & protection of the frontier inhabitants
of this State, & for the payment of the troops & Militia employed in that service &c. &c
Sect 1st Be it therefore enacted &c: That four hundred & twenty two men, including officers &
non commissioned officer, shall be raised by voluntary enlistment & embodied for the defence of
the portions of this State, to be ready to enter on said service, or to take the field on or before
the first day of March 1782, unless in the County of Sussex, when they shall be made to take
the field, on or before the first day of April succeeding & to continue in service until the
15th day of December insuing, unless sooner discharged, to be stationed &c. &c. in the different
frontier counties as follows, viz: In Bergan, one private comm of atop
horse, to be raised & commanded by Capt. Peter Ward S. Castain & In by &
In Open 16 of 66 priv & In Middlesex North of Rariton son, one Co 24 pr & In Middlesex
South of Panton in one Co of 6 priv. &. &
in the County of Sussex, one Company, to consist of thirty nine privates a commissioned officers, 3
Sergeants, a corporal, & two horsemen, to be raised & commanded by Capt James Bonnel
Hopkins, & Ensign Anthony Blackford, of the said County of Sussex
The act distributes to each other County in the State, its quota, & names the commissioned officers
in each, & assigns Major Samuel Hayes, to the command of the whole. It is the Govr to
the warrants for enlisting the men to commission the officers not already commissioned and the
of subsistence, pay. &c. I then provide for raising by tax $5.00 & apportions if any the
County in usual manner.-
Mr Edwards is respectfully referred to Wilson's Ed. N. J. Laws, which will be found in the Dept
of State. He will find the above copy to be true & accurate, as to Sussex County, which is the onlypart

applicable to William McIlroy's case, who declares solemnly, his service under Capt. Bound
for about 9 or 10 months. I believe he mistook, or misremembered the name of one of his other
offices in that service. In a deposition by Robt Young, taken this last spring, it is proven that
Scotchman or an Irishman, of the name M Shay, was on duty as an enlisted soldier in the
against Canada,
Northern expidion against Canada in the year 1775. He is aged & any how, & I trust Mr Edwards, or
Dr Curne, (who has the case before him, will admit him on the roll for the years service & the 9
months service in Susex.-- If Mr Edwards desires it, & the book can be ranked, I am willing to and him
Wilson N.S. Laws, a folio edition, 450 pages
Respectfully & truly
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Your's &c
Lewis Condict
Morristown N.J. June 13th 37
Page 22

Be it known, that before the subscriber, a Justice of peace
in & for said County of Morris, personally appeared Robert
Young, of said County, aged 84 or 85 years, well known
to me personally as a man of truth & fair character, & being by me first duly sworn
according to law on his oath saith as follows by.
viz: I am in the 86th year of my age was an enlisted soldier in the years service
in the Canadian expedition in the beginning of the revolutionary war in Colonel Wm Wind's regiment. The officers name under whom I enlisted in Morris County, I believe
was Mitchell & after the company was marched to N. York. I was placed under
command of Captain Morris. We embarked in Tops from N. York city for
Albany & marched thence to Lake George pounded down the lake, & down
Lake Champlain & our river unto the Lamence river, & from thence we soon
by an our situal homeward, suffering much by small pox & other sickness at
Ticonderoga chamblu  & Min. In our Regiment there was a company who
Captain & Lieutenant or Ensign, was Pratt & Isaac Morrison. Isaac Morison
was from Orange, in Essex County, & he afterward was a Captain, but I believe he
was on this Canada service. In this Co. to which Morrison then
belonged, there was a man of the name of McPhoy, whom
I well recollect, as having been a Deserter as he said, from the British army
first saw him in New York, & whilst on this tour of duty. I often saw him as
private in Morrison's company collect him at Albany & Ticonderoga,
quitly on our return home.-
I do not know when or when he enlisted; but
remember him as belonging to this expedition, both going out, & returning home
I do not know that I have ever seen him since that were ended
sum & subscribed before me at the dwelling house of Robert Young, this 13th May
Domini 1837
Robt Young
State of New Jersey Morris County
Matthias
Kitchel J.
J. Peace
Page 23

I Joseph Dalimph. Clerk of Morris County, hereby certify, that Matthias
Kitchel Esq. before whom the within deposition of Robert Young was taken
is & was at the time of the taking thereof, a Justice of peace in & for the County
of Morris & State of New Jersey, duly commissioned & authorized, & that the signature
of his name thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, & affix
the seal of my office at Morristown, this
May, 1837
Joseph Dalimph Clerk
Page 24


Aff of D Johnston
Wm McIlroy service
as Sergeant
Page 25

Warren
County ss. Before me. One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for said County, on the 12th day of August 1833 personally appeared
John McKinney of said County aged Seventy five years
&
upwards, whom I certify is a credible person and his statement entitled
to credit who being duly sworn according to law saith, that he is well
acquainted with said William Mc Ilroy who is applying
for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832 that he well
know and the time of the Revolutionary war and
that he then lived in the County of Susex in Warren in said State that
he has already sworn to the service of said McIlroy for
nine worth in said war. that said service was performed
by said McIlroy as a Sargeant and not as a private
as deponent distinct recollects John Maroney
State of New Jersey
Sworn & subscribed the date above
before me Abrham Warney of
State of New Jersey
Warren County ss. I Phineas B Kennedy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for said Court certify the above Signature of Abraham Warney is genuine that at the doing thereof he was
one of the Judges of said Court
of September 1833
with my hand the day
Clk
Page 26

Aff of John McKinney
Wm McIlroy
of services of John Willis as a
in Revy War
Page 27


State of New Jersey
Warren
County ss: Before me, one of the Justices of the Peace in
and for said County, on the day of September AD 1833
personally appeared David Johnston, age seventy six, sound in
years and upwards, whom I certify is a credible person and
his statement entitled to credit, who being duly sworn
according to law with that he is well acquainted with
William McIlroy of Greenwich in County of Warren &
State of New Jersey, who is applying for a Pension under the
act of Congress of June 7. 1832.
that he has already
made affidavit of the service of said Mary in the time
of the Revolutionary war
which service was performed
by him as a Sergeant and not as a private
is
and subscribed the date above
David Johnson


State of New Jersey
Warren County
I. Pheneas B Kennedy Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said
County certify that the annexed signative of
Andrew Van Campen by is genuine; and that
at the doing thereof he was a Justice of
the Peace in and for said County
Witness my hand & seal of office the
25th
November 1833
P. Kennedy clk
Page 28

Hon. William Lochren,
State of New Jersey
Office of Adjutant General
Trenton April 13, 1896.
Sir: --
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
I have the honor to request that you will furnish this
office with a full statement of the service of William McIlroy,
who was a Sergeant in the Sussex County New Jersey Militia during the
Revolutionary War. He drew a pension until his death, March
11, 1838.
Very respectfully,
William F. Hugher
Adjutant-General.
Page 29

Mr. Peter Blazer,
Mount Vernon, N. Y., Sept. 5th, 98.
Chief Examiner Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:-
I am very anxious to become a member of the
Daughters of the Revolution, and write you asking if you will help
me in this matter, and assure you I shall be very grateful for any
assistance.
My Great Grand -- Father, William McElroy, Sr., fought
lived in
the Revolutionin
Salem County, N.J., and after the
war was honorably discharged and received a pension.
I do not
know in what Company or Regiment he was, but trust you may be able
to find this for me, as such information is required by the
Daughters before I am eligible.
I trust yourself and family are well, and hoping to hear
from you at your earliest convenience, I am,
Yours very respectfully,
E. Leora Stout Hudler,
9 Willow Place,
Chester Hill,
Mount Vernon,
N. Y.
Page 30

information as contained
in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Bert
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
Son
year
is
RANK.
William Mc Ilroy
Cro
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Boston Mass
James Boyd
Bannell
COLONEL.
Spring of 1775 ┃
and
and
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, In then Susex county NJ
Date of application for pension,
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of application born in Ireland 
---
Remarks:
1850
this wife surving him to have stated
-
317936510 - 97
Very respectfully,
STATE.
.
Commissioner