Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3694, for Erastus Pierson, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Pierson, Erastus

NUMBER
S.3698

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

(left side)
New Jersey 31,916           
Erastus Pierson
of Essex Co. in the State of N. Jersey who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Pierson of the regt commanded by Col. Van Cortland in the N. Jersey mil. line for 18 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 60 Dollars _________Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of February 1842 and sent to Hon. J. B. Aycrigg, House of Representatives

Arrears to the 4th of Sep,1841                630.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '42  30.00
                                                               $660.00

Special act of July 20, 1840 {Revolutionary Claim   Act June 7, 1832(crossed out)

Recorded by D. Brown       Clerk,
Book E.2.  Vol.3.  Page 154

(right side) 
Agent notified
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State of New Jersey
Essex County---- SS Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas & Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Enos Pierson of the Township of Orange in the County and State aforesaid known to me by general reputaion to be a Man of fair characture & entitled to belief as a witness.__ And being by me duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he is seventy three years of age & that he is a son of Captain Samuel Pierson of Essex County New Jersey & a brother to Erastus Pierson and that the said Erastus Pierson was born November 6th, 1753 and was Eighty two years of age last November according to his Fathers family Record. Now in possession of the family.____ And this deponent further saith that the said Erastus Pierson has been very infirm for several years and at the time and ever since the passing of the act of Congress of June 7th 1832, both in body and Mind, And that his Mind was & is at this time so much impaired that he is rendered unable to make out a statement or Declaration of his services during the war of the Revolution so as to obtain the benefit of said Law, which said inability and the difficulty of obtaining positive evidence of his services is the reason why the said Erastus Pierson's application for a pension has been so long delayed_____ And this deponent further saith, that the said Erastus Pierson was enrolled in a Company of Militia as a private soldier commanded by his Father Captain Samuel Pierson in the Fourfront of said war & in the latter part of said war the same Company was Commanded by Captain Zebalin Jones and Attached to the North Battalion of Colonel Phillip VanCortlands Regiment during said war.
And the deponent further saith that he resided at home with his father during said war and is knowing
Page 4

that the said Erastus Pierson went as a private soldier to Long Island in the State of New York the same summer that the British army landed on said Island and was there and on duty in Bergen County and at Elizabeth Town point at  least Two Months in that year & as he always understood under the Command of Colonel VanCortland & Major Condit.__ And this deponent further saith_ That in the year 1777 the said Erastus Pierson still belonged to the same company & the said Colonel VanCortland Regiment & was classed and took his regular tour of duty not less than three months in each year from the first of the year 1777 to the close of the year 1781.-__ Stationed at Bergen Acquachnock Bellvill  then called Second River Newark Elizabeth Town Point Springfield & Connecticut farms commanded by the said Captain Samuel Pierson Captain Zebalen Jones, and other Captains whose names he cannot now designate. But was the whole of the time as he now believes under the command of the said Colonel Van Cortland, Major Condit and Major Samuel Hayes.___ And he further saith that he & the said Erastus Pierson were together at the battle of Connecticut farms and Springfield in the summer of 1780 under the said Captain Zebalen Jones & pursued the British from Springfield to Elizabeth Town Point.___ Making the whole time that the said Erastus Pierson was on duty & in actual service one year and five months.___Which this deponent saith that he is well satisfied is several months short of the service actually rendered the United States by the said Erastus Pierson during said war.
Enos Pierson

Sworn to and subscribed at Newark in said County this fourteenth day of May A.D. 1836}
Before me Samuel B. Miller Judge & Justice of the Peace
Page 5

State of New Jersey Essex County SS Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas & Justice of the Peace in and for Said County. Simeon Williams of the Township of Levingston in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey known to me by General Reputation to be a man of good standing & Entitled to belief as a witness And being by me duly sworn on his oath saith that he is seventy seven years of age that he was a soldier in the Revolution that he was during the Revolutionary war well acquainted with Erastus Peirson of the County of Essex & State of New Jersey and has always been acquainted with him up to this time & that he believes the said Erastus Pierson to be as much as Eighty two years of age. And this deponent further saith that the said Erastus Pierson has been Very Infirm ever since the passing of the act of Congress of June 7th, 1832. Both in Body and mind, and that his mind is so much impaired that he is Rendered totaly unable to make out a Declaration himself to obtain the benefit of said Law. and that together with the difficulty of obtaining evidence of his service is the reason as this deponent has always understood, why the said Erastus Pierson's application for a pension has been so long delayed. And this deponent further saith that he and that said Erastus Pierson served together a Number of Monthly Tours during the war of the Revolution that in the year 1776 he and the said Eratus Pierson done one month duty together under Captain Elijah Squire stationed at Newark and one Month at Boun Creek & Elizabethtown point dont now recollect the Captains name they was under the Command of Colonel Van Cortland & Major Hayes & in the fall of the year 1777 he this deponent and the said Eratus Pierson
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done one Month duty together under Captain Josiah Pierson stationed at Newark - In the year 1779 served one month together under Captain Thomas Williams stationed at Newark in the month of May and June as he now believes and in the summer of the same year served one month Together under Captain Jeraloman stationed at Second river Now Called belvill. And this deponant further saith. That from the summer of the year 1776. To the Close of the year 1781. he frequently saw the said Erastus Pierson on duty as a private soldier under Captain Samuel Pierson Elijah Squir Thomas Williams and different Captains saw him at Newark Elizabeth Town Belvill Springfield & Connecticut Farms Cannot now state the particular times and places of all his respective tours of service but well knows that he was out in the service of his country a Long period of time and believes that he performed as much Service during the war of the Revolution as any one in this part of New Jersey Belonging to the militia and fully Believes that he done more than one year & six months service during said war & he further saith that the said Erastus Pierson Belonged to the Company Command by Captain Samuel Pierson in the four front of said war and in the Latter front by Capt Zebulen Jones and under the Command of Col Van Courtland. & further saith not. 
Simeon Williams 

Sworn to & subscribed at Newark in said County this Fourteenth day of May A.D. 1836 Before me Saml B. Miller Judge & Justice of the peace.
Page 7

State of New Jersey Essex County } SS Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common pleas & Justice of the peace in and for said County of Essex David Lyon of the Township of Orange in the sd County of Essex & State of New Jersey. Well known to me to be a man of good standing in sanity and in all respects entitled to belief as a Witness. And being by me duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he is Seventy Eight Years of age that he was a soldier in the Revolution and that he was during the Revolutionary War well acquainted with Erastus Pierson of the County of Essex and state of New Jersey. That he believes the said Eratus Pierson to be as much as eighty two years of age.

And this deponent further saith that the said Eratus Pierson has been very infirm ever since the passing of the act of Congress of June 7th, 1832, Both in body and mind. And that his mind was and is at this time so much impaired that he is rendered totaly unable to make out a declaration of his services rendered in said war himself to obtain the benefit of said law. And that together with the difficulty of obtaining evidence of his service is the reason as this deponent has always understood why the said Eratus Piersons application for a pension has been so long delayed. - And this deponent further saith that the said Eratus Pierson was enroled in and belonged to a company of Militia as a private soldier under the command of Captain Samuel Pierson father of the said Eratus Pierson in the first of said war, and that he this deponent and the said Eratus Pierson was on duty together on Long Island in the State of New York as early in said war as June 1776 and served together on said Island & at Bergen & Elizabeth Town point New Jersey as much as two months in said year under the
Page 8

Command of Colonel Ward & Colonel Von Courtland & Major Condit - And this deponant further saith that he and the said Erastus Pierson was on duty together and in actual service in the year 1779 under Captain Huntington one month Stationed at Acquackenonk under the Command of Colonel Von Courtland - And this deponant further saith that that he saw the said Erastus Peirson on duty & in actual service in the year 1779 - 1780 & 1781 as much as Three Months in each year under Captain Thomas Williams Captain Samuel Pierson Captain Huntington & Captain Zebulon Jones - Stationed at Newark Belvill Elizabeth Town point & Springfield under the Command of Colonel Philip Von Courtland & Major Hayes & that the sd Erastus Peirson always Belonged to the said Col Von Courtlands Regiment except a short period during the first of said war. was under Colonel Ward. And this deponant further saith that the said Erastus Pierson was a good & faithful soldier during the war of the Revolution & done his full shair of duty and that he Could not have done less then one year and six months actual service, and fully believes that the said Erastus Pierson done more then two years actual service during said war as a private soldier but cant now Recollect all the places wher stationd nor the Captain that he served under, nor the particular times of service. and further saith not. 
David Lyon

Sworn to and subscribed at Newark in said County this Fourteenth day of May A.D. 1836 Before me Saml B. Miller Judge & Justice of the peace.
Page 9

State of New Jersey Essex County SS Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas & Justice of the peace in and for said County David D. Crane, Esquire of the Town of Newark in the County of Essex & State of New Jersey Well known to me to be a man in good standing in socity & entitled to belief as a witness. And being by me duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he is seventy two years of age, and upwards, that he was a soldier in the Revolution and that he was during the Revolutionary war well acquainted with Erastus Peirson of the County of Essex and State of New Jersey - That he believes the said Erastus Pierson to be as much as Eighty two years of age - And this deponant further saith that he is knowing that the said Erastus Pierson Belonged to Colonel Philip Von Courtlands Regiment during the Revolutionary war as a private soldier & that he was a good & faithful soldier and done as many Monthly Tours of duty as any private Belonging to said Regiment & which he believes Could not have been Less then Eighteen month or Two years actual service and further saith not. 
D.D. Crane

Sworn to & Subscribed at Newark in said County this 30th day of May A.D. 1836. before me Samuel B. Miller Judge & Justice of the peace.
Page 10

State of New Jersey Essex County SS Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas & Justice of the peace in and for said County of Essex Asa Hillyer - A Clergyman Residing in the Township of Orange in the Said County of Essex and State aforesaid. Well known to me to be a Clergyman of good standing & in all respects Entitled to belief as such. And being by me duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he is seventy three years of age that he has Resided at Orange in said County for Thirty Four years last past that he is well acquainted with Erastus Pierson of the same place that he believes the said Erastus Pierson to be more then Eighty years of age and that he is Reputed and believed in the neighbourhod where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that he Concurs in that opinion - And this deponant further saith that the said Erastus Pierson has been very Infirm for several years last past both in body and Mind & that his mind has been so much impaired ever since the passing of the act of Congress of June 7th, 1832 Relative to granting pensions to Revolutionary Soldiers, that he has been rendered totaly unable to make out a Declaration or Statement of his services in said war. and further saith not. 
Asa Hillyer 

Sworn and Subscribed at Orange in said County the First day of June in the Year of our Lord A.D. 1836 before me Saml B. Miller - Judge and Justice of the peace.
Page 11

State of New Jersey County of Essex SS I Elias Van Arsdale Junior Clerk of the County of Essex & of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County Do hereby certify That Samuel B. Miller Esq. before whom the several affidavits hereto annexed of Enos Pierson, Simeon Williams, David Lyon, David D. Crane Esq. & Asa Hillyer were respectively made & taken at the time of taking the same, was & still is one of the Judges of the said Court and a Justice of the Peace in & for said County residing therein; duly Commissioned & Sworn: and that the signatures "Saml B. Miller" Subscribed to the Jurats of said affidavits respectively are genuine. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the Seal of said Court, at Newark in the County of Essex aforesaid the Second day of June A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty Six. E Van Arsdale Clk
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HR 531 Petition of Erastus Pierson paying a Pension for Revolutionary Service under the Act of 1832. Dec. 20 1836 Reqd to the Committee on Revy Pensions Dec 30 1836 - Bill No 788 Ded 18 1837 Refd to the Committee on Revy Pensions Feby 6 1838 Bill No. 531 Jany 4, 1840 Refd (under reso) to Committee on Revolutionary Pensions Mar 5 1840 Bill 176 Committee on Revolutionary Pensions Halstead 100.
Page 13

111 331
Petition of [strikeout]
Erastus Pierson - paying [strikeout]
[strikeout] a Pension for revolutionary Service
under the Act of 1832.
__________________________________________
Decr. 20 1836
Refd to the Committee
on Revy. Pensions
___________________________________________

Decr 30 1836  Bill [illegible]  788

Ded. 18 1837
Refd to the committee on
Revy. Pensions -
___________________________________________

Feby. 6 1838
Bill ---    No. 531
___________________________________________

Jany 4, 1840
Refd (under [illegible]) to Committee
on Revolutionary Pensions
___________________________________________

Mar 5 1840 - Bill 176
[strikeout]
Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.

Halstead [illegible]oo.
Page 14

To the Honorable the Senate and house of Representatives of the United State in Congress Convend - The petition of Rhoda Pierson, Lydia Pierson, (single woman) Caleb Pierson & Jathom Pierson all children of Erastus Pierson of the Township of Orange County of Essex and State of New Jersey, Respectfully Represent That Whereas the affidavits of Enos Pierson, Simon Williams, David Lyon David D. Crane Esq. and Asa Hillyer a Clergyman Setting fourth the services of the said Erastus Pierson as a private soldier in the war of the Revolution, and also showing the said Erastus  Pierson to be very infirm, in body and mind, ever since the passing of the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 Relative to Revolutionary claims and unable to make a declaration to obtain the benefit of said act Which affidavits are now, filed in the Pension office at Washington City. - And Whereas by a Letter from J.S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of pensions to Samuel B. Miller Esq., dated War department, Pension office June 16th, 1836, stating among other things, that under the
Page 15

Erastus Pierson's evidence -

Enos. Pierson - at least two months in 76. 

Capt. Pierson  2 mo
3 mo in 77.78.79.80.81. Capts. Pierson 
Jones &c

Simeon Williams
76  1 mo Capt Squire - 1 mo no officers  77 1 mo 
Capt Pierson
78 1 mo Capt Williams - 1 mo Capt Jerolaman - frequently saw
him from summer of 76 to close of the war at designated
places & believes he served fully 18 mo

David Lyon - June 76 2 mo Capt Pierson
78 was on duty under Capt Huntington & saw him on
duty in 79.80.81. as much as three months

D.D. Crane - very general -

Asa Hilyear   clergyman
Page 16

Erastus Pierson
N. Jersey
Susp
Let to S. B. Miller 16 June '36
do to H[illegible] B Storer [illegible]
Dec 26. 1836
Page 17

H R 176

E

Erastus Pierson, N Jersey
roll. act July 20, 1840 -
$60 pr annum, to commence
on the 4th March 1831.
[Enter on roll act June 7. 1832.]

Send cert to
Hon. J. B. Aycrigg
HR
Page 18

H. R ---------   176.

Erastus Pierson.
____________________________
Page 19

[Written at an angle]

RevWar

INVALID

File No. 3694

Erastus Pierson
Privt Rev War
_________________________
Act: June 7. 1832

Index: - Vol. A, Page 296

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Report on the following
House Bills acted on in
Committee on Pensions of the
Senate -
________________________________

515 - Frederick Sammons - advrs

529 - Eliz. Jones & others - adverse

530. Ashel Kingsley   adverse

531 Erastus Pierson   adverse

308 Richd Elliott -   adverse
Page 21

June 28 - 1838

No 503 - Cotton Evans - Sent to the dept for information

425 -
James Boyd - Sent to the dept for information

No 515 Frederick Sammons - Claimd a Pension on acct of ulcers on the
leg by having been taken prisoner during the war and confined in
irons which irons has created the disability complained of - Evidence
not satisfactory - report adverse

No 529 Elizabeth Jones & others - Adverse report -
Petitions - served in Colo George Gibsons Regt which was
not considered a Continental Regt until 1820 - If any
bils [sic] were passed it should be of a general
character -
Page 22

530 Asahel Kingsley - no evidence of service
Report adverse

No 308. Richd Elliott. this case was recommitted to admit further
evidence before the committee. the former report of this Committee
fully sustained

No 531.  Erastus Pierson. Claims a Pension for various periods of service
amounting to 1 1/2 Years - during the war of the Revolution - the evidence
entirely too vague. the service if any, appears to have been for
short tours  No evidence of Military service for the U States.
Report adverse

[Written vertically at bottom]

Report on the following
House Bills acted on in
Committee on Pensions of the
Senate
_______________________________________

515 - Frederick Sammons   advrs

529 - Eliz. Jones & others    adverse

530 - Ashel Kingsley     adverse

531 - Erastus Pierson    adverse

308 - Richd Elliott -  adverse
Page 23

[written horizontally]

J. L. Edwards
Commissone Pens.  [the "r" was left off]

[written vertically]

feb 8. 1842
Erastus Pierson

8 [illegible] law.

Hon. J. B. Aycrigg
HR
Page 24

House of Repts. U.S.
Febry. 7th 1842

J. L. Edwards

Sir

You will oblige
me by sending me information
relative to the claim of
Erastus Pierson. by the files of the
House it would seem to have
become a law on the 2[illegible] of July
last

respectfully
Your Obnt. Sevt  [Your obedient servent]

Jno. B. Aycrigg
Page 25

[written vertically]

Dec 26
W
Mr [illegible]
Erastus Pierson  NJ

[horizontally]

J. L. Edwards  Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington -

[vertically]

Hn B. Stover
Hn
Page 26

Washg.  December. 23, 1836

Sir,

I will thank you to find me a copy
of the application [illegible] of the heirs of 
Erastus Pierson
of New Jersey, for their fathers pension -

The case is referred to me as
a member of the Com. on Rev Pensions, &
I wish to report
upon it an early day.

I should be pleased to receive
it soon, as convenient to copies I requested at the
early part of the session -

Very respectfully, 

B. Stover

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 27

26th CONGRESS,
1st Session.
Rep. No. 166.
Ho. of REPS.
R 476
ERASTUS PIERSON
[To accompany bill H.R. No. 176]

March 3, 1840



Mr. CARR, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the
following 
REPORT

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the
petition of Rhoda Pierson, Lydia Person, Caleb Pierson, and Jotham
Pierson, ask leave to report:

That they have examined the petition and papers, and that they concur
in the report made at a former session of Congress, which is herewith
submitted.
"It fully appears, from the evidence appended to the petition, that the
petitioners are the children of Erastus Pierson, of Essex county, in the
State of New Jersey; and that their father is at this time, and has been
for several years past, infirm in body and impaired in mind and memory,
insomuch that he cannot transact ordinary business. They claim that
their father was a soldier of the revolution; and as he is unable, for the
causes referred to, to make any application for a pension, or to state the nature
of his services while in the army, they present their petition on his
behalf. The affidavits of four persons, all certified to be respectable, prove
that Mr. Pierson served at least eighteen months as a private in the militia
of the State of New Jersey, at different periods, and was attached to 
Colonel Philip Van Cortland's regiment. He was at the battles of Long Island,
of Connecticut Farms, and of Springfield; and having performed his
duty to his country in his youth, is now left, at the age of eighty-three, so
wrecked in mind that his memory cannot recall his services or his sufferings.
"The committee do not hesitate to decide that the petition ought to be
granted; and herewith report a bill allowing a pension to Erastus Pierson
for eighteen months' service as a revolutionary soldier."
____________________
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office, June 16, 1836.

SIR: The depositions upon which the claim of Erastus Pierson (superannuated
and incapable of making a declaration) is asserted, have been
examined and placed on our files.
In cases of this kind, it is requisite that the witnesses shall furnish in
open court that specification of the period, length, and grade of each tour,

_____________________________
Blair & Rives, printers.


1-31
Page 28

Rep. No. 166.
with the names of officers, and places where stationed or marched, which
the regulations require each claimant to make, and which a pro rata pension
renders indispensable. These depositions are too general in stating
that he served three months in several designated years, at certain places,
under certain officers; and conflict with each other as to the officers at particular
periods. Unless a consistent statement of each term of service in
the above particulars can be furnished by the witnesses in open court, and
the opinion of the court upon the merits of the claim and the credibility
of the traditionary evidence is obtained, it will be useless to pursue the
subject under regulations for the adjustment of claims, with which his
misfortune would appear to render it impracticable to comply, and which
the department cannot relax. His case would furnish a suitable subject for
an application to the liberality of Congress.
I am, respectfully, your most obedient servant,

SAMUEL B. MILLER, Esq.,
Newark, New Jersey

J. L. EDWARDS.
Page 29

Erastus Pierson
Page 30

26th CONGRESS,
1st SESSION. [crossed through]
Priv- 38 [crossed through]
H.R. 176. [crossed through]
(Rep. No. 166.) [crossed through]
MARCH 5, 1840. [crossed through]
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow. [crossed through]
-
Mr. CARR, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported [crossed through]
the following bill: [crossed through]
An Act    A BILL [crossed through]
For the relief of Erastus Pierson.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
the Secretary of War be directed to place the name of Erastus Pierson,
of Essex county, New Jersey, upon the roll of Revolutionary
pensioners, and that he cause to be paid to him, the said
Pierson, during his natural life, the sum of sixty dollars per
annum, to commence on the fourth day of March, anno Domini
eighteen hundred and thirty-one.
approved July 20th, 1840.
A true copy from the Roll in this Office
Dept of State.

July 20th 1840.
J. L. Martin
Chief Clerk
Page 31

33741

An Application for
Erastus Pierson for
A Pension under
the Act of June 7th, 1832


Saml. B. Miller
Newark, New-Jersey.