Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6251, for John Tilyou, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
New York

Tilyou, John
or Tilyon

NUMBER
S.6251
Carded
===
CONTENTS
Page 2

17.512
New Jersey
===
John Tilyou
of Essex in the State of N. Jersey
was a private in the Comp commanded
by Captain Alliver of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Malcolm in the N. J. [star]
line for 16 m. 21 d
[star] N.Y. and N. J.
Records completed May 19, 1904.
===
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey
at the rate of 55 Dollars 64 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Aug.
1833 and sent to Hon L. Condict
Freehold
===
Arrears to the 4th of Ma '31  $111.28
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 31  27.82
[sum] $139.10
d. Aug. 18, 1840
{ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by P. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2. Page 133.
Page 3

No 17044
John Tilyou
MJ
Return & JM
com'd

[calculations]
21 [*] 11 [=] 231
53.33 [+] 2.31 [=] 55.64

Lewis Condict
["John Littell Essex" crossed out]
County New Providence NJ
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
16 May 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of John Tilyou Essex County N.J.
[Chart, listed by row, rows numbered and columns indicated by letters]
[1a] Period when the service was rendered.
[1b] Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.
[1c] Rank of the claimant.
[1d] Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
[1e] Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
[1f] Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
[1g] Country through which he marched.
[1h] Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
[1i] Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

[2a] Vol. 1775
[2b] at least 6 [months]
[2c] Priv.
[2d] Capts Allever
[2e] Cols Malcomb
[2f] None
[2g] NY
[2h] Aged 76. New York City
[2i] Traditionary Living Witness

[3a] 1776 June drafted
[3b] 6 [months]
[3c] "
[3d] Brazier
[3f] [check]
[3g] NY

[4a] 1777 June 1 Drafted
[4b] Served Several months
[4d] Wood
[4f] [check]
[4g] NJ

[5a] Served 4 months in NJ
[5d] Lane
[5f] [check]

16.21

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 5

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:

This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every brand of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County were such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

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

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

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of __
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a
revolutionary solider, and served as he states.

I __ of the Court of __ 
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of __ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
__ day of __ &c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the __ and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be __
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a
Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the __
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the __
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, __ Clerk of the Court of __ do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [sic] __
of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this __ day of __ &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission;
but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure,
if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledges of the
services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 6

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be
attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the
State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and what year were you born?

2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?

3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary
war, and where do you now live?

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a sub-stitute, for whom?

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.

6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by who was it
given and what has become of it?
{To an officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -- one of who should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary solider, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the
character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in
the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of a bodily infirmity, may make the declaration
before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the
proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to
perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will trans-nit such evidenced as they can
procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
---
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity ; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.

[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.

[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.

[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.

[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c, A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot sweat positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: -For __ year __ months, and __ days I served as a __. For __ months and __ days, I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according tot he grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expression are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &e without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each tern 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 service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.

[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.

[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.

[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers,
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same she et of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass un der the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.

[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

[Pointing hand] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.

[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.

[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.

[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and seat to the War Department, with the declaration.

Dyer Custor
Exam'g Clerk

Brackets in right  margin indicating notes [e] and [j]]
Page 7

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss
Peter V. Tilyou of the City of New York being
duly sworn on his oath says that John Tilyou now before
the Court is as he believes Seventy Six years old by
the Record in the old family Bible, and is his Brother

That he said John Tilyou with himself were in
2d Regiment of the New York Militia commanded
by Colonel Malcom in the Company commanded
by Captain Allaver. That the Company volunteered
in the year 1775 and his Brother and himself both
went out with the Company and done duty in and
about the City as Guards, Building Forts, and the Battery
They were at the Bunker hill fort on York Island and at
Red Bank on Long Island and doing duty of any kind
as they were ordered -- they were not out all the time
but occasionally and frequently and he believes six
months within the year.

That in 1776 the said John Tilyou (and himself also)
was drafted and went out in the same Company
under Captain Brazier (Captain Alliver having been
promoted) and served six months in this one Tour
the Regiment was ordered to Long Island and coverd
the retreat of the Americans when the retreated to
the City from Long Island before the Enemy
and followed the Army to the City and then opposed
the enemy's Landing till the Ships of war came and
fird upon us. We then retreated up the Island to
Kings Bridge, thence went to the White Plains,
and to Peekskill and then in a few
weeks crossed over to New Jersey and at the end of
the Term of six months was dismissed in Bergen
County about Pompton

Peter Tilyou

Sworn and Subscribed
before me John Little
Justice of the Peace in
and for said County this
19th day of September 1832
John Littell Justice of the Peace
Page 8

E[ssex Coun]ty ss: I Elias Van Arsdale Jr Clerk of said County
of Essex Do hereby certify that John Littell Esqr
before whom the within affidavit was
made & taken at the time of taking the same
was & still is a justice of the peace in & for
[said Coun]ty that I am acquainted with his hand writing
& that the signature "John Littell Justice of the peace"
subscribed to the within affidavit is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of Office this 5 October AD 1832

E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
Page 9

John Tilyou
Declaration
17044
Page 10

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT
OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY,
County of Essex, } ss.

On this nineteenth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty two personally
appeared, in open court, before
the Court of Common Pleas now sitting John Tilyou
a resident of New Providence in the
County of Essex and State of New-Jersey, aged Seventy six
years, who being firstly 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 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers,
and served as herein stated:

He was born in the City of New York on the
9th January 1756. There is a record of his age in
the old family Bible now in possession of his
Sister Mrs Hester Curry in the City of New York.
He lived in the City of New York when called into
the service and has lived in New Jersey in the
neighborhood where he now lives since December
1776 except about one year in New York

He first volunteered with his Company and then
was drafted as a soldier in the same,
has had no written discharge.

He volunteerd in the Company called the Prussian
Blues commanded by Captain Allener in the 2d
Regiment of New York Militia under Colonel Malcomb
in the early part of the year 1775, and was out more or
less through the year. Was engaged in Laboring on
Bunkerhill Fort on York Island, and on the Battery
and on Red bank fort on Long Island & Fortifying
the City, making at least half the year or six months.
In one tour he went up to the white plains to conduct
Tory Prisoners.

In June 1776 he was drafted in the same Company
under Captain Brazier, the former Captain having
been promoted to Major. In this your which was for
Six months the Regiment was ordered to Long Island
and coverd the retreat of the American Army when Sterling
retreated to the City, and the Regiment followed to the City
and there opposed the Landing of the Enemy but the Ships
coming up to cover their landing we retreated to Kings Bridge
Page 11

and then marched to the White Plains and to Peekskill
and then in a few weeks crossd the Hudson River
to New Jersey and was dismissed at the end of the
Six months near Pompton in Bergen County

He about the 1st of January 1777 came up
the mountain to the neighborhood where he now
lives and was drafted in the Militia in Captain
Daniel S. Woods Company and servd in that
year and the next several months.

He served one month under Captain Benjamin
Lane and was at Connecticut farms at the
time it was burnt.

And he declares that under the oath he has taken
he verily believes he served at least four months
in the State of New Jersey.

A small party of the Enemy came up the mountain
and came to the house where he now lives and
took him prisoner and took him to Bridgetown
where he was kept a few days and was there
set at liberty.
Page 12

He knows of no Witness now but his Brother
Peter V. Tilyou

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present
and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, 
["is only on the of the Agency of the State of New Jersey" crossed out]

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
in open Court
E Van Arsdale Clk

John Tilyou

We Elam Genung a Clergyman
residing in the Township of Warren in Somerset County and Joseph
Tomkins hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Tilyou
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be
Seventy Six years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the
neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
in open Court
W Van Arsdale Jr Clk

Elam Genung
Joseph Tomkins

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter,
and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above
named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the court
further certifies, that it appears to them, that Elam Genung
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman
resident in the township of Warren
aforesaid, and that Joseph Tompkins
who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said County of Essex
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

By order of the Court
E Van Arsdale Jr Clk

I Elias Van Arsdale Jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas,
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in
the matter of the application of John Tilyou for a pension.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office, this fifth day of
October in the year of our lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two.
E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
Page 13

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3 -525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., __, 19__
S.F. 6257

In reply to your request of __, received __
for a statement of the military history of John Tilyou or Tilyon
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for
pension on file in this Bureau.

[Table, listed by column, with rows indicated by letters]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[a] 1775
[b] June 12, 1776
[c] Jan'y 1, 1777
[d] Spring 1777

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[a] 6 mos.
[b] 6 mos.
[c] he was taken prisoner by a party of British soldiers
taken by force to Bridgetown where he was kept for four days, then released.
[d] Served at various times 4 3/4 months

RANK.
[a] Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
[a] Allener Brazier
[b] Brazier
[d] Daniel S. Wood Benjamin Lane

COLONEL.
[a] Malcomb
[b] Malcomb
[c] Frelinghuysen Potter
[d] Jaques

STATE.
[a] N. Y.
[d] N. J.

Battles engaged in, Short Hills June 1776
Long Island Aug 1776
White Plains Oct 1776
Springfield Dec 1776
Connecticut Farms June 1780

Residence of soldier at enlistment, New York City.

Date of application for pension, Sept. 19. 1832 His cl. al.

Residence at date of application, New Providence, Essex Co. N.J.

Age at date of application, born Jany 9, 1756 in New York City.
died Aug. 18, 1840. { from Agency book

Remarks: It is not stated whether he had a wife or children.
brother Peter V. Tilyou
Sister Mrs. Hester Curry

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6--2856
Page 14

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss:
Be it known, that on this 31st day of July, 1833,
before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in & for the County
aforesaid, personally came John Tilyou of said County, aged 77 years, & being
duly sworn, saith, that he is the same John Tilyou, who, on the 19th of
September 1832, made his Declaration before the Judges of the Inferior Court
of Common Pleas in said County, to obtain the benefit of the law of the United
State of June 7th 1832, which Declaration has been suspended & returned to him
for amendment, to specify more minutely the details of his services & their dates &
the names of the officers under whom he served. He fears that his loss of memory &
the lapse of years since his services were performed, will render him unable to give
more minute information, but he has since his first declaration, reflected much on
the subject, & will now narrate all the circumstances he can remember, connected with
his militia duty in the war of the revolution.

He lived in the City of New York when the war began & performed Militia
duty, in Captain Alleners company & in Col. Malcoms Regiment, then called the Forresters.
The company & regiment afterward changed their dress & name, & were called, "Prussian
Blues." The Captain being promoted to Major, Captain Brazier took command.
Deponent belonged to this company when Lexington battle was fought in 1775, after
which he & his company were very often ordered out as minute men, to perform guard duty,
& fatigue duty from April to December, going upon expeditions, throwing up breast works &
fortifications for defence of the City & building barracks, in each month of April, May, June, July, August,
September, October, November & December, at least as much as twenty days in each of
those months, & amounting in all, at least, to six months.
In the year 1776, there was a draft made of the Militia for the public service, &
this Deponent was drafted with others for six months. He joined the army about the twelfth of
June as nearly as he can recollect, under Capt. Brazer & Colonel Malcom,
& thinks that it was a General Scott, who commanded the whole. He is not certain
whether or not Malcom's command at this time was a militia corps merely, or whether
they were called State troops. The service however was continuous, & they were removed
to Long Island, where they performed much fatigue duty in throwing up fortifications
& breast works for defence. They were thus employed upon Brooklyn heights &
in that vicinity when the British fleet sailed into New York by & took possession
Staten Island & New York harbor. He was on the Island with his company & Reg't.
when the battle of Long Island was fought, in August, when General Lee & Lord Stirling
Page 15

were made prisoners. Retreated with the main army across the East river to
the City in the night. After the enemy took possession of the City, which he thinks
was in September, his company & regiment with the Army under Gen'l. Washington
returned to Kings bridge & thence to the White plains, when another battle was fought,
in which this Depon't & his company were engaged. It was in October, as he believes.
In the retreat from the City, such was the haste & confusion in the flight, that this
Depon't lost all his clothing, except what was on his back. After the battle of the
White plains, the British took possession of Fort Lee, & of Fort Washington in Nov'r
& the American army crossed the Hudson river to Haverstraw, & Gen'l Washington with
the Regulars retreated thro' N. Jersey into Pennsylvania. The time for which the Regim't
of Col. Malcom & Capt. Brazier's company were drafted, having almost expired, they were marched
from Haverstraw to Pompton in Jersey & thence to a place called Paramus, where
Deponent was discharged, on or about the 12th day of December having faithfully
served out the time of his engagement. In the absence of this Deponent from
home upon his Military duties, his parents had fled from New York to N. Jersey
where he found them in Essex County, where he now lives. He had returned home but
a very few days, when he was taken prisoner by a party of British Soldiers, & carried
off by force to Bridgetown, with some few of his neighbours. This was on the first
day of January 1777, (new years day) recollected from being the day when the battle
of Princeton was fought. He was kept prisoner at Bridgetown by the enemy but
a few days, was released & went home. Early in the spring of '77, was ordered out
in Militia service under Capt. Dan'l S. Wood, marched forthwith to Eliz'th town
was stationed at the stone bridge, & performed guard duty one month, & was
discharged late in April. He served another monthly tour of Militia duty
under Captain Lane, within the bounds of whose company he lived-- was stationed
near Elizabeth town point on guard duty & watching the landing places. This
was in 1777, in September & October, the season of husking corn. He performed
one tour of duty under Capt. Lane, at Wardsesson, now Bloomfield, at which
place there was a severe skirmish with the enemy. This was in 1777, the month
he does not remember, but thinks it was in the season of Buckwheat blossom.

He was out upon a monthly tour of Militia duty, when the battle of the Short hills was
fought, & was under the command of Captain Lane as he believes He does not recollect
whether it was in 1777 or 1778. It was, as he believes, in the season of Planting corn

In the Summer of 1780, a large party of the enemy came over from
Staten
Page 16

John Tilyou, Essex Co.
Amended Declaration
Admd
16 mo. 21 dspre [?]
Lewis Condict
Page 17

Staten Island, overran Essex County to Connecticut farms, burnt the
village & Church, & after a severe skirmish retreated back to the Island.
At this place & time, the wife of Rev James Caldwell, was shot through a
window. The enemy soon returned with a stronger force, & penetrated
to Springfield, when a severe battle was fought & the enemy again retreated,
after burning Springfield village & Church. On their retreat, they took off the
bell from the Church in Westfield. On both these alarms, this deponent
was called out into service under his officers, & was present in both actions.
They were probably in June & July, & he was engaged in them about 3 weeks.
In these several tours of Militia duty performed in N. Jersey, at Eliz'th town
Wardsesson, Short hills, Springfield, Connecticut farms &c: he was under the
chief command of several Jersey officers, General Winds, Col. Frelinghuysen
Col. Potter & Col Jaques.

He finds it difficult to relate with absolute certainty, all his tours
of duty, the precise times of their performance, & the names of his officers.
He states them as they occur to his memory, & according to the best of his
recollection & belief, & hopes that a reasonable allowance will be made for
the frailty of a mind, far advanced in years. He conscientiously believes he
served his Country in the war of the revolution, as a private, in the State
troops or Militia of New York, in 1775 & in 1776 in Malcom's Regiment, for a term of twelve
months; & in the Militia of New Jersey under various officers & at different
times for 4 & 3/4ths months, making in the whole a period of at least
sixteen & 3/4ths months, for which he claims from his Country a pension.

John Tilyou

Sworn & subscribed before me, at New Providence
the date first mentioned.

John Littell Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss. I Elias Van Arsdale Jr Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas in & for said
County of Essex do hereby certify that John
Littell before whom the foregoing affidavit
of John Tillyou was made & taken at the
time of taking the said affidavit was and
Page 18

still is a Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned
and sworn: and that the name "John Littell" affixed
to said affidavit is his genuine hand writing-
Witness my hand and seal of Office the first day
of August AD Eighteen hundred & thirty three (1833)
Van Andale Clk

Peter V. Tillou, a witness testifying to the services of John Tillou, is known
to me, as a man of truth & good standing in society, will entitled to belief.
Lewis Condict, late a Rep've
from N. Jersey

Washington Aug't 17th 1833
Page 19

[Left side]
1920 Jan'y 7 Hist to Wm J. Conkling

[Right side]
6251.
Rev War INVALID.
File No. 6251
John Tilyou
Priv't Rev War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index:-- Vol. M, Page 375
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

OFFICERS
PRESIDENT CARL MONTAIGNE VAIL
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT REV. LYMAN WHITNEY ALLEN, D.D.
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT HON. ADRIAN LYON
SECRETARY SAMUEL ALBERT CLARK
TREASURER EDWIN ALLEN SMITH
REGISTRAR WILLIAM JOHNSON CONKLING
HISTORIAN DAVID LAWRENCE PIERSON
CHAPLAIN RT. REV. EDWIN STEVENS LINES, D.D.
CHANCELLOR HARRY FRANK BREWER
VICE-PRESIDENT GENERAL THOMAS WRIGHT WILLIAMS
TRUSTEE OF NATIONAL SOCIETY CHARLES SYMMES HIGGINS

HEADQUARTERS:
756 BROAD STREET, NEWARK, N. J.
(ENTRANCE 1 CLINTON STREET)
TELEPHONE 3085 MARKET

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
BRIDGEWATER MEREDITH ARNOLD
FREDERICK BURTON BASSETT
HOWARD WELFORD CASLER
HERBERT ROYAL CRANE
WILLIAM SIMONSON EDDY
CHARLES ALFRED GRUMMON
JOHN FRANKLIN HAAS
RAY HENRY HART
FREDERICK MARTIN HAVILAND
HORACE HOLDEN
HENRY DONALD HOLMES
EARLE ANDERSON MILLER
DEAN McFARLAN MOORE
GEORGE VAIL MUCHMORE
FRANK HENRY PRESBY
REV. FRANK AUSTIN SMITH
CHARLES ARCHER STERLING
JOHN BREWER WIGHT

PAST PRESIDENTS
JOHN FRANKLIN FORT
JOHN LENORD MERRILL
WASHINGTON IRVING LINCOLN ADAMS
CHESTER NEVILLE JONES

Newark, N. J.
December 22, 1919.

Hon. G. M. Salzgaber, Commissioner,
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish certificate showing the military
history of JOHN TILTON a private in Essex County, N.J., Militaia,
during the Revolutionary War.His name appears under Essex County
as placed on pension roll August 23, 1833. His age at date of
application given as 78 years.

Information is desired to prove eligibility of applicant
for membership in this Society. Your courtesy will be greatly
appreciated.

Very truly yours,
Wm. J. Conkling
Registrar N. J. S. A. R.

[Stamp] U. S> PENSION OFFICE K DEC 23 1919