Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,489, for Robert Leeds, New Jersey
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SERVICE
New Jersey

Leeds, Robert

NUMBER
S. 18.489

carded
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Ohio
No 13.460
Robert Leeds of Clermont Co in the State of Ohio who was a priv in the Com commanded
by Captain Paine of the Reg commanded
by Col Lorne in the New Jersey line for One year
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 40. Dollars ____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of July 1833. and sent to John Jolliffe Batavia
Ohio
---
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $80.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Sept
20.00
$ 100.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by F. S. Evans Clerk
Book E Vol.  8  Page 15
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State of Ohio Clermont County
On this ninth day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Hon Geo PTorrence Rest Judge
and Pearl Whitaker, Robert Hanier and John Emery Esq Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Clemont County Ohio, now sitting Robert Leeds of Tate Township Clermont County Ohio aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and
served as herein State
He was born at Great Egg Harbour Gloster County State of New Jersey on the 7 day of July 1757 as appeared from a record of his age copied from his fathers family Bible into his own. He entered the service of the United States under the command of Captain George Paine and Richard Somers was 1st Colonel. Elijah Cark was 2d Col and Richard Westcott was major. John Adam was Lieutenant of the company to which deponent belonged and Cornelius McCollum was ensign on his first two  tours of service he was in a skirmish at Mount Holly, Col Somers regiment at that place
were attacked by a party of Hessians. 
The Engagement took place in the the hart of the day and lasted three or four hours. After the skirmish at Mount Holly deponent with Captain Paines Company quartered
at Hattonfield - and from Hattonfield the compy marched to Bordentown and from Bordentown they marched in the night to Trenton on he thinks the 22 day of January. At Trenton and [illegible] had been out
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and the British followed. News in upon which an engagement between the British and the Americans at Trenton took place. It began pretty soon in the morning just after the keep to which deponent belonged had got it their breakfast and lasted until night. The Americans had several pieces of cannon there
some of them  brass pieces and some iron.
Deponent saw a young named Forest Ballange
shot down by his side one man was between
deponent and him. At Trenton after the Skirmish was over the Americans had orders to make themselves up pieces five and then some time in the night were ordered to Princeton. Had an engagement at Princeton. The company to which deponent belonged were
in the rear during this engagement. It lasted five or six hours, there was prisoners taken he remembers to have heard some of the American say just after the engagement that there was one hundred and fifty British taken and a considerable Number of Dutch Troops but he does not remember to have heard how many and several pieces of Cannon. After the battle of Princeton the army kept on up the Deleware through a place called Mill Stone and the up on the side of the mountain to a place called Pluckemin. There deponents term of service was out. He had served one month from the time he entered the service, and he returned home from Pluckemin.
The  running reason thinks in the month of November he was again called on to perform a tour of duty and was commanded by the same Captain Paine bit as only part of the company turned out no other Company officer went with them on this occasion they joined with other companies-- the Captains name of the Company they joined is not recollected. The Lieutenant was named John Lucas. The first Station of their
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company when they went out was at a place called Woodbury - marched from that place to Gloster point on Delaware River and was employed in guarding the shore. The British bombarded Meed Teland Lock below Gloster Point and disabled the guns as deponent  was then informed and believes so that the
Americans had to abandon it and the guard was called away from Gloster point and marched to Hattonfield. After they got to Hattonfield the British landed at place called Billingsport and were Marching on towards Philadelphia and the body of troops at Hattonfield were sent down to oppose them. The Company to which deponent belonged
was at a creek called Little Timber Creek and
Exchanged shots with a party of the British from the other side no material damage was done on either side that deponent ever
heard of. The next day or the day after they had another skirmish with this a party of the British near the same place - in this Lieutenant Lucas was killed by a ball which struck him in the breast just below the left nipple and went through his body. Lieutenant on ensign John Tilton was shot in the shoulder - no more of the Company to which deponent belonged were killed or wounded. The Americans retreated to Hattonfield where there headquarters were. Between Hattonfield and Timber Creek deponent and some others who were out on a scouting expedition took four British prisoners and their horses and
guns -  their months tour expired while he was at Hattonfield- and deponent returned home.
After that the militia in the part of the county
where deponent lived were kept at home to guard the coast. Deponent belonged then to Captain Richard Highbees company John Adams was Lieutenant
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and Cornelius McCollum was insign - Col Richard Lomen Commanded the regiment Elijah Clark was Lieutenant Col and Richard Westcott was Major. It was the duty of the men to be always ready when called on. Which they often were to guard some place in danger of an attack from the enemy. The British burnt a little village called [illegible] neck about this time. Upon one occasion they were called to go down to Little Egg harbour [illegible]to a place called Foxborough - continued in this service a year or two but does not know how long exactly. Never had a written discharge -  livedd in Gloster County until twenty eight years ago when he  moved to Clermont
County Ohio lived with a relation four or five months until he built a cabin and then moved into it in Tate Township Clermont County Ohio, in which he now has ever since resided.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Robert Leeds

Sworn to in open Court
Nov 9th 1832
J D Morris Clerk

We Alexander Blair of Batavia Township Clermont County Ohio and a James Perrine a resident of Williamsburg township County and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Leeds who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
James Perrine
Alex Blair

Sworn to in open Court
Nov 10th 1832 
J D Morris Clerk
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18604
Robert Leeds
Ohio

Return 4, 5, 11, 12, 16

J D Morris Clk
Batavia
Clermont Co Ohio
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BRIEF in the case of Robert Leeds County of Clermont in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 76
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1777.
Militia Service
Years,
Duration of Service.
---
Years, Months, Days.
1 Month
not stated
continued in this service a year or two but does not know exactly,
Rank.
As a
Private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Paine, Col Somers
Capt Paine
Col Somers, Captain
R Higbee
5. In what battles was he engaged? Trenton, Princeton
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Gloster Co New Jersey
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses & traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chs W Forrest Examining Clerk.
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November 17, 1939.
Mr. Abel C. Doughty
6381 Orange Street
Los Angeles, California.

BA-J/ILL
Robert Leeds
S. 18489

Dear Sir:


Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Robert Leeds, who was a pensioner of Ohio.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 18489, based upon service of Robert Leeds in the Revolutionary War.
Robert Leeds was born July 7, 1757 at Great Egg Harbor, Gloucester County, New Jersey. The names of his parents were not given. He lived in that county during the period of the Revolutionary War.
He enlisted first as a private in Captain George Payne's company, Colonel Richard Somers' New Jersey regiment, was in a skirmish with some Hessians at Mount Holly, was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton marched on to Woodbridge and was discharged after service of one month. This service was rendered as substitute for his brother, Enoch Leeds. He enlisted next and served one month
in said Captain George Payne's company, engaged in guarding the sea coast. During 1779 and 1780, he served on various tours as private in Captain Richard Higbee's company, Colonel Richard Somers' New Jersey Regiment, amounting in all to ten months.
The soldier continued to reside in Gloucester County, New Jersey, until about 1828 when he moved to Clermont County, Ohio; he lived a few months with a relative there, then moved to his own cabin. The name of said relative was not given.
Robert Leeds was allowed pension on his application executed
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November 9, 1832, at which time he resided in Tate Township, Clermont County, Ohio. The soldier made no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and possibly, the date of death of this pensioner you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:
Robert Leeds
Certificate #13460
Issued July 25, 1833
Rate $40 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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B - 3108
[Stamp] Received Nov 1 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV
Receipt no. 2
VETS ADM

OCT 31 1939
Mr. Abel C. Doughty
6381 Orange Street
Los Angeles, California
My dear Mr. Doughty:
This is in reply to your letter of October 23, 1939, concerning Robert Leeds, a Revolutionary Soldier.
The pension records of veterans of the
Revolution are in the custody of the Veterans'
Administration, and we are therefore referring
your letter to that office for consideration and
reply.

Very truly yours,
P. M. Hamer, Chief
Division of Reference
EB:rt
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6381 Orange St
Los Angeles, Calif.
23 Oct. 1939.
Mr. P. M. Hamer:
Div. of Ref.
Dear Sir,
First I wish to thank you for the information I
received from you in re.  the inquiry of mine on the case of Patrick Driscoll, ( CC390 994), it was very satifactory.
I would now like to inquire if you can give me any further information, concerning one Robert Leeds, a Revlutionary Soldier, who enlisted in 1777, Under Captain Payne as Pvt. in
in the Con't'tl army and served one year.
He applied for pension from Clermont County Ohio, 14 July 1819, & 9 Nov. 1832.
Was born in Gloucester Co., N.J. 7 Jul 1757 moved from there to Clermont Co. Ohio about the year 1805.
Ref. S. N.J. 14489 - Reported by D.A.R.
Now what I would like to know is who were his parents, if possible, whom did he marry, and who were his children.
Was he the ancestor of all the Leeds in Clermont Co. O.?
Very truly yours,
Abel C. Doughty.

B3108
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18489
INVALID.
No. 18489

Robert Leeds
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7 '32
Index: - Vol 1, Page 222
(Arrangement of 1870.}
1939 Nov. 11. Hist to Abel C. Doughty
ILL
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War Department
Pension Office 17 June 1833
Sir
The evidence in support of the claim of Robert Leede has been again examined.
By refering to the accompanying instruction
the defects will more particularly appear
Unless this difficulty is removed a pension cannot be granted
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J.L. Edwards

J. D. Morris Esq
Batavia
Clermont County
Ohio
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18.604.-
Robert Leeds
Adm 1 year
$40.
John Jolliffe Esqr
Batavia
Clermont Co
Ohio
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
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, showing the Service of
Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years Months Days
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
see note inner page
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832,
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops, "militia" and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of
County of
On this ____ day of ____personally appeared (a) before ____ A. B. a resident (b) of____ in the county of____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision 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 entered 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.
[ And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____of the Court of ______
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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, ______ Clerk of the Court of_____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ____ day of_____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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, 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 in 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 substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier, Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To 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 the 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  ersons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may 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 transmit such evidence 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 the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:-For ____ year ______months, and ____ days  I served as a ______, For _____ months and _____ days I served as a _____; and for such 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 to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in 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 sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under 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.
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 sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 19

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Robert Leede 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? No
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 amount of pension he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
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
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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? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
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? witnesses
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? yes
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? The Court have not
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
But see the Clarke certificate to the declaration
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? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, If not, which of them is not so answered? 4. 7.
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; 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.
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t is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. 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 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 service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 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 22

The State of Ohio
Clermont County ss
I Jonathan D Morris Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in for said County do certify that John W Robinson Esq whose name
is attached to the foregoing affidavit of Robert Leeds was at the time of taking and subscribing the same one of the acting Justices
of the peace for the County aforesaid, duly
commissioned and sworn, and that the
signature purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Batavia this 22nd day of April AD 1833
J. D. Morris Clerk
Page 23

State of Ohio, Clermont County, Court of Common Pleas of the Term of November 1832 Clermont County to wit
On the 9th day of November 1832 personally
appeared in open Court Robert Leede an applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 and the said Court after the investigation of the matter and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
and the Court further certify that it appears to them that the Hon Alexander Blair who has signed the preceding certificate is a credible person resident in Batavia Township Clermont County Ohio, and that James Perrine who has
also signed the same is a credible person resident in William George Township in said County and that their statement is entitled to credit and the Court further certify that it
appears to them that Corneline McCollum who has subscribed and sworn to the affidavit of the service of the said applicant is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
I Jonathan D. Movin, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Clermont County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedingsof the application of Robert Leeds for a pension and I further certify that the affidavit herewith annexed of Alexander Blair was made by the Same Alexander Blair above mentioned and certify by the Court as a credible person
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this 12th day of November 1832.
J. D. Morris Clerk
Clermont Com pleas
Page 24

State of this Clermont County Court of
Common Pleas November Term 1832
Personally appeared in open Court before
the Court aforesaid now sitting Alexander
Blair who being first duly sworn according to
law doth on his oath State that he became acquainted with Robert Lead the present applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 1832 in the County of Gloster in the State of New Jersey in the year 1785 or 1786 but which year does not now remember
that said Robert Reed about that time told deponent he had been out in the service
of the United States in the war of the Revolution other persons in Gloster told  deponent the same that he had been at the battle at Trenton and Deponent further states that in said County of Gloster it was reputed and believed in the neighbourhood in which said Leeds lived that he had been a soldier
of the revolution as aforesaid Deponent
has known said Robert Leeds ever since the
above mentioned time and states that both in
New Jersey and in Ohio as far as deponent has ever heard he was reputed and believed to be a man of veracity
deponent believes him to be a man of veracity
and further deponent saith not
Alexr. Blair
Sworn to in open Court Nov 10th 1832
J. D. Morris Clerk
Page 25

Clermont Court of Common Pleas
Personally appeared in open Court on this tenth day of November 1832 Cornelius McCpllum who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath State. That he is well acquainted with Robert Leeds the present applicant for the benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832 and has been acquainted with him about fifty years last past . That he knows said Robert Leeds was in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war. Deponent saw said Leeds in service at Mount Holly and at the battle of Trenton and of Princeton and saw him the second day the atter at night at Pluckenmin and saw no more of him on this tour
Deponent and said Robert Leeds lived about
four miles apart between Great Egg Harbour River and Little Egg Harbor river in the County of Gloster State of New Jersey, they both belonged to the same Regiment commanded by Col Richard Somers and the same company commanded by Captain Richard Higbee and was employed guarding the coast for the particular of his service as nearly as deponent can recollect them he refers to this
declaration to obtain the benefit of the act
said Robert Leede in a man of good character
for veracity. Deponent has heard said Leeds 
declaration read and know part thereof to be true. The rest thereof he believes to be true-  and further deponent saith not
Cornelius McCollum
Sworn to in open Court Nov 10th 1832
J. D. Morris Clerk
Page 26

State of Ohio.
Clermont County Ss.
Before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the above named County personally appeared Robert Leeds who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent lapse of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades:
For one year & served as a private as follows viz. one month in (I think the year 1777. one month in (I think the year 1778) and ten months in the year 1779 and 1780, and for such service I claim a pension.

Robert Leeds
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of July 1833.
John W Robinson

State of Ohio
Clermont County.
I Jonathan D Morris Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas in and for the above named County certify that John W Robinson before whom the above affidavit of Robert Leeds appears to have been taken is a Justice of the Peace as above, and the signature thereto which purports to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court the 1st day of July A.D. 1833
J. D. Morris Clerk
Page 27

State of Ohio
Clermont County
Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Robert :Leeds who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent lapse of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise
length of his service according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades  and at the following periods of the war
He first tour of duty mentioned in my declaration I served lived as a private one month in the year think of 1777- but am certain that it was in the same year that the battle of Trenton and Princeton were fought
The next tour of duty mentioned in my declaration I served not less than one month. I  think this tour was performed in the year 17778 but am certain that it was the next year after the battle of Princeton & Trenton
The service mentioned at the close of my
declaration having been performed
in guarding the coast was performed at various times in the years 1779 and 1780 Serve not less than ten months in marching and guarding the coast as mentioned in my declaration and for such service I claim a pension. the first tour of duty mentioned in
declaration, my brother Enoch Leeds had been
drafted but from sickness was unable to
Page 28

tmarch and I went in his place. The next tour of duty I was drafted
The rest of the duty performed as a
guard along the coast war performed as a
volunteer. I served as a private in all the before mentioned service. The whole
of my service was not less than one year
did not know that the certificate of
Clergyman was necessary and it was not
convenient for me to obtain one none live in my neighbourhood.
Alexander Blair and Cornelius McCollum John Dennis know me in my present nei hbourhood and can certify to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier of the
Revolution
Robert Leeds
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 22d day of April 1833
J. W. Robinson J.P.