Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2512, Matthias Denman, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Denman, Matthias
NUMBER
S. 2512.
-
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

No. 3181
New Jersey
Matthias Denman
of Essex Co. in the State of N. Jersey
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Brookfield of the Regt commanded
by Genl Maxwell in the N. J. Militia
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Dec.
1832 and sent to [unclear] Stites
Springfield, N.J.
Arrears to 4th of September 1832 120.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4. March 1833 40.00 
$160.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D. Brown - Clerk
Book D. Vol. 4 Page 146

-
Date of death
not on AB
Page 3

State of New Jersey
Essex County
On this (eighteenth?) - day of August AD 1832
Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of —————-  ——————

The Court of Common (illegible) now sitting at Newark in an for the said County of Essex Matthias Denman a resident of Springfield in the County of Essex and the State of New Jersey aged Eighty one years who being first duly sword according to law doth on his oath make the following decl-aeration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United State under the following named officers and served as (illegible) after states_ That is to say he was called out as a drafted Militia Man and mustered to (illegible) Town and the Narrows on Stated Isl. and as a private soldier (illegible) in the company commanded by Captain Jacob Brookfield _ a field officer by the names of Bott commanded them at the time, was on the Island about a month, Is not certain whether it was in the Fall of 1775 or the Spring of 1776, had no fighting, the British had not then been on the Island.  The weather was cold and he thinks it must have been in March 1776 yet it may have been in the fall or winter before - after this service and in the Spring, Summer and Fall of 1776 he was in the service much of the time under Captains Brookfield and Horton at Elizabeth Town Point, thinks as much as five months, while he
Page 4

Laid at the point a British (vessel?) was taken and brought in to the Point.  Thinks the was called the Phoenix.  Was a drafted militia man and private Soldier all this season in the fall or winter of the same year he enrolled himself as a volunteer in the five months service in Captain Jacob (Winans?) company of Light Horse and served in said Company under General Maxwell whose headquarters were most of the time at Westfield in this county and the British lay at New Brunswick County and Elizabeth Town from the expiration of this term (being the spring of 1777) untill the close of the war was attached to a company of Light Horse commanded successively by Capts John Blanchard, Samuel Meeker, Christopher Marsh and Obadiah Meeker - This was a company of Militia Light Horse and some part of the company was out the whole time or nearly so.  Don’t recollect that the whole company was out all at one time - Thinks he himself was out as much as fourth months in the year 1777 (after?) he left.  Captain (illegible - Minans?) Company, But in the succeeding years untill the close of the war, was not so frequently out.
Page 5

But thinks that during the last four years of the ware he was out as much as one year always in the Light horse and always as a private in, and member of the aforesaid Company.  Was in the battle at (illegible) in Middle-sex County, the Battle at Ash Swamp a fight or skirmish at (illegible) a battle at Woodbridge at (illegible - Aquashank?) at Connecticut Farms and at Spring-field.  Was (acquainted?) with General (Sullivan?), General Maxwell, General Stirling, Coll Potter & Major Wetherspoon.  Was born at Springfield in this County on the 19th day of February 1751 lived there was called into service has lived there ever since and still lives there was called into service as a draftee (man?) or volunteer never served as a (substitute?) for anyone.  Never received a written discharge from service nor has he any documentary evidence of his service or anyone who can testify to the particulars of his service

He hereby relinquished 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 - from (illegible) this day and year (illegible) in open court.

(Illegible name - a signature)

Matthias Denman
Page 6

We Stephen Thompson A clergyman residing in Union-- in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and William Stites of Springfield in said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Matthias Denman who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be Eighty one years of age, that he is reputed and believe
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion

Stephen Thompson
William Stites

Sworn & subscribed the day
and year aforesaid in open Court}
Elias Van Arsdale Clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories presented 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 Stephen Thompson is a Clergyman & William Stites who has signed
the foregoing certificate is a resident in Sprigfield--- in this County and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit

E Van Arsdale Clk

State of New Jersey County of Essex SS

I Elias Van Arsdale Jun. Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Matthias Denman for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this seventh day of December AD 1832.

E Van Arsdale Clk
of New Jersey
[embossed seal on left]
Page 7

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss }
I
Before me Daniel J Briantd one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County  of Essex personally appeared John Smith of Union in said County who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is seventy six years and five months of age, that he has lived in the Township of Springfield and Union in said County of Essex all his life, that he is well acquainted with Matthias Denman and has been so acquainted with him from his youth, that he personally knows that he the said Matthias Denman was an active soldier in the Militia service during the Revolutionary War, that New Jersey was the theater of War for a considerable time, and that the Militia were ['under' crossed out] almost constantly under
arms- and distinctly recollects of the said Matthias being called out in the Company Commanded by Capt Jacob Brookfield in company with this deponent and that they marched to Cuckold Town on Staten Island, and to the narrows as a private soldier where they continued one Month. a field officer by the name of Bott commanded them at that time- thinks this was in the fall of 1775. knows of the said Denman, being also out in the service at Elizabeth Town Point in this State, does not recollect exactly the time thinks it might be five months - that while they lay at the point a British vessel was taken and brought
Page 8

into the point, think she was called the Blue
Mountain Valley- knows of the said Denman being in an engagement at Elizabeth Town when the Greens came over, in a Company of Light horse-- this deponent further says that the said Denman was a soldier with him in a company of Light horse commanded by Capt. John Blanchard, [illegible] by Capt Jacob Winans and that General Maxwell was commander in chief that they laid at Westfield in said County being out almost daily upon the lines in view of the British with whom they had frequent skirmishes, thinks they were three or five months- knows of the said Denmans being
also out in the said Light horse in the year 1777 at Rahway under the command of Col Samuel Potter - thinks that the said Denman was out in actual service a great proportion of the time of the Revolution war- The said deponent further says that he is unable from his infirmity to leave his home to attend in open Court-

John Smith

Sworn and subscribed before at Union in said-
County this 16th day of August AD 1832.
D.S. Briant 

I do hereby certify that John Smith who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit before me is a person of credibility and that his affidavit is entitled to confidence and belief
D.S. Briant Justice of the Peace
Page 9

Amenderents by Matthias Denman to
his (hereunto attached) declaration
---

State of New Jersey
Essex County } SS
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex Matthias Denman of Springfield in the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn on his oath deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent laps 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 grade:  For two years and three months I served as a private Soldier and for such service I claim a pension

Matthias Denmnan

Sworn & subscribed before me
the 6th day of December 1832
William Stites

State of New Jersey
[text covered by embossed seal] SS: I Elias Van Arsdale Jr Clerk of the County of Essex &
Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
for said county do hereby certify that Daniel S Briant before whom the annexed affidavit of John Smith was made & taken & by whom the certificate thereto subjoined was signed at the time of doing the same [further text covered by embossed seal] Justice of the peace in & for said County of Essex duly commissioned & sworn & residing therein that I am acquainted with his hand writing & that the signatures "D.S. Briant" subscribed to said affidavit & certificate are the genuine signatures of said Justice

And I do further certify that William Stites before whom the foregoing affidavit of Matthias Denman was made & taken at the time of taking the same was still is one of the Justices
of the peace in & for said County & residing therein that I am acquainted with his hand writing & that the name "William Stites" subscribed to the Jurat of said affidavit is the genuine
Page 10

signature of the said Justice-

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my seal of office at Newark this seventh day of December AD 1832 
E Van Arsdale
Page 11

No 2845
New Jersey
---
Susr. November 27 1832
4.5.14.16
---------
Admitted
Private 2 yr. 3 mo.
$80---

Wm. Stites
Springfield ['Rahway' crossed out]
N.J.

E
Page 12

BRIEF in the case of Mathias Denman of Springfield
County of Essex in the State of New Jersey
(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?
S. How old is he? 81.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period | Duration of Service Years, Months, Days |  Rank As a |  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served  Gen. N. J. Militia |

In 1775 or 1776 | 1 mo | Pri | Capt. Brookfield
Summer or fall 1776 | thinks 5 mos | Pri | Capt. Brookfield, & Horton |
Fall or winter 1776 |  5 mos. | Pri | Capt. Winans, Genl Mawell |
1777 | 4 mos | pri | Capt. Blanchard, Meeker from the time to peace | 1 mo he thinks | pri | & Marsh

5. In what battles was he engaged? Ash Swamp, Quibble Town & [Ashswamp crossed out]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Essex County, New Jersey
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Living & Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective [maybe]
Papers not attached, No certificate of credibility to
the Witness, & the time he land not stated
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
Jas Wilson Examining Clerk
Page 13

February 16, 1929
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MOS aw
Matthias Denman, S.2512

Honorable Clifford R. Hope
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Hope:

Reference is made to your letter of February 14, 1929, requesting
the Revolutionary War record of Matthias Denman, which information is
desired by Mr. Roy Buckingham of Dodge City, Kansas.  You enclosed copies
of a letter from Mr. Roy Buckingham and one from Major General H. S. Adams, 
Adjutant General's Office, War Department, this city.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the
pension claim, S.2512, based on the military service of the only Matthias
Denman that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Matthias Denman was born February 19, 1751, in Springfield, Essex
County, New Jersey. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Springfield, Matthias Denman enlisted in the fall
of 1775 or spring of 1776 and served at various times until the close of
the war, about two years and three months in all, as private with the
New Jersey troops under Captains Jacob Brookfield, Horton, Jacob Winans,
John Blanchard, Samuel Meeker, Obadiah Meeker and Christopher Marsh and
Colonel Samuel Potter; a part of the time he served in the Light Horse.
He was in the battles of Ash Swamp, Woodbridge, "Aquashanck", Quibbletown,
Tappan, Connecticut Farms and Springfield.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832, 
while residing in Springfield, New Jersey, where he had always lived. 
There are no data relative to the family of Matthias Denman,
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 14

Springfield Essex Co. New Jersey
December 17th 1832
By request of the applicants I again
forward the pension papers of Capt John Smith
Caleb Woodroff Esq., Matthias Denahan and
Jonathan Badgley all of this Town and
to whose papers further particulars were
stated to be necessary, and have been added
If further information be necessary as to 
the veracity and credibility of the 
applicants or Witnesses - Mr Frelinghyson of
the Senate and Mr Silas Condit of the
H of R. are both in Washington and
the department is referred to them as
they are acquainted with most if not
all of both applicants & Witnesses
The decision of their several cases
may be communicated to them 
through me
Most respectfully of William Stites
Page 15

Matthias Denman
Payments to be made
at Trenton
by the Prest Trenton Bkg, Compy & 
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of New Jersey
#2,512
Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk, in Book D. Vol. 4
page 146
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United 
States, of the 7th June, 1832, Matthias Denman
of Essex County of State of New Jersey
who was a private in the Army of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Eighty dollars
per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the
4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year
Given at the War Office of the United States
this Seventeenth day of December
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and }
Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
.
Page 17

Jan 25. 1833 paid to Sept 4, 1832
Mar 28. 1833 paid to Char 4, 1833
Sept 11, 1833 paid to Sept 4 1833
Mar 14, 1834 paid to Char 4, 1834
Sept 12 1834 paid to Sept 4 1834
Mar 6 1835 Paid to Mar 1835
Sept 12 1835 paid to Sept 4, 1835
Mar 12 1836 paid May 4. 1836
Sep 14 1836 paid to Sept 4 1836
Mar 22 Paid to 4 Mar 1837
Paid to 4 Sep 1837
Paid to 4 Mar 1838
Paid to 4th 1838
Paid to 4 Mar 1839
Paid to 4th Jan 1839
Paid to 4 July 1840
Page 18

March 10, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/REL
Matthias Denman-S.2512
Mrs. Roy Buckingham
Box 971
Dodge City, Kansas
Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Matthias Denman, who enlisted probably
in Washington County, Pennsylvania, married in 1783, at
Westfield, New Jersey, Rhoda Elston.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based
upon the military service of a Matthias Denman, who served in
the Pennsylvania troops. The record of said soldier only of that
name has been found on the Revolutionary War records of this 
office. He served in the New Jersey troops. His record is furnished
you herein as found in the papers filed in pension claim,
S.2612, based upon his military service in the Revolutionary War.
Matthias Denman was born February 19, 1751, in Springfield,
Essex County, New Jersey. The names of his parents are not
shown.
While residing in said Springfield, Matthias Denman enlisted
in the fall of 1775, or spring of 1776, and served at various
times until the close of the war, about two years and three months
in all, as a private under Captains Jacob Brookfield 
[noted in margin Could not find a Capt Jacob Brookfield but found a Capt Job Brookfield & family no Capt. Jacob Winans but Capt Benj Winans] 
Horton, Jacob
Winans, John Blanchard, Samuel Meeker, Obadiah Meeker and Christopher
Marsh and Colonel Samuel Potter in the New Jersey troops; a
part of the time he served in the Light Horse. He was in the battles
of Ash Swamp, Woodridge, "Aquaschanck", [inserted Aquashanck and noted could not identify so as it was written plainly, used quotation marks --It might have been Assumpish Bridge - in Jan. 1777] 
Quibbletown, Tappan,
Connecticut Farms and Springfield. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 18,
1838, while residing in Springfield, New Jersey, where he had 
always lived.
There are no data as to soldier's family
Page 19

in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension,
the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of
death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Matthias Denman (S.2512).
you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting-
Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Matthias Denman
Certificate No. 3181
Issued December 17, 1838
Rate, $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New Jersey Agency.
Kindly make your requests over your personal
signature.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 20

In reply to your request of   , received    
for a statement of the military history of Matthias Denman 
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired 
information as contained in his [or his widow's crossed out] application for pension
on file in this Bureau. S.2512
.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR | LENGTH OF  |  RANK
APPOINTMENT    | SERVICE       |
Fall 1775               | 1 mo            | Pri
Spring 1776          | served at
                              various 
                              times until
                              end of war 
                              amounting 
                              to
                              2 hrs and 2 mos

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED                                      | STATE
CAPTAIN                | COLONEL
 Jacob Brookfield   [ckecked]           | N.J.
           Brookfield    | Samuel Potter
           Horton
           Jacob Winans
           John Blanchard
            Samuel Meeker
            Christopher Marsh
            Obadiah Meeker

Battles engaged in, Ash Swamp, Tappan, Connecticut Farms, Springfield, Quibbletown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Springfield, Essex Co. N.J.
Date of application for pension, Aug 18, 1832. His cl was al.
Residence at date of application, Springfield, Essex Co. N.J.
Age at date of application, B Feb. 19, 1751, at Springfield, N.J
Remarks: There is no data relative to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
d--285G
Page 21

(letterhead)
CLIFFORD R. HOPE
7th  DIST. KANSAS
GEO. L. REID, JR.
SECRETARY

COMMITTEES
AGRICULTURE

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
February 14, 1939

(round stamp)
RECEIVED
FEB 15 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM. 
[illegible] 1

General Frank T. Hines,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.
Dear General Hines:
I am enclosing a copy of a letter I have received from Mr. Roy Buckingham at Dodge City, Kansas
requesting the military record of Matthias A. Denman
during the Revolutionary War, I am also enclosing a
copy of a letter I have just received from the Adjutant
General concerning the matter. I shall appreciate any
information you may be able to give me concerning Mr.
Denman's service. 
Yours very truly,
Clifford R. Hope 
CRH/en
Enclosures.
Page 22

COPY
WAR DEPARTMENT
The Adjutant General's Office
Washington
February 11, 1939.
A. G. 201
Denman, Mathias
( 2 - 8 - 39 ) ORD
Honorable Clifford R. Hope
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Hope:
I have your letter of February 8, 1939, with which you
inclosed one from Mr. Roy Buckingham of Dodge City, Kansas, who
requests to be furnished with the military record of Matthias
Denman of New Jersey, said to have served in the Revolutionary
The name Mathias Denman appears on a list dated Elizabeth
Town June 2, 1777, under the following heading: " At a meeting
of a number belonging to the Company of Light Horse Militia in
Elizabeth Town lately commanded by Capt. John Blanchard ( who has
resigned, Christopher Marsh (Lieut of sd company) was chose for
Captain Samuel Meeker (Cornet of sd Company) was chose for
Lieutenant, and Obediah Meeker for Cornet Wee the subscribers
do therefore inlist in said Company & do promise to be subject
to the rules & disepline as ordered by Congress provided Commissions
is granted agreable to the above choice."
No record of any other man of the name Mathias or
Matthias Denman in a New Jersey organization in the Revolutionary War
has been found.
The Revolutionary War records on file in this office furnish
no information relative to a soldier's personal or family
history.
It is deemed proper to state that the collection of Revolutionary War records on file in this office is far from complete and it is suggested that additional information may be obtained from the Adjutant General of the State of New Jersey, Trenton, or from the Veterans Administration, Washington,
D. C.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) E. S. Adams
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
1 Incl. 
Letter 1-27-39
Page 23

COPY
DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE
Dodge City, Kansas.
January 27, 1939
Mr. Clifford Hope,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Clif:
The distaff side of the house needs a remote
ancestor's war record to become eligible for the DAR.
We've the family tree pretty well outlines but the old
boy who won the war for Washington eludes us. Maybe you
can help us. We need the Revolutionary War record of
Matthias Denman, born 1760 at Long Island, New Jersey (?)
He was the son of Joseph Denman and Catherine Townsley
Denman or Rebecca Crane Denman, we don't know which of
Joseph's wives was his mother. If we could get the Revolutionary
War record of the Denmans we ought to be able
to tag this venerable hero. There were so many Josephs
and Matthiases in the Denman clan, the subject of our search
is lost in the mob. If you can help me, the day will be
saved.
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) Roy Buckingham.

(round stamp)
RECEIVED
FEB 15 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM 
[illegible]
1
Page 24

Dodge City Daily Globe
DODGE CITY, KANSAS
February 18, 1938.
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: Do you have any record of Pensions or Patents
issued to Matthias Denman who probably enlisted from Washington
County Pennsylvania. Said Matthias Denman married Rhoda
Elston at Westfield New Jersey November 6, 1783.
Thanking you for any information I might receive, I am
Very truly yours,
no signature?
Mrs. Roy Buckingham,
Box 971
Dodge City, Kansas.

(round stamp)
RECEIVED 
FEB 21 1938
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS ADM
[illegible]
12
Page 25

(letterhead)
THE PASSAIC VALLEY CHAPTER
OF THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY OF THE
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
[logo]
Organized May Fourth, nineteen hundred and fifteen
PRESIDENT
GEORGE VAIL MUCHMORE
VICE-PRESIDENT
JOSEPH HENRY SHAFER
SECRETARY
ALBERT ERNEST HICKOK
TREASURER
JOHN DUNCAN HOOD
REGISTRAR
CHESTER NEVILLE JONES

HISTORIAN
SCHUYLER MERRITT CADY
CHAPLAIN
REV. MINOT CANFIELD MORGAN
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JOHN FRANKLIN HAAS
HENRY DONALD HOLMES
BERT ELIAS UNDERWOOD
FREDERICK HALSEY DOREMUS

Summit, N. J., March 2, 1916.
HONORABLE GAYLORD M. SALTZGABER,
Commissioner of Pensions, Dept. of Interior,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly furnish to me the Pension record of one
Matthias Denman who is supposed to have been an Essex County, N. J.
Pensioner, having been placed on the Pension Roll December 17, 1832.
I desire the information in connection with an application
to join the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American
Revolution of which the writer is an officer in our local Chapter.
Yours very truly,
Eugene Person
Membership Committee.
ECP FMA.

(partial stamp)
U. S.
PENSION
D 
MAR 8
Page 26

1916, Mch. 11. History to
Eugene C. Pierson fw
1938 Mch 10 Hist to Mrs.
Roy Buckingham eh
1939 Feb. 16 hist. to Hon.
Clifford R. Hope for res
Roy Buckingham mos

Rev War 
2512 
INVALID.
File No. 2512
Matthias Denman
Privt Rev. War
-
Act: June 7. 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 92.
[Arrangement of 1870.]