Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1046, for Francis Letts, New Jersey
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(3-1776)

SERVICE                                      NUMBER
New Jersey     Letts, Francis      S.1046

CONTENTS                            carded
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https://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/
Date of Death
illegible
22.901
New Jersey
Francis Letts
of Middlesex in the state of New Jersey
who was a Private in the Corp commanded by Captain Moyer of the (illegible) commanded by 
Col.Neilsen in the New Jersey in the line for 2 years

Inscribed on the roll of New Jersey at the rate of  80 Dollars 00 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of December 1833 and (illegible) J. Randolph
Ml present.

Arrears to the 4th of (illegible 33)              $200
Some-ant allowance ending (illegible 34)     40
                                                                  ------
                                                                  $240
                                       Revolutionary Claim  
                            Act June 7,1832.
Recorded by Go.C, Stiles Clerk
Book E Vol. 2 Page 120
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Francis Letts'
application for a pension under the act 
of June 1832.

Duplicate 
27. (?) og


James F. Randolph
Agent
Page 4


Declaration in duplicate of Francis Letts
of Midx [Middlesex] County N. Jersey, in order to obtain the
benefit of the Act of Congress June 7th 1832
State of New Jersey
Middlesex County ⎬ 
On this thirty first
day of August Eighteen hundred thirty three
personally appeared before the Judges of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas of said County of
Middlesex Francis Letts a resident of the
County & State aforesaid aged Seventy four years
who being first duly sworn according to law
on his oath makes the following declaration
to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832-
He was born in South AmboyTownship (on the second day of February), County of Middlesex New Jersey in 
the year 1758 as appears from a record of his age in his bible now
in his possession. He lived there when he entered the service,
during the war, with several of [illegible]. He entered the service having been regularly enrolled in the Midx [Middlesex] [illegible] of the
[illegible] Militia in a company commanded
Capt James Morgan & a regiment under Col John Neilson.
In the period of the arrival of 
the British forces in New York Bay he
was ordered out & served a tour of a month
at that time under Capt Morgan & was marched to 
[illegible]. Afterwards in the same year
he served under Capt Morgan in the tours of
nearly one month each after the enemy had
landed on Staten Island & was stationed at Cheesequake
guarding the [illegible] to the Island under the supervison of Col Neilson in the winter of '76. 1777 he served six months in succession
under Capt Morgan & was marched
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towards Princeton shortly after the engagement
then joined the regulars under Washington &
with the army was marched by day & by night
up the country & when to Commander in
Chief went into Winter quarters.
He was marched back to Cranbury & then under
Lieut Col Taylor & Col Neilson & kept guarding
along the lines - engaged in scouts - patroling
the country & defending that section of country.
During this time was marched with a detachment
under the Col in [illegible ] to Bennettt's Island and captured a party of the enemy & returned to Cranbury & sent the prisoners to Princeton
then lay a body of the regulars under Genl [General] [illelible] he thinks.
In the year 1777 afterwards he served at least three tours of a month each
under his own Captain Morgan close to the
Cheesequake & was engaged guarding that
coast & [illegible] the defenseless & the properties
from the incursions of the landing parties
of the enemy. 
In the year 1778 he was out and
served five tours of a month each under Capt
Morgan & Col Nielson & was engaged in the [illegible] in the performance of similiar dates & protecting the shore subject as it has
to the frequent defendations of the enemy
was thus enjoyed he well remembers at the
period of the Battle of Monmouth in mid-summer
of this year. In the year '79 he was ordered out as before & served 
at least four tours of a month each under Capt Morgan & the 
control of Col. Taylor - maybe Lieut Col. - and Col Neilson 
& was engaged guarding [illegible] along from the month of the [illegible] to the Highlands - defending & [illegible] his defenseless countrymen &
their properties located on that coast
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In the year 1780 he served four tours of a month
each under Capt Morgan & 
[illegible]
Officers engaged along the South Amboy shore guarding, & watching the foraging parties of the enemy & the defense actions of their allies - the tories. In the year '81 at the [illegible] of the revolt of the
Pennsylvania [injection not legible] he was ordered one and a tour
of a month that marched his land under the
said Captain Morgan & was engaged guarding their 
[below] in the expectation of the arrival of the enemy.
Afterwards this same year he served three tours of a month each under
Capt Morgan who commanded his company during the war & who 
was a faithful officer & efficient friend to his country [illegible] Col Neilson & those stationed on the South Amboy shore 
patroling that whole shore by day & by night guarding that county which as he has before commanded was subject to the
continued incursions of the [last] parties of the enemy during the war. In addition to their services the specified in him that he
deform
met more although he cannot swear 
writing to the precise [liiegible] of his services.
her received by written discharge from the
service & has not any documentary evidence of his services but refers to the Revd James C. Golb a clergyman in his neighborhood of his who can attest to his character for veracity & their belief of his services & to Christopher [illegible] Henry Obert, Anthony Collins & Daniel Petty - 
formerly soldiers of the war [illegible] who serviced with & him who can confirm the truth of his having served faithfully besides whom he could not know that he can [illegible] as other living with
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He does not recollect the name of any of the regular officers who serve in his district, except then before mentioned no wife only add an order to obtain some compensation for their service in his old age that he hereby  who's   wishes every claim whatever to a pension,  or another except the     and declare that his name is not on the line is of any agency of any state
Francis Letts
sworn to the day and year aforesaid
Peter P Runyon Judge

The James C Gobb a clergyman and Anthony Collins of the county of Middlesex in the vicinity of J Francis Letts who has signed sworn to the declaration do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with him - that we believe him to be honest from yourself and attach is ....he lives in the ....where he swears to have been a soldier of the revolution.  State his concern in that opinion
Sworn to this day and year aforesaid Peter P Runyon Judge
 James C Gobb
Anthony Collins
 
J Christopher the ... aged seventy eight years has duly sworn according to law on his oath faith that he was a soldier of the revolution know of any his pension as such- that he is acquainted with Francis Letts who has known before the longing declaration. I have known him from early life- was brought up with him.Hailed in his brotherhood always- Known that said Letts service during the war, faithfully that he  served special in the years '76 '77 '78 '79 '80 '81 '82-
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that said Letts served during the war faithfully that he served several tours in the years '76 '77 '78 '79 '80 '81 '82
Officers together frequently at the war-known from his long acquaintance with him that he is a man of truth veracity that no doubt of the correctness of his statement in relation to his revolutionary services.  That his statement from his own knowledge ought to be entitled to audit.
Christopher Van Deventer
statement sworn to the day and year aforesaid Peter P Runyon Judge
Informally appeared before the Judge aforesaid Henry Obert in the seventy fifth year of his age a survivor soldier of the revolution know Francis his in as such who basic duty from 
that he is thus been well acquainted with Francis Letts who hes sworn to the ongoing declaration- that they were up together always within th vicinity - knows that said Letts was a soldier of the revolution served faithfully -knows that he was attached to the Capt Moyans company served under his service terms in each of the years '76 '77 '78 '79 '80 '81
During the war - that he frequently served with him - knows that he was a faithful soldier and servant to his country.  That the said Letts has always sustained a high reputation for truth veracity Upon his knowledge has no doubt of the statement of the letter in relation to his revolutionary service.
Henry Obert 
sworn to the day and year aforesaid Pere P Runyon Judge
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On the day and year aforesaid before the Judges aforesaid, personally appeared Anthony Cottins, who been only sworn oath on hisoath say, that he is on the 73year of his age and a soldier of the Revolutions - that hes well acquainted with Francis Letts who has sworn to the foregoing application has been acquainted with him ever since boyhood, that they have always lived in the same neighborhood, that they served together in      company - He recalls that the company of Capt Morgan that ......to known that said Letts served on each of the years 1777,78,79,80,and 81.  Several tours in each year. He  also knows said Letts to be a man of truth and honesty and that his statement which he has heard is fully to be relied upon for its correctness.
Anthony Cottins
Sworn to the day and year aforesaid before the Judges aforesaid Peter P Runyon Judge
Also appeared on the day and year aforesaid before the Judge, aforesaid, Daniel Petty who been duly sworn on his oath saith that he is a soldier of the Revolution and now he as such that he is well acquainted with Francis Letts the foresaid applicant that both from childhood,  lived always the same neighborhood with him - Known that said Letts joined in the of the Revolution that he served with Capt Morgan with same company with aforesaid - that he served in the years of '77 '78 '79 '80 '81 frequently as he believes one can by these years - that he served a great deal  of this he knows that he was
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years '78 '79 '80 '81 frequently as he believes in each of these years - that he served a grant seal as this deponent knows that he was not always with him - that he was a brave and faithful soldier. Believes said Letts to be a man of true veracity, and that his statement related to the revolutionary service is correct. 
Daniel Petty
transcribed sworn on the day and year aforesaid
The said court do herby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after the interrogatories prescribed by the department that the above named officiant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them James C Gobb who has signed the processing certificate is a clergy man resident in the county of Middlesex and that Anthony Collins who has also signed the same certificate is a reputable citizen- a man of truth veracity and that Christopher Van Dener Hernry Obert and Anthony Collins who have been examined as witnesses are       persons the statement en.....to credit.
Robert McChisney
Peter P Runyon

Jacob VanWinkle
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Nicholas Booraem clerk office court aforesaid do hereby  certify that the foregoing contained the proceedings in the matter of Francis Letts an applicant for a pension.  In testimony where of I have hereunto my seal of office this twenty eighth day of the year eighteen hundred thirty three.
N Booraem Clerk

Francis Letts' application for a pnsion the act of 1832 Duplicate 27.109
James F Randolph
agent
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March 4, 1935
Mr. Albert L. Stokes
Box 397
New Brunswick, New Jersey   Francis Letts-S.1046

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your  letter in which you request the record of Francis Letts, of South Amboy township, New Jersey, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
the data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1046, based upon the military service of Francis Letts in that war.
Francis Letts was born February 2, 1758, in South Amboy Township, Middlesex County , New Jersey.  The names of his parents are not shown
While residing in South Amboy Township, New Jersey, Francis Letts enlisted very early in the Revolutionary War, exact date not stated, and served at various times on tours, generally of one month each, until 1781, about two years and five months in all in Captain James Morgan's Company, Colonel John Neilson's New Jersey Regiment.  His rank was not stated but he was pensioned for service as a private.
He was allowed pension on his applicatyin executed August 27, 1833, while residing in South Amboy Township, New Jersey , where he had always lived.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
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, Francis Letts (S. 1046), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
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Francis Letts, Certificate No. 22901, issued 
December 6, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832 New Jersey Agency.
Very truly yours

A.D.Hiller 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
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1935- Man5-Hist
Albert L Stokes

Rev War
Invalid
File No 1046
Francis Letts 
N.J. Line
Act June 7 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 219
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Box 397
New Brunswick NJ
Feb 18,1935
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, DC
Gentlemen,
Please advise me whether you have any record of the Revolutionary War service of FRANCIS LETTS who is believed to have served as corporal under Capt. Morgan in the Middlesex County New Jersey Militia.  He was a resident of South Amboy Township and married Polly Van Deventer, He died about 1840.
Very truly yours, Albert L. Stokes
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(1)
Francis Lett
Fee letters and Alt
JF Randolfe
Admitted 
Private 2 years
JF Randolfe
New Brunswick
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War Department, Pension Office, 2 Oct 33
Sir;
The evidence in support of you claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned,  The following is a statement your case in a tabular form.  On comparing tese papers with the following ruls, 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 show what is necessary to be done.  These 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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the service of Francis Letts
Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service
Years. Months. Days. 
Rank of the Claimant
Name 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
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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 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, and Teamsters, Boatmen, etc. 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 oart 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 engtaged, 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 etc.]
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 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 certifiate 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 clergy man, 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

If the claimant served in succession in the winter of 1776 he must give the details of his service.  His other service the officers in commission under whom service were performed.
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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 declarations 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 i 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 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 elief 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 persons-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 inquiry 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 a 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 the service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine as 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 affadavit in the following words; " Personally appeared before me, the under-signed a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.E. sho, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequential 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 is the following grades; -For------year----months, and ----dys, 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 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 name of the oficers 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 in the field or in garrison; ad for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law akes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate's in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix 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 authenticate the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contain the affidavit or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the code 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 applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove hi service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affadite 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 alledgedly are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to dontinental troops only.
[k] This evidence is indispensable in militia cases
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m]The e answers to the interrogatories must all be written and sent to the War Department, with the declaration,

should also be verifiedwith more 


See note to case of David Hall