Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8685, for Thomas Reeves, New Jersey
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(3-1776)

SERVICE

New Jersey

Reeves, Thomas
Ruth

NUMBER

R.8685

CONTENTS
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4.    3345

Ruth Reeves
N.J.

Act 4 July '36

Elias P. Seeley, 
Bridgeton, 
N. Jersey.
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State of New Jersey
Cumberland County 

On this twenty seventh day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before the court of Common Pleas of the Said County of Cumberland Ruth Reeves a resident of that township of Hopewell in the said county of Cumberland State of New Jersey. aged seventy four years on the Twelfth day of April last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836: That she is the widow of Thomas Reeves, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. that he enlisted in Captain Daniel Rascally company of Militia in the United States service in the county of Cumberland aforesaid in the year 1778. or 1779 for the period of six months and marched to the Eastern part of New Jersey but cannot State the places or the names of the field officers under whom he served. that after serving six months, he returned home and soon after enlisted again in said county in Captain John Barkers Company of Militia & Marched to the Eastern part of New Jersey ad was absent six months in the Revolutionary Service of the United States and after serving the six months for which he enlisted he returned home having received a discharge. that said Thomas Reeves afterward was out in the Revolutionary War in the United States service at different time & pension from this Deponent is informed and verily believes. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Reeves on the first day
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of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one: that her husband, the aforesaid Thomas Reeves, died on the twenty sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen: and that she has remained a widow ever Since that period, as will more fully appear to the (?) here to answered.  that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim. 

Ruth Reevs

Sworn & Subscribed, on the day of the month & year above written, before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cumberland in Open Court 
Being a court of record. 

W (?) Ewing (?) Judge
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State of New Jersey
Cumberland County 

On this twenty seventh day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared Before the court of Common Pleas of the county of Cumberland Joshua Reeves of Hopewell township county of Cumberland aforesaid aged Eighty years.  who being duly Sworn according to Law deposit Saying that he has always known Thomas Reeves the late husband of Ruth Reeves the above named applicant always lived in the same county where Deponent lives up to the time of his death. this Deponent further saith that said Thomas Reeves was a soldier in Captain Daniel Haskills company of Militia in the County of Cumberland New Jersey for the period of Six months this Deponent enlisted in the same company at the same time , as this deponent believes according to the best of his recollection in the year of 1778 or 1779,  and marched in said Company with said Thomas Reeves to Trenton & other places in New Jersey, that he served six months the time for which he enlisted, when he, this Deponent were regularly discharged. and returned home to Cumberland County:  Soon after said Thomas Reeves of this Deponent enlisted again in Captain John Bankers Company in said County of Cumberland, for the record of Six months and Marched to the Rarttan Bay on River in New Jersey where they were quartered most of the winter, after serving in the Service Six months the said Thomas Reeves was discharged and returned home in company with this Deponent. that this Deponent believes Col. Preston Col. Ellis
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Colonel Newcomb commanded in New Jersey at that time cannot now recollect the names of other field officers in Common 
Soon after he was discharged from his last above enlistment he entered the Militia Service again and continued in the Revolution War in the C Militia Service of New Jersey under enlistment or Draft during that most of the principal part of the Revolutionary War up to the termination. from the time of his first enlistment under Capt Haskell This Deponent is not able to State the particular periods of time of Service of Said Thomas Reeves which took place after his Six month Service in Capt Daniel Maskells Company & his Six months Service in Capt John Barkin's company inasmuch as soon after that time this Deponent entered the Service himself in the regular army of the United States Artillery Service & continued therein most of the war. but this Deponent understood and verify believes that said Thomas Reeves was out in the Militia Service of the United States  during most of the Revolutionary War (?) to the termination thereof - The first year of his Service as above particularly specified this Deponent was with said Thomas Reeves in the Militia Service of the United States in said companies and saw him every day, and said Thomas Reeves Served the whole year without being absent any part of the period. 
This Deponent further says that he was present when said Thomas Reeves & Ruth Ogden (now Reeves) were married this Deponent acted as groomsman on the occasion they were married on the first day of May in the
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year one thousand seven hundred & eighty one. by the Rev. William Hollingshead a presbyterian clergyman. that they have always resided in Cumberland County. that said Thomas Reeves died upwards of twenty years ago. and ruth Reeves his widow is now living and has remained a Widow ever since his death and is at this time a (his) widow. that there is a family record of the marriage & death of the family of said Thomas Reeves & Ruth Reeves which this Deponent has seen (?) & believes to be in the hand writing of Said Thomas Reeves up to the time of his Death, and that the marriage of Isaac Thomas Reeves & Ruth Ogden is there recorded in the following words & figures viz: "Thomas Reeves (?) and Ruth Ogden was married May 1st 1781." which is the true time of their said marriage as this dependent recollects & believes. that said family record contains generally the marriage & deaths of the family & this Deponent believes it the true & only family record of the Same. 

Joshua Kaves

Sworn & Subscribed on the month day & year above written. before the court of Common Pleas of the County of Cumberland in open court. Being a Court of Record.

Wm. Ewing Pres. Judge
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State of New Jersey
Cumberland County

The Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Cumberland Do certify that Ruth Reeves and Joshua Reeves above named are well known to the Court. that they are both credible persons, and their affidavits here (?) taken & subscribed to in open Court, are entitled to full weight and credit. Giv en under the hand of the presiding Judge of Said Court the twenty seventh day of September A.D. 1837 - 
W Z Ewing Pre. Judge

I Samuel Seeley Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Cumberland in the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceeding of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Ruth Reeves to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 4th, 1836.-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office the twenty seventh day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty Seven.

Samuel Seeley Clk
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Thomas Reeves and Ruth Ogden was Married may first 1781

State of New Jersey
Cumberland county 

James G Hampton aged twenty three years & (?) being duly Sworn according to (?) deposeth and Saith that the above annexed Record or entry of the Marriage of Thomas Reeves Jr.  Ruth Ogden of the County of Cumberland was by this Deponent taken out of & detached from the family record of said Thomas Reeves Jr and Ruth Reeves as contained & recorded as a Blank Leaf in an old Cyss(?) Book which appears to contain the marriage record of said Thomas & Mary Reeves & also the records Births & deaths of all their children. 

Sworn & Subscribed
March 7th 1838
Before me, Justice of the 
peace of Cumberland county 

H.R. Merseilles
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married Ruth Ogden, and also the Births and Deaths of the Children of Said Thomas and ruth Reeves. this Deponent Says that he was & is acquainted with the hand writing of Said Thomas Reeves Jr and believes the Said Marriage, Births & deaths are all entered & recorded on Said leaf in said cyphering Books by Said Thomas Reeves in his own handwriting.
Elias P Seeley

Sworn & Subscribed
March 7 1838
Before me this Subscriber
One of the Justices of the 
Peace in & for Said County 
of Cumberland. 
H. R. Merseilles

State of New Jersey
Cumberland County 

I Josiah Fithian Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, of the County of Cumberland New Jersey.  Do hereby certify that Hugh R Marseilles Esq before whom the foregoing Affidavits was taken, and who has attested thereunto was then and now is one of the Justices of the Peace of Said County, duly commissioned and sworn & that full faith and credit is and should be given to all his official 
(?) as such.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of Said Court, the Seventh day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty Eight. 
Josiah Fithian Clk
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Revolutionary Pension Claim. 

Know all men by these presents that I Mary Fithian Child of Ruth Reeves who made application for a Revolutionary pension of Bridgeton Cumberland county and State of New Jersey.  As hereby make constitute and appoint H C Spalding of Washington & my true and lawful attorney to prosecute the claim of Ruth Reeves for any amount of Revolutionary pension or Increase of pension that may be due and I hereby authorize my said agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim or file in the Departments at Washington or else where: to file additional evidence or arguments: and receive the certificates which may be issued for said claim to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein exposed hereby notifying and confirming all that my said Attorney shall lawfully do in the premises 
Witness my hand and seal this 7th day of September AD 1852  
Mary Fithian
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State of New Jersey
County Cumberland

On this 7th day of September A.D. 1852 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Notary Public for said State Mary Fithian and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her act and deed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year above entered. 

Josiah M Browne
N.P. 

JOSIAH M. BROWNE
NOTARY SEAL PUBLIC
NEW JERSEY

State of New Jersey
county of Cumberland 

On this 7th day of September AD 1852 personally appeared before me Josiah M Browne a Notary Pubic for said State due authorized by law to administer oaths. Mary Fithian a resident of Bridgeton in said State and under oath according to law that she is the Daughter of Ruth Reeves deceased who made application for a Revolutionary pension that she is directly interested in said claim as a claimant and makes this declaration to be filed with such other evidence as my attorney
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may use in persenting said claim 

Mary Fithian

Sworn to and subscribed this 7th day of September AD 1852. 

Josiah M Browne
N.P.

JOSIAH M BROWNE
NOTARY SEAL PUBLIC 
NEW JERSEY
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Thomas Reeves - R. 8685
BA-J/AWF

Mr. Joseph S. Sickler, Postmaster
Salem,
New Jersey

Dear Sir: 

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to two soldiers named Thomas Reeves who served in the Revolutionary War from Cumberland County, New Jersey.  The

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and the record of only one soldier named Thomas Reeves has been found.  the surname has been searched under similar spellings.  

The record of Thomas Reeves which follows was obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R. 8685, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 

The date and place of birth of this soldier are not shown in the claim, nor are the names of his parents stated.  

Thomas Reeves married May 1, 1781, Ruth Ogden, who was born April 12, 1763, place not given, nor are the names of her parents shown.  He was referred to as Thomas Reeves, Jr., at time of their marriage, and it was stated that they always resided in Cumberland county, New Jersey.  He died September 1813. 

His widow, Ruth Reeves, applied for pension, September 27, 1837, then a resident of Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey. 

It is alleged in the claim that Thomas Reeves enlisted in Cumberland County, New Jersey and either
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1778 or 1779 and served a tour of six months in the militia in Captain Daniel Maskell's company, that he again enlisted in same county, and served another tour of six months in Captain John Barker's company, and that he served at various times until the close of the war.  

The claim was not allowed as proof of service as required by the pension law was not furnished. 

Reference was made to the children of Thomas Reeves and his wife, Ruth, only name stated being, Mary Fithian, who on September 7, 1852 was living in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey, and then referred to her mother as deceased, but did not give the date of death. 

Joshua Reeves in 1837 was living in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, then eighty years of age, stated that he was in the Cumberland County, New Jersey Militia with Thomas Reeves, and that he was an attendant at the marriage of said Thomas Reeves and Ruth Ogden.  Josiah Fithian in 1838 was Clerk of the Court of Cumberland County, New Jersey.  It is not shown that they were related to the family of the soldier, Thomas Reeves.   

Very truly yours

A.S. MILLER
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
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JOSEPH S. SICKLER
POSTMASTER
SALEM, NEW JERSEY

April 29, 1936

Pension Office
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: 

Will you kindly give me some information regarding two men who served in the Revolution, Stryker page 732 named Thomas Reeves. 

There were two of that name in Cumberland County:-

Thomas Reeves born 1728, died 1814 his son Thomas Reeves born 1760, was dead when the father made his will in 1812, but who may have been living in Gloucester County during his later life.   I have only record of his birth and the mention in his father's will "my deceased son Thomas:"  his wife's name was Ruth Ogden: his mother's name was Thankful (blank), one of the four wives of the father. 

Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.  

Yours sincerely, 

Joseph S Sickler
Joseph S. Sickler
Postmaster
Salem, New Jersey

JSS:CMC
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1936 - May 14 (?)

Joseph S Sickler
( "Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873 " is crossed off)

1936 - June 17 Mary R.C. Clayton - advise if date of death is not correct. She was  also furnished list of Joshua Reeves S. 4759  see her letter in Joshua Reeves s. 4759 

8683

P.O. Ruth Reeves
 Service: 

Enlisted : NJ REJECTED, 18 . 
Discharged:                    , 18.  .

Application filed:         , 18.   .
the printed list of 1852

Alleges:  shows reasons for suspension - 

Re-enlisted: "Suspended for further proof". 

Attorney:  (blank)
P.O.  (blank)

Recognized.   Contract. 

Cert. of Dis.  
Searched for     , 18.  .
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N. Jersey 1839
Ruth Reeves 
"Letter to Elias Seeley 27. June 38. 
(?) to Hon. J. G. Hampton
April 5th 1848" (line  through this text) 
8685
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Letter of Power 
of Attorney to 
Pension Office
H. C. Spalding 
atty

Ex bg - H-C- Spalding
Sep 8 - 1882
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Washington, Sept 10th 1852

Humble Jas E. Heath
Court of Pensions, 
Sir, 
I have here to submit a power of attorney from Mary Fithian of Cumberland County, State of New Jersey, child of Ruth Reeves, deceased, who was the widow of Thomas Reeves a revolutionary Soldier, and ask permission to inspect the pension papers on file in this office. 
very respectfully,
your obt Servt
H.C. Spalding 
atty
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E. P. Seeley
27. June 1838
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War Department, 
Pension Office
27. June 1838

Sirs
The papers of Mrs Ruth Reeves widow of Thomas Reeves an applicant for a pension under the act of July 4th 1834 has been examined and filed
The paper or leaf from which the slip was taken containing the family should be sent to this office - 
there is no satisfactory proof that the claimants histories was in the service after the date of the marriage in 1778&1779 it would appear that If he (?) as alleged in 1778 & 1779 some evidence of it may be had by application to the Secretary of State New Jersey-

Elias P Seeley Esq
Bridgeton New Jersey
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Ha J. G. Hampton
Aprl 5 .48
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Pension Office 
April 5 . 1848

Sir.

I have the honor to inform you that agreeably to your request, the paper in the cases of Ruth Reeves, and Ruth Ogden have been again examined and I regret to state that the evidence now before the Department is not sufficient to (?) change the admission of either of these claims. 

The (?) my letter of 27 June 1838 in the case of Ruth Reeves and of the 26 April 1839 to Elias Seely in the case of Ruth Ogden Copies of which are herewith with evidence showed be (?). No (?) evidence in (?) cases have been received since the date of these communications.  

C(?) Jas I Hampton
House of Rep
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BA-J/AWF
Thomas Reeves - R. 8685

Mary R. C. Clayton 
Salem
New Jersey

Dear Madam: 

Reference is made to your letter in which you state that the date of death of Thomas Reeves, R.8685, given in report to Mr. Joseph S. Sickler, Salem, New Jersey, May 14, 1936, as September 26, 1813 must be in error, and in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joshua Reeves of Cumberland county, New Jersey, also copy of the pension law under which Ruth Ogden Reeves applied for pension, as widow of Thomas Reeves.  

The date of death of Thomas Reeves as stated in report furnished Mr. Sickler is the date given by his widow, Ruth, on oath in her application for pension, that is, September 26, 1813. 

This office has no copies of the pension law referred to above, for distribution. The law required that the widow furnish proof of her marriage to the soldier prior to or during his last tour of service. It was required of the widow in this case also, to obtain record evidence of service from the State of New Jersey, which requirement was not complied with.  

The history of Joshua Reeves of Cumberland County, New Jersey is furnished you herewith. 

Very truly yours,  A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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5345 Mar 12. 
Act 4 Juy 1836 
(?)

N. Jersey

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington


Ruth Reeves 
NJ
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State of New Jersey
Bridgeton March 7. 1838

J. L Edwards Eqr

Sir

I enclose the papers of Mrs Ruth Reeves for pension on account of services of her husband Thomas Reeves.  
The reason of the papers not being forwarded sooner is that the Clergyman stationed in the Congregation formerly under the Pastoral care of Rev. W Hollingshead who married the parties, was from home on a visit in the State of Connecticut, and it was hoped on his return a certificate of their marriage could be found on the church books - I have seen the present Pastor, he informs me no record of marriages at that time can be found -  Wm Hollingshead died many years ago if there was any record it has been destroyed or lost. 
The law of New Jersey requiring marriages to be recorded was not passed for some years after their marriage-
The only evidence (?) as matter of record is the certificate enclosed which being in the handwriting of Mr Reeves I trust will be satisfactory to the Department. 
Please write to me soon as the case is decided. 
I am very Respectfully
your out servant
Elias P Seeley