Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 1123, for Aaron Thompson, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Thompson, Aaron

NUMBER
S113

Carded
----------------------

Contents
__________________________________________________________________________________
Page 2

[left side:]
New [cut of--probably 'Jersey']. 27.915
Aaron Thompson
of Essex in the State of N.J.
who was a pr. in the [blank] commanded 
by Captain [blank].    of the [blank] commanded
by Col Potter in the N.J. line for 18 mo.
------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at
the rate of 60 Dollars --- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Sept. 32 ['34' written above line]  [blank] 
and Lieut. L Condict
Morristown- N.J.
-------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832                  210
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. '35.       30
                                                                      _____
                                                                        240

⎨ Revolutionary Claim, }
 {  June 7, 1832.             }

Recorded by Nat. Rice  Clerk
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 133-

[right side:]
Date of death not on AB.
Page 3

No 15736

Aaron Thompson Essex County
New Jersey

Return    d e
Time/place & officers of 
said term must be stated
& whether survivors

Best  evidence wanted
18 mo private
$66-

Hon L. Condict
['Rev J. Plume New York' crossed out]
New Jersey, Morristown
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
15th May 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: ⎬). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
----------------------------
A Statement, shewing the Service of Aaron Thompson Essex County New Jersey
------------------------
Table follows, with 6 columns, headings as follows:]
(1) Period when the service was rendered.
(2) Duration of the claimant's service.  {sub-headings:  a.  Years.  b. Months.  c. Days.
(3) Rank of claimant.
(4) Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
(5) Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
(6) Proof by which the declaration is supported.

[text underneath columns:]
(1) D afd. Apl. 1778, Served - , Served - 1780, 
Served. 1781
(2) . a. --, not stated [across all subheadings], not stated [across all lsubheadings], --
b. 1, not stated [across all subheadings], not stated [across all subheadings], 6
c. --, not stated [across all subheadings], not stated [across all subheadings], --
(3) Private, ", ", ", 
(4) Capt Chandler, Col Potter, "  ",  Cap. Brittain,
Cap Herriman
(5) 70 years, Elizabeth Town, Essex. County, New Jersey
(6) Traditionary Evidence, clergimans [clergyman's] certificate, witness certified credible, papers correct

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 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, mucicians  [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.   }.  ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b)  of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 
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) [blank] with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 [blank]

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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same)hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] 
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 
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 [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] & 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, 
 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 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 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 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.
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[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 clamant 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 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 services 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 tine 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 
 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 musts 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.
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Declarations of
Aaron Thompson
15736

Return to Lewis Condict
paid
Morris town, N.Jersey
Page 8

State of New Jersey
Essex County SS⎬ Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex George Price who being sworn deposeth and saith that he is personally acquainted with Aaron Thompson
who has sworn and subscribed the annexed declaration that he knew him during the Revolutionary War and has known him ever since, remembers in the year 1780, the
said Aaron Thompson served as a soldier in Captain Chandlers Company during the month of June & July-  that this deponent was at the same time a soldier in Captain Lyons Company - that the two companies were together and belonged to Colonel Potters Regiment and were encamped at Williams farms-- also recollect of
the said Aaron Thompson serving in Captain Herrimans Company but cannot say how many terms or the length of terms, but remember seeing him several times on duty in said Herrimans Company-- and am under the impression he served under Captain Brittain also but cant say positively-- and further saith not-

George Price

Sworn & Subscribed before me }
9th day of December 1833.   }

John J Plume
Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey }
County of Essex.   }. SS:  I Elias Van Arsdale Jun. Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex
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Do hereby certify that John J. Plume before whom the foregoing affidavit of George Price was made and taken, at the time of taking the said affidavit was and still is one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & sworn and that the name "John J. Plume "" subscribed to the Jurat of
said affidavit is his genuine signature-

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto
Subscribed my name & affixed the Seal
of said Court at Newark the Tenth day
of December A.D. Eighteen hundred
and thirty three -
E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
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State of New Jersey}
Essex County       } SS:
Be it known that on this 17th day of July A.D. 1834, before the subscriber a Justice of peace
in said County, personally appears Aaron Thompson of said County, aged 74 years, & being duly sworn, saith as follows, viz:
I am the same Aaron Thompson, who, on the 18th Sept 1832, before the Court of Common pleas of said County made my Declaration of Militia services, to obtain the benefit of the pension law of the U. States of June 7th 1832, which declaration & accompanying testimony have been returned from the Pension office, requiring more specification & details of my said services as to the time & places when & where rendered-  the names of my officers & the evidence of survivors, if any remain-.-  My
residence in time of the war, was in the township of Elizabeth, Essex Co. I belonged to the Militia company of Captain Chandler & in
the Regiment of Colonel Potter. My services commenced in April 1778 the enemy in possession of N. York it & of Staten Island, which was separated from the Jersey shore by a narrow sheet of water, which could be crossed in a few minutes. The Refugees & Tories were many of them located on Staten Island, & were intimately acquainted with all the adjoining County & with the residences of influential Whigs. They often piloted & conducted plundering parties of the enemy across to the Jersey shore, carrying off the citizens as prisoners-lodging them in the prison ship & Sugar house in N. York, driving away horses & earth & sheep, & carrying off grain for the enemy. These depredations, which were continued throughout the war, rendered it necessary to keep up throughout the year, a vigilant line of guards all along the Jersey shore. This guard duty, devolved entirely on the New Jersey Militia, then being no continental troops employed in this service at any time. My Militia services were of this character, & were for the most part confined to that part of the New Jersey shore from D Harts point to Trembly's point, near the mouth of Rahway river, & the several landing places between those points. My regular tours of duty were generally, every 3d month-- but I was liable to be called into service as often as the incursions of the enemy rendered it necessary. & there were a few months or less passed in several years of the war, in which the whole neighbourhood was not alarmed by their visits. The neighboring Militia were of necessity more frequently called on, that those who lived some miles from the enemy's lines.-  We were commonly quartered at the house of one Ogden, on the creek in Elizabeth town,also at our Captains on the creek below & at D Woodruffs in Elizabeth, & regularly mounted guard along the shores, at different points every night. In some seasons, there were large bodies of Militia assembled- amounting to several regiments & then General Williamson or General Heard, or General Winds commanded. At other times there was perhaps not more than a single regiment, or a battalion, or perhaps one company. Col. Potter, or Col. Thomas & Major Hays & Major Crane, were usually our Regimental & Battallion officers, & Thomas Woodruff our Adjutant.--
My first tour of duty was performed in the spring season-- in April 1778 in Captain
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Chandlers company. Our station was at Ogdens, before mentioned, & we mounted guard at night as before stated, at the landings opposite the island.  Col. Potter commanded our regiment. I was drafted- & served one month- was then discharged & returned home.

My 2d tour of a month, was under Capt. Chandler in June 78-- our station & duty the same as before. During this tour, we were marched toward Monmouth, expecting a battle,
but when we reached Bridgetown, we heard the battle had been fought & was ended, & we
returned to our station, & staid the month & were discharged.

My 3d tour was in hot weather. probably in the latter part of Augt & September, under Capt
Chandler.- We ['had' crossed out] made frequent excursions to Staten Island, to drive off the enemy's guards.  Our station & duty & officers the same as before.

My 4th town was performed at Trembly's point, in the fall of the year-- about the time of
gathering apples. Officers & duty the same as before stated.

My 5th tour was in cold wintry weather- probably December 78 & Jan. 79. Half the
time we mounted guard at D' Hart's point-- & half at Halsted's point. There was a good
& comfortable guard house at Halsted's point, (yet standing) but none at the other landings, &
our duty was performed, under exposure to all weather. Duty & officers the same.-

My 6th tour, was as I believe in April, about the time of planting corn ground. The station, 
duty & officers, the same as before.

My 7th tour was in hot weather, about harvest season (1779).  We were stationed at Woodbridge, Middlesex County- our quarters at a public house, with a huge Elm tree at the door, which tree, I believe is still standing. We mounted guard occasionally at Amboy & other points along this shore. Officers I believe were the same. General Heard I think commanded the body of Militia, & I occasionally saw him when on duty.

My 8th tour was in the fall, when apples come ripe & plenty in the orchards. I think we were
again stationed at Woodbridge, at the Elm tree, mounting guard at Amboy, under same officers.

My 9th tour was in the winter, I think in January 1780. Stationed at Ogdens, upon the creek in Elizth. town, mounting guard at the landings below, under the same officers.

My 10th tour was in the following spring, in mostly cold weather- probably in March &
April-- under Capt. Chandler, at Ogden's in Elizth. town guarding the lines.

My 11th tour was in warm weather, when the enemy came over in form & burnt Connecticut
farms, village & Church- when we had a skirmish, & pursued them to Staten Island. Before this tour closed, they again came over- forced their way to Springfield-- when in had a hard battle. Col. Dayton of the Army, & his regimt. was at the fight at the farms, & probably at Springfield also.  Col. Angel, with a Rhode Island Regiment, defended the Springfield bridge, till they were greatly overpowered & cut down by the enemy, who burnt the Church & town & retreated. The whole body of Militia was out, & I remained more than a month on this tour- 6 weeks at least, as I believe.
Page 12

Besides Col. Dayton & Col. Angel of the Army, I think Genl. Heard, Genl Winds & Col. Potter were all out, & probably Genl. Dickinson also.
Such was the force of the enemy in this quarter, & so frequent their invasions this summer, that we were again ordered out after a very short interval. The burning of Springfield was in June, I believe & I remember being ordered out with the whole company under our officers in July & August following, to guard the points & landings below Elizth town. In this my 12th tour of duty, I am not certain whether Capt Chandler commanded us, or not.  About this time he resigned, & Capt Brittin succeeded him.

In the following fall, probably Oct Nov. I performed my 13th tour. Capt. Brittain commanding, stationed at Ogdens-- guarding the points & landings below the town.

In my 14th tour, I believe Capt. Wood commanded us. Our duty was guarding the line
from Halsted point, to Trembly's point. It was in cold wintry weather,  Jany 81.

In my 15th tour, which was in the spring season, before corn planting,  I think I was under the command of Capt Herriman. Station & duty, the same as before.

My 16th tour was in the early part of summer, before wheat harvest, I believe, & under Capt
Herriman.  Stationed at same place, & performed same duties.

My 17th tour was in the latter part of summer, & perhaps part of Sept under Capt Herriman.

My 18th was under him also, & in both of the last tours, our station & duty the same.

It is strongly impressed on my mind, that I performed 6 monthly tours under Capt Herriman, altho I can specify only those above stated. There may be errors in some of my dates, & perhaps I am in some instances wrong in the names of some of my officers-- but I have honestly & conscientiously stated the truth, according to the best of my remembrance. The tours, as I have stated them, were never shorter that one month. I was frequently out on short alarms which I cannot specify either by time or place. We had little or no fighting after Springfield battle- yet the tories, refugees & British held N. York & Staten Island- often crossed & plundered & we were obliged to mount guard regularly along the lines & shores, till after Cornwallis was taken. I have no doubt that I actually performed guard duties in 1782- yet I cannot faithfully undertake to specify them. In all my tours which I have related, the whole time was faithfully spent, in obeying the orders of my superiors, never absent from duty, unless by permission of my officers to get a change of clothes-- nor was I during any of my tours engaged in any civil pursuit.- Our tours of duty, altho in general regular- & at stated intervals- yet they varied greatly, according to the position & numbers of the enemy & the dangers which threatened the Country, which varied more or less in each month & year of the war.  There may be survivors, who served under the same Captains that I did-- perhaps not belonging to my class. I have obtained the testimony of all who are known to me to be living.

Aaron Thompson

Sworn and subscribed before me
this 17 day of July 1834

John J. Plume Justice of the Peace
Page 13

4

State of New Jersey
Essex County SS:  
Personally appeared before me John J. Plume one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Essex Aaron Thompson 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 Eight months I served as a private Soldier under Captain Stephen Chandler in the years 1778 and 1779.
For three months I served as a private soldier under Capt Brittain in the year 1780.
For one month I served under Capt John Wood in the same year; for six months I served as a private soldier under Captain Samuel Herriman in the year 1781, and for such service I claim a pension.

Aaron Thompson

Sworn and subscribed before me }
this 25th day of May 1833  }
John J. Plume Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey County of Essex Ss}.  I Elias Van Arsdale Junior Clerk of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Essex Do hereby certify that Samuel B Miller
Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate & before whom the several affidavits preceeding [preceding] the same were made & taken, was at the taking of the said affidavits & when he signed the said certificate & still is one of the Judges of said Court, residing in said County duly commissioned & Sworn, & that the several signatures "Saml B. Miller" affixed thereto are genuine.

I further certify that John J. Plume Esq before whom the above affidavit of Aaron Thompson was made & taken, was at the time of taking the same & still is a Justice of the peace for said County residing therein duly commissioned & sworn & that the above signature "John J. Plume" is the proper hand writing of said Justice.-- In Witness Whereof, I have hereto set my hand & the Seal of said Court at Newark the Twenty ninth day of May AD Eighteen hundred & thirty three--
E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
Page 14

To the 1st Interrogatory this declarant answers.
That he was born at Elizabeth town in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey
on the 25th day of February 1762.

To the 2nd Interrogatory this declarant answers.
He has no record of his age. The Family Bible which contained the original record of his age has been lost or mislaid for about forty years.

To the 3d Interrogatory this declarant answers
When he first entered the service during the Revolutionary War, he lived in the Township of Elizabethtown in the County of Essex, where he continued until about five years after the close of the war, when he removed to Newark where he has lived ever since and where he now lives-

To the 4th Interrogatory, this declarant answers
When he first entered the service he was drafted in the month of April 1778 in Captain Stephen Chandlers Company Colonel Potter's Regiment. Major William Crane was our Commander, Thomas Woodruff was adjutant.

To the 5th Interrogatory this declarant answers
That he refers to the declaration annexed as sworn to by him and in addition says that he recollects perfectly of sewing under General Winds at Elizabethtown and under General Hurd at Woodbridge.

To the 6 Interrogatory this declarant answers
that he never received a written discharge or Commission

To the 7th Interrogatory this declarant answers
That the answer thereto is stated fully in his declaration as will appear by reference-
Page 15

State of New Jersey
Essex County ⎬ S.S.

On this Eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two
Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex aforesaid now sitting Aaron Thompson a resident of the Township of Newark in the County of Essex aged Seventy years, who being first sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the seventh day of June A.D. 1832.

That he was born on the twenty fifth day of February Seventeen hundred and sixty two at Elizabethtown in the County of Essex aforesaid - The Family Bible which contained the
original record of his age, is lost or mislaid for about forty years has no Copy of it, has one Brother and one sister alive who remember the ages.  When he first entered the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War he resided in the Township of Elizabethtown in the County of Essex where he continued to reside until about five years after the close of the war since which time has resided in Newark in the County of Essex aforesaid-  he served at different times in the Revolutionary War as a volunteer and Drafted in the militia.

He was drafted in the month of April Seventeen hundred and Seventy Eight and attached to Captain Stephen Chandlers  company for one month, thinks Colonel Potter was the Colonel
of the Regiment, Major William Crane Commanded Thomas Woodruff was adjutant, and served regularly every third month under the said Captain Chandler for Two years, in seventeen hundred and Eighty was under Captains {blank]  Brittain Either three or four tours of one month each, but cannot recollect
certainly which, in Seventeen hundred Eighty one was under Captain Samuel Herriman and constantly on duty for six months, was at Elizabethtown point, Amboy, Connecticut farms and Springfield, at the engagement Connecticut farms Col Elias Daytons Regiment of Continental Troops was in the
Page 16


Engagement also under Capt John Wood does not recollect any other Continental Regiment
or any Militia Regiment by name or number.

Never received a written discharge from service is personally acquainted with and refers to the following persons for a statement as to character and traditionary evidence of service in the Revolution, namely Robert B Camfield
Esquire General Thomas Ward, Moses Woodruff and Joseph Bonnel. Joseph Bonnel served with him during the war & can testify as to his service-

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State or Territory
in the United States

Aaron Thompson

Sworn and subscribed the}
day and year aforesaid.  }
Saml B. Miller Judge

We Philip Courtland Hay a Clergyman residing in the Township of Newark and George Price- of said Township do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Aaron Thompson who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him [some text crossed out] to be seventy 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

Philip C Hay
George Price

Sworn and subscribed the }
and year aforesaid.   }
Saml B. Miller Judge
Page 17

State of Newjersey } personally appeared before me James
Essex County ss } W. Wade one of the Justices of the peace
in and for said County Joseph Bonell
of the Township of Union in the County and State aforesaid
who being sworn on his oath deposeth and saith that
he has known Aaron Thompson of the Township of
Newark in the County and State aforesaid ever since
the year 1776. and that in the year 1778 the aforesaid
Aaron Thompson was called out in the Militia of
the Newjersey line and that from the year 1778 to the
year 1781 the said Aaron Thompson was out in
tours of one month at a time at least fifteen months
and further saith not-
Joseph Bonnel
Sworn and subscribed before }
me at Union in said County }
this 14th day of Augst 1832 }
James W. Wade Justice }
James W. Wade Esqr is well known to me to be a Justice of peace.
Essex County N. J. & the above signature of his name is genuine
26th Augt 33
Lewis Condict
Page 18

I hereby certify that Joseph Bonnel, the within deponent, tho personally
to me not well known, yet from his known character, as a man of probity
& veracity, I only believe him to be a man of trust & that he well be fully credited
as a witness, wherever he is known.
August 26th 1833
Lewis Condict
Page 19

Declaration of
Aaron Thompson
15736
Return to Lewis Condict
paid
Morristown, N. Jersey.
Page 20

I Thomas Ward a resident of the Township of Newark do
hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Aaron Thompson
who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that I
believe him to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that he has
always born a very good character in society as to integrity
and veracity, and in my opinion full reliance can be placed
in his statements
Thomas Ward
(Thomas Ward was a member of the
(H. R. from N.J. in 1815-16 & 17)
Sworn and Subscribed the }
day and year aforesaid }
Sam B. Miller Judge

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 Philip Courtland
Hay who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident
in the Town of Newark and that George Price who has also signed the
same is a resident in Newark and is a credible person and that their
statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies that
Thomas Ward who has signed the annexed certificate is a resident of
Newark and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to
Credit.
Saml B. Miller Judge

Essex County ss:
I Elias Van Arsdale Jr Clerk of said Court of
Common Pleas do hereby certify that the 
foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said
Court in the [illegible] of the application of
Aaron Thompson for a Pension, In Testimony Whereof I have here
unto set my hand & seal of Office this twenty second day of October
AD 1832
E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
Page 21

March 16, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Aaron Thompson, W. 19450
Aaron Thompson, S. 1123
BA-J/MLB

Ellen Kurr
2262 Dundee Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear Madam:

The records of two Revolutionary War soldiers named Aaron Thompson
are furnished you, as follow:

AARON THOMPSON
W. 19450

The data herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension
claim, W. 19450, based upon service of Aaron Thompson in the Revolutionary 
War.

The date and place of birth and names of the parents of this soldier
are not shown.

Aaron Thompson enlisted, place not given, and served from February 1,
1777, as fifer in Captain Dayton's New Jersey Company, was in the battle of
Brandywine and other battles, locations of which were not stated, and
was discharged August 1, 1780.

The soldier died in July, 1792, and was buried at Connecticut Farms,
which was later Union Township, in Essex County, New Jersey.

Aaron Thompson married July 2, 1785, in Westfield, Essex County
New Jersey, Alletta Potter, daughter of Matthias Potter, of Connecticut
Farm, New Jersey; the date and place of her birth and name of her
mother are not shown.

Soldier's widow, Alletta Thompson, was allowed pension on her application
executed June 17, 1844, in the Borough of Elizabeth, New Jersey
at which time she was aged seventy-five years. In 1845, she was living
with her son, Martin E. Thompson, at 9 East Eleventh Street, New York City
In 1848, they were both still living in New York City.

In 1848, the only surviving children of Aaron Thompson and his
wife, Alletta, were Martin E. Thompson and Aaron R. Thompson. Another
Page 22

child, whose name was not stated, died when young

In 1845, David D. Crane, aged seventy-five years, who was a cousin
of soldier's wife, Alletta Thompson, was living in New York City.

AARON THOMSON
S. 1123

The record of Aaron Thompson follows as found in pension claim,
S. 1123, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Aaron Thompson was born February 25, 1762, in Elizabethtown, Essex
County, New Jersey; the names of his parents are not given.

While a resident of Elizabethtown Township, New Jersey, Aaron
Thompson enlisted in April, 1778, served regularly every third month,
amounting to eighteen months as private in Captain Stephen Chandler's
company, Colonel Potter's New Jersey regiment, and was in the battles of
Connecticut Farms and Springfield when those towns were burned. He
served three months in 1780 under Captain Brittain; one month in the same
year under Captain John Wood; and in 1781, six months under Captain
Samuel Herriman, all as private in the Connecticut troops. He did
little fighting after the battle of Springfield, but was engaged in guard
duty along the shores as the Tories, Refugees and British often crossed
from New York, then in their possession, and plundered the shores. He
served in this capacity until after Cornwallis was taken, or until sometime
in 1782,
same county.

The soldier resided for five years after the Revolution in Elizabethtown 
Township, Essex County, New Jersey, then moved to Newark in the
same county.

Aaron Thompson was allowed pension on his application executed
September 18, 1832, while a resident of Newark, Essex County, New Jersey,
where he was still living in 1834.

No reference was made in the claim to wife or children. In 1832,
the soldier referred to a brother and sister still alive, but did not
give their names or places of residence.

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of
person paid, and possibly the date of death of Aaron Thompson, you
Page 23

should write to the Comptroller General Accounting Office, 
Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Aaron Thompson
Certificate #27915
Issued September 6, 1832
Rate, $60 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7 1832
New Jersey Agency

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 24

[upper left]
1937 May 16 - Hist to Ellen Kurr
(Rec ltr in claim W.19450 of Aaron Thompson

INVALID
File No. 1123 Rev War
Aaron Thompson
Priv.  N.J. Line
Act June 7, 1832.
Index:--Vol. a, Page 371 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 25

March 16, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MLB

Ellen Kurr
2262 Dundee Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War records of Israel Johnson (Jonson), who served
in Captain Smith's Company, Colonel Biglow's battalion from
Massachusetts; of an Aaron Thompson who served as a private in the
New Jersey militia from Essex County, and of one who served as
private in Captain Dayton's 3d New Jersey Regiment.

There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based
upon service in the Revolutionary War of an Israel Johnson, under
any spelling, who served from Massachusetts.

The records have been found of an Aaron Thompson, of Essex
County, New Jersey, also, of one who served in Captain Dayton's
New Jersey Company, and they are furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 26

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archive
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD
NAME Thomlinson, Jabez  GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT
NUMBER 6593  ACREAGE 100  ISSUED Mar. 21, 1791 to Ithamar Canfield, assignee

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and 
subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.