Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5826, for Robert Nesbit, New Jersey
Page 1

SERVICES
New Jersey
Nesbitt, Robert
or
Nesbet.
NUMBER
S.5826
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Pennsylvania
Virginia [strike-through] 27.879
Robert Nesbet* dec'd
of _____ in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the _____ commanded
by Captain _____ of the ____ commanded
by _____ in the N. Jersey
for Militia 8 mo + 14 days,
*Robert Nesbit Records cards corrected, May 23.

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 28 Dollars 21 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, and end
26 March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Aug.t
1834 and sent to
Hon. M. Pallin
Arrears to the 4th of Fredericksburgh Va
Semi-annual allowance ending

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Henry H. Sylvester, Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 26

Transferred to Penna from 
4 March 1831, Augt 26, '34
In letter to Sarah Buchanan
same day.
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30.164
Robert Nesbit's Declaration
for a pension


allow for 8 mo 16 days or
per letter 29 March 1886 + 19 June 1834
when the proof required shall be exhibited.


Hon. J M. Patton
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State of Virginia
Rappahannock County } ss:

On this 2nd day of September 1833 personally in Open Court, before the Court of Rappahannock County now sitting, a resident of the said County in the State of Virginia, aged about seventy three or seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
That he was born in the County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey and that he was drafted on  a sixty day tour of duty, the place of rendezvous, in the County of Middlesex in the Militia of the State of New Jersey, in the year 1776. The night of the day after the detachment marched from the place of rendezvous, it lay [at] Perth Amboy; from which he saw the masts of the British fleet
then moored at a place called Sandy Hook. These ships brought troops of the enemy, which took possession of Staten Island.
This he believes was in the summer of 1776 as the warmth of the season is remembered, and that it was the first invasion of New Jersey by
the British in the war of the Revolution. This service was performed either in the County of Middlesex or Essex, as he is under the impression that a part of Middlesex County is situated opposed to that Island, and that those Counties adjoin each other, in that
part of the Country, in which he was stationed. The detachment to which he belonged was employed in in guarding a part of the shore opposite to Staten Island.
That he was again drafted in sixty days tour of duty; the place of rendezvous in the County of Middlesex.  That his services were performed in the County of Essex. The rendezvous
of the detachment to which he belonged was at the Town of Newark.  A part of their duty was to guard at a place called Second River.
A circumstance is recollected, that when they were in guard, they had the ferry House, which was much infested with insects, that in
the House, in which they sought repose, he was much annoyed by them. This must have been in the early part of the fall season
as well from the second growth of the meadows, as also that there was no fire in the House where the guard met.
That he was again drafted on a sixty days tour of duty, the place of rendezvous in the County of Middlesex. That his services were performed in the County of Essex. The rendezvous
of the detachment to which he belonged was at Elizabeth Town.
The principal part of their duly was to guard a part of the shore opposite to Staten Island, on which it was said at that time a body of Hessians was stationed. This he believes was so, from this circumstance. On a night when on guard at a place called Halstead's point, he plainly heard the watchword of the enemy
resound along the shore of that part of the Island opposite to where he stood, in the words as he understood them "as well"
meaning as he then, and has since supposed that "all is well." This he believes was in the winter, as the coldness of the season is 
remembered.
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In one of the two last mentioned towns, the Militia from different parts assembled at New Brunswick, and for a short time was commanded by a Major Dykins, previous to their being detached as guards at the various points assailable by the enemy.
That he was again drafted in a sixty days tour
of duty, the place of rendezvous in the County of Middlesex, that his services were performed in the County of Somerset.  A circumstance is recollected. He was on guard at the Arsenal at Brunswick landing, about two miles above
New Brunswick, from which, he saw men marching over the heights not far distant from the latter, which on enquiry he was informed was of the command of Lord Sterling.
This was the time that the Commander in chief was marching his army for Pennsylvania, those troops he saw was a part of them. The Militia shortly after this was discharged. This discharge took place before the expiration of his term.
The time of actual service he believes must have been about two weeks. The militia had now returned to their homes, and remained in the part where he resided in an inactive state untill General Washington marched
his entire force into New Jersey, when the British shortly after concentrated their main force at New Brunswick.  
That he was again drafted on a sixty days' tour of duty; the place of rendezvous in the County of Middlesex. The rendezvous of the detachment to which he belonged was at Cranbury Town in said County from which scouting parties were daily marching to
and returning from the enemies lines, which was about fifteen miles distant from their encampment. They continued here
he believes nearly to the expiration of their Term, when, on a morning the detachment struck a march; they marched that
day, the following night untill after sunrise the next morning, when they halted below the heights, he believes called the heights
of Boundbrook not far distant however, from
where a part of the Regular Army was encamped.
They continued here two days, when they marched again in the night, and halted in a wood where they lay on their arms until
the morning. They had not been long in the situation when they were entertained for a short time by the enemies' band of musick. This night as he was informed, the British
evacuated New Brunswick, and was then on their March on the main road to the Eastward, not far distant from where they lay. In the morning as prompted by curiosity, a
part of the detachment was induced to go to the highway, himself of the number, on which the enemy had passed the preceding night and it so happened that they had halted nearby
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nearly opposite to a village called Piscataway town, this it was believed the enemy had set fire to, and it was nearly all consumed.
That he was again drafted on a sixty days' tour of duty, the place of rendezvous in the County of Middlesex. That his services were
performed in the County of Monmouth. The rendezvous of the detachment to which he belonged was at a Public House not far
distant from the Town of Shrewsbury -- A circumstance is recollected.  Early on a morning the detachment struck a march
and continued it for some miles, when they halted and formed on a height in a wood, thinly set, from which he had a view of a
salt meadow, in which there was an outlet to the sea.
They had been but a short time in this situation, when a vessel hove in sight with troops of the enemy; they landed under fire of their guns, formed on the shore, remained there but a short time, returned on board and went on their way back, it was believed from whence they came. This detachment was of a Lieutenant commander of the name of Morse, and he believes it was in the latter part of the spring season.
That he was again drafted on a two weeks tour of duty; the place of rendezvous in the County of Middlesex. That his services were performed in the County of Monmouth in that part of
the County called upper Freehold.  The rendezvous of the detachment to which he belonged, was at a Presbyterian Church
usually called Mr Tennant's, who was the Presiding Pastor there.  That his term expired on a Saturday (but at this recall he cannot be positively certain) and that he was discharged towards the evening of that day, as he arrived at his home that night, being about twelve miles distant. In the next morning a firing
commenced and continued in direction of the place he had left the preceding evening. This was and has been distinguished as the Battle of Monmouth. This was about the time of
Harvest.
That he was again drafted on a sixty days' tour of duty; the place of rendezvous the County of Middlesex; that his services were performed in the County of Monmouth. The place of rendezvous of the detachment to which he belonged was at the house of Amos Freneau situated near the main road to, and about a mile from Middletown point, from which there is an outlet to the sea.  This must have
been in a warm season of the year, as there was no fire in the apartment where the detachment lodged.
That he was again drafted on a sixty days' tour of duty; the place of rendezvous in the County of Middlesex; that his services were performed in the County of Monmouth.  The rendezvous
of the detachment to which he belonged was
at
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at Monmouth Court House. This was in the winter, as the intense coldness of the season is remembered, and there was at this time a deep fall of snow.
The situation of the State of New Jersey (in which State he was born and raised) being near to, and at times the seat of War; a large portion of her Territory bounded by the ocean, requiring numerous guards at various points
and liable to incursion from the enemy at any time, that a part of her Militia was almost in constant service during the greater part of the war.
That when in service the detachment to which he belonged were of small magnitude; under officers of inferior Command; that he has no certain recollection of the names of any of the officers, excepting the two cases which are mentioned above.
Previous to the American Revolution he was bound by his Father to a Mr Thomas Patterson of Princeton, New Jersey, as a Merchant's Clerk; that at the commencement of the war his
apprenticeship had not expired. It was not unusual at that time for stores to be discontinued.  When that took place where he was, he returned to his former home in the
County of Middlesex and he believes shortly after, joined the militia company of that neighbourhood. This will be as near as he can ascertain, in that he is aged about seventy three or seventy four years. He has no record whatever of his age.
That he has never received other than a verbal discharge. The manner &c., as well as he remembers is that they would meet on parade
for that purpose. The officers in command would observe that the term of service had expired, and that they would return to their homes, or words to that effect.
That he has resided since the war in the Cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore, and in the County of Culpeper (now Rappahannock)
in the State of Virginia, in the latter in the month of October he will have resided nineteen years.
That on this narrative he has not aimed to state
his service in the order in which they were performed, which to him, at this remote period would be impracticable.
That he has served two other tours in the militia in that war which are not mentioned above, as to him more than probable; but after a lapse of so many years, the memory does not afford light sufficient to satisfy his own
mind.
This time of service in the militia of New Jersey in the war of the Revolution as stated above will be fifteen months.
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That he has no documentary evidence to prove his service, that he knows of no person now living in New Jersey by whom he could prove his service, that his sister is now living in Virginia and is the only person know to him by whom he can prove that he was in the war of the Revolution. 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.
[signed] Robert Nesbit
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
Clk
Wm J. Menifee

The Court then proceeded to propound the following interrogatories to the applicant for a pension:
Question 1st : Where and in what year were you born?
Answer: In the State of New Jersey, in the County of Middlesex, the date unknown to me
Question 2nd:  Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Answer :  I have none
Question 3rd:  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Answer: I lived in Middlesex County in the State of New Jersey when I was called into service; I have lived since in the Cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore and in the late County of Culpeper (now Rappahannock)
Question 4th:  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
Answer: I was uniformly drafted
Question 5th:  State the name 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 service.
Answer:  I have no recollection of any of the names of the Regular officers & Regiments, the command to which I belonged to the best of my recollection; only acceded in active service that of a Subaltern; being stationed as a guard at the most exposed points of the County assailable to
Page 9

to the enemy.  The general circumstances of his service he has set forth in the body of his Declaration.
Question 6:  Did you ever receive a discharge form the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer:  I never received a written discharge from the service; the discharge was a verbal one, given to the Command to go home.-
Question 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 & the belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer:  I can refer to James Green Esqr., Capt Wm Walden; Capt Zephaniah Turner, the Revd Frances Thornton and in fine, to every person to whom I am known in my neighbourhood
as to my character; for veracity to none
but that of my sister as to my Revolutionary services. 

We, Francis Thornton,  a Clergyman residing in the County of Rappahannock, and James Green residing in the same County
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Robert Nesbit, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy four years of age, and that we
believe him to be a man of veracity, and to be believed upon his oath.
[signed] Francis Thornton
[signed] James Green

Ann Nesbit personally appeared in open Court and testified upon oath that her brother Robert Nesbit, the applicant for a pension, was frequently in the Service during the Revolution
and states that she was grown and next to her brother Robert by birth, that his service
as set forth in his Declaration she believes to be true --  That she has a distinct recollection of her brother Robert Nesbit's being often in the service of the Militia during the war of the Revolution in the State of New Jersey.
[signed] Ann Nesbit
Subscribed and sworn to
in open Court the 2nd day
of September 1833

Clk   Wm J. Menifee
Page 10

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 Francis Thornton who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Rappahannock, and that James Green, who has also signed
the same, is a resident in the County aforesaid
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit. And the Court further Certifies that Ann Nesbit who has signed the last of the preceding certificates, is a resident in the County of Rappahannock aforesaid, is a credible person, and that her statement is entitled to Credit.


I, William J. Menifee, Clerk of the Court of Rappahannock County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy
of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Nesbit for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of the said
Court this 28th day of October in the
year one thousand eight hundred
and thirty three, and in the 58th year
of the Commonwealth.
William J Menifee
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Nesbit
Page 12

Virginia
In Rappahannock County Court
17 May 1831

On the motion of John Nesbit, it is ordered to be certified, that it was proven to the satisfaction of the Court that Robert Nesbit, who was an applicant for a pension of the
States, departed this life on the 26th March 1831, leaving no widow and that Sarah Buchanon of the City of Philadelphia is the child and only child of the said Robert Nesbit, deceased, and that she is of age.
In testimony that the foregoing is a true
copy from the Records, I, William Menifee,
Clerk of the Court aforesaid, have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed the
Seal of said Court this 23rd day of May
in the year one thousand eight hundred
and thirty four, and in the 35th year
of the Commonwealth.
Wm Menifee
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Free

The Hon'ble John M. Patton
Fredericksburg
Page 14

Philadelphia, July 16th, 1834

The Hon. John M. Patton

Sir,
I take the liberty to inclose the certificate 
of the death of my Father, Robert Nesbit,
deceased, late of Rappahannock County Virginia, forwarded to me some time since, by the kindness of Capt W Walden of Lowville Rappahannock County.
Permit me, Sir, to request of you the favor
to assist me in obtaining a Certificate of Pension for 8 months and 14 days and very much oblige
Sir
most respectfully

[signed] Sarah Penington Buchanan

No 14 Prince St.
Southwark, Phila.
Page 15

RECORD DIVISION.
3 - 525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,_____19__

In reply to your request of______received____
for a statement of the military history of Robert Nesbit or Nesbet a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
S. 5826
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT: Summer 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE: served 8 mo 14 days at various times
RANK: Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. Lt. Moore
COLONEL:  Major Dykins
STATE:  N.J.
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Middlesex Co., NJ
Date of application for pension, Sept. 2,1833 His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Rappahannock Co. Va.
Age at date of application, 73 or 4 years, born in Middlesex Co. N.J.
Remarks: he died March 26, 1834, leaving no widow, but an only child, Sarah Penington Buchanan Who had 5 children, names not stated
It is not Stated that he was named Smock
The above is the only* Robert Nesbit or Nesbet found on the Rev War records of this Bureau and there is no Robert Smock found on said records.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

*[handwritten note "error" with an arrow pointing to the word "only."]
Page 16

5826
INVALID.
Rev War
File No. 5826

Robert Nesbit*
Pri. Rev. War 
Act June 7, 1832
Index:--Vol. M, Page 273 
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Robert Nesbit* May 23/04
Records corrected

1913 Oct 17. Hist to Mrs. Laura M
Stickle
M.B.H.
Page 17

Poplar Lane Farm
Newton, N.J.
Oct. 13, 1913
U.S. Pension Office-
Gentlemen,
Will you kindly send to me the
record for which Robert Smock afterward changed by act of legislature to
Robert Nesbit received a Revolutionary Pension,
Thanking you for the kindness

Very sincerely
Mrs. Laura M. Stickle
great grand daughter of
Robert Nesbit
Page 18

War Department
Pension Office
March 29 1834

The Declaration of Robert Nesbit has been examined and is herewith returned.

The statement of the applicant carries with it all the appearance of truth and honesty, and were it not that he has fallen into an error as to the duration of his respective tours, a certificate would now be issued.
The applicant claims to have served 8 tours of 
2 months each; this could not have been the case, for during the whole revolutionary war after 1776, the Militia in New Jersey were never called upon to serve a longer period than one month at a time. A certificate may be issued for 8 months, 14 days.
I have the honor to be
Yr. Obt. Servant,
J.L. Edwards

Hon. J.M. Patton
House of Reps.
Page 19

Transf to Penn. fr. 6 Mar. 1831 - Augt.25./34
sn. let. 
Sarah Buchanan same day

-
Virginia 27874
Robert Nesbit, Dec'd of 
Rappahannock in the State of Virginia,
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain___ of the ______commanded by ___in
the N. Jersey line of Militia, 8 mo. 14 days

certificate issued to Sarah Buchanan

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
the rate of 28 Dollars 21 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of [cut off]
24 March 1824
---

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of [cut off] 1834 and sent tp Hon. M. Patton, Fredericksburg

Arrears to the  26. March 1834

Semi-anl. allowance ending

{Revolutionary [cut off]
Act June [cut off]
Recorded by Henry H. Sylvester
Page 20

Admit as private
8 months 14 days
Certif. to issue to Sarah Buchanon, 
an only child of Robert Nesbit -
amt. due to
Mar 26. 1844
$81.18
-
Page 21

War Department
Pension Office
January 20th, 1834

Sir,
The declaration of Robert Nesbit
who, it would appear from your letter to
the office of yesterday's date, has lately deceased, is to wit, returned.
Before a decision can be had the
Witness shall appear in open Court and
prove her relationship to the deceased, and
the time of his death, and if there be no witness, then the next child or children of the deceased, if any, and if neither, then the legal representatives must prove in like manner as above directed.
A copy of the proceedings in that
case should be transmitted to this office, with
the enclosed papers.  The claim will be allowed
for eight months and fourteen days as heretofore stated.
I have the honour to be,
Very Respectfully,
Your obt. Servant,

J L. Edwards

Hon. J.M. Patton
House of Representatives
Page 22

FREE

to J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington

[written sideways] Va. Aug. 21st
Hon.  J.M. Patton
Page 23

Culpeper Ct. House 17.Aug't.
1834

Sir
The person in whose favor the written certificate is issued lives in Philadelphia and the money ought to be made payable to her.
I return it to you for that purpose and also to be transmitted to her in Philadelphia - Whether the place of payment is changed or not, however, I desire you to forward the certificate to Mrs. Buchanan in Philadelphia - as I do not wish to be plagued with it.
Yr. Obt. Servant
J.M. Patton
Page 24

Free

Hon. James L. Edwards
War Department
Pension Office
Washington

[written sideways] Aus.  Augt 26 1834
Page 25

August 25, 1834

Col. James L. Edwards

Sir,
I had the honor to address you some days since respecting my Father's pension
for 8 months and 14 days, with a copy of a Certificate of his decease and that I was his only child, and that he left no widow. I remain without a reply.
Would you do me the favor to enclose me a certificate of Pension & I should consider myself under great obligation.
I have five children depending upon me for
support, the winter approaching. The receipt of this pension should be a great relief to my mind, in enabling me to provide for the winter
Please have the goodness, Sir, to let me hear from you by return of mail.
I remain most respectfully,
Mrs. Sarah Penington Buchanan

Please direct Mrs Sarah Penington Buchanan
No. 14 Prince St.
Southwark
Page 26

J.M. Patton
Appl. with case of Robt. Nesbit Va.

Ans. Aug 1, 1834
Page 27

Jas. M. Patton M.C.

FREE

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington 

Ans. Aug. 1, 1834

Va Aug 1st
immediate attention

[circular stamp]
FREDERICKSBURG JUL 31
Page 28

Friday 30th July 1833
Sir
I presume the enclosed papers will authorize you to issue a certificate for the pension of Robert Nesbit to his daughter Sarah Buchanan of Philadelphia.

I am yr. obt. Serv't
J.M. Patton