Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 889, for David James, New Jersey
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE

New Jersey

James, David
Number 
S889

Carded
Page 2

17103  17.103

New Jersey

David, James

Cumberland Co. in the State of New Jersey
Who was a Sergeant in the (blank) commanded by Captain (blank) of the regiment commanded by Col. Shreve in the New Jersey Line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 120 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of march, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of July 1833 and sent to Petitioner Preson

Arrears to the 4th of Mch 1813    240.-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept.   60/-
Total  $300.-
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Wm Duffield, Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 page 117
[handwritten d. July 18, 1834]
Page 3

Sergt. $120 per anum.

Pensioner Tisesent
Page 4

District of Columbia
County of Washington

On this 24th of July 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Notary Public for the County aforesaid David James, and made the following oath according to law, for the purpose of attaining the benefits of the act of June 7, 1832. that he is 77 years of age; that he resides in the County of Cumberland, N. Jersey; and that he drew a pension of $96 per annum under the act of March 18, 1818, which he now relinquishes in order to obtain the benefits of the act of June 7, 1832.  He entered the service of the U. States in the 2nd N. Jersey Reg. commanded by Col. Israel Shreve; that he was a sergeant in 1779 for the space of about two months when he went into the ranks; he was often and again promoted to the rank of Sergeant and 10 continued for at least two years and until the end of the war and further saith sit.

David James
Sworn to & subscribed 
before me
On the day above written
Henry Whelcroft
Notary Public
Page 5

David James
Pensioner
S35

Continue
Sept 1818
Page 6

At a Circuit District Court of the United States for the New Jersey District holden at Newark in the county of Essex in the tenth District -

PRESENT the Honorable William S. Pennington, District of New Jersey ss. Be it Remembered that on the thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty personally appeared in the District of the Court of the Unted States for the New Jersey District -
in open court, the said court being a court of record for the said county of Essex and the said District of New Jersey David James aged seventy four years, resident in the township of Orange in the county of Essex & State of New Jersey who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows:  In September 1775 he enlisted as a private in the second New Jersey regiment in the company commanded by Captain Richard Howell in the regiment commanded by Col. William Maxwell in the line of the State of New Jersey, that he served in the said company until the fifth day of June 1783 when he was discharged from the said service at New Bergh in the State of New York - This certificate of discharge is now on file in the office of the War Department accompanying his first application - was in the Battle of three Rivers in June 1776 at the battle of Brandywine in the year 1777 and at the battle of Germantown in Oct. 1777 and at the battle of Monmouth in the year 1778 and at the siege of York Town and assisted in the taking of Lord Cornwallis 

And that his original declaration is dated the fourth day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that his pension certificate is No. 135
Page 7

And I do solemnly Swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war, passed on the 18th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen:  and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed, to wit:  Real Estate nine one one two one Hwy one ten plate stove, one iron pot, one do kettle tea kettle II setting chairs,  4 spoons - 3 tea spoons, 1/2 doz. knives & forks wearing apparel not included one chest, one trunk bedding not innumerated.  His occupation is that of a Taylor but unable to make a living.  His family consists of himself, his wife whose name is Sarah her age about forty eight and of a debilitated constitution - and has no income.

David James
Sworn to and declared before me July 13th 1820

Wm Pennington
District Judge
Page 8

I, William Pennington Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the New Jersey District

Do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath - and the schedule thereto annexed are trulyu copied from the records of the said Court:  and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Fifty Four Dollars -

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, this 21st day of July  1820

Wm Pennington
Page 9

To the Honourable John C. Calhoun Secretary of War of the United States of America...
-The undersigned having enlisted in the year 1775 under Capt. Richard Howell into the 2nd Regiment New Jersey line commanded by Col Israel Shrieve and having continued as a sergeant in the continental service (in said regiment) till the termination of the Revolutionary War when he received an honourable discharge signed by General George Washington and his circumstances in life being so reduced that he needs the assistance of his country for support respectfully applies to be placed on the pension list of the Unted States.

David James
Bridgetown West New Jersry
March 27th 1818
Page 10

Application
For Pension
David James
New Jersey
Circuit
Court

Hon. Wm Balaraman

Apr. 9 1818

Admitted
L. t. J
Page 11

State of New Jersey
Cumberland County SS

David James of the County and state aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and declareth that he was enlisted in the year 1775, he believes on the 5th day of September by Capt. Richard Howell of the 2nd Ret. New Jersey line, commanded by Colonel Shreve, that he remained in the continental service till the termination of the revolutionary war, where he received an honourable discharge , a copy of which is hereto annexed and that his circumstances in life are now so reduced that he needs the assistance of his country for support.

David James

Subscribed and sworn to before me one of the judges of the court of common pleas of the state and county aforesaid, this twenty seventh day of March eighteen hundred and eighteen.

James D. Westcott
(copy) By his Excellency
George Washington Esq.
Commander in chief of the forces of the United States of America

These are to certify that the beaerer hereof David James sergeant in the New Jersey Battalion having faithfully served the United States eight years and being enlisted for the war only is hereby discharged from the American Army.

Given at Head Quarters the 5th day of June 1783.
Go. Washington
By his excellency's command
J. Trumbull Gen. Secty.
Registered in the Books of the Battalion
Sam McShare, assistant

The above David James has been honoured with the Badge of merit for eight years faithfull services.

Cyrus D. Hurt Cass
Page 12

State of New Jersey
Cumberland County ss

I have compared the preceding copy, and find it to agree with a paper exhibited to me as the original discharge of David James.  An examination of the paper purporting to be his original discharge I believe it to be genuine; and from my knowledge of the handwriting of the late Gen George Washington, having frequently seen his signature, especially to his last will and testament to every page of which it was subscribed, I believe the signature "Goerge Washington" subscribed to said original discharge to be in the proper handwriting of the late George Washington, commander in chief of the forces of the United states of America during the revolutionary war.

Given under my hand this twenty seventh day of March eighteen hundred and eighteen

James D. Westcott

State of New Jersey
Cumberland County ss

Ebenezer Elmer of the county & State aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has examined the ori
Page 13

State of New Jersey
Cumberland County ss 

To the Honourable John C. Calhoun Secretary of War of the United States of America.

This is to certify that after a careful examination of the Declaration on oath of David James, of the deposition of General Elmer and of the original discharge of said David James from the continental army, it appears to my satisfaction that the said David James served as a private and Seargeant for the space of eight years on the continental establishment, against the common enemy, during the revolutionary war- I further certify from my personal knowledge of the circumstances of said James, that I believe he needs the assistance of his country for support.  I herewith transmit the testimony in his case and proceedings has thereon given under my hand this third day of April eighteen hundred and eighteen.

James D. Westcott

I Ebeneezer Lackey Clerk of the Inferior court of Common Pleas in the County of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, Do hereby certify that James D. Wescott Esquire who has attested the affidavit of Ebeneezer Elmer and the declaration on oath of David James hereunto issuance and certified to James Wescott is one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cumberland & State of New Jersey, and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to his attestations as such.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office the fourth day of April eighteen hundred and eighteen

Eben. Lackey Clerk
Page 14

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTIN
3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Washington, D.C.   
(blank),  19 (blank)

D.F. 889

In reply to your request of   (blank) received (blank) for a statement of the military history of David James a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
Sept. 5, 1775

LENGTH OF SERVICE
June 5, 1783

RANK
Pvt & Sergt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
CAPTAIN
Richard Howell
COLONEL
William Maxwell
Israel Shreve

STATE
N.J.

Battles engaged in, Three Rivers, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth & siege of Yorktown & capture of Cornwallis
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Not stated
Date of application for pension, March 27, 1818 His cl was cl
Residence at date of application, Bridgetown N.J.
Age at date of application, 62 yrs.  Died July 18, 1834 {from A.B.
Remarks:  In 1820 his wife Sarah was 48 years of age. There is no further data on file as to his family.
Page 15

James, David
S889 NY
Page 16

Sept 4, 1829 to Sept. 4, 1829
March 5, 1830 to March 4, 1830
Sept. 4, 1830 to March 4, 1830
Mar. 16, 1831 to Mar. 4, 1831
Spt. 5, 1831 to Sept 4, 1831
Mar 5, 1832 to Mar 4, 1832
Sept. 11, 1832 to Sept 4, 1832
Mar 21 1833 to Mar 4, 1833
Page 17

Payable on the 4th March to 4th Sept in each year by the agent,  Prest. Trenton Bank & Co. Trenton New Jersey
Page 18

WAR DEPARTMENT

I certify there is confirmity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March 1818 David James, late a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution is inscribed on the Pension List , Roll of the New Jersey Agency at the rate of Eight Dollars per ,month, to commence on the 4th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen

J.C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Page 19

Cancel this & drop him from the Roll
Page 20

Sept 11 1818 paid to Sept 4,1818
Mar 19 1819 paid to Mar 4 1819
Sept 6 1819 paid to Sept 4, 1819
May 9 1820 paid to March 4, 1820
Mar 29 1820 paid to Mar 4, 1820
Mar 29, 1821 paid to Mar 4, 1821
Sept 13, 1821 paid to Sept. 4, 1821
April 2, 1822 paid to Mar 4, 1822
Sept 11 1822 paid to Sept 4 1822
Apr 15, 1823 paid to Mar 4, 1823
Sept 17, 1823 pad to Sept. 4, 1823
Mar. 27, 1824 pd to Mar 4, 1824
Sept 11, 1824  pd to Sept 4, 1824
Mar. 18, 1825 pd to Mar 4, 1825
Sept 7, 1825 pd to Sept 4, 1825
Mar. 8, 1836 pd to Mar 4 1826
Sept 5, 1826 to Sept 6, 1826
Mar 9, 1827 pd to Mar 4 1827
Sept 22, 1827 pd to Sept 4 1827
Mar 7, 1828 pd to Mar 4, 1828
Sept 11, 1828 pd to Sept 4, 1828
Mar 7, 1829 pd to Mar 4 1829
Page 21

May 2, 1893 papers 24 and by David James D.D.

Apr 2, 896 copy of Cis. cert. to W.J. Dunmore Utica NY thro Hon Jas S. Sherman
LNB

May 14 96 copies
of papers cannot be
[indecipherable]
W.T. Dunmore
Utica NY
1905 Sept 28 W. T. Dunmore
Utica NY copies not furnished 

INVALID

File No. 889
David James
Seft. N.J. Line
Act:  Junel 7, 1832

Index : - Vol.  A, Page 190
[Arrangement of 1870]

1918 Mch 28 Hist. to Grace F. Rockafeller
Page 22

Notification sent to W. Pennington
29 Sept. 1820
Newark N.J.

New Jersey
David James
Seargeant 4
In the army of the Unted States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 4th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd of June 1818 and sent to the Pensioner, care of Hon. E. Bateman, Cedarville Cumberland, New Jersey

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1816 - $40.26
5 mo. 1 dy $40.26
New Jersey line ....75 War
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818}

Continental
Town Unknown Cumberland
Page 23

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: -

On the e28th of April, 1896, you sent me at the request of Hon. James S. Sherman a certified copy of the discharge of David James from the Revolutionary Army, embodhying a certificate thereon signed by General Washington.  At the time that I applied for admission to the Society of the Sons of the Revolution I forwarded that certified copy of the discharge as part of the evidence of my eligibility and have neber been able to get it back.  A reunion of the descendants of David James is to be helf on the 23rd of this month and I am very anxious to have a certified copy of that discharge to present at that gathering.  If you will kindly send me a certified copy at once you will very greatly oblige me.  Kindly let me know what your charges are and I will cheerfully remit the same.

Very truly yours,
W.T. Dunmore 
A

Stamped US Pension Office
Aug. 17 1905
Page 24

[back side of form]

Stamped US Pension Office
May 11,1896

OLD WAR & NAVY
MAY 13 1896
FILES
Page 25

TELEPHONE No. 81
TAKE ELEVATOR

LAW OFFICES OF
DUNMORE, SHOLES & FERRIS
53 & 54 ARCADE.

W.T. DUNMORE 
COUNTY JUDGE
M.C. SHOLES
T.H. FERRIS
S.L. AMES, STENOGRAPHER

Dictated by Dunmore.

UTICA, N.Y.
May 4, 1896

Hon. William Lochren,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: - 

I received a few days ago the certified copy of the discharge of David James which you sent me at the request of Congressman Sherman.  I am informed by a cousin that there are other papers giving a history of the engagements which he was in accompanying his discharge.  I assume from the papers that you sent me that this discharge was found in the Pension Department of the Old War and Navhy Division. The letter is marked 

" O. W. & N. Div.
L.W.B.
I. 1889"

While I do not understand all of those references it may facilitate finding the papers wanted and I therefore give it.  If you will have a copy of those papers made and will let me know the amount of the charges therefor, including the charge for the certified copy of discharge, I will forward the same and you can then send them to me.  I assume there is some charge for the certified copy of discharge, but no bill accompanied it.

Thanking you for the favors already shown and also thanking you in advance for the favor asked, I remain

Very truly yours,
Wm Dunmore
Page 26

244 South River Street
Wilkes-Barre,
Pennsylvania

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

March 23, 1918

Dear Sir:

Will you please tell me what is recorded in your Office relative to David James who served during the Revolutionary War in Capt. John W. Hemmings Co. 2nd Battalion 2nd Establishment New Jersey Continental Line also in Capt. Cyrus D. Hart's Co. 2nd Reg. Continental Line, etc.
Page 27

and after the war received a badge of Merit for eight yrs of faithful service.  

I shall be greatly obliged to you for the favor.

Yours truly,
(Miss) Grace F.  Rockafellow

[stamped US Pension Office Mar. 25 1918]
Page 28

O.W.& N. Div.
L.W.B.
I.889

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C.

April 28, 1896

Sir: -l

In compliance with a request on the part of Hon. James S. Sherman, I have the honor to transmit herewith a certified copy of the Discharge Certificate of David James, a soldier of the Revolutionary war.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner

W.T. Dunmore, Esq.,
Utica, New York.
Page 29

W.W. & n. Div.
L.W.B.
889. Inv.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D.C.

May 14TH, 1896

Sir: -

In replying to your communication of the 4th Inst., relative to David James who was granted a pension for his service as a sergeant in the New Jersey troops, Revolutionary war, as set forth in this Bureau's letter of April 28th, 1896, you are advised that he took part in the Battle of Three Rivers, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Siege of Yorktown and Taking of Lord Cornwallis.

You are further advised that owing to the large number of requests now being received for the military record of Revolutionary soldiers this Bureau finds it impossible to furnish copies of pension papers of soldiers without employing upon the work a large force of clerks.

There is no appropriation of money for carrying on work of this character, and as all the available clerks are engaged on other and more important work of the Bureau, a compliance with your request is deemed impracticable.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Mr. W.T. Dunmore
Utica New York.
Page 30

Sept. 29, 1905

Sir:

In response to your letter dated august 15, 1905, and received august 17, 1905, you are advised that it is not at present the practice of this Bureau to furnish certified copies of papers filed in Revolutionary War pension claims.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner

Mr. W. T. Dunmore,
52 Arcade,
Utica, N.Y.
Page 31

S. file 889

By His EXCELLENCY
GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ:
General and Commander in Chief of the Forces
of the United States of America

These are to Certify that the Bearer hereof David James, Sergeant of the New Jersey  [indecipherable] having faithfully served the United States eight years and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.

GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS THE
Fifth day of June, 1783
G. Washington
By His EXCELLENCY
Command,
J. Trumbull Leiut.  Adjutant

The above David James
has been honored with the BADGE OF MERIT
for eight years faithful Service
Cyrus d. Hart Capt.
Page 32

[page is folded and only partial words are decipherable, therefore not transcribed]
Page 33

Attn. Geo. Boyne

Pension Office
Dept. of War

[upside down same page]

Hon.  M. Batmans
4 cases known by this 9 Apr. 1818
(court)
Page 34

Mr. Boyd

sir

I believe the within fore applications for pensions under the act of the 18th actions are accompanied with sufficient evidence to entitle them to its benefits -

You will have the goodness to act when then as early as practicable, consistent with previous and more urgent engagements

Respectfully

B. Thomas Bateman
April 9th 1818

Cedarville Cumberland N.J.
Page 35

COPY,
L.W.B.

By His Excellency
GEORGE WASHINGTON Esq:
General and Commander in Chief of the Forces
of the Unted States of America.

These are to certify that the bearer hereof David James Sergeant, the New Jersey Battalion, Regiment, having faithfully served the United States eight years and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army.

GIVEN at Head-Quarters the
fifth day of June, 1783.

(signed)  G. Washington.

By His Excellency's
Command,
J. Trumbull, Secty.
REGISTERED in the Books
of the Regiment, Battalion,
Samuel Shute, Adjutant.

THE above David James has been honored with the Badge of Merit for eight years faithful service.

Cyrus D. Hart   Captain