Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,265, for Zebulon Sutton, New Jersey
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
New Jersey | Sutton, Zebulon | S.16,265

carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Ohio / 19,790

Zebulon Sutton of Licking Co. in the State of Ohio, who was a Private in the Comp(any) command by Captain Bailey of the Regt(iment) commanded by Col. Phillips in the [crossed out: State] New Jersey line for 14 mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 of Sep. 1833 and sent to J.D. Johnston, Martinsburgh.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33........$116.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. '34...23.33
                                      =======
                                      $139.99

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles, Clerk.
Book E; Vol. 8; Page 25.
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25591

Zebulon Sutton
Licking Co., Ohio

[crossed out: Return to.]

Adm(itted) 1 year & 2 months.

[illegible]

J.D. Johnston, Age(nt)
Martinsburg, Knox Co., Ohio
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
14th April 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. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Zebulon Sutton, Licking Co., Ohio.
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. (Years/Months/Days) | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through
which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Enlisted 1776 ┃ (blank) | 6 | (blank) | Private | Cap. Baily, Cap. Dunn | Col. Philip, Maj. Baily | Long Island, White Plains | Elizabeth Town, Newark, New York, Ft. Washington, White Plains, Kings Ferry, Ft. Lee, Hackensack, N. Brunswick, Monmouth, Phil(adelphia) | 79, Somerset Co., N. Jersey | Traditionary |
Vol(unteered in) 1777 or 1778 | (blank) | 8 | (blank) | Cap. McCoy, Cap. Rickey, Cap. Mannerei, Cap. Parker. | Maj. David Lion | Monmouth | (blank) | (blank) | (blank) |

I am, respectfully your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 5

Z. Sutton, Declaration.

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &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 general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of //
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of __________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District
of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his 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) _____ , with _____ and
served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (illegible) 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 _____.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. __________ A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, __________, of the Court of __________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
__________ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the __________ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __________, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the 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 __________, and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the __________ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

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

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his 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, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
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?
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 he 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.
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.
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.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant
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 all 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 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
reconecthen, he served not less than the periods mentioned land in the following re-
-- months, anddays
, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension."
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.
Son
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 service 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 time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
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 contains
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.
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 affidaavits
the time of the claim
ant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses
, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
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The State of Ohio Knox County of
On this third day of August AD one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
personally appeared before me James McGibeny one of the Judges
of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County of Knox and State
aforesaid Zebulon Sutton a resident of said County of Knox and
State aforesaid aged Seventy nine years, nine
months and thirteen days 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 on the
first day of June in the year 1776 with Captain Platt Bailey who was shortly
afterwards promoted to Major on the Vacancy filled
by Jeremiah Dunn under whom he served and the following
named officers to wit, Col Phillips Major Baily Leutenant Dunn
and Captain Dunn and and Elijah Reins, and
first Sergent Isaac Doty 2nd Sergent
Johnathan Ayres and entered the service
on the first Day of June 1776 and served Six months and left the service on the
first day of December 1776 resided when he entered the service in the Township of
Bound Brook in the County of Summersett
and State of New Jersey and was in the Battle of
Long Island on the 28th day of August 1776 and also in the Battle of White Plains and
marched to Elizabeth Town then to Newark then to powlers Hook New Jersey
thence to New York thence to Long Island thence
to New York again thence to Fort Washington
thence to White Plains thence to Kings ferry
Page 8

North River thence to fort Lee thence to Hackquackney thence
to Hackensack thence to Newark thence to Elizabeth Town thence to
New Brunswick thence to Summersett thence to Monmouth thence to Philidelphia or
aposite of Jersey shore and thence Discharged
-
He hereby relinquishes every claimwhatever 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
Felton Walton
Sworn & subscribed
before me this 3d day of August AD 1832
James McGibeny apt Judge

I the said James McGibeny do hereby declare that my opinion is that
that the above named aplicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served
as he states.  And I do further certify that said applicant cannot from bodly infirmity 
attend the Court-
State of Ohio
James McGibeny apt Judge
Alexr Elliott Clerk of the Court of Common County
pleas for said County do hereby certify that James McGibing Esq
before whom the foregoing declaration was made & sworn to was at the time
of so doing and yet is an associate Judge of
said Court, duly commissioned & Sworn, and
faith and credit is due to his official acts as such as will
as elsewhere. And I further certify that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his are genuine. In Testimony
of I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said court
Page 9

Declaration
Zebulon Sutton
℗
We James Fray a clergyman residing in the the County of Knox and State of Ohio and
Mercer McFadden residing in the County and State
aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Zebulay Sutton who has subscribed and sworn
to the foregoing Declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine 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
James Fray Mercer McFadden Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 22nd day of May AD 1833
Wm McCreary J.P.
I do hereby certify that James Fry who has signed
the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the
County of Knox and State of Ohio and Mercer W. Fadden
who has also signed the same is a resident in the County
and State aforesaid and is a creditable person and that their
statement is entitled to credit
given under my hand and seal officially this 22nd day of
May AD 1833
Wm McCreary J.P
of
The State of this
Knox County
●
Alexr Elliot Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for said County do hereby certify, that the
McCreary Esq before whom the above certificate
of James and Mercer McFaddin appears to
have been sworn to and who has given
signed the above certificate, was at the time
of so doing and yet is an acting Justice of the peace for
said County, duly commissioned & Sworn, and full faith &
credit is due to his official acts as such as well in Courts
of Justice as thereout. And further certify that the above
signature purporting to be his are genuine. In Testimony
when of I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court
Page 10

The State of Ohio Knox County
On the third day of August one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two, personally
appeared before me James McGibeny and of the Judges of the Court of
common pleas for said County of Knox and State aforesaid Zebulon Sutton 
age aged seventy nine years and nine months and thirteen days
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 entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers and served as herein Stated
to wit between the year 1777 and sometime in the year 1780 he served
Eight months as a volunteer at several different
periods during the revolutionary war to wit one month at
Elizabeth Town in the State of New Jersey under Mc Day also one
month at Bound Brook under Captain Rickey
also one month at Buylyons Tavarn Captains name not recollected also one month
at the Bridge on the Raritan under Captain Rickey also one month at
Elizabeth Town under Capt Mannin also one month at Monmouth under capt
Parker and Major Davidson and was in the Battle of Monmouth under said
officers fought on the 28th day of June 1778 also one month at Bound Brook again
under Captain Richey also one month at Hackansack under Major Davidson
captains name not recolected
He also states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service
Page 11


Where and in what year were you Born
answer in Summerset County New Jersey in the year 1752
Have you any record of your age
yes in my Bible at home
where were you living when you ware called into the service
Ans. in Summersett County New Jersey
where have you lived since the revolutionary War and where do you now live
Ans. In the State of New Jersey & Pennsylvania
and now in Knox County in the State of Ohio
How were you called into the service
Answer volunteered
State the names of some of the regular
officers who were with the troops where you served
Ans.  General Washington
Lee Starling Sullivan and Putnam
Col Philips & Martin
Did you ever receive a Discharge-
Ans no written Discharge-
State the names of the persons to whom are known in your present neighborhood
who can testify as to your caracter [illegible] baracity and thus belief of your
services as a soldier of the revolution
Ans. Rev James Fray & Insley D Johnston
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or an annuity except the
Page 12

present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll
of the Agency of any State

sworn & subscribed before me this 3d day of august AD 1832
James McGibeny Asst Judge

James Fray a clergyman residing in the County & State aforesaid
and Insley [illegible] residing in said County hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Zebulon Patton who has subscribed
and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe
him to be seventy nine 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 to and subscribed the Day and year aforesaid
James Grey
J.D. Johnston
Day and year aforesaid
James McGibingat
Judge of the said James McGibeny do hereby
Declare that my opinion is 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 I further certify that James
Fray who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident
in the County aforesaid and that Insley & Johnston who has signed
the same is a resident of said County and is a creditable person
and their statement are entitled to credit. And I further certify
that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend Court
James Milling, at Judge
Page 13

The State of Ohio ⎬
Know County
I Alexander Elliott Clerk of the court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby
certify that James McGibeny Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration was made
and sworn to was at the time of so doing and yet is an associate Judge
of said Court duly commissioned & sworn, and full faith and credit is due to his official acts as
such as will here as elsewhere. And further certify that the foregoing signatures purporting to
be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said
Court at Mount Vernon this 8th day of October A.D. 1832.
Alex Elliott Clk
Page 14

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
S. F. 16.265
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.
In reply to your request of {blank}, received {blank}
for a statement of the military history of Zebulon Sutton
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.
June 6, 1776

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
served of various times 14 months

RANK
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Platt
Bayles
Wilcox
Rickey
Manning
Parker
COLONEL.
Phillips

STATE.
N. J.

Battles engaged in, Long Island White Plains, Monmouth
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bound Brook Twp Somerset Co. N.J.
Date of application for pension, Aug 3 1832
Residence at date of application, Knox Co. Ohio
His Age at date of application, born in 1752 in Somerset Co NJ
Remarks: There is no date on file as to his family and
it is not stated that he was married

For date of last payment of his pension, probable date of his death,
and to  [illegible] should be made to the 
Dept U S Treasury
Respectfully,
6 -- 2856
Commissioner.
Page 15

File No. --
16265
INVALID.

Zebulon Sutton ┃

---
Act: June 7" 3
Index: -- Vol. Page 365
Arrangement of 1870.}
1915 Dec 29 Hist. to Mrs. E. J.
Braund
Page 16

Chambers
District Court, Seventh Judicial District
Montrose, Colorado

Dec 19, 1918
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington,
Dear sir will you kindly inform me if there is
record of pension record of Mary, widow of
Zebulon Sutton, of New Jersey, Revolutionary war service
Thanking you the information

Yours Sincerely
-
Mrs. E. J. Braund
630 N. 30th street
Montrose, Colo