Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23234, James Gonsalus, New Jersey
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(3-1776) Service   New Jersey
Gonsalus or Gonsaulus, James
number S23234
contents
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11.092
Pennsylvania
James Gonsaulus
of L[uzerne] Co in the state of Pennsylvania
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Ribble of the [Righ] commended
by Col. [Syner] in the New Jersey line for.
15 mo.@-$50-
-
Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania-
at the rate of 50 dollars--per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
-
Certificate of pension issued the 25th day of March 1833- and
[] H Pettibone, Wilkesbarre, Pa
-
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.            100.-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 25-
                                                                      --
                                                                    $125.-
{Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by John T. Sprague clerk
Book E. Vol. 5 page 21

Date of death not on [aB]
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the Act of Congress of the seventh of June A.D. 1832
State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne county.              [Ls.]
On this sixth day of November 1832.  Personally appeared before the judges of the court of common pleas of said county, in open court James Gonsaulus a resident of Plymouth in said county, aged seventy five years and expresses-who being duly sworn according to laws doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by act of congress passed [], 1832
that he was born on the 25. of December A.D. 1757 in Albany in the state of Newark^of which he has no [] from whence he removed to [Knowlton] in the state of New Jersey-that he thinks it was in August 1776 he volunteered in the state troops of New Jersey for a term of six months -in captain [Thickendals] company -that he was stationed the whole period at Amboy in said state in general Maxwell [Brigode] and at the end of the time of his [] he was discharged from the service by General Maxwell-which discharge he has since lost-during the month of June he volunteered in the following year in captain George Ribble's company for the term of three months
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and was stationed on [][][] the time of his enlistment-and was discharged that June, (he thinks) in 1778 he again volunteered, at Nkowlton aforesaid, in Maj. [] regiment -in colonel Syme's brigade for three months, and was stationed at [] in N.J. at the expiration of the three months was discharged - that he was in the engagement at Springfield in New Jersey, in cape. Kirkendals company. that captain Kirkendal was wounded in the arm -And that during the three subsequent years he was frequently engaged in [] and excursions against the Indians and tories-by command of the officers of the main army-was probably on duty one fourth of his time-that after the Revolution he removed into Northampton county in the state of Penna and afterwards to Luzerne County where he now resides-that he never or any time held a commission in the service-and he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity (except the present) and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of any state-He [][] to Johan Teus and Benj. Reynolds, as to his character [][] and veracity-and that he is acquainted with [] person now living who can testify to his service-
swan and subscribed in open court this 8th Ober.1832-h. Pettibone [] James Gonsalus X his mark
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19191
James Gonsaulus
Aom@.
15 months
@$50-
H. Pettibone Esq.
Wilkesbarre Pa
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Brief in the case of James gonsaulus of Plymouth county of Luzerne in the state of Pennsylvania (Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a court or judge? open court
2. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75 yrs & upwards
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
-
period.   duration of service.   rank.   
               years, months, days.
1776                    6.                     Private
1777                    3                        "
1778                    6                        "

name of general and field officers under which he served.

Gen. Maxwell
Cap Kirkindals
" Ribble
[] [Lymu]

5. In what battles was he engaged/ Battle of Springfield
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
8. Are the papers defective as to form of authentication? and if so, in what respect? improperly []
I certify that the foregoing statement and answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. A.B. Thurston Examine clerk.
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August 28, 1934
xxxxxx. 
RA-J/EEL []
James Gonsalus-S.23234
Mrs. Sadie C. Baker
305 E. 13
Crete, Nebraska

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Jacobus Gonsalis or Gonzales, his son, James Emanuel, and James Maelin, soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and of a soldier with surname Wright, probably Silas, of the War of 1812.

A careful search of the records has been made and no record found of a claim for pension having been made to the United States based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a James Maelin, or similar spelling, and the War of 1812 records fail to show a claim for pension on file which was made[^handwriiten] to the United States based upon the service in that war of a Silas Wright.  Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.

As a possible means of obtain information in regard to the military service of soldiers of those wars, it is suggested that you apply to the adjutant general, War department, this cit, who is custodian of military records.

The revolutionary war record of only one James Gonsalus(which is the same as Jacobus) has been found.  His record is given herein, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file for his claim for pension. S.23234. based upon his military service in that war.

James gonsalus was born December 25, 1757, in Albany, New York. and moved from there to Knowlton, New Jersey, date not given.  He signed by mark Gonsalus, was pensioned Gonsaulus.  The names of the parents of the soldier are not shown.  

while residing in knowlton, New Jersey, he enlisted in august, 1776, served six months as a private in Captain Samuel Kirkendall's New Jersey company, and was in the battle of Springfield, where his captain was wounded.  he enlisted in June, 1777, and served three
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months in Captain George Ribble's company under major Westbrook in the New Jersey Troops: he enlisted in June, 1778 and served three months under Major Westbrook in the New Jersey troops: he was afterward employed as a scout on short tours against the Indians and tories and was in service about one-fourth of the time; entire length of service was not stated.  

After the Revolution James gonsalus moved to Northaptmpton county, Pennsylvania; thence to Luzerne county, same state.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 6, 1832, while residing in Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

There are no data as to soldier's family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the revolutionary war pensioner, James Gonsalus or Gonsaulus(S.23234) you should address the Comptroller general, General Accounting Office, Records division, this city and cite the following dates:

James gonsaulus, Certificate No. 11092, issued March 25, 1833, rate $50 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Pennsylvania Agency.

very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.
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Crete, Neb. Aug. 4-1934
305-E 13 Crete, Neb.,

To the pension bureau
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs
I Have you a previous record of A?Wright-who was in War of 1812.
He probably fought from Pa.
Probably died at or near Minerva Ohio (Carrol Co)
[]might be Silas [O] ^O. Wright
II Have you a previous record of Jacobus ^o onsalis or Gonzaliz.  Who was killed 1787 by Indians at Stockade , three [] from Jacks Mountain.
or son James Emmanuel Gonzalez of Beaver County Pa.
III Pension record of James ^o Maclin wife Elizabeth Johnson
Mifflin Co Pa 1790 census
-(Mrs) Sadie Baker
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Revolution 23234.
Invalid
-
File No. 23234
James Gonsalus
Pa Rev War
-
Act: June 7 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870] [check]

1934-August 28-HisF W
Mrs Sadie C. Baker EE[]
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Benjamin Reynolds. high sheriff of Luzerne County, aged fifty two years and upwards says that he is a resident of Plymouth , and has known James Gonsalus for several years and that he is known and [] among his friends and neighbors to have been a soldier of the Revolution-that this deponent has full confidence in his declaration and [] to be a soldier of the revolution.-That he is a man good [][]and of sober and industrious habits-and []the saith not.-
Sworn and subscribed Benj Reynolds
in open court.
November 6, 1832
H. Pettibone
[]
And the same court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interoggatories prescribed by the was 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 Benjamin Reynolds and John Turner Esquire who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Plymouth and that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit-
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John Turner aged forty four years and [] being duly sworn says that he is a resident of the township of Plymouth, and has known James gosalus the above mentioned applicant for a pension for ten years and nine and that said applicant is a sober steady and industrious man and has been said is now reputed among friends and neighbors to have been a soldier of the Revolution: and that he has the fullest confidence in the above declaration as enforces the truth of the statements there set forth-

This deponent would further state the Leonard Devens , whose affidavit is hereto annexed is said old and very feeble man-and this deponent believes it would be imprudent for him to attend court-that he has full confidence in his affidavit.-[signed]
sworn and subscribed
in open court this
November 6, 1832
H. Pettibone []
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Declaration of James Gonsalus
-
Applicant for a pension under Act of Cong. Jun 7, 1832
19191
[check]
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Luzerne County[].
Personally appeared before the subscriber Leonard Devens who being duly affirmed according to him says that he was out in the Revolution which was said in a battle with the British^with the British at Springfield Meeting House^in New Jersey having had conversation with James Gonsalus his stating circumstances on that last []. [] [] wounded & that Capt. Spence [Farkis] horse shot under him on the bridge & said other circumstances that the deponent believes that he was then [][]further says not affirmed & subscribed before me this 1 October 1831
witness my hand[] Leonard Devens
Noah Wadham 
Justice of the peace  [seal]
State of Pennsylvania } on the 27 day of September one thousand eight hundred thirty five

County of Luzerne}
------
Personally appeared Jonah McClellan who being affirmed according to law, says in the yime of the Revolution were he lived a nigh neighbor to James Gonsalus and in knowing this being out in the militia army [] times & his going over the Delaware River against the whole[][][][][][][]^ ([]wintered in New Jersey) [] known him to be a [] civil man not given to intoxication & not ill [] & have been [] with him  now in the county of Lucerne & know he is the same person who is now applying for the pension 
Affirmed and subscribed before.  Jonah                McLellon
witness my hand & seal
Noah Wadham
Justice of the peace[seal]
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Affidavits for James Gonsauls
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I Henry Pettebone Prothonotary of the court of common pleas of Luzerne County certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Gonsaulus for a pension-In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of November Anno Domini 1832
Henry Pettebone Prot.
[seal]