Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,838, for Henry Simmins, New Jersey
Page 1

New Jersey

Simmins, Henry
     or
Simmons

S. 4838
carded
Page 2

30258
New Jersey

Henry Simmons
of Hunterdon Co. in the State of N.J.
who was a Private in the comp. commanded
by Captain Mott of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Phillips in the Militia N.J.
line for 7 months 14 days
Certificate issued to Henry Simmons, John M. Simmons, Joseph B. Simmons, Mary Conlon Nancy Johnson, and Catharine Hunt - children of Henry Simmons deceased

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 24 Dollars and 88 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1834

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Nov
1835 and sent to Hon Sam. L. Southard Trenton

Arrears to 23rd Jany 1835
 the day of pensioner 
death.                                              $96.67

Recorded by Danl. Boyd Clerk
Book E2 vol. 3 Page 161

Claimant signs 
Henry Simmins
Records OK
Apr 18 1904

top of page to right
Sent to P.Dickinson 18 Nov 18-- (paper torn, last 2 year digits illegible)
Page 3

Declarations
of
Henry Simins Senr.
a
Revolutionary Soldier

No. 632- (last number smudged)



Hon. F.S. Schenck
 -?- June 7th 1834
Page 4

New Jersey
Hunterdon County
     Personally appeared before me David Stout one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the the County aforesaid on the 10th day ofAugust A.D. 1832 Henry Simmons Sen'r. a resident of the township of Hopewell County and State aforesaid  who being 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 is unable to attend theCourt of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid on account of his age and debility.  That he was born at the City of Dublin in Ireland on the 12th day of March A.D. 1749 and is now in the eighty fourth year of his age as appears in the Family Record now herewith produced.  That in the year 1767 he came to this country and has resided in the township of Hopewell aforesaid ever since the year 1772 up to the date hereof - That in July 1776 he entered as a volunteer into the militia of this county and served in the Revolutionary War upwards of two years.  That the regiment in which he served was commanded by Col. Joseph Phillips, Lieutenant Col. Joab Houten and Major Ephraim Anderson and further states that Timothy Titus, John Hugh, Ralph Build Captains of the Hopewell Company to which he belonged - That the Regiment aforesaid formed a component part of the Brigade commanded by General Philemon Dickinson - That he marched with the aforesaid Regiment and under the above mentioned officers to Amboy, to Smith's Farms, to Elizabeth Town, the Blazing Star, and various other places - That  he was encamped one month at Princeton and the Baptist Meeting House in this County - That he marched with the said Regiment  to and was present at the Battle of Trenton and Monmouth - That he was discharged from Service when peace was proclaimed and that he has no documentary evidence of the services he has rendered his country.
    And this deponent further states that his memory has been impaired very much by his advance age and that he cannot recollect at the exact date of his service but is positive that he served upwards of two years in the militia.....
Page 5

(continued from previous page)

...company above mentioned and further this deponent saith not.
    He hereby relinquished every claim whatever to pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is to on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Henry Simmins Sen'r

Sworn and subscribed this 10th day of August A.D. 1832 before me
David Stout Judge

   I  John Fiddler a clergyman residing in Hopewell Township County aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Henry Simmins Sen'r who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that I believe him to be in the eighty fourth year of his age - that I served with him in the company commanded by Captain Timothy Titus and in the Regiment alluded to in his declaration and that the facts related by him are correct to the best of my knowledge - That the said Henry Simmins Senior served in the militia during the Revolutionary War  more than one year to my knowledge and I believe upwards of two years - That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War and that I concur in that opinion. 
John Fidler
Methodist Episcopal Church

Sworn and Subscribed this 10th day of August 1832 before me
David Stout Judge

     I William Marshall residing in Hopewell Township aforesaid, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Jenny Simmins who ha subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - That I believe him to be in the eighty fourth year of his age - That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion.
William Marshall

Sworn and subscribed this 10th day of Aug. 1832 before me
David Stout Judge
Page 6

   I David  Stout one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon do here by certify that Henry Simmins Sen'r and John Fidler are unable to attend the Court aforesaid on account of their advanced age and personal infirmities.
    Witness my had this 13th day of August AD 1832
David Stout

Common Pleas Hunterdon County
Aug. Term 1832
     And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter 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 John Fidler who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Hopewell and that William Marshall is also a resident in the township aforesaid and is a credible person and and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Given under our hands this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1832
Benj. Egbert
Jacob J. Young
John Barton

    I Isaac G. Farlee Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon to hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Simmins Sen'r. for a pension and I do further certify that David Stout is one of the Judges of theCourt aforesaid and that the signature annexed to the above affidavits is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourteenth day of August eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Isaac G. Farlee CLK
Page 7

State of New Jersey
Hunterdon County
      I Isaac G. Farlee, clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that it was this day proved before said court, in open court, by testimony satisfactory to said court, that Henry Simmons deceased late of the township of Hopewell in said county, died on the twenty third day of January last and that he left no widow surviving him: That he had at the time of his death six surviving children whom he left surviving him, to wit: Mary Conlon widow, Henry Simmons, Nancy Johnson widow, Catharine Hunt wife of Wilson Hunt, John M. Simmons, and Joseph B. Simmons, and that all of said children are now living.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said court this twenty ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five Isaac G. Farlee
Page 8

Rev. War
4838

INVALID
Henry Simmons
Privt. Rev. War


Act: June 7th 1832

Index:- Vol. M, Page 342
Page 9

Henry Simmons
New Jersey

Suspended - Letter
5 Sept 1834 B. Van Cleve
2   ?       "
5 May 1835 Hon S.L. Southard
6.  ?      "                "         "
Page 10

Henry Simmons

admd.

7 mo. 14 ds. pri-

died 23 Jan 1835
no widow - his children
are
Henry Simmons
John M. Simmons
Joseph b. Simmons
Mary Conlon widow
Nancy Johnson widow
and Catharine Hunt wife
  of Wilson Hunt
Page 11

Hunterdon County
State of New Jersey 
     Personally appeared before me David Stout one of the Judges of the Peace in and for said county Oliver Hunt a soldier of the Revolution aged seventy seven years in August last who being duly sworn upon his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Henry Simmins of the township of Hopewell the County of Hunterdon in said State of New Jersey a soldier of the revolution and that he served in the militia from the county of Hunterdon with the said Henry Simmons in the same Regiment which was commanded by Col Isaac Smith at Amboy as a private in the spring of the year 1776 in the month of April and recollects perfectly well of seeing the said Henry Simmons doing duty  at Amboy and in the immediate vicinity two months - the deponent further states that he saw the said Henry Simmons doing duty at a place called Smiths Farms in the fall of the year 1776 and knows that the said Henry Simmons served on this tour one month, and thinks that Col. Smith still was in command of the regiment - deponent furthers says that he was out one other tour with the said Henry Simmons  in June 1777 and marched in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Phillips a Joab Houghton, Lieutenant Col. and marched from Pennington to Ringoes Coughstown and from thence to Sousland(?) Mountain,  and on to Steels Gap, and from thence to Bound Brook QuibbleTown Samptown (?) and on to Matutchen Meeting House to Ash Swamp (?) deponent verily believes that the said Henry Simmons was out on this tour at least one month.  This deponent further says  that he knew the said Henry Simons to be out one other tour in the latter part of the year 1777 or beginning of 1778 and march with the said....
Page 12

(continued from previous page)

...Henry Simmons from Pennington through Trenton Bordentown to the Black Horse and recoinetered (?) there - some considerable time deponent verily believes that the said Henry Simmons was out on this tour one month at least - this deponent further that he knew the said Henry Simmons to be out  one other tour in June 1778 deponent ad the said Henry Simmons were in the outflanks of the army at the Battle of Monmouth ad were commanded by Col. Joseph Phillips and Lieutenant Col. Joab Houghton.  Deponent verily believes that the said Henry Simmons was out on this tour one month - this deponent further states that the said Henry Simmons was always ready and willing to serve his country in any and every emergency when called upon for his services.
Oliver Hunt

Sworn and subscribed to
this 15th day of December 
1834 before me
David Stout J. Peace

    I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Oliver Hunt who has signed the above affidavit and believe him to be entitled to full faith and credit - to all statements that he may make of which I do recommend him to the Department.
David Stout
J. Peace
Page 13

Hunterdon County
State New Jersey
     Personally appeared before me David Stout one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County Isaac Dunn a soldier of the revolution of the township of Montgomery in the County of Somerset in said State aged seventy four years the sixth day of December (last) who being duly sworn upon his oath saith that he is personally acquainted with Henry Simmons and knows him have served in the army of the United States in the Revolutionary War and recollects perfectly well of the said Henry Simmons doing one tour of duty in the same Regiment with himself the Regiment was commanded by Col. Jos. Phillips and Joab Houghton Lieut. Cols. of Hunterdon don't recollect name of the Regiment - this deponent and the said Henry Simmons  marched in the said Regiment from Hopewell Hunterdon County to Sourland (?) Mountain in the spring of 1777 - deponent thinks that they commenced their line of march in the month of May and returned back in June and from thence they marched to Steels Gap and staid there several days then marched from thence to Bound Brook, Quibbletown, Samptown, to Matutchan and so on to Ash Swamp - this deponent saw Henry Simmons doing duty at all these different places and can't recollect the length of time - deponent further saith that he was out one other tour with said Henry Simmons in the year 1780 under the same officers and marched from Hopewell to Springfield deponent thinks in the month of June and was there  the deponent thinks about a month deponent further saith that he saw and knows that the said Henry Simmons was to one other tour in the winter of 1781 at the time of the revolt of the Pennsylvania Blue under the same field officers and march from Hopewell to Princeton together this deponent don't recollect the precise time or length of this tour this deponent further saith that he verily believes the said Henry Simmons was out on every call made upon him during.....
Page 14

(continued from previous page)

...during the war and very believes that  he done as much military duty as any other man in the above Regiment to which he belongs as he was always a zealous friend to the success of American Independence.
Isaac Dunn

Subscribed and Sworn to
this 12 day of December
1834 before me
David Stout J. Peace

Hunterdon County
State of New Jersey
    I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Isaac Dunn who signed the above affidavit, and do recommend him as a man every way entitled to full faith and credit to all statement he may make under oath.
David Stout
J. Peace

State of New Jersey 
   I James D. Westcott Secretary of State of New Jersey to certify that David Stout Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit of Isaac Dunn and Oliver Hunt were taken and who hath attended the same, is at the time thereof a Justice of the Peace and also a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Hunterdon in said State, duly appointed, commissioned, and sworn and that full faith and credit are to be given to his official attentions.  Given under my hand and seal of office at Trenton this twentieth day of January AD one thousand eight hundred and thirty five.
James D. Westcott
Page 15

Free (postage??)

Saml. L. Southard

J.L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 16

Dear Sir,
     Will you add these to the papers of Henry Simmons and decide on this right. I know Oliver Hunt one of the witnesses - he is worthy of trust.  I also know Henry Simmons.  He is a worthy man and his reputation is that of a soldier of the Revolution. Please let me hear from you about it.

I am respectfully
Saml. L. Southard
Trenton 21 April 1835



J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 17

B. F. Vancleve


Admd.
Page 18

War Department
Pension Office

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 you case in 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 compiling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim

A statement, showing the service of Henry Simmons.

(note:  after the above: See 3d page)



I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant;
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 19

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:
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 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
On this
day of
County of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
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)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
(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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A.
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.
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:
() We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
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
Page 20

4
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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.
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
inquiry 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.
(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 claimant 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
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
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---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
rects 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, etc 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.
(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 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
(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 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.
(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.
#
The
applicant must specify his service as above required
Page 21

at top:
Trenton Nov 2 1835. (crossed out)

post marked Trenton, over-written Henry Simmons. Nov 5.

Free (postage??)

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office
Washington D.C.
Page 22

Trenton New Jersey
November 2. 1835

Sir,
     By your letter of May 5 1835 to S.L. Southard. it is stated, that the depositions which have been received at your office in reference to Henry Simmons's claim of a pension,, proved seven months and 14 days actual service which would be allowed him but that no allowance could be made for further time without further proof -  Mr. Simmons's death which hd taken place a short time before  prevents further proof, and by your letter of June 4, 1835 you say that, on the receipt of a certificate of the date of his death with the name of his children if he left no widow "a certificate for the amount before intimated would be transmitted".
     I have now charge of the matter for the children of Mr. Simmons and send enclosed such certificate as is mentioned in your letter. Please forward to me the necessary paper to enable them to draw their father's arrears of pension.

Very respectfully
Yours
James Wilson

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 23

June 4
N.J.

Post Marker: Trenton NJ Jun 2

J.L.Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 24

Trenton New Jersey
June 1 1835

Sir:
     By your letter of the 5th ultimo I am informed that upon the evidence heretofore produced in support of Henry Simmons's claim for a pension, he cane allowed for seven months and fourteen days but for no longer time without further testimony.  I have recently learned that the old man is dead, but do not know the precise time of his decease.  This would perhaps prevent the introduction of further testimony, but if it would not, his children would rather receive the allowance for 7 months and 14 days, than to encounter the delay and trouble of procuring further evidence.  I do not know what are the rules of the department in a case go this kind, but trust that they are such as will put into the hands of the children the pension to which their father is found to be entitled.  The certificate may perhaps be made out in the pensioner's name and the amount drawn by his children on proving his death and the right, in the usual way.

Very Respectfully 
Your Obed't. Serv't
Sam. L. Southard

J.L.Edwards Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Page 25

Declaration of
Henry Simmins
Senior


Suspended


Benjamin Van Cleve
Trenton
New Jersey
Page 26

State of new Jersey
Hunterdon County

     Personally appeared before me Daniel Cook one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon aforesaid on this 27th day of June 1834 Henry Simmins Sen'r. a resident of the township of Hopewell County and State aforesaid  who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of theAct of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1932.
     That he is unable to attend the court of common Pleas of the county aforesaid on account of his age and debility.
     That he was born at the city of Dublin in Ireland on the twelfth day of March 1749 and is now in the eighty sixth year of his age and appeared by the family record herewith produced.  That in the year 1767 he came to this country and settled in the township of Hopewell aforesaid in the year 1772 where he has resided ever since.
     That in the month of March 1776 he entered into the company of militia commanded by Capt. Captain Mott which belonged to the regiment commanded by Col. Jos. Phillips - which said regiment was a component part of the Brigade commanded by Genl. Philemon Dickinson and that he marched in the said company and brigade to the Raritan and proceeded along the shore of the same to Amboy in which and the vicinity they were employed in active service in the Revolutionary War under.....
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...the above mentioned officers where they remained for three tours ending in the month of June 1776 making a service of three months at the above mentioned place.
     That in the month of June last aforesaid he returned to Amboy and entered into the company of Capt. Mott aforesaid in the brigade  above mentioned and served for three tours ending in the month of September 76 making full three months service in the Revolution.
      That on the first of October in the year aforesaid he joined the militia company commanded by Capt. Titus which was encamped at Smiths Farms near Elizabeth Town County and State aforesaid which company belonged to the regiment commanded by Col. Jos Phillips and was a component part of the brigade commanded by General Philemon Dickinson.  That he served in the said company at Smith's Farm from the first of October until the first of November in that year making one month service.
     That in the month of November aforesaid he entered the company of Capt. Titus of the Regiment and Brigade aforesaid and marched in the said company with Gen'l. Washington in his retreat from New Brunswick to Trenton. That he was with the said company in crossing the Delaware at the Ferry above Trenton on the 25th of December 1776 and was engaged in the battle of Trenton when the Hessians surrendered and remained in the said company until the month of February '77 making a term of three months service.
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     That he served in the company commanded by Capt. Henry Phillips which was then attached to the brigade of Gen'l. Jonathon Heard at Elizabethtown where they were encamped three tours to wit:  the month of July in 1777 January and May in 1778 making three months service during the time they remained in the said encampment.
     That in the month of June in the year aforesaid (1778)k he entered the company of Capt. Mott belonging to Gen'l.  Dickinson's Brigade which was stationed at the Draw Bridge near Bordertown Burlington County for the purpose of intercepting the march and obstructing the passage of the British army under Sir Henry Clinton  who had evacuated Philadelphia.  That he followed with said company in the pursuit of the British Army until they arrived at Freehold and was engaged on the 28th of the same month at the Battle of Monmouth and remained until the month of September  following when he returned home having served three months.
     That in the first of May 1779 he joined Captain Houten's company belonging to General Dickinson's brigade and served three in one tour at the Passaic Falls in Essex County, one tour at Compton Plains and one tour at Flanders in the County of Morris where they were stationed to prevent the depredations of the Tories and to cut off all clandestine trade with the enemy and that he left the said company...
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...    At Flanders in the month of August having served three months therein.
     That on the 20th of November 1779 he entered the company of Capt. Titus which was encamped at Maidenhead (now Lawrenceville) in this county and seven one month and from there he home assort term then marched with Gen'l. Dickinson's Brigade to Baptist Meeting House in Hopewell township aforesaid and fro thence to Princeton at the revolt of the Pennsylvania line and remained in arms  until after the mutiny of the Pennsylvania troops had been suppressed which was on the 20th of January 1780 having completed two months service therein.
     That Jesse Moore and John Fidler served with him in the Revolutionary War and can corroborate the statements made by him in the above declaration - that they are residents of the township County and State in which he resides and that William Mc Lenahan is the nearest clergyman to him and resided in the township of Hopewell aforesaid and can testify to his character for veracity and the belief of himself and neighborhood as to his revolutionary services.
    He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity expect the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Henry Simmins Sen'r.

Subscribed and Sworn this 27th day of June AD 1834 before me
Daniel Cook
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New Jersey
Hunterdon County
     Personally appeared before me David cook one of the Judges of the Inferior court of Common Pleas in the county aforesaid John fiddler who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is acquainted with Henry Simmins Sen'r. within mentioned and has known him since the year 1774 - That he served in the Revolutionary War with him under different officers at various times - that he served with him at Smith's Farm near Elizabethtown in the company of Capt. Phillips brigade of Gen'l. Dickinson one tour in the year 1778 in the month of October - Was with him in the same company in Washington's retreat across New Jersey in Dec. 1776 and served with him from the commencement to the conclusion of that service between three and four months.
     That he served in the company ofCapt; Henry Phillips and the brigade of Gen'l. Heard at Elizabeth three tours in 77 & 78 with the applicant when the brigade was stationed there and that from the first June 1778 he was with him in Capt. Motts company at the Draw Bridge below Trenton and followed the British to Monmouth and was engaged in the Battle of Monmouth and that they served three months at that tour.  That in the year 1779 he served with him in Capt. Houten's company one tour, tour at Passaic Falls, Essex County, one tour.....
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...at Pompton Plains and one at Flanders where they were ordered to break the illegal trading with the Tories and the British - That in the month of November 1779 he entered Capt. Titus company and knows he served at Maidenhead (now Lawrenceville) and Baptist Meeting House marched from thence to Princeton at the revolt of the Pennsylvania line and remained until the mutiny of the Pennsylvania troops was quieted and believes him to have served with him as they generally went and came together as they resided in the same township and further saith not.
John Fidler

Subscribed and swore
this 27th day of June
A.D. 1834 before me
Daniel Cook
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New Jersey
Hunterdon County
     Personally appeared before me Daniel Cook one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon Jesse Moore who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is acquainted with Henry Simmins Senior ands known him since the commencement of the Revolutionary War -- that he knows him to have been engaged in the said war from his own personal knowledge.  That he served with him in the company commanded by Capt. Mott and that he believes he done number of tours of duty in the revolutionary war otherwise to the best of his knowledge and further saith not.
Jesse Moore
Subscribed andSworn
this 27th day of June
AD 2834 before me
Daniel Cook
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     We William McLenahan a clergyman and Jesse Moore residing in the township of Hopewell do hereby certify That we are well acquainted with Henry Simmins Sen'r. who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be in the eighty sixth year of his age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides mohave been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
W. McLenahan
Jesse Moore

Subscribed and sworn
this 27th day of June AD
1834 before me
Daniel Cook

     I Daniel Cook one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon do hereby certify that Henry Simmins Sen'r. is unable to attend theCourt aforesaid owing to his age and increasing infirmities and I do further certify and declare my opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and that William McLenahan is a clergyman residing in the township of Hopewell and that John fiddler and Jesse Moore are also residents therein and are entitled to credit in their statements being credible persons - Given under my hand this 27th day of June eighteen hundred and thirty four.
Daniel Cook
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State of New Jersey
     I James D. Westcott Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do certify that Daniel Cook Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken and who has attested the same was at the time thereof and now is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon, in said State duly appointed, commissioned, and sworn and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given  to his official attestations - Given under my hand and seal of office at the City of Trenton this twenty seventh of June AD one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
James D. Westcott






(On a personal note - a real thrill to transcribe this application of my own ancestor!  SKM)