Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 5899, for Thomas Peterson, New Jersey
Page 1

(3—1776)

Peterson, Thomas

SERVICE
New Jersey

NUMBER 
S 5899

Carded

Contents
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Virginia 12.956

Thomas Peterson
of Brooke in the State of Virginia
who was a pri: in the company commanded
by Captain Compton of the Regt. commanded by Col. Broome (Vroom) in the Virginia
for 18 months

*N.J. Record corrected.
May 10, 1904 

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of June '33
and sent applicant
Wellsburg Va

Arrears to the 4th of March '33 — 120
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. " — 30
----------
$150

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 - Page 21



Let. Adair Kala July 28 '31

Dead. Letter s to Mr. Clary
July 14. 1836
Page 3

May 11
Tho Peterson Inc
Va MW
12956

FREE
James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Date stamped:  Wellsburg Va
Jul 6
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Wellsburgh, Brooke County, [illegible] July 6th 1836.

Sir

Permit me to request that you  will inform the Agent at Richmond the amount due to the Heirs of Thomas Peterson, deceased. Their regular papers, together with the original pension certificate were forwarded to Richmond, in March last, but on account of the Agent there not having been informed of the sum due, were returned to the Heirs. Mr. Peterson died on the 27th July 1835.

I am further requested to ask the favor that you will inform the Heirs there the Agent has been instructed, that they may again forward their claim to Richmond.

I have the honor to be
Your most Obt Servant

Wm McCluney



James L. Edwards Esquire
commissioner of Pensions.
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State of Virginia  )
Cunty of Brooks  ) Ss.
On this twenty eighth day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court, before the Justices of the county court of Brooks, in the State of Virginia, now Sitting, Thomas Peterson, a resident in the same county and State, aged Seventy Six Years past, 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 7h 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was born in the month of April, in the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six, in the county of Somerset, in the then colony, now State of New Jersey.
That in the month of February, in the Year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, declarant volunteered to serve a tour of six months duty, as a private militia man, in the service of the United States, and did serve the full term of said six month duty under the command of Captain Conrod Garrick, the Colonel's name not remembered.  At the time Declarant volunteered the said service, he resided in the county of Somerset aforesaid, and the principal part of the service was performed on Staten Island, in quelling and subduing the Tories.  That all the Troops to which declarant belonged, were militia, there being no regular officers or Soldiers present, during the said six months service.
That in the month of July 1776 Declarant was drafted as a militia man to serve one month, and did serve the same, a part of the time in the city of New York, and the remainder at Bergin, opposite New York.  This service was performed under the command of Captain Joseph Coshun - and Col. Abraham Quick.  The Troops were all militia.
That in the month of August, in the same Year 1776, Declarant was again drafted to serve one month, as a militia man, and did serve the same, under the command of Captain Joseph Babcock, Colonel's name not remembered.  This service was performed at Amboy and Shanktown.  The Troops were all militia.
That in the month of October, in the same Year 1776, declarant was again drafted, and did serve one month as a militia man, under the command of Captain Richard Compton, and Colonel Peter Vrome.  This service was performed at Springfield and in defending the inhabitants from Tory and British depredations.  The Troops were all militia.
Declarant served one other month as a drafted militia man, and as well as he can recollect, it was in the months of November and December in the same year 1776, at Bergin, in protecting the inhabitants from the Tories and British.  This service was performed under the command of Captain Stotts, and Colonel Abraham Quick.  Troops are militia.
Declarant served one other tour of militia duty, being drafted for Three months; this service commenced in the month of January 1777 and about the time the British Troops lay at Brunswick.  The principal station of the troops to which declarant belonged was at
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Somerset Court House, but were at times ordered to other places; this Three months service was performed in Captain Stott's company, Major Baird commanded the Regiment (Colonel Quick being then under arrest, for cowardice, as declarant understood) and Genl. Dickinson the whole of the troops.  During the time of this service, had a skirmish with a foraging party of the British, and defeated them.  They left, in a piece of woods, two small field pieces, which the American troops had not perceived, and on the next day, the British returned with an increased force, carried off their canon, but our troops took forty Waggons that they had brought to carry Forage &c.  The troops engaged in this last mentioned service, were militia.
In the month of June 1777 Declarant was drafted, and served one month as a militia man, in Captain Compton's company, Col. Frelinghyson's Regiment, and Genl. Heard's Brigade.  This service was performed at Pumptown and Hackensack, being a settlement of inveterate Tories.  The Troops were all militia.
In the month of August 1777 Declarant was drafted, and served one month militia duty, under the command of Captain Wheeler, Colonel's name not remembered; Genl. Heard commanded the Brigade, who were all militia.
In the months of September and October 1777 Declarant served one months tour as a drafted militia man, in Captain Stotts company, General David Firman commanded the Brigade, and the Declarant, with other Jersey militia, guarded the ammunition of the American artillery at the battle of Germantown.  Declarant's commander, Captain Stotts, was wounded at the same battle.
In the month of August, in the Year 1778 Declarant was drafted, and did serve one month Militia duty, names of the company Officers not remembered, but to the best of his recollection, Col. Vrome commanded the Regiment.
Declarant was again drafted to serve one month as a militia man, in the fall of the year 1779, the month not recollected, and did serve the same at Springfield in New Jersey, under the command of Captain Stotts.  At this place there was but one company of Militia and they were employed in protecting the inhabitants.
Declarant therefore claims pension for having served Eighteen months as a private militia man, in the war of the revolution.  That he has no documentary evidence having never received a written discharge.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the penion roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Suscribed, the day and Year aforesaid.
   Thos Peterson
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WE David Pugh, Esqr, residing in the County of Brooke, and State of Virginia, and Moses Congleton Esqr. residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Peterson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
   Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
   David Pugh
   Moses Congleton

On the same day and before the said court, personally appeared, in open court, John Vanasdal, a resident of the county of Brooke aforesaid, who after being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath declare that he is well acquainted with the above name declarant, Thomas Peterson, and who (this deponent) resided in the county of Sommerset and State of New Jersey, at the time of the revolutionary war; and this deponent further says that at the time the said Thomas performed a tour of militia duty under Captain Compton, in the month of June 1777 this deponent served in the said company, as a Drummer, and well remembers that the said Thomas served as a drafted Militia man.  Deponent further states that at several times, other than that above stated, when he was in the service as Drummer, he perfectly recollects to have seen the said Thomas Peterson performing duty as a militia man, in the State of New Jersey
   Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
  John (his mark) Vanasdal

And the 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 stated.
And the court further certifies that the said applicants residence is about twenty two miles from the court house, and that it would be too much expence and inconvenience to him to procure the Attendance of his nearest clergyman.  And
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  And the court further certifies that it appears to them that David Pugh and Moses Congleton Esquires, who have signed the preceding certificate, and John Vanasdal who has sworn to and signed the preceding deposition, are residents in the said County of Brooke, are credible persons, and their statements are entitled to credit.
[seal affixed]
In witness whereof and that David Pugh Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit of Joachim Wicoff was taken and whose name's subscribed thereto was at the time of taking the said Affidavit and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in the County of Brooke aforesaid duly commissioned & qualified and that the signature purporting to be his in genuine  I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court as well being the 26th day of February 1833 and in the 57th year of the Comw.
   Adam Kuhn C.B.C.
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Thomas Peterson, Virginia roll, Act of June 7, 1832.  Be pleased to say up to what time, and at what rate he was last paid.

To the 4th March 1834
at $60. per annum
 3d Auds. Office
July 13, 1836
A. H.
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War Dept.
Pension Office
July 14 1836.

Sir

In answer to your letter of the 6th inst. I have to inform you that the case of Thomas Peterson was re-examd. on the 28th of July last, and it was discovered that he was entitled to $36.66 instead of $60 per annum.  A letter was on that day addressed to A Kuhn, Esq. at Wellsburgh, requesting him to return the pension Certificate in order that a new one might be issued for the Correct Amount; but it has not been received.  The deceased Pensioner was paid from the 4th March 1831 to the 4th Mar 1834 the sum to $180 and the amount of this stipend to the 17th of July 1835
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the day of his death, at $36.66 per annum will be $161.11.  There will therefore, be a small amount to be refunded.

Wm McCurryy, Esq.
Wellsburgh
Brooke Co.
Va.

FOLDER COVER:

Wm McCurry
July 14, 1836
YC

Account 36 page 99
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State of Virginia    )
County of Brooke  ) Ss
On this 2nd day of February 1833, personally appeared before me David Pugh a Justice of the Peace in and of the Court of record in and for the County aforesaid, Joacum Wycoff, a resident in the same county and State, aged Eighty three Years, and who is a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, who from age and infirmity, I do certify is unable to attend at the court of said county, and who after being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, depose and say that he is well acquainted with Thomas Peterson, of the county and the State aforesaid and has been personally acquainted with the said Thomas for the space of forty three years; and from the facts and incidents related to him by the said Thomas Peterson, which took place during the time he this deponent was a Soldier of the Revolution but from the decayed state of his memory, he has not a distinct recollection of his the said Petersons Service in the War of the Revolution but from the facts referred to he has no doubt but he was a Soldier during the revolutionary War
  Joachim Wicoff

And I do certify that the said Joacham Wycoff is a credible person Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid
David Pugh

State of Virginia, Brooke County  SS

I Adam Kuhn clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that David Pugh Esqr before whom the foregoing affidavit of Joachim Wicoff was taken was at the time of taking the said affidavit a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and qualified according to the Constitution and Laws of the said State and that the signature thereto affixed purporting to be his is genuine.
[seal affixed]
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this 14th day of May 1833 & in the 57th year of the Commonwealth
Adam Kuhn
C.B.C.
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Thomas Peterson -
(alledges in his Declaration to have served
(one year & 6 mos. in New Jersey Militia
(So Says abstract for Brook county -

I the undersigned Thomas Peterson a pensioner of the Acquisitions of the Secretary of War, make the following re Declaration of my Revolutionary Services to wit.

I was born April 9, 1756. am a native of Sommerset County New Jersey, and resided there until about 40 years Since I then Settled in the country.

Just before the war broke out, and before the British army had reached the United States - in the month of March 1775 or 1776, I cant now recollect which, I volunteered for Six months.  Marched from my native county under Capt. Tenick to Statton Island.  we were ordered there to put down the tories - after they were despersed we returned home and went our respective places of abode, holding ourselves ready to march at a moments warning when called on to complete our Six months Service.

I think in July following (it was at any rate when the British army first came to New York) our company was called out again to complete the original Six months Service.  We marched to the City of New York.  Joined other troops at that place.   Staid there [illegible] days was then dismissed & returned home.  I cant say who commanded the American army at New York whilst I was there.  I cant tell how long we were in Service putting all together.  Whether two three or nine weeks or a month I cant say -my memory has almost entirely failed in anything.

When the British army lay in Brunswick I think it was in 1776, I was drafted for one month.  Served at Summerset CH under Capt. Bird & Major Bird, and shortly thereafter served a nother monthly tour at same place, but here I may stop, for it utterly useless for me to attempt to detail my tours of services, and give the names of my officers considerably.  All the Service I done
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was in monthly tours except the one first mentioned.

If I was to get all the world for it, I could not now recollect one half of the duty I served as a Soldier in the War - My memory was much better when I made my Declaration than it now is.  I could then only recollect distinctly enough to make out eighteen months, not much more than one half of what I really served.  I know that I was in service by John Vanasdal. - whilst in Service I was at the Battle of German Town then a member of Capt. Staats company.

In witness of all which I hereto subscribe my name July 10, 1835
Thomas (his mark) Peterson
Witness
Jno. McMilen
   a copy WG Singleton

Note.  I am at a loss to form any opinion in reference to this case. - this man seems to be frail in body and mind, and I so think him, but I do not think that his memory is as much impaired as he states it is - I have some sense that his character is good, others equally respected say that it is not good -
W G Singleton
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[Date Stamp:
U. S. Pension Office
Dec 13 1957}

Dec. 12, 1927

127 Whittredge Road
Summit, New Jersey

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs,
  I am asking for the military history of Charles P. Christian, serjeant, Morris Co., N.J. according to Stryker's Officers and Men of N.J. in the Revolution on P462.  Also of Thomas Peterson, Somerset Co. N.J. in Capt. Conrad Ten Eyck's Co., 2nd Batt. Stryker p 171.
  Will you please send me the amount of charge for the above inquiry so that I may send you a check at once.
  Thanking you, I am
  Your truly
(Mrs. J.E.) Bessie B. Pryor
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
(?)/eel

October 8, 1928

Mrs. J.E. Pryor
127 Whitredge Road
Summit, New Jersey

Madam:

  I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.5899, it appears that Thomas Peterson was born April 9, 1756, in Somerset County, New Jersey.
  While residing in said county he enlisted and served as a private in the New Jersey Militia as follows:
  From February 1775, six months in Captain Conrad Ten Eyck's Company; from July 1776, one month in Captain Joseph Corshon's Company, Colonel Abraham Quick's Regiment; from August 1776, one month in Captain Joseph Badcock's Company; from October 1776, one month in Captain Richard Compton's Company, Colonel Peter Vroom's Regiment; from November 1776, one month in Captain Staat's Company, Colonel Abraham Quick's Regiment; from January 1777, three months in Captain Staat's Company, Colonel Abraham Quick's Regiment; from June 177, one month in Captain Compton's Company, Colonel Frelinghuysen's Regiment; from August 1777, one month in Captain Wheeler's Company; from Septem-
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ber 1777, one month in Captain Staat's Company, and was in the battle of Germantown; from August 1778, one month in Colonel Vroom's Regiment; in the fall of 1779, one month in Captain Staat's Company.
  He was allowed pension on his application executed January 28 1833, at which time he was living in Brooke County, Virginia.
  He died July 27, 1835.
  The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any soldier named Charles Christian.
  Respectfully,

  E.W. MORGAN
  Acting Commissioner.