Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 100, John Wortman, New Jersey
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Service
New Jersey
Wortman, John
Charity
Number
W.100
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Let. Lewis Condict
[illegible] 27th 1841
Yo same March 5, 1841
Let to J. S. Hager Oct 7 1842

New Jersy 2676
Charity Wortman widow of John Wortman
and who died on the 19th May 1831 of Morris Co. in the state of N. Jersy who was a Teamster in the _ commanded by Captain Hunt of the _ commanded by N.J. in the Continental service line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 dollars -cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of May 1839 and sent to Hon. L Condict Morristown, N.J.
Arrears to the 4th of March '39            240.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 6 Sep " 40.00
 $280.00
{Act of July 7, 1838}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
[illegible]
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[677]
Family Record
Marriages
John Wortman Married
to Charity Mesler October
2nd 1785
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[678]
Family Record
Births
John Wortman was born August the 25th 1757
Charity Mesler wife of John Wortman born June 20th 1768.
Childrens ages
Jane Wortman 1st born was born July 6th 1786
Benjamin Wortman 2nd born May 2, 1788
Female child born June the 13th 1790 3rd born
Mary Wortman 4th born August 26th 1791
Agnes Wortman 5th born October 13th 1793
Charity Wortman 6th born March 10th 1796
Ann Wortman 7th born July 9th 1798
Sarah Wortman 8th born March 31st 1801
Births
Abraham Wortman 9th born July 14th 1803
Ruth Wortman 10th born April 12th 1806
John Wortman 11th born April 6th 1809
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[679]
Family Record
Births
Deaths
Female child 3rd born died June 26th 1790
Sarah Wortman 8th born died April 3 1802
Ruth Wortman 10th born died December 6th 1809
John Wortman died May 19th 1831
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[680]
Family Record
Deaths
Deaths
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3097
2676
New Jersey
Morris County
Charity Wortman
Widow of John Wortman
Declaration for a pension
[illegible] 2nd Oct 85
[illegible] 19 May 1831
Admitted Teamsters 2 years
Return to Lewis Condict
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress, of the 7th July 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows"
State of New Jersey, Morris County [illegible]
On this 30th day of August, ADomini 1838, personally appeared before this court of Common Pleas of said County, Charity Wortman, a widow of Chester Township, in the County of Morris, aged 70 years; who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1838- entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows"
I am the widow of John Wortman, who was an enlisted driver of a Team in the Continental service of the United States in the war of the revolution.  He was first enlisted as a Team driver or wagoner, in the fall of 1779, in the month of October by Samuel Hunt, to serve in that capacity, for the term of six months.  Said Samuel Hunt, I believe derives his authority to make first enlistment or written engagements, from Sidney Berry, who as nearly as I can understand, was a public officer of the United States, as well as Samuel Hunt, both of them believed to belong to the  commissary or Quarter Master Department of the Army.  My husband was employed throughout the fall of 1779 from the time of his enlistment, in carting Continental stores, such as clothing, shoes, flour, feed- corn, oats, rum, sugar, hides & from Trenton, Easton,  Lamberton & to Morristown, Pompton, New Windsor, West Point & other army stations, wherever such stores were ordered for the use of the Continental army. - After this term of enlistment had expired, [illegible], in April 1780, my husband enlisted to serve for 12 months, in the same kind of service as a Teamster or Driver of public wagons, used in Thomas Doyles & performed the same duties as when under Hunt, until his year expired which was in April 1781.  He used Continental money & certificates in pay for his service. - I believe he also performed duties as a common militia soldier with his musket, in other years of the war, but before & after his wagon service, which I cannot specify, nor do I know of a single living witness who served with him in such duties.  If however, I should be so fortunate as to find any of his comrades living, I hope to be allowed or full infantry militia services, as can be proved, as fully as if I could now specify them. - Wm. Todd Esq. of Somerset County was with  my husband as a Teamster in both enlistments above stated, whose testimony I hope to obtain.
I was married to the said John Wortman, on the second day of October, seventeen hundred & eighty five, by the Rev. John Joline, then Minister of the [illegible] & Pastor of the Presbyteian church in Mindhan, Morris County.  I do not know whether there is any Parish
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which my husband perchance years before his death, & in which the time of our marriage was worded & the time of the birth of our children.  These events were recorded under the particular direction of my husband, by a neighbor, who wrote a plainer hand than my husband. The facts which it records, are all true, as I verily believe.
My husband, the aforesaid John Wortman, died at his residence in Chester Township, on the 19th May, 1831, & I have remained his widow to the present period.  I was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four, [illegible] on the day & year above written.  
Sworn to & subscribed on the day first mentioned before.
William Babbit
Charity her mark Wortman
P. S. I omitted to state, as I now declare under oath, that the bible leaf, hereto annexed, is cut from the family Bible, before spoken of & is true.
Sworn before me
William Babbit
Charity her mark Wortman
State of New Jersey Morris County
I Joseph Dalrimple, clerk of Morris County, hereby certify that William Babbit Esq. before who the declaration of Charity Wortman above, was taken & subscribed, is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County, duly commissioned & authorized, & that the signatures of his name thereto "William Babbit" is genuine. - And I do further certify that Elijah Ward Esq. before whom the deposition of William Todd Esq. of Somerset Co. was taken & subscribed on the 30th August,1838, is a Justice of the Peace in said county, duly commissioned & authorized, that the signatures of his name to said deposition, which is hereto annexed, is genuine.
Witnesses my signature & the seal of my office at Morristown, this 25th day of September, ADomini 1838
J. L. Dalrimple Clerk
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State of New Jersey, Morris County
Before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, personally appeared William Todd Esq. of Bedminster, in Somerset County, a magistrate in said County, a man of truth & great Respecxtability & having by me been duly sworn according to law, on his oath declares as follows: [illegible]
I am now in the 76th year of my age, was engaged in the service of the United States, in the war of the revolution & am now a pensioner of the U. States for those services.  In the year after the Monmouthh Battle, in the month of October 1779, I enlisted by a written engagements, under Samuel Hunt as a Teamster, or wagon, to run the United States for the period of six months.  John Wortman, was then my neighbor, living near me & about my age & he also enlisted in the same service for the period of 14 months, under command of Captain Samuel Hunt at the same time with myself [illegible] in October 1779. We were engaged in the wagon service from the time of our enlistment, throughout the rest of the fall & winter, & until late in April or sometime in May following.  We carted Rum, flour, corn, feed for horses, salt, soap, sugar, shoes, clothing ammunition & for the Continental army sometimes we rec'd their goods from Lamberton near Trenton & at Trenton & we delivered them sometimes at Morristown, at other times at Pompton, New Windsor, West point, Tappan, & at such other places as the wants of the army required.  We sometimes received flour at Easton & probably corn & feed, but other stores we used principally was Trenton, coming as we supported Philadelphia & other parts of Pennsylvania.  It appear to me that Capt. Hunt received his authority & orders from Sidney Berry.  The goods were usually delivered to a commissary & Capt Hunt commonly gave & took receipts for them when delivered & received in our provisions & our [illegible], we drew from the public stores of the United States.
In the Spring of 1780, as soon as the six months expired for which we had enlisted under Capt Hunt expired, the said John Wortman & myself again enlisted as Teamsters or wagoners, under Captain Thomas Douglass near [illegible], then called Black River in Morris county, to serve under a written enlistment for twelve months, to perform the same duties, in the same manner, as under Captain Hunt, receiving & delivering the goods stores & at mearly the same places as before. - Wortman & I both served out the full period of our enlistments, except a few days, say 5 or 6 days, when he was sick & hired Amos Wilmarth to drive his team for him till he recovered.  We most frequently delivered our stores at Headquarters & Gen Washington was not always living at the same place.  We were discharged at
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& we received our pay in Continental money & certificates. I do not know with certainty what was the precise rank of Samuel Hunt, or of Thomas Douglass, but they were commonly called & known by the title of Captain, as I believe.  I had before this time been an enlisted soldier in the Continental Army, in Colonel [illegible] Regt. & performed nine months service at our enlistment, & was in the battle of Monmouth where I rec'd a flesh wound in my left thigh, the rear of which is yet to be seen. I had also before this enlistment in the army, performed our month of militia duty under Captin [illegible] McKay at Elizth. town & one month under Captain Logan at Connecticut Farms & [illegible]. 
Sworn & Subscribed at Morristown, August 30th, 1838 before me. Elijah Ward J.P.
William Todd
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Rev. and 1812
War Section.
November 10, 1924.
F. Worth Gardner,
192 Freeman St.,
Woodbridge, N. J.
Sir;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 100, it appears that John Wortman was born August 25, 1757, place not stated. He enlisted in October 1779 and served one year and six months as a teamster under Samuel Hunt and Thomas
Douglas of the Commissary Department.
He died May 19, 1831 at Chester Township, Morris County, New Jersey.
Soldier married October 3, 1785, Charity Mesler or Mesla, who was born June 30, 1768, she was allowed pension on her application executed August 30, 1838, while a resident of Chester Township, New Jersey.
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Their children were-
Jane born July 6, 1786
Benjamin born May 2, 1788
Infant born June 13, 1790 died June 26,1790
Mary born August 26, 1791
Agnes born October 13, 1793
Charity born or March 10, 1796
Ann born July  9, 1798
Sarah. born March 31, 1801 died Dec. 6, 1809
John born April 6, 1809
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
This John Wortman's widow was evidently pensioned in the services of John Wortman  [illegible] 1020 but no way now to prove anything
[illegible] by [illegible] Wilson
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Jan. 28, 1841
NJ
Charity Wortman for increase
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington
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Morrtistwon N. Jersey May 16, 1840
Dear Sir,
I enclose herewith, the application of Mrs. Charity Wortman, widow of John Wortman decd. asking for [illegible] [illegible] States, as enlargement of her pension.
It has been delayed, waiting an opportunity to obtain from Trenton a Certificate from Secretary Westcott of the facts stated in Mr. Wortman's deposition.  Upon reflection, however, it occurs to me, you will find them in the certificate left by mee in your office in Aug. last, which contains the names probably of 12 or 15 others & probably more. 
I have sent 2 or 3 times to Trenton by my neighbors going there, but they either could not find Mr. Wescott at [illegible], or could not tarry long enough to to make the examination.
If [illegible] the certificate now in your office does not contain the information, please so to inform me & I will go to Trenton for it.
Your Respectfully
Lewis Condict
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
The above letter was accidently found this morning mislaid  since May & as I thought was sent by mail, on the day of it's date. The boy who was directed to take it to the office laid it in a book & forgot it.  It is the [illegible] concerning which I wrote you last week.
Very Respectfully your Obt. Servt.
Lewis Condict
Morristown, Monday, January 25th 1841
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State of New Jersey Treasuer's Office
Trenton, May 30th, 1840
Abstract, taken from marginal references of certificates issued by Commissions appointed by the Legislature of New Jersey to settle claims of individual citizens for Militia Revolutionary services, by a law passed 20th December 1783.
Marginals of Somerset County
"No. 1592 Letter D. John Wortman 2nd Mast. May 10th '84 L3..4..0
"No. 403 Letter A. John Wortman May 10th 1784 3..0..0
"No. 1204 Letter D. John Wortman 3rd May 2..16..8
The cost (viz. 1204) is taken from the marginals of Morris County.
I Isaac Southard, Treasurer of New Jersey, hereby certify that the 3 number of certificates above described in favor of John Wortman, are copied correctly & literally from the figures, words & letters, or contained in the original now in my office, with which I have carefully compared them.
Witness my hand, the data above mentioned - having no seal of office
Isaac Southard Treasurer
New Jersey
To Jos. L Edwards Esq. Commissions of Pensions
Sir,
Some months pasta, I enclosed to you a deposition & request of Charity Wortman, widow of John Wortman decd. for an enlargement of her Pension, which was granted unto the law of 7th July '38.  I have no memorandum concerning it.  The ground on which she solicits an enlargement, is, that her husband was a Quarter Master. The time when this appointment was confirmed, is not known; but the widow is contained in the above paper, showing that he was recognized in that capacity by the authorities of the State.  My impression is, that in her Deposition when alludes to some prior certificate than in your hands, with sundry other names - but of this I am not certain.
Please notify me the results of your examination.
Very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
Lewis Condict
Morristown N. J. Jany 16th 1841
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State of New Jersey, Morris County
Chester Township, March 6th, 1840
To James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
In the summer or fall of 1838, I made a declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the law of the United States of July 7th, 1838 on account of the Revolutionary services of my deceased husband, John Wortman, as May appear by reference to the papers in your office. - I was unable to state in my declaration, the particular details of my husbands duties in Rev war, but was obliged to [illegible] upon the memories of the witness, who, if I mistake not spoke more fully of his service in the "Wagon Department" as annexed to the Continental Army, than of any other duties.  I am myself well convinced that beside the wagon duties, he performed military service in other character beside a driver of Continental Teams.  He was a Quarter Master or Commissary & performed duties in that character; & it is also my belief that he performed militia duties under the law of New Jersey, all those I do not know of any living witness, by whom proof of such service can be made.  I understand however, that the [illegible] records at Trenton show some evidence of his services in the war, as well as of his rank of Quater Master; an abstract of which I now state. 
Marginal Refernces of Certifictaes in the Treasurer office show the following result.
"No. 1592 D. (Somerset 6*) John Wortman, Quarter Master May 10th, '84 L 3..4..0
"No. 403 A. (Do. ) John Wortman May 10th 1784 3..0..0
"No. 1204 D. (Morris 6*) John Wortman 3d May 2..16.8
The services of my husband in the wagon department, if I understand right, was continued about two years, [illegible] in 1779, 80 & 81, according to the evidence. It is my belief, that the services spoken of & performed as Quarter Master for which said certificates were given him, were altogether different from his wagon service; & I do hereby respectfully claim as his widow, such additional allowances to my pension, as this additional proof May justify being it to the enlightened understanding of the Commissioner & Secretary of War, to grant me such addition, as his rank & service, in their opinion may entitled me to receive.
Charity her mark Wortman
Sworn subscribed, the day & year above written, at the residence of Mrs. Wortman before me
Silas L Condict [illegible]
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New Jersy, Morris Co.
Charity Wortman
Widow of
John Wortman
Application for an enlargement of Pension- Law of July 7th '38
Return to Lew Condict 
Morris Town N. Jersey
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New Jersey Morris County Js:
I David B. Hurd, clerk of Morris County, hereby certify that Silas : Condict, before whom the within deposition of Charity Wortman was taken & subscribed, is, & was at the taking thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly authorized & commissioned & that the signatures of his name thereto (Silas L. Condict) is genuine.  Witness my hand & seal of office at Morristown this 15th May 1840.
D. B. Hurd, Clerk
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James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington
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Trenton N. J. Nov 10th 1838
Dear Sir,
Enclosed herewith, is the declaration of Mrs. Charity Wortman, widow of John Wortman, claiming a pension under the Law of 7th July 1838, for the Rev. Services of her husband.  The only surviving witness of Wortman's services, is William Todd Esq. a very aged & reputable citizen & one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Somerset County, himself a pensioner, for similar services annexed to Todd's deposition, by [illegible], is an old receipt signed "Saml Hunt, W. C." for sixty seven hides to be delivered to Howe & Decoo, Trenton.  The hides were rec'd by John McCarter, a 6. H May 28th 1780.- This rect. I found in arranging the old papers belonging to John McCarter, whose widow is also about to apply.  It is sent with Wortman's papers, under the impression that it may perhaps show more satisfactorily the nature & character of Wortman's & Todd's services & can be compared with any others of Saml. Hunt's signatures on the files of your office, or in the records of the Department. - I presume Mrs. McCarter can have the benefit of the same rect. when her papers come before you, as will as tho it hadbeen reserved expressly for them.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt. [illegible]
Lewis Condict
Jos. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
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DEPT OF THE INTERIOR
RECEIVED oCT 22 1924
TO BUR. PENSIONS
[illegible], OFF. APPTS. MAILS, & FILES
Woodbridge, N. J.
Oct. 20, 1924
Dept. of the Interior
Washington, D.C.
Gentleman,
Will you kindly advise me as to the pension of John Wortman who served as a private [illegible] in the American Revolution at the Adjutant General's Office, Trenton, N. J., there is a record of one "John Wortman [illegible] 16, 1730 Residence Bedminster, Somerset Co. N. J. died in Somerset Co., N. J. Aug. 25, 1807"; Refernce to taken from the widows Claim the number being 1020.
In particulary interested in the genealogical family and of the record.
Do you have in file a record of one John Wortman whose widow [illegible] Charity & who (either he or she) may have made claim for pension probably of Morris Co. N. J. 
I would appreciate a reply as it
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will help me to complete the data I have of the Bedminster, Somerset County N. J. family.
Thanking you, I am
Very Truly,
F. With Gardner
1927 Freeman Street,
Woodbridge, New Jersey
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK 
OCT 23 1914
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
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Dec. 1/98
Jno. Van Campen
Dayton Plains, Mich
[illegible] 15.236
100
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 100
Charity Wortman
Widow
John Wortman
Teamster, Rev. War.
Act: July 7. 1838.
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 352
{Arrangement of 1870.}
1924 Nov 10 Hist to F. Worth Gardner