Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 581, for John Tilton, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey

Tilton, John

NUMBER
S.581

CONTENTS
Page 2

416
New Jersey
John Tilton
Ensign,
In the
8 [?] reg't New Jersey Militia commanded by
Col'o Somers in service U. S. during Rev'y War.

Ratio of disability, Total
Time of closing to testimony } 30th Jan'y. 1818.

Inscribed on the roll of New Jersey
at 13 dollars per month, to commence on the
30th of January, 1818.
---
Certificate of pension issued the 24th of April 1819
and sent to the Pensioner care of Joseph
Sharp, Esq. Judge &c Glocester Co New Jersey

Invalid pension,
Law 3d March, 1819

[above number columns] Dolls. cts.
Arrears from 30 Jany 1818 to
4 Mar 1819 - 13 5/31 months } 171.09
6 mo's. ending 4th Sept 1819 - 78.--
[sum] $249.09

[right side:]
See letter 6. Oct. 1832
---
M. D, Canfield Esqr rec'd
Tilton's cut. Jan 4, 1834
do. to J. C. Smallwood Feb.
9. 1835 - do. to Dr M. D.
Canfield & P. Ag't. ["March" crossed out]
April 1. 1836 - Same
April 9 1836.
Page 3

[calculations of pension amount]
     5
[x] 13
    ---
31 )65 ( 2.096  [5/31 month x $13/mo]
    62
    ----
     300
     279
     ---
      210
      186
      ---
       24
       -----
        1 5/31

    11
 [+] 2
    --
    13
[x] 13
   ---
    39
   13
   ---
   169    [13 months @c $13/mo]
     2.09 [for 5/31 mos., from division above]
   ------
   171.09 [for 13 5/31 months @ $13/mo]

   13
[*] 6
   --
   78 [for 6 months @ $13/mo]
Page 4

John Tilton, N Jersey Roll of Invalids -
up to what time, and at what rate was
he last paid?
He was paid to the 4 March 1832 & the rate of
13 dols per mo

He is also on the roll under the act of June
7. 1832. Up to what time paid?
He was to the 4 March 1834

S.F. 756 - of Monmouth Co. NJ
another person -

Pension office
Apl. 9. 1836

 156 [$13/mo for a year]
   4
 ---
$624 [for 4 years, 1832 to 1836?]
 160 [2 years at $80 under 1832 act?]
 ---
$784
Page 5

Woodbury Jany 8 1836
Mr James Tilton
Dear Sir

I send herewith the last aft [affidavit]
made by Drs Canfield and Pitney in
the case of your fathers application
for pension. I thought best not to
send this paper on to Washington
until we could get some one to take it
to the pension office and be ready to
make explanations in case objections
should be made to it.  Dr Canfield
will be able to make these explanations
and will be much more likely to
succeed with it than myself. I
have also sent herewith the letters
which I received in answer or
rather as objections to the former
afft
Page 6

affidavit made by the two
Doctors - I think the last afft
completely answers the objections
made to the first - And I cannot
conceive how they can refuse
the pension unless some entire
new objection is made. You
had better and all the papers now
sent, to Dr Canfield in order that
he may fully understand the Case
and also let the Doctor know that
the same objections which are now
made to the paymt of the pension
were made some 10 or 15 years ago,
and that an investigation was
made at that time that the
payment of the pension was
Suspended
Page 7

suspended for a time, but that
the investigation resulted in favor
of your father, and that since that
time he has regularly rec'd his
pension every 6 mos. until within
the last 2 or 3 years.

If your father should
succeed then you will pay me
for my services, but if not I
make no charge

Yrs in haste
J C Smallwood
Page 8

[postmark] TRENTON N.J. JUL 24

5
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington

[written upward]
July 27 '46
Jno Tilton
N.J. [illegible]
Mo 432 [?]
Page 9

Trenton N.J. Pension Agency
July 24 1846.

Sir

John Tilton an Invalid Pensioner on
the rolls of this agency at the rate of $13 per month
died in Decr last, and application has been
for the balance due from 4 Sep 1845. So far
I can dispose of the case.

His son and administrator has a letter of yours
under date of April 19. 1836 - in the following words-
"In answer to your letter of the 5th inst. I have to
inform you that John Tilton was paid his Invalid
pension at the rate of $13 per month up to the 4th
March 1832, and his Stipend under the act of June 7
1832, at the rate of $80 per annum to the 4th March
1834. There is therefore due him up to the 4th
of March last $624 as an Invalid and $160
as a revolutionary pensioner making an aggregate
of $784. The Enclosed printed sheets will shew Mr
T. how to proceed in order to obtain the amount.
To M. D. Canfield Esqr. (signed) J. L. Edwards

Upon examination I find my books to
correspond with the dates above mentioned. Under
the act of June 7 1832 he appears to have been paid
Page 10

up to the 4 March 1834. Since then I am
not aware of any payments having been
made to him under this act - his name having
been dropped from the roll.

As the case stands upon the evidence
before me, there appears to be due him
under act June 7, 1832, his pension at the rate
of $80 per annum from Mar 4 1834 to Decr
1845, a considerable sum.

It may be well to mention that
his son presents no certificate under act
June 7. '32- nor do I find any in my office

Be pleased to look into the case
and instruct me how far payments
would be proper.

I am very Respect'ly
Your ob't. Serv
Phil Dickinson
P.A.N.J.

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 11

State of New Jersey
County of Gloucester } ss }

On this First day of August in the year
1833, personally came before me, one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of
Gloucester John Tilton a resident, in said County,
aged about 78 years who for the purpose of obtaining
the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7
1832, being by me duly sworn doth declare
and say as follows -

In the month of September or October in
the year one thousand seven hundred and Seventy five
I entered the service of the United States in the
8. Regiment of the New Jersey line in a company
commanded by Zephaniah Steelman - the Regiment
under command of Colonel Richard Somers. I was
appointed an Ensign and was employed in guarding the
sea coast in Egg Harbor and continued in this service
eight months or until the fore part of the summer
of 1776. I then took the post of Captain of Marines
on board an armed vessel called the Congress, Capt
Craig, and was engaged four months raiding off the
coast. I then returned to my company and took my
place as Ensign. About this time, the fall of 1776, there
was a pressing call for men, and a Regiment was to be
raised by enlistment for 5 months. I engaged in it,
still acting in my office of Ensign, and under command
of Capt David Weatherly, I marched to Haddonfield
near Philadelphia & thence to Mount Holly, in the
County of Burlington, N. Jersey, and there we had their [?]
engagement with the Hessians & were obliged to
retreat to Haddonfield. We remained there until
after General Washington attacked the Hessians at
Trenton, and then marched to Bordentown, 7 miles from
Trenton, and remained there until the night before the
battle. We reached Trenton early in the morning; the
engagement began in the afternoon, and continued
Page 12

till dark. I was in it the whole time.
Our company not being full I was ordered to Egg Harbor
and Cape May, to enlist, and having got a
number of recruits. I returned to the company at
Raritan in the County of Somerset 15 or 20 miles
from Princeton and remained there with them
until the spring of 1777, when we were discharged
and came home. I immediately took my station in
my old company under Captain Steelman and
Colonel Somers at Egg Harbor and served until the
fall of the same year. Then I went on an excursion
to Woodbury. Gloucester and Haddonfield, acting as
Lieutenant under Captain George Paine. In the
course of this route which lasted about a month, we
had several skirmishes with parties of the enemy, in
one of which I received a severe wound, and
was taken home and remained under care of
physicians about six months. As soon as my health
would allow, I joined my company and served to the
end of the war on different parts of the Jersey Coast
In consequence of my wound I am disabled to this
day, and since the year 1818, I have received a pension
of 13 Dollars per month of to March 4th 1832 and
that his present place of residence is at Egg harbour in the
County of Gloucester New Jersey Subscribed and sworn to before me
at Eggharbour Day and year aforesaid Daniel Baker } John Tilton
We Daniel Baker John R Scull Nicholas Scull residing
in the County of Gloucester do hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with John Tilton, the person
abovenamed and that he is generally reputed and
believed to have been an Ensign in the Revolutionary
war and to have served as he states.
Daniel Baker
John R Scull
Nicholas Scull
Page 13

Deposition of John
Tilton in his Case
Page 14

State of New Jersey
County of Gloucester } ss
Personally appeared before me one of the
Judges of the Court in and for
the County & State aforesaid
John Tilton who being Duly Sworn Deposeth that
he was Wounded in the left shoulder whilst
Engaged with the enemy at timber Creek in
the County of Gloucester and State of New Jersey,
that at the time of being wounded he was detached
in the militia as Ensign and in consequence of
the Lieutenant of the company being killed was
in actual command of the Company fighting the
the enemy at the time of receiving a severe wound
by a musket ball in his shoulder which entirely
Disabled him for the remainder of the time for which
he was Detached; in consequence of said wound
he has been unable to do manual Labor and for
five years past he has been unable to oversee
or attend to business that the reason of his not having
applied for to be placed on the Pension Rolls of the
United States has been owing to his ignorance of
the means necessary, and the Laws of the United States
and that he is not on the pension Rolls or
ever received a pension from any State
and further that he was wounded on or about the 1st of
December Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Seven

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 13th day of
Jany 1818
Page 15

I Certify that I am personaly acquainted
with the within named John
Tilton and have known him ever since
he was wounded and that I know the
accompanying Depositions to be correct
as I am personally acquainted with all
the Deponents and have a knowledge of the
circumstances Sworn to and that the
Said John Tilton is Respectable Citizens
of the County of Gloucester State of New
Jersey  Jos. Sharp Judge
Page 16

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. AWF OM

January 14, 1927

Miss Martha K. Collins
7 Brownell Ave
Hartford, Conn.

Madam:

I have to advise you from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 581, it
appears that John Tilton, while residing at Great
Egg Harbour, Gloucester County, New Jersey, enlisted
in September or October 1775 and was an Ensign in
Captain Zephaniah Steelman's Company, Colonel Richard
Somer's New Jersey Regiment, after serving eight
months, he went as Captain of Marines on board the
"Congress", Captain Craig and served four months. In
the fall of 1776 he entered Captain David Weatherby's
Company and served as Ensign, was in an engagement at
Mount Holly and the battle of Trenton, and served until
the spring of 1777; then returned to Captain Steelman's
Company, Colonel Somer's Regiment, and served until
discharged November 14, 1777.

After this he served as Lieutenant under Captain
Page 17

George Pain, he was in several skirmishes, and was
wounded in the left shoulder by a musket ball, at
Timber Creek, December 1, 1777, he was disabled
for about six months, when he returned to his company
and served to close of War.

He was allowed pension, from January 30, 1818,
on account of disability resulting from above
mentioned wound, at which time he was living at Egg
Harbour, New Jersey.

In 1833, he was seventy-eight years old. He
died in December 1845.

In 1833, his son James is referred to. There
are no further data as to family.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 18

[date stamp:] PHILA APR 2

J L Edwards Esquire
Pension Office
Washington
DC

[written upward:]
April 4
J. Tilton Jno'd
Page 19

J L Edwards -

Sir

Some time ago. I wrote you
requesting the reasons why the pension of Ensign John
Tilton was Suspended - In answer you say, that
information has been received here, that the alleged
disability on account of which he was pensioned,
was feigned, and "It is stated that the Doctor
who testified in his case received half of the stipend" -

I have enclose the certificate and affi [affidavit] of
Doctors Pitney and Canfield, two of the oldest and
most respectable Physicians and Surgeons in that part
of the country -- from that it would appear that
the disability was real and not feigned as was supposed.
Dr Baker who testified for Mr Tilton has been dead for several
years and as I supposed that it was not material, if
the dissabilty was real-- I did not enquire as to the
latter clause in the letter above quoted.
please inform me of the result as early as Convenient.

Very Respy Yrs [illegible]
J. C. Smallwood [illegible but cf. image #7]
Ap 2 1835
Page 20

THE STATE OF NEW-JERSEY,
To John Tilton Gent  GREETING:

WHEREAS it hath been certified to His Excellency WILLIAM LIVINGSTON,
Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief of this State, that you have been
duly chosen by the [blank] Company of Militia in [blank]
in the County of Gloucester (being the eight Company in the
[illegible] regiment of the said County, whereof Richard Somers
Esquire, is Colonel) to be Ensign of the said Company;
you are therefore to take the said Company of Militia into your Charge and Care as
Ensign thereof, and duly to exercise both Officers and Soldiers
of the said Company in Arms: And as they are hereby directed to obey you as their
Ensign you are likewise to obey and follow such Orders and
Directions, from Time to Time, as you shall receive from your Colonel or other
your superior Officer or Officers; and for your so doing this shall be your Commission.
IN TESTIMONY whereof the Great Seal of the said State is hereunto affixed: Witness
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, Esquire, Governor, Captain-General and Commander
in Chief in and over the State of New-Jersey, and Territories thereunto
belonging, Chancellor and Ordinary in the same, at Princeton the fourteenth
Day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and
Seventy seven

Wil. Livingston

By His Excellency's Command,
Cha[illegible]
Page 21

House of Rep. US
15th June 1848
J L Edwards
Dear Sir
I herewith
enclose additional evidence
in support of the case of
John Tilton dec'd of New Jersey
who was an invalid
pensioner, and who during his
life time made claim
under the act of 7 June
1837 with much respect
I am truly yours
Wm A. Newell
Page 22

Hon Christopher Morgan
September 7, 1840.
O. C.
Page 23

83
Pen off [Pension Office]
Sep 7, 1840

Sir
In reply to yours of 31. ult I
have the honor to enclose you a copy
of my letter of 8 Sept '34 to John Tilton which
will shew the reasons why his claim
under the act of 7 June 32 has
not been allowed.

There is no evidence of his service
in this office except that furnished in
support of his claim to an Invalid
pension which did not exceed 15
days during which he was wounded.

He should as required by my letter give
under oath a detailed statement of the period
and length- & grade of each term of actual
Service in the field & garrison and lay
it before the Secy of N. Jersey for the
evidence which his records afford of each

Hon Christopher Morgan
Aurora
N.Y.
Page 24

War Dep [?]
P.O.
Sept 8 [?], 1834
Sir
Whether your actual services in the
field or garrison will bring your claim within [?] the
provisions of the act of 7 June 1832 will be
determined whenever you will furnish this
Department with a detailed statement [illegible]ing
each term of your actual service shewing
the officers places & terms for which it was
performed, & supported by the evidence of survivors
The statement heretofore furnished it is
presumed was not intended to represent
your actual service as it is totally contradicted
both by the legal obligations of the militia to serve
and the statements of others during the course
of actual service at the periods stated. The
date of your appointment as Ensign which
is given as dated in Sept or October 1775 is
Page 25

mistaken. The date of your appointment [was?]
the 14th Nov 1777 and you served under it about
half a month when you were wounded and
disabled from further service, as appears by
the evidence taken in support of your claim
to an invalid pension. The present papers
remain on file

John Tilton Esq
Gloucester
New Jersey

[written vertically:]
NJ
John Tilton
8 Sep 1834
AC
Page 26

This claim is not identical
with
John Tilton of Monmouth Co. N. J.
in 1833. S. File 765
John Tilton of Richland Co. Ohio
in 1833. S. File 16273
John Tilton died Dec. 1, 1836,
Reg. Wid 10610.
Page 27

Deposition of Jonathan
Ireland as to the Service
and wound of
John Tilton
Page 28

State of New Jersey
County of Gloucester } ss
Personally appeared before me
the Subscriber one of the Judges
of the Court in and for the County
of Gloucester aforesaid Johnathan Ireland
who being Duly Sworn Deposeth that he is personally
acquainted with John Tilton late ensign [in]
the 3d Regt. of the County of Gloucester Commanded by [Col]
Richard Somers and that the said John Tilton was
wounded in the left shoulder while Detached in
the Militia and in actual engagement with
the enemy at Timber Creek on or about the
18th of December 1777 - that the Said John Tilton
was then a citizen of the township of Great Eggharbor
and has constantly remained a Citizen of the afforesaid
Great Eggharbor and that his employ[ment]
has been the overseeing a farm and to
in the Township aforesaid Since the Revolution
and that the Said John Tilton was considered
a firm whig during the Revolutionary War
and served his time in the militia and Regular
Service faithfully and Honorably

Jonathan Ireland

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 13th
day of Jany 1818-

Jos Sharpe Judge

I Certify that the above Deponent is a creditable
Witness and a Citizen of the County
afforesaid
Jos Sharpe Judge
Page 29

On this 28th day of March, in the year 1835, personally
came before me Daniel Baker Esquire, one of the Judges, of the
Court of Common Pleas, of the County of Gloucester, State of New
Jersey, Jonathan Pitney and Mahlon D. Canfield, Physicians, known
to me, who being by me severally sworn & affirmed, did depose & say
as follows. That, on the 24th day of February of the present year, being
requested so to do, they both carefully examined John Tilton,
now or late a Pensioner of the United States, residing in this County
in order to ascertain the nature and consequences of a wound, said to
have been received, in the service of his country, during the War of
the Revolution, and found the marks of what was evidently
a gun shot wound in the left arm near the Shoulder joint,
which has caused an irregular enlargement of the bone, sufficient,
in any case, to interfere with a free and natural muscular
action, and much more from its being so near the articulation
of the arm with the Scapula or shoulder blade, and which
does produce a real disability in the use of the limb.

Jonathan Pitney
M. D. Canfield

Sworn & affirmed
before me,
Daniel Baker
Page 30

I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester in
the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that
Daniel Baker Esquire before whom the foregoing
within written affidavit of Jonathan
Pitney and Mahlon D Canfield was made
was at the doing thereof, and now is one
of the Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas
duly commissioned and qualified, and that
the Signature of the said Daniel Baker Subscribed
thereto is genuine

In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
of Office this thirty first day of
March AD 1835

Smallwood Clk
Page 31

Certificate of County Clerk
of Joseph Sharps being
a Judge of the Court
Page 32

State of New Jersey
Gloucester County
I Thomas Hendry Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas, do certify that Joseph
Sharp Esq is a Judge of the Court of Common
pleas and also a Justice of the Peace in for
the County of Gloucester since the fourth
day of December Eighteen hundred & thirteen
and up to the present time. Witness my hand
& Seal of Office at Woodbury this seventeenth
day of January 1818.
Hendry Clk
Page 33

John Tilton
Hon. Mr. Rhea [?]

Rec'd 20th. March 1818.

[inverted:]
John Tilton
Hon Secretary of War
Washington City
Page 34


[this is inverted version of image #33]
John Tilton
Hon Secretary of War
Washington City

[inverted:]
John Tilton
Hon. Nr. Rhea [?]

Rec'd 20th. March 1818.
Page 35

Absecom [Absecon] Gloucester
March 14th 1818
the Honorable Secretary
of War

I have the honor to enclose
herewith the claim of John Tilton
for pension and the accompanying
evidence to substantiate the clain
likewise the certificate of the County or
Cort of which I am Judge

I likewise hereby Certify
that the Evidence in the case of John
Tilton was closed before me on the
thirteenth day of Jany 1818.

If the evidence is not taken
correctly you will please enclose
the papers to me noting the defects
or what additional evidence is necessary
to establish the claim for Mr John
Tilton for Pension.

I have the honor to be
very respectfully your
most obt, Humble, Servt

Jos. Sharp

The Hon'ble Secretary of War
Page 36

Before me Parker Cordery one of the just of the peas in the County of Gloucester
in the State of Newjersey Personally appeared this day Samuel Joy
and Jonathan Ireland of the said County who did severally make
oath that John Tilton by whom the foregoing Declaration was subscribed
is well none to us to have been an officer in the army of the-
Revolution in maner therein stated and was under his command when
He was Insine when he was Wounded at Timber Crick
and that we ware present when he made the Declaration
April 28 1829

  his
Jonnathan X Irelang
  mark

Taken and subscribed before
mee one of the just. of the Peas
Parker Cordery just

April 28 1829

State of New Jersey
Gloucester County ss
I John C Smallwood Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County
of Gloucester aforesaid do certify that Parker
Cordery Esquire before whom the foregoing affirmation
appears to have been made, was at the doing
thereof one of the Justices of the peace of said
County and duly authorized to Administer
oaths and affirmations.

Witness my hand and seal at
Woodbury the 13th day of May
A D One thousand Eight hundred
and twenty nine Smallwood Clk
Page 37

And if those Evidance be Deemed Satisfactory
To the Secretary of the treasury to intitle me
to the benefit of the above mentioned act in
the foregoing declaration it would be the most
Convenient for me to have the draft on one of the Banks
at Philadelphia for any sum that shall be found
do to me. And if you have any letters or papers
to Dereact to me, Direct them to John Tilton.
Bargan Town at Grate Eggharber Glouster County.
State of Newjersey
John Tilton
Page 38

[same as image #37]

And if those Evidance be Deemed Satisfactory
To the Secretary of the treasury to intitle me
to the benefit of the above mentioned act in
the foregoing declaration it would be the most
Convenient for me to have the draft on one of the Banks
at Philadelphia for any sum that shall be found
do to me. And if you have any letters or papers
to Dereact to me, Direct them to John Tilton.
Bargan Town at Grate Eggharber Glouster County.
State of Newjersey
John Tilton
Page 39

Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Benefit of
an act Entitled an act for the Relief of Certain surviving
officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution approved
of the fifteenth of May one thousand Eight Hundred and
Twenty Eight I John Tilton of Eggharber Township in
the County of Gloucester and State of New Jersey do hereby
Declare that I was an Officer in the Continental Line
of the army of the Revolution and served as such I hear
in Sent till the time I was wounded and disabled and
afterwards to the end of the war as far as I was able to
assist at which period I was an Ensign in the Eight
Regt of the Newjersey line under the command of Colonel
Somers and also declare that I afterwards received a
Certificate in conformity with the Law of the United
States of the third of March 1819 at the rate of thirteen
Dollers per Month Given at the war office of the United
States the Twenty forth of April one thousand Eight
hundred and Nineteen To Which I was Entitled to half Pay
During Life under the Resolve of october Twenty first
One thousand seven Hund and Eighty and I further Declare
that I have Received of the united States as a pension
since the third day of March 1826 Fore Hundred
and Sixty Eight Dollers to me paid By the Agent for
paying pensions in the State of New Jersey at Trenton
April 28th 1829

John Tilton

Taken and subscribed to before me one of the Just.
of the peas, April 28th 1829

Parker Cordery Just
Page 40

Deposition of
Rebcca Steelman
of the Service and Wound
of John Tilton
Page 41

State of New Jersey
County of Gloucester } ss Personally appeared
Before me the Subscriber
one of the Judges of the Court in and for the
County of Gloucester Rebecca Steellman
who being duly sworn deposeth that she is
personally acquainted with John Tilton
late Ensign in Colonel Somers Regiment of the
Militia of the County of Gloucester afforesaid
and that the said John Tilton was wounded
in his left shoulder at timber Creek while
he was Detached as Ensign and fighting the
Comon Enemy And that she the Deponent
Nursed the said John Tilton During the
time he was confined with the aforesaid
wound and that the said John Tilton
was a Citizen of Great Eggharbor County and
State aforesaid and still remain a Citizen
of the aforesaid place. and further that the said
John Tilton was at the time of being wounded
an Ensign in Col Somers Regt Militia, it being
about the first Decr 1777-

  her
Rebecca X Steelman
  mark

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 13th
day of Jany 1818- Jos Sharp Judge of the Cort

I certify that the above Deponent is
Credible witness of the County and State aforesaid
Jos. Sharp Judge
Page 42

M Tillon [Tilton?]
Page 43

Bargaintown, New Jersey.
July 22d 1835.

It is hereby certified That John Tilton
an Ensign in the company of Captain George
Paine (previously Captain Zephaniah Steelman)
in the 8th Regiment New Jersey Militia is
rendered incapable of performing the duty of a
soldier by reason of wounds or other injuries inflicted
while he was actually in the service aforesaid
and in the line of his duty, viz:

By satisfactory evidence and accurate examination
it appears that on or about the first day of
December 1777, being engaged in a fight or
battle at or near a place called Timber Creek
in the State of New Jersey, he received in his
left arm near the Shoulder joint a gun shot
wound which has caused an enlargement and
deformity of the bone which interferes with the
natural movements of the limb. For example be
finds great difficulty in putting on or taking off
his coat so much that he should be assisted to
do it thus we believe that he arm is disabled
and unfit for all kinds of manual labor It is
difficult to estimate the exact amount of disability.
We think however that if he were young
enough to work no one would give him more
than half wages, if so much. He is thereby not only
incapacitated for military duty but in the opinion
of the undersigned is disabled from obtaining his
subsistence by manual labor

M. D. Canfield surgeon
J. Pitney Surgeon

Sworn and affirmed
before me
Daniel Baker a
Judge of the Court
of Common Pleas of the
County of Gloucester
New Jersey

I hereby certify that the above named deponents
are well known in me and that they are reputable
in their profession, Daniel Baker a Judgand and Justice
Page 44

I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester in
the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that
Daniel Baker Esquire before whom the foregoing
affidavit of Mahlon D Canfield and
Jonathan Pitney was made, was at the
doing thereof, and now is one of the judges
of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of
the said County of Gloucester, and also a
Justice of the peace of the said County
of Gloucester, duly commissioned and sworn
and that the signature of the said Daniel
Baker thereto subscribed is genuine

Witness my hand and seal of office
at Woodbury in said County this
first day of October in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred
and thirty five

Smallwood Clk
Page 45

This is to Certify the within
Affadavit was wrote by an other person
by my orders and that the Signature
to the Same is wrote by my own hands

Daniel Baker
Page 46

["Receipts for Cash paid _ years' interest on" crossed out]
Notes given by the Commissioners of the several Counties for Militia Services.

[Table; headings and 2 rows, listed by column, rows lettered]
No. of Voucher. [no entries]
No. of Certif. [a] 76 [b] 229
Date. [a] May 4. 1784 [b] "
SIGNED BY. [a] Thos Carpenter [b] Do
PAYABLE TO. [a] John Tilton [b] Do
Amount. [a] [pounds] 4.15.10 [b] 11.12.6
l y's int. [no entries]

STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of
New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract
from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared
with the original, now remaining in my office. -- And I do
further certify, that Thomas Carpenter was,
by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December
20, 1783, entitled "An Act to procure an estimate of the sums
due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the
defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the
settlement of the same," appointed a Commissioner for the
County of Gloucester for the
purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and
Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and
delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of
what may be justly due.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at
Trenton, in said State, this thirteenth day of June
A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

Charles G. M. Chesney
Secretary of State.
Page 47

John Tilton
N. Jersey
Oct 19th 1833
---
John Tilton
["No. 9,996" crossed out]
Now draws under Act 1818

[inverted:]
Paid 1834 [?]
John McCutchen Esqr
Agent for Pensioners-
Washington

[written downward:]
Bargain Town N. J.
Oct'r 21st
Page 48

[same as image #47, inverted]

Paid 1834 [?]
John McCutchen Esqr
Agent for Pensioners-
Washington

[written upward:]
Bargain Town N. J.
Oct'r 21st

[inverted]
John Tilton
N. Jersey
Oct 19th 1833
---
John Tilton
["No. 9,996" crossed out]
Now draws under Act 1818
Page 49

N. J.
9.996
Bargaintown Gloucester Co N.J.
October 19 1833

J. L. Edwards Esquire

Sir

Please to deliver to John
McCutchen Esqr my certificate as an Invalid
Pensioner

Respectfully, Your obt. Svt
John Tilton

Signed in presence of
Enoch Ingesall

Jno McCutchen Esq

Sirs

Be pleased to forward the
certificate to me directed to this place as soon
as practicable.

John Tilton

Bargaintown Gloucester Co N.J.
Page 50

FREE
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington.-

[Postmark:]
TRENTON JUN 19 N.J.
Page 51

Trenton Bank April 28, 1834

Sir

John Tilton an Invalid Pensioner is inscribed
on our books at the rate of $13 per month as Ensign.
His pension has not been paid for two years from
4 March last. He now applies for payment.

From its being left so long, I think it prudent
to request your authority for paying him,
particularly as the last payment made him was
anterior to the time of my becoming Pension Agent.

I am sir, very respectfully
your ob. servant
Phil Dickinson Prest
Agent &c'a

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Page 52

Bargain Town N.J.
Apl 15
Free
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

[written vertically:]
May 4
Jno. Tilton
N.J. Act 7 June
2on Roll. [?]
9996
Page 53

Bargain Town Gloster Co. N.J. 14" April 1836.
Sir
I have received your letter of the 9" inst stating that
"John Tilton was paid his stipend under the Act of June
7, 1832, at the rate of $80 per annum, to the 4 of March
1834." He requests me to say that there is some mistake
in this matter, that his claim under the act of June 7"
1832, was not allowed at any time, until you informed
me by your letter of the 1st instant, and that he has not
received anything since the 4" of March 1832. He is certainly
correct. The error, I conclude, has originated in the fact
of there being a man of the same name, in the County of
Monmouth, in this State, who I believe is also a Pensioner S1-765
Mr. T. wishes me to enquire whether he is not entitled
to full pay as an Ensign, under the act June 7, 1832,-
---
I am, very Respectfully,
Your Obt Svt-
M. D. Canfield

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 54

Bargain Town Gloucester Co. N.J. Apl 5 1836

Sir

I have your letter of the 1st stating that the pension of
John Tilton who receives a stipend under the Act of June
7th 1832 as well as an Invalid Pension will hereafter
be paid on the production of the proper vouchers, the
suspension having been removed.-

Have the goodness to inform me what amount he is to
receive, and also what vouchers are necessary.-

I am respectfully, Sir,
Your Obt Svt
M. D. Canfield

P. S. Zephaniah Steelman, a pensioner, in this vicinity,
died last evening.- M. D. C.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 55

Deposition of Samuel
Sooy, Esqr as to the 
Service and Wound
of John Tilton
Page 56

State of New Jersey
County of Gloucester } ss Personaly appeared before
me one of the Judges of the
Court in and for the County
of Gloucester aforesaid, Samuel Sooy Esqr who being
Duly Sworn deposeth that he is personaly
acquainted with John Tilton late Ensign in
the 3d Regiment of Militia of the County of Gloucester
aforesaid commanded by Col Richard Somers
that the said John Tilton was wounded in the
left shoulder whilst fighting the Comon Enemy
at Timber Creek in the County of Gloucester
on or about the 1st of December
1777- then being Detached on Duty as Ensign
that the said John Tilton was at the time of being
wounded was a Citizen of the Township of
of Great Eggharbor County of Gloucester & State of
New Jersey and still remains a Citizen of the
afforesaid place and that his employment has
since been the overseeing of a farm and Mills
that he the said John Tilton served Honorably
and faithfully the time he was enlisted and
for the time he was Detached in the Militia

Samuel Sooy

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 13th day
of Jany 1818-

Jos Sharp Judge

I certify that the above Deponent is a creditable
Witness of the County of Gloucester aforesaid
Jos Sharp Judge
Page 57

Deposition of Reuben
T Bakers as to the
Disability of John
Tilton
Page 58

State of New Jersey
County of Gloucester } ss Personally appeared before me
the Subscriber on of the Judges of
the Court in and for the County
of Gloucester aforesaid Reuben T. Baker M.D.
who being Duly Sworn Deposeth that he is personaly
acquainted with John Tilton who was
Wounded in the Revolution as appears by the
accompanying Dockuments that the said Wound
prevents him from Dooing any kind of Manual
Labor and at present confines him to his House in
bad weather; that he has been acquainted with him
for several years and has attended on him for an
affection of the Shoulder Extending to the neck and
Head which appears to be wholy dependand on
the original Wound which was near the Exterior
or and posterior part of the Shoulder affecting
the point of the Shoulder as the Ball in
its cours Destroied the process of the Scapula
and that the said John Tilton is entitled to
a pension consequent on the greatest or first
Rate of Disabilitity as he is entirely unable to
attend to business in consequence of said Wound

R. T Baker

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th Day of
Jany 1818 -

Jos Sharp Judge

I Certify that the above named R. T. Baker
is a reputable physician and Surgeon of the
County of Gloucester State of New Jersey

Jos Sharp Judge
Page 59

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and
Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
5 June 1829
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of John Tilton
under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a
request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether a commission, and, if
so, what commission, or other [?] was received at the War Department, from the claimant, on an
application stated to have been heretofore made by him for a pension.

D Nyharn [?]

The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.

Letter from the War Department 6 June 1829
Page 60

1654
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
28 May 1829.

John Tilton of --- in the County of
Gloucester in the State of New Jersey has applied to the Secretary
of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving
officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution,” approved on the 15th of May, 1828.
He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such until the
end of the war,
which period he was an Ensign in the --- regiment of the New Jersey
line; and that he does not state that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the
resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March,
1826, the sum of 468. dollars, paid to him by the agent
in the State of New Jersey.

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated
by the records in his office.

By order of the Secretary,
F. A. Dickins

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
30. May 1829

[paragraph crossed out, not transcribed]

It further appears that John Tilton, Ensign is now on the pension
list of the New Jersey agency, and has been since the 3d March
1826 at the rate of Thirteen Dolls per month.

The Revolutionary records in this
Office furnish no information whatever in
relation to the services of Ensign John Tilton
of the New Jersey line-

Peter Hagner And
Page 61

From Daniel Lake
Ans'd 26th Apl 1824
Page 62

Eggharbour Gloucester County New Jersey
24th 11mo 1823

Esteemed Friend, since I saw thee at Woodberry
when thee requested of me to inform thee, of the real cituation,
of Colonel Thomas Doughty, I have looked at our Duplicate
there I see he is Taxed, as a Housholder and Shopkeeper, he realy
lives in a snug two story new framed house, with a new nice kitchen,
and store House all joined to geather, & by all the neighbours called
hiven, & Since I saw thee, I have heard some of the neighbours say that
he had shewn them his furniture, and that it was good nice & convenient,
and as much as the general run of his neighbours. As to John Tilton,
he it is stated, Receives a Pention, as a Revolutionist Invalid, Reported by
Doctor, Ruben T Baker, who it hath always been stated Received one
half of his, and may [many] others, Pentions, for three years, for geting them
drawn on the Pention list, since I saw the Daniel Baker told
me that Tilton has told him since he had don paying Doctor Baker, half of his
Pention that his wound, since it first got well, (which wasent
long after he receved it) had never been any hindrance to him in
regard to to work; he told me the same before he receved his pention, when
I was Assessor of the Township his Tax generally exceed $20; this year near
Eliven Dollars, with his son James, giveing in 50 acres of Improved Land;
he astand Taxes this year for 2 Horses, 6 cattle, (which is not half of his stock)
Covered Waggon, Sulkey, 50 acres Improved Land, & 100 acres of unimproved
Lands, he has at least 3 Houses & Lots with Tenants in for which he hath
had from
Page 63

From $12 to 20 Dollars per year Rent for. Robert B Riley is the
present assessor & Hosea Framber Collector who if applyed to
could certify the Rates and Tax of Col Doughty & Tilton too, and it
hath not been customary in our Township to Tax our Paupers.

From thy Friend
DANIEL LAKE

to James Matlack Esqr
Page 64

James Matlack Esqr
Member of Congress
Woodbury Gloucester County
New Jersey
Page 65

placed on roll April 1819
Susp'd See letter enclosed
addressed to Hon J Matlack M.C
and letter to Mr. M. dated Apr
26. 1824, and to the Agent at
Trenton, dated Apr. 24. 1824.
See letter to Pension Agent June 6
1829, and to Secr'y of the Treasury
Let to John Tilton 6 Oct. 1832. do
to P Dickinson P Agt 2 May 1834
do to J. C. Smallwood Apl. 7, 1835
(See papers act 1832 susp'd)
Let to M D Canfield, May
4. 1836 & Pen Ag.
let to PAgt NJ July 28. 1846
Page 66

Deposition of
Jonathan Steelman
in Case of John Tilton
Page 67

State of New Jersey 
County of Gloucester } ss
Personaly appeared before
me Joseph Sharp one of the
Judges of the Court of the County
of Gloucester State of New Jersey Jonathan Steelman
who being duly sworn Deposeth and saith that
he was personaly acquainted with John
Tilton late ensign of Colonel Somers Regt,
Militia and that the said John Tilton was
wounded at Timber Creek whilst fighting
the enemy and in the discharge of his Duty
as ensign afforesaid and that the said TIlton
served Honorably and faithfully for the time
he was Detached

Jonathan Steelman

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of
Jany 1818 - Jos Sharp Judge

I Certify that the above Deponent is a credible witness
Jos. Sharp Judge
Page 68

INVALID.
Rev War
File No. 581.
John Tilton.
Ensign Rev. War.
Act: [blank]
Index:-- Vol. A, Page 375
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 69

Jan. 9/93. Hist to Adj. Gen. New Jersey.
Apr. 15. 1897 - History to Mr. Edwin A. Tilton -
47 Pleasant street - Portsmouth, N. H.
(see Inv. 18.250)
1927-Jan. 14 Hist. to Martha K. Collins AWJ
Page 70

Rev
7 Brownell Ave.,
Hartford, Conn.
Nov. 16, 1926.

U. S. Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

Will you be so kind as to tell me on what service and rank of
office JOHN TILTON of Egg Harbour, Gloucester County, New Jersey, based
his claim for a pension. I believe he was pensioned in 1818 and asked
for an increase after 1832.

Thanking you very much for this information, I am
Yours truly,
(Miss) Martha K. Collins

[Date stamp:]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE F NOV 18 1926
Page 71

(on Invalid RHl.)
John Tilton
Suspended
New Jersey
Letter 8 Sep'r 1834
Pensioner - P3 [?] See
letter to J. C. Smallwood
Feb. 9, 1835 - do. to same
April 7, 1835. do to M. D.
Canfield May 4, 1836.

[downward in left margin:]
Let. to Hon C. Morgan (requiring compliance
with let. to claimant 8 Sept. 1834) - Sept. 7, 1846
C. Morgan's let. in John Tilton, P.10610
Page 72

let to Agt NJ. July 28 1846
Page 73

placed on roll April 1819-
Susp'd. see letter
enclosed addressed to Hon.
J. Matlack M.C. and
Letter to Mr M. dated Apl.
26. 1824 and to the Agent
at Trenton, dated 24 Apl.
1824. See letters to Pension Agent
June 6. 1829, and to secr'y of the Treasury.
---
See letter to John Tilton, 6 Oct'r. 1832.
do. P. Dickinson P. Agt. 2 May 1834
do. to J. C. Smallwood, April 7. 1835

See papers under act 1832
Page 74

The claim of this man
under the Act of June 7
1832, has not been admitted.
See N Jersey Register
no 31,889.
Let. to Hon. W. A. Newell
June 20, 48
Page 75

John Tilton
31.889
N. J.
16243
Page 76

Paid 180/P
Major Henry S. Handy
agent for Pensioners
or
his Successor
Washington City

[written upward]
Bargaintown N.J. Aug 5
Old Case.
Jno. McCutchen, present
Jno Tilton
NJ.